PC Gaming

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…


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…


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…


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!


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?!?


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…


Apparently the Future of Consoles IS PC Gaming?!?

Everyone who has followed the E3 game conference for more than a year knows the basics – new hardware is introduced, and hot new awesome looking games are trotted out just to demonstrate how hot and awesome everything will be once it all ships. In years past some of this was done by way of screenshots and trailers … but those became known as ‘bullshots’, because it became immediately clear that none of it was actually real game screens or footage. More recently the bullshots moved to E3 product demos, in which product managers showing off games would take their…


Blade of Darkness Review – a Classic PC Game Retro Romp

Have you ever heard of the game ‘Blade of Darkness’? Don’t worry if you haven’t – it is more of a ‘cult classic’; a game that is now more than a dozen years old but that never gained much popularity due to lousy marketing. The advertisements at the time were made before the game was finished, and it didn’t present a compelling case of why you should buy it; the steep computer requirements made it an even harder sell. I didn’t play Blade of Darkness until 2004, and after a few replays I started having issues getting it installed on…


Here Come the E3 2013 Games!

Now to concentrate on the main content at the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) – the games! Microsoft has plenty of new Xbox One launch games coming before the end of the year including Ryse, the racing sequel Forza Motorsport 5 and Quantum Break, a sci-fi action game that will release at the same time as the television series. Sony will have their PlayStation 4 launch games in full force including the racing game sequel Gran Turismo 6, action shooter Killzone: Shadow Fall (set 30 years after Killzone 3), the action adventure filled Knack featuring an advanced robot as the…


Apparently Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic IS Coming to iPad, Now Available

A couple of weeks ago there was a supposed leak found in the header of an Aspyr newsletter pointing to the release of the iPad version of the classic Bioware RPG Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR for short). Since we don’t do rumors here I just fished through my .Mac mail to see the evidence (I hadn’t noticed it at first), then filed it away under OHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASEOHPLEASE … This morning we got everything but the final official confirmation, with a full review up at gaming site IGN. The review notes that some text is small, moving around…


Heavy Gear Assault Multiplayer Game Launches Kickstarter Campaign

The Heavy Gear world dates back to the 90s as a tabletop boardgame and card combat game, and came to the PC after Activision lost the rights to the Battletech/Mechwarrior series. There were two games introduced that brought the Heavy Gear world to gamers, with the second game being very well received as the best game in the genre at that time … but then the franchised remained dormant until last summer when Stompy Bot Productions announced they were bringing back Heavy Gear in a new game based on cutting edge Unreal Engine 4 technology. Now they are seeking help…


Classic RPGs Wizardry VI, VII and 8 Come to GoG.com!

When you look back at many of the classic moments and structures in gaming, the name Wizardry comes up all the time. It is the basis of all western RPGs from Ultima to Mass Effect, and its impact in Japan was key in the development of the Final Fantasy franchise. In short, all RPG roads lead to Wizardry. Now GoG.com has updated these classics (Wizardry VI came out in 1990, Wizardry VII in 1992, remade for Windows in 1996, and Wizardry 8 arrived in 2001) Here are some details on Wizardry VI and VII: – Includes Wizardry 6: Bane of…


Dungeon of Elements Game Launches Kickstarter Campaign

I continue to be amazed at the crazy-cool ideas that indie developers come up with. Years after being declared ‘dead’, PC gaming remains the most innovative source of new gaming styles. Take Dungeon of Elements – this game looks like a dungeon crawler, yet has a 3D Tetris element mixed with things like crafting and so on. Intrigued? I know I was, so I immediately checked out this new Kickstarter! Project Title: Dungeon of Elements Status: Active Closing Date for Funding: Wednesday Jun 19, 10:03am EDT URL of the Project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frogdice/dungeon-of-elements From the developer: Here are some key features:


Cognition Episode 2 The Wise Monkey Slashes onto Mac and PC!

A few months ago I reviewed the iPad version of the first ‘episode’ of Cognition, the adventure game series from legendary developer Jane Jenson and Phoenix Online Studios. Now we have Episode 2 of Cognition, and are on the case of the Wise Monkey. Let’s take a look! Type of app: Adventure Game Platform/where to buy: Mac or PC; available in the Phoenix Online Studios Store Developer: Phoenix Online Studios LLC Description: Here are some of the features: – Play as Erica Reed, FBI detective – Solve a deep and intriguing mystery that involves your twin brother – Investigate crime…


Jagged Alliance Kickstarter Closes in On Goal During Final Hours

Anyone with a history in classic PC gaming is familiar with the Jagged Alliance franchise. Going back to the 90s, the tactical strategy games defined the ‘thinking man’ style of gaming for many. Now in the last 36 hours, the Kickstarter campaign is very close to hitting its goal – but needs your help! Project Title: Jagged Alliance: Flashback Status: Active Closing Date for Funding: Thursday May 23, 5:59pm EDT URL of the Project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2079547763/jagged-alliance-flashback From the developer: Here are some key features: Jagged Alliance: Flashback is our vision of returning a once critically acclaimed franchise back to its roots,…


Neverwinter Enters Open Beta Testing – My Hands-On Impressions

The realms of Neverwinter and the Sword Coast are beloved by all fantasy RPG gamers, and they have been featured since the very earliest days of Dungeons & Dragons. Some of the most famous games set in this universe are Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2, Icewind Dale 1 & 2, and Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2. Though its main campaign was criticized by some in 2002 as lacking depth and excitement compared to the Baldur’s Gates games, multiplayer and player-created content have kept Neverwinter Nights and its sequel popular for more than a decade. So when Cryptic Entertainment and Perfect…


Strategy Game Machines at War 3 Launches!

I have to confess that it was my intention to have a full review of Machines at War 3 for today, but I really wanted to alert everyone to the release of Machines at War 3. This is a real-time strategy (RTS) game with a deep campaign mode, skirmish and full multiplayer modes – and it is a true indie effort! As a RTS, you are constantly working against time and building bases, doing tower defense, navigating stealth subs, commanding gigantic mega units, and researching new technologies. I have played through the tutorial and some of the campaign on both…


Guns of Icarus Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Adventure Mode

The lengths that some developers will go to to see their vision realized amazes me, and with Guns of Icarus Online that was certainly true. They were almost bankrupted putting out the initial game, and have had a previous Kickstarter campaign to complete that effort. But they envisioned much more, including a Skirmish mode and a full Adventure. Skirmish was released as a separate game, but get ready as Guns of Icarus Launches Kickstarter Campaign for Adventure Mode! Project Title: Guns of Icarus Online—Adventure Mode (PC/Mac/Linux) Status: Active Closing Date for Funding: May 21, 2013 URL of the Project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/musegames/guns-of-icarus-onlineadventure-mode…


Divinity Dragon Commander is Available for Pre-Order or as an Original Sin Perk

I have written extensively about my love of the Divinity games from Larian studios, including the recent Kickstarter of the turn-based Divinity Original Sin. The company is simultaneously working on another game, a real-time strategy game called Divinity Dragon Commander. Now Divinity Dragon Commander is Available for Pre-Order or as an Original Sin Perk. This week Larian and GoG.com announced they were teaming up to offer a discounted pre-order for Divinity Dragon Commander, knocking 11% off the price and asking only $39.99 for this massive game that offers single and multiplayer campaigns, as well as real-time and turn-based campaigns. There…