ELEX... Reviewed!


Own or be owned... again and again and again!


Elex is one of those open-world RPG's that has a lot to offer and I appreciate the variety the world delivers. Some locations are more beautiful than others, but the beauty is in the variation and the types of experiences you will come across in these different lands. (This includes beasts and people.)

You play as a former Alb Commander by the name Jax who overcame his dependence to Elex. You may be wondering what Elex is because the game's titled the same. Elex is an element (in this game) that came by way of a comet impacting the planet; in other words... you're experiencing life in a world influenced by Elex (and you're fresh out of rehab). You pick up soon after Jax was nearly killed by fellow Albs... and you wake up in the shoes of a noob. You still look like a bad ass... but... you can't exactly get the job done just yet. I won't sugarcoat it, Elex is one of those games that literally leaves me feeling like I went through hell just to get from one location to the next. There are beasts everywhere, mutants, and people who don't exactly have a welcome mat on their doorstep.

I didn't start this game thinking I was going to just dominate Magalan, but... I didn't think the character would be such a weakling. There are settings that allow you to change up the difficulty, but it may only leave you asking... "What did it change?". It's more rewarding when it isn't a cakewalk, but playing around with the difficulty settings don't hurt.

Tips: Day one, learn how to evade an attack and counter. It's crucial to your survival.

Learn how to use the items, and... before you proceed further into the story after meeting the first NPC, use this NPC for level ups asap. Don't just rush off to the destination (or go it alone), take on beasts in the land and even if the NPC doesn't follow you to the beasts directly... remember where he's located and let the beast follow you to him. From there, let the beast square off with the NPC while you take cheap shots because you don't have enough oomph to take them down yourself at this point. This is one of the quicker roads to leveling up before you have to actually earn a companion officially.

Trust me... if you do this, you'll thank me later. Grind and get your level up by doing this, only after learning how to evade, attack, counter, running and jumping. Definitely, remember to run because you are not prepared for everything when you start off... and even after you've become a seasoned bad ass, some beasts and other enemies can still take you out. Play it smart out there.



In Elex, you may start off as an ex-Alb... but what you choose to become is up to you. When the adventure began, I had my fingers crossed hoping that I could customize Jax. That opportunity never came up though... which was disappointing, I wish character customization was available (I loved that about Mass Effect... among other things). In this game, you do get a choice between factions though... wielding magic as a Berserker like some sort of Earth Day crusader, taking the religious route with technological enhancements as a Cleric, or go lawless as an Outlaw.

Going back to your character starting off as a weakling, if you don't follow my tips (which you don't have to... in order to smooth out the initial experience) you will probably find it harder to get going. I would say that the initial experience may get some gamers bummed out... but if you get the game, I challenge you to get your money's worth. The difficulty increases the challenge, not just to lengthen the gameplay... it forces you to step your strategy up. Yeah... I went through hell to get from one location to the next, but it was awesome to fight, dodge and run like hell. I established a strategy through the challenge of survival.

Tip: What I do when an enemy is too strong, is... go and piss off an even stronger beast so it could chase me to that location. From there I just find a place to hide nearby and the beast usually ends up solving my problem. If it doesn't get rid of the targeted enemy, then I know I have to take a different approach or... find a stronger beast to finish the job. I focused on building my skill points so that I could use them on the attributes that unlock the ability to use a gun. After that... I made a few return trips to areas where enemies sent me packing and I was able to bring the pain; others... not just yet.

I enjoy this game, but I can't lie... there are annoyances. The minimap objective size isn't that great... and if I have to look at the large map to find my way because something isn't getting the job done the way it's supposed to, that's a problem. There should be bigger icons (which should be easy to replace). I want to know where I need to go if I have landed myself in hot water and need to escape. I don't want to run the wrong way and have to cross through the same location to get back on track... because sometimes it was a fight to make it out alive the first time.

Another thing that can be annoying is the crouching... which can occur when you're trying to run (crouch could've been done by pressing down the right analog stick). This is one of those OMG moments... because its no time to crouch when you should really be getting the hell out of dodge! I crouched when this gigantic stalker was after me and... I gasped as I rolled out of the way at the last second. Oh and I can't forget about the time it takes to get back up after taking a hit. If energy was lower, I could understand getting up slower, but when I get hit and I can't get up and dodge the second attack... I'm not the happiest camper.

Audio is good... but at the same time... it's not wow either, it gets the job done. One thing I could do away with is the water sound effect when jumping or flying out of the water. It seems a bit loud.

Price wise... it fits, because there is a lot of quality content to enjoy. Replay value is heavy so you won't be disappointed in that department because this clearly isn't a one and done game.

Overall, Elex is actually one of those games that I didn't foresee liking... (I just went in with an open mind) but it has a charm and the options that keep me coming back for more. The exploration is something I enjoy in games, but the world of Magalan is one I want to continue digging into even after the review because there are things that I wanted to check out but I didn't have time to.

I went back to the starting point and found various things after searching a bit more and I'm getting the hang of preparing for the poisonous & toxic locations (good lore is hidden in these places... but so is the chance of dying). The road to becoming a super bad ass is getting closer and closer, some of the powers available in this game remind me of Star Wars actually (i.e. Force Push). I saved six outlaws from these giant mutant bugs after using a Force Push... and all I could think about from that point is "Where are the lightsabers?!". I almost think I'm ready for the land below the lift (last time did not go so well... I scaled a mountain to escape). Anyway, game on... and Happy New Year!


Fun factor: 4

Visually: 5

Replay value: 5

Price: 5

"4.75 / 5 Cool Points"



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Guard Your Grill: Doctor Plotka's Toothbrush... reviewed! + SFV: A.E. Cinematic Trailer



This is totally a left-field review... but the team at Doctor Plotka's MouthWatchers was nice enough to send toothbrushes to SDGT! After using it for a few weeks, I can honestly say Doctor Plotka's is hmm... awesome! Believe me when I say that... not all bristles are created equal. This toothbrush has a full brush head along with bristles that floss. Yeah, it says it on the package, but you have to use it... it really works.

I've used all sorts of toothbrushes, from known brands to brands with no branding. This is the best toothbrush I've used thus far. No other toothbrush has ever left my teeth feeling clean throughout the day. We enjoy our meals and snacks around here, so I looked forward to challenging their slogan with every bite.

After using it, I'd like to gift some out... but I will have to put a note in them (because what in the heck would that say to gift someone a toothbrush). So it will probably go a little something like this, "I thought it would be awesome to gift you one of these toothbrushes... not because I think your teeth are jacked up, don't think that. It's because I think your teeth deserve better."

Overall, the handle and the grip are okay, its something I've seen before... but what this toothbrush does... earns 5 out of 5 Cool Points!

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Speaking of grills... Street Fighter V Arcade Edition is coming and for those who decided to wait... the wait is almost over. Check out the cinematic trailer below and prepare to guard your grill, Jan. 16, 2018 (HADOKEN)!




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May The SpellForce Be With You! + Free Game!

May The SpellForce Be With You
RTS/RPG Hybrid SpellForce 3 Is Now Available on Windows PC

The critically acclaimed RTS/RPG-series SpellForce returned Dec. 7, 2017 with a new installment: SpellForce 3 is available as a Windows PC-exclusive title.

By combining real-time-strategy and role-playing, SpellForce 3 takes the best from both and blends them together in a unique way. Players will create their own hero and meet others along their epic journey through over 30 hours of campaign gameplay. They will construct large bases and muster powerful armies, command three different factions, clash together in multiplayer matches, or join forces in the co-operative campaign.

The story of SpellForce 3 takes place before the events of its predecessors, telling the tale of the aftermath of the Mage Wars – an exciting experience for players of the former SpellForce games and players who are new to the franchise alike.

SpellForce 3 is available now for an SRP of $49.99 // €49.99 // £34.99 as a digital download and at retail:

About SpellForce 3
SpellForce 3 returns to the roots of the SpellForce saga. Taking place before the acclaimed SpellForce: The Order of Dawn, players will unravel a deep and epic story in the SpellForce universe with over 30 hours of a single-player campaign, that is also playable in co-op. Additional multiplayer modes offer competitive battles for up to six players. Create your own heroes, develop your skill set and build your army to fight in legendary battles with gameplay that expertly blends the RTS and top-down RPG genres together.
SpellForce 3 is out now on Windows PC and will be available with English and German voice-over plus full-text localization in French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian and simplified Chinese.
  • RTS/RPG mix: Unique gameplay that combines the genres of real-time strategy and top-down roleplaying games.
  • Create and customize: Create your group of heroes and choose a number of different combos with a range of skill structures.
  • Boost and command your army: Prepare your troops and fight the greatest of all battles. You can also exploit numerous strategic aspects (e.g., terrain, troop formations, visibility, exploration, etc.) that would make Sun Tzu proud!
  • Epic storyline: Unravel a deep and complex plot that eventually leads up to the events that trigger the convocation ritual, which will change the whole world.
  • Extensive universe and lots of loot: Explore the world of Eo, discover intrigues and secrets and collect a whole load of loot for your hero.
  • Complex single-player campaign: Over 30 hours of gameplay time, and even more if you’re able to discover everything Grimlore Games has incorporated into the game world.
  • Multiplayer: Strong multiplayer component with various modes - play in versus battles with up to six players or master the single-player campaign with a friend in co-op mode.
We will be reviewing this game!


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Are you in the mood for a good... scare?


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This is Goodbye to Net Neutrality... or is it?

Goodbye Net Neutrality?

Well... that happened. Net Neutrality has been repealed and we don't know what it will mean for us, other platforms, and fellow gamers like you. How can an ISP gain my respect in the wake of net neutrality being repealed? Simple... don't throttle sites and don't be a scumbag trying to feed greed & control or you deserve to be boycotted. I say that because it doesn't automatically mean it will be done, but if there wasn't anything to worry about, net neutrality would still exist. It's because someone wants to do something without facing consequences. Ajit Pai tried to pathetically assure us that it will remain the same, but I just don't believe him. Yeah... we might be able to shop online or game online, but prices will likely be higher the way they did with Netflix.

The New York Attorney General (Eric Schneiderman) revealed that the names of deceased citizens were used to comment on net neutrality. I can't be... assured of things like this, but also... I just know better. If you participated in the fight to save net neutrality, this could be a silver lining because to use someone's name in a fraudulent manner isn't exactly... legal.

If this (in anyway) swayed the decision, it needs to be considered in reversing the decision... and legal action needs to be included. That's super foul... and I wouldn't be happy seeing the name of my family member(s) used in vain to influence something like this. Would you?




OMG Dude, Ajit Pai is just a pure d-bag in its prime. Using dead people as moral support? I hope they haunt these losers. Who does that? I think everybody who gets affected by this financially should be able to sue. The corruption is real. They don't care about the jobs that might be lost because of new fees, people need to eat and pay bills!!!


It can still be overturned, so the fight isn't lost but the bigger entities better do something. There is a host of companies with a lot to lose.


Yep... the repeal can be overturned in court or Congress. Legislation is being worked on now by Ed Markey... so the fight is on. All isn't lost! Now let's go get food!


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FTS: WWE MAYHEM... available now!

WWE MAYHEM AVAILABLE NOW FOR iOS AND ANDROID

CHICAGO and STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 14, 2017 – Reliance Games, a leading global developer, and publisher of free-to-play mobile games, has partnered with WWE, a recognized leader in global entertainment, to launch WWE Mayhem, a new, over-the-top, arcade-style action game featuring WWE Superstars and Legends. Available now, WWE Mayhem is free to download on iOS devices via the App Store, as well as Android smartphones and tablets through Google Play.
WWE Mayhem will offer an enhanced gameplay experience, allowing players to unlock unique content when used in conjunction with Mattel’s WWE Retro Figures. Players who have the WWE Retro Figures will be able to scan their figure within the game to unlock WWE Superstars.
“With a spectacular roster of some of the best champions to ever enter the ring, WWE Mayhem lets fans decide which WWE Legends and Superstars are truly the greatest of all time,” said Amit Khanduja, CEO, Reliance Entertainment – Digital.


WWE Mayhem captures all the energy, excitement and emotion of WWE’s live action in a mobile experience that any fan can enjoy,” said Casey Collins, WWE Executive Vice President, Consumer Products. “This new mobile game provides us with another opportunity to engage a global fan base that consumes content across platforms.”
Prove your worth in epic matches with fan-favorites like John Cena, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Triple H, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, Undertaker, Seth Rollins, Goldberg, The New Day, Kalisto and many more. Each star features their own hard-hitting signature moves and game-changing reversals to unleash upon any challengers. There are six distinct classes from which to choose, including Brawler, Wildcard, Technician, Powerhouse, Highflyer or Showman.
WWE Mayhem delivers multiple ways to play: take on friends and rivals from around the world in one-versus-one matches, join weekly events and challenges pulled from real-world WWE shows, and enter tag-team match-ups with other champions to defeat all contenders.
For more information, visit www.reliancegames.com and follow @RelianceGames on Twitter.

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Mobile Games... anyone?





 Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co.!


Alcatel Idol 5S... Reviewed!


This is a pretty nice phone... but I don't recommend it.

I've been using the Alcatel Idol 5S for a few months now... the packaging is decent for this phone, nothing flimsy... which gets a thumbs up but don't get roped in by your first impression. Opening the package up... I wasn't expected all the bells and whistles that some companies provide with their flagship phones, not even the headphones. I just wait to be surprised but there was nothing beyond the expected.

Headphones would've been a nice addition, but... there were none. 

The one thing I was highly disappointed about (before even getting to the phone) was the length of the cord. W...T...F is someone supposed to do with these nearly bite-sized cords? Okay... maybe not bite-sized, but they are half or less than half the size of factory cords that I've usually had the pleasure of getting with other phones (no joke). It has to be extremely close to a wall outlet, preferably near a side table or a counter so that it's not resting on the floor (of a low wall outlet).

It came with a USB Type-C cable... which I prefer so much more than the standard mini because it slips right in regardless of which way the connector is placed in. Late at night when I just want to sleep, I don't want to fight with a cord. The specific cord that came with this phone has now been designated to the vehicle. It works well in there, and since I didn't have additional ones to accommodate charging this phone in the vehicle... I was happy to get some use of it that didn't involve frustration. I replaced the cable with a much longer one for home & office use.

As far as the phone itself, it's a nice metal & glass combination. Think of a thin ice cream sandwich with glass as the cookies and... metal as the ice cream. The feel is nice, although it feels too smooth to hold confidently without it potentially slipping. The clear case I purchased for it... saved the day, it allows for a nice grip. One thing the case takes away from though is access to the 2.5D screen. You might be thinking "What in the heck is  2.5D screen".

This phone's screen sticks out a bit... not for the purpose of seeing things at an angle or something, but when using the phone and you want to swipe the side of the screen to get access to another screen, scrolling or options... you don't have to worry about the body of the phone being in the way. All you have to do is run your finger from the side of that unblocked glass and easily use that function. It's a very nice convenient way to flow and I'm glad it's designed that way... and I can't overlook the fingerprint scanner on the back.

That's one thing I give this phone... the design is pretty darn good, which includes the speaker placement. They have two front-facing speakers on this thing which I love vs the back ones I call... mufflers. I never got that, if I want to look at something and the phone's cradled or its laying on something... then why not put the speakers in the front in order for the audio to be enjoyed? That's a valid question.

Anyway, I like the way they use the metal frame to house the speaker... which add to the overall length of the phone by way of their placement just above and below the screen. It's a clean premium design and the headphone jack being on the bottom is a win for me... it just feels better when using wired headphones. I've noticed that I don't get that tug the way I do when it's on the top for some reason, I don't even know what I do to avoid it... it just doesn't happen.

Using apps on the phone is pretty smooth for the most part... I didn't really experience problems there aside from apps just closing once every blue moon or not starting at all (which was rare... like with Sonic Forces). By the way, the music app that comes with this phone sorta stinks. It works, but you can't even start a track over, it will take you to the previous track... so if you have a better option (roll with that).

Other cons I've experienced with this phone beyond the length of the cord... are the lack of updates.
The phone needs updates in more ways than one. The Alcatel Idol 5S won't always give you proper playback through the headphone jack. Sometimes it will play through the phones built-in speakers instead. Staying in the realm of audio... I've experienced even more playback problems with Bluetooth headphones than with the wired ones. I don't get that... if it's connected and will allow for calls to be made... then what's up with the media? I literally have to go into the settings to uncheck the media box and recheck it at times. That can be annoying... especially if you're on a plane or somewhere you should probably be hush hush (noise in a study hall is unacceptable). They have to get that together because I use headphones often... technical difficulties are not a part of the plan.

Still remaining in the wonderful realm of audio... another problem I have with this phone is the sound notifications. You turn the phone on silent mode and... it turns the sound back on when it's good and ready. That should be up to me.

Something else I've experienced with the audio... is this squeaky cart's wheel like sound (almost like a whistle) when using Google Duo. There is no way to enjoy conversations with family and friends when you can't hear each other and I've even resorted to using sign language at times. Alcatel... go ahead and deliver those updates.

The reason I do not recommend this phone... is the battery life, it's downright horrible. If I have to be out for awhile, I bring a cord... just in case an outlet is available and I try to preserve my battery as much as possible. The dance gets annoying though because if you want to game, talk, text, get on "the Twitter" or whatever... the battery takes a hit harder than other phones I've owned (even those at lower price points). You're better off just waiting in order to save a few more rupees to get a phone with better or comparable features with a much better battery life.

That sucks because the phone has a pretty good 12MP camera... allows for split screen activity when needed (if the apps are compatible), allows for 512GB of expanded memory, etc. It should've allowed for battery swapping at least.

Using the phone less... I was able to get longer battery life out of the phone using it for phone calls and text (here and there) and even using a few social media apps. This allowed for a battery life that extended nearly the entire day. I didn't use it for YouTube, Netflix... etc. So it depends on what you use it for, especially since some apps demand more juice than others (to be fair).

Pricewise... I got this phone for about $120, which is pretty good considering the standard unlocked price is nearly $300. The price point for this phone should be about $160 to $200 in my opinion, anything higher needs a better battery because at least the quality softens the blow... but it still isn't a good trade-off to me. Check out the specs below and I'll end this review with the reason I can't recommend this phone.

TECH SPECS:

DESIGN

  • Size: 5.85 x 2.79 x 0.29 in
  • Weight: 5.25 oz
  • Color: Crystal Black
  • Aluminum Frame, 2.5D Glass

MEMORY

  • 32GB ROM/3GB RAM
  • SD Support: Micro SD (Up to 512GB)

FEATURES

  • Processor: MSM8953 / Qualcomm®Snapdragon 625
  • CPU Frequency: 8*2.0GHz
  • GPU: Adreno 506
  • Sensors: G-Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Light Sensor, E-Compass, Gyro, Hall Switch, A-GPS, Fingerprint

OPERATING SYSTEM

  • Android 7.1 Nougat

DISPLAY

  • Size: 5.2 in
  • Resolution: FHD (1920×1080)
  • Glass Type: Dragontrail 2.5D
  • Touch Technology: Capacitive
  • Touch Points: 5
  • Screen to Body Ratio: 77.6%
  • LED Indicator: Indicate Charging, Events
  • Oleophobic Coating (Anti-finger Coating)

CONNECTIVITY

  • GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
  • UMTS: B1/2/4/5
  • CDMA: 1x BC0/1/10, EVDO BC0/1/10
  • 3G/4G/LTE: FDD: B1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/25/26/66 TDD: B41
  • 4G Data: Cat 6
  •  
  • VoLTE (On T-Mobile Network Only)
  •  
  • Wi-Fi Specs: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
  • Wi-Fi Display
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • USB Type: Micro USB 2.0 (Type C)
  • SIM Type: 4FF (Nano-SIM)

BATTERY

  • Size: 2620 mAh
  • Standby Time: 753 hrs (3G)
  • Talk Time: 20 hrs (3G)
    This doesn't include the time you use the screen.

CAMERA

  • 12MP Rear Camera
  • Flash Type: Dual Tone
  • Focus: Contrast Auto Focus + Phase Detection AutoFocus
  • Image Sensor: OV12870
  • Sensor Size: 1/2. 8”
  • Sensor Pixel Size: 1.25um
  • Sensor Aperture Size: f/2.0
  • Angle: 79 Degrees
  • Rear Camera Video: 1080 @ 30fps with EIS
  • 8MP Front Camera
  • Image Sensor: OV8865
  • Sensor Size: 1/3.2”
  • Sensor Pixel Size: 1.4um
  • Lens Aperture Size: f/2.0
  • Lens Angle: 78

SOUND

  • Music Player: Google Play Music
  • Supported Formats: AAC LC, AAC+, enhanced AAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, FLAC, MP3, MIDI, Vorbis, PCM/WAVE
  • Power Watts: Dual 3.6 w Speakers
  • HD Voice
  • Dual-mic Noise Cancellation
  • HAC Rating: M3/T3

BIOMETRICS

  • Fingerprint Sensor
  • Fingerprint Functionality: Unlock, Private Mode

IN BOX

  • Quick Start Guide
  • Data Cable
  • SIM Tool

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

  • UNI360
Overall... it's not a bad phone at all, but I honestly can't recommend it with the battery life. Serious things happen that require battery life, and apps are cool but if you need something that can hold juice without also being a drain on standby... you can't risk owning phones like this (if you use your phone often). Emergencies happen. To decrease the risk of your battery being impacted by optional things... turn off those background apps (especially when you're away from home). I can't fault the phone for those.

Design: 5

Quality: 5

Battery: 1

Price: 3

"3.5 / 5 Cool Points"



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