• 19Aug 08

  Busy Summer

  Well, its been a pretty busy Summer for me. Both work and life have been crazy. My 360 took a powder -- and the replacement is acting up. Not sure if 2008 has been all that great a year. But School is starting and GameSpot has a new look, so maybe things are getting better. Too bad I still can't pull RSS feeds from GameSpot. Not sure what is up, but it is hampering my enjoyment.

  See you on Xbox Live!. Well, assuming my console isn't acting up. I sure hope it is just the high heat in the area and not something more serious.

  • Posted Aug 19, 2008 6:15 pm GMT
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• 12Jul 08

  Blood and Guts Galore -- NGII

  Sorry, I've been away for the last two weeks, vacation and other issues. I finally made it back home this week. Since I'm currently a married bachelor, the family is visiting family without me, I went and rented Ninja Gaiden II. Bad idea, I've barely slept! I've over half way through the game and I have to say -- WOW! It is so pretty and all the moves I was used to in Ninja Gaiden are back and still work! The game is much easier to get into then the first, but don't be fooled. The bosses are still a pain in the arse. However, other enemies should be of little consequence next to the original. Just Don't expect to just button mash this game. In all, it was just as good as the Demo and I'm enjoying it as much as I did the original. The only bad thing is, there are a ton of other 360 game to play. So, I need to finish this game so I can go play something else!
  • Posted Jul 12, 2008 9:22 pm GMT
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• 18Jun 08

  Hack and Slash Fun

  Even if it was just the demo, I gave Ninja Gaiden II a try and, wow! It is so fluid, clean and easy to get into. The visuals don't seem much different -- but I know they are. First think I noticed, you are tiny! If you remeber the first NG, Riyo was much larger on screen. I'm going to assume that is due to the difference betwen 480i (my 36" TV) vs. 720p (my 19" wide screen monitor). The cut scenes look great and once you start playing, it will feel just like you left off playing the first NG. Everything has a simliar look and feel, yet crisper and more interesting. NGII controls work much like the original and were quite responsive. I noticed that I had a hard time getting some moves to work that I enjoyed using before. But the old favorites appear to be there. The seeking system appears more responsive -- you can hack at multiple enemies by guiding the controller towards what you want to attack. Speaking of enemies, they don't like to die. You'll spend more time hacking at that before they finally go up in a puff of essence.

  Of course, I'm playing the demo. The game isn't quite the same as what you'll play right away. You have three maxed out weapons with all their moves. You have pretty full health and nipon. Yes, even a resurection talisman. Because of this, and the fact that your health regenerates, the demo is pretty easy. I seriously doubt you will die. I didn't even need to use any health boosters aside from hitting the save points. Well, just in case mind you!

  I was disapointed that you didn't get to try a boss battle. Not surprised, but the demo is pretty long so I can't complain. I sure look forward to give NGII a purchase, when I have the money of course. I'm still broke from getting GTAIV. Sigh. If I didn't have to drive to work, I could save a tank of gas to get this game. For now, I'll probably give the demo another go.

  • Posted Jun 18, 2008 2:24 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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