The Last of Us Review (spoiler-free)

Far too often in life, our opinions change with time. Critics review content and are usually swift in the consuming of said content. They put words to a page, throw on a score, and then publish for all the world to see. At times, these opinions remain unchanged throughout time, but they can also change. Perhaps a second play-through reveals a game not nearly as good as we thought originally or maybe a game isn't quite as bad as we remember.

When I beat Naughty Dog's The Last of Us this past weekend, I instantly thought it was one of the best games this year and a strong contender for Game of the Year. I wanted to sprint to my blog immediately and tell everyone about its greatness. Instead, I took a slightly different approach by waiting a few days. I wanted to see if my strong opinion altered as time passed. I can now say my opinion has indeed changed...for the better. The Last of Us isn't just the best game this year; it's the game of the generation and one of my favorite games of all-time.

The game is set in the United States where the country is ripped apart by a mysterious cordyceps fungus. That being said, this isn't your typical "zombie game." One of the key differences with The Last of Us is its emphasis on survival, which is accomplished with a variety of techniques. First and foremost, ammo is scarce. In many situations, you'd do just as well to sneak past a section of enemies rather than confront them head-on. Moving in close for a melee or stealth takedown are also options, but be cautious. Melee weapons will break over time.

Finally, you won't be able to pause and heal yourself or craft your next weapon while playing The Last of Us. Instead, all upgrades and healing are handled on the fly. If you're about to be attacked, you'll either have to fight the enemy off or retreat to a safe place where you can heal. This adds a sense of realism to the game as you must always be aware of your surroundings.

You'll have to deal with two primary enemy types throughout your journey: humans and the infected. Both pose unique challenges. Humans are smart and The Last of Us enemies have impressive artificial intelligence. They'll attempt to flank and even managed to sneak around and surprise me on occasion  The infected are slightly more predictable. For fear of spoilers, I won't get into each of the specific types, but let's just say you'll have to approach each situation differently.

Our society has placed such an emphasis on violence that many would scoff at certain scenes throughout the game. I would only ask they take a closer look at the entire context and understand what it really means within this world. Killing in a game like Call of Duty or even Grand Theft Auto is mindless killing. You kill enemies in waves, run over pedestrians (sometimes even by accident), launch air assaults, and mow-down foes with powerful assault rifles.

The Last of Us is absolutely brutal; yet in many situations, you feel bad about what you're doing as a player. It paints an incredibly depressing picture of a fallen world where finding anything good is a struggle. The violence isn't glorified. If anything, it helps you understand violence and its consequences on a grand scale. The few moments where you do experience peace, good, and quiet are only truly appreciated due to the brutality throughout the rest of the game.

All these techniques work seamlessly together, edifying the most important aspect of The Last of Us: its story (no spoilers here; don't worry). Let me just say you are in for a story that rivals, or even bests, series like The Walking Dead, Uncharted, Bioshock Infinite, and more. Joel and Ellie are both flawed, yet endearing characters. I related to both of them, but for drastically different reasons. In modern literature, film, and gaming, there's really no better praise than to say a character is "real." Joel and Ellie's actions throughout The Last of Us always stay true to the character. More importantly, you care about them and eagerly anticipate what will happen to them next.

If ever a game warranted a perfect score, it's The Last of Us, not for being a perfect game, but for being a game you couldn't possibly imagine being better. All my complaints seem minor when you consider everything Naughty Dog not only attempted, but accomplished with this new franchise. The story is a heart-wrenching roller-coaster, the characters real and memorable, the game mechanics are well designed, and the graphics are beautiful.

At the end of the day, there's really no higher recommendation I can give a game than to say that every adult who considers him/herself a gamer should play this game. It's uncomfortable and even hard to play at times. You'll laugh. You'll smile. You may even shed a tear. One thing, however, is certain: you will never forget playing The Last of Us.

10 out of 10

Tomb Raider Review

I had no intention of playing the latest Tomb Raider reboot from Crystal Dynamics. Despite all the hype and E3 awards, everything I saw seemed to indicate nothing more than a typical 3rd person action game. I never played the original (yes young gamers, this is a reboot) for more than a few minutes; therefore, I saw little appeal for me. Let's just say I was terribly misguided because Tomb Raider is easily the best game I've played in 2013 and an early contender for Game of the Year.

So what convinced me to actually play Tomb Raider? Reviews played a significant role, but the ultimate deciding factor was when I started hearing the game compared to titles like Batman: Arkham City, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, and of course, Uncharted. We certainly expected the latter, but the other games surprised me. I was tempted to play the game simply to see it fall far short of these titles I consider among the best ever. Yet again, I was wrong.

Tomb Raider doesn't reinvent the genre, but it does perfect it. Younger gamers may not remember Lara's original adventures, games that clearly inspired Naughty Dog with the Uncharted series. I can't say that Tomb Raider is an all-around, better game than Uncharted 2, which recently made my list of top 5 games this generation, but I can say it goes toe-to-toe and even bests it in many categories. Consider this: Uncharted 2's main advantages are its graphics, story and characters, which are all slightly better than what you'll find in Tomb Raider. Aside from Lara, who's equally as interesting as Nathan Drake, the other Tomb Raider characters are largely forgettable. The storyline is predictable and most of the twists are telegraphed from a mile away; even so, the story is solid enough to hold you through to the end. The game looks beautiful, but it's still a step below Uncharted. 

Do young gamers remember this...at all?

As for Tomb Raider's strong points, its most significant advantage is in the game's pacing and overall flow. Let's be honest, with Uncharted, you're essentially playing through a movie, albeit, a very beautiful movie. You have to climb up this rock and you must explore this cave. Tomb Raider presents players with a very solid linear experience...if that's how you choose to play. For gamers, like me, who prefer a little exploration, Tomb Raider will appease you as well. The game differs drastically from Uncharted by offering tombs to raid, treasures/items to collect, money to earn, and weapons to upgrade.

Those comparisons to Arkham City, Prime, and RE 4? Completely valid. Crystal Dynamics borrows liberally from those classics, but everything makes sense. For example, you're stranded on an island and start out with a very limited arsenal, both in weaponry and tools. Over time, you gain new items that allow you to traverse new paths you couldn't access before, a la Metroid.

Enough with the comparisons. Tomb Raider stands as on its own as an amazing title that breathes new life into an age-old franchise. The gameplay is rock solid and you'll love getting to know Lara. I really want to applaud Crystal Dynamics for having a game with an incredibly strong female lead, who isn't hyper-sexualized. Yes, Lara is female and yes, she's attractive. But it's far from the focus. I wouldn't say the game deemphasizes any of these factors; however, it doesn't flaunt as so many other games (and movies) tend to do. Lara is a real person and you care about her motivations. You care if she rescues her friends. You care if she lives or dies.

A survivor is born...and a gaming legend reborn.

If you've been a consistent reader of my blog, you've no doubt heard me mention the mixture of fun and quality, a battle critics must consider when reviewing all forms of media. For Tomb Raider, it excels at both. The game is polished, yet incredibly fun. Tomb Raider offers further proof that games can deliver a polished, contained story, while still allowing ample room for exploration. I have no reservations highly recommending it with a score of 9.5/10.

Haven't bought Tomb Raider yet? You're in luck. For March 26, 2013, it's Amazon's Gold Box Deal of the Day, which you can nab for only $41.99. Enjoy!

Score: 9.5/10

Avatar: The Last Airbender Series Review (spoiler-free)

Every child has a cartoon show they grow up loving. From Batman to Rugrats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Darkwing Duck, we've all had shows influencing our lives in more ways than we'll ever know. For any adults who've revisited their favorite childhood series, they don't always hold up over time. Avatar: The Last Airbender appeals to children, adults, and everyone in between. It's also a series I deeply regret wasn't around for my childhood...because it's incredible.

Upon hearing the concept of The Last Airbender, I found myself instantly intrigued. I browsed through the DVD section a few times, but never made a purchase. After all, what full-time, working adult has time for cartoons right? I thought about catching M. Night Shyamalan's film version instead, but found it was met with incredibly poor reviews from critics and fans alike.

I finally ended up starting the series when I noticed they had made their way to Netflix and found myself perusing through Netflix's library searching for something fresh and new. It certainly didn't hurt when renowned fantasy novelist Pat Rothfuss listed the series on his blog either. I thought I'd watch a few episodes to see what it was all about, but I found myself instantly hooked and ended up watching the entire series over a span of a few weeks.

The Last Airbender tells the story of a young boy named Aang.

For those unfamiliar with the series, this Avatar is in no way related to James Cameron's 2009 film. No, this tells the story of four warring nations: the Earth Kingdom, Water Tribe, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. Within each of these nations, a select few are born with the ability to "bend" an element, respective to their namesake. Bending involves a number of martial art techniques as well as deep meditation and concentration, enabling the bender to manipulate his or her element into a number of different attack, defense, and evasion tactics.

Three of the four nations live quite harmoniously, yet the Fire Nation, in a quest for greed and power, attacked the other nations, upsetting the balance in the world. This launched what became known as the 100 years war. As the title's opening sequence states, "only the Avatar, master of all four elements can stop them." The Avatar alone has the ability to bend all four elements, yet he must train diligently to perfect each of them. As a continuously reborn spirit, Aang also has the ability to channel his predecessors and seek their wisdom throughout the series.

Many of the themes are cliche and you've almost certainly seen them before, but they're put together in such an incredible package it's easy to forget you probably know what's coming. What separates The Last Airbender, and makes it so unique are the Eastern cultural references. They're fairly obvious once you watch the show so I won't outline them all here, but you'll likely find a number of nationalities, beliefs, and faiths represented throughout. The characters are phenomenal and easily relatable. Even though it's a cartoon, they often behave as people would in the real world. The issues and problems they face are real world issues everyone could benefit from revisiting again and again.

Friendship and loyalty are paramount to Aang's success.

I can't recommend this series enough for parents of young children. I look forward to the day when I have a child of my own because we'll definitely be revisiting this series together. The timeless themes of peace, freedom, equality, and friendship ring true throughout the whole series and will be just as applicable to the next generation as they are to the present one. For parents, it's fascinating to see how the parenting of each main character plays a monumental role in who they become. Every main character has a parental conflict they must resolve and the decision plays a crucial role in how each will live the rest of their life.

The writers capped off Aang's story with a 90 minute-plus finale (most episodes are 23-25 minutes) and I have to say it proved to be one of the most satisfying conclusions to any story I've ever heard - be it novel, movie, or television show. The Last Airbender certainly isn't perfect as they are a few head-scratching episodes along the way. They're few and far between, but if I had viewed the show on a weekly basis then I would have likely been disappointed on a few occasions. Overall though, what you'll find here is quite simply fantastic and I don't think I've ever been so emotionally impacted by a series - especially an animated series - in such a way. You truly feel for these characters and hurt when they're in pain, rejoice at their triumphs.

I'm certainly not an anime aficionado so I admit to not knowing how this stacks up to other popular animated series; however, I do know what makes for good entertainment and the The Last Airbender absolutely blew me away. Watching the entire series so quickly proved bittersweet because I didn't want it to end. Luckily, the same writers who brought Aang's story to the world have just launched a new series set in the same universe. The Legend of Korra debuts today, April 14th, on Nickelodeon. If it's anything close to the same quality of The Last Airbender, children across the world (and maybe a few adults too) are in for one amazing ride.

10 out of 10

Journey Review (spoiler-free)

Year after year gamers spend millions and millions of dollars on titles like Gears of War, Call of Duty, and Madden. I've played each of these myself and have enjoyed all three at some point; however, I don't believe anyone out there would deem them original, especially after the countless sequels we see every year. Journey is one of the most unique titles I've ever played and it couldn't be more different from the aforementioned titles. In a few short paragraphs, I'd like to share with you a little about my experience with this title; however, I won't make you wait to learn exactly how I feel. If you own a Playstation 3, buy - this - game.

Journey is a Playstation Network exclusive from That Game Company, the very same folks who brought critically acclaimed titles such as FlOw and Flower to the Playstation 3. Journey blows them both away. Whereas those games were solely about the experience with very loose objectives, Journey offers clearer objectives with an even more emotional experience, spiritual even.

Breathtaking Visuals.

You control an unnamed traveler and must guide him (or her?) to the top of a mountain. That's it. That's the goal of Journey. What's amazing is how the game reveals objectives and gameplay mechanics with minimal information and no spoken voice whatsoever. The creators want you to feel totally engrossed in the experience. There is no HUD with a health bar cluttering the screen or even any text, aside from the very beginning when the game instructs you on how to control your character.

Chances are high you will come across a fellow traveler or two as you make the trek across the vast desert. No matchmaking. No connecting. Just there. You can choose to carry out your quest alone and ignore the traveler or you can stick together, side by side for the entire game. There are minor benefits to traveling with a companion yet they aren't significant enough to hamper your experience should you choose to go it alone.

Journey does a lot of things well. There are three particular components every video game needs and Journey does all exceptionally well: pacing, music, and visuals.

The game can be completed in two hours (or less if you're in a hurry), which may seem too short even with the game's $15 price tag. Trust me...it's worth it. First, this isn't a game you'll want to rush through. Pacing is everything and the sense of reward upon discovering a new locale or improving your character's ability will have you exploring every inch of this breathtaking desert. Secondly, you'll want to play through the game more than once. There are minor rewards for beating the game multiple times, which I won't spoil here. Because the game is so short, I didn't hesitate to jump back in for another play-through.

The score is fantastic and isn't just a complement to the game; it's part of the game. As great as the music is, the visuals round out the package with a graphical showcase rivaling even the finest looking Playstation 3 games. The gentle flutter of your cloak. A subtle path in the sand. Little details like this persist throughout your entire adventure.

I have never played a perfect game; yet, I can truthfully say any qualms one may have with Journey are guaranteed to be levied at the type of game rather than its actual execution. This isn't my favorite game of all time or even the best game I've ever played, but I can't think of a single change I would have made to this epic tale. I am fairly confident this will be a timeless classic we'll long to return to years from now. In an industry overrun with killstreaks and headshots, Journey is a breath of fresh air. Besides the fact it's wholly original and incredibly breathtaking, Journey will evoke feelings and emotions you've never felt in a video game before.

10 out of 10.

Mass Effect 3 Review (Minor Spoilers)

Upon completing Mass Effect 2, I instantly heralded Bioware's masterpiece as one of the best games I had ever played. The game combines RPG elements, 3rd person shooting, and adventure in a unique way, but I wouldn't call it "great" in any of those categories. No...it's the story that makes the Mass Effect series into such a beloved trilogy.The final installment of Commander Shepard's journey sends the series out in style by once again delivering one of the best games I've ever played.

As a whole, the series is one of the most ambitious projects I've ever seen in gaming. For those who have yet to play any of the games (seriously...what are you waiting for?), the most unique aspect of Mass Effect is the choices you make throughout each game. Bioware implemented a system that allows players to transport saves and characters over from Mass Effect 1, into Mass Effect 2, and again into Mass Effect 3*.  If you allow a character to die in Mass Effect 2, they won't appear in Mass Effect 3. Elect to destroy a certain place in one game and it will have repercussions in the following games. This creates an open system where a plethora of different scenarios can play out for a given player. Only Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain comes anywhere close to such a system...and it was done on a much smaller scale. Throughout each game, you'll be forced to make tough choices. Sure, many are black and white with a clear good and evil path in mind, yet there are a few decisions you'll agonize over. 

*Playstation 3 (PS3) gamers do not have the option of playing the original Mass Effect as it not available for the system; however, Bioware included an interactive comic with PS3 copies of Mass Effect 2 allowing players to learn the gist of the story and to even make a few important choices that impacts future games. 

Gamers around the world have been with these characters for quite some time so it's only natural to have such a strong attachment to many of the characters and locales. Mass Effect 3 strikes a particularly strong chord when the series prime antagonists begin to attack Earth. Commander Shepard must then navigate through political boundaries and take on age-old prejudices in an attempt to unite the galaxy. 

The overall mechanics and feel of the game receive minor improvements and fine-tuning. The shooting mechanics are drastically improved over Mass Effect 2 and it's one of the very first things I noticed. I played as an Adept in Mass Effect 2 and relied primarily on biotics (think "the force") to take out my foes. This time I went with a Sentinel and had the best of both worlds using a mixture of gunplay and biotics. Because of the improvement in gunplay, I strongly preferred playing as the Sentinel rather than the Adept. 

The story is once again top-notch and delivers in almost every way. The ending is where Mass Effect 3 has seemed to hit a snag with fans (as endings to beloved trilogies so often do). Quite a few fans have expressed their extreme displeasure with the series ending. Some have even went as far as starting a petition pleading with Bioware to alter the ending (which I find ridiculous). Others have come up with theories of their own attempting to cast the ending in a different light. I won't say much more for fear of spoiling things, but I must say I didn't have this reaction to the ending. In fact, I would argue most gamers won't take issue with the ending...until they view the other endings. I'll just leave it at that.

My one gripe with the ending centered around more of a design and gameplay issue rather than a story-driven issue. It should be no surprise that you are faced with yet another choice in the games final moments. Depending on how you played the game, there is potential for 3 different choices at the end. My issue isn't with the choices themselves; rather, it's how you choose the choices. Maybe I was so caught up in the moment, but the way to perform each action was honestly unclear to me. Upon making the choice, there is no "are you certain this the choice you want to make?" or "turn back now!" No...the choice is made and then you get to watch how things play out from that moment. 

Despite the issues with the ending, Mass Effect 3 is an incredibly ambitious piece of art that will be played for generations to come. Emotional moments stick and characters remain etched in your mind. Choices are debated and your decisions can prove costly. Everything (not hyperbole) hangs in the balance and falls on the shoulder of one man (or woman, depending on your character). As an avid gamer, I can offer Mass Effect 3 no higher compliment than to say it has earned a permanent spot on my video game shelf. 

9.5 out of 10.

Review: Mockingjay (*minor spoilers*)

Unlike my hiatus between reading The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, I wasted no time in starting the final piece of Suzanne Collins' post-apocalyptic trilogy, Mockingjay. 

To be quite frank, there's very little of the story I can divulge here without spoiling significant plot points in the book. Let me just say, this installment has an entirely different feel from the previous two. The series' landscape series changes drastically and the series' protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, must decide what part she will play in the shaping of Panem. 

The story continues right where Catching Fire left off and it takes plenty of twists and turns throughout. We are introduced to new characters (more on that later), new locales, and new obstacles for Katniss. Parts of the story are somewhat slow-paced, but it makes sense with what's occurring. Once the core conflict begins, it builds rapidly and we're left with an incredibly intense climax ending in one the series' best twists.

One writing style variation I noticed with Mockingjay is how choppy sections of the story came across on paper. This could be because I plowed through this volume rather rapidly; however, my gut tells me otherwise. Rather, I think it more likely this was a specific stylistic choice by the author. Again, without giving too much away, Katniss suffers from a series of post-war effects resulting from the violence, loss, and the sheer emotional roller coaster that takes place throughout the series. 

Continuing with the series' tradition, Katniss conveys the events in first person throughout Mockingjay. She's broken,confused, and at times, completely detached from reality. This all but confirms the theory that the somewhat choppy writing is intentional. Of course Katniss is going to have trouble recollecting the events that take place throughout this war-torn world of Panem. 

My biggest gripe is in the sheer magnitude of new, flat characters. Finnick, Johanna, and Betee all return; however, other newcomers are glazed over and we barely get a chance to know them. Near the middle portion of the book, I found myself constantly asking "who?" as I attempted to recall the character's origin and relationship to Katniss. There were several points in the book when I truly had no recollection of certain characters. 

Yet again, I'm hesitant to judge too harshly for this perceived flaw. I remind myself of the 1st person narrative and how this is Katniss' story. Perhaps the characters are coming and going just as fast for her as they are for the reader. She's been continuously manipulated so I'm inclined to believe she's simply struggling to trust those around her. Because of her mental state, she can ill-afford to spend time making friends with her new companions. Regardless of Collins' intent, I found the choppiness more tolerable than the "faceless" characters parading around with Katniss during the series' climax.

Collins' anti-war theme rings like a trumpet throughout Mockingjay. Characters we've come to know and love suffer from severe post-traumatic stress. Some disappear altogether leaving us empty because of their absence. Beloved characters die. Others barely want to live. War.

I enjoyed the ending yet it's far from a "feel good" ending. In fact, the brief epilogue is a minor attempt to assuage the pain that takes place in series' final moments. Even the epilogue leaves a hollow sensation in your stomach because the reader truly comes to understand the magnitude of the barbaric Hunger Games.

Finishing the series has given me a greater appreciation for the first installment and although my qualms still stand, I can certainly see why this series has garnered such a following. Count me among that number. I'll be one of the first in line when The Hunger Games hits the big screen this March.

4.5 out of 5.

Review: Catching Fire (*minor spoilers*)

Roughly one month after completing The Hunger Games, I decided to continue with Suzanne Collins' 2nd installment in her 3-part series. Although giving the first book a 4 out of 5, I admitted I was somewhat disappointed. As a result, I didn't begin book 2 immediately. Looking back, I wish I'd read Catching Fire sooner because I found it to be equally entertaining and slightly more unpredictable.

The story kicks off shortly after the end of book 1. Katniss must slowly come to terms with the fact that she is a rallying point for many citizens of Panem. By committing one specific act near the end of The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen took a stand against the Capitol...without even realizing it. As a result, President Snow makes a personal visit to Katniss' new home in Victor's Village. Snow is briefly mentioned in the first book, but we really get a chance to see just how evil he is in Catching Fire. 

In short, he's incredibly displeased and issues a rather daunting ultimatum for Katniss, which I won't spoil here. We get to know Gale even more as a character, Peeta and Haymitch return, along with several new characters who I found interesting and effective. Finnick, Johanna, and Beetee are a few of the fresh new faces for Catching Fire. All three have intriguing backstories, yet they refrain from stealing the spotlight of other fan favorites.

I won't give everything away here, but let's just say this installment surprised me much more than book 1. Some of the tropes are familiar; however, I was still pleased with the payoff more often than not. There's one very surprising twist midway through the book that I truly didn't see coming. "Cruel" and "despicable" are just a couple of the words that come to mind. Overall, the book manages to keep the same dark tone as the original. The characters are again one of the strongest points of the series. Katniss remains as brooding as ever with an even more somber outlook for her future. 

I never realized it while reading The Hunger Games, but Collins true purpose becomes indisputable throughout Catching Fire. The entire series is anti-war, anti-violent, and pro-peace. Despite the countless acts of violence, Collins boldly states her claim that war can never lead to true peace.

Catching Fire ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger and I have to say, I felt much more compelled to read book 3 after finishing this time. I began Mockingjay almost immediately and will have a review up soon. 

Ultimately, Catching Fire was ever so slightly stronger due to its ability to surprise on several different occasions; that, combined with the series' staples, gives it a slightly higher overall score. I can't wait to see how Katniss' story ends.

4.5 out of 5.

Review: The Hunger Games (*minor spoilers*)

As with any book that garners significant media attention, I found myself intrigued by what I heard about The Hunger Games. My hype and expectations for the series were quite high starting out. The Harry Potter series is truly what turned me on to reading more than a decade ago and many of my fellow Potter fans spoke highly of The Hunger Games. As a result, I decided to check it out.

Suzanne Collins' first installment of her post-apocalyptic trilogy tells the story of Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year old resident of District 12 (what used to be parts of Appalachia). Katniss comes off as a confident, sometimes even brash, teenage girl with a keen eye for hunting game. She and her best friend Gale routinely break the law, slipping under the District 12 fence to do what they do best: hunt.

Unfortunately for Katniss, my previous sentence was not a typo. Hunting any sort of game is considered a punishable offense according to the Capitol. This post-apocalyptic world isn't a pleasant one and the Capitol is hardly a peaceful ruling body. The 12 districts are forced to provide them with natural resources, yet the Capitol takes it a step further. Every year, they demand each district participate in what is aptly named, The Reaping. All 12 distrcits must send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the dreaded Hunger Games, a sickening fight to the death between children. The unfortunate "winners" are then given the title of Tribute. Only one can leave the Hunger Games alive and thus, claim the title of victor...but at what cost?

I'll leave the rest of the story to you. As for my take on the book, I was honestly a little let down; however, I would still highly recommend it. Let me explain. Firstly, my expectations were probably too high going into the series. I expected something epic and what I got was just a solid, well-written novel with an intriguing story.

My biggest qualm with the book is a simple one: predictability. There were very few times I was shocked by an event or surprised at some of the "twists" throughout. Although incredibly brave and smart in her own right, Katniss is not a terribly good judge of people. Self-admittedly, she struggles with communicating her feelings throughout the book and is a terrible public speaker (also self-admitted). So while I saw almost everything before it was about to happen, Katniss seems stunned at the most obvious plot twists.

In her defense, you can never be too trusting in an arena full of 23 other teenagers whose only hope for freedom is to slit your throat. For that reason, I can forgive Katniss and understand Collins' reasoning in writing Katniss as such a cautious protagonist.

Aside from that, Katniss is a character I absolutely loved to read. The story is told through her eyes and you instantly relate to her from the very first page. Her strong bond with her younger sister Prim. Her longing for her deceased father. And her struggling relationship with her mother. There's something here for anyone to relate.

Katniss isn't the only strong character. Peeta Mellark is probably my favorite character of the entire series thus far. He keeps Katniss guessing throughout. Haymitch Abernathy and Cinna are two other characters you'll quickly grow to love or hate.

From a technical standpoint, The Hunger Games is a quick read and one most young adults should have no problem reading. Katniss isn't overly wordy and Collins does an excellent job of letting you see the bleak world through her eyes. As with many young adult novels, the primary concern for allowing a child to read or not is definitely subject matter. Many young people - children, even - die gruesome deaths throughout the Hunger Games. I expected Collins to shy away from this due to the young adult focus of the series; however, she stays true to her story and lets the reader in on all the grizzly details.

The Hunger Games will certainly draw comparisons to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Saga, mainly due to the complicated love triangle persistent in each series. However, that is where the comparisons should end. The Hunger Games is a tragic, unique tale that stands on its own as a bleak, all the while riveting, account of a seriously disturbing world. Part of what makes The Hunger Games so great is its ability to take part of the world we know, and totally twist it into a chilling future. The environment may be different; yet humans still find a way to live, love, and ultimately, a way to overcome. Expect to see this series catch even more fire (pun intended) as it hits the silver screen in March of this year.

4 out of 5.

Review: Heavy Rain (spoiler-free)

I've been playing video games for a long time and never have I played a game quite like Heavy Rain. Remember those old choose-your-own adventure books that were popular back in the 90's?  Heavy Rain is like a choose-your-own adventure video game...on steroids.  It is an adventure game at heart that features quick-time events, which have different outcomes depending on how many buttons you manage to hit. Although the game certainly has flaws, every adult PS3 owner should play this game.

I stress the word adult, because this a mature game in every sense of the word.  Where games like Grand Theft Auto receive the M rating for language and crazy amounts of violence, Heavy Rain gets the M rating for all those reasons combined with scenes of intense psychological decision-making that truly have you considering your own personal morals as a person.

Heavy Rain's main draw is the story and I have to say I was sucked in from the very beginning.  I'm not sure I've ever played a game that has literally had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. You really begin to develop a relationship with the characters as you progress and you'll find yourself striving to get the best possible ending for them.  Did I mention there's no game over screen?  That's right...you hold their very lives in your hands.  Miss a button sequence and a particular character may never be seen again.  The story will simply continue on without them.  This is partially why Heavy Rain manages to draw you in so quickly.  Every button and decision you make feels monumentally important.

One of the game's four main characters

The great thing about the decisions and quick-time button sequences is that you don't really know how much it will affect the overall story.  You might think that sounds like a disadvantage, but let me explain.  I played through the game with several friends playing along at the same time.  At times, we would make different choices and end up with the same result.  In other instances, one of us could miss a small detail and our story was totally changed.  One example is a particular fight scene where my friend missed a couple button presses during a quick-time sequence.  Although his character lived through the fight, he missed an extremely vital piece of information that came as a result of hitting all the buttons in that fight.  Because of the fact that you don't know if you are making a life or death decision, you feel the pressure with every button you press because it could totally change the game.  You just never know.

As I said earlier, the game truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.  I simply could not play the game while laying down.  The second I relaxed, a quick-time button sequence would pop up in the middle of an intense scene and I was forced to jolt myself into a position ideal for extreme focus.

Your satisfaction with the game's conclusion will result mostly from the decisions you've made throughout.  Some have noted that the last few chapters are a bit of a letdown and that there are several plot holes at the end.  I do agree with the the plot hole argument (although most of the major stuff is answered), but I absolutely loved the last few chapters.  Maybe it had to do with the particular characters I had living or dead, but I loved Heavy Rain's final chapters and my story's outcome.  Oh and for the record...I was completely and utterly floored when the Origami Killer's identity was finally revealed.

I highly recommend this game to any adult PS3 owner.  Heavy Rain is far from perfect, but it's just one of those games where you completely ignore the flaws.  I became so engrossed in the story that even the game's wonky control scheme felt second nature.  You'll be saying to yourself, "yes this game has flaws, but man it sure does get a lot of things right."  Unique, original games like Heavy Rain don't come around too often.  Buy it.  Now.

9/10

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Review

From time to time I will post my reviews of various movies, video games, books, etc... So for my first review, I'm reviewing Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

The sequel to the surprise hit, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, is as good, if not better, than its predecessor in every way. Everyone's favorite pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow, is in deep trouble because of a debt he owes to the mysterious Davy Jones. Without giving too much away, both Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan get swept up into the adventure as well. You'll also meet up with Commodore Norrington, Bootstrap Bill, and a couple of new character's as well. There is another character who makes a surprise appearance which I couldn't possibly give away (If you really want to know who it is just look at the cast for the 1st and 2nd movie).

I must confess that I didn't even see the first film until a year or so after its release. It was one of those movies that I wanted to go see, but I never really got around to it. After seeing the first movie, I was completely blown away. I definitely regret not watching it in theaters. It was such a great movie, combining so many different elements to create a really "fun" picture. I was so eagerly awaiting this movie that I actually feared that I would have a big letdown. I need not have worried becuase everything you loved about the first film returns in heavy doses: more Jack, more action, creepier baddies, and a very intriguing plot. Those thinking of watching Dead Man's Chest without having seen Curse of the Black Pearl shouldn't even bother. Many of the movie's funniest moments come when characters make reference to events that took place in first film.

Some have criticized Pirates' length. Coming in right at 2 1/2 hours, the film is fairly lenghty; however, I feel the length is just right. The movie flowed at a very good pace, providing a nice combinination of action, drama, and comedy. So many movies these days end so quickly that you feel cheated after it's over, even if it is a good movie. Leaving the theather after Pirates feels quite satisfying. That being said, by no means will you leave the theater without begging for more. The conclusion of Dead Man's Chest will leave even the most casual fan stunned. Needless to say, this cliff-hanger ending will have everyone rushing off to see Pirates 3 next Summer. Dead Man's Chest will take you on one heck of a ride, a long one at that, and leave everyone screaming for more. Most of my favorite movies are what many call "epic." I don't really see Pirates of the Caribbean as epic, but looking at the overall story does create a bit of an "epic" feel. These movies are just so "fun" that both are among my favorite movies of all-time.