Review, Kinda: Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

WELL, is it really that time again? How do you feel about hurting others, do you enjoy hurting them? Frankly, I don't think you'll like the way this review ends... Mostly because it's not a very official review. Anyways, I was a huge fan of the first game, Hotline Miami. Great gameplay, crazy story, great visuals, A FANTASTIC SOUND TRACK, a game that gives you an UNEASY feeling while you play it. It makes you feel good but BAD for killing all these bad people. Though, it's not all quite right, because you're not a good person either... are you?

No, see, Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, is much of the same, and that's not a bad thing in this case. It features an all new sound track, ties up any loose ends, even BETTER visuals, a crazier story that still somehow grounds itself on the Earth, and it made me feel even UNEASIER than the first. I felt like I WAS a terrible person doing all these killings, and honestly, that's a good thing. It was fun, while it also reminded me, I don't like hurting others, a question that is asked a few sparse times, but enough times to make you really think about it. Why are you killing these people?

 It was never told to you, but you did it anyways, because it's just a game, right? Well, yeah it is. Now, I'm not a great reviewer or anything, but, lemme tell you, this game really kept at what I loved from the original game, and it did it WELL. The levels are MUCH harder, but I got through the whole thing. And enjoyed it. Plus, I loved how well they connected it with the first game's story, and made everything much clearer. And it's WORTH sticking around for the ending. If just for that killer soundtrack. Hah. Killer. And here's a song for just that!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aLOkTo3IpU

I'd say, all things considered, I'd rate it a 9/10.

Well, don't just take my word for it, give the first game a spin if you haven't!
Don't get too comfortable, though... good things don't last long, do they?

-Austin

What I'm Packing for England.

I have a habit of losing lists so maybe if I keep them here, I'll be able to find it pretty easily when I need it. I've already started packing a little bit!

Car Bag. 

All the chargers - 3DS, Phone and IPad.
Bookmark.

Nintendo 3DS. 

Phone. 

IPad. 

Earphones. 

My reading book. 

Period pads. 

Purse and money. 

Journal. 

Pencil case. 

Notebook. 

Deodorant. 

Hair ties. 

Plasters. 

Spare socks.
Snacks.
Water/Coke.

Medicine.
Tissues.
 

Toiletries bag.

Shampoo. 

Conditioner. 

Period pads. 

Toothpaste. 

Toothbrush. 

Shower gel.

Main bag. 

Toiletries bag. 

1 x bra. 

6 x underwear. 

1 x tights. 

2 x leggings. 

1 x shorts. 

1 x dress. 

6 x pairs of Pyjamas. 

1 x onezie. 

1 x slippers. 

1 x spare jacket. 

1 x spare shoes. 
Spare book/s.
Medicine.

What you're wearing: 

- Black dress. 

- Tights. 

- Boots. 

- Checked jacket. 

- Camo Jacket. 

bring your coat.

- Loz Parsons

New Author Thingy

I, AUSTIN, am now part of this writing blog of writer-ing. I'm not gonna be nearly as formal as Loz, but when I do make blog posts, I can assure you that they won't be half assed, and they will get to the point. I hope I can live up to Loz's and the reader's expectations for this blog. Thanks for the chance!

-Austin

Autism Awareness blog post series!

So recently, I have found a tonne of online videos from people with autism/asperger's who have accepted themselves, swallowed their fear and talked about it. Despite a lot of people knowing what they both are, very few people know what they both include - if I got paid for everytime I heard "So, I know what autism is but what really is autism?" or something offensive like "well, it's only autism, it's not that bad, it's just like talking problems, right?" then I would be rich. I feel like - especially for the kids and adults who have autism but aren't vocal - autism awareness is very, very important and for the few of us who are vocal, we need to use our voice in a helpful manor.

Each one is going to be titled a different thing (for example, anxiety) and I'll probably pre-write them and release them throughout the next few weeks. They will be based mostly from my experiences with having ASD, but also from the experiences I know from other people but that will be in a lot less detail.

I hope you take a lot of information away from this and the treatment of autistic people will improve, baby steps!

I'm seeing my family soon! - travelling and stuff.

Hey! So has I said in a previous (deleted) post, I'm going to see my grandparents, my dad and his girlfriend in about two and a half weeks now, over the Easter holidays. A lot of things have happened in the year and a half since I last spoke to any of them, so it's going to be quite weird over there - different from what my memories vision. I'm still exited anyway, especially seeing my nan. The other three, I never get on with too well. 

The car journey is about five hours long. We usually leave quite early in the morning, at about 10am, and we get to McDonald's in about an hour or two, so before midday. That's where we meet up with our grandparents, who take us the rest of the way - which is where it gets really boring and dull. 

We usually get to our grandparents' house at 3/4pm, depending on the traffic, and our dad usually visits that afternoon when he has finished work, or he'll come the next day. We spend the week watching movies, reading, eating a lot of takeaways, going shopping, and going for multiple walks - so, not really all that interesting. 

The way back is the same, 3/4 hours till we reach the McDonalds, and then mother will take us the rest of the way home, unless she is unavailable, then it's my other granddad who will take us back home.

I'm meant to be saving up for an Xbox 360, but I feel like going on this trip might result in quite a few books bought. Oh no.

Throwback Thursday: Charlotte's Web by E.B.White.

Charlotte's Web by Stacyplays

Stacyplays is a gamer on YouTube and one of her series is called Bookcraft. In her second book, she is building things in Minecraft from Charlotte's Web. In case you are interested, I thought it was pretty fitting for this post.

An affectionate pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, White reminds readers to open their eyes to the wonder and miracle found in the simplest of things.

I can't tell you how much I loved this book as a child. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of those kids who read many not-very-well-known books, but at least the classics are pretty good regardless! This book really taught me about what it means to truly loves animals. As a kid, I always wanted to have a piglet for a pet just like Wilber (not a micro pig). I probably still will have some pet like that in the future, this book was a huge contribution to that decision!

This was also my favorite book that I read time and time again as a child, and gave me a whole new perspective on pigs. I now know that they can be intelligent and loving animals, dog-like and friendly - although several, I know, are quite aggressive. 

Animal Love!

The Sick Book Tag!

Hello there and welcome to another book tag I found on Wattpad, and this particular one I really liked for some reason.  I hope you like it too!

1) Diabetes - a book too sweet, like really sweet!

Hmm...the book that is popping into my head right now is "Wonder" by R.J Palacio.

On the assumption that you did not mean romantic, this book was insanely sweet - it starts off pretty traumatic and upsetting, but as you go deeper into the book, your heart just warms up and receives the biggest hug. I also just heard this might be a movie soon, and I am pretty exited if that's true.

2) Chicken Pox - a book you read once but will never pick up again. 

I was going to pick a book that I would pick quite often for the book I hate the most, but because of how often you're going to see that in future book tags, I picked something different: "Trust in me" by Sophie McKenzie. Not because the writing style or even the plot was bad, I actually quite liked it, I just have so much empathy/sympathy and things were described from the crazy guy in such detail that I just couldn't handle it and I won't be picking it back up ever again.

3) Influenza - a contagious book that spreads around like a virus. 

Probably every YA book in existence I feel is way over-hyped when it's pretty much the same story over and over again - not that I don't like YA's, because I do, but you must admit that they have their flaws.  Just for irony purposes though, I'm going to pick "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner. The movie version of this really sucks when you compare it to the books, honestly.

4) The Cycle - a book you read every month, year or often. 

 I really want to pick the first Harry Potter book, but I am aware of how cliche that is. So, instead, I'm going to go with a book by Jacqueline Wilson, "My sister Jodie"

5) Insomnia - a book that kept you up all night. 

This was mostly by choice but I decided that I was going to stay awake for most of the night with my boyfriend until it was finished. I did enjoy it, and now that I have the rest of the series, I really should re-read it soon and continue with the series - "Gone" by Michael Grant. I haven't seen the movie for this and I don't know if I should, what do you think?

6) Amnesia - A book that's forgotten and failed to leave a powerful impression on your memory. 

 This is actually quite the list I have to choose from, so I'm just going to pick one at random and say the first book in a series by Dan Wells, "I am not a serial killer". I really loved the book at the time but on later reflection, I decided I did not.

7) Asthma - A book that took your breath away.  

 Without a doubt, "The invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brain Selznick. The illustrations in this book are absolutely gorgeous, the plot is amazing, the whole story was just breathtaking and it's the most beautiful book I own. The movie, "Hugo", is equally as beautiful so if you don't want to read this book, at least watch the movie!

8) Malnutrition - A book that lacked food for thought. 

 Again, I have so much to choose from so I'm probably going to pick the later books from the House of Night series - a series that I loved, but it started to get terrible after a certain point. I also hate how it switched to a bright orange cover after something like eight books of black and dull colours. Ugh, I hate series that change covers so drastically halfway through the series, it makes my shelves look terrible!

9) Travel sickness - a book that took you on a journey through space and time.  

Hmm. This one is a tough one, I'm going to have to think about it. Ooh! "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs. If you haven't read this book, then I really recommend that you do, it's amazing!

Thank you for reading! If you have done this tag, I would love to read it. What do you think about my thoughts, what are your thoughts? 

All photos taken from Google searches or Goodreads.