Review: Bejeweled Twist (DS)
I’m of fairly certain mind that no video game developer wants their product associated with drugs (well, at least publicly), but Popcap’s Bejeweled series, in its many incarnations, has been my equivalent of digital crack. The most recent addiction has been Bejeweled Blitz which has devoured the vast majority of may Facebook time. Forget friends, forget updating the status; there’s not much social networking going on when all you can eat, sleep, and breathe is matching colored shapes.
So when Bejeweled Twist was announced, I was naturally curious. Bejeweled Blitz, after all, is my favorite puzzle game of all time–how could Bejeweled Twist compare? It turns out that it’s remarkably solid, although I still prefer the intense pressure cooker structure of Bejeweled Blitz.
Plants vs. Zombies sprouts and shuffles onto the Apple iPhone Feb. 15
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.
Best 2D Puzzle/Strategy/Tower Defense Game Of 2009: Plants vs. Zombies
Irresistible. There isn’t much other way to describe Popcap Games’ Plants vs. Zombies, an addictive and infinitely charming take on the tower defense genre. Instead of planes, tanks, mechs, or other miscellaneous items, the title demands that you defend a suburban home from a zombie invasion using the flora that you plant in your lawn. Plants! If it all sounds a hair bizarre, it is, but in the absolutely best way possible. Fun and addictive, Plants vs. Zombies deserves a place in the collection of any armchair strategist.
Plants vs. Zombies At The NYC Halloween Parade; Goth Gaming Geeks Rejoice
photo courtesy of the official Plants vs. Zombies Facebook fan oage
When one thinks of the city that I call home, typically the Yankees, Broadway, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Coney Island, and a dozen other landmarks and locales comes to mind, but the Big Apple also throws one heck of a Halloween party; absolutely killer if I were to draw from the well of fairly obvious puns.
If you were fortunate enough to be in the New York City this past October 31st, you would have witnessed several wild and wacky outfits that would’ve caused laughter, repulsion, and admiration (sometimes from the same get up) as angels, demons, sexy police officers, and large men dressed as Little Bo Beep shimmied through the West Village. It was all par for the course, really.
What is unusual, however, is for a video game company to act as an in-parade sponsor, which is exactly what Popcap Games did with its Plants vs. Zombies troupe. Popcap Games assembled a motley crew of Halloween revelers (including myself and Examiner’s Gracie Leach who chatted it up with a Popcap Games rep as well as a member of the undead) that either donned the worker bee garb of the Temp Zombie, or the insanely cute visage of one of the many in-game plants. And it was awesome.
Popcap Releases Its First Hidden Object Game For Mac: Escape Rosecliff Island
Hidden object games is a genre that, frankly, sounds boring and perhaps a hair tedious until you give one a go. My first entry into the genre was Dream Day Wedding, a game that totally tanked a weekend as I became obsessed with finding all of the items cleverly blended into the beautiful backgrounds. It was far more passive experience than, say, playing a beat ‘em up, but the level of engagement was far greater.
Popcap looks to contribute to the underappreciated genre with Escape Rosecliff Island, the company’s first game of this type for the Mac. After an unexpected storm has left you shipwrecked on a mysterious private island, and you’ll need to find hidden objects and solve puzzles to escape. Popcap has included 2,100 concealed objects in 25 locations, plus five different types of mini-game puzzles and numerous clues that will lead you to safety.
Jump over to Popcap Game’s website to download a free trial version, for purchase it outright for a cool $20.
Minimum System Requirements
- Mac OS X 10.4.11
- 1.66-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
- 512MB RAM
- Internet connection to register the game
Bits and Bytes: 8/30/2009
Bits and Bytes is a weekly round up of some of the more interesting gaming news items that happened to slip through the cracks during our normal posting schedule. They’re presented here in easily-digestible bite-size chunks. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for more 2D gaming commentary.
Poppin’ Online
Just after a week after announcing that Plants vs. Zombies will be headed to XBLA, Popcap Games has revealed that Peggle Nights is also a-comin’. It’s not just a straight port; Popcap has added 60 new challenges, online multi-player modes, and many other goodies.
Bits and Bytes: 8/23/2009
Bits and Bytes is a weekly round up of some of the more interesting gaming news items that happened to slip through the cracks during our normal posting schedule. They’re presented here in easily-digestible bite-size chunks. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for more 2D gaming commentary.
Virtual Insanity?
Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue is considered one the most untouchable jazz albums ever recorded, but some intrepid chiptunes makers have taken it upon themselves to cover it with Kind of Bloop: An 8-bit Tribute to Miles Davis. This isn’t your typical nerd-remake; Andy Baio paid royalties, paid artists, and pressed discs to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the beloved album, low-fi style.
Popcap Games Invades the iPhone and iPod touch
Plants vs. Zombies is currently the pinnacle of Popcap Games’ success; it is their fastest selling downloadable title, after all. If you’ve been waiting for this copious amount of awesome to hit the handheld market, you’re in luck: Plants vs. Zombies will be available in the Apps Store before the end of the year.
I-play Brings the Hip Hop to the iPhone and iPod touch
Think of it has DJ Hero for Apple’s handhelds. Hip Hop All Star, the latest in the growing rap rhythm game genre, features original tracks from such notable DJs and rappers as Busta Rhymes, Greg Nice, Kool G Rap, Unk, DJ Eclipse, DJ Serafin, and DJ Eddie James. Players must tap notes in rhythm with the music and scratch the t-t-t-turntables. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Multi-player modes lets digital waxmaster battle their boys wirelessly, while downloadable songs and Facebook connectivity spikes the punch.
Bits and Bytes: 7/26/2009
Bits and Bytes is a weekly round up of some of the more interesting gaming news items that happened to slip through the cracks during our normal posting schedule. They’re presented here in easily-digestible bite-size chunks.
8-bit Hash Pipe
Like chiptunes? Like Weezer? Pterodactyl Squad mixed chocolate with peanut butter to create Weezer – The 8-bit Album, a 14-track record covering the band’s hits with an old school computer sound.
The Legend Lives On
Konami announced that it’s partnered with Universal Music Enterprises to bring the sounds of The Jackson 5 to the multi-platform Karoake Revolution. Wannabe crooners can belt out classics such as “I’ll Be There” and “ABC.” R.I.P., Mike.
Zombies Invade Xbox Live Arcade
Popcap Games’ monster tower defense game, Plants vs. Zombies, has been confirmed as being ported to XBLA. No word yet on extras/achievements. [Hat tip: Videogamepreview]
I’m in Your PS3, Crashin’ Yo Castlez
Castle Crashers, the Xbox Live Arcade surprise hit is a-comin’ to the PlayStation 3, with the possibility of new features. [Hat tip: Offworld]
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