Verdict: A delightfully new puzzler experience.

In a Nutshell: George Washington riding a pegasus over a UFO occupied by a ninja. Scribblenauts.

(from the game’s website)

The goal is simple — help our hero Maxwell reach the starite by solving each challenge — but the mission before you can range from straightforward to downright tricky! To catch the Starite, write any object you can think of and watch as it comes to live. Try another word and watch as a completely different scenario unfolds right before your eyes. How you play and whatever object you put into use is completely up to you!

(more…)

Verdict: more please

In a Nutshell: Puzzle game involving a tree spirit and captive bears. This was one of the 2009 PAX 10

(from the game’s website)

“Puzzle Bloom is the innovative action-puzzle game where you control the tree spirit Canotila in her quest to bring back life to her island. Canotila needs the assistance of the island’s native creatures to get past the rigid machines of the world. She flies from creature to creature and uses her powers to guide them. New life will bloom into the world for each time Canotila breaks a machine, bringing Canotila closer to her ultimate goal of a return to nature.”

(more…)

Verdict: cute and nostalgic

In a Nutshell: Interactive story book about a kid cyclops that includes a memory game and music videos.  This was one of the 2009 PAX10.

(from the game’s website)

“What is Bothering Carl? is the tale of a young cyclops named Carl whose laid back attitude is disrupted by a single nuisance. Readers will discover Carl’s dilemma and follow along as he tries to solve his problem in this colorful interactive adventure.”

(more…)

PAX has come and gone again, leaving behind the bittersweet memories of the annual massive gaming “fix” that only serves to keep the appetite aroused.

Overall, it was fun.  The immense size this year from taking over the entire convention center had all activities under one roof.  The floor layout kept the bottlenecks to a bare minimum and the expo hall was filled with wondrous sights and sounds (for the most part).

(more…)

Verdict: *Yawn*

In a Nutshell: A tantalizing array of play modes and options are locked up inside an impenetrable prison of near-unplayable controls.

(from the game’s website)

Rise to stardom as you take on the Pool halls toughest opponents. Select and play a vast collection of different styles of Pool, Snooker and Billiards!

Battle your way through tournaments set in exotic locations!

Play your favorite game in Arcade, Tournament or Exhibition mode. Take on a AI character or battle it out with a friend in multiplayer mode!

Customize your character and unlock collectables to pimp your own crib!

Do what it takes to be a Pool Hall Pro!

(more…)