[06.15.11] Get to know your gamers - Rob Nielsen

The avatar Rob uses to represent himself on the PlayStation Network

Sony

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for another Get To Know Your Gamers. This week, the spotlight falls on Mr. Rob Nielsen. If anybody ever really knew what it meant to be a gamer, it’s this guy! Read on to find out why and to hear the rest of what he has to say. As always, if you would like to be featured in "Get to Know Your Gamers", feel free to drop an email and we'll get you in the rotation!

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, what do you like to do (besides play video games)?

I`m Rob and I`m from Waterloo, Iowa. I play video games way too much. When I`m not, I`m usually playing my guitar, painting, or watching terrible horror films. If I`m not doing any of those things my nose is probably stuck in a book.

What got you into gaming?

Art is really important to me, and video games are just another art form, so I was always interested in them as far back as memory allows. I consider my generation very fortunate as we were able to grow up in the golden age of a new art form.

What was your first console / game?

My first console was the NES, and my first game was the Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt pack-in. I still have them, and all my original NES and SNES games and systems.

Some people won’t play a game if the graphics are bad. Do graphics have that big of an impact for you?

Graphics can add a great deal to immersion if done well, but they aren`t my primary criteria for playing a game. I`m usually a lot more interested in the gameplay and the story. For example, I would point to a game like Super Metroid, a case where the graphics were stunning when the game was released but in which the game remains completely playable today, almost twenty years later, on the strength of its story, intuitive controls, and atmosphere.

What do you look for in game / what makes a game ‘fun’ to you?

Since I`m primarily interested in single-player experiences, having a strong story is really the deciding factor when choosing the games I want to play. Like a film or book, I lose interest quickly if I don`t feel like I can relate to the protagonist or if the plot isn`t compelling. Also a strong element of exploration in a game always seems to hook me and keep me playing, wanting to see what`s around the next corner. Finally, as a lifelong fan of horror literature and films, scary games are always a personal favorite. My very favorite games usually contain all of the above elements in one fashion or another.

Do you consider yourself a ‘casual’ or ‘hardcore gamer?

I don`t really think of myself as either. I don`t think anyone should self-define using paradigms like that because they`re inherently limiting. I think people should just play the games that appeal to them.

Do you prefer a solo or co-op / multiplayer experience?

Single player is really important to me. Multiplayer is a nice added component for a great game, but for me, if a game doesn’t have a great single player experience, the whole game just feels shallow and unfulfilling. However, I understand that other gamers may have a different viewpoint.

What are you playing right now?

I just finished Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, which in my view is an incredible game and very underrated. Currently, I`m playing Demon`s Souls, Fallout: New Vegas, and Patapon 2, all of which are really great games as well.

What is the worst game you’ve ever played?

I remember purchasing The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall upon release. Upon starting the game, the software would often glitch and spawn your character in the first dungeon with a random negative number for health, sometimes one`s hero would fall through the floor and out of the game world when walking, and the hero could loiter in the in-game shops until they 'closed' for the evening, steal everything on the shelves, and walk out the front door with no consequence whatsoever. In fact, the game was so broken that the main quest could not be completed and the game was completely unwinnable until Bethesda patched it later. However, post-patch, the game is one of the best RPG`s ever made and still a personal favorite to this day.

What do you consider to be the best game ever?

Hands down the Mario series is still the best, across every Nintendo console iteration, and always will be. Individually though, I would have to name Silent Hill 2 as a personal favorite.

Random Thought?

Keep on enjoying this awesome hobby, and a personal thanks to my good buddy Tony for giving me an opportunity to ramble for a while!

[06.13.11] An inside look at 'Ms. ‘Splosion Man'

Twisted Pixel

Ms. ‘Splosion Man takes inspiration from other well-established platformers such as Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong Country. The most obvious of those is the ‘Splosion Cannons found in the second level of the single player demo. Despite looking significantly more high-tech, they operated exactly like the barrel cannons spread throughout Donkey Kong Country. Some automatically rotate and fire while others require perfect timing to launch yourself. None of this is a bad thing though, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Another addition to Ms. ‘Splosion Man is an all new top-down world map, allowing you to choose your path through the story mode. This is incredibly reminiscent of Super Mario Bros. 3. Instead of being forced to progress through numerically, you can often jump around ever so slightly if you chose. There’s also a mall you can stop by to buy things with the coins you earn for completing levels. This includes concept art, movies, audio clips, photos, and a few exclusive items such as Twisted Pixel T-shirts or Ms. ‘Splosion Man gamer pictures. Again though, this has all been seen before in Twisted Pixel’s 2010 smash-hit Comic Jumper. Perhaps the most exciting part of that, however, is you may gain content for other Twisted Pixel games. Comic Jumper’s store featured additional levels for the original ‘Splosion Man, so it’s likely that Ms. ‘Splosion Man’s mall will do the same.

The most interesting addition is the new zip-lines placed throughout the levels. ‘Splosion Man has always been an incredibly fast-paced game, but these zip-lines speed things up to a Sonic like pace, forcing you to jump straight in and react as opposed to sitting back and figuring out precisely where you need to ‘splode. To help keep up the fast-paced action, all cinema’s now flow seamlessly with gameplay so there’s no down-time to bore you. The only downside is that occasionally you can’t tell when you should be watching Ms. ‘Splosion Man run, and when you should be making her run!

Ms. ‘Splosion Man features 50 new single-player levels and another 50 new multiplayer levels. If you’re suffering from poor internet or are just down-right anti-social, fear not, for Twisted Pixel has added a “2 Girls 1 Controller” mode, allowing you to play through the multiplayer levels using the left analog stick and left bumper to control once character while using the right analog stick and right bumper to control the other. Bogh also said “I think this mode is really unique, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it in any game before. It will also be great for anyone who was really good at ‘Splosion Man, because it will give them something different to get good at.” There’s no doubt this new game mode will take a little time to master, so it’s also a great challenge for anyone looking for something a little bit different from the norm. No matter how you decide to play, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be on your way to saving Mr. ‘Splosion Man when Ms. ‘Splosion Man releases this fall. If you can’t wait until then to get your first taste, check out the slideshow to the left for some screenshots.

[06.08.11] Get To Know Your Gamers - Ryan Hingtgen

Ryan Hingtgen's Xbox Live Avatar

Microsoft

Today marks the start of a new series called "Get to Know Your Gamers". Roughly every week (or maybe just whenever I have something to post), I'll be interviewing a local gamer and asking their opinions on video games. It's a fun way to give everyone their "15 Minutes of Fame" and to get an idea of what people around here think about the industry. If you would like to be featured in "Get to Know Your Gamers", feel free to drop an email and we'll set something up! Without further ado, here's our first featured Gamer: Ryan Hingtgen.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, what do you like to do (besides play video games)?

21 years old, lived in Iowa all my life. Besides video games I also enjoy tabletop, board games, and building models.

What got you into gaming?

Had an OLD computer with a troll doll game lol. Also got to play a lot of Nintendo and Sega at friends’ houses and I was hooked. Also used to play a lot of Civilization on the computer, got a copy at the library and I still play that game. I’m not sure if I ever returned the copy I borrowed!

What was your first console / game?

Personally I had a PS1 that I had gotten for Christmas one year. I pretty much only played NBA Live 98, with all the rules off of course. Those were some full contact games of basketball!

Some people won’t play a game if the graphics are bad. Do graphics have that big of an impact for you?

It really depends on the game. Lately I’ve been playing a lot of Minecraft. It’s a great game but it has awful graphics. However that works because it has an awesome format that makes it infinitely replayable. I definitely prefer a well thought out game to a pretty one any day.

What do you look for in game / what makes a game ‘fun’ to you?

It has to be replayable, and it has to have some multiplayer features. In fact, if there’s no online multiplayer option, I don’t really buy a game anymore.

Do you consider yourself a ‘casual’ or ‘hardcore gamer?

I’m definitely somewhere in the middle, on the one hand I’m spending most of my time in my games, but I’ve known folks who dreamed of going pro (lol). I definitely just play games because I find it relaxing. The moment a game becomes stressful, it sits on my shelf.

Do you prefer a solo or co-op / multiplayer experience?

Definitely Online Multiplayer. Cut my teeth online playing Socom for PlayStation and never looked back.

What are you playing right now?

At the moment I’m playing Rift, great game so far and a good alternative to World of Warcraft if MMO’s are your thing. Here’s a link to a free trial [Edit: Link Fixed!]. I’m also playing some Starcraft 2 and Call of Duty right now. Kind of biding my time until Battlefield comes out, looks to be a good one, but we will see!

What is the worst game you’ve ever played?

There was once an American Idol music game I got for my birthday from a friend. You could play it with the sound off on the hardest difficulty. To be fair, it was great fun to play with friends when they were over, but looking back it was a completely laughable attempt at a game.

What do you consider to be the best game ever?

To be honest I don’t think I could pick just one. For sports games I think NBA 2k11 was excellent, made me feel like a little kid again playing basketball! Judging by my playtime, I might say World of Warcraft, but I feel that that has gone downhill over the past couple years. And then there was Guitar Hero! I have played so many good games I wouldn’t want to pick just one.

Random Thought?

Play games for you. Often times it’s easy to get caught up in your k/d ratio, or that honor grind. But it will always boil over and you will become frustrated sooner or later. One thing to remember when playing online games, there is ALWAYS someone better than you. Don’t sweat it, just move and win the next game.

[06.06.11] Review: 'Aporkalypse – Pigs of Doom'

Handy Games

Aporkalypse - Pigs of Doom for Android

Rating:

5 Stars

Handy Games steps up to the plate for a third time with Aporkalypse – Pigs of Doom. They have built themselves a sterling reputation after their two previous releases, Guns‘n’Glory and Super Dynamite Fishing both received 5 star reviews. Looking at their previous work, one could only expect the best from this crew. Aporkalypse is a little different from their other work, though. Instead of being primarily action-based, Aporkalypse focuses on the puzzle genre, giving you plenty of time to relax and think about what moves you want to make. You have four friends to help you on your journey to save the world, as well as a guardian angel and devil to help you accomplish the feat of fulfilling the prophecy of the four pigs of doom.

The Good:

Just looking at this game, you know it has to be good. The graphics are rich and colors are vibrant. Nothing is confusing about the layout, the interface, or the game world. The game runs very smoothly, but has a few game-tweaking options in case you have a less powerful phone. The premise is simple: solve the puzzles (to save the world) and gathers some coins along the way. The game has a built-in tutorial to teach you how to play the game, and even if you get lost and confused along the way, there’s a very extensive help section. Aporkalypse is incredibly goofy, without feeling foolish, and the puzzles are relatively easy, yet still satisfying.

The Bad:

The music gets a little bit annoying sometimes, but you’re typically focusing on the puzzle and not it, so it just floats off into the background. There’s also a different sound when you complete a level and at the main menu.

Bottom Line:

Look above closely. That’s right, “The Ugly” is missing. That should pretty much sum it up for you. Go now, and download this game before it’s too late. No, I’m not talking about before it’s no longer free, I’m talking about before the Aporkalypse happens! This game is worth the $0.99, if you weren’t lucky enough to get it free, so get out there and save the world!

Aporkalypse – Pigs of Doom was created by Handy Games and is Amazon’s free app of the day for6/6/11. It typically sells for $0.99

[06.03.11] Sony’s PlayStation Network ‘Welcome Back’ program now in full swing

Welcome Back Program Begins!

Sony Corporation

That’s right, all of those wonderful freebies you’ve been dying to get your hands on are finally all yours! Yesterday, the PlayStation Network was fully restored, almost two weeks after the PlayStation Store was rumored to (and did successfully) return. It took nearly a month and a half, but after a few setbacks, the PlayStation Network is finally running at 100%. As a reminder, those of you who have a Station Account for Sony Online Entertainment can also pick up your rewards there. There’s tons of free playing time, free games, and free bonus content for you to round up, so have at it! Just remember, everyone else is trying to do the same things you’re doing right now, so if you run into issues, don’t cry foul play. Just be patient and try again soon.

[06.01.11] Review: 'Pac-Man'

Namco Bandai Games, Inc.

Pac-Man for Android

Rating:

4 Stars

It’s time to feel the nostalgia and start devouring some power pellets! No, no, put your quarters back in the piggy-bank and step away from the dusty arcade cabinet, because Pac-Man has made its way to Android! Available free today is the best incarnation of Pac-Man available on the Android platform. Just in case you’re somehow unfamiliar with Pac-Man, you’re a little yellow guy stuck inside a maze on a mission to collect as many dots, fruit, and power pellets you can. Along the way you’ll run into a few enemies – Pinky, Inky, Blinky, and Clyde – but with the help of the aforementioned power pellet, you can take them down. Your ultimate goal? To get the high score of course!

The Good:

This is a spot on port of the original arcade classic. Graphics, sound, gameplay, all of it is just the way you remember it. There’s even a little virtual joy-stick to play with dubbed the “Pac-Pad”. The Pac-Pad is actually another highlight of the game too. It’s a little weird at first, but once you realize what’s going on, you’ll realize it’s the best way to control the game. If you drag off in one direction, you’ll notice the joystick gradually starts pulling back to the middle; however, underneath your finger there’s a little shadow of the game pad, and that’s the important one. All of your moves from that point on react in regards to the little ‘ghost pad’, not the actual Pac-Pad in the middle of the screen. The virtual joystick is incredibly responsive, appealing to the eye, and unobtrusive!

The Bad:

There’s an alternative version of controlling the game that reacts to you flicking your finger across the screen, but this just doesn’t seem responsive enough in tight situations where you’re changing direction quickly. If it weren’t for that, this would probably actually be the preferred method of play. True Pac-Fan’s will also notice that the 2-player alternating mode is missing from the game. This is someone disappointing; however, it does actually save your expensive piece of technology from being frequently passed back in forth where it’s likely to get dropped. It does list the high-score at the top of the screen, so you can each play full games and just try and beat that. Unfortunately, though, there’s also no full high-score board, just the top score posted above the game board. This just seems like another feature that’s missing out. There’s also no option to turn down sound from the options menu, however you can always just use your volume buttons or go into your phone settings and lower your media volume.

The Ugly:

Like the lack of volume controls, there’s also no brightness control. This may seem like an odd request, however Pac-Man hijacks your brightness settings and automatically sets the brightness to 100% Sure, this is nice in the sunlight, but if you’re low on battery, it limits your playing time, and if it’s late at night, it feels like it’s going to burn your eyes out after a few minutes of game play. The most ridiculous thing about Pac-Man, though, is its asking price. $5? Namco Bandai wants a full $5 of your hard-earned cash for a port that’s not even full featured? Come on, $0.99 for the hundreds of ad-free levels of angry birds, or $5 to walk through the same maze, running from the same ghosts, and collecting the same dots over and over and over again? This just doesn’t seem like great marketing.

Bottom Line:

One thing that’s great about Pac-Man for Android is that it’s most definitely Pac-Man to the core. Everything holds true to the original game you wasted so much allowance on when you were a kid. If you can pick this up for free, there’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t. Seriously, who doesn’t love Pac-Man? However, if you’re not so lucky, this is probably left best to the true Pac-Man enthusiasts who are desperate to get a taste of Pac-Man everywhere they go. If the price ever comes down, it might be worth picking up, but otherwise go spend your money elsewhere, but not even the price can take that much away from the overall excellent experience that you’ll be getting with Pac-Man.

Pac-Man was created by Namco Bandai Games, Inc. and is Amazon’s free app of the day for 6/1/11. It typically sells for (price)

[05.31.11] Review: 'Plants Vs. Zombies'

Plants Vs. Zombies

PopCap Games, Inc.

Plants vs. Zombies

Rating:

5 Stars

It’s here, it’s finally here! Plants Vs. Zombies for Android has arrived, and it’s a thing of beauty. From start to finish, it’s one amazing presentation that all ages can enjoy. Available on almost every platform, this game has taken the world by storm, even winning “Game of the Year” accolades from a multitude of review sites. Today, it’s time to jump into the wacky world of Plants Vs. Zombies.

The Good:

When you load up the game, you’re presented with a gorgeous title screen offering both Adventure and Quick Play. The quality doesn’t stop there, though. As soon as you jump in, you’ll realize the in-game graphics are just as gorgeous. The gameplay is incredibly simple, and the Adventure Mode walks you through everything step by step instead of throwing it all in your face. Throw in scenery changes and a few integrated mini-games and you’ve got the perfect combination that never gets boring or drags along painfully. There’s also a ton to do, with the lengthy Adventure Mode, achievements to unlock, and upgrades to purchase.

The Bad:

Despite being the most recent release platform for Plants Vs. Zombies, it’s missing a few features that some of its predecessors do, such as the ability to play mini-games independent of the Adventure Mode. You also can’t jump into Quick Play until you’ve beat the entire Adventure Mode, which is understandable since it teaches you how to play, but can also be annoying for seasoned veterans who just want to jump in and play for 15 minutes.

The Ugly:

It was hard to find something really bad about Plants Vs. Zombies, but a little research showed that quite a few users were frustrated because their device isn’t supported. With being such a hit on the iPad, it’s surprising that not every Android tablet is supported. Not only that, but many phones, including the original Droid, aren’t supported either. Luckily though, Amazon will warn you in advance if your device isn’t supported, so 1-star reviewers whining that their device wasn’t supported is a tad bit ridiculous.

Bottom Line:

Get it now while it’s free, there’s no way you’ll regret it. If you can’t get it free and have never played before, it’s worth the asking price. From hardcore gamers to those just dipping their toes in the ocean of video games, Plants Vs. Zombies is something you need to experience. If you ignore this game, it’s safe to say your life just isn’t complete.

Plants Vs. Zombies was created by Pop Cap Games, Inc. and is Amazon’s free app of the day for 5/31/11. It typically sells for $2.99

[05.19.11] PlayStation Store rumored to return May 24

According to Gamasutra, PlayStation Network users are now one step closer to claiming that “Welcome Back” package they’ve been promised. Assuming Sony doesn’t run into any more problems, they’re expected to launch the PlayStation Store on May 24th. Being that the storefront has been down for almost a month, Sony has a lot of catching up to do; and they’ve got an ambitious schedule to get things back on track.

To get everything back in order, Sony plans on pushing out new content twice a week for the next two weeks following the return. That may sound appealing, but what it really means is that gamers will have to wait even longer for content that should have already been available. All content that was originally set to release on April 26th will now be the first batch of releases available opening day, May 24th. Just three days later, Sony will make another large push releasing everything that had an original set date of May 3rd. After that, the next batch will be saved for the following week with releases scheduled May 31st and June 1st, in order to release everything else that was spread over the three-week downtime. Nothing is set in stone though, and content that is deemed more “urgent” may be pushed up. It’s likely this will be content that has been available on other platforms and was delayed for the PS3 because of the PSN downtime; however, any developer has the chance to argue their case.

There was no mention, though, if Sony was going to be offering any assistance to developers. After all, users are getting free content and subscriptions for their ‘troubles’, but when you think about it, the users were really the ones who were affected the least. Although it may have been tough, all you were really missing out on was game time, let’s be honest. To game developers though, you’re messing with their pay checks. These people are trying to make a living off their work, and if their content isn’t available to be purchased, they can’t make any money. Capcom corporate officer and SVP Christian Svensson estimated that their companies lost revenue could be in the “hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars”. That’s some pretty substantial cash flow. With that in mind, you might want to consider finding ways to support your favorite local developer if at all possible. Times are hard for everyone, especially the smaller studios, as can be seen by local Iowa City based studio BudCat Games which was recently closed by Activision in the Guitar Hero fiasco. So with that in mind, buy one of their games to tide you over, since you’re not getting your free games quite yet. Sony has stated that the “Welcome Back” package will not be available until the network has been ‘fully restored’.

[05.18.11] Review: 'The Impossible Game'

FlukeDude LTD

The Impossible Game for Android

Rating:

3 Stars

Impossible? No. Perhaps “The Incredibly Frustrating Game” is a more appropriate title. The Impossible Game has now made the jump to Android and is available free, for a limited time. Some might consider this to be the “minimalist’s game”. The simple art style combined with the most basic gameplay certainly supports that assertion. In The Impossible Game, you’re a square with one function: jumping. All you have to avoid is the triangles and the thicker black floor. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, not exactly. This game relies heavily on accurate timing and an abundance of patients while you fight through this marathon of an obstacle course with no checkpoints; unless you’re in practice mode, that is.

The Good:

The game couldn’t be more pick-up-and-play friendly. Even without the “how to play” page, most anyone could learn how to play just by simple trial and error. Touch the screen once, even by accident, and you’d learn how to jump. After hitting a triangle a few times, you could probably figure out those were something to avoid. From there, it’s just patients and more trial and error. The art design, although simple, doesn’t come off as bland; more than likely since you spend most of your time focusing intently on your actions. There’s also a “practice mode” which allows you to place checkpoints at will throughout the level, however to truly complete the game, each level needs to be done in one run through, completely unassisted by checkpoints.

The Bad:

The developer suggests you listen to the soundtrack to get the “full experience”. The only place it will probably get you is more frustrated. This game really should come with a disclaimer, since those with little patients could be enticed into throwing their phone in a fit of anger.

The Ugly:

This game suffers from two major problems detrimental to gameplay. The Impossible Game offers three levels of graphics to choose between; however, the difference is almost unnoticeable. Even when set to the lowest graphics setting, users will more than likely experience an occasional fit of lag while attempting to play. Gamers know these never come in the straight away ‘rest periods’, but instead attack right before that critical jump. In a game that demands the utmost precision, something like that is unacceptable. Another thing that will get you steaming is phone calls and text messages, assuming you have a pop-up notification. This automatically pauses the game no matter where you are which means you’re pretty much doomed when you try to resume. A simple solution to this would be to utilize a ‘rewind’ feature, similar to what’s seen in more recent titles from the Guitar Hero series. If you’re forced to pause in the middle of a song, the track rewinds approximately 10 seconds, and then automatically plays it back for you so you have some time to get your bearings. Without that, you’re sent all the way back to the start, even more frustrated since it wasn’t a mistake that was your fault.

Bottom Line:

If you’re the type who finds pleasure instead of frustration when faced with a challenge, you should pick this up while it’s free. If not, it’s really ultimately up to you whether or not it’s worth your money, but if you have an Xbox 360, you might want to consider picking it up their instead so you’re not forced to deal with random lag or switch to airplane mode so calls don’t interrupt your ‘perfect run’. More than likely, though, you’ll agree there are better things to spend your $0.99 on. For example, something like an ad-free version of the ever popular Angry Birds which will let you take out your frustration by recklessly destroying things instead of demanding absolute perfection every single time.

The Impossible Game was created by FlukeDude LTD and is Amazon’s free app of the day for 5/18/11. It typically sells for $0.99

[05.16.11] These are the Sony freebies you’ve been waiting for!

Yes Kevin Butler, they get two!

Sony Corporation

Now that the PlayStation Network is making some serious progress getting back online, Sony Entertainment of America is announcing its “Welcome Back” program that should have many owners delighted. Sorry, the Black Ops map packs you were hoping for weren’t delivered, however they’re offering up plenty of other free content for any PlayStation Network or Qriocity users who were already registered at the time the networks went down. Once the service is fully restored, users will have 30 days to pick and choose content as they please, and it’ theirs to keep forever.

Any PlayStation 3 owners can select any two of the following:

·       Dead Nation

·       inFAMOUS

·       LittleBigPlanet

·       Super Stardust HD

·       Wipeout HD + Fury

Any PlayStation Portable owners can select any two of the following:

·       LittleBigPlanet (PSP)

·       ModNation Racers

·       Pursuit Force

·       Killzone Liberation

That’s a grand total of four possible free games for PlayStation Network users, assuming you have the applicable devices! The fun doesn’t stop there, though, as all of the following will also be offered up for a limited time:

·       A selection of “On Us” rental movie titles will be available to PlayStation Network customers over one weekend, where Video Service is available. Those titles will be announced soon.

·       30 days free PlayStation Plus membership for non PlayStation Plus subscribers.

·       Existing PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive an additional 60 days of free subscription.

·       Existing Music Unlimited Premium Trial subscription members will receive an additional 30 days of free premium subscription.

·       Additional 30 days + time lost for existing members of Music Unlimited Premium/Basic subscription free of charge for existing Premium/Basic members.

·       To welcome users Home, PlayStation Home will be offering 100 free virtual items. Additional free content will be released soon, including the next addition to the Home Mansion personal space, and Ooblag’s Alien Casino, an exclusive game.

This is definitely good news for Sony as many people were upset with their offerings up until this point, as can be seen in the comments on the announcement for their Sony Online Entertainment freebies. Users in Europe have a similar selection to choose from as well; however no other countries have been announced yet. For more information, head over to the PlayStation Blog.

[05.15.11] Review: 'Guns‘n’Glory'

Handy Games

Guns'n'Glory for Android

Rating:

5 Stars

Handy Games comes in with another free game this month, Guns’n’Glory. It’s a tower defense game with twist and a western theme that’s sure to delight anyone. Build your own band of outlaws and make some money with this modern Oregon Trail for your phone. If you’re easily offended, you might want to stray away from this game; otherwise grab your guns, dynamite, some power ups, and a cannon or gatling gun and go ambush some settlers.

The Good:

The game is well refined and offers a fun spin on the traditional tower defense game. Instead of having stationary towers, you have the option of walking your bandits around the canyon, so if those settlers walk out of reach, you’re not out of luck. You do have the option to upgrade your fighters through promotions, but there are also temporary power-ups scattered throughout the field in later levels. The graphics aren’t award-winning, but they get the job done and fit appropriately with the all-around western theme of the game.

The Bad:

To walk your bandits around, you have to tap on them, then click and drag. Occasionally they won’t seem to respond on the first try, and every so often you’ll accidentally click another bandit if you have one close by. This usually isn’t too big of a problem as nothing moves so fast in the game that you don’t have time to adjust properly for your mistakes. Some might also consider the game a little too easy. The number of settlers aloud to pass on each level is rather generous, regardless of the level of difficulty chosen.

The Ugly:

This might only be an ‘ugly’ for those who are easily offended. Guns’n’Glory has Mexicans and Indians attacking white settlers. If you can get past that, there’s really nothing else troublesome about this game.

Bottom Line:

For tower defense fans, Guns'n'Glory is an absolute must have in the collection. Anyone just getting into the genre should start here as it’s the easiest way to branch into the games. Pick this up for sure while it’s free, otherwise most can probably settle for the free version. It’s full featured, but has a few ads along the bottom of the screen. Either way you go, it’s guaranteed hours of fun.

Guns’n’Glory was created by Handy Games and is Amazon’s free app of the day for 05/15/11. It typically sells for $0.99

[05.14.11] PlayStation Network restoration underway in US!

Shortly after the announcement of the new firmware update for the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation blog has confirmed that the restoration process has begun in the United States. It's being done is small segments, so be patient and keep checking back. If you don't want to keep trying to sign in, you can also monitor their blog which has a map that will illuminate states as they come back online. Keep in mind, this isn't a full restoration though. Online multiplayer is being restored now, and all other features will be restored incrementally following this update.

Original Post, PlayStation Blog

[05.14.11] Sony releases promised firmware update, ‘critical step’ for PlayStation Network

Sony’s PlayStation Blog just announced the release of a new firmware update (v3.61) for the PlayStation 3. This mandatory update is available now and requires all PlayStation Network users to update their account password. The catch is that this must be done on the PS3 the account was originally activated on. If you no longer have that PS3 or simply never activated it on one, you’re not left hanging high and dry – check your email account registered as your sign-in ID after your first sign-in attempt and you’ll find a link enabling you to change your password. After either of these steps are finished, you’re free to sign in and out wherever you please!

Sony strongly recommends you do this as soon as possible for security reasons and just to be ready for when the network does come back online. They also stated that this was a “critical step” on making the PlayStation Network more secure and getting it back online. All of this is a breath of fresh air for PlayStation 3 owners as it’s the first real promise that Sony has successfully followed through on after their failure to get the network online by last week. Their new goal is the end of the month and there are plenty of rewards that should be waiting for you. 

Original Post, PlayStation Blog.

[05.13.11] Sony Online Entertainment announces more compensation plans

Anthony Ortale

Yet another week has passed and the PlayStation Network is still offline. That hasn’t stopped Sony Online Entertainment from making more promises to gamers though. Yesterday on their website, they announced more plans for compensation to all gamers affected by the downtime. Every single player will receive 30 days free plus one additional day for each day the system is down added to their next billing cycle. To go with that, most games are offering free in-game content or bonus events to help make up for lost time. If you have either the PlayStation 3 or PC copy of any of the following games, these are your rewards that you’ll get as soon as everything is fully restored:

·       DC Universe™ Online: Batman™ and Two-Face™ Inspired Masks and 30 Marks of Distinction

·       Free Realms®: Free daily items (7 to collect)

·       Clone Wars Adventures™: Count Dooku v2 Outfit

·       EverQuest®: A series of events, including Double XP, Double Rare Mob Spawns and Double Faction Gains

·       EverQuest II and EverQuest II Extended: A series of events, including Double XP, Double Guild XP, Loot Bonanza, and City Festivals

·       Vanguard: Saga of Heroes®: A series of Double XP events

·       Star Wars Galaxies™: Bounty Hunter Statue, a miniature model of Boba Fett's ship, theSlave I™

·       Magic: The Gathering - Tactics™: Four of each of these spells: "Ivory Mask", "Duress" and "Angelheart Vial", plus 500 Station Cash

·       PoxNora®: Limited edition Carrionling, Welcome Back 5K Gold Award Tournaments and two Draft Tournaments, plus 500 Station Cash

Some of you may be saying “But I’m a lifetime subscriber! What do I get?” No worries, Sony’s got you covered there too. Each of you will be granted in-game currency in addition to any rewards mentioned above.

·       Free Realms players will receive 20,000 coins

·       Clone Wars Adventures players will receive 7,500 Galactic Credits

·       DC Universe Online players will receive 10 Marks of Distinction

Last, any Station Access subscribers will receive 500 Station Cash in addition to any of the above that’s applicable.

As promised before, Sony is also going to offer free enrolment in identity theft protection through Debix for anyone interested who lives within the US [more information]. Anyone outside the US will also receive similar protection, just from different companies depending on where you live. According to the announcement, Sony is hoping to have the network back up and running within just a few more days. They again apologized for the prolonged downtime and wanted to assure you that they are “working around the clock to restore SOE services.”

Apparently this isn’t enough for some PlayStation 3 owners, as many stores both locally and internationally have reported a tremendous increase in PS3 returns. Video Games Etc. in Cedar Rapids is offering up to $180 store credit for a PS3. They’re also offering two specials on games: Buy two new games and get one pre-owned free, or buy three pre-owned games and get one pre-owned free. That, combined with the new updates coming to the Xbox 360 just might be enough to convince more local gamers to make the switch.

Original Post – Sony Online Entertainment’s website

[05.09.11] PlayStation Network return 'uncertain'

Anthony Ortale

Well, the weekend has come and gone, and for those of you with PS3's, you more than likely have noticed you still can't get online despite what was previously promised, Sony now is saying that it could be weeks before the PlayStation Network is back up and running, let alone fully functional. Shigenori Yoshida still insists that their final deadline for having the network fully restored is May 31st; however, you have to wonder just how set in stone that deadline is after this first goal was missed completely. Also notable is the fact that, even if the deadline is met, that's still six weeks that service has been down, as Sony turned off the servers on April 20th.

Yoshida also told Bloomberg that Sony is "uncertain" as to when the PlayStation Network will actually be back online, meaning there may be no service period until the May 31st deadline. This completely contradicts their plan to start enabling various parts of the PlayStation Network as they become available. Both the PS3 and PSP were supposed to have online gameplay, downloadable movies, movie rentals, PlayStation Home, and Game Chat functions available this weekend, with everything else following incrementally until it's full return on May 31st. Odds of this happening now seem pretty slim, given the lack of progress seen so far. Until it's operational, looks like you'll have to spend your time "aggressively monitoring your credit card statements".

[05.09.11] 2011 Spring Dashboard update brings new disks and added security to Xbox 360

Amidst all the problems the PlayStation 3 is currently having, Microsoft seems to be taking advantage of the PSN's downtime to boost their security. Sony plans to reward gamers for their lost game time, but with an indefinite return for PlayStation Network there seems to be more reasons to switch consoles if you haven't already. The Xbox has been generous with a "Free Gold Weekend", free trial for the newly added Hulu Plus, and with the upcoming dashboard update, Xbox 360 gamers will have increased security with the option to pay for things through PayPal.

According to a report on Joystiq, the new update is set to release starting May 19th. If you don't receive it that day, you could be in one of the latter groups to receive it as it's being dispersed through 6 upgrade groups for the first time. The only thing directly visible to gamers will be the PayPal feature which will allow you to purchase items from the Xbox Live Marketplace using a secure PayPal account instead of directly entering credit card information. The spring update will also add support for the new XGD3 disk format that will be used on games released later in 2011. These disks will add extra on-disc storage space for developers and will also have additional layers of copy protection.

If this sounds like enough to get you to switch systems, the local video game stores are offering up to $180 store credit or $160 cash for a PS3. That knocks a little more than half off the price of a new 250GB Xbox 360, and that's not counting any additional trade in value from spare controllers, accessories, or games. If you're interested in a Kinect as well, the Coral Ridge Mall Target Store is offering $25 off the purchase of a Kinect and one eligible game. If the 250GB Xbox is more than you think you'll need, you could also pick up a 4GB model while you're there and get a $50 Target Gift card to put towards anything in the store. If you're looking to build your game library, any of the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City area Video Games Etc. stores are running a few specials for you: Buy two new games and get one pre-owned free, or buy three pre-owned games and get one pre-owned free. No matter where you look, it seems like everyone is trying to take advantage of the debilitated PlayStation Network.

[05.08.11] Review: 'Colorful Tetris (HD)'

jfmsoft.com

Colorful Tetris (HD) for Android

Rating:

2 Stars

Everybody loves Tetris; and you wouldn’t think it was possible to really mess it up. Unfortunately for Colorful Tetris (HD), it pulls off that outstanding feat. The game presents itself in a pleasant way, promising a high definition user interface compatible with tablets and sporting relaxing classical music to play too, however everything else just seems to fall short.

The Good:

The graphics are gorgeous and the soundtrack compliments it nicely, but that alone isn’t going to get you anywhere. Colorful Tetris (HD) also has a convenient dedicated pause button on the side next to the help, sound toggle, and back button.

The Bad:

The developer disgraces the Tetris name. Throwing authenticity out the window, Colorful Tetris (HD)has its own random color scheme where any block can be any color instead of giving each tetromino a unique color to keep it easily identifiable. The playing field is also 15 blocks wide, 5 more than the original game’s ten block spread. Although the soundtrack is nice, it isn't the original or a reimagination of the original.

The Ugly:

The controls are utterly horrible, and make the game virtually unplayable. Each control has an invisible button that shows up for about 5 seconds at the start of the game, or any time you press the help button. This wouldn’t be all that bad if the buttons lined up with features on the UI, however the most important part, the left and right arrows, do not. Throughout the course of the game, you’ll find yourself frequently missing the buttons, and in a game where speed and accuracy is crucial, something as little as that can break the game completely.

Bottom Line:

Colorful Tetris (HD) is a free download, so don’t be afraid to check it out for yourself, however if you’re a serious Tetris gamer, I suggest you look elsewhere to get your Tetris fix. Once you get into later rounds with tetrominoes blazing across the screen, you’ll find yourself way too frustrated to keep playing.

Colorful Tetris (HD) was created by jfmsoft for the Android operating system. It’s a free download in the Android Marketplace.

[05.06.11] So... did Anonymous attack the PlayStation Network?

Anonymous Operations (AnonOps) Logo

Anonymous Operations

Sony can’t seem to keep anything consistent in regards to the recent attack on the PlayStation Network. First it was going to be up in a few days, then a few weeks, and now, it’s not going to be fully restored for a month. The other thing that can’t make up their mind on: just who attacked PSN. They’re not entirely at fault though, as the ones apparently responsible for the attack, the notorious hacker group that goes by the name Anonymous, can’t seem to make up their mind either.

At the press conference early Sunday morning, Sony originally stated that there was “no evidence linking earlier attacks on their server to the current data leak.” However just a few days later Sony stated that they found a file planted on one of their servers named “Anonymous” containing the phrase “We are legion.” Oddly enough though, they never directly blamed the group. Instead, they just called themselves victims of “cyber-terrorists.”

Now this would all be fine and dandy, however Anonymous took a very unusual step. On their official news site, they posted a press release stating “For once, we didn’t do it”. They go on to say that in the very least, it wasn’t an “organized attack” but that it’s certainly possible that other members of the group may have acted independently. Anonymous even attempts to make themselves look like victims! “A more likely explanation is that Sony is taking advantage of Anonymous’ previous ill-will towards the company to distract users from the fact that the outage is actually an internal problem with the company’s servers.” This is obviously not true though, as everyone’s personal information has been stolen.

Today, two veterans of the group Anonymous have publicly stated that they believe Anonymous is responsible for the attacks.

"If you say you are Anonymous, and do something as Anonymous, then Anonymous did it. Just because the rest of Anonymous might not agree with it, doesn't mean Anonymous didn't do it."

The FBI does have an ongoing investigation, so hopefully soon we’ll figure out who is responsible; although it seems pretty evident that Anonymous is to blame

[05.06.11] Review: '4 Player Reactor'

Cool Cherry Trees

4 Player Reactor for Android

Rating:

5 Stars

Not many Android games can boast simultaneous 4-person multiplayer on one device. Today’s free app, 4 Player Reactor, can though; and it does a fantastic job with it. You’ll find tons of trivia games for your Droid, ranging from ice cream to Justin Bieber. 4 Player Reactor decides to test your general knowledge and reaction times with questions ranging from basic math problems to capital cities. It’s a simple enough set up, featuring up to 4 buzzers surrounding a screen which displays one of 22 different puzzle modes at a time. You can jump straight in and take every puzzle head on with ‘Quick Game’ or pick out your favorites and set a higher goal with ‘Custom Game’. Either way you go, in a matter of seconds, you’ll be on your way to find out who has the fastest fingers in your group.

The Good:

Four people? That’s ridiculous for a single Android Device! Not only that, but it’s something everyone can enjoy at the exact same time! This is perfect for that downtime between ordering your food and waiting for it to arrive at a restaurant. It’s something anyone can enjoy because it’s easy to jump straight in without much explanation. There are plenty of different puzzle types to choose from and an abundant supply of ‘trivia questions’ to go with it. Not every puzzle mode is straight trivia though. 4 Player Reactor mixes it up a bit with shape matching and mazes. There’s also a ‘handicap’ built into the game's buzzers. If one player gets too far ahead, their buzzer will shrink, and then start moving around so it’s harder for them to hit.

The Bad:

The interface is bland, but it certainly gets the job done. Occasionally, when your buzzer starts to move, it seems like there is a mild hit-detection issue; but perhaps that can be attributed to the ‘handicap’.

The Ugly:

The only weakness of 4 Player Reactor is that it offers up too many wrong answers during the puzzles. Sometimes you’ll be sitting there, staring at the screen, and it feels like a wrong answer never is going to come up again! This is just a minor gripe though.

Bottom Line:

This is a ‘must-have’ that should sit right next to Angry Birds on your phone. You can spring it out at any time when you have a few bored people or, perhaps, if you need an ice-breaker. Even playing through the one player ‘practice’ mode can be entertaining at times. Whether you get it free or have to pay the surprisingly low $1.99 asking price, it’s money you won’t regret spending. If you absolutely can’t bear to pay for an app though, there’s also a free 2 Player Reactor available on the Android Marketplace, however it has less puzzles as well as the two-person limitation.

4 Player Reactor was created by Cool Cherry Trees and is Amazon’s free app of the day for 05/06/11. It typically sells for $1.99

[05.04.11] Wii gets a refresher

As much expected, the Nintendo's Wii has finally taken an official price drop to $149.99 USD. Although the local Target store has had them at that price for the last few weeks, you should now start seeing it drop at other local retailers and nation-wide. Nintendo still plans to offer both the white and black versions of their console; however the systems are getting a new package. Their ever-popular Wii Sports title will no longer be offered as a freebie; instead, taking its place, is the also popular (and currently $49.99 USD) Mario Kart Wii, wheel accessory included.

The fun doesn't stop there though, as Nintendo also announced a new "Nintendo Select" line, similar to its competitors "Greatest Hits" and "Platinum Hits" lines. Nintendo Select won't feature any new games, but will instead have long-standing favorites reintroduced with a sleek new case sporting red trim and a gold "Nintendo Select" approval badge in its top left corner. It also has a wallet friendly price point of just $19.99 USD. The line-up is set to include hits like Super Smash Brothers Brawl, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Warioware, Animal Crossing: City Folk, Wii Sports, and Mario Super Sluggers, among others. Selection does vary by region though, so don't cry foul at your local retailer if they don't have your title on hand. All of the aforementioned titles stuck to their release price until this point, so those of you who have been holding out for years can finally go crazy!