Living LIVE 12.21.09: Issue No. 52
Posted by Trace Aber on 12.21.2009
Featuring reviews of Puzzlegeddon, Alien Breed Evolution, and four Indie games including Goblyn Stomp, Homerun Challenge and more!
Not a whole lot going on this week, just more partying for the whole turning 21 thing. But, having been 21 for a little over a week now, I feel like it's time to take a break and allow my body to become healthy again. Which means working out, playing video games and writing articles for 411Mania. Well, that's how I stay in shape, anyways.
My name is Trace Aber and this is LIVING LIVE
Arcade Releases
Puzzlegeddon (800MP)
I must admit, Puzzlegeddon took me by surprise. At first it looks like any other puzzle game in which you match blocks, and on the surface it looks as though they added some "battle" features that don't really amount to anything but a ploy to sell more games. But, as it turns out, you're actually getting a really in-depth puzzle-strategy game, as long as you take the time to learn it.
The game takes place in a six by six grid that is surrounded by a globe with all the players on opposite ends of it. The grid can be manipulated by moving the rows and columns and when you match five or more you can make them disappear by pressing X. When you get rid a set of squares, you will fill up a gauge of the same color. And that's the main goal of the game here getting rid of squares and filling up the gauges. Because it's the gauges that allow you to attack your opponents and defend yourself.
There are four types of "abilities", with three variations in each one. The red ability, for instance, will attack your opponents (ranging from a small to a monster attack), while the green will protect you from an oncoming enemy missile. This may seem simple to keep track of in a one on one game, but when you have six people going at it at one, this quickly becomes a game of managing your resources while trying to defend and attack everyone at the same time. There are two game modes within this, deathmatch or battle royale. Deathmatch has you vying for the most points while the battle royale is a last man standing affair. Then there's the poison peril mode. Focusing more on the puzzle aspect than the battle aspect, players must match colors together in a random design using as few moves as possible. There are quite a few challenges here and this mode alone should provide players with some decent replay value.
Puzzlegeddon also allows for a surprising amount of customization for each game, meaning players will be able to play it exactly how they like to play it. You can choose the number of opponents, the time of the game (ranging from five to sixty), the difficulty of obtaining certain resources, or any number of rule changes. Then, finally, you can choose your "islands," which is basically your character in a sense. These give players certain abilities from the start, such as having more powerful monster attacks or being able to steal resources from other players.
All in all, Puzzlegeddon is a surprisingly complex game that requires a few games before understanding the basics. And, from there, it gets more complex but rewarding at the same time. It may not be for everyone, but for those looking for a different game experience in the puzzle genre, it may right up your alley. Rating: 8.5
Alien Breed Evolution: Episode 1 (800MP)
The original Alien Breed was released in 1991 on the Amiga and was met with positive reviews from fans and critics alike. While I unfortunately never got to play the original (or many Amiga games, for that matter), I was nonetheless anticipating this release simply because I love action-adventure games and who doesn't love shooting aliens? Exactly, nobody. Even aliens have a hard time avoiding it. But I must first mention that while I would love to give a more in-depth review, the demo does not really give me much to work with.
But it did give me plenty of aliens to kill
The demo consists of a short walkthrough of one of the ships and you fight aliens as you work your way to the elevator. The graphics, obviously, are improved over it's 1991 counterpart and the audio is pretty good too, though I did grow tired of the gunshot noise over and over again. I encountered both small and large aliens and while I did get to see a boss alien kill a fellow soldier, I did not actually do battle with the big guy. That being said, the game definitely seems like it could be fun in short bursts as the action could grow repetitive. There wasn't a whole lot of strategy used in embark on my mission simply walk and shoot and I got hit maybe one or twice on the normal difficulty (veteran).
The lighting in the game is very good, however, making you really feel like you're screwed against these aliens despite the game's isometric view. I was able to use a pistol, machinegun and flamethrower in the demo and these were all pretty fun with the flamethrower, obviously, winning out. There is a mini-map that is included but it sometimes confused me more than anything. There is also a multiplayer assault mode, though I was unable to test it at this time or writing. Overall, Alien Breed Evolution seems to be a fun, if repetitive action game, though it's hard to tell with such a short demo. Rating: 7.5
Indie Games
Home Run Challenge (80MP)
Home Run Challenge gives you exactly what it sounds like it should a simple avatar-based homerun challenge. Thanks to some good graphics, a combo system and global leaderboards, this is way more fun than it should be. By the way, my high score is 49.
You can pick your avatar or (in the full version) a variety of pre-set avatars, many of which are from other games which is a nice touch. From there you go into the stadium which is nicely detailed and filled with a large number of avatars are cheering you on. You can also set it to be day or night, which is a nice touch. The pitcher (whom you also choose) throws the ball, you hit the A button and if you timed it right you get a homerun. Multipliers are given for multiple homeruns in a row and throughout the challenge you can hit huge targets that give you bonus homeruns.
Ok, so this guy destroyed my record. But, man, look at that stadium.
While it's pretty simple in concept, the execution is done just right where you can actually have quite a bit of run with this 80MP game. A definite recommendation for those of you who loved the home run derby modes in the full MLB games. Rating: 8.0
Sidehill Gouger (80MP)
Ok, I hate to admit this but there are just some games I'm not good at. No matter how hard I try, there are just some type of games I can't beat. Minesweeper is one of them, I think I may have won one game in my entire life and I'm man enough to admit that it was luck that helped me win. Sidehill Gouger, which feels similar to Minesweeper, is another game that I simply cannot beat. I played it for the full trial and while I got close, I just couldn't win. So, you know, this review is going to be hard to do, but whatever.
Sidehill Gouger puts you in the mind of a young boy who has heard stories from his grandfather about the sidehill gouger and other creatures. The gameplay is pretty simple you are given a large area to explore and you must locate certain creatures based off clues in the trail. If it's clear nothing to worry about. If you have loose dirt, you're about a space away from it (in any direction), and if you're standing around blood you're up to two spaces away. See where it's similar to Minesweeper? Anyways, when you find the creature, you have to shoot it with your slingshot where I'm sure something rewarding happens but I'll never know.
The map of Day 1
The game is detailed beautifully and looks great, fitting in with the whole fantasy element. There are thirty-six randomly generated puzzles to solve here, separated into four difficulties (or days) with nine levels a piece. There's also 12 trophies to earn, so there's some replay value in this game, especially given the price. While I'll never be able to beat more than one level (if I'm lucky), many gamers will enjoy this unique puzzle game and for its low price, it's hard to beat. Rating: 8.0
Cut and Run (80MP)
The Indie Games channel provides players with a wide variety of games, some that have even created their own niche genres that you don't otherwise see on consoles, typically. One of those niche genres is the running game in which you press a series of buttons to race against the AI. Cut and Run is another entry in the running game genre, this time relying on the art style to help it stand out from the rest, which as you might be able to gather from the title, it done as if to look like the runners were cut from some paper and put together with tape. It's a unique style that works, but like with most niche genres, there's only so much that one can do with it.
Run Cooktrain run!
A and B act as the run buttons when alternately pressed, but Cut and Run does add hurdles to the game, which can be jumped over with the X button. Players can modify the race as far as distance, hurdles, and enemy skill are concerned. Up to four players can race at once as well. Like I said, there isn't a whole lot that can be done within the niche genres but if you're a fan of these running games, Cut and Run is a pretty good inclusion in the genre and for a buck you can't go too wrong. Rating: 7.0
Goblyn Stomp (80MP)
"Chap Scaliwag is a fancy shopkeep with a goblin infestation. And they bite! Armed with a cane and a smile, he has taken it upon himself to red his street of the goblin pests." Honestly, the moment I read that I realized I had but no choice to play and enjoy this game. It was out of my control.
The concept of the game is extremely simple kill goblyns. At first all Chap can do is jump on them, but after a while he "gains fortitude" to take them out with a powerful stomp. Eventually, as the screen fills up quicker and quicker, he "recalls" that he has landmines and can drop up to ten at a time. Finally, after you kill even more (which the trial does not permit you to) you can do a cane spin, all with a smile, of course.
This Chap has quite a goblyn problem
The graphics are done in sepia tone and the entire tone and feeling of the game is hilariously charming. That being said, despite the game being fun, some people will grow tired of stomping on goblyns pretty quickly, so for those the trial might just be enough. But if you want to stomp or blow up some goblyns while being a good ole' chap, this is an easy recommendation. Rating: 8.5
Next week I will not be doing an article as I will be out of town for Christmas. So happy holidays to everyone and I will be back in two weeks! Also, don't forget to bookmark 411Mania! And a note to all of the Indie Game developers out there if you have an upcoming title that's going to be released soon drop me a line at traceaber@gmail.com and let me know. I'll write a full review of your game to be posted on 411Mania.com, which is a great way to get your game promoted!
