Battlebud Member of the Year and Rookie of the Year for 2009

It was not easy to pick and as you can tell i slacked on getting it done by the end of year also. We have some great Buds here at the site and all contribute in their own way so it was difficult to choose but we have our 2. Thanks to all for a great 2009.

Member of the Year

Jord

Rookie of the Year

Onebadpig

The First Presidential Review

 Hello Battlebud Nation, after noticing all the interest in this game, I’ve decided it will be a good idea to post a review. Maybe that way those that are undecided about the game can get a better idea of what to expect and that way make their decision as to buy it or renting it.

The first thing that impressed me about the game was when I was importing the character I had already created on the previous Mass Effect game. They kept track of most major decisions you made in the past. It recalls everything from the background you chose, to the physical appearance of the character. When you start, the game gives you a review of the major things you did in the past, so that you can make sure you are selecting the right character, in case you have completed the story with a good guy and a bad guy. The good thing is that if you feel like trying a different class to the previous one you had chosen you are given the opportunity to change it.

If you never played the previous Mass Effect it doesn’t matter, you would go through the same character creation sequence those have one go through. You can either create and customize a character, or use the default Shepard. If you did previously create one, you do not need to worry about your skill points and unlocks you had because those do not carry over. You start over as a blank slate.
When you start playing the game you will notice improved graphics while not incredibly better, you will see that textures and such things look slightly more detailed. The gameplay in my opinion seems a lot more polished. You can assign certain powers of your squad members to the d-pad so that they can be used in real time rather than having to open the selection wheel every time you want to use one. Like Mass Effect 1 this one also has a cover system. The cover system in this game works very similar to the one on Gears of War. It feels much smoother than on the previous game while still not as smooth as it is on Gears of War. The hit detection seems greatly improved making it easier to kill an enemy with an assault rifle even if it is not the weapon your character favors. Mass Effect 2 also introduces ammo, which was something you did not need to worry about on Mass Effect 1. I have run out of sniper ammo in the middle of a fight, but I am a really bad shot. On a good note once you run out of ammo it automatically switches to the next available weapon you have. After every fight the dead enemies drop ammo and plenty of it so it rarely is a problem. The health system has also been changed, now you have to stay in cover long enough for your health and shields to refill automatically while the medi-gels are used to bring back dead squad members.

The game is no longer black and white while putting good and evil on a balance. When you get into dialogs you can earn paragon points as well as renegade points at the same time. You could give 3 paragon answers and 1 renegade one and you will earn points for each respectively. You can become a good guy with a mean streak, or a bad guy who is not so bad sometimes. One thing I will tell you without spoiling anything is that there is a new addition to dialogs now. While it does not happen often, sometimes in the middle of a conversation you will see either a paragon sign on the bottom left of the screen with the left trigger button next to it, or a renegade symbol on the bottom right with the right trigger next to it. These when timed correctly will queue either paragon/renegade actions giving you extra points on your given selection. You only get one chance to do these actions, you miss them and there is no second time, so keep an eye out.

The character customization seems slightly simpler than on the previous game, but it is very early for me still. I might be able to unlock more abilities later on. On the other hand without giving anything away there is now a purpose to harvesting the minerals. While it can be a little boring to do, at least on this game there is a purpose to doing it which is nice. You can also now change the colors of your characters uniform and suit patterns and he will appear on cut scenes and dialogs exactly as you made him.

In general I am very please with the game. It is exactly what I expected. There is still humor, great voice acting, well written story that draws you in right from the start. There is more action that feels a lot smoother than the previous game. While the graphics are not incredibly better, you will notice a small improvement.

For those that never had a chance to play Mass Effect 1 I recommend you to play it because of the rich story it has and because in this game you feel like past decisions you made do matter. It is not necessary for you to have played it; this is a whole new story with some references to the past, but it is very rewarding when you get to see that everything you did in the past affects the present. I hope you enjoyed my first presidential review and that you enjoy the game as much as I do if you do decide to get it. If you have any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to give you an answer without spoilers.  

1player SP 2-10 MP 

Step back into the unforgettable world of Rapture in BioShock® 2, the next installment in the franchise that has won more than 50 Game of the Year Awards and has sold more than 2.5 million units worldwide. Developed by 2K Marin, 2K Australia, Digital Extremes and 2K China, BioShock 2 features the perfect blend of explosive first person shooter combat, compelling storytelling, and intense multiplayer to form one of 2010's most highly anticipated titles.    

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Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture. Step into the boots of the most iconic denizen of Rapture, the Big Daddy, as you travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and their own survival.    

Multiplayer in BioShock 2 provides a rich prequel experience that expands the origins of the BioShock fiction. Set during the fall of Rapture, assume the role of a Plasmid test subject for Sinclair Solutions, a premier provider of Plasmids and Tonics in the underwater city of Rapture that was first explored in the original BioShock. Use all the elements of the BioShock toolset to survive, as the full depth of the BioShock experience is refined and transformed into a unique multiplayer experience that can only be found in Rapture.

Evolution of the genetically enhanced shooter: Innovative advances bring new depth and dimension to each encounter. New elements, such as the ability to dual-wield weapons and Plasmids, allow you to create exciting combinations of punishment. Return to Rapture: Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the story continues with an epic, more intense journey through one of the most captivating and terrifying fictional worlds ever created. You are Big Daddy: Take control of BioShock's signature and iconic symbol by playing as the Big Daddy, and experience the power and raw strength of Rapture's most feared denizens as you battle powerful new enemies. Continuation of the award-winning narrative: New and unique storytelling devices serve as the vehicle for the continuation of one of gaming's most acclaimed storylines. Genetically enhanced multiplayer: Earn experience points during gameplay to earn access to new Weapons, Plasmids, and Tonics that can be used to create hundreds of different combinations, allowing you to develop a unique character that caters to your playing style. Experience Rapture's Civil War: Step into the shoes of Rapture citizens and take direct part in the civil war that tore Rapture apart. Rapture before the fall: Experience Rapture before it was reclaimed by the ocean and engage in combat over iconic environments in locations such as Kashmir Restaurant and Mercury Suites, all of which have been reworked from the ground up for multiplayer. Veterans add their touch to the multiplayer experience: Digital Extremes brings more than 10 years of first-person shooter experience, including development of award-winning entries in the Unreal® and Unreal Tournament® franchise.

What makes a ReglarGuy tick?

It’s such a simple concept that it’s actually very complex, but the answer to the question is: curiosity. You see gentlemen, even though the concept of curiosity can be made simple by its’ influence being used for impure desires; if curiosity is of a disciplined nature, then its’ influence leads to a thirst for knowledge. This thirst for knowledge is when the concept of curiosity becomes complex. In conclusion, curiosity makes a ReglarGuy tick, thirst for knowledge makes him complex, and discipline makes him uncomplicated.

What was the first system that broke your gaming cherry?

The original xbox was my first gaming console. My wife got it for me for Christmas. She said she wanted to see me relax more. I said she was a nut. It took some effort, but I quickly got hooked on gaming. I remember it being the last year for the original xbox, and I lucked out getting the Samsung Disk Drive. I still have it and use it. Plus, it has a P-51 skin on it, and I think it looks cool sitting on the shelf below my Limited Edition, Call of DooDoo 360.

What is your favorite console game and coin operated game?

I have never played a coin operated game, but my favorite game is (I have two) Blazing Angles & Gears of War. I love to fly, and you can’t beat cutting some poor slob in half with a chainsaw…I just love that kind of demented fun!

With the ReglarGuy being a regular guy, what is the irregular guy definition in ReglarGuy words?

An irregular guy or IrreglarGuy is by definition: A NonReglarGuy. This too, is such a simple concept that it’s actually very complex. Please, let me try to explain. Essentially, a guy can go two ways in life. He can either become a ReglarGuy or he can become a NonReglarGuy. You see my friends, when a guy is a ReglarKid or a ReglarTeen; his Reglar-ness is largely determined by his parents, parent or guardian.  However, there comes a point in every guys’ life when he finally acquires the ability to think for himself, and is responsible (excluding the mentally handicapped of course) for his own actions. When this happens, does he embrace his natural (but disciplined) curiosity and satisfy his thirst for knowledge becoming a ReglarGuy; or does he get side tracked with impure curiosity which leads to a lack of focus, and in extreme cases laziness becoming a NonReglarGuy. Make no mistake; it takes knowledge and effort to be a good husband, father, brother, worker, citizen, neighbor, and friend. It takes knowledge and effort for a guy to find out what’s the true meaning of life, what’s the purpose to his life, what’s the right and wrong and why to do things. A ReglarGuy does this not to be a perfectionist, but to be a pursuer of excellence. A ReglarGuy knows, wants, and cares about such matters. Not for his on personal gain mind you, but for his God, Country, family, and his Friends. A NonReglarGuy (IrreglarGuy) never get past his undisciplined curiosity.

 What was the first video game you fell in love with? You know the one that you would think about all day until you got home to play it?  

Heroes Over Normandy. If it wasn’t for my wife buying me my first xbox, that WW2 flying game, my buddy Tom showing me how to use cheat codes; I would never got started in gaming…I got that frustrated. I never played a video game or even typed back then. Well, I did type a little bit back when I was learning computer programming back in my college days, but it was more like one finger search-n-peck. I never wanted to take typing class in high school because, back then, the only people who took typing were girls, sissies and f*&^%(edited by SS for PC sake). I wasn’t a ReglarGuy back then, but I was very much a ReglarTeen…so typing was out of the question for me.  Anyway, if it wasn’t for the above, I would have taken the whole sha-bang (xbox, game, and wife) and tossed them out the window. Thank goodness everything worked out, because I have always had a really nice wife, and now I have a really fun foul weather hobby.

What type of music do ReglarGuys listen to? Any favorite bands/singers?

My favorite music is 80s’ Techno-rock. My favorite singers are: Enrico Caruso and Mario Lanza. My favorite babes are: Doris Day and Maureen O’Hare (I like old movies). You guys didn’t ask for the babe part. I just threw that in there.

 What is your job? What do you do?

Well, I always wanted to be a Man Training Consultant, specializing in Reglarguy Social Activities, but as it is, I’m just a lowly Electrical/Electronic Engineer by trade tying to make a living.  I guess, I could lay claim that by me having degrees in Industrial, Electrical, Electronic, and Mechanical Engineering that I’m a really CoolGuy, but the way I prefer to think is this; as a ReglarGuy, fancy papers don’t mean jack shit to me. For me anyway, it’s what I do with my knowledge, and the enjoyment I get from my profession that really counts. Someday, when I retire, I want to teach. As much fun as I have solving technical issues on the job, what I really enjoy more is using my scientific technical knowledge, and my experience in logic and objective reasoning, to help my friends (on and offline) understand complicated (potentially controversial) issues. Over the years, I have found by reducing these issues to a simple base root concept it is possible to observe and understand these complicated controversial issues for what they really are. Generally speaking, these issues tend to be fundamental misunderstandings between the conflict of good and evil. Anyway, they always say; those who can’t do…teach, and I would like to be the one who breaks that trend.

Do you prefer to buy, rent, or borrow?

I research, demo, think and then buy my games. I never trade in. I never rent…I feel it’s a waste of money. I have given some games away to some of my younger friends, but in cases like that I don’t think it’s a waste of money to help a friend out. A corporation that gives pennies to the dollar for a trade-in though, isn’t my friend.

What hobbies does a ReglarGuy have?

Boy did you guys open a bag of worms asking this question. A ReglarGuy has quite a few hobbies. Having hobbies is the best part of being a ReglarGuy. My first love is keeping in shape, and I enjoy doing all aspects of it with regards to weight, endurance, and flexibility training. I have had my own gym for years; because my gym is always open, and I don’t have to wait in any lines to use my own stuff. This hobby opens the door for my other hobbies such as surfing and dirt bikes. I mainly surf with a rhino chaser, and a fun board; but I have a shredder that I sometimes use too. My dirt bike is a Yamaha YZ250 2stroke, and I like both track and trail riding.  Another hobby I enjoy is performance driving. I have a Ducati 1098s sport bike that I enjoy curving up twisties with, and a sports car…I won’t tell you what that is, because you guys will just get mad at me. (lol) It's a convertible though, and it’s a real screamer.  My last group of hobbies are not of a physical nature. They are more on the finesse side like; remote control, 1/18 scale modeling, GP slot car racing. I also enjoy doing the maintenance on all my goodies, and doing my own house and yard maintenance. I’m sure you guys know all about house/yard maintenance, so I won’t bother going there. I do enjoy doing my own maintenance though, and knowing that my friends think that I do good work. I like it when they ask, and respect my opinion…and I like helping them. I guess when I stop to think of it; helping my buddies is my most favorite hobby of all. Thank you, you guys for being interested in me. It was very nice of you.  

Your friend,

The ReglarGuy