Alpha Core

I already posted about escape games earlier, where I stated that Escape Game [Vision] was maybe the best of this kind I played until then. Well, I think I must add another one to my list:

Casual Gameplay Escape was released yesterday in Weekday Escape on Jay is Games and hooked me completely with it’s new approach to the topic ‘escape the room’. The game is the result of a collaboration between Jay is Games and Sean Hawkes, who is – until now – better known as the developer of puzzle games, such as the clack series (Clack, Clack 2). And maybe this is also the secret why I love Casual Gameplay Escape so much.

You are locked in a room as usually, but instead of clicking around for tools, which might help you in your task of getting out of the room, you solve puzzles. And with puzzles I don’t mean these old ones that reoccur in every third escape game. No, the puzzles here are challenging and refreshing at the same time, think outside the box and work with the hints in the sparingly equipped room. It goes without saying that you find the walkthrough at Jay is Games.

The only drawback in regard to Escape Game [Vision] is that Casual Gameplay Escape has absolutely no background story whatsoever.

Putt Base is a well designed physics-based puzzler in which you try to putt a golf ball. This might sound easy enough, but the play field slows you down a lot and there’s not exactly a straight path towards the goal. That’s why in most levels you get some parts (like bumpers, corners, etc.) which you can place on the field to help you to get the ball to the hole. I espacially like the artwork, which gives a very comfortable feeling to the game. Thanks to Jayisgames where I found out about this one.

For all the fans of escape games out there: Jay is Games is having a new column since the end of June, called ‘Weekday Escape’. Every Wednesday they present at least one new escape game as an easy source for point and click addicts. Walkthroughs are also provided. So check it out next Wednesday or better do so immediately. You might have missed one already.

Don’t forget to also check out my post about Escape Games.

For some mysterious reason, I always like a good tower defense game every now and then. They’re so immensely addictive and GemCraft is absolutely no exception here! In this game, you’re a wizard defending the kingdom against hordes of attacking evil creatures. The game is neatly themed and the whole wizardry thing is nicely integrated into the game, but nobody really cares about the story, right?

The general idea of the game is that you build towers along the path where the enemies walk towards their goal and in these towers you put crafted gems (hence the name of the game). These gems can be combined to create even more powerful ones. There’s lots of levels, upgrades and specials to keep you busy for hours with this game. Also very nice in this game is that there’s an overall skill point system so that you can spend these on several special skills that have an effect on all games you play from then on. This combined with a great game-play, makes this game a truly addictive and fun experience! For a more complete review, I would gladly redirect you to the Jay is Games article. Enjoy and let us know how you liked it!

Jay is Games is having their fifth casual gameplay game design competition. The game “Doggnation” by Bart Bonte is my favourite amongst the 21 entries. It is a puzzle game with 50 levels, in which you help a peaceful nation of ‘doggs’ upgrading their castle. For this you have to take care that the doggs carry the right amount of coloured blocks in the right order into their castle. Further instructions are available in the game. If you get stuck somewhere, scroll down for my walkthrough. Read more