My last post indicated that it may be a while before I could pull together another blog post.  Well with my Saskatchewan Roughriders not performing so well today I am making a little bit of time to catch up with all the games that have crossed my path as of late:

Borderlands…Game of the Year:  Perhaps, to early to tell, but this game is amazing.  The more I play the more I realize that Borderlands is truly something special.  What has added to that as well is that I picked up the super-thick strategy guide which shows so much of the game’s depth.  This game will likely be a staple in my 360 collection for years to come.  Also the game’s theme song has burrowed deep into my head!

Forza Motorsport 3:  Speaking of Games of the Year, Forza 3 will play heavily in my game rotation for some time to come.  While I am pretty early into my career, the game has really shone for me in it’s online modes.  Firstly there was some racing and drifting in the Japanese mountains with my friends, then later I jumped into some matchmaking with random gamers and had a blast in some R1 cars, even winning a couple of races, finally I had some crazy ‘Cat and Mouse’ adventures with some more game friends.  What has also captured my imagination with this game is the Photo and Replay modes.  I have spent a significant amount of time just dabbling in those areas alone.  Turn 10 has really out done themselves this time.

Halo 3 ‘Action Sack’:  I wound up playing in this matchmaking group with my nephew and his friends the other day and actually found it to be quite fun.  Since ODST has been pushed to the wayside in the face of all the new great 360 titles it is good to keep my Halo chops up.  On a slight downside Halo note for myself, the Halo Waypoint portal is unavailable for me right now under the 360 Preview Program.  I really wanted to have a look-see at that waypoint.  One more Halo note, I now have the Halo Encyclopaedia!  The only hitch is that it is a Christmas present.  I can’t wait!

Fallout 3:  Again speaking of Games of the Year, I picked up the Fallout 3 Game of the Year strategy guide.  While I already have the Collector’s Edition guide, I wanted to have all the info surrounding the DLC.  So this guide has that plus improvements to the guide itself including an improved Bestiary and Weapons guide.  And because I picked it up at Wal-Mart I got it super cheap!

Torchlight:  A little PC talk never hurt anyone.  I downloaded via Steam this past week the ‘Diablo-esque’ Torchlight.  I finally got to play it this morning and found it to be, while not original, a whole lot of fun.  This game will be my pallet-cleansing game when I need a break from the 360.

I really could go on, but I will give you a break.  Go play all those great games, some of which I haven’t even got to speak of like the Force Unleashed re-release and the GTA IV expansion.  Another time for sure!

-SG

Halloween is here once again.  I just wanted to do quick blog update.  Due to the influx of great games and playing them as such, you may find this area a little bare the next several weeks.  I hope to return to some updates soon, but between Borderlands, Forza 3, Modern Warfare 2, and on and on, I will be getting my game on big time.  But that is what this space is all about, gaming, and right now I am living the dream!

-SG

Though I have added the must-buys of Halo 3: ODST and NHL to my collection in the past several weeks it still feels like we have not really hit the busy gaming season that is Fall 2009.  Starting next week though that will change as a series of heavy-hitters will make there way into stores and eventually into my games room.  So lets have a quick run down of what the next few weeks will bring:

Borderlands – October 20th: The co-op ‘loot-n-shoot’ arrives and looks to offer a metric tonne of great gaming action.  I am a total sucker for loot, levels, and co-op.  Will there be a better game for me this year?

Forza Motorsport 3 – October 27th: The race is on with the arrival of the preimier racing franchise on the planet, Forza 3.  I dread to think about the hours I will sink into this game!

Tekken 6 – October 27th: Purchasing this game on the strength of its wireless fighting stick.  I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised by the game itself.  I will find out for myself soon enough.

Modern Warfare 2 – November 10th: The grand daddy game of 2009 (and perhaps 2010), Modern Warfare 2.  It may not be a stretch to say I will play this game more than all the others combined!

That is not all for the rest of the year, I have a few games riding the pine as well as a couple more must-haves to complete the season.  Stay tuned for more on the killer gaming season of ‘09.

-SG

Triumph of Humanity
Hel has been defeated by the Human Baldur.

Gamerscore = 30   Acquired 21/9/2009

While I had completed the game several times before, I had never completed the game as the human Baldur.  So as I had blogged previously, with all the loot-game talk surrounding Borderlands and the Diablo series as of late, I was inspired to pick up Too Human once again.  I am glad that I decided to give this game another go, I really appreciated it and was probably the play through of the game I enjoyed the most.  I know that Too Human is a very decisive game amongst gamers and critics alike, but for me it is one of my Xbox 360 favourites.

I really hope that the trilogy will find its way into gamers' hands, <SPOILER> just the site of those Giants at the end of the game is enough to get me going for the next Too Human,  With a handful of polish and improvements this series could have a serious bounce-back.  Lets hope that this happens. I have to see how this story ends.

siliconknights.net

-SG

As I look outside I see that the leaves are turning colour and are falling off the trees.  We are in the dog days of Summer and in a couple of weeks we will officially be into the Fall season, and with that an onslaught of new games.  As I am off of work this week I have been able to take a little extra time on the games front, here is what I have been up to:

Just Too Human…

With all the talk about ‘Loot-Dropping’ games of late (Diablo III, Borderlands) I have had a hankering to play Too Human from my game collection.  I have beat the game 3-4 times prior and I was thinking about doing another run through with my level 50 character.  Last night I started with my advanced Berserker character but then quickly decided to start a Defender.  I started pretty late last night and had difficulty putting the game down, it was that much fun for me.  With all the games coming out I am not sure how much I will play the game but in the meantime I will just dabble and enjoy Too Human once again!

To continue on my ‘Loot-Dropping’ game quest, I managed to get Diablo running once again, this time on my new laptop.  I have only played about an hour of this game back in the past.  I thought with Diablo III arriving I believe sometime in the next year or two that I would give this game one more try.  Again I am not sure when I will play it, perhaps when time allows.

Quest for Puzzles

In keeping with the apparent RPG theme of this post, I picked up this week’s XBLM ‘Deal of the Week’, Puzzle Quest.  Back when this game first came out I really wanted it, but timing and cost made me put it on the backburner.  But with the game now priced at 400 MS points for a limited time, what better time to buy.  I have yet to get my feet wet in the game, but I am looking forward to try.

This, That, and the Other

I have had a few other things on the go in my gaming space.  Here in point form are the highlights:

• Continuing the Prestige climb in CoD4.  Approximately 12 levels to go!
• Still chipping away at GoW2 achievements.  Picked up the No, But His Face Rings a Bell achievement for 15 points last night.
• Working my way through Halo 2 and Dawn of War II on my PC and earning achievements to boot.

And that about covers this post.  Enjoy the rest of your Summer!

-SG

With every dollar counting, and must-have games mounting, I decided to do what I rarely like to do…trade in some games.  The good news is that for a stack of games I don’t play or am not interested in, as well as a few extra dollars, I was able to secure four games and a controller (Halo 3: ODST limited edition controller) for the upcoming Fall rush.  Here is how it went down:

Traded in:

• Eternal Sonata (bought cheap, never played)
• Two Worlds: Limited Edition (as above)
• End War (Purchased the limited edition w/ the headset for cheap, still have the headset)
• Call of Duty 2 (a classic, it served admirably)
• NHL 09 (make way for ‘10)
• Kameo (extra copy)
• Alone in the Dark (bought cheap, never played)
• Bioncle Heroes (as above)
• H.A.W.X. (tough one to trade, but the value was too good to pass up)
• PGR4 (extra copy)
• Two ‘DS’ games
• + $60 to complete the deals…

Games pre-ordered and Paid in full:

• Halo 3-ODST: Limited Edition (comes with a limited edition 360 controller)
• NHL 10
• Borderlands
• Brutal Legend

I chose Brutal Legend and Borderlands as they are the soonest to arrive and do not have collector’s editions.  It is a little refreshing to clear out some of the games I wasn’t playing, now I don’t have to feel bad for not playing them.  Instead I have turned them into games that will get lots of play.  Now to get back to restocking my game shelf.  As you can see by my most wanted list, I still have plenty to buy!  I think I need to but a donate tab up on my blog.  ;)

Xbox.com | CA - Games Home

-SG

Two nights ago I flipped the Prestige switch once more in Call of Duty 4.  Back in mid June when I completed the campaign I blogged that I planned on making it through to level 55 once before I Modern Warfare 2 arrived in November, but little did I know I would be introduced to Hardcore Headquarters. 

While slogging my way through my second round of Prestige when my friend Loki 343 brought me into his Hardcore Headquarters game.  I quickly discovered the joys of the Hardcore game style (no reticule, HUD, greater bullet damage, etc.).  I was quickly able to gain experience and rank up to level 55 in no time.  So with still a few months to get through before the release of Modern Warfare 2, I thought I could squeeze at least one more Prestige run before the game’s release.  In fact I have powered my way through a third of my levels just 24 hours after flipping the switch!

I have been really excited for my rediscovery of CoD4.  I haven’t had that ‘night in and night out’ interest in a single game in some time.  In the last week or so I feel that my skills are finally starting to pick up and now I feel I can be a team leader in kills.  I guess it is true what they say about practice.  MW2 will be a different ball game, but I sure will be ready to play!

Modern Warfare 2

-SG

• I have created a list of my 'Most Wanted' games coming out this year and early next.  Look for the SUPERGHOST's Most Haunted list on the main page.  Let me know if I am missing anything
• I finally updated my in-game pictures in the album entitled SG's Screenshots.  I have over a hundred pictures up and available for our viewing pleasure.  Be sure to have a look.  Keep a close eye out for the picture entitled 'Bloodfart'.

Enjoy the updates!

-SG

• 1 vs 100 vs Wife:  I actually may have found the game I can enjoy with my significant other.  I had a show down against my wife and two other random players on 1 vs 100 this evening.  It definately made a difference having a person competing against you on the same couch.  I am already looking forward to this Friday trying to get into the mob or possibley being the 1.  I am also looking forward to other sessions with my wife.  If you want, you can join in too.  There is room for two more.
• Call of Duty 4 - Modern Warfare Affairs: Had an excellent evening tonight working my way through the second layer of Prestigie in CoD4.  Presently I am sitting on Level 36 and every night that I play I like to at least increase one level.  Tonight I also scored my highest kill streak with 20! Not too shabby!
• 007: I rented Casino Royal fromthe Video Marketplace.  I really liked it and I am looking forward to watching Quantum of Solace next.  The movie has also got me curious about the QoS game.  Who knows, maybe I will pick that up on the cheap someday.
• Perfect Dark Zero: For some reason I still have an itch for this game...never say never (again).

• EA Loving - Dead Space and Miror's Edge: Had a good oportunity to catch up with these two bad boys today.  Both great quality and original to boot.  Each has its own unique look and booth a very pretty.  If I had to pick one over the othe right now it would be Dead Space, but in saying that it would be very close.
• Arcade Loving: Ikaruga on sale and Monkey Island tomorrow.  Good times.
• 1 vs 100 Loving: Getting more and more into this game each day.  I am hoping I can bring my wife on board and get her into the game.

I have a Halo post in me burning to get out.  Also, head on over to Text Adventure or Bitmob to check in on my swet MechWarrior post.  It is a long one (and hopefully good too).

-SG

I have been away from my blog post over the last few weeks, and being in the middle of my personal X-mas (E3) I really should be more focused on those events.  Instead I am going to talk about a couple of the cheap, cheap games I saw on my excursion to the mall last week.

While rooting through a discount bin at my local Wal-Mart I uncovered this little gem.  While it is a brand new title, it also comes in at under $20 in price.  Raiden Fighters Aces is a great package for old-school 'shumps' fans.  The disc contains 3 full games in the series as well as a bevy of options to tailor your experience to your liking.  Being under $20 and in the mood to buy a game I thought why not give this game a try.  While I just spent one evening with it so far, it is a good little experience.  And with most XBLA titles of the same calibre being worth up to 1,200 points each, RFA is a great value.  So if you are in the mood for something a little different, why not test your reflexes with this 'shump' package.

Same night as I found the above I went into the EB in the same mall as was the Wal-Mart.  In their I found Condemned 2: Bloodshot on sale for $15!  What a steal!  I love both Condemned games and the fact that a year later this game is only fetching $15 is a crime.  If you have not had the pleasure of playing either game and are interested in survival horror or perhaps an FPS with a different hook, C2 is the game you have to play.  At that price I should have almost bought a second copy!  In all seriousness this is a fantastic game.

From what I have seen at E3 though I am going to have so many games to play this Fall that it will make my head spin.  Owning an Xbox console is kin of like Wrestlemania, every year it is the best ever, except in the case of the 360, it is.

Raiden Fighters Aces - Valcon Games

-SG

The Dead Pool
Defeated Weapon 11 (Deadpool)

Gamerscore = 50    Acquired 9/5/2009

The surprise game of the year thus far reached its climax for me last week when I took down Deadpool to earn the above achievement and complete this awesome game.  All would have been perfect and more achievements would have been earned had I not  inadvertently erased my game data by starting a new game.

As disappointing as erasing the game was I am still extremely happy with my experience.  I encourage anyone who is looking for a very proficient beat' em up to give this game a try.  Once you try the demo ob Xbox LIVE you will be hooked, and that demo just scratches the surface.

I will likely be trading this game in this weekend, but I would definitely pick it up again when it hits the bargain bin.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Official Video Game Site

-SG

What an inflammatory title, but around my house there is a ring of truth to it.  I have been a vocal Chronicles of Riddick supporter since it was released 5 years ago on the original Xbox.  Ever since the announcement of the remake/sequel was made for the Xbox 360, I have been chomping at the bit to get my hands on it.  A couple of weeks ago I picked up the game and was enjoying it.  Recently  my gaming time has been diminished,  so once I started along the point in the game where there are several 'fetch-n-fight' quests punctuated by load screen after load screen, my interest started to wane in the face diminished returns.  I actually was feeling a little stressed at the prospect of completing the missions that I started as weird as that may sound.

A funny thing happened that I did not quite expect.  After a dreary session of load screens in Butcher's Bay, I realized that I had downloaded the X-Men Origins: Wolverine demo off of the Marketplace.  Once I started playing I knew that this was the cure for what ailed me.  Instant action, instant gratification, and the feeling of being a total bad-ass that I have not felt since Too Human.  So on Friday I did what I often loathe to do, I traded in Riddick to help pay for X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  Friday night I took my son to the movie, that evening I started my adventure, and the rest is history.

It has ben an odd gaming year for me, often dictated by time and what my group of friends are playing.  In purchasing Wolverine, a game that I would normally shy away from, I am having as much gaming-therapy as I am fun.  If you are a Marvel Comics fanboy from way back, or you are just looking for some crazy fun, Wolverine is a great gaming tonic.  Now just because I traded in Riddick, it doesn't mean we are through, just think of it as a little cryo-stasis, I will wake you when I am ready.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Official Video Game Site

-SG

Complete: Climax
Complete Mission on any difficulty: Climax

Gamerscore = 15   Acquired 13/4/2009

An End to FEAR:
Completed the Perseus Mandate campaign

Gamerscore = 35   Acquired 13/4/2009

This past Easter Monday I was fortunate enough to have the day off from work, so what better way to spend part of the day than double-killing off two F.E.A.R. titles that have been lingering around the last several weeks.

First off I finished off the last few missions of F.E.A.R. 2.  This game certainly was a mixed bag for me.  I was super impressed with the artwork, sound design, and the enemy A.I.  I am amazed by the artist at Monolith, the way they create creepy, real-world environments.  You really feel like you could be there.  Also the game's climax real had me scratching my head in a good way.  On the downside I felt that the game did not suck me in enough.  I recently finished the first game in the series and even though it looks light years behind the sequal, it had a very fluid feel that kept me in the game.  F2's controls felt a little off to me and even with the designers taking exteme means to keep you in the story, I just didn't 'feel' it as much.  All in all F.E.A.R. 2 is a great game that was the evolution of the series I had hoped.  My hope for the next game is they look back to F.E.A.R. to give the game a faster style of gameplay.

Secondly, later in the evening I decided to tackle the Perseus Mandate.  I was a little suprised by the length of the second expansion on this disk.  The Perseus Mandate was more of the same goodness of the early F.E.A.R. games.  Unfortunatly for F.E.A.R. Files it looks that it is no longer canon in the face of F2's story, but don't let that stop you from playing this game as it is still a heck of a shooter.

So that is a wrap on F.E.A.R. for the time being, looking forward to its next chapter as well as the next game in its sister franchise, Condemned.  Get to work Monolith!

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

-SG

Completed Chapter 5 - 2
Complete Chapter 5 - 2 on any difficulty setting

Gamerscore = 15   Acquired 2/4/2009

This last 10,000 took a while, but on April 2nd I finally eclipsed 40K in Gamerscore!  That is a lot of Achievements.  Unfortunately since the NXE I can no longer see just how many, but I have apparently played 147 games to get to that score.  Those XBLA games add up!  I like surpassing milestones with cool games, and for me it doesn't get any cooler than Resident Evil 5 right now.

So obviously the next stop is 50,000. I will see if I can get there by years end.  I know there will be a lot of great games to play between now and 2010.

RESIDENT EVIL 5

-SG

A Great Wind is Blowing
You have won as a Russian civilization!

Gamerscore = 15   Acquired 8/3/2009

Have Fun Storming the Castle
You have won a Domination Victory!

Gamerscore = 20   Acquired 8/3/2009

Well, kind of accomplished as there is many, many ways to win at Civilization Revolution.  Yesterday I was finally able to play Civ Rev since I purchased it a couple of weeks ago for the bargain basement price of $20 BNIP (Brand New In Plastic).  I initially wanted to buy at release but it was another one of those games that got put on the back burner until a more opportunistic time.

I played the original Civ on the PC back in the mid 90s so I relished the opportunity to tread on some familiar ground.  Civ Rev may not be as full featured as its contemporary PC counterparts, but its easy to use interface and colourful graphics make for a fun experience.  I was able to get though the game in 2-3 hours (I actually lost track so I am not exactly sure how long it took) so it was nice to get a full game in , though you can save at any time.

So even though it is 'Mission Accomplished, I am far from over with this game.  I have a lot of different leaders and victory conditions to explore on the road to world domination.  It is nice to have a change of pace and not necessarily running down a corridor and shooting somebody.  There will definitely be more Civ Rev in my future.

Civilization Revolution

-SG

It is funny how I can get sucked into the hype.  A week ago I had no interest in buying Street Fighter IV, bit a few podcast, twitter feeds, and all-around hype later and I am the owner of the Collector's Edition no less!

While I had a rocky introduction the first night I have gradually gotten a feel for the game.  While I will by no means be completing on any significant level, I am and will enjoy this game for sometime to come.

For now my character of choice is Sagat (pictured above).  He is pretty bad ass!  It seems like the world has been bitten by this Street Fighter bug.  Have you yet?

Street Fighter®

-SG

I am fortunate enough in my line of work that I get every second Friday off.  The night that precedes this evening was coined 'GHOST NIGHT' by my friend TormentX (back then every night was TORMENTX NIGHT).  It has been a busy week and I haven't been able to blog as much.  I have several things I need to lay out in rapid fire, some of which I will expand upon in later posts.  So Your is my quick blog roundup for this weeks GHOST NIGHT!

Recent Purchases:  I have been a spending!  In the last several days I have picked up the following: Beyond Good and Evil for the Xbox (for 99 cents I might add), F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (impressions coming soon), Culdcept Saga (Schuey F1 to learn me the ropes), Alone in the Dark (got on the cheap), and last but not least Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (more on that in future posts).  That is a lot of game for a short period of time.  As I mentioned there will be more on these later.

3 on 3 NHL Arcade:  This has a Sporto Reporto written all over it! I picked it up yesterday.  So far, so fun.  More to come

Demos: Halo Wars and HAWX have made their way onto the Marketplace.  Demo impressions are a must.

Again I am sure I have more to get out but the rest is alluding me at the moment.  Check back over the weekend as I will have some more updates.  Have a great GHOST NIGHT!

-SG

Living in Fear
Completed the Extraction Point campaign.

Gamerscore = 60    Acquired 9/2/2009

Just in time for the release of F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin I completed the first F.E.A.R. expansion, Extraction Point, which is found on the F.E.A.R. Files disk (that's a lot of FEAR!).

Extraction Point was actually a lot of fun and it surprised me how it improved, for the most part, on the original title.  The only thing I wonder about is if it fits in with the mythology.  The game follows The Point Man (your character in the first F.E.A.R.) immediately after F.E.A.R. ends.  So with F.E.A.R. 2 taking on an all new protagonist I am interested to see how the Point Man and his two potential endings fit in, especially after the conclusion of Extraction Point.

So I am still have a lot more F.E.A.R. in front of me, the all new sequel as well as the other expansion, The Perseus Mandate.  I see a lot of slo-mo shooting and ghostly girls in my future.

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

-SG