There was a time when flash games were limited to simple point and click fests that were made to moreso pass the time than actually be enjoyable.  To keep data transfers to a minimum, early flash programmers used graphics that were simplified and were strickly suited for a time when most Internet users were forced to use telephones as their way to the Net.  From these humble beginnings a whole slew of fully realized experiences have been spawned all over the Internet.  No longer are programmers limited to simple interactivity or early Nintendo NES era graphics but are able to fully realize their ideas within a medium that can be limiting but has a breadth that allows for creavitivity.  As proof of this look at the former flash games that can be found on Xbox Live Arcade, the Playstation Store, and Wii Ware.

One Stop Shop

By no means am I saying that all the games out there are works of gaming genius ready for primetime, and in fact many are  a downright chore to play through.  But that’s why there’s sites like Kongregate.com that take the guest work out of finding the creme de la creme of flash games.  One of the biggest draws that Kongregate has is the fact that it has a community that’s a couple thousand strong and growing with just as many games in it’s library to peruse through.  It is free to join the community with the option of “tipping” those developers you feel deserve some monetary reward for their efforts.

Kommunity Focused

I specifically said community because that’s what Kong really is.  It is a community of gamers that enjoy playing games and the site is specifically made to cater to this.  Game developers playing alongside the players each shooting ideas off of each other to one simple end, making better games.  Alongside every game window there’s also a chat window that can be game specific or one that you become a regular in.  I believe all this interactivity allows for a real community to be formed rather than the chaos that can be found in any online console multiplayer lobby. There’s also a level system that has you earning poitns for commenting, rating, playing, and completing challenges within games.  This may seem like a gimmick but it also has the benefit of incentivizing being a part of the kong kommunity which can only enrich the experience for everyone else.

Kreativity Galore

Kongregate has games for just about every taste with a catalogue that expands on a daily basis.  You’ll find everything from shooters, to side scrolling action games, to puzzle games, and even a couple RTS games.  Just as long as you’re not expecting mind blowing graphics: you’ll be treated to a pleasant experience each and every time you spend some time within Kongregate’s walls.  Also, if you’re interested there’s lessons on how to start making your own flash games located right on the spot.  Also monthly sweepstakes for prized as well as a monthly contest awarding the time new games uploaded for the month.  Do I really have to keep typing or are you finally checking out Kongregate for yourself’?

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Now that I’ve had some time with the demo I can happily say that the game is every bit as cute and addictive as Peggle or Bookworm Adventures were.  PopCap games has a way of taking tried and true concepts from specific genres and distilling them until they become deceptively simple with layers of strategy for those that care to delve deep enough.  Plants Vs. Zombies may not revolutionize the tower defense genre but it does provide a highly polished experience that is saturated with the charm associated with the PopCap name.  Waves of varied zombies take turns assaulting your lawn and it is up to you to plant various plant types in an effort to stop their evil plans.

The first few sections had me casually clicking my pea shooters and sunflowers to stave off the zombie horde but the difficulty quickly amped forcing me to act with a more deliberate plan of action.  I loved the fact that PopCap took the time to make both the plant and zombie side of the fight to have as varied casts as possible.  Rather than taking the easy way out of just making harder to kill zombies the player is treated to a inventive mix of characters that will get a chuckle the first time you’re faced with them.

I find it hard to review games from PopCap because of one simple fact…they’re fun.  I have a specific part of my gaming heart dedicated to games that are a joy to play and Plants vs. Zombies is that and then some.  Thanks PopCap for once again creating a game that procrastination from all work like activities.

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The Resident Evil 5 demo that was released a few months back had me feeling a bit wary of what the final product would look/play like.  Now after quite a few playthroughs with the retail copy I’m happy to say that the control problems from the demo are not deal breaks after some time with the game.  The levels are set up so that they provide the player with the utmost excitement without ever letting the “tank-like” control scheme become too much of a hindrance.

Two To Tango

As with any activity. having someone to play with is where Resident Evil 5 truly shines.  While the single player game does allow you to play along side an AI partner having someone sit down on the couch with you or play with online is where the real fun starts.  Staying ahead of the zombies becomes a breeze when you have another human to play along side.  It can be quite satisfying to plan strategies with a partner when facing off against one of the game’s many larger-than-life enemies.

Plain ole’ Dumb Fun

I’m sure there are many die hard fans of the Resident Evil franchise that will love the small throw backs to the series’ prior installments but when it came to me it seemed more like a summer blockbuster action movie plot rather than anything to pay attention to.  While this may be a negative point to some, I feel it’s a perfectly acceptable video game equivalent to a popcorn flick plot that’s just meant as a backdrop for the action that’s happening on screen.

But Wait There’s More…

What really caught me off guard was the fact that there was such a robust end game that was unlocked once you completed the campaign the first time.  There’s money and XP to gather that is utlized to upgrade weapons and to purchase bonus items like costumes, unlimited ammo, and 3d figurines of all the characters in the game.  Along with those features you’re also able to play the Mercenaries mode which puts you and your AI or human controlled partner against waves of infected creatures.

Resident Evil 5 provides an experience that is well worth any of the frustration you may come across while attempting to learn the control scheme.  The variety in locales throughout the game provide a backdrop that keeps the stop and pop pace of the from getting to monotonous.  I’d recommend the game to anyone looking for an exciting experience that is a blast to share with friends.

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As soon as I fired up Peggle Nights I was transported back to the first time I got my hands on the original Peggle.  I had no idea what to expect when I picked up Peggle for the first time and was surprised when my eyes were treated to a cacophony of pastel colored animals all vying to “out-cute” the other.  There was so much about the aesthetic that would have ordinarily turned me off immediately but my love of gaming overruled my machismo laden first reaction and I powered through the first game like a champ.  The simple yet deep game grasped my attention and did not let go until I was privy to each and every one of the Peggle Master’s powers.

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

I am quite glad that Peggle Nights doesn’t mess around too much with what the original game provided when it came to gameplay.  The game is still played very much like a game of pachinko where your ball starts at the top of a level and falls down hitting pegs that eventually are removed from the level.  Your only real goal is to hit all of the orange pegs in the level to progress while racking up points on your way to doing so.  To spice things up a bit you’re also given the ability to use special powers that each of the Peggle Masters possess that can aid you in beating each of the levels.  These powers can range from a Super Guide ability that allows you to see how your ball will bounce when first shot to the eerily accurate Zen Ball power that maximizes any shot you make so you can rack up an even higher score.  The sequel has added the help of a new Peggle Master by the name of Marina who’s power  uses a hefty dose of electricity to help you shock the pegs into submission.

Deceptively Simple

After playing hours of the original and now a few more hours of the sequel I can appreciate the campyness of the Peggle Series and ahve come to view it as one of the integral part of the games.  Simply put, Peggle exudes pure fun out of every corner of the experience it provides.  You’re rewarded visually with little cues that let you know something “awesome” has happened when really all you did was click a single button in the direction you felt would hit the most pegs and hope for the best.  Out of this simplicity sprouts actual strategy that works its way into your shots before you realize it’s happening.  You haven’t experience real fun until you’ve had  “Ode To Joy” blaring from your speakers while a technicolor-ed array of random explosions, phrases, and point totalling that makes you feel like you’ve just solved the meaning of life rather than just shooting a ball at a couple of pegs.

Yes, I sound like I’ve drank some sinister brain washing kool-aid supplied by the folks at PopCap but anyone that’s played the game can attest to the fact that this game is addictive.  Hours can be sunk into just playing through the main story mode and infinitely more if you factor in the challenge modes or perfecting your scores in completed levels.  Both Peggle and Peggle Nights are great games that will immediately pull in anyone willing to give the game five minutes of their time.

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I’m in no way saying that Prince of Persia is not a game worth picking up.  There is quite a lot about the game that is worth the price of admission.  The art style alone will have you stopping to enjoy the vistas that can be found throughout the game.  Couple the grand scale of the environments with the  over saturated color scheme that the world is painted in and you’ll feel like you’re in a kid’s storybook come to life.

Both the wall running parkour elements and combat are simplified allowing for you to feel like a “badass” with a few button pressed at your leisure.  This can both be a blessing and a curse throughout the game due to you never really feeling like you’re in control of the princes actions on screen.  The autopilot-ness of this control scheme had my prince jumping off walls when me not pressing a single button was the correct way to go about the section.  Unfortunately this can also lull you into a sense of laid back ness causing way too many stupid deaths  because you were not alert enough to make your jump at the right time.  But thankfully any mistake that is made is quickly reversed by your companion Elika and her nifty acrobatic magic.

My only real problem with Prince of Persia is that once you’ve been through the first trek through a “corrupted land” with it’s subsequent boss fight there is not really much change to that formula within the dozen or so more times you’ll be repeating that process.  It’s a damn shame that there’s not more variety within the game because I’d have to say that I truly did enjoy the game at certain parts but the sum of it all had me wishing for a few grains of time so I could fast forward past the rinse and repeat sections of the game.  I’d say the prince’s latest romp is worth picking up for a play through but be prepared for some slight frustration between the stretches of entertainment it can provide.

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Never have I felt as on edge while playing a game as during my late night play sessions with Dead Space.  EA’s Dead Space was originally a game that was under my radar due to the simple fact that it was surrounded by so many top tier games when it was first released during holiday season of last year.  I had vowed to eventually bring it back to the forefront and I’m thankful that I did because it has blow me away from start to finish.

With a generic name like Dead Space one would think that this is simply another space marine FPS game cast from the same mold as Halo 3 and Gears of War 2.  But you’d be sadly mistaken if you were to make that assumption because Dead Space’s world has more in common with Bioshock than either of those two games.  Both Bioshock and Dead Space adhere to an eerie ambiance that permeates every moment of the player’s experience.  Whether it’s the story or the world itself you’re immersed in a experience rather than playing through one like you would in the former two games.

Survival Horror Done Right

In Dead Space you’re put in the shoes boots of a ship engineer (glorified custodian) named Issac that is tasked with slowly activating the various areas of a huge ship that you’re currently stuck on.  Along the way you uncover a huge conspiracy that may or may not be the cause of the ghastly creatures hellbent on throwing a wrench into your plans.  Since you’re an engineer you’re equipped with weapons that are pretty much futuristic tools that work perfectly to lop the lim

bs off of your would be assailants.  You will also be outfitted in a suit that can be upgraded and has the handy features of being able to pick up items using a telekinesis type power and slowing down enemies or machines (which sorta kinda makes sense in weird way while dealing with the huge engines on a spaceship).

Dead Space achieves what many survival horror games attempt to and that’s the simple act of being scary.  It does so by making sure the player is as immersed as possible in the game by limiting the amount game-yness that can be experienced at any given time.  Your health, power, and ammo can all be seen just by looking at your character.  All your in-game menus are also shown in teh form of a holographic display that appears in front of your character but only has depth when you look at it the hologram is paper-thin if you rotate the camera around your character which is a really slick effect.  You’re also constantly surrounded by moans and groans as you move throughout the levels which keeps you on edge even as you’re sitting in a room that’s obviously empty.

There’s not much else I can say about the game really.  It’s a fantastic ride that can be predictable at some points but utterly satisfying during others.  I loved the fact that about a quarter of the way into the game I had learned to hold up my gun whenever entering rooms which saved me being caught off guard like I suffered through the early parts of the game.  My constant vigil only helped immerse me into the game and made the experience all the more enjoyable.  I’d suggest Dead Space to anyone that is looking for a truly satisfying action horror game, also I’d suggest checking out the animated movie they released in tandem with this because there’s a lot of back story that may not be a necessity to enjoying Dead Space but does help flesh out the story.

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I may be in the minority but I played the original Gears of War strictly for the single player experience (Coop Campaign included).  Whenever I attempted to take my play online I was constantly met with players that were far superior and would be able to 1 hit kill me without me getting a single bit of enjoyment out of the experience.  The single player though was a nonstop thrill ride that was just pure dumb fun to play through that got way too much criticism because of it’s balls to the wall ridiculous story.

Gears of War 2 ups the ante in ways that absolutely had my jaw dropping as I moved through the single player campaign.  In many ways the game feels like you’re playing the original but I soon realized that this was not a bad thing.  I instantly fell back into the stop and pop state of mind needed to play the game.

Bigger Badder More Bad Ass (Actual lead designer quote, thank you Cliff!)

There’s no time wasted when it comes to dropping you into the action in Gears of War 2.  You’re almost immediately put through events that far surpass any of the firefights you experienced within the original Gears of War.  You’ll be poised with fights against creatures that were bosses in the original game yet are mere side enemies whose only purpose is fodder for your turret gun. Brumaks, Corpsers and hundreds of Locusts surround you at all times and this happens within minutes of starting the game.

The game continues to move you through dynamic environments that range from underground caverns to wasted cityscapes.  There’s even a level plays like an old 2D action sidescroller game (ala Contra) that takes place inside a huge creature with all the blood, viscera, and muscles shown with almost nauseating realism.  Your adventure also leads you underground to the Locust’s (main baddies in the game) home turf where you duke it out with literally hundreds of their kind.  Yes there is a lot that is reminiscent of the original but there’s certain sections that are gorgeous to look at which can be a headache when you’re caught off guard by an enemy that’s caught you sightseeing.

I’m sure that I’m not the only gamer out there that felt the original Gears of War’s story was a bit laughable and its sequel sometimes follows in its footsteps. This doesn’t meant that the game is devoid of worthwhile story arches but these sometimes truly dramatic sections are  juxtaposed to expletive laden action sections that are littered with great one liners like, “We’re gonna whup your mamma’s ass. Whoo-!”  If you’re willing to take it at face value you’ll soon see that Gears of War 2 provides you with exactly what you would want in a summer action movie and that’s a simple story line that has just enough realism strewn through  to ground the outrageousness that the rest of the ride gives you.

Multiplayer

While the Gears of War matches are for the most part the same but there’s two modes that I’ve played the most since I purchased the game a few months ago.  Those two were Meatflag and Horde modes.  In Meatflag you play a game that is Epic‘s version of Capture the Flag and basically plops a living person as the flag and each team is attempting to dispatch and carry this “meatflag” to their side of the map, this mode can be fun but eventually can get tiresome.  The real part of multiplayer that has legs is the Horde mode which  puts you gets against waves of enemies that get progressively harder.  These two modes alone are what have made the Gears of War 2 multiplayer far superior to the original game’s by far.

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I truly can’t remember the last time I’ve even attempted to play a “Flight Simulation” game (possibly Top Gun for the NES?).  Thankfully Tom Clancy‘s HAWX seems to be a solid attempt by Ubisoft to provide a more accessible dogfight experience.  At first glance HAWX is barely indistingusable from any Ace Combat game but perhaps having the Tom Clancy name attached to the property might allow for a deeper story driven experience.

The maneuverability of the planes within the game is absolutely amazing.  I remember how frustrating it was to control planes in other flight simulation games because they adhered a bit too much reality causing me to repeatedly to crash when performing my awesome Maverick-like moves.  Yes, I crashed a few times within the HAWX demo but that was only because I continuously pushed the limits of my plane by flying feet above the ground while taking out the baddies for no reason other than seeing if I could.

I’m hoping the game itself has a bit more variety than the demo because I was already feeling fatique after the 30 or so enemies the demo has you take out during the first mission.  Whether or not there’s a reason the Tom Clancy license was tapped for this game remains to be seen.  But it may provide an interesting story arch if you’re providing air support for the Ghost Recon, GRAW, or Rainbow Six teams.  I was writing this game off as just being another way to milk to Tom Clancy license but after playing the game for a bit I’ve warmed up to it and I’m looking forward to getting a nice and long play session with the final product when it’s released.

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Real Time Strategy games have had quite the difficult time attempting to come over to consoles.  I’m not sure if it’s the constant moving around the battlefield that is the difficult thing to compensate for due to the limiting controller on consoles or whether there are too many commands and too little button real estate.  From what I’ve seen of Halo Wars it seems to be a solid attempt by Ensemble Studios (unfortunately closed prior to releasing the game) to focus the overall feel of an RTS into a tighter package that may outrage the hardcore but in a lot of ways is a more streamlined experience because of the changes.

One of the major places Halo Wars moves away from its RTS brethren is restricting the player in where they can build bases.  Yes this can be limiting in some ways but at the same time it is good to know that whenever I need to I can quickly get to my base and start cranking out units at will rather than searching around to see exactly where I placed my barracks.  I think the fact that you’re also limited on how many buildings you can make around your home base only adds another layer of strategy to the game.

The control scheme can get some getting used to but draws a lot of parralells to the Command and Conquer 3 and the Battle for Middle Earth II games that came out for Xbox 360 awhile back.  Halo Wars is simplified enough that it allows you to bypass the minutia that was originally associated with using controllers with RTS games and allows you to enjoy the pure dumb fun of sending your troops to attack the enemy.  The one major problem I noticed is the fact you couldn’t group certain squads together to better attack situations from multiple sides.  I’m not sure if this will become a greater problem when faced with the full game but as of right now in the demo it seems to be a deficiency that can be a headache at first be serviceable.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the Halo Wars demo.  My feelings of the game went from a title that I was slightly interested in because it was based on the Halo universe to one that I’m really looking forward to getting a copy into my hands.  Halo Wars doesn’t seem to reinvent the RTS wheel with it’s mechanics but it does provides you with an experience specifically geared towards consoles and should be judged solely on that fact rather than how “dumbed down” it is compared to PC RTS games.

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The Cartoon Network animated series Afro Samurai has arrived onto the console scene in the form of a action game for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.  The game plays very much like the PS2 era Shinobi games rather than either of the Ninja Gaiden games.  While the Ninja Gaiden games can be satisfying when you master them the ease of both Shinobi and Afro Samurai allow you to use your sword and focused attacks to destroy your enemies while still being able to have a good time.  It’s befitting that Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role from the animated series because you definitely feel like one badass motherfu(ok you get the idea) when playing the Afro Samurai Game.

It’s almost like poetry in motion when you get into a rhythm while fighting the hordes of ninjas and thugs you’re put against in the Afro Samurai demo.  The art style is shaded almost like a graphic novel and has super saturated colors that make the gushes of blood that come out of your enemies look like the old kung fu movies from the 70s.  The simple yet deep controls make moving through the environments a fluid dance as you hop from one enemy to another.

The Afro Samurai demo does a great job of showing how visceral of an experience the game can be and stops at a climatic moment leaving you wanting more.  I was curious about this title prior to getting my hands on the Xbox 360 demo and now that I’ve had a taste I definitely plan to get my hands on a retail copy to see how the full Afro Samurai adventure plays out.

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