You would think Christmas would afford me oodles of time to catch up on games, when in fact I tend to spend the time hanging with the family and generally undergoing some mandatory tech-detox. Once I’ve had my fill of that, I promptly get sick with whatever the niece and nephews currently have, and spend the remainder of any semblance of vacation trying to keep up with N4G from the comfort of my bathroom floor.
That’s over now, and despite the lack of consoles or reliable internet connection two games did steal their way into my heart since Santa came to town. Osmos arrived first, an early Christmas gift from Hemisphere tailor-made for Mac. Previously reported on by our ZTGD PC editor, I was anticipating the sheer addictive yet pleasantly bite-sized quality of gameplay. What I was not prepared for was the awesome soundtrack and beauty of the aesthetic.
I figured Osmos was a safe game to play while killing time at the kitchen table, waiting for the grown-up types to get the kiddos bundled for the great outdoors. Within moments of launching the game, however, all my notions about ambient gaming’s lack of appeal to the under 6 crowd were dashed: my 2 year old nephew had found his way lap-ward and was mesmerized. Not only mesmerized, he was clicking away. Next thing I knew he and his sister (4) were trading off, generally a bit kamikaze in their approach to levels but delighting in the colors, variable scale and speed. My mind was more officially blown when my six year old nephew, Theo (more PC savvy than the other two having navigated PBS Kids in his downtime), took the reins and successfully completed two levels after only the most basic instruction. The future is bright.
Where Osmos is compelling in subtle and easily portioned bits, games that rhyme with Wagon Cage are not. I’m putting you on alert while I can still bear it: I am addicted to Dragon Age: Origins. I’m barely 20 hours in and it’s clear that me and my rogue Dalish elf are in trouble. Forget the fact that I’m encouraging a doomed romance with the possible future King of Fereldon, I think I’m looking down the dark tunnel that is unemployment, wretched eating habits and negligible hygiene. Assuming I come out of this whole, I appreciate the glimpse into the darker side of gaming.
I’m Community Manager and Admin for the NewsBoiler Network, home to N4G, TechSpy, AnimeShinbun, FilmWatch and 11×2. I also write for network editorial site, ZTGD.
snoop_dizzle said...
1Lol for a while I was hooked like you but then it waned off (at one part of the game…maybe you’re there now).
How are things in the land of Ferelden for you so far? Trying to get into relationships with the other characters? ;)
01/8/10 10:09 PM | Comment Link
snoop_dizzle said...
2Right now though I’m kinda hooked on Assassins Creed 2. The first didn’t do much for me but this is, for some reason.
This weekend I may go back to Dragon Age though!
01/8/10 10:11 PM | Comment Link
Cat said...
3I think I’m stalling now – I need to go to the Landsmeet. I’ve fully “romanced” Alistair, and I hit the sack with Zevron then ditched him. Not sure he should have been so peeved with me, though, I thought he was the master of the one night stand? Double standards. I think the other relationships will have to wait for another playthrough, as Leliana is into me but the right conversation options aren’t available. I refused to harden Alistair and make him king b/c I didn’t want him to dump my poor elf!
01/8/10 10:13 PM | Comment Link
snoop_dizzle said...
4You didn’t do Morrigan then? :P
But anyway, do you do a lot of the gift thingies? I didn’t totally know how to do it until later on (I was too lazy to find out for a while lol, but that did help with the relationships and the side stories). But yeah, I was hooked for quite sometime. At the point I’m at though, I’m not sure how close I am to beating it.
01/8/10 10:34 PM | Comment Link
Cat said...
5I don’t think it’s possible to romance Morrigan as a female character? So I’ll have to play as a dude sometime for that Trophy.
I gift a bit excessively – if there’s a gift for sale, I buy it, with maybe the exception of gifts for my dog. Poochie loves me no matter what!
01/8/10 10:43 PM | Comment Link
snoop_dizzle said...
6Lol got back into Dragon Age, and being I’m not feeling well I am having plenty of time playing it. ;) But yeah it is addicting!
Did you happen to play KOTOR? Did you like it?
01/10/10 1:16 PM | Comment Link