tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84115515930271541622024-02-18T23:32:36.237-08:00West Coast Nerd CorpsJoin Big O, Panda, Beef, and their friends as they dive into the world of geek cultureWest Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-28509059318238358372018-03-21T11:56:00.000-07:002018-03-21T11:56:24.478-07:00When the Zealot Has a Good Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67YzRB73enCjoQ1Oi3YgzmTccNkgZ2TX-FgZWTm23d1gc3bkgtk5ATJFWwZDb4RxGv10V6TgBt5SKI4qmRRDDIB8gLLL6d9YJj3RYlUSup3ePhaoHRIY9GDS_EcQmeSJ3djWVWhjdkmE/s1600/AmonKill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67YzRB73enCjoQ1Oi3YgzmTccNkgZ2TX-FgZWTm23d1gc3bkgtk5ATJFWwZDb4RxGv10V6TgBt5SKI4qmRRDDIB8gLLL6d9YJj3RYlUSup3ePhaoHRIY9GDS_EcQmeSJ3djWVWhjdkmE/s400/AmonKill.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*Spoilers
for Black Panther and The Legend of Korra*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As Panda and
I were sitting through the end credits of Black Panther, I made a statement
that seemed to throw her off just a little bit; “This movie reminded me of The Legend
of Korra.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now I know
what you’re thinking: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how on earth does such
an epic tale like Black Panther remind you of a children’s cartoon?</i> Well
that’s easy: they both had some of the most compelling, empathetic villains
I’ve ever seen on screen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In each
season of Legend of Korra you have a villain whose end goal is hardly something
anyone would define as ‘evil’. To give a very short description of each season:
one is about inequality, two is about maintaining harmony in the world, three
is the importance of individual rights and freedoms, the fourth and final
season is about protecting and rebuilding a broken nation. (Mind you, that’s an
incredibly limited synopsis of what I would argue is a much deeper show, but
that’s another article for another time!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each of
those goals sound, well, completely valid, don’t they? We battle inequality and
the consequences of past inequalities to this day in our own nation. We are a
nation that was founded on personal freedoms. If you take a step back, evaluate
each of these villains and their beliefs, you find yourself going “Wow he/she
kind of has a point.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I found
myself doing this with the mesmerizing Killmonger of Black Panther. He was so
steadfast in his beliefs, so molded by anger, abuse and being the victim of a
world that mistreats minorities that he became radicalized. Here is a man whose
hurt and rage caused by systemic oppression was channeled into an end goal:
become the oppressor. He wanted to give the world just a taste of the
mistreatment his brothers and sisters had experienced at the hands of others
for centuries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And, truly,
can you blame him? Just like the villains in The Legend of Korra, Killmonger’s
end game wasn’t inherently evil. He wanted to use the technological advances of
his nation to bring about a global change to better his people. To paraphrase a
line said by his father, “Our people are over policed, abused, neglected and we
have the power to change that, yet we do nothing.” Killmonger took his father’s
rhetoric and used it to become a facilitator of that change. His passion and
ideology made him powerful, but it also made him a zealot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That,
ultimately, seems to be the key to villainy: radicalization and corruption of
good or neutral ideals. This concept is even verbalized in the fourth season of
The Legend of Korra. Toph, who is trying to help Korra work through her trauma
by reflecting on her past battles with her enemies, says “Don’t you think you
could learn something from them?” Toph points out that Korra’s enemies were
unbalanced and excessive in their pursuits. Their passion and strengths were
corrupted, and that led to their downfall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Korra learns
from her enemies and even empathizes with them. It doesn’t stop her from
administering the justice that she needs to bring, but it gives her a new
perspective on the world. The same thing occurs in Black Panther. T’Challa
almost seems hurt as he watches the sunset with a dying Killmonger in his arms.
He realizes someone should have listened, someone should have done more for the
man he has killed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then, like a
true hero, T’Challa uses that realization to help the world. It’s a great
message of self-reflection. It also makes you wonder: would the same result
have occurred without Killmonger’s influence? It’s a chilling moment when you
realize the villain may have been right about certain things. It’s almost like
the best villains are just people with dreams and goals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">-Stacy</span></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-63914415180828269992018-03-09T12:54:00.000-08:002018-03-09T13:02:15.413-08:00A Normal Lost Phone Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZrqye_JkWy7-HdhkjEJDSg9riprjCVOLuh7m8YX2TgfdtNqbZeqZTAXkSbcxvOWcID_QhCvTyIESHa11tLjse-1x3BJCh_uMvyaZH1e9WXjEO1LTSg0FmAzUu8jvOTWRDGvD9xJJ5Kc/s1600/anlp+photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZrqye_JkWy7-HdhkjEJDSg9riprjCVOLuh7m8YX2TgfdtNqbZeqZTAXkSbcxvOWcID_QhCvTyIESHa11tLjse-1x3BJCh_uMvyaZH1e9WXjEO1LTSg0FmAzUu8jvOTWRDGvD9xJJ5Kc/s400/anlp+photo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Who is Sam?</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A few weeks
ago I was browsing upcoming releases section of the Nintendo eShop and a game
caught my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Normal Lost Phone
is a mystery game with a simple concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You find a random smart phone and you have to go through it to figure
out what happened to the owner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The game
has a six dollar price tag on the Switch so I figured it was worth a try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I got was a surprisingly complex story
told in a new and interesting style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A Normal
Lost Phone was made by a French company named Accidental Queens that, according
to the description on their website “seek to create games that feature new
mechanics, exploring topics from everyday life and social questions, through
innovative narrative tools.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
things I found so fascinating about this game was the gameplay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you’re doing is looking through a
phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No shooting zombies or quick time
events, just browsing a smart phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
may sound boring to some people but I found it strangely comfortable since I
spend so much time on my phone anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
understand the story by searching the text, emails, and websites Sam has
visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the puzzles you solve
revolve around finding passwords to programs that are locked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here you have to use what you learn about Sam
to progress through the game and continue the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
gameplay sounds simple (and it is), but what keeps you playing is the
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You feel like you get to know the
people in Sam’s life through their conversations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the problems with reviewing games that
revolve around their story is that it is hard to explain why you should care
about these characters without giving too much of the plot away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I became hooked and constantly found myself
digging through old messages to find the clue that would unlock the next piece
of the puzzle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In case it
wasn’t obvious, my overall impressions of this game are very positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only drawback that might deter some
people is the length of the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
able to beat it in about two and a half hours, and I really read through all of
the text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a person were to ignore a
lot of the optional information then they could probably beat it much faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though the game is short, you’re not
exactly going to break the bank the bank getting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The switch version retails at $5.99 and
iPhone/Android/Steam version goes for $2.99.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In my mind, well worth the experience you will receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My final verdict is if you have a few hours
to kill and enjoy games that require deductive reasoning, this is a must
play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, if you want to support Accidental
Queens, there is a spiritual sequel to A Normal Lost Phone called Another Lost
Phone: Laura’s Story available on iPhone/Android/Steam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can bet I’ll be playing that
tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might even do another
write-up for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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-Big O<o:p></o:p></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-47833939576325719172017-04-29T15:41:00.001-07:002017-04-29T15:41:58.794-07:00International Tabletop Day 2017<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello Nerd Corpers (Yeah, I need to work on that),
Big O here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is April 29<sup>th</sup>,
but it is also International Tabletop Day 2017.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As our listeners may know, we recently did a tabletop themed episode of
the podcast:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/episode-53-roll-with-it_96512" target="_blank">Episode 53: Roll With It</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In honor of the day, I thought it would be nice to
do a short write up of what tabletop games have meant to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was younger, I had a group that I played
Dungeons & Dragons with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still
relatively new to the game at the time so this was a learning experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person running the game was one of my
best friends Mike, another friend of mine, and I didn’t know the other members
but we quickly bonded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This campaign was
one of my favorites, even to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The story I told on the podcast about the sleeping ninja happened during
this adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met up weekly and
this campaign went on for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
continued, until Mike died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something
that still bothers me to this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Obviously, we were all very distraught when this happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to honor his memory by meeting up
and starting a new campaign in his honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This campaign is still what I refer to as my favorite of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only speak for myself, but getting
together with everyone and playing every week was very cathartic for me and
helped me deal with a lot of very complex emotions I was experiencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will always be grateful to those friends and
that story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, I am celebrating the day by having some
friends over, ordering some pizza, and playing a bunch of games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to encourage all of you to sit with
someone you love and even if you are just playing a quick had of Uno, just
spend a little time bonding with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Who knows, you might make a memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks for letting me get personal for a minute and I want everyone to
have a great day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">-Big O </span></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-83549337209233466812017-02-24T12:26:00.001-08:002017-02-24T12:26:31.788-08:00Halo Wars 2 Review <!--[if !mso]>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Halo Wars 2 Review</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It’s been 8 years since we last saw Captain
Cutter and crew aboard the Spirit of Fire in the original Halo Wars. At the end
of the last decade, Halo 3 was one of the most popular games on the Xbox 360.
Even after the Halo Trilogy had ended, it was clear that there was still a huge
universe to explore. People were clamoring for a new anything Halo, and most
expected the next game to be another First Person Shooter, just like every
other game in the series. Then Microsoft Game Studios did the unexpected. They
partnered with Ensemble Studios, best known for the Age of Empire series, to
create Halo Wars, the first Real Time Strategy game in the Halo universe. Halo
Wars was widely praised by critics for bringing an RTS to consoles and making
it accessible to people who might not have much experience with the genre. On
the other hand, many people bought the game expecting it to be another fast
paced, action shooter game. After the dust had settled and the confusion
dispelled, a community of Halo Was lovers kept the game going until the end of
the 360’s popularity. As the Halo series famously made its transition from
Bungie to 343, and from the 360 to the Xbox One, no one expected a new game in
the Halo Wars IP. But now, with Creative Assembly at the helm, the Spirit of
Fire is ready to renew the fight on Xbox One and Windows 10.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Campaign</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The campaign begins 28 years after the end of
Halo Wars when the crew of the Spirit of Fire wake up from cryosleep.
Unbeknownst to the events that have transpired since around the time of Halo 3,
the crew expect to fight Covenant, except now the Covenant have been replaced
by an even deadlier foe. Enter Atriox, a massive Brute, and his army of
ex-Covenant who make their home on the Ark.</span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOruiaXJnmNDPju4mDvHFx9V0cW5rU8HnpAvgaTbRVD6JYUhEEYhMxS4KAgnlrdP9Vcs12RCkf0GJAWiwilC9AYis__X7Op8gf2-Hb5H_2e93W2pyYQDrCqoUnM_SOCBhPKJqvPbOHvVo/s1600/atriox.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOruiaXJnmNDPju4mDvHFx9V0cW5rU8HnpAvgaTbRVD6JYUhEEYhMxS4KAgnlrdP9Vcs12RCkf0GJAWiwilC9AYis__X7Op8gf2-Hb5H_2e93W2pyYQDrCqoUnM_SOCBhPKJqvPbOHvVo/s400/atriox.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><b>Atriox (center)
and his merry band of Brutes</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Playing alone, or Co-op with a buddy, you assume
control of a variety of characters as you traverse the Ark to hunt down Atriox
and his generals. In the each mission of the about 8-hour campaign, players are
tasked with base building, learning leader powers and completing objectives
like destroying enemy bases, rescuing prisoners and fighting super powered
bosses.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The levels are short, only taking about half an
hour to complete if you take your time. However, additional objectives can be
completed by exploring every nook and cranny. Each level has a Skull, which
modifies gameplay, and Phoenix Logs, which provide backstory. With a little bit
of practice and understanding of unit types, even an RTS newbie can quickly amass
an army and breeze through the story.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABRpnGCnHn40Gk8aGF26fObeHUzUv8Nxz8G-pCAiFq1v4DxdiL5NtlnUcai4CIG2Ni0bD6HDh_XBWAlyaQWdmWdAkQCXlsULQXwCKp2XBkuizPx1DOv2OwNHPXOJH-otuZuSqK8vIUWA/s1600/campaign.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABRpnGCnHn40Gk8aGF26fObeHUzUv8Nxz8G-pCAiFq1v4DxdiL5NtlnUcai4CIG2Ni0bD6HDh_XBWAlyaQWdmWdAkQCXlsULQXwCKp2XBkuizPx1DOv2OwNHPXOJH-otuZuSqK8vIUWA/s400/campaign.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Defending this beach
isn’t quite as simple as it seems</span></b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></b></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></b></span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It seems Creative Assembly, has closely followed
how Ensemble Studios crafted the Halo Wars’ campaign. A hallmark of Halo Wars
was the jaw-dropping cutscenes that fleshed out the story and brought some
small scale action aspects to a supersized war game. Halo Wars 2 features
cutscenes which are equally as pretty and add depth to characters like Captain
Cutter.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Halo Wars 2 features mostly the same cast of
protagonists. Fan favorites Sgt. Forge and Professor Anders return alongside
Captain Cutter. New AI, Isabel, replaces Serena, and the Spartan Red Team,
fills out the major characters.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The story is standalone, so you do not need to
have played Halo Wars 1 to understand what is going on.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Multiplayer</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Where the campaign does lack some replayability,
Multiplayer is fleshed out with 5 game modes and various ways to play. The
newest and most hyped addition to multiplayer is Blitz. Blitz is a hybrid game
mode consisting of one part deck building and one part domination. Each leader
you choose to play as in Blitz has their own unique cards which are played onto
the battlefield by spending resources. Cards can be either units or special
abilities that have the potential to turn the tides of battle. Once on the
battlefield, units are used to capture 3 points on the map. The more points you
control, the more score you earn, and the first to 200 score wins. What
generally ends up happening is a somewhat a mix of skill and luck. You could
play a couple devastating Wraith units, but unless you draw and anti-air Reaver
unit, your opponents Vulture is going to pick you apart. Further strategy is
added when supply drops fall on semi-random points on the map. Getting to these
before your opponent does means you can play more powerful units and secure
points easier. Blitz can be played with up to 6 players for some truly massive
battles and mixing leaders can lead to some unique strategies.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwafYI187VpgZv3_sEhCyAPHyW1U25nUipRJvhGF6bqvCPSZeHTj4WTE2WXeQ5pKuspFYEC2Dk8RIo5k2lMvu-yMOAsvNuasRgv0YPeqIGNxIPum0aM75eYzmohJ-8t7qUVyEtc2Z_gTo/s1600/BlitzMP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwafYI187VpgZv3_sEhCyAPHyW1U25nUipRJvhGF6bqvCPSZeHTj4WTE2WXeQ5pKuspFYEC2Dk8RIo5k2lMvu-yMOAsvNuasRgv0YPeqIGNxIPum0aM75eYzmohJ-8t7qUVyEtc2Z_gTo/s400/BlitzMP.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My aircraft and vehicles
made short work of my opponent’s infantry</span></b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After each game, experience is tallied and
level-ups are rewarded with a Blitz pack. These packs have a chance of
containing new cards which can be added to your deck, and duplicates add
strength to cards you already have. Halo Wars 2, like many other multiplayer
games nowadays, features the ability to purchase Blitz packs for real money.
All cards however, can be obtained in-game.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKAmQLAmwbJMmS5HCBc6K9zarLog4nNSYpD2j5KtWfU7arMQdU2L6yKJpXyoDRWXNa1IdCkjmhn-_XwyQh_EX7sY7VmpiMydNxmDMBQ0N7jAPyGddhn_JeKHwbfRCgRpWM90Rqn4187k/s1600/Blitzpack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKAmQLAmwbJMmS5HCBc6K9zarLog4nNSYpD2j5KtWfU7arMQdU2L6yKJpXyoDRWXNa1IdCkjmhn-_XwyQh_EX7sY7VmpiMydNxmDMBQ0N7jAPyGddhn_JeKHwbfRCgRpWM90Rqn4187k/s400/Blitzpack.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Leveling up rewarded me
with a new power for Atriox</span></b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The other Multiplayer mode which will get a lot
of play is simply called War. This is a standard RTS match which can also be
played with up to 6 people. Two teams, starting on opposites sides of the map
build bases, claim resources on a large map, with the end goal of destroying
all enemy bases. Just like in Blitz, each player selects a leader before
battle. Each leader has unique powers which are unlocked for killing enemy
units and building more bases. Active leader powers include dropping ODST units
from the sky, calling Glassing Beams down on enemies, or healing rings to keep
units topped off. Passive leader powers can help you build upgrades faster or
give units additional capabilities. Picking a leader is more than just deciding
which faction’s units you want to use. In Halo Wars 2, more emphasis is put on
playstyles rather than unit combinations.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyecj9NzTaNa-nEXhW6tfceWRdv5-NMKhPWdV-iZePwtNFpG3l5YOe55RltMbgEYdyB3CdL9icw4CdpxJVlBTb17499ufIkvcDPXO2pb63rPE5xbfpl7TbKDaiWcEhFkxQBCb76rBOc1w/s1600/upgrades.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyecj9NzTaNa-nEXhW6tfceWRdv5-NMKhPWdV-iZePwtNFpG3l5YOe55RltMbgEYdyB3CdL9icw4CdpxJVlBTb17499ufIkvcDPXO2pb63rPE5xbfpl7TbKDaiWcEhFkxQBCb76rBOc1w/s400/upgrades.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Upgrading infantry is
Cutter’s specialty</span></b></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Design and Music</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">New units like Nightengales and Blisterbacks
have been added to the already large roster of war machines. Still, some units
which were present in Halo Wars 1 are conspicuously missing. Where are the
Hawks that were so much fun to use? Surely they should still be around
somewhere in the Spirit of Fire’s hangar, right?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Multiplayer maps in Halo Wars 2 serve their
purpose. Teleporters, energy bridges, and mini bases dot the landscape.
However, some of the charm and intricacies of previous maps such as Fort Deen
are missing from Halo Wars 2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Halo Wars 2, like all other RTS games, is meant
to be played with a keyboard and mouse. Shortcuts are easier and setting
control groups makes zipping around the battlefield a breeze. However, using a
controller works fine as well. The game is simple enough to be played without
any major problems whichever way you choose.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One of the best parts of Halo Wars was the
music. Everything had a great theme. From the menu music to the victory screen,
each frame was dripping with sweeping orchestral music. To this day, Spirit of
Fire and Through Your Hoops remain as some of my favorite video game tracks.
That’s not to say Halo Wars 2 doesn't have some great music. Songs like the Main
Menu theme are catchy just as humm-worthy.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Final Thoughts</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Halo Wars 2 serves as a good successor to the
original. Even 8 years later, the characters and units are just as fun to
control. Creative Assembly has crafted a game which stays true to the Halo and
Halo Wars IP, while also telling a story that stands on its own. Multiplayer is
easy to get into and hard to master. If you allow yourself to get sucked in,
you will be thinking about new strategies and builds for hours.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8/10</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Patrick </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- Reviewer played Halo Wars 2 on PC</span></span></span></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-30693845695098472952017-02-23T17:16:00.001-08:002017-02-23T17:16:29.412-08:00WCNC Staff 2016 Game of the Year Awards Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnstexwgv2J9ii2kzrxOGHesgTf5_UNh7OwuZmXQYApK2OC3ROtBHqXP4lkAos2y49jTJxGxiNSKY1ughAD9LMhZdE6jjDVryXAaPL1De1nd42vxrYoaFB9hnib9lRuTZJPF5h7fjz_o/s1600/GotY+2016+Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnstexwgv2J9ii2kzrxOGHesgTf5_UNh7OwuZmXQYApK2OC3ROtBHqXP4lkAos2y49jTJxGxiNSKY1ughAD9LMhZdE6jjDVryXAaPL1De1nd42vxrYoaFB9hnib9lRuTZJPF5h7fjz_o/s400/GotY+2016+Logo.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Game of the Year Reviews - Chris</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_bBcbGFljJ-da1mRVSFaflxLDaxQg5L8ZN-VvxnDHLaSXxoL7fmuwZBb6g89yc7Y_0-vYCUHWGxyN9jy5BzWZXwVyUxmUq8BtedeD4ZZBVLQO9T7uOZCAhNEhgkCuwE4L6-nGs5RJII/s1600/Chris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_bBcbGFljJ-da1mRVSFaflxLDaxQg5L8ZN-VvxnDHLaSXxoL7fmuwZBb6g89yc7Y_0-vYCUHWGxyN9jy5BzWZXwVyUxmUq8BtedeD4ZZBVLQO9T7uOZCAhNEhgkCuwE4L6-nGs5RJII/s400/Chris.jpg" width="265" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2016 was certainly an interesting year in gaming. We had
many titles come out that were highly anticipated and almost as many that were
disappointing. Thankfully, we are not focusing much on the later. However, we
are focusing on some of the top games of the 2016 year. But, we are going to keep
it simple with Top Exclusive, 2016 Game of the Year, and Top Game regardless of
year.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Top Exclusive</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGnviaPRQ80vaIrupRsWCj1DAOCgE5wgrsuRUBSn3RtTr1S5XAJCdcs1hbPmdpiIZ00CJPo2bVqpLM6UuYm3CviRvs1UgVdEEXR5CVt-K0K0tqEVQhazk_XmfVlCuL-Wd-5rjoUQf4TI/s1600/forza-horizon-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGnviaPRQ80vaIrupRsWCj1DAOCgE5wgrsuRUBSn3RtTr1S5XAJCdcs1hbPmdpiIZ00CJPo2bVqpLM6UuYm3CviRvs1UgVdEEXR5CVt-K0K0tqEVQhazk_XmfVlCuL-Wd-5rjoUQf4TI/s320/forza-horizon-3.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfortunately, this one was a tie for me. Both of these
were games that I have been able to play at any time and able to enjoy at any
time. Forza Horizon 3 was another fantastic edition for the Forza franchise by
Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games. Forza Horizon 3 was by far the best of
the Horizon series. Known for being an open world racing game, Turn 10 and
Playground really turned Horizon 3 into a truly open world game where you can
go virtually anywhere. Whether you want to be able to cruise inside the cities,
slide around in the desert, speed through the countryside, or weave through the
forest, you now have the ability to. The mechanics and physics of the game were
fantastic and really set the new standard for open world racing games. While
still an "arcade" style racing game, it has a nice blend of both
worlds for the racers that prefer simulators. Each car handles and feels different
from the next whether driving your car right off the lot or have it upgraded.
Racing around Australia along the coastline, around the airstrip, or even
searching for that barn find, you can do it in the largest selection of cars in
the Forza Horizon lineup. Whether you are a diehard racer, or just picking it
up for the first time, you can race in one of your dream cars and have an
absolute blast.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAdhIX1oFSXGc6JPjZvHa-nSPXwb41-_531b2PZiA260zbQyLf0KKn0nikNjphf97pKGHKGye4u3iwUe-1yXFBg3R_RtPkADwldx-nQ6ZAevgwcn5tDsO2wNu4BJz6CJ2RlVhPLsfgPc/s1600/Uncharted+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAdhIX1oFSXGc6JPjZvHa-nSPXwb41-_531b2PZiA260zbQyLf0KKn0nikNjphf97pKGHKGye4u3iwUe-1yXFBg3R_RtPkADwldx-nQ6ZAevgwcn5tDsO2wNu4BJz6CJ2RlVhPLsfgPc/s400/Uncharted+4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Uncharted 4 was a fantastic end to a truly great series
from Naughty Dog. While the final chapter to the saga of Nathan Drake unfolds,
we get to meet Nathan's older brother, Samuel Drake. Sam is in a bit of trouble
and needs the help of his younger brother in order to pay off some serious
debts. Nathan reluctantly jumps on board, of course with his old friend Sully and
Nathan Drake's wife. He leaves his "boring" life behind and sets back
off to do what he does best, be a thief. As they set off on an all new
adventure with all new twists, challenges, and puzzles. Nathan's wit and
sarcasm carries you through each moment. The voice acting does not disappoint
and the story sets the tone of the game. The combat is just as chaotic as ever
with more intense moments. Each new puzzle offers a new challenge, with some
being agonizingly difficult. The story in Uncharted 4 was another great one and
continues to prove how great Naughty Dog is when it comes to storylines. While
the game had been pushed back into 2016 from 2015, it was because Naughty Dog
wanted to make sure this game was done correctly. While taking time to rewrite
the ending four times to ensure it was what they wanted, it was the absolute
correct decision. Uncharted 4 is a must play from 2016 and should be on everyone’s
list to play.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Top Game of the Year</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkI-BGULFHjiIM5i3RfhJdhFdIqdChd3gKo3Yr2B6JoGvsYLvTthgynEZIkjwEtai1SxKYUhSiy1Z0gI8dfNUBN6QpWpAnmEhAjia7xqg5G5RmER5LeVeQVsN9azGvaYIUmHoqRtFfQs/s1600/Fallout+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkI-BGULFHjiIM5i3RfhJdhFdIqdChd3gKo3Yr2B6JoGvsYLvTthgynEZIkjwEtai1SxKYUhSiy1Z0gI8dfNUBN6QpWpAnmEhAjia7xqg5G5RmER5LeVeQVsN9azGvaYIUmHoqRtFfQs/s400/Fallout+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While Fallout 4 came out in 2015, it was a game that I
always came back to in 2016, and even currently in 2017. Fallout 4 offered so
much from the previous games and added in some great new features that helped
added to a more immersive feel. Fallout 4 continues with the post apocalyptic
nuclear warfare style and is still the open world sandbox we know in love, but
now you can also build your own settlements with all of the junk that is left
around. That’s right, you can pick up almost anything and turn it into
something. You can upgrade weapons, armor, even power armor. You can also
dismantle these same things to use to upgrade your items, repair your power
armor, and build your settlements. You can spend hours into building a
settlement if you wanted, gaining experience for each piece you build and
dismantle, all the while turning that settlement into whatever you can imagine.
Or you can simply play the story, which was also interesting, giving
interesting twists along the way and forcing you to make choices along the way.
Some choices are easy, some a little more difficult. Bethesda once again gives
us the chance to do whatever we want. Boston, also known as the Commonwealth,
adds new enemies, along with the familiar ones in the largest map to date. The
game also adds all new companions and the return of few from Fallout 3
including a fan favorite, Dogmeat. A familiar level up system with a
combination of new perks and old perks being added, makes you decide how you
want to level your character. The additions of Far Harbor and Nuka World add
more hours of game play to a game that has plenty of play time as it is. While
there were 6 add ons to the game, three added to story and three added to the
settlement building. Fallout 4 is the most immersive game to have released in
the Fallout franchise and possibly one of the best.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Game of the Year 2016</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVuwh0-XjzpLfKGEwW83wxm_sEAeZqlL9VxEBkIJenl7hztIygTLhyphenhyphen2QN9-8N0LQHogzb3MpUoxKHOrur5tmiymd0B0zwW_jADt9tenxzmutj3iXyRwdYeJak_A6-P9vUXTYUErfRZR0/s1600/final-beat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVuwh0-XjzpLfKGEwW83wxm_sEAeZqlL9VxEBkIJenl7hztIygTLhyphenhyphen2QN9-8N0LQHogzb3MpUoxKHOrur5tmiymd0B0zwW_jADt9tenxzmutj3iXyRwdYeJak_A6-P9vUXTYUErfRZR0/s400/final-beat1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anyone who has known me for longer than fifteen minutes
knows that I am not a fan of Final Fantasy. Which is why, even for me, this is
a very surprising pick for my Game of the Year. While I have not yet finished
it due to my work schedules, I have enjoyed every moment of this game. The
scenery is absolutely stunning from the desert to the forest to the volcano and
everything in between. From the banter between the team, the car rides and the
combat, it really does feel like a group of friends just going on an adventure.
The game is set before Prince Noctis gets married, and that's when everything
seems to hit the fan. The kingdom falls just after Nocits and his friends leave,
and it is up to them to attempt to regain control, all while being on the run.
The story has been great and easy to follow even if you have never played the
franchise before. The combat system is now a real time combat instead of a turn
based which brought some new life to an old series, while keeping a certain
nostalgia that long time fans will love. The teamwork between everyone works
well while having a very smooth flow to it. It also brings a few other
things that you can do in the game. Example, you can go fishing, which I
probably spent more time doing that I would like to admit to. You can even race
chocobos! That’s right, everyone’s favorite giant chicken is back! That being
said, if you have not played Final Fantasy XV yet, it is a MUST! If you enjoyed
Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantsy XV is by the same group of people, and guaranteed
to give you even more action, adventure and intrigue. Final Fantasy XV is a
game that is great for everyone, whether you are coming in as a fan of the
series or maybe as a new comer like me. Regardless of which side you stand on,
it is a must play.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Big O’s 2016 Game of the Year<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNkTxg5VrCQwIS8gfskObj304DgvZkwr7pd1WfLZd7QArxnWWSVq0PSsz70kjWbGwxHGPbQIU4hOI1sQ_SU9fqfnr4hzrY2R9YPgtxK-eKvZNzPYTyFA_ZRDTE22YJkX76PG3LgeH1FA/s1600/Big+O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNkTxg5VrCQwIS8gfskObj304DgvZkwr7pd1WfLZd7QArxnWWSVq0PSsz70kjWbGwxHGPbQIU4hOI1sQ_SU9fqfnr4hzrY2R9YPgtxK-eKvZNzPYTyFA_ZRDTE22YJkX76PG3LgeH1FA/s320/Big+O.jpg" width="305" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Final Fantasy XV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROQbg88Fl_MAcH9-lRiAo6p5aWtNIAHH7Q0BK8SsTxXLKRlwvvys9eJpFyYvMGPKzAO5oziijNMpVF8ofzXb68pC0xSkVtzb740SRKjIb9ioqg2DOb7DAVaaE-9got0TyjfDL87LL08c/s1600/ffxv_cover_us_1479897071375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROQbg88Fl_MAcH9-lRiAo6p5aWtNIAHH7Q0BK8SsTxXLKRlwvvys9eJpFyYvMGPKzAO5oziijNMpVF8ofzXb68pC0xSkVtzb740SRKjIb9ioqg2DOb7DAVaaE-9got0TyjfDL87LL08c/s400/ffxv_cover_us_1479897071375.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Final Fantasy XV was cursed with a long development
cycle.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Starting life in 2006 as Final
Fantasy Versus XIII (originally meant to be a companion game to XIII), the game
saw many changes and a complete overhaul in 2013 where it was announced as
Final Fantasy XV.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Normally when a game
sits in development for this long and sees so many drastic changes, the final
product is pretty disappointing (see, Duke Nukem Forever).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, Final Fantasy XV is the exception
to the rule.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Square-Enix has taken great
care to listen to fans and fix mistakes from previous installments of the
series.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Final Fantasy XV is a beautiful,
open world experience that the player can explore at their own pace.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I constantly found myself getting lost in the
world and exploring incidents at nearby towns all while neglecting the main
story.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I got so lost, I poured about 80
hours into it in the first few weeks of owning the game.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I realize that this game isn’t for
everyone.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I found the story and
characters incredibly charming but they could come off as annoying to
others.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">That being said, I loved my time
in Final Fantasy XV and would gladly give it my third best game of 2016.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overwatch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJz_J3i3SsWuEpnw_I1kthJ4ZmBHg8ErVgLJizhnq8xNwfBx3oQ7tY1HxDDxU0pbAQE8DrM4VKn9yvDufCM4OuttWlJ7hqAZHWrKnF_-jEDYnWE0f_lRNjX9cUoWxMV4LEhjfOR3se-w/s1600/Tracer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJz_J3i3SsWuEpnw_I1kthJ4ZmBHg8ErVgLJizhnq8xNwfBx3oQ7tY1HxDDxU0pbAQE8DrM4VKn9yvDufCM4OuttWlJ7hqAZHWrKnF_-jEDYnWE0f_lRNjX9cUoWxMV4LEhjfOR3se-w/s400/Tracer.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you read Rory and Frankie’s lists from last week, it
should be no surprise that this game is one of my choices.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">What can I say that they haven’t
already?</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The characters are fun and
imaginative, the mechanics of the game are much deeper than you would think at
first glance, and it’s just fun.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Personally, this game has been the main way I’ve kept in touch with my
friends on the opposite side of the country for the past year and that makes it
special in my book. Not to mention the work that Blizzard has put into crafting the wold with the use of online comics and videos. While there is no story in the game itself, the world of Overwatch contains a rich lore. I was a little hesitant to put this game on my list because it is a multiplayer only experience, but it does that one aspect so well it is hard to deny that Overwatch is one of the best games of 2016.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Honorable Mention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pokémon Go<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAld_vfRIwPAR_EGOh90Sf9TwBsKLOseVrijbPKPoYLR3Cac2P6UiahRO0_OTmeDRyX3G1WgUZaNSYfyytoy46qMulz-xTw8fbnDfyZ5znGZmEMD5eOpZucvlXFHAsk8m3-zXH0VQKmA/s1600/pogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAld_vfRIwPAR_EGOh90Sf9TwBsKLOseVrijbPKPoYLR3Cac2P6UiahRO0_OTmeDRyX3G1WgUZaNSYfyytoy46qMulz-xTw8fbnDfyZ5znGZmEMD5eOpZucvlXFHAsk8m3-zXH0VQKmA/s400/pogo.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pok</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">émon Go did come out in 2016, I’m giving it my honorable
mention for a different reason. I’m not
putting this game on my list for the traditional reasons you would select a
game of the year nominee, like gameplay, story, or graphics. I’m putting </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pok</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">émon Go on my list because of experience. The experiences I had playing this game with
my friends and by myself trump that of any other game to come out in 2016. I’ll always remember chasing a Charmeleon
through a trailer park during an Arizona Summer while my phone got so hot it
turned itself off to keep from melting or simply sitting at a park bench with
some of my closest friends while we lured the local </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pok</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">éstops and talked for hours on end. While I understand that the play base for
this game is dwindling and the gameplay is not fun in the traditional sense, I
will continue to cherish many of the memories that this game gave me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Uncharted 4<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenaqZ3eVzACFjls2fY1smguV_WvDjPMJkAxOvcuq1r3sE1AS_W3uoIO1qqOYUWslaK33rgWeorpuhkAcqkaLONBDFCN4vT0Gb4ZVZbFyCQl3cg6JksS2BzuJD-qoZIyR1J553OQrU8Jw/s1600/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160520131702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenaqZ3eVzACFjls2fY1smguV_WvDjPMJkAxOvcuq1r3sE1AS_W3uoIO1qqOYUWslaK33rgWeorpuhkAcqkaLONBDFCN4vT0Gb4ZVZbFyCQl3cg6JksS2BzuJD-qoZIyR1J553OQrU8Jw/s400/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160520131702.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Could there be any other?</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many of our long time readers/listeners will know that Uncharted is one
of my favorite game series of all time.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I still hold Uncharted 2 Among Thieves to be one of the greatest games
I’ve ever played.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Needless to say, this
was my most anticipated title of the year.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Luckily, it did not disappoint.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
game is fast paced, while never feeling overwhelming.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the slower moments, the game’s phenomenal
writing has a chance to shine.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I might
be getting a bit ahead of myself, Uncharted 4 is a special experience.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">You follow Nathan Drake (expertly voiced by
Nolan North) as he goes on a journey of love, betrayal, mystery, and most
importantly adventure.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many of the
classic characters return Sully and Elena.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The newest edition to the cast of loveable rogues is Sam Drake, Nathan’s
brother (Also expertly voiced by Troy Baker).</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The journey will take the crew along a set of increasingly breathtaking
set pieces around some of the most beautiful locals in the world.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Uncharted 4 was the perfect ending to the Nathan
Drake story, a character I have seen grow and develop over five games.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I couldn’t think of a better game for us to
part on, and that is why it gets my number one spot.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpVa9GJlU9Xa71m5dF6zPnG3Boq8toFSBmLRjpwvwHrMfewsjaE63_xbqDPlE5Jbn1FDj079HGRKoicepw7hEJsS9fcTxB3_I6zqO7zSvNPVcTOqIDI1NAJU3W6Sv3Q7gx-PvoIZul_Y/s1600/Troy+Baker+Nolan+North.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpVa9GJlU9Xa71m5dF6zPnG3Boq8toFSBmLRjpwvwHrMfewsjaE63_xbqDPlE5Jbn1FDj079HGRKoicepw7hEJsS9fcTxB3_I6zqO7zSvNPVcTOqIDI1NAJU3W6Sv3Q7gx-PvoIZul_Y/s400/Troy+Baker+Nolan+North.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">A Delicious Nolan North and Troy Baker sandwich</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Thank you everyone who has continued to support since we
started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2016 was an amazing year for
video games and 2017 is looking like it might be even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, we’re not even done with February
and we already have some strong game of the year contenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a lot of fun projects coming up on
the blog, as well as a few surprises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, stick with us and we hope to entertain you for years to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">-Big O</span><o:p></o:p></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-76094884832504714402017-02-22T12:12:00.001-08:002017-02-22T13:02:53.237-08:00Nioh Review<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><br /></u></b>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><u style="background-color: black;">Nioh: Review</u></b></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X9RmoeDMAK6VIk_eflVt366bCM4Aqw1C1ReUh1ys3DkBaAl7iMRL3IyCLV1wwpH0llNIO_xbZ5hGWOjHKisK4DOL9f0tT-CN39Z2SrubRmz101HvVozdaqTS-fwX5F5H_-m97k2hPZs/s1600/niohcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X9RmoeDMAK6VIk_eflVt366bCM4Aqw1C1ReUh1ys3DkBaAl7iMRL3IyCLV1wwpH0llNIO_xbZ5hGWOjHKisK4DOL9f0tT-CN39Z2SrubRmz101HvVozdaqTS-fwX5F5H_-m97k2hPZs/s320/niohcover.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Nioh will never be able to escape the "souls-like" tag that has been attached to it, but it takes what Dark Souls brought to the action genre and incorporates other ideas to make something that feels like an evolution instead of a copy. Nioh is like a recipe that has been executed perfectly. It blends Dark Souls style combat and leveling, with a fighting pace similar to Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden, then they threw in a Diablo style random loot engine on top of it all. Not only do these elements come together seamlessly, it ends up being a greater experience than the sum of its parts.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">You play as a fictionalized version of the real English sailor, William Adams, who became the first western samurai during the Sengoku period of Japan. The tale weaves real aspects of Adam's time in the far east and the historical figures he met along the way, with Japanese folklore and demons called "Yokai" to create a unique world that is as vivid and beautiful as it is dangerous. The story is a little disjointed and corny sometimes, but it's entertaining and at least kept me interested in moving forward to see what happened next. William does suffer from what I call "The Geralt Effect", named of course after the protagonist of the Witcher series, in that he's mostly just a gruff and boring character that is hard to connect with. Luckly, William is pretty stoic so he leaves a lot of the talking to the infinitely more interesting side characters and spirits of the game. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tLRQKdJr9qXyoyvgGyBdS2oPbH-vw5dQkxJYJgMDlTPqNE-WjLADmhjr3P5J_Axf1rD-bwDrDMa32sg5egZQmOzVcAmxA6-nwNjElGoGfaBQ0YPgc-cje7D-razucqNmx2dHMutCY5U/s1600/niohwilliam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tLRQKdJr9qXyoyvgGyBdS2oPbH-vw5dQkxJYJgMDlTPqNE-WjLADmhjr3P5J_Axf1rD-bwDrDMa32sg5egZQmOzVcAmxA6-nwNjElGoGfaBQ0YPgc-cje7D-razucqNmx2dHMutCY5U/s320/niohwilliam.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">"Look how gruff and brooding I am"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Nioh operates on a mission structure instead of an open world, which unfortunately does limit the amount of exploring in each level. While I have had a bit of open world fatigue lately, I was left feeling that a semi-open world would have benefit the game's grand arenas and settings. It's a minor complaint that is circumvented, to an extent, by each mission being stuffed to the brim with secret areas, hidden treasure chests, and adorable little spirits called Kodamas that you can collect to give passive bonuses to things such as weapon and armor drop rates from enemies or a boost to the game's level up currency called "Amrita". </span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: black;">Combat is predicated on a three stance fighting style that makes battles into a more strategic affair. Low stance utilizing quick but weak strikes, mid stance to play more defensively, and high stance to deliver crushing blows at the cost of speed. I usually stuck with mid stance as my default, then mixing it up against enemies I knew to be more susceptible to the other stances when necessary. You have five weapon types to chose from, katanas, dual swords, axes, spears, and Kusarigamas (a sickle with a chain on it). Outside of the katana and dual swords being similar, the weapons all have distinct play styles that make it fun to try them all out against the wide variety of enemies that inhabit each level.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJCP1jo-D2Eaz4PuAlm-r1BO2Y6_ecCmSgy72gWSlb9jZ1JzfFq_VpG-Ebyhy4lmb8Wkis4706qM3pnBFbUt83IKePYTns6nM1HzdGnuJ60VWuVP8yx4ynCzpJFOTdjOTBQs7ANIFpLU/s1600/niohyokai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJCP1jo-D2Eaz4PuAlm-r1BO2Y6_ecCmSgy72gWSlb9jZ1JzfFq_VpG-Ebyhy4lmb8Wkis4706qM3pnBFbUt83IKePYTns6nM1HzdGnuJ60VWuVP8yx4ynCzpJFOTdjOTBQs7ANIFpLU/s320/niohyokai.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Open Up!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;">The enemies in Nioh range from zombie like creatures, to rival samurai, all the way to giant sea monsters, and </span><span style="color: white;">20 foot tall demons</span><span style="color: white;">.</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">The fights against the samurai bosses</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">tend</span><span style="color: white;"> to be the most exciting, but the designs for the big Yokai are generally really cool and frightening. Some of these Yokai use elemental attacks, which will force you to adapt your armor to defend against that particular element or face getting stuck for hours. I was stuck on an early boss in the game who uses moves that afflict you with paralysis until my friend suggested changing my armor to counter that effect, after which I beat her on the next try. In Dark Souls you can mostly stick with armor that just gives you a better defensive rating but in Nioh you have to adapt</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">to elemental damage</span><span style="color: white;">, or risk dying in the same way over and over again. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIvhm455uJgOEmavq4bLiMMGORCjpjp4C3PElwWjFp0QTe0K9pvdl8DyZ0SswvUo023WQO9MBKoC0gKEPFUeSBcSJu-VtMJQnrjpGbDfF6Rv-V4VT-rCa_6ovSfOuLxmw072kI2PTIII/s1600/niohogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIvhm455uJgOEmavq4bLiMMGORCjpjp4C3PElwWjFp0QTe0K9pvdl8DyZ0SswvUo023WQO9MBKoC0gKEPFUeSBcSJu-VtMJQnrjpGbDfF6Rv-V4VT-rCa_6ovSfOuLxmw072kI2PTIII/s320/niohogress.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">One of the more frightening creatures of Nioh's world</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: inherit;">The tool to level up your armor and weapons is unique in that for a price you can "soul match" weaker items that you may be attached to due to weight or abilities with stronger items to raise them up to that level. The cost gets to be very high later but it does help lower weight builds keep up with their heavy duty counterparts. If you have max proficiency with a weapon (gained by using it often) you can pass on abilities while soul matching it to help keep abilities you really enjoy. It's a shame that all of this gets bogged down in a plethora of menus that don't give you many tools to help sort through the mess that your inventory will become after a mission. </span></span></span><br />
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fair, Nioh will take its place in the pantheon of great action games. I had
very low expectations for it but it has become my biggest surprise of the young
year so far. It it takes a genre that has been well worn lately and breathes
new life into it by mixing the formula up in new and exciting ways. Nioh
deserves to be mentioned alongside Dark Souls, instead of beneath it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-27656131054157880312017-02-17T14:03:00.000-08:002017-02-17T14:03:06.347-08:00For Honor Thoughts<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUwf5lNbymy1qjuIJLG0o3tvbk6Q-pD992jqo3BhKY1HCWtTNdfYMk_ZFAuLclJuD7jgHQaD2DvrQTSenDvw8HPeSc_oVKV_TYzF-93TTt8md6rtM5JEDAJ6-uvJ2f2jjaOBarLyVy1A/s1600/For+Honor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUwf5lNbymy1qjuIJLG0o3tvbk6Q-pD992jqo3BhKY1HCWtTNdfYMk_ZFAuLclJuD7jgHQaD2DvrQTSenDvw8HPeSc_oVKV_TYzF-93TTt8md6rtM5JEDAJ6-uvJ2f2jjaOBarLyVy1A/s400/For+Honor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> For Honor Thoughts</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You're Legacy will be painted in Blood</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A bloodied battlefield, two warriors
from different eras pace around one another, each looking for an opening, a
mistake to capitalize on. You see an opening and engage, they dodge, strike and
draw blood, you quickly counter attack and more blood falls. You move around
each other dodging, blocking, swinging, a deadly dance of blades where one
misstep means a swift death. The entirety of For Honor is what I described
above, it is an elegantly designed blend of a hack and slash but with the
complexities of any fighting game you'd find on todays market. Very rarely do
we see a game come around that offers something that you can't find anywhere else
on the market, and For Honor has definitely found it's spot to fill.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7aaAMoKp5J1woVJmGIuC3MJjSOBes5YmtEFBK7kx6KiTYqRF3E5wDL3b4ZRj0QAKx-ZJEUApgwlKbVZgjRcaNUW5O70gi8wrBujQ31pXLWadLpuAHU4SjTbN5ZdviFWPqBXKt9z8ubY/s1600/1v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7aaAMoKp5J1woVJmGIuC3MJjSOBes5YmtEFBK7kx6KiTYqRF3E5wDL3b4ZRj0QAKx-ZJEUApgwlKbVZgjRcaNUW5O70gi8wrBujQ31pXLWadLpuAHU4SjTbN5ZdviFWPqBXKt9z8ubY/s400/1v1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Weak will Break, The Strong
Survive</span>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For Honor is a complex beast with a
steep learning curve, but highly rewards player skill by offering numerous
classes to fit every play style. This is where it takes notes from its fighting
game predecessor's and transforms them from a limited 2D/3D fighter, into a
true battlefield where<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>warriors battle
to the death. Each class has a move list, complete with combos, counters,
dodges, blocks, and signature abilities. Every one of the twelve classes has
had immaculate attention to detail given to them, from their appearance, gear,
and of course mechanics. There is a break down for each class which are
Vanguard, standard, straight-forward, and adaptable. Heavy, which are strong and
highly defensive characters. Assassins, fast and agile characters with lower
damage per hit, but can rack up damage quickly. Finally there is Hybrid which
are a blend of two or more of the other classes. Each class is very unique in
their playstyle and knowing your enemies is just as important as knowing your own.
There is a stamina gauge as well which is needed for dodging, feint attacks,
attack and all, so keeping it well managed while exhausting your opponent is
just as important as attacking and defending. I constantly find myself
switching my mode of attack depending on my adversary. A Conqueror may get
guard broken more because of his defensive style, where a Shugoki may get a
flurry of light attacks before he can react. Ubisoft has done an incredible job
of making every class very balanced, creating an environment where any class
can beat any other as long as you possess the skill and knowledge to overcome
them. Very rarely do I lose a fight where I blame the game and not my own
mistakes, making me want to get back into the fight and prove myself the
superior warrior. The defense system is extremely intricate as well. Each
attack comes from one of three different directions, above, left, and right.
All characters will stay in a guard stance in the direction you choose
(excluding the assassins who only stay in that stance for a couple seconds
before returning to a middle stance) allowing you to block all incoming attacks
from that direction. You can also parry attacks by hitting the heavy attack
button when the attack indicator flashes or deflect by dodging in the direction
of the attack right before it connects if you are an assassin class. You also
have the ability to guard break your opponent, which is a grab essentially, but
be cautious as this can also be broken or "teched" by hitting the
guard break button right when it connects. A unique mechanic comes to For Honor
as well called the "Revenge Meter", which builds by blocking and
taking damage from attacks, and when activated gives you unlimited stamina,
half your health as a shield, and super armor on some attacks. For Honor also
has a "How to Play" option with a basic and advanced tutorial, free
mode, practice duels, and more to hone your warrior prowess. The complex design
of For Honors incredible combat creates a deep and satisfying system that
rewards reflexes and skill the higher you climb its ladder of warrior legends,
ensuring you won't put down the controller until you have mastered the art of
war.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your Warrior is You on the Battlefield</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For Honor also has a very cool loot
and gear system to it as well. Every class has unique armor, weapons,
customization options, unlockable outfits, emotes, effects, feats, and of
course gloriously gory executions. This allows you to tailor your warrior to
your personal liking and playstyle. Each piece of gear has stats it augments,
but the unique part is it never just boosts something, but rather buffs one
stat, while simultaneously lowering another. This is great because it makes you
really think about what is most important to you in terms of your playstyle.
For example a weapon blade may give you increased attack damage at the cost of
increasing stamina consumption, or a chest piece may increase damage caused by
blocked attacks but reduce revenge meter attack caused. This lets you tailor
your class to your exact playstyle, without giving you a completely overpowered
character. Gear is awarded at the end of each match by chance, attained through
scavenger packs in the heroes menu, and by leveling up occasionally after
reaching reputation one. Each piece of gear has a different look, and gets even
more savage looking the higher you climb in level. There is even a change look
system that lets you change the appearance of a piece of gear you have to look
like another at the cost of steel, acquired by completing games, and salvage,
acquired by dismantling unwanted gear. There are also contract and event orders
that award high amounts of experience and steel by completing different
objectives such as winning 5 4v4 dominion matches, or completing 3 1v1 duels as
a hybrid class. I love this because it makes you dabble with every game mode
and multiple class types, while also rewarding you exponentially for your
efforts. There is also a season mode called "The Faction War". At the
end of each match you can deploy war assets to a selected area to help your
faction attack or defend that area. Every seven hours the territories change
based on how your faction performed, and where you deployed your assets. The
better you do the more assets you can deploy, so the higher skilled players
will inevitably contribute more in the long run. When the territories change it
also changes which maps are available to play in each game mode, keeping the
multiplayer fresh by cycling maps, and making you feel like you are really a
part of the war.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A Battlefield for every Warrior</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For Honor comes with a complete
campaign for each of the three factions, but let’s be honest, that's not why
we're here. The multiplayer is the main attraction of this title, and it has a
decent variety of game modes and maps for you to carve a bloody swath through.
the standard is 4v4 Dominion, which is a domination style mode with three
points to control, and capturing each of the three rewards 100 points and an
additional one per second, and later, taking an enemy controlled point not only
rewards you 100 points, but takes 100 away from them. A and C are always
captured by just standing on it, but point B is unique. You have a swarm of AI
minions that charge to the center of the map from both the defending and
attacking sides, and whichever side has the most minions in the center of the
map controls point B, that's right, point B is the battlefield itself, and is
controlled by your army. This mode feels very true to the war style For Honor
is going for, with your soldiers at your back and you, the Hero, cutting through
the meek and feeble until the enemy heroes come out to challenge your
supremacy. Once either team hits 1000 points, the other team starts to break,
removing their respawns and leaving you to eliminate the enemy heroes to win
the match. However you can always "Rally" by taking enough points to
lower the other team’s points below 1000, which will allow respawns to return
to the breaking side. Feats also play a big role here, allowing you to regenerate
health by killing minions, attack with projectiles, or even call in a catapult
strike (which is awesome by the way). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> There is also a 4v4 Deathmatch mode which
is a best of five rounds elimination that also comes with power ups like speed
boost, attack/defense boost, and health regen. The last two are 2v2 brawls and
1v1 duels which are the same, best of 5 rounds elimination with the only
difference being the amount of players in the match. More often than not if you
are in 4v4 or 2v2 elimination if your teammate dies you will get jumped by the
other player’s teammate, leading to you both relying heavily on each other. You
can revive your defeated comrades though, unless they have been executed
because, you know, you need a head still attached to get up and fight... The
true test of skill in For Honor definitely has to be the 1v1 Duels. This mode
pits you against your opponent, no power ups, no interference, just two
warriors fighting to death to see who will stand triumphantly atop the corpse
of the fallen. There is nothing more stressful, yet exhilarating as battling against
an adversary of equal skill as yourself. You will find yourself constantly
examining, adapting, and baiting your opponent to try and get the upper hand in
the confrontation. This is where the beauty of For Honor’s combat shines, and
where the fighting game aspects of the game reveals itself. Adaption is key in
any fighting game, as any fighting game fan will tell you, and For Honor is no
different. One mistake can cost you to lose your head before you even know it,
so patience definitely pays off here. Most of the time you will end up going
with your bread and butter strategy in the first round, as you and your
opponent feel each other out, and next round the adaptation really starts. You
may notice your opponent likes to jump in and attack high, so you may start to
block and counter attack. Then they may notice you block their first attack and
rush in and guard break to thrown you into a wall or heavy attack, so you may
answer this by attacking as they rush in, since they can't guard break while
you are attacking. Battles go back and forth like that constantly as you and
the warrior standing before you try to draw the final drop of blood so they may
stand victorious. If you want a second chance, fret not! You can always rematch
after the match is over by just hitting ready after the final screen shows up,
so you can battle each other to your heart’s content.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For Honor comes with its fair share of
issues as well. The matchmaking can be spotty, pitting you against players well
below, or above your skill level, finding a game can take close to ten minutes
depending on how many people you queue up with and in what game mode. Frequent
disconnects causing you to lose all the experience you would have got definitely
gets frustrating. However despite all of this I haven't lost any desire to jump
back in to the battlefield. I'm hoping the server issues and matchmaking are
just a launch issue and get patched soon, but Ubisoft has crafted a great game
with For Honor. If you are looking for a simple hack and slash game, For Honor
is not the game for you. If you're looking for a title with solid mechanics,
tense moments, and a great multiplayer with balanced classes and customization,
then look no further. Now grab your weapons warriors and choose your side. Will
you fight alongside the noble Knights, the savage Vikings, or the honorable
Samurai? The choice is yours hero. Now steel yourself and prepare, because your
legend is determined by only one thing, the trail of corpses left in your wake.</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Frankie</span></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-37650121372640756682017-02-09T16:34:00.000-08:002017-02-09T16:54:44.747-08:00WCNC Staff 2016 Game of the Year Awards Part 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Each year, our staff like to present you with our picks for the greatest games to be released in the past year. 2016 has come and gone, so this year each of our contributors are going to discuss their choices for game of the year. First up are Rory and Frankie, enjoy!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Rory's Second Annual
Way Too Late Game of the Year Awards 2016</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">2016 was a hell of a year for everyone, and I
was no exception. Between a rapidly changing political landscape, moving across
the country for the second time in two years, and personal relationship
struggles, it was a good year to be able to escape reality by jumping into a
game. And while I haven't got around to playing some of my most anticipated
titles of 2016, Dishonored 2 being the big one, it's time for my second annual
game of the year awards. </span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Honorable Mention: </span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Persona 4 Golden</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If this was just a list of my
favorite games I played this year regardless of release date, Persona 4 would
take the top spot. The gameplay, while very simple and easy, is fun and
addictive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the real star of this
game is the cast of characters and a story that keeps you locked in from
beginning to end.</span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">3. Firewatch</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">While there isn't much in the way of gameplay,
Firewatch nails the feeling of just getting lost in nature. Most of the game is
you working a summer in the 1980s for a state wilderness park, doing your
normal day to day duties. The games tension and mystery ramp up in the later
half of the story but it's really the “lost in the woods” feeling that makes
this game special. </span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">2. Dark Souls 3</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I'm a well known fan of FromSoftware's series of
difficult games (Bloodborne having placed #1 on this list last year) and 2016's
entry Dark Souls 3 is no different. While it's not quite as original as
Bloodborne, or grabs the same special feeling that the original Dark Souls had,
Dark Souls 3 is the best in the series when it comes to gameplay and polish.
This is clearly a development team who has mastered their combat and
difficultly scale over their last four games and this is the payoff. The combat
is the smoothest it's ever been, and some of the bosses are insanely difficult
(I'm looking at you, Nameless King). If this is truly the last game in the
series, Dark Souls 3 is a hell of a send off.</span><br />
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">1. Overwatch</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I'll be honest, I'm not really a big fan of competitive
multiplayer games. Outside of Gears of War I've never found a series that
pulled me in enough to play the multiplayer for more than a few hours. Then
Overwatch was released, and nothing was ever the same. Since its release in
May, I have poured well over 150 hours into Overwatch and there's no sign of
slowing down. Blizzard is constantly making tweaks to all of the characters to
keep the game fresh and to give all of the characters a chance to shine. Two
new characters, Sombra and Ana, have also been introduced to the already large
cast, along with 3 new maps, and more new additions are already promised to be
in the pipeline. Blizzard has also thrown four holiday events to renew interest
ranging from the Olympics, to Halloween, to Christmas, and now a Chinese New
Year event. Each event brings new skins and other cosmetic items to keep you
playing for just one more game. Overwatch has dominated my last 8 months of
gaming and I think it's going to stay that way for a long time</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Frankie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">2016 may have been a pretty crappy year overall, but it was
a pretty strong year for gamers everywhere. From titles in development for over
a decade, brand new IPS, and AAA games that shake up the tried and true
formula, I'd say there is a good bit to choose from as far as Game of the Year
goes. Alas, this is yours truly, Franswa's list, so I'll be giving you my top
games of 2016.</span><span style="color: white;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">3. Pokemon Sun/Moon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Even though I have only played Sun and haven't beaten it
quite yet, I have to give a spot to this long standing RPG series. The first
and last true Pokémon I played before Sun was Emerald.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After pouring so many hours into it, I felt I
got the gist of what the series had to offer me. Pokémon X/Y definitely enticed
me with the new 3D graphics, but it still was just a bit short of pulling me
back in. However, Sun and Moon made a very clever move by shaking up the
standard formula, while not changing the core gameplay and objective. The new Hawaiian
styled setting of the Alola region, Alola forms of original Pokémon, new
Pokémon species, and the switch to island champions instead of gym leaders was
the perfect mix of new and old to convince me to step back into their world and
become the very best, like no one ever was. Within the span of a week I already
poured twenty-four hours into this title. That satisfying feeling of building
you're Pokémon up, catching new ones, growing with them, watching them evolve,
and conquering new challenges together, as a team, was extremely gratifying.
For that, I give Pokémon Sun and Moon my number three spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">2. Dark Souls III<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I would have never guessed this would be a series I would
come to love so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Bloodborne
changed that real quick, and Dark Souls III made it 100% official. I called
Dark Souls III the crescendo to a fantastic series, and that is a statement I
standby. Dark Souls III took all the best aspects of the original Souls series,
while incorporating new mechanics and a faster pace from Bloodborne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blending them together for a perfect
concotion of challenge, exploration, customizability, and a truly special
experience. Dark Souls III has been called by many the hardest Souls game
currently and I can see why. Not only are the bosses (for the most part) truly
a test of skill and wit, but the journey through each area to face them are a
trial in and of themselves. No part of this game is a walk in the park, but you
will constantly find yourself traversing every inch of this dark and daunting
realm, discovering every secret, finding every treasure, and uncovering every
bit of lore you can. This is the magic of the Souls series, and it truly hits
every high point with this incredible title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Honorable Mention. Pyschonauts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I got this title when it became available to download on
ps4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all the hype one of our
talented writers Rory Snyder put behind it I felt it was finally time to put it
to the test. Pyschonauts is a brilliant platformer with fantastic levels,
clever mechanics, and despite being a ps2 game, has aged incredibly well.
Playing as the main protagonist Rasputin, you are at a summer camp for mentally
gifted kids with psychic powers. The story not only has way more going for it
than just being a summer camp with wacky psychic shenanigans going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a lot of humor here, mostly of the
adult variety. I'm really glad I experienced it when I did because a far
younger me would have missed 80% of the jokes. Every character is oozing with
personality from your goofy friend Dogen, the paranoid milkman Boyd Cooper, the
strict Coach Oleander, The annoying bully Bobby Zilch (uuuuuugh) and many many
more that make you want to go and fulfill every interaction with them you can.
Each level takes place inside of another characters mind as well, which allows
the developers to really show you the personality and issues of each of the
characters they have created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leading to
many beautiful and interesting experiences. From a warzone, to a disco dance
party, to a city where you are essentially Godzilla, to a boardgame, every
aspect of Pyschonauts is crafted with extreme creativity and care, and is a
must play for any fan of 3D platformers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Could it be any other? The brand new IP from the ashes of
Project Titan, and heavy hitter Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch is a
masterpiece among multiplayer shooters. The incredible characters, weaponry,
map design, game modes, and cosmetic unlockables will keep you and your friends
playing for hours upon hours. Every game whether it's competitive, quick play,
or one of the many arcade modes, are always different and changing because of
the extensive cast. With a cast of twenty-three characters, each with their own
play styles, weapons, and abilities, will always keep you on your toes, and
constantly trying to adapt to the enemy teams composition and strategy. The
best part of Overwatch is it isn't just limited to players who are good at
shooters, the player with the greatest situational awareness, shot caller, or
playmaker are just as valuable as the player who is the best shot. No matter
what your skill level or play style is, there is a character here for you, and
that is the greatest strength of Overwatch. It is incredibly accessible and new
player friendly, while also having a deep meta game that can be uncovered for
new strategies and higher level play. And it is for that reason I have to give
Overwatch my number one spot, and my personal pick for Game of the Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">-Franswa</span><o:p></o:p></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-84864860773309656012016-10-21T16:54:00.000-07:002016-10-21T16:54:11.319-07:00Nintendo Switch: Facts, Speculation, and Questions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/f5uik5fgIaI/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f5uik5fgIaI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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So, Nintendo has finally shown
their hand (most of it anyway).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
been hearing about the NX for almost a year now, and a few months before the
system’s release, Nintendo reveals a trailer officially announcing that it will
be called the Switch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This actually
reminds me a lot of the move Nintendo made back in 2006 when they announced
that the system that was codenamed the Revolution would be called the Wii just
a few months before it was supposed to come out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This trailer is the first official news we
have received about the Switch, everything to this point has been speculation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do the rumors stack up to what we know?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVppXbfd8B9sXCcBPx9ZDs3XcDf3L0EeoNNuaCWMgHj9ikb2uaOK-81_gc_-eTLMiYurdVDBfSb8EJ_qTc4178lHeSiTv3QxFULPzMJ38pBrEKlDS7q9CV6NHqSCfFT_fahcf-W1rMo4/s1600/Switch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVppXbfd8B9sXCcBPx9ZDs3XcDf3L0EeoNNuaCWMgHj9ikb2uaOK-81_gc_-eTLMiYurdVDBfSb8EJ_qTc4178lHeSiTv3QxFULPzMJ38pBrEKlDS7q9CV6NHqSCfFT_fahcf-W1rMo4/s640/Switch1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The biggest rumor was that the
Switch would be some sort of hybrid portable and home console.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Based on what we saw in the trailer, this appears
to be shockingly accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does the
system come with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not entirely
sure yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I describe the items that
were shown off in the trailer, keep in mind there is no information whether
they will come with the console at purchase or much be bought separately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The console itself will be a tablet like
screen that is roughly seven inches (based on analysis from the trailer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a dock that will more than
likely be used to charge the console and connect it to the television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a controller that is being called
the Joy-Con.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Joy-Con can be a whole
or split into multiple parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When split
apart, the controller can be used to allow multiple people play a game or the
pieces can be attached to the side of the console to allow the player to take
it on the go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like this can be
done without even turning the game off or even pausing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will also be a Switch Pro Controller
available that resembles a more traditional game controller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if experience is any indicator, this
will be sold separately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
rumor was that the system would use cartridges for its games, much like the
3DS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, this rumor was spot on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nintendo has decided to abandon the disk
based home console that the industry has become known for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After seeing how the console operates, I
believe this is not only smart but also necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nintendo is doing a great deal to promote the
Switch as a home console that can go on the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing about disks is they are incredibly
fragile and prone to disruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
look at a few previous examples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Xbox
360, if you so much as moved the console while a disk was in use, it would
scratch and in many cases become unusable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Sony PSP was a portable console that utilized disks in a
casing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sort of a disk/cartridge
hybrid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even this modified disk would
disrupt gameplay if the system was moved to quickly or shaken around too
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the downside is that
cartridges can’t hold as much information as a disk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be interesting to see how Nintendo
plans to get around this drawback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
far, the games shown for the Switch look gorgeous so it is hard to believe that
they are coming simply from the cartridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My theory is that the game cartridge will have some data on it, but the
rest of the game will be downloaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This will allow for more freedom without the drawbacks of
cartridge-based gaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this
raises another question.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How much
data will the Switch be able to hold?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Memory
storage technology has come a long way in previous years but so far there is
not word how the Switch will manage this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Previous Nintendo consoles have used memory cards, and that may be the
best option for a system that is designed to go on the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Memory cards tend to hold less information
but are much more durable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard drives
like the ones we see in phones and tablets would be another viable option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they can hold more, hard drives can’t
take as much punishment as a memory card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For now, we will just have to wait and see.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another
thing we saw in the trailer was wireless multiplayer between two Switch
systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering the guys were
playing on a park bench, it can be implied that wi-fi will not be necessary for
this feature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had to speculate, it
will probably work similar to the 3DS which has the possibility to connect with
other systems based on proximity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
sure you’ll be able to connect over the internet as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that when it comes to multiplayer,
the Switch will be the best of both worlds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It will have the benefits of being a home and portable console, without
many of the drawbacks of either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1P3KQTn5W1lJ1Tw1-uKVg8MiAvGpDOanbZsyX-g6VsnV-liVCSI4lDHtSgUbDzE_b4GnsW80-eJ2wAz-enM-LJ2PhyrGKrVWzzGV9XhVKGC4b6LxTRVFvwcMQgA2ivJiuMzyogdIhtI/s1600/Switch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1P3KQTn5W1lJ1Tw1-uKVg8MiAvGpDOanbZsyX-g6VsnV-liVCSI4lDHtSgUbDzE_b4GnsW80-eJ2wAz-enM-LJ2PhyrGKrVWzzGV9XhVKGC4b6LxTRVFvwcMQgA2ivJiuMzyogdIhtI/s400/Switch2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let’s move
onto the things that gamers really care about, the games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nintendo showed off a great lineup in this
first trailer, starting with Zelda: Breath of the Wild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This game was announced for the Switch (then
known as the NX) months ago, but it was still great to see this eagerly
anticipated title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nintendo also showed
off a few other first-party titles, such as Mario Kart, Splatoon, and a new
unnamed 3D Mario Platformer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While none
of these titles were particularly shocking, it was still good to see Nintendo
putting a strong foot forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now onto
an area that Nintendo has traditionally struggled, third-party games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were two third-party games shown in the
trailer, Skyrim and an NBA game (presumably 2K17).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Skyrim was one of the prominent games shown
off in the trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, a spokesmen
from Bethesda has said that while they gave Nintendo permission to use the game
footage in the trailer, Skyrim is not actually confirmed for they system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read more about that here: <a href="http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-10-20-nintendo-switch-officially-revealed" target="_blank">http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-10-20-nintendo-switch-officially-revealed</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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However, even with that weirdness, Nintendo released a
graphic showing some of the developers who are developing games for the
system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some very impressive
names on the list and I’m sure we’re in for some quality products.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even though the Switch trailer
showed off a lot of the console’s impressive features, there are still a lot of
questions left to answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
biggest questions on everyone’s mind is, what is the price?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some speculation has put it around $299, but
there is little to base this on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it
may have become clear throughout the article, one of my biggest questions
revolves around the durability of the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If it is meant to go with you, how much punishment can it take?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With so many interlocking parts, how long
until connections start to fade and become unsteady?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nintendo has built an impressive track record
for making products that are sturdy and can stand the test of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this seems like new territory for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully we will receive more
information as we get closer to the slated March 2017 release date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said, I don’t plan to SWITCH how
enthusiastic I am for this product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
see myself out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-18502692542426657872016-08-02T18:24:00.003-07:002016-08-02T18:24:43.314-07:00Pokemon Go A Cultural Phenomenon When I was a young man, we lived in a simpler time (not really but I was small and stupid so everything was magic). I remember hearing about a game that was coming out called Pokemon, where you catch monsters and force them to fight for sport. Obviously, this was the greatest thing I had ever heard in my life (remember, small and stupid). Then, they released a TV show based on the game and it made me need this game anymore. Finally, the day came that I was able to grab Pokemon Red Version, because red is my favorite color. I was hooked right from Professor Oak asking me to name his grandson. I would stay in my room and play this game for hours every night, probably neglecting a lot of homework in the process. But who cares, gotta catch em all right. Collecting was the big draw for me, but occasionally my friends would get in on the action and we would trade or battle. Among my friends and I, this was an obsession for years. <br />
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Unfortunately, there was a dark side. This was a hobby that came with certain labels and there was a fair amount of ridicule that went with that. It was not cool to play Pokmeon, but we did it because it was fun. I've actually met some of my best friends to this day through Pokemon so I'll be forever grateful for that. <br />
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Cut to many years later. I'm now 30 and while I still enjoy the games, I am not nearly as obsessed as I was when I was a child. Recently, Pokemon Go was released. This is a free to play app for phones that uses your GPS location to catch Pokemon, battle gyms, and capture pokestops based upon your real world location.<br />
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<br />
The game is very similar to Ingress (a game we discussed on the podcast), which makes sense considering it was developed by the same team. Being a Pokemon and Ingress fan, I was very excited to get my hands on this and hunt Pokemon in the real world. Finally, the day arrived that I got to leave Pallet Town and set off on my journey. <br />
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Panda and I decided to head over to a local mall to get some dinner, ice cream, and check out the pokestops. I was not prepared for what I was about to see. I want to start out by emphasizing that I knew Pokemon Go was going to be popular. Based up articles and hype I had been reading online, I knew a lot of people were as excited for this game as I was. However, I did not expect it to branch out into the non-gaming community. <br />
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<br />
When we arrived at the mall, there were (no exaggeration) hundreds of people wandering around playing the game. At first, my brain didn't comprehend what it was looking at. I assumed that lots of people were reading text messages or checking social media. After a while it became clear, that almost every single one of these people were playing Pokemon Go. It was one of the most surreal moments I've ever had in my life. This game that I was picked on and teased for liking as a child was now being enjoyed everyone. There wasn't any barrier between age, race, nationality, religion, or gender. Everyone was running around, shouting out when they had found something, talking with people they didn't know, making friends, and most importantly, having fun. Children were playing alongside their parents and in some cases even grandparents. For a glorious evening it didn't matter who you were voting for in the election. Whether you were for or against abortion, gun rights, or any other political issue. All that mattered was catching them all and having a good time. <br />
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<br />
Since that night, I have gone to many parks with friends and had very similar experiences. Hundreds of people hanging out, talking, and laughing. Even celebrities have fallen victim to the pokecraze.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, things aren't perfect. Whenever you have millions of people enjoying an activity, there are bound to be those who ruin the experience whether it be through malice or stupidity. I don't need to list off examples, they are all over the place. I do not defend their actions, but at the same time I don't condemn a game based upon the actions of a small percentage of its users. This can be said for almost anything. <br />
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Just like with most things that start out immensely popular, some of the interest has started to wane. However, the number still appear to be very impressive. Niantic (the company behind Pokemon Go and Ingress) has hinted that additional features will be introduced to the game such as trading and one on one battling. I have a feeling this will bring many of the people back. <br />
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Gaining level 20 in the game comes with a fair amount of perspective. This is around the point in the game that you are no longer considered a newbie. As of right now, the game has become an overnight hit that has taken the world by storm. There will be diehard fans that stick with it for years to come but a huge number of the players will loose interest with time. One thing that has amazed me about Pokemon Go is the community around it. I've been a part of many gaming communities in my time, but this is overwhelmingly the most positive. There seems to be little to no negativity between the players. Many gaming communities become fractured due to infighting, however that does not appear to be the case here. As I said, the game isn't perfect, but I have faith in it. I'll continue to hang out with my friends and play this game just for the hope that I'll have more nights like that first. <br />
<br />
-Big OWest Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-79067498015804594672016-08-01T11:14:00.002-07:002016-08-01T11:16:02.482-07:00Stranger Things: Spoiler-Free Review<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wdoeY12D1vWhPgWlW7riPxyzNymHP8Cjz1Ex90XmE6TrmrXZb8HESOZkT64VDBsN7b16PimlZqdOTgzFFEnclu4uyW-LoYB-k6nq53a6xFzBdKKdiWEAQw47PF4OAYPfUdNYsa1WtAI/s1600/stranger+things+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wdoeY12D1vWhPgWlW7riPxyzNymHP8Cjz1Ex90XmE6TrmrXZb8HESOZkT64VDBsN7b16PimlZqdOTgzFFEnclu4uyW-LoYB-k6nq53a6xFzBdKKdiWEAQw47PF4OAYPfUdNYsa1WtAI/s400/stranger+things+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Stranger Things follows a
very unique recipe for success. A late 80s theme, mixed with a monster movie, throw in thriller elements, then add a great cast of
characters on top, and you've got a TV show that exceeds all
expectations and becomes an instant classic. Yes, it really is that
good.<br />
<br />
Stranger Things is the new netflix show created and
directed by Matt and Ross Duffer and brings Winona Ryder (a late
80s/early 90s staple) back to us to great effect. But even though Ryder
is the biggest star attached, it's the kids that really steal the show.
Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will are your typical middle school kids who's
friendship is made up of riding bikes, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and
getting picked on by the bullies at school for being "nerds". The kids
are great actors and it really feels like they've been friends their
whole lives. Later on, Eleven, a girl around their age is added to the
cast and she is the real stand out character. I'm not going to go into
her story much, but her scenes are some of the best the show.
Rounding out the cast are Sheriff Jim Hopper, an alcoholic police officer
who is determined to get to the bottom of the mysteries surrounding his
town, Mike's teenage sister Nancy who quickly grew into my favorite
character, and Will's big brother Johnathan who starts off as an
enigmatic loner but opens up as the show goes on. All of these
characters bring the amazing world of Stranger Things to life and you
grow to really care about them as the danger ramps up.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyx-L_G9YNVTiaA_8AsGRDXD5yrRMM-pZoksSum5M6mhwJtpFWnDO974Of6qaAOM42ZkBQA7-k07pw2JMG55ybatYt51PhBY_-028x4HhfjMebR0RbPPtUVWbtQQcD419cmccV_Sb310/s1600/stranger+things+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyx-L_G9YNVTiaA_8AsGRDXD5yrRMM-pZoksSum5M6mhwJtpFWnDO974Of6qaAOM42ZkBQA7-k07pw2JMG55ybatYt51PhBY_-028x4HhfjMebR0RbPPtUVWbtQQcD419cmccV_Sb310/s320/stranger+things+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E.T. Meets Steven King</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The story
is helped along by a great soundtrack and striking cinematography.
Lighting in particular is used to great effect and it becomes a powerful
tool to help tell the story in the later episodes. News of a soundtrack
release for the show was met with applause and now I understand
why. The short length of the season, only 8 episodes,
helps the show keep a brisk pace so no screen time is wasted with any
filler. They do leave a few loose ends, no doubt to leave room for a
second season but I would have preferred if they had come to a hard stop
instead, leaving this season to stand completely on its own but it's a
minor gripe. I would recommend Stranger Things to everyone, even people
who are scared easily. While it does have scary moments, it has more of a
thriller tone than one of horror. Hopefully the next season can go on
to even greater heights but regardless of what comes next, these 8
episodes stand high in the pantheon of what TV shows
have to offer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh_EBWboeuwd-7xhtrxSXJoFmwotdnHWIeaRyIcXbe-mWQ217hurmQnDZwiWAO48Ou3vyjTZJejk9DkOjQ5HYjbp0HeluGLGH6erEyvP8esSz1l0JxPimqslRL9tGXztJUzi4x6q6weA/s1600/stranger+things+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrh_EBWboeuwd-7xhtrxSXJoFmwotdnHWIeaRyIcXbe-mWQ217hurmQnDZwiWAO48Ou3vyjTZJejk9DkOjQ5HYjbp0HeluGLGH6erEyvP8esSz1l0JxPimqslRL9tGXztJUzi4x6q6weA/s320/stranger+things+1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Face You Make Multiple Times an Episode</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-5490944803640289292016-07-27T18:04:00.000-07:002016-07-27T18:04:07.095-07:00Uncharted 4 A Thief's End Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt826tR8q0PuVfc5yfwesdrT8Ay9Wy4WBOI0SRe6cpSfCcHKF1dKfRRNyEMqo2pMP0u2V0jOqBk0ELPy3mqaCXhVmz2pq7aIj9nihCivI9Lw0cLMFvowxwD2HuAyY2FcekfeTmPnmyWk/s1600/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160520121219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglt826tR8q0PuVfc5yfwesdrT8Ay9Wy4WBOI0SRe6cpSfCcHKF1dKfRRNyEMqo2pMP0u2V0jOqBk0ELPy3mqaCXhVmz2pq7aIj9nihCivI9Lw0cLMFvowxwD2HuAyY2FcekfeTmPnmyWk/s400/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160520121219.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I want to start off this review by saying I've been a huge fan of this series since it first launched on the Playstation 3. The Uncharted games encompass fun action gameplay, witty humor, memorable characters, and the occasional touching moment. I won't say the games are perfect, but they are pretty amazing in my eyes. That being said, I'm going to try to make this review as unbiased as possible, but if a little favoritism leaks through you'll have to forgive me. To start off, this game has been touted as the final installment for long time franchise hero Nathan Drake. Hence the title, A Thief's End. The story is one of the places where the Uncharted series shines, so let's dive right in.<br />
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<br />
Uncharted 4 starts with a bit of foreshadowing. We see our familiar hero with a yet unknown accomplice, driving through a dark ocean and trying to make their way to an island while being assaulted by military types. Typical fare for the Nathan Drake. After our heroes get placed in a perilous situation, the story cuts to the present. <br />
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<br />
We get to see Nathan and long time heroine of the series Elena Fisher have settled down in marital bliss and left the life of adventure behind them. Nathan works a typical 9 to 5 job at a salvage company while Elena has continued her journalism career. They seem to have a perfect life. However, sometimes Elena will catch Nathan with that far off look in his eyes, dreaming of the adventures and life he left behind. <br />
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<br />
One day, Nathan's estranged and thought to be dead brother Sam shows up asking for Nathan's help with a treasure they were hunting before Sam's "death". Sam tells Nathan that he was freed from prison by a drug lord who now demands a lot of money or else he will kill him. Nathan decided to get back into the game for one last adventure in order to help save his brother. The journey is filled with twists, turns, and the occasional familiar face.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJPjBNBC_A4FAi37LQvGkzAJkdUpvzwoWxgUawHlVY6HuiQuNU0EksiQMTQTkkdorQH6Iml14zr5B66hZcYkhXwcjtJPczvoh6SdJtg1IvHJ9QlQHxeWvbtQpqWClMZ6UgPHwpiiVRWo/s1600/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160520120906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJPjBNBC_A4FAi37LQvGkzAJkdUpvzwoWxgUawHlVY6HuiQuNU0EksiQMTQTkkdorQH6Iml14zr5B66hZcYkhXwcjtJPczvoh6SdJtg1IvHJ9QlQHxeWvbtQpqWClMZ6UgPHwpiiVRWo/s400/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160520120906.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The story is pretty standard for an Uncharted game. There's a treasure that needs finding and Nathan Drake is the only man for the job. What makes these tales so exceptional is the wit, humor, and personality of the characters. Each character feels like their own unique person, which is a hard feat to pull off in a video game. The only exception to this might be the main villains. We've already had three games to become familiar with Nathan Drake (four if you count The Golden Abyss) so this game focuses on the relationship between him and his brother. Sometimes we will jump into the past and see them together as children or adolescents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMVuwE728rbZa8_zX8vQHyskTGw1LWEDKhBZA3zEzew0dGI4cs6krvmj5OqCaoDrjmXDaP-y_1odLBMIV2k69OvMNI7g57gepDfl_zqCKuq0yWVdBG26ED3vX6OFk0pXfF6fwQFgLf50/s1600/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160523195041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMVuwE728rbZa8_zX8vQHyskTGw1LWEDKhBZA3zEzew0dGI4cs6krvmj5OqCaoDrjmXDaP-y_1odLBMIV2k69OvMNI7g57gepDfl_zqCKuq0yWVdBG26ED3vX6OFk0pXfF6fwQFgLf50/s400/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160523195041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The gameplay sticks to the philosophy of, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. There is a lot of puzzle solving involving climbing and using devices that are hundreds of years old and have no business functioning anymore. The combat is your typical cover based shooting but instead of being locked to the ground, you can take advantage of your vertical movement and try to gain the advantage over your opponents. The only real addition to this game over previous titles is the addition of a grappling hook, multiple puzzles that involve sliding around obstacles, and using tall grass for hiding from enemies. Overall, the gameplay is very fun and never really feels overly complicated. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnQKVtAt5dCsDzkD_44vloBB4LfxLuh4teowaPKbN8O-Nay7LFp4nLBvhlZpELqcF0QxxNmSTZcZG8-VsERX7MO-23TcHKRj2uS00x-OA725vD861nq3CYtzgIrpdkU8qhnhWJUiosq4/s1600/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160517195611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnQKVtAt5dCsDzkD_44vloBB4LfxLuh4teowaPKbN8O-Nay7LFp4nLBvhlZpELqcF0QxxNmSTZcZG8-VsERX7MO-23TcHKRj2uS00x-OA725vD861nq3CYtzgIrpdkU8qhnhWJUiosq4/s400/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160517195611.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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People who have read a number of my reviews might be wondering why I'm using more screenshots than usual. It's because this game is pretty!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1mSUc_Z1p_MfnjTEakj5z2xngnkH9yUAgqe_s_xn9BQGWqHjw6r9NM-cNl25O3D2tqGPaEFZvdAAZ0aCRgbP8XrDeqbkF-hT0W7FNB1h9PYWbtiC4Mp7gKhN-TrKbaRsLm7FAuq8MhU/s1600/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160520131702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1mSUc_Z1p_MfnjTEakj5z2xngnkH9yUAgqe_s_xn9BQGWqHjw6r9NM-cNl25O3D2tqGPaEFZvdAAZ0aCRgbP8XrDeqbkF-hT0W7FNB1h9PYWbtiC4Mp7gKhN-TrKbaRsLm7FAuq8MhU/s400/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160520131702.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here, look some more!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_qR4Iee0gZk2V67p_KTSEXnEOnG6z6SWuJq9511LZZD-PiTpFqa7athz-a_-ht7oqeUTr6gocAnUfD0q0pZEtAYdX9qUHi024xhS5XA8MjgXVVDa91omlvCOQmxs7v6mn7yGZLbgRZo/s1600/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160523231117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_qR4Iee0gZk2V67p_KTSEXnEOnG6z6SWuJq9511LZZD-PiTpFqa7athz-a_-ht7oqeUTr6gocAnUfD0q0pZEtAYdX9qUHi024xhS5XA8MjgXVVDa91omlvCOQmxs7v6mn7yGZLbgRZo/s400/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160523231117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Once more for good measure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwgiKJ1Ol1ZCSRYNA9f5AlHVMtBWJsvJhLYT_bTZFHxYdwiIFYIeqikuIhEZ3gjL8a-rqv786K1AgVm3oJaz5Y_cjQccXEffvFf0AKR8wkMaaK2nHhMIzKCSt_jmXtwas6-DCAWhzUQI/s1600/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160524010711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwgiKJ1Ol1ZCSRYNA9f5AlHVMtBWJsvJhLYT_bTZFHxYdwiIFYIeqikuIhEZ3gjL8a-rqv786K1AgVm3oJaz5Y_cjQccXEffvFf0AKR8wkMaaK2nHhMIzKCSt_jmXtwas6-DCAWhzUQI/s400/Uncharted+4_+A+Thief%25E2%2580%2599s+End%25E2%2584%25A2_20160524010711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the first Uncharted game on the Playstation 4 (not counting the Nathan Drake Collection) and Naughty Dog really took advantage of the new hardware. Besides just stunning gameplay, the enemies seem to employ a little more intelligence when taking you on. I found myself being flanked or even surrounded by enemies on multiple occasions. This ensured that I constantly had to stay on the move and think on my feet. <br />
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Overall, Uncharted 4 is a satisfying send of for its leading protagonist. The gameplay is similar to other Uncharted games but considering they refined it in previous titles, this isn't a bad thing. Fans of the series will quickly find themselves following the same old routines. The story is intriguing and will constantly leave you on the edge of your seat. <br />
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I would consider this one of the first must-play Playstation 4 titles. Newcomers may feel a little lost so if you've never dabbled in the series, pick up the Nathan Drake Collection which has the first three titles for the PS4. You will not be disappointed. <br />
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-Big OWest Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-53195185748878164752016-05-31T21:12:00.002-07:002016-05-31T21:12:39.945-07:00Rory and Frankie Review Overwatch<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4i_3hR5if6k9iX94pgwLU3zHW0WhYuG8ANpgn0_ZAOcVR1DkuDwSqMvfWfQ-3Uc_onksJTOa9fuTvtzMBjU3Y3mQItAT2elh7aZHN1FzT2zvQ9VbWnEq4ZLFLmSfP1qkqh9XBXkdLIo/s1600/overwatch-heroes-background-blizzard-1080x623.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4i_3hR5if6k9iX94pgwLU3zHW0WhYuG8ANpgn0_ZAOcVR1DkuDwSqMvfWfQ-3Uc_onksJTOa9fuTvtzMBjU3Y3mQItAT2elh7aZHN1FzT2zvQ9VbWnEq4ZLFLmSfP1qkqh9XBXkdLIo/s400/overwatch-heroes-background-blizzard-1080x623.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">For this review we though it would be fun to try something kind of different. First Rory gives his take on the game as a Blizzard noob, followed by Frankie who is a Blizzard fanboy. How will their opinions differ? You have to read to find out.</span> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span></b></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"></span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Rory</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"></span><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">I've been playing video games since I could pick
up a controller. I started on the NES and the giant grey and purple Gameboy,
moved onto the N64, had a PS2 and an Xbox, then moved to the 360 and now
finally the PS4, plus I've owned pretty much every handheld that Nintendo has
ever made. Through all this time Blizzard (which has gone through a few name
changes during it's existence) has been making critically acclaimed games and I
had not played a single one. It's not like I haven't been exposed to their
work, seeing as two of my best friends are enormous Blizzard fanatics (I'm
looking at you Frankie and CJ), I have seen many sessions of Wow, Diablo, and
even a few rounds of Heroes of the Storm take place. Blizzard has historically
been a PC based developer, a gaming platform I've always been lacking. But now
with Diablo 3 Reaper of Souls and Overwatch out on consoles, I can jump into
the fray. And jump in I have.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">After playing a little bit of Diablo 3 earlier
this year but not being extremely hooked by it, I went into Overwatch with high
but tempered expectations. The beta washed all my doubts away and made these
past couple weeks unbearable. Luckily, a busy work schedule has kept me
occupied, but now the game is out and it's clear that the wait was worth
it. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENZ6xh11tI7iukfdpQLQY_6aUvfJdaamMT_IM4tMywxG4-rSTNZgkUHnlz8splSaDRIPLmdX8tycMvgoP2Vz7vO3opb_vuRm8_52vO6Wcm2rEH5oZukUFcTfM7b6CTncRorvfFRL1lKs/s1600/tracer+homescreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENZ6xh11tI7iukfdpQLQY_6aUvfJdaamMT_IM4tMywxG4-rSTNZgkUHnlz8splSaDRIPLmdX8tycMvgoP2Vz7vO3opb_vuRm8_52vO6Wcm2rEH5oZukUFcTfM7b6CTncRorvfFRL1lKs/s400/tracer+homescreen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"> </span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Overwatch takes place in the not so distant
future. A future where A.I. called omnics began a war with humanity that pushed
the world to the brink of devastation. Overwatch, a special task force of
powerful heroes, was commissioned to put an end to the omnic war and keep the
peace afterward. The war was ended but eventually infighting and corruption
tore Overwatch apart and the group disbanded. While the game doesn't have a
single player campaign, the rich backstories of the world and characters keep
Overwatch from feeling as hollow as most multiplayer only games like Titanfall
and Evolve. To dive deeper into the lore Blizzard has been releasing animated
shorts and web comics to fill in some of the blank spaces in the character's
pasts. I highly recommend looking into these as it attaches you to characters
you wouldn't expect and gives the game an even more personal feel. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGaPVAtks0LJTq4TSMjODXuQU2F_97ENS4Qd9slsHD8rjdcnyVGGeP5qmpKgkU_U261kBBjlkGoVE3m86MnSPMw8xFOaDe7Zlph0xwSAyrO5zVc-E7YjlEEv0wL-JS63G-2rn1BV6amM/s1600/Omnic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGaPVAtks0LJTq4TSMjODXuQU2F_97ENS4Qd9slsHD8rjdcnyVGGeP5qmpKgkU_U261kBBjlkGoVE3m86MnSPMw8xFOaDe7Zlph0xwSAyrO5zVc-E7YjlEEv0wL-JS63G-2rn1BV6amM/s400/Omnic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;"> </span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Each character handles so different from the
next even if they reside in the same class group. For example Hanzo and
Widowmaker are the 2 snipers in the game but they are vastly different in play
style. Widowmaker is very much the typical sniper, preferring to hang out far
away from the fight picking off enemies with her powerful sniper rifle. Hanzo
on the other hand is better at medium range, weaving in and out of cover to
take people out with his bow and arrow and setting up massive group kills with
his deadly dragonstrike ultimate. No matter what character you play as you're
bound to have a blast, win or lose.</span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">For a game with this many characters it's
impressive that it feels so balanced right from the start. There do not seem to
be any characters that are just terrible, or flipside, any that are downright
overpowered. Yes, the much maligned Bastion can be a real pain in the butt,
especially when the other team is using two of them on the defend matches, but
the community clearly has caught on to stopping his insanely powerful turret
mode and therefore seems to be much less of a threat because of it. Also Zenyatta
could use a tiny health buff but these are minor problems that can be patched
later. The game runs incredibly well, even on console. I've never seen the
framerate dip even in the heaviest of battles. Everyone has always told me
about the polish Blizzard games but now seeing it first-hand, color me
impressed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">I knew I would like Overwatch but I wasn't prepared
for just how much I love it. It reminds me of my love for Plants vs. Zombies:
Garden Warfare. Colorful characters with different and interesting powers
duking it out for supremacy in interesting places. The drab environments and
characters of Call of Duty/Battlefield have just never really appealed to me,
and outside of Gears of War I have never really invested heavily into online
shooters. But Overwatch is a breath of fresh air that is bringing me back into
the world of competitive multiplayer, a world I thought I mostly left behind on
my 360. Just when I thought I was out, Blizzard managed to pull me back
in. </span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">-Rory</span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">.... but seriously go buy/play Overwatch right
now. There's a talking gorilla scientist who loves peanut butter. What more do
you want?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Frankie</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Blizzard
is easily my favorite game developer, and with a track record of quality games
over the span of 20+ years they have definitely earned the praise. From the
fantastic space RTS that is Starcraft, to the horrific dungeon crawling of
Diablo, to the mystical quests through the World of Warcraft, Blizzard has
proved to be a true juggernaut in the gaming industry. They have sustained a
incredible following because of these titles, and even threw in some new
additions such as the online TCG Hearthstone, and the MOBA esque Hero Brawler
Heroes of the Storm, but these are just new games based on the pre-existing
universes Blizzard has already invested so much in, until now. Overwatch is not
only Blizzards first new IP in over 17 years, it is also the creation from the ashes
of the trashed MMO Project Titan, and boy does it prove they made the right
call. Overwatch is a six on six FPS team arena shooter (they call it a hero
shooter) that not only embodies all the personality and polish Blizzard is
known for. Overwatch achieves something that every developer should always
strive for above all else, it is an incredibly fun experience that will have
you loving every second you spend with it, win or lose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Now
for a little backstory, Overwatch is set in a fictional futuristic Earth where
there was a global catastrophe called the Omnic Crisis. A.I. beings that were
created to serve eventually rebelled, creating hostile omnics and triggering a full-scale
war. Overwatch was created to restore order and maintain peace in the midst of
the worn torn world, but eventually Overwatch would be torn apart from the
outside, and inside. The world then blames Overwatch for everything that had
happened and is outlawed, causing the family of heroes to go their separate
ways, and try to find a new path. The game takes place after the official
disbanding of Overwatch, and after the gorilla scientist Winston re-establishes
it. Even though there is no traditional campaign the game is still rich with
backstory, history, lore, secrets, and much much more. Each level even has
easter eggs pertaining to Blizzards other titles, such as a murloc in a flying
saucer on Hanamura, or Heroes of the Storm fighting games in that same levels
arcade spawn zone. One thing Blizzard does so well is putting everything they
have into whatever project they undertake, the finesse and polish on Overwatch
is spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the breath taking
cell shaded visuals, to the wonderful soundtrack, and even the little nuances
of each character, you can't help but smile during every second of it.
Overwatch even has a website you can go to read up and discover the finely
crafted lore behind their shooter, causing it to be much more then just a Team
Fortress 2 clone. Each character isn't just a class, but a hero completely
different then any other on the roster, in both play style and design. For
example the poster child Tracer has the ability to teleport short distances and
rewind herself placing her ammunition, position, and health back to where it
was just a few moments earlier. Now at first glance this may just seem like an
ability, but by diving into her backstory you find out she was a test pilot for
a project called the "Slipstream", a time traveling fighter that
malfunctioned and caused her to be lost in time. Unable to stay in present time
for more then a few moments, Winston created a device that not only allowed her
to stay anchored in present time, but control her own time flow, allowing her
to jump forward and move backwards through time. This is what makes this game
so impressive, just a simple ability becomes so much more interesting just
because of the lore Blizzard has created for the character, and everyone gets
the same treatment. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">You
can truly feel the love Blizzard has put into creating this world, they want
you to care about the people in it, they want you to care about the world, they
don't want to shove another generic shooter at you, slap a $60 price tag on it,
and call it the best thing around, they want to prove to you it is. Even the
characters will interact with each other while on the same team, such as
Zenyatta saying how happy he is to be fighting alongside his pupil Genji, Tracer
challenging Lucio to a race, or even Reaper throwing some mean spirited words
towards Mercy. Overwatch even has several comics and animated shorts that allow
you to learn more about each character that once again proves Blizzard is
committed to making this a living-breathing world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though Blizzard has put so much into
the lore of Overwatch, that doesn't mean they slacked on the gameplay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite the opposite, this is easily one of the
most balanced and polished shooters I have ever played. Each of the twenty-one
characters is placed under one of four roles, offense, defense, tank, and
support, and has strengths and weaknesses that can be countered, or used to
counter another. For example my personal favorite Reaper has twin shotguns that
devastate anyone unfortunate enough to be in close quarters with you, and with
Wraith mode making him invincible but unable to perform any actions other then
moving and Shadow Step, a long range teleport with a slow start-up and end
time, he is a great at flanking and eating up tanks, and his ultimate Death
Blossom can wipeout an entire team if you can ambush them. However he struggles
against characters like Pharah, who can fly high into the sky and rain rockets
of death down on the enemy, or Widowmaker, a sniper who can grapple up to hard
to reach places and pick off unsuspecting targets. Even characters in the same
role are vastly different, such as Zenyatta and Symmetra. Zenyatta is a omnic
monk who can place a healing orb on an ally to passively heal them, or a discord
orb on an enemy to boost damage on them by 50%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Couple that with his high damage projectiles he's basically a healing
sniper. However Symmetra doesn't heal at all, she instead places a shield on
her allies and uses her Ultimate which is a teleporter, to allow her allies to
absorb a bit more damage and get back into the fight quickly, and with sentry
turrets that be placed virtually anywhere along with her high damage weapon she
completely lock down an area basically by herself. The uniqueness of each and
every character means regardless of skill level and playstyle, there is a Hero
that will suite you perfectly. That doesn't mean you will main any one of them,
this game is about strategy, and part of strategy is adapting, and with the
ability to switch character mid match during any respawn, causes a giant rock,
paper, scissors match between the two teams. Communication and team composition
is key here, as it will determine whether you snatch victory, or fall into the
arms of defeat. Each character not only counters others, but compliments them
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mercy is a great match-up with
Pharah because she is the only one that can follow her into the sky to heal and
boost her damage, causing the devastating Pharah to become and even bigger
threat then normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another example is Reinhardt
and Bastion, by holding Reinhardts shield right in front of Bastion while he is
in turret form allows him to chew through the enemy team with little threat of
taking any type of damage at all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">The
other intriguing thing about Overwatch is that not only is every game mode
objective based (that's right COD fans, no Team Deathmatch), but each map is catered
to a specific mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Hanamura will
always be two point control, and Ilios will always be domination, making each
map feel tailored fit perfectly to each mode. Every map is designed
thoughtfully to help you find multiple ways to an objective without the fear of
getting lost, also meaning you need to take the time to know every nook and cranny
of the area. Knowing where every health pack, choke point, and entry/exit point
is crucial for offense and defense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
knowing where you can ambush, or be ambushed can greatly change the flow of the
game. I do wish however that there were more game modes, or at least different versions
of each map was made for each other mode, I would love to escort a payload
through the beautiful setting of Ilios, or play domination on King's Row, but
despite this I still have zero issue playing for hours on end. Maining a
character is something that does not exist in Overwatch, and if you think you
do this, you aren't playing it right. As I've stated before Overwatch is a
constant rock, paper, scissors match with the enemy team, and you have to be
familiar with each and every character to fight them. If you are playing Hanzo
and are constantly being killed by a Genji player, switching to the cowboy
McCree who can flash bang and triggers his secondary fire "Fan the
Hammer" to fire all six shots quickly can stop him right in his tracks. On
the surface it may seem like just another shooter, but once you start to really
analyze and learn each and every hero, it reveals a whole new depth that proves
this is a truly deep and complex multiplayer game filled with endless possibilities
of strategy and tactics. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Overwatch
even has a training mode where you can practice against dummies to hone your
skills with a character you aren't very good with but want to learn, and even
weekly brawls that reset every week that range from reduced cool downs on all abilities
and ultimates, to only being able to choose from a limited pool of heroes or
role. Overwatch even has a progression system that you accumulate xp for each
match you play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every level you acquire
unlocks a loot box with random vanity items that range from voice lines, player
icons, and sprays, to color swaps for each hero all the way to legendary skins
that can make Reaper a Mariachi, or Junkrat look like a Juggalo. You can even
earn in game currency from each loot box and duplicates to purchase the vanity
items that you want. The option to purchase loot boxes via micro-transactions
is also possible, so you can stock up to increase your chances to get even more
sweet loots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blizzard has once again
proven that they have the ability to take a formula that has been done time and
time again and make it truly special and unique. When you play Overwatch you
won't be thinking, "oh this is just like Team Fortress 2" or
"this is just like Plants Vs. Zombies Garden Warfare".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You'll be thinking about how much fun you're
having playing with all your friends, in each adrenaline-inducing match.
Overwatch is not only a finely crafted FPS, but also it is just flat out
fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise if you pick it up, you'll
be smiling from ear to ear in no time. So what are you waiting for? It's time
to get in the fight, because the world can use more Heroes, and trust me, you
fit the bill.</span></span></div>
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West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-54383583908908675352016-04-26T16:40:00.003-07:002016-04-26T16:40:55.844-07:00Dark Souls 3 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have pushed
through a poisonous swamp for hours, I've died more times than I can count, I
reach a new bonfire and see a large gateway guarded by poison inflicting
monsters and two Dark Wraiths, I let them skirmish before I jump in to finish
the job, but the Dark Wraiths won't go down easy. I separate one and defeat him
quickly, but the other is much stronger. We weave in between each other’s
attacks like dancers of death, anxiously swinging our weapons, using every tool
in our arsenal to deal the final bloody blow, I prove stronger and he falls.
However he was just a basic enemy merely testing to see if I was prepared for
the true challenge, a fog gate stands before me with a boss enemy waiting
behind it, ready to show me how truly weak and feeble I am. I prepare myself,
take a breath, and step through, and after an amazing cutscene, find out
exactly what I had to fear. This is just one example of what you will encounter
in Dark Souls 3. To say this game is a masterpiece feels like an
understatement, and even as someone who never played the previous titles I can
see this game is the sequel this series deserves, a truly magnificent crescendo
to a line of games that pushes whoever partakes its challenge to their absolute
limits. This is not a game for the faint of heart. It will make you angry, it
will make you cry, it will test your patience, but when you finally triumph, it
will reward you ten fold for all that you have endured.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dark Souls 3
is set in the fantasy Kingdom of Lothric, where there is a curse of the undead
that has spread throughout the realm. The fire that had once brought the land
peace and prosperity is now fading, and the Lords of Cinder that had linked the
flames have abandoned their thrones and retreated to their own Kingdoms. It is
your duty to hunt them down and return them to their throne, by any means
necessary. This is all explained in the gorgeous opening cinematic that truly
makes you appreciate the dark and dilapidated state of the world From Software
has created. There is truly no happiness in the land of Lothric, and this is
something you discover quickly as you journey through its lands. The game is
graphically stunning, crisp scenery and colors despite the dark state of the
world catches the eye quickly, as you navigate through the many areas such as
swamps, kingdom walls, cities, dungeons, and more, they make every bit of it a
sight to behold. The art design is where the visuals really shine. From the
grotesque monsters, undead knights in shining armor, spine shivering catacombs,
and numerous other beasts and atrocities lurking around every corner and at the
end of every corridor, From Software shows an impressive amount of detail to
every bit of Dark Souls 3 which is something I would love to see more
developers learn from. Nothing makes you appreciate this more than climbing to
the top of a tower or mountain and gazing out on the absolutely gorgeous
landscape, knowing not only does it look breath taking, but more than likely
you will eventually travel there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">There are tons of shortcuts that not only
will lead you back to a earlier bonfire to avoid traversing through the dangers
you just faced, but intertwine the entire world, waving areas together and
leading to completely different areas you have progressed though. The art and
graphics aren't the only things to get this level of attention; all aspects
have including the story. With multiple endings, tons of intractable NPCs with side
quests and full quest lines, and tons of items each with descriptions helps
unravel the tale of Dark Souls 3, and elaborate on what's really happening. One
of the key things is that, like everything else in Dark Souls 3, nothing is
handed to you. You can go through the entire game knowing nothing more than
kill the Lords of Cinder, link the Thrones, and link the Flame. From Software
leaves it to you the player to un-earth the truth behind the veil, which is
ripe with lore for those willing to take the time to learn its secrets. It's
something I appreciated when I played their previous title Bloodborne, finding
new items and equipment and sifting through the item descriptions, hidden
texts, and speaking to NPCs at the right time to learn more about the world and
story. It is something that is really rewarding in a unique way. If you want to
just run through the game and kill some bosses, Dark Souls 3 will satisfy you
fully, but for those like myself who appreciates and craves a good story, Dark
Souls has that in spades. You'll not only discover critical facts and details
about the current game, but all the ones before it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">Even visiting familiar feeling areas that
will make veteran players jump for joy (I'm looking at you Rowboat (Rory)(I
hate saying his name)). One thing is a staple with this series, and that is
there in no happiness in the land of Lothric. Death, despair, betrayal,
suffering, and utter darkness await all who reside here, which is a path most
games don't dare tread. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">In a world cluttered with media of designated heroes, villains,
morals, and "the good guy will always come out on top", it's
refreshing to see a title that is truly ambiguous. You never know who is good,
evil, right, wrong, telling the truth, deceiving you, or even if you yourself
are a hero or just another poor soul destined to be driven to the darkness that
swallows this land and its people whole. This is something that draws me in to
learn more about its story.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">I want to
turn over every stone.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">I want to know
every detail and what is the truth behind all truths, but From Software opts
out of straightforward answers and instead allows the audience to draw their
own conclusions. They truly believe the player to be intelligent, and respects
that part about us all, allowing us to rack our brains and unravel the mysteries,
as we believe them to be. This leads to a huge community of people creating fan
theories and sharing them online, allowing all of us to exchange ideas and
learn more about the title, I can safely say I know of no other game that has
this type of community and I absolutely love it.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5vZFojP6w6dI3BLbGZHsGvGLyyexu1w7SLalzH_CWS-XWysKUFiP8rcNDF2LrX7AAjn4Xov5jKDtpzSd3E450bo1XHiSnEAFedcPKsL1hLHygnIEx_jiv11R2LW6gSSica3tiSyhsIY/s1600/13048263_1172580486093871_6908821130053158237_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5vZFojP6w6dI3BLbGZHsGvGLyyexu1w7SLalzH_CWS-XWysKUFiP8rcNDF2LrX7AAjn4Xov5jKDtpzSd3E450bo1XHiSnEAFedcPKsL1hLHygnIEx_jiv11R2LW6gSSica3tiSyhsIY/s400/13048263_1172580486093871_6908821130053158237_o.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Bold Italic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Bold Italic";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">Arguably the
biggest draw to this title is the gameplay itself, and the immense challenge it
presents to any who dare cross its threshold. This is not a game for the meek
or weak willed. Dark Souls 3 will punch you in the throat, kick you in the
face, and beat you mercilessly with absolutely no remorse. Dark Souls 3 is like
an abusive relationship that we keep coming back to over and over again and no
one really understands why, oh wait yes we do, because it's great. Dark Souls 3
is appallingly hard, but rarely fair, nine times out of ten if you die it was
your fault. You didn't time your dodges correctly, you were over aggressive, to
passive, allowed yourself to get outnumbered, etc. Now that's not to say there
isn't some cheap deaths here and there, after all no game is perfect and Dark
Souls 3 is no exception. There were several times a ridiculous attack from an
enemy would connect that shouldn't have, or hit even though I dodged correctly,
but these are so few and far in between (and I mean REALLY REALLY few and far
in between). It never frustrated me too often. When you die however you do lose
all your souls you have accumulated, as well as all enemy NPC's excluding a
certain few respawning to give you hell a second time. Don’t fret now though,
because when you do inevitably die all of your souls you lost are dropped at
the location of your untimely death, allowing you to retrieve them if you can
reach them. As terrifyingly strong as your foes that litter Lothric are, you
are a force to be reckoned with yourself.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">After all, you are the Ashen Champion. When you start the game you
choose your characters name, ethnicity, looks from a deep customization system,
your class, and a starter item. You can be anything from a valiant knight, a
furious pyromancer, a deadly dual wielding mercenary, a powerful sorcerer, and
many more. This not only allows you to get a solid start to your play style
with proper armor and weaponry, but also allocates your starting stats
accordingly. You can always shift your spec points via leveling up later on,
but it's best to dabble with the starter classes and pick whichever one suits
you best, because believe me levels are not something to waste. I personally
started with the mercenary, a close quarters fighter with a pair of quick and
deadly scimitars. Every weapon not only has a unique move set, but also comes
with a weapon skill that adds a bit more depth that is new to Dark Souls 3. The
paired scimitars I started with had the ability to perform a quick spinning
slash with both blades, and when followed with a heavy attacked would perform a
second spin that did even more damage that staggered or knocked back any foes
who had the misfortune to be part of my onslaught. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">Dark Souls 3 also fused both
the original Dark Souls and it's more recent title Bloodborne. With faster
combat and more aggressive enemies, it allows you to play more defensively with
a sword and shield, play back with magic, or be the aggressor yourself. This is
something I really appreciated seeing as how not every situation required the
same approach. I would consistently switch between watching and waiting for my
enemy to make the first move so I could deliver a quick counter-attack, or rush
down a lesser enemy to catch them in a stagger lock until death whisked them
away from the battlefield. No one ever complained from being given more
options, and this is something From Software has excelled at. You not only have
a variety of play styles and approaches to any situation, but there is a
plethora of weapons, armor, magic, and miracles for you to procure. Some can be
bought from vendors, Most are found littered throughout Lothric, and some of
the strongest are found on world bosses or even worse, the bosses themselves.
All bosses drop their soul for you when they finally fall after bashing your
head against the brick wall. These gift you with their weapon, armor, spell, or
ones themed from them. One I currently use is a greatsword with a dagger that I
can use to parry, but when I dual wield them I jump and use the dagger as an
anchor as I spin and slash at the heels of all enemies in my vicinity.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">Like a wolf prowling my prey always just out
of their reach, but always in mine. All the weapons in this game are unique and
cool in their own respective way leaving something for every individual to find
and enjoy, and more importantly carve through the hordes of adversaries
standing in your path. The armor plays a huge roll in the way you play as well,
each one greatly enhancing damage resistance, magic resistance, poison, fire,
lightning, etc., every piece is good for one thing or another. There are pieces
of armor that are just better then others as you get further through the game,
which is good as it adds another element that makes you really feel like you
have progressed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">This is also not a title you can sit for a half an hour and
play for a bit, kill some stuff, and drop. This game requires long periods of
time to push through and progress through each area, and since all enemies
respawn when you rest at a bonfire or die, it takes a lot of patience and
mental fortitude to get through. At the end, and sometimes even throughout,
there will be a boss waiting for you to test all that you have learned thus
far, and for the most part, they deliver. You will be faced with a teleporting
sorcerer, demons, a gang of swordsman, giants, and many more. Think Shadow of
the Colossus on crack and you have the big baddies of Dark Souls 3. These
bosses are no joke, and I can clearly see why some say this is the hardest
Souls game yet. In particular there was a boss that spawned additional look-a-likes
that would attack you and sometimes each other, and once you think you have
beaten him, his weapons light on fire.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">Because
a crazy fast and strong swordsman isn't bad enough, no NO that's too easy,
let's give him fire too! From Software sure does love giving things fire, and
you will discover this quickly as you face its many challenges. This made the
less then stellar boss fights even more disappointing, I'm sure some were
easier because of the level I was at when I faced them.</span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">However, some were just downright easy, which
is not what I come to expect from a From Software title. One in particular was
horrible. </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri Bold Italic'; line-height: 115%;">I faced a huge boss who struck
fear into you the second you saw him. There was a special weapon you had to use
to kill him, which literally downs him in four swings, it wasn't even hard to
charge making this the easiest thing to do in the game to that point. This was
the one moment I was truly angry with Dark Souls 3. All the anticipation I had
waiting to face him, all the fear I felt, all the admiration for his design and
mechanics felt wasted. Thankfully this was not repeated any more, and every
other boss delivered on the soul crushing challenge I craved. The feeling of
absolute satisfaction and true elation after downing a boss you have struggled
with for so long is what really sinks its claws into you, and exactly why I got
hooked on Bloodborne, and now Dark Souls 3. I have not felt a feeling of pure ecstasy
from something other than a From Software title since I beat Sephiroth in
Kingdom Hearts back in 2002. A title that truly challenges you, your
intelligence, your reflexes, your ingenuity, everything you have being pushed
to the absolute limit and draws you to the very precipice of anger and fury is
all given recognition when you finally see that "VICTORY ACHIEVED"
text across your screen. No other title I have played in years has given me
this feeling, and being able to share your water cooler stories with all of
your friends who have faced the same challenges as you is an entirely awesome
thing in itself. Sharing horror stories, tales of triumph, swapping strategies
and character designs, and much more is something I haven't done since I played
World of Warcraft. When you defeat a boss you also become embered, which can
also be done using an item that increases your maximum health and allows online
play. This allows you to recruit other players or your friends to assist you in
your quest for glory. Be careful though, as this also allows other players to
invade your world and hunt you down. Dark Souls 3 has an interesting PvP
element, you can pledge yourself to one of several covenants, that can be
changed at any time, and fight other players around the world. Some people even
summon several players in certain areas and host "fight clubs" where
you fight until you are defeated. You can also leave or read helpful notes that
that will assist you in your journey, something that had saved me numerous
times from well-hidden ambushes and pit falls. Some are even funny and clever,
such as an item on a corpse hanging off a ledge with its backside facing you,
with a well-placed note that reads, "finger, but whole.".</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri Bold Italic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Bold Italic";"><span style="font-size: large;">Dark Souls 3
offers a unique experience no other developer can offer, at least not at the
quality From Software presents it at. This is not a game for everyone, it
requires a tremendous amount of time and patience that not everyone can offer,
but for those who are able, they are gifted with a journey unlike any other.
The juggernaut series known as Dark Souls has received a incredible sequel and
the best send off that I could possibly think of, one that make me want to go
back and venture through the prequels I missed. If you are looking for a great
game, a true challenge, or an amazingly dark story that sinks its claws into you
and won't relinquish you until you have done all that it has to offer, then I beseech
you, pick up a copy of Dark Souls 3. Now Champion of Ash, you are the only one
that can return the Lords of Cinder to their abandoned thrones, so go, because
the fire is fading, and the age of darkness is upon us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-Frankie</span></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-58264826469753348912016-04-20T15:11:00.003-07:002016-04-20T15:11:51.438-07:00Platinum Spirit Update and Disney Infinity 3.0 ThoughtsA dream is a wish your heart makes. Big O here and for anyone who has been listening to our podcast or reading our blog for a while, it is no secret that I am a huge Disney fanatic. My latest game to get the Platinum Spirit treatment was Disney Infinity 3.0 (still chipping away at Bloodborne). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CzuI-MVi-MelJKaJuqZcsJk5stB1H0PloSt6smyhdvLnjsRjSYm1T6_CrR5GfW9LwT8fA16lSHUfhIT_CerErzSC0V0kQSlaw6jt2PI2703LQG3emoS6PKvmH6k3yem6BEvhLH_Tarc/s1600/IMG_1432.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CzuI-MVi-MelJKaJuqZcsJk5stB1H0PloSt6smyhdvLnjsRjSYm1T6_CrR5GfW9LwT8fA16lSHUfhIT_CerErzSC0V0kQSlaw6jt2PI2703LQG3emoS6PKvmH6k3yem6BEvhLH_Tarc/s400/IMG_1432.PNG" width="223" /></a></div>
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While this is definitely not difficult game to get the platinum trophy in, I had a blast the entire time I was playing it. And that is the theme of Disney Infinity 3.0, fun. Now, this is a game with younger players in mind. So, that is something to consider before you drop any money on it. DI3.0 is as fun as you make it. The main appeal of the game is that you can build your own worlds and levels as well as play levels created by others. Sort of like Little Big Planet or Minecraft in that regard. There are story packs you can purchase to varying degrees of quality. See my review of the Marvel Battlefront playset if you want more information on how the individual playsets work. Being a Disney fan helped with my enjoyment of this game. Walking down Main Street USA towards Disney Castle as Kylo Ren gave me a special feeling in my heart that not many other games have been able to capture. Anyway, that is platinum trophy number six in the books. Now back to Bloodborne. *walks away and cries in the corner*West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-65208582526019714612016-04-19T14:18:00.001-07:002016-04-19T14:52:02.839-07:00Rogue One Trailer Impressions <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgd4JlRoU-FK_sUV9ktwNRa_xixin7rMs17EARPFwwStJHLlqr352A64WJlAviPb098x_2Uj5sujRd3DCmTdyY49N8vIulye7eJgfatDUsTlqe4Pev-EQfn3jQi0KM6mmjVRmsu6Bnys/s1600/Rogue-One-A-Star-Wars-Story-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgd4JlRoU-FK_sUV9ktwNRa_xixin7rMs17EARPFwwStJHLlqr352A64WJlAviPb098x_2Uj5sujRd3DCmTdyY49N8vIulye7eJgfatDUsTlqe4Pev-EQfn3jQi0KM6mmjVRmsu6Bnys/s400/Rogue-One-A-Star-Wars-Story-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Big O here, just wanted to give my quick thoughts on the recently released Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer. If you haven't seen it yet, go ahead and give it a watch. I even provided it below. I'll wait.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Wji-BZ0oCwg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wji-BZ0oCwg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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One of the things to point out is for everything we know about this movie, we really don't know much. The plot seems to focus around Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and a band of misfits who are charged with retrieving the plans for the original Death Star. In case it wasn't obvious, this movie takes place before Star Wars Episode IV. In addition to Jones, Rogue One is bringing some notable names to the table. Genevieve O'Reilly is reviving her role as Mon Mothma from Star Wars Episode III. We are also seeing Mads Mikkelsen, star of Hannibal and the villain from Casino Royale. There is also Ben Mendelsohn who many will remember as Daggett from Dark Knight Rises and we will being seeing in Ready Player One. Forest Whitaker also makes a surprise appearance. Honestly, I could go on about the cast all day.<br />
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This trailer is relatively new but the rumors are already flying. What do we know? One of my first observations is that many of the shots take place on Yavin 4, the location of the rebel base from Star Wars Episode IV. Erso is a hot tempered and impulsive rebel agent who is frequently in trouble, as we can see by her impressive rap sheet. The movie appears to be going for a darker tone compared to most Star Wars films. Especially, considering we know there is a good chance many of these characters will not make it to the end of the film. The trailer ends with a chilling shot of Erso in Imperial armor. Does Erso betray her team to the Empire? Does she infiltrate the Empire by joining them? We won't really know until we see the film. <br />
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In the end, this is just a two minute trailer that simply introduces us to the main character and gives us a rough impression of the plot. There is still much about this movie we don't know. So, did the trailer succeed? In my opinion, the answer is an overwhelming yes. I keep talking about how the trailer doesn't really tell us much, but that isn't the job of a trailer. A trailer is supposed to get the audience excited to see a movie and I am certainly excited. The Rogue One trailer shows off the cast, gives us a glimpse of the plot without giving anything away, and shows plenty of action scenes to get the adrenaline pumping. Developing a prequel is always a challenge. It is hard to surprise the audience when they know the outcome. However, Disney has shown that they are more that capable with the Star Wars Rebels television show. I will be seeing Rogue One when it comes to theaters, and I hope you all join me. </div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-29070610518925553842016-03-28T18:56:00.002-07:002016-03-28T18:56:31.959-07:00Episodes 36 & 37So, life got interesting over the past two weeks and we weren't able to produce an episode. To make up for it, we released two episodes this week.<br />
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First is episode 36. Here, Panda and myself discuss Sony's VR announcements, their biggest competition, and the sick things you people do with your 3DS. <br />
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<a href="http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/episode-36-the-future-is-now_74489" target="_blank">Episode 36 The Future is Now</a><br />
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In episode 37, we say farewell to a longtime friend of the show. Rory has decided to leave Arizona behind him but not before taking one last trip to the recording studio. In this one, Panda, Rory, and myself debate digital versus physical content, if it even matters which console you have anymore, and share a few fond memories. Until next time buddy, you will be missed.<br />
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<a href="http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/episode-37-rorys-odyssey_74490" target="_blank">Episode 37 Rory's Odyssey</a><br />
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-Big OWest Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-34522375234886265842016-03-09T12:05:00.004-08:002016-03-09T12:05:55.221-08:00Episode 35 Make Dungeons Great Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The newest episode of the podcast is live! Beef is on vacation in New Zealand so Panda and I needed to manage without him. In this episode we discuss the first episode of Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? We follow that up with Zootopia and all of its glory. Seriously, if you haven't seen this movie yet, you need to get around to it. We then discuss the state of media and the ridiculous argument that all media should be punished for the sins of one. We wrap it up with giving our thoughts of Super Nintendo games on the New 3DS. Check it out and let us know what Super Nintendo games you would like to see make their way to the Virtual Console.<br />
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<a href="http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/episode-35-make-dungeons-great-again_72802" target="_blank">Episode 32 Make Dungeons Great Again</a><br />
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-Big OWest Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-71028545587367487752016-03-03T17:51:00.001-08:002016-03-03T17:55:56.624-08:00Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 Review<div style="text-align: center;">
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<u>Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 Review</u></div>
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I don't usually like multiplayer shooters. Gears of War is the only shooter that has held my interest for any length of time. When I got my PS4, the first free game I got for being a plus subscriber was Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare. I was hooked immediately and played so much that I ended up getting the platinum trophy for it. Now the sequel has arrived and it is everything a good follow up should be.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxsTyL13gBo0mxKiyMX25_I7OqsbpJwB_CD4SVFt_ep-C4LyT6wJV1yGcL2Lvq4zWE0iN4k15sQu0XnQxGJgYrrEafbx8HlevCzFDFBf6lq0JsS-QfYhnOtQDl-KFBHiJhwoCnnrgG5E/s1600/Plants+vs+Zombies+GW2_20160303182857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxsTyL13gBo0mxKiyMX25_I7OqsbpJwB_CD4SVFt_ep-C4LyT6wJV1yGcL2Lvq4zWE0iN4k15sQu0XnQxGJgYrrEafbx8HlevCzFDFBf6lq0JsS-QfYhnOtQDl-KFBHiJhwoCnnrgG5E/s320/Plants+vs+Zombies+GW2_20160303182857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It has the same basic structure as the first game. Players are put on either the plants side or the zombie side at the beginning of the match and duke it out for supremacy. Each side has three new classes to play as, all with interesting new abilities. The plants get the offensive powerhouse Kernel Corn, the defensive focused Citron, and the magical Rose class at their disposal. Meanwhile the zombies have the high risk-high reward Imp, the pirate sniper Captain Deadbeard, and the melee based Super Brainz class added to their ranks. All the classes have their faults, but overall they integrate with the old classes nicely. The exception to that is the Rose, who's support powers and strong firepower make her a completely broken class. That being said, a patch to tone down her offensive capabilities has already been announced and that should fix the biggest balance issue I've had with the multiplayer so far.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rest my case</td></tr>
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Also new to the game is the Backyard Battleground, which functions as the hub world, and as the menu system to traverse the different modes. It is also home to the new single player missions the game has added. Many people complained about the lack of solo modes in the original game, which they have solved here to mixed results. Both factions have their own campaign, most of which consists of fighting waves of enemies with AI controlled teammates. It's fun for short bursts and is a nice way to learn how to play as the new classes, but it isn't somewhere you're likely to spend a ton of time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIGygz3q23x-Ftr7VRJDcDsoBW6M2xffacdHcFkol4u6dKsSz0ACVnRJBsmYgnmrvhoSDL3ciSvA_8lBQQa7oen7CXCpL-TxsAm0PbSXI5aMZEbOlV_jVol1uKePU4FD9hjY_kufFC8k/s1600/Plants+vs+Zombies+GW2_20160303182656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIGygz3q23x-Ftr7VRJDcDsoBW6M2xffacdHcFkol4u6dKsSz0ACVnRJBsmYgnmrvhoSDL3ciSvA_8lBQQa7oen7CXCpL-TxsAm0PbSXI5aMZEbOlV_jVol1uKePU4FD9hjY_kufFC8k/s320/Plants+vs+Zombies+GW2_20160303182656.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although this sewer seagull that wants you to find snow globes is pretty cool</td></tr>
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I've already poured upwards of 40 hours into the game and have felt no signs of slowing down yet. The game boasts so many character unlocks and upgrades that it seems like an overwhelming challenge to try and collect them all. That, plus the beautifully bright and whimsical visuals make it easy to keep saying "okay, just one more game" for hours on end. This game is such a nice departure from the gritty realistic shooters of today, it's a great reminder that games can be competitive but still be goofy, charming, and most of all FUN. As long as plants and zombies remain mortal enemies, I'll be there to join in the brawl. </div>
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-Rory</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjjDEX-nr6eLY3LU8s8Pt2SHkQyWVjfP2jkPI5tOaFJYryhaLBgNmvA-TghDLI-qjhCGRyuicNRY4HZE0CEbEVTxfHNHzIapw4DJ4KkOf9WB8O87cdD8mEcKOwJp9_bZCjG-YfiITDV8/s1600/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-2-snow-screenshot-02_1920.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjjDEX-nr6eLY3LU8s8Pt2SHkQyWVjfP2jkPI5tOaFJYryhaLBgNmvA-TghDLI-qjhCGRyuicNRY4HZE0CEbEVTxfHNHzIapw4DJ4KkOf9WB8O87cdD8mEcKOwJp9_bZCjG-YfiITDV8/s400/plants-vs-zombies-garden-warfare-2-snow-screenshot-02_1920.0.jpg" width="400" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<br />West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-81090837423062201852016-03-02T12:00:00.000-08:002016-03-02T12:06:34.685-08:00Pacific Rim: Just Build Giant Robots to Keep the Problem Out<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
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<b style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">[<i>Warning: Contains Spoilers</i>]</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’ll be honest—I <i>loved Pacific Rim</i>. The movie gave me
exactly what it advertised: giant monsters (rightfully called <i>Kaiju</i> from the Japanese “<i>kaijuu” </i>[“strange beast”] and the genre
of films introduced by Japan) battling giant robots (appropriately called <i>Jaegers</i>, from the Germa</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">n "<i>jager</i>" ["hunter"]) piloted by a motley crew of characters that fit the best action movie archetypes. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was </span><i style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Godzilla</i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> meets </span><i style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Gundam</i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, so of
course I was on board!</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Guess
which ones the plot is going to force into a romantic relationship!</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A lot of other people liked the movie as well: the movie received a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes, and 7/10 on IMBD. Although it was panned by critics, who clearly don’t have an appreciation for great art.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The movie takes place in the year
2025, twelve years after the Kaiju first appear out of the depths of the
Pacific Ocean from an interdimensional portal in the Marianna Trench (called
the “Breach”). The Kaiju—as giant beasts are wont to do—make their way out of
the Breach and proceed to smash the hell out of the Pacific Rim cities. In an
attempt to fend off this interdimensional menace, the United Nations comes up
with the Jaeger Program—using giant robots to fight off the creatures. Seems
legit, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">What
could possibly go wrong?</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Except—surprise, surprise—the Jaegers
aren’t as effective as the U.N. had initially hoped. (Using giant robots to
battle giant monsters <i>isn’t</i> effective
in deterring destruction? I guess the guys who thought up the program failed to
catch any episodes of <i>Power Rangers.</i>
Or any of the <i>Godzilla</i> movies. Or any
<i>kaijuu </i>film…)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8nHSz8vHUjudXlIDhKBSzDQcih0YQVZkO4sGsyHXEu2hOuXlYz5FJcemjOx-lccssyS9yYGHJTpFa9fDqNr82jnYFwZM0ZS7FiEjmkXmKDsZVruBwfrlT-aEYLhim4jnOYxzJ5xicjE/s1600/MMPR_Mega_Dragonzord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8nHSz8vHUjudXlIDhKBSzDQcih0YQVZkO4sGsyHXEu2hOuXlYz5FJcemjOx-lccssyS9yYGHJTpFa9fDqNr82jnYFwZM0ZS7FiEjmkXmKDsZVruBwfrlT-aEYLhim4jnOYxzJ5xicjE/s320/MMPR_Mega_Dragonzord.jpg" width="241" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Clearly,
the best line of defense against giant monsters.</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thus, the world’s leaders call for
an end to the Jaeger Program, and instead begin to build giant coastal walls.
(Because walls keep all unwanted things out, right?) To add to the insanity of
this defense proposal, the commander of the Jaegers, Stacker Pentecost (best character name <i>ever</i>, by the way), wants to send a
nuclear bomb into the Breach. It needs to be addressed here that such an
assault had been attempted before by previous Jaeger pilots, only to end in failure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47eRWT8ROhve2iCIaLNmRN3zM2-Pw-aRS_uuEa_MXtMv7Z-BDSDc9a4g1Fw-r66H6_Fa9t10DhZBjZpWw7ubMKkatfdfBbA_TQkQQW9Vt8VeSr3llP0XHWKZfgE7qE9-Pj8xkGnvAYmk/s1600/092108atomicvetb_5390261_ver1.0_640_480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47eRWT8ROhve2iCIaLNmRN3zM2-Pw-aRS_uuEa_MXtMv7Z-BDSDc9a4g1Fw-r66H6_Fa9t10DhZBjZpWw7ubMKkatfdfBbA_TQkQQW9Vt8VeSr3llP0XHWKZfgE7qE9-Pj8xkGnvAYmk/s320/092108atomicvetb_5390261_ver1.0_640_480.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Because
</i>this</span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> won’t end badly for all involved…</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There’s also a heavy-handed subplot
involving the romantic interplay of Mako (the Jaeger commander’s adopted
daughter) and Raleigh (the reluctant hero with a tragic, but relatable, past).
And a delightful appearance by a scientist who clearly knows what the hell he’s
doing, but nobody in a position of power will listen to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nevertheless, the humans win the
day in the end and our main characters float off into the sunset to, probably, have
copious amounts of sex that the screenwriters were kind enough to leave to the
imaginations of the audience.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All in all, </span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Pacific
Rim</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> is a standard action film, really only standing out because of its
brilliant use of giant creatures and its strong message about immigration.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtu7ZVffu6ynATyA5E4ezwef3sJNVjj6bW2OcZXyLdR8zswsHUt6BE9Y32gxuRh3aBKrp9rucyvT6Wob9KleA9e2Wko9iHAAR0pOjVCbEZDYWFsgsex6AEwSJ1HxCAY5cX2QRscS4grw/s1600/Newton_Geizler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtu7ZVffu6ynATyA5E4ezwef3sJNVjj6bW2OcZXyLdR8zswsHUt6BE9Y32gxuRh3aBKrp9rucyvT6Wob9KleA9e2Wko9iHAAR0pOjVCbEZDYWFsgsex6AEwSJ1HxCAY5cX2QRscS4grw/s320/Newton_Geizler.jpg" width="289" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i style="background-color: black;">Wait, what?</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's a fairly conservative argument, too. The overarching message appears to be that, when faced with an invasion of foreign
bodies, the best course of action is to destroy them. Take them down, no holds
barred. Of course, there is no need to figure out what they want or why they’re
here—just beat the invaders down with as much force as the government can
muster.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When <i>that</i> doesn’t work, trying
blowing up wherever the invaders come from and maybe there won’t be any more of
them to come crawling back to mess up our stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And when <i>that</i> doesn’t work, build a giant wall to keep them out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqRtiy0H9IyI0nc3ZMxITaha6roGfrQKw3XFH6PZZPEqY24dUNYaCj64CMJGE-oily5fn9IQ2fFdmiHW6HJ9Frm_f__n0mQC1QPGy0lda_PmcX2AFqnTfywyasv5zOVWYmbN21MjSNW4/s1600/mexico-border-fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqRtiy0H9IyI0nc3ZMxITaha6roGfrQKw3XFH6PZZPEqY24dUNYaCj64CMJGE-oily5fn9IQ2fFdmiHW6HJ9Frm_f__n0mQC1QPGy0lda_PmcX2AFqnTfywyasv5zOVWYmbN21MjSNW4/s320/mexico-border-fence.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Impenetrable defense.</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the film, the U.N. becomes very pro-military
(as do most of the </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">world’s leaders), which is a bit out of character for the
typically peaceful organization. As soon as the first cities are messed up, they call for military action.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Jaegers, meanwhile, represent the active
military force tasked with destroying any foreign creatures that dare
approach the pristine shore of the United States/Japan/etc. They are encouraged
to take out the menace by any means necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9In131Sef8Lq7qlbiW7f1Ou4nYipPNKPrA3T71PdteDOdGQbl5LUjybiXQMCnWi5Gxee8O8wDqHjesP55Br-mjjvGFv6qrlCGaiFIuVE6pgvhVpqRBA2rTpZIqp_KKgMgMmqWM259_60/s1600/abc_arpaio5_tk_130304_wg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9In131Sef8Lq7qlbiW7f1Ou4nYipPNKPrA3T71PdteDOdGQbl5LUjybiXQMCnWi5Gxee8O8wDqHjesP55Br-mjjvGFv6qrlCGaiFIuVE6pgvhVpqRBA2rTpZIqp_KKgMgMmqWM259_60/s320/abc_arpaio5_tk_130304_wg.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Impenetrable defense.</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Throughout the action, nobody is trying to figure out how to stem the flow of the invaders spare for
a handful of scientists that want to know <i>why</i>
they’re coming and <i>what</i> they want.
And they do so by plugging their brains directly into a deceased Kaiju’s
brain—the ultimate exercise in empathy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4z7GGzbvQKUCdilTD2Ttf3SW1CltzCEvIVhRnNKJiKzgH3LywO69w4XZcUxBFdst-dzwoUVmgn2ygquCow2tquDmfTxaTHZxdfZLziCecUHWRoVOKBn2ozouHFRCiObawp_oGFUKWiY/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4z7GGzbvQKUCdilTD2Ttf3SW1CltzCEvIVhRnNKJiKzgH3LywO69w4XZcUxBFdst-dzwoUVmgn2ygquCow2tquDmfTxaTHZxdfZLziCecUHWRoVOKBn2ozouHFRCiObawp_oGFUKWiY/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Admittedly,
this ends badly…</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It turns out that the Kaiju <i>are</i>, in fact, hostile, and were created
with the sole purpose of destroying the human population. But until this
revelation, this purpose was not necessarily clear.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes, the Kaiju came forward
and destroyed the coastal cities on the Pacific Rim (hey, the movie’s name!). But
so did Godzilla when he first appeared. Only Godzilla was given the chance to
redeem himself, and became a benefit to the Japanese defense forces when Rodan or
Ghidorah decided to come down and wreck Japan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Godzilla was allowed to prove
himself as a useful foreign body. The Kaiju, however, are never offered this
chance.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first Kaiju wreck the place—of course they do, they’re giant
monsters that don’t yet have an understanding of the tiny creatures running around,
screaming and dodging flaming detritus. And they’re </span><i style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">never</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> given the opportunity to co-exist.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After the first Kaiju
attacks, the U.N. and the world’s leaders call for the creation of the Jaeger
program. Any benefits the Kaiju may have wanted to bestow upon mankind are
immediately crushed by the robotic fists of the Jaegers. Hell, even if the
Kaiju were just refugees escaping a terrible menace in their own dimension,
they’re killed off before they can attempt to communicate their case for
survival.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieu1pmaX03Q5afU762-Fp_4gYhgvetpj3edF1Xijt6VOjskWVWUA5Bk171lojwghnztyK_8QrsNd8efxvievwDeRohrKm0JmvQ48zwXwmhi9XtaRjrM5dCr9RcQS9C7TdI534NyRpW6Y/s1600/la-fg-us-refugees-asylum-20150904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieu1pmaX03Q5afU762-Fp_4gYhgvetpj3edF1Xijt6VOjskWVWUA5Bk171lojwghnztyK_8QrsNd8efxvievwDeRohrKm0JmvQ48zwXwmhi9XtaRjrM5dCr9RcQS9C7TdI534NyRpW6Y/s320/la-fg-us-refugees-asylum-20150904.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Which,
admittedly, some conservatives are in favor of…</span></i></div>
</div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Furthermore, whenever a Kaiju is
approaching, it is immediately met with hostility. The Jaegers are sent out at
the first sight of an oncoming Kaiju. Of course the Kaiju would fight back in this
situation—any human being probably would, too! This military brutality becomes commonplace for the Kaiju, who come to meet the oncoming forces with like violence. It's what they've been conditioned to do.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is only when the scientist, Newton,
finally convinces Pentecost to listen to him that any real progress is made
with the Kaiju. Now the Jaeger force knows what the creatures want, and can
come up with an effective method to deal with them. Before this point, the
Jaegers are fighting blindly. Imagine—empathizing with a foreign group helps
one better handle them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9O0E6S4paDmixwzzW55HCGUNWixakhYuZ5lhUseLBwxoWHxHrErOoNu8ho-ZU_5xZK4ultwZAs_qK0Gx4YS1RISPhuW6moji7eYpgU7sWZQpXJbmsM4o8CR8BKXERQaAa_t_01MpAPgk/s1600/police_brutality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9O0E6S4paDmixwzzW55HCGUNWixakhYuZ5lhUseLBwxoWHxHrErOoNu8ho-ZU_5xZK4ultwZAs_qK0Gx4YS1RISPhuW6moji7eYpgU7sWZQpXJbmsM4o8CR8BKXERQaAa_t_01MpAPgk/s320/police_brutality.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: x-small;">Or, you know, keep beating on them. Whatever works.</span></i></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Overall, the message of <i>Pacific Rim</i> appears to be
anti-immigration. After all, the Kaiju aren’t seeking refuge on foreign shores,
they’re out to destroy them. Also, the Kaiju kill anyone who attempts to
empathize with them. The scientists themselves are goofy and misguided, clearly
more driven to understand the menace than destroy it like the more “noble”
humans who seek to destroy the Kaiju. The best course of action for the human
race appears to be killing the invaders, or at the very least trying our best to
keep them from coming ashore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, such a conservative
message is not out of the ordinary for action films. Most action film main
characters are more keen to destroy their enemies than to understand their
motives. Of course this would be the case—the audience comes to action films
for the entertainment, not the political intrigue. That’s why we cheer when
Arnold Schwarzenegger kills the bad guys in <i>True
Lies</i>, or when Bruce Willis does the same in <i>Die Hard</i>. It’s easier to destroy what we don’t understand than to
try and understand it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pacific
Rim</span></i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
is an entertaining movie with an ax to grind about immigration—and the fact
that it’s so subtle a conservative message adds an element of terror to the action.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~Panda</span></span></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-11452864316522531542016-03-01T13:24:00.005-08:002016-03-01T13:24:53.560-08:00Disney Infinity Next <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuAxVdkdETLq7nMt_VH3UgXeg1nWFlv2uORGJ8eiSGD7EI6xXGoiuE3cz_pRz4rcdPQ-2dtRcNe6g3uTkPy2qqtILdIElYDfuUIcc_tTJiGXXMRilSiJ9UAnEfH24PJdVaHm2lWJTRtM/s1600/Disney+Infinity+Next.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuAxVdkdETLq7nMt_VH3UgXeg1nWFlv2uORGJ8eiSGD7EI6xXGoiuE3cz_pRz4rcdPQ-2dtRcNe6g3uTkPy2qqtILdIElYDfuUIcc_tTJiGXXMRilSiJ9UAnEfH24PJdVaHm2lWJTRtM/s400/Disney+Infinity+Next.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Today, Disney aired the first episode of Disney Infinity Next. An online presentation streamed on youtube.com that outlined the future releases for the brand. Being a huge Disney Infinity nut, I was really excited to tune in. A little bit of background, I have been receiving emails for this even for weeks now, four emails in all to be exact. I figured if they were hyping this event so much, they were going to announce something big. That being said, I was a little disappointed by the products announced, but more on that later. <br />
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Quick, a little background for people who aren't familiar with the product. Disney Infinity is a video game where the player can play in premade playsets designed by the developers or use tools to create their own levels and stories. Think of it like Disney meets Minecraft. The characters the player can play as are determined by the actual figures they own. The figures are placed on a platform (portal) that comes with the game and are instantly transported to the world on screen. These figures span all of Disney's popular properties, Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel with each figure having their own special attacks and abilities. On a side note, it is hilarious combining these properties. Having Venom fly an X-wing around the game world brought me way more joy than I should admit as a 29 year old. Disney Infinity is on its third edition as of now. <br />
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Disney Infinity Next started with the hosts discussing the new Zootopia figures that are available today. Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps are two of the main characters from the film that is set to release at the end of this week. <br />
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The bulk of the presentation was spent talking about Marvel Battlegrounds playset that is set to release on March 15th. Marvel Battlegrounds is a new adventure where the players can use Marvel figures from any edition of the game. Loki and Ultron have teamed up and it's up the the heroes of the Marvel universe to stop them, and engage in some spirited competition in the process. Battlegrounds is the first playset to offer support for four players. It is still a little unclear how this will work considering the portal that transports the figures to the game only has two spots on it. The player might need to obtain a second portal, or maybe there will be another method revealed later. The playset will come with a new Captain America figure designed from the characters appearance in the new Civil War movie. I'm not going to lie, it looks really cool. Disney also announced new Marvel characters to be released at a later date. These include Ant Man, The Vision, and Black Panther. This playset looks like a lot of fun and I'm interested in picking it up when it is released later this month. <br />
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The final announcement from the presentation was a Baloo figure to celebrate the release of the new Jungle Book movie coming out. The figure is designed in the style of the original animated film from 1967. <br />
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As I said earlier, I was a little underwhelmed with this presentation. I think my expectations were built up by how many notifications I was sent telling me about the event. I realize this complaint is purely subjective but so is this whole article. Part of me thought they were going to announce Disney Infinity 4.0 and a new property (come on Kingdom Hearts!). Also, there is still no word on when the stand alone Boba Fett figure will become available. With the exception of the Baloo figure, all of the announcements were additions I had heard about in the past. I was hoping for more new content. That being said, it was really nice to see more footage of the Marvel Battlegrounds playset and new figures. It makes me happy that Disney is supporting this game with new and interesting content on a regular basis and they seem to really listen to the fans about what they would like to see in the future. If you want to watch the presentation in its full, check out the video below.<br />
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Now that the presentation is done, I have an announcement. I'm two trophies away from getting the platinum trophy in Disney Infinity 3.0, so throughout this week I am planning on streaming the game while I work to obtain a 100% completion. I'm planning on playing either the Star Wars Twilight of the Republic (Clone Wars) or The Force Awakens playset, I haven't decided yet. Tune in if you're a fan of the game, or have never seen it and are curious what it's all about. <br />
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<a href="http://www.twitch.tv/westcoastnerdcorps" target="_blank">www.twitch.tv/westcoastnerdcorps</a><br />
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-Big OWest Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-48048253966952923822016-02-25T14:14:00.001-08:002016-02-25T14:14:19.172-08:00Episode 33 and Plans for Next Week<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsP9Ao6AzjjHuWwwIUNGT3Cy2OeIoZ8FRo2lVWMmb7k76ZPanHNLlP3CpvCkhfKuAOPjYzoL-MhC50C7jinm7nc3AiwdWNHXUJmUPQ3cWID7DMNzIUY3iW1_QtLAH9UyTPgLamY9s77M/s1600/Miya.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsP9Ao6AzjjHuWwwIUNGT3Cy2OeIoZ8FRo2lVWMmb7k76ZPanHNLlP3CpvCkhfKuAOPjYzoL-MhC50C7jinm7nc3AiwdWNHXUJmUPQ3cWID7DMNzIUY3iW1_QtLAH9UyTPgLamY9s77M/s400/Miya.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know I'm sexy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hello West Coast Nerd Corpsers! We just put up our most recent episode of the podcast. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.podcastgarden.com/episode/episode-33-before-i-kill-you_71837" target="_blank">Episode 33: Before I Kill You</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this episode, We give our first impressions of Z-Nation and a critique of zombie culture in general. Then we try to figure out exactly what bad guys in video games and movies are trying to accomplish. Finally we hop aboard the hype train. What are we excited for or just tired of hearing about. You'll have to listen in to find out. On a side note, we have been having some audio issues in the past few episodes so we tried changing some settings. Personally, I think it sounds better but let me know your opinions. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Next week, we thought it would be fun to dedicate some time to one of the best handhelds ever made, the Nintendo DS/3DS. The episode of the podcast will be dedicated to this little two-screen wonder. We will also be dedicating some blog articles to the DS/3DS. Our first watch for next week is going to be Mega Man Star Force. Check out the first episode on Hulu and follow along with us as we discuss on the next episode. Also, feel free to share your favorite DS/3DS memories in the comments below or on our facebook page. Until next time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">-Big O</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-15629744140867195162016-02-23T13:50:00.004-08:002016-02-23T14:05:32.919-08:00Deadpool Movie Impressions <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Let me preface this by saying
I have never cared much for Deadpool. His humor has just never connected with
me on any level. Between the "chimichanga" jokes, and the mustaches
and sombreros, he's just never been my cup of tea. So when I heard about the
long rumored Deadpool movie becoming a reality it's safe to say I was less than
enthused. Well I guess it's time for me to face the music because I have to
admit, this is probably the most fun superhero movie since Guardians of the Galaxy.
And while Guardians is still my gold standard for the genre, I'm sure Deadpool
doesn't mind the silver medal. </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">The
plot is basic and pretty trivial for me, the main attraction here is Ryan
Reynolds playing the role he was made for. Imagine his character from Waiting
but pumped full of bath salts and gun powder. The one-liners and fourth wall
breaks almost all hit the mark, especially his references to Hugh Jackman and
the X-Men movies. After the disservice to the character in X-men Origins:
Wolverine, it was great to see him finally get his big screen due.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">The
hyper violence and cursing while over the top and crazy, never left me feeling
like it was used as a crutch. There is however a noticeable portion of about 20
minutes in the middle of the movie where I felt like the pacing just dragged to
a halt. And while the flashbacks to Wade's time before being Deadpool are good
for establishing him as something a little more than a homicidal lunatic, I
couldn't help but look forward to going back to the present day and continuing
on with the merc with a mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="background-color: black;">As
long as you aren't easily offended, I definitely recommend going to the theater
and seeing Deadpool. It made a believer out of me which is really saying
something, and who doesn't need a few Ryan Reynolds crotch shots in their
life? </span><span style="background-color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">-Rory</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-10413918972160750302016-02-19T15:14:00.000-08:002016-02-19T15:14:29.688-08:00Street Fighter V Review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I haven't played a Street Fighter game in quite a few years, after dabbling
with one of Street Fighter IV's earlier installments (since you know, they made
about seventy of them) I had no desire to play Street Fighter V. The change to
the new art design was unappealing and the combat felt strange and heavy, but
despite my massive dislike for one of the most widely adored fighting game
franchises I decided to give Street Fighter V the good ole college try. One
thing I will say, it was not a strong showing from Capcom to say the least,
quite the opposite. For a fighting series that is not only one of the most
competitive games at a tournament level, but one loved and followed by such a
huge fan base, this was a truly dissapointing entry to the Street Fighter
franchise.</span>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Now don't get me wrong the gameplay is far from faulty, in fact it has to
be one of the tightest and cleanest when it comes to mechanics that I have
played in a fighting game. Even though I have been out of the series for an
extended period of time, I found not many of the inputs have changed. Ryu still
has the traditional Hadoken and Tetsumaki commands, and for the most part my
moves<span style="color: red;"> </span>came out exactly as I planned, where I
would chalk the rest up to incorrect inputs, or miss timing on my part. The
technical points of the game are also very precise. Spacing is important, and
playing the footsie game to keep your opponent where you want them to be is vital
to success. One thing I really like is how short stringed the combos are in
this game, unlike Marvel Vs Capcom or Mortal Kombat X, you will never find yourself
in a situation where a single combo will annihilate your health bar, nor will
you find yourself stuck in a chain combo so long you can set the controller
down, walk your dog, go grab some dinner with the family, and come back and
still have time to contemplate how nice your TV would look impaled through the
wall. Just because the combos aren't endless doesn't mean you are out of the
woods, this game is far more aggressive then I remember Street Fighter IV
being. You can easily find yourself comboed by your opponent only to get up and
hit with an overhead or low attack mix up to another string. It's things like
these that keep the combat fresh, and makes you constantly adapt to not just
your opponents character, but their play style as well. This game also
introduces a couple of unique features like the V trigger, a unique move
specific to each character that adds an extra layer of depth. For example, Ken possesses<span style="color: red;"> </span>a short distance sprint that you can close the gap on
your adversary, or hold the button to do a kick afterwards. This can lead to
50/50's like running in for a rush attack, or faking them out with the run to
get a quick grab to throw them in the corner, forcing your opponent to react to
you and counter in turn. Each character also has a V guage which empowers your
fighter to enhance their moves and mechanics. Ken ignites his feet with his
signature flames to add fire damage and properties to each of his attacks, allowing
you to truly capitalize off each combo with maximum damage. Every character
feels unique and individual<span style="color: red;"> </span>which is something I
haven't seen in Street Fighter in a long time; but the character roster suffers
for this. With only a measly sixteen characters to complete the roster at
launch, there isn't much to choose from. I played every character I wanted to
try in about ten minutes, repeating each several times. For a series with such
an expansive roster, and against games like Super Smash Bros., Injustice, and
Mortal Kombat X with much larger character options at launch this was a major disappointment.
The diversity isn't an excuse I'll accept for this either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mortal Kombat X had a whopping twenty-five
characters, with almost half of them brand new entries, all with completely
different play styles and stances to augment their gameplay, but Street Fighter
V can only muster sixteen. I may sound jaded or spoiled but in the year 2016 I
expect a healthy choice of options to choose from, or I'll take my business
elsewhere.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This installment is not only lacking on characters, but on content as well.
Opting out of a standard arcade mode which has become a staple for all fighting
game single player content, and replaced it with a sub-par story mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only are they short and can be completed<span style="color: red;"> </span>in a ten minute sitting per character, but god awful
to get through. Not many people play this genre for the lore or story, but if
you are going to slap the word "Story" on it, I expect it to have
some resemblance of what you titled it. Other than whatever that story mode
atrocity is, you have a survival mode, versus, and a training mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standards in fighting games where you can
test your endurance, play against your pals, or nail down those sweet combos
and conversions we must all perfect to become titans in the arena. This however
is all you have in terms of offline mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To say it is sparse on content is putting it mildly. A free update will
be coming in March to add in more but I would have rather them push the game
back and sold it when it was what they wanted it to be, rather than giving me
half a product now, and a IOU due in a month after. The online is fairly stable
and the search method is very useful. You create a fighter ID that is universal
across Capcom’s network, but separate from your PSN ID or Steam ID to label
yourself and establish your legacy. You can then jump into Ranked matches to
claw your way up on the leaderboards, as well as pit you against fighters of
increasing skill to truly test your own skills and abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Casual matches where you can just relax
and exchange blows with random players, without risk of affecting your player
ranking. This also earns you currency which you can use to purchase future DLC
instead of paying real money, thereby rewarding players who invest their time
with new content. You have a variety of search options that you can narrow down
from connection strength and platform played on, to even character selection
and rule sets if you are searching for lobbies. This feature allows you to set
up the perfect online experience for you, and outside of minor latency issues
and slightly longer than average wait times the servers were very consistent
and stable, until you tried to play with a friend. I don't know if this is a
glitch or a patch update scheduled in March with the rest, but at the moment it
is impossible to invite a friend to play a game online. You are supposed to
make a battle lounge first, set rules, character preferences, and a password if
you only want friends in your VIP slug fest, then enter in your companions
fighter ID. Simple enough right? Wrong. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
friend and I<span style="color: red;"> </span>spent an HOUR AND A HALF last night
trying to get into the same room to play, searching each other’s IDs, checking
forums, and trying to figure out if we were doing something wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just for me to search for his room repeatedly
until I found it and joined. This is the most absolutely ridiculous part of
this game to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that something
this crucial was either overlooked, or just flat out ignored at launch despite
numerous beta tests is inexcusable. Even Smash Bros. for the Wii U and 3DS have
better lobbies for playing with friends online and they just got serious about
online this generation. This is a major studio, with a major fighter franchise,
making a fighting game centered around online play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This should not be happening and shows that
Capcom’s priorities are more about pushing a game out the door rather than
giving us a completed product. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
are going to charge me sixty dollars for your product and I don't enjoy the
game fine, that's on me. But don't take my money, give me half a game, and not
even let me invite my friend to play a game. You might as well spit in my face
while you’re at it, at least I'd see that coming.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Capcom states they are putting the player first with the new currency
system essentially giving free DLC, but punishes us at launch with lack of
content and non-existent invite systems to play with friends. The exceptional
gameplay and variety to strategy isn't enough to justify the price tag,
especially seeing as how much they are withholding until next month. I wasn't a
Street Fighter fan last generation, and Street Fighter V did nothing to justify
its presence in my library of games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially
with far superior fighters stacked next to it. This topic could be revisited
next month when they finish the product they sold already, but until then,
unless you’re a hardcore Street Fighter fanatic, don't waste your time or
money.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">-Frankie </span></div>
West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8411551593027154162.post-28356499314614338182016-02-16T15:44:00.000-08:002016-02-16T15:44:24.008-08:00The Division Beta Impressions with Chris and Frankie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7_e5C9vIVIHhQF8tW-AWmGJojuBRHEQDb6d-ilH-YfKqU7_At0m9f7qjb5Lp3QTCT6ptFn2fseox2cB1fC58kdkgJ7ODn_DTrJQuD2KQLJRSlTJTNlFP72_X9UpqbCK4bBdkSYSf1Xs/s1600/The+Division.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7_e5C9vIVIHhQF8tW-AWmGJojuBRHEQDb6d-ilH-YfKqU7_At0m9f7qjb5Lp3QTCT6ptFn2fseox2cB1fC58kdkgJ7ODn_DTrJQuD2KQLJRSlTJTNlFP72_X9UpqbCK4bBdkSYSf1Xs/s400/The+Division.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello all, I recently made a post on our Facebook page about how I tried to get into The Division beta and failed. Luckily, I have many amazing friends and two of them who did get in responded. Both Chris and Frankie were kind enough to share their thoughts about the beta test for Ubisoft's newest addition to the Tom Clancy brand. They offer pretty differing opinions on their experiences, so read both if you want the full picture of what to expect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chris (Xbox One)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Crap, crap, crap, crap,
crap. Why can't I run any faster?!?!?" My thoughts as I hear the gunfire
behind me and the bullets flying by me. I begin to start weaving in and out
between the cars, crates and other objects in the street trying to elude the
squad of three chasing me in the dark zone. "When are these guys going to
run out of ammo?!?!" I finally get to the end of the street and take the
right hand corner to continue to get away. I continue to run. I run
another tenth of a kilometer according to my GPS on the screen and find an
alley to duck into for a minute. This all started simply with me finding some
loot in the ground in the Darkzone, picking it up, and turning the wrong
corner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For those who may be new The
Division is a third person over the shoulder shooter that has a lot of
potential. The basic story behind The Division is that a virus has spread
throughout New York City. The government is no longer able to provide military
support and the NYPD is almost nonexistent now. A sleeper militia cell has been
activated in an attempt to keep a level of control with the city itself.
There are other agents that were also activated. Crime continues to build
within the city even after The Division is activated. As the radiation grows in
the city, so does the instability of New York. This single player to MMO title
can change just as quickly as you read this sentence. Ubisoft did a great job
with how quickly it would change from the single player free roam, to the
duke-it-out or team-up MMO side of the Darkzone where you take on both players
and A.I. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to say, considering
that this was a beta, I thought that The Division was solid. Now that does not
mean that the was free of bugs and issues. Let's start with the good first and
what could arguably be the most important, the cover system. It has a classic
feel with a new twist. For those who are fans of the Gears of War franchise you
will feel right at home with this mechanic. Sprint up to almost anything that
looks large enough to provide you cover, press the corresponding button (which
for me was the A button), and congratulations, you are now behind cover. The
other great thing that was added to the cover system was the ability to move
from one to the next fairly seamlessly. By simply looking at the next object
you would like to hide behind you are able to look at that object and you will
see the A button pop up, along with a line on the ground which is the direction
that your agent will follow. You can use almost anything for cover: cars,
boxes, crates, walls, etc. The cover system continues to be a Tom Clancy staple
and once again did not disappoint.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The weapons and armor you
start with in the beta were solid enough to get you up and running quickly. Now
I doubt that you will be given the same items to start the game when it
officially comes out, but you never know. A number of people have been
comparing The Division to Bungie's MMO of Destiny. The only comparison that you
can use on the two is the amount of grinding that you may have to do in order
to get the weapons and the armor that you want. However, that is just about
where that comparison ends. You can upgrade your weapon or armor in a variety
of ways. You can receive it by purchasing it off of the vendors with the money
you have gotten through out the game, by opening up loot crates that you can
find in back alleys or even on the side of the streets, by getting the loot
from enemies that have dropped them, or by going into the Darkzone and picking
up the loot that other players have dropped after you have killed them. The
drop system seemed fairly balanced and nothing seemed to show up more than
something else. Everything from shotguns to pistols, LMG's to submachine guns,
the variety in the beta was solid also. I was able to go from a M4 assault rife
and a MP5 submachine gun, to a L86LSW and a M1014 Shotgun (I think) in a matter
of hours. Ammo, like weapon pick ups, were never in short supply with this
beta. It seems that no matter where you end up going there is a crate that you
can use to restock your ammo. Plus, the pistol also has unlimited ammo, so that
helps. Each weapon handles in its own way. It felt like no two weapons were the
same. When you begin to add attachments to your weapons, they begin to change
the stats to your weapons, along with the handling abilities. Everything from
damage, accuracy, and range can change with each weapon depending on what
attachment that is added to the weapon. You can pick up plenty of attachments
also from grips, to sights, to magazine changes and quite a few other options
for any player to be able to choose from. These attachments are found the same
way as weapons and armor with the random drops.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The map of New York seems to
be exactly that. It feels like a one to one scale of New York City. Based on
the map and how long it would take to run a block, or even a kilometer, it is
definitely close to a one to one scale if it isn't. During the beta, you seem
to spend quite a bit of time running, its like living in a Doctor Who episode.
But, for those that tend to prefer something quicker, then good news! After
about fourteen hours of playing the beta, running, and some one telling me that
it existed, I discovered that there is indeed a fast travel system in the game!
Who knew?!?! It was a nice feature to use once it was discovered. Not having to
run for 15 minutes was a nice feature. It was tricky since nothing on the
menu's said anything about it, but I am certain that this is an issue that will
be fixed going into the full game. It seems that you are able to fast travel to
different missions (or at least the one that was in the beta) and apparently to
The Division home bases. There are apparently other options also, but I was
only able to get to the missions via fast travel. Even so, running from place
to place was not bad. Coming across the different look crates, enemies, and
civilians are all great ways to get upgraded loot, which will be hard to find
if you are using the fast travel system everywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now on to one of the few
issues that I came across. The first two days of the beta had server issues. It
was bad enough that staying in a game for longer than 15 minutes was an
accomplishment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, whatever magic
Ubisoft did on day two to the servers worked out extremely well. I could play
for a few hours I would randomly get kicked, but that is nothing more than
usual. And on day 3, it seemed that Ubisoft hit it. I was able to play with
absolutely no issues of lag of getting kicked from the game. It seems that
Ubisoft seems to have learned from the atrocious start of Assassins Creed
Unity. So far it does not appear that they are making this mistake again. Every
issue that has arisen has seemed to be fixed as it has shown up. And I must
applaud Ubisoft here for what they have done so far with this beta. Everything
on the last day of the beta was extremely smooth and the servers almost could
not have been better.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The different modes that were
offered ranged from the basic missions to the normal side quests. The side
quests range from hostage situations, to "escort" missions, to taking
out bosses. The side quests were almost as enjoyable as the one mission that
was allowed to be played in the beta. With the mission being a fairly basic one
where you enter into a basketball arena and start fighting it out with the
rioters. With the ability to play as a solo agent or having the ability to team
up with other agents to clear the area and save a doctor along with her staff.
After completing this, defeating a boss on the roof of the arena will allow you
to complete mission. The side quests of the hostage situations are simple:
defeat the rioters; unlock a door, release hostage. Pretty simple right? The
escort missions are, at least the one in the beta, a little misleading. After
expecting to escort the person you just found you hold a brief conversation
with them, then some random CPU shows up to "escort" them back to
home base. Finding them is a different story. You have to track down the links
to figure out how to find this person based on the information at each
link. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The home base for The
Division starts about as well as you can expect for the start of the apocalypse.
The home base is split into three areas that you are able to upgrade over time.
The areas include: the medical wing, the tech wing, and the security wing. They
are pretty self explanatory as to which does what, but with each upgrade to the
wing, it will unlock a skill of some sort. So that offers even more incentive
to actually upgrade all of the wings. Here you will also find vendors who will
sell weapons, armor, and modifications. Right across the hall from the
vendors is the player stash where the weapons, armor, and modifications you
choose, can be stored for later use. Just to the left of player stash was a
crafting table. Outside of seeing it, it served no purpose in the beta outside
of a cosmetic appearance. You will also have the ability to replenish
your ammo and medikits before you decide to go out on you next outing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Were there other minor
glitches and bugs, of course. Just like any new title that comes out something
will pop up. I personally only ran into one incident which occurred while I was
in the Darkzone. As I tried to step up onto a ledge in the middle of combat, my
agent stepped up and then froze entirely. I was able to move the camera, but
that was about the extent of it. I could not change weapons, reload, move, jump
or fire. I was able to back out and restart the game without any issues after
that. But outside of that sole incident, I had no other major issues. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">As a beta, The Division was
great. I am extremely excited to see what the final product will end up being,
as well as you should also. I believe that this game has potential and can do
very well. However, I am slightly concerned for lack of content and hoping the
servers will hold up. These are arguably the two biggest questions. The game
play was great and the story seems to have potential. I can’t wait to see what
this game can do with all the potential. Hopefully it lives up to it all.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="line-height: 115%;">Frankie (PS4)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Going into the Division I was extremely excited. The first E3 trailer I
saw made it look absolutely breath taking, with a mix of third person/cover
fire shooting mechanics, some RPG elements, and bits of what you would find in
a standard MMO, I felt like there was no way I couldn't fall in love with this
game. Even though I did enjoy what I played, it definitely did not meet the
expectations that I had envisioned it would reach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before I get to ahead of myself allow me to break down the different
aspects of what I delved into starting with the premise of the game. You are a
sleeper agent from a secret government faction called The Division (obviously),
and after a terrorist attack releases a deadly virus in New York City on Black
Friday, the city is quarantined off and it's your job to figure out what
happened and how to stop it. Early on you meet another agent that helps you get
into the thick of the fray, but honestly I didn't really care who she was, just
as much as she didn't seem to care about my character as well. The story is not
the main pull with The Division, even though it does seem that they are trying
to make it a focal point. After you hop off a quick helicopter ride with her
and do a quick mini mission you are introduced to one of the big attractions of
the beta, your base of operations. This is where you not only restock and rest
up, but as you progress through the story and unlock different wings, you also
unlock new talents and perks. This is something I really like even though they
only gave a small taste of it. You have a Medical Wing, that focuses on team
support and healing, a Tech Wing that focuses on gadgets and disrupting
enemies, and a Security Wing, that focuses more on tank and damage abilities.
This is a pretty unique way to tackle character progression and creates a but
more incentive to complete those story missions and build your base, rather
then the typical grinding you see in most MMOs and RPGs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Division also has a leveling system for your character as well, but
all this does is enable you to use the new and better gear you acquire
throughout the game. The loot drops very similar to most MMOs and has a rarity
system designated by a color and name. White being common, Green uncommon, Blue
rare, Purple legendary, and Yellow high-end. Each type of gear has different
stats and effects, and weapons have different parameters and mod capabilities
depending on how high level/rare the piece is. Now as a standard RPG goes, all
this does affect your damage per second or DPS if you are familiar with the
genre. This is something that bothered me about the gameplay a lot. One thing
they said is the time to kill would not feel natural because of it being more
of an RPG then a shooter, which is fine, until it becomes a bit unreasonable. I
would find myself putting several sniper shots into a NPCs head, or emptying an
entire magazine of an assault rifle before the enemy finally decided to die.
Not to mention that grenades and pretty much any explosive was rendered useless
because of the pitiful damage output. I get that bosses are supposed to be a
bit of a health sponge because they are essentially the finale to your mission
or encounter, but this is still a shooter at it's core, and I feel like even
though everything is based on DPS, it needs to reevaluate the time to kill. The
shooting mechanics were overall tight and relatively consistent, but it was
just a run of the mill cover fire shooter. There was no new ideas, no new
mechanics, nothing to set itself apart from games like The Last of Us, Gears of
War, or even The Order 1886. I was hoping for some more really cool gadgets, or
even different ways to interact with the environment, but The Division doesn't
seem concerned with setting itself apart from the pack here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now we come to the main attraction, the Dark Zone. This is the most
promising part of this title, and the one thing that still gives me hope for
it. This is not only the PVP area, it is also where all the strongest enemies,
and best loot is. I'll start off by saying even though it has its faults; this
is by far the most enjoyable part of the beta I experienced. The Division's
takes on PVP is quite different then you see in most games, there is no Team
Deathmatch, no point capture, no attack and defend, nothing. You can squad up
in teams of four, speak to other nearby players to work together to take down
larger territories, or eliminate opposing agents. Now killing other players has
it's advantages and disadvantages. The downside is when you attack another
player you go rogue, showing up on every nearby agents radar and placing a
bounty on your head. If another agent manages to take you out, they collect
your bounty. However if you manage to survive through your rogue timer, you get
to collect your own bounty. Everything you kill in the Dark Zone rewards you
with DZ EXP, currency, gear, and etc. And the bigger the target, the bigger the
reward. This is where the risk comes in as well, when you collect loot in the
Dark Zone, it isn't yours until you extract it, which is only permissible at
designated points. If you manage to hold out and get your loot extracted (which
takes roughly 4-6 minutes) you have some sweet new items waiting for you at
your base. The loot you have obtained is also visible via a small yellow canister
attached to your backpack until it is extracted, and if a enemy player decided
he wants to kill you for it, he can, and is rewarded your loot for doing so.
It's not over there though, because not only will they go rogue for doing so,
but they have to extract what they just stole from you, giving you a shot at
tracking them down and reclaiming your prize. While squaded up with a friend
and a couple of his gaming buddies, I found myself constantly in tense
situations, surrounded by other agents with or without loot wondering if they
were going to attack to steal what we had acquired, or simply remain neutral.
Chances are if you showed up next to us at an extraction point without a spiffy
looking canister, you were planning on killing us for it, and I had my
cross-hairs on your head waiting for the signal to shoot you in the face. This
was such a clever and unique way to approach PVP that I really appreciated,
even if at the end most people just went around trolling other players by
killing them for giggles, it still was a joy to be in the carnage of 10+ people
in a fire fight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Division has some promising aspects to it, specifically the Dark
Zone and PVP, but it's going to take a lot more to sell me on this game at
launch for sixty big ones. Once again I feel Ubisoft have shown us one thing,
and delivered something completely different. Even though this is nowhere the
extreme shift that they did with Watch Dogs, I fear it's a trend Ubisoft is
starting to show with their triple A games. The best parts of the game have been
saved for the retail copy, and I'm sure they will address some of the issues
presented in the beta. But with that they have shown us they definitely have
not won me over, and is not a game I am willing to invest my time and money in
at launch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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West Coast Nerd Corpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00943348751832059989noreply@blogger.com0