bordagen

Yesterday, I managed to install Windows Vista on my computer.

Today, I tried to burn a DVD using the piece of software that comes bundled with the OS called Windows DVD Maker. First of all, it wouldn’t let me attach .avi files to the DVD. Fair enough as DVD’s use mpeg-2 for encoding. THen when I managed to get the files all encoded (and let me mention they weren’t exactly small to start with), I manage to get them burnt to a DVD with a snazzy (that’s right I said ’snazzy’) menu, after it taking 5 hours to re-encode the files and burn the DVD – I find out that the audio is out on the disc.

I’m sure there are better ways that I can spend a Sunday afternoon rather than burning a coaster off.

I have been playing Gears of War for a few hours now, and after some Locust-related dreams, I am here to provide you with my opinions of the game.

Gears of War is fantastic. I can think of no other description for this title. Just fantastic.

It plays like nothing I’ve played previously, mixing cover-based strategies (a la Ghost Recon/Rainbow Six) and flat out, in your face combat (Doom 3, Unreal or any other good FPS) to reveal something new altogether.

As nearly every review I’ve read about this title suggests, cover is very important in this game and you will not last very long unless you utilise it. I’m only on the second act of the game and keep getting destroyed by the Kryll (flying shadow infesting doom). The controls for the game are very easy to use, with prompts frequently appearing on screen letting you know which actions you can take.

Graphically, the game is superb. Unfortunatly I am playing on a standard definition television, but I can still see a huge amount of detail on the models and in the scenery – although it’s best to try and not see too much detail on the Locust as that would mean you are too close and that you haven’t equiped the chainsaw in time and oh look I’m dead…what was I saying?

The audio in the game is very atmospheric, with music kicking in during tense/action moments and silent when you’re sneaking around. Sound effects of buildings collapsing and Locust screaming infect the air as you sneak your team around between mission objectives. Again, I’m only playing in 2.0 sound but still (I really should fix that so I can play the games as they are meant to be played) the sound is very effective.

All in all this is a massive title and deserving of all the hype that it has behind it. This truly is what the Xbox 360 was designed for and I hope for more games at this level of technology. Roll on Viva Pinata!

As an interesting side note, it turns out that if you look in the credits for the game, I am a member of the additional artwork team.

Emergence Day is finally here, and the Gears of War will be turning on my 360 – probably all night (after I pick up some caffinated stimulation in a can).

As mentioned yesterday, I managed to secure £10 off my copy of Gears of War. The only problem was that I went in to game with my trade-in and the standard version was nowhere to be found on the shelves. Paniced, I found a sales assistant who told me that the standard versions were for those who pre-ordered ahead of time. My heart sank as I wandered away from the store without my game (sad I know). I went over to GameStation who had copies in for £50. Tempting as it was, it was a last resort.

I doubled back to Game and reluctantly enquired about the special edition of GoW and if it was included in the trade-in offer. To my shock, it was.

So for the total cost of £9.99 I have the super special edition of Gears of War, an empty reward card and a night of Locust filled fun ahead of me tonight.

As you may or may not know, Gears of War is unleashed on the UK public tomorrow (so-called Emergence Day). Another thing you may or may not know is the popular high street retailer, Game is running a promotion whereby you can trade in a listed game and receive £30 off the retail price of the promotional game. Game are also running another promotion where they are offering cheap games under a ‘Deal of the Week’. On of these games is LMA Manager 2007 which they are offering for £19.99.

LMA Manager is also listed in the trade in offer. Hmmm.

You can buy LMA for £19.99 (getting the points on your Game Reward card if you have one) and then trade it in against Gears of War tomorrow (and until next Thursday I believe) to get £30 off the RRP which is straight away saving you £10.01 off of Gears of War.

I have done this and will also be using my Reward points (I think I have around £10 at least) to get further money off the title, meaning that ‘technically’ I am only spending £5 on the most anticipated game of the year* and the reason I bought an Xbox 360.

* Please not that this is pure speculation on my part, but it should be true.