Happy New Year's Eve!

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Snipperclips Review

Genre: Puzzle Game
Players: 1-4*
Playtime: 4 Hours (Includes beating all 3 worlds of World mode through means of 2-player co-op and briefly trying Blitz mode)

Of the few games to release with the launch of the Nintendo Switch, Snipperclips stood out as a unique and creative offering to be sure.  At a low price point of $20 at the time, its compelling cooperative play, and adorable animations, it was an easy recommendation to add to new Switch owner's starting libraries.  Now that the library has considerably grown though, does the same still hold true for this little puzzle game?  Let's take a snip at the pros and cons of this game and see if it still makes the cut.

Doki Doki Literature Club Review

Genre: Visual Novel Game
Players: 1
Playtime: 3 Hours (Includes one play-through of reaching the game credits)

(NOTE: Content in this game is not recommended for all ages due to mature / disturbing themes and graphic imagery; Parental discretion is advised.)

After hearing a lot of buzz on various game media outlets about this unsuspecting game called Doki Doki Literature Club, I decided to give a go and see what all the hoopla was about.  What I found was a shockingly unnerving, compelling, and incredibly memorable experience.  For purposes of this review, I will do my best to stay vague and spoiler-free as the surprises to be found in this game are the best aspects, but are best kept secret for the unaware player to discover for themselves.  So if your curiosity too has been peaked, join the club as we pick away at the positive and negative readings of this fanatical game.

Throwback Thursday - Hearthstone

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Covering the tab this week: The card game of Murlocs and Warlocks that is Hearthstone.

Released on March 11, 2014, Hearthstone is a free-to-play digital card game taking place in the world and lore of the Warcraft series.  The conception of this game was inspired by the team's love of collectible card games, such as Wizards of the Coast's "Magic the Gathering", in which the inspiration is abundantly clear.  A key difference though as a digital card game was to ensure that the gameplay flow was kept simple and clean.  As such, the game was streamlined to be a quick-paced, turn-based process, where players would be unable to interrupt each other's turns as can be the case in traditional physical card games.  With this system in place, games can be enjoyed in quick sessions and allow for more experimentation in creating and playing various deck types from the nine hero classes available to choose from: Mage, Shaman, Paladin, Warlock, Druid, Rogue, Priest, Warrior, and Hunter.  Further streamlining the process is how mana naturally ramps during the game.  Both players start at one mana, to which they will gain one mana at the start of each of their turns until they reach a total of 10 mana.  Having this slow, automated process allows each match to evolve at a controlled, but exciting pace as wilder cards get played later in the game, keeping everyone on the edge of their seat.

Tabletop Tuesday - DropMix

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of fusing hip-hop with pop rock that is Dropmix.

Players: 1-4
Time: 10-20 minutes
Genre: Party / Music / Casual Card Game

(Note: Smartphone or tablet is required to play this game)

Merry Christmas Eve!

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Year In Review - Top 5 Games of the Year (2017)

With the end of 2017 comes time to catch up on games and reflect back on what this year in gaming brought us.  So if you're feeling equally nostalgic or looking for the best games to enjoy over your holiday break, look no further as we break down my Top 5 games of 2017, among other recognition to be had.  Note for this first category, there is only so much time and funds one can afford to spend in a world of so many great games, from the slew of small indie titles to the abundance of massive open-world adventures.  As such, the games selected in this category are only games in which I've played through in full / majority of completion, and were released in 2017.

Top 5 Games of the Year - 2017

-1- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Aspiring to take the Zelda series back to its roots of open-world, non-linear exploration, Breath of the Wild took bold risks in changing its mechanics and staple formulas.  The result was a profound and refreshing experience that will stand as a defining entry for generations to come.  While it has its share of imperfections and debatable design choices, the massive scale and wonder to be found in this game substantially rise above these flaws.  For more extensive detail on this exploratory marvel of a game, read the full review here.

Throwback Thursday - Donkey Kong (GameBoy)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Hammering into the zone this week: The game of climbing ladders and jumping girders that is the 1994 GameBoy version of Donkey Kong.

Based off the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game, players take control of Mario as he ascends his way through the four arcade levels to rescue the damsel in distress, Pauline, from the dastardly monkey that is Donkey Kong.  But rather than repeat these four stages endlessly for a high score as you would in the arcade game, the game takes an unexpected twist as DK makes for an escape even further, giving Mario chase through more lands and distant destinations.  The true nature of the game is revealed to be a most unique puzzle-platformer in which Mario must locate and escort giant keys to locked doors to proceed in each level.  The means of which obtaining and/or guiding these keys is not always so obvious, often requiring Mario to make use of the environment and other enemies around him.  Fortunately, Mario is given a much more diverse move set to aid in accomplishing this task, being able to pick up and toss objects, perform back flips, handstands and more.  And while all these moves are usable right from the start, the game cleverly teaches the player these mechanics through humorous little cut-scenes that take place at the end of every 4th stage, that being a bout with the Kong himself.  These skirmishes vary from complex obstacle courses to fierce arenas with barrel tossing face-offs, and add a nice change of pace to the more puzzle focused stages.

Tabletop Tuesday - Monopoly

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of paying bail to get out of jail (or hoping for some doubles) that is the classic Monopoly.

Players: 2-6
Time: 60-120 minutes
Genre: Casual / Family Game

A Coveted Surprise

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Video Game Music for the Holidays - Volume V

For those who enjoy the merry music of the holidays, but fear being whammed by "Last Christmas" again and again, I'm happy to present this year's volume of Holiday Ambience - a continuing collection of music from video games, carefully selected to still fit the holiday vibe and general ambience.

Throwback Thursday - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  On the collision course this week: The game of angry moons and time-controlling tunes that is The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

Released in the US on October 26th, 2000, Majora's Mask is the follow-up sequel to the N64 masterpiece that was Ocarina of Time.  The development time between Zelda games is typically long and grueling, but Nintendo sought to deliver another entry on the N64 sooner than later.  As such, they formed a smaller team and reused the game engine and assets from Ocarina of Time to cut time and costs, and in just one year, create one of the most unique and dark Zelda experiences in the entire series.

Tabletop Tuesday - Munchkin Quest

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of bad puns and dungeon crawling fun that is Munchkin Quest.

Players: 2-4
Time: 180-300 minutes
Genre: Role-Playing Game

Generational Gaps

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Video Game Music for the Holidays - Volume IV

Tis the season to be jolly and be surrounded by such jingles everywhere you go.  For those who enjoy these holiday hums, but are looking for some reprise and variety to these repetitive licks, allow me to share then our next volume of Holiday Ambience - a continuing collection of music from video games, carefully selected to still fit the holiday vibe and general ambience.

Belated Throwback Thursday - Mega Man X

Sorry for the delay of this week's Throwback Thursday.  I did not allow myself enough time to prepare this post and the 2017 Game Awards went longer than I expected last night.  But huzzah for Breath of the Wild winning Game of the Year, and let me just say, what a year 2017 was for amazing soundtracks in games!  Every game in that category more than deserved to win.  Truly phenomenal sound design.

So as not to slight this week's pick, I decided to allow an extra day for this entry.  That's because making the dash this week: It's the game of shooting lemons at robotic villains that is Mega Man X.

Released on December 17th, 1993, Mega Man X was the first of a new Mega Man series to debut on the new SNES console.  Making use of these new system capabilities and larger color palette, Mega Man had been redesigned for an edgier, more "hardcore" aesthetic.  Gone were the days of the conniving Dr. Wily, replaced with a darker undertone and backstory of an uprising of criminal replicate androids and their maverick robot hunters.  It was still important to the designers to keep the core elements of what makes a Mega Man game, to which you will see many familiar mechanics such as the selection screen of robot masters, gaining new abilities from defeating these robot masters, and that classic feeling of jumping and shooting.  In fact, the controls of Mega Man X feel nearly identical to that of the classic Mega Man series (because there wasn't really any reason to change what worked in the first place).  However, two new mechanics would help define and push forward this Mega Man X series: Wall jumps and dashing.

Tabletop Tuesday - Biblios

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of monks, quills, and auctioning thrills that is Biblios.

Players: 2-4
Time: 30-40 minutes
Genre: Strategy Card Game

Needy Neighbors

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Video Game Music for the Holidays - Volume III

The holidays are now in full swing and with it, those yuletide songs of the season.  If you're looking for some variety to these holiday hums, then you've come to the right place as we continue our collections of music from video games, carefully selected to still fit the holiday vibe and general ambience.

Throwback Thursday - Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Taking aim this week: The game of flutter jumps and Bashful Burts that is Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

Released in the US on October 4th, 1995, Yoshi's Island was a unique masterpiece that the rest of the series it would spawn still aspires to achieve to this day.  Taking control of friendly dinosaur inhabitants that are Yoshis, players travel the island escorting Baby Mario in an effort to reunite the infant hero with his kid-napped brother (pun intended), Baby Luigi.  Each world is broken down into six levels and two castles, each with a scoring system in place to encourage through exploration and replay-ability.  In each level, players must find five carefully hidden Flowers and twenty Red coins, along end the level with 30 Star Points to earn that perfect score.  Completing such is no easy feat though, as the red coins are cleverly disguised as regular coins and the means to unlocking Flowers are not always so obvious, such as being placed in hidden passages or designed to only appear when clearing a room of enemies.

Tabletop Tuesday - Telestrations

Welcome to another Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of loose interpretations of questionable illustrations that is Telestrations.

Players: 4-8
Time: 10-20 minutes (per round)
Genre: Party Game

An Unexpected Return

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Video Game Music for the Holidays - Volume II

The holiday shopping scurry has begun and the jolly jingles now permeate every public space.  If you're looking for some variety to these holiday hums, then look no further as we continue our collections of music from video games, carefully selected to still fit the holiday vibe and general ambience.

Happy Thanksgiving - Top 5 Thanks / Deals in Video Games

For those looking for Throwback Thursday, such will return next week as regularly scheduled while we all succumb to food comas this Thanksgiving.  And soon to follow will be the strange shopping indulgences that are Black Friday and Cyber Monday, where many a deal will be fought over.  While we are all still of civil mind and so as not to leave you empty-handed this Thursday, why don't we take a moment and give thanks for when gaming has selflessly given us all some tremendous value and heartfelt love.  These are my Top 5 Thanks /  Deals in games:

-1- Orange Box

It's hard to find a better value in the history of games than when Valve decided to release what would be known as The Orange Box.  This infamous box contained the esteemed Half Life 2, including its two episodic expansions, the popular online multiplayer shooter that was Team Fortress 2, and a new first-person puzzler that was Portal.  Funnily enough, the small experimental game that is Portal was expected to stand in the shadows of these two other massive games, but instead exploded in notoriety as one of the best games ever made.  All of this tremendous content was enjoyed all for the price of the average single game at the time, which was a mere $50 for PC ($60 for consoles).  Sadly, this is also a reminder of what will never be a conclusion to the Half Life 2 episodic trilogy or a Half Life 3.  But it's hard to stay sad for long when this box contains so many incredible games to play.

Tabletop Tuesday - Catan: Seafarers

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the expansion to the cult classic Eurogame of sheep and wheat, Catan: Seafarers.

(Note: The Settlers of Catan is required to play this expansion.  Click here to learn more about the base game.)

Players: 3-4
Time: 60-120 minutes
Genre: Strategy

Unstoppable Power

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Video Game Music for the Holidays - Volume I

Festive decorations have begun to sprung up, store displays have long since already switched out their stock, and there's no escaping the the jolly jingles that is all around us.  The holidays are upon us.  As is a yearly tradition among my friends and family these past 5 years, I compile a collection of music from video games that fit the vibe of the holidays.  I do this for two reasons: A) It makes a unique gift of music they would likely otherwise not already own, and B) I hope to elevate an awareness and appreciation of video games as an art form.

Now that I have started this gaming blog, I'd love to extend the same thanks and cheer through this new channel towards all of you.  So stay tuned each week as I upload a past collection of tunes for your listening pleasure, all leading up to the release of this year's Holiday Ambience: 2017 Edition.

Throwback Thursday - Tomb Raider (2013 series)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  While this blog is rated E for everyone's safe and enjoyable viewing, I should mention this week's throwback is rated M for Mature.  Parental discretion is advised for playing this game series.

Speaking of which, charting a course this week: The rebooting of the treasure looting explorer that is the 2013 Tomb Raider series.

Lara Croft, the female adventuring protagonist of the Tomb Raider series, has had a long and rich history since the release of the original Tomb Raider back in 1996.  She helped pioneer the industry for strong female characters, though was sadly also poorly portrayed with marketing for her sex appeal.  After nine entries churned out in rapid succession and a gradual decline in reprise, the series was handed off to Crystal Dynamics to revitalize the series.  With this, the decision was made to reboot the series and offer a new portrayal of Lara Croft, one that is more human and better depicts her rise to tomb raiding.  This reboot would come in the form of the aptly and simply named Tomb Raider, released on March 5th, 2013.

Super Mario Odyssey Review

Genre: 3D-Platformer / Adventure
Players: 1-2* (Light co-op features included)
Playtime: 40 hours (Includes beating the game and extra challenge kingdoms, finding all 880 moons, and just goofing off in New Donk City even when there was nothing left to be collected)

Nearly 20 years ago, Super Mario 64 heralded the dawn of a new era for 3D games and the potential joy to be found jumping around these large playgrounds of sorts.  Despite this revolutionary design, the continuation of 3D Mario games have been few and far between since then.  And with this lapse, the series also shifted to a more linear, guided experience, filled with carefully constructed levels / missions rather than the large open sandboxes to explore.  Much like was the case with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild though, Super Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch looks to revisit its roots and recapture (no pun intended) the true essence that was the 3D Mario escapade.  The result is an adventure that is both a liberating and incredibly refreshing experience.  So without further ado, let's dive on into this audacious odyssey and take view of the positive and negative sights to be found.

Tabletop Tuesday - Quarto!

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the complex game of tic-tac-toe with shapes, sizes, and holes that is Quarto!

Players: 2
Time: 10-20 minutes
Genre: Strategy

It's a Trap!

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Throwback Thursday - Donkey Kong Country (SNES series)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Swinging into the mix this week: The games of bopping Krocs and flocks of Squawks that is the SNES Donkey Kong Country series.

Released on November 21st, 1994, Donkey Kong Country was the cumulative efforts of Nintendo and their newly acquired share in the European game developer Rare.  The game boasted impressive  visuals for its time, using SGI graphics and pre-rendered 3D models.  As such, the characters and environments have a distinct styling and depth to them that is all their own, as players travel across the lavish canopies, dank caves, murky waters, industrial factories, icy mountaintops and more.  Adding to the richness of these engrossing landscapes is a top-notch soundtrack composed by David Wise.  From jamming jungle tunes to intoxicating ambient mixes, this game features some of the best tunes to be found in any SNES game.

Tabletop Tuesday - Phase 10

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of fun with runs that is Phase 10.

Players: 2-6
Time: 60-120 minutes
Genre: Casual Card / Family Game

A Gloomy Surprise

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Throwback Thursday - The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Coming in full steam ahead this week: The game of Chu Chu's and choo choo's that is The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.

Released in the US on December 7th, 2009, Spirit Tracks is a sequel to the Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass, in which the events take place one hundred years later in the land of New Hyrule.  With concerns of the disappearing tracks across the lands, engineer apprentice Link accepts the invitation of Zelda to secretly investigate this peculiar plight.  But tragedy strikes as Zelda is turned to stone by an evil chancellor, leaving her a disembodied spirit.  Rather than play the damsel in distress though, she joins Link in a grand adventure to retrieve her body and restore peace to the land of New Hyrule.  Offering witty remarks and the ability to possess Phantom Guards for some interesting puzzles, this companionship proves to be a refreshing and endearing change of pace for the series.

Tabletop Tuesday - Betrayal at House on the Hill

Welcome to another wicked edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's creepy conclusion to the month of October...the game of might and fright that is Betrayal at House on the Hill.

Players: 3-6
Time: 60-120 minutes
Genre: Asymmetric Cooperative / Role-Playing Game

Happy Halloween - Top 5 Ghosts in Video Games

Halloween is a holiday that houses all sorts of creepy-crawly beings of the night, of which the wandering spirit that is the ghost is perhaps one of the most iconic.  To celebrate this spooktacular holiday, join us as we take a look at my personal Top 5 ghosts in the world of games.

-1- Blinky, Pinky, Inky & Clyde

No ghost in gaming is quite as iconic and recognizable as the ghosts from the arcade classic that is Pac-Man.  And these ethereal entities that roam the dark mazes can prove to be truly horrifying when being constantly pursued and cornered.  As some players may or may not be aware, creator Toru Iwatani gave each ghost a distinct personality to add a little variety and interest to the game.  Blinky, the red ghost, is aggressive and will consistently try to chase Pac-Man down.  Pinky, the pink ghost, will attempt to ambush Pac-Man from the front.  Inky, the cyan ghost, is a bit unpredictable, chasing Pac-Man from either direction, or else just wandering off sometimes.  Clyde, the orange ghost, will chase Pac-Man much like Blinky, but then gets bashful when getting close and tends to head back to his home in the corner.  Adorable, if they weren't trying to consume your soul.

New Neighbors

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Throwback Thursday - WarioWare (series)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Stepping up to the mic this week: The quirky games of picking noses and striking poses that is the WarioWare series.

Released in the US on May 26th, 2003, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! was the first in what would become a popular microgame series starring the notoriously greedy and quirky character that is Wario, and a cast of equally bizarre characters.  Each character in the game comes with a collection of uniquely themed microgames, both in style and gameplay mechanics, which players will randomly play through and eventually face-off in a "boss" minigame.  Once cleared, players can play that character's microgames endlessly, going for a high score as the difficulty and speed gradually ramp up.  A unique aspect to WarioWare's microgames is that they are all very quick and simple concepts, making them a test of quick reflexes and the ability to quickly identify the rules of the microgame.  Some microgames, like Orbulon's IQ-centric microgames, have a longer timer allowing for more complex puzzles, but short enough still to test the quick wit of the players.  And perhaps one of the favorite characters of the series was 9-Volt, whose microgames were all centered around retro gaming goodness, much like an early version of what would later become NES Remix.

Tabletop Tuesday - Gloom

Welcome to another sinister edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's morbid game...the game of bragging rights for dreadful plights that is Gloom.

Players: 2-5*
Time: 30-60 minutes
Genre: Strategy Card Game

Mario Paints

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Throwback Thursday - Batman: Arkham Asylum

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Hiding in the shadows this week: The game of bat-shaped boomerangs and convoluted plans that is Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Back in Spring 2007, Rocksteady Studios was approached to present their take to the coveted comic series that is Batman.  Despite only having one game under their belt at their time, their passion and attention to detail came through, and on August 25th, 2009, they released what is perhaps one of the greatest superhero video games of a generation.  The game follows Batman as notorious rival Joker is taken into custody at Arkham Asylum.  Suspicious to Joker's actions that led to his capture, Batman personally escorts Joker into the Asylum, to which sure enough, Joker unleashes an elaborate plot, trapping Batman in the asylum while freeing many of Gotham's most infamous villains.  Joker goes on to reveal that bombs have been placed all over Gotham city which will blow if anyone tries to enter the asylum.  As such, Batman is forced into a solo and daring mission to restore order to this asylum and put a stop to Joker's schemes.

Tabletop Tuesday - Boss Monster: Tools of Hero Kind

Welcome to another horrific edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's ghoulish game...the expansion to the dungeon building card game, Boss Monster: Tools of Hero Kind.

(Note: Boss Monster or Boss Monster 2 is required to play this expansion.  Click here to learn more about the base game.)

Players: 2-4
Time: 20-40 minutes
Genre: Strategy Card Game

Scared Stiff

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The Legend of Zelda - Top 5 Dungeons

Dungeon crawls have long been the fascination of gamers the world over, with their labyrinthine structures to explore, filled with hordes of monsters and treasure alike.  And one series in particular, The Legend of Zelda series, has made dungeons an iconic staple to its masterful franchise.  In the spirit of October and all things creepy crawly, here are my personal Top 5 favorite dungeons of The Legend of Zelda series.

-1- Forest Temple (Ocarina of Time)

The Forest Temple from Ocarina of Time is perhaps one of the most atmospheric and fully realized Zelda dungeons in the series.  The first dungeon as Link enters the adult timeline in this game, Link finds himself pushing deeper into the Lost Woods than ever before, only to discover this long forgotten mansion with a haunting melody.  The evidence of this ruined state is everywhere, from the overgrowth that has taken over inside to the wandering spirits and undead that roam its dusty halls.  Dark deeds seem to have taken place here as the Poe Sisters hide and play tricks on Link.  From carefully hidden keys to twisted hallways and mocking portraits, this temple tests the player's careful perception to unlock its many mysteries.  Upon defeating the Poe Sisters and unraveling the last of the secrets, Link is finally able to reach the depths of the estate, where his skills are put to the test in most epic fashion as he faces Phantom Ganon.  This boss once again requires the player to use their keen wits to identify the target as he gallops forward across many portraits, making fantastic use of the 3D space for a thrilling and fitting final fight to this dungeon.

Throwback Thursday - Borderlands (series)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  While this blog is rated E for everyone's safe and enjoyable viewing, I should mention this week's throwback is rated M for Mature.  Parental discretion is advised for playing this game series.

Speaking of which, accepting the mission this week: The game of tons of loot and psychos to boot that is the Borderlands series.

Released in the US on October 20th, 2009, Borderlands was a unique fusion of the action first-person shooter (FPS) genre combined with rogue-like, RPG elements.  The main gameplay loop would be to kill bad guys for experience and gain new skills / abilities, all the while finding an increasing variety and rarity of loot, from guns to shields to grenades and more.  It's a simple, but addictive and satisfying cycle.  And the variety of weapon types and attributes keep the experience fresh and encourage plenty of experimentation.  In fact, the game boasts its use of a "procedural content creation system" could generate over millions of varied weapons.  There is a good chance players would never be able to see every piece of gear there is to be found in the game.

Tabletop Tuesday - Letters From Whitechapel

Welcome to another spooky edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck, and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's grim game...the game of wretched pawns and escapes by dawn that is Letters from Whitechapel.

Players: 2-6*
Time: 90-120 minutes
Genre: Asymmetric Cooperative / Strategy

A Lesson in Boomerangs

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Throwback Thursday - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Poised to strike this week: The game of smashing pots and dual hook-shots that is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Released in the US on November 19th, 2006, Twilight Princess was a strong launch game for the hotly anticipated Nintendo Wii, and fitting swan song for the closing act of the Nintendo GameCube.  In this Zelda adventure, the land of Hyrule becomes threatened to be cast into a parallel realm of shadows by the King of Shadows.  Upon entering the Twilight realm, Link is transformed into a wolf and is hostilely imprisoned.  Teaming up with a mysterious and impish character by the name of Midna, they break free and set to restore the Light to the land of Hyrule.  This particular entry in the Zelda series is heralded for its darker tones in storytelling and grittier, more realistic approach to art direction.  It also features some of the largest and interesting dungeons of the series.  While they may not be the most difficult of dungeons, they all feature unique and compelling narrative elements, as was a conscious design decision when the developers were creating these massive labyrinths.  And sure enough, it paid off in that aspect.  Who could forget the memorable moments of walking on the ceilings of the Goron Mines through use of magnetic plates and the iron boots, or searching the chilly halls of Snowpeak Ruins for fresh ingredients and a warm meal for the sick Yeti.  These little bits of narrative touches help to build a more fully realized world and unforgettable experience.

Tabletop Tuesday - Clue

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck, and more of the Tabletop world.

For the month of October, we'll be covering many a variety of spooky and ominous board games.  This week's game...the game of suspects and candle sticks that is Clue.

Players: 3-6
Time: 45-60 minutes
Genre: Strategy / Family Game

A Ledge Too High

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SNES - Top 5 Soundtracks & SFX

With the release of the SNES Classic today, hopefully you all are having better luck finding them and enjoying a healthy does of nostalgia.  Rather than do a Top 5 SNES games list, because if we're honest most every game here is a winner and there wouldn't be much debate as to which games deserve to be on top, let's instead take a look at the Top 5 SNES soundtracks and sound effects.  The SNES provided an era of superb sound design.  So for those still waiting on obtaining the system, or who are just looking for some good tunes, enjoy below.

-1- Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest

The only omission to the SNES classic on this Top 5 list, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy Kong's Quest has probably one of the best soundtracks in games ever.  There is such a rich variety of levels and music to be found in this game, each tune just as memorable as the next.  From the tranquil ambience of Stickerbrush Symphony to the thrilling beats of Lockjaw's Locker, David Wise has composed a masterpiece of a soundtrack here.  (Don't worry, the original Donkey Kong Country has quite a superb soundtrack to boot as well)

Fun Fact: Stickerbrush Symphony was originally composed as an unused underwater stage until it found its way in Bramble Blast by pure chance.

Throwback Thursday - Wipeout HD

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Coming in full throttle this week: The game of tasty tunes and spaceships to zoom that is Wipeout HD.

Released in the US on September 25th, 2008, Wipeout HD is eighth installment of the WipeOut series, taking tracks from the Wipeout Pure and Wipeout Pulse entries, but bringing the content to gorgeous 1080p visuals running at silky smooth 60 frames per second.  Next to F-Zero, this is one of the most stylish and beautifully realized sci-fi racers out there.  Players can choose among several brands of spaceships, each with unique stats and appearance.  And as with any sponsorship would have, the more races you win with a particular ship brand, the more models you'll unlock from that sponsor.  There are five various modes to be enjoyed, from single races to tournaments (or grand prix), speed laps to time trials, and the never ending Zone mode.  Zone mode is quite a unique mode among racing games in that players have no means of controlling the acceleration of their ship.  They will slowly accelerate making lap after lap on a given race track, entering new zones and speed classes as they zoom along, altering the colors in trippy fashion.  The goal is to see how far you can go before you eventually can no longer handle the speed and crash out of control.

Tabletop Tuesday - Pit

Welcome to another edition of Tabletop Tuesday - Your weekly exploration into games of dice, cards, luck, and more of the Tabletop world.

This week's game...the game of trading wares and passing bears that is Pit.

Players: 3-8
Time: 30-90 minutes*
Genre: Casual Card / Party Game

Metroid: Samus Returns Review

Genre: Action-Platforming Adventure

Players: 1
Playtime: 12 hours (Includes beating the game and finding 100% of collectibles.  Also tried a bit of Fusion mode difficulty)

It's been a long time since a new Metroid game, especially one in the 2D side-scrolling action realm that once created and defined the genre of Metroidvania games.  So the title of this re-imagined remake, Metroid: Samus Returns, is doubly apt marking the triumphant return of the beloved bounty hunter.  Based off the 1991 GameBoy sequel that is Metroid II: Return of Samus, this 3DS revival makes many notable changes to modernize the game and improve upon the limitations it once faced.  With that in mind, was this an entry worth revisiting or does it hold back our esteemed hunter from sticking the landing?  Let's charge our blasters and lock our sights onto the positive and negative readings that lay in waiting for this galactic review.