Left 4 Dead Crash Course?

I was surprised when I found out that Left 4 Dead had released another DLC pack today, due to the fact that it had not been advertised, at least on the Xbox 360 side of things. Apparently the new download adds another campaign level, "Crash Course", for use in Campaign, Versus and the like, in addition to a number of new achievements. Annoyingly, the new content is not available for free on the Xbox 360 as it is for computer users! Seeing as I'm not one to buy a mediocre DLC package for nothing other than the obvious reason of more achievements, I think I'll sadly have to pass on this one, unless it becomes cheaper further down the track.

The campaign looks like it's set in the usual post-apocalyptic landscape, probably with a helicopter involvement of some sort - probably the rescue vehicle. In addition, the campaign has been stream-lined to make for a quicker Versus game time. I don't see how this will entice buyers, on the Xbox at least, who to pay for a shortened campaign version with Left 4 Dead 2 just around the corner, unless they are truly die-hard fans. Good news for those said, die-hard fans; Valve has pledged to keep the DLC coming for the original Left 4 Dead, even after its' sequel has been released. In any case, here's a preview image from the new Crash Course pack.

My ODST Ventures

I succumbed! I'll admit, I did view Halo 3: ODST as a bit of a cheeky money draw for Halo fans, but that didn't stop me from purchasing it today. I did plan to make use of the shop's 7-day free return policy, so it wasn't really that big of a deal however. I won't write too much now as I've only begun playing, but already I have a few opinions about Bungie's new Halo entry - some good, some bad.

New plot aside, ODST is frying my mind in regard to navigation. I'll admit it was almost as though being spoon-fed, but I'm longing for the closed worlds of Halo 3 in this strange, partially open-world of Halo 3: ODST. If it wasn't so dark, I'd be okay, but I find the majority of gameplay is through my night-vision and walking around in circles. For someone trying to find all clues and audio files, it poses a real pain in the neck. In addition, I can't stay in my VISR database for very long to check the map because it doesn't stop the gameplay, often leading to me being shot half to death while I mindlessly search for the next checkpoint.

Other than some hiccups with the navigation and objective system, the gameplay, scenery, weapons and enemies are good. I will say that as of yet, the plot hasn't been that inspiring or difficult and the whole flashback schtick seems a bit gimmicky, but with trepidation I will soldier on. I'm hoping that firefight will lighten my spirits - it's good see that they have included skulls and several other features to distinguish the game mode from numerous others in Gears Of War or Left 4 Dead. So bear with me - my view may wax and wane as I go along, and I'm really hoping that ODST won't have to be returned.

Inglourious Basterds

I had been meaning to write a preview on this film before I inevitably went to see it, but I guess my real life workload took precedence. So now here I am writing more of a review after seeing Inglourious Basterds last night. Right off the bat, you have to enter a Quentin Tarantino movie knowing that it's going to have gratuitous violence and a quirky plot. This film didn't disappoint in that regard. Overall, the film could have been a lot better, but in saying that, it could have been a lot worse as well.

Set in Nazi-occupied France during World War 2, the story centres on the plight of a group of American soldiers sent into the country to kill Nazis with brutal force in order to strike fear through their ranks. Basically, the plot is about killing Nazis. Pretty simple and often gory. Along with the various subplots which combine pleasingly, the story winds its' way down to an inevitable violent climax and mass shoot-out. From the very start of the film however, there is a tense air. Several parts of the movie have you on the end of your seat, unsure as to where the scene will travel and just who has an ace up their sleeve. Excellent as it is, this does not convey to the rest of the film.

Indeed, although the film has a fair amount of action and peaceful drama alike, they don't seem to mesh as well as they should. Edited in a peculiar way, the film is quirky and different to what even I am used to viewing, leaving you wondering if you really enjoyed the film or not long after you exit the theatre. However Tarantino is a black sheep and he makes films by his own book, so in a way, which ever way you feel about Inglourious Basterds is a success. And this film definitely brings out the shock factor and mixed emotions which Tarantino is successful, and infamous, for.