Quick Update

A small change has been made to the blog - a "filters" section has been added to the sidebar. This allows you to read posts on a specific subject. Enjoy!

Blog Hiatus

electric overdrive will be taking a breif, four to five day hiatus this week. Once it has ended, I will come back with an "Overview" of all the news I had missed.

June 25: A Day That Will Live In Infamy

Today, the world was stricken with grief as Farrah Fawcett, after a long battle with anal cancer, passed away. But, unfortunately the pain would not end as it has been confirmed that Michael Jackson has also passed away today.

Farrah Fawcett, who was most famous for playing Jill Munroe in the hit TV series Charlie's Angels, was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006, acted as a role model for cancer patients with her aggressive attitude toward her disease. She unfortunately passed away early this morning, at 9:30 PDT. Her documentary, Farrah's Story, aired a little over

a month ago, and documented her time with cancer. Fawcett also acted as a sex symbol of the 1970s.

Jackson's death, while confirmed by TMZ and the LA Times, has been met with both grief and skepticism. Because he is "known for his theatrics", a few believe that this may be a stunt - unlikely, however, has he did suffer a serious heart attack earlier in the day. Jackson was one of the most popular musicians of all time, having been admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. His most popular song, undoubtedly, was Thriller.

Fawcett and Jackson will be greatly missed, and June 25 will surely be a day that no one forgets.

Image credit: HamovHotov (here), ESPN (here).

Rest In Peace, Ed McMahon

Earlier today, it was reported that famous The Tonight Show co-host Ed McMahon had passed away. While no formal cause of death has been released, it has been reported that McMahon was previously suffering from pneumonia. The pneumonia may be an effect of a toxic mold problem he and his family faced several years ago. He was also recently diagnosed with bone cancer.

McMahon worked on a number of TV shows, as well as a few movies, but he is undoubtedly most popular for his role as co-host on The Tonight Show. Alongside host Johnny Carson, he provided plenty of laughs with his booming voice and signature "Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!". His role on the show gave him the nickname "Human Laugh Track".

McMahon was also the host of Star Search for it's entire 12-year run, and has appeared in Alf's Hit Talk Show as co-host. He has written two memoirs: Here's Johnny!: My Memories of Johnny Carson, The Tonighty Show, and 46 Years of Friendship, and For Laughing Out Loud. Ed McMahon was 86.

Image credit: msnbc (here).

More Info Released On Sony's Motion Controller

At this year's E3, Sony unveiled a wand-like motion controller that received positive feedback at the show for it's accuracy. And now, a few weeks after the Expo ended, Sony has revealed more details on the accessory, and it's launch date.

Telling developers that the controller will work "with any games across all genres, from casual to core", Sony has seemingly ignored an angry fan reaction. As Sony "fanboys" mocked the Wii for it's "childish, gimmicky" controls, their future games might force them to buy this new controller for themselves.

But Sony remains confident. They are "currently looking into the possibility" of using the motion controller in combination with the DualShock (the regular controller) to play games. The example they used was being able to use "the motion controller as a sword and use DualShock 3 as a shield". The new peripheral is set for release in Spring of 2010.

Teaser Trailer For 'The Last Airbender' Released

Just yesterday, fans were given a treat when the teaser trailer for M. Night Shyamalan's upcomin film, The Last Airbender, based on the Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series. And while I was initally skeptical of the casting choices (and still am, somewhat), I am much more confident about the entire movie's ability to mirror the series.

The Airbending effects look much better than I had expected, and the sight of the fire nation ships bombarding the Air Temple was amazing - even if we still haven't seen Katara and Sokka, I can tell that the movie is shaping up to be amazing. However, it will still be quite a while before we get an actual trailer that will divulge some details.

Top Ten: Final Fantasy VII Songs

Not too long ago, I announced my plans to compile a Top Ten list of the greatest video game songs of all times, despite the fact that I already had with Project Playlist. However, it has come to my attention that this a near impossible feat without smudging my own opinion - why? Because, all the songs belong to Final Fantasy VII.

I do hope to create another Top Ten list of the greatest video game songs in the future, but this list will have to exclude Final Fantasy VII to be fair. For the record, the Mario games, the Zelda games, and the Sonic games would all have gotten at least one song on this least would it not be for Final Fantasy VII. So, I present to you, the Top Ten greatest songs in Final Fantasy VII.

10. Hurry Faster

One of the most appropriately named songs in the game. Most notably played in the "Battle Arena" at the Gold Saucer, the song conveys the thought of "hurrying", and is used in perfect combination with a timer. It's hurrying theme is noticeable in those who have never even heard it before, making it a true masterpiece.

9. Stolen Materia

Because of the fact that I am an avid clarinet player, you may believe that my choice of this song is somewhat biased as it features clarinets heavily. But that is not the reason I choose it - those who have played Final Fantasy VII know that this song ties in with Yuffie, who ends up stealing your materia because of her thieving ways. The song's light-hearted tune reminds me of that entire section of the game, as well as Yuffie's character. This tune's memorability also earned it a spot on the list.

8. Cait Sith's Theme

I couldn't include every character's theme on the list, and quite honestly, I didn't want to. Most do capture the true essence of the character (a very important quality), but they don't have the familiarity of a tune such as Cait Sith's Theme. You'd be hard-pressed to find a fan of the game who couldn't hum Cait Sith's tune, but even for those who haven't played the game can enjoy the jazz like qualities of this theme.

7. Shinra Army Wages A Full-Scale Attack

Again, you may believe that I picked this song with a bias, because of the fact that I am in marching band and this song is designed after a march. But, again, that is not why I picked it. The songs epic feel mirrors the mood of the scenes in which this theme is played very well. For fans of the game, hearing this song can only bring back memories of Shinra from the game. Expertly composed, this song undoubtedly has earned a spot on the list.

6. Highwind Takes To The Skies

Being one of the most epic songs in the game, I knew immediately that this theme would have a place in the Top Ten. While I initally wanted to place it higher in the list, there was just too many songs that beat it out. Regardless of that, this song highlights one of the most exciting points in the game: taking the Highwind and flying across the world for the very first time. Truly an amazing piece.

5. Still More Fighting (Boss Battle Theme)

Most of the songs on this list (and, in fact, in the entire game) are classical, even if some have a faster tune. But the boss battle theme, known as "Still More Fighting" is, undoubtedly a rock song. It may not have lyrics, but those who have not played the game will still find this song great, simply because it's a great deal more modern than the rest. If you played the game, than you remember the first time you heard this song, and the excitement it carried as you battled your first boss.

4. Crazy Motorcycle Theme

Ah, yes, the "Crazy Motorcycle" theme. Fans of the game will immediately remember the amazing in-game movie that pushed the PlayStation's graphics to the extreme as Cloud hopped on a motorcycle, armed only with a sword, and proceeded to destroy all the Shinra soldiers tailing him and his friends. Memorability definitely played a huge role in this theme reaching the number four spot, but no one can doubt that this a great and catchy tune.

3. Tifa's Theme

Quite possibly one of the most beautiful peaces in the game, "Tifa's Theme" is the perfect song to one of the most developed characters in the game. The slow, woodwind-based melody is quite soothing, and the whole song is carried with tons of emotion. For those who have played this game, it's a trip down memory lane - for those who haven't, it is still a beautiful tune.

2. Victory Fanfare

It may seem foolish to such a short tune above some of the greatest songs in the game, like "Tifa's Theme" and "Highwind Takes To The Skies". In fact, I doubted myself at first when I put the song so high on the list. But its length doesn't detract from the fact that this fanfare is, without a doubt, the most recognizable song from the game. Heard more than any other, the short trumpet blast will fill any player's heart with glee.

1. World Crisis

The length of this song is daunting, but that shouldn't stop you from listening to the whole thing. While slow, the beginning is quite beautiful, but the best comes later, when the song "explodes" into a very fast section. Composed perfectly, "World Crisis" is undoubtedly the greatest song from Final Fantasy VII. The slow parts are beautiful, the fast parts exciting, and the entire thing created with amazing precision. If I had to describe this song in just one word, it would be "epic". This song's epicness is truly what brought it to the top spot on the list. Listen, and enjoy.

And that concludes the Top Ten: Final Fantasy VII Songs. I truly hope that you listened through each song, as each earned a spot on this list for a reason.

Thanks to Entertonement for making this list possible!

'Scrubs' To Change Drastically

Although Scrubs, the popular hospital-based comedy, has recently aired it's "series finale", it has been confirmed that the show is actually coming back for another season. However, with some of the main cast leaving, the show will be never be the same.

The new show will take place at a med school, as opposed to an actual hospital. However, two familiar faces will be teaching as this school: Dr. Chris Turk (played by Donald Faison) and Dr. Percival Cox (John C. McGinley), who have signed on for full-time roles. The rest of the main cast has agreed to make quick appearances, though these will likely be for around one episode for the season.

The new cast will be comprised of med students, though we have no information on who will be playing them. According to ABC, "One of them will be fairly famous". This has lead to much speculation, but we will just have to wait to get more information on the cast.

Image credit: Burrowowl (here).

Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender - Into The Inferno (Wii)

Being a big fan of the Avatar series, I was very excited about getting a chance to play Into The Inferno, which follows the third season of the TV show. And, while my excitement continued during the beginning of the game, by the end, I was severely disappointed.


The controls, although slightly "gimmicky", work for the most part. Each character has very similar attacks, however; no matter what element they bend, each character has the same moveset. This is very infuriating, as there is very little variety. The only difference between the characters is when they use their bending out of a battle; but, because Aang can bend all the elements, he is always the best choice.

Another problem I have with the game is the story arc. The basic timeline remains somewhat the same as the show, but there are some major differences made: Sokka does not go along with Aang and Toph when they try to find the Firelord, we never see the end of the invasion, Aang and Zuko never go to the Sun Warrior civilazation (instead going to the "Chamber of the Elements", made specifically for the game), Azula is not seen losing her sanity until the last few seconds, and the fight with Ozai (and with Azula) is changed drastically.

I did enjoy some parts of the game, mostly the combat, but by the end, I was not pleased with the whole package. The game is quite short, and will probably not please those who aren't big fans of the series. As much as I love the series, I have to give the game the less-than-amazing score of 4/10.

Image credit: PALGN (here)

Preview: Warfare 1944

Does the title of the game sound familiar? It should if you've ever played Warfare 1917, a highly popular World War I strategy game created by the Con Artist, a developer at Armor Games. About a month ago, the Con Artist revealed his latest project: Warfare 1944, a spirtual successor of Warfare 1917. With a planned release between now and June, fans are getting very excited for this new game.

There is a multitude of new features, including new "upgrade trees", missions with objectives and defensive missions, a great deal of voice acting, urban warfare, and much more. In addition to all these new features, there also appears to be interface, one that may make gameplay smoother and easier.

If you really take a look at some of the screens, you can see a few different types of units: Riflemen, Assault Team, Machine Gunners, and Snipers are all returning from the previous game. However, there is the addition of a new unit that wields Bazookas. There are three other spots for units: in the previous game, two would be filled by a General and a Tank unit; this leaves one brand new unit.

Also in the screens is the addition of "Resource Points", that seem to directly interact with units. The Assault team can throw grenades for 50 RP, along with two other actions that seem to be "Move out" and "Fire guns".

Instead of trenches, your troops will be forced to take cover behind whatever is on the field. This may change gameplay to a degree, but it appears the game will still have the same basic controls. I hope that this flash game sequel (of which there have been quite a few recently) will succeed just as well as the original game.

More screens can be found at Con Artist Games.

Image credit: Con Artist Games (here).

Flash Game Review: Phage Wars 2

It appears that I reviewed Phage Wars (here) a little too late, as I discovered today that Phage Wars 2 has just been released! While I was excited, I was also very nervous to play the game, as Hedgehog Launch 2 had just been released, and I wasn't too pleased (read the review here). However, it's safe to say the Phage Wars 2 is nothing but an improvement.

If you are a fan of the original, than the opening screen might seem a little daunting. The menu is different for one important reason: the game has RPG-like qualities, in that, has you progress through the game, you collect new proteins that you can use to upgrade your virus. As opposed to selecting different viruses from the beginning, you always start with the same virus, and it changes as you decide which proteins to use throughout the game.

For example, the "theF" protein, named after "thief", give +2 Speed, -3 Strength, +2 Agility, and -1 Defense. While that particular protein is very large, there are smaller proteins you can collect in the earlier parts of the game. To be successful, you must use your own combination of proteins, and focus on one of the five skills (Speed, Defense, Agility, Strength, and Reproduction) that best fits your strategy.

There is a total of eight different areas in which to use your virus in battle, each with four "levels". The first two, Culture (light) and Culture (dark) are very similar, only, Culture (dark) has less light (not very noticeable) and each level has a different. These two sections have levels that are identical to the later levels of the original game, but you will see new levels as you progress.

The next two areas are Photophillic and Photophobic; again, Photophobic is the same concept with less light, but each level in each of the areas is unique. These levels are different because they contain cancerous cells. If your virus infects a cancerous cell, then it will have twice the reproduction rate (in that cell only, of course).

Once the previous areas are completed, you move onto Cyanobacteria and Plantae. The added element in each of these is bacteria cells - once these are "conquered" by your virus, it will have twice the strength in that particular cell. This is helpful is you use my personal strategy (see Tips, below), as you will quickly have a very powerful weapon on your hands.

Metazoa (dead) is next, and, once complete, Metazoa (live) is the final step. These two change everything - red blood cells predominate, and each of them grants double speed to your virus. This makes the action fast-paced, and if you're too slow, you'll lose. These sections also contain white blood cells, which grant double defensive powers to your virus. These are great to use if you might be losing, as they act as a sort of "safe haven" for your virus.

While the gameplay remains very much the same (with some new additions), I do appreciate all the other "bonuses" in the game. After each "experiment" (level) is complete, you will recieve a chart showing the success of each virus in the experiment, as well as a comparison of the abilities of each virus involved. You can also see a "heat map", showing where most of the virus was during the level - however, this is quite pointless.

Despite the fact that Phage Wars 2 has just been released, I'm already pondering a third installment. Once you finish the game, you receive an "e-mail" for your success. The e-mail invites you to the "Bonel Prizes" for your success, and includes a nomination. In the e-mail, it says: "There [the Bonel Prizes], you will be up against many individuals, much like yourself, for the honorable Bonel Award." This is a definite hint for a sequel, in which your virus could go up against some of the toughest viruses in the world.

It turns out, my excitement was definitely not in vain. This game is even better than the original. The RPG qualities make it more in-depth than the original, and the changing of levels makes it more intriguing. I truly do hope for a sequel, as this series is one of the best I've ever played. 9/10

Tips:

- Strength is one of the least valuable skills - in the later levels, you are able to take control of bacteria cells that greatly improve your cells. Unless it works with your particular strategy, avoid using proteins that boost strength.

- Agility and Reproduction are two of the best skills in the game. Reproduction especially, as you can use it in combination with the red blood cells in the later levels to build an army with great speed.

- If a level has only a few "special" cells (cancerous, bacteria, red/white blood), use your virus to conquer it as fast as possible; these can provide an upperhand that can mean the difference between losing and winning.

Play Phage Wars 2 here!

Image credit: Armor Games (here). Onlinegamesector (here). (Image from original game).

Activision Wary Of Playstation's Future

Activision, undoubtedly the biggest independent publisher in the world of video games, may no longer be showing support for the Playstation 3, and perhaps even the PSP. In an interview, Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision, said "They have the cut the price, because if they don't, the attach rates are likely to slow. If we are being realistic, we may have to stop supporting Sony."


Since the Playstation 3 launched, thus beginning the console wars for the seventh generation, it has fallen far behind both the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. But despite this, it seemed like it was always a true competitor. Are we going to have to accept that it may "fail", just as the Sega Dreamcast did before it? While Sony has a loyal fanbase, without Activision supporting it, it seems that they have no shot.

Kotick went on to explain when the might stop supporting Sony. "When we look at 2010 and 2011, we might want to consider if we support the console - and the PSP, too." Kotick went on to explain that a "physical interface", such as the Wii, could be good for Sony. But is Activision gaining too much power? Console developers have long since been the most powerful figureheads in the gaming business. Will Activision become just as powerful, bending console developers to fit their needs?

Image credit: That Videogame Blog (here). Quote credit: TimesOnlines (here).

New 'Tingle' Game?

Nintendo has been teasing fans with the possiblity of a new game based on Tingle. In case you didn't know, Tingle is a strange, elf-like creature from the Zelda series, mainly for comic relief. However, he has become quite popular with fans, and has even had the game Tingle's Balloon Fight DS released exclusively in Japan.

As of late, a teaser site (seen here) has opened, opening the possibility of a new game. While we don't know if this game would be exclusive to Japan, as the previous one was, or released to the world, we can still begin speculation has to what this game is. Chances are, it will be a DS game - though, with all this hype, it is doubtful it would be a DSiWare game.

In the past, Tingle has been quite a controversial character, so it seems strange of Nintendo to bring him back. Of course, Japan is usually quite more accepting of things like these, thus lending more support to the theory that the game will be released exclusively in Japan.

Image credit: wikipedia

New 'Mission: Impossible' Confirmed

The rumor mill was finally right - after rumors were flying regarding another Mission: Impossible movie, it has been confirmed that a forth movie is underway, and is set for release in 2011. Variety has reported that Tom Cruise and J.J. Abrams will be co-producing this sequel.

However, it is currently unknown if Abrams will be directing this latest installment, as he will be directing a sequel to Star Trek. Just like Batman 3 and Transformers, a new director is going to have to be cast soon.

Image credit: Variety (here).

Upcoming: 'Top 10 Video Game Songs'

Although I have already compiled a list of the top ten video game songs (here), I have decided to come up with a new list. Because I exclusively used Project Playlist, I did not have access to a large amount of video game songs. However, that has changed - with Entertonement, which I previously reviewed, I can now compile the true list.

While I may be able to compile this list by tonight or tomorrow, I do hope to put a lot of thought into it, as opposed to just "throwing it together" very quickly. Stay tuned, and in the meantime, check out Entertonement's wide array of video game music.

Thoughts And Opinions: Indiana Jones V

Just a few days ago, Shia LaBeouf announced that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg had reached an agreement on the plot of the next Indiana Jones movie. Because LaBeouf announced this, it appears that he may already be casted for the next movie, along with, presumably, Harrison Ford.

Unfortunately, fans might be so pleased at this announcement. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of The Crystal Skull, the latest installment in the franchise, was considered a "bust" by many. Personally, while I did enjoy the movie while watching it, I agree with those who claim the alien plot was outlandish and unfitting.

But does this mean that we shouldn't give Indy another chance? The first three movies are already considered timeless classics. This proves that Ford is capable of carrying a blockbuster movie, as we already know. Personally, I do believe that we need to give Indy another chance.

Ford is aging, and eventually will not be able to make an action movie so easily. That's why I like to look at this upcoming Indiana Jones V as a sort of "goodbye" to Harrison Ford, allowing him to retire from his position as Indiana Jones.

And with the possibility of Ford retiring from the series, where does

that leave fans? The Crystal Skull left the obvious possibility of LaBeouf taking over as Indy. And he even did an amazing job in the movie, not to mention all of his previous undertakings that made him so famous (Eagle Eye, Disturbia, Transformers). I would be glad if LaBeouf took over as Indy, though fans might react differently. Watch out for more information on the next installment in the franchise.

Image credit: TIME (here), Collider.com (here).

Japan Gets Red DSi, Black Wii

Despite already receiving colors of the DSi that have not yet reached America, Japan is getting a new red DSi, due August 1. Unfortunately, there is no planned release date in America. Take a look at the DSi below.

In addition to the red DSi, Japan will also be receiving a black Wii

console - the first colored version of the Wii to be released in the world. The black Wii (coupled with black Wii accessories, such as a Wii Remote and Nunchuk) will also be released August 1. Although this has also not yet been set for an American release, it seems that Nintendo would want to release this to the world, as many fans have beenc clamoring for colored Wiis.

Image credit: examiner.com (here).

Bay As "Had Enough" Of 'Transformers'

In a big shock to fans, Michael Bay is leaving the Transformers series. "After the three-and-a-half years I've spent making these movies, I feel like I've had enough of the Transformers world," he stated. He went on to explain, "I need to do something totally divergent, something without any explosions."

Seeing that explosions are a common element in Bay's film, this is an enormous surprise. But does this mark the end of the Transformers series? Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox are already signed on for a third movie, due sometime in 2012, but how will the series differ from the original two movies?

A new director is sure to be attached to the "threequel" soon, but what director would want the job? Transformers is a very recognizable series, and fans will be quite upset if Bay's successor cannot live up to his image. And, according to Bay, this won't be easy: "It's easy to go shoot an art movie in a winery in the South of France. But people have no idea how hard it is to create something like Transformers. They [critics] review me before they've even seen the movie." We'll just have to wait and see what happens to the series.

Image credit: MTV (here). Quote Credit: IGN (here).

Flash Game Review: Hedgehog Launch 2

Being a big fan of Hedgehog Launch, I was very excited when I saw that Hedgehog Launch 2 available for play. In the excitement, I didn't realize something: it's nearly impossible to improve Hedgehog Launch. While the game isn't "amazing", any changes to it would likely be for the worse. I immediately realized this once I began to play the sequel.

The story, involving a mission to the Moon (underground, through Nebraska), is light-hearted and fun, just like the original. The gameplay is incredibly similar - there is no discernible difference. But the background is much different; instead of the "cartoon-y" drawings of the original, the game features photographed backgrounds. This seems quite strange, and simply "out of place".

After experiencing the game, I can safely say that this game is a step down from the original Hedgehog Launch. I'm glad that they gave it another whirl, but if you are an avid fan of the original, you might want to avoid this game. 4.5/10

Play Hedgehog Launch 2 here!

Image credit: arcade.gamedesire.com (*Image from original game)

Preview: Toy Story 3

The original Toy Story amazed audiences - it was the first movie to use CGI exclusively. And, amazingly, the sequel, Toy Story 2, did just as well. So, it seemed natural that Pixar would begin developing right away. However, that's not what happened...


Pixar remained silent on the potential "threequel" for years, until some information was released that a sequel was underway. The plot, accompanied by the following image, was that the "Buzz Lightyear" toys were to be recalled. As interesting as this plot is, it will not be the plot to the next installment in the series.


Recently, a teaser trailer was released for the movie. As exciting as this is, this "trailer" reveals no information on the actual movie - instead, it simply gives us reassurance that the movie is under production, and that the great voice acting we know and love will be returning. But that doesn't mean we don't know anything. A small bit of information has been released regarding the plot, separate from the teaser trailer. Apparently, Andy (the main human character), will be moving away to college, and Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of the toys will be donated to charity. Stay tuned for more information!

Watch the trailer here!

Image credits: Slashfilm (here), Movie-Posters.ws (here).

Website: Entertonement

Websites such as last.fm, Pandora, and Project Playlist are great for listening to music. Unfortunately, none of them really hold up when it comes to a certain sub-set of music that is very popular: video game music. Series such as Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, Halo, and
others all have amazing and memorable soundtracks, that are sadly lacking from most websites.


That's where Entertonement comes in. Similar to Youtube, Entertonement allows its members (you can sign up for free) to upload sound bites of widely varying lengths. Although you can listen to quick sound bites, such as jokes from a TV show, many sound bites can have a length of multiple minutes. Because of this, the website has become popular for sharing video game music.

Here is just a few of the "albums" that gamers might find interesting:

- Final Fantasy VII

- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

- Mario

'Batman 3' Updates

According to some recent rumors, director Christopher Nolan may not be attached to the next installment in the Batman trilogy. Batman-On-Film, the leading source on the latest Batman films, has reported that, despite his already working on a script, Nolan may not return for the end of the trilogy.

Christopher Nolan was apparently hit "hard" by Heath Ledger's death - this is understandable, as the two had been working together on the film for many months (Ledger passed away near the end of the production of the film). But is this enough to keep Nolan from returning to direct the next film?

Right now, no one knows if Nolan will return, though the signs say he will. However, Warner Bros. is preparing, just in case he doesn't come back. Warner Bros. listed Zack Snyder, the director of films Watchmen and 300 as a possible candidate to replace Nolan.

Personally, I could see this happening. While his style is certainly different the epic feel of 300 could easily be transferred to the Batman series, even if it would mean the loss of some of it's "darkness". However, most fans would be very upset at the change of directors - this would mean major changes, and cast members might be wary to return if the director has changed.

Image credit: pickmore.com (here).

Flash Game Review: Phage Wars

When it comes to flash games, the "Strategy" genre is one of the most popular. With games such as Gemcraft, Bloons Tower Defense, and Warfare 1917, the Internet really knows how to make an amazing strategy game. But sometimes, it's best to get back to the basics. And that's what has been done in Phage Wars.

The premise is quite ingenious, despite its simplicity. You take control of a virus, the color of which is your choice (each color has different abilities; for example, black is heavy on strength while weak on speed and agility, and yellow is the most evenly balanced), and attempt to wipe out all other viruses on screen. This is done by clicking and dragging on any cell that you currently control, then sending out approximately half of your virus (indicated by a number; you usually start with about 100 on a single cell) onto another.

The key to winning the game is to take control of the biggest cells first - the larger the cell, the faster your virus grows on it. But each cell, before it is under the control of a player or the CPU, has a number. For example, if a large cell has the number 7 on it, you could send 40 of your virus to it, and you would end up sacrificing 7 of your virus to control it (leaving you with a cell containing 33 of your virus).


While I do love the execution of this simple concept, there are a few production problems with the game. When you select a multitude of your cells to send out the virus to "conquer" one of the CPU's cells, the game slows down extensively. This is a major problem, because I personally use this "swarm" tactic many times while playing the game (see Tips, below).

However, despite that major problem, I am very pleased at the highly noticeable difference between your virus types. Unlike some other games, your choice of virus actually makes a major difference in your gameplay. And for that, I give the game an 8/10.

Tips:

- When playing as the white (fastest and weakest) virus, or any other of the "weaker" viruses, use my personal "swarm" tactic. Take control of as many cells as possible, even if each one has a weak amount of your virus. Eventually, your virus will quickly grow into a powerful force, and you can select multiple cells to "swarm" onto each of your opponent's cells.

- For the stronger and slower cells (such as black and purple), "waiting it out" may be very risky, especially if your opponent begins to take control of the cells around you. Take over your opponent's cells early - this is made more effective by sending your virus to a cell that has just sent some of its own virus somewhere else.

- You may find a good place in the middle of those two strategies when using a well-rounded cell, such as green and yellow. Use a mixture of the "swarm" tactic and a direct-hit tactic to win with the "medium" cells.

Play Phage Wars here!

Image credits: bigfuntown.com (here), playtowerdefensegames.com (here).

'Super Mario Galaxy 2' To Be "Bright And Fun"

According to Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy 2 won't be heavy on story-telling, and will simply be a fun and vibrant game.

Miyamoto claimed he would like "as little story as possible" in the recently announced sequel to Super Mario Galaxy.

Personally, I think this is a wise decision - since the origianl Super Mario Bros., the Mario series has never had a big focus on story-telling, unlike the Zelda series. Miyamoto's decision may help the game have a better focus on gameplay and graphics.

In other Wii news, Miyamoto has stated that the next Wii Zelda game will have Wii MotionPlus as a requirement - while this may not seem like a large shock, fans are unhappy at having to spend even more money to enjoy the next installment in the Zelda series.

Quotes credit to IGN. Image credit to MyWii.com.au.

Review: Land Of The Lost

I've never been a big fan of Will Ferrell - for some reason, his particular brand of comedy just never interested me. But that didn't stop me from going to see the recently released comedy Land Of the Lost, and, while it's certainly no milestone in the history of movies, it is "pretty decent".

A parody of the 1974 television series of the same name, Land Of The Lost takes many elements of the show and puts a humurous spin on them, much like the 2004 movie Starsky & Hutch. The most notable difference is the characters - in the TV series, the three characters who travel to "The Land Of The Lost" were a father and his two children. In the movie, the main character is simply an eccentric scientist who everyone mocks, the "daughter" is the one scientist who believes him (and his love interest), and the "son" is Will Stanton, a tour guide operator who is a reluctant part of the trip.

Will Ferrell takes on the hilarious role of Dr. Rick Marshall, a very arrogant scientist with a supposedly insane theory of traveling "sideways in time", to a place where past, present, and future combine. He is endlessly mocked for his theories, except by fellow scientist Holly Cantrell, who helps him eventually reach "The Land of The Lost".

The movies tries very hard to be funny, and, for the most part, it succeeds. At points in the movie, its humor doesn't go near as far as it should - but that doesn't mean this movie isn't very funny. I give Land Of The Lost a 6.5/10 because I think it's an enjoyable movie, but could have been done better.

First 'Whiplash' Image Released

The first image of Whiplash from the upcoming Iron Man 2 has been released, and the reaction has been less than positive.

Fans are unhappy with the "strange" appearance of Rourke, and his look has even been compared to 'He-Man'.

While we may not know if this is the final product yet, many are alreasy questioning the quality of the sequel to Iron Man. We will just have to wait until more images are released to see how Mickey Rourke will actually look as Whiplash.

In other movie news, rumors are stating that Afghanistan may be Bond's next location in Bond 23. Specifically, the rumors state that Bond will appear in Helmand, an area in southern Afghanistan where drug-trafficking is very high.

Episode In Review: "Book Of Judges" (Mental)

Wow.

Any doubts I previously held about Mental's ability to please audiences have been washed away. This episode was amazing, and I truly hope that this represents what the rest of the season will be like.

The episode started off well, with Dr. Jack Gallagher "assaulting" the head-honcho of a medication company, claiming that he doesn't care about the patients, only money. Apart from this, some great character development was seen in Arturo and Carl, with the latter asking the former to "spy" on Jack - beginning with the information on Jack's missing sister.

The strangest part of the episode was the patient - played by the late David Carradine, Gideon Graham is a catatonic patient, who had previously been stricken by lightning. He has been rendered mostly unable to move, and seemingly cannot connect with the real world.

That's where Dr. Gallagher comes in. Cutting off all of the man's emotional attachments to his late wife, whom he feels he "killed", the man is forced into slowly coming into the real world. Jack's use of the man's self-guilt eventually drives him back into reality.

The characterization that occurs in this episode makes it a huge improvement over the previous one - Jack himself even sees some character development as he begins a "relationship" with Gideon's daughter. Easily, this episode deserves a 9/10.

"Futurama" Returns!

Comedy Central has made dreams come true by confirming that Futurama, the animated series canceled years ago that has seen a resurrection through direct-to-DVD movies, is coming back on TV.

The new episodes are expected to air mid-2010, and may air on Fox before Comedy Central.

Similar to the "uncancelation" of Family Guy, Futurama's come back has been brought on by impressive DVD sales, as well as fans constantly clamoring for more of the series. Check back for more details as 2010 approaches.

Casting Rumors Surround "The A-Team"

One of the most popular and memorable TV series of the 1980s, The A-Team is going to see a long-anticipated jump to the big screen next year.

Currently, Bradley Cooper (whose recent roles include He's Not That Into You, The Hangover) is the only actor attached to the movie. He is set to play Lt. Templeton "Faceman" Peck.

But despite only one known cast member, rumors have started to rise regarding who will play the rest of The A-Team. Col. Hannibal Smith is rumored to be played by Bruce Willis, Sgt. Bosco "B.A." Baracus is rumored to be played by Common (of the recent Terminator Salvation), and Woody Harrelson is rumored to play Capt. H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock.

The original TV series centered around the four characters listed above, who had been imprisoned for a crime they didn't commit (robbing a bank, which they had done, but under specific orders). They broke out of prison and began working as "heroes for hire". While the original members were veterans of the Vietnam War, it seems that this new movie will translate their story to the war in Iraq.

The A-Team is set for release June 11 of next year.

Sony Getting More Confident?

According to IGN, Andrew House, President of SCEE (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe) is claiming that many Wii owners will eventually upgrade to the PS3.

He claims that Sony has "lots of data" from the days where many bought the N64 and later upgraded to the PlayStation2. However, he failed to note that the Gamecube, Nintendo's console after the N64, was already receiving negative attention.

House also fails to note one of the most important rules of statistics - "correlation does not imply causation". Sony's console is still selling quite poorly in Japan, and unlike Nintendo, they don't have many "secret weapons" to boost the sales.

Updates On "Spider-Man 4"

Spider-Man 4, announced months ago, has had rumors flying around it for quite awhile now. And while we don't have many new details, we have some quelled rumors.

Todd Black, producer of the next iteration of the Spider-Man series, has shot down the rumor that Morbius The Vampire will be a villain, claiming that the villain of the movie will, "be a big part of New York".

Black denied the rumor that Peter Parker (Tobey MacGuire) will marry his girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), while also confirming that Dunst will reprise her role as "MJ" Watson.

Image credit goes to spiderman.ugo.com.

Happy Birthday, Tetris!

Today celebrates the 25th anniversary of the release of Tetris, undoubtedly the most popular puzzle game in history, as well as one of the most well-known video games in the world.


Created by Alexey Pajitnov during his years working with the Dorodnicyn Computing Center of the Academy of Science of the USSR, this widely-renowned game has been re-released many times, on a variety of different systems. Currently, Nintendo holds the rights to the game.

Fun Facts:

- The name "Tetris" comes from the Greek prefix "tetra", meaning "four" (as all the pieces contain four blocks), and "tennis", creator Pajitnov's favorite sport.

- Each of the four block pieces is called a "Tetromino".

- The "Tetris Effect" is named after the game; it is a symptom of playing puzzle games that actually causes the person to see the puzzle pieces when not playing.

Post E3: Metroid: Other M

Probably Nintendo's biggest shocker at the event, a new 3D Metroid game can get anyone excited - but will this game be even better than the previous ones?



As seen in the trailer, "Other M" could mean a few different things, though the rumors flying around the internet claim it means "Mother", and that the mysterious female character Samus speaks to in the trailer is her mother.

It appears in the trailer that the player will switch between a third-person and first-person point of view - and that's true. Nintendo has claimed that this transitions will be quick and seamless, and I'm not arguing - if anyone can do it, it's the combined team of Nintendo and Team Ninja.

The game takes place before Metroid Fusion, and promises to be heavy on story-telling and action - a big claim, but one that the Metroid series could definitely accomplish. And with both nintendo and Team Ninja (the developers of the Ninja Gaiden series) backing this game, it seems like it can't possibly fail. Now we'll just have to wait for the Metroid Prime Trilogy to whet our appetites.

A Tribute To: David Carradine

Born December 8, 1936, actor David Carradine has had roles in over 100 movies throughout his life, though his rise to fame did not truly come until starring in the 1970s TV series, Kung Fu. He would once again be noted for his role in the Kill Bill films.


Just yesterday (June 4), Carradine was found dead in his Bangkok hotel, and appeared to have strangled himself. However, a forensics team has concluded that it was an accidentally death, involving auto-erotic asphyxiation (wikipedia article). He was in Bangkok to film in the movie Stretch.

Post E3: Project Natal

Reporters around the world have been raving over Microsoft's new "Project Natal", claiming that it's motion sensing really works. But, could something like this "destroy" the Wii?


Although some may disagree, I don't think so. The Wii already has a large fan base, and Nintendo's hardcore followers won't be swayed by something that could be considered "more casual than the Wii". And even if the camera works very well, that doesn't mean that it will be successful: for the hardware to sell, it needs something backing it - software.

Developers were very wary when starting to develop games for the Wii - they were originally gimmicky, and poorly-received, but once they learned what not to do, Nintendo started to gain a third-party developer base that is had needed for years. Will the same happen with Natal? I can't tell for sure, but once games have begun to be made for it, we will see if it will hit such success as to expand the Xbox 360's life span to 2015, as they have claimed.

Post E3: Lack Of Zelda

Despite some major announcements at Nintendo's E3 Conference, there was a surprising lack of Zelda information. The already announced Spirit Tracks was only briefly mentioned, and we only have a small bit of information regarding a sequel to Twilight Princess - a picture of a grown-up Link (apparently, without his sword) that has not yet been released to the public.

However, some potential good news for the series came out of the Conference. When showing Wii Sports Resort, the first game that will use the new Wii MotionPlus, it was mentioned that we should pay attention to the sword-fighting and archery, as they could be put to use in later games. Although Wii MotionPlus does not allow the use of the Nunchuck controller yet, this shows that they are at least willing to attempt to implement it in future games.

Post E3: Super Mario Galaxy 2

Nintendo has never released two major Mario platformers one a single system before, so this sequel to smash-hit Super Mario Galaxy came as a big shock to fans. Although it is still set in space, it will be much different from the original, with supposedly, "90% new content".



Undoubtedly the biggest Mario announcement (New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, and Mario VS. Donkey Kong: The Minis March Again were all announced at the same conference), this game has the potential to rock Wii owners' worlds. Every 3D Mario platformer to date has been a smash-hit, and a second for the Wii, in retrospect, seems like an obvious decision.

I'm so glad that they have retained some of the features introduced in Super Mario Galaxy, like the Bee Suit, while still adding new content, such as the ability to ride Yoshi. Although the game has a 2010 release, so we won't get more information for the time being, we can expect that it will be even better than the original.

Episode In Review: A Beautiful Delusion (Mental)

electric overdrive will no longer post updates on E3, except certain announcements on twitter. However, it will post on all the major announcements of E3 once it has concluded, in a new "Post-E3" series.

I was highly expectant of this episode of Mental, simply because I was amazed at the pilot episode. However, while I cannot say it was not enjoyable, it didn't hit the same level of excitement as the previous episode.


The case, regarding a man who believes that his wife is pregnant (when she is actually not, as revealed by a ultrasound) and has even made his wife believe it, was incredibly interesting. This was clearly the highlight of the episode.

Unfortunately, while Dr. Jack Gallagher has been characterized a great deal already, the rest of the cast still seems unfamiliar. The attempts at developing their characters seem awfully forced and choppy, as if it was just thrown in at the end of the creation of the episode.

I do believe this show has potential, but we'll just have to wait and see if it can live up to it. 7/10

E3 Recap - Day 1

Nintendo: Wow! Nintendo's Conference was a big one, with many big titles announced that will carry us into 2010. Strangely enough, the one "big" title that many had expected information on, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, was hardly mentioned - fortunately, they made up this is small error with many game announcements.

New Super Mario Bros. (Wii): Rumors were already flying about this, possibly because of a leak on Nintendo's part, but that won't be stopping the hype for this game. Focusing on a multi-player aspect, the game allows players to play as Mario, Luigi, and two different Toads (one blue, one yellow). The game also includes a new "Propellor Hat" - a hat that allows temporary flight for the user. Simply shake the Wii Remote to begin flight.


Metroid: Other M: This is, for all intents and purposes, the "big one". Being developed by Ninja Team (the makers of the Ninja Gaiden series), this promises to be a darker, more mature Metroid game. The images promise that this game will have intense action, just like the previous games in the series. No word on what that title means, though...


Super Mario Galaxy 2: The first time there has been two major Mario platformers on one console, this sequel to Super Mario Galaxy includes some epic boss battles, as well as the ability to ride Yoshi. Little information has been released so far.


Golden Sun DS: Finally! For so long, fans have waited for the sequel to the last Golden Sun game, and it's finally here! We've seen a trailer and multiple images, and we can now expect some serious 3D action! Prepare for what will definitely be one of the greatest role-playing games of this generation.


Reports on other conferences will be posted later today, or possibly tomorrow.