Update 7.19.14 - Currently Playing/Beat in 2014

On 07/19/2014 at 12:08 PM by F1r3inth3H0L3

It’s been a long time since I wrote a blog, over a month easily. I think my last one was right before E3, lol. I have been checking in on PixlBit though and commenting when I can. I can honestly say that Nerds Without Pants has become one of my favorite podcasts, right up there with GiantBombcast. The Final Fantasy X backloggers anonymous makes me wishing I was playing along, I have beaten the game before though, so I am able to listen and reminisce about the game.

So what have I been doing? I have just been super busy with work, it's funny how work can occupy all your free time if you let it. I am looking into possibly buying a place of my own, it's about that time in my life where I need my own space, I may have even procrastinated a bit there. And in the near future I am taking a trip to Las Vegas with some friends (going this whole next week).

In the video games department, here is what I have been up to:

Currently Playing

Darksiders

I have been looking to play this game/series for a while, and I want to chip away at my ridiculous PS3 backlog. So Darksiders was my choice. I wish I would've played this game when it was first released, because I think it is awesome! I have heard that it is a mix between God of War and Legend of Zelda; I definitely see the God of War influences. I love the combat in this game, so many options with moves, magic and even finishing moves. The graphics are pretty good as well (not so much in the first level, but after that). Mark Hamill playing as the Watcher who follows you around is pretty awesome as well, he sounds a lot like the Joker from the Arkham games, nothing wrong with that at all.

I also own Darksiders II, yes I bought the sequel not having played the first one and now I am glad I own it. Great game so far, definitely recommend.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Another PS3 backlog candidate. I am not big into strategy games at all, but this game is good in that it is pretty fun and the combat is entertaining. I just cannot stand the poison infecting by the human looking aliens. I have not yet figured out how to cure it, that's the only problem.

Being able to fully customize your soldiers is pretty cool, my soldier lineup includes the likes of: Art Vandalay, Mona Sax, Max Payne, Nathan Drake, Vic Vinegar…etc. Hope you get the references. Mona Sax is by far my MVP, murdering aliens left and right, it just worked out that way.

Mario Kart 8

I enjoy this game a lot, I do not play it online though. I think I tried once and did OK, but I prefer local multiplayer on Mario Kart. One thing I have heard discussed on podcasts is the desire that Mario Kart would incorporate all Nintendo characters like Super Smash Bros, I share this idea. Instead of all the Koopa kids, playing as Zelda, Samus or Link would be more interesting.

I ordered a Pro Controller because I cannot stand playing with the Wii U Gamepad honestly. It's like trying to play a game with an iPad. Great party game.

Beat So Far in 2014

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition
Call of Duty: Ghosts
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
The Last of Us
Asura's Wrath
The Walking Dead, Season 1

Above are the games I have beaten so far in 2014. It's mainly frontloaded when I was unemployed and now I have hardly any time to beat games. I am working on it though.

If I had to pick a favorite game that I have played in 2014, that would be a pretty tough pick between Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, The Last of Us and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition. I think it would probably ultimately go to Metal Gear, I absolutely love that game and the new gameplay mechanics and also the fact that it is absolutely gorgeous. The new dark direction of the series is refreshing as well, to me it breathed new life and interest into the game.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is also visually outstanding. I love the gameplay as well. It is more linear in a way, but nothing wrong with that. I don't much like open world games anymore, Metal Gear is the exception. I had to start Tomb Raider over from the beginning after a bug corrupted my save file, but I still managed to love it.

The Last of Us was awesome all around. Easily one of my favorite PS3 games and could easily be on my all-time favorite list. I will probably eventually buy the PS4 version because of how much I loved it. I cannot wait to see that game visually on PS4.

I also finally played through The Walking Dead Season 1 and enjoyed it a lot. There were some tough deicisions and I enjoyed it overall. I love the TV show, so that played a part in finally sitting down and playing it. I am not a big adventure game person, this will probably be the only adventure game I play ever, lol, until I finally play Season 2.

Thanks to everyone for reading. Hope you enjoy your weekend.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

07/19/2014 at 12:24 PM

hey enjoy your trip to Vegas!

I'm looking forward to playing Tomb Raider soon.

F1r3inth3H0L3

07/19/2014 at 09:04 PM

I will have a good time no doubt. I am looking forward to the time off work. It should be a blast!

Tomb Raider is pretty awesome, enjoyed alot more than I though I was going to.

rejo1479

07/19/2014 at 02:25 PM

Man, you finished some really good games there. I'll say play season 2 of The Walking Dead soon! I was worried that it wouldn't live up to the first, but they're doing a terrific job. I can't wait for the next episode to be released next week.

Have a fun and safe trip!

07/19/2014 at 09:09 PM

Thanks I will be having fun :)

Is all of Season 2 out yet??

07/20/2014 at 03:23 PM

Not yet. Episode 4 comes out this Tuesday, so there's a couple more months before it's finished.

Cary Woodham

07/19/2014 at 03:09 PM

Yeah I agree, they need to make a Super Smash Kart.

07/19/2014 at 09:10 PM

Yea, the Mario characters alone are good, but all the Nintendo characters would be so much better...

jgusw

07/19/2014 at 04:33 PM

I was enjoying Darksiders, but there are a few parts of the game I thought were annoying. When I got to the part with the warps in that buildings, I quit to play a game that was more relaxing.

07/19/2014 at 09:11 PM

i don't think I have gotten to that part yet. I will muscle through it hopefully. I hate walking away from games half done, especially when I am enjoying it.

07/20/2014 at 08:22 AM

You'll know the part when you get to it. Good luck, man.

10/10/2014 at 01:24 AM

I truly disliked that portion of the game. Very irritating and it seemed neverending! glad it's behind me....

10/10/2014 at 08:29 AM

Cool. My tolerance for Darksiders was wearing thin when I got to that part. The warping puzzle was the straw that broke my back.

V4Viewtiful

07/19/2014 at 04:44 PM

Played Mario Kart 8 with a friend of mine, The Controls felt somewhat loose but I got to grips after a few play throughs, Darksiders is alrightt but Death in the second one is a Better character, you'll find. I think the combat is easier in the first game too.

07/19/2014 at 09:13 PM

The second one has a 'loot" dynamic to it I have heard. If it adds that on top of what I am already playing, it could be great

BrokenH

07/19/2014 at 04:56 PM

I wish they'd make more horror themed survival games like The Last Of Us. It was so much better at story-telling than RE ever was. However,comparing those two is a bit unfair I guess. I mean RE was kind of cheesy with equally cheesy characters right from the very beginning whereas The Last Of Us was more of a take on "serious" horror minus the B-movie shenanigans.

As for Tombraider? I was blown away! It's not a game everyone can love but it hit all the right notes for me personally! I enjoyed it even more than Arkham City. (Not to say Arkham City is a bad game quite the contrary,I had a lot of fun with it!)

07/19/2014 at 09:15 PM

I was also suprised about Tomb Raider, I definitely didn't know what to expect going in to it. If there were not stupid multiplayer trophies, I would sit down and try to plat that game. I like doing that for games I love.

The Last of Us was so awesome, so many good parts in that game. Don't want to spoil it for anyone.

xDarthKiLLx

07/19/2014 at 11:40 PM

Ive also heard of Darksiders being compared to Zelda though I fail to make the connection between them

07/20/2014 at 12:42 PM

I see the connection to God of War definitely, not so much Legend of Zelda. Maybe the lock on to enemies, but that is about it.

leeradical42

07/20/2014 at 09:08 AM

Xcom is a awesome game and I would recommend playing Enemy Within since it lets you augment you troops into mechs but the poison can be negated with a special med kit you can get through research but the best way is to just move your troops out of the cloud as soon as you get hit but it only lasts one turn once your clear of the poison this is definitely one of my favorite games ever then with the last of us I really want to get this game its still kind of pricey but really looks like something I would enjoy although I suck at fps games, I have never played the Darksiders games but I h asve been wanting to get them especially with the price being cheap.

07/20/2014 at 12:41 PM

Ok, I thought once you were posioned, it remained until the end of the battle. Thanks. I bought Enemy Unknown literally the day before Enemy Within was announced, lol. I hate when that happens...

KnightDriver

07/20/2014 at 11:52 PM

I have a some time for games not because I'm out of work, but because I have no social life. I'm starting to do exercise and so I may join a gym soon and maybe do something about socializing at the same time. Then I'll have even less time to finish games.

I've always wanted to play the Darksiders games. Too bad the dev closed shop recently and there won't be any more of them.

07/27/2014 at 12:09 PM

That's right, trying to balance out time for everything can be tough, especially if you have kids. I struggle as well.

I definitely recommend playing Darksiders, I am enjoying it more than I thought.

goaztecs

07/24/2014 at 11:49 AM

So I'm catching up with everyone's blogs, and good stuff on wanting to go out on your own. Props man, and hopefully you and the friends had a good time in Vegas!

07/27/2014 at 12:10 PM

Thank you, hope you enjoyed reading. Vegas was alot of fun, really hot though.

Alex-C25

07/26/2014 at 11:10 AM

I've been also interested in Darksiders ever since it was released. I think I should go and put the first game on my Steam wishlist.

07/27/2014 at 12:11 PM

The first level kind of threw me off, but after that it is really good. If you like God of War, you will like this game. I haven't yet seen any Zelda similarities othan than the "Z targeting".

PixlBit

Update 7.19.14 - Currently Playing/Beat in 2014

Comments