Borderlands 2: Seven Reasons to Buy It

Borderlands 2

7 Reasons to Buy Borderlands 2

1. Loot, Loot, and more Loot. Kill monsters, blow everything up, run things over, and otherwise bring about as much carnage and mayhem as humanly (or robotically) possible. Kill everything in sight that so much as looks at you funny. "You talking to me?" and since there's no one else there, curb stomp em with your gun. Afterwards, scavenge the battlefield and search for better gun, grenades, and other weapons that will make you even more unstoppable.

2. Combat Customization. Borderlands 2 offers far more customization to the abilities of the story's heroes. Skills and abilities branch off, making you choose which paths you'd like to follow to build your character. And while each individual class will be more or less the same at its core, the fun little tweaks and optimization proves to be far more dynamic. You and your bud may both be playing as an assassin, but that doesn't mean you'll be taking down those pesky Pandora critters in the same way. My pal sniped and scored those head shots. I got in close and sliced and diced.

3. Tag in with up to three friends online and take the battle to Jack and his minions. Enemies get tougher with more players. But never fear, you and your rag tag entourage of Vault Hunters can use your unique abilities to command the field, back each other up, and sync attacks for devastating effects. Gunzerker can do what he does best, become Hulk with bazookas, a Commando can throw in a turret and draw enemy fire, your assassin can cloak  close in, and start slashing away, and your Siren can hold punks in place and they fry em up for lunch.

Dragon's Dogma SHUT UP YOU STUPID PAWN!

Dragon's Dogma

Dragon's Dogma was a game I was looking forward to and it's a shame I haven't had the opportunity to write up a review until now. I've read some reviews and heard what my friends had to say on the game. Some was good. Most . . . not so great. Bummer. But, I had to find out for myself. As I've said before, I have made the mistake of writing off a game before I even played it, only to discover the game is phenomenal. After getting my hands on it, I can say this. Dragon's Dogma is a game for the hardcore RPG enthusiast . The rest of you may want to steer clear. And here's why.

Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance Review

Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance

When Kingdom Hearts first came out, I was one of many who thought the bizarre mix of the cute and cuddly Disney characters and the more mature Final Fantasy themes would fall flat. It just didn't seem like a likely pairing that would succeed. I even wondered exactly what audience was the game marketing towards. But like so many others who wrote off Kingdom Hearts without even playing it, I found that once I gave the game a chance, it became one of my favorite games. This year the Kingdom Hearts series celebrated it's 10th anniversary by launching the newest game: Kingdom Hearts 3d: Dream Drop Distance. The Kingdom Hearts series has received all kinds of praise over the years and what many are wondering is: Is Dream Drop Distance another hit? My answer is a YES for those who love Kingdom Hearts , and I mean love it as in it's in their top 10 video game list. The rest of you will probably feel the way I do about that game, impressed with what the new features do right, and incredibly disappointed with what it does wrong.

What I'd like to see in Total War Rome 2

Total War Rome 2

The Creative Assembly announced not so long ago that the next game in the Total War Series will be Total War Rome 2. I can't tell you how excited I am for this game. Rome Total War happens to be my personal favorite of the Total War games. And a sequel to Rome Total War has been the most asked for game by fans. For a game that's not exactly going to hit the market any time soon, what the Creative Assembly has chosen to divulge about the game is actually a pretty big chunk of information, all things considered. Total War Rome 2 will be filled with a plethora of new features and improvements over all the games preceding it. I for one am optimistic the developers can deliver on their many promises. Here are just a few things I'd like to see, especially with the Roman faction.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Review

Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is finally here and if you're like me, the wait was just something you had to deal with. With the release of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 players the world over now have access to more than a few game modes for the price of sixty dollars. For those looking for an enticing story filled with engaging plot elements, development, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion, you're out of luck. Fortunately, as most of you may know, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is first and foremost about the gameplay with very little emphasis on the story as this is a game that is meant to be exactly what people really play it for, pummeling people with your fists online. For the casual gamer, you might want to steer clear. Tekken has an earned reputation of being one of the harder fighting games to master in the genre, and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is perhaps the most difficult of all. But for those looking for a challenge, or you simply rock the fighting games in all shapes and forms,this is why you should get your hands on Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Asura's Wrath Kamehameha!

Asura's Wrath

If you've read reviews about Asura's Wrath and found the brief synopsis and description of the game to be somewhat lacking, that's because it's kind of hard to say exactly where this game falls into place with the gaming industry. Borrowing heavily from Western-style button mashing mixed and mashed with Japanese-style narration, story, and themes, with a tremendous amount of quick-time events, some Eastern mythology and a unique fusion of Eastern and Western music, and you may not know whether or not you missed an important turn somewhere along the way to your destination. For those knowing you'd like to get your hands on this game, you can click here and check it out on Amazon . But for the rest of you, I'll give you a rundown of what you can expect but be forewarned, a game like this seems to be one of those games people either love or absolutely hate.

Top 10 NHL 13 Features to be Excited About

NHL 13

NHL 13 is almost here. As one of the most anticipates EA SPORTS games, I thought I'd provide a quick rundown of some new features and a couple that make a return. Now, there seems to be a war on with NFL and NHL fans over these games. Some are the diehards who buy every Madden NFL game that comes out year after year, while others' loyalties lie with NHL and the games that come out each year. Many have spoken out about what they feel are the shortcoming of the new Madden NFL 13. Many are even crying foul over the loss of some fan favorite game features (In no particular order of importance) . Not surprisingly, many are worried that NHL 13 might not live up to the hype just like NFL 13.  It sounds like this game holds promise and potential. But it wouldn't be the first time an EA SPORTS game failed to deliver on its promises. We'll have to wait and see. Fingers crossed folks.

Halo Reach Pyrrhic Victory

Halo Reach

Let's talk about Halo Reach. We all know Halo 4 is on its way in November. Lately I've been dusting off some old video games. And while Halo Reach isn't exactly one of the older games on the 360, it's certainly been a while since I last played. It was like welcoming an old friend. For those who don't own a copy of Halo Reach but you've been considering it, it's time you did . Halo Reach is worth every penny of its purchase price and while it may not be the perfect shooter, there is so much content and fun to be had I can personally guarantee the vast majority of those who really give the game a chance will enjoy it.

LA Noire You Better Start Talking

LA Noire JBLivin

LA Noire

Detective gamermonkey: video game investigator. You're probably wondering why I brought you here. I'll level with you, kiddo. Word around town is you haven't gone out and bought a certain game . A certain game you should own, see? You wouldn't happen to know what game I'm talking about, would you? LA Noire? No? Shut your mouth! I know you know that I know you haven't bought this game yet! Your story is full of holes and I'm gonna beat your @ss if you don't start talking! So what's it gonna be? Come clean and I'll put in a good word with the DA about extenuating circumstances.

Angry Birds Trilogy Are You Kidding Me?

FOR MATURE READERS (and yes, it's because of the youtube vid. fair warning)

Okay, so those in the gaming community already know this but I thought I'd address it here on my video game blog. Reviewing and previewing video games, that's what a gamermonkey does. Not so long ago, we all heard and read about Angry Birds coming to the console. Huzzahs all around. We were psyched. Yes, very excited indeed. An actual Angry Birds game for the console. Our minds wandered and extrapolated fantastical and elaborate ideas oh what a game like that would be like. If Angry Birds was so much fun on the phone, iPad, etc, just imagine on the PS3 or 360. Heck, even 3DS is getting in on the shenanigans. And then, like freaking Lucy, Rovio and Activision snatched the football that is our Angry Birds and we found ourselves flat on our backs while Snoopie and Woodstock laughed at us. After reading the game is selling for $40 I had but one question: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

A Look at Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2

Borderlands 2 is set about five years after the ending of the original. Handsome Jack has swooped in and claimed all the glory for himself, imprisoning the four vault Vault Hunters, and taking control of the planet. You play as one of four new characters and win a gladiator type competition held by Handsome Jack. But, he's a real jerk. No prizes for you. Cause he's a wuss and sees you as a threat. And then he maroons you on the frozen tundras of Pandora. So there you are, freezing and no swag for all your efforts. I'd be pissed off too. Of course, events transpire, and you find yourself on a mission to help the original Vault Hunters and take down Jack's stranglehold on Pandora. It's time to pre-order while you can. And you're gonna need a gun, maybe two . . .

Borderlands 2 Trailer Youtube vid by gearboxsoftware

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Preview

Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Gamers of the Fighting genre rejoice. Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is within our grasp. About nine short days here in America. As I'm sure you've been keeping up with the latest news and gossip, there's a lot to talk about and look forward to with Tekken Tag Tournament 2. People are scrambling to pre-order the game, while others are still on the fence about it, worried it's just a generic arcade game slapped on the console. These are some legitimate concerns as many people felt the original Tekken Tag Tournament lacked what made the other Tekken games so great. In this preview I'll be talking about some of the features everyone is raving about and looking forward to.

Tekken Tag Tournment 2 Trailer Youtube vid by Namco Bandai Games