Classic Doom 3 Review

Classic Doom 3 is a mod for Doom 3 that recreates the first Episode of The Ultimate Doom, Knee Deep in the Dead. The mod makers wanted to show what a straight up remake of one of the most influential games of all time would be like, and that they could get similar action gameplay out of the Doom 3 Engine instead of the survival horror FPS that was Doom 3.

Many gamer's were gravely disappointed with Doom 3 and felt it didn't live up to a proper remake. It had a different style of gameplay, was very dark, repetative, and linear. While The Ultimate Doom was also repetative and linear, it was fast-paced and a blast of fun, mindless action. It is this very feel that the mod makers recreate with their Classic Doom 3 mod.

If you've ever played and enjoyed The Ultimate Doom, than Classic Doom 3 is going to be a very, very fun mod for you. The entire first Episode is all there with all the secrets, most of the monster placements, and the fast-paced gameplay you loved from yester-year. This is a detailed, piece-for-piece remake of the shareware title that revitalized PC gaming and started gaming off to where we are now.

The mod's monsters were mostly left in the same placements they were in the original and they predominantly behave the same; which means they're easy and fun to kill, but there's a lot of them. The enemy character models were all left as they were in Doom 3, and a Spectre model was added, but the monsters have had their hit points adjusted to reflect that of the classic game.

The mod team also re-did most of the weapon models from Doom 3 to look like the classic versions, and while cool to see, I think they should have left the new models from Doom 3 in instead simply because they look a whole lot better. However keeping with the classic gameplay, you don't need to reload your guns on this trip.

I also wish they would have added in some extra inventory items. While Soul Spheres and Combat (Mega) Armour are present, Hazard Suits and Light Amp Googles are not. Of course, being a detailed remake, there's a lot of slime in the levels, and often times you need to cross these pools (especially for secret areas), and the slime _hurts_. While it doesn't eat away at your armour, I did find the lack of Hazard Suits to be annoying.

Another notable item missing is the Light Amp Googles. The Flashlight of Doom 3 has been removed completely, and with no light to boost the game's darker areas, certain sections truely are dark; darker than Doom 3 was which I found annoying. I have the mod's brightness cranked up to full and I still had some problems. If they couldn't have created the Light Amp Googles, I would have loved to have seen the Flashlight but as a pick-up with a limited battery. You'd still need to drop it to use your weapon like in Doom 3, but at least there would have been some extra light to see by.

The mod makers also didn't have an Invisibility power up, so they replaced that with the Berserker and usuaully spawned in a variety of Zombies for you to punch up. While certainly fun to smack stuff around, I admit it would have been cool to once again be able to cloak yourself.

The above though are all minor gripes compared to the fun that this mod brings and the memories that come back, and these memories are perfectly represented by the mod's music. The cheesy midi music from The Ultimate Doom is engrained in most every gamer's mind, and what a treat it is to hear all those old tunes brought back to life in the mod's updated, heavier score. In honest truth, the music rocks and is such a treat to listen to, the recordist deserves praise of his own. And of course, it's great fun blasting Imps with the Shotgun and using the Chainsaw to cut up some Pinky Demons to the classic tracks.

It was also a nice touch for the mod team to throw in some intro and extro cinematics, even though they are super cheesy.

Classic Doom 3 is a great, short mod and well worth anyone's time to play through at least once. It shows how a game made in 1993 can look with a new engine today, and is a more accurate remake than Doom 3 is itself. The shear accuracy of this remake is a great testament to the mod makers, and anyone who does have Doom 3 owes it to themselves to check this free download out.

Natural Selection and Fate

I had to run to the bank yesterday, so I left my house and drove onto one of the main streets I take. As I reached about 70 km/h, a dove decided it would be a great idea to simply land right in the middle of the lane I was driving in just ahead of me and stand still.

Seeing as how there was another car to my left, well, basically dove went splat. I herd the thump and saw a cloud of feathers pop up _in front_ of my car, and saw the limp body in my rearview mirror a second later.

I felt real shitty about this, however the whole incident got me thinking: I'm not that kind of man that believes in random chance. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that everything that does happen occurs because it is meant to happen. I'm not a religious man, mind you, I simply believe in the general principals of cause and effects; action and reaction.

For this dove, I had to leave my house, turn onto that road, and be driving at that speed at that exact moment for it to have been gushed by my car, a moment earlier or later would have resulted in a different outcome, so basically, that dove was meant to get squashed by my car.

Then there's also natural selection to think of. Anything stupid enough to land and stand still infront of a vehicle moving 70 km/h is just purifying its species' gene pool with the result.

Now if only those several feathers stuck to the bottom of my car would come off...

Halo 2 Vista Site Launched

Bungie has launced the site for their upcoming Windows Vista version of Halo 2, which you can find right here.

It's all very basic at this point, mainly with an FAQ, some Multiplayer screenshots, and a quick "about" page. It's also obvious from the site that like the PC port of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 Vista is going to be primarily Multiplayer focused, though at least it seems they got rid of that annoying texture pop-in during the cinematics of the Xbox version.

One thing I do need to mention though is that while overall the screenshots thus far look nice, I'm not overly impressed with some of the texturing, such as the left gauntlet on the Energy Sword Spartan featured in this shot.

What Fortune?

I opened up a fortune cookie the other day, and to my surprise there was no fortune in there. I then sat for a moment, while eating this fortuneless cookie, and pondered what this all could mean.

Perhaps it simply means that my fortune is whatever I make of it, and that I don't need some stupid cookie to tell me what the future holds.

Or perhaps it means I have no fortune left and I'm simply fucked. My bet's on the latter.

Shutting my Computer Up

Thus far, the only thing that's annoyed me with my new computer is the damn fan noise it makes. It gets loud. Very loud. So loud in fact, that I can hear it on the floor below me and at the front door (though thankfully not outside it).

So my father had the idea to take parts of the case off to see if that would help the ventelation, and so far it has. We've taken the left side off (if the system is facing you), and while the processor still generates a lot of heat, it takes a lot longer to build up and kick the fan into overdrive. I can actually play Doom 3 for hours on end and the fan remains at its normal, not annoyingly loud volume.

The only exception to this so far is Half-Life 2. My father's playing this, and shortly after booting the game up, bam, the processor's fan goes nuts. Now, the only reason I can think of for this is because of the physics in the game, which is rather CPU intensive from what I've read. Basically, Valve's Pretentious Physics Engine (TM) gets my CPU all steamed up.

"Spoiler."

Okay, so seriously. Why do Grunts from Halo 2 say "Spoiler?"

Rome

I was walking through Future Shop this morning, and noted that an HBO series called Rome now has it's first (and apparently only) season on DVD. I've heard of the series before but never watched any of it, and since I've taken an interest in historical fiction (mostly surrounding the Roman Empire, thanks to A Dream of Eagles), I might rent it from Blockbuster and perhaps buy it should I like it.

According to the brief descriptions I've read, the series takes place around 52 B.C. and ultimately deals with the decline of the Republic and rise of the Empire.

Have any of you seen it, and if so, what are your opinions and impressions of it?

Pet Turtle Getting Better

Normally, I keep Arbiter's Judgement on topic, mainly covering video game related topics; however I'm going to digress a little bit with this post.

I have a pet turtle, who has been with me for nearly 15 years. Typically she's very active at this time of year, and her mannerisms are set and very predictable. However last week, literally over night, she got very lethargic, didn't want to eat anything, wouldn't pay attention to anyone, and simply slept either under water or on her floating raft.

This went on for over half a week, and I must say that I was very worried, thinking perhaps my long time pet might actually pass on. On Friday I tried rousing her by presenting her with some food, but that was a no-go and only deepened my concern. Yesterday, however, I refilled much of her aquarium with water, and that seemed to spook her a little, enough so that she jumped into the water.

Afterwards, I immediatly started feeding her, and thankfully, she began eating and ultimately finished off a full meal. Going into today, she's acting more or less normal for this time of year, and I'm quite relieved.

About a week prior I fed her some minnows, and the only thing I can think of, since that was the only recent change in my treatment of her, is that she got some kind of food poisoning from them.

Regardless, I'm happy my pet turtle is recovering, and if the life expectancies I've read about are correct, she may still outlive me.

Brahma

This past Friday, I tried Brahma for the first time, and it wasn't that bad at all. It reminded me of a Sleeman Cream Ale, however it was sweeter. The bottle is also shaped a little differently than your average beer bottle, slimming out in the middle with the "Brahma" name. This actually has the added benefit of making the bottle more comfortable to hold.

Simply put, Brahma was a refreshing drink that finished nicely. While not something I'd run out and buy a two-four of, it wasn't bad at all, and if I can't find my usual brands, I have no problem picking one up.

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy Official Site Launches

LucasArts has launched the official site for LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy. Head here for game info, screenshots, downloads, etc.

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy Interview

TeamXbox has a short interview with some of the design team for the upcoming LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, in which they discuss the game's humour.

For some new screenshots and a peak at some of the game's upcoming gags, check out the interview here.

Submitted Screenshot as Planet Doom's Pic of the Day

I submitted a shot of a strange bug from Doom 3 (PC) to Planet Doom, and they placed it up as their Pic of the Day.

You can find it on their site, along with my description, right here.

Doom 3 (PC) Review

Nearly two years after its release, I finally have a PC that can play Doom 3. Back in April 2005, I picked up the Xbox version so I could play a version of the game, however for those not-in-the-know, the Xbox version featured a lot of level redesign, trimming the game's overall length and speeding up its pace. Since the Xbox is lesser hardware than the average PC, Vicarius Visions, the Xbox version's developer, not only needed to trim a bunch of the levels, but also remove a lot of the glass and more openess of some of the rooms/areas, as well as some of the Martian exteriors. For that reason, I decided to pick up the now inexpensive PC version to see what I missed out on.

If you've been living under a rock for the last few years, Doom 3 is a remake of the original Doom on id Software's latest engine. You play as a Marine who is recently stationed on the UAC's research facility on Mars. Shortly after your arrival, a demonic invasion begins via the base's experimental teleporters and its your job to stay alive and call for help. Doom 3 follows the classic shooter formula that id Software established in the '90's of moving from room to room and killing whatever monsters are in it. While Doom 3 is more of a horror survival title than its predecessors, it is very simple and straight forward compared to many of today's modern shooters, so be aware of that before you pick the game up. For me, I grew up on that kind of gameplay, so it was a real blast from the past.

Now I must say that aside from the level design alterations, I'm very surprised with how different PC Doom 3 is from its Xbox counterpart. The PC version is obivously vastly superior graphics wise, that's a no-brainer, but a great deal more is different as well. Weapon balance is a big difference. Mainly, you get some weapons earlier or later than the Xbox version, but some weapons behave differently as well, and this is most notable in the Shotgun. The ass-kicker of the series, I was most unhappy to find how wussified the Shotgun is in the PC version. Unlike it's Xbox counterpart, the Shotgun is a good bit more powerful at close range (that's good), but sucks moose nuts completely at mid-range (that's bad). Not only that, but it takes your Marine a bit longer to pump it after a shot, meaning you have to wait a bit longer before you can fire off a second shell. What does this mean? That the Shotgun, while still the general purpose weapon of the game, is only really effective if you Sprint to point blank range of your target and fire a shot at their head; and Lord help you if you miss.

There are also some AI differences. Revenant's rockets really are target tracking now, and can follow you a good way and spiral while in flight making them harder to hit. Imps can also change pounce direction at you mid flight (how the hell does that make sense?), Maggots are now simpler to take out with the Shotgun, Z-Sec Zombies with Shotguns don't seem to have the same, weak mid-range Shotgun that you do, enemies can come onto elevators with you, pathfinding is better with less monsters getting stuck on corners, Cherubs can leap at you from much farther away (I really hate those fuckers), etc. Based on the above, Doom 3 (PC) is a harder game than its console port. Not insanely so, but its worth mentioning, and the AI/weapon changes made it necessary for me to change many of my combat tactics (charging right up to Imps became common place).

The PC version also features better physics than the Xbox version, and while Grenades still bounce like rubber balls if you toss them too hard, they're simpler to control and actually can be thrown faster than you can shoot with the Shotgun, making them much more useful and a great Imp killer.

Many reviewers criticized Doom 3 for being too dark and too repetative, and while I disagree on the first point (there's a brightness control in the menu, and the darkness was a design decision to add to the atmosphere) the second point is true. My only major critique on the Xbox version was that midway through the game, the pace dragged a little, taking a bit too long to get from Alpha Labs to the Delta Complex. On the PC version, this is true in spades. It's not even the length itself that's much of a problem, but the constant monster closets and spawning monsters that keep popping up in abundance. In nearly every damn room. While the Xbox version had its share of the above, they were spaced enough apart to not be annoying and still provide the player with a respectable scare. On the PC version, however, id Software goes overboard and overkills those gimmicks.

Which again goes back to the level design. While many of the extra areas featured in the PC version are cool, they don't serve to enhance the story at all and really are just more of the same, hindering the flow of the game. Sure, you get to see more of Mars City at the beginning, chat with some more NPCs and find some more PDAs, but the trade off was not worth it. You also end up having to double back a lot more than in the Xbox version, and many of your Objectives are "extended", needing you to first go to this area to unlock a door, so you can go get an item, while the Xbox version would cut to you simply getting the item and moving on. The PC version is more anti-climatic and for that reason, more tedius.

A minor note as well is with the game's weapon sounds. The PC version does indeed feature weak sounding weapons, which surprised me as the Xbox version's are louder and more forceful. I guess many of the critiques on the game were listened to and adjusted for its console port.

When all is said and done, Doom 3 is a very good, classic styled PC shooter, but it does have its fair share of flaws. It's beautiful and full of classic themed fun, as well as some great horror "boo" moments, however its too drawn out and simply repetative for its own good. While I would recommend snagging the PC version to anyone who was interested, if you have an Xbox, I'd honestly recommend that version instead. After playing the PC version, it is truly a testament to Vicarius Visions and the strength of their port for the Xbox.

V for Vendetta (Single Disc Edition) DVD Review

V for Vendetta was released on DVD a week and a half ago, and I decided to pick up the Single Disc Edition. Now as many of you know, I usually pick up special editions of everything, however after comparing the extras for the V for Vendetta 2-Disc Special Edition, I decided I really didn't feel like watching a bunch of extra "making of" docs, seeing as how my time is becoming more and more limited these days.

For those of you interested in what I thought of the film itself, you can read my theatrical review here, but suffice it to say, if I bought the DVD, I really, really liked it.

I must admit that the Single Disc DVD itself is very bare-bones, basically just the film itself. It ships with just the DVD case, there is no insert sleeve, and the bonus features are next to none. In fact, the only bonus feature is a short, 15 minute documentary about "the making of," which was interesting itself to watch, however I was hoping for at least a trailer or two and perhaps some commentary.

Since I bought the V for Vendetta Single Disc Edition DVD on its first day of sales, I got it for $19.99, and since I've already watched it twice, I've gotten my money's worth. Is it worth your cash at full retail price? In my opinion, being such a strong thematic film and the best film I've seen released to theatres this year, I'd say yes.

If you're hesitant however, rent it or wait for a price drop. In about 3 to 4 months, I expect the Single Disc Edition to drop to around $15.99 to $17.99.

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (PC) Demo Impressions

One of the first things I need to say regarding the PC Demo of LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is that the controls (keyboard) are bloody horrible. I was browsing ActionTrip early today, and shaking my head at the general reader comments and their PC elitist nature, and while I'm not saying consoles are superior to a PC, I am saying that a game like LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy is better suited to a console which has a controller by default.

Lousy controls aside, the demo for LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy was quite enjoyable, taking many of the great aspects of the original game and adding some new stuff to the mix.

The demo features the Mos Eisley scene from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, where Luke, Obi-Wan, C-3PO, and R2-D2 try to find a way off Tatooine. You start the level wandering the streets, battling Sandtroopers and making your way towards the cantina. It features a lot of classic options like rearranging LEGO blocks to reveal secrets, using droids to unlock doors, and some fun Lightsabre combat with Obi-Wan. You can also hop into Luke's Speeder and drive around, smashing into everything in your path.

At one point, my way was blocked, and I had to find and build the parts to create an AT-ST Walker, which allowed me to smash through a barrier and get to the cantina. Afterwards, I was able to take control of Han and Chewie (and yes, Chewie can rip arms out of sockets) and battle my way to the Millennium Falcon for a final showdown with the long nosed alien spy who's name I don't know. He'll keep calling in Sandtroopers until you kill him, and it makes for a fun, end of level battle.

The Demo keeps the same tongue-in-cheek silent humour of the original, and aside from the horrid PC controls, it was a lot of fun to play. With all the exploring I did, the level alone took me around an hour, and I didn't even try Freeplay mode.

Based on the demo, I would recommend picking up LEGO Star Wars II: The Video Game after a price drop, as a standard $50.00 to $60.00 price tag is too much. It does look to be the only interesting title hitting the Xbox in the foreseeable future, however.

Recovering from Food Poisoning

Last night for dinner I had a Chicken Club and Fries from Wendy's, which usually isn't that bad of a fast food meal. I ate it quickly and then went back to doing whatever it was that I was doing. Cut to some time after 4:00 am. I woke up feeling massive pressure around my lower stomach, a pain I have not felt before, and I swear to God, I thought something might have ruptured.

I made my way to the washroom and was violently ill. I don't know how long the entire episode lasted, exactly, but I do know the microwave clock in the kitchen was showing exactly 5:00 am by the time I was popping a Gravol. Had I not been sick though, I would have found my way to a hospital, the pain was that bad.

That was an awful, awful experience, and based on the... evidence, I know it was that Chicken Club that got me so sick. So, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm going to start cutting back on the fast food; and I mean it this time. Subs and such I think are fine, but I'm really going to try and limit the burger joints. Heck, both McDonald's and Burger King no longer agree with me, so I that should really be telling me something about the state of my body.

Anyway, I mostly nursed myself today with a lot of light food and playing Doom 3 (PC). I have a dental appointment tomorrow, so hopefully I don't get sick there.

Star Wars: Republic Commando Action Figures

It looks like the official Star Wars Store is selling a Republic Commando action figure set, based on the Star Wars: Republic Commando video game by LucasArts. The figures are going to be released in January 2007, and are available for pre-order now.

Honestly, I'm not impressed with them, as they look very cheap. Instead of looking like high quality figures meant for display (like McFarlane Toys), the Republic Commando figures actually look like kiddie toys.

For $33.99 US, no thanks.

Uther Review

Uther is the first companion book for the series A Dream of Eagles, and it is a parallel telling of the third book of that series, The Eagles' Brood. Uther deals with the life of Uther Pendragon, the father of the legendary King Arthur and of his war with Lot, the self-styled King of Cornwall.

A Dream of Eagles was always narrated from a first person perspective, with The Eagles' Brood having been narrated from the view point of Uther's cousin, Caius Merlyn Britannicus. For that reason, there were some questions left over from that novel that were never answered simply because Merlyn did not have them. Questions such as who killed Merlyn's wife Cassandra, how did Uther come to romance and love his bitter enemy's own Queen, Ygraine, and how Lot himself came to be hung by a tree with severed hands and feet.

Not only is Uther a parallel story to The Eagles' Brood, but it also is the only book in the series thus far to have a different style of narration. If you're reading Uther, I'm going to assume that you have read A Dream of Eagles and thus know that Uther Pendragon meets his end at the conclusion of the war against Lot's Cornwall. For that reason, it was impossible for Jack Whyte to have Uther be a first person narrator in the novel, and Uther features a traditional, omnipotent, third person narrator. While a departure from the series' tradition, it is by no means detrimental to the enjoyment of Uther.

The novel focuses upon Uther's life, from boyhood to death. It greatly expands upon the customs and traditions of the Pendragon Federation which where touched upon in A Dream of Eagles, and deals less with Camulod itself and even Uther's relationship with Merlyn. It focuses on Uther's realization of a darkness inside him and his quest to master it, about his tutelage under the Pendragon Champion, Garreth Whistler and Uther's training to become a cavalry man and to create a group of Pendragon cavalry, his bodyguard known as the Dragons.

Uther also branches much more into the details of Cornwall and its King, Uther's childhood enemy Lot, and the effects the war had on that country. More details are given on this war, the reasons behind it, and the effects it has on both Pendragon and Cornish, that even though Uther is a companion book, it can indeed stand upon it's own as so much of the information contained within is new or simply glanced upon in The Eagles' Brood.

There are many spectacular battles in the novel, some short and some drawn out, and the combined military tactics of cavalry, bowman, and infantry are all enjoyable to read. It's also interesting to get to explore the new characters who are introduced, as well as see some original ones return, however viewed in a completely different light. The only problem with the new characters is that many of them have predicatable plot roles to fill, something that wasn't as cut and dry in A Dream of Eagles. It's quite obvious that Nemo was created for the explanation of a certain event that happened in The Eagles' Brood, for example, and while her character had more impact than just the resolution of one specific situation, you know that was really her main reason. While this predictablility is not a bad thing, it does take away from a lot of suspense that could have occured, however since most of those issues were brought up in The Eagle's Brood, I suppose it's not that much of a concern.

The Eagles' Brood was an excellent novel in the series, shifting its tone to a darker, more military perspective, and Uther takes that path and expands upon it. If A Dream of Eagles left you wanting more, or you simply wish to revisit the events prior to the Arthurian Legend itself to see in greater detail the struggle and hopes that the people had, Uther will not disappoint.

LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (PC) Demo Tomorrow

LucasArts will be releasing the demo for their upcoming title, LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, exclusive to 3D Gamers. You can check out 3D Gamers' announcement here.

UPDATE: After poking around IGN PC, it looks like the Demo is also being released on FilePlanet tomorrow. According to the preview article, the Demo will contain a level from Episode IV: A New Hope, when Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids arrive at Mos Eisley, and ends after the Millennium Falcon blasts off.

This is pretty much the only upcoming title in the next several months that I'm looking forward to, however like the original, I'll probably wait for a sizeable price drop before buying it. I'll rent the Xbox version early on though, and probably end up beating it in a weekend.

Quake 4 (PC) Completed on Lieutenant (Hard)

I went through the war against the Strogg a second time, this time on Lieutenant (Hard) and emerged victorious. Quake 4 (PC) is one fun, intense FPS.

I must say that Quake 4 was quite challenging on Lieutenant, and when I do a third play-through, I don't know if I'm going to want to up the difficulty to General (Very Hard) or not. Enemies are a good bit more durable and certain ones do a lot more damage. Strogg Marines are still a minor threat, but enemies like Berserkers, and Heavy Hovertanks can pose a real threat. The Tactical Transfers were also really challenging in certain situations. Not Halo 2 Elite challenging, but vastly superior to Half-Life 2 Combine Solider challenging. Their AI patterns remain very much the same as on Corporal (Normal), however not only do they dish it out harder, but it'll take at least two headshots from the Railgun to drop one, or three body shots. The only instant kill I was ever able to pull off on Tactical Transfers was point blank with the Shotgun, or with the Dark Matter Gun (Splats them good, but is a waste of a Dark Matter Core unless you're really in a jam).

I also found better uses for weapons I didn't touch too much on my first play through. I really gave the Nailgun a go, and while not Doom 3's Chaingun, it is quite handy once upgraded with its Needler like homing nails. I actually found it to be the best anti-Berserker weapon. I had to use the Dark Matter Gun on a more regular basis, and I found the Lightning Gun useful too against powerful targets since it can stun them a bit. The Grenade Launcher was great from the get go and is the best Gladiator killer, and I even had some fun with the Blaster while abusing some AI pathfinding exploits I figured out. The Shotgun was my main weapon though, and I found the Machine Gun much less useful, save for its Flashlight, simply due to its lesser damage output.

I still do wish there was a good, heavy enemy quick kill weapon though, as the second last level of the game was stupid hard.

In a few months, I will play through Quake 4 a third time though, as its just such an intense, fun, and beautiful shooter.

Civic Holiday Long Weekend

Here in Ontario, the first Monday of August is a stat. holiday entitled Civic Holiday. Now I'll be honest with you: I have no idea why nor do I care, all that matters is it's a long weekend!

To add to the fun, I've taken two vacation days at the end of it, giving me a 5 day weekend in total and I intend to simply chill. Sure, I need to get some stuff prepped for my friend's upcoming wedding, and there's some other crap that needs to be done around the place, but I'm mainly going to watch flicks and play video games while not thinking about work. And eat some chicken with some beer. We like chicken and beer.