There are few things I despise more in this world than babies and baby fanatics who want nothing more than to coddle an infant all day long. I think I’d much rather take life in jail over even touching one. No, I’m not changing my mind on this. I’m simply not a kid person. Never have, never will be. Animals are more my speed, thus I’ve enjoyed many an animal sim over the years via GigaPets and Tamagotchi, Nintendogs, and even Dogz, Catz, and Oddballz back in my younger days. With the growing trend of aiming baby-oriented games toward young girls these days, I see a resurgence of the trend only with rugrats in place of animals really being pushed. While playing through My Baby First Steps for the Nintendo Wii and DS it’s true I wanted to shove hot coals into my eyes as I simply cannot bring myself to enjoy taking care of virtual babies, but I must say it’s really a step up from any other standard shoddy simulation titles we’re putting in the hands of children.
Archive for June, 2010
Impressions: Wedding Dash
Permalink
I have no desire to get tangled up in the brouhaha that accompanies weddings. All of that complaining, planning to ensure the day is “perfect,” and spoiled-brattery exhibited by the parties involved is simply repulsive to me. However, I love a good challenge. Thanks to the gentle prodding of my mother, a longtime fan of the Diner Dash series of casual games, I’ve played more than my fair share of the series, the many spin-offs, the “Supermarket Dash”es, you name it. The most recent addition to the growing series, Wedding Dash, chronicles what goes into planning a wedding reception and keeping it hoppin’ amidst chaos and disorder. It follows the tried-and-true formula of the series to the letter, yet still manages to entertain fans of the fast-food variety.
Impressions: Snowboarding TnT
Permalink
When it comes to accelerometer-based games, you tend to think of sports or games that are steering-intensive, such as kart racing or skateboarding. How about snowboarding? It may not be the first thing that jumps to mind, but I’ve found it works quite well on the iPod Touch. However, toss in a little hypersensitivity, and you have a bit of a touchy subject on your hands.
Impressions: Hello Kitty Party
Permalink
There are several games for children out there, and most of them aren’t quite up to par. Even worse, when a licensed kids’ game comes out, as it’s usually going straight to the bargain bin not long after release. Sure, the kids might get a little enjoyment out of it, but we’re not doing them any favors by handing them copies of the latest baby training game or anything like that. With that said, there are some wholly inoffensive titles that you can feel good about giving your children, because they’re either middle of the road or absolutely inoffensive. Hello Kitty Party for the Nintendo DS is one of those. Featuring some of Sanrio’s flagship, cutesy characters such as the purrrrrrfect feline herself, it’s a gentle and inviting set of mini-games that children will love to wrap their paws around.
Impressions: Halo: Reach Beta
Permalink
Confession: I’m a Halo fangirl. It was my duty to sink my teeth into Halo: Reach and tear it open with eager, ravenous hands. And that I did. It was brutal. Insane, even. Like a junkie, I couldn’t wait for my next fix. After Halo 3 had long lost its lustre and I had made the more “adult” jump to Call of Duty 4, I had almost resigned myself to the fact that I would not take an energy sword in hand ever again. Fortunately, the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta has completely renewed my faith in both the online community and fellow Halo nuts around the globe. I’m grinning like a psychopath as I pull off assassination after assassination. The riveting multiplayer matchups are just what I needed to rekindle this long-smoldering love affair. And I know I’m in. Hook, line, and sinker.
Continue Reading →