Nintendo Power - November 2008 (V234) - Muramasa, GTA DS

[botticus]

Cover
GTA: Chinatown Wars (DS)

News
Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii)
EA-Suda collaboration sidebar
Suikoden: Tierkreis (DS)
Square-Enix party
- Sigma Harmonics
- Kingdom Hearts 358/2
- Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: Maze of Time DS+
- Chocobo and the Magic Storybook
Phoenix Wright manga (Vol1 - September, $14.95)
Henry Hatsworth and the Puzzling Adventure (DS)
Overlord Dark Legend (Wii)
Overlord Minions (DS)
Rygar: Battle of Argus (Wii) - updates next issue
Dragon Ball: Origins (DS) - 3D

Wii Channels (WiiWare/VC coverage) - now with ratings (good, bad, meh)
WiiWare
Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episodes 2 & 3
Mega Man 9 - Boss Blowout
Helix - meh
Midnight Pool - good
Strong Bad Ep 1 - good
Wild West Guns - good
Alien Crush
Bomberman

VC
Break In - meh
Mega Man - good
Neo Turf Masters - meh
Sonic the Hedgehog (SMS) - meh
Samurai Showdown II - good
Splatterhouse 2 - meh
Star Parodier - good
Ys Book I & II - meh (very dated, other than music)

Most Wanted (Genesis)
Staff
- Mega Man: The Wily Wars
- Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
- The Revenge of Shinobi
- Sonic & Knuckles
- Shining Force II

Reader picks next month

Previews
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Wii/DS)
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (DS) - November 2008
Tomb Raider: Underworld (Wii/DS) - November 2008
Transformers Animated: The Game (DS) - October 2008
Facebreaker K.O. Party (Wii) - November 2008
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) - October 2008
Metal Slug 7 (DS) - November 2008
MySims Kingdom (Wii/DS) - October 2008
The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (Wii/DS) - October 2008
Call of Duty: World at War (DS/Wii) - November 2008
Luminous Arc 2 (DS) - November 2008
Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon (DS) - October 2008
All Star Cheer Squad (Wii/DS) - October 2008
Dokapon Kingdom (Wii) - October 2008
Quantum of Solace (DS/Wii) - November 2008
Rock Revolution (Wii/DS) - Fall 2008
SPRay (Wii) - October 2008

Features
GTA: Chinatown Wars (DS)
- interview with Dan Houser
Sonic Unleashed (Wii)
Guitar Hero: World Tour (Wii)
Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades (DS)
Avalon Code (DS)
20 Year Feature... of Features
Interview with Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka (BioWare)
Playback - Kid Nki: Radical Ninja (NES)

Reviews
Wario Land: Shake It! (Wii) - 8.0
Spore Creatures (DS) - 8.0
Samba De Amigo (Wii) - 9.0
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (DS) - 8.0
Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise (DS) - 7.0
Line Rider 2: Unbound (Wii) - 5.0
De Blob (Wii) - 8.0
Kirby Super Star Ultra (DS) - 9.0
Bleach: Dark Souls (DS) - 8.5
NHL 2K9 (Wii) - 7.0
SimCity Creator (Wii) - 6.0
Myster Case Files: Millionheir (DS) - 6.5
Time Hollow (DS) - 7.0
Lock's Quest (DS) - 7.0
Line Rider 2: Unbound (DS) - 6.0
NBA Live 09 All-Play (Wii) - 4.0
Tornado (DS) - 6.0
The Legend of Kage 2 (DS) - 8.0
Drawn to Life: Spongebob Squarepants Edition (DS) - 7.0
Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 (DS) - 6.5
Populous (DS) - 7.0
Unsolve Crimes (DS) - 4.5
Prey the Stars (DS) - 5.5
Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 (Wii) - 8.0
Exit DS (DS) - 7.5

Next Month
Animal Cross: City Folk
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Chrono Trigger
Suikoden: Tierkreis

[botticus]

Sonic Unleashed

I found scans of the latest NP featuring a new SU Wii preview. That's all the user showed (the source being a Sonic site must've had something to do with that...) so I didn't see Oboro. :( Anyway, the scans show new shots, and finally of the China level (two shots of that), plus some new Werehog in Europe shots. Here's the new info: SONIC: -Move with control stick (natch), jump with A. -Quick step (dodge left or right by holding B and tapping the control stick left or right). -Drift by holding B or Z. -Homing attack by shaking the Wiimote. -Shake remote while on ground for speed boost. WEREHOG -Swing remote and nunchuck to attack with Sonic's right and left hands, respectively. -Z blocks. -Combos by swinging remote/nunchuck up, down, or towards each other. -B grabs and tosses enemies. -C brings out "Unleashed mode" where you gain new attacks and take less damage. -Grab enemies in midair and swing from them by swinging the remote like a pendulum. -Climb poles by lifting the remote/nunchuck alternately. -Raise gates by pulling up the remote/nunchuck together. LEVEL INFO European city of Spogonia. The desert is Shamar.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade
- two-page spread, mostly screenshots (old, I think)
- 2009 release
- takes place in a fantasy version of the Genroku era (golden age of Japanese art)
- Demon Blades possess incredible power and a curse that drives the wielder to homicidal madness
- Male and female playable protagonists
- Use remote to emulate swinging sword and throwing shuriken
- levels involve more vertical progression than OS
- visuals put Odin Sphere to shame (NP saw brand new footage)
- writer laments the lack of any other info regarding game structure, RPG elements, etc.

[Rpgmonkey]

Hmm, Sonic Chronicles got a decent score...

Would love to try Muramasa.

[I AM JOHN!]

That score has a way different connotation than IGN's Samba de Amigo review. :O

Post the GTA details plz.

[comedy bomb]

Looks like they were overly harsh on Lock's Quest and too lenient on Sambe de Amigo. How does GTA DS look?

[Rewrite]

I want Samba de Amigo and also, decent score for de Blob. I also want it.

[mjc]

Gonna need to see the Chinatown Wars pics. (I know, not here)

[sykoex]

Lets get the deets on GTA please.

[steverulez]

When is Exit DS out? :/
I just searched and I can't find it on any of the major retailers...

[botticus]

GTA looks... interesting. Cel-shaded, heavy black borders on things. I think it was a good style choice. Summary in a moment.

[jj984jj]

I hope Muramasa turns out better than Odin Sphere. What does GTA DS look like?

Edit: Looks like I wasn't the only one curious about how GTA looks on DS.

[mjc]

I'm interested in the Time Hollow details, 7.0 ain't bad.

[comedy bomb]

GTA looks... interesting. Cel-shaded, heavy black borders on things. I think it was a good style choice. Summary in a moment.

I'm getting Flower Sun and Rain visuals in my head. That's not a good thing.

[Rewrite]

GTA looks... interesting. Cel-shaded, heavy black borders on things. I think it was a good style choice. Summary in a moment.

I'm happy they decided to go with this style.

[Andrex]

Phoenix Wright manga (Vol1 - September, $14.95)

For US? :o This is in book-form right, not WiiWare? :P

How's Quantom of Solace looking?

Edit-

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2 (Wii) - 8.0

WHOAH! I was looking at this cause of MJ, but wow! What did they score the first one? Reasons behind this score??

[batbeg]

Wow. Wish I was in the US, this sounds like an awesome issue, with Muramasa, Overlord, Rygar (! finally, one more month for info on what the fuck is up with this title!), SPRay, etc. Does any of the Square-Enix stuff mention localizations?

[vareon]

So we got new screenshots of Monster Hunter 3 and a localization of Muramasa this week. Pretty good week for Wii owners, as both of them are games we haven't heard again since a long time.

There's one more game that fall into this category ;_;

[botticus]

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
- True GTA game - sandbox gameplay, open-world environment, gritty crime narrative.
- M-rating
- Isometric camera angle
- Cel-shaded polygons w/ black borders
- good touch-screen implementation - "tasteful" minigames, streamlining interface
- UI based on a PDA - hub for email, contacts, map, music player, GPS, stat-tracking
- stats uploaded to Rockstar Social Club website via Wi-Fi
- finger-sized icons
- missions designed for shorter periods of play, arcade quality
- aiming with control pad, auto targeting with R button
- subtle autosteer
- if you fail a mission, you can jump back to the action sequence
- chain gun, flamethrower
- good portion of Liberty City is modeled in the game (different routes than console games)
- no probems with load times, draw-in or frame rate
- lots of pedestrians, cars, etc on screen
- Wanted system - objective is to disable police cars any way possible
- real-time weather effects, 24-hour day/night cycle
- lots of radio stations to listen to (more instrumentals than vocals)
- 800,000 lines of hand-optimized source code (hey, the people like the info, right?)
- no details yet on multiplayer/Wi-Fi features

Yeah, they like it.

Wow. Wish I was in the US, this sounds like an awesome issue, with Muramasa, Overlord, Rygar (! finally, one more month for info on what the fuck is up with this title!), SPRay, etc. Does any of the Square-Enix stuff mention localizations?

Just said that TWEWY was a hit, so they hope Sigma Harmonics follows.

For US? :o This is in book-form right, not WiiWare? :P How's Quantom of Solace looking? Edit- WHOAH! I was looking at this cause of MJ, but wow! What did they score the first one? Reasons behind this score??

They only talk about the DS Bond, with some janky sounding controls.

http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Wright...1785876&sr=8-2

DDR: significant graphical improvement, hand motions can be turned off, good track list.

Time Hollow Review
- Interesting characters
- Intriguing story
- anime visuals are great
- scroll background to find hidden items
- carve hole into the past by drawing on the touch screen to manipulate reality
- ends up too linear to use your powers very creatively
- odd plot twists
- reviewer was still hooked on the game even with its faults

My keyboard is really blowing up today, I apologize for typos.

[comedy bomb]

So we got new screenshots of Monster Hunter 3 and a localization of Muramasa this week. Pretty good week for Wii owners There's one more game that fall into this category ;_;

Don't forget the wii exclusiveness of that new Capcom vs game

[ctalamode]

I'm interested in the Time Hollow details, 7.0 ain't bad.

Me too.

[shidoshi]

Line Rider 2: Unbound (DS) - 6.0

Line Rider 2 is, to me, a lot like what I imagine will happen to LittleBigPlanet: either you'll be the creative type and love it, or you'll hate the idea of having to "make" the game and think it isn't very exciting. Personally, I've really liked LR2 on the DS - such a perfect fit, and a great toy to sit down and waste an hour or two with.

[Stopsign]

Is Muramasa done by the guys who made Odin Sphere? It's sort of hard to tell by the way you guys are talking about it.

[Lee N]

Neo Turf Masters - meh

Hey now...

Ys Book I & II - meh

>:(

[Fantastical]

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars info

Holy shit.

Sucks about Unsolved Crimes. I thought maybe it could be good.

[Luigison]

Did they give an explanation for why they didn't post reader's most wanted VC titles or why the staffs' most wanted is all Genesis?

[I AM JOHN!]

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars snip

Sounds interesting. Color me intrigued, though I doubt it will hold up to something like Vice City Stories, which might just be the best GTA ever.

[botticus]

Did they give an explanation for why they didn't post reader's most wanted VC titles or why the staffs' most wanted is all Genesis?

Just some variety instead of an all-around top 5. They're "tabulating results" for the readers. i.e. make this platform-specific top 5 lists idea extend over a year instead of 6 months.

[Akai]

>:(

I love the game myself, personally, but it's pretty clear that it isn't for everyone...

(Sadly... ='D)

[Andrex]

- Isometric camera angle

Ugh. Isometric games should not be made for systems with only a cross D-Pad, made Ring of Fates practically unplayable for me.

They only talk about the DS Bond, with some janky sounding controls. http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Wright...1785876&sr=8-2 DDR: significant graphical improvement, hand motions can be turned off, good track list.

Ah thanks for the info! I may buy a cheap DDR HP1 pad now and then just get the game seperately- saw in GameSpot I think the new mats are like $20 for two, when the bundle's like $90.

Fake Edit After Checking Amazon- Hrrm, this isn't as bad a deal as I remember it. May just buy this now.

Would rock if this game was Pay & Play... maybe next one...

[RBH]

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars - True GTA game - sandbox gameplay, open-world environment, gritty crime narrative. - M-rating - Isometric camera angle - Cel-shaded polygons w/ black borders - good touch-screen implementation - "tasteful" minigames, streamlining interface - UI based on a PDA - hub for email, contacts, map, music player, GPS, stat-tracking - stats uploaded to Rockstar Social Club website via Wi-Fi - finger-sized icons - missions designed for shorter periods of play, arcade quality - aiming with control pad, auto targeting with R button - subtle autosteer - if you fail a mission, you can jump back to the action sequence - chain gun, flamethrower - good portion of Liberty City is modeled in the game (different routes than console games) - no probems with load times, draw-in or frame rate - lots of pedestrians, cars, etc on screen - Wanted system - objective is to disable police cars any way possible - real-time weather effects, 24-hour day/night cycle - lots of radio stations to listen to (more instrumentals than vocals) - 800,000 lines of hand-optimized source code (hey, the people like the info, right?) - no details yet on multiplayer/Wi-Fi features

Wow! :O

[MoxManiac]

I'm pretty sure this will be the last issue as Dragona is probably already at NP headquarters killing everyone due to the ys comment.

[sykoex]

I still hate the name Chinatown Wars. It makes the game's concept seem so narrow. Meanwhile it's sounding like an incredibly fully featured true GTA game.

[botticus]

I'm pretty sure this will be the last issue as Dragona is probably already at NP headquarters killing everyone due to the ys comment.

No one tell her that NP isn't based there anymore. :o

[comedy bomb]

Is Muramasa done by the guys who made Odin Sphere? It's sort of hard to tell by the way you guys are talking about it.

Yes and it looks beautiful.

[sphinx]

I still can't believe there will be a GTA for DS.

This is a HUGE slap in the face to the PSP, it's R* blatantly showing the middle finger to sony and its handheld.

[Baconbitz]

I still can't believe there will be a GTA for DS. This is a HUGE slap in the face to the PSP, it's R* blatantly showing the middle finger to sony and its handheld.

No, you guys got two PSP GTA games. Its time to give the DS a chance.

[blu]

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars - 800,000 lines of hand-optimized source code (hey, the people like the info, right?)

hand-optimised? pffft. real devs throw their code in the blender and ship what comes out.

[comedy bomb]

I still can't believe there will be a GTA for DS. This is a HUGE slap in the face to the PSP, it's R* blatantly showing the middle finger to sony and its handheld.

The PSP had its GTA. There's always a possibility of another.

[sykoex]

I still can't believe there will be a GTA for DS. This is a HUGE slap in the face to the PSP, it's R* blatantly showing the middle finger to sony and its handheld.

Huh? They already made 2 PSP GTA games. This is just them branching out the GTA brand on more platforms.

[wsippel]

GTA looks... interesting. Cel-shaded, heavy black borders on things. I think it was a good style choice. Summary in a moment.

Similar to the classic GTA artworks? That would be sweet - I still hope that a GTA for Wii, if there'll ever be one (not all that unlikely anymore), would use that style.

[Amir0x]

I still can't believe there will be a GTA for DS. This is a HUGE slap in the face to the PSP, it's R* blatantly showing the middle finger to sony and its handheld.

What?

It's not even comparable to the modern GTA's, it's just another shot at the old GTA gameplay that nobody cared about before the franchise became popular. It seems to be implementing a few of the more superficial features of its big boy cousins in an attempt to skirt the fumes.

Did you forget Gameboy Advance had a GTA? Obviously this is having a bit more effort put into it, but that's no surprise since Nintendo thought this was their big "hardcore" game of E3 2008 for some reason.

[mjc]

Thanks for the Time Hollow information.

[Eteric Rice]

What? It's not even comparable to the modern GTA's, it's just another shot at the old GTA gameplay that nobody cared about before the franchise became popular. It seems to be implementing a few of the more superficial features of its big boy cousins in an attempt to skirt the fumes. Did you forget Gameboy Advance had a GTA?

Sounds like a traditional GTA to me. If it wasn't it wouldn't need cell shaded graphics and camera angles.

[Amir0x]

Sounds like a traditional GTA to me. If it wasn't it wouldn't need cell shaded graphics and camera angles.

Camera ANGLE, singular. It's isometric perspective, think this. It is closer to this than this.

[botticus]

Similar to the classic GTA artworks? That would be sweet - I still hope that a GTA for Wii, if there'll ever be one (not all that unlikely anymore), would use that style.

Yeah. The cutscenes look like the artwork shrunk down to the DS. Best way to describe it.

[sphinx]

No, you guys got two PSP GTA games. Its time to give the DS a chance.

I am definitely no "PSP guy" and I don't give a damn about any GTA, one way or the other but:

Huh? They already made 2 PSP GTA games. This is just them branching out the GTA brand on more platforms.

, yeah because R* will definitely announce another GTA for PSP.

If R* decided to use the DS for their next GTA game in spite of the PSP's better developing ecosystem for the series, I think it's clear they have given up on the software selling aspect of the PSP.

[DevelopmentArrested]

I still can't believe there will be a GTA for DS. This is a HUGE slap in the face to the PSP, it's R* blatantly showing the middle finger to sony and its handheld.

psp is dead

[Relaxed Muscle]

Neo Turf Masters - meh

WAT?.

[Ganondorf>Link]

GTA sounds pretty cool, great to see that Muramasa is coming to the US. What did they say about CoD5 for Wii? Are the graphics actually decent this time?

[Snaku]

Sonic Chronicles review details plz!