What's The Deal With All The Sequel's

       SEQUEL HEADACHE

           Maybe It's just me but it seems there have been a great deal of sequels and remakes of games AND movies lately.  Don't get me wrong.  When an old movie or game is recast and remade and brought to a level never seen before I love it, but how about when a continuation of a story or a remake tanks? 
          Star Wars was a great example.  Episode 4,5, and 6 which were the first three movies release were at the time beyond anything Hollywood had ever produced.  Even today those famous three movies are a guide post for all science fiction movies to follow. 
           Avatar has not only used the wake set by great science fiction movies, but has leaped past them in a wonderful spectacle I've never imagined possible.  Avatar not a Sequel, or remake, but a new spin on the worlds facination with the unknown.
           That being said.  Not all Sequels are bad.... Battlefield bad company two seems to be on track.  Modern Warfare 2 was a hit.  Everyone is looking forward to the SC2 release.  Final fantasy 13 is coming soon. 
             As much as I love all of these gigantic titles I can't help but think to myself, how I would love to see more unique and completely original titles.  I want more game types to emerge from the iron works.  Let's see new beginings come to life like halo in recent years, or Battlefield, and Modern Warfare... 

    What do you think about this Maddman?  Am I wrong? 

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Beta Break down...

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Beta (Chop Block)

    PS3 players if you haven't had the chance to get on board with the Beta test of BFBC 2 hurry up and sign on.  The Beta test is online multiplayer only, which tells you what Electronic Arts is focusing on.  With Modern Warfare 2 hitting the floor months before Bad Company 2 could meet them at the market they have a big reputation to compete with.  Multiplayer is where it's at, and EA is taking it very seriously.

   I've been playing the Beta as (EskosRage) and I must tell you this game is going to be HOT.  As before the destructive environment allows for a deeper level of fighting in BF games, something that is missing from all other titles out there.  The graphics, the explosions, the vehicles, the team play, is at a level all its own. 

   In Battlefield bad company 2 Beta you are on the African coast, the objective:  Set explosives on enemy targets and continue pushing through the front lines to get to the next objective.  A match from beginning to end can last around an hour, with the map shifting as the objectives change, adding a new angle to the fight.  The first assault tends to be an armored nightmare, as tanks from both sides go head to head like titans on the battlefield cutting down enemy targets like a machete.  You start out on a lonely strip of highway, reminiscent of route Irish In Iraq, Hostile targets looming in the cracks and crevasses waiting for a chance to fire a RPG at one of your tanks.

   This game is intense!  The attention to detail in the terrain is awe inspiring.  I'm looking forward to the full release in March....

For a chance to talk more about Battlefield Bad Company 2 join us on at Our Forums. 

Left 4 Dead 2

I recently found myself a rich man some how and purchased 2 of the newest games on the market. Modern Warfare2 and Left 4 Dead 2. This article will focus on Left 4 Dead 2 so on with the show.

There arent many games i wouldnt let a 3 or 4 year old watch me play, this is definatelty one of them. The gore and blood in this game is off the chart leaving power gamers like myself standing in awe, then a few moments later your like. Hells to the yeah!!! That Sh*t was sick off the chain!

Nothing is better than watching zombie brains splatter all over the place, and you get a real experience of that in Left 4 Dead 2. The graphics in the game are very explicit, and at times you see random nudity. Not to mention the part where things are trying to eat you.

The environment is very realistic, and the actions of the computer enemies is very intelligent. The combination of zombies in this game is definately better than the companies prior game Left 4 Dead.

Among the new zombie types.

Jockey: Named the jockey because it will jump on your back and cause you to run away from your team, the only way to get free from these nasty little buggers is to have a team mate shoot him off you.

Witch: Ive only been close enough to die by one of these one time. Every other time i pulled out a rifle and shot from a distance.

Boomer: These guys are the suicide guys of Left 4 Dead 2, and if you are in the wake of his explosion you will be covered in an acidic goo that attracts all of the zombies in the area to you. How nice

Tank: These guys are huge, and take huge ammounts of damage before dieing. Your best bet is to take these guys with a shotgun.

Spitter: These guys can be rather annoying because they will cause your group to run in different directions. The green stuff they spit out is like acid and tends to linger on the ground for some time. If you see these guys, kill them before they spit. And if they do spit, DO NOT get separated from your team. Your team is your lifeline.

Smoker: These guys are definately one of the few that made this game interesting for the fact you must rely on your team to get away from. He has a long tongue and wraps you up in it then drags you away from your team to eat you alive.

Charger: These guys are nuts, ive been nailed by them more times than i can count, out of the blue. Your walking around blowing zombie heads off minding your own business and wham! suddenly your 100 meters from your party and are getting pounded to death, this typically results in the player screaming on his/her headset for the team to save him/her.

Hunter: These guys will jump from a very long distance, more often than not missing you if you are moving. The only problem with these guys is that you always have to rely on another player to get them off you if you get tackled. Im not quite sure why they added so many guys that require a team to take down and or save you, but i guess it adds to the team based game play.

The other types of Zombie arent really that important since they are standard guys that attack to eat and rip you limb from limb etc...

Take heed to the following message because i mean it with all respect. If you dont have a headset or a way to communicate verbally with your team, dont bother buying this game with the intention to play it online. You will be nothing more than dead weight to your team because you cant tell them where you are dead or yell for help. This is a must for this game as its a 100% team effort game.

The campaign mode is fairly decent, for what i played of it. Im a multi-player gamer, so i dont spend too much time in campaign mode in any game. The story line from what i played was ok, some times it didnt make sense but i guess it may make sense later in the game. Some day i will finish the campaign, but for now its Multi-Player for me.

I definately liked the aspect of using the terrain around you to avoid and dominate your zombie enemies and the versus mode where you can play as either human or zombie is definately somthing to add more fun to the game.

There are a few things they could have added to the game and thats a name indicator above the players heads so you can more easily see them, but i suppose that would take away from the realism the game has.

After i played it online for a few matches and began to realize how much this game is team oriented, i started working with a few of the random players and added them to my friends list, then we worked together using verbal communication on our headsets to plan and communicate what we were doing and which way we were going as a team. And who got which weapons etc.

Its a very team oriented game, and i would give the game a 11 on the 1-10 scale simply for the team play aspect.

I'll provide a more complete review on this game after ive beaten it, but i just wanted to get the review out there for you, our viewers at http://www.thegamerhanger.com

if your not already signed up with us, get signed up and join in on the gamerhanger discussion forums.

I played modernwarfare 2 over the weekend. I have to say the campaigne mode is pretty good. Aside from the mission where you're killing innocent people in an airport. The graphics kicked butt, and the story line was gripping. I also played online for a while and it gets very intense. The multiplayer maps have grown a little in contrast to modern warfare, but still lack the expansiveness i would like to see. Still, Modern Warfare 2 is a high speed game and deserves a great deal of credit.

I will be out of town and away from my computer for the next few weeks, but I will try to keep the gaming community up to date. Please take some time and visit our forums at www.thegamerhanger.com thanks for stoppmg by and feel free to participate in any of our posts thanks.

What's New In The Zerg Inventory?

The New Zerg

      The Zerg Quickly became a flood of terror in the old Starcraft, and I'm sure as you will see in the screen shots I've provided the Zerg war hasn't changed much.  I was unable to find a great deal of information on the Zerg so I have inserted more Screen shots.

The Zerg Coat of Arms

1.  Baneling, is your everyday suicide insect.  Rolling into battle looking like a toxic Rollie pollie, this little trashcan explodes on impact, splattering its toxic guts all over the place.

The Baneling

              Type: Sapper
              Core Genus: Zergling
              Primary Attack: Volatile Burst

The Baneling can burrow like it's counterparts making it an even greater threat to the enemy.  The Zerg have two overwhelming combat abilities, ambush, and overwhelm.  The cornerstone of Zerg war fare is their rabbit like reproduction system.  Be prepared for wave after wave of ugly insect like creatures that pop like zits, but keep on coming.

        Ask yourself? What can Zerg do for you? This is what Zerg can do for you!  It's a sea of lings pillaging the country side.  What a mess.

StarCraft 2 Concept Art

What's New In The Protoss Inventory?

The New Protoss

            The Protoss have completely overhauled their combat effectiveness.  With multiple new additions the Protoss player is going to have to relearn the research list in order to master this race.  Much has changed, and even the familiar units aren't so familiar once you look a little deeper into their specs.  
             I have always been a die hard Toss player, and I don't intend to stop now.  Keep an eye out for me on battle.net.  I'll be there. 

Protoss Coat of Arms

1.  Immortal, is the remnants of the dragoon army, and has updated mobility, and agility.  This is quadrupedal machine has multiple assets which make it a vital piece on the battlefield.

The Immortal

                 Builds From: Gateway
                 Weapon: Twin Phase Disruptors
                 Role: Ranged Assault Support

The Immortal is also equipped with a very strong shield which can take even the frothiest of blows.  This guy can add an edge to the battle that could mean the difference between life and death.

2. Stalker, is another adaptation of the Dragoon, and boasts a new Dark technology which will surprise the enemy.

The Stalker

                Builds From: Gateway

                Weapon: Chronal Web
                Role: High Mobility Scout / Ambusher

        The Stalkers Blink ability is where it's at.  This piece of war innovation can blink onto plateaus, and into narrow trenches, it can almost go anywhere.  Don't leave home without it!

3. Phase Prism, is the major battle support vehicle, bringing reinforcements to key positions on the map.  You will quickly realize this is an essential part of the Protoss army.

Phase Prism

                Builds From: Robotics Facility
                Weapon: None
                Role: Tactical Transport

        the Phase Prism's secondary ability which is possible more useful than the main ability, can temporarily power Protoss structures.  In the aftermath of a enemy attack the first structures to be attacked are the pylons.  The Phase Prism has a pivotal role in maintaining battlefield orientation. 

   


4. Phoenix, is the replacement for corsiars and scouts.  The Phoenix can attack both air and ground targets, which makes it a useful addition to the fight.

The Phoenix

             Builds From: Stargate
             Weapon: Twin Ion Cannons
             Role: Air Superiority Fighter

        The list goes on as the Protoss bring more angles of attack to the galactic war front.

5. Colossus, is the Protoss scare tactic, that also functions as a war horse.  This thing is big. It's ugly, and it packs a punch.

The Colossus

                 Builds From: Robotics Facility
                 Weapon: Twin Thermal Lances
                 Role: Heavy Support

          Watch out because here it comes.  This Massive Quadrupedal beast is going to ravage the enemy with brute force tactics.  It's big. It's slow, but its Horrid.




6. Warp Ray, is yet another addition to the battle plan.  This long range attacker has a finesse much needed by the Protoss army, and I'm sure well implemented as well.

Warp Ray

               Builds From: Stargate
               Weapon: Prismatic Beam
               Role: Long-range Bombardment

       I sense some call for fire missions in the future.  This is going to be on the battlefield a lot.  Expect to see this guy tearing up the your outer defensive positions.

7. Mother ship.  Don't go calling for your mommy to soon, cuz you may just get one of these powerhouses. 

Mother ship

              Builds From: Stargate
              Weapon: Disruptor Pulse
              Role: Capital Ship

       Don't be fooled by the name, this thing is belligerent.  It has a focused beam of light that slices through anything it passes over.  It also adds a cloaking umbrella to nearby allies.  This Mother can rapid fire missiles at enemy encampments.  It is a multi-tool that is a must for the Protoss.    

This is the direction the Protoss has gone.  Focused high intensity energy which will pop Zerg swarms like zits on a pubescent boys face.  I'm ready Blizzard... Send me a copy now?  and one for Jinco and Maddman too? Please?  J/K Have fun gamers,but if you're a beta tester for StarCraft 2 YOU SUCK!  Cuz I don't get selected. = >