Backlog Project: Guacamelee!

Last year, I was looking for something to play on my PlayStation Vita, and asked a community of my fellow gamers for suggestions based on my personal video game preferences. My affection for a good metroidvania game inspired numerous recommendations to play Guacamelee!, being one of the few games of that type on the Vita. Even though the outward appearance and PSN description of that game didn’t appeal to me much, I decided to give it a go based on how many people felt it would be right up my alley.

Backlog Project: Batman – Arkham Asylum

I’m a big fan of “metroidvania” style games, even though I’m often overly critical of titles that fall under that label: either I compare them against one of the greatest games of all time, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, or their hands-on gameplay experience just doesn’t feel enjoyable to me. Once in a great while, however, I come across a game that not only does a decent job in nailing the design in a way that encourages backtracking and exploration, but also feels fun to play. This post is about a game that stands out in that exact sense.

In with the Old: Sequels, Reboots & Spiritual Successors

Naughty Dog‘s The Last of Us was arguably the most notable game of the last generation of gaming consoles, and it will definitely be a game to be remembered for a long time. With such success, it’s fairly safe to assume there will be a sequel – rarely in entertainment, whether it’s film or games, has there been a case where a title is an amazing success and those who made it don’t give in to the temptation to create more. It’s not all just about sales – the fanbase often demands sequels, as they can’t get enough of the product.

Burning Bridges: Japanese Game Creator Resignations

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is getting released worldwide very soon, and the excitement can be felt everywhere. This is to be creator Hideo Kojima‘s greatest production, and his last Metal Gear title; however, the game itself isn’t the only thing making the news. As most who follow the game industry know, Kojima and his employer of nearly 30 years, Konami, are in the middle of what can rather accurately be called a “messy breakup”: it is clear Kojima is leaving Konami, yet the reasons and the goings-on behind the scenes are largely obscured as of right now.

Adventure Means Nothing: Game Genre Definitions

Most digital game catalogs offer the option to filter the selection of games by genre, among other factors. That’s great – people have preferences about genres, and the filtering makes it that much easier to browse just the games any given individual is personally interested in. Some might skip the Strategy section altogether, and prefer to check out the Role-Playing section instead.