Tag: Simulation

Geekscape Games First Impressions: ‘Race To Mars’

by MoreLikeAndy

When some of us hear the words, “Space Race”, we expect to see some highly tuned mechanical beasts that cut through the darkness of space at blinding speeds. What Intermarum has in mind is the race to be the first to colonize humankind on other planets besides this big blue circular mass we call Earth with their new game, Race to Mars.

Race to Mars is more about the month to month operations in making a company that can bring human kind to finally build expensive condos near the craters. Micromanaging things like who to hire, what kinds of technology you want your research team to look into, even dealing with those pesky little journalists trying to poke holes in your well crafted public statements. Although the option to select the company name as well as  its location in the world is great for customization, don’t think you can blame any wrong answers you give to the press on your translator.

race to mars

There will be times where Race to Mars will have you sit and wait while the months simulate by. This can dissuade some continuing on with fostering a successful company and becoming the first to colonize foreign territory. Slow and steady wins the race, in this case, to Mars. Still early in development, we are still not certain if managing spreadsheets, accounting and employees will be the only thing for players to do. One can still be a simulation style game yet still provide a variety of things other than reading names and numbers.

There are some nice visuals to take in while waiting a month or two of in-game time. As day turns into night, the twinkle of office lights spring to life. Buildings that have been scheduled to be built start shaping into the structures shown in the purchasing menus. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the stressed out CEO sweating bullets when the monthly reports come in showing just how good or bad things are. The musical tracks are limited at the moment but what is currently in Race to Mars is pretty dramatic in scope. It seems to be set to use the visuals to create the scene for the player to become pioneers in the next step of the human race.

race to mars

Only the brave and very curious should check in on Race to Mars this early in its life. For those willing to be with Intermarum every step of the way, $19.99 on Steam Early Access will be your entry fee to the show. If you are worried about Intermarum releasing updates, no need to worry. The first major update was released recently with a lot of fixes and new additions which you can read over here. I, for one, will be keeping an eye out for Race to Mars to cross the finish line.

Become A Great Dictator In ‘Tropico 5’

by Shane O'Hare

Have you ever wanted to rule the world? Have you ever wanted to become the next great dictator? Well Tropico 5 has you covered. The Tropico series has been kind of a hidden gem of the simulation genre. Recent installments have had players ruling their own little Banana Republics while you manage international ties with Communist and Capitalist nations. Well Tropico 5 stands to take the series into a whole new direction, CONQUERING THE WORLD! Watch the trailer below. ( HINT: It is an homage to the Charlie Chaplin film The Great Dictator)

The biggest addition to the game is the Era and Online modes.  Taking players from early 19th century all the way to modern times. Can you survive both World Wars AND the Cold War? You can enlist the help of friends with the full Cooperative mode, sharing resources and tactics. This game is basically a Cuba simulator at heart. Check out the Press Release for the full details.

Packed with a whole host of new gameplay features and all new artwork designed from scratch, Tropico 5 takes the series into a new and exciting direction – dynasties!

 

You, as El Presidente, will first take control of the infamous island of Tropico during early colonial times and then guide it through the centuries as the world changes and moves ever forward. You must tackle the changing needs of your people, as well as opposing governments and factions, and thus lay the foundations for your own dynasty. As you move through your years in office you can promote members of your extended family on the island to positions of power: such as ambassador, commanding general or even Supreme Ruler, to ensure your legacy thrives through the eras. As your influence and wealth grows, so do the threats to your burgeoning island superpower. Can you survive both World Wars, prosper through the Great Depression, rule as an iron-fisted dictator through the Cold War and advance your country to modern times and beyond? From the 19th to the 21st century, each era carries its own challenges and opportunities.

 

As well as a wealth of other new features, including advanced trading mechanics, technology, scientific research trees and island exploration, Tropico 5 will add cooperative and competitive multiplayer for up to four players for the first time in the series’ history! Viva El Presidente!

 

Features of Tropico 5

 

The Eras – From the 19th century to the 21st, each era carries its own challenges and opportunities. Begin your reign during colonial times and advance your nation through the modern era and into the future!

 

The Dynasty – Each member of El Presidente’s extended family is present on the island and may be appointed to key leadership positions, earning skills and experience in their assigned roles.

 

Research and Renovate – Advance your nation by discovering new buildings, technologies and resources. Transform your old buildings into modernized, hyper-efficient designs worthy of an economic superpower!

 

Advanced trade system and trade fleet – Amass a global trade fleet and use your ships to secure import/export trade routes to neighbouring islands and key nations.
Explore your island – Discover what lies beyond the fog of war. Send prospectors to look for new mineral and ore deposits, but be wary of hostile animals and native tribes.

 

All new art – All artwork is reworked to provide Tropico 5 with a distinct historic visual identity. Choose from over 100 unique buildings from each of the individual eras.

 

Cooperative and competitive multiplayer – Up to four players can build up their own cities and economies on any given island map. Players can share resources and citizens, or declare war on each other.

 

No exact release date has been announced, just an ambiguous 2014. It will be playable at Gamescom and be available on the PC (Windows, Mac AND Linux) as well as the Xbox 360.

Geekscape Games Geek Peek Review: ‘Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends’

by MoreLikeAndy

Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends wants to take you for a ride in some exotic cars and to give players a history lesson of the Ferrari brand. What I ended up getting was a lesson in bland and missed potential.

Coming off the successful Need for Speed: Shift and Shift 2: Unlimited, I was ready for Slightly Mad Games to bring the exceptional stylings put into those titles to Ferrari Racing Legends. Right away you get a bare bones menu system. Nothing but the video that was in the announcement trailer and two button prompts greet you when the game loads up. Jumping into the campaign, things were too monotonous. From the bland scenery to driving the same track over and over ad nauseum, I never wanted to fall asleep more than I did while at the wheel of Ferrari Racing Legends.

Even with all the driving aids turned on, the controls were so damn touchy that any mistake made meant starting the race over from the beginning. Having the A.I. in the game make all the turns perfectly on the lowest difficulty setting was a good way of mocking my inabilities to control the same cars they were driving. The one thing I was going to praise about the game was how in your face the engine sounds were. The sounds left an impression that this is what it would really sound like racing one of these fantastic exotic machines. That impression turned into that bothersome feeling you get when a bug is buzzing in your ear after an hour of playing.

Test Drive as a series never quite hit home for me. With most of the titles in the series, you could see something of a good racing game forming but the muck and grime of poor controls, bland environments and not enough diversity makes Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends stall before leaving the show floor.