The story begins…

Once upon a time, Kirby was out looking for some food and the evil Yin-Yarn sucked him up into his magical sock. (That’s right I said magical sock.) Once inside, Kirby discovered he’d been turned into yarn and lost his ability to gobble up enemies. But all was not lost for Kirby had a few new tricks up his stringy sleeve. Kirby could whip himself into the air, grapple unto buttons, and even turn into a yarn car! Along the way, Kirby met Prince Fluff, a resident of the magical world, Patch Land. Together, the two of them toppled enemies, traversed many strange levels, and defeated several inventive bosses bringing order to the kingdom.

If this review suddenly sounded like a storybook it can’t be helped. Kirby’s Epic Yarn brings with it many of the same qualities found in a really memorable children’s book complete with a soothingly-voiced narrator.

The yarn aesthetics don’t just work in favor of the visuals as the crux for the game’s level design and gameplay mechanics are reenforced by the string-based style. Kirby’s new abilities include the previously mentioned whip which allows him to grapple to buttons and swing toward higher ledges as well as new transformative powers such as turning into a parachute to float over long distances. Players can walk, hop, swing, and motor across levels collecting beads, the game’s currency, as they go. The platforming isn’t especially difficult, the only challenge being derived from finding hidden treasures which force Kirby off the beaten path and completing a stage with as many beads as possible. Throughout the game, Kirby will be able to transform into several vehicles including a sled, surfboard, and don’t forget the gigantic robotic missile-shooting tank. These moments are fleeting and work to break up some of the platforming. For the most part, these sequences work well except for Kirby’s train form which could have used some more testing before shipping out the door.

The game doesn’t offer much by way of difficulty. Enemies are easily dispatched by a snap of Kirby’s whip and the platforming feels very much like Gaming 101. Soon, however, players might find themselves skipping past enemies because running into them, falling off a ledge, or anything which would ordinarily cause a player to lose a life and start over doesn’t apply here. Kirby’s Epic Yarn is devoid of fail-states. Meaning, there is no consequence in the typical video game sense of the word for falling or getting hit by an enemy. It’s a design choice which, on one hand makes it infinitely accessible to the game’s younger target demographic while making the experience feel somewhat neutered for the rest of us. I started to feel bored by the whole thing. The imaginative spark of the level design and art direction was enough to keep me going through the experience but, after a while, I started playing podcasts with my TV muted as I trotted along to the finish line. I felt like I needed to keep my mind active. There was no sense of urgency in my decision to play a new level or fight a boss battle because there was no challenge to overcome. However, it’s important to note this isn’t the game’s agenda. This is the perfect game to play with your kids or, at the very least, with somebody who doesn’t play games because they find the barrier to entry too high. It’s not here to punish you. Instead it wants to wrap itself around you like a warm fuzzy blanket, let you relax, and enjoy the experience without fear of frustration. While many gamers will find this off-putting there’s nothing wrong with this choice it’s simply a different one.

Despite the lack of challenge, the game offers some really unique concepts and ideas based around the yarn motif. Everything stays true to that core concept from the character designs, levels, and some fairly ingenious bosses. It all works in service of the art style and it’s unlike anything seen in a game thus far. It’s a shame the game feels somewhat light on content. At about six hours, it wasn’t so much about the time spent playing but more about this feeling I had when I was done that there was more I wished to see. Hidden paths, side-quests such as hide & seek, and decorating Kirby’s apartment with found furniture are a fun distraction but nothing quite earth-shattering. As I said, it’s the perfect game to play with your kids and co-op makes that even easier. Be warned, the co-op mode’s camera frustratingly lacks the necessary zooming-out feature of other multiplayer platformers such as New Super Mario Bros. Wii. As a result, the leading player will be constantly hitting the right side of the screen if their partner lags behind.

There are enough good ideas in Kirby’s Epic Yarn to make it an experience worth trying, regardless of whether or not you agree with its lack of challenge. It left me feeling conflicted. While I wish the gameplay had provided something more dynamic, it’s impossible to deny the game’s charm and relentless sense of imagination. The pleasure derived from the sucrose-sweet art style is immediate and makes the game undeniably enjoyable on a basic human level. It taps into the pleasure centers deep inside your brain reserved only for the idealized memories of childhood. This brand of nostalgia is something Nintendo has been dealing out for almost thirty years and they’ve become so good it’s scary.

This review was originally published on GameShack

As you journey through the neighborhood, you’ll encounter fellow trick-or-treaters to join your cause as you rid the town of enemies and liberate homes of their sugary morsels. Knocking on a door will bring either a costumed adult with a witty line and a bowl full of candy (the game’s all-too appropriate currency) or a battle-ready monster.

Battles are a mix of turn-based combat with an active twist. Similar to the combat of the Paper Mario series, Costume Quest’s battles are handled by selecting between normal and special attacks, the latter needing to be charged up before use, and applying it to your enemy. Time-sensitive prompts increase the damage you can inflict as well as increase your defense.

Costumes play a large role in combat as the outfit you’re wearing changes your abilities. What may appear as nothing more than a cardboard robot costume becomes a gigantic mech that towers over the city, delivering missile blasts to any Grubbin foolish enough to stand in your way. Other costumes include a knight, perfect for shielding you from attacks, the Statue of Liberty, a healing class, and many more which you discover over the course of the adventure. In addition, Battle Stamps increase the options available to players creating a little more variety and depth.

Along your travels, you’ll come across Sadie, an enterprising grade-schooler. (Think Lucy’s psychiatry stand in Peanuts.) In exchange for candy, she’ll give you Battle Stamps which alter abilities such as inflicting poison and put a few new tricks up your sleeve during combat like hitting an enemy after a successful dodge.

The combat is a lot of fun although it can get very easy. As an RPG-novice I was surprised by what little challenge the combat presented. It would have been nice to see a higher difficulty curve but, as it stands, Costume Quest doesn’t offer much. If you’re looking for a game with punishing difficulty, go elsewhere, that’s clearly not the intention here. Still, what’s there is good and encourages experimentation. It’s not the most complex system ever devised but its fun while it lasts and at six hours the game ends before fighting feels repetitive.

Side quests and exploring make up the time between battles as you trick-or-treat your way to the top. Bobbing for apples, card collecting, and playing hide & seek with the neighborhood kids are a fun addition to the overall experience however I was disappointed to see a lack of variety in these missions. In each of the three main areas to explore, you’ll find yourself doing the same thing in each level: bob for apples, find rare cards, find hiding children, repeat. The side quests seem to lack the same imagination that powers the game’s style and story.

As the game nears its conclusion, certain problems arise. For starters, the game feels short and not because of some arbitrary limit on dollars spent versus hours played. What makes the game feel short is the rapid pace at which things wrap up. With only the three main areas to explore, you and your costumed cohorts reach the end just when things are starting to pick up. It would have been nice to see at least one more level. Still, in a way it’s a testament to the game that I was left wanting more. That feeling isn’t something you reserve for a game you dislike.

Before the final credits, one of the characters declares, “We should do this every year!” and I have to agree. I can honestly see myself making Costume Quest an annual tradition this time of year. It’s not the longest nor the most-challenging game but what’s there is a fun, charming, and worthwhile adventure. The battle system is engaging and the game carries an imaginative spark that, simply put, makes me want to keep coming back.

This review was originally publish on GameShack

As I said, the story is quite epic, spanning various locations with incredible vistas, characters, and monsters. Gabriel is not alone in his quest as Zobek, fellow member of the Brotherhood, accompanies him for much of his journey though he only takes part in the action for a very short time. Zobek is voiced by none other than everybody’s favorite follically-challenged Trekkie, Patrick Stewart, who does his best with the source material. Problems arise with the storytelling as every chapter begins with a lengthy narration by Stewart which borders on the melodramatic. As the game can last up to twenty hours, players will find themselves constantly pulled out of the experience as the next chapter loads and another narration begins. It’s not all-bad but it made the experience feel somewhat disjointed. Despite the heavy-handed approach to some of the storytelling, the tale can be riveting. It’s what kept me coming back to the game. The lengthy story is coupled with gameplay that is mostly satisfying making the journey toward the stunning conclusion all the more enjoyable.

Lords of Shadow is an action game in the same vein as God of War, taking much of its inspiration from the likes of Sony’s Spartan series, platforming reminiscent of Uncharted, and the occasional boss battle ripped straight out of Shadow of the Colossus. While elements of the gameplay might feel somewhat derivative, Lords of Shadow still feels incredibly rewarding, offering complexity, tactility, and weight to its combat. As players progress through each level, they gain experience points which can be traded for additional combos and other upgrades. Added depth comes by way of Light & Shadow magic. Gabriel can harness magical abilities, allowing players to regain health with Light magic and increase damage with Shadow magic active. It’s an extra layer that increases the complexity just enough to reward players looking for more depth in the combat. Meanwhile, players hoping to hammer on the square and triangle buttons will be challenged but can probably manage on lower difficulties just fine.

The game deviates from the “Metroidvania” design of recent Castlevania titles in favor of a more linear, stream-lined experience. It isn’t a bad thing, it’s simply a different direction which could turn off some hardcore fans. I didn’t find myself missing any of the back-tracking. The game isn’t trying to tell the same story or give the same experience as a game like Symphony of the Night. The closest thing to back-tracking is the game’s repayable design. As each level is completed it’s made available to go back, find all of the upgrades, complete on higher difficulties, and attempt various challenges such as beating a boss without using Light magic. Lords of Shadow wears its influences on its sleeve and while the gameplay is enjoyable, for the most part, it does stumble when the fighting subsides.

Occasional puzzles break up the action offering brief moments of lever-pulling, dial-turning, and color matching. The puzzle aren’t going to offer much in the way of head-scratching but at the very least they help to mix up the pace, avoiding the monotony of having the action constantly turned up to 11. However, Castlevania’s weakest points are the moments of exploration and platforming. Gabriel’s movement lacks the fine-tuned feeling we’ve come to expect from games like Uncharted, making certain sections of the game (yeah Music Box level, I’m calling you out) feel extremely frustrating. The problem comes from a lack of weight to Gabriel’s character. His model never feels as weighted as he could and problems abound when standing on moving surfaces. I often encountered an issue with moving platforms as Gabriel would inexplicably walk of the edge without any input from me. A tiny but annoying problem that, to me, illustrated some of the frustration and lack of polish present in the platforming.

I would be remiss if I didn’t take time to mention how beautiful the game looks. From a technical standpoint, the graphics are top-rate. But more importantly the environments and other design elements are, simply put, amazing. There was a moment in particular, as Gabriel stormed across the landscape, a huge gothic castle loomed in the distance, snow whipped at the screen, that I stood back for a long time and stared in awe. The design of Lords of Shadow could be arguably its strongest asset. I remember thinking several times that I hope everybody who plays the game makes it to the end so they can enjoy the views.

The game would have benefited from some editing. It can take a few hours for it to really hit its stride which could turn some gamers off. When an action game of this ilk takes so long to get down to business, more time could have been spent examining what’s absolutely essential. It may seem strange to complain that a game is too long but several levels in Lords of Shadow clutter up an otherwise great game. I would have much preferred a slightly shorter but more concise experience.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow takes inspiration from many great games. Is the combat better than God of War? Debatable. Are some of the boss battles greater than Shadow of the Colossus? No. Is the platforming as finely-tuned as Uncharted? Not really. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad game- far from it. It might not step out from the shadow of its influences, but Castlevnia is a good game that’s absolutely worth seeing through to the end and stands on its own accomplishments of design and story. In fact, in many regards it surpasses a game like God of War. Kratos would be wise to take an acting lesson or two from Gabriel. It’s a slow-burn, offering players an experience that takes more than 20 hours to see the first time through. The game is far more than a miserable little pile of influences, managing to bring a charm all its own offering themes, characters, and locations unique to the franchise. I hadn’t heard of developer MercurySteam before this game and throughout my time with Lords of Shadow I kept asking myself where on Earth they’d been hiding all this time.

This review was originally published on GameShack

A review I wrote for Associated Content.

Resident Evil 5 Review on Associated Content

Playing Resident Evil 5 Solo or Co-op: Alone Together
A review of Capcom’s latest, action-packed entry into the revered survival-horror series. However, this article focuses on the differences between playing the game alone or, cooperatively with a friend, the way the developers intended.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1587467/playing_resident_evil_5_solo_or_coop.html

Meeting Management Services

Our Clients, Our Family

As you walk across the show-floor of your next big meeting you’re amazed as the empty space transforms into an event you’ll remember for years to come. You feel relief knowing that everything is being taken care of (Not to mention getting a few pats on the back from the boss for putting all of this together). The venue comes alive as our on-site production team converts the space with computers, chairs, audio/visual equipment, and the welcoming level of ambiance our clients have come to expect. Your attendees arrive promptly and comfortably thanks to our travel service accommodations. Meanwhile, local vendors arrive with food and drinks to satisfy the cravings of your event-goers. All of this is thanks to your foresight and our commitment to providing you with the best planning, production, & management services.

At Ti3 COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, your needs are our concerns. We put our unique touch on every aspect of your event. From the first call you make to our office, to the close of your meeting and beyond, you’re part of our growing family of satisfied clients. From our in-house planning and production staff, to our on-site meeting management and skilled team of freelance staff, you’re experience with us will always be personal and professional. We guide you through the process of planning your next meeting from developing a theme, online registration, air & ground transportation, hotel accommodations, and onward.

And then from here I’d get into the nitty-gritty parts and actually guide them through the process and detail the services we offer in stages going from Pre-planning & Development, On-Site, and Follow-Up/Billing.

planning

Once you’ve contacted us, you’ll be treated to a higher level of courtesy than you might expect. That’s just how we do things. You’ll be given a one-point contact, which means you can always easily reach the same person if you have a question or request.

We’ll work with you to bring your vision to life whether it’s creating a theme, working out a budget, or satisfying any concessions you might have. From a boardroom meeting to a product launch and everything in between, we’re adaptable when making your dreams a reality.

• Complete confidentiality

development

We provide everything from detailed Banquet Event Orders (BEOs) to quick & easy online registration. We use our purchasing power and send out a widespread network of RFPs to guarantee you the best venues, hotels, transportation, caterers, and more. Our relationship with vendors lets us get you the best accommodations at the best prices.

Not only do we get you’re the best price, we work all over the country and often source to local businesses. It keeps costs down as the quality goes up. Not only that, it makes the service more unique, which is what we’re all about.

• A working agenda with detailed itinerary

• Online registration with email reminders

• We source to the best vendors with the best prices

• Travel arrangements with risk management

• Incentive programs

• Accommodate Concessions

on-site management

Before your event, our PreCon roundup includes the hotel’s General Manager & Conference Services Manager, vendors, and our meeting manager ensures there are no surprises. We coordinate our efforts to make your meeting run flawlessly.

Our team of freelance staff is the best of the best. They’ll provide your event-goers with the professional & personal service you’ve been accustomed to since your first meeting with us. As you did when planning your event, you’ll have the same one-point contact with our meeting manager when on-site. It’s all part of our personal approach when managing events.

• Post-Meeting & Follow-Up

We offer a variety of follow-up services including webcast production & survey reporting. This gives you the tools and information you need to see who is being trained after your meeting.

In addition to those services, we also carefully audit every statement to ensure everything is properly processed. It’s just another step we take to make your life easier.

After the success of your event, we want you to know how much we appreciate your business. There’s nothing more important to us than creating lasting relationships with our valued clients. In order to make planning your next event even easier, we retain client information in our safe & secure computer system.

• post-event auditing/ROI reporting

• electronic billing (paper bills available upon request)

• Client information stored including VIP Profiles

• Secure computer systems with data back-up & redundancy

Social responsibility is our responsibility

We want to lead by example and put the same passion we give our clients and put it back into the community.

By supporting global causes like the fight against HIV/AIDS & world poverty with the One Campaign, we’re helping those in need. Our enthusiasm for going green can be seen by how we run an eco-friendly office and by supporting the World Wildlife Fund & Rainforest Alliance. We’re rallying behind other great organizations such as the ACLU, Teachers Without Borders, and CARE as a way to improve the quality of life here and abroad.

But we’re not just thinking globally, we’re acting locally. We donate to organizations like Mountain Meadow, a Philadelphia-based non-profit dedicated to providing a supportive and safe space for children of LGBTQ and other non-traditional families to promote equality in our neighborhood.

We also support those who risk their lives every day. To show our appreciation, we’ve donated to an Orlando firehouse. We believe working together is the best way to achieve our goals for a better future, which is why we donate to Uhuru Furniture. Proceeds from Uhuru benefit the African People’s Education & Defense Fund, which raises money for education and healthcare in the African American community.

Our charitable approach extends into how we plan our meetings. For example, we work with local vendors, which not only keeps costs down but also stimulates the local economy. Over the years, we’ve found our approach to not just be valuable for our clients but rewarding for everyone.

Don’t lose sleep over your next event. Every meeting we plan receives the same care and attention to detail that we give our humanitarian efforts. We’re a company you can trust. We make the world a better place, one meeting at a time.