Online games- The Indian Apex.

In my last blog, I reviewd a silly game . In this edition, I will emphasize on the Indian venture in online gaming. India and Online games, is now not a strange combination. With the number of Indian gamers upsurging day by day, online gaming flourishes the Indian market with pace. Internet cafe culture and broadband penetration are the two leading factors which have created Renaissance in the Indian market.

Internet cafes were the first to introduce the culture as internet connection was beyond the reach of common people, due to the high price rates. From the oldest version of
Narrowband Dialup, users have witnessed an era of changes. Broadband DSL, ADSL, Fiber (Cable) and now finally to Wi-fi and WiMax has proven that there is no limit of speed and connectivity.

Net games have come a long way from being an easy pastime to that of becoming a multi-dimensional, competitive gaming society with cutting-edge technology. What you see and face in the real life, you can have on on your computer system in the form of games. Online games culture has developed a social networking chain in India. In short span of time, online games have covered up eminence space.

With the demand and popularity of online games increasing , the Indian Software market has opened up for new softwares, adamant to make the game more customized and exciting. N what else we need !!!

Indyarocks and its Halloween Ride.

Well, initially I was pretty apprehensive whether to review games featured at Indyarocks or not. It's pretty evident that Indyarocks positions itself as a social networking platform, so reviewing games featured in a social network will rob the exclusivity of my blog. However, in India you really can't ignore social networking platforms because they claim a fair share of the casual gaming bandwagon. So, I really can't deprive Indyarocks it's well deserved right of being featured on my blog. Apparently, they have also partnered with the aka 'Fx labs' to develop casual games and create a gaming community

(Wizard goes for a change. Gives up his broom and grabs a car)

On a wider note while playing at Indyarocks I feel pretty nostalgic . Since, they feature flash games which takes me back to my childhood when digital games started with contra and ended at F1 Racing. Their game Halloween Ride fits somewhere in this category. This one scene game is pretty decent. Based on the tried and tested storyboard of an old witch and a wizard race through other monsters on the road.

Although at a first glance it looks like an ordinary racing game but a more detailed look
game reveals that this one has been around us since early 90s, it has one car which moves in either direction and some obstacles are set up which drink up your fuel and
quite obviously, you have to save your fuel to clear a level.

(It's me enjoying a wizard's ride)

The sketches have been done pretty well but the interest in the game. The concept of a Halloween wizard riding a car is new and cute but the racing excitement might have executed in a better manner.

Overall, my verdict goes as follows. An average one.

Graphics- 5/10
Sound-7/10
Replay chances- 4/10
Controls-6/10
Storyboard-6/10
Overall- 5.6/10

IAMAI reveals- Why do Mortals play games?

This question has been intriguing me since I started playing. Well I play only to win. I am a serious kinda freak, who loves to take challenges. No matter, how big or small the challenge is, I try to tame it, but success is tough to replicate. Guess what? Recently I came across an IAMAI (Internet & Mobile Association) report and they had a category of gamers. I was surprised, they made absolute sense. According to them I am a subjugator, who loves to master everything. But I differ when they say that such people love to show off. I don’t! ;-)

(My type: Subjugators settle for nothing but the victory)

There was another alien category of ‘Networker’ . But they are a type of people that I don’t like. In the garb of gaming they nudge in as loners looking for a bonding. I mean a decent friendship is digestible, but a relationship in a multiplayer game? A big NO NO!

The third category is of ‘Escapist’ I mean the losers who can’t face the realities of life, so they chicken away in games. I think they are the most intelligent of the lot! What a great way to forget your reality for a while? I mean there’s no harm in it, provided you come out of the world of guns and cars.

Lastly there are ‘Learners’, I didn’t understand this category. The report simply stated: Their main purpose to game is to explore different environments and conditions with a motive to learn something from their experience and then progress and excel in it. Their main aim to hone their skills everything possible………. I mean sharpening their skills by the means of gaming, looking for new surroundings. Sounds a bit impractical! Isn’t it way to overboard?

(Any Questions? Drop in a comment)

Horror House Dress up-- another horrible game by Games2win

Horror House Dress up...... a rueful endeavor by games2win. It has been a long time since we have come across a quality squib from games2win. Horror House Dress up is another poor concept. The game not even worth playing once. All you have to do is to dress up the ghost and the atmosphere in order to make it fearsome.

(Draculla desperately trying to put up a scary act)

(Draculla created by me. You bet it can't even scare a child)

How can you make it scary? By picking the objects and clothes of your choices. Imagine yourself being scared and petrified by a ghost dressed up by you. Doesn't it sound funny? The creepy special effects and graphics will not even make a child cry, forget about the hardcore gamers. Seriously games2win needs to think about their standard of games and raise them, in order to maintain their reputation. C'mon Buck up! You can do much better.

My rating for this game is:

Graphics- 2/10

Sound- 1.5/10

Replay Value- 0/10

Storyboard-0/10

Storyboard- 0/10

Overall- 0.13/10

Super Car Racing...............at Zapak

It's time to burn rubber and set the streets on fire with your set of wheels. The entire country is now going to witness the next level of hardcore racing, as Zapak yet again appeases the need for speed of online gamers and comes out with its new game 'Racing Supercar' to pump up the adrenaline of gamers all over the country.

Basically, as suggested by the name itself, the game is all about a racing.......OK, let me rephrase that a bit, hardcore racing. One has to win all the races in be in the game and reach the next levels of the competition. Though the distance for each race is of just three laps, but there are many barriers en route to victory. The track is full of twists and turns which will definitely prevent your car to catch up on speed. However, as it always happens, the computer will always know the best maneuverability tricks and these obstacles would only be for the gamer. Tough luck, huh! But that is how the cookie crumbles.

Not to disappoint you completely by giving all advantages to the computer, the game does give you little plus points in the form of of diamonds and shock waves, which can be collected for points, whereas shockwaves to fuel up the car which would help to increase the pace. With time being the biggest threat, the gamer automatically gets disqualifies if he does not match the time limit. Hitting barriers and other objects further decreases the speed and points of the gamer.

All in all, I would say it is a good attempt by Zapak, as they have made an exceptional game fulfilling all the parameters a racer can think off. The gameplay, graphics, and the overall visual appearance, particularly the tracks are good. I rate Super car racing as mentioned

Graphics- 8/10

Sound- 8/10

Replay- 9/10

Storyboard-7/10

Overall- 9/10

It's Grand Slam Time

With the icons of Indian lawn tennis getting old, it's time to ease out the burdens from their shoulders and come out with an Indian Grand Slam Champion in singles. Zapak offers an excellent practicing platform for tennis lovers as the pressure to perform increase with the Zapak Tennis game as you get chance to enhance your skills and persistence to beat the best.

(Computer strikes back in full form)

The game is all about playing lawn tennis with the computer and beating him consecutively in three games to triumph. One need to be very fast in order to match up the speed of the computer as it always remain in the best position to hit the ball. The game is very well paced and one has to have the perfect combination of dexterity and intelligence to be on top. The court bears a striking resemblance to an actual one and the graphics are very striking.

Though I'm not quite a tennis lover myself, I found out this game a fairly well balanced one, something that is hardly seen online. So my rating for the game is a definite thumbs up.

Graphics- 9.5/10

Sound- 8/10

Replay value- 10/10

Storyboard-8/10

Overall- 9/10

Howzaaat! Indo-Pak Cricket....

Howzzat ! Cricket Crazy gamers, Did u play the 'Indo-Pak' cricketing sensation from Zapak. Indo-Pak clashes in a weary atmosphere and has some nail biting moments. I must say it's a good effort.

This virtual Indo-Pak Cricket version has added a new flavor to the rivalry between the fans of both the teams. The game seems quite simple to play but does require some application of the grey cells. One can challenge his friend for a one day match or play against the computer. When played with a friend, it comes really close to replicating the real cricket atmosphere and does give you your share of thrills as it comprises of all the features that are required in an engrossing game with an excellent interface and advanced gameplay options.

(It's me in batting form )

Two cricket crazy gamers can play at the same time representing their favorite teams. While batting, you feel the same pressure that a player feels on the ground, and find fielders chasing your shots in the same acrobatic way and bowlers make your task difficult, something that they are obviously supposed to do. The game incites excitement, tension and above all the pressure to win the game for your country. Though it's just in the virtual world, but then again, Ind V/S Pak does carry the same compassion with it after all.

(It's my impact on the field)

Now a glance at the visual details. The graphic quality of the game is better when compared to previous online cricket games that have been doing rounds on the net. The sound effects too play their part in simulating an excellent atmosphere of a cricket ground that is not very far from what you would experience during an actual cricket match. When compared to previous games, this is truly an achievement by the Zapak team.

Since cricket is a religion for me, my critical eye won't be that harsh on this game. I rate it in the following manner.

Graphics- 9/10
Sound-8/10
Replay value-9.5/10
Controls-8.5/10
Storyboard-9.5/10
Overall- 9.5/10

The game is a must for all cricket loving fans and when accompanied by a gamer of the same zeal, the thrill doubles........So in case you are planning a virtual match, don't forget to invite me:-)