When the late Roger Ebert said that “video games can never be art,” the gaming community boiled with anger (as it so often does). Gaming is an often misunderstood hobby, thanks to the stereotype of the overweight, lazy and socially awkward gamer who loves nothing more than to watch heads Read More…
“Papers, Please” is a strange game in the absolute best sense of the word. It’s Soviet Union meets Berlin Wall, distinctly Slavic and decidedly communist. It’s tense and addictive. In the words of its creator, Lucas Pope, it’s a “dystopian document thriller.” “Papers, Please,” named for your character’s “catchphrase” of Read More…
There is no one more deserving of an “A for effort” than Josh Rivedal. He wrote and stars in an ongoing one-man show about his life in which he sings and acts as a variety of characters, and he performs without inhibition. It’s the kind of show that people really Read More…
Michael Bao’s friends call him Mikey, and on the weekends, they all play Mario games on the Wii. Bao, a second-year EECS major at Cal, is known for not being particularly good at Super Mario Bros. — but when it comes to making games, Bao’s friends turn to him for Read More…
Lara Croft wears a gray tank top, khakis and combat boots. She is known for her outrageously generous bust, but since her debut in 1996’s “Tomb Raider,” her proportions have become increasingly more reasonable and her figure more conducive to exploring tombs. She’s also extremely easy to cosplay, so when Read More…
There were around four dozen pieces of paper, some emblazoned with a few choice words and others boasting heartfelt novellas, but all of them said the same thing: You are not alone. Suffering from a mental illness can be a terribly isolating experience. Unlike cancer or diabetes, mental illnesses cannot Read More…
The problem with “SimCity” is that, in order to play it, gamers must be online and connected to EA’s servers.
The problem with EA’s servers is that they cannot handle the masses of people who want to play. Read More…
Sex, drugs and a guitar or two abound in “The Fun Parts,” Sam Lipsyte’s most recent collection of character-focused vignettes. Unfortunately for Lipsyte, what results is a hit-and-miss read with a few real gems and far too many forced laughs. Read More…
“Depression Quest” isn’t a typical game. It’s not even typical for an atypical game. Unlike convention-violating indie titles like “Journey” or “The Unfinished Swan,” “Depression Quest” isn’t artistic, captivating or even enjoyable. Rather, it’s a gray, text-based and emotionally draining experience about living with depression. “Depression Quest” casts the player Read More…
