Poll - Do you want to know a secret?

Psst. Do you want to know a secret? I do. But it's a secret, so I don't know it. Except that I can know it, if I want to take the effort to find out what it is.

Oh, don't look at me like that. I haven't lost my mind. This is my gaming blog so obviously I'm talking about secret achievements. Duh. So here's my latest poll:

Do you like secret achievements in games?

Yes, I love the mystery of 'em
No, I hate not knowing what to play for
You know, I just don't really care
For me, nothing stays a secret for long

Almost there

At the beginning of June I set myself a little mini goal. I wanted to break the 20,000 gamer score barrier by Labor day. I had just under 2,000 points to go in order to hit that mark. It would be doable but I'd have to put in the effort.

My score currently stand sat 19,902. So close, and yet so far. It helped that I finally picked up some multiplayer achievements in Gears of War. I got points for hosting 50 matches, 100 chainsaw kills, and 100 revives. I also picked up a few achievements in Mass Effect and one for starting Lego Star Wars III and finishing the story in Puzzle Quest 2.

On the other hand I can't seem to get any more achievements in Clash of Heroes. I really loved that game and I worked hard to max out all my allies and specialists and finally got that achievement. But since then I can't seem to progress in the story. I'm on the third character (the ghost which I can't remember her name) and I got up to level 3 but now I can't win a battle. Everybody I run into is at least a level 5 and my troops just don't seem to have the defense to stand up to the enemy's attack. I think I've played that game for over an hour without progressing or winning anything. It's rather frustrating so I've stopped playing. I don't think I'll be getting any more achievements out of that game before Labor Day.

Since I've always had one arcade game that I obsess about I'm trying to find a replacement to fill my time. Everything I've tried to play hasn't interested me. While I know I can pick up some achievements in larger disk games, I like having a smaller arcade game to play when I want something quick and not so intense.

I've been working on my pistol and Boomshot kills in Gears so that might get me some points towards my goal, but I don't think I'll get those achievements before Labor Day. I might get them before Gears of War 3 comes out but that's later on in the month so I have more time.

I should also be able to pick up another achievement or two with Mass Effect. I want to finish that game before Gears 3 comes out because I won't be playing much else when I have that game in my hands. I'm pretty close to the end of the game but I don't know if the achievements I might get will be enough to push me over the 20k mark.

So I have a month and a half to get 98 points to reach my goal. You would think that because that number is only 2 digits it would seem absolutely attainable, but it doesn't. It might only be 2 digits but it feels so far away. But I can't wait to break that 20k barrier. I'm really tired of looking at a number one at the beginning of my gamer score. My gamer score was higher than Genghis's when I started his last tour of duty. Now he's up around 60,000 or so and I haven't even broken 20,000. And I also thought I played more video games than Sneaka but he's past the 20k mark and has been for awhile. And I don't want to think of Banco Billy's 200+k gamer score.

Will there be any hope for me to reach my goal? I hope so. I'm a competitive person so as long as I have friends with a higher score than me I'll keep trying and playing games. Maybe by the time I'm 80 years old I can reach the gamer score Banco Billy has today. Until then I'll just be happy trying to get to past 20,000.

Poll Results: What upcoming game are you most excited about?

So here's the results from my latest poll:

What upcoming game are you most excited about?

Gears of War 3 = 4 votes
Modern Warfare 3 = 1 vote
Mass Effect 3 = 1 vote
Elder's Scroll: Skyrim = 3 votes
Batman: Arkham City = 1 vote

I'm both surprised and not surprised by the voting. I'm not surprised that Skyrim got a bunch of votes. I am surprised that MW3 and ME3 didn't get more votes. And I'm surprised that GoW3 got as many votes as it did. Why? I'll tell you.

I have friends that live (and die) for Modern Warfare 2. They won't play anything else besides that. I would have thought the new game would have gotten more votes.

I also know how much critics and fans liked the Batman: Arkham Asylum game and that there's great anticipation for the new one. Several of my friends talk about looking forward to that game so why didn't they vote for it?

I guess I could say the same for Mass Effect. I have friends that have played both previous games several times just to see how changing one thing can impact the game. They can't wait to get in and finish the story and see how their character choices pan out after three games.

As for Gears? Well, I love the game and I can't wait to finish the story. I have several friends (usually the Call of Duty lovers) that have said they're not interested in getting the next Gears. I find that hard to believe, especially with how the voting turned out here. Granted, not all my friends are voting in my poll.

I'm excited if they do get Gears and I look forward to playing with them. The first two Gears games are a couple of the few games I've finished the story on. Since I don't finish games often you might guess that I can't wait for the game to come out. So that's why I voted for it. Of course I will be getting all of those games on the list, I'm just looking forward to the new Gears most of all. I think I'm even going to take some time off work just so I can play the story mode during the day so I can play the multiplayer mode at night.

Now, as for the games NOT on the list . . .

Battlefield 3:
I have several friends who have this game but I only know of one that is really looking forward to this game. While I'd like to play it, it doesn't rank that high up on my "looking forward to" list. Since I know it would only get one vote (if Genghis would ever vote in my poll) I didn't include it.

Halo 4:
I'm a sucker for series. I have all the Halo games (except Halo Wars) and I'll probably get this one too even thought I haven't finished the first one. I just don't like the idea of having the story unfinished. As far as looking forward to it . . . not really. Besides it doesn't come out until next year so I've got time to wait.

BioShock: Infinite:
This is a game that I'm REALLY looking forward to, but it doesn't come out until next year so that is why it wasn't on the list. I read online that this game swept four of the most sought after awards at E3 this year. I've been intrigued ever since I saw the first teaser for it. I can't wait to play it. Maybe my next poll "upcoming" poll will have it, but then again you already know how I'd vote.

Saints Row the Third:
I've heard some good things about this game, but since I've never played the first two and I really don't have any interest in this one, it wasn't on my poll. Sorry Zen (I think you were the one who mentioned it).

So now you all know what games I'll be buying this holiday season . . . and which one I'll most likely be playing. What games are on your wish list and ones that you're looking forward to? Which ones will you pre-order vs. just getting whenever? Leave a comment and let me know.

2 down 10 to go

I finally realized that in my quest to finish 12 games in 12 month that I've actually finished 2 games already.

The first game was Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale. I played it in co-op with Sneaka and Genghis. That was fun. It was nice to have someone else drive and yet still enjoy a hack and slash game. And if you put those two guys together you get one hell of a fun night. They're like peanut butter and jelly, cookies and cream or whipped cream and a hooker. Now, if I can only figure out which one is the whipped cream.

Anyway....

The other game I recently finished is Puzzle Quest 2. FINALLY!!!!!!!! I decided to start that game up when I wasn't really in the mood to play anything at all. I had just walked into a room and there were three battles I had to go through just to get to the door on the other side. Ugh. This is what I hate the most in this game.

When I finally made it through all the battles and stepped into the next room it turns out that it was the final boss. If I had known that I was that close to the end the last time I played it months ago I would have stuck around to finish it.

The final boss was actually two separate battles. The first battle wasn't hard at all. The second battle was a little more difficult but I prevailed (I wish I could say that about the Yeti). Once the battle was over I heard a bleep and an achievement popped up. When I checked it out it was for finishing the game. Kind of anti-climatic since I haven't played for so long I couldn't remember the story at all. At least the game is done and I can cross it off my list, although I still have achievements to get in that game.

Finishing Puzzle Quest 2 was what reminded me that I had previously finished Daggerdale with friends. And that reminded me about my 12 games in 12 months goal. And that reminded me that I was getting close to finishing Mass Effect (I just stole the Normandy if you're familiar with the story). So it's very likely that in a couple of days I can say I've finished 3 games now instead of 2.

Once I finish Mass Effect I'll be looking for another "big" game to play and finish. I'm still undecided at this point because nothing out there is really grabbing my attention. I'm still taking suggestions and I would gladly take any help I can find in games too.

Although I probably won't finish 12 games in 12 months I am working on some games and that should make my friends happy . . . even if those games are older ones. Who knows, maybe I'll take one of these newer games that are coming out this year and sit down and focus on that game. Maybe I could finish it before my friends do. Wishful thinking I know, but I've got 10 more games to plow through so I can dream, can't I?

NEW POLL! What upcoming game are you most excited about?

I know, it's been a long time, but I've got a new poll up. You have until July 8th to vote so make it count. Here it is:

What upcoming game are you most excited about?

Gears of War 3
Modern Warfare 3
Mass Effect 3
Elder's Scroll: Skyrim
the new Batman game

Happy voting!

Oh, and I added a search box to my blog if you want to try that out. Let me know what you think.

Everybody likes surprises right?

I got the surprise of my online life last night. Evil Ric jumped online BUT DIDN'T PUT IN CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS. I was so shocked to see that, instead of jumping right into the game all his friends were playing, he put something else in. What game was that, you ask? LA Noir.

Now don't get me wrong. I have nothing against that game. Several of my friends have it and have been playing it. It's a game that's piqued my interest from time to time. It's just that when I think of Evil Ric I think of him playing Black Ops along with Tactical and Sand Dog. The three of those guys are almost synonymous with the game.

But I really shouldn't be too surprised to see Evil playing something else. After all the ribbing I get for not finishing games I, in turn, give some ribbing back to friends that only play one game. Evil's one of them. I've teased him many times that Black Ops is the only game he plays. Yes, he tried to tell me he plays Batman: Arkham Asylum but it doesn't show up on his recent played games so I don't believe him. And believe me, I look.

I guess I should be glad Evil's branching out into new frontiers of gameplay. I really wished he'd play some games I've recommended to him because I think he'll like them. He should trust me that I won't recommend something like Princess Barbie's Shoe Shopping Spectacular. That's one game he might want to play "offline" unless he's man enough to stand the ribbing he'll get from our friends.

While I'm glad Evil jumped in and played with us AND that he's playing new games I just wasn't ready for the surprise of seeing him play something else. After all there are good surprises and bad surprises. "Honey, I'm pregnant" is a good surprise if it comes from your wife (and you two have been having sex) but bad if it comes from your mistress (whether or not you two have been having sex). A good surprise is having your friends play new games. And everybody likes a good surprise now and then, don't they?

Time flies when you're having fun

I hadn't realized that it's been THAT long since I last posted. Sorry guys. Since you all see me almost every night you know that I've been playing. Here are a couple of items of note since the last post (but not all inclusive....my memory isn't that good).

1) A new friend asked once why my usual group of guys weren't in a clan. We all laughed and a few disparaging comments about clans were said. The truth is, we don't have to change our names or make funny little clan tags to play with each other. I'm not going to pay 800 Microsoft points to change my name to "El Pengwenn" or whatever just so total strangers see I'm friends with a group of people. Our friendship is real and goes beyond names. Besides, if I get pissy and don't want to be friends with some of them anymore does that mean I'll have to change my name back? They could kick me out of the clan but I'd still have my name so what does that mean in the grand scheme of things? Nothing.

2) This same new friend asked if I was excited for Gears of War 3 to come because I can finally play as a girl. Um, if I had to wait to play a game until they came up with a female character there would be a lot of games I wouldn't be playing, but I am. It doesn't really matter to me if the character I'm playing is male or female. I chose a female character in Mass Effect as a little bit of defiance because all the promo for the game has Shepard as a male. I don't mind playing as a male character. I'll play whatever character suits my style of game (or pisses me off the least). And as for Anya. I played with her the required number of times to unlock something but then I switched. I found her grunting, groaning and other vocal outburst annoying. If I were a guy I'd probably feel otherwise. But I think that's what they had in mind when they designed her.

3) I have been making a conscious effort to play Mass Effect and finish the game. I've also been working on Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. It would be nice to finish some games and to get my friends off my back about it. Also, I won't have to keep yelling at them for giving away spoilers for games I haven't finished yet. Although they think the statute of limitations has run out on these older games. I disagree.

4) Not currently game related, but I got a home theater system for working at my present company for 15 years. I got to pick out a prize and that's what I picked. I think I want to get a new TV before I hook everything up so that might be awhile. But once I do, I can't wait to play Bioshock and Dead Space with surround sound. That's just to creep me out. I love it.

5) I have finished a game recently. Sneaka, Genghis and I played and finished Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale the other day. It's a hack and slash arcade game on Xbox Live. It was a blast. It's also a 4 player co-op game so we're playing it again with MadMax. It's a fun game and that's what friends do.

6) Also not really game related but effecting my game play is that I've had a major rejection episode with my corneal transplant. It was not fun. I'm still dealing with the fall out of that because my vision is not as good as it was before. I guess I need to get back to the eye doctor and update my contact prescriptions. Yeah me. I've been living and dealing with all these issues for 6 years now and I'm tired of it. Pain, discomfort and poor vision just seem to be my existence for these last 6 years. But some good news is my doctor took me off some medication because he said I didn't need it anymore. Yeah! Some of the side effects were that it made my eye red and caused bruising on my eye lids (top and bottom). I always looked like I've been punched in the eye.

7) I've had some professional and personally disappointments recently. Both have effective my gameplay. Some nights I'm just not into it. I'm sure to have more in the future. Please don't take it personal.

8) I've had some good moments personally (professionally is still pending) that have been wonderful. While sometimes those moments make me want to get online and play games with my friends they can also make me want to stay off-line and just soak all the goodness and happiness in. Again, don't take it personal if I don't show up to play. I'm just enjoying life.

9) I've had some major internet issues. I finally had to buy a new modem after about 12-13 years. It was an unexpected expense (I got the best I could afford) so I was mad. But I guess I can't complain with how long my previous one lasted. There's been a few hiccups getting it set up and running properly but I think we've got that all figured out. Thanks dain.

10) Lastly, I had a wonderful, yet horrible, night last night. My sister and one of my nieces were in town this weekend for a softball tournament. I went to my parent's house yesterday for dinner and to visit with them. After a great game of Scum (I was only scum once) I went home about 10pm. When I got home all my lights were off. Turns out the power was out for a lot of the houses on my street. I had to call my parents to see if they could bring a flashlight over because it was so dark I couldn't find mine (I recently moved where I kept it and couldn't remember). The horrible part was that it had been 106 degrees yesterday and now I didn't have any AC. Once my dad left I put my swimming suit on and got in my pool (for the first time this year). It was a little cool but it felt nice. I stayed in there as long as I could and then got out. I piled up a couple of towels on the couch and laid down to go to bed while I was still dripping wet. It was all I could do to stay cool. About 12:30 the power came back on and my swimming suit was mostly dry. I got up, changed, reset my alarm clock and went to bed. About 4am the power went out again. And again at 5:15. Both times I reset my clock and tried to go back to sleep. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep last night. At least everything is on this morning. And at least it wasn't 115 degrees instead. I'm so not ready for the summer heat.

Well, those are the highlights . . . and a couple of lowlights too. I'll try to get back into the flow of regular updates. Feel free to nag me for new posts every now and then. But only if you're interested. And I hope you are. But you should remember that times flies when you're having fun. And I always having fun playing online.