Viewing entries tagged
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E3 2016 Reaction Tweets

E3 2016 Reaction Tweets

I thought I'd do something a little different this for E3. I'll have some focused articles on various E3 games and announcements over the coming days and weeks, but I thought I'd also highlight some of my tweets with off-the-cuff reactions to the conferences.

You can follow along for the full discussion on my Twitter account, too, of course.

Um, That FFXV Platinum Demo is Weird

Um, That FFXV Platinum Demo is Weird

If you watched the Final Fantasy XV: Uncovered event a few months ago, you might have heard about the long-awaited game's new demo: Platinum Demo. It's free to download on either PS4 or Xbox One.

Earlier tonight, I finally played it; and, well, it's weird.

Quantum Break — Early Thoughts

Quantum Break — Early Thoughts

Quantum Break, released on April 5, 2016, is finally here! For those keeping track, it was one of the big Xbox One exclusives unveiled during the original Xbox One reveal event back in May 2013, so it's been a long time coming (and time itself, of course, is a major component of the story and gameplay).

As I've just started playing through it, I thought I would share some initial thoughts and screenshots. This post chronicles the early moments of the game and some of the story along with my impressions as I played. Think of it as my personal game commentary track in written form.

It Took Me Two Years to Finish Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. Is That Okay?

It Took Me Two Years to Finish Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. Is That Okay?

Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m a slow gamer. I regularly have four or five games that I’m “actively” playing, and the result is I’m never getting through any of them as quickly as, perhaps, other players. Case in point: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon was released on March 24, 2013, for the Nintendo 3DS. I finished it last night, March 13, 2015 (and, to be clear, I got it within a few days of release). That’s just shy of two years to complete a handheld game that isn’t an epic, 100-hour RPG. In fact, I spent under 20 total hours playing it.

Am I doing it wrong?

Why I Love/Hate Alien: Isolation

Why I Love/Hate Alien: Isolation

It's probably not news to you by now that Alien: Isolation is a little bit of a divisive game. Some loved itsome didn't. Really, such is the case with many games. But, usually, I (like most people) would fall on one side the fence of these opposing views. The strange thing about Sega's interactive take on the 1979 space-horror classic is that I genuinely love and hate this game simultaneously. 

Looking Back on Gaming in 2014

Looking Back on Gaming in 2014

Well, here we are: the end of another year. 2014 is just about wrapped up, so I wanted to write one last post to reflect on the highs and lows of this year in gaming from my perspective.

Other sites have covered the biggest news stories, the best & worst games of the year, and every other kind of list imaginable. So, rather than retread tired ground, I'll just provide my take on what I played, what I liked, and what really captured my attention.

Holiday Showdown: Xbox One or PlayStation 4?

Holiday Showdown: Xbox One or PlayStation 4?

Black Friday is approaching, and with it comes the promise of getting a shiny, new console at an unbelievably low price. I've already written a piece recently about Nintendo's Wii U (which, honestly, might have the best lineup of games for the holiday), but what if you want something with a little less Mario? Which console should you buy?

Watch_Dogs Is a Stealth Game in Disguise

Watch_Dogs Is a Stealth Game in Disguise

Watch_Dogs tries to be many things to many players, but it hit its stride (for me, at least) when it let me lay low, plan my moves carefully, and avoid being spotted. In other words, when it stopped trying to force me to shoot a gun and let me be a cyber spy.

A Plea for Less Running in Games

A Plea for Less Running in Games

Since the early days of Mario sprinting from left to right on the NES, running has been a staple in a video games. And yet, each new generation of consoles brings with it more detailed and beautiful environments. So why, then, do game developers still insist on designing game systems around running past all this beauty as quickly as possible? How did we get here? And, more importantly, should we slow down?

Microsoft, Minecraft, and PS Vita (Update)

Microsoft, Minecraft, and PS Vita (Update)

UPDATE: So the rumors were true: Microsoft bought Minecraft for $2.5 billion. However, the good news, at least for now, is that the Vita version appears to be safe.

Original: Reports and rumors have been flying this week that Microsoft is in talks to acquire Minecraft studio Mojang to the tune of $2.5 billionThe most concerning thing, though, is that it may impact the fate of the yet-to-be-released PlayStation Vita port of Minecraft, which many have looked to as the perfect portable version of the game.

Review: The Wolf Among Us Season One

Review: The Wolf Among Us Season One

Telltale captured the world's attention with its first season of the episodic, narrative-based game, The Walking Dead, so it likely surprised no one that it managed to warrant a second season. However, it was probably more surprising that their next game would feature a completely different (and easily less well-known) property, the graphic novel Fables. Check out my review to see if this fairytale-inspired series stacks up to its zombie-infested predecessor!

Rise of the Tomb Raider Goes Xbox Exclusive

Rise of the Tomb Raider Goes Xbox Exclusive

Well, you can file this one under "annoying announcements." At Gamescom today, Microsoft announced that 2015's Rise of the Tomb Raider will be an Xbox exclusive, at least "for holiday 2015." 

Can Pre-Order Bonuses Stop, Please? (Update)

Can Pre-Order Bonuses Stop, Please? (Update)

You may have heard that a new Alien game is in production, called Alien: Isolation. It's garnered a lot of very positive buzz during the course of its development as the developers are smartly targeting the nostalgia for the original film. As such, it's great news to hear that there will be some bonus content featuring the cast of the USS Nostromo directly from the original film. It's much worse news to hear how they're doing it. Read the full post to learn why.

Xbox E3 2014 Press Conference

Xbox E3 2014 Press Conference

I realize that it's Wednesday and the Xbox press conference was Monday, but it's taken me until now to finish watching all of it. Without further ado, though, read on for my impressions of Microsoft's big E3 announcements!