31/07: Touch my tissue
Before I went on holiday (which seems like an age ago, incidentally) I bought myself Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars - The Director's Cut.
I have reasonably fond memories of the PC original and the feeling had always persisted that I was perhaps a bit harsh on it when I reviewed it, so I welcomed the chance to play it again in a slightly different format.
First things first - the 'enhanced' Director's Cut doesn't include the original (or indeed any) voice-acting. Perhaps the storage capacity of a DS cartridge doesn't allow it [that's right, dumbass - someone who knows something about anything] but it doesn't seem right to read George's moronic outbursts rather than hear them.
What we do get is an extra section early on where you get to play as Nico, some additional touch-screen puzzles, and some new close-up animations of each character (provided by Dave Gibbons) during conversations. In summary - not a whole lot to get too excited about.
Still, the original game still holds up pretty well, and aside from the sound it loses little in translation to the smaller screen. But another play-through reminded me that it's full of little annoyances that get in the way of you being too fond of it. Perhaps they could have taken the opportunity to review some of the script along the way - particularly George's more aggressive or tasteless remarks that came as a bit of a shock first time around.
Worth a look for DS adventure fans - but only at a knock-down price, I reckon.
tags: broken, sword, ds
I have reasonably fond memories of the PC original and the feeling had always persisted that I was perhaps a bit harsh on it when I reviewed it, so I welcomed the chance to play it again in a slightly different format.
First things first - the 'enhanced' Director's Cut doesn't include the original (or indeed any) voice-acting. Perhaps the storage capacity of a DS cartridge doesn't allow it [that's right, dumbass - someone who knows something about anything] but it doesn't seem right to read George's moronic outbursts rather than hear them.
What we do get is an extra section early on where you get to play as Nico, some additional touch-screen puzzles, and some new close-up animations of each character (provided by Dave Gibbons) during conversations. In summary - not a whole lot to get too excited about.
Still, the original game still holds up pretty well, and aside from the sound it loses little in translation to the smaller screen. But another play-through reminded me that it's full of little annoyances that get in the way of you being too fond of it. Perhaps they could have taken the opportunity to review some of the script along the way - particularly George's more aggressive or tasteless remarks that came as a bit of a shock first time around.
Worth a look for DS adventure fans - but only at a knock-down price, I reckon.
tags: broken, sword, ds
So I've been playing the Monkey Island special edition a bit. It's a very close remake - puzzles, dialogue and location all exactly the same. In fact even it's even closer than that; it feels like the original game re-skinned, matching the animation frame-for-frame. You can even flick between the old and new versions of the graphics on the fly.
This approach does lead to some oddities though. Like, Guybrush has about four frames to his walking animation. Also no-one's facial expression ever changes, and people bob their heads around while talking in that way that conveyed liveliness in 1991 but would look really weird in real life.
Maybe i'm being picky here - it was probably necessary for the graphics switching. And the new artwork is itself great, moonlit melee island is as atmospheric as ever in high-def. It just feels a bit disappointing in motion - I think i had just been hoping for the fluid style of Monkey 3, The Dig, Broken Sword etc.
tags: monkey, island
This approach does lead to some oddities though. Like, Guybrush has about four frames to his walking animation. Also no-one's facial expression ever changes, and people bob their heads around while talking in that way that conveyed liveliness in 1991 but would look really weird in real life.
Maybe i'm being picky here - it was probably necessary for the graphics switching. And the new artwork is itself great, moonlit melee island is as atmospheric as ever in high-def. It just feels a bit disappointing in motion - I think i had just been hoping for the fluid style of Monkey 3, The Dig, Broken Sword etc.
tags: monkey, island
...but it would be remiss of us not to mention it at all.
First, Telltale Games, the guys responsible for the resurrection of Sam and Max, have now turned their attention to Monkey Island with the forthcoming Tales of Monkey Island, a brand new adventure featuring Guybrush et al delivered in episodic form.
Meantwhile, LucasArts are producing a 'special edition' of the first game, with crisper graphics and voice-acting from the same people who appeared in the later games. Go here for more.
Oh, and Ron Gilbert has a play through his creation for the first time in a while and shares his thoughts on his blog here.
For once, I won't rattle on. I haven't played the new Sam and Max so I don't want to speculate on how I think Telltale's efforts will fare. I hope they're good though.
As for the remake, it seems slightly unnecessary, but if it's what's required to get Monkey Island back in the shops and a few new people playing it, it's A Good Thing. I remember a few grumbles about the voice talent chosen Monkey 3 & 4, so this might be a focus point for hardcore grumblers.
First, Telltale Games, the guys responsible for the resurrection of Sam and Max, have now turned their attention to Monkey Island with the forthcoming Tales of Monkey Island, a brand new adventure featuring Guybrush et al delivered in episodic form.
Meantwhile, LucasArts are producing a 'special edition' of the first game, with crisper graphics and voice-acting from the same people who appeared in the later games. Go here for more.
Oh, and Ron Gilbert has a play through his creation for the first time in a while and shares his thoughts on his blog here.
For once, I won't rattle on. I haven't played the new Sam and Max so I don't want to speculate on how I think Telltale's efforts will fare. I hope they're good though.
As for the remake, it seems slightly unnecessary, but if it's what's required to get Monkey Island back in the shops and a few new people playing it, it's A Good Thing. I remember a few grumbles about the voice talent chosen Monkey 3 & 4, so this might be a focus point for hardcore grumblers.
25/06: Hurrican!
Unofficial Turrican remake
Old-skool 2D shooters aren't something we write about much; the PC wasn't well-regarded as a platform for such things, and to be honest I don't think we'd have a lot to say about most of them anyway. As for Turrican itself, I don't think Turrican itself even got a PC release. Still, it is most definitely regarded as a classic of its genre, the name spoken in revered tones amongst those who were gaming on formats like the Commodore 64 and Amiga. Plus there was that awesome soundtrack.
I think it's one of those "if you play any amiga oldie at all, try this one" titles, so both the original and this remake have to be worth a go. Even if you're like me you'll probably just die lots and marvel at how much more patient gamers must have been in 1990.
Old-skool 2D shooters aren't something we write about much; the PC wasn't well-regarded as a platform for such things, and to be honest I don't think we'd have a lot to say about most of them anyway. As for Turrican itself, I don't think Turrican itself even got a PC release. Still, it is most definitely regarded as a classic of its genre, the name spoken in revered tones amongst those who were gaming on formats like the Commodore 64 and Amiga. Plus there was that awesome soundtrack.
I think it's one of those "if you play any amiga oldie at all, try this one" titles, so both the original and this remake have to be worth a go. Even if you're like me you'll probably just die lots and marvel at how much more patient gamers must have been in 1990.
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