Christmas magazine scans

Actually, these scans have nothing to do with Christmas. But I thought it best to get these out now while everyone is taking a break and I'm waiting for the lamb to finish roasting in my oven. These are scans from the few issues of Manga Mania which I own, and have a games related theme. Manga Mania used to be a monthly magazine covering manga, anime, and a tiny bit about games and "The Internet". They also serialised the whole of Akira I seem to recall. It was a great magazine, and I wished I'd bought more copies. Their games coverage was actually really poor, and reveals more by what it omits than what it covers. If you wanted Japanese gaming coverage you were probably better off buying Super Play... Still, one of the games they covered might feature in an HG101 article, so I thought it worth scanning everything. Oh, and the Cyber Drome page may rekindle some memories of the internet back when it first started. How times change! One of the articles here has nothing to do with games, but is an interview with the BBFC, and goes in depth regarding UK censorship laws, and is quite interesting! The BBFC rates, or used to rate, quite a lot of games, and I've always thought was an excellent system, since it covers America's AO rating under our "18" age rating (Restricted 18 is really only for hardcore pornography). The pages that follow the covers belong to that issue. If you're enjoying the scans that sometimes go up on the blog, we do it regularly over on he HG101 forum. Corsair has practically scanned an entire library of awesome things.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaqzrnTm_uZLWq3WskZomgCNkRnAbJK0xcbujv9vGkBO9Jh8XUaoEBKwGmyBKVXjMnhnr2JJPDR-IHDrMkpZgk9WhGiAxRdn48u7zEPVSx9GOlyRpE57AMbtT9wMljeAfYrnZFPjkbQzP/s1600/covers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaqzrnTm_uZLWq3WskZomgCNkRnAbJK0xcbujv9vGkBO9Jh8XUaoEBKwGmyBKVXjMnhnr2JJPDR-IHDrMkpZgk9WhGiAxRdn48u7zEPVSx9GOlyRpE57AMbtT9wMljeAfYrnZFPjkbQzP/s320/covers.JPG" width="320"></a></div> <br> Actually, these scans have nothing to do with Christmas. But I thought it best to get these out now while everyone is taking a break and I'm waiting for the lamb to finish roasting in my oven. These are scans from the few issues of Manga Mania which I own, and have a games related theme. Manga Mania used to be a monthly magazine covering manga, anime, and a tiny bit about games and "The Internet". They also serialised the whole of Akira I seem to recall. It was a great magazine, and I wished I'd bought more copies. Their games coverage was actually really poor, and reveals more by what it omits than what it covers. If you wanted Japanese gaming coverage you were probably better off buying Super Play... Still, one of the games they covered might feature in an HG101 article, so I thought it worth scanning everything. Oh, and the Cyber Drome page may rekindle some memories of the internet back when it first started. How times change! One of the articles here has nothing to do with games, but is an interview with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBFC" target="_blank">BBFC</a>, and goes in depth regarding UK censorship laws, and is quite interesting! The BBFC rates, or used to rate, quite a lot of games, and I've always thought was an excellent system, since it covers America's AO rating under our "18" age rating (Restricted 18 is really only for hardcore pornography). The pages that follow the covers belong to that issue. If you're enjoying the scans that sometimes go up on the blog, <a href="http://hg101.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=games&action=display&thread=9387&page=1" target="_blank">we do it regularly</a> over on he HG101 forum. Corsair has practically scanned an entire library of awesome things. <br>

Secret History of DieHard GameFAN

This thread on The Next Level forums details numerous wild stories about what went on at DieHard GameFAN during its many years of production. But it's 180 pages, a lot of which is irrelevant. So I spent an entire day and sifted through every page, and followed every link to other forums, to condense it into a single epic page. My reason: a lot of the links were dying, perhaps the main thread was at risk too. Plus, who wants to sift through 180 pages for the juicy stuff? It's not a complete history, because a lot of what people linked to, and recollections from others forums, have since died. But it's the closest you'll get to 100%. Enjoy!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3R9Zbq_UadPKOpL5_nDtej-1NmgQgHSBLxKoSrpskt3offu0ACT_m1dmL-cfwzCi9QSnzhpdMUwPHGb_SSaCFZSO47v-98r_T213bJoOM0PcKtLp5l2jJ_o0vYxhCV9VRtaC8jhgTjGSY/s1600/Shigs.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769177595944478594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3R9Zbq_UadPKOpL5_nDtej-1NmgQgHSBLxKoSrpskt3offu0ACT_m1dmL-cfwzCi9QSnzhpdMUwPHGb_SSaCFZSO47v-98r_T213bJoOM0PcKtLp5l2jJ_o0vYxhCV9VRtaC8jhgTjGSY/s400/Shigs.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.the-nextlevel.com/tnl/threads/33808-The-GameFan-history-thread"><br />This thread</a> on The Next Level forums details numerous wild stories about what went on at DieHard GameFAN during its many years of production. But it's 180 pages, a lot of which is irrelevant. So I spent an entire day and sifted through every page, and followed every link to other forums, to condense it into a <a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/gamefan/GameFAN.htm">single epic page</a>. My reason: a lot of the links were dying, perhaps the main thread was at risk too. Plus, who wants to sift through 180 pages for the juicy stuff? It's not a complete history, because a lot of what people linked to, and recollections from others forums, have since died. But it's the closest you'll get to 100%. Enjoy!

Magazine Reviews - Nintendo Fun Club #3

Well, way back in January of this year, I did a recap of Nintendo Fun Club Issue #2 - and then my course-load got kind of crazy (among other things), preventing me from doing further recaps. Well, now I am back, with my thoughts on issue #3.

Issue #3 - Fall 1987

This issue features our first proper front cover - with color art and everything. Fittingly, Nintendo's current big hit, The Legend of Zelda, graces the cover. We also have our first ad in the magazine - for some of Taito's upcoming titles, including Renegade, Arkanoid, Elevator Action, and Legend of Kage. These ads would continue over the rest of the Fun Club News run, but would not survive the switch to Nintendo Power.

We start off with an article on Metroid and, well, while the cover gets color, the interior of the magazine is an odd mix of black-and-white, red (or another color) and white, and full color. I kind of get the impression that part-way through putting this issue together they got the green light for color. This article also features the first appearance in the magazine of screen shots. While this issue isn't nearly as screen shot heavy as Nintendo Power would eventually become, it's a start. I'm getting the impression that the staff is slowly figuring out how they can get screen shots to work in the magazine. We also get a look at Kid Icarus, including a discussion of the sacred treasures and weapons.

Well, way back in January of this year, I did a recap of Nintendo Fun Club Issue #2 - and then my course-load got kind of crazy (among other things), preventing me from doing further recaps. Well, now I am back, with my thoughts on issue #3.<br> <h2> Issue #3 - Fall 1987</h2> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp4HX3VyTzLNDII9QH152_jezp1-9-jEXsk6fOHAg16ZJgT9h_k81T913CLk9Fm8LBcXlRSSmVHu84vVhWZl4DRoc4E1Ip2w-s82J_wHAu8RgXzfs5vBVRTlQTVHJHv0FIF0iMEve09We/s1600/nintendo+fun+club++-++fall+%233+-+Page+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp4HX3VyTzLNDII9QH152_jezp1-9-jEXsk6fOHAg16ZJgT9h_k81T913CLk9Fm8LBcXlRSSmVHu84vVhWZl4DRoc4E1Ip2w-s82J_wHAu8RgXzfs5vBVRTlQTVHJHv0FIF0iMEve09We/s320/nintendo+fun+club++-++fall+%233+-+Page+1.jpg" width="246"></a></div> This issue features our first proper front cover - with color art and everything. Fittingly, Nintendo's current big hit, The Legend of Zelda, graces the cover. We also have our first ad in the magazine - for some of Taito's upcoming titles, including Renegade, Arkanoid, Elevator Action, and Legend of Kage. These ads would continue over the rest of the Fun Club News run, but would not survive the switch to Nintendo Power.<br> <br> We start off with an article on <a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/nes/metroid.htm" target="_blank">Metroid</a> and, well, while the cover gets color, the interior of the magazine is an odd mix of black-and-white, red (or another color) and white, and full color. I kind of get the impression that part-way through putting this issue together they got the green light for color. This article also features the first appearance in the magazine of screen shots. While this issue isn't nearly as screen shot heavy as Nintendo Power would eventually become, it's a start. I'm getting the impression that the staff is slowly figuring out how they can get screen shots to work in the magazine. We also get a look at <a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/nes/icarus.htm" target="_blank">Kid Icarus</a>, including a discussion of the sacred treasures and weapons.<br>

GameFAN #7

GameFAN issue 7, Mk2, is out. In fact it’s been out for a while. It also features a review, by me, of Xenoblade Chronicles. Read on for the gossip.


<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLumwa1NNVuyd8sIsS-rNj_TuWaika3L5Ut2_mRsTw-rFv20lJsFgUy1UK3WrbVLsBaxsqWp4XrKGHEUgITwfjPUuC6MbKkYKsipuh_ClpSwYQgcVWTjPXFYhS7Kokf0KFt_Squ6vtoR4X/s1600/DSC02342.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720125603765426706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLumwa1NNVuyd8sIsS-rNj_TuWaika3L5Ut2_mRsTw-rFv20lJsFgUy1UK3WrbVLsBaxsqWp4XrKGHEUgITwfjPUuC6MbKkYKsipuh_ClpSwYQgcVWTjPXFYhS7Kokf0KFt_Squ6vtoR4X/s400/DSC02342.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 400px;"></a>GameFAN issue 7, Mk2, is out. In fact it’s been out for a while. It also features a review, by me, of Xenoblade Chronicles. Read on for the gossip.<br><br>

History of video game mags in Croatia (and a quick look at some contemporary Croatian developers)

The content of the following post appears courtesy of forum user mpx, who wrote about the mags in this thread. There are some additional images and links to be found there, so be sure to check it out, too.

The history of dedicated video game magazines in Croatia starts in 1994. Weren't there any video games before? Of course there were, but coverage was mostly part of general computing magazines, and since Croatia was part of Yugoslavia until 1991, it's hard to talk about distinctly Croatian magazines before.





Croatia's first video game magazine was Hacker, first published in November 1994. Originally covering a variety of console and computer platforms, they eventually focused solely on PC and PSX, as the latter was the only console that had any meaning on the market. Most platforms were only available through imports, anyway, and the N64 as the only other officially distributed console was much too expensive because of the cartridge technology. The carts often cost more than twice as much as a legitimate PSX game, not to speak of the pirate copies that were around for Sony's console.

Hacker's heyday were the years 1998-2000. This was when the same team also started a separate PSX only magazine in March 1999, the first of its kind in Croatia.

In 1997 or 1998, they also published 1 or 2 issues of a special Hacker Plus magazine, which only covered PlayStation games.



However, in 2000 editor in chief Kristijan Žibreg was fired by the publisher Janus Press for reasons unknown, and reportedly the quality of the mags had taken a nosedive from then on. The last issue of PSX came out in Summer 2002, while Hacker stayed around until 2005.


Hacker's Kristijan Žibreg (right) and (presumably) Krešimir Mijić at E3 1999.

Most other mags were much more short-lived, though. Master, a spin-off of the computer and IT magazine Bug, only had one single issue in December 1994, before it was again merged into a small section inside Bug.





Chaos lasted twice as long as Bug (sounds better than saying it had two issues, doesn't it?) from March to April 1996. It was a comparatively expensive magazine with high quality paper.






In January 1998, however, a more durable new magazine entered the arena, called PC Play. The pilot issue was quite thin, with a CD attached at a cheap promo price. Originally they covered both PC and console (PSX & N64) games, but eventually turned into a PC only magazine in 2002.

All was going well until 2005, when the publisher Vidi decided to cut the number of pages from to 64 at the same price, instead including a dual layer DVD. According to our source, however, the writing quality made a turn for the much worse.



By 2010, PC Play magazine wasn't doing so well anymore, and so the magazine was revamped as Playzone, another multi platform mag. Without the DVD and at half the price, the new model still didn't work out, and after 4 issues, the magazine turned into PC Play again for one final issue in December 2010.





There were also some translated magazines. The Official PSM from the UK was available in Croatian as Službeni HR PlayStation Časopis, but cut shorter than the original. It lasted from November 1999 (UK PSM issue 51) until 2001, when it eventually failed because of incredibly high prices (In 2001 they already dropped the demo CD to cut the price in half).



Then there was PlayStation Power, translated from the UK mag with the same name. It had only 5 issues published between 1999 and 2000.





After PSX was shut down by Janus press, former staff members came together to create a new magazine called GamePlay, first published in November 2002. From 2002 to 2005 it was a console only magazine, but after Hacker folded they decided to cover PC games as well. December 2005 saw a makeover of the magazine. Originally GamePlay was similar to PSX but after that they changed the style. From then on they were the first mag to cover all available systems (PS2, PS3,Xbox 360, PC, PSP, DS, Wii) on 100 pages.

But in 2010 NCL Group, the publisher of the mag, came into financial trouble and started to force the staff to cut corners. After 99 issues, the editors finally abandoned NCL, and GamePlay ended in March 2011.





The same staff started anew with Next Level in April 2011. The mag has 132 pages at a reasonable price (amounts to US $4.55). 4 pages are even devoted to retro games, and in issue 5 they had a special on current Croatian game developers.



Croatian game developers? Yes, they exist. You might have heard of Croteam, the creators of the Serious Sam series and who are around since the early 1990s, but there are several lesser known teams.

Cateia Games specialize in point & click adventures and strategy games (they also have a Star Trek title in their portfolio), with the odd kiddie platformer thrown in for good measures. I know some of their adventures have been published in the rest of Europe, although they haven't been received terribly well.




Upper-left to bottom-right: The Legend of Crystal Valley, Kaptain Brawe, Iron Roses, The Kings of the Dark Age

Gamepires it seems are currently working on their first game, the racing/shooter hybrid Gas Guzzlers.



Dreamatrix (formerly Provox Games) are mostly (un-)known for Spaceforce, a loose series of science fiction games in different genres. Their most ambitious project yet, however, seems to be the fantasy action RPG Legends of Dawn, for which they also have a tie-in novel planned.





Finally, Smart Way Team is a young app developer, whose first game is the iPhone action puzzler Smart Way.






<table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/master.jpg"><br /></td><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/hacker-3.jpg"><br /></td></tr><br /></table><br /><br />The content of the following post appears courtesy of forum user mpx, who wrote about the mags in <a href="http://hg101.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=games&action=display&thread=8579">this thread</a>. There are some additional images and links to be found there, so be sure to check it out, too.<br /><br />The history of dedicated video game magazines in Croatia starts in 1994. Weren't there any video games before? Of course there were, but coverage was mostly part of general computing magazines, and since Croatia was part of <a href="http://retrospec.sgn.net/users/tomcat/yu/revije.php">Yugoslavia</a> until 1991, it's hard to talk about distinctly Croatian magazines before.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/hacker-1.jpg"><br /></td><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/hacker-2.jpg"><br /></td></tr><br /></table><br /><br />Croatia's first video game magazine was Hacker, first published in November 1994. Originally covering a variety of console and computer platforms, they eventually focused solely on PC and PSX, as the latter was the only console that had any meaning on the market. Most platforms were only available through imports, anyway, and the N64 as the only other officially distributed console was much too expensive because of the cartridge technology. The carts often cost more than twice as much as a legitimate PSX game, not to speak of the pirate copies that were around for Sony's console.<br /><br />Hacker's heyday were the years 1998-2000. This was when the same team also started a separate PSX only magazine in March 1999, the first of its kind in Croatia.<br /><br />In 1997 or 1998, they also published 1 or 2 issues of a special Hacker Plus magazine, which only covered PlayStation games.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/psx.jpg"></center><br /><br />However, in 2000 editor in chief Kristijan Žibreg was fired by the publisher Janus Press for reasons unknown, and reportedly the quality of the mags had taken a nosedive from then on. The last issue of PSX came out in Summer 2002, while Hacker stayed around until 2005.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/croatia-e3.jpg"><br /><i>Hacker's Kristijan Žibreg (right) and (presumably) Krešimir Mijić at E3 1999.</i></center><br /><br />Most other mags were much more short-lived, though. Master, a spin-off of the computer and IT magazine Bug, only had one single issue in December 1994, before it was again merged into a small section inside Bug.<br /><br /><table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/chaos-1.jpg"><br /></td><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/chaos-2.jpg"><br /></td></tr><br /></table><br /><br />Chaos lasted twice as long as Bug (sounds better than saying it had two issues, doesn't it?) from March to April 1996. It was a comparatively expensive magazine with high quality paper.<br /><br /><br /><table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/pcplay-1.jpg"><br /></td><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/pcplay-2.jpg"><br /></td></tr><br /></table><br /><br />In January 1998, however, a more durable new magazine entered the arena, called PC Play. The pilot issue was quite thin, with a CD attached at a cheap promo price. Originally they covered both PC and console (PSX & N64) games, but eventually turned into a PC only magazine in 2002.<br /><br />All was going well until 2005, when the publisher Vidi decided to cut the number of pages from to 64 at the same price, instead including a dual layer DVD. According to our source, however, the writing quality made a turn for the much worse.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/playzone.jpg"></center><br /><br />By 2010, PC Play magazine wasn't doing so well anymore, and so the magazine was revamped as Playzone, another multi platform mag. Without the DVD and at half the price, the new model still didn't work out, and after 4 issues, the magazine turned into PC Play again for one final issue in December 2010.<br /><br /><table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/opsm-1.jpg"><br /></td><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/opsm-2.jpg"><br /></td></tr><br /></table><br /><br />There were also some translated magazines. The Official PSM from the UK was available in Croatian as Službeni HR PlayStation Časopis, but cut shorter than the original. It lasted from November 1999 (UK PSM issue 51) until 2001, when it eventually failed because of incredibly high prices (In 2001 they already dropped the demo CD to cut the price in half).<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/playstationpower-1.jpg"></center><br /><br />Then there was PlayStation Power, translated from the UK mag with the same name. It had only 5 issues published between 1999 and 2000.<br /><br /><table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/gameplay-1.jpg"><br /></td><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/gameplay-3.jpg"><br /></td></tr><br /></table><br /><br />After PSX was shut down by Janus press, former staff members came together to create a new magazine called GamePlay, first published in November 2002. From 2002 to 2005 it was a console only magazine, but after Hacker folded they decided to cover PC games as well. December 2005 saw a makeover of the magazine. Originally GamePlay was similar to PSX but after that they changed the style. From then on they were the first mag to cover all available systems (PS2, PS3,Xbox 360, PC, PSP, DS, Wii) on 100 pages.<br /><br />But in 2010 NCL Group, the publisher of the mag, came into financial trouble and started to force the staff to cut corners. After 99 issues, the editors finally abandoned NCL, and GamePlay ended in March 2011.<br /><br /><table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/nextlevel-1.jpg"><br /></td><td><br /><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/nextlevel-2.jpg"><br /></td></tr><br /></table><br /><br />The same staff started anew with Next Level in April 2011. The mag has 132 pages at a reasonable price (amounts to US $4.55). 4 pages are even devoted to retro games, and in issue 5 they had a special on current Croatian game developers.<br /><br /><center><img src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/nextlevel-croatiandev.jpg"></center><br /><br />Croatian game developers? Yes, they exist. You might have heard of <a href="http://www.croteam.com" target="_blank">Croteam</a>, the creators of the <i>Serious Sam</i> series and who are around since the early 1990s, but there are several lesser known teams.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cateia.com" target="_blank">Cateia Games</a> specialize in point & click adventures and strategy games (they also have a <i>Star Trek</i> title in their portfolio), with the odd kiddie platformer thrown in for good measures. I know some of their adventures have been published in the rest of Europe, although they haven't been received terribly well.<br /><br /><table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/cateia-thelegendofcrystalvalley.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/cateia-thelegendofcrystalvalleya.jpg"></a><br><br /></td><td><br /><a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/cateia-kaptainbrawe.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/cateia-kaptainbrawea.jpg"></a><br><br /></td></tr><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/cateia-ironroses.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/cateia-ironrosesa.jpg"></a><br /></td><td><br /><a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/cateia-thekingsofthedarkage.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/cateia-thekingsofthedarkagea.jpg"></a><br /></td></tr><br /></table><center><i>Upper-left to bottom-right: The Legend of Crystal Valley, Kaptain Brawe, Iron Roses, The Kings of the Dark Age</i></center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gamepires.com" target="_blank">Gamepires</a> it seems are currently working on their first game, the racing/shooter hybrid <i>Gas Guzzlers</i>.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/gamepire-gasguzzlers.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/gamepire-gasguzzlersa.jpg"></a></center><br /><br /><a href="http://www.dreamatrix.net" target="_blank">Dreamatrix</a> (formerly Provox Games) are mostly (un-)known for <i>Spaceforce</i>, a loose series of science fiction games in different genres. Their most ambitious project yet, however, seems to be the fantasy action RPG <i>Legends of Dawn</i>, for which they also have a tie-in novel planned.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/dreamatrix-legendsofdawn-1.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/dreamatrix-legendsofdawn-1a.jpg"></a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/dreamatrix-legendsofdawn-2.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/dreamatrix-legendsofdawn-2a.jpg"></a></center><br /><br />Finally, <a href="http://www.smartwaygame.com" target="_blank">Smart Way Team</a> is a young app developer, whose first game is the iPhone action puzzler <i>Smart Way</i>.<br /><br /><table width=100%><br /><tr align=center><td><br /><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/smartway-1.jpg"><br><br /></td><td><br /><img border="0" src="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blog/croatia/smartway-2.jpg"><br><br /></td></tr><br /></table><br /><br /></span>

1UP Presents #3: The Sketch Issue

I recently interviewed Jeremy Blaustein for a top secret article (I'll put scans up in December), and along with some fascinating discussion about various things (such as the potential future of Snatcher), he mentioned he was also featured in the final print issue of 1UP magazine. I didn't actually realise they did a print version, until discovering this final issue, but it seems like a hard-hitting release which tackles a difficult subject: Our final print issue looks at how Japan's earthquake changed developers, the man who created Street Fighter, Fumito Ueda, and more (plus 40+ original sketches from industry artists). I'm especially impressed that they rounded up numerous artists to produce original artwork for earthquake relief - not only will it make a beautiful coffee table, but it's the kind of thing you can feel good supporting. Jeremty's interview is alongside Akira Yamaoka's for a discussion on Silent Hill 2's risky design. Sounds like a fantastic issue.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrcvWd6s9XiwaX-BTCmPA5qxhHsP2qZL27KRRJgBZv0x0WAeFv33rEYC8OCHEdICkGzjg6Y-VoWqPLuHGiekO4UWrZSS43tKoFWmB_oRQrYqOsgVElvEl8MNzDKrxbSvWH2Rg9l7fW5g/s1600/1UPMAGAZINE.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676250396041314466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrcvWd6s9XiwaX-BTCmPA5qxhHsP2qZL27KRRJgBZv0x0WAeFv33rEYC8OCHEdICkGzjg6Y-VoWqPLuHGiekO4UWrZSS43tKoFWmB_oRQrYqOsgVElvEl8MNzDKrxbSvWH2Rg9l7fW5g/s400/1UPMAGAZINE.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />I recently interviewed <a href="http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/jb/jb.htm">Jeremy Blaustein</a> for a top secret article (I'll put scans up in December), and along with some fascinating discussion about various things (such as the potential future of Snatcher), he mentioned he was also featured in the<a href="http://www.1up.com/news/1up-presents-3-sketch-issue"> final print issue of 1UP magazine</a>. I didn't actually realise they did a print version, until discovering this final issue, but it seems like a hard-hitting release which tackles a difficult subject: <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Our final print issue looks at how Japan's earthquake changed developers, the man who created Street Fighter, Fumito Ueda, and more (plus 40+ original sketches from industry artists)</span>.</span> I'm especially impressed that they rounded up numerous artists to produce original artwork for earthquake relief - not only will it make a beautiful coffee table, but it's the kind of thing you can feel good supporting. Jeremty's interview is alongside Akira Yamaoka's for a discussion on Silent Hill 2's risky design. <a href="http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/294886">Sounds like a fantastic issue</a>.

IG Magazine, French retro mag like Hardcore Gaming 101

A look at IG Magazine, a French magazine from France (as opposed to Canada). This one appearing to be a special one-off, focusing on various retro series. It’s titled “Hors-Serie 1” (Juillet/Aout 2011), implying there will be others in the future. Priced at 9.50 Euro it’s 268 pages long and printed on very nice paper. There are also NO ADVERTS. It manages to be entirely self-funded. Best of all, is it seems to take much inspiration from Hardcore Gaming 101 and Retro Gamer magazine. I haven’t gone over every page, but there doesn’t seem to be any developer interviews, meaning it’s not quite as good as HG101 and RG, and this is a shame, but otherwise it’s a lovely coffee table style bookazine. The 19 pages dedicated to sprite transformation moves in various beat-em-ups was a particular highlight.

YOUTUBE VIDEO pt1

YOUTUBE VIDEO pt2
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_MISO8ahXoJlK2qobjBleis1oi8OOwgsYgxiJhpm51x7n5xe4cY4Kgs6z7fypaTINV79W0WvCXMv9GjEjWdyfgsoZqMHYLVz7nZ0mEOjLg06-LUB0MjleHIhvH5OPzbBaVhqtVPDKZw/s1600/IG+mag+cover.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624382649825197378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_MISO8ahXoJlK2qobjBleis1oi8OOwgsYgxiJhpm51x7n5xe4cY4Kgs6z7fypaTINV79W0WvCXMv9GjEjWdyfgsoZqMHYLVz7nZ0mEOjLg06-LUB0MjleHIhvH5OPzbBaVhqtVPDKZw/s400/IG+mag+cover.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />A look at <a href="http://www.ig-magazine.com/fr">IG Magazine</a>, a French magazine from France (as opposed to Canada). This one appearing to be a special one-off, focusing on various retro series. It’s titled <a href="http://www.ankama-shop.com/fr/h1-magazine/837-ig-magazine-hors-serie-1">“Hors-Serie 1” (Juillet/Aout 2011)</a>, implying there will be others in the future. Priced at 9.50 Euro it’s 268 pages long and printed on very nice paper. There are also NO ADVERTS. It manages to be entirely self-funded. Best of all, is it seems to take much inspiration from Hardcore Gaming 101 and Retro Gamer magazine. I haven’t gone over every page, but there doesn’t seem to be any developer interviews, meaning it’s not quite as good as HG101 and RG, and this is a shame, but otherwise it’s a lovely coffee table style bookazine. The 19 pages dedicated to sprite transformation moves in various beat-em-ups was a particular highlight.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/IG%20Magazine,%20French%20retro%20mag%20like%20Hardcore%20Gaming%20101"></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDh2cASfJ0s">YOUTUBE VIDEO pt1</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01wQcokaRvU">YOUTUBE VIDEO pt2</a>

GamesTM issue 109

Another issue; another blog entry. Actually, I’ve now decided to subscribe, since I don’t want to rely on my freelancing to guarantee me a copy every month. If you read EDGE or EGM every month, you’re doing something wrong. Those magazines suck, especially EDGE for not crediting its authors. GamesTM doesn’t either, but I will criticise them for it every issue as a result. After the last issue, which was written by porn stars, I’ve been told by the magazine’s editor (who isn’t Rick Porter, that’s just a pseudonym, it’s actually Ricky Gervais), that this month’s articles were written by sentient inanimate objects bought from Tesco!. And you can’t prove me wrong, because it’s not like the articles have credits anyway!
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.
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Contents. Click the pick to see it enlarged.
Written by: Tesco’s budget range toilet paper

Region locking feature. Now online, CLICK HERE.
Written by: a bottle of Southern Comfort (the mini sized bottles).
The online version doesn’t include the Nintendo boxout where James Honeywell is acting like a total and utter **** (there’s no way that C&T word’s being printed uncensored). So here it is, typed up by me:

“Handhelds, traditionally, have always been region-free, and with good reason. If you take your DS abroad then you should be able to do so safe in the knowledge that you can buy a game in that country and play it while on holiday. 3DS is the first system that takes this common sense luxury away from the consumer, and Nintendo’s justification is once again unconvincing. “People can still take their Nintendo 3DS and software to enjoy on holiday with them, this hasn’t and won’t change”, says James Honeywell. “We will communicate this to purchasers in interviews like this, on hardware packaging and in-box information in Nintendo 3DS hardware and software. This model has existed for DVDs for a number of years now so we’re confident consumers do and will understand how it works.” Now, how many people do you know that take a DVD player on holiday.”

Like I said. Nintendo = absolute *****. I hope everyone who thought of region locking the 3DS gets trapped in an office fire. If I ran a multiformat mag, I would have every 3DS game that was region locked receive 1 out of 10. Man, screw that bullshit.

Dragon’s Dogma. Made a nice cover but in-game looks horribly generic. I can’t even be bothered to read the feature. I’m bored of hi-fantasy, I want more sci-fi in games.
Written by: a wilted lettuce from the vegetable aisle

Minipreview. Love this page. Wish it had more pages.
Written by: a packet of Durex condoms (extra small).

Angels and demons, a look at morality in games.
Written by: rolls of flypaper – by 2 get 1 free!

Was looking forward to this feature, but was sadly disappointed. It says most of the criticism against Bioshock was due to its morality system. No, my criticism was that the mechanics were simple / the mechanics were dumbed down / the mechanics were for stupid people with short attention spans / the mechanics were geared towards casual console play. I hated Bioshock because it was a lacklustre, simplified trod through ineptly designed levels with insipid functionality. For hell’s sake, it didn’t even have an inventory! System Shock 2 on the other hand was laden with complexity and intelligence. Bioshock was like System Shock 2 after being lobotomised and having its testicles removed. No critic – EXCEPT ME – ever seems to make this point. I don’t care about its morality system, I care about the fact that it’s a game designed for simple-minded people with simple minds. Bioshock is loathsomely awful – I despise its mere existence.

The rest of the article is so-so. It doesn’t mention either the Zettai Zetsumei Toshi series, which featured the best morality system I have yet seen in the gaming medium, BAR NONE, nor does it mention Pathologic, which GTM reviewed and gave an 8 to. Pathologic has an excellent morality system – trapped in a town where people distrust you, it’s not about simply black or white choices. You can kill innocent people to help your own survival, but you must be prepared for the townspeople’s reaction. Ultimately though, whatever you choose, it’s for the greater good of stopping a plague which threatens an entire country. Sacrificing one man for his organs to research the virus is surely worth the price, right?

Instead the article talks about Bioshock, The Witcher, Fallout 3, Heavy Rain, KOTOR and a few other games. Maybe the author didn’t play Zettai Zetsumei Toshi or Pathologic?

Fez article. LOVE THE DESIGN.
Written by: a pair of men’s Y-fronts from the clothing section

Indie game review. This is why I love the mag. Not many other publications will give 2 whole pages to this kind of game.
Written by: a tin of dog food

Another indie review, from XBLA. Love the opening paragraph. Genius.
Written by: a bottle of Fairy washing up liquid

Guardian Heroes. Six pages, with input from Treasure. Sadly the amount of interview answers could have filled only half a page. It’s passionate, but a little lacking in insider information. Shame.
Written by: reduced price pork sausages (sage and onion)

Gala Networks Europe
Written by: a copy of Marquis from the magazine aisle.
I’ve only included this here because of the artwork used. Who doesn’t like a bit of elf-girl on elf-girl action, eh readers?


BONUS:
artwork from the Guardian Heroes article. Click for full size.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2uCk8PmAWUl3CMHIsJX6eOZFbO86_KRgmWELVkGti01ul5GdPGDoLB6BbfSLwlV5ONnhmzrtPi5St_XkfUG3Bm8qPv1ps4jGn-2s8ZhiT3EWTWqaBcmOGyxNBuBt7hG4UR7mDAwxJ48/s1600/DSC01811.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610965109811398866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2uCk8PmAWUl3CMHIsJX6eOZFbO86_KRgmWELVkGti01ul5GdPGDoLB6BbfSLwlV5ONnhmzrtPi5St_XkfUG3Bm8qPv1ps4jGn-2s8ZhiT3EWTWqaBcmOGyxNBuBt7hG4UR7mDAwxJ48/s400/DSC01811.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" /></a>Another issue; another blog entry. Actually, I’ve now decided to subscribe, since I don’t want to rely on my freelancing to guarantee me a copy every month. If you read EDGE or EGM every month, you’re doing something wrong. Those magazines suck, especially EDGE for not crediting its authors. GamesTM doesn’t either, but I will criticise them for it every issue as a result. <a href="http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/04/gamestm-108.html">After the last issue, which was written by porn stars</a>, I’ve been told by the magazine’s editor (who isn’t Rick Porter, that’s just a pseudonym, it’s actually Ricky Gervais), that this month’s articles were written by sentient inanimate objects bought from Tesco!. And you can’t prove me wrong, because it’s not like the articles have credits anyway!<br />.<br />.<br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-pTGm-886787YUKtZq80GP6OMKURTSm5oRqp-RUqzHnwGAC5KMgYe0pYdPfv3fZ2o8MnNBYAXWWpqcd2R087koxZEImoXAk7eLQ8fs_rMZKat5BxAcrr9x2Skqj0HI2JVjuarWFEAtI/s1600/DSC01812.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610965107216200466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-pTGm-886787YUKtZq80GP6OMKURTSm5oRqp-RUqzHnwGAC5KMgYe0pYdPfv3fZ2o8MnNBYAXWWpqcd2R087koxZEImoXAk7eLQ8fs_rMZKat5BxAcrr9x2Skqj0HI2JVjuarWFEAtI/s400/DSC01812.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Contents. Click the pick to see it enlarged.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: Tesco’s budget range toilet paper</span></span></p> <br /><span class="fullpost"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAFGLEFuXYVCCnHKHuPiNhVtUHTyJ_OIHt7eu1I7SfDIE7xAI6HiwQW-GZzugSk6BiM80ZG2K2u8OIBTX3Iw9rEk419VSEk6qpIckVumLvgrypVatxIvk5m-1N129_opdFXjuSzagDO8/s1600/DSC01813.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964983431128178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAFGLEFuXYVCCnHKHuPiNhVtUHTyJ_OIHt7eu1I7SfDIE7xAI6HiwQW-GZzugSk6BiM80ZG2K2u8OIBTX3Iw9rEk419VSEk6qpIckVumLvgrypVatxIvk5m-1N129_opdFXjuSzagDO8/s400/DSC01813.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Region locking feature. <a href="http://www.gamestm.co.uk/discuss/region-locking-in-2011-a-new-age-of-control/">Now online, CLICK HERE</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: a bottle of Southern Comfort (the mini sized bottles).</span><br />The online version doesn’t include the Nintendo boxout where James Honeywell is acting like a total and utter **** (there’s no way that C&T word’s being printed uncensored). So here it is, typed up by me:<br /><br />“Handhelds, traditionally, have always been region-free, and with good reason. If you take your DS abroad then you should be able to do so safe in the knowledge that you can buy a game in that country and play it while on holiday. 3DS is the first system that takes this common sense luxury away from the consumer, and Nintendo’s justification is once again unconvincing. “People can still take their Nintendo 3DS and software to enjoy on holiday with them, this hasn’t and won’t change”, says James Honeywell. “We will communicate this to purchasers in interviews like this, on hardware packaging and in-box information in Nintendo 3DS hardware and software. This model has existed for DVDs for a number of years now so we’re confident consumers do and will understand how it works.” Now, how many people do you know that take a DVD player on holiday.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" lang="EN-GB"><br /><br />Like I said. Nintendo = absolute *****. I hope everyone who thought of region locking the 3DS gets trapped in an office fire. If I ran a multiformat mag, I would have every 3DS game that was region locked receive 1 out of 10. Man, screw that bullshit.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span class="fullpost"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5i-Z51IrBdkem_uN1aVmj6hicCX9nZE0-NXXhzW_tK66-yyBmv8nOL3sSqUjU1H7TbZqg2K9EsH5rEJ2NB2QrVB8HM-9-f6iTaMA9dbKPG4Sd4__DwYeZQjK_W3y4m6cZRVkoYjzHX0/s1600/DSC01815.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964984039194674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5i-Z51IrBdkem_uN1aVmj6hicCX9nZE0-NXXhzW_tK66-yyBmv8nOL3sSqUjU1H7TbZqg2K9EsH5rEJ2NB2QrVB8HM-9-f6iTaMA9dbKPG4Sd4__DwYeZQjK_W3y4m6cZRVkoYjzHX0/s400/DSC01815.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Dragon’s Dogma. Made a nice cover but in-game looks horribly generic. I can’t even be bothered to read the feature. I’m bored of hi-fantasy, I want more sci-fi in games.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: a wilted lettuce from the vegetable aisle</span></span><br /><br /></p><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs5-9JaNvMsU04-TWfcdbdShoxbnsgEXFbMMiy8TgoraX9ENcPkUIGo1x-7QFmrw4KRf3QHw-6WYKn_F_DEWZL14wECes4UVhmEY6zMnFdI7HxO3qdQMXzKAnqdqpz5IsAroynNRbal0/s1600/DSC01816.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964979224447554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJs5-9JaNvMsU04-TWfcdbdShoxbnsgEXFbMMiy8TgoraX9ENcPkUIGo1x-7QFmrw4KRf3QHw-6WYKn_F_DEWZL14wECes4UVhmEY6zMnFdI7HxO3qdQMXzKAnqdqpz5IsAroynNRbal0/s400/DSC01816.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Minipreview. Love this page. Wish it had more pages.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: a packet of Durex condoms (extra small). </span></span></p> <br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8ldXWrpC4Ns1z2aCsLvpqkKHUxnyDrIfewnyjvraKl2zNnHxgCtBVZy2_bkxU3kt3TnrErr0nOVgm6tvt_wFfpZFgIZ5owjOAXpd1NYgZVD9AvtCsYkr6qmGjkovdDpUVhmq5GqepmU/s1600/DSC01817.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964969647025410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz8ldXWrpC4Ns1z2aCsLvpqkKHUxnyDrIfewnyjvraKl2zNnHxgCtBVZy2_bkxU3kt3TnrErr0nOVgm6tvt_wFfpZFgIZ5owjOAXpd1NYgZVD9AvtCsYkr6qmGjkovdDpUVhmq5GqepmU/s400/DSC01817.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Angels and demons, a look at morality in games.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: rolls of flypaper – by 2 get 1 free!</span><br /><br />Was looking forward to this feature, but was sadly disappointed. It says most of the criticism against Bioshock was due to its morality system. No, my criticism was that the mechanics were simple / the mechanics were dumbed down / the mechanics were for stupid people with short attention spans / the mechanics were geared towards casual console play. I hated Bioshock because it was a lacklustre, simplified trod through ineptly designed levels with insipid functionality. For hell’s sake, it didn’t even have an inventory! System Shock 2 on the other hand was laden with complexity and intelligence. Bioshock was like System Shock 2 after being lobotomised and having its testicles removed. No critic – EXCEPT ME – ever seems to make this point. I don’t care about its morality system, I care about the fact that it’s a game designed for simple-minded people with simple minds. Bioshock is loathsomely awful – I despise its mere existence.<br /><br />The rest of the article is so-so. It doesn’t mention either the <a href="http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/05/zettai-zetsumei-toshi-series.html">Zettai Zetsumei Toshi series</a>, which featured the best morality system I have yet seen in the gaming medium, BAR NONE, nor does it mention <a href="http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/02/pathologic-pc.html">Pathologic</a>, which GTM reviewed and gave an 8 to. Pathologic has an excellent morality system – trapped in a town where people distrust you, it’s not about simply black or white choices. You can kill innocent people to help your own survival, but you must be prepared for the townspeople’s reaction. Ultimately though, whatever you choose, it’s for the greater good of stopping a plague which threatens an entire country. Sacrificing one man for his organs to research the virus is surely worth the price, right?<br /><br />Instead the article talks about Bioshock, The Witcher, Fallout 3, Heavy Rain, KOTOR and a few other games. Maybe the author didn’t play <a href="http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/05/zettai-zetsumei-toshi-series.html">Zettai Zetsumei Toshi </a>or <a href="http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/02/pathologic-pc.html">Pathologic</a>?</span></p> <br /><span class="fullpost"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5QbxBwZFRlJoN2r_MyqFsxOgfQOr_s71EqHNOf2V83wWFGTWntO69e1K8I6avx21zliIkm3X3bXiVJuNcDjKhwIYDjh5zpm0OyDdnhMljpT3NvYvGD40scTopdKKtaJx9rTLprDG7J8/s1600/DSC01818.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964959617579666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5QbxBwZFRlJoN2r_MyqFsxOgfQOr_s71EqHNOf2V83wWFGTWntO69e1K8I6avx21zliIkm3X3bXiVJuNcDjKhwIYDjh5zpm0OyDdnhMljpT3NvYvGD40scTopdKKtaJx9rTLprDG7J8/s400/DSC01818.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7k9x0H8eOvP2LZXs49pcffgQ2yr9i981wziRK4vf0lAZLv0nzo-LDC7ks45wNWxh4IAe4at4UCYfK19ygSJ2Y8h3ZHCsNH60U4thssLSh7Wq0DSLddqfidnrR6UGnB-sBt0x8eUEoW8/s1600/DSC01819.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964833348045858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7k9x0H8eOvP2LZXs49pcffgQ2yr9i981wziRK4vf0lAZLv0nzo-LDC7ks45wNWxh4IAe4at4UCYfK19ygSJ2Y8h3ZHCsNH60U4thssLSh7Wq0DSLddqfidnrR6UGnB-sBt0x8eUEoW8/s400/DSC01819.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Fez article. LOVE THE DESIGN.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: a pair of men’s Y-fronts from the clothing section</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></p> <br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rP8EUf-trbHRDt9EUwaWAf4J9Dc62wDgYbye0AKU4ZAaUryeH0nH0XuTqV73DdJh1xTPs97BHQ8HkGK5vVlNxapqx24_rT2Dr5Y9IMWPz0-GHjjVfijO1qoYt_9vPdVuPH_YnM5XJKA/s1600/DSC01821.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964826216896482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rP8EUf-trbHRDt9EUwaWAf4J9Dc62wDgYbye0AKU4ZAaUryeH0nH0XuTqV73DdJh1xTPs97BHQ8HkGK5vVlNxapqx24_rT2Dr5Y9IMWPz0-GHjjVfijO1qoYt_9vPdVuPH_YnM5XJKA/s400/DSC01821.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Indie game review. This is why I love the mag. Not many other publications will give 2 whole pages to this kind of game.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: a tin of dog food</span></span></p> <br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxHLrreB0mwD5S2eSQoZQ02GRY1KFj4BDSaln34l9hXw478Nkgz_7XeIKuAyjCYqPYkOwNU0d-jdNSbzOi1Gr5zBvmBrHOAab11cfLMpFDpQ0n1nLkGRSHk8NCPvJ4KVMblvacUZmLSg/s1600/DSC01822.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964821412264738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxHLrreB0mwD5S2eSQoZQ02GRY1KFj4BDSaln34l9hXw478Nkgz_7XeIKuAyjCYqPYkOwNU0d-jdNSbzOi1Gr5zBvmBrHOAab11cfLMpFDpQ0n1nLkGRSHk8NCPvJ4KVMblvacUZmLSg/s400/DSC01822.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Another indie review, from XBLA. Love the opening paragraph. Genius.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: a bottle of Fairy washing up liquid</span></span><br /></p><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xs7TKV_4IBr3EyUKo8ZBfLdd8Zk2-TAfDSNt_4tKTxCrb1EywqzfCnthZXLCvLE30WHHu2rlxa5BGEwWXJpBLn2ygJjZp3CdAI_yJL_5yObQ6sSNun4KytSdXTLp5VeM0xbe2mLWSwk/s1600/DSC01824.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964820606665074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xs7TKV_4IBr3EyUKo8ZBfLdd8Zk2-TAfDSNt_4tKTxCrb1EywqzfCnthZXLCvLE30WHHu2rlxa5BGEwWXJpBLn2ygJjZp3CdAI_yJL_5yObQ6sSNun4KytSdXTLp5VeM0xbe2mLWSwk/s400/DSC01824.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Guardian Heroes. Six pages, with input from Treasure. Sadly the amount of interview answers could have filled only half a page. It’s passionate, but a little lacking in insider information. Shame.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";" lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: reduced price pork sausages (sage and onion)</span></span><br /><br /></p><span class="fullpost"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPo4LxJd1VfLExczzjfXksQBcgTkRl65sl58nqA739-2VXc5FfoR1RcCZUKnFeDMXxlOn5ZfEmoOZRYUwt1xLA5Do7uDRK-PTvWY6RdlJBzihay7SfpouKU5NVraZGFSxNY3WZTsEQQE/s1600/DSC01827.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610964809965681794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPo4LxJd1VfLExczzjfXksQBcgTkRl65sl58nqA739-2VXc5FfoR1RcCZUKnFeDMXxlOn5ZfEmoOZRYUwt1xLA5Do7uDRK-PTvWY6RdlJBzihay7SfpouKU5NVraZGFSxNY3WZTsEQQE/s400/DSC01827.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 338px;" /></a></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:applybreakingrules/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:usefelayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">Gala Networks Europe<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Written by: a copy of Marquis from the magazine aisle.</span><br />I’ve only included this here because of the artwork used. Who doesn’t like a bit of elf-girl on elf-girl action, eh readers?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BONUS:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">artwork from the Guardian Heroes article. Click for full size.</span></span><br /></p><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37TOcrbq5CBNkdhzUaVKqHRrYBV997HbDhuNRg0NVNqcS50MFkqXrIjSO4JAY_vEeunbde9E8qdsAXfT7rsSEA60O-opOsaQh5l1P7beWY_y_5OEWQ4w7aifJIcAq9hmiB4GNOxvkBo0/s1600/ANIMATION.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610965115489780258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37TOcrbq5CBNkdhzUaVKqHRrYBV997HbDhuNRg0NVNqcS50MFkqXrIjSO4JAY_vEeunbde9E8qdsAXfT7rsSEA60O-opOsaQh5l1P7beWY_y_5OEWQ4w7aifJIcAq9hmiB4GNOxvkBo0/s400/ANIMATION.gif" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 27px;" /></a><br /><br /></span></span>

Retro Gamer 88 and 89

Guess which ground breaking, vanguard pushing, demon-general-in-training journalist has written earth-shatteringly incredible articles for an award-winning magazine this month. Yes readers, that’s right, it’s me – your very own Lord Humongous. Articles for Retro Gamer magazine, which means complimentary issues. And guess who is placing scans from this magazine online – right again, it’s ME. And for those who recently posted in comments, arguing I came across as arrogant and pretentious, TOO BAD. You are tuned to radio Sketcz and there is nothing that can change the dial. I hope you’ll stay awhile and enjoy the scans anyway.

Included are full size scans of the 6 page article with shmup developer Cave – it’s so good I thought everyone should see it.




Now, let me explain what we have here, and we can all get along in peace. I'm just here for the magazaline.


Contents to issue 88, hopefully large enough after you click on it to read what's in the issue. My favourite issue in a while, mainly because of the epic Cave article. You don't often get interviews with Japanese developers in games mags, and RG seems to be getting a lot recently.

Minority report is a new series of articles looking at obscure games on obscure systems. Pretty good this one, with lots of niche shmups. There's another in issue 89, which I didn't scan, and it's good, but some of the choices are pretty known in my opinion (Baku Baku is pretty common, right?)

Another in RG's ongoing obscura machina series. This alternates with their collector's guide series, so we get one really obscure piece of hardware and then an in-depth guide on something common like the N64 or C64. This is a good idea, since it's not always easy to recover systems already looked at. My only gripe is this particular article must have mentioned shooters for the system 2 or 3 times, and what games do they showcase? Cards, a recent homebrew Pacman game, and noughts and bloody crosses! The Pacman game is OK, but I'm sure the Fairchild had more interesting games that the other two.

It doesn't mention it, but the creator of the system died recently. Now that was in April according to Wires, so it happened after the magazine came out. Sadly ironic the timing of things.


Good feature by Stuart Campbell. Looks at early 1980s clones of well known games from that time. It's a simple idea, simply executed, but I had a lot of enjoyment seeing just how many crappy Donkey Kong clones they made around the time. Heck, that along could have made a feature - 101 Donkey Kong clones over the decades. Fun read.


Missile Command making of. 6 pages. Apparently been in the works by Darran for years now.




Don't read my words, golden and fantastic as they may be, click the images and read this article for yourself. Full of great trivia, good flow, nicely written prose, plus an interview with the guys at Cave. Top design too. The perfect article.

Contents from issue 89.

The collector's guide for the C64. I like it because it covers a lot of niche stuff about the system, and I'm all about the weird and unusual. Good photos of some rarities too. It doesn't credit the author, but I have a feeling freelancer Matt wrote the piece, in which case he interviewed himself on the last page. Maybe not thought.

Has it really been 20 years? Seems like yesterday I was visiting my mate Paul and a group of us were having mini tournaments. Jeez, I'm turning into old man. :(

Ridge Racer making of. They seem to have gotten answers from Namco staff, so quite a coup. 6 pages.

FUN TRIVIA: I don't like Ridge Racer. In fact I dislike it immensely. I also dislike Virtua Racer and Sega Rally immensely. How many tracks and cars do each of these have? 3 or 4 cars and as many tracks. Now, take Mario Kart or F-Zero and count how many cars and tracks they have. Back in the day I never understood why people paid money for the home version of something which had so little content. I still don't today. I don't even find them fun to play. It's not like you can shoot a turtle shell out of the bonnet of a rally car, now can you?

Oddly enough, I really like the original Gran Tourismo. Lots of content there. Hours and hours of stuff to tinker with and do. How many tracks? Thousands probably.

Broderbund! Big feature. Haven't read it yet.

My article! Fantastic! Somebody give this man the Nobel Peace Prize.

If you want hi-res scans visit the Biohaze forum.In the article I speak with 4 members from the dev team and document some very interesting things about the game. My only concern is that the Biohaze forum has commented on the game being of poor quality - and the implication of their posts is that my claims of it being a gem were somehow spurious. Due to all the developer info I had, there was very little space to explain why the game is great. I managed to compare it to Die Hard and that was it.

I want to emphasise this: I didn't make claims of the game's excellence in order to facilitate the interview. I tried the game, and loved it so much that I was determined, absolutely determined, to document it. Every time I read someone criticise it I feel myself lost for words because I utterly cannot understand why. It's a lengthy adventure, it's got challenge, creepiness, and interesting story, absolutely beautiful visuals, and it works so well as a handheld title. I sincerely loved it from start to finish.It holds equal place with MGS Ghost Babel on GBC for me. I'm not making this up. Gaiden is golden.

Interview with Raff. I've only ever played one game of his (Last Samurai on SNES), so this didn't interest me much.

Daz old boy appears to be getting into old PC games and especially DOS. The original Half Life (Windows obviously), Jill of the Jungle, Diehard (the PC game), plus Jetpack here. This is great, because there is an incredible world of overlooked gems for DOS. The ease of publishing on PC compared to consoles resulted in a lot of cool stuff. Hope this coverage continues (hinthint: do the English DOS version of Princess Maker 2 next).


<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1YDanA2QXzGeJH0rfKvhqPtKM31E5Xz6G3abN1wHayjw2HVYuw_LvG_KX6G-KbPpU7PVKrUJ24cdy24uGlIDxv-nBZD1bH2gd31lRZgCDP8bNuA6tePyl6kWzwz5ZWjs3eLaPNgv8xY/s1600/00Covers.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607301629610643474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1YDanA2QXzGeJH0rfKvhqPtKM31E5Xz6G3abN1wHayjw2HVYuw_LvG_KX6G-KbPpU7PVKrUJ24cdy24uGlIDxv-nBZD1bH2gd31lRZgCDP8bNuA6tePyl6kWzwz5ZWjs3eLaPNgv8xY/s400/00Covers.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" /></a><br /><br />Guess which ground breaking, vanguard pushing, demon-general-in-training journalist has written earth-shatteringly incredible articles for an award-winning magazine this month. Yes readers, that’s right, it’s me – your very own Lord Humongous. Articles for Retro Gamer magazine, which means complimentary issues. And guess who is placing scans from this magazine online – right again, it’s ME. And for those who recently posted in comments, arguing I came across as arrogant and pretentious, TOO BAD. You are tuned to radio Sketcz and there is nothing that can change the dial. I hope you’ll stay awhile and enjoy the scans anyway.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Included are full size scans of the 6 page article with shmup developer Cave – it’s so good I thought everyone should see it.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzXe6wOnEhatxd3YMkbdKH1kid9Jsd_cd7bAGkKznVP3f3tNmdKxsOZsPsABQBIDC__WIcjtl4tdRdCQdhCHI4LeMwNijT0SL2deIG60AWyhDcTdBuOJnQbAHstIpmCla6dfuMhdfJoQ/s1600/lord1a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607301786187327122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzXe6wOnEhatxd3YMkbdKH1kid9Jsd_cd7bAGkKznVP3f3tNmdKxsOZsPsABQBIDC__WIcjtl4tdRdCQdhCHI4LeMwNijT0SL2deIG60AWyhDcTdBuOJnQbAHstIpmCla6dfuMhdfJoQ/s400/lord1a.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 212px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Now, let me explain what we have here, and we can all get along in peace. I'm just here for the magazaline.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsgeLGMyA0XyB61y9VPi10jbmRa993VgZAyh7GmX9itV1SFTXpXuzDXdHLTtZosJFUAUCZnY8vsjg00gPbQgvd-GpM5jXE1QimOpF9IdqCGqIVfvDcwgUl4o_dcsmwkgZ-0SmAyPNVdk/s1600/DSC01785.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607301619259806706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsgeLGMyA0XyB61y9VPi10jbmRa993VgZAyh7GmX9itV1SFTXpXuzDXdHLTtZosJFUAUCZnY8vsjg00gPbQgvd-GpM5jXE1QimOpF9IdqCGqIVfvDcwgUl4o_dcsmwkgZ-0SmAyPNVdk/s400/DSC01785.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" /></a>Contents to issue 88, hopefully large enough after you click on it to read what's in the issue. My favourite issue in a while, mainly because of the epic Cave article. You don't often get interviews with Japanese developers in games mags, and RG seems to be getting a lot recently.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgKySt-ag8DnP2QU7NQnzqhyphenhyphenOIJIJXIZ_20cM2hceNePVGWN4LOvFzgxmZ1uvLIw2iLO5mVg64QyvYegEP23qNDEHtszzbtK1uFn_DlqWn63uGOd61oZx10gILQBxV5w6DG9reMJIbeU/s1600/DSC01787.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607301621233803618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgKySt-ag8DnP2QU7NQnzqhyphenhyphenOIJIJXIZ_20cM2hceNePVGWN4LOvFzgxmZ1uvLIw2iLO5mVg64QyvYegEP23qNDEHtszzbtK1uFn_DlqWn63uGOd61oZx10gILQBxV5w6DG9reMJIbeU/s400/DSC01787.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" /></a>Minority report is a new series of articles looking at obscure games on obscure systems. Pretty good this one, with lots of niche shmups. There's another in issue 89, which I didn't scan, and it's good, but some of the choices are pretty known in my opinion (Baku Baku is pretty common, right?)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_ZRCb5GniCr88BFIuqEmm3U4ttcUuiPSMG0F-4kf_u_LfNUAssjw-K_5Sh2vAM73nbnQy6-JOQ1W6yQO4ajb2t80aUKlfDfBJNaRtdqdRccUWOmDrZx606-crXdVnDrf6YOphtYw58w/s1600/DSC01789.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300864613635970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_ZRCb5GniCr88BFIuqEmm3U4ttcUuiPSMG0F-4kf_u_LfNUAssjw-K_5Sh2vAM73nbnQy6-JOQ1W6yQO4ajb2t80aUKlfDfBJNaRtdqdRccUWOmDrZx606-crXdVnDrf6YOphtYw58w/s400/DSC01789.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" /></a>Another in RG's ongoing obscura machina series. This alternates with their collector's guide series, so we get one really obscure piece of hardware and then an in-depth guide on something common like the N64 or C64. This is a good idea, since it's not always easy to recover systems already looked at. My only gripe is this particular article must have mentioned shooters for the system 2 or 3 times, and what games do they showcase? Cards, a recent homebrew Pacman game, and noughts and bloody crosses! The Pacman game is OK, but I'm sure the Fairchild had more interesting games that the other two.<br /><br />It doesn't mention it, <a href="http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/04/jerry-lawson-dies/">but the creator of the system died recently</a>. Now that was in April according to Wires, so it happened after the magazine came out. Sadly ironic the timing of things.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfIy5alD6gVYIkMHiJtNRZDwY0w8eSnY7bTty-w1fj4ijWjZhqB5sjYH3-b_A_LDAcWN8hy3NolZ0RVzsk8XlBlvy9bdemJvAjtP36jqkiM4vZs-ceBCpG6qal0dFj7i3KgFYUF0s6HY/s1600/DSC01789.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2_rnmi1UB2zU7T3WHmY9Ftce6Um5rkWt8ysuCmn_1gu_8yO2-vhStHNV5tMed8xKKRn5_pEm2u4RyvMZlsHVR5lTxT8lOaKp6bmQsiWKgTYkEztSN65JWngyoPDrYqY7FAhwAJLhjEs/s1600/DSC01790.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300862247846978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2_rnmi1UB2zU7T3WHmY9Ftce6Um5rkWt8ysuCmn_1gu_8yO2-vhStHNV5tMed8xKKRn5_pEm2u4RyvMZlsHVR5lTxT8lOaKp6bmQsiWKgTYkEztSN65JWngyoPDrYqY7FAhwAJLhjEs/s400/DSC01790.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 282px;" /></a>Good feature by Stuart Campbell. Looks at early 1980s clones of well known games from that time. It's a simple idea, simply executed, but I had a lot of enjoyment seeing just how many crappy Donkey Kong clones they made around the time. Heck, that along could have made a feature - 101 Donkey Kong clones over the decades. Fun read.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenFh1FKfc9LsBfcB-UmLygTENfdbboY9WPr2GX5GWS5fQDJIdTHm7nWEavNiyDPzVY8rV0kLAOjO0KDawA2H9hDEjECMBAtoEejB4rEzFVmqsRUHro_AbNOsUIH6gqQzchtCtEhLUJAs/s1600/DSC01791.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300861026577586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenFh1FKfc9LsBfcB-UmLygTENfdbboY9WPr2GX5GWS5fQDJIdTHm7nWEavNiyDPzVY8rV0kLAOjO0KDawA2H9hDEjECMBAtoEejB4rEzFVmqsRUHro_AbNOsUIH6gqQzchtCtEhLUJAs/s400/DSC01791.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" /></a>Missile Command making of. 6 pages. Apparently been in the works by Darran for years now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_umxIuWl0_5os708ipH6lgj7UMQocMU0or7gSGK1pjaAplMsCm3evn6H72Qq3HcYJn1YVk3PwwUW760mTgiFG-rDamsDvmHMKlAHWyb-TGW4nstWMIy08Nm84UjkH8zpj6Z0uwdz0Z0k/s1600/DSC01792.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300855060421394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_umxIuWl0_5os708ipH6lgj7UMQocMU0or7gSGK1pjaAplMsCm3evn6H72Qq3HcYJn1YVk3PwwUW760mTgiFG-rDamsDvmHMKlAHWyb-TGW4nstWMIy08Nm84UjkH8zpj6Z0uwdz0Z0k/s400/DSC01792.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ZqvjJhUvZBjK_2CD0Q0fiCZ7BIHyvukJ7j5dCwNBUb_oQDOxm8mVu8OQp8kAu21G33-XeIQxymY-F0KkuKZK-bUJZeRKnchMC1d9gbda9bIwdeE8SmKoFRV3TDUu_nf5ZSEHki0ARU/s1600/DSC01793.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300230115685074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ZqvjJhUvZBjK_2CD0Q0fiCZ7BIHyvukJ7j5dCwNBUb_oQDOxm8mVu8OQp8kAu21G33-XeIQxymY-F0KkuKZK-bUJZeRKnchMC1d9gbda9bIwdeE8SmKoFRV3TDUu_nf5ZSEHki0ARU/s400/DSC01793.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQE_NRmmIqDiUrnAKZxV_O9KF_Mu1jL2OGPdMZR3TxhvH3p3LTXVT4_SmjIjA167_ade4lvXYpEQsf7yVONVChhwzUd9QVurk2JH-uX1DnP0UrpPFz9ih1m_pOWWju1sGlV8JQH0cx0k/s1600/DSC01794.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300229035950770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQE_NRmmIqDiUrnAKZxV_O9KF_Mu1jL2OGPdMZR3TxhvH3p3LTXVT4_SmjIjA167_ade4lvXYpEQsf7yVONVChhwzUd9QVurk2JH-uX1DnP0UrpPFz9ih1m_pOWWju1sGlV8JQH0cx0k/s400/DSC01794.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" /></a><br />Don't read my words, golden and fantastic as they may be, click the images and read this article for yourself. Full of great trivia, good flow, nicely written prose, plus an interview with the guys at Cave. Top design too. The perfect article.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy1Gx02NN_PyWHnL64qfrq25SI41ZPkLoYGCnh8eh2qzZD8jI_qwqGbqPAtk66Wd5daOLV3lcfag6XDFDuIgmWOrCNv4cLF_M76b9bPfQjKbSwV9Fx1NrRQeVCBx0vkq0C54e18MYz5c/s1600/DSC01796.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300225626887746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy1Gx02NN_PyWHnL64qfrq25SI41ZPkLoYGCnh8eh2qzZD8jI_qwqGbqPAtk66Wd5daOLV3lcfag6XDFDuIgmWOrCNv4cLF_M76b9bPfQjKbSwV9Fx1NrRQeVCBx0vkq0C54e18MYz5c/s400/DSC01796.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" /></a>Contents from issue 89.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD83pk0JkQ8bPMfaCYmKqEtXwRa5kiIzuJqlqCbCdN7VgwccOrhWUEGdo4QDcnVOloF_At9BWcDj75JrSzeItfSvi2UUqMYSrOVwRIafR1ETVK4Lw7qDI3nC8_bzrke2snfFbYI1Xm9fk/s1600/DSC01797.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300222890865202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD83pk0JkQ8bPMfaCYmKqEtXwRa5kiIzuJqlqCbCdN7VgwccOrhWUEGdo4QDcnVOloF_At9BWcDj75JrSzeItfSvi2UUqMYSrOVwRIafR1ETVK4Lw7qDI3nC8_bzrke2snfFbYI1Xm9fk/s400/DSC01797.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" /></a>The collector's guide for the C64. I like it because it covers a lot of niche stuff about the system, and I'm all about the weird and unusual. Good photos of some rarities too. It doesn't credit the author, but I have a feeling freelancer Matt wrote the piece, in which case he interviewed himself on the last page. Maybe not thought.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbtvwcjK557E4kbkJUUQXd1MDMpxXavtLQ7nucsfrYbCITh3TrFF5H9YrEURj36hMYq-49Iao7P45qRQUDrftaNTy_3qop4wmBE5prK-KwhMUFL8Lj29PIfsyZ4qYhFhTBYsIDuvmqe0/s1600/DSC01798.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607300222151262818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbtvwcjK557E4kbkJUUQXd1MDMpxXavtLQ7nucsfrYbCITh3TrFF5H9YrEURj36hMYq-49Iao7P45qRQUDrftaNTy_3qop4wmBE5prK-KwhMUFL8Lj29PIfsyZ4qYhFhTBYsIDuvmqe0/s400/DSC01798.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" /></a>Has it really been 20 years? Seems like yesterday I was visiting my mate Paul and a group of us were having mini tournaments. Jeez, I'm turning into old man. :(<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NR3M6yDJjNQuDLBCHX7gfhn7NzPYrqMOHs5ItGHxMlB1p_pOR7NDSZ_yXktZvSYbK3IcKCx95bdVjVkyQr83QhhmyibFSubgYWVvp4g-PIZDKP2IvAPcp0Hyws3cuzFRX5mn_vmajSA/s1600/DSC01800.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607299964574889858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NR3M6yDJjNQuDLBCHX7gfhn7NzPYrqMOHs5ItGHxMlB1p_pOR7NDSZ_yXktZvSYbK3IcKCx95bdVjVkyQr83QhhmyibFSubgYWVvp4g-PIZDKP2IvAPcp0Hyws3cuzFRX5mn_vmajSA/s400/DSC01800.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" /></a>Ridge Racer making of. They seem to have gotten answers from Namco staff, so quite a coup. 6 pages.<br /><br />FUN TRIVIA: I don't like Ridge Racer. In fact I dislike it immensely. I also dislike Virtua Racer and Sega Rally immensely. How many tracks and cars do each of these have? 3 or 4 cars and as many tracks. Now, take Mario Kart or F-Zero and count how many cars and tracks they have. Back in the day I never understood why people paid money for the home version of something which had so little content. I still don't today. I don't even find them fun to play. It's not like you can shoot a turtle shell out of the bonnet of a rally car, now can you?<br /><br />Oddly enough, I really like the original Gran Tourismo. Lots of content there. Hours and hours of stuff to tinker with and do. How many tracks? Thousands probably.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0Lquk8I03bfT8bmJ_hihJ6YxNzLFAQhzsehHfOYH0MekkWUv5vlX8rIRxlfnbNCn2wLGNqAyPtKy8tHz9NIxL1wiQiHMyPxv_180DA-gPPxRjIRcEjD4JCSB_ODZq3kwhbcV4-rY9ew/s1600/DSC01801.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607299956681403698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0Lquk8I03bfT8bmJ_hihJ6YxNzLFAQhzsehHfOYH0MekkWUv5vlX8rIRxlfnbNCn2wLGNqAyPtKy8tHz9NIxL1wiQiHMyPxv_180DA-gPPxRjIRcEjD4JCSB_ODZq3kwhbcV4-rY9ew/s400/DSC01801.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" /></a>Broderbund! Big feature. Haven't read it yet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0a7J9zjYNiI4aot2IKcHxyxc5d_YuyFOrI0AwFEn1osHjpB0xja9OFsxf159XoAQzU2-q29KQ1jD_DkXvXlAgT8b5wqOwge8D1harpCIYU3sBo74SkCQ-01novNqLdRIDm9pdKHVYjZM/s1600/DSC01803.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607299954799004322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0a7J9zjYNiI4aot2IKcHxyxc5d_YuyFOrI0AwFEn1osHjpB0xja9OFsxf159XoAQzU2-q29KQ1jD_DkXvXlAgT8b5wqOwge8D1harpCIYU3sBo74SkCQ-01novNqLdRIDm9pdKHVYjZM/s400/DSC01803.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" /></a>My article! Fantastic! Somebody give this man the Nobel Peace Prize.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.biohaze.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5819">If you want hi-res scans visit the Biohaze forum</a>.In the article I speak with 4 members from the dev team and document some very interesting things about the game. My only concern is that the Biohaze forum has commented on the game being of poor quality - and the implication of their posts is that my claims of it being a gem were somehow spurious. Due to all the developer info I had, <a href="http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2010/11/resident-evil-gaiden-those-who-dislike.html">there was very little space to explain why the game is great</a>. I managed to compare it to Die Hard and that was it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I want to emphasise this</span>: I didn't make claims of the game's excellence in order to facilitate the interview. I tried the game, and loved it so much that I was determined, absolutely determined, to document it. Every time I read someone criticise it I feel myself lost for words because I utterly cannot understand why. It's a lengthy adventure, it's got challenge, creepiness, and interesting story, absolutely beautiful visuals, and it works so well as a handheld title. I sincerely loved it from start to finish.It holds equal place with MGS Ghost Babel on GBC for me. I'm not making this up. Gaiden is golden.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKFGeWEDHaHfoXNtYMCA6nPNVFBzDoU8y_h16dsuos9fz9WhY4WfqL7VhpoaiEiCpu31sUNLHoTcY3YnbmMf3_P6Uz0EOCAo3I9QGJrzIpydaQB9hqwyO-sibkhxZMCm1-zwlg5Rh_Rs/s1600/DSC01804.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607299955350765298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKFGeWEDHaHfoXNtYMCA6nPNVFBzDoU8y_h16dsuos9fz9WhY4WfqL7VhpoaiEiCpu31sUNLHoTcY3YnbmMf3_P6Uz0EOCAo3I9QGJrzIpydaQB9hqwyO-sibkhxZMCm1-zwlg5Rh_Rs/s400/DSC01804.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" /></a>Interview with Raff. I've only ever played one game of his (Last Samurai on SNES), so this didn't interest me much.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5GVWCBIYgPIg9Gmit8gPLcP-_c9HjOCv8eb662_KXTDMzAfhWOdygQKwP-M470fQc9X8b3zpsahPNitZZShEEBgIMkmK4N33oSRRA_XF6oODZ0ZyrR_suTeFCAhWE778W809FbIoprk/s1600/DSC01805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607299948475541618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5GVWCBIYgPIg9Gmit8gPLcP-_c9HjOCv8eb662_KXTDMzAfhWOdygQKwP-M470fQc9X8b3zpsahPNitZZShEEBgIMkmK4N33oSRRA_XF6oODZ0ZyrR_suTeFCAhWE778W809FbIoprk/s400/DSC01805.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>Daz old boy appears to be getting into old PC games and especially DOS. The original Half Life (Windows obviously), Jill of the Jungle, Diehard (the PC game), plus Jetpack here. This is great, because there is an incredible world of overlooked gems for DOS. The ease of publishing on PC compared to consoles resulted in a lot of cool stuff. Hope this coverage continues (hinthint: do the English DOS version of Princess Maker 2 next).<br /><br /></span>