Games

Cancel Tonight’s Plans Because Temple Run 2 is Hitting the App Store Today!

One of the earliest mega-hit iOS titles is getting a sequel tonight!  Temple Run was extremely easy to play, with its swipe left or right to dodge, swipe up to jump, and swipe down to slide mechanics.  It was also one of the first endless runner type games and really started the craze, as we’ve seen innumerable games of this genre hit the app store since. Imangi Studios has developed the upcoming follow-up along with help from Fuzzycube Software.  The Temple Run formula seems to have been left unchanged, as you’ll still be tilting to grab coins and swiping to…


Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition Wows on iPad, Adds Little on PC – Review

Type of app: Role Playing Game (RPG) Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the App Store , PC version available through BeamDog Developer: Overhaul Games / BeamDog Description: * 80 hours of Epic RPG adventure * Over 40 classes and kits * Over 100 spells * over 150 magical items * New adventure: The Black Pits, a thrilling combat adventure * New character: Rasaad yn Bashir, a Calishite Monk searching for answers. * Available for purchase: New character: Dorn Il-Khan, a half-orc blackguard with a history of violence. * Available for purchase: New character: Neera the Wild Mage, a half-elf…


Adidas miCoach Game Review on PlayStation 3

Looking to stay in shape after the holidays? Adidas miCoach connects fitness fanatics to professional trainers in multiple sports and existing Adidas media. The Hype Why leave your house when you can train with the pros right in your own living room? Take your fitness training to the next level, train with word-famous athletes, receive feedback in real-time and get the results you want with Adidas miCoach. Hook up your PlayStation Move and get ready for personal training like you’ve never experienced before. Automatically share your progress via miCoach.com Training Games: Move around your living room with fun sport-related games…


Inbetween Land for Mac Review

Have you ever started playing a game, left it for a while, and after trying to get going again felt lost and restarted? That is what happened to me with Inbetween Land for the Mac. The story centers on a city that is suddenly sent into turmoil by a flying island in the sky … which goes from being an object of fear to a tourist destination. Your friend Mary goes missing after a beam of light appears from the floating island, so that is where you start your search. The gameplay elements are immediately familiar – you have puzzles,…


Super Stickman Golf 2 Scheduled to be Released Early This Year

I fondly remember playing Super Stickman Golf on my HTC Thunderbolt after I got it for free thanks to the Amazon App Store’s daily free app promotions.  It was one of my favorite games on Android for a long time.  I downloaded it thinking it would be an interesting time waster; I never would have paid for the app and probably wouldn’t have even given much thought to it had it not been free that day.  Boy, am I glad I found it, though.  After playing a few of the levels, I realized what a deal I got.  Super Stickman…


‘Abyss: the Wraiths of Eden’ HD for iPad Review

Abyss: the Wraiths of Eden is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game for the iPad and iPhone; it is available from the Apple App store. It’s developer is Artifex Mundi / G5 Entertainment. Description: 40 dazzling and exotic underwater locations 16 unique hidden object scenes to search 22 mini-games, including an unusual Domino game Three difficulty modes: casual, advanced and expert In-depth Strategy Guide Game Center Support iPhone 5 support Major features: As I mentioned in my Dark Arcana review, most hidden object games fall into either crime mysteries or dramatic stories involving the supernatural. Once again developer Artifex…


Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask Game Review on Nintendo 3DS

Outstanding puzzles and great storylines continue creating a potent, mystery-adventure game mix in Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, the fifth overall installment in this “prequel” game series. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask is the second game in a new prequel trilogy (fifth overall) and was first released in 2011 as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS within Japan. It is also the first game in the series for the Nintendo 3DS while previous installments released on the Nintendo DS. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, which primarily takes place one year following the events of Professor Layton…


unu – Tablet, Game Controller, Smart TV Dock in One, Unveiled at CES

Coming a long way from the public’s first glimpse at the device, the unu tablet has been debuted at CES.  The device, called “snakebyte eins” during its production and development, has been given a new name and a warm welcome in sunny Las Vegas at CES this year.  A pre-release version of the device is playable on the conference floor throughout CES. According to the company, Snakebyte, unu is completely different from all Android-based gaming platforms currently available to the public.  And I would have to agree.  unu comes with a docking station, gaming controller, and an air mouse, which…


Dark Arcana – The Carnival HD for iPad Review

Dark Arcana – The Carnival is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game for the iPad and iPhone; it is available in the App Store. It’s developer is Artifex Mundi / G5 Entertainment. Description: 48 enigmatic spine-tingling locations to visit 18 hidden object scenes to search 28 mini-games to tease your brain 21 exciting achievements to rack up Three difficulty modes to keep you guessing Bonus chapter, strategy guide and extras Game Center Support New iPad Retina Display Support Major features: In terms of hidden object games, most fall into either crime mysteries or dramatic stories involving the supernatural. By the title you…


Classic Apple II Fighting Game Karateka Reborn for iOS, Here’s Our Review

Type of app: Side-scrolling Fighting game Platform/where to buy: iPad or iPhone; available in the App Store Developer: Jordan Mechner / Karateka LLC Major features: If you asked me to name the games that stand out from my Apple ][+ era in the early 80s, right alongside Castle Wolfenstein would be Jordan Mechner’s Karateka. The game was simplistic yet completely addictive as you would at first try to win by any means, then as you improved you would try different tactics, techniques until you could eventually make it all the way through with without losing any health. When I heard…


Video Game Violence

As recently reported in USA Today, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W. Va.) introduced a bill to examine the impact of violent content, including video games, on children…This possible bill would require the National Academy of Sciences to submit a report within 18 months on whether violent video games and other programming adversely affect children. Other studies have not been able to provide conclusive evidence that video games, movies, television programming or media in general have adverse effects. It’s not a simple issue of finding evidence or a “smoking gun” because there is no way an entity, including the National Academy of…


Need For Speed Most Wanted DLC Released, Ultimate Speed Pack

Still need some speed? Electronic Arts delivers in impressive fashion with the Ultimate Speed Pack, which is available for download on $9.99 at PlayStation Store (PS3) and Origin (PC), and for 800 Microsoft points on Xbox Live Marketplace (Xbox 360). This Need For Speed Most Wanted downloadable content (DLC) includes 70 new “speed-themed” milestones and five amazing exclusive cars – Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, Pagani Nonla R, McLaren F1 LM, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, Lambourgini Aventador J. Players also get 25 challenge events for each of these five cars. Players can also nab this DLC pack and Time Saver…


Xbox 360 Thoughts from an Open Source Guy

I know!  I know!  How could I, an Open Source guy, send my money to Microsoft by purchasing an Xbox?  Well, when my family is concerned, I need to consider them when purchasing tech. My son wanted an Xbox, so Santa got him one this year — no matter what Dad thinks. So, here are my thoughts about the Xbox system as a whole, from the perspective of an open source guy. Updates Updates Updates I swear my son was about ready to bust when it took HOURS to get the updates installed.  It’s not that there were so many,…


Nintendo Wii U Game System Review

The Nintendo Wii U ushers in a new wave of “next generation” video game console systems with expanded functions and convenient backward-compatible functions stemming from a sleek rectangular console and portable GamePad with screen. The Wii U had an original launch window between March 2012 and December 2012 and eventually debuted on November 18, 2012, so gamers experienced a predictable pre-order frenzy for the holiday season. The impressive high-definition graphics make a winning combination with Nintendo’s vibrantly colorful games while the lightweight GamePad with separate screen offers great gameplay/viewing options. The Wii U is currently available in the following two…


Green Jelly for iPhone and iPad Review

Type of app: Physics/Puzzle game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: MaxNick / G5 Entertainment Description: ? 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 keep you entertained ? Game Center Support ? New iPad Retina Display Support Major features: Green Jelly is a physics-based game in which you play as a green jelly candy seeking to collect up all of the candy,…


Heroes of Ruin Video Game Review on Nintendo 3DS

This extensive adventure game puts the genre right in the palm of your hands with an engaging, action experience bolstered by a user-friendly, touch-controlled inventory system and consistent new downloadable content. This Nintendo 3DS exclusive game impresses with an in-depth role-playing game (RPG)/dungeon crawling experiences with a wide array of game modes and online options. The multiplayer and cooperative gameplay options encourage coordination and friendships as online connection expand the game beyond the in-depth “off-line” single-player mode. Up to three other players (friends or any worldwide participants) can jump in the “drop in and out” cooperative multiplayer with complete with…


Bike Baron on iOS Gets an Update and a Sale Price!

Remember my Minigore 2: Zombies post where I told you that Bike Baron is one of my favorite games on iOS, ever? Well, it was just updated to version 3.0 and it got even better! Bike Baron is in the “physics motorcycle race” genre. Did I just make that up? There are four buttons: Left, Right, Stop, Go. You lean back and forth and use the gas and brakes to make your way through over 100 different levels and 300 challenges. The premise is simple, the game itself, is not. Once you get into the Hard and Extreme levels, the…


New Wheel of Fortune App for iOS and Android Launched to Help Celebrate 30th Wheel of Fortune Season!

“WHEEL…OF…FORTUNE!” Whenever I hear that phrase, I start to salivate a bit. Yes, I’m sure there are a lot of brows creasing as they read that second sentence, but bear with me, as it was the result of inadvertent Pavlovian conditioning. Back in the late 20th century, when I was but a college student, the local radio station would play an NPR segment followed by the audio broadcast of Wheel of Fortune from a local TV station. Due to my schedule proctoring organic chemistry labs, the timing of these two broadcasts generally coincided with my dinner. I’d often eat in…


First Dishonored DLC Released, Dunwall City Trials

Dunwall City Trials, the first official add-on pack for Dishonored, is available for download for $4.99 on PlayStation 3 and PC, and 400 Microsoft points on Xbox 360. This Dishonored DLC includes 10 challenge maps (normal difficulty) that will test and track action, stealth, puzzle and mobility skills. Players can also unlock six expert difficulty maps. Player performance is rated on a three star system where each star earned unlocks artwork in the gallery (44 total). Players can also check out their performance on online leaderboards or view the credits of the hard-working folks who created the DLC. New trophies and…


Deepworld Is Available for iOS now!

Hello again iPad gaming fans, I’m here to give you a quick tip; kind of like when your doctor tells you that you should exercise more often.  Check out Deepworld, out now on the iTunes for free.  It’s a 2D minecraft-type sandbox MMO game that focuses a lot on its hand-drawn art and a cool steampunk vibe.  Also, did I mention that the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world?  Its true. You mine different kinds of ore blocks in order to build various items like doors, chairs, lanterns, and many, many more, all of which help you to survive…


The Raptr Report – “Most Played Games of 2012”

The video gaming network Raptr, which tracks over 10 million game users and their gameplay hours and achievements,  has named their “Most Played Games of 2012” in eight categories. These winners are complimented by a detailed reports with several interesting trends, facts, and fascinations in the video game world…and the winners (except for most played game)  are: Most Played New Game – Borderlands 2 (Gearbox/2K Games) Most Played Game (Released Anytime) – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (Treyarch/Activision) Biggest Boost from User-Generated Content – Portal 2 (Valve) Most Played Long-Awaited Sequel – Borderlands 2 (Gearbox/2K Games) No Bathroom Break…