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