Hijinks Inc.

Category: Video Games

  • What I’m Playing: Episode 1

    On the iPad I’m currently playing:

    On the iPhone:

    On the PS3:

  • Hijinks Reviews: Small World for iPad

    Publisher: Days of Wonder, Inc
    Platform: iPad
    Cost: $4.99 (slated for a jump to $6.99) [iTunes Link]
    Release date: March 31st, 2010
    Version Reviewed: 0.99

    Philippe Keyaerts’ Small World has made quite the splash with the release of its iPad version, and with good reason. Small World is a near perfect example of the way table top gaming should be done on the iPad; crisp graphics, smooth gameplay, easy to follow instructions, and excellent replay value. Did I mention replay value? My partner in crime Fred and I sat down and played 5 matches back to back and still could’ve played more if it weren’t for having lives and responsibility in the real world. I suppose this infatuation could be the result of us being easily entertained… but that aside, I really do think it’s a great game.

    Prior to downloading the iPad version of Small World, I’d never heard of it, let alone that it was a board game, but now I’m hooked. And I think you will be too. Unless your hate strategy games, in which case, why are you reading this review?
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  • Starcraft 2 For Dummies: The Big Five

    Starcraft 2Its been a little over 12 years since Blizzard introduced Starcraft to the world. Besides making them millions and subjugating a small country, Starcraft set the bar for near perfect balance in a strategy game. Over a decade later a Starcraft killer is finally here, and it’s in the final stages of beta. If you haven’t been playing Starcraft in that interim decade, or if you’ve never played at all, these posts are designed to put you back on a somewhat level playing field with the world of Starcraft junkies that HAVE been playing the whole time.

    Starcraft strategy is divided into two categories: macro and micro. Macro is concerned with your overall economy. This includes resource output, base building, unit building, and research. Micro is specific unit control. For example, focus firing key enemy units down, keeping your ranged units in the back and melee to the front, and using special abilities. For now, we’ll focus on macro. (more…)

  • Metal Gear Solid Touch (?!)

    If you were waiting for the next big name publisher to make a game for the iPhone, wait no longer. Kojima Productions, developers of the much acclaimed Metal Gear series are bringing their stealth action shooter to the iPhone and iPod Touch. 1UP is reporting that the game will be based on characters from MGS4, that it will ship with 8 initial levels, and that there is precious little information available besides that.

    And if doesn’t do it for you, Konami is also bringing Dance Dance Revolution, Silent Hill, and Frogger to the iPhone.

    DDR? Really?At least the Tap Tap Revolution people were honest with their name.

    Kojima Productions

    1UP

  • iPhone games to play with your girlfriend

    This isn’t what I’d call a definitive list, but if you want to try to defend your choice to buy a iPhone instead of buying your significant other bling here’s a couple games to buy.

    Wurdle
    Word games are good for relationships. They develop your vocabulary, which in turns allows you to communicate more easily with your significant other. Let’s face it, you need all the help you can get.

    Wurdle mixes smart touch screen controls with engaging gameplay, providing hours of challenging word creating excitement. You’re given a small, medium, or large field of letter tiles to play with, and your choice of time limits in which to create as many words as possible.

    Lexitron

    Lexitron is another word game, only this one turns up the heat a little bit. No more 6×6 or 8×8 letter tile boards, instead you get 6 letters in a line, and two minutes to make at least one 6 letter word and as many other words as you can.

    You can think of this game as that rocky phase in your relationship when you and your girlfriend realize you are two very different people with very different interests and priorities. Communicate or die (relationally speaking).

    Hangman

    Speaking of death, there’s nothing quite like a friendly game of Hangman to liven up an evening. The Hangman app on the iPhone/iPod Touch is actually pretty slick, despite the annoying ad bar on top. Along with classic two player gameplay, it offers the classic dictionaries to pit yourself against on your own.

    Sudoku

    I threw this in on the foundation of watching my roommate and his girlfriend curled up on the couch staring at a Sudoku book for hours on end. My girlfriend downloaded MMGG’s (Mighty Mighty Good Games) Sudoku from the app store just last week and we had a lot of fun with it, so that’s the version I’ll recommend out of the many different Sudoku apps available.

    Remember guys, you’re not just cooperatively solving puzzles to exercise your brain; you’re learning to work together toward a common goal. That’s what good relationships are built on.