Here is my most recent article...
http://thegamefanatics.com/2013/08/20/the-confirmed-xbox-one-launch-titles/
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Gamers and Violence
I wrote up a little editorial over at The Game Fanatics about gamers, and violence. this is an issue that has caused people to quit their jobs, or stop making a game altogether.
Gamers and Violence.
Gamers and Violence.
Writing For The Game Fanatics
So I went over to try out Wordpress and that just didn't work out very well. in the meantime I got asked to write for a little website called The Game Fanatics. Apparently I write well enough that people want to read it. Anywho...I decided to jump back over here where it will be easier to share what i write over there.
There is also the possibility that I will be hosting a MOBA podcast. We shall see what happens with that, and yes i totally went and got hooked on DOTA 2.
So thats where we are at with all of that.
There is also the possibility that I will be hosting a MOBA podcast. We shall see what happens with that, and yes i totally went and got hooked on DOTA 2.
So thats where we are at with all of that.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
We are moving
Yup the blog has been live for what? like 3 weeks, but already we are moving to hopefully greener pastures. Actually we are just gonna post over at wordpress. More options, and what not....so here is the link...and we will see you over there....
http://gorillagamers.wordpress.com/
I love how i say we, like there are more people working on this blog besides me.
See you guys at the new spot.
http://gorillagamers.wordpress.com/
I love how i say we, like there are more people working on this blog besides me.
See you guys at the new spot.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Metro: Last Light
First let me say that in some ways I am glad that I am not getting paid to review games, because then I would have to sit through a game that doesn't hold my attention.
I am a huge fan of the post apocalyptic setting, and this game has got me reading the book it is inspired by, Metro 2033. I didn't play that game, and I regret that, but the book seems solid so far. Its cool seeing the protagonist from the book in the game.
OK getting to the game, I am 4-5 hours in, and already my attention is waning. which is sad because it is a good game. Maybe not a great game, but it is a solid game that deserves attention. The setting, landscape and mood is well done. The tunnels dark and creepy as hell. And the surface is just breathtaking, while being deadly. To traverse the tunnels you need a flashlight that seems to do little to pierce the murky darkness that seems to be hiding danger at every turn. not a new game play element by any means but it works just the same. To survive on the surface you need a gas mask with filters that require changing. adding a sense of impending doom and urgency to being out in the open. Which kind of sucked because it left me with little time to truly observe and appreciate the nuclear wasteland.
The problem for me is that these settings are marred by cheap, plastic looking character models. Even the spiders skittering about seem like they came out of some cheap bin at the toy store. The beasts, giant rat things, and the wargish beasts on the surface detract from the tension and atmosphere seeming out of place in a well made world. The only times the character models didn't seem to detract was in populated areas where I was too busy taking in the sights to notice.
Story wise, it just is a little to predictable for me. a surprise friend turned enemy, a soldiers pacifist son helping you out...all just too cliche to really hold me in. Even the protagonist is predictable. A young man looking to prove himself thrust into being a hero. Like I said just too predictable for me, although it appears that the story is what kept most people going.
The game play mechanics are the one thing that work well for me. The aforementioned mask and filter, with your watch that lets you know when to change them, and the ability to wipe your mask when it is covered in blood and muck. The little charging unit used to jump start electronics that help you progress to the next area. The coolest mechanic though has got to be the ability to turn off lights, or shoot them out, plunging yourself in darkness and making the enemies, at least the human ones, use their flashlight giving away their position.
The weapons themselves have the weight and kick that make the game feel more alive. you start off with your choice of 3 weapons, and pick up different versions of those along the way. The shotgun looks cool, and has an almost semi automatic feel to it, until you are stopped by the long reload time. The assault rifles are, were, my bread and butter Love the way the magazines look, and add on a silencer, night vision scope, and you are a killing machine.
All in all the game is solid. with minor annoyances here and there. One big one that almost had me rage quit was that the game did a checkpoint save, that when I came back to it, I was standing in front of one enemy with others all but surrounding me. it took me a good fifteen minutes to blaze my way through and get to safety. My only real issue is while I love a good story, as I said I am now working on the book, I felt like I was spending more time watching the story than I was playing it. Games like that are always a struggle for me. I like to get lost in the action of a game, it seems to help shut my mind down, and throw my focus into overdrive. So when you keep throwing cut scenes at me, my mind wanders and I get bored. I am glad I checked the game out though, even if I wont beat it, and I definitely think that it is a game that everyone should give a chance.
I am a huge fan of the post apocalyptic setting, and this game has got me reading the book it is inspired by, Metro 2033. I didn't play that game, and I regret that, but the book seems solid so far. Its cool seeing the protagonist from the book in the game.
OK getting to the game, I am 4-5 hours in, and already my attention is waning. which is sad because it is a good game. Maybe not a great game, but it is a solid game that deserves attention. The setting, landscape and mood is well done. The tunnels dark and creepy as hell. And the surface is just breathtaking, while being deadly. To traverse the tunnels you need a flashlight that seems to do little to pierce the murky darkness that seems to be hiding danger at every turn. not a new game play element by any means but it works just the same. To survive on the surface you need a gas mask with filters that require changing. adding a sense of impending doom and urgency to being out in the open. Which kind of sucked because it left me with little time to truly observe and appreciate the nuclear wasteland.
The problem for me is that these settings are marred by cheap, plastic looking character models. Even the spiders skittering about seem like they came out of some cheap bin at the toy store. The beasts, giant rat things, and the wargish beasts on the surface detract from the tension and atmosphere seeming out of place in a well made world. The only times the character models didn't seem to detract was in populated areas where I was too busy taking in the sights to notice.
Story wise, it just is a little to predictable for me. a surprise friend turned enemy, a soldiers pacifist son helping you out...all just too cliche to really hold me in. Even the protagonist is predictable. A young man looking to prove himself thrust into being a hero. Like I said just too predictable for me, although it appears that the story is what kept most people going.
The game play mechanics are the one thing that work well for me. The aforementioned mask and filter, with your watch that lets you know when to change them, and the ability to wipe your mask when it is covered in blood and muck. The little charging unit used to jump start electronics that help you progress to the next area. The coolest mechanic though has got to be the ability to turn off lights, or shoot them out, plunging yourself in darkness and making the enemies, at least the human ones, use their flashlight giving away their position.
The weapons themselves have the weight and kick that make the game feel more alive. you start off with your choice of 3 weapons, and pick up different versions of those along the way. The shotgun looks cool, and has an almost semi automatic feel to it, until you are stopped by the long reload time. The assault rifles are, were, my bread and butter Love the way the magazines look, and add on a silencer, night vision scope, and you are a killing machine.
All in all the game is solid. with minor annoyances here and there. One big one that almost had me rage quit was that the game did a checkpoint save, that when I came back to it, I was standing in front of one enemy with others all but surrounding me. it took me a good fifteen minutes to blaze my way through and get to safety. My only real issue is while I love a good story, as I said I am now working on the book, I felt like I was spending more time watching the story than I was playing it. Games like that are always a struggle for me. I like to get lost in the action of a game, it seems to help shut my mind down, and throw my focus into overdrive. So when you keep throwing cut scenes at me, my mind wanders and I get bored. I am glad I checked the game out though, even if I wont beat it, and I definitely think that it is a game that everyone should give a chance.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Gamers Outreach
you could waste time here reading my talk about it or go Check it out at Gamers Outreach.
This is a volunteer organization that uses the power of Video Games to sick patients stuck in a hospital bed. As a father of a little gamer who will eventually need heart surgery this alone hits so close to home. And as a guy who was an EMT i spent alot of time at childrens hospitals, and know that Games can really help not only a child but a family relax during a stressful time.
They also host tournaments and game nights to help those in need. How awesome is that? Raising money for those less fortunate through the power of a controller...very cool.
Or finding ways for the men and women who serve our country to relax and destress by supplying them with games, and game time.
All three of these are good reasons to help out in anyway, but when we as gamers can use our very passion to help those in need, guys it doesnt get any better than that...So take some time to go check it out, and do what you can...Go donate your old video games, systems or time to help those that need it.
This is a volunteer organization that uses the power of Video Games to sick patients stuck in a hospital bed. As a father of a little gamer who will eventually need heart surgery this alone hits so close to home. And as a guy who was an EMT i spent alot of time at childrens hospitals, and know that Games can really help not only a child but a family relax during a stressful time.
They also host tournaments and game nights to help those in need. How awesome is that? Raising money for those less fortunate through the power of a controller...very cool.
Or finding ways for the men and women who serve our country to relax and destress by supplying them with games, and game time.
All three of these are good reasons to help out in anyway, but when we as gamers can use our very passion to help those in need, guys it doesnt get any better than that...So take some time to go check it out, and do what you can...Go donate your old video games, systems or time to help those that need it.
Gaming Win of the week
The gaming win of the week goes to the guys at HareBrained Schemes for this ever growing kickstarter project called Shadowrun returns.
The really cool thing is that it is completely moddable. In fact the creators are hoping that the modding community will take this game to places undreamed of.
Stay tuned for more info and my thoughts on this little kickstarter gem.
Now for those that are unaware Shadowrun has been around for years, as a tabletop RPG. And then Surfaced as a horrible game for Xbox 360. Well now its back in all of its top down isometric RPG glory.
The really cool thing is that it is completely moddable. In fact the creators are hoping that the modding community will take this game to places undreamed of.
Stay tuned for more info and my thoughts on this little kickstarter gem.
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