Sunday, March 29, 2020
Shadow Of The Comet – A Friendly Little Town
Written by limbeck
So, here I am, in my not so austere room, getting to grips with the controls of the game. I can move with the arrow buttons, but only on four directions, which seems fair. Sometimes, though, you jump to the next screen by stepping at the wrong point.
Walking around the room, I notice that, as I pass close to an item, a line from my face to that object appears. Handy. I welcomed it with satisfaction at first, but I may reconsider, as it misled me into thinking that it works with all items. More on that later.
Fortunately, the all-keyboard interface is intuitive and not hard to grasp. You press O for objects in your inventory, U for using an item, G for getting. Even if you haven't read the manual, you get the hang of it quickly. And that's really it.
So, once I have perfected my baby steps, I explore the room and pick up whatever I can, which is BOLESKINE's diary and a telegram from my provisioners. Reading the diary gives me my first clue: a 12-year-old boy had served BOLESKINE as a guide, so there is a chance he is still alive and can point me to the precise spot in the forest. Other than that, BOLESKINE clearly had a poor grasp of astronomy, not recognising the familiar constellations and just randomly inventing new ones.
The telegram was more annoying, because it said that I have to find my own photographic plates. This is critical to my mission, as Mr GRIFFITH really expects "spectacular photographs". I hope this backwater town has a hardware store or something.
Now that I have my first tasks, I am ready to head out to the outside world. First step is to head out of my room. I then explore the areas of the Doctor's house that are available to me and notice some really impressive paintings around. The Doctor is not at home, so it is time to explore the town proper.
The immediate neighbours are an old barn-looking house with a bench and a locked door to the east, a forest without a guide to the west and a fancy house, also locked, to the south. The house to the south turns out to be the Mayor's.
To the south and west of the Doctor's house is the Pharmacy / GP's office / hospital of the town. I see a guy with a white robe going in, so I decide to follow. Inside, I just catch a glimpse of him getting into his office, so I try to go in myself only to be stopped by a very unhelpful nurse, who is also the daughter of the busy doctor.
South of the pharmacy is the main square, which we briefly saw in our carriage trip. When I first visit, an old lady, Ms PICOTT is sitting alone, but says nothing of importance, so I leave.
Heading west, I arrive at the impressive (according to the description) Town Hall. The clerk in it is, as expected, unhelpful and does not let me see the Mayor, who is only accepting visitors for a few hours each week and only by appointment. I am starting to get really annoyed now. Why does nobody want to get out of their way just to indulge me? I am a visitor in their town after all. They should show some hospitality!
I decide to continue being nosy and I try the other door on the Town Hall building. Inside, it looks like a museum, with several exhibits from exotic lands. This is where I realised that my lasersight does not identify all the items that I can examine or interact with in a location. Instead, when I am close to something that looks interesting, I need to press L to examine it. So, before I continued, I went to all the other locations I had visited and furiously examined everything, but I mainly got background information.
A few minutes later, I am back at the museum, where I discover a lost page from BOLESKINE's diary. It describes how the stars are really a pistol rifle shot away and closes with a quote from J.Keats: "Truth sleeps beneath appearance". The remaining art is just flavour text, or so it seems for the moment.
So, I continue into the door I can see to the north and into the Archives, where I meet the Master of Archives himself. He introduces himself as Tobias JUGG and he is the first person that seems genuinely excited to talk to me. Of course, true to the character of this little town, he already knows who I am. I ignore that and try to get in his good books, which I succeed by striking a conversation and proving my own love for books, by correctly recognising Shakespeare's quote. I leave him for now and head to a nearby table, where a I search through a ledger and note down three names of men who were 12 years old when Boleskine visited. The names are Curtis HAMBLETON, William COLDSTONE and Thomas GREENWOOD.
Looking over my shoulder, JUGG confirms that all three of them are alive and gives me directions to their houses. I speak to him a bit more, engineering my responses so that they appeal to his love of literature and history. He appreciates that and invites me to his house for a chat later. He also says that he has a large library on local legends, which the locals believed in until recently. After that, he heads out and I leave the Archives.
I continue wandering the town and revisit some of the areas I was before. I notice that there is a couple sitting outside of the house to the east of Dr COBBLES house, which I now know belongs to one of the three people I am looking for. However, Mr GREENWOOD is deaf, mute and blind from an accident during his birth. This makes it very hard for him to be the one I am looking for. The other half of the couple is Miss PICOTT, whom we met earlier. She maintains her unhelpfulness and we move on.
Some more wandering later, I arrive outside of the Dead Horse Inn, a name that seems oddly suitable to this town. Outside is Jed DONAHUE, who also knows who I am. News travel quickly in this part of the world. Not that they have to travel too far. Jed was complaining about..., but he didn't offer anything else other than some more background. Inside the tavern, there is even more unhelpfulness. A group of card players in one table does not want to be disturbed, but is gossiping about RENATO, apparently a misled youth who doesn't know better. The bartender is ruder than average and does not open up even after I pay an extortionist's fee of $1 for his watered-down beer.
My little trek around the village then brings me to the post office. As I walk in, I see a map of the area and I hear some heavy object being rolled above. The lady behind the counter mentions that the DONAHUE boy (I presume Jed's son) is sick and that she really has a lot of work to do. Clearly, she is only bothered by me and not by all the clatter right above her head. I leave.
Eager for some intelligent conversation, I head to JUGG's house. At the entrance hall wall hangs a rifle, which, upon closer examination, turns out to be Lord BOLESKINE's own rifle. I wonder how it ended up at the doctor's house. However, despite his invitation earlier, Mr JUGG does not have any more insights to offer so I leave him alone.
Anyway, I keep exploring dutifully and I finally find the town's general store. I enter from the south and I see the proprietor, Mr MYERS, dealing with a client. A hooded figure who apparently is in the business of direct parcels. He has left one with Mr MYERS, who informs him that another one he sent to some Mrs GUILDCHRIST was delivered successfully. I don't know who that lady is, but I know the name the wooded figure goes by. HAMBLETON. To be fair, I was a bit careless at the time and I did not remember that HAMBLETON was one of the three people I was looking for. Anyway, the figure walks out, either on a limp or quirky animation, and I can speak to the shop owner.
I go directly to the point and ask for photosensitive plates, which he delivers with delight. Not only that, but he suggests trying them out first and, if they are not good any more, he will reimburse me. Now, that's what I call good customer service.
Loaded with my new plates, I head out from the north door and arrive at the square again. Heading west a few screens, I end up at the abandoned fishery that HAMBLETON lives in. Before getting in, I pick up a rope ladder, because who knows when I will need to go down a cave or something.
Inside, the place is a proper mess. My delicate British nostrils cannot stand the stench, but I persist nonetheless. The fishery has absolutely nothing of value, but I discover a loose floorboard used to hide moonshine and an old man sleeping on a pallet in a corner. As I creepily watch him sleep, I notice that his fingers are webbed, like a frog's. I feel fascinated, and a bit lightheaded, but I compose myself and decide to speak to the old man.
Curtis HAMBLETON tells me that he indeed took Lord BOLESKINE in the forest, at a place with a cross. On the third day, BOLESKINE was painting / sketching when he saw a "thing". I also learn of another name: WILBUR. He is HAMBLETON's brother and probably very important. He apparently cursed CURTIS who ended up living in these squalid conditions. WILBUR is still alive as well and he says that in 3 days the comet will come back, and the THING as well. That's just superstition, right?
So, here I am, in my not so austere room, getting to grips with the controls of the game. I can move with the arrow buttons, but only on four directions, which seems fair. Sometimes, though, you jump to the next screen by stepping at the wrong point.
Walking around the room, I notice that, as I pass close to an item, a line from my face to that object appears. Handy. I welcomed it with satisfaction at first, but I may reconsider, as it misled me into thinking that it works with all items. More on that later.
 |
| Look at my lasersight! |
So, once I have perfected my baby steps, I explore the room and pick up whatever I can, which is BOLESKINE's diary and a telegram from my provisioners. Reading the diary gives me my first clue: a 12-year-old boy had served BOLESKINE as a guide, so there is a chance he is still alive and can point me to the precise spot in the forest. Other than that, BOLESKINE clearly had a poor grasp of astronomy, not recognising the familiar constellations and just randomly inventing new ones.
The telegram was more annoying, because it said that I have to find my own photographic plates. This is critical to my mission, as Mr GRIFFITH really expects "spectacular photographs". I hope this backwater town has a hardware store or something.
 |
| Request refund / STOP / Want speak to manager / STOP |
The immediate neighbours are an old barn-looking house with a bench and a locked door to the east, a forest without a guide to the west and a fancy house, also locked, to the south. The house to the south turns out to be the Mayor's.
 |
| It's good to be the Kin.. erm, Mayor |
South of the pharmacy is the main square, which we briefly saw in our carriage trip. When I first visit, an old lady, Ms PICOTT is sitting alone, but says nothing of importance, so I leave.
 |
| One should never presume |
 |
| But I brought the forms for the animal census, and these fine leather jackets. |
A few minutes later, I am back at the museum, where I discover a lost page from BOLESKINE's diary. It describes how the stars are really a pistol rifle shot away and closes with a quote from J.Keats: "Truth sleeps beneath appearance". The remaining art is just flavour text, or so it seems for the moment.
 |
| Some of Parker's lines have these "good lord" and "Oh my", I suspect for added Englishness. |
I continue wandering the town and revisit some of the areas I was before. I notice that there is a couple sitting outside of the house to the east of Dr COBBLES house, which I now know belongs to one of the three people I am looking for. However, Mr GREENWOOD is deaf, mute and blind from an accident during his birth. This makes it very hard for him to be the one I am looking for. The other half of the couple is Miss PICOTT, whom we met earlier. She maintains her unhelpfulness and we move on.
 |
| Fortunately for you, he cannot see that smirk when you say that. |
 |
| Dealing with customers: How not to |
 |
| Yes, like rearrange those mail sacks by the wall |
Anyway, I keep exploring dutifully and I finally find the town's general store. I enter from the south and I see the proprietor, Mr MYERS, dealing with a client. A hooded figure who apparently is in the business of direct parcels. He has left one with Mr MYERS, who informs him that another one he sent to some Mrs GUILDCHRIST was delivered successfully. I don't know who that lady is, but I know the name the wooded figure goes by. HAMBLETON. To be fair, I was a bit careless at the time and I did not remember that HAMBLETON was one of the three people I was looking for. Anyway, the figure walks out, either on a limp or quirky animation, and I can speak to the shop owner.
 |
| Maybe townsfolk go to the general store for their mail because the post office is always "too busy" |
 |
| Dealing with customers: How to |
Inside, the place is a proper mess. My delicate British nostrils cannot stand the stench, but I persist nonetheless. The fishery has absolutely nothing of value, but I discover a loose floorboard used to hide moonshine and an old man sleeping on a pallet in a corner. As I creepily watch him sleep, I notice that his fingers are webbed, like a frog's. I feel fascinated, and a bit lightheaded, but I compose myself and decide to speak to the old man.
 |
| Subtle |
After this conversation, poor Curtis goes back to sleep and I am left to think of my next steps, now that I have my plates and a potential guide that does not want to be a guide. I must also note that the Mr HAMBLETON I saw at the general store is most likely Wilbur, Curtis' brother and he seems to hold some position of power in Illsmouth. I smell a cult, built on superstition and the old legends.
But we'll have to find these out next time. I did not make much progress in the game, but I enjoyed walking around the town and familiarising myself with the locations. The outline of the city is logical and I never really felt lost, except for the time in the forest, which I assume was intentional. So far, the game does well in letting me play the stranger moving into a small, closed society, which doesn't really like having anybody poking into its secrets. It may seem stereotypical, but it works. In the next post, I will try to get into that spot in the forest and get some photos taken.
Some other interesting locations that will probably become important later:
END notes – CD ROM version
Somehow, addition of mouse control makes the game more frustrating. You do not click where you want to go and let the character find his way there. Instead, you hold down the left button and the character moves in the direction the mouse is with respect to him, but again only in the four main directions. You cannot mouse over items either, which makes me wonder why they bothered at all with adding mouse, other than to not seem backward. Outdoors, there is an option to go to a location using the map.
Time played: 1:30
Sanity lost: 1 (from seeing HAMBLETON's webbed fingers)
But we'll have to find these out next time. I did not make much progress in the game, but I enjoyed walking around the town and familiarising myself with the locations. The outline of the city is logical and I never really felt lost, except for the time in the forest, which I assume was intentional. So far, the game does well in letting me play the stranger moving into a small, closed society, which doesn't really like having anybody poking into its secrets. It may seem stereotypical, but it works. In the next post, I will try to get into that spot in the forest and get some photos taken.
Some other interesting locations that will probably become important later:
- N. TYLER's house is to the north of the pharmacy. It smells nicely of hot soup, but of course it is locked. Suspicious little town.
- There is a well that is standing on its own, but I cannot interact with it at the moment.
- The way to the port in which I arrived, is blocked by two burly guys.
- The cemetary is a blast of fun, according to JUGG.
- In the house south of Mr JUGG's, I see somebody going in and moving on the top floor, snooping at me from the window. Yet, when I knocked, nobody replied.
- There is also an abandoned mansion, with nothing to do.
END notes – CD ROM version
Somehow, addition of mouse control makes the game more frustrating. You do not click where you want to go and let the character find his way there. Instead, you hold down the left button and the character moves in the direction the mouse is with respect to him, but again only in the four main directions. You cannot mouse over items either, which makes me wonder why they bothered at all with adding mouse, other than to not seem backward. Outdoors, there is an option to go to a location using the map.
Time played: 1:30
Sanity lost: 1 (from seeing HAMBLETON's webbed fingers)
Contra Rogue Corps CODEX Free Download
Contra Rogue Corps CODEX Free Download
Contra Rogue Corps CODEX Free Download PC Game setup in single direct link for Windows. It is an amazing action, adventure and indie game.
Contra Rogue Corps CODEX PC Game 2019 Overview
CONTRA is back! Two years after the Alien Wars ended, the Damned City erupts from the final battleground. From the midst of the chaos, a group of scoundrels emerge.
They might not be typical heroes, but they're here to save the world… or get rich trying.
Featuring action packed battles, customisable gear, gigantic bosses and explosive multiplayer action.
o Local and Online CO-OP action for up to 4 players
o 4 outrageous characters, each with their own weird style and colourful attitude
o Build over 100 weapons and augment your character with bionic body parts earned in-mission
o Character progression, weapon development and customisation ensure extensive replayability
o Crazy new heroes and big bosses join the Contra universe.
Pre-order to get two T-Shirt skins for Hungry Beast. One featuring the iconic duo Bill and Lance, the other featuring the classic Contra logo.
Featuring action packed battles, customisable gear, gigantic bosses and explosive multiplayer action.
o Local and Online CO-OP action for up to 4 players
o 4 outrageous characters, each with their own weird style and colourful attitude
o Build over 100 weapons and augment your character with bionic body parts earned in-mission
o Character progression, weapon development and customisation ensure extensive replayability
o Crazy new heroes and big bosses join the Contra universe.
Pre-order to get two T-Shirt skins for Hungry Beast. One featuring the iconic duo Bill and Lance, the other featuring the classic Contra logo.
Mature Content Description
The developers describe the content like this:
The game is full of obscene language, insults, gore and general off color humor to that reflects the nature of such a group of individuals. Some examples include:
– Player can also shoot another player. This can be done during a multiplayer match. Human opponent collapses to the ground when life bar is depleted. Player can then pick them up and throw them into the saw machine.
– Enemy corpse is blown upwards onto the players screen during an explosion.
– Player can also shoot another player. This can be done during a multiplayer match. Human opponent collapses to the ground when life bar is depleted. Player can then pick them up and throw them into the saw machine.
– Enemy corpse is blown upwards onto the players screen during an explosion.
Technical Specifications of This Release.
- Game Version :
- Interface Language: English
- Audio Language : English
- Uploader / Re packer Group:
- Game File Name : Contra_Rogue_Corps_CODEX.iso
- Game Download Size : 8.53GB
- MD5SUM : 53f8a6303f2cc85b155a138bddf48219
System Requirements of Contra Rogue Corps CODEX
Before you start Contra Rogue Corps CODEX Free Download make sure your PC meets minimum system requirements.
Minimum:
* Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
* OS: Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 (64 bit) (64 bit OS required)
* Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 (3.20GHz)
* Memory: 4 GB RAM
* Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 (2GB) or better (DirectX 11 card Required)
* DirectX: Version 11
* Storage: 14 GB available space
* Additional Notes: Controller required to play
* OS: Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 (64 bit) (64 bit OS required)
* Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 (3.20GHz)
* Memory: 4 GB RAM
* Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 (2GB) or better (DirectX 11 card Required)
* DirectX: Version 11
* Storage: 14 GB available space
* Additional Notes: Controller required to play
Recommended:
* Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
* OS: Windows 10 – 64bit (64 bit OS required)
* Processor: Intel Core i7-4790 (3.60GHz)
* Memory: 8 GB RAM
* Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX960 (2GB)
* DirectX: Version 11
* Storage: 14 GB available space
* Additional Notes: Controller required to play
* OS: Windows 10 – 64bit (64 bit OS required)
* Processor: Intel Core i7-4790 (3.60GHz)
* Memory: 8 GB RAM
* Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX960 (2GB)
* DirectX: Version 11
* Storage: 14 GB available space
* Additional Notes: Controller required to play
Konami Digital Entertainment
Contra Rogue Corps CODEX Free Download
Click on the below button to start Contra Rogue Corps CODEX. It is full and complete game. Just download and start playing it. We have provided direct link full setup of the game.
Download Link:::Link
Size:8.5 GB
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Virus status: scanned by Avast security
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Anthem | Preview, Release Date, Gameplay, News, & More...
Anthem | Preview, Release date, Gameplay, News, & more...
Anthem is the following huge IP from Bioware, the makers of the Mass Effect and Dragon Age series. First revealed at E3 2017, the epic science fiction RPG expects to unite single-player, multiplayer, shooting, and RPG components in a comparative vein to Bungie's Destiny franchise — yet from a third-individual point of view.
Pro-GamersArena has compiled everything you need to know about the upcoming BioWare's 'Anthem' including all the latest news, release date, gameplay and more...
Quick Facts:
- Initial release date: 22 February 2019
- Developer: BioWare
- Engine: Frostbite 3
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows.
Anthem: Releasing On 22 February 2019.
Anthem has officially been deferred to 2019 to prepare for Battlefield 5 in October 2018. The upcoming RPG will now release for PS4, Xbox One and PC on February 22nd, 2019, or, in other words previously the March 2019 release date EA proposed the game would have in a recent earnings report.
Anthem: What is it about?
Anthem's story includes antiquated mythical Gods and a wellspring of fantastic power called the Anthem. What that really is indistinct yet was utilized by the long-missing Gods (aliens?) to make the planet the game happens on, however then left or vanished before it was done. Quick forward to the future and the Anthem's as yet dynamic, making, transforming and defiling life and by and large botching up the planet. You play the job of a Freelancer; a courageous gathering that goes about as humankind's watchmen and scouts past the divider in Iron Man-like suits of reinforcement, known as Javelins.
Anthem: Gameplay Impression
Any individual who's come into contact with Anthem has had their socks knocked off. Each trailer and gameplay exhibit has been unimaginably great.
Our principle takes a gander at Anthem gameplay so far originates from the first E3 uncover. You can watch that above, however, the fundamental take away is that it's a community science fiction shooter where up to four players play the job of 'Freelancers,' utilizing profoundly upgradable and customizable "Javelin" exosuits to investigate an alien world. Anthem gameplay hopes to take a great deal of prompts from Destiny, with its attention on overcoming adversaries and taking missions to discover better rigging to get to better missions to show signs of improvement adapt... and so on.
Anthem: Javelin Classes?
Your decision of Javelin exosuit will characterize your Anthem diversion class. There are four composes which, from left to up there, are known as the Ranger, Colossus, Storm and Interceptor. You can swap unreservedly between any you may have, and a decent group is tied in with adjusting their capacities.
Ranger - Described by Bioware as "the everyman's Javelin'. This is fundamentally the default suit prescribed for when you don't generally recognize what you're going up against. It has "a pleasant parity", as per amusement chief Jon Warner: "it is very brave, some great capability, it has a fascinating scuffle strike. It's a decent all-rounder."
Colossus - Unsurprisingly this is a tank alternative, with a substantial shield, rather than an avoid, that can assimilate a lot of harm. It additionally has an unbelievable level mortar which makes it great at ran harm, and there's a railgun too.
Interceptor - This is as yet one suit we don't have the foggiest idea about that much about. It's quick and softly defensively covered with "ground-breaking cutting edges and a full suite of pulverizing capacities" that clearly implies it "exceeds expectations at getting in near perpetrate harm and debilitate its adversaries, at that point dashing without end before they can respond". We're getting a sort of assassin/rogue vibe from that.
Storm - This is pretty much the enchantment class with an emphasis on natural assaults that apply status impacts. So it's less about managing harm and more about setting up help for the group with buffs and debuffs. It's light on reinforcement, however, gives you a shield when you're noticeable all around.
Anthem: Trailers
So the above one is the official trailer launched by anthem games four months earlier.
Recently Anthem released another gameplay where you get to know about the games features, story.
Anthem: Latest News
Anthem's creative chief, Jonathan Warner, has uncovered that Bioware is getting a charge out of taking a shot at gameplay over the account
"It's critical to us that we make immersive universes, where you can have the friendship, and where you get the chance to be the hero of your own story," he told the magazine.
"I think those components are especially unblemished with Anthem. We're adding things to it, we're including these fascinating social narrating components to it. Yet, those minutes, that camaraderie and solid characters, those are particularly there."
Drew Karpyshyn's Departs from BioWare:
BioWare lead author and long-lasting veteran of the advancement studio, Drew Karpyshyn, has declared his takeoff from BioWare by and by.
The exceptionally respected author has left to center around different activities for the studio Fogbank Entertainment.
"Please don't email me asking for more information about why I'm leaving – there is no dirty laundry I'm just waiting to air," composed Karpyshyn in a blog. "And please don't ask about any BioWare projects I've been working on – just because I've left BioWare doesn't mean I'm going to start blabbing all their secrets."
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Planet X3 - Review Of A New Real Time Strategy Game For The IBM PC
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| Title Screen VGA |
Read more »
Friday, March 20, 2020
Blending Narrative, Art And Mechanics In A Majestic Way: The Immersive Experience Of “The Gardens Between”
Attention: this post contains spoilers from the game "The gardens between"
I've been playing games since I was a child. Now 41 years old, I'm proud to say that I've been a videogame player since the first generation of consoles that were raised on Earth. I'm a lucky person that has had the opportunity to play many kinds of different games in the last 38 years.
Unfortunately, today, I don't have time to play all the games I want. So, when I'm choosing a game to play I'm very meticulous; I talk with gamer friends, I watch YouTube reviews and I try to read a lot about games. Nowadays, what do I search for in a game to play? I try to choose the minimum of three features: a good narrative, a creative gaming mechanics and an interesting aesthetic. If I can find a game with three of these features, I'll probably play it with much more enthusiasm and immersion.
The last game I played that filled the three features was "The gardens between".
I'll start to talk about the narrative feature: the game is a beautiful story about two children on the last day they have together as neighbors; the boy is moving to another city and the story of the game is about them remembering the adventures of their childhood together.
The narrative feature is the basis for a stunning art direction: the game's atmosphere is full of childish elements but, on another hand, you can notice signs of fear, sorrow and depression. It's about dark and light; about remembering the past but, at the same time, trying to move on.
To blend the narrative layer with the aesthetic layer we have a very interesting mechanics that uses time travel as the basis for puzzle solutions. The simplicity of the commands are great: you put the joystick to the right to advance the events in time, you put left and they come back to their original places. So, what's the challenge? The game creates timing distortions to make the player constantly think about the sequence of movements he needs to make. Check the video below to understand how everything connects in "The gardens between".
In this context it is interesting to say how we have a large list of indie games that can fill the previous features that I mentioned. Today, it's not a privilege from the triple A games to have great narrative with stunning art and challenging mechanics. By the way, most of the time when I'm searching for this kind of game I'll probably choose an indie to download.
#GoGamers
I've been playing games since I was a child. Now 41 years old, I'm proud to say that I've been a videogame player since the first generation of consoles that were raised on Earth. I'm a lucky person that has had the opportunity to play many kinds of different games in the last 38 years.
Unfortunately, today, I don't have time to play all the games I want. So, when I'm choosing a game to play I'm very meticulous; I talk with gamer friends, I watch YouTube reviews and I try to read a lot about games. Nowadays, what do I search for in a game to play? I try to choose the minimum of three features: a good narrative, a creative gaming mechanics and an interesting aesthetic. If I can find a game with three of these features, I'll probably play it with much more enthusiasm and immersion.
The last game I played that filled the three features was "The gardens between".
I'll start to talk about the narrative feature: the game is a beautiful story about two children on the last day they have together as neighbors; the boy is moving to another city and the story of the game is about them remembering the adventures of their childhood together.
The narrative feature is the basis for a stunning art direction: the game's atmosphere is full of childish elements but, on another hand, you can notice signs of fear, sorrow and depression. It's about dark and light; about remembering the past but, at the same time, trying to move on.
To blend the narrative layer with the aesthetic layer we have a very interesting mechanics that uses time travel as the basis for puzzle solutions. The simplicity of the commands are great: you put the joystick to the right to advance the events in time, you put left and they come back to their original places. So, what's the challenge? The game creates timing distortions to make the player constantly think about the sequence of movements he needs to make. Check the video below to understand how everything connects in "The gardens between".
In this context it is interesting to say how we have a large list of indie games that can fill the previous features that I mentioned. Today, it's not a privilege from the triple A games to have great narrative with stunning art and challenging mechanics. By the way, most of the time when I'm searching for this kind of game I'll probably choose an indie to download.
#GoGamers
2017 Holiday Gift Guide
Whatever you do, and whatever you celebrate, there is no better way to spend a Christmas, Hanukkah, or what have you than together with friends, family, and neighbors with a warm cup of (fair trade) cocoa and a stack of casual board and/or card games.
Remember that the most valuable gift you can give is time. Don't just give your loved ones a game; play it with them. Find or start a local game group and join or form a community.
I hope you enjoy the guide. Remember: the holidays are not only for sharing the warmth with family and friends, but also for sharing with those who have no one else to share with them. Give to your local shelters, hospitals, and so on, because that's the gift that keeps on giving.
 | Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10" Tablets are perfect platforms for playing thousands of face to face games for two to four players. Because you don't need to buy the physical components, you can stack all your games in a teeny space, the games (if not the tablet) cost very little, and you don't have to cut down old trees to make them or use fossil fuels to ship them. Tablets have their own environmental impact in their making, so that's a trade off; but if you're getting one anyway, most of the games on this list are available electronically. Nowadays, most games are also available on consoles, too. |
 | 7 Wonders: Ages 9+, 4 to 7 players This is a game of drafting cards and building a wondrous city. You get a hand of cards; pick one and pass the rest. Everyone reveals the card they picked and puts it into their tableaux. Repeat. Done. Score points based on the combinations of cards you have at the end of all the passing. The graphics are fantastic, the theme not so visible. It's easy to learn, provides great choices, with depth enough to spare. |
 | Antike II: Ages 8+, 2 to 6 players Risk is a long game of laying low, with player elimination and just too much in the luck department; this game (and its predecessor but very rare and expensive Antike) is the perfect evolution to, and replacement for, Risk. It plays quicker, there's dice-less conflict, no one gets to lay low watching while others fight, and - excepting truly poor play - everyone has a chance for most of the game. There's also a lot more to the game than just conflict, but the rules are short and elegant. Other alternatives for the Risk player are Antike Duellum (for two players) and Risk Legacy (an odd game that moves in one game affect the next). |
 | Backgammon: Ages 6+, 2 players Backgammon is a classic game that can be enjoyed by children and parents alike. While there is a large amount of luck in the game, there are also many meaningful decisions, which makes this a good stepping stone to future games with more challenge, such as Checkers or Chess. |
 | Blokus, Blokus Trigon, Blokus Duo: Ages 8+, 4 players (Blokus), 2-4 players (Blokus Trigon), or 2 players (Blokus Duo) Blokus, Blokus Trigon, and Blokus Duo are abstract games with very simple rules. Each round you take a piece and place it on the board such that it touches any previous pieces you have played, but only corner to corner. It can touch other players' pieces along corners or sides. The rules are easy, the components are beautiful, and it's fun. |
 | Boggle: Ages 8+, 2 to 10 players Boggle is a word game, whose simple rules - find all the words you can within three minutes - make it a game that is both fun and quick. Adults can play with kids by restricting the adults to have to find words of four or five letters. The pictured version is a little quieter and less bulky than the old boxy version, and comes with a built-in electronic timer. |
 | Candle Quest: Ages 6+, 2 to 4 players A little plug for my own game. This is a simple set-collection auction game with a Hanukkah theme. It fits in well with the other games on the list: easy to learn, quick to play, lots of replayability. The theme makes it appropriate for all ages, and there's nothing overtly Jewish about it, other than that it's a menorah, so anyone should feel comfortable playing it. Of course, I may be biased, since I designed it. |
 | Carcassonne, variants, and expansions: Ages 10+, 2 to 5 players Carcassonne is a bit more complex than some of the other games here, but the beautiful pieces and the fun game play are worth the time to learn. Pick a piece from the pile, rotate and place it so that it fits on the board (like dominoes), and then optionally place one of your pieces on that tile. There are several ways to score, some of which occur during the game and some of which only at the end of the game. There are some more rules than that, but not too many more. The game play is engaging enough to make you want to play it more than once in a single sitting. There are dozens of versions to the game, and some of the versions have several expansions. |
 | Catan: Ages 8+, 3 to 4 players This game, formerly known as The Settlers of Catan, and Ticket to Ride, are the perfect adult games for beginning gamers. All you need to do is collect ten points through building settlements and cities, connecting roads, adding developments and trading with your fellow players. A unique board that changes each time you play, constant interaction even when it's not your turn, and a great balance of luck versus strategy makes this The Game to acquire if you still think that board games are only for kids. |
 | Chess / Xiangqi / Shogi: Ages 6+, 2 players These three games, Chess, XiangQi (Chinese Chess), and Shogi (Japanese Chess), are all top-tier 2-player games that can occupy a curious mind for an entire lifetime. They also have wide followings, so learning the game is learning a language that will admit you to a culture of fellow players around the world. Board and piece prices range from inexpensive to very expensive, and Chess pieces come in many different themes. |
 | Chinese Checkers: Ages 6+, 2 to 6 players Another great abstract, and a pretty one if you find one with nice marbles. The rules are simple: move or jump your pieces from one side to the other. Finding chains of jumps is a thrill for all ages. |
 | Carrom / Crokinole / Nok-Hockey / Air Hockey / Billiards / Foosball, etc.: Ages 6+, 2 players Carrom is the most played tabletop game in India. Like Billiards, the object is to knock pieces off the table area, which you do by flicking wooden disks with your fingers. Crokinole is another classic finger flicking game, as is a racing game called Pitchcar. I finally picked up Crokinole for myself this year, and it is a constant hit with my nephews and their friends. All kinetic tabletop games, from snooker to billiards to foosball, are loved by players of all ages. |
 | Cards: Ages 3+, 1 to any number of players Decks of cards, whether they are the well known Western type with 52 cards in 4 suits, or special European or Asian decks, are a great starting point for any number of wonderful games, including Bridge, Hearts, Skat, Cribbage, Pinochle, Oh Hell, Bullsh*t, Durak, President, Spades, Solitaire, and many others. Check out Pagat.com for the rules to these games and to thousands of others. |
 | Codenames: Ages 10+, 4-10 players Codenames is a new, fun game that uses words in an unusual way. Two teams, the clue givers alternate trying to give one word clues that match as many of their team's cards as possible. You must find a word that matches multiple other words, but not any of your opponent's words or the assassin's word. It's mindbending, and the game is infinitely replayable. A great game for non-gamers and gamers alike. |
 | Dixit: Ages 10+, 3-6 (12) players Dixit is an incredible game, especially for non-gamers. It is loved as a creative exercise: pick a card and give a word, phrase, song, dance, or any other clue to describe it, but not too perfectly. The other players try to play cards that also match your clue. You only get points if some people guess which was your card and some people don't. The fun is in the creativity of the clues, and I've yet to see a game where even the most stodgy non-gamer doesn't have fun. There are now several expansions, which are all good. This game, like many others, was inspired by Apples to Apples, another nifty game for the casual non-gamers who walk among us. |
 | Froggy Boogie: Ages 3-9, 2 to 4 players Froggy Boogie is a brilliant game to frustrate grownups and please younger children. All you have to do is remember where the picture of the fly is, under the left eye or the right eye? The dice have only colors - no counting necessary. It's a perfect first game. |
 | Go / Pente: Ages 6+, 2 players Beyond Chess, Checkers, or XiangQi is the absolute perfect game of Go (aka Weiqi); it's so popular, there are twenty-four hour television stations dedicated to it, an anime series based on it, and it's considered one of the four arts of the Chinese scholar. It really is that good, and the rules are easy, too. Best of all, a built-in handicap system allows two people of any skill levels to enjoy a challenging game against each other. You should play with the nicest board you can afford. Pente, a game of getting five stones in a row, can be played on the same board. The rules are just as easy as Go, and while the game has much less depth, it is also a little less intimidating to new players. |
 | Jungle Speed: Ages 8+, 3 to 8 players There are several games of speed reaction / pattern recognition on the market; I chose this one because of the components. Players flip cards in turn and grab for the totem in the middle as soon as two matching cards are revealed. Don't play with friends who have sharp nails or finger jewelry. |
 | Love Letter: Age 8+, 2-4 players This game has just 16 cards, but it packs a full, replayable deduction, bluffing game into 10 minutes. It's a top seller, takes 30 seconds to learn, and is challenging to play. It's not my type of game, but I'm in the minority. |
 | Magic the Gathering: Ages 8+, 2 players After two decades, Magic is still The Bomb when it comes to collectible card games, although Yu-Gi-Oh sells more cards. These are not easy games to learn, but quick start guides can get you off the ground fairly quickly, and then you have months and years of challenging game play ahead of you. Don't get sucked into having to buy endless amounts of boosters; to play the game outside of a tournament, you only need a few hundred common cards which can be picked up for a penny each on various sites. |
 | Mancala: Ages 5+, 2 players This is widely known around the world under various names (e.g. Oware), and the national game of many African countries. The rules are easy: pick up all the seeds in one of your bowls and place one in each bowl around the table. If you land on an empty space on your side, you win the seed and any seeds opposite. There are a few more rules, but that's about it. It takes a few games to get up to speed; early victories tend to be lopsided. Once you get the hang of it, you can play several, quick, challenging games in succession. |
 | Memory: Ages 3 to 12, 2 to 5 players This is a first game for kids and adults, and a great game for it, because kids get the hang of it very quickly and adults find it a real challenge without having to pretend. All you need are one or two decks of cards, but an infinite number of these games are sold with various different pictures and themes. You can play with more than 5 players, but I wouldn't recommend it. |
 | Nefarious: Ages 8+, 2 to 6 players This is a game of mad scientists that is great for 2 to 6 players, and doesn't sacrifice speed with more players. Each round, you select one of four actions. collect money from any neighbors who selected actions that your minions are invested in, perform your action, and then check to see if you won. The actions are: invest minions, play cards, take cards, or take money. The cards are fun and the game is quick and replayable, because, in each game, you play with some random twists that make that game's experience unique. |
 | No Thanks: Ages 7+, 3 to 5 players This is an easy to learn and addictive little card game. A card is flipped up, and you either take the card and any tokens on it or place one of your tokens on it and pass it to the next player. Cards are bad, and tokens are good. But runs of cards only penalize you for the lowest valued card. A simple and fun game. |
 | Pandemic / Pandemic Legacy Cooperative games used to be either very boring, very childish, or very hippy. A new breed of cooperative games are nail-bitingly challenging and fun. Pandemic is a cooperative game of saving the world from disease. Other cooperative games include Lord of the Rings, Shadows Over Camelot, and the much simpler Forbidden Island. The new Pandemic Legacy (like Risk Legacy, mentioned above), is a version that plays out: each time you play the world is permanently changed with stickers and torn cards; after dozens of plays, the game is over. |
 | Poker: Ages 6+, 2 to any number of players Playing for money is not a good habit, but a nice set of poker chips and some decks of cards is a great way to spend an evening. There are countless poker games, too. |
 | Scrabble: Ages 8+, 2 (or 2 to 4) players. Scrabble purists will tell you that you should only play with 2 players and a Chess clock, but for casual purposes it can be played with up to four. It is The word game, and for a good reason. My favorite way to play is to ditch the board and just play Anagrams: turn over tiles, and first to call a word gets it. A similar, recommended game is Bananagrams, where players race to create their own crossword boards. |
 | Set: Ages 6+, 2 to 10 players Those who don't have it won't enjoy it. For those who do, it hits just the right spot in the brain. All you have to do is call out matches when you see them, but the matches have to match or not match in all four characteristics. |
 | Stratego: Ages 6 to 15, 2 players By the time I was in my teens, I had outgrown this, but it remains a seminal game for early players, a great introductory war game with all the basic elements: strategy, tactics, and bluffing. Avoid the electronic ones; they break and they're noisy. |
 | Splendor: Ages 8+, 2 to 5 players The new game on this list, this is a little resource management game of taking jewels and buying trade routes (i.e. cards). The components and decisions are few and pretty, and there are a few options for strategy, but they are well balanced, making this a tight game every time. Very simple to understand, challenging to win. |
 | Ticket To Ride: Ages 8+, 2 to 5 players Many of my fellow bloggers think that this, rather than Catan, is The Game. I used to disagree, but I think I have come around. New players will find this a great intro game, with lots of choices and great game play. There are several editions of the game, and the 1910 expansion is recommended. |
 | Tichu: Ages 8+, 4 players A partnership "ladder" game, similar to the game President (sometimes known by its crude name). It's similar, but the addition of a few special cards, a partnership, and passing elevate this to a perfect game for two couples. This is THE card game in gamer circles, and it's not at all complicated. |
 | Time's Up: Ages 8+, 4 to 10 players This consistently ranks as the number one party game on all of my fellow bloggers' lists. It's the number one ranked party game on Board Game Geek. Which says something. It plays a lot like the parlor game Celebrities. |
 | Uno: Ages 6 to 12, 2 to 8 players This could be a child's second game, after Memory, and before moving on to real games. There's not much in the way of thinking involved, but its simple rules, portability, and quick play make it an ideal game for younger kids in almost any situation. Just be sure to move up to better games when the kids are ready. |
 | Wits and Wagers / Balderdash: Ages 8+, 4+ players These are party trivia games where knowledge of trivia is not so important. The question is asked, and each player writes down an answer. These are revealed and players then bid on the answers they think are best. The winning answer, and the winning bids, all score points. Wits and Wagers does this in the form of a poker game setting, while Balderdash requires you to make up funny possible answers. Both have won awards and acclaim as an order of magnitude better than you-know-which famous trivia game. |
 | Zooloretto: Ages 8+, 2 to 5 players Winner of dozens of awards, Zooloretto is a cute game for kids and decent game for adults. Simply take the animals as they are revealed from the deck and try to fit them into your zoo without overcrowding. A few extra rules and some clever mechanisms makes the game enjoyable for all ages. |
Enjoy,
Yehuda
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