Tag: Video Games

E3 2018 – Games I’m looking forward to

So, E3 just happened, at least the conferences and though I’m sure we’ll see some random announcements in the coming days, the bulk of it is done.

Some outlets will go on and on about the winners of E3, but after years of having those discussions, and even being on the apologist fanboy side at times, I have long since stopped caring about that bit and now just focus on the pretty toys I want to play with, and there are a few I’m eager to play this or next year!

Let’s get to it then! Continue reading E3 2018 – Games I’m looking forward to

Video Game Characterisation – Character Feelings vs Male Toxicity

As I wrote my Tomb Raider article for Wednesday and by playing through the latest God of War, I realised that video game character writing was changing and by god it must continue to do so, in particular to change or at least stop reinforcing the antiquated male values that permeate society. Continue reading Video Game Characterisation – Character Feelings vs Male Toxicity

Review: Golem Gates

The world is a ruined place, darkness blankets every surface. But even in this darkness hope awakens, it’s the Arbiter. Guided by a mysterious entity, he’s on a quest to recover his identity and free the land, and to do so he must destroy their Golem Gates
Continue reading Review: Golem Gates

Playing with Expectations – Not So Scary Nancy Drew

Last month I wrote about expectations and how they have an impact on the emotional response you have with stories, games or any other form of entertainment. I wrote about how my expectations for a light-hearted romp made two Nancy Drew titles get to me. They managed to create tense atmospheres and even managed to scare me.

When I published that article, someone commented that I should have waited to play Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall, as it was the scariest of all Nancy Drew games.

Having recently finished this title—on my way to play all the games in the Nancy Drew series, a goal I’m very close to achieving—I thought it might be a good idea to tell you about my experience with Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall. Continue reading Playing with Expectations – Not So Scary Nancy Drew

Awesomeness in March

March 2017 might be the most kickass month of this year.

Ok, maybe it’s a stretch considering it’s very early in 2017 and there’s lots of things to come, but March is surely bringing a lot of cool things that I’m really excited about…and a few others for which I’m less than thrilled, but I won’t go into them, mostly because it’s about politics, bonehead decisions and more politics.

So, let’s move into why I’m so excited about March 2017: Continue reading Awesomeness in March

Nancy Drew Scares: Playing with Expectations

I have spoken in the past of the Nancy Drew games by HeR Interactive and despite the continued contrivance of its puzzle design and placement, I do thoroughly enjoy every title in the series I have played so far. Mind you, I didn’t start at the beginning of the series but jumped in around the 16th entry, The White Wolf of Icicle Creek after I saw it on an episode of Game Grumps—I am now going back to the earlier titles.

The Nancy Drew adventures are usually light-hearted and even if there is something sinister afoot, it’s never scary or tense—except for those timed-puzzles, those are nerve-wracking. So my expectations when playing one is that I’ll just have a good time with puzzles and some nice if sometimes over the top voice acting. Continue reading Nancy Drew Scares: Playing with Expectations

Gaming in 2017 – Major Annoyances!

The year is coming to a close and this is the part where most sites look to the past, to the other 11 months that came and went and decide which of the titles released is the best of the year in a vast variety of categories, with or without use input.

I did a bit of that last Friday but as I mentioned, I don’t do that sort of thing and I generally find it short-sighted, but after a month of intense FPS-ing, I just had to talk about these games.

But what I will do for the close of the year is talk about two things I’m terrified by in the gaming industry, trends that should they continue to evolve—or devolve—as they have in the past year, then much of my goodwill and respect for the industry will disappear, eroded by greed and a lack of creativity. Continue reading Gaming in 2017 – Major Annoyances!

Entertainment – The Hook

One of the things I keep seeing when people give you recommendations on writing a novel is that you need to have a hook early on. The hook in this regards is that part of your storytelling that glues the audience to your product, and makes them stay until they’ve enjoyed it fully.

The Hook extends beyond publishing of course and it’s perhaps one of the first things people tell new creators about. Your game needs a hook early on, to grab the player. Your TV series needs a strong hook on the first episode, something to keep the audience coming back for more. Continue reading Entertainment – The Hook

MCM London Comic Con – Gaming at the Con

I will admit that the amount of games at the MCM London Comic Con surprised me. I really didn’t expect to see so many gaming booths there, or so many people sitting down to play the games. Silly me, really. It’s a geek event so of course there was gonna be a bit for the gamers! Continue reading MCM London Comic Con – Gaming at the Con

The Triforce and Heart Pieces – My History with The Legend of Zelda

It’s no secret that I love The Legend of Zelda Series with a passion. It’s perhaps my favourite game series of them all. With every release, the chance to explore the reimagined and rebuilt Hyrule and its many parallel worlds fills me with child-like glee. I feel like a kid again every time I play a new Zelda title, and even if I find it too easy, I still thoroughly enjoy the experience.

But my love of Zelda isn’t just because of the world, or the characters, the gameplay and the familiar elements we’ve come to expect from the series. My relationship with The Legend of Zelda and Nintendo has a long history and deeper meaning to me. Continue reading The Triforce and Heart Pieces – My History with The Legend of Zelda