Wrestlevania

toblix is out Ginger-ing Ginger!

Finished this last week in about 3-4 sittings. The game is good, but technically it's astonishing. It's a shame they somewhat take liberties with Greek mythology, but overall it's still respectful and mindful of the original tales. (Some great use of key mythological figures too.) Overall I'd give it :tup: and, mercifully, the only real detractor is the rather course and unnecessary 'wenches' mini-game early on. One thing that's not great through out is the Quick-Time Events--my principle gripe being that the required actions are bound consistently to correspondingly-positioned face buttons. It's just a random sequence every time, whether you're slitting an undead gladiator's throat or blinding a Cyclops.

But it's more than that, even.

Correct - a game that makes a clear statement. That, coupled with it's low-tech creative direction is what's got people beating off about "interactive art".

If you're quick, UK Nova registrations are open at the moment and they have all episodes to date. Think I'll download and watch these over the weekend.

Wall-E looks to have great potential on the character front. I hope they can sustain that for the 80+ minutes the film is likely to run for. The trailers so far are a delight and remind me a lot of Luxo Junior and Knick Knack.

Interesting. To give a bit more detail to my thinking; I felt it was about having no control over what destiny had alloted for you, no matter how you went about your life. Whether you faced your fears or ran from them, whether you were a murderous butcher or a somewhat cowardly sheriff. Is that a bit clearer?

It's about the complexities and inevitability of destiny. That and absolutely stunning panoramic photography.

Glad he hated it.

Marek, look!!! If you enjoyed that one, you might like to dig into the archives and try DJ Pena's contribution too. NB: Marek's the only other person I know who likes Progressive House.

Have just discovered Korruptor thanks to his recent ProgressiveHouse.com Podcast offering. Fantastically talented English DJ. :tup:

Was initially intrigued, but really don't like the look of it now I've scratched the surface. Jack Black still isn't starring in particularly good comedies it would seem, with School of Rock being a rather flukey highlight I think.

OK, that's clearer (thank you). Personally, I can't think of another way you could tackle the idea of 'paths' and free will without having vertical movement in there. The 'paths' thing is difficult though, I agree. On the one hand you can actively fart about in real life in an effort to delay the inevitable. Or you can actively choose a new path to break the current one and go somewhere completely different (physically and/or metaphorically). It's difficult enough to describe, nevermind implement in some sort of Video game form that actually means something. I suppose Passage's approach is merely the freshest, most unique representation that I've seen to date in Video game form. (I feel dirty discussing this in a thread about The Uncanny Valley though; would be great if the Thumb forums allowed for thread-splitting... )

Beg to differ; giving players the ability to noodle about, wasting time in their 'present' to avoid progressing, is even more accurate than simply trudging left to right. I think you've underestimated the symbolism of this.

Really pleased to read Thumbs' (generally positive! ) reactions to Passage. I assumed most people would have seen it by now, as it's been bandied around on many of the more discerning gaming blogs. (Not that I'm implying anything.)

I'm really excited about the imminent Miami Winter Music Conference as always. Hoping for some really good podcasts again. Anyone know when that 8-bit festival is happening in America? I was trying to recall the name of it last night but failed miserably. I think it's usually sometime between now and May isn't it?

Note Audiosurf tip in the end credits.

It's still trying to replicate a human appearance though -- the method's arguably irrelevant.

You're right -- haven't checked the site for a couple of weeks. Must have changed the schedule in the last month. Edit: As penance, I have made the following PSP XMB wallpaper to share with you all:

I've just remembered a colleague with a Wii gave me his old GameCube last week, so now I can finally play REmake -- splendid.

True story: Mrs V bought me a GameCube once when I was very ill and bed-bound with... something. She phoned me from the game shop as a surprise and asked me which game I'd like, to which I replied Resident Evil Zero, mistaking that for REmake (about which I'd gotten stupidly excited). And what a disappointment it turned out to be. I thought Zero was crap myself.

I can appreciate why it ended the way it did. But...

http://cubo.cc/

Anyone who still hasn't tried Cave Story really should -- it's a magnificent platform-shooter. Ikachan I played as soon as the English language version first appeared, but I just couldn't get into it. The plot and characters seemed obscure and the various screens rather barren.

I believe it's called "selling out". Anyway, we watched the final episode of Dexter (season 2) last night. Anyway, Dexter still ranks as the best TV - along with the stupendous The Wire - I've watched in the last 12 months. Don't forget that Battlestar starts up again next week, kids. And the MotoGP 2008 season kicks off with its first ever night race in Qatar (my old stomping ground of yore, fyi) this Sunday night. Can't wait!