As I get older there often not enough a lot of time to play games. Being a game designer this is a problem sometimes. I love casual games these days (since they are very creative and easy to pick up an play) but I set myself in these projects where I try to beat “renowned” games just to see what makes them tick. That brings us to Metroid Prime.

A friend of mine’s kid gave to me. I remember it being a big deal back when it came out in 2002 with a metacritic score of 87-97. I can honestly say it’s okay to play but borderline annoying. Why? I would sum it up in 3 parts.

* Difficult encounters rely heavily on the controls inability to strafe (unless locked on) and aim up easily.  Lots of monsters and flying aliens like to assault from just above were you can aim without jumping.

* Not enough safe points. For a game thats mainly a linear corridor walk you’d think the addition of a side door with a safe spot would not be hard to make. Save points are far and few between as the game progresses and re-playing those encounters does not get fresher. Which brings me to the next thing.

* Monster Closets. I use the term loosely but as I venture in the pirates phazon mine I am feeling a bit bored that what I have to look forward is monsters popping out of the ceiling(literally) and making a beeline at my character. Then it gets tedious as they will often spawn too high for me to aim etc. etc. etc.

They made 3 games out of this thing but if I ever finish the first I doubt I’ll pick up anymore. I already put down the DS version too for the lack of pick up and play ability(save points) which is important for handheld games. I guess in the end thats why the whole series it feels so unappealing and demanding at the same time.

What do I propose would you fix problems such as this? Simple, stop focusing so much on the stuff the character can’t do as a point for defining challenge. It feels cheap and forced. Find out what it does well and do more of that. Focus more on what it can do right.

In this case the best moments have been the open field fights at ground level with various AI since it forces me to dodge and jump. That and the rock boss monster that lacks a head but makes a point to roar when he comes together out of broken pieces.

Last weekend it was the Global Game Jam.

Folks all around the world get together to make individual games in 2 days.  I got to partake on this last year but alas I am busy making Monsters fight over rubble these days.

A group of folks I know made a most awesome game (which runs on PC only sorry) called The Sun Always Lies.

In it you are invisible and you can jump around, the rain is your friend and the sun is a liar. I won’t say anything else. Michael Kwan, Brian Shurtleff and Michael Campion.

It is certainly worth a look.

Today’s game update features Game Developer and Comic Artist Extraordinaire Eric Feurstein.

He posted  this game he made for his friend Scott Moore. It is very cool and you should all play it (by clicking on the image).

Life will be better for it.

Robyn brought up an entry from the All Over Albany blog. Ghost Hand Games is an independent game developer that specializes at the moment on I Phone Apps.

The art is nice, the game is simple that goes a long way for Iphone. If you have an Iphone give these guys a chance.

I wish these guys luck. Iphone app markets are tough.

The first game is a sad sad sad(did I say sad?) indie game which I read about at the Indie Games Weblog. (WARNING THE MOVIE IS A TOTAL SPOILER)

“Ulitsa Dimitrova tells the story of a seven-year old boy named Pjotre who lives in St. Petersburg, running around the streets and doing things that young children of his age are taught not to do.

There is no inventory to manage nor an objective to achieve, but the game does end if you let it idle for a couple of seconds. (Windows, 21.9MB)”

I really love the art style and the “in your face” reality of the issue of poverty.

Okay now you’ve probably watched the movie and lost the will to live. So why not go out fighting?

This is called Revenge of the Wounded Dragons and it pretty much builds up on the Remembering Bruce post from a while back. Yeah 70’s Kung Fu is not the freshest idea in the world but listen. There’s Co-op! Lets all get ready to scream like Bruce.

Thanks of Jonny who referred this to me.

This is a PS3 game that inspite of ripping off Zelda pretty blatantly in gameplay validates its existence by using 3D graphics to represent a 2D pixel based world.

Very fun.

Find more images in Joystick.

Today I saw a very retro trailer for the upcoming Boy and his Blob game.

I didn’t play the original much when I was a kid but having work in several side-scroller puzzle games I have a soft spot for this game.

From the folks who’ll bring you Scribblenauts Contra DS (thanks Jonny) here is Boy and His Blob.

Today I chanced upon the trailer for a game that brought back old old memories of the time I worked in Bruce Lee: Return of the Legend GBA.

This game was a very fun game that unfortunately didn’t get much distribution or press. The new game called Invincible Tiger The Legend of Han Tao and it’s available via X Box Live Arcade.  Check the two games out and see for yourself.

First Bruce (portraying Hai Feng)

Then the new not-Bruce-Lee guy Hang Tao.

Best of all youtube user Zaodai has made the most hilarious narrated playthrough of the entire game .

Yes he makes fun of the art I made but I have to agree it is pretty silly now that I look back a it.

The folks over at Amanita Design are still cranking up great looking games. Their current project Machinarium is looking really great as you can see by this trailer.

Be sure to check out their other games such as Questionaut or Samorost. They are rather cool.

This Nintendo DS game has been previewed now for some time.

Winning awards before coming out.

What is it?

A game where you collect stars.

Why should anyone care?

I guess the trick is that whatever you write will appear for your character to use. God, Chtullu, Zombie, Tree, Lamps etc.  Just think about that expresion, whatever you write.

Where do we go now?

I guess to preorder the game so we can get a neat Rooster hat to wear like the main character.

Power is nothing unless you use it without thinking too much about it. And so I’m adding some neat game news (and later one movie news) into the mix.

Today’s topic, the Blackwell game series.

Developed by Wadjet Eye Games this series features a detective and a ghost who try to help other ghosts solve their problems and move on to the afterlife. The writing is fun and you can even download a free demo of the first game. PC only I believe.

Keep an eye out for future sections on films.