The software supports different types of cameras and lenses. PTGui is one of the most popular and user-friendly panoramic stitching software available to photographers. You won’t go wrong with this highly reliable panorama maker. Export is made easy with JPG, PNG, and TIFF formats. The software also features a user-friendly interface that makes photo manipulation easy, even for most beginner photographers. The software is also intelligent enough to support spherical and planar stitching. Photographers will appreciate the convenient features of automatic cropping, lens shading correction, exposure leveling, and color handling. This software uses an innovative algorithm that successfully stitches and aligns up to five source photos. ![]() ![]() This free software comes with superior features that are hard to find in commercially available panorama makers. Panorama Stitcher Mini is a powerful panorama maker application available for Mac users. Users will also love that Hugin can successfully stitch images from different lenses and with different exposure settings. Versions are available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, providing ultimate versatility. What we love about Hugin is that it’s free, straightforward, and functional. Though quite basic, newer versions of the software offer sophisticated features like adjusting control points and projection. Hugin is a cross-platform tool under Panorama Tools. Sharpness and exposure of Autostitch features are widely complimented. Though Autostitch is simple, it doesn’t downplay quality. The software is available both on Mac and Windows. AutoStitchĪre you looking for intelligent software that will do the work for you? The AutoStitch application will do just that – it works with a SIFT algorithm that automatically matches and orders images to create a seamless panorama.ĪutoStitch is an incredibly straightforward program that’s great for beginners who aren’t confident with tweaking features. Users can also get a detailed full-resolution preview of images before exporting. ICE is highly flexible with its gigapixel panorama support. While this free panorama maker is only available on Windows, it offers a wide range of output formats: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, PSD, and BMP. We find the automatic image completion incredibly useful for creating seamless photos with missing pixels at the edges. ![]() Video enthusiasts will be excited to hear about Microsoft ICE’s video pan feature – easily generate a still panoramic image from a captured video! The application also has useful compositing features that will generate high-resolution output. Users will love the unique features of Microsoft ICE! Microsoft Image Composite Editor (ICE) is one of Microsoft Imaging Lab’s most powerful innovations. We compiled a list of the most trustworthy and reliable free and paid online panorama makers. While it’s true that the best panoramic software won’t come free, let’s face the fact that not everyone can subscribe for paid applications! Most free panoramic software comes with limited features, but they can be sufficient for hobbyists and beginner photographers. With the help of panorama makers, hobbyists and professional photographers alike can get quality results! A panorama picture maker can range from professional software with dedicated features to a basic and lightweight mobile and online panorama maker. You’ll usually end up with low resolution and warped images because of the lack of user control. Thanks to modern technology, many smartphones and cameras come with an automatic panorama setting – simply pan the camera to capture the view, and you’ll get a stitched photo! While this automatic panorama setting is convenient, the results can be underwhelming. Panoramic photography is often quite dramatic and majestic! They’re a great way to incorporate stimulating visual data into one photo. Panoramas are wide horizontal images that are most widely used in landscape photography.
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![]() Execute sequentially | Execute simultaneouslyĭeveloped on the basis of gifsicle. command will be executed one by one in sequence, please use multiple n() if you need to process multiple GIFs at the same time.The default available directories are /, /out, /tem, when command is executed, all files in /out will be exported.The last line of command must contain -o /out/**.gif,.name in input can be customized, but cannot be repeated.Boolean: (optional) command ends immediately on error.Array: (optional) folder name to be used in command.String: the filename that will be used in command.File, Blob, ArrayBuffer: local files obtained via.import gifsicle from '' // or import gifsicle from ''. Import in vue $ npm i gifsicle-wasm-browser -save GifsicleTool.js By combining multiple commands, it can complete more practical functions. CompressionĪccording to the upper left and lower right cornersĪccording to the upper left corner and height and width Supports input and output of multiple GIFsįor more commands, please refer to the Gifsicle Manual.Fully restore the functionality of Gifsicle 1.92.You can use the Gimp to remove some frames from the GIF as well as re-optimizing the file by saving it back to a GIF again. Run Gifsicle in your browser to compress, crop, frame, resize, and more on GIFs. Gifsicle’s optimizer is pretty powerful, and usually reduces animations to within a couple bytes of the best commercial optimizers. May be a problems with installation and use on Win 7 x32 and maybe other OS:Ĭompress-images - issues/21 Caution! if do not specify '-d' all images will be compressed in the source folder and will be replaced.įor Windows x32 and 圆3 also, you can use. To use jpegoptim you must npm install jpegoptim-bin -save, this library does not work properly on some OS and platforms. This tool shrinks the GIF file size by reducing the number of colors in each frame. To use guetzli you must npm install guetzli -save, this library does not work properly on some OS and platforms.įor jpegRecompress - in details jpegRecompress įor jpegoptim - GIF compressor optimizes GIFs using Gifsicle and Lossy GIF encoder, which implements lossy LZW. Can be false or commands array.įor jpegtran - in details jpegtran įor mozjpeg - in details mozjpeg įor guetzli - (Very long compresses on Win 8.1 google/guetzli#238) in details guetzli command (type:boolean|array): Options for compression.Jpegtran, mozjpeg, webp, guetzli, jpegRecompress, jpegoptim, tinify engine (type:string): Engine for compressing jpeg.Also you can set false Įnginejpg (type:plainObject): Engine for compressing jpeg and options compress. Globoption (type:boolean|other): Options module`s glob. You can specify the path to source images folder and all images in the folder will be compressed and moved to output folder.Ĭonst compress_images = require ( 'compress-images' ) // We will be compressing images with two algorithms, and // -to-> compress_images ( "src/img/**/*. As an example: you want to compress images in jpegRecompress, but you get the error Unsupported color conversion request, so an alternative algorithm to compress the images can be used, like mozjpeg. If you get an error, alternative algorithms for compressing images can be used. Alternative configuration/algorithm for compressing images If you get an error, the error log will be saved. As an example - mozjpeg + jpegoptim or jpegtran + mozjpeg or any other algorithm. You can even minify images by using a combination of compression algorithms. For PNG: pngquant, optipng, pngout, webp, pngcrush, tinify.For JPG: jpegtran, mozjpeg, webp, guetzli, jpegRecompress, jpegoptim, tinify.GIF animation resizing is sometimes tricky, and you. Useful when you need to reduce GIF size or fit the image in specific dimensions. Now, what you can do is run your output through a GIF optimizer, which can attempt to make your animation more compressible by reducing the color depth, frame rate, resolution, and various other tweaks. You can use different algorithms and methods for compressing images with many options. Ezgif's online image resizer will resize, crop, or flip animated gifs and other images, with the same quality and speed as professional software, without the need to buy and install anything. There is no such thing as a non-compressed animated GIF. Image compression with extension: jpg/jpeg, svg, png, gif. ![]() Like a fuzz pedal, it works better with some than others or may not work at all. I have tried combining it with boost pedals at the pre/post stage, with varied results. The pedal has no general volume boost available, which potentially renders the pedal unsuitable for live situations. In most of the live situations I'm in, I need to have a drastic rise in volume when switching from rhythm to solos. The pedal essentially works on unity-gain levels. ![]() There is however one drawback in the current design. It'll keep you aware of your legato technique and phrasing, which can only expand your musicality. You will have to change your playing to adapt to this pedal, which is a good thing. It has some really cool features that allow you to compete with or completely replace the lame keyboardist in your band -) Think the solo on Queen's "I Want To Break Free" - it can easily be replicated with the MicroSynth! And although it is ideal to have an amp set up that is capable of responding to the frequencies it generates, it will still sound great in smaller amps and less-than-ideal set ups. I have always loved this pedal from the time I first played the predecessor version way back in the day. The dimensions are 143 x 119 x 60 mm (5.6 x 4.7 x 2.4 inches) - for some reason it was impossible to find the actual pedal's dimensions listed anywhere online! It came with its own power supply, but with the 9 V negative-center DC setting, I was able to daisy-chain it to the power supply of my other pedals without any problem. Kudos to Electro Harmonix for reducing the physical size in this new version. ![]() Some Countries may have import/custom tax charged by your government (VAT), these fees are not included in your purchase. Packages over 4 pounds or over $75 in value must be shipped USPS Priority or use GSP. USPS First Class International packages transit time is 1 to 4 months depending on your location also dependent upon custom delays for inspection. Or From desktop add items to your shopping cart and checkout. Worldwide Buyers: If ordering several cars, Use the "buy it Now," for each item, when done, request a combined invoice. I SHIP WORLDWIDE!!! US Buyers : When ordering multiple cars, PLEASE use the Shopping cart on your desktop computer, when COMPLETELY done CHECKOUT, use the request total button if available. ![]() ![]() New color for 2014, without bonus vehicle. Check out my other items on auction or for sale and save $$ on S&H for Multiple Items. Hot Wheels logo on tractor with white/blue/silver stripes, race car tampo on trailer. multi-pack EXCLUSIVE design ! NEW LOOSE EXCELLENT CONDITION - (MAY HAVE TAMPO FLAWS FROM PACKAGE/FACTORY) LOOSE - DISPLAY/FIGURES NOT INCLUDED check out my ebay store: Pinkme's Hot Wheels n Collectibles and use 'Search my eBay Store' box to find 1000s of First Editions, Series, Variations, Promos, Errors, misc die-cast. FOR SALE THIS VEHICLE IS LOOSE just out of the 2023 HOT WHEELS HW 374437359373. Loco Loopster Track Stars Hot Wheels mattel trailer tren - YouTube 0:00 / 4:19 Loco Loopster Track Stars Hot Wheels mattel trailer tren Articulos de Coleccion 17. Loco Loopster On Trailer Sides Wheel Type: Light Blue DD8 Base Type: Metal Base Color: Black Window Color: Turquoise Toy : GRV16 Scale: 1:64. 2023 HW CITY Design Exclusive HOVER STORM green/orange LOOSE Hot Wheels - 4.49. THIS VEHICLE IS LOOSE just out of the 2023 HOT WHEELS HW CITY 5-pack □ HOVER STORM□ - metallic green orange base "SHARK CONTROL". THIS VEHICLE IS LOOSE just out of the 2023 HOT WHEELS HW 374437359373. Returns: Buyer must contact me within 30 days of receipt, item must be returned in original condition.Item: 374437359373 2023 HW CITY Design Exclusive □ HOVER STORM□ green/orange □LOOSE Hot Wheels. Payment for all items is expected within 48 hours unless you make other arrangements. Matchbox Models of Yesteryear - 1936 Leyland Cub FK-7 -missing ladder section, the item is also missing the COA. ![]() Item: 175622144673 Matchbox Models of Yesteryear - 1936 Leyland Cub FK-7 -missing ladder section. Despite the album's commercial success Michel'le didn't release another album until 1998's Hung Jury, taking time off to adjust to a label shakeup and her split with Dr. 2 on the R&B chart, followed a few months later by the Top 40 hit "Nicety". The album quickly went platinum as lead single "No More Lies" shot to No. She signed to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records shortly after, and in 1989 she released her self-titled debut record produced by her then-boyfriend Dr. Hailing from Compton, CA, Michel'le made her debut in 1987 as the featured vocalist on World Class Wreckin' Cru's 1987 hit "Turn Off the Lights". Michel'le always stuns in concert with powerful renditions of everything from her breakout hit "No More Lies" to her 2011 single "Free to Love", and she'll continue to wow on future dates. It's been more than 15 years since she's released an album, but rumors of new material persist as she enters her second season on the cast of the hit show R&B Divas: Los Angeles. Dre protégé Michel'le is equal parts nice and nasty - a combination she named on her hit 1989 single "Nicety". With her sweet voice and sassy moves, former Dr. When she came onstage we thought it was an impersonator, didn't look like her at all. Overall she sang 3 whole songs and the show was done. She sang one song, disappeared for a few minutes, came back onstage sang a few snip it's of some songs then sang Something in My Heart and that was the end of the show folks. Once it was time for her to get on stage.she wasn't ready. There were two local acts that were so-so and sang more songs than the Michel'le. But spent more time on stage than Michel'le. There was a comedian that was the host of the night, she was funny. I wouldn't recommend spending your money. Food was being delivered to the wrong tables. Our waitress couldn't remember anything and seemed nervous. One waitress dropped a whole pizza on a man, the couple ended up leaving. The food and drink menu was way over priced. The parking lot is not that big, so it wouldn't have been a problem to park your own car. Leaving the venue after the show was over at the same time everyone else did was a mess. The venue was nice, however they make you valet park your car. ![]() SoulCalibur's Classic Games Are Rumoured To Be Getting Re. Super Mario 64's "Impossible 1-Up" Has Finally Been Grabb. Switch Online N64 Wireless Controller Restocks Coming Lat. Where To Pre-Order The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The King.īowser Defends $70 Zelda Pricing, Nintendo Still "Very Bu. Metroid: Zero Mission Screenshots Found On Nintendo Switc. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: All Returning Pokémon, Includ. These are DSi games, but I have to list them because they're among the best games one can play on 3DS: Bird & Beans(should be called Pyoro), Escapee Go!, Photo Dojo, Dark Void Zero, Paper Airplane Chase (another great mini game from the original Warioware! This one has a fun 2 player simultaneous on one 3DS game system), Boxlife(best music ever!), Pictobits, Trajectile, and many more!īest Nintendo Switch Micro SD Cards - Cheapest Memory Car. The smooth 3D graphics are especially impressive in this case because of the 3D movement in the puzzle gameplay. It has great presentation with great music and super smooth,and very impressive 3D at 60fps graphics. Ketzal's Corridors is totally unique and fun. It is another example of perfect responsiveness matched with beautiful 3D at 60fps graphics. These are among the best puzzle games I've ever played! Bring a new one to Switch!ĭedede's Drum Dash Deluxe is just charming. Pushmo, Crashmo, and Stretchmo are fantastic puzzle games that all run at 60fps in 3D. ![]() Ikachan is very cute and a fun little game. I really enjoyed playing through Yoshi's New Island with it's incredible 3D at 60fps graphics and fun gameplay!Īdventure Time hey ice King why'd you steal our garbage is a beautiful and fun 3D at 60 frames per second take on the Zelda 2 style rpg. Mario Golf World Tour is a wonderful and very playable golf game that I wish would come to Switch at 60fps. The tutorial and conversation of the woman and the pigeon is fun, helpful, entertaining, and is a wonderful addition to the 3DS version of Mario Maker.Ĭuldcept Revolt is the best Culdcept game ever, and it runs at 60fps in 3D and looks amazing. Yes the Wii U version is better, but it's still awesome on 3DS. Super Mario Maker is probably my favorite game on 3DS. The only thing missing is the excellent Sudoku game from Brain Training 2 on DS. Of course Brain Age also has tons of fun games like a weird version of Dr Mario, blockhead, golf solitaire, Klondike solitaire, Blob Blast, Music Appreciation (yes, I like this!), Word Space Attack, etc. I played Smart As on Vita recently and thought that the choppy graphics took most of the enjoyability out of it. It runs at 60fps and has perfect responsiveness. It will continually evolve to reflect your votes, and logged in users can interact and rate the titles directly on these pages by hovering over the rating.īrain Age Concentration Training is incredible. The ranking of this sizeable selection is governed by the user ratings for each game on this very site. As you've probably read in the tagline above, the order here is all down to you lovely people. So, here we bring you our collection of the top 50 games for 3DS - or more accurately, your collection of the top 50 games for 3DS. ![]() If your 3DS is collecting dust in some forgotten cupboard, you owe it to yourself to get reacquainted with the little portable if you somehow skipped it completely, it's time to snap up some great hardware and software deals while you still can. Streetpass provided a genuine reason to keep the console on your person at all times and backwards compatibility with original DS carts opened an avenue to another whole console’s worth of fabulous games. Sure, glasses-free stereoscopic 3D turned out to be a bit of a non-starter, but the best games made great use of the feature and the ‘New’ hardware variant (which arrived in 2014) improved its ease of use considerably. It may have had a slow start at launch back in 2011, but Nintendo 3DS steadily went from strength to strength and amassed a huge library of quality titles - enough to rival the company's finest. The fact that folks will want more and are curious beyond more than what they don’t even know yet-that being Season 3-it’s flattering. “This is the end of this story that we wanted to tell, that we were hoping to tell, that we loved to tell. “I mean, there’s always Cameo, right?” Sudeikis tells Deadline how he could return as Ted one day, via the website that lets you request personalized videos from your favorite actors. Jason Sudeikis is not ready to say his Apple TV hit Ted Lasso is ending after season 3, but he does suggest that the upcoming episodes seem to wrap up his Emmy-winning comedy quite nicely. ![]() But Jason Sudeikis – the creator/star – tells Deadline that the third season is 100% the final season of Lasso, although he leaves room for a possible spinoff: It’s just so sad because… well, there are so many stories left to tell within these worlds! I love the Ted Lasso universe, it’s so wholesome and nice. The two shows are premiering their final seasons this month, with Succession’s ten-episode fourth season and Lasso’s twelve-episode third season. Well, it appears this mentality has made a significant impact on the lives of many people around the globe.Ī faculty teacher at Kafrelsheikh University in Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt actually displayed this quote to motivate his students of the Faculty of Science in the Graduation Project.Ī sticker of ‘Believe’ was also inserted in the projector, acting as a brilliant way of motivating students while also looking cool with pop culture references.It’s really hard to stomach the fact that this spring will bring us the end of two wildly popular TV series, Succession and Ted Lasso. The true essence of Ted Lasso’s ‘Be a Goldfish’ quote is that one shouldn’t let bad moments weigh them down for long and like a goldfish, forget about it after a 10-second memory. What impact is Ted Lasso’s ‘Be A Goldfish’ quote having in society? Similarly, fans have also gotten warm to this brilliant little advice and reminiscing the true meaning behind it years after the episode first aired. This quote even catches Sam off-guard, as he’s weirded out at first but eventually realizes the meaning behind it. He said: “You know what the happiest animal in the world is? It’s a goldfish. Soon after that, Lasso decides to call over Sam and give him a piece of advice – using the example of a goldfish. Obisanya is annoyed after being left down on the floor after a skill move from Tart, who then goes on to taunt him for not being up to the level. In one training session that Lasso oversees, he notices Tart embarrass Sam Obisanya – a Nigerian defender who was also signed by Richmond. Tart puts in little effort in training and shows no harmony to bond with the squad. The most obnoxious player at Richmond is forward Jamie Tart, an arrogant loanee from Manchester City (yes they are named in the series). Soon after arriving at the club, Lasso notices some clear disdain inside the squad – with certain players not liking each other. In the second episode of the first season of Ted Lasso, named ‘Biscuits’, the coach decides to give this short motivational quote to one of his players at AFC Richmond. ![]() In which episode does the Ted Lasso Gold Fish quote occur? The series has won a host of Emmy Awards as well as Golden Globes, with Sudekis’ popularity soaring too.Ī number of Ted Lasso quotes are highly memorable, but one that has really stuck with a lot of fans is his quote about Gold Fishes. It has only gotten popular with every episode, with the second season having 8.4 times more average viewers on Apple TV than the average series on the platform. That has helped Ted Lasso be extended to its third season, which will begin on March 15. Out of nowhere, he gives some brilliant monologues – which include some amazing dialogues and quotes from the character. The character, portrayed by Jason Sudeikis, is more of a motivator than a real football manager – because he has little to no idea about the beautiful game and how it works. The series shows an American football (rugby) coach – whom the show is named after – being transferred to England to manage a fictional Football (soccer) team in England called AFC Richmond. Ted Lasso is a comedy series that perfectly blends emotional drama, which has made fans fall in love with it. The show’s protagonist, ‘Ted Lasso’, might come off as a stereotype for an American coach involved with football, but as the seasons unravel – more unique layers show the different sides of his character. ![]() The hit Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso has a lot of memorable quotes from the titular character, but ‘be a goldfish’ hits home in a different way. The roster of active fighters includes 35 characters that have previously appeared in games Tekken 2 and Tekken 3, with only two new characters that can be controlled n the battle. The fighter that is not in active use can heal some of its health, and during the tag-in procedure, the active moves are strengthened with additional damage potential. Players can select two fighters for each fight, and dynamically exchange the active fighter depending on the situation or desired tactic. ![]() It is worth stating that emulator is focused on the original Arcade game, and not on any of the later released console ports, thus giving PC players a chance to experience the true and original experience found in 1999 arcade halls.īased on the acclaimed Tekken 3, developers at Namco managed to upgrade gameplay offerings in this title by focusing solely on the tag-team option that was first time introduced in Tekken 3. Thankfully the entire procedure of installing and running the game is extremely simplified since the emulator is already provided in the installation file. ![]() To enjoy this seminal title in the history of fighting game genre on a home PC or laptop, the use of an emulator is required. Immediately upon its release, Tekken Tag Tournament became a critical and commercial success. ![]() Tekken Tag Tournament is a competitive fighting game developed and published by Namco on arcade machines in 1999 and on a wide variety of other console platforms the following year. PhD candidates are offered courses at both university and faculty level. ![]() For each programme, this is done in a way that is appropriate for the discipline in question.Īcademic integrity is also an important element in the PhD track of our doctoral candidates. Within all bachelor’s and master’s programmes, depending on the type of programme, attention is paid to ensuring that academic research is carried out scrupulously. Some examples are given below of how the University contributes to focusing attention on the issue of academic integrity. Debate between academics is one of the ways that academic knowledge can be advanced. The University is committed to creating a good and safe working environment where tolerance for mistakes that may be made in the search for new discoveries goes hand in hand with reliability in the recording of research findings. If you have any suspicions about a possible infringement of academic integrity by a staff member of Leiden University, we would ask you to follow our procedure.Ĭomplaints against staff or former staff of Leiden University should be submitted in writing to the University chamber of the Committee for Academic Integrity.Ģ311 EZ Leiden Focusing attention on academic integrity How do I raise a case of suspected infringement with the Academic Integrity Committee? In all cases, it is possible to submit a complaint directly to the Academic Integrity Committee if the nature and urgency of the case warrant this. The complainant can, of course, choose to first discuss his or her questions or concerns with other asppropriate parties, for example, close colleagues or the Institute Director. ![]() The Confidential Counsellor, together with the complainant, will assess the nature and seriousness of the suspected violations and explore possible courses of action. The main task of the Confidential Counsellor is to give advice and to inform complainants of possible routes and procedures to be followed. The Confidential Counsellor is bound to confidentiality and is independent of the Academic Integrity Committee, which investigates the validity of complaints. The Confidential Counsellor is your initial point of contact for questions or circumstances related to academic integrity and any suspicions you may have about a member of staff, or former member of staff, of Leiden University. Confidential Counsellor for Academic Integrity ![]() Complaints against staff and former staff of LUMC can be lodged with the second chamber. ![]() The new Committee for Academic Integrity comprises two chambers, one where complaints can be lodged relating to suspected infringement of academic integrity against staff and former staff of Leiden University. With effect from 1 January 2018 the Leiden University Committee for Academic Integrity and the Committee for Academic Integrity at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) have been merged into a single committee. This is explained in the Leiden University Regulation on Complaints regarding Academic Integrity. This means that they can submit a complaint about a suspected infringement of academic integrity by a member of staff, or former member of staff of Leiden University. Regulation and procedureĪll staff and students at Leiden University have the right to lodge a complaint. Our policies on academic integrity are based on the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity 2018, drawn up by Universities of the Netherlands. The procedures relating to complaints about academic integrity and the position of the Confidential Counsellor for Academic Integrity at Leiden University are set out in the Leiden University Regulation on Complaints regarding Academic Integrity. All parties, both within the University and outside, must be able to have confidence that our research is conducted in a scrupulous, fair, verifiable, impartial and independent manner. The integrity and reliability of academic research are of fundamental importance to the University. ![]() The most common causes of this issue are: It's a game which just takes up some of your life instead of adding anything to it.Your IP address has been temporarily blocked due to a large number of HTTP requests. ![]() Taken out of its native habitat it loses its sense of purpose. But ultimately Luxor 2 isn't a game that tests your skill, or your intellect it's a game that tests how much time you've got on your hands. There are other modes of play: Survival mode, which takes place over a single map, or Pharaoh's Challenge, which is basically the Galaga clone from the Adventure mode's bonus rounds. Or you can choose a higher difficulty level and just get frustrated when, after ten minutes of staring at snaking balls, you have to start again. And it takes too long to play through the whole Adventure mode because the maps start to repeat themselves after a tiny fraction of the way, and it doesn't start to get remotely difficult until after abut six or seven hours in. It takes too long to play through individual levels because they can take up to ten minutes to play through with little variation over those ten minutes. It's boring and easy, and it takes too long. Luxor isn’t as good when you can’t alt-tab it out of sight.īut the chief difficulty is simply sustaining your interest. At certain points newly coloured balls are introduced, and they start to move more quickly. As the Adventure mode progresses, the game's difficulty increases: the use of perspective in some maps makes the game's snaking balls appear smaller, and more complicated maps introduce more going over and under. And if you didn't know that the Nile is very long before you played Luxor 2, boy will you know it by the time you've finished it. What that means is that each map is prefaced by a little graphic showing your progress along the Nile, and every so often your progress is punctuated by an occasional bonus round in which you fire daggers instead of balls (which means it feels more like a rudimentary Galaga clone). The main part of the game sees a seemingly-never-ending series of these maps tied together into an Adventure mode. Luxor is a popular holiday destination, both in its own right and as a starting or finishing point for Nile cruises. Consequently, it's not always easy to tell where your coloured balls are going to end up when you fire them off. The game's balls snake inexorably around various different maps, looping over and under various obstacles, but it's not always easy to tell what they're going to go under and what they're going to go over. And it's not always easy to interpret the game's backgrounds. Equally annoyingly, pressing the Left Stick for too long will make your mystical winged scarab whizz too fast. Annoyingly, this means that whenever your Xbox decides to tell you that one of your friends has just joined you online, you can't see what coloured ball it is your thingie is firing. The main difference between this and Zuma is that the shooting thingie (or 'mystical winged scarab' as the press release puts it) whizzes along the bottom of the screen instead of rotating in the middle. Luxor is served by Luxor International Airport. And occasionally some treasure will fall down the screen to grant you more points or extra lives. ![]() Linking together combos produces various sorts of power-up, which variously freeze or slow the advance of the coloured balls, or randomly destroy some of them. Firing off a coloured ball to make a cluster of three or more coloured balls will make those coloured balls disappear, and as they disappear they might create a chain effect of other clusters of disappearing coloured balls - a 'combo', if you will. You shoot coloured balls at a snaking line of other coloured balls in order to make those coloured balls disappear before they go too far. It's basically the same game as the original Luxor, which was the same game as Zuma, which was the same game as Puzz Loop, which means it's a bit like Bust-A-Move/Puzzle Bobble but different. It might be perfect for soaking up the hours in the office, but devoting your free time to it just feels wrong. Luxor 2's natural habitat is the office, tucked away in a window that can be handily alt-tabbed away when a colleague strays too close. It's even more difficult to see why someone thought such a sequel would be suited to Xbox Live (except for the fact that the associated fanfare when it went up would shift a few more micropayments). Having played through it though, it's difficult to see why somebody thought such a sequel would be necessary. Now it has a sequel that's available on Xbox Live. It's also one of those casual games available on the internet, that also mustered a release in the shops and on the PSP. |