QCF: Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds

hile the consensus is more arguable than mainstream, it’s more apparent than ever that one of the most revered franchises in video games is experiencing a wave of disenchantment in the more recent years of the present game climate, and more players have come forward with their fatigue towards the series. You might have heard of it, it’s called The Legend of Zelda.

Ironically the iconic Nintendo property of late, has been more instrumental in inspiring successes in new franchises that liberally imitate it while failing to significantly innovate itself beyond its esteemed but frankly aged conventions—that is until now.

Nintendo and Monolith entered dangerous territory when announcing that they were working a direct sequel to what many consider the greatest video game of all time that could never live up to the legacy it holds to this day; if Link to the Past is Rocky then consider Link Between Worlds Rocky IV.

This 3DS entry is a shining example that the magic of The Legend of Zelda is very much alive, transporting all who play it into a very familiar and yet robust Hyrule, with tons of astonishment and whimsy in store from start to finish.

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PAX East 2013: Transistor--Hands-on gameplay

ery rarely does a game come around and convey such a strong sensation of life; a feeling of vibrancy that could compel any number of powerful emotions that you would have never expected to receive from it. Days before the start of PAX East, Supergiantgames recently announced their latest project, Transistor, and that it would be available to play on the Expo floor at PAX East 2013. After spending my time with the current build, I walked away from an experience that imprinted a sense of longing I've never felt from a game, and it has left me shaken.

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How 1UP gave all of us an extra life

ast Thursday, ironically following the coattails of Sony’s PlayStation 4 reveal and welcome to the gaming public, that very same public was then struck with some unceremoniously tragic news concerning the departure of a certain website. Recently, Ziff Davis Media purchased IGN and all of the properties/brands that were associated with it from News Corp., which soon lead to the almost too familiar and yet oddly poetic turn of misfortunate events to follow. This storm wasn’t just simply a layoff. No, it was a tempest that claimed the entire brand, and 1UP.com is nearing its end.

Where we’ve seen magazines come and go, and other major publications continuing to struggle despite certain consolidation measures taken with brands and editorial talent, 1UP was still among the few bastions of video game journalism that placed focus on the enthusiast and community aspects of the interactive medium. I have blog on 1UP still, though I never followed up with any proper blogs after doing some house cleaning on my page, I was grateful for the new home 1UP gave and kept busy there – Press Pause Radio. All of us here at PPR owe more than a debt of gratitude to the brand, and I’d like to take a moment to talk about why.

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