QCF: Deus Ex: Human Revolution Augmented Edition

eus Ex is a series I've been hearing about all the time for something like 11 years. Since it was a PC-only thing for a very long time, it's no real wonder that I haven't exactly had the means to play these games, given that my first PC since the game came out was bought in 2007 (seriously) and I had kind of forgotten about the series by then. In 2011, Deus Ex finally made the jump to consoles from publisher Square-Enix with Deus Ex: Human Revolution. In addition to PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 owners were finally able to see what the fuss was about. Naturally, I still didn't get on board. Of course.

Maybe that was a wise decision, though, since there is now a whole new version of Human Revolution available that not only makes the graphics prettier, but also adds a ton of new elements to the game, as well as some better balancing of many of the mechanics in the game. Deus Ex: Human Revolution Augmented Edition attempts a daring double-dip for existing fans. With a heavy does of FPS and a liberal dash of RPG, it's definitely an interesting mix... but how is it if you're just getting warmed up?

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QCF: Papers, Please

oral choices in most games are easy. Save enough little sisters in Bioshock- you get the good ending, kill any and you're the worlds biggest monster. These choices are so ultimately binary that it's easy to even forget that they're questions of morality to begin with. Even when dealing with a complex issue, there's always a prompt telling you what kind of decision you made, regardless of your reasoning. "Yes and no" or "right and wrong" stick firmly into our heads to the point where we'll always know where our choices take us and what kind of end game they'll eventually lead us to.

However, Papers, Please doesn't play by those rules. In fact, it doesn't really play by any. There's no right or wrong here, only moral uncertainty and shades of horrific grays that lead to an experience which is devastatingly horrific, monotonous, and perplexing fun at the same time. Basically, it's one of the most interesting and creative video games you'll play all year.

Just don't expect to leave it feeling good about yourself.

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QCF: Fist Puncher

any questions come to mind when determining the worth of a classic arcade brawler: Does the game offer players more than “move right and punch”? Do levels have various weapons and interactive objects scattered throughout? What can one expect in the way of character selection, boss battles, and other classic tropes? In the case of Team2Bit's tribute to the genre, well... there's certainly more than just "keep going."

Enter Fist Puncher, a beat-em-up brawler that combines elements of other popular arcade classics from the golden age of gaming (think Double Dragon and Bad Dudes) and fuses them with the progression elements found in any character-building RPG. And yes -- you’ll have plenty of objects to pick up and throw at enemies. Hell, some levels feature nothing but trash cans and other debris scattered around for this very purpose.

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Bullet Heaven HD, Episode 83 - Bullet Soul

 s there live beyond Cave for region-free import shooting games on home consoles? The answer: A resounding YES! Boundless Shooting continues with Bullet Soul, an Xbox 360 original title by 5bp. But how does it compare to the Cave Cavalcade!?

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Bullet Heaven HD, Episode 82 - DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou

oundless shooting continues! In this episode of Bullet Heaven HD, we're taking a look at one of the very newest shmups released! Hot off the heels of DoDonPachi Resurrection, 2013's DoDonPachi SaiDaiOuJou is next to bast off! But how does Cave's latest compare...?

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Bullet Heaven HD, Episode 81 - DoDonPachi Resurrection

ave is where its at for modern shooting games, with very little in the way of competition when it comes down to the intense brand of Bullet Hell that they deal. Mushihimesama Futari and Espgaluda II showed us that Bullet Hell doesn't have to be so mean... but DoDonPachi Dai Fukkatsu, released in the UK as DoDonPachi Resurrection, is out to remind us just what this subgenre is all about. If this game were in a back alley, it'd be cracking its knuckles and leering menacingly. How does this iconic Bullet Hell series treat us? Watch to find out in the third installment of the Boundless shooting block!

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QCF: Time & Eternity

odern Anime culture is synonymous with several tropes that identify conventions and conduct that most fans come to expect from it. From the hormonally fueled propulsion nose bleeds at the sight of panties or cleavage to the violent response that follows, the Shōnen Hāremumono Anime is one of the more iconic genres to represent the media, and there are dozens of these productions that continue to this day. Being a fan myself, I’ve always enjoyed the occasional Harem, considering the premise of characterization. However, I could never understand the decisions that most Japanese developers voluntarily restrict themselves with when adapting these genres for video games.

For every Persona 4 or Katawa Shoujo, some uninspired tripe pops up and simply panders character roles to the unwritten rules and clichés of the genre with insipid and predictable gameplay, and without breaking any new territory in the slightest.

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Bullet Heaven EX - Quickshot Review: Gaurodan

ree to play? Here's our say! Bullet Heaven EX Quickshot takes a look at free shmups from around the net in a quick, concise format. On a scale of one to five stars, you'll get the skinny on what free shmups are worth your time, and which ones should be ignored Gaurodan was released on July 31st 2013 by the Locomolito, one of the most talented indies around. How awesome? Well, sit back and let me tall ya...

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