Feature: A Newcomer’s Guide to Rapture
By · CommentsThe release of 2K Games’ surreal yet eerily grounded shooter BioShock 2 has set the hearts of impassioned gamers aflame. In an age where sequels rule the roost and new IPs are as rare as Arcadian wine, so much faith is placed upon the shoulders of games to which the torch has been passed. Will BioShock 2 recapture the same kind of trepidation and otherworldly wonder that washed over gamers within seconds of meeting a Big Daddy? And what of the harrowing climax, where we learned that a simple five-iron could be the key to unlocking Rapture-sized secrets? These are all questions that can only be answered with the completion of the game.
For those of you who have yet to live through the madness of Andrew Ryan’s utopia, there’s the following guide designed to get you up to speed. Straight from the city’s defunct welcoming committee themselves, I give to you A Newcomer’s Guide to Rapture.
Ten Video Game Vixens – Now With More Brains!
By · CommentsIt’s common knowledge. There is a veritable treasure trove of babes in the video game universe. As fellow women debate how acceptable their levels of sexiness might be and the general populace may decry their existence as a whole, you’ve got to hand it to their creators — they knew how to hook us in. While they’re obviously only a collection of polygons, colors, and pixels, there’s nothing stopping them from parading into our hearts with their saucy attitudes and irresistible charms. With that, here is my spin on the ever-popular sexiest female game character top ten list – in no particular order.
Review: BioShock 2
By · CommentsThe word “rapture” has several connotations. Its most popular usage is to describe those who are wrapped up in a state of bliss or overwhelming ecstasy. To devout Christians, it’s the second coming of Christ. To the thriving community of gamers who eagerly devoured the critically acclaimed (and smash commercial hit) BioShock, the word’s meaning is absolutely concrete. “Rapture” is synonymous with the bizarre yet profound adventure that continues to push the bounds of what gaming can accomplish; Andrew Ryan’s obliterated utopia — the fully realized dream of one man who believed in the power of the power of the self. Rapture. The name sends chills down one’s spine.
Two Brains Review: Bayonetta
By · CommentsPreviously posted at Spawn Kill: Everyone knows the old saying – “Two heads are better than one.” For the most part, it’s true. Get more people thinking about something, and everyone benefits – you get more and different opinions that might help you shape the way you think about… well, anything. It’s with this mindset that we go into our Two Brains review, where Molotov Cupcake and The Herp have had a meeting of the minds to discuss Bayonetta for the both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Review: Serious Sam: The Next Encounter HD
By · CommentsSerious Sam: The First Encounter first strode onto the scene in 2001 and laughed in the face of the progressive thematic elements that its brethren were exploring at the time. While retro shooters such as Doom and Duke Nukem paved the way forward and other first-person shooters were busy tackling more mature themes, this adrenaline-laden thrill ride threw caution to the wind and in the process trash-talked its way into the hearts of gamers everywhere. In a somewhat ironic twist, Sam did things a lot less seriously than the competition.
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Interview: Jonathan Knight
By · CommentsSpawn Kill and several other gaming outlets were graciously invited onto a conference call with Dante’s Inferno executive producer, Jonathan Knight. During said call, Knight divulged some particularly interesting information regarding the upcoming hack-’n-slash extravaganza, including details involving an animated feature film, why the decision was made to adapt The Divine Comedy into a video game.
And in a particularly interesting turn of events, Knight was kind enough to divulge his thoughts on the criticism surrounding the video game adaptation, admitting that the game is a “bastardization” of the original poem, but its merits far outweigh the criticism levied against it. You can check out Knights’ insightful answers to the questions I was lucky enough to ask below to prep yourself for the February 9th release.
Editorial: A Menagerie of Multiplayer Modes
By · CommentsMy game is best played in a pitch black room with the soft glow of my television piercing the darkness. The battle cries of obnoxious ten-year-olds do not tear through my eardrums. I do not waste time with team members who have no desire to play correctly or fairly. Silence and solitude are freedom; gateways to platinum trophies, 100% completion, and a committed relationship with the game in the disc tray. So why am I forced to venture into the sordid world of multiplayer whenever a new release beckons to me from the wild of the retail storefront?
Preview: Battlefield Heroes
By · CommentsWith all of the fervently-paced, action-packed FPSs available for various types of gamers, when a brand new one is released it really needs to stand out above the rest. Something needs to give it that extra oomph so that it will move units, draw more players in, and rise above the rest of what’s out there.
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Review: Gears of War 2
By · CommentsGears of War – one of the most popular franchises currently going on the Xbox 360. When a sequel was announced, we just knew that the second time would be a charm. And it had to be, because though the original Gears was an excellent third-person shooter, it still had its issues, namely in multiplayer. It was promised that everything we hated would turn into a magical ride on the COLE TRAIN, BABY! Alas, the same problems that plagued the original Gears are still alive in its sequel. Though it’s more of the same, it’s…more of the same. However, don’t fret. That’s definitely not a bad thing, as the original Gears remains one of the best (and one of my favorite) shooters on the 360 to date. Gears of War 2 follows suit, but those changes we were promised? They’re as visible as Fenix’s neck. However, what remains is still a visceral, raw, and chainsawin’ good time. The noticeable updates make your trek all the bloodier, and what’s presented is quite the adventure.
Review: Tank Universal
By · CommentsIt’s been a pretty long time since a game has sucked me in for hours, to the point that I forget that I might need to be cooking food to eat, or getting the laundry out of the washer…or even the fact that I should be doing something more productive. Tank Universal, a fantastic retro throwback very much reminiscent of Tron, is that very game. Since I got the opportunity to check it out, I’ve logged quite the amount of hours basking in the glow of my little laptop that could.
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