Steam Game Review: Caster

Steam Game Review: Caster

     As many avid gamers out there know, Steam is an absolute must have when it comes to buying and/or sharing games and gaming experiences. There is an innumerable amount of content on Steam that can tickle the fancy of pretty much anybody out there. Among these games, is that of "Caster."

     First, let's start with the basics. Pretty much any sale that Steam advertises on their 'Store' page, features this game. It's no more than a quarter (25 cents) every time a sale happens, so with that said, there really isn't too much reason NOT to get it. Let's face it, 25 cents really doesn't get you a whole lot nowadays as it is... You're lucky if you can get a giant gumball for that price at your local grocery store.

     Caster is a neat little game that was developed by Elecorn, who is in turn an indie developer. With this said, one should definitely take into consideration the fact that the graphics won't be up to "par" as say a major developer's game (Bethesda, 2K Games, Activision, etc) would be. That's not to say that graphics are everything, however. The game does a great job of launching the player into this world that could be described as styled after an old Nintendo 64 3D platformer, much like Mario 64 or Banjo-Kazooie. Keeping this in mind, a controller adds to this nostalgic feel as the camera angles and movement work in much the same manner. Once the player goes through a brief tutorial mission, explaining how things work, the game then takes the player on a journey through a very outlandish world. It incorporates a rough combat system that puts a slowly unlocked arsenal of various lasers at the player's disposal. Each of these weapons serves a purpose on each level, and it's up to the player to use that noggin of theirs to figure out how each weapon applies to the current mission.

     With the mention of weapons, and missions, there is a neat little "leveling up" system that happens as well. With each mission the player can destroy enemies and shoot trees to gain an in-game currency, which in turn let's the player upgrade various abilities as well as the lasers. These abilities include the ability to run faster or jump higher, for instance. Cool right? In fact, once some of these abilities are upgraded, the missions become a flatout breeze to go through in some instances. This could be looked at as a good thing, or a bad thing, depending on who the player is. That said, I'll leave that up to interpretation.

      While nostalgia, loads of money to grab, and fun ways to outsmart the enemy are fun... This game falls short, and detrimentally so, in a few other, more crucial areas. First off, there is no real "story." This is absolutely key when it comes to immersing the player. Without a story... there's very little that will actually make the player feel as though anything is getting accomplished.

     Another big problem with this game is the fact that the enemies are almost static in a sense. They have no real movement styles and the ability to decimate them by the thousands is absolutely comical. There's no real combat mechanics that the player needs to acquire in order thwart the enemy and whatever threat they pose in this distant place where nobody seems to know what's going on. This, in and of itself, can absolutely destroy the experience.

     So... we have lots of guns, a "leveling" system, nostalgia that is offset by lack of story and no real challenge. The bad can offset the good, or vice versa. And maybe it wouldn't be all that bad if that was all there is to the story, however, it's not. Speaking of "all there is to the story," this game, above all things, is NOT COMPLETE. Judging by the looks of things, it won't ever be completed by the developer. This poor little gem of a game has been left incomplete for quite some time now (years, in fact) and the developer has yet to blink an eye at it. It's really quite a shame too, because there is so much potential here. All it needs just a little TLC and just a bit of polishing and this game could turn out to get the recognition that it (potentially) deserves. But don't hold your breath.

     On a sidenote, however, I would like to include the fact that the developer was courteous enough to include an actual mission editor and level designer that allows players to fill in holes or create a whole new world. I have tried the editor out, and while it is somewhat wonky at first, I am highly appreciative that Elecorn allowed for the followers of the game the ability to take things into their own hands, if need be. In fact, there is also a section on the Caster/Elecorn website that allows for community submissions to be downloaded by the public to play. So... at least the "DLC" is free.

     Taking ALL of this into account, I enjoyed my time with the game. And for only 25 cents, I enjoyed it even more. Given that it might take some imagination on the player's part to keep things going, it's well worth the small donation to try. That is... if you are willing to overlook the terribly awful state the game was left in.

(Here's to hoping that at some point in time Elecorn revisits this 'pound puppy' of video games gives it the attention that it deserves.)

For more information on Caster or download the game, please visit:

http://www.elecorn.com/caster3d/index.html

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Alpha Test/Prototype Review: Scrap Garden

Alpha Test/Prototype Review: Scrap Garden

     If one were to look at the history of gaming and understand that there was in fact a beginning, platformers would be the most memorable. Not only did platform games really start to define the video game world, but they have found a way to also revolutionize it and have therefore become a constant staple in the video game world. "Scrap Garden," even in it's Alpha Demo state has also found a way to leave its mark, even though it is so early in production.

     For starters, the graphics are so very well put together. It really defines itself in the way the setting looks and conveys a very clean palette to the player. The colors of the landscape are simple and not overpowering, yet they also seem to pop in places. This said, they also enhance a feeling of despair. Immediately, the player understands that there is something amiss in the tired little town where our hero wakes up and its this simple color scheme that guides the player on their journey.

    There are a number of features that make this demo actually feel like a completed item. The one feature that stands out first and foremost (especially in an Alpha Demo) is the simple fact that it is compatible with an XBOX 360 controller. The reason why I find this important, is because there are so many games out there, which are completed products, that don't have full-controller support. This is a huge step in the right direction, especially when it comes to playing a 360-degree platformer as it allows pretty much anybody to jump right in and start playing without the confusion of controls.

    While the controller adds the true feeling of "gaming" to Scrap Garden, there is also a lot that can be said with the player's ability to actually interact with the environment. There are several different instances in which this is important. Whether it picking up an object to use as a stand to reach a higher level, or using that same object as a hurled weapon, Scrap Garden does a wonderful job of presenting a sort of freedom for the player to achieve the same goal in several different ways.

     Environment interaction, although key to any game nowadays, isn't complete without a sort of "mini quest." And yes, Scrap garden delivers on this note as well. The mini quest presented in the gameplay is simple, but quite important. Simply put, the player must gather up little red crystals in order to advance into the next chapter. These crystals can be rounded up in a variety of ways, from simple free-world gathering, to smashing boxes, to even killing enemies, Scrap Garden shows just how important it is to truly explore the surroundings.

    Finally, there is the icing on the cake: cinematics. While cut-scenes are inherently taken for granted, it says volumes that the creators are actually taking this into consideration for something as simple as a demo. It gives the player something to latch on to and really rounds out the overall experience by helping the player to understand the story before it's actually been told.

    Taking all of the above into consideration, Scrap Garden is most definitely on its way to being a great product once it is fully completed. And as many are anticipating its arrival, Scrap Garden will most certainly deliver on its end when the time comes for a "Full-Game" Release.

For more information on Scrap Garden, or to download the Alpha Demo and play it for yourself, please visit:

http://scrap-garden.com/

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Alpha Test/Prototype Review: The Static Speaks My Name

Alpha Test/Prototype Review:

The Static Speaks My Name

     If in fact there was a game, be it in alpha state or prototype, that left the user/player hanging with absolutely no sense of accomplishment, "The Static Speaks My Name" would be that game.

     First and foremost, the alpha test/prototype of this "game," is actually very solid in the way it was crafted. The actual skeleton for this game is amazing in the amount of depth that the player has to interact with each item in the setting. Credit is due where credit is due, and that said, the creator really did put a lot of thought into the layout of this apartment. However, this is the only truly positive thing that can be said of this game.

     So let's call a spade, a spade and be honest, this isn't a "game," it's a suicide simulator. I find it disgusting, while completely and utterly lacking in content of any sort. There is absolutely nothing the player can take away from this game other than negative thoughts and essentially a step by step guide on how to die by the noose. This is not creative media, this can not even be placed in a video game genre. That said, I refuse to call this a game. It is not a game. What it is, is simply a sick tool developed to play upon the darker, most sensitive feelings of the human being.

     Normally, I am a "glass half-full" type of guy. I like to see things for what they are and strip it down to the best possible situation. With that said, there is just absolutely no use for this garbage on the internet. Already, there are too many problems in real life. The idea of "gaming" is to have fun. Many of us play video games to escape or relax. Suicide is not "funny" (and to describe a simulator as such is grotesque). It is a very serious matter that nobody, and I absolutely mean NOBODY, needs to be reminded, is an option.

     In closing, I can honestly say the suicide simulator has some great structural concepts and the best part of the tool was exploration of the apartment. However, with this being the only glimmer of praise, I refuse to support the idea of this game and honestly find no need for it on the market. If the creator was looking to be controversial, then they certainly achieved new lows. My advice: Go back to the drawing board and come up with something a little more useful.

     This is normally where I plug in a website for information, however, due to my own personal convictions on the content and integrity of this game, I will refuse to forward any support. Please, find a true game, an actual game, and have some fun.



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Alpha Test/Prototype Review: Alpages - The Five Books

Alpha Test/Prototype Review:

Alpages - The Five Books

     In this first ever Alpha Test/Prototype Review from BTN Gaming, we are going to focus on a game that is not only breathtaking in its early graphics phase, but also terrifying with what very little there is to access.

     For so many years now, the genre of Survival Horror video games have entranced gamers with their lack of defenses, puzzle solving, and (let's face facts) the sheer uneasy feeling of dread. If this type of game excites you, then Alpages - The Five Books is a game you NEED to keep your eye on. At this very moment, all that is available to play is a basic prototype that is available to download. Now, when one hears prototype, it's surely not a pretty picture. One can most certainly expect an incomplete project of some sort or fashion. While some of this holds true, the Alpha test of Alpages - The Five Books still delivers on that most tantalizing of Survival Horror games, the fear factor.

    After selecting a few key features on the launch screen and clicking the "Start" option on the menu screen, the player is thrown into a world of darkness. The countryside is dark as various animals roam over a vast (and I do mean VAST) landscape. Random sections of fog cover the countryside in patches and ominous glows and flickers can be seen for what seems like miles in every direction. As if this wasn't enough to send the mind wondering, disturbing images and voices flash across the HUD and fill the speakers with sinister taunts. Now mind you, THE GAME HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN.

     So, in the midst of a dark countryside, with the mind playing tricks already, a lone runner must find their way through the wilderness in order to grab up five books and end the game. Simple enough, right? WRONG! See, the objective is to gather five books, but here's the catch: every book unleashes a new terror to the landscape who is all but hellbent on making sure that you don't complete your quest. There are no axes, no shovels, no guns... Only those two meat stumps you call legs and random glowing plants that you can eat in order to regain some health points so that you can forego your ultimate doom.

     All in all, I could sit here all damn day and try to convey to you this volatile concoction of grossly beautiful graphics and sinister mindplay, but really, it will not do it justice. With that said, this Alpha, this "Alpages - The Five Books" is most definitely worth trying. And if this seems to be your cup of tea, then you should also make sure you bookmark the developer's website to stay updated on any progress it is making towards it's final release.

For more information on this game and to download the prototype, please visit:

http://www.genomgames.com/


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