Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

“Dude, that’s cool!” Inc interview with the creators

Posted: February 13, 2012 by inkytheobvious in iOS, Reviews
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(Above:- freshcoffeemedia’s logo)

Welcome to an amazing section I am doing for The Big Nerd Show, I was on instagram and I found that one of the people I follow is friends with the creators of a game I brought to review. So I contacted him and he gave me not only the permission to review and use images from the game, but an interview.


(above :- the main menu and title screen)

So let me start with a brief back ground on freshcoffeemedia they are a new company that have worked with bigger names before and have now branched off to start there own interactive indie games. They are very friendly, and really good at responding to any questions or comments you have so please visit there website www.freshcoffeemedia.com


(above:- all images above is the games opening tutorial on how to play)

“Dude,that’s cool!” is there first title, in what I hope is a first in many, the idea of the game is to use a strategy, skill and sneak to get your hamster to the other side of the board to get a new item.


(above:- screen shot of game play)

It is turn based, you can pass and play or play with others who are online. Either from your friends list or at random. I found this game like chest but with out having to remember which way the different pieces have to move, and unlike chest you can blow things up.


(above:- turn based play)


(above:- pass and play winner screen)

They have a very simple explanation on how to play, which is good.
You also have a choice of hamster that represents you.


(above:- gameplay options)

There is only a couple of things I have seen that annoy me that is the fact it crashes and waiting for an opponent to make a move, the crashing is getting fixed in the next update, so not a big deal there, but the opponents is my own problem I need more of my friends to be playing this game so come on guys play this game with me!

The interview…

Here is some back ground history from Gabe Lewis, he is the business director whom I contacted. He gives a fantastic brief history of the company and a inside view to what they have done before.

(Gabe:-)”Dude! That’s Cool. is our first product out of Fresh Coffee, but not our first game to design. We are out of McKinney, TX where Zynga With Friends (formerly New Toy) resides and our sister company Day6 Creative (the design and illustration studio) was fortunate enough to design the initial “With Friends” games including Words with Friends.
After getting a taste of the iOS gaming experience we decided to create our own IP based off a board game our “fearless leader”, Jeff Simpson invented and played with his kids.”

MY QUESTIONS
(ITO:-)How long did the game take you to develop?

(Gabe:-)”The concept has been there since November 2010 and the wheels were put into motion just a couple of months later. We started with some basic art and code to get the gameplay down, then it progressed from there. We are fortunate enough to have some pretty incredible artistic talent at Day6, so the art was the easy part. Since it was our first time to develop and publish a game we ran into the normal hang ups, but once we got into the actual implementation of the game which came around March of 2011, we started to see some movement. We spent a majority of our time figuring out the “just right” amount of strategy, altering features (bombs, tools, etc.). So to answer your question a little over a year from initial concept, but we still don’t feel a sense of completion. We are actually about to release our first update for the game which will include some pretty sweet features like in-game “Chat” and more “Social Friendly” connectivity.”

(ITO:-)Why hamsters, why not something else?

(Gabe:-)”Well since we had the basic concept of building a path from one side to the other, we started thinking about how we could make it “mobile friendly.” We liked the idea of some type of creature and we had to think of something that was original and would also fall into the category of a creature that stays within a path. There weren’t really any hamster games out there and the idea of it being pipes being built from one side to the other was interesting. We felt we could do a lot with that.”

(ITO:-)Have you got any other games coming?

(Gabe:-)”We definitely have the concepts and would love to see the hamster world continue to grow. We plan to keep Dude! That’s Cool. fresh, so right now we are focused on adding to the experience for gamers who enjoy the game now. We are excited about the ideas we have in store for our loyal gamers. We are confident they will continue to come back to the game. Its no fun when something gets stagnate so we will give them what they want.”

(ITO:-)Have you made any other games?

(Gabe:-)”Day6 Creative, the sister company of Fresh Coffee was fortunate enough to be the creative team to create the visuals for Words With Friends. The “Scrabble” game had been around forever, so working with the New Toy (now Zynga With Friends) crew on making a mobile experience that the everyday user would enjoy looking at was fun. That is where we caught the mobile gaming bug. Day6 has a long history of being a design and illustration house for the toys and games industry working on brands like Star Wars, Marvel, and yes even Scrabble. We formed Fresh Coffee to develop and publish the games and Dude! That’s Cool. is the first to come out of here.”

(ITO:-)If you are making other games, what should we keep an eye out for?

(Gabe:-)”Definitely look for the hamster world to grow. The little dudes have a lot of personality and we can’t wait to bring that out. As iOS continues to grow we will try to keep the freshness of our games coming. Since our roots began in the “social” realm, look for us to work our way through that tunnel. Everyone wants to be connected, so now we plan to create the content that makes connecting fun.”

(ITO:-)Where did the title come from, is there a story behind it?

(Gabe:-)”Ha ha, probably exactly how you would imagine… sitting at a diner, having breakfast in McKinney, TX, drinking coffee while talking about the game. Every new idea thrown out, we found the other one saying “Dude, that’s cool.”, so we decided “let’s call it that!” “

(ITO:-) would you mind if we use screen shots of your game in my review?

(Gabe:-)”Yes, you have permission to use screen shots of the game within your review.”

To round it all up :-

(Gabe:-)” We are just siked you have taken an interest in our game. We have put a lot of work into the game and we are excited about people joining in the hamster’s world!
Thanks so much for reaching out, we are excited and honored to get outlets like The Big Nerd Show interested in our game.
Regards,
Gabe (gabe lewis, business development.)”

Thank you to Gabe Lewis, he is a really awesome to chat to, if you want more information please email the kind people at freshcoffeemedia at info@freshcoffeemedia.com and ask away.

So all in all great people developing this game and there is improvements coming, I am not going to rate this game as I feel my opinion will be biast and unfair.


(above:- is the AppStore view)

I would like to hear your guys opinions and prehaps I will see you for a friendly match.

Next time I will be writing about hatchi the iPhone tamagotchi.

Inkytheobvious

G Faulkes

The street fighter IV

Posted: February 10, 2012 by inkytheobvious in iOS, Reviews
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(Above:-the street fighter start screen)

Today I am reviewing street fighter IV, on the iPhone, this is a side scrolling fighter brought to you by capcom.


(above:- capcom logo)

I Found that this game is graphically pleasing, and I also found the gaming aspect enjoyable. I also found that the training aspect also helped my skill with in the game it’s self, which adds a helpful extra for when you go into multiplayer mode.


(above and below:- training menu and results of training)

I did not play multiplayer that often, I don’t currently have a stable connection, so when I do you’re welcome to fight with me.

(above:- match VS screen)
Unlike my bad experience with golden axe where the Dpad got in the way of the game playability, this games Dpad has an option for you to change the location of the buttons. Which made my day, not only the button but the joy stick can be moved.

(above & below:- buttons layout)

(above:- multiplayer match my opponent was good but I was better.)
After each fight you have an option to where you can save your game replays of hitch it is recorded onto the games application, I found this interesting because you can see how you improve.

(above :- KO Below:- match result and time it took the small camera is to save the match video)
The only down side is this game is a very basic fighter game, and a old game that’s just been updated, even though it’s been updated well non-the less updated.


(Above:- the end screen for Cammy when you’ve done all the preset matches)

I give this game a rating purely based on its playability of 4/5
Thanks for reading any comments of what you think to the game please leave below, next time I will be doing a interview with the game designers fresh coffee media, and writing my thoughts on there game “Dude! That’s cool!”
Thanks for reading
InkyTheObvious

Monster Colouring Book for iOS

Posted: February 1, 2012 by inkytheobvious in iOS, Reviews
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(Above: the start screen Below: the about page tells you all about the creators.)

As I have written before I am a parent of two, and I am always looking something that’s creative for them to use on the iPad or my phone, they do have a ton of educational applications, as well as interactive children’s art applications.


(Above: picture selection of monsters)

So today’s review will be on the monster colouring book, which I had to admit I was not expecting the monsters to be so cute. I was expecting scary monsters, but these fellas “aww!”


(Above: different creature types make this interesting.)

You can choose what monster you want to colour in, you then can colour, stamp or fill the chosen creature it. How very simple, there is a help page for if you get stuck.


(Above: the colouring in menus and image I’m working on.)


(Above: is the help page)

Then once you are happy with your creation you can send it to a wireless printer, email it, or save it to your phone.


(Above: I saved it to my phone)


(Above: is the gallery view of the application.)

I have found this application a lot of fun, but my children prefer it on the iPad rather than the iPhone. It’s all to do with screen revenue, because some of the smaller details are harder to fill on the iPhone.


(Above: my finished picture I call him mr bike)

It’s good clean fun, Eco friendly but it doesn’t beat the old fashioned crayons and paper, but that’s my opinion.
I am not rating this application, because it is what it is a digital colouring book. If you do get this application I’d like to hear your thoughts below, and any colouring you have done.


(Above: the AppStore description)

My next review is going to be on street fighter IV.

Don’t forget to Leave your comments below and your impressions of the application too.

Yours InkyTheObvious

The Arty Apps

Posted: January 30, 2012 by inkytheobvious in iOS, Reviews
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Todays reviews are on sketch pad pro (on my iPad), trippingfest & drawcast, these are paint/photo applications for your device.



(Above: sketchbook pro’s opening image Below: drawcast and tripping fest application icon, they didn’t have a fancy start picture like above, just ignore the folder they’re in with.)

Today I decided to review some drawing & art applications, because my phone an other iDevices can be used for much more than just gaming, plus us nerds don’t just game.

 


(Above: drawing done on the trippingfest application. Below: sketch of a koi carp on drawcast application.)

 

I have these applications on my iPhone so I can create sketches or doodles on the go, there are a lot of sketch apps out there but these two worked well for me. I do have sketch pad pro for my iPad and so far nothing works as well as that does on the iPad for me, if you have found an app that you find that you’re able to create beautiful work please link me below.

 


(Above: a quick sketch in sketch pad pro.)

Let’s start with sketch pad pro

 


(Above: working in sketch pad pro you can choose tools colours and draw away)
I have found that dynamically this looks and feels alot like photo shop but made for the touch screen.
It has muliti gestures to zoom, change tools and use the undo button.
There is a vast range of colours, textures and painting unensils, it also seeming adjusts the line to how much pressure I use on screen. It also have layers and options to flatten them and so on like I said before its a tablet version of photoshop.

 


(Above: a portrait drawn on the right is of my sister on the left, done in sketch pad, I used my phone as the photo reference and drawn on a new page.)

I found it easy to use, but it took a lot of practise to achieve the effects I wanted, I found that using my finger as well as the stylus I got that was adapted for the iPad helped me feel like I was drawing more on paper than a screen.

(Above: landscape I was working on above)

    Next is drawcast

I found drawcast just by accident, I was looking for an animation application (which I have found), and I found this.

(Above: brush selection & colour chooser)

In this application you can do so much, it has layers so you can draw on three tiers which is awesome because I can do my shading on the middle tier, lining on the top, and make the back ground into anything I want.

(Above: blur selection)

I have this application on my iPhone because its logically the best place to do a quick doodle idea, then save that image and transfer it over to the iPad and go back and draw it out there. It is also very Eco friendly instead of using paper I use this. I am not saying this is going to replace paper 100% but I am saying that you’re less likely to chuck away what you’ve drawn on your iDevice .

(Above: sketch in drawcast unfinished, and you can see all the other button.)

The only thing that makes me use this application less is the amount of adverts shoved in my face with in it. I know it’s a free application, and they need to make money somewhere. I think I wouldn’t of minded to pay for this if they chucked in some extra layers and some more brush styles.

(Above: the layer selection, as you can see there is only three and unlike sketch pad pro where you can have multiple layers, this limits you.)


Finally Trippingfest

(Above: one of the many drawing I have made in this application, it’s addictive drawing in this way.)

I fell in love with the light version and got the full version, it’s something amazingly simple, yet fantastically effective.

(Above: the main drawing screen, the buttons are all around)

This drawing application works on the colidoscope theory, one line is reflected and copied parallel to the opposite side.

(Above:the mirror selection, my advice is to play around with these as they give different effect on the image.)

You have so many brushes to choose from (patterns), as well as colours and variations you can create an amazing range of images with this application.

(Above: the colour options are just as mind blogging in choice.)

I play with this application a lot I think it’s the best way to interact with the application and to pick up how it works best for you.

(Above: colour burned and different colour mixes with mirror mixed up you can make so many interesting designs.


Marks out of 5star

Sketchbook pro gets gets 5/5 because I feel that this application is the best drawing application of its type, but it is at its best on the iPad.

(Above: what you’d expect to see in the iPad AppStore.)

Drawcast only gets 3/5 because in using it I feel it is only good for doodling and I can not see myself using it as much as sketch book for completing my drawings.

(Above: the review from the AppStore on drawcast.)

Trippingfest gets 4/5 because it is awesome to use and dynamically fantastic, would have been a five if I could have had a iPad version of it.

(Above: Trippingfest in the AppStore.)

Next review is going to be on the Monster Colouring Book.

Leave your comments below and your impressions of the game too.

Yours InkyTheObvious

Need for speed shift2 (NFS Shift2 iOS)

Posted: January 25, 2012 by inkytheobvious in iOS, Reviews
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(Above: the games main menu)

So today I am going to be reviewing need for speed shift 2 (aka NFS Shift2) brought to you by EA (creators of The sims, sims2 & sims3). I have played the need for speed series before but not on my phone on the GameCube and Ian still playing need for speed underground 2.


(Above: EAs logo)

I must admit I didn’t realise that this is number 18 out of 19 games that share the same title, which makes me ask the question “EA haven’t had a better idea than this game, so have they’ve turned it into a cash cow?”


(Above: this is a loading screen, these aren’t as long and arduous like it was back on the playstation one platform)

Now comparing this game with the others in the series I can not do seeing as the last game I played within the series is need for speed underground and underground2 on the GameCube.
So I am just looking at it as a handheld platform.


(Above: this layout reminded me of GranTrismo)

I found that this game is very player friendly, menus are easy to follow and use, the way it flows reminds me a little of GrandTrismo for the Playstation.
You can change the controls, the car colours and a whole multitude of things within the game.


(Above: I am uncertain if you can change your player view but this is how I drive in most driving games, you can see a yellow line that represents the middle of the device and you tilt. The green arrow is where the game thinks you should be driving….This annoyed me!)

What I do not like is all these controls in the game that babies you, assisted turning, breaking & race line you can turn these off, but surely I should not have to turn them off rather turn them on. I don’t like the fact it automatically hass these things on at the start of your game play.


(Above: my cars window shield got. Pebble dashed and I was impressed by this.)

I also do not like the fact that EA keep trying to push there own cloud gaming service Origin on me after every race I complete, and every time I enter the game.


(above: see that orange button? Well that will light up and ask you the question above, and I already have I live & steam why do I need more?)

The graphics are mind bogglingly good for a handheld game it looked fantastic when I pushed it onto my tv via the apple tv, my other half thought I was on a consol.


(Above & Below: are in preface plaits mic views of the track, you don’t really see the view as your trying to race.)

All in all I an see the essence of the older underground series with the interchangeable parts to the cars and the racing, but it has come a long way and evolved into a GrandTrismo-esk type of game


(Above: your stats given to you after every race.)

I enjoyed this game once I got rid of all the bubble wrapping of assisted breaking , race line and any other annoyances such as automatic gears.
I found myself getting very competive, and it’s a game that needs a persons full consentration.


(Above: in game purchase for this game, shameful)

I give it 3.5 stars out of 5, even though it’s good I do feel EA need to invest in making a different title instead of turning it into a cash cow. Heads up for parents there is a in game purchase option where you buy money to spend in game for car upgrades.


(above: what the people on the app store have to say about this game).

Next review is going to be on sketch pad pro (for my iPad), trippinfest & drawcast, as you can tell these are paint/photo applications for your device.

Leave your comments below and your impressions of the game too.

Yours InkyTheObvious

Poker Night at the Inventory Review (PC)

Posted: January 23, 2012 by jakejaylee in PC, Reviews
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I am trying to write a fair and even review here, but it’s hard as I love this game. I have had many Steam accounts since about 2004 and every since this game came out you’ll find it on my current and all my old accounts (sold on eBay, I don’t care what you say about the selling and starting accounts, I have always made a profit). I also spend alot of time in the game, more time than I normally spent on a single player story-heavy game including my last review: Batman Arkham City.

So, what type of game is this… It’s Poker, you know the clue is in the fucking name. However it’s poker done by Tell Tale Games and features their kin in Strongbad and Max (Sam and Max), The Heavy Weapons Guy from Team Fortress 2 (read team) and Tycho Brahe (Penny Arcade) who are, of course, not from Tell Tale Game. There is funny (if too often repeated) lines that come right out of each of their games or comic. As I said, the main problem is that you’ll hear the same line, repeated and repeated, I have had the same line said in the same game.

You can play on “Hard Mode”, if you want but your fucking nuts for doing so. I only plan on playing at hard once I have all the achievements but the one for winning on hard. Also because I don’t know how to play Poker very well. So where is all the replay from? I mean graphics are standard, nothing special.

Simple, two reasons: First of all the game unlocks for items for Team Fortress 2, which don’t mod the game in any meaningful way but they do look cool and I have to be honest, I love my TF2 unlocks. Second of all is the achievements, now this wont hit everyone but the achievements are fun (if 100% random) and if there is a little bit of an achievement hunter in you, you’ll find that a drop with little skill and you just WANT MORE!!!!

Outside of that, it’s a function Poker game at £3.25 (at time of writing). If you enjoy Poker, it’s nothing cost wise and it’s cheaper than most fun skinned weapons from the Mann Co Store in TF2 if you don’t like Poker. It’s censored by the way, no one swears, which sucks as I don’t see the everyday kid playing this game. I think that sums up the problem, in the lack of swearing, the game doesn’t have that much content but it is cheap…
Score: 60% (For Poker Fans) /65% (For the TF2 Unlocks)

Golden axe & 16 bit games on the touch screen

Posted: January 23, 2012 by inkytheobvious in iOS, Reviews
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
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(above: Golden axe title screen below: Golden axe menu)

 


Gaming has come a long way since I was a kid, I started on a Nintendo game boy with teris & later doctor mario, I’m talking about the chunky grey gameboy with purple buttons. I also had saga mega drive with cannon fodder, golden axe, dessert strike, fantasia, sonic & knuckles, sonic 3D and sonic the hedgehog. 

 


(above: Character  select screen you can choose from the dwarf, warrior or amazon.
Normally I choose the dwarf based on his axe or the amazon based on her magic giving  me an awesome dragon attack).

So when I was told, one of my favourite classic games could be brought and played on my iPhone I instantly got it, as well as a couple of other saga classics, I also decided I’d get some arcade classics like PAC-Man, androids and space invaders.

 


(above: the PAC-MAN title screen)

The arcade classics they couldn’t of messed that up and PAC-man has been available on dumb phones for a while, so transferring them to a smart phone, tablet or any touch screen device, isn’t going to present too much of a problem for these games. So what about golden axe and the other saga 16bit games I hear myself cry????

(above: pac-man game play using the dpad function, no problems plays like the arcade version does.)
well as a child I found golden axe a challenge, I hated the level where you’re flying on the back of an eagle because of the mud men, so I knew the game well I have beaten it down a lot.
So I thought I’d happily re-live my golden axe days and do the same on my iPhone beat the game and be like “I enjoyed that”.

 


(above: as you can see I am playing the amazon and the guys that drop the magic kept getting under my attack button, so I couldn’t have my magic.)
Sadly the iPhone let me down with the dpad set up, which then let the game down, which then made me a sad sad adult who was whining more than any other child in the house.
I couldn’t get passed the first stage boss fight. I couldn’t even see who I was fighting the dpad is set up so my fat fingers would be in the way of the screen and all the action seeming happened where my fingers where. 

 


(above & below: this is the first level boss, as I said the problem with the game is the npc(non player characters) kept going to the right hand side of the screen where the dpad is placed. I normally beat these with extreme ease on the mega drive but now I couldn’t even get passed this level I had three game overs before I thought “I’m getting angry”.)

 

Also I found myself bashing the phone screen excessively hard because i was so certain that the only reason I was getting beaten was because the buttons did not react to me at all.

 


(above: my favourite part of the game riding the lizard that tail whips the bad guys out of the way!)

So in conclusion Golden Axe did not translate very well to the device i was playing it on, even though it is a classic and a game I do still enjoy to this day, so what I am essentially saying is I have better dust down my mega drive and play it on that.

 


(above: this is the app store image looks like the game sells for £1.99, as I’ve said below I’m not going to rate this game as I am a big fan of the original)

Golden axe is one of my favourites games on the saga so if I score it I will be biased, so I am not going to.

Next review is going to be on Need For Speed shift 2 (or NFS Shift2) on IOS (iPhone).

Leave your comments below and your impressions of the game too.

Yours inkytheobvious

Batman Arkham City Review (Onlive)

Posted: January 20, 2012 by jakejaylee in onlive, Reviews
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Before anyone asks, that is not a misprint. I am indeed reviewing Batman Arkham City via or for Onlive, the reason is very simple. There are only 2 games I know my computer won’t play from last year that I really, REALLY want to play. Batman Arkham City and Skyrim, also have a stressed how much I want to play these games? Now Skyrim, I can’t work around it but Batman there was Onlive. I am going to try hard not to review Onlive as a service or Virgin Media and its woeful “Fair Usage” policy but I have a feeling it will turn up in a review of this type.

Let’s get it out of the way first, is this as fun or as good as the first game? Easy answer is yes. Does it have a good, solid story arc to the main story? Again yes. And is this game playing it “safe”? Yes and no, it’s the same basic game as the first but in a game world that is about 5 times the size of the first game and there are some problems with this game…

The main story arc is a real rollercoaster which has you met up with some of Batman’s greatest foes and well, twat ‘em in the Arkham superb combat system. Small problem with this is that the story tries to cram as many of the villains into it that they start to feel like they have only got bit parts, hell the last battle is clearly both fan service and a bit part, with the line “You’re not meant to be here *Blank*”. Still the boss battles are varied and nowhere near as samey as the first game.

With a game world 5 times bigger and an open world format why not space the other villains into side mission (of which there are plenty) and let them have multiply paths and larger story arcs? Everything feels like it’s been crammed into the main story, which is a shame. Also in a game which is so open world, Arkham City lost the superb Scarecrow freak-outs from the first game which was my favourite parts of the first game, they really opened up Batman’s mind to help explain why he does, what he does.

As with the first game the voice acting is spot on and again they have taken the dark moody design of the current Batman movies and spliced it with the voice actors of the cartoon series, so there is always a voice you’ll remember. I don’t like the way the game wants you to kill off villains in a way that means they can’t do another game, you know like Two-Face in The Dark Knight Returns. Just because a voice actor hasn’t signed up to do the next game… Rocksteady.  I always hated this practise, blocking out returns is just plain dumb.

The combat, which let’s face it are the Arkham games main feature, is still spot on and I’m glad to see that Rocksteady didn’t mess around with it. It’s still a superb mix of counters, combos and using Batman’s gadgets to get the highest combo score you can which helps you level up faster. A lot of the gadgets are opened up from the start this time, but you still get some extra ones and there is some unforeseen teaming up which gives you a great couple of new toys.

Travelling throughout the city is handled by walking is you’re dumb or by gliding if you’re not.  There are no signs of the Batman’s trademarked car or motorcycle. Even if there was I don’t think the streets would be any state to be driven on, which is fine the gliding is much more fun. I did find myself having to use the map more than once to get around, there are some marks you can use but if you’re saying trying to do and be somewhere more personal to you (as a fan), on ground level most areas look about the same.

Just like the first game, the engine is Unreal Engine 3. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s not showing its age as of yet. The engineers at Rocksteady have really worked some magic because there isn’t really any loading screen and everything flows just perfectly along. This is the point I should re-remind my readers this is the Onlive version and Onlive uses the latest, high-end machines. I’m sure on a slower computer or on a console the loading screen that this game does have would take longer.

The only thing I will comment on the graphics isn’t at all a knock on the game, but because Onlive uses so much data, after about one to two hours I would be bottlenecked and the video quality would drop to just shit levels and the sound would go really weird. Often the music would be so loud I couldn’t hear the vocal work of the people I was gliding over. It was possible to play like it, in a windowed box, but I wouldn’t normally to put up with it. However the game is so good and I’m from the C64 years onwards, I understand that graphics aren’t everything and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Because I’m playing the Onlive version, in which every game is the full version. I also got to play as Catwoman. To be fair, she plays a lot like Batman. Combat wise she is the same, only different gadgets and her “thief vision” is Batman’s “Detective Mode” with a colour swop. She doesn’t glide around the City like Batman, instead she whips around it (and I mean with a real whip) and it looks more like she is smacking her face into the side of building. It’s kind of fun to watch. There is also an evil ending found in her game, it’s clever and witty. They even start rolling the credits before then reversing them (like a video) and “smacking you on the wrist” and telling you to play the good girl, I would like to see a real evil ending here, but still, crafty bastard for adding it in there.

Outside of all of that, its clever game and the main story arc took me about 10 hour and some of that was the normal open world dick around. I have played some of the game afterwards but I must say, just like the first game I don’t see there being that much replay for me. Don’t get me wrong there are challenge maps, high score boards and DLC for those who want more but for me. I’m done. Saying that I rented the game from Onlive for 5 days and it took just under two of those 5 days so I guess I’ll pop into it before the rental ends.

So yes, it’s a great game. They lost one or two of the best bits from the first game and added a play world that was much, much bigger. Its fan service, but it’s worth any gamer playing at the same time.  I also see why this game was a maybe for our Game of the Year and at the time I couldn’t have voted for it as I had not played it. Still I wouldn’t have voted it because it’s not better than the winner. It’s great, it’s fun and it was worth the wait on my behalf to play it. Don’t miss out!

Score: 90% – I’m Batman, but in a city!

Batman Arkham City Lockdown Review (iOS)

Posted: January 20, 2012 by jakejaylee in iOS, Reviews
0

Oh yes, it’s Batman day here at The Big Nerd Show! I played and completed this before I started playing Arkham City on Onlive, in fact I started the game again in the vein of playing against harder enemies and it’s still all very fun but there is something sitting over Batman Arkham City Lockdown. It’s all a bit like Infinity Blade, isn’t it?

Now, there is nothing wrong with the combat in Lockdown but it does play a lot like Infinity Blade (first game) in the main combat. I personally would go one step more and say the main combat is a little watered down when compared to Infinity Blade and I’m sure the development team is fed up of hearing it but it’s what it is.

In the main combat there are gadgets, things like Smoke Bombs that stun the enemy, “Bat Mists” which stun for a brief second and cause some damage over time and I must say that it really adds to the game and the flow of the main bulk of the combat, but (in a shock horror monument) there is more to the game than just the main combat that plays just like Infinity Blade…

There are bosses and they play differently, well for the most part, from the main combat. Two Face uses guns that you have to knock with guided batarangs by tilting the machine and then also uses standard enemies as he isn’t a super villain, not just a mastermind villain. You also have that bastard Solomon Grundy, who is too big for Batman to fight one-on-one so there is a chase and a weird dodge-and-wait for an opening-battle.

The down side to the bosses and to the game overall is there are only 4 bosses. Two-Face, Solomon Grundy, Joker and Deathstroke, that’s it. So the game itself is short and the only issues you’ll have are down to some iffy controls more than the game being that hard. On the plus side the game is made in the Unreal Engine 3, which is the same game engine that powered Arkham City on the Consoles, PC and Onlive. They also have the same voice actors so the game sounds right.

What I don’t understand is why they had to make another Infinity Blade clone, why couldn’t they make a shorter, more compact version of the full game? In Arkham City the combat flows and it’s all about the great timed counters not swiping a screen Fruit Ninja style! I have played better games than this made with both the Unreal Engine 3 and Unity, to be fair that goes to ChAIR and Epic too.

If I’m being honest, the game plays well and it’s fun. I for one enjoy games where you can go forever but that’s not to everyone’s taste. It really does look the part, there is plenty to unlock and if you’re willing to pay a little extra (69p at time of writing) to can unlock and play as one of the many extra skins and some come with their own Game Centre achievement. There are also comics to view and more.

If you’re a massive Batman fan then this game is for you. Your everyday comic book or even DC fan may want to keep away from; the average gamer may also not enjoy the game for that long. When you’re playing it, it’s fun but forgettable.

Score: 72% “I’m Batman!”

(Please Note: There was meant to be screenshots but they have been lost)

To-fu & To-fu 2 review

Posted: January 19, 2012 by inkytheobvious in iOS, Reviews
Tags: , , , , ,
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(above the main menu screens for both games)

Hi once again to a quick game review by me (inkytheobvious). I have choosen the the to-fu games to review because they’re free, and I found the game play interesting. These games are made by hot Gen and the have brought us Spacelings.


(above HotGen logo)

The game is fairly simple to play you can strech the to-fu charater or fling him, he sticks to any surfaces that are devoid of obstacles, these will harm and knock the little guy out. Only difference between to-fu and to-fu 2 is when you stretch and hold him he glows and gains a power up, and obviously the puzzles are different, and there is new obstacales in to-fu 2.


(above To-fu being stretched this is a image of the first game below is To-fu2 as you can see they do not differ from each other I had to put the alien hat on in To-fu2 so you can see two separate games)

In the levels you can collect chi (the glowing blue balls),  avoid spikes, lasers, use buttons to open doors, the many other array of obstructions and puzzles. When the level is complete you fling to-fu into a cat fortune cookie (which is as cute as the to-fu, did I mention the cookie is pink?).


(above and below is the pink cookie I was talking about that concludes the game by smashing into it, this appears in both games as does the Chi balls.)

You get marks at the end of the game they are for how much chi you collected, and how many moves you have done, over what game recommends you can complete it in.

(above is the score card you get at the end of each level below is the level select which also has little boxes with achievements marked in.)

I got obsessed with getting the perfect game, there is only so many times you can do this before you think “you know what I just want to move onto the next level”.

(above the start of the level, the little fella is bowing.)
These games are puzzle based and the clue to what’s in the puzzle is in the name of the level.
There is accessories you can get to-gu to where and other games in the menu for you to try out.


(above &below is the time trial sub game in to-fu2)

I did find an in game purchase for someone to buy, if they can not solve the puzzle, yet again for parents this is a heads up, these cost REAL MONEY! This is one of my pet peeves that are hidden in these games, there is also an option for you to pay to get rid of the adverts at the bottom of the game, these adverts do not hinder the game play at all.

I give to-fu & to-fu2
🌟🌟🌟stars out of 5 because even though this game is enjoyable its too repetitive, and I have found it at times making me rage quit once too often.


(above & below are what you’ll see review wise of the two games in the apple app store)

It is a challenge, I’d recommend it to anyone who hasn’t got much time to play fuller games.

Next review is going to be on golden axe and how 16bit games translate onto an modern platform.

Leave your comments below and your impressions of the game too.

Yours inkytheobvious

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