If there’s one universal truth that exists when it comes to the entertainment industry as a whole, it’s that sequels can be a difficult venture. Because ‘Part 2’often has to find a way to live up to the expectations of the original, all while finding a way to wow the audience with something new and exciting that allows for it to stand on its own, and that’s just not always possible. Because sometimes a second entry has no choice but to try and move the story into a different direction in order to not create a clone and well, you never quite know if audiences are going to embrace that or not.
 
But if the folks behind the scenes truly take the time to provide the audience with a quality and engaging story, one that properly has ties to the original, wonders can and will happen. But alas, more often than not, a desire to take things in a new direction and a lack of collaboration leads to sequels that are messy in nature or outright disappointing. This is something that is especially true in the gaming industry since sometimes different studios work on a sequel to a game and having an entirely different team build a story often leads to disaster since there is zero communication between the original team and the new one. And this is precisely why the second entry in the Blair Witch trilogy of video games falls short.
 
Because Blair Witch Volume II: The Legend of Coffin Rock is a game that only looks like its predecessor since it goes in a wildly different direction with its storytelling style and its gameplay and quite frankly, the changes that are made to this particular entry take the player right out of the overall experience. Because in essence, this story offers nothing new to the user. It’s the same stuff that the movie covered, surrounded by a plot involving a character who is desperate to regain his memory and sadly none of this inspires one to obsess over the game in the slightest since everything is carefully scripted out and it’s obvious early on that you don’t really need to pay attention to the plot, you just need to ride the cinematics out and hack and slash your way to the ending.
 
Which makes this game feel more like a side scrolling arcade game over an adventure game and that’s a shame because this one had some serious potential. For there are parts of this game that are actually eerie and creepy. Take for example the spirits of dead children that pop up within the environment often. For these little monsters’ chuckle with glee as they meander about, and their pale blue eyes are always locked upon your character and sometimes that’s a little more eerie than one would like. But alas, it’s subtle and twisted moments like that, which the game does not capitalize upon in the slightest. Instead, the focus is set on flashbacks designed to help you learn about your character, which really doesn’t pay off in the end, since the finale is pretty messy in its own right.
 
If anything, this is a game that feels like a wasted opportunity. Because had the game focused more on the creep factor and built wild moments upon that, we’d likely be calling this adventure a masterpiece. But instead, we are left with a game that is quite frankly, only for the hardcore Blair Witch fan in your life. For it does do a good job of exploring the legend it shares it namesake with. So, if you’re eager to learn more about this particular part of the Witch’s history, give this one a look on YouTube and enjoy the ride, but if you’re looking to find a solid horror story that leaves you uncomfortable, look elsewhere because this one is a straight up disappointment.

​Even though it’s been twenty years, I can still remember the craze that The Blair Witch Project engendered amongst the horror community. Because that particular film was revolutionary in every single sense of the word, since it gave birth to the found footage subgenre that filmmakers everywhere have taken advantage of, but more importantly, it ignited our imaginations like never before. For this film came out in the midst of a technological revolution, one that allowed for everyone to begin to enjoy the compendium of human knowledge with the click of a button. So, to stumble upon a story that was able to invoke the unknown was quite the wonderful cinematic discovery.
 
But as is always the case when the hot new thing hits the market, others want to take part in the mythos and expand it further by way of merchandising and spinoffs. But of the many books and comics and other goodies that this movie inspired with its success, one particular spinoff that truly caught my eye, was a trilogy of video games immersed within the world of the Blair Witch that were released in 2000. Because these games worked hard to expand upon the moments that left us curious or haunted in regard to the movie, and while the overall results were mixed at best, this trilogy has a soft spot in my heart simply due to the fact that they put in the most effort into expanding the legend of the Blair Witch and really my personal favorite when it comes to this trilogy was the first game, Blair Witch Volume I: Rustin Parr.
 
Because this particular tale allowed for the player to step into the world of Burkittsville, Maryland, mere days after Rustin Parr revealed to the world what he had done in the basement of his home and what made this investigation so unique and so awesome, at least for me, is that it managed to create a gaming crossover event as well. For the studio behind the incredible game Nocturne, Terminal Reality, handled the production of this entry. Which means that the Spookhouse popped up in this particular tale and it is one of their agents that works to figure out as to whether or not Rustin Parr was a bloodthirsty serial killer, or a guy truly under the influence of something otherworldly, and the investigation in question is where this game shines, since this is where some scary stuff comes into play.
 
For the surrounding woods and various places from the movie are on full display here and these places are filled with strange sounds and sinister shadows and as ‘Doc’ Holliday’s investigation continues along, those shadows and sounds begin to reveal themselves to the player and that leads to some terrific jump scares and out right terrifying moments. In fact, I’ll never forget the moment I dared to dip my character’s toes into the legendary Tappy East Creek, only to have a massive, rotten hand burst out from the water and pull her beneath the surface. Because I did not see that coming and it definitely made me yelp in surprise and the wonder of this game doesn’t end there, since the true source of the Witch’s power is revealed late in the game, leading to an intense climax that leaves one to wonder if you’ve truly done enough to end her reign of terror.
 
If anything, it’s clear that a lot of care went into this particular game, and the folks at Terminal Reality wanted to tell a quality and engrossing story that brought the mythos of the Blair Witch to new heights, and they really did succeed at that. Because I found the new twists and turns that this game had to offer quite fascinating when all is said and done, and tossing the Spookhouse into the mix was equally as rewarding and truly, this adventure left me quite excited to play the other volumes in this trilogy that other studios were preparing. But before we dive into those sequels and their flaws, in the here and the now, it’s best we bask in the wonder of this particular game. Because it did a fine job of recreating the eerie atmosphere of the movie and if by chance you want to check it out, your best bet is to swing by YouTube since this game has faded from the market and I do hope you give it a look since it really was, something special

Of the many, many species that we’ve been introduced to in the Star Trek mythos, I am hard pressed to find one as mysterious and as alluring as the Romulans. For these cunning villains were often shrouded in secrecy in the earliest days of the franchise, to the point where they became an afterthought as the years rolled on and it really wasn’t until The Next Generation that they were given the proper chance to grow on screen and allow for the fans to discover their rich yet brutal culture. But while we learned plenty about them during Picard’s time aboard the Enterprise-D, once his initial adventures through the stars came to an end, our exploration of this species in essence came to a close.
 
Which I think is a shame because we all wanted more, in fact, I would venture to say that we want to feel as familiar with them as we do with the Klingon Empire and that’s why I firmly believe that J.J. Abrams used them as the primary villain of his 2009 reboot of the saga and why Star Trek: Picard will feature them heavily as well. Because the idea presented in these two stories, in that an Empire as large as this one can be brought to its knees by natural disaster, makes for some incredible storytelling to say the least and I’m eager to see what Picard will bring to the table in regard to a universe without Romulus and Remus. But alas, we have to wait until 2020 to find that out, and this is in fact a gaming blog about Star Trek Online and the importance of discussing the Romulans here has its rhyme and its reason; simply because their rich culture and their new beginning can be explored within the game right now.
 
For STO took the time to adopt the storyline involving the destruction of Romulus and Remus in 2387 and their direction with it is nothing short of brilliant. Because in 2410, there’s relative peace with this once proud race of warriors, simply because they were able to see that the only way forward was to make peace with their enemies and it’s fascinating to navigate a quadrant of space that is now free from Neutral Zones and the threat of war with neighbors and what is truly the crown jewel of this wonderful storytelling decision, is the fact that your character can fly to New Romulus and set foot on a world that was once forbidden to all by its host species, and my goodness what an incredible experience this is in game.
 
Because once you arrive within the confines of the capital city, you can see the people of this world working hard to rebuild and create homes and a functional civilization once again, and it’s wild to see Klingons and Starfleet officers working alongside them to accomplish those goals and the magic of this world doesn’t end there. For one can explore a great deal of New Romulus and there’s something quite beautiful about seeing a new world for the first time and exploring it from a scientific standpoint alongside the Romulans. For much remains hidden about this planet and it’s just so cool to tag creatures you’ve never seen in the series before and aid a former foe with safety and security themed missions.
 
If anything, the Romulans chose a lovely world from which to start fresh and it’s easy to get lost within its forests or even its mountain regions since you’ll find yourself just staring at the scenery. But what matters most to me is that New Romulus and everything we’ve just discussed in this Log, serves as a fine reminder of what Star Trek stands for. Because centuries of hostilities are forgotten in this place, and bad blood is a phrase that no one knows, since everyone is working together to help the Romulans thrive and proper once again and that’s just a beautiful thing to see within the framework of the game and its hopeful to say the least, and it leaves one to wonder if someday the newly formed Romulan Republic will apply for admission into the Federation.
 
But that’s likely a long way off, so in the meantime it is best we just celebrate the fact that there is peace at last, and there’s a majestic world to explore and study and it’s almost a shame that we have to leave this world, but it’s necessary in order to finish our second journey through the galaxy. So, for now, we bid this planet farewell to set sail for a place that is a little more rough and tumble, despite its nickname, and that’s where we will pick up, next time. Until then.  

​I’m starting to find it quite funny, how many amazing things I’m outright missing in Star Trek Online simply because the game feels like home to me. For all these landmarks are second nature in my mind and traveling through or by them is just another part of my daily duties as an Admiral. But I’m glad I’m starting to take the time to really pause and appreciate the beauty and majesty of this game. Because taking a moment to stop and smell the tribbles is really allowing me to appreciate it on a whole new level and well, this is on my mind today simply because I’d like to recap exactly what brought to me this newfound level of appreciation, and really it all starts with the last Log entry I put to digital paper.
 
Because my voyage to the Delta Quadrant could only have been achieved one way, and that was by using the Iconian Gateway that’s located in the Beta Quadrant, since that transports you to the Jenolan Dyson Sphere and that name, should ring a bell in the back of your mind whether you’re a casual or hardcore Trekkie/Trekker. Because that particular location was featured prominently in The Next Generation episode ‘Relics’, and this massive body in space just so happened to house a Captain Montgomery Scott who managed to interact with the crew of the NCC-1701-D. And the gravity of the fact that the U.S.S. Galactica, was using a place where Captain Picard’s first Enterprise picked up a legendary chief engineer, as an interstellar express lane, didn’t really sink in until this last voyage when I really took a moment to just let the ship sit there so I could soak in the enormity of this beautiful creation.
 
If anything, that’s really what I want to talk about today, the fact that the two Dyson Spheres present in the game are incredibly marvelous and rich places to visit, because of the incredible detail that they boast. For the Jenolan Sphere is quite frankly a flawless replica of the one found in ‘Relics’ and I even re-watched the episode briefly to see how perfectly the design team matched it to the one featured on screen, and I am hard pressed to find a single flaw. In fact, I would venture to say that they have improved upon it since the detail is a little richer in the game since the buildings and structures on the surface of the sphere, pop on the screen and really, the Jenolan sphere and all of its incredible visuals are nothing more than a mere appetizer for the detail that the Cryptic team placed into the fabric of these majestic spheres.
 
For the Solanae Dyson Sphere gives you actual areas to outright explore, three of them in fact, and as you traverse the vast landscape, you can see every single building and structure beneath your vessel and that is quite frankly, a breathtaking sight. Because it honestly just ignites one’s imagination and leaves you to wonder what went on down there oh-so long ago, since so many of these ancient cities are still intact and in pristine shape, and perhaps the best part of this particular Sphere, is that you get to beam down and explore it up close. Which truly gives one an understanding of the sheer enormity of these Spheres since the beam down point gives you an entire city and a park to explore in great detail and it’s just incredible to know that this world is so large that you cannot see your own ship in the sky, even though you know she’s right above you.
 
Either way, taking the time to venture back through these places was definitely worth the effort since it adds a real sense of scale to things, and I almost forgot to mention the fact that there is basically an entire Starbase to explore inside the Jenolan Sphere, because it’s just that damn big. And while I know this isn’t quite the planetary adventures I promised, we needed to take a moment and appreciate the sheer majesty of these locations since they are so cool and so unique, and now that we’ve wrapped up a few bonus celestial bodies in our second tour through the galaxy, it’s time to return to terra firma by making a stop at a nearby planet, one that holds great weigh in Star Trek canon as of late. Until next time. 

While I’ve always appreciated the fact that Star Trek as a whole provides us with a vision of a world and future where mankind has figured all of their problems out, I’m equally as enamored with how the franchise has taken the time to show us that not everyone in the universe is as evolved as the United Federation of Planets. For there are worlds and cultures out there struggling to survive, and some worlds know nothing of peace and it’s good to see a franchise that offers hope, offer up such a realistic twist, one that parallels our world to a tee and its oddly something that Star Trek Online has made a point to weave into the beautiful fabric of the game.
 
For you definitely travel to ‘unsavory’ places in the galaxy in this game, where Federation rule means nothing and only the strong survive and while it is jarring to see places like that when compared to the clean and sanitary ships of Starfleet, this flip side of the universe is paramount to some of the stories that play out over your career as a Starfleet officer. And one such place that fits the particular mold of a world where chaos reigns and sorrow seems to surround everyone and everything, is nestled deep within the confines of the Delta Quadrant, and it’s a world that quite frankly I did not do a good job exploring my first time around there, since I was more or less trying to push through the Delta Rising segment of the story as quickly as I could.
 
Which meant the time had come to properly explore the world known as Kobali Prime and as it turns out, appreciating anything this world had to offer was no easy task. For this is a world that is under constant conflict as the Vaadwaur siege the cities on this world and that, made exploration uncomfortable to say the least. Because while I admired the views surrounding me, there was always the unsettling thud of a photon mortar in the distance, or the gentle hiss of phaser and distruptor fire and that honestly made my visit to this particular world heartbreaking to say to the least because there actually is quite a bit of beauty to be found in this place when all is said and done.
 
For the cities here are magnificent. They’re bright and massive and filled to the brim with beautiful architecture and people going about their daily lives, and the countryside is no slouch either for that matter. Because the hills and mountains on this planet feature beautiful views and its fascinating as to how the light reflects off of everything here. But alas, the beauty present here is marred and sullied by conflict and as I explored the area surrounding the capital city, weapons discharge and barricades and war reminded me of that, making this world bittersweet to visit and it hammered home every point about the nature of the galaxy I’ve made mention of so far.
 
If anything, revisiting this world was a humbling experience to say the least. Because the last time I was here, I was immediately following orders and diving into combat as a Starfleet officer is wont to do. But now, seeing it from afar, really gives one a moment of digital pause because I really have it made aboard the Galactica. Because I have the fleet behind me at all times, and Earth and Spacedock and my ready room are all peaceful and gentle and quiet in their own right, and that kind of privilege is something one forgets about when playing this game and it evokes a sense of duty at the same time and well, that’s why I love this game. Because it does more than offer up action and adventure, it makes you think and it makes you feel something, which is truly a spectacular feat for certain and in a weird way, this particular stop has motivated me to continue this second journey through the galaxy post haste, to see what other moments of wonder await me. Until next time.

​I think it is a foregone conclusion, that each and every one of us play video for some supremely personal reasons. For some, it’s about the challenges that games present and tearing through them as quickly as possible is quite the rush. For others, it’s about being able to be the best in multiplayer and show off one’s prowess on the digital field. But for me, gaming is a personal experience, one that I use to get my mind off of life’s more annoying days and one that allows for me to get lost in a wonderful story and that’s why I always find great solace and wonder when I log in to play Star Trek Online. Because not only am I immersed in my favorite fictional universe, I’m able to lose myself in any wonderful story I so choose with a simple press of a button.
 
But while that alone is magnificent for my mind, there’s another reason I find this game so calming. Because this is only place that I can go and lose myself in the vastness of the galaxy and this is something that I made mention of before, many logs ago, but I really want to get into further detail about how space provides me with a genuine sense of serenity when I’m traveling from point A to point B. Which is something that is related to how exactly I traverse around the galaxy. For while there are some hyper quick options, such as the quantum slipstream drive or the transwarp drive (the latter of which can get you to your destination in seconds), what truly makes space travel special for me is the most traditional manner of travel available; good old fashioned warp speed.
 
Which is fast in its own right, since you’re traveling well past the speed of light. But the actual act of warp speed has a gentle nature to it and it’s so soothing to just watch the stars stream by. If anything, it’s a magical place to just decompress and when combined with the tranquil music provided in flight, I always enjoy losing myself within the journey and sometimes it’s also nice to just stop and admire the everyday beauty that the galaxy has to offer as well. For the stars feature more than just endless void with the occasional planet or starbase thrown in for good measure. There’s also plenty of nebulae and comets and beautiful star systems to see and if there’s one place I love to visit when I need a taste of beauty, it’s the Mutara Nebula.
 
Now that’s a name that should sound familiar to Star Trek fans everywhere. But for the uninitiated, this was the site of an important battle in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, wherein the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701) and the U.S.S. Reliant (NCC-1864) duked it out to settle an old score, and it is still standing after all this time, despite some wild changes to the nebula itself (thanks to how that battle wraps up), and it is just… the most gorgeous place to visit in the depths of space. In fact, you can see its wonder and majesty in the picture above and I simply love how tranquil it is, and on several occasions I’ve just parked the Galactica in the midst of those clouds and nebula watched to soothe my mind and it’s never failed to help me relax when necessary.
 
Yet, while that’s my own personal ‘tourist’ spot in the Milky Way Galaxy, there are so many others to see within the four quadrants of the galaxy, and I highly encourage that you take the time to see them during your own travels as well. And while I know I mentioned a return to planetary adventures in this blog, a tough week prompted me to just cruise the stars and return to the Mutara Nebula (which you can find near the edge of known space in the Beta Quadrant in the Teroka Sector), to cool my mind before I ventured off to my first planetary stop, one located in the Delta Quadrant and that’s where we will pick up, next time. Until then. 

​You know, I have to admit that my second journey through the galaxy in Star Trek Online is helping to make me realize that I truly get lost in the stories that this game is working to tell. Because there is some wonderful beauty to be found in this digital galaxy, the kind that I’m missing as I rush to save the day and that’s not a bad thing by any means. Because one can always return to a particular destination at any given time by either replaying a mission, or by just hanging out if it’s open to everyday player traffic and that’s precisely why I decided it was high time to revisit one last space bound location one more time before returning to my planet bound adventures, because Deep Space Nine truly deserved an in depth and quality visit on my part.
 
Because I breezed through the station during my first two visits there during the Bajor and Victory is Life story-arcs, and any other time I’ve spent there has been at the Dabo tables to complete the ‘Win X GPL’ task in my Endeavor missions. So, it made perfect sense to return here after my visit to Space Station K-7 to properly wander the halls of this iconic place and I’m so glad that I made this my next destination choice. For I’ve never taken the proper time to appreciate the screen accuracy of this space station since the folks at Cryptic clearly went through a painstaking process in order to make DS9 look and feel like it did on the series and one element that demonstrates how successful they were, is how busy the station is inside and out.
 
For, there are ships constantly surrounding this station, which makes sense since it’s a major hub in the Alpha Quadrant, and it is something that truly reminds me of the series since we often saw exterior shots with ships floating about DS9’s docking rings on the show and the Promenade only enhances this experience further. Because that place was always hopping on the series, and it’s just wonderful to see species from all walks of life wandering about the floor in game, giving this part of the station an on-screen feel as well. But while those parts of Deep Space Nine are pretty awesome to visit, they both pale in comparison to Quark’s, because it’s just a real honor to meander about this iconic place and have a lengthy conversation with Morn and man, the characters of DS9 weren’t kidding back in the day when they said he rarely shut up.
 
But all of that aside, truly the centerpiece of the station is Operations, since many a powerful moment took place in this part of Deep Space Nine on the series, and it is wild to stand where iconic characters worked to save the Alpha Quadrant from the Dominion so long ago and special attention needs to be paid to the Captain’s office that awaits at the top of the stairs. For the specter of Captain Benjamin Sisko hangs heavy over this place, to the point where you pay the new commander of this station no mind. Because it was in this room that Captain Sisko made some incredibly tough calls over the course of the series, and this is where he and Admiral Ross discussed the finer points of the Dominion War from time to time and it is so cool to see that his baseball still sits on the desk, all out of respect for a great commander.
 
If anything, it was just wonderful to walk these hallowed halls and reminisce about a series that took the franchise by storm in all the right ways, and truly I have to tip my cap to the folks at Cryptic for putting together a flawless digital replica of such an iconic place in Star Trek history, and it is just so cool that anyone can visit this station as often as possible once it becomes available to them in game and I think it’s one I need to return to more often as time goes on. Just because it really is an oasis in the lonely Alpha Quadrant since there are but a handful of places to interact with in that part of space. But now that we’ve visited this station one more time, I would venture to say that my time in the void has come to an end for just a little bit, for it is high time we feel the heat of a sun from the surface of a planet, and I know the perfect one to start with… until next time. 

I have to admit, that I was supremely excited to sit down and write this particular (b)log. Because there’s just something wondrous about flying around the galaxy in Star Trek Online and sharing that nerdy adventure with all of you, and be able to raise awareness about the incredible places present in this game since the folks that helped to create it, worked hard to make every single destination as special as can be. Because it really doesn’t matter where you go in this digital galaxy, there’s simply beauty and fascination to be found in your destination, and that includes the more routine parts of the galaxy, even the space stations that are peppered about the stars.
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Which shouldn’t come as a surprise since I just made mention of the fact that there’s so much beauty to be found out there. But let’s be honest, within the framework of the franchise and I suppose science fiction in general, space stations are something that are now akin to a freakin’ gas station in space. Folks swing by, check the place out, maybe pick up something they need for the long trip ahead and get moving. They’re just that commonplace in sci-fi storytelling these days that I almost left them out of this blog because they really were a bit of an afterthought. But a quick stop at one of them on my way to the planet we’ll be talking about next week, changed my mind when it comes to talking about them.

Because man, I really was quite impressed with the detail and the beauty and the peace and quiet that I found at Starbase 39, which is located in the Sierra Sector. For this place really was a sight to behold, with the wondrous green light that pours through the windows, thanks to the nebula that lies beyond the station and there’s a real gritty sci-fi feel to this particular place. Because it feels like the kind of outpost where people struggle and enjoy a stiff drink after a long day and that particular vibe was just fascinating to say the least, one that is heavily juxtaposed by the other station that I visited in this leg of my journey. Because Drozana Station felt like that gas station you hit up on the road when there is no other alternative, the one you not dare use the bathroom in, thanks to its all-around dingy appearance and I found it funny that I never noticed how run down and drab and dreary this station really is when I visited it the first time around, but I’m glad I’m finally able to properly see this station in all its hand-sanitizing glory, and it’s cool of the game to throw in a less unsavory place to visit.

But while it was neat to visit those two places once again and really get a feel for what they stand for, they both paled in comparison to the history rich K-7 station, and if that name sounds familiar, there’s good reason for that. Because this space station was the setting for ‘The Trouble with Tribbles’ and even in the 25th Century, history is a big focus for this particular place. Because hardcore Trekkers will take note of the fact that Captain Mackenzie Calhoun from the U.S.S. Excalibur from Peter David’s Star Trek: New Frontier novels hangs out here and what’s even cooler is that the station is run by Commander Naomi Wildman from Star Trek: Voyager and it’s just so awesome to see this station offer up so many Easter eggs when it comes to the franchise and that it is still standing in the 25th Century.

But all wonder aside, I will also take a moment and say that I really did like how there’s a certain relaxed feel to visiting these places as well, since they do provide that same moment of relief that one experiences on a long road trip when you get to a particular gas station or rest stop. Because they are a lovely way to stretch one’s digital legs and shake off the silence of space travel, and they also serve important purposes to the storylines as well, making them essential to the game. But if by chance you visit one, don’t be surprised if you suddenly get lost within their walls since there is so much to see beneath the transparent aluminum that holds them together and well, now that I’ve swung by them one more time, I suppose it’s time to explore the planets that populate this game, unless of course, I swing by the only station not on this list. So, I guess I’ll need to flip a gold pressed latinum coin to see exactly which way I’m heading… until next time. 

To say that Star Trek Online does a fine job of paying tribute to the franchise as a whole, would quite frankly be an understatement. Because this particular game embraces every aspect of every single series that has ever graced our television screens and it’s quite delightful to know that even the little things when it comes to this magnificent universe are hiding within plain sight in some form or fashion, be it a cameo or a quick mention of something wonderful, like say the Memorial Plaque to George and Gracie that’s right next to the Golden Gate Bridge at Starfleet Academy.
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But while there are plenty of beautiful sights and Easter eggs designed to make you smile, present in game, as I was beginning my second tour of the galaxy, searching for places that I could explore in great detail; it dawned upon me that we haven’t talked about the fact that this game also takes the time to pay tribute to some of Star Trek’s darkest and most powerful moments. For believe it or not, there are grand memorials in this game, the kind that are solemn and strong and remind of you the fact that not every story in the franchise ends with the crew of a starship saving every single life imaginable and I respect the game for taking the time to place these tributes into the framework of this digital environment.

Because these memorials remind us of moments that genuinely moved us and shocked us when we first saw them play out on screen and today I’d like to take the time to highlight the ones that gave me pause, starting with the one that I connect with the most; the memorial that hovers in the graveyard of Starfleet ships at Wolf 359. Because when I first saw ‘The Best of Both Worlds, Part II’, I know that I was stunned when the 1701-D arrived at Wolf 359, only to find the remains of this fleet scattered about this system because that was the first time I ever saw Starfleet in vulnerable fashion and the weight of the crews lost there, hung heavy over those visuals and this is still a sobering and powerful monument to see in 2410. For when one arrives here, there is no triumphant music, just the hum of the impulse engines and the silence of the dead and this memorial immediately takes me back to the shock I felt when seeing that TNG episode for the first time back in September of 1990.

But I made mention of several memorials, and one cannot discuss the one at Wolf 359, without discussing the one that has now influenced multiple corners of the franchise; the one that pays tribute to the loss of Romulus and Remus. Yes, that’s right, the destruction of the home world of the Romulan Star Empire has its own nod here as well, and this is an equally as sobering memorial to find in game, since it too is shrouded in silence and it reminds us of how important this moment, first featured in the 2009 reboot of Star Trek, is to the franchise as a whole. For your character would not be able to set foot upon New Romulus if weren’t for the sacrifice of Ambassador Spock, and it’s obvious at this point that this event will heavily influence the events of the forthcoming Star Trek: Picard and this just speaks volumes to how much research went into the assembly of this game.
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Yet, while memorials such as those (and the one at Starfleet Academy, that reminds us of those lost in the Breen Confederacy’s attack on Earth during the Dominion War in 2375), pay fine tribute to the rich history of the saga, there are also memorials present that are a touch more emotional and intimate for the fans. Take for example the two statues of Ambassador Spock that stand on both Vulcan and New Romulus, since players have been known to drop by these in order to pay their solemn respects on the anniversary of Leonard Nimoy’s death. Plus if you swing by the upper level at Earth Spacedock, you’ll find a giant slab of marble that pays tribute to every actor in the franchise that has passed away, along with the folks that worked behind the scenes tirelessly to bring this vision of a majestic future to life and these are perhaps, the finest tributes present in the game.

If anything, all of these memorials, serve as a fine reminder that this is a game for fans, by fans and they’re quite the unexpected surprise to find in game and honestly, I’m not sure I would have known about them, had I not taken the time to fly about the galaxy to explore every last nook and cranny that this game has to offer. So, my thanks go out to the team behind Star Trek Online, because adding this stuff not only keeps us nerds happy, but it really does help to make this fictional universe a living and breathing environment, one filled with a rich history that we are managing to add to, and if I’m finding this kind of wonder in just the memorials, I can only imagine what kind of magic awaits me on the planets and stations that are peppered throughout the Milky Way Galaxy in 2410. Until next time. 

You know, I have to admit that I write myself into a corner when it comes EA Sports’ annual release of Madden. Because once I get my hands on the game, I’m immediately in bliss mode, and I play it incessantly and fall in love with it, without really taking notice of the little things that simply don’t work within the game itself. Take for example last year’s release. For while EA was able to finally provide fans everywhere with an ample and realistic running game, something went awry with the passing game and I quickly found myself irritated at the fact that I gave it such a glowing review without realizing that Cover 3 was now an invincible play for the AI in this game and that defensive backs and linebackers could magically fly five years to the ball and put an end to a perfect pass.
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Which quite frankly, prompted me to take a moment and really dive into Madden 20 before writing about it. So that this time around I could truly see if EA had done a better job with creating the realistic football environment they’ve been working toward for decades now and well, after toying about in this world for a couple of weeks now, I have to say, that I’m impressed with what EA has to offer. For starters, this year’s game does indeed fix the passing problems that were present last year, and while DBs and LBs can still make life hell for you in the passing game, they can no longer fly to the ball like a superhero and stop the play, and the wonder of this game doesn’t quite end with its newly modified passing game.

Because I have to admit that I am quite intrigued and quite impressed with the addition of Superstar X-Factor Abilities since it’s a feature that definitely mirrors the real-life game. After all, there are indeed some genuine superstars in the NFL, the kind of guys that can take over a game and make life hell for either offenses or defenses, depending on which side of the ball they play upon. And plunking this into the game adds a new layer of difficulty and surprise because once a superstar gets hot they do their thing and you have to react quickly to stop them before they do some serious damage and well, I love this feature, it’s way overdue and I cannot wait to see how it enhances the game further once I get to the playoffs and the Super Bowl. 

Plus, there’s also the arrival/return of what is in essence a personal career mode, named ‘Face of the Franchise’ in this year’s edition of the game. It’s basically your opportunity to take control of a player that you can model after your likeness or a likeness of your choosing before you guide their career from the college playoffs to the draft and their first NFL team and this is actually pretty slick. It has the feel of Longshot in the college segments and grows more business based as the NFL comes into play. But I dig how you’re privy to more private conversations from teammates and coaches once your character gets into the league. Because that adds new depth to this game since normally one is relegated to franchise mode’s faux Twitter feed in order to get any feedback on their respective team or player.
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However, while these features are indeed cool in their own right, presentation is something that is paramount to me. Because we play this game to feel as though we’re diving into the game itself and Madden 20 does a fine job with that as well. For not only does it feel like you’re watching a genuine television broadcast since the pre-game stuff feels like you’re tuning in, you also feel as though you’re at the stadium itself. Because this year’s game takes full advantage of surround sound technology and loud stadiums are loud, and for the first time in a long time you can hear the announcer speaking over the intercom as he breaks down what just happened and what the fans can expect next and that’s just a real treat when all is said and done. Because there’s something special about hearing the roar of the hometown fans when you score a touchdown or make a big play and that just makes for an immersive and fun experience.

But everything we’ve covered here, speaks volumes to the details that only hardcore football fans love and demand, which begs an important question; is this game worth it for the casual player and fan? Absolutely. For there’s the still the option to just assume the identity of your favorite quarterback on your favorite team and let it rip all day long. Or just put on the headset as a coach and make the play calls you think are best for your favorite franchise and well, in the end, this is just another magnificent addition to this storied gaming franchise. Which is something I feel I can say with confidence because after two weeks of playing it, I still find myself coming back for more and that’s really the mark of a good game, when you simply cannot put it down.