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Russ Fischer Author Bio

Status: Metal!

Last Login: November 20, 2009 3:04:30 PM
Joined: November 13, 2008 11:00:30 AM
AIM: fischerruss
Twitter: russfischer

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Ratings

Vitals: 35. Loner. Seems like such a normal guy.

Education: BA in Irrelevant Studies, Brandeis University.

Publications: Too many to count over the years including Spin, XXL,Urb Magazine, Paste Magazine, The Onion AV Club, Giant, Popular Science, PC Zone, Yahoo, numerous games Web sites and Chud.com.

Platforms played: All of 'em. I'm an equal-opportunity gamer.

Genres played: Anything that doesn't highlight the words "massively" and "multiplayer," with specific weaknesses for driving, turn-based oddities and arcade flavor.

Multiplayer or single-player: Solo is always the first and best option. With a group of friends, multi is key, but the unwashed masses on XBL can f*** right off.

My Top 10 favorite games ever played (in no particular order and fully subject to change):

Sinistar
Civ 4
BioShock (I'll give the ending a pass)
Advance Wars
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Out of This World
Unreal Tournament (and the hundreds of mods and maps I still have somewhere)
Grim Fandango
(This spot reserved for something to come in 08/09. Please.)
And, thanks to hours spent on the ColecoVision as a youngling, Montezuma's Revenge

10 No-Bullshit Rules Non-Gaming Parents Should Follow When Buying Videogames for Their Kids: 2009 Ed

November 19, 2009 1:52:43 PM

Until about six months ago my local game store was entirely staffed by people who refuted #10 on a daily basis. They were great about telling people that the game they were looking for was actually shit.

Then they were all fired and replaced with drones. True story.
Games That Time Forgot: Freedom Fighters (2003)

November 6, 2009 3:00:04 PM

I expected this game to be poop, and I liked it quite a bit. It was one I didn't put down once I got an hour or two in. There were a couple things about it that knocked it down a peg or two, but a few of the big missions hooked me. Wish I still had a copy lying around somewhere; I actually remember liking it more than I evidently did at the time, judging by a glance back at my GameSpy review. (3/5)
It Came From the Game Room: 10 Things Evan Narcisse Said While Playing Tekken 6 by Scott Jones

October 29, 2009 5:02:18 PM

Seriously, what's up with the goddamn chickens? Half of this game just doesn't realize that God Hand was supposed to be funny.
Brütal Legend

October 15, 2009 1:11:52 PM

Great take on the game, Gus. Spot on with the prominence of story and the core Eddie/Ophelia stuff.

And totally agreed with this as Ozzy's redemption. I'd eye-rolled when I saw he was in the game, and it took only about 30 seconds of his first appearance before I was sold. I miss that Ozzy.
The Story Behind Eight of Brütal Legend's Deepest Cuts

October 14, 2009 1:11:27 PM

w1ndst0rm: Understandable. I remember a time when stuff like Carcass and Emperor sounded fairly harsh to me, since I came up more influenced by thrash.

The Coroner stuff is always rad, though. I could use even more in that vein on the soundtrack. Voivod and Watchtower -- the latter gets into really obscure territory -- would be quite welcome.
Summer of Superheroes: 2009's Three-Way Throwdown

September 3, 2009 5:11:31 PM

Evan: I loved Bratpack. Great, sick stuff. I didn't think of the King Hell stuff as much during Prototype because to me the game wasn't nearly up to that level of storytelling. But the setting, tone, etc is there, yeah.

I wish I could get excited about MUA2. I played the first one and the X-Men versions, but just burned out on them quick. They're cool for a minute, but don't really capture the feel of the comics to me.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

March 20, 2009 5:49:18 PM

Ha. Ghettopoly.

There's a copy of that in my house. Belongs to my roommate. I've never played it. That and a case of beer might keep me busy tonight.
Afro Samurai

February 9, 2009 11:46:55 PM

I've been playing for a few hours, and I think that's all I've got in me for this game.

It is kinda cool, though, that in making a period game they managed to recreate an in-game camera from 1762.
Crispy Outlook 2009: Heavy Rain: The Origami Killer

February 2, 2009 5:57:18 PM

I liked the long demo Sony gave at E3 last year. Yeah, it was very Indigo Prophecy, but with some interesting stabs at making an intuitive, story-based interface. There's the promise of some narrative flexibility that will keep it out of the 'game that wants to be movie' camp, if all the stuff works properly. I'm fairly excited for this one.

Russ Fischer hasn't rated any games yet. Have you? Find some.

The Chatter Box

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A Zombie of a Chance: Looking Back at the Left 4 Dead 2 Boycott
12 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by Gr1mm4
You can tell they're working hard by the picture of Chet on the second page! :D http://i48.tinypic.com/4udnc5.jpg
25 Great Games You Can Feel Good About Buying for Your Kids This Year: 2009 Edition
10 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by david99
I love Little King's Story, fantastic title. But there are some racy things in it, that if a parent would buy for the child and watch the child play, would ...
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier
1 Comment
Last November 22, 2009 by longtimegamerr
"Jak II was a sci-fi version of Grand Theft Auto, with a city full of hovercars. Then Jak III did a cartoon "Mad Max" dune-buggy overworld when Borderlands ...
Jones Destroys Valuable Collectable; Hangs Head in Shame
11 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by garion333
@CG-Gabe: No one, which is why the price is now down to $2500.

Weekend Playlist, 11/13/2009
35 Comments
Last November 18, 2009 by girlgamer21
@RyanKuo: thank for letting me know.
The Questionable Ethics of Brütal Legend
34 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by Andy Bates
@DavidThomas: “To the contrary, I think that a game that uses metal and humor and a narrative that does not attempt to define good is an ambiguous ...
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
31 Comments
Last November 22, 2009 by longtimegamerr
Tom Chick it has been severa; years since I've read your reviews. You seemed to going thru a sustained "PC RTS phase" and I never really felt the joy ...
"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: LEGO Rock Band (Xbox 360) by Russ Fischer \| 11/6/2009 5:58:00 PM \| 2 comments How does Rock Band sound coming out of a LEGO guitar?
	Review: Dragon Age: Origins (Xbox 360) by Russ Fischer \| 11/5/2009 6:52:21 PM \| 21 comments Here is what's really worth seeking out in BioWare's massive Dragon Age.
	Feature: The Story Behind Eight of Brütal Legend's Deepest Cuts by Russ Fischer \| 10/14/2009 9:51:40 AM \| 6 comments Most metal article ever.
	Feature: Capturing Perception by Russ Fischer \| 10/5/2009 8:46:25 AM \| 5 comments How can videogames translate human intuition?
	Review: Beaterator (PSP) by Russ Fischer \| 10/2/2009 1:40:07 PM \| 0 comments Rockstar and Timbaland's new music creation software takes the form of a PSP disc. Russ Fischer reviews.
	Feature: Summer of Superheroes: 2009's Three-Way Throwdown by Russ Fischer \| 9/3/2009 9:35:46 AM \| 5 comments Are old comics rivalries being reenacted in this year's superhero games?
	Feature: The Nine Achievements of Arkham Asylum by Russ Fischer \| 8/31/2009 9:14:21 AM \| 7 comments The next Batman comic or film might do well to study Arkham Asylum. Here's why.
	Review: Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP) by Russ Fischer \| 8/26/2009 11:30:01 AM \| 0 comments Dissidia is a more familiar fight than you might think.
	Review: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (Xbox 360) by Russ Fischer \| 7/10/2009 5:16:50 PM \| 2 comments Will Russ Fischer answer the Call of Juarez? He'll need a better horse first.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Just Cause 2 by Russ Fischer \| 6/18/2009 1:01:59 PM \| 2 comments Will Just Cause 2 provide the explosions you've been waiting for? Russ Fischer previews Avalanche's sandbox sequel.
	Review: Rock Band Unplugged (PSP) by Russ Fischer \| 6/18/2009 12:53:34 PM \| 0 comments Unplugged brings Harmonix full circle. Russ Fischer reviews the latest Rock Band evolution.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Aliens vs. Predator by Russ Fischer \| 6/11/2009 6:59:49 PM \| 0 comments There's no love triangle in the latest Aliens vs. Predator. Only a hate triangle.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: DJ Hero by Russ Fischer \| 6/11/2009 6:37:03 PM \| 0 comments Does turntablism translate to games? Russ Fisher is optimistic.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Avatar by Russ Fischer \| 6/11/2009 4:16:05 PM \| 0 comments James Cameron might be a good influence on the upcoming Avatar game. Get the details from Russ Fischer.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Brink by Russ Fischer \| 6/11/2009 4:12:46 PM \| 2 comments Brink tosses out the tried and true. Russ Fischer catches an early glimpse of Splash Damage's bold new shooter.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: BioShock 2 by Russ Fischer \| 6/10/2009 7:17:26 PM \| 1 comments What's in store on your return to Rapture? Get the story on BioShock 2 from Russ Fischer.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Mass Effect 2 by Russ Fischer \| 6/9/2009 11:42:56 AM \| 0 comments The Mass Effect story gets deeper and darker in the sequel. Russ Fischer gazes into the galaxy's future.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Modern Warfare 2 by Russ Fischer \| 6/8/2009 6:43:31 PM \| 0 comments Infinity Ward gives modern warfare a touch-up. Read Russ Fischer's thoughts on Modern Warfare 2.
	Preview: E3 2009: The Five: Guitar Hero 5 by Russ Fischer \| 6/8/2009 6:34:56 PM \| 0 comments Will this Guitar Hero step into save the day? See what Russ Fischer thought of Guitar Hero 5.
	Feature: Lost in the Dust by Russ Fischer \| 6/5/2009 7:30:16 PM \| 1 comments Games need to look westward, to the lawless frontier. Read Russ Fischer's latest feature.
	Feature: Broken Steel: Fixing the Frontier by Russ Fischer \| 5/27/2009 6:09:46 PM \| 4 comments As water gushes into the Wasteland, along with it comes death, desire and drama. Russ Fischer looks at how Broken Steel brings Fallout 3 further into the West.
	Feature: Four Things You'll Never Get Arrested for in The Pitt by Russ Fischer \| 4/1/2009 5:43:56 PM \| 3 comments Russ Fischer visits gray Pittsburgh. How can you break the Steel City's law to its fullest? Read his recommendations for The Pitt.
	Review: Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume (DS) by Russ Fischer \| 3/30/2009 8:40:48 PM \| 0 comments Covenant of the Plume asks you to sacrifice your friends. Russ Fischer thinks it's a little high-maintenance for a strategy RPG.
	Review: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS) by Russ Fischer \| 3/18/2009 7:16:40 PM \| 7 comments Was Rockstar Leeds able to bring Liberty City down to pocket-size? Russ Fischer reviews GTA's debut on the DS.
	Review: Resistance: Retribution (PSP) by Russ Fischer \| 3/16/2009 9:38:14 PM \| 1 comments Sony Bend puts up Resistance on the PSP. Does the FPS make a case for the handheld? Russ Fischer reviews.
	Review: Phantasy Star Portable (PSP) by Russ Fischer \| 3/9/2009 9:04:09 PM \| 3 comments Phantasy Star Portable lets you grind on the go. Russ Fischer sizes up the JRPG's legs.
	Review: House of the Dead: Overkill (Wii) by Russ Fischer \| 2/13/2009 8:06:09 PM \| 2 comments Russ Fischer enters House of the Dead once more. Does this rail shooter fit the Wii Remote like a glove? Check out the review.
	Column: On the Download: Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, Dawn of War II, Fallout 3* and more* by Russ Fischer \| 2/6/2009 5:24:04 PM \| 4 comments Now available for PC games ranging from Puzzle Quest: Galactrix to Grand Theft Auto IV are demos, expansions and (naturally) patches. Russ Fischer's your guide to the cream of the crop in his new column.
	Review: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 (PS2) by Russ Fischer \| 2/1/2009 12:00:00 AM \| 1 comments Persona 4, the latest in the acclaimed JRPG series, has become a sleeper hit on the PS2. How does the bizarre premise hold up? Russ Fischer went into the mists.
	Feature: Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage by Russ Fischer \| 1/29/2009 8:50:44 PM \| 5 comments Fallout 3 is here to stay, as evidenced by its first downloadable expansion: Operation Anchorage. Russ Fischer took the plunge and got mixed returns.
	Feature: PC Gaming Buyer's Guide by Russ Fischer \| 1/21/2009 6:16:54 PM \| 0 comments You brush away the vulgar curves of the game controller, holding on to your mouse and keyboard. Russ Fischer lends a supporting hand with his PC Gaming Buyer's Guide.
	Review: Crayon Physics Deluxe (PC) by Russ Fischer \| 1/14/2009 7:13:06 PM \| 6 comments Can magical drawings bring a ball and a star to life? Russ Fischer reviews the quirky Crayon Physics Deluxe.
	Review: Rise of the Argonauts (PC) by Russ Fischer \| 12/22/2008 6:08:36 PM \| 0 comments Jason and the Argonauts are in search of the Golden Fleece, a task that seems to involve a lot of dry acting and busywork. Russ Fischer took notes on the long journey.
	Review: Rise of the Argonauts (PS3) by Russ Fischer \| 12/22/2008 6:08:30 PM \| 0 comments Jason and the Argonauts are in search of the Golden Fleece, a task that seems to involve a lot of dry acting and busywork. Russ Fischer took notes on the long journey.
	Review: Rise of the Argonauts (Xbox 360) by Russ Fischer \| 12/22/2008 6:08:24 PM \| 0 comments Jason and the Argonauts are in search of the Golden Fleece, a task that seems to involve a lot of dry acting and busywork. Russ Fischer took notes on the long journey.
	Review: Grand Theft Auto IV (PC) by Russ Fischer \| 12/8/2008 7:02:36 PM \| 2 comments A fight broke out between Russ Fischer's gaming PC and Grand Theft Auto IV, which had a long list of demands in its back pocket. Russ just wanted it to work out.
	Review: Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360) by Russ Fischer \| 11/20/2008 8:00:46 PM \| 3 comments Lights, camera, death! You and your friends are the nerve-wracked stars of Left 4 Dead, Valve's new first-person zombie-fest. Russ Fischer provides food for thought. Human food.
	Review: Left 4 Dead (PC) by Russ Fischer \| 11/20/2008 8:00:42 PM \| 4 comments Lights, camera, death! You and your friends are the nerve-wracked stars of Left 4 Dead, Valve's new first-person zombie-fest. Russ Fischer provides food for thought. Human food.
	Review: Eternal Sonata (PS3) by Russ Fischer \| 11/4/2008 5:20:09 PM \| 1 comments Eternal Sonata pays tribute to Frédéric Chopin's musical legacy with an unusual combat system and many cut scenes. Russ Fischer breaks down this JRPG eulogy to the great composer.
	Column: Dissenting Opinion: LittleBigPlanet by Russ Fischer \| 10/30/2008 6:54:41 PM \| 6 comments No, your grandma's closet isn't on fire -- that's the smell of Sackboy getting Fried in Scott Jones' review of LittleBigPlanet. Russ Fischer traced the smoke to its source, and he disagrees. Read on.
	Column: On the Download: Strong Bad, Penny Arcade Adventures, World of Goo* and more* by Russ Fischer \| 10/21/2008 7:15:41 PM \| 0 comments Russ Fischer covers the gamut of downloadable content for the PC in his new column. Check out what the platform has to offer.
	Review: Golden Axe: Beast Rider (PS3) by Russ Fischer \| 10/21/2008 6:36:09 PM \| 1 comments The well-established Golden Axe series gets re-cut for the 3-D arena. But will Beast Rider fall off its spiky leather saddle? Find out in Russ Fischer's review of the game.
	Review: Golden Axe: Beast Rider (Xbox 360) by Russ Fischer \| 10/21/2008 6:36:03 PM \| 0 comments The well-established Golden Axe series gets re-cut for the 3-D arena. But will Beast Rider fall off its spiky leather saddle? Find out in Russ Fischer's review of the game.
	Feature: Why I (Can't) Hate Wii Music by Russ Fischer \| 10/9/2008 8:07:17 PM \| 3 comments Easy to overlook amidst the epic rivalry between Guitar Hero and Rock Band, Wii Music will allow gamers to remix pop standards using "instruments" like a kung-fu artist, a rapper and a clapping lion suit. Is Russ Fischer amused? Read on.
	Review: Crysis Warhead (PC) by Russ Fischer \| 10/2/2008 7:12:02 PM \| 1 comments The 2007 first-person stunner Crysis gets its first expansion with Crysis Warhead, played from the perspective of Sergeant "Psycho" Sykes. Russ Fischer tests the frozen waters of this cold, alien-infested world.
	Feature: The Summer's Best and Worst Demo: Fallout 3 by Russ Fischer \| 8/5/2008 6:58:30 PM \| 6 comments Fallout 3 may not just be Oblivion 2, but you wouldn't know it from the demo. Russ Fischer explains how his early look might be misleading -- read on.
	Feature: The Five: Ghostbusters: The Video Game by Russ Fischer \| 8/5/2008 6:58:21 PM \| 0 comments The original movie team is on board, but Activision has jumped ship. Nevertheless, this game is gearing up for destruction. While the developers seek out a new publisher, Russ Fischer tells you what you need to know.
	Feature: The Five: Dead Space by Russ Fischer \| 7/21/2008 6:46:44 PM \| 0 comments Horror is heading for outer space, so get ready for gore in zero gravity. Russ Fischer got an early look at this game at E3. These are the essentials.
	Feature: Nintendo's Peripheral Play by Russ Fischer \| 7/17/2008 8:17:19 PM \| 1 comments Is the proliferation of Nintendo peripherals making the newbie-friendly and affordable Wii less accessible? Russ Fischer weighs in on the Wii Balance Board and more.

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