THE LOWEST SCORE > THE HIGHEST SCORE?

gameinformer pleasantly surprised me today by covering the story, "New Record Set For Lowest-Scoring 'Super Mario Bros.' Run."  YouTube user, NotEntirelySure, has posted an 8-minute video of his play-through of the classic game wherein he scores a 600 (watch it above). He has edited some for time sake (he waits until the very last second to touch the bottom of the flagpole). On the video's page, NotEntirelySure says he has "the (almost) lowest score possible," though I'm not sure where or how he could have done better (er... worse).

Honestly, I think setting the low-score for a game like this may be even more difficult than setting the high-score. The dynamic is the same: precise dodging, measured jumping, and careful timing, but your mentality to the pieces must change. Now you treat coins like you would a spiky enemy! There is more to avoid and so it is harder. gameinformer user Wildehunter pointed out in a comment, "3:20 brilliant!!" That moment most certainly is.

If you looked up "impressive" in the dictionary, you might see NotEntirelySure's moves on world 8-3.

*Updated 7.17.2011*

LISTS OF OTHERS: THE MOST PATRIOTIC GAMES TO PLAY ON THE FOURTH

Dan Rychert over at gameinformer posted a very fitting article this morning: "The Most Patriotic Games To Play on the Fourth." It lists games that are quintessential American experiences.

Of course, I was overjoyed at their inclusion of "Red Dead Redemption." (It seems I am always finding opportunity to write about that game.) The setting is 1911 and seems to document the transition from the Old West to the New West. The open-world is a micro tribute to our country with both coasts and the various climes found in-between. And of course, there is a re-telling of Mexico to be found below. Rockstar has always been great at capturing visions of America, often with biting satire, but always with meticulous detail and care. Notice the American flag behind John Marston on the game's cover? It's an American tale. By the way, this is the main game I played today.

Some other reactions: "Redneck Rampage," which I heretofore have never heard of, is a rather humorous choice. What a compelling synopsis! The latest and worst-est (or so I hear) in the "Duke Nukem" franchise has made the list. I have not given those tasteless games a chance nor do I care to. In my humble opinion, it's a shame they are brought up on the subject of America.

There are some other interesting choices, most I haven't played. I really do appreciate someone else's experiences and opinions. So what do you think of Rychert's list? If you were writing the article what would you have put on there (or not have put on there)? "Freedom Fighters," one of last generation's finest cross-platform titles, comes to my mind. Though it is set in an alternate history where the Soviet Union persisted and the Iron Curtain extended, it is about an underground group of New Yorkers who resist when America is invaded. As the title suggests, it is very much a fight for freedom (served with a Molotov Cocktail).

Though I don't care for the sport, many folk say there's nothing more American than baseball. (Heck, it was even included on today's Google doodle!) Although "NFL Blitz" made the list, representing an arguably more American sport? After all, we do call it American football.

I wonder... Are there any Revolutionary War games? Follow-up question, are there any good Revolutionary War games?

MORE "RED DEAD REDEMPTION"? MORE "RED DEAD REDEMPTION"!

Rockstar's open-world Western, "Red Dead Redemption," not only became one of my favorite games in recent years, but one of my favorites of all-time. They followed up the game with some impressive DLC packs (mainly to boost the already extensive multiplayer), the latest and most elaborate of which was "Undead Nightmare," which added a new single-player campaign and even more multiplayer options! Overall, it was an impressive run of add-ons and myself and others were more than content with the modern masterpiece, thinking that we had seen it all for this installment.

Imagine my surprise and delight (or perhaps you'll experience it for yourself) when I saw @RockstarGames, who I follow on Twitter, Tweet this Tweet just two days ago. Plain and simple: In the coming weeks Rockstar will announce future DLC for "Red Dead Redemption"! Yeehaw! My cowboy avatar is already polishing his spurs for the occasion.

What's more? Earlier this week, Rockstar announced the Quadruple XP event that is officially underway and will go until midnight on July 4th. Jump into multiplayer for your Xbox 360 or PS3 to begin reaping these benefits. All multiplayer modes (even Free Roam!) will take your experience and times it by four! I took advantage of the opportunity and played a couple rounds of Undead Overrun earlier today. Two others and I made it 8 rounds one time. That battle was fierce and there were too many close-calls than I'd like to remember... Best of all, each time I garnered at least 2000 XP! I will continue to capitalize on this current event and hopefully reach level 20 (or more?) by the time it is over.

Now (especially this weekend...) is as good a time as any to pick up this game if you haven't already. Sure, there will inevitably and eventually be a "Game of the Year" version of sorts with all the DLC included, which would no doubt be the best buy, but if you haven't picked up the game and played through the single-player and tried your hand at the multiplayer (as the gameplay photo above depicts, forming a posse with other players looks and feels so awesome), you are missing out on one of the finest experiences video games currently have to offer. 

LISTS OF OTHERS: VIDEO GAME FORESTS YOU SHOULDN'T GO CAMPING IN

LISTS. OF MY OWN. OF OTHERS. LISTS.

As I revealed a year ago over at The Film Tome, "I love lists. I love looking at ones others have constructed. I love compiling them myself. I love the resonance they evoke (their accessibility in terms of remembrance). Lists, especially ones with a ranked order (an onerous characteristic I will strive to employ) speak volumes. A list is a bold statement. A list claims consideration. A list works."

I am not as widely-played in games as I am widely-beheld in film. I am much more qualified to assemble cinema-related lists. Still, I would like to make some lists of my own here at The Video Game Tome, especially "Best of" types so that I can praise the titles I hold in high esteem. Again, as I said in my recent "Tomekeeping" post, should I ever want to write anything game-related (including any list) I have this blog at my disposal. Besides lists of my own that I might post here, in the meantime there are lists of others to consider. Plentiful video game websites and blogs are out there, some feature peculiar lists on a near daily basis. Besides providing a link to where the list originates, I will take advantage of the plug to provide a bit of commentary. 

I am a huge fan a giving credit where credit is due. Plagiarism is one of the most vile and deplorable practices under the sun. (Boys and girls, you do not even want to know what kind of crap goes down above the sun...) I have developed a nature of acknowledging the work of others. They deserve it, and whenever we hammer something out, we deserve it. Those who take the creations of others and claim it as their own are a cursed people. Whenever I share a list here that was made by another, I will label it with "Lists of Others:".

Another bounty of lists are the reactions they elicit. Some who find their results will be pleasantly pleased while others will be promptly pissed. It is great! Such passion is what makes it fun and fascinating. Of course, at the end of the day, I hope we can all go home learned and genial. We should strive to avoid serious contention and exert ourselves to understanding. Each is entitled to their opinion, though if they really wish to make a point out of it, they best be able and willing to provide an explanation.

Now that I have established the groundwork for lists in The Video Game Tome, how about I recommend one "Lists of Others:" for you?

THE MOST DANGEROUS FORESTS

Last month, Sal Basile of UGO posted a list of "Video Game Forests You Shouldn't Go Camping In." As you now know, lists bring me bliss. As you might not know, level design is one my favorites aspects in video games. Thus, I thought this was particularly rad.

Forests have always been an alluring locale to me. Several of my favorite films, books, and games have passages that take place within them. As a fiction writer, I have savored including them in my stories: Mystical places to fill with whatever your imagination conjures. Forests are nature's apartment complexes: Roofed enclosures that you can only really know what resides inside if you venture through each room. The earth is the floor, trunks of trees are the walls, and their leafy branches make the roofs. And that is just the architecture. Most often than not, it is what dwells in the forests that makes them a hazardous place to roam (as the twenty forests listed surely teach us).

As you look through Sal's list, memories are sure to be brought back while other games will stick out as experiences you've yet to have, but yearn to. For example, the gorgeous screenshot for "FarCry 2" (making the list for its African Savannah) reminded me how much I need to get my hands on that revolutionary game. (Tom Bissell certainly helped advertise its worth in his masterpiece of memoirs, "Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter.") Though, I won't be playing that until I have first trudged through its predecessor.

Obviously, I beamed at their inclusion of Tall Trees from "Red Dead Redemption." (I say "obviously" because that game has become one of my favorite works of all-time.) I have gotten the iconic "DEAD" many-a-time from stomping around those grounds. Though, it should be known to young and old that just last night I went in there on my covered wagon (well, it became mine after I disposed of its original owners) for the sole purpose of hunting the horrors that gave it a place on this list: bears. I was there to meet the requirements for another rank in Master Hunter. The challenge was to kill 5 bears, one kill of which had to be done with the melee knife.  I came, I saw, I knifed. (Unfortunately, this was in Free Roam where skinning animals is not option. If they did take the game as deep and detailed as the single player experience is, it would near-well-be on the verge of becoming an MMORPG.)

Their number one is an absolutely inspired choice and when you see it, chances are you will say, "Oh my gosh, yes!" (That's what I did.) I will not spoil the surprise, you will have to head to UGO (via the link above) to check it out. The least I can do is send a little bit of intergalactic traffic their way.

So, fellow gamers, if you ever find yourself in one of these twenty tree-filled and undergrowth-ridden locales (the definition for a forest, right?), you have two options:

A) Shoot like hell

B) Run like hell

What do you think of Sal's list? Any egregious omissions? Any falsely advertised forests? 

I remember well the Old Forest sequence from the video game adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (a chapter from Tolkien's book that made it into the game but not into the film) wherein Merry and Pippin are consumed by Old Man Willow. It certainly would not be my first choice to set up camp.

Please feel free to add your voice to the conversation by commenting below. Thank you and happy trails!


Updated 6.5.2011

TOMEKEEPING

THE VIDEO GAME TOME

A few weeks ago I wrote a post entitled "Tomekeeping" for The Film Tome: "Y'know, like housekeeping, but on a Tome's behalf." Well, how about I take the same name/term and give a different meaning: The act of continuing a tome once thought retired.

Ah, yes... return of the "book dust blow." This is a literal depiction of blowing the dust off a tome, an act I will now perform in a different way by bringing back The Video Game Tome.

THE WRITER WHO IS A GAMER

Back in March, in an effort to de-clutter my life, I sent out a message regarding AllMoPs. I announced I would be ceasing my weekly "All Manner of Plugs" emails and that I would be deleting some of my blogs (i.e. this one and AllMoPs). And so, The Video Game Tome nearly became a tomb. I remember actually deleting it, but good ole' Blogspot gives you the option to reclaim it during a grace period of a month or so. Soon after I chose to reclaim it. You see, I realized that just keeping the blogs was not going to hurt. What if I had an urge to write about gaming and I did not have specialized place for those words? Sure, I could write it elsewhere, but it would be nice to have a place entirely devoted to video games. Besides, I already have a few previous posts that have built somewhat of a foundation for the gamer I am. It is much like whether or not you have a gun when spelunking creepy chasms: You would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. A similar case could be said for someone who has a vigor for writing and an inquisitiveness for video games.

I will have thoughts, opinions, philosophies, critiques, and analyses regarding the wide, wide world of games. Specifically, I will share about the select games I actually choose to spend time with from that insurmountable amount. Having said that, here should certainly be time and effort spent on behalf of the concept and culture of games themselves.

Without further ado: The Video Game Tome, officially kept. Well, it was already here before now. It will be here when I need it and I invite you to visit along the way.

Why the screenshot from "Super Mario Bros."? I wondered that too... Then I found answers: The sky is blue with a cloud or two, an invitation to come out and play. It is World 1-1, though we have already come a little ways and garnered some points. But oh, there is much more to be had! There is still time. (Yes, there be meanings here. Find one and then another. Life is beautiful.) Cue that music we know and love.

Game on. Live on.

GAMERAIN: DROP 23

CURRENTS

The Nintendo 3DS will surely stick out when it hits store shelves this Sunday (March 27th). Again, what happened to tubular Tuesdays? Anyways, are you going to be picking one up? IGN was kind enough to post their written and video reviews of the new system more than a week in advance for those wondering if it is a worthwhile investment. They are fair enough to point out the awesome-ness and problems the 3DS bears. They gave the 3DS a score of 7.5. I recommend reading or watching why. Perhaps the most dreadful characteristic is that it will not even last three hours of 3D gameplay after a full charge. That fact and that many of the most-wanted titles (e.g. "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time") are not even available at launch. Still, I can only imagine how cool the it is. The AR-games sound revolutionary. As far as systems go, Nintendo has one of the best track records around.  More than ever before, it is impossible to truly tell how it is without hands-on experience, which I personally hope to get an opportunity to do in the near future.

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FORECAST

Let me just say that I am big fan of these "Gameplay Series." I never would have thought Rockstar would be the company to class up the joint ("the joint" in this phrase being the video game industry), but that is exactly what they are doing with these fine video advertisements, which boast key elements of their upcoming game. They ran a similar marketing campaign for "Red Dead Redemption," which largely led me to pick up the game on opening day, a game that I will readily re-declare as the best of 2010 (or any year for that matter). We have the likes of Visceral Game and Electronic Arts running the whole "Your Mom Hates This" campaign, call me family-oriented, but I felt it was highly pathetic. Anyways, check out the stellar "Investigation and Interrogation" video. This has officially become my second most anticipated game of the year (and May 17th is not far away)!

"Deus Ex: Human Revolution" received a Gameplay Walkthrough Trailer last week via a Developer Diary. "Deus Ex: Invisible War" is among my personal Game Hall of Fame. I am excited for more stealth/action gameplay in a futuristic world where biomods are a reality. August 23rd is the day.

Check out this gameplay trailer for "Rage." I cannot be alone in thinking of "Fallout 3" in comparison. A wide, war-torn, apocalyptic environment in which an FPS is set? Heck, both are even referred to as the "Wasteland." Still, id always cooks up something special, especially technically. You can get your rage on come September 13th. (Hey! Isn't that the cave troll from "LOTR" at the end there?)

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EXTRA! EXTRA!

Cracked is often a trustworthy source for entertaining truths. Yesterday they featured a comic that addresses "The Good the Bad and the Awful of Video Games." Several important points. Thanks be to my roommate for bringing this to my attention.

Epic (the developer behind the "Gears of War" series) recently unleashed a tech demo, known as "Samaritan," showcasing what is possible with Unreal Engine 3. Check out the savants of IGN's analysis in Rewind Theater. Is this what next-gen is going to look like? I. Hope. So.

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GAMERAIN: DROP 22

GAMERAIN: DROP 22?

Geez, where do I begin? Last summer I began "a weekly recommendations email" known as AllMoPs, which stands for All Manner of Plugs ("Plugs" because of all the links featured in each email). The AllMoPsarchive can be found at my blog All Manner of Posts ("Posts" because it is a blog)... I know, I made it unnecessarily confusing, but it is so maddening that I am now quite fond of it. The first issue of AllMoPs came with a segment called Gamerain, a section that highlights a select few raindrops that have fallen into the lives of gamers (video games that is). Any gamer news, previews, reviews (etc.) that I felt so inclined to share got plugged. Today was Issue #22 of AllMoPs, are you with me?

Unlike The Film Tome Report, there has not been 22 consecutive entries of Gamerain. However, from here on out, each time I do AllMoPs I am going to include a Gamerain segment. So, in order to keep everything in synch I am starting counting from here, labeling each new helping of Gamerain as a "Drop." What's more, in future issues of AllMoPs, which I am now determined to truly make a weekly endeavor (released every Monday), I am simply going to plug that latest posts on both The Film Tome and The Video Game Tome blogs, which will feature the likes of what otherwise would have just been included in those emails.

What follows are Gamerain bits from the last few issues of AllMoPs, including #22:

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NEW RELEASES

"Stacking," the latest game from Double Fine (the mad team behind "Brutal Legend" and the masterpiece that is "Psychonauts"), just hit the electonic shelves earlier this week. You see, it is only available for digital download on Xbox 360 and PS3. I was looking quite forward to this game and have spent a little time with the demo. You play as Charlie, the smalls Russian nesting doll around. You can jump into dolls bigger than you, taking control of them and utilizing their special abilities to solve puzzles. The cutscenes are novel and the gameplay is jolly. Anything that hearkens to "Space Station Silicon Valley," where you play a hijacking microchip of robotic animals, is a pleasantry. That said, everyone speaking in text boxes left me a little overwhelmed in crowds. Running into frequent identical dolls also was a minor let down. Still, it is getting great reviews. You can read what GameSpot had to say here.

I did not even know of the video game series "You Don't Know Jack" until now. GameSpot gave the latest a 8.0 (for "great") in their video review. It is a trivia game that gets a little a flippant about its duties (as one might suppose from the title). GameSpot is not alone in heralding the zesty game, it currently has an 84% on metacritic.

"Pokemon White" and "Black" for the Nintendo DS hit shelves two days ago (on a Sunday, I know, weird right?). Of course, it is the same tried-and-true formula with some new features slapped on, namely the 3D-ish environments. IGN gave the game a 9 and labeled it "Amazing." Click here for access to their written and video reviews. The game currently has an 87 on metacritic.

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COMING SOON

One of the games I am most looking forward to this year (third to "Skyrim" and "Portal 2") is "L.A. Noire." Made by Team Bondi and published by the ever-reliable Rockstar, it is shaping up to look stellar. Check out this interview with Rob Nelson of Rockstar juxtaposed with plenty of gameplay action. The technology behind the game (especially the secret behind those state-of-the-art facial animations) is legit. The "L.A. Noire" equation in my head? Take "Mafia," set it in Los Angles and you play as a detective instead of a gangster. I am looking very forward to May 17th.

Before Tim Burton got his hands on the "Alice in Wonderland" franchise (which turned out to be a rather disappointing venture) there was "American McGee's Alice," a macabre and bloody action game based on Lewis Carroll's books. Now, American McGee and his team at Spicy Horse are finishing the sequel, "Alice: Madness Returns," due this summer (June 14th). Here is the trailer and gameplay. I feel the twisted visuals and overall lunacy demonstrated herein surpasses what you may have seen in theaters last year and that is what Alice is all about. Still, no adaptation can surpass the under-appreciated masterpiece that emerged from Disney studios in 1951.

If I am going to buy one game this year, it is going to be "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim." The first trailer (with gameplay!) came out last week. All of the excitement that I had in the months before "Oblivion" released is coming back! It is a grand time to be a gamer. Charles and Ryan from IGN breakdown the trailer in a hearty session of Rewind Theater. There is so much to dissect herein and they do a great job (even managing to point out the nirnroot that I honestly missed!). 11.11.11 is the day.

Check out the powerful announcement trailer for yet another zombie video game, "Dead Island." It is beautiful and it is disgusting. That sounds ridiculous, I know, but see it and you will know what I mean. It left me pondering if the only way a zombie tale can have a happy ending is if you are telling it in reverse. Personally, I am sold based on a few words in the description for the game: "open world... survival on a zombie-infested island." Well, I guess the correct phrasing would be it is an "open island" game. Some dedicated journalists at IGN have recut the trailer to chronological order and analyze it in this 8-minute video. "Dead Island" is made by the folks at Techland who are otherwise noted as the makers of "Call of Juarez" series, which I have not yet played and will therefore not comment on. "Dead Island" is due sometime this year.

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EXTRA!

At the Game Developers Conference this year, Toru Iwatani (the creator of Pac-Man) spoke on the influences and development of the arcade classic from 1980. Check out IGN's entertaining and informative article, "7 Things You Never Knew About Pac-Man."

Xbox Live Arcade is one of the best platforms for gaming today. With new releases every week and with multiple 5-star titles already in the library, it is an easy sale for anyone interested in games. Besides that, every game is required to have a playable demo! Last year IGN posted their "Top 25 Xbox Live Arcade Games." My only grievance is that their placement of "Braid" is much too low... Still, their #1 is a pleasant surprise!

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