Apple itouch surpasses my expectations yet again

At its release, I decided to purchase an Apple iPod Touch, 4th Generation. Intending to use this mainly for the mobile web and social media aspects of it (as well as that whole music thing), I was completely surprised at what I actually got.

I definitely got my moneys worth.

Applications are designed to further the experience of having an iPod Touch. The application store comes with thousands of applications, each one designed to cater towards a specific topic, and each one holds its own appeal. From Facebook and Twitter to Texas Hold'em, each application has a target audience that it vastly appeals to.

Most notably, I found something that blew my mind the other night, which would be the Sega Genesis games that have recently begun to be released. As a true child of the 90's, it was my greatest passion growing up, even beyond the time of PlayStation and Game Cube, to play the Genesis at every available opportunity.

With a video game in hand, I have now found a lot more stock in this iPod than I used to. Instead of going out and buying a brand new, fancy pants game boy to get me through long trips (where I don't have a book) and lazy days, I have this beautiful iPod that allows me to relive the good 'ol days.

On top of that, the applications that allow me to surf the web, find reference materials and even connect with friends from across the country, the iPod has far surpassed anything I expected it to be when I first purchased it.

Apple itouch 4th Gen gets a 5 out of 5 from me.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2

On a typical Saturday afternoon, you could find me sitting in The Clarion office working on my homework. However, not all Saturdays are typical, and Nov. 6 was definitely not. So, with a break from the homework and work, it was time to try out a new game and eat some Pizza Hut.

Unleashed 2 seems to follow suit with Unleashed, with beautiful aesthetics and unchanged game play. Unleashed was released in 2008, but months before Unleashed 2's release, executive producer and writer for the game Haden Blackman retired. On online gamer news source Techland, Evan Narcisse interviewed Blackman and talked to him about his new company, Fearless Studios. Blackman confirms this as his motivation for leaving Lucasarts.

Unleashed 2 brings in a new, but predictable, storyline. As Starkiller, the deceased Jedi/Sith from the original game, you find yourself imprisoned by Sith Lord Darth Vader, where he has convinced you that you are a clone of the original Starkiller and are simply his puppet. Once Starkiller has escaped, he begins a journey to find himself and seek out the cast of the first game.

While an interesting concept, the game did not go quite as in depth as it could have. The various storm trooper filled levels provide a small challenge, but nothing unique or overly difficult. Leveling has become useless, as you begin with far more force powers, skills and a generally far overpowered character. leaving the player wondering if it was truly worth it to buy this game.

Look for the rest of this review in the Nov. 24th issue of The Clarion, Madison Area Technical College's student newspaper. It will available online that morning at www.matc-clarion.com, or later in the day on the racks around Truax and Downtown campuses. Papers will reach the regional campuses later in the week.