Here and There with Edison

Year 2013 Gaming Rig

Core Unit

Intel i7 3.5GHz 3770K 3rd Generation Processor
Corsair 16GB DDR3-1866 Vengeance RAM (4GB x 4)
Asus Sabertooth z77 Mainboard
Cooler Master V6GT Heatsink
Asus Nvidia GeForce GTX670 GDDR5 2GB Graphic Card
Asus ROG Phoebus Sound Card
Sony 32" KLV-32EX400 LCD TV
Creative Inspire T7900 7.1 Speaker
Silverstone Strider Gold Evolution 750w Modular Power Supply
Cooler Master HAF912 Advanced Casing
Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB Solid State Hard Disk
Western Digital 2TB Black Hard Disk
Western Digital 1TB Black Hard Disk x2
Western Digital 2TB Green Hard Disk
Lite-On Bluray ROM
Samsung DVD-Writer

Peripheral

Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Mass Effect 3 Edition
Razer Mamba 2012 6400dpi 4G Mouse
Wired Xbox360 gamepad for Windows
Wireless Xbox360 gamepad foe Windows
Guitar Hero 5 Xbox360 guitar
Creative World of Warcraft Headset
Creative Tactic3D Sigma Headset

*Side note: The Cooler Master V6GT 1 of the side fan has been removed to make ways for Corsair Vengeances RAMs. The z77 Sabertooth's armor also been slightly modified as well to make ways for the CM V6Gt Heatsink.

My apologies ... for my absent

Its been awhile since I ever post anything. A lot been happening since these few month and that 1 of the reason why Kaki Gamers Malaysia was disbanded. Now I'm back for posting gadget, games review, tips, PC Hardware in much simpler form. You are free to ask in-depth question regarding my post or the stuff i reviewing by simply post it on the comment or just email me. This may take awhile cause I don't visit my blog regularly.

My New 2012 Pure Gaming Rig

PC Rig:
Intel Core i7 860 2.8GHz
MSI P55 GD80 Mainboard
Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3-1866 CL9 RAM x2
Asus GTX470 1280MB DDR5 PCIe 16x
Sony 32″ KLV-32EX400 LCD TV
Corsair Force3 120GB Solid State HDD
Western Digital 1TB Black Edition HDDx 2
Western Digital 500GB HDD x 1
Western Digital 2TB Caviar Green HDD
Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Sound Card
Creative Inspire T7900 7.1 Speaker
Corsair TX750 750w PSU
Lite-On Blu-ray ROM
Sony DVD-Writer
Cooler Master V8 Heatsink
Cooler Master NanoFusion Thermal Paste
Cooler Master HAF912 Advance Casing
Razer Mamba 6400dpi 4G Mouse (2012 ver)
Microsoft Sidewinder X6 Keyboard
Razer Mantis Control/Speed Mousepad
Creative Sound Blaster World of Warcraft Headset
Creative Sound Blaster Tactic3D Sigma Headset
Cooler Master Turbine Master MACH 1.8 12cm 1800rpm Fan x1
Cooler Master 200mm 800rpm Casing Fan x2

Kaki Gamers Malaysia will now disband

Good Day everyone. Its been tough maintaining everything on my own. Fret not, as we are not gone forever. We will join with our brothers at Malaysian Gamers, we will regulary cover on-site event for more local happenings. With less focus on some issue, I can continue doing much better job. This blog now will act as my personal blogs.

- Edison Beh, Founder of Kaki Gamers Malaysia

How do KGM review their games?

All KGM review's are done after completely finished the game. Half finish game or some game that take a very long play time to finish will not be review. Picture above showing my nest, I spending most of my time here. Take some of your time to learn what eqiupment we use to test and review product/game.

*Source of Review: Digital PC Version

Packaging

Why we prefer digital over retail version of Dead Island?, one word, Pre-order bonuses. As you pre-order the game before launch you'll get a weapon blueprint of "The Ripper" and The Bloodbath Arena DLC. The Bloodbath Arena DLC typically a survival mode to survive multiple waves of zombies. Players earn cash and XP in Bloodbath Arena, and can be carry over to the main campaign. The arena also includes a new weapon, the Sonic Pulse Grenade.

Gears of War 3 Limited Edition Unboxing (Xbox360)

Content

- Paper cover box
- Smooth plastic case
- 1x Game box containing game disc (mimiking the data disc from Marcus dad)
- 1x 2-days access to Xbox LIVE Gold membership
- 1x Transparent sticker
- 1x Game Manual
- 1x COG medal (behind it you can find the code for Adam Fenix Character for MP mode)
- 1 x Mini COG Flag
- Bunch of Document from Adam Fenix to his son with 2 picture

BioHazard Revival Selection unboxing (Xbox360)

Content

- Hard cover box
- 1x game box containing:
1x BioHazard Code: Veronica disc
1x BioHazard 4 disc
- 1x BioHazard 100 pages coloured booklet detailing character, storyline and cutscene (all in japanese language)
- 1x english manual
- 1x japanese manual

Note:
- This is NTSC-J Asia region game
- Voice in-game are english but text are all in japanese (including item description)
- Both BioHazard Code: Veronica and BioHazard 4 are remastered to HD

*Source of Review: PC Version

Kotobukiya's Bushoujo Liara Statue (Mass Effect)

Bioware asking opinion on the Mass Effect, Liara T'soni statue by Kotobukiya. Hope to better shape Liara. Showed below is a prototype model. Pre-order may hit every toy store once it was finalize.

*Source of Review: Xbox360 Arcade (Digital Download)

This is 1 of THE MOST BEST GAME from Xbox360 Arcade can bring to you. You take role of Scott Pilgrim fighting all 7 evil Ex(exs) of Ramona in order to live peacefully with Ramona. You can buy this full game with only 800MSpoints and another 160MSPoints for Knives Chau Add-On Pack (DLC) for 1 new playable character, Knives Chau and 1 new mode, "Dodge Ball". Believe me it wasn't

*Source if review: PC Version

Packaging

The difference between Digital and Retail version are that retail version come with limited edition DLC. The item "The Burning Bandof Scorch, "Bite of Arakun", "Talisman of the Grand Mage" and "The Sacred Heart of the Legion" are included in Limited Edition. Those 4 item are to be equipped in players Rings and Necklaces slot. Like every in-game items, these rings and necklace are useful at the start of the game

Nintendo Wii U , the new Nintendo console

Wii U Discs Will Be single-layer 25GB Blu-Ray disc.The controller, other than buttons and touchscreen, It has build in camera, a microphone, and tilt-sensitive gyroscope. Nintendo also said that they will be using a 25GB Disc for their games, they didn't say it was Blu-ray disc, but we guess it should have been it.

Packaging
The packing is very good but I wonder why there is no plastic covering the Kinect sensor? Not much problem there though, as it still didn't damage the device. The Kinect come with Kinect sensor, Kinect Adventure game and an power adaptor. Well, you get a compatible power adaptor depending on your region. Xbox360 Slim player doesn't need to worry about the adaptor as Kinect can directly use the power source from the console. The old Xbox360 console will have to use the adaptor come with the package.

Getting error while trying installing Creative labs product? Fret not. I tried the steps by creative support site, it wasn't work either. I got several Creative product that come with the same error I-001 when I'm trying to install new driver. Here you need to do.

1. You need to "manually" extract the file contained in the .exe you download at creative support page by using winrar software. Extract it to a new folder.

2. Open the folder you just extract it to, right clik then cut on
ct_cabinfo.ini
ct_cabinfo.txt
ct_cabinfo.xml
Disk.id

3. Paste it inside \Audio\Setup folder. Then Run setup.exe in the Setup folder. The installation should run smoothly.

Monster Game Standard HDMI cable for Xbox360 by Monster Cable

Everyone been wondering if this cable worth it? Is there any difference at all? Continue read to find out.

Is hard to tell from a person perpective either its improved or not after changing the cabel.

Packaging

The package come with a standard Monster Cable HDMI cable design specifically for the xbox360. It also included a Optical output converter from the XBox360 AV port, however it was useless for Xbox360 Slim version though as they already buildin with Optical Out port. The cable are made to be VERY durable. Check out the technology from Monster Cable.

Xbox360 AV port convert to Optical out

Result

Test bed: I'm typically using a Sony 32" TV (KLV-32EX400), Xbox360 Slim, 7.1 speaker output from TV (Only 2.1 can be used).
After several testing was made, there is a slight clearer and better colour on my TV display. Yeah it was just slight, no major improvement.

Verdict
The different between a standard HDMI cable (RM60+) with a Xbox360 Monster Cable (RM230) is just a slight improvement on display. Compare the price you pay, it doen't seem much worth it.

2 star out of 5

Bulletstorm Review

* Source of Review: PC Version

Packaging

Nothing actually interesting here. While only Xbox360 Bulletstorm: Epic Edition will get a beta code to try out Gear of Wars 3 beta.

Bulletstorm Limited Edition come with digital goodies such as,
- 25,000 Experience Points
- Visual Upgrades for the Iconic Leash
- Deadly Peace Maker Carbine
- Additional Boots and Armor

Gameplay

The gameplay is very unique, that what bulletstorm separate from other regular FPS games. You get tons of ways to kill your enemy and earn points to upgrade weapon. Combined leash,"Duke Nukem" signature kick with slow mo and hazardous enviroment, you get tons of ways combined weapon at your disposal to finsih off your enemy. Sadly the main campaign doesn't come with co-op mode. There is a tiny problem with the control, as PC user, our default Run and Crouch button are Shift (run) and Ctrl (crouch)where there is a stunt "Slide" require you to press Run then crouch togeher to perform slide is kinda incompatible with keyboard.

Meet the giant wheel of death

There 2 other multiplayer mode avaialble, Anarchy and Echo mode. Arcnarchy mode is kinda like survival mode where you can support co-op up to 4 player to survive enemy hordes wave by wave.

While Echo game mode, player get chance to play partial of campaign mode. The focus of this mode are to get as much point as possible and compare your points with your friends on leaderboard.

Ever imagine what if Max Payne and the movie "Wanted" combined? Yeah, you can get to see it in action by using your sniper rifle. You be able to steer the bullet of a sniper bullet. I love this gun.

You only able to steer to the enemy you aim at.

I'm not gonna spoil the storyline for you but the storyline is just so-so. Story about how gray got his revenge on the general is not so interesting afterall. The game is more focus on the gameplay than storyline afterall.

The game has a very interesting, is mean VERY interesting among characters. Keep focus on the their conversation and you will notice alot dick ass joke.

Alot "fancy" talk included.

Graphic and Sound

The graphic is powered by Unreal Engine 3 which is damn superb, need to say more?

Verdict

Turn out to be pop-corn shooter. The campagin is fun but it doesn't last very long. For the price tag of RM139, it worth a try, but expect too much. Bear in mind that Bulletstorm are powered by Games For Windows LIVE, good thing is you doesn't need port forwarding to host a game, and bad thing is some people have past bad experiance with GFWL.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition

Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition which included 4 new playable character (Evil Ryu, Oni, Yun and Yang) and tons of new freature. Here some of the new freature, improved the game's spectator mode, adding an Elite Channel that lets people watch games matches contested by players with 3000pp or more. It also lets you follow up to five regular users to watch their matchs replays.

Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition will be available as DLC (upgrade from SSF4) for Xbox360 and PS3 with the price tag USD14.99 on 7th June 2011. Player with or without DLC will be able to fight each other in online matches. While according to Ono (SF4 Producer), a retail version will be releasing as well on end June 2011 for Xbox360, PS3 and PC. Ono also mention the price to be lowered than a full release game, we just wait and see. Good news for PC players, its finally has landed on PC!

Buy Dragon Age 2, Free Mass Effect 2 before 30 April

This may sound ridiculous or more likely a scam, but its NOT. From now until April 30 anyone who buy Dragon Age 2 will receive a download code to get the PC version of BioWare's sci-fi RPG Mass Effect 2 for free. Its not only for new customer, those already own Dragon Age 2 are also able to redeem it. Kindly just follow the link below

http://dragonage.bioware.com/me2offer

Dragon Age 2 Review

*Source of review: PC version

Packaging & Content

I'm impress with the latest box cover done by EA, They have those shining finish for the background. Inside the box you'll get

- Game Disc
- Signature Edition goodies code with a ad of Mass Effect 2 coming up DLC "The Arrival"
- Black and White manual with CD-Key on the back

Signature Edition Goodies
- The Exiled Prince DLC with also come with 1 playable character
(Cost USD$7 if buy separately)
- Dragon Age 2 OST (download via bioware social website)
- Digital armory: Apostate's Courage, Seeker's Bulwark, Adder of Antiva, and Might of the Sten

May I also remind you that Dragon Age 2 exclusive item are unloackable via Facebook game "Dragon Age Legend", Special armor from Dead Space 2 if you register the code used on Dragon Age 2.

Patch, high-res texture pack and demo available via Bigdownload.com

Dragon Age 2 Demo (1.9GB)
Dragon Age 2 - High-res Texture pack (1.08GB)
Dragon Age 2 patch v1.01 (9MB)

*High-res Texture pack can only be used on DX11 only

Gameplay

To all previous Dragon Age 2 fans will find abit dissapointing. The new mechanics Bioware introduce to Dragon Age 2 abolish the original Dungeon & Dragons mechanic that was used in Dragon Age 1 & its expansion "Awakening". No more tactical view from top down. The gameplay has changed to fast paced combat type. In short the game combat system has been "simplied" to suit console more. Mage's AOE spell on Dragon Age 1 able to do damage on party member, however in Dragon Age 2 the AOE friendly fire has been lift off on normal mode and only able to enable it in Hard Mode.

Push aside the combat system, the speech system been improve alot. Which ever dialog you choose will be effect alot outcome of the game. Stay by your side or run away, dead or alive of your party depend on how you handle the dialog. The dialog also now come with an outcome icon, Good, joke, evil or even take speech help from your party member.

The character inventory also been simplied. Players now won't able to change party's any gear except weapon and enchanment. The armor that you get throughout the game can only be use on Hawke (you).

Dejavu is main word you be using while exploring dungeon and places. Alot same places are reuse back for new quest later on. Not only that, the whole game map is very small compared to Dragon Age: Origins. The only area your gonna play is around Kirkwall.

Storyline

The story take place during the blight desroying Lothering village, Hawke and his/her family force to flee to Kirkwall City for refuge. There is no warden involve in this game, except Anders. Tell story from a refugee to Champion of Kirkwall. The story is very enjoyable (I won't say much as it will spoil your game).

Graphic and Sound

Graphic has been improved since Dragon Age 1. Now Bioware first game to use DX11, however to use DX11, you'll have to download Hi-res texture pack to enable DX11. there is graphical glitch if you are using Nvidia graphic card with driver version 266.58 released on Jan 2011.

As you can see, not only you will get missing texture but the game performance is VERY BAD as well on DX11 with hi-res texture enabled and using Very High Setting (There is no notable glitch spoted on DX9 however). Nvidia 267.24 beta driver needed to fully run the game smooth and texture missing free.

Verdict

Eventhough the game has been simplied, the duration of the game and combat are still very enjoyable. For the tag price of RM139, the game is well worth it.

4 out of 5 stars