Last Nights Grime

Ya wanna throw a hat? “Super Mario Odyssey” has you covered.

Nintendo’s latest entry into the “Mario” franchise introduces Cappy, Mario’s new partner in crime. Cappy defeats enemies, collects coins and possess the unwilling. Wanna become a T-Rex? Wanna turn on lanterns? Wanna become a Goomba? All these things are a a snap–with ya cap!

Cappy is Mario’s main source of combat. When thrown the ghost headgear will act like a boomerang smacking enemies before returning to Mario’s head. Motion controls activate certain attacks but are a little tricky to execute when the Joy‑Con controller is attached to a charge grip. This can get a little frustrating. “Odyssey” features classic attacks like Mario’s signature head jump but if you stop and think about it, you’re kinda pigeonholed throwing a hat all game.

I plan on playing much more of the hat throwing sim. There aren’t many of them out there anyway.

Play YouTube video below before reading any further. Volume up!

Be me. Playing “Pokémon Red” in 1998 the year of the game’s release. At friend’s house, grinding to level my Charmeleon on my blue Game Boy Pocket. Friend’s family’s two Basset Hounds slobbering all over me and everything else in the place–smells horrible. Enjoying the the thrill of filling my seemingly endless Pokédex. Jamming to the unforgettable soundtrack while battling your average Weeble. Hounds continue to droop and slather in my proximity. Learning the intricacies of the game’s type and combat system. Menacing gym leaders are no match for my untouchable Pokésquad. Unable to realize at the time this memory will stick with me for about twenty years.

“Pokémon” has made a lasting impression on me. Playing the old and modern games now creates a sense of nostalgia that I can’t shake! The Pokémon are still so charming. Gameplay continues to evolve–heck, I think the later titles would be too hard for me to pick up as a nine your old. It’s like the franchise is geared for older players who might have an unshakeable memory from their past involving two Basset Hounds and “Pokémon Red.” So, I’ll be over here drinking G Fuel and playing “Pokémon Moon.”

According to Urban Dictionary a stream sniper is “one who is watching/following a streamer into a server or a game queue just to kill and taunt them.” However, I think it goes beyond just trying to kill the streamer these days. So, why do players really do it in the first place? Let’s speculate.

They Want that 15 Seconds of Fame

I’m probably being generous by giving these guys 15 seconds of fame, it’s more like 5. Stream snipers are never remembered.

They Straight Suck at the Game

Looking for a streamer in a multiplayer game is modern-day cheating at it’s worst. Stream snipers are plebs.

They Are, in Fact, Trolls

Let’s go inside the mind of a stream sniper: “There are so many people watching this streamer. I feel like ruining the experience for everyone.”

Too bad large-scale streaming has run into this unnecessary problem, one I don’t see ending any time soon. Hopefully, some stream snipers read this and have second thoughts about the senseless act!

A perfect example of a whack stream sniper in action:

Despite being overlooked from time to time, the Nintendo 3DS is a brilliant piece of tech with a solid library of games. The handheld just got a ton better, thanks to the release of “Metroid: Samus Returns.” After putting in multiple hours into the new title, I have to say it makes the 3DS look good!

The game’s hard-hitting parry mechanic adds a fun twist to the already engaging “Metroid” combat. However, it does seem weird that all the enemies enjoying charging at you just you can stun them with a parry and shoot them to shreds. Shooting is tight, holding L allows the player to free aim Samus’ arm cannon. Aeon abilities play a big part in “Samus Returns.” One of them allows you to scan large areas of the map to reveal pathways and hidden areas. Making exploring more rewarding than ever.

Considering the 3DS’ lifespan is quickly coming to an end, a “Metroid” game should have come out years ago. Nintendo dropped the ball on that one. But I will settle with having “MSR” now because it was worth the wait.

Check out the trailer which features the parry I mentioned earlier. What’s your take on it?

 

We all know I’m far to scared to play horror games–but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s good to throw into your system just in time for Halloween.

3. Bloodborne | PS4 – Can someone say macabre AF? A fun, challenging and creepy game that perfectly aligns with Halloween. The damn soundtrack is haunting–trying to fight an OP boss with it blasting in your ear canal couldn’t be more chilling.

 

2. Resident Evil 7 | Xbox One/PS4/PC – I am SCARED of this game. It made me realize that I can’t dip into the horror genre without becoming some sort of shrieking moron. The feeling of helplessness taunts the players in this one–and just when you think you are safe–that’s when the real scares begin…

 

1. Silent Hill 2 | Xbox/PS2/PS3/PC – This Game is an absolute classic. The sounds, visuals and strange characters will leave you with nightmares and an unsettling feeling that will stay with you long after you put down the controller. I remember playing this game with a friend, back in the day and I couldn’t hang–had to tap out–go outside–play. Of course, this lead to immediate teasing from said friend who is obviously braver.

Happy Halloween from LNG.

When I think about video game streaming, my mind instantly pulls in the thought of Twitch. However, the other day a coworker introduced me to Caffeine, the new kid on the block when it comes to streaming. I was very intrigued, could this be a big time competitor to Twitch? I pulled both mission statements from the streaming services and you should read them. Notice the completely contrasting styles of formatting and writing styles.

Caffeine.tv

Caffeine makes streaming your game dead-simple and insanely fast. How fast? Your audience feels like they are in the same room with you as you play. That fast. Seriously.

To do this, we built our own streaming software, delivery network and viewing experience. The result? True real-time video. One-click setup. In-game overlays. More fun for you, your fans and friends.

It’s time to reimagine streaming…and this is just the beginning ?

Twitch.tv

Since launching in 2011, Twitch has evolved its reputation as the world’s leading social video platform and community for video game culture to now encompass an array of emerging content surfaced by its users. As a result, 10 million visitors gather each day to watch and talk about video games, music, the creative arts, themselves, and other beyond gaming topics with more than 2 million streamers. We invite you to join the millions of people who come to Twitch to stream, view, and interact around these shared passions together.

The Showdown

Caffeine’s service is focused on the streamer themselves. It’s annoying that you won’t find a list of games that you can choose to watch, but rather just a list of streamers. I don’t know who any of them are so it’s kinda pointless. Caffeine is also affiliated with Twitter. Linking your social media account will double as your user name. This also proves that point that this service is all about the streamer instead of the games themselves since Twitter is just a personality based system. The streams don’t have any delay. As soon as you join a channel, the streamer can chat you up.

Then, there’s Twitch. The streaming solution that I’ve been using for years. Their focus is on the games and the personalities are a bonus to the viewer. An aspect that really wins me over. At this point, I don’t see Twitch being dethroned by Caffeine. Their formula is tried and true to the gaming community. But who knows, lets kick back drink a Cola and see who wins out in the real world.

“Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds” is one of the top 3 most watched games on Twitch everyday since its release and for good reason. It just works great as a stream game right from the parachute drop to the final deadly circle.

The choose-your-intensity battle royal gameplay allows streamers to interact heavily with chat which in turn makes viewers flock like the salmon of Capistrano. The game requires players to travel, sometimes long distances, to reach objectives which are certain geographical locations. All the while, the streamer can read donations, subscriptions and be friendly to chat making everyone happy.

Tight gun play creates thrilling face-offs and intense moments. This goes double when you watch someone who has stellar aim like Summit1g or Shroud.

The game don’t take itself too seriously either. This isn’t a “H1Z1” or anything like that. It’s kinda goofy and set in a fictional island in Russia. Nuff said.

Grab yourself some G Fuel or a Coke and tune in!

 

The /r/Rainbow6 subreddit is abuzz right now with players saying the latest “R6” update has crashed their Playstation 4–permanently. After visiting their friends list, in game or on the dashboard, players say the PS4 freezes with no way of getting the system to turn back on normally.  The worst part is, there doesn’t look to be a remedy in sight! And everyone wants to know who is to blame: Sony, Ubisoft or both? Both corporate parties are aware of the issue and have made brief statements with very little info other than something along the lines of hold tight.

It really is a scary thought that a simple update can have major consequences. I didn’t even realize this could be possible. My console downloaded the update yesterday at 9:00am–my PS4 has had the sickness for 24 hours! I am being careful not to boot up “Siege” or try to access my friends list and my PS4 hasn’t shown any signs of death, thank God. We’ll all have to wait and see how this will be resolved!