[This post was originally published on Plus10Damage December 19, 2012.] I began a ritual last Halloween. No, not the Satanic kind. The kind where I annex myself to my room, close the door, and shut off the lights. I sat atop my bed, my laptop placed strategically on my lap, so as to occupy as large…
Category: General Commentary
They Always Respawn
As someone who grew up playing video games, I often take for granted just how many tropes have become commonplace to me. Recently, I was watching my wife’s first play-through of Aladdin on the Super Nintendo. While she was playing, Laura became quite upset at the idea that enemies were respawning the moment she wandered off-screen. “It makes no sense! When…
Are Games Getting Too Easy?
Seriously, are they? Over the years, I’ve been noticing that an increasing number of new games take less and less effort to beat nowadays. I never have to wonder if I’ll be able to beat a new game or not. In the past, I had many games sitting around that I needed to return to…
The moral compass and where it leads (or doesn’t)
If you follow my personal blog, you might have noticed that I recently finished Red Dead Redemption. If you don’t follow my blog, well…OMG go follow it now! Haha…just kidding (mostly). Anyway, Red Dead Redemption. Simply put, Red Dead is a brilliant game. It’s wonderfully designed, beautiful to look at, and thrilling to play. And…
The Wiimote and Me: An Onerous Ode
I hate the Wiimote. I know people have been saying it for several years, but now I’m saying it. I hate the Wiimote. I don’t hate the Wii, just the stupid remote and nunchuck controllers. I can’t stand them. And only just recently, I caved. Finally. I bought a Classic Controller. And it is good….
The “Triple A” Fun Factor
Big budget “Triple A” video games are more complex and immersive than ever before. It’s gotten to the point that when you buy a major title these days, you’re buying more of an experience rather than just a game. That’s really become the point hasn’t it? Major developers aren’t trying to make just games anymore; they’re…
Being Okay With Being Outmoded
“Have you played Bioshock Infinite?” my co-worker excitedly asked me the other day. “No, not yet.” I responded, “It looks great, though I’ve never played a Bioshock game.” He looked confused. “You’ve…what?! They’re great games, well, maybe not the second one…but you should really give them a shot, especially Infinite.” Yeah, well…” my gaze turned…
The Silent Protagonist
As gamers we’ve all, at one point or another, come across this type of character. They’re often stoic and mysterious, mostly keeping their thoughts and opinions to themselves; in fact you don’t recall them saying much of anything at all even though the NPC’s react as if they had. This is the silent protagonist, a…
VIRTUAL BASTION 