Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Chris' picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-chris-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-chris-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/03/best-of-the-rest-chris-picks-of-2009/#comments Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
A high-definition update - with high-quality voice work to boot! - of the adventure gaming classic, Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition represents a sea change in how LucasArts treats its adventure gaming roots. Instead of squirelling them away in a vault while development continues on Star Wars title after Star Wars title, LucasArts is putting them up on Steam, and remastering them for a whole new audience, with the first Monkey Island adventure leading the charge.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Chris' picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Chris' picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50-Cent-Blood-on-the-Sandbest-of-the-rest-2009Microsoftnew-super-mario-bros-wiiNintendopenny-arcade-adventures-3penny-arcade-adventures-episode-3Red-Faction-Guerrillaresident-evil-5Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThe-Beatles-Rock-BandWetWiiXbox-360Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Ludwig's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2009/#commentsSilent Hill: Shattered Memories
I mocked this "re-imagining" of Silent Hill when it was first announced. I thought Harry Mason had become an older, life-hewn Harry Potter and considered the town's frosty makeover as nothing short of sacrilege. But an encounter with the game at E3 2009 (and with candid producer Tomm Hulett) quickly changed my mind. While the game departs significantly from the franchise's known lore, it retains and streamlines much of what made Silent Hill stand out against games like Resident Evil. Encased in the game's frigid atmosphere, you'll experience a sense of bewilderment that, if you've been playing these games for a long time, you will not have felt in years. Indeed, the best surprises prey on those of us who think we know everything about Silent Hill.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ludwig's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Ludwig's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-the-rest-2009bit-trip-beatdirt-2house-of-the-dead-overkillMicrosoftninja-gaiden-sigma-2Nintendopsnratchet-and-clank-a-crack-in-timered-faction-guerrillaresident-evil-5shattersilent-hill-shattered-memoriestrials-hdWiiwiiwarexblaXbox-360Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Alexander's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-alexanders-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-alexanders-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-alexanders-picks-of-2009/#comments Valkyria Chronicles
"BUT THAT GAME WAS 2008!!11one!1!" Well, yes, in the strictest sense. Sega's strategy role-playing game, an epic tale chronicling the hardships and victories of Gallian militia Squad 7, was sent out to die by the publisher when it released in November 2008. However, word-of-mouth, critical praise and some discounted pricing helped the saga find a place in many people's lives (and hearts) by mid-2009.

One of the most endearing mechanics implemented in the game was giving all the playable members of Squad 7 bonuses (or flaws) based on their neuroses, relationships and desires. Also, every character had a different personality that shined during their turn through little quips and order recognition comments. It gave the entire cast more depth of character, even as the player only saw a handful of the troops during cutscenes. Despite the requisite Japanese RPG flair and melodrama, there was a simple beauty and charm in the storytelling, while the gameplay introduced a great basis for iteration. Valkyria Chronicles is a series that, with love and attention, could become so much more. I look forward to returning to Gallia and hope future installments recognize that the delightful characters are as important to the series as the strategic gameplay.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Alexander's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Alexander's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alexander-sliwinskibattlefield-1943best-of-the-restbest-of-the-rest-2009BethesdaBethesda-Game-StudiosBethesda-Softworksfallout-3MicrosoftNintendoratchet-and-clankratchet-and-clank-future-a-crack-in-timeRed-Faction-Guerrillaresident-evil-5RPGvalkyria-chroniclesWiiXbox-360Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Ben's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-bens-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-bens-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-bens-picks-of-2009/#comments
 Red Faction: Guerrilla
Arriving approximately seven months late to the party, I didn't play RFG until earlier this month when I desperately cobbled together 2009's game releases for a massive pre-GOTY playstravaganza. That marathon came to a long pause while I smashed through the many structures of Mars with my trusty sledgehammer, constantly hearing "Space A$&%*#&" playing along the way in my mind. Sure, RFG was a bit rough around the edges, but what it lacked in mechanical prowess was more than made up for by the sheer amount of childlike joy I experienced while demolishing everything in my path.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ben's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Ben's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebest-of-the-restbest-of-the-rest-2009call-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2canabaltDShalohalo-3-odstiPodMicrosoftmodern-warfare-2Nintendopcpixeljunk-edenpixeljunk-eden-encorepixeljunk-shooterplants-vs-zombiesred-factionred-faction-guerrillaretro-game-challengerock-bandrock-band-unpluggedsuper-street-fighter-ivwolverinex-men-originsx-men-origins-wolverineX-Men-Origins-Wolverine-Uncaged-EditionXbox-360Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/01/best-of-the-rest-griffins-picks-of-2009/#comments DJ Hero
What started out as tepid fascination in DJ Hero quickly turned into a deep, passionate love. I initially thought it was just another rhythm game knock-off with an obtuse peripheral and a too-high price point. However, as my turntabling improved, my fondness for the game multiplied. Based on the game's lackluster sales, I'm guessing most people shared my outright hesitance -- but once you invest a bit of time and patience into DJ Hero, I guarantee you'll get hooked. (And that soundtrack! Oh, man, that soundtrack.)

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2009

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-the-rest-2009dissidia-final-fantasydj-herodungeons-and-dragons-fourth-editionfat-princessflowerhouse-of-the-dead-overkilli-am-t-painMicrosoftNintendopokemon-platinumpsnred-faction-guerrillaresident-evil-5scribblenautsWiiXbox-360Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST