Friday, August 8, 2014

Game Night: AudioSurf

Tonight I played AudioSurf. It's a music/rhythm game where you move your ship left and right on the track to collect blocks and avoid obstacles. The big twist here is that the tracks are procedurally generated from any music you want! You can select tracks from your own library and play them.

AudioSurf
There is an online leader board, so you can compete with friends and strangers to get high scores on any track. I really enjoy playing this game, it can be really relaxing!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Game Night: World of Goo

Tonight I played World of Goo. This is a puzzle game, in the vein of Lemmings. Your aim is to get your Goo Balls to the end of the level, using them to build structures to get there.

World of Goo
Each level has different challenges, with a variety of type of Goo Balls. It can get challenging, since your structures are flexible and tend to sway as they get taller. It's a pretty addicting game and there is a hidden challenge, called OCD, if you manage to rescue the maximum number of Goo Balls.
Definitely a game worth picking up.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Game Night: Eve Online

So normally I would say that I played this game tonight, but that wouldn't be exactly accurate as I've been playing this game for about a year now. Eve Online is a space simulator, and it focuses strongly towards strategy. It isn't a flight simulator - you direct your ship rather than fly it.

Eve Online
Although this game can be pretty rewarding, it is also very (very) complicated so it can be difficult to get into. PVP is a huge part of the game as well - any player can kill another player, and they often do.

it can get a bit overwhelming
It's been around for more than 10 years, so it's a very established MMO game.
I really enjoy it, but do keep in mind that after the initial trial you have to pay a monthly fee (unless you are good enough at the game to pay with in-game money).

Friday, July 18, 2014

Game Night: Torchlight

Tonight I played Torchlight. Torchlight is a top-down dungeon-crawler RPG, essentially a Diablo clone. The art style is significantly different from Diablo, as it is much more colourful and a bit blocky.

Torchlight
It's pretty fun, but if you are looking to scratch the Diablo itch I would go for Diablo II or Diablo III as it feels like it's missing some special ingredient. There is a sequel out, so one of these nights I'll have to take it for a spin.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Game Night: Borderlands 2

Tonight I played Borderlands 2. Borderlands is kind of Diablo 2 crossed with a first-person shooter. You play as a Vault Hunter, shooting your way across the world of Pandora. The gameplay is similar to most shooters - you run around and shoot anything that moves.

Borderlands 2
The twist that makes this game really interesting is the leveling and loot systems. It is very reminiscent of Diablo II as there are skill trees that you expand, and huge piles of randomized loot. Each character class has a special ability that they can periodically active, plus 3 skill trees that add lots of variety.
This is the first time in years that I've enjoyed a shooter, so I definitely recommend it.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Game Night: BIT.TRIP BEAT

Tonight I played BIT.TRIP BEAT. This game is like Pong on acid. You move a paddle with your mouse and bounce blocks back that come at you. As you hit the blocks you will transition into trippier dimensions with success, and if you miss a lot you will drop down into more boring ones. Miss enough, and it's game over.

BIT.TRIP Beat
This game is part of the BIT.TRIP series, so it is all about cool pixel art and chiptunes. As with other games in the series the music gets more complex the better you do. It can get pretty hard to keep track of all the blocks, but it feels pretty rewarding if you pull it off.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Game Night: Child of Light

Tonight I played Child of Light. It's sort of a hybrid platformer / turn-based RPG. The game is about a young girl who wakes up in the strange land of Lemuria and is looking for a way home. You move around with 2D side-scrolling, and jump into turn-based battles when you bump into an enemy.

Child of Light Exploration

Child of Light Battle
The art is really wonderful, sort of a hand-painted storybook style. The music is instrumental and excellent.
I highly recommend this game - I couldn't stop playing. The one downside is that UPlay is required, which is a bit superfluous as the game is sold on Steam.