Now have you ever herd of little Ubisoft game known as XIII (13)?

Well if you have...BUY IT!!!....and if you havn't..BUY IT....and if you already have it...PLAY IT!!!

As far as i'm concerned, not many people have herd of this'un..and whats worse is that Gamespot gave it something like 6.3 or something.

XIII combind's a great, lengthy story, excellent gun-play, and fantastic Multi-player options..On and offline!
It's based on some weird French comic of the same name..but thats all i know of that topic.

Anyway, the graphics are a bit mental, in a good way -- they are all made like a comic book. When people are talking, speech bubbles appear above their heads and cut-scenes and set out like a comic book with white borders and such. There is even comic book sound affects that appear on-screen when using gun [see below immage].

It's kinda hard to describe the story without spoiling anything since it's all about conspiracy's and cults and whatever...but i shall try!

In a nutshell, You play as some bloke named Steve Roland: you are a member of a conspiracy group of which there are 20 members...you are number 13 (XIII). You have been framed for the assassination of the president (it's not Bush unfortunatly) and you are being hounded by the FBI and other people...
Anyway, conviniently, you wake up on a beach with no recollection of anything only to be found by a life guard who takes you in. However, not long after recouperating, a load of armed guys and some nutter with an increadibly bald head come after you....but we don't know why!!!

Anyway, from there the story progresses and you get flashbacks and find out what the hells happening...

The multi-player options are fantastic, alot like Halo...........a watered down version of Halo, but still fantastic!

The avalible games are pretty simple, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the flag...There are other games that are a bit mental like 'The Hunt', where it's every man for himself in a battle to chase after a Comic book version of the Grim Reeper.......who sings in an increadibbly high-pitched voice. Although simple (and mental) it's still great fun.

The Team-based games such Capture the flag involve 2 teams (one team is red, the other blue) that must fight it out...by capturing a flag!
This mode and the Team Deathmatch mode both work on a pont-scoring basis of 'Capture the flag, earn a point'.

Of cource it's a bit more complexed than this...there is also a leaderboard throughout the game that shows who's doing the best in each team by rating on there level of kills and deaths.
Also, when choosing what game you want to play, there is a load of other settings you can play with - such as differnet levels, which team you want to play for, how long you want to play for, how many points you need to win and how many BOT'S are playing and how strong they are (you are limited to a max of 5 BOT'S that you can put of ether team...if you want you can have it so that every BOT is on your team and it's just You Vs. You!)

Of cource, when playing with a friend offline you are still able to have 5 BOT'S, but it's a bit weird how ether you play on the same team and even it out with BOT'S on the other team, or your Vs. eachothr and have 1 less BOT on the field...unless of cource your happy to give your friend the advantage with a bigger team.

All of this can be done online too!!!

Anyway, i could rant on for hours about XIII (and i have been writing this for the best part of 2 hours...i'm watching TV at the same time) so i'm gonna stop hear and see what happenes...

But if you do see this game, do pick it up or at least rent it, it is a great game and even if you don't have friends, the multi-player options are avalible for single-player use too!

If you got any questions about it, just PM me or post it in the comments thingymajig under the post!

Thanks For Reading curious gamers!!

The BBFC!!..

What was the point in banning Manhunt 2 for 6 weeks, only to let it be re-realised?! They let sick crap like Hostel and Saw get through without a second glance but apparently, playing violent video games will turn fragile young minds into complex murdering machines!!

W.T.F!?!?!?

How does escaping from a mental hospital and stabbing a few people in the neck with a syringe justified 2 hours of people getting tortured for no other reason than that a bunch of nutters like torturing people?!
Bare in mind that Manhunt 2 was banned because of the level of violence, in 'glorious' 3D graphics..

Now is it just me, or does that sound so INCREADIBLY hypocritical, that you want to dropkick a puppy into a terminally ill orphans face?

You can buy Hostel 2...in Blu-Ray.....IT DOESN'T GET MUCH MOE 3D THAN THAT!!!

I was in Blockbusters last week, i was passing the Horror section and my eye caught a film. I can't remember the name of it, but across the top it read 'The first horror film to use real bodies'.

How the hell do films like that even reach the front driveway of the BBFC without being told to shove it?

It's absolutely ridicules! I have played violent games since i was 9 years old and I turned out pretty damn well!!

For those of you who know me.. Or at-least read my 'about me' will know I buy PSM3 magazine as often as i can.

Anyway, a few days after Issue 101 was realised, i thought about sending the mag an email just to see what happened. First i sent one to Dan Dawkins, the guy who runs it all and asked him for the email address. I already knew it, i just wanted to see if he would sent back.
Fortunately he did! But all he gave me was the email that linked to the PSM3 website and nothing more.

Still, i kept my hopes high and continued one with sending them something..

For anyone who reads it, they will know how the PSM3 team are very friendly and matey and have a few pages dedicated to letters and stuff. Not in a childish way! The mags a 15 (it comes with a DVD and usually a few other thing, i got a massive MGS4 poster with Issue 102!)

Knowing one of the writers (who's called Andy and looks about 14 years old) was an Emo (so am I) I thought i would elaborate of this..

This is what I wrote 'How does Andy get his Emo hair like that?'...And that it!

I didn't get a reply, and so felt a bit disappointed with it, but they are a popular PS3 mag and have about 8 million readers across the UK so I thought I would just leave it..

About a week ago I bought Issue 102 (it's still out now if you want to see what I wrote and get a massive MGS4 poster!) and had a flick through it as I usually do. After I know what's where I actually read it.

Anyway, for some reason I didn't bother to check out the reader's section since I never dreamed in a million years my comment would be put in or anything...

So last night (about 2 in the morning) I grabbed a sneaky read had flicked to the readers section...I read the main letter and wondered what to look at next...usually at this point i think to myself 'wouldn't it be good if I sent in a email and it was on this page! But this time, totally forgetting about my previous email I thought 'wouldn't it be good if my name was on this page'...

...And then i looked down, my eyes drawn directly to my name in the 'you what' section...a column that goes along the base of the page and onto the next one...my email was right there.... at the very start of the 'you what' section!!!

I seriously couldn't believe my eyes, when people say that. I now know what they mean; you really do have to take a minute to register what just happened.

How does Andy get his hair like that?
Jake McKenzie, Email
PSM3: With the tears of Robert Smith.

...Yes, it's only a tiny part of the page. But how awesome is that!! It's like all those sad people who apply to go on Big Brother every year wearing stupid outfits, and then normal people just com along for the first time and get in. not quite like that but you get the idea!

Pretty sweet eh? I'm still coming down from the rush of seeing my name!!

I'm sure most will have played Oblivion by now, whether it's on the PC, PS3 or 360.
Unlike most RPG games, Oblivion grants you the freedom to do what you want, when you want, how you like, It's a bit like GTA in a way but on a much more epic scale.
So, with 170 hours of game play and counting I'm hear to tell all those people who are yet to play this masterpiece, why it's so damn special!

Play it Your Way.
As mentioned before, the game plays in the way you want it too. Of course everything is set out for you, but unlike sandbox games such as GTA and Scarface your able to choose which missions and tasks you do first.
Fortunately for the more adventurous person, all side-quests have to be found by talking to locals in different cities or by progressing in th main story-line. What also makes Oblivion better than GTA, is that you can't really fail a mission, instead, you can just alter how it's played. Example, you kill the wrong guy and you needed info from him, instead of MISSION FAILED!, you get a little message that flashes on screen telling you how you will never be able to progress with whatever you where doing because..
Obviously, if you could kill anyone you would be an hours into the game and already be limited to a dozen quests, so instead dying, some NPC's just literally, fall unconscious, only to re-awake 10 seconds later!
Customisation options are also available for fans (such as myself) who enjoy tinkering with appearance or whatnot! As the game begins, you are able to mould your hero to your image by choosing 1 of several races, different hair cuts and even the shape of your facial features.
Houses are also available to buy throughout each city, however the only customisable options you can have for your houses are 'receipts' you purchase which gives you instant furniture in your home. However, there are spells you can cast on smaller objects to move them around and arrange at your leisure, such as urn's, books, hourglasses or anything from you inventors such as weapons or staves.

Good cop, Bad cop.
Well, not exactly...
in Oblivion, joining the right factions (mages guild, fighters guild, the imperial city arena, etc) will earn you respect from residence of Cyrodill (the bit area the game is set in). There is also a 'fame' and 'infamy' level, which can affect some people views on you. Example, if you have a high 'fame' rating, people will shout compliments as you pass and even guards of cities will let you off with some crimes such as pick pocketing, stealing or breaking into peoples houses.
On the other hand, having a high infamy rating won't actually make that much difference. Having an infamy rating will grand you access into factions such as the thieves guild and the Dark Brotherhood (think 'assassins guild').
You don't actual need an infamy rating to join, however having one will get you respect from other theves and murderers.
People you have met previously will even start to despise you by saying something like 'I used to think you where a holy knight, a great crusader...I guess I was wrong'.
It doesn't affect game play, these comments but it does make you feel guilty for being evil.

It's like their real people!
Unlike most games, the voice actors are relatively unheard of people who don't matter and only exist inside the game.
. Well in Oblivion, Star Trek and X-Men star, Patrick Stewart can be herd from some characters. Also, Sean Bean (Lord of the Ring, National Treasure) is another voice that can be found throughout the game.
Since every line of dialogue on Oblivion is voice-acted (and there is a HELL of allot!) Ubisoft and friends could only afford so many actors and actresses to voice the game so don't be surprised if you recognise a voice or two!

Forget all that XP crap!
Yes you herd me; Oblivion is one of few RPG games that uses a levelling-up system that doesn't involve any XP!
How the system works is that when you begin the game, you choose some attributed that will go into your 'main attributes' category (there is only 'main' and 'secondary').
To level up your main level, you must gain a total of 10 level up's from your main attributes. So, say if some of your main atrib's where sneak, security and alchemy, you could level up your sneak by 10, and that's it, or maybe sneak by 5 and security by 5, or sneak by 1 and alchemy by 9..you get the idea!
To level up an attribute, all you need to do, is use it for a bit!
Forget endless hours of training on 1 skill, when you go into sneak mode for example, you will automatically begin to level up in that area. As your atrib level gets higher, it will take longer for you to level that skill!
What's another added bonus is that you don't need to have a Lvl:1000 in attack or something to use all the best stuff!
As you progress in your levels, more items and armour will become available for you to pry from slain outlaws and enemies...or you can just buy it from a shop!
I'm not one to do the geeky thing and spend weeks levelling, but I'm already able to use the best armour, which i did in about a week....and i wasn't even concentrating on levelling the whole time!

Be Your Own Boss.
Gaining ranks in factions will make people from that faction respect you and make other paths and quests open up to you, as well as perks such as free armour, weapons or items. Plus you usually get paid a few bob' for completing a quest for someone!
Example, if you become the 'Listener' for the Dar Brotherhood (the highest rank available in that faction), you will be admired by all those in that faction. You are even able to command some people to do your bidding.

Nice aps!
What makes Oblivion so special is the little things.
If, say you had a master level in agility and a high speed level then random people you don't even know will wonder up to you and compliment you on your achievement.
Example...
High sneak levels will get you comments like 'You look like the sneaky looking sort'.
High levels in Speed will get you comments like 'You look quite the acrobat!'.
It's things like this that add realism to the game.....well, not exactly realism but it's still nice to get a compliment now and again, virtual or not!
Also, once you gain access to the Arcain University (the place where all the mages hang out and do wizzady stuff) you are able to enchant your weapons and armour to make them stronger or cause people to set on fire when they get near them. Some armour can even be enchanted to make you invisible.
You can even become a Vampire at any point in the game if you know where to look.

No pain, No gain.
What makes you keep coming back for more with Oblivion is that the game works on an 'reward-for-game-play' basis. Getting higher levels, completing more quests and being adventurous and exploring caves/forts/mines can be very rewarding.
Exploring the dang and gloomy atmospheres of caves can lead to finding rare items or buckets of gold coins.

These are just some of the greater features that makes Oblivion such an amazing game! You really do get your moneys worth as well since it's technically impossible to complete 100%.
I would eat my own Arse is anyone can prove they have gotten 100% on Oblivion!
I swear to God i will!.. That's how confident I am that it can't be done!

I was in Gamestation the other day to see if i could find a copy of Silent Hill 2.

When i asked, they told me they had a copy of the directors cut version in the 4 for 20 quid deal they usualy have on.

So, after about 15 minuits, i found my other 3 games and wondered up the the counter. I asked if they could include the 3 with the silent hill copy, which was behind the counter. However, they said they didnt have the box for it and i would just have to take it home in a plain, boring box with no cover (or sleeve as they are also known, hence the clever title ).

I herd there are websites where you can download sleeves from, but I am yet to find one with SH2irectors cut on it! =[

Anyway, please can someon help me out with this and tell me where i need to be looking..Thanks!! =]

Oh, and i did consider getting a sleeve of the normal version, but every copy of the sleeve was in a different language..I did find 1 in English, but it was only the front cover avalible to download! =[

When I first started making banners 'n' such-n'-such (which was about 2 months ago) i was like, "yey!!". i downloaded GIMP AND, began my 'it's-not-a-career-but-W-T-F-else-do-i-call-it-but-yes-i-know-it's-not-a-'carreer'-so-lets-just-call-it-my-alter-ego'...career!!

I didn't have a clue what i was ment to be doing AT first and i was like, "aww mann!", but i found some tutorials on the Web and i was just like "ohh riiiiight!!!"

So, i started off, makeing pretty shoddy peices of work but it was better then nothing!..

After not long, i became a bit better and started making better stuff, then i discovered a bunch-o' special font things that where awesome!!...I was like "Dude!!"

Not long after the not long after, i found my free, 30 day trial of PhotoFuc-*cough*-bucket! I was NOT impressed!!

I spent 5.5 hours downloading it, just to find out that i dont have a clue what i'm doing!, But, this is what happened when i started using GIMP, so I checked around and found a few tutorials to help me out...i say a few, i meen ton's!!!!

Not one of them helped me!! i just got confused and gave up and deleated Photobucket.....*sigh*.....

Anyway, after about 5 secconds, i forgot about it all and started maknig a new banner, but this time, i thought i would make my headder immage an add-on for it!!

I started out with a big Resident evil 4 pic, but Leon (the star of Residewnt evil 4) was on teh right hand side, so i inverede the immage and successfully made my first, banner-header add-on!! "Hazzar!!!" i sHOouted and it was successful, but i couldn't see Leon's MOUTH!!

So i re-made it, but Leon looked FAT!! "by azura, By Azure, BY AZURA!" i bellowed, so i gave up and swiched to God of War!!! I was quite happy with it, and still am!!

And t'hats it, pointless story loving folks!! Thats the amazing story of how i wen from regular gamespot user, to regular gamespot user...only this time, i made bollocksy immages thagt no-one really cared about!!
Tune in next week, when i will be rambaling about how i defeated the all, butt-mighty ice rug's of Bed.......Bathrooom...and BEOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!