PixlBit

Hello Pixlbit! It’s been an odd couple of days here in what is usually sunny Southern California. We had a crazy thunder storm, and the local news’ big story was that a tree was knocked over. This is more interesting than the last time when a guy drove his car through a flooded street, and was pissed at the city because his car was ruined (yeah that was news). Oh well after taking a break last week from blogging to enjoy the start of football I am back, and I’d like to share with you all the “What’s Going On With Chris” blog!

Last week, while on a Thrift Store run, I stumbled upon a bunch of records at the local Goodwill.

 

I usually don’t see this much there, but it looked like a big chunk of a collection was donated. Tons of 12”, 45s, LPs, and other goodies were in that pile, and I spent the next 45 minutes digging, finding stuff I had to have. Looking at the price tags, they have been sitting for a week, which means the hipsters, resellers, and cool record guy already had a chance to pick out the gems. I was ok with that, especially if cool record guy had his shot

Random Tangent: I met cool record a year ago. He’s an older gentleman who collects music, was really helpful, and spotted some cool gems he thought I should listen to. I’d rather him get first shot, instead of eBay reseller guy (there’s a guy who walks around my Goodwill with his bar code scanner, and stocks up on books)

There was a lot of interesting stuff, but I found some cool things I really wanted and I’ll share my finds later on.

 

GAMES

 

I’ve started playing this game on both the PS3, and the Vita, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m thinking about buying other tables, but I probably won’t anytime soon because of a certain game being released on the 17^th.

 

Disney Infinity

I think I’ve hit the wall. I really haven’t become tired of this game, but I’m not too excited about Monsters University, but I will give you my thoughts about this game

Incredibles: This was the first world I played, and I did enjoy it, but the missions got repetitive. What bothered me about this game was how the helicopter handles. It felt clunky, and I would often crash into buildings. Taking part in the helicopter specific races can be challenging, but fun. When not playing in missions I found myself turning this game into a sort of G Rated GTA. I would drive around trying to run over the town’s people, or throwing them into walls.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: This is my favorite of the three story lines. In fact if Disney made an extended version of this game, I would buy the uber exclusive statue/steelbook/artbook/soundtrack/GameStop Edition with crazy DLC. This part of the starter pack was really well done. Everything from piloting the ship, (I thought this was really amazing especially with the ship’s movement in the water, along with the swells), to exploring the various ports, it was the most fun I’ve had. The game had a lot of similar missions, but did a good job in making them feel new each time.

There are a ton of customization options for your ship, as well as a bunch of cool toys for your character. I wish there was more of this storyline.

Monsters University: I feel that this is the weakest of the three. I didn’t see the animated flick so I don’t have an attachment to this part of their storyline, so it feels like this game drags on. I’m having problems finishing this story because I don’t really have an interest in it.

The Toy Box: I feel this is the most interesting part of the game, because you can create your own world. In a previous blog I said I wanted to create Kings Landing from Game of Thrones…with an ESPNZone (I unlocked an ESPN banner), and so far I added two walls. Yeah at my pace, the Playstation 5 will be the new console, before I finish Kings Landing…with an ESPNZone.

The Toy Box is basically a canvas you can decorate and populate with all the goodies you find in the three worlds. You can also buy the power discs in blind bags, but after jumping on that bandwagon, I’d rather just stick to what can be unlocked in game (especially at $5 a pack). There are finished Toy Box worlds you can download, but I think you get the most bang for your buck with creating your own world…now if anyone creates Los Santos or Vice City, I’ll download that in a heartbeat.

 

 

This is another game I started playing on iOS, and I really like it. When I first started playing it, I was hoping for something similar to Puzzle Fighter, especially since

 

I can’t download Puzzle World to my Vita. Why Sony, Why?!

Puzzle Trooper is straightforward. You move the color marbles to create a chain of three or more to unleash an attack. You trigger more combos, the attack gets bigger, and more fighters join in, if their color marbles are activated. You take turns against the computer, and you have to survive these attacks.

 

You control a group of 5 fighters, and one visitor, that will take on multiple waves of enemies. Usually the waves are 2-3 fighters with different levels of strength.

 

The final boss is tougher than the waves, but he can be defeated. In your little bag of tricks you can unleash a special attack (I can’t remember how to activate these attacks, but they seem to show up after a couple of combos). After these battles are finished you have the option of adding the visitor as a friend, collect your rewards, and then on to upgrading the experience of your soldiers, and modifying them.

 

I’m currently playing through the first world, and it seems pretty easy but I know I need to constantly upgrade my fighters. Every chance I get when I unlock something I try to add it to one of the weaker fighters. I’m not great in this part but my troops have had a good run through the enemies.

 

There are in game achievements for things like unleashing a multiple hit combo, finishing off a section of the map, etc, and you are rewarded with various goodies. There is one mini game of chance that you can purchase with in game funds, called Air Drop. The big prizes are the gold boxes with 3 star fighters. I’ve only hit the lowest level box, and silver box but it’s still fun and it’s not a big need right now.

I can’t say if this is a game with a bunch of real money purchases because I really don’t look for it. I usually jump into one or two games a night. It’s a fun game, and I think it’s still free on iTunes.

 

Treasures Of Montezuma Blitz

 

Last night without realizing what I did, I hit my biggest score since I started playing this game (apparently I’ve played it for 31 hours. Holy S***). Funny thing is that I’m not tired of this game. I think I try to play it at least three times a day. I don’t have any of the expensive add-ons running, so I can save up my jewels and I try to go on big runs once a week with them on. Again you can’t go wrong with a game when it’s fun and free.

*EDIT: Later on I played again, and without using any of the little power-ups, I hit 6 million. If you get on a run, all heck breaks loose.

 

Simpsons Tapped Out

 

Nothing big, but I did update the game and I moved up a level, and unlocked some new characters, and some new buildings. One of the new buildings is Springfield High School. I didn’t know there was a Springfield HS.

 

I do like the humor in the game. I’m waiting for new updates on Krustyland. I’d like to re make some areas, but I’m waiting for new content.

 

COOL FINDS

 

First find has to go to my local mom & pop. I went with my brother, and while I made my way to the 15 for $20 section I spot this in awesome condition for $20

I was really excited because I missed out on buying this when it originally came out, and this one is really REALLY nice condition.

 

Everything is included, and when I went to pay, the couple that own the shop kept commenting on how great a condition it was in and they were surprised it lasted for a week. I’m happy I have a copy, and too bad I don’t have a VCR or else I’d watch the tapes too.

 

I found these CDs at a local charity thrift that I always have good luck in

 

I’ve been in a Van Morrison mood, and I’m glad I ran into 3 of his albums at one spot. I picked up the Wallflowers and Toni Braxton at the mom & pop, and the Pavoritti album was in their freebie box (there’s nothing wrong with it, it was missing the second disc). There was a bunch of other stuff, but albums I was kind of interested in, I already owned. Mom & Pop stores are freaking awesome!

Ok so earlier I said I found some cool stuff at Goodwill? So this is what I picked up

 

I found a couple of Roger Daltry albums, a sealed Johnny Cash Big River LP, Don Ho, The Naval Air Training Command Choir, an LP of JFK speeches, and a Royal Marines album.

I found a couple of 12” singles including

 

Shaquille O’Neal Bring On The Reign in orange vinyl. Really cool looking single. There were about four other ones at the store but I left them for other folks.

 

Some 45s. I think they are disco. I haven’t gotten around to listening to them yet. They had a Jane Wedlin 45 but the poor thing was warped.

A couple of days ago I made a trip back to Goodwill to see if they added anything new to the pile. The Shaq singles were gone, and they brought out more Disco LPs (a bunch of compilations).  When I didn’t notice before was actually out front in the windows

 

Now more people are going to be hitting my local Goodwill, looking for a come up, and saying “this is f’n awesome.” Well played Goodwill.

 

I found these albums. I bought the Terry Snyder based on the cover because I thought it was funny how he was posing with a snare. The funny thing about that Wings Over America is that I bought the CD a month ago, and now I have it on vinyl. I think I have two or three copies of albums on Vinyl and CD. I don’t know what it is, but I really like those German Beer albums.

 

OTHER

 Vita TV

Sony released some info on the Vita TV. From the sounds of it, I like it because of what it can do especially play Vita games on your TV. I had the cable for my PSP and even though it cropped the screen, playing Rock Band Unplugged on a big screen was fun. I hope Vita TV takes off, and it pushes Sony to create more Vita-centric content. I do like the indie games, but I bought the dang thing to play big name titles on little cards too.

 

I got caught up earlier last week watching

 

I really like this feature on iTunes, and every iDevice. The one act I was waiting to watch was Paramore.

 

Before I knew it I watched their entire set. Hell of a performance, and if iTunes releases it as a concert EP, like they have with other acts, I’m buying it.

 

Before I call it a blog, this Wednesday, stop and take a moment.

 

That’s all for now, more later!

-Chris

Go See Cal, Go See Cal, Go See Cal. One of those commercials I would always see growing up, RIP Cal