I HAVE AGED, FORM A LINE TO PROVIDE ME WITH GIFTS AND SWEETIES!

I HAVE AGED, FORM A LINE TO PROVIDE ME WITH GIFTS AND SWEETIES!

Yaaaaay, punchline. 

In other news I now write for Sci-Fi London. Check them out www.sci-fi-london.com

The last few days have been understandably busy so no comic. Instead here's a picture of Commander Video.

Page 8. Probably gonna go back to 600dpi in future because pixels.

And the second half of the double act appears

The Top Ten Games to Take Travelling

            So summer holidays are coming up, and if you’re planning on going away odds are you’re going to encounter long periods of time with nothing to do. Sure you could strike up a conversation with a fellow traveller or pick up a newspaper, but it’s at times like this handheld consoles really come into their own, presenting everything from engaging narratives to fiendish puzzles. So if you’re staring down the barrel of a gun loaded with boredom right now, and you own a portable gaming system, these ten games represent the best ways to kill the hours spent on your journey.

  Chrono Trigger (DS)

Originally released for  the Super Nintendo by Japanese RPG powerhouse Squaresoft, ‘Chrono Trigger’ was recently ported to the DS with a slew of extra features on top of the flawless gameplay. The visuals utilise the original sprite graphics from the SNES, which still look gorgeous and are a perfect fit for a portable experience. The epic story, involving time travel and alternate endings, remains intact, with a new translation of the original Japanese script making dialogue flow a lot better than in the original release. For fans of the game’s design there are galleries of environmental and character artwork to be perused as well as the option to watch the game’s superb anime cutscenes, featuring designs from ‘Dragonball’ creator Akira Toriyama. Since its original release ‘Chrono Trigger’ has been hailed as the pinnacle of JRPG design, being able to take it anywhere with you makes this a must-own game for the DS.

  Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) 

When I first bought ‘Dracula X Chronicles’ I wasn’t prepared for the sheer wealth of content that it contained. Initially the only game available is a remake of the Japan-exclusive ‘Castlevania: Rondo of Blood’ updated with 3D graphics and remastered sound. By itself it’s a fun game to burn a few hours on, with classic platforming gameplay reminiscent of the NES and SNES incarnations of the series. However, at certain points in the game you are given the opportunity to unlock the original PC Engine version of the game (worth a look if you appreciate retro visuals and sound) as well as a full version of the massive Playstation classic ‘Castlevania: Symphony of the Night’, which will take a skilled player several hours to complete by itself. SOTN plays very differently to ‘Rondo’, with a sprawling map to explore. Considering all this, whether you buy it used or new ‘Dracula X Chronicles’ represents an investment that cannot be ignored.

  Game Dev Story (iOS)

Until an iOS version of ‘Theme Hospital’ is released on iTunes there is only one game based around similar mechanics that is worth your time, and that is ‘Game Dev Story’ from Kairosoft. You are the boss of a new game company, and it’s your goal to make it big in the industry (woo, meta). You do this by hiring new employees and assigning them to their strengths, licensing the software of various consoles to build games for, and eventually putting out games, only to begin the cycle anew with your profits serving as venture capital. Thankfully the game passes over the more tedious aspects of game development presenting something that has a lot in common with Bullfrog’s Theme series. For people who have been playing games all their lives, there’s a special little thrill to be experienced upon unlocking new console generations to develop for, however the humour may be lost on those who aren’t particularly au fait with the industry. If you like the idea of stepping into the shoes of the likes of Peter Molyneux, Game Dev Story is worth a download.

  Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions (PSP)

The Final Fantasy Tactics series was practically designed to be played on the go, and ‘War of the Lions’ is quite simply the best the series has to offer. The game falls within the underused tactical RPG genre, with battles involving the placement and movement of units on a field, manoeuvring them and using their various skills to defeat groups of combatants. The action is engaging, with battles quickly becoming addictive. As well as this, because the action is broken up into skirmishes, gameplay offers frequent opportunities to take a break from the game, perfect for someone who finds him or herself on the move. In-between these battles players get to experience an almost Shakespearean narrative realised partly in text and partly through full motion video and top-notch voice acting. The cinematics are gorgeous, employing a cel-shaded art style that perfectly captures the look of the in-game sprites. DS owners can enjoy a similar experience with ‘Tactics A2’, but if it’s a choice between the two, ‘War of the Lions’ is the best the series has to offer.

  Tetris DS (DS)/Lumines (PSP)

Everyone has played ‘Tetr is’ at some point, and odds are that you got hooked on it pretty quickly. The series persists on the DS, complete with extra game modes and wireless competitive play. It’s as fun as it ever was, with the new modes ensuring that if you get tired of the standard game type, different challenges like catch mode will keep you entertained for hours on end. If you only have a PSP and long for some Russian-style falling block action, picking up a copy of Lumines will assuredly scratch that itch. The game is built around dropping blocks and matching colours, with sufficiently large combinations being periodically wiped from the screen. While this aspect of the game is fairl y generic, the music and visuals are what really sell the game. The music and gameplay blend perfectly together, complimenting the bright visuals. While playing all of these aspects come together beautifully in a hypnotic mix of light and sound. Whic hever game you play, the experiences offered by these games are sure to while away any excess hours you may encounter.

  Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (DS)

Who doesn’t have a soft spot in their heart for Mario? his games are always colourful, well designed, and above all else fun to play; and ‘Bowser’s Inside Story’ is no exception. Departing from the plumber’s standard platforming formula, ‘BIS’ is instead the latest entry in the Mario and Luigi RPG series. As with previous games in the series there is a strong focus on humour, as can be most clearly seen in the returning villain Fawful, who is best remembered by fans for taunting players with “the mustard of your doom!” The premise of the game sees a shrunk down Mario and Luigi travelling through Bowser’s innards in order to accomplish various goals. Gameplay consists of an innovative battle system that combines turn-based combat with elements from other Mario games, such as well-timed jumps allowing players to dodge attacks or deal greater damage. While it may appear to be aimed at children, there is plenty in ‘Bowser’s Inside Story’ to keep a full grown adult entertained through even the most arduous journey.

The Red Star (PSP)

Originally available on the Playstation 2 towards the end of the console’s lifespan, ‘The Red Star’ is now available for download from the Playstation Store. The game combines the two genres of beat and shoot ‘em-up with great success. Each of the three characters has both melee and projectile attacks, with the many various enemies encountered throughout the game being weak to certain combinations of each. The majority of the game is played from a 2.5D isometric perspective, much like classics such as ‘Golden Axe’ or more recent offerings like ‘Castle Crashers’. However, during the boss fights the perspective switches to a more top-down view, which when combined with the projectile attacks fired by both the boss and the player characters creates an ambiance more akin to shooters like Ikaruga. The game boasts unlockable modes, and a difficulty curve that severely increases around the halfway point. Overall, it’s a fun and well designed game that’s well worth your time.

  Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars – Director’s Cut (iOS)

If you played adventure games back in the 90’s, odds are you played the Broken Sword games. Now the first in the series has been remastered, with new puzzles, audio, and artwork by ‘Watchmen’ artist Dave Gibbons. The story remains as enjoyable as in the original version, with replaying the game feeling more like returning to a novel than anything else. A novel that involves a clown destroying a café with an exploding accordion. The game has a good blend of puzzles and story, ensuring that you never get bored of simply clicking through dialogue. The new HD visuals, courtesy of Gibbons, are a treat to see, although the animations can occasionally dip in quality, and the voice work is well performed. If you want to sink into a mystery, download a copy to your iPhone and enjoy.

  Me and My Katamari (PSP)

The Katamari series has endured as one of the most original, quirky, and fun franchises in modern videogames, and this portable instalment is no exception. Your goal is to roll up objects with your Katamari, growing larger and larger the more you collect. While the graphics aren’t as sharp as in the home console games, the simple bright aesthetic lends itself well to a portable experience and the up-tempo soundtrack is on a par with other entries in the series. The game does share the same problems as the other games in the series; the camera often obscures your view of the world, and it’s possible to repeatedly rebound off mobile elements of the world that you can’t roll up yet (which makes it all the more satisfying when you eventually can). The PSP controls also detract from the experience, with navigating using the D-pad and face buttons feeling less natural than a duel-analog control scheme. However, these issues can be overcome with patience, leaving the player with a wonderful game with which to while away the hours.

Final Fantasy IV (PSP/DS)

The fourth entry in the most inaccurately named series in videogames, ‘Final Fantasy IV’ has seen recent re-releases on both Nintendo and Sony’s handhelds. Each version boasts different features and approaches to the original version. The DS boasts 3D graphics as well as several augmentations to gameplay, a “New Game Plus” feature that causes a few changes to a second play through, and a new translation that alters elements of the story, allowing veterans of previous incarnations to still experience new material. The PSP version (subtitled ‘The Complete Collection’) offers sprite-based, HD graphics, along with the formerly WiiWare-exclusive ‘The After Years’, and the all-new ‘Interlude’ extensions to the game. Each version includes remastered audio, which considering the quality of the soundtrack is greatly appreciated. Regardless of which version you end up buying the story remains as gripping, and the battle system as finely tuned. However, it is still a RPG and as such at points you will be required to grind battles in order to level up sufficiently, which can be a deal-breaker for some. Overall though, either version is sure to keep you entertained for days on end.