I'm Not Dead Yet!

Yes I've been reeeeeeally bad about posting for the past week... or maybe two... possibly three even?  BUT as the title says, I'm not dead yet just taking a long protracted and unplanned break is all.  Ah, the joys of real life and bus schedules...  and people asking me about shoes...  where was I?

Ah, now I remember!  Now questions about Hexes... Oi!

Anyway just wanted to let anyone who might be wondering know that there is more on the way soon.  There are minis that I've been working on, plus I will be posting more battle reports, and I've even got some game reviews as well!  Not all at once, of course.  Gotta pace myself after all.  Anyway be sure to come back next week for more of my mad ramblings!  Now I'm off to file Hexes and have some enchiladas.  Until next time...

To Boldy Go Where No MMO Has Gone Before...

While everyone else out there is clamoring for Tekken vs. Capcom, or Mass Effect 3, or Knights of the Old Republic, I've just gotta be different.  Oh I feel for a computer bug again but not one of the new shinnies.  Nope, I'm not nothing if not a nonconformist.  Heck, I don't even know if that statement makes any sense but I do know that I'm enjoying playing...

This game is seems to be set some time after at least Next Generation and maybe even Voyager but I'm not exactly sure.  While I do enjoy the whole Star Trek franchise every now and then I'm definitely not one of the rabid fans who can give you the exact star dates for everything that happened in the show..  Not that there's anything wrong with that... well, I don't know I'd go that far but I digress...

Star Trek Online puts you in command of your own starship in the Federation as it balances on the brink of war with the Klingons, Romulans, and even the Gorn.  The game play seems pretty standard based on my own limited experience with MMORPGs but one of the things that this game includes that I'm particularly enjoying is starship combat.  Never mind running around in the woods hunting for orcs, now you're soaring through space in all of its three dimensions as you try to out maneuver and destroy your opponents!  Just throwing in that third dimension adds in a whole new... well, would you believe dimension?

From what I've seen so far this game is lots of fun and though I could see it getting somewhat repetitive in the long run you can't beat the price; it's free.  There is an optional monthly subscription that runs $15 a month but if you are just looking for something that lets you cruise around the universe, explore new worlds, and blow stuff up too boot the free subscription should work out for you.

That's about it for this week but be sure to come back next week for a long overdue Song of Blades and Heroes battle report!  Can the adventurers overcome the goblin menace?  Will I be able to finish painting the last of the heroes before I bust out the camera?  You'll just have to come back to see!  Until next time...

Very Appropriate Since I'm Looking At Star Trek Tactics

Oh No! Rocket Propelled Simians Hurtling Through The Sky!

In the Decoder Ring Theatre review a couple weeks back I mentioned that I was listening to another actual play podcast.  I never did elaborate further as I wanted to check out some more episodes before I said anything but now the verdict is in.  Watch out for high flying simians because...

Focus: Actual play

Audio Quality: Four and a half stolen jetpacks out of five

Content Quality: Five monkey screams out of five

Average Length: roughly two hours

Release Schedule: usually weekly but occasionally longer

Monkeys Took My Jetpack is one of the most enjoyable actual play podcasts that I've ever listened to.  Most AP sessions manage to flow up to the point that the dice come out but this group focuses on games with very elegant mechanics that let the story just coast along with barely a pause in the action.  Everyone in the group also does a wonderful job playing off of each other and really put an emphasis on the role playing aspect of the game.  And did I mention that they have sound effects?  All of this wrapped up together makes for a very enjoyable listen that I can't recommend highly enough.

The only downside that I've noticed is occasional problems with Skype that effect their audio quality but these are usually quickly resolved (or very well edited) so that they don't break up the pace of the game.  There is also about half an hour worth of feedback and batter leading into each episode but this is easy enough to get past if you just want to get to the game.  Either way I really do recommend check these guys out.  Until next time...

Arrrr... I'll Be Back Matey...