Video Game Reviews

Conceived by lead singer Will Scheff, Okkervil River’s seventh studio album, The Silver Gymanasium, is self-described as an ode to preteen wonder, a contemplative record about Scheff’s childhood in New Hampshire. As one might expect, the browser game of the same name tries to recreate this wonder in a simplistic, retro fashion, utilizing pixelated graphics and a chiptune soundtrack as the setting of their basic point-and-click adventure. Thankfully, the three-chapter “game” never feels like an overwrought advertisement for the record, opting instead to channel the ideas behind the record—using throwback video game mechanics (“hidden” items, simple design and a complete lack of a tutorial) to recreate the feeling of being a kid again, back when technology was a floppy disk and libraries didn’t have a single computer in them. It’s not a subtle, complex or lengthy game, but it’s definitely a pleasant, little excursion a short adventure with a kick-ass soundtrack and its heart in the right place. –Randy Dankievitch

God dammit Sonic—all I want is to enjoy a game for hours with you like I did when I was a kid! Sonic games have always been all about the flow—the way Sonic runs through the world, jumping on enemies and spin-dashing his way through most other obstacles while never really stopping. It’s part of the reason I love Sonic. The Lost World doesn’t know what flow is: The levels go topsy-turvy way too often, and I got dizzy trying to keep my eye on the blue blur. Some of the levels are more irritating than they should be—gravity randomly changes, enemies take way too long to kill and the level design is terrible—one level of a Sonic game shouldn’t take 20 minutes. The cut scenes didn’t really help things. They were pixelated and fuzzy when the 3D wasn’t on and not much improved when it was on. The levels themselves are actually beautiful and the graphics are clear during gameplay—the only real upside. I know Sega and Nintendo want to make Sonic more like Mario (NO!!!), but this attempt wasn’t executed well at all. Why can’t Sonic run free like the good ol’ days?  – Ashley Lippert