Its no secret that most of us here at KGS are fans of the game Wings Of War. So imagine my delight when I found a game on the internet that is almost identical to it. So I gave it a try and was blow away, quite literally, with how similar it is to Wings of War for all the right reasons. In fact the team who made Steambirds probably played Wings of War and decided to make a game just like it, except its free to play.
Now because gameplay is very similar to Wings of War, I won't be as thorough as usual. Before each round has a planning phase and an executing orders phase. You drag the arrow from the front of your plane to where you want it to, instead of using movement cards. If you come into range of another plane you shot at it and it shots at you if the enemy plane has you in range.
Steambirds has an excellent tutorial level which explains the how to play very well. The game is set up so you go through a story line set of missons progressing through time. On each level you are awarded 1-4 stars based on your performance. The more stars you have the higher you get promoted. I wish that this game let you have games just between you and a friend or the computer and not in a mission.
One major problem I have with SteamBirds is that the game does not show you the enemy's guns. Neither where they are or what they're arch and range is. This can be a major pain when trying to attack a blimp and not knowing where the guns are. It seems like something obvious that you would put into a game like this.
While SteamBirds may have the advantages of being free and taking up much less space to play over Wings of War, it doesn't make it better. The reason being that you can't play SteamBirds with friends, but you can with Wings of War. Steambirds is fine to play on your own, and it is a good game. But Wings of War is simply better.
SteamBirds was made by Andy Moore, Daniel Cook, Jordan Fehr, and Danny Baranowshy.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Online Flash Games, Week 5: Railway Valley
Sorry about this late edition. I was at a baseball game yesterday with skybox seats so posting slipped my mind. But I know how to make up for it. Over the last few weeks I have been reviewing games that I like to play. But as you can imagine, every game cannot be good. And so this week I have a game i tried awhile ago and never played again; Railway Valley.
You are in charge of a railway company. The object is to build rail lines from certain buildings to others and deliver them to get money. Over time new buildings appear and you have to extend the line to get to those building. Sounds very simple, right? But then comes the first snag.
The instructions are useless. Instead of telling you how to build track and make junctions, the instructions just tell you what they are. They don't tell you gameplay mechanics, just describes the game. Perhaps they're definition of instructions is different from mine, but instructions to me means explaining how to play the game, not a biography of the game. And when you hit new game, then it explains the buttons and what they do. But still not how to play.
The game itself is too complicated and the game gives you very little time to set up tracks. It might be easier if it would tell you how to play, but I don't think so. Its a good idea and I know that simlulations similar to this have worked., take RailRoad Tycoon for example (a PC game, not an online game). This game simply is far too difficult for me and the majority of those who have played it on addictinggames.com. The website has a poll under the game of who like and and who hate it. A good game would have above 60% like. This game has a terrible 38%.
I think that however made this had a good idea for a game and could have made a great game. But this is a complicated and frustrating mess. Maybe someone enjoys a really complicated game. But I don't like a game this complicated. The descrition of the game says "train wrecks are everywhere". Well I disagree. There's only one train wreck here, and it isn't on track; its online.
You are in charge of a railway company. The object is to build rail lines from certain buildings to others and deliver them to get money. Over time new buildings appear and you have to extend the line to get to those building. Sounds very simple, right? But then comes the first snag.
The instructions are useless. Instead of telling you how to build track and make junctions, the instructions just tell you what they are. They don't tell you gameplay mechanics, just describes the game. Perhaps they're definition of instructions is different from mine, but instructions to me means explaining how to play the game, not a biography of the game. And when you hit new game, then it explains the buttons and what they do. But still not how to play.
The game itself is too complicated and the game gives you very little time to set up tracks. It might be easier if it would tell you how to play, but I don't think so. Its a good idea and I know that simlulations similar to this have worked., take RailRoad Tycoon for example (a PC game, not an online game). This game simply is far too difficult for me and the majority of those who have played it on addictinggames.com. The website has a poll under the game of who like and and who hate it. A good game would have above 60% like. This game has a terrible 38%.
I think that however made this had a good idea for a game and could have made a great game. But this is a complicated and frustrating mess. Maybe someone enjoys a really complicated game. But I don't like a game this complicated. The descrition of the game says "train wrecks are everywhere". Well I disagree. There's only one train wreck here, and it isn't on track; its online.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
KGS Journeys to the City of Brotherly Love
On Friday I went up to Philadelphia Comic Con (aka - Wizard World East, aka Wizard World Philly) to scout out my plans to podcast from the event next year. It was a good crowd on Friday, I think it's going to be a lot of fun if we can pull it off.
While there I found some back issue comics I have not been able to find anywhere else and I also picked up some cool Harry Potter prop replica wands and patches.
More details on our on-site podcasting plans through out the year.
While there I found some back issue comics I have not been able to find anywhere else and I also picked up some cool Harry Potter prop replica wands and patches.
More details on our on-site podcasting plans through out the year.
Our Magical Podcast Machine Broke
We did our best podcast yet last Tuesday and when I went to post it to iTunes I noticed that nothing recorded. Our magical podcast machine died. So I am looking at getting some better, more professional gear. The podcasts will resume very soon.
My Gamer Group
Sam and I spoke with Ray from mygamergroup.com today at FREE RPG DAY. They do a little different take on the gamer's world. Give them some love at their website located at: http://www.mygamergroup.com/
KGS Hosts Atomic Highway at FREE RPG Day (2011)
Sam hosted an Atomic Highway game, which is always very popular. Brett (honorary member) hosted a D&D 4th Edition game.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Movie Review - Green Lantern
\Well, I just came back from watching Green Lantern with Sam and my bud Andy.
My first reaction to the Green Lantern film is mild confusion. I spoke with two rabid Green Lantern fans after the film (they loved it) and they seemed to have a lot of knowledge that filled in the gaps. Quite a few character relationships and actions left me scratching my head during the movie. I didn't even know the names of many of the characters and the one bad guy seemed to be totally unnecessary. Just too many characters, period.
Also, the movie just seemed LONG. It seemed to lack forward momentum in parts but perhaps this was compounded with my general confusion about who the characters were and why they did what they did.
We saw the movie in 3D and I've got to say that I had no problem with the 3D at all. Obviously this film was made with 3D in mind because it wasn't dark or blurry like Thor 3D was.
Bottom line: I think fans of the Green Lantern will love it but it will fail to impress general movie audiences. Is this the first film in the Justice League series? If so, I don't think they're off to a great start.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Ask a Ninja
Which of these is the coolest:
Zombies. Vampires. Pirates. Ninjas.
Of course, the answer is Ninjas. Ninjas have an mysterious, mystically invincible and omnipotent reputation. Ask a Ninja brilliantly capitalizes on this reputation by having a "Ninja" answer questions sent in from viewers. With nothing more than a backdrop and a Ninja costume, Ask a Ninja brilliantly using hyperbole in explaining the world as a Ninja would see it. Check out the sample below:
Since its inception Ask A Ninja has gone professional - the Ninja With No Name has since gone professional. His earlier videos are the best and he's had some missteps like movie promos for films like "Blades of Glory." You can, of course, find these videos at YouTube or at www.askaninja.com.
Zombies. Vampires. Pirates. Ninjas.
Of course, the answer is Ninjas. Ninjas have an mysterious, mystically invincible and omnipotent reputation. Ask a Ninja brilliantly capitalizes on this reputation by having a "Ninja" answer questions sent in from viewers. With nothing more than a backdrop and a Ninja costume, Ask a Ninja brilliantly using hyperbole in explaining the world as a Ninja would see it. Check out the sample below:
Since its inception Ask A Ninja has gone professional - the Ninja With No Name has since gone professional. His earlier videos are the best and he's had some missteps like movie promos for films like "Blades of Glory." You can, of course, find these videos at YouTube or at www.askaninja.com.
Buckeye RPG
The first ever Buckeye RPG - Keystone Gaming Society joint summit was held in Ohio this past weekend. Movies were watched. Soda was drank. Games were played. Gifts were exchanged. Snack food was consumed. Small countries were forced to surrender their sovereign lands. Fun was had by all in attendance.
Among the movies watched were...
Flash Gordon - Cult classic B movie with a criminally insane bird man.
Fandango - Kevin Costner buddy road trip movie.
Katt Williams comedy special - Might be funny if you're black.
Bill Buhr comedy special - Hilarious!
Time Traveler's Wife - A good time travel movie AND romance.
Time Bandits - British humor and B-movie special effects!
Hot Tub Time Machine - Funny time travel is back!
Watership Down - Animated film about rabbits.
Little Mermaid (WHAT? It's a great film!) - Disney classic
Aristrocrats - One joke, analyzed and told over and over again in very, very, very dirty ways.
David Hasselhoff Roast from Comedy Central - It's almost too easy to make fun of the Hoff.
A Clockwork Orange - Weird Kubrick film (that's redundant, I know) about teens that get in trouble with the law.
Highlander - It's a cult classic but I didn't think it was really that great.
Southpark's latest episode - Funny, and I don't even like Southpark!
X-Men - A great superhero comic book film!
X-Men 2 - Better than the first!
X-Men: Wolverine - A good film but you should stop watching before the boxing fight with the Blob.
In my estimation, Fandango was the single best film watched. All but forgotten except for the name of the movie ticket website, this film really dynamic characters and an interesting plot. Just plain fun.
KGS is looking forward to the next get together with Buckeye RPG!
Among the movies watched were...
Flash Gordon - Cult classic B movie with a criminally insane bird man.
Fandango - Kevin Costner buddy road trip movie.
Katt Williams comedy special - Might be funny if you're black.
Bill Buhr comedy special - Hilarious!
Time Traveler's Wife - A good time travel movie AND romance.
Time Bandits - British humor and B-movie special effects!
Hot Tub Time Machine - Funny time travel is back!
Watership Down - Animated film about rabbits.
Little Mermaid (WHAT? It's a great film!) - Disney classic
Aristrocrats - One joke, analyzed and told over and over again in very, very, very dirty ways.
David Hasselhoff Roast from Comedy Central - It's almost too easy to make fun of the Hoff.
A Clockwork Orange - Weird Kubrick film (that's redundant, I know) about teens that get in trouble with the law.
Highlander - It's a cult classic but I didn't think it was really that great.
Southpark's latest episode - Funny, and I don't even like Southpark!
X-Men - A great superhero comic book film!
X-Men 2 - Better than the first!
X-Men: Wolverine - A good film but you should stop watching before the boxing fight with the Blob.
In my estimation, Fandango was the single best film watched. All but forgotten except for the name of the movie ticket website, this film really dynamic characters and an interesting plot. Just plain fun.
KGS is looking forward to the next get together with Buckeye RPG!
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