New Vegas, New Challenges.

I don't really want to say much, as I'm a bit busy playing it, but oh my lord, it's good.

You'll be hearing that everywhere, so I reckon I'll concentrate on the collectors edition, and how flabbergasted I am with it. They know their target audience, as they even came numbered. Look, here's mine:

The sheer quality of this product has astounded me. The box, the flipping box, is even mock leather. How many times have you sat and felt a box? Well when I got mine I spent at least five minutes just stroking it. I'm pretty sure that makes me a mentalist, but I don't care.

And when we open the box? It just gets better. The poker chips are so detailed, the Platinum Chip has been designed with so much care, and the cards are so, so beautiful. This is a product made for gamers. Something so lovingly created, so precise is just a joy to behold, and shows just what a special edition should be, and makes it an absolute must.

Fuck you Call of Duty, with your shallow attempt at prying more money from gamers. Fuck you bullshit downloadables, and your shitty medal. Fuck your £25 medal. THIS is what it's all about. This is the heart of the special edition, and makes the game that little bit more unforgettable.

Fable 3 next week. Let's see if that Special Edition can match it. Now if you don't mind, I'm back off to New Vegas. You dig?

Hands on with Fallout: New Vegas! Eurogamer Expo Series pt 1!

So I hit up this year's Eurogamer Expo in London with a few fellow nerds, and I’ve got to say it left me with a even bigger itch for all the games I got to play. It feels like I've been waiting form them for years! Im the next few months, they'll be here, but before then I’ll be posting my views on the few games that I’m excited for, and others that have now grabbed my attention more than ever before.

First and most importantly in my gaming timeline for the next few months is the amazing Fallout: New Vegas. From the brief snippet of gameplay I managed to land myself, it looked as amazing. Well, as much as you’d expect a nuclear war torn wasteland to look, but even nicer (if that’s possible).

Whilst it may initially look like a slightly improved Fallout 3, from the off it felt like the formula I loved from the original but new and improved. I tested the new faction system by opening fire on some fiendish, well-dressed ‘Powder gangers’ only to find myself bartering with the nearby settlements guards to let me in because of the murder he just saw me commit. This looks to make the game interesting enough have the player finely balance who they side with. And I didn't even get to explore the story and weapon upgrading system, but it already felt pretty deep.

The guys from Obsidian have managed to snag original members from the first two PC Fallout games, to help with the lore and overall feel of the gam. With it they definitely seem to have given the Fallout universe a new lease of life.

Bleak. Sinister. Special. I can't wait to play more.

Time to wake up and watch the good stuff...PT.1

First off, an apology, it's been a while since i graced these excellent pages with my presence. In between the holiday, change of job and my general lack of self control i admittedly found that i haven't posted in time. Everyone OK...? good.
With that now said it's time to focus on what really matters at the moment, T.V. The good Dr is here to tell you guys and gals what you SHOULD be watching and all the good stuff that's currently being shown (mostly) to our American cousins. These programmes are accessible on Sky, Cable or just a small download away. Most of the major American network sites even let you watch episodes for free so there is NO excuse. ABC, HBO, NBC, AMC and FX for example.
Before we move on to the shows, if you will, permit me a little rant.

Perhaps the strongest reason Ive chosen to post about this is the fact that these shows are good, no not good, Fucking excellent. Sublime, original, heartbreaking and funny. AND NO-ONE WATCHES THEM !! We have had (and still do) produce some of the best T.V programmes around lets not forget that, but what i don't want to see is another celebrity dance-on-ice jungle up your arse show. What I don't understand is when people ask me "Who do you think is gonna win X-factor/ Pop Idol" and my answer is "I don't fucking care, i don't watch TV." They look at me like I've got 3 heads "What do you mean you don't watch TV, you don't know who might win."
BINGO, that ladies and germs is your answer. If this is Television, shitty hand-fed-to-the masses garbage i don't want to watch, i don't need to watch. It's not challenging, not thought provoking, it doesn't make me laugh or cry, so i can't see myself getting attached to some dickhead singing his balls off to a panel of paid-off twats who already know whose going to win. It's not me being elitist or smug (well, a little) but if people like the described programmes then it's all well and good, I'm just saying there is more to T.V than just Pop factor, reality shows and crappy ITV 1 dramas.

And breathe...

This isn't a swipe at just those types of shows, its TV in general. I can't understand why my top picks aren't more popular, they're infinitely more special than any of that tripe.
So prick up your ears, here we go....
I'm currently watching on a weekly basis around 12 new shows, some brand new some with new seasons. A quick list for you and then in part 2 (coming soon) I'll get to the reasons why you NEED to view them. In no particular order -

Boardwalk Empire - Steve Buscemi starring, Terence Winter writing, Scorsese producing. Best show on T.V. 'Nuff said.

Community - The strongest riser on the comedy block, and Chevy Chase BOOM!

30 Rock - Continues to dazzle as the gorgeous Tiny Fey's show gets better and better.

Running Wilde - New show from the creators of Gainboy's fav Arrested Development.

The Office - With the news that Steve Carrell leaves this season, lets hope it stays this strong.

How I Met Your Mother - As season 6 starts, are we finally going to met the mother?

Eastbound and Down - Will ferrell and Adam Mckay produce this darkly funny baseball comedy.

Fringe - With the excellent start to season 3, will Olivia get back ?!

Dexter - Morgan's up shit creek as Season 5 blasts onto our screens, 2nd best show on TV !!


Modern Family - AMAZING disfunctional comedy from Christopher 'Doc Brown' Lloyd.

Outsourced - Brand new, still finding it's feet. Office produced Call centre comedy.


No Ordinary Family - 'The incredibles' meets 'Heroes' with The Shield's Micheal Chiklis.

Danny McBride as washed-up baller Kenny 'Fucking' Powers
in HBO's Eastbound and down.

Take a good look at that list, there are shows above that you MUST begin to watch. In part 2, after more research and episode watching I'll be back to give reasons and a healthy rundown of each show and why it's so damned good.

Turn off the shite-factor and tune into the good stuff
Peace and love
Dr Lucian Sanchez

Retro Monday- Marvel vs Capcom 2 (Dreamcast/PS2)

With the character roster flowing thick and fast, Marvel vs Capcom 3 is set to be an absolute blockbuster. Everything a beat-em-up should be- Frantic, exciting and mind-blowing. The game looks like it's going to be a landmark beat-em-up, that shows off current-generation hardware to the full. 10 years ago, it's little brother was doing exactly the same, the groundbreaking Marvel vs Capcom 2.

Marvel vs Capcom 2 is a stone-cold classic, completely and utterly. It's concept is flawless. The age-old questions that have troubled mankind for decades are finally answered: Could Chun-Li beat up Rogue? Could Ryu's fireball match Cyclop's Laser Beam? The kind of schoolyard-scenarios that only teenage boys could dream up are fully realised, in a game that matches style, with outright insanity.

And it's insanity that gives this game it's brilliance, and what has secured it's place in the annals of gaming history. Never have I played a game so unashamed in it's ridiculousness, so confident in it's over-the-top bombasticness. It's this brazen confidence that makes this game truly unique.

Every.Single.Part of this game completely breaks the mould. As soon as you turn it on, you're greeted by a jazz-funk soundtrack, with some woman constantly threatening to 'take you for a ride'. Unsettling from the start, you're then confronted with a character select screen that is HUGE, and largely in darkness, with no explanation on how to unlock these characters. After that, the characters have 3 difference special moves, based on Greek letters, that offer little explanation to what they do. After this baffling selection process, the game kicks off properly, and you still have no idea really what is going on.

But do you know what? It's completely and utterly captivating. Hurtling along at a breakneck pace, the game just explodes with colours, characters bouncing all over the screens, as it erupts with flashes of light and bone-crunching sound effects. Even the crappest of players are able to pull off impressive-looking moves, some kind of witchcraft under the hood, making it not only compelling, but immense fun.

Marvel vs Capcom makes no excuses, and takes no prisoners. It's confidence is matched only by it's execution, which is utterly flawless. I think few games deliver on their promises, and here is a game that delivers on one of the greatest promises made in gaming history. If you're going to include Wolverine in a beat-em-up, you better make damn sure you get it right. Even if sometimes you're left slightly confused by the whole process, Capcom know exactly what they're doing.

If you're not already excited by the prospect of Marvel vs Capcom 3, it's because you've not played this yet. Go pick it up on the Playstation network or Xbox Live Arcade, and see why next Spring, the age-old question of 'Could Arthur from Ghouls n' Goblins beat up Thor?' will once again have the world excitedly getting the answer.

Retro Monday: Pyschonauts (Xbox,PS2,PC)

So any self respecting gamer should know about this game or at least it’s creator. Spawned from the genius mind of Tim Schafer, I'm talking about the sheer awesomeness that is 'Psychonauts'.

I was young when I was first introduced to his genius when playing Grim Fandango. To this day I can still remember being absorbed into the witty yet dark world of the undead, and how they roll on with their boring 9-to-5 jobs, and everything inbetween.

His creativeness doesn’t falter on this platforming gem either. The games' surreal setting revolves around the adventures of Rasputin or Raz, a boy who runs away from the circus to join a psychic summer camp. He soon uncovers a terrible plot that is threatening the brains and lives of all of those at the camp. Intrigued yet? You should be.

Raz becomes a rookie ‘Psychonaut’, and embarks on a journey that takes him into the mind of a variety of bizarre yet unique characters. He helps them tackle their deepest fears and memories, in order to gain their help to overcome this evil plot afoot.

Rasputin with Dogan and his tin foil hat, the best character in the game

The gameplay and combat revolves around various psychic powers Raz obtains as he helps important individuals overcome their fears.e Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis, Invisibility and Levitation are just some of his arsenal. Round every corner there's real laugh out loud moments and elements of bizarre humour that borders on outlandish genius. The game revels in it's crazy level settings, off-the-wall satirical digs, and homage to the best of pop culture. There's a level where Raz becomes Godzilla and helps the city’s rebel fish faction fight back against their corrupted fish government. What more could you want?

Schafer sculpted this game into everything a brilliant game should be. Memorable in every way, intriguing characters, unique settings and a game that doesn't ever get boring.

Stop sitting around and buy it already

It’s on the Xbox Live Arcade and Steam, so there’s no excuse for you to not pick up this piece of gaming history. I just hope he creates something more along these lines with the follow up to Brutal Legend.

Tim Schafer. Outlandish Genius. Storytelling don. DUDE.

Good news, everyone!

I've been badgered by the Brap to post this up, as apparently it's a bigger deal than I thought.

Observant followers will notice I haven't posted for a while. This is due in part to me leaving good ol' Preston, to the "sunnier" climes of Liverpool. Why would I do such a thing? Well, I landed myself a nice new job with Sony. Playstation, to be precise. Some (such as Brap himself) have informed me that I'm living the dream, as I get paid to play games, which is precisely what I'd be doing anyway, just without the getting paid part.

It's definitely a great job, no denying. I'm getting an amazing insight into games development, as well as playing stuff before release ;)

Now as you'd expect, I'm under a very strict NDA (Non disclosure Agreement). I'm really not at liberty to tell you exactly how MoH stacks up against Black Ops, or If you should get PES instead of Fifa. Not at least until they're released. But I do know, and I'll be using this insight to see if games have changed from when I've played them, and if they've got better.

With that out of the bag, I'm going back to skulking and planning future features.
Happy gaming, everyone!