DVD And Video Games Rental

Released relatively recently, Prison Architect is a game in which you control the construction and management of a prison complex in a quasi godlike fashion.

The game looks a lot better when played than in screenshots. Seeing the prisoners sliding around your carefully constructed prison like robots adds a visual charm that can only be enjoyed when playing the game.

But one thing that was surprising was its fantastic story mode. It acts as the tutorial for the game, explaining how each facet of the prison works over several missions. But running alongside it was a story that tackled the ethics of prison life, the consequences of crime and the cold efficiency of bureaucracy. Deep topics, all of which were explained in a way that actually worked well with the simple little robot prisoners. Adding a sense of purpose to their lives.

The game is paced much like the old Bullfrog games, but doesn’t feel like a simple homage. It feels like a continuation of that tycoon management spirit that those games had.

For too long Japanese games have not, for whatever reason, engaged with the PC gaming market. They have focused on handhelds, on phones and on consoles for almost three decades. Over the past couple of years though we have seen a number of higher profile Japanese games finally work their way onto the PC – with mixed results. Some struggle to offer the options that PC gamers are used to – Dark Souls being one of the first examples.
Since then, though, the maturity is improving. The options, too, are growing. Without fail, though, the success of these games have proved to be very good – especially to the developers willing to put the effort in on these ports. Valkyria Chronicles from SEGA is a fantastic example. A wonderful game, respectfully ported to PC and, as a result, it has sold exceptionally well.

So I have been in London now for a grand total of 5 weeks and, in that time, I have spent a lot less time gaming than I perhaps would have normally. I have played a little bit of Playstation 4 in that time, and an even smaller amount of PC gaming, but I have managed to bring my 3DS and my Playstation Vita with me to London. Despite that I still have only managed, maybe, 5 or 6 hours over that month or so – but it’s crucial for me to have that little escape.

I don’t take my handhelds on public transport – I have never understood the appeal of that at all. I don’t read on public transport either, so I suspect this is all in aid of not being able to look down while I’m moving in case I get motion sickness. But when I have played (some Pokemon and Persona 4 if you must know) it’s been a nice break from socialising and gives me a chance to have some down time in a very busy city.