1.) No Man's Sky--Hype or Hyper-tastic space game?
Unless you've been totally out of the gaming loop you know that the highly anticipated and much delayed No Man's Sky was released on consoles (and delayed but soon to be released on PC). The concept of the game sounds pretty amazing--almost limitless procedurally generated planets to explore. What gamer wouldn't jump at the chance to have that at their fingertips? Well...me, for one. I have this really deep gut feeling that this infinite universe will be nothing but a beautifully empty repetitive grindfest that will get old really fast. I've always leaned towards games with a strong story so I won't be buying into the hype. It's just not for me. I hope it turns out well for those who have been anxiously awaiting it's release.
2.) Fallout 4--A love/hate relationship.
Even though I have complained about how I didn't have great feelings about Fallout 4, it has still found a way to pull me back in. The reality is that I can always find something new to do in the massive world of the Commonwealth. Currently I'm on a quest to find all the bobbleheads--I only need two more! I'm also enjoying the faction change to the Brotherhood of Steel. Sure, they are a bunch of highly armored jerkfaces, but they have a cool airship.
This go-round I decided to ditch Dogmeat (sorry boy) and travel with Piper. I swear if she complains about how something smells one more time...she's going to get a hot shishkebab to the face. There is one person who is considerably less annoying, Preston Garvey. The changes to make him request your help to sort out this or that random settler who got themselves kidnapped over and over is no longer an issue.
Sigh...I've gotta find those last stupid bobbleheads. (And no, I won't look up a guide...yet.)
3.) The Witcher 3--Toussaintastic.
I love, love, love The Witcher 3 and am now really sad that I have finished the last piece of DLC for it. If you haven't picked up Blood and Wine yet or are skeptical about it--don't be. Unlike the DLC for Fallout 4 (which has horribly negative reviews on Steam), this DLC is meaty and full of content that will extend Geralt's adventures for many, many hours. If you haven't bought any of the DLC you can wait for the upcoming Game of the Year Edition which should offer the complete adventure.
Toussaint offers the chance to play a more traditional type of hero and to play even more gwent. Geralt gets the chance to be a noble knight, to rescue a princess, and to live in his own personal castle. There is much monster slaying along the way and plenty of new locations to explore.
I'm actually thinking of starting up another game on the highest difficulty setting. It would be my fourth or fifth game...yeah, I really enjoy Witchering.
4.) Mass Effect 3--Garrus + Shepard for life.
Almost every summer I find myself returning to the Mass Effect universe. I have managed to play a Shepard who has had a romantic relationship with almost every option in the game. The one big one that I had skipped up until now was Garrus. What was I thinking? Garrus is absolutely the best romantic option for Shep. Go back and play that relationship from ME2 onward and tell me that you don't love it.
I think that part of the reason I avoided it was because there was just something really weird about the alien/human dynamic. Plus, Turians are kind of weird looking. But, as a character, Garrus has always been one of my favorites. He's tough and has a sense of honor, but he is also flawed. He gets frustrated with all the Turian rule following and is kind of awkward. That awkwardness is definitely endearing--the early stages of the Garrus/Shep relationship involve much worry about how it all is supposed to work...awkward talks about vids and figuring things out.
The one thing that really sold me on the Garrus/Shep relationship happens in the Citadel DLC in ME3. As you enjoy spending time with your crewmates Garrus invites you to hang out at the casino on the Silversun Strip. In the non-romantic options you find Shep trying to set Garrus up with a lovely lady Turian. Forget that option even exists! Now you find yourself in the bar and the music changes to a tango (I think.....) and Garrus sweeps Shepard onto the dancefloor where he reveals that he has been taking dance lessons. It's completely silly to see two fairly serious characters dancing a tango in the middle of a space crisis--but it's totally worth it. In all the time that the game and DLC have been out I can't believe that I missed this genuinely awesome relationship.
Now, to just hope that Mass Effect: Andromeda is able to reproduce all those awesome characters and moments. Fingers crossed.
Unless you've been totally out of the gaming loop you know that the highly anticipated and much delayed No Man's Sky was released on consoles (and delayed but soon to be released on PC). The concept of the game sounds pretty amazing--almost limitless procedurally generated planets to explore. What gamer wouldn't jump at the chance to have that at their fingertips? Well...me, for one. I have this really deep gut feeling that this infinite universe will be nothing but a beautifully empty repetitive grindfest that will get old really fast. I've always leaned towards games with a strong story so I won't be buying into the hype. It's just not for me. I hope it turns out well for those who have been anxiously awaiting it's release.
2.) Fallout 4--A love/hate relationship.
Even though I have complained about how I didn't have great feelings about Fallout 4, it has still found a way to pull me back in. The reality is that I can always find something new to do in the massive world of the Commonwealth. Currently I'm on a quest to find all the bobbleheads--I only need two more! I'm also enjoying the faction change to the Brotherhood of Steel. Sure, they are a bunch of highly armored jerkfaces, but they have a cool airship.
This go-round I decided to ditch Dogmeat (sorry boy) and travel with Piper. I swear if she complains about how something smells one more time...she's going to get a hot shishkebab to the face. There is one person who is considerably less annoying, Preston Garvey. The changes to make him request your help to sort out this or that random settler who got themselves kidnapped over and over is no longer an issue.
Sigh...I've gotta find those last stupid bobbleheads. (And no, I won't look up a guide...yet.)
3.) The Witcher 3--Toussaintastic.
I love, love, love The Witcher 3 and am now really sad that I have finished the last piece of DLC for it. If you haven't picked up Blood and Wine yet or are skeptical about it--don't be. Unlike the DLC for Fallout 4 (which has horribly negative reviews on Steam), this DLC is meaty and full of content that will extend Geralt's adventures for many, many hours. If you haven't bought any of the DLC you can wait for the upcoming Game of the Year Edition which should offer the complete adventure.
Toussaint offers the chance to play a more traditional type of hero and to play even more gwent. Geralt gets the chance to be a noble knight, to rescue a princess, and to live in his own personal castle. There is much monster slaying along the way and plenty of new locations to explore.
I'm actually thinking of starting up another game on the highest difficulty setting. It would be my fourth or fifth game...yeah, I really enjoy Witchering.
4.) Mass Effect 3--Garrus + Shepard for life.
Almost every summer I find myself returning to the Mass Effect universe. I have managed to play a Shepard who has had a romantic relationship with almost every option in the game. The one big one that I had skipped up until now was Garrus. What was I thinking? Garrus is absolutely the best romantic option for Shep. Go back and play that relationship from ME2 onward and tell me that you don't love it.
I think that part of the reason I avoided it was because there was just something really weird about the alien/human dynamic. Plus, Turians are kind of weird looking. But, as a character, Garrus has always been one of my favorites. He's tough and has a sense of honor, but he is also flawed. He gets frustrated with all the Turian rule following and is kind of awkward. That awkwardness is definitely endearing--the early stages of the Garrus/Shep relationship involve much worry about how it all is supposed to work...awkward talks about vids and figuring things out.
The one thing that really sold me on the Garrus/Shep relationship happens in the Citadel DLC in ME3. As you enjoy spending time with your crewmates Garrus invites you to hang out at the casino on the Silversun Strip. In the non-romantic options you find Shep trying to set Garrus up with a lovely lady Turian. Forget that option even exists! Now you find yourself in the bar and the music changes to a tango (I think.....) and Garrus sweeps Shepard onto the dancefloor where he reveals that he has been taking dance lessons. It's completely silly to see two fairly serious characters dancing a tango in the middle of a space crisis--but it's totally worth it. In all the time that the game and DLC have been out I can't believe that I missed this genuinely awesome relationship.
Now, to just hope that Mass Effect: Andromeda is able to reproduce all those awesome characters and moments. Fingers crossed.
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