There’s an aspect of First Person gaming that has largely been ignored by mainstream multiplayer developers: skill-based mechanics. More specifically, these are game mechanics that require practice and skill to master. I’m talking about Matrix-style fine control and physics manipulation that, when pulled off correctly, pushes the game to new levels of competitive depth. [Read the rest of this entry...]
Holy Hell. Where am I!? How did I end up here? Omfgajmaj–it’s a game site… and I’m writing in it?
Who’s lame-brained idea was that?
Welcome to me! *Waves* [Read the rest of this entry...]
Earlier today, Director of Programming for Xbox Live, Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb asked his sizable twitter audience the following:
Months ago, Microsoft was first to take a step into the social networking space, adding apps for Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm to Xbox Live, the pay-to-play online network of the Xbox 360 gaming console. The Twitter app was essentially a simplified client to view and send tweets, with support for twitter search and trending topics as well. Though it worked just fine, there was hardly any value to tweet on the Xbox, for without a keyboard, the process of posting and responding to tweets proved to be quite laborious.
The Facebook app took the integration further, allowing users to post status updates along with the ability to edit their profile, and view photo albums. Arguably the most useful feature though was the ability to find facebook friends that also have Xbox Live. This Facebook app was a refreshing step in the right direction of integrating social media with gaming platforms in a truly useful way,
While I gave each app a fair shake, there wasn’t much substance to them, and little incentive to use them again (with the one exception noted above). I had all but forgotten about the whole affair until I saw Major Nelson’s tweet this afternoon, and that got me thinking. [Read the rest of this entry...]
Thank you for checking us out today, the final day of our Countdown of 2009’s Best Games. Today we reveal our Number 1. First, let us just say that 2009 was a great year for games, and it was very difficult for both of us to pick our Number 2-5 on our GOTY lists. But, in all honestly, it was not a struggle at all for us to pick our Number 1 Game of 2009. Both us of knew the instant we started playing this game that it was destined for greatness, and destined for the coveted Northwest Gamer #1 Game of 2009 spot. So, without further adieu, our Number 1 Game of 2009. [Read the rest of this entry...]
Thanks for checking us out today! Today’s the day we reveal our Number 2 spots in our 2009 Game of the Year Countdown. Make sure to read our other GOTY picks, and check back tomorrow for the big reveal of our Number 1 Game of 2009!
[Read the rest of this entry...]
Today we reveal our Number 3 spots on our Top 5 Games of 2009! Have you read and commented on the previous two days? Please do, and also stay tuned for our Number 2 and Number 1 spots Thursday and Friday!
[Read the rest of this entry...]
Thanks for checking us out today to see our Number 4 Games of 2009! As we count down each day until we reveal our Number 1, please leave some comments and let us know if you agree or disagree, and also let us know what your favorite games of this year were.
[Read the rest of this entry...]
As 2009 draws to a close, we here at Northwest Gamer wanted to reflect on the amazing year this has been for gaming. We carefully deliberated over our choices for the top 5 games of 2009, and Zack and Jeff have each selected their picks. We will reveal one set of picks each day leading up to the new year, so check back often for updates! Do you agree with our picks? Disagree? Leave a comment!
We start the countdown at #5, check out our picks after the break! [Read the rest of this entry...]
Assassin’s Creed was one of the most polarizing games of 2007. Many, if not most, praised the game for its innovative style and gameplay. Others, like me, saw it as little more than a proof of concept. While I loved the climb-anywhere, stab-anyone mentality of Assassin’s Creed, I felt the story was a little contrived, the environment drab, the combat repetitive and side missions uninspired.
While playing it, I did find myself curious how the inevitable sequel would improve upon the first. Though when Assassin’s Creed 2 was announced and early videos of the game surfaced, I worried it would fall victim to some of the same pitfalls of the first game. Given the crowded fall schedule in which it was scheduled to release, I planned to play the game, but not right away.
All this changed when I read the review by Joystiq’s Justin McElroy. One of the final statements in his review really struck a chord with me:
“If you were burned by the first Assassin’s Creed and are worried about getting bored by the sequel, I understand your skepticism, but trust me: it’s misplaced. It would be a lot more fruitful to worry about how you’re going to find time for any other games this holiday season when Ezio’s Italy constantly dangles the next trinket in front of you, just a few rooftops away.”
He convinced me, like he usually does, to lose any preconceived notions and give it a try. I am so glad I listened to him, because AC2 has defied almost everything I expected of it. [Read the rest of this entry...]
I have to be honest with you, oh loyal readers. I LOVE zombie stories. I love ‘em! Even if the story is dumb or cliche or anything, if it has zombies, I’m sure to find some enjoyment in it. So it was with great anticipation that I plugged Left 4 Dead 2 into my 360 and started up the first of the game’s five campaigns.
[Read the rest of this entry...]
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