Actionsoft released the sequel to their classic downloadable platformer, Midnight Mansion, aptly called Midnight Mansion 2. Actionsoft has revived their version of Indiana Jones, Jack Malone who pursues a quest for treasure as he explores underground caverns, mad scientist laboratories, spooky graveyards, old abandoned castles, and outwits enemies. Feel free to try it out. It retails for $25.00. We will publish a complete review of this downloadable platformer in the next two weeks.
Dingo Games announced their plans to release the sequel to their game Tasty Planet called Tasty Planet: Back for Seconds towards the end of August this year we assume. Players guide a a tiny ball of grey goo through six different time periods as it eats objects smaller than itself. Here’s the trailer.
Zombie Cow Studios, creators of Ben There Dan That and Time Gentleman please! released their latest downloadable game called Privates for free on the PC. We don’t understand why game developers give their downloadable games away for free but we are sharing the news with you. Here’s a screenshot.
“Alien Domination” is much like the old arcade game “Tail Gunner”. In “Alien Domination” the player is a turret gunner aboard a deep space exploration ship. While looking for minerals the ship runs into an alien invasion fleet planning to attack the earth. The player’s job is to wipe out the attacking enemy ships so they can make it back to Earth.
The action is fast and furious as the player must destroy hundreds of enemy fighters, attack drones and even a couple of vast enemy space carriers launching attack craft like a shaken beehive spitting a swarm. Using two laser turrets, the player defends his ship in a 3d and 360 degree battle. Each level takes about ten minutes to complete. Between each level the player collects resources used to upgrade his weapons, targeting, shields, repair robots, etc. The player must survive six worlds of nihilistic action to complete the mission.
The graphics are just great; sharp and vivid with very pretty explosions. The enemy ships look menacing and move smoothly and quickly. The lasers beams are bright, clean and “accurate”.
The rock-pop-heavy metal soundtrack is of mixed quality at best and is terribly annoying at worst. But at least the player can mute that if they choose. The story, such as it is, is advanced through the conversation between the pilot and the ships AI. It is here the game really breaks down, as the voice acting is just terrible, sounding like a low grade 1980’s voice synthesizer from a techno-band poetry reading.
The creativity and innovation in “Alien Domination” is very low. “Tail Gunner” did this same thing in 1979 in an old styled video arcade game, as did “Space Harrier” in 1985 and “Sin and Punishment” did again in 2000. The developer has clearly spent most of its time and energy on the excellent graphics. So even within the narrow range of a 3d space “rail” shooter, “Alien Domination” doesn’t show the player anything new in either storyline or game play.
If you want a simple, mindless yet pretty space shooter that lets you dispatch alien hordes for hours and for a reasonable price of around 10 to 12 dollars American, then “Alien Domination” is certainly for you. If you want something more from your gaming experience, then look elsewhere.
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, If you love good action packed video games, Elemental Shooter is definitely one to check out. After looking at the preview and after actually checking this game out I will give it a rating of 4/5.
Positech, publishers of Democracy and Kudos, released a new expansion pack called Swarm for their downloadable game Gratuitous Space Battles. According to Positech, the Swarm are Space-dwelling nomads who destroy all they encounter, using cunning new gratuitous weapons such as disruptor beams, fusion guns, and deadly smart-bombs. Here’s the Swarm Video:
Check out Positech’s site for more information and to buy the expansion pack which costs $5.99.
BalckFire Games released Alien Dominion: The Acronian Encounter. It looks like it may pack a punch or two. We will publish a full review in a few weeks.
Virtual Farm Game Review by Adam Sprott
Game Rating = 2/5 Balls
After playing Virtual Farm by Alawar Entertainment, I have found it to be quite unrealistic and a game that quickly becomes boring. Personally, I did not like it; I enjoy games that are a challenge, and this game was far too simple. To give it a rating, I would say it is no better than a 2/5 for children, a 1/5 for everyone else.
The game is far too stereotypical and idyllic with very little creativity or innovation. Seeing as I live on a farm, I think the game designers know very little about farming and have instead developed a game more along the lines of home gardening; farmers do not grow grass, they grow hay as any 3-year-old living on or near a farm can tell you. Naturally the main character is the stereotypical large pot-bellied farmer in plaid overalls and straw hat that waddles around with gardening tools and equipment. There are hardly any setbacks as you play the game, and unless you forget to do something or you make a mistake everything will turn out perfectly. This game has been built from a basic template that has been used by many, many other games, and has no innovation or creativity other than being set in a large garden. I was surprised I did not have to chase any troublesome garden gnomes away; it would have probably been more interesting and engaging. (more…)
