Video games
#1 “The Walking Dead: The Game”
Zombies have become the new vampires. It seems like every time you turn the corner there’s something new dealing with zombies. The fascination with survival is not a new idea when it comes to zombie stories, but Telltale Games’ “The Walking Dead: The Game” finds a way to bring a jaw-dropping perspective to this old theme.
“The Walking Dead: The Game” is split into five different episodes that follow the story convicted murderer Lee Everett, who stumbles upon a little girl name Clementine. Your weapon in this game is the power of choice and the choices you make ultimately affect whether or not Lee and Clementine will survive in this new world ruled by the undead.
Everything from the littlest choices, like whether or not to tell Clementine you murdered someone, to difficult choices, like whose life you should save, become crucial to the outcome of the game. “The Walking Dead: The Game” revolutionizes the way video games can tell an emotional story and immerse you in a world that will have you questioning if you made the right decisions.
“The Walking Dead: The Game” is a must-play for any fan of video games, whether casual or hardcore, and will pull at you heartstrings until its climatic end. At the end of your journey you’ll ask yourself what would you do to save Clementine.
4.5/5 stars
#2 “Mass Effect 3”
The ending to this epic trilogy may have been controversial, but that doesn’t stop “Mass Effect 3” from being one of the top games of 2012. BioWare embarked on a radical idea to make a series where every decision you make affects later story elements and following games.
It was a risk that paid off as BioWare developed an expansive universe filled with intriguing alien beings and a story where the human race is trying to find its place in the final frontier.
“Mass Effect 3” was the conclusion to this series and each moment reminds you of this fact as you try to save the universe from an ancient race of machines hell-bent on eradicating the universe of organic life. Throughout the story the gravity of the universe’s impending doom becomes clearer with each passing mission and is the reason why this game is so successful. It really feels like the end of organic life.
The ending to this game received tremendous scrutiny for its lack of clarity but what it does right is actually ending the story and leaving room for debate and discussion. “Mass Effect 3” succeeds in providing players the power to choose their destiny. And that’s a pretty powerful choice.
4 stars
#3 “Borderlands 2”
One part humor, one part shoot-’em-up, and one part “loot every item you find” – adding all of these concepts together is what makes up “Borderlands 2.”
The sequel to the highly praised “Borderlands 1,” Gearbox Software set out to improve on the hugely successful formula created with the first game. Gearbox was more than successful with its improvements.
“Borderlands 2,” at its core, is a game that revolves around one thing: venturing out into an extremely dangerous post-apocalyptic environment to find weapons and upgrades so that you can travel to more difficult areas and find even better weapons and upgrades. It’s a very simple idea, but one that is highly addictive and provides hours of fun.
Supporting the highly addictive gameplay is a story filled with hilarious characters and moments that will have you frantically fighting to get to the next dialogue sequence to hear what ridiculous things its characters will say next. The game’s villain, Handsome Jack, is also an intriguing villain that drives the story forward and supplies depth to this seemingly mindless game.
What really makes this game so great is its amazing multiplayer capabilities. “Borderlands 2” exemplifies the phrase “the more the merrier” and is a game you will want to play with friends. Besides, who wants to play by themselves?
4/5 stars
#4 Fez
Cubism has never been more delightful and fun than how it’s been portrayed in Polytron’s Fez. Fez serves as blast from the past, it steps away from the ultra-realistic and highly polished games that this generation of games has come to know by presenting itself in the old school eight bit format.
Phil Fish’s, the creative drive behind this indie game, choice to present this game in the eight bit format pays off as this game’s visuals and eight bit soundtrack create a childhood like aesthetic of adventure and fun. Even before diving into this game the visuals and sounds blow you away, it’s simply a beautiful game to look at.
Gameplay seems simple at first glance, focusing on a platforming style that’s shared with such games as the original Super Mario. Platforming turns into complicated puzzles as you progress through the game. Fez relays on an innovative mechanic of rotating a three dimensional cube by 90 degrees. This mechanic only allows you to view the world in a two dimensional perspective which provides a highly addictive gameplay experience.
Fez not only pays homage to the eight bit era which most people have either forgotten or are too young to remember, but it innovates with fresh new gameplay ideas and beautiful visuals. It’s a game that reminds you of your childhood, when everything seemed like an adventure.
4 stars
Movies
#1 “The Avengers”
One movie swept the box office by almost $200 million this year.
Thank God it wasn’t “Twilight.”
“The Avengers” not only conquered the box office, but Thor’s evil brother, as well. It had men in tight pants and Scarlett Johansson in a spandex bodysuit. But the movie got me hooked right away. I expected it to be the typical action movie, but it was funny, too, which is why I think it stands out as one of last year’s top movies.
5/5 stars
#2 “The Dark Knight Rises”
The final installment of the “Batman” trilogy didn’t make quite as much as its predecessor, “The Dark Knight,” but it was still a top box office earner.
The vigilante reappears after hearing that Bane, who was trained by the League of Shadows, began threatening Gotham.
Bane defeats Batman and lets the people take over the city of Gotham.
It’s a very dark movie, and the only comic relief is found in Catwoman.
4/5 stars
#3 “The Hunger Games”
With Harry Potter without a movie this year, “The Hunger Games” took over theaters with its fandom.
Katniss Everdeen, also known as “The Girl on Fire,” was one of 24 tributes who had to fight to the death or be killed. And she volunteered for it.
The concept of the Games is to remind the districts of the consequences of rebelling. With only one winner, the majority of the districts lose two children.
The movie displays the death of children in a tasteful way, usually away from camera, with the audience seeing only the end result.
4/5 stars
#4 “Skyfall”
007 returned once again to theaters and left its mark. Still in theaters, it currently sits at No. 4 at the box office.
This time around, Bond is more personal, protecting the famous “M” by taking her to his home. An ex-agent blows up part of headquarters and targets her for giving him up.
Bond only has two ladies in this movie, and of course, one dies.
3.5/5 stars
USI News
#1 SpringFest canceled
After 10 years of music and food booths on campus, SpringFest is canceled for 2013. The man behind the curtains, Tim Buecher, announced his retirement, and Provost Ron Rochon said that is one of the reasons SpringFest will not happen this year.
Rochon said he will put a committee together to talk about the future and what the committee wants to accomplish. He also said the cancelation was not because of the loss of money.
Over 11 years, SpringFest has lost $501,251, the biggest being 2011 when Mike Posner came.
#2 Teaching Theatre breaks ground
After much planning and talking, USI broke ground in August for the $16.7 million Teaching Theatre. The funding comes from private grants and university funds, said Ted Ziemer, Board of Trustees chair. The new theatre will replace the 50-year-old theatre that was located almost four miles off campus.
The Mallette Theatre in the lower level of the Liberal Arts building will still be used as a teaching ground, Liberal Arts Dean Michael Aakhus said.
The 350-seat Teaching Theatre construction closed off the University Center East’s lower level entrance.
#3 Alpha Sigma Tau
USI welcomes a fourth sorority on campus, adding the possibility of a fifth coming in 2014.
The women who wanted to join Alpha Sigma Tau went through a six-week new-member process to join the sorority. Because the sorority is new, this process allows new members to learn about Alpha Sigma Tau’s values, history and how it is nationally known.
David Stetter, Fratnerity and Sorority Life program adviser, said the addition of this chapter has brought all the other chapters together.
In October 2012, Alpha Sigma Tau recruited 70 members – almost half of those were freshmen.
#4 Rugby Club wins state championship
The Rugby Club started its season with six straight wins, sending it to content for the state championship in Carmel, Ind. For the first time in club history, the Rugby Club won the Small College Rugby State Championships.
The Rugby Club won 47-12 over league rival Wabash College which beat them last year in the State Championship match. It was the first win against Wabash in four years.
From there, the Rugby Club traveled to Wisconsin for the Midwest Quarter Finals. In its first match at nationals, the team lost to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside 20-25, ending its season.
