BUZZKILLER'S DOMAIN

In this edition of Buzzkiller’s Strategy Guide we’re taking a look at Telltale Games’ Wallace and Gromit: Fright of the Bumblebees. Now unless your an absolute genius, you may have unlocked all the achievements on the first playthrough. There have been alot of players out there who’ve had trouble unlocking some tough achievements in the game. Well I’m here to help. I’ll show you how to unlock three of the tougher achievements in the game.

1. Get Cracking: Now keep in mind that this is a game full of dialogue. So it’s obvious that one of the game’s achievements has you paying attention to the dialogue of Wallace. You need to listen for when he says “cracking.” The only problem is that it takes a certain situation for it to happen. Each act has a certain task you must complete for Wallace to say the magical word. Here’s how:

Act 1: Have Gromit nag Wallace about the mail, then give Wallace his breakfast starting with the eggs.
Act 2. Have Wallace inspect the toast and the butter on the counter where Mr. Nutter slipped.
Act 3. Trap the bees in the town square first before any of the others and then talk to Wallace back at the house.
Act 4. Defeat the Queen Bee.

2. No Go Gorganzola: Alot of gamers questioned this achievement which meant that you couldn’t touch the Gorgonzola cheese through Act 3. The only problem is that you need the Gorgonzola cheese to help get the Sniffer 3000 out of jail in Act 2. This led to some confusion, but this incident doesn’t mean you can’t unlock the achievement. What happens is in Act 3, Constible Gibbons will drop the Gorgonzola cheese out of his hat. When this happens, just leave that cheese alone. Use the cheese at Mr. Paneer’s shop to help you take care of the bees in the cellar. When you get to the bottom of the cellar, use the remote to call for the Sniffer 3000. Then head back up to the backyard and drop the lullabye record from upstairs bedroom and the cheese from Mr. Paneer’s shop. Then head back to the basement and enter the Sniffer 3000 and choose the cheese the the top of the hive so you can put the bees to sleep. You’ll unlock the achievement after all the bees are taken care of.

3. Crack Shot: This achievement is the toughest of all. In Act 3 you must trap the three giant bees that are in the frontyard using the porridge gun. The catch is that you can’t miss one shot. This will take plenty of practice, but here’s where you shoot. First of all, have Gromit grab the tennis racquet from the upstairs bedroom. Then head outside and place the racquet on the gnome on the left. Then go to Major Crum and begin the shooting. (Bee 1) Shoot the shed on the right to bring out the robotic trousers. Once it stops, aim for the bee when he’s just above them and fire. The bee will fall into the trousers. Shoot the trousers once more and it will return to the shed. (Bee 2) Shoot the bee that’s over the pond. Once he falls, shoot the gnome on the right. This will flip the pond, sending the knocked out bee into the gnome with the tennis racquet and swing him into the hole in the tree. (Bee 3) Shoot the garbage can, knocking the lid into the fence. Then shoot the bee when he’s over the garbage can. Once he falls is, then shoot the top of the tree where Mr. Nutter’s house is. Mr. Nutter will then pop out. Shoot Mr. Nutter and he will fall down hitting the fence and sending the lid back over the garbage can. Achievement unlocked.

There you go. Now your 45 Gamerscore points closer to perfection.

June 25, 2009 will be a day long remembered as when the music world lost an icon. Young and old, love him or hate him, Michael Jackson truly left an indelible mark on all of us. His music was legendary. His dance moves like the “Moonwalk” were classic. His voice was unforgettable. He was the king of our generation, just like what our parents had with Elvis Presley.

I still remember growing up during the ’80’s listening to the “Thriller” album. Personally, I beleive that this is the greatest album of all time. Sure there were some other great albums like “Permanent Vacation” from Aerosmith, “Nevermind” from Nirvana, “Pretty Hate Machine” from Nine Inch Nails, “Appetite for Destruction” from Guns ‘n’ Roses, and “Ten” from Pearl Jam, but nothing was better than “Thriller.” I listened to that album over an over again and I never got sick of it. He’s also had plenty of other memorable songs like “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Smooth Criminal,” and when he teammed up with his sister Janet with “Scream.” I’ve even seen the old videos in the beginning of his career with his brothers in the Jackson 5 with songs like “ABC,” and “I Want You Back. Yes even back in the day they even thought Tito was popular.

Although the last decade plus of his life was marred by controversy with his obsession with young children, holding his son “Blanket” over a balcony, his marriage to Jamie Lee Presley (c’mon, you know that it didn’t look like a real marriage), and the South Park episode where he was called Mr. Jefferson and danced around in a Peter Pan outfit. While these moments may have scarred his image, his millions upon millions of loyal fans around the world still stood behind him especially the dove lady who threw out a dove for every time he was pronounced “Not Guilty.” I really hope people who condemned him for these acts can put all of this behind them and put it to rest.

In the coming years, many others will try to be the king of their generation, but none will ever top Michael. His spirit will live on for all future generations with his music and his trademark dance moves. Michael Jackson will be missed, but never fogotten. Most importantly, remember Michael Jackson for who he was, is, and always will be. “The King of Pop.”

I played a demo for Section 8 at E3. Here is the trailer for Section 8 from TimeGate Studios due for release in August.

Fight Night Round 4 (EA Sports, $59.99)

This latest installment of the Fight Night series has been rebuilt from the ground up. All of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport are here along with current stars and up and coming prospects. Mike Tyson makes his Fight Night debut. Clearly this is the best Fight Night so far.

CLICK HERE for the full review.

Fallout 3: Point Lookout (Bethesda, 800 Microsoft Points)

The latest DLC for Fallout 3 takes you on a journey to the swampland of Point Lookout. It sort of resembles the classic movie “Deliverance” except for the kid playing the banjo. I do suggest you watch your back or else you could be squealing like a pig.

CLICK HERE for the review.

It’s finally happened. I reported one month ago that The Behemoth was holding a contest for when the one millionth player would play Castle Crashers. Well just last night, the goal was reached. Conratulations to The Behemoth for another successful game, and I’m sure the person who guessed the right time is going to get that “spectacular” prize.

Alright enough talking. Time for me to play more Castle Crashers.

Sam & Max Save The World (Telltale Games, 1600 Microsoft Points)

Telltale Games revives Sam & Max, the comedic duo of a wise-cracking yet serious dog (Sam) and his sarcastic and psychotic rabbit partner (Max). Together this freelance police duo must save the world. The complete first season (6 episodes) are now available on Xbox Live Arcade.

CLICK HERE for the full review

Chalked (Taurice Couser, 400 Microsoft Points)

Chalked offers you a choice of either being the hero and save the city, or becoming the villian and destroying it by leveling buildings. The choice is up to you.

CLICK HERE for the full review.

Plows In Hell (Handkor, 200 Microsoft Points)

Your trapped in hell, but you have a chance to escape and save your soul. The only problem is that not only do you have to defeat demonic minions, but you must also keep the last sheet of ice from melting away. So what do you do?

CLICK HERE for the full review

June 1, 2009 was the day when the first trailer for Left 4 Dead 2 appeared during the Microsoft Press Conference at E3. The crowd onhand as well s the crowd watching at home were shocked and excited to see that the zombie shooter is back for more action. This time arond the game takes place in a new location (New Orleans), new characters, new weapons including melee weapons, new boss zombies, a new multiplayer mode, and the AI Director adds weather effects to the mix. Now that sounds great, so great that I’ve alreadt reserved a copy of the new game releasing on November 17, and I’ll be fist in line for a midnight release. While I’m really excited to slay more zombies, it seems that there are a select few who disagree and plan to boycott the release.

According to some gamers out there who purchased the original game on PC via Steam have voiced their discontent to Valve’s new title and plant to boycott the game. Over 18,000 gamers have joined this group and have said that they’ve not received support and content from Valve which was promised. Instead they feel that Valve has abandoned the game only to create a new one so that they charge full price, split the gaming communities, and decrease the value of multiplayer gaming. Others believe that the game is coming out too soon and Vavle is milking the franchise. They also go on to state that Left 4 Dead 2 does not warrant the quality of a new game, and that this should be considered as discounted or even free DLC. Now according to my sources, that would be Chet Faliszek, at E3 2009 he said that even though there is a new Left 4 Dead game on the horizon they’ll continue to support the first game as well. If that’s the case, then why are you people bitching.

It surprises me that most people are complaining about this only to realize that this type of thing has been going on for years. Here’s some examples. What about EA’s sports games like Madden, NBA Live, and others. Every year it’s practically the same game except for new rosters. So basically your paying $60 a year for a roster update. Where were the complaints or boycotts? How about Activision’s Guitar Hero franchise. Did you know that since April of 2007 there have been five different Guitar Hero games? Before the end of this year there will be three more. Once again, where’s the complaints and boycotts?

Now Xbox 360 owners are happy about the new game and can’t wait for more zombie slaying action, so why can’t all you PC users feel the same way. Can’t we all just get along? The bottom line in all of this is if you feel like Valve is cheating you, although their not, then speak with your wallet on November 17. This petition signing and boycotting is not going to stop Valve from releasing the game. I still plan on playing the original Left 4 Dead even after the release of Left 4 Dead 2 because Valve still continues to support it. Now do us all a favor and quit whining!

Rocket Riot (THQ, 800 Microsoft Points)

Don’t adjust your screen, this is not a retro game. It’s Rocket Riot! Your character is equipped with a rocket launcher and a jet pack attached to your ass. Your mission is to eliminate Blockbeard and his minion in deathmatch style gameplay. This game is quite addictive and alot of fun so I would give it a try.

CLICK HERE for the review

Wallace & Gromit: Fright of the Bumblebees (Telltale Games, 800 Microsoft Points)

Fright of the Bumblebees is the first of four episodes in Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures. In this episode, Mr Paneer asks Wallace for 50 gallons of honey. I don’t want to spoil it, but the rest of the episode is filled with lots of bees, growth hormones, and plenty of “Gromit to the rescue” moments. Fans of Wallace & Gromit will love this game since the presentation and humor is spot on just like the award winning short flms.

CLICK HERE for the full review.