You know, I ha vent put up a post in a solid 14 days cause I suck. I do realize this, yet I still feel like I should put more effort into this thing that no one reads.MY whining is not important, what is important is that now that the dust has settled from the Gears 2 launch I wish to share my thoughts. This pertains to single player AND multi player. Let me first start off with the co-op experience ( this game, like its predecessor, is not meant to be played alone) is pretty epic. While the plot is still pretty bare bones, I do respect the attempt, albeit at times unnecessary, to create some emotion. Case in point with Tai later in the game. While I wont give anything away, what goes down is pretty powerful, and it definitely added a new level to the emotion in the story. What is disappointing is that after that they don't really mention him too much. But see here is my other point. It doesn't matter that they dont because they don't need to. This game is not trying to enthrall you in character development or other aspects of quality story telling. This is a game about conflict, and everything that isn't conflict is either leading to it or post mortem. Its a fun solid ride that I feel surpasses the 1st in so many ways.
As for the multiplayer I will get back to you in a bit... Sorry!!!
(mason)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
A short post....
My thoughts on the Nine Inch Nails Concert in a few words...
Nine inch nails have been known for their anti establishment attitudes, heavily industrialized rock and the one man show that is Trent Reznor. Having just released “The Slip” for free for download (much like Radiohead with “In Rainbows”) Reznor and crew have once again shown the world that they are still as rocking as they were 20 years ago. Their newest album also comes with a brand new tour, known as “Lights in the Sky”, which came to Charlottesville on November 5 with the intention of putting on not only a heavy rock concert, but an intense visual experience. And with this, Trent Reznor succeeded in spades.
Arriving at the concert was a disappointment to some extent, having been late anyways ( we missed the opening act HEALTH) the arena appeared to be somewhat empty for what seemed to be a pretty high profile band. Supposedly the doors opened up at seven, we had arrived at 8:30, and still there was no Nine inch Nails, instead the air was filled with people discussing what they thought the first song would be, if the concert would even be any good, and a odd rumor was spreading through the stands that they were a no show due to the low turnout. All at once the lights cut, the stage filled with light and the band took the stage already rocking out 999,999 from their latest CD. What seemed like in an instant, the arena filled with fans all excited that finally the show had started.
The show started off heavy, loud, and in your face awesome. After five songs off their newest album, the beginning set ended with “Head Down” to cement the fact that Nine Inch Nails was here to play what their fans wanted, but what would happen throughout the rest of the show would take the concert to a new level.
So I think you understand that the music was good, but what is it that made this concert so special? In an interview I read from the New York Times,
“What I’m trying to do is use the stage as an interactive instrument,” Mr. Reznor said. “I’m in the world of science fiction now.” (New York Times)
Let me tell yah, what the stage and lighting crew did with the stage was as good, if not better, than the music itself. By using three massive screens made up of tiny lights, the band was able to produce images around, on top of and over the band. The screens could be layered to produce different effects on the band while the played and even could be interacted with by the musicians as they moved closer or father from the screens. Many of the effects were the result of smoke and careful timing, but still shocking either way. Possibly the coolest display is when the screens surrounded the band in a box and on each screen rain poured down. The resulting effect was the band playing in a box of rain, and let me tell you, you have to see it to fully comprehend the awesomeness of a giant cube of rain.
Whether or not you’re a fan of Nine Inch Nails, the concert was an experience that I feel many could enjoy. The set list was so well done with old hits such a “Head Like a Hole” and many from the excellent “With Teeth” album , and they were each played with enough style to separate them from their recorded counterparts. The band didn’t interact with the crowd to much, with brief mention to Obama’s victory and how one of Reznor’s lyrical inspirations (that being the Government) was now not a problem, not that it was necessary because the show spoke for itself, no need for little stories about the songs or silly transition jokes. Without a doubt, the concert was one of the best I have ever seen, and having seen quite a number of them (Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Van Halen, Train, and Smashing Pumpkins to name a few), I can safely say that there is no show like a Nine Inch Nails concert. If you ever get an opportunity to score tickets to a NIN show, do yourself a favor and go see them. Trust me, you will have never seen anything like it.
Nine inch nails have been known for their anti establishment attitudes, heavily industrialized rock and the one man show that is Trent Reznor. Having just released “The Slip” for free for download (much like Radiohead with “In Rainbows”) Reznor and crew have once again shown the world that they are still as rocking as they were 20 years ago. Their newest album also comes with a brand new tour, known as “Lights in the Sky”, which came to Charlottesville on November 5 with the intention of putting on not only a heavy rock concert, but an intense visual experience. And with this, Trent Reznor succeeded in spades.
Arriving at the concert was a disappointment to some extent, having been late anyways ( we missed the opening act HEALTH) the arena appeared to be somewhat empty for what seemed to be a pretty high profile band. Supposedly the doors opened up at seven, we had arrived at 8:30, and still there was no Nine inch Nails, instead the air was filled with people discussing what they thought the first song would be, if the concert would even be any good, and a odd rumor was spreading through the stands that they were a no show due to the low turnout. All at once the lights cut, the stage filled with light and the band took the stage already rocking out 999,999 from their latest CD. What seemed like in an instant, the arena filled with fans all excited that finally the show had started.
The show started off heavy, loud, and in your face awesome. After five songs off their newest album, the beginning set ended with “Head Down” to cement the fact that Nine Inch Nails was here to play what their fans wanted, but what would happen throughout the rest of the show would take the concert to a new level.
So I think you understand that the music was good, but what is it that made this concert so special? In an interview I read from the New York Times,
“What I’m trying to do is use the stage as an interactive instrument,” Mr. Reznor said. “I’m in the world of science fiction now.” (New York Times)
Let me tell yah, what the stage and lighting crew did with the stage was as good, if not better, than the music itself. By using three massive screens made up of tiny lights, the band was able to produce images around, on top of and over the band. The screens could be layered to produce different effects on the band while the played and even could be interacted with by the musicians as they moved closer or father from the screens. Many of the effects were the result of smoke and careful timing, but still shocking either way. Possibly the coolest display is when the screens surrounded the band in a box and on each screen rain poured down. The resulting effect was the band playing in a box of rain, and let me tell you, you have to see it to fully comprehend the awesomeness of a giant cube of rain.
Whether or not you’re a fan of Nine Inch Nails, the concert was an experience that I feel many could enjoy. The set list was so well done with old hits such a “Head Like a Hole” and many from the excellent “With Teeth” album , and they were each played with enough style to separate them from their recorded counterparts. The band didn’t interact with the crowd to much, with brief mention to Obama’s victory and how one of Reznor’s lyrical inspirations (that being the Government) was now not a problem, not that it was necessary because the show spoke for itself, no need for little stories about the songs or silly transition jokes. Without a doubt, the concert was one of the best I have ever seen, and having seen quite a number of them (Dave Matthews, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Van Halen, Train, and Smashing Pumpkins to name a few), I can safely say that there is no show like a Nine Inch Nails concert. If you ever get an opportunity to score tickets to a NIN show, do yourself a favor and go see them. Trust me, you will have never seen anything like it.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Photoshop do I?
So I am taking a digital imaging class at my school. After finishing the first quarter, I was looking through my portfolio and figured I'd throw some up here for y'all to see... (All 2 of you that I know read this)
Austin sits next to me. He did a pyramid too.
Cause I can.
Zombie Lance(sorry for the low quality)
Might be my favorite...
Not political, just Obama ghostbuster : )
Austin sits next to me. He did a pyramid too.
Cause I can.
Zombie Lance(sorry for the low quality)
Might be my favorite...
Not political, just Obama ghostbuster : )
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A Word on Fallout 3 and Fable 2
Today, October 28, Fallout 3 is released to the public. As exciting as it is, I can not help but compare it to the recently released Fable 2. A lot of people out there are trying to make the decision of which one to buy, or in my case, which to play first.
Let me start off by saying both the games are equally kick ass on all accounts. Having just played through most of Fable 2 and playing enough of Fallout to get a fair feeling of what its like, and let me tell yah, you can't go wrong either way! But if you had to choose I would say Fable 2.
What you say, Fable 2 over Fallout 3! Yes, I would choose Fable 2. Fallout 3 has all the aspects of a great game, be it the bleak environments, innovative take on FPS and storytelling that we have come to expect from Bethesda, but it lacks a certain charm that Fable 2 is full of. From start to finish, Fable succeeded in keeping me drawn to the ever changing world that I feel Fallout lacked. You could argue that Fallout is a post apocalyptic wasteland, of course it is, but it still makes for one lonely game experience. To put it simply, playing Fable is like going to Disneyland, the experience is fast fun a full of personality. Fallout is more like a real adventure, where for action packed moment there is another spent wandering around looking for your next objective. While some may enjoy that type of game play. I being as busy as I am with school and... well school, don't have time for that kind of thing which makes Fallout increasingly hard to feel rewarded from. For fans of the series or Oblivion you can't go wrong with Fallout 3, but for someone just entering the action RPG space, Fable 2 is much more enjoyable time to be had.
Alright, maybe Fallout 3 will grow on me, but I do love my Fable 2. : )
Monday, October 27, 2008
Company of Heroes
What an amazing game. After all these years, it is still one of the best rts's I have ever played. Can't wait for DOW 2! Sorry for the short post, more tomorrow.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
oooooo whats this Twitter!
Once again I preach to my invisible audience, but hey, you're there I know you are! I will be updating more frequently now that I have gotten past some hard stuff. AND! I got this twitter doodad so follow me. FOLLOW ME!!!
Or don't I could care less...
Ok I do care, just follow me damnit!
Or don't I could care less...
Ok I do care, just follow me damnit!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
For what it's worth, it could be worse.
Hi there. This is new to me, this whole "blog" thing. I enjoy writing. I enjoy reading. 'Nuff said. I am here to just present my writings from the past, my ideas and just to train myself to be a better writer by regularly writing here on things that interest me. I may as well introduce myself. My name is Mason, I am an aspiring something or other that has no idea what to do with my life. As a third year student in High School, a lot of my peers are dead set on their goals while I sit back and bitch and moan about my problems with the system around me. Instead of accepting the usual process of -you do well in school, you do well in college, you do well life- that is the basis for my peers and I getting through high school (not that I don't enjoy it) I just don't buy into it. Be it that its my unorthodox raising (not deprived, let me make that clear) I have been open minded my entire life (or I at least like to think it). For the most part, I am a good kid, and I like to think that there is some worth to that. Especially in a world that does not seem to want that anymore.
I think I'll end with some of my writing form stuff I have done in the past
If any of you that are reading this (Which there probably are about 0) I highly recommend any book by Chuck Klosterman, but this here pertains to "Killing Yourself to Live"
Killing Yourself to Live
The Alpha Male vs. The Beta Male
Chuck Klosterman discusses two types of people in the beginning of his book. There are two “male” species of which we all come from, that differ very much. While I could rewrite what I had read in the beginning ( and I am sure your would love the Mr. Readerman) its just not fun to write.
Now, as he described to me the beta male being the lesser of the two, I couldn’t help feeling much like the beta male, because lets be honest, I’m not hardcore, plate head of a persons that enjoys steroids with their power shakes. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not some silly nanny of sorts that just sits around all day feeling bad for myself. Yet, I still qualify ad the “beat male”
At first I was like ‘damn, what’s wrong with me, I am being smack talked by a book’ and then I realized I had let Klosternan’s point go right over my head. I believe the writer was to use this to convey how things in life are always shuffled into genres, and categories, and is constantly under review by professionals telling you what not to buy, what not to do, etc. Much like the writer reviewed me, the reader, and led me to believe I am something that truly I am not, and really no one is.
Take music for example, people refuse to branch out because its not in there genre, or don’t listen to music because rolling stones said its sucks. What’s the point if you don’t experience it your self. If who you are is really defined by your experiences, what are we as a people doing letting other people detract from these crucial elements of living by removing the important part of experiencing, which is experience.
Or maybe I’m just a beta male…
Nah
See ya tomorrow
I think I'll end with some of my writing form stuff I have done in the past
If any of you that are reading this (Which there probably are about 0) I highly recommend any book by Chuck Klosterman, but this here pertains to "Killing Yourself to Live"
Killing Yourself to Live
The Alpha Male vs. The Beta Male
Chuck Klosterman discusses two types of people in the beginning of his book. There are two “male” species of which we all come from, that differ very much. While I could rewrite what I had read in the beginning ( and I am sure your would love the Mr. Readerman) its just not fun to write.
Now, as he described to me the beta male being the lesser of the two, I couldn’t help feeling much like the beta male, because lets be honest, I’m not hardcore, plate head of a persons that enjoys steroids with their power shakes. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not some silly nanny of sorts that just sits around all day feeling bad for myself. Yet, I still qualify ad the “beat male”
At first I was like ‘damn, what’s wrong with me, I am being smack talked by a book’ and then I realized I had let Klosternan’s point go right over my head. I believe the writer was to use this to convey how things in life are always shuffled into genres, and categories, and is constantly under review by professionals telling you what not to buy, what not to do, etc. Much like the writer reviewed me, the reader, and led me to believe I am something that truly I am not, and really no one is.
Take music for example, people refuse to branch out because its not in there genre, or don’t listen to music because rolling stones said its sucks. What’s the point if you don’t experience it your self. If who you are is really defined by your experiences, what are we as a people doing letting other people detract from these crucial elements of living by removing the important part of experiencing, which is experience.
Or maybe I’m just a beta male…
Nah
See ya tomorrow
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