Back to Work?

This is probably the time of year I hate the most. Far enough into winter that fall is long gone, but still really far from the spring and warm weather. It’s also more than a month passed the holiday season so all the great games are already out. Nothing new and exciting is just around the corner. It’s pretty much about waiting for mods, DLC, and E3, but even that is far off.

It’s also the heart of the semester. Midterms are coming up, papers are on my mind, and (to top it all off) I’m getting ready to send out applications for an internship. Gaming is slowly, but surely fading into the background. I try to get online as often as possible, but clearly a lot of people are dealing with the same thing because not many are on. Especially not at the same time.

So what about video editing? Yeah that’s not even on the back burner at the moment. That’s just flat out off the stove. I want to do it. I have plenty of ideas to boot. There’s just no time.

I’m also still weeks removed from anything baseball relevant. This is the complete and utter no man’s land of my personal interests.

Ah well. Back to work.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (Review)

I finished this game weeks ago. So why am I only getting to the review now when usually I have one up within 24 hours of finishing a game? Because this game just was not very motivating. It’s hard to call it boring, but even harder to call it exciting. I can’t put my finger on it, but something was lacking that made the other games, especially the previous two, really stand out.

What I Liked

1 – The Continuation and Conclusions of Ezio and Altair

Seeing both of these guys as aging and old men really added more to them as characters, especially Altair. The writers at Ubisoft really know how to develop a character because these were not the same men who simply looked older. As their bodies slowed down, their minds became stronger. They relied on their knowledge when physical strength was no longer an option. I would, however, have liked to see more of Altair.

2 – New Weapons

As usual, new weapons were added to the game. This time in the forms of the hookblade and bombs. Bombs can play a huge role and can be crafted over a hundred different ways, but I, and I’m sure most people, ended up favoring a small few. I didn’t really play around with the different types, fuses, etc. If I wanted a group of guys dead, I would just go in and fight them all. I’ve been doing that for the past three games so I didn’t really see why that had to change now just because I could throw a bomb. Mostly, I used the cherry bombs as a distraction for guards. That to me was the biggest difference bombs offered.

The hookblade was also cool, but in limited ways. Let’s be honest, the hookblade allowing Ezio to climb up a building faster is little different than when he did it in the previous two games with that glove he gains half way through each. The coolest thing a hookblade could do, for me anyway, was the long jump. However, the hookblade’s biggest advantage was probably the hook and throw move. No longer could guards stand in your way when escaping.

3 – Meeting Subject 16

He’s no longer a crazy voice you hear during a puzzle or message left in blood or even a glowing figure of computer code. Granted, this isn’t his actual body, but it is his mind. We never learn his name, but we finally become “face to face” with Subject 16. He is a character who has been driving Desmond from the very first game. I’m glad they included and concluded his character. At first, I thought he was going to betray Desmond and try to take his body, but he turned out to be noble through and through. He may also have been a tad crazy, but it’s what made him so interesting.

4 – Desmond’s Backstory

It’s more of the character building and Ubisoft did an excellent job here with it as a well. Completing the puzzles to make it unfold was a bit of a bitch as they went on, but worth it for all that information. It was cool and very well executed.

5 – More Difficult

Little things were a lot more difficult in my opinion. Like being able to keep your money. I would always send my assassins on missions to liberate and keep cities, but that eventually costs you money. Also the need to keep your awareness level down was something I was always paying off. In the previous games, you hit a point where you made money so easily and you are just never going to run out. In this game, I kept running out. I liked that. It wasn’t as simple and I had to constantly make choices about when I wanted to spend money.

Also the secondary objectives for full DNA sequence I found to be more difficult on several of the missions. Particularly the never get discovered ones. I would always groan when those would pop up because I knew I was in for a mission that I would be restarting at least 5 times.

6 – The Underground Missions

These were the ones where you have to recover the books left by Polo. Two in particular were the most fun I’ve ever had playing Assassin’s Creed. The first was this huge cavern you had to do all sorts of climbing around and the secondary objective was to complete it in under 6 minutes. So I took off running and didn’t stop to look around. The design was fantastic and having to keep moving like that made it so much fun. The second was a similar situation only you had to keep up with a bunch of guards in a boat as they went down river and shoot at you the whole time. Again, you gotta keep moving and it’s high paced, energetic, and exciting.

Why couldn’t more of the game be like this? Clearly a lot of time and creativity went into designing these locations. I feel they didn’t put nearly the same effort into the rest of the game.

7 – Desmond on the Horizon

I’ve read that the next game is going to be all about Desmond. No more time in the Animus. Now he’s the assassin running around taking people out. I don’t know if that’s 100% true, but it certainly feels like that is what they have led up to at the end of this game.

What I Didn’t Like

1 – Not What I Expected

That’s usually a good thing, but not this time around. The game kept being advertised as “play as both assassins,” but instead Altair was reduced to a small few side missions. None of them were more than a few minutes long and one or two of them were literally just walk across a room and you’re done. I was expected to be able to go back and forth as both characters, in the same city, but in their respective time periods. I was hoping both characters could be played in the open, free roam environment, but instead got almost nothing with Altair.

I feel it would have been so much better, and more fun to play in an area as Altair then have to revisit it as Ezio, but obviously it’s hundreds of years later and things look a little bit the same, but have also changed. That’s absolutely what I was expected and it didn’t even come close.

2 – Lack of a Solid Villian

Yes, Ahmet is the protagonist, but he doesn’t have the same villainous quality the likes of Robert de Sable, Rodrigo Borgia, or Cesare Borgia. And he certainly didn’t feel like a Templar tying to take over the world. He seemed more like a spoiled child who just wanted to become Sultan.

3 – Lucy…?

I know she was stabbed by Desmond as Juno took control of his body, but they literally just leave it at that. They mention how she is dead, had a funeral, and is gone, but no mention of why the fuck that happened. No one even seems angry that it happened. Shaun and Rebecca seem sad, but neither of them ask what the Hell went on and what they intend to do about it. I hope it’s a part of the story that gets addressed in the next game because right now it’s a cliff hanger that is still hanging with no explanation as to why. Why end Brotherhood on that note and do absolutely nothing with it come the next game?

4 – Bored

Like I said, it’s hard to call this game boring because it had so many of the elements that made the other games great, but that might be the problem. We’re doing practically the same thing for the third straight game. One might argue that it’s the fourth straight game, but I think there are huge differences between Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed II that make them extremely different gaming experiences. Also maybe the fact that it’s the third game in as many years. I’m getting spoiled that I have such quick access to the next chapter. Ubisoft might benefit from taking a few years between games like everyone else does. Not only does it build up the anticipation, but they can do more than just add a new weapon to the game.

5 – Location, Location, Location

Ezio is my all time favorite video game character because he’s just that: a great character. This game added even more to him and I loved it. But he lived in a certain time period and I’ve grown tired of it. Sorry, but Florence, Venice, Rome, and Constantinople all started to look the same to me after a while. I mean do all of these cities really have that exact same metal beam going across and connecting buildings like that? Did they all have wagons filled with hay just sitting around? Did each of them have crates setup to be perfect steps to get on top of a building? Doubt it. This is what I mean by Ubisoft taking the time to redesign this series. It has become a bit too much of a “more of the same” approach. A compltely fresh new take on the game is desperately needed.

Overview and Recommendations

I think it’s pretty clear. I like the game, but wasn’t blown away by it like I was the previous two. I finished it out of obligation, not of desire. Ubisoft is going to release the next game around the same time the have the last 3 and that’s fine. I just hope they take a completely different approach with things. Seriously, I’m kind of tired  climbing up buildings just to sync view points. Let’s try something different.

I would recommend this game only if you are into the series and have been playing it from the beginning, but don’t get your hopes up. Play it to progress the story, not to be drawn into a great game.

Heads Have Rolled! (well…not really…)

So my previous entry about my complete and utter disdain for Kmart actually turned out to have an affect on the world. I’m not really sure if there are legalities or corporate policies involved for the people who helped me out/contacted me about this so I am not going to use real names. I’m just going to give you the gist of what happened.

I have a friend (who will be referred to as Awesome-Minion) who works at one of the corporate offices of Kmart. But like me at my job, Awesome-Minion is just another grunt on the ground. However, Awesome-Minion has worked for and does know certain people that can actually change things. So Awesome-Minion contacted one of these people. The person contacted (who will be referred to as Helpful-Kmart-Guy) read my entire blog post, was surprised to learn what had happened, and wanted to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.

Long story short, I was able to take all the store’s information off the receipt and send it to Helpful-Kmart-Guy. A few days later, he e-mailed me essentially thanking me for my blog post and stated that they were working to make sure that the store that sent me the Wii would be retrained so that this would not repeat itself. Also, I went and checked the link for the webpage that has Kmart selling the Wii. Go look at it. Tell me that’s not fantastic.

I’m still without a Wii, but won’t be for much longer. All in all I think I ended up with more enjoyment out of the fact that this blog has actually had an affect somewhere in the world other than entertainment (or annoyance) for a very few number of people. So my thanks to Awesome-Minion and Helpful-Kmart-Guy. You both will be rewarded when my reign of terror befalls this planet.

I Hate You, Kmart

Let’s end the year on my favorite kind of note: pissed off rant!

For the last year, my Wii has been huffing and puffing. Strange considering that it is a Nintendo product and they usually make consoles that last a lifetime. No, seriously. I still have my original SNES from the early 90′s and it works just fine. Then again, I guess this is a more complicated piece of technology and nothing lasts forever. Plus, I’ve had it since the Wii’s original release date of November 19, 2006. More than five years old and it has been dropped a few times (thanks, younger brother).

At any rate, I’ve been wanting a new one, but was thinking about holding out until the Wii U. Then I got the not-so-well-known, but apparently common “corrupted file” error. The console will still operate, but I can’t access the system files. This means I can never adjust the sensor bar, date/time, connect back to the internet (now that I have a new router), and various other key functions. The thing has also been freezing from time to time. I figured it would be good to beat the inevitable to the punch and replace it now. Especially since I have yet to really get into Skyward Sword and do not want it crapping out on me half way through. I also figure that odds are I won’t be getting the Wii U upon its release simply because the price is sure to be sky high and Nintendo has a track record of not having too many great titles released along with a new product.

What was I to do? Well I really wanted a straight up replacement. The exact same white console that has the backwards compatibility for Gamecube games. Unfortunately, that is not made at all. The only thing Nintendo ships anymore is the black, slimmer Wii that plays only Wii games, and doesn’t even have ports for the Gamecube controllers, let alone play Gamecube games. So the great internet hunt began.

Obviously, eBay and Amazon were filled with people selling their own, but I really hate getting a used console. You never really know the condition it’s in, what people did with it, if they hacked it, dropped it, or any other type of damage. I don’t like it. Never have. Never will. All seemed lost until a light broke through in the form of Kmart’s website. There it was. The exact same console I had. Original white, backward compatible, awesome (and if you’re wondering why I’m fixated on the console being white it’s because that’s the color of all my controllers and accessories and I have OCD….literally).

I ordered the sucker at $149.99, plus tax and shipping, and was very happy. Especially since I had been given a ton of cash from the previous holiday. It was pretty much free for me. To make it even better, the sucker arrived a week ahead of estimated delivery. And when it got here I actually did a little jump and giggled to myself. I brought it inside, opened up the delivery box it came in, saw the Wii box, AND…….just from the sight of the Wii box I knew this thing had been refurbished. It had that used look to it. Rough corners, a few stains, the flaps were flimsy. Someone clearly opened it a few times and moved it around a bunch. I wasn’t happy, but held out hope that it was just the delivery service having knocked it around a bit. It wasn’t.

The little plastic stand for the sensor bar is supposed to come with a strip that has three, small adhesive strips that can be applied to the bottom. You the owner must apply these strips. I know this because I’ve done it not once, but twice (with my own Wii as well as with my girlfriend’s). This plastic stand had two of those strips already attached, and one of them was torn off partly. Any gamer will tell you that is a monster of a red flag right there.

The final test came when I hooked it up and loaded the console. Sure enough, there were three games already with save files: Mario Kart Wii (which came with the console), Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. Great. Some house wife had this sucker before I did.

Needless to say, I was pissed. Not only did the webpage make no mention of this being a refurbished item, but I paid full price for it. What kind of bullshit is that? The receipt stated that I could do one of two things if I wanted to return it: either ship it back or bring it to any Kmart store. I went for the latter seeing as how a Kmart is less than 4 miles from my house.

I go in and they ask me if I opened it. I explain that it was already opened when I got it as it was clearly a used item. The dude behind the counter was confused and explained to me that Kmart does not sell anything refurbished. I tell him clearly someone did and explained to him what I explained here. He then tells me that they cannot refund anything opened. Now I’m about to pitch a fit. It’s three days after Christmas, I’m standing in the returns line, I have an item they fucked up with, and I’m beginning to boil. I’m about to become THAT guy.

He calls the manager over and I go through the same shit with him. He explains to me there is no way they can return it and that I will have to return it to the store it was shipped from. I tell him I did not order it from a store, but from Kmart’s website. He points out the store receipt. Oh yeah. Did I forget to mention? In addition to the usual, online receipt printed off a regular piece of paper, there was also a store receipt. The exact same kind you get from the cashier. Why? Because apparently this Wii did not come from a warehouse, but right from the nearest store that had one. Anyone else starting to understand how I ended up with a used item?

Clearly someone had returned a Wii at some point, that Kmart accepted the return and broke their own rule about not selling refurbished items. And there I am left with someone else’s fuck up. The manager contacts this other Kmart and gets back to me in about 10 minutes. He tells me it’s not far. About 45 minutes away, exit 91 on the Garden State Parkway. I’m exit 172. Each exit is very close to the same numbered mile marker. No way it’s 45 minutes from where I live. And even if it was, who the fuck is going to drive 45 minutes (one way), plus pay the tolls to return an item when the fucking receipt tells me I can return it to any store?!

I give all this and more to the manager. Now please note that I never shouted, my hands never came above my waist, and my body language didn’t shift towards him in a threatening manner (yes, I keep myself aware of these things). But my voice tone did raise slightly and became more agitated. Anyone with functioning eyes and ears knew I wasn’t happy. And why the fuck should I have been? I was getting screwed over. Refund me my fucking money and fix your own goddamn mess. I should not have to clean up Kmart’s problems and drive over 100 miles round trip to deal with who knows what kind of bullshit at this other store.

He gave the receipt one more look and noticed that the online receipt had me charged just over $9 for shipping, while the exact same price on the store receipt had it charged as warranty. He went over the return register and had them put it is as a refund. I don’t know if he rationalized it as I was covered under warranty (he did tell the person at the register to label it as a “broken” item), if it clicked in his head as total bullshit, or if he realized I wasn’t backing down. Either way, I got all my money back save for the shipping fee which was just 10 bucks. I’m cool with that. I thanked him and both people at the return counter for their help.

And now continues my quest for a replacement Wii. I do know someone who has one they have barely used and it is the same model as my own. And there is a good chance I can get it for free. Otherwise I will probably just go and get the slimmer, non-backwards compatible one and call it a day.

And to anyone who works on the higher end of the Kmart food chain, please know that I think you are a dick and it is no wonder you are being forced to close down stores all across the country. I heard that just today and had a really good laugh. Karma works fast around me!

Batman: Arkham City (Review)

You know when a game gets amazing reviews, hyped up, and everyone tells you to run out and get it? It sucks when that game just never lives up to expectation. And you know what? NOT THE CASE WITH ARKHAM CITY!

This game is one that all other game developers needs to look at when working on the sequel to their already great game. It’s hard to do that with a sequelt. It’s hard to change things up without fucking them up. Rocksteady Studios not only pulled it off, but did it beautifully.

As usual, if you do not like spoilers and/or want to experience the game for yourself then stop reading right here.

What I Liked

1 – The Open Environment

Having the open city was a massive improvement over the first game. Sure the first game had open areas too, but it was there just as filler. It didn’t really play a part in the game all that much. This time, that’s all changed. There is a great balance between playing outside in the city where you can grapple and glide around and inside the various buildings where sneaking around with stealth is a must.

2 – The Villains 

Batman has some of the most well known villains in comic book history and they broke out pretty much all of them here. Unlike the first game where they only showed and mentioned a few, Arkham City has you face off against almost all of them. Check out this list: Joker, Hugo Strange, Bane, Ra’s al Gul, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Riddler, Zsasz, Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, Clayface, and the Mad Hatter. And I’m only mentioning a few. Each one plays either a significant or cool role in the game. The best part is it honestly doesn’t feel like a cluster fuck of names just thrown at you for the sake of it. Sure some of them show up and are dealt with quickly, but it feels like each one had their part played out well.

3 – The Story

Normally, a story starts off my list of things I liked, and while it is quite good, it wasn’t the driving force behind this game. At least not for me. Though this story was an upgrade from the first game, I must say. There is a lot more going on, plots and side plots become interwoven, and there is much more of a mystery going on for the world’s greatest detective to solve. I was interested in the story as it all unfolded, but I wasn’t rushing to push it. Instead, I took my time with side quests and challenges. However, I really enjoyed the ending. Much improved over the letdown of the first game. The fight as well as the ending itself.

4 – The Voice Acting

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there is no better Batman than Kevin Conroy and there is no better Joker than Mark Hamill. These guys ARE those characters. I’m saddened by the news that Mark Hamill will not ever do voice work as the Joker again, but this was a great way from him to go out as that character.

5 – The Combat

A great mix of beat ‘em up, gadget use, and stealth. The first game could be done by running in and beating the shit out of everyone. This game you had to know when to beat everyone up and when to take your time and pick guys off. Unless you know something I don’t, there are parts that I cannot see possible just running in and fighting. I had to sneak around and quickly take each guy out. Then there were parts when it was 20 against one and I had to fight them all in open combat. I also feel the combat system, though just about the same to the first game, also was much improved. Adding in the quick fires for several of the gadgets also fixed things up and allowed for a more diverse fighting strategy when you needed it. Also the fact that there are various enemy types where different combat techniques were required. It was enough to keep you aware and on your toes when a fight broke out.

6 – Play as Catwoman

It’s a nice change of pace and she plays an interesting part in the story. While the controls to play as her are all the same when playing as Batman, she is a very different character. While she is faster, she doesn’t seem to do as much damage, and doesn’t resist damage as well as he does. However, she is much better at stealth and can sneak around easier. I always enjoy diversity in games and that’s precisely what playing as Catwoman offers.

7 – Second Play Through

I have not started this yet, but I intend to. You start the game over from the beginning, but every gadget and upgrade you unlocked from the first play through is still with you. Why? Because the enemies are harder, stronger, faster, and you don’t get a combat warning when they are about to attack. So you will need all the help you can get.

What I Didn’t Like

1 – Joker’s Death

Batman did not kill him. Joker was the only one to blame for his own death. It’s just the idea that they killed him. A world without Joker? It’s creepy when you think about it. I understand this isn’t the comic book and it’s not canon, but it still felt weird seeing his lifeless body being carried out. Maybe something will happen for his return, but I doubt it. I feel that is why Mark Hamill said this was his last appearance as Joker’s voice. I did like the ending and it fit so well, but bleh! I probably would have liked something to signify that it wasn’t over. That he could maybe come back. This just felt like it was over for him. That puts a sour taste in my mouth.

2 – Can’t Play as Robin in Story Mode

I pre-ordered my game from Best Buy to get the free play as Robin in challenge mode knowing full well he was not playable in the story mode. And you know what? I prefer to play as Robin in challenge mode over Batman. Robin has one appearance in story mode for about 1 minute. I would have liked that they did let you play as him. Even if it was something like play as him in the second play through. Something. Anything. You can play as Catwoman so why not Robin? That probably would have perfected the game for me. And throw Nightwing in there too!

Overview and Recommendations 

I can’t really offer any room for improvement other than this: keep going bigger, Rocksteady Studios. It started out in the Asylum then it moved into the city. Now take Batman global. Have him team-up with other superheros and bring down villains outside his own circle. Don’t stop pushing the boundaries.

Overall this is a fantastic game. If you played and enjoyed the first game even a little bit then go and get this one. It’s worth the price, will entertain you for hours, and you know what else? It’s the goddamn Batman! If that doesn’t make you want it then get the fuck away from me.

RPSN Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 4: Kilgore “Motherfucking” Trout

“Joe, you need to stay here and watch them,” Matt said as he pointed at the two young women sitting in the corner of the room.

“What?” Joe asked, panicked and confused. “How did we get here?” He looked around the hotel room. It was a mess with turned over furniture and dirty bed sheets. There was a distinct smell of body odor and stale blood. As confused as he was, Joe felt as though the situation was all too familiar.

“JOE!” Matt shouted as he grabbed his brother by the shoulder. “You need to focus! I’m going to come back, but you need to watch them. I’m trusting you with this.”

“Watch who?” Joe asked.

“Them!” Matt said pointing at the two women again. “Because if you don’t, they are going to end up like the others.”

“The others?” Joe asked, his confusion growing.

“Yes!” Matt replied. “These others!” He opened the door leading into the hallway. There stood dozens of zombies. Each one a member of their family.

Joe woke up. His eyes quickly opened then shut at the sight of the bright sun. He was in the front seat of the truck, safe and sound, but his nightmare left him feeling rattled.

Matt was in the driver’s seat, steering them on the road alongside the river. “Sleep well?” he asked.

“Yeah… sure,” Joe replied, rubbing his eyes. “How long have we been driving?”

“Since the sun came up,” Matt replied.

“And how long ago was that?” Joe asked, still lying down with the seat leaned all the way back.

“Seventeen minutes,” Matt answered as he pointed at the dashboard clock, but kept his eyes focused on the road ahead. “Paper said he went 30 miles, but we shouldn’t just race to that distance. There could be anyone or anything along the way. We don’t want to miss something important along the way.”

“Why didn’t you wake me then?” Joe asked as he stretched his arms out.

“You looked like you could use the sleep,” Matt answered. “You got knocked around a bit yesterday with crashing that car. I imagine you’re still aching quite a bit.”

“That’s definitely true,” Joe said, rubbing his shoulder. “Sleeping here didn’t help much either.”

“Well relax for a bit,” Matt said. “We’re just gonna cruise for the time being. We’ll get there when we get there.”

“’We’ll get there when we get there?’” Joe asked. “What happened to ‘Get in the truck! We’re going now!’”

“That was last night,” Matt answered, eyes still fixed out the windshield.

“I practically had to wrestle the keys from your hand,” Joe argued. “What changed?”

“Nothing,” Matt replied. “You can go back to sleep if you want.”

Though still surprised and curious and Matt’s change in attitude, Joe was too tired to keep on with the questions. He rolled over on the seat to angle the sun out of his eyes and fell asleep within seconds.

Matt finally took his eyes off the road and looked over at his brother who was fast asleep. “Thanks for coming back for me yesterday,” he said, tears swelling in his eyes.

They drove about 20 miles from where they left before Matt pulled over.  He picked the walkie talkie off the dashboard and stepped out of the truck. Walking around for a moment, Matt hesitated to make his broadcast. He knew this was the closest he had come to finding help, let alone his friend, but he feared the possibility of not getting an answer.

“This is Scissors of RPSN. This is Scissors of RPSN,” Matt started. “Is anyone out there? Paper, can you read me?” He held the walkie talkie to his forehead and closed his eyes. Matt could hear the sound of the river flowing, birds chirping, wind through the trees, and the hum of the truck’s engine. Nothing but dead air came back on the radio.

“This is Scissors of RPSN. This is Scissors of RPSN,” Matt said again. “Is anyone out there? Paper, can you read me?” His eyes still closed and teeth grinding, Matt felt the impulse to throw the walkie talkie and be rid of it forever.

“Hey, Matt,” a voice came back over the walkie talkie. It was a voice Matt recognized.

“Joe?” Matt broadcasted. “Joe Miller?”

“Yeah, Matt,” the voice came back. “It’s me.”

Matt looked up at the sky and bit his bottom lip as he was overwhelmed with joy. “Really good to hear from you, man,” he said. “Now where the fuck are you?”

After getting directions, Matt floored the gas pedal as he didn’t want to waste any time. The sudden jolt from the truck’s rapid acceleration was enough to wake up Joe.

“Whoa, hey,” Joe muttered as he woke, and raised the seat. “Horde behind us or something?”

“No,” Matt answered. “He’s alive.”

“Really?” Joe asked, now fully awake at the idea of finding help.

“Yeah, and I’m not wasting any time,” Matt responded, his voice filled with determination.

As they sped off, Joe reached into the back of the truck and pulled out his shotgun.

“A week ago you didn’t want to have anything to do with guns,” Matt said with a smirk. “Now it’s the first thing you reach for even when we’re heading somewhere safe.”

“What makes you so sure it’s safe?” Joe asked, as he carefully loaded in the shells.

“If I know Joe Miller, there isn’t a safer place on this entire infected continent,” Matt answered.

Joe didn’t push the issue. Instead he kept his shotgun ready. Matt had nothing more to say until they arrived.

Following the directions exactly, Matt steered the truck off the main road and into the woods where a dirt path led to a clearing surrounded by trees. It was a camp ground complete with picnic tables, a barbeque pit, and located alongside the river. There were three other cars parked to the side as they drove through. Each one looked beat up like they were on the losing end of a smash up derby. As the sun shone through the trees, Matt could clearly see his friend waiting in the center of the camp ground.

Joe Miller stood ready to greet them; he was dressed in jeans, a black t-shirt, black army boots, and looked as though he hadn’t shaved in months. He held an aluminum baseball bat at his side and a katana was sheathed on his back. While his facial expression was blank, he made eye contact with Matt the moment he stepped out of the truck.

“I can’t believe you’re alive,” Matt exclaimed with relief in his voice. He then walked up and through his arms around his friend, giving him a bear hug.

“You decided to finally show up,” Joe Miller weakly said through tightly squeezed lungs. He didn’t hug back and his facial expression was still blank.

“Yeah,” Matt said as he let go and turned toward his brother. “We got held up. It’s a long story, but this is my-”

“Your brother,” Joe Miller interrupted. “I figured that. But before we all start exchanging stories, let’s just be clear: your brother is Joe and I’ll be fine with everyone calling me ‘Miller.’ Alright?”

“Works for me,” Matt replied with a nod. He was a little taken aback at the abruptness of Miller’s request. It sounded more like an order.

“Everyone?” Joe asked as he quickly looked around, hands tightly gripping his shotgun. “What do you ‘everyone?’ Who else is here?”

“Ash and Tim are both here,” Miller answer as he pointed to the three beat up cars parked near the campground entrance. “Somehow they both got here shortly after I did. I’m amazed they weren’t killed. They’re sleeping now though.”

“Ash and Tim are here?!” Matt asked, happy as well as shocked.

“I was as surprised as you are,” Miller responded.

“How are they otherwise?” Matt asked.

“Tim is OK,” Miller answered. “A bit bruised, but OK. Ash is a mess though. No word from Jon, and her parents…well I’ll let her tell it.”

Matt began walking towards the cars to wake his friends.

“You probably should let them rest,” Miller said. “They need their sleep. They won’t be any good unrested.”

“How come you’re awake so early?” Joe asked, wanting to get an idea of how things operate. “You guys take turns keeping watch?”

“Tim and I alternate nights,” Miller replied. “Sometimes I’ll take two nights in a row if he looks tired. I’m not about to trust my life to either of them screwing up.”

Matt’s eyebrows raised in surprise. He knew the outbreak would change anyone who had survived it this long, but he didn’t anticipate such a shift in his friend’s personality. It was clear that Miller was in charge of the campground and Matt wasn’t about to challenge his authority.

“So where exactly did you get a katana from?” Matt asked, changing the subject.

“Where did you guys get guns?” Miller answered back as he gestured towards Joe’s shotgun.

“Well, umm…” Matt began, eyes shifting towards the ground. “It’s a long story, and I should probably tell you guys all at once.”

“Right,” Miller responded. “Well when I was packing up to leave, I remembered back in high school I made an elaborate ninja costume that included this 440, high carbon steel sword.”

“And now you have a katana with you?” Matt asked with smirk coming across his face.

“Oh yes,” Miller said, still rather serious. “And I’ve used it several times.”

“And how long have you guys all been here?” Matt asked, wanting as much information as he could get.

“I arrived at Chappel Bay first,” Miller said as he sat down at a picnic table. “It was nine days after the first reports of infection and two days after it had reached my town. Cell signal was long dead when I got there, but I did get your text, Matt, about you heading to D.C. I figured you were fucked and that I was on my own. I certainly didn’t think anyone else was going to make it, let alone those two.”

Matt looked over at the three cars again, still amazed his friends were there. “How did you guys all get here?” he asked as he and Joe both sat down on the bench across the table from Miller.

As Miller took a deep breath he looked down at the table and placed his baseball bat on top of it.

“I saw all the reports for days, same as you,” Miller began; the cold, stern tone in his voice waned ever so slightly. “I couldn’t believe it was actually happening, but I wasn’t about to underestimate it. I didn’t go anywhere without all my supplies in my car.”

Matt listened intently as Joe continued to look over the campsite.

“As the reports got worse, I kept packing more and more supplies into my car,” Miller continued. “I even told Gen to start packing things for herself.”

“Whose, Gen?” Joe asked, eyes still wandering around. He seemed more interested in the layout and how to defend himself than the story being told, but curiosity got the better of him.

Miller didn’t respond to the question, and Matt awkwardly cleared his throat. “Gen’s his girlfriend,” Matt answered.

Joe stopped looking around and immediately turned his attention to Miller. “Oh,” he said, feeling embarrassed.

“Yeah, well she didn’t really believe me anyway,” Miller said. His shoulders gradually lowered as he placed his hands on top of the table. He took a deep breath before continuing. “I was at work when it all hit. Just another day at the bookstore, you know? At first it just sounded like people screaming down the block, but then it became louder and louder. A bunch of people went to the door to see what was happening, but I already knew. Cars started flying down the road, gun shots were being fired, and then it was right there.”

Matt and Joe didn’t say a word as Miller looked down to the top of the table.

“A car came crashing through the front of the store, and a couple of infected were on the hood. More of them quickly came running in from behind. Customers and my co-workers went screaming in every direction. I imagine it was a lot of blood, fire and panic, but I didn’t stand around to find out. I ran into the back, picked up my phone and my keys, and got the fuck out of there through a back exit. That’s when I noticed a dozen missed calls from Gen.”

Matt shifted awkwardly. The bench was uncomfortable, but he didn’t want to stand and interrupt Miller’s story.

“I ran to my car and drove all the way back to my apartment,” Miller continued, eyes still fixed on the table top. “And I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how fucking difficult that was. It was on the way that I called Gen back. She said she saw what was happening on TV and took off for my place. I told her to stay there and not let anyone inside. I hung up the phone and never drove so fast in my life.”

Miller started picking at the table with his fingernails, his gaze still downward. “It was mass chaos when I got there,” he said. “I had the katana and baseball bat with me in the car and swung at anyone that came near me. I burst into the building and that’s when I noticed the door to my apartment was open. It looked like a battering ram knocked it open. There were spots of blood on the floor and smears of it on the walls. I cried out for Gen, but heard nothing. It was so quiet in that place. I couldn’t hear a sound from outside even though it was hysteria seconds earlier. All I could hear was my heart pounding and my breathing. I called for Gen again, and that’s when I heard it.”

Joe’s throat went dry. This story was starting to bring up a lot from the past two weeks. He wanted to walk away, but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“Grunting and snarls were coming from my bedroom,” Miller said, his face slowly turning red as he began to pick harder at the table. “A trail of thick blood started right in front of the door and curved inside like someone had dragged in a dead animal. I slowly walked up. I don’t even think I was breathing at this point. At least, I don’t remember it. I just remember hearing that grunting and gripping my sword as tight as I could.”

Matt kept his eyes focused on his friend. He knew it was killing Miller to recount this story, but didn’t want to interrupt him either.

“Gen was facing a corner of the room,” Miller continued, his voice getting shaky. “I could see parts of flesh ripped from her arms and she was covered in so much blood, but she was just standing there. Huddled on the floor next to her was the one that turned her. Some guy that lived in the building, I think. I called out to Gen, or at least I tried too. Then they both snapped their heads around and looked at me. Just…snarling…and…I…”

Miller was losing his composure. Matt wanted to say something, anything, to calm him down, but knew there were no words for this.

“Look,” Matt blurted out. “It’s over now. You got out of there alive and you’re here.”

“I didn’t just get out of there,” Miller responded, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. “It’s not like I slammed the door shut and ran. I couldn’t leave her like that. And…well it’s not every day you’re forced to kill your girlfriend.”

With that, Joe stood up and walked away.

“More common than you think,” Matt said as he watched his brother get into the truck.

“There’s something else you need to know,” Miller said, now looking directly at Matt. “I’m telling you all this for a reason. I don’t trust the other two. I certainly can’t count on them.”

“Wait, what?” Matt said, confused. “You didn’t tell them what happened and how you got here?”

“All I told them was that I’m here and Gen didn’t make it,” Miller said, his voice becoming stern again.

“No details?” Matt asked.

“No,” Miller responded. “Not a single one.”

“So why tell me?” Matt asked, uneasy at what he was about to hear.

“Look,” Miller began. “Tim can listen and follow orders, but he isn’t someone I trust to watch my back, and Ash has been crying every day about Jon and her parents. She’s barely contributed anything. “

“Well of course,” Matt interjected. “We’re all fucked up right now.”

“Let, me finish,” Miller said, raising a hand. “You and your brother were out there for almost two weeks. Two weeks! I can’t even begin to imagine what that was like. You both got here alive and in one piece. You two are exactly what I’ve been waiting for.”

“Waiting for?” Matt asked, his face not hiding his confusion in the slightest. “Waiting for what?”

“A chance to get out of here,” Miller answered. He lowered his voice and leaned into the picnic table. “Staying here is no way to live. We’re in the fucking woods in Pennsylvania. August won’t last forever.

“So why wait at all?” Matt asked, leaning in so he could better hear Miller’s plan. “You thought I was dead. Why didn’t you guys just leave?”

“Like I said, I can’t rely on those two,” Miller continued. “They would either slow me down or get me killed. I was going to wait until the 25^th.”

“That’s a week from today,” Matt said. “You were going to wait another week and then leave them here?”

“No,” Miller said, his face cold as stone. “Leaving them wouldn’t have been right. There‘s no way they could have fended for themselves. I was going to kill them first.”

Matt immediately pulled away from the table. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

At that moment, someone emerged from one of the parked cars.

“Matt?!” Ash cried out.

-Continued-

The 10 Things I Learned At New York Comic Con

In what has become a personal tradition, I went to New York Comic Con this year. And just what did I see? Much. And what did I learn? Plenty. But there are ten things that stand out the most.

10 – Grown men dressed as Wonder Woman are horrifying

I have nothing against homosexuality or cross dressing. But a dude who is hairier than Bigfoot, with a beer belly, all in that skimpy outfit just sends shock waves down my spine. Imagine Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, but live action. Now put him in Wonder Woman’s outfit. It’s not a pretty sight. And there were two guys like that.

9 – Andy mumbles like that in real life

Anyone who has played games with Andy1123 knows that the dude barely speaks above a whisper on voice chat. Well guess what? That’s how he is in real life. Now I know I can chalk it up to the crowd noise, music, and various other things going on, but I had to ask him to repeat himself on a number of occasions while I didn’t have a problem hearing other people. At least Andy is consistent.

8 – Bryant is the worst Coach cosplayer ever

Andy’s friend Bryant was there. I have been known to give Bryant a very hard time even though I’ve never really talk to or met the guy. I never had good reason to. I’m a dick like that. But now I have a reason. Bryant, you are without question, the worst looking cosplayer of Coach ever. Now I don’t actually know anyone else to cosplay as Coach, but no one else can be worse than you. Your bald cap is a joke, and you looked pregnant not fat. You did fine on the outfit, but those two things make you look like an amateur and you should be ashamed. Fix it or I will find you and beat you. You’ve been warned (Andy, show him this message!)

7 – Mark Hamill charging for autographs and pictures is despicable

That’s right. Luke Skywalker was nickel and dimming the fans. Actually it was way more than that. It was 100 bucks for an autograph and 75 for a picture. Are you fucking kidding me?! Dude, what the Hell do you need that money for? I don’t care if after everyone else’s cut you only get $5 of it. We shouldn’t be charged anything. If you can’t handle that then get the fuck out. You are who you are because of the fans.

6 – Getting people to take the RPSN flier is harder than finding a job

I made 300 copies of a flier to represent RPSN. I’d say I handed out maybe 20. Andy probably had about the same amount of luck. And we tried, believe me. People just don’t want to take your shitty looking flier. Maybe one or two people took it and showed interest, but who knows if they held onto it and will actually check the links provided. I will say this though: I saved the remaining fliers who anything else that might come up and if even one person checks us out as a result, I will say the effort was at least worth it. Am I rationalizing? You bet I am!

5 – People dressed as superheros and then paint masks on their faces look stupid

I saw a lot of people like this, but most of them where guys dressed as Nightwing. Each and every one of them looked like an idiot. You people can spend all that time working on a rather detailed costume, but you can’t figure out a mask? Really? Really?! That’s almost worse than Bryant’s bald cap, but at least your painted mask does cover your face. Bryant’s bald cap didn’t even cover all his hair. Seriously, dude. Fix that shit!

4 – Dozens of sexy women dressed as some of my most favorite male video game and comic book characters has confused me

(Note: Sarah knows full well that I check out women like that. She does not blame me. She knows I love her). On the one hand, a beautiful woman is a beautiful woman. But then your brain realizes this woman, who is showing all that leg and cleavage, is dressed up like Super Mario and even has a fake mustache. Brain is now confused. What if I start getting hot the next time I play Mario Bros? Dammit, beautiful woman!

3 – You can’t beat the New York City hotdog vendor

I already knew this coming into the day, but it’s great to have it reinforced. I love getting a good old-fashioned hotdog from the city vendors. I also got a soft pretzel. Fucking best lunch you could hope for.

2 – Saturday show is great, but I’m sticking to Sundays

This was my first time going to the Saturday show. There was a tone of shit going on and the day shot by, but fuck it was crowded. I plan on going to the Sunday show next year like I have done in previous years. Less people equals more room and thus easier to move around and check out the stuff for sale. That’s my plan for next year and I’m sticking to it.

1 – Always great to meet a friend made online in person

This is the tear jerking moment. Brace yourself. Meeting Andy for the first time in person was a nice treat on the day. It was crazy crowded and we hung out for maybe a total of 40 minutes since we kept splitting up, but it’s always a great thing to meet a friend that you made online. I hope to see him again next year and perhaps we can actually plan a day together.

Is that it? Yeah that’s it. Go away.

100 Favorite Video Games of All Time (revised)

It’s been about a year and half since I released my list of 100 favorite video games of all time and you know what I realized? The first 30 or so games on the list needed a massive revision. The top ten especially. Why such a change? Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking in the first place. I may have rushed the sucker just to get it out there. On this revision I took my time with it and paid close attention to how I was ranking each game. Plus, there have been several games I have played since then and those games have certainly cracked this list.

I can’t really explain how I order these games. There isn’t any particular criteria other than the fact that I enjoyed the game and played most, if not all of it.

100 – Excitebike
Year: 1985
Platform:  NES

99 – Donkey Kong
Year: 1981
Platform: Arcade

98 – Wii Play
Year: 2007
Platform: Wii

97 – Pokemon Snap
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64

96 – Star Wars: Battlefront
Year: 2004
Platform: PC

95 – Yoshi’s Cookie
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES

94 – Tetris Attack 
Year: 1996
Platform: SNES

93 – Star Wars Episode I: Racer
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64

92 – Punch-Out!! 
Year: 1984
Platform: NES

91 – Animal Crossing 
Year: 2002
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

90 – Mario Paint 
Year: 1992
Platform: SNES

89 – No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M’s Way 
Year: 2002
Platform: PC

88 – Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble! 
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES

87 – Stunt Race FX 
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES

86 – Super Mario Kart 
Year: 1992
Platform: SNES

85 – Paperboy 
Year: 1984
Platform: NES

84 – The Bugs Bunny Birthday Blowout 
Year: 1990
Platform: NES

83 – Mortal Kombat 
Year: 1992
Platform: SNES

82 – Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
Year:  2010
Platform: Xbox 360

81 – New Super Mario Bros. Wii 
Year: 2009
Platform: Wii

80 – Star Fox Adventures 
Year: 2002
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

79 – Wii Sports 
Year: 2006
Platform: Wii

78 – Ken Griffey, Jr. Presents Major League Baseball 
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES

77 – Mario is Missing! 
Year: 1993
Platform: SNES

76 – NBA Jam 
Year: 1993
Platform: SNES

75 – Mario Party 
Year: 1998
Platform: Nintendo 64

74 – Diddy Kong Racing 
Year: 1997
Platform: Nintendo 64

73 – The Death and Return of Superman 
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES

72 – Mario Tennis 
Year: 2000
Platform: Nintendo 64

71 – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64

70 – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 
Year: 2000
Platform: Nintendo 64

69 – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3
Year: 2001
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

68 – Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 
Year: 2002
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

67 – Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest 
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES

66 – Kirby’s Dream Course 
Year: 1996
Platform: SNES

65 – Marble Madness
Year: 1984
Platform: NES

64 – Street Fighter II 
Year: 1991
Platform: SNES

63 – Ninja Gaiden 
Year: 1988
Platform: NES

62 – Adventures of Lolo 
Year: 1989
Platform: NES

61 – GoldenEye 007 
Year: 1997
Platform: Nintendo 64

60 – Kung-Fu Master
Year: 1985
Platform: NES

59 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project
Year: 1992
Platform: NES

58 – Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Year: 2002
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

57 – Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island 
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES

56 – Tony Hawk’s Underground
Year: 2003
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

55 – Mario Kart: Double-Dash!!
Year: 2003
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

54 – The Lord of the Rings Online
Year: 2007
Platform: PC

53 – Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Year: 2003
Platform: PC

52 – Biker Mice from Mars
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES

51 – Super Smash Bros.
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64

50 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game
Year: 1991
Platform: NES

49 – Super Mario Galaxy
Year: 2007
Platform: Wii

48 – Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Year: 2007
Platform: Wii

47 – Portal
Year: 2007
Platform: PC

46 – Portal 2
Year: 2011
Platform: PC

45 – FlatOut 2
Year: 2006
Platform: PC

44 – Super Smash Bros. Melee
Year: 2001
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

43 – Duck Hunt
Year: 1985
Platform: NES

42 – Super Mario Sunshine 
Year: 2002
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

41 – Kirby Super Star
Year: 1996
Platform: SNES

40 – Assassin’s Creed
Year: 2007
Platform: Xbox 360

39 – Mega Man X
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES

38 – Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Year: 2008
Platform: Xbox 360

37 – Alan Wake
Year: 2010
Platform: Xbox 360

36 – Back to the Future: The Game
Year: 2010
Platform: PC

35 – Perfect Dark
Year: 2000
Platform: Nintendo 64

34 – Batman: Arkham Asylum 
Year: 2009
Platform: Xbox 360

33 – Ghostbusters: The Video Game 
Year: 2009
Platform: PC

32 – Donkey Kong 64
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64

31 – Uniracers
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES

30 – Super Mario Bros.
Year: 1986
Platform: NES

29 – Pokemon Red and Blue
Year: 1998
Platform: Game Boy

28 – Super Mario World
Year: 1991
Platform: SNES

27 – Super Mario Bros. 2
Year: 1988
Platform: NES

26 – Super Mario Bros. 3
Year: 1990
Platform: NES

25 – Left 4 Dead
Year: 2008
Platform: PC

24 – Mario Kart Wii
Year: 2008
Platform: Wii

23 – Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Year: 2008
Platform: Wii

22 – Paper Mario
Year: 2001
Platform: Nintendo 64

21 – Left 4 Dead 2
Year: 2009
Platform: PC

20 – Jet Force Gemini
Year: 1999
Platform: Nintendo 64

19 – Donkey Kong Country
Year: 1994
Platform: SNES

18 – Mario Kart 64
Year: 1997
Platform: Nintendo 64

17 – Super Mario 64
Year: 1996
Platform: Nintendo 64

16 – Star Fox 64
Year: 1997
Platform: Nintendo 64

15 – Banjo-Kazooie
Year: 1998
Platform: Nintendo 64

14 – The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Year: 1992
Platform: SNES

13 – Metroid Prime
Year: 2002
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

12 – Luigi’s Mansion
Year: 2001
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

11 – Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Year: 1996
Platform: SNES

10 – Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Year: 2010
Platform: Xbox 360

9 – Half-Life 2
Year: 2004
Platform: PC

8 – The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Year: 2000
Platform: Nintendo 64

7 – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
Year: 2003
Platform: Nintendo GameCube

6 – Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Year: 2003
Platform: PC

5 – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Year: 1998
Platform: Nintendo 64

4 – Assassin’s Creed II
Year: 2009
Platform: Xbox 360

3 – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Year: 2006
Platform: Xbox 360

2 – The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Year: 2006
Platform: Wii

1 – EarthBound
Year: 1995
Platform: SNES

Call of Doodie

OK. I don’t actually care about the Call of Duty series. That isn’t a negative, mind you. I don’t think badly of it as I never really played it. I simply do not have anything positive to say about for pretty much the exact same reason. If anything, I’m impressed at the level it’s on and the money it makes, but at the end of the day, I don’t get it. What I do get is confused as to why people get so worked up each time a new game in the series comes out.

First of all, it seems a new Call of Duty game is released every 6 months. Yes, I’m exaggerating, but it certainly feels like it. I mean, just go to G4′s news feed. In the last few days, all they’ve really talked about is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 like it’s fucking Half-life 2: Episode 3. Are we really surprised another game in this series is out?

Second of all, how much do they really change from game to game? You don’t need to answer that. Because about a dozen games have come out in this series in less than 10 years time. How much has really changed? It’s still a first person shooter, you run around bombed out maps, find your enemy, and kill them. The multiplayer must be even less changed over the years. Hell, really all first person shooter multiplayer is the same. Let me guess: there’s your basic solider with a machine gun, a sniper, a demolitions, someone with stealth, and maybe one dude sporting a flame thrower. Sound like any fps you’ve played?

Why blog about this at all? Because I’m tired of it being treated like some amazing new masterpiece each time they release the same fucking thing. I’m tired of it being advertised and all over the mainstream of gaming. I’m tired of it giving gamers the shitty reputation we have as violet, aggressive people who do nothing but kill people in a virtual environment.

I don’t mind Call of Duty, but I would like to see it toned down a bit.

That is all. Now leave me alone.

RPSN Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 3: Luke, We’re Gonna Have Company!

Matt and Joe both peered over the counter as carefully and slowly as they could, breath held. Three zombies made their way towards the Subway as another dozen stood close together outside.

They didn’t move like zombies did in the movies: hunched over with slow, lumbering steps. Instead, they walked upright as normal people, but together like wild animals in a pack. What allowed Matt and Joe to know they were seeing zombies were the mangled, bloody bodies, their heavy breathing, blood saturated drool, and occasional shouts that mimicked barking.

Matt hid back behind the counter and checked his pistol. His eyes then darted around what little was in front of him as though an answer was about to reveal itself. He already knew there was no way out the back as it had been caved in. “You think they know we’re here?’ he asked.

Just then one of the three closer zombies let out a particularly loud and angry sounding yell. Joe ducked back behind the counter as well. “Yeah, I think that’s a safe bet,” he said, heart pounding.

Matt took a deep breath, closed his eyes and put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Fine then,” he said.

Unzipping his duffle bag, Matt quickly threw in Andy’s video camera, and pulled out a sawed off shotgun. “Looks like we get to raise a little Hell today,” he said as he looked back at Joe, face completely serious.

Before the outbreak, Matt, in his paranoia, taught himself how to use these guns. Since the outbreak, he had only a few days to teach his brother, but had to do so without loading the guns. Ammunition was important, after all. However, Joe was a fast learner and didn’t want a repeat of what happened a couple of weeks earlier. He wanted to survive.

Joe followed his older brother’s lead. He opened his own bag and removed a sawed off shotgun just the same. Putting his baseball bat away, Joe took a deep breath to calm himself.

As he took one last look over the counter, Matt could see the three closest were just outside the building. One stopped to vomit blood and another had placed its hand on the window frame and climbed through. Matt dropped back behind the counter again, looked at Joe and asked, “There are over a dozen of them, and two of us. We have a limited number of ammo, and no real escape plan. What you think?”

Throat dry and teeth grinding, Joe was as prepared as he could be for what was about to happen. He looked at Matt, pumped his shotgun, and said, “Bad day to be a zombie.”

Blood dripped onto the counter and growling could be heard. The two stood up and were faced to face with the undead creature. It snarled at them as the other two zombies began climbing through the window.

“All yours,” Matt said.

This once human being, but now infected monster let out a horrific cry then lunged forward. Joe snapped the handle of his shotgun around and slammed it into the zombie’s face. As it fell back, Joe whipped the barrel of the gun forward again, pointed at the zombie’s head. He fired away, eyes closed.

Blood splattered all over the wall behind the zombie, its face was a crater at this point. It dropped dead to the floor just as Joe fell back from the gun’s recoil. Matt quickly put out his hand and helped Joe to his feet.

“Lean into a shot to adjust for that,” Matt said hurriedly.

“Now you tell me,” Joe quipped,  getting to his feet.

Every zombie outside heard the blast and saw the two brothers inside the building. Each let out a piercing scream. The two infected already in the building started running forward, but were slowed by the debris across the floor as they made their way to the counter.

Joe pumped his shotgun again as both he and Matt took aim.

“Suck it!” Matt shouted as the two creatures were blown away.

“What now?” Joe asked, pumping his shotgun one more time.

“In the car,” Matt responded, pointing to the vehicle that had been crashed into the front of the Subway. It was a late 60′s Dodge Charger and looked at though it did more damage to the building than the building did to it.

“You drive,” Matt said as he pumped his shotgun. He then pulled out his pistol from his belt as the horde continued to move closer to the building.

Joe didn’t hesitate at Matt’s command. He had no idea if the car was unlocked, had keys, or even worked. Right now wasn’t the time for questions. He quickly picked up his duffle bag, ran around the counter, and went straight for the driver’s side door.

At the sight of Joe’s movement, the horde started running towards him.

Matt picked up and shouldered his bag. He ran around the counter and went to the window. “Right here!” he screamed, waving his arms and firing three shots with his pistol in the air.

Most of the horde turned turned its attention to Matt. Two kept after Joe, and were mere feet from him.

Joe took aim at one zombie. “You got me?!” he shouted to Matt.

“I got you!” Matt shouted right back, aiming his pistol.

Joe fired point blank at the closer one. Its head burst like a balloon filled with chunky soup as its body fell backwards. Matt fired three rounds at the next, covering his brother. One round caught the zombie in the neck, but two went into its head. Blood splattered out the other side as it fell.

Joe pumped his shotgun then tried the car door. It opened. He threw in his duffle bag then got in. “We have keys!” he yelled.

“Better to be lucky than good,” Matt mumbled to himself. He took a deep breath. The horde was at the window.

Joe started the engine.

Matt took a step back and fired his shotgun point blank at the first infected trying to jump through the window. Nine zombies left.

Joe put the car in reverse as one of the zombies started banging on the passenger side window. Joe took aim and blew out the window as well as the zombie’s head. Eight left.

Matt ran behind the counter.

Joe floored the gas pedal and the car pulled out of the building with ease.

All eight remaining zombies were in what was left of the Subway.

“Joe, get the fuck out of here!” Matt screamed, hoping his brother could not only hear him, but would listen too. He watched as the car continued on in reverse. He then turned his attention to the horde in front of him.

The eight remaining zombies slowed down, practically stopped. Five of them were men and three of them were women, but that didn’t matter anymore. Now they were undead monsters that moved like a wolf pack and their prey was cornered.

Blood oozed and dripped from their mouths. They snarled and growled as they inched closer.

Matt’s face was stern. One hand gripped tightly around his shotgun, the other on his pistol. He breathed heavily through his nose, and pumped his shotgun again. “Bring it on,” he said through gritting teeth.

At that moment, Matt could hear the Charger’s engine rev up outside. It was pointed straight at the building.

Some of the horde turned their snarling heads around at the noise outside.

“Don’t do it!” Matt shouted as loud as he could, wanting his brother to escape. “Just head North!”

Joe stuck his hand out the driver’s side window, giving Matt the middle finger as his response. He revved the engine one more time and fastened his seatbelt.

“Aww shit,” Matt said to himself, realizing there was no changing his brother’s mind.

The horde began shouting and screaming. All were ready to attack. To feed.

Joe stepped on the gas. The tires screeched.

Three zombies lunged at Matt over the counter. He jumped back, fired at the first zombie in the face with his shotgun, and then at the second zombie with his last two pistol rounds. With no time to reload, Matt then swung his sawed off like a bat and knocked back the third lunging zombie. With nowhere else to go, and the car seconds away from impact, Matt dashed into the back kitchen of the Subway.

Joe kept the gas peddle all the way to the floor.

The last six zombies screamed at the incoming vehicle.

The car crashed through the front of the building. The hole created from the first time someone crashed through allowed for what was left of the wall to easily give way.

Matt curled up on the floor as far back in the kitchen as he could, arms covering his head.

With little room in the building, the car smashed into each zombie, and came to a dead stop as it crashed into the firmly built counter.

Not a minute ago, the building was filled with the sounds of screaming zombies and gunfire. Now all that could be heard was the dying car engine and debris as it settled to the ground. Dust and blood was everywhere, including the car’s windshield. Each zombie was dead and in pieces.

Matt slowly emerged from the kitchen. He could barely see with the dust cloud all around him, but held his shotgun ready.

“You still with me?” Matt called out, hoping his brother didn’t just kill himself.

Agonizing seconds of silence.

“Oh fuck,” Matt said, breathing nervously.

“Oh fuck, what?” Joe asked kicking open the car door. “What do you have to say ‘oh fuck’ for? You didn’t just go from sixty to zero in half a second.”

Matt’s jaw dropped, his eyes widened. “You’re alive!” he declared.

“Yeah,” Joe said, hunched over, wincing, and a hand on his forehead. “Alive and in paaaain!”

Matt dropped his guns and his bag, ran over, and threw his arms around Joe, giving him a hug.

“Ugh!” Joe blurted out. “Way. Too. Tight.”

Matt stepped back, keeping his hands on Joe’s shoulders. Tears were in his eyes. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again,” he said, pointing a finger.

“Yes, mother,” Joe replied sarcastically.

The dust had settled and the two could see the immediate threat was over.

“I doubt very much these were the only infected ones in town,” Matt said as he looked around the now completely destroyed room. “All this noise is sure to attract more. So let’s get the fuck out of here.”

They picked up all their supplies, refilled their shotguns, and ran out of the Subway. It only took a couple of minutes from them to come across a perfectly good 4 door pickup truck with keys and a full tank of gas.

“Like I said,” Matt started. “It’s better to be lucky than good.”

They threw everything in the back seat, and got in the front. As they started driving, infected seemed to emerge from buildings in every direction. Matt floored the gas peddle and with a little weaving, the two easily drove away as the horde chased them in vain.

Matt and Joe sat in silence as they got back on the interstate and once again headed North. They were exhausted, and Joe even fell asleep. There were only a few hours left of daylight left, but Chappel Bay was only a few hours drive. Matt hit the gas, determined to make it before nightfall.

It was dusk as they arrived, not long until dark. Matt shoved Joe to wake him up.

“Come on,” Matt said, checking the new clip in his pistol. “Let’s have a look around.”

Joe rubbed his eyes then looked up at the darkening sky. “You sure you want to do that now?” he asked.

“They’ve got to be nearby,” Matt replied as he got out of the truck. He then opened the door to the backseat and pulled the walkie talkie out from his duffle bag.

Joe slowly got out of the truck. His body felt sore and aching; his head pounding. “You brought guns, but no Advil,” he said getting his shotgun out from the backseat.

“I left it in D.C.,” Matt replied as he started looking around.

There wasn’t much to see: trees, the bay, and what seemed like an endless forest. Their truck was parked on Route 321. It was the opposite side of the bay where Matt intended everyone to meet, but it was the only road next to it.

The two walked down to the shoreline, as Matt started his broadcast. “This is Scissors of RPSN. This is Scissors of RPSN. Is there anyone out there? Rock, Paper, Narcolepsy? Anyone out there? Can anyone hear me?”

This went on for several minutes as the sky turned from red to black. They didn’t want to walk too far from the truck, but the walkie talkie had a range of approximately 23 miles. Even so, no one returned his broadcast.

“I can’t believe it,” Matt said, head hanging low. “None of them?”

“Maybe,” Joe began, trying to find something to say that would comfort his brother. “Maybe they’re still on way?”

Joe didn’t even believe himself when he said that.

Matt fell to his knees and tears swelled in his eyes. He clutched the walkie talkie, pulled his arm back, and looked like he was going to throw it. Instead, he dropped his arm down as though admitting defeat.

“Hey you still have me,” Joe said as he walked towards Matt, trying to boost both of their spirits. It wasn’t easy for him to see his brother this upset. “Why was meeting up with them so important anyway? I know they’re your friends, but why else?”

“Because,” Matt replied, looking up. “You and I can do a lot together, but we won’t last forever just us. We need people we can count on to help us find a way out. That was supposed to be them.”

“A way out?” Joe asked, perplexed at what Matt was implying. “How would we be able to-”

Joe stopped talking as something caught his eye. He pointed behind Matt.

“What is it?” Matt asked, turning around.

“I’m not sure,” Joe said.” Something glowing on the other side of the bay.”

Matt and Joe walked as close to the edge of the water as they could. Unable to see it before as it didn’t stand out that well in the light of the setting sun, they could now see a message written on very large rock. It was in glow-in-the-dark paint and said: “Went 30 Miles Up River -PAPER”

-Continued-