It’s Just A Game Two

Back in February I posted about a quick, fun game that purports just to be Tic Tac Toe… until you play a few rounds and the game starts cheating and it becomes sort of a puzzle where you have to figure out how to outthink the game. I liked it! It only took me about fifteen minutes to beat the first time, too, so it was quick. And now there’s a sequel!

This game is called Tic Tac Two and the first time I played it I was disappointed. It was just like extended levels from the first one. Fun, yeah, but not original like the first one had been. Then I found out I was giving up too soon. See, the first time it flashes the “Thanks For Playing!” screen, you’re not done! You wait and it takes you to a bunch more levels with more unique gameplay, just like the first one.

So yeah, this is one sequel that managed to live up to the first one. It was a lot of fun, and if you have some free time, go check it out!

Art

Do you like art? Do you like parodies? What about parodies of art? Will that work for you?

Over on Newgrounds there’s a guy named Munguia who makes games where you look at a caricature he drew of a well-known painting and try to guess which painting it’s from. Some of them are easy. I mean, you’re not going to have any trouble figuring out when it’s supposed to be the Mona Lisa. And if you really need help, there’s also a button so you can look at the real version of the painting. Or just, you know, google it.

Anyway, it’s a nice way to go look at some paintings for a few hours. And more importantly, I don’t have to think up a real post! Win-win. Here’s the links:

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Standing Idly By

Time for another game recommendation, because I’m sure I’m a huge influencer in this regard.

Have you heard of idle games? AKA incremental/clickers games? They’re games that you play for a bit to set things up, then leave idle to rack up points or whatever that you then spend to… earn more efficiently. Look, it’s more fun than it sounds.

A month or so ago I found a game called Idle Evolution, which is actually less about evolution and more about collecting atoms, which you can use for a variety of purposes, one of which is making compounds that somehow advance evolution on a planet. Yeah, it doesn’t make much sense scientifically. But still, I had fun with it. I haven’t played anything like it before and it appeals to the chemistry nerd in me.

There are actually two versions of the game, one on Newgrounds, which is basically a beta/scaled down version of the paid (four dollars) Steam version. The Steam one is obviously better as it has added mini-games to make the waiting less boring, and also it’s much, much faster in terms of getting through the game. It takes like fifteen hours of gameplay to get through it in Steam; I haven’t actually finished the browser version because as you progress further it gets sooooo sloooooow. Basically it’s what you want to play if you want to see if you’ll like the full version.

It has some flaws, like things taking forever sometimes and the translation—the creator doesn’t speak English and it shows in places. But it’s worth the four bucks it costs and I love that you’re unlocking a periodic table piece by piece. I hear there’s a sequel as well, but it’s not on Steam unfortunately so I can’t check it out. Oh well.

You played any fun games lately? What do you do when you want to waste time?

Another Game

Didn’t I used to do regular posts full of distractions? I should start doing that again. And I am. Here’s another game, Planaris.

I like the creativity of this game, taking something familiar and going in another direction with it. It’s like Tetris in a way, both in the shapes of the pieces you’re given and the fact that you’re supposed to gain points by clearing lines. But the pieces don’t fall down and when a line is cleared it doesn’t drop down, which also means that you don’t lose when you hit the top.

Instead, you can move the pieces anywhere and when you clear a line, everything stays where it was. You don’t lose until there’s no spaces left for you to fit a piece into. Also the fact that everything doesn’t drop down means that if you clear a single line along the bottom, then you’ll have a hard time getting pieces that can fit in there.

The description for this game says it’s “easy to learn but difficult to master.” And while most of the time I think that’s overstating things, in this case it’s perfectly accurate. If you want something really challenging, then this is the game for you. It might also be good if you want to kill five minutes, and I wouldn’t call it super addictive, but that’s a YMMV thing.

That means Your Mileage May Vary. I’ve been on TV Tropes recently and they use that a lot. Don’t click that link though. You’ll never leave. I shouldn’t have even brought it up but it was on my mind.

Games, Halloween Edition

Since it’s October, it’s time to share all the spooky things I’ve come across! I’ve found two really good game series and hey, both are horror based, so this is the perfect time to play.

The first is called Cube Escape by Rusty Lake. There are a total of nine games where you play a protagonist trying to, well, escape. The cube part comes from the fact that you’re generally confined to one or two rooms and you have to solve puzzles and put clues together in order to proceed. However small it sounds, it’s really bigger than you think. For example, in Seasons (arguably the best one) you’re only in one room, but through a sort of time-travel, you’re really exploring four different places.

For the most part, I’d say you’d be able to play through them with no problem, but I used a walkthrough to get through three of them (The Mill, Harvey’s Box, and Case 23) as they were a bit…dense, you could say, with the puzzles, occasionally even requiring passwords from previous games. But they are really fun, creepy, and hey, they’re free, so it’s not like it will cost you anything.

The second series I found is only two games, and it’s actually text based. In Playing With Letters and its sequel, A Sweet Typing Thrill, you have to figure out what word to type in in order to move on. The title of each “level” gives you a hint for a code you need to crack. Sometimes it’s an anagram, sometimes it’s a riddle, and in the second one, you have to use a lot of the Rotate 13 cipher (do yourself a favor and google it right away to make things easier). Both also have a secret ending you get by cracking a code from the song used (it’s mentioned right below the author’s name) and in the second, the title itsef. Well, if you need help with that, thankfully there are walkthroughs.

But be warned, the storyline is very dark, full of death and murder. Even if it’s only text, if that’s not you’re thing then you should give it a pass.

Personality

So a while back, I stumbled across this personality quiz that I thought was amusing and I figured, hey, why not save this for a day when I can’t think up a post? And today is that day.

There are 64 questions about how you feel/act, mostly basic stuff like “You are always looking for opportunities” or “the more people you speak to the better you feel”. You answer from a strong yes to a strong no. It then rates you on introvert/extrovert, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving. Me, I got strongly introvert, moderately sensing and thinking, and strongly judging. I guess that sounds about right.

I always wonder how accurate these things are. So why don’t you guys try it when you have a few minutes and see what you think. What kind of personality do you have? Does it match up with how you think of yourself?

Colors

Okay, this totally isn’t the color partition post. The title is a bit of a tease. Sorry, but I’ve been too busy doing the actual editing to write a post about it. Maybe next week. Oh, wait. That’s Christmas. Then there’s New Year’s. Hm. I guess you’re going to have to wait until 2015. I think you’ll survive.

So why is this post so titled? Well, it’s because I stumbled across a fun, addictive, as-complex-as-it-is-simple, game.

The object of this Chinese-born game is to find the one square that is colored differently from the others. For the first ten levels, it’s pretty easy to do. Then the grids get large and the colors vary so slightly that it’s nearly impossible. There are no penalties if you click the wrong square, but the entire thing is timed so you try to get through as many levels as possible in under sixty seconds. I’ve only been able to get up to level 27, and that was a lucky shot : ). Be careful. This is one of those things you do that you say to yourself, “Well, I’ll just do it one more time.” and then it’s 3 a.m. and you’ve given up pretending you’re not trying to find the end of an endless game.

The game is absolute genius. What level did you reach?

Distractions from Writing

More specifically, distractions from editing, because man, that isn’t fun. I’ve mentioned more than one of these before, but

My favorite distraction du jour is called Pixelo. The game is a version of what’s known as Nonograms, where you have a grid and you use the numbers above and along the side to determine which squares should be colored and which should be left blank. If you do decide to try this, I recommend ignoring the tutorial, which is needlessly confusing (the developer doesn’t seem to speak English, which means the translations aren’t great). It’s perfect if you like logic puzzles similar to Sudoku.

The Impossible Quiz. It’s not totally impossible, but I haven’t beaten it yet. It’s crass and weird at times, but funny and constantly making you think outside the box (sometimes literally) in order to answer a question. Some of the questions are easy (running the mouse over a cat to “pet” it), some are frustrating (having 0.5 seconds to click on something so you don’t lose the game), and others just require you to do as instructed (click “the answer” to continue). Oh, and there was a sequel.

The Company of Myself. Okay, this is a game for people who like simple platform games but also a deep story (all twelve of you?). The gameplay is easy and the puzzles challenging enough to keep your attention.

Doodle God. Like the Impossible Quiz, there’s a lot of random chance in it as you match different elemental representations (fire, water, earth, etc.) together in order to make something new. There’s over a hundred things to make, so it will take a lot of guessing to get one hundred percent completion. If you really haven’t had enough after the first game, you can try the sequel.

Say goodbye to productivity.

I swear, this isn’t part of an evil scheme to distract all the other writers.

Heh heh.

Winter Break

Thanksgiving is coming, which means I have to prepare for dealing with (shudder) my family, so fair warning: my posts this week are going to be very lazy. No thinking things through, proofreading or fact checking at all. I’m not even going to try to be interesting. I mean, it’s not like my blog stats can get that much worse.

You know what? I’m not even going to post anything else. Instead, I’m going to send you to Newgrounds again to play a puzzle game about sheep. It also has several sequels, which I also advise playing, including one in space. You better go play the games because I’ll be expecting a report on my desk by Monday.

Wait…where the hell did that come from?

All right, no more making posts at midnight.

The Best of all Universes

It’s easy to get down sometimes. So here are things that put a smile on my face. I hope they do for you, too.

The original voice of Tigger was done by a man named Paul Winchell. He also helped invent and patent the first artificial heart.

I also like to visit the “Blog” of “Unnecessary”Quotation Marks, which, like Damn You Autocorrect, will leave you in serious trouble because once you start clicking through pages, you will never be able to stop.

Next we have Cracked magazine, which I visit entirely too often. Articles include “The 6 Most Terrifying Pets Humanity Has Bred Into Existence” and “The 6 Most WTF Scientific Theories About Existence”. This is only the tip of the iceberg, people. This is another timesuck, so good thing it’s a weekend.

Finally, we have “Michael Buble Being Stalked By A Velociraptor” is real even if velociraptors are not. And also definitive proof that we live in the best of all possible universes.

Okay, your turn! What’s your proof we live in the best of all possible universes?

Distractions, Distractions

Yay! Online games! Since my television is being fixed and the down button on my Gameboy broke, this is the only thing I have to keep stop me from jumping in front of a bus. Oh, and my family or whatever.

How I miss TV.

Um, anyway! The holidays are fast approaching and I’m sure you’ve been looking for more ways to goof off. I know I have.

If you like puzzle games, you might enjoy Stream Master Unlimited. The purpose of the game is to connect the two matching colors on a grid. It’s really easy when the grid is small and there’s only six colors. Then you get to a twelve by twelve grid with eleven colors and you start to marvel at the complexity of the game.

Because I spend way too much time on Newgrounds, I’m also a huge fan of the RedRemover games. They’re super fun. Like the title says, you try to remove the red blocks using as few clicks as possible, something that may sound simple but is complicated by the physics the game throws at you. It’s also available on your iPhone if you’re interested.

Finally, I really enjoyed the game Huebrix. It’s another that starts out simple (you have a color and a certain amount of squares to paint). But then you have multiple colors, squares you must hit with a particular shade, one way squares, squares that can’t be colored at all. Trust me, it’s more logical than it sounds. Fun, too.

Seriously, I’m two steps from finding my book turned into pages and pages of ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKE JACK A DULL BOY. You might think it doesn’t make sense since I’m a woman and my name isn’t Jack but when you get to this point, you see what he had in mind. See? No, of course you don’t.

I should probably go before I start raving. Goof off for a while. It’s the weekend. You shouldn’t even be reading this!

Distractions, Distractions

As usual, most of the time I’m supposed to be writing is taken up by video games. But lately, my writing’s been going swimmingly and as such, I feel I need to remember what the internet is really about: distractions.

First of all, there’s a cute game by Chris Hughes called Spin Spin, where you move the character (appropriately named “Spin”) with the A and D keys and rotate the room with the arrow keys. There’s both an Episode 1and Episode 2 if you’re interested.

If you’re interested in games but feel they don’t have enough logic and reasoning in them, then good news! ir/rational Redux is all about that. It’s extremely clever, forcing you to use logical arguments to advance the story.

Finally, if you’re obsessive (check) and have to unlock every achievement to consider a game “won” (check), then check out Doodle God and its sequel. I guarantee* you’ll never leave your computer again.

Bye-sie daisies!

*guarantee is not a guarantee.

Distractions, Distractions

Just for the sake of preventing you from writing, here are the best websites out there that will completely mesmerize you.

1. TVTropes

            It doesn’t just have TV. Movies, games, books—they’re all in there. You’ll start by maybe looking up a favorite book, like one of the Harry Potter books, and see all the things in it that have been used before. Then you’ll notice a funny trope and you’ll have to check out all the different ways it’s been used over the years. You’ll spot an old TV show you used to watch and wonder what tropes it is associated with. And so on. And so on. FOREVER.

2. The Comics Curmudgeon

            This site is also known as “I read the comics so you don’t have to.” Josh posts and comments on various newspaper comic strips, from the unintentionally hilarious dramatic strips (you should see him when he gets started on Mary Worth), to the painfully bland comedic strips (well, they’re supposed to be comedic, although I’ve never laughed at most of them). It’s easy to spend hours looking through the archives because Jeff is hilarious.

3. Newgrounds

            Like I don’t mention this enough. But it’s worth mentioning since if I’m ever supposed to be writing but not, I’m probably on Newgrounds playing one of the games. And if the game has pointless achievements, then I can’t leave until I have them all. Although that may be due more to OCD than to the game.

And soon, my plan will come to fruition. You’ll all be trapped on the internet while I become the emperor of the world. Mwa-ha-ha!

Random Thoughts

---Yeah, another one. I don’t mean to inflict so many on you, but I didn’t do my posts on Saturday and then I got a headache on Sunday. So…

---The world might run out of seafood by 2048. Just a happy thought to start your day

---“Hike up your skirt a little more/show your world to me.” Dave Mathew’s songs touch me in a bad place.

---In your face, Happy Birthday copyright!

---In a completely unrelated note, thank you, Luke Barats.

---Mind twister: calling something unremarkable is remarking on it, thus making it remarkable.

---If your five year old is having problems on the bus, the solution isn’t to beat up another five year old.

---For some reason, I find this comment suspicious: “I always take the time to read this website for its articles or reviews. My website: PORNO!”

---What the hell is a “Channing Tatum”?

---For every person on Earth, there’s one million ants. We should just find a new planet now.

---You got to check out “Scale of the Universe 2” on Newgrounds. Amazing. Seriously, go do it now. I’ll wait.

---See? Look at me waiting.

And now, another transcript of a conversation between me and my mom. It was during the Superbowl (for all you non-Americans, it’s a day to eat chicken wings, drink beer and yell at men on TV who can’t hear you) and since neither one of us is interested in football, the game was only turned on by accident. The Pats were ahead at this time and closing in on the Giants’ goal (before as per usual, getting their asses handed to them in the last minute).

Me: Close score.

Her: If the Giants make the next goal, they’ll tie the game.

Me: Yeah, but they’re closer to their goal right now, so it might not happen.

Her: Well, look. It’s only ten yards away. They could do it.

Me: No, I’m talking about the Giants, not the Patriots.

Her: So am I.

A moment passes, both of us confused at what the other is getting at.

Me: It’s the Giants’ goal.

Her: I know! They could make the point.

Me: No they couldn’t! The teams make points by crossing the other team’s goal!

She pauses, trying to figure it out.

Her: Really? That’s how it works?

Me [crazy by now]: In every game in every sport!

If she wasn’t so honestly unenlightened about football, I’d think she was messing with me just to drive me insane.

Of course, she ended up being right. Not about the goals, but about the Giants making another touchdown and winning the game. Pretty impressive considering the last time the Patriots and the Giants played in the Superbowl, I turned the game on just as the same thing happened.

Apparently, my super power is to decide who wins these games. You’re welcome, New York.

Distractions, Distractions

Just sharing this because it’s funny. And I have no other ideas.

Nickelback responds to NFL Petition from Nickelback

Is it terribly shameful for me to admit that I like Nickelback?

Hey. Don’t you judge me.

Distractions, Distractions

I felt like doing something fun today. Just ‘cause. And also, my contest is still going on. So go leave a comment here before you read on, and then scroll to the bottom of the webpage to enter. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

…

Entered? Good.

First of all, I'm going to be tweaking my posting schedule after today. It's going to be Tuesday (writing), Thursday (etymology) and Saturday (fun). Of course, being me, it's not going to be one hundred percent. This Thursday, for example, is not going to be etymology.

I can sense your dismay through the internet.

Because I love you all so much, I’m sharing another web game with you. You know you want to click on the link. You can minimize what you’re working on for just a few minutes. Just a few.

This game is called Snailiad (a play on the word Iliad, although it’s not about the Trojan War). It stars a cute snail named (wait for it) Snaily Snail, who sets out to learn why some of the other snails have been disappearing. It’s structured like an old-school NES game with saves, health, and of course, precious upgrades.

It’s really a lot of fun. You can spend time exploring every corner or blast through to try to beat the 30 minute speed-run time. It’s not terribly difficult, although it may drive you nuts trying to get 100% map and items. There’s also an optional extra hard mode where you play as Sluggy Slug, without Snaily’s protective shell.

I really love the names.

Enjoy! The game is great. The realization that you’ve spent four hours trying to find that one room that will give you a 100% map…not so much. But still fun.

Distractions, Distractions

This may surprise you, but it’s a choose your own adventure game. It’s a short story called Thousand Dollar Soul, made into a flash for Newgrounds (it’s what is referred to as “interactive fiction” : ). It’s about a high school kid named Todd who’s visited by a future version of himself, who came back, ostensibly, to help Todd change his life. But, depending on your choices, you might start to wonder about Future Todd’s motivations.

You can go through it as many times as you want. In fact, you should go through it more than once as the only way to learn about what’s really happening is to piece together what you learn from the different paths. There are 35 endings in total and a handy list to check which ones you’ve gotten.

Over all, it’s a fun experience. It’s my kind of story: one you have to think about and discuss in order to comprehend completely. One final warning: it’s a bit violent. But I still recommend it as an interesting read.

Another Day, Another Distraction

So, I found another cute game. It’s a puzzle game called The Adventures of Red from the folks at Armor Games. Seriously, they come up with some great games. And they share them for free!

There were a few puzzles that took some time to work out—there are clues all around but sometimes they weren’t very logical. There was only one puzzle that really stumped me, a kind of camel crossing puzzle where you have to plan how these knights pass each other by. I’m no good at that kind of puzzle, I freely admit.

I had fun with it, so I thought it would be nice to share. It’s pretty fast, you can beat it in an hour. Or maybe solve a few puzzles in between writing chapters for your latest masterpiece. 

Man, how many times did I use the word "puzzle" in this post? Too many for enjoyable reading, I know that much. 

I hope your week is going great. Have fun, take a short break, and don’t forget to write, write, write!

...Puzzle! (Couldn't resist)