Special Request - Earthbound vs. Earthbound Zero

   A friend of a friend requested that I do a review over the popular turn-based RPG, Earthbound, and it's predecessor Earthbound Zero. In Japan, there were three Earthbound games, but we only got one of them. Over there, the series is called "Mother", and we got Mother 2. However, Mother 1 did have an English version in existence, it was just never released in the US for some reason.

   I assume it was a prototype of some sort but never received the greenlight for a US release, though you can still find the ROM on the internet today. Let's check it. Which is the better game? Earthbound for the SNES, or Earthbound Zero for the NES? Let's pretend we don't already know the answer, take out our special kneecapping bats, and charge in.

Battle Veiled Pay4Fee - Battlefield Play4Free Review

   Battlefield Play4Free is an MMOFPS developed by EA Digital Illusions CE and Easy Studios, and published by EA. The game is apparently a modified version of Battlefield 2 and Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and makes me glad I never played Battlefield before Battlefield 3. However, I've heard BF2 and Bad Company 2 were actually pretty good. This just isn't a good representation of them. I personally really hate EA for various reasons, and this game isn't changing my mind.

   It is almost a standard Battlefield experience, with all of the annoyances that come with it, but butchered. Once you're done getting wow'd by all of the vehicles and jet fighters, you start to see the game for what it really is. Crap. As usual, however, let's first discuss what the game doesn't do badly...

Fifth Thought - Everyone Who Isn't As Good As You Are...

   Here is something I hear way too often:

   Noob: "Whoa, dude, you're awesome. Can you give me some tips?"
   A. Dude: "Nah, man, I suck. I'm nothing compared to *insert best player on given game here*."

   I think we need to get off the mindset that if you aren't the best at something, then you're not good at it. This is something that easily leads to arrogant fools who, by extension, think that anyone who isn't as good as they are is bad. To be honest, I used to think like this myself. I used to think that I wasn't all that good, and therefore anyone who does worse than me is just a terrible player.

Troll Everything - Offensive Combat Review

   Offensive Combat is a browser-based first-person shooter developed by U4iA Games. You have probably heard of this game if you have seen any of it's eye-catching advertisements. It has a very unique style in that it bases itself around being offensive, or displeasing.

As if that wasn't evident.

   This is actually very well executed by the developers. They haven't sacrificed any features or visuals just to get that point across, and this is also one of very few games that hasn't suffered from being playable in a browser. Personally, I tend to shy away from browser-based MMOs because they tend to suck, thinking that they can attract players through browser functionality alone instead of gameplay. Offensive Combat, on the other hand, seems to have taken everything into account to make their game as fun as possible. How did they do this? Well, let's see...

Hell Fate - Hellgate Global Review

   Note: I never got around to the PvP aspect of Hellgate, so it will not be discussed in this review. Also, the class I mostly played for the purpose of review was Marksman, though I also played Guardian a bit.

   Hellgate Global is an MMORPG created by Flagship Studios and hosted by Hanbitsoft. For those unfamiliar with the name, Hellgate Global is really just Hellgate: London turned into a free-to-play title. This is great news for us free gamers, because Hellgate is actually a great game.

   As soon as you start the game, you're treated to a nicely animated intro movie that gets the ball rolling on the story. Hell has been taking over various worlds, swarming them with demons and covering them with endless darkness. Regardless, they will not take Earth. Because Earth is badass. Humans have been pushed underground, and it is up to you to cut a swath through the countless demons that roam the Earth and close the gates of Hell. It is a fairly interesting story, and the gameplay does not disappoint. Of course, it's not without it's problems, so let's get into the meat of the review.