The Game Informer Show: Episode 27

The show opens up with the biggest game this week, Red Dead Redemption.  Reviewer Matt Bertz starts things off by explaining the score he gave, 9.75, by saying that he had just enough minor reservations to keep it away from that perfect 10.  Everyone agrees that while it borrows many of the core mechanics from Rockstar’s other huge franchise, Grand Theft Auto, Redemption places those elements into a unique world that is a little more tethered to reality.  They also praise the story of the game, which remains surprisingly strong despite the open world setting and breadth of sidequests that could easily distract.

The other big release to hit the streets is Alan Wake, which has clearly captured the hearts of the GI crew earning a score of 8.5.  Stephen King was a direct inspiration for many of the psychological elements of the game, which leave a bit up to the player to interpret.  The gameplay is the most lagging piece of the puzzle, likely due to the fact that Alan Wake has been under development for so long.

The Game Informer Show’s last segment is the more open-ended of the three, as is custom.  This week, discussion of a Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer wraps things up.

Note:  The folks at Game Informer also produced a bonus episode this week focused solely on Dead Rising 2.  If you’re interested in the game, the episode is definitely worth checking out for an interview with the developer as well as general impressions.

This week features three blockbuster titles. We kick off with Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar’s groundbreaking western adventure. Reviewer Matt Bertz, Nick Ahrens, and Jeff Cork are on hand to tell you why this is their favorite open world game in a long time. Following is Remedy’s psychological thriller Alan Wake. A murderer’s row of GI staffers – Andy Reiner, Joe Juba, Tim Turi, and Bryan Vore – debate this controversial game’s storyline creepy atmosphere. Finally, Adam Biessener and Matt Bertz stop by to speculate about Treyarch’s Call of Duty: Black Ops and the awesome trailer that was released this week.

Runtime – 1:01:52

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