THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - THE FESTIVE FINALE

In the sage words of a singing Wizzard; IT'S CHRISTMAAAS!!! And with that comes the last entry of my Christmas Catch-up; Lemmings - or a compilation of the original Lemmings Trilogy (1991-2000 Psygnosis). Included in the massive bumper package along with the first game is Oh No! More Lemmings, Lemmings 2: The Tribes and The All New World of Lemmings (aka Lemmings Chronicles). Not to mention the oh-so-festive themed demos the future-GTA-developers put out back in the day. With all the console, handheld and computer ports in tow, that's 32 games in total! Whew!

Now to find time to (not) make a video about it all...

Merry Christmas!

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 12

On this eve of Christmas, it's finally time to tune up a game that's long been gestating in the depths of the Collection Chamber. Wheel of Time (1999 Legend Entertainment & GT Interactive) is an excellent action game with a sprinkling of strategy that topped my Top 10 FPS Hidden Gems of the 90s video a while back. I wasn't happy enough with its performance back then to release it from the Chamber, but that all changes now! If you've enjoyed the slightly clunkly, but no less compelling Amazon Prime show based on Robert Jordan's original novels, you're in for something special.

Enjoy!

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 11

Outrage (1998 NMS Software) is a ghost of a game. It barely exists on the internet and what information there is, is contradictory, vague and sometimes complete speculation. Was it released or wasn't it? Did GT Interactive have a hand in it somewhere? How about Microsoft and a curious reference to that Windows '95 pack-in game called Hover?

All I know for sure is that this WipEout influenced futuristic racer is not half bad and more online words about its existence need to be written.

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 10

   

Christmas and Disney are interwined in my eyes. When I was younger, one present under the tree was guaranteed to be a Disney VHS. The two are so synonymous, I tend to go revisit movies from the Disney Rennaissance around this time each year. So, on Day 10 of my Collection Chamber Christmas Catch-up, I thought I'd do something I haven't done in a while; a Disney Triple.

Collated here are three edutainment titles; Disney's The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea - Activity Centre (2001 Disney Interactive), Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride - Game Break (1998 Disney Interactive) and Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Activity Centre - also known as Magical Ballroom (2000 Disney Interactive). Each have that Disney standard of digital animation, but vary drastically in how long it'll keep the little Disneyphiles away from the Christmas pudding.

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 9

If yesterday's Christmas Catch-up floated your boat, then today's entry will be right up your alley. Worlds of Legend: Son of the Empire (1993 Anthony Taglione & Peter James) takes off right where the last game ended, seeing you travel the Far East and the homelands of your party's Assassin. It's part 2.5 in the Trazere trilogy so it's as much a stand-alone add-on as it is a sequel. There's not much different, but with more of an emphasis on puzzles, this one is still well worth a play.

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 8

We're over halfway in our Christmas Catchup and today's game is Legend (1992 Anthony Taglione & Peter James). The two creatives behind the game were responsible for a series of computer role-playing games in the lates 80's and early 90's that have garnered a small cult following. The first of what has since become known as the Trazere Trilogy is Bloodwych, which you can buy on GOG or Steam.

This is the second, monikered The Four Crystals of Trazer in some markets and published by Mindscape. It's a fun isometric RPG with one of the most compelling spell systems in any game I've ever played. That alone makes it a must-play in my opinion.

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 7

Get prepared for Christmas with P.Y.S.T. (1996 Palladium Interactive), Parroty Interactive's parody of... I forget.

Practice your 'groan' face with the sub-cracker worthy puns. Apply mindful serenity in the face of argumentative family members as you encounter a topless John Goodman in a jacuzi. Strengthen your endurance by just playing the damn thing. Time to get pissed...  I mean PYST... Or do I?

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 6

I've more frights for you this festive season with Terror T.R.A.X. Track of the Vampire (1995 Ground Zero Productions) a choose-your-own FMV adventure where a couple of paranormal techno-cops investigate some bad guys who like to bite people. And blast electro-beams and rip eyes out from their sockets. I swear, this is the last Horror game to celebrate this yuletide... maybe.

Merry Christmas y'all!

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 5

Aliens have landed, and they brought their bloody huge mechs with them! Play as a psychotically stereotyped Russian soldier with his own massive mech to take them down. It's none other than Krazy Ivan (1996 Psygnosis)! Go get some!

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 4

Another horrific turn for Christmas, this time with Mary Shelly's most disturbing of creations. Frankenstein: Through the Eyes of the Monster (1995 Amazing Media, Inc) is a pulpy first-person adventure starring Tim Curry as the titular mad scientist - emphasis on mad. Head on past the jump to find out more.

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 3

It's no longer Halloween, but sometimes you want to play something a little spooky. Even at Christmas. The Elvira adventure RPGs were recently given a resurgence thanks to GOG so lets take a look at one even the Mistress of the Dark tends to overlook: Elvira: The Arcade Game (1990 Queen 'B' Productions and Flair Software).

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 2

Keen eyes among you may have got an early peak  at the second day of this festive catchup. It's more Dune! Positioned somewhere between a remake and a sequel, Dune 2000 (1998 Westwood Studios) doesn't innovate the RTS genre like the original but still proves to be an enjoyable jaunt on the desert planet. Check it out after the jump!

THE CHRISTMAS CATCHUP - DAY 1

Christmas is coming! So it's about time I gave the Collection Chamber some love with games I should've added months ago. I've got a fair few prepared so I'll be adding one a day up until Christmas, hopefully culminating in a video before the year is out.

We begin with Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (aka The Battle of Arakkis), the original real-time strategy from Westwood Studios. But it's not just that classic 1992 DOS game - it's also several ports and fan remakes too! If you loved Denis Villeneuve's recent feature film adaptation (and I'd question your taste in movies if you didn't), then you owe yourself to play it.

Before I leave, I should probably apologogise for the lack of posts in recent months. My real job, real-life and a real bout of man flu kept me away from anything more strenuous than watching Netflix on autoplay for a couple of weeks (don't worry, the PCR test said it wasn't Covid). At some point I'll even get around to those Star Trek games I left in limbo back in September...

Until then, enjoy the festive season!

Peace