Michael Bay's Ninja Turtles: Bad News part 295,297,642

     Well, Bay's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles news seems to be getting even more strange as time goes on.  Each new casting addition or rumor feels like another swift kick to my childhood's metaphorical nuts.

     A few days ago, Whoopi Goldberg was spotted near set with a potentially costume concealing jumpsuit.  My guess would be she'd be a gender swapped Baxter Stockman.  Which would be AMAZING if Bay's name wasn't attached to the project.

     With all these questionable going-ons linked with the upcoming TMNT film, I really don't know if my inner child can survive much longer.  All the built up nostalgia, that I spent years cultivating, is being thoroughly beaten out of me.
     Good lord, remember what he did to Soundwave in the 2nd Transformers movie?  It was horrible!  The voice is what made the character, beside the stealth and communications, and he changed it.  Why!?!  It was almost as iconic as Optimus's voice.

     In order to ice my inner-child's crushed nardsack, I'll be replaying some TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist or, more likely, the updated version TMNT: Re-Shelled on PS3 once I finish homework this evening.

Last of Us: Demo Impressions

     This is going to come across as sounding awful, but the Last of Us demo is quite disappointing.  After being suckered into buying a sub-par God of War game (Ascension) under the premise of getting access to the Last of Us playable demo, I was quite unhappy about the "early access" notice instead. 

     Then The Last of Us was pushed back from the original May 7th release date to June 14th.  That wasn't so bad.  I would rather wait for a good game than have it rushed and end up with another Aliens: Colonial Marines. 
     But then the demo also got pushed back- ok, aggravating, but still not too bad.

     Now the demo is available- The Outskirts level- if you still have the copy of God of War: Ascension.  It is not too hard to convey the sense of excitement I had about getting home to play this long awaited game.  I have been waiting for over 3 months to play this demo, and note- it's only a mere 2 weeks before the full game is available...
     and... 
     ...after playing it...
          ...I'm quite disappointed.

        It pains me to say, but Naughty Dog made a huge mistake here.  Not about the game, but about making us wait for the demo.  It's BARELY 20 minutes long, and could've EASILY been released months ago.  I cannot see a reason why we had to wait so long for such a pitifully short demo.

     Make no mistake the demo provides us with a very small taste of the what the game will offer in much larger doses, such as the swiftness with which you can die, and the time it takes to craft items or bandage a wound is experienced.  By a small taste I mean, we are allowed to dab it on our outstretched tongue, but now allowed to chew.  I expected more.  Much more in fact.
     The game will certainly be wonderful, but now I have a slightly bitter taste left from unfulfilled demo anticipation.  
     It just bothers me that it took, no kidding here, longer for me to download and install the demo than it did for me to complete it.  Even when I was scrounging around looking for little hidden things.

Borderlands 2: Krieg the Psyco: A Meat Bicycle for Two: Origin Story

     Geabox posted this nice little movie about Krieg's story on Pandora and his path to becoming a Vault Hunter.  Simple and effective. 

     The way he talks in his head versus what comes out is quite amazing, and I hope they add more dialog (including stuff for all the other playable characters) with new patches and updates.  I was wondering how they'd explain his intro to the others, because the main 4 got a series of ECHO tapes, and Gaige got a bunch of Twitter stuff.  The video is a great addition, like the Claptrap ones.  I would very much like more of these shorts.
     The way his mind is divided is handled wonderfully.  He is literally struggling with himself to communicate properly, and doing the right thing.  This is Borderlands humor at it's best.
    Also- his crush on Maya is awesome.

Because the embed feature seems to be blocked-

                  here's the link. 

     Watch it and enjoy fellow Vault Hunters.

Older EA Online Passes Being Retroactively Eliminated!

     Game Informer updated an article about Ea killing their online passes, which is good news.  In BETTER news, they're killing off all the old passes as well.


   
     Here's a quote from John Reseburg (EA Corp. Communications)

As we discontinue Online Pass for our new EA titles, we are also in the process of eliminating it from all our existing EA titles as well.  We heard the feedback from players and decided to do away with Online Pass altogether.  

Players will see it first with some EA Sports titles, where a prompt to enter an Online Pass code will no longer appear in-game; with other titles we are simply making Online Passes available free of charge online.

These are rolling updates that are taking effect over the next several weeks. We hope players continue to enjoy our games and online services for a long time to come. 

     Dear EA, 
          Thank you.  Seriously, Thank you.  
                                      -joshua

Last of Us: The Uncharted 3 Easter Egg

     Speaking of Naughty Dog's next game, The Last of Us, and Easter Eggs- I totally forgot about the egg in Uncharted 3.  Apparently Last of Us was supposed to be revealed in June 2011, but was pushed back until Dec. 2011.  Well, there was a nod to the upcoming release still left in Uncharted when it came out in Nov. 2011.

     I don't see any problems with it.  If you didn't know about the Last of Us, it wouldn't matter anyway.  Besides- how many people just blew through the game and didn't even know about it?  I mean the only reason I knew about it is because I was hunting for the "treasures" hidden in all the levels and spotted it.  Which, is also another place they have a reference to one of their other series- Jak & Daxter- the "Strange Relic" treasure.
     They created the newspaper reference, but somehow leaving it in was considered a "screw up."  Why?  Who cares?  Until Last of Us was actually announced, the paper on the bar was something I saw, but without the reference- it HAD NO MEANING!
     Does it mean the games are in a shared universe?  Possibly... but it is an EASTER EGG, so it may just be a tip of the hat to the new game.
     Game companies should put more nice little Easter Eggs like this in their games.

[Source] Of course it came out the day after I posted what I hoped to be a nice idea for an Easter Egg for The Last of Us.

The Last of Us: Trophies and Hope for an Easter Egg

     I see the Last of Us Tophies are listed now over on IGN, and the demo finally available in just a couple of days.  (My not-so-nice feelings on that deceptive demo bonus that came "with" God of War.)  This has got me pretty amped despite the long wait.

     Naughty Dog also has listed a season pass with 3 single player DLC's and a slew of other goodies.  It makes me curious to see how they'll handle the multiplayer as well.  It's been said many times that it isn't co-op, so what is it?  More team deathmatch?  Perhaps we get to play as some of the various types of infected zombies.  What about a massive open world survival with everyone competing for supplies to stay alive.  That could be interesting.  Many are eager to find out what big surprise they've got in store for our multiplayer madness, and it's only a couple weeks away.

     Anyway, for the Easter Egg, this is just speculation mind you, but there is a hidden trophy...
     How amazing would this be-

     Picture Joel and Ellie are escaping from some Runners and Clickers, and stumble onto an underground chamber.  Not just a simple cavern, but an absolutely ancient cave, one that contains a small pathway leading to a shrine or small tomb that was forgotten buried beneath the city long ago.  Old carvings and etchings abound.  In this burial space would be 2 dead adventurers.  One in blue jeans and the other in a Hawaiian shirt. 
     In the hands of the denim trousered corpse would be a golden egg.  A very recognizable egg.  One that should be known to more than just 2 treasure hunters named Drake and Sully.

     So it'd be a nice tie in for Naughty Dog's Jak & Daxter, Drake & Sully, and a possible explanation of where the virus came form.  It's a LONG shot, probably won't happen, but I love these little nods to the other games.  Crossing my fingers...

Borderlands 2: Krieg the Psycho meme 2: Silence the Voices: Anchorman

     Well, due the Silence the Voices' negative part of the skill (12% chance to hit yourself) continually happening (3x plus times in a row CONSISTENTLY) in the game I made another fitting meme for Krieg.  This time referencing one of my all time favorite movies ever- Anchorman.  We'll be getting a sequel to the film soon so these references will be popping up more frequently as the release nears.
    Besides, Sex Panther is the olfactory equivalent of smashing your own face in so it kind of fits.

I'm gonna be honest, it tastes like pure gasoline.

Michele Bachmann is NOT Running Again!!! Minnesota Rejoices.

I added the thought bubble for effect.

    In a wonderful bout of news our Minnesotan Republican embarrassment, Michele Bachmann, released a video saying that she won't be running for re-election in the 2014 elections.

"I fully anticipate the mainstream liberal media to put a detrimental spin on my decision not to seek a 5th term."-M. Bachmann (MN- Public Idiot)

     No, Mrs. Bachmann, that is ALL you.
     How disturbing is it that we are being represented by delegates like Bachmann? There's a million voices crying ou today in celebration and relief, for the future looks brighter already.I don't know how she got elected in the last election, as NOT A SINGLE PERSON I know voted for her.   Bachmann's voting base is rapidly dwindling while her opposition's voters are increasing rapidly.  Young new voters are coming in and we are slowly starting to weed out those governmental hindrances to the future.
     It's absolutely hilarious that she completely believes she would win in her next election, when she only won by like 4,000 votes last time.  Or the fact she claims to "work 100hr" weeks.  HHAHAHAHAHA what a joke.

     It's only in the last decade I've taken an interest in politics, and Bachmann is highly counter intuitive them.  If Minnesota wants to maintain being a state that leads the country, getting rid of "traditional values" (limited rights) and focus more on equality (for EVERYONE), education, and health care.  Our state should be leading the entire damn nation in a small Renaissance.  We must take a stand with creativity and opportunity.  I personally believe that we've lost the sense of community and family as a country that was so prevalent in the 80's.  Too much selfishness bogging down the system, a return to optimism could be world changing. 
     That change starts simply with individuals.  With us.

A much more well written piece: New York Times article.

Borderlands 2: 24 minutes of Tiny Tina's Assault on Dragon Keep

     IGN has the first 24 minutes with commentary by Anthony Burch up.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the idea that the game will change depending on Dungeon Master Tiny Tina's whims, and the fact tat now each small comment by the Vault Hunter will be character specific to who you're playing as.  Nice touch.  So are the Dice roll chests- being a new use for eridium-giving you a higher chance for good loot items.

Marcus's Cannons and Zed's Apothecary

     Any characters can show up (Including dead ones) because it's all in Tina's imagination.  That is super amazing, and opens up infinite new avenues of storytelling on Pandora.  Damn, I'm excited for this. 

     Thank god this comes out after I gradute (on June 15th is my last day and then I'll be a gold-starred, fancy-papered degree holder), and this would probably lure me in and I wouldn't be able to tear myself away to finish finals.

Man of Steel: The Meme of Steel

     After watching the newest Superman Man of Steel trailers and clips, I had a wonderful idea.  Ok, just a stupid idea, about Superman getting caught in his zipper, which was replaced by Bruce Wayne (Batman) in a low brow mode of dark humor.  Well, I let it sit, and decided to make this small meme about Superman and Batman having a small rivalry.  It may become a small series of panel comics, because I've got like a hundred other ideas from the last decade about this. 
     I call it "Ziptonite."  Guess where all that blood came from?
     In my opinion, Batman will always be the better character overall for a variety of reasons, but I do enjoy them both and hope the upcoming film is good.