Blogcritics Author: Peter M. J. Gross

Nintendo DS Review: River King: Mystic Valley

Peter M. J. Gross — Mon, 2 Jun 2008 03:02:18 EDT

It's fishing. Lots and lots of fishing.
River King: Mystic Valley is a game about fishing. It's about becoming the best fisherman you can be in order to catch the legendary, one-of-a-kind River King, but if you don't like the idea of a fishing mini-game drawn out to a game-length endeavor, then you should steer clear. Be prepared to spend a lot of time with a rod, because the main...

Nintendo DS Review: Insecticide

Peter M. J. Gross — Mon, 5 May 2008 20:27:10 EDT

Probably the most fun you'll have with a game full of bugs.
Insecticide, published by Gamecock Media Group and created by Crackpot Entertainment, is a game for the Nintendo DS that takes a bold risk, trying to straddle the gap between adventure and action games. It's a hard-boiled detective mystery containing both action and adventure elements, set in a futuristic city full of anthropomorphic bugs.The...

Nintendo DS Review: John Deere's Harvest in the Heartland

Peter M. J. Gross — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:19:14 EST

Sandbox farm simulator is solid but not spectacular.
The title of John Deere's Harvest in the Heartland should already tell adrenaline junkies and fans of twitch-based shooters that they might want to reach for something else. Sim fans, especially those interested in farming games, should find the game's business themes and incremental progress more enjoyable. The farm setting of Harvest in the...

Book Review: The House That Love Built by Bettie B. Youngs

Peter M. J. Gross — Sat, 9 Feb 2008 20:12:22 EST

An extramarital affair started Habitat for Humanity, and a sex scandal almost ended it.
The House that Love Built tells a far-ranging story of love, adultery, hope, betrayal, charity, and legal action as it chronicles the lives of Millard and Linda Fuller, founders of Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing. As much as any one person can be credited with starting the worldwide movement that became a household word and...

Nintendo DS Review: Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales

Peter M. J. Gross — Sat, 1 Dec 2007 02:48:55 EST

Goofy "story full of stories" is worth a look.
You live on an island where story time is the highlight of your day. You have feathers, clawed feet, and a gang of friends who have been kidnapped. Luckily, your lack of vocal chords and opposable thumbs don't stop you from taking on the ultimate evil in Square Enix's Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales for Nintendo DS. Chocobo Tales manages to be...

Nintendo DS Review: Freedom Wings

Peter M. J. Gross — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:47:29 EST

Free to be boring: a forgiving flight simulator that doesn't offer much depth.
You could be a fan of Natsume's Freedom Wings if dogfights and sky pirates appeal to you, but only if an empty storyline and long stretches of game with little action appeal to you as well. Limited interaction and less variety has made an exercise in tedium out of an otherwise amusing flight simulator.The minimalist story of Freedom Wings enlists...