Been a while since I updated mah journal, simply because I've been busy working on my websites, doing photo shoots, Photoshopping and gaming my arse off. Photoshop CS4 is useful, but ugly.

So, here's a run through.

CrypticMetaphor website (my personal graphic design site): 70%
ZombiePimps.net 3.0 Flash version(my Xbox LIVE clan site): 20%
My portfolio: 40%
ZombiePimps introduction video: 85%
Photostory pictures: 50%
Photostory magazine article: 5%

Whew. CrypticMetaphor -should- be up by the middle of February, hopefully sooner. Right now it all relies on when I get paid, so I can actually upload the stuff necessary. ZombiePimps.net 3.0 is on it's way, once I've Photoshopped the graphics for it, it's just a matter of working it around in Flash.

The video is done, more or less. All that needs to be done with it is syncing the audio and fixing up two of the clips, which I have better versions of now.

The photostory pictures are done, but I've scheduled a re-shoot, to see if I can do any better. The magazine article will wait until that's done.

Aaaand now onto games!

Gears of War 2 was, and still is, a tremendous disappointment. Such hype and pedigree, but the result was crushingly bad. In fairness, the campaign was seamless. Really, really damned good. The problem is, I didn't buy Gears 2 for the campaign. Gears of War 1 was one of the best modern shooters to date, and Gears 2 was set to raise the bar. Instead, it tried to pick up the bar, which then fell on it's head and put it into a coma.

The patch fixed some stuff, and removed the glitches, but it's still a shaky mess. Ho-hum.

Left 4 Dead however, is one of the best shooters when it comes to fun. It's not particularly advanced, long or made of chocolate, but it's SO entertaining. I mean, 4-player co-op against hordes of ZOMBIES at 3am...Doesn't get much better. Can't wait for any DLC to come out, I'd love some new levels, but I'll be playing it regardless.

Fallout 3 was the best game of last year. I was sceptical when I heard Bethesda were taking up the Fallout series, but they proved themselves with this. I cannot wait for the DLC, the game had me hooked from day one.

Fable 2, as I had sadly expected, was pretty shit (which is actually a good description, come to think of it. Oh, and there's a rhyme! I'm on fire. Ouch).
It looks nice, the visuals are comical and smooth, and the combat is simplistic but well done. However, that's where the niceties end. The AI is HORRIBLE, you have to have a bloody dog with you at all times (can't I have a bear, a cat, or a moose or something?), and the storyline is about 3 minutes long. Seriously, there's jack all length to the game. Even the DLC for it is boring and short. Peter MoLIEneux does it again.

Saint's Row 2 is an unexpected gem. I didn't enjoy the first one at all, due to the clumpy gameplay, ugly graphics and models, and the whole "gansta" pastiche of it all. Saint's Row 2, however, is an absolute triumph. Better than any GTA game, and far superior to it's predecessor. It's sheer madness and humour are enough, but the variety and customisation bring it to a whole new level. Bright, metallic purple APC with 30" wheels with spinners? Check. Combine Harvester with nitrous? Check. Jumping out of a helicopter dressed as a pimp only to land, steal a bike and use a katana while driving it? Check.

Armored Core For Answer. Asian robot/mech game with customisation and online co-op?
Bad translation.
Brilliant game.
'Nuff said.

Last thing to talk about is Castle Crashers. If you haven't heard about it, look it up. Then buy it. It's a great game to play with friends, and it's truly a new-classic. A side-scrolling RPG/hack 'n' slash with 4 player online co-op and over 20 unique playable characters, 40+ weapons, magic and pets?

Yes please.

Dawn of War II next month, wooh.


Anyway, that's enough from this wall of text.


Adios people, have a good one.