Army of Two, the 40th Day is the return of the inseparable, foul - mouth mercenaries, Elliot Salem and Tyson Rios. This second installment starts you day to the exotic location of Shanghai, that's ends up in utter chaos. Missiles raining down, planes crashing and and buildings rumbling into dust. It's up to these two knuckle heads to find out what's going on.. and really get paid. Here's is the story..
The story is entirely based in the collapsing city of Shanghai. (If you don't know your world map, its somewhere in China). When you enter the streets of Shanghai, it feels like a living and breathing location. Some places might look the same everywhere, but that's just minor complains. Every nooks and cranny is polished with details, every rubble was weight, even building tumbles realistically. There's even iconic building and skyscrapers that makes the the whole game feels more real.
if you played the first game, you would remember the core game mechanics of Army of Two franchise. Co-op if still the key to survival of this mission. Well that's what it says in the tagline, " Fight together. Survive together". (I wonder if they share the same woman together too? hmmm..). There's a few new moves that's really useful in the battlefield. You can actually pull off a hostage situation, or "meat shield", you can "tag enemies so your AI or human players can dish out certain enemy and you take on another, and there's the moral decision making. It lets you decides the outcome of the game, but doesn't really effects the overall story.
It's not really Army of Two if you don't pimp out your arsenals. Pimping your weapons is a huge welcome in the menu. You can select crazy amounts of customization on your weapons adding bling-blings or other useful hardware you can imagine. Also Aggro is also in the mix of the game. If you don't know anything about Aggro, it lets player becoming red, like Rudolf the F##king red-nose reindeer. The more Aggro you have on your meter, the more threat it is for the enemies, making you the primary target. This is a handy tactic letting your partner either slipping unnoticed and flanking you from the other side. The game really shines when you have a real partner who knows the nature strategy of the game and loves the original Army of Two. This would act unpredictability and more replay value in the game. Plus a little competition makes it more interesting. My shot, my kill.. Nice...
There you have it. Army of Two, 40th Day is a great sequel that really listened to what shooter fans would really like in the core mechanics of real co-op gameplay. This installment is better than the first, the stakes are higher, you AI partner is much smarter, there's a few glitches, even sometimes enemy AI just standing there and do nothing, but overall its still captures the great aspects and a new benchmark for co-op play. It not always perfect, but it's still really fun hearing them cuss on one another. A 4 out of 5.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Mute Heroes..
Must be hard saving the world. All the adrenaline rush, gun - ho blazing, dismemberment, lame-ass boss and not to mention to all the ladies that's along for the ride. Bet its also hard for those people how do talk much, or even too macho to show emotions. Chances are, someone else end up bitch slapping them up. Most overused for silent people in game world are:-
Gordon Freeman from Half-Life series.
Gordon freeman has a tough life, just so happens that he is a scientist who doesnt even speak at all. He has an IQ of 240 and arms himself with a crowbar and a gravity gun, doesnt strikes him well. Either he is cursed to a handicapped or just dont know how to make speak.
Jack from Bioshock
At the start of the game, Jack never had an introduction, nor a face. A survivor of a plane crash and unrevealed himself to the underwater city of Rapture. Even throughout the game he doesnt even whine or shed sound on what is going on, nor even bother to ask the little sisters what the f##k is this place!!
Sergeant First Class "Soap" McTavish from Modern Welfare.
Trained under the command of Captain Price, Private Soap Mctavish was a bad habit of not answering the Captains call or even his questions. Instead the silent treatment gave him the rank of Captain after the killing off a Russian terrorist leader. I wonder if it works in the real world?
Issac Clark from Dead Space
Issac Clark is a engineer for a mining organisation who doesnt take crap from anyone. When the whole operation got screwed up, he never seems to bother to asked anyone what really does happened. Living by a code of " Don't ask, don't tell" philosophy, just-follow-orders-and-everything-will-be-fine solution. Just aim and shoot, aim and shoot..
The Jackal from Far Cry 2
moving on.....
Samus Aran from Metroid series
The Metroid Sagas has stepped every challenged, climbed every obstacles, shoot the living hell out of everything and survived. The reason it doesn't speak that shows bravery and courage knows no boundaries. Until it took off its mask.. guess you don't even thought of it haven't you.. it's actually a woman!! Dressed in an armored suit poised as an all time "alpha male" adored by the every male nerds who wants to emulate "him". Guess that courage knows no gender either..
Gordon Freeman from Half-Life series.
Gordon freeman has a tough life, just so happens that he is a scientist who doesnt even speak at all. He has an IQ of 240 and arms himself with a crowbar and a gravity gun, doesnt strikes him well. Either he is cursed to a handicapped or just dont know how to make speak.Jack from Bioshock
At the start of the game, Jack never had an introduction, nor a face. A survivor of a plane crash and unrevealed himself to the underwater city of Rapture. Even throughout the game he doesnt even whine or shed sound on what is going on, nor even bother to ask the little sisters what the f##k is this place!!Sergeant First Class "Soap" McTavish from Modern Welfare.
Trained under the command of Captain Price, Private Soap Mctavish was a bad habit of not answering the Captains call or even his questions. Instead the silent treatment gave him the rank of Captain after the killing off a Russian terrorist leader. I wonder if it works in the real world?Issac Clark from Dead Space
Issac Clark is a engineer for a mining organisation who doesnt take crap from anyone. When the whole operation got screwed up, he never seems to bother to asked anyone what really does happened. Living by a code of " Don't ask, don't tell" philosophy, just-follow-orders-and-everything-will-be-fine solution. Just aim and shoot, aim and shoot..The Jackal from Far Cry 2
moving on.....Samus Aran from Metroid series
The Metroid Sagas has stepped every challenged, climbed every obstacles, shoot the living hell out of everything and survived. The reason it doesn't speak that shows bravery and courage knows no boundaries. Until it took off its mask.. guess you don't even thought of it haven't you.. it's actually a woman!! Dressed in an armored suit poised as an all time "alpha male" adored by the every male nerds who wants to emulate "him". Guess that courage knows no gender either..Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Must Have Games 2009..
Uncharted 2 : Among Thieves (PlayStation 3)
Nathan Drake is back with a new sequel and new faces. A PS3 exclusive using 100% of its processing power, it alludes unbelievable gamplay, stunning vistas, unparalleled storylines and a new online features. Already the game of the year winner under its belt, owners should be proud owning such software.
Demon Soul (PlayStation 3)
A unique blend of RPG and action gaming. Demons Souls mashed a far away tale from any game that has never been seen before, not even close to Elder scroll 4, Oblivion. Players immerses themselves to a realm of unimaginable horror, with a twist of japanese story telling. Unbeknown to some, it is the hardest game ever make but also progressively satisfying.Resident Evil : The Darkside Chronicles ( Wii)
Capcom has taken you to a new leap on horror and a new Wii exclusive franchise. The game has taken a different step on survival, using a first person shooter for Resident Evil. This adds new tension and baseline on making you feel more involve in its story. Making you more like your in the minced of zombie killing and survival a priority.New Super Mario ( Wii)
Mario Bros has never been so colourful or even more captivating in Mario world history. This new installment featured more fun in fundamentals and fresh new ideas for the timeless hero. Mario has shine more glorious than ever before. Just don't mention about the Mario Bros the series..Left For Dead 2 ( Xbox 360)
Left for Dead 2 has shown many promises in its hype. Loads more zombie killing, new characters, scarier locations and better ways to write about a book about "Surviving from Zombie Attack for Idiots". There's nothing much to talk about the single campaign mode but what really make Left for Dead great is the online multiplayer. Its adds loads of replayability making it the most satisfying online game in Xbox Live. Period.Halo 3 : ODST (Xbox 360)
When they made Halo:ODST ( Orbital Drop shock Trooper), they decided to ditch Master Chief. What were they thinking? Will Halo will be the same without the Master Chief himself? Turns out it outsold more copies and are played more on Xbox Live than its last predecessor. making it the most played Halo game in Xbox history.God Of War Collection. (PlayStation 3)
Relive the glorious moments in one of PlayStation 2 best game of all time, in High Definition, continuous 60 frames per second, new trophy support, and not to mention 2 games in one Bluray. Kratos fan will eager to play again GOW while awaiting for the latest GOW3.Ratchet and Clank : A Crack In Time ( PlayStation 3)

Borderland (Multi platform)

Assassin's Creed 2

FIFA 2010 (Multi platform)
'Call Of Duty : Modern Welfare 2 (Multi platform)
Monday, December 07, 2009
Uncharted 2 : Among Thieves

Nathan Drake has returned and hungry for more action, drama, treasures and more women... Developers Naughty Dog has more tricks up there paws and brewed up a new and yet, more improved sequel.
The story starts off where Nathan met some old friends telling the missing story of Marco Polo’s lost treasure. Its up to Nathan Drake to solve the mysteries of the so called longs lost valley of Shangri La. The story itself twists and turns throughout the course of the game, as you might expect, and for the most part it's a solid tale. Nate and his pals go through a lot, so it does a good job of reeling you in and keeping you hooked until the end
First of all, Developer Naughty Dog has claimed the new Uncharted has pushed its limits of the PlayStation 3 raw processing power. A pretty bold claim for a first party developer for Sony, but after lushing out its enormous and beautiful vistas, Naughty Dog really hit’s the jack pot. From the crumbling city of India, the cold blistering cold tundra of Tibet, to the ever bushy green jungle. It’s just amazing to look and has more details in every level. Overall its has the most prettiest graphics to date.

In the game play department, overall it has most of the same technique as the previous processor, Then again why fix it when its not broken. Other new a features like more weapons to choose from and more treasure to collect. A Staggering 100 treasures at different locations, and most of them are really hard to find, I manage to find around 34 treasures on my first try. Yup I wasn’t trying hard enough. Trophy whores would have to find ways to get those freaking platinum trophy somehow. One skepticism s was made before that Uncharted has Online multiplayer, where players around the world pit against each other like capturing the flag. In this case you capture a treasure instead. There’s always a reason or two to play it back some more.
The story in Uncharted is always epic. The bigger the better has always made this game so great, leaving you feeling its more like a movie than an actual game. From the history of Marco Polo’s adventure, the love triangle between Nate, Ellena and the new hotter girl Chloe, to over-the-top action sequence. Nate’s wisecrack jokes has always been adamant him as one of the best game character in gaming history.
If you own a PlayStation 3 and haven’t picked up a copy of Uncharted 2 : Amongst Thieves, you definitely don’t know what you are missing. Uncharted 2 has already been nominated to the best game in 2009. Naughty Dog has set its benchmark of excellent games making. This truly is the best sequel ever made. A 5 out of 5.
Worst Dressed Characters.
Throughout the years, clothes represent character, symbolic, functionality, status and customs. Right from the Guardians of Cyrodyll, impeccable Iron cast armor, representing authority, protection and peace. Dante’s infamous red jacket, as a symbol of flair, rock and cockiness. While others are down right stupid. Lets mention some of the less subtlety and zero functionality attire that reminds people not fit to wear in a war/fighting/ or even a shopping mall.
1. Rachel - Ninja Gaiden Sigma 1 and 2

2. Ayumi - X-Blades

3. Tyris Flare - Golden Axe series

4. Aya - Onechanbara: Samurai Bikini Zombie Squad

5. Sakura - Street Fighter 4.

6. Ivy - Soul Calibur
1. Rachel - Ninja Gaiden Sigma 1 and 2

2. Ayumi - X-Blades

3. Tyris Flare - Golden Axe series
4. Aya - Onechanbara: Samurai Bikini Zombie Squad

5. Sakura - Street Fighter 4.

6. Ivy - Soul Calibur
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Batman Arkham Asylum Review

Remember all the Batman game you used to play decades ago? You have my solemn condolences.. Also, in fact all the games that most DC universe game or any Marvel Universe that is, has never been a memorable or original. This new Batman franchise somewhat when through a different yet fresh direction.
The story brings you to a night where the Caped Crusader captured the Joker without a fight, sending him back to the loony bin. Soon before the security slowly bring him back to his cell, the Clown Prince of crime lets himself escape and all hell broke loose, with the aid of Harley Quinn that is. Its was a devious plan to trap Batman into asylum and finish off Batman once and for all. What better place to foil his plan in Arkham Asylum. Now its up to the Dark Knight to bring him down and brings justice back.
The games solely takes place in Gotham's Arkham Asylum Island. A solitary confinement for the criminally insane and also the sanctuary of the Addam's Family. The details of the asylum is rock solid, every nook and cranny is carefully refined, utterly polished and it managed to capture the eerie mood of the prepatual nut house ever design, since Bioshock's infamous Rapture. Every dark corners, elevator shafts, abandon caves, sewers and the asylum holding cells are a marvel to explore, looking for riddles, clues and collectibles are the reasons to go back for seconds.
The gameplay has turned to a different approach. There's a mash of stealth, beat-em-up, detective work and riddle solving aspect. A great way for changing of pace. The free flow mechanic where Batman can take down escapee thugs all 7-8 of them at the same time. Stealth mode, however, nip picking armed thugs one by one using your wits and strike your enemies with fear in their cold-blooded hearts. Its the best way to avoid getting bullet holes on your multi million dollar batsuit. This is where you become the predator and they are the prey. Once in a while when you need to your brain-dead noodles to solve crimes and look for significant clues to find someone or something. This is where all the WayneTech gadgetry comes in handy. Bat-Grapple, Batarang, Explosive gel, Night goggles, zip line and a few more useful stuff in Batman's ever expanding utility belt. All this Batman is completely upgradeable. When beating up enemies, collecting collectibles or riddle solving, you can gain experience points and mindless spend them on certain upgrades. From brutal combos, weapons upgrade, to his iconic Batsuits. Nice..
While residing inside the nut house, you will bound to bump into some familiar faces like Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and Scarecrow. Even Bane made it through the cut. Its a shame Two-Face, Catwoman, Penguin, Mr. Freeze or even Edward Nigma a.k.a the Riddler wasn't rostered to even a cameo. They could've been a huge welcome. Each has a unique back stories and they themselves are the boss fights, but sadly it a bit weak not to mention even memorable. The detective mode offers a little less depth compared to Condemned 2. Despite all that, it just a minor complaint over the overall sweet sweet package.
The game's spans to 8 hours play time, a little tad short if your playing though the story mode, but getting all the Riddler's trophies, Riddle solving and trophy whoring will lets you play longer. While the game doesn't offer any online play mode, but the online leader boards lets you compete with other Batman wannabes around the world and showing off your score points. For the Playstation 3 owners, you can download exclusively for the Joker Challenge and be the bad guy for a change. How sweet is that?
To wrap things up, I was quite surprised and hooked up when I played Batman Arkham Asylum, it has a class of its own. The utter sophistication and then visual rich style is an experience. A true essence of Batman graphic novel laid rest to any other Batman universe, unlike other super hero themed game. Yes that includes you Spiderman.. Potentially one of the best game played and is also an include candidacy for potential Game of the Year. 5 little Robin out of 5
Developer : Rocksteady
Publisher : Eidos Studio
Platform : PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC
Out Now!
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