Hi, guys, here it is: Matt Chat 18: Summer Games. Enjoy, and please rate the video and let me know what you think about Summer Games. I hope you guys had as much fun playing this one back in the day as I did!

Ultima VIIBy request, this week's Matt Chat covers Ultima VII: The Black Gate. Ultima VII is a masterpiece of the early 90s, with tremendous scope and important innovations that would influence many later games. It's definitely not hard to see this game's influence on later hits such as Diablo (1997) and Baldur's Gate (1998).

Lots of interesting stuff in my Google Reader today. First off, Racketboy has a Beginners Guide up with tons of images and text about the hallowed Vectrex.

Here it is, Matt Chat #16: Lode Runner. In the review I talk about the game's impact, precedents, and even some of its contemporaries.

This week, I take a look at the PLATO computer system, originally developed in the 60s and refined in the 70s and 80s. This system had a touch-screen plasma display and was at least a decade ahead of the competition. The games are very hard but definitely innovative and well worth a look!

Still Life 2If you're into adventures, skip over to Adventure Classic Gaming to read my review of Still Life 2, just published today. Overall, I thought it was a good but not great game, but a clever patch could change that situation. Lots of screens, too!

P.S. Please leave a comment over at ACG if you get the chance.

Since member DavyK recently posted about bit.trip beat, I thought I'd show you Postmortem: Gaijin Games' BIT.TRIP BEAT by Alex Neuse.

Ahoy there, fancy pants!: Go check out Ron Gilbert's blog today and see his great post on his classic game. It's lavishly illustrated with screenshots and gives you great insights into the original game. It's really, really great stuff!

Oh, and thanks to Bill and Catatonic for telling me about the new Monkey Island game by TellTale Games. The plan is to make it an episodic game like they did with the Sam & Max series. Check out the official website. I can't wait!

This week's Matt Chat is about The Lost Vikings, one of my personal favorites. I originally played this game on the Amiga, but it was designed for the SNES. Enjoy, and please let me know what you think! I am taking suggestions for future episodes, so please let me know your ideas. I'd love to read them!