Pile of Shame

I can never really let my video games go. They just sit there, by the console collecting the dust I choose to ignore. Yes, that chosen collection of undefeated games is my Pile of Shame and the pile grows. Every time I go out shopping with She, we split after a time but She always knows where to find me. The video games store, eyeballing my next love of the month. Over Christmas 09 I was gifted with BIO SHOCK, ASSASSIN'S CREED 2, followed shortly into the new year DARKSIDERS. Of course I had to crack the seal, look at the manual, install and drool. It's the artwork and little story that introduces the game that I love. Like a mini 2 minute movie.

I can proudly say I almost beat ASSASSIN'S CREED 2 with only the contracts, races, feather's and remaining treasure chests left. What I really loved about the game was the Villa. At first I thought it was stupid to spend my Florian's on art, and to fix up the crap stores that dotted my family's land. The few bums that were there did nothing but walk around all time. They contributed nothing, they didn't even farm. However, I quickly learned that collecting chests and investing into crap stores and art generated a revenue for my young assassin, Ezio. How novel. I had more Florian's then I knew what to do with and I was never left wanting. So I took ASSASSIN'S CREED 2 off my Pile of Shame and put it triumphantly upon my Pile of Win! (which is the same pile of video games as the Pile of Shame, but I know the difference).

However, the Pile of Shame continues to grow. I hear good things about Dragon Age: Origins. My victory will not last long, the Pile of Shame never forgives or forgets.
 

Trade-In Values

I love used games. I love shopping for used games, or even browsing for a game at a discount price. However, what I take issue with is trading in used games for something at shops like EB Games. Right now, EB Games offers you the option of trading 2 games (of a certain value) and getting a discount price of a new release game. For example; Trade in 2 games and get Uncharted 2: Among Theives. Now, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I've traded in many games and I love to trade with friends, family, even strangers with the use of Kijiji. Like I said I take issue with trade in values with stores. Let me tell you why.

I was in one of the many EB Games yesterday and I couldn't help but over hear this guy asking if he could trade in Killzone 2 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 for Uncharted 2 at $19.99.  Add these values up (25+20=$45 trade-in, 59.99-45=$14.99, but the deal is 2 trade-in's for $19.99 plus taxes) and in the end this game is yours at what seems greal price. Now I know your saying, get to the point of all this, dude. Okay, after hearing all this, as I stared at the over 30 copies of Killzone 2 I wanted to buy one of for the used price of $49.99. I felt like walking over and offering the guy $25-30 for his copy and that is the cheap price, even for kijiji. My point is this, when trading in game for set values, you should get the value offered, not the value set by the deal. Had this guy had patience and used Kijiji, he would have got his money's worth. However, that would have taking time and effort and I'm sure he only cared about getting his new game today.

This other thing, kijiji. It's my best and worst friend. You can find great deals on kijiji, but I'm not giving some random guy who I meet at his local Tim Horton's $45 for his used copy of Killzone 2. For the extra 5 bucks I'll at least get a return receipt in case anything happens to my new used game. Call me cheap if you like, I am a frugal gamer and like it like that. Unless your buying?

Spartan or death

You have to play it on SPARTAN(hard) mode. It's the only way you'll get good and with that advice I started. Go play it, more to follow in coming days.

Girls Don't Game

I found this great gaming blog site at Girls Don't Game. It's designed and written entirely by girls. Does that fact make this site cooler than mine or any other gaming blog? Yes, only because girls tend to be cooler than guys. True story.

Anyways, I wanted to read more posts from Monique, one the founding members of Girls Don't Game. From what I can tell, this gaming blog is honest and well written. One of the first blogs I read was Confessions from's a former hardcore raider. I must say it was one of the most honest from the heart blogs I've ever read. It was insightful, touching, and dare I say it, very moving. You see, I was a World of Warcraft player too. However, I was PvPer (Player vs Player) instead of a Raider, but I was able to maintain a full time job, if not be a full time boyfriend, but that's another story and this isn't the time for it.  I used to play from the time  I got home to the time I went to bed. During the summer I'd race home, eat some dinner and play till it was time to hit the showers.  In the end, I woke up and realized, nothing I have in-game or out was worth anything. Was it worth it to pvp all night and made Rank to acquire new Armour and Weapons? I never bragged about these to my "real life" friends. They wouldn't understand. I was a hardcore gamer in a group of real life people. People who cared enough to call me up and invite me out to the bar or for dinner. Sure, I met some good dudes in game. I even keep in a touch with a few through email. In the end and at the right time, I met She, cancelled my account and left my house to try a new quest. It's a chain quest called "Real Life, BL" and I think I'm winning it at the moment.

I encourage you to read Monique's blog, whether you have played World of Warcraft or not. It may help you understand or help someone understand you. Just remember, if you start raging over Ventilo about missing out on some loot. Log off for the night.

War is coming

During one of my random searches on the interweb, I came across a very exciting game called Darksiders. It has the gaming community buzzing with comments about it being a rip off of God of War or Devil May Cry. I call bullshit on this. One, the game isn't out yet, and two, while it does look like a God of War rip off, I'm sure God of War was too. Only fanboys and the most hardcore angry teen boys rage at this. Honestly, who gives a shit if it is very similar to God War? I don't and I'll tell you why. If it is similar... they it must be good. Who doesn't like a hack and slash game with puzzles thrown in the mix? I do. I love that very much. If I'm going to rent a game or even drop the 60-70 bucks, I want something awesome with lots of replay. Besides, with The God of War Collection (re-release of GoW 1&2 on PS3) releasing November 17th 2009 and the highly anticipated God of War 3 releasing in march 2010, this gives gamer plently of time due to the sweet mid time release on Janurary 5th 2010 of Darksiders.

Now that I have your attention, let me explain the Darksiders storyline. You take on the role of War, one of the four legendary Horsemen of the apocalypse; the apocalypse has just taken place prematurely, and the world destroyed, and War finds himself tasked to find out who was behind this; caught in a battle between angels and demons, he has lost much of his power, and must find out where the other horsemen are, and who misled them into starting the final battle. This link here is a 10 minute video giving you a very in depth look at gameplay, story and characters. If you liked the God of War series, you'll enjoy this game. It's on my holiday wish list. (hint hint, I say to She).

I just can't stop watching this trailer, even if I think Darksiders is a stupid title. Still won't stop me from buying it. Or at least renting. By the way, this gem looks like it's releasing for Playstation 3 and XBox 360. I do love a game that everyone can enjoy.

Best Served Cold

I needed to do something. something, something, something. Hobbies? Yes, yeah, sure, okay. Hockey? no, I bought a house. I ain't got money anymore. Comics? Ohhh, I do like those, but wait, Comicbook guy wants my money for those. I know! Video games! Yes, I love those, I have some but I beat them. Maybe I should express my useless opinion upon the internet. Yes, fucking genius! My opinion is as pointless as the next person's.

Blog about what? I don't know. How do you blog? Write something you like to talk about she says. Okay. I...like... books. Sure, I can write about that. Which one? Best Served Cold she says. You won't shut up about that she says. Okay.

I bought Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie purly for the title and cover alone. Really, I did. You  know when you ask others how they decide on which book to read and you hear "If I like the cover, I'll buy it" or "I read the last page and if I like the end I read it". LAME! However I did just that but really now, that is one sweet cover with a great title. Tell me, how can you pass up a book that is named after an old klingon proverb?! You can't.

The book is centered around Monzcarro Murcatto, a female mercenary. She is betrayed, lefted for dead and swears bloodly revenge. Over the course of the book, she hires other strong fantasy characters that are very believable. They aren't very heroic, but very human with all the betrayal, and greed that come in a solid story of revenge. Each chapter takes place in a different city in which Murcatto and her immorral crew excute almost always well thought out, but hardly ever, well handled murder upon the seven she believes bertayed her.

Joe Abercromie might just be what the fantasy genre needs today. Strong character driven dark fantasy fulled with cuss words. Best Served Cold is his fourth book and is a stand alone (which I loved) taking place in the world he set up in his previous trilogy First Law. I haven't finished that series yet, but I have noticed that some of the characters are referenced or play smaller roles in his fourth book. Best Served Cold is full of twists and turns yet never leaves you with your head spinning asking "what the fuck just happened there?".  I strongly recommend you find this book. Steal it, beg for it or buy it. I don't care, you just need to read this book. I mean, we can't wait forever for George RR Martin to finish his series of A Song of Ice and Fire. Don't even get me started on that.