Review - Batman: Arkham Asylum

Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360, PS3

I'm a Batfan, this cannot be denied. I've had a near-lifelong love for the Bruce Timm/Paul Dini animated series, but my fandom really began back in 2005 with the release of Batman Begins. I spent the next 4-5 years amassing a shocking number of Batman TPBs, hardcovers, and the like. So, upon discovering that Eidos would be publishing an immensely faithful video game adaptation of the series, I was understandably joyful. Bat-games have an unfortunate history, it should be said, but even from the first screens it was obvious that Arkham Asylum would be nothing short of the Dark Knight distilled to his purest elements.

Review - Dead Space

Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Publisher: EA Games
Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360, PS3

My list of favourite movies has been consistently evolving over the past couple of years, but to my memory I don't think there's been a moment since 2004 where Alien hasn't been at the very top. The movie does everything right in all respects: the plot rarely if ever gives into cliche, the acting is totally natural and most of the effects still hold up to today's standards - if not better at times; most of the dialogue is improvised, familiar and seamless; the score is wonderfully composed and arranged, the titular creature magnificently designed and executed, and the entire film radiates with haunting, claustrophobic paranoia.

Review - Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness Episode One

Developer: Hothead Games
Publisher: Hothead Games
Platform(s): PC, Xbox 360 Live Arcade, Mac OSX

This game has a ridiculously long title but that doesn't seem to put me off. Well, it's Precipice from here on in for convenience's sake.

Penny Arcade rocks - at least according to personally-held fact (that is, opinion). Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins have, since 1998, been consistently putting out damn funny material in the form of their Webcomic, Penny Arcade. It's essentially about two thirtysomething gaming freaks, Jonathan "Gabe" Gabriel and Tycho Brahe. The former is a Pac-Man-, Star Wars- and Patrick Swayze-obsessed man-child; the latter is tormented, deeply cynical and driven to alcoholism by his friend/nemesis/colleague. I could describe the strip in more detail, but it's pure humour is best experienced here, here and here.

I'm not normally judgmental, but if you can't get a single chuckle out of one of these three, you have no soul.