At first I didn’t like the concept. It seamed to me like somebody is trying to sell the same game many times. But this was just my unwillingness to accept different concept then I was used to. Look at for example, The Longest Journey. I enjoyed the first game released in 1999. Second game, Dreamfall, [...]

I’m not really into action or arcade gaming. I like self paced gaming style like in turn based games, where I have some time to think, where I can slowly build my path to success. Not that I’m against good, fast action, it’s just that I hate when games are frustrating. And, oh, arcades can [...]

I rarely play any computer games these days. It’s just more fun to do some work or learn something new then playing the next iteration of some shooter/RPG/RTS/whatever. Fortunately, there are some indie games on repertoire like Mount and Blade which I bought recently, Frayed Knights (not yet released but I played the pilot and [...]

While reading an article at Twenty Sided i got hooked on one phrase: “Real Time Logistics” game.

I wish i could just send supplies to some other guy who prefer to destroy things and hates the building part. Can you imagine this scenario? It could be a multiplayer game where what is now one player is divided in two: builder and warrior. Every team starts with one scout and one settler.

I got my hands on one of the latest quality adventures produced and one of the few I didn’t play yet: Monkey Island 3: The Curse of Monkey Island. I enjoyed playing this adventure but after I finished it I spent some time thinking about adventure games in general. Question I asked myself number of [...]

While reading some article one day, I’ve remembered the Might and Magic games. I’ve spent much time playing the “Swords of Xeen”, a game from 1995 and “For the blood and honor” from 1999. I’ve read from few sources that sixth part, “The Mandate of Heaven” is the best in the series so I’ve decided [...]

Maps are base for every game. FPS, RPG and platformers have levels. Racing games have tracks. Adventures have rooms. Strategy and simulation games have maps. I’m especially interested in terrain for strategy and god games. There is something fascinating in creating a region or whole world as a base for a game. When a game [...]

I’m a big fan of d20 system and I like to play tabletop Dungeons and Dragons and computer games like Baldur’s Gate which utilize this system. I always preferred d20 system over others like in Elders Scrolls series or Diablo and i thought all attempts to create better systems are futile. Jade Empire proved me otherwise. System is simple but powerful. Character sheets are easy to understand and fights are fun.

Idea of playing your favorite game genre in your web browser for free with and against thousand of players is a really tempting one. Commercial massive multiplayer games are all made in the same way, RPGs with class and skill systems, levels, magic, armor and weapons. They require constant attention from player and take too much time for anyone who wants to have some real life (you know, job, family, friends…). Browser games are more suitable for turn based gaming where you are required to log on now and then and give some general orders but you don’t have to be online often. Most genres could adapt such games but there are some which are more suitable.

Some core components must exist to qualify game as XCOM successor:

* strategic view (bases on planet, city, galaxy, star system)
* squad level combat
* research and technology tree

I suppose all games can achieve that but some little things create unique atmosphere, giving you reason to continue playing. Those are small things but with big effects. Let’s see some: