HAZE Blowout!

Frequenters to my blog will know all about HAZE on PS3, so rather than re-hash everything I've already said I'll make it brief.

Here, MANTEL official website:
http://www.mantelglobalindustries.com/uk/
The HAZE EXPERIENCE:
http://hazegame.uk.ubi.com/experience/main.htm?uk

KoRn Music Video:


Gametrailers Preview:


Gametrailers Multiplayer Preview:


MAY 22nd can't get here fast enough...

~The Damo

Long Time No Blog

I only realised when I signed in the other day that my blog performance for April was quite shocking. This was in fact due to the incredible workload I was under for the month including:

> An AED course
> Divisional Competitions exam setting
> NOVICE CUP - which we came 3rd in
> 100 page report for my Communications module
> 20 minute presentation in powerpoint for the aforementioned report
> A set of steps made of cardboard which had to support my own weight
> A Mechanics assignment

That is all DONE now of course, but alas, such is college life that I now must study for exams over the next two weeks which realistically means...no blogs!

So I'm going about posting all relevant blogs that I have hear in an attempt to keep interest while I'm away.

First and foremost is the exams themselves. Thankfully I've only 5 actual exams, one of which is a computer exam. The 6th module is in fact the one which took up all my time last month in the aforementioned project, presentation, steps etc. Speaking of that, we received an email from our Co-ordinator - Arturo - that our portfolios had to be in by Friday. When I arrived into college on Thursday for a tutorial, I found the office where we had to submit it would be closed for Thursday and Friday. So Arturo - the legend - said I could knock at his office on Friday and he would make the effort to have the office opened so I could hand it in. Dedication or WHAT! Anyway so as you can expect studying is a pain in the arse, especially for Mechanics and Surveying. The only one I'm looking forward to is really Theory and Design II, as the questions are very hands-on and you can actually visualise what your calculating - namely beams, foundations and rising elements for buildings. Computer Apps isn't bad either, and it's kindof hard to study for a computer based module. All I can do is practice on the pilot service MATLAB that's available through UCD connect, but it's hardly exciting.

What IS exciting though is one of the best games I've played to date which I managed to get my chubby hands on on Thursday when everywhere in town was sold out...GRAND THEFT AUTO 4!!! Initially I thought I would do a review of this. But since it's likely to take me in excess of 40 hours to complete - the main story - I can't see that happening anytime soon. I MAY do some kindof review in general but we'll see how it goes, and it certainly won't be happening till after the exams. I'm using GTA4 as an incentive to study, if I study well during the day, I can reward myself with virtual booze, sex and violence later on in the evening. But in short, IT FREAKING ROCKS!!!

The above means my review of Gran Turismo 5: Prologue is on hold, as the GTA disc currently sits in my PS3. I also managed to buy the two expansion packs for Warhawk a few weeks back too and they are quite fantastic.

The stress in my life does not end there however. This coming Sunday my youth team will be playing in the penultimate game of the season against the All Muslim team Clonskeagh who called us in for the racism charge earlier in the season. While we're quite sure they'll play the same overage players again and avoid punishment from the league again, victory would mean the league title for us, losing would mean league glory for them. My youngest brother on the otherhand, his team are in the final of their cup after a nail biting game in Ballyowen Park against Peamount. The game went to extra time and penalties but two fine saves from Esker's goalkeeper ensured a cup medal at the end.

Finally, I have a delicious teaser trailer from the legend Hideo Kojima himself. Pay attention...


Yes Mr. Kojima... I DO like it!

~The Damo

AVGN - Super Mario Bros 3 and The Wizard

Ok, first things first, this is a LONG video. Now that that's done, how can the Nerd find something wrong with SMB3??? Only like one of the greatest games ever made!!!

Watch and see....

Enjoy:



I misinterpret the rules....

~The Damonez

Warhawk - The Review

Where Uncharted: Drake's Fortune had no multiplayer whatsoever, now I'm onto a game that is only multiplayer. Available as a PSN download or on Blu-Ray disc, I find myself in tears for not buying this game when if first came out. Like Uncharted, I waited far too long to get my hands on this highly enjoyable online multiplayer experience.

Warhawk is a basically a third person shooter where you fight in a fictional war between the Eucadians and the Chernovans. You're not really given any information as to why you're fighting each other but realistically, it's not necessary. Warhawk pits a mass of players in epic war with Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Zones. All classic multiplayer game modes. Gameplay is clean and fluid, not once have I come up to any framerate drops. The game can be played using SIXAXIS sensitivity when flying a Warhawk or you can pull off rolls and dives with the trusty analog sticks. In total, the basic package gives you 2 vehicles (a jeep and a tank), 3 turrets (machine gun, missile and flak) and 1 Warhawk. Each faction has its own jeep/tank/warhawk so I guess you could in theory double those numbers. The ground foot combat is equally enjoyable with a range of weapons from knives to rocket launchers and pistols to flamethrowers.

Everything is quite balanced gameplay wise, but the real fun is getting into the air in a warhawk. If its picking off troops on the ground as you hover over them with a quick tap of Triangle or you're twisting through the caverns in a dogfight chase with another warhawk, the possibilities provide an infinite number of mini-narratives that can be played out. The map is littered with sandbag defences, bunkers, turrets and what not. There's plenty of ruined building's or bridges lying around which make Zone games extremely fun. Voice chat can add to experience using the Bluetooth headset that comes with the Blu-Ray version of the game.

Visually, Warhawk can't really be flawed for what it offers. Animations are nice, gameplay is fluid and draw-distance is good. Realistically, Warhawk is all about having fun. I can tell you now, I die a LOT! I probably suck at the game, though I've never managed to come last in any ranked game mind you, and I've only been promoted up one rank. Speaking of that, ranking is a little strange, it's based on medals and achievements you get, like killing a certain number of people with a machine gun or something. It's also rumoured to be HOME integrated when it's released. As you rank up, you get more customisable options for your character and your warhawk.

Expansion backs and updates are regulrarly released. Operation: Omega Dawn was released last year, added a new ship - a dropship which could carry troops and vehicles - a new map, and modified the original maps. Operation: Broken Mirror is to be released tomorrow, with a new ground vehicle, new map and more weapons. Updates released over PSN which are free sometimes add new weapons aswell.

In conclusion, Warhawk is a must own really. A single player campaign might have been nice, but realistically, the multiplayer component is more than sufficient. Getting killed so often in a game has never been so much fun...even if it you manage to get killed by one of your own grenades...

Graphics: 8

Gameplay: 9

Sound: 9

Longevity: 8

Unlockables: 9

Overall: 8.3

~The Damo

Resistance 2 Teaser

OMFG!!!!!!!!!! You have to watch this...its only a teaser, but since Insomniac are known for never using CGI trailers that means only one thing.......IN-GAME!!!!

YEAHHHHHH!!!!



Joygasm....

~The Damo

AVGN - Double Vision: Part 2

This time round it's the Colecovision!! Think it'll be a piece of crap? Honestly...why do you think he'd make a video of it?

Enjoy:


One final note: on the way is a review of Warhawk and Gran Turismo 5: Prologue.

~The Damo

My Shopping List

I have myself sorted for the rest of 2008, starting this month we have....

Grand Theft Auto 4 - 29th April
I believe this needs no introduction, with new added multiplayer, downloadable vehicles and 100+ hours of gameplay, I hardly think you would want or need any more.

Haze - 22nd May

If you've been watching this space then you should know a lot about it, and if you don't, just do a search in my other blogs with "Haze" in the wording. Free Radical's latest FPS promises to deliver new aspects to the typical gunplay of FPS's aswell as boasting a rather impressive multiplayer.

Metal Gear Solid 4 - 12th June

Again, no introduction needed. I don't know how many videos I've posted of this game up here, system seller in the waiting....

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - July

Lucasarts' latest expansion of the Star Wars Universe, with a whole heap of toys, figures and Lego to help with marketing. Players take control of Darth Vader's apprentice and using Lucasarts' new physics engine can interact with the environment and use the force like never before. While I hope it delivers, here has his doubts....

Resistance 2, Killzone 2, Little Big Planet, Playstation HOME - Sometime between August and November!!

Little Big Planet promises something special, creating your own world with seemingly limitless possibilities, and with the ability to upload to the PSN and play other people's world's, LBP is something which could very well bring the PS3 back to casual gamer market....

Killzone on Playstation 2 promised much...but didn't deliver. And whilst that demon still haunts the gaming world, people are optimistic that Killzone 2 - pictured below - will deliver. The in-game footage available on Gametrailer.com shows just how good this game looks. Though that video was some time ago. Here is hoping that there'll be a HUGE announcement regarding said title at E3 this year....

Playstation HOME is set to be released this year, allowing PS3 owners to enter a virtual world (much like Second Life) and interact with gamers all across the world. Whether you fancy a game of pool with a friend across the Atlantic or want to show off all your game achievements in your own house, HOME has it all. Like LBP, HOME - which is free - could well reel in those casual gamers still on the bench over 7th generation consoles. And with all the talk of trophies and cars being linked to the game, the prospect of HOME becomes more tantalising each day...

As well as all that, there's new albums from Metallica, Slipknot and Rammstein. Not to mention the Iron Man and Batman movies!

Going to be a good year!!

~The Damo