There's some talented folk still working in game development in Australia, but not many original triple-A games come out of Australian studios -- the majority are currently either focused only on the mobile and online-indie spaces or co-developing other licensed titles.
One exception to this is Team Bondi's upcoming
L.A. Noire and another is
de Blob 2, the latest release from Melbourne-based studio (and THQ subsidiary) Blue-Tongue Entertainment.
Unlike the first wii-exclusive de Blob game, de Blob 2 can now be found in stores for Nintendo DS, Wii, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 -- the latter two giving the colourful franchise it's first taste of lush HD.
Kosta has been putting de Blob 2 through his paces and his review can now be found
right here. I'm happy to report that it's a positive critique and a worthy triumph for Aussie games development.
Perhaps as a Wii titles, de Blob 2 may get a little lost in the crowd, but as a HD title on the 360 and PS3, this is definitely a game that anyone who grew up playing the platformers of old should check out. As a sequel the premise of bringing colour to the game world may now seem a little less fresh, but developer Blue Tongue have really shown their skill in building a viable game around this concept that outdoes the original in every way. Make no mistakes about it, de Blob 2 is a great game, and worth a look because it fills a void in the current HD gaming line-up.
If colourful 3D platforms are your thing, forget about Mario for a moment and
check this out.