Messages

15926

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #3: Eternal Darkness)

« on: February 22, 2009, 01:36:05 AM »

I still have my old save file where I beat the game three times in a row the get the final ending. I'm thinking about playing again off of that file because if I remember right it just loops back around if you start it a fourth time.

15927

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Trivia: Podcast Edition - Episode 47

« on: February 22, 2009, 01:33:40 AM »

I think this may be a good source for RetroActive game nominations. I want to Nominate Turok 2 but I already nominated the first.

I like the show (this is my first episode). I get really into it when I listen in the car; shouting guesses out loud.

15928

TalkBack / Re: Wii Exclusive Dead Space Extraction Goes On Rails

« on: February 22, 2009, 12:49:47 AM »

Count me as part of the Wii-only crowd, as that's the only "current-gen" system that I own. Perhaps I'll start a club entitled "Wii Have Faith" for all of us who show the utmost loyalty by owning only a Wii. Wii want games to come to Wii, Wii don't want to come to the games!

Well, I've always known that uncompromising gamers need to own all consoles. My best friend owns all of them too, though he's less into PC then I am...

Personally though, I barely have enough time to play one console, let alone more. I'm not exactly keen on spending more money when I can be buying more games instead.

I in the same boat as you in that I don't have enough time or money to get a 360 or PS3. There are a number of games I'd love to get on both systems, but I keep finding plenty of games on the Wii and DS or even older games from previous systems that take away time and money. I can't justify another new system unless I cathc up on a number of games already out and the Wii experiences a drought larger than N64 scale. Even then I would probably want to spend the money on my computer so I can get it (or a new one) to run Left 4 Dead.

15929

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Game Nominations

« on: February 21, 2009, 08:17:48 AM »

OK here is one.

Superman 64

I'd love to hear you guys talk about that game!

...aww man!
I told myself that barring any unforeseen event that prevents it I would acquire and play every game we picked for the RetroActive even if I have to grab it later to 'retroactively' play along. But I will stick to my guns and play Superman 64 if I can get a copy at a good price. But that doesn't mean I have to vote for it...

15930

TalkBack / Re: Wii Exclusive Dead Space Extraction Goes On Rails

« on: February 20, 2009, 10:30:17 PM »

One other concern I have with it being a rail-shooter is with game length. Many of the light-gun games are too short for me to dump $50 on one. Umbrella Chronicles' length should be the beginning of the norm instead of the exception regarding length.

If they can truly innovate the genre and give the game better length and replay value than other games then they can easily have a winner on their hands. I do hope it pans out well for the sake of attracting more traditional games from EA like Godfather 2.

15931

Nintendo Gaming / Re: The Conduit

« on: February 20, 2009, 09:26:33 PM »

I'll bet demographics bring a lot to the table. I always hear that its immature, pre-pubescent boys screaming profanity that brings down a gaming experience on XBL. If the Wii had easy voice chat then maybe we could compare the two to see if it is a general age issue online or if most of the immature people are on XBL.

15932

Nintendo Gaming / Re: The Conduit

« on: February 20, 2009, 08:24:18 PM »

I cannot stand voice chat at all ESPECIALLY on Xbox Live.

At all?  Are you saying you've never encountered voice chat that wasn't horrible, or would you hate it even if it were (hypothetically) civil and productive?

Civil & Productive + Voice Chat = Paradox

This makes me think of GoldenPhoenix 

15933

TalkBack / Re: Wii Exclusive Dead Space Extraction Goes On Rails

« on: February 20, 2009, 08:22:52 PM »

@Ian
You don't consider Boom Blox very good? Or have you not tried it? I would rate Blox higher than Z & W. I don't recall any bad reviews of de Blob either.

I did not mean to say that you shouldn't use game reviews to influence your purchases. I was more voicing against using Metacritic as the main determinant of what games you will purchase. Some people, like the old 1Up reviewers, didn't want a numerical score attached to their opinions. Numbers can mean a lot of things to different people. You don't look at games unless they have an 8 or better. Other places like WiiWare World view games rated 6 or 7 as the same value as you appear to put in an eight. The only game they ever gave a perfect 10 was World of Goo.

I don't lend as much credence to numbers because I find they can be cruel mistresses to adhere to. I have differing opinions and I like to discover some things on my own.

@GoldenPhoenix
I'll grant that Dead Space is a new franchise with little prior precedence game-wise. I'll also grant that on-rail shooters and first-person shooters are similar enough to make a logical jump (shooting guns - in different ways!). A matter of note though is that this is a big franchise. EA has been pushing it like no tomorrow since last spring at least. They have the comics, a movie, action figures and game(s) planned or already being produced. The comics were even out before the game. So even though the game itself is only just being established, there is a full fledged canon already in place. So there may be a number of DS fans already established before the game hoisted it's colors. This can be both boon and bane for our little Wii shooter. Because EA has built this franchise to be diverse in its outlets, there may be plenty of room for Extraction to flourish. The problem is that since DS for PS360 was the first, it also made the biggest impression. People already have an opinion of what to expect and how things will work. A glance at the several topics on NRW dealing with this game shows that a number of people expected -- and still demand -- that this game be akin to its predecessor.
Also from reading around the web, DS is billed as the spiritual heir to Resident Evil set in space. This alone sets a huge tone for what people expect from any future DS game on any system.

It does appear that the devs do want to channel a lot from the first game, though what were the pulls of the first game? Will there be enough of them to draw in first time players and DS veterans? They mention a number of appeals from it like strategic limb removal. I have noticed several people complain that the sense of exploration will be lost. Is that a big enough change to lose people? I don't know because I have yet to play the original game and I am personally biased towards wanting a direct port as opposed to the Extraction shooter. I'll keep an open mind, but I am not overjoyed at the direction it took.

Also, Dead Aim shows the dangerous route spin-offs can go. Umbrella Chronicles was a better to my understanding. Super Mario RPG was a very good spin-off. Sonic Chronicles was not from what I've read. Final Fantasy and the Tactics spin-off worked very well also.
Star Wars games may be another good example of a franchise where somethings work. There are a number of games with varying genres covered. Masters of Teras Kasi (sp?) was a flop, but Super Star Wars and Rogue Squadron worked well.

In summary, it has potential to work really well, but also potential to crash and burn. I think people are more worried (and passionate) because it is another game Wii owners will feel they have to buy to convince the 'Big Boys' to make 'serious' games on the Wii. It doesn't matter that the game itself is good; if we don't support it, they will turn around and use it to justify not supporting the Wii. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Buy spin-offs we may not truly be interested in, or buy poorly implemented ports. Very rarely is there a chance like Godfather or Okami where a brilliant port is produced, or Z & W or another truly good original game arrives. In the case of those three games I mentioned, we failed. In the case of Umbrella Chronicles (and RE4), it seems we had a resounding success. If that matters to you.

*Wow, 7 posts while I worked on this. I think too much. 

15934

TalkBack / Re: Wii Exclusive Dead Space Extraction Goes On Rails

« on: February 20, 2009, 05:42:18 PM »

I'm more bothered by developers jumping genres in games.
If I want an on-rails shooter, I'll get HotD.
If I want a 3rd person adventure game then Resident Evil or Dead Space work.
If I want a point and click game, then I look to Monkey Island, Kings Quest or Sam and Max.

Now, there are exceptions that break the mold and are still enjoyable, but you run the risk of alienating your series fans.
The same issue comes up with Age of Empires on the DS versus the PC.
Also with Halo Wars versus Halo 1-3. How many PC RTS fans are also going to own a DS and how many of those people are going to like SRPG's? How many FPS XBox fans are also going to like RTS's?

Dead Space Extraction may be amazing as it stands against other on-rails games, but do fans of Dead Space want or like this type of game. Not everyone likes any game genre under the sun and even those people have preferences. If you lose your series fans for one game like this, will you recoup enough players who do have an interest in it to sustain it?

On another note, I won't cast judgment on the programmers for being lazy cop-outs since I have no idea if it is easier or not to make one type of game or the other. I also have a massive respect for game developers since I once tried to enter their field with dismal results.

Also note that it is the very same team making Extraction that made the original game. Most of the time the 'cheap knock-off' games you mention are not being made by one of their top tier dev teams. Who knows, EA may have told them "Make a Dead Space game for we that uses the Wii's strengths" and the Dead Space team may have said "A rail-shooter would be awesome".

@Ian
I wouldn't use meta-critic to make all of your game purchasing decisions. There are a lot of fun games out there that I would have missed if I relied on meta-critic.
Though, I wonder, what current 3rd party games on Wii would you consider 'unanimously good'?

15935

NWR Forums Discord / Re: New M-rated NON-RAILS title headed exclusively for Wii!

« on: February 20, 2009, 02:23:32 AM »

Fortunately not everyone has the horrible taste in games ThePerm seems to have.

ROFL.

seriously, the last game that came out that i could give a damn about was mario galaxy, where the hell are the good games?

Dang the last game I cared about was SMB3! I want to know where all the good games have been for the last two decades! I feel your pain.

Where have all the good games gone? They have passed into shadow...

15936

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Could this be a future Castlevania game for Wii?

« on: February 20, 2009, 02:15:37 AM »

If this or another on-rails type game set in the Castlevania are the next announced games I will be overcome with the sighs of mediocrity.

I enjoy a good on-rails shooter, especially with co-op or deal wielding, but one is enough for me. I feel just like I did back when the FPS and RTS gluts of the late '90's and early '00's: underwhelmed and bored. Too many 'me too' games.

15937

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Mario and Sonic at the Winter Games!!

« on: February 20, 2009, 02:08:08 AM »

I figured you meant it would have wonky motion controls and yet still sell a bajillion copies. My friend's folks only really want to play the Summer edition asside from Wii Sports. It is so strange.

15938

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #2: Luigi's Mansion)

« on: February 19, 2009, 04:47:33 AM »

Is there something wrong with the site? I'm noticing odd things on the forums like no icons changing when there are new posts.

Aaron tells me that the forums are going through an update, and the database/index is regenerating.  Apparently this process takes several days to finish.

That explains a lot. I hope it goes smoothly.

15939

TalkBack / Re: This Week's Virtual Console and WiiWare

« on: February 18, 2009, 07:32:43 PM »

Geist is M, it's on my box, contains plenty of ALMOST-NOODITY.

I love how your cycling avatar shows Peach and Daisy with their eyes covered on that comment about nekid-ness.

15940

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Wario Land: Shake It!

« on: February 18, 2009, 07:25:42 PM »

For, say, a 2D console Mario game. Or a 2D Metroid game?

Yoshi's Island Wii

I got reminders of Yoshi's Island from Wario Land when you had to aim the cannons. Using the tilt of the Wii-Mote would be a great way to aim egg shots in a Yoshi game. But I want the return of Boshi from Mario RPG in the next Yoshi game. He was awesome. I wanted to have a Boshi costume in Smash Bros.

Make a Disney game with Aladdin animation and Capcom quality gameplay (from the NES/SNES) days and you have me sold..

Mmm...Disney games of the 8/16-bit era. I could go for some new ones or even remakes with some fine animation. Those were classics. I had Tale Spin, Darkwing Duck and Duck Tales on NES and Aladdin, Magical Quest Starring Mickey and Goof Troop on SNES. Maybe some others but those were quite memorable. I think I also had a Tiny Toons game by Konami that wasn't half bad. Good times. 

Also, I thought I'd mention that my purchase of Wario Land Shake was solely due to the guys on Radio Free Nintendo talking about how pleased they were with the game (especially Greg). So thanks for talking about it!

15941

Nintendo Gaming / Re: A new developer joins Nintendo's Ranks

« on: February 18, 2009, 06:50:21 PM »

Metroid would be Metroid if Miyamoto was all over them

Actually Miyamoto was all over Metroid Prime. You can't tell me that game "feels" like Miyamoto.

To jump off of what Golden Phoenix said, Miyamoto was the reason that Prime is in the first-person view. Retro was originally making it in the 3rd and it was not clicking as a game. Then Miyamoto suggested the move to 1st. That's a big deal.

15942

TalkBack / Re: This Week's Virtual Console and WiiWare

« on: February 18, 2009, 06:04:31 PM »

Perfect Dark, M
Geist, T

ESRB says Geist was M

If anyone cares, Evasive Space Review (5/10), the reviewer hated the controls. Other users sound like the controls are no issue for them so I guess they work for some and not others. However it seems that even if the controls work the game is nothing great, not a waste of money but not something you'd miss if you didn't buy it either.

Do you frequent the WWW/VC-Reviews comments section and forums too? I'm on there w/ the same handle as here.

15943

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #2: Luigi's Mansion)

« on: February 18, 2009, 05:56:14 PM »

testing 1,2,3

Is there something wrong with the site? I'm noticing odd things on the forums like no icons changing when there are new posts.

15944

TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: The House of the Dead: Overkill

« on: February 18, 2009, 04:33:53 AM »

An enjoyable read.
I am interested in getting this but not right now as I still need to get all of the other major February releases as well. I can't justify throwing $150-250 around for all of them. So I'm prioritizing. Especially since there are a number of great titles I need to pickup still from last year.
I need a new job.

15945

TalkBack / Re: First Images of American DSi Packaging Hits the Internet

« on: February 18, 2009, 04:30:49 AM »

Isn't the DSi pictured in that second image just to the left of the box? I could be wrong but it looks like it.

15946

TalkBack / Re: This Week's Virtual Console and WiiWare

« on: February 17, 2009, 11:54:38 PM »

I can only think of Conker's Bad Fur Day, Eternal Darkness and the MGS-Twin Snakes as Nintendo supported M-rated games.
Were Perfect Dark and Geist Teen or Mature?
Though all of those were from second-parties like Rare, Silicone Knights and N-Space.

Edit: I just checked the ESRB and both Perfect Dark and Geist were M-Rated.ndo systems. They keep a backlog of the ratings you can search.
Also, those were the only Nintendo funded M games on all Nintendo platforms ever (rated by the ESRB at least).
Also, I just thought of Fatal Frame 4 as another that would be M rated.

15947

TalkBack / Re: No Local Multiplayer in The Conduit; Possibility for Sequel

« on: February 17, 2009, 11:49:05 PM »

5) Math--it is my enemy!

Then I hope you don't have to play Math Coach.
That would be like poison to you.

15948

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 133

« on: February 17, 2009, 02:29:54 AM »

PlanetSide was what I was thinking about. A friend of mine was really into that game back in its hey day.
I found an MMO-FPS list on Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massively_multiplayer_online_first-person_shooter

A good MMO-FPS should be more about missions and objectives and less about leveling up and getting stronger. Maybe better weapons but not too much so as to allow the possibility of alienating players.
Give players a gamer tag of sorts with promotions, ranks and achievements Promotions would open up more advanced missions and weapons as you become more important to your organization, allowing newer players to play the easier ones as they adapt to the game.

15949

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Discussion (Game #2: Luigi's Mansion)

« on: February 17, 2009, 02:18:29 AM »

Did you see my advise in the spoiler tags a few posts back? Did that help you any? Is there any video on youtube that could show you some pointers?

It was terribly frustrating for me as well and it was only the goading of my father that I had lost my gaming skills that I pushed through to the end.

15950

Podcast Discussion / Re: RFN RetroActive Game Nominations

« on: February 17, 2009, 02:13:49 AM »

Maybe we should do The Conduit.  ;-)

Good excuse for us all to play online together, right? Experience the full game as it was intended?