Peter Rivera-Pierola

Featuring some of the best cinematic cut scenes of this console generation, Heavenly Sword ultimately won me over on presentation and story. The team’s animation and voice work is really getting to the heart of what makes a digital actor’s performance realistic. Nearly approaching Uncharted-level polish, characters emote with believable nuance and conviction. The story is simple, yet ...

Platinum Games seems to be the only eastern developer capable of making modern Japanese games that are both fun to play and full of wacky, native charm. I’m normally not a combo-driven, character action fan (besides God of War), but this game was a blast to play. Yes I tended to spam the same effective combo over and over ...

I tried to play the first one, but only got about an hour into it before trading it in for something more exciting. It seems they fixed much of the control issues from the previous game, and kept all the crazy style and music that made it stand out. While there are some pretty frustrating difficulty spikes that prevent me ...

No one can deny this series’ ability to create a quirky cast of characters that seemingly have purpose and motivation, yet I can’t help but wonder how the “game” part of it has not evolved over time. In one sense this is an interactive movie, full of 20 minute long dramatic cut scenes that flesh out this crazy world ...

An entertaining statement on the capricious nature of pop (art) culture. Great pacing and quirky characters fill out this behind-the-scenes look into the world of street art.

Excellent book about how successful individuals leverage their opportunities to excel beyond the crowd. It’s an insightful, entertaining look into human culture and psychology; always clear and concise in its message, without sparing colorful storytelling and character. If you’re interested in how things come to be, you’ll like this book.

An over-the-top ode to video game/nerd culture that is thoroughly entertaining, with a surprising amount of heart. Prepare to be giddied by the numerous gaming references, bold visual style, and quirky personalities.

The Machinist: a dark, twisted journey through the mind of a troubled man that is visually powerful, yet somehow still misses its potential in narrative emotional impact.

Innerspace: a jovial blend of science fiction, slapstick, and raunch that defines its era through outrageous premises and genuinely comic performances.

Inception: a thoroughly entertaining psychological thrill-heist, pure in concept and execution, carried by naturally-flawed characters and calculated pacing.

Flower makes a great case for gaming as an art form. While just a tad short, no other game has provided me such a beautifully calming and dare I say, uplifting experience.

Despicable Me was fantastic. Undeniably charming and consistently hilarious. The entire theater was downright giddy :)

An addicting, enjoyable thriller through a dark world full of camp and mystery.

+ game is presented through tight, well-paced episodes akin to serialized television; complete with self-contained story arcs that keep you playing.
+ moody, night-time atmosphere is masterfully contrasted against energizing lighting effects; you will look forward to the light.
+ beautiful and expansive pacific northwestern vistas during the daytime; the ...

The epic, greek-inspired trilogy comes to a brutal and gratifying end. The game is steadfast in its vision, depicting striking art direction and savage gore, and improving upon its predecessors with more gameplay balance and variety. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this tighter, yet grander experience.

A tour-de-force of first-person gaming bliss, the near-perfect Half-Life 2 series alone would be worth the box price. Now, throw in Portal, one of the most innovative games in recent memory, and you’ve got yourself a steal. A must-play, created by some of the smartest game designers out there.

A genre-defining adventure that reinvented the Metroid franchise in 3D. Lonely and magnificent in its design, with equal parts discovery and adventure to lead you through the mysterious and unfolding worlds. A must-play for the modern gamer.

Still some of the best hand-to-hand combat around, this creepy, visceral game takes bum-fighting to a whole new level. Play it with the lights off and the sound turned up, and be prepared to flinch.

Quirky and very Japanese, but somehow strangely accessible and compelling. The untraditional save system and game structure may turn many away, but those that enjoy the chaos of progressing through the zombie masses will have a blast.