Tabletop Simulator (Game Review)

June 9, 2015 cublikefoot Leave a comment

Tabletop Simulator, the game where I’m able to flip the table in rage when I lose at playing a card game I created.

2015-06-09_00003 — The game in which I spent most of my time

Tabletop Simulator is basically a physics simulator specializing in the playing of board and card games. I’ve already played countless games (mostly chess) against my friends, and I can really vouch for the amount of fun had. We all had a blast playing the variety of games provided out of the box and the countless games provided by the Steam Workshop.

The game provides countless different customization options, both visual and mechanical. For instance, I’m able to disable the gravity and play checkers like I would up in space (which was quite entertaining, might I add). The table and background can also be changed. I can even have a custom table, with a custom image.

Yes, this is an in-game tablet that actually works

Each individual game piece can be maneuvered and modified with ease. The size, color, material, etc. The amount of customization given to the player is quite astounding. The actual controls of the game are quite simple. There’s keys that can rotate pieces and flip them (handy when dealing with cards). Decks can be shuffled and dice can be played with a simple shake of the mouse. The controls are very intuitive.

The game does feature Workshop integration, a fantastic feature especially for a game like this. With such integration, we were able to play Eels and Escalators, Uno, Sorry!, 3-man chess, etc. I’d go so far as to say that this feature is the game’s best feature, well, aside from the fact that you can flip the entire table in rage if you were to lose, which is also a key feature.

2015-06-09_00004 — This, ladies and gentlemen, is Eels and Escalators

One of the largest features I haven’t explored yet would be the fact that the game provides an “RPG kit”, so you’re able to build and play your own RPGs. There are even some on the workshop, which is quite the amazing feat for what seems to just be a simple game. One could make quite the D&D experience with such a kit.

The most glaring downside to the game would be the fact that if you don’t have friends to play the game with, there really is not a whole lot of fun to be had. Sure, you can play with some Internet stranger, but it’s nowhere near as fun as playing with your buds.

Anyone remember this game? So much fun as a kid!

Overall, Tabletop Simulator is what I would consider a “must-have” game on Steam. There’s really nothing else like it and the amount of fun that can be had with friends is limitless, especially with the inclusion of Workshop support. Now, back to creating my own card game!

Games, Reviews

Cities: Skylines (Game Review)

March 23, 2015 cublikefoot Leave a comment

The last time I played a city simulator was back in the Sim City 4 days. I never played the newer Sim City, purely because of the complaints it received. I will not be comparing the two due to this fact.

It’s actually been quite some time since I’ve been so hooked on a new sim game. I usually just stuck to the classics, like Sim City 4, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, or the original Zoo Tycoon. Cities: Skylines has changed that for the better. Not only does the game encompass all of the features of those “classics”, it also adds plenty of its own mechanics to enhance that experience.

The game has many features expected of city sims: zoning, traffic, pollution, etc. On top of that, the game already has an active modding community. It is plenty fun standing on its own, but with the addition of mods, that experience is extended furthermore. I’ve already installed quite a few mods, including some maps and buildings as well as some mechanic-changing mods, such as one that automatically destroys abandoned buildings, which is quite annoying to do manually.

The biggest problem I have with the game would be the traffic aspect of the game, which I’m not very good at managing. I can do fine in every other department, but when it comes to traffic, I’m just no good. This is partly due to how traffic in the game works. It is a bit wonky, but I found some minor success by using lots of one-way roads and such. Although it does sound strange, the less traffic lights in your city, the better.

I also found it very impressive that EVERYTHING in the game can be renamed. Every citizen, building, district, etc. The attention to detail with features like that really brings out the micromanaging beast within me.

I do have a few other complaints, however. For one, I’m under the impression that the game is simply too easy. Once I got around 30k citizens, money was never an issue. That and I feel as if the lategame is severely lacking in content. Sure there are “monuments” and such, but nothing really exciting enough to make me want to stay with a given city for too long. On the other hand, the modding component of the game allows modders to remedy these faults.

Overall, there’s really nothing to lose when picking up Cities: Skylines. It provides hours of fun and the modding component of the game just keeps that coming. Be warned though, once you start, it is hard to stop, something I learned myself one ~~night~~ morning at around 5am.

Weekly Update

Weekly Update #3

January 28, 2015 cublikefoot Leave a comment

I somehow find myself writing this up on a Wednesday.

I just redid my YouTube channel‘s avatar and channel art, and I have a few more things I’d like to implement. I’m going to be “revamping” the channel, you could say.

Removing the outro (it doesn’t serve any purpose anyways)
Upping my audio quality by way of a microphone mount (WIP)
Actually doing some editing to the videos in question, specifically jump cuts for boring segments.
Revamping the Cub Plays series
Changing my video title template
Playing a wider variety of games
Condensing CS:GO videos into a single game per video

I also got some other stuff going this past week.

Gaming:

Deranked to MG in CS:GO.
Just about conquered every girl in HuniePop.

Anime/Manga:

Caught up to the Blue Spring Ride manga. Gave it a 10/10 because I’m a sucker for Shoujo.
Started watching To Love-Ru, which I’m already enjoying quite a bit.
Started watching Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha. It’s an alright series, nothing too spectacular. Although I’ve heard that the second season is the best.
Finished the first season of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and I have a couple episodes left of the first season of Stardust Crusaders. The series manages to remain good throughout, which is always good.
Started watching Steins;Gate. I’ve finally caved and started one of r/anime’s favorite shows.
Finished watching Corpse Party. It was just a few OVAs, and although they weren’t entirely enjoyable, I still gave them a 6/10.
Nisekoi, the manga. Just as good as the anime it seems.

Maybe I’ll do something productive with my channel this week, who knows?

Reviews and Stuff