NLU Weekly #43 (August 4, 2007) - We're Kicking It Old-Skool! (Seriously) It was another one of those slow summer weeks of gaming as Now Loading presents NLU Weekly #43 called We're Kicking It Old-Skool!. Because of this I'm going to try something different, I came up with Now Loading Update (NLU) Weekly so that I'd never miss a week of posting in my blog like I did in summer 2005 where I didn't post for nearly 21 days in a row. But, with all the posts being so well organized it has started to feel a bit repetitive and a little too stuck in its ways, a little too professional (at times) and the blog is becoming a bit obligatory and cookie cutter. So like I said I'm going to change it up this week... I know you all like my detail oriented stuff and enjoy reading my opinions on games and enjoy writing that way, but I need to let loose a bit. So no agenda, no article sections headers and no blog post headers, I'm going back to 2004 with this one. Enjoy. Time to play a little word association with what I did this week. Ready?? Picross DS = Addictive... wait, what.... word association... Know what? Nevermind, that was lame, time to get back inside that box... Welcome to NLU Weekly #43 called We're Kicking It Old-Skool, which sure went over well, time to do this right, why mess with what works. So this week was slow, so there won't be too much to cover this week, but let's get to the agenda so that we know what we are up against: Picross DS Impressions and Closing Out are the topics for this week. Time to start kicking it new school! Picross DS Impressions So let me tell you some of my thoughts on Picross DS. The game is a bit tricky at first, but once you get the idea down, it becomes enjoyable to solve each puzzle. How it works is you get a grid of squares, of 10x10 or even bigger and you create a picture by figuring out through logic which squares to punch-in and which don't have anything in them. To figure out which box is part of the picture and which one isn't there are clues on each column and row, simple stuff like "5 1 3" or something. All that means is that in that row there is a set of 5 filled in boxes, at least one blank, then a single filled box, then at least another blank and then 3 filled. The same goes for the columns, they trick is to figure out where that formation fits within the row, that is 9 filled in blocks, but in a row of 15, there could be a few options of how to fit that within the row (or column). That is where logic comes in you need to be able to determine where the filled boxes go, so you cross-reference with the other rows to reduce the possibilities. It is pretty hard to explain, but the game has a nice tutorial that helps you understand the basics. But once you start puzzling the game will suck you in As I said the game is really addictive I played for nearly 6 hours and even ran my DS out of batteries for the first time, I was that in to it. But the game does have some strange quirks. First is the zoomed mode, to make stylus use easier on the bigger puzzles, you have to zoom in to get a better look at the blocks so they are easier to tap, but this causes all kinds of problems. First you have to switch tools constantly because you can't move the grid when you are in fill mode without risking filling an incorrect square (which gives 2, 4 and then constant 8 minute penalties, with the goal of completing within an hour, those add up fast) and costing you time. The other thing that becomes an issue is when you are zoomed you can't see the whole grid, so when you are filling multiple boxes sometimes the screen automatically scrolls and causes you to miss the box you where aiming for. It is best to just forget the stylus for the bigger puzzles and just use the DS buttons to play. The game is also a really good deal, it is only 20 bucks ($24.95 in Canada) which makes it tough to ignore and there are tons of puzzles to play and you can even create your own and share them with friends. I have been enjoying the game quite a bit and have a lot more time to spend with it. Recommended! Closing Out It has been a slow week so there isn't much to talk about in terms of other games, I did try to play the demo of Marathon: Durandal, but that game gives me motion sickness, I have played 100's of games in my life and don't have a weak stomach (I don't get Seasick or motion sick) but the perspective in that game is nauseating to me and a lot of other people. That about covers it, I'll have more next week, maybe without the attempt at humor. 1 1 1 2 4 3. Loading Complete! POSTED ON AUGUST 04, 2007