Mike Epstein's discussions

If you have a suggestion for next month's Game Club selection, let me know right here! Read more

A couple of people mentioned last week that they had more puzzle-solving issues in co-op than in the single-player campaign. Read more

I'll say this: I wasn't really in shock when figured out what you were supposed to do, but when you started getting sucked out into space! I have to say I was expecting another boss section on the moon instead. Read more

I'll say this: I wasn't really in shock when figured out what you were supposed to do, but when you started getting sucked out into space! I have to say I was expecting another boss section on the moon instead. Read more

GLaDOS story is the game's primary storyline, I'd say. But you aren't playing as GLaDOS - We're experiencing another character's evolution as we go through the game. Until the very end GLaDOS' self-awareness doesn't effect you at all. Read more

To speak to my own long diatribe, as much as loved GLaDOS' own story - Learning about Caroline, GLaDOS experiencing human emotions - I didn't feel the same kind of pull that I did in the original. I also think we could've used a little more time apart from GLaDOS: When she's not omnipresent, she's interacting with you… Read more

I think it's worth talking about, since it's probably the minority opinion here. Did he say what he didn't like about it? Read more

Well I imagine that, similar to with the white gel, they would have controlled where and when you had access to it. That said, I think it's another example of adding a potentially game-breaking element, which is very risky. Read more

I know it's a slippery slope, what I think we can also talk about some of things that COULD have been in Portal 2. For example, there was going to be another gel in the game that allowed the player to walk on any surface it touched, including walls and ceilings. The development team cut the gel because it supposed… Read more

Interesting. Why do you think that is? What was the major shift? Read more

Interesting. Why do you think that is? What was the major shift? Read more

Absolutely, and that's what makes the game so enjoyable. The issue is when you finish the puzzle without having that moment: I don't think it happens that everyone, which is a testament to how good a teacher the game is. Read more

Well I definitely think the conversion gel is really bold. In a way it takes you off the rails even further considering that you can't count on your ability to just see where to go next. the one puzzle where you can pretty much paint anything can get really confusing: It's like a magic eye puzzle: Some people just… Read more

Let's talk about learning: One of Portal's greatest strengths is the ability to guide the player without overt hand-holding. Despite being a completely linear game, Portal doesn't ever push you in a direction. Even when the path isn't clear, per se (like during a puzzle) the rooms are designed in a way that lets you… Read more

Also, did you seriously beat him without a Skyward Strike? That's really intense! Read more

I liked Groose too. I dismissed him at first as a throwaway character but in the end he turns out to be a really interesting addition. Read more

Yusu, Read more

So let's talk about the last Ghirahim fight: I think that particular fight managed to bring out the one gameplay component I was really missing in the game: Actual sword-fighting. Read more

So before we get into the swing of things, please use this thread to suggest what game(s) you'd be interested in playing next month. Read more

See I'm so interested in whether people will be interested so much as whether Zelda is running out of steam mechanically and thematically. Read more