TUFCfan

Good work Black2. Disappointed that some of my picks didn't make the top 100, but at least four made the top 50 .

 

Here's my list:

 

1) Max Payne (PC)

 

Stylish third-person shooter. It’s noir-like presentation made it stand out from other games. Whilst the second game improved certain aspects, the first still remains my favourite due to it being unlike any game I’d played before. Some of the graphics were also very impressive as well, particularly the atmosphere created by the dark and snowy New York exteriors.

 

2) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2)

 

The game that made me buy a PS2. Whilst GTA III did a great job of bringing the series in to three dimensions, Vice City took what made GTA III such a good game, and turned it up to eleven. The ‘80s setting and soundtrack were superb, and the excellent voice acting helped to drive the game’s story along, particularly in respect to Ray Liotta’s performance as Tommy Vercetti, which was a big improvement over the mute lead character ‘Claude’ in GTA III.

 

3) Shadow of the Colossus (PS2)

 

A game that should be part of every gamers collection. It keeps the storytelling simple, and instead allows the stunning artwork, relationship between Wander and Agro, and the incredible battles with the superbly designed Colossi to guide you through the game. As close as gaming has come to being considered art. Also has one of the best game soundtracks of all time.

 

4) Max Payne 2 (PC)

 

A great game in it’s own right. Improved upon certain aspects of the first game (character graphics for one), but not as groundbreaking overall.

 

5) Championship Manager 01/02 (PC)

 

Although the recent Football Manager games have exceeded it in terms of features, for it’s time CM01/02 was the pinnacle of football management games and in my view remains the most addictive of the Championship Manager/Football Manager series.

6) Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (PC/PS2)

 

The pinnacle of the PES series so far (especially after the last two disappointing versions), and in my opinion the best football game ever (in terms of action simulation games). The gameplay is great, the editing options are very good, and whilst it isn’t as good looking as the latest version, it still has some great community support (for the PC version especially).

 

7) Sensible World of Soccer 96/97 (PC)

 

A fun arcadey football game that had a wealth of options, and tonnes of teams to choose from. I still can’t listen to Jonathan Pearce commentate without thinking of some of his commentary in this game (such as “The full time whistle blows, it’s been a complete rout”).

 

8) Resident Evil 4 (GC)

 

Resident Evil 4 took a series (and genre) that had become fairly stale, and freshened it up. Great graphics and cut-scenes, good set-pieces and whilst not as scary or tense as previous games in the series/genre, it still provided some great thrills.

 

9) Pikmin (GC)

 

A fantastic RTS from Nintendo. Excellent graphics and gameplay, and it’s impossible not the like the little Pikmin themselves. Whilst the sequel improved certain aspects of the game, the original wowed me more the first time I played it.

 

10) Beyond Good and Evil (PC)

 

A beautiful and absorbing action/adventure game. Has deservingly been given a sequel. Carlson and Peters demands that it should gain a place in any top 50/100 list.

 

11) Mafia (PC)

 

Despite it’s gameplay flaws, it managed to create an almost movie-like feel with it’s excellent cut scenes, and authentic feeling atmosphere. A compelling story made you genuinely care for some of the characters, particularly in regards to the final cut scene.

 

12) Theme Hospital (PC)

 

An excellent, and humorous management game. Also, is possibly the only time ‘Rocket’ Ronnie Jepson has been referred to as a V.I.P.

 

13) Rollercoaster Tycoon (PC)

 

An updated take on the ‘Theme Park’ management genre. The two sequels and several add-on packs failed to capture the magic of the first game (the second game being almost like an add-on rather than a sequel). The best bit was designing and building your own roller coaster. The worst bit was having to redesign it again after the test results revealed that it would cause extremely high levels of nausea among your customers.

 

14) Grand Theft Auto (PC)

 

The game that spawned the hugely successful series. Had several flaws compared to later games (such as not being able to save during a level), but had a certain charm and was unlike anything I’d played before in terms of large maps and excellent radio stations (that contained some great original music) which became a staple of the series. Wasted many hours just driving around the cities, discovering bits and pieces that were separate from the main missions.

 

15) Grand Prix 2 (PC)

 

Also known as Geoff Crammond’s Grand Prix 2. Excellent racing sim, with a dedicated community that enabled the downloading and installing of new tracks, car liveries and driver stats which gave it extra longevity. Despite two sequels, it still remains the definitive F1 simulator.

I'd predict Goldeneye and Vice City.

an example of non-fans is this: i was talking to a workmate the other day who said he saw the trailer for Max Payne, he said 'it looked pretty cool until that dragon thing turned up at the end, then it looked abit weird'. Obviously he'd seen the game, he'd have known what it was (i aint got a clue what it was either, ive never played Max Payne, i guess it was the bad guy?).

 

They're never gonna make sense to everyone.

 

I don't remember those things ever being in the games. Other than references to 'The fear that gives men wings', fallen angels and things like that related to the drug Valkyr (including the drug ending up like being a demon ride to hell). I guess they decided to take that part literally.

 

Not sure if the film is any good, will probably rent it when it's out on DVD, though they seem to have gotten the perma-snow atmosphere right. Don't think Walhberg was the right choice to play Max Payne. Even though other than the fact he's not famous enough, I still don't see why they couldn't have gotten James McCaffrey to play Max Payne, and just put a bigger star/a few more bigger stars elsewhere in the film.

 

From a Max Payne fan's point of view though, one of the biggest crimes in the trailer/preview shows that I can see is that they cast Ludacris as this guy:

 

Jenna Fischer is definately a good choice, although you do need this picture to compliment the others:

 

 

 

 

Just to add another one. I did a quick search and found no mention, but Shoshannah Stern, a deaf actress who's best known for being in Jericho and Weeds should be in this thread:

 

 

Finally got round to finishing 'The Suffering' recently (PC version). It was an excellent game, though the final boss was suprisingly easy to defeat. Have now been able to start on the sequel which I've had for a couple of years but not used.Also recently bought all the Resident Evils for the 'Cube that I didn't have (1, 2, 3 & CVX). Have only had a quick play on each so far to test them out, but they all seem good, especially the REmake of the original.

From various programmes including the horrible Where The Heart IsGeorgia Moffett She looks better than this pics usually

Completely agree, she is gorgeous. A definate MILF, if that phrase isn't too crude these days.

I am currently playing PES 2008, which although definately not as good as most of the others in the series, it's still pretty addictive despite it's flaws.I also recently bought the PC version of Viva Pi

Eternal Darkness is very good, and so is Pikmin. Both are pretty cheap in places like Game, or on somewhere like Amazon marketplace. Pikmin 2 is obviously good as well, though isn't cheap.Animal Crossing, and Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life are good as well, so get them if you want something a bit more sedate (I should point out that Animal Crossing isn't that cheap to get either though).Super Monkey Ball 2. Haven't played the first, but the second is quite good and quite challenging at times.The only trouble I have found with the GC, is that some games are quite expensive and/or hard to find second hand. So I still haven't got Smash Brothers Melee

Jennifer Lamiraqui French lingerie model.

Dude! A lingerie model is hardly a " less commercial ... " hottie. In fact she is about as commercial as it gets! This thread seems to be becoming "sexy women who are only moderatly famous "

I think that the title of this topic was misleading from the start. This is what the topic poster in the first post wrote:

The point of this thread is to post celebrities you're attracted to, but ones that aren't very well known, so steer clear of the J-Los, Beyonces and Britneys. Having said that, don't post a pic of some girl that works in the chip shop. No amateurs please.You might want to post pictures of women that aren't conventionally attractive but do something for you.

So the main reason for this thread is to post hot, but less well known women (and men), but you can pick less conventional ones if you want. For instance, the first few picks in this thread were all mostly young Hollywood types who were attractive but not well known (though had been in some hit tv shows/films).

Some of these may have been done before (there are a lot of pages to check!) but here are some more:

 

Jennifer Lamiraqui

French lingerie model.

 

 

 

Julie Gonzalo

Actress. Has appeared in a few things, like 'Dodgeball' and 'Christmas with the Kranks' but isn't a big star.

 

 

 

Kat Shoob

Use to be a presenter on the late night ITV quiz show 'The Mint'.

 

 

 

Nicky Whelan

Plays 'Pepper' in neighbours.

 

 

 

Natalie Sawyer

Sky Sports News presenter (not a great photo). Usually on the 'Through the night' show.

 

 

 

Alex Kramer

Another one who presents those late night ITV quiz shows.

 

 

 

Millie Clode

Another SSN presenter.

 

 

 

Marion Bartoli

Obviously was in the Wimbledon women's final. Pictures of her don't seem to do her justice, as she looks a lot better on TV. Has a certain cute, girl-next-door(esque) quality about her.

 

 

 

Missy Peregrym

Was in 'Heroes' but isn't a massive star.

 

"The police don't believe, because of the size difference, that the hold was applied exactly as it would be in a pro wrestling match."Benoit would have been in more of a kneeling position, sort of straddling Daniel while using one leg to pull back on his arm."

If he was straddling him, it sounds more like a camel clutch variant than a crossface.

We know that's wrong now, as his body was found in the weights room, not the foyer. Plus the police believe he did it.

Is the "weight's room" bit confirmed, or just a rumour from the PWT?

I believe the weight room bit is confirmed.On Sky Sports news they showed a clip of a policeman being interviewed outside the house, and he said that Benoit was found in the weights room, Daniel in his bedroom, and his wife in an office, IIRC.edit- weight room confirmation bit already posted

Watched Run Ronnie Run the other day.

 

Wasn't expecting too much, obviously because of reading about David Cross and Bob Odenkirk disowning the final cut of the film (etc), but Ronnie and Terry Twillsteen were some of my favourites from Mr. Show anyway so thought that I had to watch it really. I thought that it was a pretty decent comedy film. It wasn't fantastic, but was very enjoyable. There were some really funny bits in it as well (my favourite being the whole of the 'Three times one minus one' music vid). It also had a whole bunch of celeb cameos (including Ben Stiller, Jeff Garlin, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Mandy Patinkin, and also oddly David Baddiel), as well as other former 'Mr. Show' regulars like Jack Black and Mary Lynn Rajskub.

 

 

Also saw 28 Weeks Later a week or two ago. I hadn't seen much of the first film (but knew the general plot, and had seen the ending), but I thought that it was pretty average overall. There were some good bits (The start of the film, and several action bits during the rest of the film), but there were just too many boring bits that just seem to be there as 'filler material'. There was some wooden acting at times as well (particularly the kids), and some unlikely happenings in the film, but I don't see why people and the press seem to be raving about it. For a 'horror-style' film, there was also one slightly scary bit (at the start where they come through the windows), but Indepence Day had a scare in like that as well, so for a horror/thriller film, it should have been much better.

although it is really a nintendo-ised 'command and conquer'

Thats such an inaccurate way of describing Pikmin it's unbeleivable.

Let me explain why it's not so inaccurate after all. I was using 'Command and Conquer' as an example of the general 'Real-time strategy' genre (maybe I should have just said that originally), of which in some ways Pikmin can fall into. Why? I shall explain.- First off, you have the base building qualities of RTS titles, although in Pikmin it is just about producing 'troops', or Pikmin in this case, (which you do in RTS titles), and making sure you have the right amount of Pikmin available, and enough of the right sort of Pikmin to do what you need to do. The same as all other RTS games.- Secondly, both involve combat, and involve you having direct control over a large army.- Both games have their own form of 'resource collecting' to allow you to produce new units/troops/pikmin/etc. In games like C&C you have to collect Tiberium (or crystals, etc), which is taken back to your base and is turned into cash which you can spend on things like making new buildings, new troops, new tanks, and so on. In Pikmin, you can carry back most of the enemys you kill (and any pellets they dropped), as well as cutting down the pellet containing flowers and collecting any free pellets in an area. These are carried back to your base and turned into new Pikmin, with the colour of the new Pikmin obviously dependant on which type of Pikmin brought the carcas/pellets back to their onions.- Obviously in RTS games you can upgrade your troops and weapons by spending your cash on developing new armour, new weapons, etc. In Pikmin it's a bit different, but you still can 'upgrade' your pikmin by turning them into budded or flowered pikmin by either getting them to drink some of that 'nectar' stuff, or by leaving them in the ground for a longer time before picking them.- Your objectives in a way have some similarites. Whether that's having to destroy a certain building or a base in RTS games, or having to get an engine part by having to kill a certain creature to be able to get it.- I also mentioned that it has some similarites to Lemmings, in that you control a large group of critters with which your have to build bridges, blow stuff up (knock walls down), get around obstacles, and use the abilites of the different Pikmin/Lemmings to help you.- I said that it was 'Nintendo-ised' because it is. Instead of army troops/soldiers in a war, it's cute colourful critters but still with a help save the world/homeland/hero style storyline.- Obviously there are some things that aren't similar between RTS games and Pikmin (mainly that Pikmin is more free form, although in many RTS games you can select which mission to take at several points).These are just the things I can think of off the top of my head. Pikmin is a very good game, and quite a fresh feeling game when you first play it and does feel fairly original, but when it boils down to it, it still is based upon a large number of RTS basics that Pikmin shares with C&C and games of that ilk, rather than creating it's own genre.

Bought 'Pikmin' a week or so ago. It's a fantastic game, so refreshing to play something a bit different and fun to play (although it is really a nintendo-ised 'command and conquer' with a little bit of Lemmings thrown in). So far I've collected 29 of the 30 ship parts, so have been trying to fight the 'Bulblax' at the end to get the final part, but I just can't beat him! I've got him down to less than a quarter-health before, but his jump and splash move where he seems to home in on your pikmin wherever they are, just destroys all them, and having to go back and forth to get more backup wastes time and ends up with him killing anything that moves or me about to run out of time. I know you can finish the game and get the normal ending without getting the final part, but I feel that I need to get it.

However, as well as owning a freeloader, by an odd series of coincidences and police auctions my cousins actually own three Gamecubes, one Japanese, one American and one European. Three different colours with a couple of memory cards for each. How extravagant is that? So far my cousin has been making it her mission to marry the doctor. She keeps giving him gifts, as you do in harvest moon, though bizarrely these gifts are often rocks she finds lying around. On a more sinister note, she also makes her character work until she passes out, so she ends up in the hospital and has another chance to talk to him. Such disturbing behaviour in a happy bouncy game. I'm of the opinion that Harvest moon peaked with the Snes game, but I still enjoy the new ones.

Three Gamecubes! Saves time waiting for games to be released here I suppose (although not much use now! ).'A Wonderful Life' was decent, especially graphically, but did get quite tedious. Have only played a couple before that, but they were much better gameplay wise. From what I've heard Magically Melody is a lot like the N64 one, which from the few times I played that, seemed good.

Oh, and my cousin has imported the new Harvest Moon game on the 'cube

I can't believe that Magical Melody has been delayed over here again in the last week or so. Though the publishers have said that it is still coming out here, which is a good thing. Is the American one region free? Or do you need the freeloader?

I thought Eternal Darkness was a pretty good game. Moved along at a good pace, and I seem to remember some pretty good scary/creepy moments from it. The fact that I havent heard anything about a sequal seems to suggest it didnt sell very well.

Eternal Darkness is a good game. Only bought it recently, but from what I've played so far there are some good scares and action pieces, as well as a good story and atmosphere. Don't know why it didn't do better, though at least it is always in Gamecube 'recommended' games lists in mags and websites.As far as a sequel goes, the president of Silicon Knights has said that they will be doing a sort of sequel, set in the same universe:

I am most often asked if we have sequels in mind for Eternal Darkness. The answer is absolutely yes. Although this may not be obvious to those outside of Silicon Knights, anyone inside the guild understands that there is really no other answer. When creating an original game we start by conceptualizing an entire universe. Once the universe is conceptualized we then tell a story within that world. For example, in Eternal Darkness we created a universe in which imprisoned ancients were struggling to regain entry into our world. We created a hierarchy of these Ancients, Great Ancients, and other minor players and then built the story around how three of them may slowly succeed in doing so. Their instrument is Pious Augustus, a roman centurion, who eventually becomes a powerful undead liche. Ironically, this immortal character is nothing but a pawn. Dispite the fact that he has very powerful magick and lived for over two millennia, his power is still nothing compared to that of the wizened Ancients. This type of scope and scale is what we try to create in all of our universes.Although this is just one story we had in mind for the Eternal Darkness universe, there are even more manipulations, great ancients, and numerous other stories to tell

Exactly... the closest we get to a "story" for Liu Kang being in there is "Old rivalries return" or something similar in the opening sequence.Plus, does it really matter who's dead anyway, they keep bringing 'em back regardless, so say, for instance, they've chosen to completely kill off Johnny Cage (again), but after a couple of the "new" MK games have gone out, tons of people start saying they want to play as him, are they gonna relent and just bring him back as another character, or mebbe as a "secret" character with his own storyline...

MK Armageddon is a good game. The lack of a story for each character does hurt it a bit though.I expect it depends which ending Midway chose to use for the next game, will depend who's alive or not, as if they don't choose Cage's, he can still be alive as his ending didn't happen (I haven't seen most of the endings yet, but have heard before that some of them end with someone becoming all-powerful, etc, if they choose them, then they surely can still keep a lot of the characters, but alter the story around the all-powerful character).Hope this isn't the last game with the old characters, as they've had enough trouble coming up with decent new ones in the last game or two (although some are ok, some are just rubbish 'clones' with the same movesets as one or two others).Are you talking about how Liu Kang died in Deadly Alliance and has come back now, or just why he is back again? As I thought his reappearance as a 'zombie' was explained in Deception?

if they can somehow have dead characters returning all the time (Scorpion and his people anyone?) what's to stop them doing it after the "end" of this story?

Scorpion is undead, and virtually unkillable now though isn't he? Before that, his soul was sent to the Neatherrealm, and came back as a spectre, for revenge on Sub Zero. Suppose he started the trend though, as I do agree the amount of characters that have come back from the dead is a bit stupid. Though Armageddon is virtually MK Trilogy II in a way.Am also now playing FM2007, and once again have started back on Harvest Moon:AWL (on the GC). Whether I'll ever finish that game, I don't know, but it will that ages, that's for sure!

Jennifer Morrison (one of two reasons to watch House, the other being Hugh Laurie)

Fucking good call. She is rather stunning. I can't think of any just now, so yes.

To show you how much value for money the film is, Jennifer Morrison was in 100 girls with Larisa Oleynik!

Totally agree with Larisa Oleynik (see my sig: Right). V.hot in all the films/tv shows I've seen her in. As well as 10 things and Alex Mack, also consider watching the film '100 girls' and seasons 4 and 5 of 'Third Rock from the Sun'.

 

Does Lacey Chabert count? (Again, see my sig: Centre). As most people I know over here in the UK have no clue who she is!

 

Christy Carlson Romano (was in Disney's Even Stevens TV show a few years ago), as well as the fact that Allison Mack from Smallville (who is often overlooked due to the popularity of Kristin Kreuk) and Anna Faris (Scary movie 1-4, Lost in Translation) are also underrated and very hot! And no-one really has heard of them either.

 

 

Christy Romano:

 

 

 

Allison Mack:

 

 

Anna Faris:

 

Quick question: What's the name of Maven's theme music and who's it by? Cheers.

I thought it was:"All around the stars " by Honshal

And also has the same background music as "Memory" by Mercy Drive, but just different lyrics. I don't really understand why they did that! (Adding new voices and lyrics over another songs backing!).

Just finished 'Gregory Horror Show' a couple days ago. It's a great game, original and fun to play.Currently I'm playing through Bloodrayne, and have just got to the German Castle (after the mine). It's much better than I expected, though is occasionaly glitchy.

Is Kidman still in WWE? I take it he lost the feud with Paul London?

Yeah, he's still there. From what I remember, he initially won the feud (or a match or two), which was then relegated to velocity where London beat him and got revenge, and I think London has pretty much beat him most times he has faced him. So, Kidman won it initally (on the PPV), but overall you'd say London came out on top in that feud.

Does anyone know the theme music used for AJ Styles at ROH "Night of the Grudges" (2003?) for his match against Paul London? (Featured on the ROH best of AJ vol. 2).I know it wasn't 'Touched' or 'I Am', but have no clue what it is. Have done a google search but can't seem to find anything.Thanks.

Anyone ever have Yokozuna? I always wanted that one

I did, but he broke really easy after he did a bansai drop of the turnbuckle (can't remember exactly, though he may have lost either his arms or his mid-rift), then took him back to argos, who eren't selling him anymore and got a replacement figure (which was Bam Bam Bigelow!)