Thief

It’s a new year and a fresh batch of new games is swarming into your local GameStop. Recently, a new game has emerged itself from the shadows after a decade of being absent. This new game is titled Thief, a first-person stealth game where you portray as Garrett, a master thief living in steampunk version of the Victorian Age.

To be completely honest, I’ve never played any of the previous games, but apparently it’s alright. The developers state that it is not a sequel or prequel, but a reboot to the franchise. A fresh new start so newcomers can get involved with its story and gameplay.

So what makes this game stand out among others? First off, it is a first-person stealth game that greatly requires the player to avoid your enemies and sneak through the shadows as quietly as possible. Well that’s no different than any other stealth game I’ve played. But it’s a stealth game that is choice-given, meaning there are numerous paths and approaches to move on during your gameplay. You can also go about use the environment to your advantage in order to steal from anyone without being detected.

Stealth games are not usually my kind of forte, but judging by what this game offers, the compelling story, and unique design and texture of the game really gets me interested to see more about what makes this series such a cult classic. I’d say if you’re into stealth games this is for you.

Zombies and the Big Bad Wolf

I am a big fan of Telltale Games. They manage to create fun episodic games with very compelling stories, great characters, and very witty dialogue. But the only two things manage to top my love for Telltale is my undying obsession of two long running graphic novels series: The Walking Dead and Fables. So imagine my overwhelming joy to see them both put together.

Telltale Games gives us The Walking Dead Season 2 and The Wolf Among Us, two episodic games based on critically-acclaimed graphic novels with a wide scale of interesting characters and decisions that affect the outcome of the story. Season 2 is the sequel to the Game of the Year winning game The Walking Dead, continuing a year and a half after the first game. This time you play as Clementine as you struggle to survive in zombie-infested world. In this game, you really experience the hardships of a child trying to survive, lost and alone in a world where death lurks around every corner. Like the first game, you press the buttons on your console or keyboard to make sure the zombies don’t take a bite out of you, and share interesting conversations with members of the group that will determine if they like you or want to punch your face. Each decision you make in the game will greatly affect events in future episodes as well as the interactions between you and your company.

In The Wolf Among Us, you play as Bigby Wolf, aka the big bad wolf, as you investigate a murder that has taken place in Fabletown, a large community set to hide fable characters among the humans. This game features many classic characters from different fairy tales you grew up with such as Snow White, The Woodsman, and one of the Three Little Pigs. Much like the Walking Dead, you press certain buttons in order to keep yourself alive as well as world changing decisions that affect the game and your interactions with other characters.

Both games are coming out in a series of five episodes for each of the following months. These games are a worth-while experience to be held. If you’re into games with great story-telling, spectacular writing, and a cast of amazing characters then these are definitely your kind of games.

Rest In Peace: Harold Ramis

It brings great sadness to report that one of the most talent and successful comedy actors and directors Harold Ramis has past away today. He made such memorable films such as Caddyshack, National Lampoon's Vacation, and Groundhog's Day, and will be forever remembered as Egon Spengler from one of my favorite films Ghostbusters. Thank you for all the laughs you've given us with your amazing skills as an actor and a director, Mr. Ramis.

Harold Ramis

1944-2014

Jesse Eisenberg is Lux Luthor?

If you haven't heard the news but apparently two big names have been cast in the new Superman/Batman movie coming 2016 (not 2015 anymore). The first is a huge shock in the casting of Superman's archrival Lex Luthor is none other than the guy who portrayed Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, Jesse Eisenberg. 

WHAT?!?!?

Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. How is that possible? I got nothing against the guy. I like him and I think he's a great actor, but I can't see him a Superman's greatest enemy. Luthor believes himself to be Earth's savior but his jealousy and hatred towards Superman molds him into a megalomaniac. I just can't see that with Eisenberg. If I was the casting director, my choice (as well as everyone's choice) would have be Heisenberg. That's right Bryan Cranston as Lex Luthor is a much better choice.

Now the second casting choice that was announced yesterday was Jeremy Irons cast as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's trusted butler. Now that I can agree with. Jeremy Irons is a great actor. When he's not portraying villains he's also playing the role as the mentor. And that's one of the many roles Alfred plays, a mentor. Irons gets my vote as Alfred, but Eisenberg is on his own. If he's going to be Lex Luthor then he better deepen his voice and shave his head. I'm still excited to see the movie when it comes out.

So Jesse Eisenberg is Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons is Alfred, what do you think? Leave your comment below.

The Best and Worst Games of 2013

It’s been a great year for gamers. There have been games with amazing stories, outstanding graphics, and all-out fun multiplayer experience. Unfortunately, there were also games that are the complete opposite. With so many great games that have been released, what are among the best and the worst? Here is a small count down on my picks for the best and worst games to be release this year.

THE BEST

5. The Wolf Among Us (XBOX ARCADE)

4. Pokémon X & Y (Nintendo 3DS)

3. Last of Us (PS3)

2. BioShock Infinite (XBOX 360, PS3)

1. Grand Theft Auto V (XBOX 360, PS3)

THE WORST

5. Dead Island Riptide (XBOX 360, PS3)

4. The Walking Dead Survival Instinct (XBOX 360, PS3)

3. TMNT: Out of the Shadows (XBOX ARCADE)

2. Carnivores HD (PSN)

1. Aliens Colonial Marines (XBOX 360, PS3)

A Day in the Life of Gamers For Service

     Nerf darts whistle through the cold air as zombies chase the last remaining humans across the quad. The humans have fought, died, been brought back to life, gone through six missions, and now, the end is near. For one week every semester, the Mines campus is transformed into an apocalyptic wasteland filled with the undead. Human players wielding Nerf guns set out to complete the objectives they need to survive. However, these people aren't fighting for the whole human race. They are fighting for children in need.
     The $5 charge for playing Humans vs. Zombies goes to Child’s Play, an international charity that funds toy drives for children across the US. Humans vs. Zombies is an event put on by the campus organization Gamers for Service. GFS puts on games and events with the purpose of raising money for several different non-profit groups, including the American Heart Association, Susan G. Komen, and Ronald McDonald House. This semester’s HvZ outing netted over $900 in donation money.
     Even more donations came on November 2nd, when Gamers for Service hosted Extra Life, a world-wide event where participants play games for 25 consecutive hours. The donations come in the form of sponsorships. Players raised their own money and contributed it to the total, which will also go to Child’s Play. Nearly $400 was raised before Extra Life even started. Games that GFS has done in the past include Assassins, Muggle Quidditch, and dodgeball.
     The organization has held two or three events a semester since 2010. Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM, the group gathers in the Hardrock room to plan the next fun occasion. Rest assured, as long as there are bored college students and Nerf guns, Gamers for Service will continue raising money for charities everywhere and bored college students will not be so bored anymore. Everybody wins.

Storm Atlas Damages Campus

Although talking about the weather is one of today’s great conversation starters, there are times when the irregular behavior of the climate can spark some rather memorable dialogues.  Storm Atlas is no exception to this rule, as the record-breaking amount of snow caused a rather significant impact both on campus and in the surrounding area.  While the first snow has already come and gone, its damage is still visible immediately upon stepping outside.  

Most obvious are the places where trees used to stand or roofs that have now collapsed, “During the storm, we unfortunately lost the internet, which made our lives as teenagers very difficult,” says student Trevor Kasprzyk.  

Volunteers are still sought to help with cleanup, as the elderly and disabled still struggle from this unexpected storm, and on campus, the student senate is considering the possibility of organizing a tree-planting event for Earth Day this upcoming year.  Ultimately, regardless of the fact that power has returned to our homes and we have a temporary reprieve from the snow, Storm Atlas has and will continue to influence our campus by providing a cause and opportunity for cooperation with the surrounding community.