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Feral Interactive recently announced the release of patch 1.3 for Rome: Total War Gold Edition. The update includes retina support, graphical enhancements, stability improvements, and improvements to artificial intelligence. In the game players take charge of one of three Roman families with the goal of increasing their power in Rome through diplomacy, economic skill, and war.

Rome: Total War - Gold Edition 1.3 brings many technological advancements to the provinces, including retina support, graphical enhancements, stability improvements and perhaps most excitingly of all, AI improvements including a fix for the notorious “Phalanx issue”.

To download the patch, Mac App Store customers will need to visit the Mac App Store and click on the "Updates" tab. Everyone else can simply open the Rome: Total War - Gold Edition application and follow the prompts to automatically update their copy of the game.

Rome: Total War Update

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Cloanto recently released Amiga Forever 2013 and C64 Forever 2013, new and improved Windows compatible emulators of the classic Commodore computers. The company also announced it will soon begin work on a Mac version of Amiga Forever and is encouraging interested gamers to sign up for updates on the status of the new version.

We'll soon start working on a Mac version of Amiga Forever, inclusive of the high-quality playback and authoring functionality our customers are enjoying on Windows. While we greatly improved the functionality on Windows, we know that there are also many Mac users among our Commodore/Amiga friends. If you are interested in a Mac OS version please sign up.

This helps us get a better idea of your interest, and we can let you know once something becomes available. Maybe we can even launch a Kickstarter campaign for the Mac OS version, because resources are always tight, and widening the fronts feels like a big challenge. In any case, after this 2013 release, which had a focus on Windows, our goal is to do more cross-platform work.

The preconfigured Amiga ROM, OS and application software files distributed with the existing version of Amiga Forever (Plus Edition) can already be used with different Mac OS ports of the UAE Amiga emulation software.

Ready-to-run and preconfigured universal binaries of E-UAE and Hi-Toro are included in the Private/Mac directory on the Amiga Forever CD.

Note: The current cross-platform content in Amiga Forever, while compatible with Mac applications, is not as user friendly as the Windows version. It is intended for a more technical audience who is already familiar with emulation on the intended platform.

The additional Windows-only software included in Amiga Forever does not run on Mac OS. This includes the Amiga Forever one-click launcher, Software Director and Amiga Explorer. Also, there is no Mac-specific installer included in Amiga Forever (the files have to be copied manually from the Private/Mac directory of the Amiga Forever distribution to the desired destination folder on the Mac hard disk).

Amiga Forever Mac Info Signup

Amiga Forever

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Mac|Life has posted a new review of Frozen Synapse, a turn based tactical game from Mode 7 Games. The game features both single and multiplayer action, a variety of guns, hand crafted maps, and a map editor. Mac|Life gave Frozen Synapse a score of 4.5 out of 5.

From the review:

A slick cyberpunk vibe with a futuristic neon glow sets the stage nicely for Frozen Synapse's brain-twisting tactical combat encounters. When it first launched on Mac and PC, this cool indie strategy game garnered high praise for its unique asynchronous take on turn-based combat and play-by-email style multiplayer matches. This iPad port gloriously packs all of the clever strategizing and insane resolutions of the original – and even lets you play against desktop users – without losing anything in the jump to the portable format.

Frozen Synapse sports a strong story-driven campaign to supplement its multiplayer focus, but regardless of mode, the maps are randomly generated, which adds exciting unpredictability and variety to the squad-based battles. Each round tasks you with queuing up sequences of commands for each neon soldier in your unit. Like many turn-based strategy games, the idea is to outmaneuver, outsmart, and outgun your A.I. or human opponents. However, the fact that both you and your foes spring into action simultaneously after planning each turn's moves throws a wild and crazy wrinkle into the mix.

Mac|Life: Frozen Synapse Review

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Outta This Kingdom from Alawar Entertainment is now available for download and purchase at Mac Game Store. The kingdom building game puts players in the role of Rachel, a lost woman who must complete an epic journey and help rebuild a kingdom in order to find her way back home again.

Outta This Kingdom combines awesome time management fun with a kicking fantasy twist to create casual gameplay the whole family will love! When the beautiful Rachel and her wise-cracking cat unwittingly cross a dimensional rift and wind up in a colorful world teeming with magic, she joins forces with the handsome Jake to return home. To find the wizard who can send them back to their own dimension, they must complete an epic journey across many stunning environments, rebuilding a kingdom warring factions tore apart. Collect resources, build and upgrade villages and hire workers to complete these and other tasks. Along the way, you'll defeat Land Elementals, outsmart an Ice Queen and go toe-to-toe with Gingerbread Barbarians! Will you join Rachel and Jake on their grand adventure?

Features:

• 45 levels
  
• Six locations
  
• 19 characters
  
• 36 buildings
  
• Tutorial

Requirements:

• Mac OS X 10.6 or later
  
• 1.5 GHz Intel Processor
  
• 512 MB RAM
  
• 220 MB HD Space
  
• 128 MB VRAM

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An IMG reader recently emailed us about Full Control's soon to be concluded Kickstarter campaign for Jagged Alliance: Flashback. Planned for release on Mac, Windows, and Linux PCs, the game is a reboot of the classic Jagged Alliance turn-based tactical action series. Like its predecessors, Flashback will put players in control of a squad of mercenaries and give them the chance to manage their activities both on and off the field of battle.

Full Control recently released a diorama scene showcasing a combat scenario in the game. Although Flashback is still in pre-production, the diorama gives players the chance to explore the scenario from a variety of camera points and zoom levels.

Jagged Alliance: Flashback is our vision of returning a once critically acclaimed franchise back to its roots, it's not a reboot, it's a reset!

Our main goal is to bring back the tactical turn-based action that the original Jagged Alliance games are known for - the game was a thinking man's game, a thinking man with lots of guns!

The games were unique in their blend of tactical turn-based action, controlling and maintaining squads of mercenaries, off and on the battlefield. As a player the decisions you made had a direct impact on how you played the game. Additionally, over-the-top personalities, memorable characters and role-playing elements made the games difficult to put away once you were hooked.

Below we have listed some of the major game features we are planning to implement:

• Single-player tactical turn-based action, including a fully integrated cover system and 30 tile system with multiple levels.
  
• Roleplaying: Interact with NPCs to gain battlefield information, unlock new weapons and mercenaries.
  
• Customizable Mercenaries: From gear down to the hair style.
  
• Base Management: Plan which missions to engage in, build training facilities and research new weapon upgrades.

The game text will be localized to English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish.

We will give you a choice of distribution, always including a DRM-free option, for both the core game and future expansions.

Our target platform is PC and the game will be available for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.

STORY:

With flashback we want to take you back to the cold war era and let you play the events that lead up to the founding of the international mercenary organization called A.I.M.

The story is set in the late-1980s, on the Caribbean island group of San Christobal.

Following a coup d'état a socialist regime has been established on the island, a change that undermines the U.S. presence in the area.
Seizing the opportunity, a hard-line fanatic general leads an elite U.S.S.R. military unit to establish a military base right under the nose of the U.S. Under the guise of shipping humanitarian aid, large amounts of cargo and military hardware are headed for San Christobal. A Russian presence larger and closer to the U.S. than Cuba could potentially tip the balance of power and turn a cold war into a steaming hot one.

Under secret orders from the CIA it is now up to you to assemble a team of capable mercenaries, restore the democratic government on San Christobal and drive out the U.S.S.R. presence, by any means necessary.

GAMEPLAY:

We are aiming to build Jagged Alliance: Flashback around the core pillars that made the originals great; the deep strategy, the thrilling action and character RPG elements. The core game is essentially split up into 2 layers, a strategy layer and a tactical layer.

• Base Management is the strategy layer behind all the gun-toting and action, it is your base of operations, where you manage resources and control which missions to engage in.
  
• It functions as a hub between missions and provides you with a map over the game world, it is also where you recruit, customize and take care of your mercenaries.
  
• The base is also used to manage the training of your mercenaries, construction and weapon research/manufacturing.

• The Tactical Screen is the turn-based action layer of the game, it features an isometric 3D camera view of the battlefield and it’s where you control your squad of selected mercenaries to achieve objectives and engage enemies face-to-face.
  
• Gear, character attributes and weapons all affect how a mercenary performs on the battlefield.
  
• There will be fog of war, which prevents a full view of the battlefield and hides enemy movements.
  
• The mercenaries can take cover behind objects in the world to gain different levels of protection.
  
• Mercenaries also gain new abilities as they survive more battles, but when they die - it's permanent!

Check out the page below to learn more.

Jagged Alliance: Flashback Diorama

Jagged Alliance: Flashback Kickstarter

Mac Game Store recently announced it will be releasing a special bundle of six Feral Interactive game titles for $19.99. The sale begins on Monday, May 27th, and continues until Sunday, June 2nd. The first game in the pack, LEGO Star Wars: Complete Saga, was revealed on Friday.

Today we are pleased to announce the price and first game in the upcoming Feral Bundle! The Feral Game Bundle, coming May 27th to June 2nd, will be available for $19.99. It will feature 6 amazing games. The first game, revealed today, is LEGO Star Wars: Complete Saga. Be sure to tune in every day as we reveal the other games in the bundle.

Mac Game Store Facebook Page

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Plug In Digital's Raiden Legacy is now available for download and purchase at Mac Game Store. The enhanced game compilation brings together Raiden, Raiden Fighters, Raiden Fighters 2, and Raiden Fighters Jet. Originally developed by Seibu Kaihatsu, the arcade shooter includes three modes, more than fifteen different ships to pilot, and a variety of enemies to blast.

Originally developed by Seibu Kaihatsu, each of these classic scrolling shooters has not only been authentically recreated, but also enhanced with brand-new features!

MORE OPTIONS!
Each RAIDEN LEGACY title includes three different modes: “Arcade Mode” (just like the original); “Mission Mode”, which allows you to play any unlocked stage; and “Training Mode”, which, true to its name, allows you to excel at your favorite stages and practice the most difficult ones!

MORE SHIPS!
15+ different ships, each with their own characteristics, stats, weapons, and specials! Also, some ships come complete with “charged shots” – useful for when the screen is 90% covered with enemies!

MORE CONTROLS!
Choose between two different touch modes: “Fast Touch” (Faster than the original game and improved for mobiles) or “Arcade Touch” (Just like the original – retrogamers will love it!). What’s more, you can customize your approach by putting the controls wherever you prefer on screen.

GET READY TO ROCK ‘N FIRE: RAIDEN LEGACY IS HERE!!

Features:

• Play in full-screen, or keep the game’s original screen ratio thanks to “Original Mode” (note that your fingers will be outside the game area).
• AutoFire: ON/OFF
  
• Two difficulty modes: Medium and Hard.
  
• Nine languages available: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese
  
• Video filtering (for rich, smooth graphics)
  
• iCade compatible

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Rob Maher's Kickstarter funding campaign for Rex Rocket recently surpassed a stretch goal target to release the game for Mac users. Rex Rocket is a 2D platformer adventure inspired by 8-bit classics. Players take the role of Captain Rex Rocket who must use a variety of weaponry and abilities to stop a bioengineered menace and a computer AI run amok.

What is Rex Rocket?

Inspired by the retro glory days of 8-bit games, Rex Rocket is a traditional 2D platformer brought into the 21st century. Paying tribute to classic NES games like Mario, Mega Man, and Metroid, old-school gamers will find Rex Rocket a breath of fresh air, stirring warm and fuzzy feelings of nostalgia. Rob and Tyler, two passionate indie game devs, have a mission to keep the world of retro games alive. Rex Rocket features one-of-a-kind handmade pixel art, over 100 handcrafted levels connected in an expansive starship filled with a wide variety of puzzles, enemies, hazards and bosses. To top it off, we have an an original, kick-ass chiptunes soundtrack by Saskrotch. Creating this universe and the memorable characters in this game has been a true labor of love.

What is it about?

Set in Earth's distant future, Rex Rocket references the classic story of Man vs. Machine. You play as Captain Rex Rocket, a former war hero who now spends his days transporting scientists around to the far reaches of the universe in his epic Star Cruiser, the S.S. Montana. The game begins on Earth with Rex and crew on a routine mission for the Council of Science - to transplant bio-engineered Terra-Oozlings to an uninhabited planet in the far away solar system of Washington. While the ship's crew are in cryo-sleep, all heck breaks loose when Terra-Oozings escape their tanks and cause the ship's main computer, LAUREN (Logic Analysis User Reactive Entity Network), to go insane. It's up to Rex Rocket to stop the computer, rescue his crew, and save the day!

What are the features?

• Gamepad Support
  
• Classic 2D gameplay
  • Fast, responsive combat
    
  • Upgradable Jet pack
    
  • Teleporting
    
  • Dashing
    
  • Wall Jumps
    
  • Regular Jumping! (DUHHH)
• Guns, Guns, Guns!
  • UP7A Standard Issue Blaster
    
  • Tri-Bolt Laser Gun
    
  • Rail-Gun
    
  • Electro-5000
    
  • Magnum Missile Launcher
    
  • Auto-Laser
    
  • and more...
• Grenades
  • Remote Detonator
    
  • Mini-Nova
    
  • Sticky
    
  • EMP
    
  • Concussive
• Tons of hand-crafted levels
  
• Enemies, Hazards, and Bosses
  
• Interesting and challenging puzzles
  
• Epic plotline and lovable characters
  
• Secret areas and collectables

Rex Rocket Kickstarter

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10tons Ltd. has announced Sparkle 2, an upcoming sequel to the action puzzler, Sparkle. The game is scheduled to be released in June 2013 for Mac OS X, Windows, and iOS. Once again Sparkle 2 challenges players to make use of the Orb Slinger to make matches of three or more.

“With millions of players, Sparkle is one of our most popular games, as well as among our greatest commercial and critical successes. We're currently working hard to create an astounding experience which we hope will be enjoyed by millions of more players.”, said Tero Alatalo, CEO of 10tons Ltd.

Sparkle 2 is a super polished premium action puzzle game set in a beautiful magical world. In Sparkle games the player uses the Orb Slinger to launch orbs in order to form matches of three. They also feature top notch playability, a much praised powerup system, and carefully crafted special effects.

The game will first be available on iOS, Windows, and Mac. Other platforms, including Android, BlackBerry 10 and Windows Phone 8, will follow later.

To celebrate the announcement, Sparkle the Game and Sparkle HD for iOS are on sale on iTunes App Store starting immediately and throughout the weekend.

Sparkle 2 (add to watch list)

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