US vs Japan Video Games

Which is worse... 

This?

Pros: Non-violent

Cons: makes you feel like a pedophile

Or this?

Pros: non-peverted

Cons: Makes you feel like a serial killer

Civilization V

Oh god... why is there not enough time in the day?

Just one more turn...

Amen.

Scott Pilgrim vs the World: The Game: The Review

I am not a big fan of downloadable games. I rarely get the nerve to spend money while sitting on my butt at home without so much as a cardboard box to let my money be exchanged for but I played the demo of "scott pilgrim vs the world: the game" and decided, what the heck. What put me over the edge? I live in Toronto and this game is based in... Toronto!

The game itself is a throwback to the old 8-bit NES days with MIDI sound, blocky everything but amazing gameplay. Back in the day, they didn't have budgets and no idea who was going to buy so they focused on quality rather than purdy graphics. This game takes me back and lets me chuckle at some of the funny memories along the way. I honestly thought the game was messed up when I saw those strange characters around the screen on my first trip to the "subspace gateway" I had to laugh that I was dupped, if only for a second.

The game itself is a slightly over the top beat up almost everyone game. You scroll across the screen fighting everyone you come across. Each character attacks differently which keeps things interesting. The boss battles are hard but not impossible. Plus there are lots of level up and health items you can buy with your Canadian loonies and toonies that you earn when bad guys fall down. It passes the time nicely.

I have not read the comic books, but I definitely plan on seeing the movie when it comes out in a few days. This game is a good buy for anyone that likes fighting games and a definite buy for anyone over 23 who can remember when video games were just a baby.

I can hardly figure out what we used to only be able to do with 2 buttons...

First Level English to Mandarin Language Education on iPhone

This is an ordered list of app that help people to start learning how to speak mandarin;

Learn Mandarin Language

1. Beginner Mandarin by D2Tech Software (video)
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.2 Method: multiple choice
   Pros: well setup audio list for listening, mini-dictionary listing
   Cons: can't record your own voice to
2. uTalk Mandarin by EuroTalk
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0.2 Method: multiple choice
   Pros: very pretty, nice flashcards
   Cons: almost too many options
3. Mandarin FastTrack (Lite) by Knowledge Factories Limited
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.1 Method: classes
   Pros: structured class design, simple testing
   Cons: annoying to move around app
4. Byki Mandarin Chinese by Transparent Language, Inc.
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.1 Method: multiple tests
   Pros: intuitive design, pretty, many options to learn from
   Cons: need to purchase more stuff
5. U Learn Chinese-Audio Video App for Learning Mandarin Chinese by Wizzard Media
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.6 Method: video classes
   Pros: very structured
   Cons: long downloads, forced very slow
6. Language Master Mandarin by Hooray LLC
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0 Method: flashcard tests
   Pros: nice pictures, nice tests
   Cons: only 72 words
7. Mandarin Study Buddy! by Ronald Bell
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0 Method: multiple choice
   Pros: simple yet working setup
   Cons: no audio
8. iChinese Speech Output Mandarin by Hubermat Software
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0.5 Method: listening exercise
   Pros: helpful trainer
   Cons: must register, long downloads, need iChinese 2.0.3
9. Langu Mandarin Chinese by cre8d (video)
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0.1 Method: flashcards
   Pros: nice pictures that help with understanding what nouns you are hearing
   Cons: only 100 words, no tests
10. iStudy: Mandarin Chinese (HSK1) by Ronald Bell
    iOS:4.0 Version: 1. Method: flashcard test
    Pros: simple yet working setup
    Cons: no audio
11. Collins Mandarin Chinese Dictionary by Mobile Systems
    
    iOS:4.0 Version:3.01 Method: intermediate study
    Pros: nice dictionary
    Cons: no audio

English/Mandarin Phrasebooks

1. Lingolook CHINA by Linkolook Publishing LLC Version:5.0
   iOS:4.0 Version: 5.0 Method:Approximate number of phrases:
2. Lingopal Mandarin (Chinese) - talking phrasebook (Free) by Lingopal Holdings Pty Ltd
   iOS:4.0 Version:  Method:Approximate number of phrases:
3. Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook by Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.4.1 Method: ordered listApproximate number of phrases:
4. i-You Phrasebook English - Chinese (Mandarin) (LITE) by Yocoy
   iOS:4.0 Version: 0.95 Method: fill in the blanksApproximate number of phrases:
5. iLingo - Mandarin by Talking Panda
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.2Approximate number of phrases:
6. Mandarin Chinese Pro (Free) by Marty McDonough
   iOS:4.0 Version: 3.1 Method: create your own sentencesApproximate number of phrases:
7. Mandarin Chinese Travel Pro (Free) by Marty McDonough
   iOS:4.0 Version: 3.1Approximate number of phrases:
8. MedSpeak: Mandarin Translator (Lite) by QxMD Medical Software
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0 Method: medical listsApproximate number of phrases:
9. English-Chinese Mandarin by LingvoSoftiOS:4.0 Version: 1.0.0 Method: listsApproximate number of phrases:
10. 
    
    World Nomads Mandarin by WorldNomads.com
    
    
    iOS:4.0 Version: 1.1
    
    
    Approximate number of words: 
11. English to Chinese Pro (Lite) - by Medianet
    iOS:4.0 Version: 2.43 Method: create your own sentenceApproximate number of phrases:
12. Talk Chinese (FREE) by Benjamin Holfeld
    iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0 Method: list of common phrasesApproximate number of phrases:
13. Mandarin Quotes from Tang Poems (Free) by Mandarin Boy
    iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0Approximate number of phrases:

Mandarin/English Dictionaries
Mandarin Helper by Ssu Jen Lu
iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0

Approximate number of words: 80,000

DianHua Dictionary (Audio Module) by JSQ, LLC
iOS:4.0 Version: 3.5.1

Approximate number of words: unknown

Pieco Chinese Dictionary by Pleco Softwar
iOS:4.0 Version: 2.1.2

Approximate number of words: unknown

Qingwen Chinese Dictionary by Karan Misra
iOS:4.0 Version:2.2

Approximate number of words: 100,000

Battleship games for the iphone

Ranked in order from best to worst:

1. Battleship by EA (video)
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0.5
   Pros: mulitplayer, 3 modes, achievements, solid gameplay
   Cons: a little slow at times, animations can get repetitive, can cheat
2. Sea Battle Classic by Kurulenko (video)(video)
   iOS:4.0 Version: 3.1
   Pros: quick play, great multiplayer
   Cons: simple graphics
3. Doodle Ships by Three Jacks Software
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.7
   Pros: mulitplayer, solid gameplay, fun
   Cons: overly simple graphics, no online mulitplayer
4. Battle of Midway (free) (pro) by orientmaple.com (video)
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.2
   Pros: good gameplay, good graphics, good audio, highscores
   Cons: tad slow, becomes repetative
5. Warships by Edovia Inc.
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.2
   Pros: simple controls yet works well, ok music and graphics
   Cons: no multiplayer, a little slow
6. FleetMaster - Sink your opponent's battleship in online multiplayer! by Digital Future
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.1.464
   Pros: great mulitplayer, solid gameplay, achievements
   Cons: must create profile, view feels crammed, sunk ships not on the board
7. Play Games - Multiplayer Game Bundle by Digital Future
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.2.500
   Pros: great mulitplayer, solid gameplay, achievements
   Cons: no singleplayer, must create profile, view feels crammed, sunk ships not on the board
8. free Board Games Collection BA.net by ba.net
   iOS:4.0 Version: 4.0
   Pros: lots of different games, quick play
   Cons: way too small touch controls, no list of ships, no multiplayer
9. Naval Fight by Steve Tranby
   iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0.0
   Pros: quick play
   Cons: no multiplayer, very basic
10. BattleFleet Embedded by Roger Kenny
    iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0.6
    Pros: fast, ok graphics
    Cons: no multiplayer, no sound, annoying placement controls
11. Ships Squared by Universalis Publishing
    iOS:4.0 Version: 1.21
    Pros: many ways to play, interesting ideas
    Cons: steep learning curve, graphics only an accountant could love
12. iSink U (Lite) by Artificial Life, Inc. (video)(video)
    iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0.0
    Pros: great graphics, can move ships and the ships do the shooting
    Cons: crashed a few times, controls are not that friendly
13. A+ Battleships by Super Art Software
    iOS:4.0 Version: 1.0
    Pros: fast
    Cons: no multiplayer, screen size mismatch for free version, can't move your ships
    

Not yet reviewed thus not yet added to the list; (no order)

ChartFight SP by Mutant Piano Software
Naval Fight by Steve Tranby
Warship: Flight Deck Jam
Battle by ships 20x20 by Byterun
SNC-Strategic Navel Combat by Hiccup Studios
BattleAtSea by Pelted Software (video)
Battle at Sea: Old Alert by A.S.H Applications Software...
TT Battleship by TechTeam Tecnologia em Informat...
Spanish Armada by orientmaple.com
Salvo! by REDMADROBOT (video)
If I am missing any that you think should be added, please comment with a link below.
Requirements for this list is that they are a game where you hide your items and you have to target other's items that you cannot see.

Just Cause 2

One game that I have been really enjoying for some time is Just Cause 2. It came out not too long ago and it seems to have some staying power for me which is rare.

It has a very simple concept, destroy everything and annoy everyone. With hundreds of cities and locations to wreak havoc on, you never think that you are being forced to something you don't want. In fact, you can spend many hours doing nothing even close to the main plot of the game (which is not all that interesting and relatively quick).

The one thing that keeps me coming back is the I-don't-want-to-think-but-want-to-blow-shit-up-that-I-have-never-blown-up-before feeling. Like breaking a glass or throwing a rock into a pond. That particular rock will never be thrown by you again just like that glass will never be touched by a thirsty tongue again. It is a feeling that people get (mostly men) and this game fills that well.

1. How the game works
You are a secret agent sent by the US government to figure out what happened to another secret agent sent by the US government. The only way to find him is to get information by various factions. To talk to them, you need to get noticed by destroying things they don't like. Sounds simple? It is. Very basic plot to give you a reason to blow stuff up. But what really sets this game apart is 3 things. 1) How there are thousands of things to blow up 2) You have a dual hook string thing to attach anything together. 3) a multi-deploy-able parachute that you can use at just about any time to keep from dying or just to get around quickly.

2. What this game is like
It has the length of an RPG but the random action of just about any shooter. The weapons are fun, the vehicles are fun, the open world is really fun. GTA open world with a lot of destruction. The only thing that I didn't like is how there are only 5 building in the entire game that you can actually go inside. Do people not believe in windows?

3. Who would like this game
People who want to kill time with mindless action and blowing up stuff. Oh and as a bonus, you can create movie clips and upload them to you-tube like this;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ytYfBbynWo

Pac-man background

Ultra sweet background for the iPhone
http://www.iphonedownloadblog.com/2010/07/06/awesome-pac-man-wallpaper-for-iphone/

My Blog

Welcome to my blog that will talk about apps and/or games.

For the games, I will have three sections for each;
1. How the game works (standard for most reviews)
2. What this game is like (compare to other games that you might have played)
3. Who would like this game (What the target audience is for this game like age or gender)

For the apps, I will try and review several apps of the same type (mostly iphone) and give a ordered list of my preference wit pros and cons. I will have the version I reviewed but not the price as that can change at any point.

Hopefully this will help people decide if they would like the game or app.