Category Archives: Updates

I promise, I haven’t gone anywhere

My apologies to the readers of passthemsticks.com

The site has not exactly been the epitome of activity lately, as it’s been nearly two weeks without a peep from me. That shouldn’t happen, and I plan to do much better going forward.
However, the recent inactivity can be explained by two things:

1. I am about to move out of the my current apartment and into a house
2. I’ve spent a lot of time actually playing games

I’ve gotten over a bout of fatigue and I’m feeling much more spry and ready to take on the continual challenges of running this site and keeping it updated with new content. In the coming weeks, I plan to have several new opinion posts and a couple reviews up for your viewing pleasure. Just so you know what games I’ll be reviewing, they are:

· Deus Ex: Human Revolution
· X-Men: Destiny
· Spider-Man: Edge of Time
· NBA 2K12 (more impressions and comparisons to last year than review)
· Deus Ex: Human Revolution – The Missing Link DLC

Also, I’ll be getting back to my weekly What I’m Gaming posts, so you can see what I’ve been playing and what I’ve bought and plan to buy. I’m still struggling with the logo design, so that’s holding up the launch of the new theme, but I’ll be working on that, too.

And once I’m settled in to new home and recovered (financially speaking), I am thinking about buying an HD PVR so I can make some walkthroughs and perhaps a video achievement guide or two. If I do, I’m going with the best – a Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR. What do you guys think about that? Should I go for it? Feel free to let me know in the comments below.

And thanks for sticking with me here.

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 7/6/11

I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday. Now that we’re back, we can resume our normal activities once again. Sorry, I’m a little late on this one. Life happens, you know?

It’s time for the Weekly Update. As usual, I’ll be listing out what deals are to be had for the week on both PSN and XBL, along with the prices, providing you with a convenient resource to use.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit

Playstation Network

PSN+ Exclusives

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception Multiplayer Beta
FREE to everyone!

Bomberman ULTRA
Price: Free to PSN+ (normally $9.99)

Me Monstar: Hear Me Roar
Price: Free to PSN+

New PSN titles

Ape Escape Move
Price: $19.99

PSN+ Sales

Burnout Paradise: Big Surf Island
Price: $2.99 (was $6.99)

Burnout Paradise: Boost Specials Car Pack
Price: $1.99 (was $4.99)

Burnout Paradise: Cops And Robbers
Price: $1.99 (was $4.99)

Burnout Paradise: Legendary Car Pack
Price: $1.99 (was $4.99)

Burnout Paradise Party Pack
Price: $1.99 (was $4.99)

Burnout Paradise: Time Savers Pack
Price: $1.99 (was $4.99)

Burnout Paradise Toy Car Collection
Price: $1.99 (was $6.99)

Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Towers
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Fate/unlimited codes
Price: $9.99 (was $19.99)

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit – Armed And Dangerous Pack
Price: $3.99 (was $6.99)

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit – Lamborghini Untamed Pack
Price: $3.99 (was $6.99)

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit – Porsche Unleashed Pack
Price: $3.99 (was $6.99)

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit – Super Sports Pack
Price: $3.99 (was $6.99)

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit – Three For All Bundle
Price: $10.99 (was $19.99)

Need For Speed Pro Street Add-On Content Collector’s Upgrade
Price: $2.99 (was $9.99)

Need For Speed Pro Street Add-On Content Extender Pack Bundle 1
Price: $1.99 (was $5.99)

Need For Speed Pro Street Add-On Content Extender Pack Bundle 2
Price: $1.99 (was $4.99)

Need For Speed Pro Street Add-On Content Sport Car Bundle
Price: $3.99 (was $6.99)

Need For Speed Pro Street Add-On Content Tuner Car Bundle
Price: $3.99 (was $6.99)

Need For Speed Pro Street Add-On Content Ultimate Bundle
Price: $2.99 (was $9.99)

Need For Speed: Shift: Exotic Racing Series
Price: $2.99 (was $9.99)

Need For Speed: Undercover Boss Car Bundle
Price: $1.99 (was $4.99)

Need For Speed: Undercover Collector’s Edition Upgrade
Price: $2.99 (was $10.00)

Need For Speed: Undercover Exotic Car Bundle
Price: $1.99 (was $7.50)

Need For Speed: Undercover Muscle Car Bundle
Price: $1.99 (was $5.00)

Need For Speed: Undercover Tuner Car Bundle
Price: $1.99 (was $5.00)

Need For Speed: Undercover Ultimate Performance Bundle
Price: $1.99 (was $10.00)

Need For Speed: Undercover Ultimate Visual Bundle
Price: $1.99 (was $5.00)

Power Stone Collection
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Ultimate Ghosts ‘N Goblins
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Source: PlayStation Blog

Torchlight screenshot

Xbox Live

New Xbox Live titles

Deadliest Warrior: Legend
Price: 800 MS Points

Dead Block
Price: 800 MS Points

MLB Bobblehead Pro
Price: 800 MS Points

Sales

Dante’s Inferno: Dark Forest Pack
Price: 200 MS Points (was 400)

Medal of Honor: Hot Zone Pack
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Rock Band: Blood Sugar Sex Magik album
Price: 1200 MS Points (was 1600)

TNT Racers
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Torchlight
Price: 800 MS Points (was 1200)

Source: Xbox.com

My Thoughts

I’ve been hearding a lot of people wanted this – Torchlight is finally on sale! Let’s see how many of them actually buy it, now. Personally, there’s not much for me here, aside from the Dante’s Inferno DLC. I don’t have the game, but it’s coming up soon on my Gamefly list. If you like racing, PSN has definitely got you covered this week. I am interested in the Power Stone Collection, though.

Your Thoughts

Now you can let me know what you think about this weeks update. What games are you getting? Do you planning on getting any of the new games this week?

Let me know in the comments.

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 6/29/11

It’s Wednesday, which means that it’s time for the Weekly Update once again. As usual, I’ll be listing out what deals are to be had for the week on both PSN and XBL, along with the prices, providing you with a convenient resource to use.

Uncharted 3

Playstation Network

PSN+ Exclusives

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception Multiplayer Beta
FREE to PSN+ users

Streets of Rage 2
Price: Free to PSN+

New PSN titles

Beyond Good and Evil HD
Price: $9.99

Gatling Gears
Price: $9.99

Puzzle Dimension
Price: $8.99

Streets of Rage 2
Price: $4.99

Price Drops

MAG Escalation Mission Pack
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

MAG Interdiction Mission Pack
Price: FREE (was $4.99)

PSN+ Sales

Dead Space Ignition
Price: $2.50 (was $5.00)

Deathspank
Price: $7.50 (was $14.99)

Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue
Price: $7.50 (was $14.99)

Funky Lab Rat
Price: $3.00 (was $9.99)

Mahjong Tales: Ancient Wisdom
Price: $3.99 (was $5.00)

MicroBot
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

Shank
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

Spare Parts
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

Tetris
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

The Fancy Pants Adventures
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

DLC

Crysis 2: Decimation Pack
Price: $9.99

Operation Flashpoint: Red River: Valley of Death Pack
Price: $6.99

Source: PlayStation Blog

Comic Jumper

Xbox Live

New Xbox Live titles

Backbreaker: Vengeance
Price: 1200 MS Points

Galaga Legions DX
Price: 1200 MS Points

HALF MINUTE HERO: Super Mega Neo Climax
Price: 800 MS Points

Sales

Comic Jumper
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Hard Corps: Uprising
Price: 600 MS Points (was 1200)

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
Price: 600 MS Points (was 1200)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Reshelled
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

X-Men Arcade
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Zeno CLash UE
Price: 600 MS Points (was 1200)

DLC

Call of Duty: Black Ops Annihilation Pack
Price: 1200 MS Points

Operation Flashpoint: Red River: Valley of Death Pack
Price: 560 MS Points

Source: Major Nelson

My Thoughts

It’s weeks like these that make me wish I wasn’t so impulsive sometimes. Out of the titles on sale on XBLA, I already have four of them. The other two I’m not all that interested in, so I’ll be passing on those this week. But I could’ve saved a lot of money if I’d waited to get them. Oh well, no use crying of spilled milk. There are a few solid titles on the PSN side, and if you have MAG, you’re definitely in for a good deal this week. However, this weeks main attraction is the beginning of the Uncharted 3 beta. If you’re a PSN+ subscriber (and most of us should be) then you have no reason to be passing on this. Enjoy!

Your Thoughts

Now you can let me know what you think about this weeks update. What games are you getting? Do you planning on getting any of the new games this week?

Let me know in the comments.

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 6/21/11

It’s Wednesday, which means that it’s time for the Weekly Update once again. As usual, I’ll be listing out what deals are to be had for the week on both PSN and XBL, along with the prices, providing you with a convenient resource to use.

Skarlet from Mortal Kombat

Playstation Network

New PSN titles

Alien Zombie Mega Death
Price: $7.99

Sales

Bionic Commando: Rearmed
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2
Price: $9.99 (was $14.99)

PSN+ Sales

3 on 3 NHL Arcade
Price: $3.00 (was $9.99)

Madden NFL Arcad
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters Eagle Pack
Price: $20.99 (was $34.99)

DLC

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Ressurection
Price: $9.99

Killzone 3 From The Ashes Pack
Price: $4.99

L.A. Noire: “Nicholson Electroplating” Arson Case
Price: $3.99

Mortal Kombat – Warrior Skarlet
Price: $4.99

Source: PlayStation Blog

L.A. Noire Arson DLC

Xbox Live

New Xbox Live titles

Lucha Fury
Price: 800 MS Points

Trenched
Price: 1200 MS Points

Sales

Bejeweled 2
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Bejeweled Blitz Live
Price: 200 MS Points (was 400)

Feeding Frenzy
Price: 200 MS Points (was 400)

Feeding Frenzy 2
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Heavy Weapon
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Peggle
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Peggle Nights
Price: 200 MS Points (was 400)

Plants vs. Zombies
Price: 600 MS Points (was 1200)

DLC

L.A. Noire: “Nicholson Electroplating” Arson Case
Price: 320 MS Points

Mortal Kombat – Warrior Skarlet
Price: 400 MS Points

Source: Major Nelson

My Thoughts

Not too much interesting stuff going on on either side. The DLC list looks good this week (I’ll be getting the L.A. Noire DLC and no doubt my future in-laws will grab Skarlet for Mortal Kombat 9. Outside of that, nothing seems too awful appealing to me.

Your Thoughts

Now you can let me know what you think about this weeks update. What games are you getting? Do you planning on getting any of the new games this week?

Let me know in the comments.

Streets_of_Rage___Surrounded_by_theland10

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 6/14/2011

It’s Wednesday, which means that it’s time for the Weekly Update once again. As usual, I’ll be listing out what deals are to be had for the week on both PSN and XBL, along with the prices, providing you with a convenient resource to use.

Streets_of_Rage___Surrounded_by_theland10

Playstation Network

New PSN titles

Streets of Rage 2 (pictured)
Price: Free and exclusive to PSN+ users

Sales

1942: Joint Strike
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Magic Orbz
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Rock Band: Alt Country Pack 01
Price: $5.49 (was $8.49)

Rock Band: Going Country Pack 01
Price: $5.49 (was $8.49)

Rock Band: Going Country Pack 02
Price: $7.99 (was $10.99)

Rock Band: Going Country Pack 03
Price: $5.49 (was $8.49)

Rock Band: Roy Orbison Track Pack 01
Price: $6.49 (was $9.99)

Rock Band 3: Johnny Cash Pack 01
Price: $8.99 (was $13.49)

PSN+ Sales

Braid
Price: $3.75 (was $14.99)

Cuboid
Price: $7.99 (was $9.99)

Magic Orbz
Price: $3.99 (was $4.99)

Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012
Price: $7.99 (was $9.99)

MicroBot
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

Smash Cars
Price: $11.99 (was $14.99)

Spare Parts
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

The Fancy Pants Adventures
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

Source: PlayStation Blog

Dance Central game

Xbox Live

New Xbox Live titles

Adventures of Shuggy
Price: 800 MS Points

Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012
Price: 800 MS Points

Sales

Dance Central: Dance Pack 1
Price: 640 MS Points (was 960)

Dance Central: Dance Pack 2
Price: 640 MS Points (was 960)

Dance Central: Dance Pack 3
Price: 640 MS Points (was 960)

Dance Central: Dance Pack 4
Price: 640 MS Points (was 960)

Dance Central: Marathon Pack
Price: 1680 MS Points (was 3360)

Dance Central: Heard Em All
Price: 160 MS Points (was 240)

Dance Central: Straight Up
Price: 160 MS Points (was 240)

Dance Central: Word Up
Price: 160 MS Points (was 240)

Dance Central: Weapon of Choice
Price: 160 MS Points (was 240)

Source: Major Nelson

My Thoughts

If you’re a PSN+ user, you should definitely be picking up Streets of Rage 2. It’s a good old school game, and it’s absolutely free. A few other solid games in there on sale for PlayStation Plus subscribers, like MicroBot – it was a pleasantly surprising game for me. Worth a buy, especially at only 5 bucks this week. It looks like there’s going to b a lot of dancing, singing and rockin’ out this week, with PSN discounting some Rock Band stuff and Xbox Live having a sale on all things Dance Central. I personally think that DLC for music games are painfully overpriced, and even with these sales, I still think they are.

Your Thoughts

Now you can let me know what you think about this weeks update. What games are you getting? Do you planning on getting any of the DLC this week?

Let me know in the comments.

Image via theland10 at deviantART, dancecentral.com

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 6/7/11

psn-logo_1 copy 2

Playstation Network

New PSN titles

Back to the Future: The Game – Episode 4
Price: Free!

New Adventure Island
Price: $5.99

Soldier Blade
Price: $5.99

Sales

Assassin’s Creed
Price: $9.99 (was $19.99)

Assassin’s Creed II: Deluxe Edition
Price: $9.99 (was $19.99)

Assassin’s Creed: The Da Vinci Disappearance
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Assassin’s Creed Sequence 12: The Battle of Forli
Price: $1.99 (was $3.99)

Assassin’s Creed Sequence 13: Bonfire of Vanities
Price: $1.99 (was $3.99)

Assassin’s Creed Sequence 13: Bonfire of Vanities and Secret Locations
Price: $3.49 (was $6.99)

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Vietnam
Price: $7.49 (was $14.99)

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 French Resurgence Package
Price: $7.49 (was $14.99)

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 French Stimulus Package
Price: $7.49 (was $14.99)

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Resurgence Package
Price: $7.49 (was $14.99)

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package
Price: $7.49 (was $14.99)

Tetris
Price: $4.99 (was $9.99)

Warhawk
Price: $9.99 (was $29.99)

Playstation Plus Sales

Dead Space: Ignition
Price: $2.50 (was $5.00)

Deathspank
Price: $7.50 (was $14.99)

Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue
Price: $7.50 (was $14.99)

Shank
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

Tumble
Price: $5.00 (was $9.99)

Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2011
Price: Free for PSN+ (was $9.99)

MotorStorm Apocalypse Prestige Vehicle Pack Bundle
Price: $1.99 (was $2.49)

Lilo & Stitch (PSone classic)
Price: Free to PSN+ (was $9.99)

Source: PlayStation Blog

xbox-360-logo

Xbox Live

Sales

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Resurgence Pack
Price: 600 MS Points (was 1200)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Pack
Price: 600 MS Points (was 1200)

Source: < a href="http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Promotion/dealoftheweek" target=_blank>Xbox.com

My Thoughts

Looks to me like Sony’s trying to do a lot of catching up, and I don’t blame them. For anyone interested in any of the games, this would be a great week to either pick up the games or DLC. Definitely a fantastic series of games. If you haven’t played them, I suggest you take this opportunity before it’s too late. If you like Warhawk, its got a steep discount this week, shaving off 20 bucks. Another good grab if you’re into that game.

Both sides have a lot of old Call of Duty map packs from previous games. Nothing to write home about, but if you own and enjoy the multiplayer in those games, it’s something you could look at. I won’t be getting them – I own the games but don’t play them online all that much. No new releases this week for 360. Are they waiting for the Summer of Arcade games? Who knows. But they’ve been letting us down the past few weeks.

Your Thoughts

What games or DLC are you considering buying this week? Is there anything you’re on the fence about?

Let me know in the comments!

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 5/31/11

psn-logo_1 copy 2

Playstation Network

Same old, same old. The Playstation Store is still down and Sony missed their self-imposed deadline of May 31st, but not by much. If everything goes according to plan, Sony says the Playstation Store should return on Friday, June 3, 2011. So the wait is almost over, then everyone can enjoy their selection of free games in Sony’s Customer Appreciation program. Oh, and since you’ll all be Playstation Plus subscribers, why not check out the Uncharted 3 beta at the end of the month?

Stay tuned.

xbox-360-logo

Xbox Live

Sales

All That Remains Pack 01
Price: 320 MS Points (was 440)

Avenged Sevenfold Pack 01
Price: 320 MS Points (was 440)

Dr. Feelgood (Album)
Price: 880 MS Points (was 1280)

Ozzy Osbourne Pack 01
Price: 560 MS Points (was 800)

Screaming for Vengeance (Album)
Price: 800 MS Points (was 1200)

Source: Xbox.com

My Thoughts

Still no PSN (for the moment) and nothing but Rock Band DLC on sale this week. Man, it’s starting to feel like Microsoft is either taking a break while PSN is gone or biding its time until it’s time for the Summer of Arcade games to come out. This is the weakest selection yet. Not even a new release available at this time.

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 5/24/11

psn-logo_1 copy 2

Playstation Network

I’m sure the routine is getting a bit old by now, but the Playstation Store is still down. I guess the rumor it would return on May 24 was wrong. Kinda like the prediction for Rapture and the End of the World being on May 21. Anyway, it appears it was just some scheduled maintenance for PSN.

xbox-360-logo

Xbox Live

New Games

Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale
Price: 1200 MS Points

Sales

Fallout 3: Broken Steel
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Shivering Isles
Price: 1200 MS Points (was 2400)

The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Source: Major Nelson

My Thoughts

Unless you love Besthesda games and have yet to pick up the DLCs, it’s a pretty weak week on Xbox Live. If there’s a Game of the Year version for either of those games, I’d probably pick that up instead of trying to buy each of these separately. There weren’t even any new Arcade games or DLC out this week. And of course, no PSN to compete. Maybe next week will be better. I hope so.

EDIT: Major Nelson posted an update stating the release of one game this week – Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale. So there is ONE new arcade game released this week, afterall.

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 5/24/11

psn-logo_1 copy 2

Playstation Network

I’m sure the routine is getting a bit old by now, but the Playstation Store is still down. I guess the rumor it would return on May 24 was wrong. Kinda like the prediction for Rapture and the End of the World being on May 21. Anyway, it appears it was just some scheduled maintenance for PSN.

xbox-360-logo

Xbox Live

New Games

Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale
Price: 1200 MS Points

Sales

Fallout 3: Broken Steel
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Shivering Isles
Price: 1200 MS Points (was 2400)

The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

Source: Major Nelson

My Thoughts

Unless you love Besthesda games and have yet to pick up the DLCs, it’s a pretty weak week on Xbox Live. If there’s a Game of the Year version for either of those games, I’d probably pick that up instead of trying to buy each of these separately. There weren’t even any new Arcade games or DLC out this week. And of course, no PSN to compete. Maybe next week will be better. I hope so.

EDIT: Major Nelson posted an update stating the release of one game this week – Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale. So there is ONE new arcade game released this week, afterall.

Weekly Update: XBL and PSN Deals 5/17/11

psn-logo_1 copy 2

Playstation Network

Once again, the Playstation Store is still down. No deals or new releases announced so far for this week. They did say, however, that they’re working hard to get it back up and that it should be available for use again “soon.” They’ve also said that they will play catch up with the content that would’ve been released while PSN was down. The plan is to do so in waves, instead of all at once. I’ll keep you posted.

xbox-360-logo

Xbox Live

New Xbox Live titles

SEGA Rally Arcade Online
Price: 800 MS Points

Sales

Age of Booty
Price: 200 MS Points (was 400)

Deadliest Warrior
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
Price: 400 MS Points (was 800)

DLC

Crysis 2: Retaliation Map Pack
Price: 800 MS Points

Source: Major Nelson

My Thoughts

The Playstation Store still isn’t up yet, but at least we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer. When it does come back, you’ll finally be able to collect those free games Sony is offering.

Nothing of note on the XBLA side. Not really interested in any of the deals this week, or the new release. The Crysis 2 DLC is only multiplayer maps, but does not add Achievements/Trophies, so be aware of that. Until next week.