Gaming Thread from the Trunk 8/24/2014

My eyes are jacked up (can't see out the left one and I have partial vision in my right) so this week's thread is stuff I've written but haven't gotten around to posting.

Sorry ;_;

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Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters - It starts it focus on Thor Aackerlund's rise in the 1990's Nintendo World Championships, his fall to obscurity and then the doc's main focus is all on the 2010 Classic Tetris World Championship with Thor's re-emergence. It's one of the early successful kickstarter projects.

Chasing Ghosts: Beyond The Arcade - This documentary is all about the people who made up Walter Day's National Video Game Team and a where are they now. I hate to say that this is one of the more depressing ones I've seen but it really is. Especially when they focus on Mr. Awesome, Roy Shildt who I think is the most fascinating part of the documentary. Very much worth the hour & half of your time to check it out.

The Space Invaders: In Search of Lost Time - This one's focus is about why people build arcades in their home. I don't think anyone in particular is especially fascinating but as a whole, this one works in how the people in it get so giddy about arcades. The guy reminiscing about the sounds and sights of being a kid in an arcade with a big grin on his face just kinda makes this one click. They used their hour and 25 minute runtime very effectively as it's a brisk jaunt that gives you those feels.

Special When Lit: A Pinball Documentary - Tilt is a better doc on pinball but I personally enjoyed this one more though it errs on the side of entertainment instead of being a documentary. It's shines a focus on pinball nerds and their collecting. It's quite fascinating though some of the subjects seem more like hoarders than actual collectors. That being said, everyone's childlike love of tables seems genuine. It's worth checking out on Amazon (free on Amazon w/ prime).

High Score - One man's goal of hitting 80 million in Missile Command. It's the most singular focused doc on this list and it's really fascinating in how Bill Carlton's life kinda disintegrates around his attempt. It's not really sad or pathetic but when your so into accomplishing something, your life does tend to go sideways and it's explored quite a bit in it's short run time. Thankfully it's not me or you who wants to sit down at a Missile Command cab for two days. It's quick, it's short and it's worth your time.

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I was 4 and the year was 1986 at Christmas. It's one of those memories that though happened when you're so young, it was profound enough that you can actually remember it. It was Christmas morning and waking up to mostly barren tree. At a young age, it's kinda disappointing but my parents were in the midst of a ruse as they sent me and my brother to search the house for a present. It took awhile but we finally found it buried in the basement. A NES (with ROB) and a collection of 10 or so games. Apparently, my mom started buying the games first in the thought that they were handheld games and instead of dad laughing and returning them, he decided to buy the console for us.

First games to make an impact on my young life on the NES were The Legend of Zelda, Gradius and Ghost'n Goblins. Zelda is so entrenched in my mind that I can hum almost the full soundtrack at will and tend to do so in inopportune time (no, humming the dungeon theme while going down on a girl is a good idea). Gradius on the other hand was a great pickup as a kid with tended to fidget, it's really made me calm down and focus (even though I still have a restless leg). Ghosts & Goblins just just purely fun in hell with it's BS cheap hits. Still remember when I got past the second level. Woke up real early before school and played it and then paused it. But me and my octo-cooler prevailed. Of course I then got trounced after finally getting past that part. Also remember the elation I felt when my brother "beat it" only to be told he needed to beat the game again. After that, I think we loaded the cart with firecrackers and it bye bye.

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Madden 15 (PS3, 360, PS4, XB1) Eh, it's a new game of Madden. Like all first real Madden releases on new consoles, it's worth picking up. Graphically it's made huge strides and the new defense stuff makes it play a lot better. Still with the robotic animations and magnet gloves on receivers though. Target has the best deals on it. $60 with $10 gift card w/ buying a bag of Doritos or Xbox One console w/ game and you get a $35 gift card.

Metro Redux (XB1, PS4 & PC) - 4A and Deep Silver getting in on the whole remaster trend. It collects the first two games with some added polish and upgrading/replacing some textures. Games were fun, be interesting in how they run on the new consoles considering how UN-optimised they are on the PC.

Infamous First Light (PS4) - Infamous's standalone expansion. And you don't have to play as d-bag Delsin.

Azure Striker Gunvolt (3DS) - The totally not a Megaman clone finally comes out. Quite a bit of complaints in that the game is too easy but the game still looks really fun.

Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney (3DS) - A cross-up that you have to ask yourself if it was needed. That being said, the Japanese reviews boiled down to the same sentiment: fun but misses the mark. That being said, there hasn't been much to play on the 3DS lately so it's probably worth checking out.

Lethal League (PC) - This game kinda came out of nowhere last year but has been racking up a ton of positive hands on impressions. Will it stick or not is a different matter. Looks fun though and GGPO makes sure the online multi won't suck.

Shadowgate (PC) - A full blown re imagining of the original PC release of seminal ShadowGate. This totally came out last week and I forgot it as I thought it was coming this week. Either way, you either dig the hardcore adventure game where death comes quickly or you find it boring. And if you liked it either on the NES or PC, you will love this as it's still really good.

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posted by Gang of Gaming Morons! at 03:16 PM

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