Mike Got Game!

Watch the Metal Gear Solid theme performed live

Mike — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:32:43 +0000

The video game experience is incomplete without its music. Would Super Mario or Legend of Zelda be as memorable without the upbeat and infectious tunes? Would Final Fantasy VII be capable of bringing tears to gamers’ eyes without its haunting melodies? No, it would not. Hearing video game music outside the gaming experience may have a [...]

Talk box on the DS would make Bon Jovi proud

Mike — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 08:49:13 +0000

It’s been a crazy week! Between playing Exteel (a PC MMO), WWE Smackdown vs. Raw (PSP version), Mirror’s Edge (PS3 version), and Luminous Arc 2 (DS), I also needed to write an article about each one. In between the mad rush, I found this video that would surely make Bon Jovi proud. Or Peter Frampton. If [...]

Now Playing: My review copy for Mirror’s Edge arrived at last

Mike — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:53:34 +0000

My review copy of Mirror’s Edge for the PlayStation 3 has finally arrived. My article is supposed to be included in PlayGround’s December issue, which is supposed to hit stands sometime in the middle of the month. Guess what? Because of the delay, my review would be included in the next issue instead. I view this [...]

Ghostbusters trailer is the best thing since the wheel

Mike — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:12:27 +0000

Video game trailers, like film trailers, serve only one purpose: hype. Of course, a trailer’s quality is never a guarantee that the corresponding film or video game would be good or halfway decent. This is always the mindset I have when watching any trailer and it pretty much worked—until now. I’ve just watched the trailer for [...]

The Legend of Zelda horseback battle is one of the best out there

Mike — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:26:35 +0000

The Legend of Zelda franchise is known for its epic boss battles. Twilight Princess, the latest Zelda installment, continues the tradition with one of the most compelling and innovative battles this side of the Nintendo Wii. Forget the usual shoot-individual-body-parts type of battle—Twilight Princess lets players kick ass and take names on horseback. Today, I present [...]

Dead Space’s zero gravity controls are zero

Mike — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:59:58 +0000

Whoever proclaimed that Dead Space has great controls should be dragged from his or her pinky finger for 60 miles and shot. Sure, Isaac Clarke, the mute protagonist, may move like Resident Evil 4’s Leon Kennedy on steroids, but the game’s zero-gravity parts can sure try a patient gamer’s endurance. While trying to solve a zero-gravity [...]

Exec beats Michael Jordan at basketball pick-up game

Mike — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:02:18 +0000

Despite what some misguided people think, we all know that Michael Jordan is the best basketball player that ever existed in this fabric of reality, and don’t ever allow anyone to tell you otherwise. His Airness’ significance may seem to have diminished a bit after one decade and several NBA champions later, but reminders like [...]

DS vs. PSP: The rant continues

Mike — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:15:34 +0000

My honeymoon with the PlayStation Portable is over. I admit I was enamored with the impressive hardware. What’s not to love? The PSP comes with a big-ass screen, sleek design, and an analog nub, among other things. The games are PRETTY. One look at Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII’s cinematic sequences is enough to make [...]

Dead Space comes with two types of frights

Mike — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:00:23 +0000

There are two general types of frights in Dead Space, EA’s latest (and perhaps only) survival horror game. The first sort is built for startling you, while the second is more on mindfuckery. While I haven’t finished the game (I’m playing the PlayStation 3 version), I think it’s safe to say that there are only [...]

Michael Phelps’ wait for Call of Duty 5 seems worth it

Mike — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:02:12 +0000

Swimmer Michael Phelps would probably be happy to hear that his two-month wait for the advanced copy of Call of Duty: World at War wasn’t in vain. The PlayStation 3 version of the World War II shooter has been getting glowing reviews since it shipped the other day. If you recall in Phelps’ interview with [...]