Steam Weekend Deals

Okay so we have all heard of Steam before in our lives as gamers, at least I hope we have. If you haven’t it is an online distributor that you download to your computer. It is not just your run of the mill service though, it can launch games, set up multiplayer matches, and download games directly, many DRM free. I highly recommend it and you can download it here. Steam also has many deals, which is a big plus to any Thrifty Gamer. My favorite is their “Weekend Deals” where they will have games for incredibly low prices for the weekend. For example: this weekend they had Dawn of War II for 25% off and World Wide Soccer Manager 2009 for 50% off. These are both excellent steals and I recommend both games. So give Steam a try and watch for those special deals.

Line Rider iRide

Line Rider started out as a simple browser game where the user is able to create a track of lines that a person on a sled is to follow. This game has exploded and many people are creating awesome tracks, making the rider do flips, loops and anything else you can think of. There is no surprise that now Line Rider has reached the iPhone and iPod Touch. The iPhone version is basically the same as the newest version of the browser version of Line Rider, with a few upgrades. You are able to free-hand or use a line tool with three different types of lines. Red for speed, blue for regular, and green for scenery. This is definitely a fun game to play when you are sitting around and need something to do. You can create cool tracks relatively easy, through the use of the magnet setting you are able to connect lines better, but if you don’t want to connect the lines, perhaps to make a smoother ramp, then you can take off the magnet feature for free style lines. The controls are fairly simple and easy to pick up, it takes a few tries to remember to switch to the hand before moving the playing field, but once you get this down it is very simple to create awesome tracks.

Line Rider for the iPhone/iPod Touch is currently available for $2.99, this price seems a little high, but if you are a big fan of Line Rider then then amount you use it could easily justify spending $2.99. However, if you are new to Line Rider I would recommend trying out the browser version first. Line Rider is a fun game, it’s simple yet addicting. You’ll want to spend hours and hours building awesome tracks, but for the cost of the game, make sure you really want it. Try it out right now, then go buy it on iTunes, then you will be creating sweet tracks while you’re sitting at the bus stop.

Try Line Rider out for free (Requires Silverlight 2)
Buy Line Rider for iPhone/iPod Touch for $2.99.

Check out this video to see just what Line Rider is capable of.

What Really Grinds My Gears: Xbox Live Account Migration

You know what really grinds my gears? Xbox live account migration. I currently rotate my xbox live account between three xbox 360s, averaging at least one migration a day. I have to migrate my account if I want my stats recorded or if we need multiple gold accounts, for whatever reason. Each time you migrate your account you have to plug-in your gamertag, email address, and password, and five minutes after that you are able to use your account. I was forced to create a shorter email address to cut the time and brain energy it took to punch out my account info. I seriously think Microsoft needs to look into a better way of handling xbox live accounts. If I own multiple xbox 360s, then I should be able to play on all of them under the same account. I shouldn’t have to migrate them every single time. I realize that by only allowing one xbox to have an account at a time it makes sure only one person can be on at a time, but this could be easily fixed. I think Microsoft should allow users to register their xbox 360s to their gamertag and that gamertag would always be allowed to play with that gamertag. They could turn off xbox live capabilities to the second version of the gamertag until the first one had logged off.

Also, when plugging in my account information, why are there no macro buttons for ‘@hotmail.com’ or ‘@live.com’? There are only so many options for a Live account, why can they not make it easier to migrate an account by only requiring plugging in the unique username, followed by a macro button that takes care of the rest. I understand that I am in an extreme minority when it comes to this as few people own multiple xbox 360s and have probably never heard of the migration process. But why do I have to suffer? I’ve paid by dues, just fix migration. And that is what really grinds my gears.

Does any of this really grind your gears? Or do you have problems with another part of Xbox Live, let me know in the comments!

The Unfinished Swan

Oh the power of paint. This is another awesome game that uses paint as its main gameplay. In this first person game you are placed in a white screen, a blank slate. In order to find your way around you must shoot paint at the environment, revealing obstacles and your path. This game has no release date set, but is definitely one to keep your eye on. These kinds of indie games are great examples of what video games should be.  This game looks to be bold and fresh, doing something never really seen before. This is a game to look out for and if you want to follow it’s development check out their blog. Check out this video to see just what this game is all about.

Mythic Map Pack Coverage

On April 9th, Bungie released another multiplayer map pack for Halo 3. This map pack includes 3 brand new maps for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). The levels include Assembly, which takes place in a scarab factory; Orbital, which takes place on a UNSC ship; and Sandbox, which is a perfect sandbox in every way. These new levels breath some fresh life into online gameplay, and with several new achievements what is not to love. These levels bring new types of levels in that fit well with the other Halo 3 levels, but bring something of their own to the mix.

Assembly

Assembly is a great level with lots of ledges and other paths, all leading up to the middle where the fun begins. There is a transporter beam in the center of the level that brings you down to the bottom level with a Gravity Hammer. There is always fighting to be done in the center but with lots to explore throughout the rest of the map as well. Assembly is a good addition to the list of maps.

Orbital

Orbital brings the visual appeal that I always really wanted in a Halo 3 multiplayer map. I have always loved playing on UNSC ships and this level has a great feel to it. It reminds me of the first level in the first Halo game, aboard the ship. There are several levels to this one and it is pretty big in size. There are many small corridors that could lead to surprise attacks on the enemy. There is so much to be had on this level, it is thoroughly enjoyable.

Sandbox

Sandbox is definitely a change of pace from the other maps. This map is completely customizable; completely. Take out everything and start tabula rasa. The best part is there are three different playing fields, the main sand floor, a huge steel bunker of a basement, as well as a floating field in the sky. You can take advantage of all three at once. Create death defying obstacles in the sky to have a sweet sniping vantage point, or set your level in the basement, perfect for grifball. You can be as creative as you want and have as much fun as possible with it.

I don’t know if this map pack is for everyone. $10 just seems like a lot of money to spend on a few multiplayer maps. I wouldn’t say this map pack is for the casual Halo player, if you only play every once in a while when some friends come over, you can live without this map pack. However, definitely for the hardcore players out there, these maps could bring some new strategy into your gameplay and mix things up to keep you wanting to succeed, or if you love forge and love creating levels then this map pack is for you. Sandbox is your sandbox, enjoy it and take advantage of it. Someone that likes building levels could easily pump hours and hours into building the next great level. This map pack is not for everyone, don’t spend $10 unless you know you want it. There is a lot to be done on these new levels and a lot of achievements to be earned so check out this video of the map layout to see what it is all about.

Tag: The Power of Paint

Tag is an indie first person puzzler coming from students at DigiPen where you are given three different paints, each with different abilities. You spray these colors onto the environment and walk over them to use their effect. Spray red and you run faster, spray green to jump, or spray blue to stick to walls, or undo with white paint. This is just an awesome game, there are so many games out there that all blend together, this one on the other hand, stands out. This game is very similar to Portal in the sense that you have to use your gun to alter the environment to get from point A to point B. You have to combine all three paints together in order to make your way through each level. This is a fairly short game, but each level has enough variety to keep you guessing as to what you need to do next. The art of this game is rather plain, everything is in grey-scale except for the environment you can use. This really makes the game easier to play as it is less confusing, but it also makes this a game about gameplay and what you are able to do with this simple paint sprayer. The controls are very simple, WASD to move, look with the mouse and spray and change paint with the mouse buttons. Tag received several awards at the recent Independent Games Festival, including Best Student Game. This game only comes with a few levels, but what do you expect for a student project. You also don’t have to pay a penny for this game. Download this game, see what it is all about. You will thoroughly enjoy this interesting puzzler. Take a break from your regular games and play through Tag: The Power of Paint. You can download it and check it out at www.thepowerofpaint.com.

BioShock 2

I never really appreciated the first BioShock until after I had played it, I wasn’t all that excited about it until recently. Check out this recently release video of BioShock 2′s gameplay. This video really makes me excited for the next adventure in Rapture and I think it’s really cool that you are able to wield guns and powers at the same time now. This game is set to release some time in the fourth quarter of this year, probably late October, early November, until then, enjoy this video.

Rock Revolution

Depending on who you ask Rock Band or Guitar Hero World Tour are the king of the music game genre. Unfortunately the full packs of these games can cost over $100. If you aren’t willing to put down a couple hundred dollars on fake instruments and have an interest in the drums then check out Rock Revolution. The drums are a lot more different than the other drums out there, consisting of 6 oddly shaped pads, but giving you more variety in your play over rock bands 4 pads and Guitar Hero’s 5 pads. It consists mainly of indie music, but this game is a great deal if you can’t afford the real thing. Don’t get it expecting Rock Band quality but for being more than a third of the price of Rock Band then this could be the music game for you until you can afford something better.  You get Rock Revolution and the drums in this bundle for under $50! Order it now and it comes with free shipping.

The Oregon Trail

Recently a new edition of the classic game, Oregon Trail, was released for the iphone/iPod Touch. This new edition comes with updated graphics and gameplay. Throughout your journey to the West, you will be able to make life altering decisions and play through several mini games. You will go hunting, collect berries and fix your wagon. You raft down rivers and face dysentery and giant eagles (R.I.P. Mary and Abe). Before you know it you’ve pumped a couple hours of your life into your journey and end up with a dead battery. Just like the classic version, you will want to play this game over and over, playing through all the different ways. Although a little more expensive than other iPhone games, it is definitely worth the $5.99. You can purchase it on the iTunes App Store. Buy it today and play like you were in elementary school again.

Halo 3: Mythic Map Pack

Check out these videos showing off just how awesome the upcoming Mythic Map Pack for Halo 3 will be. The map pack is set to be released on April 29 and will be available on the Xbox Live Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). Stay tuned until then for our full review of the Mythic Map Pack, but until then, please enjoy these awesome videos.