ZeroAnd09

It's our last episode of the year! We have technical issues, new team mechanics, and salty winners in this episode!

Wifi Analyzer Developer: farproc Platform: Android Price: Free! Say you have a fancy new router for your home. Now, imagine your home isn't isolated the the woods or a corn field, but rather, is in a large apartment complex. Now, without getting too technical, do you know how a wireless network operates? How about what happens when you have a bunch of networks working in the same small area?

Place: Epic Burger Location: Chicago, IL Ingredients: Egg, bacon, lettuce, tomato, buttered and lightly toasted bun, Epic Sauce Verdict: When you're having a day out on the town, what better way to top it off than with a trip to a burger joint? Probably a pedicure, but that's another story. No, a burger was not in the plans that day. After several hours of enjoying all that aquatic life has to offer (including seeing a beluga poop!), the lady and I headed to the cafeteria at the Shedd, only to find it was closed (despite it being an hour before the actual aquarium closed). So, based on location, this left us with a few options. All of which were in the Loop and required some city driving .

It's a dumb joke, but I love dumb jokes. First     Previous       Next

Abyssrium Developer: Idle Idea Factory Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! The mobile platform still confounds me when it comes to gaming. There aren't normal conventions like platformer, shooter, or RPG. Instead, there are idle clickers, endless runners, and match three games. Now, these games may be entertaining, but for myself, that entertainment is short lived. At most, I only find myself playing a title for a few weeks. The ones I played longer were on my Windows Phone, and I believe a large part of that was because it was my first foray into the smart phone arena. Now that I am entrenched in the Android ecosystem, I find myself stumbling over an embarrassment of riches. When I started writing these reviews, I wanted to cover apps that I enjoyed and would have no problem recommending to others. But, thanks to that previously mentioned embarrassment of riches, I'm coming across more and more garbage. So, I'm going to be falling back into old reviewing practic...

Place: Olympic Restaurant Location: Lake Geneva, WI Ingredients: 1/3 lb beef patty, sauteed onions, mushrooms, green peppers Verdict: I will admit. I am a flawed man. I have my biases. One of which is that each trip to the Olympic Restaurant in Lake Geneva ends with either a bad meal or...a bad meal. So, when the lady friend suggested this trip, I didn't expect much. The snow was coming down hard, I was already in an off mood, and it was late.

I still need to think of a name for the comic. And an actual art style. Next

The Christmas Spirit has come upon Destiny. I go over the new events, including Strike Scoring and SRL!

A night with no losses! Our first troll! Incredible deals at Burger King!

Xbox One, Xbox 360 Availability: 12/1/16 - 12/15/16

Xbox One Availability: 12/1/16 - 12/31/16

Aww snap! It's a classic title! Come delve into Dracula's castle with me!

Aside from the first five minutes, I played through the entire Titanfall 2 campaign in one sitting! And you can watch it here!

Oh boy, oh boy! It's a new comic! What started off as a label for a local brewery, but turned out to be too risque', has found its way here.

Platform: Xbox 360, Xbox One Games with Gold Availability: 11/16/2016 - 11/31/2016

CamScanner Developer: Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! While everyone is busy downloading the latest new game only to become bored of it within a week, we often forget how productive our phones can make us. While being productive may not be as fun, it is definitely more rewarding. Especially when you need to scan in a document and get it off right away so upper lower level mid-management will get off your back.

Games with Gold Availability: 11/16/16 - 11/31/16

Place: Brodie's Beef Location: Delavan, WI Ingredients: 1/3 lb beef patty, Merkt's cheddar cheese, fried egg Verdict: Who loves a good burger!? I do! Also, Keenan and Kel. Who provides a good burger!? Brodie's Beef...maybe...I don't know...I'm undecided.

A cult classic returns! Available 11/01/16 - 11/15/16

What happens when you mix Diablo with Castle Crashers? You get a very ho hum and unpolished game. Aso, apologies about the audio levels being goofy. It has been fixed, but this game wasn't worth playing again.

My new favorite emote.

I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.

It's time to go through the Outlast 2 Demo. Everyone loves a scary game.

The Escapists - Released 2015 Games with Gold Availability - 10/16 to 11/15

The Festival of the Lost has come back to Destiny. It's time to go trick or treating and collect some masks!

I am Alive - Released 2012 Games with Gold Availability- 10/16 - 10/31

Available 9/16/16 - 10/15/16

It's Halloween in Overwatch. I go over the new costumes, game mode, and open some loot boxes!

Overwatch has gotten into the Olympic spirit. Here's a video showing the new costumes, emotes, and poses.

Rejoice! Destiny has released a bevy of gifts for all classes. Each class will receive a new shader, dance, and class armor. The gifts are themed around the new sub-classes and the shaders are class specific.

Recently, I've been called upon to create some artwork. I thought I'd share some of that work here.

I am a Brave Knight Developer: Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! Some of the best games on mobile aren't necessarily games. They're more an experience than anything else.  Such is the case with I am a Brave Knight.

Pokemon Go Publisher: Niantic Labs Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! Holy cow. Of all the apps I've felt it unnecessary to do an app review of, Pokemon Go rivals Candy Crush and Angry Birds. A week into it, this title is dominating everything and is all folks are talking about. It's a verified hit. But what the heck, I'm already here and you're a paragraph in.

Tap My Katamari Publisher: Bandai Namco Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! One game series that has always held a special place in my heart is Katamari Damacy. The premise is simple, the beautiful and wonderful King of the Cosmos has accidentally destroyed all of the stars, planets, and other celestial bodies in the galaxy. It falls to the tiny, but capable, shoulders of the Prince to roll up content on Earth the help of his Katamari so it can be turned into new planets, etc.

Miitomo Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! After what has felt like an eternity, Nintendo has dipped their toes into the mobile market. Miitomo focuses on one of their more popular creations, the Miis. The focus for gameplay in Miitomo is being social and playing dress up.

Bing Search Publisher: Microsoft Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! I'm all about getting free stuff. After all, what's better than free? One tool I use in the pursuit of being cheap is Bing Search. Microsoft offers an incentive to those that use Bing to search the web in the form of credits per search. Earn enough credits and you can redeem them for things like gift cards or entries into sweepstakes.

Werewolf Tycoon Publisher: Joe Williamson Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! Mobile games were intended to be time killers. Something to play while waiting at the doctor's office or in the check-out line. Not many expected them to take off like they have or to impact the larger gaming industry to such an extent. Because of this, we see many games offering larger incentives to keep players coming back and spending more through micro-transactions.  It's a tried and true model. However, this leads to fewer and fewer games being simple enough for a quick play session.

Alto's Adventure Publisher: Noodlecake Studios Inc. Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! - $3.99 Endless runners have easily become one of the more popular genres on mobile. They're simple enough to get into, but also frustratingly complex the further one gets into them. Entering into this arena, but not necessarily sticking too much to the formula, is Alto's Adventure.

I finally have time for another episode and fail miserably!

Google Opinion Rewards Publisher: Google Platform: Android Price: Free! Free.  We all want stuff for free.  But, if something is free, then you're usually the product.  Such is the case with Google Opinion Rewards . When it comes to a major corporation having all of my information, I tend to stick with one.  I'm not some type of floozy with my personal info [just my body (hit me up on Twitter *wink wink*)].  So while my main squeeze Microsoft has all of my info, I have everything on the Google side of Android locked down. But oh, does the Gmail Man tempt me.  With the adoption of a new platform comes a new store.  Previously, I had been using the Bing Rewards system to fund my Windows store purchases.  And as I recently found out, Google does a similar same thing. Google Opinion Rewards allows users to give up all of their deepest, dirtiest secrets to Google in exchange for Google Play Credits.  The filthy little sluts.  The ...

Cthulhu Virtual Pet Publisher: NeuroCreativa Platform: Android Price: Free! Do you love Cthulhu?  Do you love Tomagotchi?  Oh boy, do I have a treat for you!   Cthulhu Virtual Pet does exactly what you think it would.  It allows you to raise your own adorable eldritch horror through means all too familiar to children of the 90's. The idea is to raise a happy and healthy Old One through regular baths (despite living in the ocean), feeding him all manners of organisms, and by plaguing humanity with the priest of R'yleh.  To assist with this are four meters that must be kept up: food, sleep, health, and happiness.  There are a variety of activities to increase each. Aside from the game itself, there are several mini-games available.  They range from a Flappy Bird knockoff to a bridge builder and several others based on simple tapping.  Unlike the main game, these mini-games are frustratingly difficult. CVP is a very slow moving game. ...

Release: 2nd half of March 2016 Platform: Xbox One Lords of the Fallen is very reminiscent of the From Software titles like Dark Souls and Bloodborne. Its not as polished, but still fun.

Where is Xur? Publisher: Crocus Games Platform: Android Price: Free! If you play Destiny, you are familiar with Xur.  You're also familiar that he only shows up on the weekends for a set amount of time and his inventory is randomized.  Adding to that frustration, his location within the Tower is randomized.  Week after week, numerous guardians search the tower for Xur and hope that he'll have something good for them. Where is Xur? simplifies this task by pinpointing him on the map, showing his inventory, and the cost.  It's simple, to the point, and reliable.  If you play Destiny, this is a must-have app.

On a very spiteful night, I encounter numerous technical issues. Along the way, I talk about Batman V Superman, Gods of Egypt, and steak and blowjobs.

The first Games with Gold Xbox 360 title for March 2016 is Supreme Commander 2.  I absolutely loathe the RTS genre.

Seriously, this writing team is great.

I pooped a little.

Adblock Browser Publisher: Eyeo GmbH Platform: Android Price: Free! Ads suck.  Unfortunately, in our glorious capitalist society, most content creators, sites, networks, etc. rely on ads.  Over the years, these ads have been increasing in number, aggressiveness, and overall annoyance.  Worst of all, some ads have malware behind them that will try to install on your device and generally ruin your day.

The first Xbox One Games with Gold title for March 2016 is Crimes & Punishments: Sherlock Holmes.  It's slow, predictable, the controls are bad, the mini games even worse, and is frustrating.  Yet, I want to play it out.

During a recent match in Star Wars Battlefront, I ran into the famous bounty hunter.  I thought we used the same rifle, but his seems to be a little too powerful.

Always look above you for drop titans.

I hit a loading wall on Earth and found my back now had a better range of motion than an owl's neck.

I got extremely lucky (or was it skill?) while doing the Iron Banner competition.

Sporting a snazzy new intro, I keep plugging away at Hand of Fate.

Gurgamoth Developer: Galvanic Games Platform: Mac, PC Price: $9.99 Release Date: February 16, 2016 If there is one thing that irks me more than any other about the current generation of games, it is the lack of local cooperative play.  It was something that began with the previous generation of games.  Slowly, but surely, more and more developers started cutting what was once a staple feature.  Now, you'll be extremely hard pressed to find a game that isn't made by Nintendo and supports a party of gamers sharing the same couch.

The second offering for February's Games with Gold is Styx: Master of Shadows.  Yet another underwhelming stealth title.

The little lady and I sit down to try Galvanic Games' latest title, Gurgamoth.  It's a local multiplayer only battle royale that looks like Lovecraft for kids.  It is an absolute blast.  You should try it.

Place: Red Robin Location: Kenosha, WI Ingredients: Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, tavern sauce Verdict: It was so hard to go with a burger besides the Royal at Red Robin.  Ever since I tried that gift from the heavens, it has been my absolute favorite.  Many have come close to dethroning it, but none have succeeded.

Pocket Casts Publisher: Shifty Jelly Platform: iOS, Android, Windows Phone Price: $3.99 Podcasts...they're great.  Ranging from the stereotypical morning shock jock format to a worldwide phenomena like Serial, there's something for everyone.  However, if you listen to a wide range of podcasts from multiple different networks or independents, it can be tricky finding an app to collect and play them all.  Enter Pocket Casts.

In a return to form, I share the game that is getting me back into gaming.  In short, Forza 6 is brilliant.

The first Games with Gold title for the Xbox One in February, 2016 is Hand of Fate.  It's a delightful mixture of cards, choose your own adventure, and action combat.

Take a look at those headphones.  Those are some primo 7.1 surround sound, noise cancelling, USB connecting, stylish black with red piping noise-makers that you can strap to your stylish self.  Couple them with a badass adjustable boom and you can talk to your friends too! Now, let's assume you've been using this bitchin' headset for years, because you're an awesome individual.  Now, it's been a few years, so you may have upgraded to Windows 10 like all the other good little boys and girls. As we continue on the imagination train with our suppositions and hypothesis's, let's pretend that for whatever reason (janky audio, driver corruption, wipe and reload, you were bored, you're a masochist), you have to reinstall the driver.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper Publisher: Square Enix, DeNA Corp. Platform: Android, iOS Price: Free! I am a man of passions.  For as long as I can remember, I've been consumed with one passion and then the next.  One of my oldest passions, and the one that really got me into gaming was Final Fantasy.  The developer, Squaresoft, merged with a competitor, Enix, forming Square Enix.  It was around this time, that the quality of Final Fantasy games began to deteriorate.

In this episode, I talk more about streaming and recording issues and my plans for the future.  I also talk about my new found passion for automobile racing and Top Gear.  Wrapping things up, I discuss what it's like living with anxiety and how to cope with it.

When crime doesn't pay the bills, you have to resort to other sources of income.  Like being a parking attendant.

This is another make-up episode. The original recordings from 1/20 were corrupt due to streaming issues with Twitch. I cover the second half of episode one in Resident Evil Revelations 2. This looks to be the first proper RE game since RE 4.

DuoLingo Publisher: DuoLingo, Inc. Platform: iOS, Windows Phone, Windows 10, Android Price: Free! If you've been watching my show, Zero Lives , since the start of the year, you've heard me harp on self-improvement more than once.  One of the many ways that I'm trying to improve myself is by learning a new language.  While there are many options available to one trying to learn a new language, I've going to tell you about my favorite: DuoLingo .

I had a chance to play the Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 beta.  I offer a glimpse into what I was able to play.

The second entry for January 2016 is Zheros.  A difficult beat-em-up with tight controls, brilliant art design, and a name I'm still not sure how to pronounce.

Part four in the FF VIII journey continues.  The gang meets up with Rinoa and the Timber Owls where they carry out a plan to kidnap the president of Dolet.  Along the way, I talk about having no shame in your interests and my recent experience with Android.

After a day of configuration, learning new software, and troubleshooting, I'm streaming from the PC.  To treat myself, I loaded up Final Fantasy VIII.  I also take some time to talk about my favorite games of 2015 and what I look forward to in 2016.  Enjoy!

On a very frustrating episode, I talk about David Bowie, Bayonetta, Titanfall, and accomplishing goals.

Rival Knights Publisher: Gameloft Platform: Windows Phone, Windows 10, Android, iOS Price: Free! The hunt for a good app is an ever constant thing.  With so many of them lacking substantial content, lasting content, or being locked behind too many paywalls, it's easy and understandable to crave more.  It's that craving that has publishers like Gameloft pushing so many of their games.

As I've said before, I have a problem with launching off the ramps in GTA V.  I managed to get lucky in this instance.

I was called upon recently to create some concept art.  It's been some time since I drew anything.  I rather liked the way they came out.  The names have been removed, so please enjoy.

Place: Buffalo Wild Wings Location: Kenosha, WI Ingredients: Hickory-smoked pulled pork, onion rings, cheddar jack cheese, signature honey BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, and red onion                                        Verdict: I love unusual burger combinations.  So when I sauntered to to the table and saw this sumptuous concoction of beef, pulled pork, and onion rings…I knew I had to try it.  The short of it ended up being spectacular. 

I get back into Smite, trying my hand at Joust and Conquest.  I suspect that while I like playing Neith, I'm much better suited for support with Aphrodite.  Time will tell.

Adventures at Panda Express, Smite, Soul Calibur VI, and how to get out of a bout of depression.

This is why I can't win races in GTA V. I cannot hit the ramps straight, at all.

The second Games with Gold title for December 2015 was Thief. I'm not good with stealth games and this video just goes to show that.

It's a new year in GTA V, but we're up to our same old shit...except with snowballs.

Every month, Microsoft releases a couple of games for free to Xbox Live subscribers. The first offering of January is Killer Instinct which includes the season one bundle. 

Depression takes hold and everyone suffers for it.