Throwback Thursday - StarCraft

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  On the horizon this week: The game of space marines and alien things that is StarCraft.

Released on March 31st, 1998, StarCraft is a coveted sci-fi saga that set a golden benchmark for real-time strategy games to follow and established a wildly popular pro-gaming scene in South Korea.  The story and gameplay revolves around three races in which players will rotate between at major junctions in the narrative, providing both new perspectives and mechanics while furthering the plot.  There is Terran, the human race of space marines looking to colonize in the far reaches of space;  Zerg, an aggressive hive-mind alien race looking to expand and conquer;  And Protoss, an advanced alien race that fights to prevent the spread of Zerg.  The way in which the player jumps between these races is a really unique and compelling storytelling tool, and serves wonderfully as a single player campaign and subtle teaching tool of varying race mechanics.  The high quality cinematics were further reason to explore this tantalizing campaign before diving into the online / LAN multiplayer.

Tabletop Tuesday - Boggle

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 that was cool at the pool before other text twist spin-offs that is Boggle.

Players: 2+
Time: 5 minutes per round
Genre: Word Game

A Crossing with Cuccos

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E3 2017 - Top 5 Highlights

With every E3 comes a tidal wave of games and announcements, of which it may be difficult to keep track just what was announced.  Even I likely may of missed many trailers and/or announcements, but from what I saw through the press conferences, online, and at the show floor, here are my Top 5 Highlights of E3 2017:

-WARNING: The trailer for Beyond Good & Evil 2 below contains mature themes and language.  Parental discretion is advised before viewing video.

-1- Super Mario Odyssey

When Nintendo once again went all out decorating their entire show floor to the theme of New Donk City, it should be no surprise that Super Mario Odyssey was confident to have an impressive showing.  But it was an unexpected surprise the degree in which this game was able to astonish players around every bend and turn.  With a more open-ended structure to explore these vastly various worlds and a crazy new hat-possessing mechanic for tons of new gameplay possibilities, this game can't come soon enough.  Thankfully, it appears to be coming sooner than anyone initially anticipated, due to launch October 27th.  Yahoo!

Throwback Thursday - Mole Mania

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  On the market this week: The game of short-sighted moles and lots of holes that is Mole Mania.

Released in the US for the Game Boy back in February 1997, Mole Mania is a hidden gem designed by famed game creator of Mario, Zelda, and more that is Shigeru Miyamoto.  Players take control of a mole by the name of Muddy Mole on a quest to rescue his family from an evil farmer, Jinbe.  Using a similar top-down perspective as found in certain Zelda games, players will explore puzzling landscapes filled with iron balls to push and toss, and various enemies to defeat.  Of course, as a mole though, players can also dig underground to reveal a parallel underside of each screen in which to circumnavigate obstacles and reveal hidden paths.

E3 2017 - Event Impressions

E3 2017 has come and passed, but jet lag will always remain with us.  Sorry for the delay folks.  That jet lag really did take more of a toll than expected.  For those who noticed the absence of Sunday comics, expect such to return this coming weekend.  In the meantime, here are some impressions of the E3 event from attending as the average gamer, consumer, aspiring designer, and gaming enthusiast.

Nintendo's E3 2017 Booth - New Donk City, where the fun and funk never stops.

Walking onto the show floor the first day was an overwhelming spectacle to behold.  The colorful displays.  The mass of crowds.  Everything was calling for your attention, but it became quickly apparent that only so many would be able to partake in what there was to offer.  It was like a mix of a convention and a miniature theme park.  Even without the extra 15,000 first-time attendees, I can imagine this being a packed event.  With this addition though, it's clear that this event is experiencing some growing pains.  That's not to say it wasn't still a fun and exhilarating experience.  It was just an experience that needed some adjusted expectations and a fair share of patience.

Tabletop Tuesday - No Thanks!

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 chips and wit that is No Thanks!

Players: 3-5*
Time: 10-20 minutes
Genre: Casual Card Game

Throwback Thursday - Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  This week's destination: The game of swashbuckling and alluring dancing that is Shantae and the Pirate's Curse.

Released in the US on October 23rd, 2014, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is the third game in the Shantae series.  Continuing the events of Risky's Revenge, Shantae lives the life of an ordinary human now with no genie powers.  When her rival Risky Boots notices her minions disappeared and turned into evil Cacklebats, an unlikely alliance is formed with Shantae to retrieve the dark magic and prevent the resurrection of an evil Pirate Master.

Tabletop Tuesday - Smash Up

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 alien abductions and ninja minions that is Smash Up.

Players: 2-4
Time: 45-60 minutes
Genre: Strategy Card Game

Shy Guys

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E3 2017 - Coverage

Brace yourselves everyone!  E3 2017 is almost upon us.  As I am excitedly attending the event in person for the first time this year, I can't wait to share thoughts and impressions covering this event.  However, as I will be with limited / no access to a computer, this coverage on Hughes 3D will likely come the following week.  Never fear though, as I will try to take plenty of pictures and hope to bring a unique and fresh perspective upon my return.  I've also worked ahead to ensure your regular weekly content is still posted during this E3 week, including Sunday comics, Tabletop Tuesday, and Throwback Thursday.

For live E3 coverage, you'll find plenty at sites such as Kotaku, IGN, and YouTube.  Until then, hang on tight to that hype train as we approach our final destination.  And happy gaming!

Throwback Thursday - The Sims (series)

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  Arriving to the party this week: The game of customization tools and death by swimming pools that is The Sims series.

The Sims debuted in the US on February 4th, 2000, which went on to be the best selling PC game of all time, selling 16 million units (100 times more than EA originally projected).  For those unfamiliar with the series, The Sims is a quirky life-simulation game in which players create characters (Sims) and build homes in which to have them interact with.  The goals and narrative of the game are entirely up to the players to direct and create.  Sims could improve skills such as creativity or cooking through performing various actions or reading books in the game; They could get jobs and try to advance their careers; They could foster relationships or feuds with other Sims.  And any Sim that should perish would leave behind a tombstone (or urn indoors), to later haunt other Sims on the lot in the form of a ghost.  With this silly sense of humor and fresh free-thinking gameplay, it's no wonder why this game went on to be a great success.  And it had some amazing building and creation tunes to accompany.

Tabletop Tuesday - Yahtzee

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 loud exclamations or silent resignations that is Yahtzee.

Players: 1+
Time: 15-30 minutes (depending on number of players / dice)
Genre: Casual Family Game

Master of Fitness

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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Review

Genre: Racing / Party Game
Players: 1-12
Playtime: 15 hours (Includes getting 1st Place in most every grand prix in every speed class and some online racing / battle mode-- Note I've had experience playing most of this game on Wii-U)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is an enhanced port of the extremely successful Mario Kart 8 from the Wii-U, now for the Nintendo Switch.  Only this time, players only had to wait two months to get their hands on this game instead of two years like Wii-U owners did.  For those who never experienced the Wii-U version, Mario Kart 8 was the latest entry in the series, offering race tracks that twist and turn quite literally bending the rules of gravity.  Players race, glide, and dive like never before in beautiful HD graphics and with a live orchestrated soundtrack, a first for the series.  And now with this Switch version, Battle Mode has been rebuilt from the ground up for chaotic party fun.  So does this polished port offer enough incentive for newcomers to join the race, or similarly for veterans to take another lap?  Let's take a closer look the positive and negative aspects, and we'll see if a photo finish is needed to answer this question.

Little Nightmares Review

Genre: Puzzle-Platformer, Horror
Players: 1
Playtime: 4 hours (Includes beating the game and finding a few secrets)

Little Nightmares invites players to run and hide in a world that is filled with unspeakable horrors and grueling imagery.  It may be easy to make comparisons to games such as Limbo or the recent Inside, but Little Nightmares makes its own mark with a distinct style of suspenseful and stealthy gameplay mixed with bouts of frantic chases from unsettling figures.  It reminds us of how strange and frightening the adult world can be through the eyes of a child.  So if you enjoy playing games as small defenseless protagonists with a aesthetic art direction that feels like something from Nightmare on Elm Street mixed with Tim Burton, keep reading the pros and cons below as this game may be right up your foreboding alley.

Throwback Thursday - Star Fox 64

Welcome to another Throwback Thursday, our weekly look into my Top 100 games and general nostalgia.  On the radar this week: The game of barrel rolls and somersaults that is Star Fox 64.

Star Fox 64 was released in the US on June 30th, 1997, and still holds as the most beloved space shooter in the series 20 years later.  Set in a planetary solar system known as the Lylat system, players take control of Fox McCloud who heads a four-member crew that is the Star Fox team.  A General Pepper hires Star Fox when the planet Corneria is invaded by a sinister scientist that is known as  Andross.  From there, players then embark on a series of missions with the ultimate goal of taking down Andross and his evil forces.  These missions can vary from on-rail shooters to free-range aerial dog fights.  They also come in an interesting variety of locations and ship types, ranging from tank missions across an industrial railway to undersea diving in a submarine.  Each and every mission in this game is a unique and memorable experience.