5 Things Watch Dogs: Bad Blood Does Better Than Watch Dogs

5 Things Watch Dogs: Bad Blood Does Better Than Watch Dogs

I’ve decide to call this series of posts “Some Things Better.” I think it’s a lovely play on words. If you like the setup of these posts, or want me to go die in a hole, let me know in the comments.

Anyway, I picked up Watch Dogs: Bad Blood a bit early because I have the season pass. In Bad Blood you play as T-Bone/Raymond Kenney, the redneck hacker with an obscure nose piercing. I gave Watch Dogs a 6.5/10, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that its DLC was much better. Five things better, in fact.

1. Combat

I hated the combat in Watch Dogs. The game put you in close quarters, and made you use terrible controls to navigate them. Don’t misunderstand, the controls in Bad Blood haven't changed but the circumstances under which you fight have.

For the most part, the arenas in Bad Blood are more open spaces, with plenty of hacking opportunities that help make every fight a different experience.

2. Hacking

Bad Blood brings an element of creativity to hacking. With the new robotic car named Eugene, players can access and hack unique areas that were previously inaccessible. Also, the hacking mini-games have become more challenging. I once spent a full six minutes on one connect the dot puzzle.

3. Characters

Aiden Pierce, the main character of Watch Dogs, tired to hard to be Batman. He was constantly grim, melodramatic, and had an annoying gravelly voice. “I am the night,” he seemed to say to me. Not to mention, he was constantly surrounded by more interesting characters than himself, like T-Bone.

The thing I like about T-Bone is that he is his own person. There is no one else like him. I appreciate the originality Ubisoft had when they created him. Also, because T-Bone is more relatable than depressed Aiden, I grew to care for him more.

4. Side Quests

Remember the obnoxious clutter of Watch Dogs’s map. It’s gone in Bad Blood. “I can deal with a little clutter,” I hear some of you say. Well I couldn't! Someone with my level of OCD just can’t cope with all those side quests filling up the map.

I know it may seem odd to praise less content, but I am a firm believer in quality over quantity, and Bad Blood is a perfect example of that ideal. Although there are fewer side quests overall, they are more fun and diverse than any of the ones that were in Watch Dogs. Besides, the new “street sweep” missions (which are glorified gang hideout missions) are all connected by a subplot that clues to T-Bone’s love interest…. I think.

5. Level Design

Most of the areas in Watch Dogs felt to me like haphazard messes. In Bad Blood, every area feel ripe for the hacking. There is no obvious path the game wants you to take. Everything feels smooth, and players are free to experiment with play-styles and make their own game.

The feeling of riding the cameras from a mile away to the desired area, and eliminating all your enemies by hacking their hardware is…. bliss.

Score

Most people read (or rather, don’t) these things for the score. Here you go guys. I give Watch Dogs: Bad Blood an 8.5/10. It fully expresses what I wish the original Watch Dogs could have been. *Sigh*

Gotham Pilot Review

Gotham Pilot Review

DC’s new TV show Gotham premiered the other night. Gotham chronicles the adventures of a younger James Gordon, before he became commissioner.

When I heard about the concept of the show, I doubted that a Gotham City without Batman could ever be interesting or well-conceived.

I was accurate in my doubts.

I highly suggest watching the Pilot before reading this review, as there will be major spoilers.

Overuse of Villains

In the Pilot alone, Gotham burned through almost six super villains, most of which were just cameos since Poison Ivy and Cat”woman” are both twelve years old.

It seems that the Penguin is going to be the major bad-guy in this season. So far his origin story is pretty interesting, but Gotham also introduces a new villain named “Fish” that know one has ever heard of. Yay.

Honestly, I think the show was quite silly when handling the bad-guys. They obviously want to include some of the big-name baddies like Bane and the Joker, but the reason those villains are so good is because they are approximately the same age as Batman, as well as representing a quality of himself. They just don’t really work the same with Gordon.

Bruce’s Origin Sucked

In the comics and most film adaptations, Bruce Wayne’s parents are killed by a random mugger, which sparks Bruce’s interest in fighting crime as a whole.

In Gotham, the Waynes’ murder is apparently an organized act, part of a bigger and more dangerous conspiracy. I did not like this change.

Bruce does appear in a later scene where he is learning to conquer his fear. It was a cool little piece of foreshadowing.

Gordon is a Typical White Cop

Gotham portrayed Jim Gordon as a generic, good, white cop. He is a meat-head, a resourceful and clever one, but a meat-head just the same.

It seems that whenever a problem arises, Gordon’s first instinct is to think of something clever to say, and then punch the problem in the face. He is however, an honest and not easily corrupt cop, and that I appreciate.

Conclusion

Gotham has some good ideas, but it does a lot of things wrong. Overall I was disappointed with the Pilot and will probably not watch the rest of the season. I give the Pilot episode of Gotham a 5/10. It might be nice if you don’t know the Batman universe very well, but if you don’t know the universe, then why would you want to watch it?


Just a head up, The Legend of Korra: Book 4 premieres Friday. I am SO excited! I will most likely do a review of the first episode.

Also, the Watch Dogs DLC: Bad Blood just came out so I will be reviewing that in the coming weeks. Stay Tuned!!

Leave a comment, like, and don't forget to subscribe!!

A Natural Progression to Getting into Hard Rock - 5 Steps

A Natural Progression for Getting Into Hard Rock and Metal

If you’ve ever wanted to get into the world of headbangers, this is the guide for you. Like most people, I did not automatically jump into heavy music. Below, I have listed the natural progression that I used to discover my now favorite genre of music. I will list bands by name, and the best method is to use Pandora or another internet music app to make stations for them. That said, I think we can get started.

Step 1 - Research

In order to understand modern hard rock, you first have to explore its roots. So back to the 80’s we go! Go ahead and check out Skid Row, AC/DC, and Def Leppard if you haven’t already. These famous hair bands (that iTunes ignorantly classifies as “classic rock”) helped define what hard rock would someday become. Some others that are worth checking out are Twisted Sister, KISS, and Bon Jovi.

Step 2 - Warm-Up

Believe it or not, music has changed since the 80’s. In order to get a feel for how modern hard rock has developed, try some good old fashioned Punk Rock. Some crucial bands to know are Bowling for Soup, All Time Low, and Fall Out Boy. Some of these bands are known more popularly as “pop-punk.” That’s because they’ve changed with the times. Check out some of their earlier works, and you will be better off.

Some may think that this step is pointless and that they can skip it. Just remember, if you skip your warm-up, then you’ll get cramps later in the race. Trust me guys, this step is not to be left out.

Step 3 - Three Days Grace

Three Days Grace is probably the most important band you will ever listen to. Virtually every hard rock fan I know had started off listening to TDG. If there was ever a band designed to introduce people to modern hard rock, it’s Three Days Grace. Their music is accessible to almost everyone, and they have songs on both the hard and soft side.

Make a Three Days Grace station on Pandora, listen the hell out of it, and then move on to the next step. You can also check out Skillet, Pop Evil, and Shinedown.

Step 4 - Kick It Up a Notch

So, you’ve had your first real taste of hard rock. Time to take it to the next level. I highly recommend Five Finger Death Punch, Avenged Sevenfold, and Disturbed. These three iconic bands have shaped the path of Heavy Metal in the past decade. You should also listen to Halestorm if you like a great female vocalist.

Be warned, they are incredibly heavy, but they all have some softer songs too. They are serious head-bangers.

Step 5 - Explore

After following the steps above, you should have a pretty good idea of what your style of hard rock is. Now it’s up to you to continue exploring the vast world of heavy metal and discover new bands that fit your style.

Some other great bands that were not listed already but are definitely worth mentioning are:

• Bullet For My Valentine
• Adelitas Way
• The Pretty Reckless
• Icon for Hire
• Seether
• Stone Sour
• Slipknot
• Falling in Reverse
• Breaking Benjamin
• Black Stone Cherry
• We As Human
• Thousand Foot Krutch
• Papa Roach

You could also create Heavy Metal and Hard Rock stations on Pandora.

Good Luck, and have fun Rock On!

Did you like the Natural Progression style of blog today? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Seriously, one comment would be nice.....

After the Dark Review: A New Favorite

After the Dark

Let’s get something straight. There is a difference between what I view as a great movie and a movie that I love. For example, my favorite movie of all time is V for Vendetta. That said, it is not widely known or critically appraised. Not perfect by a long shot.

Note: I would give V for Vendetta a 10/10. Because it’s amazing.

The same could be said for After the Dark. This independent philosophical thriller was released in 2013, and was recommended to me by a co-worker. Like V for Vendetta, is isn’t perfect. Not even close. But for some reason, I absolutely love it.

Plot

Ahh, how does one describe the plot? Well, I suppose you should know that the movie follows a philosophy class in Indonesia. On the last day of school, the professor proposes a thought experiment to the class.

Each student is given a card with a profession written on it. Jobs range from electrical engineer to poet. Nuclear fallout strikes, and the students must decide which ten people should live in a bunker for a year and restart humanity.

I know, it sounds like the makings of a documentary. But After the Dark actually has an overarching plot. The students make their way through three different thought simulations, each revealing more about their personalities and relationships with the other students. Each scenario is shown in vivid detail through the students’ imaginations.

The movie may lose you in the last 20 minutes, but the last 45 seconds made the entire film worth it.

Acting/Dialogue

Note: Dialogue is a word I have trouble spelling.

The acting in this movie is not the best. However, you may see some familiar faces (I think I saw a former Disney Channel star in there).

The dialogue is also not great, but there are actually some great lines and monologues throughout the movie, they were just not delivered well.

SFX/Action

For a movie made on a budget, After the Dark actually features some decent special effects. Not to mention, the simulations take place in three amazing and beautiful locations.

There is one major fight scene in the whole movie. It was decently choreographed and involved some pencil-stabbing.

Award Time!

Best Performance: James D’Arcy for his performance as Mr. Zimit.

Best Scenario: Scenario #2

Best Scene: The very very very end.

Conclusion

Based on what you’ve read so far, you may not be completely sold on this movie. I know I haven’t said anything that proves that the movie is worth your time, but I actually highly recommend it. Lot’s of people hate on this movie because it is confusing, controversial, and long.

Too bad those are all qualities I like in a film.

Seriously guys, watch this movie. If you like Inception and need some food for thought, than this is the film for you.

I give After the Dark a 9.5/10.

Oh boo-hoo. Call me biased.

Godus (iOS) Review: Like Civilization But Worse

Godus

School started up recently, and with it I received my official “educational” IPad! Since I returned the IPad at the end of last school year, I have not played many mobile games (smart phones are too small for my tastes). However, upon receiving my IPad, I promptly installed several games that I had heard good things about. One of these games was Godus.

Gameplay

Godus is what Wikipedia classifies as a “god game,” which I guess is an established genre now. Anywho, you play as a/the god with the goal of leading your followers to victory and helping them survive.

If you read my Forge of Empires review, then you know that I am a big fan of Sid Meier’s Civilization. Imagine my excitement when Godus actually performed very similarly to Civ. The game is somewhat open-world, and although you as God can order your subjects and shape the earth, you can not build and structures.

Gameplay revolves around shaping the land so your followers can navigate and build on it. As you gain more followers, you unlock more powers and can explore more areas of the world.

Before I continue, I just read that this game was designed by Peter Molyneux. A gaming genius and legend.

Anyway, Godus also has a level-by-level portion of the game in which you lead groups of settlers past obstacles within a certain amount of time. These side quests are great for passing time and provide the player with rewards and resources.

The thing I found wrong with Godus’ gameplay was actually something I hate about the game. The controls absolutely suck. They are very inaccurate, and when you are quickly trying to make adjustments to land, the game can become very frustrating. Despite this downside, Godus’ game mechanics are imaginative and fun to play around with.

If only we could rotate the camera!!

Story

Like other games in the “genre,” Godus is all about expansion. There is a side plot about the strange natives of the island you are living on, but the main outcome of that conflict does not become clear until VERY late in the game.

More insightful players may find it interesting how Godus handles the belief system. The more amazing acts you commit and citizens you own, the more belief you generate. Belief is expended on shifting the world and controlling your slave people. The less belief you have, the less you can do. Godus has an underlying message. God’s are nothing without their followers.

Graphics/Sound

The graphics of Godus are stereotypically “indie,” full of color and filled with blocky shapes with thin outlining. The game looks great on iOS.

It seems Godus borrowed more than just its gameplay from Civilization. The sounds and music of Godus are incredibly similar to those in the legendary RTS game. The sounds aren’t complete knock-offs though: Little details, such as your peasants whistling tunes (albeit, one especially annoying tune) while they walk and work is where Godus stretches the wings of creativity.

Appeal/Replayability

Godus is really fun to get into. Setting up and expanding your small town of minions is exciting. That said, Godus quickly gets into the part of the game where all the player can do is wait for structures to be finished before moving forward. It are gimmicks like these that I just don’t understand.

Why would a game make you wait to play it? Sure, you could spend REAL money to rush the building. Or, you could just wait 3 hours and then play game designed to be free for FREE!

But I digress.

Alas, I soon realized that I was playing Godus because I felt obligated to, not because I wanted to. I suppose that means the game does its job well, making me grow attached to my slaves like a reverse case of Stockholm's Syndrome. Still, I quickly deleted the game and went back to playing QuizUp, a game I love.

Award Time!

Best Designer: Peter Molyneux

Note: I only included this award to mention Molyneux’s name again. I may have an obsession.

Conclusion

I enjoyed my time with Godus, but I just couldn’t sacrifice myself to the game. I couldn’t devote myself. I lost faith. I’m running out of God puns. Godus borrows many ideas from other games, as well as putting its own creative spin on things. I give Godus a 7.5/10 for at least having the sense to copy a good game. Well.

Unlike Forge of Empires which copies a good game (and by copy, I mean a charcoal rubbing) and then runs that copy through a shredder until absolutely nothing is recognizable and everything is bad.

Rant complete.

Don't forget to like, share and subscribe if you liked the review. I just reached 1000 pageviews of all time, so a celebration Critically Compared will premiere soon. 

Stay tuned!