PopCap Platinum Pack

The previously mentioned PopCap Games Platinum Pack I got had the following games…

• AstroPop
• Bejeweled
• Bejeweled 2
• Bejeweled Twist
• Big Money!
• Bookworm
• Bookworm Adventures
• Chuzzle
• Dynomite!
• Feeding Frenzy
• Hammer Heads
• Heavy Weapon
• Iggle Pop!
• Insaniquarium
• Peggle
• Peggle Nights
• Pizza Frenzy
• Rocket Mania!
• Talismania
• Typer Shark!
• Zuma

While it cost €80, the saving is about %78 compared to buying them separately so that’s pretty good.

I’ve put a decent amount of time into Peggle, Insaniquarium, Zuma and I’m playing Pizza Frenzy at the moment.

They work perfectly on the netbook and are ideal if there’s no wifi connection while on the move.

Will have to buy Plants vs. Zombies on it’s own though :(

Gaming

I finished up with the epic Fallout 3 a few weeks back. It was a shame to come to the end of it. Nearly 200 hours invested, all quests completed, all expansions completed so there’s little left to explore. Oh well, had to end sometime.

So I jumped into F.E.A.R. which is a much more linear affair. I completed that in a few days. It had some great creepy moments but felt very clinical compared to the diverse environments and scope of Fallout 3.

I’ve moved onto the F.E.A.R. Files which is the 2 expansions for F.E.A.R. Same mechanics and had one hell of a scare last night. Creepy music, torchlight died, poor light, screaming ghoul splat up against maternity room window in hospital. Holy crap!

Not content with one game at a time, I’m also playing Braid on Xbox Live Arcade, multiple PopCap casual games on my netbook in work at lunch (Peggle, Insaniquarium, Bejeweled, etc.) and finally Farmville.

I held off on Farmville for ages and was initially critical of it but it has some good gaming elements, ribbons (achievements), progressive levelling tools, etc.

I’ve been using a service called Raptr to capture all of these. It tracks when you’re playing, achievements you get, when you install new games, etc.

Bioshock

Nearly done with Bioshock again and on track for a few more achievements.

Should be able to get Weapon Specialist, Little Sister Savior and Historian.

Will possibly miss Research PhD, Seriously Good At This (as the game has to be completed on Hard) and Brass Balls (use no Vita-Chambers).

Really enjoyed playing it through again, watching out for all the environmental intricacies and subtler plot elements.

Edit: Managed to get the 3 expected achievements and as a surprise bonus, Research PhD, as I went back through the whole game as a Big Daddy.

Dear & Decorations

Sphere: Third

Class: Angels

Introduction: Vigrid, City of Deja Vu

With limited spiritual powers, this angel is spotted comparatively frequently within the physical, human world. Dears, with their dignified faces, are surrounded by the countless child-like faces of their Decorations.

Capriciously firing arrows, they are often mistaken for Cupid. It is said that one of their arrows, shot through the heart of a believer, can be as infatuating as the goddess of love.

Beloved

Sphere: Second

Class: Powers

Introduction: The Angel's Metropolis

Beloved is a member of the Second Sphere class Powers, ranked sixth in the angelic hierarchy. It’s status is more than that of a spiritual being, but it is also burdened with destroying the enemies of Paradiso. While still considered amongst the lower classes of angels, Beloved’s power is of a far higher-order than that of a human, and even those with strong spiritual powers are seldom afforded the chance to meet this being. Excelling in combat, Beloved are known for brilliant exploits in demonic battles.

Applaud

Sphere: Third

Class: Archangels

Introduction: The Angel's Metropolis

While still a member of the Third Sphere, Applauds are one stop above Affinities, and thus known as Archangels. Occupying the eighth position within the nine-level Angelic Hierarchy, Archangels are still considered close to the physical world, and often come into contact with human kind. It is said that the devoted prayer on the part of believers can call upon a flock of angels to come to one’s aid.

Affinity

Sphere: Third

Class: Angels

Introduction: The Vestibule

Servants of heaven that populate the lowest of the angelic hierarchy, a Third Sphere rung known simply as Angels. Humans with deep faith often feel these angels closest to their hearts. Descending from the heavens upon their pure white wings, it is believed that the glimmering halo atop Affinity’s head lights the path for those who have lost their way.

The religious articles they equip are all tools used to further their conviction to protect the righteous and can become powerful weapons used to strike down those with sullied hearts.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger looks great (http://tinyurl.com/kuqbxa) & scored well (http://tinyurl.com/lrs79z). Hope it comes out here soon.

Gaming

I’ve been playing Far Cry Instincts from the original Xbox for the past few days. Bit odd considering I have about half a dozen top Xbox 360 titles to play but I just got sucked into it.

I’ve bought quite a few Xbox games from Amazon UK for very cheap (usually you get about 5 games for less than 1 Xbox 360 game). I ordered some more yesterday.

• Burnout Revenge
• The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay
• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent
• Psychonauts
• Jet Set Radio Future

Most of them are backwards compatible so they’ll work on the Xbox 360 but once I’m set up in the house I won’t mind playing the others on the Xbox.

I was so inspired by Far Cry’s jungle fun that I watched Predator. El cazador trofeo de los hombres kicks everyone's ass (except Arnie of course)

Gaming

I got Street Fighter IV yesterday evening. Ah, it brings back memories. I haven’t been able to buy/download the HD remix edition of Super Street Fighter 2 but I already have the anniversary edition on the original Xbox.

Still it’s quite different as I missed out on SF after Super SF so there’s lots of new elements to pick up.

I also migrated all my game licenses from the old Xbox 360 to the Elite as well as downloading any title updates, while I had our purloined wi-fi.

I have so many games to play it’s stoopid.

Twilight Princess

Playing Twilight Princess brought back fond memories of playing Ocarina of Time. Man I loved that game, such a fantastic story and now another beautiful story.

I'm taking my time with the game so I don't miss a thing.

Midna talks funny. It's cute.

Wii socialising

So guys, what's your Wii number so we can catch you online?

Ours is 5730 7730 3119 0127.

We got a Wii

We bought a Wii (with Wii remote, nunchuck and Wii Sports) and Super Mario Galaxy and a spare Wii remote.

Smiles :)

Street Fighter IV

Nice announcement trailer from GDC for the Street Fighter reboot...

Hay-diddly-ay-lo Twee

My wonderful lady_bastet bought Halo 3 for me while she was in town.

I fear I may be distracted for some time.

The Gaming Continues

My brother got Guitar Hero II a few weeks ago and he's been rubbing it in that he's flying through the game so I took a break from BioShock to see if I could move myself along.

Managed to beat the medium level (though only juston some tracks), opening a bunch of encores and Stonehenge.

Will try to get 5 stars on all beginner and medium tracks before moving onto hard mode.

The face melters are very very scary.

BioShock (again)

Completed BioShock a few days ago and already playing it through again.

I want to see about getting some of the achievements I missed out on as well as some of the visuals and game elements.

Tis awesome. I tell thee, awesome.

BioShock

I got BioShock while we were down in Wexford. I had downloaded and played the demo and was very impressed.

It takes place in a gorgeous art deco undersea city and features an ingenious weapon system.

Had to take a break as we had a lot of sorting to do and we had to settle things for Charlie.