Month: September 2015

New Steam Store Releases: Ty 4 (Konami Fouls Again)

Nearly a decade after the the last entry in the series was released, Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 has come to the Steam Store. In case you aren't familiar with it, Ty The Tasmanian Tiger was originally an EA-published, console-only series that appeared on the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and original Xbox. It was yet another in a fairly long line of competent, three-dimensional, anthropomorphic animal platformers, and was most often compared to Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot.

While the new entry does share many of the same elements as previous titles, Krome Studios (still the same developer, by the way) did opt to switch things up a bit by making Ty 4 into a two-dimensional side-scrolling game. You may agree or disagree with this decision, depending on your own tastes, but in my opinion, the gameplay is just as much fun (if not more so) in two dimensions. Also, if you're like me, you may be pleased to note that this series is no longer associated with EA (which can only be to its distinct advantage).

Also out this week, a previously Xbox 360, Japan-only, vertically scrolling shooter, yet another in an alarmingly growing list of Konami fups (this time, with the release of the shoddy PC version of a fantastic console game), and a BMX trick game that looks to be an interesting mix of OlliOlli and Trials (which sounds fun to me). Much like the boomerangs that he wields, Ty the Tiger has returned once again. Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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PSN Flash sale is very animated

This weekend there's a very nice PSN flash sale going on. This time around it's all about animation: anime, cartoons, comic book super heroes, cartoony video game characters, etc.

Highlights include deals on Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Rayman Legends and several One Piece games including the first two Pirate Warriors and last year's Unlimited World Red.

404 WRUP NOT FOUND

Wasn’t there supposed to be some Gamescom stuff? Oh, I’m not supposed to talk about that? Well, fine. So let’s talk about the latest in gaming... Sorry, no idea. I’m completely out of the loop. All I know at the moment is MGS (awesome), Mad Max (somewhere between meh and fun) and a game I’m not allowed to talk about.

I might get back into streaming and video, but my accent is still super thick and since my 90€ editing software is still not working (fuck you Cyberlink with your shit software and support, and fuck you Amazon for not allowing refunds on downloads), the quality will probably suck.

But enough with the nonsense, what is everybody playing? Read more

New PlayStation Store Releases: PES 2016

Once again, I had to take a week off from the New PlayStation Store releases. This time it was due to familial obligations. But that's done now, so let's get back to it.

The big release this week has got to be Pro Evolution Soccer 2016. Word on the street is that the FIFA series may finally have been dethroned with this excellent entry. But I guess we won't know for certain until FIFA 16 releases next week.

Other noteworthy releases from the past 14 days include Tearaway Unfolded, Flame Over, and Leo's Fortune. Win with your eleven, then proceed further to see more new releases.

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Opinion: Dear Indies, Communication Is Important

I love indie games. So much so, in fact, that I've basically given up on AAA development. AAA development - to me, at least, seems like an endless cesspool of "generic brown shooter 56," or "Watch The Crew Dogs Cry Far As The Creed of Assassin's" takes over. Or to some degree or other, they're plagued with silly launch day fiascos that involve you paying extra money to get stuff that's already on the disk. Even if you somehow dodge all those bullets, you have to contend with pre-order exclusives, Day 1 "Downloadable content" and my absolute favourite, "we're patching the game on day 1, because we didn't actually test properly, so now we have to fix all these errors at launch." [which, of course, doesn't work for the most part, cf: the fiasco that was Batman: Arkham Knight, where that game just didn't work at launch and then continued to just not work even after patching.]

So, I'll take indies any day over AAA games. The experiences are shorter, more focused, often reasonably tested [within the limits/budgets of the small team, of course] and often, they're just more fun to play.

I'm currently about half way through Evoland 2, a game I've been waiting for for several years, now. It does absolutely everything better than the first game and is proof that indie devs can learn from their previous offerings.

The problem is, indie devs still need to learn one crucial skill and that's communication. Read more

New Steam Store Releases: Warhammer 40,000: Regicide

There's a new chess game on the Steam Store this week. This one utilizes the Warhammer 40,000 license. Warhammer 40,000: Regicide, as it is called, features the traditional version of chess you know and love (played in a Warhammer 40,000 setting), as well as a new take on the classic board game, called Regicide. Also out this week, Leo's Fortune - HD Edition, Smite, and Naught Reawakening. Challenge a Space Marine to chess, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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Want to write for Twinstiq?

You’ve probably already noticed that things reeeeally slowed down. Well, we lost some writers and those left are busy playing games or being at conventions. Twinstiq will of course continue, but it would be really swell if we could find some more people who want to write for us or produce videos.

Don’t worry, there aren’t any obligations. This is a community run website and therefore just for the fun of sharing opinions, news and that thing you found on the internet which you totally want to show everybody. Like this for example:

The Big Snake
If you know who made this wonderful image, tell us so we can credit the person.

Interested? Send us an email: contact@twinstiq.com