Game Review: Hoard (PS3)
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Posted on November 10th, 2010 by
What kid hasn’t pretended to be a dragon at one point? Now your whole family can be dragons with Hoard, a downloadable title for the PS3. In Hoard you’ll do all the things dragons are supposed to do: fly around, terrorize humans, breathe fire, torch crops, kidnap princesses, and try to get the most treasure!
Game Review: Bakugan: Battle Brawlers: Defenders of the Core (Wii, DS, 360, PS3, PSP)
Posted on November 9th, 2010 by
Bakugan is a super-popular toy line that combines a monster battling trading card game with the classic game of…marbles? Yup. Each card is magnetic, and when you roll the marbles on them, they open up into little monsters to trigger attacks. Now, the newest Bakugan game lets fans do what they’ve always dreamed of: have full control over the monsters themselves in battle!
Game Review: Elemental: War of Magic (PC)
Posted on November 9th, 2010 by
Arguably, it all started back in 1983 with the release of Reach for the Stars, a computer game where players explored space, developed technology, and tried to take over the galaxy. Years later, in 1990, Civilization would be released and the entire genre of turn-based strategy games was assured a long and healthy life. A full decade after Reach for the Stars (in 1993) Alan Emrich wrote in the pages of Computer Gaming Review a preview of an up and coming strategy game entitled Master of Orion. He described it as an XXXX game (now known as 4X). In it, players control an empire and use it to eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate their opponents. With the continued success of 4X games based on space and history, it was a no-brainer to combine the genre with the fantasy genre. The next year (1994), Master of Magic was released combining aspects of the 4X genre with fantasy and a few overtones of the hot new card game, Magic: the Gathering. New to the game was a personal avatar with which to explore the world, capable of casting magic spells during battle as well as global enchantments to help out their particular side. While Master of Magic (MoM for short) was a fairly big hit, there has never been a true sequel. Elemental: War of Magic produced by Stardock Corporation is the latest attempt to do the genre justice. While it is a bit advanced for gamers new to 4X style play, it has a plethora of options and features to keep more experienced gamers happy for a long time to come.
Game Review: Civilization V (PC)
Posted on November 8th, 2010 by
Just like GamerDad himself, I’m thoroughly impressed with the newest incarnation of the Civilization line of PC games, Civilization V. From its earliest incarnation, including its roots in the world of boardgames, I’ve been a big fan of the genre and the Civilization series in particular. However, they have always been in danger of suffering the fate of too much stuff. Too much information, too much micromanagement, etc… Civ V manages to take several steps back from previous versions to simplify things for the player without sacrificing much of what makes the game so great.
Game Review: Tap & Teach: The Story of Noah’s Ark (DS)
Posted on November 7th, 2010 by
Noah’s Ark for DS is an interactive story book about the timeless Bible story. Young children hold the DS sideways, like a book, and listen as the story is being read to them. Kids can tap on the right side of the screen and objects will react with funny animations. And there’s also a silly monkey hidden on each page! After reading, your child can listen to the story again or play a dozen or so Noah’s Ark themed learning activities.
Game Review: Just Dance 2 (Wii)
Posted on November 7th, 2010 by
If I didn’t have a good excuse, I would feel very bad for missing out on one of the more interesting games of the year when Just Dance was released last Fall. Thankfully, a friend recently mentioned the game to me and piqued my interest enough to try to hunt it down. Lo and behold, a new version, Just Dance 2, was just released and now I’ve been fully converted into the Just Dance fan club. The game revolves around holding a Wiimote in your right hand, and then copying the dance moves presented by a motion-captured dancer animation presented on the screen. Just Dance 2 manages to capture all the fun of a rhythm game but presents it in a new and very engaging way.
Sonic Con 2010
Posted on November 6th, 2010 by
This weekend I went to Sonic-Con. It was near where I live. Typical anime/video game convention stuff, but this one had more of a focus on Sonic the Hedgehog games and characters. It’s the first they’ve ever had, so was it a speedy success or a big blue bomb? Well, you’ll just have to read on to find out.
Game Review: Deer Drive (DS)
Posted on November 6th, 2010 by
It’s deer hunting season on your DS. Deer Drive is a fast action shooting gallery style touch screen hunting game. It’s very similar to the classic title Deer Hunter, except with a quicker pace.
Can you tell “Wii” how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?
Posted on November 5th, 2010 by
For more than 40 years, Sesame Street has delighted and taught children around the world. Heck, even I watched it as a kid back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Now your kids can have fun and learn with Big Bird and the gang with Cookie’s Counting Carnival and Elmo’s A to Zoo Adventure for Wii and DS (Wii versions reviewed here).
Game Review: Zhu Zhu Pets Featuring the Wild Bunch (Wii, DS)
Posted on November 3rd, 2010 by
Zhu Zhu Pets is a popular toy line of battery operated hamsters that roll, chatter, and scurry around little connected playsets. Recently they’ve expanded into other critters as well. Called the Wild Bunch, they include animals like a beaver, rabbit, skunk, and many more. Now your kids can go wild with two new Zhu Zhu Pets games featuring the Wild Bunch on Wii and DS.
