Finally!

Finally I got my hand on PSP Konami's Death Jr.! Just got it a few minutes ago from TNL Imbi Plaza, so not much time spend on the game yet. But I manage to come out with the review of the game already. Check it below.

Death Jr. is the long awaited PSP title from Konami and it's a platformer type of game. This game have a cute and cartoonish character. It's Mario with a scythe =P. The game have a nice graphic(for a handheld). The game's video is nice and also fully voice. You played as Death Jr. or they called him as DJ who happen to be the son of Death(Grim Reaper). I game was cheaper than I expected it would be and that's why I grab it straight away just now even that I really really broke for this month. Even that most of the review said bad things about this game and also give it just an average rating, but I think I'm going to love this one. Well, I don't really trust people's reviews anyway. Here are some rating this game get from internet gaming site.

Gamespot - 6.5 / 10
IGN - 7.0 / 10
GamePro - 2.5 / 5
GameDaily - 3 / 5
1UP - 6 / 10
Game Freaks 365 - 7.5 / 10

Well then, I guess I can give a full review of the game right now.

Death Jr.

The story of Death, Jr. is fairly simple. Death, Jr. and pals are at the museum for a fieldtrip. Pandora finds a box that she just can't resist opening. However, she tries and tries but can't get it open. DJ (aka Death, Jr.) uses his trust worth scythe to open it. Now he's gone and unleashed Menoch and he has taken the souls of DJ's friends! Now DJ needs to get those souls back and put Menoch back into that box before his dad finds out. I may have gotten the villains name wrong but oh well. The plot is along the lines of The Nightmare Before Christmas, being that it has a twisted sense of humor. The characters are neat and I think the creator just had funny (Stigmartha is great also and I love the scene of her hiding her eyes when her soul is taken). The plot isn't deep and never really goes anywhere but it's just fun and entertaining.

The graphics in the game are rather good. Enemies are a tad bland looking at a distance but up close, they look rather good. Fair amount of variation on them also. The levels are full of stuff and a lot of it can be destroyed and they want you to destroy it because you get more points, but more on that later. I really liked the designs of the characters. I never ran into any jaggies or anything like that, it all runs smoothly, looks smooth and is nicely detailed.

The sound in the game is a bit of a mixed bag. The weapons all sound good, and I just love the sounds of the hamsters as they run to just be blown up within seconds. Enemies let out different types of screams so it's varied there. The music is just wow...great! It's really good and it actually adds a bit of fun to the game. I really love the music for Seep's levels. The voice acting is a bit err..how should i said..not really that nice. Not great but it does work but a few voices were just really bad. All in all though it isn't that bad and it's nice to have voice acting, even if it isn't used all of the time.

Now for the control where people complaint most. Now, most complaints are based on the control in this game. Let me just state one thing quickly. The camera is horrible when you're doing bad run and gun. It's perfectly fine during scythe action. For some reason the targeting system goes haywire during the run and gun moments but it isn't that bit of a problem, except in hall ways and that’s only in the 3 school levels which isn't too bad. Of course the camera still isn’t perfect but it's more manageable when you know that. The L button centers the cam, it doesn't work well while having a gun out and you must tap to center because holding L goes into stand still look around mode, which is good for using the electric gun on power stuff. You jump with X, use scythe with square, circle is gun and triangle is dodge. It all works well. The R button is used for strafing which I found myself using a lot during the run and gun stuff but it also targets enemies for you.

The game play is a lot like that found in the Ratchet and Clank series. There are 17 levels in the game(I think). Not all have bosses. While I'm on the subject of bosses, let me tell you about them. They are large and provide a challenge until you figure out what to do. I found the later bosses to be rather hard, even when knowing what to do.

The enemies are rather varied. They attack in different ways and require different methods to be killed. Some are a pain, like the blue slug ones. The kamikaze ones are hard to fight because they run at you and instantly blow up. The larger enemies need to be taken out from a distance. I enjoyed scythe action over the run and gun game play but guns are needed in certain spots. Oh and the guns are fun. Some of them stink at first, like the shotgun, but after a while they each have their own purpose. I really liked the upgraded electric gun, great for combos.

On to the Power Ups. There is the Pandora icons which when you collect four adds an extra special attack thing. Just fill up the Pandora meter and it stocks an attack. You just hit circle and triangle together to use it, deals massive damage and slows down time. I rarely used it but it's neat. There are little heads of DJ which when you collect four give you more life. There are also weapon widgets which at first are used to buy new moves and then later sued to upgrade your weapons into even cooler machines of destruction. The widgets are a must find I found because it makes the larger swarms of enemies easier and the later bosses are a major pain.

The platformer moments in the game do provide a bit of challenge, due to the camera mainly. It does break up the action a little and keeps the game from getting dull. There isn't a ton of platforming though, but there is enough. Just think Ratchet and Clank, with less platforming and more melee fighting. I think the game like this will only last for 10 hours. There is plenty to do like find all of the power ups. After that, you can always replay the levels, which I actually did a few times. Another complaint is that the game does not give you a check list of the levels and how many power ups you have gotten. So, as a warning, make your own list when you get a report card and keep track. The game does deliver a lot of action and the levels are fairly long if you search them for everything.

My final rating for the game
Story - 8/10
Graphics - 8/10
Sound - 9/10
Control - 7/10
Game play - 9/10
Replay Value - 8/10

Final Score - 8/10

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OK, next best thing. I just own a new figure today..hehe. My first ever 20" Figure and also the most biggest figure I ever own for my collection. It's a figure of Legolas from The Lord of the Rings of course. This figure been manufacture by NECA and huge 20 inch tall. The figure comes with actual audio from the motion picture trilogy and it's has motion sensor so that when you walk in from of it, then it will start to talk. The figure are very detail and also come with some accessories which includes White Knife, Lorien Quiver w/ Knife Scabbards and Lorien Arrows. To tell the truth, I really have a problem when buying this one. I have a problem choosing either Legolas or Gandalf. But gandalf have a few accessories comes with it. So I decide to go with Legolas.

Mega Review!

Somebody keep asking me to do the review for all the PSP case and protector that I got. Well, since I been collecting most of PSP case just to find which is the best to protect my PSP. Currently I use MFOP to protect my PSP screen and also Capdase side protector to protect the two side(both button side) of my PSP.

Okay then, we start with the first case that I bought last time. Capdase Soft Jacket. I got this one from Play-Asia last time. Quite pricy for this type of protector. It come in white and black, and I got the white one. I just use it once since it make my PSP looks so ungly and also it look like I make the PSP like wearing a condom. =P Anyway, it cover the whole PSP including the small button but leave uncover all the eight main button. The screen and the UMD door at teh back been cover with a hard clear plastic which can be take out, and also they claim that this plastic cannot be break but i doubt it. Since mine one is white, so the dust been collect by it can easy been seen.

Capdase Soft Jacket rating - 2/5

Front Picture


Rear Picture

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Ok, on to the second case review. The PDAIR Leather Case. This case is the third best protector in my opinion so far. The protector protect the top and back of your PSP and it attach to the upper part of the a PSP using two small screw. The black leather can consider good but the sharp screw edge can ruin the leather bit by bit and will make leather looks ugly. This case can whole one UMD(which I didnt recommend since the slot is outside and you can easy drop your expensive UMD. The case also can hold two memory sticks at the back and it hold it quite well. The only problem I have with this case is that it produce some small white dust when it been use and the dust will be all over your PSP screen. But I came out with a solution for this problem by putting a micro cloth on the top of my PSP.

PDAIR Leather Case rating - 3/5

View from outside


View from inside

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Third one would be my favourite case of all, Logitech PlayGear Pocket. This is my first Logitech's PSP Product that I own. This case protects the screen of the PSP from scratches, impacts and other knocks thanks to its clear polycarbonate shell. The shell itself is virtually indestructible, and can withstand collisions and drops without rattling the unit inside. The PSP is cushioned in the soft black rubber, which doesn’t prevent any aspect of play, but you still need to take out your PSP out from the case when you want to change your UMD. When close the case shell you still be able to have access to every jack and switch on the PSP thanks to the access ports molded around the console. This features are great but the dust still can slip inside through this holes. The case also can act as a stand so you can watch movie hand free. You can also customize your own skin on the shell case. Like what I did to mine one over here.

Try here for PlayGear skins. Thanks to Official Playstation Forum



Once enclosed, the case provides the PSP with some extra weight and it's feel much heavier. The clear polycarbonate shell outside really easy to get scratch also after some heavy use but it's better to get scratches on the case rather on your expensive PSP and also that is why we are using the case right, to protect the PSP. The PlayGear Pocket gives you exactly the kind of protection you need. I really recommend this as a worthwhile investment for your PSP. Really is a great protector.





Logitech PlayGear Pocket rating - 4.5/5
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Next one will be Portable Pouch Style manufacture by Hori. This is more to the carrying bag than a protector case. This bag comes in two color sand beige(which the one I got) and ash black. I got this bag from Play-Asia since local game shop didn't bring this bag in. Currently I'm using this bag to carry my PSP around. Yes, PlayGear Pocket is my favourite case of all but it's big and heavy make it hard to carry around. I use this bag to carry my PSP around most of the time. The bag can hold two memory stick and also six UMD but I recommend to fit in with 4 or if can just two UMD to avoid any scratches. Tou keep all the accessories inside the bag and put your PSP outside. Which I don't really prefer putting the PSP where is suspose to be put course the some part of your PSP still expose outside and you might scratch it when you put your PSP in your backpack or even in your pocket. So, most of the time(I mean everytime) I just keep my PSP inside the bag(place where you should keep all your UMD and accessories). This is much safer and you can avoid any scratch. Scratches really is my enemy when handling with PSP! and not to forget dust too. The material use to make this bag are quite good and strong. You can hang this bag almost everywhere on you body and your backpack. It comes with a steel hanger so you can hang it at your backpack or at youe belt. Also you can strap it to your backpack. Highly recommend after Logitech PlayGear Pocket.

Hori Portable Pouch Style rating - 4/5


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This is the screen Protector I'm currently using. Martin Fields Overlay Plus screen protector or just MFOP. The best PSP screen protector available out there.


And this is my UMD pouch also manufacture by Hori. It look almost the same as a pouch for carrying minidisc. It can hold up to six UMD inside and also two memory sticks.

Another day at Silent Hill.

Well, not really Konami's Silent Hill Series where you trying to escape from the freak-fill town, but the very bad hazy day in KL and Selangor areas. The haze are worst near my workplace as the vision getting worst and I think right now it's already lesser than 1km vision. Everybody start to wear mask again now since the air are pretty bad and smelly. It's getting worst since there is no rain(well just a little then totaly stop) and also the wind direction will stay like this and most probaly till October!

The lastest picture taken today. Even more worst today.


Picture of the haze first few days.


And this is the normal view picture. Now you can see how bad the haze is! >:(


Well, there are still some good news also. First of all I'm going to get 1gb memmory stick(if can SONY one) for my PSP real soon and also I just got my hand on Logitech Playgear Amp yesterday. YES!. I manage to pull out this short review for the speaker as I didn't test it much just yet. Got it from Sg. Wang yesterday. Quite pricy for this size and type of speaker but since I trust the quality of Logitech for their computer product(and also their PSP Playgear Pocket case) I don't really mind about the price. It pack in a nice box and inside comes with the logitech playgear amp speaker which you can fold it when you want to keep it in the bag(yes, it comes with a soft bag), AC cable, 2 cable to connect to your PSP(1 long and 1 short) and also of course the carrying bag(which can only fit the speaker and not your PSP). Well, not to forget it's manual which is kindda useless. You can setup the speaker in less than a minute and even open the manual. That easy. It's a nice looking speaker for the PSP so far and also does look like the PSP itself meaning this little speaker also in shiny black colour and also will collect your fingerprints. The speaker are powered by either AC cable or 4 AAA batteries. I still prefer using the AC cable than using the batteries since I dont think I be bringing this speaker outside even that it can be fold to make it smaller size.

For the good side of the speaker - The sound of this little speaker really suprise me when the first time I switch it on. It produce a really nice sound for it's size. Of course you didn't hear much of all the bass but it do it's job well. But so far I just try the speaker with some of my MP3s and MP4s inside my PSP and haven't yet to try it with UMD movie and games. Going to to do later or maybe this weekends. The PSP never sound better with Playgear Amp.

And for the bad side - I really hope that this speaker can also charge my PSP while I'm listening to the music or watching movie, but sadly it can't and meaning more cable needed for the charger while you use it. The AC cable only to power up the speaker and not for your PSP also. The power and volume button are at the top of the speaker which make it hard to reach after you sit your PSP on it. About the bag, well if you want to travel and it along with you then you need one more extra bag for the Amp since your PSP cannot fit in the Amp bag no matter how you arrange inside it. If you bring large luggage then its ok, if not leave this thing at home and bring along your PSP.

If you can ignore the bad things about Playgear Amp, then this speaker is perfect for you.

The whole package


Front view


Rear view

Day at Pikom PC Fair - August 7 2005

It's friday, and I was at new Pikom PC Fair today for the first time. Why first time I say? Well, this is the first PC Fair been held at the new Kuala Lumpur Convention Center near to Petronas Twin Tower itself. It's a stylish and a very very nice place too. Did I say how BIG the place is just now? Not yet? Well, I guess I just said it now then. I was a very big place and have a big hall for the fair which I can c double of the participant this time around(More booth babes too =P). Got my new Aztech ADSL Wireless modem from there too, even that I was planning to get Canon IP3000 Printer from the beginning, but since that I cannot get a good price for it, I go with this modem instead. Better than going back home empty handed with all the mess inside that fair.

Well, enough about all the nice thing about the fair. Now for all the bad things! I don't know what other people think about this PC Fair been held at the new KLCC there but to me it such a very bad IDEA! Yea yea the place is new, high class, big and all, but what with the tight security? The security there even more worst than the one inside Suria KLCC itself? What they affair of anyway? Scared people go there steal something? Scared they bring in bomd? Or maybe they also scared we go and steal their fish at the Aquaria there(which i can't even see anything about that Aquaria). I been to the fair on Friday and feel lucky I been there today after I look at all the crowd(cause firstly I was planning to go there on Saturday). I was already crowded even on the first day. Can't imagine how bad the crowd is on Saturday and Sunday but all that I hear is that KLCC Putra LRT was so pack on weekends! It was so crowded in there until you can even see things in the fair. Well, I still prefer they held this event at PWTC since it less mess. Suria KLCC parking was full on last friday and that also is the first time I saw KLCC parking FULL! If there still organize this event there at the KLCC, then I have to go there on Friday again and better avoind weekends! I'm going to buy a headache than buying a PC stuff in there if I'm not! =P

Receive my Taiko no Tatsujin Portable on the hazy day

Woo hoo, guess what! I just receive my order of Taiko no Tasujin Portable(Taiko Drum Master Portable from Namco) from Play-Asia just now. Try it out a bit and oh boy the game really is FUN! Not sure about everyone else think about this game just bashing the drum, but it sure is nice to me since I really a fan to a music type of game. Well, I got the Asian version(Region 3) of the game since the Japanese version have out yet and it also slightly cheaper. Manual of the game are in mandarin and also a bit english. About 90% Mandarin and 10% English. The game are fully and I mean 100% in Japanese. From the main menu to the game all in Japanese. But dont be afraid if you can't read Japanese, because you still able to play since it's very easy to pick up type of game. You only need to press two button to play the game(R or L button to hit the outer drum(blue note) and the symbol buttons to hit the inside drum(red note)), so even if you are totaly blind to Japanese words, you will still be able to play the game. Theres only 3 english songs inside which is "We will rock you", I'm a slave for u" and "Truth". There is a total of 34 songs inside and my guess there are still much more to be unlock. Five song categories in there, J-POP, Anime, Variety, Classic and Original. This include ridge racer theme inside. Everything else inside the game are exactly the same as it's PS2 brother. Only one new stuff been add in the PSP version and that is the swing the bell then you play the song for extra bonus. You use your PSP analog to swing the bell. There are some fun mini games also inside which is totally new from the PS2 version. I only try out one of them which is similar to 'simon said' style. This one is really fun as the music getting faster as you play through and you need to press more buttons. Well, thats it I can tell about the game right now.

It comes with two manual Mandarin and English, but the english manual is not in detail.

The back of the case showing all the songs.


Well then, this will be the ninth PSP's games in my collection so far.
- Ridge Racer (Region2)
- Lumines
- Metal Gear Ac!d
- Wipeout Pure
- Hot Shot Golf
- Namco Museum Collection (Region2)
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour (Region3)
- Coded Arms (Region3)
- Taiko no Tatsujin Portable (Region3)

It's the second day today, KL and Selangor areas still have this very bad haze. My working area at Subang are more cloudy then KL since it's more nearer to the source(Cyberjaya). The air smell and the vision are very very bad. There been some rain this early morning and also just now around 3pm. But it didnt make the haze go away since the rain didn't last that long.

I can't see a THING!

Lazy Weekends and KLCC PSP Wifi Battle Fiesta

It's Monday again and Damn I really hate Monday! More work! It's also been a lazy weekends as I didn't do anything much. I been going around almost everywhere just to find a good wifi hotspot spot. KLCC starbucks wifi seems to have a unstable wifi connection as it always lost connection while you're browsing. Guess too many people are using the wifi at the same time over there since it always crowded at that place.

Sunday July 31 2005, we do our third or fourth, as me also not sure how many times we already done the PSP gathering. =P Sorry about that, but it's not important anyway. This time the gathering are been held at Suria KLCC Starbucks. Very crowded place on weekends I might add =P. Many of the PSP original community show up yesterday and I been a great meet up, and fun too. I only play Hot Shot Golf on the meet up even that I also bring along another three games(Coded Arms, Wipeout Pure(firstly was thinking to update this game, but with the wifi problem then cancel it), and Lumines). It was really really fun to play HSG wifi along with 4 more people yesterday. Didnt manage to try until 8 players but even with just 5 peoples HSG tournament, its already damn FUN. I definitely wanna play it again on the next meet up. It always fun to play games with your friends rather than just you play it alone, dull at home(which is very sadly that I cant really meet up with people to play together most of the time). Anyway, here the list of people who show up yesterday:-

- ninja
- nairud
- disket
- triple02
- redbull_y2k
- ana
- fe2ris
- raoul
- pyanz
- xenofreak
- evoHahn
- iluvchickenrice
- ME!

I hope i got everyone on the list. To bad xenofreak was late yesterday, if not we can make it six people HSG tournament. Well, at least I win one of the tournament and manage to pull out some chip in hole out.

For my Solo of HSG, yesterday night I manage to collect all of the character in the game and receive another medal of doing it. Still got lots of things to collect and done for this game. I still waiting for Playgear Amp to arrive at the local store as I was thinking its not really worth it to order it online. RM300 for just a speaker is too expensive for me, and also since August I need to get two games for my PSP I need to save more than spend it on other things. This month I'm getting Death Jr. and also Taiko Drum Master Japan version(should be another 5 days from today....can't wait!).

Picture of the yesterday gathering(picture courtesy of Raoul from PSPfans.net)