LBP Vita Arcade Challenge Update #2

  Three down, two to go!  What's left?  Only the toughest parts of the remaining two games.  I would like to set a goal time of end of January, I'll keep trying.

Tapling complete.

LBP Vita Arcade Challenge Update #1

   Scratch off one more game complete.  I'm nearly done with Stratosphere but it is really trying my patience with how precise I have to be in key parts.  Super Conductor is no doubt going to be the toughest for me.

 

Retro Vector complete

Playstation Plus Review

   Playstation Plus - Why didn't I subscribe sooner?  When I read that Plus was coming for the Vita this past month I figured now is the time to subscribe for all the added benefits coming for the Vita in addition to what's already available for the PS3.  One of the bigger draws to me is the online game saves storage (the cloud.)  It gives a sense of security for those hard earned and time consuming game saves especially for the tougher games.  The biggest new feature of Plus for majority of subscribers is the "instant game collection" as Sony puts it.  Had I subscribed earlier I would have had access to PS3 games months ago but I'll look forward to what I'll have now and in future additions.
   I have already downloaded Wipeout 2048, I was interested in this game at launch but never got it. It is incredibly fun and in many ways better than Wipeout HD on the PS3.  I would also like to download Uncharted Golden Abyss (another free full game) but at just over 3gb my 4gb memory card isn't quite enough.  As soon as the proprietary memory cards come down some more I'll get these bigger games, but for now Uncharted will have to rest in my download list un-downloaded. 
   There are other features of Plus on PS3 and Vita, the previous two above are my favorites.  Other features such as auto syncing trophies, auto downloading game and system updates, auto uploading games saves to cloud, exclusive avatars and dynamic themes, and early beta access.  For me though I'm not very into automatic syncing and updates so I'll stick to manually updating for now.  For $50 a year I ask again my initial question why didn't I subscribe sooner? 

The LBP Vita Arcade Challenge

   One of the toughest parts of Little Big Planet Vita is three-starring every level of the arcade games section.  Thankfully there is a shiny gold trophy waiting when you do accomplish this.  I have finished 1 out the 5 arcade games and I will keep posting to further my own motivation to finish completely.  I am actually nearly done on the remaining 4 games but these are toughies at this point.

Orb-It complete

Hot Wheels Stop Motion #4

Sports Champions 2 Demo Review

   Sports Champions 2 demo plays wonderfully, not surprising because it is made by the same folks who made the first one. Tennis is way, way fun and I really want to play it on tougher difficulty in the full game.  The opponent AI in this demo is obviously set on 'easy.'  Skiing is more fun than I thought and I really want to try different slopes. Golf plays like golf as it should requiring lots of swing to drive the ball, I hope we get 18 holes in the full game. The controls are brilliant with the 1-to-1 motion expected with the Move.  It's a day one purchase for even the mildest Sports Champions fan.

Vita Trophies On My PS3

  Recent PS3 update 4.30 added some trophy functionality making Vita trophies viewable on the PS3.  It wasn't completely needed but what I like most is seeing the Vita's trophy tiles larger on my TV.  Also cool is seeing recently earned Vita trophies in the playercard as well. 

My recent LBP Vita trophies and a tough TOM Blitz gold trophy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tough Trophy Achieved

   

     I finally had that great game that lasted long enough with enough score multipliers to get to 10x crystals.  Over 30 levels of play time to get this one as well, it took a while.

    The remainder of this game's trophies are time spent based goals except for one requiring blowing up all gems on the board in one move. 

   At a cost of nothing this game cannot be beat for the amount of game play spent and time wasting fun involved in its game play.  If I were to rate Treasures of Montezuma Blitz it is easily a solid 9 out of 10.  Over time I am sure I can achieve 100% trophies here. 

First Black Ops 2 Multiplayer Trailer Finally

   Looks like Treyarch can do it again, where Infinity Ward has failed big time with MW3.  My impression is they (Treyarch) is giving a slight Battlefield 3 tweak in game play but still keeping the entire Call of Duty feeling  intact.  The newer HUD looks refreshing and what appear to be ribbons (or in-game attributes) have a quicker, more streamlined view.  However, November 13 is still so far away.

Hot Wheels Stop Motion #3

Third in a series!

LBP Karting Follow-Up & Review

    The beta has concluded and while I didn't play it as much as many I had fun when I did.  The reason I didn't play it heavily is simply it lacked fun-factor the way LBP draws you in.  I know why I didn't like Modnation Racers now, even with a LBP coating I still don't like cart racing games.  It's good and has a definite fun-factor in small doses but it lacks overall originality in its game play. I highly doubt I'll buy this game, it was fun to play in a beta but cart racing games aren't for me.

LBP Karting Beta Gameplay

   Level made by me and a story level.

LBP Karting News

I received an invite to beta play this game. Check back for more pictures and game play.

Epic House Burning

Hot Wheels Stop Motion #2

PS Vita - I Got A Deal

Click on image to read.

    What a deal I received.  So for the price of the launch bundle I have the first edition goodies and will have it a week earlier.  My anticipation level is at an all-time high right now waiting for this system.  Now I am even more excited getting it on the 15th instead of the 22nd for $50 less than what the first edition bundle costs. 
    Just 4 more days!

Battlefield 3

   If you look back two posts you'll read how excited I was for the upcoming release of Modern Warfare 3.  I had the hardened edition arrive from Amazon.com on release day and played it lot until realizing it isn't as good and refined as Black Ops.  MW3 lacked certain elements from Black Ops that should be in it.  The ability to join a friend and group up before entering a game lobby without the constant need of an invite is one.  MW3's graphics have a hazy (almost over fog) look to it in multiplayer. Compare this to Black Ops where everything is super sharp and nicely colored.  MW3 may play at a faster frame rate than Black Ops but if the colors are blending too much due to poor graphics than what's the point of 60 FPS.  Finally, the multiplayer maps all felt way too small (to force close quarter combat probably) and similar with too many forced choke points.
   Fast-forward to black Friday I see Battlefield 3 on sale for $37 so I picked it up.  My previous impression of BF3 was from the multiplayer beta demo and it felt underwhelming .  The full game doesn't feel this way in fact it can be overwhelming with so much to do and be apart of in the larger multiplayer maps.  I have played over 60 hours of multiplayer and not even close to tired of it in fact I still get excited every time I play.
   One week after I got my MW3 hardened edition I realized as well I didn't need the Elite code for access to the Elite stats app on the PS3.  Thankfully I didn't use any of the codes and I sold the hardened edition eBay for a small $10 profit.  Perhaps I may buy MW3 again if I see a really good sale just to see if anything has improved since launch but I'm not in a rush or hurry.  I can quite easily play BF3 for years and it has opened my gaming beyond Call of Duty much like MAG has.

Hot Wheels Stop Motion I Made