Review: Castaway Paradise

Die-hard Animal Crossing fans have been begging Nintendo for a new addition to Nintendo's popular series for years now. Happy Home Designer, Animal Crossing: Amiibo Festival, and the mobile game, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp tried to wet the appetite of fans, but ultimately, still left them wanting more. 

Thankfully, Stolen Couch Games' Castaway Paradise does a pretty good job at filling the gap. But, is it enough? Keep reading to find out!

Visiting Ichibuns, London!

Ever since returning from my Honeymoon in Japan in October last year, I've been missing that amazing food myself and my husband devoured during those two weeks away. We've tried re-creating ramen, noodle bowls, and Japanese curries ourselves at home, and although it was still tasty, it wasn't quite up to authentic cooking standards we had tried before out and about in Japanese restaurants.

A few friends had recommended Ichibuns, a restaurant based in London's bustling Chinatown. Encompassing a mixture of sushi, udon bowls, and burgers as their mains, Ichibuns seemed like an eatery that served the food that our tastebuds crave ever-so-often.

Review: Beholder - Complete Edition

New home, new job, new prospects. All of this should be pretty welcoming and a potentially exciting change for a family, but it's not it's cracked up to be in Beholder. Whisked off on a train ride to a brand new home and a 'promising' new career in a Cold War-esque 1984, we soon realise that Carl is yet another pawn for the Ministry, the games totalitarian government, to use as they see fit.

Injected with a serum that supresses his need to sleep, Carl is set to work as his new apartment block's landlord. Not only is it his duty to maintain the wellbeing of his residents, and condition of their properties, but he's in charge of reporting tenant's personal life and activities. 

After making my way through the tutorial level, it became clear that Beholder isn't a simple building management game. In fact, it's the exact opposite. The Ministry are constantly phoning in brand new missions, and new government directives are decided daily. Time limits are set on various tasks, and it's up to you to decide on how these should be completed. Perhaps you'll turn a blind eye to a residents law breaking (trust me...most of them will be breaking the law, as pretty much everything comes under Ministry scrutiny), or become the whistleblower and send the police to wheel them away. Mess up, and face the death of yourself and your family. Send off reports, type up profiles on each tenant, and blackmail them for a little extra cash. It's really up to you how you decide to play it.

Review: Dark Arcana - The Carnival (PS4)

Roll up, roll up! There's a carnival going on, but nothing is quite what it seems...

Step forward Dark Arcana: The Carnival. A rather charming point-and-click hidden object game that is tied in with puzzles, and a missing person storyline. A beloved genre, the point-and-click games have cemented a place on consoles in recent years, with the help of companies such as Telltale Games leading the helm. Whilst the story-driven games ala Telltale are a pretty decent ride, they're also lacking in the puzzle element made famous in the 90's by such games as Tales from Monkey Island. 

I Tested Out the Arcade PICO Pocket Drone

You probably would have noticed by now that I love to play around with a gadget or two (I've featured plenty on 8-Bit Girl in the past). The latest, courtesy of MobileFun.co.uk was one I was looking forward to trying out. Step forward the PICO Drone, by Arcade. 

Priced at £24.99, this is one of the smallest drones currently available on the market. Drones were one of last Christmas's most-requested pieces of tech, but there's no denying that they're a bit expensive. This option might not have all the bells and whistles available in the larger models, but it promised some flying fun, in miniature form. So how good is this, exactly? I've been playing with this for the past few days, so join me as I share the pro's and con's of this little gadget.

Review: Mad Catz C.T.R.L.i Controller & Joystick Smartphone Controller

I was recently sent two gaming products to review on 8-Bit Girl by the nice guys over at MobileFun.co.uk. Both of these products are designed to work with Smartphones to enhance your gaming experience across a multitude of supported apps. Check them out below:

The Walking Dead Michonne: Episode 1 - 'In Too Deep' Review

Zombies are swarming in left, right and centre. Reality and a nightmarish vision of the past blur into one as Michonne struggles to establish what is real and what is her past memories coming back, once again, to haunt her. She's hit rock bottom, and one of the first choices in the game shows this. Michonne grabs a gun, readies it, and moves it to her head. Do you pull the trigger, or is there something worth fighting for afterall?

This is what Episode 1 of The Walking Dead: Michonne explores. Where does a woman who has lost everything discover her fight again? Right after this explosive five minute opener (complete with some incredibly fluid quick-time zombie-slaying), Michonne is rescued by Pete, a fellow survivor who is taking shelter in a boat with his fellow crew-mates. Things start to pick up when the team pick up a radio signal from a distressed sounding girl. Stationed on a nearby marooned ferry, Michonne and Pete decide to take a trip over by row-boat. As customary with The Walking Dead, things aren't that easy. The duo are attacked shortly after departing by walkers. It seems that like everything else, the sea is not safe either. They escape, leaving their boat to join the walkers wading at the bottom of the water.

Samsung Chromebook: Quick & Easy Internet Browsing

On first glance, Google and Samsung’s Chromebook may seem like an odd choice of laptop. It is devoid of the handy Microsoft programmes, and prevents you from downloading any programmes onto its system that are not supported in the Google App store. However, give it a try, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. 

Ultra-thin and light (weighing under 1.1kg approximately) and with a 11.6” LED HD screen, this has been built for ease of use whilst on the move, and can be easily slotted into a bag or transported around the house. 

Pros:
Long Battery Life
The Chromebook has an impressive 6.5 hours (or more, depending on how you are using it) of battery life before a charge is required. This means that it can easily be taken out of the house on a full charge for business trips, etc, without needing to find a plug source. 

Light and compact
With hardly any extra baggage included inside the hardware, the Chromebook is incredibly light and compact. This means it is a great alternative to lugging around a laptop, MacBook or other sizeable technology. The Chromebook will easily fit into your bag, and hardly adds anything to your luggage weight if you need to take it on a flight. Also, for the safety conscious, it is impossible to tell from the outside of a bag that you are actually carrying a laptop. 

Built-in Virus Protection
One of my main concerns when I loaded up the Chromebook was how it would remain safe and stable without the ability to download a virus and malware protection software. Thankfully, the Chromebook already includes built-in 

Quick Loading
The Chromebook boots up in under 10 seconds, which is significantly much faster than most laptops. That’s great news for people wanting to quickly load up a web page to show others something, and for general quick access to apps and webpages. 

Simple to Use
For the typical internet user, the Chromebook cannot be any easier to use. No software is required on start-up, so you do not have to worry about going through the initial installation phase of a new laptop. First time use can be completed within a mere two minutes. It simply asks for your Google ID and language preferences amongst other simple options, and then voila-you’re away!

After this, there is no worrying about initiating scheduled virus scans, updating your internet browser and programmes-Google takes care of that automatically, meaning you are left to simply browse the internet and try out the Apps. 

Great Sound and Picture Quality
Featuring a 11.6” LED HD screen and in-built speakers on the underside, the Chromebook contains an impressive high definition display and great sound that thankfully, unlike a lot of smaller laptops, does not sound “tinny”. Not bad for a small device!

Excellent for Internet Browsing
As previously stated, the Chromebook loads pages and apps incredibly quick. Therefore, as an internet browsing laptop, this is definitely worth considering. 

Chromebook & charger are included in the box.

Cons:
Google App Only
For someone who requires a laptop purely for internet browsing and the use of Google’s utility services, such as Gmail and Google Drive, this is not an issue. However, although there are hundreds of Google Apps to download, it may seem a little redundant if you are actually after outside programmes, such as Skype. 

Therefore, it does make the Chromebook a little limited, and well, basic. 

Requires Constant Internet
As each Google service included on the laptop requires the internet, the Chromebook requires constant internet access. Therefore, those with unstable internet connections or require a laptop for use when internet access is not available will find this somewhat frustrating. 

Google Is Always Watching
After looking around online and asking friends opinions, I noticed that not everyone likes Google’s “always signed in” service. So for those who oppose this, unfortunately the Chromebook may not be for you. The laptop can only be used if a Google ID is signed into at the start up. This in turn signs you in to all the Google services you use, such as Gmail, YouTube and Google Drive. 

In a creepy perspective, this means that Google is always watching, in a way. Signing in means that your history, bookmarks and viewing habits are logged for you to come back to when you need to. For example, being signed in to YouTube means that the video streaming service will remember what you viewed, adding it, rather embarrassingly at times, to your recently viewed section on your YouTube account, as well as recommending similar videos to you. Sometimes, YouTube calls for anonymous viewing-whether it be viewing a guilty pleasure song you’re too embarrassed to admit to liking, or for other, ahem, personal reasons. 

However, signing out of your Google ID on the Chromebook locks you out of the device itself, so you are required to be online. Signing out of one signs you out of all the other Google services at the same time, and this can be frustrating. 

The Mouse Is A Little…Odd
Whilst the touchpad itself works fine for navigating apps and webpages, the Chromebook’s right click function is a little frustrating. Whilst it may seem like I am nit-picking, the mouse only allows for right clicking whilst the alt key is pressed at the same time. 

Does Not Play All Files
When experimenting with software, I plugged in a USB stick with a selection of MKV files on it. However, Chromebook could not open these files, and I could not find any programmes in the app section to download in order to use them. 

Therefore, those of you who are looking to plug in USB’s filled with your TV shows or other videos may find it a bit of a problem. I will continue to look into this to see if there is a solution, or if streaming on websites such as YouTube is the alternative.

Specifications: 

• Ultra-thin and light (weighs  under 1.1kg)
• USB 3.0 (two ports)
• 11.6” LED HD screen
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB hard drive
• Wi-fi and Bluetooth enabled
• More than 6.5 hours of battery life
• Plug-in charger included
• In-built HD webcam
• SD Card port, HDMI port
• Stereo speaker
• Intel HD graphics
• Headphone/mic jack
• Silver design

The keyboard contains slight variations from the usual laptop keyboard.

Visiting 8-Bit Girl on the Chromebook!

Summary
Whilst the Chromebook will not fully replace your need for a fully functioning laptop (all that runs on this are the Google programmes already found on the system and the approved apps on the Google App page), it is definitely a handy alternative to lugging around your weightier system around the house or on trips to other Wi-Fi enabled establishments. 

Perfect for internet browsing, fast and simple to use, the Chromebook received from Argos can prove to be a useful and well-used compact laptop, time and time again. 

My cat Jessie seemed interested in the Chromebook. Turns out, all she was after was the box!

Angry Birds Speakers!

I love listening to music. My iPod follows me around wherever I go, and although I tend to listen to music through my headphones, I also love to blare it out whilst in the bath, in the presence of company, and so on.

So I was very happy to be sent through these portable speakers, in the shape of two Angry Birds characters!

Sitting at a mere 3.5mm, both speakers are small enough to transport around easily whilst retaining a great sound. Many small speakers fall short when it comes to sound quality, but thankfully on both of these Gear4 produced speakers, the sound was actually rather impressive. The 'tinny' quality of several other small portable speakers was devoid here. 

The speakers, modelled after Angry Bird's most familiar red bird and Angry Birds Space's black bird, offer excellent bass performance that can be enhanced by twisting it to expand the speaker. Also included is a built-in USB rechargeable battery that lasts up to 6 hours and a 3.5mm jack to allow for universal compatibility.

When not in use, these Angry Birds speakers can be stored away in a handy black velvet drawcord pouch, to prevent the device from getting damaged or dirty.

I have resorted to using both speakers (for some reason, I tend to use the black one more, as I liked the design) anywhere now, but of course, no bath-time for me is complete without blasting out my favourites. 

Both Angry Birds speakers are available at Mobilefun.co.uk

Red Bird: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/gear4-angry-birds-g4pg778g-mini-speaker-red-bird-p36185.htm

Black Bird: http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/gear4-angry-birds-g4pg779g-mini-speaker-black-bird-p36186.htm

Sonvio Easy Speaker

I love music, and have a iPod packed to the brim with it, gaming music amongst it of course. So when I got the chance to test out the Sonvio Easy Speaker, I was more than happy to give it a go!

This speaker lives up to its name; it is indeed an easy to use speaker. Not requiring the use of wires, Bluetooth or WiFi to play music, the Sonvio Easy Speaker simply amplifies the sound of a number of smartphones (for this I used my iPhone 4) by placing the phone onto the top of the speaker. The speaker then notices that you a playing music from your phone and broadcasts the sound through the front. 

At first I noticed that the sound was a little monotone rather than stereo (I'm used to listening to music through a top quality sound system), but once the iPhone was shifted to the correct the position, the sound quality increased significantly. The volume can also reach large volumes of loudness-perfect for those heavier songs.

I then tested the speaker with my iPod Classic, which requires the auxiliary lead in order to work. Again, the sound was near perfect. One thing I noticed is that the sound quality is much better when the speaker is placed on an even surface (a wooden table in my case), the speaker was much more effective. 

The Sonvio Easy Speaker has a great battery life, and can be charged within three hours via a USB charger that plugs into any laptop or PC. 

A top quality speaker that is easy to transport and charge, this is an ideal way to listen to all of those gaming soundtracks you have on your smartphone or mp3 player!

Find more great gadgets here.

Review: Full House Poker

I was never a huge fan of card games, but the past few years changed that. As I learned to play the basics, I then moved on to try the longer, more complex games. During my Uni years, Poker was one of them.

Now for someone who is living in an incredibly small flat (thankfully only for another two and a half weeks), it's pretty impossible to play board or card games, so I started sourcing out the same games online and on my Xbox 360 instead.

This is where I found Full House Poker. Essentially the same game, but with the added fun of seeing the Xbox Avatar version of you pulling it's best Poker face (believe me, my virtual counterparts is much better than my own).

There can be plenty of rules for Poker, but thankfully Full House Poker has a helpful text and video section to guide you along the way. Once you have made yourself aware of the rules, it's time to try the actual game.

Whilst the rules definitely help you to get to grips with the gameplay, it's not completely plain sailing. AI opponents can be rather ruthless, so the first few games may seem a little tricky. However, Full House Poker rewards those for playing well, even when your chip stack is dwindling. However, unfortunately the AI players can often take the 'all or nothing' approach, taking huge risks that will more often than not see them fold before the end. Online play allows you to play against fellow real life players of varying difficulties if the AI becomes a little unbearable though. In general though, AI opponents can be fun, albeit a little challenging at times.

For those still struggling to remember what types of hands will be to your advantage, luckily there is a handy tip. Press the left bumper to see a list of possible hands in order of their strength. Using this feature stops you from throwing in a hand at random, just because you are unsure of what to play next.

Whilst Full House Poker is a great alternative to playing with actual playing cards and poker chips, it's only winning you virtual money. However, some of you enjoy playing numbers to win cash. For example, there are a great range of betting games from Paddypower, with a whole variety of Poker and other card games available to try out.

Overall, Full House Poker is a lot of fun. Whilst it may seem a little harsh for the most part, this version of Poker does reward players from any skill-set, allowing even for the amateur players who are still learning the ropes. Seeing your avatar play Poker is also a lot more fun than playing as a random computer generated player. Through their expressions, these avatars bring a little more fun to the proceedings. 

So if you are looking for a fun card game on Xbox Live Arcade, Full House Poker is definitely recommended. 

Review A Great Game Day: Tomb Raider

So today is Review a Great Game Day, which I decided to take part in. You may remember I also participated in Review A Bad Game Day last year too.

Anyway, I'm actually rather pleased about this one. For the most part, I enjoy the games I end up playing. It's very rare that I come across a game that I have absolutely hated. 

My Review a Great Game Day entry is about (not a surprise to those of you who follow me on Twitter...), Tomb Raider. The reboot was a pleasant surprise for many, and I have absolutely loved playing it. So, presenting...

Tomb Raider (2013)

Lara Croft has been dominating our screens ever since the original game was released back in 1996. Ever since then, Lara has become something of a gaming icon, spawning not only a successful game series, but two films (starring Angelina Jolie as Lara), advertising deals (who can forget those Lucosade adverts?), merchandise, comics and more.


As much as I love the Tomb Raider games, there was no denying that the series was close to becoming a little tired. Thankfully, the news of a reboot came along and fixed this.

Released in March 2013, Crystal Dynamic's Tomb Raider takes us back to the beginning, showing us how Lara becomes the archaeologist adventurer we know and love, whilst also changing her history that we have grown to learn from the previous games.

In Tomb Raider, we are introduced to a 21 year old Lara Croft, a University graduate who is on board a great ship called Endurance, for an archaeological expedition led by Captain Conrad Roth. When a sudden storm destroys the research vessel, a young and inexperienced Lara finds herself stranded on a mysterious and remote island hidden off the shores of Japan.

On first glance the island appears to be deserted, but soon enough Lara not only comes up against dangerous animals, but human enemies too. Shipwrecked, stranded and alone, Lara begins to re-discover her fellow crew mates, but the only way off of this island is by resolving the secrets within alone. Tomb Raider sees Lara not only battle the elements, animals and enemies, but uncover secret tombs, whilst all the while fighting to look for a way off of the island and back to safety.

Many people have compared the gameplay of Tomb Raider with the Uncharted series, which is a fair point-it does indeed have a lot in common in relation to the action sequences at least. However, do not let this put you off. This origin story is great blend of exploration and high-octane action, enough to keep you playing until the end. Both forms of gameplay-the exploration and action sequences, are definitely fun to play, especially when using Lara's bow and arrow. As you level up, all the weapons you have collected can be improved to create brand new attacks-the napalm arrows are by far one of the most enjoyable. 

How you play the game is entirely up to you. If you enjoy stealth play, there's plenty of opportunities for this.I never was a fan of stealth gameplay before Tomb Raider, but I ended up adopting it at every opportunity. The fact is, it really works in this game, particularly if you can pick off enemies at a great distance with the bow and arrow-it's rather satisfying. The other way of playing this is to make your presence known to the enemies whenever possible. This often warrants a much larger fight, with enemies throwing molitovs, and closing in on you to create a more personal, tougher fight. 

Through the course of the game, we see Lara turn from a scared, inexperienced but intelligent history buff into a much stronger, agile and battle-worn woman. This transition is an interesting one to experience. You will find yourself wincing every time Lara is beaten, attacked, sent hurtling down large cliffs,slamming into structures, to cheering as she learns the motions of becoming a full blown survivor. 

Emerging as a strong, confident, agile survivor, it has been a real pleasure getting to know this new Lara, and you will be yearning to see what lies in store in the future for her.

Also worth mentioning is how fitting the soundtrack is-a blend of feudal Japanese style tracks, with a jungle flourish. Lara's new theme is constantly referred back to in most of the tracks, creating a true heroic score. Whilst the gameplay is satisfying, the game also boasts impressive visuals, which you can see via the textures on the scenery, and on Lara's increasingly battle-worn body and clothing. 

Whilst this is supposed to be a great game review, not every game is perfect. Tomb Raider unfortunately suffers from some slight repetitive moments of gameplay (still rather enjoyable though), but the biggest disappointment is the multiplayer mode. Really, the multiplayer feels rather unnecessary  as this game has a strong enough single player mode on it's own. The multiplayer modes are in fact a little forgettable, offering us game types we have seen time and time again, such as a variant on Capture the Flag. Whilst this may be enjoyable for plenty, I personally just got a little bored of it, turning my attentions to Lara's main story instead. Another slightly disappointing aspect is that it feels like the game bows out lightly. I was expecting a full-on boss battle, but it never fully comes. 

Still, despite those criticisms, Tomb Raider is a brilliant game. Crystal Dynamics have successfully rebooted the series with an enthralling origin story that firmly places Lara back in the limelight after what feels like forever. Bring on the sequel.

In closing, take a look at this comparison screenshot of the old and new Lara to see how much she has evolved. No more pointy boobs for one!

Review: Retro Game Boy iPhone Case

You may remember the Arcadie iPod Cabinet that I reviewed back in January. The same website kindly sent me a Retro Game Boy Case for my iPhone 4 last week, which I am more than happy to review and feature.

Resembling a classic Nintendo Game Boy, this white silicon case includes the handheld's green screen, along with the familiar button layout. It really does look like a Game Boy, and not just a cheap knock-off version. Excellent!

Not only this, but this case offers a perfect fit with all the cut-outs for side buttons, camera and charging port, so it can continue to be used without having to remove it when the interface needs to be used. Also, although this is billed for an iPhone 4s, this fits an iPhone 4 perfectly too. 

Take a look at the photos below of my iPhone in the case. 

Check out the rest of Mobile Fun's iPhone 5 cases here. 

Side

Back

Front

Arcadie iPod Arcade Cabinet Review

I love gadgets, so I was thrilled that I was sent an Arcadie cabinet by the folks at Zeon Tech to review.

What is it?
The Arcadie cabinet is a small iPhone sized arcade cabinet, to turn your iPhone into a retro arcade machine. Made out of plastic, this little cabinet is actually rather sturdy, providing plenty of support and security for your iPhone via the rubber bumpers and clickable closing slot. 

The Arcadie Cabinet works with any of the supported apps. Simply search 'Arcadie' on the App store to download the free to play games. Currently, there are three to choose from; Ping (Pong), Blasteroids (Asteroids) and Alien Invaders (Space Invaders), with the promise of more titles on the way soon. I suggest giving all three a download!

Using it is pretty simple. The iPhone is slotted into the machine by clicking open the back-there's a port that your phone clicks into, much like a docking station. Close the back, and the cabinet will calibrate your phone to work accurately. This only takes a few moments. 

In the cabinet, the games work surprisingly well, although I did find the A and B buttons a little unresponsive at times. A few calibrations later and the problem seemed to sort itself out. It's also a joy playing some retro favourites on a replicated arcade machine. Also, no batteries are required, as it runs solely on the iPhone's power, which is a definite plus. 

For the retro fans, the Arcadie Cabinet is well worth picking up. Whilst there are only three compatible games available at the moment, more should be on the way soon. It's a fun little time-waster, with a great design and appeal. 

The Walking Dead Game Review

Ah, this game. Every so often a game comes along that gets me completely hooked. I'm pulled into it-hook, line and sinker. The Walking Dead by Telltale Games definitely did this to me. 

This point and click action game sees you take on the role of Lee, a convicted criminal who was on his way to being exported to prison at the time of the initial outbreak. After escaping a car crash caused by a walker, Lee starts to realise that his life has changed dramatically-gone is the prospect of donning prison robes and staring at bars-in it's place, Lee must fight to survive against the undead, whilst redeeming himself for his past mistakes as he progresses. 

On his travels, Lee bumps into Clementine, an eight year old girl who has been surviving by sheltering in her treehouse from the zombies below. Instantly struck by her and noticing her parents are absent, Lee quickly forms a friendship with the little girl, taking on the role of her guardian until she finds her parents in Savannah, who had been on vacation at the time of the outbreak. 

What makes this game work so well is the relationship between Lee and Clem. As the game progresses, you will notice how their relationship has evolved, to the point where we are rooting for both of them to make it through to safety together. Clementine is impossible to dislike-sweet, innocent, and seeing the good in everybody, her idolisation of her saviour, Lee, is easy to love. You actually want to do everything you can to save Clementine, perhaps one of the most loveable characters to come out of a video game for a long time.

Clementine and Lee's relationship is part of a much wider, complex fight for survival, which the writers have managed to convey so successfully in the story. It's easy to become emotionally invested in the story, the characters you meet and join along the way, and the consequences for the actions you decided to take. 

The point and click aspect of the game is fantastic-it's great fun exploring each place and interacting with things to see Lee and the other characters reactions. The puzzles are never that complicated-often obstacles can be remedied rather quickly, but nevertheless, they're enjoyable-and satisfying-to complete. However, the choice aspect is probably one of the stongest parts. Throughout the story you will be confronted with decisions which will change the narrative depending on which option you have decided on. Many decisions are incredibly difficult to make, but with often only a split second to pick an option, this game relies heavily on your instinct. Many times you will be sitting there filled with guilt, regretting the option you decided to take, whilst other times you will be rejoicing at how successful the situation has turned out. 

Being a fan of the comics, I was pleased to notice that the game not only follows the bleak, sometimes darkly funny tone of the comics, but also the style of it too. Characters are designed to look like they've stepped straight out of the pages of Robert Kirkman's excellent series.

At the end of each episode, statistics are revealed, showing percentages of players that took either decision each time. Most of the time, these statistics are rather divided, and it is interesting seeing how you compare to fellow players. 

Without giving away any spoilers, I was amazed at how powerful this game, and it's excellent story was. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried at the ending of episode 5, as I am sure many others did too! I left the game feeling a little devastated, and sat contemplating my choices for some time afterwards. This is what made this one of the most talked about games of 2012-it sticks with you long after.

So congratulations The Walking Dead and Telltale Games for winning 2012's Game of the Year, it's well deserved. Now, please bring on Series 2!

Assassin's Creed: Renaissance

The Assassins Creed games are well known for their deep and intricate conspiracy plots and intrigue.  Assassins Creed: Renaissance, is the first in a series of novels that feature the protagonist of the games Ezio Auditore.  The book is rather large at just over 500 pages in length.  Whilst this may draw people to the book, bigger is not always better.  The novel is by no means terrible but it does suffer from over padding and it could have been a lot shorter, about 200 words shorter.  The book is fun and Ezio is just as awesome and likeable as he is in the games and it was these two elements that kept me reading it.

Bowden's novel draws from a large array of Renaissance Italy, much like the novels counterpart.  The plot and setting are ideal, however this was all put into place by Ubisoft before Bowden began writing.  The novel ties in well with the game and Italian history well, and while there are some inaccuracies (much like in the game series) they can be overlooked, as the novel suspends disbelief. 

The book has been created it seems to fill in the blanks or improve upon aspects that are slight in the game.  Throughout the novel we learn a great deal about Ezio's back story, his love for Cristina and builds a lot of depth into his character.  It is important to point out as well that Ezio is the main character of this book, Desmond does not feature in the book or the Animus, the whole story is set in Ezio's world.

Being quite fast paced the novel spans over a rather large section of Ezio's life, it starts when he is eighteen and ends when he is forty-four.  The jumps in-between can be a tad confusing at times, forcing you to really pay attention, as Ezio jumps from on location in Italy to another.

While the book does pad out Ezio's background as a character he doesn't really develop.  From the age of eighteen to the end of the book he is very much the same person he was to begin with.  He may have gained skills in weaponry and his assassination abilities, knowledge and allies but he is still the same rogue his was beforehand.  This is also the same for all of the other characters in the story.  There is no extensive development of anyone and people remain as they were, despite the trails and experiences they get put through.

In short, the games are far more in depth and better in terms of both character development and plot, however the book is an easy light read and is worth the time if you are a fan of the series.  It is by no means a fantasy epic, or as deep and intricate as the games.  Assassin Creed: Renaissance is an easygoing, fun and relaxing read that follows the life of Ezio, nothing more.

Review: Mass Effect: Homeworlds #1

Mass Effect: Homeworlds, is a comic centred around James Vega, the tattooed video game tough guy from the series of the same name.  Sadly the most exhilarating aspect of this comic is indeed the front cover.  Hell On Earth, gives the impression that the comic is going to be about action or intense drama, regretfully it is not.  

The comic centres around James and his relationship with his waster of a father.  He opposes James joining the military and forces him to purchase drugs.  James' dad is the most well rendered character in the comic.  He looks great but seems out of place with not only the rest of the setting but also the artwork.  It is evident that Eduardo Francisco liked drawing him most of all.  His art work throughout the book ranges from sketchy to heavy on and off, whilst James' dad is the only figure that is drawn consistently.

The art certainly is far from being hell on earth as the story is pretty bland and slow.  Mac Walters dialogue is solid but the story is weak and boring, throttling his ability.  It really needed a bit more driving the basic unimaginative plot, then maybe Walters' dialogue and Francisco's art may have really had a chance to shine, but under the blandness of the story they struggle to even get their heads above the bland sea of a plot that surrounds them.

Hopefully in the next few instalments the story will pick up, however it looks doubtful.

Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition Review

Ah, Minecraft. This had been one of those games that I had heard about, but had the stubborn Taurus in me had always refused to play it. Like World of Warcraft before it (which I have also to this day avoided), I knew Minecraft would be a game that I would easily get addicted to. Whilst I enjoy a spot of gaming, did I really want to waste so many hours building my own utopia?


As you'll find out in this review, I often succumb to temptation. It's how I am with chocolate, a book, or finishing "just one more level" or a game. I had succumbed to the pull of Minecraft, bit the bullet, and bought the Xbox 360 Edition? And what do you think happened? Of course, I got addicted to it.


Minecraft follows a rather simple concept of mining resources, then creating a whole manner of places. Like the hours I spent in front of Lego as a child, Minecraft allows you to embrace not only your creativity, but the child inside of you as well. Whether you are re-creating a full scale version of the Deathstar (look on YouTube...there are even bigger examples than that also!), or you are simply making your idyllic house, the game gives you enough free reign to just get on with it, and enjoy it however you please. 


Many people do not like the idea of free-reign in a game, and in a way, I agree with them. The Xbox 360 Edition would benefit from some kind of adventure/quest mode for those wishing for more of a challenge once they ideal pixel world has been exhausted. However, the freedom does offer a lot of fun, especially on multiplayer. I have been playing Minecraft with three other friends, where we have created a huge world for ourselves complete with log flumes, castles, epic scenic minecart rides, underwater realms and more. Playing with other people allows you to set yourselves objectives, so it is almost like having a quest mode anyway. 


No mention of Minecraft would be complete without discussing the games monsters. If you decide to bump up the difficulty past "peaceful mode" (something which comes in handy when you are wishing to make a huge structure without interruptions), then you'll encounter the games host of nasties. Creepers, live up to their name. They'll silently creep up on you and explode when they come into contact. There are also zombies, bow-wielding skeletons, and spiders. And that's just the normal world. Create a portal to the netherworld and you'll encounter even more creepy creations. The key to avoiding these beasts is to litter the area with plenty of torches as they only spawn in dark places. 


Whilst the PC version definitely has a lot more than what the Xbox 360 Edition currently has to offer, this does not mean that it is not worth investing in the console version. For someone who isn't particularly a PC gamer (more because I have not got the necessary laptop for it), this allows us console fans to finally experience the game that millions of PC gamers have been raving about some time ago. Not only do we get a highly addictive and enjoyable game (especially on multi-player), but the Xbox 360 Edition also comes packaged with achievements, unlockable avatar awards, and plenty of downloadable skins. It is easy to sink so many hours into this game. Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition is a great alternative to the PC version that allows you to embrace your creativity. Now excuse me, I must go and protect my home from those pesky creepers...

Unotelly Review

This month I was given access to a new product to review, called UnoTelly.


UnoTelly is a service that gives access to blocked websites, making it easier for viewers outside the US (like me), to watch American programmes from anywhere in the world. More than 25 channels are currently available at this time, including Hulu, Amazon, BBC, MTV and Netflix (however, it appears that you need to hold a US Netflix account to actually get this one to work). At first, I was a little sceptical that this was legal, but thankfully UnoTelly appears to be. 


At first I found the service a little hard to set up. UnoTelly works via a stable Wi-Fi connection, which sounds simple enough, but unfortunately my laptop had a lot of issues with getting this to work (it kept saying that the service was disconnected, when I've had no issues with my internet connection previously). Once I finally got through the rather frustrating set-up, I managed to try out the service. UnoTelly is a great idea, which allowed me to catch up on some programmes that have not been available in the UK as of yet, or are not actually scheduled for programming here for a while. 


Whilst strictly not game related, UnoTelly works via the Xbox 360. Once opened, all the channel apps on the Xbox 360 that were only available for American consoles are available to view. The service can also be used on a Mac, PC, PS3, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Androids, and more. There is a free plan where a few channels are available, but the monthly subscriptions offer much more. 


It's a great service, with plenty of different channels to watch!  


(This review is entirely of my own opinion...UnoTelly have not paid me to provide a favourable review!)

The Legend of Zelda and Theology Review

I've read plenty of books devoted to video games, but a philosophical one? Well, that's a first for me. But here I find myself, loading up my Kindle and reading The Legend of Zelda and Theology. I'm ready to give my brain a bit of a work-out. 


Comprising of a selection of essays by different writers, and edited by Jonny Walls, The Legend of Zelda and Theology discusses the deeper philosophical or theological meanings behind The Legend of Zelda series. 


I do not follow a religion, so when I started reading the introduction and the discovering that these were going to be Christianity-heavy essays, in all honesty, I sighed. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Personally, I cannot see a connection between Christianity and the Zelda series (but then I am not a Christian), but leave your reservations at the door; the writers are not intending on pushing their Christian theories onto you in an effort to make you believe them. It's merely their theological viewpoint on one of Nintendo's most well loved series which they have decided to compile in a book for anyone interested in checking out their theories. 


Many of the essays make interesting points. You don't have to agree with them if you don't want to, but it's interesting to read someone's personal opinion on the content in the Zelda series. Another positive point is that the book felt nicely organised. Each essay is written by a different person, which keeps it refreshing. Of course, everyone has their own opinions, so it was nice to see this demonstrated throughout the variety of different topics. Essays cover a range of Zelda themes, including death and the afterlife, the game's interpretation of evil, and the necessity of the triforce in the defeat of Ganon. The book spans the Zelda series from the beginning right up until Twilight Princess, so it doesn't matter if you haven't played a particular Zelda game...there's plenty more to read about here. 


Here's the complete essay list:

• Linking the Landscapes of Twilight Princess Christian Theology.
• Trouble in the Golden Realm: Ganandorf and Hyrule's Problem of Evil in Ocarina of Time.
• The Birth of Gaming from the Spirit of Fantasy: Video Games as Secondary Worlds with Special Reference to The Legend of Zelda and J.R.R Tolkien.
• Freedom Versus Destiny: A Hero's Call.
• The Mediation of Transcendance within The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
• Take Your Time, Hurry Up, The Choice is Yours: Death and the Afterlife in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
• On Hylian Virtues: Aristotle, Aquinas and the Hylian Cosmogenesis.
• High Rule? Vintage Virtue in The Legend of Zelda.
• Portals, Prophecy, and Cuccos: Considerations of Power in A Link To The Past.
• The Necessity of the Triforce in the Defeat of Ganon.

Whilst the book does provide some interesting insights into the Zelda series, particularly for those who are Christian's themselves, unfortunately I found it a little heavy going at times. It's a much more enjoyable read when read in instalments, rather than powering through it (like I tried to...I like my reading too much). If theology and philosophy interests you, well there is definitely a lot of it here to enjoy! It's a well written and edited book, with plenty of content. Zelda fans may appreciate all of the nods to the series, and those looking for a bit of a deeper read may find this satisfying. The Legend of Zelda and Theology's Christian outlook isn't forced on you, which is a good thing. Whether you believe it or not, there are plenty of interesting points touched upon in the book (for example, the Biblical references). The topics are wide and varied, and it's refreshing to have so many different author's views demonstrated. The annotations will help provide some prompts for those wishing to engage in further research, and the ranking system, which lists the essays in terms of difficulty (casual, normal or advanced) allows for those to choose their desired complexity level. 


It's an informative, well written and often engaging book. If you're after something that allows you to think just that little bit more than usual...then perhaps you might be seeking this.