Here’s an in-store tip. Shop around! How often have you heard that before? Seriously. Have in mind what you want, go to some place that they know their stuff, learn more about it, check out their prices, then go to a couple more places. Once you’ve found that same item in another store at a lower price, record it, and if you’d rather not get it at that store, go back to that first one and see if they will lower their price for you. Sometimes they may mark down some of your other items just so you’ll shop there with them. A sale is better than no sale to some places. Not all places will do it, but it’s worth a shot. The worst they can say is “No” after all, and then they lose your business as you walk out the door. Yes, it takes more time than just going to one place to get everything, but believe it or not, some places are less expensive than others! And we’re not just talking about a box of cereal.

Do not forget to shop online–there are some fantastic deals there as well! Some stores may have a good price in the store, but check their website also, because sometimes they have “Online Only” specials on their merchandise. Some internet-based stores are excellent places to go for your holiday shopping needs, like Amazon.com or if you like to take chances, try Craigslist.org or eBay.com.

Hope something in here sparks an interest in your holiday shopping needs. Maybe some of the best deals are happening right now AND during the intense holiday season? I do know one thing: if you get on it now, it’s better than the hassle of the shoppers traffic, and headaches, just to find out they are sold out of something.

The remake, Bionic Commando: Rearmed (Rearmed! Get it?!), features the same story and gameplay as the the original, but enhanced with modern graphics and sound effects. Fans of the original will recognize levels and bosses throughout the game, as well as some nostalgia-heavy cutscenes. The remake is still a 2D scroller, and you still can’t jump (forcing you to rely on your bionic arm swinging abilities).

First, the positives. This game is absolutely beautiful. Everything from the stellar 3D characters with full ragdoll effects to the campy back and forth dialogue to the modernized 8-bit soundtrack are incredibly gratifying. It’s so much fun to combine the nostalgia of playing a side-scrolling shooter with the graphics of modern gaming machines. The visuals of this remake are at times better than those of modern original titles.

BCR also features split-screen multiplayer campaign as well as up to 4-player versus modes. The campaign can be a lot of fun, since the opponent AI alters itself to require teamwork. However the versus modes are only fun for a short while and quickly become repetitive and boring.

Where BCR suffers is in gameplay. The original Bionic Commando is known for being somewhat difficult to master, and I found the remake to hold true to that assessment as well. It took me a long time to master the swinging technique needed to traverse even the earliest levels, and many of the areas you encounter feature spiked floors or lava that will kill you almost immediately. After struggling to get through the first few levels, I went back and lowered the difficulty level to the easiest setting. This blocked off the traps on the floor and made enemies easier to defeat, thus refocusing gameplay on navigating using the bionic arm, which is where this game really shines.

For a remake, Bionic Commando: Rearmed is a stunning success. Original gameplay is left mostly untouched, with stellar graphics and soundtracks added and enhanced to really make this one of the best $10 video games out there. I definitely suggest this game for any fans of the original Bionic Commando, or for fans of retro gaming in general.

Technorati Tags: Bionic Commando, Bionic Commando: Rearmed, Grin, Capcom, XBox Live Arcade, Playstation Network, PC Games, Nintendo, NES, video games, video game reviews

The concept is simple, you play the roll of a stone, bronze or iron age racer equiped with the latest in fast moving vehicles.  You plow your way around the track racing against three others in an attempt to come in first.

There are 9 different tracks to choose from, each with their varying levels of ease and obstacles.  You can choose from 11 different vehicles and also grab a number of power-ups as you race around the track.  These range from weapons you can use against other racers (bone bombs, bottle rockets and torpedos to name a few) to better suspensions or turbo shots.

Cro-Mag Racer makes use of the iphone as stearing wheel.  To turn to the right, simply tilt the phone or pod to the right.  Acceleration is handled by the F or R arrows (forward/reverse) on the left side of the screen.  Power ups are activated on the right hand side of the screen.

I found that after the first race, steering had become quite natural.  Apparently it was not always so with this game but an update from Pangea made it much more manageable.  I didn’t have a problem with it once I became acclimated.

For the device it’s on, the graphics are good - not stunning but certainly no eye sore.  The controls are fairly intuitive but I did encounter several minor issues. The first is something that’s bound to happen on any game like this for the iPhone or iPod Touch.  The accidental pressing of the one button on the device.  In the heat of a close race, I nicked the Home button and just like that I was staring at a sideways version of my home screen.  That was a bummer.  The other issue I encountered was a bit of hand strain after about 30 minutes of playing, particularly on my left hand.  Or it could be that I’m just getting on in age.

I’m on day three with this game and I haven’t tired of it yet, which really says something about it.  It’s a great casual dip into racing that’s varied enough that I look forward to playing it and causual enough that 10 minutes is good for a few games.

My favorite track - Atlantis even drops the racers in favor of subs and ads a third axis to gameplay, up/down.

Cro-Mag Rally goes for $5.99 and is worth it - a far better deal than more expensive games available through the App store.  Note also that in both screen shots, I’m in last place.  It’s damn hard to play this game and take a screen shot.

Technorati Tags: review, iphone, ipod touch, app store, cro-mag rally, video games

A free demo of Too Human was put up on Xbox Live a few weeks ago, and I’ve spent some time playing both of the available classes (there are five character classes in the full game). The combat in the game is similar to that of the Devil May Cry and God of War series. The player employs a combo system to defeat waves of monsters while advancing through the level. The combat system is touted as being complex and requiring more effort than simple button-mashers, but I found that a single blow was enough to defeat most enemies. Pointing the right analog stick towards an enemy causes the player to slide across the ground to attack them, usually killing them in one hit. There exists a mechanic in which the player is able to toss an enemy into the air and then fire ranged weapons at them, but I was never able to experience this because my opponents died too fast. Every fight degenerated into me just pushing the right analog stick towards the nearest enemy until they were all dead. Hopefully later levels in the game will feature more complex fights where the combat system can be better incorporated.

The combat system is further enhanced by a steady stream of weapons and armor that drop from monsters. Players can customize their equipment to enhance damage dealt, but again, the system did not quite live up to expectations. The duration of the demo is only a single level, and of the pile of equipment I amassed by the end, I was only able to use one or two items. As players level up, they gain skill points that can be invested in a tree of skills (reminiscent of World of Warcraft talents), further developing and customizing their character. However, the duration of the demo only allows the accumulation of a few skill points that do not show a significant difference in gameplay. Hopefully the full game will better explore both the equipment and skill mechanics.

The primary redeeming quality of the Too Human demo was the storyline. Conversations between characters hint at a massive mythology that will be (hopefully) explored in-depth throughout the trilogy.

Too Human also incorporates a multi-player aspect over Xbox Live, but this was not present in the demo.

The Too Human demo is fun to play, but I have a feeling the full effect of the game is not really available in the short demo on Xbox Live. The demo has left me somewhat apprehensive, but hopefully the full game will flesh out the gameplay mechanics and deliver the promised complexity. Too Human hits store shelves on August 19.

Technorati Tags: Too Human, Silicon Knights, Xbox 360, video games, review

In my experience, the worst feature of action games based on movies is in-game combat, but the Quantum of Solace video game is incorporating the Call of Duty 4 engine, which is at times evident in the gameplay footage.  Significant work has also been put into player movement through the environment and in-game physics.  The environment appears largely destructible and the character moves through it gracefully and deliberately, much like you would expect James Bond to do.

The game utilizes both first-person and third-person combat.  While running around, the player views the environment through the eyes of James Bond, but the player can also take advantage of a complex cover mechanic to hide behind barriers and shoot at opponents.  In these situations the camera pulls back seamlessly to provide a wider view.

Quantum of Solace is the first Bond film to be a true sequel, as it picks up Bond’s story only an hour after the events of Casino Royale.  The Quantum of Solace video game will include the stories from both films, and is planned for a release on all major consoles as well as the PC coinciding with the release of the film on October 31 in the UK and November 6 in the US.

Technorati Tags: bond, video game, quantum of solace, tie in, geek, games, fps

I’m finding myself feeling initially more and more defeated after things like this happen, and then numb and indifferent. It doesn’t make me proud, but I feel exhausted, “Oh God, what now?” I’m one more incident away from becoming a vengeful ninja than a calm Buddha.

To go into my chrysalis state I popped in ‘Indigo Prophecy’ after I had visited the various game sites and read what gamers had to say about it. Over all the score was pretty high and the lowest rating were from people who wound up offended before completing the game. It does play out like a movie and brings back the love of those books we read when were younger where we got to pick our our path. One decision can change the outcome making a do-over worth it.

The simon-like movements (various color positions on the screen to mimic to assist in the mission) were annoying at first, “I pressed both of them at the same time! Damn my controller!” until I figured out how to outsmart it. Actually it wasn’t outsmarting it as much as figuring out it was forgiving (hint: if it calls for a double movement of the same color, only one will suffice). The story line is interesting as well as the characters.

You find yourself initially in a diner having just murdered someone and having no memory of it. Your first step is to get the hell out of there because there’s a cop in the diner and you’re covered in blood. The next piece is that you wind up being a detective (and you get to bounce between the two partners). You’re the murderer AND you get to solve the murder. What makes it interesting is that all parties are trying to figure out why, and solving the puzzles between all characters assist you in figuring out ‘why’.

The suspect is guilty although not completely, and it’s also your job to show the cops that it’s not a cut and dry homicide. There’s a supernatural force brewing beneath the surface that spans quite a few years.

Although I am 3/4 the way through, I can already give it a 9 for giving me a change of pace, likable characters, keeping my interest and turning me on to a new game. I’ve been such a naysayer to games thrown my way for the past year or so (with the exception of Soul Nomad and the World Eaters and Lego’s Star Wars 2), that it’s nice to enjoy game playing again.

Indigo Prophecy hit shelves a few years ago, but if you’re like me and it was released under your radar, go ahead and give it a shot. Once you make it past the ‘Hide and Seek’ level, you might find yourself hooked. Give it a shot if you like mysteries, thrillers and solving crimes. If you only shooting people, stealing stuff and blowing things up… this might not be the game for you, which is fine because I’m really only interested in games I’d like.

A 2D platform game that has me discovering somewhere along the line I had traded my fingers for thumbs. It’s the jumping… I cannot do the jumping. Think Mario on acid.

I don’t know if I like it or hate it. The levels progressively get more difficult but the tasks have no rhyme or reason. WHY am I jumping and dodging to end a level that gives me no idea WHY I screamed and cursed at the screen through out my multiple demises?????

This game is for kids I guess and I want to pound on the kids who can breeze through these levels. Monster kids who were born with a controller in their hands and they must be stopped at all costs!

Each character I’ve played so far has no ability that distinguishes it from the last. The “toy factory” isn’t like any toy factory I’ve ever been in… (okay, I’ve never been *in* a toy factor or have ever seen a toy factory. As far as I know they’re all hellish evil playgrounds for demonic Care Bears.)

I will continue to play because that’s what I do, but as far as a relaxing game to give me a break from the more intense games I’ve been playing, it fails!

You know if most games forced you to jump as much as this one does- I may have traded my consoles in for… books a long time ago. >:-|

I can’t give you the traditional rating system because I’m not even half way through and I’ve no idea what I thnk of it over all. My ego is crushed as a young boy is pointing and laughing at me each time I poof my character and yell “CRUB!!”

Sins of a Solar Empire is one of those rare games that has the ability to really capture my attention, draw me in and keep me in front of the PC for long periods of time. I’m a sucker for galactic expansion games and even though I don’t go bonkers over RTS games in general, this one in particular has just the right blend of strategy and real time to keep me happily clicking away. Sins is really an RT4X Game – Real Time, eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate.

The game flows, it’s engaging and it moves at a pace I can enjoy and that allows me to tweak my empire as I see fit without feeling like I’m listening to the Jeopardy theme song. What exactly have they done right? Here are some bullet points of things I love about this game.

* User set pacing - slow, medium or fast. A boon to those who aren’t into twitch RTS games.

* you can zoom in and out at will. Take a look at the whole star system! See that zit on your commandant’s nose!

* The interface, after about a half hour of use becomes very easy and intuitive. This is incredibly important for games of this type and they’ve gotten it right.

* Tree. I’m getting to really love this easy to use, explorer style menu of systems, ships and structures.

* It’s pretty and it sounds good.

I’ve wended my way through the tutorials (which I’d highly recommend) and then played several different scenarios, including a map I created sans pirates. If I had one complaint, it would be pirates. I don’t think they are necessarily implemented badly and I can see their point but I just don’t like them. Thankfully the map editor (really more of a series of choices you can make) is simple. It took me all of five minutes to create and start playing on a pirate free map. With a new updated issued by Stardock, more pirate free maps are now available as well.

The game starts with the player in control of a single planet, a frigate factory for creating ships and two construction drones. Resources available to you are in the form of asteroids that contain either metals or crystal. From this beginning you create your empire.

Ships that are available to you come in three sizes. Frigates, which include your scout ship and several other basic designs, including bombers, anti-fighter, coloney and standard ‘destroyer’ type ships are at the smaller side of the spectrum. Cruisers generally encompass small command ships, small carriers and all around warships. The last level of ship is the capital ship. These are huge warships, which can all generally do a lot of damage but each have specific roles as well, from carrier to command vessel.

Capitol ships, the largest you’ll get, can be improved by bringing them into combat and having them gain levels. As they increase in levels they can acquire and improve special abilities. Depending on the ship and the race you can develop everything from more powerful weapons to the ability to psychically control the population of the planet you’re invading.

The game encompasses three races, the TEC (humans) the Advent (post-humans) and the Vasari (aliens). All three of these offer unique tech trees you can advance through. Each race has it’s strengths and its weaknesses. Playing them will help you to understand these, as will fighting against them.

The map can be as simple as one star and a few planets, or encompass multiple star systems with up to 100 planets each. The further away a planet is from your capital, the lower it’s loyalty rating and the longer it takes to build this up. Distance is a factor also in travel time – the longer the phase lanes (the method used to travel between worlds) and the further the star systems, the longer it takes to move ships around. This becomes key to developing your strategy as it’s possible for opposing fleets to pass each other without interacting (in a phase lane), thus having two large fleets end up at two relatively undefended planets. It’s all in good fun though, figuring out your fleet placement and bottlenecks is just another part of developing your strategy.

Speaking of tech trees, I like the way they are implemented here. You’ve got military technology, civilian technology, logistical upgrades and artifacts (which can assist an many different areas). Your ability to advance through your military and civilian tech trees is based on both resources (of which there are three types) and the number of research stations you’ve built throughout your empire. Ship crews and fleet sizes can also be upgraded at a cost.

Research allows various types of ships to be constructed, weapons to be upgraded and technologies implemented to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Some tech areas can be researched more than once to bring additional benefits. While the three races share many of the same technologies, there are enough differences to keep game play interesting.

Like all good strategy games, you’ll have to adapt to your current tactical and logistical situation, which means constantly evaluating where to spend your resources – technology, ships, planet improvements or orbital construction. Fortunately the way the game plays, it can be a bit frantic at times but not overwhelming.

Back to the pirates, while I’m not a big fan of them, they do offer a neat function in the game. You can wage a proxy war on your enemies by paying the pirates to attack them. Of course, they can do the same to you. In addition to this rather brutal form of diplomacy, you can also form alliances with other races (or players in multiplayer games).

There’s a lot of depth to this game - of which I’ve just touched the surface. I can easily see where replayability will not be a problem, through the creation of unique maps, the fact that games like these just play differently each time and that user created mods are encouraged. If you get bored playing against the AI, then hop online and find a game through Ironclad Online.

One more tidbit that I find wonderful about this game. There is no DRM involved. When you purchase it you’re given an activation code which allows for updates, patches and upgrades but you’re never treated like a criminal by the folks who are selling you the game. Way to go Ironclad!

Now that I’ve played several complete games as each of the races offered, I’ve a much better feel for the game. And I’m still loving it. With the ability for player mods to be created, a new tool for creating your own maps available for download and continued updates which feature new content as well as bug fixes and game tweaks, this game will be on my to-play list for quite some time to come. Reminiscent (although different) of great games like Masters of Orion 2, Sins easily qualifies as my favorite game this year.

The Good:

Graphically this is a great RTS, with stunning ship detail. Combat looks great.

Fast paced, fun, always interesting and always just a bit different. High replayability.

Pacing is just right.

No DRM. Thank you, Ironclad and Stardock!

The Bad:

Lengthy game times – even a ’small’ game will take hours to complete.

Overall Score: 9.25 out of 10

Gameplay: 9

Experience (Sound/Graphics): 8

Replayability: 10

Fun Factor/Price: 10

Technorati Tags: video game, review, sins of a solar empire, stardock, ironclad, rts, 4x, strategy, space

This game reviewed on an @XI Gaming Rig.

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I mean, “Puchi Puchi”? Sure, the story features a dashing Anime doctor named Kevin A. Longfellow, a cutsie nurse named Nurse Honeydew and a giant chicken named George, but “Puchi Puchi”? I put the package aside and allowed my skepticism to win over me for a few hours. Then, after most of the family was in bed, I grabbed the game and plugged it in. Several hours later, all I can say is Puchi Puchi indeed!

This game represents NIS America’s foray into casual gaming. But don’t be fooled, this is as addictive as Soduko or any other well laid out puzzler and it has a few unique properties to make it interesting enough to keep me coming back.

The official line:

Long ago, there was a quaint planet much like Earth. It’s people were dull, but kind. One day, a strange virus called the “Puchirus” appeared and infected everyone on the planet! The virus somehow turned people into wild, aptly named creatures.

Dr. Kevin A. Longfellow quickly decided to help return his kinsmen back to their common selves. Kevin worked tirelessly with Nurse Honeydew and George the Giant Chicken to find a cure.

The trio came up with the “Puchi Buster DS” to treat anyone infected with too much zaniness. This odd, sleek device uses dangerously high doses of pure awesome to destroy the disease! Go, Doc! Save the world from that crazy virus!

I have to admit, with the phrase “dangerously high doses of pure awesome” I felt that I would like this game. (You get to read this introduction as the game starts). I’m not sure about the nurse and the giant chicken, but pure awesome? Count me in.

Patients come to you as a series of case files. Those you haven’t solved yet are there, waiting for you. Those you have solved you can review (and replay) at any time. The more case files you solve, the more that are opened up to you.

Game play is simple, yet addictive. When you go in to de-puchirus your patient you’ll be presented with the game screen, full of several different colors of virus. Tap a virus to lock it. Tap three of the same virii and get yourself a triangle. Tap one of them again and the triangle ‘bursts’ along with the locked virii.

After a certain amount of time, puchirus will congeal and turn into a solid virus. These you can’t tap to lock. But you can return them back to normal virii by creating and bursting a triangle around it. Careful though, leave the triangle alone for two long and the virii will still solidify.

You can also create chain reactions by creating a triangle, and then overlapping another triangle by either including an unlocked virus in it, or making two triangles that overlap. Burst the first triangle and they both go. Here’s a graphical representation from the manual:

You have a body monitor which shows the relative health of a patient, as well as the infection level. As the monitor gets redder (it fills from foot to head) the virii become more active - the literally move about making triangles slightly harder to form.

In addition to this, you also obtain pills. Clear 50 virii, get a pill. Pills turn congealed virii back into regular old, triangle forming and bursting virii. It works in stages. For the first 50 virii, your pill will uncongeal stuff on the left and right. Don’t use the pill and power it up to level 2 and you get top and bottom. Level three is all sides of the square. Level 4 is a wider range and level 5 is the whole shebang.

Puchi Puchi Virus can be played in single player mode, or with another opponent via ad-hoc wireless. It also features a neat mode where someone who doesn’t own the game can download load battles or a demo and play temporarily.

The bottom line is that this game is deceptively simple. Play is very addicting, if you enjoy puzzle games. Each one will take you between 5 and 15 minutes to complete, depending which means casual gaming - what they were aiming for - is very achievable. Just don’t expect to want to put it down. It’s games like this that the DS was created for.

The one problem I did have with it was a slight tendency to mis-tap virii when trying to create a triangle. Not only do you have to plan your strategy, but the game seems to have trouble from time to time discerning exactly where I tap, even after a touch screen calibration. It wasn’t consistent and didn’t happen often enough to discourage me or really effect game play though.

Although not up yet, you should be able to get more information at the Puchi Puchi Virus site soon. Expect the game in early May.

Overall I’m enjoying this game very much. So much so that i’ve had to put my DS down for a solid few hours of recharging, something I haven’t had to do with one game since I got it with Brain Age 2. If you enjoy puzzle style games and want a new twist on it with some tongue-in-cheek added for style, you’ll like Puchi Puchi Virus.

The Good:

A nice entry into casual gaming - play for 5 minutes, play for 5 hours.

Innovative design (with giant chicken named George).

Inviting game play and puzzle solving which keeps the player engaged and wanting more.

The Bad:

Minor touch screen oddness.

Rough on people who dislike anthropomorphic giant chickens.

Overall Score: 9.25 out of 10

Gameplay: 10

Experience (Sound/Graphics): 8
Replayability: 9

Fun Factor/Price: 9

Technorati Tags: puchi, puchi, virus, george the chicken, ds light, games, video game, review, nintendo, nis america

19.95- for lipstick that’s a little spendy. For socks, they had better be durable for that price, and for a video game, it’s a steal.

I must admit that when I began to play it I completely age regressed. LEGO’S! IN ACTION! With working light sabers and shooting guns- HOW AWESOME! It was more than that though. It’s not a kids game, it’s for the kid at heart.

The areas were large enough to keep me interested, secret areas are challenging and special features that you unlock as you go along- forcing you to revisit the levels as different characters so you can nab the special prizes. I can’t wait to join the dark force so I can see what I’m missing!

Simple game play- Basic jumping, shooting, running, tip toeing. This game gradually gets you adjusted to the different types of characters and their abilities. Pretty soon you’re swapping the characters around to make the most of the situations placed before. Light saber action, blasters, and droids, they all have their importance and you can easily swap the characters while playing in order to make it a smooth level.

It combines combat, air combat, puzzles and most important- LEGO creations! You earn kits and laughter. The cut scenes are humorous and this game plays a great tribute to the original Trilogy. With three stories and each one houses quite a few levels, it keeps your attention and with the drastic change in environments, you don’t tire of the game play (or at least I haven’t yet). Even in the middle of the game you’ll find an area that has carnival type of challenges that cause you smile should you choose to break free for a moment to gain extra points and a breather.

One of my biggest gripes with games that are based on films- the game typically lasts as long as the film, and requires less skill to watch the film than to play the game with a few exceptions of course and this one of those exceptions.

You even get to don a Stormtroopers hat to *blend* in- which is quite hilarious when you have a tiny Storm trooper helmet teetering on the top of Chewie’s head- one wrong move and they’re onto you… lasers galore!

If you’ve been passing this game by and you’re a fan of LEGO’s and Star Wars, this is a definite must have. It’s genuinely fun, it doesn’t take itself too seriously and it completely lives up to the spirit of the films that helped push us into the love of the Sci-Fi genres that were out of this world.

The Good:

It’s fun, quick to get the hang of it. There’s always something to explore and discover.
There are at least 2 characters you can utilize at any time- six at the most and if you want your favorite person along for the journey, it can be a two player game as well. I tried that and I wound up frustrated, “You’re not using the force right!”

The Bad:

Highly addicting and it makes you want to go out and buy a ton of LEGO kits that can be rather spendy.

Overall Score: 8.9

Gameplay: 8
Experience (Sound/Graphics) 9
Replayability: 9
Fun Factor/Price: 9

Once again we find ourselves in the future, as the last remnants of the human race struggle for survival. After the world has been decimated by continued war, humans were forced to move into giant domes where they would eek our a living. After some time, only one dome was left – the Federation dome.

Working against the unaltered, dome dwelling humans are the Raak-Zun are what’s left of those humans who weren’t allowed into the domes. They’ve mutated into a bunch of blood-thirsty, human hating er. . . mutants. Arriving a bit late to the show comes the Sentinal – extra solar robots with a passion for killing people. And mutated people. Heck, killing everyone. At this point you should expect some camp from this game and you won’t be disappointed.

For all three, the units are well designed visually with some neat effects for 2D sprites. In game play however they are fairly limited. Each faction has access to a relatively small number of units, although they can be upgraded as the game goes on.

It’s an interesting balance of not being completely balanced that actually enhances game play. There are four different types of damage in SunAge – Bullet, Explosive, Flame and Laser (BAFL?) as well as four different types of armor to defend against these – Flak, Plated, Synthetic and Structural (FPSS). These don’t match up exactly, leading to plenty of situations where one side or the other is not properly equipped to deal with a threat. This can be considered a good thing, as it forces the player to think about tactics rather than simply build and throw.

SunAge also employs a different take on building. Every building you create requires a connection to the power grid or energy network. In essence, you have to connect a series of energy points that all link back to a central power system. These connect to each and every building you have. It’s interesting because if you build these up you can place buildings essentially anywhere on the map and deploy around enemies quickly. Of course, they can do the same to you.

There are some quirks to grouping your forces together, and some interesting ways of queing up builds so you don’t waste time on every individual energy pylon. Most of these can be overcome with hotkeys or simply taking the time to familiarize yourself with the mechanics.

Overall SunAge is a nice throwback title in a pretty package. There are still some issues (the AI has a tendency to not be able to walk around things) and a patch or two more above and beyond the 1.06 patch would be great. As a throwback game, it’s decent and at $29.95 suggested retail it’s not horribly expensive. If you’re looking for a modern RTS however that will put your system to the test with the latest graphics and AI, you may want to look elsewhere.

The Good:

If you like traditional RTS from the 90’s with some slightly updated graphics, you’ll like this.
Low system needs as it’s 2D and sprite based.

The Bad:

If you like traditional RTS from the 90’s, you probably own more interesting games.
AI is a bit kludgey – pathing issues abound.

Overall Score: 5.5

Gameplay: 6
Experience (Sound/Graphics) 6
Replayability: 5
Fun Factor/Price: 5

Technorati Tags: review, video game, sunage, lighthouse, rts, real time strategy