Destiny: The Sandwich Review

Bungie’s newest game, Destiny, has been extremely divisive amongst gamers. There’s a lot to like, but there’s also a lot to hate. In this quick review, I’ll summarize my own opinions on the game in the form of a sandwich.

Traveling to the End of the Line: The Music of “Destiny”

As we wait with bated breath for Game Editor Brian’s official Destiny review (which, I am told, is going to be a delicious Compliment Sandwich), this Music Monday is bringing you some of the game’s seriously awesome tunes. From gentle piano to mystic vocalizing to face-melting guitar, Destiny’s OST really and truly delivers.

The soundtrack (which was officially released by Bungie last Friday) was composed by Michael Salvatori, C Paul Johnson, Martin O’Donnell (hail Hydra), and Paul McCartney.

Race of the Little Winged Beings

There is a strange place where everything is so very tiny
and if you discover it, you might find something worth seeing.
Wander just beyond the garden, and through thick boughs of ivy
and you’ll be able to watch the race of the little winged beings.

From Sunrise to Sunset: How to Tell Where Your RPG Came From

When it comes to video games in the RPG genre, there is a very distinct schism regarding style between those made in the Western world and those made in the Eastern world. Let’s look at some sure signs that you can use to differentiate one from the other.

“Dear Dr. Lovett”: Making the Beast with Two Backs

“Dear Dr. Lovett” is a weekly advice column dealing with love, relationships, and sex. Need words of wisdom? Tell us all about it at emailasv@yahoo.com.

DEAR DR. LOVETT-VON STRAUSS: The local theater in my town is putting on a production of William Shakespeare's Othello. My girlfriend of 16 months has been cast as the female lead, Desdemona. I'm very happy for her, but I'm worried she's losing herself in the play. Let me be more specific: I think she's become infatuated with her male co-star. He's all she ever talks about, and when I went to visit her during a rehearsal one day, I felt that she was getting way too into the kissing scenes. She doesn't even kiss me like that. And that's not it--she's starting to speak in iambic pentameter, even at home! What should I do? --CALL ME RODERIGO

October Shut-Eye: A Double Dose of Eclipses!

October is almost here! This month brings us two great events, and no, one of them isn’t Halloween. But during this year’s month of spooks we get to see a lunar AND a solar eclipse! These are one of the more fun things to observe about space. They are fairly frequent, and their happenings are easily predicted. Plus, the moon is red during a lunar eclipse, like, how cool is that.

Never Once Skipped: My Top 10 Anime Openings

Anime openings can sometimes get repetitive. Sure, they’re mostly all great, catchy tunes, but after the fifteenth time (particularly during a binge-watching session), all you really want is for the show to start. But there are some anime openings that grab you by the shoulders and refuse to let you go. Those are the openings that stick with you, the ones that are never once skipped. So, with that in mind, here are my ten favorite anime openings of all time:

(Note: I did not consider the Pokémon opening, cuz–let’s be real–that’s everyone‘s favorite)

The Legend of Korra: Book 4 Trailer Is Here!

The Legend of Korra returns for its fourth and final season, next Friday, exclusively on nick.com.

Death Has a Number: Four Awesome Moments in Doom

Yes, I chose the number 4 for a reason.

I have many a fond memory of playing Doom as a kid. My brother and I would take turns with each half of the keyboard. One person would navigate while the other one would shoot. Eventually, we began playing proper co-op through a third-party launcher. Those were fun times.

A few months ago I re-played Doom and Doom II using a mod called Brutal Doom run through Zandronum. The mods introduce better rendering techniques, mouse control, tweaked weapons, and melee attacks. But while those additions are fun as hell (pun intended), they weren’t what ultimately made the game fun. It was Doom’s level design that kept me playing even after I’d messed around with all the mod content.

Let me share some of my favorite examples of smart level design in Doom.

Once Upon a Time . . . Things Went Very, Very Badly

Originally set to premiere this December, the movie adaptation of Into the Woods has been delayed until January 2015. You may have seen its trailer in theaters this summer, in fact, and if you haven’t, here eet ‘tis.

This version of Stephen Sondheim’s (remember Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street–yea, that’s his type of work) musical is set to be rather star-studded (Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, James Corden, geez, shall I go on?). However, from the trailer, director Rob Marshall and screenwriter James Lapine seem to be aiming for a much . . . happier version? I’m not sure what word works here. 

Brandon Stark Is Back!

Cover Art for “Babylon’s Ashes” (The Expanse #6)

Wazzup, jabronies?

Here’s the cover for James S. A. Corey’s sixth entry into The Expanse series, Babylon’s Ashes, by Daniel Dociu:

D’awwww

I feel like having an “awww” day. CHALLENGER APPROACHES. Cutest little animal. Submit your submissions accordingly.