The Antisocial Gamer is now available

Facebook, a domain filled with games considered "social" games... so why am I, an antisocial kind of reviewer, reviewing social games?... I don't know, listen in all the same and find out! This cast I talk about Coasterville, Treasure Legend and ramble on about topics near and far from what I am actually reviewing. Hear me rant!

Presently working on Pocket Gamer Episode 5, and hope to have it out soon. Stay tuned!

Micro Review : LEGO Indiana Jones The Original Adventures (Nintendo DS)

Micro Review
Handheld Edition
LEGO Indiana Jones The Original Adventures
Nintendo DS

I am an avid LEGO gaming fan, ever since Traveler's Tale first rolled out LEGO Star Wars back in the time of Episode III Revenge of the Sith I have been a dedicated player of the LEGO franchise... but even so not every Nintendo DS itieration of LEGO games has earned praise from me.

I have enjoyed LEGO Star Wars II The Original Trilogy but Complete Saga with all six episodes... not so much. OK, so what did I think of the DS version of the first LEGO Indiana Jones? Lets see here...

Of course it is an adapt of the first LEGO Indiana Jones game, that goes without saying... what does need to be said is that if you loved the other versions you should play this one... why? Isnt it the same game? Well... no, not exactly.

Yes it shares things in common with, say, the PSP or Wii version but this is a DS adapt. Of the DS/DS Lite and first gen PSP 1K1 to 3K1 the DS lacked the pure power of the PSP. But what the DS version usually lacks in graphical power it more than makes up for in innovation, though not all DS adapts are gems. Movie adapts usually being the worst of the lot, though I am quite pleased to say the DS adapts are always better fare. Yes I have been down on some outings like the Complete Saga of LEGO Star Wars, or LEGO Indiana Jones II, but even a less than perfect LEGO game is better than most adapts like Spider-Man or Pirates of the Caribbean on DS.

My biggest problems with this, and really any LEGO game, is that they are rather short (maybe 10-20 or so hours of concentrated effort in order to achieve 100%) and lacks a randomizer to keep Free Play fresh and replayable. I love me my LEGO games, for its humor and addictive gameplay, but it is also not a perfect franchise. It is fun, but you have to learn how to embrace LEGO games shortcomings with its good points. In this case all the gameplay you are used to, and a ton of DS unique touch screen games. And while the overall presentation is pretty good, and the mini games are themed to the Indy movies and pretty fun... its still abit short and lacks replay value. Still all in all I am going to give it a high 3 out of 5.

Next on my list? The original LEGO Batman and LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean DS! Stay tuned!

Waiting to Recharge

Waiting to Recharge

Not much happened last week game content wise but while waiting for the stuff to recharge... lets note the giant gorillas in the room.

Crytek CEO wants to eliminate single player offline gaming in favor of online multiplayer games only.

Fine. I admit it. I have no idea what Crytek is, or why it is so big that people care what he wants to do with his company. But I guess they are cranking out games people want lest nobody would care what this guy wants.

So... what does he want? Who can say. Maybe...

- He heard you like them online multiplayer shooters and wants to make it online all the time...

- So they can stream online ads to you nonstop... make the games loaded with micro transactions.

- Start cranking out Facebook social media addiction gaming... because if your not up to date and know Zynga is allegedly floundering financially you'd think Farmville clones were still fortune makers.

- Maybe he wants to exclusively provide content for the XBox 720. I hear they want to make it so you have to play all your games online on the next gen 720.

But whatever the case the CEO of Crytek said he wants to do away with offline single player... of course saying it and doing it are two entirely different beasts but we will see.

But that is not the only news. Speaking of micro transactions...

EA Games wants to make all future games set up for micro transactions?

Because really who wants to buy a full game anymore. Dont you want to buy, say, half a game? After all if they chop all their games up for sellable DLC and micro transactions then surely you will get a nice tidy discounted price on the game... except what if that is not the case? What if you end up paying full price for a game that plans to drill you for the full price of a game AND for DLC AND for micro transactions... by the way just how will that work on some game genres anyway?

Speak of micro transactions and no doubt your first thoughts should be of Facebook social media games. When it comes to those kind of games you send money to buy a form of Premium in game currency, be it cash is many Zynga games, or gems used in the My Little Pony Friendship is Magic mobile game. That is how we see micro transactions, but how does that translate in games like the LEGO series, Madden and other sports related EA Sports titles, or RPG strategy games in the vein of a Fire Emblem or Advance Wars? Thats in a few days as I continue this tact and discuss the possible ways micro transactions will affect how you play EA Games in the near future if they actually decide to go through with this nonsense, so stay tuned!

Next week - Hopefully back to casual updating... maybe.

Pocket Gamer Updated!

Episode 3 and 4 of Pocket Gamer is now up and available, so please check both of them out. In the meantime I'm off to work on new episodes (talking about Civilization : Revolution on the DS, LEGO Indiana Jones the Original Adventures (DS) and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite on the PSP next time out!)