Picked up Final Fantasy XIII for the 360 (yeah yeah, I know. I have a PS3.) and I’ve slowly been chipping at it. Stuck at a part due to Hope(this little whiney kid) being probably one of the worst medics I’ve ever teamed up in the history of teaming up with medics. Yes, even the battle ready battle Medics that roam Team Fortress 2. I’ll get past this part eventually but geez, this kid SUCKS.

A while back, I reserved “Record of Agarest War: Really Naughty Edition” for the Xbox 360. I can already tell you that its most likely not gonna do too well here, stateside. The game is a tactical JRPG that has a built in dating sim where you advance through that in the “soul-breeding” system which allows you to further play the game as your offspring. The dating sim portion of it was nothing more revealing than some of those you find on newgrounds. The “Really Naughty Edition” is the game’s first print run coming with various extras that some people most likely won’t be too proud to own…
-Alternate cover art featuring the loli-ish females of the game in skimpy clothing
-Box art of a few of them covered only by sheets
-A pillow case featuring one of the female characters.
- A Mouse pad featuring one of the characters and her breasts are the wrist rest(LOL)

-The games soundtrack.
-The game with a different artwork.
Shameless marketing? yeah. But why would I get a game that does not interest me in the slightest with its features?(being a JRPG, Dating Sim, and having to do with loli-ish characters) It’s because Arksys Games is publishing it stateside. Yes, the same folk who brought us Guilty Gear Accent Core(and Plus) and Blazblue Calamity Trigger. I really love these guys for bringing these quirky Japanese games stateside. So I decided to purchase the game on the whim. Also learned they are bringing the bullet hell SHUMP “Deathsmiles” to Xbox 360. Well, I’ll have to pick that up too. I do love my SHUMPS (Shoot Um Ups). Deathsmiles doesn’t have a release date yet, I’ll be sure to post up about it when it does. “Record of Agarest War Really Naughty Limited Edition” comes out April 27th as a hard disc copy on Xbox 360 and as a download for Playstation Network(which comes with DLC instead of boob wrist rests). Same day as Super Street FighterIV! So hell, when you go out to get you SSF4 on, scoop up Agarest too. To support a fellow gaming company that brings some unique Japanese games, to our stateside consoles.

Also, Perfect Dark comes out on Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday (March 17th). The game’s blocky graphics remain but has been updated to todays 1080p viewing pleasures, different control schemes for those unfamilar to PD’s scheme, Online Multiplayer with up to 4 player split-screen for online or offline play. Also features 3 multiplayer maps from the N64 Classic Goldeneye as well as a weapon set from it.  All that, 800 Microsoft points.

Alright, Im out.
Rek.

Uncharted 2 review I still might do, but there’s already a ton on perfects on the list. Basically, if you a PS3 and DON’T own Uncharted 2. You must’ve bought it for the fucking blu-ray player. And Demon’s Souls is a top notch hard as balls Action/RPG, worth an investment if you don’t mind getting fucked 12 times the first 7 minutes of gameplay. Left 4 Dead 2, I can’t really talk about since I’m such a fanboy. Modern Warfare 2 lives up to its hype with an exceptional Single and Multiplayer exp. worth a purchase for any of the systems running it. And Tekken 6…It’s tekken. you either like it or you don’t.

I leave now to do stuff,

-Rek OuTz

While the game is supposed to have one BADASS Single player experience something new was added to Uncharted 2 that has grabbed my attention and basically made the game a must have for my PS3 list. Multiplayer. Now to cool thing is, when you reserved the game from Gamestop you got a Beta(Demo) code to try out Uncharted 2′s Multiplayer(MP) modes…Recently, that demo was put up on the PSN store for ANYONE to download and test drive, so how does Uncharted 2′s MP hold up? Let’s explore…

Anything you can do in single player can be done in the multiplayer modes. This means all the climbing, stealth kills, shoot from ledges, and melee beat downs can be done in the competitive multiplayer, too. The demo featured 4 very pretty levels that for the most part had a really nice vertical feel to it. On a horizontal plane the levels seem small, but alot of walls and such are climable and make for a bigger level.

The game features a party system that you can join up with others that you meet in matchmaking or party up before jumping in. Aside from matchmaking you also have custom games and cinema mode, where you can watch your most recently played games. The Demo features the in game level and rewards system, as your level increases playing MP games you also earn cash (all around in the final version I believe) but with levels comes rewards such as new character skins, taunts, and boosters. Boosters are basically special attributes that improve your character. From being able to carry more ammo to being able the score the treasure quicker, all these rewards however must be purchased by the money you earn through playing the game.

The gametypes are Deathmatch(first team to 50 kills), Elimination(Last man standing), Plunder(CTF), Territories, and Co-Op. Co-op is where 3 people either fight never ending waves of enemies or complete an objective while dealing with lots of enemies.

The game plays very nice and to me is very unique simply cause of all the things you can do. The multiplayer really shines even if it isn’t the main reason this game will most definitely be a hit. I do believe that this is one of the best Multiplayer games coming to PS3, so if you are online. Do yourself a favor and try the demo, while it lasts. The launch day for the game is October 13th(next week), I’ll try to review this when it comes out.

-Rek OuTz

Product:  Sony PlayStation 3 (Slim Model)
What is it?: Gaming Console, Multimedia Hub, Blu-Ray/DVD player.
How much?: $299.99 (US Dollars)
Whats in the box?
1 PS3 Slim Computer Entertainment Console
1 A/C Power Cord
1 Composite AV Cables (Y/R/W)

1 DualShock 3 Controller

1 USB to 2.0 connector(for plugging the controller up to the console)

1 Welcome to PS3 and PSN Blu-Ray disc

and User Manual, Warrenty, and stuff.

Features: Black Mattle case, Smaller size, actually “clicky” buttons for Eject and Rest/Power buttons, 2 USB port, Wi-fi, Ethernet port, HDMI port, Bluetooth, Built-in web browser, free membership to the PlayStation Network.

Both Mircosoft and Sony have been battling each other quite some time at the console jazz. Right now the playing field is leveled. PS3 slim, $299.99. Xbox 360 Elite model, $299.99. Being a Xbox 360 owner (since their launch back in05) I never thought I’d be getting a Sony console. All that started to change as I saw them in action, played on them, and Microsoft’s beloved console having more internal issues than an emo kid. The PS3 slim shines in many respects. Its ability to be a media hub is by far my personal favorite thing about it but to get the absolute best out of the console its recommended you’re rocking it in HD.

The dualshock 3 feels much better than the light weight sixaxis. The rumble feature is one expected in games these days.(some games on PS3 even got patched to support it).  Now about Playstation Network…

The PS3′s online service and exp. is pretty damn barebones. Store, Web Browser, Friend’s List, Basic Messaging system…typical stuff. But it does feature(for some of your HDD space) Home. Basically you create your own little dude and let him/her loose in the online PSN Home community. You also get your own room which you can decorate with various game stuff. Once you walk outside, its like you’re playing a game with the character you made, with an actual open world you can freely move about and explore, mix, mingle, and talk to others walking about. Reminded me of playing an MMO.  The store is fairly easy to navigate and unlike Microsoft who makes you deal with those MS Points, Sony just takes the correct amount. Like XBL, you can buy prepaid cards, but even this has some difference. See, since PS3 has no region lock you can buy a forgien prepaid card and access the Store of whatever currency you purchased on the card.

However, setting the PS3 up to do all this fun stuff online was a CHORE. Simple setting on my router was keeping me from fully enjoying the exp. of taking the system online. Something that didn’t affect any of my other internet devices. And I had no clue what was going on. Took a google search and many hours for reading various message boards until I finally found my answer. But once you get it rolling, you’re golden.

Im no fanboy (anymore) of either faction, both systems have their strengths and faults. But I can foresee getting to know my PS3 a little better over next few months. Also, the “clicky” buttons are very real and they light up, so if you happen to have the PS3 in the dark you can turn it off(although, you can turn the thing off with the DualShock 3 as well, most of the time)

The only thing that would make me shit real bricks is if Valve learned to share some L4D love to the PS3. I’d cop that up in a hot minute.  Ah well, Fat Princess is fun enough I say, looking forward to Uncharted 2…even though I never played Uncharted.

The Harsh Reality: 9.7/10
A very solid gaming console with more bells and whistles than the Xbox 360  and features the new wave of Multimedia format, Blu-Ray. Honsetly, I’d purchase one even if you’re not really a gamer. The Slim is just that damn slick. Knocked some points off due to 1. The online set up being a hassle for network scrubs like myself and 2. The fact to set it up vertically, you have to fork out an extra 25 bucks for the stand.

So my Xbox 360 RROD’d last week and I just got the box and sent it away this evening. So it won’t be back til sometime next week Im guessing? Ew. Anyway this is my 4th system. I used to just swap consoles with Wal-Mart but they wised up with return and exchange policies. And Im not buying another 360 just to stay on Xbox Live, hence the only reason I actually keep the blasted failure console -_-.

Saving up some cash, Im getting on this new PS3 Slims. Most likely Thursday, Im on the fence on trading a good chunk of my 360 games to help towards the purchase. But with my 4th 360 having a problem, I really have a problem with it. No, Im not saying the PS3 is foolproof cause shit happens, and you just never know. But when I drop $200-$400 dollars on an entertainment device, I expect it to work and do its job, entertaining me.

My pc plays Team Fortress 2 and Left 4 Dead well, but I rarely play pc version, friends never really on it or never invite me to come play. ho hum.

Xbox Live: ReKaNo
PSN: Rekano
Steam ID: Rekano
peace out,
-Rek

Well, the slim model is has my attention. I’ll most likely be aiming to pick one up (before the holiday RUSH). Rumor has it that the slim uses ACTUAL BUTTONS! So yeah, I will be reviewing it when I get my hands on it. Hoping to see just how REAL these buttons, REALLY ARE!

-Rekano
(yeah I know, I still havn’t done the Turtle in Time RS review.)

But most likely one of the really kick ass merch to spawn from the success were the VERY popular video games, starting with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Arcade Game” it,a very solid beat-um-up that at the time, beasted the fuck out of what consoles could produce back then and it was quarter-sucker meaning if you wanted the glory of beating it, you better have had ALOT of quarters and patience. But the TMNT train was so strong and the OG game was so good, that it later down the road in 90′s spawned a Sequel arcade cabinet titled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turles In Time” which added new features(like throwing your enemies into the screen, slamming them into the ground, a running attack)from the OG. Although there were ports of both on Nintendo’s consoles they lacked something the Arcade version had. 4 player co-op. Sure, to compensate they added more levels and upped the difficulty(YES THEY DID IN TMNTII!). But 4 Player co-op was one of the gems that made the turtles…Make sense!

Turtles resurfaced in 2003 with a new cartoon that the newer games were based off of, just take a good look at any review and see they were below-average games compared to the Konami made masterpieces of 1989 and 1993. Apparently, with the NEW TMNT movie dropping, Microsoft jumped on that shit by releasing TMNT 1989 which was the original arcade version, featured 4 player online play, achievos, and the game…thats it. No extra fluff or jazz. Pretty barebone, still a classic gem but when outside of Achieveos, you coulda had this thing on your PC on an emulator makes it tough. (whew, alot of back tale)

So recently, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are celebrating their 25th Year Anniversary.  Aside from the special DVD and Blu-Ray 4 packs(links to those products at the end of this) We get “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Turtles In Time Re-Shelled” which is the TMNT arcade classic we all remember, except. Ubisoft went out of their way this time to offer something a tad more than a straight port. They actually re-did all the charcters and stages into 3-D’ish territory, so basically its a really pretty and polished port. Being an OG TMNT nerd(yes I still got the headbands, EAT IT FUCKERS!), I was hella excited when it dropped on XBLA this morning(5am est) so I ran through the “Story” Mode really quick to see if I was as good as the original. I can firmly say, yes it is. Although the menus are a bit cheesy, the actual game sounds, looks,  plays and feels great.

Still left for me to explore are the online function and the survival modes, the game also offers quick play, which what I am guessing is to play through one level, primarily to either practice it or just for a quick taste of turtle action(very nice). I’ll add more once I’ve actually played the other modes though. But so far this little gem is pretty damn sweet, its out NOW for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live Arcade. It should be released on Playstation Network and WiiWare as well, very soon.

as for the TMNT 25 Year DVD/Blu-Ray collections? here’s some BestBuy Links…
Blu-Ray Version
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Film Collection [4 Discs] – Blu-ray Disc
DVD Version
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Film Collection [4 Discs] – DVD

Peace,
-Rekano OuTz

Anyway, nothing new happening. I played some L4eft 4 Dead last night with some friends I typically don’t play it with, simply cause our times never match. First game was going our way until the other team ragequit. And the second, we ended up ragequitting due to we fucked up on early levels and there was no chance of winning.

Playing L4D, made me realize how much Im looking forward to L4D2. L4D can be a very slow paced game due to survivors camping or infected catching them at certain parts of the map. L4D2 I feel, will be faster, more intense VS. matches. That I’m hoping will give you very little time to breathe.
Examples:
Survivors
-Crescendo events now involve you shutting down whatever draws the horde, typically located else where from where you activate it, making it a race to shut whatever off. Otherwise, the horde will never stop coming.
-Adrenaline Shots and Ammo Packs can occupy the spot of the pain pills and health pack, forcing more aggressive tactics.
-Health packs are no longer always guaranteed to be in the safe rooms when entering them or starting from them. Forcing more on-the-fly exploration.

-Fire ammo, which like in the last game sets our zombie foes a blaze now can come from your guns.

The Infected:
-Charger, the big one armed guy you saw in the opening trailer. He charges at the survivors thus cause all in his path to stumble(similar to a hunter’s pounce) except for the last guy he connects with during his charge. He will repeatedly slam them (by the face) into the pavement.
-Wandering Witch, in L4D she sat and cried until you pissed her off. Now she can be found walking about freely. A Scary thought if she happens to spawn behind your group slowly making her way to you, as you are forced to deal with other infected.
-The Spitter,  this gross ass bitch’s main attack is that of its name. It spits a small green glob-ball. When it hits the floor, the floor turns red. Survivors standing in the red area will take A LOT of damage REALLY quick. She will be one of the most feared infected, hands down.
-Improved A.I. Director(2.0), now changes which path you take determined on how well or bad you are doing. Appearently, it also takes more into consideration when spawn health packs, weapons, etc…

Left 4 Dead 2 is looking pretty sweet, fuck the haters of the boycott. This L4D is going to be amazing. Seriously, Charger and Spitter should be added on to L4D1. They would (literally) be a nightmare.

Peace
-Rekano OuTz

Now I never read the graphic novels of Watchmen, so I went into this movie knowing nothing. And by the time it was over, I had a connection with the characters and everything strung together. If you’re in the same boat I was in, going into Watchmen. Expect a dark super hero movie and pay attention for story clues.

Throughout most of the movie, you see these heroes, living normal day to day lives. Until the murder of their leader(The Comedian), the one of them that refused to give up “playing hero” (Rorschach) believes its more than that, going as far as saying that ALL the Watchmen are in danger.  So he sets out to warn the rest of the gang(Dr.Manhattan, Silk Spectre II, Nite Owl II, and Ozymandias), but does not make much progress as the the rest of the alternate universe where America WON the Vietnam War and Richord Nixon is elected a third term in office. Is on the verge of a nuclear war with Russia. With Dr.Manhattan trying to aid USA in the fight before somthing goes horrible wrong on a live interview. Dr.Manhattan learns his interaction with his EX-girlfriend and colleagues gave them cancer, upset by the current events, he exciles himself to Mars. It is here, the story gets nice and interesting with surprizing plot twists along the way.

Romance, Action, Blood, Gore, and Rorschach. Seriously, if ANY character kicked major ass in the movie. It was fucking Rorschach. The scene’s of him sent to prison is fucking awesome.

I will say this on closing note. The movie is not your typical Super Hero movie. Not much about it, at all. is ever happy. Moreless, its real. Real people dealing with shit, masked in a super hero movie. The ending itself, isn’t even like other super hero movies (closure and happiness). And its that reason, I think this movie is a gem. Add it to your DVD/Blu-Ray collection.

Also, I think alot of my friends who saw this in theaters over-re-fucking-acted to Dr.Manhattan’s manhood that appears on screen as much as he does. Realism is a bitch sometimes. And yo, last time I checked. My Dick, was quite real.

Peace,
-Rek OuTz

But you can expect Reviews of Random things I choose, pre and post thoughts to video games, video game events, news, and media. As well as just real life stuff, relevant to my interests.

Right now, Im trying to figure out my domain I paid 10 bucks for…hmmmm.

Ok, I feel that’s it for now.
Peace,
-Rekano OuTz