• 20Apr 13

  New AMD-based Desktop Computer

  Here's my new custom desktop computer. It has been a long time coming since my last one was originally built in 2004! I spared little expense (the graphics card is moderate because this system isn't intended for gaming) to make it a beast that will hopefully last me for many years to come like the previous one.
  
  CASE: Cooler Master Elite 431
  POWER SUPPLY: XtremeGear 600W
  MOTHERBOARD: GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3 AM3+ Crossfire USB 3.0 SATA-III
  PROCESSOR: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-core
  RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4GBx4) DDR3/1866MHz Dual Channel
  VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 1GB 16X PCIe 3.0
  HARD DRIVE: Western Digital 1TB Caviar Blue SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 7200 RPM
  FLASH CARD READER: 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer
  DVD DRIVE: Samsung 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW
  WATERCOOLER: Asetek 510LC 120MM
  
  My future plan is to switch to an SSD hard drive when they come down in price enough. I don't do hybrids.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Posted Apr 20, 2013 1:13 am GMT
  • Category: Computers
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• 30Mar 13

  Last 2 Months of Gaming Pickups

  I bring you a new batch of gaming goodness that I've added to my awesome gaming collection. Check it out, won't you?
  
  
  
  Korg DS-10 Plus (DS) - This is not so much a game as it is a real synthesizer on a DS cart. Fun to mess around with!
  
  Destruction Derby (PS) - A solid game for an early PlayStation release. DD keeps it nice and simple so you can enjoy those awesome-for-1995 crashes!
  
  Skydiving Extreme (PS) - Only the greatest game ever made about skydiving!
  
  Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou & Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen (PSP) - Both of these titles are part of a spinoff series from the main Yakuza franchise from Sega. Looking forward to seeing how they are in the future.
  
  Hakuoki: Warriors of the Shinsengumi (PSP) - Hey look! A new physical PSP game for North America! Sure, it's mediocre, but there's hot guys everywhere!
  
  WTF: Work Time Fun (PSP) - I used to own this and now I own it again. Can't resist that ramen timer! Flex, flex, spice, and enjoy!
  
  Vampire Resurrection (PS3) - This is a re-release of the second and third games in the Darkstalkers series of fighters by Capcom. I have always enjoyed them, but they never achieved much popularity outside of Japan. I'm looking for some peeps to play against so let me know if you'd like to play.
  
  Midway Arcade Origins (PS3) - A compilation of 31 Midway arcade games. Hopefully it'll turn out to have mostly proper emulation and crisper visuals than last generation's Midway Arcade Treasures releases.
  
  Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2 (PS3) - My love for some licenses leads me, at times, make what are probably not great purchases. This is the follow-up to the first FotNS Dynasty Warriors game and I now have both, but have played neither so far. It wasn't released physically for PS3 in North America so I found out there was an english version released for non-Japan Asia and picked it up.
  
  BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND (PS3) - The changes made in Continuum Shift II really rubbed me the wrong way so I'm hoping CS Extend will set it right again. I bought the not-so-limited limited edition for pretty cheap and it came with an artbook, soundtrack, and a now outdated calendar.
  
  Unreal II: The Awakening (XB) - It's Epic Games trying to tell a story in the Unreal universe. How cute. I'm sure that narrative with be top-notch and the voice acting superb. What's that? It isn't? Shocking.
  
  Burnout Revenge (XB) - It's the direct follow-up to Burnout 3. What's not to like?
  
  Shadow Hearts: From the New World (PS2) - A JRPG series that has an intriguing looking battle system. I picked up the third one in the series because it seems to take itself less seriously than the previous entries.
  
  OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast (PS2) - A great update of OutRun 2 from the previous year, but now also on PS2!
  
  Rogue Trooper (PS2) - I played this a few weeks ago. A fun, solid game with a good amount of cool options to take out your enemies.
  
  Red Faction II (PS2) - A spur of the moment purchase on the cheap. Looks solid.
  
  Unreal Tournament (PS2) - I played this through soon after I bought it. For a launch port of UT for PS2, it's pretty good and even has keyboard and mouse support.
  
  Alter Echo (PS2) - Looks like a decent action/adventure.
  • Posted Mar 30, 2013 4:22 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 3Mar 13

  [Review Quickie] Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

  Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
  (PS3, 2013)
  
  + excellent instrumental soundtrack
  + combat is a lot of fun and is very satisfying to "cut what you will"
  + really good over-the-top boss battles
  + voice acting and narrative are decent and ironically enjoyable (NANOMACHINES, SON!)
  - camera can be unwieldy at times
  
  Can Platinum do no wrong, Ladies and Gentlemen? They not only consistently create incredible games of their own, but now you can put "game rescuer" on their resume as well! Platinum truly are kings of the action game. Nobody can touch them! This time they flex their action game prowess with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Ever since I played Metal Gear Solid 4 for the first time and saw what they did with Raiden, I was begging for an action game spin-off. That game is here and it is glorious! The Zandatsu mechanic is what really drives the gameplay here and it was done masterfully. Cutting enemies up and taking their energy-spine-thing is super satisfying, especially when you chain three of them together! The parry mechanic is effectively how you "block" and if you time it especially well, you will strike back immediately and if landed will usually result in an opportunity for a Zandatsu. There's also many different helpful items and sub-weapons like various grenades, rocket launchers, and stealth items. A few of the bosses' weapons can be had after defeating them and used as secondary weapons like Monsoon's sai and Sundowner's pincer blades. Boss battles are another big highlight. Many are over-the-top fun, especially the final boss Senator Armstrong which is getting many different nicknames from the gaming community. Mine is Senator Incredible Hulk. As you can tell, I think MGR is yet another phenomenal game by Platinum and if you are an action aficionado like I am: play this game!
  
  RATING: 5 out of 6 / 8.5 out of 10
  • Posted Mar 3, 2013 12:35 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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