Tag: Virtual Bastion

77 Hours Later, and Mass Effect: Andromeda is in the Bag

ICYMI, I barreled through Mass Effect: Andromeda all the way to the very end. And by “barreled through,” I mean that if I had had two actual free week to complete the game, then maybe my description would be more accurate. Still, me getting through a single game in less than three months is nothing short of a miracle, so my words stand. To see those words, which involve lots of spoiler-free thoughts on the game itself, just click below to see them on Virtual Bastion.

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Actually, 77 and one-half to be precise, but who’s counting? Me, that’s who, because I really can’t believe that I spent anywhere near that time in the world of Mass Effect: Andromeda. But there it is, and now it’s time to talk about it. Where to even begin?! There’s so much to unpack here, but I’m going to keep things streamlined and spoiler-free (but no less opinionated) by exploring the game through five topics: story, missions, characters, gameplay, and graphics. I’m also going to aim to keep the previous Mass Effect games out of the picture. As bound in that universe as Mass Effect: Andromeda is, it’s a different animal from the original trilogy.

TL;DRMass Effect: Andromeda is a solid and enjoyable game with its own set of issues and quirks, none of which significantly detract from the overall experience.

Now, if you want to read, continue at…

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Resonance: Two Favorite Songs to Soothe a Troubled Mind

I think we can all agree that music is brilliant. It weaves through our lives overtly and discreetly . Through it, emotions are heightened as well as dampened. Much that same can actually be said of video games, eh? With that in mind, over on Virtual Bastion I recently covered two of my favorite game songs that help bring things down a notch during stressful times. Considering world events, I think I’ll just stick these songs on repeat today.

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Upon completing my post from last week in which I referenced the soundtrack to Red Dead Redemption, I immediately had to listen to it again. I remain amazed at just how cohesive and brilliant it is in all its “Old West” mimicry. And, as much as it made me want to roam the prairies of New Austin once again, it also had a great side effect: it served as some much needed stress relief.

Granted, not all the sounds of RDR are serene enough to keep sleeping bandits at bay, but one of the early songs off its soundtrack, “Born unto Trouble,” is enough to promote a few healthy, quiet breaths.

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Will Red Dead Redemption 2 sound as good, if not better than the first?

If there’s one remaining game this year that I have my sights firmly set on, it’s Red Dead Redemption 2. (If there was ANY news about South Park: The Fractured but Whole, that might be the one instead. But there isn’t. So here we are.) I’ve been keeping a keen eye on RDR2 news, hoping for any slivers of information that will only heighten my excitement. Recent rumors concerning the game’s soundtrack did just that, because RDR’s soundtrack is an all-time favorite. Recently, over on Virtual Bastion, I offered up this quick report on RDR2’s musical news.

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Earlier this week, an article popped up on VG247 discussing marked similarities, as pointed out by a NeoGAF member, between the song used in in Red Dead Redempetion 2’s announcement trailer, and a song titled “Apertura” (from The Motorcycle Diaries) by Gustavo Santaolalla. Take a listen below.

Santaolalla is a composer with plenty of meaty credits to his name, including the genius soundtrack of The Last of Us.  While he’s apparently contributing that the soundtrack of that game’s sequel, it does seem quite possible that we’ll hear his work on RDR2. After all, the two pieces of music do sound very alike, with the only exception being the instruments used – the trailer music is primarily in piano and Santaolalla plays the guitar in “Apertura.” I’m not alone in the thought that Rockstar wouldn’t use just any ol’ song in their announcement trailer for this potentially seminal game…

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Phoenix Wright: Ace Finale!

As I recently made known over on Virtual Bastion, my time with the famed Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney came to a thrilling close. In my wrap-up post on the game, I offer up some final thoughts on what it was like to tackle not only this game but my first visual novel game. No objections here; Ace Attorney was one hell of a crazy fun ride!

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Well, it’s been awhile, hasn’t it? Believe it or not, and despite all things Mass Effect: Andromeda, I have been slooooowly winding my way through the final chapter of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, a game that I picked up on a whim a few months back. And I’m pleased to report that I made it through! Yes, I literally rose from the ashes in “Rise from the Ashes,” the game’s final chapter. And wow, what a finale it was! I don’t know how I’m going to put my experience with this trial into words, but I’m already typing, so here goes…and spoilers ahead!

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Yoshi’s Woolly World, and a life exhausted (and dusty)

For the past several months, I’ve been posting portions of my let’s play of Yoshi’s Woolly World to Virtual Bastion’s (formerly United We Game’s) YouTube channel. And now, it’s almost over! Yes, all good things must come to an end, as they say, and so too must Yoshi’s Woolly World.

Granted, the game hasn’t exactly been at the forefront of all things Nintendo over the past few months (let alone…years. The game came out in 2015. And even the recent Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World from the 3DS didn’t help much.), but I’ve still had a great time sharing. Not including the video above, there are only three more left. You can catch up with all the past ones on my Gaming Videos page.

Speaking of videos…let’s chat for a sec. Continue reading “Yoshi’s Woolly World, and a life exhausted (and dusty)”

Mass Effect: Andromeda — Screenshot Theater

When life gets busy, there’s nothing like a good ol’ screenshot gallery, amirite?

Wait, what?

Nothing. Never mind. It’s just that I made this super quick Mass Effect: Andromeda screenshot theater video for Virtual Bastion’s YouTube channel, and you should totally check it out. Totally.

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Being over three weeks old now, Mass Effect: Andromeda feels a little like old news. Most people I know who have it have already completed at least one playthrough. Speedy hares they are! I, on the other hand, am the tortoise in this gaming race — slow and steady. And yes, this is a fancy way of saying that I haven’t made much progress in the game since my first impressions post. (sigh)

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Site News: Changes Inbound!

Last week I was pleased to be the bearer of great news concerning United We Game‘s future. Like, really great news! Like…like…superscrumdiddlyumptious news!! Just…click below before I make a total fool of myself. Like, a real total fool. Like…like…

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When Hatm0nster, The Duck of Indeed, and I came together some four years ago to venture in the world of game blogging and journalism, we had no idea where that journey would take us. All we knew was that we wanted to create an inclusive virtual space that revolved around games, involved the gaming community, and would serve as a refuge for anyone who wanted to pay a visit. Our goal was our name: United We Game! Because while we are strong as individuals, we’re even more powerful together. Through video games, we are united by a common pastime and a common set of goals and mutual feelings. We are united by a desire to express our opinions and discuss them in an open forum.  And we are united as a community; we invited you to join us. Many of you have stuck with us, written with us, shared your…

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