WOW the Rebuttal, Marvel at the Hulk, and a God of War mystery – Welcome to the column that has many mysteries, like the one of how it gets run every week known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. What do you get when you have a rusted out 11 year old water heater that leaks? You get a new freaking water heater. Grizzly Adams put it in on Tuesday. He did a fantastic job. I now have hot water and the leaks appear to be drying …p. Good good stuff. Except for the smell of gas that lingered thru the house for an hour or so. But all of the fans are going and I can’t smell it anymore so that’s a good thing. He was actually taking one of those big lighters that you can buy and running it along the gas line to the heater and making sure there were no leaks. Yes I’m still here boys and girls and writing to you. Or else the rabbit might be filling in this week. Then you would have read about carrots and a male bunny that she’s hot for instead of Morgan Webb. It might have been a better column, who knows.
Ode To Morgan Webb
She smiles, she smiles so sweet. That’s all I got, really. No cute puns this week, no thoughts of stalking and being arrested by the G4 police, I ain’t got nada. What do you expect, Morgan is just pretty, and I’m happy, and if you know it; clap your hands. *clap clap* Now, that we got that out of the way; does anybody know how much a posterboard and lots of red paper would cost? I just need it for a project that involves newspaper clippings and morgan written a lot of times. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.
Quick news stories of interest
Eight new playable characters coming with new downloadable content.
Good news Merry Marvel fans, Activision’s Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is getting the Hulk in April. Today, Activision announced plans to release its first expansion pack for last year’s well-received Marvel RPG.
Marvel: Ultimate Heroes and Villains expansion adds eight new playable characters. Joining the aforementioned green behemoth are Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Hawkeye, Magneto, Venom, Sabretooth and Doctor Doom. Each character comes with new signature powers, skins, dialogue and conversations. And yes, 10 new Achievements are being added, bringing Ultimate Alliance’s total to a whopping 60 possible Achievements.
“The signature gameplay of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance has made it a favorite among fans, as well as the best-selling Super Hero game on the Xbox 360 to date,” said Rob Kostich, VP of global brand management at Activision. “By adding some of the biggest names in the Marvel Universe to the roster we’re enabling Xbox 360 gamers to build a variety of all-new teams and enjoy the epic action in brand new ways.”
The content does not add any new areas or villains to battle. But it adds the friggin’ Hulk, so that may be reason enough for comic geeks to give the expansion pack a try. The eight characters are also being fitted to match current Marvel team bonuses already in the game. New teams are also being added to take advantage of the expanded roster.
The Ultimate Alliance DLC will be available in three separate packs. Both a Hero and a Villain Pack will be offered (containing four playable characters apiece) for 500 Microsoft Points ($6.25) each. Or you can but the Hero and Villain Pack, which includes all eight new characters for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).
As many of you know, I reviewed the PS2 version of this game. While it’s a great game on the PS2 as well, I am pretty convinced that when Marvel: UA for 360 gets a price drop I’m on it. Hulk is simply bow down. Especially with the awesome strength factor and if he has the jumps (and stomps), oh my! Nightcrawler will be cool for his bamfs while Venom and Doctor Doom will be just guilty fun. (imagine a team with Spidey and Venom, they need something for Carnage too but that’s just me). The new achievements are a good and bad idea. It’s good cause it adds to the game after you’ve already bought it, and the bad is cause you already bought it and need to spend $10 to get the rest of it. Hence why I’m waiting for a price drop. When it makes it to $30, it will feel more justified.
Kratos’ Island Of Rhodes?
Mysterious website raises questions amongst God of War Fans.
– Since its release earlier this month, God of War II has taken over the systems of countless PS2s, continuing Kratos’ epic battle against the gods. Fans that tore through the adventure have been eager for any news related to the franchise. Well, yesterday, message boards around the web went wild with the discovery of a mysterious new website, islandofrhodes.org, which hosts a countdown set to expire in 19 days and Kratos’ picture looming in the background. Speculation ran rampantly from the announcement of the PSP game to a promotional site for the European release and even the third title in the series. What could this page, which is clearly branded with PlayStation 2 logos and content, be, and how does it relate to the franchise?
We contacted a Sony representative to get down to the bottom of the mystery, and received a cryptic answer that should shed a little light on the site itself. While we did manage to find out that the game isn’t related to the PSP title, “The website is for true God of War fans…Think of the original God of War.”
In 19 days, I guess we will know. It will either be a PSP game or a redo of the original title for PS3. That would be my best educated guess. I find it laughable that Sony’s biggest title right now is still a PS2 title and that currently there isn’t a release date for a third one on the PS3. (or if it’s even in development). It just shows you, that 1)how much farther the PS3 has to go and 2)how awesome the PS2 actually was. I would like for the PS3 to do well, it makes the other consoles work harder. But they need a price drop by this time next year or this system will drop off the face of the map. I know every Sony exec tells you it can’t happen but they need to wake up and realize that PS2 sales are the still the way they are because of excellent games and cheap system price. PS3 is a 3do nightmare waiting to happen. Bank on it kids.
WOW Moment
A rebuttal to Guild Wars which I talked about last week
Lets start off with the fact that yes, WoW is an older game. Yes you have to pay to play. Yes there are over 7 MILLION players world wide. I originally picked up the game a few years ago. I started a little Undead Mage, and this year I was able to restart, and pick up where I left off.
So let’s get into why the game is such a hit. You level pretty quickly when you start out. You get a feel for the character you design, from the faction, race, class, and look. Each race has its own special abilities to make them unique. Once in the game, you get some great cinematography on the back story of your character. This leads you into your beginning area, and some pretty simple quests. Once you begin to advance, things get a little tougher. But with that, there is always the option to get into a group of players with common goals. Things are always easier to handle in groups, but sharing the experience and money, are the only draw backs. From these humble beginnings, your next step is to join in an instance. The experience is more, the money to be made from auctioning the loot can be great, and along with the professions you choose to follow. I recently sold a rare sword for 10 gold pieces. Once you reach level 58, which is no small feat, you are allowed to enter the outlands. I have yet to visit, but I hear the equipment is awesome, the money is plentiful, and when you reach level 70, and you get a flying mount, the continent is your play ground.
With the expansion pack, there are two new races. Each start in an area, where few are allowed (anyone without the expansion pack can not go). Their abilities take the game to a whole new level, and the area’s are visually appealing. With the new equipment, monsters, and areas this game has, I suggest it to everyone who can afford to pay monthly to play. There are servers upon servers, the bugs, and other issues are dealt with swiftly, and there is in game help available to anyone who asks.
See you in the Outlands soon
“Chaldon”
I think realizing your addiction to an online video game is the first or second (or perhaps) third step to recovery. His wife actually plays too which is an interesting dynamic to the game. (though if they have arguments in the real world, does it translate to online play like casting spells when he or she isn’t looking?). In all seriousness, it is a legendary game; like it or not. Once you get past the monthly fee (which I haven’t gotten past yet, I mean I just bought a water heater; installed was $600!); you probably have a grand time playing it. At least it sounds like it if you read the above. Truth be told, I also have watched a few videos of WOW on the HD Gaming Channel, it’s pretty. It looks ridiculously involved and looks like it would take over my life. I mean I play Guild Wars in little spurts; I have a Level 10 Ranger/Warrior (maxes out at 20) but I can’t find a reason to dedicate my life to it. Not sure I want to either. Chaldon (real name: Gary) brings up a lot of good points and I might bring him back next week to do an interview. Expect hilarity and mayhem to ensue. (So how many pairs of WOW underoos do you own anyhow?)
Arcade Classic of the Week
Legend of Kage
An interesting cult classic type of game, we introduce Legend of Kage to the fold. Basically a mid 80’s game that you as Kage were trying to rescue Princess Kiri from unknown villains. This game had a few cool points as there were some cool villains and one cool power where Kage can meditate and then enemies just drop and die around him. I wonder if that power works on mosquitoes too. It’s starting to get hot here in Houston and that might be useful. Anyhow, I found this game kinda late in my gaming life. About 15 or 16 years old, I was playing this rather frequently. (which is about 5 years after the game came out). I always had a blast with it because essentially you jump all around the gaming board throwing your knives and your arms whipping around like some giant carnival ride. It was crazy and you could just keep doing that to get through various levels. A lot of people like to label this game as crap and one of the worst NES games ever; however in the arcade it really was so much fun. Even if it was a little bit silly. It did also have a sequel of sorts in Demon Sword in 1989. If you still want to play it today, your best bet is VC on the Wii where it’s been since February of 07.
PS2
Made Men
Medal of Honor Vanguard
Disney’s Meet the Robinsons
Red Star
Metal Slug Anthology
PSP
Virtua Tennis 3
Hard Rock Casino
XBox 360
Dance Dance Revolution: Universe
Disney’s Meet the Robinsons
PS3
Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Gamecube
Disney’s Meet the Robinsons
Wii
Disney’s Meet the Robinsons
Medal of Honor: Vanguard
DS
Disney’s Meet the Robinsons
Honeycomb Beat
Konami Classics: Arcade Hits
Pogo Island
Purr Pals
The Settlers
GBA
Petz Vet
Disney’s Meet the Robinsons
Hey, did you know that Disney’s Meet the Robinsons is coming out this week? I always want to mangle most children’s mass console releases and this is no exception. But it’s one for the kids I guess and it might do good business at the theater (though Disney’s track record of late hasn’t been all that great). Of other interest, Metal Slug Anthology is finally on PS2, nice pick up for the old but great system and for those of us who can’t find or don’t want to find a Wii. The Wii gets a Medal of Honor title which is a bit worrisome but good. The title that interests me the most this week is the Konami Classics for DS. A cool little title that includes Contra, Time Pilot, Gradius (!), Roc N Rope, Rush n Attack (!), Track and Field, and Yie-Ar Kung Fu. Isn’t Track and Field just begging for an xbox live multiplayer release? Seriously, if they could disable the turbo function for online play; it be great. Me and my dad played that game in the arcade and at home all the time.
Some Final Thoughts and Mutterings
Welp, in video games, I am just eagerly awaiting the release of Guitar Hero 2 for the 360 which comes out next week. A circuit city offer with a 1600 point card free is pretty much the way to go in my eyes. Word is that there will be download content on Live at launch. I will be a mad mad boy on some tunes, feel free to hit me up for multiplayer madness (Kedrix). Outside of that, I’m convinced that I want a Logitech Harmony remote control (the one especially for xbox 360). I have five remotes not even including the xbox controller. Something needs to be done :). On the WOW section this week, feel free to chime in and how you like it, Chaldon(Gary) is a pretty cool guy and if there is some interest, I might do more with him involved and WOW for upcoming weeks. A final note for this week, a shout out to a new friend of sorts. Her name is Ginger; she works at the EB where I do business. Cool lady; I’ve talked to her for a while but we actually exchanged myspace accounts on Saturday. Anyhow, I’m attempting to get her to do some Wii reviews. We’ll see how this works. Have fun kiddoes.
As Always,
Kedrix of Aldrianian
(*The Forgotten One*)
03/28/2007 @ 7:33 am
Wow, how interesting. I feel like I am back in high school debating with the apposing school on how bad their team sucks. First off, let me point out that in no way would I wear WoW underroos. Yes I play WoW. No, it does not control my life (wife may say differently but hey, at least the damn garbage gets taken out, and the bills get paid.), I still spend time with my wonderful child; I mean children, almost three now I think. And yes, I do play with my wife, and no, you can not cast harming spells of friendly targets. That is what dueling is for, and when faced with either an lvl 58, or two lvl 26’s, would you want to duel? In all actuality, there is a calming effect on marriage when spent doing something each person both enjoys. You wouldn’t believe how many couples there actually are playing out there. Kaelian and Zalure and a couple my wife and I frequently play WoW with. No, not dirty, this is PG-13 after all. We team up with lower level char’s and breeze our way through the instances for those levels. As for Chaldon, I reached 58 last night. Just in time to find the portal trainer (mage ability) and find out I am still 2 levels from learning the spell. Damn level 60 is so far off. ANYWAYS, after exploring Shat for all of 5 minutes it was time for bed. I hate getting up at 4:30……. Since I am told to keep this short, I will gladly answer a few questions. Next week.
05/05/2007 @ 3:15 am
are they going to make Marvel: Ultimate Alliance expansion pack on ps2