Sunday Mercury - Power Up

Skyanders tour kicks-off in Birmingham

2012-08-15T07:49:58Z

FANS in Birmingham were the first in Europe to get a glimpse of the latest version of smash hit video game Skylanders at the weekend.

The Skylanders Arena tour kicked off at the city's Bullring centre on Saturday, with the highlight for many being the chance to get some hands-on game time with the eagerly anticipated Skylanders Giants.

Due for release in October, Giants is the second installment of the Skylanders game saga, following hot on the heels Spyro's Adventure - which has been one of the gaming sensations of the last year for youngsters.

The title character and his quirky sidekicks, including Eruptor, Trigger Happy and Gill Grunt, leap into the onscreen game from the Portal of Power on a mission to save their mystical world.

As well as the chance to play the new game on a giant screen and go head-to-head with other gamers, visitors at the Birmingham event had the chance to play the original game on Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo Wii consoles, be photographed with their favourite characters thanks to the magic of movie-style 'green screen' technology and win prizes in a variety of Skylanders-themed games.

There was also free body art and goody bags at the free-to-enter event.

After kicking off at the Bullring the tour will head to London before heading out all over Europe throughout September.

Skylanders fan Rory Gibson, aged seven, from Halesowen, said: "Getting to have a go on Skylanders Giants on the big screen was wicked!"

Eight-year-old sister Millie added: "It was fun having my picture taken in front of a blank background and then choosing a Skylander to appear in the photo with me."

Skylanders Spyro's Adventure Arena Tour heads for Birmingham

2012-08-10T10:49:36Z

AVID gamers have the chance to meet the stars of one of last year's biggest hits when the Skylanders Spyro's Adventure Arena Tour comes to Birmingham's Bull Ring tomorrow (Saturday, August 11).

The multi-platform adventure has been a big-hit with kids with Spyro and his fellow Skylanders becoming firm favourites alongside the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario.

And the arena tour gives them a chance to meet the heroes - and be among the first to get a glimpse of the eagerly anticipated follow-up, Skylanders Giants, set for release this Autumn.

Attractions for visitors to the event, at the Bull Ring centre include:
· Meet the Giants: The highlight of the tour, kids will be among the first in the world to have a look and play of Skylanders Giants. There will be two Giants statues showcasing brand new characters - a huge photo opportunity!

· Trial Turrets: Game trials of both Skylanders Spyro's Adventure and the new Skylanders Giants game will take place all day on eight trial turrets, each featuring screens - so everyone gets a chance to experience new virtual adventures.

· Portal of PowerTM Stage and Play Podium: Hosted on a giant Portal of PowerTM, visitors will be encouraged to climb the podium throughout the day for epic Skylanders play-offs and the chance to win a special prize.

· The Green Screens: All kids will be able to take a little piece of the Skylands world home, with a souvenir photograph taken with their favourite Skylander within the magical Skylands world.

· Activity Zone: Featuring face-painting, fake tattoos and games like 'Match the Pairs', this zone is packed full of fun ways for fans to immerse themselves in the Skylanders world.

· Welcome to the Arena Rewards: Everyone who visits and experiences the magic of the Skylanders Arena will be given a wristband and a goody bag filled with treats.

Doors open from 12.00 noon.

Official UK App Store Weekly Charts - w/e 5th August 2012

2012-08-08T10:39:47Z

Here's this week's all-important Apple download charts

iPhone (Paid):

1.) London 2012 - Official Mobile Game (Premium) - NEOWIZ Internet Corp.

2.) WhatsApp Messenger - WhatsApp Inc.

3.) Adrian James 6 Pack Abs Workout - Six Pack Productions.

4.) Free Music Download Pro - Downloader and Player - BSOSoft.

5.) Real Steel - Jump Games Pvt. Ltd.

6.) Summer Games 3D - Tangram3D.

7.) Toon Camera - Code Organa.

8.) Talking Ted Uncensored - NBC Universal, Inc.

9.) Angry Birds Space - Rovio Mobile Ltd.

10.) Offroad Legends - Dogbyte Games Korlatolt Tarsasag.

iPhone (Free):

1.) BBC Olympics - Media Applications Technologies Limited.

2.) London 2012: Official Results App for the Olympic and Paralympic Games - The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited.

3.) Shooting Showdown - Naquatic.

4.) Zombie Run HD - RetroStyle Games.

5.) Catapult King - Chillingo Ltd.

6.) Tom Daley Dive 2012 - Chelsea Apps Factory Ltd.

7.) Stickman Games : Summer Edition - Robert Szeleney.

8.) FlagsQuizGame - Atico Mobile S.L.

9.) Parking 3D - xian qing.

10.) WhatsApp Messenger - WhatsApp Inc.

iPad (Paid):

1.) London 2012 - Official Mobile Game (Premium) - NEOWIZ Internet Corp.

2.) Peppa Pig's Sports Day - P2 Games Ltd.

3.) Flick Champions World Edition - Chillingo Ltd.

4.) iTranslate Voice HD - Sonico GmbH.

5.) Pages - Apple.

6.) Where's My Perry? - Disney.

7.) Real Steel - Jump Games Pvt. Ltd.

8.) Spy vs. Spy - Robots and Pencils Inc.

9.) Where's My Water? - Disney.

10.) The Dark Knight Rises - Gameloft.

iPad (Free):

1.) London 2012: Official Results App for the Olympics - The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited.

2.) Shooting Showdown - Naquatic.

3.) Stickman Games : Summer Edition - Robert Szeleney.

4.) BBC Olympics - Media Applications Technologies Limited.

5.) Tom Daley Dive 2012 - Chelsea Apps Factory Ltd.

6.) Zombie Run HD - RetroStyle Games.

7.) Catapult King - Chillingo Ltd.

8.) BBC iPlayer - Media Applications Technologies Limited.

9.) 360 Panorama - Occiptal.

10.) Where's My Perry? - Disney.

VIDEO: The evolution of the PC game

2012-07-28T15:26:34Z

Superb look at the evolution of the PC game. Love this.

Super Mario - The Opera

2012-07-28T14:17:04Z

Childhood retro video game classics: Part 4 - Encounter

2012-06-14T12:51:18Z

A really difficult battle game today for the Atari 800 called Encounter.

I remember this game really well, it was nothing flash, extremely difficult and highly addictive.

Another example of how simplistic gameplay can win the day.

Childhood retro video game classics: Part 3 - Feud

2012-06-13T12:24:35Z

Yet another Atari 800 classic for you today.

A great little game that was about two feuding wizards, you seemed to spend all the time strolling around mazes looking for spell ingredients as bonkers, hypnotic music drummed into your cranium.

Then there would be an almighty bout of warfare when you had some spells.

Such an ambitious, well presented little game.

Childhood retro video game classics: Part 2 - Ninja

2012-06-12T12:17:18Z

After starting a fond look back at some of the games I loved growing up here is another one for you.

This game on reflection looks so rudimentary and short, but hell I loved it!

Again this was one of those games I played on my Atari 800/XL/XE.

Childhood retro video game classics: Part 1

2012-06-11T12:05:01Z

In the last few days I have realised that games I thought were obscure and remembered only in my brain actually have a presence on YouTube.

So to pay homage to some of my much-loved childhood games I will be posting the odd video on here.

First up is a game I NEVER completed and to this day bugs the hell out of me - Spellbound.

Anyone else remember it? I had it on the Atari 800.

Official UK App Store Weekly Charts - Week 21 2012 (w/e 27th May 2012)

2012-05-30T10:19:19Z

Here are the current top ten free and paid iPad and iPhone apps.

iPhone (Paid):

1.) WhatsApp Messenger - WhatsApp Inc.

2.) Score! Classic Goals - First Touch.

3.) Grand Theft Auto III - Rockstar Games.

4.) iTranslateVoice - Sonico GmbH

5.) Hambo - Miniclip.com.

6.) Angry Birds Space - Rovio Mobile Ltd.

7.) Free Music Download Pro - Downloader and Player - BSOSoft.

8.) Cut The Rope - Chillingo Ltd.

9.) David Haye's Knockout - Grubby Hands.

10.) Fruit Ninja - Halfbrick Studios.

iPhone (Free):

1.) Hide the Fart - Santpal Dhillon.

2.) 100 Floors - Tobi Apps Limited.

3.) Cut the Rope: Experiments - ZeptoLab UK Limited.

4.) Cheats for Logos Quiz Game Pro - IFS.

5.) Facebook Messenger - Facebook, Inc.

6.) Instagram - Burbn, Inc.

7.) Facebook Camera - Facebook, Inc.

8.) Embarrassing Bodies My HealthChecker - Channel 4.

9.) Feed Me Oil - Chillingo Ltd.

10.) Logos Quiz Game - AticoD.

iPad (Paid):

1.) Grand Theft Auto III - Rockstar Games.

2.) Score! Classic Goals - First Touch.

3.) Tiger Woods PGA Tour for iPad - Electronic Arts.

4.) Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars HD - Rockstar Games.

5.) Pages - Apple.

6.) Virtua Tennis Challenge - SEGA.

7.) Bejeweled HD - PopCap.

8.) Infinity Blade II - Chair Entertainment Group, LLC.

9.) Fruit Ninja HD - Halfbrick Studios.

10.) Weather Live - Apalon.

iPad (Free):

1.) Cut the Rope: Experiments HD - ZeptoLab UK Limited.

2.) Hide the Fart - Santpal Dhillon.

3.) Skype for iPad - Skype Software S.a.r.l.

4.) Reflexions - YoYo Games Ltd.

5.) Men In Black 3 - Gameloft.

6.) BBC iPlayer - Media Applications Technologies Ltd.

7.) Cheats for Logos Quiz Game Pro - IFS.

8.) eBay for iPad - eBay inc.

9.) MotoHeroz HD - Ubisoft.

10.) Mini Motor Racing HD - The Binary Mill.

Official UK App Store Weekly Charts - Week 18 2012 (w/e 6th May 2012)

2012-05-09T11:00:34Z

Here are those all important weekly Apple charts... happy downloading!

iPhone (Paid):

1.) WhatsApp Messenger - WhatsApp Inc.

2.) Angry Birds Space - Rovio Mobile Ltd.

3.) SayHi Translate: Use Your Voice To Speak A New Language Like A Pro - SayHi.

4.) Draw Something by OMGPOP - OMGPOP.

5.) Cut The Rope - Chillingo Ltd.

6.) Free Music Download Pro - Downloader and Player - BSOSoft.

7.) Clear Vision (17+) - FDG Entertainment.

8.) Ski Safari - Defiant Development.

9.) Pandemic 2.5 - Dark Realm Studios.

10.) GPS Navigation 2 - SatNav by skobbler (UK/ROI) - skobbler GmbH.

iPhone (Free):

1.) Logos Quiz Game - AticoD.

2.) Skill Game - Good Apps UG.

3.) 100 Floors - Tobi Apps Limited.

4.) Viddy - Viddy, Inc.

5.) Pocket Whip - App City.

6.)Gravity Maze - Geemzo.

7.) Britain's Got Talent 2012 - FreemantleMedia Ltd.

8.) Draw Something Free - OMGPOP.

9.) Color Text Messages+ - Producer of Free Music Manager, Lite HD Screen Marker & Pro Safe Photo App.

10.) Head Soccer - D&D Dream Corp.

iPad (Paid):

1.) Ski Safari - Defiant Development.

2.) SayHi Translate: Use Your Voice To Speak A New Language Like A Pro - SayHi.

3.) LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 - Warner Bros.

4.) Art Set - LOFOPI.

5.) Angry Birds Space HD - Rovio Mobile Ltd.

6.) Pages - Apple.

7.) Shark Dash - Gameloft.

8.) Draw Something By OMGPOP - OMGPOP.

9.) iPhoto - Apple.

10.) Weather Live - Apalon.

iPad (Free):

1.) Logos Quiz Game - AticoD.

2.) Skill Game - Good Apps UG.

3.) MyBowling 3D - iWare Designs Ltd.

4.) Skype for iPad - Skypre Software S.a.r.l

5.) Puzzler Crossword - Puzzler Media Ltd.

6.) BBC iPlayer - Media Applications Technologies Ltd.

7.) Viddy - Viddy, Inc.

8.) eBay for iPad - eBay inc.

9.) Draw Something Free - OMGPOP.

10.) Spotify - Spotify Ltd.

Official UK App Store Weekly Charts - Week 14 2012 (w/e 8th April 2012)

2012-04-11T08:54:26Z

iPhone (Paid):

1.) Draw Something by OMGPOP - OMGPOP.

2.) Angry Birds Space - Rovio Mobile Ltd.

3.) WhatsApp Messenger - WhatsApp Inc.

4.) Clear Vision (17+) - FDG Entertainment.

5.) Tap The Frog 2 - Playmous.

6.) Infinity Blade - Chair Entertainment Group, LLC.

7.) Figure - Propellerhead Software AB.

8.) Angry Birds - ClickGamer.com.

9.) Fruit Ninja - Halfbrick Studios.

10.) The Night Sky - iCandi Apps.

iPhone (Free):

1.) Draw Something Free - OMGPOP.

2.) Bike Race Free: by Top Free Games - Top Free Games.

3.) Rat On A Snowboard - Donut Games.

4.) Tap the Frog - Mentals LLC.

5.) My Brush for iPhone: Painting, Drawing, Scribble, Sketch, Doodle with 100 Brushes - effectmatrix.

6.) Britain's Got Talent 2012 - FreemantleMedia Ltd.

7.) Temple Run - Imangi Studios, LLC.

8.) Place My Face - MUGOCO inc.

9.) Oldify - Apptly LLC.

10.) Air Jump - Avallon Alliance Ltd.

iPad (Paid):

1.) Draw Something By OMGPOP - OMGPOP.

2.) Angry Birds Space HD - Rovio Mobile Ltd.

3.) Clear Vision (17+) - FDG Entertainment.

4.) Skylanders Cloud Patrol - Activision Publishing, Inc.

5.) Infinity Blade - Chair Entertainment Group, LLC.

6.) iPhoto - Apple.

7.) Brian Cox's Wonders of the Universe - HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

8.) Pages - Apple.

9.) GarageBand - Apple.

10.) Real Racing 2: HD - Firemint Pty Ltd.

iPad (Free):

1.) Draw Something Free - OMGPOP.

2.) The Official Masters Tournament - Augusta National, Inc.

3.) Rat On A Snowboard - Donut Games.

4.) Paper by FiftyThree - FiftyThree, Inc.

5.) Touch Hockey 2 HD - FlipSide5, Inc.

6.) Skype for iPad - Skype Software Sarl.

7.) BBC iPlayer - Media Applications Technology Limited.

8.) Ice Age Village - Gameloft.

9.) Pool - Byterun.

10.) Bike Race Free: by Top Free Games - Top Free Games.

Review: Devil May Cry (HD Collection)

2012-04-10T19:22:58Z

Devil May Cry (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Devil May Cry HD Collection brings the ﬁrst three original Devil May Cry titles; together in one high deﬁnition package for the ﬁrst time.

We seem to be firmly in the age of re-packaging games and compiling old titles but sometimes it's more than just a cynical cash in.

On this disc is a quality compilation of high-calibre games, my only gripe is who it is aimed at?

If you have never played one of the games then great this is perfect for you and then some.

If you have played them which a lot of gamers have they may be reluctant to pay again just to have the compilation of titles on one disc.

That aside this is a quality offering and if you have a reason to buy it you should.

Score 4/5

Related articles
Devil May Cry HD Collection may be out now at your local brick-and-mortar (joystiq.com)
Capcom breaks street date for Devil May Cry HD Collection (vg247.com)
Devil May Cry HD Collection release date jumps forward to... right now (gamesradar.com)
New DmC trailer is every bit as camp, violent and beautifully ridiculous as Devil May Cry should be (gamesradar.com)
Devil May Cry Still Rocks 10 Years Later (1up.com)

Review: Silent Hill: Downpour (Xbox 360)

2012-04-10T19:18:59Z

Silent Hill: Downpour (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For a good number of years now the Silent Hill games have been a big hit with gamers due to their eerie nature and spine-chilling thrills.

The mood and vibe of this game are very much in keeping with the rest of the franchise and it felt very much like Silent Hill by numbers.

You play as a convict who very quickly becomes an escaped convict due to a bus crash in Silent Hill whilst been transferred, and there starts the story.

It;s a decent story to be fair and the graphics as ever are exemplary, as is the mood.

There are a few issues that hold the game back though, the lack of invention for me was an issue, it doesn't attempt to push any boundaries and sticks to a willing formula.

I felt the frame rate was glitchy in places and I experienced slowness at times - this could be just me.

It's not that I didn't enjoy the game, it was edgy to play but I defintely felt like I had been there and done that.

Score 3/5

Review: Kinect Star Wars

2012-04-10T19:13:13Z

The final computer-generated Yoda as seen in the film. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Learn the force you must.

Star Wars on the Kinect it is, wave your arms around pretending you have a lightsabre you shall.

Laugh hysterically at you your family will.

Think you are a Jedi you do, far removed from that fantasy you are.

Ok, enough of the Yoda speak.

I have grown up obsessed with Star Wars, as a young boy I had all the figures and I spent many a night wielding a long cardboard tube and trying to take my brother's head off his shoulders with a bit of Jedi justice.

The last time I used the force though was to try and get in a pour of jeans that have since departed for the history books due to my ever expanding waistline.

This is the game people have been waiting for, generations of Star Wars fans have waited for a computer game that lets them physically be a part of their very own adventure and this delivers that.

Split up into various modes the game offers a lot of variety and a broad range of gaming for different tastes.

Playing through the career mode is the perfect way to get a good all round skillset and it starts off with an important tutorial which serves as your training from Padawan learner to wannabe Jedi.

The game answers the key questions very quickly; is it full of your favourite characters? Yes. Do you get to control a lightsabre? Yes. Can you use the force to move objects? Yes.

It also answers slightly less obvious questions; Do you get to dance for Jabba? Well, er, yes.

I'm going to gloss over the Jabba madness, it's actually quite good, the kids enjoyed it. I cringed.

They also enjoyed the pod-racer game which it has to be said is quite exhilarating and captures the breaknecks speed feeling from the film, it's well executed fun to play and a very worthy addition.

Duel mode puts you straight into lightsaber combat, one on one action. This is the cherry on the top for most gamers and it is enjoyable. Is it as good as I wanted it to be? No.

For me this is the perfect base for the next generation of lightsabre elements to Star Wars games. It does get things right, you do control the lightsaber but with limited moves rather than the free-flowing duelling that some including me would have liked.

That's not to say it's not good, it is enjoyable, it just could have been more and I have no doubt it will be.

It's a Star Wars game to try and please everyone and for the most part it succeeds.

The music, characters, universe etc are represented wonderfully and the chance to be a Jedi in your living room hands free is never ever going to be a bad thing.

The force is strong with this. There can be Obi-Wan way forward for this franchise and Yoda be mad not to give it a try.

Sorry.

4/5

Related articles
Kinect Star Wars is "not a game for core gamers" (vg247.com)
Wolverton: A Jedi mind trick -- "Kinect Star Wars" has obvious appeal, but proves disappointing (mercurynews.com)
Podcast: Meet the man behind Kinect Star Wars (business.financialpost.com)
Rancors Rule, But Lightsabers Whiff in Kinect Star Wars (GeekDad Weekly Rewind) (wired.com)
Kinect Star Wars review: Needs Force feedback (joystiq.com)
Kinect Star Wars: The Kotaku Review [Video] (kotaku.com)
Star Wars Kinect (pocket-lint.com)
Kinect Star Wars fails to live up to its potential (review) (venturebeat.com)