Or perhaps more appropriately titled: “Holy crap I survived another year of freelance game journo word-fu craziness!” Every year seems like a wild ride, but 2012 in particular has been an interesting one across the board. So much so that I feel compelled to blab personal thoughts about some of the more interesting moments of my year. Feel free to indulge in my self-indulgence!
Things will be changing up a bit starting out in the Nov. Issue, but I’ll still be contributing to the monthly PSN coverage and other areas of PTOM beyond that point. In the meantime, peep my two-page PSN review spread on pages 90 and 91. This month I tackle the excellent Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West, Rocket Knight, Tecmo Bowl Throwback, Super Stacker, and Soldner-X2: Final Prototype among others. I also have a full page review of Joe Danger on page 82 that’s worth checking out. In case you’re not in the know: get it…immediately. Great game. That is all!
Hey gang, the August issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine is out and about. Awww, isn’t it cute? Here’s a quick rundown of the stuff I have in it. On pages 90 and 91, the PSN Games section is loaded with (mostly) good stuff. This time around I tackled After Burner Climax, The Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition, Patchwork Heroes, Hyperballoid HD, and NBA Unrivaled. I have some other good stuff coming up in the next few issues, including some larger PSN game coverage. Thanks!
I was late posting info on the April issue, but I’m back on the ball now. In addition to my regular two-page PSN game reviews column, the May 2010 issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine also has a full-page review of Last Rebellion on pg. 84. As for this month’s downloadable gaming reviews (pages 88 and 89), I covered the marvelously charming Fret Nice, Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement, Assault Heroes, and Hustle Kings. Hey also, while I have your attention: hit up pages 52-55 for an entertaining feature on PS2 box art reviews by fellow freelance comrade Mitch Dyer.
So I saw this issue on the news stands en-route to PAX East but completely forgot about it in the chaos vortex that comes along with cramming over 50,000 geeks in a single building. In my PlayStation Network Games review column in the April 2010 issue of PTOM, I tackle Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond, Battle Fantasia, Puzzlegeddon, Polar Panic, and Frogger Returns. I also give my recommendations on PSOne downloads and game add-ons, so check out all that good stuff if you can. I already have the May 2010 issue in hand and will be posting about that shortly, as it has an extra piece I wrote in addition to my monthly PSN rundown.
If you can still find a copy on news stands, check out the March issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine for my monthly PSN Games section write-ups in the back of the mag. This month I tackle Pixeljunk Shooter, Diner Dash, Call of Duty Classic, Revenge of the Wounded Dragon, a handful of PSP Minis and more! There’s some great stuff out on the PlayStation Network now and tons of new sizzle-tastic games coming out shortly. They’re a great way to fill in the down between mega-hit releases. Oh yeah, and check out that cover. Crysis 2? That’s freakin’ HOT!
Now that the Feb. 2010 issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine is finally out, I supposed I can talk a bit about my new steady gig. I started doing some sporadic freelance work for PTOM last year with a few reviews and a feature that I was particularly excited about. After a brief lull for an issue or two, I’m happy to be back in the game. Not only that, I’m super stoked to be heading up the PlayStation Network Games section with a two-page spread of downloadable game reviews each month starting with the latest issue. My first installment tackles Braid, Star Trek: D-A-C, Peggle, Gravity Crash, Military Madness: Nectaris, and more. Stay tuned, because we’ve got some great stuff coming up in upcoming issues. Thanks!
After some hunting, I finally managed to track down a copy of the Holiday 2009 issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine. My review of Tornado Outbreak on PS3 appears on pg. 85 and the PSN section sports a two-page spread I wrote on the PSP Minis launch line-up. I’m pretty happy with the way both pieces turned out, and it looks like I’ll be contributing more heavily to the magazine shortly – particularly in the PlayStation Network Games section. Thrilling stuff. Check it out if you can.
The Dec. issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine just hit the newsstands (a bit early), and it features three reviews I recently penned. I tackled Demon’s Souls, Half-Minute Hero, and Obscure: The Aftermath. They’re the first pieces I’ve written for the magazine but certainly not the last, since I have several others already slated for upcoming issues. I typically do a ton of online writing, which I enjoy, but seeing my work in a glossy print mag is indescribably exciting. In other news, interviews and research for the geek music book project are going smoothly. There’s a lot still to tackle, though I’m pleased to be making steady progress. I have some exciting new gigs that are in the process of panning out, and some additional print work on the way, including a review and multiple community pieces for Nintendo Power. It’s been a busy and awesome year so far. Let’s hope it keeps up. Cheers!
Nathan Meunier - Freelance Writer / Author / Indie Game Developer 