Yearly Archives: 2016

Obduction Review

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Just where are we?

Some background: I played a fair amount of Myst as a youth. And I won’t lie to you, it made me very frustrated, but not for the reason one might think. I was at a time in my life where I thought I knew everything. So to play a game without a manual, with no real instruction and just an open world? I was vexed. More than vexed. The other difficult part being, I didn’t own a PC. So my dealings with it were sparse, and I wound up jotting things down so I didn’t forget. I never did beat it, and it’s one of my big failings as a person who loves puzzles. I should go back. . . Obduction is a spiritual successor to Myst/Riven. Rand Miller, who developed those also created this wonderful game. It’s not a game where you’re going to run around plunging a blade through villains. It’s not a game where you leap down a corridor, guns blazing. It’s not a rail shooter, it’s not a traditional roleplaying game/JRPG. I don’t even know if it’s a roleplaying game. It’s unique: Obduction is Obduction. And I love it. It’s not something you’re just going to breeze.

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I found myself lost in this beautiful world very easily.  You are put into a very eerie, supernatural setting, watching flashes of light arcing from the sky. Somehow, you’re transported to a strange new world, just you and your camera. There are really cool holograms that teach you a little something about the world around you. You’re at Hunrath.  What do you know more than that? Nothing. But hey, you have a cool camera! You’re going to get a lot. . .A lot of use out of that. Unless you have an eidetic memory, you better be prepared to take photos of anything suspicious, interesting, or terrifying. So what did I do? I grabbed a notebook, a few pens, and scribbled notes as I went, anything that I thought was important. However, it was sometimes hard to see the in-game text via photograph, so I did what I do as a member of the gaming press: Use my screenshot technology! That did admittedly make some things a little easier, and so I really had two sets of notes.

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What could this truck possibly mean?

Cyan has literal decades of experience crafting titles like this. It has the wonderful traits of making me feel like an absolute genius, and mere moments later I felt like the biggest moron to ever breathe. This game is hard, and easy at the same time. If you spend time on the Internet, sure you could figure out the puzzles without putting any effort in, but would that be rewarding? I don’t think so! I had access to a bit of walkthrough material, but I only resorted to it when absolutely necessary. I’m only human! I’m weak! This game is not though. This world is not safe, but you don’t go around murdering people. Instead, you have to understand how this world and our own world works. If you have to say, power something on, you can’t just do what you do in a normal game [which is to say, flip a switch]. This is a Cyan game, and Rand wants you to work for it! You have to really explore, consider what you have at your disposal and then, only then, can you proceed!

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I’m not going to spoil anything about this game, or at least, as little as I possibly can. This is a game that you have to sit and experience yourself. You probably could speed through it with some outside knowledge, but that’s not what these games are about. It’s a story, it’s an adventure, and you don’t get any hints or tips other than glinting items [if you want].  The puzzles in the game range from “Wow, this is really easy! Is this a Cyan game?” to “What has happened to my life? I’ve been awake for twenty hours, all the beer is gone, and I think I’ve lost my mind.”  That is in no means a negative. The name of the game is thinking. If you don’t like really putting in mental effort and considering all aspects of the world around you, you’re not going to have fun. But there are times when I really love this idea. And I enjoyed watching this world unfold around me, even if I spent more than my share of time ripping pages out of a notebook or slinging it into the hallway in rage. I love it, though. And if you loved Myst/Riven, you’ll love this too.

Final Notes:  Hard as hell, intriguing, easy to immerse yourself into. 5/5.

Some puzzles are easier than others..

Tekken Card Tournament

Tekken Card Tournament is a free-to-play mobile CCG developed by BANDAI NAMCO for iOS and Android. In Tekken Card Tournament you can experience fast and furious card battles with their favorite Tekken fighters and go on a journey across to Japan to prove that they’re the best fighter around! By managing the cards in your deck and carefully choosing the actions you take you just might succeed on your adventure!

Features:

Physical Cards: Collect physical Tekken cards and scan them into your game using the QR codes on the card, bringing your card to digital life!

Campaign: Travel across Japan and fight against other warriors in 50 unique challenges that will truly test your skills.

Contests: Regularly hosted contests and themed weekly battles will give you a chance to earn other kinds of rewards.

Ranked Matches: Take to the world of ranked matches and fight against other players on a global scale, climbing the leaderboard to prove just how great of a fighter you are!

Divided We Fall

Divided We Fall is a 3D strategy game developed by KAVA Game Studio for PC, Mac, and Linux and is available for purchase on Steam Early Access. In Divided We Fall you can experience a game that emphasizes team-driven tactics and strategy set at various places in World War II. You’ll need to command your own squad of soldiers through different battles, creating well-planned battlefield tactics with your teammates to ensure your victory.

Features:

Become A Commander: If you’re the highest ranked team member in the lobby then you’ll become the commander for the match, divvying out weapons and taking the driver’s seat in planning strategies.

Clans: Join up with other players in a clan to trade helpful tips, as well as work together to climb the clan leaderboards and compete in clan competitions.

Strategic Emphasis: Take cover behind surroundings and setup ambushes. You’ll need to outwit your enemies and not just outgun them!

Crush Online

Crush Online is a free-to-play MMO MOBA developed by JoyImpact for PC and will be able to be purchased on Steam upon release. In Crush Online players can choose between one of three distinct factions and many different characters, each of which has tons of different weapon loadouts. However unlike most MOBAs, Crush Online isn’t just a single match. Crush Online is war.

Features:

Factions: Choose from one of three distinct factions to fight for and help them gain territory and resources.

Avatar Customization: Outfit your avatar with gear and armor to further specialize their role on the battlefield and to fit them to your particular playstyle.

Guilds: Create guilds with other players and defend your guild’s castle, as well as upgrade it to show off your guild’s prowess!

Conga Master

Conga Master is a buy-to-play game developed by Undercoders for PC, Mac, Linux, and is available on Steam for purchase. In Conga Masters you will have to shake your virtual hips in every way possible to get your conga line to grow in size. If you think you’ve got the confidence and the guts to create the longest conga line in history then give Conga Master a shot, but watch out for the pigs!

Features:

Characters: Play over 30 different characters and lead your massive conga lines with them!

Venus: Play in seven different clubs and venues that will give you a variety of different places to try your hand at creating a massive conga line.

Multiplayer Madness: Join up with other players and participate in the conga madness together, trying to start conga lines even longer than your friends’.

World of Fishing

World of Fishing is a free to play realistic sport fishing MMO featuring character progression and hundreds of fish to catch.

Features:

Over 450 Fish Species: Over 450 types of fish are available to catch along your journey from novice to pro.

Character Progression: Begin with basic equipment, and slowly improve your skill to unlock better gear, fishing locations, and challenges.

Aquarium Feature: Show off your favorite catches in your own personal aquarium!

World of Fishing Starter Pack DLC Raffle

World of Fishing, a realistic fishing MMO, is now available and free to play on Steam! To celebrate, we’ve partnered with InselGames to give away ten starter pack DLC codes to help boost your fishing experience!

World of Fishing is a full­fledged MMO featuring character development, exciting quests and the addictive hunt for rare fish. Starting out with a small boat and basic equipment, players will be able to work their way up to the point where they will catch huge fish like tunas and even exotic sharks. Dynamic real­time battles with more than 450 fish species controlled by a realistic AI, provide an entertaining and challenging gameplay that feels as close to the “real thing” as possible.

Competitive players can face each other in the Team Match mode, while casual players will be able to enjoy the relaxing aspect of fishing in Freestyle mode, visiting beautiful, exotic fishing spots from Vancouver to Cape Town. Play on Steam or WorldofFishing.net.

To Enter:

  • Head over to our event thread and tell us why you like fishing, whether as a hobby or a sport (or a little bit of both)!
  • On Tuesday, September 27, 2016, ten people will be randomly drawn from all valid entries to win one of the Starter Pack DLC codes!
  • Codes will be messaged to winners via forum PM.

What does the Starter Pack DLC contain?

The DLC will give you a unique voucher code for use in the World of Fishing Pearl Shop that grants you the Bronze Package (value 14,99€) without further charge. You can also use the voucher to reduce the price on one of the more expensive packages.


 Where do I find my voucher code?

  • After purchasing/redeeming the DLC via Steam, go to “World of Fishing” via your Steam library
  • Browse to DLC
  • The DLC product key resembles the Voucher code

How to redeem a voucher in the WoF pearl shop?

  • Enter the Pearl shop by clicking the button “Pearls” in the top right of the WoF main menu.
  • Choose a package and by clicking “Details”, the name or the image.
  • Enter the voucher code in the field below the image.
  • Click “Choose”, check your selection and proceed by clicking “Buy”.
  • If your voucher is not covering the complete package costs, you will have to select your living country and proceed by confirming. Select now your payment method and proceed with “Buy now”.
  • Follow the instruction for the payment method and complete your transaction.
  • After a short confirm message from the Pearl shop, you can find your Pearls updated in game.

Please note, if the Pearls are not transferred immediately, you should just relogin to find your pearls balance updated.