Hey Guys

Zambogamer wasn’t able to update his blog yesterday. WordPress wouldn’t let him log in 😦

This puts a delay in many upcoming reviews. But rest assured WE will fight on and keep delivering to you. 😀

Zamboangamer039’s Top 10 Female Gaming Heroines

Good morning fellow gamers! Zamboangamer’s last post got lots of views that we are going to do a sequel and this time we list down the women of gaming.

Note that these top 10 care not in order. And we  base not on aesthetic values but the personalities and what we can learn from them.

It’s a topic that deserves attention since many females are used as sex symbols or props in video games, we change that here in Zamboangamer because we empower gamers like you:D

 

10. Nico Collard – Broken Sword Series

Our first lovely heroine is a french journalist who wounds up in a string of adventures and mysteries with George Stobbart. She is a woman who can handle herself with just an I.D and her makeup, using them in unconventional ways. I’m in love with her french accent, and how she teaches women to be resourceful and that female adventurers don’t need guns to solve their problems.

 

9. Jade “Shauni” – Beyond Good and Evil

Another journalist.. I mean female hero to our list is Jade,she does yoga, photography and racing, all while making a living out of it for the orphans living in her lighthouse. She gets her major scoop with a planetary threat harvesting people. the government denies such allegations so she takes it head on, with her trusty camera, dai-jo staff and a network of friends to help her. She may be young but it shows that young people have the ability to change the world.

 

8.Cortana – Halo Series

Though an A.I, she shows her feminine sides while helping Master Chief in his missions. She is not limited to her programming however and is independent, she broke several rules and regulations for the best interests. Just goes to show that behind every video game hero is a strong video game heroine.

 

7. Lilith – Borderlands 1 and 2

Lilith is Zamboangamer’s favorite heroine in the game (aside from Mad Moxxi) Chicks with guns are hot, but aside from that you think Roland’s really in command? Most of the time it’s Lilith who’s the authority figure among the group. She’s a girl that shows you that women can kick ass while being scorching hot. (Ohhh Firehawk!)

 

6. Joan of Arc – Wars and Warrior’s Joan of Arc

This dynasty warrior like game for the PC was a fun for Zamboangamer. You get to control a the 14th century heroine who liberated France and became a Sword Saint. She is the patron saint of France due to her godly visions of liberation from the tyrannical English. There is also her counterpart for the PSP which is more strategic. And chicks in armor are hot (fully plated). Nevertheless. She goes to show that a humble peasant girl, inspired by God can really go a long way. Start praying for inspiration.

 

5. Lara Croft – Tomb Raider Series

She’s been on most lists and she’s also in Zamboangamer’s favorite heroine. an attractive figure with guns makes lots of guys including me fawn over her. But sh’es more than eye candy, she’s a historian, acrobat, survivalist, archaeologist and Countess at that. For many women that strive to be like her then it’s not to late to start.

 

4. Bastila Shan – Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Bastila Shan is a Jedi, but not an ordinary one (who is?) aside from a dual bladed lightsaber(always awesome) her special ability allows her to control intergalactic forces thus turn the war in whomever’s favor. She is seen as a weapon by the Republic and the Sith, and to add to the pressure she must constantly train and present herself as the image of restraint. Her mission involved a sith lord’s capture who she falls in love with. It’s up to the player to make a happy ending and Zamboangamer chose it so. You might have so many responsibilities, but don’t let it weigh you down. Ask help when able for we are all human.

 

3. Alyx Vance – Half Life 2 Episodes

Alyx was unlike any protagonist ever made in the history of video games (aside from Ellie or Ms. Pac-Man) because her character makes you feel cared for. She has a sweet side that understands our silent protagonist Mr. Freeman. She’s not a wallflower though and can handle herself in a gunfight. Her inner strength is what makes her push on and so should you too.

 

2.Liara T’Soni

Dr. T’Soni is mostly known for Shepard’s Love interest but aside from that she is a scholar in many fields. A biotic specialist, information broker, archaeologist,scientist and historian. Liara made so many memories for us in Mass Effect. She studied an ancient race long presumed dead and acknowledged their existence. Much to her disappointment from the scientific community. But they were wrong, the Protheans were very much alive. She teaches us to love what we are doing, even though others do not agree with us.

 

1. Yukiko Amagi

 

More than just a pretty face. Yukiko is a girl who excels in her studies and help her family run the Amagi Inn, this hides a deep secret however as she  longs to have her freedom to do what she wants. This is represented in her “shadow” in a castle and the birdcage keeping her true self from unleashing. But our silver-haired protagonists saves her. Upon forming a friendship which leads to a relationship with the main hero, she realizes that her place is better and she has made it her new dream and mission to manage the inn. She would not be kept from a cage anymore. She would be free. And that’s how life should be. Find your true self and never stop dreaming!

Another Top 10 in the books 😀 Wew this took a long time to make since there were so many to choose from. Keep on gamin’ 😀

 

 

 

 

Zamboangamer039’s Top 10 Male Gaming Heroes

Hail fellow gamers! I’m so inspired today from what I have heard and seen on TV about our city and its heroes. Indeed the best of us is brought out in times of crisis. On my part however, I am using this blog to empower other gamers who feel worthless or who have lost on life. These heroes have made impacts in Zambogamer’s life and I hope they make impacts on yours. This is the male version btw and Zamboangamer is currently drafting the Female Heroes 😀

10. Niko Bellic – GTA IV

Now please don’t take this the wrong way if you asking why a GTA protagonist is among the top 10. Niko Bellic came to America but needed to do what he could to survive. Zamboangamer039 does not want you to steal cars, do drug runs or kill civies, the main point is Niko Bellic did what he had to. He paid his cousin Roman’s debts, and made a good living of himself by working from the bottom up. Aside form CJ, he’s one of my favorite GTA protagonists due to still being good deep down.

 

9. Jim Raynor – Starcraft 1 & 2

Jim Raynor is a space cowboy and overall fights for justice in a resourceful manner. No matter the odds of political intrigue or innumerable zerg he fights bravely even if he has to go and kill his former love Kerrigan. Zamboangamer estimates that many Starcraft fans love Jim Raynor and that includes yours truly. His moral is to always do the best with what you have for the good of all.

 

8.Megaman – Megaman Series

Throughout the years, Megaman has been a childhood friend to many of us, if you have played his recent games on the GBA or the NDS then he is Lan’s NaviPet, a sort of digital friend who deletes viruses (that would be awesome in real life). He is loyal to his friends and companions and acquiring powers and experiences over the years makes him adaptable for any situation. And that should be a lesson to many of us. 

 

7.Lee Everett – The Walking Dead Game Episodes

Lee Everett who stars in the Walking Dead game… not the crappy one gave such an emotional roller-coaster that it’s hard not to give him a spotlight. Aside from the usual killing zombies genre, Lee is given the responsibility to take care of Clementine. His fatherly care for the girl and his sacrifice is commendable. Much of the choices you have to make will impact upon Clementine’s life which will be continued in season two (this is not the tv show). He deals with many pressures but does it all for the sake of Clementine. Zamboangamer needs a tissue now, the memories are coming. 

 

6.Guybrush Threepwood – Monkey Island Games

One of the best heroes are the unlike ones. Sure a strong and brave muscly type hero is the usual stereotype but Guybrush is not likely to be that image. If you have ever played the Monkey Island games then Guybrush is known for his 10 minute holding breath under water ability, humor and sword wits. His simple dream of being a pirate made others laugh or discouraged him for taking of to the seas. But the dream was never relinquished. Throughout his journey his resourcefulness and quick thinking saves him and earns him a girlfriend, few can accomplish such feats. He makes it possible for guys like you and me who don’t have the muscle but have the wits and humor to contend with the best. Btw Don’t give up on your dreams. 😀

5.Super Meat Boy – Super Meat Boy

 

Wait, don’t tell Zamboangamer that you have never played this game? It might be something that passed you by so let us summarize. SMB (Super Meat Boy not San Mig Beer) is on a quest to save his love the Bandage Girl and doing this in a platformer can get frustrating for many gamers, but not SMB, if he gets killed another (clone/incarnation?) takes it place. Edison quoted that failing 10,000 did not get him down, and just like SMB, who also has a optimistic view of life. ONe you is despite of failures stills sees the brighter side of life is his moral to us.

4. Gordon Freeman – Half Life Games

 

This gaming icon seems to be in everyone’s list but for us here in Zamboangamer039 he has been a big influence not only in our gaming history but also on what he teaches us. When he comes to a certain scene people seem to go to him as if he had answers. But this silent protagonist does not have the solutions (pun intended) he does do what is right by the many puzzles in the game. This moral of solving our problems without question is what Gordon Freeman tells us…if he could only speak.

 

3. Ezio Auditore da Firenze – Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood, Revelation

 

The Assassin’s Creed series has been hit after hit, but few of the protagonists made a dent to our emotions. Ezio changes that as a major chunk of the games involve him. We witness and interact with his life from his teens to his elder years. He has been a major influence to the brotherhood for his shadowy heroism. It just goes to show that not just Knights can be champions of the weak. Ezio can tell us many lessons but to summarize it is to live life to the fullest. Experience it in unconventional ways and doing good things even if you are unheard of is beneficial in its own right.

 

2. Commander Shepard – Mass Effect 1,2,3

Shepard has been one of the best video game heroes that Zamboangamer has ever met and played. He has become an overall galactic hero for his legacy (Paragon). It kinda sucks to what happens with him after ME3, I can testify that it was an unfair ending.He’s not just a military stiff with formalities but a good friend. Shepard also makes it possible for us to realize the challenges of our lives can be dealt with, no matter how insurmountable or how impossible it would be just like Reapers. Anyone who has experienced the Mass Effect Journey can relate with us. We salute you Commander Shepard.

 

1. Minato Arisato – Persona 3

P3FES was a complete journey that made Zamboangamer039 laugh,cry,smile, and hope. It was a game that pulled heartstrings and it was overall awesome. Anyone can relate to the journey he has undergone, the relationships he made and the value of sacrifices that where needed to make to save humankind (like Jesus Christ). What’s more is that he is a student, something you and me can really relate to. Minato Arisato made Zamboangamer see life different, so many lessons can’t be made into this post because some have been mentioned above and a separate post is being drafted for what P3 has taught us. Thank you ATLUS, make more of this. P5 needs to have more!

So this wraps up Zamboangamers Top 10 Male Gaming Heroes. Stay tuned for more 😀 We know you have your own list, so comment them. 😀

 

Achievements Unlocked – 30 Posts :D

Earlier Zamboangamer039 was looking at his wordpress blog when we just hit 30! 

I could not believe with my own eyes to see that I have written this many. And have gotten views from time to time. This means that there is finally some or little awareness for gaming in Zamboanga City.

If you are reading this post, or this blog, then I thank you, We hope to make more reviews and entertain more people. 

We do request that you comment on our blog because we are dying for it. Positives are fine but constructive criticism is what we hunger for 😀 

Thank you once again and keep on gamin’

Throwback Thursday – Fable

Guys it’s finally thursday and that means we will be doing a game review from ages long past. Our first game to be featured in TT is *drumroll… Fable

Ah this game takes me back to 2005, Zamboangamer first encountered this game on my friend’s Xbox, (thanks Karl John Montina) I had to wait for the PC release due to extended content and it turned out great.

Fable is an Action-RPG, you take the role of a Hero, whose bloodline revolves around being guardians of a faraway land called Albion (this was the ancient name of the U.K). The game was so fun from the start that I installed the game again and reliving the joys of simpler times.

Unlike most RPG’s that start you off as a young adult, Fable starts you off as a child, I had delights of exploring the hometown of Oakvale. Which is a quiet village near the sea, Your first quest is to gather some gold for your sisters birthday present and it doesn’t involve killing mobs but doing either good,evil or a mix of deeds.

Your about to give your birthday present to your older sister Theresa and enjoy the day celebrating her birthday with your family and have peaceful days ahead

Bandits attacked Oakvale and killed everyone including your dad. Your mother and sister have been taken away and you are left alone, only to be teleported by a mage named Maze (so original XD)

You are then admitted to The Guild of Heroes a powerful school that has made heroes out of so many. Your life then begins with training and study, until the day when you can exact vengeance on your enemies.

There are three combat disciplines to master. Strength,Dexterity and Will, which is subdivided into more sub components covering speed, toughness, spells etc. Once mastered however no challenge is big enough anymore.

The game is very easy because Zambogamer039 was taught early on by KJM tips to easily strengthen your hero.  That includes a certain weapon and a merchant, search the game guides to find out more. Facing the final boss is disappointingly easy due to your maxed out stats if you decide to invest experience before the final fight.

The only difficulties encountered is gathering enough XP on the Will Tree since it involves so many spells, fighting enemies that surround you ,which is most of the time and upholding your boasts (example no damage obtained in missions).

The main missions are linear at best, kill a number of enemies, or hold out in defense. My favorite is Witchwood Arena Questline since a lot of XP will be gain from it.

The minigames like fishing, cards, coin pong, and fist fights are fun to play and they are sometimes essential to get more gold and recognition.

The Day and Night and A.I cycle is far ahead than that of Oblivion or Skyrim’s Radiant A.I, Shops and houses are open by day, workers are unloading goods and merchants displaying items and people going about. By night guards patrol for sneaky thieves, that includes you too.

Morality in this game affects not only those around you but your hero as well. The more goody-goody two shoes you are the more older you get…plus a holy Aura shows while your standing and butterflies swirl around you, the darker and sinister you get the more your horns grow and a rotting aura fills the air as you momentarily pause.

In retrospect get this game, the graphics were cool at that time and it still awes alot of people today, the sound music and effects are so memorable, I can even play Oakvale’s theme on piano, though not as mastered its still nice to hum to it. The gameplay is for you to really experience and it’s a long one fro the completionists. And whether you love or hate Molyneux this game set the tone for many unique rpg’s out there. This game is a 8/10.

Lessons:

Every one of us is a hero. As I am writing this I give tribute to the many soldiers fighting in the filed, those who have died to defend our liberties and rights. To the volunteers for their dutiful services in the midst of the dangers and our city’s current crisis. To the donors for your generosity to the less fortunate evacuees who number in the thousands I salute you guys.

You don’t have to do big deeds or embark on epic quests to be known as a hero, even the tiniest act of kindness sends a ripple to many, it may not be much to you but to those you have helped it will certainly be great.

We are all made in the image of God, thus we all have the seeds of greatness within us, we only need to start growing it.

What’s new on Zambogamer? Sept 25 changelog

You might have noticed some more menus to navigate. Zambogamer wants easy navigation, thus the menu. Some articles are organized now for better access depending on their respective genre. 

We might have not posted any current game reviews for awhile. This is because of Zambogamer being a lazy bastard hahaha. Just stay tuned, We already have drafts for them.

I also noticed a decline in the views,perhaps due to the current crisis in the city. This does not matter, We enjoy doing what we are doing . 😀

Opinion 2- Home Sweet Home : Playing at Home

I love playing at the comfort of my own home. Zambogamer’s PC is filled with so many games that there’s not enough time to play with them. Name it, and Zambogamer’s probably got it on his hard drive. 

Playing at home is sometimes better than the internet cafe, since it doesn’t cost as much since someone’s paying for the electric and wi-fi bill (I have to help them now). It also means that you can grab a snack from the fridge without spending too much of your internet on the food. Another plus side is unlimited hours! mwahahaha

It’s peaceful yet kinda lonely though, and most of the time you might be out there with your friends doing other activities and doing more productive work.

Another disadvantage is if your computer is a shared one. No problem for me as I can give it to my younger brother or my mom or my dad if they want. But if you are the impatient type then it’ll be hard.

Need to Visit

Zamboangamer needs to skip writing today to visit his girlfriend who will be leaving for Zambales tomorrow.I miss her already. Will continue on later. 

Zamboangamer is installing a patch update for RTW 2 and hopefully it will run smoothly and I can finally review it.

And BTW for those of you waiting for GTA V on the PC, we will keep updating you on the release, it seems a delay is inevitable for us PC gamers, ROCKSTAR YOU BASTARD!

Opinion 1: Let’s Play Outside- Playing at the internet cafe

Zambogamer039 lives near 3 cafes in his neighborhood, all are within walking distance from the house. As I write this post, I often wonder if which among the two are better. Let’s take a look

The internet cafe, a technological domain for gamers, internet surfers, social networkers and the other regular people.My first cafe experiences was in highschool. There where lots of internet cafes back then near Saint Joseph School like FunBox,Rellik,Dexter’s,My Friend. After school me and my friends would play some counterstrike and other online games. After high school, I spent most of my college days in a place called Timbayan Bldg just near Western Mindanao State University, that place was a haven of internet cafes where me and my friends would play lots of DotA.(I even made a song about it called DotA Everyday). The days would carry on when we would laugh, banter and compete with each other. I loved the thrill of playing with other people on LAN or online, it was always noisy enough with more people coming in to use the facilities. 

I have lots of fond memories of the cafe. It was also where I spent most of my money. Sometimes I skipped eating or walked home just to save some money to play. Back in those days an hour cost 10 pesos, so just think of how many hours we invested in that. Looking at it now the bad thing about it though is that our investment was one-sided. While I did enjoy playing in the cafe, the money was also gone.If I totaled every thing up till now I could have saved it for buying other meaningful stuff.

Sometimes I pity the new generation with the hourly rate of 15-20 pesos. I know that the cafe needs to earn some money but 15-20 pesos seems like a ripoff. Some internet cafes like those in town with this rate are ones that I avoid as much as possible since I’d just be wasting more money. And with the blackouts? It’s just wasting time. In contrast though, I only go to these cafes to play new games which I don’t have on my computer yet. (hello HDD)

There are also some cafes with that funky cigarette smell and oily keyboards, I hate that. the last thing I need is to get lung cancer or unknown diseases from unhygienic places. You can agree with me on this one right?

The perfect internet cafe in my opinion is one without blackouts, air conditioned, friendly atmosphere, updated games,state- of-the-art computers and friendly attendants. This makes me think of G-Spot (It’s a cafe near Ateneo) and Endless Cafe (near the Nunez extension intersection).

Damn, I stepped on… – A Pou Review

This will be the last mobile game review for now. And we will end it with one of the most top ranking games in google play store. 

Oh Pou, when I play with you I remember my tamagotchi days, those really got my grades down. I had an oreo tamagotchi back in the 90’s and the character was an 8-bit mouse who ate cheese and slept in a hole. I was obsessed about taking care of him that made me crazy whenever mom would take it away from me, I would find it around the house and once I got it, darkness would loom over me as my pet is already dead.

I overcame that tamagotchi addiction as I grew up, it would be replaced with better games like Pokemon, Monster Hunter, and etc. But when Zambogamer’s girlfriend got her smartphone (A w500 Cherry Mobile Titan) and showed me Pou, I got hooked. I still have him (I like to think of him as male) on my tablet.

Pou is a pet game, (As Im writing this review I just gave him watermelons and pineapples for breakfast) Your goal is to take care of Pou in the different rooms of his house. There is a kitchen for food, a Lab for treating his health, a bathroom to bathe him, and a arcade where you earn money to buy him new stuff like haircuts, accessories,clothes,new wallpapers,toys, etc. And you earn that by playing games,

Pou’s Arcade has so many games and it’ll keep you busy for a long time. I do find that it gives little coins and despite of this you have to play many rounds and earn highscores just for a trickle of coins.

From the start Pou starts out cute and small, he gets bigger and cuter as you level him up. Sometimes he leaves…poo that needs to get cleaned up giving you some gold (let’s recycle poop). Pou gets dirty often and you really have to clean him before he gets sick.

Once his needs are met and you don’t want to play with him anymore, you can just leave him be while you do something else. A notification pops up reminding you to feed him, bathe him, wake him up, and treat his health. 

This will be a short review guys as I have to do another one today. 

Graphics: Simple and wacky colors and environments make the game neat. I love Pou’s character design, it’s so cute and simple, you can even change his color (default is green). The costumes are nice too (panda). 

Sound: I love the music in the arcade, many of the game tracks got stuck to my head. Pou also makes cute sounds when saying No! or when you rub him.

Gameplay: Simplicity is the core of Pou, it has great appeal for kids and kids at heart. The many games increase with difficulty and is a good challenge. The mulitplayer could use some tweaking though as I want to visit my girlfriends Pou but find myself in some random player’s house. But with regular patching, I’m sure that someday soon the multiplayer component will be better. It’ll keep you entertained for a long time. The best part also is that it’s free!

Overall:8/10 kids will love it, gamers will get addicted to it, get it, and watch where you step on XD

Lessons: You don’t need super expensive and impressive ideas to get a game going sometimes simplicity is the best.

Pou is an easy game but Real life is quite different, keep your head on reality.

An increase in mobile pet games like this might spark the next stage of the tamagotchi that we all loved.

Remember to take care of Pou as you would take care of yourself 😀