Sleep is awesome

G'day folks!

I was gonna create a video about this, but with thunderstorms from the summer heat and random rain, my internet is barely holding together. So just a quick update to my doings.

As you may have seen, I was finally able to recieve Skyrim for Christmas, and in all honesty, I've barely put it down since I got it! Other random titles I've been playing for a distraction: Metro 2033, Rainbow 6 Vegas 2, Dead Space 2 ect. I've been able to catch up on my sleep, which is really needed for the next two weeks, the extra bonus being able to play the game without having to judge it and just enjoying it. Don't get me wrong! Im still taking notes for all upcoming reviews and all that, but for now, I just want to enjoy the holiday season for as long as I can.

Also, all normal gaming videos will resume in the following weeks of my return here, as well as my secret video...one I promised a while back, but it will take a long time to put together...so please keep an eye out!
Thanks very much for reading, and as always, have fun and game on!
Al Fatman

Gone Fishin'!

G'day guys and gals!

Well, with Outtakes uploaded, its time for me to take a break!
I'm still gonna be playing online, so if you want a gaming session, send me a message on Xbox Live.
But apart from work, I'm gonna catch up on my Z's. I won't be gone for long, and when I return, its straight to business! I'll be writing reviews for all the games on my list (hopefully Skyrim too) and I'll be back to the videos, with my secret one hopefully coming up.

I'll see you folks on the flipside!
Check above to see my gamertag cause, as always, have fun and game on!
Al Fatman

Fatman's Outtakes Episode 3 - Bad Editing!

Enjoy my bad editing and timing! When I was properly singing the song, I forgot you had to sing it normally for the extra lyrics to work. When I was a kid, we'd used to sing the extra lyrics at public gatherings and embarrass our parents! Well, at least my friends and I did...
Just imagine a warm Christmas Eve....people sing it sweetly and all you hear are kids screaming "LIKE A LIGHTBULB!"
Ahh....good times.
Thanks for watching!

FGT Short - Shirt!

SKYRIM!
I FINALLY GOT SKYRIM!
WWWWHHHHEEEEEEEEEWWW!

Have a merry Christmas! One more video and then I'll be back on the 7th!
Thanks for watching!

Review: Mass Effect

G'day there folks!

Regarded as the "game to change game construction and development", Mass Effect truly changed the way games are played, created and developed. Spanning three years for its creation, Mass Effect was released to the public in 2006, the games producer releasing a statement saying "Mass Effect will make you feel like you're in a real Sci-Fi Movie."
And, by God, he was not lying.

The first thing that you cannot deny is the graphic content. Using a new state-of-the-art game engine, Mass Effect released a large world along with stunningly beautiful graphics, that can easily still be compared to modern graphics today that are of standard issue.
Not only did the game bring out a realistic future, but many believable characters and situations. Characters and development in storyline with both liars, cheaters, the vengeful and the wicked, both adding in this own colour to the wonderful gameplay. While restricting your weaponry down to 4 weapons (Sniper rifle, Assault Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol), combat barely dulled.
Each fight differs, from enemy tactics, to weaponry and upgrades, to grenades and enviroment, to vehicles and worldly based explosives.
The soundtrack also adds a great amount of emotional attachment to the game. A large drum and horn blast from a classical score while charging into a battle is a huge motivator when facing enemies that not only are stronger, but are larger than you (And the ending to both games would be a prime example) is a huge push to fight to the death of you or your enemy!

The game only lacks in one particular spot: Side missions. While the option is always there, there isn't much point to playing them. There aren't much bonuses in playing the side missions other than small boosts in your supplies or credits, as well as experience and storyline. Fans of the series would definitely play them, but for most, they would stick with the main mission plots, as running around the galaxy is enough hassel!

Regardless, the game won E3 2006 RPG of the Year, and is definitely a classic amongst gamers. To veterans who aren't big of RPGs, or people looking for an easy game with lots of gameplay hours and fair easy achievements, this is the game for you.

Out of 10, I gave Mass Effect an 9/10

Good points: A classic gameplay, that will last a long time
                    Utterly stunning graphics and storyline
                    Hot aliens!

Bad points:   DLCs don't offer much else...
                    Not much customisations...

Mass Effect can be found at any good gaming store for the standard price of $50

Ask Fatman Episode 3

Enjoy this near 10 minute video of all your questions!
Thanks for watching!
Al Fatman

Five Easy Achievements: AC Brotherhood

G'day folks!

While only a year old, Brotherhood still has some fantastic game time to play and such a developed Ezio to have fun with and kill all those Borgia bastards with!
But for the folks who want some quick-to-get achievements, look no further!

1: Perfect Recall
30 Gamerscore
This achievement requires you to achieve an 100% syncronisation on an entire sequence. The easiest to get this on is probably the sequence entitled "The Baron De Lavois", as many of those are slightly simpler than the rest. Follow the tasks carefully and prepare accordingly. Your creed will be most useful during this sequence.

2: Deja vu
20 Gamerscore
Quite simple, really. Replay a mission from your DNA memory and boom, there it is!
Starting up the first mission "Homecoming" is probably the easiest. Just help the woman with the flowers and there you go. Easy, done, bam.

3: Tower Offense
20 Gamerscore
See that nasty Borgia tower? Well, to unlock this achievement, just burn all of them (no meme pun intended) in any order and theres your achievement.

4: Perfectionist
20 Gamerscore
Earn three gold stars in the Animus Training Program, so this really comes down to your preference. It would probably be easier to pick three training programs you'd easily pass. Pick three at which your skills are near perfection, whether it would be racing, tracking, killing or stealth!

5: Dust To Dust
20 Gamerscore
Find one artifact in 2012! There's 5 of them all together and they're all not that hard to find. The easiest would either be the one atop the Auditore Villa roof or in the church.
This achievement does require you to become Desmond and leave the animus.

There's five easy achievements, but there are so many more in Brotherhood, especially in the Da Vinci Dissapearence DLC. So go find them all and get your gamerscore up!
Al Fatman

Review: Bastion DLC - Stranger's Dream

G'day folks!

After winning many IGA titles this year, it seems this unexpected DLC came from out of the blue for gamers worldwide.
While sadly, its been announced that this DLC will most likely be the only one, many fans of Bastion were happy to take a trip back into Who Know's Where and take the role once more as The Kid.

Stranger's Dream is a short DLC, only offering more insight into the world of the stranger, Rucks, and how he came into the world. Activating this is a simple as reading a book...and The Kid passing out from sheer boredom. Humour is still a huge factor in the game, with Rucks chiming in "Oh come on, they're not that bad..."
30 Round of surviving waves of enemies, a natural voiceover with Rucks reciting the alphabet, from A to Z, including examples from the world. "G is for Gasbag" and all as such, even with some smart observations into the world. "X is for....nothing! But like everything in Caelondia, it has its purposes. And we wouldn't have a Mailbox without it."

While only a small adding, the DLC is such a brilliant transition into the world of Bastion, the creators sparing nothing but what they originally created the game for. Just like the game, a small price for such a detailed and beautiful game that deserves more credit than it already receives.
Out of 10, I gave Bastion DLC - Stranger's Dream an 9/10

Good points: Utterly, ridiculously, cheap
                     Rucks development as a character

Bad points:   Only one DLC? What a tease!
                    Creators deserve a little more money. Stop being modest!

Stranger's Dream is out now for 80 Microsoft Points
A fricking dollar. Supergiant, you're awesome.

Christmas Video!

To all my readers and watchers of all things filled with Fatty Fatman goodness, I hope you all have a great Christmas, a brilliant Hannukah, a terrific Kwanza and hope that 2012 is awesome for you.
Thanks for watching!

FGT Short - Complications

Ugh...
This was a problem I should have foreseen. But I guess its something you couldn't avoid. A tiny bit of info that slipped through the gamer's fingertips.
But at least from my mistakes, people can learn.
Keep an eye out for more 5 Easy Achievement reviews.
Thanks for watching.

Competition Winners 2011

Thanks to all who entered the competition and congratulations to the winners!
Much gratitude for watching!

Fatmans Gaming Tips - Comp Entries Closed

Thanks very much to all whom entered.
Winners to be announced right here this Sunday AEST (Australian Eastern Standart Time) and they shall be notified personally!
Thanks for watching!

Review: Gears 3 RAAM's Shadow DLC

G'day everybody!

Arguably the most anticipated DLC of the year, General RAAM makes a return to the Gears francise, along with some new and old faces, in the second DLC from Epic entitled RAAM's Shadow.

***WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD***

The game sets you on E-Day, the day that Iilima City fell under Locust control. You play as a member of Zeta-Six, Michael Barrak, alongside Alica Valera and two old faces, Tai Keliso and Minh Young Kim. While evacuating the last civilians out of the city, you and your squad are attacked by a surge of Lucust, leading you to aid other trapped squads and civillians. All the while, flashbacks change allow you to control RAAM, as he storms through the city, killing all the stand in his way with either his Kryll, a stab of his sword or even placing a large hand atop the victims head, dangling him helplessly and slicing his head off, throwing it away in disgust.

Gameplay is in classic Gears style, with a few twists. While you still have all the weaponry of Gears 3 available to you (The exception being The Digger, Mounted Retro Lancer Turrets ect) your health is fairly the same back in the original Gears game. Be fairly careful with your charging into battle, as it may just your last!

Playing as RAAM is a complete gamechanger, a brand new experience to the series. The controls are slightly like a Boomer, the only difference being the giant, jaggered knife and the use of Kryll to explode any COG into a giant red mist, the mush of the bodies on the ground.

The musical score is quite excellent, both modern style Gears while still having a classic style of musical uproar of the original title. Sound effects are quite gruesome with audio being quite excellent, especially the voice acting being quite sublime.

This is definitely a DLC not to miss, especially for fans of the series. Even for fans who aren't much into the Campaign, along with more Weapon skins and the new characters for Multiplayer, this DLC can please all tastes for any person with any preference.

Out of 10, I gave RAAM's Shadow an 9/10

Good points: Play as RAAM? Im IN!

                    More backstory of the COG

                    Return of TAI!

Bad points:   Not enough RAAM playtime...

                    Season Pass Download issues

RAAM's Shadow is out now for 1200 Microsoft Points (Season Pass get it free!)

                   

Review: AC Revelations Character Pack DLC

Hey there everybody!

While only a short DLC, the team of Revelations has brought out their first of what fans hope to be of many for the Multplayer side of the game. Four brand new characters, all customisable right from the get-go (Allowing you score a 10 Gamerscore Achievement when you do), you have a new choice system for your playing experience.

The characters (From left to right) The Privateer, The Corsair, The Gladiator (My personal favourite) and The Brigand not only add a spice of variety to the game, but also giving players new Templar profiles and some more information and background on the world of the Templars.

This DLC isn't a necessary buy to continue playing the game, but it is worth the small price for a few more fun characters, especially those who like to play as a female AI who smacks her bum as an insult.

Out of 10, I gave the AC Revelations Characters DLC an 8/10

Good points: Fair cheap
                     New things!

Bad points:    Only a few things...?

                     No announcement for more?

The DLC is out now for 320 Microsoft Points (Approx $4)

Fatman Videos on Xbox Live?!

So yeah! My videos on Youtube can be found on the Youtube App on XBL. Search me up for quickness of Fatty Fatty Fatman goodness!
Thanks for watching!

Inside Gaming Awards 2011 Results & FTG News

Hey there folks!

For those who didn't know or missed out, Inside Gaming Awards was held of the 10th of this month, many of the games that were up to win the prizes quite worthy to win the part. But in the end, there has to be one winner and here, to make it easier for you all, are the winners in order of annoucement!

Best Sound Design: Dead Space 2
Original Musical Score: Bastion
Original Game: Rock Of Ages
Best Downloadable Game: Bastion
Best DLC: Fallout New Vegas - Old World Blues
Most Compelling Character: Weatley - Portal 2
Best Indie Game: Bastion
Best Game Cinametography: Uncharted 3
Best Animation: Batman Arkham City
Best Art Direction: Deus Ex Human Revolution
Best Narrative: Portal 2
Best Multiplayer: Gears of War 3
Best Trailer: Dead Island - Official Announcement Trailer

Game of the Year: Skyrim - The Elder Scrolls V

With, apparently, Deus Ex a close second.

Congratulations to all the winners, I'm very glad Bastion made a huge mark this year, but well done to all the winners and hopefully we see this many great titles this time next year.

Onto some personal info folks, as the year draws to an end, the holidays barely two weeks away, a sense that a full year has nearly gone sets a panic into most people. Getting older, fear of the new death year, all of that. But I'd like to say thank you all for those who have stuck around this past year of me blabbering on, and seeing as I'm extremely close to 3000 views here, I guess the LEEROY JENKINS! video is going to be on the horizon! I better get filmin'!
Also, the last episode of FGT of this year will be posted on the 18th, to announce the winners of my competition. Entries are still allowed, you have three days! Check out my competition video to know how to enter!
On another sad note, the next Ask Fatman will be posted just before New Years Eve, then Fatman's on holiday for a week or so!
Keep up with the questions for the show folks!

Thats all from me, so thanks very much for reading.
And, as always, have fun and game on!
Al Fatman

Review: Battlefield BC 2

Howdy folks!

After being convinced by the latest enstallment of the series, I decided to go back and see if I can find the game previous. After finding it at a ridiculous low price, Battlefield BC 2 was finally in my possession. Some may see this is idiotic, as I was brought into the series by a greater version of the game, but even so, I was quite surprised.

Gameplay, thanks to the modern FPS games, was quite easily adaptable with some welcoming changes and easy instructions. What impressed me was the history of the game itself, DICE obviously had done their homework when creating backstory and the main plot in both a rich and decisive creative note. Graphics, for its time, was of an adaquite nature. Musical score, being quite enjoyable, was sadly rare and some of the pieces not suiting the mood of the moment (For example, being stuck in a snowstorm and nearly dying with a large trumpet horn blasting), nor capturing the real conflict in some of the cutscenes.
Acting, while of a decent quality, was quite...stereotypical, sadly being overdone, forced even. This type of acting is called Melodrama, a particular style of acting used for shows full of conflict and issues, such as "Days Of Our Lives" or "Bold And The Beautiful".
Gameplay was quite enjoyable, not only giving the player different options to tackle, allowing both stealth and straight up gun fights with recruitable prisoners, but also puzzle solving and tracking for different routes into your targeted area.

Multiplayer is quite well done, both smooth and efficiant. But possibly due to its sequal, many long distance games (Even short distances such as parts of Asia) won't connect properly or glitch and boot the player causing this.
Some of the slighter annoying parts mostly involve health level in Campaign. The pain recepter isn't quite well done, often being unable to tell whether close to death or just shellshocked. Being shellshocked, while quite accurate, can also reduce the colour of the pain recepter and fool you into thinking you are healed when the slightest shot, even a pistol, will end you. Checkpoints can tend to be slightly frustrating, only appearing during quiet moments when passing an objective or going towards your indicated area. Weaponry, sadly, are also an issue. While there are a huge selection, all with their own strengths and faults, they all seem to have the same damage ability. The only real differences are between pistols and rifles. Rifles and SMG's don't have much difference, nor Light Machine Guns. Snipers do have some difference, but it comes down to shot placements.

Overall, while a slightly older game, Battlefield 2 is definitely not a game to miss. While having quite humourous moments about older men drooling over Cheerleaders as well as serious moments of betrayal, loss of friends during the war and the fear men feel during war.

Out of 10, I gave Battlefield BC 2 an 7.5/10

Good points: Gameplay is unique
                     Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders = hothothothot....
                     Interesting puzzle solving and history

Bad points:    Musical score kinda flopped....
                     Checkpoints lack
                     Health system is frustrating.

(Battlefield BC 2 Limited Addition is available at Big W for $25)

Five Easy Achievements: Gears of War 3

G'day folks!

Gears of War has never been known for its easy achievements, some of them being a little tricky. Thankfully, for those looking to make a bit of easy gamerscore, here's five achievements that are simple to achieve.

1: Pack Rat
10 Gamerscore
While there is an achievement before this one, Pack Rat asks you to collect 20 Collectable items. While sounding like a difficult tasks, Collectables are packed within each mission and there are many throughout the Acts (The smallest amount being 7 in Act 5), one even starting right from the beginning of the game.
Arcade will be a big help to achieving this, for if one person picks up a Collectable, both have it from then on out. Keep an eye out for the COG symbol pained on walls, as this is a sign that one is nearby, whether its a COG tag or a small item.

2: Judge, Jury and Executioner
10 Gamerscore
As with the previous game title, this achievement requires you to kill an enemy in the Campaign with every weapon. Killing them in Multiplayer and Horde will not work. The hardest weapon to do an execution is the One Shot, as it rarely turns up in Campaign. There are some places where to find them, but the two simplest would be during a raid on a particular character (No spoilers) near a weapon stash and again nearing the end of the game where you use the last Silverback of the game. There will be a One Shot nearby.

3: Welcome to Verses
10 Gamerscore
This achievement requires you to do 10 things. Kill 10 people! Simple! This also applies (To some degree) for the other simular achievements "Welcome to Horde" (Survive 10 waves), "Welcome to Beast" (Survive 12 rounds) ect.

4: The Host With The Most
25 Gamerscore
(Note, this achievement requires you to have the Horde Command Pack)
Quite simple, this one. Host a private horde match with 5 players on any HC Pack map. Simply start her up, play a round and boom goes the dynamite.

5: Respect For The Dead
5 Gamerscore
I know this one is a very small achievement, but some people easily miss it. During the mission "Dust To Dust" in Act 4 Mission 1, do not directly destroy any of the Ash people. Some will be destroyed on purpose by another character but as long as you don't bump or shoot any, as you head into a safe zone, there will be a building you'll be lead into. To your right, a weapon stash. If you didn't hit any, the door will open and the achievement will pop!

Hopefully this helps you out and remember folks, to keep an eye for the next DLC "RAAM's Shadow"
Achievement list and guides in the link below:
http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/gears-of-war-3/achievements/

And as always, have fun and game on!
Al Fatman

FGT Short - Voice control!

I completely forgot the update to the Kinect, so heres my reaction to it!
Thanks for watching!

Fatman's Gaming Tips - XBL Upgrade and Banana Tip!

Its 4am and this finally uploaded!
Give the banana tip a try, I do think it works!
Thanks so much for watching!
Al Fatman

New Xbox Live System

Hey there everybody!

Just a small little review on the new XBL changes! These are just my thoughts so please, let me know what you think!

For those who don't know, Live was due to have a complete uphaul to system, with a more cleaner and user friendly dashboard and basic Online experience. However, Microsoft didn't expect what the first two hours of their new interface would do to many gamers worldwide. At approximately 3pm AEST (Austalian Eastern Seaboard Time), the new update was available to all 360 game consoles across the globe. However, the update threw people offline and then once completed, denying them of Online Access, not only on their console, but on Xbox.com too. Estimates show that 89% of all 360 Gamers online weren't able to access their account and Live, while small pockets had little to no trouble. Microsoft have claimed that the issue is due to the original 360, not having the memory or capacity to hold the data. This cannot be true, as it affected me as well, and I have the Slim model.

An hour later, the service was able to work once again, but for some, crashed once more. Finally, a half hour later, the servers were fixed and it seems to be smooth sailing now.

This was an unprecidented bump in the road, but for now, seems to be doing fine. This event, though, has raised the eyebrows of many of the community. Many people are enjoying the new format, but are still cautious to what it has done already.

But these are just my thoughts and some facts. Tell me what you think!
I'll be posting a new episode of Fatman's Gaming Tips shortly, where it shows off some of the new features!

Thanks for reading!
Al Fatman

Five Easy Achievements: Modern Warfare 3

Hey there everybody!

Achievements! Everybody loves achievements, especially Hunters, and here, I'm going to point out 5 Easy achievements for those who are having a few troubles getting them. Whether you're new to the francise or just having a bit of difficulty, this will definitely help you out!

***WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD***

1: Strike!
20 Gamerscore
Requiring you to kill 5 enemies with a grenade, in either Campaign or Special Ops, there are a few simple tricks that can help you get this. In the mission "Eye of The Storm", you'll have your chance to throw a grenade at a large group of enemies all massing around a statue in the middle of a courtyard. You'll recgonise the area as Captain Price appears overhead on a roof atop an apartment on the opposite side of a street.
Otherwise, in Special Ops, pick any map that you like, wait till about Round 5 and then head for a corner of your map with decent cover (A random car nearby will help extremely) and wait. As soon as you see 5 + enemies come close to you, cook your grenade and throw!

2: Jack The Ripper
20 Gamerscore
This achievement is quite easy, asking you to knife 5 enemies in a row either in Campaign or Special Ops. A warning! Using a pistol with a Tactical Knife won't get you the achievement. It has to be the average melee. The easiest Campaign mission to achieve this would be "Mind The Gap", in which you'll eventually have to reveal your position to a group of enemies below you. You'll slide down and then attack. The enemies here sent to singulate themselves from each other, making it much easier to knife them and not be killed from behind. In Special Ops, best to just start the game and knife your enemies as they come. The weaker they are, the easier it'll be to unlock this achievement.

3: What Goes Up...
20 Gamerscore
Simply, in the mission "Persona Non Grata", you must shoot down all the helicopters while using the UGV's grenade launcher. Even the one bullet from your machine gun wont count! Doing this twice was my mistake.
As you take control of the UGV Turret, waste as much bullets on your foot enemies. Take your time and move through the area at your own pace. When any helicopter appears (Don't forget about the ones that drop troopers), aim slightly above the target and let loose!

4: This Is My Boomstick
20 Gamerscore
While using the XM25 during "Black Tuesday", this achievement requires you to take out 30 enemies with it. Try not to use the weapon until you come to an area in a bank, overlooking some enemies down below. Dispatch those first, then switch to the XM25, as more shall appear in the hole in the wall. Keep shooting as they appear. Head outside and continue killing them. If you run out of ammunition. Finish off the rest of the hostiles and head towards your marker and use the ammunition crate to restock. Continue on and you'll be in the heart of Wall Street. As you move through it and begin to occupy it (See what I did there?), keep killing the enemies inside and the achievement will pop!

5: Flight Attendant
20 Gamerscore
SECRET ACHIEVEMENT! I've been slightly surprised to how many people I've seen without this achievement, then again, many fans of the francise only bother with Multiplayer these days. This achievement requires you to kill all 5 hostiles during the Zero-G moment of the Campaign mission "Turbulence".
All you need is a steady hand and control your trigger finger, and as the the sequence begins, take control and let your AI movements be able to kill the 5 enemies. Controlled bursts should kill them easily. To know if you failed to unlock the achievement. After the sequence, any alive hostiles will move and then be shot by another person. At this, quickly reload the last chapter, as there is a checkpoint right after this. If not, you'll be forced to restart the mission all over again.

So there you go! Five simple 20G achievements for an easy 100 Gamerscore added to your account. There are alot more that are pretty easy for those who wish to try unlock them. Hopefully this helps out!
And, as always, have fun and game on!
Al Fatman

Accessory: Bluemouth Kinect Camera Stand

G'day folks!

A while back, a viewer here asked me where they could find a stand for their Kinect. Well, here's a model! 3rd Earth's Kinect Camera Stand.
(Before we get started, sadly this device won't work on a box television set and is only designed for a flatscreen/HD/Plasma)

This device had a holdster for your kinect, snapping onto the base of your Kinect with three different clips: one on each side, another on the back and the last connecting connecting the holdster to the base of the stand itself. On this stand had two rubber grips, one on the front and another on the counterweight at the back.

To attach, follow these steps:

1: Clasp the Kinect base to the grip base.
2: Place the Kinect in the holdster until you hear the clips snap.
3: Stretch out the back counterweight until it connects to the back of your television set and levels out.

There is a slight risk that over time the rubber grips can wear out and slip, but so far there has been no evidence to support this.
After using this several times, I am extremely satisfied with this device. As my television sits on a low cabinet top, my Kinect always had trouble identifying me, as well as being unable to identify my voice. Oddly enough, the Bluemouth device had helped with both these issues.


For those who have trouble with standing their kinects on a solid stand or having problems with controlling the Kinect, this would be a perfect gift for the holidays. Cheap, effective and very useful.

Cost: $13.95
The Bluemouth Kinect Camera Stand is now available at local Toys R Us and Big W stores.

New Accessories: TX Mic & Air Flo Controller

Hi there!

Recently, I have been asked to try out a few new accessories to increase the Xbox experience and after looking around, I found two which were quite interesting. Firstly, we'll begin with a new mic, which was the prototype to the MW3 Preorder microphone: Gioteck TX-1 Throat Mic.

As you can see, there is a small round mic to the left that fits slightly to the left, close to your Adam's Apple, or slightly back depending on neck size. The clasps on the side stretch out by about 5 cenemeters, making it much more comfortable. To mute the mic or turn up the volume (unseen in the photo), there is a small latch on the right hand side with a turning dile nearby. Lastly, there is the one plug for listenting to voice. While it does fit in on both sides, the TX seems to prefer the use of the right ear, making it more appropriate for right handed people.

While the mic is of great quality, it is overly sensitive. Swallowing saliva or air is picked up by the mic. Voice recognition is quite well, but makes it a little uneasy to be heard, as voice is picked up not by words spoken through the lips, but the vibrations in the throat, making it dull and almost sounding as if speaking through a pillow.

The TX is quite a good piece of equipment for those who prefer being slightly choked, and being bothered with a corded mic, then this would be a decent buy for you.

Cost: $15.

Average X360 microphone price: $30

Secondly, after finding this in a little store, I was overjoyed to have found an old friend from my youthful gaming days. The Air Flo 360 Controller.

For those who don't know or are too young to remember, Air Flo made its first appearance with the original Xbox then making its way towards the Playstation 2. The controller is practically the same but with a few new new features. Firstly, this controller is designed with a mini fan built into the back, to cool your hands as you play. Not only is this an effective tool, but its also a great controller to play while in the dark. Can't see what buttons your pressing? With the simple tap to the button on the left, your controller lights up, from both the buttons and the vents at the side of the controller. Hands a little bit sweaty? Tap the button at the top right for a low fan speed, again for high and once more for off.

This is a great tool in gaming, keeping your fingers limber and quick and stopping from slipping and sliding off your worn controller.

One issue of the controller is the D pad. While barely used these days, the plastic used for its construction is slightly uncomfortable and stiff, making choosing weapons in Gears 3 or selecting squad movements in Ghost Recon slightly more troublesome.

The controller is probably best for both those who have issues with hands sweating during gameplay or even newcomers who don't know where your buttons are.

Cost: $40

Average X360 controller price: $60

I hope you enjoyed my review on these two items, and I highly recommend them to you. Both are quite cheap and quite useful, if you can put up with going back 5 years to corded gaming items.

No matter how you play the game, just remember, have fun and game on!

Al Fatman

Five Easy Achievements: Saints Row The Third.

G'day folks!

I have just finished my forth playthrough of the Campaign and I'm extremely enjoying the insane gameplay. So to help you along, here's five easy achievements to get along the way!

1: Bo-Duke-En
10 Gamerscore
As a nod in the direction of the Dukes of Hazard, this achievement requires you to hijack 50 cars by going in feet first through the windshield or the windows on the side of the car. Do this, and the achievement will pop. Pretty simple and fair fun to do!

2: Ow My Balls!
10 Gamerscore
Any man knows the horrible pain of being hit in the genitals. So this achievement will be painful to some, but fun to most! Simply shoot a man in his genitals until the "Nut Shot" kill streak pops then walk up to another and click the Right Thumbstick in to kick another to the ground in a painful assault!
This achievement only pops if you perform it on a Stag/Gang member, so trying it on a civillian won't work.

3: A Better Person
15 Gamerscore
This achievement is quite simple. Just buy an upgrade from your phone and bam! There it is!
Simple, easy, done.

4: Gender Equality
10 Gamerscore
Yet another simple achievement! Just play the campaign as a man for two hours, switch your gender to female and continue play for another two hours. Simple, easy and done!

5: Gellin' Like Magellan
20 Gamerscore
A simple little achievement that you can get by playing through the game or even just by driving. Explore Steelport completely and the achievement shall pop! You can get the achievement quite early on in the game, while hunting for ammunition and even buying stores and other areas to increase your money income.

So hopefully these can give you a little boost, but by easily playing through the campaign can give you a decent amount too.
Thanks very much for reading!
Al Fatman

Fatman's Gaming Tips - New Camera!

I've been meaning to upload this, my bad!
Enjoy!
Al Fatman

Fatman's Outtakes Ep 1

Hopefully, you get a jolly out of this! I muck up sooo much.
Enjoy!
Al Fatman

Five Easy Achievements: AC Revelations

G'day folks!

In the absence of my usual reviews, here's a bunch of easy achievements for Revelations! If people wish me to do some more, I'll try and post a few more for the other November release games!

So, without further ado, here they are!

1: Mastering The Art
30 Gamerscore
This requires you to perform the INCOGNITO bonus during multiplayer, and you don't need to look further than the Introductory sequence! Simply play through the tutorial, and eventually, you'll be able to stalk and kill a target. Follow your target, don't kill them just yet, and wait for your bonus meter to rise. When it reaches "INCOGNITO", stab away! With that, the achievement will pop!

2: The Way I Like It
20 Gamerscore
To earn this, all you have to do is change your Templar profile. This can be done even at Level 1. Simply head to your profile and create your own symbol (Through purchased symbols of "templar points" earnt during multiplayer gameplay) or others you find during Desmond Missions. Change it even the slightest bit and it definately should come up.

3: Lighting Strikes
20 Gamerscore
Kill five enemies with the Hidden Blade. There are two ways to get this pretty easily. Firstly, attract a large sum of enemies; heading to a Templar Den would probably be easiest. Throwing down a Caltrop or Dense Smoke Bomb will definately help (Unless there's Jannisaries, in that case throw the Smoke) and then go to work on those guys! Just remember that the smoke or caltrops will fade after about four seconds, get ready to counter.
The second option (In which I got the achievement) is near the end of the Campaign (Which I won't spoil!) you'll take control of your parachute, flying from the back of a wagon. Enemies will be trying to kill an ally, and you must kill them! Attack them from above with some quickness and it can be yours!

4: Show Off
20 Gamerscore
This only requires you to use a parachute and get onto a zip line from the fall. There are a few spots to do it from, but the easiest is probably from the Assassins HQ. Climb up to the tip to their tower and jump straight foward. There will be a Zipline going slightly to the right and aim for it. Drop down onto it by pressing and holding B and there you go!

5: Craft Maniac
20 Gamerscore
Pretty simple, make 30 bombs! When you gain the ability to craft bombs, you can remake the same ones over and over, or craft different bombs to experiment with the difference. Remember to create them fully and then the cheev will go up!

There are plenty more easy achievements, but these 5 are probably the easiest to get, so for all you Achievement Hunters out there, I hope this helps!
Thanks for reading!

Al Fatman

2500 View Marker

I am simply at awe at the amount of view and I have no one else to thank but you!

You, the person reading these words have pushed me to be who I am and what I'm doing now, and I cannot thank you enough! All of you have been spreading the word of Al Fatman, making me known and taking my opinion on games everywhere into your own and making rational decisions, which is exactly what I set out to do!

So, for the 2500, thank you all so very, very much!

Now, onto some business: I've had alot of feedback for Ask Fatman and it looks really promising! The next episode will hopefully be out by Sunday. Also, I should (Fingers crossed) getting a proper camera tomorrow, so thats something to look forward to. The next Fatman's Gaming Tips, I'm putting together some topics and some news, if I think it's of interest, of course.

Otherwise, it's gonna be a bit of a wait!
No major game titles come out till March, with Mass Effect 3 (Which, oddly enough, is released 10 days before my birthday, so should be awesome) Hopefully, something that sparks my interest will come out to quench my time for ME3. If not, all this month's titles will help! Already on my third playthrough of Saints Row The Third!

This is goodbye for now, thanks so much for all the support!
Have fun and game on!
Al Fatman

Review: Saints Row The Third

G'day folks!

Freshly finished, Saints Row The Third has left me both with a sense of a hoarse voice from laughter and surprise at both the ending. With the release of Saints Row back in 2006, many people turned it away, calling it "a GTA ripoff", but with the sequal to the original, the game francise finally made a mark to be called "GTA on crack" but with the third installment, many people are intisipating this game to be much more fun, and much more insane.

And THQ and Voalition definitely deliver.

To begin with, graphics have gotten a huge dial up, but at some points still are a bit pixelated, especially when the camera is focused on hair stylisations during cut scenes. But thats not whats important about this game. Storyline is random and brilliant in perfect SR style, alongwith gamplay. Musical score is a little bit dissapointing this time around, with only having a few great hits, both modern and classic. There's nothing better than chasing after an ally close to being executed with "Holdin' Out For A Hero" blasting behind you or storming an enemy stronghold with Kanye's "Power" from the reveal trailer pushing your through the front (Technically back) door. What really sets the game apart, as per its previous titles, is the gameplay. Not only fun and inventive, but completely destructive, random and crazy. Smashing a man in his genitals has never been more amusing, or even riding on a rickshaw as a dominatrix pulls you along, while you kill the enemies in your pursuit.

Mutiplayer has defiantely been taken down a peg this time around, with the game mostly focusing on Co-Op and a new mode called Whored Mode, in which you battle waves of enemies from a fixed position. Take away the "W" in that and you can see where the game developers got the idea from, once again, Cliffy B is flattered so many people are bringing it back just cause of them.
Other than these small multiplayer options, it has been completely removed from the game.

The only bad points this game seems to have is the loss of earning Respect. Yes, the option is still there, but its the undermined meaning. Respect unlocked Abilities, in which to improve your character. More health, recruit more people under you, use Double pistols etc. But Respect is no longer spent to play missions. And with this, gameplay is much shorter than usual, as taking over areas is as simple as spending $5000 on a new building. While the side missions are there as an option, there isn't really much stopping you from doing them, unless general curiousity. But who can resist Professor Genki?

Saints Row The Third continues the insane, fun and crazy style of the game. And with the released of a definite Saints Row 4, the series of the game is looking much brighter than what it was back five years ago. The only competition left in its way is the upcoming GTA5, and the battle for top dog will begin!

Out of 10, I gave Saints Row The Third an 9/10

Good points: Customisation at an all time high!
                     Continued storyline
                     A return to a classic

Bad points:    JOHNNY! NOOOO!
                    Respect is unearnt
                    Side missions - fun but unneeded.

SR The Third is out now for the standard price of $85

Review: Halo CE Anniversary

Hello again!

Its been a wonderful 10 years of gaming with the Xbox, and this has been on the back of the mind of many gamers, the game that started it all. And 343 Industries has delivered. Halo Combat Evolved was, and still is, the creator of all gaming styles of this generations. It was only a matter of time until the anniversary of such event would finally come. See what I did there?

While there isn't much to talk about this game, there's really only two things to truly focus on: graphics and audio. Graphics have definately been tuned up, while not to a 2011 level, but to at least only a few years ago, with barely a hiccup along the way. Worldly animation is quite brilliant, with nostalgia quite certain for any of us who are old enough to actually remember the original title (The average age of a Halo gamer being 13) and/or the stylised gameplay it offered. In the company's own words "...offering billions of hours of entertainment." the remake is definately worthy of anyones time. Audio, for both the now instant classic musical score and characters have been reampted and are quite clean this time around. Playing this game 10 years ago, I misheard many of the lines, and now with both the cleanliness of the audio and dialect (And with the help of subtitles) the sound quality is quite fantastic.

Halo's orginal mutilplayer was unable for me with the original game (As my family didn't have the internet in those early years of its existance) it was quite enjoyable to be able to play many of the classic maps this time around, And I must say, I am quite impressed with the availability of both finding matches and the look of the maps.

However, there are some small faults.

While the game has been remastered, many of the fans would agree that Master Chief doesn't look exactly right, his helmet and armour being slightly off from both the original and to the remade version for Halo: Reach. Controls can tend to be slightly sticky, especially around checkpoints as well as both some points in the game, Master Chief being just as fragile as he was back then.

While remakes tend to be horrible for the most part *COUGH - Goldeneye - COUGH*, Anniversary tends to be exactly the same as the original back in the day. Its shows that Halo 4 is definately in the right hands.

Out of 10, I gave Halo CE Anniversary an 9/10

Good points: Graphics are quite beautiful
                    Subtitles & Audio = Sublime
                    "We're just getting started"

Bad points:   ...Not few many changes....
                    Sticky controls - multiplayer & campaign alike
                    Master Chief tends to die...by the slightest Ghost touch...

Halo CE Anniversary is out now for the standard price of $45

Review: Assassins Creed Revelations

G'day everybody!

Now long into the fifth game into the series, Assassins Creed makes its return with Revelations, known as the last game following Altair Ibn La Ahad and Ezio Auditore da Firenze. While playing through as Ezio during his silver fox years, as well as Altair during both his youth and his final days, we once again set ourselves as Desmond, gruff and scruffy during his comatose state, he awakes in the Animus, on the side of a beach known as Animus Island, with an eagar (and finally nonfaceless) Subject 16. To restore Desmond to his body, he must work through both of his Ancestor's memories for the bleeding effect to take less of an toll on his already broken mind.

Firstly, lets start off with gameplay. Any person who has played any game in the series will be familiar with the controls, easing their way back into the world of the reknown Assassin. With the new hookblade, alongside the new deadliness of this ageing killer, Ezio is much more brutal with age, killing with much more ease, despite his groaning complaints. Musical score is quite sublime, the music quite Middle Eastern stylised, but keeping the familiar strings of the series. Graphics, unless in cutscenes, look quite plain, almost back to second game in the series. Worldly graphics look quite exquisite, but perhaps character animation could have spent a little more focus upon.
What is really the gem of Revelations, is the voice acting. With the return of Roger Craig Smith to resume his role as Ezio, he truly brings his all inside the character, bringing depth and emotion to both serious and relaxing times with Yusuf Tazim. Not only is the acting great, but the choices in which players can have is brilliant. While Ezio is still the star, Altair has 5 (Technically 6) playable mini missions and there are also Desmond memories, recruiting Assassins have missions on their own and so on. There is much more to do this time around in the storyline.

Multiplayer, while with a few new features of gameplay, is still quite the same award winning style, with only a huge upgrade to both map styles, sizes and customization of a kind of Playercard. New weaponry is introduced, allowing throwing knifes, bombs, more swords etc.
However, a great addition is the more modernised match finding. Finding a match still doesn't show where you're going to, but the system now searches according to distance and connectivity, making it much easier and smoother than before.

Sadly, Revelations does have its faults. To begin with, the newly named "Templar Awareness" radar now increased alot faster than previous titles. Buying stores increases notority by 25%, killing guards (Whether in Low Profile or High) earns you a bit more. But these wouldn't be as annoying as they would be unless it wasn't for getting rid of said notority. Posters have been removed entirely from the game, giving players only two options: Heralds or Officials. Heralds can be a bit tricky to find, as they only pop up on the screen if you're within a certain distance (Approximately 100 meters) and Officials only indicated or appearing when Awareness is full and complete. While Herald's prices for bribery are down to 100 Akcre's (Coins), they only reduce 25% of notority, while Officials only 50%. A warning to the stabbing happy, kill a guard while on full notority, and its pretty certain for a Den to be attacked. While the Den fights are quite fun, they tend to be slightly frustrating when controls stick, normal storyline missions being unplayable unless you battle in the conflicted Den and win or loose. Loosing will cost you to retake it once again.

Overall, Revelations can bring players many hours of joy and fun, with a diverse and exciting storyline, thrilling acting and so much to do and see, this is definately worthy for Ezio and Altair's final hurrah in the gaming series, but hopefully, for fangirls everywhere, they aren't going to dissapear forever.

Out of 10, I gave Assassins Creed Revelations an 8.5/10

Good points: So many options of gameplay
                    Sublime acting and musical score
                    Quizicle storyline, deep and powerful.

Bad points:   Notority is a hassle
                    Decreasing it too.....
                    Den fights can be annoying interruptive
                    The end of Ezio and Altair's chapter.

Assassins Creed Revelations is out now for the standard price of $80

Ask Fatman Episode 1

Well, here it is! The very first episode of Ask Fatman!
Do you have a question that's on your mind? Tell me in the comments and I'll answer it!
Thanks for watching!
Al Fatman

Fatmans Gaming Tips Posting Trouble

Hey there guys and gals.

Just a quick heads up, right where I live is a huuuge thunder storm, thats just raging and not going away. The internet is bugging up and this is my 8th attempt to post this. Thank god for Copy and Paste.
So yeah, the new episode of FGT will be a bit delayed till tomorrow afternoon, at the lastest, with the first episode of Ask Fatman  following it on Sunday.
Please keep up with the questions, its really appreciated!

Thanks for understanding, the reviews of Revelations and Anniversary will be done ASAP, explained more in the FGT episode.
Game on!
Al Fatman

Pre Multiple Review Thoughts

Hey there everybody!

Well, this week is gonna be pretty damn epic. While our overseas folk get three games all released tomorrow, many Aussies are cramming to go get Assassins Creed Revelations and Halo AA tomorrow, with Saints Row The Third coming out on the following Friday.
With all these games coming out, I'm also pushing on an episode of Fatman's Gaming Tips very soon, with the first episode of Ask Fatman coming up very soon, Im hoping to get a few questions stockpiled! Sad, right? But meh, I want to get ahead, so post some questions please! All of them will appear eventually!
Also, I've bought two new pieces of equipment, so I'll post a review on those two in the near future and its fricking sweet.

Anyhoo, I'll try to post the reviews as quick as I can, but playing two games at a time is gonna be interesting....especially two pretty long ones.
Thanks for reading, and game on!
Al Fatman

Review: Sonic Generations

Hey there everybody!

With exactly 20 years of a world with Sonic the Hedgehog, and with some good years and the bad, the technology generation has finally come at this: Sonics' possible final hurrah with Sonic Generations.

Straight from the get-go, you leap right into Sonic, Classic form, running down the massive hills of Green Hill Zone (Exactly the same as the first and second demo) to cut at a cutscene which puts you at Sonics' surprise birthday party, with all the characters that have come along since his creation.But without warning, they are all taken by this mysterious creature, sucked into this white world without life or colour. And so its up to Sonic to restore the "oddly familiar" places and his friends as he goes along.

As per mentioned, the graphics this time around are just beautiful, both in 2-D and Modern form, but enough on this has been said. The classic musical score of all the previous games have been remade and match the gameplay with such perfection its utterly awesome, with nostaliga all around for those old enough to remember Genesis.
Gameplay is quite smoothe, the game being highly polished and the movements alot of fun. While there is voice acting, there can be quite a lack of it, seeing as Classic Sonic does not talk, but Modern Sonic does, and these small windows of conversation are rare and even then, in small bursts of sentences. However, it is quite enjoyable listening to them, as the characters make fun of the gaming series.

Storyline sees you as both Sonics, travelling from world to world, and then to battle a boss from that era of gaming. For example, after collection 3 Demon Keys from playing small mini challenges in the relms world (which can range from racing a copy of yourself to hitting musical notes before they dissapeared) your first boss is Death Egg Robot, one of the final bosses in Sonic and Knuckles. Playing through them earns you Chaos Emeralds, as well as other side missions, called Rival Battles, facing off against three main opponants from the past: Metal Sonic, Shadow and Silver.
Without spoiling the gameplot, all the Emeralds are required to complete the game.
Which brings me to the bad points.

While there are 17 main missions (Including Boss and Rival battles), the game tends to focus more on side missions than main gameplay, as Classic Sonic levels are quite long, and Modern Sonic levels are quite short.
Also, while the gameplay is simplistic, the final boss (Which I shall not spoil) is quite ridiculous. Mashing X while collecting coins doesn't seem much of a challenge, but punishes you harshly taking life after life if you do not do as Sonic's friends call out to you.
With storyline is enjoyable, some missions played as either Modern or Classic Sonic is quite annoying, as camera angles tend to go haywire and leave you looking at the wall while Sonic is being hit by an enemy. A good point would be the change of Sonic's durability, since having over 50 ring will see you sustain 3 hits.

Sonic has come far from being a small blue blob on our television screens back in 1991 and though, some of the work has been hit or miss, it was fun to finally see an end to the game, to hear the lame but hilarious puns and the jokes cracked (Think about it) made at the very end.
And with over 100 people yelling "Happy birthday Sonic!" as the final credit rolls, another chapter of the fastest Hedgehog in the world is complete, with nothing left to say, but goodbye.

Out of 10, I gave Sonic Generations an 7.5/10

Good points: A reimagining of a classic gaming icon - brilliant work
                     Musical score is wicked awesome
                     Jokes made about their own company takes hangers

Bad points:    End of an icon...?
                     Some missions/battles are a bit...just no
                     Not much Modern Sonic gameplay time

(Sonic Generations is out now *With a free keychain!* for $100)

Review: Batman Arkham City

Hi everybody!
(No Simpsons pun intended)

What started out as a small comic book series in the late 30's has developed greatly over the years from comic, to television, to movies and then to games. Batman Arkham City is one among many in the popular world of Batman, but it is a piece of art that should not be avoided.

As I have previously stated, I haven't played a Batman game since the side scroller in the early 90's of my childhood. I have never been a huge Batman fan (As Spiderman seemed cooler to me) and I haven't gone out of my way to watch the movies or play the games. This game, however, has definitely sparked my interest in the series all over again.
One of the first things I noticed was the graphic detail on not only just cutscenes and characters, but on the world of Arkham City, each and every little detail right down to the snowflakes being well done and beautiful to gaze over the city as snow falls from above. Next would be the terrific voice acting; the nerd inside me extremely happy with Mark Hamill playing the devilious villian Joker. The entire cast, from Batman (Played by Kevin Conroy) to the lowly thud were performed greatly, adding the well known tension and mood Batman games/movies/shows are well known for.
Gameplay is decent, with the controls sticking only a little when it comes to using or selecting gadgets, playing through the game is quite enjoyable, along with camera angles following you from both informative and create places as you travel throughout the city.
The only place the game faulters, if only slightly, is the storyline. With a terrific beginning and end, its the middle of the game that faulters, with the main plot often being put aside for side missions that will require you to do some tasks that slow down progress for 30 minutes, in the least. These missions, while inventive and fun, can be a little troublesome, taking you out of the suspence of the main storyline for some odd little sidequest.

With Catwoman's missions not far behind, its a great addition to the game to play as this unique character, scaling walls to reach an objective, using the whip to travel over rooftops and reaching areas that Batman cannot. Its quite satisfying playing as Catwoman, giving the player a variety of both good and bad characters.
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to play the second DLC, so that will remain an unknown factor.

Sadly, like every other game, there are some faults.
While the graphics are of great quality, the fast pace of the game doesn't allow much dilly dally and the only small windows you have are tracking parts of missions, such as looking for Penguin's radar dishes. While the musical score is fantastic and did create mood for the entire game, there was a great lasp of it, travelling from place to place in the city, with only a snippet now and again. The music only returned when engaging in combat, and as I mentioned, the middle of the campaign was slightly dissapointing, focused mostly on side missions than the actual plot, taking you away from the moment of the crisis that is, literally, having Batman's life on the line within a few hours left till his death.

Like every other game, Arkham City has its slight faults, but this should not deter you from the game. With such a brilliant accord of voice actors, a decent storyline and breathtaking graphics, this game is a must have for lovers of the francise, leaving you staring at the screen, growling softly in a husky voice "Im Batman!"

Out of 10, I gave Batman Arkham City an 8/10

Good points: Graphics are beautiful
                     Voice acting = perfection
                     Combat is engagingly great

Bad points:    JOKER! NOOOOO!
                     Lack of musical score during softer moments
                     Controls can tend to stick & confuse AI

(Batman Arkham City is out now for the average price of $80)