Tag: Role-Playing

01/23/15

GrogHeads Reviews Dragon Age: Inquisition

Kimberly Poet, 23 January 2015

Many dragons were harmed in the making of this review.

click images to enlarge (Images from Doug Miller)

Trilogies are tricky beasts. Much of their success depends not only on the original story, but also on its sequels. Dragon Age has had its share of ups and downs –  the promising epic RPG followed by a sequel which drew vitriol for its departure in tone and cobbled-together presentation.

DAI13

Dragon Age: Inquisition, however, not only exceeds its preceding games, it sets a new standard for Bioware entirely. The relatively open-world regions give you a chance to immerse yourself in Thedas and are both lush and diverse, from the moonlight deserts of the Hissing Wastes to the verdant tangle of the Emerald Graves. Crafting also makes its first appearance and allows you to tailor your character even further. The combat system is more fluid than Dragon Age: Origins and more strategic than Dragon Age 2. Its scope is broader, the relationships between the Inquisitor and their companions more intricately written, and the customization and graphics – sweet baby Andraste, if someone tells you they spent less than thirty minutes creating their character, they’re a filthy liar.

DAI06
 Continue reading →

01/16/15

GrogHeads Advanced Research on Projects Advisory #62

We’re all over the map this week – RPGs, classic wargaming, digital games, and an Euro-style space 4x that’s taking off like a rocket —

 

Arms Race – The Cold War Era (Max Sprin)
C$366 of C$1200, ends 9 February 2015

Here’s a twist on a digital Kickstarter campaign – you’re pledging to help get the expansion done, and as a part of your pledge, you get the already-ready-to-play-already base game.  So for C$20 (aboot U$16.50) you get a copy of The Cold War Era game that’s ready to play now and you’re get the expansion as soon as they finish it with the Kickstarter money.  Not a bad way to get the expansion done and build your fan base while you’re at it!  Different pledge levels support those that already have the game, or just want to help it see the light of day.  This campaign is looking good, and can use your help to get it over the finish line.

G62-tcwe

Continue reading →

12/19/14

GrogHeads Advanced Research on Projects Advisory #60

Look, we know you don’t have a bunch of coin to drop on games right before Christmas.  So we tried to find GARPA entries that don’t close until after 25 December, so you can refund that soap-on-a-rope and put the cash towards what you really want – MOAR GAMEZ!

 

Night of Man (Flying Pig Games)
$8500 of $11000, ends 31 December 2014

Well, Mark sure didn’t wait too long to get his new venture launched.  Flying Pig Games has been open about 5 weeks, and already has Night of Man on Kickstarter and chugging towards publication.  A military sci-fi game that features an alien invasion of Earth, Night of Man’s card-driven mechanics will help non-Grogs get into the game, and that data-rich counters will appeal to your inner wargamer.   Stretch goals include more maps, new alien races, and additional scenarios.  Yes, it’s a new company, but it’s hardly an inexperienced one, so pledge with confidence and save the world.

g60-NoM

 

Continue reading →

12/17/14

GrogHeads’ 2014 Holiday Buying Guide Extra – For the Junior Gamers!

Christmas Suggestions for Potential Junior Gamers

Avery Abernethy, 17 December 2014

Any great hobby needs new converts and Christmas is a great time to provide unexpected gifts to unsuspecting grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and the like to encourage them to join our hobby. A good gift for a novice should be relatively easy to play, provide wonderful fun examples of classic game genres, should work on a wide range of inexpensive PCs, have multiple difficulty settings for a range of intellectual and ability levels.  A good section should also include major elements of the game genre.

An unexpected and unrequested gift should also be inexpensive.  Honestly, if you are providing a true “surprise gift” to get the next generation interested in PC gaming you will probably make a number of gifts to several youngsters before finding that special, gifted young person who will truly appreciate the gift and enjoy the hobby for years to come.

But the most important element is fun.  You want the game to be relatively easy to learn but a lot of fun.  Nothing drives away potential converts than thick rule books, complicated play, and less than fun games.  Do not give your novice grandchildren War in the Pacific, War in the East, or Dominions 4.  I’m not recommending any shooters since any youngster with even a minimum of interest has played Call of Duty or some other shooter on a game system.

Tactical Wargame

Panzer Corps – available on sale from Slitherine on sale now for $10

Features:

  • Fog of war
  • Zones of Control
  • Combined Arms Tactics
  • Range of difficulty settings
  • Limited number of units
  • Some limited ability to recognize European maps
  • Kids get to learn the difference between a Panzer 3, Panzer 4, Panther and Tiger tank!
  • Kids get to learn why the German 88 was such a beast
  • Very fun!

Because this game has some very easy settings it can appeal to the absolute novice.  Yet the game introduces many critical components of tactical wargames.  This game has had remarkable popularity and is a good start to this side of our hobby.

Continue reading →

12/6/14

GrogHeads Reviews Wasteland 2

A post-apocalyptic American Southwest beckons…

Avery Abernethy, 6 December 2014

Load screen

 

Wasteland 2 is a party based RPG set in a post-apocalyptic American Southwest. The game is developed by Inxile Software headed by noted designer Brian Fargo. Mr. Fargo was lead designer on the original Wasteland released way back in 1988 and also lead designer on Fallout RPG series. This is one of the first RPGs to be largely funded through a Kickstarter campaign. I purchased this game from www.gog.com and played it for around two weeks completing approximately 90% of the game.

Although experience with the original Wasteland game is not needed to either enjoy or understand Wasteland 2, many of the game conventions and world design flow from the original. Your small, 4 person party belongs to the Desert Rangers. The Desert Rangers are attempting to bring civilization back to the Southwest after decades of post-nuclear war chaos. The player can either build their starting four party members or choose from predesigned characters bundled with the game.

Starting Party

 

Continue reading →