Monday, December 23, 2013
End of the year columns and a short story
I recently pulled together my five favorite games for Gaming Blend, as well as a column concerning my favorite RPG (Or action adventure game, if you prefer) The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
Finally, I also wrote a (very) short story involving the Nintendo 3DS, StreetPass and...love? It's a work of fiction, so don't feel too bad for the narrator. This also happens to be one of my favorite things I've written in a while, so, yeah.
Thanks for following along and see you again in 2014!
Best games of 2013: Ryan sides with talking animals
Best RPG of 2013: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Final StreetPass: A Nintendo 3DS short story
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 2:43 PM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Columns: Game of the Generation, The Minecraft Dilemma
Ryan's Game of the Generation: Uncharted 2
I also did a column for Gaming Blend exploring the idea of whether or not I've simply lost the taste for epic/long/overstuffed games. What most gamers see as great bang for their bucks tends to make me shy away these days, as the thought of spending 100-plus hours with any single title is a rather daunting task when I can only spare an hour or two at a time to actually play.
The Minecraft Dilemma: Can games have too much content?
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 8:26 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Review: Killzone: Shadow Fall
Is the game worthy of all that "next gen" hype? How does it compare to previous entries in the series? The answers to these questions and more once you hit the link.
Killzone: Shadow Fall forges a shaky new path
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 1:02 PM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Nintendo: My unexpected reunion with Mario and Co. [Column]
Basically, I became exhausted with Nintendo's constant stream of sunshine and rainbows and unwillingness to do much outside of their staple series. After a number of years away from the Big N, however, that's exactly the kind of stuff I was in the market for; wholesome, fun, colorful, well designed games.
Nintendo: My unexpected reunion with Mario and Co.
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 7:39 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Review: Ys: Memories of Celceta
Find out why in my Gaming Blend review.
Review: Ys: Memories of Celceta is a Vita RPG Triumph
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 6:10 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Friday, November 22, 2013
Review: Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (Vita)
I've been pretty lucky as of late, with most of the titles I've had the opportunity to play ranging from pretty dang good to decidedly awesome. Injustice, while a bit muddy in the visuals department, is on the higher end of that scale, offering up a great fighting game with loads of content, all crammed down and stuffed into the palm of my hands.
Review: Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition is an ugly Vita knockout
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 2:42 PM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Review: Tearaway
Review: Tearaway utterly delivers
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 7:53 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
PlayStation 4: A launch night diary
PlayStation 4: A launch night diary
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 6:26 PM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Friday, October 18, 2013
Pokemon X/Y: I finally jump on the bandwagon
Despite having grown up in the age of Pokemon, I never gave into the hype and played any of the games.
Now, just shy of my 31st birthday, I've decided to finally dip my toe into those critter-filled waters and, because I can't do anything game-related these days without writing about it, I've put together a short series highlighting the events.
The first link will lead you to the pre-game article, giving a bit of background on my (lack of) history with Pokemon, my reasons for ignoring the series all these years, and my reasons for breaking the habit with the latest Pokemon for 3DS.
Article two gives you a rundown of my first day with the game, which was spent lounging around the house with six friends, all of us pouring a ridiculous number of hours into the game on the day of its release.
The third article circles back three weeks following the launch to see how I felt about the game after spending more than a day with it.
Enjoy!
Pokemon: Why I'm finally going to play one of these games
Pokemon: My first day with the series
Pokemon X, Y: I've Officially Been Converted
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 8:51 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Review: Valhalla Knights 3
For the full review, hit that link.
Valhalla Knights 3 review: Far from heaven
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 8:51 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Friday, October 4, 2013
Reviews: Rune Factory 4 and Real Boxing
Games at the opposite end of the spectrum, obviously, but I enjoyed my time with each of them. Here's the rundown...
Rune Factory 4 Review: A bountiful harvest
Real Boxing Review: A solid contender
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 8:42 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Reviews - Killzone: Mercenary and Sweet Fuse: At Your Side
One is the first portable shooter to get the genre right on Sony's latest handheld device and the other is a niche visual novel title full of mystery and romance. Spoiler alert: I enjoyed them both quite a bit.
Killzone: Mercenary review - The Vita gets its shooter
Sweet Fuse: At Your Side review
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 7:21 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Monday, September 2, 2013
Reviews: Killer is Dead and Divekick
Killer is Dead Review: Suda 51's Insane New Ride
Divekick Review: A Narrow Miss
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 3:02 PM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Monday, August 19, 2013
Dragon's Crown: First impressions
Find out what we thought about the game (from the controls and classes to the beautiful art and loads of loot) over on Gaming Blend:
Dragon's Crown: First Impressions.
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 8:47 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend
Sunday, July 14, 2013
My Animal Crossing: New Leaf confessions [Column]
My first (somewhat shameful) month with Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 10:52 AM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend, Videogames
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Game dev story: Zachary Snader [Interview]
He was kind enough to share his story with me, and now I'm sharing it with you:
Game dev story: Zachary Snader discusses his journey into the industry and the future of games
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 8:04 PM 0 comments
Labels: Videogames
Friday, July 5, 2013
Gaming with Glass? A look into the future [Article]
Gaming with Glass? A look into the future
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 9:49 AM 0 comments
Labels: Freelance, Gearburn, Videogames
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
E3 2013 coverage for Gaming Blend
My coverage of E3 2013 can be found on Gaming Blend or, for your convenience, I've compiled all 16 of my stories from the event here in one handy-dandy little post. Dig in!
An Xbox press conference diary
An EA press conference diary
A Sony press conference diary
E3 2013 made me finally buy a 3DS
Hands on with Dragon's Crown
Hands on with Killzone: Mercenary
Shinsaku Ohara discusses the insanity of Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z
Designer David Goldfarb dishes details on Payday 2
Creator Andrew Spinks digs into Terraria for iOS
Creative Director Jens Matthies shows off Wolfenstein: The New Order
Shinji Mikami talks about surviving The Evil Within
Xbox One reps dive into console's potential
Hands on with Saints Row IV
Eyes-on with the Destiny gameplay demo
Behind closed doors with Call of Duty: Ghosts
Exploring the crazy action of Killer is Dead
Tracking down monsters in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Narrative Director Steven Gallagher steps out of the shadows with Thief
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 5:11 PM 0 comments
Labels: Gaming Blend, Videogames
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Bit Creature: That's a wrap
For my part, I've absolutely loved writing for the site. Hawkins and my talented editor, Rich Shivener, allowed their amazing staff of writers total creative freedom. I'm humbled to have been among their ranks. It's not often you find a place to work that truly encourages creativity and coloring outside of the line. James and Rich absolutely celebrated that kind of writing, which is what allowed such wonderful pieces to pop up on Bit Creature on a regular basis.
For almost a year, I provided columns on a bi-weekly basis, as well as the occasional review (another area where James and Rich insisted we be creative and have fun with our writing, rather than just roll out the usual product review--it controls great and the soundtrack is lovely!--you find pretty much everywhere else on the internet).
In short, it's been the best writing experience of my life. The crew was amazing and I loved that there was a place where I could read their unique takes on video games and life. I only hope I will someday find a place where I can pursue this type of writing once again. I'm already itching to spill my guts on a variety of topics, but the sad fact of the matter is that there just aren't many places like Bit Creature out there, where I'd be able to cut loose and fly as free as I have for the past year.
It was an honor and a privilege to call Bit Creature my home. And for those of you who are looking for some great writing about the world of video games, the people who play them, and how that all ties into our daily lives, you can always drop by the site and dive into its wealth of content at BitCreature.com
As for me, I'm still plugging away at my job writing for The Fountain Hills Times, I still write daily for the fantastic games news site at Gaming Blend, and I'm still finding opportunities to do some freelance pieces from time to time. I'm definately keeping busy, I'm just going to miss my friends and the playground we all got to share at Bit Creature.
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 12:14 PM 1 comments
Labels: Bit Creature
Thursday, May 2, 2013
This month in Bit Creature - May 2013
I took the PS Vita's latest undead-infused strategy game for a spin. Find out why I think it's a zombie game with a good amount of brains.
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 9:26 AM 0 comments
Labels: Bit Creature
Thursday, April 4, 2013
This month in Bit Creature - April 2013
Multiplayer games don't typically draw me in these days. Even in MMOs, I tend to avoid grouping up or tackling instances with fellow players. Defiance, on the other hand, lets you seamlessly interact with other players, making it easier than ever to lend a hand/get rescued and then go your separate ways. In this particular column, I explore Defiance's unsocial social aspects.
Not the world I know [Column]
My thoughts concerning the opening hour of BioShock Infinite, a first-person shooter that lets you experience a living, breathing world before allowing you to tear it apart
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 10:42 AM 0 comments
Labels: Bit Creature
Friday, March 22, 2013
The End of Gaming Consoles? [Article]
The End of Gaming Consoles?
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 2:48 PM 0 comments
Labels: Freelance, Videogames
Thursday, March 7, 2013
This month in Bit Creature - March 2013
In which I discuss game length, cost and the relationship between the two.
Trading fear for bullets [Column]
Three games into the series and Dead Space 3 just can't elicit the same sort of terror it used to. I argue that maybe that's not such a bad thing so long as the developers are still delivering a great experience.
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 1:18 PM 0 comments
Labels: Bit Creature
Friday, February 22, 2013
Sci-Fi Movies and Video Games [Article]
Sci-Fi Movies and Video Games: A Match Made in Fantasy
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 1:25 PM 0 comments
Labels: Freelance, Movies, Videogames
Thursday, February 7, 2013
This Month in Bit Creature - February 2013
In which I take a look back at the past 15 years with PlayStation and ponder what the future holds for the PlayStation 4.
Back to nature: Taking a break with a relaxing classic [Column]
I decided to step away from all of the over-the-top action and abundance of AAA features offered by the current generation of video games in order to curl up with the slower pace of Harvest Moon for the PSX.
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 3:49 PM 1 comments
Labels: Bit Creature
Friday, January 4, 2013
This month in Bit Creature - January 2013
Find out why the PSP/Vita's latest scare-a-thon is a horrifyingly good time.
Love in next gen [Column]
In which I compare the next generation of consoles to going out on a blind date.
The dark days of a new year [Column]
In which I discuss how every new year seems to get me down, making me question how I've been spending my free time and the value of my pursuits.
Stop me if you've heard this one: My favorite games of 2012
I decided to tell a little story with this year's "best games" list, rather than just telling you why they are awesome. I hope you dig it.
Posted by -Ryan Winslett at 12:27 PM 0 comments
Labels: Bit Creature