Magicians and Looters (XBLIG)

If someone were to take the wacky character interactions from the "Harry Potter" series, and mix them with "Castlevania: SotN" you'd more than likely have the game that Morgopolis Studios has created. Their indie game appropriately titled "Magicians and Looters" takes elements from retro "Metroidvania" style games, and adds pun filled humor to build up the story at hand. That story of course involves an unusual cast of young magician apprentices, an elder wizard, and an evil sorcerer who is hellbent on ruining the day. As the gamer you will guide three chosen students known as Vienna, Nyn, and Brent as they traverse various danger filled locations in order to try to rescue their headmaster Versimos from the evil Lord Skree. Along the way you will be collecting loot, and relics of power as you make your way across the connected rooms that make up the students' world. Ultimately one of the students will face off against the evil Lord Skree in a duel that is not much unlike the wizard duel between Harry Potter, and Lord Voldemort. There's even a nod to "Castlevania: SotN" for those lucky gamers who can make it to the final boss fight.

Let's Talk - "Sex, Language, and Violence in Video Games"

This article has been a long time coming folks. It really has. In this year alone I have sat by, and watched the people on my Twitter timeline as well as the rest of the online media outlets spout their nonsensical bullsh*t many times over about how violence, and sexual content in video games is corrupting the youth of our world. That it's even driving them to kill, or commit other heinous crimes. The simple fact is that the ESRB rating system, and the movie based guidelines are there for a reason. When you see an "M" rated game, or an "R" rated movie with several sub-categories of sexual content, violence, and language warnings you can bet your bottom dollar that it was intended solely for a "mature" audience. Not some spoiled little middle school aged kid, or teenager with a lack of respect for parental authority. What gets me the most about this whole fiasco is the fact that it's more than likely the parents who buy their underage children the games, and dvds who are turning around, and b*tching about the games after an associated killing/crime is shown on the evening news.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (XBLA)

Never in my history as a gamer have I had the privilege to play through a game that was so emotionally thought provoking as this one was. Both 'Josef Fares (A Swedish Film Director)', and the creative team at 'Starbreeze Studios' have put together a grand fairytale that transcends cultures, and language barriers of all kinds. Using love, and it's powerful nature as the main theme the development team behind this mature fairytale of sorts takes you on a visually breathtaking journey like none other you have ever seen before. You'll get to follow along as you guide two brothers who have suffered the terrible loss of their mother, and are in the process of losing yet another loved one. Their journey to find a cure for their ailing father will ultimately take them, and you to various locations of splendor, and even to nightmarish havens where the worst of dreams are realized. As you journey alongside them you'll discover that it is the brothers' undying love for one another that drives them to go against all odds, and will hopefully gain the cure that could ultimately save the life of their father. During your epic adventure with the two brothers your heart will no doubt be ripped asunder with sorrow, and tears may even be shed on their behalf, but in the end you will find reassurance as they both did that love is eternal and will never fade away.

Let's Talk - "Online Safety & Transactions"

By now most of you should know my stance on hacking. It sucks majorly, and is ruining the quality of online gaming at a rapid pace. In fact it's becoming an increasingly popular trend amongst the younger generation of gamers, and PC users. The evidence of this trend is so in your face that if you dare to play a game such as 'Black Ops 2" you will no doubt happen across loud mouth teenagers bragging about their hacking feats. Where they are learning this is anyone's guess. I figure it's from the internet though as there are many online resources for hacking tools made easily available to anyone who searches for them. The fact that parents are letting children do as the please in the privacy of their own online world only furthers the problems at hand. Unsupervised, and unpunished kids often times result in the many heinous crimes that occur today within the youth populations of the world.

Divekick (PSN)

Earlier this year when Evo, and various other fighting game tournaments were going on I caught word of "Divekick" through a fellow fighting game enthusiast who goes by the username @IFD_Delusion. It was by mere chance that I had noticed his tweet about the game, and after seeing him play it hands-on in one of his Youtube videos I knew this was something worth my time, and attention. Very rarely do fighting game developers think this far outside the box. It is insane at how complex the guys, and gals of One True Game Studios were able to make this two button brawler. Initially started as a joke to poke fun at fighting game stereotypes, and gaming industry stereotypes this unique indie title was eventually placed into the Kickstarter program where it evolved into a full fledged fighter worthy of the praise the fighting game community had given it. Thankfully they were able to get the project funded. As an indie fan, a fan of artistic creation, and a fan of the gaming industry I can tell you now through hands-on experience that it's very much worth playing. Being the passing fad, or modern day craze that it is you will no doubt find humor, and fun times along with many others at the helm of this PS3, PS Vita, and PC exclusive.

Sunday (Aug. 18, 2013) Update

I've got a few things to talk about in this update. The first thing I need to mention is in regards to my upcoming review of "Painkiller: Hell & Damnation". While the promo copy I recieved shows me enough of the game to be able to review it it is not the game you'd be getting by any means, and being as flawed as it is doesn't help my opinion towards the game. As such I find myself thinking about possibly not doing the review. I want to be able to give you honest, and truthful details about the game you'd get should you decided to buy it. Having a flawed promo copy instead of the final product just doesn't allow me to do so.