CK's Montly Highlights: Feel the Burn

Games Played

 

Episodes of Liberty City: The Lost and Damned

 

 

With so many video game add-ons that are content with just including a few multiplayer maps, new islands or a snazzy new armor with increased attributes, the Lost and Damned expansion uses the existing cityscape of Grand Theft Auto IV, but adds 10-15 hours worth of new characters and a gripping story to the mix. Say goodbye to Niko and his bumbling cousin, say hello to equally conflicted Johny "The Jew" Klebitz, his psychotic boss Billy and the rest of the members of The Lost motorcycle club.

 

If that wasn't enough, new multiplayer modes have also been thrown into the mix - Race: where you race on bikes armed with nothing but a bat, "Lone Wolf Biker" where you are "it" until someone offs you, and they're "it"; Own the City, where you take control of parts of the city, Chopper vs. Chopper, where you go one-on-one with another player, one on a helicopter and one on a bike.

 

With so much on offer here, GTA fans will find a lot to love with the new downloadable content. One could easily dump twenty (or more!) hours into The Lost and Damned and still find things to do. But if you weren't already an initiate of the franchise, don't expect The Lost and Damned to convert you.

 

The Ballad of Gay Tony

 

The last chapter in The Episodes of Liberty City begins on a high and refuses to ease up on the action. Concluding plotlines that began with 2008's GTA IV and developed through The Lost & Damned, The Ballad of Gay Tony introduces us to the world of nightclub impresario Tony Gay Tony" Prince and his assistant Luis Lopez.

 

 

To a certain extent the events of GTA IV and The Lost & Damned have already established the duo. The central storyline of the blood diamonds, which came over to Liberty City along with Niko Bellic on The Platypus, is brought to a conclusion with a masterful approach and a sharp ending. We won't spoil the surprise, but it seems there's a moral in the tale for Liberty City's cast of nihilistic characters.

 

It does seem that Rockstar North hasn't shied away from controversy with the last chapter. Luis is certainly a ladies man and happy to get his rocks off at any opportunity in scenes that leave little to the imagination. Now we're not morally opposed to seeing a GTA protagonist enjoying the company of a slightly strange looking female characters, but seeing bodies hurtling towards the ground from a skyscraper, with a city-line inspired by New York City, could perhaps be a little close to the bone for some.

 

God of War 3

 

You know how Kratos' battle against the gods of Olympus is known for its massive, insane action sequences spread throughout? Well, some genius (or likely several geniuses) at Sony's Santa Monica Studio had the brilliant idea of making a whole game just out of those incredible moments. It was rare that I went 15 minutes without my jaw dropping at the immense size, stunning beauty or sheer creativity of the set piece I was now scaling or destroying.

 

On the rare occasions that the game pulls away from the slice-'em-up action and fantastic boss fights, it's still effortlessly successful. There are segments where Kratos uses Icarus' wings to soar or descend through chaos, avoiding bits of rubble and fire, that are as exciting as anything you'll play this year. What's evident is that God of War III doesn't lean on these moments -- it doesn't need to. The game is that good of an experience, top to bottom.

 

 

What happens next is anything but pretty.

 

God of War III is billed as the final chapter in Kratos' story, and it's a shame, because this is the iteration that took me from liking the series to loving it. On the other hand, I'm not sure I would have had the same reaction if the game hadn't been the world-destroying, everything-and-the-kitchen-sink, leave-nothing-for-the-swim-back adventure it was. The series has always been fun, but this is the God of War you have to play.

 

Red Steel 2

 

I played Red Steel 2 on my feet, for hours at a stretch. I don't know if that's how you're "supposed" to play this new Wii game, a first-person shooter in which you don't do a whole lot of shooting.

 

What makes this game unique is that your character's most powerful weapon is his katana, or samurai sword, which you use to slash at enemies by making big, wide swings with the Wii remote (and the MotionPlus accessory, which is required). After about a minute of sitting in a chair swinging my arm around, it just felt wrong: I had to stand up, kick my chair back and play the game while standing. At this point, I'd no more try to play Red Steel 2 seated than I would try to play Wii golf on the couch.

 

 

There are a lot of things I wish Red Steel 2 did better, but it gets the big stuff right. The mechanics make you glad that the MotionPlus exists. The extra polish on the graphics (and the perfect spaghetti western music) helps a lot.

 

Just remember to get off the couch when you play it. It helps.

 

Heavy Rain: The Taxidermister

 

On the trail of a cold blooded killer, Madison Paige is drawn to a house that she feels is behind all the recent deaths. What she doesn't know is that the house is home to something else entirely. Used as a front to conceal his dirty deeds, Leland White is a deranged and disturbed individual. A closer look at his mailbox will reveal that he is into woman's clothing as numerous catalogues are strewn around.

 

 

Without giving too much away, how you finish this chapter will hinge on how familiar you are with the intuitive controls and whether you are careful in covering your tracks. A broken beer bottle or an opened cupboard will arrouse suspicion that someone has entered his house and he will begin to search for you. Do you call the cops, or hope for the best that he doesn't find you in closet that you have hastily bunkered in.

 

The choice is yours as there are five possible scenarios that can be unravelled but even then, there is little reason to replay the game as each ending results in the same newspaper cutting that will show whether you have made your untimely demise or put an end to Mr. White's reign of terror. At $5, this DLC is even shorter than most demos as it can be completed in about half and hour. However, if you are looking for a gripping and rather suspenseful short game, The Taxidermist doesn't disappoint as it gets better midway through.

 

If you haven't played Heavy Rain, this short downloadable content will give you a good indication of what to expect from a fuller and more gripping story as you come to grips with the controls.

 

Movies Watched

 

Kick Ass

 

 

Dave Lizewski is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan with a few friends and who lives alone with his father. His life is not very difficult and his personal trials not that overwhelming. However, one day he makes the simple decision to become a super-hero even though he has no powers or training.

 

The Hurt Locker

 

 

When SFC William James joins Bravo Company in Iraq, they have a month or so left in their tour of duty. He's a bomb disposal expert and he is replacing Sgt Matt Thompson, a long-standing member of the team who was recently killed disposing of an improvised explosive device. To say that James loves what he does doesn't quite capture the emotional high he experiences when he gets to do what he does best. For his fellow squad members however, including Sgt JT Sanborn and Spc Owen Eldridge, they just want to survive the few days of duty they have left. James risk taking however drives them all to the edge.

 

Iron Man 2

 

 

With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances -- and confront powerful enemies.

 

Buttered Prawns

 

 

A personal favorite of mind, they're just so good.

 

Carbonara

 

 

Just look at all that bacon bits.

 

Tiramisu Cake

 

 

Feeling hungry yet?

 

Babes of the Month

 

Alessandra Ambrosio

 

 

When one mentions a Brazillian model, the first one that usually comes to mind is the beautiful and ever modest, Alessandra Ambrosio. Born on April 11, 1981 in Erexim, Brazil - she was destined to become a model at such a young age. What seemed like a dream, quickly turned into reality as she landed a contract with Elite Model Management. Best remembered for struting down the runway, she is one of the more prominent angels in Victoria's Secret long list of talented models.

 

 

She also enjoys sandboarding and lounging on the beach listening to Brazilian music.

 

 

Sofia Vergara

 

 

Sofia Vergara is the only Hispanic actress who started her career in a U.S. Hispanic Network and successfully crossed over to the general market. She can currently be seen as one of the leads in the #1 comedy show in America, "Modern Family". Her past appearences on primetime TV include "Dirty Sexy Money", "Entourage", "Hot Properties" and "The Knights of Prosperity" among many others.

 

Sofia is currently the only spokesperson for Cadillac in both English and Spanish. She has been selected as one of this year's Faces To Watch by The New York Times for her role in "Modern Family", which has already been categorized as "Emmy Worthy". The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard have also named her one of the most talented and powerful women in Hispanic entertainment.

 

Sarah Mutch

 

 

Discovered at the tender age of 13, this Vancouver vixen and her rocking body has already graced the pages of Elle and Vogue and TV shows like Smallville. Now she's gone global as the worldwide face (and seat) of Guess? jeans.

 

 

End Blog

 

 

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Do take a look at the latest issue of System Wars Monthly if you haven't already. It's feature packed with goodness.