Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Even cyborgs love bourbon.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a game with amazing ideas, but some annoying design decisions hold it back from achieving true greatness. I'm maybe 10-12 hours into the game, past Detroit and maybe halfway through Shanghai. Not far enough yet for a final judgement yet, but certianly enough to get a good idea. (Unfortunately the rest is going to have to wait until I'm done with Transformers: Fall of Cybertron.) There's a lot here that I love, but a lot holding it back as well.

This Week in Games - 8/24

It is Transformers week, people. Fall of Cybertron dropped on Tuesday, and I have been all over it like an Allicon on energon goodies. As you may recall, I loved the first game, got pretty excited about the demo for this game, and have a general obsession with all things Cybertronian. I have been steeping myself in all things Transformers for weeks now-- reading the classic comics, grabbing the new FoC toys, and watching the surprisingly good Transformers: Prime. Point is, I finally get to play as Grimlock. My life is complete.

Video games in ukiyo-e style!

It's always interesting to watch big companies grapple with new business models. It's also frustrating to hear their constant complaints about piracy.

Please enjoy this blast of pure '90s.

This Week in Games - 8/17

I'm going to try something new. Clearly, I have trouble committing to anything like a regular schedule, probably because I can't resist making my posts into Tolstoy novels. But I should at least be able to post some links to articles that other, more talented, more organized people have written. Each Friday I will (try to) post a few of the most interesting articles I read that week.

Darksiders II (above) released this week. I played the first game not too long ago, and this sequel is one of the few new games I'm excited about this year.

Inside pictures of a GameStop refurbishment center. See inside the belly of the Beast!

I wasn't even aware of Sleeping Dogs until its release this week, and now suddenly, it dominates my waking thoughts. I did a study abroad in Hong Kong, and I still think of it as "my 'hood." While the game isn't exacly GPS-accurate, the idea if a meaty-but-focused open-world Hong Kong crime drama is pretty damn appealing. The money quote: "This is what Grand Theft Auto might feel like with a good editor."

EA is exploring a sale. That seems weird to me. Like saying the state of Delaware is for sale.

Do you know Extra Creditz? You should. The last two episodes were stellar.