Every so often, GameVideos puts out a segment called Broken Pixels. Running at around 10 minutes, the show depicts three of Electronic Gaming Monthly's Editors playing awful games. From Red Steel to Bible Adventures the crew takes on gaming at its worst. Definitely a must watch, truly hilarious.
To watch other episodes visit GameVideos.com and search "Broken Pixels".
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Time Wasters: Ragdoll Invader
As much as multi-million dollar blockbusters entice us with their dynamic lighting effects and realistic water. The most addicting of games can usually be found for free around the interweb. My most recent drug habit has been a fine cut crack, street named "crazy hands", formally known as Ragdoll Invader.
Like most online addictions (*cough* World Of Warcraft *cough*) Ragdoll Invader is simple design. You take on the persona of a stick figure with uncontrollable hands...that happen to shoot bullets. While there is absolutely no premise besides saving the world (duh), this bizarre shooter will have you coming back again and again and again...and again and again. So clear schedule and get ready to flail for hours.
To play Ragdoll Invader, click here
Like most online addictions (*cough* World Of Warcraft *cough*) Ragdoll Invader is simple design. You take on the persona of a stick figure with uncontrollable hands...that happen to shoot bullets. While there is absolutely no premise besides saving the world (duh), this bizarre shooter will have you coming back again and again and again...and again and again. So clear schedule and get ready to flail for hours.
To play Ragdoll Invader, click here
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Multiple Multiplayers
With every coming day, more and more games offer online functionality. Whether it be Downloadable Content (DLC), or a full fledged versus or co-op mode, most successful games in the current generation have taken advantage of the more polished online experience offered by Microsoft and Sony (Nintendo: Someday bucko, someday). Using the technology to prolong the enjoyment and "new car smell" feeling of the game and in most cases prompt added replayability.
All of the above coupled with Holiday Blockbuster hits spells late nights and marathon (not the silly exercising kind) weekends for gamers. With only a meager 24 hours in the day and a pile of games to choose from, it is no surprise that people can't find time to play all the new multiplayer releases.
Personally, it's been a tight race between Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Guitar Hero 3: Legends Of Rock, and Halo 3. This doesn't even account for the slowly growing stack of unfinished single-player games (So I might still be on the Forest Temple in Zelda). And while all my time isn't allocated completely to the online play in my current trio, each gives a great sense of accomplishment and reward for putting consistent time into them. The more I improve the more each game tugs on my shirt for attention.
As an avid Guitar Hero 2 player, some loyalty lies with the original series that let us rock out. Fans of the series though, can attest to the "brick wall" feeling when playing GH3, which occurs when progression is stunted due to a solo you just can't crack. And after breezing through hard and haphazardly clunking through expert, I've hit my personal brick wall.
When the throbbing pain from repeatedly attempting a five-star on "Knights of Cydonia" wears off, my most recent purchase, COD4, and a real controller, replaces my Les Paul. Call of Duty, a series I missed out on, has exceeded my expectations in every way possible, from the crisp graphics, to the real time scripted events, the most recent installment of the former WWII powerhouse has shown up dressed to the nines. More important though, is the intuitive and addictive nature of the ranking and leveling system. Those accustomed to Halo's rankings should be ready for a great change of pace, as Modern Warfare allows you to specialize in weapon types and play-style, giving EXP rewards for different in game accomplishments, not unlike the ever addicting achievement system set up by Microsoft.
But who forget the game everyone loves to...well, love. Weighing in at over 6 million copies sold, Halo 3. Yep, Bungie has yet again found a way to ruin the grades and social lives of millions. Many speculated that Halo would be over-hyped, even after an impressive beta showing. Thankfully, they delivered, as long running fans of the series were given one of the most complete online experiences to date. Fast yet meticulous matchmaking, multiple playlists, balanced weapon sets and new unlockable armor. The experience is enhanced by the map customization that forge enables (a mini map editor) and the great party system and while personally making the long climb from 45 to 50 in team doubles, the great competition and large players allows for endless progression.
So what do you do with all these games, considering how plausible it is for the average gamer to own all three? How do the hardcores find any spare time with titles like Mass Effect, The Orange Box and Super Mario Galaxy all on store shelves? As someone who lives for a good match of online play all you can really do is take a step back and remember why you play games, which is to have a good time. Online capabilities may feed your instincts to improve, but a good game will allow you to have a great time, regardless of your skill.
All of the above coupled with Holiday Blockbuster hits spells late nights and marathon (not the silly exercising kind) weekends for gamers. With only a meager 24 hours in the day and a pile of games to choose from, it is no surprise that people can't find time to play all the new multiplayer releases.
Personally, it's been a tight race between Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Guitar Hero 3: Legends Of Rock, and Halo 3. This doesn't even account for the slowly growing stack of unfinished single-player games (So I might still be on the Forest Temple in Zelda). And while all my time isn't allocated completely to the online play in my current trio, each gives a great sense of accomplishment and reward for putting consistent time into them. The more I improve the more each game tugs on my shirt for attention.
As an avid Guitar Hero 2 player, some loyalty lies with the original series that let us rock out. Fans of the series though, can attest to the "brick wall" feeling when playing GH3, which occurs when progression is stunted due to a solo you just can't crack. And after breezing through hard and haphazardly clunking through expert, I've hit my personal brick wall.
When the throbbing pain from repeatedly attempting a five-star on "Knights of Cydonia" wears off, my most recent purchase, COD4, and a real controller, replaces my Les Paul. Call of Duty, a series I missed out on, has exceeded my expectations in every way possible, from the crisp graphics, to the real time scripted events, the most recent installment of the former WWII powerhouse has shown up dressed to the nines. More important though, is the intuitive and addictive nature of the ranking and leveling system. Those accustomed to Halo's rankings should be ready for a great change of pace, as Modern Warfare allows you to specialize in weapon types and play-style, giving EXP rewards for different in game accomplishments, not unlike the ever addicting achievement system set up by Microsoft.
But who forget the game everyone loves to...well, love. Weighing in at over 6 million copies sold, Halo 3. Yep, Bungie has yet again found a way to ruin the grades and social lives of millions. Many speculated that Halo would be over-hyped, even after an impressive beta showing. Thankfully, they delivered, as long running fans of the series were given one of the most complete online experiences to date. Fast yet meticulous matchmaking, multiple playlists, balanced weapon sets and new unlockable armor. The experience is enhanced by the map customization that forge enables (a mini map editor) and the great party system and while personally making the long climb from 45 to 50 in team doubles, the great competition and large players allows for endless progression.
So what do you do with all these games, considering how plausible it is for the average gamer to own all three? How do the hardcores find any spare time with titles like Mass Effect, The Orange Box and Super Mario Galaxy all on store shelves? As someone who lives for a good match of online play all you can really do is take a step back and remember why you play games, which is to have a good time. Online capabilities may feed your instincts to improve, but a good game will allow you to have a great time, regardless of your skill.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
My First Dollar
As much as I am tempted to jump right into the deep end I feel as if a debut post is necessary. Here I am internet, my self awarded first dollar has now been framed.....*exhale*
Well, I'm glad the stigma of the first post is gone, it really wasn't as awkward as I had imagined. Although extremely uninformative and perhaps even boring, I'm confident that the future holds a lot of great things for this site, namely being awesome. Let's Go!
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