Killzone 2 [Video Game] Review

Title: Killzone 2
Format: Playstation 3
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Genre: First Person Shooter

Killzone 2 is an Playstation 3 exclusive First Person Shooter (FPS) game from Guerrilla Games. Since this is there is a "2" in the title I can also mention that this is a sequel to the first Killzone and the Playstation Portable Killzone: Liberation.

My very first impression of Killzone 2, back when the demo was released on Playstation Network was that it's just another shooter starring random space marines shooting bad guys, it's not bad but it's not fresh either. The controls feelt sluggish and akward, almost like I was sitting in mud bath playing with my hands cuffed to the bathtubs floor. All I can say is that 3-4 minutes of the first level that was in the demo is the not the reason why I bought this game.

So after reading more about the game, seeing and reading reviews and comments, Killzone 2 scored very high across the board. My favorite game magazine called it a "must have to any Playstation 3 owner". So with this in mind I thought that if it is such a good game, I must try it out some more. I can say i'm very, very glad I did.

Killzone 2 story follows up the events in the previous Killzone games. It takes place in the future where there is us, Mankind, and the Helghast waging war on each other, due some political reasons (I'm not sure, I havent played the preceding games). The war has now brought the fight to the Helghast home planet Helghan. Here you take the role of Tomas "Sev" Sevchenko, and together with your ISA space marine special forces buddies you battle though different settings, killing different kinds of orange eyed oppenents to capture the most evil and most orange eyed Helghast, their leader Scolar Visari. You know, the typical space marine plot. Even thought the story might not blow your mind, the rocket launcher and alot other elements that might be able to do just that.

The basic gameplay; Shoot, Kill, Repeat, works like a charm (well after I had the darn controls revised) and it's so satisfing to push several rounds from your booming assault rifle into the orange glowing Helghast eyes. This game shows possibly the best graphics that currently exist to the Playstatin 3, it shows us the hyper interior of the ISA ships, the barren deserts of the Helghan planet and the dirty backyards of China... Or the Helghast City...

Anyway the single player is overall pretty awesome, but now we come to the reason why we have the game in the console. Multiplayer brings us all the good stuff we liked in the single player campaign, leaves out the bad stuff and brings us even more good stuff. I've played alot of fps multiplayer games and it's something I really like, but I have always feelt it's not really my "style", that competitive part of gaming is alittle bit to hard for me to swallow. I play games beacuse it's fun. Killzone 2 multiplayer... Is fun! Well, it can be a bit hardcore later on (Pistols only, I'm trying to get the M4 revolver, AIM FOR THE HEAD, OMG only 9 pistolkills I NEED 10!) in general I enjoyed the multiplayer alot. It contains the basic shooting, but adding classes with special abilities, like Medics with revive and health packs or Engineers that can place turrets and repair stuff. Also there is additional game modes that keeps the change on things after a bodycount (Classical Team Deathmatch). The multiplayer is the thing that keeps you playing Killzone 2, something I will probably do for a long time. There is even a Offline multiplayer where you can play against bots, very generous.

The next level of FPS games have come and Killzone 2 is a really rising the bar. I also believe that this is really a game that no Playstation 3 should pass out on. Even if you dislike FPS shooters, you should still give this game a chance and buy it when it goes platinum. After a day of running and guning, when I close my eyes to sleep all I can see is the orange glowing eyes of the Helghast. There is no doubt that Killzone will bathe in game of the year nominations (It has my vote!) and hopefully win some too.

10/10

There is only one zone for everyone who wants to kill... Orange-Eyed Space marines!

Song of Now: The GazettE - Headache Man

As a countinuation of my DSTRS N CMA review, I've been listening to Headache Man all day. Needless to say it's one über heavy experimental song with the GazettE touch that makes it one of my favorite GazettE songs ever.

It's kind of in the similar style as Girugamesh's BREAK DOWN and Dir en Grey's DOZING GREEN experimental level and kind of share the same "heaviness". The GazettE style is what makes this song. Reita rough voice makes for an excellent response vocal.

This single is one of the best jrock singles I've heard, and I can't wait for GazettE's album.

The GazettE - DISTRESS AND COMA [Single] Review

I was happy to find out that The GazettE's newest single was out. The single features 3 very strong songs and not only am I psyched for this single, but this summer GazettE will drop a new album called DIM.



Tracklist:

1. "Distress and Coma"
2. "HEADACHE MAN"
3. "WITHOUT A TRACE"

DISTRES AND COMA's PV have been out for a week or two, and was a very pleasant surprise. The PV has a great yet erie feel around it and the song is heavy yet graceful. DISTRESS AND COMA is like a perfect clash between the old GazettE's heavy metal simplicity and the high quality of the post-STACKED RUBBISH compositions. HEADACHE MAN packs a heavy neo/nu-metal jrock sound with a experimental touch. Even thought it's kind of a strange song, it just makes me want more! WITHOUT A TRACE keeps the experimental sound that this single has brought. Double acoustic guitars togheter with Ruki's mellow and mighty vocals makes for an wonderful experience. Also add a magnificent solo to make this power ballad complete.

DISTRESS AND COMA brings the "neo style" music that flavoured both previous singles GUREN and LEECH. The GazettE's music has reached a new high that dident exist years ago. All I can say is that their new album that comes out this summer has a very high chance of pushing STACKED RUBBISH into a second place as my favorite album.

10/10

No Coma or Headache should prevent you for leaving a Trace on Gazette's newest single

An Cafe - Concert Review

A few days ago An Cafe was having a concert here in Stockholm and I was there, queing in the cold for one of the best concerts I've ever been too.

The crowd was diverse, but mainly consisted of young girls in their visual kei kit. I showed up in a slightly more tuned down visual style :P We waited and listened to the random jpop songs that was played; YUI, Nami Tamaki, Ai Otsuka etc
An Cafe is awesome live, they really "bring it to life" when they play. Yuuki is awesome live with his dancing and even sharing vocals with Miku in one song.

Overall it was an awesome live, they played all their new songs from their newest mini-album/EP. Remember that an An Cafe consert is not over until they play Smile Ichiban Ii Onna!

Buying a Game

I have 3 different ways to decide what game I'll buy (To my Playstation 3).
First of there is the obvious "fan" waiting for a game to come out since the very first news. Like buying the game on the very first day. With this method I bought Mirrors Edge, GTA4 and will absolutly buy Final Fantasy 13.
Then there is the impulsive style. This happens when I have alot of extra money and are somewhere in the middle of waiting for the next game to buy. Then I just go for the current best game out or something strange/special game. With this method i bought Battlefield: Bad Company and Saints Row 2, but also all the Playstation Network games such as Savage Moon and Flower.
The third method is similar to the second but requires alot of extra research. Right now i'm in that dilemma. I have some spare money and I feel alittle bit bored so I either buy a game or wait. Thought now i'm leaning towards buying a game and i'm not sure which. Going by the second method it's currently Killzone 2 that is in a good position but i'm not sure. Buy it or wait for something else. I'm not good at these decisions... :(

D'espairsRay - Redeemer [Album] Review

So I got my hands on D'espairsRay new album REDEEMER. D'espairsRay's previous album MIRROR was an absolute amazing album with very strong songs. I really like D'espairsRay's style of music with heavy contemporary metal riffs togheter with special effects. Hizumi's vocals makes their music extra special and cool.

REDEEMER countinues in the same style as MIRROR. The album really gives the D'espairsRay sound a boost forward and adds some new style to the D'espairsRay sound. I was alittle bit worried before whith the singles KAMIKAZE and HORIZON. I felt they where alittle bit "weak" and i wasent sure that the quality of the new album would be at the same level as MIRROR. Let's see how the REDEEMER fairs.



Tracklist:

1. "Lizard"
2. "Brilliant"
3. "Redeemer"
4. "Kouhaku" (琥珀)
5. "Kamikaze"
6. "Lost in Re:birth"
7. "R.E.M -Fuyu no Genchou-"
8. "Horizon"
9. "Masquerade"
10. "Yozora" (夜空)
11. "Paradox 5"
12. "Heaven's Color"

The album begins with the song LIZARD. LIZARD is a great "standard" D'espairsRay song that contains all the elements of D'espairsRay. Hizumi shows us his vocal range with both growl and clear singing in this song. The song also has an effectful guitar solo. Great start.
BRILLIANT is a slightly lighter song ("Space pop + heavy metal?" :D ). Hizumi sings about love or something in the very well sung chourus. Great fast paced D'espairsRay "pop" song with a heavy solo. The PV to this song takes form in live fotage.
After that comes the title track, REDEEMER. If you haven't seen the video go look for it. It's strange, crazy and slightly scary... The same goes for the song :D With an excellent heavy drum beat to this more ordinary (Ordinary? :O) rock song, this song makes for a über title track.
The fifth track is D'espairsRay power ballad, heavy but still beautiful. Kouhaku packs a nice keyboard melody togheter with the stunning vocals of Hizumi.
Half way through the album is one of the singles, KAMIKAZE. My first impression was that it felt like "just another song", but the first impression is not everything. It's a supreme (I'm running out of superlatives :( ) rocking song. The solo in this song is awesome and the voice effects are great. Plus they look cool in the video. Thought still I think it wasent a good choice for a single.
I would say Lost in Re:Birth is one of the heaviest (If not the most heaviest) D'espairsRay song i've heard. There is alot of growling but also some more melodic singing. The end of this song feautres a fast and super awesome riff, totally incredible (I listened to it several times :D ).
Wow... R.E.M -Fuyu no Genchou- is another ballad song with acoustic elements in it. I need to learn the lyrics so I can sing along in this gentle and calm song, so wonderful (Well it is D'espairsRay so there still heavy distortion lead in this song :P ). Next is HORIZON another of the REDEEMER singles. Like KAMIKAZE, the first impression was similar, but this song also grows on you. It's great to hear D'espairsRay take on "pop-rock". ZERO looks cool in the PV. MASQUERADE keeps the D'espairsRay sound going on, it feels like an "add-on" to HORIZON. Next song, Yozora, felt like D'espairsRay taking on a An Cafe song (Strange irony). It's diffrent but still good. PARADOX 5 is an ambient experimental song with a touch of africa, feeling slow and soft, rather then the standard D'espairsRay metal blast. The last 4 minutes of the album is entitled HEAVEN'S COLOR, landing a mellow D'espairsRay song.

Depending on what your expections for this album you might end up disapointed. If you wanted another MIRROR metal recharge, then REDEEMER might not be the thing for you. After having the singles KAMIKAZE and HORIZON in mind, my expectations was unfortunately not as high. I would still say that it's a great album with some very strong songs and take makes up a bit for the overall feel in for this album.

7/10

Redeem yourself or not with D'espairsRays newest album

Song of Now: System of a Down - Lonely Day

I recently got Spotify from a friend and i've been looking through some random music. I had listened to SOAD album Mezmerize, so i looked into their other album Hypnotize. I got to Lonely day, and it totally stuck to me. I've been singing on it all the long :D

It's lyrics are easy to sing along with and has a great guitar rythm through the song. The song is different from the usual SOAD type of song and i think it was nice to hear Daron Malakian singing out.

An Cafe - NYAPPY GO AROUND THE WORLD II

An Cafe is going to have their second world tour and on 19 mars they will be playing at Tyrol, Stockholm. This will be their second time in Sweden and also the second time I'll see them play (I did attend their first concert aswell). I'm totally psyched for the upcoming concert. AROMA, their newest single is such an awesome song and I can't wait to see it live. Actually they are releasing the EP Harjuku Dance Rock today! (13 Mars)

Read more on their offical site: An Cafe

Nyappy!

The Beginning

Well... Hmm... I'm really not sure how to start this. This is the first time I've "blogged". I feel that i have so much thoughts that I need to write down, so i started a blog. First i wasent even sure what language i was going to use (Swedish or English, i'm swedish so excuse my poor english at times) but I settled for english because i will probably reach more people this way and I will also improve my english. :D

So what is this blogg about. Well i suppose this blog will contain alot about my intrest to japanese music. I'm a vivid jrock enthusiast and all around music lover. The blog will also contain some topics about gaming and probably alot other random stuff, i dont know... :S

Well thats that for the first contribution. I dident really tell anything about myself as a person, but we probably get to that together with the evolution of the blog.

See ya next time!