As some of you know, I like playing Galactic Civilizations 2. It also helps that Stardock, the developer, is such a great company (no DRM - how cool is that!).
GalCiv 2 is a fantastic turn based strategy game. The best description is that it is Civilizations but in space. Alternatively, you could call it the spiritual successor to MOO. No matter what you call it, its a really fun and deep strategy game.
Anyway, rather than me harping on about it (I'll save that for another post) - I'll let someone else do the work. This is a link to a gameplay example on PC Gamer - its long, but well worth a read.
Thats all for this week - just a quick post. I figure the above link will give you plenty of reading anyway!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Catan
Recently, I've been playing Catan on Xbox Live Arcade. The game is the electronic version of the board game "Settlers of Catan".
For those who have never heard of it (and I was one of these unfortunate souls), you can get more info on it here. Basically, its a highly successful board game which according to wikipedia, has now sold over 11 million copies worldwide. Not bad for a board game!
Anyway, the game got translated into an electronic version for XBLA. I downloaded the trial version and had a lot of fun with it (I've always been a fan of board games) so I decided to buy the full version. After all, it is relatively cheap at only approx HK$80.
The game itself is based on a group of people finding a new island with plentiful resources. Naturally, these people immediately settle the island and the game then becomes an interesting mix of luck and skill. As with all good board games, dice rolling is involved hence the element of luck.
However, unlike other board games (such as Talisman), there is a huge element of skill involved in Catan. The reason is that very often, you don't have the resources you need to build stuff. And the only way to get those resources is to trade with the other players (or with the bank if no-one will trade with you - at a much higher rate though of course!).
Unlike other board games, there are limited opportunities to "attack" other players. Most often, damage is done simply by not trading with them thus it becomes hard for that player to get the resources he needs.
Rereading what I wrote above, I just realised that I'm not doing a very good job of describing this game. I would suggest you read the wikipedia article I linked to above - it does a much better job than me.
Anyway, to put this into perspective - this is only the second game on XBLA that I have purchased (the first game is Doom - a bona-fide classic from id Software which I still enjoyed playing even after all this time). Two games purchased - might not sound like much - but bear in mind that 1-2 XBLA games get released each week.
Having played Catan - I am now even more eager for Talisman!
For those who have never heard of it (and I was one of these unfortunate souls), you can get more info on it here. Basically, its a highly successful board game which according to wikipedia, has now sold over 11 million copies worldwide. Not bad for a board game!
Anyway, the game got translated into an electronic version for XBLA. I downloaded the trial version and had a lot of fun with it (I've always been a fan of board games) so I decided to buy the full version. After all, it is relatively cheap at only approx HK$80.
The game itself is based on a group of people finding a new island with plentiful resources. Naturally, these people immediately settle the island and the game then becomes an interesting mix of luck and skill. As with all good board games, dice rolling is involved hence the element of luck.
However, unlike other board games (such as Talisman), there is a huge element of skill involved in Catan. The reason is that very often, you don't have the resources you need to build stuff. And the only way to get those resources is to trade with the other players (or with the bank if no-one will trade with you - at a much higher rate though of course!).
Unlike other board games, there are limited opportunities to "attack" other players. Most often, damage is done simply by not trading with them thus it becomes hard for that player to get the resources he needs.
Rereading what I wrote above, I just realised that I'm not doing a very good job of describing this game. I would suggest you read the wikipedia article I linked to above - it does a much better job than me.
Anyway, to put this into perspective - this is only the second game on XBLA that I have purchased (the first game is Doom - a bona-fide classic from id Software which I still enjoyed playing even after all this time). Two games purchased - might not sound like much - but bear in mind that 1-2 XBLA games get released each week.
Having played Catan - I am now even more eager for Talisman!
Monday, May 7, 2007
The highs and lows of football management
Without a doubt, the best football management game, by far, is the series developed by sigames. The level of detail, complexity and sheer statto-ness of this game defies belief. Of course, this also makes it extremely hard for newbs to get into the game - which is probably the only reason other football management games can survive!
Anyway, I've been playing Football Manager for well over 300 hours now (talk about great value for money!) and I just recently finished my 2013/14 season. After 8 seasons in charge at Liverpool, the biggest surprise is that my central midfield is still comprised of Gerrard, Alonso and Sissoko! Other than that, the only players left from the original Liverpool are John Arne Riise (still playing great) and Pepe Reina (plays second fiddle to Casillas).
The highs
Anyway, as I said, I just finished the 2013/14 season and my Liverpool side are really dominating. In fact, we are kicking so much ass that I managed to do something I've never been able to do before - in any of my numerous years playing this game or its predecessors. I managed to win the quadruple!
Thats right. I won the Premiership, the League Cup (beat Chelsea on penalties!), the FA Cup and the Champions League all in the same year. Furthermore, I have been undefeated in approx 50 games! Talk about total domination.
The key for us this year is that my reserves and under 18's have been doing really well when I've played them in the first team. In order to rest my first team, I've been playing the reserves and under 18's in the League Cup and also in the FA Cup where possible. They have managed to step up and deliver some great performances.
In addition, we managed to wrap up the Premiership in mid-March. At this point, I decided to start playing the second string players in the Premiership so that they could get some more experience. I figured I would lose some matches but no big deal as I had already won the Premiership. However, once again, my reserves delivered big time and kept on winning matches. In fact, I ended the Premiership with 107 points!!
The Lows
I was also the manager of Portugal during this period. I say "was" as I got sacked after the World Cup (unfairly in my opinion!).
Basically, Portugal had been doing really badly during the World Cup qualifiers. In fact, they were in real danger of not qualifying for the World Cup. At this point, the Portuguese FA sacked the old manager and asked me to step in.
I agreed and promptly won the next 4 games and finished second in the qualifying group. Luckily, this was still enough to qualify for the World Cup as I was the best second placed team. Huzzah - I'm going to the World Cup.
So the World Cup starts in the summer of 2014 and things start well. I win the first 2 games in the group and qualify for Round 2. This was basically the expectations of the FA in the first place so I figure I'm not doing too badly. Plus, it also set a new record in the game for most number of games won in a row by Portugal! :)
The third game in the group stage was against France. I decided to rest some of my key players and played a second string team. We lost to France 2-1 which wasn't a bad result considering it was my second string team. Anyway, I didn't care as I had already qualified.
Unfortunately, our Round 2 match is against Brazil (the tournament favourites!). :(
I give it my best shot. Playing my best team, we manage to push Brazil all the way to extra time before losing 3-2. I figure this is a pretty good performance. Losing to Brazil by 1 goal isn't bad imo.
Unfortunately, the FA have a different view. They decide to sack me for the teams "awful performance" in the World Cup - despite the fact that I made it to Round 2 and eventually got knocked out by Brazil by 1 goal! :(
Talk about unjust. Maybe I should just stick to club management.
Anyway, I've been playing Football Manager for well over 300 hours now (talk about great value for money!) and I just recently finished my 2013/14 season. After 8 seasons in charge at Liverpool, the biggest surprise is that my central midfield is still comprised of Gerrard, Alonso and Sissoko! Other than that, the only players left from the original Liverpool are John Arne Riise (still playing great) and Pepe Reina (plays second fiddle to Casillas).
The highs
Anyway, as I said, I just finished the 2013/14 season and my Liverpool side are really dominating. In fact, we are kicking so much ass that I managed to do something I've never been able to do before - in any of my numerous years playing this game or its predecessors. I managed to win the quadruple!
Thats right. I won the Premiership, the League Cup (beat Chelsea on penalties!), the FA Cup and the Champions League all in the same year. Furthermore, I have been undefeated in approx 50 games! Talk about total domination.
The key for us this year is that my reserves and under 18's have been doing really well when I've played them in the first team. In order to rest my first team, I've been playing the reserves and under 18's in the League Cup and also in the FA Cup where possible. They have managed to step up and deliver some great performances.
In addition, we managed to wrap up the Premiership in mid-March. At this point, I decided to start playing the second string players in the Premiership so that they could get some more experience. I figured I would lose some matches but no big deal as I had already won the Premiership. However, once again, my reserves delivered big time and kept on winning matches. In fact, I ended the Premiership with 107 points!!
The Lows
I was also the manager of Portugal during this period. I say "was" as I got sacked after the World Cup (unfairly in my opinion!).
Basically, Portugal had been doing really badly during the World Cup qualifiers. In fact, they were in real danger of not qualifying for the World Cup. At this point, the Portuguese FA sacked the old manager and asked me to step in.
I agreed and promptly won the next 4 games and finished second in the qualifying group. Luckily, this was still enough to qualify for the World Cup as I was the best second placed team. Huzzah - I'm going to the World Cup.
So the World Cup starts in the summer of 2014 and things start well. I win the first 2 games in the group and qualify for Round 2. This was basically the expectations of the FA in the first place so I figure I'm not doing too badly. Plus, it also set a new record in the game for most number of games won in a row by Portugal! :)
The third game in the group stage was against France. I decided to rest some of my key players and played a second string team. We lost to France 2-1 which wasn't a bad result considering it was my second string team. Anyway, I didn't care as I had already qualified.
Unfortunately, our Round 2 match is against Brazil (the tournament favourites!). :(
I give it my best shot. Playing my best team, we manage to push Brazil all the way to extra time before losing 3-2. I figure this is a pretty good performance. Losing to Brazil by 1 goal isn't bad imo.
Unfortunately, the FA have a different view. They decide to sack me for the teams "awful performance" in the World Cup - despite the fact that I made it to Round 2 and eventually got knocked out by Brazil by 1 goal! :(
Talk about unjust. Maybe I should just stick to club management.
Monday, April 30, 2007
The Last Stand
I don't play flash games that often - too many other games to play!
However, every once in a while, you come across a flash game that is really great fun. The Last Stand is an example of a simple yet fun flash game. Basically, you play the role of a zombie horror fest survivor - ie everyone else is a zombie and you have to kill them! The premise itself is a tried and true example of the zombie horror genre.
Anyway, the point of the game is that you need to survive in your "fortress" for 20 nights until the army can come and rescue you. The downside is that you only have 1 pistol and no help! However, if you survive the first night, you can spend the day repairing your fortress, looking for new weapons or even other survivors.
As I said, the game is very simple. However, it is really fun - definitely recommend you give it a try.
However, every once in a while, you come across a flash game that is really great fun. The Last Stand is an example of a simple yet fun flash game. Basically, you play the role of a zombie horror fest survivor - ie everyone else is a zombie and you have to kill them! The premise itself is a tried and true example of the zombie horror genre.
Anyway, the point of the game is that you need to survive in your "fortress" for 20 nights until the army can come and rescue you. The downside is that you only have 1 pistol and no help! However, if you survive the first night, you can spend the day repairing your fortress, looking for new weapons or even other survivors.
As I said, the game is very simple. However, it is really fun - definitely recommend you give it a try.
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