buttonmashing

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Archives for 2013

July Releases

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July is like January for movie studios — release the dregs while no one’s looking! Normally, I’d be on board to grab the yearly NCAA drop, but no self-respecting Ohio State Buckeye fan is going to defile their gaming shelf with the likes of Denard Robinson. So I’ll pass on this year’s offering. Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave much else for the taking:

Week of July 9th
Dark
NCAA Football 14

Week of July 16th
Dynasty Warriors 8
The Serious Sam Collection

Week of July 30th
ArcaniA: The Complete Collection
Terraria: Collector’s Edition – I love Terraria, but I may pick up this collector’s edition just for that USB pick. That is awesome!

No July Releases for the Nintendo Wii-U

Week of July 2nd
Crash City Mayhem

Week of July 16thShin Megami Tensei IV

Week of July 30th
Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi

Week of July 2nd
Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition [Online Game Code]
Napoleon: Total War – Gold Edition
DARK

Week of July 9th
Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Brave New World

Week of July 23rd
The Raven – Legacy of a Master Thief

Week of July 9th
Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection
NCAA Football 14

Week of July 16th
Dynasty Warriors 8
Time and Eternity

Week of July 30th
Terraria: Collector’s Edition
ArcaniA: The Complete Collection

No July Releases for the PS Vita.

What are you picking up?

(Note: As always, all Amazon.com links have our affiliate code embedded in them. If you purchase something through our link, we get a little commission. It’s appreciated.)

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ButtonMashers, let us reflect on those games, be they recent or from the glory days, that perhaps defined our gaming personalities and tastes or otherwise standout in our memories as just a romping good time. List all the games in one post or dedicate a post per game per week. Whatevs. Give us some context. What merits does this game have to be your list? Let’s get personal ‘n stuff. Dig deep or just give a synopsis. I shall go first.

235837-myst_large (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Myst (1993)

My Dad and I played Myst on a Macintosh Quadra 950. In my 12 y/o eyes, this was the kind of computer that NASA uses to align the telemetry of satellites and design robots to perform open-heart surgeries or something… and we had one in the basement – and that’s really cool! I came to associate the windpipe note on bootup with the rustic, mystical aesthetics of Myst. Overtime, the computer and the game coalesced into one entity.

I had only gotten a brief experience with Myst before I had to ship off to 6th grade camp for a week. But that small dabble was enough to instill a longing all throughout camp; All I wanted to do was get through the week, get through all the lame-o kitsch craft projects and bonfire sing-a-longs so I could go home and click through Myst – a place that truly held my interest.

I was compelled that the game gives you nothing at the onset but a quick, cryptic movie. Then I was invited to touch a TV screen in a book and was transported through a swirling aviary cut scene and plopped down on a seaside dock. You learn from your surroundings. I remember comparing notes with my Dad. I remember getting so frustrated in the rocketship, and how pumped I got when I figured out how to get the small gear-bridge to rise out of the water so I can access the switch on the other side – what this switch does… ‘ellifiknow – But there are others like it, so it must be important.

I remember enjoying the game so much that I wanted to share it with my friend T.J. Methodically, I sat him down in front of the computer, loaded a new game, adjusted the volume, dimmed the lights, and then slowly, eagerly backed away, positive that he’d have as profound of an experience that I did. Five minutes later T.J. reappeared in my room, baffled and bored: “ I don’t know what it wants me to do.” I instructed that he has to click around, figure it out, take it all in. The concept went over his head. Why couldn’t other children think like me?

Myst helped me to appreciate environment and mood. I credit this game to the tendency I have to explore every nook and cranny of other games. I do so not with hopes of finding a hidden bonus but just to soak in the surroundings, to appreciate fictional spaces – Which is why it takes me for-freaking-ever to make any progress in so many games. I dawdle. And in Myst, there’s no rush.

https://buttonmashing.com/2013/06/27/9856/

In My Digital Hands (and Weekend Gaming)

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state_of_decay

Recently it seems like the only thing that has turned my crank, video game-wise, has been zombies. It wasn’t supposed to be this way, but The Walking Dead had me going for a while (more on that soon) and then all I heard about was how engaging State of Decay was. Even though my Xbox 360 has started to accumulate a layer of dust, I decided to give it a try.

So this what I’ll be playing this weekend, along with Animal Crossing New Leaf on the 3DS. If there’s time, I’ll get in a game of Infinite Crisis or League of Legends, but right now I think I’d rather be scavenging an abandoned diner for something to eat before the “Zeds” arrive than just about anything else.

What will you be playing this weekend?

Download of Call of Juarez:Gunslinger – 1% Complete

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At the risk of chasing you, dear reader, away at the onset, I dare begin this post by baring a part of feelings to you (let us now hold hands): My life these past few weeks has felt kinda of… wonky. Our family has fallen out of routine a bit. I’m a bit on-edge about the future. I’m fatter now. I get weird pains in my legs. (2% complete) The weather is getting uncomfortably warm for my liking. And my kids are screaming too damn much.

And, in coming closer to the topic of the post, my gaming life has felt a bit complacent. My two main games for the past months have been Crusader Kings 2 and EVE:Online. Both wonderful games; I’m a Paradox Interactive fanboy and EVE has utterly consumed my mind to where I lay in bed staring at the ceiling and mentally tinkering with the fit of my Imperial Navy Slicer frigate. The science and tactics of ship fitting clusters my thoughts, more for ill than good. Analaysis Paralysis is the name of the game at this juncture. It’s gotten to the point to where when I log in I find myself doing nothing more than the following (4% complete):

The situation isn’t any better for Crusader Kings 2. The RTS is engaging and fun! Plotting to assassinate 5 year-old heirs to the throne never – NEVER – gets old! Its infinite replayabilty has become more a distraction than an appeal at this point. I am unable to focus on the strategy of a current campaign because I’m off thinking about how the game’s new DLCs play. And so, recently, I log in and in the main menu screen I end up doing nothing more than this mouse-click melody (fun as it is!):

http://youtu.be/WTQyZEMIsHU

 

Simply put, I came to the conclusion that I’m thinking too much. I’m worn out from real life and, when game time comes, I’m too worn out to think constructively (8% complete). I need to get back in touch with my instincts, with my gut! I need a place where thinking won’t get you very far, but sprinting sure as shineola will. Because of this, the download for Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is currently 10% complete.

YES, friends! I need a good ‘ol fashioned arcade FPS in my life, to get my left hand back on AWSD and my right on the mouse. I chose Gunslinger for several reasons, but mostly I’m going with my gut. It was a decision against some of my personal gaming ethics, but, again, screw that for now – I’m acting on instinct. It may not be on sale but at $15 and 5GB, why not? Likewise, this decision is even more significant considering that Steam is offering all Paradox Interactive games 50% off this weekend. Picking up the Hearts of Iron III bundle (for the same price as Gunslinger) seems appealing. But Nay! I must honor my instinct (13% complete) for the wild west calls to me. I played the demo and read the reviews. The Gunslinger gameplay promises to be no frills, no gimmicks. I appreciate the historical application and look forward to romping around in its environs. I look forward to dueling with the great historical persons. The soundtrack is slammin and the gushing blood sound effects are endearing. The dialog and voice acting is authentic. Plus, I’m a sucker for westerns. All things considered to pass up Gunslinger would be illogical. Crap, there I go again – thinking… Here’s to the hope that Gunslinger will jar me loose of gaming complacency (18% complete).

Gunslinger1

 

In My Digital Hands

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Animal Crossing New Leaf

It’s actually been in my digital hands since yesterday afternoon, when I got a copy for myself and my daughter. We played it a bunch last night (she more than me, by far) and so far, so good.

It’s Animal Crossing, alright. From Tom Nook’s indentured servitude to Ressetti yelling at me for not saving properly, it’s all there.

PC: Infinite Crisis

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So a friend and I have been granted access to the beta for Infinite Crisis because they had a stress test tonight and I’ll give you the lowdown.

The game is, as I’ve read and now have experienced, more similar to the League of Legends model than the DOTA2 model. That really isn’t all too different because they are both MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) but, if you’ve played both then you’ll know what I mean.

The gameplay is solid, the characters are unique with abilities that match the character. The thing about Infinite Crisis that gets me excited is all of the possibilities of character types that are available. Take Green Lantern for example:

Green Lantern(s)?

These are the Green Lanterns (from left to right) from Arcane (Earth-13), Prime (Earth-0), and Atomic (Earth-17). Each of these characters are Green Lantern but, each version will have their own skills/abilities that reflect their world.

The game lists six earths/universes – Prime, Arcane, Atomic, Gaslight, Nightmare, and Mecha but, the total universes in the comics are 52!

52!

Can you imagine all of the different kinds of incarnations of the Flash there are?!?

Woooosh!!

The Flash was my favorite from the characters available, I look forward to all of the versions of characters that will come from this game.

I’ll keep you posted as the awesome keeps coming.

For a beta it’s been surprisingly solid thus far.

In My (Portable) Digital Hands

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kingdom_rush_frontiers

iOS games don’t get a lot of play here, but my #1 iOS game of all time, far and away, is Kingdom Rush. I love Tower Defense games to begin with, but throw in the setting (fantasy) with some of the best “barks” in a game (“Say hello to my little friend!” “Yippe kai-yay mother-“BEEEEP!) and you’ve got quite the charming little game. Add on top of that some seriously challenging levels, and it turns into one of the best portable games available.

Here’s to hoping Frontiers is just as good.

June Releases

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A generation is coming to a close and this month hints strongly of that. Other than Animal Crossing (which is on a next-gen handheld anyway), there isn’t a whole lot to get excited about.

On to the releases:

Week of June 4th
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition – Well, nothing great is coming out this month, why not release Skyrim again?
Minecraft
Remember Me

Week of June 25th
DeadPool – Well, nothing great is coming out this month, why not release a DeadPool game? (Actually, I hope this game is the kind of dumb fun that makes it the summer sleeper)
Ride to Hell Retribution

Week of June 18th
Game & Wario

Week of June 4th
Animal Crossing: New Leaf – I’m not a prepared as Brinstar is for Animal Crossing: New Leaf, but I am still really looking forward to picking this title up. Will probably be my only purchase this month.

Week of June 18th
Crash City Mayhem

Week of June 25th
LEGO Legends of Chima: Laval’s Journey
Project X Zone – Limited Edition

Week of June 4th
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition

Week of June 11th
DARK

Week of June 25th
Company of Heroes 2
DeadPool
Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded
The Sims 3 Island Paradise

Week of June 4th
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition
Remember Me

Week of June 11th
The Last of Us

Week of June 18th
Week of June 25th
Best of PlayStation Network, Vol. 1
Air Conflicts Pacific Carriers
DeadPool
Ride to Hell Retribution

Week of June 18th
Jak and Daxter Collection

Week of June 25th
Muramasa Rebirth
LEGO Legends of Chima: Laval’s Journey

What are you picking up?

(Note: As always, all Amazon.com links have our affiliate code embedded in them. If you purchase something through our link, we get a little commission. It’s appreciated.)

Weekend Gaming

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It’s the weekend!

Another weekend of gaming looms before us. What to play, what to play. Right now EVE Online is on the backburner for me. I still get on to adjust my training queue and check my market orders, but for the most part I have neglected EVE for the better part of two weeks now. But other games have filled the void…

I’ve picked up where I left off on a few games, specifically Diablo 3 and The Walking Dead. I’m somewhere in Episode 3 of The Walking Dead and things are unraveling FAST. This is not going to end well. I also started playing Torchlight 2 but I really haven’t had much time to devote to that.

The biggest addition to my gaming pile has been League of Legends. I dabbled with Dota 2 last month for a little while and I can totally see its allure but it never grabbed me. Then James said he and some of his friends had been playing LoL, so I fired it up and have been enjoying it. I’m still quite the noob, but I’m enjoying it. Anyone else here play League of Legends?

What are you playing this weekend?

Xbox One: What I think

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So I, with half the internet, watched this afternoon’s Microsoft Xbox ONEne Reveal. (Is it “ONE” or “One”?). Here are a few thoughts that I think pretty much sums up a lot of the feeling I got watching Twitter and chatting with fellow blogger James during the event.

  • Games: Where were they? This whole EA partnership makes me feel icky and the lack of NCAA among the four “Pillars” of games was disappointing. I would bet real American Dollars that NCAA games sell better than both UFC games and NBA games (but of course couldn’t touch FIFA or Madden). I could take or leave Call of Duty: Ghosts. The feed I was watching wasn’t in HD, so I didn’t get the full effect of the compare and contrast to MW3 and MW:G, so maybe that could have made an impact, but EA and COD did not get me excited about playing games on the Xbox One.

    I will play games on this machine, right?

  • Details: Sure, they had a few technical details (processor speed, RAM) but what about the harddrive? The optical drive? I know it has been reported elsewhere that the new Xbox would have a Bluray drive, but I would really like to have that confirmed.
  • That controller: It’s a thing of beauty.

Xbox One Controller

  • The other stuff: The TV/Cable/DVR integration is really, really slick. I know a lot of people poo-poohed it, but I think that if it seamlessly, it’s going to be awesome.
  • The Kinect 2: The new Kinect has promise. Clearly there is potential there. If nothing else, telling the Xbox to turn on and it recognizes me and logs me in, that is pretty slick.

So, am I getting one? Probably. Most likely. For a host of reasons (brand loyalty, the Halos, the achievements). But is it possible I’ll opt for the Playstation 4 this generation? It’s a possibility. A slim one, but a possibility nonetheless.

Will you be getting one?