By the Last Token Gaming Staff
Marshall Garvey: First off, apologies for my hiatus from last week’s edition! My Mac was hampered by an irritating adware virus, but fortunately I got that removed pretty quickly and am now back in action. The crux of my gaming time has been devoted to Red Dead Redemption as always, but in a much different way. Deciding to take a break from the main game, I popped in the second disc of the Game of the Year Edition I bought used at Gamestop in July. Unlike most bonus discs that simply offer DLC and special features, this one offers the same game all over again, but with a twist: Zombies. Lots, and lots, and lots of zombies. This mode, entitled Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare, starts with John Marston’s family being infected by a stray walker. From there, he takes off on horseback to find that New Austin and its adjacent territories have turned into a westernized “Walking Dead,” with small groups of survivors desperately trying to repel waves of zombies.
Even some of Marston’s acquaintances succumb to the infection and can only be put to rest with a final shot to the head. What I love about this mode is that it’s truly challenging and completely satiating. Weaving your way through a thicket of the undead can be genuinely frustrating (especially the Bolters, who crawl quickly on all fours and let out an irritating scream), but it sets up combat that’s even more fun than the original game. Running headlong into a crowd of them and using the automatic headshot is a riot, even more so when you charge in on your flaming horse of the Apocalypse. Best of all, Marston gets a whole new lineup of shit-talking quips to spout. Highlights: “I think I looted you the first time you died!” “Next time, try not believin’ in reincarnation!”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCvtI1mLpYc]
Isaac Smith: Well, I’ve decided to start working my way through Assassin’s Creed 2, which is, of course, way overdue. I’m amazed at how the AC franchise is really the first game that gives plausible 3D-ness to its environment. Mirror’s Edge felt like a 3D world made of flat surfaces, but AC buildings and walls have textures that are also important to observe and use to your advantage. Extra bonus: those artists finally get their work noticed! I’ve also started working through the PC port of Valkyria Chronicles. I love the art style and the gameplay is smooth and intuitive. I forgot just how awkward JRPG dialogue can be, though. But it’s okay, because giant mecha-tanks. Last but not least, I am ALWAYS playing on Reddit’s Flatcore Minecraft server. The admins put a ton of work into modding the code, and it’s amaaaazing.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg1zrThSxyI]
Michael Mygind: It’s been quite a busy past week with work projects and a wedding to plan, and this week likely won’t be any different. But, I’ve still managed to make a little bit of time for playing and collecting new games. Lately, I’ve been hooked on playing Neo Turf Masters for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. It captures the gameplay of the original arcade release and is shrunken down for the small screen without losing what made the original so good. This is a prime example of a sports game that shouldn’t be overlooked. This morning, I visited a local swap meet & picked up an Atari 2600 Jr. for $10, so I’ll likely be revisiting some of the games from my Atari collection. I also scored a copy of King of Fighters ‘95 for the Playstation and Metal Slug 4 & 5 for the original Xbox, satisfying my insatiable need for anything SNK/Neo Geo. I also picked up a $3 copy of Goldeneye 007 for the Wii. I loved the original, but haven’t looked into this version. So, I’ll definitely be in for a surprise when I play it this week.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpUs3JUzuAM&w=420&h=315]
Terry Randolph: Finally getting around to finishing Sunset: Overdrive while enjoying the Halo: Master Chief Collection with friends on occasion. However, I’m more than ecstatic for Dragon Age: Inquisition based on what I’ve gotten to see and read. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to be really invested into a hardcore RPG…but I don’t know if I’m up to the 95+ hours of content the game provides if I try to go for everything. Still, as much as I loved/hated Mass Effect 3 (and more or less Dragon Age 2), I have high hopes for BioWare returning to form with Dragon Age: Inquisition. Also: Pokemon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SREM6E4Fvs]