Blogging the experience of gameplayhttps://www.gamelog.cl/gamers/GamerPage.php?idgamer=1607https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5505Doodle Jump is a simple, yet clean and well-designed mobile game. As indicated in the name, the game’s art consists of things that look like doodles. The somewhat crude and simplistic drawings that constitute the art in the game create a childish and laid back feel. The game is meant to have a playful and non-threatening atmosphere, and the art direction that the creators chose definitely accomplished that. The game consists of a tiny doodle character that automatically bounces on what seem to be lily pads. These lily pads extend vertically upwards, and the player can keep rising higher and higher by bouncing upwards from lily pad to lily pad. The objective of the game is to get to the highest point possible. There are also random “power ups” on the lily pads that cause for greater vertical movement. For example, there are springs on some of the lily pads that when jumped on will boost the player twice as high as a regular lily pad. There are also far more extreme things like a jetpack that will launch the player upwards for a few seconds. The mechanics of the game are very simple. In order to move from side to side while jumping, the player tilts the device from side to side. The player can also tap the screen anywhere above the doodle character to fire off a tiny ball in the direction he or she tapped. This can come in handy when enemies are encountered. These enemies must be avoided or shot, because running into them will cause the player to fall. There isn't any level advancement, but the lily pads, enemies, and upgrades are completely randomized each time a game is started. Doodle Jump is a very enjoyable game for people of all ages, and it truly shines in its simple mechanics complimented with its simple art direction.Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:13:45 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5505&iddiary=9797https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5503Paper Toss 2 is the sequel to the classic mobile game Paper Toss. The sequel keeps true to the game’s core mechanics, but adds other features such as upgrades and extra levels. The game consists of the player attempting to toss a paper ball into a trashcan. Seems easy enough right? It is, until you take into account the fan that blows the paper ball in certain directions. The player must compensate for the fan blowing the paper ball by tossing the ball towards the fan. There are different speeds at which the fan blows, and you can see the strength of the wind by examining the number at the bottom of the screen. The higher the number, the stronger the fan is blowing. The core mechanics of the game are pretty much limited to the player flicking the ball in a certain direction. This is accomplished by swiping a finger across the paper ball in the desired direction. The objective of the game is to gain as many points as possible through making the paper balls into the basket. When the player scores consecutive times in a row, a score multiplier is started. This means that the player will earn exponentially more points for each basket made. There are a number of upgrades available for purchase with the game’s currency. These can range from temporarily increasing the basket size to turning off the fan for a few turns. In addition, there are a number of different levels that player can choose. An abundance of levels gives variety to a game that would most likely get boring after a while. Paper Toss 2 is about as simple as it gets in terms of its mechanics, but its numerous levels and expansive features make it an extremely enjoyable mobile game. Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:12:58 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5503&iddiary=9796https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5498Into the Dead is a mobile game for the iOS and Andriod platforms. The basic story of the game is that you’re one of the last people alive in a world overrun by zombies. The player must test their skill to get as far as possible without being mauled by a zombie. The game consists of the player automatically running through a 3D world with hundreds of zombies ahead of him. The player must dodge the zombies left and right in order to further progress throughout the game. As the player’s distance increases, the speed at which the character runs increases and the amount of zombies in the way of the player increases. The general objective of the game is run the furthest possible distance. There are also three challenges presented to the player that they must complete in order to progress to the next “mission level.” These challenges aren't required by the player to complete, however completing them unlocks various weapons that the player can use in the game. This brings me to the next aspect of the game: the weapons. When the player unlocks weapons, they are able to use them to kill zombies ahead of them. These are invaluable because, without them, the player must dodge every single zombie. With a weapon in hand, the player can kill zombies in front of them that they may not be able to avoid. The player must not only navigate through zombies, but must be prepared to jump fences, run blindly through cornfields, and dodge trees in the forest. The varying scenery adds a dynamic element to the game and keeps it from getting stale. The mechanics of the game are as follows: the player swipes the left side of the screen left or right to move that respective direction and taps the right side of the screen in order to fire their weapon. The colors and lighting in the game are very dark and grim, which create an ominous atmosphere which was desired when creating the game. Into the Dead offers an intense and gripping playing experience that keeps the player glued to it for hours.Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:12:19 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5498&iddiary=9795https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5506Flick Golf is a free mobile game for platforms like iOS and Android. The basic concept of the game is that the player is playing golf on a set of holes, and he or she is trying to get the highest score possible. Instead of there being a single hole that the player must get a golf ball into in as few shots as possible, there is a hole surrounded by a target on the green. The player gets more points the closer the ball is to the hole. The player has a set amount of time to hit balls at the hole, and their score builds upon itself until the time runs out. Once time expires, the final score is calculated and a personal record is set for the map that the player just played. There are many different maps in the game, and each consecutive map is unlocked by achieving a high enough score on the previous map. The rules are fairly simple. The player is given ninety seconds to try to get as many balls as close to the hole as possible. The mechanics of the game are quite interesting, for they put a spin on what a realistic golf game would be. First and foremost, the player can aim which way he is going to hit the ball by swiping the top of the screen left or right. Once he feels as though he is aiming in the right direction, he swipes his finger from the bottom of the screen to the top of the screen as if he is hitting the golf ball. The length of the swipe determines the power behind the golf ball. Now, while the ball is in the air, he can drag his finger across the ball in any direction to curve it. Flick Golf is an awesome game that takes a popular sport and quite literally puts a spin on the mechanics.Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:11:49 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5506&iddiary=9794https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5504Storm the Train is a beautifully polished mobile game for platforms like the iOS and the Android. The game consists of a character controlled by the player who does exactly what the title of the game says. He “storms the train.” The character is dropped on a train from a helicopter, and is then bombarded from both left and right by enemies. The player must shoot these enemies in order to survive and advance levels. The main objective of the game is to complete the missions that are given to you. These include certain challenges such as “kill 50 zombies.” The mechanics of the game include moving left and right, jumping, and shooting. In order to move left, the player must click a left arrow towards the left of the screen. In order to move right, the player must click the right arrow on the left side of the screen. There is an upward facing arrow towards the right of the screen that the player can press to jump. Beside this up arrow is a star button that can be pressed to shoot in the direction that the player is facing. This game is a side scroller, and it is absolutely beautiful in terms of its polished art. The rules of the game are that the player must stay within the confines of the train. Other than that, the player is able to move freely throughout the train and kill zombies. When the player kills a certain number of zombies, a meter fills up and he earns a power up. An example of this power up is a hovering sentry gun that automatically shoots the zombies that run at you. The player can also collect coins throughout the level to improve his or her score. I find it astounding that such a beautiful and fluent game is available for free on the application store. If you haven’t tried out Storm the Train, you definitely need to download it as soon as possible!Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:11:24 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5504&iddiary=9793https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5502Guild Wars is an MMORPG that was developed by ArenaNet and released in late April of 2005. Like many MMO’s, Guild wars is a third person overhead view massive scale online game. Out of all of the video games I have played in my life, I definitely logged the most hours on Guild Wars. I started playing this game a couple years after it was released, but I quickly got into it and learned the ropes. There are twenty levels in the game, and in order to participate in the player versus player portion of the game, the player must reach level twenty. Guild Wars differs from other MMORPG’s in that it is not focused around leveling up. The player can reach level twenty relatively quickly, so he is able to actually start questing with friends and participating in PVP much more quickly. This is one of the greatest aspects of the game in my opinion. Instead of focusing on grinding for levels, the player can jump right into the action after a couple of days. The mechanics of Guild Wars include but are not limited to moving around via clicking or arrow keys (no jumping), using skills, rotating the view camera, picking up items, dropping items, opening chests, talking with NPC’s, and opening various windows in game (inventory, guild, hero rating, trade menu, etc.). One of the greatest aspects of Guild Wars is that it is not a game that is meant to be played by oneself. Although it is possible to complete the game as an individual, it is much easier and much more fun to collaborate with friends or random players online. After all, the word “guild” is in the title, and it indicates a group. In terms of skills, there are eight spots available for players to equip various abilities. The player is allowed seven regular abilities and one elite ability. The skill bar is completely customizable and is only limited by the character’s profession. Guild Wars is the perfect game for anyone who wants to be immersed in a rich game environment and to have a social gaming experience at the same time.Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:10:52 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5502&iddiary=9792https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5499Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most immense games I have ever held in my hands. The sheer amount space and the vast number of decisions in the game cause it to provide a unique experience to each person who plays it. The story has a very strong plot, and it is in the player’s power to decide which direction he wants the plot to progress. There is a main story-line that when followed will bring the player to the end of the game, but there are also various side quests that the player can choose to pursue. One of the greatest facets of Skyrim is freedom. The player has the freedom to choose which abilities he wants his character to have, where he wants to explore, which people he will kill or spare, and which quests he will embark upon. There are a few rules to the game, however. The player is restricted to the map area although it is quite large. The player is restricted to a certain amount of supplies he is able to carry, the number of abilities he may learn, and the level that he may reach. The player is also not able to kill a select few of the NPCs. The mechanics in Skyrim include moving around in all directions, jumping, crouching, using abilities, dropping items, picking up items, talking to NPCs, reading books, and opening and navigating their inventory. There is a wide range of mechanics for the player to use, thus further promoting a feel of freedom for the player. In my opinion, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the best Elder Scrolls game to date. The massive scale of the game combined with extremely fun quests made time soar by as I was playing it. Elder Scrolls: Online is an MMORPG, and is to be the next game in the series. I am excited to play this new game and to see how an online environment in which you can interact with other players treats the franchise. In the meantime, however, Skyrim satisfies Elder Scrolls enthusiasts everywhere.Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:10:03 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5499&iddiary=9791https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5501Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is the latest game in the Call of Duty franchise. The Call of Duty franchise is one of the most popular franchises in the history of gaming. Granted, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is a bit mainstream; granted, Activision forces development teams to produce a new one every year. Although I dislike these aspects of the game, I feel as though Treyarch did a lot of things right in this new title. Within the game, there are three game modes: Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies. There is a large narrative element within the Campaign mode, a small one in the Zombies mode, and virtually none in the Multiplayer mode. The Campaign portion of the game includes multiple embedded narrative scenes that are utilized to advance the story. The Zombies mode does not include an embedded narrative, but there are elements of plot advancement within the game play. The rules of the game are that the player’s movement is constricted to that of the map, and the player must abide by the mechanics of the game. The mechanics of the game include moving forwards, backwards, and side to side. The player is able to jump, crouch, and crawl. In addition, the player can zoom in with a weapon, shoot the weapon, and throw different types of equipment. The objective of the Campaign mode is to progress through the story line by killing of bad guys and completing missions. There are some fun and intense portions of the Campaign mode, but in my opinion it gets repetitive and confusing. The story jumps from place to place, so it’s very difficult to keep track of who and where you are. The objective of the Zombies mode is to stay alive as long as possible. End game occurs within the Zombies mode when the player is killed by the Zombies. Finally, the objective of the Multiplayer mode varies by game type, but the general goal is to beat the opposing team which is also composed of other players online. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 brought a fresh new perspective to the franchise in terms of the capabilities and resources offered in the Zombies and Multiplayer modes, but I feel as though the Campaign mode did not offer much of anything new. Nonetheless, the Multiplayer aspect of the game makes it a game that will have the player reaching to play it over and over again.Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:08:39 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5501&iddiary=9790https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5342Duck Hunt was one of my all-time favorite games as a child. It is a relatively simple game to play with a very straightforward objective: shoot the ducks. The mechanics of the game are simple as well. The player possesses a handheld gun controller that shoots a beam of light at the television screen. The player can move the gun around to aim at different spots on the screen. When the player is aiming at a duck, he or she can pull the trigger in order to fire the gun. If the gun was on target, the hit will register on the television screen, and the duck will drop dead. It is the objective of the player to kill all of the ducks that fly across the screen without letting them get away. If too many ducks get away, the player will lose the level. There is also an option within Duck Hunt that lets the player shoot clay pigeons. It is essentially the same thing as regular Duck Hunt, but it adds some variety to the game. There isn’t much of a narrative associated with Duck Hunt. An embedded narrative is non-existent, unless one would include the dog laughing at the player for failing as an embedded narrative. Other than that, the player isn’t given much of a story. One would assume that the player is in the position of a hunter that is out hunting ducks. However, level progression does not advance any sort of plot. With the level progression comes only increasing difficulty in terms of duck speed and direction changing. Duck Hunt is the type of game that doesn’t need a complex narrative or flashy graphics in order to be fun. The simple pleasure of testing your aim with a fresh and new controller was enough to set it apart on the NES.Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:07:57 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5342&iddiary=9630https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5322Angry Birds is one of the most popular and well-known games on the mobile market today. It is a fairly simple game in terms of its mechanics. The player pulls back the bird to shoot it, and can touch the screen while it’s in flight in order to perform a special action if it has one. The mechanics are simple enough so that people of all ages can pick up the game and play it within a few minutes of learning it. One aspect of the game that keeps it fresh and constantly entertaining is the maps. There are a huge variety of maps in the game. With these new maps, there are also new birds. Different types of birds are able to perform different maneuvers that may aid the player in finishing a level. For example, one type of bird is a bomb bird. This bird explodes when the player taps the screen. He or she may also refrain from tapping, and the bird will eventually automatically explode. In addition, there is a small blue bird that splits up into three separate birds when the player taps the screen. In terms of the narrative of Angry Birds, there isn’t much of one. There is an embedded narrative that plays when the player beats a section of the game. The embedded narrative plays out, and the player moves onto the next part. However, these embedded scenes aren’t very elaborate. Most include a few seconds of purely visuals that give the player a hint at the narrative of the game. The narrative is not what makes angry birds great though, for it is its simple art design and easy mechanics coupled with interesting and innovative maps and abilities that causes Angry Birds to truly shine. Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:11:33 CDThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=5322&iddiary=9611