Thursday Throwback – April 7, 2011

Here’s something for those of you who, like me, have video games to thank for the outstanding social prowess they developed during their childhood. Those whose third and unofficial parent was Shigeru Miyamoto. Those who still follow all the major Nintendo franchises like a religion, despite being in their 30s…

Anyway, if this doesn’t bring back memories of staying up half the night playing video games I really don’t know what will.

I’ve always been a bit of a video game music geek. I guess because I’m a music geek. And a video game geek. Or just a geek in general. But also, I’m drawn to it because it can be like anything and everything, or like nothing.

Often it’s plain and simple and just sets a mood. Other times it’s a dozen or so genres mashed up into a sonic Frankenstein. Other times it’s so gloriously cheesy it makes your eye balls ooze rainbow juice and head sprout kitten fur.

On ocassion I’ve had some of my own music likened to this particular piece… I guess it’s obvious that this stuff has rubbed off on me (in case naming several of my tracks after video games wasn’t obvious enough!)

Ten reasons why VVVVVV is a whole world of awesomeness

  1. The name gives you a clue as to what you’re up against.
  2. It’s 100% pure unadulterated platforming bliss. If you played platform games as a kid, you will love it.
  3. It’s $5 on Steam
  4. Simple but cool concept, expanded upon masterfully.
  5. The graphics are horrendous but you don’t even notice.
  6. Great level design. Nothing is overdone, nothing gets
    old. You will be swearing, laughing, and have a general awesome time.
  7. I died 800+ times in a play-through of the game but
    didn’t care. Why? There is no lag time from the time you die to the time you restart.
  8. Every single room has a name.
  9. The protagonist and all of his friends have shit-eating
    grins for the majority of the game.
  10. The sound track! Oh my… the soundtrack! (buy it here – I just did)

 I will leave you with my favourite track from the soundtrack:

Blocksmith

Hey gamers,

Blocksmith is a previously unreleased puzzle game I made 5 years ago. I figured I might as share it with the world rather than have it collecting dust on my hard drive.

Please post your comments below, whether good, indifferent or bad (if bad please try to keep it constructive 🙂 If enough people enjoy it I will polish it, add some new features, tune the gameplay, etc. For example:

  • audio (sound FX, Snug BG music!)
  • allow players to start with a greater difficulty level
  • UI tweaks (make it more obvious that you can only undo once, the game has ended, etc.)
  • high score board
  • perhaps new gameplay elements?

Enjoy!