Yesterday evening while at Target I picked up Guitar Hero III. This is the first video game I’ve purchased since well before Christmas. Ever since our New Year’s Eve robbery, I’ve just really not had the urge to play video games… that, and as I said earlier, I’ve been making an effort to get back into shape, which doesn’t exactly mix well with video games. :p

I loved Guitar Hero II, and have missed playing the game (it was stolen). Well, the game and the music actually. So, I finally after months of delay picked up the sequel.

This morning, I connected up the wireless Les Paul controller and popped the game in. The system said there was an update, so I downloaded it. After that, the game restarted and froze. I rebooted my Xbox 360 only to get the dreaded ‘Red Ring of Death’. With all the reports and complaints I had seen over the years, I was hoping mine would be one of those very few that would never have a problem. Sadly, that turned out not to be the case.

Good news is, the system is still under warranty, and I’ve already contacted Microsoft. With any luck, I’ll have a replacement in… about 2 months. Does anyone know what the turn around time is for 360 repairs?

This sucks… but it gives me more time to exercise.

Well, we now have two of our Christmas’ out of the way. The wife and I opened our gifts tonight. Usually, I’d make her wait till a little closer to Christmas… and by a little closer to, I mean after. :p Now we just have Christmas at my grandfather’s house (mom, step-dad, brother, aunt, uncle, grandfather, and cousins), though that isn’t really for me as much as it is for him. Of course, getting to go and see him is more than enough for me. He’s the best! After Christmas there, then I get to have it with my mom (and brother, step-brother, and step-dad). But I’m still not done after that, sometime in the new year (probably July, lol) I’ll go see my dad and step-mom and have Christmas there.

So, what did I get?? Well, … Continue reading »

The Xbox 360 “2007 Fall Update” has been released. The biggest thing with this update is the new “Xbox Originals” which will allow you to download-to-own original Xbox games for 1200 Microsoft Points. Other additions include Xbox Live Arcade Hits, Inside Xbox, and new social networking like features.

For more information on this update, click here.

As stated a few minutes ago, I’m back on the review scene. What did I decide to review first? Overlord for the Xbox 360 console gaming system. There is also a PC version of the game, but I’ve not played it.

It’s been a while since I’ve done any reviews, so please be gentle… I’m still a bit rusty. Give me a few reviews, and I’ll get everything flushed out and my own style settled in.

If you are logged into the site, you” have the ability to rate the review. Let me know what you think about the review I’ve written. Want to comment on the review or the game? Check out the d3bruts1d.com forums, which were just recently expanded to make it feel a bit like the old TechRelated.com forums.

Over the weekend, I was introduced to Guitar Hero II (PS2). Let me say, I have a whole new appreciation for the people that can play this game. It’s not the silly little, gimmicky game I had thought it to be.

No, this game requires a lot of hand-eye coordination, rhythm, speed, and probably luck. When I first picked up the mock-guitar, I realized just how hard this sucker was going to be to play. What happened for the next several hours, no one should have been forced to listen to. I botched song after song, note after note… the sad part is, I was playing on easy, which only has 3 notes.

So, what’d I do when I got home? Well, I went out and picked up Guitar Hero II (XBox 360) from a local EBGames. I’m happy to say that in a few short days, I’ve made my way through easy… medium is still tripping me up a bit especially when it comes to the power notes/slides.

The game itself is fun, it has a great list of songs (and more are unlockable [free] and/or downloadable [points]), and provides a decent leg workout if you’re like me and stay standing while playing.

I’m hoping by the time Guitar Hero III comes out, I’ll have mastered the way of the XBox Guitar.

To start things off, I’d like to say… Gears of War kicks ass.

Now, with that out of the way… Tonight is the start of “Emergence Day” on Xbox Live. You can read all about the activities on Xbox.com. — There is also a thread on TechRelated.com forums.

It should be a lot of fun. I’m going to participate in as much of it as I can. Feel free to add me to your Xbox friends list… user name is d3bruts1d. Who would have guessed. :p

lol… Apparently, my XBox 360 doesn’t like me.

Where is d3bruts1d at? I want to disown him. I am putting myself up on eBay ASAP.

Oh well… I guess I’ll just have to buy a new, more friendly one.

The Microsoft XBox 360 has shown up for preorder at EBGames.com. Two bundles are available with a price tag of $600-$700.

The information came out the other day, but I wasn’t able to post anything. Microsoft has announced that the next XBox will be called the “Xbox 360″. It’s not really a box, doesn’t have an “X” on it, so I’m not sure what the point is in calling it the “XBox”.

Anyway, here is another link to Google News so you can read all about it. :p