Category: Video Game Review

06Oct

Break Free With Furi

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*Originally Published in the Penmen Press*

Furi is a rare breed of game. It combines the classic “bullet hell” style of retro games like “Galaga” with the quick-witted parry dependent nature of a “Dark Souls” to make a great blend of action and tactics. This consecutive boss brawler has no grunts for you to do battle with. Just you, and the fierce warriors who stand to destroy you.


You star as a nameless protagonist, waking up in a prison and attempting to set yourself free. As you escape this cosmic entrapment, you will do battle with the guardians. These beings each have specialties and themes relating to the past of your playable character.

FuriWhether you’re zipping and dashing around the map to avoid an onslaught of enemy fire, or getting up close and personal to unleash devastating sword combos, you never stop moving in Furi.

This game requires a reactive and proactive mode of thinking. There’s room to wiggle on your style, albeit not much. If you decide to be more forward you can trigger attacks from enemies early on. Enemies have attacks that can be parried, and attacks that must be dodged. So there’s never room in this game for comfort to set in. In a sense this is part of what makes this game so intense.

Furi’s visual style and atmosphere are reminiscent of the stylings of “Afro Samurai” and some other older anime. It combines elements of urban themes with Bushido art, and some pretty deeply rooted philosophy. For instance, the old sage character in this game has headphones similar to “Dre Beats” on his head.

Smaller segments of story come in between the boss gauntlet as you’re given context for some of the characters before you proceed to battle them. This is narrated by a friendly character with an interesting perspective.

Furi has interesting combat, unique visuals, consistent style, and underlying culture. All of these elements make it an example of the truly great content a player can find in modern games. This title, available on PC and PS4 is well worth a purchase.

I don’t think there’s much else to be said. I know it’s been a while, but I’m going to be introducing something new to the site pretty soon so I can interact with you guys more regularly. In the meantime, thank you for tuning in and come back soon for more from the GAME ROOM!!!

26Jul

Amber’s Overwatch Experience

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I recently got Overwatch, and I’m so in love with it. It’s such a fun game to play by yourself or with friends. Blizzard really knocked it out of the park with this one. If you’re still unsure about the game, let me highlight the best things about Overwatch.

So, I know what you’re thinking: you aren’t good at first person shooters, so this game isn’t the game for you. I am someone who is awful at first person shooters. Though, in Overwatch, there’s so many different types of characters. It doesn’t really feel like a first person shooter at all. Sure the character I main happens to have a gun, but there are other characters who aren’t about shooting people. You can play as support characters, which are crucial to the team, or you can play as defense characters that are away from the action but still get kills. Characters I suggest for people who don’t like first person shooters are Mercy, Lucio, Symmetra, Hanzo, and Torbjörn.

Like first person shooters but you can’t aim that well? Soldier 76 is perfect for you. His ultimate is even designed for people who can’t aim. All you have to do is shoot in the general direction of a character. You might also like Junkrat seeing as he has a grenade launcher as his weapon. You don’t really have to aim at people, more like in the general direction people are at. You can also lay down traps which can help you get kills as well.

Want a game that is fun but challenging at the same time? Overwatch. That is literally Overwatch. Characters like Genji and Tracer are hard to master and it can be challenging going up against people who are good with those characters. Though, the game is still fun to play as you work together as a team and defeat the other players. It’s going to be frustrating at first but once you get good as a character, it’s going to be great. Not one game is going to be the same. That’s both fun and challenging. You always have to adapt to the situation at hand.

If anything convinces you to get the game it should be the cast of characters. They are all so unique and have their own story. Sure the story isn’t in the game all that much, all you truly get are some lines that some characters say to each other, but you can tell each character has a personality. You aren’t just playing as Soldier 76. You are playing as Soldier 76 who is way too old for this and he feels like he’s babysitting a bunch of brats. He says so many things during the battle that makes him more than Soldier 76. All these characters are so special. If you compare this to Team Fortress 2, you’re going to see that Overwatch has dynamic characters that just feel different than the ones in Team Fortress. I mean in Overwatch you can play a talking monkey name Winston and a spider lady, named Windowmaker, who snipes people. And all the characters are from different areas of the world. Pharah, a badass lady who flies in the air and shoots rockets, is Egyptian. Reinhardt, he’s a tank that hits people with a huge hammer, is german. Mercy, the team mom and angel healer, is Swiss. D.Va, a teenage gamer who has her own mech, is Korean. Reaper, an emo dead guy with a skull mask, is American. All these characters have so much too them.

From one person bad at first person shooters to another: get this game! You’ll love it, I guarantee it.

For more on Overwatch and other amazing products from Blizzard make sure you come back to the GAME ROOM! 

02Jul

Summer Gaming: Mustapha Style

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Every summer, I promise myself to fully complete five games I’ve never played before. So far, I’m treading along for this summer. I’ve completed Super Meat Boy, Asura’s Wrath, and DMC: Devil May Cry. It’s always such a fun way to immerse myself in the gaming world. Because of this proposition, I’ve completed many games I never planned on playing. This includes the likes of Golden Sun and even my favorite game Xenoblade Chronicles. 

infamous second son

One game I really want to pour myself back into is The Last Of Us. I’ve owned it for over a year, and I’ve seen the game from start to finish. Yet still, I myself have never done a straight playthrough. I love the mechanics. Yet still I find myself unable to see it through.

I really wish a new inFAMOUS game were on the way, because I’m craving action this summer. I’m sure that can be gathered from the games I’ve played so far. Asura’s Wrath was very spiritually moving for me on a deep level.

So I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m just talking about my personal gaming ventures. Because I want to make this a very interactive segment. Summer is one of the best times for students to game. Simple as that. Between journalism jobs, I like to sit down with a controller and truck through a favorite title.

So I’m going to challenge all of you. If you can find the time, try and play five brand new games this summer. With things like the Steam Summer Sale and PSN Midyear Sale, it doesn’t have to be an expensive venture. Find games, old and new alike, and play them.

I’m going to start blasting this challenge on my social media so I can encourage people to try new titles. In the mean time, this is the best I can do today. Tomorrow, an update on all of my entertainment posting on other sites! Thank you all for reading, and come back soon for more from the GAME ROOM!!!

26Jun

The Warcraft Movie Was Magical

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I’ll say it upfront. I loved Warcraft. I may not have been an original fan dating back to the launch of the first RTS, heck, I only know lore from a significant amount of reading and of course, Hearthstone which I’ve been playing for a year now.

WarcraftI won’t pretend to be the authority on what would make a Warcraft film truly good. But I can tell you what made it good to me. For one, I loved the Orcs. It’s rare that you can take war and brutality and make it seem so honorable. These otherwise menacing warrior beasts are portrayed in a way that makes you feel really in on the action.

I also loved the chain of events as they unfolded. There was a really deep narrative building itself on two opposite ends. A lot of characters paralleled each other and the identical situations were made to create an element of sympathy for valiant warrior people. I just couldn’t pick a side, though surprisingly I was leaning a little bit more towards the Horde.

One of the best things about this movie was its execution of really emotionally charged moments. Which I’m sure is hard to do with such a reliance on CGI. I felt the expressions, the posture, the culture in a very rare way.

Anyhoo, I don’t want to end up repeating myself too much but I wanted to go a little bit more in depth on this.

So for any further thoughts from me on why the Warcraft film was truly great, here’s the rest of my review on MMOExaminer. Don’t worry, everything is spoiler free. I think everyone should see this.

Warcraft: A New Era In Game Movies

In the meantime, thank you all for reading and come back soon for more from the GAME ROOM!!!

22Jun

Five Games To Kick Up The Action This Summer!

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You down for a little action? These five games will offer great beat ’em up, hack’n’slash, and straight up brawling action! Here are five games you’ll be mad if you miss this summer, from yours truly!

infamous second son5) inFAMOUS Second Son
At it’s cheapest in the game’s history this title will give you the experience you crave. Boasting great characters, comfortable mechanics, a karma system, and a fun recreation of Seattle to explore, you’ll have plenty to do and be kept occupied for some time. Despite its status as a PS4 exclusive, I consider this game a system seller, and a title all should try.

4) DMC: Devil May CryDMC Devil May Cry

I did a video review of this game not too long ago. It adds new layers and depth to the hack’n’slash series. It’s a classic, and a lot of fun. The story kind of stinks, but all and all, it’s a fun game. I’d definitely check it out if you get a chance. Thankfully, current and previous gen owners alike have access to this game.

3) Hyrule Warriors Legends

I’m a huge fan of the Warriors franchise. I think that these games offer players a unique experience, and while it may not be the most unique, it does take an interesting spin on hoard combat. This game offers some of the best action based combat around, and it’s topped only by the fact that it has such a beautiful franchise as its focus. This is the best the cast of the Zelda franchise has ever looked. No doubt.

2) Bayonetta 2

If you missed out on Bayonetta 2, I’d go back and give it another try. Yet another crazy action game with an eccentric protagonist, and some of the most interesting combos you’ll ever see. If you want to learn how to talk to a lady, play this game.

1) Asura’s Wrath

This rare breed of action game was the focus of a review I wrote last week. It is one of the best and most unique asuras.wrath.03a.lggames I’ve ever played. From a beautiful soundtrack to stunning visuals, a sweet narrative to unique setting, there’s no doubt that this title will last in my heart for many years to come.

That’s my five. Tomorrow will be the E3 post-show podcast! I look forward to seeing you guys at 2pm EST on twitch.tv/mustaphasgameroom. In the meantime, thanks for reading and come back soon for more from the GAME ROOM!!!

20Jun

Designer Talk: Longevity & Super Smash Bros

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It’s hard to believe that it’s already been almost two years since the launch of Super Smash Bros. For 3DS and Wii U. These two titles have shaken the world of gaming, as expected from a title in the illustrious series. I mean who doesn’t love Smash? In this designer talk, we’re gonna take a look at the Smash titles. From the original to the most recent, Brawl has been the only title in the series not to have a very large and consistent player-base. Competitive Smash is huge, and until this last year Melee was the game in the series with the largest scene.

Nintendo's greats all in one spot!

What does this mean? Well think about it. Super Smash Bros. Melee launched fifteen years ago. Feel old yet? Anyway, this game has managed to survive, and in my personal experience Brawl was a game I could play for hours at a time, over the span of something close to eight years. What about these games made them so easy to stay close to? Let’s go over that in this designer talk on Longevity.

Longevity basically means that something has a lengthy lifespan. In the context of video games it means that a game will be cherished for years after its launch. MMORPGs often fall under this category in some ways, but it’s generally more applicable to titles that don’t necessarily see updates regularly.

The Wii U and 3DS installments of the series have longevity for one reason. Customization. You can change builds on pre-existing characters and make Mii Fighters. You can hand-draw your own stages, and pick from one of gaming’s largest soundtracks. This game allows you as a player to create your own content, and essentially generate an infinite amount of combinations to ensure that in this FIGHTING game, no two matches will ever come close to being the same.

I really noticed this a few years ago, but it resurfaced for me just yesterday when I decided to drop my usual mains, Pit, Shulk, and Cloud (yes, I play as the anime sword fighters) and pick up Little Mac again. It had been over a year since I used him outside of the Smash Tour mode. When I really started trying to reset myself into my flow with him as a character, the game felt entirely different than with the previous characters I had been using. Based on the character you focus on learning, your style, your flow, your comfort can change so drastically. Top that off with a cast of nearly 60 fighters, and the Mii Fighters, who can have some of the most varying special moves of any character in the game, and you have an immortal roster. The characters in this game will never grow stale.

If you create a game where your style of play influences the experience you’re having in such a drastic way, you can achieve longevity. I personally think the sometimes criticized Warriors series by Tecmo-Koei gets this concept perfectly. Depending on the warrior you select, you’re not just doing different combos. You’re playing a different game. A lot of games are really starting to get on board with this experience. Granted, it’s not for everyone.

Hearthstone: Heroes Of Warcraft manages to maintain longevity, not due to its versatile level of experience, but it’s structure for competition, it’s deceptively simple gameplay, and the ability to pick up and play for brief bursts. There are multiple ways to achieve longevity, but Smash, I feel captures it in a way most applicable to my style of game.

Alright, that’s another one for the books! Thank you all for reading, and sorry there was no post yesterday. Depending on how things go tomorrow, I may try to post twice. In the meantime, thank you all for reading and come back soon for more from the GAME ROOM!!!

18Jun

Fall Of An Empire: Paper Mario

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My childhood favorite game was Paper Mario. That’s no exaggeration, up until the moment when I played Xenoblade Chronicles, the first Paper Mario game was easily my favorite game ever made. I loved the vibrant imagery, the funny characters, the cute story and tone, and the upbeat music. If I ever felt down, I could go to that game to experience a living, breathing version of the Mushroom Kingdom. Even in writing this, I’m recalling some of my greatest memories being associated with this title. The combat was awesome, a simplistic watered-down RPG that capitalized on the atmosphere of the Super Mario universe, while still paving its own way.

Paper MarioThis series, is in my opinion, the second most painful decline I’ve witnessed in our industry. Especially in a series that has at the very least, always made fun games. Super Mario 3D World doesn’t measure up to the Galaxy games in terms of atmosphere and overall quality. But it’s still a super fun party game experience, with some insane level design.

Fast-forward from the adventurous shot in the dark that was the first Paper Mario and take a dive into its sequel, The Thousand-Year Door. While this game isn’t my favorite in the series, there’s no denying that it is indeed the best. It offers everything that made the original titles good, and slaps on additional mechanics and controls to make a sequel that surpasses the original in every way. Even the story is deeper with more unique characters. Everything feels original and different, yet it’s a tried and true Paper Mario title.

Super Paper Mario is my favorite piece of this discussion, because that game shows that you can change every single mechanic in a game and yet, the game’s overall feel can still be true to the series it’s part of. RPG gone platformer, Super Paper Mario offers something that I truly value above all else. Story. Character. Atmosphere. Between its brilliant look into the minds of three favorite characters, Luigi, Bowser, and Princess Peach, and its unique and creative cast of villains, such as Dimentio and Count Bleck, Super Paper Mario brings a new level o f narrative to this classic franchise in a way that was never done before, and has never been done again.

I don’t want to go into the things that are so truly awful about Sticker Star and Color Splash, because I want to focus on what made this series great. Complaining about these two titles will come later.

Again, it’s never fun to watch a series you love decline in quality so much. From one end to the other, Paper Mario has undergone massive trials. Yet still I am truly hopeful that fans will band together and demand something great. I hope you all enjoyed reading this article, and come back soon for more from the GAME ROOM!!!

15Jun

Unleash Asura’s Wrath!

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Asura’s Wrath is a very unique title. Lacking any real genre, this game steps into the new territory of playable anime in one of the biggest ventures CyberConnect 2 has ever created. But forging a new way always comes with dangers. Did Asura’s Wrath overcome those dangers and create a truly good title? Let’s go over it.

asuras.wrath.03a.lg

The story of Asura’s Wrath surrounds eight demigod generals as they fight to defeat the impure Gohma, who threaten to destroy all of Gaea, their home. Vlitra, the largest and most frightening of the Gohma stands tall and strong, and he truly is frightening. Can Asura, the most brash of the generals defeat him? And what secrets lurk beneath the organization of the eight generals?

Seems simple enough, but as the story goes on some very philosophical themes are addressed. Godhood, praise, unyielding loyalty, and many other concepts are brought into the light.

This story is executed in episodes, each with a focus, and true anime-style visuals and cutscenes. If you ever wanted to play a game that was entirely story, this is a good pick.

Despite this, the mechanics are strong as well. Fighting, while a bit repetitive, incorporates elements like screen shake and feedback in a way that really adds weight to some of Asura’s attacks. The reverse health bar element makes for a creative combination of hoards and scripted sequences, ending in a flurry of quick time events that force you to face off in grandiose finale’s to each god level clash.

The biggest flaw of Asura’s Wrath comes with the ending. The game ended in a cliffhanger, teasing a sequel, but that ending ended up being packaged as DLC. I won’t lie, I splurged and purchased the DLC, and the ending was truly amazing, but it’s pretty awful that I had to pay extra money to see the end of the story.

This game excels thanks to many features, but perhaps none are as universally incredible as its beautiful soundtrack. From the main theme titled “In Your Belief” to the music that plays while fighting, the music in this game could bring tears to your eyes.

The visuals are also awesome. The stylized combination of ancient eastern art with futuristic mechanical settings make for a unique atmosphere but one that works well. Airship fleets, lava squids, molten rhinos, and more make this game unique in artistic vision, and the visuals compliment that quite a bit.

As an anime fan, I felt right at home in the game’s structure. But the level of immersion I got from the game, despite its linearity, was something truly special for a title not at all rooted in reality. The fun of Asura’s Wrath comes from watching events unfold with the suspenseful nature of an episodic story, without the fractures in play sessions. You could probably finish the game in 12 hours or so, but it’s bound to be a grand 12 hours.

Again, flaws in the game come from its somewhat repetitive combat, and in some ways the translation feels slightly lacking. Some of the characters are very uninteresting, and more interesting characters need a little bit more time to shine.

Asura’s Wrath is a game made for anime fans, and with the developers behind the “Ultimate Ninja Storm” series of Naruto fighting games, combat feels fun and smooth. Cutscenes are awesome, the scale of combat is infinite, and the soundtrack is simply beautiful. If you’re looking for a game to play on PS3, Xbox 360, or the PS Now rental service, this is a good one that a lot of you may have missed!

06Jun

Five Fighting Games You Need This Summer

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We’re back for another one of these lists! This time, I’m tackling the Fighting Game genre. I’m a long time fan of a lot of fighting games. But these five, above all else, I think are a good way to pour some time down the drain.

GGXRD5. Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator

Guilty Gear is a good fighting series. With Xrd Revelator coming out soon, I can only imagine the same quality combat will be present here. I’d recommend any fans of the series to give it a try. The anime aesthetic, combined with the unique and creative character and weapon designs, with combos and comfortable movement to boot? This game is without a doubt, a good way to spend time this summer.

 

4. DragonTitle Screen Ball Xenoverse

This might seem a bit contradictory given my review, but I actually think Xenoverse is a fun game. It’s not Earth shattering by any stretch, but it’s a fun ride. It expands on the DBZ storyline, which in my opinion is already very heavily flawed. But you don’t go to Dragon Ball Z for the writing, you go for action. Straight up, gritty, heart pounding action. Character customization and an expansive move-set make for a pretty average, yet decent, anime fighting game.

3. Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4ninja storm 4

This game offers the most extensive roster of any Naruto fighting games, and refined mechanics like never before. Team battles allow you to switch between all characters freely, and special moves can be executed with simple and easy controls. Combine this with a spectacularly executed story mode, that stays true to the original series, while still managing to be very video game friendly. It’s engaging, entertaining, and most of all, fun. If you’re into fighting games, this is one you want to try.

Sub-Zero looms over these interesting new cast members.

Sub-Zero looms over these interesting new cast members.

2. Mortal Kombat X/XL

This is one of the best fighting games on the market right now. I’d wager it’s among the best I’ve ever played. From a fun and exciting story to a large and diverse character roster, Mortal Kombat has stepped up their game. MK9 was a blast, but this game has a special factor to it. Interactivity with the environment, variants for each fighter, and the Faction system, which includes you in a community of people who fight like you do, make for a very valuable and immersive experience. But remember, not a game for the faint of heart by any stretch. Very graphic and very gory.

Nintendo's greats all in one spot!

Nintendo’s greats all in one spot!

1. Super Smash Bros. For Wii U

Seriously? Did anyone think a different game was gonna take this spot? With a roster currently boasting something close to 60 characters, countless stages, the ability to customize fighters and stages alike, and of course, the expansive and magnificent soundtrack. There isn’t a better option out there for a fighting game to pour hours into. With great online options, fantastic local play, and plenty for a single-player experience, this game is going to keep you busy for a long time.

 

 

That’s enough for this post! Thank you all for reading. For more on games you should be playing this summer, come back soon for more from the GAME ROOM!!!

29May

Five RPGs For Your Summer!

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This isn’t a review. It’s a brand new segment. Basically, each week I’ll encourage you to check out a new set of games. For the summer, the theme falls under the topic we were discussing on my podcast last week. So this week, we’re talking about the easiest genre to pour your life into. That’s the RPG. I’m going to say five RPG’s I think are must haves for anyone who wants to kill a summer. So let’s get started!

 

  1. Earthbound

Earthound cast gathers around in Saturn Valley!

This game is a classic. I definitely think everyone should give it a try, as it did set a lot of the standards for modern RPGs like Undertale or Citizens of Earth. Earthbound is a game truly larger than itself. It deals with strong mature themes through the lens of a child, and thus, presents things in a pleasant way, but doesn’t stop you from thinking hard about them. Earthbound has a lot to do in the main story, but not a lot of side content. All the same, it’s an enjoyable experience that every RPG lover should try.

 

  1.  Dragon Age Inquisition

If there were ever a company that knew how to jam-pack world building into a game, Bioware is that company. DAI
They’re lovers of good strong narrative, and executioners in every sense of the world. They constantly deliver, and Inquisition is yet another instance of a world with tons of unique personalities, and is pretty easy to find at a bargain these days. If you’re a fan of meeting characters, consciously made, mature, realistic characters, play this game.

 

  1. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

TMSThis is my most anticipated game this summer. The genius developers at Atlas are making an RPG themed around the cast of Fire Emblem. While it’s a Shin Megami Tensei crossover, a lot of those elements are a little bit harder to find. With a theme on pop and style, this is definitely a weird one, but all the same, I expect it will have the charm that has drawn players to both series’ for all of these years. I expect this to be a day one purchase for me. If you’re interested in trying something weird and new, check this one out on June 24.

 

  1. Xenoblade Chronicles X

Xenoblade XI wouldn’t be me if I didn’t put in a plug for Xenoblade Chronicles X. While I much prefer the first of the series, and it’s cheaper to get your hands on, X is a very large and expansive game. For someone interested in exploring a vast world and watching it unfold before your eyes as you traverse varying terrain and overcome large enemies and obstacles. While the main story is simple, and can be completed in a twenty or thirty hour span, the amount of side content is incredibly large. There’s a lot you can do to benefit yourself as the game goes on. Things like, building new skells, or fighting tyrants, or doing squad quests all make you stronger. The stronger you get, the more you can take on, and the more the game grows. You truly are building the world as you go, rather than discovering it like you would have in the original.

 

  1. The Witcher 3

Witcher 3There are few games out there that have received as much acclaim as The Witcher 3. This Game Of The Year recipient will put you in incredible combat scenarios, interesting dialogue sequences, and a few spicy love scenes. This game has a very large amount of content, and while I’m partial to the Eastern RPG, this game does tickle my fancy with its vibrant art style and sheer versatility. If you want a game to explore, this is your pick.

 

 

 

Alright! That concludes this segment of “Top 5 Summer Picks.” If you enjoyed, feel free to come back next week for yet another one of these fellas. Themes will change in time, so don’t worry. We’ll never fail to spice things up. In the meantime, for more RPGs like Xenoblade and The Witcher 3, come back soon for more from the GAME ROOM!!!