Usually I don't have a problem with that because 99% of the action games I play have more or less the same button layout. But there are exceptions like Crackdown that have the reload button on the bumper and X is for weapon switch. It was no surprise that I fucked up many times during the game because it simply took me a while to get used to the different control scheme. Sure, you might say " Strongschwartz , you handsome devil, why don't you change the button layout?" see, that's the problem: You simply can't. Almost all games I own have 2-3 predetermined button layouts (if at all) and if none of them suits you, good luck learning the layout. Right now I play Half-Life 2 (I know I'm reaaaaaaaally late with that one) and in that game EVERY button can be configured individually, which is no surprise since it's a PC port. Flashlight on B? No problem. Sprint on the stick? Bring it. Primary fire on A? Impossible to play, but why not since you can do it. Guess what I'm trying to say is: Why do console games lack the convenience of free button configuration?
Next time I tell you why crowbars are better than any swiss knife, why carrying a little bearded guy around in an action game is annoying but worth it and why mysterious guys in suits know everything. See you soon.

I just wrote a blog a few hours ago but something came to my attention a couple of minutes ago, I not only wanted to share with you but also hear your opinion about. I was driving around in Mercenaries 2 and shooting billboards usually rewards you with 5 K. So I took out my rocket launcher blew it to hell and... nothing. I turned around to another billboard and what do I see: TRANSFORMERS. IN THEATERS NOW! (In German, eventhough my settings are in English, but I guess the add detects my IP). Not only do I get bothered with stupid ads in a game I PAID for, it also screws up the game by not rewarding me anymore. Don't know about you but I don't think it's cool, funny or anything else positiv. If I pay good money I expect not to be bothered with ads, I mean that Transformers crap is not even game related.

I love my sandbox games and after having a blast with Crackdown (I'm officially a free runner now) I went back to finish Mercenaries 2 only to realize this game is buggy as hell. During my playtime I encountered over a dozen enemies that got stuck in rocks, debris and houses. Containers were floating in the air like somebody was using medicloriens and npc committed suicide by walking off of houses and cliffs. The last mission had to be restarted three times. Twice because my pilot didn't drop the nuclear bomb properly and the third time the camera got stuck in the choppers and didn't go out anymore. Last but not least 2 Achievements weren't unlocked. I verified 55/55 HVTs and reached max mood with the Allies but did I get the achievements? No. I can imagine that sandbox games are hard to develop but GTA, Crackdown and Saints Row 2 show that it is possible to get rid of most glitches and flaws, not to mention game breaking bugs. I really hope Pandemic create a smaller world next time and take more time to polish Mercenaries 3 (if it ever comes out).
Next time I tell you why...running gags have to be interupted from time to time. See you soon.

My hands are shaking, my guts are burning, my body is sweating. I can feel the desire. The urge. The need. 497 orbs are mine already. Just three more and the pain might go away. Just three more.... What was that? While I was jumping to the other roof, I heard something. This unique noise. The one only an orb can make. I look around. Did I miss it? Was it my imagination? No, it's up there. Right above me. All I need to do is reach out and grab it. 498, just two more orbs to go, just two more...
I know Crackdown is over two years old but I just picked it up recently and it's so much fun. I can't wait for the sequel that hopefully gets rid of the few flaws the game has (no cover system, problems with the lock on targeting, more unlockables) and it has serious potential to become my  favourit sandbox game. (Saints Row 2 still owns that crown)
Next time I tell you why hidden orbs suck, why pidgeons are dirty and why flags are lame. See you soon.

Don't know about you, but I order my games in online shops. It's cheap, convenient but the most important reason is that I live in Germany and most games for adults are censored because of our great "youth protection". Never understood why adult entertainment that was never meant for kids in the first place needs to be youth friendly but, hey the government knows best, right? But that's not the reason I'm typing today. I just love it to wake up in the morning walk to mailbox and take out the package. It's always a feeling like chrismas just with less snow and less annoying family members. I get back into the house open the package and take out the NEW item that is NOT wrapped in plastic and has NO seal of authency and then... wait a minute... this item isn't new it's used. I paid for a brand new game and got a used one. Granted, if you write an email to these shops they usually refund you or sent you a new one but why are they trying this crap in the first place? Are they hoping that nobody notices? Don't try to tell me that's a missunderstanding or a mistake because that happened more than once and it is what it is: fraud.
Next time I tell you why you should buy stocks of cyberdine systems, in what horrible situations a portal gun can bring you and why there is a horse's head between your sheets. See you soon.