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Developer: The Bitmap Brothers, TickTock Games
Publisher: KISS ltd, Kavcom
Platform: PC – GOG*, Steam
I got my first taste of real-time strategy gaming early in life. Since then I’ve sampled a great many titles in the genre but somehow never played Z by The Bitmap Brothers. This re-release changes things. After finally playing it I’m sad to have missed it back in 1996.
Z is an odd game where two factions of robots (red and blue) fight for supremacy and control of a planet. The odd factor comes in thanks to the storyline depicting the main robots as Wayne’s World-style goofballs. It definitely feels a bit dated, but a bit charming as well.
Gameplay also feels unique when compared to other RTSes. For one, you don’t create new buildings. Instead you must reach and control the existing buildings across each map. Of course, the enemy can take them from you if you’re not careful. The same holds true for vehicles which sit unmanned until someone claims them. The concept takes a while to get used to but works well. My history with Command & Conquer games also made the control scheme a bit difficult to grasp at first. It seems this is a holdover from the iOS release.
Each stage introduces new facets of gameplay depth to players. For one there are a great variety of deployable robots (grunts, snipers, etc) who all have advantages and disadvantages. Then there are little things like blowing up bridges for strategic purposes. Of course, there’s also just a lot of fun nuance to tipping the odds in your favor. Z is pretty tough though, even on easy.
One thing The Bitmap Brothers have always gotten just right are the graphics. All of their titles have incredibly good-looking pixel art. Z’s battlefields look far nicer than many modern pixelated games. It appears that the remake has not tampered with the graphics much beyond the GUI to accommodate HD monitors (unfortunately there are no resolution options!). The music is another high point, although the voice samples show their age.
Its rare that games nearly 20 years old hold up so well without a heavy dose of nostalgia to go with them. I hold no fond memories of Z and yet it proves to be an astonishingly good RTS title in 2014 save for its unusual control scheme. It’s a shame there’s no multiplayer because this seems perfect for playing against friends.
3 1/2 out of 5 alpacas
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Developer: ProjectorGames
Publisher: KISS ltd
Platform: PC – Desura, GamersGate, Green Man Gaming, IndieCity, Shiny Loot, Steam
It’s not like I keep this a secret, but I loved Surgeon Simulator 2013. Sure, the whole concept was fairly creepy but for some reason games where you have too precise control over things entertain me. That’s the main reason I checked out Ampu-Tea. The developers acknowledge their inspirations and have tweaked them into an odd tea-making sim.
Players control a robot arm. They can bend the fingers and thumb (although pinky and ring finger are activated by the same button). Beyond gripping with fingers, there’s also the option to angle the wrist in different orientations, and move up, down, left, and right. The controls are fairly simplistic and feel a lot more manageable than Surgeon Simulator 2013.
Upon starting the game there are five or so tasks (less if you’re playing on easy) related to making tea. These can involve adding a tea bag, sugar cube(s), hot water, and milk. Once all that’s taken care of you place the cup on a serving plate. Of course, getting any of this accomplished is difficult. However, after playing for only 20 minutes I was able to finagle my way to victory. Or, I would, if Ampu-Tea ever acknowledged my actions.
The biggest issue with the game is it appears in need of a few patches. For example, when given the task to add a single cube of sugar it fails to recognize when I do it in-game. An achievement popped up, but nothing else. Of course, after adding a few more sugar cubes the game failed me for adding too many. This, paired with a very short game once you figure it out, means that Ampu-Tea is not nearly as successful at the whole wacky hand control formula as its inspiration.
1 1/2 out of 5 alpacas
Hey there and welcome to the first ever Paca Picks! This is a new article series where random tidbits of our video game collections (mine or Leah’s) will be showcased.
First up is the Hello Kitty Limited Edition Pink Dreamcast. This was a Japanese exclusive console that launched in 1999 – a year after the system’s launch there. It came in pink as well as blue, with both colors using transparent plastic. Sources state there were 1,500 made of each color meaning this was actually “limited” unlike many modern games and systems that use the same verbage.
What’s inside the box? The Hello Kitty Dreamcast includes: Dreamcast, controller, VMU, keyboard, AC adapter, AV cable, Hello Kitty Dream Passport (ハローキティドリームパスポート), Hello Kitty Garden Panic (ハローキティのガーデンパニック), various pamphlets. Unfortunately, I don’t have the keyboard but do have the rest! The photo showcasing all the goodies together gives the best example of the console’s pink tone.
Hello Kitty Garden Panic is a Picross game and was only available for purchase via this bundle. Hello Kitty Dream Passport is just a specially branded version of Sega’s Dream Passport software which let users access the internet via a Dreamcast (hence the inclusion of a keyboard with this bundle). As I already have a working Dreamcast, and they are region free, I tend to keep my Hello Kitty Limited Edition Pink Dreamcast on display.
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Mastertronic
Platform: PC – GOG*, Steam
Now, I’d never played The Chaos Engine in the past but somehow the game always stuck with me. Thanks to the ‘remastered’ version on Steam I’ve finally gotten to play this Amiga classic. Although it might not be very in-depth, I found it quite enjoyable, if difficult. Just make sure to not turn on smoothing if you have any affinity toward pixel art.
The basics of The Chaos Engine are that it’s a top down action game. You select from a cast of characters (each with unique weapons) and play alongside a co-op partner. This partner can be a real person via local or online play or simply a computer-controlled buddy. Of course, enlisting a real friend is the best idea.
Apparently this version of the game has been made a bit harder than the original release. If so, it definitely shows. Although it looks like you can go guns blazing through the stage, slow progression is really the way to go. I found myself creeping toward the edges of the screen so as not to be jumped by an enemy. Some ram into you while others shoot bullets and in either case it’s all terribly damaging. For whatever reason, characters start with very low health. It’s definitely a challenging game but enjoyably so.
One change was making the game have “360 degree” shooting. It’s more like 8-way shooting but it works well. You can play on a gamepad (not just of the Xbox 360 variety) as well, which is pretty cool. This ended up being my preferred method of play. My biggest issue with The Chaos Engine is a severe lack of level passwords to return to old stages in online matches. Fans have been clamoring for this for over a year so such an update is unlikely. Overall, I enjoy the difficulty and just wish there were ways to temper it when needed.
3 out of 5 alpacas
Developer: Beatshapers
Publisher: Beatshapers
Platform: PSN – Vita
So, what would you do when placed in the middle of a zombie apocalypse? Run! In Z-Run that’s exactly what you do. Playing as one of two characters you simply try to maneuver through zombie-infested streets safely. Of course, you’re still free to pick up a weapon or two along the way to make the trek easier.
After choosing to play as Clair or Alex players get to either work through story mode or test survival mode. Story mode sends players through a variety of increasingly difficult levels. Levels themselves have a third person perspective with the character running directly “forward” in a 3D space. As zombies or other obstacles appear, you can whip out a melee weapon, kick them, or even try to dodge. As the playing field is fairly narrow dodging in particular can be hard to do successfully.
One important aspect to note is the two bars (health and stamina) which must not drain. Stamina is used whenever you attack, dodge, or sprint. Health drains by being hit. Luckily there are item pickups to restore both bars. Visually, the game is gloomy and a bit repetitive with only a few stage designs to speak of. Sometimes zombies glitch out and that makes for unexpectedly humorous moments. Those spoiled by modern zombie games may also be disappointed by a meager dozen weapons. Still, Z-Run does throw players a bone by letting them level up a host of stats as they play.
Z-Run is a pretty difficult runner that excels in some areas and is lacking in others. It might not have a huge variety of stuff to do, but the core gameplay feels competent. This being a Vita game also makes sense considering each stage isn’t terribly long to complete, lending itself well to portable play. Still, there have been many entries into the runner genre over the years and Z-Run doesn’t quite reach the bar.
2 out of 5 alpacas
Review code provided
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You may have noticed the multitude of recommendation posts for the 2014 Steam Summer Sale on Pixel Pacas lately. This was done because people regularly ask “will it go cheaper?” with the hope that the folks they’re asking can see the future. Of course, my text was all suggestions as well because even I don’t know what will happen. Still I’ve weathered enough sales to at least offer some analysis.
So, what does someone obsessed with deals like me actually buy during the Steam sale?
On the 10th day of the Steam Summer Sale there are many games that are often heavily discounted alongside newer ones. The question is which of these are worth your money?
Are you tired of Steam sales yet? Well, there’s still a few days left to go on this sale. In any case there are a good mix of newer and older games on sale today. Are they worth the purchase price, though?
Can you believe we’ve already survived a week of Steam sales? This weekend will prove to be the home stretch so don’t exhaust your wallet just yet! Here’s a look at today’s newest deals…
Hello again! We’re nearly halfway through the annual Steam Summer Sale now and the deals have not become repetitive (yet). Let’s dive right in and see which of today’s deals are or aren’t worth buying.
July 10th, 2014 
