Temptation...

Normally I don't bother with special edition DVDs or games. The standard is more often than not good enough and fit for purpose, the purpose being to entertain of course.

However, when I bought Deus Ex last year I was pleasantly surprised by the small but nice artbook, tucked in next to the game disc in a stylish matt black case. Since then, I'm a bit more open to games with extras.

With Mass Effect 3 only months away from release, I'm tempted by what the collectors edition has to offer. Very expensive it is, but look at that 70 page hardcover artbook...

Journey of the Dovahkiin: using a dead man's house

Here's something strange. A dragon appeared. Well, that's not especially unusual in this game, except that it seems to happen a bit more often than I expected. Here's something stranger. Two of my encounters with the scaly beasts have been in Rorikstead, this little village of 4 houses huddled together.

Journey of the Dovahkiin: run like a pussy

My hardest fight so far took place while exploring this dungeon. When I say fight I meant "run away as fast as possible" since I came face to face with a Master Vampire, a foe which I'm sure I shouldn't be facing yet. From past experience playing other sandbox RPGs, the occasional unassailable enemy is to be expected.

Journey of the Dovahkiin: my first foray into Skyrim

It's settled. Skyrim ranks as one of the most open RPGs to ever grace my hard drive.

Not another RPG with complex character creation!

I thought I had put that life behind me. 2 hours spent just creating Shepard for Mass Effect, almost as long in Fallout 3. Now Christmas hits me with Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Oh, and Rage (thanks family!). 

I've been looking forward to this. Another incredibly meaty RPG to bury myself in, just as soon as I get time. For now, here's some inhabitants of Skyrim fighting over a cabbage. In French.

The problem of British pharmacy Part I

Something strange has happened to the life of the pharmacist. It constantly prodded away at my squidgy brain and only as a qualified pharmacist did I fully realise it. 

A whole cadre of ninjas and secret police scour the land, plying their unholy trade

One thing's for sure. The Daimyo of the Shimazu clan will not see heaven. 

My current Shogun 2 campaign is going terrifically well, my armies conquering their way across the land. In my first decent playthrough of the game (I got mauled at previous attempts, the AI is much improved in this new Total war), I've learned the value of alliances which can be vital if you want someone to watch your back when Realm Divide hits, where everyone else gangs up to kick your overpowering ass. Okay, the Takeda and Date got thrashed so maybe weren't the best allies, but I had the right idea.

Secondly, I'm making use of agents. A whole cadre of ninjas and secret police scour the land, plying their unholy trade. This is why my Daimyo will not see heaven. In the course of about 30 years, he's ordered countless assassinations and underhanded tasks. I've lost count of how many people I assassinated, and whole towns and armies have been bought over with Shimazu gold. Is it wrong to kill a monk? Two monks? Three? Four? How many more serene, wise and religious men must I kill?

Very powerful, these agents. Perhaps a a bit too powerful.