Editor’s note: Check out part one of this feature here.

Some gamers like to identify with the avatars they are controlling.  It’s only natural to want to play the characters that appeal to us. Not everyone gets a sense of accomplishment by just beelining it for the most powerful individuals. Some of us need the aesthetics to help make our choices and character themes tend to appeal to us emotionally invested gamers more than visual design. READ MORE

Ever have an emotional investment in the soundtrack for a game? From sweeping scores to simple 8-bit melodies, some gamers can’t help but feel a connection between the world they are exploring and the aural pleasures that are filling their ear drums. Music can immerse the player within the experience, breathing life into what would be senseless action without the proper cues.  It doesn’t always work, but the lasting impression music can have on the player can really change their outlook on the game as a whole. READ MORE

Never judge a game by its box art? Sure, that’s true, but making box art for a game can be an art in itself, and sometimes the artists come up with some fantastic pieces.  So why shouldn’t we sit back and admire the covers of our games? I would like to take a moment of your time today to share a collection of the coolest and lamest box art that has graced our senses. READ MORE

This week, a multitude of gamers are finishing the fight in Mass Effect 3: cavorting with aliens, punching mouthy reporters, and trying their damndest to protect the galaxy. This is his (or her) story, but it is also ours.  We may not voice Shepard, but we do make decisions for him. We can even define how Shepard looks.  Character creation has allowed gamers to become more intimate with the characters they are playing, but it isn’t always executed flawlessly. There are limits to what can be done in a video game, but those boundaries are constantly widening. READ MORE