68 - Chains

Genre: Puzzle
Rating: N/A
Developer: 2DEngine.com
Publisher: Meridian4
Platform: PC (Steam)
Release Year: 2008

Chains is one of those games I put off playing every time I saw it in my Steam collection. It just sounds so dull, the graphics didn't look very great, and overall I didn't know what it was. Out of boredom (and a bit of inspiration) I decided it was time to give the game that has sat in my library for 3 years a shot.

The game is fairly interesting, and full of various gameplay mechanics, despite having only twenty levels overall. Basically, the title is a match game where you must connect orbs of the same colors together. The basic amount is three, but you can often find yourself chaining many more if they're all touching. The mechanic itself isn't the creative part as there are many games like that.

What is interesting is how many gameplay modes can be created out of it. For example, there is one mode where the circles are situated on top of gates. You must manage to keep clearing circles well enough so that X amount don't fall through the gates as they open up every few seconds. Another mode gives you a small tube for the circles to fall through and asks to keep it flowing for five minutes. If you're not able to connect them fast enough they'll clog everything up. Most of these modes are a lot of fun and only a few annoyed me.

I haven't beaten the game yet and that's just because one of the modes is a fairly confusing. I'm hoping that's the only one like it because otherwise the game is much more fun than was anticipated. Those who are fans of matching puzzle games should give Chains a look especially since it's only $5.

Would I play it again? Sure.

24 - Gears of War 2

Genre: Sci-fi, shooter
Rating: M
Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Platform: 360
Release date: 2008

FPS games aren't really my thing. Anything with guns typically isn't my thing unless there are guns and zombies/monsters/whatever strange creatures. Aliens however don't really fit into this picture so Gears of War has never struck me as a wholly interesting series. I played GoW but this was my first time checking out the sequel.

It's basically more of the same. A lot more of the same. The graphics don't appear improved any although the characterization perhaps seems a bit more human. There might also be even a bit more constant action than there was in the first, but maybe not. It could just be the fact that I'm not usually playing action-heavy games that this seems really wild.

I had no problem playing the game. Something I find odd is that GoW and similar titles are not very hard on their normal difficulties at all. While I died within half an hour on almost all the games I've played for my blog so far I managed to keep on trucking for a really long time in this one. It was only when I got a little too confident in my abilities that I was mowed down. These games seem designed for younger players, it seems.

Overall the game wasn't anything exciting and new but it's done well enough that I didn't find myself getting bored after an hour of shooting same-y enemies. Perhaps some of that could be contributed to my custom soundtrack that was playing through the battles. Normally I don't use that feature on the 360 but I don't really need to hear heavy, orchestral or whatever music as I shoot aliens. I was just fine with a collection of dance music.

Would I play again? Sure.