Trek Novels - Star Trek: The Next Generation - Vendetta

It has been years since I’ve talked about any Star Trek novels here. Heck, it’s been years since I really delved deep into a Trek novel. I might’ve tapped myself out on Trek at some point, but I never lost that passion. I’ll do a re-run of old Trek from time to time.I’ve been trying to catch up with the rest of Discovery’s 5th season and have been watching the newest show, Starfleet Academy, on Paramount+. I’ll just say this about SFA… it’s better than I thought it would be. Maybe I’ll say a little something to help out the kids once I’m done watching it.

Anyway, I thought I’d finally read this novel. I think I bought it at this book store in Columbia, but it could’ve been McKay’s as well. It was actually stuck at my parents’ house for years until I decided to dust it off this year. I also wanted to read it because the author, Peter David, passed away last year. I’ve read quite a few of his comics and novels over the years, so I thought I might as well read one of his first tries with the TNG crew. Vendetta was released in 1991 through Pocket Books. Instead of being along with the usual batch of novels, this was a special “Giant” one. I can see why they may have done that with who’s on the cover.

Favorites - Ranked Dragon Age: Inquisition Companions

Well, I did say I’d be done with Dragon Age Inquisition by Christmas, and that was partly true. Still, when you have a wife, toddlers, a job, and other interests, you can usually push these playthroughs indefinitely… and I still ain’t done. I got sucked into doing the DLCs for the game and actually fought those blasted dragons. I actually have just the rest of "Trespasser" to finish up and then I can call it quits on Dragon Age for a while. Still, I’ve played at least 100 hours of this game to get this written.

If you want a nice overview of the game, just check out my old review because it’s pretty much the same. In fact, I think I’ve fallen for this game more the third time around. It’s as good as I remember it. Each DA installment brings something unique, and this is no different. DAI is definitely a return to form after DA2’s adventures in Kirkwall. You’re back and forth between Fereldan and Orlais in trying to stop Coryheus from destroying the world. Oh yeah, “Cory” still sucks as a villain. That was one thing that hasn’t changed with me. Even though I did complain about the vast emptiness of the world, I kinda got used to it this time around.

The gameplay still rocks with you and your companions dishing out loads of destruction to your enemies. This time, I was a Rogue Inquisitor with the twin daggers, and that was so much fun. The graphics are good, but this was one area I kinda struggled with especially with my character. At least Veilgard has added more black hairstyles… but I’ll get to that someday. Weapons and customization are also pretty dang good. The DLCs were also pretty good and added a lot to the game... including a full ending/epilogue... EA, why are you like this?

I tried to do my hair right... they needed a bigger afro and some curly hair options.

Our companions are good as usual. We get 9 companions this time, and they all range from okay to pretty dang good. I will say that some of their personal missions don’t stack up to the ones from Origins and even Dragon Age 2. I’m not sure if it was that there were too many companions or that there wasn’t as much thought put into their personal missions. Either way, I still think the companions help make the game awesome. So, with that out of the way, here’s my ranking of all the companions from DAI. I’m also adding the advisors (Cullen, Leliana, Josephine, and a surprise) in this as well. You don’t fight alongside them as much, but their presence and stories are right alongside the other companions. 

Quick Thoughts #7 - "Dang, that Animated G.I.Joe Movie Was Weird!"

At the end of the year, I was thinking about trying to get back into some regular blogging. It's like I can't do crap for the first half of the year, and then I decide to churn out something before the year ends or something. Anyway, I thought a post a week would be good, but then I realized that I don't like talking all that much to begin with. Still, I think I can do a little more than 8 posts a year. 

While I was doing some New Year Cleaning, I thought I'd check out Tubi for some random watching and found the G.I. Joe animated movie there. Now, I'm a casual fan of the franchise. I've really only seen a few episodes of the original TV show. I've actually passed some time by watching old episodes on Tubi last year with the boys. I also own the one good live-action movie (Retaliation which also isn't that good), got G.I.Joe Renegades on DVD somewhere, and tried checking out those Energon G.I. Joe comics that Image Comics is putting out. With all that said, I had the movie playing while I did slew of other things around the house. As I watched this, one thing scratched at my head: 

HOW DID I WATCH THIS AS A SEVEN YEAR OLD?

This is probably one of the funniest moments in the movie. Cobra Commander's wiggin' out, and Road Block channels his inner Denzel ("Get you $$$$$$ hands off me!).