First we gave you five. Then we gave you ten. Now we are giving you 20 games that make you think about life. If you have developed a taste for games of a philosophical nature, then you should be in for a treat – we have some seriously innovative games here, everything from Elude, a game that explores the nature of depression, to Ulitsa Dimitrova, a tale about a street-urchin in Russia.

1. Elude

Developed by Singapore-MIT Gambit Game Lab, Elude is a dark, atmospheric game that aims to shed light on the nature of depression. You play a little guy exploring a beautiful yet forbidding world. The world has three distinct levels, each a metaphor for a different mental state.

The forest that you start the game in represents a normal mood. You can ascend to a higher plane – happiness – by climbing the trees in the forest. From, here you can leap joyously up into the sky by jumping on floating flowers and leaves.

The leaves and flowers disappear after you have touched them and eventually none are left to keep you aloft and  you plunge down into the third game area: depression.

This is a gloomy underground cavern, with a sticky muddy base that sucks you down. The first time you end up in this dark place, it is quite simple to escape, but as you progress through the game, you will end up here again and again, and each time you will find it more difficult to drag yourself out of. Elude is a mesmerising gaming experience with a serious message. You can play it here.

2. Air Pressure

You will have to play through Air Pressure – a Flash port of an interactive novel by Bentosmile – more than once to truly understand the characters and themes in this game. And even then you may need some time to think on it. You might, for example, simply see the game as a study of a relationship breaking down. Or, alternatively, you could argue that the girl in the game is a metaphor for some kind of addiction. Or you might… That’s the beauty of the game – there is so much you can read into its multiple stories, and each person will probably draw their own unique conclusions. You can give it a try here.

3. Symon

Another impressive production by Singapore-MIT Gambit Game Lab, Symon is a point-and-click adventure game with a difference. The game seeks to emulate the odd logic of dreams. You play a paralysed patient stuck in a hospital bed. Your only escape from this monotonous existence is to dream. As you explore your dream-scape, you rediscover repressed memories and gradually come to terms with your troubled past.

You also get to solve a lot of puzzles. But these puzzles are unlike those you find in most point-and-click games. They are designed to mimic the weird logic one experiences when dreaming. A certain amount of lateral thinking will be required to solve them. Symon is an intriguing game with a unique take on the point-and-click genre.

You can play this game here.

4. Ulitsa Dimitrova

The Russians have never been the most cheery people. So one would not be too surprised to discover that a game by a Russian developer is a little on the bleak side. But even hardened melancholics might be put off by the unremittingly depressing plot of this sad game. In Ulitsa Dimitrova, you play a homeless urchin living on the streets of St Petersburg. Your mum’s a prostitute. Your dad is nowhere to be seen. If that were not bad enough, you are hooked on cigarettes and will do anything to feed your habit. Try to keep alive for as long as possible. Oh, and don’t think about stopping playing, because if you do something very bad will happen to your little urchin. Ulitsa Dimitrova can be downloaded here.

Check out the rest of the list here.

Note: I have to say that ALTER EGO is my personal favorite. Alter Ego is what Second Life would have looked like if it was developed in the 1980s, only it is a lot more fun. Get you virtual personality up an running here. Awesome!

The noose is falling on cheaters.

Next title update for open-world Western aimed at eradicating “rotten apples” plaguing multiplayer; title update coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 next month.

Rockstar Games‘ Red Dead Redemption has won both critical success and commercial triumph, but the developer recognizes there are lingering issues with the game. Namely, these concerns are in the game’s robust multiplayer component, where Rockstar says a few “rotten apples” are attempting to soil the experience for others.

In order to eradicate cheaters from the world of Red Dead Redemption, next month, Rockstar will implement measures to counter hacking and cheating. However, the developer’s attempt to rid the world of cheaters started today, with Rockstar promising it won’t hesitate to promptly ban offenders for however long the developer deems necessary.

Further, the title update will provide anti-grief measures for the game’s Free Roam mode. The developer said those who are being “bullied” will have the option to transport and respawn to any location they wish.

Additionally, those acting as bullies will be branded as such after six consecutive kills, at which point the aggressor will instantly earn Most Wanted status. This mark will alert players that there is a “player-killer” in the region and will also bring the heat from non-player character law enforcement.

Here is the review:

http://www.gamespot.com

Del Rey publishing Deus Ex: The Icarus Effect novel set for 2011 in Europe and North America; will be set in the universe of the upcoming action RPG.

Read the book, or play the video game? Now you have a choice.

Del Rey books today announced it will publish a novel set in the universe of the upcoming video game Deus Ex: Human Revolution. The Icarus Effect is currently pegged for a 2011 release, which is the same time window the Square Enix-published title is slated to arrive on Xbox 360, PC, and PS3 at retail.

The book, which delves deep into the cyberpunk dystopia of the game, will be penned by James Swallow, whose previous science-fiction literary efforts include work in the Warhammer, 40K, Star Trek and Stargate franchises.

As for the novel, it is set in the not-too-distant future, a time when great innovation and technology mesh with chaos and conspiracy.

The narrative will center around two “unlikely heroes”: Anna Kelso, a Secret Service agent, and Ben Saxon, a special-ops soldier. Additionally, some of the novel’s characters and story elements will overlap both the novel and the video game. Neither Deus Ex: Human Revolution nor The Icarus Effect have a release date more specific than 2011.

For more on Deus Ex: Human Revolution, check out the game’s E3 2010 (embedded below):

http://uk.gamespot.com

Alan Wake is a psychological thriller, action-adventure video game developed by the Finnish Remedy Entertainment and published by Microsoft Game Studios that was released in Europe on May 14, 2010 and in North America on May 18, 2010 exclusively for XBox 360.

Alan Wake

The plot follows suspense-thriller writer Alan Wake in uncovering the mystery behind the disappearance of his wife while on vacation in idyllic small-town Bright Falls, and having to deal with blackouts and visions of characters and ideas from his latest novel, which he can’t remember writing, coming to life.

Alan Wake overall received positive reviews for unique style of story telling and dark atmosphere. Yet some mixed responses was directed at the “simplistic” game-play, and the overall long development time. Sales were also slow, with the game only managing to ship 88,177 units in it’s first week. On June 30th 2010, the game has managed to ship half a million copies.

The story plays out in an episodic format, with a television show-style presentation where each episode/chapter brings another piece to the puzzle of the main plot. Remedy has confirmed that Alan Wake is only the first season of a bigger story, opening the door for future sequels.

Light plays a significant role in game-play. The enemies, called “the Taken” in the game, are sensitive to light, encouraging the player to take advantage of environmental light sources and placing significant emphasis on the flashlight as a primary weapon.

A major element of game-play is the discovery and collection of manuscript pages, which describe scenes that have yet to occur and act as warning and instructions for proceeding through the episodes.

Originally, Remedy promised a free-roam, sandbox-style city, similar to those seen in the Grand Theft Auto series. However, in an interview with Finnish magazine Pelaaja and British magazine Edge, this feature is stated to have been removed, with Remedy opting to focus on a compelling storyline over sandbox-style game-play.

“That being said, this path that the player is on is quite wide at times and all through the game there is a lot for the player to explore, but it’s not a free-roaming sandbox,” said Sam Lake of Remedy.

A novelization of the game written by Rick Burroughs was released!

As well as the art-book entitled Alan Wake: Illuminated.

Michael Plant from The Independent gave the game a perfect score of 5/5. He praised Alan Wake for its “flawless pacing”, which “ensures a compulsive experience”.

The editing and plot were also received very positively, making the game “the kind of experience the current console generation was made for.”

Here’s the trailer:

http://en.wikipedia.org

Attention Simmers! You can start customizing your game with these NEW EXCLUSIVE Sets from the Sims 3 Store!

With the Romanza Ceremony, Reception and Attire Set your Sims can unite in matrimony and celebrate in style. Your fiancé will always remember how you looked on your wedding day, so make it count with this gorgeous bride and groom set.

Also, new this month is the Zen Again Set and the FREE Adrenaline Rush!

Zen Again: When traveling to the Far East to seek the tranquility of famous hot springs isn’t an option, your Sims can bring that tranquility home. 20 items are included in this set.

Adrenaline Rush: Get your blood pumping and celebrate the World Cup and Running of the Bulls with this free set. Olé!

Start shoppin’ here!

http://www.thesims3.com

Sid Meier’s Civilization V (also known as Civilization 5) is an upcoming turn-based strategy video game by Firaxis. In the game the player leads a civilization from prehistoric times into the future on a randomly-generated map, achieving one of a number of different victory conditions through research, diplomacy, expansion, economic development, government and military conquest. It is the latest game in the Civilization series, due for release on September 21, 2010 in North America, and September 24 internationally. The game will contain community, modding and multiplayer elements.

Check out the new trailer for the upcoming Civilization V. (see below), which showcases a lot of the new elements and features that will be included in the new game, such as a brand new game engine and a combat system, while also keeping a lot of elements from previous Civilization installments.

Civilization V. will be a treat to the fans, and will be released on September 24 on PC.

Here’s the video commentary:

http://gamingbolt.com

http://en.wikipedia.org

The Sims 3: World Adventures or World Adventures is the first expansion pack for the strategic life simulation computer game The Sims 3.

The expansion pack focuses on travelling to various areas in a manner similar to previous expansions The Sims: Vacation and The Sims 2: Bon Voyage. Sims are able to travel to simplified versions of France, China and Egypt. At these locations, sims are able to participate in adventures to earn rewards and benefits. At these locations, sims are able to participate in adventures to earn rewards and benefits. Sims are also able to level up in new skills: Photography, Martial Arts, and Nectar Making. In addition the game provides new objects, socials, wishes and opportunities.

The gameplay of The Sims 3 revolves around the titular sims. Players create their sims and control them throughout their lives. Players are able to manage various aspects of a sim’s life including careers, skills and relationships. The gameplay of World Adventures remains largely unchanged from the original.

The main gameplay of World Adventures revolves around the ability to go on various quests known as adventures. An adventure consists of various goals linked together in a storyline. Typical goals include exploring various tombs, finding valuables and socializing with other sims. When exploring tombs, sims must navigate various obstacles to unlock different rooms. Initially, the entire tomb is hidden in a fog-of-war that disappears as the sim enters each room. Tombs hold several puzzle solving elements such as traps, dive holes and floor switches.

An expansion pack for The Sims 3 was seen as inevitable given the amount produced for both The Sims and The Sims 2. In particular, the themes of pets, downtown areas and vacations carried over in both games leading some people to guess that they would be included in future expansion packs. On November 2, 2009, it was announced that the game had gone gold.

It has been announced that exclusive online content would be made available on The Sims 3 Store when the expansion pack is released. This is seen as creating extra incentives for the players to buy the game. Lyndsay Pearson, the producer, also stated that when creating the expansion pack that they are adding content that could not be sent through the Store. USD$10 (£6) worth of credit have also been offered for people that buy the expansion pack.

In addition, mobile versions have been released for iPhone, iPod touch, and cell phones.

World Adventures was listed as seventh in a list of the top ten selling PC games according to NPD sales charts.

The Sims 3 was listed as the highest selling game of the year.

http://en.wikipedia.org