I have always been impressed by Muse. Ever since I first experienced them live as an unknown support band for Skunk Anansie back in 1999 they have blown me away. Over the years the epic scope of their music has expanded into ever more cosmic realms demonstrated by their amazing set at Reading Festival in 2006 and the brilliant recent live CD/DVD H.A.A.R.P. I love how a band producing complicated space rock can become one of the world's biggest acts, though I imagine more hip people than I would refer to their sound as alternative or something even more cool.
Anyway I digress, the Muse DLC pack for Guitar Hero III was recently released and seeing as I received a free 500 MS point voucher with my copy of GTA:IV I decided to give it a go. Knights of Cydonia is one of my favourite tracks to play in GH III, even if I can't 5 star it on medium. (The arpeggios at the time change kill me, and they are played on a synth not a bloody guitar dammit!) The three tracks offered here are culled from their last two albums, we have Exo-Politics and Supermassive Black Hole from 2006's Black Holes and Revelations and the blistering speed riff of Stockholm Syndrome from 2003's Absolution.
Without a doubt Stockholm Syndrome is the most fun to play. The pace is fast and the notation is tight and precise. This in particular is true of all three songs, you get more of a feel of playing notes in a song rather than the needlessly complicated quick ascending and descending hammer-on/pull-off runs which have marred my enjoyment of GH III. These tracks feel more like the transcriptions Harmonix did for GH II.
Supermassive Black Hole starts with a bluesy guitar riff which tests your little finger dexterity against a tight rhythmic pounding and seems another good choice, it sounds good loud and you can rock about in your chair playing it, or even throw some shapes if you stand up.
Exo-Politics is powered along by a nice hook riff that again feels authentic with the note tracking and some good muted powerchord chugging. To my mind it's probably the weakest of the three tracks in the pack, it's a great song but as the releases tend to be 3 tracks I would have preferred something from either Showbiz or Origin of Symmetry with the classically tinged metal lick from Plug-in Baby off the latter as a potential gem for GH III.
All in all though I am not complaining, all the tracks are fun and they have prompted me to take GTA:IV out of the 360 and play something else. I even went back and started the career mode again on Hard afterwards with 16 songs of 42 completed in one evening!
Whether this will appeal to you obviously depends on your fondness for Muse, if you like them I don't think you will be disappointed, if you like melodically arranged rock with a schizophrenic edge and have a fondness for time-signature changes and strange spacey noises then it might help introduce you to a wonderful band. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea then this won't change your mind. To me though it's 500 (free) MS points well spent.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Memories of the Mansfield Meet Up
To celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the Ninja Fat Pigeons clan several of us descended on Mansfield for a day of drinking, bowling, drinking, eating, drinking and then some drinking.
On Saturday April 12 we took over a range of establishments at our annual gathering where we proved that gaming doesn't turn people into antisocial hermits and that there is never a good time to drink barley wine.
Starting early a small group began the day sampling real ales and ciders at the Mansfield beer festival. A great suggestion from CAMRA members Miniminx and Xantiriad. Myself and Oxycutor were also easily swayed and set off at ridiculous times in the morning to arrive at around 11 to see how quickly we could get through the minimum purchase of £5 of beer tokens. The venue was large and the beer range impressive and an hour or so later we stumbled out to catch the bus to the King and Miller to meet up with the masses.
There was a good turnout for the event and on entering the pub it was great to finally put faces to the many voices I had chatted with over Xbox Live over the last year. We took over three tables for some much needed food, essential to soak up the morning's beer. In no particular order assembled at the pub were Murtel and Fluff, KungFuStu, organisers Scooby Mad and Squeeek, Leg of Time, Leg's sister Kay, Monkeypuzzler, MonkeyPaws. (If I have missed anyone I apologise but you must have evaded the photo's, I spent the majority of the day pleasantly drunk!) Sweapt, we were told, was still en-route due to train issues.
Suitably refreshed we moved on to Superbowl for some bowling, Murtel in particular shone for his skils and distraction techniques! More beer was consumed and Sweapt arrived finally to join us. I stupidly bowled despite my sprained ankle and my insistence I wasn't going to, but the beer numbed any pain. Many photos were snapped and we stole all the lightweight balls from the neighbouring children's lanes. Though eventually gave them back.
After bowling we piled into cars and taxis and headed off the the main event, the Red Brick House Hotel, situated in a nice rural setting, not so far out of Mansfield. We set up in the bar before moving to our private room for the meal and cake ceremony. The cake was fantastic, and certainly not a lie!
More food was consumed, the cake was cut by the earliest members of the clan, Murtel, Leg and Oxy and we all ate our gamer cards. KungFuStu introduced Sweapt to Guinness and allowed him to understand the term 'acquired taste'. We headed back into the bar, as it was easier than carrying the drinks to the function room and took over half of it. It was a great experience to be out in a pub, talking about games and irritating level bosses, without ever feeling like the nerds we proudly are!
As the night came to an end those of us who had chosen to stay at the Red Brick House said goodbye to those heading back home to Mansfield or to the Travelodge and stayed until last orders for the late night drinker's club. Finally heading off for a well deserved night's sleep and the inevitable hangover.
To set everyone straight for their various journeys back on Sunday we met up one last time for breakfast in Frankie and Benny's. Hangovers were evident in some of us but we managed to get a few games of Mario Kart DS played whilst we tanked up on coffee and food. Then it was over.
It was a great weekend and it was nice to meet everyone in person after speaking to you all for so long via the forum and Xbox Live. I am sure we will do it again soon and hopefully those who couldn't make it will be able to join us next time, wherever that might be. Thanks must go to Scooby and Squeeek for the work they put into sorting everything out and thanks from me to Mini and Xan for the lift back to the station afterwards! I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did and we'll have to do it again.
If anyone who was less drunk than me wants to share their memories and maybe refresh mine then please post them here!
On Saturday April 12 we took over a range of establishments at our annual gathering where we proved that gaming doesn't turn people into antisocial hermits and that there is never a good time to drink barley wine.
Starting early a small group began the day sampling real ales and ciders at the Mansfield beer festival. A great suggestion from CAMRA members Miniminx and Xantiriad. Myself and Oxycutor were also easily swayed and set off at ridiculous times in the morning to arrive at around 11 to see how quickly we could get through the minimum purchase of £5 of beer tokens. The venue was large and the beer range impressive and an hour or so later we stumbled out to catch the bus to the King and Miller to meet up with the masses.
There was a good turnout for the event and on entering the pub it was great to finally put faces to the many voices I had chatted with over Xbox Live over the last year. We took over three tables for some much needed food, essential to soak up the morning's beer. In no particular order assembled at the pub were Murtel and Fluff, KungFuStu, organisers Scooby Mad and Squeeek, Leg of Time, Leg's sister Kay, Monkeypuzzler, MonkeyPaws. (If I have missed anyone I apologise but you must have evaded the photo's, I spent the majority of the day pleasantly drunk!) Sweapt, we were told, was still en-route due to train issues.
Suitably refreshed we moved on to Superbowl for some bowling, Murtel in particular shone for his skils and distraction techniques! More beer was consumed and Sweapt arrived finally to join us. I stupidly bowled despite my sprained ankle and my insistence I wasn't going to, but the beer numbed any pain. Many photos were snapped and we stole all the lightweight balls from the neighbouring children's lanes. Though eventually gave them back.
After bowling we piled into cars and taxis and headed off the the main event, the Red Brick House Hotel, situated in a nice rural setting, not so far out of Mansfield. We set up in the bar before moving to our private room for the meal and cake ceremony. The cake was fantastic, and certainly not a lie!
More food was consumed, the cake was cut by the earliest members of the clan, Murtel, Leg and Oxy and we all ate our gamer cards. KungFuStu introduced Sweapt to Guinness and allowed him to understand the term 'acquired taste'. We headed back into the bar, as it was easier than carrying the drinks to the function room and took over half of it. It was a great experience to be out in a pub, talking about games and irritating level bosses, without ever feeling like the nerds we proudly are!As the night came to an end those of us who had chosen to stay at the Red Brick House said goodbye to those heading back home to Mansfield or to the Travelodge and stayed until last orders for the late night drinker's club. Finally heading off for a well deserved night's sleep and the inevitable hangover.
To set everyone straight for their various journeys back on Sunday we met up one last time for breakfast in Frankie and Benny's. Hangovers were evident in some of us but we managed to get a few games of Mario Kart DS played whilst we tanked up on coffee and food. Then it was over.
It was a great weekend and it was nice to meet everyone in person after speaking to you all for so long via the forum and Xbox Live. I am sure we will do it again soon and hopefully those who couldn't make it will be able to join us next time, wherever that might be. Thanks must go to Scooby and Squeeek for the work they put into sorting everything out and thanks from me to Mini and Xan for the lift back to the station afterwards! I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did and we'll have to do it again.
If anyone who was less drunk than me wants to share their memories and maybe refresh mine then please post them here!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
NFP Show Ep6: Pipiocide
This week Leg of Time joins us for his first appearance as we discuss all things GTA IV. We then talk about GTA IV some more. And finally we have some topical rants on ...GTA IV. All this and more in Episode 6 of the Ninja Fat Pigeons Show. (www.ninjafatpigeons.me.uk)
RSS feed (Live play if you use Google Reader)
Download (MP3)
iTunes Store
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
NFP Show Ep5: Winging It
Sweapt is our host was we look forward to our annual meet-up in Mansfield, and get quite angry at both Conan and Rock Band. All this and more in Episode 5. (www.ninjafatpigeons.me.uk)
RSS feed (Live play if you use Google Reader)
Download (MP3)
iTunes Store
Sunday, March 9, 2008
NFP Show Ep4: Blooming, Blasting, Bonnets
This month Garf Spaceman takes us on a journey to the gaming dungeon, as we discuss the worst aspects of our favorite games. We also talk about the games we can’t afford, and give Sweapt a full fanfare. (www.ninjafatpigeons.me.uk)
RSS feed (Live play if you use Google Reader)
Download (MP3)
iTunes Store
Friday, February 22, 2008
NFP V Lox
Last night, on the 21st of February a battle took place between us winged folk of the sky and the friends over at Lox gamers. The match was originally meant to be on Gears of War, but after recieving an unscheduled invite for ChunkyMunkey i headed over to find the Lox gamers and Munkey in a COD4 lobby. After originally intending to head off to do some Coursework, an hour or so had passed and the games had ended.
As it was just a friendly match i did not remember to take any scores, but that more or less works out for us pigeons im afraid. The biggest problem myself, ChunkyMunkey and Jimbo faced was that there was barely anyone else on in COD4 to pitch in and help us, but we werent about to make excuses asking them to get one or two of their players to leave as it was all in the spirit of fun. With some team complications that first match kicked off, which i think was a Team Deathmatch on vacant, and if my memory serves me correctly i do believe we one this round.
The following match ensued and it was a Search and Destroy on Wetwork. The team on this map consisted of ChunkyMunkey, myself and one of the Lox guys that had ocme to help as one of our guys (jimbo) got stuck on their side. So it was 3 against 5 but this didnt damped our spirits. The match ended with, from what i can remember, a 4 to 1 win for the Lox guys. But i was able to get a few good kills so wasnt to upset.
The final match began with the map being everyones favourite, Shipment. The game type was a headquarters, but some of the rules were changed to make it a game of only headshots only. So thanks to the big M60E4 light machine gun i was able to rack up exactly 100 kills, but this wasnt going to help us as the Lox guys were always quick on their toes to catch the headquarters and the match went to them. But seeing as it was all in the spirit of fun, the loss just didnt seem as bad.
So in the end, thank you very much Lox and i hope to shoot it up with you all again.
As it was just a friendly match i did not remember to take any scores, but that more or less works out for us pigeons im afraid. The biggest problem myself, ChunkyMunkey and Jimbo faced was that there was barely anyone else on in COD4 to pitch in and help us, but we werent about to make excuses asking them to get one or two of their players to leave as it was all in the spirit of fun. With some team complications that first match kicked off, which i think was a Team Deathmatch on vacant, and if my memory serves me correctly i do believe we one this round.
The following match ensued and it was a Search and Destroy on Wetwork. The team on this map consisted of ChunkyMunkey, myself and one of the Lox guys that had ocme to help as one of our guys (jimbo) got stuck on their side. So it was 3 against 5 but this didnt damped our spirits. The match ended with, from what i can remember, a 4 to 1 win for the Lox guys. But i was able to get a few good kills so wasnt to upset.
The final match began with the map being everyones favourite, Shipment. The game type was a headquarters, but some of the rules were changed to make it a game of only headshots only. So thanks to the big M60E4 light machine gun i was able to rack up exactly 100 kills, but this wasnt going to help us as the Lox guys were always quick on their toes to catch the headquarters and the match went to them. But seeing as it was all in the spirit of fun, the loss just didnt seem as bad.
So in the end, thank you very much Lox and i hope to shoot it up with you all again.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
On XBLA this wednesday: N+
This wednesday (Tommorow) we see a classic flash game called N+. I don't exactly know the reason for the name but I'll roll with it. It's an excellent platformer with a ninja so what more could you ask for aye!
I'm curious actually how this will work on the xbox control system compared to the keyboard arrows and spacebar as well as some of the other functions.
As far as I'm aware this is the only title this week and yes it will be 800 m$ points. Now it's a good game and all but seeing as you can play it online for free and it is very enjoyable for when your at work or in school but I'm not so sure about the price tag associated with this one. Still it's cool to see flash games making its way onto the Arcade so maybe we should see some more. Personally I want to see Boxhead (http://www.kongregate.com/games/SeanCooper/boxhead-2play-rooms)
More info below, taken from the xbox website. Also if I tend to blab please let me know so I can condense these a bit.
In a futuristic world of inadvertently homicidal robots, a daring ninja must use deft acrobatic skill and guts of steel to survive. N+ is a peerless action-puzzle platformer with more than 300 levels in which to hone your ninja reflexes, plus a built-in level editor for when you're hungry for more. N+ also features unique, physics-based controls, stylish graphics, unlimited lives, competitive and cooperative multiplayer, plenty of gold, and several flavors of sweet, sweet action. Running, jumping, and dying in an unpleasant-yet-comical manner has never been more fun!
- Addictive gameplay: N+ features run-and-jump gameplay with hilarious ragdoll physics. It's easy to get into, but challenging enough for the hardcore gamer.
- Many, many levels: Featuring well over 300 all-new levels, the game also includes a built-in level editor for players to create their own levels. Additional level packs, including the classic N levels from the PC version, and multiplayer level packs, will be available in the future.
- Multiplayer modes: Multiple cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes are included. Try survival, race, or co-op play.
- Replays: Each level can be replayed to see how fast you completed the level.
- Additional content: Check out additional ninja costumes for both single-player and multiplayer games, and skin your dashboard the N+ way.
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