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Evan Narcisse Author Bio

Status: Trapped in a world he never made!

Last Login: November 20, 2009 1:57:41 PM
Joined: March 18, 2008 5:15:59 AM

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“Welcome to the King of Iron Fist!”: Practice Makes Perfect?
By Evan Narcisse | November 12, 2009
Let others have their Madden, NBA or Bigs franchises. Tekken games are my sport. Ever since Tekken 3 in college, I’ve spent hours in the various games’ Practice Modes, working out my own ways to link moves together. That hasn’t changed much over the years. It’s happened that Lei Wu-Long’s become my main guy. My Tiger Woods, my Michael Jordan, if you will. [more] I’ve also picked up some decent skills with Paul Phoenix and Xiaoyu, too. However, one thing I hate about Tekken 6’s Practice mode is having to manually select each move your CPU opponent throws at you. In older versions, you could set their behavior to attack and they’d constantly come at you. It was the best option for training but isn’t apparently available here. Now, you’ve got to click every move you want to defend against. When a character like Armor King has 105 moves, it gets very tedious. On the plus side, I’ve ...

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“Welcome to the King of Iron Fist!”: Somewhat Drunken Kung-Fu
By Evan Narcisse | November 8, 2009
Fry It or no, I’m going to be playing Tekken 6. I’ve played it since college and it’s too late to back out now. Elsewhere, I’ve compared fighting franchise loyalties to allegiance to a political party. Getting me on KOF or Street Fighter would be akin to asking a Republican congressman to sign off on health care reform. The last Tekken game would blurt out the phrase in this post’s title when the character select screen opened up and it’s always stuck with me. It’s always been a bit weird to have a super-friendly announcer welcome you to a brutal bare-knuckle fighting tournament, but that’s the least bizarre thing about Tekken. Anyhoo, I’m planning on using these “Welcome to the King of Iron Fist!” posts to be an informal journal of my progress ...

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Apple: Would-Be Improvements for Games on iTunes?
By Evan Narcisse | September 29, 2009
Games on the iPhone are a wonder to behold and sometimes, even a joy to play. The iPhone’s pretty much single-handedly resurrected mobile gaming into a category worth caring about and all of the major players in the industry recognize that. During their last product event, Apple specifically called out Sony’s PSP and Nintendo’s DS handhelds while touting the iPod Touch as a superior experience. Traditionally, Apple hasn’t made many waves in the gaming space. But, after engineering a sea change in handheld gaming with more than 20,000 games on the App Store, one might understand the reason for their gloating. But it’s not all rainbows and unicorns in Apple-land. I met with Apple representatives about a week ago as they showed the latest iteration of the iPod product line. After getting the lowdown about the shiny newness, I offered ...

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Expert Testimony: Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney
By Evan Narcisse | September 10, 2009
Folks from all walks of life play videogames. But most people who pick up an Xbox 360 controller aren't ever going to be in an off-planet firefight against an extraterrestrial coalition -- like Halo's Master Chief. The lives of gaming's iconic characters don't resemble everyday reality. But every so often, a game uses a real-life profession as a jumping-off point for its adventures. I've decided to ask people to weigh in on these pixilated interpretations of their professions. When it released in the U.S. in 2005, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney became a hit on the Nintendo DS. The quirky characters and tense courtroom scenarios won over a good-sized chunk of people. Sue Hong wasn't one of those people, though. Though she owns a DS, Hong was too busy earning her keep as a lawyer after passing the New York and New ...

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It’s A Small World, After All: What the Disney/Marvel Deal Could Mean for Video Games
By Evan Narcisse | August 31, 2009
We’ll finally get to see whose berserker rage is more fearsome: Donald Duck or Wolverine. And, can it be long before we see a family feud with the Incredibles meeting the Fantastic Four? Early this morning, Disney Entertainment issued a press released detailing heir acquisition of Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion dollars. It’s the kind of mega-conglomerate corporate merger that hasn’t been seen in the last decade, made all the more unique given the current economic climate. During an investor call earlier today, Disney execs called out their company’s strength at marketing and distribution combined with Marvel’s “treasure trove of content.” They also name-checked Pixar in terms of how acquiring the animation studio contributed to their overall technological strength. They see Marvel in the same ...

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Extra Credit & A Giveaway: Recommended Reading for Arkham Asylum
By Evan Narcisse | August 27, 2009
Folks seem to love Arkham Asylum. (I certainly did.) So there’s much Twitter-ing and discussion about the game. If you’ve roamed around the web, other people will direct you to read Grant Morrison’s classic graphic novel Batman: Arkham Asylum–A Serious House on Serious Earth. I say *pfah* to that.There’s nothing wrong per se with Morrison’s super-deconstructed Jungian take on Batman and his rogues. With Dave McKean’s art driving the storytelling, it certainly delivers a sense of the sort of madness Batman must grapple with to emerge victorious. But the game it shares a name with doesn’t draw much from that vibe, with the notable exception of the Arkham lineage itself being cursed.For my money, there are other comics that the game owes ...

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Cutting Room Floor: The Game District 9 Really Reminded Me Of
By Evan Narcisse | August 20, 2009
One of the reasons Crispy Gamer's one of the best game journalism sites on the internet is because we've got kick-ass editors. (Take your bows, Ryan & Elise.) They keep us on track and honest, as well as doing the demanding job of trimming the fat from our articles. But, fat still tastes good, right? With that in mind, I wanted to share a bit that got snipped from my column about District 9: Aside from Halo, District 9 also reminded me of Insomniac’s Resistance series on the PS3, in the way that both Wikus van der Merwe and Nathan Hale are losing their humanity to alien infections. As ...

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True Confessions: This is why I'm still playing Fight Night 4
By Evan Narcisse | August 17, 2009
Fight Night Round 4 came out more than a month ago. By all rights, I should've moved on. When I mentioned that I was still playing it to Scott Jones (who penned our review), he exclaimed, "You're still on that?!" I can understand his surprise, though. You never get to linger when you're a reviewer. I probably have replayed a game in more than two years, because I always need to be on to the next thing. Even during the slow periods like the one we're just coming out of, downloadable games like Shadow Complex. So, why am I still indulging in a game that I admittedly only have begrudging respect for? Why am I still putting time into a game where poor menu layouts, useless e-mail messages and annoying training mini-games sap my enthusiasm before my avatar even gets in the ring?(Don't even get me started on the way the counter-punch is way over-valued...) This is why.
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When It Comes to Demos, Size Matters?
By Evan Narcisse | August 10, 2009
As promised, I played the Batman: Arkham Asylum demo over the weekend. Lots of you Crispy readers probably did the same. For my part, I loved what I played and can’t wait to get a full build in my hands. But, man… was the demo ever skimpy! It took longer to download than it did to play! I cleared out some older demos to make room for the Bat-demo. Doing that got me thinking about the same issue I always have with demos: How much is a satisfying chunk? It’s idle speculation, but I think I’ve been covering the business long enough to know that demos are almost always produced under duress. The console manufacturer wants something to feed their marketplace pipeline, potential consumers want hands-on access ...

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How Far Away Is the Future?: Recommended Reading on Digital Distribution
By Evan Narcisse | August 5, 2009
Fat Princess just launched last week; you can read my review of the latest PSN game here. Elsewhere on the interwebs, complaints have been floating about the connectivity issues plaguing people who are trying to play Titan Studios’ maiden effort. If it feels like déjà vu, it’s because much the same thing happened with Battlefield 1943 just last month. Sure, the bugs for each game are already fixed or will be eliminated soon, but will launches like these just be the reality of digitally distributed games? [more] For an interesting look at what it’ll take to build thatreality, I recommend reading anarticle ...

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Vitals: 35, with a mostly full head of hair

Education: B.A. from New York University, majored in Political Science with a minor in Journalism and Africana Studies

I, along with a slightly older twin brother, was born in 1972 in Brooklyn, New York. After a culturally arid existence in the 'burbs, I escaped to New York University's journalism program. Countless ramen meals later, I wound up at Teen People magazine, where I helped to initiate the magazine's videogame and tech coverage. Since then, I've gone on to write about videogames, technology, comic books and pop culture for Entertainment Weekly, Essence, AOL, the Washington Post, Stuff and Complex.

I consider myself lucky enough to be a professional nerd, making a living writing about all the obsessions he was teased about. Now former jocks beg me for free videogames.

Publications: Teen People, AOL GameDaily, Essence, Time Out New York, Time Out New York Kids, Time Out Chicago, Stuff, Complex

Platforms played: PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS and Wii.

Genres played: Action/adventure, racing, fighting, puzzle.

Multiplayer or single-player: Single-player and co-op.

My favorite Top 10 games ever played (in no particular order, haters):

1) Portal
2) Shadow of the Colossus
3) Beyond Good & Evil
4) Flashback: The Quest for Identity on Sega Genesis
5) The modern Prince of Persia trilogy
6) Metroid on the NES
7) The Tekken series
8) Ico
9) Rez
10) Every Extend Extra
11) The Soul Calibur series
12) The Lumines games
I'll take all comers in Lumines Vs. Mode and will generally accept challenges in Tekken.

What makes me tick: Melanin, jazz music, hip-hop from the late '80s and early'90s, good comics and the energy of NYC.

The Crispy Minute - DJ Hero

November 17, 2009 10:52:25 AM

Ryan: I liked what you had to say about the interface and the symbols. It serves a good reminder that DJing (and hip-hop, really) has always been really forward-looking in terms of technology. So, it'd be really cool if what you say about the controller being hacked to actually create music came to pass. That too would be quintessentially hip-hop.

John: Great use of external video!
"It's a Massacre!": The Appalling Failure of Modern Warfare 2's "No Russian" Mission

November 16, 2009 5:18:37 PM

Most of the doormen in my building all know what I do and one of them stopped me to talk about MW2. He loved the game. This particular guy is a former serviceman, a retired Army Ranger to be exact. I know he's seen some action but never pressed him on where.

I asked him what he thought of No Russian. He thought it went too far. "There's always going to be collateral damage," he said, "but that mission was beyond that." Here's a guy who's probably had actual bullets whizzing and he was still bothered by No Russian. I think when a vet's gotta think twice about that kind of fictional situation, your narrative execution might be a little off.
Games That Time Forgot: Retro Game Challenge (2009)

November 13, 2009 4:19:07 PM

This was surprisingly poignant, John.

Part of me wonders if the pain of nostalgia is what fuels the raging fanboy backlash we see in gaming culture. The anger is at the fact is that they can't have that homecoming again. Things have changed but they want to act as if they can still engage with the object of their obsessions with as if they haven't.
Games That Time Forgot: Every Extend Extra (2006)

November 13, 2009 2:08:40 PM

@Newbrof:

See, I think EEEE on XBLA is a little too forgiving compared to the PSP game. But, I do agree on how beautiful it is to score billions of points in such a small time. So rewarding.
“Welcome to the King of Iron Fist!”: Practice Makes Perfect? by Evan Narcisse

November 12, 2009 1:39:32 PM

@Catastrophic1:

So far, the cheese factory hasn't overloaded T6 yet in my opinion. Granted, I'm only playing on PS3, where there are likely less players but it's not too bad. To me, the best matches are where you and the other player can show off what you can do. Spamming the same attack over and over again doesn't do that.
Commentary Tracks - Brutal Legend

November 12, 2009 11:25:42 AM

I love the "My dad is a therapist" line. Clearly, young Tommy suspects something...
DJ Hero

October 30, 2009 2:50:51 PM

Absolutely great review, Ryan! Really well-written. I was wondering how you'd weigh your own knowledge and practice of DJing against the game's mechanics and it's great to see how even-handed you came out.
TITLE TK

October 20, 2009 12:40:36 AM

@CG-Prophet:

For the cartoons, is it the televised shows like The Batman you're talking about or the DC Direct movies like the New Frontier? I like the DC Direct movies and I really like Batman: The Brave and the Bold series.
TITLE TK

October 20, 2009 12:37:03 AM

@RyanKuo:

I find that it depends on the manufacturer. Altec Lansing makes pretty good speaker units in general.
TITLE TK

October 20, 2009 12:31:09 AM

@Palalong:

The unit I tested didn't seem to suffer any heat issues. FYI: My longest session was about two hours.

Flower (PS3)

User Ratings

50% Buy | 50% Try | 0% Fry

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Weekend Playlist, 11/20/2009
1 Comment
Last November 20, 2009 by CG-Gabe
I still have Dragon Age: Origins to play. I also picked up the God of War Collection, because I had retired my PS2 before they came out. I also picked ...
Experience Points 11/20/2009
1 Comment
Last November 20, 2009 by thk123
Oh Steve, *shakes head*
Experience Points 11/18/2009
8 Comments
Last November 20, 2009 by chrishokeblog
It's a fact: Smokers love Bill and Jockeys love Nick.
Swag Tester: Win a Scribblenauts Rooster Cap
8 Comments
Last November 20, 2009 by joho
After the accident I was told to get something soft to protect the bandages, this might just do the trick.

Ding! 03/30/2009
678 Comments
Last November 15, 2009 by Xenoth
The issue was never that he decided not to make this comic anymore. It was that he said Ding was returning and strung everyone along for months playing ...
So I just played "that part" of Modern Warfare 2
59 Comments
Last November 14, 2009 by Catastrophic1
Well I broke down today and bought the game and I played "No Russian" but unfortunately, probably due to all the talking about it and seeing it on YouTube, ...
Weekend Playlist, 11/13/2009
35 Comments
Last November 18, 2009 by girlgamer21
@RyanKuo: thank for letting me know.
"It's a Massacre!": The Appalling Failure of Modern Warfare 2's "No Russian" Mission
29 Comments
Last November 17, 2009 by RyanKuo
@TomBissell: Pulling out narrative flowcharts to defend the scene doesn't seem so different from calling it out for being awkwardly rammed in, ...

ChknKitty Says

Wow, people win every day in the Chicken Out contest! Sign up and win.

	Review: LittleBigPlanet (PSP) by Evan Narcisse \| 11/17/2009 4:41:07 PM \| 1 comments Sackboy gets cut down in size for his new PSP outing.
	Column: Planet of the Apps: Instant Classics by Evan Narcisse \| 11/11/2009 9:02:01 AM \| 3 comments What gives iPhone games classic status? Evan Narcisse weighs in on six Classic Instants.
	Feature: Games That Time Forgot: Every Extend Extra* (2006)* by Evan Narcisse \| 11/10/2009 9:09:51 AM \| 2 comments This forgotten gem from 2006 put a new spin on suicidal shoot-'em-ups.
	Feature: Games That Time Forgot: Jet Li: Rise to Honor* (2004)* by Evan Narcisse \| 11/6/2009 9:29:35 AM \| 4 comments Jet Li's game from 2004 may have been more influential than you thought.
	Feature: Trick or Treat: 10 Videogame Hero Costume Changes by Evan Narcisse \| 10/28/2009 9:44:05 AM \| 1 comments Videogame characters love to change clothes.
	Feature: Unusual Gadgets and Gifts for Geeks by Evan Narcisse \| 10/19/2009 12:15:21 PM \| 10 comments Get a holiday head start with our gift guide.
	Feature: Where the Cool Things Are: Great Gift Ideas for Kids by Evan Narcisse \| 10/13/2009 12:21:54 PM \| 2 comments Want to think outside the box for the holidays? Check out our gift guide for kids.
	Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 10/7/2009 5:51:20 PM \| 7 comments The latest Star Wars game is a mixed bag for both parents and children.
	Feature: Thought/Process: Full-Court Press by Evan Narcisse \| 10/6/2009 8:16:50 AM \| 6 comments Evan Narcisse looks back at his own (virtual) basketball diaries and examines the elements that excited him the most.
	Review: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 9/18/2009 5:19:50 PM \| 8 comments Superhuman battles get more intense in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Why should you care?
	Feature: Guidance Counseling for Game Characters by Evan Narcisse \| 9/9/2009 10:54:24 AM \| 0 comments These characters should put away the videogames and go back to school.
	Review: Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (PSP) by Evan Narcisse \| 9/1/2009 6:54:42 PM \| 2 comments Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny lives up to both parts of its name.
	Feature: Weight Loss: Things We Want Slimmed Down Like the PS3 Slim by Evan Narcisse \| 9/1/2009 8:46:05 AM \| 2 comments The PS3 Slim is a reminder that gaming can be in poor form.
	Review: Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 8/25/2009 4:03:26 PM \| 5 comments This game is Batman.
	Column: Heroes + Villains: Alter Egos by Evan Narcisse \| 8/24/2009 9:06:06 AM \| 19 comments Superhero games could use some new points of view.
	Column: Thought/Process: Re-Zoning the Districts by Evan Narcisse \| 8/20/2009 6:29:43 PM \| 10 comments "District 9" blows sci-fi games out of the water.
	Column: Planet of the Apps: Honey, I Shrunk the Games! by Evan Narcisse \| 8/20/2009 8:38:35 AM \| 5 comments Can the iPhone give classic games a facelift, or only make them look older?
	Feature: The Games That Dare to Challenge Madden NFL 10 by Evan Narcisse \| 8/13/2009 8:50:16 AM \| 6 comments Madden 10 isn't the only game out this week. These brave games issue a challenge to the sports giant.
	Review: Fat Princess (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 8/4/2009 4:29:45 PM \| 1 comments Fat Princess is a lot to take in, but easy to love.
	Preview: The Five: Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes by Evan Narcisse \| 7/31/2009 4:41:01 PM \| 2 comments Jack droids and be the clones in Republic Heroes. Evan Narcisse has a first look at the latest Star Wars game.
	Preview: The Five: Tekken 6 by Evan Narcisse \| 7/31/2009 4:29:34 PM \| 4 comments Namco's venerable series is still looking to fight. Evan Narcisse previews Tekken 6.
	Column: Heroes + Villains: All Powered Up by Evan Narcisse \| 7/23/2009 4:38:06 PM \| 1 comments The man behind Earthworm Jim brings power-ups to life in his new graphic novel.
	Column: How to Take Your Own Screenshots by Evan Narcisse \| 7/22/2009 8:52:32 AM \| 0 comments Your great gaming moments can live forever. Find out how from Evan Narcisse.
	Column: How to Play PC Games On Your Mac by Evan Narcisse \| 7/22/2009 8:44:58 AM \| 0 comments Installing Windows on your Mac doesn't have to be like putting your cat in the bathtub. We'll show you how.
	Review: Virtua Tennis 2009 (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 7/14/2009 6:02:58 PM \| 2 comments Is fake videogame tennis as fun as real videogame tennis? Evan Narcisse reviews.
	Review: Battlefield 1943 (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 7/14/2009 1:40:14 PM \| 7 comments EA's online- and download-only Battlefield comes with digital woes. Read Evan Narcisse's take.
	Review: The Punisher: No Mercy (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 7/13/2009 4:52:53 PM \| 1 comments This Punisher is far from lethal. Evan Narcisse says there are better ways to wield Marvel's antihero.
	Column: Crispy Adventurers Club Update: StarTropics, Week 1 by Evan Narcisse \| 7/8/2009 7:09:49 PM \| 0 comments The first Crispy Adventure is well underway in StarTropics. Evan Narcisse gives the first field report.
	Feature: Critical Showdown: Electric Jesus vs. Super-Cannibal (Infamous* vs. Prototype)* by Evan Narcisse \| 7/7/2009 7:45:14 AM \| 2 comments Not all sandboxes are created equal. Can you spot the differences between these two?
	Column: Thought/Process: "I'm Too Old for This S#!+!" by Evan Narcisse \| 7/2/2009 8:04:48 AM \| 22 comments Evan Narcisse is getting old, and cranky, and wants these videogame clichés to get off his lawn.
	Review: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 6/29/2009 12:52:37 PM \| 2 comments Autobots and Decepticons combine and transform into an all-powerful tie-in machine. Evan Narcisse reviews.
	Review: The Conduit (Wii) by Evan Narcisse \| 6/26/2009 5:37:30 PM \| 4 comments The Conduit aims to create a channel for hardcore shooters on the Wii. Evan Narcisse sizes it up.
	Feature: Leaders of the New School: Hip-Hop Bum-Rushes the Videogame Stage by Evan Narcisse \| 6/26/2009 7:49:14 AM \| 10 comments Hip-hop is bringing its noise to videogames. Evan Narcisse looks at Def Jam Rapstar and DJ Hero.
	Feature: Pixel to Projector: Game-Inspired Movies by Evan Narcisse \| 6/22/2009 12:36:52 PM \| 6 comments Crispy guides you through the up-and-down world of movies about gaming.
	Feature: Father's Day FTW: Daddy's Little Helpers by Evan Narcisse \| 6/18/2009 3:45:50 PM \| 0 comments For all its rewards, fathering can be hard. Like videogames. But what if dads had these power-ups?
	Feature: Father's Day FTW: 10 Great Games for Dads and Sons to Play Together by Evan Narcisse \| 6/17/2009 10:03:23 AM \| 7 comments These games take the pain away from male bonding.
	Feature: Popcorn Partners: Games to Play After Seeing the Summer's Biggest Movies by Evan Narcisse \| 6/16/2009 11:44:27 AM \| 5 comments Avoid the glut of bad movie tie-ins with these gaming alternatives from Evan Narcisse.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Dante's Inferno by Evan Narcisse \| 6/12/2009 4:27:34 PM \| 0 comments Dante's Inferno tries to trade accuracy for fun in Hell. See what Evan Narcisse thinks of its chances.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Alan Wake by Evan Narcisse \| 6/11/2009 6:30:07 PM \| 0 comments Is Alan Wake a sleeper hit, or are you the one sleeping? Evan Narcisse previews the psychological mystery.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Assassin's Creed II by Evan Narcisse \| 6/10/2009 4:44:20 PM \| 0 comments Assassination takes on a different hue in Renaissance-era Venice. Evan Narcisse previews Assassin's Creed II.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Borderlands by Evan Narcisse \| 6/9/2009 12:16:41 PM \| 0 comments Take a peek at Gearbox's ambitious Borderlands with these exclusive screenshots and Evan Narcisse's first look.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction by Evan Narcisse \| 6/8/2009 5:09:42 PM \| 2 comments Splinter Cell: Conviction put an unexpected chokehold on us at E3 2009.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Star Wars: The Old Republic by Evan Narcisse \| 6/8/2009 4:58:56 PM \| 1 comments Long before Vader and Skywalker, there was your character in the Old Republic. Evan Narcisse previews BioWare's new MMO.
	Column: How to Pad Your Gamerscore by Evan Narcisse \| 6/1/2009 12:50:34 PM \| 4 comments Up your Gamerscore on the cheap with Evan Narcisse's tips.
	Feature: 30 Retro Game Ads in 30 Days: Yar's Revenge by Evan Narcisse \| 5/29/2009 8:27:23 PM \| 1 comments Does a bad commercial threaten your gaming past? Evan Narcisse thinks so.
	Review: Damnation (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 5/26/2009 7:23:51 PM \| 1 comments Cowboys and cybernetics don't mix -- at least, not this way. Evan Narcisse reviews Damnation.
	Review: Infamous (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 5/26/2009 7:06:56 PM \| 20 comments Electricity isn't the only current running through Infamous. It's also imbued with social relevance and comic-book wisdom. Evan Narcisse reviews the open-world game.
	Feature: 30 Retro Game Ads in 30 Days: Dr. Mario by Evan Narcisse \| 5/21/2009 6:44:04 PM \| 1 comments We suspect the makers of this ad overdosed on a Dr. Mario prescription.
	Column: Thought/Process: The Lifetime Pass: What It Is and How to Earn It by Evan Narcisse \| 5/21/2009 6:32:22 PM \| 12 comments We all make mistakes. Some of us are more easily forgiven than others. Evan Narcisse picks game creators that have won him over.
	Feature: Mother, Where Art Thou? by Evan Narcisse \| 5/8/2009 7:59:24 PM \| 3 comments Even game characters have mommy issues. Evan Narcisse puts some of them on the Crispy psychology couch.
	Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 5/4/2009 6:54:12 PM \| 11 comments Can the fast-healing Wolverine recover from his own game? Evan Narcisse reviews.
	Feature: iPhone Buyer's Guide by Evan Narcisse \| 4/23/2009 9:33:56 PM \| 3 comments You touch them, they touch you. Evan Narcisse outlines iPhone and iPod Touch gaming essentials.
	Interview: So What's Your Story?: BioWare's Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk by Evan Narcisse \| 4/21/2009 9:33:45 PM \| 2 comments BioWare's head honchos discuss how story should affect every facet of game design, why they admit to being emotionally manipulative, and where they stack up against Michelangelo.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles, Vol. #21 by Evan Narcisse \| 4/20/2009 6:50:31 PM \| 3 comments Motion controls and girlfriends are discussed in our latest podcast, not simultaneously.
	Feature: The Five: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 by Evan Narcisse \| 4/10/2009 3:35:30 PM \| 5 comments Why are the superheroes squabbling? It's in the comics. Evan Narcisse says Ultimate Alliance 2 stays faithful.
	Review: Ninja Blade (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 4/9/2009 6:58:48 PM \| 8 comments What's the sharpest blade? Not Ninja Blade, according to Evan Narcisse.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles, Vol. #20 by Evan Narcisse \| 4/3/2009 10:46:07 PM \| 3 comments In our latest podcast, Crispy writers face off on GDC, indies and OnLive. Tune in to Blazing Prattles.
	Review: Wanted: Weapons of Fate (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 3/24/2009 8:35:19 PM \| 9 comments Weapons of Fate throws a curved bullet at franchise tie-ins. Evan Narcisse talks about how tightly the game integrates with the Wanted universe.
	Interview: Who Develops the Developers?: An Interview With Meggan Scavio, Part 2 by Evan Narcisse \| 3/23/2009 9:07:50 PM \| 0 comments In Part 2 of Evan Narcisse's interview with GDC Event Director Meggan Scavio, the two talk indie games and innovation.
	Interview: Who Develops the Developers?: An Interview With Meggan Scavio, Part 1 by Evan Narcisse \| 3/20/2009 8:26:20 PM \| 2 comments The Game Developers Conference kicks off next week. To get in the mood, Evan Narcisse faces off with Event Director Meggan Scavio. Read about GDC 2009's inner workings.
	Feature: The Five: Batman: Arkham Asylum by Evan Narcisse \| 3/18/2009 7:18:19 PM \| 1 comments Expect to enter Arkham Asylum this summer. Evan Narcisse has the Bat-preview.
	Column: Thought/Process: More on Resident Evil 5* and Uncomfortable Echoes* by Evan Narcisse \| 3/16/2009 9:25:43 PM \| 43 comments In his latest column, Evan Narcisse comments on the swirl of controversy that has surrounded Resident Evil 5's portrayal of race. Read on.
	Review: Watchmen: The End Is Nigh (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 3/4/2009 6:17:11 PM \| 3 comments You get the controls to masked vigilantes Rorschach and Nite Owl in The End Is Nigh. Does it succeed as a tie-in and a game? Evan Narcisse reviews.
	Review: Watchmen: The End Is Nigh (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 3/4/2009 6:17:07 PM \| 1 comments You get the controls to masked vigilantes Rorschach and Nite Owl in The End Is Nigh. Does it succeed as a tie-in and a game? Evan Narcisse reviews.
	Interview: Uncomfortable Echoes: A Conversation With Resident Evil 5* Director Jun Takeuchi* by Evan Narcisse \| 3/2/2009 7:05:25 PM \| 35 comments As Resident Evil 5 nears release, controversy over its portrayal of Africa swells once again. Evan Narcisse and Scott Jones spoke candidly with Jun Takeuchi, the game's creative lead, at this year's DICE.
	Feature: The Five: Singularity by Evan Narcisse \| 2/27/2009 7:04:22 PM \| 2 comments In Raven's new FPS, you can tear the fabric of time. Will Singularity be a one-of-a-kind experience? Evan Narcisse has a look into the future.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles, Vol. #19 by Evan Narcisse \| 2/27/2009 7:03:35 PM \| 2 comments In the latest edition of Blazing Prattles, the Crispy staff sizes up 2009's games to date. Listen in.
	Column: Heroes + Villains: WildStorm Advisory by Evan Narcisse \| 2/26/2009 8:46:29 PM \| 0 comments Some of the best-selling comics today are based on videogame franchises. Evan Narcisse speaks with DC Comics' WildStorm VP about the imprint's entry into the gaming world.
	Column: Source Material: Making History by Evan Narcisse \| 2/25/2009 7:47:56 PM \| 2 comments Game tie-ins are numerous, but fresh ideas aren't. Evan Narcisse imagines "Now the Hell Will Start," a novel about an African-American man on the run, as a videogame.
	Review: Noby Noby Boy (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 2/25/2009 7:47:43 PM \| 9 comments In Noby Noby Boy, you stretch Boy so that Girl can get to the moon. Evan Narcisse thinks it stretches a bit too far.
	Feature: DICE Summit 2009, Day 3: Did You Win Any Awards? by Evan Narcisse \| 2/20/2009 7:16:27 PM \| 1 comments Evan Narcisse takes in a lot of information on his last day at DICE 2009, and closes it out with a mostly classy award show. Read his latest update.
	Feature: DICE Summit 2009, Day 2: Out With the Old, In With the Newell by Evan Narcisse \| 2/19/2009 6:00:34 PM \| 6 comments DICE 2009 opens with a keynote from Valve's Gabe Newell. Evan Narcisse gets the lowdown on where Valve -- and the entertainment industry -- may be headed.
	Feature: The Five: X-Men Origins: Wolverine by Evan Narcisse \| 2/18/2009 6:32:00 PM \| 1 comments With the new X-Men Origins release, Wolverine bounds and claws his way back into videogames. Evan Narcisse looks at the game's adamantium-coated exterior.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Vol. #18 by Evan Narcisse \| 2/16/2009 7:34:24 PM \| 4 comments Console zealotry, the role of used games in the market and reader questions all get tackled in the latest edition of the Blazing Prattles podcast. Tune in.
	Feature: New York Comic Con Wrap-Up by Evan Narcisse \| 2/13/2009 8:06:53 PM \| 1 comments More games found their way to this year's New York Comic Con than ever before. Evan Narcisse was on hand to preview superhero games and talk to the creators of the ultraviolent Madworld.
	Review: Flower (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 2/9/2009 8:14:56 PM \| 1 comments The small, downloadable Flower blooms on the PlayStation 3. Evan Narcisse stops to smell the roses.
	Preview: DC Universe Online by Evan Narcisse \| 2/9/2009 8:08:40 PM \| 3 comments In DC Universe Online, you'll rub shoulders with the likes of Batman and Lex Luthor. Reporting from the New York Comic Con, Evan Narcisse gets some dirt on the MMO from the game's creative director and Jim Lee himself.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Vol. #17 by Evan Narcisse \| 2/2/2009 7:43:08 PM \| 1 comments Will the current financial meltdown affect creativity in games this year? Evan Narcisse gathers Game Trusters to discuss this topic, along with award nominations, the upcoming DICE summit and more in our latest podcast.
	Review: Afro Samurai (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 1/29/2009 8:56:56 PM \| 0 comments Evan Narcisse cut through Afro Samurai, and now he cuts it even deeper. Here's his review.
	Review: Afro Samurai (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 1/29/2009 8:56:34 PM \| 2 comments Evan Narcisse cut through Afro Samurai, and now he cuts it even deeper. Here's his review.
	Column: Heroes + Villains: Eastern Promises by Evan Narcisse \| 1/23/2009 7:11:34 PM \| 0 comments What if the big, bizarre world of manga made it into videogames more often? Evan Narcisse and Ryan Kuo ponder the tantalizing possibilities in the new Heroes + Villains.
	Feature: PlayStation 3 (PS3) Buyer's Guide by Evan Narcisse \| 1/21/2009 6:15:01 PM \| 5 comments Wondering what the cutting-edge curves on that PS3 can do? Check out Evan Narcisse's PS3 Buyer's Guide for some suggestions.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Vol. #16 by Evan Narcisse \| 1/16/2009 4:34:44 PM \| 0 comments Evan Narcisse gathers the Game Trust to talk about CES 2009, first-person games and 2009 titles that they're excited for. Listen in, and find out how you can get involved in the next episode.
	Column: Thought/Process: Gear Shift: An Interview With Cliff Bleszinski by Evan Narcisse \| 12/17/2008 3:52:41 PM \| 3 comments There's more to Cliff Bleszinski than chainsaws and male bonding. Evan Narcisse speaks to the Gears of War visionary about -- among other things -- why games will trump TV and music.
	Feature: Dynamic Duos by Evan Narcisse \| 12/12/2008 7:01:15 PM \| 3 comments In games, two is probably better than one (three's a free-for-all). Evan Narcisse looks at some of our medium's great pairs.
	Feature: Save Yourselves!: A Left 4 Dead* Multiplayer Diary* by Evan Narcisse \| 12/8/2008 6:49:05 PM \| 6 comments Once upon a time, four Survivors ran through the woods with four Infected watching and pouncing on their every move. What really happened out there? The players recount the horrors in Evan Narcisse's Left 4 Dead multiplayer diary.
	Feature: 12 Games of Christmas by Evan Narcisse \| 11/24/2008 10:51:13 PM \| 1 comments Worried that you're getting another 12-pack of sweat socks? Turn that Christmas tree into a gamer oasis with our holiday gift guide.
	Review: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 11/17/2008 9:10:45 PM \| 3 comments Should you "get over here" for the latest installment of Midway's long-lived fighting franchise? Evan Narcisse tells you how it feels when worlds collide.
	Review: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 11/17/2008 9:10:40 PM \| 0 comments Should you "get over here" for the latest installment of Midway's long-lived fighting franchise? Evan Narcisse tells you how it feels when worlds collide.
	Review: Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (DS) by Evan Narcisse \| 11/11/2008 7:04:11 PM \| 0 comments In Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, you have your pick of good old-fashioned red Spidey or his alien, jet-black dark side. Evan Narcisse sizes up the game's action and moral conundrums.
	Review: Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (PSP) by Evan Narcisse \| 11/11/2008 7:03:35 PM \| 0 comments In Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, you have your pick of good old-fashioned red Spidey or his alien, jet-black dark side. Evan Narcisse sizes up the game's action and moral conundrums.
	Column: Heroes + Villains: Clash of the Titans: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe by Evan Narcisse \| 11/11/2008 6:27:19 PM \| 0 comments Who would crack up first in a staring match, Baraka or the Joker? Evan Narcisse interviews Midway's Ed Boon and Eddie Ferrier about making Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.
	Feature: The Five: The Godfather II by Evan Narcisse \| 11/11/2008 6:22:10 PM \| 1 comments As Don, the world is your sandbox, and you buy your own castle. Evan Narcisse takes a first look at The Godfather II.
	Column: Heroes + Villains: Joshua Ortega, Dialogue Dealer by Evan Narcisse \| 11/6/2008 7:15:33 PM \| 0 comments While you've been waiting for Gears of War 2, the story of Marcus Fenix and the Gears universe has lived on in the comics. Evan Narcisse interviews Joshua Ortega, the writer of both the Gears comics and the new game.
	Review: Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (Wii) by Evan Narcisse \| 11/4/2008 6:11:05 PM \| 1 comments In Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, you have your pick of good old-fashioned red Spidey or his alien, jet-black dark side. Evan Narcisse sizes up the game's action and moral conundrums in light of the web-slinger's comic legacy.
	Review: Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (Xbox 360) by Evan Narcisse \| 10/29/2008 7:29:41 PM \| 0 comments In Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, you have your pick of good old-fashioned red Spidey or his alien, jet-black dark side. Evan Narcisse sizes up the game's action and moral conundrums in light of the web-slinger's comic legacy.
	Review: Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (PS3) by Evan Narcisse \| 10/29/2008 7:29:17 PM \| 0 comments In Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, you have your pick of good old-fashioned red Spidey or his alien, jet-black dark side. Evan Narcisse sizes up the game's action and moral conundrums in light of the web-slinger's comic legacy.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volume #15 by Evan Narcisse \| 10/28/2008 5:22:38 PM \| 1 comments Evan Narcisse gathers fellow members of the Game Trust as the gaming year's biggest deluge begins. Listen in to find out how they're weathering the storm.
	Column: Heroes + Villains: Does Whatever a Spider Can by Evan Narcisse \| 10/23/2008 6:27:18 PM \| 4 comments Evan Narcisse kicks off his new column exploring the intersection of comics and videogames with a look at Peter Parker's latest virtual adventures. Read on for his interview with the writer and associate producer of Spider-Man: Web of Shadows.
	Column: Thought/Process: Runaway Hit by Evan Narcisse \| 9/24/2008 6:36:37 PM \| 6 comments Can an explosive topic in the real world serve as a catalyst for a compelling game? In his latest Thought/Process column, Evan Narcisse explores one possible scenario.
	Column: Thought/Process: Building Character by Evan Narcisse \| 8/5/2008 6:58:26 PM \| 0 comments Whether it's the Prince from Prince of Persia or the Prince from Katamari Damacy, a good bit of gameplay comes down to character. In his latest Thought/Process column, Evan Narcisse explores how who we play affects how we play. Read on.
	Feature: The Five: DC Universe Online by Evan Narcisse \| 7/22/2008 8:41:49 PM \| 0 comments Comic book lovers, your dreams might just be coming true. The Justice League of America is preparing to pit superheroes against supervillains on a massive scale. Evan Narcisse got an early look at this upcoming MMO at E3.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Vol. #14 by Evan Narcisse \| 7/22/2008 8:39:59 PM \| 0 comments What did the Game Trust think of the biggest week in videogames? Tune in for their rants and raves about the biggest games -- and the smaller size -- of this year's E3.
	Feature: The Five: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe by Evan Narcisse \| 7/18/2008 6:16:48 PM \| 0 comments Worlds collide in this upcoming brawler from Midway. Evan Narcisse went toe-to-toe with Scott Jones at E3 -- here's what you need to know about the game.
	Feature: The Five: LEGO Batman: The Videogame by Evan Narcisse \| 7/18/2008 10:32:45 AM \| 4 comments The Dark Knight is getting the Traveller's Tales treatment, and he's looking cute. Evan Narcisse got an early look at the game at E3 -- here's how Batman is shaping up in LEGO.
	Feature: The Five: Infamous by Evan Narcisse \| 7/16/2008 11:56:19 AM \| 2 comments The studio behind the Sly Cooper franchise is at work on an all-new superhero sandbox game for PS3 that caught our eye. Evan Narcisse got a look behind closed doors -- here are five things you need to know.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volume #13 by Evan Narcisse \| 6/13/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The Crispy crew takes off to Paris for an exclusive interview with the producer of Ubisoft's new Prince of Persia, then returns to the States to talk about franchises and the run-up to E3. Tune in.
	Column: Thought/Process: Building Better Wor(l)ds by Evan Narcisse \| 5/9/2008 12:52:41 PM \| 0 comments A round of GTA IV multiplayer gets Evan Narcisse thinking about the ways that narrative and experience clash and cooperate in videogames. Read on for his latest column.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volume #12 by Evan Narcisse \| 5/9/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments In a special all-GTA IV episode, Crispy staffers and some special guests join host Evan Narcisse to discuss playing and writing about the year's biggest release so far. Tune in.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volumes #8, #9 and #10 by Evan Narcisse \| 4/25/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments As the New York Comic Con turned the Big Apple into a perfect storm of pop culture, Blazing Prattles got pros from the world of gaming and comics together to talk about the relationship between the two media. Tune in.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volume #11 by Evan Narcisse \| 4/25/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Master game designer Sid Meier and red-hot comic writers Matt Fraction and Geoff Johns join host Evan Narcisse for a wrap-up of our New York Comic Con coverage. Tune in.
	Preview: Grand Theft Auto IV by Evan Narcisse \| 4/23/2008 8:14:33 AM \| 1 comments Rockstar has unveiled the first multiplayer ever in a GTA title, and Evan Narcisse was there for the test drive. Get a feel for the all-new mayhem in Liberty City in his preview.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volume #7 by Evan Narcisse \| 4/11/2008 1:53:55 PM \| 0 comments Tune in to hear our thoughts on GTA IV, third-party games on the Wii, and some recent games we really regret playing.
	Column: Thought/Process: Proprietary Stupidity Perpetuation by Evan Narcisse \| 4/9/2008 1:06:58 PM \| 0 comments Evan Narcisse explains how the PSP's birthday could be an even happier one for gamers. Read on for his column.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volume #6 by Evan Narcisse \| 4/1/2008 1:14:52 PM \| 0 comments
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volume #5 by Evan Narcisse \| 3/14/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments This special edition of Blazing Prattles comes to you from GDC 08 in San Francisco, where we chat with Ben Judd, producer on Capcom's upcoming Bionic Commando games. Tune in.
	Column: Thought/Process: Time Keeps on Slipping Into the Future by Evan Narcisse \| 3/6/2008 3:46:21 PM \| 0 comments Evan Narcisse looks at Every Extend Extra, Rez and how we experience videogames, in the second installment of his column, Thought/Process.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast, Volume #4 by Evan Narcisse \| 2/22/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Tune in for a revealing interview with gaming icon Warren Spector in a special GDC 2008 edition of Blazing Prattles hosted by Evan Narcisse.
	Feature: Blazing Prattles Podcast by Evan Narcisse \| 2/21/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Tune in to the first three episodes of Blazing Prattles, Crispy Gamer's podcast, in which host Evan Narcisse and a selection of CG's writers discuss the burning issues in the videogame industry today.
	Column: Thought/Process: Year in Rear View by Evan Narcisse \| 1/31/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments Hindsight is 20/20, and Evan Narcisse is taking a look back at 2007''s most hyped (Assassin''s Creed) and most loved (Portal) games -- and the gulf that lies between -- in the first of his new column, Thought/Process. Are you a superplayer? ...
	Preview: Burnout Paradise by Evan Narcisse \| 1/20/2008 12:00:00 AM \| 0 comments The upcoming Burnout racing game developed by Criterion Games for Xbox 360 takes you down to Paradise City -- so, is the driving pretty? Evan Narcisse has the word on the street in his preview of EA''s Burnout Paradise.

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