Shift 2 Full Review Boogaloo

After clocking a bunch more hours in Shift 2, I feel as qualified as any internet nerd to give my fully unbiased opinion* of this game. This is from a very mediocre car driving gamer's perspective, so take it for what it's worth.

Unsurprisingly, my extended impressions aren't that much different from my first impressions. Shift 2 is good looking and fun to play. It doesn't have the wow factor of a more arcade-y game like Grid, but it is satisfying on some deeper level. For a simulation game it is quite easy to get into, and vastly more exciting off the bat than Gran Turismo.

Like I said before though, this game is hard. How hard? Well I can get first in most races in Dirt 2 on higher difficulties. In Shift 2 on medium with most assists enabled I make the podium maybe half the time. This is also using the speedfreek and realtrigger attachments on my ps3 controller. There is just very little room for error. Sometimes you can do everything right and the game just decides to F you in the A with a roll of quarters.


Many times you'll have the lead for the entire race, then in the last corner, Turbo Dick from the planet Fartbrains slides past and cheerfully flips you off before switching on his afterburner and it's 1.21 JIGGAWATTS BACK TO THE FUCKING FUTURE MARTY!!! And you're left in the dust with your ravaged pride and broken dreams.

Most of the early races are 2 or 3 laps, which doesn't sound like much but anything longer gets very taxing. I actually had to remind myself to breathe sometimes. It's just very nerve wracking, especially on the night courses. I feel my whole body tense up going into a hairpin turn. It's a great rush, but because of that I find I can only play the game in short bursts. It gets physically and mentally tiring. Or maybe I am just that out of shape...

The variety of races is nice, featuring a good range of cars from european to japanese, classic cars to modern supercars. One thing I could do without though is drift events. Fudge that poop. I have never played a game ever in which drift events were fun. Maybe one exists but I sure haven't found it.

Another thing I dislike is that they got rid of your pit chief and replaced him with some drift racing jerk-off. I guess they were trying to pull a Dirt 2 and appeal to today's youth. He's just annoying and generally doesn't tell you anything useful. "Go fast into the second corner then hold tight." Yeah good luck, I can't even remember to freaking breathe half the time. Which reminds me, on every loading screen they felt the need to put inspiring quotes by REAL race car drivers. It's all stupid crap like "Chrome don't get you home." or "Speed is the essence of fast." Maybe you should stick to driving cars, guys.

Anyway Seinfeld is coming on, so in short this game is challenging but rewarding if you can stick with it and forgive the occasional frustrations. There's a nice variety of tracks and you will be kept busy for a long time earning money and exp to unlock new cars. And cars are the essence of driving. You can quote me on that, btw.

*Opinion may actually be biased

Thundercats Ho!

Herp de derp, I know it's not a video game but seriously what nerd doesn't love the thundercats? Especially the NEW thundercats!

Holy shitting butts that looks radical. I am confident the new show is going to rock my balls completely off. I don't even care that it looks very anime. I can practically hear steve googling Cheetara pictures right now.

Edit: YOUTUBE!!!

Biggest Gaming Lies

We've all been there. Whether it's a boss that you said you beat, or a game that you claimed to have played. We've all told some whoppers in our gaming careers. What better place than the internet to air our dirty laundry (or wear it, in my case). Let's take a moment to share our most shameful gaming lies.

I remember mine vividly. I was in second grade, it was recess time. A kid in my class was talking about this awesome game called Doom. I had seen pictures of it in magazines, but at the time we didn't have our own computer so the closest I had ever come was playing Wolfenstein on my cousin's PC. I thought this kid was super cool, and wanted him to like me. So I did what any intelligent 2nd grader would do. I lied my fucking ass off.

I told him I also had the game, and would ask him how to beat a random level. He would explain in detail and I would nod sagely. When he asked my opinion on certain weapons or enemies I would ask him for his thoughts, and then agree with them. The plan was flawless. We quickly became good friends, then best friends. We spent many days on the couch playing Super Nintendo. He even traded me Final Fantasy 3 for some magic cards.

Then one day toward the end of junior high, we had just finished a round of Golden Eye on his N64 when I remembered my shameful secret. I confessed that I hadn't actually played Doom and I just told him that so he would like me. He gasped and said he couldn't believe that our relationship was based on a lie. We both had a good laugh and went back to the game. We stopped being friends a couple weeks later, due to unrelated circumstances.

But to this day, I still wonder if they were really that unrelated. If you're reading this, Adam I'm sorry I lied to you about Doom.

I Need These

And I thought the Handyboy was awesome. Who needs that crap when your gameboy can turn into a time machine!

XBLA Buying Bonanza

Because of the one-day sale on April 1st, I picked up a 2800 points card on my way home. This is what I ended up getting with it.

X-Men arcade

This was on sale for 200 points. At that price you can't afford not to get it. Jaison and I played through it twice. Even if I never touch it again I feel like I got my 200 points worth. One thing it did make me realize is that these old beat-em ups haven't aged that gracefully.

Costume Quest

It was on sale for 600 points, so I had to give it a try. I am not a big fan of the art style (it just looks so basic). But that's ok because the game itself is pretty fun. The combat and exploring are both satisfying. Clicking on everything find candy gets a little old after a while though. I would definitely recommend it for 600 points, but not at full price.

Islands of Wakfu

I wasn't expecting much, but after the demo I had to get this game. It looks gorgeous. Turns out the gameplay is pretty good too. It's a sort of Zelda-esque game where you explore and fight monsters. If I had to use one word to describe this game it would be 'chill'. The music, the atmosphere, it's all just sort of relaxing. Plus there's co-op, but I haven't tried it yet because no one will come to my house after 'the incident'.

Serious Sam the Second Encounter

I really debated getting this one since it was 1200 points. But in the end I did and it's awesome. It looks great and the gameplay is smooth as ever. I forgot how funny/corny Sam is. It has all the fun of the original with some awesome weapons like the chainsaw and flamethrower. If you've never played Serious Sam but enjoy fast-paced shooters I recommend giving it a try.

April Fools Dwayne Wayne!

Hello everyone I just wanted to say April fools! ho ho hee hee. Sorry to anyone who got tricked by our top Final Fantasies list. It was all just a clever and hilarious prank! How could I even make a list without having Mystic Quest on there? My apologies for being such a spoony bard, everybody.

Besides everyone knows Final Fantasy XI is the best one, anyway.

Top 10 Final Fantasies

After much discussion Jaison and I both agreed that our blog is missing the major hallmark of gaming sites everywhere. The Top 10 List. Well it's time to fix that, so we can once and for all cement our place upon the pantheon of mediocrity.

This one is sure to ruffle a few feathers. But here at Game Fudge we don't steer around controversy, like Henry Hudson we plot a course straight through it! So buckle up because without further ado it's time to present our list of the Top 10 Final Fantasies.

#10

Final Fantasy X

This was the first game I bought for my PS2 and the graphics were just incredible. Even today I still dream about Yuna and Tidus, and that big whale thing that was his dad or something? This game got shit on a lot for various reasons, but it still holds a special place in my heart.

#9

Final Fantasy IX

This is probably the most depressing Final Fantasy. People be dying and shit everywhere. It was great looking on the PS1, and one of the only FF games I actually bought the art book for. It had some cool characters like Steiner and Freya, and less cool characters like Eiko and that fat pink thing.

#8

Final Fantasy VIII

Another controversial FF game. I didn't really understand it the first time I played it. Or the second. Come to think of it I still don't understand it. Anyway it deserves this spot on the list for coming up with the idea to combine a sword with a gun. Also Quistis, mmm hmm.

#7

Final Fantasy VII

Of course this game would be on the list! There are 2 groups of people. Those who like FF 7 and those who have never played FF 7. I am in the first group. I don't really know what else to say. My memory card kept getting corrupted so I never actually managed to beat it in a single play through.

#6

Final Fantasy III (6 in Japanese)

So many hours of my youth lost to this game. Mog is the greatest character ever and if you disagree then shut up! FF 3 is the Citizen Kane of super nintendo games. I wonder when Square will officially run completely out of ideas and we'll get a HD remake. They must be getting close...

#5

Final Fantasy V

Not many people played this one, which is a shame because it was good. It was the first FF I played where you could switch your character's class at any time. It had a main character named Buttz, and a pirate chick. I don't know what else you could want.

#4

Final Fantasy II (4 in japanese)

I remember the first time I saw an ad for this in Nintendo Power. It had a big pair of claws reaching out to grab you. Frankly it scared the shit out of me at the time. It turned out the game wasn't nearly that scary but it was actually really fun. You spoony bard! hahaha

#3

Final Fantasy III (3 in Japanese)

I didn't play this game when it first came out because it was in Japanese and I was six. I did get to play it later when they made a remake for the DS. All I can say is wow, what a hard game! All games should be this hard then people would stop being such wussies.

#2

Final Fantasy II

This is another sort of obscure FF game, but it still deserves attention. I finally played this one when the GBA remake came out. It was cool because your spells and weapons leveled up according to how much you used them. It also was the first game to feature dragoons. Let's face it, dragoons are awesome compared to everything.

And now...DRUM ROLL....The #1 Final Fantasy game OF ALL TIME is......

#1

Super Mario RPG

I know you're probably thinking the Super Mario RPG has nothing to do with Final Fantasy. Well you're completely wrong, as usual. This is the best Final Fantasy game and likely even the best game. Period. Full stop. There are 2 kinds of people. Those who love Super Mario RPG, and those who are complete morons. I know which one I am.