Why Hollywood Keeps Adapting the Wrong Video Games

Not too long ago, the concept of a video game adaptation was synonymous with box office poison. Critics and audiences alike scoffed at such "classics" as Street Fighter: The Movie(really creative guys) or Super Mario Bros.(the one without Chris Pratt). But recently, the tide seems to be shifting. Netflix has experienced tremendous success with the likes of Arcane, Castlevania and The Witcher(which is of course, technically based on the books, but I doubt it would have happened if the games weren't a thing). Sonic the Hedgehog wasn't outright terrible. Detective Pikachu was actually pretty damn good. And the dam seems to have burst with how many video game properties are now getting adaptations. But have Hollywood truly learned their lesson? Are video game adaptations going the way of superhero movies? I think not.

The Rise and Fall of Environmental Storytelling in Video Games- Part 2- Morrowind- An unsurpassed masterpiece

Caius Cosades is one of the first major characters you meet in Morrowind. He's a guy who gives you quests and teaches you about the game world and mechanics. In any other game, he'd be a stock "helpful NPC" character. But this is Morrowind, so of course, he's a crackhead secret agent.

The Rise and Fall of Environmental Storytelling in Video Games- Part 1

I was playing one of the newer Tomb Raider games recently, and although I was enjoying myself immensely, something was bothering me. This is a series that's ostensibly all about archeology. Of course, this being Hollywood Archeology, protagonist Lara Croft has more in common with James Bond than a stuffy academic, but nevertheless, she is all about raiding the titular tombs( although increasingly less so over the years) and uncovering their mysteries. But, for a game that's supposed to be all about piecing together a story by looking at the environment, there's really not much thought put into your surroundings.

Lost Ark is everything I’ve been waiting for in an MMO…yet playing it feels like a strangely hollow experience

Back when I was 10, living on a diet of Runescape and Diablo 2, I had a brilliant idea. What if someone combined those two games, and made the best game ever? Middle school logic aside, it's not a bad idea. Diablo-style ARPG combat seems like a natural fit for an MMO, not demanding enough that you get easily burnt out, but providing enough engagement to make grinding a somewhat pleasant activity. Which is why it's really strange that no one did it successfully until Lost Ark came around.

Genre Deep Dive-Space Trading and Combat Simulators- Elite Dangerous and Star Traders: Frontiers

Elite Dangerous ©Frontier Developments, via Steam What better place to start our list than Elite’s own official sequel. Technically the fourth game in the series, Elite Dangerous is a gargantuan undertaking. An MMO and a single player game all in one (and with the new expansion, also a mediocre shooter), there’s seemingly very little that … Continue reading Genre Deep Dive-Space Trading and Combat Simulators- Elite Dangerous and Star Traders: Frontiers →

Genre Deep Dive: Space Trading and Combat Simulators-Can any game out there fulfill the promise of Elite?

Elite Dangerous, ©Frontier Devlopment I have always considered myself someone with very particular tastes. When it comes to music, films, books, video games and all kinds of entertainment, I know what I like, and unfortunately, it’s often not things that are particularly easy to find. When it comes to video games in particular, I love … Continue reading Genre Deep Dive: Space Trading and Combat Simulators-Can any game out there fulfill the promise of Elite? →

Yoku’s Island Express Review-An Open World Pinball Adventure

©Team 17Group Perhaps it's a bit of a cop out to call Yoku's Island Express a hidden gem. After all, it received a decent amount of attention on release last year. It was reviewed(mostly favorably) by several major publication, sold decently, and was even an Epic free giveaway at some point. However, I do think … Continue reading Yoku’s Island Express Review-An Open World Pinball Adventure →

The classic time travel JRPG-Chrono Trigger Review

There are certain clichés people associate with the JRPG genre. The convoluted, nonsensical narratives, the melodrama, the hours and hours of grinding. Honestly, this perception has kept me from trying Chrono Trigger for a long time, which is a shame since none of these clichés are true in this case. Chrono Trigger is refreshingly brief, grind free, and action packed, and it's characters and dialogue are as far removed from the soap opera stylings of the typical JRPG as they can be.

The reason why I haven’t played so many “classic games”

We tend to think of video games as global, international medium, perhaps more so than other form of media. While mainstream blockbuster films are overwhelmingly produced in a tiny area of the United States, and music is heavily segregated by language and culture barriers, games are, by comparison, free of these sorts of constraints. Of … Continue reading The reason why I haven’t played so many “classic games” →

Why I could never write an objective review of Mass Effect: Andromeda

September 2020 was a rough time for me. My country was in lockdown, I was temporarily out of a job and I was completely isolated from family and friends. At the time, I was living alone, and the only companionship I had was my cat. Then, my cat died. Unsurprisingly, I didn't exactly take it … Continue reading Why I could never write an objective review of Mass Effect: Andromeda →