Most of us are accustomed to publishers promising a release date that developers can’t always meet. In some cases, this doesn’t have too much of an impact on how a game turns out.  In other cases, rushing to meet promised release dates results in games riddled with bugs and lacking promised features. For the most part, gamers overlook a few missing features if the overall core is functional and interesting. Some of the more crafty developers then deliver the previously promised features as downloadable content. So the question is, how much better would the average game be if developers weren’t rushing to meet deadlines? The answer is this: Skyrim is… (more…)

Final Fantasy XIII is the only video game I have ever returned to a store. Yes, it was that bad, and I absolutely hated it. Square Enix, why are you releasing a sequel to a game that was generally resented by even Final Fantasy’s most hardcore fans? It just doesn’t make sense. When I was younger, the release of a Final Fantasy game always seemed like a special occasion. New entries in the franchise came out every few years and gamers everywhere were certain each Final Fantasy title would offer quality, narrative driven gaming. Now it feels like a new Final Fantasy title comes out every few months and, most… (more…)

There’s no doubt that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is a great video game console.  It’s provided me with years of entertainment.  My friends and I have played countless hours of multiplayer.  I have enjoyed every minute I’ve spent with my Xbox 360. Unfortunately, the Xbox 360 is not a flawless piece of hardware.  Most gamers are familiar with the Red Ring of Death that has plagued the console since its launch.  I personally fell victim to the Red Ring of Death (commonly referred to as RRoD) three times.  The first time I got the RRoD was towards the end of 2006. I wasn’t covered to get my Xbox fixed  -  Microsoft’s… (more…)

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is a great console backed by a reasonably reputable company, but lately Xbox Live has experienced serious security issues. Reports dating back to October 2011 state that some Xbox Live members have had their accounts hacked and stolen right from under their noses. The common factor in all of these cases has been FIFA 11 and FIFA 12. Even if the Xbox Live member has never played FIFA it shows up on their account as a recently played game with associated downloadable content. An Xbox Live friend of mine recently had her account hacked as noted on her blog. It started when she noticed unauthorized Microsoft purchases via her… (more…)

To all those who are playing Skyrim I raise my hand in salute.  For those thinking about it that haven’t played other Bethesda made games such as Fallout 3 or other Elder Scrolls entries like Morrowind, Oblivion, etcetera – keep in mind this game can be downright addictive. The game’s ability to grab and hold your attention is, for the most part, a good thing.  You can spend over a hundred and fifty hours in-game and still not run out of things to do.  Skyrim’s ‘Radiant Story,’ designed to create random quests for players to fulfill on the fly, means that technically you will never run out of quests.  (I… (more…)

Everyone is waiting for this year’s big retail titles like Mass Effect 3, Bioshock Infinite and whatever the Wii U will end up becoming (I’m hoping it doesn’t turn into another Sega Saturn). But while there are many ‘AAA’ retail games coming out, it’s worth reminding you that the smaller, downloadable and indie game space is growing huge. So, I’m presenting you with a list of games you should be paying more attention to than whatever shooter is crawling out of the latest big name developer. Some are indie favorites, others are downloadable and a couple are retail games, but you should take notice of all of them over the… (more…)

2011 was another year of amazing gaming experiences and, for me and select other gamers, it passed virtually without issue. Unfortunately, many others seem to have gotten the short end of the pointy gaming stick. In other words, even though 2011 offered some of the greatest games released this gen, a few screw-ups, mishaps, let downs, and straight-up bad decisions made some gamers feel like the industry’s only real goal was to get them to grab their proverbial ankles.   Without further adieu – and in no particular order – we present the most defining video game letdowns of 2011. Kinect’s Lack of Appealing Games When Kinect first came out, I… (more…)

After not being able to put down Saints Row The Third and getting the games completion rating to 99%, I felt compelled to write down a few things that I love about the game. I truly enjoyed Saints Row 2 and am glad to see that there were improvements made in this new release, especially that the best aspects from the second game have been carried over. 1. Dialogue You know when you’re watching a TV show and somebody says something that really isn’t funny, then the laugh track plays and it isn’t convincing you either? The first time this happens, maybe even the second time, you just let is slide and give a… (more…)

Today the Xbox 360 is getting its third iteration of the dashboard, although it’s release seems to be delayed for some reason. While the console will still be the (mostly) trusty gaming machine you’ve grown to love, the new update brings a host of new features and a much sleeker look than the last dashboard update. A few of us have been able access the beta version of the dashboard under an NDA, which means those involved in the testing can’t talk much about it. With it’s official launch due today, I figured it was time I laid down my views on the ‘New’ New Xbox Experience. This new Metro look… (more…)

Before I get flamed, let me first say this: I really like Skyrim. I feel that it’s one of the greatest technical achievements in video gaming in the last 5-10 years.  It just has a few issues that are really starting get to me. Skyrim is extremely engrossing and accomplishes something that many modern games fail to these days – it actually lets you craft your own story. It also offers a different experience to every single person that plays it. Perhaps one gamer decides they’re down with Bethesda’s epic main story quest, or maybe another gamer decides to join the companion’s guild and focus on that story thread. Then there are the… (more…)