☆ Get Your Arse To Blackpool For Retrogaming Heaven! ☆ #Retrogaming

PLAY EXPO BLACKPOOL 2017

It's back for its sixth year and did you know it's the UK's longest running retro expo?

The PLAY team have somehow managed to cram in more than ever before so let's take a look at what is in store for you this year...

☆ Book Of The Week: NEOGEO: A VISUAL HISTORY ☆ #Retrogaming

Those awesome chaps at BITMAP BOOKS have sent us some new details on the 

NEO GEO VISUAL HISTORY book that I think will make you want to own this tome opus even more!

☆ MidBoss - Ten Minute Taster Mini Review☆

MidBoss - PC

Midboss is an Indie Turn-Based Point-and-Click Adventure game developed and

published by Kitsune Games for PC on May 25^th, 2017.

☆ A Brief History of Videogames - Part 3 "The Console Wars" ☆ #Retrogaming

A straightforward and informative discussion about the history of video games, from Spacewar to Star Citizen.

☆ Review: First Strike: Final Hour "Prepare to Prepare to Fail" ☆ #GameDev

First Strike: Final Hour - PC

What’s that old saying, “If you fail to prepare then prepare to fail”. Well, this does not apply to newcomers to this strategy video game. I prepared for ages, I prepared so much that I was completely unprepared. Perhaps they should rename the game to prepare to prepare to fail. That’s enough of that word, for now, I’ll dig the thesaurus out to find any other way of describing my unpreparedness (that’s the last time honest).

☆ Review: Missile Cards "Hear That Hydraulic CLUNK" ☆ #GameDev

Missile Cards - PC

Missile Cards is a card-based take on the 80’s ‘Missile Command’ formula, it works but perhaps this particular formula is better-suited to mobile gaming (whilst writing this review I discovered that the game is due to be released on mobile devices ASAP, which is where I feel it will find it’s market)

I must say that I found the tutorial completely baffling and panicked somewhat upon starting my first game but it’s turn-based style only took a few minutes of gameplay to figure out and within moments I was hips deep in the unforgiving Missile Card world.

☆ SEGA Forever Launches With 5 Free SEGA Classics! ☆

SEGA's Very own retro video games service has arrived and it could turn out to be a special place for us retro gamers to visit.

SEGA Forever is looking to launch 'new' retro games every couple of weeks to mobile devices and tablets and starts the ball rolling with 5 SEGA classics which are available to download for FREE on the App Store and Google Play.

Let's Take A Closer Look Shall We...?

☆ Review: H1Z1: King of the Kill "Seize Your Moment Of Glory!" ☆

H1Z1: King Of The Hill - PC

I've spent the last few days getting immersed in the video game world of H1Z1. 

A basic battle royale style shooter involving You, You and a Teammate, or You and four teammates, versus 150 plus players with everyone looking to achieve one goal. 

Be the last man standing.

☆ DOOM NOOB EPISODE 9 "Arcade Fire" ☆

"Take a look as I Tinder, DOOM Style as I take on Arcade Mode"

☆ Review: Geneshift "Bring A Rover 800 and a wheelbarrow full of bullets!" ☆

Geneshift - PC

Geneshift is a top-down shooter video game made by Nik Nak Studios (Ben Johnson). 

This is another case of a top quality game being released by one man and the fact that the game has such strong, rounded single player and multiplayer modes is a testament to his skill as a developer. 

Geneshift is a game that has taken eight years for Ben to complete and was definitely worth the wait.

☆ A Brief History of Video Games Part 2 "The Crash" ☆ #Retrogaming

This is a cool series on YouTube from our very own Britt who looks to deliver a straight forward and informative discussion about the history of video games, from Spacewar to Star Citizen.

☆ Retro Review: Crash Bandicoot: Warped ☆

Everyone else is doing it with the N. Sane Trilogy coming out, so it’s time to jump on the train and review a PlayStation classic video game featuring their box-smashing mascot.

☆ DOOM NOOB EPISODE 8 "Welcome To The Hotel Hell!" ☆

"Welcome to the Hotel Hell and say hello to Big Bad Barry the Bellboy!"

☆ Review: Karma. Incarnation 1 "Uniquely Surreal" ☆ #GameDev

Karma. Incarnation 1 - PC

There aren't many games that seem to dabble into the abstract or even the surreal much. I can't even recall the last game I've played that's ever really touched on the area until I played Karma. Incarnation 1, which is one of the trippiest puzzlers you will ever have the pleasure to play.

☆ The Atari Box Teaser☆ #Retrogaming

What More Can I Say....?

ATARI are going to release a new piece of  hardware!!

Not much else to tell you other than just look at this awesome teaser trailer!

☆ Review: Grab the Bottle “Don’t bottle this one” ☆

Grab The Bottle - PC

The world is split into two halves. The first half consists those who have never played Snake on their mobile phone, while the second consists of those who have ignored their families/jobs/bodily functions in favour of squeezing in “just one more round”. 

If you find yourself prescribing to the latter half of the human genus, then Grab the Bottle is probably for you.

☆ Review: Illusoria "Bring Your 45 Year Old Man Reflexes" ☆

Illusoria - PC

Illusoria is a 2d platformer game released on Steam by Indie game developer Under The Bridge.

When I was given a chance to do my first game review, I jumped at the chance, and I was especially excited to find out I was reviewing a platformer.  

2d Platform games are one of my favourite game genres, probably second to first person shooters.

Anyway, let’s get to the review!

☆ A Brief History of Video Games - Part 1 - "The Early Years" ☆ #Retrogaming

This is a cool series on YouTube from our very own Britt who looks to deliver a straight forward and informative discussion about the history of video games, from Spacewar to Star Citizen. 

☆ Ben The Arcade Guy ☆

Today we hear from Ben and how his nostalgic video games trip down memory lane led him to a garage full of wonders and his very own Arcade cabinet to be proud of.

☆ My Most Anticipated Games To Come From E3 2017 ☆ #GameDev #E32017

This year's E3 is the first one that I have truly immersed myself into as it would seem that the coverage for this year's premier video games event has been all consuming and further reaching than ever before as it took over my life for 2 weeks.

I watched all of the developer press conferences which I really enjoyed and I soaked up stacks of commentary from the various outlets, but mainly from my favourite website Giant Bomb.com

After being an E3 junkie for a couple of weeks I'm now coming down from my E3 2017 fix and have just begun to piece together my thoughts on my ten most anticipated video games from the show.

It's quite tough to narrow this behemoth of a video game showdown to ten cool things that I just can't wait to play BUT I'm going to give it a go.

Here are my Most Anticipated Games To Come From E3 2017...

☆ Codemasters Classics ☆

Codemasters have been with us since 1986 and their logo from those days is instantly recognisable by retro video gamers the world over.

☆ Boxing Video Games - The Forgotten Genre ☆ 🥊

There was a time when the Boxing video game was a mainstay sub-genre of the video game industry.

There always seemed to be a tie in with a famous boxer on any console worth its salt.

There were also some really cool arcade games that tried to replicate the noble art of pugilism.

☆ Review: Demon's Crystals "Enter The Rainbow Graveyard!" ☆

Demon’s Crystals - PS4

One of our Resident Reviewers Bethany has had some time with the PS4 Video Game Demon's Crystals. 

Read on to see what Beth and her family thought of this colourful twin-stick shooter.

☆ Review: Nongunz "Bullet Heaven" ☆

There are some ‘sort of’ spoilers up ahead. Some people may wish to go into this game completely blind and work out the mystery of the game mechanics for themselves but in order to review the game, I’ll have to explain how the game works. 

If you are in this category and just want to know if it’s any good without knowing anything further, then yes, it is. It’s completely awesome. Now stop reading and go and buy it.

☆ DOOM NOOB EPISODE 7 "All Aboard The DOOM Taxi!" ☆

"The New DOOM Taxi Company is having teething problems as I try and get a Taxi to hell!"

☆ Review: Fat Mask "one more match!" ☆

Fat Mask is a puzzle-brawler which has been developed by Montreal’s Paper Cult, this team of two talented gentlemen people have created a great fast-paced title that’s well worth a blast with friends.

The indie developer world on PC has been the saviour of local multiplayer over the last few years when the local style of competitive / coop play was on it’s neglected backside.

Whilst recent news suggests that local play hasn’t been entirely forgotten, this game is a fantastic example of what offline multiplayer can truly offer.

☆ How Do You Measure Gaming Prowess? ☆ #GamersUnite

I recently came to the conclusion that I had played a hell of a lot of video games BUT that overall when it comes to being a gamer I'm not very skilled at it.....

(Basically I L♡VE Video Games but I suck at them!)

That got me thinking........

How Can Anyone Measure Their Overall Gaming Rank Against All The Other Video Gamers In The World?

What's The Benchmark To Measure Yourself Against? 

This is when I decided that maybe I could make up my own measurement system...

☆ DOOM NOOB EPISODE 6 "Fatty Arbuckle" ☆

"Fatty Arbuckle is not happy as I take him on Mano a Mano!"

☆ Review: Diesel Guns – “Lock n’ Road” ☆

Diesel Guns - PC

The 90s was a good time for vehicle combat video games. With such titles as Death Rally, Twisted Metal, Interstate ’76 and Carmageddon, there were a number of mainstream titles to get the engines revving. 

But vehicle combat sims have become few and far between in modern gaming.

Enter Diesel Guns by Russian Developer LLC Intenzibne, a fast-paced combat racer that aims to mix the skills based combat of first-person shooters with the adrenalin fueled driving of a racing title.

☆ DOOM NOOB - EPISODE 5 "THRUST BOOTS" ☆

"Hi, I'm Johnny Knoxville, and we're about to test my THRUST BOOTS!"

☆ Nintendo & SEGA Battle It Out In 80's 3D! ☆

There was a time when Nintendo & SEGA entered into the 3D video gaming world and that time was 1987!

☆ DOOM NOOB EPISODE 4 ☆ "CANNONBALL!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. 

I've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. 

I need all of you, to stop what you're doing and listen. 

CANNON-BAAAALLLL!!!!"

☆ Baseball Video Games Through The Ages ☆

The Baseball Video Game is actually one of the oldest sub-genre of video games as it goes all the way back to 1961 when Baseball was created for the IBM 1620 by John Burgeson.

John was A baseball fan and long-time member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Burgeson initially wrote the Baseball simulator program as a hobbyist project on his own time for enjoyment.

☆ Review: Bokida *It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white* ☆

Bokida: Heartfelt Reunion - PC

Bokida - Heartfelt Reunion is the first video game from developer Rice Cooker Republic. 

Billed as an ‘open-world adventure with puzzle elements and a minimalist aesthetic.

Bokida takes place on a dormant, seemingly monochromatic world of light that gradually reveals its beauty. Experience freedom while exploring a peaceful, intriguing environment.’

☆ "Retro Gaming Insights & Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches" - Video Games Memories ☆ #Retrogaming @FarAwayComplimentGuy

Here we have a cool video games Q&A with a Twitter dude from Philly who I just love to follow. 

This guy is a retro gamer through and through and makes me smile with all of his awesome tweets.

He loves a GIF and he loves Far Away Compliments, he is the awesome @FarAwayComplimentGuy

So here goes ........

☆ Review: Tanzia (BETA) - "You've Got A Bone To Pick With The Skeleton King" ☆

Tanzia is a pedigreed role-playing video game from some of the minds behind Wasteland 2 and Knights of the Old Republic II. Some might say they’re pretty good at sequels. Perhaps they need to be, as we will soon discover.

Before we begin, please note that this game is in beta. The developers say that it’s practically done, but even so, everything should be taken with a pinch of salt.

☆ Ten Minute Taster - Town Of Light - PS4 ☆

"Meet Charlotte, the creepiest doll you will ever get to meet...

in the Town Of Light video game for PS4"

☆ What is Arcade Perfect? ☆

Growing up in the 80’s and the 90’s, Video Games always strived to hit the highest accolade in gaming at the time. That accolade was the notion of being ‘Arcade Perfect’.

It was a lofty ambition for an 8 Bit console or Computer and an achievable stretch for the 16 Bit consoles of the early 90’s.

It’s the term that I would hope for in any video games review of the time and turned a maybe buy game into must have game.

The term has fallen away over the years as the console and computer powerhouses of the last couple of generations have exceeded the Arcade games arena in most cases.

Thinking about this term I began to let my mind wander to those halcyon days of Arcade Perfection and started to compile myself a list of the games from that era that reached that Arcade Perfect Accolade.

☆ Ten Minute Taster - Victor Vran "OVERKILL" - PS4 ☆

"Take a journey with Vic the Demon Slayer as he conquers his fear of spiders and searches for his best buddy Adrian in this stonking Video Game!"

☆ DOOM NOOB - EPISODE 3 ☆

🗣 "Just when I thought I was getting 'OKAY' at this video game then along comes a big boy to ruin my game......" 

☆ Review: Echoplex "Sometimes you can run away from your past" ☆

Echoplex - PC Before getting started with Echoplex, it’s important to keep in mind the game is very a much work in progress. Currently, on Steam Early Access, Echoplex is a first person horror/puzzler from South African developer Output Games that rests itself among the likes of Portal and The Stanley Parable.
As a South African myself, I was extremely keen to give the game a go and was pleased to find an original and interesting idea lurking behind this admittedly rough-around-the-edges title.

☆ DOOM NOOB : EPISODE 2 - "Trains Of Death" ☆

"I'm getting better at destroying these demons, 

but the trains of death are another matter!"

☆ Ten Minute Taster - The Fidelio Incident - PC ☆

The Games Freezer Video Games Ten Minute Tasters are usually a YouTube only feature BUT after my OBS software refused to record my gameplay I felt compelled to fulfil the ten-minute taster with a written version as I think this game deserves your attention.

Step into the freezer to learn a little bit more about The Fidelio Incident......

☆ Preview: EXO ONE - *Keep on rolling, baby* ☆

Preview - Exo One - PC (Kickstarter)

I was lucky enough to recently play a preview build of EXO One, from the developer's website:

"EXO ONE is a momentum-based exoplanetary exploration game in which you pilot an alien craft able to manipulate the laws of gravity. Follow the story of mankind's first, ill-fated mission outside the solar system."

☆ Ten Minute Taster - IMPACT WINTER - PC ☆

"It's a 30 Day SNOW DAY! So come join me at the end of the world as I search for an all important recipe book...."

Catch Us @ http://www.gamesfreezer.eu

Follow Us @ http://www.twitter.com/gamesfreezer

Like Us @ http://www.facebook.com/gamesfreezer

☆ Games Freezer Video Games Related Awesomeness Roundup ☆

I haven't done one of these articles for a while but I've got a cracking set of video games related awesomeness just for you.....

☆ Banana Switch The Video ☆

 BANANA SWITCH 

Have YOU seen the fan made Banana Nintendo Switch 'commercial'? 

Inspired by Donkey Kong Country and Super Nintendo it's a must see!

"STAY FROSTY!"

☆ Review: Bad Dream Coma - "Spiders hatched in my kitchen..." ☆

Bad Dream Coma - PC

Point-and-click video games seem to be having a bit of a renaissance. With new titles like Obduction and Thimbleweed Park, and remasters to such classics as Full Throttle and the Monkey Island series, it seems the adventure gaming fan has it all.

Even the indies are getting in on the action, as evidenced by the release of Bad Dream: Coma, developed by Desert Fox and published by PlayWay back in March.

☆ Can You Name These 8 Classic Video Game Consoles Redesigned as Cars? ☆

When I saw this video games and motor cars crossover I fell in love immediately.

It's such a cool concept that I thought I just had to share it with you all.

The Ford Car Dealer Jennings Ford Direct decided to see how some of the most iconic video games consoles would look redesigned as cars.

☆ DOOM NOOB : EPISODE 1 - "Dark Dark Beginnings!" ☆

"Watch me grope around in the dark playing Doom on the PS4.....please don't laugh at me too much!"

☆ Review: Strain tactics - "Imraan's First Taste Of Steam Gaming" ☆

Today marks Imraan's first foray into Steam video gaming as he takes on Strain Tactics.

Let's take a look at his review and see what he thought....

☆ Review: 911 Operator - *Whisky Tango, Charlie…and I’ll have a rum and coke* ☆

The last Polish game I played was The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt which I played, or rather, inhaled for a solid month back in January. I recall something dawning on me whilst playing it, namely that I have always thoroughly enjoyed video games that come from Eastern Europe, there’s something about the mood of the landscape and the way of life in that area that the native game developers are able to channel into their video games. 

Whether it be multi-million-selling franchises such as the aforementioned Witcher series, underrated gems like S.TA.L.K.E.R: Shadow of Chernobyl or flawed but fun games such as Hard Truck Apocalypse, Boiling Point and Planet Alcatraz (come on guys, translate the sequel for me!) the games always seem to have real character and a sense of boldness and personality.

I just wanted to say all of this so that you, the reader fully understands why I removed my trousers when I realised whilst reading the accompanying press kit that 911 Operator was developed in Warsaw. I clicked the install button with a Gary Busey grin.

☆ Say Hello To Mr Atari Himself, LORD ARSE! - Video Games Memories ☆ #Retrogaming @Lord_Arse

Lord Arse is an international video games man of mystery and a retro gaming nut!

His Twitter account has over 100,000 Followers and he posts passionately on a daily basis all things Retro Gaming.

I've followed Mr Arse for a while now and I decided it was time to get to know the man underneath the Atari cap.

Here are some hard-hitting journalistic questions that I put to Lord Arse last week......enjoy some of Lord Arse's Video Games Memories!

☆ Review: Lil Tanks - “Just keep shooting” ☆ #GameDev #IndieGame

Lil Tanks - PC

The story of Lil Tanks begins when an alien race known as The Cuur who invade earth with the intention of taking over. After quickly wiping out all of the earth’s armies and poisoning the atmosphere, the remaining remnants of humankind’s military set to work to fashion the only weapons capable of defeating the alien invaders. These weapons are called Lil Tanks. The reason why they’re named this is unclear as they don’t seem to be all that small.

In all honesty, it doesn’t really matter as the story of Lil Tanks is largely irrelevant.

☆ Learn How To Play Mega Drive Games on the Super Nintendo with a "Retro Gen" ☆

Sega and Nintendo, two big rival companies back in the early 90s. If you wanted to play Sonic the Hedgehog you had to own or borrow a Sega Mega Drive and if you wanted to play Super Mario world you had to own or borrow a Super Nintendo.

After all these years it is now possible to play Sonic the Hedgehog on the Super Nintendo by using something called RetroGen adaptor.

☆ Review: The Deer God - “Like running through a Bob Ross painting” ☆

Deer God - PC Version Reviewed

The Deer God is a tough one for me to review. During my three to four hours with the game, I went from disliking it, to loving it, back to hating it and finally to accepting it as just an okay title. While definitely a very pretty, serene and thoughtful side-scrolling platformer, there are some questionable gameplay flaws that ultimately let The Deer God down.

☆ Review: Scanner Sombre - "Bar-code Scanners At The Ready!!!" ☆

Scanner Sombre - PC

Throughout this video game review I will refrain from describing the story as a large part of the game is discovering information about the character you play and gaining an insight into their situation.