Star Trek: The Boardgame Generation – Episode Two
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Posted on September 29th, 2016 by
As w
e celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise, “Trek-ifiying” things is rampant and the world of boardgaming is no exception. While there are probably Star Trek versions of Monopoly, Risk, and Trivial Pursuit, I intend to take a look at Star Trek versions of games popular with boardgame hobbyists. These games, sometimes called Eurogames (since they are popular in Europe) or designer boardgames (as the game designers are recognized for their efforts just like authors or directors) are popular as they emphasize player interaction and minimize luck and player elimination. Episode 2 deals with a couple games best for more serious strategy gamers.
Shadow Archer (Wii U)
Posted on September 28th, 2016 by
Shadow Archer is like something you’d play back on the NES or in an arcade from the 80’s. You play as a dark elven archer who must shoot arrows at an onslaught of spiders and spirits who have invaded a night forest clearing. You can tell the developers were trying to recreate a simple game from a simpler time in gaming. It’s available to download on Wii U.
Star Trek: The Boardgame Generation – Episode one
Posted on September 27th, 2016 by
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Star Trek franchise, “Trek-ifiying” things is rampant and the world of boardgaming is no exception. While there are probably Star Trek versions of Monopoly, Risk, and Trivial Pursuit, I intend to take a look at Star Trek versions of games popular with boardgame hobbyists. These games, sometimes called Eurogames (since they are popular in Europe) or designer boardgames (as the game designers are recognized for their efforts just like authors or directors) are popular as they emphasize player interaction and minimize luck and player elimination.
George of the Jungle: Owie Owie (iOS, Android)
Posted on September 26th, 2016 by
I’m a big fan of Jay Ward Studios, and I even used to know someone who worked there. So what is Jay Ward Studios? Well they made a pretty well-known cartoon called Rocky and Bullwinkle. They also did a lot of animated advertising, and created a pretty popular cereal character. You may not remember Quisp and Quake, but you might recall a certain seafaring gentleman known as Cap’n Crunch. Another cartoon they did back in the day was George of the Jungle. Despite having two dopey live action movies and a lousy animated remake, George still has one of the catchiest theme songs on TV. So when I read about a George of the Jungle free-to-play downloadable game on iOS and Android (reviewed on iPad here), I was mildly curious.
Reader Review: Style Savvy: Fashion Forward (3DS)
Posted on September 23rd, 2016 by
Style Savvy is a fashion designer video game published by Nintendo. The newest entry in the series, Fashion Forward, was recently released on 3DS. Ali Capasso, a good friend of mine and also an accomplished elementary school teacher, reviewed this game for me. She’s also the wife of Leroy Capasso, another very good friend of mine who has written reviews here for me before. Anyway, Ali is a huge fan of the Style Savvy games, so you’ll definitely want to click here to read her review!
Kubo: A Samurai Quest (iOS, Google Play)
Posted on September 21st, 2016 by
I’m a big fan of stop motion and clay animation. In fact, I even took a class on it once and now I have lots more respect for the folks who do that kind of stuff for movies and whatnot. Which is why I keep my eye out on what Laika does. Laika is a studio which has made stop motion movies such as Caroline, ParaNorman, and Boxtrolls. Their newest feature, Kubo and the Two Strings, takes elements form Japanese folklore and while the plot is a bit predictable, it’s still fun and visually stunning. Sadly, the mobile game tie-in, Kubo: A Samurai Quest, is yet another match-three puzzler, but I had to take a look at it anyway out of curiosity. It’s available free-to-play on iOS and Google Play, but reviewed on iPad here.
Fancy Cats (iOS, Amazon, Google Play)
Posted on September 19th, 2016 by
If you enjoy feeding and dressing up virtual pet cats by playing a match-three puzzle game, then Fancy Cats is for you! It’s a free-to-play mobile title (reviewed on iPad here). There are two parts to this game. You keep your cats in a garden where you can dress and feed them with various items you’ve earned by playing match-three puzzle missions in the square.
Gleam: Last Light (iOS, Android)
Posted on September 14th, 2016 by
In the future, the last plant on Earth struggles to stay alive, but it needs sunlight. Unfortunately, the plant is at the bottom of a crystal-filled chasm, and the only way to it to obtain some sun is if the crystals reflect the light to it. In this free-to-play downloadable game, you must slice crystals on the touch screen so the angles will reflect the light so it reaches the plant. But it’s harder than it sounds! Gleam: Last Light is available for iOS and Android devices, but reviewed on iPad here.
Eraser (iOS, Android)
Posted on September 12th, 2016 by
A man who was toiling hard on a blueprint drawing has fallen asleep on his work, and now he dreams that he’s in the blueprint, running away from a giant red marker out to get him! Help him get to the end of each page by tapping on the screen to erase objects on the blueprint to clear a safe path in this physics-based puzzler. It’s available to download for free on iOS and Android devices, but reviewed on iPad here.
Flying Slime (iOS)
Posted on September 7th, 2016 by
Play as a slime creature as you fling sticky tentacles around and swing about a cavernous forest landscape. Make it to the end and grab a shiny thing to complete the level. It’s available to download for about three bucks on the App store (reviewed on iPad here).
