Messages

1351

Podcast Discussion / Re: Newscast Game Club Discussion - Blaster Master: Overdrive

« on: March 01, 2010, 07:03:54 PM »

For those wondering, the crab is the only repeated boss.

Are you sure about that? I recall that the Area 2 boss returned in Area 5 as well. Am I just misremembering?

Anyways, I just gave the podcast a listen. I'm sad to hear that you guys were so turned off by the game. I personally really enjoy it, and I think it gets better as it goes on. That said, I agree that the game has so many bizarre decisions in it: we've covered the controls already, and the save points were not placed as well as they should have been, but I also have to say that the level design felt really uninspired when compared to the original's. The boss battles also last a bit too long for my taste, although I think the bosses themselves are great overall. The Area 6 and 7 bosses in particular were really cool. And oddly enough, I think this game is much harder than the original.

In the end, I think the game is a worthy follow up to the original Blaster Master, but it also feels like a series of missed opportunities. I would have loved it if they had updated a lot more features; being able to permanently power up your guns a la Metroid, for instance, or perhaps fighting a boss battle inside your tank. Even having more varied backgrounds would have been nice: there is more variety starting with Area 5, but it's sad that the first screen of the game obviously had a ton more attention paid to it than anywhere else. (And for the record, the original took place underground, but there was still a lot of variety between the areas, both in the fore-and-backgrounds. I know someone in the podcast asked that).

So it's a missed opportunity, but I'm still looking forward to seeing what else Sunsoft has up its sleeves.

1352

General Gaming / Re: Square Enix expects FF13 to revive Japanese console market

« on: February 12, 2010, 07:26:45 PM »

Pale, word of advice, don't stick up for any FF game after VII and you'll be just fine.
 
Just don't do that around the hardcorez of Final Fantasy fan brats.

IX was awesome.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon questions

« on: February 12, 2010, 07:25:36 PM »

Looks like preordering at Gamestop gets you a 12-track CD.

I win!

1354

Podcast Discussion / Re: Newscast Game Club Discussion - Blaster Master: Overdrive

« on: February 12, 2010, 01:09:50 PM »

Gradius Rebirth also received an update which included enhanced visuals, background music, changes to the scoring system and leaderboard.

Overdrive still has room to have another 100 blocks packed in, so I am sure they can throw in classic controller support, randomized level music (more than one repetitive track per level) and a couple more music tracks 

That's odd. One of the game's North American publisher said that they were originally going to add a voice over for the intro, but they had to cut it because they'd hit the 42 meg limit. Maybe I just don't understand how the block system works, but if there are still a hundred left free, that explanation stops making sense.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon questions

« on: February 12, 2010, 01:08:12 PM »

Thank you Maxi. This game is on my imaginary watchlist.. if only for the art direction.

It was the music that sold me.

1356

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Discussion: Super Mario RPG

« on: February 11, 2010, 06:47:19 PM »

LOL I tried that too.

n00bs.

Me too. >_>   <_<    >_>

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 182

« on: February 11, 2010, 06:42:37 PM »

Regarding the GotD feature, I think whoever pitched Pikmin had the most creative pitch. I don't necessarily agree with the selection, but he did a great job in presenting his reasoning.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Newscast Game Club Discussion - Blaster Master: Overdrive

« on: February 11, 2010, 06:40:20 PM »

I just read on the Wikipedia that the developer is working on a patch to address the control scheme complaints that would support the Classic Controller. If true, I'm very happy about it.

If this is true, I hope they add CC support and, most important of all, that they map the grappling hook to its own button. I'm okay with switching between the cannon and drill, and I really like how the hook is used, but switching to/from it all the time gets monotonous.

1359

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Blaster Master: Overdrive

« on: February 10, 2010, 03:29:02 PM »

I just played through Area 5. You should be glad to hear that it looks completely different than all the earlier areas, both in and out of the tank. It's also really, really hard. But I found the boss to be a lot easier than the previous one. Hint: just use the grenade.

Good to know. Thanks!

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General Gaming / Re: Square Enix expects FF13 to revive Japanese console market

« on: February 10, 2010, 03:27:32 PM »

I don't see what is so funny about that quote that has you spazzing out on the keyboard there.  The game has sold fairly well in Japan so far (just shy of 2 million units if I remember correctly, which is pretty good for one console), and it's too early to say whether the JRPG market will follow its lead or not.  Seriously, with the exception of this game and Bayonetta the Japanese game industry (sans Nintendo, who operates in a separate universe that only they exist in) has been stagnant to decaying for years...

To provide a bit of context, Final Fantasy XII sold 2,322,000 copies in Japan (which is less than FF X, which is less than IX, which is less than VIII). http://vgsales.wikia.com/wiki/Famitsu_Best_selling_video_games
 
Based on that, I'd argue that it's actually underperformed. At the very least, it's a good representative of another "stagnant to decaying" series. I certainly wouldn't point to it as a game that's "reviving" the Japanese console market, especially when it's time to do so has already passed.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Rock of the Dead (Typing of the Dead meets Guitar Hero....)

« on: February 10, 2010, 03:18:54 PM »

Day One.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Blaster Master: Overdrive

« on: February 10, 2010, 03:18:32 PM »

To echo NWR_DrewMG, I'm between Jonny and Broodwars' opinions, although I lean much more towards Johnny's position. It's a great game, easily worth the $10 price of admission, and it updates a great classic. I do have a few issues though: the tank should jump higher, the grappling hook should be easier to use (it's a pain to switch to/from it all the time), and the backgrounds are curiously "bleh." Now the only reason I know that Area 1 is "the Ruins" is because the game tells me, whereas the original's backgrounds and art design made it clear that Area X is Theme Y.
 
Other than that, good show.
 

Wait--you can STRAFE? How?!

To add to NWR_DrewMG's answer, you can also "strafe" with the tank by holding the B button: you'll move backwards (at a slightly slower pace) while facing the same direction. It hasn't proven as useful with the tank as on foot, but it's a nice novelty.
 

1363

Nintendo Gaming / Re: Mistwalker's new RPG "The Last Story" coming to Wii in 2010

« on: February 09, 2010, 09:59:01 PM »

I just hope our hopes and dreams aren't crushed by cruel, mean old Nintendo.

Don't you just hate it when they come and piss on everything want? Then they steal your ice cream and smash your sand castle, just for good measure.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: New Wii Zelda

« on: February 09, 2010, 09:57:58 PM »

Link's Balance Board Aerobics Training?

Use the Vitality Sensor, and Link starts panting when you do!

1365

Podcast Discussion / Re: Newscast Game Club Discussion - Blaster Master: Overdrive

« on: February 09, 2010, 09:56:27 PM »

One big downer: where are my metroids!? I loved seeing them in the original, but now they're AWOL. 

There were Metroids in the original game? Where?

I exaggerate. But look in Area 1, in the water portions. Sure, they might just be giant jellyfish. Buuuuuut...

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Newscast Game Club Discussion - Blaster Master: Overdrive

« on: February 09, 2010, 04:58:08 PM »

The teaser trailer indicates that there are.  The original game had a sub power-up for SOPHIA that could be eventually acquired; that snippet of the teaser trailer seems to indicate that the ability is present in this game as well.

I love this game so far!

Thereis plenty of water in the game, and you can still get out of the tankand swim around. Also, I think you'll understand the energy meter asthe tank gets new abilities and weapons. It's very unlikely that you'lldeplete the meter with the standard gun, so it shouldn't really be afactor in the beginning.

Thanks guys, it's good to hear.

But regarding depleting the standard gun, you're wrong. I've already depleted that sucker time and again! I'm just too impatient to sit still for a whole half second.  :

I'm torn about this idea. 
 
Ireally want to hear about Blaster Master: Overdrive and find out if thegame is worth buying so soon after having recently downloaded the NESversion... but I also want to avoid spoilers or too much informationabout the game so I can "figure it out" myself if it is worth buying. Tough line to straddle.
 

I think they'll handle it well: you can discuss a game's elements without spoiling it (usually). Plus, the game's not exactly plot-heavy. As long as they don't say what the unrevealed upgrades are, I don't see a problem here.

And I like the feature: it's kind of a "Currentactive" to compliment RFN's retroactive. It's nice to have these discussions without having to wait a decade or two. 

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 182

« on: February 09, 2010, 04:52:20 PM »

My understanding is that Tales of Graces was well received critically with initial sales numbers that were broadly in line with those of Dawn of the New World, i.e. significantly weaker than Vesperia (which has performed very well for a Tales game) but still good. Perhaps expectations were higher than that--I can't say as I was very tuned in to the run up to release on that one.

You may be right: my impressions come exclusively from the Media Create threads on NeoGAF, where I believe the general agreement is that it underperformed. I understand that it's done better than some Tales games, but worse than many others as well, and that the games it's beaten out tend to be the portable titles. I fully concede that I may be wrong though!

As for Other M, I do think that whatever it turns out to be exactly, the odds favour a Wii Remote-Nunchuk scheme in general because it offers the most flexibility. For sidescrolling action the setup could mirror that of Zero Mission, with the C and Z buttons on the Nunchuk substituting for the GBA's shoulder buttons. In that case you still have an analog stick for 3D movement if there is some arena battling, and pointer control for first person shooting sequences as suggested by the trailer. Playing NES style and flipping to shoot situationally as we discussed during the show is an intriguing idea, but the diversity of gameplay styles hinted at means that Wii Remote-Nunchuk is much more likely.

Now this doesn't eliminate the potential for Classic Controller support--just look at its inclusion in Sin and Punishment 2, which has highly demanding shooting action that feels like it pretty much requires the use of the pointer. I doubt any shooting segments in Other M could approach that level of intensity, so they could put CC support in and let people deal with using a stick instead of the pointer for any first person shooting if they prefer the feel of it for the rest of the game.

Interesting ideas. I agree with the podcast consensus that Wiimote-only is highly unlikely (although I guess they COULD use the tilt to aim diagonally, a la NSMBWii). I went back and watched the trailer again, and I still don't know what to make of the game. I'm probably going to remain pessimistic until I get the game in hand. That worked before though. 

Sure, standing up for Baroque is a lost cause - but those are always the best ones.
 

For what it's worth, you have my (ambivalent) support on this one. I enjoy some roguelikes, and I thought Baroque itself was solid. It did have too many limitations for me to endorse it completely though: the lack of blocking and the simplisitic combos in particular kind of stuck in my craw. Being able to save on each floor did makes things much easier though.

In any case, I'm curious to hear if you're looking forward to Shiren 3.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Radio Free Nintendo: Episode 182

« on: February 09, 2010, 11:36:40 AM »

I'm surprised to hear you guys say Tales of Graces has sold well. I thought it underperformed: I believe it's done worse than Dawn of the New World or Tales of Vesperia (PS3) did.

I echo the concerns about Other M. I want to love it, I really do, but the more Sakamoto talks the more antsy I become. Part of this is Team Ninja, part of it is Fusion (which I really didn't like: restricting free exploration until the end in favor of a linear narrative sucked), and a large part of it is that I still have zero idea what it's going to be. Still, I confess to going through a similar cycle with the original Prime, and that turned out great. I guess we'll find out soon which way Other M is going to go! I didn't realize that Sakamoto was that prolific, though.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: Newscast Game Club Discussion - Blaster Master: Overdrive

« on: February 09, 2010, 11:32:17 AM »

Once I realized that I could revisit caves for more weapon power-ups, I had an easier time with him.  T

Whoa, handn't realized that. Thanks!

I'm enjoying the remake quite a bit. It does have several downsides: the animation seems off to me, I miss the chibi dude in the overhead sections, the strafe and cancel buttons are idiotically placed, and why on Earth did they include that stupid weapon recharge meter with the tank? Also, I wish the tank could jump a bit higher, as right now it feels like it's just doing short hops instead of full blown jumps.

Other than that I think it'll be worth the $10. I've played it for about 40 minutes and just beat the first boss. I really like how the game lets you switch between three types of weapons at your liesure. The ability to shoot diagonally is also an overdue blessing, especially on foot. My favorite feature is the permanent rewards for exploration: in the original I'd hit up one or two caves to max out, and then go straight for the boss, as the loss of weapon level disincentivizes further exploration.

I get a kick out of how deliberately corny the plot is. Has anyone read the Operation Manual? I like how they poke fun at their own plot.  I'm a bit bummed that this is no longer A Boy And His Frog, but I suppose this makes it more in-line with the Japanese original.

They had better include the damned frog boss though.

It's also nice to finally get an idea of what the enemies in the original are supposed to represent. Granted, most of them are still ambiguous blobs of ewww, but it's deliberate this time, so I'm okay with it. One big downer: where are my metroids!? I loved seeing them in the original, but now they're AWOL.  And sure, it's probably because of fears of copyright, but it's not like Nintendo's gotten any more litigious since the 80's, and it didn't stop them then!

That reminds me: are there any water areas? I haven't encountered any yet. I hope they didn't remove them, since they add some nice variety to the game. I really liked how the original Area 5 was aquatic, which forced you to abandon your tank in the side-scrolling area and conquer it on-foot. I hope we get something similar here.

Unfortunately, I probably wont' be able to continue the game for the rest of the week, but I'm really digging it so far, and looking foward to hearing your discussion.

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Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Discussion: Super Mario RPG

« on: February 09, 2010, 11:17:59 AM »

I tried to do the 100 Super Jump challenge and failed miserably. I like the idea of rewarding true dedication with fairly useless items, but man they made that one hard.

Anyhow, I just completed the three invisible flags minigame. It's emblematic of the game: in order to the best secrets the game cheerfully gives you cryptic hints that do little to help you, but once you figure them out you realize that yes, they were shooting straight with you.

I'll give you a "between an o and an a"...

1371

Podcast Discussion / Re: RetroActive #11 Discussion: Super Mario RPG

« on: February 08, 2010, 01:18:58 AM »

Mallow is slightly more durable than Peach, but I also prefer Toadstool because her specials were far more useful overall. She goes through FP quickly, but a team built around Mario and Bowser will tear through enemies with just their standard attacks, so that's never been an issue for me. I suppose a team that has Peach and Mallow/Geno would probably have to keep a close eye on their FP, though.

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TalkBack / Re: Blaster Master Sequel Headed to WiiWare

« on: February 08, 2010, 01:15:25 AM »

Vic Ireland has confirmed that there will be in-game maps and three save slots.

Someone on Gametrailers recently posted a trailer for this game, and I have to say while the game looks very nice the remixed music is terrible.

http://www.gametrailers.com/user-movie/blaster-master-overdrive-trailer/339517?playlist=featured

True. Luckily, it's not supposed to be in-game music, from what I understand.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: Blaster Master confirmed for VC

« on: February 07, 2010, 02:06:38 PM »

In honor of that, I pledge to finally beat World 8. Tips, anyone? I get past the first big room, and then encounter nothing but Death Rooms. I don't know where to go!

http://vgmaps.com/Atlas/NES/index.htm#BlasterMaster

Thank you much.

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Nintendo Gaming / Re: New Wii Zelda

« on: February 07, 2010, 02:05:39 PM »

All this sounds too RPG'ie to me.

Isn't Zelda Nintendo's idea of an RPG?
 

Nah. They've produced plenty of full-blown RPGs throughout the years (Earthbound, Golden Sun, etc.). Zelda's never been on that list.

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TalkBack / Re: Blaster Master Sequel Headed to WiiWare

« on: February 06, 2010, 11:47:21 PM »

I hope they go a bit more Metroid with this one, and make the power ups more permanent. I know Johnny asked a question about the hovering, and from the answer it sounds like my wish is going to be granted. :-)