June 2012
3 posts
11 tags
Episode 5
Pause Break returns with a vengeance! Well, maybe not a vengeance. More like slight disgruntlement. In this episode, we discuss all sorts of vidjagames! Like Gears of War, Fez, Team Fortress 2, Minecraft and the obligatory mention of Mass Effect. We also talk about the E3 press conferences and how everyone except Ubisoft pretty much dropped the ball.
Bear in mind, we drop a couple of...
8 tags
Fez Review
I could simply point out that any game named after my favourite headwear gets my seal of approval and then clock out. But Fez deserves more than that. What we have here is one of the most unique and enchanting puzzle-platformers in recent memory. Not to mention one of the most challenging. No matter what you might think of the creator, what he has created is, for the most part, a marvellous...
5 tags
Just Thought I'd Drop By...
…and leave this here.
You’re welcome.
May 2012
2 posts
7 tags
People Still Like Minecraft
Who knew?
So, within hours of the release of Minecraft on Xbox Live Arcade, it was not only profitable but broke all previous sales records for the platform, with over 400,000 downloads in the first day. And that’s despite being - if I’m not mistaken - the priciest XBLA game to date at 1600 MS Points. Which I guess proves Activision’s point in overcharging for Call of...
13 tags
A Week With... League of Legends - Day 7
I’d like to begin this instalment with a short visual presentation:
Moving on…
[[MORE]]If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a ‘week’, today marks the last day of my initial run with League of Legends. How did I spend it? Improving.
Kayle has pretty much become my go-to gal, as I continue to excel in PvP matches. Of the two I played tonight, the first was...
April 2012
7 posts
13 tags
A Week With... League of Legends - Day 6
Goddamnit.
I think I might be getting really invested in this.
Strangely, I came to this revelation about League of Legends in the wake of a defeat. It wasn’t a blowout but it wasn’t a close call either. Respectable stats on both sides, the other team’s were just slightly better. All that mattered to me were the three numbers next to my name on the overview screen.
8. 6. 1.
...
14 tags
A Week With... League of Legends - Day 5
Since yesterday saw an unscheduled intermission (I was tired), I made up for it tonight by playing two matches. Although my session threatened to finish before it had even started. While waiting to begin a co-op vs. AI match, and waiting several years for one player to connect, my ping suddenly sky-rocketed and I found myself back at my desktop. After trying several times just to get back into the...
14 tags
A Week With... League of Legends - Day 4
Ready to put last night’s unpleasant events behind me, tonight’s session of League of Legends begins with a rendezvous on Skype. My lackey tonight is Craig, a relative newcomer to LoL himself but with weeks more experience than me. So, I guess that makes me the lackey. Disgruntled face.
Together, we leap into a co-op versus AI match on Summoner’s Rift, the same map I’ve...
10 tags
A Week With... League of Legends - Day 3
Control is a really understated feature in games, I feel. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s the most important feature. It’s the conduit between the player and the plaything, yet in most people’s eyes it takes a back seat to the fidelity of the graphics or the breadth of the game’s content. If I don’t feel like I’m in complete control of what...
12 tags
A Week With... League of Legends - Day 2
Last time, we outlined LoL’s premise, rules and basic gameplay. Now let’s talk about progression. What fills the RPG quota of this RTS-RPG?
After logging in, I swing past my summoner profile; since I’ve yet to participate in any real matches, I have no statistics to speak of. It is here that I start to piece together the game’s monetary system. Outside of battle, LoL has...
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A Week With... League of Legends - Day 1
After a relatively harmless download and install, plus a couple of patches, I’m ready to throw myself into the unknown. I pray for a safe return. Got my safety rope and flare gun handy, just in case.
After a simple login, I’m asked what kind of players I’d like to be matched up against, with four difficulty levels to choose from - Beginner, RTS Player, Veteran and Expert....
9 tags
A Week With... League of Legends - Prologue
Since I started writing about games, I’ve held the belief that scepticism does not give way to slander. There’s nothing wrong in looking at a game, film or TV show that many regard in awe and saying “it’s not for me”, but broadcasting any unjustified and defaming conclusions you’ve drawn on it is something I personally take offense to (looking at you, fanboys)....
March 2012
1 post
12 tags
Episode 4
In this very special episode of what remains our most regular feature, we are joined by RGU Gaming Society alumni Stuart and Ceri to discuss pants. Mostly. SSX and Pokémon Black & White 2 are briefly mentioned, as well as Mass Effect (yet again) and the controversy between EA and GAME.
But mostly pants.
Also, I’ma put a link to where you can download Ceri’s book,...
February 2012
2 posts
16 tags
For those who are still playing catch-up, this is…
In the transition from the era of the PlayStation 2 to that of the Xbox 360 (and their respective counterparts), the message was clear: online was the future. A prediction that I think you’ll all agree turned out to be correct, for better or worse. There were some things that made the generational leap a bit more attractive, though....
11 tags
Episode 3 We’re back with another hour-long spiel of our latest gaming anecdotes. We ran into some technical difficulties this month but being the resilient forces that we are, we found a way to turn it to our advantage. Tune in and see what we mean.
And if your internet browser can’t contain our dulcet tones, Pause Break is now also available directly from the iTunes Store! Now...
January 2012
6 posts
8 tags
Players #10: Better Left Unfez'd 4
Players finally finishes what it started. Click the above image for a prize.
(Prizes consist of: A brand new Players comic.)
6 tags
Starhawk Beta Impressions
Allow me to briefly describe the premise of Starhawk’s multiplayer component. You and up to 15 team-mates fight to capture flags, control territories and basically murder anyone who looks at you funny. Original concept, right?
What if I told you that you could also pilot vehicles such as a 4x4 with a mounted turret? No? How about jetpacks? What do you mean, it’s been done before?...
6 tags
This is a Public Service Announcement
If you have not already, I strongly advise you do the following: Buy a PlayStation Plus subscription.
Download the Starhawk public beta.
Install the Starhawk public beta.
Play the Starhawk public beta.
Experience ecstasy. Thank you for listening.
An Update
If you’re still keeping up to date with this blog then you may be wondering whether we’re still going or not. The short answer is yes.
The long answer is going to take a while, so you might want to get comfortable for this one…
Poor circumstance and other priorities are the reasons I’ve been inactive as of late (I cannot speak for Jack, but I presume he is in a similar...
7 tags
Batman is the 100%
I can’t remember the last time I completed 100% of a game. And I don’t know what it was about Batman: Arkham Asylum that had me ploughing through everything the game had to offer. But I did it.
Beat the story on Hard? Check. Find all 240 riddles? Check. Beat all the predator challenges? Check. Beat all the combat challenges? Check. Just.
I personally class a game as...
5 tags
Episode 2
Jack and Nic talk about their absence, Skyrim and Jetpack Joyride.
Reminder: If you follow this link you will be taken to an RSS feed of the podcast, and a wealth of options to subscribe (the easiest being the “Add to iTunes” link). Due to our complete lack of knowledge of what we’re doing, episode descriptions are gibberish, so feel free to change it to the above...
December 2011
5 posts
8 tags
The Year in Review - 2011 (Part III)
Of the three titles I most eagerly awaited this year, one was pushed back into 2012 and one didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The third one, on the other hand, spent my first few hours of play ticking all the right boxes.
Despite being the game on this list that I spent the least amount of time with, it didn’t take long for Deus Ex: Human Revolution to make a huge impression....
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The Year in Review - 2011 (Part II)
Staying on the PS3, one game I was particularly looking forward to after sampling it at PlayStation Access was MotorStorm: Apocalypse. As I spent more time with it, however, my anticipation gradually turned to dejection, as it became evident that most of the changes made for this instalment were not for the better.
It would appear that the quality of MotorStorm’s online and offline...
5 tags
For when we can’t keep up with the latest releases, this is…
I am a sucker for science fiction, particularly space and futuristic technology. There’s a good reason that Sunshine is one of my favourite movies of all time, that Star Wars: The Old Republic always seemed more appealing than World of Warcraft, that I’ve always preferred Warhammer 40,000 to it’s...
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The Year in Review - 2011 (Part I)
I’ve heard a couple of different people claim that 2011 was the year that video games ‘finally’ overtook movies in terms of quality. While I haven’t seen enough movies this year - or even played enough games - to agree with that statement, there is no arguing that we’ve been treated to some absolute quality titles these past twelve months, across all the current...
2 tags
What’s this?! New content?!
…well, not exactly. During the summer, Jack and I experimented with the idea of a podcast, wherein we chat about gaming and the blog and such. It worked better than expected, and we successfully recorded a full pilot episode. However we were unable to find hosting for it, and did not post it.
Until now! After an obscure chain of events we managed to get...
November 2011
2 posts
8 tags
Players #8
What?! Players?! Where?! Click the image below to find the answer to all of these questions.
This episode features snacks, stalking and Marty looking his best.
8 tags
Players #7
Players continues to disappoint, click the image below and prepare to lower your expectations.
Marty’s five minutes of fame continues…
October 2011
6 posts
7 tags
Players #6
Players is better late than never! Click the image below to see why.
This week, Players introduces a new face and a multi-part story arc.
10 tags
Passing Out
So. Batman: Arkham City comes out next week. The general consensus is that it’s quite good. Great, even. Not gonna lie, I’m rather excited to play it.
But there’s something the publishers have included in their new title that they’ve kept mum up until this point. Something we probably should have seen coming.
Batman: Arkham City contains an online pass. Or, as...
8 tags
Just Passing By
I have a software engineering assignment due tomorrow that I need to finish, but as soon as that is out the way, I want to come back and talk about this.
It’s up in the air how beneficial online passes are proving, but one thing’s for sure: this is not the way to be going about it.
7 tags
The Way Chu Make Me Feel
Why did no-one tell me that this existed?
So…Michael Jackson starred as himself in a rhythm action game about a news reporter in space who saves the world both with laser guns and through the medium of dance?
Sometimes, there are no words.
Apparently, this game was recently ported to PSN and XBLA. Uni work is piling up once again, so game time is currently limited. But rest assured, I...
7 tags
Players #5
Players, all up in yo’ grill! Click the image below to defend yourself.
This week, Jack faces what we all dread the most: a motherly pep talk.
10 tags
Karma's a b*tch
What do the following titles have in common?
Red Dead Redemption
Mass Effect
Fallout 3
inFamous
That’s right - a morality system.
Moral choices have become rather popular in the games industry lately. Many popular titles will vary depending on the choices you make in-game. Unfortunately, they’re not being used to their full potential. Essentially, these systems are an easy way...
September 2011
8 posts
5 tags
Players #4.5
Players fails to deliver.
It’s been a busy couple of weeks, things will return to normal next Friday.
Hopefully.
6 tags
One Four All
So far, all my Nintendo DSi has known is Pokémon White. So lately I’ve been wondering which game to get for it next. New Super Mario Bros, perhaps? It seems odd to own a Nintendo system and not have a Mario game for it. Perhaps something a bit more unique like Scribblenauts or The World Ends With You?
Today, I discovered something that I didn’t expect; a free title on DSiWare (the DS...
7 tags
Players #4
Players is a part of this balanced breakfast. Be sure to enjoy this week’s edition with a small glass of orange juice and a side of hash browns. Click the image below to digest efficiently.
This week, it’s a Minecraft mishap.
7 tags
Not Cool
So…I just witnessed the single, biggest dick move I have ever encountered in a video game.
The game: MotorStorm Apocalypse.
The scenario: Veteran campaign race, 1st place.
The location: the track ‘Coach Party’.
The vehicle: monster truck.
Now skip to 2:36 in the video below.
This guy was lucky. He crashed just before the finish line, giving that incoming plane time to...
8 tags
Players #3
Players just keeps on rolling. Click the preview image below to be transported to a realm of hilarity and unidentifiable odours…
This week, we revisit a classic playground pastime: Pokémon cards.
8 tags
Players #2
We remembered to make a second comic! Hot beverages all around! I want marshmallows in mine, just FYI.
Click the preview image below to enjoy its salty sweet goodness!
This week, we ponder the upcoming Street Fighter/Tekken crossover.
8 tags
Players #1
So here it is, Players #1. To view the comic, simply click the preview image below. At the moment I’m still trying to get my art style down, so things may be a little inconsistent for the time being.
We decided to host the comic on a separate blog, so people who just want to see the comic don’t have to wade through the content here to find them. Every time we post a new comic, we’ll...
4 tags
100
Does this count as a birthday? If it does, I want cake. And if it doesn’t, I want cake anyway. I’m a student, I need all the sustenance I can get.
One hundred posts later, here we are. Our original goal of world domination may have fallen by the wayside (primarily due to a lack of resources) but we’re still committed to voicing our opinions on our favourite past-time, whether...
August 2011
7 posts
3 tags
What Sort of Time Do You Call This?
Last time I checked, pre-orders were supposed to be delivered on launch day…*taps watch*.
Call me optimistic, but I have a feeling it might be worth the wait.
Review ASAP!
7 tags
Game "Addiction"
Extra Credits finally tackled the huge issue of Game Addiction Compulsion, and despite clocking in at around 30 minutes it’s undeniably worth watching. Not only is it incredibly informative but it hits the nail right on the head and at times it hit quite close to home. Do yourself a favour and watch it. Seriously.
5 tags
Pokémon TCG Online Preview
Here’s a question for everyone who was old enough to actively partake in the Pokémon craze: did you ever actually use the trading cards as they were intended? Or did you just collect them?
Myself, I was in the latter category. Back in the days when I didn’t know what OCD stood for, collecting the cards was my way of catching ‘em all without the aid of a Game Boy. Looking back on...
5 tags
The Word of Notch: Hey, Bethesda! Let's settle... →
notch:
I am back, and I am excited.
Marriage has been wonderful so far, and nobody sabotaged my computer while I was gone.
The only negative thing going on at this moment is the Scrolls trademark lawsuit nonsense, and I think I came up with the perfect solution:
Remember that scene in Game of Thrones…
This is officially the best way to settle an argument that anyone in the history of...
4 tags
Got Enough, Will Now Stop
Proudest. Trophy. Ever.
7 tags
A Word to the Wise
If you’re like me, and you don’t get along with Mother Nature, you might like to exercise indoors.
If you’re like me, and you don’t have the time or money to afford a gym membership, you might choose to exercise in your own home.
If you’re like me, and you enjoy video games, you might choose to regularly play a motion-based dancing game as part of your exercise...
3 tags
Magicka Review
A buggy launch can cripple a fledgling title, and the launch version of Magicka saw more than its fair share of bugs (it was released earlier than the developers realised, while they were still working on the day one patch). It was almost unplayable, with glitches plaguing the single player campaign and poor networking crippling the multiplayer. However, this quirky magic-‘em-up defied the...
July 2011
7 posts
manually-breathing asked: Sazh is going to be the only character you don't want to strangle by the end of FF13. That game is *terrible*.
