Episode 22 – Live from Eximcon!

We are LIVE (in spirit at least) from the convention floor at Eximcon 2006. There is video game playing all arouind. The portable systems (PSP and DS) are seen all over, I have gotten into a few games myself. A local lan gaming group the Dork army are running many little tournament on the Xbox 360 in the game room. The media room has been showing Speed runs of classic games all day.

This is a place for gamers.

On with the show:

The contest is still going stron still a coupl days to enter. Send an email to contest@abootgames.com to enter before 11:59PM (EST) June 28 2006 to be entered.

Direct download Link

Mini Reviews:

Splinter Cell: Essentials – Sam Fisher that fits in your pocket. Unlike the other splinter cell games this one stinks. I felt that I was fighting with the camera more then I was fighting the enemy. The story is fantastic and lead incredibly well into the Double Agent game that is coming. The ability to save at any time is something that I fell more titles for the portable system need to incorporate. The visuals are definatly in the top caliber of games for the PSP, but the game play is so lacking that it brings all the goodnees this game offers down. This might be worth a rent if you are a big Tom Clancy fan but other wise stick to the console versions.
Kingdom under Fire: Heroes – More like an expansion then a seqeul.
Prince of Persia: The two thrones – Action/adventure game. 3rd in the modern Prince games. The fluid acrobatic movements are all here, the prince is flipping and spinning all over the amazing looking scenery. Visually stunning game, Ubi has not let the franchise slide one little bit. The battling system for the game is very intuitive and repetative. You can advance through button mashing but there will be a limit, once the enemies start to work together more strategy is required.

Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War – No Tutorial?! 

Releases:

DS -

Sudoku Gridmaster – portable puzzle game -

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Genie & the Amp – "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi is a 'Rock 'n' Roll Brawler' targeted at kids 6-11 that lets them use the DS touch screen to join the band and play guitar."

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest – This title is for the portable systems – action game.

GBA -

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Babar to the Rescue – action adventure game with the poular Babar character.
Game Cube -

nuthin
PC -

Glory of the Roman Empire – Empire building simulator,

Hard Truck: Apocalypse - 3rd person action game where "Your heavy truck is the only hope."

Kitty LUV – cutesy cat breeding game

Night Watch – modern action game with Magic

Titan Quest – action adventure RPG that pretty much looks like every other title in the genre

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow – this one is for the "full grown console"

Wrestling Spirit 2 – text based wrestling game — WTF?

Micro Machines V4 – wee racing game

PS2-

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja – multi level cell shaded fighter

America's Army: Rise of a Soldier – first person squad based shooter – based on military specds

America's Army: Rise of a Soldier (with Bonus CD)

Micro Machines V4 -

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow

Ruff Trigger: Vanocore Conspiracy – wierd little platformer

PSP -

Micro Machines V4

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

MTX Mototrax – portable moto racing

Juiced: Eliminator – juiced version for the PSP
Xbox -

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow

Xbox 360 -

Over G Fighters – photo realistic looking fighter plane action

News:

Rumor 360 Price Drop this year – A change to the hardware will make the system cheaper to make and the Mighty microsoft to pass the saving on to the gamers. http://britxbox.co.uk/index.htm?ref=news&id=276361753
MLG's Top team signed to a $1 Million contract to ensure they dont go fraggin somewhere else. The second place team pulled in $250 000. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151636

Blizzard will let players to move character to less populated realms but at a cost. There is rules to the luggage youcan bring with you to your new home. There is the low fee of $25 to move. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153087.html

Episode 21 – Show Notes

This week we are starting our first contest here at Aboot Games. One lucky listenr will win a video game of their choice. All you have to do is send us an email, THAT'S IT, nothing big just an email with some info and you could win. Send email to contest@abootgames.com

The EXIM con is coming up and we will have our own booth at the show. All info for the show can be found at eximworks.org.

Direct Download Link

Mini Reviews:
Socom 3 - I can't beleive that I have over looked this game for so long. This is a tacticle squad based 3rd person shooter. Stealth is the key to this game, with a few levels of brute force. One level you do not fire a single shot, with antoe has airstrikes mortars/ victory through superior fire power. The online / multiplayer is the heart of this game. The game size has been increased up to 32 players. the maps are now friggin huge, I have spent may games wondering around not seeing a sole.

Super Mario Bros. DDR - Ok so yes this is a DDR game and admittedly I'm not a DDR fan, but this game wasn't bad. It's amazing how Mario has brought so many games to so many people. This game is DDR, it comes with a pad and works with a second one as well. The music is a collection of remixed Mario favourites from the many Mario games and some other classic pieces from operas and such, either way it's remixed into "dancable" music. There is a story mode that actually takes the player through a fun yet short series of challenges, some musical some not. There is a vs mode and it's exactly what you would expect. The coolest part about this game is the mini game section where you can play a bunch of mario type minigames, like whack a mole, using the dance pad. Overall good party game, you wont play it alone, but if you do you'll burn some calories.

Capcom Classics Collection Remixed – Another PSP game. This is a collection of Capcom titles going way back. Street Fighter (original), Strider, Bionic Commando, 1942, and a slew of others are here. Each game has some unlockables, after some minor accomplishment you get tips, after a moajor one you get artwork, and usually after beating the game you get the soundtrack. After playing these games again some for the first time in years I try to remember “was it this hard the first time?”. A great title the I feel I paid too much for.

New Releases: "Summer Game Season?"

DS -

Break 'Em All – Use the ball, break the bricks

GBA -

Nuthin

Game Cube -

Nuthin

PC -

Champion Dreams: First to Ride – compete in dressage, show jumping, and cross country events against rising stars from all over the world!?!?

Airborne Assault: Conquest of the Aegean – yet another WW2 RTS game

Cossacks II: Battle for Europe – ditto

Rome: Total War Alexander – Expansion for Rome:Total War

PS2 -

Moto GP4 – Motorcycle racing for the PS2 this time

PSP -

The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch- prequel to another PSP game that I dont remeber seeing much for. RPG.

Def Jam Fight For Ny: The Takeover – PSP version of the brawler

Ultimate Board Game Collection – generic board games for the portable system.

Xbox -

Crusty Demons – A big gold star for everyone who guessed this was a moto cross game

Xbox 360 -

Nuthin

News:

Duke Nukem Forever – Well this game is all over the news – There are rumors of a Half a million bonus to ship by the end of the year. 3D Realms president George Broussard says the game will not be rushed. This is a game that has been in development since 1997.

Blizzard has banned another 30 000 accounts in an effort to stop gold farming.

Tim Schafer, the creator of the addball platformer Physonaughts is putting the preasure on for his game to be able to be played on the 360. He is encouraging fans of the game to email Microsoft to get Phsyconaughts playing on the Next Gen machine. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151504

Video games sales dipped in MAy by 10%. I wonder if they took into consideration the lack of quality titles being released.

ESRB to institute $1 million fine for failing to disclose objectionable content. This seriously ups the ante from the $11,000 that the FTC would impose.

PSP Upadates and Lik Sang are holding A PSP homebrew coding contest with some decent prizes. http://pspupdates.qj.net/QJ-NET-and-Lik-sang-Kickoff-Summer-Homebrew-Competition/pg/49/aid/51063

DS lite sells 136 000 units in 2 days. Holy crap.

Episode 20

We make it back for another week of talkin aboot games. There are quite a few releases this week, including some titiles that we definately suggest that you check out. One game was a big Independant Games Festival winner. It is great to see it released so soon. Any way on with the show

Direct Download Link

Mini Reviews:

EXIT – For the PSP – Puzzle game where MR.ESC. has to get himself out of maze puzzels where specific tools unlock/disable specific obstackles. Now throw in companions (others in need of rescue) with their own pluses and minuses. Very simple controls to a deceptively simple game. The problems in need of soving are not very difficuilt, its more which tools to use in which order. Since each board is timed this is a great portable game. Play a fee board and putting them game down.

We Love Katamari – Very similar to the first one, but surprisingly not as fun overall. It might be the fact that it isn't fresh and new or it might be the fact that this game is very aware of itself and it's fantastically popular predecessor, but this game just doesn't stick like the last one. They've improved the graphics a bit so things a re bit less blocky; which I have to say I don't really like. My major beef is the amount of down time between actual gameplay. There's a tonne of banter between the prince, the king, and the new to this game the adoring fans of the first game. Still a fun game, still got a rush the first time I picked up a new type of living thing or better yet saw it run it fear from me. I'm not saying don't pick it up, just don't expect to floored like you were with the first one.

Untold Legends – The Warrior's Code – Hack and Slash RPG – Button masher with tslightly more strategy then the first. A couple of new playable character type (6). There are more voices in this one to break up all the readung of the dialouge from the previous game. The look has been updated but only to where I would call this 1.5. If you bought the first game there just isn't enough to justify grabbing this title too.

LOTR: The Third Age – Ok so this is EA's FF rip off based on the LOTR universe. This is a game that plays it by the numbers. There isn't anything revolutionary here and no real replay value either. What there is is a solid LOTR story that runs paralelle to the thrilogy of movies nd then some. If you're into the lore of LOTR or would like to know a bit more this game will defintly grab you. The story seems familiar and completly different all at the same time. The leveling system is fulfilling if expected. The scenes where this game the main LOTR story intersect will have you on the edge of your seat. Overall nice RPG if you like story driven games. Rent it don't buy it. Also don't play on hard mosde as the final boss is almost literally impossible. Play it on easy as the difficulty isn't what makes this a good game anyway.
New Releases:

DS –

DS lite hardware – brighter screen – smaller size

Hardcore Pool – with no info I still say it will be better the The Hustle.

GBA –

Mega Man Battle Network 6: Cybeast Falzar – Action RPG. Takes the blue bomber on yet another adventure. Tactical element to the battles

Mega Man Battle Network 6 Cybeast Gregar – Same

Mega Man Anniversary Collection – Mega Man 1 – 5 for game boy on one cartridge

Dragon Ball Advanced Adventure – mixture of action adventure / multi-player arena fighting

Game Cube - Nuthin

PC –

Darwinia – one of the winner of the independant game festival -

Deep Sea Tycoon: Diver's Paradise – virtual scuba diving with missions

Gods: Land of Infinity – according to their site they do not have a distributor yet.

Alliance: Future Combat – tactical real-time strategy – Set in 2008 where a major world powr join forces / clash with each other.

Luxor Mahjong – it's mah jong

Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War -

PS2 –

Armored Core: Last Raven – 10th Anniversary Game – Mech battles -

Street Fighter Alpha Anthology – Fighter Alpha, Street Fighter Alpha 2, Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold and Street Fighter Alpha 3. As an added bonus, the "pint-sized" Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix (aka Pocket Fighter)

Urban Chaos: Riot Response – FPS – The last line of police – you do get a riot shield to use

PSP -

Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel – not a game but worth a mention

Xbox -

Urban Chaos: Riot Response – FPS – The last line of police – you do get a riot shield to use

XBOX 360 -

MotoGP 06 – motorcycle racing as good as it gets

News:

ESA sues MINNESOTA over their video game bill. http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=12886

TVHead is name that you may hear a lot about in the upcoming weeks and months. They have some major backing to develop a games on demand system that will tie together cable and IPTV. I like this idea but other have tried and failed. http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/news/?id=12868

SMITH & JONES – http://www.smithandjones.nl/ – Has 12 step programs for battling addictions ranging from various drugs and alcohol to gambling to internet gaming to gaming. Video game addict now have a place to turn when they hit rock bottom.

The final fall out for Rockstar over the Hot Coffee controversy is now known. They are getting a slap on the wrist. They have already lost over $24 million since this began. Future infractions will carry a hefty fine $11 000. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151335

Episode 19

Wow, the weeks seem to be getting shorter. I post a new episode and begin prep for the next week on the same day. I have heard "time flies when you are having fun", that has to be why everything seems to be blurring by,

Anyway this week is another light week for releases but a good week for news,

Hope you enjoy it.

Direct download link.

Mini Reviews:

Seed – MMO – I have mentioned this gane a few times now. This is a SCI-FI MMO. The game looks great. Most MMO's really hold your hand for the first few levels to make sure you know the basics. This game has a couple boxes of text that make up a tutorial. It took me far longer then nessasry to figure out the basic controls. Just talking to an NPC took me over an hour to figure out. You take on the roll of a repair person on board some sort of futuristic community. This game does have everything going for it. Free download – 14 trial – The option to sign up for your first 2 months for the prce of one has past though.

The Matrix: Path of Neo – Fun game brought to you by the people that gave us Enter the Matrix. Before I go any further I should mention the fact that I really liked Enter the Matrix so if you didn't this review may be a little different for you. This game runs aon a sismilar engine as the last game, but now you play as Neo. You play through all 3 movies however you don't always have to do the same thing as Neo. The combat system is a little deeper than Enter the Matrix although strangely not as satisfying for some reason. The main draw here however is the story. If you're a Matrix fan you will enjoy this game for that alone. At many of the key elements of the Neo story you can choose to do it differently than the movie.  A great example of this is the part early in the first movie when Neo is captured in his office by the agents.  I don't know about you, but I always wished he hadn't wimped out.  In this game you don't have to.

Death JR. – PSP 3d platformer. Decent game for the system (soon to be released for the DS) where you play as The Grime Reapers little boy on a mission to release the souls of your friends. For a quick description think mario with guns. Not a lot of variety to the levels, and only a handful of boss battles. The weapons are upgradeable and range from pistols, shotguns flamethrowers and Hamsters with C4 strapped on their back. The camera does get a little wonky at times but is easily reset with a tap of the shoulder button. It would not be hard to beat this game in one sitting on a single charge of the battery. All in all not a bad game but could have been much better.

God of War – This game has been reviewed to death, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.  Truth be told I wasn't as blown away as everybody else.  Don't get me wrong…this is a fun game with a lot of polish and a variety of gameplay options.  The story is compelling enough to drive the story and the combat system is satisfying yet challenging…Now that I've exausted what the usualy adjectives about this game I just kept thinking that this was POP in another time frame, with the gymnastics vs. combat emphasys reversed.  That made me think that this was just another reworking of TR.  I know that this is harsh and that these are fantastic games to be compared to; hell there are no better in this genre.  It just seemed somewhat old.  I wanted something new…oh yeah and better camera angles during the gymnastic sections.  Overall it's undeniably a good game.  If you're looking for a fix of 3rd person beat em' up you can't do much better, but if you're looking for something truly new I didn't see it here.  Even the sex scene was covered by hot coffee.

Email from Steve so looking at The GP2X is a portable Linux based gaming system – open source gaming there a novell idea. Sd card storage up to 4gig, uses 2 AA batteries, which I can see good points and bad points with – good non-proprietary batteries – rechargables? – cost increasing over time –
This system has enough power to run movies, play games, play music. This sounds like another system out there that I have been known to comment on. A system ripe with potential I would not mind checking this one out.

Releases:

**Cars – game based on movie is scheduled for release but I coud find no info – all systems

DS – nothin

GBA – nothin

Game Cube – nothin

PC

Empire Earth 2 Platinum – same game re-repackaged

Battleground Europe: World War II Online – was originally released 2003 – online MMO with a persistant world – you can fight WWII forever – oh boy

PS2 – nothin

PSP

Gradius Collection – Gradius I, II, III, IV and Gradius Gaiden – 2d sidescrolling shooter

Xbox – nothin

Xbox 360 nothin
News:

Analyst: MS to Launch Handheld Console in 2007/2008 – Microsoft "will likely leverage xbox franchise with handheld"

The WCG (world cyber games) US Championship will be underway and almost over by the time of the podcast. Winners will compete in italy in october at the WCG.

June is Entertainment Ratings and Labeling Awareness Month – the goal is to raise awarness for the MPAA, RIAA, and ESRB rating systems.

Video Games as political tools!? - First Venezual raise it's fur over mercenaries 2 because it take place in there country, they suspect the us military to follow the games lead and invade. Now Iran is developong a game about nuclear arms build up.

Pro- Video Games tournaments in the MLG ( Major Leage Gaming ) tour will be televised. In 7 one hour shows this fall

Rumours of the Phantoms demise may have been greatly exagerated. Infinium Labs says development of the system is ongoing and a name change is also in the works. Production will begin in September and launch in October right in time to battle the Wii and PS3. Great Idea!