Jim is still processing the Celtics game we attended and hasn't quite found the words, or indeed power of speech to describe it it. I am waiting for him to get over the excitement so we can post, a much delayed, review. In lieu of that, this to draw him out of his shell and ensure six more weeks of Moaning Donut...
Jim's feelings about watching a sporting activity
Jim takes the train
Saturday March 31, 2015
Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day. Jim gets his first experience of both professional sports, and a real train ride. To say he is excited only covers the train ride. He has a colouring book and some fresh crayons ready. I do hope he doesn’t forget his juice box.
Jim’s last train ride was at Canobie Lake Park, and I am not sure that counts:
Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day. Jim gets his first experience of both professional sports, and a real train ride. To say he is excited only covers the train ride. He has a colouring book and some fresh crayons ready. I do hope he doesn’t forget his juice box.
Jim’s last train ride was at Canobie Lake Park, and I am not sure that counts:
We won’t be riding all the way from Portland, ME, but this will give you a taste of what he has in store for him:
It should be noted that Jim has never had any interest in sports, professional or otherwise. So his winning two prime seats for an NBA game was very funny. We decided almost immediately that this would be a Moaning Donut outing and we would let you know our thoughts. I suspect I will derive more amusement from watching Jim that either the train or the game.
As for the game, the tickets are for the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons. While I know very little about either, I have a passing knowledge of the game. Well, I know that passing is involved. Dribbling may be what Jim does trying to piece together the nuances of the sport.
This is from 1987, so I’m not sure how representative of the modern game:
As for the game, the tickets are for the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons. While I know very little about either, I have a passing knowledge of the game. Well, I know that passing is involved. Dribbling may be what Jim does trying to piece together the nuances of the sport.
This is from 1987, so I’m not sure how representative of the modern game:
I’m assured it is much the same, but with a few more penalties and longer shorts.
Onto tomorrow…
(Of course, we don’t own the copyright on those videos and hope the owners appreciate our free advertising. Ed.)
Onto tomorrow…
(Of course, we don’t own the copyright on those videos and hope the owners appreciate our free advertising. Ed.)
Moaning Donut Quick Reviews
Moaning Donut reviews Lego Batman 3! Check it out here
Update Time!
Well we're back from Thanksgiving and none of us are dead so that's good news.
Dragon Age consumed most of my time during the break and I've grown to really enjoy this game. My opinions still remain the same from when I posted my first impression but I'm learning to overlook those faults and absorb the story and world.
We're working on a lot of content to bring you kind folks who visit our little site. As you may have noticed we have a new logo and Robert is tucked away working on the mathematics for our new rating scale. From what Robert has told me it's really cool and mathematicky so look for a video very soon to explain everything in full detail.
As always thanks for visiting Moaning Donut!
-Jim
Dragon Age consumed most of my time during the break and I've grown to really enjoy this game. My opinions still remain the same from when I posted my first impression but I'm learning to overlook those faults and absorb the story and world.
We're working on a lot of content to bring you kind folks who visit our little site. As you may have noticed we have a new logo and Robert is tucked away working on the mathematics for our new rating scale. From what Robert has told me it's really cool and mathematicky so look for a video very soon to explain everything in full detail.
As always thanks for visiting Moaning Donut!
-Jim
Dunkin Donuts: Pumpkin Spice Donut
Rob's got another donut review for us. Does this pumpkin donut finally do the name justice? Read the review here
First Impressions | Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age Inquisition is finally out and I was able to get in a few hours of play last night. So far I think it's pretty good...it's definitely a Bioware game.
Right off the bat I have to say that I don't like how the characters control. They walk like have an extremely terrible case of arthritis or they loaded their pants - this is something that has been plaguing Bioware games since I can remember. Movement is limited to two options: Slowly walking or Full Sprint with a hint of the articulation of a tank. Also, everything seems to have a clunky feel to it. From menu navigation to just simply loading the game - there's this weird lag/bloated/can't get out of its own way feeling.
Either the major game review publications are ignoring this or just have accepted it as customary. It's a little disconcerting considering we're in the next generation of gaming, playing a game from a company that has been making these types of games for the last 15 years, and they still can't animate character models correctly.
Graphics are decent, nothing mind blowing. It's definitely a step up from the previous entries.
With that said I will hold most of my criticisms until I've completed the game. I'm sure I'll wind up really loving it (as I have the past Dragon Ages) but from what I can tell so far, and what I can relay is, don't go into this game expecting a revolutionary experience. It's basically the same game you played a few years ago.
-Jim
Right off the bat I have to say that I don't like how the characters control. They walk like have an extremely terrible case of arthritis or they loaded their pants - this is something that has been plaguing Bioware games since I can remember. Movement is limited to two options: Slowly walking or Full Sprint with a hint of the articulation of a tank. Also, everything seems to have a clunky feel to it. From menu navigation to just simply loading the game - there's this weird lag/bloated/can't get out of its own way feeling.
Either the major game review publications are ignoring this or just have accepted it as customary. It's a little disconcerting considering we're in the next generation of gaming, playing a game from a company that has been making these types of games for the last 15 years, and they still can't animate character models correctly.
Graphics are decent, nothing mind blowing. It's definitely a step up from the previous entries.
With that said I will hold most of my criticisms until I've completed the game. I'm sure I'll wind up really loving it (as I have the past Dragon Ages) but from what I can tell so far, and what I can relay is, don't go into this game expecting a revolutionary experience. It's basically the same game you played a few years ago.
-Jim
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Review
Our Call of Duty review is up. Check it out here
Moaning Donut Quick Review
The Flash - An Episode Review
For the umpteenth time I found a review written by a comic book junky who finds the need to take an absolutely riveting teen love story and slash it apart because it isn’t accurate enough to the comic books. I would argue that the comic books stories of the Flash have certainly not presented a strong foundation of continuity to the story Arc.
For example Grodd who appears at the start of this episode was defeated several times in the comics, losing his ability to use his telepathy, only to have it miraculously appear again. So if DC can change their story arc any damn time they want to, then the CW network can slightly change the story arc to improve the story whenever they want as well. Besides after what CW has done with Arrow, The 100, and the few episodes of the Flash - DC should have them write the rest of their comics.
And Seriously CW, bring back Felicity Smoak. There is definitely sparks coming from Barry and her and the audience wants the underdog to have his chance at love. Besides Oliver Queen is rich, good looking and has enough love interests to satisfy any premier soap opera, give the underdog geek the pretty smart girl.
-A. Prime
For example Grodd who appears at the start of this episode was defeated several times in the comics, losing his ability to use his telepathy, only to have it miraculously appear again. So if DC can change their story arc any damn time they want to, then the CW network can slightly change the story arc to improve the story whenever they want as well. Besides after what CW has done with Arrow, The 100, and the few episodes of the Flash - DC should have them write the rest of their comics.
And Seriously CW, bring back Felicity Smoak. There is definitely sparks coming from Barry and her and the audience wants the underdog to have his chance at love. Besides Oliver Queen is rich, good looking and has enough love interests to satisfy any premier soap opera, give the underdog geek the pretty smart girl.
-A. Prime
New Video Series - Moaning Donut Quick Reviews
I'd like to introduce Moaning Donut Quick Reviews!
This is a new web series where we review new (and old) games, movies, tv shows... pretty much anything we want really. We have our first review up and you can check it out here
You can also check out our Youtube Channel here
So rate, comment, and subscribe!
Enjoy!
-Jim
This is a new web series where we review new (and old) games, movies, tv shows... pretty much anything we want really. We have our first review up and you can check it out here
You can also check out our Youtube Channel here
So rate, comment, and subscribe!
Enjoy!
-Jim
Electronic Opus | BT's Kickstarter
Brian Transeau or otherwise known by his stage name BT has launched a Kickstarter to promote his new musical adventure - Electronic Opus. This has to be one of his most ambitious creations to date. BT is taking his back catalog of EDM (Electronic Dance Music) and transforming it... melding it with orchestral instruments to completely transform his older creations and completely turn the dance music genre upside down.
If you don't know who BT is go here
In my opinion this guy is a total game changer when it comes to music. Not only has he influenced hundreds (probably thousands at this point) of musicians to venture out and experiment with sound but he's also created tools to make music production easy, intuitive and very fun to produce. He's one of the few that moves the needle forward and questions the status quo. I've been listening to BT's work since I was sixteen years old and for thirteen years I have not once found myself bored with any piece of music he's created. I think it says a lot about a musician's work if you can go back and listen to their older productions and they still sound as fresh as the first day you heard them.
With that said, I hope you can contribute to BT's new idea and be a part of music history. Click here to check out his Kickstarter page.
-Jim
Side note: this is in no way promoted by BT - this is just a fan hoping to see this kickstarter come to fruition
If you don't know who BT is go here
In my opinion this guy is a total game changer when it comes to music. Not only has he influenced hundreds (probably thousands at this point) of musicians to venture out and experiment with sound but he's also created tools to make music production easy, intuitive and very fun to produce. He's one of the few that moves the needle forward and questions the status quo. I've been listening to BT's work since I was sixteen years old and for thirteen years I have not once found myself bored with any piece of music he's created. I think it says a lot about a musician's work if you can go back and listen to their older productions and they still sound as fresh as the first day you heard them.
With that said, I hope you can contribute to BT's new idea and be a part of music history. Click here to check out his Kickstarter page.
-Jim
Side note: this is in no way promoted by BT - this is just a fan hoping to see this kickstarter come to fruition
TV Review: The Game
Having not yet spent the $10 to purchase Tie-Fighter from GoG.com, I have had the time to watch some television.
This evening I have just watched the first episode of the BBC show “The Game” on BBC America. Set in 1972, it builds
at a slow tempo to create the drama of a high stakes chess match. Characters are slowly developed, and relationships formed and revealed.
The cast has taken to their roles, the plot is engaging, and the dialog… Well the dialog is very suitably “British”.
The more something is understated by the speaker, the more they tend to mean it.
Some viewers may find this style of television frustrating after a lot of other “high-octane” action thrillers, but I think it is worth
the while. Murder and death should not be so commonplace. When it happens it should have meaning to the characters concerned.
The website for the show is here for official photos, videos and more background.
This is television worth watching, and I have five more episodes to look forward to.
BBC America, Wednesday night at 10 PM Eastern.
-Robert
Who is British, and therefore may be biased, but it is an informed bias in an English accent.
This evening I have just watched the first episode of the BBC show “The Game” on BBC America. Set in 1972, it builds
at a slow tempo to create the drama of a high stakes chess match. Characters are slowly developed, and relationships formed and revealed.
The cast has taken to their roles, the plot is engaging, and the dialog… Well the dialog is very suitably “British”.
The more something is understated by the speaker, the more they tend to mean it.
Some viewers may find this style of television frustrating after a lot of other “high-octane” action thrillers, but I think it is worth
the while. Murder and death should not be so commonplace. When it happens it should have meaning to the characters concerned.
The website for the show is here for official photos, videos and more background.
This is television worth watching, and I have five more episodes to look forward to.
BBC America, Wednesday night at 10 PM Eastern.
-Robert
Who is British, and therefore may be biased, but it is an informed bias in an English accent.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
The first of many major holiday game releases this year is finally out and, not sure why, I'm actually really excited to play it! It could be due to the lack of games these new fangled "next gen" systems offer at the moment or I'm just hankering for something that isn't Destiny.
Either way I'm looking forward to jumping into COD's 4 minute single player campaign and staring at the multiplayer menu debating if I can emotionally handle being cussed out by a chain smoking, grizzled 8 year old.
Once I've had some time with this gem I'll post my thoughts about it here. Lastly, we'll be streaming the game Friday nights on PS4 so come by if you want to watch someone else have fun.
-Jim
Either way I'm looking forward to jumping into COD's 4 minute single player campaign and staring at the multiplayer menu debating if I can emotionally handle being cussed out by a chain smoking, grizzled 8 year old.
Once I've had some time with this gem I'll post my thoughts about it here. Lastly, we'll be streaming the game Friday nights on PS4 so come by if you want to watch someone else have fun.
-Jim
We Review (the announcement postponing) Evolve's "Big Alpha" on PS4!
Late Friday evening, those who had received access to the Playstation 4 version of the "Big Alpha" for Turtle Rock Studio's upcoming 4-v-1 Cooperative shooter Evolve were notified via email that, due to conflicts arising with the recent Playstation firmware upgrade 2.0, the Alpha has been postponed. Now while that would be the end of it for most video game sites, we here at Moaning Donut pride ourselves for going above and beyond the rest of gaming media and thus will give to you an in-depth review of the Announcement of Postponement for the hotly-anticipated Evolve Big Alpha.
(Note: For the purposes of this review, we are covering the Limited Edition "Email/Newsletter" Announcement seen here, which include some bonus post-announcement content not seen in the standard edition found on Evolve's main site here.)
Obviously, the first thing you'll notice out of the gate are the graphics. The Evolve logo pops against the deep black background and the faded pixels surrounding it give it an ominous, eerie glowing effect. They didn't just pour their efforts into making a pretty pre-rendered introduction either, as the whole way through the white of the text really keeps your eyes focused, while the hyperlinks and Twitter handle beautifully capture the same color scheme of the main logo.
While so wonderful to look at, the content is where this announcement begins to suffer. The Announcement of Postponement makes no bones about its purpose, telling you straight out of the gate that it simply doesn't work with the new PS4 Firmware Update 2.0 and that they're working hard with Sony to get the issue resolved, with a tauntingly foreshadowing message of "The Big Alpha test on Xbox One and PC will happen as planned." More on this in a second.
Evolve then tries to soften the blow to their consumers with the tried-and-true customer service technique of being sympathetic to the consumer's plight. I could not help but nod and shrug to myself as I came across "We know that this is a big letdown. We're disappointed too, and we're going to do our best to make up for this delay." But their honeyed words only coat their devious scheme to lure the consumer into a cheap "Pay to Play" DLC scheme not unlike popular mobile or Facebook games.
You see, while the majority(i.e. All) of the content past the title screen of Evolve's Big Alpha is locked to Sony gamers, for just the low price of a Xbox One or PC, you will get full access to what the weekend-long server test has to offer. While even going so far as to give you step-by-step instructions on how to purchase this "over-the-top content", it fails to mention anywhere that the Alpha (at the time of the announcement's release) is already a third of the way over.
(Note: For the purposes of this review, we are covering the Limited Edition "Email/Newsletter" Announcement seen here, which include some bonus post-announcement content not seen in the standard edition found on Evolve's main site here.)
Obviously, the first thing you'll notice out of the gate are the graphics. The Evolve logo pops against the deep black background and the faded pixels surrounding it give it an ominous, eerie glowing effect. They didn't just pour their efforts into making a pretty pre-rendered introduction either, as the whole way through the white of the text really keeps your eyes focused, while the hyperlinks and Twitter handle beautifully capture the same color scheme of the main logo.
While so wonderful to look at, the content is where this announcement begins to suffer. The Announcement of Postponement makes no bones about its purpose, telling you straight out of the gate that it simply doesn't work with the new PS4 Firmware Update 2.0 and that they're working hard with Sony to get the issue resolved, with a tauntingly foreshadowing message of "The Big Alpha test on Xbox One and PC will happen as planned." More on this in a second.
Evolve then tries to soften the blow to their consumers with the tried-and-true customer service technique of being sympathetic to the consumer's plight. I could not help but nod and shrug to myself as I came across "We know that this is a big letdown. We're disappointed too, and we're going to do our best to make up for this delay." But their honeyed words only coat their devious scheme to lure the consumer into a cheap "Pay to Play" DLC scheme not unlike popular mobile or Facebook games.
You see, while the majority(i.e. All) of the content past the title screen of Evolve's Big Alpha is locked to Sony gamers, for just the low price of a Xbox One or PC, you will get full access to what the weekend-long server test has to offer. While even going so far as to give you step-by-step instructions on how to purchase this "over-the-top content", it fails to mention anywhere that the Alpha (at the time of the announcement's release) is already a third of the way over.
The bonus additional content found in the Email Newsletter Edition follows the same formula as the main content, but falls even shorter than the source material and generally feels unfinished. The large, visually pleasing graphics are there and the white-on-black text will feel familiar if you completed the main message, but several of the global ratings are "Pending", and the top tier of the German flag blends into the dark muddled background, leaving your language choices as Low Battery, French, French (Player 2), and Spain. Even this is mere placeholder fluff, as the flags do not direct you to different languages but rather Evolve.com's News page. Even the official corporate, drawn out name for the Xbox One, "The all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft", feels like a cheap mini-advertisement and will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of those jilted by the XBO/PC DLC trap of the main campaign.
Overall, the "Postponement Announcement for Evolve's Big Alpha Event on PS4" is pleasing to look at and gets what it said to set out to do, but lack of specified information in lieu baiting customers with a "Pay to Play" ploy doesn't make it worth the time. Turtle Rock and 2K promise free announcement updates via their Twitter feed, but in the future they need to work on making their messages meatier at launch and not rely on purely visuals.
4/10
-Derek
Overall, the "Postponement Announcement for Evolve's Big Alpha Event on PS4" is pleasing to look at and gets what it said to set out to do, but lack of specified information in lieu baiting customers with a "Pay to Play" ploy doesn't make it worth the time. Turtle Rock and 2K promise free announcement updates via their Twitter feed, but in the future they need to work on making their messages meatier at launch and not rely on purely visuals.
4/10
-Derek
Star Wars: Tie Fighter Rerelease
So GOG.COM is releasing Tie-Fighter and X-Wing for Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8), and I for one am excited! It was originally released in 1994, which I still own. I played it every Friday night from start to finish, in lieu of a social life. I used the level builder or pit the Tie-Defender against everything I could.
And now it is back! $9.99 is definitely a great price for this classic and I will most certainly buy it. GOG has done an excellent job with other games that I've enjoyed in the past so I expect this update to hold true to that tradition.
I'm looking forward to seeing how well this title has aged, if it still has that classic feel...and how much I've slowed in 20 years
Has scanning cargo, figuring out how to defeat faster A-Wings, and rescuing Darth Vader's butt in the later levels kept its thrill? These questions to be answered in a galaxy not so far away.
Friday night may well be given over to it...
and If you're at all interested in reliving gaming's past head over to gog and buy it already!
STAR WARS: TIE FIGHTER
"That is enough for now, sir."
- Robert
And now it is back! $9.99 is definitely a great price for this classic and I will most certainly buy it. GOG has done an excellent job with other games that I've enjoyed in the past so I expect this update to hold true to that tradition.
I'm looking forward to seeing how well this title has aged, if it still has that classic feel...and how much I've slowed in 20 years
Has scanning cargo, figuring out how to defeat faster A-Wings, and rescuing Darth Vader's butt in the later levels kept its thrill? These questions to be answered in a galaxy not so far away.
Friday night may well be given over to it...
and If you're at all interested in reliving gaming's past head over to gog and buy it already!
STAR WARS: TIE FIGHTER
"That is enough for now, sir."
- Robert