Opinion: Eight Greatest DLCs Of This Gaming Generation
The widespread use of DLC may be one of this generation’s most controversial developments, but there’s no doubt we’ve seen some genuinely brilliant add-ons and expansions released in recent times. Mark Butler takes a look at eight DLCs he considers to be the very best. In recent years downloadable content has become synonymous with cash-grabbing, penny-pinching cynicism in the eyes of many gamers – with Day One extras, cut-content... Read More
Opinion: Five Tell-Tale Signs You’ve Been Playing Certain Games Too Long
Ever played a game so much that its core mechanics and features start to make their way into your everyday mindset? Yep, us too. As someone who knows all about the bizarre hilarity of bringing video game fantasy into humdrum reality, Mark Butler looks at five instances where falling in love with famous games can result in some truly odd behaviour. Assassin’s Creed – You want to climb every building you see Immerse yourselves in the free-running,... Read More
Opinion: Survival-Horror Is Back – And It’s Better Than Ever
Putting atmosphere, vulnerability and psychological-oppression right back at the heart of the experience, a whole new movement of inspired indie games are revitalizing a genre that was thought to be dead and buried. Mark Butler salutes this fresh wave of ‘super-hardcore’ horror titles – and the welcome dose of fear they are trailing in their wake. It may be renowned as the game that launched a thousand YouTube reaction videos... Read More
Opinion: Amnesia: The Dark Descent – The Greatest Horror Game Of All Time?
Two years on from the justly-notorious PC chiller’s release, Mark Butler celebrates an inspired indie creation that musters unparalleled levels of video game terror – and puts the increasingly uninspired theatrics of mainstream horror to shame. Prior to the beginning of Amnesia: The Dark Descent, developer Frictional Games present a beautiful and rather telling message: “Amnesia should not be played to win. Instead, focus on immersing... Read More
Mad Mack: 8 Must-Have PC Games – According To A PC Virgin
Having spent countless years in the firm, reassuring grip of consoles, disgruntled gamer Dave ‘Mack’ McConkey has finally succumbed to the seductive powers of the PC. Excited but slightly clueless in this baffling new world of possibility, he sets out the eight hugely-hyped experiences on his immediate hit-list. So, I’m embarking on my next big adventure – and purchasing a PC. Ostensibly it is because my laptop died a few months... Read More
Opinion: Three Phenomenal Indie Pioneers Who Put Triple-A Gaming To Shame
The vast majority of big-budget gaming giants may be playing it safe with tiresome FPSs and identikit action titles, but the innovative indie scene continues to be a source of fantastic new ideas and groundbreaking creations. Mark Butler tips his hat to a trio of talented indie upstarts, whose captivating efforts embarrass their humdrum mainstream rivals. Come on, let’s face it – though there may be the occasional glimmer of wonder... Read More
Opinion: What’s The Scariest Game Of All Time? Here’s A (Not So) Scientific Analysis…
From dusk until dawn last night, horror enthusiast Mark Butler played through some of the most terrifying games ever made in a bid to discover the true champion of fear. Following a full-throttle evening of shocks, shudders and even a full-blown psychological breakdown, he reports on the nail-biting experience, and eventual winner… I love horror games. Absolutely love ‘em. So much so, in fact, that I often find myself enthusiastically... Read More
Opinion: Top Ten Terrifying Video Game Moments
When gaming gets it right, it does horror better than any other medium out there. But just what are the most terrifying video game moments of all time? Horror enthusiast Mark Butler picks out the best. NB. This article contains spoilers. While researching and writing a book on the history of video game horror last year, I was eager to seek out, and in many cases revisit, some of the most frightening moments in the history of the medium. In my opinion,... Read More
Opinion: Is The Survival-Horror Market Really “Too Small”?
With Capcom claiming that they see the survival-horror market as “too small” for the Resident Evil franchise, Mark Butler argues that there are millions of fans out there who are being continually ignored. It’s not easy being a survival-horror fan. Everywhere you look, companies who once seemed genuinely in favour of feeding your desire for spine-tingling chills and nerve-shattering atmosphere appear to be abandoning both the ‘survival’... Read More
Interview: TheRadBrad
With more than 65 million YouTube views to his name and a veritable army of fans, Bradley ‘TheRadBrad’ Colburn is fast becoming an internet celebrity with his entertaining video game walkthroughs. He spoke to Mark Butler about turning pro, getting recognised in the street – and his plans for a range of RadBrad T-Shirts. When college student Bradley Colburn uploaded a video of himself playing Modern Warfare 2 back in April 2010,... Read More
