Category: External Sources

Eric Swain External Sources

Critical Distance Confab – The Hows and Whys of TWIVGB

This episode came about because of scheduling problems. Since I wanted to do these interviews in chronological order, we have a list of people to interview. It generally doesn’t take much to someone’s attention to ask, but it had to happen sooner or later. In the meantime, Zoya and I … (This post is lost beyond this point.) Episode 36 – The Hows and Whys of TWIVGB – Critical Distance | more

Eric Swain External Sources

The Moving Pixels Podcast Learns the ‘One Finger Death Punch’

This week on the Moving Pixels Podcast, we discuss the martial arts mastery action game, One Finger Death Punch. For as simple as the premise is and the fact the game doesn’t have a whole lot of the usual type of material we dig into, we got a good long … (This post is lost beyond this point.) The Moving Pixels Podcast Learns the 'One Finger Death Punch' » PopMatters "Victory: Gold Medal Awarded!" | more

Eric Swain External Sources

The Moving Pixels Podcast Gets ‘SUPERHOT’

We discuss SUPERHOT on this episode of the Moving Pixels Podcast. For all of SUPERHOT‘s solid focus on the mechanics of slow-motion shooting play, there is a lot more going on under the hood. In fact, I’d hold SUPERHOT as a prime example of a game that can’t get a fair shake because the critics purposefully turn their brains off with what it’s saying. The number of people saying that all the narrative material shouldn’t have been in the game and they wished it has been excised, is frankly appalling. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Our Own Points of View on ‘Hardcore Henry’

This time on the Moving Pixels Podcast we discuss not a game, but a movie. Hardcore Henry to be specific. I did not like Hardcore Henry. Let’s just get that out of the way. I came out of that theater only glad I went to a matinee and thus didn’t spend as much money on the ticket. I wouldn’t recommend anyone go and see it. Having said that, talking about what the movie was doing was rather interesting. My main issue with the film is that it’s hard to watch and comprehend what is going on. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Haunted Islands and the End of High School Are Both the Subject of ‘Oxenfree’

We’re back with another episode of the Moving Pixels Podcast, this time talking about the indie adventure game Oxenfree. I heard good things about this game and I’m extremely glad it did not disappoint. You can hear my enthusiasm for it in my voice when we discuss it. I knew so little about Oxenfree going in and somehow it managed to exceed all my expectations for it. There, that’s my recommendation for it. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Critical Distance Confab – Minisode 12 – Not Dark Souls

Another minisode is up, this time with freelance critic Nick Capozzoli. As is the way, when I recorded this minisode, I hadn’t heard a peep about 1979 Revolution: Black Friday. So, of course, two days later about half a dozen articles dropped. Ah well, still a game worth discussing. As for the title, I’ve been trying to come up with titles whose description encompass at least half of the games talked about. It’s why some of them seem really strained when there is little to no overlap. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

The Moving Pixels Podcast Looks at the Scenic Vistas and Human Drama of ‘Firewatch’

This week on the Moving Pixels Podcast we talk about the out in nature First Person Walker, Firewatch. Despite Firewatch essentially being a mystery game, we spend most of our time discussing how the game divorces itself from that genre, or fails to do so, depending on which one of … (This post is lost beyond this point.) The Moving Pixels Podcast Looks at the Scenic Vistas and Human Drama of 'Firewatch' » PopMatters "You came out to put your memories behind you and they're still right there, in front of you. | more

Eric Swain External Sources

Critical Distance Confab – Camp’s Signal

With this interview we are entering the more modern conception of video based criticism. The video essayist. First on the docket is Chris Franklin aka Campster. It’s a good interview and not surprisingly, in many ways, sets up future discussions of video as evolving form of criticism. Thanks to Chris … (This post is lost beyond this point.) Episode 35 – Camp’s Signal – Critical Distance | more

Eric Swain External Sources

The Moving Pixels Podcast Takes a Trip to ‘Pony Island’

This time on the Moving Pixels Podcast we discuss Daniel Mullins’s game Pony Island. This is a weird little game that I think I kind of love almost solely for its weirdness. It’s always throwing something new at the player and never allows itself to become complacent or stale. And it ends in the most pitch perfect way possible of an uber triumph of bombastic proportion within its own stylistic confines. I also like that there may be more underneath the surface that we just weren’t able to tease out. | more