So I found Gaijin…

On Youtube, wasn’t that hard to find really but I didn’t want to leave my post all broken up for you guys. I’m still keeping that review up anyways, the video being on youtube does not change my mind, in fact if I were to review now I might deduct points for this lack of respect for their own animation. I checked out their site, no real news as to why they took down the Gaijin site, even they are linking to youtube. Probably just for cheaper video hosting, but that seems a little unprofessional to me.

Not much else to report, I finished one of 4 exams today, 2 tomorrow then one last one Wednesday morning. Hopefully will get together a better routine for the site maybe some exclusive features you know for the sake of making this site worth more than my petty word. Of course Metal Gear Solid 4 did score 10 on IGN and Gamespot so I might be busy playing that and World of Warcraft… In terms of Flash, if your bored and already seen Gaijin stick to the links to the right of the page, Newgrounds (beware of NSFW content) and my personal favourite FlashTV. Sadly though, FlashTV seems like a beta and incomplete. Never really brought this up before but now is a good time as any, FlashTV has the best quality Flash on the net yet it does not do itself any favours with its semi unfriendly user interface. I can’t link to individual Flash on the site because its all embedded. Minor blip though for lots of top quality entertainment. So check those sites in the mean time, peace.

Now I remember!

Uh-oh. The site slipped from my memory there for a while. Sadly while I was gone so did Gaijin, as an email has spurred me into taking action. I’m on the prowl to find Gaijin again and maybe I’ll have an upload right here. In the mean time, in my absence from the scene over the past few (lots) months it would appear theres been a boom in Flash over at www.newgrounds.com however, to clarify you have to be a fan of Tankmen and the Awesome series and some what of a Newgrounder to get the jokes.

Been playing World of Warcraft and my PS3 mostly, doing school work and I’ll have the summer off so I’m sure I’ll be bored lots so I can pay attention to the site again. Maybe I’ll even organize a daily routine of searching for news in the Flash scene, possibly blogging something good everyday. That being said, after this I may not blog for a few days or a week or two. Summer means lots of free time, so I’m sure I’ll want to get into the internet some. I’ve actually been fiddling around with a Flash game using tiles, like a primitive 2D super monkey ball, I’m working on levels and a level designer now and pretty much all the graphics but I doubt I’ll ever finish it. I just don’t like putting myself out there and then getting some attention and some doors open when I know I won’t go through them. Some previous work had been given a few sponsorship offers and I was well off with like 5 animations and 6 games going on in the works, awesome artwork and stuff… Glory days they were. In fact, I never brought it up here, but because I could never commit to making Flash I made this site, to sort of summarize different Flash from different sources for everyone, not just the  popular stuff.

I’m just running my mouth now, off to look for Gaijin!

Guardian PoPon

I like to check Game Pure regularily to keep up on their cool games. A newer game Guardian PoPon caught my attention as a neat base defense game with a pirate twist.

Using the mouse you control movement by simply gesturing in the direction (left and right) you want your ship to go. Then hold the left mouse click down to power up a cannon shot to shoot further, or hold less to shoot it closer. Whatever the situation calls for. You need to ward off enemy ships as they try to attack your base.

Levels progress nicely with some increasing difficulty over time. The graphics are eye pleasing, simple and to the point. Fluid animations accent the graphics and it all maintains a good constant frame rate.

The theme music fits the pirate theme and the sound effects suit the cartoon style graphics and animation.

The game play is quite simple, with no upgrade screens after levels or intervals of levels. It is straight forward but is somewhat addictive, and with plenty of levels will keep you busy.

I give Guardian PoPon a 6/10 for being of good quality but it lacks some bonus content that is very common in Flash games these days.

-P.G

Thin Ice

Recently as I was searching for more game sites, I found Nitrome. This site not only looks really cool with an excellent layout and neat banner for showcasing they’re own games but they also have great games. I noticed in particular Thin Ice. Before going into detail about the game I wish to first express the fact that this game is one of the, if not, best Flash games on the web.

First I must compliment the graphics, excellent custom pixel artwork with flawless animations to suit the style. The main character animation is especially great because he does a 360 rotation while skating around.

Now, the game uses the mouse to guide your character around an ice rink. As he skates along there is a line that trails behind him, and he must make a circle to crack the ice, causing himself or enemies to “plop” through. The goal in the game is to make all the enemies on the ice “die” or whatever term describes their frigid defeat. It is a genius method to use a mouse in a Flash game, and the controls are flawless. It is sometimes annoying when you hit an enemy and go flying back quite far, and can sometimes bounce right back into the same said enemy. Thats probably my only complaint.

The sound is great, a fun classic arcade style sound track loops endlessly in the background and never grows old. The sound effects for when the ice cracks is great but could use some more sound effects for skating around and maybe a last grunt by the enemies

There are twenty levels to keep you busy and I highly recommend playing this game. I give Thin Ice a 10 out 10! Possibly my favourite Flash game.

-P.G

The Greatest Story Never Told 4!

The results are in and the winner is The Tired City for best movie. A slightly more artistic approach from a Flash artist, and more serious. I found it to be a nice breather from the general Flash movies out there. It is a Chinese short about the corporate world and how demanding and depressing it is/has become.

I personally liked Hold the Line and The Druffs. Of course those two were funny and that completely depletes my point about The Tired City. Check out all of the 2007 submissions here.

It is a shame that Adam Phillip’s latest Brackenwood animation was not finished on time to be submitted to the competition. His work is always getting better, and Waterlollies is no exception.

Jeremy Dower = Awesome Art

Jeremy Dower has a brand new site design, and he has a nifty gallery of unique creations. Although it is somewhat irrelevant to the Flash scene, it is E-Art so enjoy!

Jeremy Dower

He does excellent lighting effects which make some works look 3D almost.