"To vilify a great man is the readiest way in which a little man can himself attain greatness." - Edgar Allan Poe

• 8Nov 09

  Quickie Game Update

  I finally did it! A couple of nights ago at precisely 4:12AM I beat the first Uncharted on "Crushing" difficulty! Making Uncharted: Drake's Fortune my fourth game to receive the platinum trophy, as well as my first game to complete 100%. It was a long, arduous journey, and there were times when I seriously doubted I could stick through it, but perseverance won the day. Ironically there were some points in the game where I had very little trouble when I thought I would have much difficulty, and there were moments where I had extreme difficulty where I hadn't thought I would. So that kind of took me by surprise.

  Moving on, this morning I also beat Uncharted 2. Definitely loved the entire game. The only thing I wasn't really crazy about were the native tribe people enemies you encounter upon entering Shambala. Now I plan to go back through and mop up the rest of the trophies I missed before playing through again on "Crushing" for that game.

  I'm working on a review for the first Uncharted and pretty much have it done; I just need to go back and tweak some lines. I might start on my U2 review concurrently so I can post both reviews at the same time.

  As always keep checking back for updates. Hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm still looking for a job and hoping something happens soon! I'll take the advice of my little buddy below:

  

  • Posted Nov 8, 2009 6:10 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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• 30Oct 09

  It's Only Common Courtesy, Right?

  Fellow gamers, there is an epidemic currently plaguing the pre-owned game market. Indeed, it has been running rampant ever since the pre-owned game market has existed. I am of course talking about games missing their manuals and/or not being packaged in their original case. Is it too much to ask when buying a pre-owned game for it to include the original case and instruction manual? This is nothing new that I have been noticing when perusing both online retailers and brick and mortar shops, and I am genuinely curious why so many pre-owned games always seem to be missing their original case and manual.

  Now let's be honest, for most gamers we don't even bother with reading the manual when it comes to how to play a game since we're all generally familiar with how they work, etc. Not to mention any questions about controls can usually be accessed within the game itself in the "Options" menu. So other than throwing in a passing mention of the game's overarching story and maybe some more supplemental info on the weapons and enemy types encountered in the game, and unless you happen to be an epileptic who also suffers from short-term memory loss so that you have to be constantly reminded of the dangers that the game can cause you to undergo a seizure, the manual is overall a very unnecessary item when you think about it. And therein lies the paradox: If nobody really bothers to read them then why are they always missing?

  Why am I bothering to dedicate an entire blog ranting about this problem with the vast majority of pre-owned games out there? One word: Value. Because when it comes to GameStop buying back your "unplayed" game(s) they don't discriminate between a game that comes with all its original packaging and materials versus just the disc. They charge you the same price for just a disc and a generic case as they would a game with its original case and manual.

  The question I ask is if they don't have a problem discriminating that doesn't mean we shouldn't as well. Why should we have to pay the same price for a pre-owned game that includes all the original material versus one that doesn't? As an experiment the next time you are in a GameStop see if you can find two of the exact same games; one that does have the original manual and case and one that doesn't. Walk up to the employee ask them for a discount on the game that doesn't have the manual or case and see what they tell you. Make sure to take note of the reason they give you as well. Who knows, it might turn out to be a good story to recount for some laughs.

  With the recent bust of a U.S. Postal employee getting caught having stolen 2,200 games through the popular game delivery service GameFly while working as a mail sorter, and then sold them to the tune of $86,000 it becomes clear now why so many games residing on the shelves of GameStop don't come with all their original packaging and manuals. It makes one stop and wonder how many other games sold to GameStop have been acquired under other such dubious means. One also has to wonder with the horrible trade-in values GameStop offers its customers for anything but a brand, spankin' new game it's a miracle this guy was able to swindle so much cash at all. I keep referencing GameStop, and while the above linked article makes no mention of where exactly this thief unloaded his merchandise, GameStop's practice of accepting games in any condition remains the most egregious and suspect.

  But for the remaining legitimate games my question remains: What happens to the manuals of these games? I was online tonight looking to buy a PS3 game from Amazon.com. This particular game has been out for two years already so it was relatively cheap for a brand new copy, however, a quick look at the pre-owned copies prompted even cheaper prices so I took a gander there first. For the majority of the listings they all had one common theme in the item description: No manual.

  "What the hell?" I think. How is it possible that all these games don't have the manual? What happens to all the manuals? Are there some invisible manual fairies that come during the night and steal them? What's going on here? Now if only a few games had no manual I could understand, but not damn near every single listing! It's downright absurd! A regular epidemic!

  Now I'm sorry, I'm the type of gamer that likes to get everything that originally came with the game had I bought it new. I don't understand how so many games can be consistently missing their manuals. At best a game's manual provides something to occupy your mind while you're in the bathroom doing your business. You know the type, when you're going to be in there long enough that warrants taking some reading material but not necessarily long enough to complete a novel sort of thing. So you want to pick something that doesn't require too much cerebral investment and is more apropos as a time killer while you're sitting there on the can rather than simply twiddling your thumbs whistling Dixie.

  But more to the point, what are people doing with game manuals? Is there some kind of underground Black Market for them? And if you are a person that reads the manual why wouldn't you put it back in the case directly after reading it? Would it kill you to take an extra five seconds to tuck it nice and secure back in the case under those two prongs so you don't lose or damage it? I really don't get it. I'm the type of gamer that likes to preserve their games in the original case with everything it came with to the best of my ability. That way when/if I ever did resell the game the person buying it doesn't feel they're getting less than what they should. The moral of this rant is please put the instruction manuals back inside the case after you're done with them. Afterall, it's only common courtesy to do so, right?

  • Posted Oct 30, 2009 3:41 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 16Oct 09

  Is it Christmas Already?

  Because it sure does feel like it! If you didn't already know about it, Amazon.com is currently holding a "buy two get one free" sale on selected titles of video games. So if you have the cash to spare now might be the time to take advantage. I know I did. Be aware this special is only good through tomorrow. So you better get on it tonight if you're interested!

  Last night I placed my order for three games: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (GS score: 8.0), Prototype (GS score: 8.5) & Red Faction: Guerilla (GS score: 8.5).

  Not to mention I also recently bought and received Unhcharted 2: Among Thieves (GS score: 9.5) and Demon's Souls (GS Score: 9.0). As well as pre-ordering the recently announced God of War collector's set which includes GoW I & II newly remastered for HDTVs, 720p resolution and full trophy support, as well as a voucher for downloading the GoWIII E3 demo. Not to mention Borderlands is coming out on the 27th. And I still need to download the Fallout 3 add-on packs!

  I guess it's fair to say the holiday onslaught has begun!

  Jiminy Crickets! I can't remember a year that held so much awesome games at one time. A lot of people are disappointed that some games were delayed until the first quarter of next year. NOT ME! Cripes, I've already spent too much money as it is and I still have to get Assassin's Creed II, Modern Warfare 2, Dragon Age: Origins, The Saboteur and, maybe, Brutal Legend.

  • Posted Oct 16, 2009 8:36 pm PT
  • Category: Games
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