JoshLowensohn.com » video games

I

Josh — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 07:49:22 +0000

In case you’re wondering what that is. It’s a link to one of my side projects, Halolcats.com (seriously–go there right now, you won’t regret it!) And it’s on the front page news section of Bungie.net…which just happens to be the official page from the devs that made the awesomeness that is the Halo series for the XBOX and XBOX 360.

I was also stoked to discover that the super special extra bonus disc in my Legendary copy of Halo 3 has an awesome compendium of cinematics from the first two games which you can watch in order, or by chapter. For the lazy among you, this is pretty much the best possible way to refresh your memory before heading into the third game.

ShareThis

Tetris Ninja

Josh — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 06:17:27 +0000

Again, another video that’s awesome, but requires you to skip ahead about three minutes to get to the money shot.

[youtube jwC544Z37qo nolink]

via Digg

ShareThis

Guitar Hero video (must see)

Josh — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 06:01:35 +0000

This guy is nuts. Doesn’t look too hard til he hits the solo. Then it will blow. your. mind.

[youtube OxYJIteBrHU]

ShareThis

Why Maxim sucks.

Josh — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 01:33:35 +0000

So I’ve been a subscriber of Maxim for some years now. Not because it’s a quality publication, but because it’s cheap ($9 a year), and I like getting shiny paper in my mailbox that’s not a bill. This month’s issue is especially awesome. Not for its bland, photochopped pictures of Lindsay Lohan, but it’s clear failure at giving honest or informed ratings on video games. This month’s violation? Bioshock. This game is currently ranked 97% on Metacritic, and all the major game review sites have given it raving reviews. So what did Maxim give it? 3/5 stars, the equivalent of 60%, or an average score (or a D+ if this was your spelling test).

That’s really not the worst part though. This magazine made its way into my mailbox two weeks ago, and the game was released last Tuesday with many gaming sites not getting their hands on it until a week before, let alone Maxim, who has no clear games editor (go ahead, check their vague staff listing), and the section in question offers no byline whatsoever. I’m not one to question if they really took the time to play the game before giving the game its rating, but it gets worse.

Blacksite: Area 51 (the game pictured above Bioshock) has the same star rating, and doesn’t come out until early November. That’s three months away. I seriously doubt Maxim’s had a chance to even play anything besides the shit-tacular demo that made its way onto the XBOX Live Marketplace in early May.

Why is this even worth blogging, or bitching about? Well, not much besides the fact that if you’re even going to bother putting this type of shit in your publication you should back it up with something. I’d hate to see little Billy get Area 51 for Christmas instead of Bioshock because his daddy is taking game buying advice from Maxim. Well…actually if that’s the case, Billy has bigger problems.

ShareThis

This hurts me more than it hurts you…

Josh — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:20:17 +0000

Oh Bungie. I knew the day would arrive, I just didn’t think it would happen so soon.

They say the best things in life are those that are a mere glimmer. While it bums me out that I’m not going to get any more sweet Halo 3 multiplayer action again until late September, it’s also probably a good thing, as I was getting rather tired of playing the same three maps and about two game types. I can still never go back to playing Halo 2 though. I have a feeling I’d spend the first few games re-learning the controls and getting absolutely destroyed by these kids who sit around and play it all day. Speaking of which, as highly offensive and completely NSFW as this video is, I absolutely adore it.

[youtube Jz3br1q5wIQ]

ShareThis