MSX Games...

Well, hopefully I should be posting my first video (of an actual old school game) tomorrow. MSX games are something I have been looking into lately. For those who don't know, MSX is the system Konami started a lot of their franchises on (Metal Gear for example, Kojima explained this in a recent interview).

However, I am excited about it. I get to do what I love (playing video games) and you get the info here, and the video on my Youtube channel. Thanks for your continued support (hopefully I will be able to get something done tonight, but who knows).

Mass Effect 3 Review And Price Cut

Mass Effect 3 To The Point Review

As you are already aware, Mass Effect 3 has been a game shrouded in controversy, irritation, joy, and a whole spectrum of mixed emotions. It is the grand finale brought to us by the fine people at Bioware (the guys who brought us Dragon Age also), and is suppose to be the game that ties up the loose ends created by the other two (awesome) games in the series.

UPDATE!!!

 Save $30 on Mass Effect 3, now only $29.99 at GameStop.com

First, before I go any further I must state that the game itself was awesome. The combat has been refined, you feel the intensity and speed of the firefights. Also, the powers (and classes) are more balanced. You can really play your style of character. If you like guns, fine, be a soldier. I myself was a Vanguard, I had a great time playing Mr. Ruthless (I chose to be a tough guy).

You will have fun jumping from world to world and getting to see the various homeworlds of the different alien species (for example, you get to see the Asari and the Turian's homeworlds). It was a very fulfilling experience to see the incredible artwork and the time investment that was placed into this game.

Now for the couple of gripes I have about the game. The ending was one of the greatest let downs. However, as of writing this article, Bioware is going to release a pack to add more to the ending (due to the rabid response of the fanbase), so hopefully that gripe will be removed soon. Also, some of the story elements were to me overemotional. It was like every other moment they were trying to make you feel like “this game is art”. Some of it was good, but some of it was overboard.

All in all, this is a great game. Time and thought went into the construction of this game. Even though it is not a perfect game, it is still worth your time. Mass Effect truly is one of the greatest trilogies to grace a video game system (even though the ending could have been... better). If you haven't done so, grab a copy as soon as possible.

 Save $30 on Mass Effect 3, now only $29.99 at GameStop.com

Brought to my attention...

It has been brought to my attention that in order for me to gain more readers (And viewers for my YOUTUBE channel), I must start to do (crappy, cough, cough) classic gaming walkthru's. I am very much saddened by this turn of events because I believed that modern day content was what people wanted to read. That was until I received a letter from someone I will refer to as Reader X...

"Rix, love what you write. However, I love classic games! Do you think you can do walkthru's of them? I love watching games I've played a thousand times being played through by other people. If you do this I'm sure your vacant blog would get lot's of readers.


P.S. I think you are a poopoohead. HAHAHAHA" Unknown Reader X


Well, Unknown Reader X, for your information I have many classic games. Some were awesome while (many, many... many) a lot of them were lukewarm (translated: soiled baby diapers). So now, Rix will be doing classic game walkthru's hoping to be bought out by a huge conglomerate so he can sell out for the big bucks and do reviews on network television next to some... wait, what was I writing about again?

Oh, the shame...

You see, that is my problem. I have a lack of focus. I am like a dog chasing cars. As soon as one goes by another nice shiny one zooms by (notice picture to the left)!

This is why my sites generally do not last that long. Short attention span. However, I love games. And if making videos about games that came out in the dark ages will increase my rep then BY Golly! I'll do it.

Sheesh. I thought hot videos of new video games people loved. Well, for those who still care... here is what I've been playing lately...

Leveling Up In Diablo 3 - Speed Guide

Leveling Up Has Never Been Easier

Leveling up in Diablo 3 is vital to your success in being the best. Tired of burning away hours upon hours in front of your computer hoping to reach a higher level? Then this Diablo 3 Speed Guide is for you.

The goal of many gamers is power leveling, especially when it comes to Diablo 3. You might be tempted to spend a lot of cash since the auction house in Diablo 3 allows you to use real money to buy items with Blizzard taking their fair share.

It is known that some of the best gear might create better results.

But, spending money in the auction house is not the best method (even if you had all the money in the world to spare). It is always better to save your money because there are many ways to get the best gear in the game naturally.

Did you know that questing in the right direction offers a much better progression for each character versus going back to the same spot killing the same monsters over (and over) again?

With changes in how the actual game runs now, what has worked in the past does not necessarily apply for Diablo 3. For example, the returns on boss runs isn't the same because Blizzard is now encouraging players to embrace diversity of play style verses the repetitive grinding system of the past.

Also, there are higher levels of difficulty (such as the inferno level) which will give you better drops. There are many methods that can help you on your way to true leveling.

This is why I recommend the Diablo 3 Speed Guide because it is written by experienced players (who actually play Diablo 3). No beating around the bush here, just what you need as quickly as possible. This is a very effective method for players who do not wish to spend 15 hours a day in front of their computer trying to level up.

For more information on the Diablo 3 Speed Guide, click here now!

Legend of the Mystical Ninja

The Legend Continues...

Simply put this is one of my favorite old-school games (truthfully, to me, it really isn't that old, but that would be saying too much about my age LOL).

In today's 3D world this game would be considered a novelty, even though you can download it on the Wii (legally that is...). I remember playing through this game from beginning to ending, it was one of the most unique games I had played at the time.

Creativity is something I would love to see in some of the new games. I am not saying they are not creative or original, but finding new ways to blow up meshes is not my idea of original. Flavor is what separates one food from another, and it is the same in gaming.

I remember looking through one of my old game magazines (from the Nintendo Power days when it was the original N-E-S), and the originality that went into everything from the paneling to the layout of game maps was on a different level. These things were valuable back in the day (because games back in the day were so difficult that many of them are not even playable today LOL).

You had to find a cheat code (anyone remember the Konami cheat code which worked for almost all their titles?). Game Genie was still hot (before Gameshark, do they still use Gameshark?!). The eighties were lovely.

Sigh... well. As always, I thank you for reading and hope you are having a wonderful week.

Love for gaming...

Love for the game...

Who would've thought twenty years ago we would be playing the games we would be playing today? It literally boggles my mind to think that so much has changed in the last two decades that the old way looks like a fossil now.

Old and dated, it's hard to believe that so much has changed. Remember Atari 7800? Or text adventures like the Kingdom of Kroz? Do you remember making your own adventures with ZZT? And how stoked were you when you started to use Megazeux (tricked out ZZT)? The games get bigger and more epic pushing the envelope on what's possible. But how many of us still love playing Deus Ex (the original)? Not only was it awesome, it still is. Will we say the same ten years later about Human Revolution?

As I write this I am reminded of how much has changed. We use to go to arcades to play games. Now we play  online at home with others. There was a certain social interaction that had a feeling of community with it. 

Don't get me wrong, I love the games that are out today. What I miss is the social interaction of being next to real people (like at the arcades). It's one think to let someone know you dominated them over a headset, and another thing to see the look on their faces when you spank them like they stole something.

Sigh, the good old days. Well, back to Demon Souls (yes, I still play this game) to die another hundred deaths against an indescribable terror.

Lord of the Rings War in the North for Xbox 360 On Sale Now

LOTR: War in the North (Xbox 360) only $19.99!

Property of Warner Bros. © 2012

If you didn't know I am an action-RPG fanatic. I love games that allow me to control my sword and grow my stats. You have probably seen the advertisement and scratched your heads (you know, the one with the scary guy silently staring at you through his helmet), wondering what sort of game is this? To be honest, when I first saw the advertisement I did not know it was Lord of the Rings until I read the title.

Well, War in the North is a co-op Action RPG that puts you (and your friends) into a new chapter in the War of the Ring. With heavy inspiration from the original source material and a ton of enemies you will find the familiar and unfamiliar nature of this game epic and incredible.

You will travel to locations that are known, and some that are not so known (never seen in the movies). The images are breathtaking, and help towards immersing the players into Middle-earth unlike any other game before it. This game gives you a chance to experience Middle-earth and the lore firsthand, while making your own story in the Ring saga.

You can play this game solo or with two of your friends (total of three players). Your jobs will be to face the growing armies of the North (and to survive the conflict). Drawing heavily from the books and appendices, you will find a story that is unique and refreshing.

For a limited time Gamestop (through the link below) has War in the North on sale for $19.99. If haven't done so already, now is a great time to experience the war in Middle-earth.

Lord of the Rings: War in the North for Xbox 360 only $19.99 at Gamestop.com

Borderlands 2 Preview and Release Date

Preview shots and details of Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 is the sequel to one of the most critically acclaimed four-player co-op shooters (with role playing gameplay I might add). It's set to be bigger and better then the original Borderlands (that's what Gearbox tells me anyway).

The release date of Borderlands 2 (as of the writing of this article) is September 18, 2012. As always, you can pre-order (or after 9-18-2012 order) by visiting here. The game is set to have more gadgets then before (if that's believable) and for those that pre-order the game a set of bonuses (find out more about the bonuses here).

As far as the story goes you are in the world Pandora, fighting the corrupt Hyperion Corporation (sort of a cool name). The corporation is led by one notorious person called Handsome Jack. You can tackle the game solo or in four player co-op (very interesting).

At the start of the game you find yourself left for dead in the tundra (very frozen place) of Pandora. As you can tell, this will be a quest for revenge, and to some extent redemption. The corporation Hyperion is surrounded by evil perpetrated by the evil CEO (ROFL) Handsome Jack. There will be bullets flying and corporate lackeys falling. The best part is, you do not have to tackle Pandora alone.

The co-op is what excites me the most about Borderlands 2, You can do this either locally (via split-screen) or online. A major bonus of the online mode is that you can drop in and drop out. This means players can aid when needed and leave when they have other things to do.

There are all new characters, with you stepping into the role of the Gunzerker. Also, there are new character classes. The Gunzerker has the ability to dual-wield (don't they all?) any two weapons found in the game. This has my mind going places. Just think about it. You could dual wield sniper rifles (I'm not making this up), rocket launchers, machine guns. This adds an interesting dynamic to the game that will have to be seen to be believed.

In conclusion, Borderlands 2 is shaping up to be an incredible journey. Below are some screenshots of the game. I hope you enjoy them. As always, thanks for reading.

Images & Logo Property of Gearbox © 2012

Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City Price Cut

$20 off Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (Limited Time)

It was bound to happen, and happen sooner rather then later. Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City has finally experienced a price cut! For those who don't know what this game is, let me give you a little background on it first.

Resident Evil is a survival horror game where you have limited resources, overpowered enemies, and an atmosphere of fear and bloodshed. Historically this has been the formula for Resident Evil games, but Capcom (company behind Resident Evil) changed things up a bit when they added a team element to the game.

In Operation Raccoon City you are warped (haha, Mario Brothers) back to that fateful night in September 1998 (what day was it?) when the deadly T-Virus was unleashed upon the ignorant masses of civilians (and non-civilians) in Raccoon City. Umbrella then decides to send its team to do some clean up, and the US Government has quarantined the area also sending in their elite soldiers (they want to help survivors, Umbrella wants to kill everyone).

Favorite characters return in this game (like Leon Kennedy of RE2 and 3D movie fame) adding an element of nostalgia for the hardcore Resident Evil fan (or addict if this is your favorite genre). With everyone's favorite undead villain lurking around (STARS!) and hordes of zombies, the bullets will be flying and the undead bodies will be dropping (along with the opposing teams).

There are various modes of gameplay such as the Campaign mode which allows up to 4 player co-op (where you choose your side, Umbrella Secret Service, or the Elite Special Forces Unit of the US). You can also fight online (bring along a couple of friends mode).

All in all, if you don't have a copy yet (because 59.99 was too much, as it was for me), then click on below and head over to Gamestop while they are knocking $20 dollars off the price (limited time only).

Save $20 on Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City for PS3 and Xbox 360 at Gamestop.com

A Real Diablo 3 Review

Diablo 3 is...

Diablo 3 is simply put the dungeon crawlers equivalent of an ice cream sundae with all the right fixings. It is hoarding, pillaging, destruction, stat building... yada... yada... yada...

Okay, did you buy that? No, probably not. So let me explain exactly what it is and what it ain't. First, Diablo 3 is known as an action role-playing game. This means that you control the slicing, dicing, cutting and casting. It also means you have to grow experience (distant memories of experience points in the old days) and abilities.

You will face hordes of monsters, heart wrenching bosses and dangerous situations. But fear not, you have five distinct classes to choose from like barbarian (think Conan, only without the former governor), witch doctor (not your family physician), wizard, monk, or the feared demon hunter. As you can tell, each has their own abilities and powers to assist them.

Each class has a distinct background and a story to fit. For example the barbarians are heavily armed and hail from Mount Arreat while the witch doctor comes from the Tribe of the Five Hills (Umbaru race...sigh, I did not make that name up). The witch doctor specializes in spells and alchemy and also posseses the ability to summon while the barbarian is the definition of the physical beast (slaughtering line after line of undead fiends).

The game is set in Sanctuary (not the TV show silly). As you can tell, it is a dark world filled with fantasy and treacherous... things. The inhabitants are pretty ignorant of the fact that there is an underworld filled with demonic forces from a horrible vacation spot (not really) called the Burning Hells. Some remember their dread while most enjoy their mundane lives. Then... all of a sudden... THINGS CHANGE!

That was the shock of your life right? Not really? Well, the minions of the Burning Hells want revenge for the spanking they received twenty years ago and you (and your companions) are the only ones that can stop them.

Can you do it? Do you have what it takes? Diablo 3 is a game that will not lay down for you. It keeps coming at you. You will perish. Many times. But you must rise from the ashes like the phoenix and lay the smack down upon the fiends from the Burning Hells.

If you love great games and want to have the time of your life, then this is the game for you. To get your copy click one of the pictures (the version you like) below. Thanks for listening to my rant. This game is awesome.

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Gamestop - Click pictures below for further details

Diablo 3 (Regular)

Diablo 3 Special Edition

Excitement...

Gaming (console, desktop, and old school desktop) has been my love for a very long time. Looking through the many websites online I was confounded to see a certain trend... and within this trend I did not feel certain questions were answered.

So I decided to hop on the blogging bandwagon and review the hottest titles, get the best trailers, and give my honest opinion about them (hopefully helping you to avoid purchasing video game garbage). So, now my fun-filled journey begins. My only question is, "Will you be joining me?"