Category Archives: XBox 360
Borderlands 2 Mechromancer Strategies (Fringe Edition)
Gaige the Mechromancer and Her Deathtrap
Out of all the classes in Borderlands 2, this is the most difficult and most enjoyable — as it forces you to think outside-the-box and love mathematics. Gaige the Mechromancer is a passive-aggressive Vault Hunter where reliance on Deathtrap is utmost. Unlike Axton the Commando’s turrets, while playing the Mechromancer, Deathtrap and the Vault Hunter are interdependent on each other. A LOT.
Here are Fringe Fiction’s tips for mechromancing in Pandora:
- Slag weapons should be the weapon of choice. It helps prime the enemies so Deathtrap can finish them off. While you focus on the immediate threats, let Deathtrap focus on the other threats.
- Deathtrap usually focuses on the enemy that you are shooting…then sometimes not. Be patient.
- Tediore weapons eliminates some of issues of mathematics — as these guns are disposable and quick to reload.
- SMGs, snipers and pistols without extended cartridges work well with Gaige.
- Nova and spike shields are the shields of choice for Gaige and her Deathtrap. Both help either weaken or eliminate enemies if they get close.
- This class is primarily about stacking — whether stacking kills or ammo to boost either Deathtrap or Gaige depending on the skill tree. Think about it!
- Deathtrap is great at clearing out numbers of enemies — but it is not efficient as Axton’s turrets. Follow and help out Deathtrap whenever possible.
- Ordered Chaos skill tree is best done with friends — and patient ones. Gaige is best as restrained offense while playing with others — and in general. Mechromancing is a duplicitous art. However, if you’re playing solo, combining Best Friends Forever and Little Big Trouble skills is best.
- Focus on your shields first and then your health. This is another golden rule to follow while mechromancing.
These are some tips that Fringe Fiction offers. Now show the bandits of Pandora what a third-place science project can do…
Related articles
- Borderlands 2 Commando Strategies (Fringe Edition) (fringefiction.net)
- Borderlands 2: Mechromancer Pack for $6.99 (30% off) (9to5toys.com)
- Borderlands 2 Assassin Strategies (Fringe Edition) (fringefiction.net)
- Borderlands 2 Add-on Content Pack Available in Stores (geeky-gadgets.com)
- Borderlands 2 PC patch kills Deathtrap bugs, more (joystiq.com)
- ‘Borderlands 2′ golden keys given out to fans for in-game gear (Photos) (examiner.com)
- More ‘Borderlands 2′ DLC on the Way; Trophies Reveal Next ‘Dishonored DLC’ (gamerant.com)
Borderlands 2 Commando Strategies (Fringe Edition)
Axton the Commando in Borderlands 2
For those familiar with Roland from the original Borderlands and those who play Call of Duty, Battlefield, etc., this should be one of the easiest classes to adapt to in Borderlands 2. His skill trees are fairly straightforward and won’t require too much thought. Unlike Roland the Soldier’s turrets from the original Borderlands, Axton’s turrets unfortunately don’t regenerate health. Overall, Axton the Commando is perhaps the least interesting out of all the classes but one of the most effective. The Commando’s role is versatile as he can provide both offense and support, and with a Gunzerker, the pair can be a nearly unstoppable offensive juggernaut.
Here are some tips from Fringe Fiction:
- Building the Survival skill tree is one of the best overall for the Commando class, but it is best combined with elements of either the Guerrilla or Gunpowder skill trees. If you intend on participating in arenas, the Survival skill tree will help tremendously. Two turrets provide twice the awesome.
- Gunpowder skill tree works well with bosses while the Guerrilla skill tree offers perhaps more versatility.
- Be sure to use your saber turrets as support. Unlike Salvador the Gunzerker, the Commando lacks the firepower to handle things alone without them.
- Absorb and adaptive shields can save the Commando’s life.
- Transfusion, (homing or longbow) singularity and mirv grenades can save the Commando’s life. Transfusion grenades provide health when regeneration through the Pointman class mod or the Survival skill tree just isn’t enough. And homing or longbow singularity and mirv grenades provide firepower — and time delay to deploy turrets, if necessary.
- Like in Battlefield or Call of Duty, the Commando needs to use cover frequently but not as much as the Assassin.
These are some tips from Fringe Fiction and let the bandits of Pandora meet Axton’s ”lady friends”…
Related articles
- Borderlands 2 Gunzerker Strategies (Fringe Edition) (fringefiction.net)
- Borderlands 2 Assassin Strategies (Fringe Edition) (fringefiction.net)
- Get Borderlands 2 on Steam Now for Half Price (cultofmac.com)
- Far Cry 3 Survival Tips: Fringe Fiction’s Guide to Rook Island (fringefiction.net)
- Pitchford: Borderlands 2 has ’100% chance’ of level cap increase this year (joystiq.com)
Borderlands 2 Assassin Strategies (Fringe Edition)
Zer0 the Assassin in Borderlands 2
Zer0 the Assassin is relatively straightforward class in Borderlands 2. He can be a tricky to manage at times, and he requires some degree of patience to use. Compared to Salvador the Gunzerker, Zer0 the Assassin uses nearly the opposite tactics. He’s not built to go outright on the offense like the Gunzerker. He’s more of a hit-and-run type of character.
With that being said, here are some tips from Fringe Fiction:
- However you wish to develop the Assassin as a sniper or melee expert, the shotgun, the more powerful and rapid-firing the better, will quite possibly be your weapon of choice to get Zer0 out of a tight situation, particularly when surrounded by suicide bandits, rabid skags, Badasses (as in more than one), etc. etc.
- I suggest to increase the ammo SOU for your snipers, shotguns, pistols and SMGs in that order — or close to it. It will give the Assassin some degree of flexibility in choosing the relics and mods early on.
- Zer0′s Hologram have many purposes. Like Axton the Commando and his turrets, Zer0 can use the Hologram to flank enemies. The Hologram can also use to gain separation between you and your enemies, whether to recover health, shields or distance for using your sniper rifles.
- Be aware that the cooldown time for Zer0′s Hologram is one of the shortest of all the classes — aside from Maya the Siren’s Phaselock. Take full advantage of that fact and use it when necessary as an offensive or defensive tool.
- Be aware that you can still take damage while cloaked. This is not Lilith’s Phasewalk from the original Borderlands.
- Concerning sniper rifles, focus on accuracy and critical hit damage for them, particularly since Zer0 can stack critical hit damage. Elemental snipers also help.
- The Strength relics are highly beneficial if you are focusing on the Bloodshed skill tree.
- When playing the game solo, the Bloodshed skill tree is one that you should concentrate on first. It allows health regeneration early on. However, when playing with others, I suggest combining either the Bloodshed/Sniping tree with the Cunning tree.
- Nova, Absorb and Spike shields all are beneficial to Zer0, depending on how you play him.
- Remember to be patient, know your battlefield and use cover frequently. Zer0 the Assassin is not designed to be as reckless as Salvador the Gunzerker or Axton the Commando. Although Zer0 may be the heir successor to Mordecai, his Holograms lack the coverage that Bloodwing has.
I hope this helps in your exploration of Pandora and the search for the Vaults. May you show them your skillz.
Related articles
- Borderlands 2 Gunzerker Strategies (Fringe Edition) (fringefiction.net)
- Borderlands 2 Solo Arena Strategies (Fringe Edition) (fringefiction.net)
- Borderlands 2 (XBox 360) King-Mongus Video Game Review (fringefiction.net)
- Borderlands 2: Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty DLC Review (fringefiction.net)
- Level Cap Increase Coming To ‘Borderlands 2′ Soon (multiplayerblog.mtv.com)
Borderlands 2: Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty DLC Review
With this being the first DLC released for Borderlands 2, one would expect the Vault Hunter or Hunters to be catapulted into an epic world after defeating Handsome Jack presumably by now. The story begins in the town of Oasis where the Vault Hunter meets Shade, the lonely resident of said town. Shade has quite the annoyance factor. He’s like the kid brother who has stayed the kid into adulthood. Eventually, the Vault Hunter meets Captain Scarlett and her pirate crew whereby they seek to find a mystical compass. At this point, it sounds like a Pirates of the Caribbean remake, and this DLC pretty much covers the Pirates trilogy. After going through the paces, the Vault Hunter finally confronts the Leviathan and opens a pirate’s trove of weapons.
With all that said and done, Captain Scarlett was entertaining enough. Her booty, or rather the Leviathan’s, was a bit lacking. However, some of the mission weapon rewards were slightly better. The enemies were basically skins of the bandits of Borderlands, now with a pirate theme. With the exceptions of the Anchormen and Depthchargers, there was nothing particularly new. Compared to the Borderlands 2 DLCs so far, the original Borderlands DLCs have been far more creative and enjoyable (although shorter…and hilarious.)
Overall, it deserves a 7.0 out of 10. Scarlett saved the day, and everything else was a step above mediocrity.
Related articles
- Borderlands 2: MR. TORGUE’S CAMPAIGN OF CARNAGE DLC REVIEW!!! (fringefiction.net)
- 5 Things You Should Know About Borderlands 2′s Next DLC (kotaku.com)
Borderlands 2: Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt DLC Review
Now onto Borderlands 2 third DLC, Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt, the hunt for the extraordinary or is it just ordinary? This is the third of the fourth DLCs and of this writing, the level cap has yet to be raised.
The Vault Hunter is catapulted to the continent of Aegrus whereby he or she meets Sir Hammerlock and they are out for a “weekend of hunting.” Unfortunately, not everything goes as planned as Dr. Nakayama, the lead scientist at Hyperion Corporation, decides to be the successor-nemesis of Handsome Jack. Dr. Nakayama, like every good successor, intends on cloning Handsome Jack and bringing him back into Pandora. With the fate of Pandora once again in peril — and with the assistance of both Sir Hammerlock and Claptrap, the Vault Hunter must stop Dr. Nakayama and his ultimate creation, Jackenstein, at all costs.
There are some new enemies about in this DLC, but some are reskinned bandits of Pandora. The witch doctor will be the Vault Hunter’s greatest threat as they can take a lot of damage and raise the levels of all savages around him, including Badasses. However, the witch doctor will not attack unless provoked.
The final boss Jackenstein at the end is not every difficult or at least it is as difficult as Leviathan of Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty final boss. And the loot at the end isn’t stellar. It’s only slightly better than the other two DLCs.
Overall, it’s a solid but unimpressive DLC — a 7.0 out of 10.
Related articles
Borderlands 2: MR. TORGUE’S CAMPAIGN OF CARNAGE DLC REVIEW!!!
THIS IS THE SECOND DLC IN BORDERLANDS 2 CALLED MR. TORGUE’S CAMPAIGN OF CARNAGE!!! YOU CAN’T HEAR ME OVER ALL THE EXPLOSION-Y EXPLOSIONS BECAUSE YOU”RE NOT A BADASS!!! YOU ONLY THINK YOU’RE A BADASS!!! OMG, I’M GOING TO STOP YELLING NOW SO I CAN REVIEW THIS DLC!!!
Overall, this is one enjoyable DLC for Borderlands 2 even though there is a lot of YELLING by Mr. Torgue. In a distorted way, this is a take on Mad Moxxi’s Underdome DLC from the first Borderlands, but this time with an actual storyline. There are various challenges implemented by Mr. Torgue throughout the game with three tiers of difficulty that earn Torgue Tokens. These Torgue Tokens can only be used in Torgue vending machines and a couple of slot machines owned by Moxxi. As a side note, it is expected that these challenges to be held among more than one Vault Hunter. To great dismay and oversight, these Torgue tokens do not show up in the inventory as an item like the Eridium bricks.
The storyline in of itself is quite humorous as the Vault Hunter meets up with Tiny Tina and Moxxi. Eventually, the Vault Hunter ranks up the Mr. Torgue’s Badass leaderboard starting from number 5. Then, it becomes Kill Bill as the Vault Hunter kills off the competitors until he or she meets Piston whose ranked number 1. These boss fights get harder and harder as the Vault Hunter goes up the leaderboard and as expected, the Vault Hunter will die. The boss fights are enjoyable; the dying…not so much.
One other major flaw of this DLC like the previous one, Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty, is that there is a lack of really good weapons whether obtained from bosses, enemies, boxes or elsewhere. The Secret Armory of General Knoxx has been sorely missed as the Vault Hunter could not obtain better weapons (instead of cheating as others have done in this Borderlands).
All in all, if you have the Season Pass, download this DLC immediately as it is a generally enjoyable and humorous experience — a solid 8.8 out of 10 (MAYBE 11). And if you don’t have it…#$%^&#$%^&111!!!
Related articles
- Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage kicks off in Borderlands 2 next week (joystiq.com)
- Preview: Borderlands 2: Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage (destructoid.com)
- Become The Number One Badass In The New Borderlands 2 DLC (kotaku.com)
Borderlands 2 Gunzerker Strategies (Fringe Edition)
Salvador the Gunzerker in Borderlands 2
Compared to the other classes in Borderlands 2, the Gunzerker class requires definitely the most cajones of all of them. Salvador the Gunzerker requires the player to often to remain the target and plow through enemies like a tank. Unlike the Mechromancer or the Commando, he is his own best support. He has no Deathtrap or turrets to rely upon.
Here are some basic tips from Fringe Fiction to help you out in your journey across Pandora:
- When fighting alone, I highly suggest that you build the Brawn skill tree to the maximum. It will help you greatly.
- For the Gunzerker, I would recommend a Tenacity relic as your relic. It will help you immensely when you get downed — which will be often.
- As much as firepower may be the logical implementation of the Gunzerker, I find that elemental weapons are great, particularly once you reach the Wildlife Preservation.
- When working with teammates, the Rampage and the Gunlust skill trees work wonders as you will essentially serve as a tank, eliminating enemies in your path wholesale while your teammates provide support. The Siren may become your new best friend.
- Absorb, Spike and Nova shields all work well with the Gunzerker depending on how aggressive you want to be.
- Slag weapons only help the Gunzerker’s damage. If your teammates have them, it will only work for the better.
- ALWAYS stock full of ammo before boss fights, if possible. Otherwise, drop a couple of skill points or more in Inconceivable and Filled to the Brim skill tiers in the Rampage tree.
With these tips, the Gunzerker will be nearly unstoppable…that is, until you reach True Vault Hunter mode….
Related articles
- Borderlands 2 (XBox 360) King-Mongus Video Game Review (fringefiction.net)
- Borderlands 2 Solo Arena Strategies (Fringe Edition) (fringefiction.net)
Far Cry 3 Survival Tips: Fringe Fiction’s Guide to Rook Island
Vaas and the Pirates of Far Cry 3
Rook Island of Far Cry 3 is not an easy place to survive. There are dangers that lurk everywhere from pirates to rabid dogs to the occasional crocodile.
In light of these dangers, here are some tips to help you survive:
- I suggest working on the Shark skill tree, either way you decide to approach the game, like Rambo or Sam Fisher.
- I suggest concentrating on takedowns of the Spider skill tree. You will need them later on, if not initially.
- When you have money, upgrade your preferred guns.
- When you have the animal skins, upgrade your pouches. You will need them although the rare animal skins may be a bit much (unless you have never, ever played a first-person shooter before).
- When liberating camps, it is best to go in undetected since it produces the most experience points, particularly when you arrive and explore the first island.
- Know your map when you’re liberating posts and work in one general direction. It will be beneficial to you on a few storyline missions.
- Bear in mind there is a SECOND island where you will obtain more weapons, gear and skills. I suggest you preparing for the transition.
- When doing the missions that involve the storyline of the game, I suggest you either craft medicine or purchase medicine beforehand. Additionally, purchase armor if you can. If you have the Endorphin or Unstoppable syringes available, I suggest you use them beforehand.
- Take time to explore the island for relics, plants, animals and loot chests and accomplish some of the other missions, like Wanted Dead, Supply Drop and Path of the Hunter. They will serve benefits later on and compound on each other.
- The VERY last storyline mission can get frustrating. Just bite your tongue and you’ll pull through.
With these tips in hand, you should be able to survive Rook Island — most of the time. Enjoy this fantastic game!
Related articles
- Far Cry 3 tips: Developer advice for surviving Rook Islands (polygon.com)
- Review: Far Cry 3 is one of the best games of the year (o.canada.com)
- Review: ‘Far Cry 3′ Is One Wild, Bad, Brilliant Trip (multiplayerblog.mtv.com)
- Far Cry 3 impressions: method in the madness (vg247.com)
Borderlands 2 (XBox 360) King-Mongus Video Game Review
Well, it’s been five years since the original Vault Hunters — Brick, Roland, Lilith and Mordecai — opened the first Vault on Pandora after battling bandits, Crawmerax, Moxxi’s Underdome, Colonel Knoxx, Claptrap’s Revolution and the Atlas Corporation. After getting the loot, the Vault Hunters went their separate ways…that is, until Handsome Jack and the Hyperion Corporation decided to find another vault — and mine Eridium and destroying Pandora’s environment in the process.
Gameplay (Out of 10)
Overall, this game is far more accessible than the first with easier transitions between bosses and areas. The game sets you up by fighting enemies that preview and prepare you for the tougher versions of it. For example, the Nomads prepare you for the Shock-Nomadic which prepare you for…well, I’m getting ahead of myself. For newbies to Borderlands, it’s far easier and “accessible” compared to the original with many missions giving the Vault Hunter “rare” loot. Unlike the original, the enemies now work more cooperatively, seek cover and work as a team. Besides that, the gameplay remains much the same — shoot and loot. Most missions are basically the same, aside from the bosses. Unlike the original, with boss fights, often the new Vault Hunter has assistance from the original Vault Hunters.
Now there are five classes — the Assassin, the Gunzerker, the Mechromancer, the Commando and the Siren. All have their strengths and their weaknesses. As for their original counterparts, Salvador the Gunzerker is closest to Brick; Maya the Siren is closest to Lilith; Axton the Commando is closest to Roland; and lastly, even though this may be debatable, Gaige the Mechromancer with her Deathtrap may be closest to Mordecai and his Bloodwing.
Unlike the original, each of the companies have significantly different properties. Maliwan is still the best elemental weapons, but it does have competition in Hyperion and Tediore.
For the veterans, some elements from the original Borderlands. What is most apparent are no more storage of health vials and no more gun-proficiency leveling. These changes either force one to adapt and think more methodically and strategically, if playing alone, or resort to cooperative gameplay.
Overall, the gameplay deserves a 9.0 out of 10.
Graphics (Out of 10)
The graphics are similar to the original Borderlands — a tad cartoonish, but this time, they run on the Unreal Engine 3. You either love it or hate it, but I love it. Overall, I’ll give it a 9.5 out of 10 for the minor glitches that appear here and there.
Sound (Out of 10)
The sound is pretty amazing, particularly the NPC voices of the enemies (especially the midgets and goliaths.) Overall, a 9.8 out of 10.
Barring somewhat most of the tedious “tutorial” missions in the beginning, playing the campaign in single-player is quite enjoyable. The references to the previous Borderlands is a nod to those who played the game before and actually quite funny (at least some of it). All in all, the Scooter and Ellie missions were probably the most humorous and enjoyable while Dr. Zed’s missions were the most intriguing.
Multi-Player Experience
This is how the game was meant to played — still. Having a couple of friends join you in the fight against Handsome Jack is great fun, especially with the latter boss fights and arenas. It can get pretty frenetic and kinetic as three more people join the game. Case in point: two gunzerkers and an assassin battling level 30 enemies in an arena gets pretty chaotic pretty quickly in round 5.
Overall (Out of 10)
This game is not made for loyal-bound Call of Duty or Battlefield fans where the FPS is fairly straightforward with minimal complications. Borderlands 2 deserves a 9.4 out of 10. It is a solid follow-up to the original, but with the story and changes, this game lacks the charm that the original Borderlands had.
Related articles
Far Cry 3 (XBox 360) Video Game Review
A beautiful and primal island in the Far East is visited by a group of college friends. At that time, however, pirates decide to invade the island and make it their own as a channel for their illegal activities, mostly human and drug trafficking — thus adding slight hints of The Beach.
Gameplay (Out of 10)
Overall, the gameplay is great, but it is certainly not without its flaws.
Unlike Assassin’s Creed III, which holds your hand for a substantial part of the game, Far Cry 3 doesn’t hold your hand beyond the first three missions. However, at any point, you are free to explore and trek the island on your own for the most part. Exploring the island has to be one of the most enjoyable — and time-passing — things to do in this game. You’ll find the island itself evolves and levels up with you akin to Fallout. It has elements similar to Assassin’s Creed III from climbing towers, crafting stuff to the random game of poker. The game itself also has elements of Cabela’s video games in which you hunt down animals. One last thing of note: throughout your exploration on the island, you’ll see the trials and tribulations of a couple if you pay attention.
Despite all these near-perfect mixes, this game does have its flaws. First, the AI of the pirates are a bit inconsistent. Sometimes, they are geniuses and almost too human; at other times, they are a few cards short of a full deck. Next, the AI sometimes does get lost — literally lost. Lastly, particularly around blind corners, takedowns don’t happen or aren’t permitted.
After all that’s said and done, it’s an 8.5 out of 10.
Graphics (Out of 10)
The graphics are generally fairly amazing. However, there are some minor issues. Sometimes, the NPCs (including the animals) get caught in the scenery — literally. I have experienced more than once already. The takedowns are particularly gruesome and brutal to watch. The cinematics, however, are simply amazing. The characters are too human to look and listen to. Overall, the graphics get an 8.5 out of 10.
Sound (Out of 10)
The sound is perhaps the best part of this game. You can hear animals growling at each other, and if you have 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound, you can pinpoint the direction from where it came. This deserves a 10 out of 10 in my book.
Overall (Out of 10)
If you can take the B-movie storyline with a grain of salt, this video game is fairly great minus a few glitches here and there. Rook Island is certainly more entertaining and breathtaking than what Liberty City of Grand Theft Auto IV or Steelport of Saints Row: The Third offers. The world is responsive in of itself and to you, and the vistas of the island are spectacular. Overall, I would give Far Cry 3 a 9.0 out of 10. This video game is well worth playing.
Related articles
- Review: ‘Far Cry 3′ Is One Wild, Bad, Brilliant Trip (multiplayerblog.mtv.com)
- Dark and thrilling, Far Cry 3 is a tropical Assassin’s Creed (theweek.co.uk)
- review far cry 3 ps3 xbox 360 (thesun.co.uk)
