I’m using HyperSnap, and for some reason, the suns aren’t appearing in the screenshots. Nor are the dilithium displays. So, I’ve downloaded Fraps to capture these things, so let’s see if it’s done right.
Looks like it.
So, the Seadragon moves into the Sarona star system and finds not only lots of big planets with energy and food bonuses…but dilithium as well! This is huge news, because dilithium is what makes starships move, and starships moving means the Federation becoming big and powerful, which means we’re safer when we run into ali-err, I mean, IF we run into aliens, of course. Continue reading →
To Sail a Darkling Sea is the second book by John Ringo in the Dark Tide Rising series. A zombie apocalypse has been released in the modern world by an unknown group of individuals. The Smith family, composed of an ex-military father, a mom with an engineering background, and two daughters under the age of sixteen are practical survivalists. [Stop reading here if you want to avoid spoilers about book one].
At the end of book one the father had reconnected with the tattered remains of US national command authority. The family spearheaded an effort to clean zombies off of ships in the Atlantic and gradually gather survivors. The Smiths and a small number of others in the ragtag fleet were immunized against the Zombie plague. The long run plan was to secure Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where there should be enough equipment to resume making the anti-zombie plague serum. If serum production is restarted, then the members of the US Navy in uncontaminated attack submarines can be added to the meagre US military forces attempting to retake Earth from the zombie hordes.
The book starts with the “fleet” freeing small towns and ships in the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. The group traveled to this region to avoid the Caribbean hurricane season and engaged in the first land battles against the zombies, where they attempted to free small, geographically isolated towns on these tiny islands from the mindless horde. Continue reading →
The Tuesday Screenshot is goes back in time to Ancient Rome
Click to enlarge
Playing as a barbarian tribe, there is little better in Rome 2: Total War than taking the capital of the known world. About 200 turns in (with some seasonal and turns-per-year mods running) I almost feel like I can call the campaign a victory by taking Rome. But Sparta and Athens remain…as well as some consolidation in Gaul. A city-burning marauder’s work is never done!
Our running late on a busy Friday brings you this week’s GARPA!
Board Games
SUPREMACY 2020 – Superpower Game of Nuclear Brinksmanship (Command Post Games) $17,700 of $15000, ends 15 March 2014
An old classic reimagined for a new superpower age, Supremacy returns as the 2020 version with its ever-tense mixture of resources, nukes, conventional armies, technology, and back-stabbing fun. Make no mistake, this is a high-strategic-level game that won’t have you pushing battalions and brigades around. You track your missiles, and missile interceptors, along with navies and resources and nary a grunt in sight. Stretch goals have already added international terrorists to the mix, and bring you a set of pieces to add Brazil as one of your superpowers. Check it out and get your pledges in.
The Adults of Carcassonne (Carcassonne Shop) $7200 of $7000 goal, ends 9 March 2014
Ever been in the middle of a board game and thought “Man, I could use a drink!” ? How about a game that answers “Sure!” Tje Adults of Carcassonne is an unofficial expansion (though they are official “accessories”) that swaps meeples for shot glasses, and game tiles for mug coasters. Yep, this is the pub-friendly Carcassonne for the drinking gamer. Go ogle the fun at their Kickstater page, and get your gamedrink on.
The Grumpy Grog says “This is a new line of attack on an old campaigning favourite.”
Developed by Lock n Load Publishing and published by Matrix/Slitherine
First Impressions by Boggit, 23 February 2014
Click images to enlarge
I’ve never played any of the Lock’n’Load games before, so this is a truly fresh look at this game. I am looking at this game with the beta update v1.04. The game is tactical in scope, and each hex represents about fifty meters across, each turn represents 2-4 minutes, and each counter is a single vehicle, an individual, or a group of soldiers: for example, a half squad, or a weapons team.
Starting the game for the first time, the player is set up at the introductory level. This is a particularly forgiving mode that can be changed in the main menu. I immediately changed it to “hard”, which runs the game under unmodified rules. “Normal” gives a dice bonus. Rash perhaps, but you’ll see no signs of weakness from me!
The options screen gives a good choice of items to customise your game.
The main menu gives the usual options. Essentially it is the place to start a new game, load an old one, create missions and scenarioswith the editor, and to play multiplayer. In multiplayer, the user needs to set up a Matrix/Slitherine account and you’re then taken to the Multiplayer lobby. From there you can create a new game for someone to play with you, go onto the forum, and can check-in on your own games. I’d seen this before with Field of Glory, and it is a very user friendly multiplayer system. I’m glad they didn’t reinvent the wheel on this one, as it works, and works well. The only downside was a very empty multiplayer lobby, but to be fair, the game’s just come out, so that should change with time. Continue reading →
