Listener Review – Doom Classic (iPhone)

by Gareth (Gazimoff)

For anyone familiar with the world of PC gaming, this title will almost certainly evoke memories of staying up till the early hours in darkened rooms, just trying to squeeze out a few more levels. It might have even been your first taste of multiplayer gaming, with DOOM being one of the first games that supported network play. The heady taste of nostalgia is dripping richly from every pore of this game

For those not familiar with the game, DOOM was originally released back in 1993 by id software. The plot involves a nameless Marine being sent to Mars to support the Union Aerospace Corporation or UAC in conducting various experiments on the two moons there. Just before the game starts, your Marine has been sent with a squad to Phobos to investigate please for help from the scientists working there. Turns out the rest of your squad is dead and there’s only you left to sort the whole mess out.

The game contains all three episodes from the classic game, as well as the “Thy Flesh Consumed” expansion. Each episode is 9 levels long, breaking the story into segments. Levels can be selected individually as well as the difficulty. Progress is also saved, with a convenient “Resume Game” function allowing you to continue from where you left off. Multiplayer options over WiFi are also available, although this generally works best when all players are using the same WiFi node.

Controls are fairly flexible as well, with three core control mechanisms available as well as a host of tuning options. I’d strongly encourage someone not getting along with the game to try out some different control styles – it’s surprising how a small tweak can make all the difference. Control sensitivity options are also available for fine tuning.

The game represented a technological breakthrough at the time, being at the cutting edge of 3D graphics. Although these look somewhat dated now, they still translate well onto the small screen. Action is smooth and snappy, while the simple graphics ensure that the on screen controls don’t interfere with anything vital. The earlier levels hold up well to the test of time, with only the later ones looking a little tired. That said, the game is still fun to play even after 16 years.

The original music is also present, with the classic sound effects and MIDI score all included to press those nostalgia buttons.

To wrap up, this is a great homage to the early days of PC gaming and contains all the detail you’d come to expect from a product worked on by John Carmack himself. Everything you could want from the original DOOM game has been included in a package that’s still very good fun to play. Just don’t blame us if you start checking for cyberdemons under your bed.

Wild Kingdom Presents: Girl Gamers

Welcome to Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Today we will be investigating the subject of the Girl Gamer. And there could a little bit of excitement on the show today because most of our gamers are horny boys. A solitary hunter, the girl gamer can often been seen in the lowlands of Best Buy searching for its prey. While the girl gamer has been know to stalk consoles it’s primary source of gaming are small handhelds such as the Nintendo DSI or the iPhone. Notice how she lures her prey into a false sense of security. While she appears to have her attention on the Lady Gaga and Kanye West CDs in reality her focus is purely on the DSI games. That’s it for this weeks Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. Make sure you turn in next week to see my partner Jim Fowler jumps from a helicopter onto the back of a grizzly bear while I observe from my vantage point 3 miles away in a ranger station with a cup of tea. But don’t you change that channel up next is The Wonderful World of Disney, good night!

Oh girl gamers, how I wish you were real. Wait, what do you mean they’re real, and make up about 45% of the gaming population? And play all the same games as guys? And I already knew this but wanted to make a Bob Newhart show type of joke with it but I’m now breaking the 4th wall and ruining the joke I just set up? Now that’s just crazy talk. Seriously though I know girl gamers exist, you know they exist(you might be one of them) but why doesn’t the media and the videogame industry know they exist?

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Morning Quickies – May 27, 2010

It’s Thursday! It’s almost the weekend! Huzzah! Here’s some news from around the video game blogosphere.

• (Joystiq) The press release has vanished from PR Newswire, but Joystiq reports that IFE Services is offering PSP systems to airlines. IFE and SCEA have partnered up to add custom-tailored PSPs to flights, including an extended life battery with up to 11 hours of play time. Perfect for playing the only good game coming to the PSP this summer, Persona 3 Portable.
• (Touch Arcade) While many iPhone and iPod Touch users may have already picked it up, Revolution Software has now released Broken Sword: Director’s Cut for the iPad ($7.99). Rather than just a rushed port, Revolution reports that this version features improved higher-res graphics, a digital version of the Broken Sword comic (unlocked through gameplay), and new content. For a detailed explanation of the game itself, here’s Touch Arcade’s review of the iPhone version, which ranked 5 out of 5 stars.
• (Capcom Unity) Marvel vs. Capcom 3 screens! Need I say more? Well, okay, I will. MVC‘s producer explains a few of the principles that are guiding the art design of MvC3: the idea of "Moving Comics" (lending everything a hand-drawn feel), retaining the flashy over-the-top look that the series is known for, while still modernizing (and sometimes adding a more realistic look to) old moves and attacks. Some moves also appear to tear the background like paper, as if this really was a comic book leaping off the screen. These really have to be seen to be believed – I suggest clicking through and browsing.

Episode 26: Psychotic Poly Pandemonium

Welcome back, game lovers! And I mean that in the best way possible, of course.. Yes, another week, another show, another rant! Yes, Kelly picks up the stick and beats loudly on the drum again this week. What is she complaining about now? You’ll just have to listen to find out! This week we talk about a bunch of great news articles, go over OUR top 5 game releases this week, a couple rumors, a popular question of the week and, of course, your emails!

Don’t forget to email us your questions, comments and reviews to info@polygamerous.com OR call in to our voicemail at 407-584-POLY (7659)

 Ep 26: Psychotic Poly Pandemonium [123:39m]: Play Now | Download

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DeathSpank – Trailer

(via Joystiq)

Pretty fun looking trailer here for DeathSpank. Kelly talked about this game on a previous episode of the show and Joystiq just put up this trailer and a bit more information about the game. It’s coming out on PSN and XBLA sometime this summer (hopefully soon!)

Additionally, they report that you can even get a taste of the game’s humor NOW by calling a toll-free hotline: 1-866-631-1574 (note: toll-free only in the US)

How can you go wrong when your game includes.. Forbidden Bacon!?!? You just can’t!