Bit Generations #2

July 28, 2006 · Filed Under Other peoples games, Personal, Things I Enjoyed · Comment 

So, the second batch has landed and I must confess to not having enough time at the moment to dedicate to them proper unfortunately - what with still playing Dotstream and Boundish a few weeks on (so glad Swith managed to convince me to persist with it) for my handheld kicks, major upgrade stuff over at RR and flitting between Gibbage and Deadeye for PC gaming time - I’ve only had a quick glance over them so far.

Coloris is nice, someone on RLLMUK described it as “It’s Zoo Keeper + 1st Year Art Class.” and I can see where they’re coming from. In many ways, its what DialHEX should have been instead of the unfriendly mess that it turned out as. Like TCK’s Stack Attack (which is still in limbo pending score code, sadly the link is down but there’s a screeny there somewhere) it proves that you don’t need to shoehorn in an Aztec theme or a million and one special effects to make a game lovely. I’m a bit scared of pointing this in Mrs Bobs direction as its tough enough reclaiming any handhelds in this house as it is.

Orbital, I was really looking forward to as it looks great from the video’s and screenshots - game wise, I dunno. Something doesn’t feel right at all with it - the mechanics themselves feel counterintuitive and whilst I’m certainly in favour of slimlined control schemes - the RR One Switch competition produced games on a similar theme but actually managing to be playable to boot. Who knows, I’ll certainly be back to give it a second chance but for now, it seems the weakest of the batch (I’ve still yet to play DigiDrive)

The biggest treat comes in the shape of SoundVoyager, a ridiculously simple premise of having to locate objects and enemies via the position of sounds on the speaker. Possibly the first game I’ve actually played where its not necessary to rely on any visual stimulus whatsoever - its perfectly possible to close your eyes and just drift away and follow the sound. Very relaxing indeed and so far, easily the best of the second batch. I can see myself returning for many a chill out session with this.

So, I’ll have a peek at Digidrive tomorrow and attempt to revisit Orbital to see if there’s something I’ve missed - in the meantime, I’m still incredibly happy that Bit Generations exists at all. Whilst by no means a perfect collection - when you’re throwing concepts at the wall like these, there’s bound to be some that don’t stick - but none the less, great stuff and well worth the money.

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Retro II & 2001: The Game

July 19, 2006 · Filed Under Other peoples games, Personal, Things I Enjoyed · Comment 

Ok, I’ve had some stuff hanging round here I’ve been meaning to comment on - but due to various distractions not actually got round to covering them.

Luckily, there’s more blogs in the world than this one, so I can at least point you in the direction of Tim’s recent comments on Retro II by Cactus, a game which I’ve mean meaning to mention for a few weeks now. (And indeed, I made a post recently about one of Cactus other games Teds Wet Adventure meaning to lead into it, but ah well - Tim pretty much says everything I wanted to anyway, so go and have a gander).

Always a sucker for games that err on the surreal or bizarre side, for those who don’t venture over to the corner of the web that is Swith’s Blog then you’re probably blissfully unaware of what could possibly be the most noble project of the year. Not content with making 2001 a watchable film, Swith, with able assistance from a number of friends is in the process of putting together 2001:The GBA Game made up of a series of Ocean style mini-games based on scenes from the film. Its coming together fast and well and the monkey expressions alone worth keeping an eye out for.

And in completely unrelated news, Luke Haines new album “Off My Rocker At The Art School Bop” finally has a release date. More info over at his website. Luke Haines + Richard X production? Matron, don’t mind if I do :-)

Anyway, going to do some catching up tonight on other stuff I’ve not got round to mentioning, so until then - hold the front page!

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I’d love to make a post right now…

July 17, 2006 · Filed Under Other peoples games, Personal, Things I Enjoyed · 7 Comments 

…but I’m too busy playing Dotstream

Sorry!

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Cunts Are Still Running The World

July 7, 2006 · Filed Under Things I Enjoyed · 4 Comments 

Welcome back Jarvis Cocker

Well did you hear, there’s a natural order.
Those most deserving will end up with the most.
That the cream cannot help but always rise up to the top,
Well I say: Shit floats.
If you thought things had changed,
Friend you’d better think again,
Bluntly put in the fewest of words,
Cunts are still running the world,
Cunts are still running the world.

Now the working classes are obsolete,
They are surplus to societies needs,
So let ‘em all kill each other,
And get it made overseas.
That’s the word don’t you know,
From the guys thats running the show,
Lets be perfectly clear boys and girls,
Cunts are still running the world,
Cunts are still running the world.

Oh feed your children on Cray fish and Lobster tails,
Find a school near the top of the league,
In theory I respect your right to exist,
I will kill ya if you move in next to me,
Ah it stinks, it sucks, it’s anthropologically unjust,
But the takings are up by a third, Oh So
Cunts are still running the world,
Cunts are still running the world.

Your free market is perfectly natural,
Or do you think that I’m some kind of dummy,
It’s the ideal way to order the world,
Fuck the morals, does it make any money?
And if you don’t like it? Then leave.
Or use your right to protest on the street,
Yeah, use your rights but don’t imagine that it’s heard, Oh no no,
Cunts are still running the world,
Cunts are still running the world.

Couldn’t have put it better myself. Thanks to Gorecki and rymdimperiet for the lyrics - and Fuse for the corrections

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Stanley Kubrick Says…

June 29, 2006 · Filed Under Things I Enjoyed · Comments Off 

But we know that he’s wrong.

Save yourself some time and effort and watch 2001 at roughly the length it should have been in the first place, only this time with a wigout soundtrack in excelsis and some Mintery Neon visuals.

You’ll thank Swith later, I promise. Unless you’re one of the die hard “thou shalt not touch the work of Kubrick with thine own hands, thou art sacriligeous” folks. In which case, you’re probably better off having a wank instead.

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