grandjedi6
Master of the Google Search
Nintendo Power
News
-- Shiren the Wanderer's NA release will include the previously downloadable only mansion sections from the Japanese version
Downloadables' "Evaluations" (coughreviewscough)
Wiiware:
DSiware:
Virtual Console
Previews:
Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 5: Rise of the Pirate God
-horrible things will happen
-HORRIBLE THINGS
-"There's going to be a very clever and emotionally meaningful take on the insult swordfighting" -- Mike Stemmle, game designer
-"...And we did set up one very cool ending... when we sat down with [original Secret of Monkey Island creator] Ron Gilbert. People will be very happy with how that comes across. It will cement Elaine and Guybruch as the power couple of the Caribbean."
-some puzzles will make use of items that have been collected from previous episodes, even ones that were forgotten or annoying
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
-it has a quick save, thank the lords
-though the camera will pan out, if some multiplayer participants are too slow they will still be left to die offscreen eventually
-the article pretty much goes over the same info we've learned of recently
Infinite Space
-100 unique ship schematics in all
-the level of stat management and customization in this game is insane. Everything from seperate modules (rooms), weapons and even the crew can be managed.
-an intuitive module interface allows you to fill your ship with different facilities from engine rooms to research laboratories. This forces you to prioritize in the process.
-There are over 150 recruits for your crew, each with a unique personality and back story. Each character also has their own skills and attributes that they bring to the table.
-Your ability to recruit depends on both money and your reputation.
-Being an RPG and all, your crew members will increase in proficiency as they gain experience from completed battles/missions.
-Two galaxies to explore!
-Battles are menu based and tactical but feature a Active-Time-Battle like system
-Main character's name is Yuri (instant awesome)
-You can eventually command up to 5 ships at a time
-branching paths, expansive story, illustrated cut-scenes
-music is by Masafumi Takada (Killer 7, No More Heroes)
The Legend of Zelda seriesfeature listy lists
Top 13 Zelda games:
13.) Zelda II: Adventure of Link
12.) Four Swords Adventures
11.) Majora's Mask
10.) Oracle of Ages
9.) Oracle of Seasons
8.) Minish Cap
7.) Phantom Hourglass
6.) Wind Waker
5.) Link's Awakening/DX
4.) Twilight Princess
3.) The Legend of Zelda
2.) A Link to the Past
1.) The Faces of Evil
They also list things like "Best supporting character" and "Best Zelda" but all of those are nearly as obvious as the top 13 list was.
Interview: Akira Yamaoka
Reviews
Next Month
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
News
-- Shiren the Wanderer's NA release will include the previously downloadable only mansion sections from the Japanese version
Downloadables' "Evaluations" (coughreviewscough)
Wiiware:
- Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 2: The Siege of Spinner City -- Recommended
- Contra Rebirth -- Recommended
- Colorz -- Recommended
- Texas Hold'em Poker -- Recommended
- You, Me, and the Cubes -- Recommended
- Family Tennis -- Maybe?
- Spaceball: Revolution -- Maybe?
- Mart Racer -- Bad
- 3-2-1, Rattle Battle! -- Bad
DSiware:
- Puzzle League Express -- Recommended
- Art Academy: First Semester -- Recommended
- Clubhouse Games Express: Family Favorites -- Maybe?
- Clubhouse Games Express: Strategy Pack -- Maybe?
- Oscar in Toyland -- Maybe?
Virtual Console
- Phantasy Star -- Recommended
- Super Return of the Jedi -- Recommended
- Last Ninja 2 -- Maybe?
- Crash 'N the Boys: Street Challenge -- Maybe?
Previews:
Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 5: Rise of the Pirate God
-horrible things will happen
-HORRIBLE THINGS
-"There's going to be a very clever and emotionally meaningful take on the insult swordfighting" -- Mike Stemmle, game designer
-"...And we did set up one very cool ending... when we sat down with [original Secret of Monkey Island creator] Ron Gilbert. People will be very happy with how that comes across. It will cement Elaine and Guybruch as the power couple of the Caribbean."
-some puzzles will make use of items that have been collected from previous episodes, even ones that were forgotten or annoying
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
-it has a quick save, thank the lords
-though the camera will pan out, if some multiplayer participants are too slow they will still be left to die offscreen eventually
-the article pretty much goes over the same info we've learned of recently
Infinite Space
-100 unique ship schematics in all
-the level of stat management and customization in this game is insane. Everything from seperate modules (rooms), weapons and even the crew can be managed.
-an intuitive module interface allows you to fill your ship with different facilities from engine rooms to research laboratories. This forces you to prioritize in the process.
-There are over 150 recruits for your crew, each with a unique personality and back story. Each character also has their own skills and attributes that they bring to the table.
-Your ability to recruit depends on both money and your reputation.
-Being an RPG and all, your crew members will increase in proficiency as they gain experience from completed battles/missions.
-Two galaxies to explore!
-Battles are menu based and tactical but feature a Active-Time-Battle like system
-Main character's name is Yuri (instant awesome)
-You can eventually command up to 5 ships at a time
-branching paths, expansive story, illustrated cut-scenes
-music is by Masafumi Takada (Killer 7, No More Heroes)
Why did you choose to make the game on the Nintendo DS system?
Hifumi Kouno (director): "When I was presented with the development budget for this project, it was not enough for a console platform, but fairly large for a handheld platform. I determined that in order to develop this as a console game, we would have to remove many features from the original concept, which I wanted to avoid. Therefore, I chose the Nintendo DS platform instead, in order to establish the epic grandeur of this title. As a result, I was able to pack in everything regarding the story from my original concept into this tiny hardware."
Hifumi Kouno (director): "When I was presented with the development budget for this project, it was not enough for a console platform, but fairly large for a handheld platform. I determined that in order to develop this as a console game, we would have to remove many features from the original concept, which I wanted to avoid. Therefore, I chose the Nintendo DS platform instead, in order to establish the epic grandeur of this title. As a result, I was able to pack in everything regarding the story from my original concept into this tiny hardware."
The Legend of Zelda series
Top 13 Zelda games:
13.) Zelda II: Adventure of Link
12.) Four Swords Adventures
11.) Majora's Mask
10.) Oracle of Ages
9.) Oracle of Seasons
8.) Minish Cap
7.) Phantom Hourglass
6.) Wind Waker
5.) Link's Awakening/DX
4.) Twilight Princess
3.) The Legend of Zelda
2.) A Link to the Past
1.) The Faces of Evil
They also list things like "Best supporting character" and "Best Zelda" but all of those are nearly as obvious as the top 13 list was.
Interview: Akira Yamaoka
AY: "Up to Silent Hill 2, I was involved just as a music creator, but I was often making suggestions ofr other areas besides music. Then my boss said, "Why don't you oversee the overall project?" So I started to get involved as a producer, too."
NP: You're best known for Silent Hill, but are there other games you've worked on in which you tihnk your compositions were especially good?
AY: "I don't consider video game music, including Silent Hill music, as "music". I consider it more as "sound" that complements the images, game, and story to create an entertaining experience. So even if I thought I created cool music, if I don't get excited or enjoy playing the game with the music and images combined, then I can't say, "I created good music.""
AY: "I admire SUDA51 of Grasshopper Manufacture very much. He has an ability to bring the Japanese-centric content to the West successfully. He is one of the few Japanese developers who I believe has the ability to do this".?
Reviews
- Phantasy Star Ø 8.0
- Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter (Wii) -- 7.0
- Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter (DS) -- 8.0
- Astro Boy: The Video Game (Wii) -- 7.5
- Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky -- 8.0
- FIFA Soccer 10 (Wii) -- 6.0
- Simanimals Africa -- 5.0
- Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party 3 -- 6.5
- Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands -- 7.0
- Atelier Annie: Alchemists of Sega Island -- 8.0
- WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2010 (Wii) -- 7.5
- WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2010 (DS) -- 7.0
- Nostalgia -- 7.0
- Academy of Champions: Soccer -- 6.5
- Karaoke Revolution -- 6.0
- Dragonball Z: Attack of the Saiyans (DS) -- 8.0
- Dragonball Z: Revenge of King Piccolo (Wii) -- 6.5
- Cooking Mama 3: Shop & Chop -- 6.0
- Harvest Moon: Animal Parade -- 7.5
- Space Invaders Extreme 2 -- 8.0
- Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain -- 4.0
- Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (Wii) -- 5.5
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Arcade Attack (DS) -- 4.5
Phantasy Star Ø
Reviewer: Casey L.
Pros
-"satisfying and substantial online experience"
-new evasive rolls and charge up attacks make the combat a little less simplistic (than Phantasy Star Online)
-solid story mode; more enjoyable than SP modes in previous Phantasy Star Online games
-good production values
-"reasonably compelling plot"
-multiplayer is a blast
-Co-op play is the reason to buy Phantasy Star Ø
Cons
-the interface is a disaster
-the menus are poorly designed to the point that it apparently takes away your choices in battle and hurts the overall depth
-quick swapping weapons is apparently gone, which means you have to use the aforementioned interface in order to switch from ranged attacks to melee.
-Co-op play is the only reason to buy Phantasy Star Ø
8.0
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Arcade Attack
Reviewer: Chris Sh.
Pros
-Sometimes you'll get an interesting boss fight, sometimes
-at least the art style in the cutscenes is nice
Cons
-"no platforming, no puzzle solving, no backtracking, no nothing: you just work your way across the stage until it abruptly ends".
-enemies all look the same
-lackluster move list
-iffy play control
-button mashing
-nothing distinguises the turtles from each other, other than their headband color
-"It feels like the story took about 10 minutes to write, edit, and publish".
-gameplay has nothing to do with the plot
4.5
Astro Boy: The Video Game
Reviewer: Chris H.
Pros
-satisfying gameplay
-makes great use of the hero's powers
-well-designed stages
Cons
-boss fights, enemy reactions and recovery time all could have used a little polish
-low-res textures, simple geometry, poor lip-syncing
7.5
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
Reviewer: Scott P.
Pros
-best Pokemon Mystery Dungeon experience to date
-welcome small touches add additional playability and depth to the experience
-(Basically, its the 3rd version of a Pokemon game)
Cons
-are the changes significant enough to warrant the purchase?
-(Basically, its the 3rd version of a Pokemon game)
8.0
WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2010 (Wii)
Reviewer: Chris H.
Pros
-"biggest, most ambitious, most feature-rich wrestling game on the Wii"
-tons of characters, moves and match types
-rich customization options
-new WWE story creator is cool
-balanced and solid gameplay
Cons
-alot of the new features aren't as polished
-controls are almost too complex (don't use anything but the wavebird or classical controller, kids)
-stories aren't as interesting as last year's game
-no online functionality
7.5
Nostalgia
Reviewer: Phil T.
Pros
-It's a game made for those who are nostalgic for 16-bit RPGs.
-charmingly retro
-nice variety of enemies + attack order = exciting battles
-"decent adventure with a wealth of sidequests"
Cons
-It's a game made for those who are nostalgic for 16-bit RPGs.
-there's no way of knowing how close you are to earning a new skill, which kinda messes up the game's skill tree
-derivative story
7.0
Fighting Fantasy: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain
Reviewer: David S.
Pros
-moving and interacting within the 3-d world is easy enough
-well made within its limitations
Cons
-"If you know what Fighting Fantasy used to mean, you'll be surprised what you get from this game."
-doesn't keep much more than the name from its namesake
-combat is tedious and repetitive
-"out of whack" difficulty progression
-pretty limited
4.0
Next Month
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks