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Gametap Thursday: Evil kitties in space and an undead typing tutor
Not a single bad thing will be said about Wing Commander II and edutainment classic Typing of the Dead's addition to GameTap this week. Wing Commander II is a fantastic example of grand storytelling outside of the adventure genre back in the early '90s. Has the game held up purrr-fectly over the years? No. But the Kilrathi as antagonists are still awesome and we pray that someday EA will bring back a real Wing Commander game with the Kilrathi in top form. GameTap also brings Typing of the Dead to subscribers this week, and if in this day and age you still don't know how to type properly, TotD will help you greatly. Typing of the Dead is the ultimate in edutainment -- well, next to Number Munchers. New subscriber games this week are: Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi (PC) - Kittie's got claws. The Kilrathi destroy the TCS Tiger's Claw (the carrier from the first game) and after much backstory it's time to come back and euthanize some evil space cats. A big story and solid gameplay make it sad to see what has happened to the franchise in the last ten years. This is real Wing Commander. Typing of the Dead (PC) - Demons. Zombies. Creatures. Typing. It's all in there and it works really well. Now we just need that sequel. F-22 Lightening 3 (PC) - A flight simulator where you pilot an F-22. But why would you do that when you've got space cats and a galaxy to save in Wing Commander? After the break we have GameTap's updated list of free games. Like we said last week, we're now bolding the new free titles entering rotation. Of course, the week after we say that, it appears the list is identical to last week. No bolding for you. So go ahead and play some Ghosts N' Goblins (not to be confused with Ghouls N' Ghosts which is subscriber only) and finish off Hitman: Codename 47 while you still can for free.
TUAW and Gametap invite you to test their beta
Gametap, as you may already know, is working hard on a Mac client for their game subscription service, and when they told us they were looking for a few good beta testers, we told them to look no further than you, our beloved TUAW readers. So together with GameTap, we're offering you a chance to not only help them test their beta, but check out their service and their games (from Atari to Zork) for free.Hit the link below to see the details, sent to us by GameTap. The short version: you'll have to apply as a beta tester (not everyone who applies will get a free version of the software-- odds are that they're looking for people who will legitimately help them with feedback), and the client they're testing only works on Intel processors, so if you've got a PowerPC Mac, you're out. We'll leave this information up for a week, or until GameTap tells us they have everyone they need. Good luck!UPDATE: Gametap has all the beta testers they need, we've removed the Read link.
GameTap Thursday: Agent 47 causes an Emergency
As Agent 47's first adventure enters into free games rotation on GameTap this week, maybe it's good you learn how to handle what's left in his wake with the new subscriber game Emergency 3. Emergency is an RTS where you'll handle various scenarios using several emergency response units. The real sleeper standout this week is Penumbra Overture: Episode One. The "episode one" bit will indicate to you that this game is shorter than it should be, but this first-person action adventure actually ends up delivering in unexpected ways. The new subscriber games this week are: Clockwork Knight (Saturn) - A side-scrolling platformer about a toy solider saving a clockwork fairy princess. If you didn't have a Sega Saturn -- and really not too many people did -- it might be worth checking out this quirky little-known title from when side-scrollers were en vogue. Emergency 3 (PC) - If you can get past the interface and some irritating AI, there's actually an interesting game here. A variety of scenarios and real-world aspect make it different than the RTS' we're used to. Penumbra Overture: Episode One (PC) - It's supposed to be a three episode game, but we're not holding our breath. Definitely check this one out, maybe if enough people play it GameTap will fund the other two episodes. After the break we have GameTap's updated list of free games. There are 27 new titles which have entered rotation and beginning this week we are bolding the new ones for easier reference. Ghosts N' Goblins (not to be confused with Ghouls N' Ghosts which is subscriber only) and the classic Final Fight are definitely worth a free spin.
GameTap Thursday: Touching the line of copyright infringement
No, that's not Indiana Jones. Sure, it looks like him and the plot of Cameron Files: Pharaoh's Curse sounds like it was taken from two parts Dr. Jones and one part The Mummy, but it's clearly not copyright infringement. See, Cameron might dress like Indiana Jones, but he's a private investigator, not an archaeologist -- but his friend Moira (pictured) is an archaeologist. Anyway, Cameron Files is still a good modern old-school adventure game. The rest of the GameTap offerings this week are an FPS and two WWII games. Once again, we're more excited about one of the free games going into rotation: Bubble Bobble. The new subscriber games this week are: IGI 2: Covert Strike (PC) - One man versus many Chinese terrorists. A stealth FPS that requires you to keep only the items you need to survive. It's like Splinter Cell, but first-person and no Micheal Ironside. The Cameron Files: Pharaoh's Curse (PC) - A modern adventure game set in Egypt during the WWII. Solve puzzles while pointing and clicking your way to adventure. Just don't call him Indiana. Strategic Command 2: Blitzkrieg (PC) - A WWII strategy game that's kind of like Advanced Wars, but oh so much more complicated. Combat Mission 2: Barbarossa to Berlin (PC) - Another turn-based WWII game. The sequel to last week's edition Beyond Overlord. After the break we have GameTap's updated list of free games, now at 41 titles. Bubble Bobble is still our stand-out on that list. But you can always try Tomb Raider III. The last game before Lara became a total mess and needed the Legend makeover.
New Sam and Max season starts Nov. 8 with 'Ice Station Santa'
If you could fight one person in history, who would it be? Abe Lincoln, of course. But if you're like animated crime-fighters Sam and Max then you've already beaten him. So who would you fight in the mythological world? Those of you who answered "Kris Kringle" will soon have your wishes granted, as Sam and Max Season Two kicks off on Nov. 8 when the first episode, "Ice Station Santa," arrives for GameTap subscribers.If you're not on the service, fix that! But also, take heart! You'll be able to download the episode for Telltale Games' site on the following day. Episodes will keep arriving monthly, all leading up to the season finale in April. This info did come with some sadness though, as Telltale revealed that this season will be shortened to five episodes from six. Here's hoping they make up for it with extra hilarity.
GameTap Thursday: Picking up some of Scrapland
OK, so we fully admit that we're far more excited about a few games coming to GameTap in the near future than the offerings this week. It almost feels like we're getting some gaming scraps to hold us over until the awesomeness of Typing of the Dead. Speaking of scraps, Scrapland is now part of the free games lineup at the service. The game isn't fantastic, but for free it's definitely worth trying to see if it's your cup of oil. The new subscriber games this week are: Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord (PC) - Yes, it absolutely would have been better if it was Beyond Thunderdome ... but it's not. This WWII RTS with turn-based elements is actually the gem of this week's new offerings. Project Eden (PC) - A squad in the future uncovers one of those major conspiracies just littering the place. This game never really got traction, but there are some nice mechanics like being able to change squad members at will. Something we hope Jericho really perfects when it comes to GameTap at release in a couple months. Aces over Europe (PC) - A very old flight-sim from way back in '94. As you can probably guess, it's all about flying a plane in the WWII. Gods: Lands of Infinity (PC) - There is absolutely nothing in this fantasy RPG game that you haven't seen better someplace else. GameTap probably got this game for a pack of smokes and a roll of toilet paper. After the break we have GameTap's updated list of free games, now at 41 titles. Like we said before, try out Scrapland, you never know. There's also the original Myst for free too.
GameTap gets Typing of the Dead in October
Although we know we shouldn't be excited about this, we can't help but get a little giddy at knowing Typing of the Dead is coming to GameTap Oct. 11. If you haven't experienced the joy of learning to type (or getting in a little practice) while killing zombies and other grotesque creatures, than we highly recommend you try it out some time. Now we just need that sequel to come out. There is still no word on the Typing of the Dead 2 North American release.There is a list of some other interesting games on the horizon for GameTap, but another game that certainly jumps out is Wing Commander II. Who wasn't upset when Spirit died? Tragedy. The only thing more tragic is that we haven't had a new real Wing Commander in ages -- and Project Sylpheed just didn't cut it. We want evil space kitties to shoot down in epic next-gen battles![Thanks Max]
GameTap Thursday: Going Commandos Strike Force
Shhhh, be wery, wery, quiet ... we're hunting Nazis. This week GameTap brings the WWII on with Commandos Strike Force and Battlestations: Midway. Then, for something completely different, there's Aura: Fate of the Ages -- a fantasy adventure game. So you'll be able to stay on the ground with Commandos or take to the skies in Battlestations, but make sure to finish the fight -- where have we heard that before? Commandos Strike Force (PC) - Those pesky Nazis are up to their old tricks again and it's your job to stop them. This stealth-based FPS has you infiltrating and saving the day from almost certain doom. DOOM we tell you! Battlestations: Midway (PC) - Battle those pesky Nazis over the Pacific in the events after Pearl Harbor. Wait, those weren't the Nazis? Who was it then? The Japanese?! Oh please, everyone knows WWII was all about fighting the Nazis. Play this game that takes history revisionism to a whole new level as you fight the Japanese in the skies over the Pacific. Aura: Fate of the Ages (PC) - Play some classic adventure style gaming which has you solving puzzles and other point and click type things. That is, unless you're not already fully occupied by GameTap's new Myst Online: Uru live expansion. After the break we have GameTap's updated list of free games, now at 41 titles. Don't miss out on the addiction of line drawing in Super Qix and the classic entertainment of the Neo-Geo's King of the Monsters.
GameTap Thursday: Daikatana about to make you its b*tch
Is it Friday already? Guess John Romero did a good job and we're sore, we should do the GameTap Thursday post now. This week GameTap added the game which brought us the controversial ad you see above for Daikatana. Where as Thief: Deadly Shadows -- which was last week's addition to GameTap -- was one of the last games by Ion Storm studios, Daikatana, which came out a few years before T:DS, was when the cracks started showing in the company. Well, now the game which started the beginning of the end for Ion Storm has a nice permanent home. Daikatana (PC) - Beyond the behind-the-scenes drama, another thing that mired the game was its reviews. Maybe with seven years of distance and an open mind we can finally see John Romero's vision -- or lack of -- for Daikatana.. Infernal (PC) - A game that flew completely under the radar in 2007 (yeah, this year). Heaven and Hell's armies stop paying attention to "the rules" for a short time in this third-person shooter. Definitely check it out. Great mindless action for a lazy afternoon. Blast Miner (PC) - Like Tetris, but not. A puzzle game that's part of GameTap's indie series. Morning's Wrath (PC) - Another GameTap indie game. In the vein of Diablo, you play as Princess Morning who must plunge into the dungeons below the castle to repel the invaders from "heck". Startopia (PC) - SimCity in space, but so much more. Manage a space station on the edge of the galaxy and protect it from all sorts of problems both internally and externally. Another great title that'll burn an afternoon -- or many afternoons -- away if you're into quirky sim games. After the break we have GameTap's updated list of free games, now at 41 titles. There's actually a bunch of exciting editions this week including Ghouls n' Ghosts, if you have more time Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2, and the classic 1943.
New Myst Online episode coming to GameTap
Like a red giant, the GameTap star continues to expand, and the helium at its core shows no sign of running out. The latest offering is a new episode of Myst Online: Uru Live debuting this Saturday. In "Deception," the guild system being built in the game will get some attention, including guild pubs for members to meet in. There are also new storylines we won't go into here, because if you care about them you probably don't want them spoiled for you. We'll put the full release after the jump, just in case.Interestingly, much of the content in the expansion has, according to GameTap, been molded by player input. That's literal in one respect, as "Deception" will bring displays of user-generated stained-glass art. ... We know, it may not mean much to most of you. But if you're a fan, you've probably already started the countdown.
GameTap Thursday: A Thief in the deadly shadows
GameTap shines a light in the shadows and finds the thief Garrett hiding there with the list of new games for the service this week. The highlight, of course, is Garrett's final adventure in Thief: Deadly Shadows. Considering Garrett is currently unemployed since Ion Storm has ceased to be and Eidos hasn't mentioned any new games, maybe we can hire him to find documentation on what GameTap's endgame is with all their recent writer hires? Anyway, new games for the week are:Thief: Deadly Shadows (PC) - Garrett finds himself pulled into a sandbox-style adventure revolving around the Last Glyph. This stealth game depends on your standard fare of getting through missions without killing anyone ... because you're a thief, not a Hitman.Delta Force Xtreme (PC) - It's all the fun of Delta Force, but, you know, to the extreme ... sorry, X-treme!Delta Force Task Force Dagger (PC) - Less "xtreme," but a perfectly fine tactical shooter. Infiltrate enemy compounds as a member of one of many elite agency or military groups.Hospital Tycoon (PC) - Run a hospital responsibly and just try not to get sued. Like any other tycoon game, be as fiscally responsible as possible and just grow your hospital.Praetorians (PC) - It's like Rome: Total War ... but not.Championship Wrestling (C64) - Two pixelated blobs in spandex enter a ring -- one pixelated blob leaves.After the break we have GameTap's updated list of free games. For those looking to get their old-school groove on they've added Elevator Action to the list, along with six other games.
GameTap Thursday: Garou Mark of the Wolves
The GameTap Summer Throwdown concludes this week with what should be considered the headlining act, Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Though its quality is practically folklore at this point, Garou represents SNK at the top of their game. Hidden amongst the quality fighting is a guilty pleasure that makes this week's releases so very sweet indeed. Garou: Mark of the Wolves (Neo-Geo) - Like the rest of the Fatal Fury line, Garou tends to fall apart under the pressure of competitive play. For casual play, however, you can't go wrong with what is easily SNK's finest and most accessible fighter ever. Oh, not to mention it's a technical marvel and like most fighters on GameTap, it features online play. King of Fighters 2003 (Neo-Geo): After a return to form in 2002, KOF nearly reverted back to its old ways with this incredibly unbalanced entry. The saving grace of 2003 is in its cast, featuring some great new faces (Malin!) and characters from -- surprise -- Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Jaws Unleashed (PC) - It may not have taken home any awards for its quality, but we have a soft spot for ol' chompers. You swim around the ocean as Jaws and munch on defenseless humans. Are you not entertained? Atlantis Evolution (PC) - Hooray for adventure games! Boo to sequels that toss in far too many shoddy action sequences! Enemy Engaged 2 (PC) - Okay, for once we've been stumped. We can't recall playing any helicopter games since G-Police and that barely counts. Perhaps you folks would like to fill us in on this one? Beach Life (PC) - Manage a luxury resort in this simulation that shares more than a few qualities with a sim favorite, Theme Park. Hello, weekend gaming. We have the updated list of free games for you after the break that includes some great new additions such as The Last Blade and the overlooked PC action title, Joan of Arc. Enjoy!
GameTap Thursday: Hitman's grand finale
Agent 47's killing spree comes to an end this week as Hitman: Blood Money arrives on GameTap. Also coming to a close is the Bogard dynasty with both of the major Fatal Fury series logging in their final battles before the release of Garou later this month. The load is light this week but that doesn't mean its lacking any quality. Athena (Arcade) - Sure, it may not have the catchy tunes of its follow-up, Pyscho Soldier, but Athena is still an important piece of SNK history. Fatal Fury 3 (Neo-Geo) - The last in an enjoyable, yet unbelievably broken fighting series. We'll be playing this to enjoy the first and last game where Bob Wilson is a solid choice. Real Bout: Fatal Fury 2 (Neo-Geo) - Fear the Bash! This sequel didn't introduce many new faces, but it's definitely one of the better entries in the series. Hitman: Blood Money (PC) - Possibly known more for its controversial advertising than its gameplay, Blood Money represents Agent 47 at his finest. Imperial Glory (PC) - Not the greatest RTS by any means, Imperial Glory is the dirty love child of Rome: Total War and Risk. Strategy nuts need only apply. We have your weekly free play update available for you after the break as well, sporting the notable addition of Vampire Savior.
GameTap digs for readers with veteran writer line-up
Harnessing the power of former magazine editors and a well-respected newsman, GameTap quietly launched a "Read" section this week on their website. The section covers reviews, previews, news and features, created by known writers in the industry. This new section represents a clear progression and departure from our GameTap expectations. The Read section is an obvious progression because we know that GameTap is looking to become an expansive television network-style site. With their subscription service, free service, video programming, and original gaming content coming along quite nicely, it only makes sense for them to start carrying news, previews and reviews. The departure from our expectations is that we didn't imagine them bringing in veteran "name" writers like Curt Feldman, former news director at CNET Entertainment (Gamespot), and former editors from the deceased Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM). Furthermore, the writing on the site isn't even GameTap related, it's just normal gaming content that you'd find on a Gamespot or IGN (which GameTap also got writers from). We have no idea how many of these writers are full-time, but if many of them are, it seems GameTap is looking to become a full-blown gaming site and not just a virtual console for your PC and Mac.[Via GameSetWatch]
Pre-Teen Raider cartoon not so creepy after all
When we first heard of the premise behind GameTap's latest Re/Visioned cartoon, "Pre-Teen Raider," we thought we'd be asked to "have a seat" by Dateline corespondents just for watching. Lara Croft's pre-teen adventure was released over at GameTap today and despite the terrible wording, it's actually quite clean and clever to boot.The five minute short is the brainchild of comic book writer Gail Simone, best known for her work on Birds of Prey, as well as a highly anticipated run with Wonder Woman. Sir Chris of Kohler over at Wired's Game|Life has an interview with Simone where she talks about the challenge of taking a video game sex symbol and telling a story of her when she has yet to hit puberty. You know, all that stuff folks were concerned about.
GameTap Thursday: the Overlord has arrived
This is one of those GameTap release days where we wish we could e-chuck a blunt object through the tubes, screaming "What are you waiting for?" Overlord is now freely available for all GameTap subscribers and it wishes to claim a chunk of your hard drive space. Not only to rub it in on folks who paid $60 bucks for it, but because it's a wonderfully unique slasher that deserves another chance. That and it's not a good week to be a fan of the Bogard clan. Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (Neo-Geo) - We tend to love the Real Bout series for the same reason we love the Mortal Kombat 3 series of fighters ... the more busted it is, the more entertaining it gets. Fatal Fury 2 (Neo-Geo) - Last week you got Fatal Fury Special which is Fatal Fury 2 only with more characters, so feel free to ignore this one. Much like its Special counter-part, this one is mostly notable for the commercial. Pyramid Magic Special (Genesis) - A Japanese only puzzler that the GameTap folks over at Angled Whiteboards are in love with. Just Cause (PC) - A GTA-style title that has you jumping from jets, parachuting onto moving trucks and driving without a seat belt. Why, you ask? Uh ... there was a plot? We were too busy being awesome. If you haven't checked it out before, Just Cause is good times. Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel (DOS) - Feel free to let out a pump of the fist and a loud expletive of your choice. We're going to assume this means the rest of the series is on the way as well. Overlord (PC) - If you've gotten this far, that means you're not actually playing it yet. Shame! As usual, the list of free play titles have been updated and we've even been given a list of all 49 of them, made viewable after the break. Capcom's classic shooter Gunsmoke has been added and that alone is enough for us to be thankful.
Daikatana to bless GameTap on September 6th
Long before the shame of Red Steel and well beyond the absurdity of Advent Rising, there existed only Daikatana. A game so dreadfully awful that the mere mention of it can be considered the setup and the punchline. Should you not be fortunate enough (yes, fortunate) to have experienced this godless monster of taint, GameTap will be offering it up to subscribers come September 6th.We knew their deal with Eidos was too good to be true and we can only imagine the stipulations of having franchises like Tomb Raider, Hitman and Thief on the GameTap service. A contract -- weaved with the legendary locks of John Romero's lost mane and signed in blood harvested from the liver of a newborn child -- one that demanded Daikatana live once more.In the name of Superfly Johnson, amen.[Thanks, Johnny Bloom!]
Pre-Teen Raider is actual name of young Lara Croft toon
GameTap's Re/Visioned series takes beloved characters like Lara Croft and puts a new, bold spin on them through a series of short videos. For their new entry, we humbly suggest that someone should have taken the initiative to put a new, bold spin on the title, hopefully coming up with something a little less likely to attract the attention of Chris Hansen. Get ready for ... "Pre-Teen Raider." Seriously.It's that rare sort of offering that, with the title alone, can attract teenage fans, the creepos that want to abduct them and those who hope to thwart their ill breed. It'd almost be poetic, if it weren't all so icky. See for yourself if the yuck washes off when "Pre-Teen Raider" comes to GameTap on August 9th.
GameTap Thursday: unleash the Fatal Fury
The week is almost over and we've got a whole slew of new titles on GameTap today. We've begun the final stretch of the Summer Throwdown which means from here on out, it's nothing but Terry Bogard. Whether that's good or bad is entirely up to you. Fatal Fury (Neo-Geo) - POWAH DUNK this straight into the garbage can. You've got better fighters, much less Fatal Fury's to choose from. Fatal Fury Special (Neo-Geo) - You're probably never going to play the XBLA port that was announced once upon a time, so you might as well do it here. Aside from awesomely bad commercials, Special's contribution to society is playable Duck King. Real Bout: Fatal Fury (Neo-Geo) - Not counting Garou: Mark of the Wolves (due out on GameTap August 23rd), Real Bout is the last (edit: series) of the 2D Fatal Fury titles. It didn't really fix much of anything, but at least Franco Bash was hilarious to use. Hitman: Contracts (PC) - The series starts to allow for more freedom at this point, making it much more interesting than the previous entries. Betrayal at Krondor (DOS) - Released back in 1993, Sierra's Betrayal at Krondor was a hugely advanced RPG title for its time. As part of the Riftwar series, it also tends to hold a place in the truest of nerd hearts. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 (PC) - Before there was Halo 2's lack of finishing the fight, there was Soul Reaver. Only in this case, it was literally just half a game. This would be the conclusion. Be sure to come back next week when GameTap will be offering up Overlord, free for subscribers and even more Terry Bogard, if you can imagine that.
GameTap Thursday: Super Street Fighter II Turbo at last
We'd like to consider today the apex of the Summer Throwdown promotion. GameTap has always featured an incredible selection of fighting games (especially in the last month or so), and yet two very specific, very missing titles kept the service from feeling whole. Today, GameTap is whole. It has found its smile. Super Street Fighter II Turbo (Arcade) - Arguably the greatest fighting game ever conceived, Super Turbo is the craft of 2D fighting defined. Even after more than a decades worth of competitive play, ST still enjoys a worldwide following and for one very good reason: it's the best ... the best around. Street Fighter Alpha 2 (Arcade) - Also known as "the good one" in the series, Alpha 2 shuns its awkward siblings with its extremely solid mechanics and well balanced cast. It also gave us the incredible drama of the B3 finals back in 1996. Bloodrayne 2 (PC) - This is the one with pole dance fighting. Total Overdose (PC) - Not the greatest shooter around, but fairly underrated in its own right. The best way to describe it is Max Payne meets Tony Hawk ... only in Mexico. The Free Play section has been slightly updated to accommodate The King of Fighters 98 and the ever so adorable Super Gem Fighter: Mini Mix. Damn it feels good to be a fighting fan.
