The best demo on Steam?
Turn off the metal detectors. Recall the sniffer dogs. Put down the machetes. I think I’ve just stumbled upon Steam’s most entertaining free trial.
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Biggin Hell: Sadly the Ground of Aces demo isn’t grounded in reality
Released yesterday, the Ground of Aces demo lasted approximately ten minutes on the THC toe warmer. One viewing of the tutorial video (posted below) was sufficient to convince me that Blindflug Studios’ idea of a WW2 airbase management game and my idea of a WW2 airbase management game have almost nothing in common. While I could have tolerated a dash of artistic licence, I really can’t bring myself to play a Biggin Hill build-em-up in which mushroom/berry gathering is important, and creating grass airstrips is impossible.
Guided tours of Burden of Command
If the years of waiting have taken the edge off your Burden of Command enthusiasm, I strongly recommend you spend twenty five minutes with the two video whetstones embedded below. In readiness for a release date announcement later this month, project lead Luke Hughes demonstrates BoC’s tactical and historical heft. There are gameplay and scenario insights aplenty, and numerous indications that the PC’s first military leadership RPG is going to justify all of the hype and hope it has generated.
Shallow as a teaspoon
I spent yesterday evening contentedly mauling marus, raking Rufes, and dodging depth charges. The fact that I opted to patrol the Pacific in a familiar Crash Dive 2 Gato, rather than a brand new Silent Depth 2 one, speaks volumes about what I found when I fired-up MicroProse’s latest release for the first time.
Early Access Silent Depth 2: Pacific is less than two hours away
If MicroProse make their deadline, tomorrow’s THC post – and possibly Thursday’s too – will consist of first impressions of Early Access Silent Depth 2: Pacific, a “sim lite game for those who want to put their foot in the door and understand the challenges of being a Submarine Commander”. The newcomer appears to boast snazzier visuals than its main rival, the recently expanded Crash Dive II. What I’m keen to find out is whether it can out-realism CD2, and match it for accessibility, operational freedom, and mission variety.
Six reasons why I’ll never forget Trans-Siberian Railway Simulator
Reason 1. In other train sims you seldom fail a task because you’ve accidentally shot a prostitute.
Where am I?
Using the following clues (the map above is purely decorative) in combination with Street View, work out my location.
Liftoff: Micro Drones is a dinky delight
Liftoff: Micro Drones lights-up parts of my brain that haven’t been illuminated since I last dallied with Airfix Dogfighter. In the follow-up to Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing (a top-notch drone sim that has been pressed into service as a training aid by both sides in the ongoing war in Ukraine*) you sometimes find yourself limboing under parked cars, darting through half-opened windows, and alighting on chairs, shelves, and sofa cushions.