Injustice: Gods Among Us - Taking Fighting to Superhuman Heights

Let's be honest.  I love seeing that I have my readers coming to read my posts regularly.  However, there are times when I believe that my readers should be doing something other than reading . . . This may be one of those times.

If you have not experienced Injustice: Gods Among Us yet, you're doing yourself a great injustice (the pawn was totally meant there.)  Coming from NetherRealm, the same studio that brought us Mortal Combat, has developed a fighter that is both familiar and new at the same time.  If you love fighting games, you must own it;  if you love DC comics, you must own it;  if you love BOTH and don't own this title yet, WHY NOT?!

Yes, it is as cool as it looks.

From a gameplay perspective, Injustice handles itself with pure grace and excellence.  For starters, the controls are easy enough to learn that throwing a few cool moves together is a simple task.  To spice up the combat, each character has a special move that used once a certain meter is filled.  These moves are showstoppers that deal major damage to your opponent and leave you wanting more.  As a Dark Knight fan myself, I enjoy using the many weapons at Batman's disposal and using his special move to finish off an opponent.  Makes you feel pretty superhero-ish if you ask me.

Another aspect of Injustice that makes it great is the tremendous story it tells; a story so well told that I shall not reveal any of its contents except for this:  You have NEVER seen the Man of Steel like this before, and that's one BIG never.  The voice cast is one of the best I've ever heard, with notable and recognizable voices from the Justice League cartoon and other DC series.

It's almost as fun to watch as it is to play!

From a fan standpoint, Injustice is crawling, and I mean CRAWLING, with extras that will make even the most hardcore fans feel satisfied.  The amount of alternate costumes for each character is insane, with some standing above the rest (*cough* BATMAN BEYOND*cough*) and others faltering.  Other goodies can be had throughout the game as you progress.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is by far the best fighter on the market right now and the best one in recent memory.  With stellar gameplay that is backed by a fresh and eventful new story, this game stands tall even before all of the fan service with all of the extra goodies that can be had as you make your way through the game.  This is a must-own and while we're still being honest, I stopped writing this for an hour to play Injustice . . . it's seriously that good.

Injustice: Gods Among Us is out now for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, and iPhone.

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Any thoughts or comments on Injustice: Gods Among Us?  Leave one below and share this if you found it useful!  Don't forget to check out my other posts for more gaming madness!!  Also follow me on Twitter at @RamboCovey58!

Deuces for now bros!!

One Late Night: Working overtime will never be the same again . . .

" . . . I'm alone.  I'm sure of it.  There couldn't possibly be anyone else here THIS late at night . . . could there? . . . "

That thought might just be stamped on to your brain after going through the seemingly ordinary world of One Late Night.  This FREE indie game developed by Black Curtain Studio is a very pleasant surprise that was brought to my attention in the past week.

Yeah, when I saw this, I said, "This can't be that bad!" . . . idiot.

From the get-go, you are an unnamed graphic designer employee who is simply working overtime.  That's it. There isn't any flashy twist or juicy backstory to be told, just a simple employee who is looking to earn some extra money . . . alone.  Well as the night goes on, strange things start to take place, such as chairs moving on their own or computer screens popping on with disturbing images on them.

Soon enough, you realize that you are CLEARLY not alone and find yourself looking for clues to help you escape what is causing all these ghostly events.

That is NOT a co-worker.

The scariest aspect of this title is the fact that it is set in a realistic environment that regular people operate in. It's an ordinary office space with nothing you wouldn't expect to be there, aside from the evil of course.  Another great area where One Late Night succeeds is in the suspense department.  You never really know what is after you until you come face-to-face with it for the first time, which is still giving me chills.

Check out the full playthrough here.

For anyone who has been somewhere by themselves and can't help but feel an strange and spooky presence  nearby, this short horror might just envision your worst nightmares.  If you're just looking for a good scare, One Late Night can provide that for you with its twists and turns once things start to unravel.  It's a free game folks.  Give it a whirl if for no other reason than to make sure you never work overtime in an office building again.

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Like what you read?  Leave a comment on your thoughts and like this post and don't forget to read other posts from before for more gaming madness!  Also you can follow me on Twitter at @RamboCovey58!

Deuces for now bros!

Is Terraria (dare I say) better than Minecraft?!

Indie games are underrated.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term 'indie game', these are games that are created by individuals or small groups of people who don't have the financial support of big-time gaming companies, such as EA.

With all that being said, there are many hidden gems in the indie game genre.  Possibly the most popular and well-known games around is Minecraft, which is an indie game itself.  Gamers worldwide have heard the name before, whether they have played it or not.  It is the ultimate game for your imagination, allowing your mind to wander and explore seemingly endless possibilities of creativity.  With its success, Minecraft has opened up windows of opportunity for over indies to emerge.

Creativity reigns supreme!!

Enter Terraria. A newly-released indie from developer Re-Logic, Terraria may seem like a total impostor to Minecraft, but it capitalizes on some aspects that "'Craft" lacks expertise in while becoming even SIMPLIER!!  (Yeah, no more jokes about how simple Minecraft is, haha.)

Terraria is a 2D sandbox game with most of the same general ideas as Minecraft, only it looks like it could be played on a Super Nintendo.  Where it expands on some of the ideas in Minecraft is in the combat and exploration.

There are many more enemies to fight, versus the typical creepers that stalk the landscape of Minecraft.  The combat system is also better, with more weapons and different challenges for each enemy.  The exploration is also deeper, as more resources are available to players to construct different tools and equipment to continue your exploration.

The enemies are bigger AND badder.

However, the creativity can lack at times where in Minecraft, players can make anything they think of a reality.  Terraria is a nice addition to the indie library and is a thrill to play, but still can't live up to its "big brother" in Minecraft.

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Like what you read?  Leave a comment on your thoughts and like this post and don't forget to read other posts from before for more gaming madness!  Also you can follow me on Twitter at @RamboCovey58!

Deuces for now bros!

In your hands, the choice is!

Hey guys!  First off, I would like to thank LJ for his post on Nike Kinect Training.  It was a great entry to the blog and if you're looking to pick it up and give it a whirl, reading his review will help your decision.  If you're looking for the true workout regimen for a champion, check out his blog, NO more Freshman 15!! Use it & Lose it!

I also would like to give another thanks to Anthony for his post last week.  Both are bloggers who have great information on their blogs so don't hesitate to check them out!

As for the post tonight, I am leaving the topic of choice in your hands, my dear audience.  Please comment on what you would like to see the next post to be about and I will do my best to make it happen!  Hype of the next-gen consoles and their titles?  Upcoming games or events?  Games that may deseve more credit than they are receiving?  You let me know gamers!

My next post will be on Sunday so don't waste any time!! . . . c'mon, what are you waiting for, reading this?! Comment on your favorite topic!

Let your voices be heard!!  Comment below!

Until Sunday, deuces for now bros!!

P.S. - Jurassic Park in 3D comes out on Friday and you don't go see that masterpiece in 3D, then you're holding on to unnecessary money . . . that is all.

XBOX 360 KINECT Nike Training Review

Was up guys, my name is Lj McCray and I am doing this guest post for my classmate/ teammate Rambo Covey. My blog consists of workouts, diets, and motivation that I give to my followers in hope of helping them change their lives. I love working out, also I like to play video games in my free time and I thought it would be fun to do a review on Xbox Kinect Nike training because it is a video game that allows you to workout and monitor your calories burned.

 

This is the perfect game for gamers who also like to stay fit! One of the best games I have ever played and very creative to have mixed exercise with video games. The game has different stages as well as, many different exercises that all make you sweat and work hard. Here is a small example of what part of the game consists of.

 

 

The experience of the actual workout is like an exercise class. The instructor demonstrates a move, then you repeat it for a set number of reps. Your avatar allows you to check your form as you go.  The instructor offers encouragement and you watch your reps grow.  At the end of a workout, you get a fitness score that can be graphed over time. And the game makes smart selections from a library of exercises to tailor a workout regimen to your schedule.

 

Overall this is a great game and I recommend this to anyone interested because it can really help and is a great way to stay motivated. Below is a link to the actual video for the game showing you everything that one needs to know about the game. Hope You enjoy.



 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IYbNMlN1Npw

Katamaris ARE Forever

Hey everyone! I'm Anthony, fellow blogger and creator of the Hidden Gamer Blog, and I am happy to be a guest writer here on The Gaming Athlete!

Like Tyler, I too also like to talk about games both well-known and not so well known, so I'm pretty open when it comes to discussing different games and what not.

Today I'll be talking about game that probably a few of you guys may know about, but if not, then'll here it is!

Title: Katamari Forever

Genre: Third Person Action-Puzzle

Developer: Namco Bandai

Publisher: Namco Bandai

System: Playstation 3

Release Date: September 22nd, 2009

The phrase "let the good times roll" would be a good choice of words to say about any game in the Katamari series, especially with Katamari Forever.

Generally in the series, the King of All Cosmos (shown in the bottom center of the box art) does something that messes up something in space, and it's up to you (as The Prince and his cousins) in order to fix it by rolling up objects with a ball called a katamari and restoring them to their former glory.

However, in Katamari Forever, the phrase "like father, like son" can also come into play.

The main plot of the game is that one day the King of all Cosmos decides to show the Prince his jumping ability (with the Prince Hop being the newest ability for the Prince and his cousins), but he suddenly hits his head on a falling star, causing him to fall into a coma.

The Prince decides to call up all of his cousins and decides to be a robotic version of the king, however, the RoboKing, after being activated with a katamari as his reactor core goes haywire, destroying all of the stars and planets in space, and sending all of the cousins into many different areas on Earth. So now it's up to Prince to get his cousins (all 57 of them) back, restore space to normal, and restore his father's memories.

The Prince serves as both the main character and the first character you play as in all of the Katamari games. His cousins, who are scattered throughout many different levels are also playable as well.

In Japan, the game is called "Katamari Damacy Tribute", which means the game uses a majority of levels and music (which is remixed) from previous Katamari games, as well as celebrating the series' 5th anniversary.

The game consists of 34 levels, 31 of which are from previous games, and 3 are original to Katamari Forever, which is split into two sections: The King's Cosmos, and RoboKing's Cosmos.

In the King's Cosmos, your job is to roll up Katamaris in order to help the King restore his memories and awaken him from his coma. In RoboKing's Cosmos, your job is to roll Katamaris in order to create new stars and planets.

You'll be using both analog sticks in order to move the Katamari around as well as changing direction. The new move, Prince Hop can be used by either raising your PS3 controller up or by pushing the R2 button.

Levels tend to differ in terms of goals. Some levels require you to reach a certain height in a set amount of time, others may require you to stop at a certain height or when you get enough/a certain object(s) requested.

Even though the game mostly contains levels and music from past games, there are some new things they've added. Players can choose different graphical filters such as cel-shaded, colored pencil and wood grain graphics as well as play additional modes such as "Eternal Mode" which allows players to roll with no time limit, and "Classic Katamari" mode, which forces players to roll without the use of the Prince Hop or hint hearts.

Katamari Forever, is something like all previous games of the series are like. Humorous, fun, and all the more exciting when you roll things up and make your Katamari huge, along with seeing the different cousins who have their own unique styles and personalities, which makes the series unique in comparison to other games out there.

Anyways, I hope that you enjoyed my writings and what not, and hope to guest blog some other time. Until then, later guys!

-Anthony-

This isn't your parents' Lara Croft . . .

If you do not own the new Tomb Raider, you've been wasting your time doing anything else.

The new reboot for the series, developer Crystal Dynamics has taken the franchise and made it into a more dramatic, emotionally-driven thrill ride while keeping it action-packed.  The best part of all this is that neither interferes with the other so that the game is too one-sided.

Move over, Mr. Jones, you've got competition.

A big thing for the Tomb Raider franchise since its beginnings has been the massive amount of action that was stuffed into each game.  After all, what's a good adventure tale without dangerous animals, booby traps, and deadly tribes?  Action is something that the franchise has always harped on and capitalized on, but this reboot has brought about some change to that aspect.

In the past, Lara Croft had been a hard-nosed adventurer who stared into the face of danger without flinching from the get-go.  She punished anyone who got her way of an objective! . . . This isn't that same Lara.  The rebooted Croft starts off as a vulnerable young woman who is shipwrecked on a remote island after your ship is wrecked during a violent sea storm.

However, as the game progresses, you see Lara step more and more out of her shell, becoming not only a strong-willed individual, but the adventurous and death-defying Lara that we have come to know and love from the past.  Crystal Dynamics does an absolutely fantastic job of giving you the feel like you're actually in the game and experiencing the story unfold as if you're actually there.

Which brings up the next point: this might just be one of the biggest and best stories told in recent memory.  Lara's development into an adventurer over the course of the game is something to truly behold, the environment in which she operates is breathtaking, and enemies will test you to use all the resources at your disposal, making for one heart-racing, adrenaline-inducing moment after another.  The multiplayer is forgettable but trust me, you won't care once you dive into story mode.

This is just one of many great moments Tomb Raider produces.

In my opinion, the rebooted Tomb Raider is an absolute masterpiece.  Lara Croft has never looked better or been brought to us like this, going from a vulnerable, outmatched girl to a skillful and deadly young woman.  Her environment and enemies should be praised, and although the multiplayer isn't anything to write home about, the story makes up for any little deficiencies this title may have.  Tomb Raider needs to be yours, and it needs to be yours NOW!

Tomb Raider is now out for PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

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Like what you read?  Leave a comment on your thoughts and like this post and don't forget to read other posts from before for more gaming madness!  Also you can follow me on Twitter at @RamboCovey58!

Deuces for now bros!

Not your average #1 hyperactive, knucklehead ninja game!

Although Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations was a letdown to many across the globe, there was much optimism when Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 was announced last year.

The Ultimate Ninja Storm series has possibly been the best of the Naruto gaming series despite the setback that Generations was.  The blend of fighting segments and adventure sequences have made for some great experiences and encounters in the past and Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 only capitalizes on those pints and makes them stronger.

Stunning visuals and battle rule Ultimate Ninja Storm 3.

One of Ultimate Ninja Storm 3's major strengths is its presentation and the way in which it carries itself.  Naruto overall has always been a series that has handled itself beautifully, whether it be the manga, TV series or recently in the gaming world, and that doesn't change this time around.  Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 does a magnificent job of handling Naruto's continuing story as a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village.  As a matter of fact, there are some moments in the game where it may have some more defining scenes than the manga or TV series!

Battles are also a blast to play and are easy to grasp from the get-go.  Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is a pick-up-and-play game if you're looking for an easy to understand battle system.  The controls don't ask you to hold down so many buttons at once to perform jutsu, which is quite pleasant compared to some other fighters out there.  The adventure portions of the single-player mode are also fun but you'll be itching to fight other shinobi, or ninjas, that you'll wish there were less of these.

The only great downside to the game is that you have to follow Naruto to understand what's going on and who the characters are and how they've developed.  Going through the single-player story mode without knowing anything about the series would be a living hell to understand.  With that being said, this is the only negative against the game that I can find.

All in all, you need this game if you're a Naruto fan or you're a fighting-game kind of person.  The art is great, the gameplay is seamless and easy to get, and it offers some terrific moments from the anime and manga.  This is a MUST-HAVE for all gamers looking for the greatest Naruto experience to date!!

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is out now on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

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Like what you read?  Leave a comment on your thoughts and like this post and don't forget to read other posts from before for more gaming madness!  Also you can follow me on Twitter at @RamboCovey58!

Deuces for now bros!

Jurassic Life: A game TOO MANY years in the making

Hello everyone!  It's been a while but we are back and ready to go!!

Well over the past few weeks where I have gone M.I.A., I have stumbled upon some very exciting and encouraging news in the world of gaming.  As many of you may know, Universal is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the original Jurassic Park film by re-releasing it in 3D on April 5.  I am personally an enormous fan of the Jurassic Park franchise but it hasn't been on par with what it could be as of late.

Since the original film has released in 1993, the quality of the franchise has steadily gone down, especially from a gaming standpoint.  The latest release, Telltale Games's Jurassic Park: The Game, had much hype like most of the other JP titles before it, only to fall well short of that hype and expectations.

Who wouldn't want to relive something like this?

I own that game and while it was an interesting concept since it was entirely played using button sequences, it's not the right direction for the franchise to take.  One of the elements that makes Jurassic Park great is the amount of stress, tension and suspense the films provided.  Watching characters struggle to escape a pack of velociraptors never seems to get old or any less exciting.

Another element is exploration.  In order for a game like this to work, freedom needs to be available to the players.  I for one have always wondered what the rest of Isla Nublar looks like and what secrets it might hold.  Fortunately, after all this time, there is a group of individuals and JP fans who are taking those elements and many others and molding them into the game the franchise so rightfully deserves.

Here's a look at how the game is progressing.

Jurassic Life has been under development for years since the guys making it are creating it as a side job.  Their project has caught the attention of IGN and other big game informers, but a release date hasn't been given, only them saying that it will be ready to play "when it's done."

Based off of what I've seen so far, this title has a legitimate shot at becoming the game that could finally set the gaming side of the franchise on the right track.  After all these years, it appears that someone is finally about to get Jurassic Park right.
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Like what you read?  Leave a comment on your thoughts and like this post and don't forget to read other posts from before for more gaming madness!  Also you can follow me on Twitter at @RamboCovey58!

Deuces for now bros!

Boogity boogity boogity, I've got a Need for Speed!!

The roar of the engines just gives you chills all over, doesn't it?  With the Daytona 500 being run this weekend, racing has returned to the forefront of the sports world.  What could that possibly mean for this post?  It means that it is time to look at one of 2012's most polished and exhilarating games, Need for Speed: Most Wanted.

Driving has never looked this good outside of the real world.

As a remake of EA Black Box's 2005 original, the Most Wanted of 2012 is developed by Criterion Games, who had been the developer of the highly-successful Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit remake in 2010 and the Burnout series.  Criterion knows how to get the job done when it comes to the racing genre.  They understand that most individuals don't just buy a racing game for one specific reason, but for multiple reasons.

One of those multiple reasons is for the gameplay.  Remember how in most racing titles your objective was to go from point A to point B on a certain path and after you were finished, you were taken to a menu?  Yeah, you can forget about that now.  There are many shortcuts, obstacles and structures you can use to either slow your opponent down, avoid a roadblock or other obstacles or to gain the upperhand on the other drivers.

Most Wanted's gameplay is seamless from race to open world play.  If you have cops on your tail when you finish a sprint race, they aren't going to go away just because you finished anymore.  The handling of the many cars that are available throughout the game is incredible and the cars you have the opportunity to drive are much more diverse than any other racing game on the market.

The open world of Fairhaven allows the driver to do anything they have ever dared to do in a car.  Go as fast as you want, crash as often as you want and any way you want.  Most Wanted offers absolute control over what you do to you.  As for the cars, most of them are scattered around the world just waiting for the driver to find them to unlock their availability, from the tough Ford F-150 SVT Raptor to the speedy Bugatti Veyron Super Sport.

A new feature to this remake is the Easy Drive menu.  It is accessible right from the game screen and you can manage just about anything without having to leave the action or pause the game.

Ain't no joke.

Speaking of the open world and cars, the graphics and visuals of Most Wanted are absolutely stunning, something we have come to expect from the Need for Speed series under Criterion's direction.  The cars have never looked so flawlessly beautiful.  The edges, colors and other exterior features of the car all pop and just make driving around its own epic experience.  The world of Fairhaven might be just as beautiful as the car you drive.  The roads are all very well thought-out and the blurs of the objects you pass as you speed down a highway really makes you feel like you're in the driver's seat.

What?  There was a roadblock there?

If you're a fan of racing games, you would be doing yourself a GREAT injustice if you didn't play Need for Speed: Most Wanted.  Even if you aren't a big racing game person, this title can keep anyone entertained!  This game is so polished that it might just be too good to be true.  The amazing thing is that it isn't just the visuals this time around.  The gameplay is very well thought-out and never ceases to excite.  Searching for cars and other challenges when you're not racing can keep you busy for hours.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is out now for Xbox 360, PS3, PS Vita, PC, and Wii U.
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Like what you read?  Leave a comment on your thoughts and like this post and don't forget to read other posts from before for more gaming madness!

Deuces for now bros!

3D Pokemon?! We can only hope . . .

I was six or seven years old at the time.  My family and I were on Long Island, heading to my grandparents' house for a visit.  As we pulled up to the house, my Pidgey used Gust to blow away the rest of Brock's Onix's HP, or health points.  After seemingly countless attempts, I had finally defeated the first gym leader of Kanto and Pokemon: Yellow Version.

Oh boy, these were the days . . .

That is where my gaming career as a whole had begun, on a brand-new Game Boy Color with my first game ever.  Even as a fine young student-athlete in college, Pokemon still holds a very special place in my heart.  In the many games Nintendo has put out over the years, the formula has remained the same for the most part: capture strange creatures of all shapes, colors, and sizes, train them to become strong, and battle other "trainers" to become the "Pokemon Master".

Yet through all the years, it has remained as successful as ever!  Gamers will sometimes buy a Nintendo system solely for the purpose of playing Pokemon games.  Pokemon has been a worldwide sensation since it hit the shelves in the U.S. in 1998 and just keeps growing.  However,  just when you start to think the plot and formula are getting a bit stale, the masterminds at Nintendo HQ in Japan bust out something new and ground-breaking to make us shut up.

What, did they FINALLY run out of colors?

With that being said, reports have come out that the Japanese gaming company is "rebuilding" the series from its 2D origins and roots and converting it over to the 3D world of gaming in the upcoming Pokemon: X and Y.  As a big Pokemon fan and supporter myself, I have been thinking for years, "What if Nintendo made a legitimate 3D Pokemon game that is based off the original formula?"  No Pokemon Stadium or any specialty game.  I'm talking about a straight up, 3D Pokemon game with the same gameplay and plot we have come to know and love.

The best combo of examples to use would be to have an open-world as large a scale as Skyrim and have some of the battle mechanics from Kingdom Hearts.  Imagine this: you are traveling around a new world and you are far enough into the game where you can use the move Surf in the open world, which also you to journey across bodies of water, whether it's a river, a lake or even an ocean as long as you have a Pokemon who has learned the move.  As you are traveling,  a wild Gyarados thrashes out of the depths to the surface in front of you.

A step in the right direction for the world of Pokemon.

Now, the game will pause to bring up a menu with some options.  Just as in the Kingdom Heart games, you would have the option to call upon comrades, or one of your Pokemon that is in your six-member party.  You can choose one of them to go into to battle or you may simply flee the possible conflict and try to lose the opposition.

If you choose to stand your ground (or water in this scenario), you don't watch your Pokemon go into action as you bark orders to it as in previous games.  No, you take CONTROL of the creature you have chosen to battle.  Your view switches from your trainer to the Pokemon, where you can move around freely to dodge or set up attacks, with certain buttons to activate moves your Pokemon knows.

You may bring a menu up freely as well during battle if your Pokemon needs a potion or other item to heal or recover, or to choose a Poke Ball to throw if you feel the time is right to capture the wild Pokemon . . .

Something like this would be astonishing to behold.

That sort of game would be so breathtaking and absolutely stunning that it could open so many doors for so much more in the future.  Kingdom Hearts with a Skyrim-sized world that holds hundreds of Pokemon and challenges in it?  X and Y Versions could be the start of something great that could change the world of Pokemon forever, but time will only tell if Nintendo will make my vision a reality . . . or some form of it.
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Like what you read?  Leave a comment on your thoughts and like this post and don't forget to read other posts from before for more gaming madness!

Deuces for now bros!

Alien, Aliens, and more Aliens!!

SPOILERS BELOW!! PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

In 1979, it was said that "in space, no one can hear you scream."  In 1986, they returned to fight back and at that time, they said, "this time it's war."  In 2013, the horrific story continues . . .

For those new to the Alien movie series, there are five movies that are focused on the original story line, including Prometheus (sorry, Predator, you don't make the cut here.)  However, after the 1986 smash-hit sequel Aliens, an appropriate sequel to it was never truly released . . . until now.

Acidic blood? Check. Ugly ass smile? Got that too.

With Gearbox's highly anticipated Aliens: Colonial Marines on shelves now, it would be wise for anyone who wasn't seen Alien and Aliens to watch them before stepping into this title.  Not only would you be doing yourself a huge favor because they are AWESOME films but also you will know the story, characters, and what exactly you'll be stepping up against in the "Aliens" or xenomorphs (z-no-morfs.)  Trust me, you haven't seen anything this horrifyingly awful since the third Spider-Man movie.  Just awful.

As an official sequel to Aliens, you will be dropping onto the planets where the first two films had taken place.  You and your crew are on a mission to investigate what exactly happened to the community that was destroyed in the second film.  Unfortunately, you likely don't know what you're up against . . .

Mean lil' sucker, isn't it?

I think anyone who wants to give this game a go owes it to themselves to see how this horrific problem began and how it grew into one of the greatest and most respected movie series of all-time.  Colonial Marines has been much-hyped in its development because, unlike past games, it's supposed to bring the goods and make for a truly entertaining and real Alien experience.  That standard is set by the first two films so watching them is the best advice I can offer for you, my readers.

Deuces for now bros!

Become the ultimate Dragonborn in Skyrim!

Greetings everyone! A few weeks ago, I had received a request from a follower to put up a post for advice on Skyrim. So let's discuss some hints and tips for those diving into the beautiful, mountainous and snowy region of Tamriel known as Skyrim!

Some of the game's greatest moments can be just standing and taking in the view.

The first piece of advice is actually in the second sentence. Skyrim is a mountainous land with many valleys, hills and cliffs. Use the natural landscape to your advantage during battle if you can. This usually means keeping high ground on your opponent.  For example, if an opponent with a ranged weapon (bow, magic, etc.) were to cross your path, gaining ground on them makes their job of trying to kill you at least a little tougher.  It also makes the kill easier for you.

Unfortunately, sometimes gaining higher ground isn't an option and you have to go toe-to-toe with a opponent on even ground or in a room.  When this happens, you must evaluate them quickly.  Learn their techniques, what weapons and attacks they prefer and how they defend.  Your best bet is to play a little defense first to figure them out.  You can also send your follower (if you have one) after your enemy to see how they operate.

Once you feel confident in defeating them, play to your strengths.  If you're good with the sword and the FlameCloak spell, go for it.  Don't change everything you do because you're facing a Frost Troll versus a normal Troll.  Now if you're fighting a dragon, you may want to switch tactics depending on where you are in Skyrim and what level your character is on.

Fighting dragons is always an exciting feeling!

More than any other advice I can give you, you absolutely MUST save on a very regular basis.  Failing to do so could result in some very seriously annoyed situations.  If you were standing outside of Bleak Falls Barrow and saved, went through the entire dungeon, got everything you needed, came out and an Ancient Dragon decides to show up and make you a fried Dragonborn, you go back to where you where before entering the dungeon! Skyrim doesn't have any checkpoints so saving all the time is an essential part of your travels if you want to be successful.

I would like to thank those who have visited my site so far and have read my posts.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  Please follow me for more great advice, hints, tips and overall knowledge of the gaming world!  Also, if you would like some advice from me, leave a comment on any of my posts and I'll get your request up ASAP!

Deuces for now bros!

Crysis 3 might just blind you with beauty

CAUTION: SPOILERS FROM CRYSIS AND CRYSIS 2 ARE INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLE BELOW. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!

These past few weeks, I've been dishing out advice on games that have already been released and I'm thinking I'm going to change the pace a little bit this time around.  Let's discuss an adventure that is to be released on February 19th, Crysis 3!  This is the thirs installment in the series following Crytek's famous nanosuit.

Yeah...that's the formentioned nanosuit. With a crossbow. Sick.

As in the first two Crysis games, you return to Manhattan, although the "Big Apple" seems to have rotted a little since we last saw it.  Vegetation has taken over almost every area of the city and, to be honest, it couldn't look more lovely.  Crytek has managed to turn the Concrete Jungle into a legit jungle!  Throw the baddies from the previous two games along with some new ones and we have an adventure so big that New York might be the only place on Earth to hold it!

I'm a HUGE fan of Crysis, personally.  I picked up Crysis 2 for the Xbox 360 and has IMMEDIATELY hooked.  From the sheer beauty of the environments surrounding me to the gameplay itself, I felt awestruck as I turned around every corner.  I had never seen a better looking game anywhere, as far as visuals went.  Everything was crystal clear in its appearance and I felt like I was actually in the nanosuit at some points!  The gameplay wasn't very off either. The weapons felt real and you always knew that you could get through any situation with any weapon the game could offer.

While this was all amazing and amounted to one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had the pleasure of playing, the downside of my time behind the nanosuit is that I was lost at times with the story, and that leads to my advice to you.  Play the first two Crysis.  If you can't do that (even though I'm HIGHLY recommending it), read about their plots online if you have to.  The story in these games has continued from the first one and on into this third edition.

I found myself confused by the plot because I wasn't aware of certain characters or situations from the first game (however, it was still a great plot and I thoroughly enjoyed it, haha.)  Do yourself a massive favor and learn and understand what happened in the first two games before diving in the third because your nanosuit experience will be that much sweeter and it's pretty damn sweet to begin with!

Crysis 3 will be out on February 19th for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

Deuces for now bros!

Super Sunday and Madden Football

A new week and a new post!  Ah Super Bowl Sunday!  A national pastime and a celebration not only of America's Game but also of our right to sit down, eat tons of food, and watch the biggest game of the year friends and family.  As the proud owner of a gaming blog, I cannot imagine a better time to share some advice for football gaming junkies!

As the years have progressed, EA Sports's Madden NFL Football has grown in popularity.  However, coming into its 24th year of existence, Madden NFL had been slowing down and had been losing ground to its EA counterpart, NCAA Football.  NCAA had surpassed Madden is many ways...until Madden 13 arrived.  With a new gaming and graphics engine that applied real-world physics to the game (finally), Madden is ready to take its spot back atop the football gaming universe.  With the new engine, plays happen more realistically so the authenticity of the game is astounding and with such realism, there are somethings players may want to know.

First off, the days of a 190-pound wide receiver bulldozing over a 235-pound linebacker are over.  Wes Welker isn't about to truck Ray Lewis anymore.  The new engine takes everything into account, including height and weight so if a 235-pound linebacker comes screaming at your 190-pound wide receiver, chances are that he's going down. HARD.

Second, when I said the engine takes everything into account, I really mean EVERYTHING!  After playing for a few hours on the new Connected Careers mode (it's like Franchise and Superstar modes combined), I noticed that my runningback for the Pittsburgh Steelers would run up the middle and sometimes get tripped up...BY HIS OWN LINEMEN!  Gone are the days where tripping over feet or other body parts wasn't a worry.  Everything on a player's body can used as a method of tackling so if Peyton Manning decides to step up in the pocket and as he is about to throw, a defensive end comes around and grazes the end of the ball, this could be enough to knock the ball out for a fumble or an incomplete pass, just like in reality.

Now let's revisit the Wes Welker and Ray Lewis example.  Just because Lewis has a good angle to tackle Welker, it doesn't mean it's a done deal.  Welker can still make him miss by juking or shaking him.  Lewis may still get a hand on him but the tackle can still be missed.

The best advice I can offer to any Madden player, is to play as your team would on Sundays.  I can't tell you how much it pisses me off when I see someone trying to put the ball in the air all the time when they have an elite runningback, like the Philadelphia Eagles.  Michael Vick is not an elite quarterback, especially when it comes to throwing it.  LeSean McCoy, however, is an elite runningback in the league and should be used to his strengths, like catching the ball out of the backfield.  Yet, most people believe that Vick is the greatest thing since sliced bread and decide to scramble all the time and never once give the ball to McCoy, which causes turnovers.

USE THE WEAPONS AT YOUR DISPOSAL TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!  If you're the Saints, throw it.  If you're the Vikings, run it.  If you're the 49ers, have fun because there isn't a wrong answer, haha.

That's all I've got for now gamers but just for fun, there is no way that Ray Lewis is walking off the field with out a second Super Bowl title under his belt.  Ravens 27, 49ers 17.

Deuces for now bros!

An Important Public Announcement...I Think...

Hello once again, my fellow gamers!  Something that I might have forgotten to mention is that I like interacting with other people.  I guess that goes along with the whole 'I like having fun' deal, haha.  I feel like I need something to kick my blog up a notch and I think I have found it!  YOU GUYS!  Interacting more with my audience is something I'd love to pride myself on so you have any questions about any game, any tactic, or any other subjects from the gaming world, please don't hesitate to ask, just leave a comment below any post and I would be more than giddy to talk about your topic!  I'm here to serve the public and serve it I shall!

Dueces for now bros!

Halo 4's Exile a "Blast" to play on

Okay so Halo 4 has been out since November 6 of last year and much like its numerous predecessors, it has gandered much attention worldwide.  While the game is overall great with a terrific campaign and the ongoing weekly Spartan Ops mission, the main reason many gamers jump into some Spartan armor is for the multiplayer.  Let's be honest; games such as Halo and Call of Duty wouldn't be anything CLOSE to what they are today without their multiplayer brilliance.

Focusing on Halo 4's multiplayer, I am discussing one of the new first-person shooter's more well-known and beloved maps, Exile.

The first thing that most players should know and noticed is that the map is essentially one large circle with a bunch of small tunnels, paths, and shortcuts to help you move around the map.  The other aspect of Exile many will notice is that any type of player can be effective here.  While the map is meant for mass chaos with all its vehicles and big weapons, a sniper can thrive here as long as they're smart about their positioning.  For those who would rather screw thinking and attempt to go all Rambo on the opposing team, the weapons available DEFINITELY allow this. Trust me,...I'm that guy, haha.

For those of you who like the freaking sniper (and the rest of us damn you for it), your best bet at success is to grab a loadout with Active Camo equipped, find high ground (the hanger, control center agold lift are ideal spots), turn your camo on and go to work.  The areas around the Red and Blue bases usually provide the most traffic for kills to be had.  A third thing Spartans might take note of is the numerous weapons, vehicles and encounters that go BOOM.  Explosions are aplenty so if you're into that sort of thing or you're a power player, this map should be ideal for you.

With all that being said, the best way to go about this map is to be balanced in your strategy and take advantage of the vehicles that are littered all over the place.  The person who grabs the Scorpian (tank), Ghost, Banshee, or Gauss Cannon (big gun on the Warthog near the Blue Base) usually has a tendency to go on a killing spree, at least and they usually finish towards the top of the scoreboard.  When it comes to non-mounted weapons, rocket launchers, SAWs, concussion rifles and beam rifles are the most poweful ones you will find laying around, along with any weapons that come down off of ordinances.  Plasma grenades are also the best tosser of choice because all the vehicles in Exile.

Most matches in Exile usually don't last long since there aren't many places to hide but this map makes for a good time if you can balance your attack and grab a vehicle or two...yes, I'm looking at the snipers here!  In my opinion, this map is an instant Halo classic!

Best style of play: half-Rambo, half-distance

Best weapon for map: any weapon that is not a pistol or boltshot

Best vehicle: Scorpian/Gauss Cannon (I'm a believer in both, haha. I like things that go BOOM.)

Best areas to attack: Red Base/Blue Base

Welcome True Gamers!!

Hello everyone! Before diving into the gaming madness that is sure to come, I would like to stop and take a moment to introduce the author of the blog...ME!

Of course, it is only polite and proper to start off with my name, which is Mark Covert.  I am a sophomore in college, I play college football and I am aiming to get a degree in Communications Arts in hopes of one day joining the sports media and broadcasting.

Now since I'm a football player, some of you might be thinking that I'm a "jock". With that being said, it couldn't be farther from the truth.  More than anything else, I'm a kid at heart.  I'm a happy-go-lucky, fun-loving dude who wants nothing more than a good time and if I can't find one, I make one!  I'm a bit of everything really; nerd, southerner, "Yankee" as it's referred to in the south, and a big-time competitor, amongst other things.

Okay, time to fixate on this little puppy of a blog here.  Remember me mentioning the 'kid at heart' part?  Well video games entered me life at the age of 5 when my parents got me a Playstation (not PSone, there IS a difference!) for Christmas so to say I have experience in the gaming department is a little bit of an understatement.  I've gone from the days of  tearing it up and setting some baddies on fire in Spyro The Dragon to launching a bomb from rookie Ben Roethlisberger to Hines Ward in Madden NFL 06 (yes, I'm a born-and-bred Steelers fan, haha) to nailing someone in the head with a light rifle on Halo 4.

I have covered most every spectrum of the gaming world as far as genres go.  That's why this blog is based on gaming and its many secrets.  I want to share what I know with you, the gaming public because the more you know, the more fun it is.  What should you do at this map?  How do I run this offense the right way?  Why the hell am I freaking at this same spot?!  Let's look into all these things, shall we? So without further delay, let the button-mashing, couch-potatoing, curse-word-inducing gaming madness and chaos begin!!