PSVR Bonus Level: Rise of the Tomb Raider – Blood Moon
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Posted on April 15th, 2017 by
Rise of the Tomb Raider is a sequel to the Tomb Raider reboot released in 2013. In Fall 2016, it arrived on the PS4 complete with a new DLC, Blood Ties, where Lara explores her old mansion searching for clues about her father and mother. While the expansion is playable on every platform, the PS4 version also includes support for the PSVR. As with other PSVR bonus levels, these experiences aren’t going to be the main selling point of a game. However, they are a nice way for PSVR owners to experience a small part of their game in a virtual reality mode. The Blood Ties expansion can be played in 2D or 3D, with the 3D version providing a short, immersive experience in the world of Lara Croft.
Star Wars Battlefront offers up a special Rogue One X-Wing mission using the PSVR system. It is one of several titles that offer up a special VR level in addition to their core 2D gameplay. As bonus levels, these PSVR experiences aren’t going to be the main selling point of a game. However, they are a nice way for PSVR owners to experience a small part of their game in a virtual reality mode. The Rogue One X-Wing VR mission is a great little showcase of what a VR game can do.
I attended a local charity game convention Saturday, I thought I’d make a brief post as it may inspire others to do the same. In brief, I had a good time teaching beginner games to a host of new gamers. The star of my day was a 5 player game of the AEG rerelease of The Captain is Dead. A close second place was repeated plays of Escape: The Curse of the Temple with some brand-new to gaming sophomores.
In Colt Express, players are old west bandits hopping about on a train trying to gain loot, avoid the marshal, and maybe shoot each other up a bit in the process. Winner of the 2015 German “Game of the Year”, Colt Express is a fun, lightweight family game. One of its selling points is the elaborate 3 dimensional train that serves as the game’s playing “board.” The game has also been masterfully translated into digital form. With the “cool factor” of the 3D board replaced with artwork and animations that help the game’s theme shine through.
Death Squared is a member of that unique category of cooperative puzzle game. Little square robots maneuver around platforms to reach their color-coded ending spot. It can be played solo, by moving robots one (or two) at a time, the game shines when played fully cooperatively – so you can congratulate or humiliate your partner depending on their performance in solving the puzzle.
Traditional RPGs are games of the mind, but it doesn’t hurt to have spiffy little plastic figures on hand to help set the tone and sort through the complexities of battle. Figures can be bought unpainted or, for a bit more cash, they come prepainted. As a busy parent, I easily fall into the latter category. While any figurines aren’t cheap, they can add a bit of fun as players can see the unruly monsters gather around their poor characters, eager for a kill.
As a parent looking for games to play with my kids, I am always impressed at the quality and durability of titles from HABA. With quality cardboard and wooden parts, they sometimes aren’t cheap (although these titles are relatively inexpensive) but components are first rate. While my oldest child is now able to play more strategic games with dad, he still enjoys playing these when we get together for a family gaming moment with the entire family. Here’s a few HABA games I’ve played in the past few months, starting with my favorites.
As you look through your holiday lists, don’t forget to include a good boardgame or two. Aside from eating together (also highly encouraged,) there are very few activities requiring people to interact face to face. Not everyone is all that interested in a heavy thinking game, and there are a whole line of simple dexterity games that are great fun for all ages. The following is a list of what I call ‘flicking games,’ games that involve players flicking wooden (plastic in some cases) pieces around a playing area as the main objective. Some are straightforward while others require a bit more than just manual dexterity.
The theme for all things Pathfinder this fall has been dark and deadly supplements to the game to bring a bit of horror to player’s games. Supplements have been released featuring the covert shenanigans and evil organizations found in Ultimate Intrigue and Villain Codex, the dank and dark setting found in Horror Adventures, and the dark ghostly burdens found in the Haunted Hero Handbook. It is as if the teenaged
