The NEW Amazon Kindle 3G

This is by far the best ebook reader on the moment currently. The new kindle international version is available in black only. Access the more technical aspects at the amazon website.

PROS

• Free 3G internet pretty much anywhere in the world, plus wifi.
• Surfing the net, it is not like using a computer but the basics are there - gmail works including embedded pictures. Hey it is free do not complain.
• There is a built in dictionary and the storage capacity is 4GB.
• AZW, MOBI (unlocked), PDF, TXT - all work just peachy. Google MOBI books to find books compatible with the kindle which are not from amazon.
• The battery life is a gigantic one month without wifi card on or 8 days with it on.
• Cost is a crazy $230 AUD - excellent cheap and totally worth it.
• Read out loud feature - for the lulz.

CONS

• No memory slots but this is NOT A BIG DEAL as you can save your stuff on amazon, and then put it back on if you need
• AZW format means you must buy off amazon for books (epub from borders, A+R, etc will not be compatible) but hey, amazon is cheaper anyway.
• PDF reader is built in and works okay, but you wouldn't want to load a pdf book on there (think of using a magnifying glass to look at a page and scrolling using only d-pad config = not the best but not a better option either).
• Surfing the amazon website on the kindle is not friendly (does not display the price in the book list; you must select the book then it shows the price with the blurb) - best thing to do is purchase it on your computer and select, 'send to kindle'.

Writing can come from Boredom - Monster Hunter Tri

So the not-so-long awaited review of Monster Hunter Tri. Granted I'm not very far in, but definitely far enough to write about it. BTW I'm talking about offline play. Because online play is for people with no friends D= (Oh wait, is it the other way around? Mmmm...)

Blurb:-
You are a hunter. Not a villager or a farmer (well actually, maybe you are all of those things too). But a crazy powerful hunter. You can be male or female, and assuredly at the beginning of the game you WILL be half naked, but aside from that, you will definitely be feared. Or something like that.
You are helping a village hunt down the huge threat that is a giant water pokemon. I mean, a giant water monster. (WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE A MUTANT LAPRAS D:)

Game Progression:-
You progress by upgrading your weapons and armour via 'item collection' and 'contributing money'. Essentially, the more stuff you kill, the better you get via power ups. Your combat skills don't get any better (really I found the button mashing a bit pointless). I think a lock-on system would have been a little cleaner in the game play (you end up rolling around a lot).

Game Play:-
Other things you can do during the game is item collection, farming, fishing, stockmarket-like trading. It's sort of grinding-ish. It's a bit meh to be honest.

Pet Hates: -
Here's a great concept - 'take all'. Or even a list! What is this time wasting collect one item at a time approach to looting???
Small map areas means loading five times to get to somewhere that isn't particularly far away. Lucky load time isn't long (ten to twenty seconds).

Thoughts:-
The concept is there! But I think the game would have benefited from a more 'RPG-style' approach rather than a button mash fight game... As in - more intelligent.

Overall, I would rate this game as a 7/10. I know, not that high, and I haven't finished the game yet, but if you put this game next to Zelda? No contest.

Busy Gaming!

Dear all,

It as been a while hasn't it?
The last couple of weeks has been a crazy couple of weeks for me - just had my 3 weeks of mid year holiday. Though, I was away so no console or handheld gaming and had to resort to card gaming (Munchkin FTW).

I have gotten my hands on a US Wii and surprise! You just need to plug your AUS Wii adapter into the US Wii and it works just fine. I haven't tried the internet on it yet but certainly the first game loaded up (no surprise) was Super Smash Brothers. Oh yes, the boys at home have been waiting for months to play it after I decided I wanted the new software update thus blocking the Freeloader (oh Freeloader, you served me well!).
Actually I had gotten Super Mario Galaxy 2 in late June (ah yes, the benefits of early release in other countries) but went on holidays straight after. My brother has already finished it and will ask him to write a review for you all! Otherwise, I will have to fire the thing up and actually play the game for you :)

Speaking of which, EB lost my game replacement for the Fall Out 3 GOTY Edition and so I had to call them and they were like, 'oh sorry abt thatttt'. But have it now.

Game I finished recently - Dragon Age Origins on PS3. It was really enjoyable, and I think you should be aware: DO NOT BE A ROGUE/THIEF - IT IS CRAP COMPARED TO THE OTHER CLASSES. I'd say the game was most enjoyable as a mage. From general consensus of people I know who have played the game, definitely mage is a great class to play. I started on the expansion but have yet to complete (went on holiday). But definitely worth buying and playing.

Game I want to play - Monster Hunter Tri. Brothers have been playing through at home and I have yet to fire it up. I haven't checked the internet compatibility of networks either (I got the US version) so would love to check when I have time.

Game I am looking forward to - 3D Dot Game Heroes
ATM it is $57 AUD on CDWOW but I don't know if I want to pay that much yet. Depends how desperate I get although Lord knows I have no time to play :(

End.

Gamer Review - Fallout 3

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Nature vs. Nuture?

Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver

So!~ After playing for many years, I have always believed that pokemon should be caught, and trained, without the use of special attack items, TMs, etc. I mean, EXCESSIVE use. I guess you could say, the non-aggressive approach to playing pokemon (or - the 'MEH' approach).

I was shocked to recently discover (or rather, it became relevant) that the NATURE of the pokemon made some difference to the pokemon. And that some trainers choose to catch one particular pokemon (or, reset and discover) again and again and again in order to find a pokemon with suitable nature. WHAT? I hear you say. Yes, that is what I said too. Isn't the pokemon meant to be yours forever and ever? Just like in the TV show? Can you imagine Ash doing that for every single episode?

Anyway, back to what I was saying - it turns out that in some instances (e.g. EEVEE) it does help to know what you are getting O_o? So let me walk you through it.



Say for instance, I wanted an espeon, I would have to first look up espeon (use a website like http://pokemon.marriland.com) to see what types of moves it would learn - obviously, psychic/psybeam would be great for this pokemon. Then you look at their overall stats at level 100.
Then, take a look at this summary article on Natures at http://Serebii.net. Now, for espeon we would like to raise the sp. attack for psychic moves. SO, we look for a nature that gives us an increase of sp. atk. Then, we choose which stat we don't mind lowering. For espeon, we would choose maybe normal atk since it would be using sp. atk moves. Or, you might choose to sacrifice speed. That gives us Modest Nature. So, we would want an Eevee with a modest nature.

Gone are the days of thinking, 'well, maybe my pokemon is just special and it's defence is not that great'. You can now FIGURE OUT what is what.

Is this a form of cheating? I really don't know anymore. Surely, they have added this into the game to allow us some form of control over pokemon stats.

But in general, if you don't care overly much, here are the natures to avoid which give you NO stat boosts:

***Hardy***Docile***Serious***Bashful***Quirky***

These natures are absolutely USELESS to you. I mean, if you are going to take advantage of this new system, but don't care THAT much, you can at least utilise this information :)

Voltorb Flip!

Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver - Johto Region

This game is great so far. We are playing through both here at home (and yes, there are lots of 'walking trips to the garage') - at the moment we are up to around Goldenrod City (not far, but we only got it a few days ago!)

I never played the original gold and silver - which is why the game seems a little newer and brighter than some of the other re-releases. I did play crystal though (wow, that is rare - and someone stole it! So I don't even have it anymore) - so I'm not going in blind completely.

What I love about it so far? Apricorns :) and Voltorb Flip! I can literally spend hours playing this crazy crazy game (so far, my highest level is 6). Why is it so addictive??? At the moment I have 8841 coins xD WOAHHH.

So I give you - tips for Voltorb Flip!
1. Aim not for the 1 squares, but for the 2 or 3 squares. This means looking which rows have a higher total number.
2. Use your Memo pad! It helps you narrow down which squares (the 1 or V only) to not even bother with.
3. Use your maths. Not every row will have a 2 or 3. Some patterns reoccur:
- 4 + 1V = every square must be either a 1, or a voltorb.
- 2 + 3v = every square must be either a 1, or a voltorb.
- 6,7,8,9 = high chances of 2s and 3s
4. If you have no 0V rows, look for a 6 row crossing a 6 row, or a row with only 1 V. chances are the intersection is not a V.

What is your favourite thing about HG or SS so far? Any tips to share? Feel free to comment :)

Sale Items - 01/04/10

Today is your last chance to buy something before the holidays! (lots of time to play new games...)

Myer Catalogue:
Pictureka card game $7.95 <~ fun if you are going on a drive and running out of batteries
Twilight Princess $69 <~ this game never seems to go down in price...
Red Steel 2 $69 <~ the first one was a bit fail in terms of responsiveness, but this one is meant to be better??
New pokemans $55 <~~ good price! (same at BigW if it is nearer to you)
DSI XL release date - 15/04 (no price yet!)
Rhythm Heaven $29 <~~good game good price!

Toys'R'Us are having buy 4 games for the price of 3 for many titles (bayonetta, darksiders) might be worth having a look!

Kmart:
BAND HERO PACK - $149 - VERY CHEAP! The usual price on sale is about $250 so if you are thinking about getting a guitar, drums and a mic, this is an excellent price (even if the game itself is so-so; GH games are about $40 each if you are looking for others; GH5 is crap don't get it).


PS!
I never check JB Hifi since it's difficult to watch their prices, and access to the store can be difficult for some. They do price match sometimes too. Also, it is annoying having to walk in and out and letting them go through ALL YOUR BAGS! Very inconvenient especially if you have a school bag or something. Easiest way to price check is by calling them on the phone.

EBGames - the price is usually always ridiculous, unless you get them to pricematch something. Don't waste time with 2nd hand games as the price is only $5-10 below RRP. Will keep an eye out for their good sale prices though, and let you all know :)


BUT! For comparison, let us take a look at play-asia prices.
I definitely recommend play-asia. You can get PS3 and DS games there (not wii due to region locking). It is reliable and much cheaper usually. Shipping is included in the below prices.

Pokemon - $55 <~ definitely pick it up at home rather than shipping it out from P/A
Rhythm Heaven - $40 <~ good price, but not as good as myer clearance price!

Final Fantasy XIII <~ $70
Bioshock 2 <~ $65
GOW Collection (GOW I + II) <~ $45
GOW III <~ $70
Dragon Age <~ $60 (+ expansion = $45)
Assassin's Creed II game of the year edition <~$55 released in May
Orange Box <~ $30 (This has PORTAL in it~)
Devil May Cry IV <~ $30

Some excellent games for some great prices if you ask me ;D

SO! My pokemans arrived in the mail I must go play naos ^_____^ <3