Tuesday, December 31, 2013

End of the Year: 2013

The end of the year is closing in. It has been a great year, especially with the launch of the PS4, but more importantly my life has gotten a lot better. I am with the best girlfriend I could ever ask for and I am quite comfortable with my life. 2014 will be even better, especially with plans to include my girlfriend into my YouTube channel. Which will be fantastic! 

As far as gaming goes, this years E3 really was spectacular. With the launch of the new consoles, it has been really hard on my wallet but very good. Assassins Creed IV has been my favorite game of the year with Grand Theft Auto V as a close second. 

I hope the coming year brings great fortune to the PS4 with plenty of releases. That has been the most disappointing of this year, with the release of a great console I have barely gotten any GREAT games with it. This will definitely change in the future though which is fantastic. 

2013 also marked the year that I got back into MMORPGS. I have recently bought Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. If you want to play with me I am on Excalibur, Lutheus Palandrusk is the name. I am really excited for the game to come to PS4, as I am just having a tremendously fun time casually play the game. 

My biggest goal for the new year is to update my YouTube channel more frequently as well as the blog. I want to get a bigger presence on YouTube and gain a lot more followers. I have plans on how to reach out to more viewers instead of just Lets Plays.  Does anyone have any suggestions? 

CHRISTMAS UPDATE

So I figured I'll also update on what I received for Christmas. I got a new router, the Playstation 4 Camera, a charger station, and Knack. With the camera I plan on streaming more to twitch (www.twitch.tv/sinisterdragon). And when twitch starts to support archiving with the PS4, I can start doing reviews of video games. That should be a lot of fun. 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Long Overdue

This is long overdue, but for good reason. I have VERY busy with my PS4. I got it a day early and have not stopped playing it. But, enough with the excuses, I will detail my experience thus far with the new Playstation 4. 


I received my PS4 on Thursday which was definitely a pleasant surprise. I was Ready to get to play, I purchased Assassin's Creed 4, FIFA 14, Call of Duty: Ghosts, and Need for Speeed: Rivals. Needless to say I was stoked. 

That first day I spent about an hour and a half in each game getting the feel for it. I will have more detailed Reviews of each in the coming weeks. Here are some preliminary thoughts about those games plus DC Universe Online, ContrastResogunWarframe, and Blacklight: Retribution. These were free games, either free-to-play or PS+
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AC4 - GREAT GAME! Probably my favorite title of the series as of yet. The ship battles are glorious and everything about it seem so much smoother. The visuals are unparallelled, I feel like I am in the Caribbean. There are some free running bugs and I always hate running up the wrong building. Note: Already Beat. 



CoD - Unfortunately the story was convoluted and lackluster. I beat it very fast which was sad. The multiplayer on the other hand is definitely the best yet. The controller is so much suited for FPS titles now. It feels...fantastic to say the least.

FIFA 14 - JUST WOW. Animations, crowds, and physics feel so realistic. A huge step up for the series.

NFS: R - Best arcade racing game yet. It is Burnout Paradise mixed with Demon Souls. It is hard but a lot of fun. The cars look insanely good and the environments look even better. The power behind the PS4 is amazing

Resogun - It is Super Stardust on roids, it is made by the same people. A lot of fun just like Super Stardust HD.  FREE WITH PS+

Contrast - creepy puzzle game. Haven't played much. FREE WITH PS+

Warframe - Really cool dungeon crawler-esque game where you control a warframe (you can change your type) and shoot and kill and complete missions. Littered with micro transactions as it is a Free-2-play game. But I find it a lot of fun

DCUO - Really fun FREE MMORPG for the PS4. I play with my brother which is nice. You can create a superhero and there are tons of options. 

Blacklight - An Alpha build (Very buggy) FPS multiplayer game. Also F2P, doesn't have many micro transactions as of yet but unlike Warframe it is not pay to win. Which is nice. You can be really good without spending a single di0me in the game. 

OVERALL THOUGHTS OF THE SYSTEM





The system is so much better than the PS3. My favorite feature by far is the fact that we can play different games and we can talk to each other. You need to hook it up online man if not for that fact alone. I also love that I can buy a game while playing a game and that downloads never pause even when you play online. The standby mode is very nice where it downloads and installs updates to your games with it in a super-low-power state. 

The system is inconspicuous and yet so stylish. The subtle glowing line is a very nice touch. It just a marvelous piece of machinery. 

I experience no slow-down when I am doing a million and 1 things on the machine. It is incredible and it is only bound to get better which is awesome. 

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Weekly Gaming Update - Killing People with Jets

Here are my updates for this week in gaming. It has been a big week after all!

First off, I definitely fell for the hype of Pokemon. So much in fact, that I went out and purchased a new Crimson Red 3DS just so I can play Pokemon Y. It is my only game for the system and I am definitely proud of that fact. I love the game so much, much has changed since the old days and everything definitely for the better.

When I am not playing Pokemon, I have been diving into the universe of Grand Theft Auto V Online. The game had a terribly rocky start and I was rather disappointed, espcecially coming from such a studio such as Rockstar. But the wait was well worth it, now that things are relatively stable online, I can fully enjoy the game. I have taken a comrade with me online and I have experienced endless fun messing with other players and just overall jackassery online. Highlights include stealing fighter jets and blowing everyone up on the map that I can before crashing into a building....and then proceeding to kill someone with the remains of my jet. 

My PS+ membership is definitely paying off this month. I have been diving into Kingdoms of Amular ever since that was released on the PS+ for free. Shadow of the colossus is  free as well as Hotline Miami. Big name games are going up for grabs this month and this makes me very happy. Especially when I was thinking about picking up those titles just last week. Makes me really happy that I get to save some cash. PS+ was definitely worth the money to get all these games playable.

Just a quick Tech update, some big news came out today from Apple, and I am not talking about the new products....I could care less for that sort of things. The biggest news that I thought was, for a company that focuses on getting money from whichever way they can from the consumer...that they released OS X Mavericks for free to upgrade. Now that surprised me a lot. 

Other than that, not much to update on. I expect to live stream some Bastion or whatever else I want to play on PC this week. I will be live streaming and creating a lot more videos once I get my PS4...I am more of console player if I am going to be truthful. Though I do love my mouse and keyboard. 

Till Next Time, 
Stay Sinsiter

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Finally, Drakengard 3!

The first big PS2 game that I played growing up was Drakengard. It had absolutely everything that I ever wanted in a video game, Dragons and lots of fighting. Being able to control the dragon was a huge bonus. Plus, the story was amazing. What brought me to the game was the fact that you can obtain a ton of weapons and each weapon leveled up and evolved. It gave me a reason to look all over the map and perform challenges to be able to collect all the weapons. The games story was amazing, even including multiple endings and scenarios when you finished the game.
So here I am, browsing Twitter where I read as status that Drakengard 3 is coming to the west. This makes me unbelievably happy and I am definitely going to be picking up the title. The only disappointing thing about this, is that it is releasing in 2014 and on the PS3. This is where the streaming of PS3 games to the PS4 works well. Because I will probably end up doing that if the title is available on the service, as well as my internet can handle the service. If not, i will be looking forward to upgrading my internet service to accomadate the demands of next-gen consoles.
I only saw some brief pictures of the title and I am extremely excited about it. In fact I know little to NOTHING about it, but I am going to read up on it. My excitement is purely based on how much I loved Drakengard on PS2 and that's all I need to buy the game.
Image from VG24/7

Friday, September 20, 2013

Great News for the Vita

So the Playstation Vita has not been performing very well to be honest. Which is sad because it has the power and features to be a killer platform. The problem is that there is no software supporting the platform. Vita has been on a climb since it has become the Indie platform of choice lately with major releases such as Hotline Miami.

This is all about to change though, in TGS, Capcom announced that Monster Hunter Frontier G will be heading to the Vita. This is major news, with the return of the series back to Sony platforms, you will see the Vita sales sky rocket in Japan. Monster Hunter has to be one of the most popular series to hit Japan! I am more than excited about this news as Monster Hunter, for the PS2, was my all time favorite game.

Now the sad news, there is no plan for Western Release yet, I assume they are awaiting for the reception of the game. I am hoping that they do decide to bring thegame over here. Apparently, Monster Hunter G Frontier is an MMO of sorts set in the Monster Hunter universe, which definitely sounds appealing to me. Now, with the dual analog sticks of the Vita, Monster Hunter will finally feel like it is intended to on a handheld system!

Here is to hoping for a western release of this hallmark series.

What are your thoughts about the news of Monster Hunter coming to the Vita?

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

GTAV 1st Impressions

1st Impressions.

Driving is a lot easier than in GTAIV. Its not like Saints Row where you are magnetized to the ground though, there is a good mix between control and physics in the driving. So you shouldn't be driving all over the place like in GTAIV, but I still do because I can.

Shooting is really fun. They have an auto aim mechanic like GTAIV makes it a little easier but more fun. Of course you do not need to use that though so its all good.

The opening sequence is a lot of fun and introduces 2 of the main characters. The crazy guy and the ex-con. The thug is really fun to play. I find that all the characters have a lot of personality and you can relate with them better than you can with Niko. It actually feels like San Andreas because you can level each character individually by going to the gym, bike riding, etc...

So far the story is being driven quite smoothly, still haven't had all three characters meet up yet. One thing that is cool, is the switching between characters. It is totally seamless in the game play and is executed quite nicely. The only real time I had with it is the first mission and me switching to the pet dog.

The last thing that I am just completely floored about is the load times. There simply just isn't any, going from mission to mission doesn't require any loading...it just does it. Quite fantastic if you ask me, definitely a technological marvel for this current generation of games. It totally feels Next-gent, just doesn't quite look the part.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Razer Blackwidow - Impressions


I recently purchased the Razer Blackwidow for work. This is the Mac edition of the keyboard, though I am using it on Windows. I purchased this version for 2 reasons, 1) I didn’t want the backlighting at work 2) It was $47 compared to $99 at the time of purchase.



 First things is first, I am coming from a membrane keyboard to my first mechanical keyboard. I just want to say how awesome the keyboard feels when typing. The Blackwidow utilizes Cherry MX Blue switches, which means it gives you both audible and tactile feedback when you type on the keyboard. The force used to press down a key is not much at all which makes typing on the keyboard easy and less stressful on the hands.

 The purpose for me purchasing the keyboard was to relieve some stress on my hands as well as having some sort of feedback when I am programming. Also the macro keys help a lot with launching programs that I use a lot. So I am definitely thankful for this.

 The build quality of the keyboard is simply fantastic. It definitely has some weight to the board itself and there is little to know wiggle of the keys. I must admit when I first got the keyboard, the ‘H’ key was getting stuck on the downpress, but after using the ‘H’ key for about 15 seconds it stopped getting stuck, I believe there was something stuck within the mechanical part that was causing the problem. Since then, no keys have been giving me problem.


 The keyboard is stealth black with a simple blue illuminated Razer logo on the bottom. This keyboard is perfect if you do not want a flashy keyboard. The noise on keypress is not even mildly annoying, as I was afraid of this. When you get used to the keyboard you can type without bottoming out the key which greatly reduces the noise the keyboard produces.

 I have noticed when programming, that I can type faster and a lot more accurate with my key presses. What I like is that I know when I miss a key audibly or when I accidentally hit two keys at once. All in all this is one nice feeling keyboard. I plan on picking up an Ultimate Edition for my gaming pc at home just because I like how much this feels. It seriously is a joy to use.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Quick Review: Tomb Raider

Years ago when I first got my Playstation, one of my first games that I received was Tomb Raider. I do not know what captivated me into the playing the game non-stop till I beat it, but I did. From the wolves to the T-Rex the game had everything.

So now here I am, the year 2013, and Tom Raider returns. This time Lara Croft is re-imagined. She is an inexperienced explorer who just recently graduated from College. For her first adventure she is traveling
into the Dragons Triangle, just outside of Japan. Lara Croft, unlike her past titles, is not acting out of personal gain but out of desperation and pure survival.

I'm going to be honest here, I can not remember a single story from past Tomb Raider games. But alas, the story for this years Tomb Raider will be one I will remember. The story will drive you into the game and keep you wanting more. One can easily spend hours playing and easily get lost in this enthralling story-driven game.

Lara Croft, a fledgling archaeologist, is determined to find the lost  Kingdom of Yamatai. Her determination leads the crew that she is part of to venture into the Dragons Triangle. After a mysterious Lightning strike causes the ship to split and eventually sink. Back on Land, Lara Croft is kidnapped, which begins her story on the island full of rituals and sadistic inhabitants.
The question remains throughout the game, how will they escape this mysterious, dangerous, and yet beautiful island?

The core mechanics of Lara Croft still exists in Tomb Raider, find treasures and kill anyone that is found in your way. But yet the game expands on this simple formula and creates a dynamic and exciting experience. Tomb Raider introduces an automatic cover system into the game, which proves very valuable as the game is no cake walk.

A major part of any Tomb Raider game is exploration and traveling through the beautiful landscapes.  Throughout the game you can find secret tombs to explore and puzzles to solve. The classic Tomb Raider
is back and better than ever. New elements of puzzle design is introduced throughout the title making each puzzle refreshing. 

Getting new tools such as a rope arrow just adds to your arsenal of ways to solve and traverse the landscape. One might find similarities between Tomb Raider and Uncharted, but rest assure the original Queen of action adventure games is back.

One thing to take notice in the game is the beautiful soundtrack. The soundtrack creates an atmosphere that without, the game would not have produced the same experience. This is also complimented by the incredible visuals  of the game. In one word, Tomb Raider is simply magnificent. Multiple times through play-through one might find themselves just starring into the distance appreciating the graphics and set pieces.
One of my biggest complaints about the game is the secret tombs in fact. I did not find myself feeling rewarded after completing the tombs. When you reach the end of the tomb you are only rewarded some generic salvage (to upgrade weapons) and sometimes weapon parts.  I would have liked more elaborate puzzles to complete and a better sense of accomplishment, but needless to say when you are completing the puzzles Lara Croft feels like she is more in her element. You will however be finding Lara Croft running and gunning more towards the end rather than exploring.

As I mentioned, you can find salvage from secret tombs as well as crates throughout the island and looting corpses. Salvage is used to upgrade your weapons, improve accuracy, damage, etc. This is a welcomed addition to the series, though it is not necessary to upgrade the weapons
to complete the game.  

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the game. In fact, I found myself playing the game 6 hours at a time and enjoying every second. Not many games that have come out recently has accomplished this, and I thank the Crystal Dynamics team in creating a Tomb Raider game that surpasses the experiences of past. This is a must BUY game.