Back in 2013, Sony's Japan Studio released an extremely unique platformer called Puppeteer for the PlayStation 3 console. I knew it looked really interesting, I heard some good things about on gaming sites and podcasts, and I even bought the game digitally. But I didn't play it.
The game didn't get much of an advertising push, it wasn't heavily promoted on the PlayStation Network, and it quickly faded out of the public consciousness—and, apparently, mine as well. For well over a year, it sat in my PS3's games list unplayed and largely forgotten.
This weekend, I realized what a terrible mistake I'd made.
It's probably not news to you by now that Alien: Isolation is a little bit of a divisive game. Some loved it, some 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.
While not the oldest game I'm currently playing, The Swapper is hardly a new release. If you're not up-to-speed on the game, picture a Metroid-esque 2D platformer with a "swapping" gun mechanic that allows your character to create four simultaneous clones (all of which move together) and then swap freely between them. While the atmosphere would make Samus Aran feel right at home, the gameplay has more of Portal than of Power Bombs.
Check out the full post for my initial impressions on this unique indie title.
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.
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.
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 billion. The 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.
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!
By all rights, I shouldn't like Destiny. I was never able to get into Bungie's wildly-popular Halo series, I don't typically like playing online games, and MMOs have never been my thing. So, when the PlayStation E3 press conference opened this year with a huge Destiny push for PS4, including a playable Alpha, I was only vaguely interested. t turns out I really like what I've played so far. Why? Read on to find out.
My thoughts on Sony's PlayStation E3 2014 Press Conference! This is basically a chronological recounting of my reactions to each major (and minor) announcement of Sony's event.
It's E3 Week, everyone! Make sure all your consoles are updated and ready to stream all of the official E3 goodness straight to your TV. Microsoft and Sony have both prepared special live streaming apps, while Nintendo will likely use the eShop's video streaming ability along with a special Miiverse community for E3 announcements. Get yourself (and your consoles) prepared!
SPOILER ALERT! Before you read any further, be aware that this post covers spoilers for Season 2, Episode 3 of Telltale Games' The Walking Dead game series, "In Harm's Way." If you've played to this point, then read on. Otherwise, go download them now (they're all awesome!) and come back when you're done.
Memorial Day weekend this year found me catching up on 2013's BioShock Infinite. Columbia City, the game's setting, has a visual aesthetic oozes patriotic fervor, so I wanted to share a few pictures I snapped of the quieter moments in Infinite that really capture the turn-of-the-century Americana that creator Ken Levine's team captured so well and share my thoughts on why the game presents a uniquely-realized world for players to explore.
SPOILER ALERT! Before you read any further, be aware that this post covers spoilers for Season One, 500 Days, and Season Two (Episodes One & Two) of Telltale's The Walking Dead game series. If you've played them, then read on. Otherwise, go download them now (they're all awesome!) and come back when you're done--but know that my verdict on these episodes is absolutely positive!
Sony's back with another awesome "Flash Sale" on the PlayStation Store with 30 games all priced at the unbelievable 99 cent price point! It's this weekend only, so don't miss out. Check out the full post for some of the games I purchased!
What is the original inFamous like for someone playing it for the first time in 2014? I spend some time sharing my take on the original predecessor to PS4's latest exclusive, inFamous: Second Son. Check out the full post for more!
