Category Archives: Game Review

Odium is all about eye candy

Odium may be defined as hate coupled with disgust, but when it comes to the game Odium, my feelings lacked such passion. In fact, I was left with profound indifference. Following the thoroughly playable Septerra Core, Monolith has released TopWare’s Odium — and some unsuspecting gamers might be duped into buying the new title. It’s 2008 and you play for three NATO military commandos known as Group Two, sent into a hot zone where Group One has disappeared. Obviously, Group One has disappeared or been disabled. But for some reason, Group Two doesn’t exactly come well stocked with ammo, weapons … Continue reading Odium is all about eye candy

Boombots is fast and fun

Boombots is a comedic hi-tech fighting game set in the far future (the year is 15 million to be precise.) You must pick one of 10 Boombots and battle your way thru several stages in order to save the world. Boombots are robots specially designed to protect the earth from the nefarious Mandu and his legions of evil space cats. Sound silly yet? The year is 15 million and earth has been conquered by Mandu and his alien cats from outer space. Doctor Pick, an earth scientist, has designed 10 different Boombots; Boomer, Chickie Boom, Doggie-Dog, Mobie Tank, Airplane, Hans … Continue reading Boombots is fast and fun

Y2K A.D. meet Y2K B.C.

Isn’t it amazing how much hype accompanied the arrival of the year 2000? The fact that a simple flip of the calendar page could cause such mass hysteria seems a little silly in retrospect, doesn’t it? As usual, all that was needed was a little perspective, something the real-time strategy game Pharaoh provides by the pyramid-full. With missions taking place from around 3200 to 1350 B.C., this game demonstrates that success involves thinking in the long-term. Sure, a worldwide computer meltdown could have caused problems, but that pales in comparison to trying to create and maintain an entire civilization. Egyptian … Continue reading Y2K A.D. meet Y2K B.C.

Invention Highway is a road to childhood success

Brighter Child’s Invention Highway is an educational game billed for 9-yr. olds and above. It certainly lives up to the billing. Even as a jaded 38-year old, wanna-be computer geek, it took me a few minutes (and honestly even a peek or two at the answers, all peeks with the goal of time saving, of course) to solve a couple of the puzzles. All in all it’s a high-quality educational tool. Invention Highway is designed around a principle of education developed by one of its founders that identifies four different methods for “thinking techniques.” In the introduction to the game … Continue reading Invention Highway is a road to childhood success

Roller Coaster Tycoon is an E-ticket

I was walking through Staples a few weeks ago and I saw a demo running of what looked like a really cool game, and I was thinking to myself that it looked like something I would like to try out. A couple days later the Corkscrew Follies expansion pack and the original Rollercoaster Tycoon were plopped onto my desk. This tells me never to go shopping for office supplies with my editor ever again. Since GiN never reviewed the original game, I thought I would try something a little bit different with this review. I am going to review the … Continue reading Roller Coaster Tycoon is an E-ticket

Gran Turismo 2 is revved up fun

Gran Turismo’s release last year changed my opinion completely about racing games. What was once considered a genre of shallow, fast racers and slow, boring simulations suddenly experienced a racing title with depth, tons of cars and plenty of tracks to race them on. Talk has been brewing about the anticipated sequel, with its rumored 500+ cars, tons of additional tracks, and a brand new rally engine. These talks were also ruined by extensive delays. The worst delay came out when Gran Turismo 2 would not even make it to release before the Christmas holiday, as some retailers expressed a … Continue reading Gran Turismo 2 is revved up fun

Mob Rule is an offer you can’t refuse

Ay Toni? Check dis kid out. Eh-eh-eh-eh. The little squirt says he wants ta be a mobsta. Eh-eh-eh-eh. So ya’s think bein’ in the mob is a slice of pie do ya’s? Well ya got it all wrong kid. Mobbin’ ain’t easy. Dere’s rules to da game kid. Rules to da game. Ya gotta have connections. Ya gotta have charisma, style, and class along with nerves of steel. Ya gotta be tough as nails. Don’t take no crap from anybodies! Eye for an eye. Someone steps on your toes? You step on dere’s back! There ain’t no room for softies … Continue reading Mob Rule is an offer you can’t refuse

Man of War II: Chains of Command will capture your free time

First player combat games can be challenging enough when it’s just a matter of controlling your own character. Naval Combat is the stuff legends have been made from. In Man of War II you are a Captain, Division Commander or Admiral in charge of one ship or a fleet. I haven’t played Man of War I, so everything about Man of War II was new to me. The graphics are pretty good. There is a lot of detail: water and sky textures, smoke from the cannon fire, and as you move about the deck you can see the damage to … Continue reading Man of War II: Chains of Command will capture your free time

Age of Wonders is still somewhat of a question mark

A world of high fantasy and adventure awaits you in the Age of Wonders. You are the supreme ruler of the race of your choice ( Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, High Men, Azracs [desert dwelling humans], Frostlings [cold dwelling goblin like race], Humans, Lizardmen, Dark Elves, Goblins, Orcs or Undead ). Your goal in Age of Wonders is to lead your race to supremacy over the others (your choice of computer and / or Internet opponents ) in this turn-based city centered simulation of the times of wizardry and warriors. Players of the Warlords series will notice a similarity when they … Continue reading Age of Wonders is still somewhat of a question mark

Carnivores 2 takes a bite out of hunting simulations

Ok, let me get this out in the open. I’m a closet hunting simulation fan. There, I’ve said it. That out of the way, if anyone thinks this makes me soft, you can find my e-mail at the bottom of the page if you want to challenge me to a game of Half-Life. I know these hunting games are mostly aimed at the non-traditional gamer and perhaps I am a bit of a 3D environment freak, but I have in the past enjoyed stalking virtual mule deer in Texas and bringing home a nice computerized 12-point buck from the woods … Continue reading Carnivores 2 takes a bite out of hunting simulations