Gnome's Lair

Mar 21, 2006

In the dark future there is only 40k

Now, this is a truly impressive video. It's the introductory sequence from the (definitely above average) very good-looking RTS Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War by Relic. Since Shawn of War has yet to be produced (hey Universal, I'm open to offers) and causality is a trivial thing, amaze your friends and pets by showing them this:

Related Gnome's Lair articles: The Warhammer video games feature, Space Hulk (a modest review) and Warhammer Fantasy tactics.

Related Tags: Warhammer, Warhammer 40k, Warhammer 40000, Relic, RTS, Dawn of War, Strategy, Video, Game, Games, PC, Intro

Olde Gamies and Farty Owls

You know... a good post doesn't have to be 440 words long, or have a comprehensible title, or even feature a nice pic. All a decent post needs, in order to achieve ultimate greatness, is a link to the Game Oldies website. That's why I'm linking to it. Have a look over there and enjoy a full blown Java emulator of the Sega Genesis, the Sega Master System, the S(ega-it's quite obvious you know) Game Gear,the NES, the SNES, the Gameboy, the PC-Engine, the Colecovision and even some classic arcades. It seems rather legal too, but if it isn't, have a look at a wonderful collection of legal threats.

On the other hand, this might just not be your thing, in which case you wouldn't be advised to click on the 'retro' category link (it's there, look at the -left- sidebar)...And here's a nice picture:

Mar 20, 2006

Museum Monday #6

Monday. Another one in the long series of painful Mondays. Another horrible instance in the lives of us all (humans, gnomes, elves, managers). Resistance is futile and our lack of faith disturbing. I wish I could say that things could be worse, but then I'd be just another filthy liar, and an instrument of the (secret) Promote-Monday-Society.

Still, it's the day of the week, when I lead you to nice, comfy and hopefully virus-free virtual museums. Today, it's all about vintage Citadel (Games Workshop for the young 'uns) miniatures. Visit the Stuff of Legends and get all misty eyed. Try to enjoy. It's rather interesting (as long as you're into miniatures that is).

Mar 19, 2006

PC Review: ‘Spooks’

Well, in a nutshell: Spooks is the first creation of a person named "The Ivy"” along with a very small team, it'’s a freeware adventure, it looks good, sounds ok, is size-wise a very modest download and anyone who is smart enough to have reached this review, shouldn'’t have any trouble downloading it from the xii games website. And to wet your appetite, here is a nice screenshot:

Nice, isn'’t it? Of course it is, and it should be enough to convince you to have a look and to stop me from writing this review. Problem is, Spooks is a very good game, and one worth having a (slightly) more detailed look at. First of all the graphics are unique, mostly in grayscale and with a rather innovative use of color. Then, the three very important pillars of a comedy adventure game are there: the story is good (albeit a bit short), the dark humor is sarcastic and actually funny, the puzzles are varied, interesting and decently implemented.

Naturally, as Spooks is the Ivy'’s first foray in adventure game design, not all is rosy (what a weird and subtle pun -–eh?). Puzzles are a tad on the too easy side, which isn'’t necessarily a bad thing, as is for example the lack of obvious hotspots, which eventually leads to some annoying pixel-hunting. Other minor problems include a few quite obvious time-triggers, lack of a full soundtrack, the inclusion of one (easy yet uninspired) Myst-style puzzle and a lack of polish here-and-there.

On the plus side, the dialogs, handled with a typical multiple-choice interface, are very well written, the finale is unexpectedly unexpected, the Sierra styled interface works in an okay way, and as I'’ve already said everything is fine and dandy. Even the lead character is like Diamanda Galas in joke-mode. I guess that in order to find out more you should rather download and play the game. Here are more screenshots, and a hint on the plot: It'’s about ghouls. The female kind. That should do it. I'’m sure I'’ve convinced you to have a look.

That'’s an (eight) out of (ten).

And if you get stuck in Spooks, don'’t blush. Avoid being ridiculed by asking for hints in the comments section. On the other hand, you could have a look at my reviews of Telltale Texas Hold'’Em, Apprentice Deluxe or And Then There Were None.

Related Tags: Adventure, Adventures, Adventure Games, Game, Games, PC, Spook, the Ivy, AGS, free, freeware, funny, Review

Fictional Miss

Happy news #1: The March issue of Fictional Reality is already available for download, and it isn't even April yet. Hooray. Hop over to fictionalreality.org and download a 23mb pdf magazine, that includes 80 pages of RPG, wargame, board game and miniature related reviews, previews, how tos, battle reports and more importantly nice and well thought-of ads. It's free, nice and definitely not so funny.

Happy News#2: The 10th issue of the amazing, ueber, extra and all that jazz webzine Critical Miss is available (right) here. Apparently has been for quite some time... Seems that the Magazine for Dysfunctional Gamers hasn't died yet. Great, and definitely hilarious. An absolute must-read.

Old news: Vintage D&D review, a silly RPG related video and a review of Zombies!!!

Related Tags: Miniature, Miniatures, Fictional, Reality, Critical Miss, ezine, e-zine, Magazine, Magazines, pdf, free, RPG, Wargame, Wargames, Game, Games, Board Games, webzine

Mar 17, 2006

Darth on Darth

Every Darth Vader groupie, gnome or human, was waiting for this. Darth Vader (the statesman and keeper of the peace) directing Darth Vader (the theme song). LEGO style. Pure class.

Related Tags: Darth Vader, John Williams, Video, Music, Star Wars, LEGO, humor, humour, funny