Gaming Reverie

In my last post, I wrote about taking risks for the education you need. Then, when I started thinking about my relationship with video games, and their potential educational merit, one thing was clear: rarely does one take risks for the sake of video game “education.” » Read the rest of this entry «

I just wrote a review for Adventure Gamers.

(With beer, I should add. And to the sounds of Jacques Brel.)

Not to sound full of Myself, My Art, or My Work,

but I am a God in my field.

What do I do? I observe things with calm fascination. I am a Critic, yes, but… I am also a Child. “How do you do it?” you patiently ask. I don’t even know. It’s like air. It just exists. The wonder of My fascinating critique just exists.

I’d like to explain some beauty to you, and then I’d like you to listen to that voice in your loins, stop being a coward, and pull forth (via vigorous clicking) the most articulate, true, and erotic Art on the internet.

First.

I am going to present to you the best song in existence. Pretentious right? Har har… NO! It is not, you philistine. It is but true. The best song in the world is “Always” by the brilliant, brilliant band Erasure. Familiar with them? No? Well, think Proust. Think Einstein. A song is as divine as God’s nectar. Where other music strikes nerves, Erasure is here to massage them. And to think — oh! — to think that this song has inspired and graced us with two succulent, golden gifts.

Click well, children:

The Best Music Video of All Time

“Always” by Erasure

A beautiful man. A Goddess. Rapture ensues. Can love bloom in the snow?

The Best Video Game of All Time

Robot Unicorn Attack

A Delightful yet powerful unicorn. Redefining reality, subverting evil.

It all starts when you’re lying in bed, waiting for a bus, or counting the freckles in an office-room ceiling tile: you begin to think about the abstract. What does 4D look like? You wonder, as your mind turns into mush. Speaking of the word ‘mush’ (you then ponder), why does it sound and feel funny when I keep saying it?

And then the headache. » Read the rest of this entry «

Well, E3 has finally assed out, and is now over for a year.

This is good.

But hey — I used to love me some E3. Y’know, back in the days of The Wizard.

And I know some people that currently like E3. And it is, by all accounts, the most likely place for new games to be announced. And that’s exciting and stuff. But honestly, who would actually want to be there? Who would want to experience the corporate nerd-filth? Kids, I guess. Or maybe adults with a predilection for loud, obnoxious gaming. Or maybe you. And that’s fine… I just don’t get it. » Read the rest of this entry «

Gaming is a philosophical quest.

This is the message I gleaned after listening to the latest episode in Robert Ashley’s impressive podcast series titled “A Life Well Wasted”. I normally podcast-it on a commute, but the message within the podcast was so rich and fascinating that I listened in an unprecedented way: indoors, at home, and with a cup of tea. And afterwords, I couldn’t help but feel good about my gaming habit, and the weird little quest that it continually takes me on.

The episode (simply entitled “Why Game?”) begins with Ashley asking people attending the Game Developers Conference why they game. It’s quite a simple and meaningful question, really. But… wait. Why do people game?

» Read the rest of this entry «

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing one of the best adventure games in a good, long while. And if you haven’t noticed, the genre is shit, these days. You can see the fumes rising up from its dead, hot waste.

The Gobliiins series attributes dream-logic to its puzzling.

But there is hope, dear friends! For any of you that enjoy casually sniffing about environments, clicking here or there, trying to solve puzzles, and then panicking and ripping your hair out in frustration, then there are developers in France that care about making quality games for you.

The game is Gobliiins 4, and it’s quite brilliant. Really the only problem with the thing is that the 3D graphics are mediocre at times. Pierre Gilhodes, a series creator, makes seriously beautiful handdrawn comic-style artwork, and it’s hard to see his vision translated to poor 3D rather than rich, detailed spritework. But it’s OK! I still love the game.

Oh, and do read my review.

Hey-ya, hey.

Oh look — fresh retro news.

You see, there’s a new Retronauts podcast. Yeah, that’s right, Retronauts. If you haven’t heard, it’s one of many retro gaming podcasts, and one of the best. Or more succinctly, it satisfies a certain niche: gaming history. Old-timey gaming podcasts are a motley bunch — while some are focused on gaming history (Retronauts), others (the wonderful Retro Force Go!) are more about those beautiful, passionate moments that got many so hooked on the genre. Aside from respective niches, though, you’ll find a healthy dose of history in both of these gems, and plenty of raw emotion and laughter as well. » Read the rest of this entry «

Hey, internet!

So, it’s been, erm, months, but I’m back! Again.

I’ve finally made up my mind on a look for the site — some kind of cross between the cleanliness of McSweeneys and a touch of art nouveau. A banner may soon be on the way, as soon as my occasionally perfectionist self gets lazy again and gives up (love it when that happens).

As for me? Drinking copious amounts of chinese medicinal tea, trying to figure out why I can’t breath at night. There has to be a better way!

Generally, Let’s Plays are a horrible, horrible thing. Not only because they’re generally written/orated without humor or wit, no no, it’s mostly because you’re watching someone play a video game. At length! And while some gems are surely to be found in the archive (for those with patience), I suggest you don’t look there at all and just watch the following instead. It’s pure awesome, and highly quotable:

Bito… bito pizza…

• Kotaku