Yes, yes I have been MIA for almost a year now. To tell the truth I had lost a little  of the passion for writing about games and game news. But since Rising finally came out and the constant requests from my friend Jordan Wyatt from Invercargill New Zealand; I decided to give it a shot.


On to the review!
I have to say that I saw this game as an opportunity for  Mr. Kojima to expand the  Metal Gear universe. Yes we all know about the awesome feats of Solid Snake, Big Boss, and even Raiden. But we don't have the point of view of the "Ninjas" that appear in the series. So for me Rising was an opportunity to peek into what a Cyborg ninja was capable in the Kojima universe.
There are several armors and skins available to unlock.

The game is ridiculous in a good way, it has some things that amazed me so much. For example; the amount of gushing blood you see during the first couple of cutscenes  Or the fact that you can take on a Metal Gear Ray without much problem. But this is just at the very beginning of the game. As explained in a codec call these Metal Gear Ray units are not only weaker than the ones we all fought in the Solid saga; but they also are no match for advanced Cyborgs like Raiden.
MGS4 Ray
MGR(Desperado) Ray

In my opinion one of the best features of this game is the Music, every time you trigger an alert that Heavy Metal sound starts pumping through the speakers and you find yourself hacking foes into pieces with lightning fast speed. Of course the game offers the "stealthy" approach as well. In this game you have two options of stealthy takedowns; it's called "Ninja Kill". You can choose to kill your enemy from behind; or you can bring death from above by jumping down from a high place impaling your enemy through the chest. The only thing I felt the game lacked was the always present option of flattening yourself against a wall, which would have been helpful for me. Too many times have I made the mistake of thinking I was out of the line of sight of an enemy; only to be spotted and immediately attacked. Not fun when you are going for the stealth approach. The famous Cardboard Box makes an appearance in this game, as well as the Oil Drum. Both items help a lot when trying to hide from enemies, just don't stand in the middle of their path...



One of the features that they sold this game from the start was the "Blade Mode". The Ability of cutting your enemies every which angle you want, and it delivers! You even get rewarded for cutting enemies in several pieces, such as Gekko's and . There is a side quest in the game worth an achievement or trophy, where if you collect certain officers left arms you are rewarded the title of "Big Fan Of Lefties". Most parts of the environment are "sliceable" like trees, cars, light posts, and even bridges. I have to say "Blade Mode" has become my best friend during the whole game, specially when trying to score points for upgrades.

"Ninja Run" is also a cool feature of the game, running to deflect bullets is very useful. It's great if you are trying to get "S" ranks on your game and if you are good at it you can combine it with slides to do Zandatsu from the ground(One of my favorite techniques).

Other weapons include rocket launchers, grenades and even holographic frames to distract guards since the old school magazines don't work on cyborgs. Most of these weapons are just for support. I found myself not using them often during the game. However they are useful if you really want to try the stealthy approach or if you want to avoid damage.

The story is short, but there is a sizable amount of codec calls. I have to admit that I haven't listened to all of them. Every cutscene is about 5 minutes long or so it seems. They aren't the long cinematic scenes form your typical MGS game; but then again this is not an MGS game. This is Rising so if you want to keep true to the "Lightening Bolt Action" under title then you've got to keep them short. However in some cases it felt like a little more "reel" would have been nice. Of course it wouldn't be a "Metal Gear" kind of game without some easter eggs!
Watamelans! Motha Fuka!!!
Sunny all grown up!
I've got to admit that the ending(I'm not going to include spoilers) got me choked up; chocked up in a way that I really haven't been playing a game since MGS4. The premise of the game has you believe this "darkside" of Raiden that he is a bad ass. In a way this is true, but pay close attention to the final cutscenes, there is a statement made about the true Raiden. The Raiden I know... The Raiden you know...

Jack The Ripper mode Good ol' Raiden Mode

It has just been announced that Sony bought off cloud gaming company Gaikai for $380 million.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sony-computer-entertainment-to-acquire-gaikai-inc-a-leading-interactive-cloud-gaming-company-2012-07-02

(link might need to be copied/paste)e

1) Buy an iOS device.
2) Download the "podcasts" app
3) Go to search and enter "Don't Have Game Podcast"
4) Download or stream and enjoy.

A surprise recording of the first day of E3 between the Three Amigos! We cover the highlights of the day from Microsoft to Sony and everything in between!

  Well, I wasn't expecting to write anything about E3 today. I actually enjoyed the press conferences from the comfort of my own home in the city of South Gate on the Mid part of LA County. Actually woke up about 8:30 to see what feeds could I catch. Thankfully there was plenty of outlets where to find the show.

  Microsoft's Conference was very dull, most of it was: "Here look at some  new games and some services we are bringing. We know you don't need them or wont use them but here. Also buy more Kinect maybe?"

  EA was either worst or at the same level, with a bunch of FPS' that almost blurred together to the only semi-highlight. Battlefield 3 Premium, which for a $49 subscription gets you 20 new maps, dog tags , and knives over the course of nine months added to this you can delete game statistics and enjoy expansions in advance.

  The Ubisoft conference was actually pretty enjoyable with titles like Assassin's Creed III, Rayman Leyends, the sadistic performances of Far Cry 3 and the whole show was stolen by Watch Dogs a game that seems to have Next Gen graphic power. Watch Dogs was pretty much the highlight of the day for being a new ip, next gen graphics, and a very real feeling of the story of a not so distant future of humanity.

  Closing the days activities was Sony Playstation Brand as usual Mr Jack Tretton takes the stage. Talking up and hyping the crowd. Most of Sony's conference had a good feel that others lacked with announcements like partnerships to make PNS the worlds largest provider of quality indie titles. A slew of new titles for PS Vita as well as Playstation All Stars Battle Royale(cross platform PS3-PS Vita), A new Assassin's Creed Alternate story to AC3 which actually unlocks certain content on the PS3 title. PLaystation Suite is now called Playstation Mobile a platform that will be licensed to several devices like Smartphones and Tablets to make Playstation brand games available. The highlight of their show was their two new exclusive IP's Beyond: Two Souls and of course the much talked about the Last Of Us. The first one a game that explores the life of Jodie Hudson and the answers to metaphysical questions like "what happens after we die?" As well as an arsenal of supernatural powers. Very last was one of the most talked about PS3 games The Last Of US. The Game seems to have a great AI specially when it comes to that little girl that follows the main character she wont bump, cross or "give up" the location of the heroes. With a kind of real time weapon system that at very least lets you make Molotov cocktails. and my favorite part was the very ending of this gameplay which I wont spoil just in case. Thanks for reading again.
  JBB

  Credit to Facebook friend Alice Nobel for the nice picture!          

Hey Everyone, just finished watching the Nintendo Wii U presentation they released today. Mr Iwata showed a great deal about the Wii U; I particularly liked the integration of different devices and those capabilities to link people with similar tastes together. A clear sign that shows Nintendo knows how to make something unique.

So I once again tuned in to watch the Konami Pre-E3 Show, I have to say this year I was pretty impressed with what I saw. The beginning felt a little forced with the Mobile/Social Gaming bit, true the most modern platforms of gaming is social as well as mobile. However whenever they do these kind of event the give me the impression of saying "hey look at this we also have mobile games" To me it was actually good to know they opened a new studio in San Francisco; one of my favorite cities, where I hope to move one day.

  The second part is one that always makes me go "now this looks very interesting" which is PES now usually they release a new title every year and there are lots of fan of the Football(Soccer) title; I particularly favor the FIFA series  for the particular reason that they release the official World Cup game. Anyway they focused in the new mechanics for the game like having total control of the ball at all times and the ways they achieved this. like I always say it makes me go "very interesting!" but then it goes away.

  The third section featured a very familiar and adored face in the gaming industry, Hideo Kojima talking about ZOE HD. In fact ZOE is a series that I always wanted to play, since is Hideo's work; however for several factors I never could. The Genius Director talked a bit about the origins of the game, the reasons why he brought it back to life and what is in store for people who want to play it. I myself can't wait for it the new effects look amazing and the Mechs look so cool I wish they were real. My only observation why is the cockpit... well in the crotch area?(Pun well intended)

  Right after one of the most awaited parts took place the Metal Gear Solid 25th anniversary announcements. To tell the truth I didn't feel too exited about what Kojima had in store. Mainly he spoke in brief about the evolution of the series and what is being done but there was no real surprises he mentioned the games in the already released HD collections for Xbo360 and PS3 as well as the MGS3DS. The only upcoming games he talked about were the already announced PS Vita MGS HD collection. He did mentioned that they are working on the FOX Engine but what exactly is still a mystery.

  What came after I could have not foreseen; They released a brand new trailer for Metal Gear Rising something that from the first scenes had a coolness I hadn't experience yet on a Metal Gear game. Since its release this game has been a roller coaster off feelings for hard-core fans of the franchise. Most people have been down and low on the game since it was rebooted and re-announced as a game that not only will take place after the events; but also after it was announced that Platinum Games was making the game and not directly Kojima Productions.

  When I saw this new trailer and heard the Depeche Mode song "Wrong" it all just clicked so...right? I mean the whole thing was so good Jack's back walking down the street on different periods of his life, as a child soldier, as Raiden from MGS2, as the brooding Cyborg Ninja from MGS4,and finally as his new and improved self. The cut scenes they showed which were very short gave me that self assurance you always get with Kojima games, cinematic rather than in game dialog and action. The most important part for me was the game play; because it answered so many questions I had. I saw what I wanted to see for so long, they showed before the footage of the new mechanics they wanted to implement all those watermelons and soldiers chopped to bits. They even teased game play before by Platinum which made the most hardcore fans rip their proverbial tunics in response to the "Lightning Bolt Action" developed by them. Today I can say with confidence that Kojima has done it again; he heard the cries of fan boys from his tower on the Tokyo Roppongi district and said: "Stealth? You guys want stealth hu??? Well here it is Motha Fockas!!! Let there be Stealth!" and there was stealth and he saw it was good. That's how I imagine it anyway. Yes there was stealth on the actual game play footage I rejoiced watching Raiden jumping from the ledge of a building to drive his high frequency blade through the body of an unsuspecting guard. Then some more footage of the Hero running at ridiculous speeds to grab an enemy from behind driving that famous blade across his chest. Stalking his pray from the rooftop watching through skylights calculating when to attack. Attacking another from behind a pillar cutting not only stone and rebar but the enemy across like a piece of butter with a hot knife. The other thing that does not stop amazing me is the fast action we witnessed, feats of impossible agility. Raiden jumping through the screen climbing buildings crates and cars like gravity was non existing. Running up a falling road just to jump in the air skip on a couple of missiles shot from a chopper and cut said aircraft to smithereens. His abilities surpass any seen before; yes even after seeing him stop Outer Heaven(the tanker/submarine fortress from MGS4) with nothing but his shoulder.

 I cant stop feeling anything but hope and good things for this game, some of the new enemies were also shown. Huge hulking figures that sometimes can pound him like a rag doll.Thanks to Cyborg Ninja technology out in a world no longer controlled by The Patriots where information flows like wine in a Roman tale. The finish showed the newest tag line "Make it right" and finally a release date of early 2013.  If people keep feeling the need to question the decisions made towards the production and development of this game, no one and nothing will convince them otherwise. No cooler trailer has ever been made for a video game, period!

  After that trailer an interview/mini documentary took place with the team from Platinum games. The guys talked about their experience and their desire to make this game one of the best games out there, if anything I think their goal was surpassed by far.After these developments a little humor could not be left out, a funny performance by Mega64 whom have been a persistent collaboration in recent years with the Kojima team. The skid features Raiden trying to get a job after MGS4 only to fail at every attempt. Finally answering his true calling. Of course he seems to have referred a "friend" to said agency.

  Lastly a teaser for the new upcoming Castlevania title Lords of Shadow 2 which caught my attention when I saw the profile of this blond character facing Lord Dracula. The mysterious blond man had a very familiar posture and attire; I speculate he is Alucard the Vampire's half human son. Followed an upcoming announcement for June 5th during the second day of the E3 conference.

  I've waited for this day and for hours I was expecting when 10:30 PST US hit the clock. When the time came to watch I was not disappointed; the Pre-E3 show Konami has made us accustomed to has proven that people will tune in and speculate and celebrate what they like. I am one of those in celebration so much so that it has taken me hours in front of the monitor. Pouring through the footage to make sure I have captured what I saw and released it back in written form. if you do read this thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you.
JBB

As reported by G4, Sorcery will be the first of many titles available for "pre-loading" a new feature that Sony will implement on the PS3. It consists on letting you pre-download a game before it goes on sale so you can play it first the very same day it comes out. This feature is already implemented by Steam and frankly I believe it's something that the PS3 was missing, so all I've got left to say is: We are going to need a bigger hard drive.

I really can't wait for this amazing PS3 game to come out it looks like a game that actually uses PS3's powerful resources well. You can tell Naughty Dog learned well from their previous experiences with the "Uncharted" series. I will leave you with this link to check it out for yourself.

Mcvuk.com has confirmed that we will get a Lord Of The Rings video game soon maybe as soon as this fall. This game series in particular will focus on the 3 movie saga by Director Peter Jackson.