"Mog" FFXIII-2 Character Can MD

Any gaming fans such as myself into the MD hobby? Well if youre a follower of the Final Fantasy series which has been around since the days of the original Nintendo in one form or another... here's a neat tidbit.

In the new FFXIII-2, "...make the game more appealing to old-time fans there’s now a moogle named Mog who follows Serah and Noel around. He functions as a hidden treasure detector,..."
:)

Newish Hobby Related Games

I did a post on MD Video Games quite awhile ago and there hasn't been much out since then. I was contacted by Ginkgoware (the makers of the acclaimed i-Detect software) some months ago to do some testing and criticism of the flash game they had in development for play on their website.

Treasure Trekker has since been released and can be played for free HERE.

Another game that is out I caught wind of from FMDF, it's a flash game where mining gold and diamonds gets you points and progresses you further in the game. Take control of the hermit-esque miner and see what level you can get to!

Click HERE to play.

Metal Detector PC Games

Being out of the game for 6 months of the year I've been looking at outlets to metal detecting related activities. This has drawn me to the world of PC gaming. I search all over the net for different games and have found 3 of which I'd like to share with you, and hope to give you a little something to do on those cold winter months where your favorite hunting grounds have turned to perma-frost.

Treasure Fields

Originally released in 2002 by Terry Bullard this easy to use, basic software package should easily burn up a few hours of your time. The game is based around basic coin shooting. It boasts having nearly every US coin minted hidden under the "ground" waiting for you to dig.

I started by downloading the FREE trial version of the software. The approximately 9.8MB .zip file can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

After installing it using all the default options, I was ready to start up the game. Sadly, though loaded with options I think the game is brutally cumbersome. You start off with a budget and must purchase a machine and other MD related tools from Al's Discount Detectors. After which you have to manually choose the equipment you wish to "equip" with you on any given hunt. This includes machine, coil, digger etc.

You then start your hunt by entering a tournament, which from the outset gives yo ua description and then subtracts an entrance fee.

I had purchased a Tesoro Lobo, and Lesche, so I was out to hunt. You use the mouse and just drag across the field listening for the different sounds. It has all sorts of different tones and sounds, I'm guessing which might be authentic to the model? Anyway, pinpointing is pretty spot on, you dig, get the goods, and refill your hole. Always remember to refill your hole!!!

The game also keeps track of all your finds broken down by face value.

All in all, I stick to what I initially said, it's a neat idea... but I think the execution could have been way better. Be sure to read all of the keyboard commands as they will really make or break the game for you. If you enjoy it, please visit Mr. Bullard's site HERE and contact him for a full copy with all the updates to really get the most out of the game.

Minimum Requirements
Windows 95+
16MB HDD Space

 

Treasure Hunter

From the creators of my favorite MD cataloging software, i-Detect (their link is in my sidebar), comes this completely free metal detecting game that really is fun to play!

Ginkgoware's DFX Treasure Hunter really looks the part of a capable MD simulation, and has a few neat options... but sadly, like the real thing, it can get aggravating.

This game is straight forward and does not have you going to many screens to accomplish a task. After you install the game, and load one of the two maps available for download, it's basically turn on the DFX (which only lets you hunt in factory coin mode) and go. The machine hits on target just like the DFX, so really, for any user of an XLT, DFX or MXT, you should feel right at home. The big downside to this game is pinpointing. It's enough to make you want to cry. Tips are offered on the company site, but they didn't help me much. I ended up digging foot deep craters and coming up empty handed.

The game is worth a shot. The install file is only 4.8MB and the maps are even smaller. To check them out, please click HERE.

Minimum Requirements
Windows 98+
DirectX 8.1+
500 MHz CPU

Treasure Valley

The last game is one I know nothing about. Being out here on the boat I can't play "online" games, and well, Treasure Valley stay connected to the internet to play. There is a FREE Demo version of the game, but you must register for it with a valid email address. If you want to check it out, click HERE.

The game is a 3D first person type MD game, and the screenshots look pretty impressive. But as I said, I have no experience with the game, and at this time cannot comment any further on it.

If any of you readers out there take the time to give it a whirl, I'll gladly post your review here in place of the few words I have to say about it.

Minimum Requirements
Windows XP+
2.0 GHz CPU
512 MB RAM
DirectX
Internet Connection

LEGO PSP Games

Quite some time ago I picked up LEGO Star Wars II after hearing how great the original LEGO Star Wars was. Fortunately I was not disappointed. The game was and is awesome. Now with two more LEGO titles out, I'm having fun with my PSP again.

LEGO Star Wars II follows in depth the original three Star Wars movies, episodes 4-6. Every detail from the movie has found it's way into the game. Though there is no dialog, the humor and communication with hand movements and facial expressions is superb.

LEGO Indiana Jones follows the same, but obviously through the first 3 Indiana Jones movies.

LEGO Batman is great, going up against 15 classic villains as well as flipping the script and replaying the game AS the villain.

All of the LEGO games play the same. The object is to complete the story at 100%. But there are soooo many unlockables and special features found through the game, that there is seriously enough for days and days of continuous game play.

If any of you reading this own a PSP, and/or are fans of any of the movies the games were born from, I definitely suggest picking the title up.

RB2: Endless Setlist 2 COMPLETED

It's not everyday one reaches such a milestone. After I unlocked the Endless Setlist 2 in Rock Band 2 about two weeks ago, I wanted to beat it. I never even attempted the one from the first RB, but this one seemed like I should give it a go.

So after planning it for a few days, my buddy Matt came over and by 2:15p we had started. We did it on Medium, because I knew I personally could 5 Star every song on Medium... so I was hoping Matt could keep pace.

Just under seven (yes I said 7!) hours later, after completing all 84 tracks continuously, we were done. Have scored 417 out of 420 possible stars. We 4 starred 3 tracks, of which I only remember Metallica's Battery being one.

It was quite an accomplishment of sitting around, being fat, and rocking ass!