#videogames
#videogames
By: RJ (@rga_02)
A floating city in the sky with violins and pianos ringing in the air. Faux French being spoken with the ever looming sun in the background. Japan Studio’s 2012 title, Gravity Daze hits all the right notes for me.
by Omar (@neo_graphyte)
Bullet Dive is a series deconstructing the craft of the scrolling shoot-em-up genre. They were originally published on medium.com and have been edited for the clarity and format. You can find the originals and keep up to date here.
There’s a method I’ve noticed in the SHMUP genre that’s been bothering me. I’ve dubbed it “creating a lane”.
Simply put, creating lanes in shoot-em-ups means having enemies fire bullets with timing that forces you into an area for a period of time, limiting your maneuverability. It’s a kind of nebulous concept, something that you know when you see but is difficult to define.
by Omar (@neo_graphyte)
This Time It’s Persona is a series of essays on Persona 3 originally published on ashensiegarettes.
In my final days I lost the will to climb Tartarus. I knew I was strong enough to take on what was to come. Instead, I spent my days spending time with friends I hadn’t had the time to fully develop my relationships with.
I slurped ramen with Nozomi, helped work things out with Mamoru, and grew close to Yuko and Yukari. At night I spend time drinking with Mutatsu and watching a bummed out Vincent mope around.
Some nights I would work at the Chagall Cafe, hoping to work up the courage to stomach Fuuka’s cooking.
As I grew closer to some, I knew that I was at the peak of our relationship. I’d never spend another moment with them that would be new or unique. Yuko and Yukari would love me no matter what, and Mamoru disappeared with his family, looking for a way to support them.
By Omar (@neo_graphyte)
This Time It’s Persona is a series of essays on Persona 3 originally published on ashensiegarettes.
Persona 3 is complete.
This month I wrapped up the final chapter of Persona 3 Portable. In the time I’ve been playing it I’ve gone through at least three different PSP units (including one PSVita) and multiple copies, both UMD and digital. It’s taken over 54 hours.
It doesn’t feel like an accomplishment. Towards the end it became a slog through endless battles and tired trials. I wanted it to be over 10 hours ago.
By: RJ (@rga_02)
Final Fantasy VI was my first Final Fantasy. I first played it when I was about 3 to 4 years old. Of course at an age that young I didn’t get far. But those moments as a wee little kid seeing Terra, Biggs & Wedge ride the magitek through the snow in the opening scene set a momentum for my life. Ever since then the series has been a part of my life thanks to VI, but it wasn’t until 2007 that my 9 year journey with the game finally saw the end. I’ve always wanted to talk about this game, so here it is.
By: Paul (@MrHarkinian)
Deny it all you want, but you secretlyhave murderous intent. We all fantasize about harming anyone whohas wronged us, but most of the population knows better than to actout on those urges. If you really want to inflict pain on someone,stick to Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number.
By: RJ (@rga_02)
The plot is akin to a Saturday morning cartoon. You are a teenage girl trying to save your teacher’s workshop from closing. The evil government is trying to thwart your progress but fails constantly. It’s nothing great or horrid. The plot isn’t the reason why I adore this game. It’s the quirkiness displayed by the protagonist Rorona and the vibrant cheerful mood of the Atelier Rorona Plus captured my post-ironic heart.
By: RJ (@rga_02)
Despite what you might think about Resident Evil 4, there is no denying that game set the path for how the current mainline Resident Evil games plays out. Fans now long for the “pure” survival horror feel that the series was once known for. In 2012, Capcom answered to those cries by releasing Resident Evil Revelations. It was a throwback to classic Resident Evil with modern mechanics. Now, it’s time for a sequel that isn’t bound by limitations of a handheld, but the twist this time is that it is an episodic adventure.
