So with my generous tax refund coming in this past weekend I went out and purchased myself and Xbox 360 and some games. My first next gen console. I was debating for a while between the xbox and the PS3 but what I figured was if I were to buy both eventually I would get the xbox now since its currently tops but eventually I figur the ps3 will reclaim the glory of its predecessors before the next next gen systems come out.
Anyway the details: my gamertag is FrakTruck and the games i got were Assassins creed and lost odyssey
initial reviews to follow
AC: This game is great. I like the premise, I like the action, I like all of it. Its completely immersive and if you haven't played it, you probably will be confused by how it will end up working. If I were to complain about 1 thing its that after the first set of missions, the gameplay basically repeats itself just at a harder difficulty. The story however more than makes up for it.
EDIT: APR3 (12:30AM) LO review
This game was pretty cool for the first couple of hours. It definitely had potential in my mind till they introduced 2 new characters, young children who through some ridiculous plot twisting appear and join the party. It is from this point on that the game seemed to go downhill for me. The writing got sloppy, the characters making huge leaps in logic without really explaining anything, ambiguous character traits surface (ex, Kaims immense sentimentality vice his incredible blood lust for revenge) and seriously, everything these kid characters do makes me want to toss things at my TV and they're involved in EVERY CUT SCENE so you can imagine my rage. I don't know what it is, maybe its their terrible voice acting or the fact that other than being a decent healer they're incredibly useless (I've permanently benched mack till the game opens up and I can level him without him doing nothing every battle)
lets move on. Graphically the game is pretty good, though on my TV (not HD mind) it doesn't look any better than FFXII and the fighting system isn't really anything special except that magic is incredibly overpowered and there are entire zones where melee is just useless. Theres also not a lot of freedom yet and I'm 12 hours in and on disc 2 of 4. Im still being prodded along this path with nowhere else to go pretty much. The Challenge rating is pretty high for an RPG...the AI will target your weak characters and constantly barrage them which until you learn how to deal with each group of enemies in the zone you will have trouble, and the bosses so far have been interesting battles at least.
this looks like a terribad review, I know this but these are just my personal gripes. Im gonna keep going of course since the 360 is unfortunately RPG starved at this stage with this, eternal sonata and Mass Effect being the only high profile RPGs that I know of (though fallout3 and fable 2 are coming in 6 months)
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
ProTip
For those of you taking my advice and watching BSG, I would heartily suggest watching the miniseries first...things will make a lot more sense for the first few episodes of season 1...except for like the one thing I really watched it for. Anybody happen to know what that picture is the pilots tap on the way out of the ready room (episode 1...can be seen in the background on Colonial 1 as well)
that is all
also: Nicki Clyne (Specialist Cally) needs to be in more things
that is all
also: Nicki Clyne (Specialist Cally) needs to be in more things
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Discourse in the complexities of the human brain
I need therapy.
Dont freak out on me. Im not clinically depressed or anything (at least I don't think so and that has to count for something right?). To sum it up I would say that I have a ton of neuroses and quirks that keep me from enjoying all aspects of my current life.
Apparently finally getting out on my own, something I've wanted to do for years, has caught up with me. Being thrust so far out of my comfort zone my brain starts activating my defense mechanisms. Heres the strange part though (and probably why I'm not being committed right now), I know what my defense mechanisms are and I'm fighting them. Like full on, bareknuckle combat. Which in the end only serves to increase my anxiety.
Well it feels better to say it at least.
I plan to find my camera this weekend and potentially take pictures of my "situation" down here in the dirty bear (new bern) to be posted here post haste I assure the three of you that read this. Also hoping to expand the 'content' here as I go. Expect link lists and databases etc.
Dont freak out on me. Im not clinically depressed or anything (at least I don't think so and that has to count for something right?). To sum it up I would say that I have a ton of neuroses and quirks that keep me from enjoying all aspects of my current life.
Apparently finally getting out on my own, something I've wanted to do for years, has caught up with me. Being thrust so far out of my comfort zone my brain starts activating my defense mechanisms. Heres the strange part though (and probably why I'm not being committed right now), I know what my defense mechanisms are and I'm fighting them. Like full on, bareknuckle combat. Which in the end only serves to increase my anxiety.
Well it feels better to say it at least.
I plan to find my camera this weekend and potentially take pictures of my "situation" down here in the dirty bear (new bern) to be posted here post haste I assure the three of you that read this. Also hoping to expand the 'content' here as I go. Expect link lists and databases etc.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Patriotism
Since probably about the middle of senior year, my fanaticism for manga/anime petered out significantly. Probably due to the inordinate amount of Baja work I had to contend with. But nevertheless I haven't yet gotten back to full strength. So far am I out of the fold am I that it may be to far gone to recover that former zeal.
In the erstwhile I found a passion for classic American television. Fueled in that final semester by shows like Scrubs (I watched all 5 seasons that were out at the time), and heroes with the staples of mythbusters and family guy, I rekindled a passion for American storytelling that still continues.
I believe it was heroes that marked the transition for me, because I've always felt that the writing for this show takes a lot from anime style storytelling of non linear plots vice the self contained style of classic American shows. And this I think is what makes it both so entertaining and popular. Unfortunately the rabble rousing of an impatient audience combined with the writers strike to ruin season two inexorably.
Currently you will find me watching old seasons of Star Trek: TNG, because I feel its important to immerse yourself in the classics, as well as keeping current with several discovery channel shows. One of which is their new venture, smash lab. While "entertaining" this show legitimately makes me angry. As an educated engineer, the concepts and theories presented in this show are abhoring as I think all people of my ilk should be. Lets use an example: "Hey guys, I found this great insulating material...lets come up with a wacky illconcieved concept to shield a house from the firestorm of a forest fire that wont work but talk about it like were awesome and made the first step to save homes." and scene...I rest my case, this show won't last beyond what they've already filmed.
I was ultimately inspired to post today because I just finished watching the first season of Battlestar Galactica. It is rare if ever that I am litteraly shocked by plot twists...this show brings them to me in spades. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite being a few years behind the curve. If you haven't yet, I suggest it heartily.
Signing off
In the erstwhile I found a passion for classic American television. Fueled in that final semester by shows like Scrubs (I watched all 5 seasons that were out at the time), and heroes with the staples of mythbusters and family guy, I rekindled a passion for American storytelling that still continues.
I believe it was heroes that marked the transition for me, because I've always felt that the writing for this show takes a lot from anime style storytelling of non linear plots vice the self contained style of classic American shows. And this I think is what makes it both so entertaining and popular. Unfortunately the rabble rousing of an impatient audience combined with the writers strike to ruin season two inexorably.
Currently you will find me watching old seasons of Star Trek: TNG, because I feel its important to immerse yourself in the classics, as well as keeping current with several discovery channel shows. One of which is their new venture, smash lab. While "entertaining" this show legitimately makes me angry. As an educated engineer, the concepts and theories presented in this show are abhoring as I think all people of my ilk should be. Lets use an example: "Hey guys, I found this great insulating material...lets come up with a wacky illconcieved concept to shield a house from the firestorm of a forest fire that wont work but talk about it like were awesome and made the first step to save homes." and scene...I rest my case, this show won't last beyond what they've already filmed.
I was ultimately inspired to post today because I just finished watching the first season of Battlestar Galactica. It is rare if ever that I am litteraly shocked by plot twists...this show brings them to me in spades. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite being a few years behind the curve. If you haven't yet, I suggest it heartily.
Signing off
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
The Spaghetti Chronicles
Since I moved into my apartment over 6 months ago, I've been attempting to "fend for myself" with the few culinary arts that I learned in my years at home with family. If there is anything that I can say I know how to do with the utmost certainty its boil pasta.
This seemed to change when I moved to New Bern. Any pasta that I have made since I started living here has been, in a word, slimy. Normally drained pasta dries rather quickly after boiling...mine however gets very sticky...like the gluten from the wheat is sticking to the outside and making it well, slimy. It even leaves a residue on my colander. Its been a baffling case I've been attempting to solve for going on 6 months now.
Experiments thus far:
1. Your Colander Sux
While I didn't find the root cause in this experiment I did what types of colanders do and dont suck. Avoid cheap plastic ones if you can, they drain poorly and are a bitch to clean. Same goes for small holed metal as well...I dumped a potful into some cheapo i got at wal-mart and it took 5 mins to drain fully. The best I've found is a wire mesh, and you can use it to strain as well if it pleases you. But sadly, the colander was not the root cause of my slime problem.
2. A water problem?
I had thought that because I was on city water there could be impurities fuxing up my pasta. So I tried spaghetti using filtered tap water. Unfortunately, this didn't solve the problem (///.-)
Future experiments:
Hard/soft.
I have no idea if we use any sort of water softening device here at the APT so I'm actually considering buying some bottled water and using that...see if it makes any difference. If it doesn't, then I think I will have come to the inevitable conclusion...
ITS THE POT
When I knew I'd be moving out I bought a relatively cheap cookware set from target. Everything is this non-stick crap but IDK what it is since its certainly not teflon. ANYWAY, I was used to boiling pasta in a big ol stainless pot back home so I may have to venture to replicate said pot for another experiment.
Yes. I am a little bit strange aren't I? Well this is what happens when you live alone...your mind...wanders
This seemed to change when I moved to New Bern. Any pasta that I have made since I started living here has been, in a word, slimy. Normally drained pasta dries rather quickly after boiling...mine however gets very sticky...like the gluten from the wheat is sticking to the outside and making it well, slimy. It even leaves a residue on my colander. Its been a baffling case I've been attempting to solve for going on 6 months now.
Experiments thus far:
1. Your Colander Sux
While I didn't find the root cause in this experiment I did what types of colanders do and dont suck. Avoid cheap plastic ones if you can, they drain poorly and are a bitch to clean. Same goes for small holed metal as well...I dumped a potful into some cheapo i got at wal-mart and it took 5 mins to drain fully. The best I've found is a wire mesh, and you can use it to strain as well if it pleases you. But sadly, the colander was not the root cause of my slime problem.
2. A water problem?
I had thought that because I was on city water there could be impurities fuxing up my pasta. So I tried spaghetti using filtered tap water. Unfortunately, this didn't solve the problem (///.-)
Future experiments:
Hard/soft.
I have no idea if we use any sort of water softening device here at the APT so I'm actually considering buying some bottled water and using that...see if it makes any difference. If it doesn't, then I think I will have come to the inevitable conclusion...
ITS THE POT
When I knew I'd be moving out I bought a relatively cheap cookware set from target. Everything is this non-stick crap but IDK what it is since its certainly not teflon. ANYWAY, I was used to boiling pasta in a big ol stainless pot back home so I may have to venture to replicate said pot for another experiment.
Yes. I am a little bit strange aren't I? Well this is what happens when you live alone...your mind...wanders
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
You'll Never Walk Alone
I dont often get to chat about this stuff with my usual company but I figured why not put it out on here.
If you don't know I have been trying to get into international soccer for the past few years and I've attached myself to an English Premier league team; Liverpool FC. This season they are participating in the FA Cup, Champions League, and of course the premier league (two international tournaments, and the English seasonal league).
If you don't count their premiership performance they're doing quite well. However you can't discount the largest grossing soccer league in the world...in which they cant seem to do anything but suck. I was told awhile back that in Soccer, a tie is often times as good as a win. Not in the case of the Reds. Merrysiders cant seem to get a win, but 5 draws in a row seems fine right? WRONG. Ugh, I can't really explain it since all my soccer info i get from http://soccernet.espn.go.com/index?cc=5901 and http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team?id=364&cc=5901
but basically, the team has given up on premier league hopes and focused on Champions etc. Its a shame really.
If you don't know I have been trying to get into international soccer for the past few years and I've attached myself to an English Premier league team; Liverpool FC. This season they are participating in the FA Cup, Champions League, and of course the premier league (two international tournaments, and the English seasonal league).
If you don't count their premiership performance they're doing quite well. However you can't discount the largest grossing soccer league in the world...in which they cant seem to do anything but suck. I was told awhile back that in Soccer, a tie is often times as good as a win. Not in the case of the Reds. Merrysiders cant seem to get a win, but 5 draws in a row seems fine right? WRONG. Ugh, I can't really explain it since all my soccer info i get from http://soccernet.espn.go.com/index?cc=5901 and http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team?id=364&cc=5901
but basically, the team has given up on premier league hopes and focused on Champions etc. Its a shame really.
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