https://www.scmp.com/rss/5176/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com HK Urbex – Hong Kong Urban Exploration – is an underground collective that documents deserted, off-limits spaces, its photographers protecting their identities with hats, hoods, masks and pseudonyms. Pictures taken over the six years the group has been exploring these hidden sites can be found on a Facebook page that has attracted more than 20,000 followers. This month, HK Urbex’s first book, Spatial Cemetery: A Journey Beneath the Surface of Hidden Hong Kong, will be released by local publisher... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3036709/hong-kongs-abandoned-sites-pictured-all-their?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3036709/hong-kongs-abandoned-sites-pictured-all-their?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Nov 2019 02:00:13 +0000 The glitterati of the art world will descend on Hong Kong this week. And alongside the many events going on during Art Week, their calendars will also be filled with pre- and post-event tipples. But don’t just step into any bar – such high culture demands appropriate surroundings. Here are 10 of Hong Kong’s hottest bars that should be on any art lover’s itinerary this week. For seeing and being seen Hong Kong is by no means big, but anyone who has some networking to do during Art Week needs to... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3003098/10-best-places-drink-during-art-week-pawn-dragonfly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3003098/10-best-places-drink-during-art-week-pawn-dragonfly?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Mar 2019 05:00:07 +0000 The Hong Kong Massacre (Vreski) The high watermark for video games set in Hong Kong video was arguably Sleeping Dogs from 2012. The open-world game in the style of Grand Theft Auto was obsessive in its details, innovative in its structure, reverential in its story inspired by local films – and underwhelming in its sales. Free-to-play games like Fortnite the biggest video game earners in 2018 The Hong Kong Massacre (for PlayStation 4 and PC) is the latest game to be set in the city and the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2185411/hong-kong-massacre-video-game-channels-john-woo-slow-motion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/2185411/hong-kong-massacre-video-game-channels-john-woo-slow-motion?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Feb 2019 05:30:30 +0000 Another year close to finished, another New Year’s Eve to stress about. Is there any other night on the calendar when we’re forced to have fun, pressured into staying out past midnight and coerced into extravagant, often overpriced parties? All negativity aside, Hong Kong arguably does New Year’s Eve better than any other city in Asia and this year there’s a long list of quality events to choose from. Here are our picks for the best events to ring in 2019. Try a Boozy Rudolph to get you in the... https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2179379/new-years-eve-2018-11-best-parties-hong-kong-crazy-rich-asians-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2179379/new-years-eve-2018-11-best-parties-hong-kong-crazy-rich-asians-and?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Dec 2018 05:00:45 +0000 Halloween is that one time of the year when we can embrace our inner fears, our wildest dreams, even our political leanings, and never feel judged. Whether you’re dressing up as Trump or Obama, Halloween’s Michael Myers or Mike Myers’ Austin Powers, or just a “sexy” something that’s really just an excuse to let it all hang out, it’s hard not to have fun at Halloween in Hong Kong. The city is undoubtedly Asia’s Halloween capital, with horror-themed events for everyone. Five make-up artists share... https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2169929/10-hottest-halloween-parties-hong-kong-october?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2169929/10-hottest-halloween-parties-hong-kong-october?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Oct 2018 05:01:45 +0000 The game Street Fighter is synonymous with the fighting genre, a pop-culture classic familiar to all ages, whether it’s the millennial with multiple consoles or the baby boomer who blames violence on gaming. The franchise is celebrating 31 years of roundhouse kicks and uppercuts with this week’s release of the 30th Anniversary Collection, which brings together 12 of the best arcade versions of the game. We trace the history of the series produced by Japanese game developer Capcom through its... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2148404/street-fighter-look-video-games-31-years-arena-and-best?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2148404/street-fighter-look-video-games-31-years-arena-and-best?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2018 04:47:08 +0000 World-record-breaking roller coasters and recreations of eras long past. Gargantuan video-game paradises and maze-like odes to anime. Mini versions of a quaint Dutch town and the long-demolished Kowloon Walled City. Theme parks like these could only exist in Japan – a country that embraces niche interests and encourages strange tastes while others obsess over the mainstream. Nine crazy places for real-life video games in Hong Kong: let battle begin Though eccentric parks exist in other countries... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/2147260/six-crazy-and-weird-japanese-theme-parks-unforgettable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/2147260/six-crazy-and-weird-japanese-theme-parks-unforgettable?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 May 2018 23:31:40 +0000 Video games are almost a national pastime in Hong Kong, with many young (and not so young) people seemingly spending most of their waking hours playing on smartphones, PCs and consoles. But a new breed of entrepreneur is now targeting gamers and encouraging them to put down their controllers by providing entertainment spots that offer everything from go-karting and mini-golf to lightsabre battles. Eight of the best Hong Kong classic video game arcades: how they rate Here are some of the best... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2146580/nine-crazy-places-real-life-video-games-hong-kong-let?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2146580/nine-crazy-places-real-life-video-games-hong-kong-let?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 May 2018 05:04:21 +0000 Art Week has staked its claim as one of Hong Kong’s premier annual events, ranking up there with the Rugby Sevens, the Arts Festival and Clockenflap. What started life as a small contemporary art showcase has blossomed into a cultural cornerstone that locals and visitors can’t ignore. But once the lights dim in the exhibition halls, what to do next? Here, we present four possible itineraries aimed at Art Week schmoozers. FOR A NEARBY DRINK You’re a mover and shaker, and you don’t have time for... https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2138874/nightlife-guide-hong-kongs-art-week-extra-splash-colour-your-drinks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/music/article/2138874/nightlife-guide-hong-kongs-art-week-extra-splash-colour-your-drinks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Mar 2018 10:30:30 +0000 As one of the largest countries in the world with a breathtaking variety of scenery and the biggest population, China would appear to be the perfect setting for video games. But while an impressive number of games have been set in Hong Kong, the rest of China hasn’t always received its due. This appears to be changing, however, with the country increasingly serving as the backdrop for virtual adventures. Eight of the best Hong Kong classic video game arcades – ratings, how to find them and what... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2133354/10-best-china-set-video-games-overwatch-dynasty-warriors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2133354/10-best-china-set-video-games-overwatch-dynasty-warriors?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Feb 2018 08:00:12 +0000 The year is 1997 and Hong Kong is the setting for what is generally regarded as the worst video game of all time.   As Britain transfers sovereignty over the territory to China and the tanks roll in, so do Chinese in huge numbers, causing the crime rate to soar. Former British governor Chris Patten engages undercover operative Chin, a long-lost relative of Bruce Lee with a striking resemblance to Jackie Chan. His mission: to kill all one billion of those “ugly reds”.  Released for the Super... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2129690/developer-worlds-worst-video-game-hong-kong-1997-ends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2129690/developer-worlds-worst-video-game-hong-kong-1997-ends?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Jan 2018 10:15:15 +0000 Star Wars all but defines the word “epic”. A vast universe, a massive mythology, an almost endless number of stories to tell. So far, the movies have been limited to the Skywalker saga, but the Star Wars video games have enjoyed more freedom, exploring the far reaches of its far-far-away galaxies through dozens of role-playing games (RPGs), first-person shooters (FPS), third-person adventures and an almost unmanageable number of Lego-themed releases. Some games are great, others less so, and a... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2123472/10-best-star-wars-video-games-universe-has-ever-seen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2123472/10-best-star-wars-video-games-universe-has-ever-seen?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Dec 2017 12:03:11 +0000 L.A. Noire Rockstar 4/5 stars It’s been about four years since Rockstar Games came out with a new release. As the developers behind some of the greatest franchises of the past few decades, including Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead and Max Payne, that comes off as a little surprising – until you consider the context. Rockstar’s previous release was Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013, arguably the peak of the record-breaking series. But considering the state of the modern gaming world, which is... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2121254/game-review-la-noire-quirky-rockstar-classic-given?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2121254/game-review-la-noire-quirky-rockstar-classic-given?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Nov 2017 12:01:11 +0000 The current retro gaming trend is a reaction to a modern gaming world that has got out of hand. As big corporations attempt to offset massive development budgets through pre-orders, in-game purchases and other ethically questionable attempts, many gamers long for simpler times. These gamers have been snatching up retro consoles such as the NES Classic and SNES Classic from Nintendo in such numbers that these mainstream systems are often hard to come by. Eight of the best Hong Kong classic video... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2120146/10-retro-game-players-you-can-buy-hong-kong-pandoras-box?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2120146/10-retro-game-players-you-can-buy-hong-kong-pandoras-box?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Nov 2017 12:03:41 +0000 Thoughts of Singapore naturally turn to flatness – to its mostly level terrain, but also to its lack of edgy appeal. Many consider it a characterless city that’s always a couple of steps behind trendsetting metropolises, with nothing to offer but bland and overpriced entertainment. But a sea change is under way, thanks in part to a wave of homesick Singaporeans – educated in the West and returning full of entrepreneurial spirit – who have breathed new life into some tried and tested classics.... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/2119653/best-alternative-singapore-insiders-guide-exciting-new-bars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/2119653/best-alternative-singapore-insiders-guide-exciting-new-bars?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Nov 2017 04:49:23 +0000 Within seconds, nearly all of the world’s media can be at your fingertips. At the click of a button, you can easily access Buster Keaton’s early shorts, the “Closet Mix” of the Velvet Underground’s third album and the entire oeuvre of Philip K. Dick. However, this isn’t true for video games. Once a generation has moved forward, and new consoles and operating systems are released, a game that once sold millions of copies might be lost forever. That lack of preservation, of safeguarding history... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2118165/retro-gaming-gets-21st-century-boost-analogue-consoles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2118165/retro-gaming-gets-21st-century-boost-analogue-consoles?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Nov 2017 10:00:34 +0000 Video game arcades were a part of everyday life for those who grew up in Hong Kong in the 1990s. After school, youngsters would sneak into town and hit up one of dozens of venues scattered throughout the city. Most of the arcades are gone now, victims of a massive industry that convinced us to put consoles machines in our homes, before charging us hundreds of dollars for games we’d only play once. New Tamagotchi released for digital pet’s 20th anniversary But there’s something about a classic... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2117048/eight-best-hong-kong-classic-video-game-arcades-ratings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2117048/eight-best-hong-kong-classic-video-game-arcades-ratings?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Oct 2017 06:24:48 +0000 Cyberpunk soldiers in full battle gear march confidently through darkened corridors, armed with futuristic rifles fully locked and loaded. Nearby, an anime princess with flowing blue hair and a huge sword stands ready for combat. Over in the corner is Spider-Man, crouching over his phone with his mask off, his wiry teenage frame in stark contrast to his bald Asian head. I have just arrived at GameStart Asia in Singapore, one of the largest gaming conventions in Asia. A weekend-long annual event,... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2115884/e-sports-indie-games-cosplay-gamestart-asia-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2115884/e-sports-indie-games-cosplay-gamestart-asia-singapore?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Oct 2017 10:00:15 +0000 Life in Hong Kong is not easy. Our cost of living continues to rise and the working class continues to struggle. Some say it wasn’t always like this, but they’re fooling themselves. Hong Kong has always been tough for those living near the bottom rung, particularly immigrants. Their tales have been covered in documentaries, films and books, but hearing them is one thing; immersing yourself in the experience is something else entirely. Game review: Mainlining – play an MI7 agent sifting through... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2115189/hong-kong-set-immigrant-housewife-video-game-love-letter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2115189/hong-kong-set-immigrant-housewife-video-game-love-letter?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Oct 2017 11:03:01 +0000 Echo Ultra Ultra 4.5/5 stars Highbrow influences aren’t often seen in video games. More often than not, developers are happy to pander to gamers through Michael Bay-style visuals and dumb fight scenes straight out of ’80s action film. Rare is the developer who takes his inspiration seriously. Review: Blade Runner meets Kowloon Walled City in Observer, a cyberpunk dive into a terrifying world Observer was one of the most fascinating games recently to buck that trend, borrowing liberally from... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2113982/game-review-echo-pays-tribute-stanley-kubrick-game-where?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2113982/game-review-echo-pays-tribute-stanley-kubrick-game-where?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Oct 2017 12:00:59 +0000 Blade Runner’s influence is without parallel. The cult film, a critical and commercial flop on its initial release, is now seen as a masterpiece of sci-fi cinema, an ahead-of-its-time classic that inspired an entire legion of filmmakers. But its inspiration isn’t limited to the film world: novelists have used it as the basis for the cyberpunk subgenre, Vangelis’ score influenced a host of electronic music producers, and everything from comic books to anime, TV shows to modern technology have... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2113928/blade-runner-effect-best-eight-video-games-were?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2113928/blade-runner-effect-best-eight-video-games-were?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Oct 2017 05:01:50 +0000 Project Cars 2 Bandai Namco 4/5 stars When it comes to racing games, there are casual fans and then there are hard core fans. Casual racers drive normal cars in real life. They like the spills and thrills seen in racing games, the physics-defying ridiculousness of it, and of course the crashes. From Gran Turismo video game to Le Mans, a Hong Kong boy racer’s story Hard core racers take things seriously. They sometimes have a couple of cars in their garage, no doubt souped-up and customised. So... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2113215/review-project-cars-2-now-free-glitches-racer-sure-please?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2113215/review-project-cars-2-now-free-glitches-racer-sure-please?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Sep 2017 05:17:37 +0000 Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 Konami 4 stars Strong rivalries are necessary to drive progress; without one side spurring the other, innovation dies. Nowhere is that more true than in video games, specifically of the sporting kind. With new releases traditionally rolled out annually, lazy publishers and their limited development teams are often content to churn out “sequels” that merely put a spit-shine on last year’s edition. What keeps them going are the guys on the other side. In the obsessive... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2112261/game-review-pro-evolution-soccer-2018-fifa-rival-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2112261/game-review-pro-evolution-soccer-2018-fifa-rival-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Sep 2017 05:32:59 +0000 Virtual reality is regularly touted as the future of all media. Soon, everyone will spend days wearing a headset, living out their fantasies in true-to-life simulations. Or so they say. Cynics like myself don’t necessarily feel VR is a true medium in itself – it only augments what we already have. However, I’d never experienced true VR. I had used a rudimentary version involving a cheap cardboard headset and a smartphone, but I’d never tried out the high-end variety. This is why I jumped at the... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2111307/inside-hong-kongs-first-virtual-reality-gaming-arcade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2111307/inside-hong-kongs-first-virtual-reality-gaming-arcade?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Sep 2017 04:45:30 +0000 Smashy Duo Big Frost Games 4 stars You have got to hand it to the unsung heroes behind old arcade games – the ones who broke new ground in the early days of the medium, stumbling around in the proverbial dark, working with limited technology and yet somehow still creating addictively enjoyable games. Many modern developers have tried to recreate the vibe of old arcade games, but not always with the same success. Smashy Duo (available for Android and iOS), however, is one of the best – it manages... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2111003/game-review-smashy-duo-mobile-squash-against-monsters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2111003/game-review-smashy-duo-mobile-squash-against-monsters?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Sep 2017 12:00:44 +0000 Yakuza Kiwami Sega 4/5 stars For most first-time visitors, Japan is a blast of the bizarre. A country unlike any other, almost a world unto itself, and possibly the closest thing to an alien planet most of us will experience. Of course, that’s all said with respect – Japan’s culture, customs and general way of life strike a fascinating balance between the intricately traditional and the highly modern. The same is true for its video games, with multi-world role-playing games and spine-chilling... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2110687/game-review-yakuza-kiwami-reminiscent-gta-v-japanese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2110687/game-review-yakuza-kiwami-reminiscent-gta-v-japanese?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Sep 2017 05:33:39 +0000 Radiation City Atypical Games 3.5/5 stars Post-apocalyptic scenarios are quite common in video games. For those sitting comfortably with their consoles or computers, or travelling with their mobile devices, it’s always fun to be thrown into a situation where they’re forced to survive and fight off hordes of radiation-ravaged monsters. Radiation City (iPhone and iPad) is one of a few fully realised, 3D post-apocalyptic games for mobile devices. In this action-adventure game, you play a pilot... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2110101/game-review-radiation-city-fun-zombie-survival-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2110101/game-review-radiation-city-fun-zombie-survival-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Sep 2017 05:33:14 +0000 Distrust Cheerdealers 2.5/ 5 stars As the years pass and cheap film knock-offs continue to be churned out, it’s become obvious that director John Carpenter’s The Thing is one of a kind: a classic film that is part horror, part sci-fi thriller. And it’s the combined elements of The Thing that make it a tour de force – its isolated Arctic outpost setting, an alien able to morph at will, a cast of paranoid characters and a bleakly nihilistic ending – and make it ideal for an interactive virtual... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2109941/game-review-distrust-dull-take-john-carpenters-film-thing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2109941/game-review-distrust-dull-take-john-carpenters-film-thing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:02:04 +0000 Observer Bloober Team 4.5/5 stars Cyberpunk’s cult status as a sci-fi subgenre might be waning if the lacklustre box-office performance of the Ghost in the Shell remake this summer is any indication. But when cyberpunk is tied to the past, the subgenre still has plenty to say. That’s largely what makes Observer (for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, OSX and Linux) so appealing. The game deftly balances the subgenre’s many well-worn clichés and creates something fresh and innovative – ironically... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2108293/review-blade-runner-meets-kowloon-walled-city-observer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2108293/review-blade-runner-meets-kowloon-walled-city-observer?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Sep 2017 05:32:01 +0000 War Wings Miniclip 3.5/5 stars Christopher Nolan’s latest film Dunkirk was noteworthy for a number of reasons, particularly in that it was free of most wartime clichés, featured a continuous assault spread across overlapping timelines, and featured stunning IMAX action scenes of intense aerial dogfights (mostly involving Tom Hardy). Tencent’s hit video game Honour of Kings spurs black market for virtual mercenaries, ghost players Those scenes were running through my mind as I played War Wings... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2108975/game-review-war-wings-intense-aerial-dogfights-will-make?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2108975/game-review-war-wings-intense-aerial-dogfights-will-make?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Aug 2017 07:34:41 +0000 Skeleton Boomerang Artisano 3/5 stars Almost every week it seems there’s a new game released to appeal to our sense of nostalgia. And it makes sense: if you’re a young developer trying to break into the industry, it should be a no-brainer to look at the favourite games from your past and update them with modern technology. Game review: Silly Walks on iOS – simple but entertaining mobile adventure, and cute to boot PC game Skeleton Boomerang is based on the 2D action adventure platform games of... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2108142/game-review-skeleton-boomerang-returns-golden-age-action?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2108142/game-review-skeleton-boomerang-returns-golden-age-action?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Aug 2017 12:01:49 +0000 Silly Walks Part Time Monkey 4 stars The wonderful thing about mobile games is that they can be so simple. By focusing on an effective concept, mobile developers have created some of the best games in modern times using only limited gameplay. Joining the ranks of the best is Silly Walks (for iOS). No doubt taking its name from the famous Monty Python skit, the only real comparison is the ridiculous way your character moves around the levels. You control various types of anthropomorphic food: a... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2107917/game-review-silly-walks-ios-simple-entertaining-mobile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2107917/game-review-silly-walks-ios-simple-entertaining-mobile?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Aug 2017 11:45:51 +0000 The Low Road XGen Studios 3 stars Corporate espionage and capitalistic one-upmanship might not sound as exciting a subject for a video game as the cutthroat world of international super spies, but here’s The Low Road to prove us wrong – or at least, it starts off that way. Review: Darkside Detective – Twin Peaks-inspired point-and-click adventure in town plagued by strange events Set in the mid-1970s, the game (available on PC) sees players take on the role of Noomi, a new agent working for... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2106879/game-review-low-road-corporate-espionage-adventure-where?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2106879/game-review-low-road-corporate-espionage-adventure-where?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Aug 2017 12:01:38 +0000 Darkside Detective Spooky Doorway 3/5 stars I have a love-hate relationship with filmmaker David Lynch, famed for cult (and now reinvigorated) TV series Twin Peaks. His offerings often walk the line between art and commercialism. Sometimes his works make him seem like a genius, while other times he seems to be quirky just for the sake of it. No matter how you view his style, there’s no doubt that Lynch’s work has inspired a run of pop culture products that usually seem to hit the mark. It can... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2106061/review-darkside-detective-twin-peaks-inspired-point-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2106061/review-darkside-detective-twin-peaks-inspired-point-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Aug 2017 12:00:48 +0000 Time Crash 8SEC 3 stars Time Crash (available for iOS) strongly reminds me the hit game Mirror’s Edge, reappropriated for mobile devices. For those who never played the original, it was a thrilling endless-running game in which you scaled walls, ceilings and other hard-to-reach surfaces through parkour-like moves. Time Crash does a decent job of replicating all that, moving ME’s third-person perspective to the first-person, and toning down its control scheme to a one-fingered set of taps and... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2105683/review-time-crash-decent-endless-running-game-mobile?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2105683/review-time-crash-decent-endless-running-game-mobile?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Aug 2017 12:02:03 +0000 Calculator: The Game Simple Machine 3.5/5 stars When I was in school – long before smartphones were in every pocket and laptops on every table – the humble calculator provided an endless source of amusement. Sometimes, our scientific calculators had simple games installed on them, but more often than not, we used carefully selected numbers to spell out amusing words. That makes Calculator: The Game (available for Android and iOS) a funny little release, since that’s also kind of the goal. Not... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2105240/review-calculator-game-makes-maths-fun-90s-nostalgia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2105240/review-calculator-game-makes-maths-fun-90s-nostalgia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Aug 2017 12:01:28 +0000 Serial Cleaner Curve Digital 3/5 stars A great idea can be sometimes easy to come by. Great execution, on the other hand, can often be a little harder. You probably know people who believe their genius plans are going to take the world by storm, but in fact their ideas rarely bear fruit. Game review: escape a communist hellhole in Black the Fall Serial Cleaner (available for PC and PS4) probably should not have gone further than a late night light-bulb moment. In the game you are a professional... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2104871/game-review-serial-cleaner-crime-scene-clean-concept?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2104871/game-review-serial-cleaner-crime-scene-clean-concept?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:15:45 +0000 Black the FallSand Sailor Studio 3.5 stars For all its drawbacks as a system of governance, you have to admit that communism, with its rich history and Big Brother overtones, makes for an ideal video game setting. Two-fisted shooters that let you blow the brains out of evil reds? Check. Sneaky super-spy stealth games in which you set up both sides against each other? Been there, played that. Even communist-friendly versions of city- and world-builders are out there. All of that makes Black the... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2104203/game-review-escape-communist-hellhole-black-fall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2104203/game-review-escape-communist-hellhole-black-fall?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Jul 2017 10:00:26 +0000 Street Fighter IV Champion Edition Capcom 4/5 stars There’s never been a great mobile fighting game, as the console originals tend to rely on joysticks and gamepads. Even Street Fighter, the most famous fighting game of all time, has had a patchy history on mobile formats. Street Fighter IV was first released on mobile devices back in 2010, and it wasn’t half bad, a decent virtual approximation of the necessary control scheme. Capcom amped things up by adding multiplayer in Street Fighter IV... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2103835/review-street-fighter-iv-champion-edition-mobile-fighting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2103835/review-street-fighter-iv-champion-edition-mobile-fighting?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Jul 2017 05:15:59 +0000 Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy Naughty Dog 3/5 stars Not every bit of the past should be dug up for the sake of nostalgia. Which is to say, not every game from your younger years should be remade, despite those rose-tinted memories. Sometimes it’s best just to leave them in their dusty CD cases. Game review – Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow – shallow fan service meets the worst of freemium Crash Bandicoot was all but the PlayStation mascot when Sony first entered the console arena in the 1990s. He... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2103382/review-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-sees-sony-cash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2103382/review-crash-bandicoot-n-sane-trilogy-sees-sony-cash?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Jul 2017 10:32:49 +0000 Passpartout: The Starving Artist Flamebait Games 3.5 stars Modern art is, perhaps understandably, ridiculed by many. Contemporary works are often criticised as lazy and overly ambiguous – splodges or splashes sold for ridiculous prices and lacking the resonance of say, the Renaissance or even the Cubist movement. Anyone can be an artist, they say, it’s just how you market yourself, and that’s the tongue-in-cheek idea behind Passpartout: The Starving Artist (available for PC). In this quirky 3D... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2102518/game-review-passpartout-starving-artists-take-modern-art?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2102518/game-review-passpartout-starving-artists-take-modern-art?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Jul 2017 12:01:14 +0000 Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow Jam City 2.5 stars The cult of Futurama isn’t to be trifled with. When Netflix this month announced the removal of the show from its US roster, a million geeks cried out in terror and trolls took to forums to protest this blow to modern culture. But wait until they get a load of Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow (available for Android and iOS), because things are going to get much worse. Made with input from creators Matt Groening and David Cohen, alongside voice talent... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2103050/game-review-futurama-worlds-tomorrow-shallow-fan-service?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2103050/game-review-futurama-worlds-tomorrow-shallow-fan-service?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jul 2017 05:39:56 +0000 Angry Birds Evolution Rovio 2.5 stars Remember when smartphones were just taking off and Angry Birds was the height of mobile gaming? How far we’ve come since those days. Actually, if Angry Birds Evolution (available for Android and iOS) is any guide, it seems we haven’t come very far at all. As the name suggests, developer Rovio has tried to “evolve” the Angry Birds series, and the latest instalment is essentially a turn-based role-playing game. The core of the game is still the same – launch... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2102000/game-review-angry-birds-evolution-boring-and-lacks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2102000/game-review-angry-birds-evolution-boring-and-lacks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Jul 2017 00:02:54 +0000 Vanquish Sega 3.5/5 stars Vanquish? Didn’t I play this a couple of years ago? Seven years ago, it turns out. Vanquish (available for the PC) was a minor release when it first came out. It was something of a cult favourite, although that’s been forgotten in the years since. What it had going for it was its action: a sleek, fast-paced space marine adventure, with enjoyable gunplay and structured settings. What it didn’t have going for it was pretty much everything else: the overwrought, Gears of... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2100103/game-review-vanquish-fast-paced-reboot-sleek-space-marine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2100103/game-review-vanquish-fast-paced-reboot-sleek-space-marine?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jun 2017 12:00:17 +0000 Operate Now: Hospital Spil Games 3/5 stars Run a hospital, show off your skills as a surgeon, and save life and limb – that’s the general idea behind Operate Now: Hospital (available for Android and iOS). Hospital simulation games are far from new – Theme Hospital and Hospital Tycoon were both cult releases in their day, appealing to types who find satisfaction in light-managerial tasks at a sterile place of injury and death. Operate takes things a little more seriously, no doubt inspired by the... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2099132/game-review-operate-now-hospital-hardly-cutting-edge-fare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2099132/game-review-operate-now-hospital-hardly-cutting-edge-fare?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jun 2017 10:01:23 +0000 Empathy: Path of Whispers Pixel Night 3/5 stars Most people can’t stand so-called walking simulators and it’s hard to blame them. Video games have the capacity to move beyond the simple pleasures of books and films, to involve and engage and allow the player to influence the story. Most walking simulators do exactly what they say on the tin: make you walk through an often poorly conceived story, with no sense of effect. There are notable exceptions, of course – What Remains of Edith Finch and... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2098241/game-review-empathy-path-whispers-walking-simulator-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2098241/game-review-empathy-path-whispers-walking-simulator-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jun 2017 10:03:45 +0000 Nadia Was Here Jajaben Games 4/5 stars Nadia Was Here (available for PC and Mac) has been a long time coming. First announced in 2013 (and with a number of false launch dates reported since then), the one-man project is a big deal in the niche world of 8- and 16-bit role-playing games (RPGs). While many gamers in the 1980s enjoyed the thrills of a plumber chasing mushrooms, others were exploring the far-reaching possibilities that gaming held in its early days. Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2097399/game-review-nadia-was-here-harks-back-good-old-days-8-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2097399/game-review-nadia-was-here-harks-back-good-old-days-8-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Jun 2017 12:00:19 +0000 Terminator Genisys: Future War Plarium 2 stars The Terminator Genisys movie came out almost two years ago. Everything about it was mediocre, from the terribly misspelled title, to (spoiler alert) John Connor as the bad guy, Sarah Connor’s non-stop sarcasm and even Schwarzenegger as an elderly terminator. It all but killed the franchise, but here we are, a good 700-plus days since it hit cinemas, with a tie-in mobile game. What’s the point of releasing this obvious cash-grab when there’s little... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2096965/game-review-terminator-genisys-future-war-mobile-tie-wont?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2096965/game-review-terminator-genisys-future-war-mobile-tie-wont?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2017 05:32:27 +0000 Friday the 13th: The Game Gun Media 3.5 stars Friday the 13th movies constantly disappoint. None have ever been essential or even contained all of the series’ hallmarks. The scary first instalment only involved Jason’s mother, the decent second film saw him in a pillowcase and as the movies began to find their iconic footing – the hockey mask, the machete – they only got worse. So a video game is the only way to bring together everything that made the series so entertaining, while allowing... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2096371/game-review-friday-13th-scary-enough-and-all-good-bits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2096371/game-review-friday-13th-scary-enough-and-all-good-bits?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:32:32 +0000 Old Man’s Journey Broken Rules 4.5 stars Old people – what are they good for? Your average game-playing millennial might not have many positive answers to this question as the long-held tradition of respecting and learning from your elders seemingly becomes more a thing of the past. But here’s Old Man’s Journey (for Android, iOS, PC and Mac), which shows us all a little of what it’s like to live a full and satisfactory life. It’s available for computers, but plays infinitely better on mobile... https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2096070/game-review-old-mans-journey-walking-miles-old-mans-shoes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/culture/arts-entertainment/article/2096070/game-review-old-mans-journey-walking-miles-old-mans-shoes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 May 2017 07:01:31 +0000