Review: Space Chem

Space Chem

PC (Steam)

Publisher: Zachtronics Industries

Developer: Zachtronics Industries

Release Date: 2 March 2011

Every now and then, an Indie title comes along that does nothing by the books and isn't afraid to be a niche title. Last year saw the release of a title like that: Space Chem. Games like this are so much more than the description as a “Casual, Indie” title with “Over fifty mind-bending puzzles” as Steam has it. Some folks would see the “Casual” bit and keep on walking. Or, they might be intrigued by it and think, “Yeah, I like Bejeweled!” Both options would be mistakes. This game is like nothing you've ever played. And it is strangely and awesomely addictive for it.

Making water: so simple

News Roundup: 26 February 2012

Man, I have been so busy this week!  After picking up Syndicate on Tuesday, the Vita dropped Wednesday.  I'm not ashamed to say that Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational has consumed far too many hours to be healthy.  With that, on with the news!

Review: Saint's Row: The Third

Saint's Row: The Third

PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360, PC

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Volition, INC

Release Date: 15 November 2011

Do you remember when Grand Theft Auto first went into the 3D space? The games were parodies of popular culture and famous mafia movies. The series got more crazy with Vice City and the send-up of the excesses of the 1980s. And finally, the over-the-top look at 'gangstas' in San Andres. The games were all about the crazy, sociopath main characters inciting violence across town in tanks and skydiving into gun fights. Then it got serious. Volition, INC, makers of the Saint's Row series, started off imitating, but then realized that one of the major draws to open-world crime games is the overblown action. This brings us to their crowning achievement: Saint's Row: The Third.

The Third Street Saints in all their glory

Review: Bastion

Bastion

XBLA (reviewed), PC, Chrome Browser

Publisher: Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment

Developer: Supergiant Games

Release Date: 20 July 2011

What would you do if you woke up and found that your entire world was in ruin? Floating above a destroyed world, all you know is that the world is gone, and moving forward is the only way to set things right. Thus begins Bastion, Supergiant Games' first entry and a show piece of Microsoft's “Summer of Arcade” promotion. The crowded XBLA scene has plenty of fun games, so what does Bastion do to stand out? Only everything.

Welcome to the end of the world

Review: Sanctum

Sanctum

PC (Steam Version)

Publisher: Coffee Stain Studios

Developer: Coffee Stain Studios

Release Date: 15 April 2011

Tower defense games are an old genre, but one that's seen a resurgence of late. Thanks to simple controls and ideas, nearly anyone can pick up and play one of these games. As such, the field is getting crowded and titles have to do a bit more to stand out from the pack. One way of doing just that is mash up two game styles and make a new one. Sanctum mixes up the tower defense with FPS action. But, is it a solid mix?

Protect your home from alien invaders

Review: Costume Quest

Costume Quest

PSN, XBLA, PC

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Double Fine

Release Date: 19 October 2010

Halloween is a special time of year, especially for children. Thoughts of candy, jack-o-lanterns, candy, costumes, candy, creepy parties, and candy dominate the month leading up to the special night. You know, this kind of Halloween. The talented folks at Double Fine used this magical holiday to set up a grand adventure that children and adults can enjoy. The DLG (downloadable game) Costume Quest brings us back to a time when Halloween was a night where anything could happen.

Spooky times ahead

News Roundup: 30 October 2011

The news stories of the week that caught my eye.  Read more after the jump!  Links to the original articles are in the titles.

News Roundup: 23 October 2011

Well, here's a brief news roundup for the week ending 23 October 2011 after the jump.

Review: Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

PS3, Xbox 360, PC

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Eidos Montreal

Release Date: 23 August 2011

Blade Runner fans, rejoice! The cyber-punk genre finally gets it's due in an action-packed, choice-laden package that not only pays homage to the PC Game of the Year (2000) that spawned the franchise, but adds modern gaming conventions and accessibility for fans new and returning. It's a game that not only balances its roots with the advances made in the last 10 years, but it also carves out its own identity.

Heng Sha is so pretty!