Friday, October 21, 2011

Bellum Gothicum Orchestra - "Amor Vincit"

Earlier this year I featured the band 'Bellum Gothicum Orchestra'  here on my blog. They are an amazing band with a very unique sound. The band was kind enough to send me an autographed CD by airmail which I have greatly enjoyed listening to. Recently they released another music video of their song 'Amor Vincit'. It was one of my favorites from the CD, and I would like to take the time to share it with you ...

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Techno Chopper (XBLIG): "A Simple Prismatic Chopper Survival Game"

There is actually a method to my madness when it comes to my requesting of XBLIG/XBLA games for review. For the most part I look to see if the game offers a solid gameplay experience. I also tend to go by how visually impressive the game appears to be. On rare occassions I will overlook the visuals, because the gameplay itself looks really impressive. Techno Chopper attracted me with it's visual style as well as the score based gameplay that it offered. I'm definitely drawn to games that are based on high scores due to my very competitive gaming nature. I immediately sent 'GZ Storm' my request (the developer behind this unique game) in hopes of securing it for review. I was glad that they allowed me to review the game, because I thought it looked like something my readers would be interested in knowing about.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Antipole (XBLIG): "A 2D Side-Scrolling Anti-Gravity Adventure"

I always consider myself fortunate, and lucky when a developer contacts me about reviewing their game. It dosen't matter how big, or small the game might be. It's always a nice treat for me, and it let's me know (as I've mentioned before) that I'm doing something right with my reviews. This time around it was 'Saturnine Games' that sent me an email request. In the email they asked me to review their latest XBLIG title 'Antipole'. I wasn't really sure what the game was about, but I was glad that the developer requested me to review it. I ended up playing through 'Antipole' this morning, and it took a little over two hours to complete. For a small indie game it definitely offered quite a challenge with it's anti-gravity concept. It also had an extra mode of play besides the main mode (Challenge Mode). In my playthrough I encountered many unique puzzles, and gameplay concepts that I haven't seen in a 2D side-scroller before.

Dungeon Defenders (XBLA): "A Tower Defense & RPG Hybrid Gaming Experience"

I did a lot of research before I set out on my quest to get the review code for Trendy Entertainment's new XBLA release 'Dungeon Defenders'. Initially I was quite impressed with what I witnessed from watching the 'Dungeon Defenders' trailers, and developer diaries videos. I knew I had to get this game for review, so that my reader's would be well informed as to what the game's experience is like. I also wanted to see for myself how this game compared/differed from other RPG hybrids. I have to honestly say that I was thrilled when Trendy Entertainment's PR sent me two review codes, so that I could experience the multiplayer with someone else that I knew. Often times I find myself missing out on the multiplayer experience, because I have no one to share it with. Thankfully Trendy Ent. realized that the reviewers (such as myself) needed to play their game as it was meant to be played, in multiplayer/LIVE.

Dungeon Defenders (XBLA): LIVE With @CherryRasulka

The developer (Trendy Ent.) of this unique/amazing tower defense hybrid game (Dungeon Defenders) gave me not one, but two review codes. The reason behind this was that the guys/gals at Trendy Ent. felt that it was necessary for me to be able to experience the entire game as it was meant to be experienced. Dungeon Defenders offers the gamer a solid single player/multiplayer gaming experience, but in the end I found that the game was truly meant to be enjoyed with someone else. My someone else (the reciever of the 2nd review code) just so happened to be my good friend @CherryRasulka from Twitter. Her, and her husband have both shared a previous online gaming experience with me, so I knew she would be the perfect teammate for the job. She has agreed to do an interview with me which I thought was quite nice. What follows is a series of questions, and answers between me and @CherryRasulka about her time with 'dungeon Defenders' ...

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Pinball FX2 (XBLA): "Sorcerer's Lair"

Zen Studios, the developers of the Pinball FX2 series have added yet another amazing creation to their pinball table library. This newest table which is appropriately titled 'Sorcerer's Lair' delivers awesome pinball action with more interactive parts/missions than the previous tables. There are many different ways to score points as you take on the role of Jake, and Amanda (A Brother & Sister Duo) along with their ghostly friend Whisper as they try to outsmart the evil sorcerer. The table itself takes place at a magical Citadel that is haunted by various apparitions, and otherworldly creatures. It is up to you (Jake, Amanda, Whisper) to withstand all of the sorcerer's attacks, and beat him at his own game.