Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GOG.com adventure game sale offers cheap thrills]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/gog-com-adventure-game-sale-offers-cheap-thrills/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/gog-com-adventure-game-sale-offers-cheap-thrills/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/gog-com-adventure-game-sale-offers-cheap-thrills/#comments Need some more adventure in your life? GOG.com has you covered, knocking 60 percent off a dozen adventure games. Notable games include The Longest Journey, Blackwell, Botanicula, Gemini Rue, Machinarium, To the Moon and, for some reason, Incredipede.

With the exception of Miasmata, Dreamfall and the Blackwell bundle, which are $5.99 apiece, all the games are $3.99 each. The sale ends Tuesday morning at 11:59 ET.

JoystiqGOG.com adventure game sale offers cheap thrills originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 May 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuregog.commacpcpoint-and-clickFri, 10 May 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Cryptic point-and-clicker Hiversaires out now on iOS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/21/psa-cryptic-point-and-clicker-hiversaires-out-now-on-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/21/psa-cryptic-point-and-clicker-hiversaires-out-now-on-ios/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/21/psa-cryptic-point-and-clicker-hiversaires-out-now-on-ios/#comments
Hiversaires, a "cryptic point & click adventure game in a textless world," is out now on iOS for $2.99. The adventure game was developed by Devine Lu Linvega, a French Canadian designer currently living in Japan.

Hiversaires was "created for adventurers who remember drawing maps to survive," its official site reads. Check out the game's mysterious art style in the gallery below.

Gallery: Hiversaires (Launch)

JoystiqPSA: Cryptic point-and-clicker Hiversaires out now on iOS originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurecrypticDevine-Lu-Linvegahiversairesiosipadiphonemobilepoint-and-clickpsaSun, 21 Apr 2013 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Armikrog is the new clay adventure game from The Neverhood creators]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/armikrog-is-the-new-clay-adventure-game-from-the-neverhood-creat/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/armikrog-is-the-new-clay-adventure-game-from-the-neverhood-creat/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/16/armikrog-is-the-new-clay-adventure-game-from-the-neverhood-creat/#comments Armikrog is the new clay adventure game from The Neverhood creatorsWe heard last month that the folks behind 1996's The Neverhood were at work on a new clay-motion adventure game, and the name has now been revealed: It's called Armikrog. The title has also earned a website, a Twitter profile, and a Facebook page. There's also a very (very) short video clip available, but all it shows is a confusingly full whiteboard, the scrabblings on which may or may not have much to do with the final product.

We do know that it's all being put together by Neverhood creator Doug TenNapel, with help from Mike Dietz and Ed Schofield (a.k.a. Pencil Test Studios) and Neverhood composer Terry Taylor.

JoystiqArmikrog is the new clay adventure game from The Neverhood creators originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurearmikrogclayclay-motiondoug-tennapelneverhoodpcpoint-and-clickterry-taylorthe-neverhoodTue, 16 Apr 2013 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial: Point out the definition of adventure games until it clicks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/editorial-point-out-the-definition-of-adventure-games-until-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/editorial-point-out-the-definition-of-adventure-games-until-it/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/04/editorial-point-out-the-definition-of-adventure-games-until-it/#comments Point and click adventures eet's a gameAs the underground cult of indie development surges to the surface and crowdfunding allows vague ideas to transform into products, the scope of gaming bubbles and changes. Games now span spectrums of physical input and emotional amplitude, and our perspectives change with them.

Amid this upheaval is an age-old genre that for some reason resists attempts of acceptance in the "hardcore" gaming audience: point-and-click adventures. They're just choose-your-own-adventure stories; they're interactive novels; the choices in them don't matter - all arguments against adventures as true games, while shoot-die-respawn titles play on, unchallenged.

Joystiq's own Top 10 of 2012 list includes The Walking Dead, a high-profile and famously intense point-and-click, and my own Best of the Rest has Yesterday, a gritty adventure from Pendulo Studios. Obviously, we consider both of these games to be games. Other players, maybe not so much - so let the argument begin.

In order to debate whether adventure games are, in fact, games, we first need a shared definition of the term. Without definition, you could argue that The Walking Dead isn't a game and I could just as passionately espouse why it is, and we could both be correct within the worlds of our own, secret definitions. While mutually assured correctness sounds like a wonderful conclusion, in reality it does nothing to examine the question at hand and leads to huffy frustration, leaving the debate unresolved forever.

What we're really arguing is the definition of a "game," rather than any particular sub-genre, which are all just variations of that main theme. This is my definition.

Continue reading Editorial: Point out the definition of adventure games until it clicks

JoystiqEditorial: Point out the definition of adventure games until it clicks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure-gamesdefinitiongamegamesPoint-and-Clickthe-walking-deadyesterdayFri, 04 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Anna]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/30/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-anna/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/30/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-anna/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/30/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-anna/#comments Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We believe they deserve a wider audience with the Joystiq Indie Pitch: This week, Dreampainters talks ancient Italian legend, modern murder and the beauty of point-and-click adventure games with its new PC release, Anna.
The Joystiq Indie Pitch Anna
What's your game called and what's it about?

The game is called Anna and is a point-and-click graphic adventure about a "sort of haunted" sawmill.

What inspired you to make Anna?

The main inspiration came from a real-life old sawmill in Valle D'Aosta, an all-mountain region in Italy (to be very precise, in Val D'Ayas). It is an ancient and beautiful place, with some legends about ghosts and hauting around it. We mixed all this with a set of local legends and personal stuff. This game is actually a true homage to Val D'Ayas and its heritage.

Gallery: Anna

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Anna

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Anna originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureannaDreampaintershorroritalyjoystiq-indie-pitchpcPoint-and-ClickSTEAMSun, 30 Sep 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fan-made Mass Effect adventure game surfaces]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/12/fan-made-mass-effect-adventure-game-surfaces/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/12/fan-made-mass-effect-adventure-game-surfaces/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/12/fan-made-mass-effect-adventure-game-surfaces/#comments A Mass Effect fan-game by the name of Finding Shepard popped up on the Adventure Game Studio forums recently. Created by AGS forums user Nightfable, Finding Shepard is an in-progress game set in the Mass Effect universe that directly follows the events of Mass Effect 3.

Without spoiling too much of the story from the series, Finding Shepard stars Jack, who is searching for Commander Shepard after the "destroy" version of the series' ending. The point-and-click adventure style of the game lends itself to some interesting takes on the climactic points of the series' plot, and gives fans that weren't thrilled with the ending (or the Extended Cut DLC) an opportunity to experience other stories that folks like Nightfable wish to tell in BioWare's universe.

In other words, we'd totally play it. Check out screens from the project in our gallery below.

Gallery: Finding Shepard (Preview screens)

JoystiqFan-made Mass Effect adventure game surfaces originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Aug 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure-game-studiocommander-shepardfan-gamefinding-shepardmass-effectmass-effect-3Point-and-ClickSun, 12 Aug 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Resonance]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-resonance/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-resonance/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/25/the-joystiq-indie-pitch-resonance/#comments Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We believe they deserve a wider audience with the Joystiq Indie Pitch: This week, Vince Wesselmann throws it back to an adventurous era with his point-and-click title, Resonance, which launched today on Steam at 10 percent off.

The Joystiq Indie Pitch Resonance
What's your game called and what's it about?

My labor of love is called Resonance. It's a point-and-click adventure game where you take control of four characters and their memories to work your way through a complex sci-fi mystery. A scientist has died after creating a terrible new technology and the race is on to secure his secret vault before the technology falls into the wrong hands. The player can use the unique short-term memory system to talk to any character in the game about practically anything you see. So you'll have to do some logical thinking to figure out how to navigate the game's tricky puzzles and twisty plot.

What's the coolest aspect of Resonance?

One of the unique features to this game is the Short-Term Memory system, which is tightly interwoven with the dialogue system. In most adventure games, when you talk to a character, you choose from a small selection of dialogue options the designer has chosen for you. Resonance has that as well, but it adds on the ability to "remember" any object you see in the game using your Short-Term Memory. You can then use these memories in conversation with any character in the game.

Since the correct options are no longer served up on a silver platter, you'll have to think critically about which topics of conversation might help you in each situation. And with hundreds of possible objects to talk about, brute-forcing these solutions is right out the window. The window, by the way, can also be used as a Short-Term Memory in dialogue.

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Resonance

JoystiqThe Joystiq Indie Pitch: Resonance originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joystiq-indie-pitchpcPoint-and-ClickresonanceSTEAMvince-wesselmannwadjet-eye-gamesWed, 25 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First trailer for Anna, a pretty, spooky and pretty spooky title from Italy [Update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/first-trailer-for-anna-a-pretty-spooky-and-pretty-spooky-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/first-trailer-for-anna-a-pretty-spooky-and-pretty-spooky-title/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/first-trailer-for-anna-a-pretty-spooky-and-pretty-spooky-title/#comments

This little indie ditty has been on our radar for a few months now, intriguing us with slick graphics and a mysterious, vague storyline that seems to smear the line between Dear Esther and Amnesia. Anna takes inspiration from ancient legends in Val D'Ayas, a scenic valley in northern Italy, developer Dreampainters says. Anna is a PC-exclusive, point-and-click exploration title which, as is obvious in the above trailer, has a dark, subtly terrifying edge to it.

It has three different endings, each taking about three hours to complete, thus bringing the entire experience to around nine hours. Anna is coming at a "budget price," according to Dreampainters.

Update: That's definitely the release date at the end of the trailer up there, so keep a lookout for Anna on May 18, 2012. We'd look out for it ourselves, but apparently we need to get our glasses checked.

JoystiqFirst trailer for Anna, a pretty, spooky and pretty spooky title from Italy [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AnnaDreampaintersexplorationIndiepcPoint-and-ClicktrailerTue, 13 Mar 2012 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Double Fine Kickstarter adds new rewards, Schafer and Gilbert talk it out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/double-fine-kickstarter-adds-new-rewards-schafer-and-gilbert-ta/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/double-fine-kickstarter-adds-new-rewards-schafer-and-gilbert-ta/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/double-fine-kickstarter-adds-new-rewards-schafer-and-gilbert-ta/#comments

Double Fine's fundraiser for its point-and-click adventure title exploded on day one and has currently raised almost $2.1 million, and there are still 18 days left. To celebrate, reward its backers and entice even more, Double Fine has revamped its rewards for denomination-specific donations as follows:
  • $30 tier: Digital Soundtrack of the Documentary
  • $60 tier: Double Fine Adventure Book (digital PDF)
  • $100 tier: Special edition box set with the game disc and DVD/Blu-Ray documentary
  • $500 tier: Double Fine Adventure Book (physical copy)
As standard for Kickstarter projects, hitting a higher reward tier gets backers all of the rewards from previous tiers as well. For extra incentive, the 35-minute discussion between Tim Schafer and Ron Gilbert -- filmed before the Kickstarter began -- demonstrates the passion and thought that will be fueling Double Fine's game; check it out above.

JoystiqDouble Fine Kickstarter adds new rewards, Schafer and Gilbert talk it out originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuredouble-fineDouble-Fine-AdventurekickstarterPoint-and-ClickrewardsRon-GilbertTim-SchaferFri, 24 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Yesterday's gritty, gutsy style makes us excited for tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/yesterdays-gritty-gutsy-style-makes-us-excited-for-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/yesterdays-gritty-gutsy-style-makes-us-excited-for-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/yesterdays-gritty-gutsy-style-makes-us-excited-for-tomorrow/#comments Welcome to the Renaissance.

The point-and-click adventure is back and it has nothing to do with Tim Schafer, Double Fine or Kickstarter. This particular revolution is being led by Pendulo Studios' gritty, stylized PC thriller, Yesterday, which marks a departure from the developer's previous title, The Next Big Thing, in a few crucial and exciting ways:
  • Yesterday is not a comedy, though the dialogue retains a brilliant wit.
  • It has nothing to do with the film industry.
  • It involves the psychological analysis of a homeless man who believes his son, who was definitely killed in a tragic subway-tunnel collapse, is still alive.
Maybe you have to be just as disturbed as Pendulo's fictional homeless man to really appreciate that last one, but if you are -- boy is it a treat.

Pendulo has a solid track record in the point-and-click adventure genre -- they liked it before it was cool, even -- with the Runaway series and The Next Big Thing, but the studio had something to prove when it boldly announced that it was giving up comedy to offer an original, dark thriller with Yesterday. The game retains Pendulo's trademark art style, exaggerated features and colors that appear hand-painted over 3D models, and it is just as appealing as it was in 2003. This time around, however, not just the story is darker, but the palate is as well, with much of what I played taking place in a derelict, abandoned subway channel (I bet you can guess which one).

Continue reading Yesterday's gritty, gutsy style makes us excited for tomorrow

JoystiqYesterday's gritty, gutsy style makes us excited for tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chokedeathGreedHenry-Whitehomelessinsanitypcpendulopendulo-studiosPoint-and-ClickSamuel-CoopersubwayyesterdayFri, 24 Feb 2012 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Botanicula video teases Amanita Design's next adventure]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/botanicula-video-teases-amanita-designs-next-adventure/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/botanicula-video-teases-amanita-designs-next-adventure/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/10/botanicula-video-teases-amanita-designs-next-adventure/#comments
You likely know Amanita Design for its work on semi-sweet, semi-sad robot adventure Machinarium. The Czech team's upcoming Botanicula, billed as a "point and click exploration game," has more ... organic roots.

JoystiqBotanicula video teases Amanita Design's next adventure originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureamanita-designbotaniculapcpoint-and-clickq4-2011Mon, 10 Oct 2011 19:50:00 EST<![CDATA[How 'Another World' almost became a point-and-click adventure]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/how-another-world-almost-became-a-point-and-click-adventure/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/how-another-world-almost-became-a-point-and-click-adventure/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/03/how-another-world-almost-became-a-point-and-click-adventure/#comments Famed game designer Eric Chahi shared an interesting yet somewhat terrifying anecdote about his legendary action-adventure Another World during his GDC talk today. It seems Another World nearly ended up being essentially another game.

According to Chahi, when he got to the point of shopping the game around to potential publishers, he initially approached (the now defunct) Virgin Interactive. The company proceeded to try and sway him to rework the game into a point-and-click adventure since "that's what was popular at the time."

Given the amount of work he'd already done on the game and the formidable task it would have been to re-tool all of it, Chahi decided to leave Another World alone. He went on to work with Delphine Software, which he described as being "very supportive" of the game as it was -- and how it will appear on iOS devices later this year.

JoystiqHow 'Another World' almost became a point-and-click adventure originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>another-worldDelphineeric-chahigdc-2011macmobilepcPoint-and-Clickvirgin-interactiveThu, 03 Mar 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Runaway: A Twist of Fate gets a flood of media, March/April release date in the UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/runaway-a-twist-of-fate-gets-a-flood-of-media-march-april-rele/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/runaway-a-twist-of-fate-gets-a-flood-of-media-march-april-rele/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/runaway-a-twist-of-fate-gets-a-flood-of-media-march-april-rele/#commentsIf you're reading this post from across the Atlantic, chances are you're wondering why we're announcing a release date for Runaway: A Twist of Fate, a game that was released in France and Germany four months ago. Well, you see, for those of you in the UK, the third game in the Runaway point-and-click adventure series is just arriving, with publisher Focus Home Interactive pinning March and April release dates on the PC/Nintendo DS title (respectively).

Aside from a website jam-packed with video of the game (including the trailer you see above and two more after the break), the publisher released a handful of screens that we've added to a gallery for your perusal just below. Don't say we never did nothin' for ya!

Gallery: Runaway: A Twist of Fate

Continue reading Runaway: A Twist of Fate gets a flood of media, March/April release date in the UK

JoystiqRunaway: A Twist of Fate gets a flood of media, March/April release date in the UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureDSfocus-home-interactiveNintendopendulopendulo-studiospoint-and-clickq1-2010release-daterunawayrunaway-3runaway-a-twist-of-fatescreenshotstrailersvideoFri, 29 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GOG.com gains Activision games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/gog-com-gains-activision-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/gog-com-gains-activision-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/28/gog-com-gains-activision-games/#comments In its continued quest to unearth some of PC gaming's finest relics, GOG.com has announced a new deal with Activision Publishing Inc. -- in the context of purveying point-and-click classics, that means Sierra games! The first two games to be added to GOG's DRM-free lineup are role-playing favorite Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magic Obscura; and Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers, the first outing of Jane Jensen's caustic-witted writer and detective. Both titles are priced at $5.99.

More classic titles from Activision's vault are expected to be added over the coming weeks. With Gabriel Knight star Tim Curry leading the charge, anything can happen.

JoystiqGOG.com gains Activision games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionadventurearcanum-of-steamworks-and-magic-obscuragabriel-knightgoggog.comobligatory-anything-can-happen-referencepoint-and-clickrpgThu, 28 Jan 2010 06:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Retail version of Machinarium comes with some extra goodies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/retail-version-of-machinarium-comes-with-some-extra-goodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/retail-version-of-machinarium-comes-with-some-extra-goodies/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/27/retail-version-of-machinarium-comes-with-some-extra-goodies/#comments If you haven't already been point-and-clicking away at Amanita Design's gorgeous adventure game Machinarium over the past few months since its digital release, you're gonna have even less of a chance to avoid it when it hits retail (in a box!) on March 5. Lace Mamba Global announced the re-release this morning, noting that the retail version comes packed with some extra bonuses -- a 54-page "concept art document" (seen below), a poster, a printed walkthrough and the game's soundtrack (standalone disc). If you needed any more reason to grab the $20 title, we have to imagine this bag full of goodies certainly can't hurt.

Gallery: Machinarium (Retail release goodies)

JoystiqRetail version of Machinarium comes with some extra goodies originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureamanita-designbox-artlace-mamba-globalmachinariumpcpoint-and-clickrelease-dateretailWed, 27 Jan 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ESRB: 2K Games making point-and-click 'Axel and Pixel' for Xbox 360 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/esrb-2k-games-making-point-and-click-axel-and-pixel-for-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/esrb-2k-games-making-point-and-click-axel-and-pixel-for-xbox/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/esrb-2k-games-making-point-and-click-axel-and-pixel-for-xbox/#comments An OFLC listing spotted by superannuation and a similar ESRB listing (pictured above) point to a new point-and-click adventure called "Axel and Pixel" being developed by 2K Czech, the studio behind Mafia II [Update: 2K was kind enough to clarify that the game is being made by another Czech dev called Silver Wish Games.] According to the ESRB (which rates the game "E for Everyone"), players will "guide an artist and his dog through surreal and abstract environments." The game apparently presents environment puzzles that involve "redirecting a ray of light, throwing rocks at birds, and spraying water at a creature."

Unlike the OFLC listing, the ESRB entry indicates only the Xbox 360 as a platform, so it would seem that the game is exclusive to Microsoft's console (and a potential candidate for XBLA), at least for the moment.

JoystiqESRB: 2K Games making point-and-click 'Axel and Pixel' for Xbox 360 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2k-czech2k-gamesadventureaxel-and-pixelesrbMicrosoftoflcpoint-and-clickXbox-360Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Discover The Secret of Monkey Island (again) on July 15]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/discover-the-secret-of-monkey-island-again-on-july-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/discover-the-secret-of-monkey-island-again-on-july-15/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/06/discover-the-secret-of-monkey-island-again-on-july-15/#commentsMighty pirates and lowly flooring inspectors alike are encouraged to sign up for a return trip to the shores of Monkey Island on July 15th, when a remastered version of the adventure classic arrives on Xbox Live Arcade and PC (via Steam and other online distribution channels). The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition sees that lovable display of ineptitude, Guybrush Threepwood, rendered in splendid HD graphics, surrounded by newly recorded voices and ... fired out of a cannon with a pot on his head. That part's still the same.

LucasArts has yet to announce a price for the point-and-clicker, but if there's anything our encounters with the dreaded ghost pirate LeChuck have taught us, it's that you should never pay more than $20 for a computer game.

Gallery: The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (PC, XBLA)

JoystiqDiscover The Secret of Monkey Island (again) on July 15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurelucasartsMicrosoftMonkey-Islandpcpoint-and-clickron-gilbertSecret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionSteamThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionxblaXbox-360Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST<![CDATA[LucasArts wants to re-release classic adventure games (if you want to buy them)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-wants-to-re-release-classic-adventure-games-if-you-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-wants-to-re-release-classic-adventure-games-if-you-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/18/lucasarts-wants-to-re-release-classic-adventure-games-if-you-wa/#comments If the words Day of the Tentacle, Grim Fandango and Full Throttle bring pangs of joy to your heart of hearts, you'll want to hear this -- several LucasArts higher-ups have stated the desire to bring more of their catalog of classic adventure titles back to life, provided that people show interest in purchasing them. For starters, you could drop a few bucks on the upcoming XBLA and PC remake of The Secret of Monkey Island as a good faith offering.

This sentiment was mentioned to Australian news outlet WAToday by LucasArts community manager Brooks Brown, who said, "if this sells, there's no one at this company who doesn't want to do these games." One fan of the company's beloved point-and-clickers is LucasArts CEO Darrell Rodriguez, who spoke with Joystiq on the possibility of more classic revamps just before E3, and explained that he "couldn't do anything but release more of these titles" if sales for Monkey Island and desire from the gaming populous were strong.

Long story short, if you don't buy Monkey Island, and they don't re-release Grim Fandango because of your non-purchase, we're going to find you and punch you repeatedly in your most delicate places.

Gallery: The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (PC, XBLA)

JoystiqLucasArts wants to re-release classic adventure games (if you want to buy them) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure-gamesday-of-the-tentaclefull-throttlegrim-fandangolucasartsMonkey-Islandpoint-and-clickThe-Secret-of-Monkey-IslandThe-Secret-of-Monkey-Island-Special-EditionThu, 18 Jun 2009 12:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Born for Wii: Blade Runner]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/born-for-wii-blade-runner/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/born-for-wii-blade-runner/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/20/born-for-wii-blade-runner/#commentsFiled under:

It's always dark in the city. Always raining. The light from a thousand neon signs is refracted and scattered by the smog that hangs in the air, ominous and ever-present. Spinners pass by quietly overhead while those too poor to own a car travel by foot, hurrying with umbrellas clutched tightly and collars upturned against the cold and rain. A handful aren't even real -- fake, synthetic, the creations of man in his own image, now considered a threat and forbidden to walk the streets of L.A. For them, the chase is a fight for survival. They have no right to life. For you, it's just another day on the job. Retiring replicants is your business. You're a blade runner.

More than 25 years after its release, Ridley Scott's Blade Runner still stands as one of the best science fiction movies of all time. It's a haunting dystopian noir, a gripping mystery, and a special effects marvel. In a fitting tribute to the film, Westwood Studios revisited L.A. circa 2019 in their 1997 adventure game, simply titled Blade Runner. The events of the game play out in parallel to the story of Rick Deckard, as rookie blade Ray McCoy hunts down his own set of dangerous replicants. Westwood's point-and-click adventure was an ambitious project for 1997, but it succeeds on all fronts: it's consistently atmospheric, delivers a solid and well-acted script, and alters the traditional gameplay enough to be a fresh take on the genre.

NEXT >>


Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, BattleTanx: Global Assault, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.

JoystiqBorn for Wii: Blade Runner originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureblade-runnerborn-for-wiieajoystiqfeaturespcpoint-and-clickportwestwoodTue, 20 Jan 2009 11:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Did Strong Bad win you over?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/wii-warm-up-did-strong-bad-win-you-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/wii-warm-up-did-strong-bad-win-you-over/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/11/wii-warm-up-did-strong-bad-win-you-over/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Next Monday, the Strong Bad series gets wrapped up on North America's WiiWare service, with the release of the fifth and final chapter. If you bought the previous four and plan to buy 8-bit is Enough, you'll have spent 5,000 Wii points. That's more or less the price of a full game, but the reviews suggest that it's worth the outlay.

As Strong Bad is still the only example of episodic gaming on WiiWare, we're curious about how the game fared. Did you buy just the first chapter, only to decide against purchasing future episodes, or will you be picking up all five? And if you've still not acquired a single chunk of this delightful game, did you try the browser-based sampler we linked to recently? If not, you should -- it's fun ... and free.

In fact, let's make this feel official:

View Poll


JoystiqWii Warm Up: Did Strong Bad win you over? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurepoint-and-clicksbcg4apstrong-badtelltaletelltale-gamesThu, 11 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final SBCG4AP episode releases this Monday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/final-sbcg4ap-episode-releases-this-monday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/final-sbcg4ap-episode-releases-this-monday/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/10/final-sbcg4ap-episode-releases-this-monday/#commentsFiled under: ,


This Monday, the final chapter in the Strong Bad series will be available to download on WiiWare. Telltale just dished out a press release informing us that 8-Bit is Enough will be available next week. And, as usual, look for our review then.

Who else is pumped for the last episode?


[Via press release]

Strong Bad's Game for Attractive People has been loads of fun. If you're late to the party, be sure to check out our reviews of the previous episodes. You can check out each of them by clicking this text. And, if you're looking for other WiiWare games you might enjoy, hit up our WiiWare reviews page here.

JoystiqFinal SBCG4AP episode releases this Monday originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurepoint-and-clicksbcg4apstrong-badtelltaletelltale-gamesWed, 10 Dec 2008 19:12:00 EST<![CDATA[First screens and video for SBCG4AP's final episode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/first-screens-and-video-for-sbcg4aps-final-episode/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/first-screens-and-video-for-sbcg4aps-final-episode/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/first-screens-and-video-for-sbcg4aps-final-episode/#commentsFiled under: ,


Telltale has sent us over a new trailer and screens for the final installment in the Strong Bad saga, 8-Bit is Enough. With it being the final episode and all, Telltale is upping the ante with plenty of awesome Trogdor action. Several screens feature the burly dragon man burninating the land, among other things. Hit up the video above, then be sure to check out the new screens in the gallery below.

TROGDORRRRRR!


[Via press release]

JoystiqFirst screens and video for SBCG4AP's final episode originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurepoint-and-clicksbcg4apstrong-badtelltale-gamesMon, 08 Dec 2008 21:11:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Friday: Panic! hits PAL regions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/vc-friday-panic-hits-pal-regions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/vc-friday-panic-hits-pal-regions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/vc-friday-panic-hits-pal-regions/#commentsFiled under: ,


Pit Crew Panic!, a bizarre minigame compilation in which you repair busted cars, trucks, medieval castles, wedding cakes, giant toilets, and whatever this is, leads the new arrivals on the PAL Wii Shop this week. It's joined by remade Nintendo puzzler Art Style: Rotohex and, as we expected, Strong Bad: Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective. Then there's Bang!, a puzzler that looks a bit like Bejeweled with fruit -- the gameplay video after the break is possibly the most soulless thing we've watched in years.

Oh, and we can now say with some certainty that World of Goo will be out in Europe and Australia on December 19, the only "WiiWare Friday" left in 2008. Unless it's been delayed again, which doesn't bear thinking about.
  • Strong Bad: Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective -- 1000 Points -- WiiWare
  • Art Style: Rotohex -- 600 Points -- WiiWare
  • Bang! -- 600 Points -- WiiWare
  • Pit Crew Panic! -- 500 Points -- WiiWare
Footage of all four after the break! Cookies for those who make it through the whole Bang! video.

Continue reading VC Friday: Panic! hits PAL regions

JoystiqVC Friday: Panic! hits PAL regions originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art-style-rotohexaustraliabangbarry-scotteuropefridayhudsonminigamespalpit-crew-panicpoint-and-clickpuzzlerotohexsbcg4apstrong-badtelltaleFri, 05 Dec 2008 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[New trailer, screens for Sam and Max: Season 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/new-trailer-and-screens-for-sam-and-max-season-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/new-trailer-and-screens-for-sam-and-max-season-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/new-trailer-and-screens-for-sam-and-max-season-2/#commentsFiled under: ,


Following up this week's announcement that Sam & Max: Season Two would be releasing on Wii, Atari was kind enough to shoot us over some new screens and a trailer for the upcoming compilation. As one would expect, it's business as usual for the duo, with the above trailer showcasing the wacky hijinks one should expect in a Sam & Max game. So, watch the trailer above, then head into the gallery for the new screens.

JoystiqNew trailer, screens for Sam and Max: Season 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureatariepisodicpoint-and-clicksam-and-maxsam-and-max-season-twoseason-twotelltale-gamesThu, 04 Dec 2008 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Sam & Max coming back for a second season]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/sam-and-max-coming-back-for-a-second-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/sam-and-max-coming-back-for-a-second-season/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/02/sam-and-max-coming-back-for-a-second-season/#commentsFiled under:


Click image for new screens

Nabbed a copy of Sam & Max: Season One and looking for more? Well, the second season of the most excellent episodic series will be available to Wii gamers in another compilation disc, titled Sam & Max: Season Two. This gathering of all of season two's episodes is planned to reach store shelves some time early next year. Be sure to check out our gallery below for some screens.

So, who's ready to enjoy season two of Sam & Max's antics?

JoystiqSam & Max coming back for a second season originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureatariepisodicpoint-and-clicksam-and-maxsam-and-max-season-twoseason-twotelltale-gamesTue, 02 Dec 2008 18:21:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Friday: Strong Bad, Cubello, cooking, billiards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/vc-friday-strong-bad-cubello-cooking-billiards/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/vc-friday-strong-bad-cubello-cooking-billiards/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/21/vc-friday-strong-bad-cubello-cooking-billiards/#commentsFiled under: ,


Four new WiiWare titles came down the tubes in Europe and Australia today, and the selection couldn't be more diverse. Art Style: Cubello and Strong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands you'll already know about, but CueSports and Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam are more mysterious beasts. The former looks promising, the latter, er, not particularly great, according to the few reviews that are about.

Art Style: Cubello -- WiiWare -- 600 Wii Points
CueSports -- Snooker vs. Billiards -- WiiWare -- 800 Wii Points
Strong Bad Episode 3: Baddest of the Bands -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points
Yummy Yummy Cooking Jam -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points

Footage of all these is past! The! Break!

Continue reading VC Friday: Strong Bad, Cubello, cooking, billiards

JoystiqVC Friday: Strong Bad, Cubello, cooking, billiards originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art-styleart-style-cubelloaustraliabaddest-of-the-bandsbilliardsbit-generationscookingcubellocue-sportseuropefridaypalpoint-and-clickpuzzleskipsnookerstrong-badtelltalevirtual-toys-slyummy-yummy-cooking-jamFri, 21 Nov 2008 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Born for Wii: Grim Fandango]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/04/born-for-wii-grim-fandango/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/04/born-for-wii-grim-fandango/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/04/born-for-wii-grim-fandango/#commentsFiled under:

If spending your existence selling travel packages to the dregs of society sounds like a peculiar form of Hell, that's because it is -- quite literally. For Manny Calavera, life-after-death in the Land of the Dead is little more than a series of disappointing clients and missed opportunities. But things are astir at the Department of Death. Strange things. On the Day of the Dead, Manny finds his life as an indentured travel agent in serious jeopardy -- but could hope lie in the saintly (and recently deceased) Mercedes Colomar?

Released in 1998, Grim Fandango was an inspired capstone to an era of PC gaming. Though Lucasarts published Escape from Monkey Island in 2000, Grim Fandango represents the last truly great adventure game from the company. Like far too many of its point-and-click brethren, Fandango failed to sell as many copies as it deserved. Few games can match the sheer originality and style Tim Schafer crafted -- a comedy noir set in the Land of the Dead with a Mexican motif is like nothing else out there. In honor of its recent 10th anniversary and place in gaming history, Grim Fandango is this week's game that's Born for Wii.

NEXT >>

Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Eternal Darkness, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.

JoystiqBorn for Wii: Grim Fandango originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureborn-for-wiigrim fandangogrim-fandangoGrimFandangojoystiqfeatureslucasartspoint-and-clickporttim-schaferTue, 04 Nov 2008 13:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Fanboy Review: Baddest of the Bands]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/wii-fanboy-review-baddest-of-the-bands/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/wii-fanboy-review-baddest-of-the-bands/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/wii-fanboy-review-baddest-of-the-bands/#commentsFiled under:


We've been waiting for the third installment of SBCG4AP for a little while now, jonesing for a new episode after thoroughly enjoying the first two. For myself, this third episode is my favorite, as the combination of a "band off," and what I found to be the best writing in the series so far, have come together and dropped hot, delicious gaming action all over my face. Grab your leopard print pants and Squealin' Larry Limozeen Microphone and head past the break for the full review. Well all right!

Continue reading Wii Fanboy Review: Baddest of the Bands

JoystiqWii Fanboy Review: Baddest of the Bands originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebaddest-of-the-bandsdlcepisodicjoystiqfeaturespoint-and-clickstrong-badtelltale-gamesTue, 28 Oct 2008 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Broken Sword to get resurrected on Wii? [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/rumor-broken-sword-to-get-resurrected-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/rumor-broken-sword-to-get-resurrected-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/rumor-broken-sword-to-get-resurrected-on-wii/#commentsFiled under:


Update: Looks like someone managed to find the listing on USK's site and take a screen grab (head past the break to see it).

Gamefront noticed a listing on the Germany's rating classification website, USK, that showed a new Broken Sword game for the Wii and DS. Our own search of USK's website only turned up a rating from 2002 for Broken Sword on the GBA, however. Even when searching under the Wii and DS system, we found no classification for an Ubisoft-published game.

Personally, we hope the game is in the works. We love the genre and playing a new Broken Sword doesn't sound like too bad a time. What about you all?

Continue reading Rumor: Broken Sword to get resurrected on Wii? [update]

JoystiqRumor: Broken Sword to get resurrected on Wii? [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebroken-swordclassificationgermanypoint-and-clickratingsubisoftuskTue, 21 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[A double dose of Strong Bad goodness]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/a-double-dose-of-strong-bad-goodness/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/a-double-dose-of-strong-bad-goodness/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/21/a-double-dose-of-strong-bad-goodness/#commentsFiled under: ,


Here are two friggity fresh videos from the third episode of SBCG4AP. So far, the series hasn't disappointed and we're hoping for the same from the third chapter, which, if everything goes to plan, should be dropping on WiiWare very soon. Hit up the video above, then head past the break for more.

Continue reading A double dose of Strong Bad goodness

JoystiqA double dose of Strong Bad goodness originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurebehind-the-badhomestar-runnerpoint-and-clickstrong-badtelltaletelltale-gamesTue, 21 Oct 2008 09:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: Sam and Max: Season One]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/metareview-sam-and-max-season-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/metareview-sam-and-max-season-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/15/metareview-sam-and-max-season-one/#commentsFiled under:


Sam and Max: Season One has finally released on the Wii. We've been talking about the duo coming to the Wii for some time now. Has the wait been worth it? There haven't been that many reviews yet, so we'll keep updating this post when they come in. But, that's not to say a few outlets haven't tossed their two cents in. So, without further delay, let's get to the scores.
  • 1UP (67/100) explains you'll need lots of patience to get through this one: "The game's still fun and unusual, and it's worth checking out if only to enjoy some of the more clever writing in gaming. But don't forget your patience -- you'll need lots."
  • Game Informer (70/100) found the gameplay to be lacking: "When the laughter dies and some of the jokes fall flat, however, Sam & Max teeters as its gameplay is unable to support much interest for some stretches." [Sept 2008, p.105]
  • Nintendo Power (70/100) says the game isn't really that funny: "There are moments of genuine hilarity, but the humor too often feels overwrought or simply falls flat." [Oct 2008, p.89]

JoystiqMetareview: Sam and Max: Season One originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurepoint-and-clicksam-and-maxsam-and-max-season-onesamandmaxtelltaletelltale-gamesWed, 15 Oct 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[ScummVM now has limited GameCube and Wii support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/scummvm-now-has-limited-gamecube-and-wii-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/scummvm-now-has-limited-gamecube-and-wii-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/scummvm-now-has-limited-gamecube-and-wii-support/#commentsFiled under:

The homebrew community is the best. Not only have they allowed us to do things that we never thought possible on the Wii (like play GoldenEye 007 and watch our favorite movies), but now they're hard at work coming up with ways for us to enjoy classic point-and-click adventure games on the platform. While we won't be able to, say, play Sam & Max Hit the Road yet, the current release (version 0.12.0) has support for 5 games. These include:
  • The Legend of Kyrandia: Book Two: Hand of Fate
  • The Legend of Kyrandia: Book Three: Malcolm's Revenge
  • Lost in Time
  • The Bizarre Adventures of Woodruff and the Schnibble
  • Drascula: The Vampire Strikes Back
Sure, it's no Secret of Monkey Island or anything, but progress is being made so that we need not rely entirely upon Telltale for our point-and-click fix. We're excited for a future where we can enjoy all of those classics on our Wii.

[Via Slashdot]

The homebrew community has been hard at work creating wonderful experiences for you to enjoy with your Wii. Did you know about homebrew game Masteroids? Or how about the shmup OpenTyrian? Outside of games, people have been using the Balance Board to come up with some really neat stuff. Keep up with the homebrew scene by staying current with our Homebrew category!

JoystiqScummVM now has limited GameCube and Wii support originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuregamecubelucasartspoint-and-clicksam-and-maxsam-n-maxscumm-vmscummvmsecret-of-monkey-islandTue, 02 Sep 2008 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Born for Wii: Sam & Max Hit the Road]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/born-for-wii-sam-and-max-hit-the-road/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/born-for-wii-sam-and-max-hit-the-road/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/02/born-for-wii-sam-and-max-hit-the-road/#commentsFiled under:

In 1987 Lucasfilm Games (now better known as Lucasarts) released a little game called Maniac Mansion. And while Maniac Mansion is a great game in its own right, the effects of its creation were considerably more significant -- it kicked off more than a decade of Lucasarts adventure games, launched the SCUMM engine that would form the framework for each adventure, and inadvertently led to the production of some of the best PC games of all time. One of those games was Sam & Max Hit the Road.

Arguably released at the height of the adventure game's popularity in 1993, Sam & Max Hit the Road is possibly the zaniest of Lucasarts's adventure titles. The titular characters were originally created for a comic book by artist/writer Steve Purcell, but they eventually found their way into Lucasarts when Purcell began working on games such as The Secret of Monkey Island. Sam, the leader of the pair, is a canine gumshoe decked out in the traditional film noir suit and tie. Max is a lagomorph, though he's often referred to as a "hyperkinetic rabbity thing" who has a penchant for violence. Together, they are the freelance police, and their original 1993 adventure outing is the perfect opportunity for the Wii to catch a classic.

NEXT >>



Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Power Stone 2, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.

JoystiqBorn for Wii: Sam & Max Hit the Road originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureborn-for-wiijoystiqfeatureslucasartspcpoint-and-clicksam-and-maxtelltaleTue, 02 Sep 2008 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[VC Friday: Something fishy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/vc-friday-something-fishy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/vc-friday-something-fishy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/vc-friday-something-fishy/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Arguably more a relaxation tool than a game, Hudson's My Aquarium makes its western debut in the latest PAL update today. Its price, just 500 Wii Points, reflects its status as the Endless Ocean of WiiWare; it's definitely a good deal cheaper than the real thing. The in-jokey Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner completes the line-up, while the Virtual Console is put on the backburner for another week.

My Aquarium -- WiiWare -- 500 Wii Points
Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points

Spread your fins and swim past the break for video of each.

Continue reading VC Friday: Something fishy

JoystiqVC Friday: Something fishy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureaustraliablue-oasiseuropefishfridayhudsonmy-aquariumnon-gamepalpoint-and-clickstrong-badtelltale-gamesFri, 15 Aug 2008 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Fanboy Review: Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/wii-fanboy-review-strong-bad-episode-1-homestar-ruiner/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/wii-fanboy-review-strong-bad-episode-1-homestar-ruiner/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/11/wii-fanboy-review-strong-bad-episode-1-homestar-ruiner/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click for full-sized image

When booting up my review copy of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, I thought about how long it had actually been since I took a trip around the Homestar website (plug). Sad to say, it had been years. So, I was curious to see where these characters had gone in the long time since I laughed at their antics.

Thankfully, they haven't changed much over the years.

Continue reading Wii Fanboy Review: Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner

JoystiqWii Fanboy Review: Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurepoint-and-clickstrong-badtelltale-gamesMon, 11 Aug 2008 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Agatha Christie burns us all with Evil Under the Sun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/agatha-christie-burns-us-all-with-evil-under-the-sun/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/agatha-christie-burns-us-all-with-evil-under-the-sun/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/agatha-christie-burns-us-all-with-evil-under-the-sun/#commentsFiled under:

A good murder calls for a glass of fine wine, a monocle and perhaps a strapping butler, ready to answer all questions concerning dastardly deeds. Luckily for adventure fans, Agatha Christie is happy to deliver mountains of murder, mystery and intrigue with the upcoming PC port of Evil Under the Sun.

Followers of the adventure series will know that And Then There Were None was ported to the Wii a while ago with mixed results. However, the recent revival of point-and-click games on the Wii is incredibly refreshing, as it gives developers inspiration to create new, interesting storylines to accompany the solid gameplay mechanics.

Evil Under the Sun tells the story of master detective Hercule Poirot as he goes about solving a murder case on a sunny island -- hence, the evil being under the sun. The game comes out in October this year; plenty of time to brush up on Agatha Christie history in preparation.

[Via press release]

JoystiqAgatha Christie burns us all with Evil Under the Sun originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureagatha-christieevil-under-the-sunhercule-poirotjowoodpoint-and-clickportthe-adventure-companyTue, 15 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Prophecize this: Nostradamus on DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/prophecize-this-nostradamus-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/prophecize-this-nostradamus-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/prophecize-this-nostradamus-on-ds/#commentsFiled under:

Haven't we been down this road before? This "old PC adventure game coming to DS" road? Well, yeah -- but it's one of the best roads ever. It's even better than Cool Street or Badass Lane. This time around, we'll be driving towards Nostradamus: The Last Prophecy, from old hat adventurers Microids.

You'll be playing as Madeleine, the young daughter of the chick-magnet prophet Nostradamus. He's too old and crotchety to solve the mystery of a curse and the royal family, so Prophet Jr. takes to the streets and begins solving puzzles and unravelling intrigue all over the place.

A large element of gameplay will require stealth and different disguises to successfully investigate the old-tyme goings-on. The control will be standard point-and-click gameplay, which is totally suited for the DS touchscreen. We have no official DS media as yet, but Elektrogames has made a brief announcement on their official website, and you can check out the teaser for the original PC version in the video above.

[Via Wiiz]

JoystiqProphecize this: Nostradamus on DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureelektrogamesmicroidsnostradamuspoint-and-clickpuzzlethe-last-prophecyThu, 10 Jul 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Broken Sword dev continues to mercilessly tease us]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/broken-sword-dev-continues-to-mercilessly-tease-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/broken-sword-dev-continues-to-mercilessly-tease-us/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/broken-sword-dev-continues-to-mercilessly-tease-us/#commentsFiled under: ,


Evidence of a Broken Sword game for the DS is mounting. First, there was a petition posted by Revolution Software designer Tony Warriner to register player interest (which, predictably enough, was sky high). Then, a Broken Sword game cropped up in the database of the rarely wrong GameStop. And now, Revolution Managing Director Charles Cecil has dropped some heavy-handed hints about such a title.

Speaking to Videogamer.com, Cecil admitted that the petition was "really inspirational," and that the DS was "an ideal platform" for the point and click genre. His final comment on the matter was far more suggestive, however: "I just wish that we were having this interview in about a month's time," he told VideoGamer.com's Wesley Yin-Poole. "Then you'd be asking me much more direct questions!" Hmm.

Even though Broken Sword for the DS remains a rumor, we're struggling to think of other ways in which Revolution can hint at the game without, you know, announcing it. Petition posted by developer? Check. Appearance of Broken Sword in GameStop records? Check. And now Cecil's comments? Frankly, you don't have to be a heavily pixellated, world-saving law graduate called George to figure out where this might be going.

JoystiqBroken Sword dev continues to mercilessly tease us originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broken-swordcharles-cecilpoint-and-clickrevolutionTue, 08 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nancy Drew finds clues on the Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/nancy-drew-finds-clues-on-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/nancy-drew-finds-clues-on-the-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/nancy-drew-finds-clues-on-the-wii/#commentsFiled under:

The fact that three PC-to-Wii adventure games were announced in one week is nothing short of crazy, but as adventure game junkies, we won't complain. The more that come along, the more likely at least one will be good and sate our thirst for point-and-click, right? Right?

This time Nancy Drew will be sleuthing her way onto the Wii in a port of The White Wolf of Icicle Creek. The same developer that handled the PC version (Her Interactive) will be porting this one, unlike the DS games which were made by Gorilla Systems. While the original didn't blow anyone's socks off their feet, it did get respectable reviews. Let's just hope for some refined point-and-click goodness with the Wiimote, and we should be all set.

[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqNancy Drew finds clues on the Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuredetectiveher-interactivemysterynancy-drewpoint-and-clickportsegawhite-wolf-of-icicle-creekThu, 26 Jun 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Cracking safes, taking names]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/cracking-safes-taking-names/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/cracking-safes-taking-names/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/cracking-safes-taking-names/#commentsFiled under: ,


Just watch any old thief movie to be infused with a great sense of power. Laugh heartily as a sexy babe or handsome badass steals millions right from under some chump's nose, then boldly exclaim "Ha! I could do that!". Well, probably not, so Safecracker is for those who dream big but don't particularly want to go to prison.

You play the role of some safe expert who is hired by a family to search the mansion of their dear old (dead) dad, Duncan Adams. There are 35 safes to crack in total, so you'll need to explore the mansion to find Adams' last will and testament -- then fork it over to the spoiled brats in his family. Fat chance!

Safecracker was originally a PC adventure game, much like this, that, And Then There Were None. The Wiimote works perfectly for pointage and clickage, so any puzzle aficianodos can look out for this one in Q3 2008.

Gallery: Safecracker


[Via press release]

JoystiqCracking safes, taking names originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventuredreamcatcherjowoodpoint-and-clickpuzzlesafecrackerTue, 24 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST