Displaying articles written by

Gregory Gay

who has written 3 posts for Gamesugar.

Review – Law & Order: Legacies (Episodes 1-3)


I’ve never really thought about it, but I have watched a lot of Law & Order. I wouldn’t call myself a diehard fan – I certainly don’t follow it with the same fervor that I do Fringe or Doctor Who – but I have probably caught hundreds of episodes of the show and its myriad spin-offs while searching the channels for some decent background noise.

It’s great comfort TV – often extremely clever, but at the same time, extremely structured. You know what to expect from the show; there’ll be a few witty cast members, a bit of mystery, and an interesting case that will be wrapped up within the hour (organized in such a manner that the first half will consist of the police investigation, while the second half will focus on the prosecution as they make their case in the courtroom). In fact, it’s a formula that seems to slot quite well into Telltale’s episodic game structure.

Even with a format perfect for a game adaptation, I would not in a million years have expected the Law & Order license to produce a good game. While flawed in several ways, by dropping many of the adventure game tropes that you expect from the studio and borrowing bits and pieces from the similarly themed LA Noire and Phoenix Wright, Telltale Games has produced an intriguing title that perfectly captures the spirit and conventions of its licensed material.

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Posted: February 2, 2012 at 2:56 pm By | 3 comments

Trailer Park – Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller

Cognition An Erica Reed Thriller
Unless you’re a point-and-click adventure fanatic, you probably have no idea who Phoenix Online Studios is. Trust me – you’ll want to keep an eye on them. While I’m not in love with their King’s Quest fan sequel, The Silver Lining, the fact that the studio managed to cobbled together such a massive endeavor without any previous game making experience and despite huge legal hurdles from Activision speaks volumes about what they could do with an original property.

Turns out that we might get the chance to find out – if they can get the funding they need. The proposed game, Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller, is a collaborative effort between Phoenix Online Studios and Neitherlands-based Khaeon Gamestudio, with storyline co-penned by Gabriel Knight designer Jane Jensen and art from the talented Romano Molenaar (X-Men,Witchblade, Tomb Raider).

Described as “an episodic story in the spirit of Dexter and Heavy Rain,” Cognition revolves around Boston-based FBI agent Erica Reed. Years ago, her brother was brutally murdered by a serial killer, and the stress of the incident caused Reed to develop the power to touch an object and observe past events involving the item. Very apropos for an adventure game. Of course, such a power comes with consequences – her personal life is a wreck and a new serial killer is leaving crime scenes specifically designed for somebody with the same kind of powers that Erica possesses.

Altogether, this sounds like the perfect brew for a great adventure game. Spooky powers, a kickass female detective, and a setting dripping with noir potential. How can you not love it already?

If you’re ready to toss them a few bucks (and get some great bonuses), head on over to their Kickstarter page. Not quite convinced yet? Watch the trailer – just past the cut for your convenience!

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Posted: October 31, 2011 at 2:40 pm By | No comments

The Spirit of ’47: A Primer to the Influences of L.A. Noire


Rockstar and Team Bondi’s latest game, L.A. Noire, hit stores last week. The game shoves you into the role of detective Cole Phelps as he solves a number of brutal crimes in the aftermath of World War 2 – think of it as a mix of Phoenix Wright and Grand Theft Auto. The thing is, L.A. Noire isn’t just a sandbox game set in the 40′s. It’s a love letter to the film noir genre – a distinctive cinematic genre from the 1940′s and 50′s mired in the shadowy world of crime.

Like every other Rockstar game, L.A. Noire will probably sell roughly a bajillion copies, and a few of those owners may just feel an urge to dive deeper into the game’s source material. Given that possibility, I thought this would be a good time to go into a bit more detail on the movies that have influenced L.A. Noir.

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Posted: May 23, 2011 at 1:34 pm By | 4 comments