VGW: Read Beyond the Headline
May 2013 is a deceptively busy month. While there aren’t many triple-A blockbusters, there is plenty to choose from. From sequels to cult hits to a re-release that hopes to fill the Donkey Kong-shaped hole in the lives of many 3DS owners, the May 2013 video game releases could mean a big month for many [...]
Neverwinter is now in open beta, and I spent my weekend with low-level characters, running around one of the Forgotten Realms’ most iconic cities. Throughout this and previous closed betas I’ve hunted bugs, posted feedback, and have gotten a solid feel for the style of game Cryptic Studios has made. I’ve also had a great [...]
In our second installment of He Said/She Said, Jen and Max Parker from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette weigh in on BioShock Infinite‘s story. It should go without saying there are heavy spoilers within, so please read no further if you haven’t finished the game or if you don’t want the end spoiled. Consider yourself warned. [...]
The art of the local multiplayer session has been greatly overshadowed by the advent of online gaming, but there is absolutely no denying the value and the excitement that comes with playing video games side-by-side. Sure, playing splitscreen isn’t quite as awesome as enjoying the gloriousness of full-screen, but when you’re sitting on the couch [...]
When people describe the latest title from NetherRealm Studios, Injustice: Gods Among Us, they often say something along the lines of “it’s Mortal Kombat, but with DC heroes and villains.” While, on the surface, that is largely true, it’s a vast oversimplification of a game that deserves more attention than it’s getting. While the engine [...]
It’s no secret that gamers are an opinionated lot. Over the years, we’ve perfected the art of looking critically at developers, publishers, and the games they produce. Of these entities, more criticism tends to end up at the feet of those behind the games, rather than the games themselves; after all, a game is bad [...]
Several weeks ago, the gaming world went into a collective uproar when Kotaku broke a story about the next Xbox console possibly implementing an always-online connection to play games and launch apps. They cited multiple sources who all claim that this rumor is true, which led many to wonder why Microsoft would even consider this [...]
It’s another week in the books, so it’s time to forget about work and grab the nearest controller or mouse/keyboard combo for some quality gaming sessions. This week didn’t see any huge releases, so the VGW staff again finds themselves playing catch-up on all the great games that have come out that we haven’t had [...]
Can you believe April’s almost over? I certainly can’t, as I’ve still got piles of niche releases from the first three months of the year to catch up on! But time stops for no one, and the release schedule for this month is looking particularly solid. There’s sure to be at least one April niche [...]
Sony unveiled the PS4 at a press event on February 20, and while it boasted impressive visuals and some top-notch internal specs, one of the most awe-inspiring reveals was its revamped network capabilities. One of the system’s new online features stuck out in particular as an ingenious idea that could lead to a whole new [...]
This month’s Essential Gaming column is running a little late thanks to all of the PAX East coverage, but even after the ridiculousness that was March, the April 2013 video game releases makes this month a worthy successor. With the latest from the makers of Mortal Kombat, two promising new IPs, and two new entries [...]
The first digital expansion for Star Wars: The Old Republic is now live, letting players everywhere get their crack at “Rise of the Hutt Cartel.” People who purchased the expansion early may have already dived into the new content, but the rest of us still have plenty to take in. Many people have returned to or joined [...]
Adventure games have been around for a long time, and they’ve gone through many changes along the way. Graphics have improved dramatically, interfaces have gone from 2D to 3D, and battle systems have incorporated everything from turn-based “attack, magic, item” mechanics into more open real-time, combo-oriented battles. This very concept of change over time is [...]