So I realised I've not done enough articles on Comic books or Art...

...So lets combine the two!

I've recently got hooked on a comic book series called Saga. It's an independent series, published by Image comics - so might sadly get overlooked by the casual comic browser. It's written by Brian K. Vaughan (writer and producer for multiple series of Lost, comic series Ex Machina and Y: The Last Man, the latter of which is currently being adapted to film) and Fiona Staples (various art in comics over the past decade).

Saga is a unique epic fantasy/science fiction story, reminiscent of nothing you've ever read as a comic book before, with hints of Star Wars with Shakespearian mystical character design (on drugs). So far, the basis of the story is following that of a child, and their parents Marko and Alana, a pairing of 2 soldiers united by the wars of their species. The artwork is simply flawless, and some of the best I've seen around in a comic book. There are some explicit scenes in the comic books, so mature readers suggested.

I've got the urge to spew loads about this story and the characters it involves, but you really need to find out for yourself why it's so good. After all, there is a race of people with televisions for heads...

You can feast your eyes on the first issue of the comic here, I definitely recommend it!

Also, if you get reaaaaaally hooked off of that first comic, and you're left wanting more, here is the link to the Amazon page. You can pick up the first 6 comics as a graphic novel currently for a mere £6.75.

Grab your game carts...

If you've got a stack of your favourite SEGA and Nintendo game carts, but no longer possess your old consoles (or don't have the space for them), you can now set your sights on getting the latest Hyperkin development in hardware emulation, the slick-looking RetroN 5!

Recently announced at the Midwest Gaming Classic convention as the RetroN 4, Hyperkin have gone one better and announced a retro enthusiast dream addition in a 5th Famicom slot, and renaming the machine the RetroN 5. This retro gaming console hybrid supports the following formats:

Famicom

Gameboy

Gameboy Advance

Gameboy Colour

Genesis

Megadrive

NES

SNES

Super Famicom

It may be missing out on some retro format essentials, such as SEGA Master System or Amiga, but we're not complaining, since the gadget boasts complete PAL and NTSC compatibility, HDMI 720p and support for up to 4 wireless bluetooth controllers. The console also sports a total of 6 original controller ports for SNES, NES and Mega Drive, with the added function of using any controller for any game - so if you want to use a SNES controller to play Ecco the Dolphin, it's completely possible!

The RetroN 5 also comes with a wireless bluetooth controller, chargeable via a micro USB port to a USB port on the console. There are also 6 facing buttons and 2 shoulder pads, with a microswitch directional pad replacing the traditional directional pad.

If that wasn't enough, it's also possible to save games, and store saved games on the system, with an auto-save feature when the system is shutting down. You can also re-map controller layouts to your own preferred configuration, and control manual and passive over clocking for super-slow or super-speed retro gaming.

This could appeal to uber-fans of retro gaming that want to store parts of their retro collection for safe-keeping, or to the casual player who has a couple of games in their attic and wants to play their friends on their Bad Dudes vs Dragon Ninjas NES cart.

Would it ever equal the feeling of the real thing though?

It's been a while...

Hey folks, it has indeed been a while since I posted last on here. Infact, this is the first post of the new year! Don't worry though, I will be hopefully posting in abundance in the coming weeks and months.

I have been invited to write for www.twinstickgaming.com, so I'll be writing there concurrently with this blog. You might see some stuff from here work its way onto here if you follow them, and vice versa. Either way - it's all about the games!

Stay tuned folks..

Free Metro 2033 on Steam

Hey folks,

Thought I'd let you know about a game that I'm a massive fan of...

It's a THQ published, Ukraine '4A Games' developed title, which recently celebrated selling 1 million copies on PC worldwide to a total of 1.5 million over all formats, although sadly had quite a quiet launch. The fan base is always growing, but it's a shame it didn't have the same hype at launch.

The game I'm talking about is Metro 2033, based on the novel by Dmitry Glukhovsky. It's a post-apocalyptic first person shooter with a difference - survival and horror elements leave you scavenging for ammunition (which is also used as currency at shops within the Metro) and jumping at every beast, nook and cranny of the Russian metro system in which you (Artyom, the protagonist) now live.

This is probably one of my favourite first person shooters, aside from Halo of course! There is a sequel planned for March 2013, titled Metro: Last Light - trailer can be seen below :)

Currently, if you visit the official Facebook app found here, you can obtain the game on Steam completely free of charge. You can also get Steam Achievements with this game. Get on it!

Team17 HQ Move - With Photos!

Hey folks! Below are the photos from the Team17 HQ move, which took place over the past few days. The first slideshow is for the old building, which has been Teamster HQ for the past 17 years.



And below are the photos for the new Team17 HQ. The move started on December 5th 2012 (Team17s 22nd birthday!), finishing on December 6th 2012. There are still a few bits and pieces left to do, such as boxes and crates hiding in places. These offices are much more modern than the previous HQ, and might I add that the Toby Carvery house and the chip shop nearby are nice extras ;)



There's also a gym. Thats the new years resolution sorted! Also, everyone needs to start playing Far Cry 3, its great. I can't judge fully as I haven't completed it, and I've pretty much been trying to hunt boars for the skins to make ammo pouches, to no avail... But still. Looks snazzy, plays nicely. Story is decent so far. Hollie stamp of approval.

Retro Unicorn Attack

Hey guys.

This is what dreams are made of.

RETRO UNICORN ATTACK

In other news, Team17 have a new HQ. It's a more modern building, and looks really nice. All I need is a pack of biscuits at my desk and I'm sorted.

Photos to follow in a separate post, with memories of the old building - and then some more photos of the new building with Teamster folk getting settled in. 

Retro Haul - The Work Move - 29th November 2012

Hey folks,

Now I know some of you may be massive worms fans, and some of you maybe not - but I bet you can all appreciate a good bit of retro gaming. Even if it is mostly all Team17 (and mainly Worms at that) games.

I received these due to a clear out at work due to an imminent office move. 

(yes, Longlands House will be no more from tomorrow, Wednesday 5th.
Which is also coincidentally Team17s 22nd birthday - woo!)

Worms: A Space Oddity
Worms 4 Mayhem LE promo for PS2
Fur Fighters promo for PS2
Tom Clancy Rainbow Six for Dreamcast
3D Game Collection for 3DS
The Incredibles for Gameboy Advance
Jewel Master: Cradle of Persia for DS
Crime Lab for DS
Fuzion Frenzy 2 for Xbox 360
E.A and Curse of Tutankhamun for DS
X-2 for PS1
 Worms for PS1
 Worms World Party x2 for PS1
Worms 4: Mayhem for Xbox
Worms 4: Mayhem for Xbox (ESRB)
Worms 3D for Xbox
Worms: Forts under Seige for Xbox
Worms Collection promo x3 for Xbox 360
(one is not pictured)Worms for Sega Saturn

Lemmings for PSP (ESRB)

Worms 3D for GameCube

Worms Armageddon x5 for Dreamcast

Stunt GP for Dreamcast

Also, a copy of Worms Armageddon on the PS1.

All in pristine condition. Yeah!