Archive for May 2018
GHX Episode 28: Shot Behind the Sandbags
This week Fred and Trees kick it off with a bunch of movie talk followed by just about any other subject not pertaining to video games like drinking and budgets. Eventually they get to video games and it’s mostly all Trees and Fred’s odd version of a gaming rut. Then the whole show wraps up with a topical discussion on cloud gaming thanks to the recently announced Resident Evil 7 Cloud Edition on Switch.
The Soulsborne Diaries, Part 3: Quitting Demon’s Souls
Renouncement
After more than two months since my last entry, I admit I’m in a bit of a rut. I don’t want to go back and play Demon’s Souls and I also don’t feel I’m getting any better. As it stands I’m trapped in area 1-4 about 15 or so hours into the game and I have no desire to play it. Yes, as my previous entries have stated, I’ve found the right items, I’ve discovered how to outwit (and even kill) the red dragon, and I have upgraded my equipment. I think my biggest problem is leveling, which is a grind of the grandest degree, and no matter how many times I run 1-1 to kill the red knight for my 2,000 souls it just doesn’t feel rewarding. I’m at level 18 or so and none of the stats seem to have a large effect, especially compared to the gap from levels 1 to 5 or even 5 to 10. This game’s jank is also starting to get to me. Whether it’s the stuttering at the top of the stairs in 1-1 or the framerate hitches in the back halls of 1-3, I now get annoyed with the glitches. I’ve heard all of the decries as well. Play as a mage, do this thing here to cheat, do that thing there to by pass some of this, “git gud.” Yeah, I’ve heard it all before and I don’t like any of it.
Storytelling Episode 2: Friends (Part 1)
This episode Fred talks about his early friendships. During his formative years of a younger child and into a pre-teen, there were always significant close friends. He shares his stories of many of these friends and then gets into when everyone starts grouping up.
Podcast: Legend of David Cage (Quantic Dream)
This week Fred and Jam are gearing up for Detroit: Become Human by going over the history of Quantic Dream. From the eccentric head of the studio David Cage to the unique combination of story and tech, there’s no denying this developer is distinct, if nothing else.
The Council Episode 2: Hide and Seek Review
If you have not read our review of Episode 1, it’s highly recommended as it’s not only referenced, but we do not discuss many of the mechanics present in both episodes. This was to prevent redundant comments and move directly into the changes in Episode 2. This review contains no spoilers from either episode.
It has been nearly two months since the premiere of The Council, which has now returned in its second episode Hide and Seek. In my previous review I said that I was optimistic about the future of this new interactive fiction, but sadly I have to report that this sophomoric effort has me wavering. The initial episode bombarded you with plot, characters, and mechanics that both fascinated and daunted. This is to be expected, it’s an introduction, but sadly this episode doesn’t even make good on some of the concepts introduced in the first. That’s not to say the core design is absent, just that it feels like a padded experience relying far too much on the ebb and flow of your build and points than with an intriguing plot or well thought out puzzles. I also didn’t like that this chapter leans heavily on classic adventure game mechanics, a genre I personally despise due to your need to basically read the developers mind, and was mostly absent from The Mad Ones (episode 1). Probably my biggest concern coming into Hide and Seek is that almost none of my decisions from The Mad Ones seemed to have much of an effect.
GHX Ep. 27a: Jam Edition
GHX Ep. 27: In 3D!
This week Fred and Trees kick it off with a discussion about movies that eventually leads to 3D movies and ends up with super hype movies. They then move to Nintendo’s new online service announcement, what everyone’s been playing, and random news topics.
Storytelling Episode 1: Parents
Welcome to the new podcast Storytelling, where Fred bares all about his personal life and how these important aspects were touched by video games. Be warned: there is nothing off limits in these episodes. In this first episode he discusses his parents, how he was raised, and his thoughts on the ups and downs of the people who brought him into this world. And yes, plenty of video games are also referenced.
Podcast: Retro Video Game Piracy in 2018
Just as video games have changed drastically over the last decade, so has the topic of video game piracy. Is it acceptable? Is it necessary? Is it appropriate to claim archival value? Fred and Jam break down their thoughts and discuss modern day piracy of retro video games.
