Game Diary

Game Diary, Reviews March 9, 2013

Tomb Raider Review for PlayStation 3

In Tomb Raider, adventuress/archeologist Lara Croft returns in her ninth video game…the first in four years. Was it worth the wait? Definitely. Developer Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix push current consoles to their limit with this impressive reboot. The Hype A Survivor is Born When the first ever Tomb Raider game launched in 1996 it was a revolution. Outstanding in terms of graphics, gameplay, and storyline, it changed the way that video games were played and developed forever. Fronting the games assault on the world was the central character, Lara Croft. Lara was also to have an incredible impact,…

Game Diary, Reviews March 8, 2013

Fate of the Pharaoh for Android Review

Over the past few years working with G5 games as they have grown into one of the more successful casual games publishers on smartphones, I have seen a fairly standard formula: they publish for iOS first, then Android and finally for the Mac (and occasionally PC). But with Fate of the Pharaoh we get a first – G5 is releasing an Android game before the iOS version! How does it play? Let’s take a look! Type of app: City-Building game Platform/where to buy: Available for Android systems (including Nook and Kindle Fire tablets); available from Amazon AppStore, Google Play, or…

Game Diary, Reviews March 7, 2013

Epic Adventures Cursed Onboard for Mac Review

I reviewed the original Epic Adventures: La Jangada here, which was based on the Jules Verne’s story ‘The Raft’ (direct translation of La Jangada). My opinion of the original was that it was an interesting story but hampered by glacial pacing and a dreary palette. Does the sequel Epic Adventures Cursed Onboard deliver where the original failed? Read on and find out! Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: Mac; available in the Mac App Store Developer: Urchin Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Here are some of the features: 25 Eery locations 10 Unique mini-games…

Game Diary, Reviews March 6, 2013

Spirit Walkers Curse of the Cypress Witch for Mac Review

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the Mac App Store Developer: Orchid Games / G5 Entertainment Despite weekly releases of hidden object, strategy and adventure games G5 continues to put out amazing quality games as well as a great quantity.When I reviewed Spirit Walkers Curse of the Cypress Witch for the iPad, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Now they have ported it to the Mac, and it looks to be a great translation of this significant and interesting plot wrapped around a hidden object adventure. Let’s take a look! Description: Here are…

Game Diary March 5, 2013

Tomb Raider Interview with Darrell Gallagher and Noah Hughes

I recently discussed the new Tomb Raider video game (releasing today, March 5) with Darrell Gallagher (Crystal Dynamics Studio Head) and Noah Hughes (Crystal Dynamics Creative Director). Crystal Dynamics developed this recently released reboot featuring the female adventurer hero Lara Croft, as well as the previous four Tomb Raider games. Publisher Square Enix purchased Eidos and took over this popular 16-year-old game franchise recognized as the “Most Successful Human Virtual Game Heroine” by the Guinness Book of World Records. The character development and gameplay elements expand in this installment along with a new multiplayer mode. Tomb Raider is also the…

Game Diary, Reviews February 24, 2013

Dead Space 3 Limited Edition Review for PlayStation 3

In Dead Space 3, players can “uncover the past and embark on a thrilling expedition to save mankind”. The Hype Prepare yourself to scavenge the violent wilderness, build devastating weapons, and take down the terror together. Isaac Clarke and the hard-nosed soldier John Carver unite in the struggle against the Necromorph outbreak. Dead Space 3 brings Isaac Clarke and merciless soldier, John Carver, on a journey across space to discover the source of the Necromorph outbreak. Crash-landed on the frozen planet of Tau Volantis, the pair must comb the harsh environment for raw materials and scavenged parts. Isaac will then…

Game Diary February 24, 2013

Sims 3 Interview – Ryan Vaughan, Lead Producer

The Sims 3 lead producer Ryan Vaughan recently discuss the amazing longevity of one of the best-selling game series and what’s in store for the future. The Sims 3 strategic life simulation game series debuted in June 2009 and still going strong on PC and Mac…plus consoles…and the Nintendo 3DS handheld console plus iPod Touch and iPhone. The Sims 3 Store has also provided immense purchasable download content for the series include the recently released Aurora Skies world/town (the 8th). Players have enjoyed several expansion packs and stuff packs including the upcoming University Life (March 5 – the 9th…

Game Diary, Reviews February 23, 2013

Might & Magic Clash of Heroes for iPad Review

I remember when Might & Magic Clash of Heroes for the Nintendo DS arrived. It was an oddity of a game in that I was immediately prepared to hate – a new game for a new platform by a new developer in a totally unrelated genre with a familiar name; I was like most fans of the original feeling that it was likely someone was trying to cash in by attaching a familiar name to a mediocre game. So imagine my surprise when I called Might & Magic Clash of Heroes ‘one of the best DS games of 2009’ in a…

Game Diary February 23, 2013

PlayStation 4 Specifications Answer Some Questions

The PlayStation 4 specifications have been released after the initial February 20 announcement from Sony. Still no backwards compatibility…for any PlayStation 3 game, but services will be available to stream PS1, PS2 and PS3 games. One of my biggest questions was answered – the disc drive. Game format will be downloadable and optical disc. The “cloud”-like downloading trend made me wonder if the PS4 would even have a disc drive. Another big one – No DualShock 3 controller support. The new DualShock 4 controller will have a special lightbar so the new PlayStation 4 camera can track the controller’s 3D…

Game Diary, News & Features February 22, 2013

Avadon 2 The Corruption Prepares to Bring Epic Fantasy RPG Back to the iPad

Spiderweb Software brought us the first full-scale, hardcore RPG with Avadon: The Black Fortress, now Jeff Vogel with the announcement of Avadon 2 The Corruption prepares to bring epic fantasy RPG back to the iPad! The game is the middle of the planned Avadon Trilogy, and you return to the Black Fortress as a spy and warrior fighting those who are the enemies of Avadon. Your word is law and your power is great, but your foes are powerful as well and you will need to use all of your skill and cunning to thwart the threat. In Avadon 2:…

Game Diary, News & Features February 22, 2013

Ultima Forever Quest for the Avatar Gets a First Video Preview

There are classics, and then there are CLASSICS … and Ultima IV is one of the absolute classics in all of gaming. I have played it several times through the years, but owing to age and technology changes it is a difficult game for younger gamers to really enjoy. Now it is coming back as Ultima Forever Quest for the Avatar, launching on iOS in the spring of 2013. We have known about the game for a while, but now we get some first looks and a video sneak peek! Much of the classic Ultima world is maintained, though now…

Game Diary, News & Features February 21, 2013

PlayStation 4 Console Announced – Will ‘Radically Customize Technology’

Sony announced the PlayStation 4 will be released for the holidays 2013. This announcement event was held in New York. Presenters included Andrew House, president and group chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. then Mark Cerny, PS4 lead architect; and finally David Perry, co-founder of Gaikai. Sony’s current console, the PlayStation 3, was released in 2006. Cerny mentioned that Sony began seriously envisioning the PlayStation 4 (PS4) in 2008 and wants to “radically customize technology”. The PS4 will feature an enhanced GPU, a x86 processor with eight CPU cores, and 8GB of RAM memory. PS 4 games will be…

Game Diary, Gear Bits February 20, 2013

Indie Game Anodyne Will Satisfy Your Old-School Zelda Nostalgia

Anodyne, a new downloadable title, is the closest you’ll to come to playing an SNES-era sequel to A Link To The Past. The game was developed by a team of just two developers, and (not to spoil the full review) is pretty damn good. At its core, the title stands as a magnificent tribute to Nintendo’s flagship adventure series. If you’ve got any latent nostalgia you’re looking to blow off, Anodyne was made for you. If you’ve got a PC, Mac, or Linux set-up (read: any computer), you can download this beautiful, stylistic work for a mere $10 USD. Even…

Game Diary, Reviews February 15, 2013

Neverwinter Nights 2 Mysteries of Westgate – a Retro Romp Review

Type of app: RPG adventure pack Platform/where to buy: PC; available at GoG.com Developer: Ossian Studios (full game published by Atari) Just over a year ago I looked at the Mac App Store release of Neverwinter Nights 2, which included only the core game without expansions. And while we still don’t have the expansions for the Mac, recently fans of the game got an unexpected treat – a DRM-free release of NWN2 Complete on GoG.com! Included in this is the single official third-party ‘adventure pack’ for the game, Neverwinter Nights 2 ‘Mysteries of Westgate’ from Ossian Studios. To celebrate the…

Game Diary February 14, 2013

GoG.com Brings Greatest Shooter-RPG System Shock 2 Back!

Today we get great news with the announcement that GoG.com brings greatest shooter-RPG System Shock 2 back, and that it is playable on modern PCs! Many younger gamers know System Shock 2 as the ‘sprititual inspiration’ for the Bioshock games, but System Shock 2 does so much more. It is a masterpiece of writing, gameplay, timing, environment, design, music and more. What makes System Shock 2 such a milestone in gaming is the way it advances the entire state of gaming. You can play as one of three characters – the psionic power-wielding agent, the master hacker naval officer, and…

Game Diary, How to Do It Yourself! February 8, 2013

Game Play Puts Game Boy Games on iPhone 5 Without Jailbreaking

Have you ever longed for the days of your childhood you spent with your eyes glued to the black and grey screen of the Nintendo Game Boy? Did you pride yourself on beating Super Mario Land? I know I did. I don’t know how many countless AA batteries I drained with that handheld. Now, with Game Play, you can relive those glory days on your iPhone 5 without jailbreaking your device. Typically, Apple has frowned upon emulation apps in the App Store. Though recently, Gridlee, a thinly veiled MAME emulator within a game, has made its way on to the…

Game Diary, Reviews February 7, 2013

Need for Speed Most Wanted: Video Game Review for PlayStation 3

This open world, action racing game from Electronic Arts is set in the booming metropolis area of Fairhaven – a fictional environment containing several different environments. The Hype The open-world action in Need for Speed Most Wanted gives you the freedom to drive anywhere, discover hidden gameplay, meet up with your friends or just hang out and toy with law enforcement. Lose the cops … your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, lie low or head for terrain that plays to your vehicle’s unique strengths. Hit the gas and fight your way past cops and rivals using pure driving…

Game Diary, News & Features February 7, 2013

Super Stickman Golf 2 – Gear Diary’s Sneak Preview

What does Super Stickman Golf 2 and The Godfather: Part II have in common? If you guessed that they’re both sequels, well yes, that’s true, but there’s something even better! They are both sequels that are greater than their predecessors. Is it a little too early to call, since SSG2 is only in beta testing? Probably, however the game is already so polished that you can tell how well it’s going to do. There are many great additions to the original gameplay that it still feels like the same game you loved, yet it also feels like a sequel. Noodlecake…

Game Diary, Reviews February 7, 2013

Totem Tribe Gold for Mac Review

Type of app: Real-time Strategy (RTS) game Platform/where to buy: Mac (Also for iPad and iPhone.); available in the Mac App Store Developer: Enkord / G5 Entertainment Description: In this game you are trying to help Aruku, a chief of the Hawk tribe, restore peace and lead her tribe to a better future. Features: ? 32 Locations ? 22 Quests and mini-games ? 20 artifacts to locate and preserve ? Real-time strategy and adventure game ? Game Center Support Major features: Totem Tribe Gold is actually a bulked up version of a casual PC game released back in 2009. The…

Game Diary, Reviews February 6, 2013

Inbetween Land HD for iPad Review

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad, (iPhone version here); available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Specialbit Studio / G5 Entertainment Description: • 52 Fascinating locations to explore • 19 Thought-provoking mini games • 3 Game modes: Casual, Normal, Expert • 4 Engaging comics • Out-of-this-world storyline Major features: I have to admit to not being the hugest fan of Inbetween Land for the Mac. It wasn’t a bad game by any stretch, nor were there any technical issues, it was just a game that didn’t ‘grab me’ unlike so many other G5…

Game Diary, Gear Bits, News & Features February 2, 2013

Get Ready for the Next Chapter with the Star Trek Into Darkness App for iOS or Android

Are you excited for the Star Trek: Into Darkness film opening on May 17th of this year? The teaser trailers have been intriguing and suggested an intensity beyond what the first ‘reboot’ showed us a few years ago. To help fans get ready, a new app for the movie is available for iOS or Android, boasting interactivity with content and a constant release of new material as the movie gets closer to release. In fact, the first ‘surprise’ will unlock during the second quarter of the ‘big game’ (since they can’t say Super Bowl) on Sunday February 3rd. Here are…

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