Xcom UFO Defense, and others: discounted on Steam

I am kicking about my parents tonight and have been unable to play Star Wars or Skyrim due to being on an old laptop instead of my desktop. I took a looksie on steam when talking to my dad about buying Terror From The Deep a few days ago... and seen that Steam has a sale on... all the games are discounted... Damn it!

If you have been considering getting one of these games - or even any other game that steam has for sale, it is a good time to take a look. Cheap cheap cheap!

-V

Star Wars: The Old Republic, continued thoughts.

Sith Assassin, From Deadmanwalking182 at Deviant Art.

I have accumulated enough time in game now to hit level 10 and get out of the start area, and have moved to 'The Fleet' area. I must say, my experiences so far have proven to me that this game is pretty damn good. I played WOW from UK release day, until about 6 months ago. This game blows it out the water in pretty much every way so far. Only downside being the hardware requirements, my laptop will NOT run this game, and the increased level of complexity (steeper learning curve, but in no terms difficult for someone experienced with MMO's)

When I arrived at the flee, I was led to my next task... choosing which Sith path to take... This proved to be much tougher than I expected...

Sith Assassin: Dual-Bladed sabre, and the talent trees span down to Tanking, DPS (Rogue style) and another form of melee DPS

Sith Sorceror: Healing, or two forms of ranged dps...

I kinda wanted to be a healer, but I dont want to do that yet.. I ended up picking the Roguesque class... Apparently you can respec - but I think it is just a talent point reset.

A whole new array of abilities was unlocked upon seleting this, so I have two hotkey bars to use my powers - I am not sure if the initial ones are needed, but I still have them on the hotkey bar to move... Complicated - but Ill work it out next time I play. As a bonus, I got a goodie bag which contained my Dual bladed light sabre (no item level, I think these are like 'heirloom items' in that you keep the one as you level and can modify it as you go with the use of components and crystals to modify the buff effects.)

After this I also picked up my trade skills (3 gathering skills... it looks like gathering is done by companions on missions though... confusing much!)

Thats about as much as I have done so far... I heartily recommend anyone that likes MMORPG's to take a look at this. It is more demanding (computer and brain!) than World of Warcraft, but it is also more mature, and humorous in its own way. Server queues seem less of a problem now, although queues still exist.

Happy hunting!

-Velk

Star Wars: The Old Republic - Initial Thoughts

So, The Old Republic officially launched this morning. I jumped on a RP server where most of my old gaming community from Star Wars Galaxies, and World of Warcraft: The Second Sun, are residing.

I joined the queue to get into the server at about 7:30 am, and had access by about 8:30am (queues galore just now, Im sure its an issue that will be resolved in due course, and hopefully not via a loss of customers) then rolled myself up a Sith Inquisitor. It seemed the closest thing to a Mage which is what I played in Wow as my main.

So far, I like it. It is definitely based on wow, but hugely improved. I really like the combat system, no targetting system, it plays more like an fps - there is no auto-attack, you point at a target and hit your attacks. You can click on a target to face them and attack - its all a pretty fluid and easy system.

Another thing I like about the game is the map. If you move when its activated, it becomes a transparent overlay, and you can actually run around with the map up. Nifty ^.^

I have not found any bugs or glitches so far (Perhaps with the exception of when I have my training-light-sabre out (Pressing Z - the controls are all identical to WOW) - it clips through walls, but never mind :D )

The graphics are ok, nothing spectacular. They are nice and clean, this PC has no issues running on max everything (560gtx graphics, AMD X55 processor and 8GB ram - 22" monitor at 1920*1080).

Aaaand... thats about it. Maybe Ill write another more in depth review once I spend a bit more time in game and level my char past 6 ^.^

-V

Skyrim: Velk's journal - Part 1. *Contains spoliers*

As previously mentioned, I wanted to keep an in-character game journal, much like Arwen. It will contain spoilers, I have no intention of editing thme out, if you dont want to see them, please don't read. I am a veteran of Morrowind and Oblivion, so I am going to try my best not to use any exploits I find in the game, Im likely also going to stick fairly close to the main quest line with this character, and explore all the fun to be had with guilds when Im not trying to keep notes as I go! And with that over with: INTO IT!

*****

I awoke, with no memory of where I am, or why I am here... I was in a cart, being transported in convoy with what appears to be prisoners. Ulfrik Stormcloak introduced himself to me. A few others rode beside us... We arrived at a keep soon after... One by one the prisoners were lead forth to be given their last rights before... before being beheaded. I was not on their list, but nevertheless, the captain ordered that my head should be removed along with the others...

The first man hurled taunts and insults at the guards, and was promptly dispatched. The lucky one. A freshly sharpened blade took his head in a single stroke.

By now, eerie sounds could be heard echoing from the mountains... but it made no difference... I was next. Perhaps the sounds were my own imagination as I stared death in the face... As I lay my head on the block, some strange beast flew in from behind the keep, and landed on a rooftop, and started raining fiery death to the village. A Dragon! 

AArrgh! Death!

 I made my escape with Ulfrik, into the keep with a few other injured survivors...

We made a break across town, and I met with Hadvar, the guard that tried to bargain for my release with the leader at the executions, and we headed into the Keep, and made way through catacombs.

We fought our way through a number of Greycloaks that decided they fancied some hostile negotiations, but we managed to fight our way through and out the otherside. When we got out, the dragon flew right over our heads and over the mountains in the distance...

Spot the dragon!

we watched the Dragon fly off into the distance. Hadvar informed me the local town of Riverwood would be a good place to shelter, so we headed off along the path. He pointed out an old ruin, and we paused at some blessing stones.

Thieving time!

We then continued heading on towards the town, being halted briefly by a pack of Wolves, though they were easy to dispatch with my bow, and Hadvar's sword.

We entered the town of Riverwood where Hadvar and I met his father, Alvor. We went inside his house to talk...

Alvor and his wife

I talked to Alvor in length about assistance he needs. Soldiers from Whiterun seem to be his prime concern, he told me a little about Whiterun and the Jarl - this may be tricky, he is quite opposed to the war, although he doesn't side with anyone, it may make it tricky to coerce him to assist...

I spent a little while milling about, cooking some Cabbage Apple Stew, and sharpening my weaponry at the blacksmiths and had a brief run around town. It was dark now, and a full moon was out.

The mountains at night. Pretty. Dangerous. Hide.

I decided I want rest, and somewhere to sell all my loot, but Alvor and his family had been hospitable enough, so I headed to the Sleeping giant inn. Hopefully I can get some rest, a clean and some coin for my troubles. After coughing up 10 gold pieces, I rested for the night. Whiterun can wait until tomorrow... I need rest, lest I will fall to another wolf pack and never even get the alert out!

*****

Thats it for now folks - I did not get much time to get into the game as I am still in the midst of studies, but the more notes I get, the more I shall post :) My thoughts so far: plotline seems good, the game is very immersive. Full HD on a 22" screen, with headphones on makes it very immersive, and I love the water and the atmosphere, especially walking through the valleys and looking up at the misty peaks above! :-)

-V

Xcom: Enemy Unknown - aka, Xcom UFO Defense...

Studying hard for the exams I am in the midst of, but I have my distractions...

Namely You Tube.

I have been watching SillyGoosesinc's 'Let's Play X-Com' videos, they give me giggles.

I also found this article on Ufopedia...

http://ufopaedia.org/index.php?title=Murphy%27s_Laws_(X-COM)

Oh yeah!

DC Universe Online. Mini Review

In amongst my studies, I have been downloading DC Universe Online. I heard on The Instance that it had gone free to play. Naturally... I decided to check it out. I dont promise a well written or article with any real aim other than to waffle on about what I have done and my thoughts on the game ;)

After installing, I hit the character creation process... I felt brave and selected PVP server, then Villain. Why? I dont know, I always play the good guys and I thought it would be an interesting twist. Plus, I got to choose The Joker as my mentor, and the entertainment value of such a thing just could not be ignored! Superman? Bores me. Batman? Bores me. Huntress? Who the hell are you?

Catwoman? Yes plx. The Joker? Yes plx. Lex Luthor ... o.O ... ok, sure whatever.

Next up I chose my starter abilities, I took the ability to fly which seemed a no-brainer, and "magic damage" because if I remember correctly it had properties of being a healer and I thought it would be nice to be able to heal or be a group healer if such content is in this game, which it seems it is.

I then chose my costume... yeah... Its all very customisable, but I chose something simple... a two tone stripey green and red spandex suit. Go team camp! On a  big plus - all the armour bits you collect in the game customise to match your colour scheme - so no fugly armour parts or clown suits (unless you wish to make it so) like in WOW.

I have never really been big into the DC comics, so it comes as a nice touch that despite my lack of knowledge, the game fills you in on the characters back stories. This is evident in your first "warehouse" where at the end of it you learn a little bit about who The Huntress is.

Storywise, it is amusing me and keeps me coming back for more.

Gameplay is rather unusual compared to other online games I know. For a start, the game is also available to console players which results in some interesting mechanics. I have noticed that you dont need to be a great aim to hit your targets, and that you can "lock" onto a specific target so that you are attacking it regardless of what you are doing on screen. This is quite handy if you think you will be confused by the environment. A downside to this is the way the "combo-moves" work. When you gain skillpoints you spend them in various talent trees for your abilities (or to learn new abilities) and as you gain new abilities they are activated with different combo-buttons. In the case of the PC where I am playing it, a left mouse button tap is a melee strike, a right mouse button tap is a ranged hand-blast. Holding the right mouse button unleashes a charged bolt. Holding it down twice supposedly fires a meteor, but I dont know if that works. Holding the right mouse button and tapping the left twice is supposed to boot a fireball at the enemy... so far I have not seen any of these combo moves do anything different, but I will persevere.

I am level 7, and have maybe accumulated 3-4 hours in game, flying about, doing missions, giggling at the dialogue and taking part (albheit mainly as cannon fodder) in some of the pitched PVP battles that break out.

It appears there is only 30 levels in the game, but I dont think this is a bad thing, it means a band of lowbies like myself can wither down a level 30 and kill them despite their toughness or ability to one-shot half of us.

At this point in time I would rate the game as follows:

Story: 7/10 (The plot is odd, or maybe completely irrelevant - Im not sure, but thats not a good thing is it! - but mission plot and the story info you gain from them is well implemented.)

Graphics: 7/10 (I play at max everything. Graphics look good, not awesome, and there are some niggles, but its pleasant to look at.)

Gameplay: 7/10 (good but not perfect. Again, some niggles in how things work, but it seems a solid concept.)

Entertainment Value: 8/10 - Im in the early game, and despite getting ganked, Im enjoying exploring something new again.

Overall 7/10 - I might enjoy the game if/once I have time to get into it more, and perhaps partake in group activities. I know a bunch of friends that play this game so it seems to be fairly popular. Overall - if you have not tried it, it is free to play so give it a blast! You might be pleasantly surprised. If not - at least you just enjoyed a few hours of your very own action hero movie :p

-V

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Pre-amble to a write up...

"That's a bit of an odd topic title!" I hear you cry, and alas. I concur. As a self confessed geek, I feel I need to be deducted some geek-cred for not having a copy of Skyrim yet.

The reasons are many, among them there is university studies - Im busy as all hell until about the middle of December, and the abundance of Death that has happened around me and Kat in the last month has thrown us off course a little (AKA, a metric Fuckton.) As a result, I am heavily commited to getting coursework done and out of the way before I risk gaming addiction on the level that this promises to enforce...

In an attempt to compensate for this, when I finally get to indulge in the game I am going to do a couple of things: 

Firstly I am trying to get my mits on a second monitor to help simplify my working experience. The new one shall be bigger and better for gaming which will enhance the experience I hope.

Secondly: I am going to try to keep a written log/journal of my characters adventures and randomness. I shall refrain from giving away main-quest info or spoilers (Or I might focus on the main quest and just give a write-up as if it was a journal from my character... that could be cool.) - I know I have been trying hard to find a few blogs/sites that provide this fix for myself without giving too much of the game away with little success.

As for now... well... Importance fact at the moment :: life > game 

Crysis 2: Useful links

During my run throughs of Crysis 2 (3 completions), I found an array of useful links for various bits of information.

Here is a links list to the more useful ones I found :-)

Guide	Site	Note
Weapons Guide	gamershell.com	An interesting read about the power and uses of various weapons. This particular guide also discusses tactics and enemies you will encounter
Collectables Guide	msxbox-world.com	I only found 2 dogtags and a statue by myself... checking the guide on entering a new area helped me know where things were hidden to find them. Collected on 3rd walkthrough - Im not that much of a kleptomaniac to search every area for these things ;-)
Walkthrough	gamefront.com	I recommend flying blind, but if you just cant see the exit to an area, it can help

I hope they prove as useful to everyone out there as they did to me :)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

With this game looming over our heads and the hype surrounding it, I thought I would look into it a bit more. I have loved TES games since Morrowind first came out - back then I didn't even have a computer or graphics card powerful enough to run the game beyond the most basic effects.

On the site - http://www.elderscrolls.com/ - there has been a new video put up since I was last on there - a making of clip, that will be included in a making of DVD in the collectors edition.

Ultimate dragon fighting game
Ultimate warrior game
Ultimate mage game
Ultimate thief game
Ultimate assassin game.

Yep - they have a lot of ground to cover! I thought they done quite well in Oblivion. I am hoping that the engine etc has been knocked up a notch since then, since looking at Oblivion now it looks sadly dated. The good news is that from the clips - it does look like it has changed! Maybe not as much as I was hoping for, but maybe having a new computer Ill be able to run everything to its full potential anyway ^.^

Im looking forward to being able to just explore a huge open game world again. How thorough should I be? Who knows! I would like to finish this one - since I didn't actually finish Morrowind. I think I got half-way up the mountain at the end then formated my PC or something... fun times!

I shall certainly detail in here what I get up to in it anyway, once I get round to buying it...

Journals! (Of the diary variety, amongst others.)

This topic might be a bit controvertial for geek-value, but Im in the mood to write about it and its my blog so... deal with it. Read it or skip it :p

So... since I was little, I have kept some sort of diary/journal... I feel kinda silly each time I actually think about it, but at the same time it is kinda fun. People keep journals of all sorts of things. Work journals, project journals, etc etc, to keep track of what they are doing and the goals they are seeking to achieve in such things which is all very valid. But what about every day life?

I keep work journals when working, project ones when working on projects (such as my honours project), and I have kept a couple of holiday journals (More specifically me and Kat's honeymoon journal (nothing dodgy!) which is kept on display in the living room and that we occasionally flick through to reminisce)

From about 1991 I have kept a written journal of sorts. Admittedly, every time I take a look at one of these diaries from my childhood - it is embarassing... The crap I would waffle about beggars belief, but it helped my writing skills immensely and gives me something to look back on and reminisce. I was inspired by the likes of Sue Townsends Adrian Mole diaries (at least, the earlier ones. The later ones were too depressing to read.) and some other comical diaries like Mr Beans diary and "The Log" from Red Dwarf.

From about 2002 onward I decided to keep an electronic diary. I don't put entries in it often, I would guesstimate I put an entry in, on average, once per week. Sometimes it can be a month before I put in an entry, other times I can have a straight week where I update it daily.

So, lets be analytical. What are the advantages of keeping a diary?

Well, firstly - its a scrapbook of your life. I find that when I have partaken in an event, be it family, holiday, or just a random day - that by writing about it, I remember it better - and when I look over old diaries I can remember the day clearly. This goes back as far as the diary I was writing in when I was 9 - so almost 20 years ago.

Secondly - if you need to vent somewhere, or get your thoughts down, then it is a good outlet. I find when I look back at half my entries, if they are not a "log" of activities on a day or from an event, they irritate me... but I have them down and it helps me analyse things that have happened, or why I feel a certain why, or am affected by something in a certain way. It irritates the shit out of me when people "Emo-book" - basically putting a status up on a social site like Facebook to get attention then hiding from the responses whilst most likely keeping an eye on them to judge your self-worth/pity. That's what I use one of these for! I don't need the attention, I need the outlet or Ill go putting my fist through walls, head through windows.

There are some other advantages that I wont go into detail with, such as helping remember things if your short term memory is shot by updating it as things happen, etc etc.

Disadvantages?

People will read it. No shit sherlock - its human nature - if you have one of these and someone gets their mits on it, they WILL read it. Get used to it. If you want something that is truly private, keep an electronic copy, and password it up tight. But moreso, get used to the rule of self-censorship. There are some things that shouldn't go down, because Im sure there are certain circumstances where you would have to provide it as evidence or something in court by law, or you may leave the document open.

I remember when I was younger, my sister would keep sneaking my diary away to read it, and tease me occasionally on its contents, and more recently I found out my mother read it aswell. A bit embarassing, but also a giggle since I would never keep anything so serious in there that I would get in trouble for it...

Another disadvantage could be the time constraints and the "whats the point" factor. How often are you going to read it? Are you EVER going to go back and read it? Why put in the time?

Well, time commitment is minimal, you can sum up a day in a 30 second paragraph if needs be, or you can go into as much detail as you like (memory is cheap! Same cant be said for the paper diaries I used to keep!). You may find you appreciate the effort later on, moreso for being a log of important or special events that happen in your life, but it is also nice to just read back over a normal day and contrast yourself to then and see how much you have changed. (Its usually a good thing in my experience!)

So what about other aspects of keeping a log/journal/diary?

Co-authoring: Not a good idea for a "diary" - but it can work quite well as a log of activities in, for example, a holiday journal. Co-authoring could work in the instance of short term memory loss. I think it would be a fantastic day for family members visiting a relative with dementia/alzheimer's to make a little journal entry of their visit for the relative they are visiting to go over once they have left, perhaps updating it with images etc remotely.

Remembering loved ones? Pictures, remembering activities you done? Everybody's gotta go someday... it may make you sad to read about activities past, and see pictures, but I would rather that than have no way to remember them.

But yeah, I think I have waffled on. What can I say? I keep a diary! I have done for 20 years! No you cant read it. So:

fuck you! ;-)

Anyway - the majority of what I would say in a diary nowadays goes on facebook for friends and family to see, nothing really special is kept in it - its simply a log, where I can keep some scrapbook-esque pictures, notes and occasionally bitch to myself about whats pissing me off with life. The venting helps!

I recommend you try it ^.^
-V