I'm always interested in people that can join up for some Halo so send me a request and let me know you're from GS.

If you're thinking "a cheesy hockey joke?" then yes.

---

Kevin Lowe and Dwayne Roloson went to a movie this afternoon. Halfway through the movie Roloson was hungry and was going to grab some snacks. Lowe told him that he had to go to the washroom so he’d grab the snacks….so off he went.

After going to the washroom he purchased a super tub of popcorn and an extra large order of nachos.

On his way back to the theatre he bumped into Darryl Sutter who said “Wow, Kevin, you must be pretty hungry....an Extra Large order of Nachos and a Super Tub of Popcorn....”

Lowe immediately replied: “No, you don’t understand, I got this for Dwayne Roloson.”

To which Sutter replied: “Awesome! That’s waaay more than you got for Ryan Smyth!”

Alot of people, such as myself, want alot of games and can't read alot of reviews. Even when we may have the time we just want a quick peek, the score, the good and bad, and to get the gist of it. However lately i've been having alot of trouble getting the gist of reviews. I've been buying alot of games lately, some with reviews I wasn't particularly interested. But when you're trying to get a reviewers opinions a review like this doesn't help.

The first things that pops into my mind when I see it:

• Scored considerably lower than it's predecessor
• Scored an 8 in Gameplay

Right off the bat you're thinking something is wrong. The first thing you think is that this game is lacking when compared to the original and might not be worth your purchase. And the next thing you see is this:

The Good: Intense, gritty modern infantry combat; impressive multiplayer suite with countless combinations of competitive and cooperative game modes; gorgeous graphics and cutting-edge visuals; excellent sound effects and voice acting that actually helps you in the game.

The Bad: The single-player campaign is over before you know it.

So, let me get this straight. Gorgeous graphics, sound and voice acting. Intense combat. Impressive multiplayer (on a system which online is a near necessity) and yet you drop 1.3 off of it for this? I'm lost. Anyone reading this on an internet website more than likely is using Live and can take advantage of the multiplayer...So why cut it so short for a Single Player that is not an hour shorter than that of it's predecessor (which scored AAA and was considered sound)?Now you end up reading the entire review. I just thought i'd bring it up because this happens to me with alot of reviews. I try to catch a blurb and see what's up, and I end up forced to read the entire product to sum it up (and alot of the time, it doesn't). So why not use 'The Bad:' more effectively for people like myself?

...he posted this pic in the VU, but I love it too much. I must show it to all!

...This was our year. And you can feel it. It's not about just Manning anymore, it's about a bunch of talented individuals making a family and a great team. Manning didn't have to do it all, and with solid play today we took it.

The Bears were absolutely DOMINATED by our offense. They couldn't keep us off the field. Rex was his stupid self and, if not for two big plays, this game was a laugher. I could care less about the score, I just love the championship.

GO COLTS!!!

Down 21-6, who thought they would win? Oh yeah...me.

Colts vs. Bears Superbowl baby, I could feel it, and it's here. Sorry Pats fans, 3 was enough. And to all you "oh yeah I was always a Pats fan" fans:

EAT IT!

Colts vs. Patriots

A rematch for the ages. Our rivals, even moreso in the playoffs. This time it's in our house. We don't lose in our house.

GO COLTS!

It's that time of year again but this year, it's different. Usually my Colts go in as one of the teams favored to take it all. This year they go in as underdogs, because of the run defense. We shall see, but so far Larry Johnson has 2 yards in the first Q.

Drop a comment and let me know who you're cheering for.

GO COLTS!

• Play the crap out of Albatross 18
• Beat Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (again)
• Eat good food
• Get more games on Christmas day, and beat them

Not Bill. Archie.

On the verge of the 360's one year anniversary I was scrolling through my iPod and I came across the 360 Song. Amazing. Archie please come back with another smash hit single!

What a great game. However, it was WAY too short. I beat it on Hardcore in under 9 hours. It's just that addictive though, i'm starting it in Insane on co-op today for the final Dom achievement, all the Insane achievements and the COG tags achievements. If you want to play at all send me a message.

More later...

Well, it's my birthday (yes, it's September 11th) and what a good one it was. This entry is only appropriate because basically all I got for my birthday was gaming related. And in no way is that a bad thing.

But anyway, list's everyone loves lists. Right?:

• Ninety Nine Nights (X360)
• God of War (PS2) (yes, got it again)
• Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition (first try with SE)
• Top Spin 2
• Saint's Row
• $220

What will I do with that $220 you ask?:

• Save $70 for NHL 07/2K7
• Perfect Dark Zero
• Some form of clothing

And the Colts won. They played like crap on both sides of the ball but we won. Because it was my birthday.

Go Colts. Go me. That is all.

Now, don't get me wrong here. I am a Madden fan, not an EA fan. I think they are pricks for purchasing the rights to the NFL and I think they are lazy asses who underachieve. But when they totally ruin one of the best online experiences you can find, you KNOW they are idiots.

I got Madden on the first day it was released and my online record began a fairly successful 4-1. However, after winning another game as the stats were recording I see: "Connection to EA Server has been lost". Okay, that's fine game was over. I'll get a win.

I look at my profile and nothing. No biggy, i'll check it out tomorrow and have a win. I come back tomorrow and...WHAT!?! I got a LOSS for WINNING? My God. Okay now i'm 4-2 and pissed.

So anyway i'm still enjoying the game and am pretty successful despite a 9-6 record (which should be 10-5). So anyway tonight in the 4th quarter of a game i'm up by 14 points with a minute left and i'm on his one yard line. Next thing I see: "Connection to EA Server has been lost. **** you, hahahahah."

Okay so not the last part, but that's what it seemed like. No signs of lag, no warning, no nothing. It just dies. At least now it tells me that it won't record the stats because, for Christ's sakes, why do I get a loss for WINNING.

Well all I have to say is way to go EA. I enjoy playing Madden online every year and, other than a few pricks, it's a good experience. But now EA themselves managed to ruin it in their own game. Whatever.

When a long time, quite loyal Madden fan is more impressed by Texas Hold 'Em than Madden.

Madden is pretty good, and it's a huge improvement over the 360 version of 06. Maybe i'm just getting tired of it, or maybe I haven't played enough, but I think it's the glaring bugs that are killing it.

Whatever, back to Texas Hold 'Em! (get it while it's free)

I got Dead Rising the first night it came out (obviously). At first I was really enjoying it and it was exactly what I expected. Then my cases expired for some reason...What the hell? In a supposedly open ended game I have to finish a case on time? Okay, whatever. So it's not what I expected but that's fine it's still fun to play but I guess i'll have to follow along the story.

Ahhh, that was fun time to shut it off. Wait a minute...

Where the hell do I save?

Okay now i'm hearing all these complaints about how the save system can screw you over in the long time. But forget that, it's tough enough to even find the damn washroom (at first, without looking at the map, which I never do). So I go all the way back to the security room and save.

This isn't to bad at all. I like the idea of the scoop missions: Worth alot of PP, psychopath's to kill (for the achievements and PP) and you don't even have to do them! That is great, and you can do alot of them and work them around your story scheduled. That's pretty cool.

Hey....what the hell? I'm dead already? Why is my health so low and...oh...level 7 what the hell? Why does it take so long to level up (without attacking the tunnel for hours). If they're gonna make it take so long to level up why do they make the psycho's and bosses so damn TOUGH. *goes in tunnel for 2 hours (real time)*. Hey, level 37, alright! Now I can play through the game and do well. That was super boring though, seriously.

So i've wasted alot of hours and I can play through the game and know realistically that I can beat it! This is great!

*Case 6* Hey, the story in this game is pretty cool actually. It's not something you'd expect from Dead Rising but hey, pleasent surprise. I'll take it. I'm also really enjoying the achievements. Some are random achievements, some based on the story and some based on the scoop missions. It's really a good idea and getting the points is satisfying.

Overall the game is really good but holy crap, mixed reactions doesn't even begin to describe it. The game is broken in so many ways but you grow to love it so much at the same time it doesn't even matter. It really it pretty cool.

Disappointment

This weekend I popped out Prey and was ready to really do some damage to the single player campaign. I was excited to see what the game was like but I was even MORE excited to see a long awaited summer 'blockbuster' Miami Vice.

I put Prey in the disc tray and start playing. 5 hours later and presto! I'm done. And what a bust that was. The game just felt like a mess, it was a traditional shooter that tried to hard NOT to be a traditional shooter and it all felt crappy and forced.

I felt I owed it to the public that I, Justin Allen, was to write an entire review for Prey at 6:30 in the morning with a total hangover and need of sleep.

Here is the product.. It went through a spell check today but that's about it. If it sucks, too bad, i'm too tired and have too big a headache to care. Needless to say I didn't enjoy Prey much at all.

But hey, I was going to the drive-in to see Miami Vice and You, Me & Dupree and hopefully score some action. Unfortunately none of the latter but eventually the movies did start as I sat horny in my chair.

Miami Vice pops up on the screen and then we're right into it the story kicks off and in no time an action scene. Man this is going to freakin' ROCK. Action scene over. Then for over 100 minutes it became a horribly written love story between two characters with NO chemistry. I may as well watch a porn, at least that would have been exciting. After this crap was over with another action scene and then...

Nothing. What a freakin' bust.

However, You, Me and Dupree was totally awesome. Pleasantly surprised with that one.

August is upon us...

360 OWNERS REJOICE!

Dead Rising

Possibly the greatest game in history arrives August 8th. Dead Rising must have the best premise in the history of gaming. A simple story that just sets the player up to reak as much havok as possible. I can't wait to start killing zombies, save for Gears of War it's probably my most awaited title of the year.

Madden NFL 07

Did you think this wasn't going to be on here? One of my favorite sports titles returns this year and, like every year, i'll be buying it. And I know i'll enjoy it. Damn you EA. Why should 360 owners rejoice for this title you say? Usually sports games are better on the current gen systems? Well you wanna know why? BECAUSE IT'S THE VERSION I'M BUYING!

Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting

I have to admit it right here right now. I've never played a Street Fighter game. *gets attacked* Now, wait, wait a minute, that's not to say i'm not excited about this game because I am. I know the legion of fans are happy it's here and I can't avoid the hype machine, I will be getting my ass handed to me online in three days.

Ninety Nine Nights

I've been wanting N3 since it was announced for the 360 waaaay back. Now this new demo is released and for some reason everyone and their mother hates it. Well personally i'm a big fan of the demo and now I REALLY want the game. Button mashing to the max in this title, you gotta love it.

So all in all August is going to be awesome. There is of course that game Saint's Row many people are excited for but since this is my journal and I don't really give a crap about it it stays off the list.

*Gamespot won't let me use boxarts because of some stupid HTML rule, so no pictures =(*

No. Freaking. Way.

I just got back from the mall. I put a $20 preorder on Madden 07 just ten minutes ago.

God I hate myself. But I hate EA more. They control me.

DAMN YOU EA!

I, like many, bought an Xbox 360 within the first few months of release. Therefore I, like many of the people who did that, began an obsession with Gamerpoints. At first it is a pure uncontrollable urge to keep your score going higher and higher. It was like that for a few months, I wouldn't play games that weren't on the 360 (other than a select few) so I could get the score higher than my friends. I did that. Then I started to play games on other consoles.

Unfortunately, through all this time the points had a more controlling grasp on my gaming than i'd known and than I liked. I would start games but go absolutely nowhere in them. MGS3 5 hours in and where the HELL are my achievements? I shut it down and log onto GRAW for an extra 25 points. Kingdom Hearts II many hours in and for God sake, this game needs more points. I log onto MLB2K6 and make a wall-climbing catch for an achievement. it became tedious and I just enjoyed the fact that I was being rewarded.

Just recently, however, I started thinking to myself about these damned things. It's not even about the score anymore. Hell, it's not even FUN anymore, I have no clue WHY i'm getting them but I just have to. And more and more it goes on even though we don't know it. I've seen Scomer and Blackley on PDZ EVERY. FREAKING. DAY. And i'm not one to say they're not enjoying it but they're scores are sure as hell rising and that's dedication. Dedication that they PROBABLY wouldn't have had if not for the points (but I don't know, scomer and Blackley are some hardcore gamers). And so, i'm thinking, what the hell is going on? And I come to the realization that these points are just squeezing all the fun out of games and then making them repetetive for us.

Now i'm not putting up with this crap any further. I'm gonna start playing for fun.

When I buy Prey this weekend, it's not going to be because I want an extra 1000 points on my gamertag. It'll be because I want to become obsessed with games again. I want to be up until morning playing online with my friends for no reason other than we're having a helluva lot of fun. I want to pump hundreds of hours into games like I did with Halo 2, not get all the points and say I have no reason to play further. So, as of tonight, i'm saying SCREW YOU GAMERPOINTS! Sure, they will come but not because I pump tons of hours into a game for a single achievement. And i'm not going to KILL myself to get achievement points that I HATE trying to get (*cough* I HATE YOU BURNOUT REVENGE *cough*). I'm going to play games for the reason they were original intended. To have some fun, with and without friends, on and offline.

Because of points, I stopped DQVIII because it was too long, i'm starting that again. And because of points I didn't complete MGS3: Subsistence, so i'm starting THAT again. Okay, if I list all the games I will have to start again because of points it'll take all night, so i'll just leave you with this:

I like soccer, I like the World Cup. I like soccer video games but that doesn't mean I want to complete every FREAKING scenario in HISTORY for 500 points. Don't do it for the points people, do it for the FUN FACTOR!

EDIT: I should mention the purpose of this entry was to say that you shouldn't go out of your way for boring achievements and you shouldn't throw other more fun games on the backburner for points. I understand that they add more value to games, but it should be done in a positive way. For example i'm done COD2 but eventually I will beat it on Veteran. And I will beat GRAW on Hard mode. But it's just to show that i'm good at the game. If I didn't WANT to do these things but tried to just for the points, that is far to extreme.

Many of you may know that not too long ago I caught the life threatening disease that is the Guild Wars addiction. I played the game for hours day and night, over and over, I was absolutely obsessed with it. At first, I just had to hit the highest level. The I just had to have the best armor. Then it was the best weapon, it just kept going on and on. Then one day I decided that it was too much. After about 250 hours in under 2 months I was calling it quits for good.

Unfortunately that same disease has come back to haunt me. Just a few days ago exams ended and the summer started. We were moving so, with all my consoles neatly in a box, all I had was my computer. All I could think about was starting a new character, which I did. Here's where it gets sad: We were at the mall today and EB Games happened to be having a clearance sale. Through all these bargain priced games there was one game in the corner that caught my eye and made me druel. It was Guild Wars: Factions. The next thing I knew I woke up in a daze in front of my computer with a fresh copy of Guild Wars: Factions on my computer.

Get on with it, Jackass

After about 15 minutes of thinking I decided that my first character would be an Assassin by the name of "Plays wid Squirrels" (if you get the TV show reference, you are awesome). At first the game is kind of weird, I have to admit. They just kind of throw you in this new world and after an optional training sessions (which doesn't help for much but gaining a level) you're going at quests.

What sets this game apart from the original Guild Wars seems to be difficulty. Unless you grind up to about Level 5 or 6 just fighting you're going to have a tough time making it around your immediate surroundings. The henchman in this game actually help you a little, and are good to have around even though they hog XP and items. I'm having fun right now just doing little sidequests and working through the Assassin quests slowly (though I am admittedly stuck at one part).

So far the Assassin profession has been a little underwhelming. I guess that's only because I was waiting for something absolutely extraordinary but what I got was a fast Warrior with two daggers. This may just be because I haven't had a chance to get ANY new items or armor so far, but maybe not. I am liking the skills for the Assassin like the Unexpecting Strike that does a bunch of extra damage. They are pretty cool and unique, which is to be expected from a new profession.

All in all the game is alot of fun so far but I definitely need to pump more time in, I mean i've only really put in maybe 3 hours. I could use the help from a higher level character instead of henchman, so if you've got a character and wanna play add me to your friend's list.

[UPDATE]: Pissed off by one of these damn Assassin quests I decided to start a Ritualist. Great idea. It's tons of fun, I hit Level 6 really quickly.

Character Names: Plays Wid Squirrels (Assassin), Emporer of Cantha (Ritualist)