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7 MOBA Games That Everyone Needs To Play

August 9, 2016 By Toby Isaacson Leave a Comment

It almost seems like every type of game these days needs to have some shortened name that starts with an M and involves multiplayer interactions and a lot of friendships destroyed over a bad strategy slip. MMORPG’s used to conquer the gaming market, but recent years have been met with a change and now yet another M game (not that kind of game) category rises up to the challenge – MOBA games.

We do feel like it’d be proper curtsy to explain what this all stands for, but “show and then speak” is one of our mottos. We trust that it’ll be really easy to understand what MOBA games are all about when we start listing the examples. Speaking of the wolf, here come the examples!

#1 League of Legends

Literally the only example you could need when you really think about it. League of Legends, also commonly known as LoL is very likely the biggest trendsetter among MOBA games. If not this, it’s surely one of the biggest and most resounding names in this specific category. It’s gotten to the point where it became a famous choice for e-sports tournaments. Yes, that involves prizes and money. No, it’s not that easy, actually.

#2 DOTA 2

Dota 2 is quite similar to League of Legends, though there are some minor changes that earn it a better reputation than several other entries on this. Some of the biggest changes include the fact that the roulette of heroes presented there is available in its entirety, with players not requiring to unlock the rest of them. Good graphics, good gameplay, and a fair balance for free and paying users – these are all factors in the recipe that makes DOTA 2 a compelling game.

#3 Arena of Fate

Arena of Fate doesn’t deviate too much from the standard formula for MOBA games, but it manages to shine through some alterations that have become mildly frustrating in the genre. The biggest change has to be the addition of time limits in the gameplay, which finally makes the early game stage matter a lot more. There are only so many times you can wander through woods and bushes to farm for 30 minutes straight.

#4 VainGlory

VainGlory is a mobile device game, which helps you take the experience of MOBA gaming everywhere. In some senses, the game is still growing, but the biggest asset is the fact that it’s a lot smaller. Not in a bad way, of course, but rather in a way that praises the developers for having smaller maps. This, overall, means shorter gameplay and a lot more encounters from early on in the game.

#5 Strife

Strife is definitely a classic MOBA game, but it also incorporates some MMORPG elements by granting players the chance to get pets and win buffs and power-ups. The purpose of the developers was to reduce the competitive aspect of MOBA games in order to create a friendlier atmosphere. Accent is placed on support roles and the overall game is meant to reduce toxicity.

#6 Heroes of the Storm

Aside from being a genuinely good MOBA game, the winning point of Heroes of the Storm is that it brings to the gameplay several memorable characters from popular titles put out by developer company Blizzard Entertainment. Those familiar with StarCraft, Diabo, or War of Warcraft wonders will marvel at the possibility of destroying some enemy territories with their favorite heroes.

#7 SMITE

Just like all other MOBA games, SMITE wanted to be something else while simultaneously providing the MOBA experience. They accomplished it by changing camera perspective and offering us 3D, third person views from the back of the character. This, however, increases gameplay difficulty, which makes it not so ideal for beginner MOBA players.

Top 10 Best Open World Games to Try

July 4, 2016 By Toby Isaacson Leave a Comment

Open world games are here for one main reason: to immerse you into the gameplay. There is nothing quite as effective in that aspect as the possibility to roam freely and to make your own choices, walk your own paths, and pursue the storyline in the order you want. They may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but that is likely because of how time-consuming they are. If you are one of those people who want to solve every single tiny quest and explore every corner of the world, be ready to spend tens of hours of gameplay. But we love it. And this is thanks to the best open world games so far.

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#1 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The fuss around Skyrim has already faded, even now, years after the release of the game. And there was a very rightful reason for people to be excited. It had dragons, it had all the right elements of an epic fantasy quest, and the sheer size of its openness gave players tens and tens of hours of gameplay.

#2 Grand Theft Auto

We couldn’t settle for just one title, though some fans argue that San Andreas might be the best installment in the franchise. Although some tweaks are made here and there, the main premise of the GTA series remains unchanged. This is a game that allows us to experiment with all the things morally and legally forbidden in real life, all under the title of one of the best open world games.

#3 Batman: Arkham City

A game that managed to knock Spider-Man 2 off its throne as the best superhero movie up to date, Arkham City is a superior follow up to the game released in 2009. Players are thrown in the boots of Batman and they are free to explore Arkham Island to their heart’s desire.

#4 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The conclusion of this trilogy went off with a blast, managing to give players everywhere a unique and fantastic experience as one of the best open world games. The atmosphere in Wild Hunt makes your gameplay feel less like a chore list and more like a real experience.

#5 Red Dead Redemption

This is a game that can be savored both by people who are fans of the western genre and those who are seeking a refreshing and challenging open world game. Rockstar Studios have made a name for themselves by producing some of the best open world games and this thrilling release doesn’t disappoint.

#6 Fallout

We’re in a similar position to GTA over here. There have been some titles that stood out through the franchise, such as Fallout 4 and New Vegas, but none on a Skyrim level. As a whole, the Fallout series gives an experience very similar to The Elder Scrolls, with the main difference being the setting.

#7 Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

It’s a bit of an odd choice, but so was the one to make the transition from a swift and linear gameplay experience to one with a little bit more freedom to it. The fifth Metal Gear Solid installment brought in a pinch of realism to one of the best open world games.

#8 Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

Perhaps Ubisoft’s defining title, Assassin’s Creed looked like it was on the verge of collapse after the general disappointment fans felt towards Assassin’s Creed III, a game that ended up feeling lackluster and dull despite all of the development. Don’t worry, Black Flag redeemed it and gave a complete revamp to the feeling and gameplay.

#9 Minecraft

Like it or not, Minecraft is an open world game – and one of the best open world games at it too. The following that it had built behind itself and the enthusiasm of the players are enough of a marker for its huge success.

#10 Dragon Age: Inquisition

Management positions aren’t exactly what we make them out to be, but Dragon Age sure wants us to be deceived. Leading your own troops, you explore a vast world, command armies, and defeat monsters, all without the tedious paperwork affiliated with being the boss.

#1 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Image Courtesy of Nintendo

When you think of orchestra music in video games, you need to give credit to Ocarina of Time for its presence. Composed by Koji Kondo, the tunes heard in the background of Link’s journey is as timeless as it is magical. Even though Kondo had previously worked on other notable projects (such as Mario 2, 3, and World), many argue that nothing neither he or Nintendo created after managed to surpass it.

#2 Journey

Image Courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment

No game has been given a more proper title than Journey. It may not be riddled with combat and action sequences, but the sheer atmosphere, messages, emotional value, and soundtrack managed to beat any other action-packed game. Having won several “Game of the Year” awards, its music, composed by Austin Wintory, was also rewarded for its three years of production with a nomination at the Grammy Awards.

#3 Ico

Not many people have heard about Ico and it’s definitely a shame. An old-school PlayStation 2 game released in 2001, it tells the story of Ico and Yorda, two runaways who try to escape their fates as sacrifices for different people. Although the game lacked commercial success, it made it for it through critical recognition. It was a work of art by many means and Michiru Oshima’s music perfectly captures the vibes by tapping both into the light and the haunting sides of the story.

#4 Chrono Trigger

Considered to be one of the most influential soundtracks of all time, Chrono Trigger’s music was the result of relentless dedication from Yasunori Mitsuda’s side. Many sleepless nights, weariness, and even sickness served as obstacles but, nonetheless, it was Mistuda’s dream to break the time’s barrier and prove that video game music can be given just as much thought as anything else.

#5 Streets of Rage 2

Image Courtesy of Sega

Back in the days when Sega was considered to be an underdog living at the mercy of the much more successful Nintendo, Sega managed to land a harsh blow on its competitor through the Sega Genesis. While Nintendo didn’t want to steer away from its family-friendly image, Sega released several titles much more oriented towards a mature audience. Street Fighter 2 was one of those violent, bloody, and grim examples, with the Yuzo Koshiro music that backed it up also dropping all chirpy soundtracks typical of Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog.

#6 The Last of Us

Image Courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment

Remember when we talked about how a game needs all edges to be good in order to succeed? The Last of Us came out on top as one of the most acclaimed games of all time, receiving numerous accolades for the innovations it brought to storytelling, acting, and character development. The emotional factor balances out the dark post-apocalyptic landscape, and it’s fully complimented by Gustavo Santaolalla, writer of scores for Babel or Brokeback Mountain.

#7 Silent Hill

Speaking of acclaimed games, there isn’t a person who hasn’t heard of Silent Hill and the influence it had on all horror games that would be made from then on. The gameplay was innovative, the ambiance was atmospheric and filled with dread, and Akira Yamaoka’s score came as the perfect completion of the picture. Decades later, the static FM sound and the unsettling music still haunt the dreams of those who’ve played the game.

#8 Final Fantasy VI

Through a silent consensus, the gaming word has come to the agreement that Final Fantasy VII is probably the greatest game of the franchise. However, there’s one place where it had its thunder stolen from. Its predecessor, Final Fantasy VI, gave us one of the most iconic soundtracks of gaming. Composer Nobuo Uematsu was just beginning his ascension through the writing for VI and managed to set his reputation in stone by the time it was finished.

#9 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Image Courtesy of Konami

A list without Castlevania would be no list at all. There are many titles to pick from, but we assumed that it was only natural for the one with the word “symphony” in it to come out on top in terms of music quality. Brought into the game by Michiru Yamane, Symphony of the Night’s soundtrack was treading on a very thin layer of ice with its risky techno – classical combos. Luckily for us, it turned out to be one of those rewarding risks.

#10 Red Dead Redemption

Image Courtesy of Rockstar Games

Composed by the duo Bill Elm and Woody Jackson, the soundtrack for Red Dead Redemption mostly stood out through its unique partnership with the cinematography that managed to surprise everyone. They managed to prove that, not only does music matter and can be given a lot of narrative undertones, but that it can be even more impressive when packed with cinematic visuals worthy of matching those of Hollywood movies.

12 Fun Facts About UnderTale You Probably Didn’t Know

March 10, 2016 By Toby Isaacson Leave a Comment

In a time when the quality and success of a game are strongly tied with innovative graphics and gameplay experience, it’s incredible to see something like UnderTale elevate to such a level of popularity. It was a project launched by Toby Fox, an independent game developer. There were no impressive graphics. If anything, the game takes us back to relive the good ol’ retro gaming experience, with minimalist graphics, and very Pokemon-ish music. Despite all of that, UnderTale sold over 500,000 copies worldwide, a truly fantastic achievement for an indie game, and was nominated for Game of the Year by many publications.

In UnderTale, players control a child, who winds up in the Underground, a subterranean world inhabited by intelligent creatures called “monsters.” They explore the various towns, villages, and dungeons of the Underground, solve puzzles and battle the various monsters they encounter. The game’s praise comes from the unique gameplay experience, the brilliant characters, as well as the engaging tone. But this is just the plot, a basic type of knowledge. Let us present to you 12 Fun Facts About UnderTale You Probably Didn’t Know.

1. Small Team

UnderTale was created by a very small team, something that Toby Fox insisted on because he feared too many people might have slowed down the development. Still, it was Toby Fox that did most of the work, since he wrote, composed, and designed the game himself.

2. Game Length

This is a game with a relatively short play time. Apparently, UnderTale is six hours long, and there was a good reason behind that. When explaining his choice, Toby Fox compared games to movies, saying that two hours are enough for a movie to get you invested and leave you fulfilled.

3. Game Endings

You might think that this is a commonly known fact, but it’s not something that a casual player may be aware of. Did you know that there are three possible endings to the game? Player choices weigh a lot in the story, altering interactions, dialogue, and combat options around them. And speaking of combat, this is where players choose the routes that take them to either of the endings. Killing everything you encounter takes you on the Genocide run, killing some things you encounter (but not all) takes you on the Neutral run, and showing mercy to all that show up before you leads to the Pacifist run.

4. The Music

Toby Fox used to be a composer for the popular web comic series Homestuck. In fact, he is the mind behind all of the music scores in UnderTale, having drawn inspiration from many retro Nintendo games. UnderTale was widely appreciated for its soundtrack, and it seems that the creators are aware themselves of how good it is since you can find UnderTale listed under the “great soundtrack” tag on Steam. Apparently, it was the song Undertale that was the most troublesome to produce, since Fox went through three different drafts, before eventually settling for the final version.

5. Before The Game

Toby Fox said that UnderTale took two years and seven months to complete. But what led him to the creation of the game? Fox entered the world of game development when he was only ten years old after he and his brothers downloaded RPG Maker. After that, he moved on to a game maker software, which is what he used for the creation of UnderTale. It goes without saying that it’s a product that means a lot to him, but it probably means even more given that it’s the only “actual game he made that isn’t either a bad ROM hack or a joke RPG game.”

6. Naming Screen

You probably know at this point that, at the start of the game, you are asked to name the fallen child. However, this is more than just a feature meant to boost immersion in the story, and that’s because it’s packed with Easter eggs. If you try to name the child after some of the characters in the game, you will be stopped by messages from the characters themselves, and then returned to the naming screen. For example, don’t try to use the names Sans or Toriel, because it won’t work.

Another hidden detail is unveiled if you name the child “Frisk.” Choosing this name is going to unlock the hidden hard mode. However, it doesn’t last for the entirety of the game, being only as long as the demo was.

7. Pundertale

A huge distinctive characteristic of UnderTale is its sense of humor. Because of it, Toby Fox was incredibly surprised to see how popular the game was since he had assumed only a very particular niche would enjoy it. Apparently, he took inspiration for the comedy from many places, such as humor Twitter accounts and Mister Bean. A recurring theme in the game is the constant use of puns with perhaps the best example being Toriel. Her name is a wordplay which basically makes it the shortened version for “tutorial.” Toriel herself is a parody of all the characters whose only purpose is to present tutorials to the player.

8. Hot Dogs

Sans can be found selling hot dogs and hot cats in Hotland. If you choose to purchase a hot dog without any free space in your inventory, Sans will place it on your head. Keep buying more, and he will stack them on top of each other until they exit the screen.

9. True Rebel

Papyrus is the only character in the game to not have an asterisk before his dialogue.

10. Lesser Dog Battle

When fighting Lesser Dog, repeatedly petting him is going to result in his head stretching until it exits the screen, and passes through the dialogue box. If spared, when the player later encounters him in Snowville, he’ll be building an ice statue. The more he was petted during the battle, the more ice sculptures will be scattered around.

11. Papyrus Battle

You can’t die when battling Papyrus. If your health reaches zero, you will simply be respawned in his garage, then proceed to fight again. If you keep failing, Papyrus is simply going to give you the option to stop the fight manually.

12. Goodbye, Yellow Text

When talking to Froggit about the importance of the yellow text in the game, you can choose to say that you don’t like it. If you do that, the yellow text will be removed, making sparing enemies more difficult. However, you can talk to Froggit again, who will tell you that you can have colored text back, only in pink. The yellow names can later be found in a pile of garbage while exploring the Underground.

These 12 Fun Facts About UnderTale You Probably Didn’t Know don’t even scratch the surface of all the details the game has to offer. In fact, I’m fairly certain that it’s impossible to discover them all by yourself, even with the most thorough exploration. Who knows, perhaps one day, we’ll be able to say that we’ve unveiled all the mysteries that UnderTale has to offer.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

7 Video Games That Literally Ruined Lives

March 7, 2016 By Toby Isaacson Leave a Comment

You’ve probably grown used to people accusing video games of supposedly being bad influences on our children. Well, this article isn’t really about that. It’s less of a matter of influence and more about a direct after effect. Surprisingly, it’s not the excessive violence or foul language that might pose as the biggest threat. Sometimes, a game is so good that it’s easy to be absorbed in it to the point where it becomes an addiction. And like every type of addiction, this kind of situation has taken its toll on the victims… fatally. Here are 7 Video Games That Literally Ruined Lives.

1. Berserk

If you take a look at the screenshot above, you might be tempted to ask yourself how exactly it managed to destroy anyone’s life. Berserk was a game of the late 70’s and onward, which apparently was capable of making 19-year old Peter Bukowski so addicted to it that he ended up concluding a series of high scores with an unfortunate heart attack. An article published in the

An article published in the Video Games magazine which talked about the incident wrote about the reason for the sudden heart failure. Apparently, the game made him so agitated that this ended up damaging his cardiovascular system, something that imminently led to his premature death.

2. World of Warcraft

One of the genres that are most likely to get players hooked to the point of unhealthy addiction is MMORPGs, shortened name for “massively multiplayer online role play game.” World of Warcraft is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the domain, but it also, unfortunately, became known for indirectly putting a woman, by the name Rebecca Colleen Christie, in jail. She became so immersed in the world of the realm that she gradually starting neglecting all real life responsibilities, including feeding her three-year-old daughter, who starved to death. Christie ended up ringing 911 only after a 15-hour WoW session, and it’s safe to say that the authorities weren’t very understanding of the situation, sentencing her to 25 years of jail time.

She became so immersed in that world that she gradually starting neglecting all real life responsibilities, including feeding her three-year-old daughter, who starved to death. Christie ended up ringing 911 only after a 15-hour WoW session. It’s safe to say that the authorities weren’t very understanding of the situation They sentenced her to 25 years of jail time.

3. EverQuest

Another MMORPG, EverQuest is sometimes nicknamed “NeverRest” by the fanbase, specifically for its addictive nature. In 2002, Shawn Woolley decided that nothing was worth leaving the enthralling world of EverQuest anymore, so he quit his job and became a full-time player. Relatives started getting worried after Woolley turned down a Thanksgiving dinner invitation. When they went to check on him, he was found dead in front of his computer, which still had the game running on the screen. It’s certain that it was a self-inflicted gunshot that took his life. As for the reason, many believe it may have been the result of some in-game relationship drama.

When they went to check on him, he was found dead in front of his computer, which still had the game running on the screen. It’s certain that it was a self-inflicted gunshot that took his life. As for the reason, many believe it may have been the result of some in-game relationship drama.

4. Ingress

MMORPGs and arcade games aren’t the only ones that can potentially endanger lives. A mobile app called Ingress, which requires the user to go outside and roam around the streets, ended up leading a player to his death. Sixteen-year-old Gabriel Cavalcante Carneiro Leao was paying so much attention to his phone screen, that he became completely oblivious to his surroundings. This sadly resulted in him walking right in the middle of a highly circulated street and ended up getting ran over by a bus.

Ingress does try to make the experience as safe as possible. A good example is the feature that deactivates the app if the user starts running above a certain speed. However, it definitely can’t keep an eye out for people that stop paying attention to the world around them.

5. FarmVille

Don’t laugh, even excessive virtual farming can be dangerous if too much time is dedicated to it. Alexandra Tobias was a hardcore FarmVille player, who couldn’t find the right way to divide her love between the game and her three-month-old son. In an episode of rage triggered by the baby interrupting her game with his cries, she furiously ended the child’s life. Tobias confessed this deed, but only after the fifty-year prison sentence has been given to her.

6. Lineage II

Not all addictive games lead to death or jail time. Some of them lead to lawsuits! Craig Smallwood sued NCSoft, the company behind Lineage II, over the fact that their game was so good it literally ruined his life. The beef between Smallwood and NCSoft can be traced back to something else, though. He was, according to the lawsuit, banned from the servers after NCSoft started suspecting that he may have been trading in-game items in exchange for real life money. That is as unethical as it is clearly forbidden. Possibly out of revenge, Smallwood proceeded to fault

Possibly out of revenge, Smallwood proceeded to fault Lineage II for his incapacity to carry on mundane tasks, such as shower, socialize or generally go outside. Although the case was put an end to in 2011, it’s unclear whether Smallwood ever managed to get something out of this dispute. Or if he ever managed to take that shower.

7. Nintendo Wii

It’s not just games that can be potentially dangerous, but the consoles they’re played on too. Radio station KNDN decided to host a contest in 2007. The prize? A Nintendo Wii console, of course, which was so difficult to get your hands on back at the time. Participants had to drink as much water as they could without going to the bathroom, and the last person to hold it in would be the lucky winner. Jennifer Strange wasn’t so lucky, as she found out the hard way that something like water intoxication exists. After the contest, she collapsed on her way home, and never got up again. The radio station was hit by a hazard: it fired ten employees, lost a lawsuit filed against them and had to pay $16 million, then ultimately shut its gates in 2009.

Jennifer Strange wasn’t so lucky, as she found out the hard way that something like water intoxication exists. After the contest, she collapsed on her way home and never got up again. The radio station was hit hard. It fired ten employees, lost a lawsuit filed against them, and had to pay $16 million. After that, it ultimately shut its gates in 2009.

The lesson to be learned from this isn’t new. Indulging in excess of all kinds is very harmful. Even though video game addiction deaths aren’t that common, many people genuinely have their personal lives damaged because of their passion. It’s important to try and not immerse ourselves completely in fictional worlds. Also, we should try to keep an eye out for our real life responsibilities. This is what we can take from these 7 Video Games That Literally Ruined Lives.

Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.