Halo 3: Back at it!

So I haven't had much time lately due to class, homework, studying and real work but I did want to check in. Mainly to discuss Halo 3 again, after my initial night of frustration I really enjoyed Bungie's V-Day Massacre weekend. Saturday I actually had some good teammates and got to play a bunch of games with them. I'd go as far as to say I'm getting re-addicted, we'll see how long that last when I log in tonight and get destroyed in Lone Wolves but I'm going to give ranking up to 30 another shot. This also also postponed my review of Fear 2 that is still sitting in its Gamefly case on the shelf.

Hopefully after the weekend I'll have more on both topics!

Blockbuster Set To Rent Games Online

Coming soon to subscribers of Blockbuster Video's Total Access service are video game rentals. On Wednesday the company announced it would be adding gaming titles alongside movies to its movies-by-mail monthly service as part of a pilot program.

An alternative to GameFly? I think sooooo!

Easy Gamerscore Points!

So recently, I don't have as much time to put into games so I decided to try and rack up some gamerscore that was quick and easy points. After some research I've found a decent list of easy gamerscore games, and since I have gamefly it makes getting them fairly simple. I just have to rent the games! I completed one for and easy 1000gs already. Check out my list below:


NHL 2K6
NBA 2k6
College Hoops 2k6
Lego Star Wars II
NBA Street Homecourt
TMNT
LEGO Batman
Madden NFL 09
Madden NFL 06
NBA Live 06
King Kong
Avatar: The Burning Earth - 1000gs - Completed this one in 20 minutes!

Have any to add, let me know!

Halo 3 Recon Armor!

For those of you who haven't checked Bungie's web site lately. Here's to next weekend!

Those of you that played Halo last year may recall the V-Day play list. Ranked Doubles with a twist: We'll be giving Recon to people that meet certain criteria. What criteria is that? Well, we're not going to say. I'll give you a hint, though: It's a doubles playlist. For couples. Pairs. Twos. Something to do with the number two

So who's playing doubles with me next weekend?

Update to this... another way to win the armor:

Halo 3’s extra special Spartan Recon multiplayer armor will finally be available to any player willing to crank out some Achievement points in both Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST. The latest issue of Game Informer spells out the process involved. First you'll need to complete the four Vidmaster Challenge Achievements included in the last update. After that, you'll have to complete the three additional Vidmaster Achievements in ODST

Windows 7 Beta

This week I haven't had much video game time so I figured I'd switch it up a little. I did however get the chance to download the Windows 7 Beta from Microsoft and get using it a little. I have to say, I'm fairly impressed. Much of the operating system appears to be just like Vista, BUT the system runs much faster. After some quick benchmarking it's equivalent(faster in some areas) to XP on the same hardware. For a beta it has also run exceptionally well with very few bugs or clitches. Now, this is just a beta so I'm sure there aren't huge differences from the latest release of Vista but I'm definitely excited for a release candidate. It's sure looking like Vista was Microsoft's latest Windows 98 ME!

Another one gone...

So, another weekend down the tubes, it was good but never long enough. Even with the super bowl (boooo steelers!) and some other stuff going on I had a chance to get in some quality gaming. The game I played this weekend is surprisingly entertaining and great to play with the family, Lego Indiana Jones! We actually ended up purchasing this one (with the keep it option from GameFly). The game is fun and makes you think to solve some problems, there are lots of different characters to play with and simple enough my 9 year old can play. It did have some glitches but this is to be expected for the cost of the game, but not enough to keep us from playing. Overall I would give it an 8 out of 10. You say "whats next?", well lets see how long and what GameFly ships me.... If you remember I am still evaluating so stay tuned.

Short and sweet for Monday morning, its back to work!!

Operation Anchorage

If you can't tell already, Fallout 3 has been one of my favorite games lately and Operation Anchorage is the latest addition. After reading about it and hearing poor reviews about it yesterday after the release I really wasn't too excited to get playing it last night. However, after about an hour and a half of playing time I am only about a quarter of the way through it and am having a great time. So here you talking about a 5 hour add-on if my playing time continues like it is. Now I'm sure you can breeze through it in 2-3 hours but what fun is that? I've been taking my time, exploring everywhere and enjoying the sick arctic graphics. Game play has changed a little, for instance, there is no scavenging your kills for ammo and armor. Since this is supposed to be a simulation anything you kill sort of "vaporizes". Places to refuel health and ammo are located all around so its not really a concern... but you say "What about all the goodies?" Apparently, when you complete Operation Anchorage you get access to all the armors and guns at the US Armory. For someone at a high level, 15 or higher, game play is fairly easy and just entertaining... after all, isn't that the idea?

Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage

In one of the most anticipated pieces of downloadable content (DLC) ever created, Bethesda has released "Operation Anchorage" for Fallout 3 exclusively to the Xbox Live Marketplace (360 and PC); the multi-hour add-on comes at a bargain price of 800 MS points or $10. Stay tuned to PlanetXbox360.com later this week for a full "To Buy or Not Buy" review of the "Operation Anchorage" DLC, if you can't wait til then to find out if it's worth the price of admission go ahead and logon to Xbox Live right now, it's available for download.

Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage takes place in the post-apocalyptic setting of Alaska, which, in the game's lore prior to the nuclear armageddon, had been invaded and occupied by communist China. In a Gamespy interview with Jeff Gardiner, DLC producer for Bethsoft, it was revealed that the expansion should take between 4 and 6 hours to complete and will consist of a mostly linear story, however will allow for free exploration by players similar to the original campaign.

Excited? I am....

Back to work...

So its back to work this morning but I had a good chance to get in some quality gaming this weekend. It started out with some Team Fortress 2 and Fusion Frenzy 2, mainly because I felt it necessary to get in some gamerscore whoring. However, recently it all comes back to Fallout 3.

On paper I've completed this game, I finished all the main quests and have 1000gs but it still has me addicted. Once you reach level 20 you have an option to choose a perk that displays all locations on the map, which I did! Now I find myself wandering to each location I didn't discover and wow, there's still so much more. I do have to mention 2 glitches that are bugging the heck out of me.

One, the Oasis quest, Tree minder birch is no where to be found out side the gate. So with my level 20 I can not complete this quest, I had to load a previous save to complete it. So its fine I finished the quest, but now I don't have the rewards from the quest to use with my main character. Second, the Tempeny Tower Quest, I had to do the same and complete it with a previous save because Gustavo is no where to be found with my main character. I did get the quest from Roy, but I can not complete it because I still can not find Gustavo. These are minor but still annoying because I want the quest rewards for my level 20 save!

Now, onto what's coming up in Fallout 3. Operation Anchorage is available tomorrow for download, the first DLC for Fallout 3. I was super excited because I love the game and I wanted additional content, but after reading I'm not too sure how I'll like it. From the description on Bethsoft's web site it mentions that this DLC is a simulation, just like the Tranquility Lane quest from the main Fallout 3 storyline. This may have been my least favorite part of the whole game and apparently even though you can bring gear back from Operation Anchorage to use in the main story you loose anything you have accumulated when you enter. This means I will not be able to take any of my weapons/ammo/armor or my boy fawkes with me when I enter. Of course I'm still downloading it because I'm addicted and I just need it but how much I'll enjoy it is still to be determined.

The Orange Box and TF2

So I finally received my order of Orange Box from Ebay yesterday (only $15) and I got to play some Team Fortress 2 last night. I got in a little early then met some co-workers for a few hours to play as a team. I have to say I wasn't real impressed with the game at first but it made for some easy achievement points to add to my gamerscore. As we got into the game and started to play as a team I can see how it can get really addictive. You need to coordinate and work together as a team or you just get destroyed, I definately like the strategy part of it. We have games scheduled for Tuesday/Thursday nights so if your interested shoot me a message. I do need the achievement to play with 7 people on my Friends list!

The other games included with The Orange Box are Half-Life 2 and Portal so I'm excited to try them out this weekend. Other than that I plan on trying to get into some more of Burnout Paradise and of course Fallout 3.

Thoughts on purchasing games...

After a few years of hiatus I'm still getting reacquainted with the gaming word. Since returning with my Xbox 360 about 6 months ago I've been continually trying to find the best, most cost efficent way to play as many games as possible without paying $60 a pop and getting $20 back for a trade in at Gamestop. Of course there are always some games you just need to buy like Halo, COD, etc. but many others I can play a few weeks then I'm ready to move on. I refuse to take a $30-$40 dollar loss on these games so I have a few options and theories for you depending on what kind of gamer you are.

1. If you can wait (and I usually can't) buy them used from Amazon or Ebay. This saves a lot of money up front and when you’re finished in a few weeks you can resell them the same way and pretty much break even. The only downside is you have to deal with posting fees and shipping not to mention the whole "transaction" process. Craigslist is free but fairly shady. Overall this was a nice option. Even after buying a new game I could get back %75 of what I paid selling it used instead of close to %20 trading it in at GameStop.

2. GameFly, I'm still up in the air with this but it sounds solid. To start I selected 1 game at a time for $15.95 a month. Depending how it goes you can upgrade to 2 at a time for $22.95 a month. There is no contract so you can cancel or upgrade/downgrade anytime you like. Overall the 1 game at a time deal ends up costing per year about the same as purchasing 3 new games a year. I easily purchase that many so the plus side of using this method is that I don't have to worry about the reselling part and I still get to play a wide variety of games. I've just recently signed up but the 1 issue I see is the availability of new games. I will keep you posted on how this goes.

For now those are my top 2 choices for saving money while still getting to play a wide variety of games.

I'm wide open for suggestions, so if you have them post em!

Here goes...

So, I just got finished setting up this blog and signing up for twitter, then connecting the two! I am in the technology industry so should really begin using these types of things. Anyway, the idea of this blog is to be video game related, including reviews, tips and tricks, new games, etc. I also recruited one of my best friends, SlimDogg, to begin posting as well. This dude has played much more than I have and together our video game collection covers a wide variety. This morning I also registered for GameFly. I can't say I have an opinion as to the quality of service yet but so far all the new games I've added to my queue have been "Low Availability". Per their web site, this means I have a %25 chance of receiving this game next but more likely I will get one further down on my list(aka older). Doesn't sound too promising but at least my daughter will be stocked in GameCube games.

As far as Systems go I have an Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube and a Nintendo DS. I sold my Wii but I'm stilling considering purchasing another one.

I think that's a pretty nice intro... I will leave Slim to post his.