King Kong Sings Songs, Jack Black Acts
This weekend I saw Peter Jackson’s Epic, err, his STAND-ALONE epic, King Kong. If you’ve seen the original, or even The Simpsons parody, you’re not really going to be surprised by any part of the story (and so I’m going to go ahead and say there be spoilers ahead) but it’s well worth watching nonetheless.
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Chronicles of Narnia
It is an unfortunate circumstance that the new movie ‘ The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe’ was immediately taken in by many people as very much the same type of movie as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This comparison went perhaps as deep for most people as the fact that it was released in mid December and that the same special effects company worked on it. (That being WETA) The fact is, there are many similarities and comparisons to be made between the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings, but the movies themselves are two beasts of a different color. (how’s THAT for a tie-in to X-Men 3? Huh? No dice? Hello?) [Read the rest of this article]
Game Review: Zendo
As was mentioned previously, I know quite a few game designers that seek to enrich and over-analyze the gaming lives of those around them. One of these game designers has managed to create and successfully market one of the best games I’ve ever played, that game is Zendo. [Read the rest of this article]
A Trio of Game Mini-Reviews: Arkham Horror, Mall of Horror, Wits & Wagers
Over the weekend, I got a chance to play a couple games: Arkham Horror, Mall of Horror, and Wits & Wagers. Here’s my thoughts on them.
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Somewhere, Over the Rainbow
In a day that will live in infamy, Idoicy has struck a terrific blow of ignorance to Reason and Intellect. The Kansas State Board of Education voted 6-4 to allow science students in public schools to hear materials critical of evolution in biology classes.
That’s bad enough. Hemmoraging these poor kids’ futures for some dumbass doctrinal viewpoint is one thing. No one in their right mind is going to be putting a technologically advanced business in Kansas now, they’re laughingstocks the world over (as they SHOULD be!), and the state is likely to enter a spiraling economic decay in the future.
But there is one point of their decision which is simply jaw-droppingly horrifying. No, that’s not it… it’s more than jaw-dropping. It’s… Lovecraftian in stupidity. It’s so stupid as to be mind-shatteringly moronic; no one sane could peer into the face of this incalcuable abyssal horror of stupidity and remain unchanged. It’s so idiotic as to be completely alien to any reasonable, sensible mind and no such mind could possibly look upon the visage without going insane, at least temporarily.
Twilight Imperium: From a Winner's Perspective!
I am sure that those of you who are reading this have more than likely read the reviews submitted by Dennis and Dave. If you have not, then you should before diving yourself any further into this materpiece! They both provide good insights and thoughts into the game mechanics and rules system. [Read the rest of this article]
Twilight Imperium Review: Smaller, Less Detailed, and More Postive
I bought Twilight Imperium based on my love of big epic games, such as Game of Thrones (also from Fantasy Flight) and a desire to buy a game as a form of escapism from my mind-numbing, short-lived experience in sales hell. I’ve since played it twice, and enjoyed both experiences, but there is something about that doesn’t quite sit right. I enjoy the multiplayer madness, the back-stabbing, the carefully planned attacks, and even a healthy duration to such a game. So, how do I reconcile my enjoyment and the uneasiness my enjoyment and sour feelings? [Read the rest of this article]
The Twilight of the Imperium 3rd Edition: Dave's Derisive Take
Twilight Imperium 3rd edition was released this year, updating a Fantasy Flight Games classic to adapt some more modern ideas in board gaming. I own the second edition, and played it twice, but it hasn’t really left the shelf in many years, due to time and complexity involved. I have now played the 3rd edition twice (16+ hours of gameplay) and have to say that if I had bought it, it would probably remain on my shelf or be headed for Ebay. (Warning: the following review has a number of crudely shot cameraphone pics of the game being played) [Read the rest of this article]
Casshern
I have just seen one of the most astounding things. Based on an old anime series, Casshern is a lengthy epic with all the trappings of classic anime stylings captured in a steampunk reality. [Read the rest of this article]
Shadow of the Colossus
Last week I ran out to Best Buy and picked up Shadow of the Colossus for the PS2. Many of you have already heard my rantings about this game, but it is from the developers of one of my favorite PS2 games from long ago called Ico. Both of these games are made with absolutely stunning visuals, in and out of gameplay. Shadow is a wonderful game, while I have no had the time to play it even half of the way through, it has already proven to be an impressive puzzle/platformer/adventure game. The only downsides are the camera control can get a little fuzzy, and the supposed play time is very short, 10-12 hours of game time. Nonetheless I would highly recommend that everyone play this game, if not entirely to see the absolutely beautiful artistry put into it.
Grade: A
-Danny
