The Warp Zone Nerds Episode 4.10 - "News For 4/30/11"

Final days of April News.

The News Binge Episode 1.03 - "Disney Death World"

Working the kinks out of the new show.

Chase's Review of Portal 2 (No Spoilers)

Valve is a company that I have been following for many years now. Ever since I first played Half-Life in 2001, I've been mesmerized by their ability to create games worth playing. This holds true with their most recent release, Portal 2, which came out earlier this week. The first Portal was a surprise and a revelation when it came out in 2007 along with Half-Life 2: Episode 2 and Team Fortress 2. I was more than willing at the time to pay $50 to get the continuation of the Half-Life storyline, so Portal was just a really nice free extra. However, upon playing Portal I realized that this was possibly the greatest thing to come out of gaming in years. I expected to get a slew of fun and interesting puzzle, but what I wasn't expecting was some of the best black humor and writing ever put into a game.

I say this so you will be able to understand that much of my praise for Portal came from how surprising and refreshing it was to play such a game. The real question is weather or not Portal 2 lives up to the high praise of the first? In my opinion, yes. And it does something no one was expecting, it goes beyond the first game in more ways than one. Portal 2 is the same logic of the first game, but in a new body. It is tell a very rich and clever story while expanding on the world and concepts in such a way that Portal feels like an introduction for this second chapter.

Portal 2 starts you what must be decades after first game with a bumbling but wonderful character named Wheatley trying to help (or save his own ass) from a catastrophe happening at Aperture Science. Characters like Wheatley (voiced by Stephen Merchant) and the founder of Aperture Science Cave Johnson (Voiced by J.K. Simmons) create a vivid and realistic world while keeping the universe popping and funny. However, The person who really steals the show is Ellen McLain as the ever wonderful GLaDOS. GLaDOS is the true star of Portal 2 as she was in the previous game. He comes over more human in this game which at first seems like a bad thing, but GLaDOS seems to always retain what makes her so special.

This is mainly a response than a review. I love this game. the graphics are solid, the universe is beautiful and detailed. This game works on every single level and is exhilarating and refreshing. In this day and age of Modern Warfare 2 and Homefront, Portal 2 stands as a shining example of what makes Valve the greatest game maker in the country and if not the world. Portal 2 may be short (all three of my playthroughs have been 5 hours long) but those will be the best hours of your day and is polished to a mirror shine. I don't understand why people are complaining. Portal 2 is short, fun and if you don't think so I feel the need to tell you that you are the problem with games these days.

On a final note: the Co-Op addition to the game is wonderfully complex in of it self. It will make friendships or break them, but you can not blame that on the tools Valve gives you.

Teaser trailer for Portal 2:

Warp Zone Nerds Episode 4.09.02 - "A Return To Nerd Rage"

the Nerds are super pissed this week!

Warp Zone Nerds Episode 4.09.1 - "News for 4/14/11"

News Includes: Not really anything...

Humbled by the Bundle...the Humble Bundle....get it?

Alright, time to get serious again. If you haven't heard of the Humble Bundle now is the chance to. This organization is one of the most brilliant and moving ideas to come to the gaming community. Every now and again this company brings about 4-5 games as well as soundtracks and other specialty items all for a price you set. Why is this such a big deal? It is because the money you spend, you can choose to send to charity. In just half a day, as I am typing this, the most recent Humble Bundle has earned more that $246,000 dollars. Please, be a part of this. Go to http://www.humblebundle.com/ and donate what you can to charities. For your effort and kindness, you'll not only get a glow of satisfaction for contributing to make the world better, but you will also receive 5 games and 3 soundtracks. If you don't like the games you can choose to gift them to somebody as well. It is all done by downloads so you won't have to wait for your game to come in the mail. If you have Steam you can link the games up to that. There are 13 days leftto participate in this deal. Please help make a difference.

Game on,

Michael

PS in the time it took to write this, they have earned about another $3,000 for charities. This makes me proud to be a gamer.

Warp Zone Nerds Episode 4.08.2 - "Joss Whedon - The Wrap Up"

The Nerds get to spend time gushing over their Lord of sci-fi/fantasy.

The Gaming Table Episode 1.02 - "This is Not the Gaming Table"

This is an example of a nothing show.

Warp Zone Nerds Episode 4.08.1 - "News for 4/07/11"

News Includes: "James Cameron on The Future" "Netflix and Mad Men" "Dish Network and Blockbuster"

Reviews for: Sucker Punch and The Elder Scrolls IV - Oblivion

Warp Zone Nerds Episode 4.07.2 - "Joss Whedon II - Serenity to Dollhouse"

The Nerds get to spend time gushing over their Lord of sci-fi/fantasy.

The Gaming Table Episode 1.01 - "What We Want for 2011"

This the first episode of the Gaming Table where Chase, Greg, Adam, Justin and Michael go over the games they are looking forward to in 2011.