Music and Game Reviews from Young Adults

OK, rub it in—our music reviewer wasn’t even born when My Bloody Valentine released its first album in 1991…. How about a puzzle game in which a cave with a “wicked sense of humor” is your guide? I don’t usually associate puppets with blood and gore, but the review of Black Knight Sword has changed my outlook.

mbv, My Bloody Valentine (self-released)

It’s been 22 years since the Irish alternative rock band My Bloody Valentine released its landmark album, Loveless. The fact that I wasn’t even born means that I discovered its music much later. Like so many other fans, I’ve waited patiently for the group to release a follow-up, wondering if it would ever happen. So when the announcement came that mbv was available, I was in shock. But that shock turned into delight since much of the new album is similar to Loveless. It’s a dreamy tapestry of atmospheric noise driven by Keith Shield’s guitar work. The subtle vocals mesh with the distortion and manipulated guitar sound, achieving a woozy-like effect. Some tracks are more melodical and complex than others, with an occasional jazziness coming through. My Bloody Valentine’s sound is still clearly groundbreaking, especially with the breathy and angelic Bilinda Butcher’s vocals. The best tracks are “Wonder 2,” “If I Am,” “New You,” and “Nothing Is.”—Latyese M.,  grade 11, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

The Cave (Sega/Double Fine Productions)

The Cave is a great puzzle game that’s full of action and adventure, and it’s bound to provide players with hours of entertainment. It features seven protagonists, each with a unique ability. Players choose three abilities at a time, which shape the path that the game follows. Unfortunately, the game begins the exact same way each time, which can be a bit tedious. The journey is narrated by the cave itself, which has a wicked sense of humor that mocks as much as guides the adventure. The hidden alcoves, crevices, and niches contain all sorts of unforeseen wonders and surprises—everything from carnivals to pyramids. Each area offers a new set of puzzles, and the game’s diverse design keeps players on their toes, as they look for clues to proceed to the next task. The three-person control system can be troublesome and a bit confusing, but overall The Cave is addictive and fun to play. Rated T for Teen. Platform: PlayStation 3 Xbox 360.—James M., grade 10, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

Black Knight Sword (Grasshopper Manufacture and Digital Reality)

Black Knight Sword is a unique online gaming experience that’s engaging right from the start. The game is a theatrical performance complete with stage, orchestra, puppets, audience, and curtains. The story begins with a dark and gloomy introduction full of intrigue and mystery. All you know is that the Black Knight has been reborn as the agent of a sword spirit whose mission is to destroy an evil princess. The game features five levels, which require you to fight off enemies, resulting in lots of blood and gore. The sword is your primary tool, and new abilities and upgrades are available as you progress. The real challenge is to complete each level, since you lose everything if you run out of lives, and then must start again from scratch. While that might be frustrating, the sense of accomplishment you get by advancing is truly awesome. The fighting is action-packed, and there are other challenging aspects, like navigating lofty platforms while avoiding spikes, pitfalls, and spewing fire. The real trick here is in the timing of your strikes and jumps, and mastering those moves isn’t easy. After completing the Story Mode, you can explore additional content in the Arcade and Challenge modes. The real beauty to Black Knight Sword is in understanding its commitment to the game play and in the perseverance needed to succeed. Rated: M for Mature. Platform: PlayStation 3. Release date: April 2013—Eugene K., grade 12, Floral Park (NY) Memorial High School

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