Blog Herding – The Best Blogs Of The Community (August 13, 2015)

We've got another great week of blogs and reviews-but no writing challenge responses. So, to jumpstart our once-popular segment, I'm asking you, the community, to tell me what you think we should use for writing prompts.

Now then, get reading.

Community Blogs For August 6 - August 12:

What Do We Want To Contribute To The Online Community: Negativity Or Positivity?
Blogger Rebekah Lang writes that the online gaming community "seems to be going through a collective cranky." A negative tone in one of her online gaming communities kept her away from it. And that's not good. She's going to try and make it better. You should too.

My Time Magazine VR Pics
HoboLuvin created some fun photos to poke fun at the recent Time cover. I'm not going to spoil it (chances are you've already seen it), so just give it a look and prepare for some goofy images.

Top 10 Saddest Deaths in Gaming...
StarterPack writes about a divisive topic-especially considering the interesting picks. But I definitely agree with (SPOILER) Dom's death being sad. I mean, the man had nothing to live for anymore, so I know he's in a better place. Why yes, it is dusty in here. Can't quit you, Dom.

Smite Has Dominated My Gaming Life
Irwin529 has pumped over 150 hours into Smite-and he says he still doesn't get it. The MOBA tasks you with destroying towers, as usual, but has totally consumed him, Greek gods and all.

Is the Wii U a disappointment for you...?
Arcania asks a question that probably has a lot of diverse answers. For me, the Wii U has been fantastic. I love the first-party games, as well as the trickle of third-party games like Bayonetta 2 and Monster Hunter. Heck, I bought it just for Monster Hunter, so I've been pleased since day one. Now for the love of everything Nintendo, let's get a proper Chibi-Robo title.

What Journey Taught Me About My Addiction
Daniel Jones, like many, had a unique, personal experience with Journey. This mature blog explains how Journey connected to his addiction. When I played Papo & Yo I relived my childhood, one where I grew up with an alcoholic, abusive father. Games can be more than jumping on Goombas, sometimes, and that's good.

Moments: Trials and Tribulations' Credits
MightyMagikarp continues the excellent series of Ace Attorney blogs, this time writing about Trials and Tribulations' credits scenes. Instead of giving us a blank wall of scrolling names, the game shows us what happens to characters after the game ends. This is pretty cool, and something I wish more games would do. It was one of my favorite parts of Mischief Makers!

Community Reviews:

Rocket League Review (PS4)
A core group of us have been playing Rocket League each Sunday in the Blog Herding playdates, and boxcar182 explains why: it's just great fun. Cars and (indoor) soccer have been combined before by the same developer, but not quite this well. Give the review a read if you want to find out what all the fuss is about. Just be thankful the title doesn't include a Mexican referee yelling goal for 30 seconds after each golazo.    

Rare Replay Review - A Worthwhile, Nostalgia-Filled Collection
Raging Searchers writes that this collection of classics (and some stinkers) is definitely worth the price of admission. Not only are there some great games to be found, but a host of behind-the-scenes extras as well.

Sound Shapes Review: The Sound of Boredom
Lovemeorshootme is not a fan of Sound Shapes. It's not that it's bad, it just doesn't hold his interest. And with so many games released each week, that's kind of a problem.

Community Writing Challenge:

We've been light on community writing challenge responses. So, as a response to that, I'm asking for some topics from the community that you guys would like to write about. No topic is too boring, strange, or dull-just send one in the comments and we'll use them for future writing challenges!

Community Playdate:

There will be no playdate this Sunday. Look for our next one in a future edition of Blog Herding.

I hope you enjoy the blogs! Please contact me via my Game Informer page or on Twitter at @LouisGarcia12 with any blog news or playdate suggestions.