Xbox One Announcement Afterthoughts

The Next-Gen Xbox was announced today, called simply Xbox One.  While the name leaves much to be desired, there was quite a bit revealed of the new console.  After consuming the event, I thought I’d drop my feelings of the reveal.  Be forewarned, Xbox fans may not like what I’m about to divulge, but it’s my perspective.  I’m pretty open-minded about most consoles as I’ve owned Xbox360, so don’t take this as a fanboy rant.

The Good Before The Bad
Sadly, I’m going to be getting pretty rough on my other points, so let me start by getting out the good before the bad. The hardware reveal was pretty solid. They managed to match PS4’s 8GB of RAM and throw in some solid processing power. They also managed to create the same feel of suspending and resuming gameplay on the fly, which is just a must anymore for the console market (Sorry Nintendo, you missed the boat again).

Musing on Sony E3 Conference 2012

While Sony didn’t blow me away this year, I can’t help but me excited for a few titles in lineup this year for PS3 and Vita.  Once again, no PS4 was announced as well as no plans for moving away from the platforms they currently have.  Current IPs are managing to push even more out of the dated hardware that impresses even the most sceptic.  While similarly to the Microsoft conference however, there wasn’t really too much to make a exclusive squee with joy.  We seen only 1 new IP, 1 Kid’s toy, a few old titles, and that’s it.  Here’s a breakdown and my thoughts on the titles.

Walking Dead S2 E13 ‘Beside The Dying Fire’ Thoughts

Here is my run down of what happened in this episode.  Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 13, “Beside The Dying Fire.”

Quite a lot happened in this episode. We seen it coming, now it’s here. The final exit from a safe haven (if you can call it that), and entry back into the fray of things.

Starting off we find out how this big herd of walkers found there way to the farm, following the sound of a helicopter. Good ol’ butterfly effect. For some reason, they are then drawn to the sound of Carl’s gun finishing off Walker-Shane but not Shane’s gun. As the mass herd enters the farm, everyone is in chaos. After shootouts and many deaths, we lose 2 ‘extras’ but no main cast. Darn! I was hoping for Andrea and Carol to croak. Oh well.

Tales of Graces f Early Thoughts

Alright!  So I snagged up my copy of Tales of Graces f this Tuesday.  So far, I have to say I am very pleased.  Being as I’m quite a few hours into it, I thought I’d give my quick early thoughts for those that may be on the fence for this title.  I’ll give my full review once I’ve completed it.

Story: Asbel is the up and coming lord of Lhant, a remote city in the region of Windor.  Windor along with 2 other regions, Stratha and Fendel, fight over rule of the world.  Asbel is quite the rebellious child.  He often spends most of his time doing anything his father does not wish of him, adventuring to dangerous places.  One day Asbel takes his brother Hubert, a smart but cowardly boy, and travels to a meadow near his home.  Once there, they stumble upon a strange girl who seems to have amnesia.

Walking Dead S2 E12 ‘Better Angels’ Thoughts

Here is my run down of what happened in this episode.  Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 12, “Better Angels.”

Wow, this episode rocked me.  I completely re-fell in love with this show.  First off I’ll give a quick rundown of my thoughts, then I’ll address the elephant in the room right now.

First off, Rick’s speech was pretty epic.  It had to be said indeed and I think it really put Dale’s contribution in perspective.  When Glenn and Andrea talk about Dale, I think for once I actually was okay with Andrea being on the screen.  Very touching moment.  Last bit, we notice now that everyone may be infected already.  The simple act of dying turns you.  Pretty solid plot twist.

Walking Dead S2 E11 ‘Judge, Jury, Executioner’ Thoughts

Here is my run down of what happened in this episode.  Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 11, “Judge, Jury, Executer.”

Prisoner beating at the beginning of this was a bit painful to watch.  After that we see everyone gather to decide if they are going to kill him.  Problem they see is that he may bring his people back, who are really bad people.  Dale seems to be the only one to stand up against the decision to kill him.  “World is Gone, but our Humanity.. that’s a choice.”  Dale is on a roll this season.

Dale goes from one person to the next, pretty much talking to the jury against the boy’s life.  I had to laugh out loud when Daryl points out that he knew all along that Shane killed Otis.  “Shane says Otis covers him so he can escape and he shows up with the dead guy’s gun?”  Wow, I didn’t think of that hahah.  Points for Daryl.

Walking Dead S2 E10 ’18 Miles Out’ Thoughts

Okay, there’s so much frustrations happening here I have to replace my typical analysis with a rant.

First off, glad to see Rick stand up to Shane finally.  Really shoved is fist in Shane’s face.  A camels back finally broke.  I’m glad to see how Rick ended up being the better man in the situation but at the same time, in the end, nothing changed.  Shanes going to go back to the farm and go right back to his crap.  I’m sick of it.  I would have been happier if Shane made his own faction (which he probably will) and go his own way with Andrea.  Which brings me to my second rant.

Walking Dead S2 E9 ‘Triggerfinger’ Thoughts

Here are a bit of my thoughts while watching Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 9 ‘Triggerfinger’.  Whew, some intense stuff this episode.

Opening up to Lori regaining consciousness in the wrecked car.  Starting out I have to say, the work they did on the walker pushing his face through the window at Lori… awesome.  Seeing the flesh peel off was just gore awesomeness!

Then the gunfight at the bar.  So pointless, I seriously hate the human Vs human thing.. so many wasted bullets and so many walkers around.  I feared they were going to out Glenn!  But he made it!  The poor guy that got his face bit off was naaasty!  Again, some amazing gore action.  Curious what Hershel’s story is on being a good shot.  However, Hershel.. seriously.. you NEVER sneak up on a man with a shotgun…

Daryl and Carol: Some emotional stuff.  Daryl definitely cared about finding Sophia.  He’s definitely released some pent up stuff.  He also reveals some of his upbringing… Carol is willing to take a beating, she’s used to it.  Daryl fought to stop it.  I hate the whole beating thing, but there’s some weird chemistry there, in Carol wanting to save him from isolating himself.

Walking Dead S2 E8 Thoughts

Here are a bit of my thoughts while watching Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 8.

First Segment:
Opening to the conclusion of the massacre. Tensions are heavy and grim. The family’s lives are destroyed and Rick’s group is blown away by what just happened as well as the death of Sophia. Maggie gets points from me for slapping Shane to shut him up (for a second sadly). Carl shows that he is hardened, and it scares his mother. I have to say, Carl’s story is becoming one of the only things driving my interest at the moment. When Shane confronts Dale, it’s hilarious that his conscience is so bad that Dale has to say nothing to make him spill beans all over the place.

Second Segment:
Sad to see Daryl going off the deep end. Hershel’s pain is extremely powerful.  A distraught mother goes into shock.  Hershel disappears and Rick with Glenn go after him.  Just when everything is normal (sorta), Momma Lori runs off to be hero and flips the car… I really dislike her…. badly..

The River ABC Premier Review

Now I’ll admit, hearing “from the makers of Paranormal Activities,” doesn’t get points in my book.  Paranormal Activities had to be the worst movie I’ve seen in a long time, I dozed off watching it.   However after being egged on by my co-worker I decided to give the show a shot.

Emmet Cole, a famous host of a nature show, goes missing in the Amazon.  After people give up searching and give him a funeral, a beacon for his ship is received.  The wife not wanting to give up signs a deal with Emmet’s previous director. He will fund the expedition to find the beacon if she and her son go as well as grant them rights to film it.