Review - Dead Space

Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Publisher: EA Games
Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360, PS3

My list of favourite movies has been consistently evolving over the past couple of years, but to my memory I don't think there's been a moment since 2004 where Alien hasn't been at the very top. The movie does everything right in all respects: the plot rarely if ever gives into cliche, the acting is totally natural and most of the effects still hold up to today's standards - if not better at times; most of the dialogue is improvised, familiar and seamless; the score is wonderfully composed and arranged, the titular creature magnificently designed and executed, and the entire film radiates with haunting, claustrophobic paranoia.

Review - Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode One

Developer: Hothead Games
Publisher: Hothead Games
Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360 Live Arcade, Mac OSX

This game has a ridiculously long title but that doesn't seem to put me off. Well, it's Precipice from here on in for convenience's sake.

Penny Arcade rocks - at least according to personally-held fact (that is, opinion). Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins have, since 1998, been consistently putting out damn funny material in the form of their Webcomic, Penny Arcade. It's essentially about two thirtysomething gaming freaks, Jonathan "Gabe" Gabriel and Tycho Brahe. The former is a Pac-Man-, Star Wars- and Patrick Swayze-obsessed man-child; the latter is tormented, deeply cynical and driven to alcoholism by his friend/nemesis/colleague. I could describe the strip in more detail, but it's pure humour is best experienced here, here and here.

I'm not normally judgmental, but if you can't get a single chuckle out of one of these three, you have no soul.

Review - Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Developer: Infinity Ward
Publisher: Activision
Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Mac OSX


This is my first entry, so let's get this little question out of the way: will I be reviewing games often? Yes. I'm a video gamer at heart and now that I have a 360 I have access to a wide range of titles - many of them shit, but some true diamonds in the rough shine through.

Of course, another very much related question arises: will I be staying on top of the latest games?

Well, yes and no.

I hope to review games like Resident Evil 5 or Silent Hill: Homecoming the day after they come out. I truly hope to beat these games in a day in order to critique the full experience. Can I guarantee this? Not entirely. When I'm not a full-time student, I'm working forty hours a week. Not to mention, I have to pay for school, so I can't be shelling out cash left and right for the hottest new releases.