Note: My experience with Gran Turismo 5, is after implementation of patch 1.05 which was very significant.
Apparently, I am not supposed to enjoy, like or favour this title at all. Isn't this the car simulator I'm supposed to complain about?
I've found that gamers and reviewers are so focused on their "negative" aspects of the game. They don't like the menu system, which I didn't have a problem with and was a huge improvement over Gran Turismo V: Prologue. They dislike the load times which is understandable but again, I don't have a problem with them. Many of them don't even like the experience of the simulator because, well, it isn't a video game. Last time I checked the box cover, it does indicate that it is "The Real Driving Simulator". Even on the back of the cover, no where it states that it is a "video game".
Look, the Gran Turismo series is the Mona Lisa of race car experiences. If you want the MAD Magazine version, then go ahead and play Need For Speed or Burnout. Please, go right ahead. What I am saying, is that literally, Gran Turismo is digital art. It's an experience like no other. From presentation to the actual driving experience, it is art. You don't play it with full throttle, jammin' explosions. You drive in Gran Turismo. You take your time. You earn the right to drive "premium" cars. It will take time, patience and perseverance. Again, if that isn't your bag, than don't play the simulator.
Quick note: Again, I didn't mind the load times and I didn't even install the title. I sadly, don't have 8 gigs of storage to do so. Yes, the load times are a bit of wait. Yet, the simulator can be an intense driving experience, and the load times allow myself a bit of breathing room between each race.
Malick is a friggin' national treasure. A true living, cinema legend who makes film like no other.
Most films we goto the theatre are generally "six pack of beer" experiences featuring dazzling drunkin' delights, cocktail napkin scripts and cinematography my cat could capture in his litter box. Look, I enjoy my theatre fair like the next Old Spice wearing, Budweiser drinkin', and Maxim magazine reader, but every once and a while it's nice to stretch out. Terrance Malick flicks are those escapes.
You have probably heard of his recent epics like The Thin Red Line and The New World, two of my favourite films of all time. Now we have The Tree of Life, which still remains a mystery even after you watch the embed trailer bellow. If you are new to Malick or curious, I recommend watching a Blu-Ray or High Definition version of one of his flicks in the afternoon on a Sunday. Relax, grab a cup of coffee, wrap up in a blanket and prepare to be mesmerized.
Unlike Spike TV, IGN.COM had much more sence when it came to decide their PSP game of the year.
Not that I need a video game news media site to decide what is right and wrong for myself, I'm an adult. I'm a big boy and can decide on my own. However, I can respect differences of opinion and enjoy a good PlayStation community. IGN's PlayStation Beyond is possibly my most favourite and entertaining video game podcast I listen to. Plus, I have to send out huge props to Greg Miller and his endless pursuit of telling listeners how damn good the PSP is and how phenomenal a game Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is. IGN.COM has finally delivered the goods.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker has won the following PSP awards -
Best Story
Best Co-Op Game
Coolest Atmosphere
Most Addictive Game
Best Visuals
Most Bang For Your Buck
Best PSP Game of The Year
It scored seven out of nine awards. It cleaned house, much like Peter Jackson's Return of The King did years ago at the Oscars. The two it lost out to were "Funniest Game", which is understandable and "Best Competitive Multiplayer", which is also understandable since the game isn't online.
Congratulations to Peace Walker! Now for the love of Jesus, God, and Christmas, go pick up a PSP people!
SingStar is one of those great party games that is huge across the pond, but not in North America. As of lately, things are about to change.
The addition of being able to play guitar and to dance with the Move controller to certain songs, makes the game more robust and fun. If you are a fan or wanna get on with the excitement, I really recommend picking up the new SingStar Dance bundle and a PS Move set as well. Parties are fun with it my friends and it offers a different experience to Rock Band and Guitar Hero. I honestly prefer SingStar to the competition and it's not just because I'm a Sony fan boy, I just find it easily more accessible, interacting with the music videos is a blast, and you don't need plastic instruments taking up space in your living room. Plus, if you have the Move bundle, the game will record your performance and take photos during it.
In the past, living in North America and being a fan has been frustrating. Updates to the SingStar store were very tiny. You were lucky to get a handful of songs from time to time. As of today, the official PlayStation Blog has announced all of that has changed.
Starting Wednesday, November 15th, song updates to the European and North American SingStore will be universal. North American fans will now have access to the European store content, thanks to Universal Music, to a tune of 60 plus songs including a crap load of Lady Gaga and Bon Jovi. Hell yeah! Plus, more songs will feature dance support so you can get your groove on.
This is exciting news! I can't wait for Wednesday!
Spike Television's Video Game Awards 2010 happened last night to much excitement and anticipation, that is, if you even give a crap. The show was entertaining, I actually watched the entire event from start to finish.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta won best Handheld Portable Game of The Year. Fitting for a God. Yet, the competition included Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
Look, I love Ghost of Sparta. I love Kratos, but Peace Walker is awesomer. It's the game that keeps on giving. 60 hours into the game, I haven't completed all of the extra mission nor the "Monster Hunter" challenges. Heck, I haven't even unlocked everything. Plus, there is all of free downloadable goodies from Kojima Productions to enhance the game. The game gives and gives... and give some more. Plus, no offence Kratos, it's a better game than Ghost of Sparta.
This is gonna be a huge post, discussing not only the sick release of new Pac-Man games, but also the lack of communication Namco has with their fan base.
Mysterious Pac-Man Game Release #1 - See that arcade machine on the left, that brand new "Pac-Man's Arcade Party" cabinet is now out in bars, arcades, hotels, Chuck E. Cheeses and available for sale. I had no idea this arcade machine even existed. No word. Nothing even on the Namco Networks Blog, which BTW hasn't been updated since April 6th.
Mysterious Pac-Man Game Release #2 - Pac-Mania is a fun and interesting take on Pac-Man, which adds the ability to jump over ghosts in a 3D isometric mazes. It was released on the iPod Touch/iPhone on November 17th without mention on Namco Games. It's available for $1.99 and I'm sure it's a blast. Thanks Namco for the 411?!?!?!?
Mysterious Pac-Man Game Release #3 - Pac-Man Championship Edition DX is out now on the PlayStation Network and X-Box Live. It was barely mentioned on internet video game news sources before it's release, I stumbled upon it's existence literally days before it came out. Again, wouldn't it kill Namco to throw out something on their official homepage a month or two to get the fan base excited?
Mysterious Pac-Man Game Release #4 - Pac-Man Championship Edition for the PSP/PS3 is available in Europe as a MINI title. Somehow this completely dodged yesterday's North American PSN update. In fact, we haven't heard anything about this title since the summer of E3 2010. I don't even know if this game will come to North America and there hasn't been any word on it on the North American PSN Blog. Oh look! Here's a trailer...
Mysterious Pac-Man Game Release #5 - The Namco Museum Megamix was just released and is an updated version of the original Wii's Remix edition. It features a nice collection of arcade classics including Pac-Man and Pac-Mania and some new Wii crap. It was released with very little fanfare and I stumbled upon it at Wal-Mart for $18.99. Nice price! Once again, modern Namco Museum collections do not include the arcade game Ms. Pac-Man. Namco just hates the game for some reason and I don't know why?
The only game that was released with knowledge and a bit of hype, was the Wii release of Pac-Man Party. Which is out now.
Well there you have it, you can finally start your Pac-Man 30th Anniversary celebrations at the end of 2010! Now go get some Pac-Man games and have fun.
BTW Namco, could you please inform your fan community about what is going on with your beloved mascot?!?! You could easily do it at your own 30th Anniversary Pac-Man Website. I believe you, the reader, easily understands the situation here. A crap load of brand new Pac-Man content has just come out and no one, absolutely no one in the fan base knew about it.
