Civilization V: A Brave New World
With Civ V Brave New World, you are entering what feels like a brand new Civ V. It takes what you already love from Gods and Kings and makes it a thousand times more interesting (not to say Gods and Kings was bad). I loved how the DLC refined some of the things in Gods and Kings and allowed the game to evolve into something completely new.
I love the new interface for the game: it works the same as the old one with just a few new add-ons for things like trade routes and tourism. I also love the new civs that are added to the game as they add more variety to the experience. Early game becomes more important as trade routes can be unlocked in just a few turns allowing you to get gold and resources from neighboring civs faster. On top of that the introduction of new great people can drastically change they way you build your civilization.
Overall, Civ V Brave New World builds so much on the already great Civilization experience. One might say, it creates a Brave New World?!
~~~~Greg
Oh the sweet, sweet magic that is Civ V. Firaxis, being the inventors of the “one more turn” complex have really done it again. Civ is that kind of game that you pour so many hours of life into and just forget what’s happening. It’s when you realize that it’s 3am, you haven’t put on pants yet, and should probably eat some today, that you really see this game shine.
The new expansion isn’t as crazy of a rebalance as Gods and Kings, but I think it changes the game in equally as drastic ways. Early-game Civ is buffed up with the importance of fighting barbarians to make them archeological digs later in the game. On top of that, you can have dedicated trade routes to other nations which lets you gain money, religious dominance, and cultural power, much earlier.
It’s a whole new game, and a Brave New World with this expansion, so anyone else ready & willing to give up several more hours to Firaxis, pick this one up.
~~~~Alex
The Walking Dead: 400 Days
Making a follow up to one of the most riveting stories of 2012 isn’t an easy thing to do, but I trust Telltale. 400 Days, if ever there was a problem with it, it feels very much like an experiment. Jumping into five different characters and seeing their stories is a fascinating experience though. With what The Walking Dead originally was, it’s nice to break away from those characters and see some different faces that make different decisions.
It all wraps itself up in the end and sets up a great idea for the future, but I just wish they gave you more to go on. If you have been craving more Walking Dead, wait no longer, get 400 Days right now, it’s probably exactly what you were looking for.
~~~~Alex
Ittle Dew
If you know me, you know I am a fan of Zelda, so when one of the many Zelda-likes comes along, I’m usually unimpressed. Ittle Dew is a bit different. It takes the time to develop and focus itself as more of a puzzle game, and does a great job of that. Plus, the humor between the characters is just top of the line.
I wasn’t expecting any challenge from Ittle Dew when I heard it was just puzzles in a Zelda-style world, but they really do make you think, and give an excellent challenge. The game looks great, plays great, and is very funny. Too bad it’s very short, but I still think it may be worth looking into for fans of the genre.
Check out my full review here.
~~~~Alex
Rogue Legacy
I clearly hate myself and fun with all of the love I give Rogue-likes out there. Spelunky is one of my favorite games of all time, and it is probably the most brutal. Rogue Legacy doesn’t quite hate you as much as other Rogue-likes out there, but it is still brutal.
The real magic is the charm and whimsy of Rogue Legacy. It has all kinds of fun from ridiculous inherited traits in family members to just dumb jokes spurced throughout. Plus the system of playing and playing until you get enough gold for some cool upgrades really works in the setting. It’ll make you laugh, make you cry, but most of all: you’ll have a good time just goofing off with it.
If you’re afraid of the genre, you shouldn’t be afraid of this one.
~~~~Alex
Mercenary Kings
Mercenary Kings is the first and only game I’ve ever Kickstarted. Made by Tribute Games, the same studio that worked on Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game, I was already sold on it from their pedigree alone, but when I had the opportunity to actual play the game it made it even more worth it.
It should be noted that this is the Early Access version of the game which I’ve gotten from being a Kickstarter contributor and only 60 of the 100 levels are available at the moment. Though not the complete game, Mercenary Kings has given everything that was promised to me and more. A great art style, fantastic music, fun Contra-like gameplay, interesting weapon customization and even online/local co-op.
Can’t wait to have the full version come out.
~~~~Nabeshin
