The EMP and the Art of Video Games

A lot of people like to argue about whether or not video games are art or can be art? While I feel that they can be for sure I am excited to hit up the Experience Music Project this weekend and check out the Art of Videogames exhibit that has been going on there. I've read some favourable things about it, about the selection of the games that they've picked and the bits of history behind some of everyone's favorites like Mario, Zelda, Pitfall, Monkey Island and dozens more and overall it seems like it will definitely be something worth seeing. I quite enjoy behind the scenes looks at games and with plenty of conceptual works and interviews with developers and creators I feel like this is something that a gamer can't afford to miss. Here is a link to the EMP's site for the exhibit and I'll write more after the weekend as to how it was.

As for currently what I have been playing, I gave Monaco a try on Steam and I highly recommend getting it on there, or get it on XBLA whenever the patches are done and the game is released. It's an action packed top down bit of pixel heaven that's like a number of games but it's very own beast at the same time. As well after beating inFamous I am now on Uncharted and have been enjoying it. I do have a bit of a problem with how cheery Nathan Drake is for the amount of guys that I have slaughtered, but I digress, it's a great game with a great story so far.

The Future Is Near

It was just announced that the new XBOX reveal would happen on May 21, and be broadcast on Spike as well as on XBL and such. This is definitely welcome news as I'm interested to see what the new XBOX is going to be like. With the Wii U out now and faltering a little due to lack of games and support from Nintendo and other developers alike, and Sony's PS4 already revealed people are definitely clamoring for whatever news they can get from Microsoft. But already the rumors of always online and installing games directly to the system have left people wary, myself included, so it will be interesting to see what they have to show.

As for me personally, I'm definitely curious but at the same time I feel like the new XBOX won't be for me. As I have recently been trying to steer away from most M rated games thanks to having a new son, the titles on the 360 in general appeal less and less to me. Having a chance to finally catch up on PS3 titles on the other hand has been great. Titles like Journey, inFamous, Uncharted, Ratchet and Clank, Ico and even the Jak & Daxter games have been great to have. I got a Wii U because I love Nintendo games and want my son to play them too. Nintendo will continue to do their own little thing, receive some support but if you have a Wii U you'll probably need one of the other consoles. With the promise of next-gen iterations of inFamous, Uncharted and hopefully Last Guardian I am pretty sure that it'll be a PS4 for me.

But, we will see.

What is everyone else going to go for?

Fire Emblem - GOTY 2013 So Far...

I know that it's still early in the year and there's still plenty of great games coming out and new consoles coming out this year, but nothing has eaten up my time more and engaged me more than Fire Emblem: Awakening for the 3DS. After about 25 hours I'm still just passed half way through the game and am still grinding levels like crazy. I know that that's not an impressive amount of hours but considering I just get that gaming in on the go it's definitely occupied much of my gaming time.

The story has been fantastic, the characters great, and the rock, paper, scissors style of combat is still as fantastic as it has ever been. If you have a 3DS and you don't have this game, what's wrong with you? And if you love strategy RPG's and don't have a 3DS, definitely just go out and get one and get this game. Too good. Full review still to come.