Bioshock

Been a long time since I've post a review on a product. This time I'll be doing a game preview on one of the few anticipated games of the year...



I've pre-ordered the game about 3 days before it was lauched globally. However I was only free to pick the title up on Monday (27 Aug 2007). I've pre-ordered a normal PC-DVD title, wanted to get the Collector's Edition but it was out of stock! That's how good the demand is... seldom collector's editions or the normal titles to actually be a sell-out during pre-sales.

However, as I collected the game from EB Games, they sales dude asked me whether I still wanted the collectors' edition as he knew I've asked bout it b4 and there was someone who canceled the collectors' edition order. Well wut da heck... of course I'll get it. Got so excited that I couldn't wait to go back and open it up make make a review! Or maybe just an out of the box review =p

So here are the pics:

Front



Have to say... this is one of the best looking Collectors' Edition package I've ever seen! Considering is the first release! Cause normally first Collector's Edition release has not much visual difference...



Back




Side





Hmmm wut's inside eh?!


Tadaah!





Oh oh... and the whole reason I so wanted the Collector's Edition....


Oh yea baby! Iz dA BiG daDDy! ;)



Playing Disc and Special Features Disc


The Special



The tracks are all edited/composed by Moby....



This is the "making of..." disc



The Game Disc




Woot, after all that picture session... is time to INSTALL!





also some music while waiting fer the software to be installed.



GAME ON!!!



Gotta say... I'm like 65% upon completing the game I think. Gameplay aside, I have to say Bioshock has a very special touch to it. Although it may not be as good as half-life to begin a cult following... Bioshock has the depth that shows they have put lots of effort into the game and most importantly.... has not rushed it!

The game has the elements of horror and action into it. The 60s feel to it is to me... what makes it feels so special... sumhow it gives a nostalgic sense (I'm a 1985 baby btw). I'm not sure if they did... but it seems to have done fairly a good amount of research on the culture of the era... which has been portrayed very well. Is during the time where it was the Industry and Science boom... and Pop art started to emerge. Playing this game really stimulate me emotionally well.

Gameplay? I have to say is very engaging!! Lots of suspends, thrill, horror and of course.... action packed! Seriously resources are strictly limited.

Well I'm not gonna do spoilers here... so this is all I will write bout the game.

I really recommend people who luvs FPS to play this game! Those who waited for this game will be satisfied with their effort.

Melbourne Victory Family Day (19 August 2007)

Melbourne Victory held a Family Day on Sunday 19th of August 2007 to mark the opening of the 2007/08 season of the Hyundai A-League. It was held at Waterfront City, Docklands, just outside of Melbourne City. The event also gives opportunity to current fans to get their merchandises and for supporters who wants to join up to be a member and support the club. Of course, it is an opportunity to meet up with fellow squad of the Melb. Vic! The event was sponsored by Samsung, the major sponsor of Melbourne Victory F.C.

Here are some pictures that were taken during the event:







The queue to the signing booth and trophies


The Premier League Tropy (2007-2006)


Danny Allsopp, Me and Steve Pantelidis (with the Championship Trophy, 07/06)



GK Michael Theoklitos


Evan Berger



Grant Brebner & young boy Kaz Patafta



The dude gurls crazy about... Def Rodrigo Vargas


Signatures from all the stars i met =)

Reminiscence <07.2007>

This is gonna be one of those post that will put tears the eyes... well maybe mine only :p

Play the below track for the extra feel!

"Lifehouse-Hanging By A Moment"


Every year during Winter and Summer Holiday, I'll be back in KL to spend my holiday. Winter break is the shortest break and most of the time I'm back there just long enough to get attend cousin's/ relatives' / friends wedding. Maybe even do some shopping to 'resupply' to be brought back with me to Melbourne. So normally Winter break is no biggie... as not much events normally happen during that time of the year.

Somehow this year's July (winter) holiday seems to be different...

After I returned to Melbourne on the 31st of July, I felt that the whole trip back to KL was a very sentimental one. I soon realized that I was very home sick after a few nights!!! Oh my gosh... I've never felt like this b4 man! I've never been home sick in my life k!!!

Every night, I will feel very tired and sleepy before i get onto my bed... but as I lie down... my mind will begin to wander and the first thing my mind will think about.... HOME! The thought of it always make my heart sink... and put me to tears. I begin to pray and wonder why am I having this weired and strange feelings. I thank God for answering my prayer and he took me to a trip.... down memory lane~

One of the reason I have this feeling is the thought of my family members. Everyday I thank the Lord for blessing me and my household... I know they've been good to me all this while... but this during that month back at home... it was.... unusual. First, it was my brother Ah Liang... He has always been my closes brother (dun worry Ping, I love you just as much... talking bout the time we were together here =p) whom I've grown up with since we're 2 years apart. We see each other almost every hour, every minute and every second! I remember my world was almost torn apart when I received news bout my brother's leukemia during end of 2005! But with the wisdom and faith of the Lord, I manage to over come the feeling. So during my usual trip back home during the year 2006, I seldom see him at home as he spent most of the time in the Hospital... and if he was at home, he'll be too tired to talk or too dangerous to be close proximity to him as fear of contamination might occur. Hardly talk to him online as well.

Once again... thank the Lord God Almighty for his blessing, healing, mercy & grace... my brother has went through all treatment successfully and was finally able to settle at home this year. All he needs is to take oral treatment that's all. It is the first time after so darn long that I've been able to see him when I'm awake, join together with the family for dinner, see him b4 bedtime and even hang out for movies or shopping!! Since the day I came back i appreciate every moment I can to spend time with him... catching up and updating him about world events, games, football etc etc. Spending time with him really thought me how to appreciate life. Never loose the chance to do something you want.... life is really precious and fragile!

Haha man... not to forget Ping boy! Really glad to see him growing up... ever since Liang's incident... he has learnt to be very independant! Haha I remember how surprised I was when I arrived in KL on the first day in the morning... Told me he booked arranged with my cousin and bro and bought ticket with phone booking.... for TRANSFORMERS!! OMG I was so so happy.... so wanted to watch that movie... and someone has booked the ticket too... damn hard to get tickets in KL at that time i tell you people! Boy has grown up man... haha
Oh oh... worse thing... embarrassed to say as well, he has thought me much this time around. As an elder brother, is my responsibility to be a role model to the younger siblings... So having him "teaching" me is really something! Haha yea... thought me lots of football skills which i admit i suck at ball skills... my mouth skill is still much better i have to say. Seeing them playing WOW (World Of Warcraft) has never been so interesting I tell you... pawning other players... especially the hordes! Pricesless woo.... Nvr mess with the Wong Brothers! >(

Mum has been... so much happier+cheerful+warmth. Haha, thanks to her therapy from menopause and after my brother finally is out of the hospital, she is now so confident of herself and very accommodating too. Every time I request to buy something ... she'll definitely agree to do so.... like suddenly I got craving for food she'll be so eager to go out and get it for me immediately. So too is my dad... he used to be sad and irritated because of his back problem, also his inability to play his favorite sport- Golf. I'm sure he missed hanging out is golf buddies. But thank God once again... he manages to move on and find a new hobby... Swimming! haha... well the sports really helps relief the pain and pressure on his back muscles.

Haha.... man is also been a long time since we normally do family activities together as a whole. Normally, dad will be too tired from the pain... Liang and mum in hospital. Our new activity together was... UNO! BWahahah.... it was a set I bought from Australia... got no idea why I brought it home... but am thankful for doing so!

Now other then my family... it was my friends whom I miss them dearly too who made my 1 month stay in KL a really eventful one. Seeing all my buddies such as my best-mate Yu Wei, Freddy, Jean, Hon Wai etc really was fun. Every nite we go yum char... if we go out around 11 pm.. will ended up going home around 2am! yes... all we did is just chat chat chat! Was fun, entertaining and educating I must say =D

Oh... not to forget my ever so loyal primary school buddies Ivan and Jee Wang... Man I can't wait to get back to Jee Wang place and finally finish Marvel Ultimate Alliance!!! Dun worry Wang... Ivan will come and join the forces of good to fight against evil! bwahahah... Oh can't wait to go back to KL to meet my primary school fren Kah Wai too... just realized she got an amazing talent in music editing too! My my... can't wait to release our first hitz! hehe

How can I forget my kids of CBC FC... as a manager, is always a joy to see ur team growing ever so strongly in skills, passion and bond... that's what makes a team invincible! Sadly I couldn't stay to watch them trash Emmanuel FC 6-3 (or 6-2?)... It brings me joy seeing team listening to coaches' advice and delivering them effectively! Thanks my squad during the match:

Think another big event during the trip was my first celebration after 3 years in Melb to have my Bday party at home in KL... better still.. celebrating with my family! Really thankful for all the guys who attended the party as well... although it was a boy scout meeting... u guys still came :*) Special thanks to my maid who helped with the BBQ... really couldn't have done it without her!


Best of all... my family purposely came home early from my uncle's bday party so that they can attend mine and cut the cake! hehe...



Oh how sad I felt on the last day of stay in KL b4 I leave for Melbourne the next day. I remember how hard to say good nite to my brothers b4 they went to bed... at the point of time, I just found out how badly i wanted to stay longer.

Finally... going through all these wonderful memories, the ultimate reason for my homesickness is this: When I was in Melb during the 1st half of the semester... I was practically alone and bored over there as I don't have much friends in Melb anymore. When I finally came home to KL, the feeling of company from my friends and family really overwhelmed me! Been so long since I'm able to actually call plp to hang out with... and actually decline request to ask me out! Aiks... now over here, having plp to call me out fer a drink... is a mighty privilege.

Wow... writing this down really helps relief the pain alot, it also motivates me strongly too. All I need to do is continue to stay strong and endure. The goal I've set now is graduation! Really cannot afford to fail any subject this sem.... this graduation really means alot to me I tell you! Is da next biggest milestone of mine! So till then I'll strive hard and await the return of my family members by the end of the year... I'll ensure you guys have a convocation to attend in December!

Oh btw... Happy & Blessed 16th Bday Ping Boy! ;)