Messages

51

TalkBack / Re: Square Enix to Show Three DS Games at E3

« on: July 11, 2008, 05:29:26 PM »

I'm pretty jazzed to pick up Final Fantasy IV. Final Fantasy may have shipped 85 million copies worldwide, but I never owned one until two months ago when I picked up Final Fantasy V and VI Advance (on clearance) to fill that gaping hole in my gaming experience/education. (I picked up The World Ends With You as well, but just reading the manual for that one messes with my mind.)

I'm still playing FFV (frickin' Soul Cannon), and damned if I don't love those wee little sprites running around my DS screen... especially during the "cut scenes" when they share Crying Game moments, etc. I know Square Enix is trying to beat a few extra bucks out of these old games, but they're new to me and I'm excited to have 'em.

52

TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Guitar Hero: On Tour

« on: July 10, 2008, 03:17:51 PM »

I would think that the game is geared more towards younger fans of the series.

You're only saying that 'cause I modded an old Pianosaurus to use as a controller.

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TalkBack / Re: Nintendo Unveils Captain Rainbow for Wii

« on: July 10, 2008, 03:06:29 PM »

MAN BEAM

I was watching some footage of Too Human, and I swear the developer kept referring to some of the playable characters as "Man Cannons."

This phallic arms race can only end in sadness.

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Guitar Hero: On Tour

« on: July 09, 2008, 04:04:41 PM »

First, let me clarify that I have immense love and respect for Mr. Metts and my user ID would have been JonathanMettsRespecter10000 if only I'd had enough characters.

2) A few songs, like "Heaven" and "Spiderwebs" do not fit the Guitar Hero vibe.

I think this perfectly sums up why I bothered posting in the first place; I claim ignorance here and fully confess to having zero clue what the "Guitar Hero vibe" is. There's a whole Guitar Hero rocks/sucks zeitgeist-shift that I slept through, and when I woke up I found On Tour in my DS and liked it a lot.

I do think there's a lot of baggage keeping this game where it is on metacritic, et al. I mean, I bought Space Invaders Extreme as well, and for all the love it's gotten from the critics, I'm a lot more likely to reach for On Tour when I have a free half-hour. Both games do what they do very well, in my opinion.

I fully agree with the premature starpowerization problem, though.

That's all. Much love to everyone.

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Guitar Hero: On Tour

« on: July 09, 2008, 09:42:25 AM »

I can't write my review from the perspective of a 12-year-old casual fan because that's not who I am.

Geez, man, I hope you're not saying I suggested you do. I'm 40, and I started playing games when my dad brought home a used Magnavox Odyssey (with screen overlays)!

My only point, again, was that to me personally the choice isn't whether to buy Guitar Hero On Tour ($50) or an Xbox 360 and the console version ($370 at least); it's whether to buy Guitar Hero On Tour or not buy Guitar Hero On Tour. I bought it for my son and we're both having a blast. We're playing the hell out of that thing: it's fun, it works, and the depth of play is amazing (Wi-Fi co-op?) considering the limitations of the DS.


NWR gives it a 7.0, which is fine. I'm giving it the coveted NWR Forum n00b 9/10.

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Guitar Hero: On Tour

« on: July 08, 2008, 01:13:22 PM »

OK, here's what I want with the console version: a 3/4-size guitar controller (an Explorer body would be nice) with the standard fret buttons, but rather than the clicky lightswitch, inset a nice touch screen in the body and let me use a DS-type pick/stylus to strum.

If you build this and it sells, please send bags of money to my profile address.

Funny thing is, controlling your electronics with a guitar goes back to when the Atari 2600 was new, when Roland started building guitar synths. The technology certainly exists to read strums on actual strings (and even string bends); don't know how cheaply it could be done, though.

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TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Guitar Hero: On Tour

« on: July 07, 2008, 03:00:24 PM »

I gotta agree with GoldenPhoenix. Of course it would be preferable to play with a guitar controller through a bigass Dolby Surround system...if you own a console and have that option. But for Joe DS Owner, this thing is pure fun; it's practically the Elite Beat Agents sequel I've been waiting for.

And speaking as a guitar player of 25 years' experience, "strumming" the touch screen does feel very much like playing guitar to me, and I'm pleasantly surprised how responsive it is. I've played Rock Band with my nephew and I love it to death, but that old-time water pump handle you use to "strum" kills me every time and requires a total rethink of how I play. And the fret buttons on the DS aren't unlike a good ol' Grip Master finger trainer you'd buy at Sam Ash, so that feels right at home too.

It's a fair review (I'd rate it 8.5 or 9), but to me there's no point comparing On Tour to a console game, 'cause I'm not buying this or the console version. To me the relevant comparison is to the other DS games out there, and the fun and replay value make this a great DS title.