hirn → internet

I’m not exactly a fan of what modern technology has meant for video games most of the time. With improved hardware capabilities always came graphics that tried to push the boundaries between the virtual and reality, while at the same time not quite getting there yet. Sure, it can work out real nice and a couple of genres really lend themselves quite well to photo-realistic graphics, like sports or racing games. However, I’m not always interested in reproducing what I can find outside on my screen at home. If I’m sitting in front of a games console, I want to be entertained with something unique nobody ever has thought of. Not an easy task of course. But I’m always happy if there is this one game every once in a while that breaks the usual conventions and starts doing something different with the visual potential that is inherent to the medium.

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I think it’s time for a new list of (mostly upcoming) games that are worth a closer look. Since I was able to get most of the games in my previous list, I’ve added a whole bunch of new games I’m interested in. Maybe there’s something in for you, as well. This time it’s complete with gameplay videos, yay!

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I did some digging today, saving old CD-ROMs by copying them to harddisk. Then I made an astonishing discovery - not only did I still have a backup of my second oldest homepage, but also of a couple of “games” I created when I was 14 or 15. Hilarity ensued. I’d like to present some of the, er - “gems” I created over 10 years ago in this article.

The first such “project” I’d like to show you is actually not a Click & Create game, but was programmed by nufan (with whom I later founded our demogroup skp) in Delphi if I remember correctly. It was called Outworld Apocalypse, and the story revolved around a character called “J.C” who crash lands on an alien jungle planet. Well, the game never really went anywhere, although I still have a prototype with clickable buttons and all. My “contribution” to the game were the ugly interface buttons and logo you see in the screenshot, as well as the website and manual. After the jump, you’ll be treated to even more astonishing creations!

Observe the state-of-the-art Photoshop filters I applied to those buttons!

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I re-activated my Mobygames account a couple of weeks ago and decided to add a list of my favourite games to my profile page there. It’s hard choosing only a couple of them, but here’s a list and my reasons why I included them, in no particular order. Maybe you’ll discover something new or have some good memories of some of the games.

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So I was able to play a couple of rounds of Boom Blox yesterday. First results: my arms hurt. Well, I guess I’m just not used to physical activity, the same thing happened to me the first days after playing Wii Sports back when I got the console. Boom Blox has several modes of play, one of them involves throwing baseballs and bowling balls at the towers of blocks in front of you. I may exaggerate the motion a little too much, but I kept getting weak in one arm, then changed to the other until that one hurt, changing back again and so forth. With the result of a hangover in both arms. I guess I should work out some more.

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Here’s a list of games I’m planning to get this year, in no particular order.

• Smash Bros Brawl (Wii) - I’ve never really played a SB game. (Insert rant about the as of yet unpublished European release date here)
• Mario Kart Wii (err, Wii) - I’ve never really played a MK game. (ducks)
• No More Heroes (Wii) - The reviews I read were not very favourable. I really liked Killer 7 (although I never even got to the 2nd disc) though, so I feel like supporting the developers.
• Odin Sphere (PS2) - I’m not entirely sure what kind of game it is anyway. It’s just another case where I want to buy a game just to support the developers, see above. This time because it’s all 2D.
• flOw (PS3) -I was highly addicted to the Flash version. It seriously is one of the main reasons for me to get a PS3 someday, along with that other downloadable game. You know, the shmup with the guitar sounds? Can’t remember the title.
• Spore (PC) - I’m not sure if it’s going to be a fun game. I hear people talk about it being overhyped. This may very well be. I still want to have it.
• Lost Odyssey (X360) - RPGs are everything but my favourite genre, but I doubt I can resist a game requiring four DVDs for very long, that’s massive.
• GTA IV (X360) - You know, I’m not such a big fan of all the crime and violence portrayed in the GTA games. But what I really liked about the previous installments was the free-roam aspect. I’d just like to have a game where I can cruise around the town and country, possibly obeying traffic laws. Yes, I am a very boring person. However, I’m not alone on this, as evidenced in a recent Kotaku article I can’t find anymore right now.
• Raiden IV (X360) - Well, shmups are my favourite genre. I hope this is going to be released in Europe, because I doubt I’ll be buying an Asian Xbox just for one game.
• 1942: Joint Strike (X360) - It’s a shmup. Also, I really liked the original 1942, despite being a very repetitive arcade game. There was a time when I was having a highscore battle with a friend of mine and we were pushing each other to achieve a new score each time. It’s a very manly honour thing. I still should have the screenshot with my highscore around somewhere on the net, can’t find it right now though. It was only somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 though.

I’m pretty sure there are more games I’d like to get, I might add them later.