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Andrew Fisher

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Andrew Fisher is a lifelong player of games, both digital and real-world. From the 8-bit era of his youth to the iOS and tabletop games he plays today, he has always been fascinated with that special alchemical mixture that results in gaming gold.

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Blight's Decay Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on November 7th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: SIMPLE BUT SOLID
Blight's Decay is a filler game, neither deep nor complex. However, it is still quite fun and excellently presented.
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1st & Goal Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on October 30th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: FOR THE D&D LOVING QB
1st & Goal is a board gamer's football game, a football fan's board game, and well worth a look.
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Dragon Quest II Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on October 30th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: THINE QUEST CONTINUETH!
Dragon Quest 2 is another quality remake of one of the progenitors to the modern JRPG.
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Inferno 2 Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on October 21st, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: TWIN STICK GOODNESS
With tight controls and awesome, stark visuals, Inferno 2 is loads of fun.
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Incandescence Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on October 17th, 2014
Our rating: starstarblankstarblankstarblankstar :: ALL TAPPED OUT
Incandescence promises intense tapping action, but isn't particularly fun.
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Pointless or Prophetic - is Apple Pay a Sign of the Times?

Posted by Andrew Fisher on October 8th, 2014

A couple of years ago, with the holiday season rapidly approaching, my mother generously asked me if there was anything I wanted for Christmas. As it turned out my wife and I were just getting into board games as a hobby, but not wanting my mom to bother wandering into a Manhattan board game specialty store I just told her I'd give her the names of a few games we were interested in that I knew she could find on Amazon. She surprised me with her response - that she wasn't going to be able to get me those games because she didn't feel comfortable shopping online.

My mother is the first to admit that she's not the most tech-savvy person around, but I was still shocked that she wouldn't order anything from Amazon, and further shocked that she had never bought anything online. When I asked why, both she and my father explained that they simply didn't trust the technology and that it made them uncomfortable.

I guess the reason I found it difficult to accept is because online transactions have represented the majority of my expenses for years. So the idea that people who are otherwise modern, educated, competent folks wouldn't trust something as universal as online shopping - their instinctive distrust - seemed downright silly to me as someone who is, by upbringing and profession, constantly exposed to the world of social media, online commerce, and internet connectivity.

Which is why I had to stop and scold myself when I saw Apple Pay and immediately shook my head in disapproval.

Sure, there are security features in place. Sure, your credit info isn't technically stored on the device. And sure, what is locally kept is locked behind a biometric defense system, can be disabled remotely, and probably has a dozen other security protocols I'm unaware of. Still, my gut reaction to the idea of using my phone to pay for things was instantaneous distrust - and that's ridiculous.

Whether you're an adherent to the Cult of Apple, just think their products are cool, or even if you have no intention of buying Apple's newest miracle device, the fact is that this idea of a unified way of managing your credit, integrated into your mobile electronics, is a very likely technological progression. Of course security will always be an issue, but is there really any difference in using my computer to order something from an online retailer via my credit card or tapping my iPhone against a sensor to initiate the exact same kind of transaction in person? The bottom line is that (semantics aside) there isn't, and I doubt very much that this feature will remain exclusive to the iPhone for long.

I also doubt I'm the only one who looked at Apple Pay and scoffed. But I think that, like my parents not trusting the idea of internet commerce, it's just a product of technological inertia. No, I'm not one of the folks who ran out to get an iPhone 6 Plus on day 1, but I won't be one of the naysayers who resists the direction this new tech is taking us simply because 'it's different and that makes me nervous.'

Goblin Sword Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on September 22nd, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: RETRO GOODNESS
Fun visuals, good music, engaging level design, and lots of content make Goblin Sword an excellent little game.
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Dragon Quest I Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on September 18th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: THINE QUEST AWAITETH
Its historical significance aside, Dragon Quest 1 is a fun, campy, difficult, thoroughly old-school RPG.
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Assassin's Creed Memories Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on September 11th, 2014
Our rating: starstarblankstarblankstarblankstar :: WORTH FORGETTING
Assassin's Creed Memories is hardly a game at all, and shamefully wastes the chance to do something cool with its source material
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Armor Blade Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on September 5th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: ROCK
Great visuals and an interesting combat engine overcome minimal player interaction in Armor Blade
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The Manhattan Project Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on September 2nd, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: ROCKET SCIENCE
The Manhattan Project offers a great Euro-style gameplay experience, but it is totally unwelcoming to new players
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Deep Under the Sky Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on August 28th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: DISAPPOINTINGLY SHALLOW
Deep Under Sky is beautiful in every way, but its gameplay is too restrictive and repetitive.
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Frontier Heroes Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on August 20th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: BLAZES NO TRAILS
Despite awesome visuals and great music, Frontier Heroes just doesn't quite deliver enough fun with its history lesson.
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Star Realms Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on August 20th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarstarblankstar :: A STAR IS BORN
Star Realms is an excellent adaptation of an outstanding deck-builder. With great visuals and an effective presentation, Star Realms is awesome.
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Red Johnson's Chronicles Review

+ Universal App - Designed for iPhone and iPad
By Andrew Fisher on August 15th, 2014
Our rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar :: A CHRONICLE OF PUZZLEMENT
Red Johnson's Chronicles is an enjoyable, if campy, detective puzzler. With good visuals and engaging puzzles, its only real failing is its cheeseball dialogue.
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