A Bit Ill & Upping the Emulation Game

By

On 31st October 2021

In Blog

Most of the past fortnight I have been quite unwell, a tummy bug that just refused to budge.

Spent a few days in bed unable to do much of anything including one day where I basically slept for 20 hours.

Emulation

So the emulation game needs improving, and I have tried to do that by turning my Raspberry Pi kit that I got earlier this week into an emulation console.

Originally when I ordered it, I was thinking of making it a server to run Home Assistant, but I am not quite ready to do that yet, but it is high on the list.

Anyway at first I installed Recallbox, but I couldn’t get on with it and it refused to recognise the DualShock 3 controller I am using temporarily, well I was and then an Xbox controller was freed up, and I much prefer the layout of the Xbox pad.

So I ended up putting Batocera on there, but that refused to connect to the houses Wi-Fi, which was really annoying as Batocera was my first choice to run the system.

So I ended up going with RetroPie, which is a fantastic bit of software and very user configurable, but it’s as user friendly as I wanted it to be.

At the moment I have emulators for the Master System, Mega Drive, Game Gear, Mega CD, 32X, Dreamcast, NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, Amstrad CPC and PlayStation running and still figuring out to get Amiga CD32 and Neo Geo games running.

The primary intended use is for my nephews to enjoy use of it and play some amazing games from my childhood.

But I am looking forward to being able to play some of these games myself.

Meanwhile downstairs I took a photo of my family of controllers that I have right now!

What I Am Modelling

Not much this week as I have been quite poorly, but I did paint a couple of Legio Custodes Caladius Grav Tanks.

I then moved onto the Phase 1 Clone Troopers for my Grand Army of the Republic.

Not my best work but they look okay for the tabletop.

So what’s coming up next week?

  1. Magos Macrotek Enginseer & Servo-Automata x 4
  2. Ork Shockjump Dragsta
  3. Yndrasta, the Celestial Spear & Celestant Prime
  4. Obi-Wan Kenobi
  5. Necron Skorpekh Destroyers x 6, Canoptek Plasmacyte x 3 & Warriors x 3
  6. Flesh-Eater Courts Terrorghiest
  7. Blackstone Fortress the Archivist
  8. Adeptus Custodes Wardens x 5
  9. Death Korps of Krieg Heavy Bolter Teams x 3
  10. Blackstone Fortress Ambull & Borewyrm Infestations x 2

What Am I Reading

A lack of concentration means nowt 🙁

What Video Games Am I Playing

Other than a three hour stint on Dizzy, I have mostly played Halo Reach and got it completed this Friday.

I have now started on Halo 4, which I never got very far in the last time I played, and I am now further than that.

I found it frustrating and dark, and at the time my setup wasn’t that great. Much more enjoyable to play now, but the Forerunner level was a bit of a chew on.

Also played a few games of Street Fighter Alpha, I seem to be incapable of pulling off the special moves or defeating the final opponent 🙁

I played a lot of Forza Horizon 4, managing to go on an Achievement hunting run on Friday, getting myself a total of 150G in a couple of hours.

I am kind of wanting to get to 32000G by Christmas, so need a few more days like that.

What Tabletop Games Am I Playing

Adeptus Titanicus was played a couple of weeks ago at the club, mostly as an intro game for Graham.

Myself, Lindsay and Megan also played a game off Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese Pizza, which I won, and a game of Love Letter, which Lindsay won on a Friday night.

What I Am Creating

I have been quite ill these past weeks so things have been slow.

But the next episode of Edge of Empire was published, so that’s good.

I have made a video that’s going out Monday about a couple of odd games for the Master System from Brazil, more because I though that they were weird.

And the next Imperium Battle Report went out as well!

What I Am Backing

Actually noting right now.

What I Am Cooking

Another week with nowt at all.

What I Am Spending

Probably too much, I bought a couple of movies to watch on the Xbox, I had some vouchers going spare from the rewards program.

I bought Ultra Street Fighter IV just cause I fancied playing it and I didn’t own it, only cost me £3.99 and I was happy paying it. I want Street Fighter V but I am gonna wait until next month for that.

I did also pick up Aeon’s End because it came on sale at the right price.

And I umm, well I bought an Xbox Series X, managed to get it from EE with a pair of extra Controllers and Assassins Creed Valhalla as an Add to Plan item, which is fantastic.

It’s going to live in the den and will also be used as the households 4k Blu Ray Player, so I picked up a couple of 4K UHD Blu-Rays, The Little Mermaid and Mulan, cause it’s Lindsay and Megan I need to win over to this new format!

Warhammer 40,000 Imperium – Issue 4 Battle Report

By

On 29th October 2021

In Battle Reports

The second part of the Warhammer 40,000 Imperium Battle Report Series Each issue I will bring you a fully painted White Dwarf style battle report.

In this fourth episode, we see the Blood Ravens Assault Intercessors & Primaris Lieutenant attempt to prevent a Canoptek Plasmacyte from awakening more of the devastating Destroyer Cult.

But standing in thier way are a trio of rage filled Skorpekh Destroyers.

Who will prevail in this battle between the sinister Necrons and the noble warriors of the Imperium

You can support what I do by doing any of the following:-

Virtua Fighter & Street Fighter II on the Master System

By

On 27th October 2021

In Blog, Videos

Did you know that Virtua Fighter & Street Fighter II got releases on the Master System, well now you do, so how do they look.

For some far better retro gaming content, check out Lady Decade and Sega Lord X.

Here are some specific videos

You can support what I do by doing any of the following:-

Last Resort

By

On 22nd October 2021

In Book Reviews

I have been provided with an advance copy of the new Zombicide book Last Resort by Josh Reynolds, published by Aconyte Books, so here is the honest review I promised in exchange for the book.

So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.

I am also friend with Josh on Facebook, however I am sure for him that’s more about connecting with fans rather than being one of my best buds, that said he is actually a really nice guy.

I am going to try my best to not let that cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.

So let’s crack on with a review then!

What is Zombicide

Zombicide is a co-op adventure game set in a post zombie apocalyptic world, created by Guillotine Games and published by CMON.

Its someone of a Kickstarter success story and is now in its 2nd edition. Each player controls a survivors, as they look to complete a narrative objective before being overrun by zombies, who come in various different forms, such as walkers, crawlers, brutes etc.

Its also been spun off into both a Fantasy and Sci-Fi theme.

I personally own most of whats been published for the 1st edition with all of the major expansions and a good deal of minor ones too, but I am still struggling to find Dave the Geek to complete my “not The Big Bang Theory” survivours.

The Story

The story begins in the very opening stages of the apocalypse as the main protagonist Westlake escapes from a mob assassination, and then it picks up some months later with his being on the hunt for a mountain mob hideaway known only as “The Villa”.

Running into a former FBI agent who he previously escaped from, Westlake puts together a crew of her, a masked Mexican Wrestler, a college student who has been studying the zombies, a wannabe cowboy, and a conspiracy theorist to head up into the mountains and claim The Villa for a community of survivors to move in and make secure.

However treachery from within the survivor’s camp causes the expedition to go awry and forces Westlake’s “crew” to head off ahead of time and make some challenging decisions.

Conclusion

I warn you that this book is not for the squeamish, its very bloody, very gory and filled with plenty of gross moments.

That’s a good thing, its a zombie novel that doesn’t pull any punches and just lives up to the idea of what it is.

Westlakes crew is extraordinarily well developed and despite not having huge amount’s of page time, they actually get it right and show off their background and character traits in a way that means when they face danger, you feel stress because you have become close to them.

For me everything else is a bonus, Josh has created a book that really explores the characters so well that its absolutely riveting, it started off strong with an amazing opening chapter and never let up in its intensity nor quality.

my only criticism is that the secondary antagonist’s seemed a little cliché and cookie cutter, but that’s a stretch as their character wasn’t that important to the story.

Its a great book filled with grossness, natural and very well written flowing dialogue and leaves you craving more.

Absolutly 5 out of 5 stars.

Last Resort is out now as an eBook and the paperback will be out on November 25th.

Bad Sleep

By

On 19th October 2021

In Blog

Recently, I am so buggered up with Insomnia.

I am following the advice the doctor gave me, so no being in bed unless it’s for sleep, staying up until I am actually tired, no caffeine after 4pm (I am actually quite bad at that one) e and getting up at a set time etc.

The biggest issue I am having is that I love reading in bed, it’s my safe space to read and it’s where I feel most comfortable reading, so my reading has plunged to a record low.

But I am struggling to be asleep before 4am and it’s making my days awful, even when I am so tired I just can’t get to sleep.

I don’t want to end up on sleeping tablets, so I am doing my best to avoid that, but something has to give.

What I Am Modelling

I started the week by painting two units of Stromcast Eternals Judicators armed with Skybolt Bows.

This actually completes all the Stormcast Eternals I have right now, other than Yndrasta, the Celestial Spear, and the Celestant Prime should also be delivered and day now.

I then painted some Orks, specifically five Nobz, a Painboy, Warboss, Gorzag Gitatompa and Nikkit.

After that I painted an infantry squad for the Death Korps of Krieg.

And whilst painting those, I also knocked out the Spindle Drones and Guardian Drones for Blackstone Fortress, which actually completes the original games and the Ascension expansion.

So what’s coming up next week then?

  1. Mechanicum Mavis Macrotek Enginseer & Servo-Automata x 4 (Once I find it)
  2. Legio Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank x 2
  3. Grand Army of the Republic Phase 1 Clone Troopers x 22
  4. Ork Shockjump Dragsta
  5. Yndrasta, the Celestial Spear & The Celestant Prime
  6. Obi-Wan Kenobi
  7. Necron Skorpekh Destroyers x 6 & Canoptek Plasmacytes x 2
  8. Flesh-Eater Courts Abhorrent Ghoul King on Royal Terrorgheist
  9. Blackstone Fortress The Archivist
  10. Adeptus Custodes Wardens x 5

What I Am Reading

I finished The Dark Avengers: Patriot List by David Guymer, the review for which you can read here.

I have now started on the Zombiecide novel, Last Resort by Josh Reynolds and should have a review if this amazing book out by Thursday.

What Video Games Am I Playing

I did my play through of the 8-Bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, and posted that up on YouTube.

Decided to continue with doing a retro play through and I am currently playing Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the Master System using Retroarch.

Started that late Monday night, with very frequent saves. I had intended to play a level a night but due to a shitty sleep cycle, I only got a chance ti play again on Friday night.

I also started streaming again, and had a very early morning Bioshock Infinite stream on Thursday, which was uploaded to YouTube on Friday.

I have got the old PC that used to belong to Geoff set up to run some old games via emulation, it is however a lot lot older than we thought it was and the GPU is not the GTX 750 that Geoff was told it was, but rather a GT210, which is significantly worse.

I have also played a little bit of Back 4 Blood, which has been rather enjoyable, and I am continuing to play Halo Reach.

What Tabletop Games Am I Playing

Sadly none, but I am playing Adeptus Titanicus tonight with Graham for an Intro game!

What Am I Creating

As in a previous section I posted the video of my 8-Bit Sonic the Hedgehog play through and the sequels play through.

In regards to the YouTube stuff, I made it to 75 subscribers on Monday, which is amazing cause I was on like 30 something a few months ago, and at time of writing, I am now at 88 subscribers which is mind blowing!

I am not trying to become some kind of popular content creator, I just feel like there is stuff I want to do for my own enjoyment. I have zero interest in appeasing the algorithm, I just want to make content that I personally want to see myself.

So my current focus is on the battle reports in the casual narrative style, and retro video game playthroughs. And any Twitch video game playthroughs will get added to that as well.

What I Am Backing

Sadly Munchkin Mayhem was cancelled, so right now I am not backing anything.

What I Am Cooking

Not a good week, other than beans on toast, nowt.

What I Am Spending

I feel like I am finally in a place where I can restore this section of the blog, but I may not share any hauls quite as frequently.

This week was subdued in terms of spending initially, I bought myself the Play Pink Bundle on Humble Bundle, I had most of what’s in the bundle, but what I didn’t have saved me plenty of money still.

And Steam Codes for most other stuff is being given to friends, who don’t have them.

I also bought a couple of video games in addition to the bundle.

I bought Far Cry 6, well I got it dirt cheap from a friend who works at Ubisoft. I also grabbed Alan Wake Remastered with a voucher for the Epic Games Store and the Premium Add-Ons Bundle for Forza Horizon 5.

I also kinda spent some money on a Raspberry Pi kit, I am enjoying old games and I want to add a emulation machine in the den, that’s easily transported around. Along with a USB Bluetooth dongle so I can link the DualShock 3 Controllers to it.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-Bit) Playthrough

By

On 18th October 2021

In Video Game Playthroughs

Last week I brought you a play through of the Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog, and this week, how about it’s sequel, except this time, it’s on the Master System!

This was supposed to have been done in smaller stages than the last one, but due to an awful sleeping pattern this week, it got all bunched up at the end of the week.

So anyway, here it is, and I hope you enjoy this Master System classic, which interestingly enough, didn’t really see a release on the system in the US!

Warhammer 40,000 Imperium – Issue 3 Battle Report

By

On 15th October 2021

In Battle Reports

The second part of the Warhammer 40,000 Imperium Battle Report Series Each issue I will bring you a fully painted White Dwarf style battle report.

In this third episode, we see the Blood Ravens Assault Intercessors attempt to defend a signal beacon from some Necron Warriors, and for the first time, the tutorials introduce charging and fighting!

Who will prevail in this battle between the sinister Necrons and the noble warriors of the Imperium

Dark Avengers: The Patriot List

By

On 12th October 2021

In Book Reviews

I have been provided with an advance copy of the new Marvel Untold book Dark Avengers: The Patriot List by David Guymer published by Aconyte Books, so here is the honest review I promised in exchange for the book.

So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.

I am also friends with David on Facebook, although thats probably more about him connecting with fans than him being my best bud!

I am going to try my best to not let these things cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.

Also I won’t lie, I have looked at other reviews to see what others think, so there may be some influences from them in this book review. If I am going to quote them, I will attribute them. But if I forget to, or something is highly influenced by them, and you think I ought to attribute someone, let me know so that I can.

What is Marvel

Look at this point I would bore you with a bit of background to the game/universe, but lets not, you all know the Marvel Universe, if you don’t have you been living under a rock!

The Dark Avengers were a iteration of the avengers which contained several members who were supervillains disguised as stablished superheroes.

In this iteration, we have Mac Gargans Venom as Spider-Man, Moonstone as Ms Marvel, Bullseye as Hawkeye, Daken as Wolverine and the superheroes, Ares and The Sentry. The team is lead by Norman Osborn who wears a Stark armour which is known as Iron Patriot.

The Story

So I will start off by saying that this is a book in which you really do need a bit of knowledge of the Marvel universe to really get on and enjoy it, because its not a book that explains the characters and background in a great amount of detail.

But if you have a the basic understanding of the universe, you are gonna really enjoy this book.

This story is set in the aftermath of the Secret Invasion storyline, when Norman Osborn has seized control of S.H.I.E.L.D. and reformed it into H.A.M.M.E.R. and rebuilt the avengers with psychopaths. maniacs and killers.

The story revolves around a plot by S.H.I.E.L.D. loyalists to steal a secret list of potential replacements for the Avengers known as the Patriot List, which involves a plot to embarrass Norman Osborn a man with a real obsession with his public image.

So Osborn releases the worst of the worst to prevent any threat to his leadership of the world security.

Conclusion

This is a very good story, its high octane and filled with amazing dialogue that sassy and at the same time a little horrifying.

The action scenes are frankly some of the best I have ever read, just well written and balanced.

The character dynamics are a highlight, and each of the teams members are given their own chance to shine, with everyone getting a reasonably equal bit of time to show themselves off.

As well as being a very good action novel, it also has an amount of depth as it also focuses on the mental health of the Dark Avengers, because as you can imagine, the villains have their own daemons to battle.

I really enjoyed that for the antagonists, David has gone deep into the Marvel lore and brought up some superheroes/villains from deep down that you rarely see, and perhaps may not know about at all.

The Dark Avengers are a pretty nasty bunch, some more so than others, but David really has got you rooting for them and wanting them to win, and given the way he doesn’t hide what they really are, that’s not a mean feat.

This gets a solid 5 out of 5 stars from me and frankly is a near perfect Marvel novel.

The eBook is out now and the paperback hits bookstores on the 25th November.

Sonic the Hedgehog (8-Bit) Playthrough

By

On 11th October 2021

In Video Game Playthroughs

Following my enjoyable playthrough of Alex Kidd in Shinobi World a few weeks ago, I decided to take a go at Sonic the Hedgehog on the Game Gear (Which I think, is the best of the two 8-Bit versions).

Really had a lot of fun and I did this over a few days cause the tiredness is real and I am really struggling to stay awake.

So anyway, here it is, and I hope you enjoy this Game Gear classic!

Birthday Week

By

On 10th October 2021

In Blog

This week I had my birthday, and it wasn’t what I hoped for.

My sister in laws cat went missing, and I have some medical stuff to deal with.

So Fosfos, Emma’s cat went missing on Sunday night and it’s not like her to wander, so Monday Emma was busy leafleting in Blyth where she lives.

Tuesday, Lindsay and Megan went up to help her, but she was still no where to be found, thankfully she returned home at 2am Tuesday and woke up Emma for cuddles.

So that was a huge relief.

Tuesday night we went out for Nando’s for my birthday, which I really enjoyed, haven’t had a Nando’s since the day before the first lockdown and I really enjoyed it.

Present wise, Lindsay and Megan bought me the Evil Comes Prepared expansion for Disney Villainous and the Orruk Warclans Battletome, and I bought myself the Stormcast Eternals Battletome and the Charadon terrain box.

At the weekend we were meant to have some of our nephews staying but Gandalf our arsehole of a rabbit developed an ear infection, so he had to be rushed to the vets and needs hand feeding for a bit, so that was not a good environment for the boys to stay over as they are very active.

He is slowly getting better, but he really does fight us when it comes time to give him his medication.

What I Am Modelling

I started off by painting the Negavolt Cultists and Rogue Psykers for Blackstone Fortress.

The Rogue Psykers were finished first.

Followed by the Negavolt Cultists.

I then painted up three Assault Intercessors and a Primaris Captain from Imperium.

After which I turned my attention to two squads of Stormcast Eternals Judicators for the Celestial Vindicators.

So what’s planned for next week then?

  1. Mechanicum Magos Macrotek Enginseer & Servo-Automata x 4
  2. Stormcast Eternals Judicators x 10
  3. Ork Nobz x 6, Painboy, Warboss & Grots x 3
  4. Death Korps of Krieg Infantry Squad x 10
  5. Legio Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank x 2
  6. Blackstone Fortress Spindle Drones x 6 & Guardian Drones x 2
  7. Grand Army of the Republic Phase 1 Troopers x 22
  8. Ork Shockjump Dragsta
  9. Yndrasta, the Celestial Spear
  10. Obi-Wan Kenobi

What I Am Reading

Actually haven’t read a thing all week 🙁

What Video Games Am I Playing

Played a lot more Halo 3: ODST and got that finished and have now started on Halo Reach!

I also played through Sonic the Hedgehog on the Game Gear, emulated via Retroarch and have a play through video of that uploading tomorrow.

What Tabletop Games Am I Playing

On my birthday we played a game of Ticket to Ride: London, and I was three points off wining, but I am happy I didn’t come last again!

On Sunday me and Lindsay had a game off Ticket to Ride: Germany using her new Play Pink train set. And surprisingly I won!

After that Megan joined us to play a game of Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu, and we managed to close all four gates and save the world from the terror of the Old Ones!

What Am I Creating

I published a Warhammer 40K Battle Report of my Death Guard taking on Megans Orks, which you can see below.

What I Am Backing

Munchkin Mayhem looks amazing, and I have decided to back it, cause well I love Munchkin.

So I went in on the YOU GOT GAME! level, it’s only £12 or so, but I really think it could be a cool game.

What Am I Cooking

Once again, bugger all 🙁

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