Life, the Universe and Everything

Sonic 4 Episode I, now on Android...Yay?

2012-01-30T10:34:00.004Z

As this release had no marketing what so ever, I was very surprised to suddenly see it pop up in the Android market whilst I was casually browsing through it, so I thought I would get its presence a little more well known.

I played and completed the Xbox 360 version with all achievements close to its release, and so I will be comparing this to that version of the game regularly.

What I was disappointed to find was, most notably, the framerate being locked at 30fps. My Galaxy S II is more than capable of running it at 60fps (heck, it runs GTA3 without a flaw, I will making a post on that another day), yet they felt the need to lock it down after degrading the graphics quality. And not only that, but each time there's a change in the song in the level (gaining a life, speeding up, invincibility), there is a fairly distracting pause during the transition, which can result to landing into traps and foes.

For this version of the game, they have also changed two of the stages to the ones that they removed from the console game after receiving the massive amount of negative press from the leaked copy. That's right, the dreaded minecart has made a return (and the stage truly sucks after playing it for myself), as well as the rubbish "Score 100,000 points" stage in the Casino Zone which involves mostly looping into the slot machine and hoping for the best constantly. Why SEGA felt the need to put them back in to the game after rightfully scrapping them in the console version, I have no clue.

They have also altered the controls for the Special Stages so that you can either rotate your device to rotate the game map (horribly decision) or scroll your left thumb vertically on the screen to rotate the map instead, which actually works really well, and better than the standard controls on a console. This is probably the only benefit of playing this on a touch screen device however.

Finally, a minor complaint, if you complete Stage 1 Act 1, with Special Stage 1, you can play any level you wish (except for the bosses of the respective stage). I thought they would have kept to the same system as the console game, where you would only be able to replay the stages you have played previously.

The game itself however, is decent in its own right. But I would strongly recommend the Xbox 360/Playstation 3 version of this over the Android port (which I assume is a port of the iOS/Windows Phone version? I haven't played them and don't know how this compares to them), as it seems to be an early version of the game. With a little more polish to it, mostly fixing the framerate and the pauses for example, then this would have been something I'd have been able to recommend everyone to give a try. But for now, save your cash, unless you're trying to support SEGA in the Android Market.

Symphony of Eternity

2011-09-30T10:43:00.002+01:00

Nice little JRPG for Android users - plays in a turn based style with some fairly highly resolution sprites, and they've just remade the audio for the game so it sounds a lot cleaner.

If you like those 80's/90's style RPGs that are neither too easy/difficult and do not require much grinding, then this is definitely one to check out!

Some screenshots:

Posted from my Samsung i9100 Galaxy S II

Samsung Galaxy S II

2011-08-22T10:54:00.004+01:00

So, I've been away for a while, as I now have a full time job etc...

In the mean time however I did treat myself to a new phone :-)

I'm even posting right now using the official app. Highly recommend this phone to all Android users!!

Question of the day...

2011-03-31T09:25:00.000+01:00

If a tonne of feathers fell on your head, would you die?

My answer is yes - not necessarily by the weight, but by suffocation, or being stabbed if they hit you sideways

Originally a debate on Facebook that erupted into an argument between who's dumb and retarded and who actually knows what they're talking about. Just thought I'd get some views here.

Lemmings

2011-03-23T10:42:00.000Z

I'm currently composing a video walkthrough for the Mega Drive version of Lemmings as the ones that seem to float around YouTube are of low quality or, to be blunt, a bit rubbish. So I thought I would be able to do a better job of it.

It is work in progress (it takes time to do these things!), but it's near completion now, so thought I'd share it.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=5F9877F3961D1881

Here's a sample:

So, Blackberry OS 6...

2011-03-22T10:27:00.000Z

So I traded in my (awful) N97 for a Blackberry Bold 9700 last weekend, which turned out to be one of the best (if not the best) phone I have ever owned in my life.

However, everyone I know who owns a Blackberry seems to still be running OS v5.whatever on it, even though OS 6 has been out for a few months... Do people just not check for updates on their phone regularly??

It seems to have the Blackberry Torch OS (since the Torch is basically a Bold with a touchscreen, this makes sense).

This is what OS 6 and a few of its core applications look like on my Blackberry Bold.

Home Screen

It's possible to change whether you want 2, 1 or no apps shown on the home screen.

You can also switch between all apps, your favourites, downloads and most frequently used apps by flicking left or right.

Menu screen

List of apps expanded.

The WiFi symbol now shows the signal strength by filling up the waves upwards.

Reason why you don't see it is because I forgot to connect it to my WiFi after the upgrade and couldn't be bothered to retake the shots...

Options Screen

Completely revamped and more intuitive and user friendly.

Fonts

More, well known fonts are used and previews are actually given on the list.

Text smoothing is also present.

Calendar

Complete revamp.

Web Browser

Home screen has also had a complete revamp.

Blackberry Messenger

You now have the choice of the older "Stripes" style, or chat speech bubbles.

Also the overall feel and menu transitions contain a lot more eye candy whilst still remaining to be a smooth, quick experience.

The recent Tsunami

2011-03-17T10:51:00.000Z

As everyone has surely heard about the devastating earthquake/tsunami that occurred last week in Japan, I was interested what everyone's take on the event is across the world...

- Is it a start of events to occur across the globe?
- Do you think people who create jokes about it have morality issues, or is it just nerves?
-With the upcoming moon phase expected to wreak havoc by triggering various natural disasters, are you prepared for them (storing food/water in case of massive shortages)?

(http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Earth_and_moon_3d.jpg)

Sorry I've been away...

2011-03-15T12:15:00.000Z

I have gotten into a new relationship and have spent more time with my partner than I have on anything else. I decided that I'm going to try and focus on a specific subject for this blog and write about that instead. I just need to have a think as to what.

Perhaps my partner could give me suggestions? So far he wants it to be about him, but I doubt that's what most people want to read about :L

Morbid Question...

2011-03-10T11:30:00.000Z

What happens library books when you die? Something one of my friends brought up with me not too long ago... what happens if you have a library book out and you die? Would the book still have to be returned to the library? Would any fines be waived? I'm guessing so but does anyone actually know??

Broken Briten/Sex Education

2011-03-09T12:35:00.001Z

According to the institute, one text – “How Did I Begin?” – is recommended for children aged five onwards in areas such as Devon and Wiltshire and features a cartoon sketch of a mother and father having sex, with the line: “As they cuddled, your dad’s penis moved gently inside your mum’s vagina and the sperms flowed out.”

Another book – “Where Did I Come From?” – is recommended for pupils aged seven upwards. It tells pupils slang words for breasts and the joys of tickling boys’ and girls’ private parts, adding: “Making love is like skipping. You can't do it all day long.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8369341/Primary-school-pupils-exposed-to-explicit-sex-advice.html

I'm honestly shocked. Especially the book for 7 yr olds that seems to encourage them to go round tickling each others bits. Maybe something is out of context...

Your views?

#1 in the world baby!!

2011-03-08T08:30:00.002Z

Oh Yeah!! (Comix Zone style)

Had a bunch of friends over to play Lips (Xbox 360) the other night, and I managed to place #1 in the world!

I was so proud of the event that I HAD to film it :D

Now my competitive friends are all annoyed at me for doing the one thing they can't do - getting a diamond cup. Maybe I can infact sing better than Justin Bieber :L

Stupid cat

2011-03-07T09:36:00.000Z

Just sat there for hours, doing nothing but looking through the banister. Has it not got anything better to do? Like going out to get laid?

One of my favourite classical pieces...

2011-03-06T09:52:00.000Z

I'm into all kinds of music, but classical seems to be my favourite genre as I usually prefer music without words.

The game Ninety Nine Nights had a remix of it which is actually quite good...

Thoughts? Which do you prefer?

How I'll relax during this weekend...

2011-03-05T09:29:00.001Z

By reliving old memories. Hello 1996 :)

(I never owned a PS1, this is the PC version)

Still the best in the franchise I'd say.

My previous record for completion was:

Any of you guys played/completed Tomb Raider 2?

I'm back!

2011-03-04T07:56:00.000Z

Finally back from Spain and finished unpacking, so finally got round to making a new post.

Here's a few pictures from Galicia :)

Flat I stayed in

View of the motorway leading to town.

Picture of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostella.

Considering it was February, the weather was pretty decent...

200 Followers!

2011-02-15T10:59:00.000Z

Thank you everyone for your support. Going to have to make this a quick post as I'm currently packing.

I'll check out all of your blogs when I get back :)

What a weekend!

2011-02-14T09:51:00.001Z

Been too busy to do any blogging over the weekend, so sorry about that!

On another note, I'll be going abroad on Wednesday and may not be able to get round to posting tomorrow. So I thought I'd quickly let everyone know in case you thought I died or something :L

I'll see if I can got into an internet cafe whilst over there and visit everyones blog also.

See you soon!

Edit: Almost forgot, Happy Valentines!

Using an ‘x’ at the end of a sentence...

2011-02-11T11:13:00.000Z

Yesterday someone raised it to my attention that I don’t exactly use ‘x’ very often when talking to anyone, if at all.

Am I the only one on this planet who thinks that putting an ‘x’ at the end should just be to make what you’re saying mean just that little bit extra to that someone?

It’s probably because you get people who just spam ‘x’ after everything which completely devalues the symbolism (see below), and when they see someone who doesn’t use it they think you’re being blunt...

Nothing special today...

2011-02-10T10:11:00.000Z

Haven't got anything new to post about right now, so for now just enjoy this gif

Have a good day everyone!

This is turning out nice...

2011-02-09T09:54:00.000Z

Seems like a group of people put their heads down to remake one of the better games from the early 90's:

Hats off to them. It's looking really good!

Here's there website, where you can find more screenshots, a trailer and the developers blog and facebook group:
www.s2hd.sonicretro.org

Jet Set Radioooo!

2011-02-08T11:33:00.000Z

Decided to fire this title up this morning to relieve the memories from around 11 years ago (has it really been that long??). I'm sure every SEGA fan recognises the franchises graffiti soul icon...

Would I want a 3rd game though? Honestly? No, atleast not yet. SEGA have lost their charm that they had in the 90's and early 00's. I fear that them making a sequel would ruin the franchise for me, either by putting awful music, making bad changes to the gameplay (like how they changed the way graffiti was done in Jet Set Radio Future) or ramming multiplayer into it.

I mean, I saw a picture of the concept art which was to be based on a Wii Jet Set Radio, and I'm GLAD they cancelled it, because they completely ruined its look. Unsure if I can link to it, so simply googling "Jet Set Radio Wii concept art" will net you the results.

And yes, those shots are in 1680x1050, aka widescreen. I'm sure I don't need to get into detail as to how I took them :L

Ahh Final Fantasy XI...

2011-02-07T10:43:00.003Z

Years of my life were wasted playing this game during my teenage years. I'm sure any avid gamer who has delved into the dangers of an MMO knows what it's like being absorbed into a 'second life'. Thing is with Final Fantasy XI is that it was something unique, different from World of Warcraft in the sense that it demanded a lot more of your time to truly achieve something, but when you got it done, you felt amazing for it.

Now I watch my cousin playing on my old character and remembering the fun I had with it back then. Nostalgic in a sense, to the point where even the music reminds me of the good times I had. They have changed a whole lot of it though, made the game much easier in many ways, even finding groups of people isn't anywhere near and long and difficult to do.

However, I couldn't bring myself to play this game again. My social life would just diminish into nothingness and I'd end up turning back into a recluse. I've had my fun, but MMOs are something I'm not willing to get back into until I'm either retired or have won the lottery or something...

I'm sure some of you guys have been through/are going through the MMO addiction process, maybe not with Final Fantasy XI, but with another MMO.

100 followers reached!

2011-02-06T09:42:00.000Z

(Image source: www.thevarguy.com)

Wow! Didn't expect to get here so fast! Thank you everyone for following! Let's see how long till I pass the 200 followers milestone...

For today, I'm trying to decide between what phone I should get next. My current phone (Nokia N97) is stressing me out, with its random crashes, restarts and overall misbehaviour with the PC Suite. Yes I've updated to the latest firmware, and Nokia don't seem interested in fixing any of the other software based issues on it, despite them hyping up this phone before its launch to the high heavens, so I decided to ditch them instead.

Here's a pic of the bastard phone so that you can avoid it in the future incase you get poor and need a cheap replacement smartphone:

(Source www.nokia.co.uk)

Currently the hype round here in the UK is the Blackberry, with everyone trading BBM Pins and stuff. No idea how BlackBerry models caught on, as they were commonly seen as 'business phones', and I find the phones ugly, the GUI awkward and the keyboard buttons too small.

Then I hear the Samsung Galaxy S is an amazing piece of kit, with the Android OS having a range of apps which are closing in on the iPhone app store, an amazing large screen, it seems to have some screaming potential to be one of the more ultimate phones.

But then I have an Xbox Live account, which is why the Samsung Omnia 7 interests me with Windows Phone 7 and again, its large screen and a look in both the OS and the phone itself which I really dig (I like the sharp boxy look in my things, which is probably why I don't like Apple products, all rounded and curvy). I hear many positive things about Windows Phone 7 online in forums and stuff, with the only negative being that the application range is very low (which is understandable considering how new the OS is), but then it has the whole Xbox Live thing and usability which I seem to really like.

So what do you guys think? Join the BlackBerry crowd and make use of BBM, despite me finding everything about them horrid? Join the Android club and make use of an OS that seems to be rivalling well with iOS? Or go with my personal tastes and become an early adopter of the Windows Phone 7 OS?

16 hours sleep... personal record

2011-02-05T08:47:00.002Z

Now I'm wide awake :D

Ended up not going to the Zumba thing, slept right through the texts and phone calls (stuck my phone on silent so that I didn't get woken up). Wanted to go to it as well since the last time I went I felt amazingly positive and worked out - I recommend everyone to give it a shot!

(Image taken from http://www.wellheeledblog.com)

For those that don't know, Zumba is a dancing style, and the sessions are basically more of an upbeat step aerobics workout, based on more latino/indian music. It's a FULL body cardio workout, and is certainly a lot more fun than just simply jogging round the block! It seems to be advertised quite a bit around various towns here in South West London, so I imagine it's either quite new or they randomly decided to give it a marketing push.

Anyone else heard of/done it? Post your experiences!

Sigh... couldn't sleep...

2011-02-04T10:37:00.000Z

It's 10:33am right now and I haven't slept at all weird thing is is that I'm not that tired, just a bit slow. It's only that my friend wants to DRAG me to a Zumba session with her and since I've put it off a few times in the past I promised I'd come today...

With all the business of setting up the new business I realised that I missed out one CRUCIAL element to it all.

Liability Insurance.

And it isn't cheap.

Was wondering if I should go through without it for a while and prey that nothing happens which could cause a customer to sue...

What do you guys think??