Project Horned Owl is a classic Playstation light gun shooter, and one of the few available for the system. Taking place in a futuristic world, you (and a friend if playing co-op) take control of two policemen out to stop a terror plot. You’ll blast your way through criminals, cyborgs, and mechs throughout the game’s 5 stages. If the mech designs look familiar, that’s because manga artist Masamune Shirow, the man behind Appleseed and Ghost in the Shell did character designs for this game. The game has bright anime-styled graphics and fully voiced cutscenes. Despite it’s roughness, fans of old school rail shooters like Lethal Enforcers and Operation Wolf will love this game. Hopefully it will show up on Playstation Network if it isn’t there already. It’s just too bad there are no PS3 light gun accessories to play it with.

Even though EA just released the much sought after Seasons less than two months ago, they got 5 new add-ons (3 expansion packs and 2 stuff packs) coming throughout the next twelve months. This month will see the release of 70, 80s, and 90s Stuff, a stuff pack that will add outfits, hairstyles, and objects inspired by….you guessed it, the 70s, 80s, and 90s. This March, EA will bring us University Life, another much-requested expansion pack. From young adult to elder, Sims can enroll in a higher learning institute, pick one of several majors, and earn a career boost after graduation. They can also join one of three different groups; Nerds, Jocks, and Rebels (no foreign exchange students, goths, or ethnic identity clubs?). While not much more info about the game has been released, as you can see in the trailer above, Sims can engage in beer pong, paint graffiti, participate in student protests, pose naked for paintings, and a bunch of other fun stuff. The game will feature a new city with a comic book shop and a coffeehouse. This game is going to recreate my college experience to a T.
[Read the rest of this entry…]

You know what was great about old school action games? You didn’t need upgradable stats, cinematics, a-list voice talent, or any other bells and whistles. No sir, all you needed was a bunch of enemies to shoot as you ran to the right of the screen and a bunch of weapons to shoot them with. Intrusion 2, the sequel to a 2008 flash game brings back this action. Developer Aleksey Abramenko spent three years on this title, and it was worth every minute. Playing as some guy, you set out to stop a bunch of bad guys for whatever reason, but did you ever play these types of games for the plot? Ninja please. If you want story, go play some Final Fantasy. All you need to know is that there a shitload of bad guys who need to be murdered to death. Got it?
[Read the rest of this entry…]

Beam Software developed this 1991 NES adaptation of A New Hope. You play as Luke Skywalker as you make your way through the sands of Tattoine, explore the Mos Esiley Cantina, and you know the rest, it’s freakin STAR WARS! You’ll encounter Han Solo and Princess Leia, and you can even play as them. However, they only have one life. If they get killed, Obi Wan Kenobi can revive them a limited number of times. There are also shooter segments where you fly the Millennium Falcon. The game’s soundtrack also contains NES versions of the familiar themes. The controls are touchy and it lead to several frustrating deaths, but it’s still an excellent movie tie-in on the NES. And it’s nowhere near as bad as Namco’s bizarre Japanese version.

If La Mulana had been released on the SNES, it would have stood right up there with games like Castlevania and SUper Metroid as one of the greatest titles of the 16-bit generation. The game isn’t pretty shabby today either. La Mulana is an upgrade of an independently developed game. The original La Mulana (available for free on Tiggit) was done as a tribute to classic MSX games, and was developed by Takumi Naramura. A company known as Nigoro snatched up the game, upgraded it’s visuals to resemble 16-bit gaming systems, and ported it to WiiWare, while GR3 Project ported it to Microsoft Windows. Having a exploration-heavy style of gameplay similar to Metroid and later Castlevania titles, La Mulana puts players in the role of a young archaeologist who explores an ancient tomb. You’ll gather items and abilities to progress, and the game is non linear. The game has a high difficulty level and leaves it up to you to figure out how to progress. You’ll run into several bosses and characters throughout your journey. If you’re a fan of classic action games, you will want to add this to your collection. It’s available at Gog.com, where it’s discounted as part of the site’s winter sale.

Welcome to the Powet Top 5, where we explore the top (and bottom) 5 items we think are relevant to any of a variety of topics that span the imagination. Sit back, read, and respond

Hotline Miami is one of this year’s best…..and bloodiest titles.

Many people tend to be opposed to violence in video games, and for good reason. With technology improving on a yearly basis, there is potential to show increasingly gruesome and realistic action, making these people even more squeamish. However, I am not one of them. While there are several games that use blood and gore as a crutch for poor gameplay, there are many good games that have utilized gore to make them better. Here are 5 examples, none of which are for the faint of heart.

Note: This article was planned before the senseless massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School two weeks ago, and in no way is it intended to make light of the shooting or disrespect the victims or their families.

[Read the rest of this entry…]

Taboo Sixth Sense was one of the first apps for the Nintendo. Unfortunately, this was decades before everyone and their mom had a smartphone. Therefore an app back in the NES days basically meant an overpriced piece of shit that was lacking in gameplay. It’s based upon a rather fascinating concept: The Tarot. Sadly, there was little else to it. Oh, and you won’t believed who this game was developed by! Click after the jump to see the twist ending!
[Read the rest of this entry…]

25 years ago, Mega Man made his debut on the NES. Over the years he became one of gaming’s most iconic characters, and the games he starred in have became synonymous with classic platforming action. This year is the blue bomber’s 25th anniversary. although Capcom has been a bit lax with the series as of late. Thankfully a fan created this title merging Mega Man with another iconic Capcom franchise: Street Fighter. Instead of giving it the cease and desist treatment, Capcom swooped the game up and decided to release it free on the http://capcom-unity.com website. SfXMM is a classic Mega Man style title, but instead of WIly’s 8 robot masters, you fighter 8 Street Fighters. The game is typical Mega Man: you’ll select what order by which to complete the stages, make your way through various hazards, and fight the level’s boss at the end. The music is composed of Street Fighter anthems, remixed 8-bit style. While the stages are a bit shorter than other Mega Man games, and there is no save feature, this is an excellent fan-project and a great celebration of two of Capcom’s biggest franchises. Plus, we’re getting it for free, so I’ll withhold any complaints.