Plants vs. Zombies sprouts and shuffles onto the Apple iPhone Feb. 15
Filed under: Tower Defense
If it seems as though Popcap Games marvelous cute and inventive take on the tower defense genre, Plants vs. Zombies, has been in the works for the iPhone/iPod touch for a long, long time, it has – the game was first announced in last August. Although Popcap Games didn’t make its “late 2009″ window, I can forgive the kindly team of casual gaming gurus because the trailer for the upcoming Apple port looks really, really good (and they know how to thoroughly rock a Halloween parade).
Judging by Popcap Games’ video, the winning gameplay looks in tact, but I wonder how the multi-touch will be implemented (which has, unfortunately, added a cumbersome elements to many good iPhone/iPod touch titles). Still, the prospect of playing Plants vs. Zombies on the Apple iPad’s slick 9.7-inch display sounds quite delicious, especially on long flights or road trips, if you happen to think the tweener device is worthy the dough.
Interview: Anthony De Sa Ferreira, Business Development Director, Golgoth Studio
2D ain’t dead – - not by a long shot. Games such as Mega Man 10, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom prove that the art is still viable in the age of open worlds and polygon-counting. French developer Golgoth Studio is currently contributing to the 2D renaissance with its first title, Toki, a remake of an old Amiga side-scroller. We spoke with Anthony De Sa Ferreira, business development director, Golgoth Studio about his company’s plan for 2D gaming.
Golgoth Studio is a relatively new development team. Please tell us a bit about your company’s background.
Golgoth Studio started to exist in my mind sometime in June 2008 after a meeting with Philippe Dessoly in regards of his great skill in 2D arts. At this time, I just lost my job and wished to work in the game industry. I’ve played since I was a little boy; I’m really what people call a hardcore gamer. But as I said often, play with games and make one that is completely different!
So when I started to talk with Philippe about Golgoth Studio, he was very excited and me too, of course. In 2008, it was the beginning of the retro gaming wave on digital platforms. As our studio was absolutely unknown to first-party companies or gamers, our wish was to start making remakes but really good remakes! Keeping old school spirit!
So after many days of searching what games could represent the picture we’d like to give, we agreed on Toki. I was a fan of this game when I was a child, and Philippe was the lead designer on the Amiga version. So, it was natural for us to chose it. We started to find new members for our team and finally today we are seven of us–six guys, one girl.
Realview V-Screen turns 2D PSP games to 3D
Although it’s been out since January, it’s worth it to note that Realview’s V-Screen can turn all your 2D PSP games into a 3D experience. It works by enhancing perceived depth of field in the graphics to give you something that will pop out more as opposed to looking flat.
This sounds similar to how modern day cinematography works in that your foreground can be more in focus and your background and mid-ground be out of focus and therefore a bit harder to see. However, I haven’t actually seen a demo of the product in action, but we just got one in the house so we’ll let you know howthe visuals play out in coming days.
Realview especially recommends the $39.99 V-Screen for racing games when you’re on the track and trying to tear it up. 2D NSFW content with this screen may be really something to check out (not that we condone such action, heh).
Bloggers critique Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 1 gameplay footage (updated!)
Last week, Project Needlemouse was revealed to be Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 1, SEGA’s attempt to bring the blue blazer back to his 2D, side-scrolling roots. With the announcement came an accompanying video that showcased a snippet of in-game footage, which prompted cheers and jeers across the gamingverse. We reached out to a number of our blogging friends to get their opinions on the much-anticipated titles – - here are their reactions.
Daniel Lloyd, The BBPS
While I’m excited and think this is finally a step in the right direction for both SEGA and Sonic, the episodic feature has me just a little worried/curious. It could be nothing, only time will tell. But that aside, count me in as a believer in Sonic’s return.
Torrence Davis, The Bitbag
It’s about fucking time. That’s all I gotta say. Back to the roots.
Kerry Murray, Clodhop
With the popularity of such games as Street Fighter IV, New Super Mario Bros., and Bionic Commando: Rearmed it proves possible there is still room for 2D sequels in the current market’s generation. SEGA will hopefully follow the recipe for success, which seems to be “Stay true to the original”.
I have to honestly say that the promo video is a very wise first step in winning back Sonic fans. SEGA openly acknowledges in the video that this game will be a direct sequel and in the same style as the first three. If you’ve been longing for a return to the same formula that first made Sonic a household name, the wait is over.
Blaster Master: Overdrive coming to WiiWare tomorrow
Filed under: Action
Talk about a blast from the past! Hyuk hyuk.
Blaster Master: Overdrive, a sequel/update to the NES classic, appeared out of nowhere over the weekend and better yet, it will be available this Monday on WiiWare for 1000 points!! Gosh, if only every game’s release date came within 48 hours of its announcement.
Like the original, Blaster Master: Overdrive blends 2D side-scrolling shooting and platforming with overhead action. Though screenshots are blurry, Blaster Master: Overdrive resembles a late-era SNES game, so y’know, it looks awesome. We can all thank Sunsoft and Victor Ireland’s Gaijinworks for this lovely surprise.
[Hat tip: Destructoid]
TimeWasters: Civilization Wars
Filed under: Strategy
TimeWasters highlights many of the excellent Web-based/lightweight downloadable titles that you can dive into within the space of a lunch break. This week, Chris Gampat explores Civilization Wars.
If there is something better than ancient little people trying to kill other ancient little people as in Civilization Wars, then it had better be a free version of Total War. Otherwise, this is a pretty damned good game. It even saves your progress on your computer. If you’re bored at work or languishing through another day of unemployment hoping for the economy to recover, then you’ll probably want to check this out.
New NBA Jam screenshot reveals a photo-realistic 2D look (besides the huge, huge heads)
Filed under: Sports
’90s favorite NBA Jam makes its long-awaited return as a semi-photorealistic 2D update for the Wii. Judging by the screenshots it looks it will honor the original since big heads and flagrant pushing appear to come back. Hopefully a playable Bill Clinton, nets on fire and oodles of secret codes come back too! With series creator Mark Turmell providing input on the new game perhaps this modern NBA Jam can cut the mustard. With a flaming knife. Or something.
Project Needlemouse becomes Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
[Updated with video!]
This morning at 3AM Eastern Time, GameSpot in conjunction with Sega answered the prayers of an entire generation who grew up during the halcyon days of the Genesis. No more stupid sidekicks, we cried. No more dull treasure hunting, no more disjointed gameplay, no more awful camera to constantly wrestle with. No more werehogs.
Taking a cue from Mega Man 9 and the hallowed niche it carved, Sega’s taking Sonic back to his 2D roots. Project Needlemouse has been revealed, and it is Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, a direct sequel to Sonic 3 & Knuckles. To paraphrase Jaleel White’s now YouTube-Pooped into senselessness cartoon version of the blue guy, we’ve been waaaaiitiiiiing.
Hands-On with Sonic & SEGA All-Stars: SEGA digs deep into its roster and strikes racing gold
When it comes to racing games, I like mine of the arcade variety. I don’t want to tinker with gears, I don’t want to worry about acquiring licenses; I simply want roaring engines, insane jumps, crazy power slides, wacky characters, and, if possible, inane weapons that you can use to take out cocky foes that think they have their positions on lock.
Nintendo’s Mario Kart pioneered this genre on the SNES , which led to the eventual cavalcade of cute racers that rode the gamut from “inspired” to “damn, they didn’t even try to hide the rip off.” But occasionally a “kart racer” comes along with copious amounts of unadulterated fun and a compelling universe of its own, that it stands on its on four wheels and shines bright. Such is Sonic & SEGA All-Stars.
Virtual Vox Pop: Are you hyped for The Behemoth’s Battleblock Theater?
When it comes to weaving 2D video game magic, very few indies or majors do it with such passion and love as The Behemoth. Starting with the run-and-gun shooting of Alien Hominid, and pushing forward to the new-classic Castle Crashers, the California-based dev team has given fans plenty of wacky action, and eye-catchingly cute characters and environments. Now, The Behemoth is back with its third title, Battleblock Theater.
Not much is known about the game other than what news was released last year – - it will be competitive multi-player game in the mold of Super Smash Bros. that this writer thinks looks positively bad ass. Like past hits, Battleblock Theater is XBLA bound; no word on PSN or WiiWare.
So I turn this over to you, dear reader. Do you think The Behemoth can strike gold one more time with Battleblock Theater?
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Recent Posts
- Plants vs. Zombies sprouts and shuffles onto the Apple iPhone Feb. 15
- Interview: Anthony De Sa Ferreira, Business Development Director, Golgoth Studio
- Realview V-Screen turns 2D PSP games to 3D
- Bloggers critique Sonic the Hedgehog: Episode 1 gameplay footage (updated!)
- Blaster Master: Overdrive coming to WiiWare tomorrow
- TimeWasters: Civilization Wars
- New NBA Jam screenshot reveals a photo-realistic 2D look (besides the huge, huge heads)
- Project Needlemouse becomes Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1
- Hands-On with Sonic & SEGA All-Stars: SEGA digs deep into its roster and strikes racing gold
- Virtual Vox Pop: Are you hyped for The Behemoth’s Battleblock Theater?
