Undeniably the living dead, specifically zombies, have played a major part in the construction and continuation of the horror genre and have influenced countless novels, movies and in recent years, videogames. Though beginning much earlier, one of the most memorable of such games was of course Resident Evil. However, unlike other one hit wonders and novel concepts, Resident Evil went on to enjoy a number of sequels and a trilogy of rather impressive action flicks, starring many flesh devouring fiends. But please, don’t let me make you think that it ends there, because it surely has not. Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time before the zombie concept was manipulated and formed into something of an online game.

Though I’m sure many of you know what I’m talking about by now, for those that don’t I am of course talking about the new online, flash based game, Dead Frontier, which, all things considered, is not bad at all and can actually give you a fair bit of fun, especially for those of you who enjoyed old-school top down RPGs such as boulders gate.

Essentially, the game sees you, as the player, thrust into the role of a lone individual who has survived a terrible onslaught and no

“What do I know of cultured ways, the guilt, the craft and the lie?
I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.

The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when broadswords sing;

Rush in and die, dogs – I was a man before I was a king.” (Robert E. Howard, 1929, p.35)

So what is with the poem, I hear you asking. Well, my friends, the answer is simple. This week I have been slashing guts, casting spells and unleashing deadly and devastating spells. However, it would not be right for me to start my Conan review, without giving a nod to the man himself. That’s right; Mr. Robert E. Howard was the one who first penned the epic saga of Conan the barbarian. Sadly, Howard left us at the age of 31 after having committed suicide. Thus, it is too this mans great works, I would like to dedicate this review and thank him for all the glorious literature which he left for all as fantasy obsessed fans. Truly, if I were to have one, he would be my hero.

Essentially, Conan is a massive game and rightly so. Taking place throughout the lands of Hyboria, the game’s map and geographical layout holds true to how Howard had described and envisioned the savage lands of Barbarian rule, Ancien

 Undeniably Japanese Anime, specifically those now considered to be cult classics, have had a profound impact upon the video gaming industry and have even lead to the construction of several much loved genres. Therefore, this article shall be examining the influence of Anime upon video gaming whilst keeping a specific focus upon the new wave of Anime influenced MMORPGS, specifically those having been derived from what is often described as Neo-punk or Mecha.

Before we begin delving into the complex relationships and intrinsic connections between Anime and video games, it is important to first gain an understanding of the historical foundation and to examine the philosophical ideologies underpinning several classic Anime features.

 In a historical context, one of the most controversial and yet influential Anime of all time was first released in 1988 and was of course, the featured length, cyber-punk themed Akira. This film, despite its highly philosophical and complex storyline, was a masterpiece of script writing and was quick to become known as one of the greatest cult classics of all time.

Several years after its original release in Japan, Akira began to make its way towards the US,