I miss things sometimes, and I’m definitely guilty here – a new indie from UK-based Mode 7 Games called Frozen Synapse has, despite being in the works for some time, just recently crossed my radar screen. A tactical, simultaneous, turn-based PBEM infiltration and ass-kicking game, its simplistically lush visuals and haunting score so far remind me of Introversion’s upcoming game Subversion. Beta’s available now with a pre-order, and looks fascinating. Just imagine, now Lewis will be able to hand me my ass in games other than chess, and on formats other than iPhone.
Check out www.frozensynapse.com for a video, pre-order link and other info.
Email the author of this post at steerpike@tap-repeatedly.com.
You’re late, kitchen slug. Glad you caught up 😉
Have you ever wondered how Yoghurt was invented? One can never really know, of course, but one can imagine our nomadic ancestors (spiritually if not of direct lineage) filling up the saddle bags with goat’s milk, patting them lovingly, and sending a loved one out on a long journey across the scorching desert (Africa, where Far Cry 2 was set) whereupon the heat of the day was fierce and shockingly intense. On arrival some time later, the agitation of the trip and the heat of the day combined to make something lumpy and (I’m sure) initially distasteful to the intended party. That’s kind of the way I write (when I write), kind of like putting words and phrases into my saddlebag and setting out on a long journey and hoping they wind up in some order that doesn’t cause regurgitation immediately on consumption.
But not Steerpike.
Steerpike’s writing seems like it was perfectly cast, like his DNA is specifically geared to generate perfect written thoughts (that he can’t seem to share aforementioned DNA on account of an iPhone issue seems surely criminal). Reading his excessive wordology feels like putting your pants down and sliding your bare bum along a mile of crushed velvet and so enchanting is his phraseology, so beguiling and charming his craft that I came this close to buying World In Conflict, a game from a genre that I get along with like having sixty raw oysters without the requisite tequila.
Still, the soul yearns and aches for a thinking game of true strategy with true champion opponents. I (of course) sit on the fence with this one. I like the notion of (potentially) seeing some of the action before setting up the strategy, as opposed to the Clancy games, where you’re supposed to plan your approach before you even see the lay of the land.
Did I really say excessive?
Aww, that’s sweet Helmut, no one’s ever compared anything about me to sliding their naked bum across velvet. That warmed my cold stone heart.
Tell you what, I’ll let Lewis beat me as badly in this as he’s currently beating me in chess (though now that I know it’s preventing me from sharing my DNA I have an escape) and we’ll report back. 🙂
I vote we blackmail Helmut into writing a weekly column using 3 words chosen at random. “Velvet”, “yoghurt”, and “saddlebag” are no longer available.
I’ve seen and heard a lot about Frozen Synapse over the last couple of months but as much as I like the premise, I’m not feeling the love for some reason. I’m also getting totally snowed in with things to play now so a few I’m having to let slip by. Which pains me.
Steerpike, we need to shoot each other in this game. I’ve just read a very positive impressions piece over at the Indie Games Blog and I am now feeling the love. Let me know if you’re up for a game. I’ll see what I can do. This PBeM business is like gaming Polyfilla/Spackle.