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Memory Express Custom Gaming PC Review

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 06/25/2012 - 21:43
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Overall Feeling: 

Memory Express’ second generation custom gaming PC is insanely powerful. So much so, it’s near impossible for us to properly test this thing. Like a super-car that was somehow made street legal you may never get to see its full potential, but it’s got ridiculous bragging rights. If you have the money to spend, you’ll be able to watch people drool over your PC as they leer insides through the case’s side window. 

The Pros: 

+The twin GTX680s mean never having to worry about lacking the graphical juice for a video game until sometime next year.

+Slim black case offers a sleek and sexy design that doesn’t sacrifice function for form, and actually offers more accessibility than the original build.

+Everything here is top of the line. With a PC of this caliber you get to reverse the industry. Games will be made to try and keep up with your system, rather than you worrying about if your system meets the specs for a game.

The Cons: 

-There’s no real good way to carry it, so if you’re a LAN enthusiast, look at investing something to carry it with.

-The cost is right up there, you’re getting the best, but you need to expect to pay for that as well.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Anyone familiar with the world of PC Gaming, or just PCs in general knows that technology moves quickly. Keeping up with technology is a full-time gig for the dedicated technophile. In the past I’ve equated PC gaming to car building and collecting. Hopefully our readers won’t begrudge me a few more extended automotive metaphors because our PC Hardware sponsor, Memory Express, has basically just dropped a Rolls-Royce in our lap after six months of running with a Lambo.

Battleship: The Game [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 05/22/2012 - 13:21
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Overall Feeling: 

Even with the seemingly dumb premise that’s told in the film there was still the chance that Battleship: The Game could be something fun for gamers to experience. Aside from constantly snickering and finding myself in awe from all the wrong reasons, my journey with Battleship: The Game was simply repetitive, boring, and simply made me question the motives of big companies and what they deem suitable for the video game market.  The game doesn’t have any major good merits as it’s simply akin to cardboard box, it’s exists and can be messed around with but there’s not much there to begin with.

The Pros: 

+ Trophies/Achievements are easy to acquire.

+ Seeing the battles at sea while I was on the ground was a nice element.

The Cons: 

- Game is simply as ugly as a barnacle.

- FPS combat is weak and the battles at sea lack any skill aside from button mashing.

- No multiplayer, bonus modes, or co-op makes the game a one and done experience.

- Story is told in such a careless way, even by the standards of dumb Hollywood action movies

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
3

Not since Street Fighter: The Movie – The Game has something so ridiculous potentially caused the fabric of space and time itself to rip as people ponder about something as endlessly as what the number 42 means.  The perplexing question at hand now is why we have a video game adaptation of Battleship: The Movie – which as you may know is a major film adaptation of a classic board game one would never expect to receive a $200 million budget.

SSX - Mount Eddie DLC [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 13:14
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Overall Feeling: 

As a somewhat minimal add-on to the core SSX experience the Mount Eddie DLC succeeds in giving some exciting content to gamers as well as providing a much desired return to the classic SSX formula.  Mount Eddie may not be bursting at the seams with content as it only has a couple of events, but at the end of the day it’s still an amazing addition to SSX since it captures the same fun energy that the series had back in the PS2 era.

The Pros: 

+ The price point is perfect for what’s offered.

+ Combining the tone of the new SSX with the classic era doesn’t feel too odd as both are evenly represented.

+ Mount Eddie itself has a balanced design which results in some amazing trick opportunities.

The Cons: 

- Not having a Deadly Descent does feel a bit odd and like a missed opportunity.

- Half pipes are slightly under-utilized which is a shame.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Taking an already fun game and making it more fun is sometimes a tough thing to do, especially when it comes in the form of DLC.  We’ve seen dozens of games go the DLC route this generation with add-on content that in some cases has been terrible in what it provided to the player. There’s honestly nothing worse than paying an additional $5 or $10 for some add-on content after you spend $60 on a game only to think about how you would’ve been better off buying a sub from Subway with that money.

MLB 12: The Show [PS3 Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 07:48
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Overall Feeling: 

The Show is one of those rare sports games in which every aspect is conveyed perfectly and isn’t saddled with an element that’s less than pleasing.  Featuring minor yet impactful enhancements in how the game controls, The Show is one of the best baseball games ever created in addition to being a sim game that’s approachable and never once intimidating.  

The Pros: 

+ Controls feel perfect and aren’t difficult to handle.

+ The detail in the players and stadiums is astounding and the game as a whole is a beauty.

+ New Pulse Pitching mechanic is a terrific addition to the game.

+ Diamond Dynasty Mode may require a lot of time, but it’s an awesome mode for those wanting to create an original team and put together a dream team.

The Cons: 

- Presentation is flat in a few areas as it doesn’t have a ton of pop or character to it.

- Having licensed songs during menu navigation needs to go away forever.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Sometimes doing something that’s simple in its nature is an incredibly difficult task to pull off in a video game.  Most of the time we’re graced with games that are overly complex or have many layers to them, but doing a simple 3rd person action game that feels right or even a racing game is something that isn’t as easy as one would think.  What’s even more difficult is developing a sports game for a simple sport such as that of baseball.

Cyborg MMO7 Pro Gaming Mouse [Review]

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:20
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Overall Feeling: 

The MMO7 comes from a long-ling of professional gaming mice (the R.A.T. series) and feels every bit as good as its predacessors. The only problem with the mouse, for the general gaming public, is the ridiculous amount of buttons and commands on the thing. 30 is the most I've ever heard anyone 'need' and this is more than double that.

The Pros: 

+Fully customizable, allowing gamers to get exactly the feel they want.

+Included software and accessories mean getting a ton of options out of the box.

+Downloadable (or custom) software means getting to maximize your mouse's potential without a whole lot of heavy-lifting. 

+The new 'lock' feature is something I wouldn't have thought I needed, but now have a hard time living without.

The Cons: 

-78 programmable commands seems a little overkill.

-The locations for the mouse's 13 buttons are a little odd, and take, at minimum, some getting used to. 

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

I have always been someone that has been pretty picky about my computer accessories. Mice need to have the right shape, appropriate clicking sound, smooth action and correct weight to them. So, traditionally it’s been a bit of a challenge to get a mouse that has everything… There have been options along the way that hit two or three of the sweet-spots and were deemed “good enough,” that’s why the concept of the Cyborg R.A.T.

Tritton Switchblade for PS3 [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 09:59
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

The Tritton Switchblade for the PlayStation 3 is a durable and extremely reliable option for gamers out there looking for something solid to use while playing online.  With a sleek design and small footprint, the Switchblade doesn’t feel like you’re talking to someone through a string can as the quality on both the audio and mic side of things is handled well.  Outside of having to come to grips with making the Switchblade comfortable, the ear clip can’t be adjusted and isn’t too flexible, the device is certainly worth investing the money in for those looking for a completely wireless and affordable audio solution.

The Pros: 

+ The design is simple yet incredibly effective.

+ Not everything may sound like it’s coming from a perfect source, but the audio quality in general is good and is almost comparable to high-end headsets.

+ Charge time is rather short and a full charge doesn’t drain too quickly.

+ Having a docking station is nice and makes charging the device a breeze.

The Cons: 

- Ear clip would’ve benefitted from some padding or alternate clip sizes.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
9

Advances in technology can be great and this generation we’ve become more acclimated with certain things which have become a part of our lives in one way or another.  In video games we’re used to playing online multiplayer modes, perhaps more often than standard single-player experiences since having some competition against another person is more engaging and there’s always the added bonus of trash talking being thrown in as well.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword [Review]

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/22/2011 - 14:43
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Overall Feeling: 

Skyward Sword is the best sum of all of the Zelda parts to-date: It takes advantage of the hardware in unique and interesting ways without feeling tacked on, it features a host of gadgets new and old that all feel awesome to wield, it's story is a grand epic that manages to tie-in with the franchise more directly than most, and the mount (bird) in the game is the best way to get around since Epona. The game features numerous nods and allusions to previous outings in the franchise, and by the end of the game you've had a full-on Zelda experience that brings forwards memories of all your favorites from the franchises long history, while providing an altogether new experience. 

The Pros: 

+The Wiimote Plus controller is taken full advantage of, allowing unparalleled percision with the controller. 

+The game is one of the biggest ever, taking a minimum of 30 hours just to clear the main-story.

+Traversing the world with the game's primary transportation system, a giant bird, feels like it rewards a bit of skill beyond "pointing in the direction you want to go."

+The library of 'gadgets' that Link has this time out is potentially the greatest to date. 

+The story connects directly with over-all Zelda series, specifically Ocarina of Time, and it a rarity for the franchise that gives all kinds of nerd-happiness. 

+The game adheres to the Zelda formula, but provides the best presentation of each to date. 

The Cons: 

-The ability to swing a sword in ANY direction still isn't quite there, and instead the game relies on an eight-way axis for the swinging mechanic of the sword's slashes. 

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
10

While playing through the most recent incarnation of the Zelda franchise, Skyward Sword, I've stumbled upon somewhat of a personal revolution. Zelda, to me, is to video gaming what James Bond is to movies. To be clear, I'm a big fan of the James Bond franchise, and it has several key features that keep me coming back every time there's a new one launched: One-liners, cars, women and gadgets. Zelda works within a similar 'formula' that repeats ad-nauseam, but somehow never gets stale. Where Zelda is concerned though: it's a mount, rather than a vehicle.

Velocity G1 IZ68 Gaming System from Memory Express

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 10/19/2011 - 13:13
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

The bottom line is that the system is definitely worth the price-tag. It will slaughter every game currently on the market with ease, and chew up your daily computer-centric routines. If you have always been interested in having a superior gaming rig, but don't trust yourself to build one, or just want someone else to blame when things inevitably go wrong, then you can't really ask for much more than this. 

The Pros: 

+Optimized performance

+Serious bragging rights

+Ability to smoke any game currently on the market

+Support staff behind it, should anything go wrong

The Cons: 

-Rather pricey build

-Caters to an unusual crowd (enthusiasts that don't DIY)

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Over the last couple of weeks I've had the honour of test-driving Memory Express' first over-clock PC build. It was left in my 'capable' hands to try and break the thing, while also testing out what kind of performance it could deal out as both a home computer (handling my day-to-day tasks like editing podcasts, writing, video editing, and other such boring-talk), as well as a gaming rig. Fans of gaming rigs in general are likely to appreciate everything that went into this, but it was also a phenomenal improvement to my work-life, increasing my workflow about 50 times over...

Space Channel 5: Part 2 [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Tue, 10/11/2011 - 08:53
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Overall Feeling: 

Space Channel 5: Part 2 is a fun and vibrant rhythm game that despite being nearly a decade old has aged extremely well. The buttery beats are still fresh and dishing out moves to destroy evil robots and agents of the Rhythm Rogues is simple yet offers a nice, if slightly steep, challenge.  If you never played Space Channel 5 Part 2 then I recommend having a go with Ulala as the intergalactic journey offered in the game is a classic.

The Pros: 

+ Gameplay is still fun and doesn’t feel too archaic.

+ Visuals look good on a HD platform, even with some noticeable jaggies.

+ Music soothes my soul in how varied and catchy it is.

+ Tone of the game is completely silly but it’s so damn fun.

The Cons: 

- Difficulty spikes may be a bit much for new players.

- Controls feel a bit unresponsive here and there.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
8

Going into a video game and not hacking and slashing everything or engaging in ruthless gun battles may be shocking to some, but I for one welcome the change of pace every now and then.  Gamers are of course used to getting some action through puzzle games or simulation racers, but there aren’t too many games out there that take a completely original approach to something which while bucking a genre trend is still entertaining.  Back in 2002 Sega released Space Channel Five: Part 2, the sequel to the raucous dancing sci-fi romp that hit the Dreamcast in 1999.

Eufloria [Review]

Submitted by Ian Fisher on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 09:33
Posted in
Overall Feeling: 

Eufloria is a game that takes a novel approach towards the RTS genre and partly succeeds and fails in what it attempts to do.  The unique presentation and small hints of a story are something to be appreciated, but the monotonous gameplay is a bit hard to handle despite how easy it may be to creature structures and send units out to battle.  Those who dig indie games that are a bit out there may dig Eufloria but just be prepared for a game that requires a hefty time investment and isn’t as satisfying as it could be.

The Pros: 

+ Art design is terrific.

+ As an RTS the game has really intuitive controls that never bog the game down.

+ There may not be a heavy story, but the world of the game and the small things that are dropped are really intriguing – even if they seem drug induced.

The Cons: 

- Pace of the game is really, really slow.

- Battles can sometimes feel a bit cheap no matter how many units you send.

- Difficulty is ramped up a lot in the later stages which combined with the pace of the game leads to long battles that are a tad boring.

- Lack of any multiplayer modes is disappointing since conceptually it could’ve worked.

ShogunGamer.com Rating : 
6

One thing inherently wonderful about this generation of gaming is that almost anyone can develop a game and see it through to an actual retail release. Obviously not everyone can make a game, but those dedicated to whatever visions they have can see their concept through conception until it’s in the hands of gamers – whether it be through a hard copy or through digital distribution. Now even if someone has a cool idea for a game they still may not be able to see it through simply because of whatever market trends are dictating what’s popular at the moment.

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