Posts Tagged video games

The City That Never Sleeps: GTA Grows Up with ‘The Lost and Damned’

By brian longtin • Apr 3rd, 2009 • Category: playing

What makes this downloadable ‘Grand Theft Auto’ a big step forward for the series, and what they can learn from an unlikely source: ‘The Simpsons’.



Eggers on Screens, Game Creators on Their Bests, Batman on Consoles

By brian longtin • Mar 30th, 2009 • Category: side notes

Beloved author Dave Eggers tries his hand at two screenplays, the Game Developers’ Choice Awards highlight creators’ favorites, and possibly the first truly great Batman game in ‘Arkham Asylum’.



Tender Age In Bloom: ‘Flower’ Takes Games To New Places

By brian longtin • Feb 27th, 2009 • Category: playing

Flower achieves more than just thumbs up for ‘different’ and ‘beautiful’. It builds on fundamental ideas that bring a refreshing perspective to game design.



You Can’t Love What You Don’t See: The Missing Pieces of ‘Fallout 3′

By brian longtin • Jan 26th, 2009 • Category: playing

On paper there’s a good case for calling it the best game of 2008. But for all the impressive things built into ‘Fallout 3′, what’s left out prevents it from being as satisfying as its potential.



Our Favorite Shit: 2008

By brian longtin • Jan 6th, 2009 • Category: side notes

Our panel of two sat down for an epic virtual discussion of our absolute favorite things of the year, in every category we could think of, and why each one made the list.



A Lifeless ‘Spirit’, a Pointless ‘Dante’s Inferno’, a Peerless Gaming Panel, and Soulless Best Of Lists

By brian longtin • Dec 22nd, 2008 • Category: side notes

Why we’re passing on Miller’s new movie, wondering who thought Dante would make a good action game hero, year-end gaming thoughts and what makes a good Best Of list.



Don’t Walk the Line: Running Down ‘Mirror’s Edge’

By brian longtin • Dec 15th, 2008 • Category: playing

Why everyone should try it, some will find it maddening, and in the end it’s all worth it.



Our Pals at Penny Arcade Get Episodic Right

By brian longtin • Dec 1st, 2008 • Category: playing

‘On The Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness’ nails the sweet spot of episodic content delivery and captures the spirit of its sources.



The ‘Fans of the Genre’ Myth: Why I’m Skipping ‘Dead Space’

By brian longtin • Oct 24th, 2008 • Category: playing

If ‘Dead Space’ is a big success, it might not be because there are millions of ‘fans of the genre’ who couldn’t wait to go out and play a B-grade release that recycles the ideas of its predecessors.



A Case Against Turning Bad Ideas into Awful Franchises: Three Tips for Xbox Originals

By brian longtin • Aug 26th, 2008 • Category: playing

“Masters of Horror Taking on Comedy” betrays its embarrassing boardroom creativity. Here are three ways Microsoft could better serve their audience and build their service.