Showing posts with label Quantum Conundrum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quantum Conundrum. Show all posts
Friday, July 13, 2012
On the Download: July 8-14
There are sales galore this weekend. Thousands of games are being discounted on Steam while you can grab Mighty Switch Force for the discounted of price of 3 dollars this weekend on the Nintendo eShop. Along with the sales, a couple of big downloadable games are coming to different platforms. The every popular Tiny Wings is getting an HD port for the iPad, which you can find on sale for 3 dollars on the App Store and Airtight Game's first big downloadable project has been released for XBLA and PSN this week for 1200 Microsoft Points or 15 dollars respectively. Re-releases were not the only thing this week as we got a few notable games to download.
While Nintendo's 8-Bit Summer continued with the release of Kirby's Pinball Land and Sword of Hope II for the 3DS Virtual Console, there is a 3DS download that should get a little more attention than it already has. The game is called Johnny Kung Fu and comes to us by the talented people at UFO Interactive Games. The local crime gang run by the notorious Mr. Wang has kidnapped Johnny's girlfriend. Knowing what needs to be done, Johnny dons his Kung Fu grab in order to save his girlfriend, who is being held at the top of Mr. Wang's tower. Johnny Kung Fu is a unique 3DS download that mixes old and new. The game jumps between side-scrolling brawling segments to Donkey Kong-esqe platforming levels reminiscent of the games found on Nintendo's old Game and Watch handhelds. Things start to ramp up as Johnny only has a hour or two to save his girlfriend. If you like to pick up a game that bridges the old and new in the way Johnny Kung Fu does, you can pick this game up for 6 dollars on the Nintendo eShop.
Made by small indie developer SideQuest Studios, Rainbow Moon is a strategy RPG exclusive to the PS3 which has a strong emphasis on exploration, character development and turn-based combat. In Rainbow Moon, you start out playing as Baldren, who has been warped to the world of Rainbow Moon by his arch-rival. Trapped in this unknown realm, Baldren has accidentally opened up a dimensional gate which has freed a full army of monsters. These monsters overwhelm Rainbow Moon thus turning the once peaceful realm into a living hell. Now it is up to Baldren to seal the dimensional gate and find a way back to his home world. Rainbow Moon is packed to the brim with content. There are six playable characters including Baldren that can be customized with upgradable weapons, armour and other accessories. There are over 100 special skills that you can teach one of the six playable characters, more than 20 dungeons to explore and a compelling story that will last you over 40 hours. If you are interested, you can download Rainbow Moon off of the PSN Store for 15 dollars.
Konami has tried many times to bring Frogger into the modern age of gaming, but every time they failed. Taking a page from what Namco did with Pac Man, Konami has released the classic Frogger gamers know and love with modern graphics and new game modes with Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition, available on XBLA, PSN and WiiWare. Along with the classic Frogger game mode, there are a brand new game modes such as Tile Capture, Battle Royal and Freak Out for gamers to play through. In the Hyper Arcade Edition of Frogger, you can customize the graphics through different skins. Some of the skins you can use are the modern neon skin of Hyper Arcade or classic 8-bit skins and sprites from Frogger, Castlevania and Contra. Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition also includes 4 player competitive multi-player so friends can compete to see who is the best at Frogger. Looking to relive the glory days of Frogger, Frogger: Hyper Arcade Edition is available for 10 dollars on PSN, 800 Microsoft Points on XBLA and 700 Wii Points on the Wii Shop Channel.
Friday, June 22, 2012
On the Download: Quantum Conumdrum
From the mind of Kim Swift, the lead designer of popular puzzle game Portal, and her team at Airtight Games, Quantum Conundrum is a first-person physics-based puzzle game in the vein of Portal. Instead of thinking with portals, you manipulate objects and the environment by switching dimensions on the fly in order to solve puzzles. In Quantum Conundrum, you play as the 12 year old nephew of eccentric scientist and inventor Profesor Quadwrangle. You are dropped off at Professor Quadwragle's mansion to spend some time with your uncle. Shortly after arriving at the mansion, an explosion occurs, which causes the Professor to go missing. Trying to figure out what is going on, you stumble upon a glove that turns out to be the Interdimensional Shift Device (ISD for short), which must be used to navigate Professor Quadwrangle's mansion in order to find your missing uncle. Throughout Quantum Conundrum, you use the Interdimensional Shift Device (ISD) to shift between four dimensions (fluffy, heavy, anti-gravity and slow-mo) each with their own attributes to solve puzzles in each room of Professor Quadwrangle's mansion.
There is no doubt. Quantum Conundrum is very similar to Portal, but they were designed by the same person. You can see why there are big similarities between the two. While I do not think Qunatum Conundrum will reach the popularity or universal acclaim of Portal, it is a unique downloadable puzzle game that looks to test your brain in new and creative ways. From what I saw at E3, I was very impressed with Quantum Conundrum and it is a game that looking to download in the near future. At the moment, Quantum Conundrum is only available on Steam for 15 dollars. For console owners, do not fret as Qunatum Conundrum is coming to XBLA and PSN on July 11th.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Top 5 Games of E3 2012
Due to work and the fact I have not had to time to watch every single demo of every single game at E3 2012, I have decided on a Top 5 Games of E3 2012. There are tons of games at E3 each and every year, but few stand above the rest. While a lot of games looked good, they were very similar to other experiences we have seen and/or played before. These five games and one honourable mention really impressed me and brought something new and interesting that the numerous run-of-the mill sequels did not come close to bringing. Yes, I am talking about Halo 4, God of War: Ascension and Crysis 3 just to name a few. As with past years, I do not include games that did not have demos on the show floor. So games such as Watch Dogs and Beyond: Two Souls were not considered for this list even though they both had good showings. Also a quick notice, there will not be a post until late Tuesday evening as I am working two 14 hour days in a row so I will have absolutely no time to write anything tomorrow. Now let us get down to one man's opinion of the best games of E3 2012.
Honourable Mention
Quantum Conundrum- XB360, PS3, PC
While it is just short of my Top 5 Games of E3 2012, Quantum Conundrum is creative and unique enough to deserve some love in this post. From the mind of Kim Swift, the lead designer on a little physics-based puzzle game by the name of Portal, and the team at Airtight Games, Quantum Conundrum is a first-person physics-based puzzle game in which you manipulate objects and the environment by switching dimensions on the fly. You are in control of the Interdimensional Shift Device (ISD) that allows you to shift between four dimensions (fluffy, heavy, anti-gravity and slow-mo) to solve puzzles in each room of Professor Quadwrangle's mansion. Quantum Conundrum looks to test your brain in different ways as you jump between dimensions to solve difficult problems. After learning to think with portals, it is time to think with dimensions. Quantum Conundrum looks to be a must download when it releases later this month.
5. Pikmin 3- Wii U
Miyamoto did confirm that Pikmin 3 would be at E3 this year, but most fans including myself needed to see it to believe it. We were not disappointed as Pikmin 3 is among the best games announced for Wii U. Pikmin is a real-time strategy game has you directing a horde of up to 100 Pikmin, little plant-like creatures that can be used to accomplish various tasks such as building a bridge, collecting resources or fighting off a dangerous enemy. With the announcement of the new Rock Pikmin, the use of four leaders and the Wii MotionPlus enhanced controls, Pikmin 3 has the potential of being the best first-party offering for the Wii U come launch.
4. Paper Mario: Sticker Star- 3DS
Paper Mario: Sticker Star was not even on my radar until I saw the demo Nintendo showed at their 3DS Showcase. Every single action you do in Sticker Star from combat to solving puzzles involves using stickers. For example, in order to use the classic jump and hammer attacks in battle you have to use the corresponding jump and hammer stickers or using a fan sticker to move a blade of a windmill from blocking a door needed to advance in the game. It is an incredibly unique game mechanic that turns the typical Mario RPG on it's head. Something I personally find completely reinvigorating and exciting and something that has made Paper Mario: Sticker Star a must-buy for my 3DS this holiday season.
3. Splinter Cell: Blacklist- XB360, PS3, PC
The fruit of Ubisoft Toronto's labour came to light this past Monday with the official reveal of Splinter Cell: Blacklist at the Microsoft Press Conference. The seven to eight minute demo was perfectly paced and revealed enough of the highly refined mechanics (both new and old) to get anybody excited. I personally loved Splinter Cell: Conviction and firmly believe it is one of the reasons to have an Xbox 360. Blacklist takes everything that made Splinter Cell great and cranked it up to 11. The new Killing in Motion mechanic lets you put together incredible mark-and-execute chains that will make anybodies' jaw drop. Along with the resources of Fourth Echelon and some pretty cool Kinect voice controls, Splinter Cell: Blacklist should be an excellent debut for Ubisoft's newest studio when it releases in the Spring of 2013.
2. Rayman Legends- Wii U
While the sequel to Rayman Origins, one of the best 2D platformers on consoles today, has been known for a while now, it does not detract from the fact how awesome Rayman Legends is. Exclusive to the Wii U, Rayman Legends looks to take the almost perfect platforming, 2D animation and humour and give it all a shot of adrenaline. Easily the best demo of Ubisoft's impressive Press Conference, Rayman Legends looks to use the Wii U and it's Game Pad in some creative ways. With the touch screen of the Wii U Game Pad, you can control Murfy, who can assist Rayman and friends by cutting ropes, moving platforms, stunning enemies and collecting Lums. The demo was capped off with an incredible level that had Rayman quickly platforming through the level while Murfy was playing a little rhythm game on the Game Pad which would help clear obstacles for Rayman. Rayman Legends had a truly amazing showing this year at E3 that has catapulted to the very top of games to buy when I pick up the Wii U this holiday season.
1. Tomb Raider- XB360, PS3, PC
Step aside Nathan Drake as Lara Croft is back to take her crown. One word sums up Crystal Dynamics re-imagining of the Tomb Raider series. That word is mature. No more complete disproportionate assets or one liner spewing stereotype of a character. Lara Croft is a living breathing human being caught in one horrible situation and it is time for her to step up and become a hero. It is a coming of age story that dives into the origin of this video game icon. It is more visceral adventure than Tomb Raider fans are use to, but exactly what this series has needed. The seamless transition from bow and arrow to shotgun to melee keeps the action moving and the use of the environment to get the jump on enemies is absolutely incredible. Each time Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix show off this game, it keeps getting better and better. March 5th, 2013 cannot come soon enough as Tomb Raider is my most anticipated game of 2013.
Honourable Mention
While it is just short of my Top 5 Games of E3 2012, Quantum Conundrum is creative and unique enough to deserve some love in this post. From the mind of Kim Swift, the lead designer on a little physics-based puzzle game by the name of Portal, and the team at Airtight Games, Quantum Conundrum is a first-person physics-based puzzle game in which you manipulate objects and the environment by switching dimensions on the fly. You are in control of the Interdimensional Shift Device (ISD) that allows you to shift between four dimensions (fluffy, heavy, anti-gravity and slow-mo) to solve puzzles in each room of Professor Quadwrangle's mansion. Quantum Conundrum looks to test your brain in different ways as you jump between dimensions to solve difficult problems. After learning to think with portals, it is time to think with dimensions. Quantum Conundrum looks to be a must download when it releases later this month.
Miyamoto did confirm that Pikmin 3 would be at E3 this year, but most fans including myself needed to see it to believe it. We were not disappointed as Pikmin 3 is among the best games announced for Wii U. Pikmin is a real-time strategy game has you directing a horde of up to 100 Pikmin, little plant-like creatures that can be used to accomplish various tasks such as building a bridge, collecting resources or fighting off a dangerous enemy. With the announcement of the new Rock Pikmin, the use of four leaders and the Wii MotionPlus enhanced controls, Pikmin 3 has the potential of being the best first-party offering for the Wii U come launch.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star was not even on my radar until I saw the demo Nintendo showed at their 3DS Showcase. Every single action you do in Sticker Star from combat to solving puzzles involves using stickers. For example, in order to use the classic jump and hammer attacks in battle you have to use the corresponding jump and hammer stickers or using a fan sticker to move a blade of a windmill from blocking a door needed to advance in the game. It is an incredibly unique game mechanic that turns the typical Mario RPG on it's head. Something I personally find completely reinvigorating and exciting and something that has made Paper Mario: Sticker Star a must-buy for my 3DS this holiday season.
The fruit of Ubisoft Toronto's labour came to light this past Monday with the official reveal of Splinter Cell: Blacklist at the Microsoft Press Conference. The seven to eight minute demo was perfectly paced and revealed enough of the highly refined mechanics (both new and old) to get anybody excited. I personally loved Splinter Cell: Conviction and firmly believe it is one of the reasons to have an Xbox 360. Blacklist takes everything that made Splinter Cell great and cranked it up to 11. The new Killing in Motion mechanic lets you put together incredible mark-and-execute chains that will make anybodies' jaw drop. Along with the resources of Fourth Echelon and some pretty cool Kinect voice controls, Splinter Cell: Blacklist should be an excellent debut for Ubisoft's newest studio when it releases in the Spring of 2013.
While the sequel to Rayman Origins, one of the best 2D platformers on consoles today, has been known for a while now, it does not detract from the fact how awesome Rayman Legends is. Exclusive to the Wii U, Rayman Legends looks to take the almost perfect platforming, 2D animation and humour and give it all a shot of adrenaline. Easily the best demo of Ubisoft's impressive Press Conference, Rayman Legends looks to use the Wii U and it's Game Pad in some creative ways. With the touch screen of the Wii U Game Pad, you can control Murfy, who can assist Rayman and friends by cutting ropes, moving platforms, stunning enemies and collecting Lums. The demo was capped off with an incredible level that had Rayman quickly platforming through the level while Murfy was playing a little rhythm game on the Game Pad which would help clear obstacles for Rayman. Rayman Legends had a truly amazing showing this year at E3 that has catapulted to the very top of games to buy when I pick up the Wii U this holiday season.
Step aside Nathan Drake as Lara Croft is back to take her crown. One word sums up Crystal Dynamics re-imagining of the Tomb Raider series. That word is mature. No more complete disproportionate assets or one liner spewing stereotype of a character. Lara Croft is a living breathing human being caught in one horrible situation and it is time for her to step up and become a hero. It is a coming of age story that dives into the origin of this video game icon. It is more visceral adventure than Tomb Raider fans are use to, but exactly what this series has needed. The seamless transition from bow and arrow to shotgun to melee keeps the action moving and the use of the environment to get the jump on enemies is absolutely incredible. Each time Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix show off this game, it keeps getting better and better. March 5th, 2013 cannot come soon enough as Tomb Raider is my most anticipated game of 2013.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)