Before modern titles showed the artistic capabilities of the medium, Video games were typically seen as mindless blood soaking time killers, where armed grunts dispatch carnivorous aliens, mutants, or other grunts. So, an unarmed, snarky reluctant suburbanite, might be an odd choice to join their … Continue reading Daria’s Inferno (2000)
Pinball has inspired a mania. Surviving countless decades through offering players of varying levels of competency: extraordinary high scores, an intoxicating balance of skill and luck, and relatively low barriers to entry. The classic game is no stranger to elaborate themes and styles, some revamping … Continue reading Groove is in the heart, baby! Part 6: Austin Powers Pinball (2002)
The pandemic has shown the necessity for party games, but challenges to our trivia muscles have always been around. Each one trying new ways to differentiate themselves from the crowd. In 1999, to capitalise on the success of the rising Austin Powers franchise, a themed … Continue reading Groove is in the heart, baby! Part 3: Austin Powers Operation: Trivia (1999)
With all the killing, gambling, and other activities, it is easy to forget that the mob is just a business. One that must worry about cash flow, employees, customer relations, amongst other headaches, even operating outside the law. Yet it still retains a slight allure … Continue reading Omerta – City of Gangsters (2013)
The British are known for brevity and wit, especially when it comes to popular culture. Notably, British televisional comedy is renowned across the world and is held as an example of these principles. The quintessential example is Fawlty Towers, the oft-repeated, oft-quoted comedy about the … Continue reading Fawlty Towers Comedy Pack (2000)
Doctor Who has become a surprising emblem of Britishness. A time-travelling eccentric alien, who is quick-witted and utilises his pacifistic solutions to save the day for almost 60 years. The art of regeneration allowing the character to live on, although different, meaning generations of fans … Continue reading Doctor Who: Destiny of the Doctors (1997)
The spectacle of Professional Wrestling has thrilled generations for decades, to maintain this streak of inventiveness, characters, storylines must be reimagined, reworked, and reinvited constantly. Innovation is key, especially in their media products, with so many games over the years, this can be especially challenging. … Continue reading WWE 2K20 (2019)
Association football is a game that transcends cultures, ages, and other demographics to be a universally beloved staple, but it is not alone. Another property that achieves the same status is the colourful plastic bricks of Lego. Inspiring minds and imaginations for countless generations. In … Continue reading Lego Football Mania (2002)
Expansion packs can more than live up to their name, sure in the era of D.L.C. their purpose has been replaced with a more incremental and piecemeal solution, But a good Expansion Pack can revolutionise how you think about a game and in some cases, … Continue reading Blood II: The Chosen – The Nightmare Levels (1999)
The late 90s were a boom time for the F.P.S. genre. Cynically subversive humour, gratuitous excesses of guns and guts made for an intoxicatingly alluring mixture. A notable example was Blood, it managed to take the iconic Build Engine, inject it with Lovecraftian horror, and … Continue reading Blood II: The Chosen (1998)
