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[Episode 2 provides more action, but it's a bit on the short side.]

1

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Tales of Monkey Island: Chapter 2

« on: November 16, 2009, 01:19:51 PM »

Episode 2 provides more action,  but it's a bit on the short side.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=20334

 Our last encounter with Guybrush Threepwood saw him escaping the irreversible winds of Flotsam Island while acquiring The Screaming Narwhal in order to be reunited with Elaine. All things were well until a mysterious figure appeared with a sword right at his throat. If this all sounds foreign to you, I suggest you go back and play the first chapter and then come back and read this review. Like with every good season premiere, Tales of Monkey Island – Chapter 2: The Siege of Spinner Cay picks up right where the last one left off.    

Guybrush now finds himself exploring the rest of the Jerkbait Islands, an island chain that includes Flotsam Island. The player has more freedom this time around, being able to explore more than one island, but trust me, it isn't much. Most of the games' action takes place on Spinner Cay which is inhabited by the intellectual Merfolk and their not-so-distinguishable genders. Watching Guybrush interact with some of the Merfolk provides for some hilarious moments. Along with them are both LeChuck and Elaine, who are looking for several mysterious artifacts that will help summon legendary creatures and aid them in their search for La Esponja Grande.    

Just like the last chapter, this one features the same "search everywhere, collect items, and use them in the right location" gameplay. With that said, the game is actually shorter than the previous episode; Chapter 1 lasts roughly  4-5 hours, while this episode will last you only 1-2 hours. Granted, this time may be longer for those that find some of the puzzles difficult. Being an avid adventure fan myself, some of the puzzles seemed complex at first, but their solutions became obvious when you thought back to previous Monkey Island games.    

In addition to the generally low difficulty level of puzzles, the lack of story also contributes to the title's brevity. The main chunk of the game is collecting the artifacts, but once that's done you'll find yourself at the conclusion of the story. These chapters are supposed to be bite-sized chunks, but this one seems more like a nibble.    

However, I only complain about the length because the storytelling and dialogue Telltale comes up with is thoroughly enjoyable. Their continuing sense of humor will have you laughing multiple times, and the voice talent is just as entertaining. Once again, the feel of Monkey Island is properly captured and some old references are thrown in there to pay tribute.    

The framerate problems and graphical glitches from the last chapter remain, and are still just as irritating. You'd hope that these problems would be fixed the second time around, but they're still there.    

Nevertheless, Telltale has done it again by creating yet another adventurous episode and it's nice to see the story unfolding. While this episode is on the easy and short side, the next chapter should prove to be exciting and something completely different..  In the meantime, The Siege of Spinner Cay will tide you over, but it won't blow you away.

Pros:
       

Same witty dialogue and humor is present

 

New, bigger locale to explore

 

The questionable sexuality of the Merfolk add a lot of humor

       Cons:
       

A bit on the short side

 

Some puzzles can be too easy

 

Graphical problems are still present

               Graphics:  7.5
       They're unchanged from the last game, meaning the same graphical glitches and low-resolution is present.  Fortunately, the game is just as colorful as before.

               Sound:  8.0
       Once again, it's just as good as before with new voice talents giving our ears new sensations to hear.

               Control:  8.0
       Smaller items aren't as difficult to pick up as the last game, but otherwise the controls are identical.

                      Gameplay:  8.0
       Some of the puzzles are trickier this time around, and the dialogue is sure to make you laugh.

 

       Lastability:  6.0
       This chapter is shorter than the first one, and once you beat it the replay value is minimal.

 

       Final:  7.5
       Even though this chapter is on the short side, its challenge and humor create an enjoyable experience the whole way through. Playing the first chapter helps with the story, but doing so isn't required to understand this one. It's not as good as the first episode, but it's still fun.Even though this chapter is on the short side, its challenge and humor create an enjoyable experience the whole way through. Playing the first chapter helps with the story, but doing so isn't required to understand this one. It's not as good as the first episode, but it's still fun.      

[The best of both worlds combined into one fabulous package.]

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TalkBack / REVIEWS: The Beatles: Rock Band

« on: September 21, 2009, 06:33:35 PM »

The best of both worlds combined into one fabulous package.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=20007

 To even begin to describe the Beatles phenomenon would require much more space than this review will take. The Beatles will forever go down as one of the greatest and most influential bands of all time. For me, The Beatles were one of the first bands I ever heard. Even though their music was before my time I grew up listening to all their songs. For Harmonix to go and create The Beatles: Rock Band, instead of just adding their songs as DLC, shows the importance The Beatles had and the impact they left on all of us. This game truly is a labor of love and Harmonix has done The Beatles video game right.    

First and foremost, this is a Beatles video game featuring only Beatles music. You won't be seeing songs from other bands like Guitar Hero Aerosmith or Metallica. Instead all you get is Beatles and Beatles alone. Unless you enjoy their music this game might not be for you, but even for someone who's never heard of The Beatles before can fall in love with their music after just several plays. There are, after all, 45 songs on the disc, ranging all throughout their entire recording career, so there's bound to be a song for everyone. The Beatles: Rock Band is also a standalone game that unfortunately can't interact with the other iterations of Rock Band. That basically means that the content in this game and the upcoming downloadable content won't work with Rock Band 1 or 2 and visa versa.    

For players that just want to jump right in, there's both an online and offline Quickplay mode that allow for cooperative or competitive play with the entire track list unlocked (minus the last song). The competitive multiplayer is just the typical modes found in Rock Band such as Tug of War and Score Duel. The slick, stylized interface brings players to the gameplay easily. Just like the normal Rock Band interface, players just choose their instruments, their song and difficulty and begin playing, making the whole process nice and simple. There's even an option in the instrument selection to turn on "no-fail" mode removing the inconvenience of having to navigate through the options menu.      While a majority of most people's time will be with Quickplay, the main focus is with the Story mode. This mode takes you throughout The Beatles' career, starting with their beginnings at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England all the way to their final performance on top of Apple Corps. There's no accumulation of stars or fans to progress. All you have to do is beat several songs specific to the venue and time and you move on. You only have to play each song once, rather than the typical Rock Band formula of playing songs over and over. This allows players to fully enjoy each song without growing tired due to repetitive playing.    

   

Each venue is stringed nicely with stylish cutscenes and prepares you for your next location. They provide images of the era The Beatles were experiencing. Apple Corps also provided additional images straight from the Apple Corps vault that can be unlocked throughout the Story mode. These photos chronicle The Beatles' history with each having a little blurb about itself. Not to mention, there's also six short videos to unlock. It's nice being able to hear the entire Beatles Christmas album in one of the videos which was only made available to members of the fan club. Also just about every song is included with audio before and after straight out of clips from announcers or studio recordings. There's nothing more exciting than hearing Paul count in before a song starts or for George to mess around on the guitar after a songs over.    

All the songs have their own specific video accompanied with it that reflect the type of performance they would give at the time. Earlier songs such as "Eight Days a Week" and "Paperback Writer" feature a cheery tune with joyous Beatles and tons of screaming fans. The game even goes out to have the screaming drown out the music at times mimicking what would normally happen at a concert. The hud itself also adds to the whimsicalness with brightly colored notes and flowers flying everywhere. The mesh of music and art is unseen in any other game creating a very relaxing experience. You will actually notice the animations in the background more often than usual.    

Halfway through their career The Beatles decided to stop touring and concentrate more on making albums at Abbey Road Studios. Watching visuals for songs performed in a studio would get tiresome so Harmonix created dreamscapes for each of these songs. These environments are custom-tailored for each song. Players are transported from the studio to a world filled with imagination. Being able to watching the Fab Four perform "Here Comes the Sun" on top of a hill with sun shining everywhere fully encapsulates the feeling one gets when listening to The Beatles. For "Yellow Submarine," the group performs underwater and for "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Band," the band performs in a gazebo with flowers everywhere. These are just some of the amazing creative ideas that Harmonix had.    

   

The gameplay is very similar to that seen in Rock Band 2. The drums, guitar, and bass all remain unchanged. One difference is the inability to create drum fills to activate the drum's star power. The fills are pre-determined this time around using the song's actual fills. This removes some of the creative freedom forcing you to play how The Beatles do. The biggest addition is the inclusion of vocal harmonies. Harmonix made an effort to include this feature due to the fact that The Beatles were well known for all their harmonies in a majority of their songs. Three players can each choose their own separate icon and up to three different lines can be displayed at any one point. You don't have to stick to one color allowing players to jump between parts. As long as each line is being sung players will still rack up points.    

Vocal harmonies can be quite difficult so within the practice mode is a section to help players out. Alongside the vocal training is a drum trainer with beats to master entitled Beatle Beats. All 80 are straight from Ringo Starr's classic rhythms and are surprisingly difficult to master.    

With the inclusion of harmonies, this allows for six people to play simultaneously. When gathering six people to play with though, there is a very noticeable drop in the framerate for the background video. Granted that so much is going on at once it would've been nice to see the same smoothness when playing with only one instrument. The graphics however are amazing and much better than that seen in Rock Band 2. Minus some lack of anti-aliasing it practically parallels the Xbox 360 and PS3 version. The use of the art style and pre-rendered videos paid off making the Wii version just as good as the rest.    

Many fans have been longing to play the Beatles in Guitar Hero or Rock Band for quite some time now and Harmonix was able to deliver the right stuff. Granted that any game featuring The Beatles would automatically be a hit, Harmonix still went out to create an experience that belongs in the same vein as the band. The pure genius comes with the inclusion of vocal harmonies that create an even more authentic band experience. The artstyle and presentation also complement The Beatles greatly. At 59.99 it may be quite an investment (especially for a Wii game) but it most certainly is an investment well spent. Plus with the never ending list of potential Beatles songs to download, you'll be constantly coming back to play more. The Beatles are back and here to influence a whole new generation of people.

Pros:
       

Perfectly blends art style with music

 

Vocal Harmonies

 

Six players can play at once

 

The Beatles have a huge amount of great songs

       Cons:
       

Framerate issues with large numbers of players

 

Lots of classic Beatles songs aren't on the default track list

               Graphics:  9.0
       They are beautiful and simply amazing. The character models look as close as they can be to being the real Beatles and the dreamscapes give a very visceral experience.

               Sound: 10.0
       There's a reason why The Beatles have lasted for a very long time. Their music is revolutionary and every note is heard in the game. To be able to hear screaming fans drown out your gameplay mimics exactly what it was like for The Beatles.

               Control:  8.5
       The pickup of vocals can be shoddy when playing with more players but the other instruments play solidly.

                      Gameplay:  9.0
       It's the same Rock Band gameplay we've all grown to love. If you're an expert though, there's not much difficulty with these songs. The inclusion of vocal harmonies gives a nice, new challenge though.

 

       Lastability:  8.5
       With only 45 songs, you'll find yourself playing through all of them faster than you'll think. The inclusion of DLC will make this game go a long way.

 

       Final:  9.0
       Harmonix has gone above and beyond to create the ultimate Beatles video game. There's been a great attention to detail making sure that the game provides an experience that matches the magic of The Beatles. While there's not too much added beyond vocal harmonies, being able to play Beatles songs in Rock Band is finally here.      

[Ahoy, mateys! Welcome to a game that pays tribute to its origins, while being a true sequel in the Monkey Island series.]

3

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Tales of Monkey Island - Chapter 1: Launch of the Screaming Narwhal

« on: September 21, 2009, 04:32:10 PM »

Ahoy, mateys! Welcome to a game that pays tribute to its origins, while being a true sequel in the Monkey Island series.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=20003

 It's been almost twenty years since the world first experienced The Secret of Monkey Island. The original game won fans over with its wit, charm, and humor. Throughout the 90's, LucasArts released a surge of other amazing adventure titles, and and the era became known as the golden age of adventure games. LucasArts reigned supreme, but the genre eventually declined.  2000's Escape from Monkey Island  became what seemed to be the company's final effort in continuing the Monkey Island legacy…until now.    

LucasArts is currently revisiting the franchises that originally made the company so popular, and has decided to bring its classic Monkey Island series to a whole new audience. Teaming up with Telltale Games, LucasArts is releasing a new five-part episodic series entitled Tales of Monkey Island. Telltale has already established itself as the premiere company for episodic adventure gaming, with series such as Sam & Max Save the World (itself the successor to the LucasArts favorite Sam & Max Hit the Road) and Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People.    

   

   

In an approach completely different from their previous episodic work, Telltale has decided to create one giant narrative spanning across all five episodes. Previous Telltale works, such as Sam & Max Save the World, were comprised of stand-alone episodes.   In Tales of Monkey Island, you'll need to play every episode to get the whole story. This could become problematic, with future episodes being heftier in content as the story draws to its climax. The later chapters will have assumed you've played the earlier ones, focusing on the more exciting parts of the story and leaving out background information. Telltale's biggest challenge will be making each episode stand on its own while still pushing the overall narrative.    

In Tales of Monkey Island you play the pirate Guybrush Threepwood, the lead character in every Monkey Island title to date. The game opens up with our hero in search of a fizzy root beer that will complete a magical voodoo sword spell. With it he'll be able to once again defeat the pirate zombie LeChuck, the series' villain, and save his daring wife Elaine. After a series of mishaps and a very large explosion, Guybrush finds himself washed up on the shores of Flotsam Island. To make matters worse, the spell backfires and curses his left hand. The rest of the game is spent figuring out how to get off the island, since the winds blow towards the island and prevent anyone from leaving.    

Throughout the journey, Guybrush meets a whole new cast of characters that possess the same wit and charm the series is known for. The silly dialogue is back as our hero finds himself meeting another voodoo queen, a reporter all about pirate news, a frilly French doctor, and a pompous captain who is proud of his ship's ability to not be captured. Many of the original voice actors are also back to reprise their roles. Though the dialogue tries to tap into the original game's cleverness, more often than not it tries too hard, using variations of the same old jokes instead of creating its own humor. This doesn't mean you won't get a laugh, but it would have been nice to hear some new jokes.    

The whole episode takes about 4-5 hours, depending on your ability to solve the substantial number of puzzles. The puzzles involve the typical collecting of items and using them in the right locations; some items can also be combined in specific situations. Some of the puzzles require you think outside the box, although most are so blatantly obvious that any Monkey Island veteran will be able to solve them immediately. While the puzzle-solving is generally simple, sometimes acquiring the necessary items becomes a challenge.  It's very easy to miss an item or location given the difficult-to-navigate jungle. You can get stuck on a certain puzzle when the item you need is located on a path you didn't take. The paths aren't constant either, forcing you to memorize the right sequence just to get to the right spot.    

   

   

All of the puzzle-solving is controlled with the Nunchuk and Wii Remote. The Nunchuk controls Guybrush, while the remote is used to interact with objects much like a mouse would in the classic point-and-click adventures. This makes selecting objects simple and easy to do. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to select smaller objects due to the imprecision of the Wii Remote; at times I had to slowly aim just to pinpoint a specific object. Clicking an object repeatedly to select it is never fun.    

Another major drawback is the game's graphics. The Wii version isn't nearly as visually appealing as the PC edition. At times there are poor frame rates that cause sporadic movement, and the game runs at a very low resolution with every model appearing blurred.    

Even though fans of the adventure genre have experienced a long drought, Telltale has done a magnificent job in replenishing our thirsty tongues. If later episodes are as good as the first, The Tales of Monkey Island appears destined to stand out as one of the better entries in the Monkey Island series. It's been a long time coming, and Telltale has done a bang-up job of reviving the series. While The Screaming Narwhal is merely an introduction and provides no clear conclusion, it's still a fun adventure that fans of the series will enjoy.

Pros:
       

Challenging puzzles

 

Clever writing

 

Monkey Island is back!

       Cons:
       

Low-res graphics

 

Difficult to navigate jungle

 

No real ending

               Graphics:  6.0
       They are simply atrocious at times. The blurry resolution is unbearable and the frame rate can be sporadic.

               Sound:  9.0
       Dominic Armato is back to voice Guybrush along with many of the original voice actors. There's also good voice work done with the new characters.

               Control:  8.5
       Controls just like a classic point-and-click adventure. Using the Wii Remote is just as intuitive as using a mouse, but it would be even better if it was more responsive for smaller items.

                      Gameplay:  8.5
       The puzzles vary in difficulty, but it's too easy to get stuck when items aren't so easy to find.

 

       Lastability:  7.0
       Great for fans who will enjoy the humor over and over, but once you beat it there's no point in really playing the same puzzles again.

 

       Final:  8.0
       The Monkey Island series is back. Even though this episode serves as only an introduction, it sets up the story pretty well and brings players back to a world long forgotten. Aside from a few graphical hitches and gameplay annoyances, Launch of the Screaming Narwhal provides a nice challenge while making you laugh at its clever writing.      

[Only one more song to go.]

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TalkBack / Harmonix Announces 19 More Beatles: Rock Band Songs

« on: September 02, 2009, 06:21:17 PM »

Only one more song to go.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=19902

 With the release of The Beatles: Rock Band next week, almost every song has been announced as 19 more were recently unveiled.    

Coupled with the 25 previously announced songs, the total number of announced songs is now up to 44. That just leaves one more to be announced before its September 9 release.    

Check out all 19 songs below along with each song's featured venue.    

• “Boys” at the Cavern Club  
• “A Hard Day’s Night” at the Ed Sullivan Theater  
• “I’m Looking Through You” at Shea Stadium  
• “If I Needed Someone” at Shea Stadium  
• “Ticket to Ride” at Shea Stadium  
• “Drive My Car” at Budokan  
• “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Getting Better” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Good Morning” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Hello, Goodbye” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Hey Bulldog” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Dear Prudence” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Helter Skelter” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Something” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Come Together” an Abbey Road Dreamscape  
• “Don’t Let Me Down” at the Rooftop Concert  
• “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” at the Rooftop Concert  
• “I Me Mine” at the Rooftop Concert

   

   

MTV Games and Harmonix Reveal All But One Track Featured In   The Beatles™: Rock Band™     19 More of the 45 On-Disc Tracks Announced Including “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “Helter Skelter,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Ticket to Ride” and More    

New York, NY – August 18, 2009 – MTV Games and Harmonix, the world’s leading developer of music-based games and a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today revealed 19 more of the 45 on-disc tracks that will be featured in The Beatles™: Rock Band™ - leaving all, but one song a mystery.  A gameplay trailer featuring ten of the 19 newly announced songs can be viewed by visiting www.thebeatlesrockband.com.

   

The newly announced 19 songs represent a cross-section of hits and favorites that span The Beatles’ storied career from “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” to “Ticket to Ride” and “Something,” bringing the total number of announced songs to 44.

   

The Beatles: Rock Band 19 New Songs Revealed With Featured Venues:   •   “Boys” / Cavern Club   •   “A Hard Day’s Night” / Ed Sullivan Theater   •   “I’m Looking Through You”  / Shea Stadium    •   “If I Needed Someone” / Shea Stadium  •   “Ticket to Ride” / Shea Stadium     •   “Drive My Car” / Budokan   •   “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” / Abbey Road Dreamscape     •   “Getting Better” / Abbey Road Dreamscape   •   “Good Morning” / Abbey Road Dreamscape   •   “Hello, Goodbye” / Abbey Road Dreamscape     •   “Hey Bulldog” / Abbey Road Dreamscape   •   “Dear Prudence” / Abbey Road Dreamscape     •   “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” / Abbey Road Dreamscape   •   “Helter Skelter” / Abbey Road Dreamscape   •   “Something” / Abbey Road Dreamscape   •   “Come Together” / Abbey Road Dreamscape   •   “Don’t Let Me Down” / Rooftop Concert   •   “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” / Rooftop Concert     •   “I Me Mine” / Rooftop Concert

   

The Beatles: Rock Band allows fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums to experience The Beatles’ extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career. From the early touring days in 1963 Liverpool to the immortal, final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop, fans can follow in The Fab Four’s footsteps as they traverse the globe during the height of Beatlemania.

     

For the first time in a music videogame, The Beatles: Rock Band introduces three-part vocal harmonies to gameplay, allowing players to revel in the unparalleled vocal stylings of The Beatles.  

   

As previously announced, the entire Abbey Road album will be available for future download purchase. In addition, “All You Need Is Love” will be released Sept.9, 2009, exclusively through Xbox LIVE for a limited time as a downloadable song for The Beatles: Rock Band, with all Apple Corps Ltd, MTV Games, Harmonix and Microsoft proceeds benefitting Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).  

   

In conjunction with the release of the entire, original, digitally re-mastered Beatles CD catalogue, The Beatles: Rock Band will be available Sept. 9, 2009, simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox®360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), and the Wii™ system from Nintendo. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other authorized third-party music video game peripherals and microphones.

   

North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the The Beatles: Rock Band at a participating retailer will be given an access code to officially join the Pre-Order Club. After entry of the code, consumers will gain access to breaking news and exclusive behind-the-scenes elements. For a list of participating retailers or to learn more about The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club, please visit www.thebeatlesrockband.com/preorderclub/.

     The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. The Beatles: Rock Band will be published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band.  Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) will serve as distr ibution partner for the game. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, is providing his expertise and serving as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

 

5

TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

« on: August 23, 2009, 05:30:30 AM »

This game needs to come already so I can buy it and devote all my life to it.

[Ronimo Games offers up a humorous, superb real-time strategy game with minor issues present.]

6

TalkBack / REVIEWS: Swords & Soldiers

« on: August 13, 2009, 04:41:52 PM »

Ronimo Games offers up a humorous, superb real-time strategy game with minor issues present.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=19798

 It's rare for a WiiWare title to blow me away. Ronimo Games however created a gem not to be missed. Ronimo was founded by the same creators of the prototype design for de Blob. Swords & Soldiers (S&S) has not only destroyed my expectations of downloadable games, but also made me realize that real-time strategy (RTS) games can actually be good on the Wii. With S&S being their first title, Ronimo is already proving their company's worth.    

This isn't your grandfather's RTS game. The whole game takes place on a 2D playing field, allowing your units to only move left or right. Having RTS gameplay on a 2D plane is reminiscent of Grim Grimoire on Playstation 2, except Sword & Soldiers has a lot more charm.    

Swords & Soldiers’ gives an experience that players can enjoy with its simple menus, slick animations, and beautiful drawings. The art style alone is amazing. Ronimo definitely created S&S with a gamer's humor in mind. Gamers can find themselves enjoying the iconic '60s Batman-esque scene transitions, nerdy achievement titles, and simple-yet-innocent plotlines.    

Like a typical RTS game, S&S features your basic resources collecting, different factions to choose from, a variety of units to build, upgrade trees to learn, and bases to rush. All of this can be done with only the Wii Remote. Move the cursor to the left and right of the field to scroll the map; click on buttons at the top of the screen to either build or upgrade units. There are three factions: Vikings, Aztecs, and Imperial Chinese, each balanced with its own set of units and skills. Some units are good for up-close combat, while others are more suited to attack from afar. It's not only your units you have to worry about; each faction has its own magical skills. The Vikings have the brute strength, with freezing spells and electrical bolts; they're also the only faction capable of healing. The Imperial Chinese have skills focused on summoning extra warriors who can attack ranged units. The Aztecs have the power of the undead, combined with the ability to set traps and poison enemies. Each skill requires the use of mana, which is replenished over time.    

The main campaign offers ten missions for each faction. To beat each mission you basically have to take over the enemy's base. Missions can vary in difficulty and some can add requirementsto make it more challenging. They could have a time limit or only allow certain units to be used. Other ones can provide a change of pace (such as tower defense). Even though the campaign only lasts seven hours each mission is different and enjoyable enough to play through that the length didn't matter so much. It could have been longer, but it's impressive that all of it was even fit into a WiiWare title. The campaign story isn't generic either; it contains just as much charm as the presentation, and is unique for an RTS game. Ronimo tailored the story to the cartoon-like experience the game provides.    

Although the story plays very well to the game's strengths, the true beauty is that every overwhelmingly complicated aspect of traditional RTS games is thrown out the window. What remains is a slick interface, allowing the player to unleash everything given to them with the ease of a point-and-click interface. With gold being the only resource to collect, all your time can be spent deciding which troops to send out. With the simple push of a button at the top of the screen, a unit instantly pops out of home base marching towards the other side of the screen. Depending on the terrain and/or available buildings, your units will continue marching until they reach the enemy headquarters or die trying. Some maps have splitting paths that separate into a high road and a low road. In these cases, the path a unit takes is determined by the click of an arrow. This can be strategic, for one path may contain more enemies, but also more gold to harvest. It's simple mechanics like these that remove any tedious micro-managing, allowing the player to direct their attention to the main draw of the game: the tug-of-war confrontations.    

When units from one force encounter enemy units it creates a point of contest. Units don't have the ability to pass enemies, so your units bunch up at one focus point and unleash all of their attacks. The focus point can move back and forth given the strength of one army, but it's this tug-of-war gameplay that makes battles tense and fast-paced. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to select specific units when all of your units are bunched up; healthbars on top of each troop becomes hard to see, and clicking on the right unit to heal becomes a challenge. The same problem exists with special attacks directed towards the enemy, as too often a regular unit is targeted instead of the intended larger unit.    

In the single-player campaign, the computer offers very strong resistance that forces the player to plan his attacks. I found myself having to retry missions frequently due to the brute strength of the computer. Figuring out which units to send out at the right time becomes the strategy and adds complexity to the seemingly simple system. Knowing there's a magic caster coming ahead, do you send out melee troops or axe throwers?  These are questions you will have to answer on a regular basis.    

Aside from the single-player campaign, there are additional modes. There's a practice Skirmish mode and several mini-game challenges. The mode with the most replay value is the two-player Skirmish. These are just like normal battles, but your opponent is a human being. Spread across nine varied maps, these battles are just as intense as those in the campaign. An in-game achievement system also rewards you for accomplishments, like destroying an enemy base with a boulder or controlling 50 units at once. No unlockables can be won from gaining achievements, but they are goals one can work towards for more replayability.    

With the creation of the de Blob prototype and now Swords & Soldiers, Ronimo Games is definitely an up-and-coming developer. You can't find any other game like this one on Wii. For a WiiWare title, the production value is over the top. Despite not providing a deep RTS experience, it will still provide enough enjoyment to make strategy fans happy. Some control issues are present, and online multiplayer is missed, but consider this a game to add to your collection. With its quirkiness and charm, Swords & Soldiers is an astounding game.

Pros:
       

Great art style

 

Streamlined interface

 

Simple yet deep strategy

 

One of the achievements is entitled "RickRolled"

       Cons:
       

Short campaign

 

Some control issues

 

No online multiplayer

               Graphics:  9.0
       Swords & Soldiers is one of the best-looking games on Wii. It features rich cartoon graphics and slick animation.

               Sound:  9.0
       S&S has fantastic orchestral music. The grunts and sound effects are amazing as well,  not to mention the comical voice acting.

               Control:  8.5
       This is how to do a point-and-click RTS on the Wii console. Everything is streamlined and easy to manage with a simple click of a button.

                      Gameplay:  8.5
       When matches last up to 30 minutes, it proves how tense the action can be. Fast-paced battles always keep you on your toes. Lots of varying abilities also make commanding each faction a different gameplay experience.

 

       Lastability:  7.0
       The single-player campaign won't last you very long, but you can find plenty more to do with the mini-games and two-player matches.

 

       Final:  8.5
       Do not pass up your chance to check this game out. If you're a fan of real-time strategy games, you should definitely give this one a go. Even if you're not, Swords & Soldiers provides a wonderful introduction to the world of RTS games, with simple-to-learn controls and plenty of strategy.      

[Holy cow, this thing is selling like hotcakes.]

7

TalkBack / Dragon Quest IX Sells Over Three Million Copies

« on: July 29, 2009, 08:15:22 AM »

Holy cow, this thing is selling like hotcakes.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=19124

 The ninth installment of the hugely popular Japanese RPG series Dragon Quest has found itself already selling over 3 million copies during its first three weeks on shelves. The research firm Enterbrain Inc. announced that the game has sold 3.2 million copies between its release on July 11 and July 26. According to a report from Agence France Presse, it has become the fastest-selling game for the DS. This comes as no surprise, since Dragon Quest IX sold 2.3 million copies in the first two days alone.

[Ubisoft needs the extra time to polish the game even further.]

8

TalkBack / Red Steel 2 Delayed Until Next Year

« on: July 29, 2009, 12:34:03 AM »

Ubisoft needs the extra time to polish the game even further.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=19121

 If the upcoming selection of big Wii titles for 2009 seems slim, prepare for it to get even slimmer. Ubisoft has just announced the delay of Red Steel 2. The sequel to their launch title Red Steel, Red Steel 2 had hopes of slicing and shooting its way to Wii owners during the third fiscal quarter of 2009, but ended up being pushed into the fourth - ultimately giving it a 2010 release.    

Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft CEO, stated the following:    

"We are disappointed that we have to postpone the release of several major games but we consider that this choice is the best one in the long-term interests of Ubisoft. Lastly, we are having to adjust our full-year targets to take into account the fall in business over the first half. The excellent response to our games at E3, as well as the high buzz generated for titles such as Assassin's Creed 2, Splinter Cell Conviction and Avatar, reinforce our belief that the company can achieve strong growth in the second half of the fiscal year."    

During a recent Ubisoft conference call, Guillemot explained that the delay was simply due to a question of polish. "The team was asking that they couldn't be with the level of quality on all the maps and all the game for the end of the year, so they had asked for more time to be able to come with a better product…"    

The push to next year will definitely take its toll financially - costing Ubisoft a potential loss of millions of units of sales - but Guillemot hopes that the added work on the game will give it a longer shelf life, providing more sales in the long run.

[The company has plans to evolve series into a major franchise.]

9

TalkBack / Suda 51: No More Heroes Series is Going Beyond Wii

« on: July 15, 2009, 01:21:00 PM »

The company has plans to evolve series into a major franchise.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=19032

 In a recent article from Edge Online, Grasshopper Manufacture CEO Goichi Suda (a.k.a. Suda 51) said his company plans to evolve No More Heroes into a bigger franchise. For the studio, the only way to accomplish that would be to look past the Wii and into other systems. He expressed that No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle will probably be the last game in the series to be developed on the Wii.    

"Wii is a great platform, but we’ve done everything we can with it now.”    

In a story by 1UP, Suda added that his interest in working with Natal.    

"We developed No More Heroes with the Wii Remote in mind, but now I want to think about games with Natal in mind. I have to ask myself, as a game designer, what new games can be done with this, what can be an interesting experience and challenge, and I'm looking forward to that."    

Ubisoft plans to publish No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle in early 2010 in the West.

[Series also looks to have an anime series.]

10

TalkBack / SEGA Announces U.S. Release Date for Sands of Destruction

« on: July 11, 2009, 04:50:20 AM »

Series also looks to have an anime series.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=19009

 Sega has given a January 2010 North American release window for their DS fantasy adventure title Sands of Destruction. The game takes place in a world where oceans are made from sand, forcing its occupants to travel via large sand ships. You play as Kyrie, a loner who is dragged into the increasing turmoil between humans and the Therian race. The Therians are beast-like creatures who use their great strength to force humans to live under their control.    

Alongside the release date, a partnership was announced with Funimation to produce an anime series based on the title. Funimation will begin airing the first season come Spring 2010. The anime will be directed by Shunsuke Tada and produced by Production IG, who is well known for their Ghost in the Shell series.    

Be sure to check out the trailer below, and all the screenshots for lots of gameplay action.  
 

 
 SEGA CORPORATION SIGNS LICENSING PARTNERSHIP WITH FUNIMATION  ENTERTAINMENT TO CREATE "SANDS OF DESTRUCTION" ANIME SERIES   SEGA® Corporation announced that it has finalized a licensing partnership with Funimation Entertainment for rights to produce home entertainment, broadcast/digital content, and merchandise for the first season (13 episodes) of the Sands of Destruction fantasy adventure anime series. The anime series is based on the Sands of Destruction RPG video game from SEGA that will be available on Nintendo DS™ in January 2010.   Sands of Destruction the anime will be a fantasy adventure series directed by Shunsuke Tada and produced by Production IG best known for the Ghost in the Shell series. In Japan, the series is known as World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin™ and has received critical acclaim.    

Sands of Destruction takes place on a planet where the oceans are made of sand and inhabitants must travel aboard huge sand ships. Constant battles rage between two organizations; humans and a dominant race of Therian beings. Therians are humanoid in appearance, but possess great physical strength and beast-like characteristics. Therians are able to use their fierce strength to force humans to live under their control. Kyrie, the hero of this story, lives a life of solitude. He wanders from place to place since having lost his parents as a child. He is resigned to accept things as they are because he believes it is futile to try to change anything in the oppressive world he lives in; that is until Kyrie meets Morte, a mysterious girl who is a member of the "World Destruction Committee". She is determined to destroy the planet, hoping to free it from the tyrannical rule of the Therians. After this chance encounter with Morte, Kyrie is dragged into a conflict that will dictate mankind’s future.    

Featuring an all-star team of Japanese RPG developers and a sweeping soundtrack by composer Yasunori Mitsuda, Sands of Destruction the video game utilizes both the upper and lower Nintendo DS™ screens for its dynamic battle system, including major boss battles where colossal monsters take up both DS screens. Mixing traditional turn-based tactics with fighting game mechanics to create an intense gameplay experience, Sands of Destruction also features an innovative "Quip system" where characters chant inspiring battle commands that enhance abilities and boost attributes to give them various advantages during battle. As the story unfolds new battle commands will be discovered and gamers will be able to customize the different commands to each character.    

FUNimation Entertainment will release the first season of the series in spring 2010.

[It's official. The United Kingdom has chosen the widely popular PEGI system as the sole means for rating video game content.]

11

TalkBack / UK Government Chooses PEGI Ratings

« on: June 22, 2009, 05:25:08 PM »

It's official. The United Kingdom has chosen the widely popular PEGI system as the sole means for rating video game content.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18923

 Following a protracted battle between the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) body, the UK's Department for Culture, Media and Sport has decided to use the PEGI age rating system as the country's only standard for rating video games, making it enforceable under British law for the first time.    

Previously, the two ratings organisations operated in parallel; while the majority of games were rated under the voluntary PEGI system, the BBFC had the power to impose legally enforceable age limits on games containing depictions of sex and violence, or to ban games altogether. When the British Government began reviewing recommendations by child psychologist Tanya Byron for the reform of video games classification, both the BBFC and PEGI laid claim to being the best choice for a single UK ratings standard.    

With the Government's decision, the PEGI age limits will be given statutory effect by the Video Standards Council. Since much of the Europen game industry already uses PEGI ratings, trade bodies like the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) have been advocating strongly for its use in the UK. General Director of  ELSPA, Mike Rawlinson, has said: "The Government has made absolutely the right decision for child safety. By choosing PEGI as the single classification system in the UK, British children will now get the best possible protection when playing video games either on a console or on the internet. Parents can be assured that they will have access to clear, uniform ratings on games and an accurate understanding of game content."    

Nintendo has also responded favorably to the Government's decision. David Yarnton, UK General Manager, said:  "The Government has made the right decision. The PEGI age rating system is right for the protection of children as it is designed specifically for games and interactive content.    

"As a global company we welcome the decision as mature and intelligent as it works across some 30 international territories."

12

TalkBack / Re: REVIEWS: Lovely Lisa

« on: June 22, 2009, 06:05:05 AM »

Don't worry about the haters Cai! Just know that we cheer for you! 

13

Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 150

« on: June 22, 2009, 06:02:53 AM »

I love RFN. Good times.

[Enter the world of Hogwarts once more through the eyes of LEGO Blocks.]

14

TalkBack / LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 Gets Announced for 2010

« on: June 15, 2009, 08:50:53 PM »

Enter the world of Hogwarts once more through the eyes of LEGO Blocks.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18888

 Announced last week, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games are teaming up with the LEGO group to create LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4.    

Based on Harry's first four years at Hogwarts, the game will give players the chance to experience all the magic and adventure of the world. Players can control Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and a slew of other favorite characters and have the opportunity to attend lessons, cast spells, mix potions, fly on broomsticks, and complete tasks to earn house points. Players will also be able to explore all the iconic locales such as Hogwarts Castle and Diagon Alley, all with their own Lego twist.    

"With LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4 we are creating an open, wide-ranging experience within Hogwarts that is full of fun and LEGO magic," said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games.  "Harry Potter is one of the most beloved and well-respected characters, and we look forward to bringing gamers a new way of interacting in the universe with the LEGO games' great humor and exploration."    

It wasn't announced for any specific system, but due to the LEGO series' past history, we can assume it will be out on Wii and DS when releases sometime in 2010.    

  WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, TT GAMES AND THE LEGO GROUP ANNOUNCE LEGO® HARRY POTTER™: YEARS 1-4    

Videogame Pieces Together Two of the World’s Most Recognizable Brands to Introduce New Harry Potter Game Experience    

 Burbank, Calif. – June 1, 2009 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games are teaming up with the LEGO Group, to merge two of the world’s most popular brands with the creation of LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4. Based on the first four Harry Potter books and movies that tell the story of Harry’s first four years at Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4 offers an engaging mix of magical gameplay and light-hearted humor. LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is being developed by TT Games and will be published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and is scheduled for release in 2010.    

LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4 will give gamers the chance to experience the magic and adventure of Harry Potter in a uniquely LEGO way. Playing as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley™ and Hermione Granger™, as well as other favorite characters, gamers will have the opportunity to attend lessons, cast spells, mix potions, fly on broomsticks and complete tasks to earn house points.  Throughout the game, players will also have the freedom to explore iconic settings from the wizarding world including Hogwarts castle, Diagon Alley™, the Forbidden Forest and the village of Hogsmeade™!    

"With LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4 we are creating an open, wide-ranging experience within Hogwarts that is full of fun and LEGO magic," said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games.  "Harry Potter is one of the most beloved and well-respected characters, and we look forward to bringing gamers a new way of interacting in the universe with the LEGO games' great humor and exploration."    

"Harry Potter is one of the world’s most popular and inspirational heroes, and LEGO® Harry Potter: Years 1-4 will appeal to a generation of gamers who grew up immersed in the Harry Potter books and films, and also loved playing with LEGO toys," said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "The game is geared for players to experience a good mix of puzzle solving gameplay with exploration and battle in some of the most beloved Harry Potter environments, plus a few other surprises."    

"We’re excited to announce this gaming experience based on the amazing Harry Potter universe," said Henrik Taudorf Lorensen, Vice President, New Business Development, the LEGO Group. "LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is built around the same values of family-friendly creative game play that are present in other LEGO videogames, while delivering new elements of exploration and depth that we believe will engage children in imaginative play both virtually and physically."

15

TalkBack / Re: Weddings and E3 and Stuff

« on: June 08, 2009, 02:50:23 AM »

Can you find out who of the NWR staff played cursed mountain, and also when they are gonna post their gameplay impressions?

I played it and it's one of the impressions I'm getting around to. Sorry for any of the delay. This graduating from college thing can take up more time than I want it to.

16

TalkBack / Re: Women’s Murder Club: Games of Passion Announced for DS and DSi

« on: June 03, 2009, 06:36:26 PM »

THIS GAMES IS GOING TO BE AMAZING!

[Style Lab gives tweens a chance to become their very own fashion designers.]

17

TalkBack / Ubisoft Announces its New Style Lab Series

« on: June 01, 2009, 09:04:43 PM »

Style Lab gives tweens a chance to become their very own fashion designers.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18633

 Announced yesterday at Ubisoft's press conference, Style Lab is a new video game brand targeted specifically for the tween girl market in North America. The Style Lab games are specifically designed to take full advantage of the DSi's camera and web capabilities. Players will have the ability to create their own style through jewelry, new hairstyles, looks and more.    

The first two titles to be released are Style Lab Makeover and Style Lab Jewelry Designer. In Makeover, players use the DSi camera to take photos of themselves and then use their own images to experiment with new hair and makeup styles. With Jewelry Designer players experiment by designing their own jewelry. With the use of the DSi's game-to-web functionality, players can extend their game experience online. Players   can upload their finished jewelry and purchase an actual product of their design.    

We will have impressions of both titles later on during the week.    

  UBISOFT INNOVATES TWEEN GIRL MARKET WITH NEW STYLE LAB BRAND    

LOS ANGELES, CA – June 1, 2009 – Today Ubisoft revealed Style Lab(TM), a new video game brand created specifically for the tween girl market in North America. Building upon Ubisoft's leadership on the Nintendo DS(TM) system, the Style Lab games were developed specifically to take advantage of Nintendo DSi(TM)'s camera and web functionalities. Each Style Lab game will be focused on how tweens can virtually create their own style – from designing jewelry to exploring new hairstyles, looks and more    

With the new Style Lab line, Ubisoft, the no. 1 third-party publisher for Nintendo DS, including the popular tween brand Imagine® and the best-selling Petz® games, offers 8- to 12-year-old girls a full range of games that allow them to discover their own personal styles while having fun.    

"Ubisoft's goal is to continue to raise the bar in the tween games market and create the best games in the genre,” comments Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing in the U.S. at Ubisoft. "We believe that Style Lab is a natural evolution for tween games by offering players an opportunity to experiment with their own personal style, and using the latest technology available to us, extend the experience online and beyond.”    

The first two titles to be released under the Style Lab umbrella. Style Lab Makeover and Style Lab Jewelry Designer will take full advantage of the newest technology available on Nintendo DSi. This is includes the camera and game-to-web functionality, which allows players to extend their game experiences online and beyond. In Makeover, players use the DSi camera to take photos of themselves or their friends, and then use their own on-screen images to experiment with new hair and makeup styles. Jewelry Designer lets tweens experiment by virtually designing their own jewelry. Players can even upload their finished jewelry designs online and purchase actual products that were designed in the game

[More puzzles and adventure for both Professor Layton and Luke. Every puzzle has an answer.]

18

TalkBack / IMPRESSIONS: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box

« on: June 02, 2009, 11:28:45 AM »

More puzzles and adventure for both Professor Layton and Luke. Every puzzle has an answer.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=18668

 Today marks the first day of E3 and already it's full of hectic attendees eager to play some games. Over at the Nintendo Booth I got a chance to play the prologue of the highly anticipated next Professor Layton game. For those that don't know, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is the sequel to last years Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Part adventure and part puzzle solving, you take the role of Professor Layton and his apprentice Luke as they solve the mysteries present.    

After I entered my name, I was on my way. The introductory cutscene played, setting up the back story. The story revolves around Professor Layton and Luke as they travel to meet Layton's mentor, who sends them a letter about a mysterious box. Layton's mentor, Andrew Schroeder, writes that he wishes to have Layton take care of his information if anything were to happen to him. Professor Layton and Luke rush to the mentor's home, only to find him killed under mysterious circumstances. Inspector Chelmey comes into the scene to examine Schroeder's room, while Layton and Luke secretly take a train ticket. They board the train, the Molentary Express, and visit an array of locations in the hope of solving the mysteries of Schroeder's death and the diabolical box itself. The first stop on the trip is London, England.    

Once again I'm always blown away with Level-5's amazing artistic ability. The animations are just as rich as ever and the inclusion of different locations bring more varying visuals.    

Not many puzzles were playable. The build only allowed for the first three puzzles to be played but it did help give a glimpse of the kinds of puzzles one could expect later on in the game. The first puzzle was a map that needed to be reconfigured in order to find the right path to their next location. Another was trying to figure out the window of the suspect. And lastly, the right key needed to be put in the right spot in order to open the door. All were pretty easy but granted, they were just the first three puzzles.    

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box is more or less the same game with new settings and more puzzles, which isn't a bad thing. I'll be looking forward to finishing the rest of the game when it comes out later this year.

[I checked out the game's Table Tennis, and the Motion Plus adds a whole new spin to the game of Ping Pong.]

19

TalkBack / IMPRESSIONS: Wii Sports Resort

« on: June 02, 2009, 11:28:24 AM »

I checked out the game's Table Tennis, and the Motion Plus adds a whole new spin to the game of Ping Pong.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=18658

 I got a chance to check out Wii Sports Resort's table tennis after Nintendo's conference, and I came out quite pleased with what I played. It's played with only the Wii Remote and fully takes advantage of the MotionPlus. Before even serving I started testing out the gyroscope and seeing what it could do. For the most part, it's one to one having the Mii's arm position mimic mine. It detects whether I'm about to hit the ball normally or with a backhand, adjusting the Mii accordingly. To serve, you can either press A or flick the Remote, and as it floats down you have the option of normally hitting it or slicing it adding a spin to the left or right. It feels just like Wii Sports: Tennis, and I had no difficulty serving the ball every time. The difficulty came when rallying back and forth.    

With the small real estate of the game's table, I had to react faster when the ball was returned. I was constantly on my feet anticipating where the ball would end up next. With that anxiety, I found myself getting more involved and actually moving my whole body for each hit. I never felt like that with Wii Sports Tennis at all. The same childlike state I had the first time I tried the Wii came right back, and I was excited for every rally.    

You actually need to hit the ball with the right moves or else it could go out of bounds or hit the net. I could do either a power hit or slice, but if I missed, I knew it was more than a timing issue.    

The game felt nicely polished, and I could definitely find myself playing it for hours. I'm looking forward to more hands-on time with the other games Wii Sports Resort has to offer.

[Take-Two intends for all their sports titles to be multiplatform.]

20

TalkBack / NBA2K10 Coming to Wii

« on: May 28, 2009, 12:23:13 PM »

Take-Two intends for all their sports titles to be multiplatform.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18581

 In a post-earnings conference call with GameSpot, Take-Two’s Ben Feder spoke about their sports business and its struggle to be profitable.  He noted their plans to expand the list of platforms for which they will release their NBA titles. It was then revealed that NBA 2K10 would arrive on Wii when it ships across multiple platforms this fall.    

"All of our sports products need to be multiplatform," Feder said. "As we said over and over again on these calls, Nintendo was a terrific and important partner for Take-Two, and we expect that to continue over time, and especially in our sports business."

[Ubisoft Vancouver will bring action-packed soccer fun for the whole family to the Wii this fall.]

21

TalkBack / Ubisoft Opens Admission to the Academy of Champions

« on: May 26, 2009, 01:00:17 PM »

Ubisoft Vancouver will bring action-packed soccer fun for the whole family to the Wii this fall.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18537

 Ubisoft recently announced its newest addition to its Wii sports repertoire, Academy of Champions.    

Created by Ubisoft Vancouver, Academy of Champions will have players improve their soccer skills, recruit new members, and create the strongest squad in order to defeat the rival Academy in the championship. The game features the legendary soccer player Pelé as your coach and U.S. soccer champion Mia Hamm as your team member and mentor. It will also be compatible with the Wii Balance Board and Wii Motion Plus and feature numerous modes and challenges.    

Academy of Champions is scheduled to be released by the end of the year.    

  UBISOFT® SCORES WITH ACADEMY OF CHAMPIONS™    

New Arcade Soccer Game Features Sports Icons Pelé and Mia Hamm    

SAN FRANCISCO – May 20, 2009 – Today Ubisoft® announced a new addition to its sports portfolio, Academy of Champions™, an arcade soccer game featuring legendary sports icons Pelé and U.S. soccer champion Mia Hamm. Developed for the Wii™ system from Nintendo, the game will deliver an engaging, interactive experience for kids and their families. Academy of Champions is scheduled to be released in 2009.    

"We made our mark in the sports genre last year with the global success of Shaun White Snowboarding," stated Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. "Now, with Academy of Champions, Ubisoft offers another sports game with a fresh approach that has something unique to offer young gamers and sports fans."    

Created by an experienced team of sports game developers at Ubisoft Vancouver, Academy of Champions engages players in a rich, story-driven adventure around the world's most popular sport. The journey begins with enrollment at an extraordinary Academy where your coach is the legendary Pelé and U.S. soccer champion Mia Hamm is your team member and mentor.    

"Soccer is a sport that is universally celebrated by all citizens of the world," said legendary sports icon Pelé. "Working with Ubisoft to continue to promote the sport has been a wonderful experience. It is a thrill to continue to inspire a new generation of fans through an entertainment medium that introduces them to the exciting world of soccer."    

In Academy of Champions, players improve their skills, recruit new team members and build the best possible squad to defeat their rival Academy and win the champion cup.  Compatible with the Wii Balance Board™ and Wii Motion Plus™ accessories, young soccer fans and their friends and family will enjoy playing together in a humorous, interactive universe that features over-the-top gameplay, entertaining fantastical environments, and innovative challenges.    

For more information on Academy of Champions, please visit: www.academyofchampions.com

[LucasArts and Krome Studios bring the animated hit back for more action.]

22

TalkBack / Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes Announced for Wii and DS

« on: May 12, 2009, 07:42:15 PM »

LucasArts and Krome Studios bring the animated hit back for more action.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18420

 Originally reported as a rumor, there was buzz at the end of April about a brand new Star Wars The Clone Wars videogame. The rumor is now true as LucasArts recently announced Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes. Based off of the widely popular Cartoon Network series, the game allows players to join the Galactic Republic and pursue the mysterious bounty hunter Cad Bane and combat the all-new Skakoan super villain Kul Teska.    

The game will feature over 30 unique missions, all incorporating the same visual style from the TV series. After releasing Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels last fall, the developers at Krome Studios decided to ditch the fighting genre and provide a more traditional action-oriented experience for the Wii.    

In addition, the Lucasfilm Animation Singapore games team is developing the game for the DS with plans to take full advantage of the touch screen. The version will also include an expanded storyline and allow players to experience key moments and battles from season one of the TV show.    

 "The Clone Wars franchise has struck a chord with viewers and gamers around the world with its action-packed storyline and memorable heroes," said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts. "With its Jedi and Clone Trooper gameplay and all-new storyline, Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes takes the franchise into a truly exciting and interactive direction."    

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes will arrive on both the Wii and DS this September. It will also be available at the same time on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and PC.    

Star Wars® The Clone Wars™: Republic Heroes™ Comes to the Rescue This September     Jedi and Clone Trooper Action Along With All-New Gameplay Bring the Adventure of the Hit TV Series Home    

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – May 11, 2009 – Fans of the popular Star Wars: The Clone Wars™ TV series can continue the battle for galactic peace this September in an all-new videogame from LucasArts and Krome Studios. Based on the Cartoon Network series and collaborating directly with Lucasfilm Animation, Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes allows players to take up arms on behalf of the noble Galactic Republic, while pursuing the mysterious bounty hunter Cad Bane and combating the all-new Skakoan super villain Kul Teska.

   

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes allows players to fight as both Jedi Knights and Clone Troopers through over 30 unique missions, all created incorporating the same ground-breaking, stunning visual style from the TV series. Featuring a brand-new storyline, players will get the chance to take part in the key events that lead directly into the highly anticipated second season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Jedi characters can slice and dice their way through countless enemies, commandeer droids and show off their combat prowess on foot and in a variety of vehicles. Clone Troopers fire things up with a heavy weapons armament that includes rocket launchers, thermal detonators and even jet packs in levels built specifically to take run-and-gun gameplay to exciting levels.

   

In addition, the Lucasfilm Animation Singapore games team - in conjunction with The Clone Wars experts at Lucasfilm Animation - is developing an experience on the Nintendo DS™ that takes full advantage of the platform’s touch-screen technology. That version will include an expanded storyline that offers players the chance to take part in key events and battles from season one while also featuring intuitive touch-screen controls for movement, attacks and puzzle solving.

   

"The Clone Wars franchise has struck a chord with viewers and gamers around the world with its action-packed storyline and memorable heroes," said Darrell Rodriguez, president of LucasArts. "With its Jedi and Clone Trooper gameplay and all-new storyline, Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes takes the franchise into a truly exciting and interactive direction."

   

Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes will release this September for the Microsoft Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DS™ and PC.

   

More information about the game can be found at the official website, http://www.clonewarsgame.com.

[Beatles fanatics will be able to add these authentic looking guitars to their collection of plastic instruments soon.]

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TalkBack / Two More Guitars Announced for The Beatles: Rock Band

« on: May 10, 2009, 03:36:25 AM »

Beatles fanatics will be able to add these authentic looking guitars to their collection of plastic instruments soon.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18408

 With its release rapidly approaching, it isn’t a surprise that Harmonix and MTV Games are teasing us with new information on The Beatles: Rock Band. When the title was originally announced, they revealed that this iteration's gear would receive a complete makeover. The drums, guitar, and bass will all model the equipment played by the famous band. Earlier this week, Harmonix and MTV Games revealed two of the official controllers: the Rickenbacker 325 and the Gretsh Duo Jet, both most frequently played by John Lennon and George Harrison.    

According to Harmonix and MTV Games, the Rickenbacker 325 and the Gretsh Duo Jet guitars will be made available as standalone products when the game launches. They will be fully wireless and carry an MSRP of $99.99. The instruments will join the already announced Ringo Starr inspired Ludwig drums and the Paul McCartney custom Höfner violin bass controller.    

Rickenbacker 325    

   

Gretsh Duo Jet    

   

MTV GAMES, HARMONIX AND EA UNVEIL REPLICA RICKENBACKER AND GRETSCH GUITAR INSTRUMENT CONTROLLERS FOR THE BEATLES™: ROCK BAND™     The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club Goes Live Today, May 5th        

New York – May 5, 2009 – Harmonix Music Systems, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), along with distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today that replica Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet™ guitars will be made available as standalone music peripheral controllers for The Beatles: Rock Band. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club also goes live today in the U.S. and Canada[1] giving fans exclusive news and access to exclusive game elements from the eagerly awaited game set for release worldwide on 9/9/09.

   

The Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars are hailed as two of the signature, most celebrated instruments played by John Lennon and George Harrison throughout their careers, respectively. They will be made available for MSRP $99.99 in the U.S. and in continental Europe for MSRP €99.99 and for MSRP £89.99 in the UK. These wireless instrument controllers join the previously announced Höfner bass controller, a large-scale replica of the bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney, and the Ringo Starr inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums, with a classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head. All controllers will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION® 3, Wii™ and will be compatible with all Rock Band titles.

     

Also announced, The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club officially goes live today. North American and European fans who pre-order any version of the The Beatles: Rock Band at a participating retailer will be given an access code to officially join the Pre-Order Club.  After entry of the code, consumers will gain access to breaking news and exclusive behind the scenes elements[2].  For a list of participating retailers or to learn more about The Beatles: Rock Band Pre-Order Club, please visit www.thebeatlesrockband.com.

   

The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles’ extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career. Available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ system from Nintendo on Sept. 9, 2009, the game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other third party music video game peripherals and microphones.

     

For The Beatles: Rock Band standalone guitar front of box art, please visit www.mtvpress.com

[Now you can finally live out your dreams of becoming a firefighter.]

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TalkBack / PREVIEWS: Real Heroes: Firefighter

« on: May 07, 2009, 12:29:07 AM »

Now you can finally live out your dreams of becoming a firefighter.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=18381

 During GDC 2009 I got the opportunity to meet up with Bryan Jury, the CCO of Epicenter Studios, and he took me on a guided tour of their upcoming Wii title Real Heroes: Firefighter. I’m OK with admitting to being one of the few who doubted the game’s quality. When I first heard about the title, I was hesitant to try it out, thinking that it would be like every other generic action video game out there. To my surprise, it was the complete opposite. I liked what I saw and came out of the meeting greatly anticipating its release.    

Real Heroes: Firefighter is at its core a first-person shooter, developed by a team who previously worked on the Call of Duty franchise during the previous console generation. After branching off they decided that shooting Nazis had grown tiresome, and they needed a change of pace. Instead of a war hero you take control of a newly-graduated firefighter put straight into the field. This isn’t your normal first-person shooter though; instead of shooting enemies you are dousing fires in different locales and situations. The result is a first-person shooter that a six-year-old could safely play without psychological repercussions.    

It employs a typical first-person narrative, with the action and cutscenes all in first-person perspective. You come across characters voiced by famous actors and actresses such as Jamie Kennedy (Malibu’s Most Wanted), Michael Jace (The Shield), and even John Dimaggio, who voices the illustrious Bender from Futurama. These recognizable voices definitely give the game more personality.    

The game gives you a wide array of equipment to utilize in the different encounters you face. You start with basic firefighting equipment, your primary tool being  an axe which is used to chop down doors and obstacles. You also have a fire extinguisher which is used as a portable fire douser. However, the real weapon of choice is your fire hose. It has two types of shots: the first one is a straight stream which more accurately removes of fires, and the second is more of a spray. It doesn’t travel as far, but it can remove a larger radius of fire.    

All the weapons have unlimited or rechargeable ammo, with the exception of the hose. Just like in real life, a hose can only go so far. Once it reaches its maximum length, or a sequence seals you off from going back, you lose the ability to use your current hose until you find other emergency hoses located around each locale.    

The game boasts nine missions all located in completely different areas. This allows for completely different gameplay that is unique to each location. Your firefighting squad will see itself tackling obstacles in a factory, a forest, a museum, and many more. As you progress through the game different mechanics become available; it’s not all fire-dousing. Doors may need to be spread, mandating the user of  a hydraulic spreader. A quick jab with the Wii Remote jams it in, allowing you to then proceed further into the level. Smoke can also block your vision, which can be fixed by smashing windows to vent a room. There are also gas leaks that need to be turned off through a valve, with the only way to find it  being to follow the gas pipes. This adds a nice puzzle element to the game. You’ll also have to rescue people trapped in rooms and lead them to safety. Overall it tackles every obstacle a firefighter could possibly come across.    

There are also several different difficulties that’ll challenge every player. Each level features the fire acting in different intensities. At the highest difficulty, Brian mentioned that players will not have time to react slowly. It’ll be non-stop action that’ll require quick thinking.    

What I found most impressive was Epicenter's Wii engine. It ran pretty smoothly and featured a steady framerate. According to Brian, the Real Heroes engine can handle at least 12,000 individual fire "objects" at any one time and render them on-screen. The fires aren’t scripted events either; if you don’t put out a fire it’ll just continue to grow, making the amount of fires even greater. To see the Wii handle all of this is quite amazing.    

Real Heroes: Firefighter is to be released sometime this summer for the budget price of $30. With a price like that it’s definitely something to check out. Jury even mentioned that proceeds from game sales will be donated to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, which makes the purchase even more worth it.    

There are no plans yet to do more games in the Real Heroes series, but it’s something that they’re willing to look into.  Real Heroes: Firefighter is currently scheduled to ship in the third quarter of 2009.

[Deep Silver gives Wii owners a cold and scary new adventure.]

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TalkBack / PREVIEWS: Cursed Mountain

« on: March 27, 2009, 04:06:39 AM »

Deep Silver gives Wii owners a cold and scary new adventure.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/previewArt.cfm?artid=18059

 Cursed Mountain, a survival horror game from Deep Silver, puts players in the shoes of Eric, an ordinary guy who is a very avid mountain climber, just like his brother. In the beginning of the game, you find Eric traveling to the Himalayas in search of his brother who went on an expedition up a mountain and disappeared. As Eric searches for him, he starts to realize that weird, paranormal activities are present on the mountain. As the game continues, the slow progress up the mountain reveals what went wrong not only to Eric's brother but to the mountain as well.    

Being a survival horror title, the game features several attacks the player can utilize to ward off enemies. There are a number short range attacks done with the swipe of a pick axe as well as long range attacks with the use of projectiles. Players start off with a crossbow and spear allowing both short and long range attacks. While initial attacks are done with standard button presses, gesture based combat is activated after an enemy has been attacked enough. Starting with a swipe to initiate the sequence, the subsequent gesture based attacks are done with both the Nunchuk and Wii Remote. Successful completion of the sequence will defeat the enemy.    

Graphically the game is pleasing and though the screenshots alone looked amazing, seeing the game in action looked even more impressive. From the lighting to the textures, Deep Silver has already done a tremendous job with the build shown. According to the team, unbelievably, they're still working on improving the graphics.    

Motion controls are also being utilized to climb up ladders. Interestingly, as players reach higher altitudes, health and running ability is negatively affected. Walking on a gusty path will require further motion controls, requiring players to must balance with the Remote to avoid being blown away. You even get a radio with transmissions given to you through the Remote's speaker. All of these small touches really help immerse players in the game.    

It is also worth noting that some of the developers working on the game are ex-Rockstar employees so you can expect to see the same attention to detail that Rockstar is traditionally known for. After seeing the game, I'm looking forward to checking out more when it releases.    

Cursed Mountain is due at the end of the year.