Videogame Culture 2018-10-10T01:26:00+00:00 Alex Kierkegaard 2018-10-10T01:26:00+00:00

There has been some demand for an off-topic text channel on Discord to chat about all the non-videogamey subjects that I post about in my philosophy forum, and I finally decided to create it.

2018-10-08T13:13:42+00:00

As long as a game is even remotely playable, bugs are essentially outside the scope of criticism...

2018-10-07T01:49:17+00:00

With the last podcast we lost one patron; SriK of course, a mere few hours after the update went up. Let's hope everyone else is not as thin-skinned...

2018-10-06T19:29:01+00:00

Dracula with all the charm removed. It looks the part but it's unexciting and too easy.

2018-10-06T19:29:01+00:00

Beta DLC of the original with even more clunkiness and bugs and repetition, and even less story.

2018-10-02T18:46:45+00:00

You pay full price for the game, you can't choose your own weapon, and a squad lead you have never met gets to control your experience. Fuck this game.

2018-10-02T03:05:47+00:00

The frames per second are lower than the number of white blood cells in a cancer patient.

2018-10-02T03:05:47+00:00

Like a mix of Dead Cells and Rogue Legacy but ten times worse.

2018-09-28T09:47:29+00:00

Fast-forward to today, and I believe I am at a stage where I can test out this method on live subjects.

2018-09-28T06:27:44+00:00

Music, in other words, should be the dominant consideration only in pure music; and in all the other artforms, where it makes sense to include it at all, it should assume a subservient role...

2018-09-28T01:41:46+00:00

"Party" games, "social" games, "serious" games, "art" games, "independent" games: these are all lies; Orwellian doublespeak that means precisely the opposite of what it says...

2018-09-26T04:20:11+00:00

What's worse is that, even when viewed as mere music simulators, these programs still suck.

2018-09-26T01:14:52+00:00

Less is not more. More is more. Quit streamlining! The crowd that plays Total War games does not want this.

2018-09-26T01:14:52+00:00

An ambitious mess of completely different genres with a janky UI that runs like trash. And it's absolutely amazing.

2018-09-17T21:11:38+00:00

Sid Meier's Civilization: 40k... but there is only WAR.

2018-09-17T21:11:38+00:00

God creates dinosaurs, God destroys dinosaurs. God creates Man, man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs.

2018-09-13T15:43:55+00:00

I just launched a little contest over on Insomnia to celebrate the recent redesign...

2018-09-11T13:41:17+00:00

I have news for you, buddy: if you aren't "ruining" your life over it, to some extent or another, you are not playing a great game...

2018-09-08T13:19:09+00:00

My Patreon broke $700 today and got into the top 500 gaming Patreons (455 out of 8,258, to be exact).

2018-09-06T12:35:19+00:00

It's time to talk about this, and once more, as usual, our analysis must be brutal.

2018-09-05T20:28:53+00:00

I named my spy David Hasselhoff after the famous CIA agent who brought down the Berlin Wall, reunited Germany and started the communist collapse with just his powerful voice and inspirational lyrics.

2018-09-05T20:28:53+00:00

You know that one kid in high school that always gets picked on by people? Well play as the Hunter and relive the dream.

2018-09-01T08:48:06+00:00

I haven't written a hardware piece in years, but it's only fitting that the best hardware development in years would be the one to bring me back to the subject with a vengeance.

2018-08-30T10:41:47+00:00

Do not abuse the terminology we need to analyze games, or even to merely communicate between us.

2018-08-30T01:43:39+00:00

Just wait for Forza Horizon 4.

2018-08-30T01:43:39+00:00

Hodor could not hold this door. Even if he was there to hold the door, there's billions. Good luck beating the first level!

2018-08-23T20:18:09+00:00

Quantic Dream's best game.

2018-08-23T20:18:09+00:00

Monster Runner Degenerations.

2018-08-22T01:09:12+00:00

On icy's evolving tastes, JRPGs, East vs. West, the state of 2D gaming, SriK's game vs. icy's game, the global studio, and much more.

2018-08-21T15:08:08+00:00

Because a Team of Strangers is no Team

2018-08-20T21:33:43+00:00

It all comes together to create a PVP free-for-all (it's 2v2v2v2v2) unlike anything on the market today, or in the genre ever.

2018-08-16T16:52:15+00:00

Nosferatu: Ace Attorney.

2018-08-16T16:52:15+00:00

Recettear for hipsters instead of weebs.

2018-08-11T10:25:53+00:00

This is not an update that I enjoy making, but in order to preserve my peace of mind, and thus remain able to operate at maximum efficiency, I have to make it.

2018-08-11T03:18:30+00:00

And the greatest cause in the death of discussion, believe it or not, is me.

2018-08-09T06:53:02+00:00

Don't listen to the kids and journalists: the coolest new genre is not Battle Royale, it's the Survival/Crafting genre (or, as I prefer to call it, the Domination genre: mere survival is for losers).

2018-08-09T01:23:13+00:00

You create a super badass assassin, with crazy high dexterity and acrobatics, and that guy? He can't vault a friggin barrel. And until Seven I thought, "Welp, I guess that's how it has to be".

2018-08-08T03:13:25+00:00

Two roads diverged in a yellow map. I took one of them and died.

2018-07-31T18:40:21+00:00

The upshot of all this is that I will slowly start increasing my output of reviews of current games.

2018-07-30T15:27:58+00:00

It was so hugely successful and remains so hugely influential in our collective gaming imagination, because it speaks of nothing but eternal truths. Driving is awesome. Ferraris must be red. Girls must be blonde.

2018-07-28T20:08:23+00:00

The best JRPG exclusive on the Switch, but that's not saying much.

2018-07-28T20:08:23+00:00

Had a favorite character once. I go visit him at the graveyard from time to time. 10/10 would send him to his doom again.

2018-07-25T00:35:37+00:00

From the makers of Blazblue: Centralfiction comes Blazblue: Fanfiction, aka Babby's First Fighting Game.

2018-07-23T15:05:31+00:00

Do yourself a favor and don't waste the time you have on this earth on this game, cause you don't eventually unlock the ability to rewind some of it back.

2018-07-21T11:37:03+00:00

Exclusively on Patreon.

2018-07-21T00:44:44+00:00

Got game over in like 15 minutes for telling god "no".

2018-07-19T08:17:00+00:00

For children who either haven't seen a prison movie or find anything more challenging than counting to three a struggle.

2018-07-17T22:22:56+00:00

So you'll be making a world in which the person who has less of a life wins, essentially rewarding players who are harming themselves! Such a game design is not merely bad, but should be illegal!

2018-07-10T22:56:46+00:00

As far as our definition is concerned, the problem is that a rigorous application of it would classify everything as a cutscene, since every moment of a game between button presses is, strictly speaking, "non-interactive".

2018-07-06T01:13:58+00:00

Have you ever wanted to play a Russian novel in all its bleakness and existentialism? Probably not, but here it is anyway.

2018-07-04T11:56:34+00:00

icycalm launches the best videogame-related podcast ever, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-07-01T07:57:56+00:00

If StarCraft is this awesome, ground-breaking game, how come there are no awesome, ground-breaking essays analyzing it?

2018-06-28T01:56:29+00:00

But it is important to realize that to ask for realism from art, when the entire point of it is illusion, is a deeply anti-artistic demand.

2018-06-24T12:05:53+00:00

To complete the revamp of the Patreon reward tiers, I've thrown all books, games and merchandise I will release in the $50+ tier.

2018-06-21T13:47:42+00:00

What my readers probably don't know is that I am not a fan of REAL retro games either, and what I'll do now is try to explain why.

2018-06-17T18:22:35+00:00

So it's time to make it official: I have started a dev studio, and we're already working on our first two games (simultaneously, in different genres).

2018-06-16T14:59:37+00:00

I mean, does anyone honestly think that the people who made Spacewar had Mushihime-sama in mind, instead of science fiction novels and movies?

2018-06-02T18:34:31+00:00

icycalm reviews Half-Life, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-06-01T06:14:39+00:00

icycalm reviews Tetris, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-05-31T08:13:32+00:00

Understand that there's nothing particularly special about a VR headset compared to a monitor or TV or projector, IT'S JUST A FUCKING DISPLAY YOU STUPID FUCKING MONKEYS.

2018-05-31T08:13:32+00:00

See how simple the analysis is if you know what you are talking about? I just reviewed all electronic card games ever in a couple of sentences.

2018-05-31T01:26:54+00:00

SJWs hate this game/10

2018-05-31T01:26:54+00:00

Reinstall FTL, you know it's better.

2018-05-31T01:26:54+00:00

The most realistic Bush administration Katrina simulator on the market.

2018-05-22T02:03:39+00:00

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Sawdust is good for you.

2018-05-17T20:22:58+00:00

icycalm explains, exclusively on Patreon, the correct way to think about gaming backlogs, and how to clear them within days, if not indeed instantaneously.

2018-05-16T21:20:27+00:00

In Deus Ex, you hack door. In E.Y.E, door hacks you.

2018-05-15T21:15:32+00:00

Those who pledge at this level will be contacted by JC Denton to set up or reactivate their accounts, or you can contact him first at admin@culture.vg.

2018-05-13T21:14:23+00:00

Have you noticed that, through the entire history of videogames, the best games also tend to have the best graphics? icycalm explains why, among many other things, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-05-11T22:15:41+00:00

The Earth is the cradle of the mind, but one cannot stay in the cradle forever.

2018-05-08T18:19:56+00:00

$60 DirectX 12 sea simulator FTW.

2018-05-08T17:12:30+00:00

Those Duck Dynasty guys took it too far this time.

2018-05-08T01:48:56+00:00

The new God of War tries to open up the franchise's design, but not very successfully.

2018-05-04T00:41:11+00:00

icycalm explains, exclusively on Patreon, why the charge of "toxicity" in games boils down to nothing less than an attack on masculinity itself.

2018-04-29T15:09:11+00:00

icycalm explains why science fiction is the ultimate videogame theme, and much more, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-04-25T19:57:53+00:00

If we were only allowed to have two videogames for the rest of our lives, it would be this and Mount & Blade.

2018-04-23T18:12:09+00:00

icycalm explains, exclusively on Patreon, why there is never any reason to use the word "accessibility" in connection with videogames.

2018-04-22T19:58:46+00:00

icycalm reviews Quake, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-04-22T13:24:45+00:00

How many hoops are you willing to jump through to reach Elysium?

2018-04-22T11:13:47+00:00

Bipolar Tomb Raider doesn't need Adderall or a $60 pricetag to look, play, and feel more polished than any other game this year.

2018-04-20T21:21:45+00:00

Can't wait for part two to come out in another ten years!

2018-04-20T19:12:57+00:00

Buy this game, only if your wallet exceeds 3.5 inches in width, and your credit card's number ends with a four. If not, proceed to section 6e, "Earning a paycheck".

2018-04-20T17:50:24+00:00

America gets nuked so the president becomes an anime.

2018-04-19T01:56:35+00:00

It seems one simply does walk through Mordor...

2018-04-18T18:37:12+00:00

Exclusively on Patreon.

2018-04-16T07:45:21+00:00

Anime Princess Celestia-Samus and a lame balloon-fairy sidekick save the Great Japanese Deku Tree and his forest.

2018-04-16T00:34:08+00:00

Downloaded as a meme. Can't believe I ended up actually enjoying it.

2018-04-10T00:24:03+00:00

Exclusively on Patreon.

2018-04-09T16:01:17+00:00

Danmaku for beginners.

2018-04-06T04:19:52+00:00

Valve's efforts to improve their curation algorithms are failing, and no one knows why. icycalm explains all, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-04-01T11:39:32+00:00

It all began when we made the new Insomnia logo.

2018-03-31T01:40:31+00:00

Welcome to the jungle, in the world's first true action game.

2018-03-31T01:40:31+00:00

The lights keep going out and the corpses keep-a-coming in the first graphic adventure ever.

2018-03-25T01:34:08+00:00

After 46 years, the console wars are over, and the winner is not who you think it is. icycalm explains all, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-03-24T14:59:09+00:00

The best Mario review ever written, and by a huge margin.

2018-03-21T22:51:51+00:00

icycalm reviews Mushihime-sama, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-03-21T18:07:42+00:00

Takes tactical shootery to the unbelievably great outdoors.

2018-03-21T16:37:57+00:00

It put the "Dream" in Dreamcast.

2018-03-21T14:55:42+00:00

Because sharing is for losers.

2018-03-16T18:53:30+00:00

icycalm reviews Power Stone, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-03-12T09:22:58+00:00

Changes to the pledge tiers and corresponding rewards.

2018-03-03T14:48:26+00:00

Breakdown, Colonization, Power Stone and much more!

2018-03-02T00:15:49+00:00

Part I of icycalm's review of They Are Billions, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-02-28T21:53:18+00:00

icycalm reviews Master of Orion, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-02-27T00:24:12+00:00

Exclusively on Patreon.

2018-02-24T15:18:43+00:00

icycalm reviews Crusader Kings, exclusively on Patreon.

2018-01-26T23:48:08+00:00

Good news is, it'll take him another seven years to make another turd, so we won't have to deal with his crap again anytime soon.

2018-01-18T15:04:57+00:00

All killer — no filler.

2018-01-17T02:10:50+00:00

A lovingly crafted game of gothic horror.

2018-01-13T20:08:25+00:00

This is the Future of Planetary Annihilation.

2018-01-10T01:31:04+00:00

It's about time I wrapped up my coverage of the earliest CRPGs that I started a couple of years ago with The Dungeon (AKA pedit5,1975) and continued with The Game of Dungeons (AKA dnd, 1975) and Oubliette (1978).

2018-01-09T02:07:40+00:00

Exclusively on Patreon.

2018-01-07T19:04:25+00:00

Cuphead, Iconoclasts, XBONEX and much more!

2018-01-07T05:21:24+00:00

Don't miss this little gem!

2017-12-24T02:20:12+00:00

Exclusively on Patreon.