The Download Munkey : Finder of Things …

Quite enjoyed my complimentary copy of Faerie Solitaire from Subsoap (thanks Brian!) so here’s a little review of it and how it stacks up to Fairway Solitaire (recently reviewed here at The Download Munkey ).

First off, players familiar with good old Windows Solitaire will immediately feel at home in Faerie Solitaire. You see, unlike Fairway Solitaire where the underlying golf theme is closely tied into all aspects of the game, Faerie Solitaire definitely feels closer to an actual game of Solitaire albeit with a deck of cards adorned with fantasy illustrations. While this might suggest that Faerie Solitaire is inferior graphically and gameplay-wise, these differences actually work in Faerie Solitaire’s favour when it comes to really casual players like my mom (who still has difficulty relating pars and golf scores to their actual effect on each hand in Fairway Solitaire). The less cluttered screen also makes for faster gameplay which is why I much prefer Faerie Solitaire since I can blaze through 9 hands in under 10 minutes

Now, the gameplay in Faerie Solitaire is very similiar to Fairway Solitaire but it would be most unfair to dismiss Faerie Solitaire as a mere clone. The biggest difference between the two games apart from the obviously different graphical theme and sound effects would be the extra elements that carry over game after game in Faerie Solitaire to provide some continuity and replayability in what would otherwise be a series of Solitaire games.

You still have something similiar to Fairway Solitaire where you can buy optional game-enhancing items but there is now an extra incentive to continue playing each stage not only to unlock the next stage and advance the story. You see, Faerie Solitaire rewards long-term players with a selection of 32 little critters you can encounter and collect in your journey to save the faeries. It might seem a relatively minor addition but it does alleviate a lot of that repetitive feeling when there’s a (very small) chance to acquire a new creature in each hand that you play – and believe me, you can easily play over a hundred hands in a single hour

While the critters are an interesting diversion, the fact that they do not add any special abilities to your gameplay seems to be a rather superficial feature at best. Perhaps in a sequel

Overall, an interesting twist on the solitaire genre which will appeal to players who are looking for an addictive card game that’s simple to learn and play. The lovingly illustrated cards (I love the swamp lizards on the 6s) and the dreamy background music add a sparkly magical experience without overly distracting the player from the actual card game.

Download the demo for Faerie Solitaire from www.subsoap.com. The full version is now available for purchased at Big Fish Games at a promo price of 6.99 USD.

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Fairway Solitaire
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Giga Rensya Mini Games Part I
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I’ve been a fan of rally racing games for the PC after playing Colin McRae Rally 2.0 (CMR 2.0) years ago. It was probably the first racing game that I actually played for months at end because 4WD rally cars were easier to drive and tended to spin less frequently. Each stage was a individual event which meant you competed to beat the time record alone instead of competing with other drivers at time.

Colin McRae Rally 2005 continues this fine tradition with more cars, more stages and of course more visual eye candy. Gameplay-wise, it’s nearly the same as CMR 2.0 (I missed out on CMR 3 and CMR 04 because my computer back then was crap), but it’s now only USD 9.99 as a digital download on GOG.com so you might want to give the demo a test drive.

The demo contains three stages to race in – a gravel/mud stage in th UK (Gwyddelwern), a tarmac/gravel stage in Germany (Niederlauterbach) and a snow/ice stage in Sweden (Hjalmarson). Two 4WD cars (Peugeot 206 and Toyota Celica GT4) and the classic RWD Lancia Stratos are available in the demo with an additional 31 other cars in the full game.

Aesthetically speaking, the car and damage modelling is way ahead of CMR 2.0 and the mud and rain on your windscreen when you drive around with the in-car camera is really impressive.

The graphics for the tracks themselves are a mixed bag though as most objects are 3D while others are still unmistakably 2D – the biggest eyesore being the sprites for the cheering crowds – which jar the immersion facto quite a bit. You’ll probably not notice these graphical niggles when you’re hurtling along narrow forest dirtpaths at full speed with the responsive controls though

The improved detail of each stage is not only in terms of visual quality but also translates to additional complexity for the player. You’ll really need to listen carefully to your co-driver/navigator as he reads out the turns ahead since some of the turns aren’t visible from the in-car view until you fly off the track

Like its predecessors, the only music is the whine of high powered engines and the crackle of dirt being ignited by the hot exhaust fumes when you slow down. Besides, you need to concentrate on driving and pay attention to your navigator

Download the demo for Colin McRae Rally 2005 (cnet.com mirror) or buy the full game at GOG.com.

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Flatout Demo Impressions
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Currently playing the demos for several of the games available for purchase at GOG.com and primarily settled on the racing games for a quick adrenaline fix – today’s all about the demo for Bugbear Entertainment’s Flatout.

Now Flatout isn’t a game that takes itself seriously – there’s the standard races both onroad and offroad but there’s also crazy stunt races which makes good use of the absurd and overexaggerated physics model and even demolition arenas (not in demo).

The demo allows you to belt up and tear up the Finchley Forest dirt track and a proper racetrack at Fairgrass Grounds (and half of the surroundings) in your muscle car. Actually, skip the part about belting up since your race driver alter-ego has an reckless disregard for safety regulations and a even more alarming tendency to crash thorough the windscreen when you collide into one of the many obstacles on track – why anyone would park a container trailer in the middle of the road is really beyond my comprehension Expect to see debris and car parts strewn across the tracks as less unfortunate (or less skilled) drivers run smack into the unmovable obstacles (others can be powered through with sufficient speed).

With over 40 deformable and destructable parts per car, it’ll take a good driver to keep his car unscathed thoroughout the entire race – I usually get my car half busted up during the scrape at the first curve jockeying for position with the rest of the AI drivers and end each race with a flaming engine. While I don’t drive in real life, the traction on gravel and tarmac surfaces feels sufficiently different to warrant different approaches on tackling the curves on each track.

There isn’t much to find fault with Flatout really – unless you’re a purist who demands realistic physics, licensed cars and simulator-like performance modelling – if you prefer fun over complete realism in your racing games, you’ll probably enjoy Flatout. My only grouse is that I would love to play the game with an incar camera view but Flatout doesn’t offer that.

Download the demo for Flatout (Fileshack mirror) or buy the full game as a DRM-free digital download at GOG.com for 5.99 USD.

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Initial D Opening Cinematic

I believe most seasoned (or snobbish) gamers like yours truly don’t exactly regard electronic versions of golf and/or solitaire as extremely exciting games to play and any game combining both seems even less palatable. However Grey Alien Games’ awesome Fairway Solitaire has proven me wrong this time – yep, as much as I hate to admit it but it’s a damn fine game

A single player card game with a golf theme published by Big Fish Games (who are giving it for free till 30 May 2009, see this Jayisgames post), Fairway Solitaire is truly an addictive game especially for Windows Solitaire addicts, golf maniac or card gamers (or even if you’re none of the above).

I don’t understand golf (my very rudimentary knowledge stems from playing the archaic Fuji Golf on Windows 3.1) and neither do I like card games but this game sucked up the time I was intending to spend on playing Mount & Blade .

Like solitaire, its very easy to learn – just match cards from the deck with those numbered one higher or lower (the suit doesnt matter) to remove them from play. Play six or more than cards in a row and get a Long Drive bonus which gives a multipler to your cash earnings at the end of each hole. The number of leftover cards after each round minus the par for that hole constitutes your score and is capped at a maximum of five above par.

Special cards like iron cards which can be used anytime to match any card higher or lower by one, sand wedge cards to clear the corresponding sand trap cards and dreaded water hazard cards make it feel like a day at the golf course. Wild Shot cards add an element of chance to the game and adds a slew of minigames to mix things up and keep things interesting. These features and the Long Drives make winning in games of Fairway Solitaire more about strategy rather than a lucky deal.

If everything sounds too confusing, don’t worry as the excellent nine hole course at The Golf Academy serves as an excellent tutorial. And who knows, you might learn a interesting new thing or two, like wormburners

Graphics are pretty attractive for a casual game and for once I get to choose a granny avatar – you don’t get this in most games, do you? Sounds are minimal at best, the only things you’ll probably hear is some commentary and polite applause. (it’s a game of golf, not soccer, you know) However, Fairway Solitaire still doesn’t change my opinion of golf – golf fashion is really stuffy and yucky

Got to play better, Granny needs a new long skirt at the Golf Shop

Download Fairway Solitaire for free until 31 May 2009 – instructions at this Jayisgames post on 4 free Big Fish Games. (Azada is not too bad, but Fairway Solitaire rules!)

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Read about Santiago Zapata’s Expedition, a ASCII exploration game from Cymons Games’ review for the 2009 7DRL Challenge.

In Expedition, you are Christopher Columbus, explorer and commander of an expeditionary force preparing to embark on a journey to discover the New World.

Before you eagerly step aboard your ships and set sail on your historic voyage, remember to explore the town and outfit your expedition for the impending journey. The shops labelled 1 to 5 in red will provide the necessary stores, weapons, equipment and manpower for a fruitful expedition.

Expedition is a game for those who prefer to simply go forth and conquer, since the primary option available is to hire a company of soldiers, marines or archers, equip them well with suits of armour (only soldiers can wear plate armour) and cold steel (press a to arm the troops or i for troop attack and defence stats) before sending them over to the New World to teach the native tribes there the benefits of modern civilization and technology. Just remember to head west after you weigh anchor – it’s always tempting to sail south for Morocco, but sorry, it’s already been discovered

There is presently no peaceful way to conduct your explorations – you can build (press b) a new town with 200 wood and 100 rogues but it doesn’t seem to offer any benefits when built. Then again, Expedition is currently only at version 0.16 so there’s still a lot of untapped potential in the game (read : unfinished features )

I recommend the MP3 version of Expedition – Dominik Markzuk’s The 3 Caravels included in Expedition is a wonderfully appropriate piece of music.

Download Expedition.

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