Gamers 101 Blog

A little break - and a bunch of new stuff

2009-06-21T14:06:00Z

Hey all - this is just to let you know that we'll be taking a short break this month - from roughly 6/21 to 7/1 no new content will be published. You'll still be able to use the site just as you do already.

In other news, we are planning a massive upgrade to Gamers 101. Though we have just gone through one, this one will not be quite as drastic as the first and rather be more a slow unveiling of new features. We've been working hard, and we guarantee that you'll love our new features.

As a little "riddle", unscramble these two words to find out what one of our new features will be:

LREAESE ELCRDENAR

Coming soon....

2009-01-19T00:59:00Z

Hello all!

We are simply posting this to let you know that in a short while, Gamers 101 will be undergoing a massive update. The site will be better organized, easier to use, and just more awesome than ever before.

Better yet, the forum will be open throughout this process!

We are currently working on the update, and you may see a "Coming Soon" Page in the near future, but as we already stated, the forum will still be open.

Thanks a ton, and tell your friends!

Our update is complete! Check out the new Gamers 101!!

Call of Duty on the iPhone/iPod touch

2008-12-31T05:28:00Z

Apple truly has revolutionized the mobile gaming experience with the iPhone and iPod touch. When Gameloft unveiled their first mobile game, it sent Apple and Gameloft in the right direction.

They have just released one of their best games - "Brothers in Arms: Hour of Heroes". At $10, the game is a steal, offers innovative gameplay, and awesome graphics.

As you can see in the screenshot above, the game has extremely good graphics. As one consumer said in a product review, "It's almost like a PS3 game on a mobile device". If you have $10 (and an iPhone/iPod touch), we highly recommend this game, it's worth every penny.

I'm Off!

2008-07-07T00:54:00Z

Well guys, I'm leaving on a 20 day trip on July 11th, so the site won't be seeing many new features.

Also, as you may have noticed, I've finally made the blog and site match in template...

For those of you subscribed to the newsletter, unfortunately, you will not be receiving an issue for July. Next month, though, we may release 2 issues.

Thank you!

New! Gamers 101 Newsletter.

2008-06-24T23:57:00Z

Hey guys, just wanted to let you all know that we have recently launched the Gamers 101 Newsletter.

We have started mailing it (for free), but just as a preview, you can see our first issue online. It's a pdf, so you should be able to view it on any computer. Our first issue is already a bit outdated, as soon as it's July, we'll make a new one. Also, we have a letters section (we don't actually take mail - only e-mails), and need some "letters" to put in it (you can send us one by sending an e-mail to write@gamers101.net).

To subscribe (and download the first issue), click here!

Thanks for reading.

- Gamers 101

Wii Fit

2008-05-23T23:09:00Z

I recently picked up my copy of Wii Fit, and so far, it's pretty cool.

Despite the games physical base, even the most non-athletic and/or hardcore gamers can find lots of fun in this game.

When you first boot the game up, you get your first weight measurement, though this can be inaccurate if you are very muscular, as muscles weigh more than fat. Anyways, after you weigh in you get classified in one of 4 categories: Obese, Overweight, Normal, and Underweight. After you see your category, you get to look at your BMI and weight. After you see those numbers, you get to set a weight loss or goal plan.

After you do this, you get to pick your exercises. They all start out pretty slow and easy, and depending on how well you do, the game gives you helpful tips and gives suggestions to strengthen all parts of your body.

Finally.... an update

2008-04-30T22:22:00Z

Hey guys... yeah we know. It's been forever since we posted on the blog. As we said, we've been overwhelmed with technical stuff.

So yeah, as you can see, our blog's design has been updated to match our main site's design, and yes we did update the Mario Kart Wii article. It's in our main site's news section, click here to see it.

Hopefully this blog will be more active in the future, and we'll try to get it active. If you'd like to write for the blog, drop us an email at admin@gamers101.net.

We'll get this updated soon!

- Gamers 101 Staff

MK Wii

2008-03-07T20:54:00Z

Hey guys, I've just received the latest issue of Nintendo Power, and they tell us everything about MK Wii. I'll be updating the other entry about the game soon.

Just wanted to let you all know.

Master of Illusions, DS

2008-02-29T00:35:00Z

This game is really amazing. It is a game that focuses on magic, and is great for all ages and levels of magicians. Though it lacks the story and gameplay of most games, it is still a great game. Included with this game is a special deck of cards, they are very high quality and can be used as normal playing cards.

The game is split into 3 different modes: Magic Training, Magic Show, and Solo Magic. Magic Training helps you master skills that magicians use today. You don't really do any magic in this mode, but it is great for making you better at sleight of hand tricks.

Solo Magic is where the DS does magic for you. It can create some pretty astonishing effects, but this section of the game is for the magicians entertainment only.

Magic Show is where the fun really begins. Here, you do tricks with the DS as your assistant, and the tricks you unlock are very cool! It seems like the developer could have included a few more tricks, but it is pretty easy to make up your own. One of the tricks is a classic card fortune. I won't tell you how its done, but here is what it would be like:

Magician: Pick one card, any card,
Spectator: Okay (Lets say its a 7♣)
Magician: Are you single or married?
Spectator: Single.
Magician: Enters it on the DS. What is your birth sign?
Spectator: Aries.
Magician: Enters it on DS. Look into the crystal ball.
7♣ appears in the crystal ball.

This is just one of many awesome tricks you can do!

This isn't really a review, just wanted to let you all know about this game.

Mario Kart Wii

2008-01-20T23:41:00Z

Mario Kart Wii has been anticipated for a long time. I will try to give you guys all of the info that has been released.

The graphics look very similar to Mario Kart Double Dash!! for Gamecube. They are a little bit sharper, but it looks like the graphics won't be the games strongest point. I'm pretty sure that Nintendo will come up with some way to make the graphics unique.

As always we see a variety of new Karts. Some of them look pretty interesting, we haven't seen many muscle cars in Nintendo games, but Nintendo has included a few in this game. It looks like Nintendo has updated the character's default karts a little.

One new awesome feature that will make this game a huge hit is online play. In online play you can play against up to 12 other players.

Nintendo has included many familiar features to make the game more familiar for veteran players. The game also features many different control options so that beginners have more of a chance against more experienced players. Also, I'm not sure if this works well, but Nintendo has released a new wheel that you fit your Wii Remote into.

This game looks like it will be a great installment in the Mario Kart series, and I will update this as I find out more.

Announcement

2008-01-20T16:10:00Z

Okay guys, I'm sorry the blog has been inactive for so long. I've decided to make this not just a gaming blog so we actually have something to write about.

I've also decided to allow comments without moderation required. I think that this will spark more discussion, but if people start to spam with comments, I will return to making them all require moderation.

This blog will now cover a more wide range of topics, so we actually have something to write about...

Thanks for reading!

Drawn to Life Review

2007-12-24T21:00:00Z

Drawn to Life, despite it's childish looking cover and graphics, is a truly amazing game.

Lets talk about the graphics. The default graphics are nothing special. Pretty typical for the DS. But what really can make the graphics okay is your drawing ability. If your not a great artist, don't worry, you'll be fine. If you are a good artist, your character will look awesome. My suggestion for drawing is that you put darker bend lines where your characters joints are. Otherwise, your character will look odd when it walks. If you want to get your drawing perfect, you can zoom in to get your drawing more precise. It's awesome that you can design patterns to put on buildings, weapons, your character, and more.

Now lets talk about the gameplay. The game has a pretty good story, but we won't talk about that very much. The controls are pretty nice, but get shaky sometimes. It is basically a side scroller, pretty basic, but has depth in the story. The gameplay itself isn't unique, but the whole idea behind it is. One thing about it is the story is very short and easy to beat. Most of the game is very cleverly thought up, and can get challenging at times. But when you think about things in the long run, if you are a core gamer, you may find this game too basic. Fortunately and unfortunately, the game is more for a younger audience, but you can still enjoy it regardless of your age.

Overall Score 8.4/10
The game is fun, but too easy and basic in some parts. Great for kids though.

Super Mario Galaxy Review

2007-11-17T04:49:00Z

This game has been highly anticipated for a long time.

   Let’s start by talking about the graphics. They look nice, pretty classic, and everything flows smoothly. The graphics aren’t the best I’ve seen, but they do their job well. Surprisingly, I haven’t been able to find many glitches, so I’m still trying to see if there are any.

   Now, lets get into the gameplay. The gameplay is fun, and as usual, the princess was stolen, and you have to save her. The games difficulty slowly progresses, so in the start it’s pretty much all about learning how to play. Also, there are also loads of side quests, where you can get bonuses. Mario has also gotten his hands on a Bee Suit. It looks really stupid, but at least he can fly when he’s in it. But if Mario touches the water when he’s in the Bee Suit, it falls off. When he’s in it, he also gains the ability to climb on giant Honeycombs. One think about the gameplay is that the camera can be annoying, sometimes it goes at the wrong angle, and it takes to long to reset to the right position. Mario also can spin. This can be used to deflect attacks, send enemies flying, etc. The controls are nice, very simple and easy to learn. The multiplayer is good as well. Coins aren’t as important in this game, you need Star Bits. They appear everywhere, and all you have to do to get them is point the Wii-remote at them, no matter how far you are. Then you feed little star creatures them so they will transform into something (launch star, sometimes even galaxies!). You can also shoot them at enemies. The games puzzles are very nicely thought up, and the levels are great!

   The storyline is also very good. Though it is pretty expected, you save the princess, and it has all of the classic characters, including some new ones, such as Rosalina. The story is enough to get you hooked, but it's nothing special.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10 This game is good, but it has a few flaws.

Our first real entry: Halo 3!!

2007-11-10T18:14:00Z

Wow. This game is awesome. It has a great replay value, and it has new weapons, vehicles, and more.

    Alright. Lets start out with the story. The game, as usual, is all about Master Chief. There is a small side story, the Arbiter and his Elites, but it fades quickly. I would have liked to see more of Arbiter, but I guess we won't.

    Now lets look at the graphics and gameplay. The graphics are astounding. They are much better than in Halo 2 (and 1). And the gameplay is great, though as always, you can find a few glitches to your advantage, or disadvantage. Also, there are some awesome new weapons and vehicles included as well. One thing also is that unlike in Halo 2, the stages have unique differences. Some of the stages could be better, but the stages are good after all. Now about the difficulty. All of the modes in this game have become either way easier, or harder than they were in previous Halo games. Though if you choose one of the easier modes, you will miss out on some cool features only available on the harder difficulties. There is also a new "equipment" system. You can deploy items either for defensive or offensive purposes. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you want a challenge), your enemies make use of it too, but if you use an easy difficulty they won't use them much, if any. There are also skulls hidden amongst levels. When you get one, you can activate it to make the game harder, it's great if you don't want to do legendary, but you want a challenge if you are good. Now lets talk about the new vehicles. My personal favorite, The Brute Chopper, is awesome. It's fast, looks cool, and tears up anything in it's path. There are some other ones, but I won't get into them now. Now... for the weapons. They have added a variety of new weapons, they are great for destruction. The Spartan Laser takes a little while to charge, but when it's charged, literally, it destroys everything in it's path. There is also the Ruthian Gravity Hammer, you can send practically anything soaring across the field with this thing. And the one everyone has been waiting for, the flamethrower. It's pretty cool, people catch on fire, and it looks awesome. There are also new gernades, I won't get into those now. Overall, the story mode can take from 3-15 hours, depending on how adept you are.

   Now lets look into multiplayer. As usual, multiplayer is the biggest part of Halo 3. It's very fun, they have added some new stages, and boy they are awesome. They are larger, and have many more variables.

    Now time for one of my favorite features: The forge. Lets say you just hated one level; you think it wasn't designed nicely, and it wasn't really your style. But with the Forge, you can edit any level you want! You can play as the dungeon master, or as some other wicked characters not available in story mode.

    This game is packed with so much, I can't believe it! Though it has few flaws, it's awesome!!

    Overall rating: 9.5/10 This game is awesome, but not perfect.

Welcome to our blog!

2007-11-10T00:51:00Z

Welcome to our blog! We have just opened this, and we plan to update it at least once per week. This will have all of the info that we don't cover in our news section, and we might throw in some reviews. Thanks for reading this, and check back later for the first gaming related news!