Cheap Date: June 27th
This week was definitely a little easier when I was paring down the choices, let’s just say that this week it will decidedly one category will dominate your entertainment schedule. This is Cheap Date, where I will recommend nerdy entertainment for your week all under thirty dollars. Have fun.
Games – $25
You may remember my review of the first episode of Walking Dead from Telltale Games back in April. Well, the second episode is dropping this week; yesterday on XBL then Friday for PSN and Steam. The first episode was a work of art that may have been better than the show and close to the greatness of the comic book series. The great thing about this game is that it is only $5 to play each episode. If you did not like the first episode then you do not have to pay for the rest of the game. But if you are like me and pre-ordered the entire season, then you already spent the money and this game is coming to you for free this week. Your decisions, big and small, follow you to help shape the story. Not to mention that there are zombies!
The next two recommendations for games are DLC and require you to have the game, but playing these games is a must so you should already have these games.
First off, the Dawnguard DLC for Skyrim has dropped (again early on XBL then on other systems). This expansion to one of the best games of the year or even this console generation brings some new yet familiar features. As some may know after the completion ofSkyrim, the coders began work on personal projects involving the game. Each of these projects where things that were not in the game at release, but many are being added with this expansion. First off the Dawnguard part of the DLC allows you to become a Vampire Lord or join the Dawnguard to fight the vampires. You also gain crossbows, new skills and perks, and you can even ride an undead horse! There is a lot more to this download that you can find you by playing.
The other DLC is the extended cut for Mass Effect 3. This DLC is completely free for everyone. There is not much added, but it changes the ended that many fans were not originally happy with. You can replay the game to find an ending that may be better suited to your tastes, or it may wreak your experience completely. Either way it is more Mass Effect to play. I have personally enjoyed all the Mass Effect 3 DLC because it has all been free to this date, mostly due to its multiplayer nature.
That will be it for this week in our little Cheap Date. I may have only focused on video games this week, but it will definitely keep you busy. This week you will explore more of Skyrim with your Dunmer or one of the lesser races, help Lee Everett protect Clementine from zombies, and find out what “really” happens to Commander Shepard.
CYaN Podcast Episode 8: Egg On Your Face
Sorry for the late episode this week. Without further ado…
In a very uncomfortable episode, Ricky explores a gadget unknown to either of us. We talk about the past few weeks of movie releases (warning: spoilers), Walking Dead news for various medias, game trailers, and other random topics. Hope you do not get any egg on your face.
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Cheap Date: May 9th
Cheap Date brings you the best purchasing options. Every Wednesday, we will give you a list of the best items coming out this week to spend your money on. To top it off, all for under $30.
Let’s get to it.
Comics – $13
Two of Marvel’s best comics are out this week in Uncanny X-Force #25 and Wolverine and the X-Men #10. Uncanny X-Force starts a new arc as Rick Remender cements his station as one of the best comic writers in the business. And in Wolverine and the X-Men, it features a Avengers vs. X-Men tie-in but this series is still one of the freshest takes on the merry band of mutants.
The Walking Dead #97 from Image Comics comes to shelves as it closes in on issue #100. Now Rick and company have to have a band of ruthless oppressors in order take control of the newly found supply lines.Walking Deadbecomes the best when it is human versus human with zombies as the backdrop.
Scott Snyder shows why he is one of the best in Batman #9 as the “Night of the Owls” storyline continues. Batman must defend Wayne Manor from an army of assassins after he nearly died defeated just one. Plus he is looking bad-ass in his new armored suit.
Games – Free-$7
Alright, this is a weird one. Valve has just released the “Perpetual Testing Initiative” DLC for Portal 2. With this DLC, you can create your own Portal puzzles to share with friends and challenge the community. I can not wait to see what comes out of this from the community. The DLC is free for the PC. But if you do not own Portal 2 yet (FOR SHAME!), the game is on sale on Steam for only $7 until tomorrow afternoon. Either way; get the game, play the game and create some new puzzles to share.
And that is is for this week. It is a light week, since no real game or movie releases that I care for. If you did not need to buy Portal 2, then you are under $20 which is awesome. See you next week for another installment of Cheap Date.
CYaN Podcast Episode 2: Shawarma
Another week and another new episode of the Call Yourself A Nerd podcast. In this episode Danny and Ricky will talk about new movie trailers, bad ideas in drinking, Black Op 2, the Walking Dead video game, the Avengers movie and many more things. I hope you have fun listening.
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Bird, Stallone, and Stark… Oh, my.
So let’s start with the farthest away in time to the closest.
Brad Bird signed to direct Lindelof-penned 1952
Brad Bird has been signed to direct a Disney mystery movie (1952) written by Damon Lindelof. This could be really interesting. Whether it’s animation or live-action, Brad Bird has proved he can do both extremely well. Damon Lindelof writing mystery should be good considering his involvement with Lost (I don’t want to hear whining about the ending). More info over at Deadline.
The Expendables 2 Trailer
Yesterday, we got the now-prerequisite teaser to the trailer, but today The Expendables 2 trailer actually dropped. Check it out:
Definitely gonna be full of camp and 80s/90s schlock that I know and love. I’m not expecting it to win any awards, but I definitely look forward to it. Probably won’t beat out The Raid for my fave action movie of the year though.
Not just Iron Man cosplay…
For those of you waiting in line already or prepping yourself for this weekend of The Avengers, check out this clip of amazing Iron Man cosplay:
With that, I’ll leave you with: Enjoy The Avengers. We’ll talk about our thoughts on this weeks podcast along with the promised thoughts on Telltales’ Walking Dead: Episode One.
Cheap Date: May 2nd
It is another Wednesday and another time to treat yourself to a Cheap Date.
Remember that I was recommend releases for this week that will cost you under $30. Thirty dollars for a week’s entertainment sounds like a good deal to me. Shall we begin?
Movies – $10
Let us cut to the chase. I am watching the Avengers tomorrow night at midnight and more than likely if you are reading this then you are wanting to watch this movie this weekend as well. Marvel Studios major project that they have worked on since 2008 with the release of Iron Man. They have brought back almost all major actors (replacing one soon to be raging Hulk) from each of their lead-up movies.
Joss Whedon has shown he can make some excellent TV series, but this will be the first time he has this big of an audience. But early reviews from around the world (the US for some odd reason is one of the last ones to receive this film) are absolutely glowing. I do not want to read to much into those, but if it is done as well as the other pre-Avengers movies then it should be a fun ride.
*BONUS*
If you are going to see Avengers this weekend, there is a chance to grab some extra swag. RealD is releasing special edition glasses for $5 each pair at theaters (I will probably go with the Hulk version). But remember; that means you have to upgrade your ticket to a 3D movie to use them then buy the glasses. So that will be $20 to watch the Avengers and it will also cut into my other recommendations. Your choice, of course.
Comics – $8
It is a light week in comics, but there are two comics that you can not miss. Plus they are both #1 issues!
Earth 2 #1 from DC Comics comes out this week. Every since the DC new 52, I have been anxious to see what has happened to the JSA. Apparently they are on Earth 2, an alternate reality where the Golden Age of Comics characters can grow old and change. Despite the cover, I am more interested in finding out what happened to Alan Scott and Jay Garrick.
Fury MAX #1from Marvel Comics brings us another helping of writer Garth Ennis and artist Goran Parlov. Where have you heard those names before? They both worked on thePunisher MAX series that recently ended. Now they have a mature look at Marvel’s top spy. Let the fun begin. Hell, Garth Ennis is the reason to read any of the Marvel MAX series.
Games – $5
You can grab Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead game on XBLA for five bucks or 400 imaginary money. This is a great deal if you are not sold on the game, which if you read my review you should be sold. If you were to buy it from Telltale’s webiste, they would charge you the $25 for all five episodes even though the last four are not out yet. This is a great point and click adventure game that I am sure will impress.
Hell, even if you are not sold (or dirt poor since watching Avengers in 3D and buying the special edition glasses); you can download the trial game before buying.
Review: The Walking Dead Episode 1
Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead just came out this week on various platforms. I played the PC version of the game using Steam. I have been a fan of Telltale Games for some time and would not miss their interpretation of a game for a favorite comic series. You can buy the game episodically (5 episodes to the game) or just plunk down the money for the entire game and wait. Either way, you’re going to spend $25 for the experience. I finished the first episode, titled “A New Day,” in a little over two hours. For five dollars, not a bad use of my time.
The game follows Lee Everett, a man on his way to prison before the zombie apocalypse we all know is coming. He eventually finds a small girl named Clementine who he decides to protect in this new world. I am not spoiling anything here, most of this has already been revealed by Telltale. Also you might as well know that these events happen before Rick Grimes wakes up in the comic book series, or TV show if you are so inclined. Knowing that, you get to run into a few people that will play important roles in the comic book series. The characters showcased excellently. Glenn is still the hero we know he tries to be, Hershel is as straight forward as we respect him to be.
The game follows a lot of the adventure game tropes that Telltale is known for, but they decide to throw in some action with the zombies. Simply; you find items and used them to aid you in the world (try figuring out how to use a pillow in the zombie apocalypse). Then Telltale throws some interesting loopholes: decision-making. Most dialogues will have options to pick from, the kicker though is that these options are timed and can decide how others perceive you. Then there are a half-dozen big decisions to make, obvious one would be who to save during a zombie attack. To throw more tension into fighting, the game has some quick time events not to mention forcing you to align head shots during point-and-click sections. These moments can cause you to die! I know, I have died (yes, I am a terrible player to die in an adventure game).
Either way, this is a good buy. The game is fun and exciting with an interesting story. You do not have to be a fan of adventure games to enjoy this one.
Rating : 4/5
Call Yourself A Nerd 