Things I've Noticed: I'm getting pretty excited about computer games

Although I'm a huge fan of console games (currently, I'm playing the PS3 pretty much exclusively, but we have a Wii and over the years I've enjoyed a number of Mario and Zelda games on that console as well), I have to say that every once in a while a good old computer game just grabs my attention and won't let go.

Take And Yet it Moves, for example - I purchased the game a few years back after hearing a positive review on a  show called Little Miss Gamer and found it to be one of the most fun maze style games I've ever come across - the music and images are great (think a sort of papier-mâché collage look), but the mechanics, wherein you not only control the character but also the game world make for an incredibly intriguing game that feels incredibly satisfying to complete level by level.

In the last two weeks I've actually heard a lot about a couple of games that are definitely going to end up on my January purchase list (I don't buy anything this type of year for fear that I may make someones Christmas gift to me obsolete).

The first is called Gone Home, and as soon as I saw the trailer, I immediately thought, "Wow, this is exactly the kind of game my wife would love", mysteries, a lack of punch-and-jump action sequences and a really great immersive feel.

Finally, I've been hearing a lot about the game Thomas Was Alone, which looks like exactly the sort of game I can play when I have a few minutes and also the kind of game that is all right to play while my kids are in the room (I'm looking at you God of War series, for some uncomfortable gaming experiences that started with, "Hi Dad, what are you playing - EWWW!!!!)

Anyway, I just thought it might be worth a mention that the games I'm most excited about right now are pretty cheap, available online, and winning all sorts of awards - Way to go, Computer Games!

Things I've Noticed: Advice on exploring TGWTG.com

Back in 2008 I found the Angry Video Game Nerd's review of the old Friday the 13th Game for the 8-Bit Nintendo. As a kid I had played and hated this bizarre little game so I was happy to see someone had put it to good use. Checking out the rest of the Nerd's videos I came across the Feud with the Nostalgia Critic and that brought me to one of my current favourite websites, thatguywiththeglasses.com.

Like most people, I enjoy sharing the funny stuff I find online, but, like most other people in the library professions, I try to help people in the most effective way I can. I'm going to assume that a new person coming to the site will begin with the Nostaliga Critic Reviews, the Bum Reviews, and the Ask That Guy with the Glasses videos. Which videos should a person go to after that? Here are my suggestions.

Bookmonkey's advice on exploring TGWTG.com

There are so many great reviewers on this site it is easy to become overwhelmed. At the rate of 3 or 4 videos a week over the last 2 years there are still reviewers I've only managed to see in one or two videos so far. When I'm asked by friends where to start however, it is almost always with one of these five reviews.

1. The Nostalgia Chick's review of She-Ra: Princess of Power

Like the rest of the reviews listed here, this is not the Nostalgia Chick's first review, but I think for a person new to the site, having seen the Nostalgia Critic's review of Masters of the Universe, this videos is simply comic gold focusing on fandom from a girls point of view, plus her shock at all the homo-erotic material in this kids movie was priceless.

2. Linkara's review of Superman at Earth's End

The reasons for my suggestion of this video are pretty simple, a) you actually see a "bad comic burn," b) You see the beginning of the "I AM A MAN!!!" bit, and c) I laughed so hard during this video I may have passed out for a minute.

3. Spoony's review of Yor the Hunter from the Future

The things about this video is that even though Spoony is quite well known for his Video Game reviews (my current favourite is FMV Hell: Make my Video), I love the fact that he reviewed this, because as a kid I was exposed to Yor, yes people, I am Bookmonkey, and a childhood survivor of Yor the Hunter from the future. This is a great place to start checking out Spoony's reviews.

4. Lee's review of Arcana Heart

Lee is probably my personal favourite reviewer from the site at the moment, simply because I love the genius behind the format of his videos, still photographs and an audio track. Very simple, definitely leaving me wanting more, and really, really funny. Arcana Heart was the first video of his I saw that went beyond the basic review format and had costuming and a skit aspect - very cool.

5. Little Miss Gamer's Review of Missile Command

Almost more like a television show, Little Miss Gamer tends to start with a skit and then move into the review proper. I actually found her by following the Angry Video Game Nerd, as I watched his Christmas Crossover video with Captain S and then started checking out the other videos available through PBC-Productions.

I cannot stress enough that these are just the tip of the iceberg on the site, I love so many of the reviews there I could go on for ages. If you want to start exploring the site past the main content however, I think all five of these videos are a great place to start.