Pinball fans finally have a great game to play regardless of console. Pinball FX 2 and Zen Pinball are available on a wide array of devices, and it is clear that the folks over at Zen are fans of the game. The difference in quality between something like Pinball Heroes on the PSP and Pinball FX 2 is astounding. READ MORE
Welcome to Top Tier, an ode to the aesthetics and other small parts often left overlooked in video gaming. From costume design to sweeping symphonies and riveting stories to special features, this column aims to bring people together to appreciate the little things.
It was that fateful day in September 2010 when Ninja Theory’s DmC: Devil May Cry was unveiled. Shown at Capcom’s press event during the Tokyo Game Show, the highly stylized trailer had all the machinations of a Devil May Cry game: the slick attacks, the rock driven music and the menacing creatures. Only one question hung in the air as the trailer unfurled: where’s Dante? This poser has his guns, but he’s obviously a new character (like Nero before him). READ MORE
Shank was greeted with mixed reviews when it came out in 2010, but it sold well enough to warrant a sequel from Klei Entertainment. In Shank 2, you’ll find a shining example for other small studios of how to respond to criticism and improve on an idea. READ MORE
Here at Snackbar Games, we’re as interested in news as anyone else, and this week we look at the new expansion for Civilization V, another attempt to bring MMOs to consoles, and more game releases.
TOP STORY: Civilization V expands this spring
Firaxis has already released a Game of the Year edition of Civilization V, but that doesn’t mean official development on it is dead yet. This week, 2K Games revealed that a full expansion is planned for release late this spring. In addition to the expected inclusion of more civilizations, leaders, units and wonders, the expansion, titled Gods & Kings, will bring religion back to the series after initially being left out of the newest entry. It has been completely overhauled from its presentation in Civilization IV, integrating it more into the fabric of your society, but also making it less powerful for international relations and AI manipulation. Also back is espionage, which will enable you to use spies to discover the plans and machinations of your opponents, even to the point of discovering AI plans to attack you up to 15 turns in the future.
With the Vita’s official launch happening next week, we thought you may want to peruse trailers for the system’s (large) day-one lineup! Above is the flagship Uncharted: Golden Abyss, but looks at many other games are after the break for you to look at and make final purchase decisions! (And let’s be honest, if you picked up a First Edition Bundle, you were never on the fence about getting the system.) READ MORE
