Don’t get me wrong, game-play factor is important, let us not forget, but sometimes a game with stunning visuals can just blow your mind. Have you and your friends tripping out for hours, throw in fantastic game-play and you will be garbling about it for ages (e.g., LittleBigPlanet).

Katamari Damacy, a game I came across with a while back on PS2, did this for me. At first glance, I thought of it as another retarded weird Japanese collage of color and weird tunes. Eventually, it totally flipped me 360 and never again did i judge so quickly. The complexity of visuals and the fantastic game-play just wowed me. Who thought a game which involved a star rolling through a a landscape, like your bedroom, collecting everything from spiders to erasers a la snowball effect to create a world of its own would be so damn amusing? Since then, I have been hooked on the creatively weird.

Weird yet Wonderful

Now you have visually stunning games like Bio-Shock, Prince of Persia and so on. But action-based games usually are for the ultra-visual, and with the power of PS3 and XBox 360, this should come as no surprise at all. But what about the other quirky titles? Well, with that technology on their side, it just got a whole lot more interesting.

PS3 is still due to release Katamari Forever, so we will just wait for that with bated breath…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDBksi0g-Us

Lets move on, shall we.

Enter, Flower

At first glance, serious male gamers might get discouraged as it looks girly and poofy (i said that once), but upon closer look, I was amazed at how the game unfolds. Who would have thought?

The story line is a little complex, however you look at it…  it is a poem within a dream. And you start as a petal flying through a colorless landscape. As you progress, you collect more petals in a ribbon train, bringing color and life to the landscape, thus changing the dreamscape and allowing the poem to move on… Confused? Well i was, until i went on.

Playstation's Flower

After seeing the game-play and learning that the control system is not basic, I realized that the game is precise and seamless:  if you turn your controller upside down, in comes your tom cruise top gun moment and your flower petal team does a full-blown barrel roll. Friggin’ mind-blowing!

Visually Breathtaking

Visit full review at www.ign.com.

I could write more about this game, but it is best seen to be believed. From the world of FPS and MMORPG and all the yadda yadda, a game like this will take you away from violence and gore, and bring about a sense of peace. The hippie in me is telling me to consume herbals and drift away in the beauty and tranquility of Flower…

* Thanks to IGN and all respective copyright holders for the visuals and videos.

Kinda the same now? I don’t think so. Most time you sit at the arcade, it is feared that a person eye snipes you from the corner, sits down just as you swipe your game card, only to play one round until a Challenger comes along and PWNS! you (usually a young Asian kid ten years your junior).

That’s why I decided to purchase a Playstation 3 so I could sit in the comfort of High Definition glory and battle away like there’s no tomorrow.

With the advancement of technology, classic arcade games have gone through some major revamps, but now the memories of yesterday come flooding back with my latest purchase. With new graphics overhaul and in-game features, I am arcade-happy as I sit in my lounge and immerse myself in the true glory of STREET FIGHTER IV.

A New Beginning

 From the classic Street Fighter. And after a gazillion sequels, the classic is back with a host of new features all wrapped up in the stunning art of japanese ink painting, close to the PS2 marvel Okami.

Original characters like Ryu, Ken, Sagat and Guile from the SF II series make their appearance, as well as new characters who will provide a good challenge to any player.

Visually Stunning

IGN.com rates the game 9.3/10 and I agree with the verdict. I personally miss a few characters who are not in the game after Street Fighter Alpha 3, but something’s gotta give.

*From IGN*

Capcom has managed to strip away the baggage that has accumulated around the series over the years and returned to the franchise’s roots. The result is a game that plays very much like a purified, simple fighter — but
with several modern enhancements to enrich the combat. If you’ve been
playing Street Fighter for years, this game will feel like an old
friend. If you’re completely new to the scene, Street Fighter IV is a
great place to start.

Click here for full IGN review.

With new game systems like Focus Attacks, the Super meter and the Ultra meter. Classic gameheads and new game addicts can spend hours kicking butt, and with the online battle front, who knows, you could just be back to being the neighborhood legend you once were, but this time on a world-wide scale.

Happy Gaming, people.

Are you a world warrior?

Love, Peace and Inspiration

Mystik

P.S DOTA and WoW?? Puhleeease! you can stick that where the sun don’t shine.

Summer aahh!! First, let us all put our hands together for the sunshine and the brighter days. The Philippines, Land of Beauty, Sunshine and… a very Shy Beach Culture!! What?? Did I just say that?

After flipping through photos of a recent trip to Boracay, I was actually kinda saddened because with all the hype of the beach, sand and sunshine, I noticed fellow beach-goers were still wrapped up in jeans, relatively beach-like shirts (old business shirts) and the beach sandals that look like they could second for construction boots ala super duper Crocs. I’m talking bout the men… Ladies fashion to be commented on later.

Gone are the days when rolled up jeans and white shirts passed as beach attire. Not water friendly, very drab and just a hint of  ”look at me I am a pirate with my cutoffs”. If I had to choose three things I could take out of the Beach Scene nowdays,  it would be:

The Nut Huggers

 

swimming trunks (ballus prisona/budgee smugglers)

Smite he who weareth the tight spandex number, unless you are a super model… actually no… keep them at home or stay in the water… So we can’t see you.

The Makeshift Beach Shorts

 

denim shorts

Oh c’mon a little effort please. We have all seen these and we all know someone who wears them… For shame…

 

The Over-Tanned Foreigner

 

donatella versace with an overtan

We love Donatella, but you know what I mean with the tan : )

OK. Maybe not so much the last one (they bring money into the country lol), but I mean sometimes don’t you just wish you could say easy on the tan-oil. Anyways, back to the point… A fellow traveler on the way to our island getaway asked me a if I was going for a Pro-Am competition. I asked “Why?” and he pointed out the obvious, which was me dressed head to toe in Quiksilver. I am talking hat, shirt, boardies, backpack and my duffel Bag. Only My Oakley Oildrum Sunglasses split the Sponsored Surfer Image. I turned to a large window in the airport to check myself out and was like totally… HAPPY! Yes, I was in my fave beachwear from my fave beach company and I was asked if I was a Surfer. SWEET! (I am shallow)

Gentlemen, summer vacation is about hanging up that work hat, taking off the suit and just chillaxing. Just because you work in an office don’t mean you bring it to the beach. Get into it, enjoy the shirt-less, sweat infused, drenching warmth of the sun or if not bikini style atmosphere. Dig in and express yourself. The great thing about beach wear is that there are plenty simple or loud designs to just bring out that inner sun god (provided you can even go on a summer break).

I also realized getting geared up for the beach can pack a wallop to your wallet. So now I also understand the whole denim shorts on the beach thing. The metro really makes the beach experience expensive even before you leave. But with an okay budget, one can gear up for a summer fiesta.

So the Essentials:

BOARDIES

The summer equivalent to a cold beer after a long week. But Boardies need to be worn with authority. Your board shorts are a reflection of you… crazy, cool or simple. Wear boardies with pride.

A few faves I have seen and want:

billabong LSD eco-shorts spring 09 collection

Billabong’s feast for the eyes will keep stoned friends entertained for hours. Incorporates eco-friendly technology.

quiksilver my dog spot shorts

These shorts are too cool… Will add to the delight of those special medicated friends who stare at the LSD shorts. Throw them a curve ball and switch shorts.

quiksilver raimana shorts

Polynesian design influenced by the Samoan Tatau/Maori Ta Moko (Tattoo). So you can get the design on the same part of you body and take it off, rather than suffer immense pain by having the tattoo smacked into you skin using wood and sharks teeth. Thank god for technology.

Most board shorts can be found at the signature stores or from outlets all around malls. Can be anywhere from p600, if you are lucky, to about p1400.

SUNGLASSES

Not only do they help you from developing cataracts, they also hide your dodgy eyes peeking at the bikini clad ladies on the beach. Sunglasses also add that extra layer of cool, but beware!!  Failure to observe the sunglass switch rule (i.e., take them off from time to time and put on a hat) will result in the highly embarassing PANDA eye effect.

I love the these little numbers

electric velveteen sunglasses also available in cnady apple green, bubblegum blue and black

Now they may look like ladies glasses so maybe you can buy her a pair and get your special treat, but for the the select few that can pull them off, these babies are a beauty.

police 8103 sunglasses also available in silver and red.

The middle ground stylish sexy slash corporate number without looking too bling. Great coverage.

spy haymaker sunglasses coco creme fade.

Like their name suggests, the Haymakers konked me out with their awesomeness. Last pair i saw cost about p9050, but there are other knock-offs out there. To find these sunnies, Stoked Inc. is usually the best bet, but a little walking around never hurt anyone, especially if you are walking off the Beer gut, you lazy bum!! Get your body ready for the beach.

ACCESSORIES

Now walking around in the Metro during summer equipped with your Boardshorts and Sunglasses and swag, how about just add that extra Booyakasha (lord have mercy) when you walk with your ipod/mp3 player blaring dem summer beats through these babies:

skullcandy G.I rasta headphones in black

Now if these don’t sear Bob Marley onto the surface of your cranium via the ear canal, what will?

• 40mm speaker
• Frequency range: 100 – 18,000 Hz
• Impedance: 50 ohms
• Max input power: 400mW
• Cable type: OFC
• Cable length: 1.2 M
• Plug type: 3.5mm gold plated

skullcandy T.I (titanium) rasta headphones in gold foil

These will get you bumping like a reggaeton superstar, the titanium enforced speakers truly deliver them brain-numbing beats.

• 40mm Titanium speaker
• Frequency range: 100 – 18,000 Hz
• Impedance: 32/50 ohms
• Max input power: 400mW
• Cable type: OFC
• Cable length: 1.2 M
• Plug type: 3.5mm gold plated

Skullcandy allows you to find the headphones that fit your personality. Not only do the look awesome, they also allow you to interchange the earpieces just in case you wear the foam out quickly. Also check out the METALLICA signature series. Skullcandy can be found in the A.SHOP or BRATPACK. The TI series will set you back bout  P4050

In the next summer series, greatly appreciated bikini numbers for the ladies as told by men. killer tsinelas the croc eliminatahs! and sling bags.

Love, Peace and Inspiration.