Shooting this blog, I wanted to make it a bit more meaningful but it ended up me having one too many shots of Whisky. The laptop that was capturing footage from the NES wasn’t started. My bad… Unfortunately you just get my drunken ramblings and swearing about these games which some of you enjoy anyways…

The games I am playing (for the record) are Ninja Gaiden 2 and Al Unser Racing. Sorry if you lose braincells watching this… =).

Looting ships, sword fights, raids and exploration all rolled up into simple game mechanics that you can pick up in a matter of minutes. Many years later, Sid Meier re-made Pirates and improved on the basic mechanics of the original game. Here is a short description from mobygames.com:

As with the original, this is a blend of strategy, action and adventure. Pirates! Gold lets you play the role of a beginning buccaneer in the 17th century Spanish Main, in search of fame and fortune. Each town in this untamed raw region has different surprises and dangers.

How you acquire stature is up to you; you can make your living through honest trade and the search for hidden treasure, or you can be a little more daring and attack and plunder ships. As you can choose a specific skill to stand out in, the game can vary each time. Sword fighting is played out in side-view action sequences.

I had a very good time playing this game again. Ninja’s still rule though…

[Original Source: mobygames.com]

]]> http://vlifeblog.com/2009/08/oldies-game-profile-pirates-gold/feed/ 1 http://vlifeblog.com/2009/07/oldies-game-profile-indycar-racing/ http://vlifeblog.com/2009/07/oldies-game-profile-indycar-racing/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:35:01 +0000 PChan http://vlifeblog.com/?p=195

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]

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]

Edit:

OMG. If you’re not excited. You’re stupid… and I hate you.

Ok… I’m not going to lie. “Beat em ups” were one of my favourite genres on the SNES. Rival Turf is not a well known one but I thought the game was a lot of fun when I was a kid. I’m a simple guy to please. As a kid I didn’t know the difference between a good “Beat ‘em up”, I just enjoyed smashing one button to kick the crap out of enemies. One of the characters also reminds me of M.Bison.

Here’s a game description from mobygames.com:

When a ruthless gang led by Big Al invades their turf, it’s up to the Brawl Brothers to take back their streets and send their rivals home with their tails between their legs. You can go at it alone or team up with a friend for some simultaneous two-player action as you kick, punch, and body slam your way to victory through six stages of no holds barred, hand-to-hand fighting action. There are all kinds of realistic street-fighting techniques to master, including body slams, leg sweeps, jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. If you want a fight but aren’t feeling friendly, then turn the tables on your friend and go head-to-head for bragging rights and control of the streets. In RIVAL TURF, only the strong survive…can you take it?

Enjoy! Let me know what you guys think of it.

Not the last get together with my friends but the last get together at my current place of living. I am moving to a new place at the end of September. Just thought I’d film a vid with all my friends hangin’. Sorry about the shaky cam and my annoying laugh. I love these guys, what can I say?

Caesar II is set in the time of ancient Rome, and lets you try to be the next Caesar. You start with one province and have to build an efficient city. To do this you’ll have to manage the water supply properly, make sure the city is policed well, and provide adequate education, entertainment, baths, and temples (which also hold your money and can be robbed if you don’t have enough protection).

At some point, possibly more then once, you’ll have to defend your province from invading tribes that don’t really want you there. You also have to connect all the little villages in the province with roads and make some industry, like stone mining, grapes, etc. for which you can then create markets in your city.

When you have achieved the necessary requirements, you’ll be able to start all over again in a new and more challenging province. Do well enough and you can become the new Caesar.

One of the many PC games I used to play all the time when I was younger. I loved the mix of Simcity with a little bit of strategy game play. I remember getting quite annoyed at the computer constantly nagging me about more “plebs”. Oh memories…

If you were into the old city sim games, I urge you to get DOSBOX and find yourself a copy of this game. I think it still holds up pretty well even for today. The minute I started playing again, I got sucked back in and 2 hours seemed to go by like minutes. It is a bit confusing at first but you can always view a faq which should point you in the right direction. Enjoy this one!

[description by: mobygames.com]