DIT game news
Dublin Institute of Technology are looking at running the first
computer science degree course with a specialisation in games in the
Dublin area, and also host the ‘cgames’ conference later this year. For
more visit Gamedevelopers.ie.
Games talk in DCU tomorrow
Tony Kelly of Torc Interactive, and the IGDA Ireland is to give a public talk in Dublin City University tomorrow, Tuesday, February 28, 2006.
The DCU Game Society hosts the talk ‘the Games Industry’ as part of Red Brick’s
Tech Week. It is to take place in the Seminar Room upstairs in the Hub
at DCU Glasnevin, Dublin 9. The event is open to the public. Screen shot of Torc’s Dreadnought playable tech demo made for AMD.
REVIEW: Call of Cthulhu Dark Corners of the Earth
Developer: Headfirst | Publisher: 2K (Take Two) | Format: Xbox
Reviewer: Craig Gallagher Capturing
the immense feeling made by the mixture of fantasy, and horror that was
H P Lovecraft’s trademark couldn’t have been easy. Dark Corners of the Earth
does an amazing job. The hostile locals, the decaying buildings, the
constant sense of dread — it all helps keep you permanently on edge
in this dark fictional 1920s.
If like myself, you spent many a dark night immersed in the macabre
world of H P Lovecraft then you will have no doubt been awaiting this
often-delayed release, for, dare I say, aeons.
With a lack of on-screen information, this title follows the recent
trend of not using a HUD (head-up display). The health system follows
an older trend; you apply sutures and take painkiller injections
instead of health packs.
But despite all this the game soon descends into repetitive stealth and
gunplay. The strong narrative just about saves the game. If only the
developers had gone down the less trodden path, and delivered a truly
original game.
It won’t appeal to all, in the same way Lovecraft’s writings won’t. The
game’s mood and feel should be enough to reward his fans.
A PS2 version of this game with the same developer and publisher as
listed above is set for release in ‘Spring 2006′. Meanwhile, Ubisoft’s
current release list includes a listing simply for ‘Call of Cthulhu’ in
March for PC. An industry only site states the developer Headfirst has
also planned Call of Cthulhu games subtitled ‘Beyond the Mountains of
Madness’ (Xbox, PC), Destiny’s End (PC), and ‘Tainted Legacy’ with no
listed format or release date.
REVIEW: Ico
Developer: SCE | Publisher: SCE | Format: PS2
the release of Shadows of Colossus, Sony has decided to give gamers
another chance at Ico. This is great news for everyone due to the fact
that the game is one of the most amazing games in the history of gaming.
The story is brilliantly simple (more
sweeping statements, please — Ed). Ico is barely 12 years old when he’s
taken to the local castle for the evil crime of being born with horns
on his head. Here he meets Yorda, a white clothed damsel in need of
rescuing. The two of them set out to escape the castle.
From the start, Ico knows that he is in possession of something
special. There are no health bars, or weapon status bars on screen.
There is no tutorial meaning if you want to do something all you have
to do is experiment with the controls.
Ico must protect Yorda at all times, as only together will they escape.
At the start, she seems uninterested and spends much time daydreaming
but as the game progresses she starts to help solve puzzles.
As you traverse the gaming environment, you will come across some sights that nearly five years later still amaze.
GameCon 8 venue change
GameCon 8 has changed venue, it is now to take place in the Citywest Hotel - the venue of some past Game Con events.
A statment form the organisers reads “We are very sorry for any
inconvenience the change of venue may cause and will of course offer a
full refund to any pre-pay customers who cannot attend due to the venue
change”, adding that “Other then that start time is the same 9pm (2100)
on Friday 24th to 9am on Sunday”.
REVIEW: Kameo: Elements of Power
Developer: Rare | Publisher: Microsoft | Format: Xbox 360
Reviewer: Craig Gallagher Does
the world really need another mediocre third person adventure game? Do
we not have enough of them to keep even the most obsessive adventurer
gamer happy? Early speculation placed Kameo up there with classics like
Fable. So does it deliver, or is it just another one in a long line of
over hyped mediocre titles?
Starting off well, directly in the action, there’s no beginners level
or tutorial, just you against the hordes of enemy’s blocking your
ascension of the castle walls behind which your imprisoned family await.
You do this by morphing into a number of differentiate creatures which
wouldn’t be out of place in a Never Ending Story film. After the
initial battle your evil sister steals your morphing abilities and its
here that the game really starts. To rescue your family you must first
recover all your old abilities as well as gain a few new ones.
What follows is the usual quest driven, search and discover adventure
game. But Kameo does it with so much charm and fun that it’s difficult
not to get sucked in. Nothing really original here, but that never
distracts from the sheer amount of playability and fun on offer.
REVIEW: Jak X (Combat Racing)
Developer: Naughty Dog | Publisher: SCE | Format: PS2
Reviewer: Craig Gallagher Any
serious platform gamer will be familiar with the Jax series, a trio of
outstanding free-roaming platform games that truly redefined how the
genre should be judged. Unfortunately that legacy has little to do with
Jax X - a kart racing spin off, rather then a sequel.
The game does strive for some depth through the story that is told
through the series trademark quality cut scenes and quality dialogue.
But the most important question is what’s the racing like?… it’s a
spin off of Jax 3’s superb beach buggy sections, and like all racing
games these days, your car can be maxed out cosmetically and under the
hood.
The key to winning races is through the usage of power ups. In Jax
there is only four varieties green for health, blue for boost, red for
defence, and yellow for offence - and yes they all pack one hell of a
Big Bada Boom. The power up system is a progressive one, so, one yellow
will get you a machine gun, but three will get you rockets. So it’s
best to think strategically.
The races are intense, high-speed affairs that will thrill anyone
with a pulse. But where this game really comes into its own is
multiplayer. Live was designed for games like this.
X is nowhere near as polished or enjoyable as the other Jak games,
and as a result feels a bit like the relation you ignore at family
gatherings.
REVIEW: Darkwatch
Developer: High Moon Studios | Publisher: Ubisoft | Format: PS2, Xbox
Reviewer: Craig Gallagher The owners of blood soaked masterpieces such as Resident
Evil, Devil May Cry, and Onimusha, can now add another notch to there horror
classics gaming collection, with the release of High Moon Studios’ Darkwatch,
another blood soaked first person shooter. Darkwatch is somewhat similar to an
idea I once had for my horror film opus.
The year is 1876, and you are Jericho Cross, an outlaw who
unwittingly unleashes Lazarus, the vampire king. In return, he gives
you the gift of immortality and you set out to vanquish his demon
minions. Your first meal is your trusty steed, Shadow who returns from
the dead as your unholy, undead companion and mount. You are also
joined by Darkwatcher Cassidy Sharp - at one stage you must choose
whether to feed on her, which is one of the games many morality choices
which determines whether you are truly good or evil.
This is a bloody, beautiful, fantastically gory adventure that puts
almost every FPS of 2005 to shame. The only draw back is that it is
ultimately too short and that only Xbox owners are able to play
on-line. Though PS2 users do get an extra level and weapon, which goes
some way to rectifying this.
Darkwatch is easily one of the most enjoyable games of last year,
and while it may be short there’s more ideas and fun contained in it
to justify buying it.
Darkwatch is developed by High Moon Studios, and published by Ubisoft in PAL territories and by Capcom in North America.
REVIEW: Namco Museum Battle Collection
Developer: Namco | Publisher: Namco | Format: PSP
Reviewer: Craig Gallagher It’s
hard to dispute the historical value of the games collected in Namco
Museum Battle Collection. Games like Pac Man, Dig Dug, Galaxian and
Rally-X. Put into context this is where it all began, it began with
these games.
On the other hand, many of the games collected here are over 20
years old and they feel it. There’s a couple of pimped up remakes with
the added novelty of WiFi multiplayer modes thrown in for good measure
but not one of the 20 games offered here warrants anything more than a
single play.
There are better versions of almost every game here available free
on the internet or even in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’s arcade
machines. So, you may as well leave this title on game store shelves.
REVIEW: Sly 3: Honour Among Thieves
Developer: Sucker Punch | Publisher: Sony | Format: PS2
Jax gone kart racing mad, and Ratchet now concentrating on guns, it’s
time for a new platform prince. It’s time for Sly to stand atop the
pedestal.
Sly succeeds on every level imaginable. There’s some many ideas
contained in the game that it isn’t possible to mention them all here.
The gameplay is ever changing and it’s impossible to get bored due to
the simple fact that you never know what you’re going to be doing next.
Platforming, shooting, stealth, flying, racing, and an abundance of
characters each with their own special skill. You will keep playing,
just to see what happens next.
The main addition to the Sly formula is the gimmick of the 3D
sections which utilize the dignity sapping glasses that come bundled
with the game. These sections feel like a gimmick when compared with
the rest of the game. But with the rip roaring plot and the promise of
something new just around the corner you never dwell on it.