WeekEND gaming(8/27/10)- What are YOU playing?

[Purple Santa]

Hopes. Dreams. Slacking. Slothing. Staring at the last few days of summer. Ah, yes the weekend. Sweet sweet weekend you arrive back home. With the weekday done, the slacker in us returns. Welcome home weekend!

As I await my new shift (4-12am) my gaming time suffers. So the weekends are where my hopes and dreams of all day playing exist. Or would exist if I could stop playing a particular game. So my hopes to be played this weekend:

http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/PurpleSanta/w1024x7681.jpghttp://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/PurpleSanta/mafia_2_fob_360_bbfc.jpghttp://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/PurpleSanta/yakuza.jpg http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/PurpleSanta/ys_seven1.jpg http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/PurpleSanta/alan-wake-xbox-360.jpg http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/PurpleSanta/lara_croft_and_the_guardian_of_light_002.jpg

What's on your weekend agenda? Places to go, sites to see or maybe weed your yard (hello Kelegacy). What are you doing but the more interesting question what are YOU playing?

[menage]

Bit of a crowded weekend, going to see my dad and have a birthday on Sunday.

I'll play:

BLUR, Last Remnant, GOW2 (almost done).

Can't wait till the new games come rolling in.

[Kelegacy]

Tomorrow we're having a lawn sale and I'm selling a bunch of games, dozens and dozens of books (more like hundreds maybe) and other stuff like that.

As for gaming, I hope to play:

Batman: AA - I'm in the old mansion currently.

And I might load up another game. I'm not sure. I have been craving yet another open world so I might pop Saboteur back in, a game I haven't played since April or March. And after Alan Wake, I really want to play Deadly Premonition, but that probably won't happen.

I'm focused on chewing through the games I have. Batman, then maybe a FPS to breeze through like Call of Juarez: BiB or Killzone. I still have Uncharted 2 that I've barely touched.

I'm all over the map, basically. I have no idea. I'm a bit aimless.

[frederec]

It's been a long week, even though it's been a short week, and I'm looking forward to relaxing at the end of the day. Since I recently started up Valkyria Chronicles again, I'll try to play some more of that. I may pop in one of my other recently acquired portable games for some variety, Class of Heroes is currently in my PSP (I've been too lazy to even rip it to my memory stick yet), and I just got Again for the DS. We'll see what happens.

[Wilkz07]

360:
Mafia 2
Sniper Ghost Warrior

PC:
Red Faction Guerilla

[LarsenNET]

Continuing Dark Forces II: Mysteries of the Sith and Bioshock 2.

Tomorrow we drive 3.5 hours to Flint, MI to take our son to see some special Thomas the train event. Should be fun ;)

[Gorvi]

Darksiders mostly. I played some more last night, so I'm about 3 hours in or so (just got the "boomerang" in the cathedral where Tiamat is, the portion that was in the demo) and I'm really, really enjoying the game now. I'm very glad I started on the Apocalyptic difficulty, I think that's where a lot of my enjoyment is coming from. On an easier setting I can see the game being a lot of button mashing with little else, but having to block and use your moves with some forethought has been very, very satisfying. It was annoying at first because your move set is so limited, but once you unlock more abilities and attacks it feels really damn good.

[Dukefrukem]

Darksiders mostly. I played some more last night, so I'm about 3 hours in or so (just got the "boomerang" in the cathedral where Tiamat is, the portion that was in the demo) and I'm really, really enjoying the game now. I'm very glad I started on the Apocalyptic difficulty, I think that's where a lot of my enjoyment is coming from. On an easier setting I can see the game being a lot of button mashing with little else, but having to block and use your moves with some forethought has been very, very satisfying. It was annoying at first because your move set is so limited, but once you unlock more abilities and attacks it feels really damn good.

You'd be surprised how long it will take you to beat this game.

On that note, I will be playing Starcraft 2 and Left 4 Dead 2.

[EWolfmanD]

I didn't get much gaming done this week either since I've been trying to catch up on a lot of reading. I'll probably spend most of the weekend reading some more.

DQIX - I'm still near the end of the story. I might try to grind out some more levels in secondary classes if I can find something to watch on TV, or I might make an attempt to finish the main story. I don't really care if I gain too many stats and make the end of the game easy since I just want to prepare for the grottoes anyway.

Resonance of Fate - My brother wanted me to rent this from Gamefly, so I'll probably try to play it a decent amount so that I can finish it before the Fall games start coming.

I'm also in the mood to play a PC game, so I should probably try to play something that I bought on sale from Steam. Leading candidates are Thief 3 or Heroes of Might & Magic V.

I also have several other console and handheld games that I need to finish or start, but I should really try to focus and start finishing some games since several more are about to arrive in September.

[Dukefrukem]

Oh and James and Eric, we should play Borderlands.

[Gorvi]

You'd be surprised how long it will take you to beat this game.
I'm glad to hear that, this is a game that I think I'm going to want to last.
Resonance of Fate - My brother wanted me to rent this from Gamefly, so I'll probably try to play it a decent amount so that I can finish it before the Fall games start coming.
How are you enjoying it? That's one game from earlier this year that I've really been wanting to pick up but haven't gotten around to it. The masochistic difficulty level of the battle sounds intriguing. A nice engaging RPG battle system is all too rare these days.

[frederec]

How are you enjoying it? That's one game from earlier this year that I've really been wanting to pick up but haven't gotten around to it. The masochistic difficulty level of the battle sounds intriguing. A nice engaging RPG battle system is all to rare these days.

I'm curious too, but I'll be able to find out any day now. Recently I ordered a new copy off amazon for $40 after shipping. The way people talk about it as a spiritual successor to Shadow Hearts gets me interested, along with the promise of a complicated, but rewarding, battle system.

[jpublic]

Purps, how is Ys 7?

I personally plan to play:

Just Cause 2
Elemental
P3P
FFXIII

[EWolfmanD]

How are you enjoying it? That's one game from earlier this year that I've really been wanting to pick up but haven't gotten around to it. The masochistic difficulty level of the battle sounds intriguing. A nice engaging RPG battle system is all to rare these days.

I only played about an hour last night. I ran around town to find the guild to receive missions, fought my first battle where I had no idea what I was doing, and then ended up spending forty minutes working my way through the tutorials. I'll try to play some more tonight and let you know how it goes.

I would definitely recommend going to the arena to do the tutorials before doing anything else if you ever do play.

[Pale Ale]

You'd be surprised how long it will take you to beat this game.

On that note, I will be playing Starcraft 2 and Left 4 Dead 2.

Annoyingly long! Also don't you have Tim Tayloring to do? :D

City of Heroes: It's been like finding an old toy at the bottom of the closet.

Borderlands: I keep farting around in it. Maybe it's the generous auto aim.

Yakuza 3: I need to play the fuck out of this one or send it back.

[National Kato]

About 2/3 through Mafia 2. So much wasted potential. 2K built this detailed, immersive environment, peopled it with lifelike characters and locales, and then just has you driving past most of it. A shame, because I could really get into a full open-world game set in the 50s.

[Dukefrukem]

Annoyingly long! Also don't you have Tim Tayloring to do? :D


I'd like to think I had more fun with it than being annoyed, but I can't deny that the end did stretch waaaaaay further than I was expecting it to. I thought I reached the end 2 or 3 times around the 15 hour mark. Took me 22-25 hours to finally beat.

[hunterx280]

I played TF2 for about 15 minutes last night and I just couldn't get into my usual groove so I disconnected and loaded up Torchlight. I think I'm in an RPG mood. I have a feeling the weekend will be more of the same. I might even attempt to play more Dragon Age.

[Purple Santa]

Bit of a crowded weekend, going to see my dad and have a birthday on Sunday.


An early happy birthday to you then!


I'm a bit aimless.
Yeah, we have been meaning to have an intervention with you about your aimlessness. You drifter! ;)
... and I just got Again for the DS. We'll see what happens.
If you need some unintentional laughs (or maybe they were intentional) play Again. I really got into the story but seriously the animations and dialogue were...well to some painful but I found it amusing. Maybe I have a low threshold for humor.


On that note, I will be playing Starcraft 2 and Left 4 Dead 2.
No working on the house? When is the opening house? :D
Purps, how is Ys 7?

I haven't cracked open the game yet. I have hung up the cloth map though :)
About 2/3 through Mafia 2. So much wasted potential. 2K built this detailed, immersive environment, peopled it with lifelike characters and locales, and then just has you driving past most of it. A shame, because I could really get into a full open-world game set in the 50s.
Maybe for Mafia 3?

[Dukefrukem]

No working on the house? When is the opening house? :D


Been painting the last few days. Day off tonight. Will paint more on Sat and Sunday.

I have pics if people are interested. Didn't really want to make my own thread.

[Xydarc]

Elemental: War of Magic - Despite the (dwindling) flaws, I'm enjoying Stardock's latest TBS game. I am going to tinker with the Faction Editor and see what kind of crazy Kingdom/Empire I can come up with.

P3P - I've been trying to finish this for the last 2 weekends. Will this be the weekend I reach the top of Tartarus?

ModNation Racers - Now that I've beaten the single-player campaign, it's time to work on some tracks. Especially one that is niece-friendly. I'm also going to go "token hunting" for the trophy and the unlockables.

Otherwise, I may try some Dante's Inferno, Dragon Age: Origins, or something from the backlog.

[menage]

An early happy birthday to you then!


Not me silly, although I have a craving for cake now.:)

[Kelegacy]

You'd be surprised how long it will take you to beat [Darksiders].


About 17-20 hours if you are a completionist, I think. I think it took me that long. I didn't wind up tracking everything down, however, as I couldn't be bothered.

Games like Zelda and Metroid and even Batman AA to an extent both make me happy and piss me off. You pass so many places that have items and secrets but can't access them yet. By the time I can, I've forgotten where they are or am near the end of the game and no longer even care. I miss so much because I don't want to backtrack any more.

Anyway, Darksiders is a great game. Enjoy it Gorvi.

[Kelegacy]

Been painting the last few days. Day off tonight. Will paint more on Sat and Sunday.

I have pics if people are interested. Didn't really want to make my own thread.

Of course we're interested. Actually, I think we need to start another of those gaming spaces threads, to show off our setups. I don't have a great setup, but I like seeing others'. My office was turned into some sort of playroom. :(

And when I bought my house last summer I said I would show off pictures as well to people like Mags. I need to do the same thing. Hell, it's the end of August and I'm still trying to get things planted! I was outside in my work attire right after work planting lillies lillies, a rhododendren and transplanted a hydrangea that was dying.

Apparently upon digging in the flower beds out front I see that most of it is mulch, very little actual dirt. No wonder my plants haven't been doing great. I need to empty out the entire beds and refill it with hundreds of lbs of topsoil probably. We have some hedge/bush things that grow in them right now but we tore up some of them up to plant prettier things...and that didn't work out. The rest are coming out soon I think.

My sunflowers are doing great though, even if we can't enjoy them because they are facing my freakin' neighbors. That's where the sun is unfortunately. Tomatos were planted late but we already have a few yellow ones. Not much longer. They don't look very big, maybe some sort of small tomato variety. We were given them by someone my wife knew, and they had weird, hand-written names on the tags like "Strawberry Sunrise" or something weird like that. They're probably poisonous and will kill us next month.

/end gardening/homeowner rant

[Dukefrukem]

I plan on posting lots of pics of my console setup and my PC setup. :) Buuuut I guess I'll start my own thread. Check out the Lounge.

[EWolfmanD]

If you need some unintentional laughs (or maybe they were intentional) play Again. I really got into the story but seriously the animations and dialogue were...well to some painful but I found it amusing. Maybe I have a low threshold for humor.


All you have to do is focus on the side of the DS without the animations and it's not a problem. :p

[Vigil80]

Oh and James and Eric, we should play Borderlands.
We should indeed. I'll probably be on most of the day Saturday, and on Sunday night. Send me a message on Steam.

If I don't play Borderlands all weekend, I'll probably spend more time with Monday Night Combat and Dawn of War. I feel a little like I'm in a gaming limbo, waiting for Civ 5 to drop. The August releases I had hoped would be good didn't turn out so well.

[Dukefrukem]

We should indeed. I'll probably be on most of the day Saturday, and on Sunday night. Send me a message on Steam.

If I don't play Borderlands all weekend, I'll probably spend more time with Monday Night Combat/B] and [B]Dawn of War. I feel a little like I'm in a gaming limbo, waiting for Civ 5 to drop. The August releases I had hoped would be good didn't turn out so well.

http://www.meh.ro/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/meh.ro4986.jpg

[Spigot]

That's awesome, Duke.

I'm not working this weekend but I'm going to be busy. I have some joe-jobs to do for the condo board around the complex and then I might be going to a family picnic thingamie that my work is putting on down at a local conservation area (they need me to man the tables so I can sell books or some such).

And on Sunday, I'm taking my son down to Toronto to visit Fan Expo. This will be the first real 'con' experience for both of us. I'm mainly going to get in on the DQIX action and get the map they're giving away but the extra stuff will be cool too.

As for games, well...

FFXIII (PS3) - I'm making my way up the tower in Chapter 11. I thought it was going to be one of those really annoying puzzle towers that seem to exist in every JRPG, but it's surprisingly fun and not annoying at all. My party is also pretty overpowered at this point so I'm not too worried about most enemies I bump into (cue me recanting this in 10 minutes when something whips my ass 8 ways to Sunday).

DQIX (DS) - I'm nearing the endgame as well and will probably just grind a bit more tonight at work if things are quiet and then get ready to get my Tag Mode on at Fan Expo. Woo!

Mafia 2 (PC) - I'm about midway through Chapter 3 so far. I'm loving the game and after reading some of the lacklustre reviews that came out at launch, I'm wondering if I'm playing the same game the reviewers were. I'm not rushing through the thing and am loving the world and the characters.

P3P (PSP) - Maybe... just maybe I'll manage to play some of this over the weekend. Depends how DQIX goes :)

Nice to see some Resonance of Fate chatter around here. I've had a copy since I beat GoW3 and traded it in back in March. I haven't touched the game yet though as I want to finish FFXIII first.

[Kielaran]

I will be playing Monday Night Combat. It has been slow going, but every time I get into it, the game feels better. If only they can fix the host migration and juicing to down the ball bugs I would be very happy.

[Superman's Dead]

Mafia 2
Demon's Souls
DJ Hero

[rein]

Did I not post in this thread this morning? I must be losing it. I thought I did.

I may have to rethink my strategy in Borderlands. I've been hung up on weapons with elemental damage and even chosen to use those over higher over all damage weapons. I just fought Sledge (with Lilith) and went in thinking I would use my shock SMG to knock down his shield and then switch to a Machine gun I have that has high damage but no elemental damage. I made a few runs at him and had to exit the door because my health got low. I went in a third time and just kept the Machine gun armed. I owned him in a few seconds. The Machine gun took out the shield much faster than the shock damage SMG did. Anyway, that is what I will be playing this weekend. I may go back and play Roland for a bit today and try to get the hang of him.

[jpublic]

Here's some tips to elemental weapons:

1) You see that x1 x2 x3 x4 on the right hand side of the readout? Yeah, the higher the better. Also, 'High Elemental Effect' chance weapons are better, as they make the special effect (DoT) effect happen more often.
2) For Elemental weapons to be badass on Lilith, you really have to boost her special skills with them. My Lilith took out Sledge with an acid weapon in seconds.

[Spigot]

Making progress in FFXIII today. Nothing like having 6 kid-free hours to slog around Gran Pulse :) I'm hoping that I'll finish up Chapter 11 soon. I'm pretty overpowered now... I mean, most battles take me a minute, at most, to finish.

[Serapth]

That's awesome, Duke.

I'm not working this weekend but I'm going to be busy. I have some joe-jobs to do for the condo board around the complex and then I might be going to a family picnic thingamie that my work is putting on down at a local conservation area (they need me to man the tables so I can sell books or some such).

And on Sunday, I'm taking my son down to Toronto to visit Fan Expo. This will be the first real 'con' experience for both of us. I'm mainly going to get in on the DQIX action and get the map they're giving away but the extra stuff will be cool too.

As for games, well...

FFXIII (PS3) - I'm making my way up the tower in Chapter 11. I thought it was going to be one of those really annoying puzzle towers that seem to exist in every JRPG, but it's surprisingly fun and not annoying at all. My party is also pretty overpowered at this point so I'm not too worried about most enemies I bump into (cue me recanting this in 10 minutes when something whips my ass 8 ways to Sunday).

DQIX (DS) - I'm nearing the endgame as well and will probably just grind a bit more tonight at work if things are quiet and then get ready to get my Tag Mode on at Fan Expo. Woo!

Mafia 2 (PC) - I'm about midway through Chapter 3 so far. I'm loving the game and after reading some of the lacklustre reviews that came out at launch, I'm wondering if I'm playing the same game the reviewers were. I'm not rushing through the thing and am loving the world and the characters.

P3P (PSP) - Maybe... just maybe I'll manage to play some of this over the weekend. Depends how DQIX goes :)

Nice to see some Resonance of Fate chatter around here. I've had a copy since I beat GoW3 and traded it in back in March. I haven't touched the game yet though as I want to finish FFXIII first.

Get here early Spigot.... :D I was trying to figure out WTF was going on out my window....

A few minutes ago, there was no line... no there is this. It goes from here ( Bremmner/Lower Simcoe ) up to Front St and down another half block easily.

http://flexapic.com/g.ashx?id=4561

Didn't even know about it... Not really my thing, but since its literally across the street I may have to check it out.


EDIT: When you getting in Spigot? I may be able to get you a visitor parking pass. Always trickier on the weekends though so its a crap shoot.

[Serapth]

OMG, Shadowrun LARPing tomorrow... I so gotta go see that. :D

[Spigot]

Hey Serapth, I'll likely be going down on Sunday. Today is opening day so it's probably going to be nuts. I'll probably just drive into Mississauga and take the subway down on Sunday morning. Thanks for the heads-up though. Should get me out the door faster on Sunday.

I just want the DQIX stuff!

[Xydarc]

Get here early Spigot.... :D I was trying to figure out WTF was going on out my window....

A few minutes ago, there was no line... no there is this. It goes from here ( Bremmner/Lower Simcoe ) up to Front St and down another half block easily.

http://flexapic.com/g.ashx?id=4561

Didn't even know about it... Not really my thing, but since its literally across the street I may have to check it out.


EDIT: When you getting in Spigot? I may be able to get you a visitor parking pass. Always trickier on the weekends though so its a crap shoot.
How dare you Canadians defy the laws of gravity with your sideways streets!:eek:;)

That con sounds like fun, btw.

[Bad Buddha]

I've got two motorcycle rides this weekend and my wife is home for the weekend so I don't know how much gaming I'll be doing. The weather had been sunny and in the 80s and 90s; but this weekend it's raining and mid-60s. Welcome to Seattle!

Saturday I'm going on a benefit ride for Mercy Corps (http://www.mercycorps.org/events/2010/08/13/21582); about 300 miles round trip from Seattle to Ocean Shores and back.

Sunday my daughter and I are going to a Vintage Motorcycle Rally on the Isle Of Vashon (http://www.soundrider.com/archive/events/isle_of_vashon.htm). We'll probably meet my cousin for breakfast and ride around the island as we check out classic Vincents, Triumphs, Beemers, Arials, Velocettes and all manner of old, esoteric and exotic machinery! We usually take a picture down by the harbor at Dockton so I might post a copy of that on Sunday evening.

I've got a couple of hours free this afternoon so I might dust off Roland and go plug some zombies on Dr. Ned's Island.

[Serapth]

Figure I'll break out Demon's. May punish myself with so more Elemental

[Spigot]

How dare you Canadians defy the laws of gravity with your sideways streets!:eek:;)

That con sounds like fun, btw.Did you like our pixellated bushes too? It's a veritable Escher painting up here :)

[rein]

Here's some tips to elemental weapons:

1) You see that x1 x2 x3 x4 on the right hand side of the readout? Yeah, the higher the better. Also, 'High Elemental Effect' chance weapons are better, as they make the special effect (DoT) effect happen more often.
2) For Elemental weapons to be badass on Lilith, you really have to boost her special skills with them. My Lilith took out Sledge with an acid weapon in seconds.Thanks for the tips!


I'm not sure if I finished up my work week on a high note or a low note. I had to send an email to a couple of guys telling them their team dropped the ball on something a few months ago. So, Monday my boss is either going to pat me on the back and tell me "good job" or I will get "you should have come to me." Regardless, I'm done working until 7AM Monday. :)

[jpublic]

Making progress in FFXIII today. Nothing like having 6 kid-free hours to slog around Gran Pulse :) I'm hoping that I'll finish up Chapter 11 soon. I'm pretty overpowered now... I mean, most battles take me a minute, at most, to finish.

Oddly enough I've been playing FFXIII today, and I'm in Ch 11 as well. Just met Bismark.

[Purple Santa]

Been painting the last few days. Day off tonight. Will paint more on Sat and Sunday.

I have pics if people are interested. Didn't really want to make my own thread.
Well you went and made your own thread. I was hoping for some pics but now you will make me go to the lounge. Although the lounge does remind me of Times Square before it's remodeling. You just never know what you will find there and sometimes that's a bit...scary :p
Not me silly, although I have a craving for cake now.:)
What kind of cake? I'm thinking chocolate. Just lots of chocolate.
All you have to do is focus on the side of the DS without the animations and it's not a problem. :p
Hey, I loved Again. I enjoyed both parts of the screen. Not sure how Mad Math Professor is going to greet the game. Classes are starting soon so maybe the humor will relieve the stress from classes starting.

And where the hell is Mags? Did he get lost again drinking beer, eating pizzas all while socializing till the disco balls go dim?

[Spigot]

I brought DJ Hero into work tonight and the guys are having a blast. I have a feeling I'll be bringing it in a lot more from here on out...

[Karak]

I am done with Mafia. I bought it to my own sadness. I tried it and played about 3 hours but failed to find...the fun. It just isn't that fun. Despite some bugs and so forth it feels like they really dropped the ball on gameplay elements that they could have expanded on.

That leaves me with Star Ruler(post patch is actually very fun)
Starting another playthrough of Alpha Protocol and maybe a bit of Mass Effect. I blew through Kotor 2.

[Generation ABXY]

That's a damn shame, Karak. I may end up picking up the game at some point, but the reception seems to be very mixed, so there's no telling what side of the divide I'll end up on then.

[Vigil80]

I brought DJ Hero into work tonight and the guys are having a blast. I have a feeling I'll be bringing it in a lot more from here on out...
I kind of wanted DJ Hero, so I found some of the tracks to get a kind of preview. Music makes a music game. What I found is that I didn't care for most of the songs/mixes, so I ended up passing on it.

I am done with Mafia. I bought it to my own sadness. I tried it and played about 3 hours but failed to find...the fun. It just isn't that fun. Despite some bugs and so forth it feels like they really dropped the ball on gameplay elements that they could have expanded on.
That is a damn shame. The original Mafia was such a treat. The sequel is sounding like a real missed opportunity.

[Spigot]

I kind of wanted DJ Hero, so I found some of the tracks to get a kind of preview. Music makes a music game. What I found is that I didn't care for most of the songs/mixes, so I ended up passing on it.Really? Huh. I LOVE the mixes in the game. I wasn't sure if I'd like them but I find MOST of them to be very, very good. The fact that they have a lot of Motown mixed in with contemporary stuff is a really unexpected but cool touch. But to each his own. It's a game worth buying for, say, $70 or so, but not more. I was lucky and found it for $35 with the turntable!

I am done with Mafia. I bought it to my own sadness. I tried it and played about 3 hours but failed to find...the fun. It just isn't that fun. Despite some bugs and so forth it feels like they really dropped the ball on gameplay elements that they could have expanded on.

That is a damn shame. The original Mafia was such a treat. The sequel is sounding like a real missed opportunity.

I'm wondering what you didn't like about Mafia 2, Karak. I'm really enjoying it so far (about 2 hours or so into it) and it feels like a very logical extension of most of the gameplay elements of the original, with a few modern tweaks (more cover this time around, less finicky driving).

Some of the reviews I've read for it feel like they're playing an entirely different game than the one I'm playing or that they were playing it from an entirely different viewpoint as to what they wanted out of the game. I think if you go into it with a GTA/RDR kind of mentality, you'll definately be disappointed. This is an open-world game in the loosest sense of the word. I'm fine with that and just want a very well acted, well scripted mob story with lots of cool set-pieces, just like the original, and so far I'm getting that.

[Karak]

I'm wondering what you didn't like about Mafia 2, Karak. I'm really enjoying it so far (about 2 hours or so into it) and it feels like a very logical extension of most of the gameplay elements of the original, with a few modern tweaks (more cover this time around, less finicky driving).

Some of the reviews I've read for it feel like they're playing an entirely different game than the one I'm playing or that they were playing it from an entirely different viewpoint as to what they wanted out of the game. I think if you go into it with a GTA/RDR kind of mentality, you'll definately be disappointed. This is an open-world game in the loosest sense of the word. I'm fine with that and just want a very well acted, well scripted mob story with lots of cool set-pieces, just like the original, and so far I'm getting that.

Its a mix between 3-4 game stopping bugs, mixed with way way too many actions that feel like it is repeated FOREVER. Yet, because it isn't open world its worse for it.

And the fact is...fun. It just is not fun. The control, the actions, the jobs, the game part just isn't fun. I did think the story was done well and the set-peices are really good. But if its not fun to be...in them, then the game isn't fun to me.

But I have spent 60 bucks on far worse.

[Spigot]

Huh. I haven't had any bugs yet (knock on wood) aside from a bit of slowdown during a heavy firefight in the first chapter. And I'm having fun, so neener neener :)

But yeah, I can understand. It's a different kind of fun, I guess. Of course, I'm also having fun getting callouses on my thumb from mashing X in FFXIII all day and I KNOW that I only have to hit it twice during a battle to initiate the auto-attack, but I keep pounding away at it like it'll somehow speed up my reactions or something :P

[Vigil80]

Really? Huh. I LOVE the mixes in the game. I wasn't sure if I'd like them but I find MOST of them to be very, very good. The fact that they have a lot of Motown mixed in with contemporary stuff is a really unexpected but cool touch.
It's purely a matter of taste. I'm not that big on Motown. I was hoping for more high energy techno style mixes than hip hop/r&b. If they come out with a themed release or DLC as such, I will be much more tempted.

[Karak]

Huh. I haven't had any bugs yet (knock on wood) aside from a bit of slowdown during a heavy firefight in the first chapter. And I'm having fun, so neener neener :)

But yeah, I can understand. It's a different kind of fun, I guess. Of course, I'm also having fun getting callouses on my thumb from mashing X in FFXIII all day and I KNOW that I only have to hit it twice during a battle to initiate the auto-attack, but I keep pounding away at it like it'll somehow speed up my reactions or something :P

Jade Empire is in my top 10 favorite games...so your mileage may vary on fun:)

[Spigot]

Jade Empire is in my top 10 favorite games...so your mileage may vary on fun:)Hey, I love Jade Empire too. :)

It's time for a FUN OFF!

[maharahaj]

Of course, I'm also having fun getting callouses on my thumb from mashing X in FFXIII all day and I KNOW that I only have to hit it twice during a battle to initiate the auto-attack, but I keep pounding away at it like it'll somehow speed up my reactions or something :P

Ha! I did the exact same thing.

Well, what was supposed to be 10 straight days off from work from now through Labor day had turned into me having off through Wednesday, working Thursday due to a critical project meeting and then having off Friday through Monday. Either way, I'll make good use of the time with lots of gaming. Right now, I am focused on the following:

Demon's Souls - I am playing really slowly and methodically. Shield UP! After beating 1-1, I played 2-1 until the boss gate and am going to do the same for all of the X-1 levels. Then, I'll tackle some bosses with 5 world's worth of Soul levels. I got real frustrated with 3-1 as I died and kept trying to race back to my souls, each time dying quicker and quicker towards the beginning of the level. So I put the game down for a while and when I came back patiently, it is doing me a world of wonders.

Pixeljunk Shooter - I have beaten the game and found all the gems in Acts 1 and 2. Time to find the remaining gems in Act 3 as well as any secret areas I am missing.

Borderlands: General Knoxx - I like it but I do not like having to travel across half the map to get back to my latest mission as the game always spawns you at the beginning. I need to play this when I have a truckload of time in one sitting to limit the amount of "forward-tracking" that needs to be done (yeah, I just made up that term; the opposite of back-tracking...copyright pending):)

[Spigot]

I do the same thing in DQIX. I'll initiate combat and I'll keep hitting A like it's supposed to speed up the animations or something. Sigh.

Made it to Chapter 12 in FFXIII. My eyes... they have not yet recovered from the visual assault that is the beginning of Chapter 12!

[maharahaj]

Chapter 12 was my favorite chapter in the game. It starts off which that awesome action movie and then I plowed through the chapter with relative ease because all my characters tons of EXP ready to be distributed to the new level cap that just sat in waiting until you beat the level 11 boss. Being able to take down some of the larger creatures in Chapter 12 was really fun as well.

[Xydarc]

Hey, I love Jade Empire too. :)

It's time for a FUN OFF!
Only if you like your fun mediocre. I like mine well done.;)

Speaking of that, it's time to put Elemental away for a bit. While I don't have all of the stability issues others have reported, the slowdown is killing me. This is like trying to play Civ II on the PSOne. So, I've been "token hunting" in Modnation Racers and I'm thinking it's time to finish P3P.

[Spigot]

Just spent the morning removing caulk from an old lady's door (hiyooo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji-cT58rgNc)!)

Now to get to work plumbing the depths of this grotto... man, everything is dirty this morning...

[rein]

I just finished up all of the missions in Arid Badlands and moved on to The Dahl Headlands. My Siren is level 20. I found a new SMG that is a tad more powerful than my old level 7 that I used to reach level 20. It has 3x elemental explosion vs 3x elemental incinerate and about 10 points higher damage. I also picked up a few class mods along the way but one of them is level 22 Catalyst that I can't use yet and the other I sold and bought a Mercenary mod that gives me a 47% increase to SMG as soon as I found it in the vending machine at Dahl. I am now broke but at least I feel I have made some progress.

I'm trying to decide where I want to go next with skill points since I am gaining them slower and slower. Currently I have gone straight down the controller tree with Diva, Inner Glow and Hard to Get. Things might change along the way but I am headed towardb this (http://www.borderlandsthegame.com/skilltree/lilith/#21505050055005055005000) build at 50. I think my next best move is to go with Spark and Quick Silver and from there go to Slayer and Hit & Run before returning back to the Elemental tree. I'm not sure though. I want the extra 4 seconds of Phase Walk for additional healing time but I found that I use melee attacks more often than i expected I would. I don't use them from Phase Walking but enemies close in much faster than I expected at times. I guess the best thing to do is keep going this route and if I find it's not working I can always re-spec.

[Spigot]

Yay! I just took down Equinox and beat my first grotto. Woot! Now to decide whether to push on with the story or try to find the next grotto...

[Purple Santa]

Only if you like your fun mediocre. I like mine well done.;)


I guess JE is your Blue Dragon and/or Crackdown 2. I don't remember you dissing a game as much as you have JE. I should use this as a thread starter somehow. Throw in Persona for Mags and yeah, there is a thread starter there somewhere.

I'm still being lazy. I really want to put more time into Mafia 2 or at least do more of Alan Wake but sitting in a comfy chair in the AC...just leveling up in P3P because so many of my characters have fallen way behind. Last I looked I was at 90 hrs with this game. It's probably closer to 100 hrs now and i'm still in October.

[Xydarc]

Jade Empire hurts me so much due to my love for BioWare games. It was the first and (so far) only time a BioWare game has let me down. Yes, Jade Empire is my Blue Dragon.

[jpublic]

I think Demon's Souls may be my Blue Dragon.

[Purple Santa]

Just spent the morning removing caulk from an old lady's door (hiyooo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji-cT58rgNc)!)

Now to get to work plumbing the depths of this grotto... man, everything is dirty this morning...

Yay! I just took down Equinox and beat my first grotto. Woot! Now to decide whether to push on with the story or try to find the next grotto...

This has to do with DQ IX doesn't it?

[Pale Ale]

Things might change along the way but I am headed towardb this (http://www.borderlandsthegame.com/skilltree/lilith/#21505050055005055005000) build at 50.

No Girl Power, Mind Games, Intuition, Enforcer, or High Velocity!?!

I has a sad panda!

[MagGnome]

And when I bought my house last summer I said I would show off pictures as well to people like Mags.

Yeah, I'm still waiting! :mad:


And where the hell is Mags? Did he get lost again drinking beer, eating pizzas all while socializing till the disco balls go dim?

Yesterday after class I cleaned my old apartment, which took around three hours of so. After a long bus ride home I took a shower and then watched my roommate play Resident Evil 4 for a while, after which he and I met another friend of his and went out for some beers.

I didn't get until nearly 1 this afternoon! I can't remember the last time I slept that late. :eek:

Now I'm starving, but I don't know where I want to go eat.

As for my weekend, I have a lot of unpacking left to do, so I'll be working on that. I'd also like to do some gaming, but I'm not sure what yet. I'll hopefully fire up Persona 3.

[Kelegacy]

I didn't forget, Mags. I will soon, maybe tomorrow. I told my wife that, too. She knows what CoG is, though she doesn't give a shit about it.

I also wanted to have a tread, if there isn't one already, showing off gaming areas. Mine will be hilariously bad, but I have to make due with the space I have...for a little longer. Soon I'll be arranging the "den" into my area, which is just an extended part of the living room. I already use the area but I want to move a hutch into another room and get my computer desk out of here so I can just place a tv stand in the corner, a deep chair, and have a cozier place.

[Purple Santa]

As for my weekend, I have a lot of unpacking left to do, so I'll be working on that. I'd also like to do some gaming, but I'm not sure what yet. I'll hopefully fire up Persona 3.
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)


I also wanted to have a tread, if there isn't one already, showing off gaming areas. Mine will be hilariously bad, but I have to make due with the space I have...for a little longer. Soon I'll be arranging the "den" into my area, which is just an extended part of the living room. I already use the area but I want to move a hutch into another room and get my computer desk out of here so I can just place a tv stand in the corner, a deep chair, and have a cozier place.
Your space is at least with some room. My space is cramped and nothing to talk about. Ordinary tv, ordinary moniotor...ho hum...a futon and a table that holds my PS3, monitor and my games. The only saving grace is a nice shrine with my home made goodies ADDGirl has made me :D I also put some of my bought pre-order goodies with them so the only saving grace for my gaming space. I don't know what I would do with an actual room for gaming. I might be overwhelmed by just the thought of an actual gaming space that I could do anything with.

[frederec]

Watched The Last Exorcism today. It was good, but not quite great. Watching Night of the Living Dorks now. I tried watching it on watch-it-now, but I have low tolerance for dubbing.

Played a little bit of Valkyria Chronicles. This has suddenly become more difficult, since Resonance of Fate just showed up in the mail. I'm getting further in Valkyria, though, and I want to keep at it.

[rein]

No Girl Power, Mind Games, Intuition, Enforcer, or High Velocity!?!

I has a sad panda!I'm going to try out Phoenix and elemental using Phase Walker for healing and when I get into trouble. If I don't like it I will respec to a combat oriented character. It's a fun game but damn if it doesn't give me headaches. Weird!

I'm loving SMG ammo regen on this class mod. I'm keeping my eyes out for a firefly mod too.

[National Kato]

Finished Mafia 2 this afternoon. A lot was fun and inspired about the game, but as I've said before, so much promise and potential missed. Cars handled great and I enjoyed some aspects of the gunfights. Also, while I'm not on one side or the other about the collectible Playboy magazines, I will say that Bunnies back then were so much more beautiful than they currently are. Just gorgeous, natural, real women.

GameFly sent me Singularity and Blur, so I'll be trying them next.

[MagGnome]

I didn't forget, Mags. I will soon, maybe tomorrow. I told my wife that, too. She knows what CoG is, though she doesn't give a shit about it.

I also wanted to have a tread, if there isn't one already, showing off gaming areas. Mine will be hilariously bad, but I have to make due with the space I have...for a little longer. Soon I'll be arranging the "den" into my area, which is just an extended part of the living room. I already use the area but I want to move a hutch into another room and get my computer desk out of here so I can just place a tv stand in the corner, a deep chair, and have a cozier place.

My new room is very small and cramped. I managed to squeeze a queen-size bed, TV stand, nightstand, computer desk, floor lamp, dresser, and bookcase into this small room. It was quite the Herculean feat. I'll have to post some pictures when the rest of the boxes are unpacked.

[Spigot]

This has to do with DQ IX doesn't it?
Yeah. The grottos are the treasure maps that you find and that are randomly generated here and there. They're also the thing that addicts like me pay money to meet up with other like-minded addicts in order to trade or gain new ones. Sigh.

I was somehow able to play DQIX most of the afternoon today. My wife took the kids out for an hour or two to play at the splashpad and I just played DQIX while recouperating from Operation Caulk-Out this morning. Then she just took them out again to McDonalds. I basically had to stop because the DSi went from full charge to red light by the time I was finished playing. I'm not sure why she's being so nice to me... oh, wait a minute... I'm going to have to watch Time Traveller's Wife tonight! AAAAH!
Also, while I'm not on one side or the other about the collectible Playboy magazines, I will say that Bunnies back then were so much more beautiful than they currently are. Just gorgeous, natural, real women.I've only found one magazine so far but I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly. The one in the magazine I found was pretty demure but was quite easy on the eyes without being at all scandalous. Hell, the pic wouldn't even qualify as a NSFW rating these days...

I've had Cee Lo's new song stuck in my head for 2 days but I can't even tell anyone or sing it out loud because of the title and chorus. But it's so damn catchy! ARG!

[Camel]

Finally took the shrink wrap off of FFXIII and played it for a bit. I'm right at chapter 2, and so far....well, I'm not all that impressed. Some spoilers ahead if you are like me and have waited forever to start this game up.

I was doing OK until I was introduced to Hope and Vanille. They are aaaaaaaaaawful. AWFUL. SO BAD. I am OK with the other characters I've seen so far, but these guys annoy the crap out of me. They actually make me embarrassed to be playing the game in front of my girlfriend, who always watches me play games. Another problem I am having is the way the story is presented. I am OK with getting details through extra reading on my part, but it seems that most of the story is being told through the journal entries that keep popping up (maybe it's called "Dialogue?" Can't remember for some reason). Finding out the story this way is one reason I especially hate Hope...the story keeps mentioning him chasing off after Snow in a blind rage. I had no clue he was mad at Snow until I read this. There is nothing about the way he was acting or talking that made me think he was a little bit irritated, let alone in a blind rage. I actually thought he wanted to go up to Snow to say thanks for trying to save everyone or something like that. He is the type of character I hate the most in games. I hate his voice. I hate the way he looks. I hate his name. I hate Hope so much it is actually making me not want to go back to the game right now, even though I will anyways. I can only handle one annoying kid character at a time, and I just got two.

HOPE SUCKS.

[pomeroy]

My new room is very small and cramped. I managed to squeeze a queen-size bed, TV stand, nightstand, computer desk, floor lamp, dresser, and bookcase into this small room.

Ew, why? Are you living in a dorm?

[Purple Santa]

@Camel: Having read other posts who have played the game, many have said it's starts incredibly slow. I know a few said it doesn't get real good until Chapter 10. Might seem like a long time but it seemed the game was worth it after then. I'm keeping this in mind when I eventually will play it. Sometime in 2014 i'm sure but i'll play it eventually.

[jpublic]

Finished Mafia 2 this afternoon. A lot was fun and inspired about the game, but as I've said before, so much promise and potential missed. Cars handled great and I enjoyed some aspects of the gunfights. Also, while I'm not on one side or the other about the collectible Playboy magazines, I will say that Bunnies back then were so much more beautiful than they currently are. Just gorgeous, natural, real women.


Finished?! I thought that was supposed to be a big open-world game?


I'm at Ch 11 (12? I'm past the Tower) in FFXIII, and the game really picks up. I'm having a hell of a blast with it now.



In other news, I got my Android phone - Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant (which isn't like the T-Mobile one, it's the international version with dual cameras but no flash and 16GB). Whee.

[MagGnome]

Ew, why? Are you living in a dorm?

I went from having my own apartment to sharing a two bedroom with a friend. He's already lived here for quite some time, so the rest of the apartment is furnished. I crammed all of my furniture into my little bedroom. It's functional, if not the most desirable arrangement. I'm saving $200 a month in rent plus the cost of electricity (which is included in the rent here), so I'll live.

[Purple Santa]

97 hrs, 6 min. It's time to play another game. Even if it's a game of checkers.

[jpublic]

Purp - P3P?

[MagGnome]

No, Farmville. ;)

[Camel]

@Camel: Having read other posts who have played the game, many have said it's starts incredibly slow. I know a few said it doesn't get real good until Chapter 10. Might seem like a long time but it seemed the game was worth it after then. I'm keeping this in mind when I eventually will play it. Sometime in 2014 i'm sure but i'll play it eventually.
That is unfortunate, because I don't think I'll end up making it that far. I'm only on Chapter 3, but nothing in this game is grabbing me. It's not a good sign when I can't help but think of all the games I'd rather be playing instead. For example, still haven't beat Persona 4, I'd like to go restart DQVIII at some point...those games are going to take me a long time, and I feel like I am wasting it with FFXIII.

Blah setting, blah characters, blah battles. Not a good start.

[Spigot]

Camel, I actually have come to really like Hope but he is an annoying prat for most of the first half of the game.

Vanille, well, I actually like the character more than I thought but her voice STILL grates on me. It's just so bubbly had happy even when it's trying to be sincere and morose...

jpublic, you'll know when you're in Chapter 12 because of the seizure you'll be suffering during and after the movie at the start of Chapter 12...

[Gorvi]

I had no clue he was mad at Snow until I read this. There is nothing about the way he was acting or talking that made me think he was a little bit irritated, let alone in a blind rage. I actually thought he wanted to go up to Snow to say thanks for trying to save everyone or something like that.
You somehow missed a rather important plot point related to Hope then:
In the very beginning of the game there the people being purged are fighting against soldiers (probably the first half hour to hour of the game) Hope's mother is killed, and while I don't remember exactly how, it's in a way where Hope blames it on Snow, with somewhat good reason.

[Camel]

You somehow missed a rather important plot point related to Hope then:
In the very beginning of the game there the people being purged are fighting against soldiers (probably the first half hour to hour of the game) Hope's mother is killed, and while I don't remember exactly how, it's in a way where Hope blames it on Snow, with somewhat good reason.
I saw exactly what happened. I figured Hope was upset about the situation, but I guess I really didn't see a reason to blame Snow. My problem was that the game kept describing him as wanting to confront Snow and acting in a blind rage, where nothing in the game actually showed me that happening. Hope wanted to talk to Snow and didn't despite some prodding from Vanille, and that's about all I got from it. He seemed embarrassed or sheepish maybe, not angry.

My point was that I didn't like how the story was being better presented with optional text through the Dialog menu rather than with what I was seeing on the screen. I might try playing without reading the Dialog any more and see if that makes a difference in my enjoyment.

[frederec]

That is unfortunate, because I don't think I'll end up making it that far. I'm only on Chapter 3, but nothing in this game is grabbing me. It's not a good sign when I can't help but think of all the games I'd rather be playing instead. For example, still haven't beat Persona 4, I'd like to go restart DQVIII at some point...those games are going to take me a long time, and I feel like I am wasting it with FFXIII.

Blah setting, blah characters, blah battles. Not a good start.

You're mirroring my sentiments about the game only exactly. I thought the story was badly told, and Hope and Vanille were incredibly annoying, and I never came to like any of the characters much. They do get better later in the game (the magic moment around forty hours in when you get to chapter 11, I think).

I really wish the game had started at the point where it opened up.

As for me, I went to our local retro game store tonight and picked up a copy of Deja Vu! Haven't played it in ages, I may pop it in tonight on our shiny new NES/SNES/Genesis retro system we also picked up while we were there. I also have an urge to play Rez, since they were playing the soundtrack while we were there (which heightened the desire started after watching the original Tron this week - so much of the encounter and destruction of the MCP mirrors the boss in the second level of Rez).

[Purple Santa]

Purp - P3P?
Yep. After leveling up characters that I wasn't using very often, with a methodical approach I was lulling myself into hypnotic grinding. So it was best I just put the crack pipe down (better known as my PSP)
No, Farmville. ;)
You bastard. You said you would never give up my secret!
That is unfortunate, because I don't think I'll end up making it that far. I'm only on Chapter 3, but nothing in this game is grabbing me. It's not a good sign when I can't help but think of all the games I'd rather be playing instead. For example, still haven't beat Persona 4, I'd like to go restart DQVIII at some point...those games are going to take me a long time, and I feel like I am wasting it with FFXIII.

Blah setting, blah characters, blah battles. Not a good start.
I'll always recommend going back to play a Persona game. Go play P4 and come back to FF infinite numbers another day.


As for me, I went to our local retro game store tonight and picked up a copy of Deja Vu! Haven't played it in ages, I may pop it in tonight on our shiny new NES/SNES/Genesis retro system we also picked up while we were there. I also have an urge to play Rez, since they were playing the soundtrack while we were there (which heightened the desire started after watching the original Tron this week - so much of the encounter and destruction of the MCP mirrors the boss in the second level of Rez).

Ah, Deja Vu. So many great gaming memories on my Mac. I still have that Mac that will run all my games. Luckily I can't get at the Mac or the games otherwise i'd be lost in nostalgia for a good month.

[maharahaj]

That is unfortunate, because I don't think I'll end up making it that far. I'm only on Chapter 3, but nothing in this game is grabbing me. It's not a good sign when I can't help but think of all the games I'd rather be playing instead. For example, still haven't beat Persona 4, I'd like to go restart DQVIII at some point...those games are going to take me a long time, and I feel like I am wasting it with FFXIII.

Blah setting, blah characters, blah battles. Not a good start.

As others have said, the game will pick up over time in both the story telling aspect and the battle system aspect. I liked (not loved) chapters 1-7, but about half way through chapter 8, it starts to get REAL good. Basically, once you get the ability to choose your own party members, which merges all the Paradigm roles together for maximum custom-ability, the game really shines.

It took me 2 months to get to chapter 8 (around 17 hours of gameplay). It took me 3 weeks to go from 17 hours to 62 hours. That is how much it picked up for me at least.

Sazh is the best character in the game. I didn't care for Hope for the first 7 chapters either, but his character really grew on me (minus his voice). Snow was my least favorite character.

Edit: Hope grew on me story-wise, but as a party member...he sucked asshole. Vinelle is a much better healer with better HP.

[Purple Santa]

Breaking free from my addiction tonight (a short reprieve more likely) I managed to play Mafia 2 for a few hours. There is much to the game I like which is easy for me since i'm a big fan of the open world game. The game feels as if it's trying to be a bit more realistic within the game environment. I was surprised when I had to sneak around in a very early mission, you had to sneak as if you were Sam Fisher. You were told to not kill anyone otherwise the money owed you would suffer however I couldn't find a way to do that. Intense for so early in a game.

My only complaint so far is the law enforcement. Getting a ticket for reckless driving (or bribery or resisting) is definitely a nice change from the "just run" philosophy in most open world games. However the law enforcement is almost to good. The last mission I did, I lost the cops three different times before they caught up to me again. It certainly was fun to finally lose them which I did when I ditched the car and just ran while they shot me full of bullets. At the moment it's a nice challenge but not being able to lose them eventually...I know the game seems it wants to be a bit more serious/realistic but I don't know if I find that fun. I'll have to play more to see if this pushes me to stop playing.

As for the issues with driving...I didn't have any. I guess I am used to the odd driving system that appears in Take Two games :).

[MagGnome]

I was going to do some gaming today, but then some friends showed up and whisked me away. I ended up over at their place, where we played a few rounds of Mario Kart on the Wii (which I suck at...the first Mario Kart ever that I'm bad at) and then watched some random things on Netflix. I just got home, and now I'm tired and not really in the mood to game. I turned down several requests to go out tonight, and I think I'm going to relax and watch a movie or more Law & Order.

Oh, and my roommate's evil cat bit me. Thankfully he didn't break the skin, but I won't be petting him again anytime soon.

[Bad Buddha]

Back from Ocean Shores. Saw my Dad's old cabin. It's not the same without him. The place where he had his kite shop is empty and shut down. Aside from the "Why do parents have to die?" melancholy, the day was great! The sun came out, the roads were clear and twisty and the bike ran great! 345 miles and I get to do it again tomorrow! Yay!

[Purple Santa]

More Mafia 2 this morning. After chapter 4 I was in love with this game. After playing through chapter 6, it's confirmed. I'm glad I don't read reviews. I don't know what the issue is but I am having plenty of fun playing this game even if it is linear. I think i'm appreciating the game more that it is linear. Someone in the Mafia 2 thread stated it best: it's like playing a Goodfella's inspired game. This from someone who is not a die hard mafia movie person. Now to head over to Duke's thread to add another Yay to my list this year. Thanks to my gaming twin who was mentioning the game before it came out. I took a chance on the game never having played the first.

[Serapth]

Hope you didn't pick today Spigot, hands down the longest lines yet.

[Purple Santa]

I've only found one magazine so far but I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly. The one in the magazine I found was pretty demure but was quite easy on the eyes without being at all scandalous. Hell, the pic wouldn't even qualify as a NSFW rating these days...



Just wanted to let you know they do have centerfold pics that would be considered NSFW. I don't know when you play or where so thought I let you know. Nothing "racy" but boobs are boobs. The centerfolds I have found up to that point have been strictly Betty Page pinup look.

[Karak]

More Mafia 2 this morning. After chapter 4 I was in love with this game. After playing through chapter 6, it's confirmed. I'm glad I don't read reviews. I don't know what the issue is but I am having plenty of fun playing this game even if it is linear. I think i'm appreciating the game more that it is linear. Someone in the Mafia 2 thread stated it best: it's like playing a Goodfella's inspired game. This from someone who is not a die hard mafia movie person. Now to head over to Duke's thread to add another Yay to my list this year. Thanks to my gaming twin who was mentioning the game before it came out. I took a chance on the game never having played the first.

Ah fuckit. If you and Spigot both find this good. I am going to give it a try but on the 360 instead of the PC to see if it was the bugs I encountered that ruined the game for me.
Stay tuned for funfactor:)

[Purple Santa]

Ah fuckit. If you and Spigot both find this good. I am going to give it a try but on the 360 instead of the PC to see if it was the bugs I encountered that ruined the game for me.
Stay tuned for funfactor:)

No bugs for me on the 360 so far. I know there were other issues besides the bugs that was...bugging you...about the game but glad you might give it another try. I'm liking it because it does feel as if i'm playing one of the formula "mafia" movies but in such a way that it's not tedious with the missions. Unlike GTA where some of the missions can get boring one of the surprises for me with this game is the missions they I have done. Not that they are the most original but the missions fit the mafia movie formula well making it fun. Consider this game (for me) like the popcorn movies of the summer. Not real heavy, nothing to serious but were entertained when you were there. Hopefully you will find that fun in the game :)

[Spigot]

Hope you didn't pick today Spigot, hands down the longest lines yet.Oh, I went today. Did I ever. I think we were in line for about an hour and a half or so before we were able to pay. I think the line to get in without a pre-paid ticket was shorter than the one for people who already had their tickets.

That said, we spent about as much time on the floor of the expo as we did in line :) I saw everything I needed to see, got a bunch of people for my DQIX game (from 0 to 16 people in the inn now) and didn't get the special NOA map, but I did get a bunch of other maps ranging from level 2 grottos to level 67 grottos!

By the way, the fact that you can only 'recruit' 3 people at a time is STUPID. I didn't realize this until I'd spent most of our time at the Expo and was circling back to the Nintendo booth to try to get the map again. If you're heading to a meet-up or con, make sure you check your DS regularly and exit from the tag-mode so that you can then go BACK into tag mode and recruit more people. Man, so many things about the implementation of Tag Mode in the game pisses me off, but it was cool to stand around 'my people' and get virtual treasure maps :)

I also got to see Kinect and Move in action, which further cemented my resolve not to buy either at launch and to likely only buy Move later on. Kinect was kind of neat to watch but it really did seem like the kind of thing where you have to have games that are specifically designed around it and which will likely be the equivalent of Eyetoy games. It was funny to see a guy dressed as Mario playing with Kinect and getting heckled as a traitor from passersby :)

Good times though.

[Serapth]

I decided to check it out after lunch, so I walked over and got in the line to get tickets. Figured it would easily be an hour more after waiting about 15 minutes, and since it was already 1, I figured screw it and went to the Beer Store instead. Almost decided to see the Jays play instead, as a scalper was selling tickets for 8 bucks........

Oh, I went today. Did I ever. I think we were in line for about an hour and a half or so before we were able to pay. I think the line to get in without a pre-paid ticket was shorter than the one for people who already had their tickets.

That said, we spent about as much time on the floor of the expo as we did in line :) I saw everything I needed to see, got a bunch of people for my DQIX game (from 0 to 16 people in the inn now) and didn't get the special NOA map, but I did get a bunch of other maps ranging from level 2 grottos to level 67 grottos!

By the way, the fact that you can only 'recruit' 3 people at a time is STUPID. I didn't realize this until I'd spent most of our time at the Expo and was circling back to the Nintendo booth to try to get the map again. If you're heading to a meet-up or con, make sure you check your DS regularly and exit from the tag-mode so that you can then go BACK into tag mode and recruit more people. Man, so many things about the implementation of Tag Mode in the game pisses me off, but it was cool to stand around 'my people' and get virtual treasure maps :)

I also got to see Kinect and Move in action, which further cemented my resolve not to buy either at launch and to likely only buy Move later on. Kinect was kind of neat to watch but it really did seem like the kind of thing where you have to have games that are specifically designed around it and which will likely be the equivalent of Eyetoy games. It was funny to see a guy dressed as Mario playing with Kinect and getting heckled as a traitor from passersby :)

Good times though.

[Kelegacy]

Mags, why the queen sized bed? I had a twin all my life until my girlfriend, now my wife, moved in. I was able to fuck sleep with make love to fuck many girls on that twin and sleep in the same bed as well. Nowadays I've gotten a bit bigger and that might be harder, but we have a queen now. Maybe downsizing would save you some space?

We received a portable dishwasher today from some family. It's in great shape, but it's huge. We ordered a built-in dishwasher last week but we had to cancel once we did some measuring. Until we renovate a bit, which we plan on doing sometime, we really don't think we have the room for one. I think the countertops might be a tiny bit too low. They will be replaced, but for now we just are going to use the portable.

Speaking of appliances, ours show up between 7:30 AM - 11:30 tomorrow. New fridge and stove. Thankfully I don't have to lift a finger and I'm sure it will be a chore getting them inside. I wouldn't want that job, no way.

As for games, I played Arkham Asylum today. Plugging away, I am in the Botanical Gardens.

I haven't played much because I was busy playing with my boy most of the day. He was such a good kid today, I'm so proud of him. He astounds me each day with some new "skill" or cute action. As I said on my Twitter today, this morning I had a plastic watering can and my son had a plastic baton that makes noise and we were sword fighting with them. It was hilarious. I would do my "Holden...I am your father," imitation and we'd jump around the living room battling. We were both laughing so hard.

We had such a good time just hanging out today inside and outside, and I had a euphoric feeling all day...so much so that I wondered if my wife slipped me a drug or something. It is the euphoria I feel after taking a mild pain pill or something. High on life? I don't know.

I think a lot of it stems from me watching The Pledge last night before bed. Movies or news stories that revolve around child killing, rape or anything really bother me now. That stuff always angered me before, but now that I have a kid I get really painful empathy and I hate it. So maybe after dealing with those emotions last night while watching the movie (what I would feel/do if something like that happened to my child) I woke up this morning with the notion that I was going to love my child like nothing else. I fed him myself most meals and snacks, I gave him a bath myself, I snuggled with him and kissed his hair, we played outside, we ran around inside, we did it all. He also has such better motor skills now and can press buttons. He finally found a giant GI Joe figure I bought not long ago at Target (Snake Eyes) and was pressing his buttons to make the sound effects/music happen. Great stuff. And watching him put his hand on the railing and walk down the front steps so carefully is so effing cute and every minute I'm with him I want to exclaim.

Alas, I ramble so...and I'm becoming a goddamn woman apparently.

[Camel]

Tried to get back into P4 tonight, but it's been way too long (about a year). I couldn't remember any of my social links and didn't even recognize half of the peronas I was using, let alone why they were in my party.

As a result, I started over. I should be done by...next summer, maybe.

[MagGnome]

Mags, why the queen sized bed? I had a twin all my life until my girlfriend, now my wife, moved in. I was able to fuck sleep with make love to fuck many girls on that twin and sleep in the same bed as well. Nowadays I've gotten a bit bigger and that might be harder, but we have a queen now. Maybe downsizing would save you some space?

Growing up I had a full sized bed. I bought the queen after a couple years of sleeping on the floor and then the couch, both of which I don't recommend as long-term sleeping solutions. I wish I had a better mattress (I bought it at IKEA), but it's a lot more comfortable than my previous arrangement. I've had it for about three years now. I did have a smaller bed for a time in college, but I hated it. I toss and turn at night, and doing so in a twin size bed is not recommended. I have a hard time sleeping in such a small space.


Alas, I ramble so...and I'm becoming a goddamn woman apparently.

This has been evident for quite some time now. ;)

[Kelegacy]

Yeah, I don't move much. I could sleep on a 2x4 if it was soft enough. I might toss and turn a lot though, as my hair is always crazy in the morning.

[Spigot]

I decided to check it out after lunch, so I walked over and got in the line to get tickets. Figured it would easily be an hour more after waiting about 15 minutes, and since it was already 1, I figured screw it and went to the Beer Store instead. Almost decided to see the Jays play instead, as a scalper was selling tickets for 8 bucks........I had a couple of moments when I came close to going to see the Jays instead, but we soldiered on and had some fun. My son was kind of overwhelmed by a lot of the cosplayers (some of the furries were... creeepy) but he had a good time and was excited to be near the CN Tower and such. And he is FAR too attached to the little Kirby plushie that I picked up for him.

Made some significant progress on FFXIII tonight. Probably a good chunk of the way towards the end of Chapter 12, I hope. I was even able to start taking down some Adamantoises by the end of the session, which was pretty significant!

[jpublic]

Just finished FFXIII about 5 minutes ago. Well, the main storyline, anyway. I don't plan to go on and do the rest of the sidequest/marks stuff that you can do post game.

Just seems like a bit of a betrayal of the story ending, IMO - to allow you to play on seems a bit...eh.

[Purple Santa]

I haven't played much because I was busy playing with my boy most of the day. He was such a good kid today, I'm so proud of him. He astounds me each day with some new "skill" or cute action. As I said on my Twitter today, this morning I had a plastic watering can and my son had a plastic baton that makes noise and we were sword fighting with them. It was hilarious. I would do my "Holden...I am your father," imitation and we'd jump around the living room battling. We were both laughing so hard.

We had such a good time just hanging out today inside and outside, and I had a euphoric feeling all day...so much so that I wondered if my wife slipped me a drug or something. It is the euphoria I feel after taking a mild pain pill or something. High on life? I don't know.
Read the above paragraph again, you will find your answer :) Now to find meaning and balance in your life that doesn't give you such a euphoric feeling...:cool:

Alas, I ramble so...and I'm becoming a goddamn woman apparently.
You probably be happier if you were more woman like. The angry male (the on that appears at work) doesn't suit you ;)
Tried to get back into P4 tonight, but it's been way too long (about a year). I couldn't remember any of my social links and didn't even recognize half of the peronas I was using, let alone why they were in my party.

As a result, I started over. I should be done by...next summer, maybe.
That sounds a lot like me with P4 when I picked it up again. I restarted once than took a long break then just decided to see if I remember enough. The social links aren't as entertaining as in P3 but the story/mystery for P4 is what is keeping me playing. I was finally reaching a point in the story where I wanted to keep going but then had to evacuate my attic for the summer.

In P3 news, I am now in the section of Tartarus that was inspired by Studio 54 aka the 1970's. I almost expected to hear some retro disco with such raging colors and what seems to be strobe lights. Also, apparently I do have no memory since I forgot about some of the minor twists that occur in the story. Which is great since it felt as if I was almost watching it for the first time again.

[ElektroDragon]

I had a marathon session of Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing on Saturday. I think it must be the best Sonic game in 20 years, and IMHO, much better than any Mario Kart game I've ever tried.

Sunday I spent a good bit of time chasing down one of the final Two Worlds achievements, followed by a good dose of Tekken 6, and then a scramble to tweak my gamerscore to 55,555 before the night was done. All in all, one of my better gaming weekends. Next weekend is shot due to PAX.

[Bad Buddha]

What a weekend! Spent a little time with my wife on Friday evening. She had just returned from Denver on business.

Got up around 5:30 on Saturday to head out for a benefit motorcycle ride for Mercy Corps with the Headless Horsemen. The forecast was possible rain, but the sun came out and it was a beautiful day! Rode down to Ocean Shores, had some lunch and checked out the cabin that my family built and sold after my Dad died. Rode home and headed over to some friend's house where my wife was visiting for cheese and wine. 350 miles on the bike and I'm trying to make small talk at 9:00pm!

Got up at 5:30 on Sunday morning and dragged my daughter out of bed. we got suited up, braved a small sprinkle of rain and headed down to Vashon Island for the Ultimate Vintage Motorcycle Rally in the NW: The Isle of Vashon! We took the ferry over to Vashon with about 150 other motorcycle riders! We met my cousin and his buddy on Main Street in the town of Vashon and ogled bikes for a bit and registered for the Poker Run and bought the obligatory T-shirts. During the ride around the island we actually got passed by a 1914 Triumph! We ended up at the Rally finish for the Concours and more viewing of amazing classic and vintage motorcycle. Our poker hand was crap and we were beat so we said our goodbyes and took the ferry back to Seattle. When we got home at 5:00pm My daughter got into her pajamas and sacked out on the couch. I changed into my comfy pants and slippers and sat down with a Marzen beer from our local brewery. Phew!

Now my son comes into the picture. He bought tickets for he and his girlfriend to go see Vampire Weekend at Marymoor Park. She was down in Orlando and her family decided to stay an extra day for her mother's birthday. My son doesn't want to be the Lonely Loser all alone at a concert. My daughter is too beat to get off the couch. Me, I've ridden 500 miles in the last two days, had minimal sleep and I've had a couple beers to kill the pain in my knee and back. "Sure! I'll go as long as you drive!"

So we get to Marymoor Park around 6:00pm. It's an outdoor venue and surprise! They have a beer garden! We grab a beer and go find a place to sit. We sat and talked for an while, and around 7:00 the DumDum Girls start playing. Not bad! They are a local SubPop group that has a following in Seattle. At 8:00 or so, Beach House starts up. Another SubPop group that really didn't excite me that much. It's getting dark as they finish and my son and I have had another beer, and had some pretty good bonding conversation. So we wait...

About an hour later, lights flood the stage and a staff guy comes out and starts the usual intro for the band... but he keeps talking: "Due to a medical emergency, Vampire Weekend will not be able to perform tonight! There will be a follow-up concert so save your tickets stubs. Thank you for understanding!"

So we stumble out to the car in the dark and spend a half hour trying to get out of the parking lot. I'm surprised that no cars were overturned and set on fire! So we get home around 10:30; I'm beat and I've got a couple beers in me and I realize that life is pretty good! Had a great day with my daughter, had a totally off the wall evening with my son and I get home to my loving wife!

Then I get up at 5:30 on Monday to go to work!

[ElektroDragon]

Wow Bad Buddha, where do you hear about all these cool local events? I thought the only thing going on was the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, which I almost went to.

[MagGnome]

I hope to someday be 1/10 as cool as Bad Buddha. :)

[Bad Buddha]

Wow Bad Buddha, where do you hear about all these cool local events? I thought the only thing going on was the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, which I almost went to.

Well, the Mercy Corps ride was kind of a club scheduled run. However; the Headless Horsemen has very loose entry requirements. :) The club was started by local radio DJ Ichabod Caine (Ichabod Crane - Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Headless) as a benefit organization to promote the radio station. The station (KMPaSs) recently let go the entire air staff so we're out on our own now. Hide your daughters!

The Isle of Vashon rally is put on by the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts club of Seattle. The date is kept secret because when it was released to the public, hundreds of psycho sportbike riders descended on the island and ruined the day for everybody. Now you can find out the date if you join the club or know somebody ;) who is a member.

My son got the Vampire Weekend tickets from Ticketmaster. Dur!

I hope to someday be 1/10 as cool as Bad Buddha. :)
Go ride your bicycle all weekend long, don't get any sleep, have a big heavy breakfast and then nothing else to eat until 10pm, have a couple beers before going to sleep, get up at 5:30 and then when you finally collapse have several of your friends beat your extremities with baseball bats! That might approximate how cool I feel.

Good times! :D

[MagGnome]

Sounds like fun! :D