Blog Update - 17/06/12 [DAILY DOSE]

SUNDAY 17TH JUNE 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Hello, you.

Seems that it's been a little while since I posted any new content - 3 weeks in fact.

Basically I was writing up my last bunch of reviews, which are to follow in the near future, and found that they were being rushed out rather than thought out.

I wasn't really happy with them and so decided to give myself a week or so to write something better - then things got pretty busy. Between people coming to visit and various exams, work has been non-stop for the past 6 weeks now - so I've just not been able to give them any of my time.

I'm off work for a couple of weeks starting this Thursday and I'm planning on taking it a bit easy. The first full reviews will be posted on here at the end of my holiday - which is the 5th of July. I'll then start trickling out the dozens of half-written reviews that I'm tinkering with at the moment. 

They range from albums to apps, games to books, TV shows to films, and everything else in between. 

Hopefully the wait will be worth it.

At the same time, I'm toying with ideas for extra features like some sort of "rating" system, some guides and additional materials on here. Reviews will hopefully involve more multimedia content, such as video reviews, voice overs and plenty more screen caps. If anyone has any suggestions for things that could improve the experience, please feel free to comment below.

Otherwise, things will be back up to speed in a few weeks. 

Bear with me. See you soon.

Special - Sunday, Monday, Happy Days - 20/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

SUNDAY 20TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a bit of an update on what's been going on recently and what is coming up very soon.

There's been so much going on that I've got plenty of stuff that I want to review, with virtually no time to actually review it all!


As mentioned in earlier posts, at this time of year in Brighton - where I currently live - the BRIGHTON FESTIVAL and BRIGHTON FRINGE take place. There are literally hundreds of acts taking place all across the city for the majority of May - so far I have seen: several bands, comedians and sketch acts, dance acts, circus skill performances and dramatic pieces... and there's loads left to come!


As this is a special time of year - and as I love to hype up this wonderful festival season - I am devoting the next week or two to mainly festival reviews. There won't be any daily doses for this coming week - as I just want to get reviews of these great contemporary acts posted.


I've still got plenty of game, TV and music reviews coming up too - so to make things easier I've got a rough schedule for the next few days here (more details to follow).


TODAY - 9PM ONWARDS
PUSH [FESTIVAL]
WE WON'T ROCK YOU [FRINGE]
JACK WHITE - BLUNDERBUSS [CD]


MONDAY 21ST - 8PM
TROLLEYS [FESTIVAL]
BRIGHTON MUST-SEES [FRINGE]


TUESDAY 22ND - 8PM
BARRICADE [FESTIVAL]
ST. ANN'S WELL GARDENS SPRING FESTIVAL


WEDNESDAY 23RD - 8PM
OTHER VARIOUS LITTLE ACTS


THURSDAY 24TH - 8PM
WORLD OF GOO [ANDROID]
RADIANT DEFENSE [ANDROID]
GAME OF THRONES - SERIES 1 [TV]
BRUNO MARS - DOO-WOPS AND HOOLIGANS [CD]

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!

Special - Super Sunday! - 17/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

THURSDAY 17TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Hi everyone!

Not a proper DAILY DOSE today as I've been majorly busy with work, study and enjoying eclectic entertainments.

So I'm just giving a little heads up - 

COME BACK ON SUNDAY.

I've got this weeks' reviews and some special features due to be released - 

they just need some fine tuning before I post them!

Got reviews coming up for: 

- a CD or 2 (time-dependent) 

- a PS3 game

- 2 Android games

- a comedy event [Brighton Fringe]

- a live gig review [Brighton Fringe]

AND a theatrical performance! [Brighton Festival]

So - see you on Sunday!

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!

Trailer - Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II - 16/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a look at the launch trailer for -

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4: EPISODE 2.

Sonic is a game series that has struggled over recent years - most major releases were utterly terrible, cheap shite that just devalued the franchise further and further.

Then recently I got the chance to play a bit of Sonic 4: Ep. 1 and was amazed to find that it was actually quite good. Fun, colourful, intense platforming - just how Sonic should be!

So when I find that the next instalment is out right now - I had to take a look.

The game looks like it's following the same formula - no fancy 3D crap, no newfangled side characters to bring that "cutesy" edge - just classic Sonic action.

It's out today on PSN and XBLA -

expect a review in the near future.

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!  
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/gametrailers

Video - 'Dubstep Toyz' and 'Genitals' - 15/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

TUESDAY 15TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Some DAILY DOSEs are just videos for the hell of it. 
On that note, here's 

DUBSTEP TOYS.

I know - cool but a bit freaky.


There's a few other 'stop motion with toy' videos out there - if you like what you see go search Youtube.

And then, thanks to friends for bringing this amazing song to my attention:



Now you've watched it, 
you can't unwatch it!

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/roughmoose
and http://www.youtube.com/user/jonlajoie

Video - Minecraft Rap - 14/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

MONDAY 14TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a shameful look at -

THE MINECRAFT RAP.

People get waaaay to obsessive over Minecraft. 
Like, seriously.


Given how I often get with games like this, 
it's probably not a good idea for me to start playing.


So to that end -
 I got Minecraft Pocket Edition!


Lots of crafting, mining and building -
 all on the go!


Here's a few pics of my very first Minecraft house - awwwwww.....


Yes it's sad - but not quite as sad as writing a rap about Minecraft.
(except I thought the rap was really cool - especially the old guy miner's verse!).

My house - at night.

My house - during the day.

My bedroom - plus luxurious double bed.

The pantry under the stairs - plenty of storage shelves (ladders).

The lounge - 2 sofas and a TV.

Another view of the lounge.

My kitchen - breakfast bar in the bottom right.

Another view of the kitchen and diner.

The bath - as good as I could get it.

The all important - toilet.

The stairs leading up to the bedroom plus doors leading to the pantry and bathroom.

The view as you walk in the front door - home sweet home!

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/machinima

Video - One Minute Physics - 13/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

SUNDAY 13TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a mention of some great videos on Youtube -

ONE MINUTE PHYSICS.

Above is a VERY quick run-through of how Einstein came to the equation "E=mc²".


The videos take some of the biggest concepts in physics, maths and astronomy, condense them into a short video.


Now some of the videos don't actually help - some topics I *thought* I understood were totally baffling when I tried to follow these videos - but in most cases they are fun, quirky and educational.


Give all of their videos a watch at their Youtube channel - 
MINUTE PHYSICS.


You may just learn something!

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/minutephysics

Video - Perpetual Testing Initiative - 12/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

SATURDAY 12TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a look at -

THE PERPETUAL TESTING INITIATIVE.

This is a huge level-editing kit that has just been released for Portal 2. Fully integrated with the Steam workshop, this kit allows players to make their own devious test chambers.


Sadly, I am currently lacking a PC (or PC copy of Portal 2) - or else I would be wasting many happy hours creating tricky light bridge challenges for my friends.


The trailer above (presented by the great Cave Johnson) got me excited at the prospect of user-generated test chamber fun - but the full explanatory video by Gamespot shows off how easy-to-use and feature-rich the P.T.I. really is.


Can't wait to get my hands on this....
Let the testing commence.

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/gamespot
http://www.youtube.com/user/Valve

TV - Antikythera Mechanism - 11/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

FRIDAY 11TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is quick mention of a great TV show on at the moment -

THE TWO-THOUSAND-YEAR-OLD COMPUTER.


This TV series is probing the secrets of a mysterious device found in what is believed to be a Roman shipwreck - nearly lost for thousands of years.


When the divers found the fragments of this device, they noticed small cogs and inscriptions in the rusted metal - vastly more intricate and complicated than any other contemporary artefact.

Due to the island near where the artefact was found, this is now known as the Antikythera Mechanism - one of the earliest mechanised calculation devices ever discovered.


Scientists, physicists, astronomers and mathematicians have spent years studying the fragments of the device - and through X-Ray imaging, 3D photography and other digital techniques they start to build some understanding of what the mechanism was for - and the findings are astounding.


It's on BBC 4 this week and next week -
so will be on the BBC iPlayer for the next fortnight.

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any images in this review are subject to relevant copyrights and are kindly provided by: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hlkcq

Video - Life and Death According to Zelda - 10/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

THURSDAY 10TH MAY - DAILY DOSE

The mini DAILY DOSE for the day is this -

TIMTIMFED'S VIDEOGAME VIDEOS.

There's plenty of funny Youtube vids about showing off a funnier side of gaming. 


The one above is great - both me and my girlfriend really enjoyed it - and then there's "How I Play Skyrim" below.

And if anyone was interested -
yes, that is how I play Skyrim.
Even got my precious items organised into chests in various houses - but still end up with too much on me at all times!


Take a look at the Youtube channel - 
link here.

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/timtimfed

Trailer - Quantum Conundrum - 09/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

WEDNESDAY 9TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a look at the trailer for this -

QUANTUM CONUNDRUM.


The game is not dissimilar to Portal, and was penned by Kim Swift - who used to work for Valve before moving over to join Airtight Games and develop this beauty.


The idea here is that you are a young boy trapped in your scientist uncle's mansion - and the only way to get out is to make use of special batteries - each having a different effect on the environment (such as making everything super-light).


The game looks fun, is written to be accessible - but most of all has that charming physics puzzler atmosphere that I love.

The game was announced a while ago (originally due for release towards the end of 2012) but now rumours are swirling that we may see the game released sometime this Summer.


Just to whet your appetite further, I've added a 7 minute gameplay demo - narrated by Kim Swift - to give you a feel for the puzzles on offer here.


I'll see you guys in the fluffy dimension.

Gameplay Demo - with Kim Swift

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!


Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/gamespot

TV - Game of Thrones - 08/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

TUESDAY 8TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a look at this -

GAME OF THRONES.

Now into it's second season - and a third season was in the bag from the word 'go' too - so there's plenty of beheadings, graphic incestuous sex and murder to get stuck into here.


Oh - by the way -
 THIS SHOW IS NOT FOR ANYONE WHO DISLIKES GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, NUDITY OR ADULT THEMES (such as incest, child murder, dog maulings, beheadings aplenty and lots more in-between).


So... not one for the kids. 
Or... most other people.


It's all very well designed and staged though, with a good pace to the series (even though I'm still watching series one!). 


Just look at that intro ^^^ -
 doesn't that just get you interested already?
It lays out the land, you get a feel for the climate and architecture - all in a two-minute segment!


Though.... why does the show need to have regional British accents? 
Really? Why?
All the accents of the "Northern" folk are Northern English accents - and this is a fantasy land with nothing to do with Britain (except for it's probably ripped from Tolkein who wrote his stuff in England).


It's not a gripe - the show is brilliant to watch and it all works well - just make sure not to watch it with younger viewers around. 
Say... under 25.


Looking to pick up the books soon too - heard they are equally amazing. 


Anyone have any experience of that?
\/ \/ \/ Comments down there  \/ \/ \/

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/GameofThrones

Trailer - The Dark Knight Rises - 07/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

MONDAY 7TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Another film trailer for today's DAILY DOSE -

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.

This most recent trailer may be the last we get before the release on July 20th.


There's some spectacular action on show here - plenty of big setpieces (involving dismantling a plane in mid-air by the looks of things) and some road vehicle chases as well.


Seeing the finale of this excellent trilogy of Batman films is going to be a big event in my Summer - and of course I'll get a review up as soon as I've seen it!


Anyone else psyched for more Christian Bale in a leather suit?


Or maybe Anne Hathaway?


Or some Joseph Gordon-Levitt?


And just in case you missed the earlier trailers, I've been so kind as to add them below - Enjoy!

Trailer #1

Trailer #2

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/ClevverMovies

Special - Brighton Festival - 06/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

SUNDAY 6TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a special look at what's going on in my home city at the moment - 

THE BRIGHTON FESTIVAL 2012!

Every year, throughout May, Brighton hosts a wide and eclectic range of arts events - music, dance, theatre, comedy, circus acts, graphical installations, street performances and everything in-between.

Last night I went to see one of the first performances, BARRICADE - by noFit State Theatre. It was an intense, acrobatic and utterly-bizarre performance but was incredible to see (and it was free!).

So, for all the particularly noteable performances that I see during the festival, I will try to post a little review and some pictures too!

There's about 30 events that I want to see - so expect plenty more Brighton Festival 2012 updates during May!

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!

Any images in this post are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/news/join-brighton-dome-festival-membership

Trailer - Marvel's Avengers Assemble - 05/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

SATURDAY 5TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Well, I just had to devote a DAILY DOSE to this -

MARVEL'S AVENGERS ASSEMBLE.

Starring a whole bunch of greats -
 such as Robert Downey Jnr., Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson - 
as well as being written and directed by 
Joss Whedon!
(of Buffy,  Firefly and Dollhouse fame)


The set-up does seem to be slightly odd, even for a comic book movie, but the action looks intense and the dialogue should be great.

It's out in cinemas now - so if you like a big-budget action comic/fantasy mash-up extravaganza (which, let's face it, we all do) then go watch it!

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarvelUK

Video - Metal Meets... - 04/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

FRIDAY 4TH MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a look at -

Eric Calderone's "METAL MEETS..." videos.


Above is the amazing "Back to the Future Meets Metal", using samples from the film - some real guitar flair and a bit of humour as well. Absolutely great fun!

Eric is a guitarist from Los Angeles who has reworked some famous pieces in film, music and gaming to just be a bit more..... metaly.


These are all brilliant videos - with the little wink at the beginning adding a nice charismatic touch.


Basically, this guy is talented and awesome - he's done dozens of videos but here's a small selection of my favourites.

SKYRIM MEETS METAL



DR. WHO MEETS METAL



ZELDA MEETS METAL



FINAL FANTASY MEETS METAL

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/331Erock

Special - "I'm Not Paranoid", said Marvin - 03/05/12 [DAILY DOSE]

THURSDAY 3RD MAY 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Hello Everyone!

I'm back from my holiday - and I picked up a new toy while I was away - a new ANDROID PHONE! Yay!

(Well, not actually "new" but still new for me).

So now there'll be a greater scope for my reviews - plenty of Android Apps, games and other stuff to try out and review for you all.

There's a lot of these on the way very soon - a couple today and a couple more next week. That doesn't mean that there'll be any less film, CD or console reviews though - and to prove it there's a new CD review and a film review being posted tonight AND a PS3 game special next Thursday!

And now onto the next news... the ECLECTIC EVENT!

The dates and details are still being confirmed but I can announce that there will be a MASSIVE review event taking place sometime in the coming months.

Only very preliminary plans have been laid out so far - but I can confirm that there will be a RETRO theme to the review spectacular.

If anyone wants to make a guess at what's coming, make any suggestions for event features, or simply wants to say hello - put your comments in the box below.

But now the holiday's over, things are back on track - DAILY DOSES posted each day at 12 midday and

REVIEWS up each Thursday from 8pm (GMT).

Welcome back to 

ECLECTIC ELECTRIC REVIEW!

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!
Any images in this review are subject to relevant copyrights and are kindly provided by: http://wallpaperswide.com/android_logo-wallpapers.html

Special - Bioshock Infinite - 25/04/12 [DAILY DOSE]

WEDNESDAY 25TH APRIL 2012 - DAILY DOSE

Today's DAILY DOSE is a special preview of -

BIOSHOCK INFINITE.

For those of you who may have missed them, the Bioshock series has been a real game-changer in the games industry. The first game had one of the most realised worlds, characters and stories of most fiction - never mind gaming fiction!

The story took place in Rapture - a city under the sea - where the inhabitants had foregone ideas of morality and restraint in their scientific and technological progress and advanced far too quickly. Within a few years, humans had augmented their minds and bodies with chemical cocktails known as plasmids - and led to society tearing itself apart.

It was a masterpiece in gaming - truly incredible.

I even liked the second one - which retained the setting but moved the story on a few years. Rather than uber-capitalism run rife, you had a communist dictatorship which offered another (albeit much less awesome) chapter in Rapture's dark history.

Now comes some video previews for the next game in the series, Infinite, which takes the player into the skies - on a floating city called Columbia.

FULL 15 MINUTE GAMEPLAY TRAILER

It's all very well explained in the videos - the 15 minute gameplay video above shows off one of the games introductory scenes, while the videos that follow give some details on the factions, environments and enemies of Columbia.

The team is clearly talented - the environments and enemies look stunning and are well thought-out - but it's the skylines that have me interested. 

Does anyone else get a little rush of excitement just watching those things in action? 

I'm going to be foaming at the mouth on the approach to release day (sometime in late 2012) in anticipation of flinging myself through a floating frikkin' city on a skyrail  frikkin' rollercoaster. Oh yeah...

WORLD AND ENEMIES

FACTIONS AT WAR

TEARS INTO OTHER WORLDS

ABOUT SKYLINES

HEAVY HITTERS 1 - MOTORIZED PATRIOT

HEAVY HITTERS 2 - HANDYMAN

HEAVY HITTERS 3 - BOYS OF SILENCE

HEAVY HITTERS 4 - SIRENS

As a final note - although people may not have read this far down - I am going on holiday!

So, sadly, there will be no DAILY DOSES or ECLECTIC REVIEWS for the rest of this week... *sobs*

However - I'll be back with

A MASSIVE SPECIAL EXTRAVAGANZA

on THURSDAY 3RD MAY!

It's going to be big - 

a very special DAILY DOSE, 

a hot CD review, 

2 new GAMES reviews 

AND a FILM review too! 

(I really spoil you guys).

PLUS - a special announcement about an upcoming ECLECTIC EVENT!

Big things are happening in May - come back soon to see what's happening!

So.... see you all in a week!

Feel free to post comments or contributions to improve the experience!

Any images are copyright of their respective owners and are from: http://www.bioshockinfinite.com/downloads

Any videos in this review are from Youtube and are subject to relevant copyrights. They are kindly provided by: http://www.youtube.com/user/IGNentertainment

http://www.youtube.com/user/Games