Recommendations

Unlike my brother, a hardcore gamer who'd always know where to look for great games, I'm more of a casual player who would rather enjoy the game while I can up until I finish it. Here and there, I've been able to try out a few games as recommended by my brother or discovered in gaming magazines like PC Gamer, or maybe from online gaming communities like Gamespot and GameTrailers.

If you're new to gaming, or would like to broaden your horizons to new genres or titles, I have a list of games I can recommend trying.

TORCHLIGHT

Honestly, it's not hard to get addicted to this point-and-click fantasy RPG. Why? One: the loot you find is always rewarding, either to be used in your inventory or to be sold for cold, hard cash. Two: you have a pet that can eat various fish to turn it into a powerful ally for a certain amount of time, AND help you carry stuff as well. Three: enchanting and fishing are two activities you can get hooked to in no time, just to see the results.

Torchlight's world is just full of non-stop adventure. When you're not busy trying to complete the main quest, the side quests are always a fun detour that doesn't just help you level up, but also to find awesome stuff to use in the numerous dungeons you'll find yourself exploring. You'll never know when you might just find a sword that outdoes your current weapon by a large margin. And that's before you even start enchanting.

DAWN OF WAR II AND CHAOS RISING

A squad-based RTS set in the Warhammer 40K universe, DOW2 cuts out base-building and resource-gathering to bring players into an action-packed campaign where you lead your fellow Space Marines against the alien, the mutant and the heretic. In every mission, the battle brothers you choose and the equipment they carry will determine the outcome of the battle - so weighing the right choices is always crucial. And you never know what you might have to face once your men are planetside.

While the campaign is fun and engaging (especially with the morality system introduced in Chaos Rising) the multiplayer is another reason why people keep coming back again and again. Intense fights for control of the map and its resources always have even the hardiest of commanders breaking into sweat just so their positions don't fall to the enemies' hands. But when you finally achieve victory, victory is indeed a sweet reward.

FALLOUT: NEW VEGAS

Exploring the wild Mojave Wasteland is a treat. An unpredictable one, to be precise. Wherever you go, you'll never know what you'll find. Maybe you'll bump into wandering traders? Or encounter hostile wildlife like the feared Deathclaws? Or maybe be ambushed by roving raiders? Maybe you might even find a hidden stash of ammo and guns in a locked safe in a burned out house? Maybe even a secret entrance into the Brotherhood of Steel's hideout? It's always good to have your trigger finger ready just in case.

The world of New Vegas does make you feel like home, whether you're gambling in the Vegas Strip, walking through the streets of Freeside or mingling with the locals at Novac. Add a mix of unique and peculiar characters, an arid landscape to explore, lots of enemies to kill for XP, plus a mixed bag of interesting quests to do and you have quite a recipe for a great RPG.

COMMAND AND CONQUER: RED ALERT 3

Despite its expansion Uprising adding new and more devastating units to command, Red Alert 3 actually stands out further not just because it set a very over-the-top plot involving time travel and giant robots, but because of its impressive arsenal and the exciting multiplayer sessions. From trained dolphins and armored shock troopers (literally), to suicide robot dragonflies and vacuum bombs, the sheer craziness of the units featured makes combat pretty wild and fun to watch.

But is it really about how big your army is? With the Top Secret Protocols, each side has its own devious methods of cutting that formidable legion down to size in no time. Facing lots of tanks? Deploy the Soviet Magnetic Satellite. Discover a lot of enemies camping outside your base? Plant an Allied Time Bomb. Can't stand losing your units too quickly? Activate the Japanese Point Defense Drones. Whatever it is, there's bound to be lots of screams of anguish when you turn the tables on your friends in multiplayer.

AUDIOSURF

If you love music, you'll love Audiosurf. You're literally playing the song of your choice on a multi-colored track, matching blocks of the same color to get a high score which you can brag about online. Every song has its own challenge: if you're a rock 'n' roll fan, expect loads of downhill sliding; if you like slow and easy tunes, expect lots of climbing. The music you choose affects the track, and thus makes the challenge all the more interesting.

Despite the lack of multiplayer, the Double V allows two people to play on the same board. It's up to them if they wanna make a high score by themselves or go through the track as a team. There's endless replay value to this, especially if you have a large music library.

STARCRAFT II: WINGS OF LIBERTY

As a self-confessed sci-fi addict, Starcraft always left me with fond memories of the fight between the hardy Terrans, the sophisticated Protoss, and the vicious Zerg. When Starcraft II came out, I couldn't wait to get my hands into it. And I was blown away when I finally played it. Blizzard really outdid itself this time - with a wide range of characters both old and new, an intense and suspenseful storyline, and exciting missions to try out. Yes, the missions did add flavor to how RTSes should be. From a survival-search-and-destroy styled mission, to a stealthy infiltration operation, and even all-out invasions, there's something for everyone.

Sadly I didn't have the chance to fight it out against the AI or my friends in multiplayer games, but with the increasing number of people who duke it out over Battle.Net, especially in Korea (where Starcraft became a national pasttime), there's no doubt Starcraft II has proven to be a phenomenon worldwide.

BORDERLANDS

The world of Pandora easily gets you into the mood to kick ass. Full of hostile wildlife, angry bandits, evil corporate troopers and now robots gone bad, Borderlands is an RPG made specially for FPS fans. Sure, there are RPG elements like XP and skills to invest points in. But the highlight of the game is seeking out huge red or white crates all over the landscape that contain guns, guns and guns. Whenever you find one, expect to find a gun or two. And it might just be better than yours. Pretty soon you might just find your backpack filled to the max with cool guns and equipment, and you won't know which ones to drop!

If playing it alone isn't your style, have three friends join in the game. The difficulty ramps up with the addition of your buddies, but that makes it all the more fun to play. Why? Badder enemies means better loot. And loot is what you want. All you need is lots of brawn and the determination to wipe all baddies' faces into the dirt. Oh, also the balls to face Crawmerax.

SAM & MAX: SEASON ONE

Point-and-click adventures might not appeal to many, but Sam and Max easily outdo most games of the genre. As the freelance policemen you have to take on six unique cases to crack the mystery the entire season brings. And every case is full of crazy anecdotes, laugh-out-loud jokes, the occassional pun and a few running gags - all of which will tickle your funny bone down to the core.

While Sam is the reserved of the duo, Max is all out with his love for all things violent and loads of other funny crap. If you're bored of the regular games you're playing, Sam & Max is the perfect distraction for its over the top humor and its deliciously difficult puzzles. And you'll surely be wanting for more. (Which Season Two will provide in bucketloads)

BRAID

A very finely made adventure game which involves the use of time travel to solve its fiendishly difficult puzzles. Indeed, this indie game was missed out by many people, but once you start playing it's hard not to stop. Putting together a poignant tale of regret, forgiving and change as well as a series of brain teasing puzzles to solve, Braid really puts the 'beautiful' into puzzle games. Its use of watercolor paintings for its environments and characters also make it a very artistic game.

Whoever thought of making a game as good as this really deserves credit for the amount of work needed to pull it off. Indeed, as quoted in PCG, "time travel movies are a shoddy knock-off version of this"!

MASS EFFECT 2

Another wonderfully done RPG developed by BioWare, ME2 has everything many RPGs don't: a well-paced plotline, well-written character development, the design of a thriving galaxy littered with many different planets, and missions that just suck you into the lore of the Mass Effect universe. Assembling a team of ragtag warriors and then watching as they finally put it all together to save the galaxy proved to be the greatest experience of the entire game, and you felt proud that you were the one who formed them into an unstoppable force.

The story only reinforces the fact that you as Commander Shepard are the only one who can stop the menace that is looming over the galaxy. As you go on completing quests you're actually leaving behind a great legacy of the man who killed Sovereign that will be carried forward into ME3 when it is released. Time to kick some Collector ass!

MACHINARIUM

Another point-and-click adventure, this wonderful game tells the tale of a little robot who must return home and his actions which ultimately change the lives of the people he meets. Though not designed by the people who did Braid, the game nonetheless carries a very beautiful atmosphere into the world of Machinarium; using watercolor backgrounds and setpieces to bring out the color and the vibrancy of the world.

Though it doesn't involve any time mainpulation, Machinarium requires a lot of creative thinking into solving its puzzles. They're not exactly difficult, but they're also not easy to solve if you don't think out of the box. As much as it really shines as a well-done and intriguing adventure, I'm actually surprised this didn't feature in PCG's Top 100 PC games.

StarCraft II Beta: More Rough Housin'

Nukes galore. As usual. XD

KaBOOM!!!

Equipment for the ultimate Nuclear Storm tactic. Assuming you can hold out against the enemy properly.

It's always lovely to see mushroom clouds rising in the air.

StarCraft II Beta: Zerg Flavour

My Zerg horde! Ready to crush the puny Protoss.

Just those Zerglings left... and maybe a couple more, perhaps?

Oh, and not forgetting my massive air fleet. XD

Final moments of defeat. Hurrah for Kerrigan! Oh wait, I'm the Zerg...

StarCraft II Beta: Nukes!

Nukes. The ultimate Terran weapon. Fun!

Mushroom cloud!!!

It's obvious what happens next.

StarCraft II Beta: An Amateur's Game

I played the Beta through a cracked version, so whatever. Here I have some pics of me playing Protoss versus AI Zerg in the map Twilight Fortress. It's mostly a random mish mash, but it's in order. Enjoy. XD

At the beginning, this was the start of my Protoss army. Yeah, it's small. But wait till it grows in size. XD

This is much much later. The Zerg are trying to stomp me with loads of Hydralisks, Roaches and a couple of Ultralisks to boot. Me, I've got some Zealots ( I think) backed up by many Stalkers and two Immortals. Oh, and Sentries. Must have Sentries.

Still thrashing the Zerg offensive.

Chased those bastards all the way to the middle! Take that!

Another Ultralisk smashed.

Much MUCH later, I've got my Mothership up and running, and have taken the fight to the Zerg - FINALLY! With Carriers to boot, too!

Victory is close at hand. XD

The final moments of the Zerg's existence. Purge them, brothers!

More pics coming soon.

Games Around The Corner!

Borderlands' next DLC is coming up!!!!

Entitled "Claptrap's New Robot Revolution", it will highlight the sudden uprising of Hyperion's CL4P-TP (fondly known as Claptraps) units throughout Pandora, forcing Hyperion - their makers and your contractors back in the original game (not to mention your aggressors later 'cos you're bringing Pandora to ruin) - to enlist the help of the Vault Hunters (a.k.a. you)

The new DLC will feature new guns (obviously), a whole new area to explore, new bad guys (there's belief a super Claptrap boss is waiting to kick ass) and better yet - the return of old, dead bosses reborn from salvaged Claptrap parts!!!!

AAGH!!! Don't ever return Sledge!!!!

Also, Dawn of War II: Retribution!!!!

Ten years have passed since Chaos Rising, and the Blood Ravens are torn by a chapter war. The 'traitor' Gabriel Angelos is now the Imperium's most notorious enemy, and this means trouble!

The campaign will tie all loose ends together from the previous Dawn Of War titles, and it'll be played out by all other races - including new ones. The Ork campaign has been revealed, as they are led by a Freebooter, Kaptin Bluddflagg, together with other killy boyz of his.

OMFG!!! FUN!!! XD

Help?

Any ideas on where I can get some really good help for Warcraft III map-building? The tips I have are a little too high level for my type.

Yeah, call me a noob if you want. Anyway, that's the only thing I can do at home that's not gonna make me go insane.

Appreciate your help, guys. =)

The Avatar of Khaine

The Avatar is indeed a monstrosity to be beheld. A towering giant wreathed in flame, the Avatar is the living embodiment of the Eldar God of War and Murder, a living demigod that walks mortal ground. Armed with his mighty blade, the Doom That Wails, and with a body of pure molten lava impervious to even mighty cannon blows, the Avatar is destruction incarnate.

To look upon the Avatar is to look in the eyes of Death, surely meaning that you would die at the hands of this infernal god of war. No one ever escapes his fearsome wrath.

Modern Warfare 2

Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare II deserves one word to describe how it is: awesome!

(Note: To be honest, this review is based on my own observations. I'm not a huge fan of FPS games, so I let my bro show me how cool it is! XD If you want a more professional review, you can head over to my bro's blog. Sorry! =P)

Though many would complain that its story isn't as long as the first game, nevertheless it makes it up by including a great story that's as great as a real movie, what with all the plot twists scattered throughout the campaign. Truly, you'll forget that you're actually playing a game and watching a movie unfold in front of your eyes.

The story takes place five years after the death of Russian ultra-nationalist leader Imran Zakhaev. The world falls into turmoil once again when terrorists storm a busy Russian airport and kill countless innocents. The blame is placed on the United States, but naturally things don't seem right. You'll be battling your way in numerous different locations across the globe with numerous foes to face, whether its militia in Brazil or Russian troops on American soil.

Wherever you are, EXPECT LOTS OF INTENSE GUN BATTLES! They will seriously test your military skills in FPS games. Your enemies are now much smarter than in CoD4, as they WILL try to flank you to make sure you do not succeed. So always guard your flank. And they're much tougher too, so be very careful!

Sure, the story is short but believe me you'll be hooked onto it so much you'll want to replay it over and over again to enjoy the movie-like feel it gives you. Infinity Ward did a good job in presenting the plot, and kudos have to be given to them.

That, and the new weapons you have at your disposal. Not only do you have your standard M4A1 Carbines and Russian Kalashnikovs in the arsenal, you ave more new weapons to use! From the SCAR-H and Clarion FAMAS assault rifles, to the AT4 disposable rocket launcher and the AA-12 automatic shotgun, there is a lot you can toy around with. Oh, and the riot shield comes really handy as well. There are also new weapon attachments available, like the neat thermal scope and the useful heartbeat detector that really come in handy in certain difficult missions.

Vehicle sections are now available in the campaign, too, especially if you've seen the gameplay trailer in the snow-capped mountains of a Russian military airstrip. But be warned, for these sections can be quite a challenge, as you'll be faced with lots of enemies who are out to get you. The highlight has to be where you race against time to catch up with your foe in a rubber dinghy near the game's end.

Characters here display the same amount of emotion as they did in the original game. How they react to their surroundings (though most of these scenes are scripted) is very much something to marvel at. But it's more noticeable in how they react in combat. However, don't be surprised if they do last for only a brief period of time as your enemies swarm your squad!

All in all, campaign is a real treat to all CoD fans, who're looking for some intense fighting and a cool plot to boot. When you've finished the story, you'll be able to access the Museum which contains all the character and weapon models featured in the game, as well as vehicles featured in the game. (although you can't drive or fly them) I'll keep this a secret because it's quite a treat, but whatever happens DON'T press the bell!

Then there's SpecOps mode. Basically, this is a game mode where you and a friend have to go up against numerous waves of enemies as you try to complete the mission you've been assigned with. For example, you might have to clear out an area of all foes, or stealthily pass enemy patrols. As you complete them, you are awarded stars depending how you've fared. With a certain amount of stars, you'll unlock more SpecOps maps to complete, gradually increasing the difficulty of the maps. And believe me, this mode is meant to be played with a friend, as going solo usually means trouble. Especially when you have to go up against the Russian Juggernauts, who are easily able to absorb heavy amounts of punishment from your guns. Oh yes, be afraid of them!

When you've survived SpecOps, there's always Multiplayer to jump into. It's essentially like the usual fare you find in CoD, except for new perks, maps, and Killstreaks. Also featured are Deathstreaks for those of you who keep getting pawned by the others, so there's some balance had in the games. The only problem is you'll need to reach a high level to unlock most of the modes available. And newbies will get thumped real bad by pro players, so watch it! (I can't elaborate more on this, as you know I can't access the Net!)

My verdict for MW2 is definitely a high one (even though I didn't play it! XD) and I highly recommend it to all you FPS fan[atic]s.

War...what good is it? Answer: endless amount of time to kick enemy butt!

Guardians

Guardians are the militia of the Eldar Craftworlds. In times of peace the Guardians pursue their normal civilian roles. All Eldar however are trained in warfare and can be called to arms if their craftworld is threatened. As the number of dedicated warriors - Aspect Warriors - in a craftworld are simply too few, Eldar dedicated to a civilian path serve as Guardians in battle, forming the bulk of the Eldar armies. Guardian forces consist of two main types - the tactically flexible Defenders, and the more assault-oriented Storm Guardians. Both are equipped with mesh armour.

Indeed, the Eldar Guardians prove to be one of their greatest assets in battle, as the Guardians prove to be effective warriors in battle.

(Sourced from Lexicanum)

Without Number

The Tyranid creedo is "Without Number", meaning that they have limitless numbers of creatures with which to use against their foes, all the more to consume them and assimilate them into their Hive fleet. They are much like Orks, similar only to the fact they spawn at alarming rates. If you think this isn't much, imagine the sky being blacked out by thousands upon thousands of gargoyles that fly in the air to swarm their foes.

I shudder to think of how I'd die if they'd arrive on Earth.

The Phoenix Lords

From left: Baharroth, Fuegan, Jain Zar, Asurmen, Maugan Ra, Karandras.

The Phoenix Lords are the greatest warriors of the Eldar, second only to the Avatars of Kaela Mensha Khaine himself. They are the greatest and most ancient of all the Exarchs. They cannot truly die for even if their body is destroyed another Eldar will find and don their armour. Thereby his consciousness will be overtaken by the first, strongest, and dominant mind of the original wearer. Only the doomed Bards of Twilight know all the details of the Asuryata, the legend of the Phoenix Lords. This ancient epic tells the origins of the Phoenix Lords and also speaks of their future. It warns of the Rhana Dandra, the final apocalypse when all the Phoenix Lords and the Eldar will gather in a final battle against Chaos. Its ultimate validity is unclear, something shared with every prediction of the future or tale of the past. Nevertheless it seems to be the main source of knowledge about the Phoenix Lords.

(Sourced from Lexicanum)

The Phoenix Lords are indeed like demigods themselves, and they instill fear in their enemies' hearts as they lead their warriors into battle. Maugan Ra, the Harvester of Souls, will bring swift death with his shuriken cannon, the Maugetar; Baharroth, the Cry of the Wind, will fly upon his enemies with his Hawk's Talon blasting away; Fuegan, the Burning Lance, will annihilate all in his way with his Firepike and his Burning Axe; Jain Zar, the Storm of Silence, will slay her foes in an instant with her devastating weapons, the Zhai Morenn: the Blade of Destruction, and the Jainas Mor: the Silent Death (a throwing weapon); Karandras, the Shadow Hunter, who will stalk his prey and crush them swiftly; and finally Asurmen, the Hand of Asuryan, who leads the Phoenix Lords, as he is the founder of the first Aspect Shrine: the Dire Avengers.

All of them worthy foes with millenia of experience!

The Great Eldar

The Eldar. A race of elven like humanoids who are the oldest race (well, except the Necrons) in the Warhammer 40,000 Universe. They were once the most powerful race that existed before the Rise of Mankind, until the events of the Fall that brought about the destruction of their great race. Now the survivors of the race live on their Craftworlds, while those who had foreseen the Fall lived away on worlds of their own long before their race succumbed to the dark powers of the Warp, continuing to live in a Universe wrought in the chaos of War and Misery. It is their far sight and their stalwart heroism that enabled them to survive for so long.

Made up of brave warriors and powerful mystics, the Eldar are not a force to be reckoned with. Each of their warriors are the embodiment of powerful warriors. From their mainstay Guardians to their elite Warrior Aspects and the mystical Warlocks, they all work extensively to ensure their race's survival.

Though the Universe is full of the dangers of the Forces of Chaos, the Eldar firmly believe that they will end their reign of terror. Time can only tell, though. For now, the Eldar still remain a great mystery to many.

Tyranid Terror: Carnifex

I love the Tyranids featured in the Warhammer 40K Universe. Why? Easy: they're mindless killers created for the sole purpose of laying waste to a world and consuming its natural resources before leaving it a barren rock.


The Carnifex (pictured above) is the epitome of sheer brute force. Possessing the strength greater than that of a Land Raider, the Carnifex is all muscle and blade. Functioning as the Hive Fleet's siege weapon, it can easily massacre ground forces with its massive rending blades and the numerous biomorphs it can add to itself. From the deadly Venom Cannon (also shown above) that allows it to hit ranged targets, to adrenal sacs that increase its speed, and even tusks on its lower jaw. All these make the Carnifex a more potent weapon to be brought to bear upon the enemies of the Tyranids. Whether the Hive Fleet needs a tanker to absorb damage from heavy weapons, or a Carnifex built for the kill, there is always one for the job.

[Picture sourced from Codex: Tyranids 4th Edition]

W40K!

Have I told you that I'm also a fan of the Warhammer 40,000 series? Here's something to give you a hint of what it is. (Sourced and adapted from WikiQuote, Black Library novels)

It is the 41st millenium. For more than a hundred centuries, the Emperor has sat immobile on the Golden Throne of Earth. He is the master of mankind by the will of the gods, and master of a million worlds by the might of his inexhaustible armies. He is a rotting carcass writhing invisibly with power from the Dark Age of Technology. He is the Carrion Lord of the Imperium for whom a thousand souls are sacrificed every day, so that he may never truly die.

Yet even in his deathless state, the Emperor continues his eternal vigilance. Mighty battlefleets cross the daemon-infested miasma of the warp, the only route between distant stars, their way lit by the Astronomican, the psychic manifestation of the Emperor's will. Vast armies give battle in His name on uncounted worlds. Greatest among his soldiers are the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Marines, bio-engineered super-warriors. Their comrades in arms are legion: the Imperial Guard and countless planetary defense forces, the ever-vigilant Inquisition and the tech-priests of the Adeptus Mechanicus to name only a few. But for all their multitudes, they are barely enough to hold off the ever-present threat from aliens, heretics and mutants - and worse.

To be a man in such times is to be one amongst untold billions. It is to live in the cruelest and most bloody regime imaginable. These are the tales of those times. It is a universe you can live in today – if you dare – for this is a dark and terrible era where you will find little comfort or hope. If you want to take part in the adventure then prepare yourself now. Forget the power of technology and science, for so much has been forgotten, never to be re-learned. Forget the promise of progress and understanding, for in the grim dark future there is only war. There is no peace amongst the stars, only an eternity of carnage and slaughter, and the laughter of thirsting gods.

But the universe is a big place and, whatever happens, you will not be missed...

STARCRAFT II - The Wait Is Unbearable....

I really can't wait for StarCraft II to be launched. With a brand new storyline that continues the long war between the Terrans, Protoss and Zerg; a revolutionized single-player mode; new units and tactics to utilize - the possibilities are endless!

And then there's the Campaign Editor they're bringing back. Oh man, I can't wait!

Well, that is, if my computer can even support it. If you see the graphics they used, you'd be amazed.

So here I'll provide you with some pix on SCII warfare. Hopefully, they're good enough. Enjoy!

Gamer Says: Plants VS Zombies!

One game that deserves mention has to be (one of) Pop Cap's latest game(s), "Plants Vs Zombies". It's a new and unique concept in TD (Tower Defense) maps, as it's a fresh take in the TD scene with a different map style and lots of cartoony entertainment to go with it.

Essentially, the objective is to prevent a horde of zombies from breaching your defenses by planting special plants that range from pea-shooting flowers and giant Venus fly-traps, to large tough walnuts and mushrooms that explode. Your plants are your only hope in surviving the relentless waves of progressively tougher zombies with your brains intact.

It all starts with your playing field, measuring about 9x5. Here you'll be able to place your plants to fend off the undead. But the catch is that your plants will be in the way of the oncoming hordes, so you'll be forced to block them as much as possible without letting them reach your house. Not only that, you'll need to collect Sun to purchase plants for your defense (Sun falls into the game randomly, and through Sun-producing plants you can plant). So it's all about strategizing effectively in a desperate situation, especially the last few levels.

As you advance further, the battles will become more frenetic as the zombies bring out their bigger guns to eat your precious brain. You'll have to tangle with not just the regular zombie, but you'll face other assortments such as zombies with buckets on their heads (thrice as tough), zombies charging in football suits (a nightmare), dancing zombies that spawn four zombies around it, subterranean travelling zombies, and a whole lot worse. Thankfully, you have a wide array of plants to help you take those undead out.

There's an emphasis on the "rock-paper-scissors" kind of gameplay. For example, if a Football Zombie (as they're called) comes a-charging you can choose to either knock it out with fast firing Repeaters, a one-hit kill pumpkin called the Squash (name implies), or just pull off its helmet with a Magnet-shroom to turn the formidable zombie vulnerable. It's all up to you, but you must be careful on which plants you choose, as it all depends on what you're up against.



Before every level, you are to choose the plants to use in the level by referring to the plants list on the left, and the zombies faced in the level on the right. You have a limited amount of space for plants at first, but thankfully it can be expanded through purchasable upgrades (more on this later). You need to deduce the best combination to take on those zombies you'll face and whether it works is all on how you plant them. (HINT: Wall-nuts and Chompers are quite a handy pair!)

Then we have the extras. You can try your hand out at the Puzzles, Mini-Games and the Survival modes that are featured. Puzzles test your thinking skills; Mini-Games are cute yet difficult distractions for you to enjoy; while Survival is basically somewhat a repeat of the Adventure mode, but with all the plants at your disposal, a few waves to survive, and the ability to re-pick plants after each wave. Mind you, the waves get progressively harder, so always be on the watch!

Other extras include the Almanac, which displays all the plants you can use and all the zombies you've faced. It comes in handy whenever you need to check what plant does what, as well as know the enemy a little better. Each plant and zombie has a very cute description of their character that leaves you with a smile upon reading. Then there are upgrades and purchasable stuff you can buy by earning coins in any of the modes you play. The upgrades are very handy in helping turn the tides against the zombie waves, but they can cost quite a bomb. You can also buy an extra slot so you can have extra plants to use in the levels. These also don't come cheap, I can tell you that. And then there is stuff for your Zen Garden. Zigackly! You can have you own virtual garden to tend to plants you can buy or earn from playing levels, and you even have to keep the plants happy and tended to so you can earn money from them. There are even special gardens for growing mushrooms and aquatic plants, but of course you're gonna have to earn them.

But for even a cute and funny game like this, it does have a few pitfalls. For one, the Puzzles are only limited to two game types and thus loses interest rather quickly, even with the Endless stage where you try to survive the longest (Puzzle and Survival are the only ones with this level; Survival Endless is BLOODY DIFFICULT). There are only a small amount of Mini-Games to attempt, while the Zen Garden could use nice customizable environs with additional garden decor. And it wouldn't hurt to have more plants and zombies, wouldn't it?

Nevertheless, Plants Vs Zombies is very much another of Pop Cap's finest games ever made since Bejeweled. Truly this game does deserve to be in the list of the best games ever made in gaming history. Try it out yourself! I rate this at 8.8 out of 10.

WANTED!

What's up? Nothing much. Just lingering here in the lab while time flies oh so slowly. Things are rather OK, but Maverick says otherwise. XD

Anyway, I saw and tried the game "WANTED: Weapons of Fate" and it was bloody hell cool!
Oh yes indeed, if you enjoyed the movie, you'll enjoy this game.
Well, it does get repetitive as the game progresses, but man bullet curving and slow-mo kills never get old! Yeah!

OK, the story's set about a few hours after the movie ended. The Paris Fraternity is out to kill our hero Wesley Gibson due to some stuff that relates to his father Cross. So you'll play the foul-mouthed Wesley as he takes on the assassins and goons of the Paris Fraternity one bullet at a time.

Why should you play this game? Easy:
1. Bullet curving is freaking awesome!
2. Shard storm (a.k.a. machinepistol bullet curve) is even cooler!
3. Slow motion kills is bloody cool!
4. Who doesn't want or dual wield?
5. Especially duel wielding machinepistols!
6. Quick time events have bloody fantastic choreography!
7. Wesley's easy to love/hate.
8. The Immortal, head of the Paris Fraternity, is freaking awesome too!

Yeah. Bullet curving... sigh.

Well, I'd love to go into detail, but my bro's done that already. You can check out his review at his blog link here. So read and bleed. XD