http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/popular/month/comics/?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss ]]> This Month's Most Popular Games Tagged 'comics' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/css/logo.jpg http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/popular/month/comics/?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss ]]> en-us Freedom Force is a computer game developed by Irrational Games and published by Electronic Arts in 2002. The player guides a team of superheroes as they defend Patriot City from a variety of villains, monsters, and other menaces. A sequel, Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich was self-published in early March, 2005.

The game is noted for its humorous but respectful evocation of the Silver Age of Comic Books; in particular, its visual style emulates the art style of the Marvel Universe co-creator, Jack Kirby. Also important is its versatile, expandable game engine, which has allowed a considerable fan-community to spring up. Total conversions featuring Marvel and DC Comics characters have considerably extended the life of an already entertaining game.

The alien mentalist, Mentor, fleeing Lord Dominion and his invading forces, heads towards Earth in a small spaceship containing many canisters of the mysterious "Energy X." Lord Dominion's ships pursue Mentor and destroy his craft just outside the Earth's atmosphere; the blast scatters containers of the substance over the metropolis of Patriot City. Energy X strikes several of the city's inhabitants, giving them superpowers that typically echo their personality traits (for instance, Minuteman and El Diablo) or draw on the situation they were in when energized (e.g., The Ant or Nuclear Winter). Most of the game is set in Patriot City, but a number of other locations and time periods are used, including magical realms, prehistoric times, and realms entirely removed from time and space.

]]> 03 Mar 2007 12:41:40 Comix Zone is a unique and artistically rich beat 'em up originally developed for the Sega Mega Drive. It was also ported to the PC and GBA and is available in emulated form on the PS2, PSP and the Wii. The game was released in 1995 and was noted for its original premise and amazing graphics and sound which pushed Sega's 16-bit machine to its limits.

The game is essentially a one-player side-scrolling beat 'em up with a twist. The unique aspect of the game is quickly revealed to be its presentation. The player is in control of Sketch Turner, a comic book artist who is trapped within his own comic creation. The levels are literally panels of Sketch's comic. Each level consists of two pages some with alternate routes, each with different art and puzzles. Powerups and secrets are revealed by literally ripping paper and Sketch can even find help in the form of his pet rat Roadkill, who is trapped with Sketch and can be used in a fight or to help with solving a puzzle.

There are three episodes containing two levels, each with unique backgroud art consistent with real-life comic books. Dialouge is even displayed within speech bubbles that help forward the story without breaking the comic book mould.

]]> 04 Apr 2007 09:03:02 The Continuum combines classic turn-based wargaming, collectibility and RPG character development into one multi-player adventure that will change the way you game. Characters, abilities and equipment combine with in-game artifacts, epic battlefields, and changing scenarios to provide an experience that is at once familiar and all-new.

Players will have a huge impact on the ultimate design, features, and direction that the game takes as the beta rolls out. Pre-registration for the beta is open at the official website for The Continuum.

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