Michael G. Munz

The official website of Seattle sci-fi/fantasy author and geek Michael G. Munz

Archives for 2016

Review UPDATE! – Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Wait, WHAT?

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Well, poop.

Well, poop.

So I’ve now completed Deus Ex: Mankind Divided after my review post two days ago. Remember how I said that, judging by the story so far at that point, I guessed I was maybe a third of the way in? I guessed wrong, and everything is suddenly so unsatisfying.

My “probably one third in” point turned out to be three quarters in. My amazement at how much larger the game hubs were compared to Human Revolution based on what I’d seen in Prague? That’s because Prague is the ONLY hub. My judgment based on the developments of the story? That’s because the story just stops! [Read more…]

Game Review – Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

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deus-ex-mk

Wait, it’s been FIVE YEARS since Human Revolution came out?! Damn it, time, stop moving so fast!

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, has been out for PC for two weeks now, and it’s more than time for my review…

If you know anything about my gaming tastes, you probably know that Deus Ex, released in 2000 by developer Ion Storm, is one of my favorites. With expensive environments, multiple gameplay styles, and character customization on top of a lengthy sci-fi plot that’s a conspiracy theorist’s dream, it won over 30 “best of” awards in 2001. Though the sequel was disappointing to say the least, 2011’s Deus Ex: Human Revolution–while not without flaws of its own–brought the series back to being worthy of players’ time. And now we’ve got Mankind Divided, taking place two years after the events of Human Revolution (which itself takes place 25 years before the original). [Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian – Ch 13

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Alternate chapter title:

Alternate chapter title: “Parlay Titan in the House Tonight”

It’s Percy’s World! Percy’s World! Parlay-time! Excellent! …Sorry, couldn’t help myself. (I bet some of you haven’t even heard of Wayne’s World. Gods, I’m old…) Anyway, that early-90s reference must mean it’s time for the lucky thirteenth chapter of Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian…

A Titan Brings Me a Present

I wasn’t anticipating the Titan coming to parlay would be Prometheus, but it makes sense, given his history with humanity and generally helpful reputation. To be honest, I often forget that Prometheus IS a Titan, probably because he wasn’t involved in the whole Titanomachy/Titan War and wasn’t punished along with the others. [Read more…]

Bad Sci-Fi Theater: Australiens (2016)

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Australiens

Even the tagline tries to warn you!

Bad Sci-Fi Theater!

It’s time for another Bad Sci-Fi Theater recap, the Geek Notes feature where I try to make the best of watching terrible movies so you can crack maybe half a grin. This time, a movie I picked purely based on the title alone: AUSTRALIENS!

Okay, I think I’ve picked every BSFT movie by the title alone, so I suppose that’s not so noteworthy. What might be noteworthy is that I went into this movie not expecting it to be a comedy. (On the other hand, given how many times jokes just fell flat, one might watch the entire movie and not realize it’s a comedy…) I’ll say a little more about that at the end, but for now, here’s the trailer, followed by the tweet-a-thon…

[Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian – Ch 12

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Michael Reads TLO-Ch12

Alternate chapter title: “Michael Calls Many Characters Dicks”

A rest, a recovery, and a whole buncha answers! Or, at least, some answers. More than we had before! Also, Zeus is a dick. (Maybe that’s why they murdered him.) In other words, it’s the twelfth chapter of Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian…

Rachel Makes A Bad Deal

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Pooh and Piglet at Tanagra – a tweet that exploded

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It’s really weird how the Internet works sometimes. I’ve got a fairly strong Twitter presence (@TheWriteMunz). Twitter is great for me, since I tend to spout weird little things regardless of whether or not I’m on the Internet. Before I had Twitter, I’d just say these things to an empty apartment, text them out of the blue to confused friends, or just share them with random strangers on the bus. Some things I tweet expecting to get a great response, only to receive silence. Some little throw-away comments get far more attention than I thought. You really can’t tell.

Since I tweet for humor, often with fantasy/sci-fi angles (gotta keep up with the “branding” to fit in with my books, don’tcha know), I sometimes seize on a particular concept I like and then run it into the ground with it. Slogans for Soylent Green that tout its people content. Additional Asimov Laws of Robotics. #LittleKnownSciFiFacts (with “facts” used loosely). [Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian – Ch 11

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Chapter 11

Alternate chapter title: Why You Should Insure Your Bridges Against “Acts of Demigod”

A pitched battle, a terrible injury, and a whole lotta bull! In other words, it’s time for the eleventh part of Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Last Olympian, which is also known as…

We Break A Bridge

Actually, I suppose this is technically more of a skirmish than a battle. The battle continues, but this is simply a part of it, and much of its success is owed to Percy’s efforts. When you’re Styx-dipped, you can take on a lot of crap at once. (Just ask Achilles, after all.) That’s not to discount the contributions of Annabeth, the Apollo cabin, and Blackjack, of course. But when you kill the enemy’s champion and almost single-handedly force a retreat, you get to be MVP. [Read more…]