Warning! Huge review approaching!

It's not just a temporary replacement for Mario Kart, it is a very worthy competitor

In all of the gaming industry, there is no niche where there is a domination as huge as the one that exists on the kart racing one. All games and teams that venture into the realm know exactly what needs to be done, which is to produce a game that draws positive comparisons to Mario Kart. After all, not only was it Nintendo that created the often-copied formula, but Mario and his crew have been executing it masterfully for over two decades. During that period of time, only a very restricted number of titles out of which Diddy Kong Racing and Crash Team Racing stand out - were able to break the monopoly, each for their own reasons and pronenesses. Sonic Racing Transformed manages to enter that select group, and it does so by fixing the flaws of its predecessor, and offering a fantastic mix of challenge, content and outstanding track design.

The first noticeable feature that makes Sonic Racing Transformed stay away from being just another kart game is exposed right on its title. The game does not focus solely on wacky automobile competitions. Instead, the races take place on the water, in the sky and on the land. It would not have been such a refreshing concept but for one detail: tracks are not based on a single vehicle; each one of them presents segments that demand different racing approaches, forcing characters to magically go from one vehicle to the other on the fly. With the exception of a few rare instances when the vehicles behave oddly in the milliseconds following a transformation, the transitions are mostly smoothly done and add a lot of excitement to the race. Aside from the fantastic visual value of, for instance, going up a ramp with a boat and watching as it turns into an airplane in the midst of a battle for a position, the transformations also have strategic value, because as flying is considerably faster than the other two options of movement, the racing tracks will offer opportunities to transform into a plane earlier, rewarding those who find ramps and taking off spots.

Speaking of the tracks, they are yet another point that heavily benefits from the blending of vehicles, and are the clear highlights of the game. Courses take advantage of that opportunity in two distinct ways: they are either built so that three vehicles are used during the same lap, or they present environmental elements that alter the path in between laps. Therefore, even though the game contains sixteen original tracks, plus four extracted for its predecessor - all of which are kart-only it feels like much more, because as they mutate, tracks often become different to the point of not being recognizable. As if all that work was not enough, the game's tracks are also packed with alternative paths and shortcuts, which add a lot to both their already high replayability and to the element of surprise waiting within each race.

In a genre usually dominated by multiplayer-focused games, Sonic Racing Transformed brings forth a whole lot of single-player value. There are two main modes where the solo fun resides: Grand Prix and Career. The first one is nearly self-explanatory, players compete against nine other characters in four-race cups to see who ends up with the biggest amount of points. In total, there are ten cups, equally divided between regular and mirrored ones, and the difficulty of each can be chosen among four distinct options. Meanwhile, in the Career mode, through which most of the characters are unlocked, presents individual challenges that include regular races where players must finish in a certain position, time trials, boost challenges and racing duels against a series of characters. According to the difficulty chosen for each challenge, players will earn stars, which can then be used to unlock gates that are either protecting new characters or more challenges.

For a game as colorful and seemingly kid-friendly as this one, it packs an immensely surprising amount of challenge. While the high level of difficulty is extremely welcome, for it considerably boosts the time that can be spent playing solo, some of its implementation is questionable. Facing at least a portion of the game in the hard difficulty is key if players want to unlock certain characters, and open a few gates hiding some of the more advanced challenges. It is all fine and good if the player in question is experienced; youngsters, however, will most likely be overwhelmed by the many hours of practice one must go through if he wants to clear a good part of the game.

The core problem here is that practice is not the only thing required to go through the entirety of the game; patience is also extremely important. Like all games of its kind, Sonic Transformed presents an assortment of items that can be used during the race. Unlike Mario Kart, however, the items you get are not heavily dependent on the position you find yourself in. Meaning that while leaders are boosting their way through the tracks with powerful items, people in the middle of the pack might be struggling with simple powers. As a consequence, a big part of the game's result, especially on the hardest levels, relies on luck. Though those occurrences are annoying on Career mode, they can be even more frustrating during a Grand Prix, where three straight good races can be destroyed by a bad race where players - which always start at the back of the grid - are unable to reach the leaders because they are too busy being hit by an army of items. Regardless of how good a player is at speeding through the tracks, finishing 1st will usually demand many tries, and an eventual victory is most likely to come due to sheer luck of getting the right item at the right time.

In general, though, Sonic Racing Transformed is a very pleasant game to play. Not only is the game bursting with the personality extracted directly from fantastic Sega properties - including a vast selection of characters, each with very a very unique trio of vehicles - it is also a software that can be enjoyed with friends. The multiplayer gameplay is not restricted to especially designed modes. It is, instead, available in any mode of choice - with the exception of Time Trials - and, by taking advantage of the Wii U gamepad, the game allows for up to five players to battle each other on any of game's many Grand Prix tournaments, Career Mode challenges, or online matches. Whoever holds the Wii U gamepad - which on single-player works as a map display and a rear view mirror - will play on the controller's screen, which despite its average size produces very nice visuals, while those who hold the Wiimotes will share the TV. Though it is not used in any asymmetric and creative way, which is totally understandable given the nature of a racing title, it is nice to be able to avoid split-screen when playing in pairs.

While its predecessor suffered from constant frame rate problems, this is a game mostly free from that issue, and that is no small feat. The tracks are full of activity. Aside from ten racers throwing items and shoving each other, there are plenty of traps going around, scenario details to be processed at the game's relatively fast speed, and that all goes without mentioning how some of the courses suffer mutations in-between laps as a result of explosions, and other kinds of physical destruction. Throw into the bag the fact that the game looks really great, and holding it all together through the entirety of the race becomes quite a technical achievement. Besides being exciting by their fast and frantic nature, races are boosted by a nice soundtrack which is highlighted by some tunes that have been selected from games that present a very powerful soundtrack.

Often, when a good game of the kart racing genre hits a Nintendo platform early on, it tends to be labeled as a title that exists for the purpose of temporarily satisfying any racing needs that players might have until Mario Kart comes around. This time, though, the Nintendo Wii U has received a game that will not simply be thrown away once Nintendo unleashes a new installment on its longstanding racing series, but one that will be able to compete side-by-side with it regardless of how great the next Mario Kart will be. Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed has tons of content, which aside from simply racing include over 100 collectible stickers that serve as awards for the completion of achievements, a nice degree of vehicle customization, and a huge load of the undeniable charm of the Sega franchises. Put some good level of challenge in there, which is sometimes unfortunately done cheaply, and you have a lasting, fun and rewarding title.

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That's right!!! As of last night at 12:01 A.M. it became official... I own my car!!! I am so happy now that I can start to save all of that money from each month again into savings! It has been a long but very nice 5 years and I have taken the utmost awesome care of it. I have not even gone over 100,000 miles yet... ahd she still drives wonderfully! Time for a nice glass of wine and some relaxation... 60 perfect payments and what an awesome credit score booster as well! I am so thankful and Truely Blessed!!!

I also am simply going to say this also about the Microsoft Conference today... I am not impressed at all. I know that new upgrades are going to happen... but so many negatives and so few positives about the new XBox. What a let down for serious gamers. I personally am going to ride out my few months I have left on XBox Live and when it is done... I will be done with XBox too!!! I took todays conference as a "Slap in the Face" to all gamers who have supported them for the last serveral years, I being one of them... and I simply choose not to go further supporting that company!

Have a wonderful week ahead and my God Bless you where ever you are!!!

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Remember when you were little, and kids were asked what their favorite food was? And they (probably you too) usaully said "PIZZA!!!!"

So if "Pizza" is STILL your favorite food, what KIND of Pizza is your favorite

What I mean by "kind" is:

- Type of Crust

- Toppings

- Shape of Pizza

MY Favorite is:

- Type of Crust: Stuffed Crust

- Toppings: Supreme

- Shape of Pizza: Classic Triangle

What about y'all

By the way, check out my new website called "DJ'S Manipulations" at djsmanipulations.weebly.com if you would want any pictures of yours to be "manipulated" in a cool way and show it off to your family and friends

I will promote my new site on the bottom of EVERY Blog I will do from now on

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And this isn't a leaving gamespot blog so.....

Anyway looks like Microsoft next system has been announced

and looks like these have been confirmed to be true

-Always Online

- Have to Pay a fee to play used games

-No Backwards Compatibilty

=No Buy, And was going to get Microsoft/Nintendo systems this time around instead of Sony/Nintendo Like I usually do

so looks like Xbox 360 is going to be the only system I ever own from Microsoft, kind of a shame since I did like the system.

and it might also be the only I get, unless I get Xbox 1 so I can play Advent Rising that is.

As for my first comment and topic title if I do get a Playstation 4, by if it currently depends on what games come out for the system now. likely might be the last system I get from Sony, since I'm not conviced the Playstation 5 is going to be heading in such a good direction either. So looks like after this gen probably I may just switch to PC gaming and stick with Nintendo, but looks like my console gaming may slowly be coming to end from the looks of it. Then again I probably don't need to buy anymore game systems anyway and probably should start saving money so I can go to college, move out and for a vehicle.

The beginning of the downfall of the Video Game industry. Unless they come out with Virtual Reality games that is, and if that is the case I want Pokemon and Zoids virtual reality games then. or maybe I am just over thinking things, and too far into the future yet.

anyway on another not finished some books

Fringe The Zoidac Paradox

1st book completed in 2013

Pages: 355

Percy Jackson & The Olympains The Lightning Thief

2nd book completed in 2013

Pages: 375

Warriors Dawn of the Clans- The Sun Trail

3rd book completed for 2013

Pages: 313

Well anyway finished these three. Kind of took me a while for some reason to get some books finished.

As for Video Games, I'm just about done with Pokemon White, likely will finish it later tonight probably.

and got Majority of the items I ordered, still waiting on some. And if anybody wants to know what cards I did get, I posted them on facebook.

And think we know by now I worship Princess Luna and Nightmare Moon

now to convert gamespot into Lunaism

Anyway I'll also probably preorder Animal Crossing off of Amazon next week comes out June 9th, and will be getting a Nintendo 3DS Card so I can get Legend of Zelda Oracle of Seasons and Ages. Have been wanting to play those titles for a while.

Also did play Assassin's Creed Revelations for a bit and Nier, and I'm not sure what else

I'm pretty sure Twilight couldn't have done any worse then what I've done.

Anyway guess I'm going to be playing Pokemon White

reminds me, if you are the Mayor in the New Animal Crossing wonder what happened to Tortimer?

And have played every Animal Crossing since the first game on Nintendo Gamecube, then again not that hard to since there is only 4 games I think.

[ Watch Video ]

Picture for the Day:

~Cynder of Riverclan

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Peace.

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Well, that is all. Thanks for reading this and understanding that we all need a break from things. Feel free to leave a comment below and I'll see you all later.

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As Promised I have finished My Elizabeth Drawing, this one was my toughest Drawing Ever! I've spent A week for It, I really gave It love to make It as best as I can! and here It goes hope everyone like It:

The Original Picture Is 7K resolution, 1gig, and 234MB TIF version Couldn't Upload It but Have Uploaded some Good JEPEC Versions for Web So for the best Image check out my DevianArt Link and Also you can Add me there If you are member of that Site : Elizabeth High Res Picture

And Here Another Version:

High Res Pic for this one

And I hope It brings Smile on your faces I know It will bring Smile on Scott Face Right Buddy? lol

Right Now Time Is 2:29 AM and I have Spent one Week each day more than 5 hours working on this Concept Art So really I am out of Energy to go deep and talking about this Game, All I can say Bioshock Infinite Is a true meaning of Great Game and you will enjoy It, If It wasn't I really wouldn't spend this much time and Energy to show my love and Passion about It! well of Course everyone has their own taste some people may not like It We Respect All

Beside Game Spot has some really Great Videos that Talks about It In good Details go check them out If you didn't.

I Like to do some Fan Art Drawings for my Favorite Video Games, They are good for Practicing and making good Artworks, I will Write some new Blogs Later On about Games I have finished and more stuff.

Well I guess That's All I have to say , Thanks everyone for Reading and up coming Comments lol

_Makan

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LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T0vs9gYydo

Well that escalated quickly....

Bee Out.

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I am back for my every 3 month blog.

I don't really miss this place to be honest but I do miss most of you guys.

I doubt that most of you still post on here, but if you do, I say hello.

Lol I'm such a noob.

I got Fire Emblem:Awakening.

Still nerd-gasming.

It's such a damn perfect game. 

My birthday is a 3 days.

Hoping to just keep living lol.

Elementary school still sucks.

I just want to be out of here and in high school! D:

Well, thanks for reading my friends.

Until next time.

Peace out!

Bye!

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Stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. This week, I'm amped for the next Starcraft II game, Heart of the Swarm. However, I'll need my PC back first. Right now, its getting repaired. The charger's **** up. Yeah. Beat a few games. Picked up Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon again, finished a level I was stuck on and then found out the next level was the final level. So I was so close and didn't even know it. Been playing Resident Evil 4 for Gamecube. I see why it won Spike's VGA Game of the Year award in 2005. Complete pissoff when the guys get behind you and there is NO WAY they could have. Got my ass lit on fire, literally, he was behind me and Leon Kennedy's rear was torched.

What else? School's going alright. We had to euthanize one of our older reptiles, Markus the Bearded dragon. He's been fighting weight loss and old age for a while now, refused to eat, gave him a fighting chance but it was just his time to go. All my classes are going well, still pretty easy, would do better in them if I actually did homework and classwork. I still get A's and B's.

In addition to RE 4, been playing Metroid Prime.

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Updates:

Random yet important news: my chia pet is done growing. I named it Billy the Bird. It's quite hairy. I dropped him off of a balcony though, so he's starting to grow bald. Poor Billy.

I'm reading the Aeneid in school right now. The translation sucks majorly and makes a cool story totally boring. Trust me, I've read it in the original Latin, so I know that it's the translation's fault. I'm also reading Dante's La Divina Comedia in the original Italian. It's pretty good too, also butchered by horrible translations. That's on my own though, not for school.

Oh, and I totally sabotaged a famous author's Youtube video. He did a thing where people could ask questions and he would randomly draw 20 of them out of a hat to answer in a video. So I asked what the weirdest name Crayola's named a crayon color, and guess what? It got picked. Among all of the other boring questions like, "Where do you get your inspiration?" or "How much research do you put into your work?" Lame-o. What's even more lame is that his answer was black. Three-time NYT Bestseller, people, and all he could come up with was black. (That's not the first time I've been a dork and been weird for contests and stuff. I also did a Q&A contest thing with a famous guitarist and asked what their favorite super villain was [I know, dumb question, the answer was Poison by the way. I'm not sure if they were referring to Poison Ivy or Venom though.] and I won a poetry contest held by a famous author by writing a poem about why pirates wear such huge floppy hats. I won the first draft of her new book, which is totally worthless. :/)

Also having to do with writing, I just reached 30,000 words on a book I'm writing. I'm only about a third of the way through the story, though, so it's gonna be a lot longer. Meanwhile I've made a bunch of friends on wattpad from uploading chapters and my professional-editor grandma is fixing up what I have so far.

Guess what? I got all As on my report card!! Ok, not really. I got a B- in Physics. But everything else: A. Woo-hoo!

Ok, that's it I think.

P.S. Has anyone tried those new Lays chip flavors? Like, the Chicken&Waffles flavor and stuff? Ewwwww!!!

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They're labeling this action RPG, though it's more action than anything. You roam about these mid-sized maps with your valkyrie and wingmen doing quests, fighting bandits and picking up items.

Personally I hate anything MACROSS after the original series and movie, so I just can't stomach this anime style and its ridiculous looking characters.

Still, I'm curious to see how the original characters are going to fit in this new nonsensic MACROSS plot.

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I'll post my reviews every now and then, but beside that the only activity I may do is union related. I know most of you don't care, but I've known this site since 2006 (besides the fact I  joined in 2011; my brother was here awhile back and we used to read topics together) and I feel that the site has grown to an all time low.

Maybe it's because I'm maturing, but all know is that I'm fed up with this place and I'll probably spent more time in different places.I'll probably return in a month and see how things are going, but leave for another or not at all after that.

So long.

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