Update Message (New Reviews Soon!)

G'day there guys and gals!

Holy crap it's been over a month since I posted anything!

First off, I want to say I'm sorry for not posting or reviewing anything for the last month or so, there have been many titles I still need to do and unfortunately I've been utterly busy, not only with University but with my personal life as well.
I haven't mentioned it on here yet but last month I was diagnosed with Diabetes, and while this isn't a death sentence to me, I've had to have a massive life style change in order to bring my blood sugars under control. I had to cut all sugars out of my diet, start a routine, daily exercise and actually start taking care of my body.
With all of that, I've also still continuing my University studies, with my spare time spent either trying to have a social life or drawing/writing in my spare time between conversations with my Tutor.

So, what's the point of me telling you all this?
I'm going to restart reviews as soon as I can.
I recently got a Soundcloud account and an idea came to me: Why not make reviews in audio form?
That way, you folks don't have to read through a whole bunch of stuff and this way, you can download it and listen to it anywhere, in the car, while you're working or studying, even physically hand it out to your friends!

I've done a few demo versions and I'm not too crash hot about them, so I may have to still write out scripts and such. But even then, why wouldn't I just post the script?

So I leave it to you folks. Stick with written or go to audio?

A LOT of people have been requesting video reviews but making/editing/rendering/uploading them takes a lot of time, much of which I don't have. I'm barely able to do Vlogs anymore. I've been wanting to start Gameplays up again but Blogger switches my YT accounts to G+ so that's fricking annoying.
Either way, reviews will be coming soon. The holiday season has given me a bit of time off but I'll have to figure out a new timeline for this sort of thing.

Okay, that's too much reading.
Lastly, you folks are awesome. 15'000 views and we're quickly approaching 16'000. 
I am tremendously thankful. I'd make my own website but meh!

Thanks very much everyone, happy holidays, and as always have fun and game on!
See you in 2014!

Day One Xbox One & Accessories Unboxing

G'day folks!

Since posting this blogger, I've been able to FINALLY post videos onto blogger even with a different Youtube account!
You can view the video on this site here: http://thegamecavereviews.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/day-one-xbox-one-and-accessories.html

Have fun and game on!

Review: Greg Hasting's Paintball 2

G'day there guys and gals!

I was inspired to play this game simply due to a video by Roosterteeth in which Michael raged on and on about the game. For as long as I remember, I've always had a fascination with Paintball and in later life found that I had a talent for the game. Greg Hasting's Paintball 2 offers a unique experience for all but one that doesn't appeal to all.
The real thing this game only offers in abundance is gameplay. Quick, simple and nice to move through, the gameplay is capable to kill a few hours upon. However the AIs are the most ridiculous and fun-killers I have ever faced. Characters glide on the ground and start physically walking three seconds later, they fire blindly at close range and become snipers at long range. Even when crouched they glide and blindly fire which makes for poor gameplay, especially with the bulky HUD. Multiplayer is something I can't even cover with barely anyone online, so unfortunately I'll have to pass over that coverage. Graphics are extremely poor, especially so since the game was made barely three years ago. Overall they can't be much of a factor but seeing as the game was released in 2010 (And with other titles such as Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Alan Wake, Dead Rising 2 and more) compared to the other titles coming out at that time, it's well below the par line.
Musical score and sound effects aren't much either; the music is decent but repeats often and quickly becomes irritating, whereas the sounds are realistic but sound faded and dull. Vocal acting is quite poor also, sounding forced or contained. Other than the tolerable gameplay, the game offers customisation for your crew; details are small but definitely effective, especially with your Paintball gun and equipment, even down to your symbol.

To be frank, while the game is worthy of wasting a few hours with friends or by yourself, by the standard of the time, there isn't any question why it wasn't very popular. Sub-par graphics, musical score, AI and voice acting, decent gameplay and customisation and a multiplayer where gamers avoid like the plague.
If you're going to play this title, prepare to play it solo, unless you convince your friends to suffer along side you. Even as a fan of playing the sport, I cringe by seeing the title.

Out of 10, I give Greg Hasting's Paintball 2 an 4/10

+Decent Gameplay
+High levels of customisation/unlockables
-Extremely poor graphics
-Ridiculous AI
-Repetitive musical score
-Vocal acting (Other than narration) is dull
-I'd rather play RL Paintball

GH Paintball 2 is out now for the standard price of $20

Review: Metro Last Light - Chronicles Pack DLC

G'day there guys and gals!

***Warning! This DLC review will have some excessive spoilers for the main storyline and this DLC. Read at your own caution!***

The fourth and final DLC for Metro Last Light has been released; The Chronicles is set on three secondary characters - Pavel, Khan and Anna - and their stories of other happenings alongside the tale of Artyom's mission to save D6 and the people of the Metro. Not only does this DLC give much needed insight on the characters but also fixes the plot-holes and mishaps throughout the main story.

First is the Pavel mission: After encountering Artyom in Venice and escaping him, he is once again captured (To which he remarks on this in the opening sequence) by the bandits at Venice and set to torture. Escaping, he sneaks and fights his way through, desperately trying to get back to the front line. This is by far the longest part in the DLC, but keep an eye out for collectables and a scarcely old woman, trust me on that.
The Khan mission is a bit of a tease to the fans of the series, featuring only a small amount of time playing as Khan himself. Instead you take on Ulhman, a Ranger in the Order on a mission to destroy a Red train full of supplies and soldiers. This train is the same one Khan and Artyom is chasing to find the Dark One; this meaning it's Ulhman who causes the train to explode and nearly kill him and the Dark One. After quickly finding Khan, the two set off back to Polis, encountering Anomalies and deadly, deadly rats along the way. Khan is only playable by the end of the mission and this is extremely rushed and quick. Only one good thing came out that experience to which I dub: "The Shotgun Revolver", a six barreled shotgun that works like a revolver. It's AWESOME!
The Anna mission completes the tie offs of the plot-holes as you return to the very first mission. Seeing Artyom from a different perspective is a little odd but quite welcoming and fun to sit and snipe Watchmen around him. After Artyom collapses, Anna makes her way down her perch and wades through a few platoons of Red soldiers, only to watch Artyom and the Dark One whisked away, leaving her stranded in a storm. This mission is reletively short but definitely fun; seeing an iconic scene in a different view was quite nice and good for the nostalgia to kick in. 

In reality, Chronicles Pack offers fans a deeper look into the history of the Metro (And Khan's past, woo!) and the continuing stories of the main characters. While the DLC offers no additional content for the main story (Which is a bummer because the new weapons would've been useful and revamp gameplay), Chronicles is a fun way to kill an hour - a short hour - but a fun one.

Metro Last Light - Chronicles Pack DLC rating: B

Blogger Updates 15/10/13

Howdy folks, some serious news to bring to you all.
And as always, you are the first to know.

In life we must all move on, whether for the better or not. Fortunately this is a situation where the best of both worlds is possible. Quite recently I've been offered to finally have a chance to study a University course and I have taken that opportunity. For the next 16 months I'll be studying Digital and Interactive Games, which covers everything from producing and making your own video games to film producing. This however will take up a lot of my time and require a lot of my attention first and foremost.  

In short, what I'm saying is that I won't be able to post as much as I usually do. I haven't been posting a lot due to the small game releases, but I assure you I'll still do my best to bring out what I can, when I can.
Video releases will definitely slow down and will be under the same treatment; when I can do them, I will. I'll be releasing a short vlog tomorrow explaining this in further detail.

This isn't adieu, hopefully, but everything will be released when I can. 
For now, enjoy this time lapsed video I made of me drawing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klN2aNHXO2M

Take care everybody, as always, have fun and game on!

Blogger Upload Issues

Howdy folks!

So I finally figured out why I can't post any of my videos here on Blogger: With Google+ (Seeing as it forces me to use it these days) it acts like a different account to my actual YT account. While FatmanXVII has over 260 videos, my G+ account has none. And since this account was made with the same email address as my Blogger, the accounts overlap. No matter how hard I try, my videos can't be posted unless it's uploaded.
Issue with that is, uploading is failing each and every time. Whether this is due to the size of the video's length or the HD, the only way to post videos for now is simply post the URL.

SOOOOOOO, I recently began a Game Review in video form! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di0WhLEzs2U
Go give it a watch if you'd like!

If this issue keeps up, I'll start writing both reviews on here and posting a video form on YT.
Oh Google+...how you like to f**k up something so simple....

Game on folks, take care!

Al

Review: WSOP: Full House Pro

G'day folks!

There is usually nothing to complain about when given free things. Usually it's for a gift or as a present for doing a task well. However, the old sayings stay true: all things worth having aren't meant to be free. This applies directly to World Series Of Poker: Full House Pro.
This is a sequel to the highly praised game Full House Poker, and like it's predecessor, it too is free. My original complaints with Full House Poker were fixed eventually over time; such as the connection issues and graphics problems. This being said, the same issues apply to this game as well. Gameplay is more or less the same as it was, for veterans there is no need to look over the controls. The A button will be your dominant one over time. A nice little feature is the commentary; while playing two commentators will read off who leaves in what position or if positive or negative things happen during gameplay. This also applies to the beginning and end of a players match. There isn't too much to say about the sound effects and the musical score; once again it seems to be more or less the same with tooting trumpets and jazz like music. What Microsoft seems to have focused on is the customisation and graphics themselves. 

While the new areas look clean and clear cut, it's unfortunately the avatars that give away the look of the game. Due to the multitude appearances of a player's avatar, expect the usual white lining around the edges of your character. It simply boils down to the choices of the player and what to change and customise what they'd prefer. Sadly, this too is massively flawed. Originally, Full House Poker allowed players to unlock these choices by simply playing the game and unlocking them with each level. This time around, players can choose to unlock things with either chips or blocks of gold. Yes, you read that right, gold. However, even after unlocking an item (Mostly by doing a specific task or leveling up), you must still pay for them with either chips or gold. The game rewards players who have Full House Poker with free items and accessories for their arena, but yes these too must be paid with by chips or gold. The reason I mention this is that the prices, just like the meme, are too damn high. Most being either in the fifth or six digit figure. True, it is easy to climb to that amount, leveling up is difficult and slow, even in single player. The game counters this with a new feature For simply logging into the game every 12 hours, you'll receive a lump sum and some XP to which these can be use for in game condiments, which increase experience for a set amount of hands. This helps but not enough - With the addition to custom avatar gear specifically for the game itself, it's almost a big tease.

The single player, while good to play, is more of a practice mode than anything else and barely offers anything other than outfits to wear during multiplayer as the character you have won against. Multiplayer, while as fun and simple as before, is just as flawed. Expect a lot of error issues and the words "Due to connectivity issues, voice chat will be suspended until the end of the match." or most of the time, simply disconnecting. Over time, I came to like Full House Poker more and more, even to the point of almost maxing out my level, something I very rarely do. This may not be the case with WSOP: Full House Pro. More chore than fun, I think I may just go back to playing poker with my friends at the pub again. 
Brownie points for being a free game but sometimes free doesn't mean good.

Out of 10, I give WSOP: Full House Pro a 4/10

+Simplistic and enjoyable
+Commentary is a plus
+Massive customisation overhaul
-...Yet sadly flawed unlocking system
-Navigating menus is slow and repetitive
-"You can customise!...only when you have $195'000 worth of chips at level 1."
-Connectivity is damaging and redundant
-Less single player usage and rewards
-Ending game session takes almost a minute due to the commentators
-Avatars look bulky and unrefined

WSOP: Full House Pro is out now for free