StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm - Game I am waiting for in 2013

I have been out of the Starcraft universe loop for some time now.  And hearing that the expansion will be released this year, gives me some joy and something to look forward to.

It has been 3 years since the release of the game.  I have to admit, the game is bad as a single player campaign.  I mean, they released it as a game that requires constant internet access.  What if you want to play somewhere there are no internet access?  Even on single campaign mode, it is a disappointment, most people remember the original game for its long single campaign mode and the multi-player is just an icing on the cake.

I heard lots of people, grumble on the lack of single player campaign mode.  Making me think, they must have spent all their time perfecting the multi-player mode and ignoring the people who just want to play a single player campaign.

I was out of the Starcraft universe for the following reasons:

1. The single campaign mode was a disappointment
2. The quickmatch ladder is a bit disappointing for people who play like noobs
3. There is always a patch, and no single player campagin add-ons for those who purchased the game since, 3 yrs. ago.
4. I get trashed talk by people on my team. The matching system isn't that great, and takes too long to find fellow noobs to play against.
5. They actually reset the ranking at some point, so you have to play a set of games again to be ranked.
6. Lag and teammates getting disconnected

Despite all this, I still look forward to the expensive installer of the expansion pack.  Play it a couple of months, then let it rot in my PC.  I have not played the game for a year already.

I'm saving for this crap of a game that I still like.  Blizzard has gone worst since their initial release of the legendary original Starcraft Expansion: Broodwar.

Samsung Galaxy Y vs Samsung Galaxy Pocket Android Phones

Samsung Galaxy Pocket on the left, Galaxy Y on the right

Recently, a new Samsung android phone is being pushed by most telcos in the Philippines.  That android phone is the Samsung Galaxy Pocket.  Months before the release of this phone, more people are buying the Samsung Galaxy Y(Young) as the budget friendly choice.

Samsung Galaxy Pocket on the left, Samsung Galaxy Y on the right

At a glance, you seem to find them as the same size, but truth is the Galaxy Y has larger screen compared to the Pocket.  Samsung Galaxy Pocket has a smaller screen of 2.8 inches, while the Samsung Galaxy Y has screen size of 3 inches.

The thickness of the unit is obvious that the Pocket was the thicker one and the Y is the slicker and thinner one.  But don't let the thickness fool you, the Galaxy Y is a bit heavier than the Pocket.  Galaxy Pocket weights around 97g, while the Galaxy Y weights around 97.5g.


Also the finishing at the back seems nicer on the Y than the Pocket, but the price is also cheaper on the Pocket than the Y.  The price difference is about a thousand pesos (about USD $24) cheaper without a contract.


In the speed of use having the Gingerbread Android OS on both units, they both are very fast and responsive.  I think, they are interchangeable, it really depends on your preference.  Althought, I notice, the Pocket is a bit faster due to it's newer processor.

They both have wi-fi, bluetooth, and 3G(HSPDA) connectivity.  The only thing that makes Pocket better is the larger internal memory.  Galaxy Y is sold with an external memory bundled due to the small internal memory it has, you basically cannot use the camera, without an external memory.

Samsung Galaxy Pocket on the top, Galaxy Y on the bottom

They both have the same megapixel, their camera is the same, there is no zoom or auto focus on these units.  They both have no flash at the back.  

The FM radio on the Galaxy Y is good, even when I used it on the elevator, the strength is still good, I can still listen to my radio without any problems.

Screen is really bigger in Galaxy Y on the right

So, what do I think is better of the two? For me, they are both the same.  But, if you are on a budget, I would go for the Galaxy Pocket.  But if you want a thinner looking phone and larger screen, I would go for the Galaxy Y.

Superlux HD 668B first look

Left side of Superlux HD 668B Headphone

This is a first look on the Superlux HD 668B Headphone.  The Superlux HD 668B headphone comes in a box with 2 different length cable as you can see on the left of the headphone, you can attach which length you prefer to use.  The provided cable length is 1 meter and 3 meters.  This also comes with a pouch and a 1/4" adapter for the stereo system jack.  The headphone jack is gold plated, for better sound quality, I think.

Right side of Superlux HD668B Headphone

The headphone design is semi-open, it has holes as you can see.  This helps in making the sound stage bigger, compared to a closed headphone.  If you are watching a movie or listening to music with this headphone you will hear sounds as intended on how far it is from the recording microphone.  You will also hear instruments that cannot be heard on ordinary headphones, the bass is good.  The sound is accurate, but don't think it will be good for electronica sounds.

Ear padding made of thick hard synthetic leather.

The only gripe I have over this headphones, is that it's uncomfortable to wear.  The pressure is strong for me since I have a giant size head.  I often have to remove the earphones after using it for a while.

On the good side, the synthetic leather is very thick and can last for a long time.  The build is very sturdy, and it won't break as easily, unlike the SkullCandy brand that is very brittle and breaks apart because of cheap plastic.

Pros

• It is built to last long.
• The sound is accurate
• Synthetic leather does not absorb sweat, so it won't smell, you just have to wipe it up
• Bass is good.
• you have the option on the length of your cord
• Worth the price you paid

Cons

• It's uncomfortable to wear for a long time
• The small cord connection between the driver and the cable could be the weak point, if it starts to show wear and tear, even if you can change the cable, that part you cannot change.
• could had been made with more comfortable pad on the ears.
• You will only get to wear this indoors, it won't look good outdoors

After using it for more than 6 months in the office, I can say without a doubt, this headphone is worth the price.  And will last longer than the expensive brands currently in the market, even without being careful in using it. I can drop it, bang it, stretch it without worry that it will crack or break.  It is a sturdy piece of headphone.

Samsung ST77 warranty in the Philippines

Serious Dent on the lens protector

Guess what?  Samsung has the best customer service ever.  I mean as in better than Nokia or any brand I have tried having a product fix.  Involving under warranty products, anyway.  How come?  You may ask.

They fixed my broken Samsung ST77 camera without charge.  It was under warranty, but the damage was due to my neglect.  They still fixed it and replaced the board and everything else that was ruined.  They're really the best.  I also had a problem before with my Galaxy S, and they were able to fix it, they did a great job (aside from the technician's attitude problem of telling me it was my fault updating the android OS), they also replaced my headphone, when I complained about it, just like that.  What great service Samsung, thanks.

Samsung ST77 restored

The Samsung service center is at the following address: Ground Floor Bonaventure Plaza, Ortigas Ave., Geenhills San Juan. Phone number: 580-5777

Here is the story of how the Samsung ST77 was broken:

I was on vacation last month, and my girlfriend and I bought our cameras.  I have the Olympus 1030 SW camera, which I always put at my back pocket without any hard case of any sort.  Then my girlfriend has the Samsung ST77 in a camera case, the camera which I gave to her as a gift.

We took pictures with my camera first, since I had it out of my bag most of the time.  We only used her camera when, my camera was almost out of battery charge, due to its age; it is already a depleted battery.  That's what happened on the first day of our vacation.

Lens Extended, but still closed cover

During our Universal Studios visit, we used her camera most of the time and my camera as a spare, since ST77 was our latest camera and takes good pictures.  Olympus also takes good pictures but has a problem on dark areas.  So, she gave me the camera and I was not aware that the camera is fragile and not designed for rough usage.  I placed it also on my back pocket with my coin purse to prevent it from getting wet, since we are in the "water world" portion of Universal Studios.  I then have 2 cameras on both my back pockets at that time and I sat down.



We later went around the amusement park, not knowing the camera was already dented at the lens area of the camera.  As I was about to use it again, the camera lens protector won't open due to the dent.  All I can see on the LCD was a slit of light.

I had broken my girlfriend's camera, due to neglect and assumption that it is as tough as my Olympus camera.  What happened was I sat on the camera, and the coin purse filled with hard coins pressed on the lens protector of the camera, hence the dent.

I knew, this may never be covered by the camera warranty, since it was a neglect on my part.  Even though it is still under the one year warranty.  So a week after we got back in the Philippines, I took it to the service center hoping to have it repaired.

I picked it up, and as you can see
no more dent on the camera

I showed the damage to the customer representative and told her it was my fault the camera was in such a shape, and I am willing to pay for the repair if it was not covered by the warranty anymore.  She told me, let's have the technician check it, and give their assessment if I need to pay or the warranty covers the damage.  So I left the camera with them and waited for their call.


I called them 3 days later, the customer representative told, me they ordered the replacement parts and will not charge me for the parts and the repair.  I was really happy that time, upon hearing the news.  Three (3) days later they sent a SMS, telling me my camera was ready for pick-up.  When I picked it up, they didn't charge me for anything, and the camera was restored to its former self.






All I can say is, Thank You, Samsung.  Your after sales service, is really great and I will buy more of your products if this kind of service is always available to your loyal consumers.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Available in the Philippines

I know, it's a bit late to announce this, but XCOM: Enemy Unknown is available in the Philippines since October 12, 2012.  Although, back then, when I tried to get a copy for PC, they were always out of stock; especially in the Rockwell Datablitz branch.

I was able to get a PC copy in Datablitz Megamall branch.  I'll write a review, after I play with it in Normal Difficulty.

DataBlitz priced the different formats as follows:

• P1,895 for PS3
• P1,695 for X360
• P1,595 for PC

Available Region: R3 / NTSC-J

They say it comes with the following DLC:

•  Classic X-COM Soldier
• Soldier Deco Packs
• Complete Color Customization

But I never notice them, they should come with the Games Installer in the first place.

You need Steam client to play.  And let me tell you, it's darn hard to download and install when the IP you  are using has been blocked by Steam.  Someone in my IP block must have done something to their website.

Smart Communications Philippines have a new promo for Prepaid users

This is a bit off the Gadget criteria, but is needed if you have a cellphone gadget.

Good news, for those who text a lot in the Philippines.  Especially if you are already have a smart buddy sim card.  All you have to do is text MEGA250 to the number 2477.  This promo will give you the following:

• Unlimited SMS to all networks
• 3 hours tri-net calls (using the *2477 + 11-digit Smart/TNT/Sun number)
• 100MB free mobile surfing 

All this is valid for 30 days. Cheaper than the TRINET100 promo, if you are after just texting to all network.

This news was read from their FB fan page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/SmartCommunications

I have to admit, they could have been fixing their back-end a couple of days ago, that my previous TRINET100 promo subscription was ruined, they ate up my original free 300+ txt, remaining 600+ promo text and my remaining 60 minute call was forfeited.

What's worst is when I called to have it fixed, the Customer Service Representative (CSR) keep insisting I already used up all my free calls & SMS.  She wasn't able to help me at all.  She just does not care, she keeps saying according to our records, you have used it all.  We ended the conversation, with me unsatisfied with the result.  When they texted me the next day on a survey if I was satisfied with their service, I replied "No".

But lately, after checking my load, I saw my free text back and the TRINET promo was given back.  I hope they don't screw me again, since I have been a loyal Smart subscriber.

Red Dead Redemption - XBox360

I am very cheap, I buy my games based on the price and game reviews.

The very first game I bought for the XBox360 is Red Dead Redemption.  Bought it for Php999.75 (around $24 USD) Asian Edition.  Since, the XBox360 we have is an Asian version, we can only load Asian versions of the games.

There are also US versions of it available here in the Philippines for almost the same price.

Family Computer

This is my first time to play on a gaming console, except for the Family Computer I bought when I was in college to play games like Goonies, and Battle City.  I usually play on my PC and shrug the gaming console.  Hey, my sibling bought the XBox360 unit, might as well use it.

Inside the Red Dead Redemption DVD Case

My impression on the game played on the XBox360:

1. It's a bit hard to get used to the controls, but the controller is very comfortable on the hands.
2. The graphics is just ok, I was expecting it to be better, since this is a gaming console after all.
3. I was expecting to slouch on the couch, but instead I had to concentrate on the game.
4. There are times the game's goal is frustrating.
5. Since it is open world game, you can roam around aimlessly just not knowing what to do.  Ok, here's a tip you can actually open the map from the start button, then there's an instruction there how to make a way-point for you to get to point A to point B.  That way, you get to your mission a bit faster.
6. After playing with it for more than an hour by myself, you do enjoy somewhat being in the west.  I now get the mechanics of the game, you need to earn money thru bounty on criminals. 

In Red Dead Redemption, I can never get used to the puppet like faces of the characters, I was kind of like expecting the graphics to go ballistic when they talk.  Or turn into zombies, since their faces are a bit creepy to look at.. lifeless puppets, really. 

Front of the DVD Case

The review of the game is correct, you will enjoy it.  But there is a boring portion of it, where you roam around until you get to the gang's hide-out.  Frustrating even, when you want to capture the wanted person, but have to kill him, cus he will kill you, when he is given the chance.  I died, in this game multiple times for different reasons.  It has a bit of a learning curve for casual gamers, such as myself.

I will definitely play the game again, if I have time on weekends.  I can't on weekdays, since I will probably play it until morning and look very tired in the office.

Red Dead Redemption Back Cover

If I had a choice on getting another game or this game, my answer would be yes, I would probably try another game as long as it is the same price.  A first person shooter, probably Halo, or something to that effect, where I shoot as a first person.