News & Reviews – Oddball Update

Through The Ages: A Hill to Die On

February 3, 2016April 5, 2016 Chief Oddball

Prolific board gamers know Through the Ages. Consistently one of the top 10 (if not top 5) games of all time according to BoardGameGeek.com, this civilization-building strategy game is among one of the most celebrated of its kind. From excellent mechanics to well-crafted strategic elements, it’s one of those rare games that you’ll feel immensely satisfied after playing, even if you lost badly.

First Look: Destiny Alpha Test (PS4)

June 17, 2014February 18, 2016 Chief Oddball

This past weekend, Bungie's upcoming shooter Destiny was playable in a pre-release alpha state for a limited engagement of three days only. Thus began my three unforgettable consecutive nights of total immersion in the Destiny universe. Taken as a whole, that universe is so compelling, so addicting, that you want to immerse yourself in every meson of it simultaneously.

Ten Years Hence: Vampire – The Masquerade: Bloodlines

May 14, 2014May 14, 2014 Chief Oddball

Ssshh. Hear that sound? It’s the clatter of a hundred hard drives belonging to all the people who felt compelled to reinstall Vampire – The Masquerade: Bloodlines merely because I mentioned it. It’s a bit like Deus Ex in that way, in fact — only with vampires, prostitutes and dark humor.

Running the Nets: One Year Later

February 20, 2014February 20, 2014 Chief Oddball

Back when I first reviewed Android: Netrunner, the two-player “Living Card Game” from Fantasy Flight Games with a decidedly cyberpunk theme, I was enamored with it. My only problem was that I had very few friends who knew the game — precisely one, actually; my boss — which led to my becoming only casually acquainted with it.

Oddball Review: Eminent Domain

February 6, 2014February 6, 2014 Chief Oddball

I’ve always been a huge fan of sci-fi, cyberpunk and space exploration themes, much more so than the traditional fantasy settings involving elves, orcs and dragons. So when it was suggested that we play Eminent Domain over lunch I was naturally very excited.

The Xbox One and the Future of Video Games

June 6, 2013June 7, 2013 Chief Oddball

As recent statements from game publishers and hardware makers appears to show, what the games industry is aiming for now is a locked-down system of bite-sized drib-drab entertainment that you don’t own, can’t modify and should feel good about paying full price for even long after it’s been released.

Oddball Review: Tomb Raider (2013)

March 26, 2013March 26, 2013 Chief Oddball

This Lara is different than the walking-tall, nigh-indestructible badass personified by Angelina Jolie in her film portrayals of the character. The new Lara Croft bleeds. She screams. She cries. She shakes and shivers. She limps about, clutching her wounds and recoils from physical efforts too taxing for her damaged frame to tolerate. She is far more real.

Gamelog: Twilight Imperium Day 4

March 15, 2013March 15, 2013 Chief Oddball

In our final three rounds, the Muuat get sneaky, the Jol-Nar strategy is unleashed, and the Naalu get annoyed and start torpedoing the hell out of everything. Bring a bucket of popcorn and watch as galactic chaos ensues.

Gamelog: Twilight Imperium Day 3

March 13, 2013March 13, 2013 Chief Oddball

Political panic! Crazy cruiser mania! Nebula sightseeing tours! It's all present and accounted for as we chronicle rounds 4 and 5 of my first game of Twilight Imperium. Will there be epic war? Crushing defeat? Or just a cushy victory party for someone's council elders?

Gamelog: Twilight Imperium Day 2

March 12, 2013March 12, 2013 Chief Oddball

[notice]This article is part of an ongoing series that chronicles the playthrough of my first full game of Twilight Imperium: Third Edition from start to finish. Look here for the initial installment.[/notice] Round Two Galactic expansion continued today for myself and my two compatriots-turned-opponents in our game of Twilight Imperium.

Category: News & Reviews