Archive for January 3rd, 2013

On the second island, I finally reach my CIA contact at the US embassy. The embassy is one room in a two story apartment building, a great satirical jab at the decline of American influence in the Caribbean, or just an indicator of the game’s small budget . They’re also blaring the Star Bangled Banner constantly. I don’t want to sound anti-American, but could they please turn that crap down? Anyhow, I’m told to meet another contact in the local bar. Alright, meeting an informant in a bar. I feel like I’m in Dr. No, or Our Man In Havana, or just a better game. The ass tells me to cough up 20k in pesos before he spills the beans. This is the part in a non-linear game where the developers grab you by the lapels and shout “Go do some of our side-quests!”. See Baldur’s Gate 2 for an example of the same device. What follows are tales of my adventures on the second island…

After the jump, “I come not to praise Don Guillermo…” Continue reading →

Comments

You can’t fault Planets under Attack for a misleading name. Sure enough, a lot of planets come under attack, so it’s got that going for it. But such a flatly descriptive name doesn’t express how smart this game is. It deserves a name like Spaceward Ho, Star General, or Reach for the Stars. Something operatic and sci-fi and maybe even a little gotterdamerung. Is “Off the Shoulder of Orion” or “In the Dark near The Tannhauser Gate” taken?

After the jump, don’t pay any mind to that screenshot Continue reading →

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