clunky clunk-D GE out and OVer

4 days…4 days…4 days…straight up.

ya i know.

 

the rents are back, and well…i locked myself in my room

so i cld get my 40 winks (it is 40 danny, not 20 or 30).

mom was calling and pounding the door…heartwrenching, so i opened it lo.

>.< FAther’s day and i forgot…BUT luckily i bought stuff whilst they were away.

had a listen in on sound play! and…

they rawk my world.

 

the best highlight was of cos….*drum roll*

Worldddd of Waarcraft!

although for FF, i was a little disappointed, really wanted to hear theme of love,

a song i always played for lio. a song i like the most.

they got the one winged angel though.

 

but i’ve seen my bestie yesterday at the wedding,

 and =P i realized, deep down inside we’ve all stayed the same…

waiting for you girls to get married next, then i’ii be da god ma of the kiddies.

jenny’s wedding was fab in its grandeur,

and she had the sweetest victorian looking dress.

people change of the years and some,

skinny get skinnier…white get whiter, chubs get …well you get the idea.

 

still i think maybe with time.

personalities remain, inner thoughts remain.

but changes…now thats a big one.

 

over the years, even i have changed.

more sociable, more willing to interact (i used to be a clam, that hid at the bottom of the sea)

more happy go lucky (always wanted something reliable, substantial)

more entertaining (just a smile and a laugh away…pizza anyone?)

 

yes. and maybe even certain values and thoughts,

what i used to believe strongly,

might have been corrected or reinforced along the way.

 

still. life goes on the way we have and always known it.

 

be it alone, together, singularly, plurally…we all get the jist don’t we?

 

meeting up with the girls, and looking at my new colleagues, i think i’m lucky.

that true friends come hard, and hi-bye-ones go easy.

 

~will you take your heart and let me inspect it?

 

 

 

 

The SGGA Revival – Free Library for Gamesssss

 Gamer Dudes’ United: The SGGA

With its establishment in 2004, the Singapore Gamers Association (SGGA), a non-profit organization that is still on the growing path of developing its academy and affiliates has gained considerable recognition with the ROS in recent years. They seek to create an awareness of our existing gaming community by coordinating pro-family activities and help equip young working parents correct certain insights into gaming.

True-blue Singaporean Style: Our very own Flavour

SGGA has a set mission grounded in facilitating gaming-related activities and unifying local communities. Hopefully by encouraging such a network for gaming would result in the gaining of value members as the new blood for gaming in years to come.

Dating over two decades, the gaming generation of the past aka, the dark ages of Tech-Nerdiness has taken a huge step in creating a close-knit network of friends and fellow peers who are enthusiastic in spreading the sweet gospel on gaming.

The main office of SGGA is located on the 9^th storey of Cineleisure and boosts a dedicated staff team who will assist your gaming needs as well as run the academy that provides coaching and gaming networks for the enthusiast. In addition to this, there is a library archive that has Original IPs (Intellectual property) of the latest gaming materials. This is in a bid to eliminate piracy and to support local anti-copyright laws.

If you feel bothered about whether that newest edition of Oblivion is worth splurging your pocket money on or if Sponge Bob Square Pants is suitable for your kid sister, this library is rental-free and allows members to borrow games FOC. Teenagers and parents alike would be able to find a genre that they could enjoy together.

The Man behind the Bandwagon

The President of the SGGA, Mr Chris Soh has been in the gaming industry for over 10 years and at 26, he stands as a distinguished gentleman who knows what his focus in life is. Through adopting a proactive role as our local gaming industry’s spokesperson, parents and children alike will gain a sound understanding of the pros and cons of gaming, as well as to join the community effort in making the industry family-oriented.

Having recently been nominated as “Stars of Shine” Youth Leader, Chris seems to embody his “Planning ahead, (and) doing more now than later” anecdote to life. Revealing that the nomination alone was news enough for him, he cheerfully quirps that if he did win, the prize would automatically belong to the SGGA academy…a Wii! What better way to educate the gaming public? Time to bring out those boxing gloves and sweat it up with a round of exercise.

Come on in for a tour…

Lingos – A no-no?

Parents get confused when we use slangs they can’t comprehend. With our sporadic LOL (Laugh-Out-Loud), LMAO (Laugh-My-Ass-Off) and the dreaded GG (Good Game), this form of lingo seems more of an insider joke and leaves our parents pulling a Russell Peter’s “What-am-I-going-to-do with him?” impression. SGGA thus strives to place it nicely across to our not-so-game savvy parents and reassure them that we, as their children haven’t gone off the deep end just yet.

Time To Make the First Move

SGGA hosts community outreach programs and hopes to make a difference, where as a proof point healthy campaigns would be run and showcase the fact that gamers aren’t socially inadept. If Sitting at home playing games is your take on fun, maybe its time to come out and meet the rest of us computer-obsessed dwellers who have made gaming part of our active lifestyle. Come join our neighborhood watch of gamers and meet old and new friends.

Transformers Feature – Review

 

Transformers: A Treasure Chest of Expounded Memories

Tying in with its soon-to-premier namesake, Transformers: the game is set for the battle of a lifetime between two factions, the autobots and decepticons. The plot as usual hasn’t been lost despite the evolution of the Transformer bots detailings over time, where as the theme song goes “Transformers…Robots in Disguise”.

Let’s get ready to RUMBLE! 1.2.3 FIGHT!

Having seen a huge following ever since its launch in the 1980s hit TV series and comics, this video game is aimed at a nostalgic revival of old for all those Transformer fans out there. Whilst awaiting this blockbuster release, Transformers has us performing total recalls on pleasant childhood memories buried somewhere in our subconscious with its exciting trailers and pending blockbuster-in-the-making movie…

Optimus Prime VS Megatron – the Final Showdown

Our stars come in the form of Optimus Prime (good) VS Megatron (evil), where bringing their aged-old fight to preserve the human race these transformers have embarked on a no-hold brawl on earth’s homeground. These in-game Transformers comprise of four Autobot and five Decepticons, including Megatron, Barricade, Bumblebee and Optimus Prime (see sidebar for complete list).

A Thin Red Line for Good & Evil

Apparently, even with an additional head count to the Decepticon team, we have a hunch that despite its Hollywood movie ending, this game still has a “all’s well that end’s well” finale for that feel-good after-effect. Definitely a no-no for the weak hearted. Still its worth noting that in this new game, your choice of being the goody-too-shoes or misunderstood evil villian is open for business come July.

To Protect Or Destroy, that’s the Question.

Stepping ingame the player is given a choice of either taking on a role as the Autobots or the Decepticons, a dual choice which places the fate of the world in your hands. However, its notable that as Autobots, rewards are for good deeds whilst Decepticons just get a kick out of creating worldwide mayhem and to sow seeds of disarray.

As the robot wars unfold, the player sees from a third person perspective the trademark transformation process our bots undertake. What’s more than meets the eye is how these high-powered vehicles fluidly shape-shifts out into a pro-combat machine form, robots in disguise. Players can utilize this feature to overcome their adverseries by manipulating these dual formations to conceptualize surprise attack strategies.

Who doesn’t want to be an Optimus/Megatron when you grow up?

In this world of gaming, anything in sight can be used as a weapon or smashed to dust under those strong robotic fists of yours, with a 360 degree spinning destruction that’s E-static for us. What’s a great pleaser is the newly added feature, one of being able to scale walls. Way to go Spidey.

Players are able to wreck havoc on virtually any landscape object within the world environment similar to the new Crackdown game, where you’re able to physically use objects as weapons for defensive purposes or to simply toss around for the heck of it. What seems comical would be the random objects that you might not have expected were throwable, for instance – swordfish and hot-dog signs that lazily hang in front of restaurants, and even human statues that hold cell phones.

Battle of a Lifetime

Head-on battles can be engaged in hand-to-hand combat, where each individuals’ personality, prowess and weight might impact the final triumph of a win. For those who prefer to isolate and strike enemies from afar (we aren’t calling you cowards, no, don’t get us wrong), there is a ranged feature that offers a broad choice of projectile weaponry suitable for those sniper-like attacks. In this new game, the ability to drive and fly takes on a new turn with missions set both in land and air. Whilst air borne, arcade-stylized fighting in seven different environments, each of about two and a half miles in size will see the kamikaze spirit in ourselves shine through.

Wham, Bam. Thank you Ma’m.

Its kinda obvious that to satisfy our gaming lust and shutting our mouths, this game has seen a loose link with its movie’s plot. A greater focus on a more human perspective whilst its main game developer, Traveller’s Tales has effectively omitted all its earthlings. No more worrying for the little squirmy humans running alongside mean bad tin cans. A clearer and less confusing action game that sparks of a purist experience with full on neck-to-neck action of demolition pleasure is set for release and if your not excited, we all are!

…Who wants to kick some badass Robo butt?!

Everything and anything must be destroyed! Featuring duelling giant alien robots and largescale environmental destruction, this game spanks of a thrilling seek-and-destroy action adventure.

Diverting away from Tradition

This newest instalment of Transformers has seen some deviation from the original series both in its movie and game.

The movie adopts a more contemporary outlook within its larger-than-life metamorphosizing bots, although maintaining original detailings to prevent a worldwide panic. Imagine the horror of diehard Transformers fans upon seeing a whole new take on their favourite robot film, where the only point of recognition was in the logos the bots wore?

Gawd! Hell no.

We love our games the way we recognize them – Old, faded and sentimental…

 

Genre: Action Adventure

The Game focuses on nine main characters and sees the player taking on a third-person perspective within this action-packed game. Although having deviated from the comic strip and initial tv series, the evolved Transformers still spot similar designs to their predecessor. This can be seen in the nine robot forms that the player can choose to adopt – Autobot: Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Jazz, Ironhide & Decepticons: Megatron, Starscream, Blackout, Scorponok and Barricade.

 

 

Interesting “Transforming” Trivia:

• Did you know that Bumblebee was originally designed along the lines of spotting a bumblebee’s head? So they say “the least likely can be the most dangerous”, indeed.

• Optimus Prime’s inital name before becoming the leader of Autobots was Orion Pax where Orion stands for the mythological Greek hunter while Pax is Latin for peace. His present name in Latin has seen Optimus that means "best"; "Prime" which derives from primus, meaning "first". In other words, the first leader.

• Megatron and Optimus Prime were seen on the television series Scrubs in episode “His Story III” which sees Turk painting a mural in his baby’s room of the two bots dueling.

• The Megatron toy replica weapon was detained by Sydney’s Customs as it can easily been mistaken for a real weapon. Over 50 MP-05 Masterpiece Megatron Transformers were confiscated from inbound cross-continental mail.

Publisher: Activision, Inc.

Developer(s):

Traveller’s Tales (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PC)
Savage (PSP)
Vicarious Visions (NDS)

Platform: Multi-Platform
Release Date: July 2007

Shadow Run (5th version) – Preview

 Shadow Run – And so the Plot Thickens

For its 5^th version, FASA studio has relaunched Shadowrun with a closer revival of its classic pen and paper edition. Due to hit a big screen near you (or a smaller one if you own a laptop like some of us poorer folks) shortly, this newest installation of Shadowrun is a Super-sized me version set to run Live! A game that sees players role-playing as magic users geared with bad-ass weaponry (Think world of warcraft with a cross-racial homogenization).

 …Time to bring out the big guns as this excite-a-thon gameplay would keep you eager beavers glued to your seats…

Running in the Dark

Shadowrun is set in a parallel universe in the year 2031. Spotting a first/third person multiplayer shooter perspective, this gameplay seems set to coincide with the popular Counter-Strike that has left many a player dizzy for more. Magic and technology collide in an apocolyptic-like formula that spanks of a pulp-fiction spinoff. Definitely a thrilling action-packed game (with mild relations to its cyberpunk-urban fantasy genre) that has seen its worldwide fans raring to trash their brothers-from-another-mother. A one-of-a-kind cross-platform game set to pit the computer keyboard-mouse togglers against their gamepad-smashing counterparts via the www.

New features have been included in the form of the Nerve Center (within the RNA base, with all its high-techie showcasing) and Favela which is set in the slums of Santos, Shadowrun’s main Brazilian city. There are 3 gaming modes to choose from– raid (attack/defense), extraction (seek-and-capture) and attrition (think celebrity-deathmatch…for the hardcore player) – which all involves the capture of an ancient artifact. Boasting a 12-16 tag-team style gameplay, this game would leave you swearing and spewing strategies to nail that pain-in-the-ass who refuses to die. 

And Who would you be… Young Padawan?

Players can choose between two factions on whether to join the big bad high-techie RNA Corporation or the resistance group (the defenders of the magical temple), The Lineage. Races include Humans, Elves, Trolls and Dwarves whom each have their own unique trait speciality. Elves have the ability to regenerate health (great for that last minute suicidal attempts), Dwarves suck essence (think WOWs warlock’s ability to drain life & mana), and Trolls have a neat stone transformation technique minimalise collatral damages.

Purchaseable mats for your characters are available, where these items and spells could make the difference winning a head-to-head clash of the titans. Magic abilities will include teleportation, resurrection and even a tree of life proximity spell that provides HOT (healing-overtime) on nearby players.

Tech items adds on a booster impact and enhance the physical attributes of the characters, where gliders (for that boosted short-distance flight) and anti-magic generators (to cancel out your enemies mojo) would prove popular choices for your toon. Be sure to watch out for the leet weapons your toon can be geared up with. From sniper rifles to rocket launchers, as well as enhanced vision for seeing through that Oh-so-thick walls.

                           “And so…It has returned”…

Who’s in for a Blood Thrill-N-Spill?

On a personal note, we lazy people would love to try out the katana for that ninja cool-cat move, summon magical minions to help in the massacre process, and enable hyperspeed in a see-you-later sucker move.

Take heed though, a slice-and-dice game that’s a no-no for the faint-hearted.

Genre: Role-play Action Adventure

Publisher: Microsoft Games Studios

Developer: FASA Interactive

Platform: Xbox 360 and Windows Vista PC

Release: May 29 & june 1, 2007

Halo 2 – Game Review (PC)

Fun of the Mind-boggling Kind

When it comes to reviewing head-spinning games, there’s a sentence that sums our mixed feelings:…Mind-Numbing Fun! Big names such as Half-life 2, CounterStrike and even the pending re-release of Shadowrun have sent fans flaming, in defense of their favourite games, a verbal bashing spree.

Welcome to the world of FPS gaming.

This time around, Halo2 has created a Vista version and in the process, reviving certain aspects we liked and disliked in “Halo: Combat Evolved”. Still, we do see this new PC version with better graphics, a map editor (especially for blur sorts who get lost within the mad alien hunt), the possibility to use AA and AF, and higher resolutions specs, all workable without having to setup our dust-ridden gaming console.

A Walk-Me-Through

Halo 2 features include new human/alien weaponry that allows single/dual-wielding abilities that can help save us during those pain-in-the-ass slow reloads and lock-on targetting. Being able to carry two weapons also allows us to randomly throw grenades, while waiting for our quick-to-overheat covenant weapons to recover.

The gameplay starts off at a space station orbiting Earth, then to the gravity-defying city of High Charity. You can be either the Master Chief or Arbiter, and have to fight a neverending (ah duh!) battle against the hell-bend destructive alien Covenant. Amusingly, we think these menacing aliens errily resemble catfishes (note the whiskers and fishlike mouth) and can’t help but wonder if the animators at Bungie Studios drew them for a “ha-ha”. Another thing we loved was the “hidden contents” which include easter eggs, messages, hidden objects, weapons, and of course the infamous skulls (eg. The “Sputnik” which can alter an object’s mass). Treasure hunting FTW!

Beam Me Up Scotty

Since 2007, Halo2 has seen over 5 million online players attempt this world of super enhanced humans versus genocidal aliens. Contentwise, we liked the fact that our character has a newfound ability to hijack enemy transportations, although…it travels at uber “fast” speeds. Still (woot!) we get to forcibly kick the other player currently within the vehicle out, so it’s all good.

There are four levels of campaign modes: Easy (for the first-time gaming nub), Normal (if you generally game a fair bit), Heroic (you know you want it) and Legendary (sucidal mode). Still, this game spots its usual fairly predictable plot that seems a tad bit too repetitive, a feature we didn’t like in its first installation.

A quick round of seek-and-destroy is a no-brainer for this gameplay, but for something more indepth and story oriented, Half-Live2 would be a better bet.

As part of a multiplayer team or as a single player, you get to embark on campaigns and fight “real” and virtual enemies in an epic showdown. We felt the need to say GG as we thundered down the sides of the circuit, hunting-targeting-executing enemies that were invading our territory. We frantically scrolled our little mice to lock-on enemy target, which kind of sent us on a highly manic mode. A red alert thrill that can’t get any cheaper than this.

Evolution Max-ed

For you diehard FPS fans, if dizziness isn’t your greatest problem, we think the PC version is a sweet twist to the gaming console and should be the newest fad. Boosting faster/better graphics to its original, Halo 2 is a worthwhile play for those of you who enjoy a little spin-around session.

Platform: Windows Vista (PC)

Genre: Action/First-person Shooter

Publisher:

Developer: Bungie Studios

Players: 2-16 (multiplayer online)

 

Final Verdict

Graphics: 92%

Sound: 74%

Content: 70%

Value: 76%

Gameplay: 74%

 

OVERALL: 78%

 

 

 

Shrek The Third – The Video Game (PC)

An epic quest to find the rightful heir.

Having brought a flick that lasted three-times round with entertainment for the family, our donkey-loving, commitment-phobic ogre has seen yet another game appear in the prior to the release of its newest film. Shrek3 is an Action Adventure game that unfolds in a sequential format and brings back memories of the good old PC days of button-mashing goodness.

The Good, the Bad and the Ironic

Our game opens with the usual tale-spinning from the newest Shrek film that sees our friendly larger-than-life ogre attempt to escape his princely duties. Whilst seeking out Fiona’s cousin Arthur (who oddly resembles Michael J.Fox in "Back to the Future") as his formal stunt-double, Charming stages a coup for his happy ending, where naturally "When the Cat’s away, the Mice come out to play"…

However, the game’s storyline seems only interested in minutely mimicking its movie namesake and lack the much needed fancy footwork in its contents and graphics.  Made out of mini-games with an enjoy-ability level standing at "easily contented", it seems apparent that its E-Rating doesn’t apply to Everyone. Spotting a medieval-themed puppetry play, the game lets you tackle fairytale characters that plagued or excited your childhood experience. Pirates, witches, enchanted trees and the usual elven jing-bang, these enemies once defeated will drop fairy dust that help enhance your special attacks. Once a special power move is executed, the screen play changes to a slow-motion time-lapse format for an easier kill.

On Your Marks: Get Set, PICK!

Characters playable in Shrek3 has taken a few new pals, where our favourite unlikely game heroes comprise of our usual trio; Shrek (The mean, green jaded-machine.), Puss-in-Boots (The sexy-voiced kitty with an oversize sword to match his larger personality), Donkey (The side-kick whose often the butt of the joke). In addition, we get to play new characters like Sleeping Beauty (Our royal sleepi-ness) and Arthur (The king-to-be who wants to escape from loser-ville and build a kingdom on rock and roll.). On a personal note, we liked playing Puss-in-Boots where with his double jumps and "cute puss" mode that disarm even the fiercest enemy made him an obvious choice over the strong punches that Shrek could throw out.

Still, we would have liked to see Snow White (Commands an army of cute cronies who can turn at a tune from fuzzy critters to a vicious tree’s worse nightmare), Cinderella and her cool boomerang glass slipper, and maybe, just maybe… the queen  (Her inherited fighting skills as seen in Fiona and head-banging capabilities are worth a gameplay).

And So…They lived Happily Ever After? No?

This newest instalment of Shrek, as always remains a kids-centric cause, where to the older player, this game might seem ridiculously tiresome. Minimal buttons, besides attack and jump, the other toggles are essentially unessential. A quick fix for the "hit and run" player, most of the game play unfolds with Shrek punching and powering up with fairy dust in an attempt to defeat his enemies. Gathering gold coins is a pain but come the gift store, you get to purchase items that are an exciting delight for the young at heart. 

Traditions are best kept the Simple

Brainless fun should come in a compact size, or so they say. Unfortunately, the only attention-grabbing feature was the puppet-show theatrical-introductions that pace throughout the game, where the actual game’s graphics and even the puzzles (Also known as pattern-recognition games) just didn’t seem to measure up to standard.

With a simple combat  mode and fixed camera angles, this game might not hold your attention for too long, only attempt if you are a kid or a kid at heart.

— Mariel Wong

 

http://www.gxleague.com/league/reviews.asp?id=1279&sec=1&typ=6

DddaaHHHHhh – Raving Rwabbits

Their bigger, stronger and leeter.

 

Rabbits with an attitude.

Ones that are armed to the teeth with guns and shotputs, to take their worse enemy down.

They go soaring through the sky, catapulted via the sky and landing face deep in mud…

wiggling their squishy little bunny ears and cutsy toework at you,

til you’ii go awwwwwwww…

before hitting you full flat in the face with a suction cup.

 

Raving Rwabbbits…

Lovely lovely rabbits.

 

This game, has us spinning around and around,

running through games after games…

to get to the One and only objective…

=D

 

TO Take over the world!!!

DAhhhhhhh!!!!