Posts Tagged ‘Review’
May 9, 2013
There’s something oddly comforting about the old farts hanging about in their lawn chairs on the label of Smuttynose’s “Finest Kind” IPA. Perhaps I’m gazing into my distant future? Life could be worse, right? Cracking the cap off, this 6.9% ABV American IPA pours a effervescent light golden color with a meager white head. A subtle floral fragrance wafts out of the pintglass mingled with a strong blast of yeast aroma. It’s a curious blend that lacks the heavy duty citrus you so often see with the style. The hop flavor starts off subdued, balanced nicely by a subtle sweetness from the malts, but it picks up towards the tail end with a bitterness that creeps in and lingers on the tongue. This lightbodied IPA is deceptively complex and quite drinkable, but it doesn’t inspire me to hit the fridge for another pint.
Verdict: C
Tags:beer, beer nerdistry, beer review, beer reviews, craft beer, freelance, geek, ipa, nathan meunier, nerdy beer, quickie, Review, smuttynose ipa, writing
Posted in Beer Nerdistry | 6 Comments »
May 9, 2013
“Like in any extreme survival situation, the early moments of Don’t Starve’s grueling-yet-fascinating struggle to stay alive are electric. Suddenly the clock is ticking. Confidence is high as you first explore a vast open-world wilderness teeming with danger. From trapping a rabbit for the first time to crafting an axe to chop precious firewood before nightfall, every minor accomplishment that keeps you ticking is immediately gratifying. But as the days draw on and dodging death’s icy grip gets harder, the rigors of this unflinchingly brutal roguelike adventure chip away at your patience.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
Tags:don't starve, freelance, GameSpot, indie, nathan meunier, PC, Review, roguelike, survival
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April 11, 2013
“When you’re in the remote wilderness of werewolf country, hunkering down and chopping up all manner of horrific beasts night after night doesn’t seem like the smartest alternative to simply running like hell, but Canadian lumberjack brothers Jacques and Joseph are made of tougher, more stubborn stock. Their quest to save their sister from the demonic fanged beings of the night in Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves requires careful planning during the daylight hours and precise execution when the sun goes down. All of the neat ideas at play in this distinct tower defense/third-person brawler hybrid ultimately keep the rough edges at bay long enough to let the cyclical blend of strategizing and action take hold.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
Tags:artifice, freelance, GameSpot, horror, indie, nathan meunier, PC, Review, sang-froid: tales of werewolves, shooter, tower defense
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March 29, 2013
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again until your eyes roll right out of their sockets and your fingers are raw from the pain of mashing the restart button hundreds of times in a single sitting. That’s seemingly Alien Spidy’s ill-conceived motto. This cutesy momentum-based platformer has a dark side that doesn’t fully manifest until you realize you’ve just spent several hours replaying the same 60-second stage to the point where you’ve memorized every obstacle, jump, and danger in your path–yet you’ve still made no actual progress.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
Tags:alien spidy, freelance, GameSpot, gaming, nathan meunier, Review, Xbox 360
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March 8, 2013
“Being an evil dungeon lord has its perks. Simpering minions eager to do your bidding are in abundant supply, piles of treasure make great home decor, and you never have to wait too long before a new gaggle of doe-eyed do-gooders come charging into your realm to be gutted and looted. Impire’s strategic dungeon-sim revival channels the spirit of the classic Dungeon Keeper series well enough to wrap you into its diabolical fold for a spell. Micromanaging the inner workings of your subterranean lair gets off to a promising start, but the honeymoon phase quickly fades away once you realize just how inflexible and shallow this haphazard homage really is.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
Tags:freelance, GameSpot, impire, indie, nathan meunier, PC, Review
Posted in GameSpot | 1 Comment »
March 6, 2013
“Poor Oozi. The perpetually grinning yellow alien isn’t likely to join peers like Mario, Meat Boy, Rayman, and Sonic among the ranks of the platforming protagonist elite anytime soon. Awesome Games Studio has indeed erected a vibrant and deadly world for its fledgling hero to charge through, but for all its visual creativity, Oozi: Earth Adventure is missing a certain spark to elevate it beyond its by-the-numbers approach to the platforming genre.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
Tags:GameSpot, indie, nathan meunier, oozie: earth adventure, PC, Review
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January 24, 2013
After numerous repeat trips to the craft beer store and many minutes spent scouring the isles for interesting new brews to try, I eventually reach a saturation point. Aside from seasonal rotations, I inevitably glaze over at the same array of familiar labels greeting me each visit. So when something new and interesting pops up on the shelf, I tend to take notice. This time it was a new offerings by Portland, Oregon-based Gigantic Brewing Company – the new kid on block on VT beer shelves. I went out on a limb, and my tastebuds are impressed. (more…)
Tags:beer, beer nerdistry, beer reviews, craft beer, freelance, geek, gigantic brewing company, gigantic ipa, magic hat, nathan meunier, nerdy beer, Review, writing
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January 5, 2013
“When you’re plague-stricken, weak from dehydration, and lost at night amid a thick copse of trees on a deserted island mountaintop, the last thing you want to hear is the sound of a hungry creature stalking you from just beyond the reach of your torchlight. The way Miasmata pushes your survival instincts to the brink as you struggle to persevere against sickness, nature, and the elements evokes a certain primal energy. You’re frail, alone, and in constant danger of being overtaken by the treacherous beauty of your natural surroundings. Every little breakthrough feels like a major victory. Every stumble has the potential to set you back catastrophically. It’s the constant give and take that makes the struggle to stay alive in this intense first-person adventure so gratifying.”
Check out the full review here at GameSpot.
Tags:GameSpot, indie, miasmata, nathan meunier, PC, Review
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December 17, 2012
It’s always a bit disappointing when a favored brewery puts out something that doesn’t quite measure up to its better beers on tap. I haven’t had Wolaver’s in a long time, though I recall digging a few of their beers back in the day. After enjoying some extremely tasty oatmeal stouts this season, I was looking forward to seeing what this Vermont organic label had to offer in the style. Sad to say, a fuzzy head and a less than enthused palate left me wanting more…of something other than what I was drinking. (more…)
Tags:beer, beer nerdistry, beer reviews, craft beer, freelance, geek, nathan meunier, nerdy beer, oatmeal stout, organic, otter creek, Review, wolaver's, writing
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December 14, 2012
Some brews are sneaky. They confuse the senses, making you wonder what the hell it is you’re drinking. Encore is one such brew. A nice light wheat beer can make for a great summertime refresher, while heavier IPAs offer a little more weight that’s typically not as sessionable. Encore attempts to blend the two with some sassy flair, but while it gets off to a good start, I’m not entirely sure the end result is worth sticking around for to catch a repeat performance. (more…)
Tags:beer, beer nerdistry, beer reviews, craft beer, encore, freelance, geek, magic hat, nathan meunier, nerdy beer, Review, writing
Posted in Beer Nerdistry | Leave a Comment »
There’s something oddly comforting about the old farts hanging about in their lawn chairs on the label of Smuttynose’s “Finest Kind” IPA. Perhaps I’m gazing into my distant future? Life could be worse, right? Cracking the cap off, this 6.9% ABV American IPA pours a effervescent light golden color with a meager white head. A subtle floral fragrance wafts out of the pintglass mingled with a strong blast of yeast aroma. It’s a curious blend that lacks the heavy duty citrus you so often see with the style. The hop flavor starts off subdued, balanced nicely by a subtle sweetness from the malts, but it picks up towards the tail end with a bitterness that creeps in and lingers on the tongue. This lightbodied IPA is deceptively complex and quite drinkable, but it doesn’t inspire me to hit the fridge for another pint.
