Sunday 30 December 2012

My Top 5 Games of 2012

Alright.. my little post about the top 5 games I played in 2012. Of course, this list will only contain games that I played and games that were released in 2012.

In no particular order..


1. Max Payne 3

I'm a huge fan of Rockstar Games so no surprise that this game made my Top 5. Every game they release is a gem. To me, they can do little wrong and you can call me a fanboy for all I care..

But besides that, this is a great game. For the price you pay, the single player is enough to make it worth the price. Max Payne's 3rd adventure, 1st in current-gen systems, is a master-piece. Mixing stealth with all-action gun play, this has everything an action shooter can ask for. Plus, it has the coolest video game move, ShootDodge. The dark and gripping story-line will keep you at the edge throughout the whole game. With varying difficulty levels and game-modes, this is worth several playthroughs to test your capability.


That's not all, while the Single Player game mode is enough to warrant the price for the game, now more so due to price drops and year-end sales, there is still the very-addictive multiplayer. Plenty of item and weapon unlocks as your level progresses makes time spent online worthwhile. With the legend levels, what seems like a common in Rockstar games, there are plenty of rewards pulling you back again and again.


2. Assassin's Creed 3

Been hooked on the Assassin's Creed franchise ever since the first game was released. While the yearly release has bored some fans, this is still one of the best games of the year. Yes, the core game-play has pretty much remained unchanged. Free-running across obstacles, tailing suspects, assassinating targets.. Same old stuff but essential to defining what Assassin's Creed is all about.

However, Ubisoft has done more than enough to keep the latest edition refreshing.. All new setting in Colonial America, new Assassin Connor, new hunting missions and the critically-acclaimed Naval Battles developed by Ubisoft Singapore (Hey! Hey! Feel so patriotic now!) kept the excitement fresh.


The stylish Connor and his Tomahawk were a deadly combination and I had plenty of fun with this new Assassin, probably my favourite of them all.


3. Diablo 3

Don't think I have ever mentioned it here but I did play Diablo 3. Played Diablo 1 and 2 back in the days and I love it. Battling hordes of monsters while searching for the best loot were a great combination. It never gets old.

I hardly play games on PC anymore ever since I got a PS3 but this game was worth getting back into PC gaming. It was a whole load more fun playing with my work colleagues who were all into this game. Hours and hours just searching the dungeons for better loot was like a drug.


While I feel that it didn't compare to Diablo 2 and have kinda gotten a little bored of it, this was still of the best games of 2012 for me.


4. Borderlands 2

Did I mention killing enemies and loot hunting? Another sequel that had the same was Borderlands 2. The prequel brought a group of 4 strangers together who had plenty of laughs and fun. The same group came back together in the sequel and had as much fun even though our lives have changed so much.

The sequel brought back everything that we loved in the first and multiplied it, while correcting the little minus points. Memorable bosses and places within the game will keep you talking about this game long after you put down the controller.


One of the best games of 2012 which gives you months of playtime. Plenty of DLC will only extend the fun. Best played with friends so get sociable!


5. AC Milan Fantasy Manager 2013 / Real Madrid Fantasy Manager 2013

A surprise inclusion to this list. I first started playing the 2012 version of this iPhone Mobile App last December and was hooked on it ever since.

This football fantasy manager is based on real life player stats. The better the real-life player does in a game, the better stats your in-game player has for that week till the next real-life match. The better your team play in real, the stronger your team in-game becomes. Earn more money to buy better players. Build facilities, complete jobs and challenge AI opponents and other players to earn experience and money to improve your team.


Guess which player will have a good match that week and buying him for your team before his value goes up is vital to get value for the money. Tracking your players' injuries and suspensions in real-life is crucial to get the best out of your players. Updating yourself on players' matches week-in, week-in out is addictive and watching your players score goals and keep clean sheets in actual games gives you a high (Double the High if they are players from teams you support) knowing their stats will be given a boost that week.


The game gets a little boring during the off-season when they aren't any real matches and I stopped playing for a while... But when the new version for the 2013 season was released with an all-new look, I was hooked on it all over again.


Defnitely a must-try game for all Football Fans, the app comes in various club themes even though all of them are the same concept and linked together via challenges. Game is also available on Facebook and best part of it is that the game is free!

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So there you have it.. my top 5 games of 2012... Agree with me? What are your favourite games? Tell me about them in the comments below!

The games that didn't make it.. 

Darksiders 2: My most anticipated game for this year.. Was so excited for this after the first game but glitches and a patch that can't install meant that I can't even try out this game. Chances that these issues will be fixed are looking slimmer after the publishers, THQ filed for bankruptcy..

Borderlands Legends: This mobile app game aims to expand on the Borderlands Universe after the success of the console games. A good game that I have enjoyed so far but misses out on the top 5..

Spec Ops: The Line: From what I have seen, this game looks exciting and might be good enough to make the list but problem is I don't have the game yet. Lack of time is delaying me getting this under-rated game.. Hopefully will have some time for next year..
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Wednesday 26 December 2012

Weekly PlayAsia Deals

Bringing you the latest deals from our affiliate, PlayAsia... A grand total of 1 deal! Super-Duper-Mega Special!

How sad.. just 1 deal this week just after Christmas.. 

Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid 2 HD Version (US $12.90) - Buy Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid 2 HD Version (PS3) (Affiliate Link
If all you wanted for Christmas is this game, and no one bought it for you.. At least it's on a cheap deal now! Go get it!

As much as I'd love all of you to click these affiliate links to help me earn credits, there is just nothing much to talk about this week

Anyway, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

GTA 3 10th Anniversary Claude Figure

Wanted it badly and got it for myself as a Christmas Present!
GTA 3 Claude Action Figure

Figurine of Claude from GTA 3! This is in 1:6 scale so it's pretty big!

I have mixed feelings about this though.. Don't get me wrong, this is a fantastic figure and I really like it but I will get to why I'm not happy about it later.. For now let's marvel at this.

The box itself, nice gloss and artwork..
Claude in his Bomber Jacket and Cargo Pants
Claude in the Alternative Outfit, Liberty City Prison Outfit with the SMG
Full range of weapons and accessories

No shortage of guns here, maybe a shotgun and rocket launcher added to the mix would have been great but don't really have any complaints as there are more than enough accessories to choose from. Glad they included the baseball bat as to me, it's an iconic weapon in the GTA games.

Also comes with an additional set of hands..
2 clenched fists if you prefer those, always good options for different poses.

The stand to hold the figure in place
Very common to see this in figures like these but I don't like it. Prefer to pose the figure on it's own, gives it more realism I feel but options are always great!

A fantastic figure with great detail. Have plenty points of articulation to pose Claude in iconic poses. A great selection of guns & weapons that you can choose from gives me a headache. Add to the fact, there are two outfits! I'm thinking of getting another one of this just to display Claude in both his outfits! :D

While I'm very impressed with this figure and have no regrets getting it, the news or rather the lack of news that a Tommy Vercetti figure will be made. This Claude figure was released as part of the GTA 10th Anniversary Collection and with the Vice City 10th Anniversary fast approaching at this point of time, I badly  wanted to get this figure and subsequently a Tommy figure, which I expected to be announced. So strongly believed that Tommy will be made that I was already day-dreaming how my shelf was gonna look with Claude and Tommy side by side. Damn, no news is giving me depression, so disappointing!

Anyway, I can't believe I passed on this when it was first announced about a year ago I believe. While I love the GTA series to bits, I didn't play GTA 3 because it was released before I got into gaming. Maybe that's why I couldn't connect with this figure at first. I watched all the cut-scenes on a fan website though some time back. (Damn, I forgot the link to it!!) Somehow I saw this figure again and had a strong urge to get it. Really really love it!

More pics below in various poses for your viewing pleasure, Chiku Chiku Enjoy!

    
  
(Click to Enlarge)

More pics as always in the slideshow below..

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all! It's 1.00am here on Christmas Day! 

Busy editing some photos in between preparing for Christmas.. Let me give you a preview..
All pics should be up on Boxing day.. Will be too busy tomorrow.. Hopefully my Top 5 Games of 2012 feature will also be ready on that day.. 

So, everyone enjoy Christmas or the holidays with your family. Eat well and spend some good time with your family.. Put down your controllers for once.. lol!

Monday 24 December 2012

Warehouse Sale again!

Epicsoft had their Warehouse sale again over the weekend! Oh god if they keep doing these, I'm gonna go broke. But who's gonna complain about good deals?

After my last visit to the warehouse sale only at the beginning of this month, I told myself I'll just go look this time.. but this post wouldn't have existed if I did just that.

So what did i get this time?
A Max Payne 3 Special Edition, already have it but I couldn't resist getting one more because of the awesome price. Also Dead Island GOTY, also a good price considering it comes with all the DLC. Last purchase was a Duracell USB Charger kit, good for charging all my controllers and headset at the same time.

Rage Comics (3 issues) and the Beaterator PSP game were won in a lucky dip! Pretty cool!

Was hoping to get Batman Arkham City for PS3 but they didn't have it.. Maybe during the next sale eh?

Oh I got 1 more thing that day but not from the sale.
Game Informer's November Issue with GTA V Cover. Awesome issue with tons of exclusive GTA V info. Special thanks to Abhinandhan who got this for me during his trip to Australia, thanks man!

J Veron's World Updates - 23 December 2012

So we are still here.. The world didn't end.. Maybe some Mayans were bored and decided to troll us just for the fun of it.. Who the fuck knows?

Been playing AC3 over the weekend. One complaint I have is that the voice-acting doesn't sound convincing enough. The English dialogues were good but the Native Indian dialogues seemed very fake. I haven't really heard much Native American talk.. But it seems very emotionless to me.

Anyway, I thought of doing a feature on my blog on the following:
Top 5 Games of 2012 I played
Top 5 Collectibles of 2012 I bought
Top 5 things I want to see in 2013

Will be writing these features up in the next few days.. so stay tuned, friends!

Thursday 20 December 2012

It's Dec 20 2012!

So... it's Dec 20 2012, 8.05pm over here.. Apparently the world's going to end in about 4 hours.. or 28 hours? Depending on which timezone the Mayans were following.. But then again, other countries have already reached the predicted Doomsday already..

So will the world really end on Dec 21 2012? It will be sad though, not that anyone will be around to feel sad about it though.. But GTA V is coming out next year!! That will be a waste..

Some really awesome collectibles is coming out next year too.. Mortal Kombat statues.. Scorpion Premium Format and Shao Kahn 1:2 Bust from Syco Collectibles, Death statue from SOTA toys etc etc.. Come to think of it, I haven't pre-ordered anything yet.. Just in case the world does end ;)

I would like to do write about my top 5 games of 2012, top 5 collectibles of 2012, hopes for 2013.. Something along these lines. Had a brief thought about it then I thought I shouldn't bother cracking my head over it in case the world does end on Dec 21 2012..

As I'm writing this, I realise I have yet to play Assassin's Creed 3! Oh no.. that will be 1 game I wouldn't want to miss out on if the world ends.. I have some time left I guess.. Maybe I should do an all-nighter and complete the game tonight?

Ok I'm off guys.. Post your comments on what plans you have made or put off due to the Doomsday prediction.. I'm sure none of us go around claiming the world's ending but subconsciously have you altered your lifestyle? Do tell! I'll try reading in between rushing AC3.

Disclaimer: This blog post was meant to be a joke. The writer does not believe the world's ending. The writer will be making pre-order payments for some collectibles today. The writer is also not rushing through Assassin's Creed 3, in fact he is not even touching the game yet. To be honest, the writer is playing GTA3 casually before he plays GTA: Vice City and then GTA: San Andreas before strolling through GTA IV all in preparation for GTA V which will be releasing next year as the world will not be ending...

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Comic covers, found them!

Was looking for those plastic covers with the white cardboard for some of my loose comics and finally found them. 
Bought 5 of these at SGD $0.50 each, pretty good price I guess. Now my comics are protected..
Got these at Absolute Comics at Bugis Junction (Singapore), in case anyone else is looking for them..

Good Deals from PlayAsia

PlayAsia seems to have a couple of good deals this week, just nice for Christmas..

Prototype 2 for PS3 (US $16.90) - Buy Prototype 2 (PS3) (Affiliate link)
and Hitman: Absolution for XBox 360 (US $19.90) - Buy Hitman: Absolution (Xbox360) (Affiliate link)
Albeit both are Korean versions, but if you don't mind that, they are both awesome deals.

Uncharted 3 for PS3 (US $17.90) - Buy Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3) (Affiliate link)
This one is the US version. Also a very good deal for one of the best PS3 games out there, or so I hear (Never played the Uncharted series, hehe!)

Pretty good deals and will be a good time to get these if you have been eyeing these games. I'll be grateful if you can use my affiliate links if you decide to buy ;)

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Woohoo! 5k Views!

Blog reached 5k views! Thanks everyone for reading!

Started out this blog just to show off my collection and to find more collectors like me, especially in Singapore. Glad to say that I have done that.. Already met more than a few friends with a similar passion for games and collecting. It's always very interesting to hear stories from people of all walks of life and all over the world. It's been a pleasure getting to know all these people and always eager to know more collectors..

Also it's been fun talking about games and meeting others who share the same interest in the games I play, some of whom I have played with.. Hope to play with more people in the future..

Glad that I already have a few regular readers and hope that you have had a fun time reading my blog. I know there are a couple of you and I urge you to post comments on the blog itself :) Come on guys, don't be shy!! 

Moving forward, I wish to have more interesting articles for you guys to read and more pictures to show you guys! Again, thank you all for reading and do keep supporting! Do write to me what you would like to see in my blog! 

Friday 14 December 2012

Giving away 2 Beta Codes for Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm


Managed to get hold of 2 Beta keys for the expansion pack of Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm. 
You will need a Battle.net account to try it out and you don't need to have the original Starcraft 2 game.

First two people to mail me at jveron004@gmail.com gets it!

Edit: 2 people have mailed me already! Codes will be sent out in a bit. Sorry to the rest, will source for more codes and will update my blog if I do!

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Updated pic of my Assassin's Creed Figure Collection

Just showing off.. haha!
Have every Assassin's Creed figurine released up to now, including the very rare Crouching Altair one in the front.

The Freedom Edition Connor is missing the Colonial Flag piece as it doesn't fit into the shelf so it's tucked away safely for now. Hoping for a Aveline figurine from the AC: Liberation PS Vita game. That will be a nice addition to the collection.

Got a few other NECA figures, the later released ones, still sealed in their box. Shelf is too full to add any more figures right now, haha!

Hope you like my collection! Do post some comments below!
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Tuesday 11 December 2012

My Assassin's Creed 3 Collection

Ok this post is coming a little late.. but "better-late-than-never!" 

Wanted to do a group shot of all the AC3 items that I got over the last 1-2 months, actually more of the  items that I intend to keep as I sold a few extras and some which I didn't feel would fit into my collection.

And the remaining items are..

Hopefully I didn't miss out anything as most of the stuff are all over the place. Sure, they are plenty of other collections out there which are bigger and more extensive but I'm very happy with the ones I have and I don't think I have a strong need for most of the others. So let's talk about the stuff in the pic..

The 2 Connor figures were definitely the ones I was most looking forward to. Very detailed and well-painted, they fit really well with the previous Assassin figures.

But the spotlight will definitely be Connor's Tomahawk replica which is a more realistic version of the retail one for sale. This model was only given to members of the press and employees of Ubisoft. I was told only 300 were made so it's definitely a very treasured piece of my collection. It's a huge plus that it comes in a very cool Wooden display box. Very very nice!

Connor's Medallion is also very cool as well as a replica of the Declaration of Independence Letter. The Letter replica was given to me for free so I will be treasuring that as well. Might want to frame it up sometime in the future.

The Encyclopaedia (2nd Edition) will definitely be a good read for more info on the Assassin's Creed Universe together with the Novel and George Washington's Journal. The Collectors' Edition guidebook is another addition to my growing CE guidebooks from Ubisoft.

The Lithographs are also really cool even though I won't buy them separately. They will be fighting for space in my new place.

Most of the stuff came from the various CEs that I purchased. It's been a fun few months pre-ordering all these and waiting impatiently, err I mean, patiently for them to arrive. Receiving package after package from around the world has been exciting. Got to know a couple of other Assassin's Creed collectors around the globe as well. I don't believe I have had this much fun, on a collecting level, with a single game before. Sure, we complain about the number of CEs and merchandise they bring out, but at the end of it all, the collection looks awesome! It's been an exhilarating experience and I will be looking forward to the next Assassin's Creed. Bring on the Collectibles!!


Monday 10 December 2012

Strange Occurrences..

Was taking a group pic of all my AC3 Collectibles when I noticed something strange..


See any difference? The pic above is the one I took yesterday and the one below was when I first got the figure.

Check out the arrow... When I posted pics on my blog, I complained about the arrow being bent and crooked. But when I took out the figure from the display again, it seems to have straightened itself.. Strange eh? The figure isn't under any extreme temperature changes so how it straightened itself is a mystery.. Must be Connor pulling on the arrow, don't you think?

It's good though, I was thinking of getting another of this as I was pretty disturbed about the crooked arrow, but I guess problem is solved now. :)

Saturday 8 December 2012

BigBadToyStore's Holiday Giveaway!

BigBadToyStore is having a holiday giveaway where they are giving away a USD$50 daily to 1 lucky winner  between Dec 10th-14th and Dec 17th-21st.

Rather easy to enter, just enter here, you will need a facebook acount.

One of my favourite stores to get some of my figures as they have international shipping and costs are very reasonable.. Good Luck all!

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Sudden need for this!

I have a want for this all of a sudden..


Wasn't too interested in this when it was released and was a little put off by the price then but now I really want it. But it seems to be sold out everywhere.. Anyone has a new & sealed one for sale?!

Monday 3 December 2012

Deals at a Warehouse Sale

Went to a warehouse sale over the weekend with work colleagues, organised by one of the local distributors in Singapore. Our very own Black Friday sale or something like that. This is my haul..


Don't mind the weird collage pic, was trying something new on Instagram..

The Rage poster was free as well as the Bioshock 2 Special Edition, which was a free gift for spendings over SGD$100. Shared some purchases with a friend to reach that SGD$100.

Having pre-ordered most of the games that I like, I didn't really see anything to purchase at the sale even though some of deals were really worth it. So I only got these.. already have the GTA IV Complete Edition as well as Max Payne 3 on PS3 but I'm going to play these on PC with my work friends. First time in a long time I purchased games for the PC and as it is, I'm struggling to complete my PS3 games so I'm not sure what I'm trying to do here..haha!

The poster they were giving out was random (I got Rage, friend got Duke Nukem) so pretty wasted I didn't get a poster of one my favourite games.

Never played any of the BioShock games before so not too sure what to do with the Special Edition. It comes with a hardcover art book, soundtrack, the PS3 game and posters I think? So what do you think? Should I sell it and does anyone want to buy it off me or is this a game worth trying?