Monday, March 16, 2009

Assassin's Creed

Not the most recent games, so far, but also not very old. Assassin's Creed breaks new ground when it comes to the action/adventure genre.

Like the title implies, you're an assassin, named Altaïr and you have to assassinate people. This storyline takes place in the Holy Land in the Third Crusade. Lots of history.

Just so I won't spoil the plot, the game basically revolves about Altaïr trying to regain his honor, which he loses when he "compromises the brotherhood" (quote from Altaïr's master, himself, Al Mualim, leader of the assassins). Then, after every mission you complete, you gain another skill that will help you in your quest. Of course, being an assassin, guards and soldiers will try to kill you on sight, so you can either stay and fight them, or run. Either way, you have to escape and lose them. Leaving dead bodies everywhere in the city isn't exactly the ideal way of completing the game, but it'll earn you a few achievements for the Xbox 360. The combat isn't the best because it's really easy to win and the bad guys just stand there and attack one by one. It's hard in the beginning of the game, until you get the ability to counter attack. Then, they drop dead, one by one. You have a sword, a short blade (which includes a bunch of small knives you can you can use to throw at enemies, but you have to pickpocket thugs to restash your stock), your fists, and a hidden blade. It's awesome, especially when you realize that you can use that short blade in combat. You can't attack people with it, but when they attack you, you can counterattack, and there's this crazy awesome move that's an instant kill.

But the best part of the game is running around and climbing walls, better than monkeys and Spidermen. It's so realistic, you'd probably try to do that if you could. There's almost nothing you can't climb up to. Leaping across rooftops and fooling around is actually really fun. The cities are just as awesome. The people react to what you do, if you bump into them, attack them, or climb up a wall near them. I've heard this one, too many times: "God save him; he's gone mad." The coolest parts of the game are when you climb to the highest points in the game and then, the camera moves around so you can see everything below. It's crazy. And when you jump down to a stack of hay, it's almost thrilling, the first time you experience it.




Unfortunately, this game is very repetitive because of all the side mission you have to complete. You have to do the exact same things 9 times throughout the game, and it gets boring. You can choose to collect all the flags scattered around the areas, kill all the Templars, and save all the citizens, but it's not worth it, unless you want to earn some achievements on the Xbox 360. Either way, you have about 1000 flags to collect, 60 Templars to kill, quite a lot of citizens to save, and you honestly cannot get through all of them without searching online for maps. If you're like me, you've probably already done that. I collected all the flags, killed all the Templars, saved all the citizens, and got all the achievements. It took days. Don't do it, until you've finished the game. Better you have no flags at all, than 87/100 flags that you've found yourself.

I wouldn't recommend buying this game, but I would definitely recommend renting it.

To find more about this game, check out Gametrailers.com and you've GOT to check this trailer out: Veoh.com

Fallout 3

You've probably seen the commercials, or at least heard of this game, Fallout 3. Well, most of the video game addicts know that it's a shooter, and it looks cool. They're probably right.

The graphics in this game is really well designed. It really fits in well with the plotline (you're a guy who lives in a wasted land, where there's radiation everywhere, and you're looking for your missing dad). Of course, with all the missions (the important ones and the side missions, too), you really have no other option other than exploring everything they have in there. Unfortunately, of all these wonderfully designed areas, you don't have an option of leaving checkpoints on your map.

In Fallout 3, you have the option of changing perspectives, which is why I didn't say it was a first person shooter. You're also able to level up in many different areas and acquire different skills after playing the game for some time.

There's also an interesting targeting system where you can select a body part of your enemy as your target.




If you want to learn more about this game, check out Gametrailers.com for a more detailed review.

FSW Quick Tip 1: Windows Desktop Search not for you?

Welcome to the first of the weekly issue of FSW (Freedomstar Weekly) Quick Tip. Every Monday, a new quick tip will be provided to you. All software presented will be free of charge, though some may have a paid version with enhancements available. Most software will be multi-platform, although some may be Windows only. These quick tips will include a basic overview of hte product and a rating for it. A video presentation of this may be available in the future.

Is Microsoft Windows's built in desktop search too difficult for you? Are you looking for fast and efficient searching? Here are two useful programs with instant indexed search, and more.

Copernic Desktop Search:
This winner of CNET Editor's Choice Oct. 04 as well as numerous other awards. This software provides a pleasing tabbed interface and searches all your files on your hard drive. Unlike Google Desktop, it does not search the entire internet. It performs a one-time indexing of your whole hard drive upon install and then performs real time indexing as files are added and deleted. The personal non-commercial version is free although there are paid enhanced versions available. Compare them here.

The free version has flashy ads and gives you an alert of buying the pro version.

Pressing the web search button opens a Copernic Search Engine in your default web browser.

The installation took me 10 seconds with the configuration taking around 5. Searches can also be refined directly from the main search panel for each tab.

Unfortunately, the free version does NOT include search as you type a.k.a Instant Search and does not index network drives, both of which are possible with Google Desktop. Instant Search is partially available in Google Desktop. The preview list of results when you search is instant although the main search from the browser is not. It also lacks plugin support.

Copernic Desktop Search rating:
95/100 (Superior)

Google Desktop:
Google Desktop Search allows you to search your computer just like you would search Google. Instant search results are available and full results are viewed in the browser just like Google. A variety of files are supported for indexing including Gmail and Google Talk chats. You can also choose to have a search bar in your taskbar, deskbar floating around, or the full sidebar similar to Windows Sidebar where you can add numerous gadgets. These gadgets can also be detached. Gadgets include viewing YouTube videos, Weather, Gmail, and much much more. For more details, visit the official Google Desktop page.

Upon installing, it will perform a one time full indexing of your computer. Then after that, it will be performing real time indexing as new files come in. Fully customizable with additional plugins to support more file types.

Note: The version available with Google Pack/Updater appears to be higher than the latest version available at the main site. I recommend using Google created and certified gadgets for third party ones often cause Google Desktop startup to freeze a lot. Some computers may have Google Desktop pre-installed.

Google Desktop tends to use a lot of system resources sometimes with 2 processes.

Pressing Ctrl twice automatically launches a search bar to quickly find files or search the web. Very handy.

Note: If using Windows Vista with Aero enabled and no windows are maximized, the gadget button and search box will cause the taskbar to turn solid black as if a window is maximized rather than translucent. The gadget button also is quite buggy.

Google Desktop rating:
95/100 (Superior)

Personally, I use Google Desktop because it integrates smoothly with Google and it gives me an alternative to Windows Sidebar, although I'm considering on switching. However, Copernic Desktop Search is award winning and powerful. You decide. Which one will you use? Weighing the pros and cons of each, both received a rating of 95.

Email me any questions at: free...@gmail.com
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