Author - Ripper71

Alien Rage – Unlimited Review (PC)

2013/10/08

News, Reviews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

This is the travel season for me, big time. Over the month of October I am on the road more than I am at home which means little time for games and a lot of time nursing sore body parts. During these times, a certain kind of game can come along that is pretty much perfect for airport layovers or long coast to coast flights. While my wounds are recovering, putting the hurt on vicious aliens is the perfect medicine. So, when Alien Rage Unlimited came along on Steam, I knew exactly what I would be playing during my minimal amount free time.

Description:
Unleash a fury of powerful weapons as you blast your way through armies of Alien forces hell-bent on taking you down! Battle through 14 intense levels and prepare to face a barrage of beastly-sized bosses that will test your every skill. Each of your 10 weapons comes with two firing modes and you’ll need all of them! Battle hardened Alien forces will attack you from every direction using various flanking and attack moves. Built with powerful up-to-date graphics technology, awesome physics, destructible environments… experience a truly intense, oldschool styled shooter game!

Features:
– Wide variety of Alien enemy forces including Infantry, Warriors, Flying Drones, Spiders
– Huge boss fights – Over 21 enemy types including 8 beastlysized bosses to challenge and destroy through 14 Levels
– Strong thru-the-gun experience with 10 powerful weapons each with two firing modes
– Skill shots, head shots and shooting accuracy heavily rewarded
– Player-triggered destruction of environments and cover helps to advance through levels
– Built with powerful up-to-date graphics technology, awesome physics, destructible environments

Hands On:
There is a story behind the game and why we are fighting these aliens, but it really comes down to why we usually fight aliens in games like this. We both want the same piece of real estate and we are crappy at sharing. The story is told through cutscenes and audio logs, definitely set up so that a player who wants to enjoy the tale can. On the other hand, the player that just wants to blow stuff up and build a body count can do that too. With that in mind, we are given all kinds of weapons to waste alien scum and blow them back to where ever they came from. Alien Rage is a classic run and gun FPS designed to provide intense challenges for even the seasoned player. There are plenty of enemy forces waiting for you at every turn, cover can be hard to come by and these aliens know how to shoot.

Graphically, Alien Rage is a beautiful game with plenty of detail that allows you to get shots off at those hard to see snipers. Explosions are intense and very satisfying as you watch enemy bodies go flying, giblet-style, all over the map. In fact, the giblet count reminds me way back in the day when Raven Software released the original Soldier of Fortune game. Good times… Anyhow, headshots result in slumped over corpses pouring lava-like blood out their neck holes while the sound track pumps away like club music on speed. Additionally, the game’s sound effects rock with all sorts of explosions, ambient effects, and weapons fire. The aliens get progressively tougher and you find yourself clinging to what little bit of cover you have more and more after a while. It should be noted that the game’s boss battles usually involve some decent strategy and even experienced players should expect quite a bit of playtime before they have one beat.

Last Call:
If you like a challenging first person shooter then Alien Rage Unlimited is definitely the game for you. It has great graphics and sound, it has tough enemies and as much story as you want to enjoy or skip. Weapons are satisfyingly strong and you get to blow up and/or dismember aliens which can be very refreshing after a long day of work or while waiting for your plane to start boarding. The only problem is it can be addictive and bring out the “one more level” aspect in players who need to get going.

[easyreview title=”Alien Rage Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

Joy Factory Daytona V Phone Case (iPhone 5/5S)

2013/10/07

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

I like to use different phone cases for different occasions. I have a case I use when traveling a lot that can be run over by a sports car and the phone will still work. But, it’s bulky and a brighter color than I tend to display. I have an amazing art piece phone case that is extremely stylish and limited edition to boot, becoming more limited by the fact that its edges can’t handle prolonged wear and tear. Then I have a $3 case from a Chinese online discount distributor that stole my credit card but gave me a case that will last forever, has a great 80’s throwback feel but wouldn’t protect my phone from a one foot drop. Often it is hard to find a balance between looks and design, it isn’t impossible, just rare. So, when I can report on one that has done a nice job balancing design and protection it always makes me happy. Enter Joy Factory’s Daytona V phone case for the iPhone 5/5S.

Description:
Fine watches have long been a symbol of wealth and sophistication. Now the traditional watchband pattern has been paired with contemporary fashion colors to produce a case in a class by itself. Choose from the classy Vintage Blue, the subdued Snow Gray, and the vibrant contrast of Snow White or Forever Green. The Daytona V is composed of an inner silicone case that fits into a hard plastic frame. The frame maintains the case’s shape, while the silicone inner case provides both scratch and shock protection. The low-profile front lip of the case will even protect your phone from scratches when laid facedown on the table.

Hands On:

First off it is important to note that in the area of fashion and style this case has taken an interesting and effective direction. Fashioned after the alternating links of a watchband with checkered coloring to enhance the illusion this phone is following a unisex fashion statement that has only grown in recent years. Men’s watches traditionally have used these type of links, particularly higher end lines for decades now. In recent years ceramic watches with the same link patterns have been marketed to both men and women for their durability and their high polish making them high priced and high fashion. It’s near impossible to look at higher end watches without seeing this pattern, traditionally men’s watches that often went with rubber straps for sporting durability have also adopted the ceramic bands instead since they are more durable and more fashionable. Joy Factory realized that there was a niche that was being missed, both men and women like to match their accessories and phone cases are no exception. It is harder and far more cost prohibitive to get watches to match phone cases so Joy Factory has provided the Daytona V phone case to help with that even going so far as to offer it in different colors to match what watch your wearing while keeping the price competitive.

I mentioned before that sometimes a case can be nice looking or fashionable but totally fail as protection for your phone. The Daytona V case is made with this in mind as well with the two layer protective design of an inner silicon layer and an outer plastic layer. This results in the case maintaining shape while giving a hard impact protective layer followed by a shock resistant inner layer. I’ve tested this type of build before in previous reviews and found that in some cases this even meets up to military standards but at a minimum should be able to handle a simple fumble from butter fingers. The end sections are also reinforced plastic where ones with thin plastic crossbars tend to break over time due to casual wear and tear.

If that wasn’t enough protection each case also comes with a screen protector and a Joy Factory BubbleShield, a water resistant reusable protective sleeve for your phone in case you suddenly realize that your phone is in your pocket as you are about to go on a water ride at your local amusement park or the sky suddenly opens up and dumps a downpour on you.

Last Call:
I requested to review this case because the moment I saw it, I realized it was filling a fashion niche. I have some very fine watches that I have collected over the years and while I have cases that go neutrally with them, this is the first case I have had that compliment them. I would feel comfortable taking this case out at a nice affair where I was wearing my Bianci Professional Commando Watch, and would not be surprised when someone asked me where to get one of their own. Also, I wouldn’t feel my gut drop with the phone if it slipped out of my fingers.
[easyreview title=”Daytona V Phone Case Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

Takedown: Red Sabre Review (PC/Steam)

2013/10/05

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

There’s a time to run and gun, then there is a time to think and shoot. First Person Shooters are not all made the same, regardless of those who try to play them that way. Some are made for players to charge forward recklessly, popping from cover to cover and expending more ammo than in a Rambo movie. Others are designed with finesse in mind – you pick the perfect silenced weapon, watch the patterns of guards, only break concealment when absolutely necessary and if at all possible clean up your mess afterwards. These are often referred to as strategy shooters and are often the bane of run and gun players. The strategists have no problem with a level taking hours to complete, breaking down the puzzle of enemy placement and movements, having to start over again and again because the enemy’s aim is true and shots are brutally effective. No healing over time, if you take one shot and live you are lucky, don’t expect to take a second and stay standing. For such serious strategy shooters Takedown: Red Sabre is the game for you.

Description:

Takedown is a thinking-person’s shooter. The player that takes things slow, aims carefully, and plans their moves right will overcome the player who runs in with guns blazing. Close-quarters battle brings the fight inside, as you would see SWAT teams or SOF units taking down small numbers of dangerous adversaries. Non-linear environments allow for multiple routes and tactics and add replayability.

In recent years, shooters have become homogenized. There used to be a wide range of different games to choose, from run-and-gun action titles to slow-paced tactical shooters focusing on strategy and tactics, but now most shooters follow the same model of big set pieces, regenerating health, linear levels, and “cinematic experiences.” The realistic tactical shooters with in-depth planning have almost entirely disappeared in recent years.

This game focuses on realistic weapons modeling, squad based play, in a close-quarters battle setting. To succeed in this game you need to take things slow, study your environment, and execute flawlessly. If you get shot, there are consequences. You won’t be hiding behind a wall waiting for your health to regenerate. If a team member goes down, you will have to assess the situation and reallocate team members if necessary to complete the mission. Don’t expect all of the tools and plans to be forced fed to you – it is up to the player to ensure their team is equipped and ready for the tasks at hand. With features such as realistic bullet penetration, accuracy, and recoil, choosing the proper weapons, ammunition, armor, and gear for the mission is up to you, so choose carefully.

Gameplay modes include single player, co-op, and competitive multiplayer. If you are a fan of old school shooters where thinking meant more than running and gunning or perks, or if you are just looking for something different in your shooter games experience, this is the game for you.

Features:

Fight Smart in Deadly, Close Quarters Combat – Players must think and move tactically, stay alert, watch, listen and choose wisely while setting up their squad for the perfect shot.
Tackle Engagements That Are Different Every Time – Nonlinear maps allow for multiple tactics and approaches to both attack and defense. Gamers must choose their gear to best execute strategy.
Out Think The Enemy – Gamers need to work closely and communicate well with their team to not only attack the enemy but to coordinate to secure multiple objectives.

Hands On:

I had recently been playing a very fun run and gun game, so when I first started playing Takedown: Red Sabre it hurt, a lot. It took me a few tries to get out of the mindset of keep moving and shooting and into peek and sneak mode. I quickly checked out my character’s equipment loadout so I would know what I was working with, then jumped into the first mission. My entire team was dead in minutes. Not good, I thought, maybe I just need to shoot faster. Nope – dead again in minutes. So then I increased my armor and gave it another chance. I lived through the first shot but suddenly I was swarmed by enemies and down went my poor team again. It was about this time that my mind said “hey dummy, maybe you should rethink what you are doing. You can think right?” Right. So, I looked at the specs, my higher armor made it so that I was slower and made lots of noise moving, light armor was silent but one hit and you are toast. All weapons have silencers available which help with quieter kills but make your barrel longer and harder to swing around doorways. I made adjustments and moved in… and all the enemies were in different places. Randomization, check. It goes on like this as you learn the game’s make up, the strengths and weaknesses of the weapons, items and armor and which team member you want using what. The game boasts realistic ballistic damage, weapon recoil, scope sway and collision issues such as barrels being forced up or down upon hitting walls or door jams.

All enemies are spawned at the beginning of a match in random placement with random weapon and armor, the environments are non-linear and the objective locations randomly spawn at possible predetermined locations at the beginning of the match. Surfaces have penetration values so taking cover behind a wooden crate will have less effectiveness than a steel door. If you manage to get lucky enough to just get shot in the arm your weapon handling will decrease, if you get shot in the leg your movement is effected. The game strives for the greatest degree of realism possible with every level having a high replayability because of the complete randomization involved. Ammo types comes into play and there is no HUD for kills or map location, just a small figure in the corner that lets you know if you are hit and whether you are standing or crouching.

If playing isn’t enough then you can even build your own killhouses using the Unreal 3 Engine and the Unreal Development Kit and release them upon the community. On the same note the community can build killhouses and put them on servers to test your steel. You can play the game multiplayer as well and see just how much your really need to work as a team to survive, no heroes allowed.

Last Call:

It is possible to go on ad nauseam with how much the folks at Serellan were striving to make this game as strategically challenging as possible while at the same time maintaining realism every step of the way. If you get frustrated from dying in a game, this isn’t the one for you. The same goes if you like to run and gun through a shooter, then sit behind a crate to wait for your “shields” to recharge. Takedown: Red Sabre prides itself in making you think beyond trigger reflex and giving you the closest thing to realism outside of a real SWAT team.
[easyreview title=”Takedown: Red Sabre Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

PAYDAY 2 Review (PC)

2013/09/18

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

I was lucky enough to get into E3 a few years back and one of the games that just seemed to come out of nowhere, but impressed the pants off me, was PAYDAY: The Heist. It wasn’t the guys in suit jackets and masks by the demo consoles; It wasn’t the cool, swag masks (though I still have and wear mine sometimes while playing); It was that the game was something out of just about every guy’s secret dream: to be involved in a big heist. It is why we eat up heist movies, whether they be stealthy and funny like Ocean’s Eleven or balls to the wall intensity like Heat. To paraphrase Dan Cook, we all want to be walking down the street shot in the leg yelling “where’s the van?” while carrying machine guns. The reality of it is these real life moments seldom end well, so it was great to reenact these movie moments at the safety of a computer! I played the heck out of PAYDAY: The Heist, so when PAYDAY 2 came along all I could say was “you’ll never take me alive, copper!”

Description:
PAYDAY 2 is an action-packed, four-player co-op shooter that once again lets gamers don the masks of the original PAYDAY crew – Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf and Chains – as they descend on Washington DC for an epic crime spree. The new CRIMENET network offers a huge range of dynamic contracts, and players are free to choose anything from small-time convenience store hits or kidnappings, to big league cyber-crime or emptying out major bank vaults for that epic PAYDAY. While in DC, why not participate in the local community, and run a few political errands? Up to four friends co-operate on the hits, and as the crew progresses the jobs become bigger, better and more rewarding. Along with earning more money and becoming a legendary criminal comes a new character customization and crafting system that lets crews build and customize their own guns and gear.

Features:

Rob Banks with Friends – Players must choose their crew carefully, because when the job goes down they will need the right mix of skills on their side.
CRIMENET – The dynamic contract database lets gamers pick and choose from available jobs by connecting with local contacts such as Vlad the Ukrainian, shady politician “The Elephant”, and South American drug trafficker Hector, all with their own agenda and best interests in mind.
PAYDAY gun play and mechanics on a new level – firing weapons and zip tying civilians never felt so good.
Dynamic Scenarios – No heist ever plays out the same way twice. Every single scenario has random geometry or even rare events.
Choose Your Skills – As players progress they can invest in any of four special Skill Trees: the Mastermind, the Enforcer, the Ghost and the Technician. Each features a deep customization tree of associated skills and equipment to master, and they can be mixed and matched to create the ultimate heister.
More Masks than Ever – PAYDAY 2 features a completely new mask system, giving players the ability to craft their own unique mask together with a pattern and a color combination.
Weapons and Modifications – A brand new arsenal for the serious heister, covering everything from sniper and assault rifles to compact PDWs and SMGs. Once you’ve settled for a favorite, you can modify it with optics, suppressors, fore grips, reticles, barrels, frames, stocks, all of which will affect the performance of your weapon. There are also purely aesthetic enhancements – why not go for the drug lord look with polished walnut grips for your nine?
Play It Your Way – Each job allows for multiple approaches, such as slow and stealthy ambushes, to running in guns blazing. Hit the target any way you want, and watch as the heist unfolds accordingly.

Hands On:
I was plenty happy with the gameplay in the first game and yet they improved it and made it immensely more dynamic and diverse in the sequel. Before you could complete a mission, there were certain steps you had to follow. How you handled the steps was up to you but certain actions had to happen. In PAYDAY 2, you have a ton of different ways to complete a mission, depending on the skill trees your team picked up. If you have the right member in your crew, you may not have to use one of those annoying drills to open a safe. Instead, you might pick it or blow it open with C4. If you have a “Ghost” on your team, you might be able to get in and get the loot stealthily, without triggering general alarms and getting into a standoff. There are so many choices that you can play the same mission over and over with entirely different actions each time. This diversity will keep the gameplay fresh for even longer than the last game, and that one didn’t get stale very fast.

CRIMENET adds a lot to the game too since it lays out a map and allows you to pick the job you want to join with the difficulty you feel like attempting. I would suggest playing it offline to start, just to get a feel for the game before playing with others. Online gaming communities can be somewhat unforgiving if you don’t have a general handle on what you are doing, so learning the paces and places a little doesn’t hurt. Besides, there is randomization with every heist, so practicing a few times offline won’t burn you out on one. You just get to see the different variations, like safe placements and armed responses. Then, you can join the CRIMENET online and really get a feel for how good the game can be. PAYDAY 2 requires more teamwork than the first game so you are far less likely to have a jerk on the team not help you up when you are down. You cover each other’s butts and watch backs as specialties such as blowing a safe are performed. It also makes it so that when you find a group that gels together well you might pull off heists together for a few hours and really feel like a team.

All the weapons and mask customization is really nice too as it helps make the character you are playing feel like your own. At the end of a successful heist, you have the opportunity to win weapons upgrades or mask customizations such as patterns, colors, and textures. This is great as you may find yourself in a heist with another person using the “Troll” mask but yours is a different color, has a scale texture, and has a large Ace of Spades on the forehead. It is also nice to be able to go into your safe house and look at the walls and see all the variations on your masks and weapons you have made. The shooting range is nice to see how new weapon changes really effect their performance.

Last Call:
I was ready for PAYDAY 2 to be more of the same from PAYDAY: The Heist and I would have been happy for it if that were the whole story. The first game was great and is one of the titles I always keep updated on my laptop. This way, during my travels, if I need a break or to take out some frustration I hop on and do a job or two. Honestly, I would have been happy if PAYDAY 2 was a glorified DLC of the first, but they made vast improvements on the first game while giving the exact same feel. You are still on a heist right out of a movie, but your specialty and those of your teammates will decide how things play out. Also awesome is that heist are never set up exactly the same way twice, so you never truly know what you are in for. I would say the roughest part of PAYDAY 2 is getting off the game in a reasonable period of time. It is very easy to lose track of the hours when you are running with a good crew and everyone is covering each other.

[easyreview title=”PAYDAY 2 Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]
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Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs Review (PC)

2013/09/10

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

I remember Amnesia: The Dark Descent coming out and playing it a bit saying to myself that it was truly an aptly-named game. When Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs came along, my first response was one of confusion as, let’s face it, that is a pretty strange name for a survival horror game. Without giving too much away, it is a actually very accurate name for a truly disturbing gaming experience not at all friendly for the whole family!

Description:
The year is 1899
Wealthy industrialist Oswald Mandus awakes in his bed, wracked with fever and haunted by dreams of a dark and hellish engine. Tortured by visions of a disastrous expedition to Mexico, broken on the failing dreams of an industrial utopia, wracked with guilt and tropical disease, he wakes into a nightmare. The house is silent, the ground beneath him shaking at the will of some infernal machine: all he knows is that his children are in grave peril, and it is up to him to save them.

Hands On:
Gameplay-wise, the controls are simple point and click action which you forget about quickly as you dive into the madness of the storyline. I cannot recommend highly enough that you play in the dark, that you wear headphones and if at all possible, and be alone in the house/room/apartment/etc. Take away all comforts and safety nets so that the game’s atmosphere overtakes you, listen to the whining of metal and strange footsteps, try to pick out movement in the dark screen with your lantern covered, try to figure out what you need to do next to get closer to saving your children while damning yourself further.

It is all about the story that unfolds at your point and click actions. As things go from a bit strange and creepy to downright sinister and stomach turning you realize this alternate take on the Industrial Revolution seems like it could have been all too possible and maybe there is no such thing as a happy ending here.

The game’s pedigree includes Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Dear Esther, two games which had already proven that Frictional Games and The Chinese Room can do creepy, yet-excellent well – but, when you get into the depth of this game’s story, it is true horror (in a good way, of course)!

Last Call:
This post is really an uber-quick review of Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs – way shorter than most of my reviews on this site. The reason for this is simply because, as a reviewer, I don’t want to give anything away. It is a horror survival game at its purest form – not so much about puzzles and traps as it is about telling a truly disturbing story that could easily rival the plots of some great horror movies out there. A few words written on a found scrap of paper or heard as a recovered memory can create such images that I have to not recommend this for those who are sensitive to gory descriptions. I thought I saw this story’s twist coming but was so wrong and yet, in a horrific way, right. For those with the will and stomach for it, Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs is the perfect way to get ready for the Halloween season!

[easyreview title=”Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”5″ ]
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Game Dev Tycoon Review (PC/Steam)

2013/09/03

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Windows PC News, Windows PC Review

Plenty of you readers out there have probably heard of Game Dev Tycoon, even if you haven’t played it, because of the humorous way GreenHeartGames dealt with folks who pirated/cracked the game. They knew they would get pirated/cracked, even at the incredibly affordable price of the game – so, they did a preemptive strike. They went on the net and uploaded their own specially-coded, cracked version of the game to pirate sites and waited. This was the first, somewhat discouraging result:

When you are a little indie game developer, it’s sad to see your game getting stolen on such a massive scale. Or, so it would seem. Then, these kind of posts started filling the web…

…and the developer’s revenge eventually sunk in. All cracked versions of the game were coded to have the games players develop become victims of piracy and make no money. Those who purchased legal copies, however, got an in-game email message thanking them for their support. I still get a laugh that this message, and those like it, can still be found on discussion boards. The game’s community, which grew and rallied after the trick was revealed, are quick to point out and chastise those who aren’t will to pay less than $10 for the game. I’m just glad that it became part of Steam Greenlight so I can give it a play and review!

Description:
Start your adventure in a small garage office in the 80s. Enjoy the hand-crafted level design while you develop your first simple games. Gain experience, unlock new options and create your first game engine. In Game Dev Tycoon the decisions you make during development really matter. Decide which areas you want to focus on. Does your game need more gameplay or should you focus more on quests? These decisions will have a major impact on the success of your game.

Once you have successfully released a few games you can move into your own office and forge a world-class development team. Hire staff, train them and unlock new options. With experience and a good team, you can release larger, more complex games. Larger games bring new challenges and you will have to manage your team well to deliver hit games.

Features:
– Start a game development company in the 80s
– Design and create games
– Research new technologies
– Create custom game engines
– Move into bigger offices
– Forge a world-class development team
– Unlock secret labs
– Conduct industry changing products
– Unlock achievements

Hands On:
When I heard about this game I laughed at what the developers did but wasn’t really sure what the appeal of the game might be, if you wanted to make games why not just make real games instead of playing a game about making games. When I got hands on though, I immediately saw the where the fun was – Game Dec Tycoon is a very fun sim game with realistic issues and developments with a strong puzzle element. You have to choose what the topic of your game will be about – topics such as horror, UFO, fantasy, etc. You have to select what type of game you are creating, such as adventure, simulation, strategy. You have to select what game engine to use as well as what platform to develop it for. The right combination of all these at the right time will please both the AI critics, who review your games on a 1-10 scale, and the masses who buy your games. Sales, of course, will result in loads of money for research, business expansion, and more employees to work on your games. A bad combination and the critics kill you in the reviews, nobody buys the game and you lose money – too much and it is bankruptcy time and a big game over. You have marketing strategies, engine building, and market analysis to consider. You even have the game’s version of E3 (called “G3”) to decide if you want a booth at and how big.

With this much detail, the game could border on requiring a serious sim player to get the most out of it. Thankfully, it is presented in a very user-friendly manner. However, I still think it might appeal to the occasional sim player because of how quickly you find yourself getting behind your projects you have created and wanting them to succeed. You will lose this game when you first start playing – probably quite a bit. But, each time, you will get farther into the game and you are able to transfer over what you learn from one game to the next. There is definitely a rush when your project winds up scoring some 10s and you suddenly have the cash flow to do new things.

Last Call:
If you like a great sim with an excellent sense of humor, this is definitely the game for you. The game injects enough realism in it that anyone thinking of starting their own game company should give it a play but still also manages to be fun and driving for someone who just wants to play a game not make one. In real life, you won’t see me on any game developer’s personnel list but you will see me playing this on Steam and trying to make that next must-play title.

[easyreview title=”Game Dev Tycoon Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]

Findables FlexStand Case Review (Mobile)

2013/08/28

Ripper71

Mobile News, Mobile Review, News, Reviews

After a recent electronics convention, I found myself very short on business cards for GamingShogun.com. At the same time, I have a side project going which has grown to the size that we have been trying to come up with a business card design to start using in October when we travel A LOT and meet a ton of new folks (ed. note: You guys can do it!!!). Financially speaking, times are tight, mostly due to all that travel. So, new business cards weren’t really “in the cards” so to speak. As luck would have it, that is when we got a Findables FlexStand iPhone case in and, not only were my business cards issue immediately taken care of, but it was also done in a very eco-friendly way.

Description:
Findables’ FlexStand case is innovatively engineered to offer the benefits of protection without sacrificing fashion; and can also turn into a viewing stand. Our ultra-slim and dual layer design offer inner shock protection and a rugged micro-textured outer shell. Each case comes with a free mobile sharing app so you can customize your personal or business information.

Features:
• Designed for iPhone 5
• Ultra-slim and sporty design
• Turns into a viewing stand
• Ultralight impact resistant outer shell (polycarbonate) with shock absorbent interior
• Scratch resistant micro-textured finish
• Raised TPU bezel to protect phone screen
• Full access to screen buttons and ports
• Free Findables Mobile Sharing App

Hands On:
First off, the case has a clean, professional look to it which is perfect for the uses I have in mind. The flexible center strip comes in different colors and allows the case to double as a stand which is nice since most cases with stands on the side of them tend to lose the stand due to wear, accidents, etc. I went through a couple of such cases before going with an insanely durable case with a metal kickstand which looks bulky and not so professional. The slim and professional simplicity of the FlexStand combined with its durability and design help make me feel this is a perfect case for casual or professional time.

What I found to be the most interesting and creative feature to the case is a simple one that I am surprised hasn’t become a norm, after this case it may be. There is a little discreet QR code at the bottom of the case face which can be easily scanned. To this code three different profiles can be set up so that the individual scanning it can get your business, personal or lost phone profile you set up through the Finables app. So, let’s say you are at a business convention and you find yourself running low on cards. Someone can read the QR code with their phone and get a photo (great place to put a picture of your business card), a full list of contact information and any business website or social links you wish to provide. It is far better than a business card because it is less likely to get lost and will have far more information at a single click than can be provided on a business card.

After the convention, let’s say you decide to go out for some drinks with some friends and you run into a long lost friend or become newly acquainted with one. You probably won’t want to give them your business card or a business profile from your phone so with a couple clicks you can have them scan your QR code and get a personal profile with personal information and such things as your Facebook or Twitter account. For me this is where I will have a profile for the group I was considering picking up cards for, the picture will be of a sticker that has our catch phrase on it followed by our Facebook, Twitter and a description of who we are and what we do. Once again that makes it so that the individual doesn’t have to remember any extra details about you that aren’t on a business or personal card, it is all right there. Add to this that it is eco and financially friendly by not having cards made and carried around and this case could become a business man’s best friend (sorry dogs).

The lost phone feature is nice too in case you lose your phone you can set the QR code to lost phone information and an alternate number by accessing the app and your account. There are other apps that arguably can do the same stuff to the phone itself but this is a nice added measure.

Last Call:
Findables FlexStand is the next evolution in cellphone case design and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s design and app become a standard for the industry. The case is competitively priced but comes with an app that will make life easier for anyone who carries business cards, runs into old friends, loses their phone or picks people up in a bar. I definitely plan to put it to good use in my travels.

[easyreview title=”Findables FlexStand Case Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]
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ROCCAT Savu Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse Review (PC)

2013/08/28

Ripper71

News, Peripheral Review, Peripherals News, Reviews

Casual and older gamers tend to drift away from exotic, gaming mouse designed and stick to more conservative models. I have a “casual” gamer in my household who plays even more hours than I do and yet uses a budget, generic-looking mouse. the mouse is solid and dependable, it has been used for years without problems but I literally have a stack of great gaming mice that would improve their game and have been tried and rejected as she doesn’t need the added features and “strange” design. the hope is the ROCCAT Savu Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse will bridge the gap between casual comfort and gaming edge.

Description:
Combining astounding performance and massively-customizable features – packed into an ultra-rugged, perfectly-balanced, medium-size design – the tough ROCCAT Savu Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse easily dominates every device in its class, helping you to easily dominate every opponent you face.

the Savu features the world’s only 4000 dpi optical sensor – for precision optical gaming second to none. It’s also the world’s first mouse to feature a stats and trophy system – called the ROCCAT Achievements Display, or R.A.D. – something previously known in similar form only in online gaming. Plus, our ROCCAT scientists built the Savu using only the higshest-quality materials, which means it will perform flawlessly and with the higshest precision for the longest time possible.

the Savu is the world’s first mouse to feature the ROCCAT Achievements Display – or R.A.D. – a fun and handy application that tracks and rewards a wide range of gaming feats, such as mouse movement, button clicks, scroll steps, etc. the driver-based software compiles mouse use data, provides a range of statistics for analysis, and hands out trophies when exceptional milestones have been reached. It’s a useful and entertaining way for gamers to keep track of their mouse skills – and it even lets players share their accomplishments with others.

Features:
– 4000 DPI Pro-Optic Sensor
– Easy Shift[+] Button
– Customizable Light System
– No-Sweat Side Grips
– ROCCAT Driver+Micro Manager
– High Quality Components

Hands On:
I called in a little help from the casual gamer in the house so that I could give my opinion as well as that of the other end of the spectrum. I like to have gear that is competitive and in-depth and I am more than happy to go through a mouse configuration software and customize buttons and light colors and other settings. the Savu has a nice, middle of the road size so that the user feels the comfort of a smaller mouse in their hands but, at the same time, it is large enough to rest a hand on. It also has an excellent thumb groove to hold it with and its No-Sweat side grips and light weight work together to help make it sail across the mouse pad. the thumb shift button on the mouse is above a tactile groove so my thumb won’t accidentally hit it during normal usage. However, it isn’t too far off if I need to place my thumb there to use the shift button features. Using them does require a shift of the hand’s position but nothing deal-breaking. I am very familiar with all sorts of gaming mice, so between the No-Sweat grip (it feels like shark skin) and the buttons being flush with body, the mouse is still a breeze to manipulate.

the Savu Configuration Application which umbrellas the Micro Manager, light system, and R.A.D. system is easy to install with a few clicks. It is also very user friendly when it comes to checking out all the functions. there are 16.8 million lighting choices – I actually enjoy it cycling through the spectrum in a random color array that fades in and out with is the factory default. Micro and macro managing is extremely so that full rotations in a game can be set to a single button. This makes it so that the forward thumb button, for example, could be used by one macro for fighting single enemies then shift to another macro for multiple enemies. Even a middle of the road gamer and casual gamer would find the ease of the system worth getting used to full mouse play. As for the ROCCAT Achievement Display it’s funny how we just love to get achievements even if it is for mouse usage – we also love to brag about them so the sharing system is nice.

When running the mouse by the casual gamer in the house the first thing that took him a moment to get used to was the size. Quickly did she adapt, thanks to the very comfortable ergonomic thumb indention. She liked the feel of the button clicks but voiced concern that if she were to use the shift command to full effect, she may forget what was programmed where in the heat of battle or not hit the shift button for the right attack. She liked that the thumb buttons were out of the way of the thumb for general use but thought they were a bit far away for comfort. Using a standard mouse she has gotten used to moving her hand more forward on a mouse so that she has to move her thumb back to hit the shift, whereas I found them in about the right space when my hand was at rest, but I use gaming mice all the time.

Last Call:
The ROCCAT Savu Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse really is a true hybrid designed to bridge the game between a standard mouse and a gamer mouse. It has gamer features but many standard mouse features as well. This mouse might be my new standard for my work station so that I can write easy yet have the edge for gaming when I need it. I’m not sure the casual gamer in the house has been sold on it yet, she has used the same kind of mouse for a lot of years but she gave it a maybe. She really liked the feel and with time I think would get comfortable with the shift and the button in front of it for firing off a couple macros. I may get her to upgrade her mouse yet and this might be the one to do it.

[easyreview title=”ROCCAT Savu Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]
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DuckTales Remastered Review (XBLA)

2013/08/19

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Xbox 360 News, Xbox 360 Review

Woo-oo! DuckTales was such a treat to kids and adults growing up, that it practically drips with nostalgia. The cartoon series was an example of Disney animation at its finest: Disney characters having high adventure without their parents dying or anyone else. It involved characters that kids could relate to such as Huey, Dewey, and Louie and one of the most fascinatingly-eccentric Disney creations: Scrooge McDuck. Add to this one of the best and most recognizable theme songs and you have a series that holds up today. The question is… does the game?

Description:
DuckTales: Remastered is a hand-crafted, beautiful re-imagining of one of the most cherished 8-bit titles of all time – now refined with a level of detail that will please the most hardened devoted Disney or retro Capcom fan. Featuring hand-drawn, animated sprites, authentic Disney character voices talent, and richly painted level backgrounds from the classic cartoon TV series, Scrooge McDuck and family come to life like never before. The gameplay retains the authenticity of its 8-bit predecessor, simple and fun, with slight modifications to improve flow and design. Embark on an authentic DuckTales adventure, as Scrooge McDuck and his three nephews travel to exotic locations throughout the world in their quest to retrieve the five Legendary Treasures.

Hands On:
First off, the graphics from the start menu on are gorgeously done while paying homage to its 8-bit roots. All the visual elements are more colorful and cleaner than they were in the old days but are kept simple and not too detailed in order to remind the player of the original. The music has the MIDI quality the original had but more clean and crisp, and the voices sound right out of the cartoon with lines that are short and silly like the original game. In other words: The game remembers the graphics and audio of the original but both have been updated to be pleasing to the contemporary eye and ear.

Gameplay is remarkably simple, which it should be since it is a remastering of the original – not a rebooting. The easy to use controls consist of the left thumb stick and two buttons. This is great for kids to get the hang of and be able to play as well as the kid at heart adults re-experiencing a gameplay style that has definitely moved on. The left stick moves you in any direction, the A button is jump, the X button is action, and the A button followed by the held X button is Pogo jump (super jump). That’s it! You use that and timing to make your way through levels with a bit of simple puzzle solving and hidden objects. Easy level is definitely the one for kids with infinite lives, normal gives you three lives then it’s game over and hard is definitely for the more experienced gamer, the timing with levels and boss fights definitely get harder. The biggest difference in the difficulty is timing – you really lose room for error which would be way too frustrating for a kid but just enough tension for some adults.

The levels are all kinds of fun as they change so much between enemies and environments. My favorite was the Transylvanian map, which will come as no surprise to most folks that know me, with its duck skeletons and mummies as well as ghost-shrouded goons. I would tell you more but half the fun is discovering, or rediscovering, the levels and what makes them unique from the others.

Last Call:
It can be kind of difficult to judge nostalgic games for modern gamers. The gameplay is pretty simple – side scrolling, old school action reminiscent of games such as Mario Bros. or Sonic which still have fan bases today. If you like those games, this is definitely worth a play. It is great for kids with kid targeted characters, bright colors, and silly dialogue. If you are a Disney fan this is a must play for experiencing characters other than the traditional mice. Most of all, this is a must play for the kids and adults who still the DuckTales theme stuck in their heads and can’t wait to revisit Scrooge McDuck and the nephews as they get in and out of trouble in lands as far away as the Moon. For them I would rate this game a “Woo-oo!”

Trailer:

[easyreview title=”DuckTales Remastered Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]
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Empires II: What Would You Risk For World Conquest? Review (iOS)

2013/08/08

Ripper71

News, Reviews, Windows PC Review

I remember back when I used to work a job with split shifts a bunch of us would get together and take over an empty room in the building and set up a Risk board and play for days straight before and between shifts. We took it seriously and played it out to the bitter end which is why it would take days to complete. It was so much fun that players who got knocked out on the first day would keep coming back to see how the game played out and they were usually the first people to say they were ready for another game. Good strategy games bring out that enthusiasm in people, even in these days of everything being quick and easy players will commit to a long strategic battle game if it is done well. Empires II: What Would You Risk For World Conquest? gives players an updated version of Risk with enough fun changes to keep players coming back for another multi-hour match.

Description:
Awaken your instincts and conquer the world! Develop a war strategy, determine a country’s strengths and weaknesses, fortify your lands and dominate! From the moment you select your country of origin, every decision becomes strategic. How will you spend your budget? How will you secure your borders? Will you defeat the enemy or team up to take over the world? In a game of tactics, play as one of 9 regions and wage war against 165 countries. Venture around the large-scale map, sail across oceans and battle your way through victory and defeat.
“He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.”-Sun Tzu
The goal is world domination, and the struggle for power has never been more fun.

Features:
– Attack enemy countries, and transfer and strengthen your armies and armada in phased-based warfare.
– Support for two game-play maps, one with 8 regions and 77 countries for a faster game and an advanced strategy map with 7 regions and 130 countries.
– Track the progress and spy on opponents with easily accessible in-game data.
– Earn an extensive list of victories in a detailed battle report.
– Fast, stunning, challenging, and immensely satisfying game play.
– Visually stunning map of the world includes realistic mountain ranges, oceans and natural barriers.
– Challenge up to 6 real-world multiplayer opponents or fight against the game itself.
– Use the strategy of RISK with the added ability to buy ships and cross oceans!

Hands On:
At first it looks a lot like Risk which is nice, familiarity with the layout lets you feel comfortable about jumping in. The key differences and things that should be considered right from the beginning are terrain and water accessibility of the countries in the region you select. You can’t cross mountains so that would decide natural defenses and obstacles for your gameplay. The other part, water accessibility, is a new take on the Risk style gameplay that makes up a huge factor in your entire strategy. For example let’s say you choose to play North America as your region. In a traditional Risk style game there would be three areas of entry into the region where you would amass giant forces for defense while having slimmer, selective defensive points behind these borders. In Empires II there is only one land to land entry at South America, all other sections of the region except the land locked Mid West have water borders. At first this makes you feel secure after taking the region until Japan suddenly takes the South West section of the region with a gigantic force brought by their navy. Then you realize that any country with ships can land on any of your borders because everywhere but the Mid West has water access, you need to create a great line of defense around the whole region.

If you consider this instead of just diving in the game without reading up on it (like I did the first time) this can actually be used to your advantage because ships are a separate cost from armies, you can block off land advancements then work on creating a defensive perimeter around the region because it takes longer to build up seafaring forces meaning a smaller standing force can hold them for a period of time.

Another well thought out change is that armies and ships can only be raised at a capital on the map. This means that unlike when in Risk you could put troop buildups on any occupied lands in Empires II you have to move new forces either one country at a time or by water to a water accessible country/section. This enables you to think ahead and actually lay siege to sections of the map by using larger forces to cut off any supply lines as well as target regions that would be difficult to counter strike due to distance and accessibility of the empire’s capital. The changes made to the game may seem rather simple on paper but they hugely impact gameplay.

Add to all this the technological advances of the iOS platform which allows you to play the game solo, co-op, pass and play, multiplay online, earn achievements, and connect to social media and you get the very most from your experience.

Last Call:
Empires II: What Would You Risk for World Conquest? is a smarter version of Risk for the modern gamer. It is easy to pick up and play when standing in lines, waiting for appointments or a movie to start while at the same time encouraging you to think strategically ahead several moves and react to a solid AI or formidable opponent sitting next to you or half the world away. Probably one of craziest things about Empires II is it is only $.99 which means you are getting an incredible amount of gameplay for your buck. In this case, literally a buck.
[easyreview title=”Empires II: WHat Would You Risk For World Conquest? Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ]