09/27/14

GrogHeads Reviews A Blood Red Banner: The Alamo

By: Michael Eckenfels, 27 September 2014

 

The siege of the Alamo, a thirteen-day struggle from February 23 to March 6 of 1836, is probably one of the more well-known battles from history. Anglo, Hispanic, or a combination thereof, it’s difficult to have grown up near the shadow of the Alamo in San Antonio and not have heard of it, or imagine how the battle was fought. Originally constructed in the 18th century by the Spanish, the Alamo mission was very much a centerpiece of the budding town in central Texas, which eventually became San Antonio. While among Tejanos and Texians, the Alamo was a symbol of healing and faith, it soon became the focal point of Mexican military might and Texian independence, in more ways than one.

 

A Blood-Red Banner: The Alamo is a solitaire game from Victory Point Games that, in a very simple and straightforward manner, simulates this focal battle of Texas independence.

ABRBphoto 1

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09/20/14

Grogheads Reviews Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front

Vance Strickland, 20 September 2014

So how does the newest installment of Battle Academy stack up to the reputation set by its predecessor? Let’s find out…

Never in the history of mankind has there been such a titanic struggle as the one played out on the Russian Front during World War II. The German army, already veterans of the new mobile style of combat with highly trained and for the most part well led troops. And the Russian Army, gutted of its leadership by years of purges, highly motivated by fighting for they very own homes, villages and cities. Locked in combat that took place across vast stretches of open farmland, or through tough urban battle grounds where every corner could bring swift death. Now you get to lead parts of the huge warmachines that clashed in Russia.

Battle Academy 2: East Front is the follow up to the very successful Battle Academy that took us through the fighting in West and in the desert of North Africa. Here you will be challenged in fighting that lasted for almost 5 years. From the opening acts of Operation Barbarossa to the death throes of Army Group Center in Byelorussia, you get to plan and execute your own tactics against the computer and other players. Are you game?

Main menu screen
Main menu screen

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09/13/14

GrogHeads Reviews Ancient Battle: Hannibal

Review by Michael Eckenfels, 13 September 2014

Developed and Published by Hunted Cow Studios, for iOS (iPad) and Mac (Reviewed on iPad)

Wargaming on the go sounds great – but how does it play?  Michael gives you the low-down…

Hunted Cow Studios is an interesting developer. Before I reviewed this title, I already owned two of their games that I had bought through the App Store (Civil War: 1863 and Tank Battle: 1944). I was already familiar with their titles and their game system, and had heard of this one (as well as the others, like Ancient Battle: Rome), so their games are not a mystery to me.

ABHhexes 2

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09/7/14

GrogHeads Reviews Wolfenstein: The New Order

Lloyd Sabin, September 7, 2014

Developed by Id and Machinegames and Distributed by Bethesda Softworks

Rarely is a review so easy for me to write. That’s because Wolfenstein: The New Order (W:TNO) is not only one of the most fun and creative shooters I have played, it is definitely one of the best games I have played, period. The quality of the visuals, the music, the story, the controls, the setting…everything about W:TNO proves that the developers at Id and Machinegames did indeed care about the tried and true Wolfenstein lineage, while not being timid in creating a brand new universe for this new Nazi-stomper, featuring our beloved hero B.J. Blazkowicz. I was engaged from the very beginning and tore through the single player campaign because it was a fascinating, exciting look at a dark, near-future. Add in a dash of humor and you have an almost perfect game.

Intro screen after one of the best prologues you'll ever play.
Intro screen after one of the best prologues you’ll ever play.

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