Rainbow Moon, the latest from Soldner-X makers Eastasiasoft and SideQuest Studios, is their take on the strategy RPG genre. It’s not your straightforward Japanese-style interpretation, as the Hong Kong-based team has mixed genre tropes with a distinct aesthetic and a day-night system that carries over from overworld dungeon-grind-style exploration to turn-based tactical battles.
Tt Games has been bringing popular movie series to the Lego universe since their Lego Star Wars hit in 2005. In addition to the three Star Wars titles, they’ve also captured the worlds of Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter (among others). An adaptation of Lord of the Rings is already finished and set for a release later this year.
On the surface, Lego games are similar to a good Pixar movie. They are directed at children with subtle humor and depth that will make adults smile and enjoy the show. Lego games are about problem solving and collecting, with little repercussion for falling into a pit while trying to accomplish those tasks. READ MORE
Nexon’s Dungeon Fighter Online has certainly found a fan base, though most of it may be located in Southeast Asia. The 2D multiplayer free-to-play loot-’em-up relies on a small selection of characters and customizable move sets to make the dungeon delving worthwhile. With a release on XBLA, Dungeon Fighter Live: Fall of Hendon Myre ups its cost of entry to $10, but with a deep pool of content and some console-specific features, it may just be worth it. READ MORE
Modern boardgaming has no shortage of awesome new titles arriving on store shelves every month, but digging back to explore the roots of the hobby can be just as rewarding. This past week I was introduced to Reiner Knizia’s Medici, a game first published in 1995; I realize with no small amount of angst that this date quite possibly makes the game older than some of you reading this column (or at least your younger siblings), but for me that date is forever tied to graduating from high school. READ MORE
Pikmin 2, originally released for the GameCube back in 2004, has now been re-released on the Wii as part of the Nintendo Selects program. The original Pikmin got the same treatment in 2009, with revamped controls to take advantage of the Wii Remote. Like the previous title, Pikmin 2 is built around the idea of exploring an unknown world through the eyes of a microscopic character. Through the help of indigenous creatures known as Pikmin, you guide Captain Olimar and his coworker, Louie, to locate and collect treasure of varying value in an effort to pay off the debt of the of the shipping company they work for, Hocotate Freight. READ MORE
