Halos and Effects (Halo 3 and Mass Effect)

So, I had a bunch of spare time today, and went back to gather more achievements that I have been working on.

First, Mass Effect. For a while I have been trying to finish off the last of the biotic achievements, and I was finally successful today. It is a real pain just trying to use the desired skill over and over on enemies. I've gotten to a point where all I am doing is skipping through dialog trying to get back to the action. Though, that is one of the things people have complained about Mass Effect.

Also, I found out something new about the game. I didn't realize the Mako (the vehicle) had a scope on it. Makes shooting far targets 10x easier. To do it, hold left trigger, and then click the right stick. It has a zoom similar to a sniper rifle. Really nice.

As for Halo 3, I have been trying to get to the officer achievement for sometime. A couple days ago, I got to the needed 10 skill (playing Team Objective), and was only 2 XP away. And for the last few matches, I kept saying "Oh come on, I'm 1 XP away!"

Though I did get a cool laser kill today in one of my matches (titled "DO NOT WANT".) I'm really proud of that.

That's about it for today. I will keep playing games and trying to keep this updated.

Achievement Progress - Mass Effect
38 of 45 Achievements
840 Gamerscore

Achievement Progress - Halo 3
35 of 49 Achievements
765 Gamerscore

New Achievements - Mass Effect
Singularity Mastery - 15 GS
Stasis Mastery - 15 GS

New Achievements - Halo 3
Spartan Officer - 25 GS

Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions - Day 2

I'm still grinding out levels on my characters. It really bugs me sometimes how much JP (job points) it costs to just learn 1 spell, or one ability. At least I got to a point in the game where I was easily set up to just grind multiple levels in just one fight.

I had a white mage, black mage, monk (main character), and an archer stand all in a T where it looked like this:

A M B
--W--

I had my black mage cast damage spells on the monk, which would hit everyone, then my white mage would cast protective spells on the party (protect, shell, etc), my archer would use potions on herself, and my monk would use chakra to heal everyone and give the mages back their MP

The poor "monster" that I had left alive at the time, a chocobo. I had a thief just harass it, stealing from it and occasionally attacking it. I left it blind, and when it would heal, it would be standing near my thief, so she would be healed too.

I used that to get a lot of XP and JP. Though, it does get boring after a while. And my black mage doesn't even have JP boost, so it makes it tougher to make it effective. I almost want to throw in a squire for my next few battles just so I can use them to earn it.

Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions - Day 1

I've had this game for a little while now, but I got lost in it and decided to start over. So, this is like a Day 1 for me... I guess. And with how busy I have been, this is a few days later than I would have liked.

I forgot how much talking happens in this game. It's ok, but in typical Final Fantasy fashion, there is no way to skip the dialog. You can skip the cut scenes, but I actually like watching them. I like the animation for them.

As for the classes, I find that I am still using most of the basic classes. But I always have on "jp boost," even though I could equip things that would be more beneficial. It helps get through the classes quicker, but it still takes forever to just master 1 class. Though, I guess grinding levels happens in just about every Final Fantasy game.

I will add day 2 later, though I will try to not take as long to get it done.
(This was started on 2/19/08, and finished on 2/22/08)

The Darkness - Day 2

Its been busy for the last couple of days, but I can finally throw up this one, and one for Final Fantasy Tactics for the PSP. Now, on to the review.

______________________________________________________________________

I finally upped the auto-aim, much to my dismay so that I could make sure that I hit my desired targets. I still have trouble farther away, but it is much better now. Getting the micro SMGs (or machine pistols, I haven't quite determined which yet) hasn't affected me, since I haven't used them. I just looked at them and said "Well....looks like 2 bullets out of both clips will probably hit." The shotgun, thank god, isn't like in Halo. The shots actually scatter and won't pwn people from far away.

Right now, I'm having a lot of fun using the creeping dark. Sneaking up on poor losers, and then biting their face off. Darklings still aren't being used much other than for the purpose of getting achievements.

And collecting things is becoming a real chore for me. I don't mind it when it isn't very often, but there are between 5-8 on every little part you go to. And then you have to go dial the numbers to finally get the collectible unlocked.

I do like the dialog to the game. It can be really funny at times to hear what everyone around you has to say. Too bad the TVs never have anything good to watch.

Achievement Progress - The Darkness
10 of 50 Achievements
95 Gamerscore

New Achievements - The Darkness
Summoner - 5 GS
Rogue Killer - 15 GS
Ghandi - 10 GS
Keeper of Secrets - 10 GS
Gatherer - 5 GS

The Darkness - Day 1

Well, the next game I got was The Darkness. I was looking forward to this game, even though people were saying that the game was good, but didn't have much going for it after the campaign.

I really loved the opening sequence. Nothing better than a car chase with mobsters firing at the cops through a crowded tunnel with construction going on.

As for gameplay, so far it has been hit and miss...literally. While having two guns to fire can be fun, Jackie really has problems aiming at things. I haven't messed with "auto-aim", but I almost think I should turn it up just so I can make sure I hit my desired target.

Also, I've shot plenty of mobsters to see them go down for a couple seconds, and then get right back up. It really sucks to "knock them down" and start to walk away, only to find your back riddled with bullet holes and you on the ground. At least the restart animations are cool, where the Darkness basically says that you aren't going anywhere but back out to kick some ass.

I will get to more of it later, when I don't have to go to work within an hour.

Achievement Progress - The Darkness
5 of 50 Achievements
50 Gamerscore

New Achievements - The Darkness
Up Close and Personal - 5 GS
Happy Birthday - 25 GS
Picking up Stuff - 5 GS
Knuckle, Meet Face - 5 GS
Romantic - 10 GS

Splinter Cell: Double Agent - FInal Thoughts

Well, now for my final thoughts for this game. I will say it again, I am not doing the multiplayer since I will probably be the only one there.

The story of the game is that after a mission where Sam loses his new recruit partner, he is sent deep undercover. At the prison where he had been placed, he meets Jaime Washington, a member of JBA (John Brown's Army.) After helping Jaime escape prison, he takes Sam to the JBA headquarters to let Sam join them in the fight help America.

From there, Sam has to help the JBA and keep in their good graces; while at the same time, keep the NSA informed of the activity that is going on. It is your choice whether you help in the terrorist acts, or if you stop them and save many innocent lives.

From looking at the book, I thought I would be doing a lot more than just picking locks and hacking computers. The only things that I did other than picking locks though; cracking safes, and using my hack device. I loved the safe cracking portion, because all of the situations required speed along with the accuracy. But, I got really tired of the hacking mini game, because there was at least 2 in EVERY mission (except for the 11th, but you don't do much in the 11th). As for the other parts, I will give my quick thoughts

• lock picking is the same as its been in the other games. Not too bad to do, I could have even done without getting electronic ones
• e-mail hacking was rough. I had a guide open, not even knowing how bad it was until I got to the puzzle
• mine making/bomb defusing is basically the same thing. It was creative to do. I didn't mind it, just had to make a lot of mines

The AI in the game can be hit and miss though. Either, they are super attuned, and can detect a flea walking on the ground. Or, they hear the light get shot, and say "F that, I want to just go about my business." I do like the option of killing or knocking out enemies, and the weapons that can be used.

As for the missions, I generally enjoyed them. The HQ missions get tedious, and could use a few more minutes thrown on them. I actually enjoyed the boat mission and the prison levels. Both were set up really well. They weren't too hard to get through, and allowed for a lot of interesting ways to cross the level. Though...nothing is better than punching through the ice, and dragging a guard into the water with you to slit his throat.

All in all, I would say this is a good game. For those of you who like a good stealth game, the Splinter Cell series never disappoints. It can be plenty difficult on normal, but only a couple of times where you might want to launch your controller into the wall. If you have never played a Splinter Cell game before, rent this game before you buy. Metal Gear Solid is similar, but not the same as this game; and you will find that out quickly.

Splinter Cell: Double Agent - Day 3

Well, I finally finished the game. I won't put up final thoughts until tomorrow, I want to give the game completion a little time to set in. And I won't try multiplayer, since it will only be me and 2 die hard fans of the game (though, I know Rainbow Six: Vegas has more people playing it, since the multiplayer was one of the best experiences I had.)

As for the game, I won't spoil the ending. I will say that until the final mission at the JBA HQ, I had about a 80% trust with them (had to make a tough choice, and I made the one that lost their trust). And, as usual, I got upset at the level of sight that some generic guards had at the JBA HQ. Even in a hall that was nearly pitch black, the happened to see the light on my shoulder I guess.

I did like how I had to disarm the bomb. First, I had to "crack the safe" to open the box to the computer. Then, I had to hack the computer to gain control. And finally, I relived the bomb creation game by doing a "claw game" to remove the detonator of the bomb. That, was a satisfying way to end it. No "end boss", just the task at hand to be done.

BTW, if you want to see a cool kill sequence, you have to unlock the "11th" level. If you get the chance, sneak up on Moss and try to grab him. Even though I typically got shot and killed almost every time, it was one of the coolest kill sequences I have seen from the game.

Achievement Progress - Splinter Cell: Double Agent
20 of 38 Achievements
560 Gamerscore

New Achievements - Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Save Hisham - 10 GS
Kinshasa Assignment Completed - 30 GS
Save Lambert - 10 GS
Defeated the JBA - 100 GS
Agent of the Month - 20 GS
Hero - 20 GS

Splinter Cell: Double Agent - Day 2

Sometimes, I think this game focuses too much on gadgets. The hacking game is really simple and easy after the first time, but it happens at least twice on every mission. I wish they would do a little more safe cracking, because that was actually really well implemented.

The one thing that is pissing me off is having to collect. I have to sneak around the JBA base just to collect all the info I can for 20 GS. And I still have a little more to get. And apparently all the JBA can see you hiding in the dark in a corner, when any civilian or guard would assume that the massive object is a new tree that was put in. They are wearing NVGs (Night Vision Goggles) that are invisible.

The actual missions can be fun. I enjoy disabling lights, and then sneaking past the people when they go to look at why the light isn't working. That, and I love using the sticky cameras to knock out people when they go to look at them. Though, at least I don't have to worry as much about hiding bodies as I used to. I know I won't ever get 100% stealth, because I feel that some times, you can't get through without knocking out/killing at least 1 person.

I will continue it later. Right now, I want to rest. I know I am close to finishing the single player, though finding anyone for multiplayer would be like looking for people wanting to play Perfect Dark Zero, so this will be yet another game that I will never get the 1000 GS on.

Achievement Progress - Splinter Cell: Double Agent
14 of 38 Achievements
370 Gamerscore

New Achievements - Splinter Cell: Double Agent
The Invisible Man - 20 GS
Shanghai Assignment Completed - 30 GS
HQ 2 Assignment Completed - 30 GS
Cozumel Assignment Completed - 30 GS
The Collector - 20 GS
HQ 3 Assignment Completed - 30 GS

Splinter Cell: Double Agent - Day 1

While I did get it the day before, I didn't get too far into it. But I did use today to help get farther.

The first Splinter Cell game I played was the original one. I never played the other two, so I knew I had some catching up with new functions. I did the two optional training missions, which I nearly got blinded from because they decided to use all white rooms for most of it.

After my corneas had recovered, I started playing through. I already like some of the things you can do. I have had a lot of fun just grabbing people while in the water and killing them under the surface. And, how the pistol has an EMP on it to take out lights

I also like how the aiming in this game has greatly improved. It would take forever in the original one to line up a pistol shot, and even then with no movement and crouching, you could still miss by a mile. This one, the aiming for both guns is a lot tighter.

While I haven't played the original in a long time, I do remember some form of a throwing trajectory. I really miss that if it was there, because if I wasn't throwing smoke grenades, I would have detonated myself a couple of times already. Though, I don't even throw many objects anymore.

As for the AI, it seems almost too smart. While I may be on normal (knowing my limits for a stealth game), the AI can see for miles it seems. The indicator on my back and side give off light...I guess that was their hint that something was there. Though, if I am looking at them in a dimly lit room, they must assume that I am a new cardboard box put into the room, and that it would be safer to just not go looking into said box.

I will continue the huge amount of loading and reloading my save because I ruined the whole mission by trying to chase someone down.

Achievement Progress - Splinter Cell: Double Agent
8 of 38 achievements
210 Gamerscore

New Achievements - Splinter Cell: DA
Training Completed - 10 GS
Teacher's Pet - 40 GS
The Human Light Switch - 20 GS
Iceland Assignment Completed - 30 GS
Ellsworth Assignment Completed - 30 GS
HQ 1 Assignment Completed - 30 GS
Getting Technical - 20 GS
Okhotsk Assignment Completed - 30 GS

Halo 3-Heroic Revisit

Since I finished Advance Wars, and am waiting for my next game to come in, I decided to finish the Halo 3 campaign on heroic. I started it while I was hanging out with my friends. And now I am back to play the shooter that so many have been excited to play.

I forgot how messed up some of the game was. After the battle with 343, the game took away my fully loaded brute shot and my shotgun with plenty of ammo; and laughed as it gave me an assault rifle that wasn't even half full. If I had remembered that, I would have left those weapons outside so I could pick them up again.

I also forgot how this game likes it when you run and gun, but so long as you have weapons to mow down the enemy. I like to be up close to my enemy, so obviously I was doomed to begin with. Took me a long time just to get through the second to last map (the one with all the Flood on the Covenant ship.)

And so I finally finished the game on hardcore. I did like the ending, how the Chief goes right back into a pod, just like how he started when he came out in Halo 1.

I don't know what I will be playing next, at least until my game comes in from the mail. But I will try to keep posting up.


Achievement Progress-Halo 3
34 of 49 Achievements
740 Gamerscore earned

New Achievements- Halo 3
Campaign Complete: Heroic - 125 GS

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin- Final Thoughts

Here is my first review for this blog. Hopefully, I can keep up reviewing games (even if they aren't brand new to everyone, they would be new to me.)

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin is definitely a good addition to the Advance Wars series. The story is from a whole new set of characters, and a new world. The world has become ravaged from meteor strikes. The sky had become darkened, and the land lost all plant life (think Matrix without the technology.) The main protagonist, Will, emerges from the Rubinelle Military Academy only to be chased by a local gang. Captain Brenner comes in with the 12th batallion, Brenner's Wolves and saves Will's life. Will begins to travel with Brenner in search for survivors and finds an amnesiatic girl.

I will try to avoid spoilers in this, so I will highlight the main parts. The batallion meets up with the leader of the New Rubinelle Army, and go off to fight the Lazarians. After a double cross, Will and Brenner's Wolves run off. Once they defeat the New Rubinelle Army, they turn their attention to a war profiteer who runs IDS.

The game has grown up in relation to its counterpart, Dual Strike. Apart from a storyline that deals with disease and survival, the land also portrays a dark look about the game. In addition to that, the units look more grown up and even the capturing of buildings doesn't include soldiers jumping up and down on the roof.

The game adds some new units, while removing a couple and repurposing a couple. The list of new units includes:

• bikes
• anti-tanks
• dusters
• carriers
• seaplanes
• gunboats
• flares

They removed the Neotanks and the Osmose from Dual Strike, which I see now for obvious reasons. As for the repurposed units: the Megatank is now called the Wartank and has more ammunition but can't mow down vehicles as well as before. The APCs of old, are now called Rigs which can resupply units and build temporary airports and seaports to repair those units.

The CO system has been changed. When playing through the campaign, you don't get to choose COs at all (which actually sucks for a couple of missions.) Also, through the campaign mode, you don't get to even really use COs for the first half of the game (at least.) The COs in this game though are fairly balanced, none of them have outrageous abilities that aren't countered by something else (except for the final boss, but he isn't available for WiFi combat....from what I have read.) The CO system requires the CO to be put into a unit to get any benefits. The CO has an area (with the exception of a few) where units nearby get the affect. The CO then gains power from them self or the nearby units taking out enemy units. If the CO's unit goes down, all power is lost.

As for multi player, there isn't much for me to say. There is "pass the DS" mode, for people who have friends that don't have DSs. There is multi-card play, which allows you and your friends to play against each other on your own DSs. And there is WiFi (which I never tried), but also allows you to download/upload maps.

All in all, the game is good. The game play is solid, the story is great, and some of the maps can be very fun. If you liked playing any previous Advance Wars game, you will love this game. If you like turn-based strategy games, you will probably enjoy it. If you like games with a darker storyline, you might like this. I would say this gets at least a "rent before you buy it" if you have never played an Advance Wars game, or are short on cash.