Challenges of a Female Gamer

In this post, I would like to touch on something that has been in the back of my mind ever since I decided I would be playing Destiny more actively. Its been a long time since I did any serious online gaming and even longer since I used a microphone while I did it. While I am excited to be online gaming again, I can't help but wonder if my being female is going to affect how I'm going to be received as a player. There are more and more female gamers as the years go by, and yet I still hear about women being ostracized in certain gaming communities. While I am lucky in that I never really had this happen to me, there's still that "what if" thought in the back of my mind. I will never let it stop me from being a gamer or allow it to make me fearful of playing with other gamers, but I would like to understand why it still happens.

Sexism is definitely an issue that we as a world are still working on (and probably will be working on for a very long time). I suppose, then, that it should not surprise me that it sometimes appears in the gaming world too. But what is interesting about this whole occurrence is that many of us nerds and gamers know what it feels like to not feel equal to other people. Many of us were teased, or didn't have much of a social life, or just didn't fit in with our peers. And yet some of us turn around and treat other gamers in this very same way. I understand it to a degree. When you feel like you have no power, it feels good to be be better then someone at something. And we all enjoy a level of competition among each other. After all, that's why games are fun in the first place. But why must gender play such an important role in determining someone's worth as a gamer? If they have a passion for games, let them play. And if they're good at a game, let them be good. When I brought up this issue to Speeder, I told him that I am determined to not let this whole issue stop me from playing, but that it makes me sad that I still have to think about the possibility of harassment for being a female while I game. As I mentioned, there have been a lot of articles recently regarding the steady increase of women not only gaming regularly, but also working in the games industry (which is my goal, of course). There have also been many regarding sexism in the gaming world. There was a quote from one such article that really stuck with me. It was taken from a gentleman over on Polygon in regards to sexism in gaming. Here's a piece of it: 

 "I can be sure that my gaming performance (good or bad) won’t be attributed to or reflect on my gender as a whole," he wrote of being a male gamer, continuing, "I can walk into any gaming store and see images of my gender widely represented as powerful heroes, villains and non-playable characters alike."

He has a very good point, and it is the core of why this whole issue bothers me so much. With more and more women playing and buying games, my hope is that it will make this issue more apparent and bring about change. I also hope that someday, gender will not be the deciding factor in whether someone is a good gamer or not. In the mean time, I'm going to keep doing what I love: playing video games.

And Destiny is now two weeks away :)

And we're back...from hiatus!

Wow. It's a been a while, my fellow gamers and geeks! This is your host Felon Ripley, and I'm very pleased to say that we're back!! And hopefully for a while too. Time flies, and we've been busy with real life. But the time has come for Speeder and I to return to talk about our most favorite subject: video games!

To be honest, my inspiration to start up blogging again stems from a quickly approaching event that I am simply too excited about to keep to myself: the release of Destiny in a little over a month. Ever since Speeder and I tried the beta out, I knew I was going to need play this game in full. We had originally planned to get it for the XBox 360 or PS3, but Speeder then discovered that there was a bundle with the PS4 that was going to be released. Thus, we decided to go ahead and invest in the system a little sooner then expected, which means double the excitement!

For any that do not know, Destiny is a new first-person shooter crossed with MMO elements created by Bungie, the studio responsible for the first few Halo games. The beta we experienced was on the PS3, and let me tell you, it was simply beautiful. I am eager to see how the graphics handle on a PS4, for if it's anything like the PS3, we're in for quite a treat. The game plays very much like the Halo series, so if you are familiar with the control scheme of Halo, chances are you'll fall into this game rather easily. And much like Halo, this game definitely has a fascinating mythos involved with it. Very little of that mythos was revealed in the beta version, however, as it was mainly a way for Bungie to test out how the game will handle once it goes live. And from the hours I got to spend on the beta, it seems like things are shaping up nicely.
Destiny is definitely aiming to inspire an interactive online community, and I'm curious to see how it grows. Only time will tell what kind of community it cultivates, but the developers definitely seem interested in getting people to interact, whether it's cooperative or competitive. There was only one mission during the beta where I was paired with a couple other people, but it was very fun. I had no microphone so I couldn't communicate with them verbally, but two of us ended up finishing the mission together regardless. Many of the multiplayer game play elements actually reminded me of Borderlands, and as a matter of fact, Speeder very poignantly told me before I had played this game that if Halo and Borderlands had a baby, this game would be the result. I am inclined to agree. 
In any case, this will be the first time that I have done some serious online gaming in a very long time. I'm counting down the days until we go to retrieve our PS4 and Destiny, and I can promise that we will have a full report! Especially since we will probably be up all night playing it. Stay tuned!

Coming soon: post-PAX reviews and previews

Hello out there eager readers! 

Just wanted to drop by to say that we will be posting reviews, previews and cool stuff that we saw and played at PAX very soon! We're compiling our thoughts for posts while simultaneously playing Diablo III for PS3 (which we purchased yesterday and are loving!) We should have news up in the next few days on: The Wolf Among Us (by TellTale games), Batman: Arkham Origins (by Warner Brothers), The Oculus Rift virtual reality headset, and the PS4 and XBox One consoles, plus a few other games and experiences. Stay tuned!

Trailers! Batman: Arkham Origins and The Wolf Among Us

Just a quick post about two games we hope to see at PAX next week!! Speeder has determined that we will be running to the Warner Brothers booth for Batman first thing Friday morning. The Wolf Among Us is Telltale Games' new game to come out later this year. You should all know Telltale for their award winning Walking Dead game. This new one is looking excellent thus far. Any how, enjoy!

PAX Prime 2013 is approaching!

It's almost that time again. That magical time when downtown Seattle is flooded with nerds of every facet for several days. Video gamers, cosplayers, tabletop gamers, developers, writers, bloggers...ALL THE NERDS! We are less then three weeks away from making the trek to PAX Prime 2013, and Speeder and I could not be more excited! There's going to be a lot to see and luckily, we will have an additional day to explore this year. Of course, it's near impossible to see absolutely everything but we've definitely thought of a few things that are must-sees in our eyes. On the list is the demo for Batman: Arkham Origins, the Oculus Rift virtual headset, XBox One and/or PS4, a live show from the guys at the Chainsawsuit podcast, live show by the awesome Doubleclicks, new Cards Against Humanity (and possibly their panel) and so, so much more. 

But it's not just the games and performances that make PAX an excellent event: it's the people too. As I described in a previous post regarding PAX last year, there's an absolutely astounding sense of camaraderie among all of the PAX patrons that surround you day to day. I consider myself to be a somewhat socially anxious person at times, but being in a very large room full of these people did not bother me in the least. I felt like I actually belonged, that these people and I shared the same passions towards gaming and everything else that PAX is about. You'd strike up a conversation with someone in line with you or even sit down and play Cards Against Humanity. And most of the time, you wouldn't even get their name. You'd have some laughs, and then when the line started moving again, you'd go on your way. I've never experienced something quite like it in my past adventures. One of my favorite PAX stories actually came from this type of brief interaction. We were waiting for a panel about getting into the games industry, and so a group of us decided to play Cards Against Humanity. A guy sat down and asked to play, we said yes (of course) and he told us his first name. We all had a good time for a while, and then it got close to the panel. The aforementioned gentlemen told us sorry, but that he had to go. A few minutes later, the panel room opened and he walked in ahead of us audience members. When we got into the panel, he was one of the speakers up on stage. Turns out, this guy was one of the higher-ups in Naughty Dog Games. This was simply amazing to me, and a stunning example of what PAX really is: a place where EVERYONE can meet up and enjoy what they love with like-minded people.

We will be trying to live tweet as much as possible so that we can share what we take in, so be sure to follow our twitter account! The connection at the convention center was sketchy at times last year, but we will try our absolute best.

PAX Prime 2013 or bust!!

BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea......The return to Rapture.

Just wanted to put this up because I want nothing more than to play this right now.

Apparently you will now be able to play as Elizabeth in this first episode of upcoming DLC and that's enough to sell me on it.

Review: The Last of Us

Today, I'm going to review The Last of Us. We're only about half way through this year and I've played a lot of games, but I think it's safe to say that this game is definitely one of my favorites. It may even be one of my all time favorites (a replay and time will test that theory). In any case, let's get to it! I will try to keep the spoilers at a minimum, but still POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Last of Us is primarily about a man named Joel and a young girl named Ellie. These two characters are not related to each other (I did not realize this when I saw the trailers) but are thrown together in a post-apocalyptic world full of enemies, both human and zombie alike. The story takes you across the United States, beginning in Boston. The few remaining cities with human inhabitants have quarantine zones run by the military, and Boston has become one of these "safe" areas. It is there you meet Ellie, a young orphaned girl who Joel becomes contracted to protect and deliver to a safe house of the rebel group known as the Fireflies. The Fireflies work against the military militia, believing that they are not doing anything to help the current situation of the human race. Needless to say, things fall apart and Joel and Ellie find themselves having to survive a world outside the quarantine zone where Infected and rogue humans roam freely. Each chapter of the story is a season of the year which is reflected in the environments and feel of the game. It is also a very clever way to show how much time is passing. Again, I really don't want to give away too much of the story because it is so beautifully crafted but ultimately it really is Joel and Ellie against the world, and you really start to feel for these two characters. 

It has to be said that this game is spectacular at creating an emotional response in the player. You not only build an attachment to Joel and Ellie, but also to other characters that are encountered during the journey. However much like another favorite of mine, the Walking Dead game, you learn very quickly not to get too attached to side characters. The environments also invoke emotional response. A scene you are walking through can be beautiful, and yet there is almost always a feeling of dread and hopelessness underneath. Despite the fact that nature is blossoming and thriving, there is a sense of loneliness and abandonment. And of course, the challenges Joel and Ellie must face together make you feel for them, make you care about what will happen to them. Not only that, you are forced to make difficult and quick decisions all the time. This game definitely puts a meaning to the phrases "dog-eat-dog world" and "survival of the fittest". It's also a stunning experience in just how far a game can push it's player on an emotional level. 
It was also interesting to see a different point of view from the younger characters of the world of Last of Us. The main bulk of the story takes place 30 years after the pandemic started, so younger characters like Ellie who were born after the event have no concept of what the world was like before. For example, at one point you are wandering through a town and there's an old ice cream truck sitting in the street. Ellie actually has to ask Joel what it is because ice cream trucks don't exist anymore in a world where humans are the endangered species. It's a fascinating take on how a person would grow up in this world, 

The game play of Last of Us is excellent but definitely took some getting used to. Most zombie-survival games are about shooting first and asking questions later but this game is really about stealth. And it's not the easiest stealth system to learn either. I found myself dying on multiple occasions because I was not patient enough and did not plan my moves ahead. Ammo and supplies are limited so you have to conserve as best you can and take down enemies in the most effective manner available. Admittedly, there were times where I just ran in and shot everyone down but it left me with far fewer bullets, med-packs, and health by the end. The best approach is usually sneaking up on your target and taking them down quietly. Luckily, you do have distractions available at your disposal to make this process easier. Bricks and empty bottles can be employed to draw enemies towards a certain spot for an ambush, or away from your hiding place. Again, it takes time to master this technique of cat and mouse, but it becomes very satisfying once you get the hang of it and helps you conserve your resources for tougher enemies.
You are not usually alone while wandering through this hostile world. Usually, there is a NPC with you (namely Ellie) that provides limited aid as you progress. These computer controlled characters can be helpful, as in opening doors or shooting your opponents along with you. However, there were definitely times where the NPC's were more of a hindrance than a help to me during combat. Sometimes they would get in the way when I was trying to hide against a wall or behind some cover, and more then once they gave away my position to the enemies stalking me. Most of the time this didn't happen, but the times that it did made me very frustrated. Luckily though you are not completely reliant on the NPC's in combat.
Like many games more recently, the Last of Us has an item crafting and upgrade system. While I had been burned on a few of these systems with other games recently (*cough* Dead Space 3 *cough*), I found this one to be fairly easy to use. The weapon upgrading requires a work bench, but was easy to use. Finding gears in the world allows you to upgrade various aspects of the different weapons you find and allows for you to increase how many weapons you can switch between during combat. Item crafting, however, is available at almost anytime. This was really helpful as you could replenish your med-packs, explosives and shivs as long as you could find the needed supplies. Which brings us to another central focus of the game: foraging. This game rewards thorough searching of the areas you move through, which definitely adds a sense of realism. It was also nice to actually see all of your equipment and guns attached to Joel's backpack as most games do not physically show your inventory on the character model. 
Again, realism. 

Concept art of a Runner

Now, let's get to the nitty-gritty of any zombie game: the zombies. Let me begin by saying that once I found out the zombies in Last of Us are humans infected with a type of fungus (a REAL type of fungus might I add), there was instantly an added level of creepiness to them. The idea of a person having a fungus control their mind and eventually grow out of their body makes my skin crawl. And while the idea is upsetting enough, the actual physical models of the Infected are disturbing as well. The runners, the fastest class of Infected, look much like a very sickly human and fit a more classical zombie archetype. But as you get to more advanced stages, such as the Clickers and Bloaters, you begin to see creatures that more closely resemble walking, living fungal colonies. And if all of that wasn't creepy enough, the sounds all of these different Infected emit just cements the fear that they incite as you are playing. Runners make a lot of the typical zombie noises but they also like to scream on occasion, almost as though the person they once were is still trapped inside the shell. And the Clickers...well, they sound like the female ghost from the Grudge movies. It made my palms sweat every time I would hear one in the distance. Much like the human enemies, stealth is key to surviving the encounters with the Infected. And if you just run in and shoot, you will almost always end up attracting ALL of the Infected in an area to your location. There are even times when just sneaking past is the best tactic, particularly when it comes to groups of Clickers. Not only do they take more bullets to take down but if they manage to get close enough to you, the only way to keep them from killing you instantly is a shiv to the head. Note: always make sure you have plenty of shivs on you. My only complaint with the enemies of Last of Us was I felt like the balance of encounters was tipped a little more towards the human enemies then the Infected. Ultimately, this really didn't ruin the game for me but I was still surprised that a post-apocalyptic world after a large zombie pandemic did not have a lot more zombies shambling around. But on the other hand, having to deal with mass amounts of zombies all the time would completely take away from the stealth utilization of the game. I can understand why the developers went for a little more scarcity with the Infected.

Concept art of a Clicker, an advanced stage of the Infected

As for the graphics and design of the Last of Us, it is one of the more cinematic and beautiful games I've played recently. The environments are well constructed and look very organic. I also did not find myself getting lost very often which says to me that the design of the levels flowed naturally. I also really appreciated all the little fine details to the different scenes. The more you explored, the more layers you would find and usually the more collectables you would discover. I love Easter eggs like that. The character and animal animations were very crisp and realistic and I didn't experience much if any clipping or physics errors. The lighting was great for creating mood and I found that in the outdoor environments, the light sources seemed quite natual. All in all, this game seems very polished to me and I enjoyed the clear amount of time spent on all the details and presentation.

To end, this game was great. I love games that make me feel something for the world and characters I get to interact with. I wish I could speak more about the plot but I simply refuse to ruin it. Even despite the few faults I found, I just really enjoyed this gaming experience. So in short PLAY. THIS. GAME.