I was raised playing games like Chess, Battleship, Squad Leader, Risk and War of the Ring. I still love playing tabletop strategy games with my dad. It keeps my mind sharp, it’s quality time with a parent, and a great opportunity to talk smack at someone I deeply love and respect. Especially when a Xanatos… Continue reading Esprit de Corps
Author: BlueInkAlchemist
Game Review: Half-Life 2 Episode 2
After the success of the main game, Valve embarked upon an experiment in episodic gaming, the first portion of which I’ve already reviewed. The second was the keystone in the Orange Box release, and having played it, it’s clear to see why it featured so prominently. The immersion and pacing that made the previous Half-Life… Continue reading Game Review: Half-Life 2 Episode 2
Creating Atmosphere
There is no drama without tension, so the saying goes. And there are very few things that build tension than a well-crafted atmosphere. Considering how hectic my day’s been, I could just end the post there and be on my merry way, but I feel it’s necessary to elaborate for a variety of reasons. So,… Continue reading Creating Atmosphere
What's In A Gun's Name?
So {insert title here}, Book 1 of the Acradea Cycle, is proceeding. It’s in fits and starts a bit, but a little kick in the pants from Ye Olde Magickal Speaking Beardface should keep things chugging along. At least a thousand words a day is a decent goal. As my northern better half points out,… Continue reading What's In A Gun's Name?
Game Review: Half-Life 2 Episode 1
Half-Life 2, as I’ve discussed, is a great game. But it leaves the player wanting more. Even people who aren’t playing it, who sit beside the player wrapped in their Snuggie watching the action unfold and occasionally laughing at player error or wincing at bad things that happen to Gordon, found themselves asking “That’s IT?!?”… Continue reading Game Review: Half-Life 2 Episode 1
Replay Value
So, in spite of some of the less than charitable things I’ve said about Dragon Age: Origins, I’m playing it again. And I know it won’t be the last time. My wife and I like to discuss different things we like about the game, other ways we plan on playing it, and even toss dialog… Continue reading Replay Value
IT CAME FROM NETFLIX! Crash
This week’s IT CAME FROM NETFLIX! brought to you by a generous donation by Benjamin Axel Jakobsson. Thank you for your support! [audio:http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/uploads/crash.mp3] When Hubilub asked me to review Paul Haggis’ Crash from 2005, he did so in the following charming fashion: It won three Oscars and IT’S FUCKING HORRIBLE!. I hate it so much!… Continue reading IT CAME FROM NETFLIX! Crash
Chivalry: Taking It Back
“You keep using that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means.” Along with some support for the ideas I put forth in yesterday’s post, there are some that spoke up saying I’m just pushing my male ideas onto women, that chivalry is dead and it should stay that way because it’s… Continue reading Chivalry: Taking It Back
Girls in Gaming
I touched on this subject yesterday, and it’s something that I’d like to expand upon. Basically, there’s a tendency among both game designers and game players to marginalize, sexualize or downright denigrate the role of women both in the games and playing games. It’s a stupid, misogynistic and shockingly accepted behavior, and I really wish… Continue reading Girls in Gaming
Game Review: Half-Life 2
In light of the recent March Mayhem throwdown over at the Escapist, I thought it’d be an interesting idea to pick up the Orange Box and see how well the various games within have aged. Since Valve wouldn’t exist without the ground-breaking awesomeness of Half-Life, the place to begin seemed obvious: Half-Life 2. Gordon Freeman,… Continue reading Game Review: Half-Life 2
