Spurred Into Motion: Mini-review Rampage #4

Because a certain other Blogger has gone back to blogging daily, plus the fact that I am currently incredibly bored, I decided I should start working through my (scarily large) backlog of things I've been meaning to review.

So once again, we find ourselves facing the jaws of the beast: the start of another Mini-review Rampage. In order to try and post more frequently (but no promises!) I'll probably be restricting myself to 5-10 items per post, otherwise I'd have a 20 item post, not counting the 40+ albums I have listened to this semester and which will probably be receiving separate, music-only review posts. And so, without further ado:

The Crusade: The Pits

Due to popular demand and my own interest (since no one else is doing it) I'm going back and recording the events of our fall semester's D&D 4E campaign. Because I'm not feeling energetic they're much more straightforward and matter-of-fact that my chronicles are, and naturally they are nowhere near as hilarious as Mister Flask's, but oh well. Much of the detail (such as the map) has been provided in past posts, so if you're curious check back there. Anyway, without further ado:

THE GREAT AND MIGHTY CHRONICLE OF THE FIRST CAMPAIGN TO OCCUR WITHIN THE REALM OF ALASTIA

A LIST OF THE PLAYERS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PLAYER CHARACTERS

Matt (Co-DM): Cynan, a Half-orc Fighter from Kalin, and Haroj, ibid

Blake (Co-DM): Bruq, a Half-elf Bard from Bann

Katie: Kaii, a Half-elf Rogue from Kalin

Daniel: Golem, a Warforged Rune Priest from Amdrah

Jeff: Acre, a Half-elf Warden from Bann

Will: Riven, a Human Wizard from the island of Corsicana

Balancing Game Design: A Case Analysis of Gears 3's Sawed-off Shotgun

Gears of War 3's multiplayer is fantastic. There, I said it. In fact, I sit here almost a month after the game's been out and I have yet to complete the main story campaign because the multiplayer is that good; perhaps a first in my entire gaming career. The modes are varied and well-balanced, flaws with the previous iterations have been fixed (ranged weapons are viable, less latency issues, etc), and it's obvious that they actually took the feedback from the beta and implemented intelligent changes. One of the most obvious examples is the Retro Lancer, which before seemed remarkably overpowered but now serves as a solid choice among 2 other solid choices in the ranged primary category. There is, however, one lingering issue that anybody who's been around me while playing is intimitely familiar with that has yet to be truly addressed, and I feel like I now have enough experience to truly comment on it.

The Human Condition: My Experience with Humans Vs. Zombies

Anyone following my status updates on Facebook are probably aware that I finally partook in the Claremont Humans vs Zombies game. This post is somewhat a combination of my review of my experience of the game, and some commentary of things I observed whilst playing the game. 

Illusory Correlation

Fed up and unsure, I grabbed everything near me and left. I walked west; it was as good of a direction as any.

I walked through the streets, the only goal in mind answers I was relatively sure wouldn't come. The darkness deepened as I walked along, but my headphones didn't quite manage to drown out the background noise always present in the city.

I didn't know where I was walking to, or when I would stop. I figured something would eventually give me a sign: isn't that how it works in movies, after all? I kept walking.

Eventually the street ended, and I was confronted with a sign: Pilgrim's Place. I stood in front of the gate and thought for a time.

I turned around and walked back.

-HTMC