High on Life

 A first time a game made me sleep

Genre: FPS
Platform: PC 
Release Date: 2022

Coming in this game, I thought I would enjoy it due  to liking Rick & Morty. But that's a misconception. The premise of the game is that aliens are using humans as their drugs and a race of sentient talking guns are here to stop them. This game plays like a generic FPS but I am going to say it's too generic. Basically you go to one area clear the enemies and then move on. What makes this game different from the rest is that the game is a comedy. So the guns and the aliens around it will be talking and making funny quips. 

I played the first 2 hours of the game until the first boss. For the first time I can't stay awake while playing this. The game keeps on talking and talking to the point that it stop becoming funny and to the realm of boring. I think the difference between Rick & Morty and this. It is short. This is a quite long game and listening to the voice talk on and on is tiresome. I slept every time I play this game. 

Seeing the reviews this game is a mixed bag. Is either you like it or not. I honestly, didn't like it. Well at least I try it once and see what is the fuss is all about. I give this game a C-Rank 

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Movie

Epic finale for a great series

What is it about?
After the end of season 2, the turtles face the ultimate enemy 

The Good
Action packed from start to finish 
This is how to make a movie where the heroes doesn't look like they are winning until the end

The Bad
They need more backstory on the turtles. Wish there was more

The Ugly
Ending was abrupt

After Credits: No

Verdict: If you love the series you'll enjoy it

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles S2

This show is clearly underrated 

Season 2: Better than season 1, it gets serious at the end but there are some funny moments as well

The last 4 episodes: Awesome to the max 

Fighting: Still not that much, but it's there

Best turtle: clearly ralph. But splinter is the funniest 

Verdict: Need to ask my kids to watch this 

West Side Story

There are better musicals

What is it about?
Race war between whites and Puerto Ricans 

The Good
Some of the songs are okay
The main characters embodies the parts well

The Bad
This is a dumb musical
Really is dumb. A lot of things can be solve without violence 

The Ugly
I blame the sister in law 

After Credits: No 

Verdict: Watch something else

Pokémon Pinball

Amazing Gameboy game

Game no: 497
Genre: Pinball  
Platform: Gameboy Color 
Release Date: 1999

I am still amazed how they manage to program pinball games in a 2D plane. This game you have two different tables which is red and blue (red is more interactive than blue) and you guide the Pokéball to catch Pokémon and rack up points. There are a couple of interactive elements in the game and there are a lot of events you need to complete before the time ends. The game use the rumble pack feature that is in you GBC (I use my laptop and it was rumbling hard) which I find entertaining. In the end I got close to 500 million points and I give this game an A-Rank

Star Trek Picard Season 2

High stakes low effects 

What is it about?
Picard needs to stop the future from coming to be due to his old enemy Q

Episodes: 10 

Better than season 1: I am going to say season 1 is better. But there are some moments here 

Big bad: Yup scary 

Season 3: Confirmed, it will be their last.

Verdict: Go watch it if you like Star Trek 

Jack Ryan Season 3

Amazing show as usual

What is it about?
Jack Ryan is back to stop another nuclear threat and this time the steaks are so high

Episodes: 8 (Each episode cost $8 million)

When it does get good: First episode is jam packed action and then something happened. It does get slower on episode 6 but still entertaining in the end 

Theme song: Rocks 

Season 4: Confirmed and final season 

Verdict: Watch it if you like an action spy series 

Returnal

Life is too short 

Genre: Shooter 
Platform: PS5 
Release Date: 2021

You die.. you get up... you think you can try again and beat the game. You die. Basically that's the gameplay in a nutshell. You are stuck in an endless loop of where you crash in a planet and you need to figure out why time is repeating itself over and over again. Returnal lets you play as Selene a astronaut with an awesome suit which have abilities when upgraded correctly. 

This game consists of shooting, dodging and jumping to avoid getting hit. Housemarque, creators of the
game, famously known for the arcade bullet hell shooter Resogun, design a same game but with 3D mechanics. In short the shooting and movement of this game is amazing. Flare that with thousands of bullets hitting you on screen you got yourself a fun epic game. There are also a lot of different upgrade paths too choose from where it ranges from getting your abilities buff with having certain nerf elements beside it. There a certain strategy you need to figure when having an upgrade weather is worth your run.. The bosses are easy in my opinion once you understand the pattern of attack. Then is all a time dodge here and there and you beat the boss. 

Ok here are the problems of this game. The problem of this game because is a rouge like. You need to complete everything in one run. If not the game will just restart you back from the start. Imagine having good stats, a beefy health bar only to die from some careless mistake and such. As so this game is frustrating at that. Other than that this game is perfect in everyway.

As I said above life is too short to constantly keep dying and dying. This will be my top 10 game of the year only if I finish it. So I am waiting for the PC version. Installing cheat engine and changing one requirement of the game (god mode, high proficiency weapons, lot of cash) and playing it again. And I will give my review again on why this game should have a god mode installed. For now this game gets a C-Rank for me 

The Contractor

Very generic movie 

What is it about?
A down in luck marine takes a job as a private contractor 

The Good
Action is great but B grade mostly

The Bad
The plot is dumb. Really why do they have to kill him?

The Ugly
Too many different plotlines. Ending too abrupt

After Credits: No 

Verdict: Its okay. Can be avoided

Star Trek Discover S4

Star Trek is awesome 

What is it about: Michael is now the Captain and a brand new threat is looming down the galaxy 

Episodes: 13

What I love about Star Trek
It's basically the exploration and the cool technology. I do wish that this show mimics old Trek where it is a case by case in each episode. But this is one long arc with small B side stories inside.

Coolest moment: 2nd to last episode where they found they were looking for

Season 5: Confirmed 

What I want to see
More personal stories and case by case basis. Discovery is an awesome ship. It is basically one of a kind. So they should focus more on that 

Investment hit a snag

So something happen with my investment where a technicality forced them to be unable to pay my dividends for at least 90 days. Which by my calculations that is until April. It is a good thing that I have it in another pot. It is not much but it does give me what I need for now. What makes it more bummed is that the money that I owed my friend can't be paid until April so needs to say that they were not pleased. But there is nothing much I can do. My hands are tied 

In other news, my best friend is on a 21 day vacation with their aunt. So that means I can got the honors to take care of their dad for 21 days. By taking care is just me ordering food. I've already put a reminder so hopefully everything goes well.   

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

This is very enjoyable 

What is it about?
Puss in Boots needs to get a wish to save his last life

The Good
One song but very catchy 
There are a lot of funny bits
Animation is cool 

The Bad
Side plot is not that great
The end was too fast

The Ugly 
Nothing much 

After Credits: A short soundbyte

Verdict: A great movie for everyone 

Micro Machine V3

I can't believe how good this game is

Game no: 496
Genre: Racing  
Platform: Gameboy Color 
Release Date: 1997

This game is the exact port of the PS1 game with just minor graphically downgrades but that doesn't mean the core gameplay is not there. The best part of the game is how fluid the controls are. Better than the first one. Each vehicle handles differently and precisely. Gameplay is fun and the stages are interactive. Love this game. I give it A-Rank 

The Bubble

This movie feels like how to actors feel. When is this going to be over

What is it about?
During the height of the pandemic. A production company wants to make a movie with strict covid protocols.

The Good
This movie is funny. Well there are some moments are 
Some of the scene are batshit crazy 
A couple of weird cameos 

The Bad
The movie is a bit too long 
In the end I was like when this is going to end 

The Ugly
I wonder do they have to shoot everything in a bubble like now

After Credits: No 

Verdict:  Avoid this, there are better movies 

Well I made my friend angry at me

I was wondering why one of my closest friends haven't text me since October. Turns out she was so upset my the quality of work that I produce that she didn't want to give me any new job. I feel sorry for her. I hope she will learn to forgive me over time. As for me. I am back to square one I guess. No job. Money going slowly. That's about it I guess. I am still in high spirits. They always say when one door closes another one will open.

I am getting a bit annoyed taking care of my step father in law over that side. I sit a sign that when my mom get old I will be annoyed to take care of her too? I don't think so. I just am not fond of my mother in law and in turn it just makes me resent the fact that I need to run a lot of errands for them. Tomorrow I have to get up early in the morning to drive them to the hospital. Sigh 

Midnight Fight Express

 First game of the new year

Game no: 495
Genre: Action  
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 2022

Arcade fun. That's what I call this game. You play as a no memory hero that is task to fight everyone. First of all, the story is blah. Really nothing to special. I just skip the dialogue and go straight on to the action. The action however, that is something. You can hit, block, parry, use weapons, roll. Basically everything you can do in a fight. The objective is to survive and get the highest score. Think of this game like hotline Miami but in 3D and with better controls. 

There are a couple things that I didn't like about the game. Besides the story, the controls are a tad complicated. Coming back after missing a gameplay for a day I find myself struggling to remember what the other buttons do. The upgrade path is a lot but really not sure if they provide anything meaningful to the combat. Some of bosses are hard and you need to roll a lot to beat them.

In the end this game is solid. The controls are tight and the game is fun. It does go on for a bit too long. I did finish the game with all upgrades and all 40 stages. In the end I give this game a B-Rank

Shining Vale

A horror show that really funny 

What is it about?
A couple trying to restart their marriage by moving their family into a mansion on the suburbs

Episodes: 8 

When it does get good?
First episode you are going to be hooked on the show. I finished this in 2 days 

A lot more unanswered questions 
What does the ghost wants?
How is she going to get out of the deal?

Season 2: Confirmed but not anytime soon

On serious note: 
Mental illness is not a laughing matter. Too much medication is not good for you. So please get help if you feel you are struggling 

Moonfall

Another end of the world spectacular 

What is it about?
The Moon is falling from orbit and causing a lot of chaos on the way 

The Good
Disaster porn as it beast 

The Bad
This thing doesn't make sense but it just a fun romp to watch

The Ugly
Really all disaster movies should have 10 minutes and give us a recap how to earth is going to handle the aftermath. Like who is going to clean this up.

After Credits: No

Verdict: Turn your brain off and enjoy the movie 

Hisense 55" UHD TV

So the living room tv is busted due to the panel has lines on it. So it is time to replace the tv. I got the Hisense due to it being cheap and big. Better than the old 49 inch LG tv. The girls are going to enjoy this.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles S1

It kinda grows on you

What is it about?
A retelling of the classic TMNT cartoon only this time everything changes 

What change you ask?
Turtles, Aprilw, no classic bad guys from the old cartoon, weapons 

But is it good?
Surprisingly funny and good. The ninja fights are to few and far between but when it happens its non stop action 

Is there steaks?
Close to the end of the season the big bad is revealed 

Season 2 is next  

Ambulance

So Michael Bay just discovered drones 

What is it about?
Two bank robbers hijack an ambulance and is involve in a high speed chase across LA 

The Good
Non stop action. You know when you're in a Michael Bay movie.
An hour plus chase sequence 

The Bad
This movie is already predictable from the start. You know where this is headed 
The ambulance in this movie is just out of this world

The Ugly
Really, how the heck you can drive an ambulance like that

After Credits:  No 

Verdict: A good popcorn movie

Andor

Another Star Wars Story 

What is it about?
The story before the events of Rogue One. Follows the story of Cassian Andor 

Episodes: 12 

When it does get good: Episode 4 

Best moment: When a small ship try to beat a Destroyer class ship 

B plotline: Not that great. But it is there for a reason 

After Credits: Yes

Season 2: Confirmed 

Avatar: The Way of Water

First movie of the year. I really enjoy this movie

What is it about?
Years after the events of the first movie we see Jake becoming a father and trying all he can to protect his family. 

The Good

This movie is a cross between an actual movie and a national geographic show. They have sections where they just show the beautiful scenery and the animals and it is just stunning to look at. 
I wasn't bored as the first movie, the pacing of this movie (Even if it is 3 hours) is perfect 
Kiri is the new breakout star 

The Bad
A lot of unanswered questions but I think I know where this is headed.

The Ugly
The end battle was too spectacular and suddenly from an army it became just the main characters. Where did the others go?

After Credits: No 

Verdict: A must watch  

Finally I am in the green

So the start of the new year means that I finally paid off my credit card. For the whole year of 2022 I was in the red and now I put some money in so I can finally say I am debt free since 2023 (see that rhymes). Anyway this year savings is going to be harder but as they say. Slow and steady always wins the race. 

Welcome 2023

So what is changing this year from the blog perspective. Sometimes I wonder who am I writing this for. But it's okay. The title of the blog reflects it.

As far as blogging goes 

• Need to try to make more memories post. I'm getting older and eventually I will forget stuff. So this year I am trying to fill as much of it with memories from the past
• LIS (Life in stats) have to be put in the back burner for a while. It wasn't feasible and I wasn't having that much fun 
• Need to cut my blogging into separate categories which make it easier to write 
• Try to include more photos from my phone 

Other than that just have a awesome 2023.   

Things that happen in December

 Family

H2 got new wardrobe

Friends

Me


Memorable moments
Beach picnic with the whole extended family mom in law side (Dec 4)

Unmemorable moments
Fought with wife. Left me for a day. First time in 16 years (Dec 2)
Father in law got bleeding in the head. Affected his cognitive abilities (Dec 15) It turns out the bleeding is a tumor. So it needs to be operate

Feelings
I think I need to start to be kind (Dec 4)

Other


Meets


Breakfast


Lunch
Lasagna (Dec 1)
Leftovers (Dec 2)
Sushi and Bagels (Dec 3)
Nasi lemak (Dec 4)
Don’t remember (Dec 5)
Leftovers (Dec 6)
Pesto (Dec 7)
Don’t remember fDex 8-10)
Rojak (Dec 11)
Chicken and steak (Dec 12)
Fried macaroni (Dec 13)
I stopped because i find this tedious

Dinner
Lasagna (Dec 1)
Butter chicken with rice (Dec 2)
Leftovers (Dec 4) Vomitted
Don’t remember (Dec 5)
Roast chicken (Dec 6)
Mee soup (Dec 7)
Don’t remember (Dec 8)
Keuy tiaw (Dec 10)
Rice and soup (Dec 11)
Bread (Dec 12)
Olio (H1 cook) (Dec 14)
I stopped because I find this tedious

Snack


Eat out: 1
Groceries:
Fuel:
Weight:



New Stuff


Series
New Amsterdam S4 (the season was great. Ending not so much)
Resident Alien S2 (Slow start but stick the landing)
Severance (amazing show. Really a must watch)

Year End Review 2022

2022 is over. Let's see the stats 

Nintendo Switch: 8 (↓ 12)
PS4: 8 (↓ 7)
PC: 8 (↓ 2)
SNES: 17 (↑ 16)
Neo Geo Pocket: 10 (↔)
PS5: 4 (↔)
Gameboy Color: 5 (↔)

Adventure: 5 (↑ 2)
Action: 17 (↓ 14)
FPS: 1 (↓ 2)
Racing: 10 (↓ 1)
Platformer: 4 (↓ 3)
Shooter: 2 (↔)
Fighting: 9 (↑ 8)
Sports: 2 (↔)
Puzzle: 8 (↑ 5)
RPG: 2 (↑ 1)

Game Played: 60 (592) (↓ 5)
Finished Game: 51 (494) (↓ 8)

Game of the Year

10) Until Dawn
9) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder's Revenge
8) Binary Domain
7) Kirby and The Forgotten Land
6) DIRT 5
5) Batman Arkham Knight
4) ELDEN RING

3. SIFU

A game where each stage is a playground where you can beat everyone up silly. I enjoyed this game from start to finish. Going forward I think games should come with cheat engine code to make it easier and more fun.

2. God of War Ragnarok

The second game delivered everything and more. The story, gameplay, combat is so much better. In the end you are left with a good emotional payout. One of the most amazing game I've played this year.

1. Vampire Survivors

Another year and another Rouge Like won my game of the year. Maybe this is my favorite genre. I love the ability to try and try again and get better over time. Plus this game LSD effects makes it a treat to watch. They just release a DLC for it but I think I'll save that for next year.

Honourable mentions

SNK vs Capcom - Match of the Millenium
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
Guacamelee 2

Series

Every year I watch a lot of shows and this year is no different. The problem is I don't quite remember what I watched starting early of the year. So next year hoping it would be different.

Memorable moments and shows

• Finish Scrubs
  
• Zoey Extraordinary playlist is over but its going to live on forever in my heart
• Binge 3 Seasons of Succession
• Better Call Saul delivers one of the most epic finale
• Best MCU TV this year goes to She Hulk
• Harley Quinn Season 3 was terrific

Total series that I watch is 779 + (↓ 1211)

Movies

Movie of the year

3. Sing 2
2. The Batman
1. Top Gun Maverick

Unrelated = 35 (↓ 1)
Even more Unrelated = 94 (↓ 81)

NEW STUFF FOR 2022

1. GPD WIN Max 2 (Love this device)

2. Mophie Powerstation plus (A powerbank with build charger)

3. RTX 3070Ti (Awesome graphic card that made my pc last longer

4. egpu case

(UN)MEMORABLE MOMENTS FOR 2022

2022 has been a whirlwind of a ride. There are some unmemorable moments but nothing to bad

• Fighting with wife. Still sucks and sometimes I think that I should be better
• Losing a chunk of investment money. Need to give it back
• Step father in law had a brain tumor and requires an operation
• Brother in law got married to an idiot

MEMORABLE MOMENTS FOR 2022

• Went to Hajj. That was amazing
• Gave the kids a simple yet satisfying holiday
• Manage to save a lot of money

2022 New Year's Resolutions

1. Lose 5kg by this year. (Nope. I remain a constant 87kg. But on the plus side I am exercising more)

2. Save another 100k by end of the year (That happen. I am now at a good 200k)

3. Buy a new handheld device (Yes I did. Win max 2)

4. Finished Phase 1 of my retro gaming (Yes I did as well)

5. 3 Vacations this year (Techincally 3 vacations but 2 involve the whole family)

Finally. I met my best friend and we are going in and out of this awesome friendship. I am going to say that is the most impactful moment of this year. She gave so much back to me and I couldn't repay her. I wish one day I get to see her in real life. But for now I will be happy to get to talk to her everyday. This is the friendship that I am going to cherish until the day I die so yeah. This is actually the start of something really beautiful (Yes I did)

2023 New Year's Resolutions

1. Play at least 12 2023 games this year

2. Save another 70k

3. 2 Vacations with the family this year

4. Watch a total of 2500 episodes

5. Get new airpods

And with that. 2021 is done and dusted. It was an awesome year with it shares of ups and downs and I can't wait for the adventure which is 2021. Ameen