Archive for category games

High Society Review

May 7

Posted by admin in games

While reading the “High Society”, which touches base on the makeover of the SimCity franchise, I noticed in the two-page picture that begins the feature that, of the six cars shown, there are only three unique designs. Are we yet again going to have to endure the monotony of such a small variety of models in this redesign? I ask not that every car ever designed be modeled, but that perhaps each model be rendered in a full spectrum of colors (of course, 50 percent of these would be silver to reflect the American market).

Also, I believe that Scott Sharkey’s picture in the Review Crew lineup was mistakenly replaced with one of a young Charles Manson.

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Review Love. Review Hate

Apr 29

Posted by admin in games

What is with the 7-outof-10 rating for SimCity Societies? First, throw out the fact that it destroys one of the most entertaining and fulfilling franchises in gaming history Second, it doesn’t deliver what it promised: The city’s atmosphere does not react from what you build. Instead, what’s built is built, in what’s basically a sandbox mode

So we have a game that’s robbed of all of what gave SimCity its greatness: The cities don’t grow, and there’s no challenge. It’s like Zoo Tycoon without the animals, and by no means from every standpoint is Zoo Tycoon this bad (even if it had no animals). Your review was plain idiocy.

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The Nonevolution Of Lara Croft

Mar 26

Posted by admin in games

While harping on about greater realism in the upcoming Tomb Raider: Underworld, did creative director Eric Lindstrom ever con sider changing Lara s clothing? I imagine that short shorts and an Infinitely tight tank top might be unsuitable for braving the elements and traversing dangerous environments.

Lara’s scantily clad dress is only one aspect of a consistent tradition of sexism in the Tomb Raider series. Lara’s unrealistic proportions and a camera dedicated to displaying her womanly features at any gameplay cost reek of a developer pandering to the lowest common denominator.

Not to mention the infamous 1990s ad campaign that glorified Lara as a sexual object and alienated sensible male gamers, female gamers, and casual observers alike.

So here we are, eight Tomb Raider installments and 12 years since the series debuted, and sexism in this series and in other parts of the industry get a free pass in the gaming press. It is long past due for video game consumers and especially journalists to confront this serious issue.

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Feb 9

Posted by admin in games, interesting

You might want to check out the 700 or so words of text next to the score - that should clear up any confusion you have as to why we gave the game the score we gave it.

I truly appreciate approach to videogame reviews. Simply assigning a score and a nice summary to a game is not enough to spark my interest.

What really gets me excited about gaming is the critical analysis of the industry that provides. It’s fun to “eavesdrop” on your conversations from week to week on the podcast and learn not oniy about new games but aiso about the people and organizations behind those games. I can get information from any Joe Schmo on the Internet with a blog, but what keeps me coming back is the fact that doesn’t settle for 5 out of 10. You say the things that need to be said, and you offer valuable analysis on various games and issues. I oftentimes don’t agree with you, but your analysis forces me to think about why I prefer certain types of games over others.

Because of this thought process, I find myself enjoying a larger percentage of games that I purchase for reasons I can clearly identify.

Please continue to do what you are doing. I’m sure it’s demoralizing when somebody on the message boards gives you a hard time for reviewing a game less favorably than they would have, but know that ! respect you guys for being willing to write reviews that accurately represent your actual experience with the game and not what you had hoped It wouid be. Thanks for your hard work and your engaging material.

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10 Out Of 10!

Feb 7

Posted by admin in games

To the guys who write the game reviews: Thanks for giving me the heads-up on what s out there, what’s coming up next, and what to avoid. After all, my time is precious, and I don’t want to waste it trying out something lame. Instead, I can focus on checking out the types of games I like, that you have reviewed positively. Once in awhile you are way off, but more often than not, you give me really useful information that saves me tons of time.

I read everything in the mag (even the technical stuff). It gives me lots of info that I can use to argue with the other gamers I run into. It’s aiso useful having helpful hardware recommendations - from what I’ve read, I have compiled a master “wish list” of gaming equipment I hope to acquire in the future. By the way, my parents love that one, too!

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Boring Insider Stuff

Feb 2

Posted by admin in games

The game reviewing/publishing industry is in a rather strange state, with you all being funded by the companies whose products you rate. I hope that they (the major game publishers) reaiize that if readers feel that they aren’t getting honest opinions, they will just assume you guys are shilis, no better than a marketing department. This will make us ignore good ratings even if a game truly deserves it, which in the end hurts their sales. Your review of a game like Crysis was much more spot on than a certain major competitor who gave it a 98 percent…and you know what, I still went out and bought the game. GASP!

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We’re Still Friends!

Jan 28

Posted by admin in games

I have friends that I can rely on for reviews of places to eat, music, et cetera. I thought we were friends. You guys have been pushing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. for quite awhile, and the price was right, as I was looking for something new to play. Where to start? Long load times, a system hog (and yet grainy-looking graphics at the same time), and more importantly, disappointing gameplay. The point-and-click text interface is more suited for an adventure game. Lotsa needless wandering around, limited health resources - you get the point. I gotta say, you guys fooled me will be more selective in the future.

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Corp Por

Sep 2

Posted by admin in games

I’d just like to thank you for not leaving out the niche market and making an honorable mention of EVE Online in last few months, I couldn’t be happier to see something in the Crisis on Infinite Servers column other than the king of bandwagon-jumping, Care Bear-wannabe rolepiayer Sp WOW. On a side note, one of my coworkers pointed out to me that the PK attack of doom in Ultima Online was “Corp Por!” (which is an energy bolt), not “An Ex Por!”, the lightning bolt

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Izzabole (aka Patricia O’Neill) Hey Green, stop being such a wuss

Aug 13

Posted by admin in games

After a hard day at work and dealing with the wife and two teenage daughters, I get on the PC and play for a few hours. After most days, there is nothing better than shooting things and blowing things up.

I’m 56, and when I tell people how much I enjoy gaming and I get that “oh, really” look, I think, “I don’t give a rat’s ass what people think,” and Green, neither should you. Besides, three-quarters of the population would kill for your job.

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There Is No War

Aug 9

Posted by admin in games

I am pleased to hear you don’t plan to bash console gaming. It’s getting pretty old to hear some of the competition to your magazine take such harsh measures against console gaming, as if it makes you less of a gamer for playing Geors of War. Props to all the editors who had the balls to admit they’re playing console games. Especially Viva Pifiata - that game rocks.

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