video games

Universal Fighting Game Guide: How to Transition From Control Pad to Fightstick

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For most of my fighting game playing life, I played fighting games with a control pad. It was what I was most comfortable with and I had no interest in learning how to play these games with any other control method. However, in 2010, I felt like I was ready to switch to a fightstick. There was a steep learning curve to it, but I’m glad that I ultimately made the switch.

I know there are a lot of people out there making the transition in hopes of upping their game. Making the switch isn’t an easy process, but I’m hoping that this post may help you ease into a fightstick if/when you decide to give it a go.

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Early Thoughts on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

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Despite the series success over the years, critics of the Zelda series have knocked it for being too formulaic. I don’t play enough Zelda games to feel that way, but I understand the point. With that said, I loved Twilight Princess and still believe that Ocarina of Time is one of the greatest video games of all-time.

Going into Skyward Sword, I was super-excited to jump back into the land of Hyrule to save the princess and save the world. As of writing, I’m at the front steps of the second dungeon, and my excitement has cooled off considerably.

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Coming Soon – Valentine’s Day Massacre Jett vs. Steff in Deadliest Warrior: Legends

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Last year on In Third Person, Steff and I celebrated Valentine’s Day with a cute post where she recommended games that are great for couples to play together. This year, we took the next logical step. On February 14, 2012, Steff and I will be battling to the death in Deadliest Warrior: Legends, because nothing is more romantic than William Wallace severing your limbs with a giant sword. You can watch the blood, sweat and saltiness right here on In Third Person!

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Early Impressions of Ico

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One of the last EGM issues I ever bought was the issue when Ico was declared game of the month. They wrote about it as if it was a game that came out of nowhere and won them over in a big way. Based on what I read at the time, I thought the game wouldn’t be interested in. Even if I were interested at the time, I was a devout Nintendo fanboy, so going out of my way to play Ico on the PlayStation 2 just wasn’t an option.

Years have passed, console allegiances have dissolved and interest has piqued, which is why I find myself writing about my time playing Ico from the Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection. 10+ years later, is Ico still a game worth playing?

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Off Topic: Super Bowl XLVI

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Are you ready for some football?

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not much of a football fan, but I make time every year to watch the big game. This year, I’ll be watching the game from Steff’s place, as she and her sister are hosting a Super Bowl party. I’m looking forward to spending time with good company while watching the New York Giants pummel the New England Patriots*.

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Having Trouble Finding Skylanders Figures?

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While Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure is a pretty fun game to play with the three figures that come with the starter pack, it’s the ability to drop in dozens of other unique characters through the toys that makes the game shine. At launch, I remember seeing displays full of additional characters for purchase. Nowadays, every Skylanders shelf I’ve seen has been virtually empty. Not too long ago, Steff and I were at a Wal-Mart looking at an empty Skylanders section, when a customer service rep came up to us to say that they received a shipment of 96 figures that morning, which all sold out before noon.

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Out Now: Final Fantasy XIII-2 and SoulCalibur V

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January 2012 has sucked for new video game releases. Not much of anything has come out this month, and the only game that I’ve seen get any sort of buzz around it is Amy, which gained buzz for all the wrong reasons. Fret not my friends, games are on the way. 2012’s first big releases hit today, as Final Fantasy XIII-2 and SoulCalibur V are in stores now.

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Game Design Talk: Making Fun Games For the Shallow and Deep Ends of the Pool

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A few days ago, I was listening to the most recent episode of the Weekend Confirmed podcast that featured David Jaffe, the original designer behind God of War and Twisted Metal. One topic they talked about in particular caught my ear, and it was a discussion about making games fun for different skill levels. The analogy they used was a pool, where the shallow end of the pool was the place for entry-level players and the deep end for the hardcore crowd.

Making a game that is rewarding to all skill levels is hard.

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Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Review

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Going into Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, I had little to no interest in the series or the type of fiction this game is based on. I was bored by the Lord of the Rings movies, have no interest in playing anything like Dungeons & Dragons, and outside of Fire Emblem, never cared to play any video games based on fantasy. Prior to my brother and I’s purchase of Skyrim, we finally decided to play our copy of Oblivion, which has been sealed and sitting on our shelf for a year. While I could appreciate the ambition behind the game, the start of that game didn’t win me over. The start of that story wasn’t interesting, the race and class system was far too confusing for my tastes and the use of ‘ye olde English’ font irritated me from a readability and overall design perspective.

All things considered, I shouldn’t like Skyrim. The only reason I even bought it in the first place was because I think I’d be missing out on the gaming zeitgeist if I didn’t play this game. However, instead of shrugging it off like Oblivion, Skyrim has won me over in a big way.

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SoulCalibur for iPhone/iPad Review

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Following in the foot steps of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and King of Fighters, SoulCalibur has made its way onto iOS. Unlike Street Fighter and King of Fighters, this SoulCalibur release is mostly a port of the 1999 original. 13 years later, does it still hold up? Does the experience get compromised by having to control it with a touch screen device? Most importantly, is SoulCalibur for iPhone and iPad worth the $15 regular price when its closest competition is roughly half of that?

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