Thursday, December 18, 2008

Prince of Persia 2008 wows game reviewer


I'm sure glad this game reviewer clarified that the latest Prince of Persia is a new release and not just a rehash of the 1989 original. The graphics are obviously outstanding and he praises the dialogue and character interactions as well.

A snippet of a very extensive review:

Prince of Persia is a delight to behold. The game’s scenes cover the full spectrum of classic “desert epic” settings, carrying the player through deep caverns, sprawling wastelands, grand and towering palaces, and ancient cities of stone. Given the series’ reliance on platforming and acrobatic movement, of course, all of these areas have extremely vertical layouts: Players can expect to scale impossibly tall towers, climb and run on massive walls, and even reach the sky atop a series of dirigible-carried platforms. They may not be as crisp and shiny as the tall rooftops of Mirror’s Edge, but they’re extremely colorful and pretty to look at — and thanks to the unlikely and perilous ways in which one must navigate these areas, there are still plenty of vertigo-inducing moments.

The characters, too, are rendered quite nicely, using an effect akin to cel-shading to let them stand out against the scenery while still providing a high level of detail to their costumes and faces. Their animation is suitably fluid and spirited, and during cut-scenes, their faces exude an appreciable range of emotion, infusing each character with charm, confidence, vulnerability, or menace, as appropriate. More than anything, though, the characters are brought to life through the game’s spectacular writing and voice acting. - More

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Immortal Fire: Field of Glory Greek, Persian and Macedonian Army List for the Wargamer

Immortal Fire: Field of Glory Greek, Persian and Macedonian Army List (Field Of GLory)I see Osprey Publishing has released a line of manuals to inform wargaming enthusiasts.

"Providing accessible and informative coverage of the Greek, Persian and Macedonian armies, Immortal Fire
details conflicts such as the Spartan stand at Thermopylae, Alexander's
victory at Gaugamela, and his fight for the Granicus river.
Well-designed, visually stunning and with detailed historical overviews
of each army, these comprehensive army listings, with supporting maps
and artwork allow gamers to recreate some of the most legendary battles
in history. Take on the role of the world's greatest tacticians and
soldiers and change history."

Legions Triumphant: Field of Glory Imperial Rome

Legions Triumphant: Field of Glory Imperial Rome Army List"Field of Glory provides the historical tabletop wargamer with a new,
accessible rules set. With no new high-quality games system aimed
specifically at the Ancient and Medieval wargamer for over 10 years,
this product will fill the gap in this market. Legions Triumphant
includes a well-designed, visually stunning and comprehensive army
listings, with detailed historical overviews of each army, supporting
maps and Osprey artwork."

Municipium

Municipium"A prime mechanism of Roman expansion and control in the provinces (and
in Italy during the conquest of the peninsula c. 500 -- 265 BC) was the
municipium (later the colonia), the premiere Roman provincial town. The
game takes place in one of these municipalities.
Players are each in control of a powerful family and try to
strategically place their family members in the various institutions
throughout the municipium and gain the support of the citizens;
Scholars, Merchants, Soldiers, Priests and possibly even the Praefect.
At various times in the game, if a player has the most influence in an
institution, the player can exert the power of that institution and
gain the support of certain citizens. Meanwhile, the preafect moves
around the municipium and players strive to have the most influence in
the institution that he visits, thereby earning his favour. There are
seven institutions; Temple, Baths, Emporium, Praetorium, Tavern,
Basilica and Forum, each of which have their unique powers with which
players must decide how and when to use in an attempt to become the
most influential family in the municipium.
Complete artwork by Mike Doyle. This is a 3 -- 5 player game with a
playing time of approximately 40 - 70 minutes."

Hannibal: Rome Vs. Carthage (RPG)

Hannibal: Rome Vs. Carthage"One of the greatest military commanders and tacticians in history descends on the Roman Empire once again! Do you face him as Rome and try to ward the invasion that comes from the North, or do you climb atop your war elephant and show Rome you will take that which they hold most dear: their territory! Designed with all new artwork from Kurt Miller this is a reprint of the very popular Avalon-Hill version from 1996. The game uses the popular card system, which first appeared in Avalon Hill's We the People, to recount the Second Punic War from 218 to 203 B.C. Players use strategic-level cards for multiple purposes: moving generals, levying new troops, reinforcing existing armies, gaining political control of the provinces involved in the war, and generating historical events. When two armies meet on the battlefield, a second set of cards, called Battle Cards, are used to determine the winner. Ultimately both players seek victory by dominating both fronts: military and political."
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