Welcome to Hughes3D: A Gaming Blog, where the three D's stand for dice, d-pads, and design. Hughes3D is your portal for impressions and discussions on video games and board games, an exploration into game design, weekly web comics, and more.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Throwback Thursday - Rhythm Heaven
Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia. On the menu this week: The game of quick flicks and neat beats that is Rhythm Heaven.
Released in the US on April 5th, 2009, Rhythm Heaven is a quirky music game for the Nintendo DS in which players tap, flick, and slide to the beats of strange, musical narratives. At the end of each song, players are then ranked for their accuracy and precision, which determines your ending to the nonsensical story and offers added reason for multiple plays aside from how groovy and catchy these tunes are. Every fifth level in the game also features a unique remix, which fuses the mechanics and melodies from past songs into a funky new jam that really puts players to the test.
Released in the US on April 5th, 2009, Rhythm Heaven is a quirky music game for the Nintendo DS in which players tap, flick, and slide to the beats of strange, musical narratives. At the end of each song, players are then ranked for their accuracy and precision, which determines your ending to the nonsensical story and offers added reason for multiple plays aside from how groovy and catchy these tunes are. Every fifth level in the game also features a unique remix, which fuses the mechanics and melodies from past songs into a funky new jam that really puts players to the test.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Tabletop Tuesday - Forbidden Desert
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 sandy setbacks and steampunk jet-packs that is Forbidden Desert: Thirst for Survival.
Players: 2-5
Time: 30-60 minutes
Genre: Cooperative
This week's game...the game of sandy setbacks and steampunk jet-packs that is Forbidden Desert: Thirst for Survival.
Players: 2-5
Time: 30-60 minutes
Genre: Cooperative
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Saturday, April 22, 2017
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Review
Before we begin this first esteemed game review, a brief foreword regarding the structure of game reviews to be posted on this blog: Elements of gameplay, design, and story will be discussed during the course of this review. If you would like to avoid spoilers in regards to the story or certain parts of the game, I will have each section of the review clearly labeled so that you can scroll past it. I don't intend to spoil or go too heavily into story details, but as story is an important aspect of a game in this genre, it is worth lightly discussing as part of this review.
Also, I apologize in advance for what looks to be a lengthy review. With a game that you spend 100+ hours playing, there are bound to be a great many aspects to reflect and discuss upon. So, feel free to soak up every detail or jump around as you please, but I hope this review serves as a platform to learn, discuss, and enjoy. With that said, enjoy the review:
Also, I apologize in advance for what looks to be a lengthy review. With a game that you spend 100+ hours playing, there are bound to be a great many aspects to reflect and discuss upon. So, feel free to soak up every detail or jump around as you please, but I hope this review serves as a platform to learn, discuss, and enjoy. With that said, enjoy the review:
Genre: Action-Adventure
Players: 1
Playtime: 115+ hours (Includes clearing the 4 main dungeons, finding and completing 115 of 120 shrines, collecting 200+ Korok seeds, numerous other side quests, and defeating Ganon)
Players: 1
Playtime: 115+ hours (Includes clearing the 4 main dungeons, finding and completing 115 of 120 shrines, collecting 200+ Korok seeds, numerous other side quests, and defeating Ganon)
With every game in The Legend of Zelda series, the subtitle offers a significant degree of context into the gameplay and narrative emphasis of the adventure you're about to embark on. For Ocarina of Time, Link controls the flow of time as he jumps forward into adulthood to save a prosperous kingdom from its bleak future without a hero. For The Wind Waker, Link takes command of the winds as he charts a course across the Great Sea to save his sister, but the power needed to do so lies in a dormant slumber awaiting to be awakened. So what is the intent and expected experience from a game that is called Breath of the Wild?
Friday, April 21, 2017
Throwback Thursday - Halo 2
Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia. While my 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.
Speaking of which, today's catch: The sci-fi shooting saga sequel that is Halo 2.
Halo 2 was released on November 9th, 2004, for the Xbox. This auspicious sequel follows the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, in which players alternate between the roles of the famed human Master Chief and an alien Arbiter. With a fun variety of modes and challenges, and a cooperative mode too, the campaign was an enjoyable affair to blast aliens while listening to an epic orchestral and rocking soundtrack. However, the campaign takes a backseat to what is considered the crowning achievement in this game: A compelling local and online multiplayer.
Speaking of which, today's catch: The sci-fi shooting saga sequel that is Halo 2.
Halo 2 was released on November 9th, 2004, for the Xbox. This auspicious sequel follows the events of Halo: Combat Evolved, in which players alternate between the roles of the famed human Master Chief and an alien Arbiter. With a fun variety of modes and challenges, and a cooperative mode too, the campaign was an enjoyable affair to blast aliens while listening to an epic orchestral and rocking soundtrack. However, the campaign takes a backseat to what is considered the crowning achievement in this game: A compelling local and online multiplayer.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Tabletop Tuesday - Liar's Dice
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 tough bluffs that is Liar's Dice.
Players: 2+
Time: 15+ minutes
Genre: Party Game
This week's game...the game of tough bluffs that is Liar's Dice.
Players: 2+
Time: 15+ minutes
Genre: Party Game
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Throwback Thursday - The Wolf Among Us
Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia. While my 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.
Speaking of which, in the magic mirror this week: The mature fairy tale graphic adventure that is The Wolf Among Us.
This episodic series first released worldwide on October 11th, 2013 as part of five episodes for its first season, the second season still pending to resolve its cliff hanger of a finale. Based off Bill Willingham's Fables comic book series, players take control of the sheriff / detective Bigby Wolf (aka the Big Bad Wolf) who investigates the murders and crimes of Fabletown, a community of "Fables" set in New York. These Fables are able to blend in and live normal lives through the use of a magical substance called "glamour". However, the plot thickens after the murder of a fellow Fable, and the seeds of corruption are revealed to be spread much deeper in this fantastical and twisted town.
Speaking of which, in the magic mirror this week: The mature fairy tale graphic adventure that is The Wolf Among Us.
This episodic series first released worldwide on October 11th, 2013 as part of five episodes for its first season, the second season still pending to resolve its cliff hanger of a finale. Based off Bill Willingham's Fables comic book series, players take control of the sheriff / detective Bigby Wolf (aka the Big Bad Wolf) who investigates the murders and crimes of Fabletown, a community of "Fables" set in New York. These Fables are able to blend in and live normal lives through the use of a magical substance called "glamour". However, the plot thickens after the murder of a fellow Fable, and the seeds of corruption are revealed to be spread much deeper in this fantastical and twisted town.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Tabletop Tuesday - Carcassonne
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 meeples and steeples that is Carcassonne.
Players: 2-5
Time: 30-45 minutes
Genre: Strategy
This week's game...the game of meeples and steeples that is Carcassonne.
Players: 2-5
Time: 30-45 minutes
Genre: Strategy
Monday, April 10, 2017
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Throwback Thursday - Donkey Kong Jungle Beat
Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia. In today's lineup: The unusual side-scrolling adventure that is Donkey Kong Jungle Beat.
Released in the US on March 14th, 2005, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat took the odd-bongo controller originally designed for the music game Donkey Konga, and adapted it for use in a platformer. How is such even possible with just a pair of bongos? Well, tapping the left bongo moves left and right moves right, tapping repeatedly to move faster. Tap both at the same time to jump where the force applied directly inputs to the strength of the jump. And with a sound sensor found between the bongos, players can clap to have DK clap and create sound waves and/or grab onto enemies. With these basic controls, new mechanics are continually introduced that feel completely natural with use of this unique controller. And there's nothing quite as satisfying as unleashing real physical fury by rapidly tapping the left and right bongos to pummel dastardly pigs and foes alike.
Released in the US on March 14th, 2005, Donkey Kong Jungle Beat took the odd-bongo controller originally designed for the music game Donkey Konga, and adapted it for use in a platformer. How is such even possible with just a pair of bongos? Well, tapping the left bongo moves left and right moves right, tapping repeatedly to move faster. Tap both at the same time to jump where the force applied directly inputs to the strength of the jump. And with a sound sensor found between the bongos, players can clap to have DK clap and create sound waves and/or grab onto enemies. With these basic controls, new mechanics are continually introduced that feel completely natural with use of this unique controller. And there's nothing quite as satisfying as unleashing real physical fury by rapidly tapping the left and right bongos to pummel dastardly pigs and foes alike.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Tabletop Tuesday - Super Fight
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 absurd arguments that is Super Fight.
Players: 3+
Time: n/a
Genre: Party Game
This week's game...the game of absurd arguments that is Super Fight.
Players: 3+
Time: n/a
Genre: Party Game
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Belated Throwback Thursday - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia. Sorry again for the delay folks; Life events and Zelda are to blame, of which you can look forward to a review of such in the near future (Spoiler Alert: It's good).
(End Mock Spoiler)
On the agenda for this week: The game of traveling caravans and magical lands that is Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.
Released in the US on February 9th, 2004, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is a cooperative action RPG for the Nintendo GameCube. Players choose one of four humanoid races (Clavats, Lilties, Selkies, and Yukes), each with varying benefits in terms of health, magic, and so on. They then begin their journey seeking out myrrh to fill their crystal chalice and transport to their village, which protects them from the threatening miasma, a noxious gas spreading throughout the lands. As the collected myrrh only lasts for about one year, these brave caravans must travel to farther and farther reaches each year in their search for more myrrh, of which they'll discover new lands, new travelers, and unravel the mystery and origins of this miasma.
(End Mock Spoiler)
On the agenda for this week: The game of traveling caravans and magical lands that is Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.
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