Game Diary

NCAA Football 14 on PlayStation 3 Review – Physics Driven Animation and Ultimate Team Mode

NCAA Football 14 represents a quality college football game standard that improves again with new Ultimate team mode, faster loading times, expanded customization, and a new graphics/physics engine. The Hype NCAA Football 14 unlocks the unpredictability and innovation of the college game. The new physics-driven animation system and a completely re-engineered spread and read option game influence the outcome of every moment allowing you to stay true to the game. The Reality  One to four players can enjoy the off-line game modes while players can also tackle the two versus two online modes. Players get expanded control and customizable realism…


Dreamscapes: The Sandman Collector’s Edition HD Is a Massive, Gorgeous Adventure Game for iOS

Similar to how console game developers offer DLC as a high profit way to give gamers more of a game they love, ‘collector’s editions’ of casual games offer a way to go beyond the core game for just a couple of extra dollars. When these games are ported to iOS devices, we often get the added content included for free with the full-game purchase. And best of all are times like this when a game offers added gameplay that is compelling, engaging, and worth the time. The game is Dreamscapes, and it is one of the best casual games of…


Jason Michael Paul Discusses Upcoming rePLAY Video Game Musical Tour

Get ready for a musical tour like no other as powerful video game musical scores combine with professional theatrics, visuals and orchestral arrangements in the upcoming “rePLAY” tour. The “rePLAY” tour will visit select cities in the United States and dates for this highly anticipated tour will be announced this fall. Visit www.replay-symphony.com for tour dates, updates, breaking news, and more. “rePLAY” will be the spiritual successor to “PLAY! A Video Game Symphony.” In 2006, executive producer Jason Michael Paul created “PLAY! A Video Game Symphony”, based on his previous “Dear Friends” tour, which both featured live orchestra performances with music and video from…


Open World Fantasy RPG Balrum Launches Kickstarter Campaign!

I love the classic game Ultima VII, and it has inspired dozens of games since it was released in 1992. The most recent example is the Eschalon series from Basilisk games – another excellent set of games! Now I am reminded of the greatest Ultima game as I watch the Kickstarter video for Balrum. Project Title: Balrum Status: Active Closing Date for Funding: Thursday Aug 15, 3:32pm EDT. URL of the Project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/balconyteam/balrum From the developer: Here are some key features: An open world fantasy RPG with building, farming and crafting. For PC, Mac and Linux. The game is a…


Titanfall Game Preview Video

The sci-fi, first-person shooter (FPS) game Titanfall is one of several highly anticipated Xbox ONE games releasing next year, and it will mark game developer Respawn Entertainment’s first game release. The studio’s founders,Vincent Zampella and Jason West, previously developed the highly popular Call of Duty game series. Respawn is slowly releasing more details about Titanfall and Electronic Arts will be publishing this game, which will also release on Xbox 360 and PC. The action packed preview video features footsoldiers/pilots and mechs/titans. Titanfall will have single player and multiplayer game modes and include team-based objectives. The impressive physics and action include some…


Black Forest Games is Back with their Project Ravensdale Kickstarter

We are now getting to the point where we know we can trust developers we are seeing on Kickstarter – because they have delivered already! One such developer is Black Forest Games, who last year had a successful project with the multi-platform hit Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams. They have just launched a new Kickstarter project – Project Ravensdale, a side-scrolling platform shooter that looks simply amazing! Project Title: Project Ravensdale Status: Active Closing Date for Funding: Friday Aug 16, 7:59pm EDT. URL of the Project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/project-giana/project-ravensdale From the developer: Here are some key features: Ravensdale is based on classic arcade…


Twin Moons HD Review – Brings Player Choice and a Polished Experience to the iPad

I had expressed enthusiasm for the team of Cateia Games and G5 Entertainment in the past due to games such as Where Angels Cry, so when I saw that they were teaming up again for Twin Moons, I knew I would have to check it out. Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version available here; available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Cateia Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Twin Moons has loads of content, including: – 51 creepy and enigmatic locations – 20 challenging mini-games to master – 18 achievements to earn…


Special Nintendo eShop Credit with Shin Megami Tensei IV/Fire Emblem Awakening Purchase

RPG game fans rejoice! Today ATLUS’ Shin Megami Tensei IV releases exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS system, which Nintendo is now celebrating along with their Fire Emblem Awakening game in a special $30 Nintendo eShop credit offer. Purchase then register both games on one Club Nintendo account (free to sign up) to receive a $30 credit for use in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS. This offer ends on August 31 and is available in the U.S. and Canada. Promotion requirements apply. This first-of-its-kind offer includes purchases of the retail and digital purchases of these games for eligibility. Both games have…


Green Jelly Brings Gelatinous Gaming Goodness to the Mac!

When Green Jelly was released for the iPad and iPhone last December I enjoyed the physics-based game, and now it is available on the Mac! How does a very finger-friendly game translate? Let’s take a look! Type of app: Physics/Puzzle game Platform/where to buy: Mac; available in the Mac App Store Developer: MaxNick / G5 Entertainment Description: Green Jelly features include: ? 60 Levels in three locations: Cake, Chocolate and Waffles ? Over 10 types of objects for physics-based interaction ? 20 Funny achievements to share with friends ? Cute graphics and amusing sounds ? Updates with new levels to…


Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Review on PlayStation 3

The Metal Gear game series/franchise expands with the fast and furious katana action mix with gunplay and special mechs in the speedy epic Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. The Hype METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE takes the renowned METAL GEAR franchise into exciting new territory by focusing on delivering an all-new action experience unlike anything that has come before. Combining world-class development teams at Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames, METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE brings two of the world’s most respected teams together with a common goal of providing players with a fresh synergetic experience that combines the best elements of pure action and epic…


GRID 2 Review on PlayStation 3

  GRID 2 is a motorsport masterpiece game sequel was worth the wait featuring two main modes for one player and online plus a two player split screen racing option.  New features include a reverse action button and gameplay video uploading/editing/posting to YouTube. The Hype An extensive and separate online campaign redefines multiplayer racing games plus full RaceNet integration Powered by Codemasters’ EGO Game Technology Platform for jaw-dropping damage and stunning visuals, GRID 2 sets the standard for technical excellent in racing. Race a handpicked selection of iconic cars that represent the best in automotive engineering from the last 40…


‘The Shadow Sun’ iOS RPG Hits Beta, Will Release This Summer

I have previously written about the upcoming epic action-RPG from Ossian Studios ‘The Shadow Sun’. Ossian developed the best ‘Premium Module’ for the original Neverwinter Nights, one that introduced the concept of a personal citadel amongst other things. They also produced the only ‘Adventure Pack’ for Neverwinter Nights 2, and are now seeking to produce the first original true-RPG experience for the iPad that will appeal to hardcore gamers and more casual players alike. ‘The Shadow Sun’ has been delayed for some time to focus on the iPad experience and other details, but Ossian has now announced that the game…


Massively Multiplayer RPG Murim Wars Shutting Down July 1st!

Last December I wrote about the promising online RPG Murim Wars, an innovative game that sought to push boundaries by bringing the online gaming experience across PC, iOS and Android. After it launched I played a bit, but the game was really not in a style that captured my interest. This must have been true for many others as well. The game is getting shut down on July 1st and the process has already begun-  when I went to install the game it showed up as ‘not available in your country’ already! Here is what the notice says: With a…


Summer 2013 Console/Computer Game Guide

The kids are out of school and summer time is in full swing. Look for these great console and computer game offerings when you need a break from the heat. You can keep that summer feeling on your down time with The Sims 3 Island Paradise on PC/Mac (also in limited edition with extra content). Construct and manage a five-star resort hotel; explore the endless ocean, and/or build and sail your own houseboat in this extensive expansion pack (requires The Sims 3). Other PC releases include Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded (PC/Mac) and Machines at War 3 (PC/Mac), the sequel to…


Red Crow Mysteries Legion Brings Another Great Hidden Object Mystery to the Mac

When I reviewed Red Crow Mysteries: Legion for the iPad, I was thrilled to check it out because I had enjoyed the games I had played by developer Cateia Games, including Where Angels Cry and Fate of the Pharoah. Each of these had compelling gameplay and interesting stories, so I assumed that would carry over to Red Crow Mysteries: Legion – and I was right! Let’s see how the port to the Mac went!


Pilot Brothers 2 HD for iPad Review – Hit that Hint Button!

I have to confess that I didn’t really ‘get’ the original Pilot Brothers game, but by the end I enjoyed myself and was able to recommend the game to others. I still never really followed what was going on, or the reasoning behind the different capabilities for each brother, but the charm of the presentation and the overall fun and challenge won me over. Now that Pilot Brothers 2 is out, will I enjoy it as much?


Microsoft Was Right with Their DRM and Online Approach

I just wrote about how Microsoft has done an about-face on much of the online-requirements and DRM associated with the upcoming Xbox One. The timing of their announcement was ironic, as I was about to write a post saying that in reality Microsoft was absolutely right in what they were doing with DRM, and that everyone is just getting wrapped up in ‘internet outrage’ that would pass, and they would buy the Xbox One come holiday time. Wait … WHAT?!?


Why I Want a $60 Game for My iPad … and Why You Should Too

Way back in 2009, I was lamenting the insulting cheapness of App Store games, and also the destructive ‘race for the bottom’ in terms of mobile game pricing. At the time we were seeing big game companies struggle due to the large budgets of ‘AAA’ games requiring massive sales volumes, and that dictating choices made in terms of franchises to pursue and so on. Over the last few years, Indie games have exploded, and they have shown that for a much smaller budget a game can still deliver a high-quality experience. And yet on the iPad we are still getting an…


Microsoft Does a 180 on Xbox One DRM, but At What Cost?

There are two elements to every pitch – the idea and the delivery. There is also the context of the surrounding world at the time of the pitch, the mind frame of those receiving the pitch, and the competitiveness of the landscape. That said, there is fairly widespread agreement that Microsoft got everything wrong with the initial introduction and E3 pitch for its upcoming Xbox One console. It was so bad that Sony ‘won’ simply by not being Microsoft, and Nintendo got loads of attention by declaring ‘we’re all about games’ – something that ended up sounding all but revolutionary…


Beamdog Loses Rights to Publish Baldur’s Gate as Legal Issues Proceed

I love Baldur’s Gate and feel that Overhaul Games did a great job with the ‘Enhanced Edition’, but sadly today we have learned that what feels like an eternal struggle around the publishing rights around Baldur’s Gate and Dungeon & Dragons has erupted again and has resulted in the game being removed from the App Store and other places that had it for sale. Here is the official word from company president Trent Oster: Dear Friends of Baldur’s Gate, We recently removed Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition from sale on Beamdog and the Apple App Store. We’ve taken this step at…


Wrapping Up E3 – Promising Video Game Consoles and Games Were Plentiful

This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) at the Los Angeles Convention Center (June 11 through 13) featured endless announcements about highly anticipated gaming entertainment, which hopes to increase the video game market’s size and profitability later this year…just in time for the holidays. While there we saw numerous presentations and got to see an assortment of new and upcoming hardware. As mentioned in Michael Anderson’s recent article regarding the PC role in console gaming, both are important. Nintendo got even more added control by not issuing a live presentation yet enjoying their regular “booth” presence at the show. Microsoft and Sony…