Monthly Feature
After Pressing Start: Dead Space
Horror and terror sound like interchangeable words. If the marketing departments behind slasher films are to be asked, they both fill up a movie poster pretty well. But to Devandra Varma, a Himalayan-born expert scholar of gothic literature, the
After Pressing Start: Dead Space
Horror and terror sound like interchangeable words. If the marketing departments behind slasher films are to be asked, they both fill up a movie poster pretty well. But to Devandra Varma, a Himalayan-born expert scholar of gothic literature, the
Feedback Loop: Playing To Win
I must be one insufferable little prick. As I navigate the Inception-like hallways of Halo: Reach’s Reflection map, a grin spreads slyly across my face. I’m armed only with a DMR, a score of 49 to 49, and a genuine
Feedback Loop: Playing To Win
I must be one insufferable little prick. As I navigate the Inception-like hallways of Halo: Reach’s Reflection map, a grin spreads slyly across my face. I’m armed only with a DMR, a score of 49 to 49, and a genuine
After pressing start: The Infinity Engine's coldest open
(After Pressing Start is a new series running on Nightmare Mode every Friday by resident narrative guru Tom Auxier. It focuses on beginning, on the stories that happen directly after pressing start, and how those stories influence the arcs of
After pressing start: The Infinity Engine's coldest open
(After Pressing Start is a new series running on Nightmare Mode every Friday by resident narrative guru Tom Auxier. It focuses on beginning, on the stories that happen directly after pressing start, and how those stories influence the arcs of
Omnitopic December 2011: Faith
Faith and religion are difficult topics for gamers. It’s something some people don’t really want to talk about because it rarely involves shooting people (though it can involve assassination with hidden blades. Thanks Ubisoft), and because people have so many
Omnitopic December 2011: Faith
Faith and religion are difficult topics for gamers. It’s something some people don’t really want to talk about because it rarely involves shooting people (though it can involve assassination with hidden blades. Thanks Ubisoft), and because people have so many
From Avatar Clothes to 1-UPs: Why Everything Should Be DLC
Value. Everything has value. Or rather, everything has the potential to hold value (or Utility, if you want the proper term) for someone. Not every value can be easily translated into currency, however. Putting a monetary value on human
From Avatar Clothes to 1-UPs: Why Everything Should Be DLC
Value. Everything has value. Or rather, everything has the potential to hold value (or Utility, if you want the proper term) for someone. Not every value can be easily translated into currency, however. Putting a monetary value on human
My Kingdom for a Horse Armor Pack: What Was Lost With the Rise of DLC
Note: Minor spoilers for Deus Ex: Human Revolution follow. On April 3, 2006, Bethesda released the first piece of new content for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The “Horse Armor Pack” allowed the player to acquire barding for their horses
My Kingdom for a Horse Armor Pack: What Was Lost With the Rise of DLC
Note: Minor spoilers for Deus Ex: Human Revolution follow. On April 3, 2006, Bethesda released the first piece of new content for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The “Horse Armor Pack” allowed the player to acquire barding for their horses
October Omnitopic: Downloadable Content
Hey guys! Remember this old running feature, the Omnitopic? Of course you don’t—it’s been a couple months and you’re a busy person. Well, it’s back, with a new topic for all of us to debate until our fingers bleed from
October Omnitopic: Downloadable Content
Hey guys! Remember this old running feature, the Omnitopic? Of course you don’t—it’s been a couple months and you’re a busy person. Well, it’s back, with a new topic for all of us to debate until our fingers bleed from
For Discussion #5: Bossing Around
Welcome back for another week of potentially warm discussion! Bosses have a long history in video games, and have recently been catching flak because they’re a holdover from the early days of games that seem to shove their way into
For Discussion #5: Bossing Around
Welcome back for another week of potentially warm discussion! Bosses have a long history in video games, and have recently been catching flak because they’re a holdover from the early days of games that seem to shove their way into
For Discussion #4: The End
Here at Nightmare Mode, we’ve been thinking of Bastion a lot. Well, okay, I’ve been thinking of Bastion a lot. I can’t put thoughts in other people’s heads. In any case, it’s made me think about endings, and how a
For Discussion #4: The End
Here at Nightmare Mode, we’ve been thinking of Bastion a lot. Well, okay, I’ve been thinking of Bastion a lot. I can’t put thoughts in other people’s heads. In any case, it’s made me think about endings, and how a
For Discussion #3: Your First Time
Remember when you were like that kid up there, so young and fresh and STARING? Well, we want to talk about that time. What was the first game you ever played? Alternatively, that you remember playing? Personally, I remember playing
For Discussion #3: Your First Time
Remember when you were like that kid up there, so young and fresh and STARING? Well, we want to talk about that time. What was the first game you ever played? Alternatively, that you remember playing? Personally, I remember playing