This year I came to discover that there's a lot of great talent out there. Here are some of my favorite video game and movie reviewers of 2008. See who made the list and who didn't.
Genre: Video reviews of video games and occasional video reviews of movies
I've been following the Angry Video Game Nerd since spring 2007. One of my students told me about him, and I was a little shocked that his parents even allowed him to watch these videos, as they tend to contain rather strong language.
In 2008 the Nerd released 24 videos (including his battle with the Nostalgia Critic). I don't know exactly how much time and effort goes into making these videos, but I'm guessing quite a lot. There may be those who say he's lost his touch, but his videos still make me laugh, and are quite entertaining.
His best moment of 2008 is hard to pinpoint, but his Virtual Boy, Double Vision, Batman, and CD-i videos are probably among the best.
If you decide to check out his videos, be warned that they can be rather crude. He's the Angry Video Game Nerd, after all.
Cinemassacre.com
Genre: Video reviews of nostalgic movies, TV shows, and one video game
Really the only reason I know about the Nostalgia Critic is because of the Angry Video Game Nerd. On a whim I decided to check out his videos and I enjoyed them so much that I've been following him ever since.
There was a time when I wouldn't watch anything but the Angry Video Game Nerd, as I thought he was the pinnacle of web-videodom. However, because of the Critic I came to realize that there's actually a lot more talent out there.
His website also features 5 second movies, Ask ThatGuy (a different character), Bum reviews (another character), and other tidbits he's worked on. That Guy with the Glasses.com also features videos from other talent.
His best moment of 2008 was his reviews of Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and Godzilla. The Mortal Kombat review featured "cameos" from Ask ThatGuy and the Bum (all characters played by Doug himself), which was comedic gold. The Godzilla review harped on the creative team who seems to come up with amazing teasers, but whose movies never deliver.
Again, be advised that his reviews contain strong language.
That Guy with the Glasses.com
Genre: Video reviews of video games and written movie reviews
I wouldn't even know about Noah if it wasn't for That Guy with the Glasses.com. I caught one of his Final Fantasy VIII videos at That Guy, which compelled me to check out his website.
His reviews are in the style of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, which I thought was awesome. Not only had it been a long time since I'd seen MST3K, but I remembered how much I loved that style of humor.
Noah's videos also tend to be more in-depth than any other reviewer I've seen. Not to say that he's "reviewing" so much as "poking fun", but just to give you an example he has 7 videos on FF VIII which are all 10 minutes or longer.
His best moment in 2008 was by far his review of Phantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of Flesh. His "review", or rather "experiment" covers almost the entirety of the game (roughly 5 hours of gameplay). Yet every precious minute is comedic gold, as Noah pokes fun at this terribly acted, horribly executed game.
Be warned that his reviews tend to contain strong language, suggestive themes, and mature content.
Spoony Experiment.com
At long last we come to Eric, who has produced some excellent videos, but hasn't been active for a long time. Best to my knowledge, he doesn't have a website, and hasn't produced any new material in over 10 months.
I came across his videos on YouTube, because he made a response to the Angry Video Game Nerd's review of Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest. I found his response to be quite entertaining and humorous. His other reviews are equally interesting, and (generally speaking) cleaner than the other alternatives.
His best moment so far has been the aforementioned review of Simon's Quest.
If you ever come out with more videos Eric, I would love to see them.
Visit his YouTube channel.
Who were some of your favorite reviewers of 2008?
Angry Video Game Nerd (James)
Genre: Video reviews of video games and occasional video reviews of moviesI've been following the Angry Video Game Nerd since spring 2007. One of my students told me about him, and I was a little shocked that his parents even allowed him to watch these videos, as they tend to contain rather strong language.
In 2008 the Nerd released 24 videos (including his battle with the Nostalgia Critic). I don't know exactly how much time and effort goes into making these videos, but I'm guessing quite a lot. There may be those who say he's lost his touch, but his videos still make me laugh, and are quite entertaining.
His best moment of 2008 is hard to pinpoint, but his Virtual Boy, Double Vision, Batman, and CD-i videos are probably among the best.
If you decide to check out his videos, be warned that they can be rather crude. He's the Angry Video Game Nerd, after all.
Cinemassacre.com
Nostalgia Critic (Doug)
Genre: Video reviews of nostalgic movies, TV shows, and one video gameReally the only reason I know about the Nostalgia Critic is because of the Angry Video Game Nerd. On a whim I decided to check out his videos and I enjoyed them so much that I've been following him ever since.
There was a time when I wouldn't watch anything but the Angry Video Game Nerd, as I thought he was the pinnacle of web-videodom. However, because of the Critic I came to realize that there's actually a lot more talent out there.
His website also features 5 second movies, Ask ThatGuy (a different character), Bum reviews (another character), and other tidbits he's worked on. That Guy with the Glasses.com also features videos from other talent.
His best moment of 2008 was his reviews of Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and Godzilla. The Mortal Kombat review featured "cameos" from Ask ThatGuy and the Bum (all characters played by Doug himself), which was comedic gold. The Godzilla review harped on the creative team who seems to come up with amazing teasers, but whose movies never deliver.
Again, be advised that his reviews contain strong language.
That Guy with the Glasses.com
Spoony (Noah Antwiler)
Genre: Video reviews of video games and written movie reviewsI wouldn't even know about Noah if it wasn't for That Guy with the Glasses.com. I caught one of his Final Fantasy VIII videos at That Guy, which compelled me to check out his website.
His reviews are in the style of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, which I thought was awesome. Not only had it been a long time since I'd seen MST3K, but I remembered how much I loved that style of humor.
Noah's videos also tend to be more in-depth than any other reviewer I've seen. Not to say that he's "reviewing" so much as "poking fun", but just to give you an example he has 7 videos on FF VIII which are all 10 minutes or longer.
His best moment in 2008 was by far his review of Phantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of Flesh. His "review", or rather "experiment" covers almost the entirety of the game (roughly 5 hours of gameplay). Yet every precious minute is comedic gold, as Noah pokes fun at this terribly acted, horribly executed game.
Be warned that his reviews tend to contain strong language, suggestive themes, and mature content.
Spoony Experiment.com
Honorable Mention - Goemon047 (Eric)
Genre: Video reviews of video gamesAt long last we come to Eric, who has produced some excellent videos, but hasn't been active for a long time. Best to my knowledge, he doesn't have a website, and hasn't produced any new material in over 10 months.
I came across his videos on YouTube, because he made a response to the Angry Video Game Nerd's review of Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest. I found his response to be quite entertaining and humorous. His other reviews are equally interesting, and (generally speaking) cleaner than the other alternatives.
His best moment so far has been the aforementioned review of Simon's Quest.
If you ever come out with more videos Eric, I would love to see them.
Visit his YouTube channel.
Who were some of your favorite reviewers of 2008?
