When I reviewed the original Nightmares from the Deep back in 2012, I remarked that the “pacing is perfect, the story works well, and the overall experience is entirely positive and something you will remember for quite a while”. The sequel was even better, and the final entry saves the best of the series for last!
Maxis and Electronic Arts will release free content for their latest installment of their popular life simulation game series, The Sims 4. Players just log in EA’s gaming service Origin then enjoy updates the rest of the year including the recently released special Star Wars costume set and Halloween items with pool coming in November.
Dragon Age Inquisition will feature a unique character creation tool (male and female) when the game officially releases on November 18. Dragon Age Inquisition is the next-generation RPG from BioWare set in an epic, dark fantasy world where players are empowered to shape and drive their experience with tough choices that allow them to experience moments based on those decisions.
Since the September 23rd launch, Disney Infinity Marvel Super Heroes figures, starter packs, and play-set adventures have literally been flying off the store shelves for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC, and iOS. Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Spider-Man are all represented in this second coming of the popular hybrid toy / video game.
Brain Training games gained popularity with the Nintendo DS and ‘Brain Age’, and have remained popular for two simple reasons – they work, and they’re fun! But after playing games that feel a little too close to taking a test, it is nice to step back and immerse yourself in something more game-like. That is where KNeoWORLD comes in!
Back in 2008, Hidden Path Entertainment released Defense Grid: The Awakening, which catapulted the popularity of the resurgent ‘tower defense’ genre into the mainstream. In 2012 they launched a Kickstarter project to help fund the sequel, and this week it arrived! Defense Grid 2 is available on PlayStation®4 and Xbox® One and Steam (PC, Mac, Linux).
This competent and entertaining crossover adventure puzzle game is actually more of a collaborative experience, instead of the rivalry game implied in the title (Layton & Phoenix is more accurate). Professor Hershel Layton and his young protégé Luke Triton team up with Phoenix Wright and his legal assistant Maya Fey; Phoenix and Maya inject some nice humor into the game.
Super Smash Bros. is coming on the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS on October 3 (Wii U version coming before 2014 year-end). Players can get a jump on the action in the upcoming Nintendo eShop demo on September 19. Platinum Club Nintendo members already have access to the same demo plus three other download codes they can share with friends.
DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket service celebrates 20 years with a new service called “Fantasy Zone” that compliments the well established “Red Zone” service for subscribers and non-subscribers. In the 10-year old “Red Zone” viewers get live, commercial-free coverage that automatically switches to another game when a team is in scoring position or an important event is happening.
Spiderweb Software alternates between releasing games in the Avernum franchise and a different game. First it was Geneforge games, and more recently Avadon, his first iPad release. In 2011 he brought the original Avernum to the iPad, and modernized and revamped it along the way so it was worth replaying for everyone. This fall we get Avernum 2: Crystal Souls!
Last year I reviewed the iOS and Mac versions of Red Crow Mysteries: Legion and found it managed to wrap together solid adventure game elements and a story worth following. More than a few hours of gameplay, plenty of content, varied locations, a great story, and a fun adventure. And now it is FREE … grab it now!
Youdagames’ flagship game Governor of Poker debuts in the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS handheld console in Europe and the United States. This award-winning game is best for poker players with some experience while the controls are easy-to-use for everyone. Governor of Poker was previously released on PC, Mac, Facebook, Android, iOS with a sequel.
Publisher Electronic Arts Inc. and developer EA Tiburon continue the grand tradition of this obsession called football (U.S. version) with another successful and comprehensive remediation of the NFL experience in Madden NFL 15. This 26th installment of the venerable sports simulation series succeeds especially with comprehensive game mode enhancements, noticeable defensive improvements, and improved graphics using the Ignite engine.
Players can now get two new Mario Kart 8 downloadable content packs for advance purchase at $7.99 each (or $11.99 for both). These DLC Packs offer a sizable chunk of content with the The Legend of Zelda X Mario Kart 8 (November) and Animal Crossing X Mario Kart 8 (May 2015).
The DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket gaming console package is back on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Xbox One! This service celebrates 20 years with a return to consoles, which began on the consoles like the PlayStation 3 three years ago. Last year’s users got service access codes (e.g. on PC) when purchasing Madden NFL 25.
Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN) and the Sony Entertainment Network had another outage Sunday from outside sources trying to “overwhelm” Sony’s servers. Sony stated the outage is now ended, and no personal information was accessed, which unfortunately occurred on PSN in mid-April 2011and took services out for over a month.
Tomodachi Life keeps a social focus through a unique Japanese cultural perspective where players care for their Miis. Feeding, nursing, and entertaining are the main course on the life simulation menu here. Players’ main goal is getting their virtual person to meet that special someone while populating an island setting with their Miis – Nintendo’s current player avatars.
The new Theatrhythm Curtain Call Contest gives you a chance to showcase your musical skills by performing, recording and submitting your version of the Final Fantasy main theme to win final fantasy music-themed prizes and more. Theatrhythm Curtain Call Contest celebrates Square Enix’s upcoming Nintendo 3DS video game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call™, which will release on September 16.
As expected after their announcement at E3, Sony has added Blu-ray 3D support to their latest PlayStation 4 system software update (1.75). Officially released on July 29, it’s the first prominent update on the PS4 console since April’s ShareFactory. Other new feature updates include new automatic download settings for featured content from the PlayStation®Store (with power ON or in standby) and better video playback sound quality. Are you excited about Blu-ray 3D? Have you downloaded the update and tried it? Do tell!
It has been just over a year since I reviewed inkle’s release of Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! interactive game, with the second chapter of that game coming later last year. Now they are back with an interactive game based on Jules Verne’s ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, and once again they have produced a compelling and stunning experience!
This entertaining Wii U exclusive motors through multiple modes on the way to a satisfying racing experience. Mario Kart 8 continues a grand tradition in the game series with racing, friendly thwarting, and performance boosts featuring Gamepad play (as a second screen), outstanding graphics, and gameplay highlight sharing all in impressively colorful HD graphics.