Review: Jedi Academy on Steam

As my friends on theforcebook.com are aware, sometimes we all get together and play the game Jedi Academy online. They all recommended picking it up and because I wanted to be able to play online with my friends I went ahead and got the game from Steam.

When I bought the game, I discovered pretty quickly that Steam has a rather strange setup for playing their games. That could just be because I'm an absolute novice at downloading and playing PC video games, though. I purchased the game and then before I could download it I had to download Steam. Initially I had quite a few problems with the download process. I got as far as Steam telling me it was updating, and then it would close, and when I tried to open it, it complained about the following error:

Steam.exe (main exception): To run Steam you must first connect to the internet.

I sent an email to the Steam support people, but I really wanted a quick answer so I took to the internet. None of the solutions I came up with were very helpful, though. After some time working on it, though, my dad figured out that thanks to the firewall settings of our router Steam couldn't properly retrieve updates. So we lowered our router firewall settings and I was able to complete the install, download my games and I only need to lower the firewall when I want to play online with my friends. Otherwise as long as I'm only playing locally it doesn't impact me playing my game.

Overall, I enjoy playing the game. I'm not used to PC games because I've played Jedi Academy on my xbox, so going from a button system I'm used to, to a keyboard control system that I have absolutely no idea how to use. It's very distracting. But I like to think I'm getting better at it. Now that I know how to set up my firewall settings accordingly I'm having a lot more fun with the game. If you play online drop me a comment because I'd love to find other players to play with!

Gears Oath

I shall remain vigilant and unyielding in my pursuit of the enemies of the Coalition.

I will defend and maintain the Order of Life as it was proclaimed by the Allfathers of the Coalition in the Octus Canon.

I will forsake the life I had before so I may perform my duty as long as I am needed.

Steadfast, I shall hold my place in the machine and acknowledge my place in the Coalition.

I am a Gear.

(Oath of the Coalition, Sworn by all Recruits)

Gears of War: Aspho Fields

Karen Traviss

Gears of War books

I'm relatively new to the Gearsverse and the reason for that is because for one thing I'm not that good at first person shooters like Gears of War or Halo and secondly I don't always have the amount of time I'd like to devote to a game that extensive. I received Gears of War 2 for my birthday about two years ago but played for about an hour before getting annoyed and giving up. When I heard on Karen Traviss' website, though, that she was going to be writing the Gears of War books I knew I had to start reading them. I decided to go back and really put in some serious effort to play the game I had, even if that meant using an online guide from ign.com to help me.

It did.

After reaquainting myself with the controls I set out with my trusty guide to beat Gears of War 2. I decided on playing on the easiest difficulty since I have no interest in paying Microsoft an extra $10 a month to play online so I didn't care if I got to be any good or not. I just wanted to play through the story. Which I managed in about three days last summer. I found that once I got into the swing of the game I only used the guide when I had died a few times and wanted suggestions on how to do something differently, or when I got lost and needed to remember where to go and what to do. Once I beat the game I decided I could safely go and read the books. I have yet to bother getting my hands on the first game. Since I've only just started on the books I'm not sure whether I'll regret that decision or not.

I'm starting with Aspho Fields which, as far as I can tell, takes place after the first game but before the second game. If I'm wrong on that someone feel free to correct me. But if I'm right it's cool with me, I haven't hit anything from the first game that I should know about that is hindering my reading. So far the book has held to what I'm used to from Karen Traviss. Nitty gritty ugly war stuff that, unless you've been in war or know someone who has, you might not think of. Lack of supplies, lack of food, hostile environments and what's it's like to rely 100% on the person next to you to watch your back and keep you alive. She makes it seem terrifying and yet sometimes I feel as though she would be one hell of a military recruiter. Not to mention how real she makes the characters. They all have their fears, their worries and especially in the case of Dom, their hopes and dreams.

As I finish the book and make my way on to the other ones (which are fortunately available at my library now) I'll continue to share my thoughts on the books, and I'll try not to drool over Karen Traviss' writing too much.

The Force Unleashed II- Wii review

As I mentioned in a previous blog post I received The Force Unleashed II for Wii for Christmas. I want to start by saying I really had a blast playing this game, so much so that I'm actually motivated to 100% the game which I have never done on any past game of mine. Normally when I beat a story line in a game it's rare that I go back to unlock everything. In some cases, like Battle for Naboo, once I beat the game I rarely even go back for a second look. Not so with this game.

This review/opinion post hinges on the belief that you've played the game before, and if not, beware because spoilers can sneak up on you without warning.