Thomas Can Never Be Alone

Genre: Puzzle-Platforming

Developer: Mike Bithell (PC, Mac, Linux)/Curve Studios (PS3 & Vita)

Publisher: Mike Bithell

System: PC, Mac, Linux, Playstation 3, Playstation Vita

Initial Release Date: July 24, 2012 (PC & Mac)

Minimalism seems to find a way to get into video games, and Thomas Was Alone is no exception to this rule. Like Journey and flower, this game does not have a huge drawn out plot. The game follows the story of several AIs in a computer mainframe run out of control and gain unique personalities and abilities. Using each of their own abilities, these AIs help each other get from point A to point B while facing various obstacles.

Each of the AIs has an ability that can help the other AIs solve puzzles. Laura (the pink rectangle),
acts as a trampoline. 

You'll have to switch between AIs in order to progress through each level, so there's some form of strategy needed in order complete the game, which gets harder with more AIs as the story progresses.

The only way we can know of each of the AIs personalities is through the narration (and humor) of the narrator, Danny Wallace.

If you're looking for something that has some puzzle solving strategy and something that isn't plot-heavy, then look no further than Thomas Was Alone.

Anyways, sorry that this was up late!
-Anthony-

Setting A Schedule

Hey everyone. I apologize for the lack of any sort of postings last month, I had plans to start after graduation, but that plan backfired due to guests being over, as well as me being more focused on my real life job, so I haven't had any time to get a post up.

I've been thinking it over a maybe I won't have it set to being two posts per week, but just one for the time being since work has now become the main focus.

Check back on Friday to see anything new that comes up. Until then, later everyone!

-Anthony-

The Fate of This Blog

Hello everyone. Today's post will be to inform you the future status of this blog.

This blog was initially created for a college class that I am taking, and of course because of this class, the Hidden Gamer Blog was born. Throughout the experience of the blog so far it's been a very bumpy ride, from trying to make deadlines meet, to thinking of how the blogs will turn out.

There was a lot of planning, and even though that it was a lot of work, it was fun as well.

So, because of these reasons, I'm still going to continue posting here, but the posts will be updated more so on weekends, and at most two post per week.

There will be no blogs next week due to graduation requirements, and no blogs this weekend due to exams and work.

So until everything is taken care of, the blog will be on a temporary hiatus.

Also, I'd like to thank everyone who has come to visit this blog, wherever you are, along with those who have posted comments.

Until some other time!
-Anthony-

"Trial And Error" - Crayon Physics Deluxe

Title: Crayon Physics Deluxe
Genre: Puzzle
Developer/Publisher: Klooni Games/Petri Purho
System: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
Release Date: January 7th, 2009

And just when you thought that a game involving flowers was crazy enough, there has to be a game involving CRAYONS. Well, it's true, there is a game with the use of crayons. In this post of Trial and Error, it's all about the puzzle solving and drawing simulator that is Crayon Physics Deluxe. 

An example of one the levels in the game.

While this game has no real story line to it, the game is more about thinking things through by get the circle all the way to the star. The first level (image shown above) tells you to draw a box in order to move the circle (though in later levels you'll have the ability to move the circle by clicking it.) You'll have to make a variety of objects and obstacles in order to get all the stars in the game.

Whenever you collect a certain amount of stars, a new level will be unlocked and ready for you to go on and play.

As this game is a physics related game, there will be puzzles in which involve the effects of gravity, mass, kinetic energy as well as momentum, which could pose as challenges even with the game's simple design.

You can create your own levels with the level editor.

One of the more interesting things with Crayon Physics Deluxe is the ability to create your own levels and share it with everyone. You can make the level as simple or as complex as you want it in whatever way you want it.

...Or you can just be bored and just doodle on the map. Your use of the crayons isn't restricted to just the levels themselves.

Crayon Physics Deluxe is an interesting puzzle game that makes the fun use of crayons and bringing drawings to life while making it fun and challenging with its puzzles and design. However, on Steam, the game is priced at $20, which for some people may be a turn off with the amount of content the game has. Though Steam does have a tendency to put things on sale, so if you want to try this game in full, it would be best to wait.

Thanks for looking up!
-Anthony-

Going Western with Gunman Clive!

Title: Gunman Clive

Genre: Action, Adventure, Platformer

Developer/Publisher: Horberg Productions

System: iOS, Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: April 3rd, 2012 (iPhone)

The year is 18XX, and a group thugs and outlaws have been overrun in the west. One day a group of bandits decide to kidnap Mayor Johnson's daughter and spread havoc across the western plains. Now, it's up to Clive to rescue Ms. Johnson and bring order to the west...

So, if you're looking for something that's both worthwhile and of course easy on your wallet, then Gunman Clive's here for you at only $2. The game consists of 20 levels, split into four areas of five in which Clive must defeat all of the biggest baddies in the west in order to save Ms. Johnson. Of course, rescuing damsels in distress being a thing, you know that it won't be easy to reach the end.

Gunman Clive plays very similarly to the Mario games, with some exceptions.

In the 3DS version of the game, you use "B" to jump, and "Y" to shoot enemies with your gun. Sometimes you the enemies you defeat will drop a piece of cake to restore your health, and sometimes there will be an upgrade that can allow you gun to fire multiple bullets at once, shoot a bouncing bullet, or even make your bullet size bigger. Enemies range from gunmen, birds, and even sometimes you'll come across sharp obstacles.

There are three playable characters in this game, with two being available from the start. 

Clive is the main protagonist, who's duty is to save Ms. Johnson from her captors. He bears no special abilities of any sort, and plays similarly to Mario.

Yep. It's true.

Ms. Johnson herself is also a playable character. In her story, the roles have been reversed, and it's up to her to rescue Clive. She has unique ability in which she can float in the air temporarily, similar to Princess Peach. 

A Duck is also playable once you've completed the game one time. The duck in this case has no methods of attack, but can flutter in the air, similar to Yoshi.

Don't expect this game to take you very long to beat, but if you're looking for something quick to pass the time, then this game is the perfect choice, especially with it having a great graphic design and music tracks.

That's it for now everyone!
-Anthony-

"Trial And Error" -- Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the TItan Demo

Hey guys! It's time to do something a little different for this blog and have some more variety to it. Generally up to this point, it's been me going over games that I've been familiar with. In this series of posts known as "Trial And Error" it follows me playing various demos and learning more about the games as well as how they play.

Title: Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan

Genre: Role-Playing

Developer/Publisher: ATLUS

System: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: February 26th, 2013

Today's first posting for "Trial And Error" will be on Etrian Odyssey IV, the first game in the series that's been developed on the Nintendo 3DS.

Etrian Odyssey IV takes place in the land of Tharsis, where a mysterious tree known as the Yggdrasil looms over the area. The Outland Count of Tharsis decides to sponsor an explorer's guild in order to learn more about the tree's secrets, and like in every previous game in the series, you are the latest explorer arriving in the said area in order to seek fame and fortune.

You never know what might come at you, and sometimes, you will.

Etrian Odyssey IV, and all games in the series are dungeon crawler RPGs, where the battles take place in labyrinth like areas filled with monsters, and you don't know what you're going to encounter at most points. To know when you're getting closer to an enemy, on the bottom right hand corner of the 3DS' top screen, when it turns red, you're most likely to encounter something.

If you're familar with games such as the first two Elder Scrolls games -- Arena and Daggerfall, or something more recent like Legend of Grimrock, these are some examples of what dungeon crawlers are like.

Three of the character classes you can have your party members as.

The game features 10 different character classes, seven of which are available from the start -- Landsknecht (Swordsman), Nightseeker, Fortress, Sniper, Medic, Runemaster, and Dancer. Each class has their unique weapons, skills, and preferred positions (the front line or the back). You can have up to five members in your party for battle, and up to 30 members for your guild. 

Of course since you are the leader of your own guild, you'll be expected to take quests and help other people out along the way. The Mark Grand Court is where you get your missions which will progress the story, while the Dancing Peacock is an area to receive side quests.

Other areas of interest while in Tharsis include: the Saehrimnir Inn, which is where you can rest and restore HP and TP, revive fallen allies, and save your game, the Berund Atelier, the weapons, armor, and items shop, the Explorer's Guild where you can create more characters, and the City Gates where you can set off for adventure.

Things may have to be cut short...

Of course, like any demo, you can only have access to the game up to a certain point. However, an interesting thing with Etrian Odyssey IV is that you can save during the demo, allowing you to continue with your adventure once you have the full game.

So anyways, tell me what you think about this, and what I can do more for Trial And Error. Thanks again, guys!

-Anthony-                         

Mother, What Is Earthbound?

Title: EarthBound/Mother 2

Genre: Role-Playing Game

Developer(s): Ape, HAL Laboratory

Publisher: Nintendo

System: SNES (original), Game Boy Advance, Wii U (ports)

Release Date: June 5th, 1995

If you don't get the title of this post, it is that "Mother" is actually the name of the series, though in the U.S., it was localized as EarthBound. It is the second game of the series, and the only game of the Mother trilogy to have been released in North America. Compared to all of Nintendo's other titles, it is one of the few series that is not well known. 

Unlike most RPGs in the 80s to mid 90s that are usually based in some sort of medieval settings, EarthBound takes place in a more modern time -- "199X" to be exact, and also in a world that resembles America. And, the enemies that you face can vary -- from strange bizzare people, inanimate objects, beasts, and even aliens.

The Starmen are the most notable enemies in the Mother series, and are generally fought near the end of all three games.

As stated, since the game takes place in Eagleland, which is based on America, you'll notice that the game has references to American pop-culture, through dialogue, and even in the game's soundtrack.

In EarthBound, one night, Ness awakens to see that a meteorite landed on top of a hill not far from where he lives. Near the meteor, he meets an Alien known as "Buzz Buzz" who tells him about a mysterious evil in the future that is too powerful, and that it is up to him along with three others in order to save the world. The task is to located eight melodies using an item known as the Sound Stone in order to unite his power with everyone else's in order to stop this evil from ever existing.

The main cast of EarthBound

Ness -- A 13 year old boy from Onett who has strong PSI powers, who's main mission is to collect all eight melodies in order to save the world from evil. He always has his red cap sideways, and wears a blue and yellow striped shirt. His weapon of choice aside from his PSI powers is baseball bats.

Paula -- An 11 year old girl from Twoson who also has PSI powers, and knew about Ness in a dream. She joins Ness after she has been rescued from some of the main villians. Aside from PSI attacks, Paula uses frying pans as her weapon.

Jeff Andonuts -- A 13 year old child prodigy and the son of the Dr. Andonuts, a notable professor/scientist who resides in Winters. He is the only character in the party to not have the ability of PSI. He uses guns/lasers to deal damage to enemies, and can also use bombs and bottle rockets.

Poo -- The last recuritable member who lives in Dalaam. A dedicated warrior and also popular with the ladies of his hometown. He lets his fists do the damage dealing along with his PSI skills. He also can wield a special weapon known as the Sword of Kings. Unlike other characters who can heal their HP and PSI with Western food (like pizza and hamburgers), this is not as effective for Poo, so having Eastern Foods and Water will help restore him.

Nintendo Direct is Nintendo's update series that talks about games coming out on its current consoles. 

Now, here comes the main reason why today's blog is about EarthBound and not something else. In today's Nintendo Direct, Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo announced that EarthBound will be coming to the Nintendo Wii U's eShop/Virtual Console sometime later this year.

I'm sad to say that I never played EarthBound when it first came out on Super Nintendo Entertainment System, but now I'm more hopefully that once I acquire a Wii U, I'll be able to play it for sure.

When EarthBound was released back in 1995, it wasn't very successful and sold poorly, but now that the fanbase has grown, and more people have been demanding it, with more people downloading EarthBound on the Wii U, it could gave future EarthBound games more availability to come overseas.

Also, while not mentioned in the video, EarthBound was not released in Europe, so there's a first for a lot of people over there.

If you want to learn more about the Mother/EarthBound series, the best site for all things related to these games would be Starmen.net, where they have new and previous information regarding EarthBound as well as Mother (known by the fans as "EarthBound Zero") and Mother 3 ("EarthBound 2").

Well, I think that covers everything for this blog, stay tuned for more exciting things to come!
-Anthony-