Something about Nerf...

I seem to be having a habit of only posting at the end of my holidays... So anyways, back to what I was about to post, its a review of the Nerf Stryfe. I don't usually do reviews on NERF blasters but I felt like doing one after having fully tested this during a short NERF war I had with my cousins and all. Alright, let's cut to the review, Begin!

This is pretty much what you get after purchasing the product, the blaster, a six dart clip and six elite darts (not shown in the photo).

The included 6 dart clip, one side is clear helps you easily count the amount of darts in the clip.

I would highly recommend getting the 18 dart clip to expand on the blaster's dart capacity. The main reason being for a semi-auto blaster, it runs out of ammo really quickly and using the included 6 dart clip will have you reloading too often, it quite expensive in Malaysia, RM 39.99.

After putting on tactical stuff, this actually my loadout when I tested it, the front grip was not only for looks but holding the Stryfe without the front grip was actually quite awkward because the front was too short to fully grip, so adding the grip made it more comfortable to hold, the stock is pretty much for show, cause the blaster looks weird without it, but it is also quite comfortable to use.

To operate it, you need 4 AA batteries, and it is impossible to fire without them. I'm not promoting Panasonic or anything, but I was trying out those batteries for the Stryfe to see how they hold up.

Now, you could use it just like this, but I always like holding the Stryfe or even a Maverick with both hands.

The blaster with the 35 drum magazine, I wish I used this during the war but there is another war coming up, so I could test this there then. It is awkward to hold with the front grip if you are right-handed, so it is recommended to use it without the grip.

Like so, but I will update this later on after field testing, I feel just playing around with it doesn't give and all round feel of the blaster.

Now, the verdict, as for how easy it is to use, it is very easy to operate, just pull the acceleration trigger and shoot away. However, this blaster does have a few reliability issues, it jams when you pull the trigger too slowly or the darts will slowly get through the flywheels then fire away, kind of like a delayed dart fire. I'm not sure whether this happens only for the blaster I purchased or if all the Stryfes are like this, but not instantly firing the dart when I want it to can prove to be problematic. It always happens when someone rushes me when I'm already slowly pulling the trigger. When you operate it on slighty less fresh batteries the blaster jams all together, removing the jam is actually quite simple, but the jams can be very annoying. I found to remove the jam, you simply pull the clip out and the dart will be bent upwards, remove the dart and put the clip back in, this is what usually happens to me. In terms of range, it shoots so much further than the previous N-Strike series of blasters. So nothing much to say about that, it is also fairly accurate, as accurate as the darts are that is. Now for a flywheel blaster, its is quite pricey for what they give just a blaster and a six dart clip, so I wouldn't really recommend it but it is a good blaster. 8 out of 10, end of review!!

Farid 

Upcoming Pokemon Game?

As you all might have heard, if you are a big Pokemon fan whether you have just joined the party or have been with it since the beginning of the franchise, a new Pokemon game is on its way in maybe October (if my sources are correct). I have always been a fan of Pokemon, but what I like the most in the game are the Pokemon themselves. I have never really played Pokemon for the story, or the gameplay, but what I aim the for in almost every game I play is just to get my team together, and well, battle. Well, back to the main topic.

(Above) The titles for both upcoming versions.

The upcoming Pokemon games will be named Pokemon X and Pokemon Y. I watched a few videos on Youtube explaining why such names were picked for the game, and they were explaining that it might have to do with the genes of a pokemon, well something like that, I didn't really pay attention to the video as I was doing something else while listening to the video in the background. But some of the major changes they made for this upcoming game is the full 3-D environments, not from a birds eye view (or angled birds eye view in the newer games). And also, maybe the most interesting factor is the 3-D sprites for the Pokemon battle scenes, not like the sprites in Pokemon Black or White but full 3-D rendered Pokemon models. 

It's nice to see these changes, as I think Nintendo is trying to appeal to the new generation of gamers (or whatever you call them), whom mostly seem to focus a lot on the graphical aspects of games rather than good, fluid gameplay or an intriguing storyline which brings me back to this Pokemon game. Aside from the changes to its graphical aspects, I would have preferred some improvements in the main story of the game. So far the story for almost each Pokemon game has been that you start in a town, you are given your first Pokemon by a Professor (although reaching this point of the game did change a little), and you set out on your quest to become the best Pokemon trainer, and lastly some team will show up in between and bring the world to chaos (and you stop them).

(Above) The 3 new starters, so far I'm okay with the design for the grass and fire starter, but I guess the design for the water starter is something I will have to grow to love or except.

Something I would have liked is making how you get your first Pokemon different, like have a scene from your childhood play and show you playing in the grass and you meet a Pokemon whom you befriend and it becomes your starter, you know just to change things up a bit. And in terms of realism, since the Pokemon are supposed to be the animals in the world, then let random weather changes happen and affect the Pokemon that you find in the wild, or migrations of Pokemon due to seasons affect finding a lot of a certain type of Pokemon or completely none of the kind during the migration. I know all these changes might be a bit weird, but it adds to the fun of trying to 'catch em all', if you catch my drift.

But, all those put aside, I'm happy that a new Pokemon game is coming out. I never finished Black or White, hardly played it even cause of a few factors, some being because of the design of the new Pokemon and also because I didn't really have the time, it was the peak of my gundam building phase too! Hahahaha! And lastly before I end this post of mine, they new game is of course coming out for the Nintendo 3DS. It's about time they release a Pokemon title for the 3DS, I was beginning to think it was forgotten, so those who have yet to have a 3DS wil have to buy one (I'm saving up for a 3DS XL), and since it is the 3DS you will be able to enjoy Pokemon in full 3-D!!! Not that I'm very keen on doing that its just something some people like and some people leave all together.





Farid

PS : For the gamers who feel offended, don't be its completely normal for people to enjoy different things in life, I, PERSONALLY (see what I did there), prefer good fluid gameplay over graphics, but its when games deliver both and more that make them so much more enjoyable.

The GM!!

Had quite a busy month, but still managed to get some work done. This model is one of the few models that I have been wanting to post for a long time. Now feast your eyes on the POWERFUL, MIGHTY, AND!!! humble RGM-79 GM... Ok, its not mighty or powerful, just a mass produced unit for the One Year War. Although they had better maneuverability in space, the GM were basically Zaku feed when it fought them on land. However, it is a nice units, I have always liked the mass amounts of variants this mobile suit produced. Also, it seems I have always had a liking for mass produced units, another example of such units is the Battle Droid from the Star Wars Prequel. You know, the "Roger, roger!" droids.

(Above) The "Roger, roge- I mean Star Wars Battle Droids.

Anyways, back to the GM!! I finished the GM quite a while ago, and I was actually saving some parts to put decals on them, but then since it was taking forever to have enough time for such a feat, I decided to just finish off whatever remained (basically nothing to finish, just a little panel line here and there) and took a few shots to post.

(Above) Gee-Emm!!!

(Above) The arm joint allows for very good articulation, exactly like the RX-78-2!

(Above) Also just like the RX-78-2, I panel-lined the inner side of the shield, looks better that way.

(Above) Also very nice detail for the sensors (eyes). Enjoyed panel-lining it.

(Above) I've also always like the hands for this model and the RX-78-2, nice and solid hands, but of course the newer models have a more stream-lined design, so their hands are small and, well, stream-lined.

Well, that's pretty much it for this model. Like the RX-78-2, a very solid model, they don't feel all light a hollow inside as compared to a few others. I wanted to show it with the Bazooka as well, but somehow I had broken a small part of it, so after repairs might just update this post. Also, a few new models were added to my collection :

(Above) The new RG Mk-II! Have always been eyeing this model, and at last! Was given to me as a present!

(Above) And last but not least, Command Gundam. I like the military look of this gundam, and the fact it has cool missile launchers!

Well, that sums pretty much what I went through this busy week, lots of assignments, lab reports, and all that kind of stuff, but managed to find a little time to update my blog. Another reason for the long period of no posting is because as I was checking my blog about 2 weeks ago, there was malware detected on my blog! So after reading through a few articles and also a post from a blog called Aw-Snap, managed to get rid of the malware. It was a picture. And to keep my blog from getting anymore malware of any sort, I had Jemmy (Gee-Emm-mee) here keep things in check :

Look at him, all ready to stop anymore malware from getting on my blog (or whatever the term you use, not so sure...) anyways, love ya Jemmy, and keep up the good work!

Farid

Recognition

There are many things in the world we live in today that have received recognition for achieving certain things, like games achieving best of the year because it is well received by the gamers. However, there is this one stall, ONE STALL in Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (Jalan TAR for short) which seriously needs recognition. Some might think, "What stall is this Farid, what so good about it?" Well let me tell you, sheesh... It has a little story to it as well. Here goes.

I went out with my mom, aunt and 2 sisters, cause one of them were preparing for their wedding. So, as we went from shop after shop after shop, me and my other sis (the one not getting married) were really tired. How my mom, aunt and other sis were keeping up and not getting tired was amazing to me. So outside this one shop, there were chairs conveniently arranged near the entrance. Me and sis were like "Hey, chairs!" So, we sat down and as we felt our feet sigh in relief, an indian guy (not being racist, just pointing out the dude was indian, and I'm thankful we found the dude in the first place) came to us and asked us. I'll just put the whole dialogue down here for you.

Dude : Milk?
Me and Sister : *stares and nods*
Dude : Agar -agar?
Me and Sister : *stares and nods*

Then as the guy leaves, my sis asked me "What did he say?" I replied "I think he asked whether we wanted milk..." She then asked "Agar - agar?" Then, the truth came to us, the chairs were laid out for customers of their stall. And also for those of you who don't know, "agar - agar" is jelly. So, we sat there, and then I guess a common thought came to us, a cup of milk is not too much to pay for a seat. And then, the dude came back and brought a mug of milk with mixed bits of agar - agar in it. And I say, Wallahi (say this the way Omar Regan says it), I say, the milk served was the best I had ever tasted in my life!  And as I took the first sip, a feeling of bliss came over me. I didn't even know how long I sat there. Nah, just kidding but I was really nice, and the bliss part was true as well. I then asked my sis to try it, and she agreed it was as nice as I said it was. As we were still sitting there, my mom, aunt and sis left the shop and told us it was time to move on to the next shop. We replied "Drinking milk here." As my sis pointed to the mug and made a 'sheesh' kind of expression on her face... don't really know how to explain it. My sis paid for it though, cause I didn't have small change at the time, RM 2 for that deliciously awesome mug of milk and agar - agar.

The milk without the agar - agar.

The milk with the agar - agar, you can see the bits of pieces in there.

Well, that's all, just wanting to point out this particular stall to some of you people out there. The stall also sells milk without the agar - agar and "bubur kacang" which is green bean porridge (a direct translation). That's all not too much for today, and also still nothing new in my gunpla building, but hey, this was worth mentioning.





Farid

Personal Opinion for...

Hawken!!! This is kinda new for my blog, but ever since I had got a new computer, there were so many games I wanted to try out, one of them being Hawken, a currently in open beta first-person mech shooter. A little back story. As you know of how much I like Gundam models, you could say I have the same liking towards Mecha or robots and that kind of stuff. And since I had played Virtual On : Operation Moon Gate or Armored Core, there had never been very good Mech games on the PC. I knew about Mech Warrior, but it did not seem as appealing because I was more for futuristic and cool looking robots compared to the realistic kind (Armored Core runs a very fine line between both).

Though this is just my personal liking, I wanted a Mech game on the PC. Armored Core was sadly a console exclusive, and team that made Virtual On had stopped continuing the series so nothing exceptional came to the PC other than other first-person shooters.

So when a friend of mine showed me the link to the in-progress video of this game called Hawken, I was intrigued, and also I liked how the game gave you that bulky feeling.



(Above) The footage that told me I wanted to try this game!!

 Another reason I had quite a little more faith with the game was because I watched a video of in interview between Angry Joe and the creative director Khang Lee. And he mentioned one of the games they based Hawken on was Virtual On. I was excited, cause the game would be something of it.

So, what did I think of the game? It might be early for a complete review, since its still in the beta, but I can say this, the game is a first-person shooter, its online, and it plays completely different than your average first-person shooter. They really give you the feel of how heavy the mech is, but at the same time, you are allowed to quickly slide left and right to avoid attacks or rush to cover. Is this game a fast paced game? Quite fast actually, but at the same time lies in between that and strategical approach, which I will explain below. In my personal opinion, the fastest paced mech game would be Virtual On : Oratorio Tangram. The pace of Armored Core depended on the player, meaning if you know Armored Core well it is possible to obtain fast-paced gameplay.

One of the major differences I discovered, mostly the hard way (by getting killed in game of course) is it pulls away from personal expertise quite a lot. To explain myself, I played other games like Blackshot and Blacklight : Retribution, also spent a little time on Call of Duty MW3 and Battlefield 3, and in each game, you are capable, and its not impossible, to kill maybe a group of 3 or maybe 4, some really good players can maybe take out a group of 6 (with a grenade) single handed. I did manage it too, for example, 3 enemies in a room, I rush in and with a little luck (headshots) and well placed aim, you can take all 3 of them out before they can fully retaliate. But in Hawken, this is impossible.

There is no way, you can rush in, BY YOURSELF (meaning your allies are some where else) and kill all 3 (or 6) of them. Reason why, there is no instant kill from one source, meaning a group have to fire at the same target and hit to get that almost instant death, and it takes a lot of bullets and hits to actually kill another player in the game. I'm talking about team battles, not a Deathmatch. One of the only ways is that you are either really good, or they other team is really bad. In Hawken, a Grenade or a Tow Missile can, at maximum take away half of your hit points.

Another big difference in Hawken is that in fire fights, everyone is moving around, jumping, sliding in and out of cover, so actually hitting them completely for a whole 10 seconds is very hard, if not extremely HARD. And you can't sneak behind some poor guy and do a backstab instant kill. In some cases, you might end up getting killed even though you attacked first. This is also one of the only games where it is possible to have not died at all in a single match (this achieved not by hiding in your base, but even if you take part in encounters and fire fights) cause you can repair yourself, which at the same time leaves you vulnerable.

So, in most ways, Hawken is no where near your average first-person shooter. But on of the good things about this kind of play is it really encourages teams to stick together. The very reason a team can win is also mostly because they stick together, and gang up on lone enemies, which if happens to you, have almost zero chance of survival.

So, if you are used to the fact that it is possible to kill a group of people by yourself, you might want to change your mindset a little when trying out Hawken. Also bare in mind that there's no real telling you that you are hitting the enemy other than seeing their life decrease.

(Above) Just some screenshots of the game in its, if I'm not mistaken 2nd Beta. Had quite a lot of fun playing, but didn't focus on it too much.

Did I like playing Hawken? Yes, I did. I finally had the PC based Mech game and also it was pretty fast paced. One of the few things I didn't like is some of the designs of the Mechs made available, and also that most weapons are pretty limited, but its in beta, so all this might change. But so sum it all up, its something new which should be tried out, no questions about that.





Farid

What I should have Posted a long time ago...

If you had noticed, I never really posted about how I finished some of the SD soldiers in the picture at the right corner of my blog. The fact is, I actually had forgotten to blog about this specific soldier because I had tried a lot of new things, well I consider them to be a lot at least. Some of the new things which I had tried was, my first fully painted model, this was before my Heavyarms, if I'm not mistaken I did this either early this year, in January or last year. Secondly was adding extra panel-lines to the model, I had never really changed much on a model before other than sanding it or painting certain parts.

But anyways, lets jump to the model, I initially started looking for this particular model after spotting the different looking Military Unit at a shop in Sungai Wang, KL. So, when I went back home, I attempted to find it only because it was different. So after looking around for a while, I found out that this model could only be obtained by buying the individual Military Unit packs, so after looking around for, and trying my best to see whether the model inside the plastic was different, I bought 1, my bro bought 1. And the very reason I started fully painting a model was because I had to for this one, in the pictures below you can see that it is originally red in colour.

I started off my painting a base colour of white on the face, ribbon and legs. But I later decided that they would be grey, to make them, darker than the standard Military Unit, and also just to show that these guys are the bad guys. I had also etched onto the forehead and sanded it flat. I tried my best to make it look like the original picture of it in the anime. Quite a rough job, my first time anyways.

Just a comparison between mine and my bro's, mine was red, my bro's was orange, as show in the pic above. And you can see the pencil drawing on where to etch the panel-lines on the forehead. You can also clearly see on the orange one, the forehead looks different.

The arm, or arms, were quite a pain to paint, cause they had at white colour in the joint area, which so happens to be one of the smallest and hardest to reach areas of my paint brush, but managed to pull it off, with a lot of re-painting.

The base colours are painted on, and as you can see, with much spill over.

Painted on the green colour for the main body colour. This did not need a base coat, cause I was pretty sure the dark green would stick well to the plastic, also, the whole model it red anyways. Thankfully, I did not need to mix and paints for this colour, it was readily available.

The above images were after some initial paint-overs and some minor panel-lining to the head area. You can see the gold which I painted on, and how messy of a job I did on the first few coats of paint on. You can also see the grey colour I painted on the the legs and face area. The ribbon, however, I maintained pure flat white.

After a lot of cleaning up, and some finishing touches to the body area, and panel-lining, the body was finally finished, but the eye visor and eye had yet to be painted. At that time, I was still thinking of what colour to paint the eye, I was thinking of a light yellow, bright red and light pink. But I went with light pink cause that was how it was in the anime.

And this is the final product for the main body and head, they're pretty much the same part anyway. I painted the visor glossy black to give it a shiny look. And you can see how rough my painting was.

A comparison between my bro's Military Unit and my almost finished model. I was going to use my Military Units, but they were quite messy, so I went with my bro's much cleaner models.

The finished model with my bro's finished model. The arms took quite a while to paint and clean up because of how small they the grey areas and the hands were.

And at last the model was finished!! Took me a while for the entire model to be completed but in the end I was quite worth the time. However, this was one of my roughly painted models, look at the texture on some of the area, you can clearly see how I didn't mix enough thinner into the paint to give it a smooth texture. Nevertheless, a great piece I added to my collection. I should have posted you on my blog earlier, forgive me model...

Farid