Blog Herding: Community Edition 11/22/12

A couple of the year's blockbuster hits dominated the blogs and user reviews this week as gamers share their thoughts on Halo 4 and Black Ops II. If that doesn't press your start button, there are several other fascinating blogs submitted by your fellow gamers that should.

Blog Herding Stats:

Period Reviewed: November 12 – November 18, 2012
Number of User Blogs: 100
Number of User Bloggers: 66
Number of User Blogs Herded: 15

Community Blogs:

Beyond Compare: Borderlands 2, Black, & Project: Snowblind
Continuing his series where he compares video games exhibiting a common quality, Kyle Wadsworth associates the similarities between three titles boasting a large arsenal of weapons to choose from.

Bethesda's Bad Example
Joyful Penguin discusses the fact that, despite having some big name titles to their credit, Bethesda seems to get a free pass when it comes to the number of glitches found in their games.

Farewell, Game Instruction Booklet
It's a well-known and accepted fact that video game manuals are nearly extinct and NekuRulez documents the decline with supporting evidence demonstrated in this blog.

Why The ESRB Is Out Of Touch
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was established in 1994 to assign ratings to video games based on content but GoldvsSilver wonders if it's time for the system to be revised.

Achievement Unlocked: NINTENDO – Hipster Status (100)
Stranger has an interesting perspective about Nintendo's approach to achievements and how the Wii U lacks an integrated online system to facilitate the management of your in-game accomplishments.

Comparing The Call Of Duty Stories: Past And Present
With the recent release of Black Ops II, many gamers including John Wrek have been reflecting on the totality of the Call of Duty series and how it is has progressed over the years.

Of Video Games, Children, And Society
Noobtubin8er crafts an insightful blog teeming with wisdom about the relationship between video games and children, and the responsibility parents have in the role of raising our future gamers.

Tribute To A Games Journalism Loss
With a few of the video game industry's other printed magazines shuttering their doors, Nikolas Davidoff pays his respects while some are left wondering about the future of Game Informer.

Import Preview: Tokitowa Battle System
One of our favorite overseas correspondents returns as LGAR brings us a preview of Tokitowa, a game that is currently only available in Japan but rumored to eventually be released internationally.

The Twilight Days Of The Wii
Nintendo's newest console is now available but Applesteak reminisces over the release of the original Wii and the fond memories of playing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Why Do So Many Reviews Read Like Opinions?
With so many big name titles coming out recently it's inevitable the topic of review scores would be called into question again, but Kate Willaert has some thoughts about what review scores really mean.

Top 10 Multiplayer Shooter Maps
We all have a favorite map, especially if you're a fan of the shooter genre. With some big name shooters coming out, xl9 recalls ten of his favorite multiplayer maps.

Where Has Teamwork Gone In Multiplayer?
The concept of team work in multiplayer games can often be an exercise in futility and Paradigmthefallen has a few thoughts on what contributes to this situation.

Grand Theft Auto V: Wasted Potential
A strong-willed advocate for the fair representation of female characters in video games, ace13 takes aim at Rockstar and the next episode in the Grand Theft Auto series.

Reflections On An Iconic Series
With the recent release of a new trailer and a few screenshots for Grand Theft Auto V, Marco Polo reflects on the history of the series and what it means to him.

Community Reviews:

Review – Assassin's Creed III
Assassin's Creed III has kind of taken a back seat to Halo 4 and Black Ops II, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great game. In fact, BLiNDFATES awards it a near perfect score in this wonderfully crafted review.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified
Following in the footsteps of Dan Ryckert's review of Call Of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified that awarded the game a very low score, John Wrek concurs this game doesn't have a lot to offer Vita owners.

Black Ops II: One Step Back
Many gamers elected to skip getting Black Ops II or at least are waiting to see what others had to say about it. Well, footthumb played it and offers up his thoughts on whether it's worthwhile or not.

Another Trilogy Awakens Master Chief
Halo 4 continues to rake in high review scores including this one from Mike, who praises the game for its continuation of Master Chief's epic story and the game's spectacular cinematic sequences.

Halo 4: The Chief Is Champ
One of the community's regular reviewers, Applesteak declares Halo 4 recreates the magic of Halo Combat Evolved and insists you owe it to yourself to check out this latest installment in the series.

Master Chief Finally Thaws Himself Out In Halo 4
Like many of the other gamers who have reviewed Halo 4, Noobtubin8er was pleased with the experience and calls it his favorite, but warns those not familiar with the story might be lost.

Don't forget to send your feedback, recommendations, and community events in to my personal Game Informer account located here to ensure this feature continues to provide the content you're eager to read.

Happy Blogging!

Your friendly neighborhood blogging community (11/12/12 – 11/18/12):
ace13; Alex Beyer; Angry Adam; Applesteak; AshaMan3000 (2); blaxarbush911 (4); BLiNDFATES (4); Blue blood outbreak; Cameron; cerpintaxman; chcoman123 (2); Cru Hunter; Daniel Jones; David Chandler; Dawson Wyckoff (2); DJH; Drym Shyuan (3); Enigma (2); FAMESREVENGE; FrankxthexBunny; Gamemaniac3434; Geno; Ghost; GoldvsSilver; Hawke5 (3); HEEELS88; John Hollingsworth; John Wrek (3); Jolt the Cynic; JordanTheGamer (3); Joyful Penguin; Kate Willaert; Kflame210; Kyle Wadsworth; LGAR; Liquid Sephiroth; lotrgeek (4); Luis E. Morales Falcon (2); Marco Polo (3); markus1142; MeanMustacheMan; NekuRulez; Nikolas Davidoff; Noobtubin8er; Oni no Tenshi; opposedcrow88; Paradigmthefallen (2); PT99; Roxas; shadowBack; slymd83; SneakaFew (2); STRAFE- (2); Stranger; The Monster Hunter (2); thegodofwine7; Tomnesh; Trenchmace; TurdFurgy; Ucantfindme (3); Vogon5; w77jmh; xl9; xTheCrowing (3); ynoT0312Taz; and of course yours truly...Saint.

Video Game Quote of the Week:
"It's a funny thing, ambition. It can take one to sublime heights or harrowing depths. And sometimes they are one and the same." – Lady Emily Kaldwin, Dishonored