TOP 10 OF THE DECADE: VIDEO GAMES (#5-#1)

And now, the Top 5. Here's the Bottom 5 if you missed it earlier... I base my games off of storyline, gameplay, amount of "quality time" we had together, and just being plain awesome. Let's go:

5. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360, Playstation 3)

I never played Red Dead Revolver so I really didn't know what I was going to get into when I bought Red Dead Redemption. All I know going into it was that it was made my Rockstar Games (same developer of the Grand Theft Auto series) and that it was a "sandbox" game (much like all of the Grand Theft Auto games... real shocker huh?). Anyways, it didn't take me long before I was completely charmed with Rockstar's Western theme and just how much there was put into this game. The most awesome thing about RDR is the fact the environment is constantly evolving. Cougars/Bears out of nowhere, folks out in the middle of the desert requesting your assistance (and sometimes wanting nothing more than to loot you or take your horse). Everything was completely random, giving you a different playthrough each time you fired it up. The controls were pretty damn good, especially since most of the time you were riding horseback. It's multiplayer "free roam" was also badass because it gave you the same experience and randomness from the single players but with other players. For a guy who had never played a Western before or quite had much interest to be honest, Red Dead Redemption opened my eyes. Not to mention it just won the VGA's Award for "Game of the Year". Saddle up, guy.

4. Halo 3 (Xbox 360)

Yeah, I've played Reach. I absolutely love it. I fire it up everyday, but the first time I played Halo 3 it blew me away. Perhaps over time when I look back, Reach will take this spot, but my expectations were high with Reach, mine for 3 were not. I played multiplayer online for the first time in this game and for me, it changed my perspective on gaming. No longer did I have to huddle around the screen with three or four of my buddies. Get a LAN connection and get cranked. But for what it's worth, my friends and I at the University of Florida had many, maaaany late nights playing Halo 3. It was the first time I got entranced into a first person shooter since Goldeneye (*Angels singing*). Hell, I still haven't played Halo 1 or 2 (atleast the campaign for 2 anyways), but it was the third that garnered my respect for this genre and one I'll hold in a special place in my heart. Whether or not this will be Master Chief's final mission remains to be seen, but if it is, he gave us a helluva ride.

3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Playstation 2)

The Metal Gear franchise is one that is popular to most of the gaming community, but I thought the best was the third, Snake Eater. The best Playstation 2 title (in my humble opinion) of the last decade featured not "Solid Snake", but his predecessor "Naked Snake" in Operation: Snake Eater during the Cold War. Some people can't enjoy Metal Gear because of it's priority with stealth, but I think that makes it way more challenging than to go into a fight guns blazing. Snake Eater was the first in the Metal Gear series to offer you a variety of camouflage, so you could sneak past the guards out in the jungle (because of the lack of cover afterall). And a stamina bar, which you wouldn't think too much about but you are in the jungle after all, for a LONG time. How would you survive if you didn't eat... right? I enjoyed this one so much because it has what I considered to be the best Boss Battles... ever. The COBRA unit as their called, featured The Pain, The End, The Fear, The Fury, and of course The Boss. Each of these characters also featured special camouflage and weapons that enhanced the gameplay had you killed them in non-lethal means (which again, is another challenge). Like other Metal Gears, it played with information on game saves. Keep a food in your inventory for too long? It'd go rotten. Fight "The End" for over a week? Eventually he'll die of old age. These are things you'd think would happen if they were real events, which brings a lot of charm to this game.

2. Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, Playstation 3)

Yeah, call me a fan boy, but it's no shock that Mass Effect 2 would be in my top 3 for this list. I LIKED the first Mass Effect. It was cool that the decisions you made in the game affected the story and characters you interacted with. I loved the fact you could choose your story background, your class (adept, mechanic, or soldier), and how you looked. The battle system was "meh", and sometimes the physics were a little stupid. Lots of the environments on other planets were boring and monotonous. Not to mention how everyone absolutely DESPISED the Mako. However, BioWare did a helluva job throwing out everything from the first Mass Effect that sucked, and brought all the awesome into the second... and some more. Mass Effect is about shaping the universe around you with Commander Sheppard's (your) decisions. In Mass Effect 2, they REALLY meant something, and changed the game. The characters you acquire all served a purpose, had a personality, and the stronger your team, the more likely you were to survive "The Suicide Mission". Plus, I enjoyed the different species. Mixing up your partner helps because eventually you can find a bruising partner to match "your" Sheppard. The battle system is vastly better than the first, making it easier to access your and your partners powers from the power wheel with just a click of a button. They gave you less options for weapons however, but I actually liked that because I thought the rest was all clutter anyways. I was tired of getting 100 of the same kind of gun. Just give me the goods and move on. Mass Effect is all about the story, the battle system is just sprinkles to an adventure that has countless possibilities.

1. Bioshock (Xbox 360, Playstation 3)

The absolute best game to come out the last 10 years. Bioshock is like nothing you will ever play before, in it's twisted art, demented villains, and it's amazing storyline. Your first visit to "Rapture" is one that will stay with you forever. You could get lost in the detail they took creating this game to give you a twisted 1920's feel. You play Jack, a guy who was just on a plane to head home before it crashes in the ocean and you find a tower with an elevator leading down to a city under water. Rapture had promise, an idea from Andrew Ryan, who you may or may not call the game's antagonist. The idea was that this city was free from morals, and took every good idea from a free government and threw out all the negative that surrounded it. However, somewhere along the way, all goes wrong and Rapture became a lost city with violent and reckless citizens... known as "splicers". Bioshock has the design of a horror game, but the story of an epic. However, you as the player have to dig deep to uncover where Rapture went wrong. You have to listen to tape recordings, found while playing through the campaign, to understand the deep storyline involved with Bioshock. It wasn't just the story that got me though, it was also the character design, thrill effects, amount of cool weapons and plasmids (magic) you obtained. Who wouldn't want to kill someone with a pack of bees? Splice up and find out. The music was creepy, and all tied into the "Roaring 20's" feel. Bioshock was beautiful, in a fucked up kind of way... And introduced us to perhaps the biggest three words in modern day gaming...

"Would you kindly?"

Hoped you enjoyed, and Hell, hope you can agree with me on some of these picks.

GAMES THAT WERE CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR:
Halo: Reach
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Super Meat Boy
God of War I, II, or III
Mass Effect
Braid
LIMBO
Metal Gear Solid II or IV
Castlevania: Harmony of Despair
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Super Mario Galaxy
Metroid: Corruption
Grand Theft Auto IV
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Gears of War
Final Fantasy XIII

TOP 10 OF THE DECADE: VIDEO GAMES (#10-#6)

Ah, I feel right at home. As most of you already know, I'm a gamer. Have been my whole life. Fortunately for me I've been able to separate my digital life from my real one, so I know when it's time to put the controller down and start getting productive. I can appreciate a great game. In fact, most games are starting to get better than watching most movies. Scripts have become more serious, plots, voice work. We're in a time where this particular industry is really flying high and they're producing better ways to get the products out to their customers and innovative ways to put them "in the game" or give them more content. During these past 10 years, I had a Playstation 2 but that was all before I got my hands on Halo 3 and went to the Xbox 360... (foreshadowing?). Anyways, here's my top 10 Video games of the Past 10 years, see what you like/dislike:

10. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)

I think the Wii is an underrated console, but this was the only title to make my list. If Nintendo weren't trying to be so "family friendly" and give the people some more adult themed games, I'd probably have more. Anyways, being a past Wii owner and a serious fan of the Zelda series, I had to get Twilight Princess. Lucky for me, it was one of the first title releases to come out on the console. I probably would've never missed with the Wii had it not been for this game, and thankfully, it didn't let me down. I was pretty impressed with the Wii-mote and it definitely made me feel like I was "in the game" whenever I was in combat or I was swinging the sword. Not to mention how cool it was to point to a spot on the screen and be able to shoot there (with the slingshot or bow & arrow). This is probably one of two games I put on this list where the gameplay completely overshadowed the storyline. Not because the story sucked or anything, but it was Zelda. When has Nintendo given us anything more than "Hero saves the Princess"? Still, it was an awesome game with some of the best boss fights I've ever experienced...

9. Final Fantasy X (PS2)

If I couldn't find one Final Fantasy to put on this list, Square Enix was in serious trouble. I LOVE Final Fantasy. I've practically played everyone (save maybe XII which was a mass multi online, ALA World of Warcraft), and still can't get enough. The best to come out the past 10 years has to be X. For the first time, they had character voice acting, which doesn't sound like much but trust me, it was huge. Every character had a role in the story/quest, and it just made them seem much more "real". Plus, this was the first game that actually focused on the romantic feelings between Yuna and Tidus. Yeah, Tidus wasn't what you'd call... ummm... masculine? But throughout the game he started to become less of a bitch and much more of a protagonist character. The battle system in this game was pretty legit and I liked being able to switch characters in and out of battle when I felt like it. Because the enemies were much more powerful, it made having an experienced party much more important. Oh, and after you acquired all of the characters final weapons (which was sweet because they all had unique sidequests) can you say RAPE?

8. PORTAL: Still Alive (Downloadable Content)

Originally a game that was included with Valve's "The Orange Box", Portal was an underground phenomenon almost instantly. Portal had a simple idea with extremely complex mechanics. Shoot two portals, go in one, come out the other. Seems simple, at first (and maybe game breaking), but eventually the puzzles become much more daunting and the amount of hazards you face increase drastically. Portal had one of the best and most memorable characters in video game history (GLaDOS) that turned a puzzle game into one of the funniest experiences you'd ever go through. Hell, even now, I'd go through Portal again just for the fun of it despite the fact I know all of the solutions. And yeah, it's short (maybe about 4 hours if it's your first time) but it's totally worth it. I remember my colleague (Matt Cruite) told me to try it. I was so skeptical, but after 30 minutes, I was hooked. Played through the whole game in one sitting. Loved it. Sung the song afterwards. And played it again two days later. Portal is just too much fun. It's a shame fucking Valve takes FOREVER to put games together...

7. Assassin's Creed 2 (Xbox 360, PS3)

The first Assassin's Creed was a "must play" game for anyone if you ask me. Had the aspects of action, story, challenge, three priorities for great games if you ask me. But the game had two HUGE flaws: no replay value and extremely repetitive. Fight these soldiers, go to these view towers, kill these people... Yeah, I get it, can you give me something different? The game had lots of potential, just needed some tweaking. That's when Ubisoft released the sequel. Right off the bat, you could see a difference. The controls that everyone loved (especially the ease of "free running") was back, more options for stealth kills, and a protagonist that you could actually like (nothing against Altair, but Ezio Auditore was just cooler and have more personality). Ubisoft listened to the gamers and gave them what they wanted and took away what they didn't want. Targets became more elusive, and you had to use more strategy (and imagination) if you wanted to kill your assignment stealthy. The addition of TWO hidden blades and the air assassination? So rad to jump from the rooftops and take out two unsuspecting guards with one leap, man... so satisfying. The hidden gun not only made Ezio more deadly, but it also added to the direction of the story. If you've played the newest Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, it's not strange to see a guard with a rifle. This gives Ubisoft options for future games, and eases "modern weaponry" into the storyline.

6. Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

I'm one of those cats who's more into the storyline behind Gears of War rather than it's multiplayer. Of course, you got the hardcores like my brother who plays Gears of War 2... EVERYDAY. But there's a legitimate reason why: the game is just that good. The replay value shot through the roof, mainly because the multiplayer was much improved. For once, the Gnasher shotgun wasn't the most dominating weapon every match. Chainsaw kills weren't nearly as annoying (it almost felt like you were sucked into a black hole whenever another player revved it up). New game modes (Horde, which now has so many other video games mimicking it) and "Capture the Meat Flag" (a flag that attacks you back? What a twist to a classic game mode... Genius). The campaign was very satisfying for me (and definitely challenging if you put it on Insane). If you played the first, you probably questioned "What's up with Marcus relationship with his Dad?" "What does Adam Fenix (Marcus' dad) have to do with Locust tunnels?" "Who the Hell is Dom looking for?". Well, Epic didn't answer all of those questions with Gears 2, but they did paint a better picture as to what the Locust wanted with humans AND gave the characters lots more personality. Plus, online co-op was an absolute must and they implemented it. Gears campaign just feels "right" when you play it co-op. I like the whole "Brothers in Arms" feel between Marcus and Dom. Gameplay? Vastly improved from it's predecessor. More options to take cover (I.E. the mobile shield and using downed opponents as "meat shields"), better weapons (the scorcher, mulcher, and my favorite, the mortar), and many badass executions (because if I'm gonna be humiliated, atleast give me more than they classic curb stomp). Gears of War 2 was all that the fans of the franchise could've hoped for and a little bit more.

Check back tomorrow and I'll post my "Top 5"... and of course, tell me what you think.

Saturday Sports Thoughts on Sunday

I wanted to put some feedback out there on some of the things that have been going on in sports, but haven't really had a chance to due to a badass weekend. Anywho:

-The NFL Draft's first and second rounds were yesterday. The Bucs only had one pick and that was quarterback Josh Freeman from Kansas State. You know, I don't mind addressing a need at quarterback (because they have one), but why say you were happy with Luke McCown, and whatever other scrub was with the franchise and earlier this week sign Byron Leftwich? I just don't understand why you spend the pick on a quarterback when there's more pressing needs on defense. Like at linebacker and defensive tackle. And not only did they spend the pick on a quarterback (and one that is supposedly "developmental"), but they traded their sixth round pick just to move up two spots. And they jumped Denver to do it too, who I'm almost sure wasn't going to draft him considering they needed defense like a motherfucker (and drafted Knowshon Moreno with the 12th pick in the draft). I might look back on this and say "oh, well Josh Freeman is the quarterback on the future" but when the defense is so old and can't contain shit, I'm not quite sure Josh Freeman's arm is going to come to the rescue. And the Jet's trading the Browns trash (first round, second round picks and three garbage players) to get Mark "The Dirty" Sanchez. Jet fan kills me. They blow the draft out of proportion and truly believe that Mark Sanchez is the answer to all of their quarterbacking problems. The games were Sanchez' met adversity in his short run as a starting quarterback at USC, he was awful. Just imagine how bad he's going to be against better competition and more adversity? Dude has as much chance seeing the field as science has correcting Stuart Scott's lazy eye.

-These new Gatorade Tiger commercials officially annoy me. I like Tiger, but it seems like the media makes me want to love him but just push me in the other direction. Just watch this trash:



What's up with the creepy animals? Review the cast:

Scott Van Pelt as "Bald Stalking Gopher"
Mike Tirico as "Cliche' advice giving old Owl"
Kelly Tilghman as "Attractive Blonde Squirrel"

And the problem is, these people slurp Tiger in real life. So perhaps these depictions were supposed to represent real life? And here are some more questions... why are they the only ones watching baby Tiger play golf alone in the forest? And Steve Williams as a giant rat? This commercial confuses me.

-Celtics/Bulls series has been flat up ridiculous. I've been loving the Playoffs so far... now if the Magic would quit blowing games like assclowns and beat the 'Sixers tonight.

Anyways, that's all I got. I got serious blog coming later in the day.

Tade nit intoci cated

TIts nice to comce back home t o someone elses housex after a long night off drinkin at club s out of town. Im ovash at some girtls house I met abotu 4 horus ago be cause she was dtoo durnk to dirve home.

but the seceret is... shhhhhhhhhhh so am iQ! tdont tell the cops though. tehy are are bunch fo assholes theopse dudes. I mean honestley, cant a guy enjyo a bottle of win e on the car ride home in the back of the car. Ido nt drivk and drive. thats stupid stuff. Im confessing right now, red wine is teh sheeeeeeeeeit. I wopuld dirn k this stuff more often if its werent's so bad and messed up my sentences. GOd I lover cutting loose. not hign like spakring som ee electricy dnacing with tother peopel. IT's like creating ophysical chemeistry bu t with clothes on. NOthing matters whsats going on around you justr as long sas you got your hips lockedd rigthgt?

That's how I think anyuwas. What a fucking awesomr night. Just eabout having fun with new peoeple. Anywas i should get soem sleep, this cichk is pestering me that she eneeds someone in b eed with her or she cant' knock otu. whaaaatever.

Goodnight fans, heiop your weekdend iz jsut as kickffsass as mine ist starting. Nowe wheres' taht red Tail I was swigginnn? hahaha!

It's not about your hard work, it's your smart work

I tell ya, it's tough when you're in a position where you got no one to go. Like a "go to guy" for all of those interesting situations life throws your way. And oh, the interesting and awkward predicament I've seen to place myself...

I wonder what people really strive for in life. What do people want? Not like instant gratification things, like a burger when you're hungry or a certain song when you're in the mood... I mean things that make you internally happy. Think of the awesomeness if you could read minds and give people what they wanted? It sounds like a position of weakness, but if you think about it, it'd be a position of strength. You'd give people their most solemn desire, and in turn, they'd be eternally grateful... right? For most people, they'd be eternally grateful anyways. There are those impossible people that can't be pleasured no matter what the cost, but who wants gratification for those cats anyways?

I know what I want, and I suppose you can't ever have what you want until you work for it. Which it doesn't mean working hard. I've taken that route... hard work gets you nothing but a pat on a back and a "atta boy". Or in my case, a "oh, you're too nice". So fuck working hard. That shit is for saps. I'd rather take it easy and just work smart for once. That's what people appreciate, or atleast admire I should say. Hard work just displays that you'll do anything for a little respect. But somewhere in that thinking, people don't want to respect the people that work hard. It's like "damn, I can get whatever I want out of this chump... I wonder what else I can get?". I just got sick of that nonsense and mind sight. Don't work hard my friends, change the dynamic and work smart. Watch how easy it is to get what you want.

Anyways, basketball is on. And I've got a long day of work tomorrow. I don't have plans this weekend, but we're going to make some maaaaaaaaaaaagic happen bitch. I'm stoked.

The Australian Pleasure 'Bot

This wasn't what I was expecting to post today. In fact, I was going more along the lines of a "vlog". But my camera isn't functioning. So, I made this instead... enjoy:



It's too late for a blog. But never too late for a stainless steel mustache ride apparently...

The Revival

Oh, Daddy's back.

It's like taking a step into your old high school 5 years removed and feeling like you own the place. But then you remember that feeling isn't really how much you "own" the place, but more like how sorry you are for ever coming back. Then you find some cute girl walking by and you pray that your in-state age laws fit the criteria you're looking for.

So here's what's up: I'm not going to do the normal sports coverage I used to do on this site. In fact, I'll only talk about stuff I want to talk about. So you can expect lots of Gators, Braves, Buccaneers, Magic... and I don't know. Whatever. I'll throw in some video games and definitely some stuff regarding my personal life. So More Credible is back on the internet, but not quite the same old song and dance. It's like I'm throwing out my old audience to bring in a new one. No window shoppers here.

This post is just sorta getting my feet wet. I'll have more interesting stuff to write about tomorrow. In fact, tomorrow I have a special surprise for you from my Myspace blog. Aren't you excited? Oh, I'm sure you are.