Kenney, the same person from the, dare I say, controversial article, is coming back with a new game. Is it a small and quick mini game like others? I proudly say no. As I start the game, I see the cutest intro ever seen in a flash industry. I’m not kidding. I really like to start the game over and over again just to see that “Kenney presents” intro. Not to fear, it’s not the same one as in the trailer (following below) but you get to see it in a final version. On with the preview of the actual game.

There’s not too much to say about the game since it’s basically a game based on Marble Madness from the 80’s. There are a couple of things worth mentioning and being looked forward to. Really nice, clean and modern graphics, new levels that don’t have anything to do with the original version of the game, high difficulty, different variations of obstacles (ways you have to unlock, electricity, moving platforms…) and of course a high score and a timer which you can’t go without. Especially in a game like this where it’s all about the time and the score. I am already seeing speed runs of this on YouTube since the same happen with Marble Madness. I’ve played through the first couple of levels vs. Marble Madness’ six levels and the game wasn’t as difficult as the original although some people are still annoyed by it’s current difficulty, which is a good thing. I am faithful to the original so I like it that way. You really need skill to grasp the physics of the ball/marble so I have to admit, non gamers will have a hard time playing it.
The graphics are a big plus and there are some cute details like stars which spawn as you accelate at a faster speed in a very subtle yet noticable way. If you’re a fan of Marble Madness or not, this is one of the games to look forward to. Here’s to hoping it will have as twice as much levels as I played through. Coming out whenever it’s coming out.

ps. There might be some competition going on with this game when it comes out but maybe it’s just me.

- Luka M.,
C404.net

[ View the trailer ]

I got a hand on one of the more hyped games this moment which is mainly advertised on Newgrounds by an author named Jazza Studios. I’ve been really looking forward on seeing it because the shown screenshots and the trailer (followed below) are showing some spectacular artwork in action. We can’t know how the game actually runs and plays until we try it ourselves so I went for it.

For all the people who don’t know the background story; Paladin is a 5 part movie which was in the works since 2004 and finished in 2007. In the end, the author published a DVD and is now making a game.

The first reaction on running the game was absolutely positive. So much work was put into this and in such a small amount of time that the author deserves a proper praise for that. The interface is clearly inspired by Blizzard’s Diablo which can be mistaken as to saying it’s a ripoff but it’s more of a fan art and the author’s love for medieval fantasy style.

At first, as I walked around I thought I’d see a beat ‘em up system in Dad ‘n Me style but it’s actually an RPG style of gameplay where you get to click like crazy to attack enemies and do some minor combos. I was dissapointed for a bit to see a lack of variety in what’s it’s supposed to be a hack ‘n slash game with RPG elements. In the tutorial, I learned that there’s a jump attack and a kick which allows you to kick enemies onto the floor and give yourself more time for other zombies. Not only that, but it’s a whole new world of fighting out there since it allows you to deal with multiple enemies in a different manner. It becomes a bit repetative for now because all I did was going forward and clicking my way through the levels but the game should feature different levels and different gameplay so it’ll make up for that.

Besides fighting, there are also spells. I haven’t really got around those because the game itself is still in early stages. The only one I got to test is the shield which wasn’t all that fun since it’s just for defending yourself.

Since it’s a hack ‘n slash game with RPG elements, you’re bound to see some kind of stats! By killing all the enemies, you get experience points and as you get experience points, your level grows and thus, you can raise your strength, stamina and such. This is already a big addition to an already huge game. By huge, I mean both in quality and quantity.
Like it’s not enough, the game features voiceovers and fully animated cutscenes.

Being impressed by amazing detail of graphics and then slighty dissapointed by combat, I am definitely looking forward to playing this with all new levels and combat features, especially spells.

Based on author’s words, Paladin the game should be coming out in December 2007.

Making a game? Send an email to webmaster[at]c404.net for a possible preview article on this website.

- Luka M.,
C404.net

[ View the trailer ]

For anyone unfamiliar with WiiCade, you should definitely check out iAnimate’s article to familiarize yourself with them.

Basically WiiCade is a site that has collected a bunch of great mouse-based games in order to offer a free gaming experience for Wii owners via the built-in opera browser.

Since it’s inception several other sites have taken to the same concept, but being the pioneer that it is, WiiCade has upped the ante.

With the release of their new WiiCade API for Flash Player 7 (currently the only version supported by the Wii’s browser), flash developer’s now have the ability to utilize all the buttons on the Wii controller, expanding the potential game library for the wii beyond simplistic mouse games.

For anyone familiar with MY work, you can expect to see 2 of my most popular titles on WiiCade very soon.

Radioactive Snakes from Mars will be played using the Wii’s D pad, so you can relax on your sofa and gobble up pills on your big screen.

Turn the controller sideways like an NES gamepad and you can also play Nutty McNuts using the D-pad and 1/2/A buttons.

With WiiCade’s api I was able to get these games using WiiMote input in a matter of minutes with only a few very minor changes to my games.  Unfortunately, I have yet to get my hands on a Wii, so it was extremely helpful that the WiiCade API also accepts keyboard input to help you test your games with the api.

This API is a huge step for web-gaming, continuing to empower developers to reach new audiences, and giving Wii owners a lot of free content so they can maximize their online experiences.

With enough support, WiiCade is poised to shine a very bright light on an often overlooked section of the independent gaming industry.

Game developers can get the API here, and Wii owners will want to check out wiicade.com on a regular basis.

Wii would like to play… ON THE INTERNETS!!!!!!!!!

Cereus Peashy is the next game in the popular badlands series from Award winning designer Edmund McMillen (of Gish and Triachnid fame), and programmer, Riftmaster (my partner in crime from Bat Outta Hell). Like most of the badlands games, you play as a twisted looking little dessert critter (this one is pretty much a walking cactus in a mask) combating your way through the trials of the badlands and its other inhabitants.

At heart, Peashy is a platforming game and has a lot of elements from games like Sonic the Hedgehog, like speedy running, spiny ball attacks and rolls. Given the nature of the character it’s a natural direction to take, but Peashy is so much more then a Sonic wannabe. You can pick up spikes that give you limited range attacks, and if you splatter enough baddies you go into a complete bloodlust where you turn red and can throw bouncy, explosive hearts.

The cartoony gore in this game isn’t used as a crutch to attract 12 year old players that think blood makes games cool, rather it’s more of an effect to flush out the fleshiness and volatility of the creatures you face. Plus it’s really funny.

This early demo wasn’t quite finished on the audio end and was missing music, but the sounds that were present were quite fitting and had all the gooey body splatting effects you would expect.

The story mode looks like it will have plenty of levels to keep hardcore players going for hours, and for my fellow casual players there is a survival mode!

With extremely fun gameplay, and insanely hot graphics, Cereus Peashy is poised to turn a ton of heads when it launches in the very near future. Check back with us for our official review when the full game is available.