Sites We Like

RealUltimatePower

Poop Report

Fat Chicks in Party Hats

Xbox-Scene

TechLore

NEWS 468 - 40 Comments
From: Ross Entered on: November 16, 2007 1:52 PM
I'm very excited!  But with so much to play (I even got my hands on Crysis) lately, I'm going to wait for it to arrive in my rental queue from GameFly.  I figure it's a perfect rental even if it's the best game ever: after playing it through, you're unlikely to ever play it again.
From: NickNick Entered on: November 16, 2007 2:12 PM
The qeustion, my dear Josh, is if you can accomplish some fruking while playing Mass Effect.  Do this grasshopper and you will truly be a master.
From: Jackzilla Entered on: November 16, 2007 2:47 PM
I got my new OXM (Xbox Mag) and Mass Effect garnered a 10. I'm more excited however for ROCK BAND (which garnered a 9.5 vs. the 8 that Guitar Hero III got -- yes, that's for you Rad).  It's supposed to be the best 4-player co-op ever.  So who's joining my band?  I gotta come up with a name (I used ZILLADETH for GH3) and logo.  There's lots of barbie-ing action (hear that Rad?).  It also comes out Tuesday and the plan is to pick it up at Meijer at midnight as I've heard there will be a limited number of these puppies this holiday season. Too many great games and not nearly enough time to play.
From: Radmobile Entered on: November 16, 2007 3:02 PM
There will be no fruking during this game (although some articles I've read have mentioned love interests in the game that may culminate in times).  It deserves my full attention.  As for renting vs buying...I'll be buying.  I've played through Kotor and Jade Empire (another Bioware game) a couple times each.  The best thing about them is to play through once as good and once as evil.  If you really want to get carried away you can play through as different classes each time.  You can be male one time, female the next and it'll have different options that affect the storylines.  I tend to get more carried away than most with this type of game though.  We'll see how much time will allow for me on this one.   I've seen some screenshots of Crysis though.  Graphics look phenomenal on that one.  I haven't heard much about it though. Oh, and I won't have time to join the band Jack. I'll be too busy saving the universe.
From: NickNick Entered on: November 16, 2007 3:17 PM
Josh. You're not going to have all this time for gaming anymore. You got a lady to take care of. Maybe you should just sell your 360 and take up foot rubs as a hobby.
From: Bunky Entered on: November 16, 2007 5:13 PM
I am in for Rock Band! I pre-ordered my bundle and pick it up Tuesday! Edge has purchased a bundle as well.  I didn't even buy Guitar Hero III because I am so excited about Rock Band!! The barbie features are pretty sweet! You can customize almost every feature down to height and weight! There is a limited amount of bundles available, and the offical website is already sold-out! Have fun saving the universe in between fruking Rad, we'll miss you!!!
From: Ross Entered on: November 17, 2007 12:28 PM
How about this one, starring Jack Black?
From: Ross Entered on: November 18, 2007 5:23 PM
So I'm highly tempted by this sale at Best Buy.  How sweet is this?  The overall price is what you can find this TV for, but they're throwing in a $500 PS3 to boot!  I've been thinking of getting a new TV (I have a 42" 1080i set right now) and 46" is a bit smaller than I was planning on when I upgraded, but from what I've heard, these Sony Bravias have some of the best pictures around.     SONY® 46" 1080p LCD HDTV + PS3 80GB System with MotorStorm game + Home Theater Installation (Reg. $2899.98) $1999.98 FOR ALL   Package*, After Total Savings thru Nov 24 only SUN – WED ONLY. $900 TOTAL SAVINGS* ON THIS HD GAMING PACKAGE. BONUS 5 FREE BLU-RAY DISC™ MOVIES BY MAIL, WHEN YOU BUY THIS PS3** (KDL46V2500)/(98004) 8179455/8463129/
From: Ross Entered on: November 19, 2007 1:34 PM
Scratch what I said before.  I'm now seriously considering this Sharp Aquos 52" LCD.  If I get it from Amazon it's more than $1k cheaper than if I got it at Best Buy (factoring in tax).
From: BigFatty Entered on: November 19, 2007 3:10 PM
Funny, I just read an article on how HDTVs are getting super affordable with prices dropping drastically this holiday season... http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/61/hdtv-for-any-budget Zilla.... I think you are due for an upgrade, less you will have HD envy!
From: Jackzilla Entered on: November 19, 2007 3:33 PM
Fats - You gotta keep up!  The ZAGNUT was upgraded this summer! No HDTV envy here!  My 1080p 52" is so sweet I can hardly stand it!
From: Ross Entered on: November 19, 2007 3:40 PM
So what kind of TV is your 52", Zills?  I'm still in research mode, here.
From: Jackzilla Entered on: November 19, 2007 3:45 PM
It's a 52" Mitsubishi but I can't recall the model (I'm at the store). I noticed the sale at Best Buy too, but really:  Who wants a PS3?  I don't have time for all the sweet AAA titles on 360!
From: BigFatty Entered on: November 19, 2007 4:41 PM
My bad Zills! I knew you got a new HD for the ZAGNUT VIP, but I did not realize it was that large. I was thinking more for the upstairs, but most stuff you watch on that TV is lower quality DL.... that is wasted on a HD! I am watching a 20-year old, 27 inch Universum..... Umm thats a Brand. I think it is Ukrianian. For what it is, it is not too bad. I am looking forward to the day when I get back to the states so I can buy a real TV. I could buy one here for about $1,000. But why?
From: Radmobile Entered on: November 20, 2007 12:12 PM
Well, I just picked up the game on my lunch break.  Now I just have to get through the afternoon at work.  Rest easy though.  The universe is in good hands.  I'm gonna party like it's 2199.   or something
From: Ross Entered on: November 20, 2007 4:13 PM
Well, I ended up ordering the 52" Sharp LCD.  Heather and I wanted to check it out at Best Buy to see it in person before ordering online.   When we got there, the TV was on display, but turned off.  It was high up on the wall so I couldn't turn it on myself.  As I was looking for someone to help me with this, a customer and a Best Buy employee came over - the customer was interested in the same TV, but was about to start haggling for the price.  The employee took the price tag off the TV and went in the back to "see what he could do."  So I started talking to the customer - he apparently already had one of these TVs but it broke during a move.  He couldn't say enough great things about it, he thought it was the best TV on earth, bar none - he was a true zealot.  Nonetheless, I wanted to see it in action, so when another employee meandered by, I asked him to turn it on.  He had someone else do it, but then engaged both us prospective customers, giving us his pitch (all I could think of were scenes from NBC's Chuck during this silliness).  He really didn't want to sell us this TV.  He was saying ludicrous things like how Plasmas have a "far better picture" than LCDs and we'd be better off.  After a while he went away to fetch the price tag that employee #1 had taken, and I talked with the customer again, wondering aloud why he was trying to sell us anything but this TV - it's not as though this one was inexpensive, after all.  The customer thought it was because this TV was so good, it sells itself and they have no trouble moving it, whereas they are probably over-inventoried on other competing models.  Interesting hypothesis.  Anyway, someone got the TV turned on and it was clear to me that they had either messed with the picture or just let entropy do its work because the picture looked too bright, to the point of being washed-out, compared to the others nearby.  I know this is BS because the reviews for this TV talk about how good its black levels are compared to practically every other TV in existence, but they weren't as good as any of its neighbors.  So I dunno what kind of dirty pool they're playing over there, but I'm glad I'm smart enough to a) not listen to Best Buy salesmen and b) not buy big ticket items from them. Anyway, the other customer did end up talking them down to $2600, and bought it.  So after taxes, that's like $2860, which is almost exactly $600 more than I paid when I ordered it from Amazon (through Electronics Expo) online.  I guess if he was having a big Thanksgiving party this week, it might be worth something to have the TV right now, but not to me.
From: NickNick Entered on: November 21, 2007 8:07 AM
I'm just going to wait until they come out 360 degree VR helmets that interact with other helmets in the room and allow you to fall into and interact with the show before I update my TV.  These HD tv's are going to be a thing of the past in like 20 years.... sheesh. I w
From: Ross Entered on: November 22, 2007 7:59 AM
So Rad, I see you got Mass Effect - how is it??
From: Radmobile Entered on: November 23, 2007 1:21 AM
It's pretty fun. There's a ton of space exploration involved. The combat can be extremely difficult at times though. Save often is a lesson I've learned. It certainly lives up to my expectations though. I won't be getting back to Half-Life 2 Episode 2 for some time now. Oh well. This'll give Jack some time to catch up. I see he's been going through that game finally.
From: Creeko Entered on: November 24, 2007 4:34 PM
I'm about a week away from becoming a negligent father and absentee husband. I'm getting a xbox 360 for a (early) X-mas present. I already bought a Halo 3 with wireless controller promo pack bundle for 70€ (the game by itself costs 65€) I'm getting a Forza 2/Viva Piñata promo pack with HDMI and 20gig HD that's gonna cost me the equivalent of $280. We'll see how long it takes me to get on Live. A soon as I can launder enough money, my game wish list in order of preference is: 1. Bio Shock 2. Gears 3. CoD 4 4. If I have any time or money left, I'll add The Orange Box to the list (maybe I'll wait till I can find a used copy)
From: Ross Entered on: November 25, 2007 7:24 AM
That's a pretty good list - you have the top 5 games for the 360 on there, IMO (minus the Forza promo stuff).  One thing I'd possibly tweak: if you're not sure when you're getting on Live, I'd put The Orange Box above COD4 and Gears - for a single player experience, to me, only Bioshock beats it.
From: Jackzilla Entered on: November 25, 2007 8:10 AM
Congrats Creeko!  Now we just gotta get you on Live and get The Bone to come aboard too!  There's lots of older (thus dirt cheap), sweet 360 games to look into too:  Burnout, Condemned, Rainbow Six Vegas, Saint's Row, Fight Night 3 ...    We had a riot with ROCK BAND last night!  We had Ang & I, Rad & Ann, Melissa, NickNick, Joe "Boom Boom" Bem and little Jack: all taking turns on Guitar, Bass, Drums and Mic.  The hesitant Rad -- who was looking forward to Guitar Hero III but NOT Rock Band -- was even won over by the sweet drumming style and endless Barbie possibilities.  Everyone had times except JohnnyBells (who has no use for such nonsense and retired early to the bunk bed). Between Rock Band and The Orange Box (Bells & I are playing through Half-Life 2), I don't even have time for Halo 3 and Gears (which I love!). Last night I bought a Halo Edition 360 at Meijer (at 30% + 10% off discounts!).  Not sure what I'm gonna do with it, but if they wanna practically give 'em away I'm there.  I already have 3 360's, so something's gotta go!
From: Ross Entered on: November 25, 2007 8:14 AM
Why don't you try your hand at modding one?
From: Jackzilla Entered on: November 25, 2007 9:57 AM
Edge had a modded one but ended up selling it.  You couldn't play on Live with it.  And you have to burn discs (I don't think they've figured out a way to add a large hdd and store games there).  And I have no time these days for that between work, Anna and such.  Maybe when Fatty moves back we'll combine our efforts and ruin a machine. What about you, Bert?  You were the first to mod the old xbox!
From: Ross Entered on: November 25, 2007 10:12 AM
I know, but I did it under different circumstances as well:  when I did it, I didn't use my xbox at all, and I had nothing to lose by fucking it up.  Now, I love my xbox and if it got fucked up, I'd be royalled peeved.  But you're right, the fact you can't play on Live kind of ruins it - even single player games are better on Live because at least you can get achievements. If I could turn a 360 into a 1080p upconverting DVD/Xvid/MKV player and retire the Rosstation (my home theater PC), I'd consider it.  I don't know if that is truly possible yet, though.
From: BigFatty Entered on: November 25, 2007 12:10 PM
Speaking of Mass Effects... this video should have some Mass Effects of its own! Ok, I was too lazy to do a new thread. This is an older video and I have been meaning to post it for some time. It is my new favorite music video but with a crappy song. It is easily a top 10 favorite of all time. http://www.vuze.com/details/L4TM6PO2M726WKD772YKOEO66A2USDKQ.html
From: BigFatty Entered on: November 25, 2007 12:12 PM
Yes, it is a Robet Palmer rip-off.... but who is complaining!
From: Jackzilla Entered on: November 25, 2007 10:08 PM
Bert - I don't think I've noticed any comment from you regarding Rock Band or the Guitar Heros... have you ever played them?  We just played Rock Band more tonight:  Natron, Ang, Melissa... it's great fun!  You'll never feel so dorky and sweet at the same time as when you're playing fake guitar or drums!
From: Radmobile Entered on: November 26, 2007 7:42 AM
So did Johnny wake up in the middle of the night on the bunk bed?  I recall leaving him there when we got done Saturday night.   I have been pretty much won over by rock band.  The drums were decidedly sweeter than I envisioned.  Especially when you get to do little solos.
From: Ross Entered on: November 26, 2007 7:47 AM
Believe it or not, I've never so much as picked up a guitar controller before.  I've always kind of wanted to try it but never got the chance to.  And I wasn't about to shell out for a game that I wasn't sure I'd like.  I've always thought that I might be able to get Heather to play them, though.
From: Jackzilla Entered on: November 26, 2007 9:44 AM
Rad - Bells stumbled up to me in the computer room -- the whole house was dark -- just before I went to bed.  "Everybody's gone?  My family left me?" were his remarks before going to the door. Bert - I think you'd like the guitar games and I bet Heather might like them too.  They offer gameplay with a wide skill range and are great party games.  1-2 players can play GH, while RB offers 4 player co-op!  Melissa and Ang have moved up to Medium after mastering Easy.  I'd recommend it.  You can even play to Pearl Jam! Natron was over and showed me Mass Effect:  Pretty cool looking, but it's definitely not my brand.  Too much talk, not enough rock!  You RPG folks will go nuts though. Rad - Natron was over last night and we played a lot of Rock Band.  We now have to play a minimum of Medium across the board to get more fans.  We had enough to play a stadium once, sucked it big, got crap thrown at us, and we lost 11,000 fans or so.  Drums on Medium is kicking my ass, but I'm trying!  We gotta win the fans back!  We even played Boston (a 10 min song by the group, not the city!)!  Sweet game!
From: Radmobile Entered on: November 26, 2007 10:33 AM
I'm not sure I'd want to be there for the 10 minute Boston brand. That Aerosmith song was good times though.
From: NickNick Entered on: November 26, 2007 11:16 AM
I was OK with Rock Band.  The hardest part is the singing (to get yourself to do).  It's hard to bring out my tender side and sing in front all the people that I usually try to kill so that I can hump their corpes.  Or should I say dead corpses. I tried the drums and I definitely suck big donkey dick on them.  It made it even harder when I found that all the ladies upstairs could hear my howling.  The ever popular "dont' quit your day job" even came up.  It was fun.  I like the barbie style as well. Motherfuckers.
From: Ross Entered on: November 26, 2007 12:26 PM
NickNick said: Or should I say dead corpses. Nope, I think "dead corpses" is redundant.
From: BigFatty Entered on: November 26, 2007 12:50 PM
He'd be Gollum creepy (and sweet) if he said 'dead corpseses'....  'I like to eat the dead corpseses of those nasty Hobitses' Dude!  You got Harrumphed!!!!
From: Radmobile Entered on: November 26, 2007 12:55 PM
Well, that was just to clarify there wasn't zombie frukin' going on.
From: NickNick Entered on: November 26, 2007 3:48 PM
I love getting harrumphed. Especially when the harrumpher can take out their teeth.
From: BigFatty Entered on: November 28, 2007 2:19 PM
Ross - Whats the deal????  You go paintballing and it does not rate a JA post?  WTF!!!  I am calling you out!  All you mother-flippers are preoccupied with 360s!!!  I just know it.  The posts are lackluster these days at best.... is it fatherhood???  Doubt it, it must be all the gaming goodness than I am missing out on. So details!  I've never been paintballing.  Does it hurt like hell like everyone says?  Was that girl a hottie-bo-fottie?  Is she from the office, or a 'guest' of a colleague.  Where there any office-like moments?
From: Ross Entered on: November 28, 2007 2:38 PM
Yeah, I went with a bunch of coworkers... I have to say, all my FPS playing online actually helped me quite a bit in terms of tactics.  Knowing the basics of providing cover and knowing how many people it takes to pull off various maneuvers ensured that had a positive kill/death ratio.  And no, it only really hurts if you get shot at really close range.  I only had one bruise, it was from a really close shot but  stopped stinging after a minute or two.  What hurt most was during our last round, my goggles were all fogged up (a constant problem) and I was nearly out of paint, and pinned down in a makeshift hut... I popped my head out for a sec and took a paintball square in the mouth.  My mask bore the brunt of it, but there are pretty big breathing slats, so it still slapped me really hard on the lips, and paint got all over my face.  It was a fitting end to the fight for me.
From: NickNick Entered on: November 28, 2007 3:12 PM
I absolutely love paintball. Just not very good at it.