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)
Success can always lead to greater things, while the expectations can be higher, it can also mean the opportunity to showcase more ideas or discarded concepts, that could be included in the first run. As the profits roll in the investors double down for greater … Continue reading Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997)
Known for its brutal depictions of fighting, just when video games were about to explore mature themes. Mortal Kombat rose to become a beloved icon. Sure, the mutilations you could perform in the original have been superseded. But the original incarnation of the mythical fighting … Continue reading Mortal Kombat (1995)
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)
Saving the world is fun and all, but what about those who have a bone to pick with society, who want to bring the earth to its knees for financial profit, or pure vengeance? In the year 2000, to complement the growing franchise and the … Continue reading Groove is in the heart, baby! Part 5: Austin Powers: Welcome to My Underground Lair! (2000)
The late 90s saw the Information Superhighway quickly pick up steam and turn into the behemoth that made so much of modern life possible. In anticipation, everybody was desperate for computerisation, even in cases where it did not make sense. In 2000, the time-travelling groovy … Continue reading Groove is in the heart, baby! Part 4: Austin Powers: Oh, Behave! (2000)
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)
