Review

Wargaming can be an off-putting genre.  Intricate details, layers of acronyms, manuals as thick as phone books – it can all make for an overwhelming experience for the gamer seeking something more realistic than that found in more mainstream, combat-oriented titles.  Unfortunately, the simplification that is necessary for the green wargamer is what usually turns off the more experienced grognard.  As such, striking the right balance between the two camps is no mean feat, doubly-so when dealing with a topic as complex as World War II.

Enter Slitherine.   This plucky UK developer has always enjoyed a natural talent at producing titles that manage to distill the essence of wargaming into something enjoyable by a wide audience of gamers.  Their latest offering, BBC Battlefield Academy, is yet another attempt to work their magic.  Taking a concept first devised by the BBC, and partnering with military historian John Buckley, Battlefield Academy is a turn-based game that attempts to put a smile on wargamers of all ranks.  Does it succeed?  Read on.

The Color of War

There are no correct answers or bad choices, there are only results. The life you knew before Alpha Protocol is no more; your past – erased. Forget what was and focus on the future as you traverse the globe and execute missions as deemed necessary. How you want to carry out the mission is up to you – use force, stealth or persuasion in order to get the job done…it doesn’t matter. Just remember, your actions have consequences, your decisions will shape the future, and what you do shapes who you will become. Choose wisely.

My interstellar empire was expanding nicely.  Our foes to the galactic north were in disarray after a vicious attack by my fleets, and our southern enemy was retreating from the onslaught of an ally.  Only to the galactic west did we continue to face a serious threat.  I, however, was not too worried for our scientists had promised me a weapons tech breakthrough in a day or so.  With that tech, and further allied assistance, my glorious empire would bring our enemies to heel and further position my empire for galactic conquest.

Just then an aide approached my strategy table with an urgent message.  “My lord!  Our allies to the south have signed a peace treaty with our foes!  Their combined fleets are on their way to crush us!”

Such are the quickly reversing fortunes of war in Iron Helmet’s Neptune’s Pride.

A Stellar Browser Game

A convergence of game genres is always nice; a convergence of top publishers and designers is great. Field of Glory brings together well-known publisher Osprey, creative developer Slitherine and a leader in server-based, Hexwar.com. Osprey provides the popular miniature rule set while Slitherine uses its talent in computer programming and design. Hexwar lend its experience in accessible turn-based game servers for fine multiplayer experience.

Fig Glory

I love science fiction gaming.  Be it massively multiplayer extravaganzas or more sedate single player 4Xers, there is just something eminently suitable about using a technology-loaded PC to simulate technology-loaded vessels atomizing each other with plasma death beams.   Guess I’m just quirky that way.   Fortunately, there never seems to be a dearth of game developers willing to feed my appetite for death amongst the stars.  The most recent entry to this genre is Cliff Harris’ Gratuitous Space Battles, a game that promises to bring “over-the-top explodiness” back into space games.  Does is succeed?  Read on….

Get Out the Blueprints

Every fantasy MMOG released within the last five years inevitably gets compared to Blizzard's behemoth World of Warcraft, and Aion is no exception. Developed and published by NCSoft, Aion was released in South Korea nearly a year ago where it gained immediate success. With over 450k copies sold even before launch, it is obvious there is excitement and anticipation for Aion.  In determining its success, two questions need to be answered:  can it withstand the pressure of being compared to the most popular MMO in the world, and was NCSoft successful in making the necessary changes to appeal to the western audience?

Getting Started

I believe 2009 to be one of worst years for PC gaming in a long time.  While console gamers have fared better, PC gamers have had to put up with one poorly executed console port after another.  Is there no hope?  Where is our knight in shining armor? 

Look there!  On the horizon!   A figure clad in plate mail, mounted upon a great steed!  It’s…it’s…Ser BioWare!

Okay, that might be a bit dramatic, but it pretty much sums up how I feel about BioWare’s latest role playing game, Dragon Age: Origins.  Delivering one the finest fantasy RPG experiences in a long time, Dragon Age: Origins has rescued PC gaming’s fair maiden with its deep gameplay, visceral combat, and engaging story.  In short, it is the game that saved 2009.

Character Creation

Piranha Bytes is best known for the Gothic RPG series, three games that are highly touted for their unique gameplay, large expansive worlds and unusual story. The Gothic series has received its share of criticism as well, for issues such as poor performance, clunky controls and a plethora of bugs. Due to publisher JoWood retaining the rights to the Gothic name after the two split up, Piranha Bytes latest title, Risen, will be seen by many as being the spiritual successor to the Gothic series. In reality Risen is more that a spiritual successor, it is Gothic 3, and is one of, if not the most, uninteresting and unoriginal RPG’s to date.

Story & Questing