Halo 5 Multiplayer Beta And the Master Chief Collection

Tuesday, December 30, 2014


The Halo franchise and I are old friends. Over its more than ten year 13+ year run, the series has remained a landmark title and some of the best content available on Xbox. Combat Evolved was one of the first console based shooter whose story really engaged me. As strange or corny as it may sound, my wife and I cemented our relationship over the series, playing through CE and Halo 2 together before the release of Halo 3. The multiplayer, both local and co-op has been the best way for us to stay in touch with some of our friends. It means a lot to us.

Yesterday at noon the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta launched. I would have played more on day one, but we were finishing up our Legendary run through CE. Today I immersed myself in the beta and was surprised by how very different the experience is from the existing franchise. The speed of play is definitely more fast paced, tuned more for shorter, high intensity matches like those preferred by professional clans. The high mobility is definitely reminiscent of Titanfall which seems to have become an unspoken standard of sorts.

REDUX: Fixing Broken Machines with Broken Tools

Tuesday, December 23, 2014


Most of us have our own criteria for judging a game. We know what elements we like in our games, we know what developers to trust, we know which genres and franchises we enjoy. For many others however, this instinctual system is less developed or non existent. Many of those people, especially new gamers, turn to sites like IGN and Gametrailers for the last word on games. The problem with this is the system used to review games. It's broken.

Tales of Ice & Fire - "Iron from Ice"

Thursday, December 18, 2014


The pairing of Telltale Games and Game of Thrones is a match made in heaven (or hell depending on your interpretation). Author of the book series, George R.R. Martin, has established time and time again that he has no fear of making hard choices in his Song of Ice & Fire books and "killing his darlings" has become something of a signature. Telltale Games, the well known publisher of The Walking Dead series is likewise known for its interactive choices and not being shy about death(s) as a result. I honestly couldn't think of a more appropriate studio to take a successful whack at portraying Westeros intrigue in a video game medium.

Kerbal Space Program Reaches .90

Tuesday, December 16, 2014


It has become a sad reality that every time I download the latest B9 Pack that Squad releases a new update. I thought I was safe this time. Surely .90 would require more time. I thought I had at least a week before its release, which is a lot more time than I usually have to play with all of those beautiful parts. But what should I see in my email not 8 hours after downloading the mod? .90 is official and available; time to delete B9.  Again.

That Dragon, Cancer is a Project Worth Your Support

Thursday, December 11, 2014


It was more than a year ago that I played a demo of That Dragon, Cancer at PAX. I spoke to Ryan Green briefly before entering the small booth they had in the back of the Indie Megabooth and learned a little more about what I was going to play. This was a game about his son, Joel, who had been fighting cancer since his first year of life. In the demo, I would take the role of Ryan while caring for Joel in a hospital room. I thanked Ryan for giving us a chance to see the game and sat down for my demo.

What I played only lasted about 20 minutes, but it's a scene that has stayed with me since. I still vividly remember every second of that brief scene. Words are plainly insufficient to describe the experience of even that small section of That Dragon, Cancer. I can't blithely describe its gameplay or walk you through how I interacted with it. It's not a matter of appropriateness or respect at all, but I cannot begin to simplify it and still convey what it meant to me as a person.

REDUX: A Game is a Game is a Game

Tuesday, December 9, 2014


Our great pastime is nothing new. What many people don't realize is that video games are just the latest innovation in a tradition as old as mankind. Video games are, at their core, games. Every game adheres to a simple criteria. Half-Real by Jesper Juul, defines a game as " a rule based system with a variable and quantifiable outcome, where different outcomes are assigned different values, the player exerts effort to influence the outcome, the player feels emotionally attached to the outcome and the consequences of the activity are optional and negotiable."

That's a lot to take in at once, so let's break it down further. First, the rule based system. Every game has rules. Anyone who's ever played a game even as simple as checkers understands that there are specific rules that dictate how the game is played. Today, most video games' rules are based on the physics engine. For example; when playing Half Life, you cannot fly. If you were to fly, you would be using a cheat. To cheat is to break a set rule. You see what I'm saying?

Life is Feudal Takes me Back

Thursday, December 4, 2014


The recent tour through my sordid MMO history got me thinking about a few of the online titles I wanted to play, but for some reason or another was never able to. Foremost on that list is a game called Asgard. An in-depth Google search turned up nothing about it, no trace whatsoever. It was to be an MMO based on Norse mythology with ambitious goals. A persistent world where players harvest their own supplies to build their homes and villages, weapons, armor and even food. The campaign was planned to be just as player driven, allowing groups to form factions and wage wars against other villages and factions. Raids could be sent into the mountains or out to sea in search of mythical beasts and blessings from Odin, Thor or any number of other deities from the Norse pantheon. Sadly, sometime between 2001 and 2003, Asgard was cancelled.

This isn't just some pity party for an MMO a young me mourned the loss of. While I won't get a chance to build myself a cottage in Asgard, indie game Life is Feudal promises to give me my medieval cottage, sans viking mythology. It's a compromise I'm more than willing to make for a chance at a realistic feudal survival game. 

I Have Pledged my Life to The Inquisition

Tuesday, December 2, 2014


I'm drowning in Dragon Age. At 45+ hours in, I'm not even halfway through the story and have barely completed all the quests in one area (those lovely Hinterlands). I visit my war table every morning before leaving for work and every evening before going to bed. I'm full to bursting with things to do and people to talk to. Dragon Age is a franchise that I've loved since it began and I'm so thrilled that Inquisition has so much to offer. There are so many little things to complete that some have gone so far as to say there are too many options in the game.

Tales From The Borderlands: Stomping Grounds

Thursday, November 27, 2014


Tales From The Borderlands
. What happens when you take the established and chaotic world of Pandora and switch the focus away from vault hunters and a bajillion guns? Could it still maintain the same feel or would it be impossible to maintain? Would a story based more around choice and consequence still be recognizable as a Borderlands game? 

The short answer is yes. The first episode, "Zer0 Sum" is very much a Borderlands game. From the moment it begins, there is no question what universe you inhabit. Every inch of Pandora looks and feels as it should, from the guns to the psychos. The wit and bloody humor the fills every corner of Borderlands is there as well. Tales feels like a new path through a familiar place. It's familiar enough to be comfortable (or as comfortable as you can be on a planet filled with murderous raiders) but the change of perspective keeps things from feeling tired. 

D&D 5E: An Excellent Successor

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

I'm going to start by saying, I'm glad I waited to write this review. There were a lot of things about the newest edition of Dungeons and Dragons that I really needed to spend some time on; my opinion needed time to formulate and evolve past what I had played at PAX. I needed to add a little more experience with the new rules to the mix. Initially it seemed almost too simplified, like maybe Wizards of the Coast had jumped on the rules-lite bandwagon that's been fairly popular these days, but the simple introduction turned out to hide a fairly complex, but accessible, system.

Telltale Reveals Game of Thrones Trailer and Details

Thursday, November 20, 2014



We've known for some time that Telltale was working with HBO to create an episodic game based on the show Game of Thrones, based on A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. All  we knew for certain was that it would be an adventure game much like Telltale's critically acclaimed The Walking Dead series. Game of Thrones themed games have universally been poor (save one, but it's an unlicensed mod) I have been carefully poised astride worry and excitement for months now, but with the first trailer and early details now available I'm ready to commit to excitement.

North to the Future! Again!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014


I previewed the PAX 2014 demo snippets for Never Alone in my previous article.  E-Line Media was very generous in granting us a review copy on the PS4.  I feel it's necessary to come back and review it from a single (almost) complete playthrough.  During this playthrough, Ssalarn played as Nuna (the girl), and I played as the fox.

I believe that games like this are better with some details of the story unspoiled. To that end (see what I did there) I am writing this before playing the conclusion of Never Alone. It's important that you discover it on your own. I have played through the majority of the game however, and can attest that the journey is full of wonder and danger.

My History With MMOs

Thursday, November 13, 2014


I have often said that I don't play MMOs. Broad statements like that one have the awful tendency to be untrue. I have played many MMOs in my time. In fact my on again, off again history with them reaches way back. Allow me to take you on a journey through my sad and torrid history with several games; some I loved, some I hated and a couple that I forced myself to enjoy more than I should have.

Humble Jumbo Bundle 3 is Here to Delight You

Tuesday, November 11, 2014


Humble Bundle has been my go-to source for many of the games I play. Their wide selection of indie and AAA titles, their updated offerings of books and mobile bundles and their commitment to helping charities like Child's Play and Charity: Water makes the service a really easy choice. The latest bundle offer is their third "Jumbo Bundle" and if their previous iterations are any indication, it's bound to live up to the name.

REDUX: Online Multiplayer ...Meh

Thursday, November 6, 2014
One of the many online games that currently occupy my steam library.

In the coming weeks, I plan to talk about a number of online title. My steam library is filling with more and more games typified by their online play, including one or two MMOs. In days long past, I often eschewed online multiplayer in favor of lengthy single player titles. While I can still say that I prefer a good campaign to the average deathmatch arena, my disdain for online play has died a slow and tormented death. To help offer contrast to the matter, I've dug up this old post from 2009 in which I enumerated my feelings towards online games.  

Video Games: The Movie

Tuesday, November 4, 2014


Documentarians have had a run on video game themed films recently. Between the intimate journeys in Free to Play, the uncomfortable portraits of Indie Game: The Movie and the focused beam of GameLoading, I'm glad to have finally seen Video Games: The Movie. While all of the before mentioned films are excellent in their own way, only Video Games: The Movie tackles the subject matter in such a broad and- almost - all-encompassing way. 

Director Jeremy Snead and executive producers Zach Braff and Cliff Blesinski (and a ton of Kickstarter backers) have put together a fairly complete history of the video game industry. Snead presents the information in an interesting way. Rather than simply present a chronological history, the film focuses sections on individual facets of video games. 

Pumpkin Preview 2014: Grim Fandango

Saturday, November 1, 2014


Grim Fandango is a classic. Originally released in 1998, Grim Fandango is often cited as the last of the truly great adventure games to come from Lucasarts. It's a game that mixes numerous complex themes and elements. Creator Tim Schafer recently announced that a remastered version will be coming to PC, Mac, Linux and PS4. I can think of no better game to close our Pumpkin Preview.

Pumpkin Preview 2014: Never Alone

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Never Alone is a very interesting game. It features beautiful and haunting art, clever puzzles and sumptuous visuals. More impressive and certainly more important is the story it tells. Never Alone is based on the Inupiaq tribe traditional story Kunuuksaayuka. The developers at Upper One Games have made it their goal to create games that "the voices and richness of world cultures to create complex and fascinating game worlds."

Pumpkin Preview 2014: Guns of Icarus Online

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The few online games I play consist largely of combat action titles like War Thunder and World of Tanks. From planes to tanks to mechs, I've some outlet for whatever form of mechanized doom I wish to unleash. Until some time last year, there was a clockwork void in that collection. When I discovered Guns of Icarus Online, I was delighted. We recently covered the game's co-op mode after playing it at PAX. While the cooperative Adventure mode has not yet been released, yesterday's patch still gives players plenty to be excited about. 

Pumpkin Preview 2014: Crawl

Tuesday, October 28, 2014


It is time again for the Pumpkin Preview. The first of four pumpkins in our indie game lineup this year has become a permanent fixture in our local multiplayer circuit. Crawl is a competitive game for up to four players. The unpredictable dungeons and constant power struggles are enough to keep us playing into the wee hours of the morning.

A Tentative Stab at The Darkness: Destiny

Thursday, October 23, 2014


This won't be the first article I write about Destiny. It's difficult to say where I fall on the love or hate scale with Destiny and as I feel that out more and the game evolves (hopefully) I'll have more to say. There are things that I really love about the game and that keep me coming back but there are other aspects that I'm really disappointed in and still more that infuriate me. With all of these running through my head at once, pinning down my exact opinion is impractical. A walk through each of these disparate streams may bring us to a common source.

Shadow Of Mordor: Over Rock and Under Graug

Tuesday, October 21, 2014


Shadow of Mordor is the first "next gen" title I've played that has felt truly new and innovative. It's easy to bemoan the relatively short story, and I'm sure there is plenty ammunition for Tolkien purists to pick apart, but I've seen few games pull together their individual elements so well. Even tangential activities like relic hunting are tied into the narrative in interesting ways. The real star of the experience is the Nemesis system. Its dynamic enemies have given me numerous story worthy moments, a few I'll share here.

GOG Opens Signup for Galaxy Beta

Thursday, October 16, 2014


GOG, or Good Old Games has long been a champion for the players in matters regarding DRM. Back in June they announced GOG Galaxy, a proposed DRM free gaming platform. It maintains that every client service is totally optional and it will never force you to be online to play your games. Yesterday, GOG opened up enrollment in the beta program for Galaxy, tempting potential testers with a free copy of Aliens vs. Predator Classic 2000

North to the Future!

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

I'd like to start this by saying that the game I talk about today holds a VERY special place in my heart.  Growing up in Alaska, I have always loved learning about the Alaska Native tribes and their culture, through field trips in school, all the way to volunteering at the museum for a couple of years.  What has always captured my attention are the stories; especially native legends (American and Alaskan). We can read these legends, we can listen to the recordings of great storytellers, but this is the first time that we can play and interact with the legends in video game format.

Never Alone (Kisima Innitchuna) is based upon the Inupiaq tribe traditional story Kunuuksaayuka, which is the story of a village that is consumed within a never ending blizzard in which a brave young girl, Nuna, embarks on a journey to discover the source.  The game developers worked closely with the original storyteller's daughter Minnie Gray to ensure the accuracy of the legend.  

What I'm Playing: October Update

Thursday, October 9, 2014
I've got a few games on my plate right now, as usual. KSP's latest update has given me new reason to crash ships into buildings, Destiny has a perplexing grip on me, and Shadow of Mordor has completely enthralled me (see what I did there?). Apart from the games, we have our annual Pumpkin Preview coming up, so keep your eyes peeled (again with the puns) for some of our handiwork soon.

GameLoading is a Comprehensive Indie gaming Documentary

Tuesday, October 7, 2014


Gameloading is a new documentary about the history and rise of the indie gaming movement. Don't confuse this with Indie Game: The Movie. Gameloading focuses less on the personal development struggles of  few designers, instead pulling back to encompass the scene as a whole. It's been hinted about and mentioned here and there for a while, but now it's Kickstarter campaign is wrapping up and they still need your support.

Portable Gaming Environment (With A Few Kinks)

Thursday, October 2, 2014

I had the good fortune to come into possession of a GI55 Sentry portable gaming environment during Pax Prime this year. This was actually something I was very excited about, because I live on an island near Seattle and have an hour trip in to town every day. I figured this was going to be an excellent way for me to spend that hour, and I immediately set about transferring my Playstation 3 to the unit. So far, no problems, the unit clicks in great and there's plenty of space for all the accessories.

Dragon Fin Soup

Tuesday, September 30, 2014


I had the good fortune to grab some hands on time at PAX with Dragon Fin Soup, a gorgeous classic style 2D RPG with a blend of rouge-like elements produced by Grimm Bros. Inspired by iconic RPGs of yore (Zelda, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy), Dragon Fin soup is an artfully styled homage to them.

Of Orcs and More Orcs: Hands on With Shadow Of Mordor, A Post PAX Update

Thursday, September 25, 2014


I spent the better part of an hour with Monolith and Warner Bros. Games Shadow of Mordor at PAX. During that time I was allowed to acquaint myself with many of the interesting systems at play in the latest Lord of The Rings based title. Its open world approach, varied enemies and fascinating Nemesis System took me by surprise.

In Shadow of Mordor, you play as Talion, a ranger of Gondor. You and your family are killed by Sauron in a ritual to summon the spirit of Celebrimbor, the elf who forged the rings of power. Celebrimbor's wraith possesses the body of Talion, resurrecting him (at least in part). With the promise of revenge, Celebrimbor empowers Talion to turn Sauron's armies against him.

Beyond that, very little else has been revealed about the story, but it's been written and directed by Christian Cantamessa, one of the writers of Red Dead Redemption and John Gonzalez, the lead writer of Fallout: New Vegas. These credits give me hope that the story won't tweak with the canon of the existing lore too much. What I played didn't showcase the story. Instead, it focused on the way the Nemesis System interacts with the game world.

POST REDUX 9/13/13: The Games I Play Today

Tuesday, September 23, 2014




[EDITOR'S NOTE:] I'm sick, folks. It's not pretty, and I'm not quite together enough to guarantee I won't puke on my computer. I've reached back into the vaults and pulled out an older post. I think it's relevant, especially for those new readers wondering why I love the indie games so. Enjoy the read, I'm going to go sit in front of the toilet.

The majority of my gaming time used to be spent largely with big name titles from large developers. On any given day, I would prefer Halo, Battlefield 3, Assassin's Creed or Mass Effect to smaller titles. Consoles were my primary platforms for play, with my PC serving more as a stereo than anything else.

Times have changed lately. More and more, I've been playing independent titles over large studio games. While I still enjoy playing many major releases like Borderlands 2, the vast majority of my time has been given over to the indie games. Why? For the longest time I couldn't put my finger on it.

Electric Boogio

Thursday, September 18, 2014
I covered the Stinky Footboard a long while ago, which is an excellent pure-blooded gaming foot controller, but I came across another excellent foot controller this year at PAX Prime.  It's called the Boogio developed by Reflx Labs and Qi2, and you can wear it in your shoes with no added weight.  These things are efficient!  They are a sticker with pressure sensors, accelerometer, and soon will include gyroscopes, all of this on the bottom of your insole.  While I find the technology fascinating in itself and it's capacity, what I really find sexy is the potential for gaming, health, and general computing uses, particularly in tandem with Oculus Rift.

POST PAX UPDATE: Guns of Icarus

Tuesday, September 16, 2014


While at PAX, I got a chance to see some of the new features coming to Guns of Icarus Online, the steampunk airship combat game. Unlike many aerial combat games, you are just part of the crew with three other players filling essential roles onboard like navigating, manning weapons and repairing damaged components. Until now, it's been strictly PVP, but the latest update will add a new cooperative PVE mode that changes the tone of the game. 

Ten Minutes in a Locker: Alien Isolation

Thursday, September 11, 2014


When I was a kid, the most terrifying thing I could imagine was the creature from Alien. I was probably too young to watch Alien the first time I saw it, in fact, I'm certain of it. Since then, movie monsters have fascinated me, though none have ever come close to topping the drone. Later Alien films, while good, just haven't had the same atmosphere. When I heard about Alien Isolation and what the Creative Assembly were attempting I couldn't wait to get my hands on the game. Naturally, PAX afforded me just such an opportunity.

POST PAX UPDATE: Far Cry 4 Impressions

Tuesday, September 9, 2014


While at PAX I swung by Ubisoft's booth to take a look at Far Cry 4. As a big fan of the series - which starts with Far Cry 2 as far as I'm concerned- it was one of the games I was most excited to see. The emails I had exchanged prior to PAX made mention of getting my hands on the new Shangri-La mode, the built in Blood Dragon-esque experience. Unfortunately, it was decided that they weren't quite ready to show it at PAX, and it was pulled. I did get to play a bit of the E3 demo and try my hand at a small mission in a variety of ways.

Scratch Your Cold War Itch With RESISTOR_

Thursday, September 4, 2014
Image source courtesy of Cardboard Fortress

One of the first games we (Wesley H. and I) had a chance to play at PAX was an indie card game called RESISTOR_ (yes, the underscore is intentional) from Anthony Amato Jr. and Nicole Kline of Cardboard Fortress. You and your opponent are supercomputers, each one trying to dismantle the other's firewalls and disrupt their CPU. The implied finality is that with the other supercomputer out of the way, you are free to launch your nation's nuclear arsenal without fear of retaliation. RESISTOR_  uses the familiarity of a deck of cards and uses the space to create a unique and memorable game.

Post PAX Wrap-up

Tuesday, September 2, 2014



PAX Prime 2014 is over. The last four days have blurred together into a strange amalgam of games, panels and caffeine. From big franchise games like Shadow of Mordor to indie card game RESISTOR_, we covered a lot of ground this year and got our hands on a lot of interesting games. You'll hear more about those games in the coming days. For now, I'll leave you with a few choice highlights.

REPOST: Lessons From A PAX Veteran

Thursday, August 28, 2014


Today was a pretty hectic travel day for us. On top of that, this year marks the 10th anniversary of PAX Prime. Taking all these factors into account, I can think of no better time than now to reach into the Somnambuant Archives. This post was written on the eve of last year's PAX, but the advice is still good for any new or experienced attendee. Enjoy the article and stay tuned to our twitter feed during the next few days, as we'll be doing our best to keep you updated with the latest news from PAX 2014.

Can't Attend PAX but in the Area? Here are Four PAX Adjacent Events to Check Out

Tuesday, August 26, 2014


PAX Prime is happening in just two days (and some change)! As always, passes sold out shortly after going on sale. It's not unlikely that you were unable to get passes to Seattle's best known gaming festival. If you're in the Seattle area this weekend but don't have a pass (or only have a pass for a day or two) there's no reason you should be left out in the cold. Don't bother with the scalpers, most of those passes are counterfeit anyway; check out some of the other events happening around PAX. Here's a short list to get you started.

Space Bears Beware, Behemoth Announces Game 4!

Thursday, August 21, 2014
Space bears, not water bears. Don't worry little tardigrade, you're safe.


The Behemoth has been very careful about releasing any information about their latest project. Currently known only as "Game 4," there is still very little known about what it is or how it's played. As of yesterday we at least have a premise to work with. From what I saw in the trailer, I'm not sure what to expect other than chaos and joy.

It's Time to Talk About Robot Man-hunts

Tuesday, August 19, 2014


I've been holding off on this for far too long. It's rare that a game comes along with so clear a social message, I thought it important that I take the time to really understand it before I put fingers to keyboard. After long and careful deliberation, I can confidently say that Sir, You are Being Hunted is the most important game of our generation. Finally, someone has opened the floodgates to the debate on man hunting robots.

I Can't Believe I'm Saying this: I Might Like the new Call of Duty

Thursday, August 14, 2014


I've not been a big fan of the Calll of Duty series for a while.I think World At War was the last one that I really enjoyed. The story and plot of each one since has felt more and more sloppy, and the multiplayer is a messy give and take of features and abilities. That said, Advanced Warfare has struck the remains of a chord with me; one that I may be persuaded to follow.

Our Enemies Should be Better Than Us

Tuesday, August 12, 2014
As long as I resist you, I live.


Enemy AI is a tricky subject. In almost any AAA title, there is some debate about the competency of the enemy. Even games that I consider difficult, have glaring omissions in the capabilities of the foes I face. The general push from most developers is to find a middle ground for enemy competence. It's one of many ploys to win the game more players; a push not towards innovation, but towards stable market returns. I think this particular area is ready for a shakeup, and there are a few games that have come tantalizingly close to pushing that envelope.

Battle Fleet 2; Scorched Seas

Thursday, August 7, 2014

One of the first games I remember playing on PC was Scorched Earth. It was quickly followed by Worms and Cannon Fodder. So began a lifelong obsession with turn based wargames. Reading the description of Battle Fleet 2 I was immediately taken by one sentance in particular; "..Battle Fleet 2 is the radically improved sequel to the original and has kept the 'Worms' / 'Scorched Earth' style angle+power mechanic..." There, in a very Maguirrean sense, they had me.  

Assassin's Creed Rogue is Official and Still a Sausage Festival

Tuesday, August 5, 2014


Is it enough to say that Assassin's Creed needs more playable female characters? It isn't as if the argument exists in a vacuum; we are 8 games deep into the "main series" and we've yet to find a female lead. I know about Aveline and Liberation, but frankly, one entry in the secondary series is not enough. Yes, she was female, black, and spoke French. It was all very inspiring, but it doesn't excuse Ubisoft's constant dismissal of female characters. Assassin's Creed Rogue is now official and lo and behold, it stars yet another dudebro. 

I Don't Trust EA Access

Thursday, July 31, 2014


Recently EA announced EA Access, a subscription service offering a selection of EA titles up for "unlimited play" at a cost of $4.99 a month. It's comparable to the PS+ Instant Game Collection or Xbox Live's Games With Gold, but is perhaps more analogous to Netflix and their streaming service. EA doesn't have a good history of being up front with consumers, so I'm trepidatious about accepting this new service as it is.

Most of the press releases sent out regarding Access tout it as a cheap and easy way to play all of EA's latest games. The perpetuated idea is that of an unlimited well of EA games available from The idea of it seems nice enough but I don't think the actual product will line up as well with consumer expectations. Have a look at the surprisingly short Terms of Service and the cracks in this little golden egg start to show.

Amid The Ruins: The Walking Dead, Season 2

Tuesday, July 29, 2014


It just doesn't get any easier. The Walking Dead has always tugged at my heart. The first season made it clear that choices are not always easy, and the right thing to do might end up getting someone killed. So it is. Season two's Clementine continues to become a more responsible and capable member of the group, but choices are still hard, and people still die. 

Fistful of Links: Destiny Beta Swings Wide, SqquareEnix gets Humble, and More

Thursday, July 24, 2014


Here we go again folks, another week has passed. Here are a few of the things that caught my eye in the news.

The Wolf Among Us, Episode 5: Cry Wolf

Tuesday, July 22, 2014


A good Crime Noir story keeps you guessing. What starts as a murder eventually goes deeper and deeper until it's revealed an enormous crime ring. Accusations fly from one suspect to the next and the reader is left to try and make sense of it all until the very end. That is the journey The Wolf Among Us has taken players on over the last nine months. Bigby Wolf, Fabletown Sheriff brings the first (and hopefully not the last) season of Telltales trip into Bill Willinghams universe to a close as only he could.

Beautiful, Intimidating and Enthralling: Endless Legend

Thursday, July 17, 2014


Amplitude Studios are masters of 4x strategy. Their masterpiece Endless Space has completely supplanted Master of Orion and Sins of a Solar Empire as my favorite 4x space strategy game. Now they've expanded their universe and brought the same mechanics to a fantasy realm. Enter Endless Legend, currently in Early Access on Steam.

Taking flight with Aion

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Aion is one of the games which first came out as a subscription based game before switching to f2p. While it was released in South Korea in November 2008, we didn’t see it here in the US until September 2009. My husband and I picked up our copies at release, and we had a lot of fun with it as we were starting to get burned out on playing World of Warcraft. 

The graphics were beautiful and the UI system was easy to understand since it was modeled after the current norm. We played for about six months before we took our normal break from online gaming. However, I found it difficult to get back into the game when we returned. It seemed to take itself a little too seriously at that time. 

I personally like my games to be jovial and fun. I gave it another try when it went f2p, but I only played it once or twice, and then I played again for another day or so when houses came out. Still nothing to keep me wanting to truly come back. With this MMO series I’m doing, I thought it only fair to give it yet another chance, and I’m glad that I did.