Recent Buys: Episode 11 - The Blur-ry Mixer

The main purchase here is once again not gaming related but the reason I got it is, sort of. For the good of the land I mean stream!

If you've been following us, you'd probably know that I've been having a lot of microphone issues when I stream. I could do the simple thing and just stream the game and the game audio but I want both game audio and microphone audio at the same time. My laptop's microphone may be the best mic I have right now but since it is considered a USB device, I can only choose either game audio or mic audio as the audio source in FME (Flash Media Live Encoder). I've tried every workaround I could think off. None of which have worked in my favor. In most cases the microphone would be clear but too weak and the game audio would always be too loud. Boosting the mic would ruin the audio quality and bring forth a lot of noise. I got a USB audio box so that I could have a line-in jack and just stick the red and white audio RCA cables in but that made the game audio waaay too loud. The only real solution would be just to man-up and get myself a real audio mixer.

"My crude broadcasting setup"

Audio mixers aren't exactly cheap so I was scared as to how much I might have to spend to get one or if I could even find one small enough for what I had in mind. Luckily I found one that went for only 3500php and was USB powered which was exactly what I needed. It was the Behringer Xenyx 302USB Audio Interface. It's USB powered with a plug-and-play audio driver which makes things even simpler. It features a 6.5mm microphone / instrument jack, 2 sets of stereo RCA input jacks, 1 set of stereo output jacks, 1 3.5mm headphone jack, and 1 3.5mm microphone jack. I only really needed 1 mic in and 1 set of RCA stereo ins but the extra stuff may prove usefull for something else later on. I freaking love this audio mixer. Easy to use, easy to operate and does what I want it to do just right. I wish I had gotten it sooner.

"Bokshing and rayshing"

Alright, enough about the mixer. Time for the actual videogame purchases. I got a brand new "Greatest Hits" copy of Fight Night: Round 4. I heard Fight Night: Champion wasn't so hot so I decided to go for the previous iteration. This game isn't meant for me but of course I had to "test it out" (evil smirk). Next up was for me and that is Blur, the racing game with "kart racing" style weaponry. This racing game feature licenced cars and weapon based action. But instead of bullets and missiles like in Death Race, the weapons are more neon and energy based which gives off the NFS-style street racing vibe.

That's all for this episode of Recent Buys. Was planning to get a PSN card to buy some digital games but maybe next time.

[Update]

Oh yeah, and I pre-ordered Tekken Tag Tournament 2 at Datablitz.

Weekend, what are you playing?

We weren't able to make a weekend post last due because we were too busy watching the Evo2012 streams but we're back to share our weekend gaming action.

Migoy: I finally got an audio mixer for my PC to use with broadcasting gameplay. Hopefully my setup will work out like the way I want it to be. To test thihgs out I played a few rounds in Fight Night: Rought 4 with my cousin then a bit of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 after that. I finally finished Vanquish and it's a pretty cool game though the story, which started out great, was a little on the dull side by the end of it. Popped in Blur, the game that I call Burnout meets Mario Kart. And though I heard that the game didn't do very well, I can surely say that it gets an easy recommendation from me. Blur is hella fun, I just wished that there would be some music playing during races.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU-VKUiFIbQ&feature=colike[/youtube]

Latest The Last of Us clip introduces us to another survivor

During Comin-Con San Diego 2012, Naughty Dog revealed a new clip showing another character in The Last of Us. His name is Bill and he apparently owes Joel a favor. 

Every clip they release makes the wait harder for me. It looks amazing and I'm really curious how responsive Ellie's AI is going to be. We know Naughty Dog can produce high quality games thanks to Uncharted, but the real challenge is if they can pull off creating smart AI. If Ellie and enemies in the game provide real-like unpredictable situations, no standing around being useless AI, that would be perfect.

If you missed first look of The Last of Us gameplay, click the link to check it out.

The Last of Us is an exclusive title to the Playstation 3 and was originally planned for Q4 release this year, but is now pushed back to early 2013.

Review: Sonic Generations

It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the very first Sonic the Hedgehog. I still remember that Christmas in 1992 when I got my first console – a Sega Genesis (some of you might know it better as the Mega Drive), and the original Sonic was the very first game I laid my mitts on. Since then, Sega’s mascot has had his ups and downs. Unlike rival Mario, Sonic’s track record since the Dreamcast days hasn’t been particularly stellar. But for fans of the blue blur, hope has begun to spring. Sonic Colors (2010) all but broke the dreaded ‘Sonic cycle’ of disappointing games, delivering a fun, intense, well-crafted platformer that, in this reviewer’s opinion, stands toe-to-toe with Mario’s best efforts on the Wii. Let's see if Sonic Generations, built on Sega’s ‘Hedgehog engine’, is a welcome return to form for one of gaming’s most beloved mascots.

What’s Old is New Again

Appropriately for a 20th anniversary game, the story begins with Sonic’s friends throwing him a surprise birthday party, complete with chilidogs. Inevitably, trouble rears its ugly head as a portal materializes in the sky and a diabolical entity of mysterious origins abducts all of Sonic’s friends in one fell swoop. Meanwhile, in a parallel timeline, Classic Sonic is going about his own business when the color literally leaves the ground from under him. Tails, his only companion, vanishes into thin air. Left in a desolate realm of white space, both Sonics meet and must individually complete zones from their respective past and future in order to save their friends.

The game consists of just nine environments taken from three different eras in Sonic’s history (Classic, Dreamcast and Modern). Each zone is divided into two Acts, each of which must be completed in order to progress in the game and unlock the plethora of challenge levels.

Classic Sonic VS Sonic Colors

In Act One, Classic Sonic shreds in 2D, and fans of the original Sonic games on the Genesis will be happy to learn that the physics are very faithful to that era and free of the modifications made in the controversial Sonic 4, Episode I. The Act One levels are momentum-based, with various loops, tunnels and multiple branching pathways. As per tradition, the top-most path is usually the fastest, but the most difficult to stay on. Modern Sonic’s gameplay in Act Two is no less stellar, and the levels transition from 3D to 2D platforming often and seamlessly. The game’s filled with many throwbacks to the older games, but these are all woven in amongst new surprises that turn out to be real highlights and triumphs in clever level design. Generations thankfully has less of the cheap deaths and ‘gotcha!’ enemy placement that has frustrated many players who aren’t into memorizing the series’ labyrinthine levels. Most of the time, if you get hit by something in this game, it’s your own fault.

I really don’t want to spoil the list of levels for fans, but Sega seems to have really gone for diversity over iconography. All the levels seem to be just the right length – my only complaint is that I wish there were more of them.

Another addition to the game worth mentioning: the collectible coins, five in each Act, encourage players to explore the levels' many alternate pathways and add replay value for people like myself who suffer from videogame OCD and just have to find those hidden treasures.

When Two Worlds Collide

Sonic Generations walks the fine line between classic and modern Sonic gameplay with ease. Switching between the two Sonics is done with a single press of the Y button (Triangle on PS3) on the hub overworld, and each Sonic has a completely customized set of challenge levels. Each zone has ten challenges, five for each Sonic, for a grand total of ninety. These are where the game's replay value really kicks in and surprisingly, most of them are quite fun. Although about half of the challenges are dead simple (racing against Sonic’s doppleganger, a recurring challenge, is essentially a time trial), the other half are quite creative, such as juggling a spinning sign all the way to the goal, mastering the Flame, Electric and Bubble shields from Sonic 3 or having Tails carry Sonic past obstacles and enemies as you try to make the best time.

For perfectionists like me that live to get S-ranks on every level, the challenges are a very welcome addition and I hope that going forward these are something we see in future Sonic games, since they allow Sonic’s friends to participate in creative ways that don’t mess with the tried-and-true formula.

In another of the many additions to Sonic Generations' gameplay, Sonic can now unlock and equip skills such as the ability to stop on a dime, begin a level with a certain power-up, recover rings faster, etc. The ultimate skill, of course, is Super Sonic, who you'll have to unlock by snagging all seven Chaos Emeralds. The skills are for the most part fun and useful, and I really enjoy the system. Trying out different setups is essential to improving your times and scores if you’re chasing those elusive S-ranks.

There are two different types of boss fights in the game – rival fights and major boss battles. Without spoiling anything, I will say that Sonic fights some familiar opponents, but with a new twist. Unfortunately these battles are cakewalks to Sonic veterans, but after each fight you unlock a Hard Mode version of the fight, which thankfully ramps up the difficulty a little bit.

Gorgeous HD presentation

Seeing age-old levels return with re-mastered music and gorgeous HD graphics is really something to behold, especially since levels whiz by at 60 FPS with no slowdown whatsoever. Every time I fire up this game I think of all the work that went into the art direction that most people will never see since the gameplay is so fast-paced. I was thankful to discover the game boasted a huge, unlockable art gallery and an equally huge, unlockable music selection with tunes spanning 20 years of Sonic games. I found myself spending a weekend beating all the extra content just to unlock all the cool art and old-school 16-bit songs I haven’t heard in years.

Obviously, if you didn’t grow up on Sonic, the art gallery and music selection won’t do much to sell you on the game. But it’s reassuring to see that Sega has really pulled out the stops and gone out of their way to make a product that really gives the fans what they want.

The Sonic Cycle is Officially Over

If you’re a fan of fast-paced, momentum-driven gameplay and have been waiting for Sonic to make his big comeback, wait no longer. Sonic Generations, built on Sega’s ‘Hedgehog engine’, is like a highlight-filled mix tape that delivers on the best elements of the franchise’s long history, weaving together rock-solid level designs, flawless platforming physics, and a light-hearted story that takes its cues from everything that worked about Sonic Colors.

My biggest complaint is fairly simple: at just eighteen acts and seven boss battles, the main game is too short for a title encompassing Sonic’s entire career, and I can easily imagine either a large DLC pack or an entire sequel full of levels that didn’t make it into Generations (the equally solid 3DS game featured an entirely different set of zones and bosses, but how many diehard Sonic fans own a 3DS?). If you simply play straight through the story mode and ignore all the challenges, you will be finished with this game in less than a weekend, which leads me to a conundrum.

While I fell head-over-heels in love with this game, I cannot give it my complete recommendation.

Because Sonic Generations was made specifically with Sonic fans in mind and features no multiplayer modes, anyone who doesn’t have at least a little nostalgia for Sega’s beloved mascot simply isn’t getting the most out of the game. If your mind is made up about Sonic, this game won’t do much to change it, especially since the levels are for the most part comprised of remixed bits and pieces from past games. What it does offer is the best of both worlds – 2D and 3D Sonic – carefully molded into a product that tries its damnedest to bring forth an experience that appeals to the broad spectrum of Sonic fans out there. Kids who grew up on 1991’s Sonic the Hedgehog will be able to pick up, play and enjoy this game just as easily as kids who bought a Dreamcast to play 1999’s Sonic Adventure, or who were gifted a copy of 2008’s underrated cult hit Sonic Unleashed. Thanks to the crisp, inviting presentation, it’s easy to recommend this game to someone who’s always wanted to play Sonic but never got the chance.

I taught my ten-year-old sister how to play Sonic Generations, and being able to see the same wonder in her eyes that I had when I first played Green Hill Zone at the age of five was quite a powerful experience. She did struggle with Modern Sonic’s levels, but I sensed that familiar desire in her to master the game’s mechanics. There’s a reason why this pesky hedgehog has survived through so many droughts and unpolished games. The always-fresh art direction, memorable characters, exciting level designs and simple but addictive gameplay appeal to kids of all ages, and like his rival Mario, I don’t see Sonic going away anytime soon. If Sega can keep up the momentum they started with Sonic Colors, the blue blur has a bright future ahead of him. The friend I went to Sega’s E3 presentation with told me his big question is what Sega will do next with the series.

I say bring on Sonic Generations 2!

Score: 87/100

Pros: -    Both 2D and 3D gameplay styles are refined, fast-paced and glitch-free -    Tons of unlockable content and bonus features -    Challenge modes add great replay value -    Diehard Sonic fans will get the most out of the game

Cons: -    No multiplayer modes -    Main game is too short, especially a year after the long, feature-rich Sonic Colors -    Modern Sonic levels may be difficult/confusing for some players -    Diehard Sonic fans will get the most out of the game

(Updated - July 21)Steam Summer Sale starts now!

It's happening again, the Steam Summer Sale has begun. just when you thought your done buying, this shows up. Just like the holiday sale last year, games will be going on sale for more than 50% off and will have a new batch of games on sale  every day until July 22.  Here's the latest list of games on sale.

Today's Deals(July 21)

• Red Orchestra: Heroes of Stalingrad - $4.99 (75% off)
• Crysis 2 - $11.99 (75% off)
• Indie Bundle 9 - $9.99 (75% off)
• Driver: San Francisco - $7.49 (75% off)
• Dungeon Defenders - $3.74 (75% off)
• Magicka $2.49 (75% off)
• Fear 3 $4.99 (75% off)
• Civilization V - $7.49 (75% off)
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution - $7.49 (75% off)

Pack Deals

• Star Wars: Collection -$49.99 ( 50% off)
• Pop Cap Collection - $49.99 (50% off)
• Ubisoft Collection - $49.99 (50% off)
• Telltale Games collection - $49.99 (50% off)
• Id Collection - $49.99 (50% off)
• SEGA Hit Collection - $49.99 (88% 0ff)
• Paradox Collection - $49.99 (82% off)
• Rockstar Hit Collection - $49.99 (58% off)
• Valve Complete Pack - $49.99 (50% off)
• THQ Collection - $49.99 (84% off)
• Nordic games Collection - $49.99 (59% off)
• Cyan Complete Pack - $14.99 ( 50% off)
• Sqaure Enix Collection - $49.99 (79% off)
• 2k games Collection - $49.99 (77% off)
• Focus Hit Collection - $49.99 (82% off)
• MumboJumbo Collection - $34.99 (56% off)
• Bethesda Collection - $ 49.99 (72% off)
• 1C Collection - $49.99 (85% off)
• Railworks 3 Collection - $49.99 ( 79% off)
• Kalypso Colection - $49.99 (50% off)
• Strategy First Collection - $49.99 (50% off)
• Activision - $49.99 (77% off)

Steam is doing something new this time. Every eight hours, Steam gives us three games we wish to get a discount, the game with the highest votes gets featured with a discount. The featured item will last until another game has been picked to be featured for the next eight hours. So I suggest you put Steam as your home page for the week.

Head over to the Steam Store now to start spending all the money you have saved up. I already spent $5.99 on Legend of Grimrock, I didn't even think about it, I just got it when I saw the price.

I will try to keep this page updated as possible when Steam sets a new list of items on sale.

[Source: Steam]