Hatsune Miku is not real.
That’s the first thing you really have to get out of the way when introducing people to the world of Miku, but it’s possibly the least relevant. Behind the computer-generated voice and appearance are actual songs by real creators, making Hatsune Miku and her “vocaloid” colleagues much like a Japanese spin on Gorillaz. READ MORE
Divinity: Dragon Commander is a game that flew under the radar for quite a while, but it offers an interesting blend of strategy mechanics, both in and outside of missions. Divinity is an established, long-running RPG franchise, but Dragon Commander is an experimental first foray into strategy. READ MORE
DuckTales Remastered is just that: an HD conversion of an NES classic. It isn’t a remake or a reboot, and should not be viewed as such. Most of the mechanical and design changes are subtle. The real draw is the presentation: the adorable HD visuals and robust animations, fully-voiced cutscenes and yet another energetic Jake Kaufman soundtrack. As long as you know what you’re getting into here (or aren’t above choosing “Easy” mode), DuckTales is just as fun as it was on the NES, with a hefty helping of extra charm. READ MORE
Can you like a game because it’s broken? It’s a strange concept, but sometimes it’s fun to go against what the designer intended and turn the mechanics of the game against themselves, subverting the rules and pushing to create a completely different experience.
Not all games crash beautifully, but Pokémon Trading Card Game does. READ MORE
Genre 101 is a series that looks at the past and present of a game genre to find lessons about what defines it. This time, “guest lecturer” Lucas White gives us a primer on the beat-’em-up.
Lucas White: Before Kung-Fu Master, combat games were generally one-on-one affairs. Kung-Fu Master bears a rudimentary resemblance to later, more refined games, as the player navigates down linear paths, punching and kicking endlessly spawning enemies before reaching the boss fights. This basic formula would lead to Renegade and later Double Dragon. The familiar street brawling setting trope came into play, and players were given more combat options, such as the use of items and vertical movement. READ MORE
