Blog Herding: Community Edition 12/06/12

The Game Informer Online community ushers in the holiday season with the generous gift of video game-related blogs and user reviews. They probably won't leave you feeling merry and full of cheer, but they might remind you how much of a gamer you really are.

Blog Herding Stats:

Period Reviewed: November 26 – December 02, 2012
Number of User Blogs: 91
Number of User Bloggers: 61
Number of User Blogs Herded: 8

Community Events:

Erica's Monument-al Adventure!
You may recall the recent success of Team GIO raising money in support of the Extra Life Marathon to benefit sick children. Zachary Pligge takes it one step further and shares his personal testimony.

Community Blogs:

Problems With BioShock Infinite's Box Art
An interesting post from x-XMantisX-x addressing Kyle Hilliard's story about the official Bioshock Infinite box art design while wondering if the image really captures the essence of the game.

You Create the Story – Telltale's "The Walking Dead"
A deep and potentially mind-blowing blog from Hist questioning whether the decisions you make in a video game really make a difference or are we just fooled into believing they do.

Thoughts On This Season's (And Summer's) Big Games
It's been a noteworthy year in terms of the quantity and quality of video games that have released since January. DrJoeystein summarizes his thoughts on a handful of the games he's played.

10 Ways To Improve Call Of Duty
Andrew Marcos offers ten improvements he thinks could build upon the proven design of the Call of Duty series, which will ensure the game isn't just profitable, but also enjoyable for those still playing it.

How Halo Is Gettin Me Goin Again
Developed for the first time by 343 Industries, Halo 4 is being praised for keeping true to the series. Part of that success is the compelling online play which bombstopper seems to favor.

What Makes A Game Timeless
Stranger delves into the mystery of what preserves interest and longevity in a game months, years, and sometimes decades after its release, and how some withstand the sands of time better than others.

5 Things From Popular Games That Are Shockingly Dark
A hilariously sinister listing from the list master thegodofwine7 examines the seemingly innocent behavior of a few popular video game personalities while disclosing their truly evil nature.

One Is The Loneliest Number
Video game sequels have become the standard, but AshaMan3000 discusses how not all games receive one and provides a list of games he thinks are deserving of another episode.

Community Reviews:

The Walking Dead – Telltale Games' Crowning Achievement
Telltale Games' The Walking Dead concludes with its fifth episode and Noobtubin8er weighs in on the heavy story that will leave you wanting more but at the same time glad it's finally over.

Lighthearted Fun With The Possibility Of Death
A review with a catchy title for a colorful game, Doctor Apozem enjoys playing through the wonderful world of Rayman Origins, a side-scrolling platformer continuing the legacy of the Rayman series.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops II Review
Andrew Marcos takes a rather diplomatic approach with this review of Black Ops II that will appeal to both core fans and those who might be on the fence or have grown tired of the series.

Mass Effect 3 Omega: Bioware's Return To Form
Considered by many to be an expert on the Mass Effect series, Orochisama LEVON, Spectre praises the recently released Omega DLC for Mass Effect 3 and for the opportunity to play alongside Aria T'Loak.

The Good vs Bad When It Comes Down To ZombiU
One of the few titles available in the Wii U's starting lineup, ZombiU seems to be getting mixed results from some. That doesn't stop that_sterlin_kid from giving it a respectable score.

Community Podcasts:

The JACKED UP Indie And Mojo Show Episode 51
After an extended absence, Daniel, Jeremy, and Jack return to the airwaves with commentary on Telltale Games' The Walking Dead, Chrono Trigger, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation, and more.

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 (11/26/12 – 12/02/12):
ace13; Andrew Marcos; AshaMan3000 (2); blaxarbush911; BLiNDFATES (2); bombstopper (2); BRAV0; Cameron Koch; cerpintaxman (2); Coachscorner00 (2); Colton; Comin_4_U; Cru Hunter; Dan Talarico; Darth-Carbonite; David Chandler; DJH (2); Doctor Apozem (3); DrJoeystein; Enigma (3); FAMESREVENGE; Gamemaniac3434; Ghost (3); Glasses; God Of Irony (2); GunslingerD7; Hawke5 (3); Hist (2); Jack Gardner; John Wrek (2); Jolt the Cynic (2); Jonathan Spiess; JordanTheGamer; Joyful Penguin (2); Luis E. Morales Falcon; Marco Polo (3); Matsuda Tohu; Noobtubin8er; Oni no Tenshi; opposedcrow88; Orochisama LEVON, Spectre; Paradigmthefallen (3); Rich; Robert Rhoades; Romars202129; SneakaFew; Stranger; The Soapbox Lord; thegodofwine7; Trenchmace (2); Ucantfindme; UltiMat3ProDGy07; Vogon5; vonfinell (2); Warrior; wayoverdue (3); xl9; xTheCrowing; x-XMantisX-x (2); Zachary Pligge (2); and of course yours truly...Saint.

Video Game Quote of the Week:
"The laws have always been the tools of whoever happens to hold all the chips." – Yuri, Tales of Vesperia