Mac

The mighty Ambrosia Software keeps churning out great games for the Mac, never resting on its laurels. However, there is one title in its roster that continues to iterate, and that's a genuinely good thing, because it keeps getting better with each pass. The Escape Velocity series, originating on the Mac for the now-Classic OS in 1996, has seen its third version drop in 2002, called EV Nova. It has only recently been made available as a Universal Binary, hence its inclusion here in Mac Monday. Even if it weren't for that, however, this game deserves to be brought to the attention of an audience who may not have had the pleasure of playing its earlier incarnations.

At its heart, EVN's gameplay hasn't notably changed from the first version. You take command of a low-level spacecraft, and attempt to rise to power by trading goods throughout the galaxy, indulging in some combat along the way. The graphics are still glorious 2D, which in this case is a welcome deviation from the typical trait seen in game series that run for a while -- the Ambrosia devs know not to mess with a winning strategy.

Reflexive Entertainment, known for previously covered games like The Great Tree and Big Kahuna Reef 2: Chain Reaction, is back with a game in the life simulation genre: Sprouts Adventure. This time around, you're charged with helping a group of tiny plant-like creatures called Sprouts develop their society.

This game features a couple of twists on the standard gameplay, but if you're not already a fan, you probably won't find anything new in this iteration on the genre that will induce you to play more. Read on for exactly what I mean.

If you like some old fashioned top down fantasy action-RPG action, indie game developer Soldak Entertainment has you covered with their recent title Kivi's Underworld. A few days ago the developer announced that they have a new expansion for the game that adds multiplayer to the mix.

The expansion costs $9.99 to purchase and download but when installed with the original game adds the ability for the player to team up with up to seven more players to face down the single player storyline. There are a couple of differences between single and multiplayer (monsters get harder the more players are in the game and there are infinite lives for the players in multiplayer mode) but besides that it's basically the same game. The expansion is available for both the PC and Mac versions.

Download the Kivi's Underworld demo for PC and Mac at Big Download

This week's Mac Monday title, Mystic Emporium by Merscom, might seem at first blush to be a simple copy of the previously-covered Miriel, the Mystic Merchant, but fortunately, it does iterate a bit on the gameplay, offering a bit more for the money. Add to that a quirky art style and better animation, more item options, and a rudimentary budget system, and it's a great next game for those who enjoyed Miriel.

So what's it all about? Read on to find out!

For this week's Mac Monday, we bring you a little light and light-hearted RPG from Hanako Games, the folks who gave us Spirited Heart, and Cute Knight Deluxe, both previously featured games right here on MM. What do all three games have in common? First of all, they're all anime-influenced to a certain degree -- character designs, dating sim-like play, steadfast goofiness. Second of all, they're all different takes on the RPG genre. And third of all, they're just too adorable.

Science Girls! is more of a standard RPG than the other two featured games. Fans of the genre will immediately feel at home with the interface and leveling style. What may surprise you about SG!, however, is its approachable silliness and gentle humor. Hell, you might even learn a thing or two! Read on for some science!

The downloadable PC game site GamersGate is expanding its list of titles to allow Mac gamers to purchase and download a selection of titles for the first time. Their selection includes games like World of Goo, the Hearts of Iron series, the Europa Universalis series and Flatout 2. More Mac game titles will be added on a regular basis.

In related news, Gamersgate has put a couple of their titles on sale this weekend. The fantasy RPG King's Bounty: The Legend is on sale for just $9.99. Also the original Just Cause is on sale for $9.99, a 50 percent cut from its normal price

This week's Mac Monday game is Altitude, by Nimbly Games. I downloaded this title purely on the strength of its slight resemblance to the Worms series of games, but was pleasantly surprised by its actual gameplay (though on second thought, there is an element of Worms-ness in it).

At first blush a simple arcadey aircraft shooter, there is much more to Altitude than first impressions grant. How much more? Read on to find out!

The full title of this game by Coladia is Cleopatra: A Queen's Destiny. While it bills itself as a point-and-click adventure, it's more reminiscent of Myst than, say, anything by LucasArts. Taking place in Alexandria, Egypt, in the year 48 BC, you play the role of Thomas, the apprentice to Cleopatra's astrologist. When your teacher and your loved one both disappear one day, you set off to find them, and become embroiled in a plot against the queen of Egypt engineered by Ptolemy, Cleopatra's husband and brother, who is ravaging the country.

So, how does a Myst-like point-and-click game play in these latter days? Read on to find out!

The Path, by Tale of Tales, is ... a game. I say it's a game because you can fail at it, therefore there is a goal that can be failed. What that goal is is largely incomprehensible ... at least in the early stage of exploration. I'm willing to admit that there is a point to be made, but it's very hard to tell sometimes.

I also get that many people will have problems with this game because -- and this is acknowledged by its designers -- it is Art. As such, it attempts to directly interface with your emotions, and this can make playing it difficult. Find out why, after the jump.

Popcap Games is quite the studio. They manage to take the simplest gameplay mechanic and turn it into something compelling. They did it with Bejeweled, they did it with Peggle, and now they've done it again with Plants vs. Zombies. How could the overdone Tower/Desktop Defense genre be given new life? It can't. That's why Popcap has chosen to give it undeath. Read on to find out more.

Download Plants vs Zombies PC Demo (25 MB)

If you have been waiting to see how foliage can defeat the undead, your wait is officially over. PopCap Games has just released demo versions of their strategy defense game Plants Vs Zombies. The small 26 MB demo comes in regular PC and Mac flavors for US players. Folks outside the US can get an international PC version as well.

Tomorrow the full version of the game goes on sale and while PopCap Games is selling it for $19.99, Valve's Steam service is offering the same game for just $9.99, a 50 percent difference. Again, you can also get a free game, Heavy Weapon Deluxe, when you pre-order Plants Vs. Zombies via Steam.

Download the Plants Vs Zombies demo at Big Download

Today we're taking a look at Virtual Families, by Last Day of Work. Unfortunately, that name is sadly contradictory to my experience with playing this game, as it was nothing but work the entire time. This game wants to be the indie alternative to The Sims, but it suffers by comparison in many ways.

First of all, you're asked to "adopt" a starting person, choosing one based on the starting characteristics of Age, Gender, Profession, Salary, Likes and Dislikes, and the odd Wants kids? trait. I say "odd" because although it's listed as a trait, even two characters who don't initially want children can be forced to have them; it's part and parcel of the title. This game really wants you to manage a whole family.

You lucky readers, you. This week's Mac Monday is another two-fer! I realize that it isn't just casual games that come to the Mac, but there are so damned many of them that sometimes it's worth covering more than one per week. This time around we're taking a look at Fishie Fishie by Tweeler, and Spirited Heart by Tycoon Games. One of these games can be summed up in one sentence, and the other is a bit more ridiculously complex. Guess which one, I'll wait.

Okay, time's up. Ready to find out which is which?

Hey, another two-fer Mac Monday for your enjoyment! How I do dote on you all. This time around, we're looking at Pixie, a game that surprises with how addictive it is, and Rubber Ninjas, a game that surprises with what a waste of time it is. So, surprises all 'round, then! Find out the hows and whys after the jump!

Sometimes a casual game surprises you. This has more to do with the expectations that you bring to the experience than anything else, of course, but when something is given the "casual game" moniker, certain assumptions fall into place -- namely, that gameplay won't be terribly difficult, that it might be overly cute/short, or that it will be nothing more than a dressed-up clone of a highly popular existing game.

Fortunately, Westward 2: Heroes of the Frontier is one of those games that bucks the trend. It surprises in a number of ways, not the least of which are in its depth of both gameplay and options, and it plays like a meal. Find out how after the jump!