Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /home/stparch/public_html/headmid_temp_main.php on line 4394
Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
November 10, 2011     Shelton Mason County Journal
PAGE 14     (14 of 22 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
 
PAGE 14     (14 of 22 available)        PREVIOUS     NEXT      Jumbo Image    Save To Scrapbook    Set Notifiers    PDF    JPG
November 10, 2011
 
Newspaper Archive of Shelton Mason County Journal produced by SmallTownPapers, Inc.
Website © 2025. All content copyrighted. Copyright Information
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Request Content Removal | About / FAQ | Get Acrobat Reader




I VIDEO GAME REVIEW In "Batman: Arkham City," the Dark By ADAM RUDNICK "m Batman." Those two words conjure . up emotions in both children and adults alike -- whether it's from the late 1980s film "Batman" starring Michael Keaton or the Dark Knight's most recent appearance on the silver screen in "The Dark Knight." For more than 70 years, audiences have been reading about Batman's ex- ploits and adventures and seeing him take down criminal masterminds on TV and in movies. To a lesser extent, they've been able to playias the caped crusader in video games. With 2009's "Batman: Arkham Asy- lum," players were finally given free reign to control Batman 0n a modern generation of gaming i hardware on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC. And it was glorious. Fast forward two years and "Asy- lum" developer Rocksteady has done it again -- this time by making use of an extensive open world in which players can float, grapple and explore in ways "Asylum,' didn't allow. "Batman: Arkham City," released in October on the Xbox 360 and Playsta- Knight goes up against a numl ~er of iconic supervillians, such as Mr. "Batman is ca[led in to intervene, and immediately players are [ m me rsed oo." tion 3, improves on nearly every aspect of"Asylum" by giving players a chance to not only take down memorable Bat- man villains such as The Penguin, Mr, Freeze and The Joker, but to explore a beautifully realized and gorgeous city. "Arkham City" takes place just months after Batman bested The Joker in "Asylum." In response to the events in "Asylum," an entire area of Gotham City was quarantined off for city bigwigs to put their seedy su- pervillians, who quickly ravage the walled-off area. Of course, Batman is called in to intervene, and immediately players are immersed and handed the reigns to explore the newly named Arkham City. Players who enjoyed the first game Union Deli, but took time a • J.iSLOl~' few years ago to put together Continued from page B-1 an album for charity with other local musicians called With three stories finished "Bred to Jam for Bread." and nine mor~ on the way, "The more unique [story] I Hostetler needs at least 18 think has more appeal," she more suggestions to complete said. '~/ou don't have to be the work. alive - one of my stories will Hostetler gave the Jour-be on Sam and Mary Theler." nal a sneak peek of some of This project is fun for her entries in the book.Hostetler, and has her sim- One, she said, is about ply giddy with excitement, Lloyd Prouty, who tirelessly but the stories aren't just for worked to not only restore a fun. Learning about and doc- historic and gigantic statue umenting local history helps of Paul Bunyan, but alsothe next generation of Mason recently fundraised for and COunty residents make bet- bought an accompanying ter and more informed choic- Babe the Blue Ox to go with es about the future, she said. it. Prouty brings the statues "I'm a definite believer to local festivals and parades, that the youth is our future," She also wrote about she said. Robert Poole, a local musi- To suggest a local phi- clan based in Union. Poole lanthropist, activist and organizes an open mic night all around good person at the Robin Hood Pub and to Hostetler, email her at another musical night at the Clydeneh@wavecable.com. Page B-6 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, November I0, 20t 1 Harstine Continued from page to get a message to ( cia, leader of the ins where in the interim There was no Black[ iPhone, no mail and The great question v get a message to Gal named Rowan was c~ asked no questions a excuses. He only ask off on a beach in Cut with the message in sion, he made his we the jungle in just thl and delivered the "N Garcia." Our honore, a "Message to Garci~ son, one who assume completes it with tot tence, whether it is HICC website, arran kinds of recording ai devices for our educe grams, being our em ernmental units for ] our tidelands, or bei] of the HICC. It is m~ present the Citizen c Award for 2011 to Bi Again, I thank Ka for the Women's Clul which I will paraphr The November meeti at the community ha brought our own bro lunch. The hostesses were Margie Plebuc~ Conley, Jackie Pate Bykerk. The dessert tional pumpkin pie. tions centered on th, and many colorful gc Wendy Cobb's gardeJ tables. Their program spe Shannon Ktasell fror will of course enjoy Batman this time around. The protagonist at the push of a button can grapple to most ledges in the city, making it a breeze to maneu- ver him around the environment and traverse from building to building. Once Batman does decide to mix it up, the game's fighting system caters to both amateur players and expert button-mashers. Batman can jump, shock, disarm and, of course, punch the living daylights out of bad guys with ease. When he's not exploring the city or kicking costumed enemies in the face during the game's main story mis- sions (approximately 10 hours of game Batman can take part in a num- play), '~'"' ber of side missions -- most glaring of which are collecting Riddler trophies scattered throughout the world. The more than 400 trophies add a puzzle element to the otherwise action-heavy title, but are somewhat distracting and easy to miss. Collectors and com- pletionists will enjoy tracking down these trophies, but casual players would be better served sticking to the main storyline. Speaking of story, "Arkham City" again offers an interesting comic book Freeze. ,[ Courtesy of Eidos Interactive yarn, and features the excellent voice work of Mark Hamill, who reprises his role as The Joker. Players who re- member the 1990s TV series "Batman: The Animated Series" will surely enjoy hearing the same voice actors featured in the show, including that of Batman, Catwoman and Two-Face. "Arkham City" offers players more of the same thing that they had in "Asylum" and improves combat, explo- ration and that visceral sense of fin- ishing off an enemy with a non-lethal blow that few games can do. One small gripe with the game deals with Catwoman, who is featured as a playable character to those who purchased the game brand new: The parts that include Catwoman are ref- erenced to in the game's main story, so playing without her will cause players to scratch their heads. Despite its minimal shortcomings, "Arkham City" should not be missed and anybody who has enjoyed any Bat- man lore, whether it's movies, comic books or TV shows, would be remiss if they missed out on the Dark Knight's latest escapades. 4.5 out of 5 Timbers County Literacy. She spoke of the challenge the program has to B-1 assist people who desire to learn the English language as well as ~eneral Gar- people who return to the learning lrgents some- process to acquire their GED. The of Cuba. need is great for volunteers to erry, no help the program achieve the goal no telegraph, to educate. We have four such vol- as "How to unteers within our Women's Club cia?" A fellow group. Pat Remine, Jan Irving, dled for. He Della Rogers and Donna Hamilton nd made no each spoke of their contributions ed to be put and told stories of success for a. All alone, many of the students. Shannon his posses- encouraged others to participate y through in this worthwhile program. ee weeks After the informative speaker essage to presentation, Patti continued this year is with the meeting. Marilyn Lau- kind of per- bach won the door prize, which a task and was a donation of a canvas carry 1 compe-~ bag from Mason County Literacy. etting up an Diane Dawley said that the ging various Holiday House is full and ready d monitoring to open Saturday, Nov. 26. Di- tional prb- ane actually has a waiting list ssary to gov- of vendors who want a booth Jrotection of at the annual event held at the tg president community hall and adjacent privilege to fire hall. Della Rogers informed f the Year everyone that she would be sell- ll Burrows." ing our Island cookbook and the ~hy Bykerk 2012 Island calendar at Holiday ) minutes, House. tse here. Judie Schaaf thanked all the ng was held ladies who participated in the lat- ll and they est memorial lunch. Jan Irving ~n bag encouraged anyone who has not for the lunch yet signed up to join the commu- , Bobbi nity club to do so. The member- md Kathy ship runs April to April and there was tradi- are currently 297 members. ~he decora- Patti announced that Billie fall colors Fish is the new historian and will urds from add to the club's scrapbook with topped the photos. Brenda Stainbrook, Sher- ry Ford and Judy Graft will chair ~ker was the hospitality committee. The Mason holiday luncheon is just around the corner to be held on Decen~ 1. Patti said there is still a nee for a few more ladies to help w setting up and taking down tal and some help in the kitchen. you can assist please call Patti Chapman. This next spring, the craft fair will take place on Saturda March 17, 2012. If you have a craft you'd like to share please contact Patti Chapman. There a plan to post signs on and off island, as the Craft Fair is ope to all. Marlene Holman suggested that they adopt a family from 1 Pioneer Elementary School for ber d [th ties f is ~he he Christmas this year. The vote ~as unanimous and Marlene will r ~- port back to them on Dec. 1 wi ;h details. Marlene Holman told them about a patriotic concert to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday a ]d Thursday Nov. 9 and 10 at the Catholic Church. The next senior lunch will b on Wednesday, Nov. 16. As umkal, the doors will open a little befc re noon and lunch will be served it noon. On the mid-month menu you will find sausage with sau. erkraut and potatoes, raw veg- gies and brownies. Arrive a litl le early and remember they ask f ~r a small donation of $3 to help lay for the basic cost of food. Last week you were remind d about the upcoming Thanksgiv ing Dinner at the community hall. If you want to have dinner with your fellow Islanders, make su re you let the hosts know you are planning to attend. It is a potb tck dinner with the turkey and all the trimmings provided by HICC. ~f you already know you are going to attend call either Jim and Ruth at 426-0260 or Mike and Lindslat 426-7803.