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Video Game Review: XCOM Enemy Unknown

XCOM Enemy Unknown is a turn based strategy game available for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Not a lot of games of this kind of genre out there nowadays. If you've ever played Final Fantasy Tactics, it's something like that. But instead of spending four rounds walking a maximum of two blocks per round just trying to get to your enemy so you can hack them up with your whack ass swords.

Taking place in a near future as an alien invasion begins, the world's nations group together to create the XCOM (Extraterrestrial Combat Unit) project which is tasked with protecting earth from the imminent alien invasion. You play as the commander who commands a squadron of up to six soldiers who vary between skills and classes.

XCOM Enemy Unknown is something of a reimagined remake of the original XCOM games, which were initially released in the early to mid 90s. These games were hailed as masterpieces, so it's only assumed that when somebody wants to remake a game that's being called a "masterpiece", well, you'd better not muck it up.

On the upside, XCOM Enemy Unknown is nothing short of fantastic.

How fantastic? Well it's my favourite game of 2012 (and 2013, so far) and I'm not even a big fan of turn based strategy games. How can a video game make me a fan if I dislike its genre? Well let's find out.

What I did like.

I enjoyed the level of difficulty in this game. It was made in such a way that being gung-ho is a bad idea. But I suppose that's why it's a strategy game. On top of that, you're never really stuck with six set characters, your squad consists of recruits that you must hire.

A squad of six

Each recruit starts as a rookie, but as they level up, they're assigned one of four classes.

• Assault Class
• Support Class
• Sniper Class
• Heavy Class

Each class has their advantages and disadvantages, but to really make a great squadron, you'll definitely have to mix it up. Because I mean, if you have a team of six heavies, it doesn't really help out since they're not too accurate at long or close range. And if enough enemies converge on you, then you're kinda boned.

As mentioned before, this game is turn based strategy where each move has to be carefully laid out. Every turn I made was made with extreme caution, because you never know what's hiding behind the fog.

Bomb disposal battle type

Even if you were to lose, it sucks because you lose all the squad mates that you had brought along (when they die, they stay dead), you still feel the need to keep going. Sure you might rage quit, which I did on numerous occasions (and when I do, I won't play a game for months at a time), you'd come back, because nothing is ever hopeless in this game and everything is entirely doable. Granted you will have to make some decisions that may not be for the best, but you can't win 'em all right?

Soldier memorial

Even though XCOM didn't really have a story line, I still liked it. It's straight forward. It's "Hey aliens are here, you're now an anti alien army, go fight them and learn from what you salvage after battles so that you can become stronger, so you can take down the mothership".

That's it.

No disappointing plot twists or surprise endings. A lot of games try that nowadays, but they almost try too hard. And the result is a silly story.

But what I did enjoy the most out of it was, it's a good time killer. Got an hour to spare before you gotta do something important? Play some XCOM, before you know it. You're ready to leave. Or your late.

What I didn't like.

Only two things really bugged me about this game.

One being, the money management system. The game runs on something of a date system, and at the end of every month, you're granted some funding from nations that are all aboard on your XCOM project. You get this money and you gotta spend it wisely.

Do I purchase new gear for my soldiers? Should I get more ships to defend continents? Should I start up another satellite uplink so that I can deploy satellites over nations?

The list is never ending.

And on more than one occasion, I always feel like I've made a bad choice.

Example: I'll buy a satellite for a nation, because if there isn't a satellite monitoring the skies of a nation, the panic levels increase across that nation. If the nation reaches full chaos, they will back out of the XCOM project and you will lose certain perks that come along with that nation.

That being said, satellites sound like a sound choice right? Usually they are. But then all of a sudden you're next invasion consists of some baddies you've never seen before and they just absolutely demolish your team because you're under equipped.

So that's my problem. Every decision has its pros and cons. But that's just the nature of the game. It's like real life. Except not really.

XCOM Situation Room

The other thing that annoyed me was that even though your attacks were based on your character's aim and accuracy, even with a high accuracy percentage and some decent aim, it still all feels like it's left up to chance.

I can be two square tiles away from a bad guy, and still miss.

It's moments like that where I wanna shake the plasma outta my monitor. But as I said, maybe that's just the nature of the game.

If you wanna change it up, definitely try out XCOM Enemy Unknown. I'm not a big fan of strategy games and if it can make me a huge fan out of it, then it's definitely worth something to check out. And besides, it's available for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, so you really don't have any excuses.

Just a Taste: Saboroso Brazilian Steakhouse

Location
Saboroso is located on 8th Street in the old Kelsey's building beside the drive thru Subway.

Environment
The restaurant is very dim and intimate. The furniture and accessories are all dark, the restaurant is really nice and large. The restaurant is heavily staffed and the employees are very knowledgeable, professionally and friendly. We had one person in particular who was quite the comedian and made the experience even more the merrier.

Menu
There are really three options of what you can order. You could either order simply order an entree from their menu, eat from their little buffet or try the Rodizio (which includes the buffet). The buffet has  different vegetables, starches and few meat items. The Rodizio I believe is the typical attraction to Saboroso. Employees come table to table to see if you are interested in one of ten items. Yes, the Rodizio is all you can eat for $37.

Food
I went with the Rodizio for the experience. It was delicious, but definitely more meat than I planned on eating. Some of my favourites included the lamb, hickory whiskey BBQ chicken thighs and pineapple with cinnamon and brown sugar. From the buffet, I enjoyed the tilapia, mashed potatoes and pasta salad. My mother and sister ordered from the menu and both of the meals tasted great and were also presented pleasantly.

Buffet

Gnocchi 

Rice embedded in Seafood

 Conclusion
The food was really good and the staff were impressive as well. This is a restaurant that I can treat myself at rather than than eat there routinely. If you are a carnivore, these place is a must try. You will never leave hungry!

Yours Truly 

Air Jordan V | "Fire Red"

If you are like me, you might make the common mistake of thinking that there is only one Fire Red V. But both release this year so you are able to choose which one you like more or just grab both of them. This is my favourite silhouette of all of the Jordan's. So this Saturday, January 26, 2012, these will release at locations such as Footlocker or Momentum.

Yours Truly

Jaguarmeister x 302 Lounge & Discotheque

Howdy, long time no see.

So after a year of being a bedroom DJ, I've gotten my first gig at 302 Lounge & Discotheque with my friend Phil Mainville (CTRL). He runs the shows there on Wednesdays so I asked if I could give a whirl one night and he was all for it. Suffice to say I'm quite excited/nervous. But gotta start somewhere right?

So Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013, if you got nothing to do and wanna shake a leg and drink some toonie beer, 302 Lounge & Discotheque is your place.

I look forward to seeing your lovely selves there.



Tell your friends, girlfriends, boyfriends, sisters, brothers, mother, fathers, aunts and uncles. Because it's going down.

Nike | Mercurial Vapor IX "Vapor Trail"

It's about to arrive soon, the Mercurial Vapor IX is almost here. After years of soccer critics complaining about previous Vapor's being better than the next, we are finally starting to see a trend of new Vapor's being better than the last again. Like in the past, Cristiano Ronaldo will be the spokesperson or model for this silhouette. If you want a lightweight boot, this one might just be the one for you!

These will be available for pre-order on online stores tomorrow. If you need to try them on first, I recommend that you contact Xtratime Sports/Soccer Locker.



Yours Truly

Xtratime Sports & Soccer Locker | Grand Re-Opening

This Sunday (January 20, 2013), Xtratime Sports/Soccer Locker will be celebrating it's grand re-opening under new ownership. Christine Sinclair and Kaylyn Kyle will be involved in a press conference at 1:30 pm in-store and will also be signing autographs at 2 pm.

The two Canadian Olympian's will also be playing in a friendly with the girls under 18 national champions, Eastside Vortex at the Sasktel Soccer Centre. There is an admission cost of $5 for adults and for those who are 18 or under can watch for free.



Yours Truly

JH45 + Oakatron | Night After Night (Part I & II)

Here is a music video made for two talented Saskatoon artists. Both videos feature the same song, but are represented differently by the musician. The second video was shot, directed and edited by Devon Rumpel. This track is featured on Hairdu Records "Speed Dating Mixtape".





Yours Truly