100th_bullet

100th_bullet feels his fading mind begin to roam.

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  • Jan. 6, 2009 - 5:32 p.m.
    100th_bullet feels his fading mind begin to roam.
  • Jan. 3, 2009 - 4:45 p.m.
    100th_bullet just added a new blog
    Top Favorites of '08
    The Games Fallout 3 -- Bethesda is all right by me. Todd Howard's the man. Grand Theft Auto IV -- Never a fan of the series, Mr. Bellic's story caught my attention. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows -- I'm a big Spidey fan. Not only is Web of Shadows a great Spider-Man game, it's one of the best superhero titles ever made. Silent Hill -- I played this shortly before the release of Homecoming and was pleasantly surprised. Didn't think I'd get more than a few chills out of this one, but playing alone at night with all the lights off ...

  • Dec. 28, 2008 - 5:56 p.m.
    100th_bullet isn't wearing hockey pants.
  • Dec. 28, 2008 - 5:50 p.m.
    100th_bullet just added a new blog
    Manhunt
    I really want to like Manhunt, but feel it really constitutes more style than substance. This isn't always a bad thing, but there comes a certain point where brutally hacking away at thugs and lowlifes becomes uninteresting. Rockstar is very good at producing games that are very cool. But that cool factor is about all Manhunt has going for it. The majority of the game makes for a largely unrewarding experience.

  • Dec. 21, 2008 - 6:12 a.m.
    100th_bullet is trying to play through The Force Unleashed as 3PO.
  • Nov. 7, 2008 - 11:30 a.m.
    100th_bullet is playing.
  • Nov. 7, 2008 - 10:24 a.m.
    100th_bullet just posted on Kenshin's wall
    Lemme give the demo a spin and see if it'll run properly on my system. I can already tell that my running on Windows 2K will be a problem, but it's probably time I reformat anyway. Why no 360 version? [scoff] This is gonna be TF2 all over again.

  • Nov. 7, 2008 - 10:20 a.m.
    100th_bullet just added a new blog
    I'm no COG, but...
    I may as well fight like one.

  • Nov. 6, 2008 - 6:56 a.m.
    100th_bullet just posted on DBoy's wall
    Absolutely! I got up early today to try to catch my copy at the door. Hopefully the UPS guy won't arrive at 5 o'clock when I'm not around. Either way... thar I shall be.

  • Nov. 4, 2008 - 2 a.m.
    100th_bullet is finished.
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About Me

"There is good and there is evil, and evil must be punished. Even in the face of Armageddon, I shall not compromise in this."

--Rorschach, Watchmen





I play 'em.
My Blog See all
Added by 100th_bullet on Jan. 3, 2009 | |

This post relates to: Fallout 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, Silent Hill, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Gears of War 2, Call of Duty 2, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Castle Crashers

The Games

  1. Fallout 3 -- Bethesda is all right by me. Todd Howard's the man.
  2. Grand Theft Auto IV -- Never a fan of the series, Mr. Bellic's story caught my attention.
  3. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows -- I'm a big Spidey fan. Not only is Web of Shadows a great Spider-Man game, it's one of the best superhero titles ever made.
  4. Silent Hill -- I played this shortly before the release of Homecoming and was pleasantly surprised. Didn't think I'd get more than a few chills out of this one, but playing alone at night with all the lights off sure did the trick. Praise Yamaoka.
  5. Silent Hill: Homecoming -- And this makes for an excellent companion piece to the original, just to see how the series has progressed. Gone are the clunky controls of titles passed, but the trademark Silent Hill atmosphere is still around. Awesome creature designs.
  6. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed -- All right, yeah, that Star Destroyer is a bit of a pain, but for me, the story made this work and there were a few elements that reminded me of LucasArts' past Jedi Knight titles (which, frankly, I miss a lot -- we need more Kyle Katarn!).
  7. Gears of War 2 -- I haven't had so much fun playing co-op in a long while.
  8. Call of Duty 2 -- This marks my first trip into WWII gaming after quite some time. I've been a longtime reader of the history and whatnot, but have shied away from the games for fear that they might, I dunno, make light of what happened. CoD 2 is great, though, and at least feels somewhat authentic.
  9. Super Smash Bros. Brawl -- Apparently I've logged over 100 hours with a few friends on this, according to a recent trophy acquisition in game. That was unexpected, but you know what? I like this game. A lot. And I find it hilarious that I can own just about any of my friends with Mr. Game & Watch.
  10. Castle Crashers -- This game turned out to be great and provides another fantastic co-op venue over Xbox Live. Let's play again sometime, folks.

Miscellany

Favorite Flick: The Dark Knight; Runner-up: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Favorite Album: Day & Age - The Killers; Runner-up: A Mad & Faithful Telling - DeVotchKa
Favorite Graphic Novel ('cause I don't read "real books"... much): Kingdom Come; Runner-up: Watchmen

Have a great year.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
3.6.09 (... hopefully...)


Added by 100th_bullet on Dec. 28, 2008 | |

This post relates to: What's the worst game you played in 2008?

I really want to like Manhunt, but feel it constitutes more style than substance. This isn't always a bad thing, but there comes a certain point where brutally hacking away at thugs and lowlifes becomes uninteresting. Rockstar is very good at producing games that are very cool. However, that cool factor is about all Manhunt has going for it. The majority of the game makes for a largely unrewarding experience.


Added by 100th_bullet on Dec. 4, 2008 | |
Yep. Been busy: working two jobs, plus double shifting on the first one. Comic books, vidja games, movies. It's all a bit much. Time, she runs out on a-me. I have five minutes.

  • Fallout 3: Personal GOTY
  • Having a strong urge to play Fable II.
  • Duke Nukem 3D still rocks.
  • Received two gigs of RAM, system's running optimally.
  • Bruce Wayne is dead. Or is he? Probably not, but he's not going to be Batman anymore. Dick Grayson, the original Robin, is taking up the mantle.
  • The last issue of Marvel's Secret Invasion is fantastic. Love what it sets up (Dark Reign!!1).
  • Eh...
  • I love you.



Added by 100th_bullet on Nov. 7, 2008 | |

This post relates to: Gears of War 2, Grand Theft Auto IV

I may as well fight like one.










And apparently this just arrived in the mail as well. Wunderbar.





Added by 100th_bullet on Oct. 14, 2008 | |

This post relates to: Silent Hill: Homecoming, Red Faction

"Utini," indeed.
Been kinda busy. Takin' out the trash, if ya know what I mean (see: picture [right]). Other than that, games. Finished Silent Hill: Homecoming. Got the Good Ending. Decided I wanted to get the most canonical ending right off the bat because I probably won't be getting back into the game for awhile. It's really good and scary, don't mind the Westernization of the series at all. Simply don't feel like jumping back into it right now. I can only take so much of the macabre before it begins to affect me in some ways.

So, I've turned to Red Faction! Yeah! It's also really good. I'm impressed by the whole real-time environment alteration mechanic (which looks hugely amped up in Red Faction: Guerrilla and in LucasArts' Fracture). I tried out some of the multiplayer with a friend last night as well and--no pun intended--had a blast. There's nothing quite like blowing the floor out from underneath someone. Or having it blown out from underneath yourself. Good times.

So, eh, some other stuff is coming out, I guess. Mine eyes are on Fallout 3, Gears 2 and Left 4 Dead (thank you, Mr. Naffer). Money's tight. If only the exchange rate for Jawa corpses were stronger... Disgusting creatures.


My Lists

Awesome Antagonists (in no particular order)

A list of 3 items by 100th_bullet last updated on Oct. 25, 2008

I like 'em lots.


Top Contributions

Shadow Man
50 Points

Diana Burnwood
17 Points

Agent Smith
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Shadow Man
13 Points

Mark Parchezzi III
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Father Vittorio
10 Points

Lee Hong
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My Reviews See all
Reviewed by 100th_bullet
July 23, 2008
MUA is a game made for the comic book fan in all of us.


In the annals of comic book lore, readers seek out a hero to whom an attachment may be formed. Oftentimes we come to like the heroes so much that we almost wish we could be them. In one form of media aside from the ink and paper of these beloved superheroes, Activision strides to bring them to life in pixelated glory. The company has a bit of history of creating enjoyable team based superhero games (look to the X-Men Legends series) as well as numerous outings with good ol' Spider-Man. The most remarkable offering, however, takes form in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (MUA). The game is a feast for those interested in the Marvel Universe and comic book regalia.

From the outset, we learn that Dr. Doom is up to no good and has assembled one of the largest teams of supervillains known to man - the Masters of Evil. It has become the task of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage and Logistics Directorate) to determine what Doom's plans are and stop the Masters of Evil before the world falls into madness. It seems like somewhat of a clichéd proposition, but it plays out quite well, especially in terms of comic book storytelling.

The task force created by S.H.I.E.L.D. and charged to handle the situation consists of four superheroes (or less, depending on player preference). The default setting includes Captain America, Spider-Man, Thor and Wolverine, but you don't have to keep this configuration. One of the best parts of MUA is the selection of characters. 16 are available to choose from the upstart, with others acquired by playing through various levels or completing other tasks such as simulator missions, which are attained throughout the game. Another strong point of the game lies in the exploration of the Marvel universe. We are taken from the bottom of the ocean in Atlantis, where Namor rules as king. We see the stars and great battleships of the Shi'ar Empire, where the Empress rules her people justly. We are even granted access to the sacred land of Valhalla amongst Thor and the gods of Asgard.

Anyone familiar with the X-Men Legends games will find the gameplay in MUA comparable. The game plays much like a brawler with characters able to acquire and upgrade special moves and take out enemies with special combos. The team play dynamic is modified by incorporating bonus stats for certain team configurations. For example, the Fantastic Four altogether would receive a health regeneration bonus. If something like that doesn't quite meet your interest, though, you can always create your own team and add bonus stats as the game progresses. MUA sports very simple mechanics and is easy to pick. The game itself is also not very difficult. There are a few instances where some baddies may gang up on the superhero team and failure might seem imminent, but that's when health and energy orbs appear and all is well. It also helps that, if say the character you're playing as is on his way out, you can switch to another team member. There is a "Hard" mode, but chances are you'll have saved game stats from a "Normal" session where your characters are leveled up and fairly powerful, which sort of mitigates the difficulty setting.

Graphically speaking, MUA looks pretty decent for a multiplatform title. The pre-rendered cinematic sequences look top notch, while the in-game sequences leave a little something to be desired. It's only when the camera gets up close and personal that one starts to notice flaws in the design, whether they be in general character design with some blockiness or some slightly odd texturing. The character models otherwise look fine. The game features a variety of environments, as previously mentioned, and coupled with some really nice lighting effects, they're very well done.

While visuals are important, the sound of Marvel is something that should be taken heavily into account as well. And, for the most part, MUA achieves a great balance in sound design. The voice acting is great and, while some of the dialog comes off as cheesy, the actors deliver their lines like they really mean it. Clive Revill (voice of the Emperor in The Empire Strikes Back), for instance, does a fantastic job as Dr. Doom while much of the cast comes as close to a realization of the Marvel characters as could be hoped for. Some of the battle phrases become repetitive, but at least they fit the mood set by the game. Quite a bit of the game's music score is good as well, with composers such as Mark Griskey (Knights of the Old Republic II) onboard.

Xbox Live matches can be pretty fun. There are two modes: Co-op and Arcade. In both modes, players move through the game's campaign. The main difference is that in Arcade mode, players essentially compete for kills, credits that can be spent on power upgrades and the satisfaction that accompanies winning. It's somewhat unfortunate that players may only go through the story mode. There are simulator missions that can be accessed through terminals in the game, but many aren't unlocked until later stages. This can present a quandry to those who have played through the story mode numerous times. There are a few reasons why the game has such a high replay value, however, and why players may choose to go through the story more than once. For one, characters may reach a maximum level of 99, receiving massive power boosts along the way. Making characters more powerful enables the player to achieve simulator missions far more easily than otherwise. It's pretty satisfying to have some powerful characters and many may find it amusing enough to play through as teams comprised of different characters.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is simply a game made for the comic book fan in all of us. While it doesn't entirely soar past its predecessors in terms of gameplay, it more than picks up the slack with character selection, exploration of the Marvel Universe and online play. As Stan Lee would say: Excelsior!




199 Points
Ranked #1635 of 27,134

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100th_bullet Stats
Date Joined: July 21, 2008
City: Addison
Gender: Male
Alignment: Neutral
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needs to chew some valerian root and get more exercise.
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wishes all the best to the 1up staff and community.
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will miss 1UP.com, R.I.P.
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think's Fallout 3 is not his kind of game and Love's PoP!
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will miss 1UP Yours. R.I.P. EGM
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is totally hooked on her 360 like crack to a newborn baby.
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says, "There is nothing to see here, people. Now move along."
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100th_bullet's Wall
Gigastormz
on Dec. 23, 2008
Are there any 3 Stooges shorts on that DVD set that you had never seen before? I had an extra copy of Ninja Gaiden that I believe I told you about before. You might want to hold off on playing that, I heard a rumor that Microsoft is patching achievements into original Xbox games! My company just got purchased by another, much larger company and I hope that they will reinstate our old salaries soon. I may be able to get you some much nicer things for your BDay. It's in May, right?
jimb0
on Dec. 20, 2008
Maybe.
Kenshin
on Dec. 19, 2008
Whoa! Loosen up! And stay on target!
jimb0
on Dec. 17, 2008
Cut. It. Out.
Gigastormz
on Dec. 11, 2008
Nope, not socks. Sorry. Just your typical geeky stuff. I'm a bit worried you may have the thing I got you, but you say you haven't bought any ___ in quite awhile so I might be safe. I mailed it out today so you should have it by Monday. Feel free to open it early, but you could save it for Xmas too, it's partially wrapped with a nice little bow:P
Gigastormz
on Dec. 9, 2008
I got you your Xmas present tonight. Watch your mailbox next week! It unfortunately isn't going to be anything as freakin awesome as last year, damn economy. Hope you like it anyway.
Kenshin
on Nov. 7, 2008
Well because...Mouse and keyboard. FF can't be turned off. You know. It...it just feels right! Plus, James is getting it for the PC so I can't resist.
Kenshin
on Nov. 6, 2008
You're getting L4D on PC, right? Just played the demo....ohhhhhhh man. Damn Boomers.
DBoy
on Nov. 4, 2008
GARZ 2 soon dude. This Friday. BE THAR!
Kenshin
on Aug. 3, 2008
"And don't cross the road if you can't get out of the kitchen. " Yeah, that's definitely one of my favorite movies. They're gonna start filming the sequel here in a couple weeks. Pretty coo'.
Kenshin
on Aug. 1, 2008
I have yet to touch any of the spinoffs although I am pretty interested in checking out Privateer 2 after seeing some of those cutscenes (Clive Owen!).
lordofultima
on Aug. 1, 2008
Yeah, I just recently got the "Ban Hammer of Dawn." Interpret that as you will.
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