FINALLY…TEMPLE RUN 2 FOR ANDROID!

At long last…the wait is over…Temple Run 2 comes to Android! For about a week now, I have been hearing (from Apple users, of course!) their excitement about this new update and I was curious to know what the hullaballoo is all about…basically, the concept of the game is still the same…it still involves endless running! But what’s exciting about it is the addition of new obstacles like ziplines, riding a mine cart that seems more like a roller-coaster as it twists, turns and almost falls off, and flames of fire that shoot off in unexpected places, among others. Then, there are also new prizes that one must seek to attain – like green gems that can give you much-needed life! Further, the three monkeys that are running after the main character have disappeared but instead a humongous creature had taken its place…creepy! The track too is more difficult…whereas before, you can just let the character run by itself and just wait until it needs to turn left or right but this time around, the road suddenly narrows so that one must always be on guard to watch the track. Still it is a totally exciting game! Just wish I could get the hang of it soon…I just envy my kids and cousins playing and proudly displaying the ‘millions’ they were able to score…while I am still endlessly struggling and forever running, hoping to outsmart my pursuer…but to no avail!

ANGRY BIRDS

Today, I downloaded a new game – Angry Birds which I was first able to play using a cousin’s IPAD last Holy week break in April. It was a cool game and at first I didn’t know I could play it also in Android or even in PCs so when I finally knew, I immediately downloaded a PC version in my computer and started playing the game!

The internet revealed that the game had been in existence since December 2009 for Apple users. The object of the game is to retrieve eggs that were stolen by some green evil pigs. The birds that a player can use are many and varied and are of different combination in each level. The first is the simple red bird, then as one progresses, other birds are introduced with varying powers and capabilities. Like a blue bird that separates into three smaller birds, a black bird that explodes upon impact, a white bird that can drop explosive eggs, and a yellow bird that can be speeded up with a click of the mouse. A player can complete a level if all the pigs are destroyed by the time the last bird is used. All birds that go unused are converted into bonus points and may increase the stars earned for each level.

But my starting to play this game does not mean that I am abandoning my quest to reach Level 50 of Plants vs. Zombies altogether, no, of course not! I am just adding variety to my life coz it does sometimes get too boring just seeing zombies all the time.

LEVEL 47 IN SURVIVAL ENDLESS!

Yesterday, I was able to reach a milestone of sorts because I finally was able to reach 47 flags in Plants vs. Zombies Survival Endless ---hurrah! hurrah! At long last, after so many days of browsing the net for strategies that others before me have used, I finally chose one which I liked and it seemed to be working although I still wonder how they were able to reach 100 or even 500 flags when I can’t even reach 50??? But still and all, I am just so glad that I finally reached 47 flags, that’s already an achievement of sorts considering that I am only able to play Plants sometimes during lunch breaks and at times to break the monotony after long spells of transcribing. I do a level or two just to rest my ears before returning to transcribing once again. Well, here’s a photo grab of my Plants vs Zombies status just to prove that I did reach 47 flags in Survival Endless.







The main weapon of choice that I use is the Gloom-shroom (the violet one, which must be combined with the Fume-shroom) to counter the endless attacks of zombies both in land and in water. I put two or even three layers of it on top of lilies so that even those wily dolphin-rider zombies are defenseless with three of them that they can’t just jump over. At the back, I also place a layer of Gloom-shrooms to counter the Digger Zombies and two more Gloom-shrooms at the third layer for those mischievous imps. For the gargantuars, I use the the cob cannons which are derived from a combination of two kernel pults. They are usually placed in water since on land they are totally defenseless since pumpkins can’t be placed around them for protection. By the way, I place pumpkins over all of my plants even the double sunflowers - everything! Well, except for the spikerocks which is my main weapon against Zombonis and the Zombie bobsled team. Here’s a picture of my basic defense, I have forgotten what level this is but this is basically what my lawn looks like after ten flags. The cattails are used to counter Balloon Zombies while the Umbrella leaf strategically placed at the second layer is used to counter Bungee zombies and to cover against basketballs thrown by Catapult Zombies.







One word of advice though, it is important to stock up on sunflowers during the first few levels so that one can achieve/attain a huge amount of sun that would be necessary during the latter levels. Next time I’ll try to show more detailed pictures of my lawn per level so you would understand what I mean. Meanwhile, wish me luck that I may surpass 50 flags in the coming days…

A LUNCHTIME ADDICTION

These past few weeks I admit, I have been quite addicted to something you would never guess. Yes, indeed it has been existing since May 2009 but I have never really paid attention to it before I often just let the kids do their thing with it. But one lazy afternoon in the office (about two or three weeks ago) when there was no internet and there wasn’t much work to do, I tried doing it…and by God! I was definitely hooked!!! In fact, sometimes I would forego my usual afternoon nap (during lunch break) just to do it! And nope, you never would have guessed it - I am addicted to playing Plants vs. Zombies.

According to Wikepedia, the game was developed and originally published by Popcap Games for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. It involves the player as the homeowner who had to repel numerous waves of zombies seeking to enter his home by planting different kinds of plants and fungi with varied unique and defensive capabilities. The zombies will try all sorts of modes (which actually consist the playing fields) to enter your home – thru the front garden, the backyard (which has a pool), at night (with the use of mushrooms and fungi since there is no sun) and the last level, through the roof.

And so today, I guess I am just so happy to proudly announce that I have finally finished the main adventure mode by beating that huge monster - Dr. Zomboss… hurrah! hurrah! But this doesn’t really mean the addiction’s over…no, definitely not! Since I still have my Zen garden to tend to and lots of mini-games to still unlock, and of course, there’s still the survival mode that I have to go through. I read it is definitely more difficult and filled with more zombies than the previous stages I conquered. So here’s hoping I’d gain more trophies, finish more stages, and spend more sleepless lunch hours playing!