Chapter 19: Achievements of the Week 13-20 March

- credit s3rioussam

So it's a bit late than never, but Friday's regular achievement round-up is here.

It has been a good week for me XBox-wise. I've used gaming to distract me from writing a 9000 word dissertation. But can I beat 270 points, my best so far? I know for sure i've beaten last week's low of 35.

Tomorrow will come a retrospective gaming review. I received good feedback on my Aladdin piece last week.

So without further ado, my achievements:

15/03/2009- Hi Fidelity (Saints Row 2): Found all CDs in Stilwater (15G)

15/03/2009- All-City (Saints Row 2): Found and sprayed all 50 tags in Stilwater(10G)

15/03/2009- Splatster Chief (Saints Row 2): Completed all levels of Septic Avenger(15G)

17/03/2009- Where's My Car? (Saints Row 2): Delivered all the cars to the chop shops (10G)

18/03/2009- Light Seeds Collector (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have collected 200 Light Seeds (10G)

18/03/2009- Light Seeds Provider (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have collected 300 Light Seeds (10G)

18/03/2009- Throw Master (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have mastered throwing enemies (10G)

20/03/2009- Deflect Master (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have mastered the art of Deflecting (20G)

20/03/2009- Death of a Concubine (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have killed the Concubine (20G)

20/03/2009- Light Seeds Locator (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have collected 400 Light Seeds (10G)

20/03/2009- Death of a Warrior King (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have killed the Warrior (20G)

20/03/2009- Light Seeds Harvester (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have collected 500 Light Seeds (10G)

20/03/2009- Improviser (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you used the environment to your advantage (10G)

20/03/2009- Climbing to New Heights! (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have found the highest place in the world (10G)

20/03/2009- Traitor's End (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have killed the Alchemist (20G)

20/03/2009- Light Seeds Hoarder (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have collected 600 Light Seeds (10G)

20/03/2009- Now who's the Hunter? (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have killed the Hunter (20G)

20/03/2009- Saviour of the City of Light (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, the world has been healed (50G)

20/03/2009- Explorer (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have explored the whole land (20G)

20/03/2009- From Darkness…Light! (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have reimprisoned Ahriman (30G)

20/03/2009: Speed Demon (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you finished the game in under 12 hours (10G)

20/03/2009- To be continued… (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, the game is complete..the story has only just begun... (80G)

20/03/2009- Be gentle with her (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have been kind to Elika (100G)

These following achievements credit Amy Templeton..not moi:

20/03/2009- Mini Katamari (Beautiful Katamari): You made a katamari over 30cm! (5G)

20/03/2009- Request x 3 (Beautiful Katamari): Completed 3 Requests (5G)

Total Gamerpoints: 530

As you can see, a hugely successful week and a new gamerpoint record! Although if you knew the strife I went through to complete Prince of Persia, you'd be even more respectful of what's gone down this week.

Chapter 14: Achievements of the Week 6-13 March

-credit tchuntfr

With a distinct lack of XBox action again this week (bar about 6 hours yesterday), the chances are slim that I will build upon last week's awesome-for-me Oscar worthy total of 270 gamerpoints.

The rundown of this week's achievements are below.

Also this weekend will be blog-tastic, as I shall retrospectively review Aladdin on the Sega Mega Drive, and add some more witty, insightful content.

Or worst comes to worst i'll post a funny video.

So stay F5'd (that's the refresh button).

11/03/09- Reality Star (Saints Row 2): Completed all levels of FUZZ (15G)

11/03/09- Going the Distance (Saints Row 2): Threw someone a long, long way (5G)

12/03/09- Soprano (Saints Row 2): Sung along to the radio (10G)

12/03/09- Love Thy Neighbour (Saints Row 2): Grabbed 50 human shields (5G)

Total Gamerpoints: 35

I know, I know, it doesn't look good. Not. One. Bit.

But there's always next week...right?

Gamerpoints review so far:

• 13-20 Feb: 160
• 20-27 Feb: 60
• 27-6 March: 270
• 6-13 March: 35

Chapter 11: Achievements of the Week 27th Feb-6th March

-credit Paperghost

Another week has come and gone and it's time for my achievements run-down for the past seven days.

It was looking pretty bad, possibly even worse than last week, due to Mega Drive mania taking over in my house. But fortunately I pulled it together last night with a hardcore Saints Row 2 session with Dan.

Here's the run-down:

05/03/09- Brother's Keeper (Saints Row 2): Defeated the Brotherhood (40G)

05/03/09- Seperated at Birth (Saints Row 2): Completed all Brotherhood missions in co-op (25G)

05/03/09- A Brighter Future (Saints Row 2): Defeated the Ultor Corporation Epilogue (80G)

06/03/09- Vengeance (Saints Row 2): Exacted revenge on Julius (15G)

06/03/09- Partners in Crime (Saints Row 2): Completed all campaign missions in co-op (100G)

06/03/09- Hello 47 (Saints Row 2): Killed all Hitman targets (10G)

Total Gamerpoints: 270

A respectable score. Get in !

Chapter VII: Achievements of the Week 20-27 February

Do you remember last week when I spoke of how I wanted to improve the amount of gamerpoints I get each week?

Well I think that dream has died already.

Yes it's Friday and my weekly round-up of the achievements i've unlocked over the past week. Last time around I scored 160 gamerpoints, all exclusively to Saints Row 2. As I haven't played that game nearly enough this week, i'm concerned.

Anyway here we go:

21/02/09- Special Move Master (Street Fighter IV): Perform 100 Special Moves (10G)

21/02/09- Focus Master (Street Fighter IV): Perform 100 successful Focus Attacks (10G)

22/02/09- Light Seeds Finder (Prince of Persia): Congratulations, you have collected 100 Light Seeds (10G)

22/02/09- Fling yourself at it (FIFA09): Score with a diving header in a match (20G)

26/02/09- Crowd Pleasing Master (Street Fighter IV): Perform 10 Personal Actions (10G)

Total Gamerpoints: 60

Rubbish

Chapter II: Achievements of the Week 13-20 February

As a continuous effort to try and improve myself on XBox360, each week I am going to highlight the achievements I have unlocked over the past week (Friday-Friday).

Now bear in mind I'm not an addictive gamer (other than Mario Kart Wii), so I don't believe it's ever going to be as amazing as some other hardcore gamers. But here's hoping each week I slightly improve.

So this weeks achievements:

16/02/09- Demolition Man (Saints Row 2): Completed all levels of Demolition Derby (15G)

16/02/09- Remind Me of the Babe (Saints Row 2): Defeated the Sons of Samedi (40G)

16/02/09- Pot Luck (Saints Row 2): Completed all Samedi missions in co-op (25G)

17/02/09- Do Not Talk About It (Saints Row 2): Completed all levels of Fight Club (15G)

18/02/09- Seppuku (Saints Row 2): Defeated the Ronin (40G)

18/02/09- Duelist (Saints Row 2): Completed all Ronin missions in co-op (25G)

Total Gamerpoints: 160

Chapter I: Saints Row 2 Review

So here it is, my first game review on this very blog. I am going to review the latest game bought into my collection a couple of weeks ago. If you haven't guessed you're stupid. It's Saints Row 2, duh.

Now to be honest I didn't play the first game. It kind of passed me by as when it was released I never owned an XBox360. A couple of times in the games store, I saw it cheap and pre-owned but never took the gamble. I've always been a GTA fan and it appeared like it was some terrible clone.

However, I was convinced (or maybe peer-pressured) into buying the game by my housemate Dan (who you will no doubt hear more about). He is a gaming addict, buys every game ever released and hates Mario Kart. He is effectively the villian of the piece.

The biggest reason I purchased the game was because of the on-line co-op mode, where I can system link with Dan and we can go through the campaign together (There is also the benefits of extra achievements for completing all missions co-op).

So the game itself.

Well it is set 5 years after the end of the first game where your character is apparently exploded or something. You are in a coma in jail when you finally awake and the character customisation begins.

The customisation itself is brilliant. You customise every aspect of your character from taunts to the delightful language setting. You can be American or English, and the English accent one is hilarious. Think posh cockney.

The game in comparison to GTA4 is so much more fun. The serious tone of GTA which at times hampered the game, is non-existant. This game is balls to wall fun. It's ridiculous in the plot and cut scenes.

The plot itself is wafer-thin, you resurrect the Saints and have to take down 3 gangs to take back the city. I haven't completed it yet but 2 gangs are done. To open up certain missions you have to do activities scattered around the map. These include things like 'Fight Club', 'Escort' and 'Demolition Derby'. Of course all aspects of open-world sandbox gameplay are included.

For me the music in this game is much much better than GTA4. Culture Club, The Rakes, Duran Duran are all there, including lots of Hip-Hop from artists I don't know.

Overall i've thoroughly enjoyed this game so far. Don't get me wrong GTA4 was awesome too, but at times it was boring and too serious for its own good. Definately pick up Saints Row 2 though if you have the cash and time, it's fun, unforgettable and ridiculous.

Rating: 8/10

Gamerpoints achieved so far: 170/1000