Daily PC Game Reviews

Daily PC Game Review Score: 7 / 10
Game Category: Simulation
Date: 31 Jan 2011

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Transport Giant: Gold Edition from Jowood Entertainment has in my honest opinion grown on me over the past few years that I find myself returning to it time and again just to try something new in the game.

Being such a niche game, you will either love it or hate it. In fact, I can only think of a few commercial games that are similar to Transport Giant - they would include Chris Sawyer's Transport Tycoon and Locomotion, and another similar release from Jowood Entertainment - Industry Giant.

One of the biggest factor that detracts from Transport Giant is that there is no in-built tutorial, you will have to rely on the game manual that comes along on the DVD, or your experience in tinkering with Simcity-like games. However, once you get over the steep learning curve, you will wholeheartedly dive into it to improve the design of your very own transportation company.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles... Oh my!

Daily PC Game Review Score: 8 / 10
Game Category: Casual - Arcade, Puzzle
Date: 30 Jan 2011

Droplitz is a game distributed by Atlus - the software game developers more well known for their console RPGs. This is a simple action puzzle game that may keep you glued to your PC monitor for quite a few hours. I should know, because according to my Steam records, I have clocked 6 hours with this game already.

To me, the game feels like a modern man's version of Tetris combined with Pipe Dream. But, other than a vague link to dropping tiles and the fact that there are pipes, well, the similarities all end there.

In Droplitz, the tiles are called dials and they come in several varieties. The cool twist here is you get to rotate dials such that your droplitz (silver little blobs that reminds me of liquid mercury) can be guided via a pathway from any of the droppers at the top of the screen all the way to any of the collectors at the bottom. You have a limited amount of droplitz, so if you run out, the game ends. For every completed pathway, a purple droplitz is released to replenish your stock of droplitz. Your completed pathways will be replaced by new dials and you will score points. At the same time, your droplitz will start to fall faster and faster.

Warning... this game can be pretty addictive and fun!!!

Daily PC Game Review Score: 6.5 / 10
Game Category: Action - Platformer, Kids
Date: 29 Jan 2011

When Pixar released their eighth film about a rat who aspires to be a chef, little did we know that the movie would grow to become such a well-loved classic. In fact, when the movie won the hearts of most critics and viewers (adults and kids alike), and also clinched the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2007, I knew at once that any merchandise using the Ratatouille namesake would also be well loved and appreciated.

When Heavy Iron Studios produced their PC game of the movie, I would probably have been one of the few who would rush out there to buy it. But for me, I have learnt a lesson from the gaming industry: Never rush out there to buy a game based on a movie. True enough, according to the reviews I read later on, the game only managed to score average marks.

So a few months down the road, when I found Ratatouille in the budget corner, I decided to give the game a chance and bought it to see where the game's strengths and weakness lie.

Telle splendeur magnifique

Daily PC Game Review Score: 7.5 / 10
Game Category: Simulation Strategy hybrid - Real time
Date: 28 Jan 2011

Anno 1503 Gold Edition is a real time strategy simulation of building a colony in the New World starting out with just a single ship and a handful of surplus goods. This game which includes the base set of "A New World" and the expansion set of "Treasures, Monsters, and Pirates" runs great under Windows 7. The base set was developed by Sunflowers, while the expansion was by Max Designs. The game is distributed by EA Games.

I have always loved strategy games that involves building and expanding in unknown directions and this Gold Edition pack accomplishes that very successfully. The game starts off with a well done introduction movie that truly sets the mood of the game. It really stirs my imagination and I was half expecting to meet Pocahontas on one of the many islands found in the game.

PS: On a side note, you might want to listen to a song from Pocahontas featuring Mel Gibson as the male singing voice of John Smith while reading this review.

Welcome to The New World

Daily PC Game Review Score: 8.5 / 10
Game Category: Action - Fighting, Arcade
Date: 27 Jan 2011

For a change of pace, today’s review is about an arcade fighting game that got translated for the PC in 2004. My copy was distributed by Zoo Publishing, though I can’t find any further mention of this game on their website. The game is none other than Guilty Gear X2 #Reload (and shortened as GGX2#R for the review). Yes, no doubt – that is a strange title. In fact, Wikipedia says the symbol “#” should be replaced by the musical term of “sharp”, so that the title of the game reads as “Guilty Gear X-X sharp Reload”.

For those who have heard of the Guilty Gear series before, then you would know that this game has spawned quite a franchise. In fact, the developers of GGX2#R, none other than Arc Systems Works (who hail from Japan), is pretty well-known in arcades the world over for their Guilty Gear series.

Starting up GGX2#R

Daily PC Game Review Score: 6 / 10
Game Category: Racing RPG hybrid
Date: 26 Jan 2011

Squadra Corse Alfa Romeo (SCAR) from Milestone and distributed by Black Bean Games  is an interesting racing game with a pinch of role-playing thrown in. In other racing games, you constantly seek to upgrade the car you race with by using the cash you win from each race. In SCAR however, you are given points to improve yourself - the driver of these super sleek Alfa Romeo vehicles.

The very first Racing + RPG game?

Daily PC Game Review Score: 8.5 / 10
Game Category: RPG - Massively Multiplayer Online
Date: 25 Jan 2011

It's not every day that I get to review an MMORPG. Playing MMO games take quite an investment in time and effort - not something that I can afford with my rather busy schedule. But when I do, you can trust that I have played them for at least a couple of hours and usually have formed quite a fair opinion on them already.

Today's review is all about Free Realms, served to us by Sony Entertainment Online ever since April 2009. As you can see, Free Realms can be considered quite a young MMORPG - not even two years old yet. But, the free game has already garnered about 12 million players since 26 June 2010 - that's truly quite a feat!

And mind you, the graphics may look cartoonish... but Free Realms is an equally great game for adults. The game is so immersive that I have constantly found myself humming to the great catchy tunes from the game, laughed at the cute or comical situations portrayed, as well as enjoyed reading the funny quest conversations found in the game.

Free Realms is great fun for all

Daily PC Game Review Score: 7 / 10
Game Category: Strategy - Real Time
Date: 24 Jan 2011

Here is a review of a game that has some significance in the history of PC gaming.

Those who have heard of the PC game Dark Reign: The Future of War will remember this to be an intense Real Time Strategy from Auran and distributed by Activision. It was released in 1997 and I still remember the day I got the shiny retail box of the game in my hand. It was state of the art for its time and I enjoyed many hours playing it. The in-built Construction Kit also helped to extend the life of the game for me as I could churn out new missions after missions with much ease.

Today, as I played Dark Reign on my Windows 7 rig, I can safely say that it is still an addictive game after all this years. And boy, I really enjoy the fond memories that this game brings back. Too bad Auran (now called N3V Games) doesn't do any more of these games.

Dark Reign brings back fond memories

Daily PC Game Review Score: 6 / 10
Game Category: Simulation - Sports
Date: 23 Jan 2011

Well, I have had a fun time this past 22 days reviewing so many wonderful PC games. For the record, this will be the first time that I am reviewing a sports game.

ProStroke Golf - World Tour 2007, developed by Gusto Games, did not receive any great fanfare when it was first released back in mid-2006. It is easy to see why when you play the game. I could easily save your time for ProStroke Golf - World Tour 2007, and sum it all up with just two words - lackluster effort.

Let's get ready for a round of golf

Daily PC Game Review Score: 8 / 10
Game Category: Casual - Match Three, Puzzle
Date: 22 Jan 2011

Here's something new I am going to try on Daily PC Game Reviews. I am going to take a game I don't own, and give it a quick and fast one-hour trial spin. From this one hour, and adding another few minutes of research on the Internet about the game, I will then base my review on all that I have tried, seen, and read.

Today's game is Chainz Galaxy from Mumbo Jumbo. It is a casual match 3 game that borders on being a puzzle. The premise of the game is simple - you are greeted by a board filled with chain links. By clicking on the links that can be rotated, you must try to make 3 or more of the same color link up to form a chain. You should always seek to form long chains of more than 3 links, for will you score bonus points. For more added fun, you should attempt to form chains with links containing power-ups or collectibles on them.

An intriguing start

Daily PC Game Review Score: 6.5 / 10
Game Category: Action - Casino
Date: 21 Jan 2011

Monopoly Casino, a cute take on a casino game, was developed by Leaping Lizard Software and distributed by Hasbro Interactive. The game was released way back in 1999, but Monopoly Casino has truly stood the test of time for it is able to run on my Windows 7 PC without any serious problems at all.

The Casino Floor

Daily PC Game Review Score: 5.5 / 10
Game Category: Strategy - Real Time
Date: 20 Jan 2011


PS - This is not a review of the Remastered edition shown at left. Click on the image at left to find out more about the remastered edition.

Warrior Kings from Black Cactus Games and distributed by Microïds, is a real-time strategy game that features a fantasy world called Orbis that looks very similar to our own. Released way back in 2002, you assume the role of Artos in the game. Artos' father, Baron Amalric of Cravant is savagely murdered by Evil Bishop Lothar of the evil Holy Empire. Escaping barely with his life, Artos escapes by ship to Angland and finds a way to exact revenge. Hmm... why does that story invoke a sense of déjà vu in me?

In the game of Warrior Kings, your central building is the manor. Villages you capture can fund food, wood, and gold. They do this through carts that bring the goods to your manor. You can build barracks, farms, guildhalls, and quite a number of other buildings later on the game. Troops you build are of 4 types: Heavy and Light Infantry and Heavy and Light Cavalry. Each unit type have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages over the others.

Starting up

Upon starting the game, you are given the choice of the main campaign or the tutorial campaign in solo play. There is also a multiplayer mode with 25 maps available.

The four tutorials are non-interactive

The tutorials were quite a let down as you only just watch and learn. There is no doubt you get to learn quite a lot of important concepts though.

Daily PC Game Review Score: 8 / 10
Game Category: Strategy - 4X, Turn Based
Date: 19 Jan 2011

Galactic Civilizations from Stardock Corporation is a great 4X style turn-based strategy game that proves to be so addictive that you might just wind up with sleepless nights playing it. As in any other 4X game, you will spend quite a lot of time in Galactic Civilizations  Exploring, Expanding, Exploiting, and Exterminating. This game however, ups the ante by giving you a few cool ways to win.

To be specific, you have 4 ways to win in Galactic Civilizations. Firstly, there is a Conquest Victory in which you conquer all major alien civilizations. Next, there is the Political Victory in which you and your allies defeat your enemies. A Technology Victory means you are the first to research "The Final Frontier" - the ultimate technology known to mankind. Last but not least,  is the Cultural Victory where you dominate the sectors culturally and are not at war with any alien civilizations.

Free to swap any tile anywhere!

Daily PC Game Review Score: 6.5 / 10
Game Category: Casual - Match Three
Date: 18 Jan 2011

Restoring Rhonda from Skunk Studios is a neat little work of art. It's a casual match three game that features our heroine, Rhonda - an art restorer down on her luck.

After working for 36 hours straight, Rhonda reaches for the mug of Decaf... and then disaster strikes. The priceless painting is ruined, and Rhonda's life turns upside down. Retreating to her uncle's dingy studio to wallow in self-pity, Rhonda accidentally finds an artifact with the words Azuba carved on it - the artifact senses a person's deepest desire or passion and assists him in reaching it. Opening the artifact, Rhonda finds a beautiful board game of some sort - to win she has to match tiles of 3 or more in a horizontal or vertical direction, and she must perform her matches over every tile to obtain coins. Earning enough coins gives her powerful tools that can aid her in restoring works of art.

Uhmm... moral of the story - don't put your Decaf next to your regular cup of Espresso.

And, art restoration is... interesting.

Mona Lisa's middle name - Rhonda?

Daily PC Game Review Score: 7.5 / 10
Game Category: Casual - Hidden Object
Date: 17 Jan 2011

Shop N Spree from Viqua Games is an innovative hidden object game where you help shoppers find items on their shopping list. That seems like too simple a premise for a casual game.

So, is Shop N Spree a hit or a miss? Well, let's see... here's a game that has mated a Hidden Object Game with the joys of shopping. Next, add in a splash of Time Management and throw in a whole bunch of mini games. Finally, mix in about a thousand objects to place on to the store shelves. And what do you get?

A winner!

Time to burn a hole in my wallet

Daily PC Game Review Score: 4.5 / 10
Game Category: Action - Arcade, Shooter
Date: 16 Jan 2011

You might just recall on your last visit to the arcades, a Sega video machine bearing two light guns and the title of House of the Dead III playing across the screen. Shortly thereafter, a rolling demo beings and you get to see wave after wave of foul looking zombies, whose only objective in their "life" is to either tear your brains out or to rend you into tiny pieces.

In House of the Dead III for the PC released back in 2002, instead of a light gun you use your mouse to point at a zombie. With just a simple click of your mouse... BLAM! And, another zombie bites the dust.

House of the Dead III is so easy to pick up, and with the action so fast and thick, you may start to wonder if it truly is worth your time.

The Zombie Apocalypse Factory

Daily PC Game Review Score: 6 / 10
Game Category: Action - Third Person, Fighting
Date: 15 Jan 2011

When I first installed Alias many moons ago, the only thing I remembered about the game was that I uninstalled it a short time later. And very quickly, too. There are usually only a few reasons that I uninstall a game like that, it's usually either slow or boring at the start.

And with Alias being a game based on a TV show, I didn't really have high hopes for it.

But after I installed it yesterday, I decided to give the game a second chance. I got past the slow tutorial, and winded up fully engrossed. In fact, I continued the game for the next 3 hours, as I grappled with completing the humongous first level - infiltrating the Monte Carlo Casino to unearth a deadly prototype weapon hidden deep in the basement.

Suffice to say, I can safely assure you that Alias has quite an element of fun to it, although the game's quality may be questionable in some areas.

Alias startup screen... am I watching TV?

Daily PC Game Review Score: 7 / 10
Game Category: Casual - Arcade, Freeware
Date: 14 Jan 2011

To be fresh, you may notice me taking a different tack from time to time for Daily PC Game reviews. For instance, instead of constantly reviewing commercial PC games, I am reviewing a freeware PC game title today. And, the name of that game - Super Cell.

Super Cell is a free arcade shooter game from Green Fire Software that was developed using Torque 2D  (or also known as Torque Game Builder). It's a pretty unique game, as far as I can tell. And, one that I enjoy as a lazy afternoon gap filler.

No, it's not a game about thunderstorms

Daily PC Game Review Score: 6 / 10
Game Category: Strategy - Real Time
Date: 13 Jan 2011

Coming from out of Russia, 1C Publishing has of late provided the world with many interesting and beautiful games. Some of their older games however fit the category of "overlooked". This was probably due to the general fear that the gaming community has when they see a shiny box on the retail shelf bearing an unknown label. This review features one such game called World War I - a little known real time strategy title by Dark Fox.

As the name tells you, World War I focuses on the First World War which was centered primarily on two fronts and several campaigns, such as the ones in the Balkan and Serbian areas.

Просто еще один день замораживания

Daily PC Game Review Score: 8 / 10
Game Category: Casual - Platformer
Date: 12 Jan 2011

Turtix is a casual platformer game from Alawar Games that was developed using Torque Game Builder from Garage Games. In the game, you control a turtle named Turtix who hails from the School of Magic.

One day, Turtix attempts to cast a powerful spell. Unfortunately, things go awry; his spell shatters an important artifact kept in the School - the Diamond Amulet. The artifact shatters into five pieces and is scattered across five islands.

The Old Shaman of the school tends to Turtix but alas, the rest of the School's students are kidnapped by thugs working for evil. Upon his recovery, Turtix selflessly volunteers his assistance to the Old Shaman and sets out to rescue his friends.

Lush beautiful colors at startup

Daily PC Game Review Score: 5.5 / 10
Game Category: Action - Fighting
Date: 11 Jan 2011

Archangel, an action game from Jowood is a "could have been" game. It could have had better graphics, a better story, more development time to iron out bugs, and even better yet - it could have been a much better game. Perhaps the only one thing that saves Archangel is the gameplay.

The game reminds me of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - an older game featuring a third-person perspective hack and slash adventure, only that Michael - the hero you play in Archangel, finds himself waking up in another time and place. He has vague memories of a car accident on a snowy road. But now, he is tasked to stop the Master of Darkness. In his adventures, Michael must acquire three stones that embody the Heart, Body, and Soul. It is with the help of these stones that the Master of Darkness can be stopped.

The splash screen at startup

Daily PC Game Review Score: 7 / 10
Game Category: Strategy - Turn Based
Date: 10 Jan 2011

A huge imposing warrior brandishing a wicked spear accompanied by rousing battle music - this is what greets you when you first load up Chariots of War, a turn based strategy game from Slitherine Ltd. You can't help but anticipate the fun you will have with this game.

The premise of the game is simple - it simulates war during the Cradle of Civilization - this was where mighty empires fought for water, resources and the arable land in the Fertile Crescent (that's the region of Mesopotamia and the Levant - or known today as the Middle East). In fact, on the surface most aspects of the game appear to be simplified so that you, the player, can easily get into it.

But, this is precisely the thing that led to the polarized views on Chariots of War. Is there enough strategy in this game for you? I believe so.

I can hear the drums of war

Daily PC Game Review Score: 7 / 10
 Game Category: Action - First Person, Shooter
Date: 9 Jan 2011

From out of nowhere in 2006 came this ultra-cool first person shooter in which you control huge robots reminiscent of those featured in Mechwarrior - the pen and paper role-playing game. Developed by Third Wave Games, War World: Tactical Combat  has it all - many modes to combat in, cool robots to ogle at and to control, and beautifully crafted 3D maps. To top it off, the game provides a system in which you can customize your robot till your heart's content. Talk about value for money.

Eye candy

Daily PC Game Review Score: 6 / 10
Game Category: Adventure
Date: 8 Jan 2011

In its heyday, many great adventures were created using the SCUMM story system. The earliest LucasArts games employing SCUMM included Maniac Mansion, Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders, and of course, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The graphic adventure titled Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade shadows the plot from the movie very closely, so if you are playing this adventure game, make sure you re-visit the movie starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery.

An impressive start

Daily PC Game Review Score: 9 / 10
Game Category: Action RPG hybrid
Date: 7 Jan 2011

Torchlight by Runic Games is an action role-playing game that bears many similarities to the Diablo series. You start off by creating a character from a roster of 3 choices - either a male Destroyer (similar to a warrior), or a male Alchemist (similar to a spell hurling mage), or a female Vanquisher ( similar to an archer). Upon entering the town of Torchlight, you learn more of the story. Its basically about Ember - an ore that is the very "essence of magic and the keystone of alchemy". Along the way, you meet characters who give you quests (or sub-quests).

My character greets me on the startup screen