Spore: What is it?

There's been talk about a new game out, brought to the computer gaming world by Electronic Arts and Maxis called Spore. The game allows you to create not just a character, like many other online games have you do, but the entire society and planet of the race that character comes from. You build one creature, and watch it grow, and evolve, and create a society.

You can expand in the universe as well, allowing yourself to meet other players and interact with them right away.

I downloaded the trial for the creature creator, and trust me, that alone is hours of entertainment to see what different creature types you can create.

Check the game out, if it's anything like the trial for the creator, and just as much fun, then it's completely worth it. And while you're at it, take a gander at my creations.



And, to see some of these little guys in action, just take a look at this.



Until next time...

...keep 'em flyin'!

Buildin'

One of the joys of gaming happens to be the building that comes along with it. In many games, you can create your own content, and add a bit of your own flavour to the world you play a game in. One such game is Neverwinter Nights from Bioware. Based on the pen and paper game, Dungeons and Dragons, Neverwinter Nights is set in a fantasy world. There is a single player campaign, plus you can go online to find what are called persistent worlds. These are servers that are constantly up, and constantly maintained. I currently play on one called Legacy of the North. It's a nice server with a decent population of players.

And I am on the building team.

I take a bit of pride in the things I build. Each thing that is added to the server is seen by the players, and I can sit back and say "hey, I made that, and people really like it." So it is true with the current area I finished. I like making social areas where players can gather to just talk. And I've currently finished a halfling village. Think of the Shire from Lord of the Rings. Filled with little people, it's a fun little place to go and have fun.

For me, building happens to be a relaxing past time, and an enjoyable hobby. It's a digital way of making model railroads and villages.

Until I find the one ring...

...keep 'em flyin'.

Guild Wars Dance Party

The fun with videos continues. Except this time, I've started posting it up on YouTube. I decided to take a few of my characters from Guild Wars and do a compilation dance routine with them, just to show off their moves. The game itself is fun, and one I'd recommend for anyone who wants to get involved in an MMORPG (massive multiplayer online role playing game for the uninitiated). The biggest selling point is the fact that it doesn't cost a monthly fee.

More fun with wallpaper

Made using screenshots from the game Guild Wars, a couple of character creations. Enjoy.

Hittin' the Ice

Yesterday I started off something with reviews on the all famous (maybe not yet) Bargain Basement Games. We're into September now, and the talk is all about NHL Training Camp. Not only is the NHL ready to strap on the skates and get back on the ice, so is the ever reliable EA Sports. The new edition of NHL for your video console system has come out with NHL 2K8. With it, they are touting all new graphics, all new moves, all new everything. I took a look at a few of the videos and it does look crisp, the perfect game for those days when there's no hockey on TV. I'm sure that NHL 2K8 will have the usual features to it, play head to head, or build your own team of players and play and entire season of hockey.

As has been the case with EA Sports and NHL 2K series, one player from the NHL is featured on the box artwork. And this year's edition is no different. Jason Spezza of the Ottawa Senators has his chance to grace the artwork this time around.

I've still got my old copy of NHL 2K3, still love playing it. Then again, I also have the early Need for Speed series. Those may just come up in a bargain games review at some point.

Until then...

Keep 'em flyin'!

Bargain Basement Games!

Okay, stop right there. I'm not selling any.

A few years ago, on another web site which will remain nameless, I tried my hand at this endeavor. A review of bargain basement games. You know, those gems you find in bargain bunks, or yard sales or even auctions that go for ten dollars or less. Over the years, I've found a few.

With the emergence of the MMO (massive multiplayer online) type of game, there is one that fits into this category that can also fit into this review. Guild Wars. Unlike other MMOs, Guild Wars manages to join huge numbers of people together in a virtual gaming world of high fantasy without the high cost of a monthly fee to play. Don't get me wrong, I love playing City of Heroes (another game from the same developer, NCSoft), but I also love money in my bank account. If you don't have a credit card, don't worry. Instead of the monthly fee, just pay for two-month game cards. Prepaid time, for about eight bucks more than it would cost if you used a credit card.

As of late, I have been looking for that MMO style of game, and something that harkens back to days of getting together with friends for some time invading a dungeon or two (smattered with discussions about work, the big game and what movies are coming out). Guild Wars gives some of that. It has a relatively easy control system to use and incredible graphics on top of that. And, most importantly, no monthly fee.

Yes, the developer is coming out with an expansion at the rate of one every six months. At 50 bucks a pop, that's about equal to paying for six months worth of online play in City of Heroes or World of Warcraft. But the really great thing is, you don't need the other expansions to play online with Guild Wars. No monthly fee after you buy the game.

The playability is quite nice. Once you start, you are always getting new quests and new areas to go to in the game, so it does have a lot of replay value. One thing as of late that I have found playing a game like City of Heroes, things tend to get boring after a while. The same content, time after time, with every character you can create. And you can create a bunch. Twelve per server in City of Heroes. Guild Wars has one server, four character slots. That might not be much, but it's enough for the casual gamer. The one who sits down for an hour or two of play before going to bed.

Visually, the game is stunningly beautiful. The nice thing is, with machines being made now, you can play this game quite well. I have a desktop machine that is a little slower than most current machines and it runs it fine. My laptop also runs the game quite well, with hardly any lag (video lag) problems at all.

Guild Wars is a relatively new game, so you might wonder why it's in a review of this type, with games for less than 10 dollars. Well, a friend of mine, Pike (who also has a blog that you can read at paperhatpirate.blogspot.com) went to an auction this past weekend (please read post at previously mentioned blog). After he got home and got in touch with me, the discussion of how the auction went began. And it was pretty much as I expected. Some games went cheap, some furniture went cheap, and three to four year old computers went for 50 bucks more than what they should have. The price for Guild Wars: 10 bucks, 20 for two copies. I love happy endings.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'.