Introduction
Hi and hello cyberspace! I am Troy, Dude of Destiny, and this is probably my sixth blog I have made. I create a blog, post a couple times, and then realize that I am the only person that reads it, then delete it, and start the process again. My previous blogs have covered topics of Pop Culture, Religion, Politics, and a bit of Philosophy. While these topics might be hinted at, or discussed briefly, I will try to shy away from them.
I am here, because I love movies, comics, video games, TV shows, and music. Even more, I love to rant about these subjects. So this time, I am going to keep this blog going for at least three months. I am usually really hesitant to write down my goals, because that means if I don't achieve them I feel like shit...but here goes...
The New Xbox Experience
This new system update for the Xbox 360 Dashboard should actually be called "The New Xbox Wii Rip-off". While the new update looks nice, it really isn't anything special. It is a Wii copycat from the clicks and sounds it makes right up to the personalized Mii-like Avatars. The only difference is that Wii does it better. Yeah, the Xbox's might look a little nicer, but so far you cant really do anything with them expect look around...oh and when you look around to much, they get dizzy and go cross-eyed. This might be fixed as more games are released that utilize this so far useless feature.
It’s pretty common knowledge that Wii's are selling like Hotcakes (mmm...hotcakes). It’s because Wii's not only appeal to the "hardcore" gamer, but they also appeal to the casual gamer. The controls are motion based and usually pretty easy to figure out. My grandmother can pick up a Wiimote and play Wii Sports pretty simply. But if I were to hand her an X360 or a PS3 controller, to play another sports based game, she would have a stroke. Obviously, with this new update, Microsoft wants to draw in that same demographic that has made Nintendo a lot of money. So whats their solution? Copy Nintendo! Good job Microsoft!
Except for one small thing, you did a bad job. The only thing you can really do with the Avatars is play some lame ass game where you act as a giant butler/construction worker for you little masters. And in said game, they only animate the legs and the arms bounce up and down slightly. I look like a giant robot but without laser eyes or rockets in my fingers.
Getting away from the Miitoo's (clever huh?), Microsoft also has added the ability to stream Movies from Netflix...which is kind of cool. Unfortunately many movies will be unavailable because Columbia Pictures (which is owned by Sony) don't want Microsoft getting their dirty hands all over their product...
That being said, the Netflix Instant Streaming feature is AWESOME! If you do not yet have a Netflix account, I highly recommend getting one for this feature alone. I also have an account with Blockbuster, which is currently frozen because I have $35 worth of late fees on there. So I decided it was worth spending $8 a month to have one movie sent out at a time, plus the instant streaming feature, and no late fees. This is easily the best thing about The New Xbox Experience.
I am still getting used to everything else. I find myself getting pretty flustered because I have to spend a couple minuets to find the things I am looking for, like where to change my theme. Now that I have had a few days, this is getting easier, but I still like the older system better.
All and all, it's nice to see some changes, but its mostly just a new coat of paint and a poor copy cat of what Nintendo has perfected. Yet the newly added Netflix feature kicks so much ass, its quite easy to overlook its issues.
Left 4 Dead
I have been looking forward to this game for quite sometime. Left 4 Dead is Vavle's Infected Monster Apocalypse game that relies heavily on teamwork and is at its best when playing with a full party of your friends. The game consists of 4 "Chapters" or Movies. Each gives players the goal of trekking through levels of increasing difficulty with the final level making players survive wave after wave of infected while they wait for a rescue vehicle. The games four chapters can be played through easily in a day, but it has enormous replay value because each play through as random elements. Depending on how well the survivors are doing, the game will spawn more or less infected or throw in the occasional boss such as a huge super strong monster called a Tank, or a devastatingly fast and powerful Witch.
And if that wasn't enough, Left 4 Dead's Versus Mode is wickedly fun. Two the four chapters are available in this mode. It pits four human survivors, against four special infected special monsters. The players that take on the infected rolls must kill the human players before they reach the safe house. The Infected have little health, but using each monsters unique special abilities, they can make a lot of problems for the survivors, especially those that lack teamwork skills. I have never played a game that brought me so much satisfaction, especially when some fool things he can blitz to the safe house, leaving his time behind, only to meet his end by my Hunter's claws ripping out his intestines.
Many other reviewers will be quick to describe this game as a "Zombie Game". It isn't! Their are two reasons why this is not a Zombie Game, first, Zombies do not run. Second, Zombies bite, thus spreading infection. In this game, the infected use their arms to beat the poor souls. Simon Pegg recent wrote a wonderful article on Zombies. I will spare you my rant on the “new Hollywood Zombie” so just go check out what Simon has to say.
Left 4 Dead is absolutely worth the $60 dent in your wallet. Between the enormous replay value of the campaign, and the terrific fun of the versus mode, this game is a must have for any console or PC owner.
Next Week
Make sure to come by next week for when I review Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero IV: World Tour. Also I will discus the best news EVER. Be there!
No comments:
Post a Comment