Jon Evans
Prison Architect
| The RTS game from Introversion Software puts you in the role of a Prison builder at the beck and call of the Prison CEO. It is a charming game which integrates a heartfelt story, told by the medium of Polaroid shots and text. The demo had me building an execution building for Edward, a doomed school teacher who shot his wife and her lover after catching them in the act in bed. You build everything from the foundations up and can also controls the power circuits of the structure in utility mode. I was immediately captivated by the simple art style and accessible gameplay. This could certainly be a time sink on the scale of Minecraft. You can currently get an Alpha version of the game for their website, which is essentially a sandbox mode without the story. Introversion understandably didn't want details of the story to hit the internet before release date. |  |
Redshirt
Mitu Khandaker's game, Redshirt, was something different that caught my eye at the show. The premise is simple. you're a Redshirt who, inevitably is doomed to go on an away mission, which is never good news for people in Redshirts. With a lot of tongue in cheek sci-fi references, the entire game is set on a Spoof space social network, called 'Spacebook' (geddit?) and you have to manoeuvre yourself off the mission by ingratiating yourself with the other crew members. Obviously, it is much more than this, with a credit system and time limiting factors that make multi-tasking a must. Add to that the whole emotional gamut of dating aliens, managing your work/life balance and invitations to social events, it looks like the game could be complex and deep as well as funny. Mitu says the game will be available on PC, Mac and Linux with an iPad version in the works. I had a quick go on the iPad version and the slick design, modelled very slightly on the Star Trek LCARS interface is both appropriate and vaguely unsettling when you consider the tablets were used on Star Trek before Apple event started thinking about moblie devices. You can pre-order Redshirt from their website now which will give you access to the Beta on PC. Watch this space for a preview.
Assault Android Cactus
I found this gem in the Indie Games Arcade and it stopped me in my tracks as I thought it looked out of place. The polish and professionality of the game stood out and becomes more impressive when you realise it comes from three man team, Witchbeam. The Australian based trio have made a mad co-op twin stick arena shooter which, initially daunting with its missiles, lasers and power pickups, becomes fluid and understandable as you play and eventually get the 'intuitive lock-on'. I jumped on with another gamer, and instantly bonded with him, mainly over our combined lack of ability and age, but we had loads of fun, talking to each other and trying to work out what was going on. Sanatana Mishra, the designer, was on hand to advise us and give us tips and it soon we got the hang of it. Sanatana also mentioned that it will be coming to the PS4 and the Vita. Watch the site for a preview of the game and you can get your hands on to the Early Access Game from Steam.
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