So I've decided to retire the Heller's Desk segment, mainly due to the fact I was getting hard pressed to find good desk pics! So welcome to Heller's Den, a chance for me to throw out what I've been researching, playing and looking forward to.
As many of you will know, Batman Arkham Asylum is the hot topic right now, and rightly so! It's a fantastic game and I'm only a few hours into it!. Tano is busy working on the featured review, but until then, why not check out Batman's Greatest Gaming Moments.
While I wait patiently for Uncharted 2 to be released for the PS3 I've started to play Killzone 2 online quite a bit recently. It's a little harder than your average shooter, but it is so in-depth and is a great change of pace!
On the Wii front I've been getting into a lot of Wii Sports Resort, The Conduit, Punch Out!! and I've been getting back into some Grand Slam Tennis which is great fun for local multiplayer!
So we have a huge few months coming up, with such games as Modern Warfare 2, Scribblenaughts, Guitar Hero 5, Rock Band Beatles the list is growing every day!
What are you guys and girls looking forward to playing?
04/09/2009
The Playstation 3 has been the sleeping giant of the current console war since its release in 2006, boasting features missing from other consoles, yet failing to really deliver games that made it stand on it's own aside from the Xbox 360.
Early titles Heavenly Sword and Uncharted: Drakes Fortune really set the bar high for what the Playstation 3 was capable of, what it was going to bring to us in the future, but the issue is that the time between these unique titles has been too long.
The end of 2008 saw the release of LittleBigPlanet and Resistance 2, both extremely high profile, large budget, and impressive exclusives for the console. Both games received praise, and both games have launched momentum for the PS3 to reach for the stars and really dominate 2009.
Followed up by the massive Killzone 2, which has truly raised the bar for what gamers can expect from their home consoles, and FPS in general, question is can Sony continue this momentum of top notch titles and continue to dominate in 2009?
With inFamous, MAG, Uncharted 2 and God of War III all slated for release this year, one would imagine this is going to be a huge year for Sony Playstation 3 owners.
Problem is that if the Playstation 3 faces another wishy washy year it could be over. The Xbox 360 has dominated the hardcore gamers collection for long enough now, and getting towards the end of the consoles lifespan, chances are Microsoft are going to be announcing a new console in the next year or so, which could see a decline in PS3 sales.
Will 2009 be the big year that Sony needs to propel it's console to greatness? What are your thoughts on the subject?
28/04/2009
Back once again for an action packed, rant filled Heller's Desk this week with lots of events, gaming and non gaming related taking up my time and space.
First item was going to see The Watchmen at the movies. A fantastic movie based on a fantastic graphic novel. A lot of people have been waiting a long time for this movie, and I'll be the first to say I hope it doesn't let you down. Truly great film and well worth checking out if you have some spare cash. Our very own Mordillo92 has done a nice blog which can explain a little about what The Watchmen is all about over here
Killzone 2 is still spinning in my PS3 and has me blasting the Helghast for the third time round the single player campaign, and wasting countless hours online. This is seriously one mammoth title, and regardless of your pre-concieved ideas based on hearsay, please do yourself a favour PS3 owners, this is the flagship title we have all been waiting for. Featured review can be found over here
Tano and I have been working hard, very hard on the fifth episode of The Voice for our listening fans. It seems gremlins are at bay and just don't want this podcast to go ahead. First time we tried to record it, the earthquake happened and Tano's power went out for hours. Then last night we got half way through and the computer system chucked a fit and stopped recording and deleted everything we had done. The final attempt will be tonight when we get it in the bag and up for your listening pleasure! It's a big show this week so make sure you give it a listen!
No time to slow down though, Resident Evil 5 is here and even though I've had it for a few days I've still yet to really get into it. The visuals are outstanding, and once again Capcom deliver a first rate experience. Expect Tano to deliver an excellent Featured Review very soon!
MadWorld is about to drop for the Nintendo Wii which is very exciting. This is shaping up to be one of my most hotly anticipated titles of 2009. I love the visual presentation and the fact that it's a mature game, for real gamers, something that us Wii owners have been CRAVING!
But I've also managed to find some time for a personal life these past few weeks. Soundwave Festival was attended and rocked out to! I also have been recording some solo work for an EP that I will be releasing April this year which is very exciting. Into the studio in two weeks to layout the six tracks and then it's off to Myspace to try and book some gigs and sell off some copies. To top off all this excitement Hellerphant finally found himself a Girlfriend (Ally-Gator), that's right fans, I convinced some poor girl I wasn't too bad! Crazy I know!
So until next week let me know what games you are looking forward to, what you have been playing! Also Twitter fans, start following me (username hellerphant). I release all the mymedia reviews and important stories on there as soon as they break :)
12/03/2009
Killzone 2
That is all
25/02/2009
Sorry for the lack of a blog last week fight fans but I was pretty flat out working on the exciting new MyFrag website! That's right it's live and it totally kicks ass! Check it out for all your PC/Mac/Linux/Gaming needs, with lots of cool features on the way. Right now I'm working on updating the downloads section of the site, with links to the latest patches for your favourite games!
Skate 2 is still running through my Xbox 360 right now, it's such an organic and living breathing game, it is still blowing my mind. If you haven't made the kickflip of faith yet, check out our full reveiewover here
Burnout Paradise drops into sixth gear this week as we see the launch of The Ultimate Box for the PS3 and Xbox 360 and PC! The Ultimate Box includes the Cagney and Bikes updates that have already been released for free to console goers, and also includes the new Party Pack. Fear not those of you who already have the game, the party pack will be available as DLC from your respective online service, but you will have to pay this time!
My Nintendo DS is getting a work out as I pick up an older game, Yoshi's Island DS. Fantastic little game, don't let the cutesy artwork fool you, it's a deep platformer and is a lot of fun!
Killzone 2 is just around the corner, and the hype is building beyond anything I could possibly imagine. Who is excited for this? Tell me what's been going on for you!
05/02/2009
Fighting The Good Fight
Season 1
Episode 2a: Public Service Announcement
Written By Gaetano Prestia
Directed By Stephen Heller
Cameraman - Laura Heller
Starring Stephen Heller as Justin Potter
04/02/2009
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the year that is 2009! I trust you have all had a great Christmas and New Years, full of food, family, and hopefully you all got the games you were hoping for.
So what is currently sitting on Heller's Desk for the first week of 2009? Nintendo WiFi ISSUES! Animal Crossing - Let's Go To The City has made its way across my desk this week, and to tell you the truth I'm a little addicted. I find myself picking it up at least once a day for about 30 mins, which is about all you need to be content with this title. I never played the DS or GC versions, so I'm not experience the monsoon of nostalgia (or the hit of "this is EXACTLY the same") that some users are experiencing. WHAT I AM seeing is a multitude of Nintendo WFC issues with this title. Continual dropouts have been occurring, and it seems that everyone is plagued with the issue. Online is what makes this game fun! Nintendo need to seriously work this out! Otherwise I'd give this game a big thumbs up!
Dead Space is still loading off my Xbox Hard-Drive and I am absolutely loving it! Games don't scare me, and movies very rarely scare me, but I am crapping my proverbial pants when I play Dead Space! I've never played a game that catches the atmosphere as well as EA's new title. The lighting, the shadows and the stellar sound all add to the scariest experience I've ever had in an interactive medium EVER!
Wario: The Shake Dimension also is sitting on my desk. MyWii has had a feature review of this game for a while, and I gotta say I'm impressed. If you are a fan of the old school platformers, and want to see top notch graphical presentation with a WACKY world, you will LOVE this game! Unfortunately it's not in 16:9 so you are stuck with some annoying borders, but you will learn to deal with that. It's also worth pointing out that the 2 best games to use the Wiimotes gestures have both been Wario games....
I've also got some time with my PC this week and I've been playing some Team Fortress 2 online. For those who played the Xbox version and now aren't keen on trying the PC, I beg you to reconsider. The PC version is AMAZING and feels totally different to its Xbox Counterpart. Also STEAM are having a sale until Midnight today (2nd of Jan) where you can pick it up for the low price of $9.95.
Also I have been playing through Telltale's Sam and Max Season 1. I am a huge fan of Sam and Max Hit The Road, an oldschool point and click adventure which is right up there with my favourite games of all time, easily in the top 5. Telltale have captured the energy of that game, and transferred it into top notch episodic content that is relevant today. You can download Episode 3 for free off STEAM so if you want to give it a go, I'd definitely recommend it!
As you can see, I'm still catching up on some of the great gaming that was in 2008, but what am I looking forward to in 2009?
Skate 2 - Xbox 360
Resident Evil 5 - Xbox 360
Killzone 2- PS3
Heavy Rain - PS3
Bioshock 2 - Xbox 360
No More Heroes 2 - Nintendo Wii
Uncharted 2 - PS3
What is tickling your fancy for 2009? What games did you get for Christmas that you are playing through right now?
02/01/2009