Best Xbox 360 Games For 2011

The Xbox 360 console has been going from strength to strength and in 2010 we saw an unprecedented amount of really good games released, what follows is the list of the best Xbox 360 games for 2011.There is always a buzz when it comes to looking at the new releases for the following year and this time is no exception, there are two games that I am particularly looking forward to and I shall share with you these a bit later. The new releases for the following year are usually announced in December and since they were announced I have been bubbling with excitement as I know that at least two or three of them will be the best Xbox 360 games of the year. So do you know of all of them or have you heard of none of them? You are about to find out what they are.

Gear of War 3

Following on from the hugely successful gears of war one and two this third installment see's a lot of changes, firstly the introduction of 3 playable female characters and another male playable character who had a brief mention in the last game. There are obviously the new weapons and weapon upgrades which include a new shotgun. There will also be new gun turrets available and new heavy weapons. Epic who make the game have also said there will be a few new moves available for your character and going hand in hand with that some new kill moves which is always a favorite.　There will also be a different mode available in multi-player too. Release is said to be middle of the year.

Dead Space 2

This is the follow up to the surprisingly popular dead space which was a survival horror 3rd person shooter. You play engineer Isaac Clarke and you wake up on a massive space city and must survive both haunting visions of past events and the horrific onslaught of the necromorphs,　battling on with new weapons including a plasma cutter, the terror returns. Scheduled for release January 25th 2011.

Mass Effect 3

Mass Effect 3 is the game with which I'm probably most excited about, the previous 2 have been great games but there has always been something missing and I'm not quite sure what but i am definitely hoping that it is in the 3rd installment due out end of 2011.The 3rd installment is set primarily on earth as it is being attacked by a group of beings not yet identified or clear in the trailer available below, but what is known by watching the trailer is that this game is going to be brilliant, the graphics have moved forward another step and hopefully the storyline moves on with it as it seemed to stall somewhat between 1 and 2.,It does seem however that possibly the reapers are attacking earth and millions of people are dead and the first two games main character Sheppard has not yet arrived. All will be revealed come the end of the year.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya has grown to be one of the most popular anime in Japan and around the world. Aired in 2006, this smash-hit dominated the anime market at the time and still holds immense popularity. The series is largely targeted at the otaku crowd with various references to other anime and Japanese pop culture. This is one of the most original anime series in years and there are several key points that prove this.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya starts out with Episode 00. It features the main characters of the anime cast in a film made for a school cultural festival. This episode does not happen chronologically until several episodes down the line, a feature this series uses throughout its airing. Many viewers were turned off of the show by this first episode, not understanding what was going on or thinking the series was about something completely different. Theoretically, one could skip episode 00 and would not lose any of the series. However you lose the very original and unique feel of the series. The story actually starts with episode 1. This out-of-order approach continues throughout the series. For example, what would be episode 4 is not aired until episode 7. The DVD release follows chronological order though, with episode 00 still showing first.

The series uses many otaku references throughout. They are used in-character by Haruhi and others which gives it a very real-life feel to it while also keeping the silly atmosphere. Chief among these are more and bunny girl outfits. Must more central to the plot is the inclusion of non-human beings like aliens in a high school setting.

Don't get caught up in all the asides though. The real appeal to this series is in the title character, Haruhi Suzumiya, and her group of clubmates. Haruhi takes the beautiful lead-female character and transforms it into a class of her own with her oddities and anything but melancholic personality. The series takes off with Kyon talking with Haruhi, a very rare occurrence for Haruhi; none of her other classmates could get a word out of her. Kyon is the narrator of the series and is also a principle character in the series. A seemingly-cynical high school student, Kyon is dragged into Haruhi's club unwillingly but decides to stay to protect the other members. They consist of Yuki Nagato, a very quiet first-year student who always has her nose in a book; Mikuru Asahina, a beautiful junior who is extremely timid and seemingly at Haruhi's mercy; and Itsuki Koizumi, the mysterious transfer student Haruhi was wishing for. All of the other club members seem to do Haruhi's bidding but in truth they all have their own secret agenda for being there.

The soundtrack is used very well in the series. But the ending theme really steals the show, becoming immensely popular around the world. Most of the OST was done by Haruhi's seiyyu, Aya Hirano, with Chihara Minori and Yuko Goto, the seiyyus for Yuki and Mikuru, respectively, also performing.
Bandai was not a popular choice to license Haruhi but has done a good job thus far. DVD 1 is packed with extras like "making of"'s and behind-the-scenes looks at tv spots. The Limited Edition also comes with the ED CD, a cosplay hair ribbon, a drawing board, and an iron-on shirt transfer.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is an anime that will appeal mostly to the otaku crowd but can give universal enjoyment. Volume 1 only gives a glimpse of what is to come in this drama-packed comedy.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Cheat

Every Assassin's Creed Brotherhood cheat, unlockable, secret and reward has been unearthed by our good friend the internet.

We don't need to tell you that this is about as spoilerific as it gets. If that's not your bag, throw a brick at your screen now and call the Police.

Ready? Last chance. OK, here it comes:

Cristina Memories

• A Second Chance- Achieve 15 percent Total Synch
• Last Rites- 30 percent Total Synch
• Best Man- 45 percent Total Synch
• Persona Non Grata- 60 percent Total Synch
• Love's Labour's Lost- 75 percent Total Synch

Capes

• Auditore Cape- Complete the Rebuilding Rome metagame
• Borgia Cape- Collect 100 Borgia Flags
• Medici Cape- You need to get to level 30 on the "Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy" Facebook game
• Venetian Cape- Same as Medici Cape

Outfits

• Raiden Skin- You need to receive at Bronze medal or higher in all Virtual Training challenges
• Florentine Noble Attire- Need to buy these for 2 tokens via Uplay (Ubisoft service)
• Altair's Robes- same as above
• Armor of Altair- same as above

Borgia Flag and Treasure Maps

• Centra Flags Map- Unlocked by either finishing the game, or collecting 25 Borgia flags
• Antigo Flags Map- Unlocked by either finishing the game, or collecting 25 Borgia flags
• Campagna Flags Map- Unlocked by either finishing the game, or collecting 25 Borgia flags
• Vaticano Flags Map- Unlocked by either finishing the game, or collecting 25 Borgia flags
• Feathers Map- Unlocked by either finishing the game, or collecting 25 Borgia flags

• You need to purchase these maps from an Art Merchant once they are unlocked

Shop Quest Rewards

• Seusenhofer Pauldrons and Chest Guards- You'll need to complete the Exotica Shop Quest (Blacksmith)
• Spada Lunga- You'll need to complete the Blood Money Shop Quest (Blacksmith)
• Captain's Sword- You'll need to complete the Faith Shop Quest (Blacksmith)
• Vaticano Treasures Map- You'll need to complete the Trendsetting Shop Quest (Art Merchant)
• Large Quiver- You'll need to complete the Pulling Threads Shop Quest (Tailor)
• Fast Poison- You'll need to complete the Venomous Shop Quest (Doctor)

Rebuilding Rome metagame rewards

• Cavalieri Mace and Butcher Knife- You'll need to open 5 Blacksmiths
• Spadone- You'll need to open 10 Blacksmiths
• Knife Belt Upgrade- You'll need to open 4 Tailor Shops (next upgrade at 8 Tailor Shops)
• Large Medicine Pouch- same as Knife Belt Upgrade (4 Tailor Shops)
• Large Poison Vial- Open 8 Tailor Shops

Guild Rewards

• Courtesans Guild Crest- Get each Guild to Level 2
• Thieves Guild Crest- Get each Guild to Level 2
• Mercenaries Guild Crest- Get each Guild to Level 2
• Maria's Dagger- Get each Guild to Level 3
• La Volpe's Bite- Get each Guild to Level 3
• Bartolomeo's Axe- Get each Guild to Level 3
• Assassin's Guild Crest- Complete all Assassins Guild Challenges
• Sword of Altair- Complete all Assassins Guild Challenges
  
  You'll unlock these at Ezio's Hideout

Rare Paintings

• Self Portrait- Can be attained by completing Sequence 8, or collecting 15 Borgia Flags
• Young Man with an Apple- Can be attained by completing Sequence 8, or collecting 15 Borgia Flags
• Christ Blessing- Can be attained by completing Sequence 8, or collecting 15 Borgia Flags
  
  Can be purchased from Centro, Antico, and Campagna Art Merchants

Portraits

You can get all the portraits listed below by defeating the associated target.

Cesare Borgia
Rodrigo Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia
Baron de Valois
Juan Borgia
Micheletto

War Machine Models

• Tank Model- Acquired by completing the "Hell on Wheels" War Machine mission
• Bomber Model- Acquired by completing the "Flying Machine 2.0" War Machine mission
• Machine Gun Model- Acquired by "Outgunned" War Machine mission
• Naval Cannon Model- Acquired by "Loose Cannon" War Machine mission

Leonardo's Inventions

Parachute- Acquired when you complete all the War Machine missions

Leonardo will offer you this when you complete them all.

Ultimate Equipment

Dagger and Armor of Brutus- You'll have to collect all six Keys of Romulus from Followers Lairs

Find these beneath Prospero da Siena'a Borgia Tower in a vault

Artifacts

All the artifacts below can be attained by leaving the Animus and going to present day Monteriggioni. They will show up in your Sanctuary on some shelves.

• Mario's Sword
• Medici Cape
• Claudia's Record Book
• Maria's Feather Chest
• Ezio's Belt

Uplay Rewards

• Xbox 360/Playstation 3 Theme- Sign up for Ubisoft's Uplay service and spend 1 token
• The Hellequin- same as the theme (multiplayer character)
• Pistol Upgrade- Sign up for Ubisoft's Uplay service and purchase for 3 tokens (this is equipped automatically)

Subject 16's Secret

• The Truth- You'll need to find all 10 Rifts and solve all Cluster puzzles to (can find this in the secret area of the Animus)

Cheats

• Ride the Unicorn- 100 percent total synch on Sequence 1
• Buns of Steel- 100 percent total synch on Sequence 2
• Killing Spree- 100 percent total synch on Sequence 3
• Sisterhood- 100 percent total synch on Sequence 4
• Ultimate Guild- 100 percent total synch on Sequence 5
• Unlimited Assassin Signals- 100 percent total synch on Sequence 6
• Desmond Everywhere- 100 percent total synch on Sequence 8

Of course, even though the single-player campaign is now completely ruined, there's still the Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood multiplayer to get your teeth stuck into. Have a look of the trailer to get a taste.

Playing and Enjoying the Outdoor Sport of Badminton

Playing and Enjoying the Outdoor Sport of Badminton

  There are different kinds of outdoor sports that you can do especially when you are tired of sitting in front of your computer and television at home or when you get bored from always doing the same routine inside the house and playing different board games. It is time for you to extend your muscles and sweat out. You need to move and try out doing any form of recreation outside your house. It would be a great time to enjoy the beautiful day.

This sport and at the same time recreational activity is good for the whole body. It is a kind of play that lets you move all the muscles of your body which is a good reason for it to be considered one of the best exercises. It is both enjoyed by men and women at varying ages. You just need to prepare your racket, shuttlecock and of course water or energy drinks to replenish your body with the sweat that it excretes.

Badminton is a fantastic sport. Not only is it great fun and a good opportunity to socialize with like minded people, but there are also many health benefits of playing badminton.

Let's take a look at a few of these now.

Flexibility - no one can deny that Badminton improves your flexibility in most of the major muscles, including the hamstrings, erector spinae, pectorals, triceps and many other areas. It's an absolute necessity that good players maintain a healthy level of flexibility in all of these muscles. Whilst stretching hasn't been proven to have a positive effect before playing, there is certainly plenty of evidence to prove that it is beneficial afterward.

Strength - Obviously your upper body won't gain too much strength due to playing Badminton, but your forearms, thighs and calves will be sufficiently challenged to improve their strength and power. Anyone who has ever done a series of jump smashes back to back will testify to the huge challenge this places on the thighs muscles.

Muscular Endurance - Absolutely vital to any Badminton players, it's the ability to keep going right to the end of a match. Virtually every muscle group has to continuously contract in a long game of badminton. From the calves right up to the shoulders.

Heart and Lungs - Again Badminton places a very challenging workload on the heart. Those who regularly play singles or against a particularly good doubles pairing will agree with me on this one. Short bursts of all out effort are often required in quick fire rallies which can often last for well over 10 shots per point. This series of stop start action, intense activity interspersed with short periods of rest is very much like interval training which is rapidly becoming one of the most popular types of fitness training techniques.

Mobility - As we age our joints can become less fluid or movable. The connective tissue and bone endings can become worn and are therefore not as mobile as when we were younger. It's important as we age to maintain a certain amount of movement in our joints otherwise both our posture and the performance of simple everyday tasks becomes much more of a challenge. Badminton helps to lubricate and mobilize almost all the joints on the body so again it's a very useful sport to take part in.

These are just a few of the most obvious health benefits of playing Badminton, but what many people overlook is the social side of the sport. Not only for meeting and interacting with people who share the same passion for the sport as you, but more so for the bringing together of people who love to use and challenge their bodies in a way that can actually improve their health and well being the way that Badminton can do.

Final Fantasy XIII: How to beat Orphan

Boss Battle: Orphan

Well you made it to the end and now must face the toughest boss of them all. Orphan is probably the hardest boss you’ll encounter, and like many bosses you have to defeat Orphan twice. By now you should have decent characters, but even so, you’re going to be heavily tested in this battle, and you really need a high HP to have any chance of succeeding.

General Strategy to beat Orphan

Battle 1 (Form 1)

• Start of by being defensive – you’re going to need a lot of healing, so any of the decent healing paradigms is useful – get everyone back to a high HP level – the higher the better and then you can start thinking about attacking.
• Buff, buff and more buff – you’re going to be switching to healing paradigms quite often as you buff your characters – without the buffs you’ll have no chance. You must use shell, protect and haste at least, and probably should use faith and bravery – the more buffs the better.
• Try to debuff Orphan while buffing up – deshell and deprotect at least. This isn’t easy, but it does really help.
• Once buffed and healed, go on the offensive with relentless assault – the aim of course is to build the chain gauge.  
• Keep an eye on HP constantly and switch to diversity to heal.
• Eventually you’ll fill the chain gauge, so now is the time to throw everything at Orphan – use tri-disaster paradigm to do most damage.
• Keep you HP very high – but try and keep up the offensive – the more damage you do quickly the better.
• Orphan will alternate between two forms and he will use a merciless judgment attack before changing form. This is a very dangerous attack and you really need to ensure you are fully healed and buffed – you should also switch to a strong healing paradigm while this attack is being used.
• In the second form (consummate darkness) Orphan will heal himself, so you’re probably best re-buffing and healing yourself and waiting for the first form (consummate light) to concentrate on attack.
• Later on Orphan will be able to heal and attack at the same time – just keep up the attacks as per the above instructions and you’ll slowly wear Orphan down – like before you must watch your HP and not let it slip too low – use Diversity where necessary.
• Make sure you use potions and items wisely – at times you will be poisoned or silenced and not only will you have to get rid of these ‘effects’ but you’ll also have to rebuff and probably heal yourself.
• Be as offensive as possible but make sure to keep your buffs and HP high – even if you have Orphan staggered, you may need to use this as an opportunity to rebuff etc.
• Be patient, this is a long arduous battle but not too difficult.

So keep everyone’s HP in the green, go full offence when you can, and try to maintain your buffs. Go hell for leather when you stagger Orphan, and you should win out fine. On a final note, Orphan will not attack while staggered, so if you’re in bad shape or your buffs are running out, you may want to pass up the opportunity for damage to heal your party instead.