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Reviews by Scorpy
2K's laziest port yetScorpy | Dec. 24, 2013 | Review of NBA 2K14 NA - PC
I'm a fan of the NBA 2K games, both on console and PC. I loved 2K11 and 2K12 on PC. In fact, I consider 2K12 to be the best basketball game in the past 5 years. It had a decent PC port with quite a few features. 2K13 stepped it up on console with new additions to MyPlayer and MyTeam. This left the PC 2K13 version bare bones, seeing as those features are not in the PC version. The PC version had also foregone the VC (virtual currency) system, crippling the career mode forcing people to hack the game in order to make any progression. 2K14, surprisingly, is a major step down from last year's lazy port. I usually don't complain, seeing as you can find the NBA 2K games on PC for about $7 if you find a bargain. But if you own 2K13 then there is no reason to upgrade. All the new features added are console exclusive. The PC version looks the worse out of all the versions (the PS4/Xbone versions look great, but as usual PC looks worse than the 360/PS3 versions). Limited graphics options make a return, with no stadium lighting or dynamic player shadows like on 360 or PS3. The worst part is that they reintroduced a very popular feature called crews, but this is only available on consoles. So really, the only reason to own this game is for the crews and MyTeam. However, both of those features are unavailable on the PC port. Not worth the upgrade unless you can find it for $2 or less. I uninstalled it after a month and reinstalled 2K12.
Best entry in the series so far.Scorpy | Oct. 26, 2013 | Review of Batman Arkham Origins - PC
I played through all of the story and a few side missions. WB Games Montreal have definitely proved they can tango with the big boys, as Origins blows City out of the water. It takes everything Arkham City did, turns it up to 11, then adds more. The atmosphere is spot-on, from the christmas-themed score to the christmas decorations, the pedestrian dialogue and so on. What felt like an empty, abandoned city in Arkham City now feels like a sleepy Christmas Eve town, with trouble lurking around every corner. The story is great, much more cinematic than Arkham City. The voice acting is fantastic, the combat is just as good as it has ever been, and the missions are satisfying and fun. My only gripe with this game is an issue I have with the series in general. The stealth and predator-challenges leave a lot to be desired. Especially when compared to the top notch combat system, those bits definitely feel tedious and boring. But that is such a minor complaint. I'm glad WB Games Montreal decides to take a less campy and more serious approach to the series. No more dude-undies, fake abs or ridiculously pointy ears. Batman is all business in this installment, making it the best in the series by far, and definitely a worthy entry in the series.
Surprisingly good block-breaking game!Scorpy | July 16, 2013 | Review of Titan - PC
I was taken by surprise at how much content there was in Titan. For a $10 block-breaking game, I expected little level variety and gameplay tweaks. However, Titan surprised me on nearly all fronts. Its art style is great, very reminiscent of Tron. Levels are detailed and textures look great, but what I liked the most was that there was a lot of level variety. Variety in the colors, textures and models really made this game fun to play through. Gameplay is somewhat similar to classic block-breaking games, except things such as traps and environmental hazards will really change up the gameplay. These are all level-specific, making the game a real challenge because every universe is different when it comes to traps and the environment. Definitely pick this up if you like puzzle or block-breaking games. For $10 it's easy to get your money's worth.
Neat arcade racing gameScorpy | July 16, 2013 | Review of Crazy Cars - PC
Imagine Need for Speed: The Run without any story, cutscenes or epic music. That's pretty much what you get with Crazy Cards. The premise of racing around different states of the USA is a great one, but what really makes the game shine is the customization and tight gameplay. Its graphics are decent for such a cheap game, and the customization is pretty deep as well. Although it isn't as deep as I'd wanted it to be, it's acceptable for a game of this price. For its asking price of $9.99, any racing fan should pick this up. It's a great game to play for a bit if you're bored, and even though there isn't much content to speak of, it's still a great experience every time I play.
Great but slightly overpricedScorpy | July 16, 2013 | Review of Frozen Synapse Steam - PC
Like chess, it's fairly easy to learn, but impossible to master. The gameplay is fun and rewarding and has a clean style. Planning out your moves to be executed simultaneously with the opponent can lead to amusing clashes. The only thing I feel it lacks is co-op vs AI and team battles, which they say they are working on. On a side note, the soundtrack is great. At the asking price of $25 you might want to wait a bit, but this is definitely something you should consider picking up at some time.
Some pretty good fillerScorpy | July 16, 2013 | Review of The Walking Dead 400 Days - PC
The Walking Dead 400 Days is another brilliant addition to the Walking Dead series from Telltale Games. Once again they have managed to create brilliant characters and put them and the player into very tense but also very emotional situations.In this add on there are 5 characters each with a little story, whats brilliant about them is that they last about 15 minutes each and in that short time i cared for them and wanted to see them through their situation. This is because of various factors form the brilliant voice acting, well thought out situations but also the well thought out decisions you have to make. You feel the tension and stress while making this decision and that's what is brilliant about this game, it feels real! Its only downfall is that not all of the stories have this affect others are not as strong in these terms and therefore feel inconsistent.
Must have for anybody that enjoys the base gameScorpy | July 16, 2013 | Review of Sid Meiers Civilization V Brave New World NA - PC
Brave New World takes everything Civ V and Gods and Kings did and improves it doubly. Espionage can now be less hostile, the World Congress provides a lot of much-needed AI interaction, an even the online system has been improved somewhat. As usual Civ V's presentation is flawless, but the additions never seem to end with this game. If anybody had problems with late-game being boring and monotonous, this will fix all of that. If anything, with Brave New World you look forward to late-game the most. It really feels like you and the AI are indeed just a bunch of civilizations on earth, both fighting against and with each other to be the best civilization. This is a must-buy for anybody who likes Civ V. Warning: this expansion contains all the content from Gods and Kings, so it's useless to buy both! Some of my friends have made that mistake.
A gem of a gameScorpy | July 6, 2013 | Review of Another World 20th Anniversary Edition - PC
Another World, a remake of the classic Out Of This World, is an adventure game with gorgeous vector graphics that easily stand their own in today's market. Although the story isn't exactly clear, and the game is a bit short, the gameplay is satisfying and the game leaves you with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that is rarely found in games these days. For the asking price I think Another World is something everybody should own, and have played through at least once.
Disappointing game made somewhat better by updatesScorpy | July 6, 2013 | Review of Omerta City of Gangsters - PC
I was looking forward to Omerta so much. The promise of a mix of Tropico and Mafia was a match made in heaven for me. I preordered it almost instantly, then I played the demo... there's a reason why they don't let you do much in the demo. The turn-based combat, meant to mimic XCOM: Enemy Unknown, is sloppy and difficult to control. Enemies spawn in the worst places and the AI is damn near stupid. Classes can use different abilities effectively, but in the end it does not change much due to the reliance on chance. Although XCOM relies on the same factors, a soldier's abilities will often come first. That's not the case in Omerta. The combat is the most fleshed out part of the game. The rest of the game, where you manage your mafia business, is best defined as "playing monopoly against yourself". There is no challenge, no personal motivation, it's just an empty void of clicking things and watching numbers go up with no interactions or repercussions on screen. Now, the game has been updated to include rival gangs and police interaction in sandbox mode. But all this does is bid you against yourself as once again no interaction or change happens on screen. One of your business will be overrun by a rival gang. The only change is an notification telling you this. You don't see a big fight erupt, no fancy animations, just a notification. This game could have been so good, but it ended up being so bad. At its asking price of $40 the game is a joke. As a $10 game it would have fared much better. But don't let the cool name and synopsis fool you, this game is as unpolished and bland as they come.
Really not required unless you need help with 1999 modeScorpy | July 6, 2013 | Review of Bioshock Infinite Columbias Finest - PC
My first playthrough of the game was on Hard, and I still had an abundance of resources. The additional guns is very welcome (since the base game had little to no variety in weapon choice), but it's hard to justify the $5 price tag for this one. If you really need help with 1999 mode, you could maybe give this a try, but chances are if you need help this badly then the extra firepower won't help very much, especially in late game.
Fantastic game but a very sloppy portScorpy | July 6, 2013 | Review of Grand Theft Auto IV Steam - PC
Let me get one thing out of the way: GTA IV is nothing short of an amazing feat. For a game made in 2008 it took pretty much everybody by surprise with how realistic and impressive Liberty City had become. Since GTA IV is pretty old at this point, I'm going to comment solely on the PC port and what you get from it. The PC port has a pretty fair amount of additions. The one big addition was the replay editor, which lets people save footage and make anything from machinima to kill montages. This is an incredibly powerful tool that pretty much warrants buying the game by itself. Another great thing is the mods. With a "trainer", which is basically a bunch of game-specific commands that allow you to alter things in the game (think of a developer cheat menu), you have the freedom to do pretty much anything your heart desires in the city. The downsides aren't many but they are very problematic. The game was sloppily ported and terribly optimized for PC. The result is a mess of a game, at 16GB in size this game requires a beast of a computer to run properly. Although you don't need an extremely high-tech PC to run this at moderate settings, getting the game to look good is tough, even by today's standards. You can find this game for pretty cheap on both consoles and PC, but PC is the much better version of the two.
Fantastic port, slightly too lateScorpy | July 6, 2013 | Review of Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition - PC
Mortal Kombat is pretty much the essential fighting game experience for anybody that likes to play games at their own pace. There is tons of content and a multitude of modes that will entertain you long after the story mode is over. The online is basic, with little to no lag, but the big promise here is modability. Hopefully we see some cool mods for this in the future. One bad thing: the pricing. You can easily find the Komplete Edition on X360 or PS3 for $15, however charging $30 for a game that's over 2 years old is a bit steep. I still suggest fighting fans buy this, hopefully the support from the PC community makes them consider porting Injustice: Gods Among Us.
Small beginningsScorpy | June 4, 2013 | Review of Remember Me NA Post - PC
A great start to what hopefully becomes a more fleshed-out series. Although the game's most interesting and fun parts, the memory remixes, only appear a meager 4 times in the game, it's still a fun ride. The customized combat system keeps fighting from becoming stale, and the environment and music create a fantastic atmosphere. Although it might not be worth the full asking price, not many games are. Still, Remember Me is a fantastic game that should be enjoyed, short as it may be.
Bit steep but good time killerScorpy | Jan. 31, 2013 | Review of Darwinia - PC
Most people will be turned off by Darwinia's retro 3d graphics, however I for one enjoyed them. It emulates perfectly the awkward early 3D from the 90s, which hits a big nostalgia area for me. Darwinia's gameplay is simple, but it's easy to become engrossed and addicted. It's a mix of tons of genres, almost too many to count, but it's a very unique experience that should be played at least once. Give this game a try!
Above average RPGScorpy | Jan. 31, 2013 | Review of Two Worlds II - PC
Two Worlds II doesn't really promise much, but what it does promise it definitely delivers. Hot off the heels of the terrible Two Worlds 1, Two Worlds II is pretty good. With a hammy story and even more hammy acting, Two Worlds II isn't a picture-perfect RPG; its inventory and crafting menus are confusing, however it does offer a pretty deep array of combinations that add to the game's replayability. Two Worlds II isn't as bad as Two Worlds 1, but it's no masterpiece either. If you're a fan of these RPG games, Two Worlds II shouldn't disappoint.
What am I playing...Scorpy | Jan. 31, 2013 | Review of Alpha Black Zero - PC
Alpha Black Zero is a futuristic game stuck in the past. Although it came out in 2004, even for then the graphics were terrible. The terraforming in the levels are atrocious, with hills looking like gooey dirt monsters, and the AI is ridiculously stupid. Despite it taking place in the future, all the tech in the game is old, which doesn't make much sense. Even if you're a fan of early-3D shooters, this is not one you're going to want to pick up any time soon.
Beautiful fantasy platformerScorpy | Jan. 31, 2013 | Review of Trine - PC
The buzz around Trine is its gorgeous visuals. It deserves all the attention it gets for this, because for an indie game its visuals are stunning. Trine creates a world of fantasy that is hard to not like, full of charm and wit. The platforming is a bit too easy, with levels often guiding you towards the exit with the obligatory occasional physics puzzle. Still, Trine is absolutely gorgeous and well worth its asking price. Buy it now!
Decent indie physics puzzle gameScorpy | Jan. 31, 2013 | Review of Bob Came in Pieces - PC
Bob Came in Pieces is about the millionth indie physics-based puzzle game to come out in the last few years. What sets it apart from the herd? Not much. Graphically, it doesnt have much going for it, which is understandable for an indie game. Still, its visual style is still somewhat appealing and certainly won't detract from your gaming experience. What will is your reason to play this game. No plot, no reason to play, no real progression. It feels almost mind-numbingly average. The puzzles are fun for a while, but they are extremely repetitious and will bore just about anybody. Regardless, the asking price is what bumps the game up a few points. It's cheap fun, and that's always a good thing.
A step in the right directionScorpy | Jan. 31, 2013 | Review of Max Payne 3 Deathmatch Made in Heaven Pack - PC
Max Payne 3 on PC is a strange phenomenon. It keeps getting DLC, in the form of multiplayer add-on content, yet its multiplayer player base rarely exceeds 100 strong (during peak hours). This left players clamoring for single-player content, which Rockstar never delivered... until now... sort of. Deathmatch Made in Heaven adds a new co-op horde mode, where 2 players take control of either Max or Passos and fight hordes of enemies. This is a great addition, due to the fact that competitive multiplayer is a wasteland in this game. You will have a hard time finding someone with this DLC on PC, but if you have a friend with it you will have a blast. It's really a great mode. This DLC also adds more competitive multiplayer modes, which I haven't gotten to test because I could not find any players to play with. If this is truly the last of Max Payne 3's DLC, I'm somewhat disappointed. It took them nearly a year to release the first DECENT pack and it could only go up from here. It's a shame, really.
Magicka 2... sort ofScorpy | Jan. 31, 2013 | Review of Dungeonland - PC
Dungeonland will feel very familiar to players of Magicka. The game's focus on co-op and challenging gameplay is none too different, and the style and over-head view echoes Brazil-based Critical Studios' sleeper hit. It even has some of the same tongue-in-cheek humor Magicka sported. Now, is this all a good thing? I'd say so. Magicka was a fun game, but it often lacked variety in its gameplay and engaging locations. Dungeonland, its spiritual successor, touches on all of these things and makes them SLIGHTLY better, but still not enough. Graphically, it's somewhat decent for a $10 game, but it won't wow you. Where the charm is is the fun co-op experience, which is doubly fun if you have 4 players, where one acts as a "dungeon master" struggling to stop the 3 heroes' progress. This is definitely not a game you want to play alone. Better with friends!
Ridge Racer: Dumbed DownScorpy | Jan. 30, 2013 | Review of Ridge Racer Unbounded NA - PC
Ridge Racer: Unbounded (silly title) seems like Namco's attempt to compete with the countless number of street racing games out there. It plays somewhat similar to the last games, however it has since lost its arcade-feel and is slowly edging towards realistic simulation. Still, there is plenty of mayhem to be had in Shatter Bay (another terrible name). The graphics are decent, music is decent, gameplay is decent, this game is painfully average. However, the gameplay is a lot more fast-paced and destructive than other street racers, which may turn some people on to it who miss the old Burnout games. Online mode is dead, not a soul to be seen, so don't get it expecting to play online. Its relatively steep asking price of $50 is a bit much, but if it goes on sale you might want to check this title out.
Cool idea, poor executionScorpy | Jan. 30, 2013 | Review of Hard Reset - PC
Hard Reset is at heart a classic FPS game, in the gist of Quake and DOOM. Its style is a mix of dystopian future tech (such as Blade Runner) and classic and military future tech. It's a unique mix that makes for a great looking game, however there isn't much to keep you going back. If you're a fan of classic FPS games such as Doom and Quake, you will want to pick this up. Otherwise, you might want to wait.
Great arcade actionScorpy | Jan. 30, 2013 | Review of Naild - PC
Nail'd doesn't do much to distinguish itself from the pack of arcade ATV racing games. However, what it does it does quite well. Graphically decent, with solid mechanics and sound effects, Nail'd is a decent dose of arcade action, which, for the asking price, is a pretty sweet deal.
Better with friendsScorpy | Jan. 30, 2013 | Review of Dead Island Game of the Year - PC
Dead Island promises a bit more than it can deliver, but considering the scope it tries to achieve there is some leniency allowed here. The gameplay, at its core, is extremely repetitive and the quests are doubly so. Think of Borderlands with zombies, less variety, less guns and annoying features such as having to repair weapons and stock up on just about anything. It's a mix between survival horror and loot-filled rpg. This hybrid isn't such a bad thing, but Dead Island really shines in the co-op. Playing with a friend somehow makes this game a lot better even if it doesn't alter anything gameplay wise. If you have a buddy to co-op with, the game's cheap price is great and you'll have a blast. If not, you may need to do a bit more research.
Maybe a bit too ambitiousScorpy | Jan. 30, 2013 | Review of Risen - PC
Risen is very similar to the Gothic series (mainly 3) and improves on a lot of the problems the series had (namely the clunkiness of the gameplay). Risen is quite polished and epic in scope, however it falls short in nearly every aspect. Its graphics are alright. Being lenient is important, but this game fits between the awkward transition from low poly to high poly games (low definition, high definition). The environments are lush and beautiful, but the character animation and detail is severely lacking. Its gameplay is straightforward and the sluggishness of the past Gothic games is improved upon here. The story is decent and enough to keep you going, but unless you're a huge fan of the Gothic series you will most likely play a few hours and never touch this game again. Which, for the asking price, may not be that bad of a thing.
Very intriguing concept but does nothing to distinguish itselfScorpy | Jan. 30, 2013 | Review of Inversion NA - PC
Inversion reminded me a lot of 2012's Spec Ops: The Line. It's an incredibly generic shooter with a slight twist. However, in Spec Ops, the twist made going through the generic shooting parts all worthwhile. All Inversion has to promise is its innovation, which is where the game falters. Its entire premise of 'inversion' isn't exactly as awe-inspiring or intriguing as the game leads you to believe. All qualms aside, Inversion is a pretty decent, if not painfully average cover-based shooter. You might not want to shell out $40 for this sucker and wait until it drops well under $20, because you've probably played this game before, and you've probably paid for it before as well.
A solid simulationScorpy | Jan. 29, 2013 | Review of Euro Truck Simulator 2 STEAM - PC
Euro Truck Simulator, as niche as it may seem, is actually entertaining. Although it serves no real purpose, its polish is pretty impressive and its scope is very broad. You can literally drive all over Europe, and the amount of detail is pretty surprising. This isn't a lowly cash-in, Euro Truck Simulator actually aspires to be something more than standard fare, and I'd say they've done a pretty good job with the game.
A let down of a gameScorpy | Jan. 29, 2013 | Review of Postal III (1) - PC
Postal III is not the spiritual successor to Postal II. Running With Scissors, the original developer, outsourced the game only to find it had been butchered (no pun intended) to pieces. The funny, ridiculous over the top style of 2 is seen in bits and pieces and whenever those moments arrive they don't last nearly long enough. The graphics are decent for a budget title, but the gameplay is ridden with glitches. The game is woefully incomplete, both content-wise and production-wise. Postal III, at times mind-numbingly bland and seldom as exciting and hilarious as 2, is a pretty big disappointment. Fans of 2 will likely despise 3, and people unfamiliar with the series will be turned off by the entire thing. Skip this one.
Fun little gameScorpy | Jan. 29, 2013 | Review of The Cave - PC
The Cave, Double Fine Productions' most recent effort, is a budget title with a lot to offer. At only $15, The Cave offers quite a lot of content. Much akin to the old Maniac Mansion titles, The Cave is a 2.5D adventure exploration game, where the player takes control of 3 player-chosen characters, each with special abilities and powers. The premise is fantastic and the execution is brilliant. It has the style that has come to be expected from Double Fine, and is a blast to play. One gripe however: the PC port is very shoddy. FPS lock makes it run slowly and there are features missing from the Wii U version. Still, if you need to get it on PC, this is a great game to enjoy (preferably with friends in local co-op). For some reason it has no online co-op which should have been a no-brainer. Regardless, this is a fun and cheap little game.
As good as a combat flight sim getsScorpy | Jan. 29, 2013 | Review of Janes Advanced Strike Fighters - PC
It's hard to pull off this somewhat niche genre, but JASF accomplishes quite a lot in its efforts. Very reminiscent of Ubisoft's H.A.W.X, JASF is fast-paced and big in scale. The gameplay is addicting and, from my experience, nearly flawless in that I did not encounter many game-breaking glitches. The Single player campaign is fairly routine, but you'll likely be spending more time in the multiplayer portion, which is a blast. There's always somebody looking for a game, and they are very welcoming of inexperienced players. You can't go wrong with JASF. For its price, you're getting a realistic but fun, almost arcade-like flight sim that will last you a good while even after the SP campaign is done. Solid title.
Great upgradeScorpy | Jan. 29, 2013 | Review of Dead Island Upgrade Pack - PC
If you have the base game, you owe it to yourself to get this pack. It adds a LOT of content for its tiny asking price. Certainly one of the better bargains you will ever get when it comes to downloadable content. Ryder's campaign is fun and the ripper mod adds a bit of flare to your zombie killing rituals. Definitely a must buy for anybody who owns the game!
A return to formScorpy | Jan. 29, 2013 | Review of DMC Devil May Cry - PC
DmC: Devil May Cry could not be more polarizing. On one hand, it's loved for its revamp of a series that has been stale for 4 iterations. Developed by British studio Ninja Theory, DmC feels a lot more western than its heavily asian-influenced brethren. If that's good or not depends on your preferences. DmC's gameplay is the same at heart. A hack and slash through and through, it's only momentarily varied in its boss fights, which are one of the game's disappointing aspects. Boss fights are few and far between, but those that are there are extremely fun to play. DmC provides some attitude perhaps to cover its stale and rehashed gameplay. It's an extremely polarizing game in that you will either hate or love its style, which is in-your-face and most of the time cringe-worthy. Still, the asking price is steep. This is a budget title at best, and a pretty good one at that.
Callback to games of yesteryearScorpy | Jan. 19, 2013 | Review of Dark Void Zero - PC
Dark Void Zero is first and foremost a love letter to retro games. It's short, sweet, and pretty concise for its low price point. The music is fantastic, the controls are tight, the graphics suitably retro. The only problem is the length. However, for the asking price, you cannot really complain about that.
Great additionScorpy | Jan. 19, 2013 | Review of Sid Meiers Civilization V Civilization and Scenario Pack Polynesia - PC
Polynesia offers one of the best perks of any civilization: being able to cross ocean tiles without needing the advanced technology to do so. Thus you have a great upper hand on your competition in ocean-based maps. Definitely one of the better Civ 5 DLC packs out there.
Poor port, great gamesScorpy | Jan. 17, 2013 | Review of IREM Arcade Hits - PC
The big draw ins for this pack are Metal Slug and Kung Fu Master. Undoubtedly 2 of IREM's bigges thits, they headline a pretty great collection of solid releases from the developer. One qualm I had however: playing with a gamepad is nearly impossible. Some games flat out just don't support it and most have a hard time picking up the input. If you don't plan on playing with a gamepad, this is a great buy. Otherwise, you might want to hold out for a price drop.
Decent price for a decent additionScorpy | Jan. 17, 2013 | Review of Krater Character DLC Mayhem MK13 - PC
This character DLC for Krater is pretty straight forward. Although it's good to see a constant influx of new content, it may not be what you're looking for in your DLC. At nearly $4, this extra character might be a bit steep for those who don't enjoy Krater too much. If you play the game often, it's well worth it. Mayhem MK13 has strong melee skills and good ranged combat, making him a pretty essential part of a successful co-op team.
Decent zombie shooterScorpy | Jan. 17, 2013 | Review of Deadly 30 - PC
It's difficult to recommend Deadly 30 because it doesn't offer much that is new. However, what it does it surely does well. Deadly 30 is a solid zombie shooter, somewhat reminiscent of old flash games from the mid 2000s. There is a ton of action, simplistic but solid gameplay, and some decent audio sound effects and music as well. If you can find this at a low price, I can easily recommend this.
Not as bad as it may seemScorpy | Jan. 17, 2013 | Review of Nicky Boom 1 2 - PC
Nicky Boom is pretty straight forward. You collect things, you jump on platforms, you solve puzzles. Its gameplay and style are simplistic, and its charm surprisingly strong. The art style is reminiscent of Alex Kidd, and the platforming controls are surprisingly tight. Although you might find a game such as this for free on the internet, at its low price it's difficulty not to recommend it for kids.
Great multiplayer combat gameScorpy | Jan. 17, 2013 | Review of Chivalry - PC
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is first and foremost a multiplayer-only game. There is little to no single-player (aside from bot games and such). That being said, it does what it sets out to do very well: simulate medieval combat. Fighting is fun, and watching the chaos unfold on massive medieval landscapes is something to be admired. However, at its steep price of $25, and its fluctuating online activity, it is hard to recommend Chivalry unless you can get it at a reasonable price.
About as abysmal as a cheap game can beScorpy | Jan. 17, 2013 | Review of Alien Shooter - PC
Alien Shooter's cheap price may catch many eyes, but do not be mistaken, this is not only a blatantly generic shooter, but also a broken and ugly one. With its outdated graphics, bad control and even worse story, Alien Shooter is probably one of the worst games I've touched in a long while. Avoid at all costs.
The beginning of a legendScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Sonic the Hedgehog - PC
Sonic The Hedgehog is a fast-paced platformer built for the attitude generation. With some edgy tunes, badass art style and great level design, Sonic the Hedgehog is definitely one of gaming's cornerstone franchises. I really urge you to pick this up. The price might be a bit steep, but it's well worth it if you've never checked out this franchise.
Decent gameScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Sonic Adventure DX - PC
Sonic Adventure DX isn't the best Adventure game (that is reserved for 2), but it's not a bad game by any means. It introduced quite a slew of new, cool ideas that were used in later Sonic games. The one qualm I have is that the game feels unfinished. It's very broken and unpolished. The port itself is decent, but it's just not that great of a finished product. Still, for modern Sonic fans, this game is a must have.
Cheap and entertainingScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Sonic Generations Casino Nights Pinball DLC - PC
This DLC is very fairly priced and just as entertaining. This takes the Sonic Spinball premise and turns it into a pretty good distraction. Unlike the overpriced Sonic Spinball, this DLC has a great asking price. Plus, the new music rendition of Casino Nights is great. Still really want a Casino Nights level though.
The day Sonic diedScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Sonic Adventure 2 - PC
Until Sonic Generations (with the exception of Sonic Colors), Sonic had never been the same. Sonic Adventure 2 perfected the 3D Sonic formula, and put every game after it to shame. From the great music, to the impressive graphics and gameplay, Sonic Adventure 2 really shines. Pick it up as soon as you can. The voice acting is bad in a good way and it just has so much charm.
Great fighting game but very datedScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Virtua Fighter 2 - PC
Virtual Fighter 2 paved the way for 2.5D fighting games. Its innovation in environmental design was groundbreaking and it was a pretty big hit. It's not Tekken or Street Fighter, there is no juggling or button mashing. Virtua Fighter uses technique and knowledge above all else. This is where the Virtual Fighter series got its start. If you can get past the dated graphics, you're in for a treat.
A lost gemScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Ristar - PC
Ristar, made by the Sonic Team, is very similar to Sonic. The design and music is similar, but its gameplay is where it breaks from Sonic. The gameplay is fluid, complex, well paced and unique. The mechanics are fresh, even today, and the style is pretty cool. Ristar is one of the best games to come out on Genesis and it really tanked and never recovered. Hopefully this leads to more people discovering this great lost gem.
One of the best recent efforts from Sonic TeamScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Sonic Generations - PC
Sonic Generations combines the fast-paced and chaotic gameplay of modern Sonic (think Sonic Colors) and the nostalgia of classic Sonic. Although some levels are abysmal (Planet Wisp, Crisis City and Sky Sanctuary come to mind), most of them are very fun to play. The classic Sonic levels are fantastic fun and the tight controls are somewhat back, although it's not nearly as responsive as it should be. Modern Sonic is fine, but it often turns into classic Sonic for too long. Sonic Generations is the best recent Sonic game. Although it's doubtful how they will top this compilation of Sonic history, it's still very fun to play.
Great price, great funScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Sonic CD - PC
Sonic CD is one of the best 2D sonic games. I'll admit, I didn't even bother trying to learn about the time travel stuff, but I still had a blast. The port is fine, no slowdown, controls are fine. Definitely play with a gamepad, as the keyboard controls are atrocious. Still, for this price, you cannot complain.
Great puzzle/physics gameScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of World of Goo - PC
World of Goo takes its basic premise of puzzle-solving by building towers and turns it into a very intriguing and fresh new indie game. With its fantastic music, great art style and odd but intriguing story, World of Goo is sure to please just about anybody. Pick this up straight away if you love puzzle games!
Fun City SimScorpy | Jan. 14, 2013 | Review of Tropico 3 - PC
Tropico 3 is as good as its kind of game gets. Graphics are pretty impressive (for its time), gameplay is smooth and easy to learn (pretty intuitive UI) and the music is decent. Tropico has a lot of intricate game mechanics that make the experience great, but it often falters where it should rise. Tropico 3 is great for a while, but ultimately it becomes stale very fast. If you can get past the repetitive environments, events and features then you will have a blast.
Decent platformerScorpy | Jan. 13, 2013 | Review of Sugar Cube Bittersweet Factory Steam - PC
Sugar Cube is a decent platformer at best. Its controls are tight but the art design and sound effects are severly lacking. Animation is poor and everything sounds cheap. It reminded me a bit of one of those free games you get preinstalled when you buy a premade computer. Not the best impression to give off. Still, if you can get it very cheap (or free) then I suggest it.
Just as fun as Dead Rising 2, not worth repurchase at its priceScorpy | Jan. 7, 2013 | Review of Dead Rising 2 Off the Record - PC
Dead Rising 2 is one of my favorite games. Dead Rising in general is just a great series, with a great premise and fun gameplay. The possibilities are endless, and Off The Record amps up the fun, but at a very steep price. Capcom got a lot of hate for releasing this for $40, although the logic kind of works. It's Dead Rising 2 with a bit of new content, so the price point makes sense. HOWEVER, it should have been offered as DLC for Dead Rising 2, as it adds little to the game. It adds the Uranus Zone, which itself contains a lot of copied stores from other malls in the game, with only a few new items and areas. Buy this if you don't own 2 or if it's cheap and you're a fan.
Great story with some decent actionScorpy | Jan. 7, 2013 | Review of Spec Ops The Line - PC
Spec Ops: The Line isn't your typical action shooter. Get ready to have your pants blown off by the scope and ambition of the story. Spec Ops: The Line looks Call of Duty, Battlefield and other generic shooters look like the soulless cash-ins they may or may not be. It calls out the brutal and dramatic consequences of warfare in a way that really challenges the player and makes it pretty hard to think of shooters in the same way again. The music is fantastic, consisting of classic rock and moody guitar stings throughout. The voice acting was fantastic and the characters feel whole. Buy this for the story and not the shooting, or the tacked-on multiplayer.
The perfect sequel, but still has its problemsScorpy | Jan. 7, 2013 | Review of Batman Arkham City Game of the Year (1) - PC
Batman: Arkham City's biggest flaw is that it tries to fool you. Arkham City is technically not a city at all. My biggest problem with the game was that I was really hoping I'd be able to fly about an entire living, breathing city as the caped crusader. However, this game's setting is very disappointing. Arkham City is dirty, lifeless and bland. The story is somewhat decent, and does a lot of fan service to comic book afficionados. The gameplay and combat is as good as ever, really adding bulk to the game where the other parts fail. It's great looking but not fantastic, and the music is decent. Arkham City is the best sequel you can make. Somewhat bigger than Arkham Asylum and much more refined, Arkham City's biggest problem is that it's not nearly big enough to warrant more than 10-15 hours worth of play.
Oddly addicting and beautiful gameScorpy | Jan. 7, 2013 | Review of Red Faction Guerilla - PC
Although Red Faction Guerilla's setting seems bland and boring, there is a certain prettiness about it. Mars' landscapes are barren and red, but I had no trouble spending as much time as I wanted in there. Red Faction Guerilla's main gimmick is its destructible environments. It's very fun for the first few hours, but it eventually becomes somewhat old once you get used to see massive structures tumble at your feet. That's not to say it's not fun, it's just that the charm wears off fast. The story is corny and cheesy, with dialogue often cringe-inducing and never that great. You most likely won't play for the story, though. Red Faction Guerilla is an interesting addition to the series. It tries to be different while still being the same and that's a hard thing to accomplish. For that, I admire it quite a lot and had a great time playing it.
Decent hack and slashScorpy | Jan. 7, 2013 | Review of Devil May Cry 4 - PC
Devil May Cry 4 pulls no punches. Much like the last few games, it's cheesy, sloppy, corny and repetitive. However, there's an undeniable charm here that just keeps me coming back. The gameplay has not changed a bit. By today's standards, the combat is pretty sloppy. Combos don't make much sense and the physics are pretty lame. Graphically, it's pretty outstanding. Cutscenes are great, as Capcom always uses some outstanding motion capture technology to make film-like cutscenes. The music is standard for the series, a bunch of emo-punk rock with some soft melodic classical music thrown into the mix. It's really hit or miss. Devil May Cry 4 is more of the same for the series, but slightly amped up. The graphics are better, the music is better, the voices are clearer, but the gameplay remains troublesome and tiresome.
Decent port but aged very badlyScorpy | Jan. 7, 2013 | Review of Jet Set Radio - PC
Jet Set Radio was, at the time it came out, pretty unique. Its quirky story, in-your-face gameplay and strange gameplay made up for one of the oddest releases from gaming giant Sega. The game was decent at best when it was released, but it certainly has not aged well. The graphics are certainly dated, but the art style just feels very strange. The port is decent, but it surely could have used a graphics revamping. This is a bare-bones port, nothing new here. If you're a fan of the original, this will be a sure thing. Otherwise, you might want to do a bit of research.
A match made in heavenScorpy | Dec. 28, 2012 | Review of LEGO Lord of the Rings NA - PC
LEGO and Lord of the Rings are two things that just go so well together. LEGO's tongue-in-cheek humor and LOTR's trademark lore are a fantastic combination. This is by far the best LEGO game I've played to date, and also the best port I've played. There are many graphic options and it even supports Steam achivements and controllers. Pick this up if you're a fan of either series, you won't be disappointed!
Not-so-ultimate EditionScorpy | Dec. 28, 2012 | Review of Homefront Ultimate Edition - PC
As I mentioned in another review, Homefront was one of my most anticipated titles for a long time. It story held great promise, and the crew attached really made up one of my favorite ensemble teams in a long time. The game itself, however, fell short of what I (and I assume most other educated buyers) was expecting. Homefront looks like a generic fps game when taken at face value, however the story has many underlying themes that really take a while to sink in. Once they do, it's very easy to enjoy the game for what it is: a great experience. Seeing this sort of ravaged, dystopian future represented in a way that is uncomfortably realistic is very off-putting. Much like the 1984 film Red Dawn (and its terrible 2012 remake), the story involves a massive invasion in our own backyard. Although the concept may seem familiar, its execution is impressive and scope unimaginable. Where the game falls short is its actual content. Here it is quality over quantity. For its price, that may not be the best attitude to adopt. The story is short. VERY short. Whatever little story there is fantastic, and coupled with the amazing atmosphere of the game it truly makes for a great package. There just isn't enough of it. Not enough to earn a purchase, anyhow. I won't mention the tacked-on multiplayer modes because they are completely dead. Not a soul is playing this game online. The Ultimate Edition is a huge letdown, as it contains only extra multiplayer content. Anybody who's played Homefront before knows its multiplayer is a desert wasteland. Therefore, I cannot recommend this pack and can only suggest getting the base game of it is cheap.
One of the best open world sandbox games I've ever playedScorpy | Dec. 28, 2012 | Review of Saints Row 2 (1) - PC
Saints Row 2 set the bar for open world sandbox games. The amount of customization, story and activities was mind boggling when it came out. Its graphics, although not amazing, were still great and its soundtrack and voice acting top notch. Is it still just as great? Yes. If you can get past the terrible port, you'll find a great gem of a game. In my opinion, Saints Row 2 is much better than 3 or 1. It has the crazy, offbeat vibe of 3 but with the heart, story and (relative) maturity of 1. You won't be slapping people with dildo bats but you will be driving a septic tank and shooting people with excrement. Pick this up at all costs if you absolutely love open world sandbox games. If you liked 3, you will like this for sure, probably even moreso.
Not off to a great startScorpy | Dec. 28, 2012 | Review of Borderlands 2 Season Pass NA - PC
When I heard that Gearbox would be outsourcing the bulk of their DLC, I regretted buying this almost immediately. Finally the first DLC pack came out and I was thoroughly disappointed. It didn't bring anything to the table that wasn't already there. The second pack was then released, and although it was a bit easier to sit through due to good writing, it still played just as blandly and similarly as the first. If you really, really love BL2 then this is probably for you. If you enjoyed it but didn't adore it, skip this.
Decent DLC very badly pricedScorpy | Dec. 28, 2012 | Review of Darksiders II Arguls Tomb DLC - PC
Argul's Tomb is great, no doubt about it. It adds more gameplay and bulk to the game. However, for the price, it doesn't add nearly enough. It's a great addition to the game as it fits in just perfectly and plays like the rest, which is what all DLC should do. I just can't recommend it because it isn't worth $7 at all. If it's on special, pick it up, otherwise skip it or wait for it to drop.
Fun game but terrible portScorpy | Dec. 28, 2012 | Review of Darksiders II - PC
Darksiders 2 reminded me a lot of the Legend of Zelda games but with a much different lore. The puzzle solving, platforming, inventory management, it's all been done before. However, Darksiders 2 still does it relatively well. The port to PC was terribly done. The game suffers from performance issues not seen on consoles, the graphics options are very limited, and the mouse & keyboard controls are less than stellar. I actually can't play much of the game, because it will stutter every 3 seconds making gameplay irritating and annoying. Be wary if you pick this up, it's much better on consoles.
Fans will love this, others will be on the fenceScorpy | Dec. 21, 2012 | Review of Doom 3 BFG Edition Nexway - PC
This is, first and foremost, not only Doom 3. The title is a bit misleading, but it's mostly a collection of past Doom games. Fans of the genre will be enhtralled by the inclusion of such classics, while others won't care much for them. Doom 3 is my least favorite of the franchise, but if you can get past its hangups it is truly a great sci-fi shooter. The price is a bit steep, wait for it to drop a bit. It's a fairly old game, and thus keep that in mind while playing.
Fun Multiplayer ActionScorpy | Dec. 21, 2012 | Review of Chivalry - PC
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is somewhat unique, in that it approaches the FPS from a brutal, melee-focused perspective. It reminded me a lot of Pirates, Vikings & Knights, which was a free Source Mod on Steam. There are objectives and deatchmatch games. Where the game really shines are the objective maps. Seeing an entire team work together to bring down another really has a way of putting a smile on someone's face. The price is a bit too steep, so I'd say wait for it to drop. The multiplayer can at times be laggy and buggy, so until a polished update comes out you might want to sit this one out.
Ravaged is a mixed bagScorpy | Dec. 21, 2012 | Review of Ravaged - PC
I supported this game very early in development. The emphasis on multiplayer is fantastic and the style was promised to be unique. They didn't manage to really pull through on their promises, however. Ravaged's gameplay is solid. It's not amazing, nor terrible. The style is bland and bleak, think RAGE without as much polish. The multiplayer is dead. This defeats the entire purpose of the game. Maybe if it drops way down in price, or becomes free, it will see a surge of players, but for now it's completely inactive. That being said, I have no way of recommending this game, no matter how good it may be.
A great action adventure gameScorpy | Dec. 21, 2012 | Review of Tomb Raider Anniversary - PC
Tomb Raider: Anniversary is perhaps the best Tomb Raider game yet. It combines the fantastic gameplay elements of the earlier iterations with the graphics of the mid 2000s. It's great fun and never truly frustrating, only challenging. Definitely pick this up if you're a fan of the Uncharted series or other action adventure titles.
To The Moon is the perfect RPG experienceScorpy | Dec. 20, 2012 | Review of To The Moon - PC
Fans of RPGs such as Golden Sun and Final Fantasy will be enthralled to hear To The Moon is the perfect callback to such games. Not only is the gameplay and style similar, but the soundtrack and story are actually much better than those games. I picked this up based on the style alone. I'm a huge fan of these types of RPGs. I wasn't disappointed. Not only that, but I was amazed by how immersing and heartfelt the story was. To The Moon should not be missed by anybody. Whether you're a casual gamer or hardcore one, there is something for everybody here.
A family simulation game with little to offerScorpy | Dec. 20, 2012 | Review of Virtual Families - PC
Unlike The Sims, which is $20 more expensive, Virtual Families is bare-bones and stripped down to its very essentials. You'd be hard-pressed to find a game this basic and simple, even in the oversaturated shovelware market. Virtual Families isn't TERRIBLE. It does its job quite well. It does what it needs to do, which is simulate a virtual family. Although series such as The Sims arguably do it better, Virtual Family might need some time to grow in order to reach full potential. This is a solid casual simulation title, but do not expect anything beyond what is presented at face value.
Frustrating fun, but little value beyond thatScorpy | Dec. 20, 2012 | Review of Super Meat Boy - PC
Super Meat Boy will have you repeating levels over and over in order to beat them. In fact, you MUST repeat a level over and over to beat it. Unlike Hotline Miami, however, it isn't a justified repetition. Most deaths feel cheap and unjust, mostly due to the lack of knowledge on the player's part of the level. Once you die, you go back to the beginning. That's not bad, but having to redo some grueling level segments gets irritating. Play this if you really need a fast-paced platformer.
A fantastic, unique experience from SegaScorpy | Dec. 20, 2012 | Review of NiGHTS into DREAMS - PC
NiGHTS into Dreams has been on PlayStation Network for quite a while now. This port to the PC is just as good. It contains the same content as the other ports but at a discounted price. NiGHTS into Dreams isn't easily described. It's a bit of a experiment on Sega's part. It's got a lot of Sega's classic charm and allure. It plays a bit like a 2.5d side scroller, but there is also a bunch of flying and collecting... you need to play it to experience it really. At full price ($10), you might want to look it up before you play. If you're confident enough, pick it up. You won't be disappointed.
A terrific, engrossing RPG experienceScorpy | Dec. 20, 2012 | Review of Fallout New Vegas Nexway - PC
Fallout: New Vegas is by far the best of the series. The addicting and solid gameplay are complimented by interesting lore and great attention to detail. The graphics are alright for a Fallout game, not much is to be expected here. The sound is fantastic, from ambiance to gun sounds. The dialogue is crisp and clean, and the music is non-intrusive. The DLC is optional but fantastic, especially Old World Blues. Old World Blues alone gave me approximately 20 hours of extra gameplay and is definitely worth the price. Fallout is a beloved series. New Vegas only heightens its impact on how RPGs are seen, not as stat-crazy grinding games, but as excellent opportunities to explore fantastic new worlds.
A step in the right directionScorpy | Dec. 11, 2012 | Review of Dishonored Dunwall City Trials - PC
With its less than stellar story and dated graphics, Dishonored only had its fast and fluid gameplay to fall back on. Thankfully the devs took note, and made a greatly priced dlc that is nothing but gameplay. No lame story, no lame "wow look at this wonderful vista, we're going to force you to watch this for 10 minutes" moments. Just action, stealth and combat. Worth the $5, if you were disappointed by the story, this will give you some hope.
$5 too muchScorpy | Dec. 11, 2012 | Review of XCOM Enemy Unknown Slingshot DLC - PC
Although the asking price of $7 seems low for DLC, there isn't enough content to even justify a price over $2. The added Council missions are just that... Council missions. The added missions don't feel like they're a part of the game and you rarely even get to play them. The only content readily available is the addition of an asian squad member and a few new customization options. Wait until it drops in price.
A fun little experience from start to finishScorpy | Dec. 11, 2012 | Review of Bastion - PC
Bastion is one of those rare titles that manages to never disappoint no matter how many chances it's given. Bastion could have gone wrong in so many places, however it pulls everything off with relative ease. The music is compelling and fits every scenario perfectly. Worth a listen on its own. The story and acting are surprisingly good, with fantastic narration providing some much-needed weight to the game. The art style and graphics are unique, and will either please or annoy the gamer. The unique perspective makes some levels hard to play, but never impossible to finish. In conclusion, Bastion is a nice little indie game that is worth perhaps half of its value. Once you complete it there is no real reason to go back, and the story is relatively short. Certainly wait for a sale on this one.
An immersive, addicting and exciting experienceScorpy | Dec. 11, 2012 | Review of XCOM Enemy Unknown NA POST - PC
I'd never played any of the other XCOM games beforehand, and I'm not a huge fan of turn-based strategy games. XCOM manages, however, to appeal to just about anybody, whether you're a strategy fan, shooter fan or just like micro-managing things. The graphics are alright, the game possesses a unique style that makes it easy to take the game more lightly, albeit the UI and menus are gorgeous and the high-tech displays are very well produced. They look like something out of a movie. The gameplay is fantastic. You have the option to play with a keyboard & mouse or gamepad. I've played both and they both work seamlessly. I might even lean slightly towards the gamepad, because the game was produced with consoles in mind. The keyboard and mouse, however, are refined as ever. They did a great job at not alienating anybody. The music is ok at times, but there are other times that the music is outstanding, almost like a film score. XCOM has a lot of variety. You can micro-manage just about everything and it never seems overwhelming. One great addition was the customization and variety of squads. Unlike games such as Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, where you micro-manage pre-determined characters, you can customize every soldier and asset you have, adding a great deal of personal attachment to the characters. It's hard to find anything XCOM: Enemy Unknown does wrong. If I had to nitpick, it would be the lackluster story and the occasional physics glitch. Those really don't matter, however, as the game thoroughly satisfies all criteria for a great game. Pick this up as soon as you can.
A near-perfect gameScorpy | Dec. 10, 2012 | Review of Hitman Absolution Professional Edition NA - PC
Hitman: Absolution is not Hitman: Blood Money. Lets get that out of the way right now. It's no Splinter Cell: Conviction either. It's its own game. Hitman: Absolution is a unique blend of stealth, action, comedy and creativity. The gameplay is fluid, intuitive and quite deep. The story is cringe-worthy at times and falls flat more often than not. The atmosphere of Hitman: Absolution is engrossing and gorgeous, from the beautiful vistas to the dirty and gloomy alleyways. Hitman: Absolution pits you against several foes. If you play your cards right, they will never see you coming. Thanks to unique level-specific challenges and achievements, the game gives you many ways of completing a level. How you play is entirely up to you. The only qualm I have with the game, aside from the bad dialogue and story, is the scoring system. The scoring system does not dictate how you should play, but it does only work with one play style. If you gun everybody down and go balls out during a mission, your score will be abysmal. This will hinder your story progess, as you will not unlock new abilities and make the next missions much harder. In the end, Hitman: Absolution is a fantastic game that pushes the boundaries of what a game can look like, all the while enabling a creative and comic atmosphere for the player to fool around and work in. Hitman: Absolution is a benchmark for all future stealth titles.
An enjoyable experience, but ultimately a disappointing oneScorpy | Dec. 10, 2012 | Review of The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Nexway (1) - PC
If you are familiar to Elder Scrolls, you will either love or hate Skyrim. The in-between is where non-Elder Scrolls fans fall. I'd never played an Elder Scrolls game before, and I found Skyrim's lore to be quite engrossing. However, the gameplay itself and story were less than stellar and I found myself not wanting to return to the game. Contrarily to the similar open-world RPG games Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, I had no desire to explore and no desire to truly play this for longer than I needed to. Skyrim is missing that "it" factor that the previous Fallout games had, despite being nearly identical in gameplay and features. If you are looking for an engrossing RPG experience, maybe look the game up before getting it. It's being praised across the board, but I just failed to see what all the fuss was about.
Fantastic experience from beginning to endScorpy | Dec. 10, 2012 | Review of Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition NA - PC
Dark Souls is probably the least polished game I've played in the past few years. The fact that I was able to enjoy it as much as I did is a testament to how great the design is. The game is not hard as most people claim it to be... it is just extremely unforgiving. There is no room for mistakes in Dark Souls, and that adds an atmosphere of extreme tension that never lets up. Even when you are safe, there is a pit in your stomach as you prepare to face what is ahead. If you can get past the ugliness and terrible optimization of the game, you'll be in for a real treat.
A blast from the past not fit for the presentScorpy | Dec. 10, 2012 | Review of Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (1) - PC
Being a huge fan of the classic Mortal Kombat games, I picked this up immediately. It was a huge mistake. You will get better performance out of emulation than this collection. Skip this one at all costs... here is the long list of reasons why: It uses Games For Windows Live: Not everybody hates GFWL, but forcing it on a game like this is a lazy excuse for not wanting to make your own DRM. No resolution options, even if you mofify the INI files: You need a third-party mod to change the resolution. More lazy dev work. No local multiplayer: What is Mortal Kombat without some awesome couch competitive multiplayer? Terribly optimized: FPS drops where it shouldn't, game locks up for no reason... Terrible design: Sound effects play randomly or don't play at all. FPS drops constantly. Multiplayer is laggy beyond belief. There are literally no redeeming qualities for this collection. You're better off getting the XBLA/PSN releases of the individual games, as they run much better.
Great fun for a small priceScorpy | Dec. 10, 2012 | Review of Scribblenauts Unlimited NA - PC
Scribblenauts Unlimited marks 5th Cell's first venture into the PC market with their acclaimed franchise. The result is a fun, albeit watered-down experience. Compared to the Wii U version, Scribblenauts Unlimited for PC is not only $30 cheaper but also easier to use. The game's mechanics and features are very intuitive on PC compared to the Wii U gamepad. Not all that glitters is gold, however, as Scribblenauts Unlimted is missing one massive feature: multiplayer. This feature is present in the Wii U version and elevates the gameplay massively. The fun of having both local and online players control your creations to help you complete levels is addictive and hilarious. The absence of this feature may be justified by the 50% price slash, but it also makes the game seem 50% complete. There is a tangible void where this feature should be. Regardless, if you are not looking for a fun multiplayer experience, Scribblenauts is a decently priced and fun experience. Otherwise, you might want to wait until its inevitable sequel is released on PC. By then, hopefully, 5th Cell will be more confident in the PC market.
Loot-filled and addictive... to a certain degreeScorpy | Dec. 8, 2012 | Review of Borderlands 2 NA post - PC
Borderlands 2 is what you'd expect: a lot of content with no real purpose. The massive amounts of guns are present, however most of them are useless. The story is hard to follow and uninteresting. The events that take place and the things that happen have both no emotional impact and most importantly no reason to exist. The gameplay is the same as the first, with different abilities and perks. Guns are fun to shoot, and there are many, so buckle up! The writing is where this game really shines. Witty, unforgiving and just plain deadpan, the writing in Borderlands 2 is a step in the right direction. It gives the game a much-needed personality boost that was missing in the first. The multiplayer aspect is the same as the first, nothing changed. If you like loot-filled, stat-grinding multiplayer games then this might just be your holy grail. Anybody else looking for a fun time filled with variety, story and twists should wait until this one drops in price -- it may disappoint.
Dishonored is a victim of its own greatnessScorpy | Dec. 8, 2012 | Review of Dishonored Nextway - PC
I was a huge fan of Dishonored when it was still being hyped. Its art direction, at first, seemed incredible. Its gameplay seemed nice and fluid. Its story, riveting. All of this changes when you actually play. At full price ($60), this game is a massive disappointment. The graphics, although fitting the art style somewhat, are terrible for a game made and released this generation. The game automatically detected by hardware and maxed out all the settings, and at first I thought I was playing on the lowest ones. Although it is admirable that the art direction taken here is unique, it does not justify the absolutely horrendous look of the game. Some might say it suits the watercolor/oil pastel style of the game. I say that's just an excuse for poor detailing and shoddy modeling. The gameplay really shines, however, as I found myself playing far longer than I wanted to. Taking people down, whether it be in a lethal fashion or not, is simply addictive and seamless. The gameplay is as promised, fluid and easy. No qualms here. The real problem this game has is the story. For a game with so much of it, it really doesn't try to immerse you at any point. You're dropped into the game and setting with barely any introduction. What I can only assume are to be plot twists fall flat when they happen to characters you have no interest in. The main character is one-dimensional and (of course) silent. Not a single character has an ounce of personality, and the music is faceless and nearly absent. Wait for this game to drop in price (about $15).
Homefront is one step forwards, but two steps backScorpy | Dec. 8, 2012 | Review of Homefront - PC
Homefront was one of my most anticipated titles for a long time. It story held great promise, and the crew attached really made up one of my favorite ensemble teams in a long time. The game itself, however, fell short of what I (and I assume most other educated buyers) was expecting. Homefront looks like a generic fps game when taken at face value, however the story has many underlying themes that really take a while to sink in. Once they do, it's very easy to enjoy the game for what it is: a great experience. Seeing this sort of ravaged, dystopian future represented in a way that is uncomfortably realistic is very off-putting. Much like the 1984 film Red Dawn (and its terrible 2012 remake), the story involves a massive invasion in our own backyard. Although the concept may seem familiar, its execution is impressive and scope unimaginable. Where the game falls short is its actual content. Here it is quality over quantity. For its price, that may not be the best attitude to adopt. The story is short. VERY short. Whatever little story there is fantastic, and coupled with the amazing atmosphere of the game it truly makes for a great package. There just isn't enough of it. Not enough to earn a purchase, anyhow. I won't mention the tacked-on multiplayer modes because they are completely dead. Not a soul is playing this game online. Wait for the price to drop further on this one, maybe $5 or less. Much like the price of a movie rental. You won't be disappointed.
When it's all said and done, what's painful is this DLC.Scorpy | Dec. 5, 2012 | Review of Max Payne 3 Painful Memories Pack - PC
Max Payne 3's single-player campaign is fantastic, however its multiplayer is deader than Max's family. At its height (which is around 3PM eastern) there are on average 200 people. Unless you play at that time, you will only get to play Deathmatch as there aren't enough people to fill the other playlists. It's a shame, because Max Payne 3's multiplayer gameplay is addictive and satisfying.These map packs are a complete waste of money, seeing as multiplayer is a virtual wasteland. This isn't a knock on the quality of the DLC. Although it is overpriced, it's still a great addition to the multiplayer. If only they created some single-player DLC, it might have some value. Otherwise, it's a waste. Don't bother.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, Square EnixScorpy | Nov. 3, 2012 | Review of Sleeping Dogs DLC Nightmare on Northpoint - PC
I'm all for expansion packs, especially when they sway from the base game's style so much. However, Nightmare in North Point seems rushed, as if the developers felt they needed to release something on Halloween and shat out this abomination. After a very short opening sequence, the game drops you in a Hong Kong overrun with mythical creatures. Although the new take on the zombie is refreshing, the execution is done poorly. The zombies must be stunned in order to be killed, which becomes VERY time consuming and annoying after the initial charm wears off. Due to this being an external expansion, NiN does not take into account any of your main story progress. Thus, you are stripped of any upgrades you acquired as well as any clothing and vehicles. The lack of combat upgrades makes fighting the enemies a lot harder and not nearly as fun. There are approximately 8 story missions, each lasting around 3 to 10 minutes each. Most of them consist of going to a location, fighting off enemies, then chasing a single enemy to another location, and repeating the process. The secondary missions are no different, removing cut scenes and consisting of nothing but clearing a certain area of zombies. Rewards are disappointing, with the player earning only a preset outfit from the main story every time a mission is completed. The writing and presentation, however, is very well executed. Chock full of B-Movie references and dark humor, NiN does not skimp on style, with most of the city being stylized to match the dark setting. Although it only costs $5, you will get at maximum 2 hours out of this DLC. I beat every mission, main and secondary, as well as found the 10 hell shrines in an hour and 40 minutes. Be weary, if you absolutely love Sleeping Dogs and don't mind sitting through some sub-par DLC to enjoy it some more, go ahead. Otherwise, wait for an inevitable price drop.


text:
The deal put in place on Aug. 2 essentially guaranteed that the limit on the U.S. national debt would be raised to $16.4 trillion in January. That means any sound and fury that emanates from Washington this week over raising the debt limit will signify nothing.
"It's pro-forma. They already made a deal to raise the debt ceiling last time around," said Shah Gilani, Money Morning Capital Waves Strategist and author of the Wall Street Insights & Indictments newsletter. "The President has to ask for the increase -- which makes it look like he caused it -- and the Republicans get to display anger that "here we are again.' But it's a game they agreed to earlier."
The deal in August intentionally split the debt ceiling increase into three separate requests to set up these faux debates for public consumption.
U.S. President Barack Obama did his part on Thursday by making a formal request for the $1.2 trillion increase in the debt limit.
That was the cue for Republicans in the House of Representatives to draft a "resolution of disapproval" which they will debate and vote on this week. And given that the GOP has a majority in the House, the resolution is guaranteed to pass.
In this play's next scene, the Democratic-controlled Senate rejects the resolution, which allows President Obama's requested debt ceiling increase to take effect by default - just as all sides envisioned back in August.
And even if a few rebellious Democratic Senators vote with their Republican colleagues, President Obama can veto the resolution. With the odds of Congress overriding a veto near zero, the debt ceiling increase is pretty much a lock.
But the show must go on.
Expect both parties will recycle liberally from the script written during last summer's bitter debt ceiling debate as they play out the charade. The Republicans will again decry the Democrats' fiscal irresponsibility while the Democrats tag the Republicans as extremists unwilling to compromise - talking points that will come in handy on the campaign trail.
The hypocrisy of it all is so blatant even some lawmakers are pointing it out.
"Anyone who supported this deal back in August but then votes to oppose the debt limit increase this upcoming week should take no credit for standing against reckless spending," Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-KS, grumbled to Fox News.com. "The real opportunity to stand for fiscal responsibility was in August."
News and Related Story Links:
- Money Morning:
The Debt Ceiling Debate: Will the Democrats' Gambit Lead to a Victory in the 2012 Election?
- Money Morning:
The Debt-Ceiling-Debacle: The Surprising Way a Default or Downgrade Could Crush the Global Economy
- Money Morning:
The Painful Consequences of a Debt Ceiling Increase
- Money Morning:
Why America Hates Congress
- Investors Business Daily:
Inside the latest debt limit fracas: How D.C. pols play us like violins
Tags: debt ceiling debate, debt ceiling increase, Debt limit

subset: commoncrawl


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Complete List of Google Earth Activities
Resource Type: Activities
Results 41 - 48 of 48 matches
Usefulness of Google Earth/Wikimapia as risk predictor and damage/ resilience assessment tools part of Integrate:Workshops:Teaching about Risk and Resilience:Activities
Google Earth/Wikimapia tools for risk prediction, damage and resilience assessment.
Using Google Earth to Explore Plate Tectonics part of Examples
Students use Google Earth to learn about plate tectonics by exploring the topography of the earth's continents and ocean floor, the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes, and seafloor age. They become familiar with these global data sets and understand how Earth's tectonic plates and plate boundaries are defined.
Lahar Risk Assessment part of Integrate:Workshops:Teaching the Methods of Geoscience:Activities
Students act as first responders assessing Lahar risks associated with eruptions. Teacher sets an alert placemark on the Google Earth web browser plug-in and gives students X minutes to decide whether to evacuate a down-slope town. Students collaborate by text messages.
State Electricity on Google Earth: How many Solar Panels would it Take? part of CLEAN:CLEAN Network:Teaching Materials
This activity is part of the community collection of teaching materials on climate and energy topics. These materials were submitted by faculty as part of the CLEAN Energy Workshop, held in April, 2011 and are not ...
Arctic Climate Curriculum, Activity 1: Exploring the Arctic part of Cutting Edge:Topics:Climate Change:Activities
This activity introduces students to the Arctic, including different definitions of the Arctic and exploration of the Arctic environment and Arctic people. Students set out on a virtual exploration of the ...
Selecting Sites for Renewable Energy Projects part of Examples
Students use Google Earth to investigate appropriate locations for a variety of renewable energy projects in the United States. These include projects that use solar energy, bioenergy, hydroelectricity, tidal power, wind energy, wave energy, and geothermal energy.
HydroViz virtual hydrologic observatory part of Examples
HydroViz is an educational "virtual" hydrologic observatory developed for a "real" watershed and is based on integration of field data, remote sensing observations and computer simulations of hydrologic variables and processes. The main purpose of HydroViz is to support hydrology education in engineering and earth science courses.
Virtual Field Trip (VFT) to the USGS Earthquake Hazard Program - Connection between Plate Boundaries and Threats to Life part of Integrate:Workshops:Teaching about Risk and Resilience:Activities


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044PG: Management of Prostate Cancer: A Case Based Approach with Emphasis on Integrating New Molecular Diagnostics into Clinical Practice
This course will provide a practical, evidence-based approach for the management of everyday problems in the management of prostate cancer, using a case based approach with examples from real practice. Cases will illustrate contemporary management of early and late stage disease with emphasis on how new molecular diagnostic and prognostic tests (PCA3, MDx Confirm, Mitomics, Prolaris, Oncotype Dx Prostate, Decipher, and others) can be used for improved clinical decision making in screening, decisions on initial biopsy and rebiopsy, choosing and following men for active surveillance, and managing PSA failures. In addition, best practice use of newer agents for management of castrate resistant disease will be reviewed, including the potential for use of targeted therapies based on genomic analysis of advanced tumors. The course will be of interest to individuals at all levels of clinical experience.
Objectives: After attending this course, participants should be able to:
- Design appropriate screening strategies based on individual demographics, risk factors, and PSA history and to incorporate new biomarkers into routine clinical practice
- Distinguish and understand the use of new molecular and genomic based tests for decisions on initial and rebiopsy, and choosing and following men on surveillance
- Appraise the role of surveillance, focal therapy, surgery and various forms of radiation therapy in patients with low and intermediate risk disease, including adjuvant and salvage radiation
- Enumerate and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of surgery vs radiation based approaches for the management of high risk localized disease
- Describe new therapeutic agents for the management of castrate resistant disease and outline a coherent strategy for their use
Target Audience
- Practicing Urologists
The AUA Office of Education would like to thank the companies who support continuing education of physicians. The AUA recognizes the following companies for providing educational grant support:
- AbbVie
- Amgen Inc.
- Astellas Scientific and Medical Affairs, Inc.
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals
- Janssen Biotech, Inc.
- Medivation
AUAER ensures that all educational activities are developed and implemented independent of the control and/or influence of any commercial interests (ACCME: SCS1)
3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Orange County Convention Center: W 207
|3:30 p.m.
|6:30 p.m.
|044PG: Management of Prostate Cancer: A Case Based Approach with Emphasis on Integrating New Molecular Diagnostics into Clinical Practice
|Director: Eric A. Klein, MD
|Faculty: Robert Dreicer, MD
|Faculty: Andrew J. Stephenson, MD


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This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Anarchy article.
I can't decide whether or not this is better than the last article. Better written, I guess, but it's the oldest most worn-out tactic on this site: "Hey guys I'm blurting my political thoughts by reversing them with sarcasm!"
yeah man whatever delete this shit or find who wrote it and gang rape the bieeetcha cause its not fun at all its just some anarcho-fag-ilikethingsinmyass saying that anarchy is cool-a and trying to be fun. and that sucks. because articles about nazis and jesus are agressive and sucked and this one is so wiki-like or anarchopedia-like (yeah the bitches made one and sucks because they suck) with poor poor jokes.
Okay, I've rewritten the whole thing. Some sections are missing, but I got distracted making top trumps. By the way, Proudhon looks dead similar to Bill Oddie :). TheRappingShoe 21:35, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
edit From Pee Review
I've re-written the whole Anarchy page, as the general consensus was that it sucked. Hopefully mine doesn't suck quite so much? :| PS It's still unfinished - feel free to finish it as it would save me effort.TheRappingShoe 21:39, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
- The article needs more wikilinks in the sentences. And the numbered list should be made by using # symbols. --Sbluen 21:53, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
- An anarchist bat, resolutely hanging downside-up, as is his right as an autonomous individual
- Shouldn't that be downside-down, or upside-up? --DrObvious 07:04, 9 July 2006 (UTC)
- Okay, I've fixed the above points.
- It's kind of ironic how ordered this article is. --Kelpan 21:23, 27 April 2007 (UTC)
edit Unfunny
This is a very unfunny and stupid article. It contains stereotypes which are not true (the bomb) and an untrue definition (disorder or anomos). This needs to be deleted immediately because it is not funny and seems like someone misinformed about the subject (humor). --Ionas Dalton Freeman 22:07, 29 December 2007 (UTC)
- I agree with you. It is poorly formatted and too listy. --Slavemaster2 23:50, 7 February 2008 (UTC)
edit Hillary Clinton Caption
Can someone please explain to me what's funny about this? I'm not going to revert it or anything, it's just I don't udnerstand. And don't say 'It's not funny if you have to explain it'. Munci 13:45, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
- An "Arkie" is a person from Arkansas. Think The Grapes of Wrath...no, it's not about grapes...you see, it sounds like "anarchy"...it's a homonym...no, that's not a homo joke...it's a PUN...you know...a play on........oh gawd... Professor Fate 23:39, 22 April 2008 (UTC)
Ah. I would've got it had I known the first bit but not knowing should be understandable considering I'm Scottish. What's The Grapes of Wrath about? I've never heard of that before. Munci 12:33, 23 April 2008 (UTC)
- Ah, Scotland. I wanted to go there on our last adventure, but there was no Chunnel in those days and I have a propensity for seasickness as you no doubt remember. I understand they have this thing called "humour" over there. Do you know if it is etymolocially related to "humor"? As for the book, while the Professor posseses great knowledge of both literature and grapes, it is more efficient to refer you to that other humorless site--I mean that other, humorless site. [1] Regards, Professor Fate 16:32, 23 April 2008 (UTC)
Yes, humour exists. It's one of those things people think are just a myth til they actually come to Scotland like the Loch Ness Monster, haggis or the NHS. However, it usually involves the pointing out of sexual innuendos and American neologisms like 'Arkie' do not exist in the U-word. Munci 09:37, 24 April 2008 (UTC)
Hey, since 'An Arkie' is a pun, doesn't that then make saying 'an Arkie bitch' doubly a pun and thus better to put? Munci 01:03, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
- A double pun would constitute cruel and unusual punishment, forbidden by the U.S. Constitution. While the Professor is evil he is scrupulously patriotic. Of course if you are not an American there is nothing preventing you from changing it. Heh-heh, thank God for those European savages. Professor Fate 03:24, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
edit HAHA
I love the explanation for "Post Anarchism" and "Post Modern Anarchism"
I made some adjustments to "Anarchy in practice" hope ya like it. remember, don't be so serious about this site, I myself am an Anarchist.--RawDanger 07:16, December 18, 2009 (UTC)


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STSW-STM8061ISO/IEC 15693 and Dual Interface EEPROM library for STM8L microcontrollers (AN3985)
- Active
Design ResourcesTop
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(*) Suggested Resale Price per unit (USD) for BUDGETARY USE ONLY. For quotes, prices in local currency, please contact your local ST Sales Office or our Distributors
(**) The Material Declaration forms available on st.com may be generic documents based on the most commonly used package within a package family. For this reason, they may not be 100% accurate for a specific device. Please contact our sales support for information on specific devices.


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Rahr Angry Goat Dobble Bock
I love my boch beer, I like the heavy flavor and I love the malt with the easy light Hopps to back it up. It's my kind of beer.
So when I had Rahr's Angry Goat, I found another beer that I was in hog heaven for its malty flavor. I have had this beer a few times and decided it deserved a review. This time I had it on draft which took it a notch higher.
First off, Rahr is another new Texas Microbrewery, which I can't begin to tell you just how happy I am that this state is enjoying a Renaissance of sorts with its beer industry. Founded in 2004 Rahr has slowly become a North Texas Beer lover's companion. I can barely go into a bar worth its grain of salt and not see Rahr on tap.
Angry goat is a double bock, which means it has a higher alcohol content than normal (about 8%) and almost an undetectable hint of hops with a double shot of malt. This bock is also wheat based which helps to balance it out. Rahr went the extra step to make this a great beer by adding fruit and spices such as bananas and clove. The bananas bring you in with memories of childhood, and the buzz reels you back with the hammer of malt and alcohol. It's enough to make a sane man beg for more and cry like a Nancy girl when denied. A great smooth bock and well worth the time and money.
4 out of 5 burps.
Lakewood Punkel Dunkel
Lakewood Brewery is located near Dallas in Garland. They have an interesting seasonal I encountered at Double Wide this weekend called Punkel. This is a Dunkel (Dark) beer with a lot of Malt and Pumpkin style spices in it. It's a smooth beer to drink, smells like Fall and taste like pumpkin with spices of ginger,cinnamon, nutmeg. It is a dark cloudy color with a short head and not very carbonated.
I really liked it, but I thought the spice was a little on the heavy side. I would say this is a great one drink beer and would pair well with a dessert. It is a must try if you like maltier beers with a twist.
Alcohol by volume: 5.4%
Lakewood's description:
We put the Punk in the Dunkel. Dunkels are dark lagers with a smooth malt flavor. We kick it up with some pumpkin spice for an easy drinking German session beer. Perfect for those fleeting Texas fall days spent watching the grackles fly south to their favorite grocery store parking lots.
Food Pairings: Fall fare like Venison, Corny Dogs and Halloween candy.
I give it 3.5 out of 5.
Peticolas Wintervention
Peticolas is a new micro brewery that popped up here in Dallas in 2009. Being a Dallasite myself, I am always wanting to support my local breweries and bars to imbibe in my glutenous consumption of beer. I have run into Peticolas a few times and this time decided to do a review. Since it is January, it made since to do a Winter brew and I picked Wintervention as my poison of choice. I was glad I did. Peticolas instructs this this beer:
Our dark strong winter ale is spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger. A full bodied ale meant to be enjoyed during the cold winter months with family and friends. English hops and high quality malts give this beer its backbone. All spices are provided by local spice maker, Pendery's, a mere half block from the brewery. The spices in the Wintervention compliment the spices in many holiday treats, while the hops provide the perfect contrast.
Wintervention has a nice smooth head with a good mix of spice. For me the nutmeg and ginger did a great job of bringing in this time of year in a brew. The head was moderate and they did a very nice job of balancing out the hopps and malt. Being a malt man myself, I wish their was a little more punch in that direction. But, the beer went down smooth and I even ordered a large growler to take home with me of this beer.
3.5 out of 5 burps.
Craft and Growler Beer Station
I don't usually do reviews of local bars, but I was impressed with one of
Dallas' newest beer joints, Craft and Growler ( who desperately needs a website, by the way). This bar is one of the new style beer joints popping up in Dallas that are focused on local Texas microbreweries and their beer selections. Almost all the beer on their 30 or so taps was from our state and they have an interesting methodology of adding CO2 gas into the growler prior to the pour that keeps the beer better carbonated longer and most importantly slows the beer's trip to flatsville while it is in your fridge. We were told it would stay fresh for as long as 2 weeks in your home.
I like those odds, even though no beer ever stays in my fridge for 2 weeks, unless someone brought over some crap and left it behind. Then it will be forced on some unsuspecting guest…but, I digress.
The Old Real Estate
Craft and Growler is located at 3601 Parry Avenue across from the State Fair. It is nestled in the haggard corner of
an old historic building in great juxtaposition to the slick electric DART rail across the street, which flies by carelessly every 20 minutes in silence. What I liked about the bar was that it reminded me of an old beer tavern with large, long, wooden tables, high ceilings with large, wagon wheel light fixtures, and an old time finish out using lots of antique shiplap. It brought back found memories of my trip to the Hofbrauhaus in Munich in the 80's. It has the appeal of a comfortable warm interior with lots of wood and plenty of space, two of my favorite things since I remodel.
Another great feature about the bar, which if you live in East Dallas and frequent Greenville, is that it has a huge parking area in back. It makes going to the bar a breeze and so much easier than parking 3 blocks away or waiting on a suspicious looking valet to get your car.
The Unique Concept
What separates Craft and Growler from just about every bar in town is the ability to order beer to go. You come in,
grab a growler off the wall of wooden shelves ( they have all sorts of really cool ones), or bring your own and they will fill it up with your choice of micro brewed beer and send you on your way. They even have 2 quick "to go spots" in back for people that just want to get in and out. I bought mine last night which is a 2 liter, I think, and filled it up. I'm looking forward to cracking it open tonight.
Of course, the real pleasure is coming in, sitting at the bar and sampling several beers before you order the one you want. I sampled 4 different beers, including Lone Star's new Bock ( blah) before I settled on Peticolas Wintervention which is a great, dark, strong Ale brewed here in Dallas.
Definitely a bar I wil put on my regular rotation. The only suggestion I would have for the owners is to get some windows that open and put some chairs out on the front sidewalk so patrons can enjoy the weather.
Trappist Beer is out and you better get your ass into gear
Considered a must have beer that has been brewed for thousands of years by Belgian monks, this incredibly rare beer is finally, and very temporarily available in a special 6 pack in select states here in the U.S. It will probably be sold out by the time you read this, which sucks. And since I am in Texas and these monks saw no reason to send it here, I will have to continue to wonder just how damn good this brew is on my buds.
The Belgian monks that brew this beer only make about 3800 gallons a year, I'm pretty sure me and my friends consume that on an annual basis. None the less they shun cash, but hat has caught up with them. They desperately need a new roof, and that cost big bucks for these spartan paupers. So, lucky for a few select U.S states and those lucky enough to grab a 6 pack of this beer for $86 a taste of divine inspiration. This is a sweet beer and sometimes criticized for that reason, but true connoisseurs appreciate the Monk's skill. So if you are lucky enough to grab a bottle, let me know what you think and post a review. Good Luck!
For an oddly homemade looking site to figure out where this beer is available go here.
Franconia Dunkel Review
I'm a Dallasite and recently a local Dallas brewer arrived on the scene to start making German inspired beers. Franconia Brewery, as they are known makes several beers, including this Dunkel. I have tried a couple of their beers to date and have been underwhelmed thus far. On their site, they call their dunkel:
"Dark Lager with some Mocca notes and a dark chocolate finish."
I have had this beer twice now and while it takes a stab at being a German beer, it almost seems like it is trying to Americanize the German beer experience by taking a normally Dark malty Dunkel and watering it down to resemble a big American brewery beer. You are simply left wanting more flavor. Its almost like drinking air. Too light for my buds and hard to even call it a dunkel without rolling your eyes. 2 out of 5 burps.
Cuba Libre celebrates 110 years
While I am primarily a beer and wine drinker, I do enjoy my occasional liquor and one of my favorites is Bacardi Rum. I like the rum for its smooth flavor and easy drink ability. It is one of those liquors that goes down with a bit of a kick but doesn't overwhelm my senses. Who doesn't enjoy the dark transparent look of rum rummaging around in a high ball glass with a few inconsolable ice cubes.
Of course, I frequently will mix my delectable rum with other tantalizing liquids to make for some great drinks. From the eponymous Pina Colada, Daiquiri, and Rum Runner to the recently popular Mojito, their flavors are cleverly complemented with a nice splash of smooth Bacardi. All of these great drinks go well with a tasty and flavorful meal. Personally I prefer Mexican as the cuisine of choice when I have a cocktail.
Lest you think I forget about the classic Cuba Libre drink I must point out it is celebrating 110 fantastic and tasty years this year.
What is and where did the Cuba Libre cocktail come from?
In 1900 a Captain on duty in Havana, Cuba walked into an American bar and asked for a cocktail consisting of a mix of Coca Cola, Bacardi and a splash of lime to celebrate a recent military victory. It was such a big hit with the soldiers that everyone in the bar quickly ordered one. Led by the Captain they all did a toast chanting " Por Cuba Libre", which means free Cuba. This cheer caught on and became synonymous with the drink itself and remains to this day. It is one of the things that make this drink timeless and still quite popular today. The Bacardi brand was originally created in Cuba in 1862 by Don Facundo Bacardi Masso.
So when I am out on the town for an evening or on a hot date and looking for something different I will always go in the direction of a smooth Bacardi rum drink, usually a minty Mojito or coconut flavored Pina Colada. They always hit the spot and go great with my favorite Mexican food, especially juicy beef fajitas loaded with guacamole and cheddar cheese, which is one of my all time favorite dinners. Of course, who can pass up crunchy tortilla chips and yummy meat infused queso while you are eating? Not me!
Drink up and enjoy!
Sam Adams The Vixen
Sam Adams just came out with a new line of beers which come in large 22oz bottles and creative patches for the art. The bottle catches your eye with its size and looks. The beer doesn't disappoint either. While it was high in alcohol at 8.5% it had a smooth after taste with some heat. While I was drinking it, whipped cream with chili in the mix came to mind. It has a nice malty taste that wasn't over the top with a good mix of nuts and a touch of cinnamon. The pour was also darker than I imagined with a thick creamy head and good aroma upon inspection. I give it 4.5 out of 5 burps.
Shock-Top Belgium White Beer
I recently bought a 12 pack of this beer on my way to Taos, NM. I was looking for something different and enjoy Blue Moon so I thought I would try another companies version of a Belgian White. Problem is the beer is bland. If someone were watering down Blue Moon, this is what it would taste like. Its not a terrible beer, but what appeals to me about Blue Moon, the Orange Peel simply is not strong enough. The beer comes off like a soft drink, a sierra mist if you will. Plenty of carbonation but short on flavor. 2 out of 5 burps.
Samual Adams defective glass bottle
Not sure if anyone else has had this happen but it bothered me enough to blog about it. I opened a new bottle of Sam Adams yesterday with a bottle opener and the cap came off with no problem. The problem was so did the lip of the bottle. I've probably opened thousands of beers this way over the years and never had this happen before. See the image I included. Not sure what the cause of it was but I ended up with a shard of glass in my finger and a wasted beer. Fluke? or some manufacturing flaw? Sam Adams should bang on their glass suppliers door and see what is going on.


text:
"The dynamics of any diverse community
depends not only on the diversity itself but
on promoting a sense of belonging among
those who formerly would have been
considered and felt themselves outsiders."
My Beloved World, Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor, 2013.
The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI) is committed to creating and maintaining a study and work environment for individuals that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation, and promoting equality of opportunity and respect for all by:
- Removing barriers to employment and education;
- Developing policies and procedures that promote equality, inclusion and respect;
- Educating the campus community on subjects of unlawful harassment, discrimination, retaliation, Title IX and diversity;
- Providing students, faculty and staff with information of their rights to file a complaint and providing an avenue to promptly address complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment.
- Collaborating with Student Affairs, Athletics, Academic Affairs and Public Safety (Sexual Assault Prevention & Services) to promote gender equity and Title IX compliance
- Broadening pathways for access and success to our diverse community; and
- Promoting acceptance, understanding and advocacy for the issues and needs of the underrepresented members of the university.
Diversity at Cal State L.A. is more than a demographic study with positive results. The OEDI attempts to transcend coexistence and celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity within each unique individual in our campus.
Cal State L.A. adopts California State University's (CSU) policies and procedures as specified, whenever applicable.
OEDI Staff
Mariel Mulet
Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Title IX Coordinator
DHR Administrator
Oswaldo Galdamez
HR Generalist
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(323) 343-3040
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Room: ADM 606
Room: C107, C108
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Room: KH154A
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|* Please contact Title IX Coordinator at 323.343.3041 to request access to these rooms.
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Annual Notification of Campus Statement of Nondiscrimination, Systemwide Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Dating and Domestic Violence, and Stalking Policy, Policy Regarding Consensual Relationships between Employees or Employees and Students and Statement of Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Executive Order 1088, Systemwide Guidelines for Affirmative Actions Programs in Employment
Executive Order 1096 - Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation against Employees and Third Party and Procedures for Handling Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Allegations by Employees and Third Parties (PDF) Cal State L.A. adopts this CSU policy and procedure.
Executive Order 1097 - Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Against Students and Systemwide Procedure for Handling Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Complaints by Students. (PDF)
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Complaint Procedure: Executive Order 419, as amended by Articles 26.21-26.25
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Complaint Procedure: Executive Order 1096
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Complaint Procedure: Executive Order 1096
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Complaint Procedure: Executive Order 1096
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Complaint Procedure: Executive Order 1096
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Complaint Procedure: Informal Level under Executive Order 1096
Unit 13, CSUEU-English Language Program Instructors, CSU Los Angeles - Non-Discrimination Policy: Article 19
Complaint Procedure: Executive Order 1096
Complaint Procedure for Allegations of Having Made a Protected Disclosure under the California Whistleblower Protection Act - Executive Order 1058
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