Bungie has finally pulled back the curtain on Destiny 2. An hour long stream gave us our first look at how the world will look, feel, and play after the Red Legion attacks the Tower. I unfortunately didn’t get an invite to the event so I’ve gathered all the info I can without seeing Destiny 2 in person. Let the hype commence!
The popularity of MOBA games is undeniable. What started as a custom map in Warcraft III has blossomed into a multi-million dollar industry complete with full-time professional teams, competitive seasons, and giant pools of prize money. I tried to get it on the ground floor playing games like DotA and League of Legends in their infancy but, frankly, I wasn’t that good. About a week ago, I decided to dip a toe back into the pool with Vainglory, the “MOBA perfected for touch” that released about two and a half years ago. I’m not so sure about it being “perfected”, but there are enough improvements and unique spins on the formula to make Vainglory fun, challenging, and enjoyable on the go.
Seeing these three words is what it’s all about.
It’s getting harder and harder to get people to the table and play some games. I don’t like that. I do like all three of these games, though, including a two player variant on a classic and an expansion to one of my all time favorites. To me, my board games!
If there’s an expansion to Coup, you can be sure I’m down to play it.
Games with lightning fast combat are a bit of a vice of mine. Titles like Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and the Devil May Cry franchise may not tell the best stories but the flashy, high octane style always draws me in. Nier: Automata boasts a similar combat system and is one of the most unique games I’ve ever played mixing genres with ease on its way to 26 different endings. It’s a hell of a ride.
Fighting machines with a sword as a blindfolded android is one of the least strange things this game has to offer.
Rhythm games defined by their unique spin. Crypt of the NecroDancer combines tapping to the beat with roguelike elements. Thumper requires your undivided attention as it assaults your senses with speed, light, and sound. Aaero divides your attention between tracing ribbons of light and gunning down enemy ships to the pounding beat of electronic music. It’s a tight, well-crafted experience that will leave you tapping your feet and coming back for more.
Fine tuned controls? Check. Electronic music? Check. A wonderful rhythm game? Check and mate.
The ~150 hours I’ve put into the Mass Effect trilogy are probably on the lower end of the scale but man did I love those games. My version of Commander Shepard was a renegade to the core with a soft spot for his squad members. The fact that I couldn’t save both Tali and Legion in Mass Effect 3 because of a single choice I made in Mass Effect 2 still bothers me all these years later. It’s easy to see why Mass Effect: Andromeda made my most anticipated games of 2017 list.
I’ve poured a little over 40 hours into Bioware’s newest addition to the franchise and I have to agree with Alex’s first impressions. Mass Effect: Andromeda is a good Mass Effect game that reaches too far at times but still hits enough high notes.
Mass Effect: Andromeda has a lot to see and more to do but not enough polish to put it on a pedestal.
