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Wednesday, November 2, 2005



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RHEM 2 Ships In North America
10:11 AM | Tuncer Deniz | Comment on this story

Got Game Entertainment today announced that RHEM 2, an intricate first person puzzle-based adventure game for both PC and Mac, has arrived in game retailers across North America. RHEM 2” is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB and debuts for a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Featuring non-linear gameplay, an immersive, non-violent story, and mind-bending puzzles, “RHEM 2” is set as a direct sequel in story and gameplay to its popular predecessor, but stands entirely on its own. Players join brothers Zetais and Kales as they explore a mystifying hidden city in underground caves far beneath the earth’s surface.

Having gained entry to the curious city of “RHEM 2”, players venture ever deeper, exploring a maze of clandestine caves, secret rooms, intricate walkways, tunnels and water systems. In this place of atmospheric ambient sounds, “RHEM 2” players experience whistling winds and haunting echoes in the caves, the rush of water in underground ports, and the rhythmic sound of machines and railway cars moving through the subterranean maze. Marveling at beautifully detailed environments while solving clever puzzles, players search for an enigmatic artifact that must be found before returning to the surface.

"For fans of adventure games or any sort of mind-bending challenges, ‘RHEM 2’ is the game for you,” said Got Game Entertainment President, Howard Horowitz. “Now that the last puzzle has been solved on a certain other famous sequel, ‘RHEM 2’ arrives just in time to give adventure game lovers even more puzzling fun."
For more information on this game of more intrigue, more mystery, and more adventure, visit the official web site.

GotGame
RHEM 2


Apple Posts New Hot Deals
12:06 PM | Tuncer Deniz

CDW|MacWarehouse has great deals on cool Mac products, including Nikon CoolPix P1 Digital Camera with Built-in WiFi Connectivity, Auto Kit for iPod, Macromedia Dreamweaver, 8 Upgrade, Belkin TuneStage for iPod, NEC YT37 Projector, Canon LiDE 500F Flatbed Scanner, Dantz Retrospect 6.0 Desktop, LaCie Big Disk Extreme Triple Interface Hard Drive, and much more.

B&H Photo and Video has fantastic prices of superb products for your Mac, including Kodak EasyShare V530 5MP Digital Camera, Samsung Digimax i5 5MP Digital Camera, SanDisk 512MB Secure Digital Card, Canon DC-20 DVD-R/W Camcorder and MiniSD Card, DLO Executive Portfolio for iPod, Logitech Wireless Bluetooth Headphones for iPod, and much more.

Publishing Perfection has great deals on a variety of design and print products for your Mac, including Wacom Graphire Bluetooth 6x8 Graphics Tablet, Adobe Acrobat 7 Standard Edition, Allume StuffIt Deluxe 10, AutoFX PhotoGraphic Edges 6, Corel KnockOut 2, Corel Painter Essentials 3, and much more.



Aspyr To Publish Spongbob Squarepants Movie Game
10:08 AM | Tuncer Deniz | 11 comments

Aspyr Media announced that they will publish The SpongeBob
SquarePants Movie
game for Macintosh, with an anticipated release in
November 2005. The Nickelodeon property SpongeBob SquarePants is licensed by THQ Inc.

Based on the 2004 film, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie game, brings underwater antics from the big screen to your Mac.

There's trouble in Bikini Bottom! Someone has stolen King Neptune's crown and it looks like Mr. Krabs is the culprit! Though he's just been passed over for the promotion of his dreams, SpongeBob stands by his boss, and along with his best friend Patrick, sets out on a treacherous mission to Shell City to reclaim the crown and save Mr. Krabs’ life.

On a heroic, comedic quest that takes them to new and unexplored territory, we see SpongeBob and Patrick as we've never seen them before. Players will assume the identity of either SpongeBob or Patrick -- each with their own set of unique maneuvers -- and work together to save Mr. Krabs and all of Bikini Bottom. Along the way, they will interact with favorite characters from the movie, including authentic voices and special cameo appearances.

Features:
• Four playable characters: SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks and Mindy (new)
• Adventure through huge 3D worlds all based on the SpongeBob SquarePants
Movie (non-linear gameplay allows players multiple paths in order to
complete main objectives)
• Re-live the movie as you find helpful friends and face-off against
powerful enemies, featuring authentic voice talent and special cameo
appearances
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is rated "E" for "Everyone" and is available for preorder through Aspyr's website.

Aspyr Media



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Civ IV Interview - Fan Turned Employee
7:12 AM | Eddie Park | Comment on this story

The Apolyton Civilization Site has posted an interesting interview with Bob "Sirian" Thomas. Probably best known for creating and maintaining one of the best Civilization III fansites up on the net, Thomas' site was so well-regarded that it landed him a job with Firaxis working on Civilization IV.

The bulk of the interview focuses on Thomas' history with games and writing, starting with his Atari 2600 days and discussing his fan activities concerning Civ III:

I have been around internet gaming since its outset. I founded gaming leagues and ran them. I collaborated with other determined players to craft better and stronger gaming groups. I played a variety of games, both single and multiplayer. Doing any of these things on the net requires a website. I was not initially good at building a site or maintaining one (some may say I'm still not!) but I picked up bits of experience here or there. Eventually, my urge to write burst out and spilled on to the net.
Civ IV was recently announced as a forthcoming title by Aspyr, who also intends on bringing Civilization III: Complete to the Mac. Civ III: Comp will see release in December, while Civ IV is slated for sometime early next year.

Apolyton - Bob Sirian Thomas Interview
Civilization IV
Civilization III: Complete
Buy Civilization IV
Buy Civilization III: Complete



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Tiger Woods 2005 Reviewed
7:12 AM | Cord Kruse | Comment on this story

Applelinks recently posted a review of EA Sports' Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005. Brought to the Mac by Aspyr Media, TWPGA 2005 continues to refine the golf sim gameplay of previous titles in the series and gives gamers a wide range of options for their virtual golfing pleasure. Finding little to dislike about the game Applelinks gave Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 a five out of five.

From the review:

TWPGA05 offers a dazzling array of variables, not least of which is the ability to customize your golfer from helmet to cleats, tattoos to sunspots. You can choose from a variety of swing versions, including the time-honored 3 click swing or one that follows the motion of the mouse as the back and forward swings. You can also choose which of your player's own attributes to grow over time. This self-improvement concept is simple, intuitive and addictive. As you participate in tournaments or other challenges, you earn money that can be spent improving your attributes, in a straightforward capitalism-meets-Dungeons-and-Dragons marketplace. Improve your strength to power the ball and maximize each club. Improve your putting to get a better view of the green and cut down on the three-putts. You can also invest in your shot-making ability and unlock new skills for your golfer to tweak existing shots and add new ones.
For the entire review follow the link provided below.

Applelinks: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 Review
Aspyr Media
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005
Buy Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005



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Testing The Strength Of Chainz 2: Relinked
7:12 AM | Cord Kruse | Comment on this story

Macworld's Game Room has posted a review of Macplay's Chainz 2: Relinked. Following in the well worn footsteps of puzzle game tradition Chainz 2 involves matching three or more chain links of the same color to clear a space from the board and score points. A variety of play modes and unique powerups serve to spice up the action. Suffering from somewhat derivative gameplay Chainz 2 only managed 3 and a half mice from the Game Room.

From the review:

The gameincludes two modes that you won’t find in the previous version of Chainz: Strategy and Puzzle. In Strategy mode the game adds three new links to the board with every turn. This means you’ll have to strategically eliminate chains to keep the board from filling up. In Puzzle mode, you have to work your way through 50 screens of carefully constructed puzzles—each more difficult than the last. You’ll need completely clear each puzzle in order to move on.
For the full review click on over to the Game Room link below.

Macworld Game Room: Chainz 2: Relinked Reviewed
MacPlay



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Burning Crusade Preview And Screenshots
7:12 AM | Cord Kruse | Comment on this story

Shacknews is one of the latest to add their own take on The Burning Crusade, the first expansion for Blizzard's World of Warcraft. The preview takes a close look at the newest horde race, the Blood Elves, before examining some of the other upcoming content in the pipeline for WoW.

From the preview:

For those who are wondering, "/dance" for male Blood Elves is "the twist"--you know, like from that Chubby Checker song. The female version is basically the same thing, but a bit more sensual, at least as sensual as that dance can be to modern eyes. Like the Night Elves, the Blood Elves have a special jump, but this one's a pirouette instead of a flip. I tried to get a joke or a flirt, but no voice work has been recorded yet for those emotes.
To read the entire preview and gaze at some colorful screenshots check out the sites below.

Shacknews: Burning Crusade Preview
Shacknews: Burning Crusade Screenshots
Blizzard Entertainment
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
Buy World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade



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Black & White & Reviewed All Over
7:12 AM | Cord Kruse | 1 comment

Ferrago has posted a review of Black & White 2, the strategy god sim from Lionhead Studios. Currently on its way to the Mac courtesy of Feral Interactive, B&W 2 attempts to give gamers more of what they liked about the first game while eliminating some of the less desirable aspects. Ultimately Ferago found the attempt to be a bit short of the mark, giving Black & White 2 a less than enthusiastic 69%.

From the review:

Once your town reaches a certain level of impressiveness the nearby settlements of the opposing side will up sticks and make their way to your town. Over time each and every settlement on an island can be taken over in this way. It's actually too easy to amuse yourself building up a stunning looking city only to find you have won over the entire island without breaking a sweat. The realisation of the gameworld is so spectacular that I found the city building option the most pleasing to follow, although by the time I was setting out on my fourth new town the lack of purpose other than to place more and more structures began to get boring. Things are much improved from before but as is common with the rest of the game a sense of purpose, and resulting reward, is still too fleeting and ephemeral to maintain the interest over a long period of time.
To read the entire review and check out screenshots from the game follow the links below.

Ferrago: Black & White 2 Review
Feral Interactive
Lionhead Studios
Black & White II



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The Incredibles: Rise Of The Underminer Ships
7:12 AM | Cord Kruse | Comment on this story

THQ has announced that The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer has shipped and is now available. RotU is the sequel to the hit video game The Incredibles, inspired by the Disney and Pixar film of the same name. Taking place directly after the ending of the movie, RotU finds Mr. Incredible and his ally Frozone searching for a way to defeat the Underminer and his legion of robot minions before they unleash a plot to pollute the major cities of the world.

"THQ is extremely excited to bring fans of The Incredibles a new adventure that picks up where the film and the first installment of the game ended," said Jack Sorensen, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Studios, THQ. "Game developer Heavy Iron's collaboration with the team at Pixar illustrates the commitment our companies have to delivering an experience that is true to The Incredibles world."

"The first game based on The Incredibles truly complemented the high action vision Director Brad Bird had for the film," said Pixar Animation Studios John Walker, producer of The Incredibles. "The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer continues where the film left off, challenging gamers to explore a whole new dimension of The Incredibles world."

For more information check out THQ's site at the link below.

THQ
The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer
Buy The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer



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New Rise of Legends Screenshot
7:12 AM | Blake Buck | Comment on this story

Another week, another new Rise of Legends screenshot. Monday, Big Huge Games released a new screenshot of their latest game, Rise of Legends. Rise of Legends is the sequel to the popular RTS Rise of Nations, which was released for the Mac late last year by Macsoft. Rise of Legend takes a more fantasy-oriented approach and adds full 3D graphics. This week features a good look at some detailed buildings, complete with defending soldiers.

To download a large version of the screenshot, or to visit the Rise of Legends website, click the links below.

Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends
Rise of Legends Screenshot - Booyah Sized


Ten Years Of Spiderweb Software, November Sadness Sale
7:12 AM | Cord Kruse | 1 comment

Every dreary November Spiderweb Software holds a November Sadness Sale offering 10% off all its products. This year's sale also marks the company's tenth anniversary of creating role playing games for Macs and PCs.

As hard as it may be to believe, tiny little Spiderweb Software just completed its tenth year of making fine fantasy role-playing adventures for Windows and Macintosh.

That's ten years of constructing dungeons, enduring gray and damp Seattle winters, and watching our sales dip sharply every November. Why is this month always so grim? We've never figured it out. Perhaps heating bills are higher. Or people are saving up to buy an extra-large turkey. Or maybe parents won't buy games for their kids with Christmas around the corner.

But we found a solution. Every rainy November, we throw our annual Sadness Sale. All of our games, hint books, and other happy diversions are 10% off for the entire month of November.

So come and fight the gloom with us. On the cheap. Big, free demos to all of our games are available or you can order online now.

If you'd like to let your wallet be a beacon of light in the dark days of November, head on over to Spiderweb Software at the links below.

Spiderweb Software Store
Spiderweb Software


Mac Games News for Tuesday, November 1, 2005

MacSoft Announces Zoo Tycoon 212:16 PM
IMG Podcast Episode 3 Released10:33 AM
A Legion Of Burning Crusade Previews7:19 AM
Apple Features Stubbs7:19 AM
Aspyr Announces Call of Duty Deluxe Edition7:19 AM
Battlefield 1942 Mod Forgotten Hope Coming Soon7:19 AM
Blizzard In Trouble With Privacy Concerns7:19 AM
bsnes System Requirements Released7:19 AM
Burning Crusade Q&A7:19 AM
Part Two Of Wideload.org's Glenda Adams Interview7:19 AM
 
View all of the Mac games news for Tuesday, November 1, 2005 on one page


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Monday, October 31, 2005
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