Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on March 7th, 2008
Movie games are interesting, let's put it that way. A game usually comes out for a movie if it is adventure oriented and at least some kid will be interested in it. However, it's rarely ground breaking since it is usually left until the last minute and a rush project to meet demand. Once in a while, you get something that is a little different or at least interesting but more often than not it's standard questing fare with dull objectives and a way to rehash most of the movie. Spiderwick Chronicles for the PC is unfortunately just that. There are a few spots where it performs above the norm but mostly it is your standard movie game aimed to draw in the kids. But at least this keeps them occupied for a few days.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on March 5th, 2008
Jack wants to help takeover Take 2, Blu-Ray just not enough and Team Fortress 2 DLC for free - Welcome to the column that can't be any worse than playing video games with a dvd remote known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. In the land of WoW, I am now a level 28 Troll Rogue who is building the big rep so he can get his horse. The undead one. Up to Honored now and spending sometime in the Tarren Mill getting undercity rep and some decent experience. Got both my lockpicking & cooking to 125 which has helped me considerably.
Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on March 4th, 2008
Harry Potter is awesome. I have thoroughly enjoyed every movie and own all of the 2-disc special editions. I even have taken the time to play a couple of Harry Potter games on the Playstation 2 and found them to be decent offerings despite the usual rushed movie game flaws. So, needless to say I was slightly interested when I received a dvd remote game with Harry Potter on the cover and wondered if a dvd remote game could finally be any good. After spending a few hours with the product, you as the reader have two decisions. 1)You can read this review that will be full of one-liners and reasons why whoever came up with the concept of dvd remote games should be shot or 2)You can trust me when I say this, don't waste your time on this, please.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on February 29th, 2008
My college life was usually spent doing two things. Okay, actually three things. One, studying (nearly unsuccessful) . Two, trying to get women to sleep with me (mostly unsuccessful). Three, playing Dungeons & Dragons. I owned a good dozen dice from a D3 to many assorted D20's. Want to scare a fellow gamer? As DM, roll for damage and bring out 5 D20's. Anyhow, around this time I also discovered D&D adventure books. I read primarily the works of R.A. Salvatore & Ed Greenwood (Drizzt & Elminster). So needles to say, I was a little intrigued when I saw a Dragonlance movie in my pile. The original book was published in 1984, a few years before I really got into D&D. But with dragons, elves & a mad mage; it was a surefire recipe for something wonderful.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on February 27th, 2008
The Last Nail on the HD-DVD coffin, Bad people in MMO's and Banks that won't pay the WoW cash cow - Welcome to the column that is like an automatic payment for those pills you have to take because of that trip to Haiti known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. As luck would have it, three more levels and I'm up to level 26 with my Rogue in World of Warcraft. I have discovered poisons this past week since I finished the appropriate quest. I had been lazy in finishing this quest since it involves quite a decent arch. First, I had to go to this guy and salute him, then I had to go pick pocket a key from a goblin who was only a few yards away. Then after killing three separate mobs of everything from patrolmen to mutated drones I get to the top of this tower and face off with a 23rd level elite.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on February 26th, 2008
Dorky romantic comedies have been around forever. Usually there is nothing I can't stand more than some movie telling me how people fall in love when it never happens like that. Like a street walker falling in love with a rich guy or the nerd getting the cheerleader or a dozen people having sex with some girl named Jenna. (well maybe on the last one) Love is mystical and special but it rarely has any set pattern that makes sense. So what would happen when I watched a dorky little New Zealand romantic comedy that featured two people in animal costumes? Hopefully not the norm.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on February 22nd, 2008
Traditionally, I love spoofs. I spent many of my younger days watching movies like Spaceballs, Robin Hood: Men in Tights or Young Frankenstein. More recently, I have actually (for the most part) enjoyed every Scary Movie. So whenever I see a new spoof, I am at least somewhat interested in the movie and have aspirations to see it on disc. Epic Movie scares me a bit because it comes from the same people who did Date Movie. I found Date Movie to be okay at best, but I had a small hope that this would turn out better. Jello shots & Nyquil could not save me from this disaster.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on February 20th, 2008
Turok is a property that seems to come and go. In the 1950's, it was introduced to lure kids away from the television sets because it had dinosaurs and intriguing stories. It was later updated when it got inserted in the Valiant comic world and rose to sell nearly 2 million copies with its first issue for the universe. In more recent times, Turok has become a series of video games by Acclaim. So it was only natural that an animated dvd would also hit the mix. However, would the character be more representative of its roots or perhaps take on a more futuristic feel akin to the current property portrayed in the video game?
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on February 20th, 2008
ET: The Urban Myth, Free Quake, and Critics show to be the cheating bastards they are - Welcome to the column that promises not to cheat as long as you don't include the Contra code (Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right B, A; ha!) known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. In World of Warcraft this week I have moved up to level 23. 3 levels a week seems to be my number. The highlights of my week had to be actual use of my blacksmithing skill. Before I was just leveling it to level and producing items for auction house or vendor trash. Finally I made something I could use, Bronze Darts and a Pearl Handled Dagger (off-hand).
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on February 13th, 2008
The Force is not strong with this one, The NFL extends its deal with the dark side (EA), and Attack of the Genos? - Welcome to the column that has Han Solo underoos and a warrant out for the arrest of Jar-Jar Binks known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. The magic number is 20th, 20th level in World of Warcraft. As mentioned last week, I had a fascination with lockpicking; well that is up to 92 now (still meager I know). However, my new thing; cooking. Yes cooking in a fantasy MMO. I could kill goblins and raptors but I choose to cook some Strider Stew or Boiled Clams.
