Those of you waiting impatiently for the next installments of all the Survival Horror franchises to come out later this year, I know where you can get your fix.

A mix of graphic adventure, survival horror, and a pinch of Half-Life 2's physics gameplay, The Penumbra series takes the best of both worlds and creates a somewhat different experience for the horror genre





The graphics are not state of the art by any stretch of the imagination, but artistically are satisfactory. and the motion blur effects support the atmosphere of the game very well.



The gameplay relies much more on wits than speed. Much of the game is puzzle solving, but navigation through the game requires stealth or circumnavigating the monsters, improvised combat with present in the first game, Overture, but not in the second. While it adds to the suspense, I found it easier just to runs every where and hoping I didn't run into any enemies. While the puzzles used traditional point-and-click mechanics, it takes advantage of the engines interface where you move the mouse to simulate the action (i.e. you click and move your mouse down to simulate pulling a switch. It's a fun mechanic, but sometimes it can be a bit buggy, requiring you to repeat a certain action, I had the most trouble with valves, as sometimes the game didn't recognize that I was spinning the mouse.

The sound is top-notch. Sound and music help the atmosphere, and the voice actors do a fine job, from the demented Red, to the malicious Clarence.



The story is what really stuck out in my mind. It tells the tale of Philip, who after receiving a letter and journal from his father Howard (get it?), telling him to destroy the journal, travels to a mine in Greenland which is mentioned in the letter. he ends up trapped in the mine and journeys deeper to find out what happened to his father and why he asked him to destroy his research.
The story takes on a very Lovecraftian theme, and interaction with other characters is done though one-way indirect conversations ala System Shock. Part of the horror also is in the fact that your character will do things that will have you questioning the sanity of the main character. While the fist game is fairly light in the story department, the second game, Black Plague manages to pick up the pace.



I would highly recommend this series to any horror game fans out there. It isn't THE best, but it is one of them, but don't take my word for it, try it out yourself. you can download the demos at their respective sites. If you enjoy them, I encourage you to buy them to enjoy a fantastic (if somewhat flawed) horror experience, and to support indie developer Fractional. I look forward to their next, and improved work.

Penumbra: Overture Demo is here.

Penumbra: Black Plague Demo is here.

SomethingAwful has a new article about "New TF2 achievements anyone can get"

not exactly earth shattering, but I lol'ed.

some of my favorites:






sorry for a weak post, but I thought I'd share.

I just purchased Garry's mod and I have been having a ball with it. I felt that I needed to vent about the troubles Xbox 360 players have with Team fortress 2, so i did so in de-motivational poster form. I have the game for the PC, and do plan on joining one of Caffinepowered's FNF but all the people I enjoy playing with are on the 360 version. I wish there were more people who played the console version.



And usually you get people who haven't grasped that talking to your teammates can be a winning strategy.



And then there are the "legendary in their own mind" Halo players.



Or people who are afraid to respawn.



and let's not forget what Xbox Live is famous for.



All that aside, I still enjoy the game, it's just become a crap shoot these days. I still can't get used to a mouse and keyboard setup for FPS's yet.

I 've upgraded to a new computer and am now enjoying the ability to edit and *gasp* play games at high performance!

So just I finished the first SiN episode and I want more. It isn't brilliant but it's the equivalent of a Michael Bay movie, you go just because it's a quick fix for some awesome violent entertainment that you probably won't remember a year later. Plus, there's this:



Gratuitous photo posting aside, I understand it didn't sell well, while staff departures and Ritual's buyout didn't help the matter at hand, I'm sure that another studio could have taken the reigns.

It shows the danger of Episodic gaming, and I wish that if developers and publishers are serious about episodic gaming, they should try funding it by seasons, not by episodes, even it it means just 2 episodes. Try testing the waters first.

I hope every one has a safe and enjoyable Christmas!

Here in Alaska it's snowy and cold, but it's Christmas goddamnit!

I want to send a extra special greeting to those, who for whatever reason cannot be with their families. (I'm one of them.)

I just opened my gift and it was awesome! the Alfred Hitchcock:Masterpiece Collection and illustrated version of the notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci. (yes...I am geek.)

See you in the new year D-toiders!

If you haven't seen it yet, the James Rolfe did a humorous AVGN Christmas vid.

Returning from vacation I receive this E-mail:


BioShock Figurine Replacement Program Update


The BioShock figurine replacement program is nearing completion after some delays due to production of the replacement figurines. We appreciate your patience and in order to speed things up, 2K Games is eliminating the step in which you are required to return the broken figurine (we've figured you've waited long enough!).

In the next two weeks, we will begin shipping out a single package containing both the replacement figurine and the art book to customers who enrolled in the program by November 12th. There will be no return box or need to return the broken figurine to our attention.

Thanks for your support and interest in BioShock, and for your patience during the replacement figurine program.


2K Games

SWEET! maybe I'll paint my old figure's arm stub red...another victim of poor safety standards in Rapture.

Also, I've haven't written any topical articles for a while...no excuses. So look this weekend for a post about game producers and their role in game promotion.


Enjoy your Thanksgiving!