My Beef With Xbox Live

So I have been an Xbox Live member for about 4 years now I think (off the top of my head) and now finally there are some rewards for being a gold member, the free 2 gold games. However, when I went to download Fable 3 the first game offered, I was not able to. This goes back to when I created my account somehow, and I still do not understand how, my account is registered as a Canadian account hence, because I live in Germany, my IP was not granted permission to download Fable 3, which isn't the main issue as I can see that and I am sure that tat could have been settled over the phone. If only the issue were so minor. When I signed back in on Friday last week the Free 2 Gold offer panel had a new addition on my Xbox. "you are expiring, renew your gold" now here is the issue that has me ranting and frankly extremely disappointed at the customer service. I can no longer even open the window although I have gold for the time being. How incredibly money-hungry is that? I have been a paying customer for 4 years and now just because I have not yet renewed my gold I cannot download the games. In fact I cannot even open the panel it takes me to a gold offer. If it wasn't for the fact that I am moving across the globe and would like a way to keep gaming with my brothers I would seriously consider backing out of gold permanently. Incredibly disappointing Xbox.

Impossible Pixel and the Fate of Destiny (iOS)

Pixely speedruns? I up for that, at least on my phone.... but look at the size of those buttons! They cover half the screen.... couldn't they just have decided that the right side of the screen is jump? hide the button? Shrink those left and right arrows, down, make then JUST arrows and about 80% transparent!? You can do better for a jump and run game on the iOS.....deleted.

Traal (iOS)

Traal is spooky. Basically you try to make it though the dungeon, but if your character "sees" a monster (with his little point-of-view flashlight) then he freaks out and runs in the opposite direction, usually into spikes and dies. I found it pretty darn hard. The best thing about this game is the sound. When your character spots a monster there's this terrible screech! It's so horrible. If you're into this kinda thing, play with headphones, you'll be freaked out every time. It just goes to show you that the monsters don't have to look scary to us to make them scary in the game. I did my best to avoid them just so I wouldn't have to hear that noise. Unfortunately, it was really hard, and it's not quite what I'm looking for in an iOS game.

It's much more fun with a keyboard. If you want to try it, just go here to play in your browser.

There are alot more games on Jonathan Whiting's page to check out.

Upcoming : The Story of Choices

I'm interested to see where this goes, I like the idea and the style from Behold Studios in Brazil, looks like iOS just like their previous title : Knights of Pen and Paper - definitely looks like something that I am going to check out.

Thomas Was Alone (PC)

I've become more and more attracted to games that streamline gaming to it's essence; graphically and gameplay-wise. Mike Bithell's "Thomas Was Alone" does just that so I've been interested in this one since before the release. The graphics are done with love but kept simple - no textures or special effects, the characters are reduced to rectangles - the gameplay is equally simple : guide the rectangles to their respective exits, using their special abilities to overcome obstacles and puzzles. There are only two buttons: jump and change character. The amount of challenge and the length (under 4 hours) was a really nice fit for my gaming personality at the moment aswell - I need more memorable 4 hour experiences and less 40+ hour bores.

All of this means that there is no distraction. You can concentrate on the story, which forms slowly through the stellar commentating by British comedian and writer of Yes Man, Danny Wallace. The game is so touching and  just feels comforting as you play it, it's not asking too much of you, you can play it with your kids - my daughter was always asking "What's that one called?" and "Is he alone too?." For me it brought out feelings I had about gaming as a kid, especially when it comes to graphics: they don't matter it's all about character - that little pixelly Mario had so much character in my mind and so do Thomas and his friends. Looking at the fan response online it looks like I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Play it. It's on PC/MAC and PS3/PSVITA

Dust : An Elysian Tail

I had heard good things about Dust, played the demo and when it came on sale around Christmas I grabbed it. I couldn't quite sink my teeth into it though. Graphics usually don't turn me off much, but I couldn't really get into the look of Dust, and although I have read reviews about the game saying that it's a "technical beat'em up" I just felt like I was doing the same moves over and over again and smashing everything like that. Too repetitive, not quite interesting enough - although I'm sure if it tickles your fancy then you'll love it. I didn't. I moved on.

Bit Dungeon (iOS)

Monster filled dungeons? Check! Equipment and Skills? Check! Nostalgic retro graphics? Check. Bought. Never looked back.

You can play it in your browser here.

There has also been a substantial update and @KintoGames has been teasing screenshots of a sequel on twitter. Looks like it might even have multiplayer? What?!

KintoGames.com