Computer Games-Civilization

Where Puzzle Bobble was an arcade game changed into an online play, Civilization is among many games designed specifically for the computer. After being bugged all summer, I finally agreed to sit down to what was admittedly a fun, but long session of Civilization.

What I found most interesting about the game was the actual setup. Each person would play turns. Certain characters took so many turns before they joined your team. For example, a scout would take 1 turn but a hunter may take 3 turns. Also, the skills necessary to evolve your community took so many turns as well. Farming would take 3 turns, but then your food income would increase. Learning to mine would lead to blacksmithing which would lead to bigger buildings, etc. Also, workers could be building a new facility at the same time.

In one turn, you could learn archery, make a scout, and build a farm (One skill, one person, and one build.) While at first this makes for slow progress, eventually you go from farmers to knights (Middle Ages) to soldiers (1800s) and so forth until you reach the future age with GIs and space flight. Older knights can also be upgraded and earn extra points for battles won.

A good portion of the game is one player. However, the interaction is necessary between either computer or other players. While you are building your civilization, there are three other civilizations being build in your "world". You can trade, make alliances, and go to war with neighboring countries. There are also extra points for starting a religion and then spreading that religion (through missionaires) to other countries.

Certain buildings allow you to build certain objects/people. By learning Buddhism, for example, you become capable of making a Buddhist temple which in turn will become a site that can yield missionairies and such people on its own.

I grant there are a lot of rules to this game. I played twice through and still didn't learn everything there is to know (and I had an expert playing right along with me!). I think the benefits of this game is the fact you make up the story. Yes, the computer similulates the opposing sides but you decide whether its war or peace between your nations, whether you will focus on religion, art, or technology.

It begs the question: What kind of world would you develop? Mine was based around art and sciences with one religion. I allowed missionaries open access to my civilization so that I ended up with multiple religions. I was overall impressed with the game and thought it was much better than I anticipated (just don't tell my brother!).

Nintendo DSi Details!

Nintendo has outrun both Microsoft and Sony sales this past year, according to a top marketing analysis from NPD. The handheld arena is hardly a battle-field with Japanese sales for DS skunking those of PSP. In the U.S., the DS hit 3 million units sold!

And Nintendo does it again! The DSi is due to release April 5th, 2009.

The Nintendo DSi boasts new software that definitely is comparable to that of the iTouch. Here are the major new features.

1. Two new cameras for photo taking
2. Software that includes photo editing to a SD card
3. Music playing capabilities through stereo headphone jack
4. Record, edit, and save music or speech through the microphone
5. Cost is only $170
6. Wifi capabilities
7. DS Download capabilities, including a game shop similar to the Wii Ware

As for games? Rhythm Heaven is the first announced game. RH is a music-based game similar to Guitar Hero. The system will play DS games but it is yet unknown if they will play Game Boy Advance games (but I dare ask-who cares as these games are by far outdated by three generations of DS!).  With similar features to an iPod and digital camera, it is not hard to guess that DSi will outsell PSP even further in 2009.

For more information on game sales in 2008, check out this report.

For more info on Nintendo DSi, read the press release at nintendo.com.

Bust-A-Move

NOOO!! Arcades are disappearing before our eyes...and with them? Some of the best games.

One game I particularly enjoyed in arcades was Bust-A-Move, or Puzzle Bobble. This Taito game featured a little dinosaur who sent bubbles of different colors to try and connect 3 or more. You would advance to a higher difficulty upon completing that puzzle/level. For those who remember this great game, I found a way to play online for free. (Sadly not quite the same as in an arcade.) The game has since been developed into a Nintendo DS and Wii game with multiple characters and battle modes. The addiction was partly born on the colorful display, adorable little characters, and, of course, the high score board.

Bust-A-Move Screen Shot

Genre-Board & Card Games

Remember Family Game Night? Well, its been revolutionized by the video game industry. Not only are families playing video games, but also interactive games like Scene It!. Some argue that the best games ever are the original board & card games. Poker, Scrabble, Sorry, Clue, Blackjack, and other games have been completely done over by technology. High-stakes poker is not happening just at a casino's poker table, but at computer desks.

Most of these games are available online but some of the bigger names have made onto Nintendo DS, XBox, Wii, and Playstations (2&3). Monopoly is probably one of the most successful games in this area. Not only has it had handheld and computer versions, but it recently released the Monopoly: Classic & World Edition for Playstation 2. The game is a mix of both the original board game and a new style. The original board game plays by the standard rules (no "house" rules!).

The Richest Edition is a game similar to Mario Party. Minigames determine the number of properties you randomly land on. If the property is unowned, you now own it. Owned properties have a rent of one property (2 for monopoly, 3 for house, etc). Chance and Community Chest have their own surprises as do many other spaces on the board. There are a couple of different boards ranging from the Classic to an Ice board.

Mr. Monopoly goes around board in Richest Edition.

Video Game Trailer