Fable 2

Been playing Fable 2 pretty much non stop for the past few days, exploring and defeating hordes of enemies, and I must say this game is great. While the story does end with a kind of "What in the world just happened...." feel, I do believe this was intentional to leave the game open for download content (which I know makes me happy).

Fable 2 takes place long after the events of Fable, and you find yourself in a world much different from before. The world is more populated, more savage, and with out heros. Your quest begins with your childhood just as the previous game did, and quickly moves to adulthood (no 2-3 hours spend growing up this time around). I would love to talk about the events of the game, but I really don't wanna ruin a single aspect of the game for anyone who is looking to buy this title, or has it and has yet to begin playing it. But I will say, it is interesting to see that the choices you make as a child actually change the world when you are an adult.

Now, as for how the game plays, I'll have to say the new design of game play is wonderful. The spell system which is now a 1 button spell system, is very well implemented, and works flawlessly. Through charging up your spells, you can have access to 5 spells, 5 ranks of 1 spell, or anything in between (such as rank 1, 3, and 5 shock, and rank 2 and 4 time control). The melee system is still rather the same, giving you the option to mash your X button through the entire game to hack and slash your way through enemies. And the ranged system seems more open in this game then I remember in the original Fable. Giving you the ability to just shoot your way through the game by mashing Y, or being able to blow off someone's head with a well aimed fire from a gun, cross bow, or rifle.

The experience system is still the same set up, where you gain general EXP, as well as EXP based on what kind of attacks you performed, although spending it is much improved. No more traveling back to some far away zone to get new spells or abilities! Built right into the menu system is the skill builder, which allows you to get new abilities and skills as you go.

I am kind of upset by the lack of really cool looking armor in this game how ever. Lion Head took the game down a new path by removing armor rating from equipment to convince people to play the game with different paths (you can go from the beginning to the end in just your under-garments or even a chicken suit). But they didn't give a ton of options. I believe there is about 15 full costumes and of course you can alter them by picking different parts for your own over all look, and you can also change the color of them with dyes, but I was still expecting more styles including cool looking plate or some sort of actual armor (hopeful in DLC with areas to play in... I'd probably pass on a clothing pack unless it was free).

Over all I'd say the title is great, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an RPG.

Dry spot.

Bored, bored, bored. Nothing to do but play games I've had for a while and watch TV. Although I discovered the show "Dexter." It's a great show about a forensic scientist who works for a Miami police and is a mass murderer who kills people who murder innocent people. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something to watch.

Anyways, Fable 2 comes out next week, so I'll have something new to play :D, and tonight is a new episode of "The Office" so I'll be busy :).

Silent Hill Homecoming Review

After successfully completing the game, on both difficulties, as well as unlocking all endings. I must say that the game is still fun. Although the chill factor of the game subsides after you have completed the game once, the control layout as well as how the game plays, still makes it a treat to go back to.

Silent Hill Homecoming puts you in control of a man by the name of Alex Shepherd. He ventures back to Shepherd Glen after having continuos bad dreams about his younger brother Joshua, only to find that all of the children, and most of the town folk, are missing or gone. Your adventure begins in Shepherds Glen, but you'll quickly find yourself traveling between Hell and back, along with the eventual trip to the town of Silent Hill.

The game does have it's flaws, along with its glitches, but the story is great, and the only one of the series I've managed to wrap up without sitting around thinking about what really happened at the end of the game. I can't really speak about the one major glitch I found, as writing about it only will lead to a massive plot spoiler, so I'll just say don't skip the cut scene with the drill till you're seated. As for flaws though, I feel that the improvements are what bring them about. Combat upgrades are a welcomed improvement to the game. Being able to dodge and maneuver is quite the upgrade from the previous titles, but it also removes the element of "I better run." In the previous games, in many cases you would find yourself staring at a monster that you just knew you had to run from, due to the lack of health or ammo. In this game, I'm sure you could beat it from beginning to end with just the dagger (although I would not recommend this to first time players). When they implemented this combat system, they didn't add in the jump out aspect of monsters. Most of them are out in the open for you to see when you enter a room. Very rarely are you just running along, when suddenly there is something jumping you from behind. They did try to create more difficulty by adding quicker attacking monsters, as well as putting them in packs. I could even say that the combat system actually made the game all to simple.

But this game does have its merits. It has a great story, that makes you go "wow!" The combat system is a plus, as it does make the game more easily playable. This title has great sound effects, voices, and music throughout. And the controls are flawless. I also liked the save point system the game has, which causes you to keep wondering on your first play through "what is on the other side of this door." The game also keeps its exploration focus, but it not as open as previous titles.

Over all I would give this game a thumbs up for a title to play. I would only recommend purchasing the title if you're a big Silent Hill fan, as I've had the game for now 4 days, and have completed the game five times to unlocked all of the endings. The title may not make you leap from your seat, or pause out of frustration, but it definitely is a great game, and I can not wait to see what will come next from the Silent Hill franchise.

Silent Hill Homecoming.

I beat it! I finally got a chance tonight to sit down and play this game for a while. I must say that the ending is quite good. Very interesting plot twists, along with some really cool bosses. Although I'll have to admit that Scarlet (the boss from my last post) was harder then the bosses I ended up fighting near the end. I unlocked 2 endings tonight through savings at the end of the game and then re-loading and making the last choice different each time. One of which was me being taken away by aliens, and the other was me being turned into a Pyramid Head lol. Only 3 more endings to unlock on top of a play through on the hardest setting :).

I'll give a much more proper review tomorrow or over the weekend.

More Silent Hill Homecoming.

Well I've been playing Silent Hill every chance I have, and I must say this game is great.  Keeps me on the edge of my seat.  I got to the 2nd boss today, which is one messed up idea for a boss (watch the video below to see).  She is actually pretty hard, I ended up using all of my health potions the first time I fought her.  I chose not to save that time, so I could re-do it today and save some potions for up ahead lol.  I'd still recommend this game to anyone who reads this, even if it's just a rental.

Silent Hill :D

So I was looking at my game closet for something to play, figured I'd give Halo 3 a spin (rarely ever play it, and have yet to get more then the first online chevo for the game).  So I pop it in, and updated the game.  When I went to play some ranked matches I realized I would have to purchase the map pack to play in any ranked format.  So upset by this, I decided I really need a new game to play.  I started to browse Gamestop's website to see the prices on various titles, obviously stopping at Silent Hill and Fable 2, when it dawned on me that I could trade in some games that I will probably never play again.  So I grabbed my Halo 3, Rainbow Six Vegas, Saints Row, and Crackdown and headed to my local gamestop on the way to school.  Got 53 bucks for my games, due to them having an offer for every 2 current gen games you trade in they give you 10 extra bucks.  So happy with this, I picked up Silent Hill for 10 bucks :D.

I've only beat the first boss so far.  I'm kinda upset because I was exploring the town, and noticed I missed a building but on the way back I accidently solved some puzzle that progressed me to a new point in the game (which I think means I wont be able to get 2 of the achievements on this play through).  I'm loving the controls for this game, as well as the story so far.  It's also made me jump a few times, and once because my phone rang as I was wandering down a silent corridor in this old hotel that seemed like it would collapse on me at any minute lol.  I'm gonna end up playing this game threw a few times I can tell already, not only because I have to for all 5 endings, but because the game is just solid.  1000/1000 title here I come :)

Tons of movies, and what game?

I had a great weekend.  Friday I went and saw Flash of Genius, and How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.  Both were great, but as someone who is an engineer/architect in mind and heart, I personally enjoyed Flash of Genius more.  Flash of Genius is a real story based on the person who invented the intermittent windshield wiper (which is the wiper used on modern day vehicles).  Ford originally was going to purchase the system from Robert Kearns, but backed out last minute.  Later the wiper shows up on a Ford Mustang which cause Kearns to sue Ford, and also caused him to lose his mind for a period of time.  Great movie, A+ in my mind.  

Saturday I went and saw Religious.  Religious is a documentary by Bill Mayher which is about the major Religions and his views.  Now I won't discuss how I feel about movie, but I will say that people should see this film.  It shows how stupid some people really are, and it also has a very valid point.  Not to mention it will make you laugh quite often.

Sunday was just a day to rest, and work on my english paper, so I don't have much to say about that day.  But all weekend I have been debating on which 360 game to get.  I can either chose to get Silent Hill Homecoming, or I can get Fable 2 when it launches.  Right now I can't decide which one to get.  Fable 2 comes out on the 21st which means I have to wait, but it also means I only have 2 weeks before Gears of War 2 comes out.  If I get Silent Hill, I'll be able to play it now, and have more time to enjoy the game before Gears of War comes out.  I'm leaning more towards Silent Hill as the achievements for the game involve beating the game 5 times to get the 5 different endings.  Not to mention it has been some time since I have last played a Silent Hill game because I traded them all in as well as my PS2 when I got my 360.  No matter which game I do pick, I'll end up with the other come Christmas, so it is really which game do I want to play first? :(