Month: August 2012

Daily Update 8/30: Stop and Smell The Roses

Thoughts on all the games I played and achievements I unlocked on Thursday, August 30, 2012.


Earlier today I hit exactly 749,000, 1k away from the 750k milestone. I wasn’t trying to, nor did I even know I was close. I just hit my guide and there I was, precisely 1k away. Had to take a pic.

Then I noticed my profile was acting kinda funny – My score was off and all the messages were missing. I decided it was about time to download my profile. 


As most of you know, you can download your profile a zillion times faster now. Doing this made my achievements pop ON TIME and not 15 seconds late. It was strange seeing them pop so fast.

I’m currently 625 gamerscore shy of the Three-Quarters of a Million mark. When I hit these milestones it’s the only time I get to stop and smell the roses. So, I’m literally going to chop a few dozen roses up and snort them as if I were Keith Richards offspring. Not really. But what I will do is get started on making a video for the milestone, that will give me a chance to reflect and enjoy the moment. We’ll see what happens. 

Stallion in the hole… 

Daily Update 8/30: Stop and Smell The Roses

Thoughts on all the games I played and achievements I unlocked on Thursday, August 30, 2012.


Earlier today I hit exactly 749,000, 1k away from the 750k milestone. I wasn’t trying to, nor did I even know I was close. I just hit my guide and there I was, precisely 1k away. Had to take a pic.

Then I noticed my profile was acting kinda funny – My score was off and all the messages were missing. I decided it was about time to download my profile. 


As most of you know, you can download your profile a zillion times faster now. Doing this made my achievements pop ON TIME and not 15 seconds late. It was strange seeing them pop so fast.

I’m currently 625 gamerscore shy of the Three-Quarters of a Million mark. When I hit these milestones it’s the only time I get to stop and smell the roses. So, I’m literally going to chop a few dozen roses up and snort them as if I were Keith Richards offspring. Not really. But what I will do is get started on making a video for the milestone, that will give me a chance to reflect and enjoy the moment. We’ll see what happens. 

Stallion in the hole… 

Daily Update 8-29: Long Road Ahead

Lions & Zombies & Snipers….Oh My!

The games I played and the achievements I unlocked.

Game Details

Sniper Elite V2

LAST PLAYED 8/29/2012
1000/1000

ACHIEVEMENTS

41/41
Set a Beacon

Sniper Elite V2 takes roughly 15-20 hours for the full 1k.


It was a fun little sniping game, and if you’re a fan of third-person shooters, I’d recommend checking it out. Worth a look just for the awesome Slow Motion kills.

Achievements – Sniper Elite difficulty will be a pain for some. No MP to worry about but you’ll need a buddy for a few co-op achievements. Unfortunately, you have to complete the game in SP Sniper elite difficulty for the achievement to unlock, doesn’t work in co-op.

Game Details

Madden NFL 13

LAST PLAYED 8/29/2012
155/1000

ACHIEVEMENTS

7/42
Set a Beacon

I only played a couple of games but I like how Kinect functions with the game. You say “HIKE” and by golly, your QB will hike the ball. You say “SPIKE” and you will get in formation to spike the ball. This voice communication revolution makes more sense in football games, than it does in something like Mass Effect 3, at least to me. I actually use it, and it does make play calling easier to accomplish just by shouting at your TV.

There seems to be a noticeable graphical leap over last years offering, no doubt, an improvement in the  animations department, it just looks more realistic all-around. The stiff as a cats hind leg player models and animations are almost non-existent at this point. I’m really liking it so far, and for once during this entire generation, the Madden achievements won’t be a stroll in the park. You’ll have to work for this 1,000.

I still cannot believe a Detroit Lion is on the cover of Madden 13. And they said it wasn’t possible.

Game Details

The Walking Dead

LAST PLAYED 8/29/2012
250/300

ACHIEVEMENTS

21/24
Set a Beacon

If you haven’t played a single episode of The Walking Dead yet, stop reading this and go download it from the marketplace. Only $5 per episode and they are most excellent. Seriously, go! Run!

I’m so in love with this stuff, I would ask it to be my Valentine everyday of the year.

Gaming goals for 8-29
1) Full 1,000 Gamerscore In Sniper Elite V2 – (YES SIR)
2) Finish The Walking Dead Episode 3 which will be 100 gamerscore – i  (Nope – chose health instead – stoopid health)
3) 800 gamerscore –  (Negative – 695 Gamerscore – close but no cigar)

Gaming goals for 8-30
1) A cool 1,000 G – Cause I’m a freaking moron

I’m less than 2,000 gamerscore from the big 750,000 milestone! Three-quarters or 75% to the 1,000,000 goal. 

I really want to make a video for 750k but I have no idea what to include. I also want it to be a grand achievement for the 750,000 but I have no clue what achievement to pop. If you have any ideas on either, please leave me a comment. The video will need to be done sometime this weekend if I do it. I’m at 55% FOR doing a video at the moment.

I talked about exercising and eating healthy a little yesterday so I’ll just lay out what I did today. 

50 Reps of 185 pounds Flat Bench Press
30 Reps of 205 pounds Flat Bench Press
20 Reps of 225 pounds Flat Bench Press
75 Dips
250 Push Ups
250 Sit Ups
And I ran a few miles at the park with Cindy. (Why I did’t complete The Walking Dead)
I’ll try my best to remember what I ate. 
Bagel, Banana and Two Cups of Coffee
Egg,Cheese and English Muffin (Egg McMuffin of sorts only not packed with a zillion calories and tons of fat) 
Banana Chocolate Chip Bar
Shrimp, Cucumber and Baked Beans.
Mixed Fruit, Salad and Cottage Cheese
Glass of Orange Juice
Water on top of Water

I think I ate one too many beans though.  

Have a good day, my friends.

Daily Update 8-29: Long Road Ahead

Lions & Zombies & Snipers….Oh My!

The games I played and the achievements I unlocked.

Game Details

Sniper Elite V2

LAST PLAYED 8/29/2012
1000/1000

ACHIEVEMENTS

41/41
Set a Beacon

Sniper Elite V2 takes roughly 15-20 hours for the full 1k.


It was a fun little sniping game, and if you’re a fan of third-person shooters, I’d recommend checking it out. Worth a look just for the awesome Slow Motion kills.

Achievements – Sniper Elite difficulty will be a pain for some. No MP to worry about but you’ll need a buddy for a few co-op achievements. Unfortunately, you have to complete the game in SP Sniper elite difficulty for the achievement to unlock, doesn’t work in co-op.

Game Details

Madden NFL 13

LAST PLAYED 8/29/2012
155/1000

ACHIEVEMENTS

7/42
Set a Beacon

I only played a couple of games but I like how Kinect functions with the game. You say “HIKE” and by golly, your QB will hike the ball. You say “SPIKE” and you will get in formation to spike the ball. This voice communication revolution makes more sense in football games, than it does in something like Mass Effect 3, at least to me. I actually use it, and it does make play calling easier to accomplish just by shouting at your TV.

There seems to be a noticeable graphical leap over last years offering, no doubt, an improvement in the  animations department, it just looks more realistic all-around. The stiff as a cats hind leg player models and animations are almost non-existent at this point. I’m really liking it so far, and for once during this entire generation, the Madden achievements won’t be a stroll in the park. You’ll have to work for this 1,000.

I still cannot believe a Detroit Lion is on the cover of Madden 13. And they said it wasn’t possible.

Game Details

The Walking Dead

LAST PLAYED 8/29/2012
250/300

ACHIEVEMENTS

21/24
Set a Beacon

If you haven’t played a single episode of The Walking Dead yet, stop reading this and go download it from the marketplace. Only $5 per episode and they are most excellent. Seriously, go! Run!

I’m so in love with this stuff, I would ask it to be my Valentine everyday of the year.

Gaming goals for 8-29
1) Full 1,000 Gamerscore In Sniper Elite V2 – (YES SIR)
2) Finish The Walking Dead Episode 3 which will be 100 gamerscore – i  (Nope – chose health instead – stoopid health)
3) 800 gamerscore –  (Negative – 695 Gamerscore – close but no cigar)

Gaming goals for 8-30
1) A cool 1,000 G – Cause I’m a freaking moron

I’m less than 2,000 gamerscore from the big 750,000 milestone! Three-quarters or 75% to the 1,000,000 goal. 

I really want to make a video for 750k but I have no idea what to include. I also want it to be a grand achievement for the 750,000 but I have no clue what achievement to pop. If you have any ideas on either, please leave me a comment. The video will need to be done sometime this weekend if I do it. I’m at 55% FOR doing a video at the moment.

I talked about exercising and eating healthy a little yesterday so I’ll just lay out what I did today. 

50 Reps of 185 pounds Flat Bench Press
30 Reps of 205 pounds Flat Bench Press
20 Reps of 225 pounds Flat Bench Press
75 Dips
250 Push Ups
250 Sit Ups
And I ran a few miles at the park with Cindy. (Why I did’t complete The Walking Dead)
I’ll try my best to remember what I ate. 
Bagel, Banana and Two Cups of Coffee
Egg,Cheese and English Muffin (Egg McMuffin of sorts only not packed with a zillion calories and tons of fat) 
Banana Chocolate Chip Bar
Shrimp, Cucumber and Baked Beans.
Mixed Fruit, Salad and Cottage Cheese
Glass of Orange Juice
Water on top of Water

I think I ate one too many beans though.  

Have a good day, my friends.

Daily Update 8-28: Just when I thought I was out..

…they pull me back in.

What I played and the achievements I earned.

Game Details

TRANSFORMERS: FoC

LAST PLAYED 8/28/2012
1000/1000

ACHIEVEMENTS

50/50
Set a Beacon

Transformers: Fall of Cybertonr Mini Review
Fall of Cybertron complete! It takes 30+ hours for the full 1,000 gamerscore.
First off, I’m not a big Transformers fan, I somehow missed out on it as a child.
That being said, this game has made me somewhat of a fan. Dinobots? Really? I had no clue such a thing even existed.
I refer to this type of game as “The Goods” since it’s the triple threat. Epic story campaign, good online multiplayer and a co-op horde mode of sorts which is called Escalation.
The single-player spans across 13 chapters with various types of Transformers to use. That keeps the gameplay fresh since the Transformers all have a unique feel and different types of abilities to use. The game essential plays like Gears of War, and looks like it too. It’s very nice to look at and the scale is quite large on some of the levels. The cut-scenes don’t look too shabby, either. It sounds really, really good and the voice acting it top-notch across the board. I enjoyed switching characters so much through-out, sometimes up to five or six times per level. Like I said, that kept the experience fresh for me. While playing through the campaign, I got attached to the Transformers characters like I’ve never been before. I think that speaks volumes.
Multiplayer is good for a while and features a lot of modes,  but I’m sure it will wear out its welcome after a week or so of being played hardcore. You’ll want to make use of the lobby system because it’s best with a group of people  – it doesn’t seem like a game suited for a lone wolf.
Escalation was fun, although, it only features 4 maps to play on. The mode will probably keep you and a few buddies busy for a day or two.
Fall of Cybertron is a good all around game that has turned me into a fan of Transformers. That’s about all I could ask for in a Transformers game.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Achievements – Nothing really that difficult. You’ll want a full room for escalation wave runs. Getting to Prime Mode is the longest achievement  – which requires one to get all four multiplayer classes to the max level (25). The only campaign achievement I didn’t like were the collectables, but it wasn’t excessive.

 

The best retail games of the year…so far.

1) Mass Effect 3
2) Max Payne 3
3) Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
Note: Darksiders 2 and Sleeping Dogs are not taken into account. I haven’t played or played enough of them to make that judgment. 
Game Details

Mass Effect 3

LAST PLAYED 8/28/2012
1175/1175

ACHIEVEMENTS

56/56
Set a Beacon

These are the fresh new achievements that come with the Leviathan DLC , and it will set you back $10. As you can see from the timestamps above, it took a little over 2 hours in between the 1st and final achievement, but I did take a few long breaks while playing. This means that you will get no more than 2 hours gameplay from the DLC. The content starts off fairly slow but ends with a bang, fleshing out some of the back story and doing so in such an epic fashion. Abyss and Bioshock can just eat it!!!! It is solid content, worth the price of admission just for the final 15-20 minutes.

“Conspiracy theorist” achievement is missable, you have to find all the clues in the lab so you can narrow your search down to a single objective. Pretty much the first thing you will do.

Mass Effect 3 is still the king of 2012.

Netflix

This title has no achievements.
Set a Beacon

Watched a few episodes of How I Met Your Mother.

Game Details

Sniper Elite V2

LAST PLAYED 8/28/2012
510/1000

ACHIEVEMENTS

27/41
Set a Beacon

Randomly started SE:V2 up for reasons unknown to even myself. For those that haven’t played it, it’s actually a formidable shooter. The collectibles are what turned me away in the first place since collecting gold bars is the pits. 2 months later, I’m back at it, and I have 3 levels remaining with some clean up work to do. Elite V2  features one of the best slow-mo-cam-kills there is, period. 
Gaming goals for 8-28
1) Finish 1k in Transformers. It has to happen.(YESSSSS)
2) Gain 700 Gamerscore (NOOOOO!!! I only scored 350 gamerscore – BOOOOOOOO)

Gaming goals for 8-29
1) Full 1,000 Gamerscore In Sniper Elite V2 – Only Gold bars can stop me
2) Finish The Walking Dead Episode 3 which will be 100 gamerscore – if it goes up on schedule  
3) 800 gamerscore – Because I love failing goals like a champ
No messages worth sharing today, the same ol’ stuff on repeat.
Daily blogging
I actually do these blogs in between weightlifting sets to keep it going daily, keep myself motivated, and to save some time. If your not exercising at least a couple of times per week, for the love of god, get your butt up and do so.You will feel much better once you add exercise to your life. Not in a week, not in a month. Now. Every reason not to is just an excuse. There’s a perfectly fine floor right in front of you, a park, or some stretch of road to get you exercising. Diet is a big part but that can come well after so you don’t kill yourself doing both at once. Exercise and THEN ease into a better diet.
Funny story how I started working out a lot. As a kid I was always active, played a lot of sports and things of that nature. I was always outside acting a fool, either riding my bike or playing sports. I wanted to become a boxer but I guess my father didn’t want that for me. To the point,  how did I implement exercise with gaming later in life? While playing Madden, I would play my season games against the A.I and how many yards the A.I. would gain, I would do in push ups. I kid you not,  I would literally pause the game and start doing push ups if they ran for 7 yards, caught a 30 yard pass and so on. This started during the N64 days, when I was in my mid-teens. I got addicted to exercising and it helped me get better at the game for the obvious reason, so then I started doing 2x of what the A.I. would put up. It worked for me and maybe you can try something similar that could work for you.
I’m outta herre, Peace

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