I remember months ago reading about the new Star Wars line that Adidas was coming out with. They had shoes, shirts, hoodies, and a few other things that I can’t remember, but from what I saw, I liked it.

On June 4th they released the, what I think is the first, commercial for the line. It makes perfect sense seeing that the World Cup 2010 is just a few days away. Since I wasn’t paying attention, I caught the video today, and I really liked it. I loved seeing Daft Punk, and the bit with David Beckham and Greedo was hilarious. It puts a new twist on the whole ‘Han shot first‘ bit. There were loads of other celebs in there as well, so have fun playing ‘Where’s Waldo’.

So check it out below, and let us know what you thought!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zd_khk6zXo&feature=player_embedded#!

- Me

I was never bit by the MMORPG bug in the way most people are.  I tried World of Warcraft for a month or two, but eventually got tired of paying a monthly subscription fee just to grind a character.  I only started World of Warcraft in the first place because there was a promotion for a free week of play, and I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about.  Since that time, I haven’t touched another MMORPG.  There are titles I would love to play, but I just can’t get past paying a monthly subscription for the current state of MMOs.

News reached me today, however, that may signal the end of my life as I know it.  Lord of the Rings: Online has announced that, this fall, they will become a Free to Play MMORPG.  The game will be free to download, and there will be no subscription fee.  Lord of the Rings: Online has received phenomenal reviews since its release in 2007, and placed sixth in GameSpy’s Top 10 Games of 2007 list.  As an individual who has many times over the course of his life wished that he could have lived in Middle Earth, I have no choice but to immerse myself in this game fully once the free price point activates.  Now I can keep my principles and banish evil from Middle Earth!  I have already signed up for the beta, starting June 16th.  Why not sign up and join me in the Shire as a Hobbit?  How about in Minas Tirith as a Man, Khazad-Dum as a Dwarf, or Rivendell as an Elf?  HOW ARE YOU NOT AS FUCKING EXCITED ABOUT THIS AS I AM!?

More details are available here.

Now all I need to ruin my life is free access to Star Wars: The Old Republic and Star Trek Online, as well as completion of (and free access to) a fantastic Firefly MMO.

-[insert THE DARK FIRE WILL NOT AVAIL YOU, FLAME OF UDUN! here]

I should probably start this review off saying that I am a big BioWare fan. I cracked out on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire, so I wasn’t shocked when I lost many hours of my life to Dragon Age: Origins. Being a huge RPG fan, I found Dragon Age to be fantastic. When a proper expansion was announced, I was excited and counted down the days. Three DLC packs had already been released – The Stone Prisoner, Return to Ostagar, and Warden’s Keep – but they weren’t long enough, or at least in my opinion. I guess you can say that I am hard to please.

Anyways, knowing that the Dragon Age: Origins Awakening expansion was to be released on a disc, and not DLC, I knew I was in for a treat. You start off having the option of using the character you already have, or starting off as a random Grey Warden sent from Orlais to restore the order in Ferelden. This time your travels take you to Amaranthine, which was once the land belonging to that corrupt asshole Arl Rendon Howe (who, might I add, was wonderfully voiced by the amazing Tim Curry), and now the domain of the Ferelden Grey Wardens. The primary character has been given the title of Warden Commander, and your stronghold is Vigil’s Keep.

I have to admit that I missed my old companions. I put in close to 100 hours in Dragon Age: Origins, and as corny as this may sound, one starts to get attached to their party. I loved the banter between Shale and Alistair, but I was very happy when I saw Ogrhen. For those who might not remember that name, he was the fabulously drunk dwarf, and he is still a little boozer. Depending on the sex of your imported character, and the relationship you went with regarding Alistair, you will get the appropriate conversation when he comes to visit briefly. I did run into Wynne, had a short conversation with her, got a little side quest, and depending on what you did with Loghain and Anora, I know you run into them too. I didn’t see them because I happily slaughtered Loghain and locked Anora away in Origins. At Vigil’s Keep, Herren and Wade, the blacksmiths from Denerim’s Market District, join you and become your go-to guys for armor and other items. Other than that, I didn’t run into any familiar faces.

After awhile I started to get used to having different people, but there was one character I had a hard time with. In the beginning at Vigil’s Keep, you hear of a prisoner who was trying to steal some things. When you go to investigate, you see that he is Nathaniel Howe, the son of Arl Rendon Howe. My imported character is from the female human noble origin, and if you’ve played through that, you know that Arl Rendon Howe was a close friend of your Father, and somebody he trusted. The Arl decides to be a complete dick, betray your family by attacking your home, and in the end you are forced to leave with Duncan while your Mother dies trying to defend your fatally wounded Father. The last thing I wanted was a Howe in my party, but at the time he was the only rogue available and I needed somebody to pick locks open.

Everybody else was pretty basic – two mages, another rogue, etc – except for a warrior named Justice. At one point, you get sucked into The Fade, and you come across a group of people protesting a woman known as Baroness. You are greeted by a Spirit of Justice, who explains what is going on, and after the events unfold you are sent back to the “real” world. Only problem is that Justice gets sent as well, but he inhabits the body of a dead man you were tasked of finding. So yes….you have a Zombie Warrior in the Awakening expansion, and as time goes on, you see his face decompose more and more. I approve BioWare, I approve.

Graphics, controls, and gameplay are the same, and that’s to be expected. The main differences are the locations you go to, the people you interact with, but most importantly the Darkspawn. Before they were mindless drones, but now they plot, have strategies, and can even speak. What were once idiotic creatures are now pains in the ass who have a thought process. Also, this time around you have two big bads to worry about: The Architect, in which there is a method to his madness, and The Mother. I only have two words when describing The Mother – sagging boobs. If you thought the Broodmother was disgusting from Origins, wait until you catch a glimpse of The Mother. Just looking at her for a split second made me want to rush out to the nearest store and buy several bras with underwire support. If those Darkspawn can talk, they need to do her a favor and encourage her to put a top on, even if it’s just a bundle of twigs or something.

Dragon Age: Origins Awakening has a darker feeling to it. There is much more corruption, deceit, betrayal, and manipulation in this than in the original, and I like it. I love the twists in the plot regarding The Architect, because you find out he really isn’t as bad as he seems, but I highly suggest that you pick up the two Dragon Age books that are out there. Not only will you get some fantastic back story regarding Alistair’s bloodline, but you find out more about the bad-ass known as Duncan, and you get to know even more about The Architect. My only complaint is that I wanted it to be longer. I never want to put this game down, but when the credits roll I don’t really have a choice! BioWare has created something really special here with Dragon Age, and I can’t wait to see where they continue to take this already incredible franchise.

I give it an 8 out of 10.

- Me

May is a wonderful month.  May 4th is the unofficial Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you!), May 5th is another unofficial Star Wars Day (Revenge of the Fifth!), May 25th is Towel Day (I’m a hoopy frood who really knows where his towel is!), and more!  What we’re here to talk about today, however, is Free Comic Book Day!

The first Saturday in May is always set aside as the official Free Comic Book Day.  On this day, comic stores around the world distribute free comic book issues provided by publishers.  This is a great way for independent comics to get exposure, and for mainstream comics to reconnect to their fanbase.  Also, it’s FREE COMICS.  I picked up the first issue of Irredeemable (see here and here) as well as some shitty Spider-Man comic, while Lindsey picked up an issue of Invincible Iron Man and a Shrek/Penguins of Madagascar double feature.  But I’m getting ahead of myself…

Our local comic store, Heroes, opened at 10am this past Saturday, with a line leading down the street.  We were not, however, left to fend off boredom on our own.

Darth Vader and a Stormtrooper from the 501st checking credentials.

Word of warning, though, for those who may think to stand up to the Dark Lord of the Sith, Vader…

Homie don't play that.

He doesn’t like it when you point out his character flaws.

-[insert I FIND YOUR LACK OF FAITH DISTURBING here]

Good morning, World of Meh!

So last night marked Episode 5 of Year 1 of our weekly MehCast.  It was a good show, and, if I recall correctly, our best attended and longest show yet!  The two of us had a real blast with this episode, and we really appreciate everyone who has been watching and participating.

We started off the show by discussing Lindsey’s Princess Leia style aluminum foil hair, followed by the “Yo Stink” music video featured on the most recent episode of Nip/Tuck (also posted about earlier this week).  Talking about the video lead into talking Nip/Tuck, which lead to Kitchen Nightmares, Smallville, and the upcoming new episode of Heroes.  We discussed our tryout for Jeopardy! (which was posted about yesterday), Star Wars Battlefront II, Windows Mobile applications, and our plans to get our drug-dealing, loud, douche neighbours kicked out of the apartment complex.

We also had our Weekly Picks:

Song of the Week (Chris):  Bat Country by Avenged Sevenfold

Song of the Week (Lindsey):  Sex on Fire by Kings of Leon

TV Show of the Week (Chris):  Fawlty Towers

TV Show of the Week (Lindsey):  Bridezillas

Movie of the Week (Chris):  Dr. Strangelove, or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Movie of the Week (Lindsey):  The Fountain

We also discussed some of our upcoming wedding plans, my issues with farting, and other topics which I can’t even begin to remember.
We hope everyone enjoyed Episode 5 of the MehCast, and we hope you all make it back for Episode 6!  See you next week!

Episode discussion at:

http://worldofmeh.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10

-Because I said so

It all started yesterday when Chris was messing around with his iPhone. I bought it for him back in February of last year, and shortly after he jailbroke it. Once the 2.0 software upgrade came out, he upgraded but didn’t jailbreak it again until last night. He then started adding random ringtones since the default ones are terrible. He was getting a laugh out of the Star Wars tones so he put on a Chewbacca tone and went to the bathroom. While he was there I heard his phone going ape shit and it sounded like a disgruntled boar. Over and over, for about 20 seconds, I had to suffer through short and rather loud barks courtesy of the notorious furry Wookie. When it first started it scared the shit out of me and I yelled out at Chris that he needs to change it. Last thing I need is for his phone to go off while we are sleeping because I will probably have a massive heart attack. Since he couldn’t hear me due to the fan in the bathroom, I opened the door a crack and told him that it needs to be changed. When he got out he changed it but I had no idea what he had selected until 10 this morning.

In a pretty damn good sleep, I was having this dream about Chris and I. We were in our apartment, which looked a bit different, and he was telling me how he was going to let some guy borrow some of my video games. If anybody knows me in real life they know that my games are my babies. You don’t LET people borrow them without asking me first unless you want to feel the pain. In my dream I remember going off on Chris telling him that he had no right letting some dude borrow my stuff and that he better go and tell him that he can’t touch anything of mine. Dream Chris got pissy with me and left. When I walked into our bedroom I saw a guy that I thought was Chris and he had a plastic bag in his hand that he was filling with games and controllers. I started bitching him out thinking that he was Chris reinforcing feelings on the issue. The guy turned to look at me and it wasn’t Chris. It was the guy who was going to “borrow” my stuff. I looked in the bag and it was filled with a crap load of stuff: NES and Genesis games, a Genesis console, controllers etc. I couldn’t believe it because some of that stuff was hard to find and rather pricey. I snatched the bag from him and told him to get out of the apartment. I put my stuff down and left to go and look for Chris. While I was walking around I felt a buzz in my pocket and it was Chris’ iPhone. I have no idea how it got there but I pulled it out of my pocket and the shady man was the one calling him. Last thing I remember is holding the phone in my left hand while pressing on the screen to answer it with my right index finger but it wasn’t working. Then, in real life, I got a massive scare.

Rather loudly did the Imperial March from Star Wars start up. Somebody was calling Chris’ phone and I wanted to sit up in a panic because of how terrifying it was. I had been playing a large amount of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, going to the dark side of course, so hearing the Imperial March made me feel as if I was being called into battle. Once I realized that it was only his phone and not my cue to force lightning somebody I tried to fall back asleep but felt my heart wanting to jump out of my chest.

Eventually I did fall back asleep and overslept, but I have never been so scared from a ringtone in all my life.

- She Who Has The Last Word