Zenimax Brings Aboard id Software

Have you ever wondered what would happen if the studios in charge of such mega-hits like “Fallout 3″ and “Oblivion” joined forces with the makers of “Doom” and “Wolfenstein”? Well, wonder no longer gamers because Zenimax (the parent company of Bethesda) has acquired id Software, a move which was announced by Zenimax Media earlier today. [Continue Reading]

Top 10 Games of 2008 That I Didn’t Play

As each year goes by, it feels like the number of good games released over those 12 months just keeps rising. This year was no different. I would argue that it saw a bigger increase than previous years largely because of the influx of quality casual and indie games. I think nearly every gamer missed out on a game they planned to get because they didn’t have the time, or saw yet another awesome game and just didn’t have the resources to cop it. I was definitely a victim. I’m closing out the year with empty pockets, plenty of great games, and a stupid-long list of games I really wanted to play and didn’t.

This is the top 10 games from that list:

10. Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy

Why I wanted it: It was a movie-licensed game that didn’t suck. Bonus: I actually liked the movies.

Why I didn’t play it: It just barely missed the must-buy list. It got some decent reviews, but something about buying a game where the title includes a full name that isn’t Tom Clancy or Sid Meier made my stomach turn.

9. de Blob

Why I wanted it: Who can resist a fun platformer where the plot centers on putting a smack-down on conformity? Not to mention, their marketing blitz blind-sided me a couple of times in the backfield.

Why I didn’t play it: I must confess–I have been neglecting my Wii. I won’t let myself buy another Wii game until I finish “Zelda: Twilight Princess” and “Metriod Prime 3: Corruption.”

8. Soulcalibur IV

Why I wanted it: “Soulcalibur” has made a healthy impression on me with every game since the original was released for Dreamcast. Ivy’s Snake Sword and Maxi’s Nunchucks (I am a huge Michelangelo of TMNT fan) sealed the deal pretty much every time. A little hint of Star Wars doesn’t hurt either.

Why I didn’t play it: Lately I just haven’t had the urge to play fighting games. Seems like those Street-Fighter-II-Turbo-at-birthday-parties-and-sleepovers glory days have faded. Plus, fighting games just aren’t the same when your opponent isn’t in the room with you.

7. Dead Space

Why I wanted it: I always wanted to be trapped on a dark space station with limited ammo and vicious creatures, who would love to rip my body into nice happy meat chunks…

Why I didn’t play it: WHAT!?!?! I am not scared to play this game…

6. Ninja Gaiden II

Why I wanted it: Ninja + Speed + Buckets of Blood = Fun

Why I didn’t play it: This is the first (but not last) game on this list that I am truly puzzled about. I think I just didn’t have 60 bucks to shell out when it was released. [Continue Reading]

Fallout 3 Review: Boom Goes The Nuclear Blast

“Oblivion” with guns; those three words have been repeated across the vast ocean of the internet ever since Bethesda announced “Fallout 3.” After beating the game, and working through my second play through, I am going to have to agree with those three words. The quick traveling, interface, and even the way you sleep are all elements borrowed from “Oblivion.” However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the game is bad; on its’ own, it’s jammed with content that places heavy emphasis on exploration and morale decisions. It’s just too bad that while the ideas of “Fallout 3” sound good on paper, a lot of it falls apart in the end due to bugs, and shoddy execution.

“Fallout 3” starts out with your 21-year-old character on the verge of escaping Vault 101, where he has lived for his entire life. He was born and raised in Vault 101, got his Pip-Boy at age 10, took his G.O.A.T test at age 18, and, at age 21, his old man escapes the Vault. The Overseer (the guy who runs this particular Vault) gets pissed off, and begins searching for you. Don’t worry though; his daughter wakes you up in your room to and informs you of the ordeal. After nabbing a pistol, some medical supplies, and a baseball bat, you’re on your merry way to follow in your Papa’s footsteps and escape the Vault – by beating up some highly trained security officers, as a level 1 character. [Continue Reading]

Preview Impressions: An Hour With Fallout 3

It’s always interesting to throw yourself into the middle of a game where you don’t know exactly what’s going on. That’s what I did last week at a demo for one of the years most anticipated games – “Fallout 3.” I had one hour to explore as much of a post apocalyptic Washington D.C. as possible, and trust me, you need a lot more than an hour to really sink your teeth into “Fallout 3.”

The demo started off at the exit Vault 101 as my character (who was pre-created) was headed into the outside world for the first time, ever. As you emerged on to this desolate wasteland you could tell that something very, very bad happened to our nation’s capital. Armed with only a handgun and my stat-managing PIP-Boy 3000 I exited the vault, and set forth to find out about my father. Unfortunately, I’m not able to talk about the main quest of the game any more than that, so, instead, I set forth to find out about some side quests.

In a previous demo I was shown what was to the right when you exit your vault, a city called Megaton, so I decided to head left, and see what I could find. Using the game’s navigation system, the first point of interest I encountered was Springvale Elementary School – a wonderful place for a child to get an education, or get shot by the Raiders that now roam the hall. As I opened the front entrance to the school I was greeted with a barrage of bullets from the balcony above (consider yourself warned, for when you play). Luckily I survived, and took out the Raider. Prior to this encounter all I really needed to shoot were the mole rats that roam the hillside, and taking down a human always feels a little bit different. [Continue Reading]