VLife 2.1

A much better set than Justice’s. Tiga absolutely kills it. I aspire to be like Tiga someday but realistically I have a long way to go =P.

I love this set. Their BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix is much better but I still enjoy the selection of tunes. I need to see this duo live.

Back in the day, Papyrus was the king of the racing sim; long before Polyphony Digital and Grand Turismo. IndyCar was a game that I was never quite good at but it had enough assistance to help me play the game. I’ve never been a huge fan of the IndyCar racing series but this game is was a load of fun.

The graphics were amazing for 1993, I didn’t think anything could look more real. Of course, I was wrong. The game had the right amount of realism settings that I could turn off to make the experience as real or arcadie (sic) as possible. Here’s a little description from mobygames.com:

IndyCar Racing is Papyrus’ second racing game, four years after the release of Indianapolis 500. With an official license, all the real track names and designs are available (eight in total), with authentic sponsors and logos. Other features include multiple TV-type replays, a comprehensive garage and setup routine and breakaway parts when making contact with other cars. This is a pure open-wheel simulation, based on the American races, with realistic car handling and room for racing techniques based on grip, ideal racing lines, and throttle-to-brake interaction.

Playing this game for a few minutes I realize how much the Sim Racing genre has grown and how much this game paved the way for the Forza and GT series. Still time well spent.

[Original Source: mobygames.com]

So the original Battlezone was way before most of us. I think I was still too young to even know what a video game was. Heck, I didn’t even know there was an original Battlezone until I read the feature in PCGamer Magazine.  I think for 1998 it was a really innovative mix of strategy and shooter. One of the more memorable missions was when I had to drive my tank up a cliff and eject myself out into the enemy base to steal one of their tanks and use it against them. I never finished the game which is why I’m installing it again on one of my older machines. I hate not finishing games so I definitely don’t mind re-doing the missions again.

So here’s a short description from mobygames.com:

The history you knew is a lie. There was no Space Race.

The real story is simple… In 1950′s, American and Soviet scientists have discovered alien bio-metal that arrived via meteorites. The bio-metal can be quickly and efficiently be turned into amazing weapons and vehicles. Soon all the bio-metal has been “harvested”, but neither side have “enough”. So the space program is launched to gather MORE bio-metal from the other planets… And fight over the bio-metal deposits.

And now, you are in command of these advanced units. Can you stop the Soviet onslaught?

Battlezone is a first-person RTS where you both command your own vehicle as well as direct other units to fight with you or do other things. You send out harvesters to scavenge bio-metal scraps, which can be turned into units via your Recycler, Mobile Unit Factory, and/or Construction Rig. You then build offensive and/or defensive units that will help you accomplish your mission, all in first-person 3D.

The interface is very intuitive. Put crosshair on unit and hit “command” (defaults to “space”). You then get menu of that unit, with a default command already selected. If you want the default command, point crosshair to target and press “command” again. For example, if you want the tank to attack enemy tank, point at your tank, hit command, point at enemy tank, hit command again. You can issue goto commands the same way, as well as all the other types of commands with this simple and efficient command system.

You can bail out of vehicles that is almost destroyed. You can then use your rifle (with sniper mode) to take out the enemy pilot and hijack his vehicle for your own use. You can even order your own pilot to head back to base on foot so you can grab his vehicle.

You can’t expand forever as you’re limited by the number of pilots you have, the amount of bio-metal you have, and the number of thermal geysers you have access to. Thus, you have to balance speed, armor, and firepower when you decide what vehicles you should manufacture.

If you have time to play this oldie or see it in a bargain bin for $5 bucks. Pick it up and play it for a few minutes… though you probably won’t play for a few minutes since it’s a very good game!

[Original Source: mobygames.com]

Yes, Indeed… There are people stranger than me in this world. My friend Emily happens to be one of the more stranger ones. There was over 30 minutes of raw footage. It was quite entertaining for me to watch her perform various RENT and HSM songs. Yes, it’s very adorable and no, I will not hook you up with her.

You know what’s awesome about Genki Rockets? Well, DJin’ in a spacesuit. Pretty much the greatest thing ever. Now I’ve got to somehow import the music to Canada.

I dedicate this post to Calvin Irwin and Nick Marynissen. They love Asians.

Bad ass. The last line had me out of my seat. Seriously!

Umm… I don’t really know what to say about this commercial. It’s awesome though. I think I might be on drugs or something for enjoying it.

On the subject of  Brawlers. I need to mention River City Ransom because it was a really sweet game at the time but no one played it! The game stands out because it had RPG elements to it which added something a little different. I think I heard about it from reading Nintendo Power. I’m not sure but here is a description from mobygames.com:

The evil Slick has kidnapped Ryan’s girlfriend and taken over the high school. You must play as either Ryan or Alex (second player) and fight your way through River City’s merciless gangs before you can confront Slick and free your girl. Beat up punks and collect money to buy items which will make you stronger so you will be ready when it comes time for the final battle.

Not much of a description but really, all you need to know is: see enemy, punch enemy, barf!!!! and then take his money.

[Original Source: mobygames.com]

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