Humble Indie Bundle 11 (Update)

Update, February 25th

Three more games (and two soundtracks) have been added to the bundle if you beat the average ($4.63 as of this writing):

  • Fez [PC] [pay above average to unlock, soundtrack included]
    Released: May 1, 2013 by Trapdoor
    Metascore: 91

  • Starseed Pilgrim [PC] [pay above average to unlock, soundtrack included]
    Released: Apr 16, 2013 by Droqen
    Metascore: 83

  • Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians [PC] [pay above average to unlock]
    Released: Aug 6, 2013 by Reverb
    Metascore: 75

Beatbuddy has music by Parov Stellar? Um… Yes, please! (Sadly, no soundtrack included.) One week left to pick it up!

Continue reading “Humble Indie Bundle 11 (Update)” »

Humble Indie Bundle 10 (Update)

Update, January 20th

Three more games (and two soundtracks) have been added to the bundle if you beat the average ($5.38 as of this writing):

  • Hoard [PC] [pay above average to unlock]
    Released: Apr 4, 2011 by Big Sandwich Games, Inc.
    Metascore: 65

  • Strike Suit Zero [PC] [+soundtrack, pay above average to unlock]
    Released: Jan 23, 2013 by Born Ready Games
    Metascore: 65

  • Toki Tori 2 + [PC] [+soundtrack, pay above average to unlock]
    Released: Jul 11, 2013 by Two Tribes
    Metascore: 76

I’ve played quite a bit of multiplayer HOARD on PS3 (great for 3 player) and Toki Tori 2+ on WiiU. Recommend both.

This bundle is only available for another 13 hours.

Continue reading “Humble Indie Bundle 10 (Update)” »

Next Gen Ads: Confident and Mysterious VS Informative

Sony’s leading the next-gen console charge with the PS4 on November 15th. Microsoft will follow with XBox One a week later, on November 22nd. Their marketing departments are, no doubt, firing on all cylinders.

PS4

XBox One

They’re both enjoyable and notably similar: a montage of high-budget, live action, game-related scenes strung together with a music track. But Microsoft’s is a much better commercial because it uses an extra 30 seconds and actually shows people using the console in new ways and shows game footage. Sony’s commercial could be for any console, any set of games, movie, or anything – it simply ends with “Greatness Awaits,” a release date and the PS4 logo. Confident, sure, but not informative at all to the average consumer.

Humble Indie Bundle 9 (Update)

Update, September 18th

Four more games (and soundtracks!) have been added to the bundle if you beat the average ($4.67 as of this writing):

  • LIMBO (soundtrack included) [pay above average to unlock]
    Released: Aug 2, 2011 by PLAYDEAD
    Metascore: 88

  • Bastion (soundtrack included) [pay above average to unlock]
    Released: Aug 16, 2011 by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
    Metascore: 86

  • Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken (soundtrack included) [pay above average to unlock]
    Released: Oct 15, 2012 by Ratloop Asia Pte Ltd
    Metascore: 74
    Mac and Linux debut!

  • A Virus Named TOM (soundtrack included) [pay above average to unlock]
    Released: Aug 1, 2012 by Misfits Attic
    Metascore: 65
    Mac and Linux debut!

You have a week left to take advantage of this bundle.

Continue reading “Humble Indie Bundle 9 (Update)” »

E3 2013 Impressions and XBox 180

First of all, there were many great looking cross-platform titles, and even cross-generation.

Metal Gear Solid 5

Battlefield 4, Dragon Age 3, Rayman Legends, The Division, Watchdogs, Destiny, Witcher 3, Dark Souls 2

I already wrote about exclusives by the first parties: Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo.

My take-away message is that XBox One will have lots of great games, but PS4 will be $100 cheaper and have a lot of its own great games Continue reading “E3 2013 Impressions and XBox 180” »

Nintendo E3 2013

Nintendo didn’t have the standard E3 press conference, but had a pre-recorded Nintendo Direct video and game demos at the show. 3rd party support appears to be recoiling from Wii U development, but I’ll be honest, I want pretty much every Nintendo game they showcased. And while I’m being honest, full disclosure, I’m a bit of a Nintendo fanboy.

Nintendo showed all the games they said they would and had one new game reveal, but lets go through these chronologically.

Continue reading “Nintendo E3 2013” »

Sony E3 2013

Sony’s conference started kind of slowly and generally had much more talking than was necessary. They finally revealed the appearance of the PlayStation 4 console, a modern looking, slanted box; not nearly as large as the XBox One and it can be placed vertically – I like it. There weren’t nearly as many games as in the Microsoft conference. A new game, The Order: 1886 was teased; a Victorian Steam-punk setting with …werewolves? Yes, please. inFAMOUS Second Son looks good and I’m sure Killzone: Shadow Fall will be a competent and pretty shooter and Knack looks decent. But nothing I saw made me think I must have “Next Gen” on day one (though that remains a strong possibility, regardless).

At one point, Sony had a bunch of indie developers each on their own piece of stage playing their game. It’s always great to see love for the little guys. The games that stood out to me were Mercenary Kings, Octodad: Dadliest Catch, Outlast, and Galak-Z. And, of course, Transistor.

Sony’s big announcement, ironically, wasn’t games or the form factor of their new system, but Continue reading “Sony E3 2013” »

Microsoft E3 2013

Microsoft started things out exactly how they said they would: games. Lots of games for the XBox One were shown, many exclusive (thanks to deep pockets), and many look very promising. It was a really strong showing overall, but I was particularly impressed with Titanfall.

I also have a soft spot for Killer Instinct, and both Quantum Break and Project Spark look intriguing.

The XBox One will be available in November for $499. The high price point was expected as the new, more powerful Kinect is included. It would be interesting to learn if Microsoft is selling units at a loss and how much of one.

Microsoft didn’t comment further on their controversial online requirements, which makes them all the more likely to be set in stone.

You Need The Humble Indie Bundle V

That is a fact. The Humble Indie Bundle V is an amazing package. For a minimum of about $8, you get these games:

  • Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (Soundtrack included)
    Metascore 85
    Retro-looking forward-thinking point-and-click. It appears to be a very digestible length (few hours?), has great audio, ensures the impatient won’t get frustrated, and may even bring a smile to your face. 🙂

  • LIMBO (Soundtrack included)
    Metascore 88
    You are a rather helpless young boy who can jump and grab things. Dark atmospheric puzzler. Very dark. Death is the discovery mechanic.

  • Continue reading “You Need The Humble Indie Bundle V” »

E3 2012 Day 2 – Nintendo

Nintendo’s conference wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t amazing, either.  And I was really wanting it to be amazing.  It was dedicated almost entirely to Wii U, with 3DS receiving an honorable mention. A full 3DS software showcase is planned for the the following day (today, actually). More videos and information can be found at e3.nintendo.com.

Highlights