Category Archives: reviews

111 Days of Xbox 360

I’ve been an extremely late adopter to the Xbox 360 and 111 days later I can tell you I’m impressed.

I got my Xbox on a whim on eBay for a whopping $40 with literally nothing–no hard drive,  no power cords, no a/v cables et cetera. It took me a couple days to find the 12.1amps power adapter to fit the “Jasper” Xbox I had obtained.

I went to an electronic parts store, bought the power adapter and picked up the original composite cables. I looked up the serial # and found it had a warranty till January 2013 and wasn’t banned. I was overjoyed. I had originally planned to purchase an Xbox at the time of the release of  ”Splinter Cell: Conviction” and the bundle it came with back in April 2010.

 

Then I decided to wait to see if  Ubisoft ported it to the PS3 at a later date. However they didn’t and I argued one game for one console…eh… –but for $40 why not?

I already had “Splinter Cell: Conviction” Collector’s Edition.

 

 

I was fortunate though I had purchased the game via OnLive and had been playing it for a year on the service having logged 137 hours on Splinter Cell. The quality for OnLive games varies on one’s bandwidth and other variables as well however the picture displayed is surprisingly very good. I am not to fond of the keyboard controls–at least for this game and opted to buy a wired Xbox 360 controller to play via OnLive. (I think Microsoft should acquire OnLive and implement it’s infrastructure to the console. They can afterwards polish it up. The subscription playpack would be paid for by Xbox live and the on demand games would truly be on-demand playable within seconds.)

So when I obtained the Xbox 360 I had a controller and one game.

After acquiring it I decided I would play solely the exclusives on the System and that I did. Previously I had desired to Play Fable II and Fable III  having seen the adverts to it…same thing for the Gears of War trilogy–soon to be four.

I have played the Xbox more in 3 months than I have the PS3 in a whole year.

Games I’ve Recently Played:

The multiplayer match-ups, the xbox party features and UI aesthetics have  left me repentant as to why I had not purchased one sooner.

My only gripes would be load times are longer (at least you don’t have the mandatory install thing like PS3)–the pop up/in graphics, the occasional hiccup freezes and how loud the Xbox is in general.

Although these things I have easily accustomed at the beginning were annoying.

Also the achievements make playing video games, games in and of themselves. Yes, PS3 has trophies but they are not as evident or spotlighted.

I am happy to say that in these few short months the Xbox has become my console of choice and I’m looking forward to playing some of the upcoming titles:

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Elementary S01E01&02

The show is compact, its pace steady. Jonny Lee Miller is excellent, Lucy Liu surprising and great. The show has epic quotes, great drama and very nice satisfying endings. If the show were end now the two episodes would still be great.

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The episode’s individual plot doesn’t distract from its main plot development of Sherlock Holmes. Then by the second episode Watson’s development.
Watson being a female doesn’t take but adds and adds a different flavour to the story. Watson is slowly helping Holmes but not very much as far as the cases he consults. Watson is helping Holmes in a much more personal way exhibited by the ending of episode 2.

I’m waiting for the “elementary, my dear Watson” line to appear at some point. The show does have some things I don’t like now but may like in the future.
(Spoiler alert)

Sherlock Holmes’ father pays for Watson to be his ‘companion’ whilst trying to be sober after escaping his rehab on the day he is to be released stating, “…I was bored.” His father and this arrangement is mentioned throughout multiple times during episode. Holmes’ father is not shown, neither his stint at the rehab, neither how he moved and obtained his abode having moved from London. (The series is set in NYC). This is not vital neither does it take from the series. However I feel this makes Holmes immature in the juvenile sense–a brat.

I also have a hard time watching as I am comparing this show to “House, M.D.”. This is not the show’s fault but just due to the fact that Gregory House is modeled after Sherlock Holmes.

Overall excellent series. Looking forward to more.

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Dexter S07E01

Wow…

That was excellent. The pace was good. The only thing I didn’t like very much was the flashback happening twice. Slightly strange. I’m excited for the series and its gone back to its tension and its roots. As has Dexter.

I like how the episode focuses on Dexter and not necessarily the kill he is going after.

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Boardwalk Empire S03E03

I may stop watching. It was a chore to see this episode till the end. I see how things are coming together but its getting dragged out. I’d rather watch the whole season later than week by week. Its disappointing.

Nucky should have started feeling remorse by episode 1. The gas station ordeal should have been over by now. The hospital ordeal needs to not be discussed to such length. The heroin deal should have been examined more and earlier.

Next week I may not watch…maybe

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Boardwalk Empire S03E02

The episode begins in a “Dexter”-isque theme. A couple minutes in I had to make sure I was actually not watching “Mad Men”…

The episode again deals with fleshing out characters and leaves loose ends from episode 1 and still others from the past season.  I hope they don’t pull a “Weeds” that I stopped watching due to so many ends being lugged around every single episode.

Other than that its like watching paint dry and realizing when the color drys its not what you chose.

I’m trying very hard to get into it but I think maybe the show has lost its touch. Its dragging its feet with things. I’m being held in suspense. I’m not being rewarded.

Alphas S02E07

Fast paced and prompt. I don’t like that they’ve kept Kat almost like nuisance. I think her and Gary could hit it off.

Nina is losing control on her ability. (Spoiler alert) Its about time Dr. Rosen found about Bill’s fighting and about his daughter. However I believe Dr. Rosen’s character has taken a turn for the worse. I’m not sure if its the intention to make him more liberal and risk taking in regards to his team.

The continuation of the demonization of Parrish is getting old especially without continued merit. More elaborate explanation needs to occur in regards to Parrish.

The interesting character development is Rachel with her newly enhanced ability coupled with her love interest John. More exploration here.

Going back to Kat. Its unfortunate that Kat has been seemingly pushed to one side. She’s the water cooler so far. Her ability is second only to Gary’s and on par with Rachel’s. I really like Kat’s character and upset she hasn’t been used.  (Spoiler Alert)

Parrish and Rosen have shared consciousness–Parrish’s intent no doubt. All in all great episode.

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Boardwalk Empire S03E01

The season begins reminding you that “Boardwalk” is violent, as if you needed reminding.

But the pace is slow and I feel its dragging its feet with plot elements from Season 02. (Spoiler alert…)

Nucky doesn’t address the land selling till almost the end of the episode and by the time the pace has picked up its over. Season premieres are supposed to set the pace for the series as well as obtain new viewers. Yes the episode was up to par but its just filler. In a game of chess it was a pawn move that took a little too long execute. 

I hurried to Watch…I should have waited till there was two episodes.

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