Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Video Game review

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is a follow-up/sequel to Transformers: War for Cybertron ​by High Moon Studios.  It uses the original characters from Transformers Gen 1, but changes the story up.  Both games take place before the Ark crashes on Earth which makes them prequels to the original 80’s cartoon.  Unfortunately they made story decisions to the game which would completely alter cartoon continuity.

​If you were a huge fan of the cartoon then some of the changes they decided to make, like  Shockwave creating the Dinobots on Cybertron,  might bother you a bit.  That being said, getting to smash everything in sight as Grimlock is an awesome experience.

High Moon might have realized they were going to upset some fans with certain choices they made, but they made up for it with all the fan service.  There were probably at least 10 different quotes I recognized that were the original animated movie.

The graphics and sound are a good improvement on what was already a good start from War for Cybertron.  They also made improvements on how open the world feels in some levels.  In War for Cybertron I always felt a bit on rails as far as where I could go and when.  This game still has a bit of that, but the Starscream level stands out as feeling very open world.

Another great addition is the upgrade system.  You can now collect different weapons and upgrade them via Teletraan 1.  Once I finally got Megatron’s cannon, I was a destructive force, but once I unlocked all the upgrades I felt unstoppable.

However, it’s not all Roses.  This game has some issues with interacting with items.  If you are too close to something you need to interact with it won’t give you the option.  You often need to stand in an exact spot for it to work.

The story felt a bit disjointed at times.  There were a few plot holes that just didn’t get completely resolved, but for the most part you can forgive them because they aren’t that relevant in the end.

The game takes about 6-8 hours to beat which means that if you have no interest in multiplayer you can rent the game and go through it in a weekend.  The game was hard to put down so you can go through it pretty quickly.

I hope they create a third game, but I don’t know exactly where they can go from here without completely destroying the G1 continuity more than they already have.  If you are reading this site, you should at least give this a game a try, but you probably already know that.

I just…..I…oh. Okay. Calm down…….TOM BAKER RETURNS TO DOCTOR WHO!!!!

Written by: Christopher Lee

FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!!!! 

*breathe*

Tom Baker who, for those odd few of you who don’t know, is relatively unarguably (I’m not counting the opinions of the “New Who” fans, nyeh) the most famous and beloved of the actors who’ve portrayed “The Doctor” on Doctor Who.

Not too long ago, Baker replied, when asked about the potential of his return to the “TARDIS” for the 50th Anniversary; 

“I think if they ask me nicely, or I can see what they want me to do, I’d consider it. I think the fans have been so good to me, they’d expect me to at least make an appearance.”

So…I’m guessing which it was? A sweetened pleading with scones and tea, or just a really amazing part in the script?

Baker, nowadays, hanging with a few old friends.

Baker’s run on the show as the 4th incarnation of the Doctor during the years of 1974 to 1981 make him the longest running of the 11 actors yet to portray the character (not counting Peter Cushing who played the 1st Doctor in the “Dr. Who and the Daleks” movie, or Richard Hurndall who portrayed the 1st Doctor in “The Five Doctors” after William Hartnell’s death). He had been asked to come back for the Doctor Who 20th Anniversary special called “The Five Doctors”, but in a decision he now admits to regretting, he declined. They instead used footage of him from the sadly unaired/unfinished story arc, “Shada” which had been penned by none other than “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” author, Douglas Adams (there is a release of the episode with additional narration by Tom Baker that completes the story) and in an odd move, the BBC replaced him with a wax figure alongside the other actors for publicity photos.

So, I’m remarkably excited for this news. I grew up watching Tom’s 4th Doctor. He was my first back in the early 80’s when the NJN on UHF stations was really more like a mini-BBC America (they also introduced me to Monty Python ((which was, as well, shown on PBS)), Faulty Towers, the Young Ones, ect ect ect). Even after seeing the amazing job that has been done since the series “reboot”, I still love Tom’s Doctor. There was just something about him. I think he really took that role, took the idea of *who* the Doctor was and is, and just solidified the mold for all who came after him. If you’re a fan and haven’t seen the 4th Doctor series, you honestly owe it to yourself to do so. You’ll understand soon enough…

…jelly baby?

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"Elementary" dear Sherlock

Written by: Christopher Lee

So, CBS has released a sort of behind-the-scenes/teaser/trailer for the American iteration of “Sherlock”. 

<pause while the fan boys n’ girls start pissing vinegar>

Personally, I like Johnny Lee Miller. So does Benedict Cumberbatch! They’re buddies IRL and have spent a good deal of time doing an amazing performance of “Frankenstein” where they’d switch off back and forth playing both Creator and Monster.

So it’s said, Miller has received not only the blessings, but some advice on the character Cumberbatch has so wonderfully portrayed. From the trailer above, I quite like it, sure, as a long time “Holmes” fan (I read the books, watched the movies and tv shows as a kid), I have my reservations, but I’m not going to dismiss it. The character has been re-invented time and time again (anyone ever watch “House”?). My only real skepticism comes in the form of Lucy Liu as “Watson”. But, ya know, I’m going to hold out on that. Because as much as I may be against it, I think it’ll be a lot better to not have to deal with all the slash/fic and like artwork of “The Homosexualized Holmes and Watson Adventures” that people seem so keen on churning out. (**just to clarify, I am very supportive of the LGBT community, hell, I look great in a dress, it’s just that…ugh…c’mon people…ya know?)

So, we shall see come this fall. Should the show fall short, there’s always the 3rd Season of the BBC “Sherlock”!

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George Takei as the Doctor!?

Written by: Christopher Lee

My friend Sarah (check out her blog) just picked up a ukelele and learned how to play “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”. She posted the achievement on facebook, to which I replied by posting the camping scene from “Star Trek V” where the crew sings along to Spock’s plinking on his Vulcan Lute. This, of course, resulted in me watching a few more clips from the classic adventure where I noted a quick, funny little thing…..

Sulu, better known as the social media giant George Takei, performing a quick little scene that, to me, felt VERY reminiscent of a certain “3rd incarnation” of everyone’s favorite travelling Doctor. As if we needed more proof of Mr. Takei’s awesomenitude (yeah, I just made that up, but it’s fitting and you like it.)

Watch from about :20 to :34…

 I mean, c’mon…the “capelet”, the “judo” (though, to be picky, it looks more like Aikido), the “sonic screwdriver-esque” tool he uses. It’s too obvious to me to NOT be a “nod”. What do you think?

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The Vintage Avengers!

Written by: Christopher Lee

The Avengers in theaters May 4th, 2012

I know, we’re all well aware that the Avengers comes out in a couple weeks, with some theaters doing a full “Avengers Day” package showing of all the films leading up to it. I’d kind of like at least one theater showing all the vintage live action films. Maybe they could, and maybe it could lead up to this.

Wow…just…wow. This is brilliant and I *kinda* wish it were real. I would have loved to see this as a kid!! Although I know it’s a bit obscure even for those in my age range, I LOVE the idea of Paul Lynde as “Loki” hahaha! And Kudos go to the creators of this for the very witty “Hawkeye” dual reference.

(FYI, I am well aware that some of the clips here are from the 80’s, but hey, I didn’t make the video!! Regardless, it still feels right with that date. I just feel this needs saying. I know how finicky “we” can be.)

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