IGN's top 100 Modern Games - 79-70

Here's more of IGN's top 100 game list!


Game # 79
Bionic Commando Rearmed
Released: August 14, 2008

The first Bionic Commando for the Nintendo 8-bit was amazing.  And if you read the link to the Nintendo 8-bit, you'll find that there's two sides to this game.  Very interesting past.  One of my personal favorites, until they fucked it up.  Some games should never be remade.

Game #78
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
Released: February 15, 2011

Anyone of my favorite arcade fighters.  I would kick the crap out of people with Captain America and Morrigan.  Good game to add to your fighting collection if you're into the 'Street Fighter' old school feel.

Game #77
Total War: Shogun 2
Released: March 15, 2011

I tried getting into these on the computer, I couldn't find why they were so popular.  Not my cup of tea, but it might be yours.

Game #76
Brain Age
Released: April 16, 2006

Isn't this an XBOX 360 arcade game now?  It's one of those silly games that are suppose to make you smarter.

Game #75
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Released: May 17, 2011

Here's another awesome RPG that I never got into.  Probably due to my computer being crap.

Game #74
Cut the Rope
Released: October 5, 2010

I'll cut you with my box cutter!  That's my juice box!  I really don't know the first thing about Cut The Rope. I know that I cut the cheese the other day.

Game #73
Flower
Released: February 12, 2009

Lol... you said "flower". Anyway.  This was suppose to be some super uber 1337 game for the Playstation 3.  I didn't find the appeal, but I know there's a lot of cool art behind it.  Looks interesting.   Looks like a game I need pluck.

Game #72
The World Ends With You
Released: April 22, 2008

The end of the world starts with this game.  What's that thing around your neck?  A tampon?  WTF!!!@!21

Game #71
Meteos
Released: June 27, 2005

Bejeweled?  Not a single clue, but looks like something that is suppose to kill time.

Game #70
Super Stardust HD
Released: June 28, 2007

Super Stardust!  I remember that night with all that super angeldust... wait, was it a night or a week?  Oh who knows anymore.  It's in HD!!!

Battlefield 3: Prima Official Game Guide

Amazon has today revealed the first details on the official strategy guide for Battlefield 3.

The Prima guide will come in a standard and hardcover edition and will contain walkthroughs for all campaign missions and developer tips for multiplayer.

The guide also contains detailed maps for both single and multiplayer as well as a run down of all weapons, equipment and vehicles.

The guide will cost $19.99 for the standard edition and $39.99 for the collectors edition.

Standard Edition:

- Expert in-depth walkthroughs for every campaign mission.

- Detailed maps for both single and multiplayer modes.

- Complete breakdown for every weapon, vehicle, and piece of equipment.

- All multiplayer modes covered with key strategies straight from the pros working directly with the development team.

Collectors Edition

- Interviews with key personnel at EA DICE, a behind the scenes look at the development of the game and an art/concept art gallery!

- Also includes a Battlefield 3 novel excerpt written by a famous bestselling military novelist and ex-SAS member. He is also consulting on the development of the game.

- Expert in depth walkthroughs for every campaign mission.

- Detailed maps for both single and multiplayer modes.

- Complete breakdown for every weapon, vehicle, and piece of equipment.

- All multiplayer modes covered with key strategies straight from the pros working directly with the development team.

GAEMS G155 Portable Console System Review

Smartphones, tablets, the PlayStation Vita, and the 3DS may be redefining how we play games on the go, but there is still no substitute for a PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to transport your beloved console, and no guarantee that you'll have a place to set it up when you reach your destination. 

The Gaming and Entertainment Mobile Systems (GAEMS) G155 provides not only a simplified method for transporting a Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, but also an integrated display and sound system to play it on. 



GAEMS has their work cut out for them when it comes to making the G155 appeal to a large consumer demographic, but for the small niche market that will be willing to pay for the pleasure of truly portable console gaming, it serves its purpose well. 

When closed, the G155 is not unlike a hardshell carrying case for professional video equipment. The case is constructed out of a relatively dense plastic, which is latched together by two clamping mechanisms on the left and right sides. 

The G155 is intended to not only serve as a portable gaming station, but a hardshell plastic carrying case for your console. The system uses Velcro straps and a padded liner that conforms to the size and shape of the original and slim versions of both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Opposite the removable padded liner is the integrated display and sound system, which is built into the framework of the case. 

Because the display is built into the wall of the case and there is only one side protected by a padded liner, the G155 is not intended to provide protection beyond what is associated with basic hand carriage. In other words, don't regard the G155 as an impenetrable mobile fortress for your console; this is a carry-on, not something you want barreling around the cargo bay. 

That said, it still provides a reasonable amount of protection. The Velcro straps and molded padding keep your console well secured and the tight plastic casing will keep it safe from the elements. 

Additionally, GAEMS has padded out the sides of your console with two removable pouches that can store cables, your Xbox 360's power brick, and a controller or two. The added storage is decent for carrying around the bare essentials needed to power and connect the system and your console, but additional hardware like multiple controllers, games, and other add-ons won't fit. Obviously more storage space is nice, but it would have come at the cost of added weight and size, and the G155 is already hefty enough. 

The case is roughly 20-inches wide, 15-inches tall, and 6.8-inches thick, and weighs 8.6-pounds. With a console and accessories inside, the weight can jump up to anywhere between 15- and 20-pounds. The weight, straining as it may be for long hauls, is to be expected and simply a necessary consequence of transporting hefty console hardware. 

But, of course, the most important aspect of the G155 is how the integrated display works. Though certainly not of the highest visual caliber, the G155's 15.5-inch LED 720p display is sufficient for its intended purpose – providing clear visual performance for one or two players within close proximity. The display is fairly bright and the colors are decent, though it has a fairly limited contrast range and certain hues look muted while others fully saturated. 

There are no visible lines of resolution, and input delay is extremely low due to the limited components the signal has to travel through. To that end, I can see the G155 becoming a fan favorite for competitive multiplayer events and traveling pros. 

My only major gripe with the display was its limited viewing angle, which as you can see in the video above, can make the screen almost unusable from anywhere outside of a narrow direct and level view. Since the system is intended for one or two users, however, it isn't a critical issue. 

The built-in speakers are also expectedly low-fidelity, delivering flat stereo game audio with a reasonably loud volume. Fortunately, the system also supports two headphone ports, which allow two players to connect any stereo pair of headphones to the display for a personal audio experience. Its important to note, however, that surround sound audio – simulated or true – can only be achieved through additional processing hardware, like an Astro Gaming MixAmp or Turtle Beach's PX5 gaming headphones. Obviously having to carry more gear is less-than-preferred, but adding surround sound processing to an integrated display, especially audio officially licensed by Dolby, would have added another $100 or more to the already steep price of admission. 

In terms of setup, the G155 is fairly simple to use. The display is powered by an AC adapter and connects to your console via a 7-inch HDMI cable, both of which are included. The AC adapter will not, however, power your console; you have to connect the standard power cable separately. From there, it's just a matter of powering on the display and your console and firing up the game of your choice. 

Though certainly not as immersive as your home theater setup, the G155 is a simple and effective way to take your console experience on the go. It's certainly not without its flaws, and the $299.99 asking price is definitely a premium only those truly in need can justify, but for its intended purpose, it works well. 

Rage Anarchy Edition

When you pre-order RAGE, you will be upgraded to the RAGE Anarchy Edition.  Which includes the following.

• Double Barrel Shotgun
• Crimson Elite Armor
• Fists of RAGE
• Rat Rod Buggy

So pre-order before October 4th, 2011 and pick up your copy of the Anarchy Edition at no extra charge!

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Crysis 2 DirectX 11 Update

Shooter fans: Today was the day Crytek officially released its DirectX 11 update to Crysis 2--an update many a PC gamer believed should have been part of the game in the first place. Regardless, we took some time today to download both the DirectX 11 update and the high-res texture pack. And this Wednesday, there shall be even more downloadable happiness available, in the form of a mission editor, which I'm hoping to spend some time with, if time permits.

The updates add features you'd hope to see in a DirectX 11 game: tessellation, high dynamic range motion blur, improved water rendering, and more. In effect, the changes take an already attractive game and make it look even more stunning. Particle shadows and motion blur are particular striking in sequences with a lot of destruction, and the HDR post processing makes moving from a darker area into an area bathed in sunlight momentarily breathtaking. My work PC took only the slightest frame rate hit when compared to the original, only rarely dropping under a solid 60 frames per second.

The recent trailer does a good job of comparing the enhancements. In addition, we took a few gameplay movies and screens for you to gaze at, though the differences at a glance will likely be minimal to those not searching for them. I am hoping to get some pre- and post-patch screens tonight to share tomorrow, but I hope you enjoy these in the meanwhile!

Crysis 2 - DirectX11: Ultra Upgrade Trailer (PC)

Unreal 3 Engine

Here's a shot of our new foliage system in Unreal Engine 3. Shout out to our devs at Epic Games Korea!
Source: Twitter

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16 Things You Didn't Know About Sleep

You might be thinking... why the **** is he posting this?  Why not.  Enjoy

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Battlefield 3 Exec 'Feels Sympathy' For Activision Over Leak

Click me to watch me grow in size.

Dice's Executive Producer, Patrick Bach has shared some words about the massive information leak that hit Activision a few months ago.
Speaking in the latest issue of PSM3 he said;
“There must have been some very angry people over at Activision when it happened, and I would be very upset if it happened to us.”
“We feel sympathy for them,”
The leak which took place in May revealed several key pieces of information about Modern Warfare 3 including details on locations, missions, characters and game modes, this forced Activision to bring forward their reveal of the game.

Source: ThatVideoGameBlog

IGN's top 100 Modern Games - 89-80

With each day passing, I will do the next 10 games in a the series.  Looks like there's no access to the games in the 80's, but I figured out how to get to the games.

So on with the show!


Game 89
Dragon Age: Origins
Released: November 3, 2009

I loved everything Dragon Age (DA).  I played DA on the XBOX 360 for 500 hours.  I played every class through, and pretty much got the majority of the endings.  This is what I loved about an RPG.  I was able to pretty much make my character do whatever and play them however I wished.  The story and writing were also top notch.  I played a little Dragon Age II, and felt as though they dumbed it down and created more of an action RPG.  Regardless, both games are worth spending money on.

Game 88
Valkyria Chronicles II
Released: August 31, 2010

I never played Valkyria Chronicles one or part two. 

Game 87
Killzone 2
Released: February 27, 2009

Good ole Killzone 2.  Where do I begin?  Pretty game, broken online.  What I enjoyed about this game was the graphics, and that is where the enjoyment ended.  The controls felt as though I was using a giant boat in the water and not a smaller jetski.  Meaning... the controls were not tight and felt very (trying to find the correct word) unresponsive.  And when you tried to play a game online, unless everyone had a perfect connection, it was riddled with lag issues and since no one really has a mic (unlike XBOX), it's also impossible to use tactics or communicate.  I played part three as well, and well, I just don't see the hype with this game.

Game 86
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Released: October 4, 2005




I played my share of Castlevania games, yet I have not gotten around to playing 'Dawn of Sorrow'.

Game 85
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Released: August 18, 2010





Another game that went down the road of the dumb.  Lets take an awesome series like Lara Croft and make it a top-down dungeon crawl!!!!  No *ucking thanks!  Seriously, how much more can you destroy a series by changing the way you play it.  I thought the co-op was pretty cool, but if you were playing with an idiot, say good bye to his ability to stay alive.  This game is fun if you're a hardcore fan and looking for something 180 degrees different in the other direction.

Game 84
Elite Beat Agents
Released: November 6, 2006

I have never heard of this game until today.  So, who knows. :) 

Game 83
‘Splosion Man
Released: July 22, 2009

This game and Super Meat Boy are two games I don't want to play.  A lot of people think they are sooooo awesome, I don't find the appeal in either.  Now there's going to be a 'Splosion Girl remake.  Argh!  *Smacks Forehead* 

Game 82
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction
Released: April 13, 2010

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell...  first I'd like to say Tom Clancy should stop writing books, and games.  This game was a bunch of epic fail.  Enemies that knew were you were when you were hiding.  The ability to just go into every mission and "Rambo" the guys with little to no resistance.  I am not a fan of these spy-type games.  The only thing I liked about this game was the fact it was released on my birthday.  :D 

Game 81
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes
Released: December 1, 2009

Here's another remake to make the game even easier than it was.  I remember growing up playing this turn-based game on the modem with my friends.  It was always praised for its glorified graphics.  A lot of people didn't like it because it was turned base, but it was that fact which gave you a lot of time to come up with strategy.  This game looks alright, but since it's not following suite to the real games, it's a pass.

ovember 16, 2010

Game 80
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
Released: November 16, 2010

I played the original where you had to hook your computer up through a LAN. It was days and days of fun.   We would have massive LAN parties and just play cops and robbers.  This game brings back so many good memories.

New Update to Bring Real-Time Xbox Live Support to Windows Phone 7

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When it was announced, few features of Windows Phone 7excited us more than Xbox Live integration, but unfortunately, the connection between the two isn't as extensive as we would have hoped. Luckily, Windows Phone Sauce delved into the upcoming update, Windows Phone 7 Mango, and has happily uncovered a couple of upgrades in regards to Xbox Live support. 

First up, the ability to invite friends to play games with you has surfaced; hinting at real-time multiplayer support. In addition, voice and party chat capabilities have also been discovered, as well as access to messages received through Xbox Live. Rounding out the new features hidden within Mango is the ability to share your Xbox Live profile through Facebook. 

With Xbox Live on its way to Windows 8, these updates may be an indication of where Microsoft is headed on their way to creating an ecosystem based on the service. In any case, the improvements coming to Mango are a proper step in the right direction. 

Windows Phone 7 Mango will be available starting this Fall. 

LulzSec disbands following Battlefield Heroes breach

Hacker group releases 500,000 user names from EA's free-to-play shooter before declaring its 50-day virtual rampage over.

The past month has seen the hacker group Lulz Security (aka LulzSec) attack a variety of game companies, including Nintendo, Bethesda Softworks, Epic Games, CCP Games, and Mojang. Now, the group has announced its 50-day virtual rampage has come to a close and that the organization itself has disbanded.

Hacker group LulzSec has apparently disbanded after 50 days of attacks.

"We are Lulz Security, and this is our final release, as today marks something meaningful to us," the group--which also calls itself the Lulz Boat--said in a statement. "For the past 50 days we've been disrupting and exposing corporations, governments, often the general population itself, and quite possibly everything in between, just because we could. All to selflessly entertain others--vanity, fame, recognition, all of these things are shadowed by our desire for that which we all love."

The statement concluded, "So with those last thoughts, it's time to say bon voyage. Our planned 50 day cruise has expired, and we must now sail into the distance, leaving behind--we hope--inspiration, fear, denial, happiness, approval, disapproval, mockery, embarrassment, thoughtfulness, jealousy, hate, even love. If anything, we hope we had a microscopic impact on someone, somewhere. Anywhere."

That said, LulzSec fired a parting salvo by hacking the site for Electronic Arts' free-to-play shooter Battlefield Heroes. The group released some 500,000 accounts with username and password combinations from the beta for the Digital Illusions CE-developed game, as well as bringing down the game's site.

In a brief statement on the official Battlefield Heroes website, EA confirmed a "security breach" by an unnamed party. However, it said that "to the best of our knowledge, it appears that no personal data was compromised--no emails, account history, credit card numbers or payment methods."

LulzSec's announcement comes a week after a 19-year-old Briton was arrested on suspicion of being part of the group. However, LulzSec used its Twitter account to deny any connection to the man.

Court Strikes Down Violent Game Law

If you ask me, it's no different than going to an art gallery that has naked women, or rap music that talks about shooting and killings, or a movie that is rated R and has naked people, explosions, etc.  It's a form of "art", video games are, and they are also protected by freedom of speech.

US supreme court

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the video games industry this morning in a case that called for the ban of violent games to children in the state of California. 

In a 7-2 decision, the court struck down the proposed law, saying video games fall under First Amendment protection. 

"Like protected books, plays, and movies, [video games] communicate ideas through familiar literary devices and features distinctive to the medium. And 'the basic principles of freedom of speech . . . do not vary' with a new and different communication medium," said the court. 

"This country has no tradition of specially restricting children's access to depictions of violence. And California's claim that 'interactive' video games present special problems, in that the player participates in the violent action on screen and determines its out- come, is unpersuasive." 

A PDF version of the court's full decision can be found here. 

The proposed law was first signed in 2005 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It opposed the sale of violent games to minors and could fine retailers up to $1,000 for each violation. A federal appeals court, however, blocked the law before it could pass, deeming it unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme decided in April 2010 to give the law a second look, making its decision this morning. 

"This is a historic and complete win for the First Amendment and the creative freedom of artists and storytellers everywhere. Today, the Supreme Court affirmed what we have always known – that free speech protections apply every bit as much to video games as they do to other forms of creative expression like books, movies and music," said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, which represents the U.S. computer and video game industry. 

"The Court declared forcefully that content-based restrictions on games are unconstitutional; and that parents, not government bureaucrats, have the right to decide what is appropriate for their children." 

"We are thrilled by today's news," added Jennifer Mercurio, VP & General Counsel of the Entertainment Consumers Association. 

"We had hoped that we would see this decision, and it's been a long time coming. That being said, there will probably be one or two legislators who attempt to test these new parameters, and the ECA will continue to fight for the rights of entertainment consumers." 

California State Senator Leland Yee, the author of the law, expressed disappointment in the court's ruling. 

"Unfortunately, the majority of the Supreme Court once again put the interests of corporate America before the interests of our children," Yee said in a statement. "As a result of their decision, Wal-Mart and the video game industry will continue to make billions of dollars at the expense of our kids' mental health and the safety of our community. It is simply wrong that the video game industry can be allowed to put their profit margins over the rights of parents and the well-being of children. 

"While we did not win today, I am certain that this eight year legislative and legal battle has raised the consciousness of this issue for many parents and grandparents, and has forced the video game industry to do a better job at appropriately rating these games," he added. 

"Every major national medical association – including the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics – has concluded that exposure to violent video games causes an increase in aggressive behavior, physiological desensitization to violence, and decrease pro-social behavior," said Yee. "Thus, society has a direct, rational and compelling reason in marginally restricting a minor's access to violent video games." 

IGN Top 100 Modern Games

It's started!

IGN is having what they believe are the top 100 modern games.  For a little while their site was in the process of getting setup and as I promised, I would do my best to keep up with the 100 games!

The way IGN has it setup is you can view the first 11 games, from 100 to 89, then 88 to 80 and so on.  If you want to check out the top 11, here is the direct link.

I will do my best to keep the list updated daily.  Tell me what you all think.  I will add my thoughts in a little bit to each game.

Game 100
Demon's Soul

Game 99
League of Legends

Game 98
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP





Game 97
Resistance

Game 96
Tiny Wings

Game 95
Kirby's Epic Yarn

Game 94
Crysis

Game 93
Angry Birds

Game 92
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas

Game 91
The Sims 3

Game 90
Far Cry 2