20140829:
Today my sister and I played a game of Mario Party. It's been a while since we've played it. In fact it's been so long that we practiced every mini-game once before playing.
We played for 20 turns against two normal AI and with bonus stars. In the end, my sister won with five stars. 5:48PM PT
The cool part was that we were playing in a (rental) van on the way to Arizona. The rear passenger seats had a standard power outlet as well as standard composite video / stereo audio inputs.
Mario Party 7 (GCN) (2005)
Relevant Links:
Mario Party 7 (GCN) (MetaCritic.com)
Mario Party 7 (IGN.com)
Mario Party 7 (Wikipedia.org)
Friday, August 29, 2014
Monday, August 11, 2014
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! (PC) (2014)
Overview: Aces Wild is a brawler. There is no story (at least none that I'm aware of), just pure action. Levels consist of interactive stage elements (such as breakable platforms) and a dynamic camera (zooms in and out of the stage to capture all players and enemies, similar to Smash Bros.).
The fighting mechanic is simple (no complicated button combinations), yet can be rewarding if well-understood. For some perspective, Smash Bros. also has simple fighting mechanics with the potential for complex gameplay. In contrast, Ultra Street Fighter IV has both complex mechanics and complex gameplay.
Recommendation:
The first thing I noticed about Aces Wild is that it looks cool. Dashing around, attacking enemies, and even taking damage is visually pleasing. While sometimes the number of enemies on the screen felt overwhelming, it was an issue that diminished the more I played.
On a related note, the camera sometimes zooms out to keep all the players and enemies in the frame. While this didn't bother me so much, my friend Josh disliked the feature.
Having only played the game for less than an hour, I can only say that I see the potential for Aces Wild to be a fun game. Setting aside the two-player controller setup (see details below), Aces Wild is also good if you're looking for a co-op game.
If you're into brawlers and fighting games, then you should consider looking into Aces Wild.
20140810:
Today I tried to get two controllers working with the game, but I didn't have any luck. As such, my friend and I decided to play 8-Bit Commando (2011).
[20150120 Edit]
20140811:
Today I gave the controller set-up another try. Wanting to see what the controls are, I went into the control configuration and accidentally changed them instead. Unfortunately, these controls are linked to the menu navigation.
Problem: Unknown/erroneous control configuration.
Solution: Find the 'controls.awx' file and delete it.
Reason: The game will recreate the file with the default controls.
As far as the controller set-up is concerned, apparently the game allows the second controller when in the character select, but fails to show in the 'Set Controls' page. How sad.
In any case, Josh and I completed two levels in about forty minutes, stopped there, took a break, and started playing Shank (PC) (2010).
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! (PC) (2014)
Relevant Links:
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! Webpage
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! (Steam Store Page)
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! (PC) (MetaCritic.com)
The fighting mechanic is simple (no complicated button combinations), yet can be rewarding if well-understood. For some perspective, Smash Bros. also has simple fighting mechanics with the potential for complex gameplay. In contrast, Ultra Street Fighter IV has both complex mechanics and complex gameplay.
Recommendation:
The first thing I noticed about Aces Wild is that it looks cool. Dashing around, attacking enemies, and even taking damage is visually pleasing. While sometimes the number of enemies on the screen felt overwhelming, it was an issue that diminished the more I played.
On a related note, the camera sometimes zooms out to keep all the players and enemies in the frame. While this didn't bother me so much, my friend Josh disliked the feature.
Having only played the game for less than an hour, I can only say that I see the potential for Aces Wild to be a fun game. Setting aside the two-player controller setup (see details below), Aces Wild is also good if you're looking for a co-op game.
If you're into brawlers and fighting games, then you should consider looking into Aces Wild.
20140810:
Today I tried to get two controllers working with the game, but I didn't have any luck. As such, my friend and I decided to play 8-Bit Commando (2011).
[20150120 Edit]
20140811:
Today I gave the controller set-up another try. Wanting to see what the controls are, I went into the control configuration and accidentally changed them instead. Unfortunately, these controls are linked to the menu navigation.
Problem: Unknown/erroneous control configuration.
Solution: Find the 'controls.awx' file and delete it.
Reason: The game will recreate the file with the default controls.
C: > Program Files > Steam > steamapps > common >
Aces Wild > Content > Data > controls.awx
Aces Wild > Content > Data > controls.awx
As far as the controller set-up is concerned, apparently the game allows the second controller when in the character select, but fails to show in the 'Set Controls' page. How sad.
In any case, Josh and I completed two levels in about forty minutes, stopped there, took a break, and started playing Shank (PC) (2010).
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! (PC) (2014)
Relevant Links:
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! Webpage
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! (Steam Store Page)
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! (PC) (MetaCritic.com)
Sunday, August 10, 2014
8-Bit Commando (PC) (2011)
20140810:
A 2D platform shooter delivered with retro graphics and feel, 8-Bit Commando is difficult, a bit buggy, and fun.
Elaborating a bit, the game is only difficult with respect to its controls which resemble those of older games in this genre (e.g., Contra).
As for the bugs, at one point in the game, either my friend or myself had our player character stuck to a part of the level and our only option was to reset our progress. Thankfully the levels are short and restarting was not a big deal.
The only other bugs I remember at the moment were more on the level of responsiveness, where we expected certain things to happen and the game seemed to behave inconsistently to our actions.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the experience of playing 8-Bit Commando today and I will surely play it again sometime, both on my own and with a friend.
Settings:
To get the game to recognize my controllers, I set them both to use x-input and made sure they were using the D-pad. I also made a change to settings.ini:
[20141005]
8-Bit Commando
Relevant Links:
8-Bit Commando (2DEngine Website)
8-Bit Commando (Steam Store Page)
8-Bit commando (Desura Page)
A 2D platform shooter delivered with retro graphics and feel, 8-Bit Commando is difficult, a bit buggy, and fun.
Elaborating a bit, the game is only difficult with respect to its controls which resemble those of older games in this genre (e.g., Contra).
As for the bugs, at one point in the game, either my friend or myself had our player character stuck to a part of the level and our only option was to reset our progress. Thankfully the levels are short and restarting was not a big deal.
The only other bugs I remember at the moment were more on the level of responsiveness, where we expected certain things to happen and the game seemed to behave inconsistently to our actions.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the experience of playing 8-Bit Commando today and I will surely play it again sometime, both on my own and with a friend.
Settings:
To get the game to recognize my controllers, I set them both to use x-input and made sure they were using the D-pad. I also made a change to settings.ini:
[video]
plugin=Plugins\AgenDX9.dll
[audio]
plugin=Plugins\AgenDS8.dll
[input]
plugin=Plugins\AgenDI9.dll <-- Changed an 8 to a 9
use_windows_mouse=no
use_windows_keyboard=no
[20141005]
8-Bit Commando
Relevant Links:
8-Bit Commando (2DEngine Website)
8-Bit Commando (Steam Store Page)
8-Bit commando (Desura Page)
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Nidhogg (PC) (2014)
Overview: Nidhogg is a 2D fencing game where your goal is to get to your end of the stage before your opponent gets to his/her end. With each stage made up of several segments, advance by outwitting your opponent and/or by killing him/her. Of course, while killing an opponent will allow you to advance closer towards your end, your opponent will shortly respawn so plan accordingly!
Recommendation:
As a friend of mine pointed out, Nidhogg suffers from a limited number of stages (four).
While some game options can be tweaked to provide some variety, it may not qualify paying the game's $14.99 price tag. In fact, one might even be reserved about paying $3.75 (75% off) for it.
With that being said, the core gameplay and fighting mechanics is quite complex and enjoyable. In particular, the number of strategies that one can use are countless.
If then, one considers the pure dueling aspect of the game, then perhaps the limited number of stages is unimportant. To further illustrate this point, we don't really complain about the lack of stages when it comes to other sports such as soccer, football, or basketball.* In particular, sport fencing is conducted along a linear strip.
*The one sport that does arguably have different stages is baseball. Baseball parks only have to adhere to regulations for specific parts of the field.
In the end, I personally think this game is worth grabbing for $3.75 or under, though anything in between $3.75 and $15 is questionable.
[20150206]
20140805:
Steam Achievements:
10:09PM COMEBACK KID
20140815:
Today I played and beat the single-player game.
Steam Achievements:
6:27PM FLESH AND BLOOD
6:28PM PERFECT STRIDE
20140827:
Today, my friends Josh, Michael, Ryan, and I briefly play Nidhogg. We take turns and eventually we do a little four-person tournament. I did, however, have the slight upper hand from having played the game just a bit more than my friends.
20150206:
Today I played a little more Nidhogg. I played the single player mode, which is a great place to pick up strategies.
For example, I totally forgot that keeping your sword high is vulnerable to a rolling attack. On the other hand, keeping your sword low is vulnerable to a sword toss. In general, most moves have a counter if the timing is right, and the A.I. kindly reveal these strategies to me.
Steam Game Time: 3.4 hours (total game time)
20220921:
I messed around with the game for a short time. I got the "PROMETHEUS" achievement ("Run across your final screen in the castle with your sword cocked the whole time").
Steam Game Time: 4.1 hours (total game time)
Nidhogg (PC) (2014)
Relevant Links:
Nidhogg Website
Nidhogg (video game) (Wikipedia.org)
Nidhogg (Steam Store Page)
Nidhogg (PC) (Metacritic.com)
 |
| Getting a Steam achievement... |
Recommendation:
As a friend of mine pointed out, Nidhogg suffers from a limited number of stages (four).
While some game options can be tweaked to provide some variety, it may not qualify paying the game's $14.99 price tag. In fact, one might even be reserved about paying $3.75 (75% off) for it.
With that being said, the core gameplay and fighting mechanics is quite complex and enjoyable. In particular, the number of strategies that one can use are countless.
 |
| Fighting in the grass is quite challenging. |
If then, one considers the pure dueling aspect of the game, then perhaps the limited number of stages is unimportant. To further illustrate this point, we don't really complain about the lack of stages when it comes to other sports such as soccer, football, or basketball.* In particular, sport fencing is conducted along a linear strip.
*The one sport that does arguably have different stages is baseball. Baseball parks only have to adhere to regulations for specific parts of the field.
 |
| In Nidhogg, even the winner is a loser. (A giant worm comes and eats the winner.) |
In the end, I personally think this game is worth grabbing for $3.75 or under, though anything in between $3.75 and $15 is questionable.
[20150206]
20140805:
Steam Achievements:
10:09PM COMEBACK KID
20140815:
Today I played and beat the single-player game.
Steam Achievements:
6:27PM FLESH AND BLOOD
6:28PM PERFECT STRIDE
20140827:
Today, my friends Josh, Michael, Ryan, and I briefly play Nidhogg. We take turns and eventually we do a little four-person tournament. I did, however, have the slight upper hand from having played the game just a bit more than my friends.
 |
| Almost done with the single-player! |
20150206:
Today I played a little more Nidhogg. I played the single player mode, which is a great place to pick up strategies.
For example, I totally forgot that keeping your sword high is vulnerable to a rolling attack. On the other hand, keeping your sword low is vulnerable to a sword toss. In general, most moves have a counter if the timing is right, and the A.I. kindly reveal these strategies to me.
 |
| Don't stay in one place too long on the cloud level's bridges - unless you want to fall to your death. |
Steam Game Time: 3.4 hours (total game time)
20220921:
I messed around with the game for a short time. I got the "PROMETHEUS" achievement ("Run across your final screen in the castle with your sword cocked the whole time").
Steam Game Time: 4.1 hours (total game time)
Nidhogg (PC) (2014)
 |
| Some available options to tweak: "Boomerang Swords," "Trails," "Time Limit," "Divekicks," and "Throws." |
Relevant Links:
Nidhogg Website
Nidhogg (video game) (Wikipedia.org)
Nidhogg (Steam Store Page)
Nidhogg (PC) (Metacritic.com)