The Seductive Power of ‘Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor’
Oops! I accidentally became a mass murderer, slaver, and a dark lord.
Experience Points
The Freedom of ‘inFamous First Light’
Largely due to its small size and independence from the primary game, First Light is simply better than Second Son, even while it owes its existence to it.
The Micro-machinery of ‘Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker’
Mario’s out exploring the galaxy, but Captain Toad is about examining the most minute details.
‘Smash Bros.’ Personality Profiles
Words can deceive. The way we fight reveals our true nature.
Personalizing Race in ‘Dragon Age: Inquisition’
Amid Dragon Age: Inquisition‘s palatial estates and ancient ruins, I found a story that creates a personalized experience of race.
Nintendo in the Internet Age
When it comes to modern online experiences, Nintendo soars one moment and then stumbles the next.
The Mixed Messages of ‘Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare’
By addressing real world themes too cautiously, Advanced Warfare wastes an opportunity and subverts one of the few positive narrative trends established in the Call of Duty franchise as a whole.
Game Lessons Learned from the Films of 2014
This past year’s slate of films is another opportunity to consider cinema with an eye towards game design.
The Labyrinths of ‘P.T.’ and ‘The Shining’
P.T. and The Shining engender obsession not by chance, not by contrivance, but by carefully and expertly placing the building blocks for our own self-constructed labyrinth, our playful search for meaning in art.