Mutant Mudds is a throwback to the early, tough-as-nails platformers of the 8 and 16-bit eras. A simple formula pushed to masterful levels of skill to beat, it is definitely aimed at people who miss those days. READ MORE
September 2012
The release of Jet Grind Radio on the Dreamcast was the kind of game that defined that system and that era in gaming for Sega. It was almost a novelty; a flashy, cartoonish presentation and mechanics that, at the time, seemed fresh. It represented a time in the industry when games that were heavily focused on style were dominate. That time, however, has passed, and Sega’s HD re-release of that classic title shows it has earned its place in history, but is merely a relic of its time. READ MORE
In the My Favorite Game series, get to know us better as staff writers share the game they love most and why.
When I first laid eyes on an NBA Jam arcade machine, I was blown away. The announcer was screaming, the basketballs were on fire and my favorite NBA superstars were windmill dunking on each other. In addition to the TV-style presentation, the in-game player graphics transcended anything that had been seen in sports gaming. The faces of Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal were digitized and very recognizable. The watershed moment of experiencing this firsthand when I inserted my first quarter spawned my love for the game and series. READ MORE
Emotional attachment to fictional characters is difficult to establish. Most people will suspend their disbelief to a point. They’ll buy into whatever world they’re seeing, as long as it makes some sense, the plot is coherent and, most importantly, they care about what happens to the characters. It’s an essential ingredient to any successful story.
Video games have it tough. How can you pace a game’s story properly when the user is in direct control of the experience? And how on Earth can you establish interest in the characters, when most video game dialogue ranks slightly below “tolerable” and far, far away from “good”? READ MORE
When it comes to stealth games, it’s very easy to find yourself lost in the mechanics, taking every necessary precaution and being as careful as possible. I have a love-hate relationship with stealth games, but the ones I love I really love. I recently replayed Hitman: Blood Money for the first time in years. I was revisiting a franchise I consider one of gaming’s best in preparation for the upcoming release, Absolution, but also because I wanted to see how well I can handle a game of that nature. I’m not typically someone who goes out of his way to make sure every loose end is tied up in stealth games. I don’t prevent myself from getting caught or having anything come back to me when, once the mission ends, the game goes on regardless.
And yet, if the Hitman franchise has taught me anything, it’s that I, briefly, became a perfectionist. READ MORE
