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Blog Herding: Editor And Reader Picks 2/11
Every Thursday we highlight both editor and reader blogs worth your undivided attention. Now's the time to get blogging! Check out our picks this week and then start writing. Maybe your posts will appear in a future herd.
"I’ve been playing the 360 multiplayer demo of Bad Company 2 the past couple nights, and for me it falls into the category of being stupidly fun. Not stupid in a simpleminded way (strategy plays more of a role in BC2 than most FPSes I’ve played) but rather so fun that my enjoyment of it just plain stupid – how else can I explain spending countless hours on a one level, one mode demo, when I have so many other amazing games to play?" Check out Jeff M.'s BC2 impressions and find out what makes the game stupidly fun.
"Based on the highly scientific method of totally guessing, I've determined I play roughly 15-20 hours of video games per week, in between feeding myself and holding down a job. I thought I'd take this opportunity to look back on my gaming life, recalling the titles that turned me into the zombie-like creature I am today." GIO member Rob Ebert takes a trip down memory lane with mentions of Oregon Trail, Civ II and more.
Enough With The Skull Masks, Already
"Ghost looked pretty lame even from the first time you saw him in Modern Warfare 2. He was kind of that cliche, forced 'ooh, check out this mysterious badass' character that really didn't add anything to a story that was convoluted and sub-par to begin with. Then Rios and Salem had to come back in a sequel no one wanted, and there they are, right on the cover with stupid skull masks. Enter Halo: Reach, with Emile bringing the skull mask look to space. It's like the video game version of an Affliction or Ed Hardy shirt...they look stupid but you still see them everywhere." Dan expresses his disdain toward skull masks. Check out his less-than-stellar Photoshop work.
My Weekend Visit To The Bottomless Pit Of Immaturity
Speaking of Dan, his dad paid him a visit last weekend and tells the tale of what he found in Dan's apartment...complete with photos. "I assumed that his apartment would be chock-full of man-child oddities, but I wasn't fully prepared for the onslaught of stupidity that awaited me."
The Best Game You've Never Heard Of: Spectromancer
"What if I told you that Magic: The Gathering designer Richard Garfield had created a Magic-esque video game that included online leagues, a replayable single-player campaign, and didn't require shelling out for collectible cards?" What is this game you speak of, Adam? Check out his detailed post on why you, too, should love Spectromancer.
Achievements And Trophies: The Double-Edged Sword
GIO community member Craigaleg goes over the pros and cons of achievements/trophies in games. Do they actually add anything to the gaming experience? Do they hurt the experience? Read the post to find out.
Custom Vinyl: Silent Hill Staples
Meagan has put together her next batch of custom Munny's, this time covering Silent Hill's Nurse and Pyramid Head. How did she do it? Read her post to find out and check out the images.
Video Game Music And Our Minds
"In the same way that a person can listen to any of the 'regular' music and feel an emotional tie to the music, those of us who listen to video game music can feel that same tie." GIO community member Michael Johnson explores the link between video game music and our emotions.
Heavy Rain And The Birth Of Interactive Film
"I remember a number of landmark moments in my personal gaming experience – titles that changed my perceptions of what games could do, and what I wanted out of the games I played. Super Metroid. Final Fantasy VII. Halo. GTA III. Guitar Hero. World of Warcraft. Having had the chance to play through a pre-release version of Quantic Dream’s new game, I'm now adding Heavy Rain to the list." Check out Miller's impressions on a game that has created its own genre.
Where Has The Creativity Gone?
GIO community member BlackHeartedWolf says down with new IP's if they are just going to be a knock off of something that already exists. What do you think? Check out the post and leave a comment.
Have you produced a blog post on gameinformer.com that you think should be considered for upcoming installments of Blog Herding? Read a fellow community member's blog and think everyone should give it a read? Send over an e-mail with a link to annette@gameinformer.com. I also accept bribes.
