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I imagine a fair number of people were of the "oh great, another Star Wars card game" opinion when Star Wars: Assault Team was announced, and I can't say I blame them. But while it does make use of a few unfortunate monetization techniques, it's actually not a bad time. In fact, it's kind of clever. As with most Star Wars games these days, Assault Team just can't seem to avoid using notable characters from the movies. On the one hand, as a fan of the franchise, I think it's about time to start exploring the expanded universe a bit more (or even create new characters entirely). But on the other, I can see why LucasArts would want to stick with the names most of the general public will be familiar with. |
As modern games get tougher, greyer, and grittier, we can count on Korean-made role-playing games to get cuter. Hello Hero, a free-to-play social RPG by Fincon, might be the most adorable game to exist up to this point thanks to its myriad recruitable monsters. The ability to sway baddies onto your side makes Hello Hero a fun game to settle into for a while, though character growth can be excruciatingly slow if you're not willing to pay for it. |
An invasive, shadowy substance known only as "the Blight" is creeping its way across the universe. One research vessel, outfitted with a mostly-naked Gekkian scientist, a random equipment generator, and an endless supply of clone explorers, has set out to understand and stop the Blight before it completely takes over. A nearby planet, shattered after a long-dead explosion, is putting off a Blight-resistant signal. Your assignment, as clones one-through-infinity, is to survey the planet, seek out the signal, and deal with any other bizarre challenges sent your way. There will be plenty. |
Crytek made a mobile game. If you don't know why that's significant, it's because Crytek is known for graphically rich console/PC games like Far Cry and Crysis, and just the thought that its CryEngine technology was coming to small screens in the tactical action game The Collectables sounds like one of those "so crazy it just might work" ideas. It's an admirable debut effort; one that suggests you could see more from Crytek on your smartphone or tablet going forward. Since I've never been one to shy away from the obvious, let's start there: The Collectables is one sharp-looking title. Dapper even, if you can use that word for a video game. From the first time the chopper drops off your team of mercenaries until the last (of many) bullets is fired, there's nothing but superbly rendered characters and backgrounds and buttery smooth animations. |
The problem with breaking windows is that you can only do it once. The second your projectile hits the pane with its shattering kiss, you have to cheese it or else risk getting caught by cops, guard dogs, or some guy that keeps his gun handy. There's never enough time to admire your handiwork. Smash Hit by Mediocre is a first-person shooting / throwing game that really lets you absorb the sights, sounds, and sheer pleasure of shattering glass. You can do it over and over - in fact, you must do it over and over if you want to survive - and the sensation never gets old. |
Mines of Mars is a genre-bending journey to the Red Planet that starts off like a cross between Minecraft and Metroid, but slowly morphs into something far triguing. It could stand a little more polish, but even with the occasional bump in the road, it's the kind of thing I can see myself playing for a long, long time to come. Mines of Mars describes itself as a "procedural atmospheric mining game" inspired by games like Metroid and Motherload. It actually gives off a rather dark sci-fi adventure vibe at first, as the cinematic opening follows a grizzled miner forced to take work on Mars for reasons unknown. But things take a turn for the lighter following a rough landing on the planet, as he - that is, you - makes contact with the oddball commander of the Mars mining installation and a peppy robot who's eager to please. |
Love Midnight Castle, but wish you could take it on the go? Good news, Big Fishers - Big Fish Games has just confirmed with Gamezebo that their popular free-to-play hidden object game is heading to the iPad this Thursday. It's an interesting twist, when you think about it. Previous free-to-play titles from Big Fish, like Found and Dark Manor, have started life on iOS, only to make their way to the main site later, after they've had some time to prove themselves. With Midnight Castle, they've turned that formula on its head. And it seems to be working, too: a Big Fish Games representative told us that the game's PC players are averaging 70 minutes in game per day. And if it counts for anything, after the clock strikes 12 tonight. |