5 Pictorials The Show Playboy's Running Out of Ideas
1) Women of Warcraft
2) Delaware Delights: Women of Dover
3) Pam Anderson: We think this is the last of the old pics
4) Women of the Downtown Busline
5) Women of... Listen, does anyone actually care if there's a theme?
5 Movies That Should Never Have Video Game Adaptations
1) My Dinner With Andre
2) Brokeback Mountain
3) Airplane!
4) Being John Malkovich
5) Swimming in Cambodia
5 Movies That Would Make Cool Video Games
1) Captain Blood (would feature pirate ship fights, sword fighting, daring escape missions)
2) Laura (Classic film noir that would be a cool game in the Myst vein)
3) Transporter (bad movie, but game would feature driving and hand to hand combat)
4) Creature from the Black Lagoon (puzzle solving and monster fighting)
5) 39 Steps (Classic Hitchcock movie would work well as a pule solver)
Showing posts with label Video Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Video Games. Show all posts
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Playstation and Playboy
At Christmas, I made a decision. With the growing complexity of computer games coming out, my graphics card was becoming obsolete. Correction, it was functionally obsolete. So, I decided to look into getting a new graphics card. After checking out the prices, looking at the requirements of the games out now, and considering that I would have to install it, I came to the conclusion that it would be cheaper just to buy a Playstation rather than upgrade.
So, my Christmas present became a PS2. Damn that thing is addicting!
I've been hooked. And given that the PS2 is going to be obsolete probably by the end of this year with the release of the PS3 - okay, maybe next year if the price quotes I keep hearing are accurate - that's really something. It's pulled me back into the EA NHL world (which I left after I think 2003... I lacked the skills to direct my shots, even at beginner). And allowed me to play a lot of the games that I wanted to play but couldn't because I didn't have a PS2, or a graphics card capable of running the games (those would be the Silent Hill Games).
It's just a shame that since Christmas, the only blog thought that's gone through my head was "Blog later, play now." (Just imagine 2 months worth of entries like that).
-----
Undoubtedly, many of you have heard the story already (link). The gist of it that Jessica Alba wants Playboy to pull their March issue off the newsstands because she appears on the cover. Her argument is that the cover shot gives the false implication that she is naked within the issue. Needless to say, I felt it was necessary for me to throw in my 2 cents.
The issue in question has been on the newsstands for two weeks prior to when the story of Alba's displeasure at being a cover girl came out. So, for two weeks, we've heard nothing about this. Granted, it is possible that maybe some Jessica Alba fan site's been flooded with letters condemning her for posing nude in Playboy (after all, she's on the cover, she must be naked within, right?). Somehow, though, I severely doubt it.
Take into account a few other facts. As Playboy has stated, a number of women have appeared on the cover, but remained clothed within. Also, she was voted in a reader's poll as 2005's sexiest star. It doesn't hurt that two of the three Alba movies released this year (Sin City - great flick - and Into The Blue) featured her as a stripper and a bikini clad vacationer (I have to admit, I haven't seen Into the Blue, it looked too much like The Deep, which I thought was dumb). Given the number of stories that came out when Sin City was released about her lack of a desire to appear nude on film, I don't think that there are many Alba fans out there would would have made the mistake of thinking she was nude inside.
Let's also look at the common sense issue of this. If Playboy actually had Alba nude, the headline wouldn't have read 25 Sexiest Celebrities. It would have probably been more like Into The Blue: Skinnydipping with Jessica Alba or Jessica Alba: Sin City Sinsation.
She should be happy that readers thought enough of her to vote her into the list and take the free (good) publicity instead of trying to generate her own (bad) publicity.
So, my Christmas present became a PS2. Damn that thing is addicting!
I've been hooked. And given that the PS2 is going to be obsolete probably by the end of this year with the release of the PS3 - okay, maybe next year if the price quotes I keep hearing are accurate - that's really something. It's pulled me back into the EA NHL world (which I left after I think 2003... I lacked the skills to direct my shots, even at beginner). And allowed me to play a lot of the games that I wanted to play but couldn't because I didn't have a PS2, or a graphics card capable of running the games (those would be the Silent Hill Games).
It's just a shame that since Christmas, the only blog thought that's gone through my head was "Blog later, play now." (Just imagine 2 months worth of entries like that).
-----
Undoubtedly, many of you have heard the story already (link). The gist of it that Jessica Alba wants Playboy to pull their March issue off the newsstands because she appears on the cover. Her argument is that the cover shot gives the false implication that she is naked within the issue. Needless to say, I felt it was necessary for me to throw in my 2 cents.
The issue in question has been on the newsstands for two weeks prior to when the story of Alba's displeasure at being a cover girl came out. So, for two weeks, we've heard nothing about this. Granted, it is possible that maybe some Jessica Alba fan site's been flooded with letters condemning her for posing nude in Playboy (after all, she's on the cover, she must be naked within, right?). Somehow, though, I severely doubt it.
Take into account a few other facts. As Playboy has stated, a number of women have appeared on the cover, but remained clothed within. Also, she was voted in a reader's poll as 2005's sexiest star. It doesn't hurt that two of the three Alba movies released this year (Sin City - great flick - and Into The Blue) featured her as a stripper and a bikini clad vacationer (I have to admit, I haven't seen Into the Blue, it looked too much like The Deep, which I thought was dumb). Given the number of stories that came out when Sin City was released about her lack of a desire to appear nude on film, I don't think that there are many Alba fans out there would would have made the mistake of thinking she was nude inside.
Let's also look at the common sense issue of this. If Playboy actually had Alba nude, the headline wouldn't have read 25 Sexiest Celebrities. It would have probably been more like Into The Blue: Skinnydipping with Jessica Alba or Jessica Alba: Sin City Sinsation.
She should be happy that readers thought enough of her to vote her into the list and take the free (good) publicity instead of trying to generate her own (bad) publicity.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Fantastic Four - Game Review from the Casual Gamer
I consider myself a casual gamer. Mostly, that's because nearly all the games coming out require a graphics card better than the GeForce 4 MX card I got. While I will probably upgrade, someday, for now, it suits me fine, and cuts down on the number of computer games I buy.
I also consider myself a casual gamer in that I'm not one of those intensive "Sit-at-the-game-until-finished" guys that write most of the reviews out there. In truth, there are times I don't even finish a game.
That being said, I was surprised to find Activision's Fantastic Four computer game playable on my system. Curiousity got the better of me and I picked it up. While I haven't finished the game, I have been so far impressed.
From the moment you pick up the box, you know that it is tied into the new FF movie, premiering July 8th. Carried into the game are the voice talents of the five main actors. But, comic geeks will pick out that many of the villains and secondary characters added for further gameplay are based upon Marvel's Ultimate line (so far, this has included a cameo by a Ultimates Nick Fury and an extremely repulsive looking Mole Man).
The plusses of Fantastic Four is that each of the FF possess their own unique talents, further augmented by the "Cosmic" key. Thus, if you were playing Reed, you have light and heavy punches, but also extended punches and spinning fists when the Cosmic key is pressed with an attack. Combo attacks are also capable for each character.
While so far, a number of the levels I've played have been solo levels (focusing on one of the FF), it is possible to play with two members, or the whole team. This can get daunting for the casual player since often you have to switch between characters to accomplish a particular task. Coplay options are available, allowing for two players to play at once, but no online feature is included, so all gameplay actions come from the keyboard or gamepads.
Also a plus is that it is a loaded game. Upgrades to powers are available for "purshase," along with character bios, concept art, cover gallery and more. Even on start up, you have the option of viewing character bios, reading issues of Ultimate Fantastic Four, even hearing samples of the character "theme songs" from the soundtrack.
In addition to the storyline, an arena combat mode is available. This is particularly nice if you wish to make sure you know the right buttons to push for the combos. Additional villains and arenas are unlocked by gathering F4 Secrets in the main game, so you will need to play that to use all the arena zones.
On the downside, the camera actions leave a lot to be desired. Often times I've gotten myself into situations where I need to see a particular area, but have gotten the camera turned around so much that I've almost become disoriented.
Also, while it is possible to use a gamepad for the game (I use a Logitech Dual Action gamepad), configuration cannot be done from within the game. This is particularly irritating if you want to make sure what button will do what. When I configured my gamepad, I had to restart the game 4 or 5 times to reconfigure it to my liking.
Finally, levels can only be saved at particular points, usually after defeating a boss. While not really a problem for a lot of people, I always find it a bit irksome since it means I have to complete a sequence before I can shut down for the night, or else start over from the last same point.
For the most part, Fantastic Four is a great game, certainly a lot of fun for the casual gamer/comic geek.
I also consider myself a casual gamer in that I'm not one of those intensive "Sit-at-the-game-until-finished" guys that write most of the reviews out there. In truth, there are times I don't even finish a game.
That being said, I was surprised to find Activision's Fantastic Four computer game playable on my system. Curiousity got the better of me and I picked it up. While I haven't finished the game, I have been so far impressed.
From the moment you pick up the box, you know that it is tied into the new FF movie, premiering July 8th. Carried into the game are the voice talents of the five main actors. But, comic geeks will pick out that many of the villains and secondary characters added for further gameplay are based upon Marvel's Ultimate line (so far, this has included a cameo by a Ultimates Nick Fury and an extremely repulsive looking Mole Man).
The plusses of Fantastic Four is that each of the FF possess their own unique talents, further augmented by the "Cosmic" key. Thus, if you were playing Reed, you have light and heavy punches, but also extended punches and spinning fists when the Cosmic key is pressed with an attack. Combo attacks are also capable for each character.
While so far, a number of the levels I've played have been solo levels (focusing on one of the FF), it is possible to play with two members, or the whole team. This can get daunting for the casual player since often you have to switch between characters to accomplish a particular task. Coplay options are available, allowing for two players to play at once, but no online feature is included, so all gameplay actions come from the keyboard or gamepads.
Also a plus is that it is a loaded game. Upgrades to powers are available for "purshase," along with character bios, concept art, cover gallery and more. Even on start up, you have the option of viewing character bios, reading issues of Ultimate Fantastic Four, even hearing samples of the character "theme songs" from the soundtrack.
In addition to the storyline, an arena combat mode is available. This is particularly nice if you wish to make sure you know the right buttons to push for the combos. Additional villains and arenas are unlocked by gathering F4 Secrets in the main game, so you will need to play that to use all the arena zones.
On the downside, the camera actions leave a lot to be desired. Often times I've gotten myself into situations where I need to see a particular area, but have gotten the camera turned around so much that I've almost become disoriented.
Also, while it is possible to use a gamepad for the game (I use a Logitech Dual Action gamepad), configuration cannot be done from within the game. This is particularly irritating if you want to make sure what button will do what. When I configured my gamepad, I had to restart the game 4 or 5 times to reconfigure it to my liking.
Finally, levels can only be saved at particular points, usually after defeating a boss. While not really a problem for a lot of people, I always find it a bit irksome since it means I have to complete a sequence before I can shut down for the night, or else start over from the last same point.
For the most part, Fantastic Four is a great game, certainly a lot of fun for the casual gamer/comic geek.
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