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[danielijohnson]

I wouldn't say one is better than the other, at least not yet. I have yet to find out what keeps me coming back to MLAADL. I spent 20 in-game days in MLAAK yesterday evening and I do think I prefer it over MLAADL, but you really should try to find someone with both and give both a short testplay. Maybe watching youtube videos is good enough? I don't know. My tastes are pretty strange sometimes, and I'm willing to forgive many things the avergae gamer chokes on.

Both games are incredibly different anyway. One is more of a Hero Manager Sim with added Sim City bits and glued together with liquified Crack Cocaine, the other is a pretty unique take on the Tower Defense genre with the Crack Cocaine probably dissolved into aerosols and DLC.

One features a silent kid in puffy trousers that make him look like he's still wearing diapers, the other an incredibly annoying birdbrained blabbermouth in a ridonculous outfit.

One keeps you inside of menus or the worldmap most of the time (MLAADL), the other demands a bit of menu-ing at the start of the day and will leave you to do your things on foot in real time for the majority of the gameplay.

There are some technical problems with MLAAK. When you order a new building, the framerate will drop to its knees and beg for mercy (single digits? feels like it) until the summoning/building animation has completed (even if it's being played offscreen). It will also sometimes choke when you call for Chime and if you're moving around too fast in your city, and it gets worse the bigger your city gets. MLAADL is buttery-smooth so far, but in all honesty, there's a whole lot less going on anyway, so that's kind of expected.

Then there's the fact that when you load up MLAAK you'll see your city behind the main menu, with people going about their business, just like in the game. In MLAADL it seems like you just get this black screen with pink sparkles, and that's it. Takes a bit away from the experience, IMHO.

That's interesting because I've been experiencing quite a bit of lag with MLAADL. In spite of it, though, I am LOVING it so far. Nearly at the end of chapter 3 and it's the perfect combo of the FF tower defense game (name is escaping me) and MLAAK.

I would highly recommend MLAADL to anyone who is mildly interested in tower defense games. It's a pretty amazing take on the genre, and actually a quite literal one. haha.

 

[Roto13]

That's interesting because I've been experiencing quite a bit of lag with MLAADL. In spite of it, though, I am LOVING it so far. Nearly at the end of chapter 3 and it's the perfect combo of the FF tower defense game (name is escaping me) and MLAAK.

I would highly recommend MLAADL to anyone who is mildly interested in tower defense games. It's a pretty amazing take on the genre, and actually a quite literal one. haha.

Crystal Defenders.

 

[Dragona Akehi]

I'd just like to mention that none of this hullabaloo would happen if Nintendo had a sensible patching architecture. On every other platform with puzzle games, games that are colourblind-unfriendly or otherwise insensitive to disabilities can and are patched to correct these issues.

Well it's Nintendo.

Very few people use left-handed mice. Very very few. Actually, I've only met two or three in my life. Not every lefty plays guitar lefty. Not every lefty bats left or golfs left. But virtually everyone left-handed writes with their left hand, and thus uses a pen with their left hand, and thus is sensitized to using a stylus with their left hand. For the Wii, I link pointing to writing and thus associate the pointer hand with my left hand.

Really? Very few? Well I'm one of them. I get pissed whenever I can't pull the mouse over to the left side of the computer due to lack of cord length. In fact I do everything with my left hand/side other than kicking a football. That I do with my right, and I don't know why.

But I digress.

I have an update on Base 10/Decode from NOA: I've been informed that I will be refunded despite the fact that Nintendo's policy is "no refunds".

They have no information on an update for the software, but the gentleman that contacted me was extremely surprised it got through QA without a LH mode. I have his contact and he is going to inform me about the situation as time goes on.

He also was a bit disconcerted about my complaints with certain Wii titles and is going to send them to the next level along with Base 10's lack of LH mode. Probably nothing will come out of it, but perhaps it'll get far enough along that more 1st party games will have a LH mode for Wii games (like the next Zelda!).

Therefore if you've bought Base 10/Decode I would recommend ringing/emailing your Nintendo HQ and get it sorted (or at least get a refund). The more people who bring the issue up, the more likely it will get fixed, because the game is very fun. I'd love to buy it and play it properly. I was even willing to wait if a patch could be promised.

But at least NOA did the right thing (for now) and refunded me my 500 points.

 

[dallow_bg]

But at least NOA did the right thing (for now) and refunded me my 500 points.

Wow, didn't think they would. Good on them.

 

[cws]

Nnooo (creators of Pop for Wiiware) is creating a notebook app for DSiWare: http://www.nnooo.com/software/mylifecollected/mylifecollected.html

Nice

 

[Dragona Akehi]

Wow, didn't think they would. Good on them.

Well, despite other complaints I have about NOA, they have always had excellent customer service. I was expecting them to refund me my points.

Where I am more concerned is if they will be taking complaints like this seriously, and ensure that all software going forward will have left-handed modes. This is something far less likely, if you ask me. The most likely "solution" for them is to add whether there is LH support on the DSi/Wii Shops instead.

 

[A Twisty Fluken]

Well, despite other complaints I have about NOA, they have always had excellent customer service. I was expecting them to refund me my points.

Where I am more concerned is if they will be taking complaints like this seriously, and ensure that all software going forward will have left-handed modes. This is something far less likely, if you ask me. The most likely "solution" for them is to add whether there is LH support on the DSi/Wii Shops instead.

Well, at least on the DS, this is literally the first of many book-style games I've played that DIDN'T have the flip. With Puzzle League, Brain Age, Rhythm Heaven, Hotel Dusk, etc. etc. etc. they've ALWAYS had a lefty flip, and all d-pad + stylus games (FPS, etc.) that I've played have an option for using the face buttons as a pseudo d-pad so you can do stylus controls with your left hand. So, setting the Wii situation aside, I will be completely surprised if this isn't a one-off, for DS book mode games. Okay, maybe not COMPLETELY surprised.

 

[RuneFactoryFanboy]

So can MLaaDL be compared to Crystal Defenders?

I am going to be getting Darklord eitherway but as someone who has been mildly interested in Crystal Defenders I am wondering if owning Darklord pretty much fills that tower defense itch.

I'm also really interested in the available DLC for it so any information you guys can give me on that would be much appreciated.

 

[cooljeanius]

I've been quite addicted to Mario vs DK: Minis March Again. I got 81 gold stars. Such a great game.

Anyway, I've been playing some "Lite" games on my iPhone such as Assassin's Creed and Resident Evil Degeneration, and I can't help but feeling that the games would control SO much better on DS.

Having seen some iPhone games heading towards DSiWare such as Real Soccer and Asphalt, it makes me hopeful for some App Store games to head over too; such as Assassin's Creed, Resident Evil Degeneration, or even Resident Evil 4.

Hell, if they could manage a Doom Resurrection port (downgraded of course), maybe they could even add in full-body movement.

Putting the games on WiiWare wouldn't be too shabby either, especially considering Doom Resurrection started out as a Wii game.

What do you guys think? Am I being too hopeful?:lol

Well, the iPhone Assassin's Creed was a port of the DS version, so there's one for you.

 

[the_painted_bird]

What's everyones most played/favorite ArtStyle games? jGAF please provide impressions on Nalaku & Somnium, are they better than what we have already? My most played would have to be Aquia... but I think my favorite is BoxLife, now if only it weren't so damn difficult to learn all the patterns.

 

[perfectchaos007]

Did we seriously get treated to zero VC games this week? Jesus...

So many consoles on the VC begging for more games that are available and Nintendo gives us nothing. I know a popular wiiware title was released today but come on!

 

[A Twisty Fluken]

What's everyones most played/favorite ArtStyle games? jGAF please provide impressions on Nalaku & Somnium, are they better than what we have already? My most played would have to be Aquia... but I think my favorite is BoxLife, now if only it weren't so damn difficult to learn all the patterns.

Pictobits/Picopict, but I've loved them all.

 

[CreatureX3]

What's everyones most played/favorite ArtStyle games? jGAF please provide impressions on Nalaku & Somnium, are they better than what we have already? My most played would have to be Aquia... but I think my favorite is BoxLife, now if only it weren't so damn difficult to learn all the patterns.

My favorite is Orbient on WiiWare followed by PictoBits.

 

[Insaniac]

I love Aquia, it pulls me in like lumines, and boxlife is great too, i like to play in short bursts.


I would really really love some impressions or vids of Zengage, i can't find anything anywhere about it

 

[Gilby]

What's everyones most played/favorite ArtStyle games? jGAF please provide impressions on Nalaku & Somnium, are they better than what we have already? My most played would have to be Aquia... but I think my favorite is BoxLife, now if only it weren't so damn difficult to learn all the patterns.

Favourite: Orbient

Most played: Cubello BY FAR. It's flawed, but once you figure out how to play to get rid of a colour, it's a great 3D puzzle game. Now if only they would fix the audio...

 

[Oli]

My favorite Art Style is Pictobits so far.


I tried Orbient, but honestly I couldn't get into it. The formula seems flawed, and frustrating controls make it even worse. I should probably give it another chance, but I find the indication of ambiance comical since it made me so frustrated.

 

[BooJoh]

I love Aquia, it pulls me in like lumines, and boxlife is great too, i like to play in short bursts.


I would really really love some impressions or vids of Zengage, i can't find anything anywhere about it

It would be easier if the Art Style games didn't get renamed in every territory. Here's a youtube vid of it if that helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts0tDFVeqro

 

[Insaniac]

It would be easier if the Art Style games didn't get renamed in every territory. Here's a youtube vid of it if that helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts0tDFVeqro

much obliged

 

[Jazzem]

Downloaded Boxlife and NemRem today, both are great I'm surprised at how much I like NemRem (aka Somnium aka Zengage) given the fairly muted response, I honestly can't stop playing it! If you like puzzlers, chances are you'll love NemRem.

Only Art Style games I don't own are Kubos (which I plan to get soon) and Rotohex (which I own in the form of the original Bit Generations GBA version). Out of what I've played:

PicoPict>BoxLife>NemRem>Cubello>Orbient>Code>Rotohex>Aquia

I like all of those, but Aquia is probably just relegated to 'good' status, instead of the 'great' I'd assign to the others. I can't for the life of me do stage 6 onwards on that game, the pressure just comes down too quickly

 

[zigg]

Well, I'm glad some people are liking Zengage.

For me, it was the deathblow dealt to my previously solid stance of "buy Art Style on sight". Making this a bad week! :lol

(Rank? Sure! Boxlife > PiCTOBiTS > Aquia > Base 10 > Zengage... was that it?)

 

[blu]

What's everyones most played/favorite ArtStyle games? jGAF please provide impressions on Nalaku & Somnium, are they better than what we have already? My most played would have to be Aquia... but I think my favorite is BoxLife, now if only it weren't so damn difficult to learn all the patterns.

most played: pictobits. i had to get all the music pieces! ..that sound.. and then i had to beat all the dark leves.. which is where i faced resistance. but the war is not over ; )

favorite: base10. followed by aquia - twitchy puzzlers with interactive electornic tunes - i'm in heaven.

ed: oh, if we include the wiiware - cubello. favorite, by far.

 

[zigg]

oh, if we include the wiiware - cubello. favorite, by far.

I ignored Cubello for a little while. I am suitably ashamed. But I did go back and correct my mistake! So good.

Orbient I'd played on GBA before but it was just as fun—maybe even moreso, just sitting totally still with a Remote in my right hand barely touching A and B—on Wii.

 

[Insaniac]

Downloaded Boxlife and NemRem today, both are great I'm surprised at how much I like NemRem (aka Somnium aka Zengage) given the fairly muted response, I honestly can't stop playing it! If you like puzzlers, chances are you'll love NemRem.

Only Art Style games I don't own are Kubos (which I plan to get soon) and Rotohex (which I own in the form of the original Bit Generations GBA version). Out of what I've played:

PicoPict>BoxLife>NemRem>Cubello>Orbient>Code>Rotohex>Aquia

I like all of those, but Aquia is probably just relegated to 'good' status, instead of the 'great' I'd assign to the others. I can't for the life of me do stage 6 onwards on that game, the pressure just comes down too quickly

Aquia is really good once you figure out the patterns to look for. Once i figured out the 'strategies' i got to like level 18 on free dive. It was intense.

 

[blu]

I ignored Cubello for a little while. I am suitably ashamed. But I did go back and correct my mistake! So good.

Orbient I'd played on GBA before but it was just as fun—maybe even moreso, just sitting totally still with a Remote in my right hand barely touching A and B—on Wii.

i was like that with orbient - i eventually corrected the mistake, but so far only partially - i.e. i've bought it, but have not yet played it - too many good-to-awesome art style games, dammit! : )

 

[Jazzem]

Aquia is really good once you figure out the patterns to look for. Once i figured out the 'strategies' i got to like level 18 on free dive. It was intense.

Hmm, I'll keep at it I feel I've sort of half gotten to that stage as I can do a few 'combos' and such, it just doesn't seem to be enough to keep the level 6 black fog of doom away!

 

[Kobun Heat]

Old? Looks like Square Enix is keeping up the monthly Final Fantasy releases and rolling right into Super Famicom next month:

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/07/21/ffiv_vc/

...in Japan, I mean, where Virtual Console is still exciting.

 

[A Link to the Past]

I wonder if I should complain about BASE-10's lack of leftie mode despite not being a leftie, and ask to have it be refunded. >.> I mean, it may be a lie, but it's for a good reason!

 

[Insaniac]

Hmm, I'll keep at it I feel I've sort of half gotten to that stage as I can do a few 'combos' and such, it just doesn't seem to be enough to keep the level 6 black fog of doom away!

on free dive with the 2 vertical block shape I have a max combo of 69 *snicker*

 

[Somnid]

I wonder if I should complain about BASE-10's lack of leftie mode despite not being a leftie, and ask to have it be refunded. >.> I mean, it may be a lie, but it's for a good reason!

Abusing the system only results in a tighter system. Don't do it. Contact Nintendo or your favorite gaming website to express your concern but do not try and milk free points lest you ruin it for people with legitmate problems.

 

[DDayton]

Great... now I have to debate calling NOA and complaining about Rotohex -- it's been months, but, well, it's still a valid complaint.

Putting the games on WiiWare wouldn't be too shabby either, especially considering Doom Resurrection started out as a Wii game.

It was? Why didn't it -make- it to the Wii/WiiWare, then?

 

[VOOK]

Great... now I have to debate calling NOA and complaining about Rotohex -- it's been months, but, well, it's still a valid complaint.



It was? Why didn't it -make- it to the Wii/WiiWare, then?

Bias

 

[the_painted_bird]

Oo man BitGenerations games were so cool. Does anyone have them all?
I was thinking about ordering Rotohex or Orbital off eBay, GBA is region-free, correct?

Also is ArtStyle discussion confined to these Nintendo Download threads? I searched for a dedicated thread.

 

[biggyfries]

I have all the bG games. There are a couple I would not get, unless you want the series for collecton's sake.

My recommendations: DotStream, Orbital, DigiDrive, and Sound Voyager. Good luck finding DotStream for a reasonable price.

There used to be a bG thread when those first came out, but other than that, the only thing we currently have is the wii/dsiware thread. We reallyshould have a Skip LTD thread, since they get much support and love from us.

 

[dallow_bg]

I have all the bG games. There are a couple I would not get, unless you want the series for collecton's sake.

My recommendations: DotStream, Orbital, DigiDrive, and Sound Voyager. Good luck finding DotStream for a reasonable price.

There used to be a bG thread when those first came out, but other than that, the only thing we currently have is the wii/dsiware thread. We reallyshould have a Skip LTD thread, since they get much support and love from us.

I see some used? boxed copies on ebay for about $29 to $39 shipped.
Seller info says it's from Japan.

Is that about the price for DotStream, or should I be worried about bootlegs?
I really hate buying carts off ebay for this reason.

 

[zigg]

on free dive with the 2 vertical block shape I have a max combo of 69 *snicker*

I used to be proud of my 24. :lol

 

[VGChampion]

Having a lot of fun with MLAADL. Thanks for the impressions earlier, in the end, I bought Darklord first since I already had 1000 points on the Wii and didn't feel like adding more for King. :lol

I'm on Chapter 2 at the moment and enjoying it immensely. There's something about the Crystal Chronicle's art style that keeps bringing me back. Once I beat this, I'll be picking up MLAAK to see how they did that one.

 

[biggyfries]

I see some used? boxed copies on ebay for about $29 to $39 shipped.
Seller info says it's from Japan.

Is that about the price for DotStream, or should I be worried about bootlegs?
I really hate buying carts off ebay for this reason.

I would be worried about bootlegs. Try to get them from a well-established Japanese seller, if possible. There are some sellers that seem to be very good. after doing a quick search on bit generations, I see a seller on there that also has Club Nintendo, DS, and other game systems on there.

and actually, after looking at ebay, I see that prices for dotstream came down to a more reasonable level. maybe i'll get another copy as a backup.

 

[nincompoop]

Three Musketeers - One For All is coming out on Monday.

Gothenburg, Sweden (July 22nd, 2009) – Legendo Entertainment today announced a July 27th North American release date for The Three Musketeers: One for All! for WiiWare™. The game will be priced at 900 Wii Points™ and will be available in English, Spanish and French language editions.

Until today the much-loved sword-swinging platform adventure inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel has only been available on the PC. The Three Musketeers: One for All! has been specially revamped for Wii™ to provide players with more fun and interaction as they launch sword attacks and control the game’s hero with the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™.

“We are honored to be the first Swedish company ever to publish a console game in North America,” said Legendo Entertainment CEO & Executive Producer Björn Larsson. “We hope that North American Wii owners will enjoy our charming platform adventure and its unique visual style.”

Players control famed musketeer Porthos during a daring mission to save his kidnapped comrades Aramis, Athos and the young D'Artagnan from the clutches of the sinister Count Xavier and his evil lieutenant, the hook-handed Count Orsini. Packed with frenetic combat, heroic leaps and fun puzzles, and featuring three different endings, this is one adventure no aspiring hero will want to miss!

The Three Musketeers: One for All! supports widescreen and 480p and will be released in Europe and Australia on July 31st.

Key Features:

* Take control of famed member of The Three Musketeers, Porthos and save your comrades in this riveting platforming action romp suited to heroes of all ages!
* Immerse yourself in a swashbuckling platform adventure, duel countless enemies, solve fun puzzles, and avoid fiendish traps.
* Wii Remote and Nunchuk controls allow you to interact directly with the game. Swing the Wii Remote to launch blistering sword attacks on your foes, run and leap over rooftops and discover hidden collectables.
* Explore a multitude of breathtaking levels teeming with challenging bosses and distinctive environments that include lush forests, dark dungeons, towering castles, a haunted Abbey, the historical town of Normandy, and more!

The Three Musketeers: One for All! has been rated E for Everyone (Cartoon Violence) by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

 

[The Hermit]

Can someone post a list of all ArtStyle games including its alt. names?

 

[CTLance]

I just want to rectify one thing in my rant/review of MLAADL: The title screen shows a night sky. Still not anywhere near the awesomeness of the MLAAK "live city cam" background, but a bit better than "black with pink sparkles", as I put it before. I will edit my post accordingly.

I have also bought the last MLAAK DLC yesterday evening. I only had that stupid pedobear King dress left, but at 100 points ... Damn my OCD-ness. Only because it still showed a price in the DLC shop list. I feel like such a tool.

(By the way, is the MLAADL shop horribly slow for anyone else? It connects after what seems a lifetime, I pick a category, go and get a coffee or something, and when I come back it has finally filled the pink progress bar to 80% completion. Do I need to beat my router into submission, or is the shop really that slow? I mean, MLAAKs didn't have that nice category chooser at the beginning, but certainly moved faster through everything...)

 

[VGChampion]

(By the way, is the MLAADL shop horribly slow for anyone else? It connects after what seems a lifetime, I pick a category, go and get a coffee or something, and when I come back it has finally filled the pink progress bar to 80% completion. Do I need to beat my router into submission, or is the shop really that slow? I mean, MLAAKs didn't have that nice category chooser at the beginning, but certainly moved faster through everything...)

When actually buying something or just browsing around? I had no speed problems when I was just looking at what there was. The only time it went slow for me is connecting to the shop in the beginning and getting back into the main menu when I was done.

 

[blu]

on free dive with the 2 vertical block shape I have a max combo of 69 *snicker*

Can someone post a list of all ArtStyle games including its alt. names?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_DSiWare_games_and_applications

 

[dallow_bg]

Can someone post a list of all ArtStyle games including its alt. names?

DSiWare
(one hasn't been released in NA yet)

JPN/EU/NA

Aquario/Aquite/Aquia
Decode/Code/Base 10
Hacolife/Boxlife/Boxlife
Nalaku/Kubos/??? (scheduled for 7/27?)
Picopict/Pictopict/Pictobits
Somnium/Nemrem/Zengage


Not sure of the name changes for the WiiWare ones:

Orbient
Cubello
Rotohex

 

[the_painted_bird]

I see that prices for dotstream came down to a more reasonable level.

I found one for $27 shipped, which seems like the lowest I should expect from the rest of the bitGenerations games- I wish these would get released as DSiWare!
Also Zengage is out on the DSiWare store already?

 

[tetrisgrammaton]

I recommend Sound Voyager, which is kind of like one of those hearing booth tests they give you at the doctor, but still awesome.



In other news, I'm threw with Pulseman. That damn Pulseman-like part is just too cheap and frustrating to continue. Basically you are in underwater freefall and have to dodge the spikes, only that I can get past the Megaman part in a couple of lives, whereas in Pulseman I go through about 8 lives and all my continues.

 

[dallow_bg]

I found one for $27 shipped, which seems like the lowest I should expect from the rest of the bitGenerations games- I wish these would get released as DSiWare!
Also Zengage is out on the DSiWare store already?

Came out Monday.

 

[d+pad]

What's everyones most played/favorite ArtStyle games? jGAF please provide impressions on Nalaku & Somnium, are they better than what we have already? My most played would have to be Aquia... but I think my favorite is BoxLife, now if only it weren't so damn difficult to learn all the patterns.

Not sure if you're asking just for DSiWare recommendations or WiiWare, too, but I can say I think Orbient and Cubello were well worth the points I spent on them. You might decide mute Cubello, but even then it's worth it

 

[Boerseun]

Three Musketeers - One For All is coming out on Monday.

Why build a game around Porthos of all people?

I like the odd art style though. It certainly looks unique with its limited palette and storybook scenery.

 

[nincompoop]

Rotohex is the best of the Wiiware Art Style game by far, it's just such a brilliant realization of such a simple concept. Even after you stop playing it you'll be spending all of your time mentally rotating colored triangles to form hexagons.

 

[Dragona Akehi]

Abusing the system only results in a tighter system. Don't do it. Contact Nintendo or your favorite gaming website to express your concern but do not try and milk free points lest you ruin it for people with legitmate problems.

Technically it isn't "free points", as once NOA removed the licence for my game from my unit, the DSi actually deleted Base 10 itself from my memory upon connecting to the DSi Shop.

I would simply ask that people who are concerned email/ring Nintendo and perhaps other websites to get them to ask Nintendo.