Mainstream
Laymen’s Top Ten Best for the PlayStation 3
The PlayStation 4 is now here and people are beginning to wonder: how much longer will the PlayStation 3 library hold up and will there be many worthy future additions? Just in this month alone and for many months to come, there are many game releases slated for the system: I would say that it’s a safe bet that we will see plenty of great gaming to come for the PlayStation 3. With that being said, though, it’s also a pretty safe bet to say that the majority of the PS3 library has come and gone and I feel pretty secure in being able to come up with my very first top ten for the best that has come and gone for the PlayStation 3. Before I get started, you should probably know a few things that will become staples of my top tens: I only place games I’ve played, I only call on one game per franchise, and you should also know that this is my personal opinion, I’m just some guy on the Internet, and this is all in good fun, alright? Shall we begin?
Top Ten Best Games Ever for the PlayStation 3
10. Fallout: New Vegas
This one places you in the role of a man simply known as the Courier on his mission to deliver something called the Platinum Chip. He’s assaulted within inches of his life during this delivery and in getting the package back he gets stuck in the middle of something akin to a civil war in New Vegas over control of the Hoover Dam, which provides natural power and irradiated water to the entire region. His choices affect the outcome of this little fight between factions and you ultimately end up changing the history of the region upon completing the game.
Some would say that Fallout 3 was more iconic to the franchise but I beg to differ; while Fallout 3 turned the game format on its ass and changed it into the awesome format we know and love today it’s just simply not the game to have done it the best, in my eyes: you have a more fleshed out and believable story, you have a more finely-tuned battle system, a lot of the glitches have been worked out; I could go on for an hour but the fact, to me, remains that there’s a much more polished experience, here. Right from top to bottom, the game took everything that made Fallout 3 awesome and just made it cleaner and more presentable. Sure, there were a lot of annoyances but you can’t make a game of that kind of scope without running into a few road bumps, right?
9. Rocksmith
Say what you want about the music/rhythm genre, it got all kinds of serious when Rock Band came along and started making peripherals specifically for its music game that included more than a cheap, clicking, plastic guitar. You got more of a band experience with Rock Band and, with that, people’s expectations started getting higher. While Rock Band 3 tried to accommodate some of these expectations but EA and Harmonix seemed intent on creating plastic toys for their peripherals; by that time, people were saying that the instruments were not real enough.
That’s where Rocksmith came in with their game that allowed you to use practically any actual electric guitar and, using a special cable, play the game with it. It was an unrivaled experience for the time and, to date, there’s nothing quite like it. Not only does it change how you play the game but it also works as an excellent teacher as it changes a song’s difficulty based on how well you perform in certain parts of a song. It doesn’t spend a lot of time holding your hand but it still does a great job of bringing in those new to guitar playing.
8. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim puts you in the role of the Dovahkiin, a mortal with the soul of a dragon within him whose purpose is to absorb the souls of other dragons through combat and the use of Thu’uns – or shouts, as the game also calls them – who comes to his power just in time to combat Alduin, the dragon-god of destruction, who is busy reviving his dragon kind from their slumber to assist him in razing all of Skyrim and, in time, all of Tamriel.
This is another one of those spots where people say that another game in the franchise is better than my favorite but, like in the case of Fallout: New Vegas, this game just did everything past games in the franchise did but better. It didn’t really bring anything new but the highest degree of polish and attention to detail that has yet been unmatched. In all honesty, there’s not many fantasy-themed games that come close, let alone many games that come close to it period. There’s literally so much to do; you can get lost in the in-game literature, you can go hunting, you can pick flowers or catch animals, you can screw with people, you can be the ultimate good or bad guy, you can explore to your heart’s intent. There’s literally no boundary on what you can do within the province of Skyrim.
7. Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is a bit of a convoluted game that focuses on the trials of Ethan Mars whose son has been kidnapped by a man who the police have dubbed The Origami Killer. Its tale is told through the perspective of many characters and is progressed through the use of quicktime events.
Yes, I can hear the groaning from here. I know that some people don’t even qualify this as a game but rather a quicktime event-heavy blitz but this game broke some pretty shaky ground back when it was released. It was a video game that actually focused on storytelling instead of storytelling taking the back burner or being filled with completely lame McGuffins – I’m looking at you, Square-Enix – and that story had some pretty risque chapters within it. This game holds a special place in me for being able to do that and still succeed in spite of the flak it continually took. This game took risks that some other franchises – I’m looking at you, EA – simply refuse to make.
Yes, it did more than take a whole bunch of risks and make a bunch of money – it also told a pretty decent story, too. A lot of the plot twists were very cathartic and sometimes cringe-worthy but always in context. It had a pretty deep story to tell and that story wasn’t entirely a bad one, either.
6. Batman: Arkham City
This game can be summed up thusly: take one Batman; take nearly every major villain in Batman’s rogue’s gallery; seal off all of Gotham’s slums; throw said Batman and villains into said sealed off slums and let the magic happen. There’s a lot more going on but that’s about the gist of what you’re getting into with this game that takes place one year after Arkham Asylum. While there’s a lot going on, here, the classic story of arch-rivals, Joker and Batman, runs really deep within the story of this game and serves up a pretty big twist at the end.
Yet again another case of “this is my favorite from the franchise”, I chose this one for a different reason: while you can reboot a franchise, retell the origin story, serve up a million different writers to take on the Batman, the professionals always go to the tried and trusted Batman vs. Joker plot, which always is about risk and sacrifice. While Rocksteady took the “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” approach and did very little to mess with the gameplay, it did the one thing that made this game the perfect title in the series: it wrote the story extremely well and actually started the story almost as precariously as it ended it.
5. Bioshock: Infinite
In 1912, Booker DeWitt is given a simple task: pursue a girl and retrieve her, in turn for a pretty vague favor – to “wipe away the debt” – which sets in motion one the greatest plots in the last generation of gaming and then some. What starts as a pretty straightforward shooter turns into a desperate plot as you start weaving between dimensions using the powers that this girl, Elizabeth, is capable of using.
I’m not going to lie; as a game, there’s nothing really special here, even among other franchise entries: your character has a select amount of firearms at their disposal and a select amount of gadgets and powers to supplement that armory in order to confront your foes, who eventually turns out to be everyone who isn’t you and Elizabeth. This run-and-gun atmosphere that doesn’t give you too much variety in mission objectives slowly changes as the plot starts to twist and change. This is where the game truly shines – your commitment to the game and its story slowly but eventually starts paying off as your mastery of the gameplay starts getting challenged and so does your grasp of the situation, both literally and figuratively. It’s one hell of a roller coaster in many ways.
4. The Last of Us
The Last of Us chronicles the before and after of a massive cordyceps infection – a fungal infection that is known to mankind, in the real world, as a threat only to ants in a select area overseas – that suddenly mutates and becomes able to infect humans that come in direct contact with it. Those infected become zombie-like and things go really bad, really quick; especially where Joel and Ellie are concerned: Ellie may hold the key to a cure for the infection and Joel may be her only hope in getting that cure to humanity before it’s too late.
This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite games of 2013, hands down. This takes every lesson Naught Dog learned in the last twenty years in the gaming industry and puts that into a game with so much attention to detail and realism – as real as a game about, for all intents and purposes, plant zombies can be – that cannot be denied as a very strong contender for game of the year for Playstation 3 and one of the best games of the generation, for sure. This game would have, alone, made an extremely compelling movie; stack on top one of the more compelling gaming experiences to be had on the Playstation 3 and you have a winner.
3. Grand Theft Auto V
This outing in the GTA world has you in control of three characters, out to build their way to the top of their criminal empire by making the “big score”. What this entails is entirely up to you but this takes the gangland and mafia-like stories of previous entries and makes this outing feel way more personal, playing up a short story about a few schmucks who have a past with criminality and dreams of making it big, marking their return to former glory.
This game doesn’t offer you anything you’re really unfamiliar with; you’re offered a huge game world, its inhabitants, all of its vehicles, plenty of side missions, and all the time in the world to do whatever you want, almost, in just about any manner you choose. The two biggest things that set this game aside from all of the rest aside from the obvious things – graphical, physics improvements, along with a bigger game world – is the fact that the characters feel personal and so does the world they live in. Everybody’s busy doing something and the world doesn’t revolve around your characters and their actions. You can even get involved in some of the random citizens’ actions, though that’s still kind of limited. Some people prefer the atmosphere of GTAIV‘s Liberty City antics and the main character’s brother constantly pestering you and getting you into trouble but I am definitely not one of those people. I prefer a living, breathing world.
2. Mass Effect 3
This entry wraps up the Shepard trilogy of the Mass Effect series and stamps a final end to the Reapers, in one of many ways. Without spoiling much of the plot, you see Shepard bounce around the galaxy, like before, performing favors for governments who hate him for whatever reason but end up bending after doing all kinds of crazy stuff to prove his worth, ending up doing a majority of the grunt work himself anyway, putting an end to a threat that seemed to focus entirely on the destruction of a galaxy that would have, honestly, not grieved for long if he died, as he’s already proven.
Let’s face it: Mass Effect 3 felt a little watered down. As the previous entry launched the franchise into the spotlight, EA and Bioware felt they had to cater, in certain ways, as to broaden their horizons without alienating their current fanbase. They had, for the most part, did that; some will beg to differ, will do it as loudly and obnoxiously as possible, but I enjoyed the game immensely. Many of the games biggest flaws weren’t even flaws at all, really – most people complaining about plot holes, changes in plot direction, the game doing simply more of the same, staying with what’s safe instead of breaking boundaries like… the… last did? Reality check, folks: Mass Effect 2 may have perfected the experience but some culling was needed and some important stuff to keep it relevant was, as well.
Two things this game did well that the others didn’t? First, every last bit of DLC was important, deep, added more gameplay without taking away from the experiences you knew, and didn’t feel stapled on. Honestly, most of the DLC felt like it should have been there all along. Most importantly, all of it was fun, especially Citadel. If Citadel was released as a small spinoff I would have gladly bought it. Every DLC I have ever purchased since then has been held to that standard and not many pieces of DLC are like that. Secondly, multiplayer: a lot of games and a lot of franchises staple on multiplayer because, in the modern gaming industry, it’s important to have an online presence and having a multiplayer function can be an easy way out to get that presence without having to do much extra work. This game’s multiplayer doesn’t feel stapled on, necessarily, but feels rather like an extension of the game: so much so that it used to require that you play multiplayer to some degree in order to get the best possible endings. It felt like a path you could take in the existing games that just happened to be co-op.
Oh, by the way, don’t get me started on the endings. I liked them. That’s all that needs to be said.
1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
You see a lot of titles come and go through the years – some games play awesomely – they’re light on story, they focus on the gameplay and the characters, they shine brilliantly but fade quickly; some games are wonderful stories – they are incredibly cathartic, funny, and moving, telling you a tale that will be remembered forever, where it’s pretty obvious the game came as an afterthought to a story that was very well thought out; there are games that give you freedom, that send both story and gameplay to the wind and spend more time burying you in attention to detail and giving you the freedom to do whatever you like, how you like it. This game literally has everything you can ask from a singular gaming experience; it gives you a chilling premise, entering you into the shoes of Old Snake, whose mission is to eliminate a man whose code name is Liquid Ocelot. This deceivingly simple assassination mission takes you through many territories, linking with many characters and telling many stories, reminding you of and resolving plot threads from the entire franchise, while giving you complete control over how you experience the game.
When I say that you get complete control over your experience, I mean it in every way I possibly could: you can experience cutscenes from many perspectives, you can approach the gameplay in many different ways, you can unlock things that could change how you view everything; this is literally a custom-tailored experience based on how much you put into it. Some people might complain about this game but I feel that it gives you everything you could ask from a video game that ever released on the Playstation 3: it gives you story, attention to detail, and awesome gameplay; and it gives you that in spades. Hell, Snake even carries around a little iPod that he can listen to tracks from past games on… and if he’s close to the enemy, the enemy can hear you and raise an alert. I mean, that’s just something you don’t see in anything else. Every choice you make, good or bad, has implications on the game in the future, big or small. It’s really something and you cannot miss it.
This system has seen a lot of hits comes and go and I very highly doubt that the hits are going to stop coming now that the next generation systems are finally current gen. This is an exciting transition period for me as a gamer and I think it’s an exciting time for the industry, with so much active hardware that a great deal of developers are still planning on releasing material for.
Gaming News
Best Usenet Newsgroups for Gaming
Usenet newsgroups may seem old-fashioned to many. In reality, they are the perfect place for players who love the classics but are always open to new games and strategies. These internet communities are also ideal for those searching for gaming material, solutions to issues, or a conversation related to their favorite video games. Whether you are an experienced player or entering this domain for the first time, Usenet holds a ton of resources that could change how you interact with the gaming world.
Understanding Usenet Newsgroups
Usenet newsgroups, which include gaming groups, are like message boards. People can post messages and articles in different categories. Each group is a special place for certain topics – this makes it simple to find the subjects you want to read about most. The unique characteristic of Usenet lies in its decentralized structure. This permits a much more open interchange of details and information than what is seen on regular social media platforms or forums.
Initially, Usenet was utilized only for academic and professional exchanges. However, it soon turned into a prevalent method for communicating among hobbyists and gaming groups. Presently, even though Usenet has been surpassed by newer platforms in terms of popularity, it continues to be an important tool for knowledgeable users who value its special mix of staying anonymous with fast communication. Knowledgeable users also love access to vast archives containing historical information and software applications that are no longer available elsewhere on the Internet.
Top Usenet Newsgroups for Mobile Games
comp.mobile.games
This is a fresh group dedicated to discussions about mobile games and related technology matters within the industry. Here, you can find conversations about the coding aspects of creating games for mobile devices, like new updates in platforms or fresh game engines being used for development purposes.
rec.games.mobile
The perfect place for people who play games on their mobile devices as a hobby. Here, users talk about strategies, tricks and discuss game evaluations. This group is also suitable for those who are not serious gamers but like to connect with others and discuss playing strategies.
alt.games.mobile
In this newsgroup, users often discuss gaming fixes and give each other suggestions. It is also the go-to place for gamers and die-hard fans that wish to find each and every detail of the game they love to play.
Best Newsgroups for Video Game Discussions
Newsgroups such as alt.games.video and rec.games.video.arcade have lively communities where gamers often engage in exchanges and conversations. These forums are not only for resolving gaming issues or writing reviews; they are centers of enthusiastic discussion regarding gaming culture, strategy, and creation process. Be it the latest RPGs, energetic shooters or old-school arcade games – there is always a thread bustling with discussion.
In these threads, not only will you encounter a variety of views from across the globe, but you may also land on gaming tricks and shortcuts that are lesser known. For those who are new, remember that every group has its own tone and rules. Lurking for a while should help you understand community norms and ensure your contributions are accepted.
Specialized Gaming Newsgroups
Specialized newsgroups are designed for particular gaming communities. They provide a discussion environment that is more centered and focused. These groups are ideal for users who really love a particular game and want to explore it in great depth.
The benefit of these specific groups is their collection of very particular details. Gamers who are part of such a group often exchange unique things like custom mods or skins, and offer advice on how to make gameplay more efficient and fun.
Tips for Using Usenet Newsgroups for Gaming
To enter Usenet, you will first need to pick a provider that is well-known for security, high retention rates and fast speed. To make the right pick, it is a good idea to get the rankings for the best Usenet providers. Next, get advanced newsreader software, as this will allow you to browse through newsgroups easily and manage your activities effectively.
Focus on newsgroups related to gaming and participate in discussions matching your interests to find gaming buddies. Also, make sure that you follow the netiquette of each group while doing so. Utilize newsreader software functions like filters and automation to keep things simple.
Conclusion
Usenet, at first sight, can appear as a choice for oldies or people that have not yet acclimated to social media platforms and forums. However, its distinct characteristics make it very useful for all kinds of gamers. If you are searching for uncommon information, looking for detailed conversations or wish to join a community that matches with your specific interests; Usenet is surely the place for you. Jump in to see how Usenet can add another element of fun to your gaming experiences!
Casual
Encouraging Growth and Motivation: Resources for Child Development
Child development is a complex journey marked by critical milestones where each stride forward builds upon the foundation of the previous one. Acknowledging children’s individual needs, pediatric therapy services tailor strategies to foster physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. To support this transformative process, environments that prompt curiosity and engagement, coupled with advanced educational tools, play an instrumental role in shaping young minds. These resources, carefully selected and applied, can significantly amplify a child’s developmental trajectory. Keep reading to learn about the effective ways these tools and techniques can aid in advancing childhood milestones.
Pediatric Therapy Services: Enhancing Developmental Milestones
Pediatric therapy services support children as they reach and surpass developmental milestones. These services, often provided by skilled therapists, address various growth challenges, ensuring each child has the best possible start in life. From speech and occupational therapy to physical and behavioral interventions, these professionals tailor their approach to meet the unique needs of every young patient.
Therapists work relentlessly to motivate children, fostering an environment where milestones are not merely achieved but celebrated. Through personalized, one-on-one sessions, children gain the confidence and skills necessary to navigate their developmental journeys more easily. The trust between therapist and child is a solid foundation for consistent progress and paves the path for lifelong learning and adaptation.
Resource provision is a key component of pediatric therapy, equipping parents with the tools to continue therapy practices at home. Effective communication between therapists and families ensures a cohesive strategy that envelops the child’s daily routine, enhancing the therapy’s impact. It also allows parents to identify subtle progress, reinforcing their pivotal role in the child’s developmental success.
If you’re looking for pediatric therapy in your area, a simple Google search like “pediatric therapy Arizona” will help you find local providers and services tailored to your child’s needs, ensuring they receive the specialized care necessary for their development.
Optimizing Play Spaces: Creating Environments for Learning and Exploration
Optimized play spaces are vital platforms where children engage with their world, build skills, and unleash their creativity. Designers of such areas pay astute attention to elements that promote safe exploration and intellectual stimulation. A thoughtfully arranged play environment serves as a place of entertainment and a crucible for burgeoning development.
Professionals incorporate a variety of tactile and visual stimuli within play areas to cater to diverse developmental needs and interests. Stimulating sensory experiences is central to cognitive and motor skill refinement among younger populations. The intentional selection of colors, textures, and interactive features sparks curiosity and encourages physical activity, which is fundamental to healthy growth.
Accessibility remains paramount in creating play spaces, ensuring they cater to children across all abilities. Including adaptive resources within these environments demonstrates a commitment to inclusive development, allowing every child to participate and benefit from the joy and learning play offers. Such inclusiveness fosters a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for emotional and social development.
Affording children autonomy in their play advances self-directed learning and problem-solving capabilities. When children feel empowered to make choices within their play, they better understand their preferences and abilities, setting the stage for confidence and self-awareness — qualities that are instrumental as children grow and transition through life’s stages.
Additionally, incorporating elements like fake plants or outdoor plants from retailers like Nearly Natural outdoor plants into play spaces can enhance children’s sensory and aesthetic experience.
Interactive Learning Tools: Technology and Resources for Cognitive Development
Interactive learning tools harness technology’s power to solidify children’s cognitive development. These digital resources provide an array of engaging, educational content that aligns with critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Software and applications designed for children’s learning capitalize on the allure of multimedia to capture young minds. Effective education solutions provide children with stimulating challenges that are age-appropriate and aligned with developmental targets.
The discerning use of educational technology in classrooms and homes can reinforce concepts and skills taught through traditional methods. It creates a harmonious blend of instruction and interactive play, thereby cementing a child’s understanding and retention of information.
Providers of such educational platforms are ever vigilant, updating content to reflect new educational strategies and the latest academic research. Thus, children equipped with these technological tools remain at the vanguard of current learning methodologies, all while engrossed in fun and dynamic ways.
Overall, caregivers and educators can provide comprehensive support for children’s developmental journeys by integrating pediatric therapy services, optimized play spaces, and interactive learning tools. These resources nurture their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth and cultivate a lifelong love for learning and exploration.
Features
Why Investing in Academics Is Investing in Yourself
The quest for knowledge and self-improvement through academic pursuits is more than just a milestone in life; it is a cornerstone of personal development and success. Committing resources to further education is not merely an expense; it is an investment with considerable returns that extend far beyond the classroom. Education equips us with the tools required to navigate an increasingly complex world, opening doors to opportunities and fostering personal growth. Keep reading to discover why allocating time and resources to your academics is a decision that pays dividends for a lifetime.
The Lifelong Returns of Investing in Your Education
Investing in education is akin to planting seeds that blossom into numerous opportunities. Beyond financial gains, education forms the bedrock for career success and personal fulfillment. It empowers individuals to pursue their passions, enhances job satisfaction, and boosts self-esteem through academic achievements. Education serves as a catalyst for social mobility, breaking cycles of poverty by equipping people with the skills needed to improve their lives and contribute positively to society.
This ripple effect extends to lower crime rates and increased civic engagement, benefiting communities at large. Beginning with scholarships for high school sophomores can provide the initial support needed to embark on this transformative journey. These opportunities signify a commitment to nurturing future leaders and fostering a culture of lifelong learning and achievement.
Personal Growth and Lifelong Learning Through Education
Education is a vital aspect of personal development, providing opportunities for growth, character building, and discovering passions and capabilities. It fosters resilience and adaptability, which are essential in all aspects of life. A strong educational foundation encourages lifelong learning, ensuring individuals remain relevant and proactive in their professional and personal lives.
Education also broadens perspectives, exposing individuals to diverse ideas, cultures, and worldviews, fostering empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and appreciation for the human experience. It also allows for critical assessment and engagement with the world from an informed standpoint. The journey through academia often involves self-discovery, helping students uncover their strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values, leading to a more fulfilled life with aligned choices and goals.
Expanding Your Horizons: The Social Benefits of Academics
Academic investment in education is about building social capital through interactions with peers, faculty, and industry professionals. These interactions foster communication skills and relationships, which are crucial for life stages. Extracurricular activities in academic settings provide platforms for students to express themselves, learn new skills, and take on leadership roles.
Collaborative projects and team-based assignments teach students the importance of teamwork, compromise, and collective pursuit of goals. Higher education institutions also serve as a microcosm of society, requiring social awareness and finesse to navigate the diverse cultural, economic, and ideological perspectives.
How Academic Achievement Propels Professional Success
Professional success often hinges on a blend of experiences and achievements, with academic accomplishments playing a crucial role. Excelling in academia fosters a strong work ethic and sharp time-management skills, highly valued in today’s job market. Employers frequently use academic credentials to gauge candidates, especially for specialized roles like those requiring an aa in paralegal studies, where in-depth knowledge is pivotal.
Moreover, higher education equips individuals with specialized knowledge and technical skills that are indispensable in complex roles. Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, nurtured during academic pursuits, further enhance one’s capacity to tackle challenges creatively. The networks formed during academic years often open doors to valuable career opportunities through mentorships and connections.
Leveraging Educational Investments for Career Advancement Opportunities
Investing in education can significantly impact career advancement, as academic qualifications often lead to promotions, leadership roles, and exclusive professional circles. Continuous education can lead to specialized career paths with higher salaries and statuses, especially in evolving fields. Higher education institutions offer career services like resume-building workshops and job placement programs to help students transition from academia to the workforce effectively.
For those already in the workforce, further education can be a strategic move for career change or progression, with flexible online programs and part-time options allowing working professionals to pursue additional qualifications while maintaining their current positions.
Altogether, the investment in academics is a far-reaching decision that impacts not just your immediate circumstances, but your future potential. As you prioritize your academic pursuits, you build a stronger foundation for success in every aspect of life—professionally, personally, and socially.
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