Ryan Reynolds’ provides a performance that alienates you with how badly he treats anyone he speaks to but I couldn’t help but put myself in the shoes of someone put in his predicament and sympathize somewhat with his plight.  With only a cell phone and a couple other choice items Ryan’s character is put through a hectic phone chase to find a way out of his wooden grave.  Hope sails and falls multiple times within the film and I was in it for each rise and fall hoping to see a good outcome from what seemed like a hopeless endeavor.

While I will not go into detail on what exactly put him in the ground or what happens to him throughout I will say the movie was thought provoking and led to an interesting conversation about humanity, war, and the futility of both. I could not recommend this movie enough because of a fairly good story that keeps you guessing until the end and the simple fact that they turned a man stuck in a coffin riveting for almost two hours.

Fast forward to today and I am still just as steeped in Gaming Culture and the Industry. As I’ve grown older though I find that a good part of the gaming culture seems to have failed to follow my lead. Instead we have dozens upon dozens of college-educated writers whose idea of a news story is a quick link to a source and a few paragraphs that are riddled with snark and cynicism. These supposed journalists are basically trolls in the guise of real journalists. They do not judge a game by its own merits but on their own skewed outlook on the world.

I look at this generation of journalists and see a reflection of the current state of America’s youth. This is a generation that has seen everything and done everything in their own eyes so it is quite easy for them to say “Meh” to new developments . It is a generation raised by the Internet, where anyone can go from uneducated to scholar within a few short clicks. There’s always a sense that they know better than anyone else but they really don’t have the experience to back up any of their ideas. They’re more likely to use a cope out when challenged than actually take the time to cite actual reasons for their misdirected vitriol.

Before I come off sounding anymore like some old man bitching about how things have changed I will admit that this generation’s view points are sorely needed.  What is not needed is the cynicism that has come with it. We don’t need kids saying how blank will be an epic fail, we need them raising valid opinions that are backed by fact rather than the common knowledge shared by the other forum dwellers.

Yes, opinions are why we look to reviewers and the like but my question is, should these glorified forum trolls be given the focus they get? Many of these writers are influential with the sometime hundreds of readers of their work, and listeners of their podcasts, which can greatly effect the sales and opinion on the subject of their undeserved scorn. But when it comes down to it, it is not my place to say these people have no place critiquing the hardwork of more skilled and experienced people but what I do have the right to is my own opinion.

My view on content writing has to do with a focus on interesting dynamic content that grabs hold of a reader and keeps them coming to your site on a regular basis because of that content. I’m not saying you should drop your SEO focus but keep in mind that SEO is not the be all/end all of getting your blog or website seen. Know your user and cater to that user in whatever way you can by keeping their interest. Internet Marketing has been flooded by writers whose only purpose is to find as many ways to say the same thing with no care on whether they’re saying anything at all.  Which reminds me of one of my favorite modern day jokes:

A SEO writer walks into a bar, pub, saloon, local establishment, drink dispenser, winery, micro brewery, sports bar, liquor store…etc

I always get a bit of a chuckle whenever I see that, but back to the case at hand. There’s no reason why real content can’t be melded with SEO focused dribble without being blatantly obvious to the end user that they’re being bamboozled. You need to find a voice and use it to grip your reader and your clicks are sure to follow soon after. But, once again this is just one man’s view and is not meant to be written in stone by any means.

I find myself looking towards smaller and smaller bites of gaming goodness more and more often. Sure I still have time for long burns like Red Dead Redemption but I find it a hell of a lot easier to put those games down for extended periods of time. The advent of Netflix on my 360 has also made it a default media player with my PC playing host to most of my gaming nights. Games like League of Legends and Star Craft 2 are now mainstays in my gaming diet when all I used to play were free flash games on sites like Kongregate.

Those are just a few of the changes that have come over the last couple a years but plenty more that I plan th share. There are also quite a few interesting developments in the gaming world that I’d like to share my thoughts on so expect a lot more entries to be coming your way in the near future.

It’s not a stretch of the truth to say that the latest entry into the Indiana Jones franchise was lacking the character that can be found in the first 3 movies.  It had just as much action and suspense that could be found in the other movies but lacked any likability that didn’t rely on the charm first achieved in the initial installments of the series.  I bring Indiana Jones into this review because the lead character in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune feels like a better Indy than his cinematic counterpart portrayed in “Crystal Skull.”

Rise of a Rogue

Nathan Drake has the same bad boy charm that Hans Solo, Captain Mal, and any number of smart-alecky rogues found in modern day cinema and television.  Sure they have a tendency to be put themselves into situations that would kill any ordinary man but they are more than happy to quip about it without batting an eyelash.  You’d be hard pressed to find a better example of this archetype than the lead character in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

Stop and Enjoy Paradise

Uncharted has the same pace as a Summer blockbuster movie.  You start the game mid-action seeing what sort of exploring Nathan is accustomed two and are quickly drawn into a story that may not reinvent the wheel but does an adequate job to move you along from set piece to set piece in an interesting way.  These gorgeous set pieces are a perfect example of one of Uncharted’s biggest strength, its art design.  You will be travel through some of the most scenic jungle scenery and ruins ever recreated in a video game.

No Ones Perfect, Words to Animate By

Another way Uncharted sets you up for a thrill ride is through the animations of its lead characters.  Great time was taken to capture the most realistic animations possible and it shows through and through.  You’re drawn into the action as you see Nathan flinching as each bullet hits his cover.  Nate has a tendency to stumble at random which works to make a more believable every day type of guy traversing these jungle ruins rather than some superhuman badass.

Worthwhile Headaches

Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is by no means a perfect game but it provides an experience that surrounds the player in a believable world and story that tickles the adventurous side of us all.  One thing that I must comment on is how clunky the controls can feel during combat.  Even the simple act of switching between weapons and utilizing grenades makes for a overly complicated situations during the many encounters you have with multiple enemies at once.  While quite realistic in implementation, the fact that Nathan has inertia when moving around the environments makes for accidental deaths or frustrating predicaments.

I found myself overlooking these problems when faced with the excitement galvanized by the story, characters, and pace of the game.  I’m quite excited at the prospect of Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves, which is set to release later this year.  Thus far the previews of the game all seem to lean towards the Uncharted team once again striking gold once again.

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There was a time when flash games were limited to simple point and click fests that were made to moreso pass the time than actually be enjoyable.  To keep data transfers to a minimum, early flash programmers used graphics that were simplified and were strickly suited for a time when most Internet users were forced to use telephones as their way to the Net.  From these humble beginnings a whole slew of fully realized experiences have been spawned all over the Internet.  No longer are programmers limited to simple interactivity or early Nintendo NES era graphics but are able to fully realize their ideas within a medium that can be limiting but has a breadth that allows for creavitivity.  As proof of this look at the former flash games that can be found on Xbox Live Arcade, the Playstation Store, and Wii Ware.

One Stop Shop

By no means am I saying that all the games out there are works of gaming genius ready for primetime, and in fact many are  a downright chore to play through.  But that’s why there’s sites like Kongregate.com that take the guest work out of finding the creme de la creme of flash games.  One of the biggest draws that Kongregate has is the fact that it has a community that’s a couple thousand strong and growing with just as many games in it’s library to peruse through.  It is free to join the community with the option of “tipping” those developers you feel deserve some monetary reward for their efforts.

Kommunity Focused

I specifically said community because that’s what Kong really is.  It is a community of gamers that enjoy playing games and the site is specifically made to cater to this.  Game developers playing alongside the players each shooting ideas off of each other to one simple end, making better games.  Alongside every game window there’s also a chat window that can be game specific or one that you become a regular in.  I believe all this interactivity allows for a real community to be formed rather than the chaos that can be found in any online console multiplayer lobby. There’s also a level system that has you earning poitns for commenting, rating, playing, and completing challenges within games.  This may seem like a gimmick but it also has the benefit of incentivizing being a part of the kong kommunity which can only enrich the experience for everyone else.

Kreativity Galore

Kongregate has games for just about every taste with a catalogue that expands on a daily basis.  You’ll find everything from shooters, to side scrolling action games, to puzzle games, and even a couple RTS games.  Just as long as you’re not expecting mind blowing graphics: you’ll be treated to a pleasant experience each and every time you spend some time within Kongregate’s walls.  Also, if you’re interested there’s lessons on how to start making your own flash games located right on the spot.  Also monthly sweepstakes for prized as well as a monthly contest awarding the time new games uploaded for the month.  Do I really have to keep typing or are you finally checking out Kongregate for yourself’?

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It can be quite a difficult task to classify who you are within the confines of an online dating profile.  What hobbies do you list, are the entries too wordy, do your jokes fall flat?  How about the very particular problem of being polyamorous?  Many dating sites only allow for a choice between 3 distinct choices: Single – Married – Prefer Not To Mention.  How about the fact that many sites are still a bit behind the times and don’t allow for choosing male looking for male or female for female when searching for potential relationships?  We’re not all cut from the same mold and deserve to try our hands at online dating with the same ease as the circle peg majority.  With my fellow squares in mind I searched the web for a few of the best “lifestyle” specific  online dating sites.

Polyamory

PolyMatchmaker.com – You can immediately tell that this site is for the Poly community by members of the Poly community, strickly from the feel of love that saturates each of their pages.  The only drawback is that this site is a little on the small side (At around 7000 strong) so you might exhaust your local choices quickly.  Thankfully the website is choked full of articles, forums, has a very active community, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a free site to boot.

Gay Male

OutPersonals.com – The registration for this website was one of the most in depth ones I have ever filled out (other than e-harmony’s personality profile questionnaire).  Not only did I fill out my likes and dislikes, I also had the ability to choose my length, girth, clothing style, body hair, and dozens of other details that could paint a perfect picture of who I was as a gay male.  The website is set up to cut to the point rather than dilly dallying with tests and other time fillers, you look for a potential guy/couple, email them and away you go.  Outpersonals.com also has a 2 tier membership scheme that allows for choosing how featured you wish your profile to be on the main site.

Lesbian

Lesbotronic.com – This is another “for us, by us” page that looks specifically made to cater to its community.  The lesbian/bisexual/curious site stays away from the countless boring dropdown boxes found on other sites and instead you’re treated to a humorous line of questions that add a little levity to the sometimes mundane task of filling a profile out.  These questions also provide you a quick and easy way to create a profile for yourself without having to think up any of the specifics yourself.  To ensure the validity of profiles there’s also a 72 hour window in which your profile will be reviewed by one of the Web-mistresses.  While the wait might feel long, you will be treated to a site that is 10′s of thousands strong and is 100% free.

BDSM/S&M

Alt.com – Don’t let Alt.com’s commercial veneer steer you away.  When it comes down to it you will not find a bigger BDSM, S&M, or Fetish community on the web.  This huge community is comprised of folks that cover just about every demographic with tastes that vary from latex to bondage and everything in between.  The registration is just as detailed as OutPersonals.com’s is and allows for you to outline exactly what your fetishes are and what roles you prefer to play.  The pricing scheme is exactly like OutPersonals.com and is based on how “featured” you wish your profile to be on the site.

By no means are the sites above the end all be all when it comes to online dating sites dedicated to specific walks of life, but they are all quality sites that are made to fill the void left behind by their larger corporate owned counterparts.  Hopefully down the line articles like mine will not be needed but until then I hope my words have been helpful.  Later squares.

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Now that I’ve had some time with the demo I can happily say that the game is every bit as cute and addictive as Peggle or Bookworm Adventures were.  PopCap games has a way of taking tried and true concepts from specific genres and distilling them until they become deceptively simple with layers of strategy for those that care to delve deep enough.  Plants Vs. Zombies may not revolutionize the tower defense genre but it does provide a highly polished experience that is saturated with the charm associated with the PopCap name.  Waves of varied zombies take turns assaulting your lawn and it is up to you to plant various plant types in an effort to stop their evil plans.

The first few sections had me casually clicking my pea shooters and sunflowers to stave off the zombie horde but the difficulty quickly amped forcing me to act with a more deliberate plan of action.  I loved the fact that PopCap took the time to make both the plant and zombie side of the fight to have as varied casts as possible.  Rather than taking the easy way out of just making harder to kill zombies the player is treated to a inventive mix of characters that will get a chuckle the first time you’re faced with them.

I find it hard to review games from PopCap because of one simple fact…they’re fun.  I have a specific part of my gaming heart dedicated to games that are a joy to play and Plants vs. Zombies is that and then some.  Thanks PopCap for once again creating a game that procrastination from all work like activities.

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The Resident Evil 5 demo that was released a few months back had me feeling a bit wary of what the final product would look/play like.  Now after quite a few playthroughs with the retail copy I’m happy to say that the control problems from the demo are not deal breaks after some time with the game.  The levels are set up so that they provide the player with the utmost excitement without ever letting the “tank-like” control scheme become too much of a hindrance.

Two To Tango

As with any activity. having someone to play with is where Resident Evil 5 truly shines.  While the single player game does allow you to play along side an AI partner having someone sit down on the couch with you or play with online is where the real fun starts.  Staying ahead of the zombies becomes a breeze when you have another human to play along side.  It can be quite satisfying to plan strategies with a partner when facing off against one of the game’s many larger-than-life enemies.

Plain ole’ Dumb Fun

I’m sure there are many die hard fans of the Resident Evil franchise that will love the small throw backs to the series’ prior installments but when it came to me it seemed more like a summer blockbuster action movie plot rather than anything to pay attention to.  While this may be a negative point to some, I feel it’s a perfectly acceptable video game equivalent to a popcorn flick plot that’s just meant as a backdrop for the action that’s happening on screen.

But Wait There’s More…

What really caught me off guard was the fact that there was such a robust end game that was unlocked once you completed the campaign the first time.  There’s money and XP to gather that is utlized to upgrade weapons and to purchase bonus items like costumes, unlimited ammo, and 3d figurines of all the characters in the game.  Along with those features you’re also able to play the Mercenaries mode which puts you and your AI or human controlled partner against waves of infected creatures.

Resident Evil 5 provides an experience that is well worth any of the frustration you may come across while attempting to learn the control scheme.  The variety in locales throughout the game provide a backdrop that keeps the stop and pop pace of the from getting to monotonous.  I’d recommend the game to anyone looking for an exciting experience that is a blast to share with friends.

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I’ve been negligent in my duties to all of you power mongers out there.  I recently felt the want to detoxify myself from energy drinks for a whee bit, and before anyone jumps to conclusions, no it is NOT because of any side effects of my energy drinks.  I just decided to switch to drinking fresh brewed tea for a bit and put the TBLC to the side for a couple weeks.  But I am back with a vengeance with reviews of Hydrive X – Triple Berry (Antioxidant Energy Drink) and Amp Energy – Overdrive.

Hydrive X – Triple Berry (Antioxidant Energy Drink)

Taste: I enjoyed the fact that the Hydrive X was non carbonated because it made guzzling it all the more easier.  It also didn’t hurt that the Triple Berry flavor was pretty damn tasty.  It was a bit tart with a hint of a vitamin aftertaste that was gone fairly quickly.

Boost: There was a nominal boost that was barely noticeable and left my eyes feeling just as heavy as when I first rolled onto the floor that morning.

Longevity: After an hour I’m pretty much ready to lay down under my desk for a couple Zzzz’s while no ones looking.  At 2 hours there was absolutely nothing keeping me alert, awake, or coherent.

Final Verdict: Of all the drinks I’ve had I’m pretty sure Hydrive X Triple Berry was one of the more healthier energy drinks I’ve consumed.  Other than that and the taste there’s really no real reason for me to suggest to drink to anyone of you out there.

Amp Energy – Overdrive (Energy Drink)

Taste: I was never a fan of the Mountain Dew Code Red and unfortunately Amp Overdrive tastes like an amped (yes, pun intended) up version of Code Red.  I’m not sure what exactly adds the harshness but as it went down reluctantly each time I let it hit my taste buds.

Boost: I imediately felt energetic with a really nice buzz kicking in after about 20 minutes.  I’d say the taste is worth what I felt, in my opinion at least.

Longevity: After an hour the same exact feeling is still going strong and I’m loving every minute of it.  At the 2 hours mark I was still feeling the buzz but it was a little more toned down.  Once 3 hours hit I had finally come down with no side effects whatsoever.

Final Verdict: If you like the taste of Code Red I’d have to wholeheartedly suggest Amp Energy – Overdrive.  It may have a bit of a kick going down but you’ll be fine with the trade off once you feel the Dew flow through your veins.

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