My Own World

15/07/2012

Slipcases, slipcases. Slipcases everywhere!

Starting with this Call of Juarez the Cartel Slipcase. I know there are two, this one seems the harder to find. If you remove the bandoleer the slipcase unfolds behind revealing fome info about the game. It's quite original I must say. Then, there's this is a limited edition that caught my attention because it's also one of those that unfolds into a 3D diorama. It's also exclusive to France. I don't have much interest in the game itself but the slipcase actually caught my attention.

This one from Metro 2033 is just a regular slipcase used to distinguish the limited edition from the regular game, because the game box is just a normal one but this brings a DLC code and some postcards.

I've never seen this one before. World Championship Rugby promotional copy with a slipcase that promotes the game itself for the several platforms it was released for. Promo stuff only, no doubt about it.

I like to Move it Move it!

Move press kit, the 2nd. This one has plenty of games inside and an augmented reality feature. I prefer the original Move press kit a lot more. The best thing about this one is the number of games it includes.

The guy is more and more popular.

Not that many heroes have the same treatment as good old Batman is having. The latest movies are top stuff and the games are amazing as well. We've seen some amazing super hero movies in recent years (Avengers is top notch!), but most videogames are usually good/average or bad (Iron Man anyone?). Batman, on the other hand, is doing it right.

And now they decided to make a sequel for the Lego series with this Lego Batman 2 that includes other DC heroes. I guess Batman is more popular than the other characters nowadays? I'm not really sure, I have been watching the super hero movies but I don't really know much about the story or the comics or how popular they are.

I don't have the game itself (and I'm not quite sure if I'll ever get it in the future...) but found this press kit for a rather cheap price and picked it up. It's nothing special, but still worth displaying. As far as my opinion goes, I'm far more excited for that Lego ity game that was presented on E3 this year. I think that Lego games based in popular franchises is just a little... out of place. Forgive my opinion, but that's what I think.

Now this is rare!

No, it's not the edition that's rare, but the fact that I bought a PC game - that's really rare!

It's Diablo III, it's the CE, I guess I don't need to say anything else. I'm not a fan of this sort of games but all the hype around the game and the fact that the CE was selling like hot cakes made me search for one by the time it was supposed to be sold out. I found two and bought them both. No, I didn't resell the other one. I just passed if to a friend at cost. It's in good hands, somewhere in the UK now :)

And here it is yet another game I underestimated: Deus Ex Human Revolution. I usually don't let my opinion be influenced by the media or critics. I wasn't a fan of Deus Ex and I'm not really into shooters or certain 1st person games, and I hate when producers try to input RPG elements onto those. The game itself seemed quite similar to Mass effect at first - which is a great game but I don't like its gameplay style that much. Many Wertern players call these games modern RPGS but I can't consider these games as RPGs. Japanese RPGs to me are still the best, except they they are too cheesy or filled with their pop culture. The last gerat experience I've had with an RPG was Xenoblade. I don't think I'll play such a great RPG in a long time.

Anyway, back on the tracks... I knew this game was receiving good reviews but to be honest I don't think it was that appealing. A close friend told me I really should try it before making a judgement. For no particular reason at all, I suddenly had that necessity to actually try the game. I visited a local GAME store and found a used copy of this Augmented Edition for a rather affordable price. Why not' It's used, so I can't have the excuse to keep it sealed like I did with the Collector's Edition.

Basically, I do think the game has its flaws like most games do (even Xenoblade has plenty) but I really loved the game! I mean it. The gameplay is awesome. It really reminds me of Mass Effect, but I think this one 's much better in that field. The storyline is quite interesting - nothing very original but it's developing well. The scenarios are big enough and very well built. The game actually lets you play it your own style: you can choose the routes you want to take as there are several ways to accomplish the missions and you can even chose to either sneak throughout the scenarios or go on a rampage and kill everyone - and it does all this very very well. The sidequests and missions are actually useful, they are strongly related to the storyline and unlike many other games they are not excessive at all. I'm loving this game, now I just wish I had more time to play it :/

PS3 and Xbox 360 again, for both systems. Someone make me stop.

Ok, I'm not that hyped, considering I only played 1/5 or so of the first game before my Xbox 360 became ill with the usual Ring of Red (ill? more like died and resurrected), and after purchasing a Slim model I still didn't play it.

Anyway, I just couldn't miss the N7 edition of this game so I bought it. Well... actually, I bought two. The Xbox version and the PS3 version. I usually don't buy the same edition for the two different systems unless there's a good reason to do so. My preferences would be just the 360 version, because it all started there and because it's the only console with the limited editions of the previous games. But then, the PS3 had a different box. Yeah, I prefer the PS3 box. So I bought it. How lame is that? Silly excuse to be paying double just because the box is different in a time I really really need money to buy other things and had to be selling some doubles. There are obviously other reasons behind, but you don't really need to know those.

The first time I did that was probably with the FFXIII Collector's Edition but being such a huge FF fan I really wanted to get both. The same thing is true for the Crystal Edition. I originally missed the PS3 version because scumbag HMV decided to cancel my preorder one week before the release date, by the time it was nearly sold out everywhere else, so I bought the only version I found: the 360. I usually have some sort of preferences when I buy a particular game for a particular system of more than a system get the game. In FF's case, it's quite esay to find out why I would prefer the PS3 version...

Then the same thing happened with Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. Preordered the PS3 version, then found out they weren't numbered and they would get an Australian release. Suddenly, a wild 360 version appears. Just to make sure I wasn't going to regret, I prerodered it. Yeah, you all know what happened to the PS3 version when the first 4000 were announced. BOOM, 200 to 500 pounds on ebay. Scumbag sellers...

I also have another copy of Dead Space 2 Collector's Edition waiting for me. I preferred the 360 version because it included the chinese-made plasma cutter replica... I mean, that thing is indeed crappy as it DOESN'T EVEN ROTATE. There are many things that upset me a lot, like poverty, wars, bad behaviour and stuff like that, but something as silly as the fact that this replica doesn't even rotate really tingles my nerves. Anyway I knew the PS3 version included the full edition of Dead Space Extraction and the differences between the two would justify owning both. Finally my dear good friends (not...) Johnny and Dark-Vash found a few copies lying on a stote still sealed for a little less than 12 euros and they decided to call me. I'm thrilled (almost... not quite actually). They told me it sounds gay when I thank them, but I must, so - thanks guys :P

...

And more recently... There ya go! Dead Island GOTY Limited Edition for both Xbox 360 and PS3. I actually intend to play this one online with a couple of mates :P

Harry Potter visits Hyrule and this happens.

"It's like Zelda" they said.

"Computer says no..." but it's actually quite enjoyable and the regular game also comes bundled with the complete Move set for a fairly good price. It's probably the best Move bundle out there. But anyway I don't really want to talk about the game or the regular bundle. I got the press kit instead, which is fairly interesting. Could be better if the materials used were better as well, but overall it does look good.

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, it's the press kit for the PS3 Move title Sorcery. =)

So, what's new?

It's been a while now. But I don't have much time to update this. Today I decided to take this blog to a whole new level... Okay not really, I just added the "like" and "share" options for Twitter and and ~~Ass~~Facebook. Seems like these things are everywhere. I'm still not infected by those, but I decided to try it out and add a couple of things to the blog.

Next update will be quite massive, with at least 20 new posts and pictures mostly from limited and collector's editions, a couple of press kits and a couple of rarities, but overall nothing too big or impressive compared to other updates (I think). Still worth to check though. I should be done with this next weekend or so.

To finish all this, I just turned 29 last Saturday. Happy birthday to me ^_^

Cheers!

PC only? It's a lie!

It arrived at last, the sought after Enhanced Edition of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and I quite enjoyed the package. It has a 3D effect quite similar to the Auditore Edition of Assassin's Creed Revelations with the usual wolf logo. This is another one I'm keeping sealed and the main reason why I bought it it's because it suddenly became sold out!

So good...

The spiritual successor of Shenmue gets another release, and it's the 5th game in european territory. Yakuza Dead Souls received this steelbook limited edition. I loved this game, yet I've only played up to the 3rd title and didn't finish it. But I really enjoyed the storyline. The gameplay was average at first but once I started to get used to the fighting system I loved it! I really did. I am still missing the australian versions of the previous game, but with time I'll get them. I'm just quite glad that I bought this, even though I hate steelbooks.

Impressive!

Yes, impressive! I don't see many press kits lying around in my country. Actually, I've only seen like 4 or 5 at most over the years. Then one day I was looking at this website and came across something that caught my attention because I had never seen it bfore: playable review codes for both Ico & Shadow of Colossus HD + God of War Collection Vol. 2 with a unique package. It certainly is not a very big deal, but for a collector like me, I couldn't resists. It's the first and only time I ever saw this. How could I miss it, especially knowing they now complete my collection of games from two important series. And I don't have the retail versions yet as well but now I do have a special copy of the two games =)

That awkward moment...

... when I'm not sure if I've already post something about a new purchase I made. I don't update this blog a lot of times mainly because I don't have the time. After a while I forget if I have already posted pictures of a particular game or not. Happened this time with the Sonic Generations Press Kit that I got a few months ago.

Very sweet. This one even includes a promo copy of the game =)

So Come For Press Kit!

And yet another Socom game was released and with it a fairly original press kit. It seemed bad when I first saw it, but after I finally managed to purchase one. This is an inflatable press kit. It originally came with all the air. Seems waterproof as well but I don't intend to find out by myself if it really is. The contents are okay, a little poor, but the package that seems to be just a crappy plastic bag it's actually pretty nice, far better than I expected (not wonderful though, but good enough anyway).

'It sucks and it's very expensive', I said. 'No way I'll get it!'

I lied. I honestly wasn't expecting to buy this edition because the price seems very off considering the contents and the quality of the head gear. However, I still made a preorder on amazon to make sure I wouldn't miss it if it really became sold out and hard to get. That never really happened fortunately.

As I was walking around the videogame section of a particular store, I noticed the new Saint Seiya game was on the shelves already. With it I also noticed the myth Cloth Box Edition. That edition is pretty weak... The box is dull gray and not shiny, it has an average size, it only brings a DLC code and a t-shirt and all the items are loose inside the box. What a shame...

Suddenly, the wild Head Gear Edition appears in from of my eyes. At first I didn't eve realize that was the real thing. I can only think of a particular box that rivals the huge size this edition has, and it's the Crysis 2 Nano Edition. Yeah, the Head Gear Edition has almost the same size. And the box looks very good. I must say that the shiny packaging is an irresistible eyecandy unlike the cheaper collector's edition. Still, I resisted the initial temptation and didn't buy it. I came home and tried to find unboxing videos of that edition. I eventually found a french website with pictures. That's when I suddenly realised that the head gear included was made by branpresto and includes a numbered certificate of authenticity. Only 5000 exist...

A couple of days later I visited this store and found one edition for a cheaper price than amazon. That was the final drop. I immediately grabbed it and bought it before I changed my mind. In the end: totally worth it!

When I first heard about this...

And here I was surfing on the internet... and suddenly I found out about this particular Mass Effect 3 Alliance Edition limited to 1200 copies and exclusive to Gamestop Italy. How great, a very limited edition from a store that does not ship internationally even though they have stores in most european countries!

Not just that... it was already sold out. Awesome! I missed something far more interesting than the regular n7 edition, because the N7 edition is in fact included in that major box set!

Well, after making my mind and deciding to sell some stuff I have, I finally got enough money to order one off ebay for a far higher price.

I must say that I am actually disappointed with it in the end... It certainly looks something really good but it's so... I don't know, the quality is quite low! The notebook is just that, an empty notebook with nothing on it and a Mass Effect cover. Other than that it's close to worthless. The Alliance ship model doesn't have a proper package and it can be bought separately. The supposed lithograph is just a printed sticker. The N7 edition actually DOES NOT FIT because the space reserved for the game is only for the regular game and not for the CE. That SUCKS! And the interiors are made of very fragile card and as a result my edition came slightly damaged and I now I'm trying to fix it. The only thing that makes it worth it is the low numbers produced. Other than that, it's a good edition to be purchased for 130 euros (the original retail price) but not worth far more than that...

Tools of Mass Creativity

One of the most impressive press kits I have ever seen. I nave knew it existed in the first place. Its awesomeness deserved more than just a picture with a background, so as a result, here's the unboxing video I've posted on Youtube:

Soul Calibur V

And the 5th title of a fighting series that started on DC (yeah, PS1 etc, I know...) is finally here! And another edition came with it... This boxset is almost a copy paste of Fable III because it has the exact same size and shape. Content-wise, it's good enough to justify its purchase after the recent price drop. Haven't played the game yet, hopefully will soon.

I must say that I sold a part of my soul to get my hands on this rather rare press kit for the game Dark Souls and now I'l regretting a little... I mean... It's just not worth to pay so much for things that really don't have much value because their quality doesn't meet what it would be expected... With the money I've spent on this, I could have bought two or three of the most recent collector's editions, but I didn't. It's a shame, but I know that with time my remorse will go away. The box is a little fragile, mainly made of card with several stickers covering it. Comes with a very small book, a zippo and the promo version of the game, all placed in a foam inner support. I've seen this only three times for sale and the first one ended for over twice as much as I paid for mine. But now I see it really isn't worth that much for sure.

Damnn, another final fantasy game, yet another limited edition going insane on ebay after it became sold out. Stipud HMV decides to cancel my order one week before the release that, when it's already too late to find it in any other place. But suddenly they have a few more copies in stock. Zavvi, on the other hand, pulled a very dirty stunt... The edition was available for sale on their website for 59 pounds. It became sold out pretty quickly. The game gets released and this edition pops up on their ebay outlet store for TWICE AS MUCH. Seriously, WHY????

I had to get this edition from local stores. If it wasn't for that, I would have missed the PS3 version because it was pretty hard to get. I eventually picked up both, being such a Final Fantasy Fan... actually, I was a fan of the original 3 PS1 titles, and that's still one of the main reasons that makes me collect all games and editions from the series. If it wasn't for that, I'd not worry so much with buying the same game/edition for both consoles...

Right now I'm only missing the two exclusive slipcases and the blue slipcase for PS3 of the original FFXIII game.

Oh and I can't forget to mention that I also have the two preorder tin cases, one for each console, both factory sealed. My only complain is the fact that this is a steelbook and no matter how good people consider them, they rust where I live - and no I don't live in a pond, I live in a sunny country actually. Overall it was a fairly good preorder bonus to be honest.

I may not like steelbooks, but I do like those useless slipcases that come with regular games! I am still missing a few but wish to get them all. The latest was a Bumblebee slipcase for the game Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. It took me quite some time to get it but I finally managed to grab one for a bargain price, thanks to an amazing UK seller that decided to post to me. I am glad with that!