Game Diary


Nightmares of the Deep: The Siren’s Call for iOS and Android Review

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 is here – and it is better in every way, bringing adventure and action to a normally staid genre! Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store. Android version at Google Play Developer: Artifex Mundi / G5 Entertainment Description: Here are some of the features: Thrilling storyline and…


GoG.com Celebrates 5 Successful Years with Retrospective Video

Has it REALLY been FIVE years since GoG.com opened up to the public? Actually it’s been longer – it was mid-November 2008 when I bought Fallout 1 & 2 and fully embraced the site and its model and began amassing what has become a 200+ game collection on the site. Because they have great games, fair prices, and no DRM. Here is what I said back then: (they) wanted to make a site that would charge a reasonable amount and give gamers older games that were out of circulation in a convenient, DRM-free package that you can download forever. I…


Need For Speed Rivals Review on PlayStation 4

Need For Speed Rivals challenges your reaction times, satisfies exploration desires, and increases thrill tolerances in an amazing open-world racing game, the twentieth in the series from Electronic Arts. Developed by Ghost and Criterion Games, Need For Speed Rivals, blends the single and multiplayer modes into a seamless experience with endless progression possibilities, weapon abilities, and constant challenges.


PlayStation Now Service Coming Summer 2014

Sony has recently announced their PlayStation Now service will debut this summer at this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES) 2014 conference. a beta program will begin in the US at the end of January 2014. This new “cloud-based gaming” service will first include the PlayStation 4 and 3 consoles then the PlayStation Vita handheld console and also televisions, tablet computers, and smartphones. Andy House, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, made the announcement yesterday (Tuesday).


NVIDIA Tegra K1 Demo Using the Unreal Engine 4 at CES 2014!

At CES nVidia introduced the Tegra K1, bringing high performance Kepler architecture used in PC graphics cards to mobile SOCs (system on a chip). The K1 offers up to 192 cores, with potential to offer desktop graphics on mobile devices. nVidia introduced the technology without release date and showed a NVIDIA Tegra K1 Demo Using the Unreal Engine 4.


Jet Car Stunts 2 Now Available on iPhone, iPod, and iPad

Jet Car Stunts 2, the follow-up to the popular original racer by True Axis, is now available for iPhone, iPod, and iPad on the App Store.  The Jet Car Stunts series takes an interesting approach to car racing by adding the ability to fly using a rear-mounted jet engine and realistic physics.  It’s available for free on the App Store.


Just Dance 2014 Review on PlayStation 4

UbiSoft’s Just Dance 2014 lets players use the PlayStation 4 camera or PS Move controllers for another memorable interactive experience in this popular game series. Have fun and stay fit with great music from various genres and time periods. Rhythm helps, but learning is just as fun in this fifth installment in the main game series.


What Does Apple’s ‘Best of 2013’ Tell Us About the State of Mobile Gaming?

This week Apple released the ‘best of 2013’ list, which had what they called ‘the best’ apps in different categories. But the list also had the top paid and free iPhone and iPad games and apps, and the results are not surprising, but tell us much about the trends in the gaming audience on mobile devices. I won’t repeat the entire list, you can check it out here. At the risk of spoiling my own point, can you guess what the Top 10 Grossing (i.e. the 10 apps that made the most money) apps for 2013 on iPhone and iPad…


Quake Live Ends Freemium Browser-Based Play, Gets Windows-Only Client

I reviewed a bunch of freemium games including Quake Live back in 2010, noting the value of the game compared to good old Quake III was that it ran seamlessly in a web browser across platforms. Last month it was announced that Quake Live was ending the web-browser play model and moving to standalone client – on Windows only. The reason for moving to a stand-alone mode is because of diminished browser support for plug-ins. “Over the past few years, browser support for plugins such as Quake Live have dropped off significantly, causing problems for plugins to operate in a…



Halo: Spartan Assault Coming to Xbox One This Christmas Eve

343 Industries and Vanguard Games have developed a special Christmas Eve present for Xbox One owners – Halo: Spartan Assault. This surprise release will be the first appearance from this popular game series on the Xbox One. Previously released on PC, this third-person shooter features a “top-down” perspective, 25 single player missions, five “Operation Hydra” missions, additional content, and achievements.


Review: Gemini Rue Brings Excellent Adventure Gaming to Android, Launches with New Humble Bundle

Back in 2011 Wadjet Eye Games released Gemini Rue for PC, a sci-fi dystopian adventure with intriguing story and characters. Earlier this year they released the game for iOS devices to acclaim, and now it is available for Android through newly launched Humble Bundle 8! Loved it on iOS, and it remains one of the best mobile games this year! Type of app: Sci-Fi Adventure game Platform/where to buy: Android version in the new Humble Bundle; Also available in the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store Developer: Wadjet Eye Games Description: Gemini Rue has loads of content, including: *…



Brightstone Mysteries: Paranormal Hotel Apparates on the Mac!

Brightstone Mysteries: Paranormal Hotel takes you on a journey with Detective Bridget “Biggi” Brightstone as she explores a hotel that holds many mysteries. This is a classic Cateia game, like many others G5 has published before, and I love the way they put together games that combine hidden objects and puzzles in a story-based adventure.


The Shadow Sun Hands-On Coming December 19th, We Go Hands-on!

I’ve been talking about The Shadow Sun from Ossian Studios for three years now since it was first announced. I’ve also been able to play beta and preview builds of the game. Now approved by Apple and is headed for a December 19th release, I wanted to give a few quick thoughts with a full review coming next week! Type of app: Role-Playing Game (RPG) Platform/where to buy: Coming to iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch December 19th; will be available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Ossian Studios Description: • A premium, full 3D Western RPG with a story…


Classic Shooter Game ‘Doom’ Turns 20 This Week!

I remember when Doom came out in late 1993, because I’d already gotten hooked into the first person genre with Castle Wolfenstein 3D the previous year. But no one was expecting what came next – during 1994 suddenly the game was everywhere being played by anyone with a powerful enough computer. This week the landmark game turns 20 years old.



Elixir: The League of Immortality HD for iPad Review

Yawn … another week, another fun game from Vogat & G5 Entertainment. Of course I am joking, but it is at the point where seeing those names raises expectations. Fortunately, with Elixir: The League of Immortality they once again deliver a high quality experience with a great mix of hidden objects, puzzles and find-the-item gameplay wrapped around an engaging story.


PlayStation 4 Game Console Review

The Sony PlayStation 4 is here. At $399, the PlayStation 500 GB console, a DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller, a micro-USB cable for charging the DUALSHOCK®4 controller, a Mono-headset for voice chat, a power cable, HDMI cable and vouchers for the PlayStation Plus services


Battlefield 4 Player Appreciation Week Is Nov 28 – Dec 5

Battlefield 4 players will get extra bonuses this week as they do battle in the campaign modes and multiplayer/online, which allows 64 players to play each other at 60 frames per second. From Thursday, November 28 to Thursday, December 5, Electronic Arts/DICE has designated a special week to compensate game owners since they encountered technical and gameplay snafus.