Have You Seen Gears of War 2? A Review

Have You Seen Gears of War 2? A Review
By Colin_Dorman

Gears of War 2 builds upon the gameplay of the first title in every way. First, the scope of the action is bigger: new characters, more weapons, nastier enemies, bigger vehicles, and grander locales offer more action, more emotion, and more thrills. Next, every major aspect of the game has been refined to create heightened, more immersive experiences.

Finally, the overall tone of Gears of War 2 is more badass: replete with new weapon-specific executions, chainsaw duels, and shocking boss fights. Gears of War 2 raises the graphics bar for next-generation games through its breathtaking visual effects, which are made possible through advances in Unreal Engine 3.

New visual effects include ambient occlusion, dynamic shadows, improved character lighting, the ability to render hundreds of on-screen characters simultaneously, improved water physics, additional blood and bullet decals, advanced destructible environments, new weather effects, and the introduction of fluid objects.

When combined with the sweeping vistas and evocative locales in the world of Sera where the Gears of War 2 story unfolds, these additions help make this the most gorgeous game available this generation. Gears of War 2 continues to push deep, immersive storytelling in video games to greater heights.

Humanity's epic battle for survival is felt on both the personal and epic levels as you explore multiple story arcs that introduce new characters and flesh out the histories of familiar ones. A new in-game conversational camera system also helps bring the compelling story to life in a cinematic fashion. [Microsoft]

Gears for War is an Xbox futuristic third person shoot 'em up game that has won over 30 gaming awards since it was released and has a huge base of loyal fans.

The game was released in 2007 exclusively for the Xbox 360 and quickly became one of the most popular and talked about games on the console.

It succeeds in delivering one of the most heart-pounding and graphically thrilling experiences available for the Xbox but if that isn't enough to hook you there's always the team-based multiplayer online game.

In 2007 the game sold over three million units worldwide, and was the fourth best selling game of the year.

In Gears of War you are thrust into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's struggle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet, bent on the destruction of humankind.

Out numbered and outpowered you and your ragtag squadron of soldiers have to defend humankind from the ever present Locust Horde.

You are Marcus Fenix, the Delta Squads reluctant war hero and leader who leads the Delta Squad on a series of perilous and adrenaline-pumping missions against the onslaught of the Locust Horde.

The game is has now become so popular that it is available across multiple platforms with the PC game looking even better and sharper than the original Xbox 360 version.

All in all with its great choice of weapons, an excellent multiplayer package, and an action-packed story with cinematic quality graphics Gears of War is a terrific action game with great interactivity.

Not Just A Game

With its excellent cinematic quality graphics it was only a matter of time before Gear for Wars would get the movie treatment.

New Line had planned on a summer of 2009 release but realistically it looks more likely to be the summer of 2010.

Gears for War Action Figures

NECA Toys recently announced that they have granted Amazon.com the exclusive retail rights to their licensed Gears for War Bundle Lancer Replica and 'Headshot' Locust Drone Action Figure for the USA and Canada.

Any customers who pre-order the Lancer replica will also receive a free copy of the standard edition of the Gears of War 2 game for Xbox 360™ and be eligible to upgrade to the Limited Collector's Edition of the game for an additional $10.00.

The Lancer life size replica gun and Gears of War 2, developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios, are scheduled for simultaneous release on November 7, 2008 and will be available for $139.99.

But that's not all, also scheduled for release is NECA's exclusive "Headshot" Locust Drone action figure with metal COG tag replicas, which will retail for $19.99.

With its signature chainsaw bayonet The Lancer Assault Rifle is one of the most popular weapons in the Gears of War universe.

NECA used 3D data direct from the Gears of War 2 game in order to produce an accurate and detailed electronic Lancer replica, which is 36 inches in length and runs on three "C" batteries.

The Locust Drone is a nasty enemy in Gears of War, and the "Headshot" Locust Drone has is a new version of the original action figure depicting the merciless foot soldier taking an unfortunate Longshot Sniper Rifle blast to the head.

The "Headshot" Locust Drone comes complete with real metal COG tags, a nod to Gears of War's intrepid Delta Squad.

As with any popular game the amount of merchandise and collectible memorabillia will only increase in bith quantity and value as the game gains in popularity and with the upcoming release of the new game and and movie it seems likely that Gears of War will be with us for some time.

My advice, if your a collector get collecting now.

If you're a gamer, get the game and try it.

I don't think you'll regret it.

Have fun and happy gaming!

Written by Colin Dorman

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Memorex Blu Ray Disc Player - Know Your Blu-ray DVD Player's Profile

Memorex Blu Ray Disc Player - Know Your Blu-ray DVD Player's Profile (Before You Buy Your Next DVD Player)
By Curtis Hoskins

When buying a Memorex Blu-ray disc Player you will see a new feature that may be unfamiliar to you. It is called the Blu-ray Profile. It is an important feature you need to know because it is one of the main differences between blu-ray players and DVD players.

With DVD players there was a single hardware requirement but this is not the case for Blu-ray players. It may be confusing at first but it is easy but once you know what each profile means. And even though Blu-ray technology is rather recent, you will find it is moving forward at a rapid pace so the format is constantly changing and evolving. If you're not careful you may end up with an "older" Blu-ray player.

So, what exactly is a Blu-ray Profile? Well, they are used to catalogue Blu-ray players and it determines the standard features and specifications of audio and video codec abilities found in Blu-ray Players. What a certain Profile a DVD player has tells you what set of features it supports. Blu-ray Profile 1.0 was the first set of features and functions labeled for discs and players. Then came Profile 1.1 and the latest is Profile 2.0 (BD-Live).

Now, any type of blu-ray profiles will play a blu-ray disc but with the different Profiles you get different extra features available to you.

Bly-ray Profile 1.0

The first Profile was 1.0, it has no extra features. You may also hear it referred to as "Initial Standard Profile" or "Grace Period Profile". Being the first generation of Blu-ray players it meets the very basic standards and minimum requirements. It has 64 KB of built-in persistent memory. Local storage capability, Secondary video decoder, Secondary audio decoder and Virtual file system are all optional. But it would be rare to find any Profile 1.0 Blu-ray player with any of these features.

After Nov 27, 2007 all of Blu-ray players manufactured were required to support Profile 1.1. But you still can find Profile 1.0 Blu-ray players being sold. The Sharp BD-HP20U or the Pioneer elite BDP-95FD, for example, are still available. If you are someone who does not care for extra features and only interested in the movie, these Profile 1.0 blu-ray players maybe the right one for you.

Bly-ray Profile 1.1

Since Profile 1.1 is now the basic mandatory requirement of all Blu-ray players, these types are the most common. The profile 1.1 Blu-ray Players have 64 KB built-in persistent memory, 256 MB of local storage and a Virtual file system. But the main difference with Profile 1.1 blu-ray players is the addition of picture-in-picture function, also known as Bonus View. This is mainly use to show a smaller picture in the corner of the movie. Usually having a director or actor providing comments about the movie or a particular scene being displayed in the larger picture. A secondary video and audio decoders are required for the smaller picture. Most movie studios now apply this feature to all their standard releases.

Bly-ray Profile 2.0

Although Profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live, is not mandatory for new Memorex Blu-ray players, more and more manufacturers are beginning to producing these Profile types. The major different feature in Profile 2.0 is the ability of an internet connection, usually through an Ethernet port, and it is capable of interactive features when playing a blu-ray disc. Features such as movie-related games, blogs and other content. While movie studios are excited about this features and see it as the next "big thing" in home entertainment, so far interactive content has been not been all that spectacular or riveting. However, the possibilities to use this technology are vast and will surely improve.

The other technical details of Profile 2.0 are similar to Profiles 1.0 and 1.1. It has built-in persistent memory, Secondary video and audio decoders(for picture-in-picture), a Virtual file system and 1 GB of local storage. This large increase in storage from 256 MB that is in Profile 1.1 is to accommodate downloaded material from the internet. One thing you should be aware of is that some Profile 1.0 and 1.1 Blu-ray players have Ethernet ports. This is not for download extra content but for firmware updates.

When looking to purchase a Blu-ray players, you are most likely to come across all three Profile Types. So the question is, which one should I buy? Since the prices of Blu-ray Players are rapidly coming down, your best option would be the Profile 2.0 because it's the latest and the most future proof of all the Blu-ray Players. But if you're not interested in special features or interactive capabilities, than considering a Profile 1.0 or Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Player is a very reasonable choice and will save you some money. Besides, you still be able to enjoy all and future Blu-ray disc movies; you just won't be able to download extra content.

Memorex Blu Ray Disc Players Resources:
Memorex Blu Ray Disc Players reviews

For a more information on Blu-ray and Blu-ray Players try this handy comparison guide:

Blu-ray DVD Players

Or try checking out the latest deals on Blu-ray Players here:

Best Blu-ray Deals.

Curtis Hoskins Copyright © 2008. This article may be freely distributed if this
resource box stays attached.

New Star Trek Movie - Star Trek Insurrection Movie Review

New Star Trek Movie - Star Trek Insurrection Movie Review
By Alex Demattia

Being an odd-numbered Trek film (in this case #9), there seemed to be an expectation that this film will not reach the same quality level as we've come to expect going on the form of the previous films in the series, but with "Insurrection", the Star Trek franchise took a major tumble. No, it's not as bad as the clumsy The Final Frontier, or the just plain bad and worst entry, Nemesis; the structure of the story and its execution are first rate. The problem lies in the fact that not only is the story of the film not strong enough to sustain a feature, it's also filled with cringe-worthy comedy. The person who suggested this film should be lighter after the hard-core action of "First Contact" should be taken out in to the street and shot. It's a tragedy when you see your favourite characters engaging in stupid behaviour and/or gimmicky tag lines and sequences, especially when Star Trek is at its best when its serious. Having said all that however, "Insurrection", despite its overblown title which it doesn't live up to, has a solid Star Trek story at its heart that reaches back towards the original vision of creator Gene Roddenberry and it is only this one saving grace that elevates this film beyond the very worst that Star Trek has to offer.

In an interesting opening sequence, we see Data lose the plot and start shooting at Starfleet personnel on a planet where they are secretly observing the population who are unaware of their existence. Data puts a stop to that, revealing all the Starfleet officers, prompting Picard and the crew of the Enterprise to visit the Ba'ku planet to find out what happened to Data. As they investigate, they discover a secret plan to forcibly remove the 600 Ba'ku to another planet in order to capture the Fountain of Youth elements present on the planet for the entire Federation, and worse, that Starfleet is in league with a group of thugs called the So'na. Not wanting to take this lying down, Picard decides to hang up his rank and go on the Ba'ku's side and attempt to stop the Federation from doing what it's doing and to highlight how the Federation is betraying the principles upon which it was founded.

As you can see, there's potential in this storyline for a big, dramatic adventure with strong moral themes. Screenwriter Michael Piller admits as much when he first set out to write the story; the problem is, someone decided it might be a good idea to make this light fare. As a result, we have scene after scene of cringing comedy which makes fun of all the characters and completely destroys the dramatic seriousness the story and themes otherwise would have had. There's Picard and Worf singing karoake to trick Data, there's Riker manouervering the Enterprise with a joystick, there's Troi and Riker indulging in their prebubescent fantasies, there's Data often being on the end of the 'make-fun-of-him' stick, and so on and so on. There are a few genuine laughs, but what's the point? It's not a comedy. Star Trek deserves better than this. The Voyage Home handled Star Trek comedy perfectly by making it come organically from the story itself, and even then it would be best to describe it as light-hearted rather than comedy. Insurrection seems to resort to the banana-peel style comedy which is just awful.

What did work in the film? The central concept is very strong, and is also very Star Trek. There are parallels with human history with the forced relocation of indigenous populations to accommodate the stronger invaders. It's just unfortunately let down by a less than dramatic setting and execution which makes the film feel like a television episode, and that's before the comedy begins... Not good for a film with a $60+ million budget. The visuals in this film are first rate, particularly the special effects sequences and the space scenes which have a richness and depth to them that are amongst the best in the series. There are also some very good guest star actors in F. Murray Abraham as the film's obvious and tough villain, Anthony Zerbe as the misguided Federation admiral who is the one breaking the Prime Directive, and Donna Murphy playing in effect Picard's love interest. Jerry Goldsmith's music is also quite beautiful. When there are genuine moments between the various characters, they are really quite good; but those moments are few and far between.

"Insurrection", despite some nice moments and a solid Star Trek central them, is a wasted opportunity and a major disappointment.

For the complete, original DVD review, click this link: http://www.allaboutmovies.net/dvdreviewstartrekinsurrection.htm

Alex DeMattia is the lead DVD reviewer at the film/DVD review web site All About Movies.net. He also contributes reviews and articles for the Digicosm Film Blog: http://www.filmannex.com/Digicosm