February
26
2010
Does anyone else see something within this picture? It looks like people on the island are picking sides, either Jacob’s or Flocke’s. Last year, I posted that I thought Jacob was picking people to help him keep the island under his control. I am glad that is coming to light and have read the purpose of the island is supposed to be revealed mid-season, not that the end of it.
February
13
2010
I just received the sequel as a VD day gift but just recently re-started the original to play through (I was about 1/3 the way through when my PS3 went “analog sticks up” last summer).
I’ll be writing up a review for the original in as soon as I’m finished, followed up by a review on the new one. I know Alan’s playing it now, so maybe he’d be the better Derosby Brother to pen that one.
Big Daddy & Little Sister
January
29
2010
Brett Favre does two things about as often as my daughter’ has bowel movements, throw interceptions and retire. First of all, I am not a big football fan. I know a lot about it but not a fan of any one team. But to see Brett Favre play this immature game to build his ego is ridiculous. He retires from the Packers and force them to move on. Then he wants to come back and gets angry when they tell him they have moved on. So he tries to get traded within his own division but that fails. Instead he goes to the Jets where he breaks down in the second half. He asks and gets his release, retiring yet again, only to cheat the Jets and leave to play for the V ikings. While I feel bad for the Vikings and all those who bleed purple and gold, I will never cheer for a man who uses the media to stroke his ego. As a teacher, I don’t announce my retirement after getting a bad crop of kids. I move forward and do my job. Favre has a right to retire, even come out of retirement, but stop playing this game. Just look in Arizona, Brett. Kurt Warner has done it the right way. You, on the other hand, will never win the Super Bowl again, and hurt any teams chances with your selfish behavior. -ALAN
January
20
2010
Thanks to Keith, who drew my name in this year’s holiday draft, I received Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time. I’ve always been a fan of this series and was looking forward to giving the newest addition to the series a try. Thanks to Insomniac Games, it didn’t disappoint.
Objective: 8 This game takes over where Tools of Destruction left off. Clank has been spirited away and Ratchet is left on his own to search for him. Accompanying him on select missions as stand-in sidekick is Captain Copernicus Leslie Quark (former adversary and current foil to the best laid plans). The villain from the last game was just a screen for the true mastermind behind the entire scheme, the robot super criminal and old foe of Ratchet, Clank, and Quark, Doctor Nefarious. He has kidnapped Clank and brought him to the Great Clock, a device located at the center of the universe (give or take a 50 feet) and wants to use him to unlock the time-controlling power of the clock. The doctor hates all life forms (calls them “squishies”) and wants to use the Great Clock to wipe out all life in the universe, clearing the path for robots to rule.
Theme: 7 Typical of Ratchet and Clank games, it’s a platformer with plenty of hidden (or just not quite so obvious) paths, rooms, and items to find. A signature of this series of games, the upgradable weapons, are brought to a new level in this game, allowing the player to further upgrade 3 of them, customizing them with different options for range, added effects, types of ammo, and even paint colors. Another trademark of this series is the offbeat humor, which is at its best in this game. It’s at its best in the cinematic sequences, but also there during gameplay. Background conversations between non-player characters are a riot, but the best comments come from Mr. Zurkon, one of the weapons you can purcahse in the game. Mr. Zurkon is a sentry robot that follows you around, shooting anyone who gets close to you. The one-liners he throws out are a riot, and even change to suit the level you’re on or the enemies you’re facing.
Gameplay: 8 It’s a platformer, but as with all of the games in this series, one at its best. The only problems I’ve had with the game are the camera when trying to target enemies and some inconsistency with depth perception when jumping, grinding, or racing with the jet boots. Not a huge problem, but caused enough problems to detract from the game.
Sound: 9 The music was great, if a little repetetive. The addition of the radio in your spaceship made things interesting. You could switch between one of 4 radio stations, each playing different background music. One of the stations even had fake commercials and talk-radio sequences. The voice acting was also great, bringing back all of the talent from the previous games.
Replay Value: 10 All of thes Ratchet & Clank games are designed for replay, allowing you to keep all of the weapons and armor you’ve found to that point and carry them over into the new game. I’ve just finished my first round and would like to play again for the full upgrades on all my weapons. Nothing is quite as satisfying in the game as hearing the voice-over from the Grelnet sales clerk telling you that “you’ve just fully upgraded your weapon of choice, which now also …..” (fill in the blank with some sick added bonus to further decimate your enemies).
Total Score: 8.4
I’m a huge fan of the Ratchet and Clank games. It’s one of the few that I love to play and don’t mind the kids playing either. No harsh language, no adult themes that aren’t relegated to innuendo the kids won’t really pick up on, and no excessive bloody violence (you’re blowing up evil robots, slugs, and flying insects). All in all, a great game for the whole family (one person at a time, of course).
Plus, you’ve got to love a game that pays attention to the small details. I found all the plans for the R.Y.N.O V, (stands for Rip Ya’ a New One, version 5) one of the hidden weapons in the game and by far the most powerful. It’s a 20 some odd barrel handgun that sprays bullets and rockets like the finale at the Fourth of July fireworks show and plays its own background music, the 1812 Overture. If you use the weapon in the final battle vs. Dr. Nefarious, he actually comments on it, asking where you found a R.Y.N.O., and if the authorities know you have it. Just adds to the level perfection you’ve come to expect from Insomniac games.
-CWD
January
20
2010
So first of all I’d like to apologize for my absence from the site (although I’m quite certain my brothers did fine in my stead). Working full time, coaching, and finishing up a master’s program is a little more time consuming than I at first expected.
Now onto the issue at hand. I’d like to express my enthusiasm on getting Roy Halladay and at the same time my sadness at losing Cliff Lee. What an ideal rotation it would have been to have Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Haap and whoever they chose as their fifth starter. Unfortunately the powers that be did not think this was a reality.
Now, many people have asked me for my opinion. Many of these same people made comments about how much better it would have been to get Halladay the first time around and now are insisting this is a bad move.
While Lee’s postseason run was epic it is no way a guarantee that he’ll repeat this effort year after year. Yes I know he’s won a Cy Young award but, he has also been demoted to the minors so consistency has been a concern. That being said, it was not my concern but it is legitimate. I also got the impression that Lee’s agent was playing hard ball and wanting a Sabathia style contract but that’s neither here nor there. There was no promise of having Lee in Philadelphia after this year and despite his comments to stay apparently Ruben Amaro Jr. did not see the reality of this either.
As far as Halladay goes, you’re getting a pitcher who is just as much of a work horse. Throws complete games like he’s from the golden age of baseball, has a nice compliment of pitches to chose from, put up great numbers while pitching in Toronto, and has had much success and has while facing the Red Sox and Yankees for about a third of his starts. That’s not exactly having the runner up for homecoming queen as a date now.
Unfortunately Lee’s time in a Phillies uniform has endeared him to many Phillies fans (myself included). And quite possibly an injury to one or both pitchers could make this argument look very different, however, the extension Halladay signed allows the Phillies to be competitive for years to come and also still gives them money to play with down the road.
I think this was in many ways a lateral move (as they moved one ace and obtained another) but it also has long-term potential to solidify the Phillies as dynasty in the years to come. I think Halladay, despite being a year older, has the slight edge since his numbers have been great against a tough AL East and most of Lee’s numbers match up with the AL Central. In the end it could be a wash either way, or it could turn out to be a bust.
Pitchers and catchers is right around the corner and then it’s time for spring training. Bring on the hard ball…it’s been a long winter without baseball and I’m ready to watch the defense of that NL championship.
January
19
2010
I thought it would be appropriate to give some important news here. I want to give full credit to Aintitcoolnews.com because, to be honest, I don’t think Bruce Campbell will be emailing us. So here you go, direct from Bruce Campbell
Hello everyone. Bruce Campbell here. This urgent message is short, because my keystrokes are monitored and I fear for my life. My partner at Dark Horse comics, Mike Richardson (normally a very rational and talented man), threatened to have his foot soldiers “crush my spleen” if I did what I am about to do. But the fans deserve to know, so with great trepidation I officially announce Bruce Vs. Frankenstein, the sequel to My Name is Bruce. Principal photography begins this fall in Oregon. I’d like to live long enough to see the cameras roll, so please, for the love of God, do not tell anyone – I can’t risk this announcement getting back to Mike! Thank you.
January
17
2010
I know they’re not new, and yes it’s been awhile since I posted anything. But I’m going to be writing up reviews of 2 games recently introduced to our household.
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Little Big Planet
Tune in folks.
-CWD
January
14
2010
Mark McGwire did steroids? Seriously? Did we need him coming out and admitting it in order to believe it was true. Anyone who enjoyed baseball before the late 80s could see the change in players into WWE wrestlers. How does a person’s skull grow? Big Mac, Bonds, and Sosa can all say that training is different and eating regimines are different. But that does not, in any way, make your skull expand.
In the end, I believe McGwire apologized for two reasons. First of all, he wants to get back into baseball as a hitting coach, and he knew he would have to answer these questions eventually. Secondly, he continues to see the low Hall of Fame numbers and wants in.
I don’t feel bad for him in the least and hope he never gets into the hall. I feel this is just as bad as gambling as he cheated the game. How much better could Maddux have been if he didn’t have to pitch to Hercules and his monster teammates? So many people were cheated as a result of this. In the end, he did not feel bad at all. Even though he blubbered for an hour, he made stupid comments about how the PEDs never gave him an advantage but only helped him heal. REALLY? He could have hit 70 homeruns without them? His that massive back and top half that couldn’t hold itself upright on his size 32 waist. Yes that is right, he had my waist(well not anymore). He is lucky he didn’t break in half.
In the end, he is just an arrogant idiot who believes that if he cries for an hour, all will be forgiven. He will wait until the season then refuse to answer any more questions. And while he feels forgiven, the public and the hall will never fully accept his apology.
January
9
2010
This morning, while drinking a cup of coffee and watching Dora with Sofie, I roamed the internet for sports. Coming to CNN, I read about the Hall of Fame snubs this year and future players coming up for election. I will have a post soon enough about that particular topic. However there was an article I read that seemed to sum up the press’ opinion of the Mets, compared to the Red Sox or Yanks (or any other team, for that matter)
A few days after Christmas, the Mets signed Jason Bay to a four year deal with a fifth year option. The total contract will equal roughly 80 million if he gets the vesting option on the fifth year. Is that a lot of money? Sure. A week later, Matt Holliday signed for 7 years and roughly 120 million. The Cardinals will also be paying him well into the 2020s, giving him a smaller yearly income, much like the Mets are STILL doing with Bobby Bonilla.
On CNNSI.com, Jeff Pearlman writes a whole article on why Jason Bay will be a bust for the Mets. Will he be? Maybe. But there is also an article on the site about how the Holliday deal was better than the Bay deal. Two years and twice the money for an good player. Their logic seems to be built more on the failure of the Mets organization than that of the players themselves. When the Sox go out and sign players like John Lackey, Adrian Beltre, and Marco Scutaro, the press say they are buiding with pitching and defense. They don’t mention the pressing need in Boston is power, which none of those players provide. Beltre has been more of a bust than Bay, yet the Boston press look at his 10 million dollar contract as “worth a shot”. When they spent 12 million on players like Brad Penny, John Smoltz, and T. Saito, sports networks called this a smart move because one of them would work out. Even after they failed, especially Smoltz and Penny, people blew it off as a team taht has money to try those manuvers. When the Yanks spend money, and they do, people get mad at the money thrown around, not the players themselves.
Do the Mets make mistakes, yes they do. Do they have more pressing needs than Bay? Some would say their pitching is suspect (which they are correct), but they also needed a powerhitter and a left fielder. Will he be worth the money by the time the fifth year option comes around? Probably not. But he could very well succeed in New York, surrounded by players such as Beltran, Wright, Reyes, Franceur. The Mets won’t make the playoffs without a SP or two, but Bay’s numbers and potential in New York should not be based on things he can’t control.
January
2
2010
One of my resolutions, besides being a stone cold stud, is to post at least three times a week. It is nice to see that throughout this year, we have had a ton of hits, including unique ones as well. It looks like we have had over 66,000 hits with 38000 unique ones. While we might have loyal readers, it would be cool for people to post comments. That way we can get diologue going and post on topics people are interested in.