Scriptorium Editorial VIII

[Pøntifex]

Welcome to yet another Scriptorium Editorial, which also marks the 8th edition our little publication! This Editorial is a few days late this time around, mainly because of certain time issues. However, its schedule will remain unaltered, with the next Edition going out on the 1st of September. With that out of the way, let's begin journeying in the Scriptorium once again!

The first half of August has been considerably more productive than the whole of July! 15 articles had already been stored by August 15th, in contrast to last month's poor(in comparison) output of 8 articles. Activity seems to be logically picking up, as summer's end approaches. In more detail, we have yet more 5 of VOP2288's excellent and informative game reviews which are sure to be popular among gamers of all platforms, old movie reviews by Viking Prince, along with a handful of Empire:Total War Guides which will definitely be of great interest to ETW gamers, and useful Modding Tutorials which mainly focused on graphic design, with 3 of them being modelling tutorials. The Scriptorium's additions, in order of submission, are listed below:

• [Games] Assassin's Creed
• [Modding] Mines
• [Games] The Starbreeze Threat Part II: The Darkness
• [Movies] Black and White: Movie reviews from the great era of film – by Viking Prince
• [Modding] Making Unit Cards With 3DSMAX
• [Poem] A Plea To The Numina
• [Modding] Complete modeling tutorial
• [TW Guide] Guide to Governments and Revolutions
• [Modding] Mounting a Cavalry Unit for Info Cards in 3DSMAX
• [Graphics] Animation Text Sig Tutorial Using PS
• [TW Guide] Kallum's Guide To Unliked Factions - Portugal
• [Games] Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
• [Games] Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
• [Games] Fable
• [Games] Dead Rising

Onwards, we have our Scriptorium Article Reviews. For our first review, we have Viking Prince's review on God's music review of "Psychotic Waltz". Yes, that's right. A review to a review.

Psychotic Waltz ~ Into the Everflow

Article Author: God
Review Author: Viking Prince
Original Thread: God's Weird/Obscure Music Reviews

Psychotic Waltz is a metal band that is a fusion of 1970's progressive rock (my era) and heavy metal. The band was active with studio releases in the early 1990’s. Into the Everflow is the subject of this review.

This album review by God is one of his many album reviews found in the Scriptorium. God writes a real review of the album and not a listing of who is in the band and what is on the album song list. Perhaps a failing in this review is the lack of such a listing, but a quick Google can get this data for you.

His love of the music comes through in the review. You are introduced to the key band members and how their approach to their unique sound is based a bit on earlier artists as well as their own talents. How does this album relate to Black Sabbath or perhaps Jethro Tull? The album review reveals all. God does include three utube samples from the album to give a feel for what you can expect.

If you are interested in how music fuses various threads together into new sounds, this review will spark your interest in the band, Psychotic Waltz, and certainly in the album "Into the Everflow".



Regards,

Viking Prince

And for our second article review, we have Acco reviewing fellow Librarian Astaroth's Empire: Total War Gameplay Guide on Spain:

A Guide to Spain

Article Author: Astaroth
Original Thread: A Guide to Spain
Review Author: Acco

A Guide to Spain is an exciting read throughout, focusing on core levels of gameplay that are pivotal to a successful campaign. The author provides a general feel for the faction and opens up with an overview of all aspects concerning Spain, such as its overseas colonies, protectorates, its government (and which type of government best suits Spain's needs) and its diplomatic standing in the world. Next, the author gives a brief but informative description of Spain's neighbors in Europe and North America, so as to assist the player in understanding the attitude, ambitions, advantages and disadvantages of those adjacent to the Spanish Empire. After presenting all the facts concerning playing as the Spanish, the author then provides a concise five-step method to establishing Spain as a European and American power, suggesting an interesting and sure-fire plan of attack on all fronts. The author concludes the guide with a short and sweet summary of the general points of the previous paragraphs.

In brief, this guide provides the player with an intriguing, well-written and -explained outlook on the Spanish faction, including extra brownie points that will surely assist the player like no other guide would. I would highly recommend all E:TW fans take a peek at what this guide has to offer, the author has done an excellent job at communicating and expressing specific points of the Spanish faction and campaign, and includes very neat and helpful pictures to clarify the content.



~Acco

If you ever come across any articles of interest do not hesitate to PM any of the currently active Librarians. If you want to get more involved, PM Pøntifex, the Chief Librarian, to discuss participation. We are currently on the lookout for new Librarians, so your chances of being accepted will be higher.

-- The Librarians