Game: McPixel
Console: PC
Developer: Sos
Release Date: 25th June 2012
McPixel features a collection of 20 second minigames (sequences) in which you have to help the titular character save the day, usually with a couple of well placed clicks. There are 4 chapters in the game, each featuring 4 levels (one is unlockable through getting gold on each sequence of the chapter), and 6 sequences per level for a total of 96 sequences throughout the game. There's a variety of items and characters in each sequence, which need to be selected in the right order for McPixel to prevent an explosion.
The game repeats through the 6 sequences of a level until all are complete, skipping ones that have been cleared. Sometimes it's a little hard to see what action needs to be taken in a sequence on the first couple of plays, and if you have the fortune to complete one on the first try, it's best not to try and work out what you just did. A lot of the solutions to the various problems in game are solved in nonsensical, seemingly random ways anyway.
As the title would suggest, the game is in a pixel style with very basic shapes for both characters and objects that can just about be recognised as what they are. Most of the time, the style doesn't get in the way of gameplay and although it's hardly impressive, it's a defining feature of the game. Soundwise the game is also pretty basic with an 8 bit style musical accompaniment throughout the sequences. The humour of the game is sometimes a little childish but that's not to say it stands out from the overall concept or makes the game any less playable.
Overall there's one or two hours of fun to be had, completing the various sequences and finding the secret endings to unlock bonus stages. The random nature of some of the solutions for sequences adds to the humour of the game alongside its basic audiovisual style. All of this added to its low price of £2.99 make it an enjoyable distraction from not being able to save the world by kicking people.
Rating: 59/100
Grade: D
Game: Game Dev Tycoon
Console: PC
Developer: Greenheart Games
Release Date: 10th December 2012
Taking players from being amateur developers in the 80s all the way through to running a huge gaming corporation, Game Dev Tycoon is an interesting simulation game to say the least. It's been in the news recently for its stance on piracy, with the creators releasing a version online for unsuspecting pirates which plagues their efforts with piracy and forces them into bankruptcy as a lesson for attempting to pirate the game. That said, I'll be playing the version without that problem.
At the beginning of the game, there's a few options as to what kind of game you'd like to create, but you're pretty much guided through the process of how to make games. There's also options to increase your own personal skill level and to research different features that you can put into future games and gaming engines to improve your chances of selling many games. Essentially the goal of the game is to have massive hits, scoring 10/10 on reviews, so that they will sell in large numbers.
Once you've made over a million from a game, you get the chance to move into a new office space, from your garage and hire staff. It's sometimes hard to predict how well a game will do, as the algorithm for game scores isn't entirely obvious but this adds to the fun of the game. Real world console titles are parodied throughout the game with names such as the "mBox, Playsystem, and Wuu". The consoles that are featured follow real world sales patterns and specs to a degree and are a nice inclusion.
In the end you'll get the chance to make your own consoles, as you move to an even larger office after a smash hit which generates in excess of one hundred million. As the game continues it gets more complex also with up to 6 staff members, R+D departments and the chance to make AAA titles and potentially a lot of money. The development of games also becomes more complex, assigning staff to different parts of the games and juggling how much time is spent on various aspects of it.
Graphically Game Dev Tycoon is kept fairly simple, with clearly laid out menus featuring a plethora of features. The game's soundtrack is also pleasant, although it can become a little tiresome after a long play session. I found myself rather glued to the game whilst playing, so it's definitely an interesting concept. Anyone with a little knowledge of videogames should enjoy this simulator, and those with a more detailed knowledge stand to enjoy it even more.
Overall this is a really fun simulator, my only criticisms would be that once story mode ends, it does rather feel like there's not much else to do, and that it could explain how the rating work a little better so that players might have a better idea of how to improve. Looking at the game as a whole though, there's a lot to enjoy and even if you only play through it once, it's something I'd reccomend.
Rating: 74/100
Grade: B
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