PAX East 2012 Video Recap

As promised, here's a follow up video to PAX East 2012. I share with you a few of my favorite games on the show floor as well as some much needed rambles:

Glad to be back internet. Glad to be back.

Dead Space 2, Bulletstorm & THQ's Homefront

Season kick off of STN AfterParty and Ali's Got Game. This week I cover Dead Space 2, Bulletstorm, as well as the Homefront THQ event. Check it out. All writing, gameplay footage and content creation is my own with exception of the THQ press footage.

Incase you missed it.. My Fable III review

This segment originally aired 1/13/10 on STN AfterParty.

Alan Wake DLC "The Signal" - My Review

Trying to decide whether or not to purchase the Alan Wake DLC "The Signal"? Not to worry, I've got you covered with some gameplay footage as well as an in depth review.


What games or add ons would you like to see me review next? Leave me your feedback in the comments below!

Dragon Age Checklist

In case you weren't already aware, BioWare managed to achieve excellence yet again when they released Dragon Age Orgins earlier this year. As far as old school hack and slash RPGs go, Dragon Age is as good as it gets. With an ample amount of character customization, great depth of both story and character backgrounds and all around fun and excitable game play that both hardcore and casual gamers can appreciate, the game has just about everything.

After devoting a few days of my life to the game, I've discovered secrets that will help you perfect your game play without wasting countless hours of your precious time, although I highly suggest that you do anyway..

1. Almost always try and see if you can make a deal with a demon.
Unlike Fable 2, choosing to be evil in Dragon Age: Origins doesn't necessarily paint you as a baby killing, produce stealing villain, and for those of you who like looking fresh, it does not alter your appearance either. Not only is the reward typically awesome, but most of the time, if your Coercion is high enough, you can lie your way out of the deal after the payoff. WIN!

2. Blood magic is the shit.
Despite what ever your "moral" party members will try and have you believe, blood magic is the shit. Ever wonder why your parents would always tell you not to play with fire? I'll tell you why: because it's awesome. Sure you can play with fire as a mage in the game, but this is the big leagues, and sacrifices must be made. Trust me when I say you won't regret it. Blood magic spells pack a powerful punch. So next time Wynne tries to give you an old woman's lesson in "what's good and bad", remember, you're the one killing 90% of the enemies you come across with a single spell.

3. Feisty English accents are the best.
Ah yes, nothing beats a English accent, and chances are you don't even need to play Dragon Age to figure this one out. Just about everyone in this game has some sort of accent, but Alistair and Morrigan's take the cake. Yeah, so she might say a few things that are questionable, and her way of thinking is a bit, jarring, but if you're guy, you probably think Morrigan is the bomb. Why? It's the accent. Yeah, sure her grungy attire with just enough cleavage is probably enjoyable, but it's that all around feisty attitude and killer accent that's got you second guessing your well thought out decisions. And when it comes to the ladies, well, don't even get me started with Alistair. So he may be a little prudish, but we think it's cute. With just a tad of innocence, hunky appearance and cheesy pick up lines, all topped off with a hot accent, it's no surprise that Bioware came out with an I Love Alistair shirt.

4. Your ability to sleep around will be rewarded.
If you know anything about me you probably know that I love achievements. Well, in this game, unlike in real life, being a sloregoth will win you some gamer points/trophies. Take advantage of this. It's fairly easy to do. Just play your cards right, and you can win over just about any of your companions. Lucky for you, Leliana and Zevran swing both ways. The only real issue if you're trying to perfect your achievements in the game is trying to get with Morrigan or Alistair, considering that they are both straight and the only way you will be able to achieve this is by making an opposite sex character.

That about raps it up, for now at least. Seeing as I've just gotten around to playing the expansion, Dragon Age: Awakening, keep a look out for most tips and tricks on here. ;)

My Pokemans. Let me show you them.

Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver were released for the Nintendo DS this Sunday, March 14th, and of course I had to have it. Although I'll never be as excited as I was in middle school about Pokemon I've gotta say this game is pretty cool. The game comes with a little Pokeball clip on called a Pokewalker. It counts your steps and you can use it to take your Pokemon for walks when you're on the go. You are also able find items and catch other Pokemon when you're out on your walk. Cute!

My only complaint about the games is that they still lack the character customization that I crave from RPGs. Why can't my Pokemon trainer be blonde Nintendo? Why?! Most people would rather make their own character than choose between the prudish Ethan and Lyra. Ick.

One of the coolest things about the game is that all 493 Pokémon in are capable of following the main character, similar to Pikachu in Pokemon Yellow if you recall. You can interact with the first Pokemon in your team by hitting A and every now and then they will do a little dance for you if you make them happy enough. Shininess is also retainable and shows up as well so get your Action Replays ready folks!

Unfortunately, I just don't have the time I used to to devote my time to Pokemans, but as a fan of the Pokemon franchise I can definitely say that the new line of original Pokemon games that have been rereleased for the DS have come a long way, and I can only hope that by the time I have a kid they're still coming out with new content and titles.