On Australian Prices And Shit

The only reason I’m posting here is because SW:ToR is down until about 1 and a half hours from now.
Oh BTW, review on SW:ToR to come. Until then your appetite is sated with “It’s Good”.

So anyway, Harvey has finally got with the times and is now offering games for a cheaper price, online only. Directly imported from the UK probably, but either way, it’s a whole lot better than retail.
Skyrim for $59, Deus Ex: Human Revolution for $26, and Battlefield 3 for $62. With a flat fee per game postage of something like $3.

Some prices are not better than OzGameShop, some might be, I honestly don’t care right now because I’m wallowing in the depression that is Internode got bought out by iiNet.

So Harveys fancy new slightly better priced website is super long and is is is: http://www.harveynormandirectimport.com/

And just for shits and giggles OzGameshop is: www.ozgameshop.com

Personally, I buy from whatever is the cheapest. Zavvi, Play-Asia, OzGameshop, whatever. Usually the shipping takes a long time. But at least you save yourself money. Play-Asia fortunately has choices, I usually ship via FedEx, and still save myself a healthy amount. In the process, Play-Asia gives you coupons with literally (really) every order for $5 off. Last time I got a sticker. Yes it’s awesome.

So there you have it. A shitty article, in my usual style.

Meh…

Ok so Arkham City gets really boring after a time. It’s a good game and all, but to be frank the side missions are somewhat annoying.. For example, I can’t find Fries’ wife for the life of me. And The Riddler missions I gotta find more people to beat up and get information out of.

I’m basically at the end of the game, and I only have something silly like 10% completion… Really? The fuck is that meant to mean?
The fact that you can’t complete -ALL- of the side missions at the end of the game also pisses me off. So I’m going to have to restart the game, complete side missions as they come along.

I highly doubt I’d get any replay ability out of it at all, that’s basically what [RPG] games are these days, good for once, not for any more.

On other points, I like Revelations, playing as Al’tair when he’s an old dude is fun. And Ezio’s later life really intrigues me. Though to be honest, I kind of hate the 100% synch thing, but it’s a nice touch if you like to crack at these things over and over and get it right then and there. I probably wont see the point in doing it again, but who knows – it may be the last in the franchise, which I sincerely hope it isn’t.

Either way though, it’s a fucking awesome game and I like it.

Onto another point, SW:TOR is nearing release date, and I really, really, REA-FUCKING-LLY hope it’s a game worthy of my money and thus my monthly subscription. MMO’s have been pretty shitty releases, not to mention other games that have been hyped to hell in recent years have released with an overall lack-lustre reception come the levels that the big reviewers didn’t bother to get to (and sometimes the starting levels too).

I’m seriously looking for a decent PC game to download, I think I might get The First Templar, despite what people say about the voice acting. I mean hell, The Witcher number one people said the voice acting was shite, but hey, I quite liked it, it was a great game in my books, and still is. Which brings me to my next point, I’m probably gunna play Assassin’s of King’s again just to try the new patch thingmies, and mods.

Blah blah blah, so on and so forth.

Batman: Arkham City. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations

First off, I apologise. I’m still playing through these. But I will review them.

I for one am terribly excited for Revelations, which is on it’s way to my doorstep. I should get it this week. In the meantime I get to play Batman Arkham City lots.
And by lots I mean I’ll have to replay it every single time it decides to wipe my save games. I’ve had it happen twice already now, so, so depressing.

I’m still baffled as to why Rocksteady haven’t fixed it within the first week of it being released. I mean seriously, it took 2 weeks to get to me from the UK.

If it wipes my save again, I’ll burn it, then post it to Rocksteady and ask very nicely for a refund.

Though so far, the game is pretty good. But I haven’t played it all.

As for Revelations, I hope it isn’t the last game in the franchise. Though I probably am wishing for too much at this point. A lot of people aren’t too happy with the fact it’s much of the same old. It’s a decent finish to the story of Ezio – this much I do know. But I really do like the series.

Apart from those 2 games, I myself scored a beta to TOR, like everyone else – it’s a weekend test. This is another game I have a hard-on for, despite the graphics not being too orgasmic (i.e BF3).

Now in other news, Intel’s 2011 CPU’s are listed in a few stores. The 3960X going for $1,249 at one particular store. I’m tossing up whether to spend spare money on a generator. Or just blow it all on an upgrade.
Yes, I need a generator as unfortunately I run a business and need to have access to the Internet everywhere I go. Having an Internet aerial in itself doesn’t exactly allow me to run my laptop 24/7. And the bastard thing takes 165 watts, :HP:.

The Next Three Days

I like Russell Crowe.

In this movie, his wife is framed for murder. Basically more bad luck than anything. And it’s up to him to bring justice – break her out and escape to another country.

Not a movie to watch laying down. Edge of your seat, action suspense thriller.

Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks) it arrested for murdering her female boss. With whom she had an argument at a dinner thing. When she was leaving – which is the scene of a crime she was seen. There’s also her fingerprints on the murder weapon. Her husband – John Banks would spent the next three days devising a plan in order to get her out. He has a son – Luke played by Ty Simpkins who happens to be quite a good young actor. Unfortunately the strain of a distanced mother gets to him. So he doesn’t play a major role really.

Naturally – there’s no evidence to prove she didn’t do it. He’s a bit of a thug in this movie – using bumper keys. Also going to a meth lab and setting fire to the place while escaping with a fuck-tonne of money in order to get the fuck outta the country. He gets help from Liam Neeson who tells him how to do it.

The plot takes a bit too long to get set up, so it’s not fast paced. But it still is edge of your seat. I don’t like spoilers so that’s all there is to it.

I give it an 8/10. It’s pretty fucking good.

A Game of Thrones

Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Political and sexual intrigue abound. The primary families are the Stark, Lannister, and Baratheon families. Robert Baratheon, King of Westeros, asks his old friend Eddard Stark to serve as his chief advisor. Eddard, suspecting that his predecessor had been murdered, accepts so that he can investigate further. It turns out more than one family is plotting to take the throne. The Queen’s family, the Lannisters, may be hatching a plot to take control. Across the sea, the last surviving members of the previously deposed ruling family, the Targaryens, are also plotting a return to power. The conflict between these families and others, including the Greyjoys, the Tullys, the Arryns, and the Tyrells, leads to war. Meanwhile, in the north, an ancient evil awakens. Amidst war and the political confusion, a brotherhood of misfits, The Night’s Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and the horrors beyond.

Yet another awesome TV series by HBO.
Thanks to the USA and the UK I get to watch this one before 2012. I’m loving it so far, and I urge everyone to watch the show.

I’ve not read the books, but I feel reading the books will not ruin the show too much. Anyway, on to the review:

It’s got love, betrayal, greed blood and guts, and of course murder.
It’s a fantasy epic, in George R. R. Martin’s writing. I think it’s unlike any other world. The main conflict here is between two families, one royalty, the other aristocracy.  House of Stark, and House of Lannister. But there’s also other stories to be told.

Sean Bean stars as Eddard Stark, who is the main character in this, the story is mainly about him, but it still isn’t the whole story. Which is  good. I like stories within stories (Storyception). I think HBO put a bit of a gamble in this series, with lots of money, it will pay off.

There’s a lot of character to the art, with depth. A good job I think by creating the world ground-up. Costumes are fucking awesome, so is the landscape and armour. It’s all been done well, and which is why I like HBO.

Go ahead and watch it as the stories unfold. It’s pleased me just like Rome did. You wont be let-down. I will probably read the books after this series has ended.

I give it a 9/10 so far. The actors, younger and older are full of win.

Just Posting To Say Something

Hasn’t been anything news-worthy worth writing about lately.

EVE is the same-old… Some war in Geminate. Not much headway by the RMT Coalition etc…

Uh, other games, movies – again nothing much really. Working with NC-Radio to get license money to make it all legit.

Bout it really.

Dragon Age II Review

Dragon Age II puts players in the role of a Hawke. Male of Female human, outside Lothering around the time of the blight.

You find yourself in Kirkwall after meeting Flemeth, and killing an ogre and some darkspawn.
Soon after you make a choice, and viola, you’ve entered Kirkwall with your mother and family. Depending on your choice of class, you may or may not be with all of your family.

You then spend about 3 years game (3 days IRL if you do everything) time making a name for yourself, and some other shit, and somehow become the champion of Kirkwall.
All the while, the elves are still fucked, mages are still feared. And you somehow manage to find yourself in the same dungeon no matter where you are.

You also spend some time in the deeproads, and the fade.

These are the two most FUCKING ANNOYING BITS OF DA:O.

I’m going to get right into it, without going any further into detail.

The good:
The graphics in DirectX 11 are amazing. And also easy to drive.
The fully voiced character is also another great thing.
The choices you make somewhat shape the world.
The talents and trees.

The bad:
EA have screwed Bioware over.
Story isn’t compelling.
There’s a lack of decent character customisation.
No companion customisation.
Dragon Age Origins and Awakening choices are either subtle, or not present in Dragon Age II.
Glitches in the end game.
Rushed product.

I actually just finished the game, with all side quests done. I did it in a week. The story isn’t very long, and I feel there will definitely be another product and DLC in this line-up.
EA have had too much of a say in this game, and it’s about the same as Awakening in terms of the story and quality of the product.

I feel as if Bioware has let me down. I am also seriously concerned with any future product they release. I for one was looking very forward to playing this game, but upon the first 3 hours in the game, I knew it was just wasting time.

Overall I’ll give this game a 7/10. It would receive a 10/10 if EA had less hold on it.

There’s just too much things wrong. No toolset. Lack of community engagement. And not listening to the fans.

I also try not to give much spoilers, because I like my readers to try the game themselves. But this is pretty much just a money monger game. I’d recommend getting this game as cheap as you can, don’t spend over $60 on it, or you’ll be disappointed.

I’d also like to mention – there is a NUMBER of good improvements. UI, combat, and a number of side and secondary quests which are very fun. But it leaves some things to be desired.

King Arthur: The Roleplaying Wargame

Neocore games made an awesome game. Released in 2009 King Arthur: The Roleplaying Wargame brings in elements of an RPG to a real time strategy.
While I personally have never played a game like this, I feel it has done a pretty good job of doing it.

3 days ago from the time of this post, I was looking for a game to play, because the US/AU timezone in EVE Online is a bit lacking in my current alliance. So I figure: “While I’m waiting for a Jabber alert, why not play a game?”.
I think, hey I like Empire: Total War, but even with DarthMod, before I can get towards the end of the time span with the more modern units I’ve already won the game. So maybe Napoleon: Total War might be good….
For $50 it’d be a bit of a money sink for a game with has an appalling AI, and E:TW didn’t exactly deliver.

I’ve heard good things about King Arthur: TRPWG, and for about $40 I can get the whole game, all expansions and DLC’s. Hey, and it’s got an AI way better than N: TW and E: TW.

The game, overall, is good. It takes you to the land of myth, in a time of magic. With Merlin, Arthur, Guinevere and other historal peoples from that time. It’s got a nice Chronicle to it, and the story develops as you play the game, and send your magic wielding heroes on quests, and make decisions.
While the graphics are a bit lacking, I noticed one really cool thing: the people in the units don’t all have the same face. WTF?
It is little things like this that make me like a game.

If you’re looking for a fun game, while not necessarily looking to spend a lot of money, this game will deliver.

Overall: 8/10.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, or Wall Street 2 is a confused movie.
It doesn’t quite know which story to follow. It’s a series of stories, while telling a main story, it tells another.

I’m quite terrible at writing reviews, but this one I will try to keep to the whole no-spoiler thing.

I like and hate this movie. I like it because it’s a really cool story. I hate it because I might have to watch it a second time – it kind of rams information down your neck, with multiple stories, and plots and other shit, so quickly, that you can’t quite understand it. At least I had that kind of experience. It might not come across like that for some. But it did for me.

It’s got some good actors. Shia LaBeouf – playing Jake Moore, who has got it on with Michael Douglas’s (playing Gordon Gekko) daughter Winnie Gekko (played by Carey Mulligan, who is a pretty decent actress IMO). And Frank Langella (Louis Zabel – his character), who is kind of unknown, but I really like his movies he’s in.

It basically follows Jake Moore in his attempts to take down a finance executive. He enlists the help of Gordon, who happens to be a disgraces finance legend at the start of the movie, but somehow becomes a legend again. And he also would like him and his daughter to be loving again, and what-not. In the end it’s pretty much a “happily ever after” ending, how? I don’t know. Why? I also don’t know. But it needs a bit of a back story, and since I didn’t watch the original Wall Street, is why I’m probably all confused.

Anyway, I can’t exactly review this one, I’ve only watched it once, but all in all, decent time sink. Maybe not enough time for character and story development, or maybe too rushed.
Overall – 5/10 I wouldn’t exactly keep this movie on my favourites list. But I’m no financial advisor. Not my scene though.
I’d probably recommend watching the first one before this. Though the first one is kind of aged, but don’t let that put you off it.