Anno sails into the future

I was introduced to the Anno series just after the release of Anno 1404 in 2009. At the time, my humble PC had no chance of running such a beautiful game, so I had to make do with the family friendly Wii and DS titles to tide me over. Good efforts, but no match for the majestic PC version.

But on the day I got my new PC last year, the first game I installed was Anno 1404 and its expansion Anno 1404: Venice.

Anno is a city building game, which focuses on exploration and trade. Starting out with nothing more than a small wooded settlement, the player gathers natural resources, expands their territory, manufactures essential buildings and sails across glistening oceans to trade goods at bustling city ports.

The slow-paced campaign mode introduces the player to a variety of quests and activities, training them up until they are ready to strike out on their own in the title's epic Continuous Game mode.

In light of this, you can imagine how happy I was to see the first screenshots of Ubisoft's upcoming game Anno 2070.

Steaming ahead into the future is a brave move from the series but as you can see, it looks to have paid off, with an intriguing mix of industrial and ecological issues pervading the new setting.

No date has been set for Anno 2070's release but expect more details to emerge at Gamescom in Cologne, which runs from August 17-21.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet - 360

Xbox Live's Summer of Arcade continues with this excellent and stylish shooter by Shadow Planet Productions.

As the pilot of a monochrome flying saucer, the player sets out on a journey to cleanse an alien planet from a gloopy and evil presence.

Taking elements from Nintendo's Metroid series and underwater indie classic Aquaria, the player scoots through spectacular subterranean environments, solving puzzles and blasting nocturnal creatures.

The player's ship can be upgraded with a wealth of hi-tech gadgets, which include a handy claw arm to remove loose rubble, a laser which peppers small, skittish creatures, missiles which can be guided into the heart of hulking foes and a buzz-saw which cuts through rock faces, allowing the player to enter previously inaccessible areas.

Four gadgets can be mapped to the 360's pad - although the option to add more hot keys would have been nice, as you have to mix and match load-outs on a regular basis - and the game doesn't pause when swapping gadgets.

The beautifully presented levels are huge and each area is interconnected - a design choice which leads to backtracking to reach previously unexplored areas once the relevant gadget has been uncovered.

It's never a chore though, thanks to a decent map - which highlights areas of interest - while bonus upgrades and collectables make exploring the vast environments worthwhile.

The little flying saucer's defences can be beefed up by discovering extra shields but a sustained attack by alien life forms leaves the craft looking like a weather-beaten umbrella. Thankfully, generous checkpoints restore the ship to pristine condition, while the alien foliage pops with glowing spheres which also repair small amounts of damage.

But it's not just eye-catching aliens which pose a threat to the tiny spacecraft - giant sinister plants try to devour the flying saucer, destructive industrial machinery must be avoided and air flows and water currents also play their part in creating havoc.

Puzzle elements also feature but these head-scratchers can often be a nuisance. Because the game has no text clues to nudge the player in the right direction, some sections can become frustrating as you struggle to work out what your next step should be.

Still, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is yet another brilliant game on Xbox Live Arcade. Its sterling visuals and wonderful animation play a huge part in the game's appeal, while the ambient soundtrack draws you further in to the experience. But it's the tight controls and solid gameplay which lie at the heart of the game, making it such a joy to play.

Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is available now for 1200 Microsoft points on the 360's Live Arcade marketplace.

Operation Cherry Blossom

I've been picking my way through Monster Hunter Portable 3rd on PSP since January. Not that I'm that far in, mind, as the Japanese text is stopping me from fully enjoying the game.

While I can recognise some Japanese Kanji, the staggering amount of items, weapons and armour in the Monster Hunter series means I am definitely missing out on a hefty chunk of the experience due to the language barrier.

I know I'm not alone in wishing Capcom would localise the game for the Western market and even if the PSP version isn't a possibility, hopes remain high that the forthcoming PS3 version will make it to the West.

But the Monster Hunter community are leaving nothing to chance and have set up a drive to make this a reality.

Fellow Monster Hunter addict and writer Brad Gallaway - check out his excellent Drinking Coffee Cola blog - brought Operation Cherry Blossom to my attention.

The Monster Hunter Podcast and the Well-Done Podcast, along with a helping hand from Capcom, have launched an initiative to get the game released in the West by trying to raise the series' profile.

While it's true that many online petitions and campaigns are doomed to failure, remember that Yakuza's fanbase were instrumental in getting Yakuza 3 released in Europe and the US - so there is hope.

If you have yet to sample the long-lasting delights of Monster Hunter, there is still plenty of time to get involved.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite on PSP and Monster Hunter Tri on Wii are available and are cheap as chips these days. Both offer hundreds of hours of entertainment and provide unforgettable experiences.

So let's do what we can to get Portable 3rd released in the West. It's easily the most accessible game in the series and it would be a real shame if it never saw the light of day in Europe.

Mainichi Issho - PS3

Mainichi Issho has been running on the PS3 since the system launched, delivering daily and weekly news to PS3 owners in Japan. Toro and Kuro argue and bicker their way through promotional slots and occasionally give out presents to the player in the shape of items and posters. Along with advertising Japanese events such as museum openings and local restaurants, the duo also publicise the latest games on PS3.

I've not had a look at Mainichi Issho for ages, but I found some snaps on my hard drive which I've taken over the last few years, so I thought I would share them.

What a pity we don't have something similar on the European store.

Proteus - PC

I stumbled across Proteus by Twisted Tree Games recently and I've been exploring its charms over the last few evenings.

Billed as an "audiovisual wilderness exploration game", the player tramps across a colourful undulating landscape discovering strange musical features.

You can follow rain clouds, run along beaches, get lost in deep forests and climb snow-topped mountains - or you can simply stand still and let the ambiance wash over you.

The musical theme is central to the experience and the way sounds mix and merge together as day turns to night is beautiful and relaxing.

The landscape doesn't hold many visual treats but there are some interesting things to find as you wander around.

Strange standing stones draw motes of light towards them, changing the time of day as the player approaches, while gatherings of small white creatures honk out tunes, clamming up and disappearing if you get too close.

Proteus is still in its alpha stage but is still well worth checking out. It's especially atmospheric to play late at night with headphones on. You can download it from the official website HERE.

Trouble Witches Neo - 360

Trouble Witches Neo was released slap, bang in the middle of my Deathsmiles addiction. I bought it simply because it was a bullet hell shooter but it remained stuffed away on my hard drive for months before I took notice of it.

The over-the-top anime trappings, sugary sweet characters and lime-flavoured bullets are initially hard to stomach. But underneath the bright visuals, bizzare voice acting and woeful story, lies a decent enough shooter but one which lacks the verve and guile of Cave's best work.

Along with the standard shooting action, the player is able to throw up a barrier to protect their flying witch from enemy fire - but this supernatural shield is also used to raise the player's score.

Any bullets entering this zone are slowed down, while taking out their source turns all bullets into a shower of coins. These not only give your score a welcome boost - they can also be spent buying special attack cards from a floating shop which drifts by every level.

The visuals are a mixed bag and lie somewhere between old side-scroller Cotton and Cave's Deathsmiles.

While the animated backgrounds are excellent, the hand-drawn main characters and enemies are slightly disappointing. This is especially true of the game's bosses, which are - for the most part - bland, box-shaped and uninspiring. Even the appearance of a flummoxed goldfish fails to get the pulse racing.

For 800 Microsoft points, though, Trouble Witches Neo offers decent enough entertainment but it falls short when compared to other, more established titles.

The Humble Indie Bundle 3 - PC, Linux, Mac

Just a reminder that you only have six days left to take advantage of the latest Humble Indie Bundle offer.

Six full games are included in the pack: Crayon Physics Deluxe, Cogs, VVVVVV, And Yet It Moves, Hammerfight and Steel Storm. Plus, if you dive in, you'll get full free access to the brilliant Minecraft until August 14.

But the best things about the offer is that you pay what you want for the whole bundle, with money raised going to charity.

The pack works across Windows, Mac and Linux platforms and even if you have most of the games, it's still a great cause to support.

Pick up your Humble Indie Bundle HERE

Groove Coaster - iPad

The iPad is home to some wonderful experiences but Groove Coaster may be the best game I've played on Apple's tablet this side of Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP.

For just 69p - the price will rise over the coming days - you get a beautiful and spellbinding rhythm action game which busts to life thanks to its fizzing neon visuals and generous offering of music tracks.

Your changeable avatar - which ranges from a simple cross hair to an army of space invaders - travels along a twisting line through colourful wire-frame environments.

The line is punctuated by a series of circles and as you pass over them, a tap on the screen keeps the beat going. The difficulty soon ramps up and the player has to hold notes, side-swipe prompts and repeatedly tap the line to keep the flow going.

All 17 tracks have three difficulty levels, while new avatars, items and background bursts can be unlocked as you play. Two extra tracks also appear as in-game purchases, making Groove Coaster incredible value for money.

It's by Taito - the same team who brought us the magnificent Space Invaders: Infinity Gene - and anyone who holds classics such as Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, PaRappa the Rapper or Gitaroo Man close to their heart will lap this up.

Buy in now before the price rise and experience something truly special.

Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony - PC

The year is 1619 and Sir Walter Raleigh has escaped the shackles of the Tower of London and has set off for the New World in a bid to clear his name.

With the King breathing down his neck, Raleigh's one shot at amnesty is to clear his name by uncovering the dark secrets of the town of Roanoke. Unfortunately, an armada of Spanish and Martian foes lie between Raleigh and redemption.

Yes, that's right, Martians.

That's because Jamestown doesn't take place across the rolling plains and fertile lands of America, but the inhospitable and thin atmosphere of Mars. It's a completely bonkers plot, but one which is still strangely compelling.

While this turn of events might be perfectly suited to an RTS, Jamestown is actually a bullet hell, top-down shooter - and it's magnificent.

Cave's influence is clear, but Final Form Games have lavished their title with eye-popping pixelated charm and thrown in a bucketful of extras to make this one of my favourite shooters in recent years.

Blasting enemies in the carbon dioxide-heavy Martian heavens showers the player with golden shrapnel. Once enough gold has been collected, Vault Mode can be triggered. This gives the player a brief shield, increases weapon power by a whopping 50 per cent and doubles points earned from destroying tentacled aliens and high-flying Spanish troops.

Jamestown only costs £6.99 from Steam, but what makes the game such incredible value for money is the variety of difficulty levels to sweat through. Play it on the default setting and you'll only be able to sample a brief smattering of Jamestown's delights.

But by deliberately forcing the player to up their game by increasing the difficulty is genius and means more joyous levels open up, while you'll feel your skills get sharper with every playthrough.

Even though the levels are short, it's all about score chasing. But even if you become exhausted trying to best your friends' tallies, Jamestown throws even more at the player to keep them busy.

An abundance of bonus levels can be tackled and these stern tests of dexterity will tax even the most hardened bullet hell fan. As if this already appealing package wasn't enough, Final Form have really pushed the boat out with the awe-inspiring soundtrack. it's a stirring orchestral score which matches the mood of the game perfectly - although some of the sound effects unfortunately lack pizazz.

A four-player co-op mode has also been included, but as online play isn't catered for, this mode is something of a missed opportunity.

Still, being too critical of these slight blemishes would be churlish, as Final Form Games have clearly poured their heart and soul into Jamestown and delivered a polished and quite brilliant slice of software.

So grab a 360 pad, link up the PC to your HD TV, sit back and lose yourself in the frenetic action. Stunning.

Bastion - Xbox 360

Creating quite an impression thanks to its beautiful visuals, appealing isometric viewpoint and eclectic soundtrack, Bastion is an inviting proposition.

Indeed, the first few hours in its company provides great entertainment, but despite a smattering of neat ideas and its unique presentation, Bastion struggles to maintain the initial thrill throughout the rest of the six-hour adventure.

While the glossy presentation is impressive, it’s the way the story plays out which takes most of the plaudits.

The protagonist - known simply as The Kid - wakes from his slumber to find his world wracked by The Calamity and quickly scampers off to the Bastion - a sanctuary where he hopes to find fellow survivors.

Upon arrival, it’s clear that even this safe haven has been compromised and under the tutelage of an elderly sage, The Kid sets off to restore the Bastion to its former glory.

But Bastion's twist comes from the way the plot unfolds, with the sage narrating every move The Kid makes, while his gravely voice also fleshes out the game’s over-arching story.

It’s a clever quirk that drives the player onwards and it’s a genuine treat to hear his comments as The Kid smites a pack of enemies or discovers a long-forgotten memento from the past.

But despite its interesting delivery, Bastion can be a trudge in places. The hack and slash nature of the gameplay results in repetitive chapters of action - despite the game’s best efforts to regularly dish out new weapons, upgrades and skills.

It’s true that mixing and matching weapon load-outs is beneficial for taking out certain enemies, but it’s all very straightforward and Bastion really doesn’t pack much of a challenge despite some magnificent looking bosses.

But despite the flaws, it’s always interesting to see the Bastion spring to life though building upgrades, while the inclusion of optional arena challenges and a New Game + are welcome addictions.

But it’s hard to shake the feeling that Bastion is a case of style over substance - with the core gameplay never quite matching the beautiful visuals or slick presentation.

A worthwhile purchase, then, but be aware that Bastion isn’t always what it seems.

Realm of the Mad God - PC

I’ve been prattling on about my love of Roguelikes for years, with Cardinal Quest - see below - the latest dungeon crawler to get under my skin.

But when I found out about Realm of the Mad God - an online Roguelike with a twist - I just had to check it out.

Described as a co-op fantasy MMO shooter, this free-to-play browser-based gem throws the player into an online world, where fast-paced action and joyful 8-bit visuals are the order of the day.

A short tutorial explains the game mechanics and then the player is promptly whisked off to the Nexus - a hub which houses a market selling a range of tempting items and a place where fellow players mill around, haggle for goods and snaffle up free items.

Using the WASD keys to move and clicks of the mouse button to fire, the player initially skitters across beaches and thick forests in the purple robes of a wizard, dispatching enemies with bursts of magic.

Every so often, a pictogram will pop on the side of the play area, directing the throng of players towards a boss character. Everyone scrambles towards these showdowns and once the foe bites the dust, the rush is on to be the first to grab the leftover loot.

But the Roguelike twist to this frenetic action is that when your pixelated character pops his clogs, it’s game over. It’s then back to the Nexus to start a new character and do it all over again.

You might think this rinse and repeat formula would get boring but it never does as there is always something to aim for, be it unlocking new classes, plundering pirate caves for new loot, taking on heavy-set bosses or boosting all your toons to lvl 20.

But while wandering over the map blitzing foes is great fun, the ultimate aim is to gain access to the Wine Cellar - the place where Oryx, the Mad God resides.

Getting in there is no easy task, as you first have to get your grubby paws on an incantation, which has a .6 per cent drop rate from certain dungeon bosses. However, even if you don’t find this spell, someone else surely will.

At this point, every player in the game is summoned to pit their wits against Oryx and his minions in a crazy battle of epic proportions - and a place where you’re sure to meet your maker.

The Realm of the Mad God is a brilliant experience and has bags of charm thanks to its old school visuals, not to mention the smattering of blocky hobbits, elven archers, stone golems and furious crabs.

It’s free so give it a try. Just be warned, it could take over your life.

Play it HERE

Cardinal Quest - PC

There’s nothing I like more than settling down with a good, old-fashioned Roguelike. An experience akin to having your face rubbed repeatedly against a wall has no reason to be so much fun, but there’s something about permadeath and the fear of losing all your gear and hard-earned progress which always keeps me coming back for more.

While games such as Nethack, Angband, Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup and Dwarf Fortress have devoured hours of my time - and the lives of dozens of my heroic adventurers - I'm always on the look out for more entertaining ways to punish my on-screen avatars - and my own sanity.

Step forward Cardinal Quest - a browser-based title which is currently playable as a Javascript prototype - although its website states improved versions are currently in the pipeline.

The aim is to descend into the darkness and slay the Evil Minotaur who has taken up residence in the subterranean gloom.

Stepping into the muddy boots of either a fighter, thief or wizard - each has there own speciality move set - the player gingerly guides their charge through randomly generated dungeons to fulfil their quest.

Not that it's easy, mind. Like any Roguelike worth its salt, Cardinal Quest provides soaring highs and crushing lows.

You'll turn the air blue as your pixelated character pops his clogs yet again because you weren't keeping an eye on his health bar or because cocksure bravado got in the way of rational decision making.

But what makes Cardinal Quest such a pleasure to play is its simplistic interface, which scraps cluttered menu systems and archaic key commands, making bite-size play sessions a joy rather than a slog.

While a mistimed hit or foolish move can spell certain doom for your brave adventurer, the light-hearted chip tune soundtrack and fast-paced gameplay ensures you'll be back for more with a smile, rather than a grimace, on your mug.

Cardinal Quest is a light, breezy game, but one which also packs a punch. It's perfect for lunch breaks or quick five minute gaps in a busy day at the computer.

So go ahead. Plunder dungeons, sift through rubble to uncover ornate weapons of myth, die quite a lot and try and come back safe and sound with the fabled Minotaur's head in your backpack. Play it HERE

Solatorobo: Red The Hunter - DS

Despite the fact Nintendo decided to publish this Namco Bandai title in Europe, Solatorobo has inexplicably had next to no advertising to back up its charms.

It’s a shame, as with its delightful visual style, likeable cast of animal characters and solid gameplay mechanics, Solatorobo is a neat little game that deserves a lot more love.

The story puts the player in control of Red Savarin - a bounty hunter who, on the back of his mech Dahak, stomps about beautiful Studio Ghibli-inspired floating islands taking on jobs simply to make ends meet.

However, in stereotypical video game style, the hero and his team - including Red’s wonderfully titled close friend Chocolat Gelato - leave their humdrum existence behind as they become embroiled in a plot to save their world from impending doom.

While the story treads a well-worn path, it stays interesting thanks to plot twists and a witty translation, which gently nudges the player through the laid-back action.

Solatorobo features rudimentary RPG elements but it never gets bogged down in a glut of stat menus or complicated tech trees. Instead, Dahak’s abilities are boosted by placing power cells inside his metal innards, while Red’s level is raised by getting into scraps with unsavoury mechanical foes.

Red also has a Hunter Rank, which increases as he takes on jobs and rising up the ladder means he can take on tougher offers from the game’s varied cast and earn shiny gold rings.

These optional quests are one of Solatorobo’s strengths, with the player taking on a variety of tasks including scavenging for pictures, exterminating pesky bugs, cleaning areas by shuffling crates around and gladiatorial arena battles.

The real-time combat is decent – if a little repetitive – with Red relying on his robot chum to do the majority of the grunt work.

Picking up enemies and throwing them around is the main focus of the combat, but waiting for the right moment to manhandle your opponent is key. Sweeping around the back of a lumbering foe or launching a mid-air attack are sometimes required, but more often than not, these brawls turn into little more than an exercise in button mashing.

While the vibrant visuals are impressive for the humble DS, the sound quality isn’t great. Even when playing through headphones, the poor sound compression means the light-hearted soundtrack often descends into a tinny mess. Fortunately, Solatorobo has more than enough plus points to make up for its shortcomings.

A healthy selection of collectable trinkets are peppered throughout the adventure, while high flying races - titled Air Robo GP - feature as a bonus mode from the main menu, complete with a local multiplayer option.

With the focus on the hand-held market currently on the 3DS and Sony’s upcoming PSVita, there’s every chance this little gem might slip away unnoticed. But Solatorobo is well worth hunting down and offers a unique and charming adventure on Nintendo's ageing console.

Async Corp - iOS

Being forced to work on a never-ending production line and sending packages into the ether isn’t exactly the most exciting premise for a game.

But Async Corp's world of corporate drivel, fused with a wry sense of humour and solid gameplay makes for a brilliant little package.

Like the best of puzzlers, Async Corp keeps things simple. Starting with two 6x4 grids filled with coloured blocks, your job is to arrange neatly squared-off data packages of 2x2 or greater by moving blocks of the same colour from one grid to the other.

Once the package has been put together - complete with smiley, feelgood face - the player taps on the slab of colour and sends it on its merry way.

Various modes add neat twists to the formula, but they never veer too far from the original idea – meaning the player never gets their fingers in a fankle due to over-complicated rule sets.

Visuals are clean and simple, while the delightful retro soundtrack helps keep everything moving along nicely.

For just 69p on the App Store, Powerhead Games have created a lovely little slice of puzzle fun which carries a surprising amount of charm under its blocky exterior. Well worth a punt.

Survival - PC

Doe-eyed schoolgirls being frightened to death by supernatural beings is hardly a new premise in the world of videogames but this slip of a title is still well worth checking out.

Placed into the long white socks of a Japanese schoolgirl, our protagonist wakes up in an eerily quiet school and is forced to leg it from blue ghosts who drift menacingly towards her.

To escape the confines of the building, our bewildered girl has to snaffle 10 hearts in 10 minutes before she scrambles towards the exit - and it’s no easy task, with the supernatural freaks lying in wait around every corner.

It’s an interesting mash-up of Pac-Man and Persona and it can be downloaded free from HERE