Messages

551

Nintendo Gaming / RE:OFFICIAL Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes Discussion

« on: November 28, 2003, 08:05:11 PM »

Last month's issue of Nintendo Power had an interview with Denis Dyack, and it had some interesting tidbits.

He mentioned the canned connectivity features. Nothing specific, only that they had some ideas involving the radar, some weapons, and different game modes. Hmm... 2-player mode, perhaps? There just wasn't enough time and resources to put them in. He also said "Maybe next time." Draw your own conclusion as to whether that's referring to another Metal Gear game in development or not.

When asked what book or movie he would most like to make into a game, he ended up mentioning that they're sort of working on a game along those lines, but not really. I think he may have just been referring to Too Human, since it's clearly inspired by Blade Runner.

He also said that they'll make a demo of the game if they have time.

Oh, and some of you might get a kick out of this. I don't have the magazine in front of me, but the interview started out something like this:

Denis: Sorry we don't have much time.

Nintendo Power: That's okay, we can keep IGN waiting.

Denis: (laughs) Nice.

552

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Harvest Moon

« on: November 28, 2003, 07:30:45 PM »

I would just like to point out that since I preordered both the GCN and GBA Harvest Moon game, I got TWO stuffed cows. HA!

[Grey Ninja]

553

Nintendo Gaming / RE:The Suffering...Canceled

« on: November 01, 2003, 09:49:56 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Grey Ninja
Actually, I was thinking that RTX Red Rock looked better than Gladius... but I really don't like American RPGs very much.

That was sort of my point. RTX Red Rock looked like a far more interesting game, but most of the reviews I've seen haven't been very favorable. I'm not all that interested in Gladius myself, but it's been getting decent scores. My point was that Lucasarts would rather release a game with limited appeal, than a game that was more anticipated that they knew was bad.

554

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Castlevania SOTN remake by Silicon Knights

« on: November 01, 2003, 09:33:14 PM »

I'm really starting to get a little tired of Nintendo being blamed as the reason for ED's less than stellar sales. It was not a very mainstream game. It quickly got labeled as a Resident Evil knockoff. The early impressions from the stripped down demos lead people to believe that it was a mediocre hack'n'slash. As for it not getting enough advertising, I think it got way more than you're average Nintendo game. I saw the ED commercial AT LEAST 10 times. Must depend on which channels you watch. Maybe the reason the ads weren't very effective was because there wasn't a good way to present ED to the public in 30 seconds. Seeing a skeleton talk to a giant lobster is completely confusing out of context, but if you were actually playing the game, it makes perfect sense.

Regarding this whole SOTN thing... it seems pretty unlikely. Not gonna do it. Na ga da. I think Ninja hit the nail on the head as to why SK is remaking MGS. Hardly any of those reasons would apply to a SOTN remake. SOTN isn't a story driven game. It's not like the kind of games SK makes.

Too many people are starting to make the assumption that since SK remade one game, then they're going to remake a whole bunch of other games. Honestly, I think the only remake SK will ever make is Twin Snakes. I think that some of their biggest reasons for remaking the game are still secret, and if you read between the lines in several interviews, you just might see what I mean.

[solely]

555

Nintendo Gaming / RE:The Suffering...Canceled

« on: November 01, 2003, 08:31:06 PM »

I think publishers are finally starting to learn that the reason third party games sell less on the Cube is because most Gamecube owners don't buy crap. Notice how Lucasarts cancelled RTX Red Rock, yet still released Gladius. Now, let's look at that for a moment. RTX Red Rock is a Sci-Fi action-adventure game, and Gladius is a strategy RPG. I think most of you would agree that a strategy RPG is a MUCH more niche title than RTX Red Rock, so why did they cancel the game with more mainstream appeal? Oh, right. It sucked. See. They're learning. We don't buy crap games. We don't buy crappy ports of once good games.

Ah, but they'll never admit that their games suck. I remember near the end of the N64's life, Acclaim started blaming Nintendo for its lackluster sales. Just remember that it was solely because of Turok and a few other, dare I say, decent Acclaim N64 games that kept them from going bankrupt. It wasn't until Acclaim started sucking hard again that sales began to slump, but they chose to blame Nintendo.

Anyway, I wont feel sorry if any of these awful publishers/developers go out of business. Yeah, it's a shame to see people lose jobs, but jeez, they sure have more than ample warning. If more companies don't get it through their heads soon that bad games aren't selling as well as they used to, they'll be in for a rude awakening.

To be fair, there is one Midway game that actually interests me. Midway Arcade Treasures. And it's not being developed by Midway. And it's a bunch of 10-20 year old arcade games. Sad.

556

General Gaming / RE:Theory on why MGS2:Substance was named what it was

« on: October 27, 2003, 06:56:55 PM »

Oh, okay. I just assumed that since everybody focuses on the story of MGS2, that it was the only major issue.

Of course, if it were to ever get ported over to the Cube, I would still like to see for myself.

[boggy b]

557

General Gaming / RE:Theory on why MGS2:Substance was named what it was

« on: October 26, 2003, 08:30:17 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: boggy b
Hey, have you noticed that before the announcement of MGS on GCN, it was the worst game ever. Now that it's to be released on GCN its the best thing ever!!

Huh? Even on Nintendo forums, MGS is almost universally considered to be an excellent game, even before Twin Snakes was announced. It's MGS2 that people bash constantly, which I can't help but feel is partially unfair. I haven't played it, so I can't say for myself, but it seems that just about the only reason people hate MGS2 is because it had a bad story and pathetic main character, not because of any gameplay issues.

My opinion of MGS hasn't changed much. I considered it a very fun game with a completely implausible plot, that was told in a way that made you think it was plausible. I liked it a lot. I just never considered it on the same level as Ocarina of Time, like some people seem to.

The reason I'm so hyped about Twin Snakes is because:

1. The very capable guys at SK are (re)making it.
2. Shiggy Wiggy is involved.
3. Konami has finally decided to stop screwing over GCN owners, and has stopped spitting in our faces with these condescending Disney Sports games. I think some of the people at Konami actually bought into the "Gamecube is for four year olds" crap.

558

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Gamecube titles that might be held over to N5?

« on: October 26, 2003, 07:43:19 PM »

I've been thinking that a good name for the next Nintendo console would be the Nintendo Phoenix. The name would represent Nintendo's rise back to the top of the game industry.

Assuming Sony screws up, big time.

559

Nintendo Gaming / RE:OFFICIAL Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes Discussion

« on: October 25, 2003, 09:54:44 PM »

Don't forget that MGS3 is called Snake Eater. You can't get any more blatant than that.

Kind of explains why the only way Big Boss could have children was through cloning. "Sure, war injury. We believe you..."

560

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Some people want their games shorter...

« on: October 24, 2003, 12:00:39 AM »

I'd have to agree with Bloodworth. When I was younger and only had a weekly allowance to go on, I couldn't buy a lot of the games I wanted. Replay value was a HUGE factor into what games I bought, since they needed to last me until I could save up enough money for the next game. Now that I'm older and have a job, I can more or less buy whatever games I want. But having a job gives me less time to play all these games. Now, that doesn't mean that I want short games, but I'm really not all that bothered if a game is short, as long as the game is good.

561

Nintendo Gaming / RE:OFFICIAL Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes Discussion

« on: October 23, 2003, 11:32:44 PM »

Yep, a lot of big Cube games are coming out in 2004. Twin Snakes, RE4, Baten Kaitos, Tales of Symphonia. All of which are multi-disc games. I swear, if Namco doesn't bring Tales of Phantasia to the U.S., I'm going to beat whoever's responsible for that decision with a shovel.

Anyway, I'm not too worried about Twin Snakes coming out in March. Yes, it would sell  more with a holiday release, but Metal Gear is still a big enough name to be successful in March.

The reason Eternal Darkness' sales were weak was because it didn't have anything that immediately stood out about it. It looked like any other generic action/adventure game on the market. Yes, to the hardcore Nintendo fans it quickly became a highly anticipated title, but I just can't see anything about this game that would grab the casual gamer's attention right away. Most people just thought it was a poor man's Resident Evil. Also, the game was "too intelligent" for its own good. Let's see, it had numerous historical and literature references. Strike one. It didn't have any four letter swear words. Stike two. It doesn't have you running over elderly people with a car. Steeeerrrriiiiiike three.

I think the best example I can make is how everybody reacted to the trailers. When the ED trailer came out, I think most people's reaction was something like "Hey, this looks like it's going to be good". With this latest Twin Snakes trailer, everybody is like "$@#* OMFG!!!111 SWEET FANCY SHMANCY THAT TRAILER IS AWESOME I MUST GET THIS GAME NOW IT IS COOL I LIKE IT WOW #@*$!!!!!".

562

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Final Fantasy VII Sequel? looks like it could be

« on: October 20, 2003, 08:46:26 PM »

Like I said in another thread, if Nintendo ever gets the main FF series back on its console, it's going to be with a FF7 remake. It's the most popular in the series. If you don't think so, just remember who won Gamefaq's last character battle. The very fact that so many people are still clamoring for a sequel just shows how popular it is. It's the Ocarina of Time for the casual gamers.

Also, I think Nintendo's been trying to acquire the "Playstation Triforce"; the 3 biggest PSX games that made people leave Nintendo for Sony.

Resident Evil: Check

Metal Gear Solid: Check

Final Fantasy 7: ...we'll see

My personal feelings aside for FF7, I would still be very excited to see it on the Gamcube. At the very least, it would give a tremendous boost to the system. Also, unlike movies, videogame remakes are ALWAYS better than the original, so hopefully any major gameplay flaws would be fixed.

I at least expect something big from Square to be announced for the GCN. I just can't imagine Yammy paying Square, his bitter enemy, to just get a handfull of half-hearted support.

563

General Gaming / RE:Deus Ex

« on: October 18, 2003, 10:26:50 PM »

Eh, don't feel like an ass, Ninja. To be honest, I was a bit worried you might actually pick up the game on my recommendation, and that you would hate it, and then I'd never hear the end of it.

Anyway, if you didn't like the demo, you're not going to like the game. Simple as that.

564

Nintendo Gaming / RE:New EGM scores are in...

« on: October 18, 2003, 10:14:24 PM »

Quote
I always thought that e-reader worked by already having the required information and just comparing the data it gets with a checksum, then granting access to the feature. I'm not sure what the e-reader even IS, but if it's a barcode scanner like I think there's no way one could cram multiple kilobytes into that code.

It's like a barcode scanner, except instead of scanning bars, it scans tiny dots. I think it can hold something like 2.2 kilobytes of compressed data on a whole card. While the e-reader has been used to unlock features and items that are already in the game like in Animal Crossing, it's mainly used for new content that only exists on the card.

I don't even really care all that much, it's just that EGM is implying that Nintendo is screwing us over by having the e-reader stuff to unlock levels that are supposedly already on the cartridge. It would kind of defeat the purpose of the e-reader if none of it was used to download new and original content. Can anyone with SMB3 and an e-reader confirm this? In other words, once you scan a card for a new level, does it unlock something that you can access whenever you want without ever having to scan that card again, or is that level data only on the card?

565

Nintendo Gaming / RE:How far are you in F-Zero?

« on: October 18, 2003, 09:51:22 PM »

Most FAQs consider this to be one of the best custom machines:

Frost Lynx G4. Use the Aqua Goose body, Super Lynx cockpit, and Titan G4 booster. I stopped using this machine because it felt like cheating, but it sounds like most of you are gonna need it.

A little bit of advice for Diamond Cup Master; try knocking as many racers off course in the first race as possible. Since there are virtually no walls, it should be very easy, even with a light machine. If at all possible, try and make sure you take out Black Shadow's machine, and Gomar & Shioh's too. They almost always end up finishing in the top ranks, so getting them out of the way REALLY helps. One time, I managed to knock out TEN machines in the first race on Diamond Master. At the end of the second to last race, I was exactly 100 points ahead. All I had to do was finish the next race, and I won. Now that's my kind of victory.

566

Nintendo Gaming / RE:New EGM scores are in...

« on: October 18, 2003, 09:22:17 PM »

I stopped trusting EGM's reviews when they gave Pod Racer a Gold, and game of the month, while World Driver Championship got something like 6's and 7's. Some of their reviews aren't even done entirely by EGM staffers, but by editors from their sister mags. It's not a good idea to have people from Xbox Nation (I think that's one of them) reviewing Nintendo games. EGM even claimed that the e-reader extras in SMA4:SMB3 were already on the game, and that you just unlocked them. Can anyone confirm this, because it just sounds like they were trying to make Nintendo look bad.

I know it makes me look crazy to call them biased with these latest scores, but their tone towards Nintendo in the rest of the magazine is always very pessimistic, while they never, EVER criticize Sony. They may criticize some of their games, but never anything in general about the PSX or PS2.

567

Nintendo Gaming / RE:I can't believe that Rogue Squadron series could join the Dark Side

« on: October 15, 2003, 11:56:48 PM »

I still consider IGNcube to be pretty reliable when it comes to factual information, but Matt Cassmawahassinasima is really starting to piss me off. The guy seems to hate Nintendo as a company, and he doesn't seem to be any more fond of the GCN than any other system. The guy seriously deserves a kick to the groin or something.

Don't even get me started on EGM. They treat the Cube like it's some kind of second tier console.

How the mighty have fallen.

568

General Gaming / RE:Deus Ex

« on: October 15, 2003, 10:52:59 PM »

Why not just download the demo and judge for yourself? That's what convinced me to buy it. There's plenty of gameplay in the demo to give you a good feel for the game.

569

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Subtitle Video Message Of Miyamoto

« on: October 12, 2003, 11:30:57 PM »

After looking at all the facts, I'm starting to come to the conclusion that the Metal Gear series will go the way of Resident Evil. In other words, Nintendo exclusive. More specifically, I think MGS4 will be a SK developed, Nintendo exclusive game.

If any of you remember, a while ago one French site said that a MGS remake and MGS4 would be Nintendo exclusive. I'm not sure, but I thought it was the official Nintendo of France website that said this. If anyone can confirm this, I would be very happy. Whoever said this, most people quickly dismissed the MGS4 part, largely because MGS3 hadn't even been announced then. Now it doesn't seem so absurd. Kojima said Snake Eater would be the last Metal Gear he directs. Then, Denis makes that MGS4 comment in an IGN interview. Was it more of Denis' "dramatic foreshadowing", or just a harmless comment? Plus, Denis practically confirms they're working on another game with Kojima. I suppose you could argue that it could be a non-Metal Gear game or a port of MGS2 or 3, but I bet not. Then, you have this video with Miyamoto. One thing he said jumped out at me. "You can play it till the next Metal Gear". It's very possible he could be referring to Snake Eater, but for some reason, I don't think Shiggy would be trying to get Nintendo fans to buy a competitor's system. Maybe I'm reading too much into all of this, but these sort of deals all start out small.

Anyway, my line of thinking is that if MGS4 will be a SK/Nintendo-made game, then Kojima may be passing the Metal Gear torch onto SK. Twin Snakes is just the training session.

570

General Gaming / RE:Deus Ex

« on: October 12, 2003, 10:58:16 PM »

Hmm... it's a tough call. I happen to love Deus Ex, and the only other FPS that I like are GE, PD, and TS2. I really don't think it's like your typical FPS, for the most part. It really is an RPG, in the body of a FPS. There's a pretty good amount of time spent going around town, talking to people and whatnot. As for how the game actually plays, that largely depends on how you upgrade your guy. You can go for stealth, or a real gun-toting badass. I focused on the latter (or is it former? Gah! I always get those two mixed up), so I would have to admit that there were times where it played like a typical FPS.

I like how there's more than one way to get through an area. The best example I can think of is this one area later in the game. You start out on top of a 3 story building, and it's just crawling with guards. My guy had upgrades that allowed him to take lesser damage from high falls, so I took the rather unorthodox method up just jumping off the building. This normally would've killed my guy, but with the upgrades, I only took a moderate amount of damage. Believe me, it was much easier fighting my way IN the building, than it would've been for me to fight my way OUT.

The absolute high point of the game is where you get to Hong Kong. That's where it most feels like an RPG. You wander the streets at night with neon signs everywhere. You can visit a dance club, a Buddhist temple, or the seedy back alleys. Plus, it features a bunch of white voice actors doing horrible Chinese accents. "Oh, herro. Relcome to my estabrishment." I'm serious, they say stuff almost exactly like that. It's so bad it's good. The rest of the voice acting is pretty brilliant, however.

The game does kind of falls apart towards the end. In the final few segments of the game, it really feels more like your standard FPS. Especially the very last area, which was a bit disappointing. You pretty much just go aroung shooting stuff at the end.

I'd say that about 75% of the game is absolute gold, and the other 25% is kinda... eh. Take that as you wish.

And I liked Metroid Prime. Does that completely discredit me, Ninja?

571

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Is Skies of Arcadia Legends any good?

« on: October 10, 2003, 11:42:13 PM »

Funny that this topic should pop up now, because I just decided to start playing SOAL again. A must buy, as far as I'm concerned.

For some reason, this game seems like what FF3 would be like, if it were in 3D. I was surprised by how long this game is. It's probably about 40 hrs if you don't do any of the sidequests, and 50-60+ if you're really thorough. Good stuff.

One of the best RPGs I've ever played.

572

Nintendo Gaming / RE:GAMECUBE sales quadruple!!

« on: October 08, 2003, 08:12:36 PM »

Exactly, Bill.

If Nintendo is in any way hurting SK's creativity, Denis must be completely unaware of it. If you listened to the audio interviews PGC had with him, you can tell that the guy is genuinely enthusiastic about working with Miyamoto. I'd MUCH rather have someone who is a huge fan of the series working on it with two game designers he greatly admires, than to have Konami doing it themselves. That kind of energy is going to be great for the game. This is a game that has huge mainstream commercial appeal, and is a game that Denis really wanted to make. It's win-win if you ask me.

SK is still going to make completely new and original games. Just because they haven't been announced yet doesn't mean they don't exist.

Would SK really have more freedom with any other developer? Crystal Dynamix screwed them over, big time.

573

Nintendo Gaming / RE:GAMECUBE sales quadruple!!

« on: October 08, 2003, 07:44:27 PM »

Quote
Nintendo has to let their developers have more freedom in their game design. A company like Silicon Knights for example shouldn't be working on existing franchises.

I really don't think Nintendo forced SK to make Twin Snakes, at all. Besides the fact that Denis said so himself, it's pretty obvious he's a huge fan of Metal Gear. In case you didn't notice, he metions that game in almost every interview he does. I even saw him talk about how much he liked MGS in a really old interview back when Too Human was still coming out to the PSX. Nintendo is hardly stifling SK's creativity. There's absolutely no way in hell Too Human has been cancelled. Possibly delayed till N5, but there's no way Nintendo would make them cancel a game of that magnitude.

Honestly now, if you were in the game industry and were offered to make a Metal Gear game, would you turn it down, especially if it was one of your all-time favorite games?


I thought not.

574

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Nintendo sees RED

« on: October 03, 2003, 07:41:30 PM »

Nintendo still expects to make about a half-billion dollars in profit for the full year, which was about as much as they made last year. This isn't good news, but it's hardly bad enough to justify the million doom and gloom threads that will doubtlessly pop up because of it. It's a tough time all around in the game industry.

And I think Nintendo HAS "gotten the message". The Gamecube price drop and the considerable increase in advertising should boost things. I've seen more GCN commercials lately than I have for PS2 and Xbox combined.

575

Nintendo Gaming / RE:square enix's next gamecube game

« on: October 01, 2003, 08:59:43 PM »

Even if this guy DOES hate Nintendo, is it really up to him whether or not this game gets ported to the Cube? Not that I think it would happen anyway, but if Square really wanted to bring this to the Cube, all it would take is some Fund Q cash from Yammy, and I'm sure they could find somebody without a bitter hatred towards Nintendo to lead a GCN port.

Anyway, I think the most logical thing to happen--IF the main FF series returns to a Nintendo console--is this whole FF7 remake rumor that's been going around. Think about it. First the Cube gets REmake, then Twin Snakes, and then possibly a FF7 Remake. Those were arguably THE three most popular and influential 3rd party PSX series. FF7 is by FAR the most popular in its series. The effects a game like that could do to the Cube's sales would be tremendous. I don't know how much stock to really put into that rumor, but IF the main FF series ever returns to Nintendo, I think a FF7 remake would be extremely logical.

And another thing, what is there to hate about Nintendo, anyway? I'm not trying to be a fanboy here, but what? I could understand someone hating their stance toward online and such, their games, or anything about the hardware, but what could cause a game developer to hate the actual company so much? Other than things they have done in the distant past, Nintendo hasn't really done anything "wrong" to another company. They seem to have a genuine desire to release a good product and forward the game industry, so what does this guy not like? "How could anybody not like him?" I must know!