Posts Tagged ‘PC’

Some games that sneak out as little known originals or fantastic revamps of PC games for consoles really get me excited. Dark Star is one of these games for the Xbox 360 that was first released in 2006 for the PC as a star fighter simulation game. The game garnered great reviews for the PC back then, and this version for the Xbox is looking great as well. The game should introduce this generation of console gamers to an older and successful genre of space flight combat.

Dark Star One reminds me of space fighter games like the acclaimed Wing Commander series from the 1990′s played on PC’s.  There aren’t many games of this type released on consoles today and newer PC games of this genre like EVE require some decent hardware performance in order to get the full effect of the space environment.  Finally, we have something to play on consoles that not only looks stunning on an HDTV big screen in 1080p at 60 frames a second, but it is fun to play as well.

Dark Star One: Broken Alliance has depth.  The game follows its predecessor very closely. Space dog fights and exploring planets in the galaxy is something that rarely gets old.  The game is vast in scale offering over 30 hours of single player campaign play with more than 330 unique planets to explore.  The game also allow you to customize your ships with over 200 components.  The story in the game is also very in-depth featuring more than 40 minutes of voice acted cut-scenes and more than 90 minutes of original music score.

Although exploring the galaxy is fun in its own right, space combat is where its at.  Players can shape their own experiences in the game depending on what type of archetype they choose to pursue.  Whether you enjoy playing like a Mercenary or Smuggler is up to you. Over all, the game should satisfy gamers who love sci-fi although the only major complaint about Dark Star is the somewhat cheesy voice acting and somewhat simple and repetitive game-play.  If your a sci-fi fighter combat fan and can overlook some minor faults then your in for a great time!  I suppose the price could be a little lower for a revamped title from 2006.  Decide for yourself if the $50 dollar price is worth it for a game that has changed little except for the introduction of High Definition. Dark Star: Broken Alliance may well be worth the price for over 30 hours of gaming.

British game developer Just Add Water is working with studio Oddworld Inhabitants on several new Oddworld projects.  That is fantastic news!  I would have been excited about just one new Oddworld project.  There are several?  I’m elated!  Just Add Water is making the new games and is licensed on several platforms including the PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, and PC.  We should see Abe and maybe Munche return with renewed vigor.

After Munche’s Odyssey debuted on the original Xbox platform disappointed fans were waiting on the fifth game Squeek’s Odyssey which never debuted.  In the late nineties after several hit side scrolling games for PlayStation were developed, Oddworld Inhabitants transferred its license to Microsoft.  Munche’s Odyssey and Strangers Wrath did average business on the Xbox.  Both games disappointed fans since the games were only available on one platform and the design changed from classic 2D side scroll-er to a 3D design. Stranger’s Wrath further disappointed by jumping onto the First Person Shooter band wagon in 2005 leaving behind its core puzzler game style.  Although both Xbox games were interesting and innovative Oddworld Inhabitants ceased production on further games due to mediocre reviews and declining sales.  The studio decided to shut down and take a multi-year hiatus.  Oddworld Inhabitants is now said to be back working on a movie project with a game tie-in, and another separate game all its own.

Studio Just Add Water (JAW) is working closely with Oddworld Inhabitants since June 2009. That’s just over a year of work on the franchise.  Fans of Oddworld should breath a sigh of relief to know that Oddworld creators Lorne Lanning and Sherry McKenna have been working closely with JAW. This should ensure the games will remain true to their Oddworld roots and atmosphere.  JAW is the developer of the PlayStation Network and the game Gravity Crash for the PSP.  The studio should be announcing their new projects in coming weeks for multiple platforms starring your favorite Oddworld characters.  Lets see if they show anything this August at Gamescon.  Of note the JAW blog says these guys are true fans of the past Oddworld games.  The franchise is in good hands it seems.

JAW’s director:

“To work with the team at Oddworld has been amazing; being able to tap the minds of Lorne Lanning, Sherry McKenna and others has been fantastic,” said Just Add Water’s Managing Director Stewart Gilray.

“It’s almost symbiotic in that when something moves forward on any of the projects we just start chatting about new items, or what if we do this,” Gilray continued. “We’re all extremely excited to breathe life into the Oddworld universe and indeed to let it breathe life into us.”

The original StarCraft from Blizzard Entertainment was one of the best real time strategy games ever created.  StarCraft brought military science fiction games to a new level with superb design and great graphics back in 1998.  PC gaming was never the same after its release with more than 11 million copies sold and the two subsequent expansion packs that gave the original version new legs.  Fans have been waiting a long time for a second game, and a long wait it has been.

StarCraft II Wings of Liberty will be unleashed this year 2010.  The official release date is unknown, but it should be sometime during the first half of the year.  Instead of being released as a single full game, StarCraft II will be unveiled in separate installments.  The designers at Blizzard feel the game will become more fully realized as it is released in installments  like a sci-fi series on television.  StarCraft II will not be as lengthy as your standard TV series.  The next StarCraft will only encompass three episodes or installments.  Wings of Liberty, Heart of the Swarm, and Legacy of the Void.

Get ready for real exciting RTS play that fans will appreciate.  That’s why Blizzard is releasing a special edition for hardcore fans.  StarCraft fanatics will be pleased to shell out $100 smackers for the base game, a 176 page art book, a CD soundtrack, and a World of Warcraft in-game pet.  Oh yes, an in-game pet!  Plus, you get to leave the store with a big box that says, “Hey, I’m a freakin’ huge Starcraft fan!”

Dude’s Top 5 Game Picks for the month of March.  These are must have games!

Enjoy the journey as Halo lives on for the past 10 years or so.  This video evokes some memories!