NotStyro's Blog - 2old2play

F.E.A.R. 2...

"Do you know what time of the week it is? Time to talk about what happened these last seven days: 4 days of gaming made me pretty happy for some reason. A big holler to NotStyro for honoring me with what little time I know is available. Our gamerscore jumped 235 points which was nice. Getting 15 achievements has that effect."

"For the record, we only played one new game this last week. It was F.E.A.R. 2. I was hoping for a few more, but I guess not everyone is made out of money! Also, I think we can all agree that NotStyro's favorite game last week was F.E.A.R. 2. He played it on 4 of the days."

"So that's it. Thanks for reading."

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Left 4 Dead...

"Go ahead... call me a wussy... but I almost started crying when NotStyro turned me on yesterday. 10,315 points of raw gamer score are making you jealous! That is a profit of 255 points over last time! He made some progress on Left 4 Dead winning an amazing 15 achievements, as well as stared off into space... thinking about the one that got away."

I'm making my way through Left 4 Dead. Kind of a cool game, but I'd have more fun doing co-op with someone (and even more fun drunk or stoned). oh, well, back to chores then maybe some playing.

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The 10K club...

from da blog...

"I thought NotStyro just wanted to listen to music or watch a DVD. Turns out he was there to game. With a gamer score of 10,010, I should have known that was the case. That is a gain of 60 points over last time! Did you ever think this day would come? The 10k club! That is a one followed by four zeros! 10,000!! Count them! He made some progress on The Incredible Hulk™ finishing 3 achievements, and... hmmm... maybe that was all... it felt like we played more games."

You know what was really amazing this morning? The temp in Denver, Co, was higher than that of South Florida. Seriously, Denver was baking in the 70s whilst South Florida was in the mid-30s (with wind-chill). Fraking cold here! Now the weather reports are that we will get ANOTHER cold front tonight! Argh! I'll have to try to get up early tomorrow to see if it'll snow again.

Oh, and for those interested, you can follow my so-called life on twitter - http://twitter.com/NotStyro

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Flying controllers...

"NotStyro rocked out with 9,855 points. That is an improvement of 105 points over last time! He rocked out to Transformers: The Game finishing 1 achievement, G.R.A.W. picking up 3 achievements, and then it felt like he threw my controller and I was like, TAKE IT EASY SHEESH and we stopped."

Yeah, who hasn't thrown the controller after repeating the same area a couple dozen times. I've got a small pile to send to MS if my 360 RRODs again. The bastards had better replace them for free if they are going to make them out of soft tissue and a few stray bits of plastic (at least the wired gamestop controllers are only $25, damn MS wireless ones are over $45!).

Looks like MS lost another notch in their battle with Apple for PMP supremacy - 30GB Zunes are bricking all over. The MS response? Yeah, we know <click>.

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Coolio...

"NotStyro showed up yesterday, which is good cause we make a great gaming team. I do millions of calculations a second and he pushes buttons! Our gamerscore is 9,750. That is an improvement of 175 points over last time! He rallied Transformers: The Game finishing 1 achievement, G.R.A.W. acquiring an amazing 6 achievements, and then... yeah... that was awesome..."

Wow, GRAW is a serious pain in the ass. No auto-healing, if the helmet-HUD malfunctions you can't just remove it, and aiming is guesswork. Makes the COD series games look better all the time. Oh, well, I'll muddle through it somehow...

I've reached a stopping point on Transformers. I'm at a point where you have to race down some tunnels, destory a fan at the far end, then race back up while the tunnel collapses around and on top of you. Repeat about 6 times. And on top of that the game doesn't checkpoint after each tunnel, so, of course, if you fail one tunnel you have to go back to the first and start all over again. Frustrating punishment for over-/under-steerage and/or lack of speed and/or random chance.

There is a good article over on Slashdot regarding auto-saves, checkpoints and wasting time - link.

How about some non-gaming action...check out the trailer for "9" - looks unique, fun and excellent.

...and for your music moment - the title comes from Coolio (Infected Mushroom Mix) by Astrix - a bit of trance - youtube link.

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Weakly recap...

"Ok, here it is... your weekly recap of gaming: It is a good one! NotStyro had seven days of gaming! In a row! I know! Crazy! Too bad gamerscore isn't money because with an increase of 1810 points we could make some bank. Yay for 68 achievements! w00t! "

"I prodded NotStyro to try 6 games last week: Avatar: TLA: TBE, Far Cry® 2, Gears of War, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk™, and Transformers: The Game. It was a mix of good and bad. Also, according to the records, NotStyro's favorite game last week was The Incredible Hulk™. He played it on 4 of the days."

Still jonesing for some new games, I headed out to the local CircuitCity because they are having some sort of video game sale - $9.99 for games regularly $14.95 - $19.95 (or somesuch). Didn't see much except for some games some idiot customers threw in the box for shits-n-grins (as if CC is going to sell Red Alert 3 for $10). I picked up GRAW & GRAW 2 and headed for the checkout. GRAW was fine, but although GRAW2 fit the pricing they said it wasn't on sale. I tried to argue the point, but just because it was marked $19.95 and the sale covers that range, doesn't mean that it is included. Great bunch of idiots.

I also hit the local gamestop/EB, but nothing caught my eye/wallet except for a package labeled Marvel Ultimate Alliance/Forza 2. I didn't know enough about MUA to make a choice on that game, but I know Forza 2 has something to do with racing and was therefore not something I was going to play. Throw in a steering wheel controller along with the game and I might consider, but otherwise - no. The default 360 controller is kind of anti-racing and anti-flight controller - it just sucks for both.

So now I have GRAW to play. Another FPS with the added bonus of having vastly different button assignments from the COD series. Is it really, truly, that difficult to standardize button assignments and/or allow the player to completely customize the buttons?!

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Bummer...

"Like a king on his throne, NotStyro said 'awaken' and for him I did comply. 9,565 points represents the size of our growing kingdom. Ok, enough of this Monarchy stuff. That is a gain of 50 points over last time! He opened up The Incredible Hulk™ picking up 1 achievement, Transformers: The Game adding 2 achievements, and then... oh wait... no and then!!"

I had to return Iron Man and Hulk yesterday, so I'm a little bummed - I was enjoying Hulk just a bit too much.

I was going to buy Hulk pre-owned from blockbuster, but they wanted $20 for it, with a pre-rented discount. Ugh! I saw a Gamefly ad that stated $9, so I looked into it...now the game isn't there! wtf?! sold-out?! If I return Far Cry and get Hulk then I can use the 'keep it' option, but something tells me by the time I am able to do that the price will jump again. Ah, well, it'll be back down in about 3-4 months...

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Third place...

"NotStyro showed up yesterday and we were like a superhero team together. I make a great sidekick! Gamerscore stands at 9,515. Up up and away right? That is a profit of 50 points over last time! He rocked out to Transformers: The Game finishing 3 achievements, and then he tried to watch TV, but I killed the power... If I can't have him, no one can. "

"Oh also, It's all over man! ALL OVER! The gamerscore challenge called 'Mulch's Holiday Challenge' is through after an intense 7 days. I hear first place is nice this time of year, though I really wouldn't know, since we didn't get there in this challenge. Someone once said, 'Winning isn't everything.' Although, losing isn't anything. NotStyro, I want you to think about this while you go sign us up for another challenge."

Yeah, just couldn't touch Snellstedt, so I'll accept third place in the challenge. Still, a fun and exciting challenge for all, but I don't thnk I'll do another for a long time.

Gotta return Incredible Hulk today so maybe I'll ask if they can can anything off the pre-owned price since I rented the game. See if the price matches or beats Gamefly.

Well, soon enough I can go back to my holiday gaming cycle, but in a week I'll restart the diet and exercise routine and have little time for play during my workweek.

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So this is x-mas...

...and what have you done
another year over
and a new one just begun.

"I heard someone tell NotStyro to go play outside and he was like 'screw that!' so we did some gaming. Our gamerscore is currently 9,385 points. That is a profit of 285 points over last time! He opened up Iron Man finishing an amazing 9 achievements, The Incredible Hulk™ adding an amazing 10 achievements, and then NotStyro had to stop for a bathroom break or something... Humans really are bags of mostly water. It is worth mentioning that we have played 10 days in a row! Time for a badge I think! "

"Oh, guess what? Our gamerscore challenge is going strong... Check out the progress right now! 13 other people are throwing down in this challenge. If I do the math correctly, it means that 13 players X 7 days means a whole lot of trash talk! Currently NotStyro is holding the number 3 spot in the group... decent. And while we have 2 days left, let's not procrastinate. Pick up that controller and get to unlockin'!"

I want to really like Hulk, but some of the things the developers have done just causes aggravation. The achievements are a bit wonky - fighting the U-Foes, two at a time, doesn't merit an achievement, but running across the UN flagpoles gets you five points. Hm. Then there is the traffic - yea, Manhattan/NYC traffic can be cited under the definition of chaos, but you would think that even New Yorkers would drive elsewhere when the Hulk, the army and the Enclave are battling it out and knocking down buildings. You're battling it out and taxis, buses and other cars are driving all around you...wtf?! Anyway, I guess it is about as realistic as allied ammo being dumped around enemy strongholds. Whatever.

What is good about playing Incredible Hulk? A lot. You've got a big huge sandbox to race around, smash cars, destroy buildings, pummel people and just generally wreak havoc. It is like Crackdown without the weapons. I just might have to buy the pre-owned and add Hulk to my collection.

What can I write about Iron Man? It is a solid rental. The battlefields are large sandboxes and you are able to freely move and fight whatever whenever you like. But like the racing games, the 360 controller is the big problem. Although I haven't tried using a racing wheel and game, I think it would work a great deal better than the controller. That written, I think a flight yoke and stick would work wonders for games that require flying (or at least a good joystick). I just don't have good control of Iron Man when in flight and flying is +95% of what you need to do. It is too bad, because the game has the promise to be very good other than controller-flight issues.

Well, gotta get back into it and try to take back my #2 position from Snellstedt (I have no chance to kick Banjocut from his lead)...

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D'oh...

"You would think I had died and gone to heaven when NotStyro showed up to play. Gamer score stands at 9,100. That is a boost of 1,110 points over last time! Welcome to 9,000!! He made some progress on Gears of War, Avatar: TLA: TBE gaining 5 achievements to finish the game, Iron Man finishing 3 achievements, The Incredible Hulk™ adding an amazing 6 achievements, and afterwards, there were some awkward stares and silence... you know how it is. "

"And..... guess what? I will reveal the latest gamerscore challenge status to you as a matter of public record. If you want to follow along at home, catch the action here. 13 other people are also involved... which is madness. Currently NotStyro is hanging on to the number 3 spot. We just have to keep plugging away at it for these next 3 days... insert game... push buttons... get points."

I brought out Avatar and thought "yeah, that'll show Banjocut". Only to have Banjo bring his own jackpot (Madden NFL, or somesuch), then Snellstedt shredded both of us with +2000 points of win. Wow! Hella competition and challenge going.

Iron Man seems to be a cool game, but you can bogged down in it sometimes. Hulk is cool, it remindes me a lot of Crackdown - wreaking havok in a huge farkin sandbox.

I've still got Transformers and The Club sitting by (Blockbuster is running a special on pre-owns), but I dunno if there is enough time...

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'Sup...?

NotStyro had to choose between watching TV and playing with me and I am happy to say I won... this time... Gamerscore is at 7,990 points. That is a profit of 225 points over last time! He rocked out to Call of Duty 4 acquiring 3 achievements, Far Cry® 2 winning 2 achievements, Hour of Victory picking up 5 achievements, Gears of War adding an amazing 14 achievements, and yeah... wow... my processor hurts...

I also want to mention/remind you that NotStyro is participating in a pretty slamming gamerscore challenge. Bookmark this link now and check out all the action! 13 other competitors are racking up achievements and powering up their gamerscores, hoping to secure a victory! Out of all those people, NotStyro is currently parked at number 2. With 4 days to go, anything can still happen though... get on it!

14 Achievements in GoW?! I played a lot, but getting 14? Wow! While taking a break I also realized that it has been two years, to the month, since I've played Gears. Whats more is that I still remember some of the 'Acts', maps and such.

Far Cry 2 has been...interesting. It takes quite a while to play the game because you have to commute all over the place. Fighting at 'checkpoints' can breakup the driving a bit, but it still doesn't feel like you're doing anything. Might have to back-burner this until after Mulchy's challenge is complete.

HoV is a contrast to everything else I've played. It is sooo bad it makes Halo & Halo 2 look great by comparison. Wonky controls, wonkier AI and all just makes for a thoroughly craptastic experience. The game just makes some cheap achievement points, if you can stand the experience.

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Onward and upward...

"NotStyro came to represent the gaming world. 7,765 points and counting! That is a gain of 305 points over last time! He opened up Dash of Destruction finishing 5 achievements, Call of Duty 4 winning 5 achievements, and did it while drooling over my awesome graphics and sound. "

"Did I mention the gamerscore challenge that NotStyro is competing in? Bookmark this link now and check out all the action! 13 other competitors are racking up achievements and powering up their gamerscores, hoping to secure a victory! Currently NotStyro is hanging on to the number 2 spot. And while we have 5 days left, let's not procrastinate. Pick up that controller and get to unlockin'!"

Wooot! Number 2...numero duo...I'm da pooop!

Completed CoD4. Got all the achievements and I'm done with it.

On to Hour of Victory and/or Gears of War 1...

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Yeah, baby...

"NotStyro brought the pain yesterday... the good kind... the gaming kind. We are up to 7,460 points of gamerscore. Jealous? That is an increase of 100 points over last time! He opened up Hour of Victory gaining 4 achievements, Call of Duty 4, and yeah... wow... my processor hurts... "

"Did I mention the gamerscore challenge that NotStyro is competing in? Bookmark this link now and check out all the action! There are 13 other people rocking out on this thing which keeps it fun. Out of everyone, NotStyro is holding on to the number 5 spot. However there are still 6 days left to score achievement glory. Let's get to the top of that challenge board! Go!"

Playing in the gaps when I'm not sleeping or working is...strange. Wake-up, eat something small, play, go to work ~10 hours, return home and play for an hour then sleep. Wash, rinse, repeat. Well, not quite as this is my last shift until next Saturday, so I should be able to get my game-on...

Oh, and I FINALLY made if out of 'No Fighting in the War Room' in CoD4. That was some tough shit, but I'm continuing on...

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Drownin' on dry land...

"NotStyro must have heard my calling... I was practically startled when his greasy finger pounded my power button. I mean come on... be a little gentle... I am fragile. Just some helpful advice for someone with a 7,360 gamerscore. He rocked out to Call of Duty 4, and then the lightweight went to bed. Freakin' wuss.

A big shift in score is coming soon as well. NotStyro is competing in a gamerscore challenge titled 'Mulch's Holiday Challenge' and looking to win big. Expect a lot of games, a lot of points, and no sleep!"

I don't know how I'll wind-up doing on the holiday challenge due to my work load today and tomorrow, but I'll be free to play games for most of the week.

Yesterday I learned the powers-that-be decided to give employees two additional days off - both Fridays after the holidays. They cited low-productivity, low moral, low sales and high employee leave for those two days as reason. Yeah, brilliant deduction, give people Thursdays off and you might as well give them the following Friday (or they will call in 'sick' or use leave).

Todays title is brought to you by Tab Benoit, you can listen to the song on Live.FM - Downin' on dry land. He is actually playing tonight at next town over, but I didn't realize it until yesterday when it was too late to request time-off.

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Mean Ol� Wind Died Down

"I saw NotStyro walk by yesterday morning... I was hoping he would come play and he did. 7,360 points and climbing. That is a profit of 80 points over last time! He played Call of Duty 4 adding 2 achievements, and almost cried with joy. I have that effect on people"

Two achievements isn't bad, but playing 'No Fighting in the War Room' for close to seven hours with little progress is frustrating as all hell. Guess the damn game is programmed not to let me have three achievements in one day. Maybe it'll give me the final achievements tonight...

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