Author Archives: Tom Auxier
Straight lines: Final Fantasy XIII and inefficiency
In the end, Final Fantasy XIII will join II, V, and IX as the only Final Fantasy games I’ve never beaten. It’s a title that experienced perhaps the quickest, most profound slingshot between its reviews (largely positive) and its criticism
Straight lines: Final Fantasy XIII and inefficiency
In the end, Final Fantasy XIII will join II, V, and IX as the only Final Fantasy games I’ve never beaten. It’s a title that experienced perhaps the quickest, most profound slingshot between its reviews (largely positive) and its criticism
Mystery and mechanics in Dark Souls and Skyrim
Over the past few days I’ve been reading this summary of the plots, characters, and places of Demon’s Souls. I’m amazed at one thing in particular: how everything in the world has a cause. How everything has a story behind
Mystery and mechanics in Dark Souls and Skyrim
Over the past few days I’ve been reading this summary of the plots, characters, and places of Demon’s Souls. I’m amazed at one thing in particular: how everything in the world has a cause. How everything has a story behind
After pressing start: Dragon Age: Origins
(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: Dragon Age: Origins
(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
Demo Impressions: Fortune Summoners
Recettear, Carpe Fulgar’s first import project for English speaking audiences, succeeded in large part because of its demo. A massive slice of the game, the Recettear demo worked so well because it was immediately apparent why we’d want to play
Demo Impressions: Fortune Summoners
Recettear, Carpe Fulgar’s first import project for English speaking audiences, succeeded in large part because of its demo. A massive slice of the game, the Recettear demo worked so well because it was immediately apparent why we’d want to play
New Devil Survivor 2 trailer reminds us Devil Survivor 2 exists
The original Devil Survivor is notable because it is the game I own the most copies of (three), and because it was a sparklingly brilliant strategy RPG for the Nintendo DS. A combination of Japanese RPG series Growlanser with Persona
New Devil Survivor 2 trailer reminds us Devil Survivor 2 exists
The original Devil Survivor is notable because it is the game I own the most copies of (three), and because it was a sparklingly brilliant strategy RPG for the Nintendo DS. A combination of Japanese RPG series Growlanser with Persona
Review: Rock of Ages
Something went wrong here. Let’s not talk about the Terry Gilliamisms. Those are lovely, and why you’ve already played the game. If you haven’t, and you appreciate Monty Python, here is my six word review for you: go watch Life
Review: Rock of Ages
Something went wrong here. Let’s not talk about the Terry Gilliamisms. Those are lovely, and why you’ve already played the game. If you haven’t, and you appreciate Monty Python, here is my six word review for you: go watch Life
Games as symbols: Child of Eden
Child of Eden, the Kinect’s “killer app” for hardcore gamers, was a bomb. A big, fat bomb. The spiritual sequel to Q Games’ classic rhythm/rail shooter Rez, this was supposed to be a slam dunk. A bit of The Same
Games as symbols: Child of Eden
Child of Eden, the Kinect’s “killer app” for hardcore gamers, was a bomb. A big, fat bomb. The spiritual sequel to Q Games’ classic rhythm/rail shooter Rez, this was supposed to be a slam dunk. A bit of The Same
Faith in Final Fantasy
Let me tell you why the recently released soundtrack to Final Fantasy XIII-2, featuring an incredibly awkward not quite death metal cover of the Chocobo song and an even more awkward rap song than Iwatodai Station from Persona 3, worse
Faith in Final Fantasy
Let me tell you why the recently released soundtrack to Final Fantasy XIII-2, featuring an incredibly awkward not quite death metal cover of the Chocobo song and an even more awkward rap song than Iwatodai Station from Persona 3, worse
Preview: Defender's Quest
So hard to know what to do with these indie games. Defender’s Quest is a tower defense/RPG hybrid we covered a couple months back, and it’s set to be released soon in the traditional “Indie Beta”, which means it’ll be
Preview: Defender's Quest
So hard to know what to do with these indie games. Defender’s Quest is a tower defense/RPG hybrid we covered a couple months back, and it’s set to be released soon in the traditional “Indie Beta”, which means it’ll be
Your God is called what?: Breath of Fire II and Religion
If I had one sentimental favorite RPG, it would be Breath of Fire II. Fortunately, I have several, but Breath of Fire II holds a special place in my heart, first for its retro aesthetic and second for its understated
Your God is called what?: Breath of Fire II and Religion
If I had one sentimental favorite RPG, it would be Breath of Fire II. Fortunately, I have several, but Breath of Fire II holds a special place in my heart, first for its retro aesthetic and second for its understated