Thursday, December 3, 2009

Round 2: Controllers

Round 2: Controllers. Both companies did a good job in sticking with the console design by incorporating the looks into the controller. Both look good, but I have to put them up to the test to see which controller is better. Starting with Playstation 3 (Ps3).

The Playstation 3 controller is black slick plastic with all black buttons except for the little designs on the 4 buttons on the the right side of the controller. Its D-Pad is separated into 4 different sections which I found to be better and more easily controlled than the Xbox 360's D-Pad. It fits well to the hand and has a night rubber texture over the analog sticks. The right 4 buttons press flush into their spots and so does ever other button including the two analog sticks. It has no battery back and no bulging spot on the back, therefor you have to charge the wireless controller. The controller does not have an built in places for mics and does not include one either, but you can buy a keyboard expansion for the top of it.


Now to the Xbox 360 controller.

The Xbox 360 controller has a white rough texture (just like the console) with same basic button layout as the Ps3. The controller analog sticks are slightly different on the Xbox 360 though; the left stick is where the D-Pad is on the Ps3 (high up on the controller) and the D-pad is lower and the controller. It had multi colored buttons on the right side of controller, grey D-pad and analog sticks, and a chrome and green LED Xbox 360 logo display in the middle. The analog sticks are covered in a thin layer of rubber to provide more friction. It has a battery pack on the back which can either be used to put in batteries or a rechargeable battery pack (both the same size). The cord to charge the controller is inserted into the gray slot on the top of the controller (just like the Ps3's).


Now that I'm done writing about Round 2: Controllers, I will pick the winner.


After long thought and hundreds of hours with both controllers the winner is... Xbox 360


The reason I picked the Xbox 360 controller is because it is more durable, it is slightly heavier and more realistic feeling, its buttons click down not mash (by that I mean they either are down or they are up, while Ps3 you can hold down in the middle), and it just looks better period in my opinion. One last thing before I go into my big rant is that the Ps3 controller is too small and seems designed for a kid. ---The main reason it wins is because of the Ps3's stupid flaw. They triggers on the back and the analog sticks on the front have convex surfaces. Convex simply means it bends OUTWARDS as opposed to inwards, which is more natural. This means that every time you press the triggers or make swift flicks across the analog sticks, you fingers slip off. This is most annoying in racing games, shooting games, and other games that require you to hold down the trigger for long amounts of time. The Xbox 360 controller is all concave which means it "caves in." By doing so your fingers fit snug into both the analog sticks and the triggers without any slip whatsoever.

I had to give the Xbox 360 this one, and it totally deserved it, thus giving the Xbox 360 one more point to the scoreboard.


Xbox 360: 2/10
Playstation 3: 0/10



Saturday, November 28, 2009

Round 1: Design and Looks

On each post I'm going to start with the *BLACK* Playstation 3 and then go on to the Xbox 360. (The Playstation 3 above is the white Playstation 3, same design as the black, but is is simply white).

The Ps3 has a sleek black design with a built in hard drive. It has "Playstation 3" printed on the top in a silver text color. Under the disk drive it has a Playstation logo as well as a Sony logo with an on/off button (touch activated) embedded under the disk drive. Underneath is a flat surface, on it located 4 USB ports. It is an off-set "football" shaped design on the sides and a rounded square bottom and top. So it can sit and not wobble back and forth the bottom is squared off.

Now to the Xbox 360.

The Xbox 360 has a rough "gritty" white texture on all sites but the two small ends are a medium colored gray. All the bottom and top sides (when laid horizontally) are flat, the small end on the end closer to the on/off button is concave and full of holes for ventilation, the end on the other side is flat but when you stick the hard-drive on it sticks out about a 1/2 inch out, and the back side is slightly rounded. It has a engraved white Xbox 360 logo on the two big sides. On the front side (where all the main buttons are located) it has a round concave button with green LED power button in the middle. Next to it is a chrome, sliding disk drive with a chrome button to open and close it; engraved on the drive is "Xbox 360". Under the disk drive is 2 memory card slots, a sleek black controller receiver, and a controller synchronizing button.

And the winner for looks is... Xbox 360

I had to give Xbox 360 this one. It looks alot better and does not have that super awkward and weird shape the Ps3 has. The sleek design on the Ps3 can be easily scratched and get purple fingerprints on it every single time you touch it. The buttons on it are less obvious and don't even look like buttons. The 360 is also smaller, more lightweight, and looks better when stood up vertically. The Xbox 360 mostly won because it has a nice, simple shape, and doesn't look like a flattened football.
Xbox 360: 1/10
Playstation 3: 0/10

To all you who are Ps3 fans, I already know that Ps3 is going to win most of the upcoming Rounds so be patient. Once again, I'm not biased and like both consoles equally. See you next time on Round 2: Controllers.

Playstation 3 Vs. Xbox 360 (ps3 v xbox360)

It's probably the most debated topic concerning video games. It's too controversial for just anyone to review in a single post.

It's Sony Playstation 3 versus Microsoft Xbox 360

This is simply the introduction to my new series on the drawing board. I'm going to make a non-biased review of each console on specific subjects I chose. I will be officially comparing the Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro console (white w/ hard drive) and the Sony Playstation 3 Black console "Fat". I own an Xbox 360 but have played the Playstation 3 just as much as my Xbox 360 at my friend's house. Both consoles are about $250 dollars so all that is left to compare is content.

The subjects I am to review are:
  1. Console Design and Look
  2. Controllers
  3. Hardware (add ons, durability, maneuverability, buttons located on console, cooling)
  4. Software (stores, avatars, main menus)
  5. Graphics
  6. Online gaming community
  7. Game selection
  8. And any other things I can think of while blogging.

Stay tuned on my channel to see my updates; I'm going to try to keep them short so you can read them in less time it would take you to earn enough money to buy both consoles. I hope you can get to enjoy each one and actually see which one is better for your gaming needs, so so long, and see you guys next time!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Lockerz Review and Guide (Kinda)

First thing to say, if you don't know what lockerz is, your are not the only one. Lockerz is an invite only referral type site. Pretty much, its a website where you can earn points (PTZ) by doing various things to earn prizes like Wiis, Playstation 3's, watches, games, and almost any other thing you want. This website is very new, but they have over 1,600,000 members. The website is to officially launch in early December, although it will probably not launch until January because of Christmas.
Now that you know the basic concept of it, i'll explain how to earn points (PTZ). First points you get are by playing a ptz catch game. You just move a little bar at the bottom of the screen to catch as many falling points as possible. On average a person gets between 32-42 ptz. To earn additional PTZ simply log in every day (2ptz) and answer the daily question (2ptz). Thats all you can earn per day at the moment, but later on (after the launch) they plan to let you watch videos and play games for extra points. Lastly (yes, thats a word), you can refer people to sign up for lockerz. When they sign up you get 2 ptz and after your refer 20 people you get something called Z-Lister. Z-List allows you to get DOUBLE points and also allows you to "purchase" your gifts before the regular members. Along with this you get a grey t-shirt with a blue lockerz logo on the front.

To give a general idea of how much a gift is, every game is 100ptz, wii's are 250ptz, xbox 360 elites and ps3's are 625ptz, and a pair of rayban wayfarers are 325ptz. Now I'll review over a few easy ways to earn ptz. First off just check in on Lockerz every day to answer the daily. The website DOES NOT give you points if you go to Lockerz.com and it automatically signs you in, therefor, you need to make sure every day you are on, log out and back in twice just to make sure you get your ptz. Referring people; we all want to become a z-lister. Easiest way is to make a youtube video online and advertise that you will give out invites for free. Also talk to all your friends and convince them to just try it out. I got around 16 invites just from asking my friends to join.

I don't really have much to compliment about because it was pretty much all explained above, but I do have a few things to rant on.

Although points are easily obtainable, they are rationed too much. 4ptz a day is not alot, especially when you have alot of time on your hands and wouldn't mind taking some surveys for a few ptz. Thats just a little rant, but here comes the big one all Lockerz members have in common. Lockerz is cheap; when they finally have a restock date (ONCE every month) they only buy like 300 of each item. Thats not near enough to supply 1.6million+ members. They know how much they need to buy, but they are too cheap to buy enough. They know if someone doesn't get what they wanted, they will just go, "ah well, I guess ill just save up some more for something better." Thing is, you never get anything better, you never get anything. Withing 15 seconds of each restock the shop is "fresh out" of EVERYTHING. They know it happens, but they are just too greedy it seems to do anything about it. Currently I have 358ptz, and plan on getting a nintendo wii to raffle off here. Yeah, thats right, if I get my wii i'm going to give it away on this site. The next restock date with be probably within the next week and I'm axiously waiting for the day. Sad thing is, I know im not going to get anything. That's all they need to do to make their site 110% better; to actually consider us and restock their stores.

After all, lockerz is a good site if your a lucky person. And, whatever I get on the next restock I'm giving to you guys, so be ready. If you want an invite, you have to have one to join, just leave a comment with your email. I really am not doing this to get me points, since after this restock im going to give my account away as well, but if you do want an invite just reply with your email. The site is www.lockerz.com/ if you want to join. Anyways, this is my third review post and last one i'm going to number ;P. Cya guys next time and keep checking in for give-aways and reviews. Peace!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Far Cry 2 User Critic's Review

Far Cry One's sequel was finally released in not only high hopes for an insane engine to run an insane environment, but also a good story line to follow. In Far Cry 2 you are playing as an American mercenary type character trying to stop two rivaling gangs in Africa into going into an all out war. Seems easy since neither has the right equipment to support themselves in a war, but that's were the "bad guy" comes in. The Jackal is a arms dealer supporting the war by providing each side with arms to fight. Obviously your objective is to hunt down and kill The Jackal.

As you venture the the harsh landscapes you slowly become more and more closer to the Jackal than you think. Each little mission you complete gives you a little more friends, therefor giving you a little more information on The Jackal. Now that you know the basic story line of the game I'll do my usual- say the good stuff first, then go on to rants.



OK, they definitely lived up the the hype on the environment (just look at the picture above!). It is the most amazing I have ever seen in a game. It has MASSIVE maps with extremely interactive landscapes which allow you to burn, climb, and any other thing you would like to the surrounding areas. Raining, shining, windy, foggy, day, or night almost every day in the game is different. You can sneak through the waving grass like an animal, or even fly a hang glider over a dense jungle valley like a bird. There are no limit in this game. One time I even managed to land a hang glider in the back of a truck and driver it back up to the top of the mountain, only to experience the rush I would never feel anywhere else. Oh yeah, I forgot to even tell about the vehicles. Whether you choose to travel via air (hang glider), water (a wide variety of big and powerful boats, and small and quick boats), or land which included a huge selection of heavy to small vehicles in all colors, you are bound to use all 3 when getting to your destination. The landscape is just beautiful which no flaws or glitches I can possibly think of. The realism of you falling of a ledge and breaking your ankle, then having to snap it back in place is just incredible, and you never, ever will have the feeling of being cooped up like in any other fps campaign. And I forgot to mention the animals that roam the landscape :o! They roam wild and are very interactive to what you do, you can sneak up very slow and quietly and not alert them, or you can just drive full speed and watch them scramble all over the place. They react well with the environment and you never see one in a random spot like on the top of a huge rock or anything. Towns are built well, and accordingly (such as on a river), and none are too much alike. One last thing is the map editor, it is beastly and allows you to create any map you can possibly imagine. Every part of the map in the actually game itself could be remade exactly with the map editor. This game has far better good than bad in it, but I'm afraid its time to head over to our rants.


Although the environment seems so easy to sneak around in, it isn't. I often sneak into towns with a mission of assassinating someone, going through the bushes in my Ghillie suit, staying at a low profile, just to find some passer-by sees me laying down under a stack of hay. Its impossible to sneak up on anything besides animals. Oh yeah, why in the world is everyone in Africa against you?!?! Every. single. person; you pass by shoots at you and chases you down. To go along with that, there are NO civilians, absolutely NONE; and to go along with that, there are only like 2 girls in the whole game. All you see the whole time are men chasing you around shooting at you, even if you put away your weapons and pass by slowly. Have you ever heard of a vehicle who's engine breaks down after getting hit by one bullet? Or jumping off a 3 foot ledge in a jeep and having your engine break down? No, you haven't, that shouldn't happen. It's often time faster to just walk around and not drive because every single person you pass shoots your car. Also the missions are just too repetitive. After about 35 hours of gameplay put into it, you will realize you've played that mission about 7 times already. And since the landscape is so big it takes about 10 minutes to cross the map, and often times you have to cross the map to get to your objective, the whole time getting shot at obviously. They also thought it would be clever to make your guy have malaria, I personally think it was just because they needed some other missions to add in because non stop you are needing to refill your malaria pills. Thing is, you never know how many you have with you. Last rant- the guns in the game are just simply weak, it takes sometimes a whole clip in a persons chest to kill, its ridiculous. Now that I'm officially done with rants, It's the little things in this game that pisses me off, but just pretend those things don't exist and enjoy the environment the game has to offer.

Campaign Overall Final Score: 8.6/10

This game is a game you should definitely consider if you are looking for a long story mode and intense graphics. If you don't have Xbox Live this is a must have for you, despite its few flaws and annoying concepts this is a great game for any FPS lover.

Now that I'm done reviewing the Campaign you expect me to review multiplayer, or xbox live mode. I've played a little but for the most part its just dull. Everyone snipes and it's really just not alot of fun, you never switch respond areas, so if someone gets in your base with a flame thrower your screwed. I'm not going to go any further mostly because I want this review to be a little shorter than the last.


Thanks for reading my second game review and and I hope you enjoy, come back for more and follow me to see the latest content I post. Thanks again!

Thoughts on the the Call of Duty. Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 User Critic Review on Multiplayer and Campaign

Ahhh. The long awaited Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This game was made once again by the same company that made the previous and was supposed to be a sequel to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

I woke up at 6:00 in the morning November 11 just to get this long await game. I didn't have Xbox Live at the time, so I immediately started the campaign. I suppose ill begin with the good points of the single play mission to begin with, and go into my longer rant section ;P.

Modern Warfare 2 I was happy and expecting (just like the rest of us) to have a nice, destructible, covert, optional path gameplay. It lived up to most of the expectation but not much farther than them. I think they used a nice range of vehicle, interactive cutseen, and stealth moments that we were expecting this great to game to have. I really liked the interactive cutseens in particular. It was cool to be able to bust down a door and enter a room in slow motion, and being able to get headshot after headshot on unsuspecting enemies. Whether you were chasing Maracov down via boat, plane, or land, they did a nice job of incorporating a nice variety of vehicular gameplay. None of the weapons seemed to be too much the same, neither did the destructible environment. The levels THEMSELVES flowed pretty well (not the whole campaign [I will later touch up on]) It was a relief to all gamers that were waiting for the snow mobile level that it actually worked well and didn't fail like most high publicized levels. None of the levels seemed too much alike but nor were they too different. It had well rounded enemies that actually did not act like idiots and jump out behind the same wall over and over until I finally killed them. Now that you are happy and about to Google search a site where you can purchase the site, do stop reading if you still want to feel that way. Next.... it's time to RANT!

As I was playing through the long, repetitive levels I realized I wasn't very convinced or blown away by any of the levels. Not only did it have NOTHING to do with the first game, but it really didn't have anything to do with itself. By that I mean the story line really made no sense. It was the same ole' run through big battle of men shooting aimlessly somehow knowing your hiding behind that crate gameplay. It was not outstanding by any means, and I can't even really say it was that good. They for some reason had to add a level where you run through an airport mowing down unarmed civilians (obviously have the option to skip the level); maybe even they felt the game needed a little umph. At the end you don't really feel attached to any of the other AI players, and unless you are way smarter than the rest of us, your scratching your head asking, "What in the world kind of sad ending is that?!" Some of the levels I saw on commercials weren't even a part of the game, and many of the other levels were just dumb, like holding a roof of a Burger Town (Burger King). Over all I give the sing player campaign a so-so score of... 6.8/10

Single Player Campaign: 6.8/10

Now it's time for the multiplayer talk-about.

I will once again start with the good stuff and continue on to my rants.

I thought you didn't have Xbox Live Will! Actually, I just got it like a week after Modern Warfare 2, just so I could play it. I was actually very surprised with how good it was, and how much it was like the company made multiplayer scenarios I'm sure you all already saw on either Google Videos or Youtube. There are a VERY wide variety of guns, gun attachments, perks, death streaks, and kill streaks. The guns to begin with are very different, and offer a arsenal of weapons to any time of player, whether you snipe or go close range. I would also like to say martyrdom is now a death streak and you must die 4 times in a row before you can use it. Thank you so much!!! You rarely ever encounter someone with it and really never have to deal with it at all. Every gun has between 6 and 14 attachments that can be placed on it. Perks are all pretty good and many of the times you have to sit and think about what perk you want. None of them are overpowered nor useless. Kill streaks are now customizable an you have kill streaks that range from 3 kills to the infamous 25 kill tactical nuke which ends the game and automatically makes you win (will refer back to it in rants...). Say you aren't a camper and like to run in and get the fast kills, maybe yo will set your kill streak to 3 4 and 5 kills, instead of a godly sniper which may chose 8 11 and 15. You can now join parties wit your friends too and be in every game and almost on the same team every time. While in free for all you can chat with others not in game and switch back and forth between. You have a customizable tag and unlock new titles and emblems almost every game, making everyone's unique. Now we are moving on to rants, but before we do there is one more think that is between a rant and positive feedback. It is that it runs and the same engine... for the 3rd time which means it will look and react all the same ways as the old games. It has no better graphics than CoD: 4 and CoD: 5, but never the less, its always had good graphics for its' time.

Now officially to Online Rants.

I really don't have much bad to say but to say the the maps are not very interesting or new. None are fantastic and in almost every level a single godly sniper can rule the map. If you played CoD: 5 (World at War) you know the level "Cliffside". Now, take away the grass and replace it with sand. Now, take away trees, bushes, and other crap and replace them with rocks. You got yourself a totally new level right? Wrong. The level "Afghan" is exactly that. Almost the same exact level, on the edge of a cliff and everything. Oh yes, back to the tactical nuke. Today I had the first tactical nuke called on my team. As the countdown continued to reach zero, everyone was freaking out and super excited. BOOM!, right? Wrong. The server crashed. The FPS was at like 3 per second, and the server couldn't take it any longer. The freaking server crashed. Yeh, on a console game a server crashed due to a tactical nuke someone worked his butt off to get. Too bad for him, 25 kills for nothing I guess. How could a server possibly crash due to a kill streak reward? That's ridiculous.

Although it has it's weak spots online is awesome and deserves a good score to go along with it. I give Online Multiplayer a 9.3/10

Online Multiplayer: 9.3/10

I'm not going to review Special Ops, simply because it sucks and would get like a 3/10. It's really hard and has NO creativity at all. One of the missions is to simple rack up a high kill count, another to kill everyone, another to plant a bomb, another to get the the extraction point. Been there done that, right? Right.

So after all Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a great game, and should be at the top of your Christmas List (that's if you have Xbox Live of course). Everyone should at least try it out, because its a must have for any Online First Person Shooter freak like me. Come back for more reviews and gameplay videos soon! Most likely I will also be raffling off either a website account with a free wii on it, or a level 100 Runescape account (if you know what that is). I should get a bunch of new games to review for Christmas this year, as well. So long and Happy Holiday!

Single Player Campaign: 6.8/10
Online Multiplayer: 9.3/10

Overall Score: 8.9/10

Later Guys and Gals! See you next time on Will's Blog.