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
Category: Gaming
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
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
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
Maschine Zeit Update
There’s quite a bit going on over at Machine Age Productions you might want to know about. They have a shiny new website and, if you like unique and fun tabletop games with original concepts, you can get in on the ground floor of Maschine Zeit. They’ve begun a kickstarter, a cool little way to… Continue reading Maschine Zeit Update
Concerning Dr. Freeman
March Mayhem over at the Escapist is in its final round. For most of the competition I’ve been rooting for BioWare. However, last round Valve was up against Zynga, and after a tense period of back and forth, Valve emerged the victor. Now, it’s up against BioWare. It’s a very close competition, and since I’ve… Continue reading Concerning Dr. Freeman
Electronic Memory Space-Lane
Here’s a little tidbit for you young’uns who might be tuning into this little blog o’ mine. Did you know that there were online games before the Internet existed? When I was a lad (old man joke, oh crumbs there goes the hip, we’re walking, we’re walking) there were these little dial-up places called Bulletin… Continue reading Electronic Memory Space-Lane
