Messages

3276

General Gaming / RE: Xbox 360 Price Announced

« on: August 17, 2005, 07:39:38 AM »

My mistake, they actually called it the "core" version, which is a few percents cooler sounding than "base"...I just called it what it really is: the crappy watered down version.  I'm sure it will suit some people (those who want little or nothing to do with online games and don't have too many save files) but personally I can't imagine buying the system without the hard drive, and the other goodies make it that much better.

3277

Reader Reviews / RE: Killer7

« on: August 17, 2005, 07:30:28 AM »

I was going to rent this game shortly after it came out, but all the copies were gone and I've been too busy to give it an honest chance since.  It sounds really interesting, but I'm both iffy on the gameplay and the violence, so I don't want to go and spend $50 cdn without trying it first.

3278

Reader Reviews / RE: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (DS version)

« on: August 17, 2005, 07:25:18 AM »

Nice review!  I think you meant to say "Unless you only own a DS" in the last paragraph, though.

3279

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

« on: August 17, 2005, 07:17:26 AM »

I predict Nintendo will launch the game a few months prior to Revolution but possibly use it as a hook to sell Revs as well.  I think launching it at the same time as Revolution could kill sales.  I know I'll likely skip over it if that happens, unless Revolution's launch lineup is pretty weak.

I hope Nintendo doesn't get the idea that it can use this game to replace true Revolution launch games.  I'm sure it could appeal to a lot of people, but overall I don't think people will feel confident about buying a brand-new system for a game that they could play on a $25 used GameCube.

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: More Revolution details soon?

« on: August 17, 2005, 06:59:17 AM »

Everyone already said what I was going to say!  I just hope this is true and that Nintendo shows something substantial.

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General Gaming / RE: Weebl interviews J Allard

« on: August 17, 2005, 06:30:44 AM »

Ha ha, that's hilarious.  I love the picture of him in a suit with white hair, what a difference.  I also love the extreme sitting position.

3282

General Gaming / Xbox 360 Price Announced

« on: August 17, 2005, 06:29:40 AM »

(See GAF for the full article).
Microsoft has announced the pricing for Xbox 360: $299 for the "core" system and $399 for the deluxe version.  The deluxe version gives you:

•20GB detachable hard drive
•Wireless controller
•Wireless Xbox Live headset
•High-definition AV cables
•Ethernet cable
•Xbox 360 Media Remote Control (limited time)

The cheaper version comes with a wired controller and none of the other stuff.  Also worth noting is that the hard drive alone will cost $99, so it's stupid to buy it separately.  So what do you guys think?

I'm not surprised they're charging $400 for the hard drive version, MS wants to make more money this time around.  Will the two different prices help?  I think they probably will, a lot of people will probably get sucked in by the $300 version only to realize they really want a hard drive later, and of course some will just live without the hard drive.  I think a lot of people will balk at the $400 version, but then again, I've been known to underestimate what people will spend on this stuff.

Edit: changed "base" to "core".

3283

TalkBack / RE: <b>Zelda Delayed to 2006</b>

« on: August 16, 2005, 02:00:03 PM »

Pale: I think there's some exaggerating going on.

Ian: You really should play DKJB, it's so great.  If you've at least tried it, then cool, but that game really has to be experienced.

Eh, this might be my last post on the topic, so I'll sum up my opinion.  Yeah, it's a poor business decision.  I personally think it's too late in the system's lifespan for that to be a really big deal anyway, but I admit it will hurt sales of the game, and probably sales of the GameCube.  But on the gaming side of things, I couldn't be happier.  I believe this delay will make the difference between yet another good game that is forced to fill up time with fetch quests and an outstanding game that could be the absolute best in the 3D LoZ series.

Ah, who am I kidding, no Zelda game without Tingle will be the best in the series!  

[nemo_83]

3284

TalkBack / RE:<b>Zelda Delayed to 2006</b>

« on: August 16, 2005, 01:26:33 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: nemo_83
What is ridiculous about this news is that this game was supposedly done in the spring time.  Either they're putting in voice acting for the localized version, putting in forward compatibility with the REV controller, or they are putting in forward compatibility with the REV "noline" service.  It is unusual of Nintendo to delay to add in whole new areas or dungeons to a game.  No, when they want a game to seem longer they just slap in a fetch quest.

No.  Fetch quests are what Nintendo has been doing as it half-arsed its way through the GameCube era.  On the N64, Nintendo delayed games so it could make them complete.  On the GameCube fetching has become Nintendo's quick fix for making games seem longer without delaying them.  Nintendo said in the press release itself that it's adding more levels, and has stated in at least one interview (Nintendo Power) that the game will have more dungeons than The Ocarina of Time.  

3285

TalkBack / RE: <b>Zelda Delayed to 2006</b>

« on: August 16, 2005, 01:02:05 PM »

I think it's a shame so many people leave their GameCubes unplayed.  It seems like people only pay attention to the new releases, because with 400 games available, I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who's played through all of the good ones.  Maybe I'm just easily amused, or maybe I haven't beaten as many games as everyone else, but I can easily find 10 worthwhile GameCube games that aren't in my collection for the price of an Xbox 360.  And I'll still get to play Twighlight Princess.

P.S. On alternative marketing tactics for GameCube:  Free games are nice, but I think it's too late in the generation for a kamikaze attack like 3 free games to be worthwhile.  Realistically, the Cube only has one year left to live.  Giving away three games to gain customers that may only buy one or two more games before they trade the GameCube in isn't smart.  All that gaining lots of marketshare this late in the "war" does is give Nintendo some bragging rights, so the company shouldn't make big sacrifices for it.

3286

TalkBack / RE: <b>Zelda Delayed to 2006</b>

« on: August 16, 2005, 09:08:58 AM »

Yeah, so many people are going to spend $300 (at least, not including games) on an Xbox 360 just because Twighlight Princess isn't available this Christmas.  Seriously, people, if you weren't seriously considering a 360 before, how on earth did this change your mind?

I think the answer to the question of depth is simple...we've had two 3D Zeldas in a row with less than 8 complete dungeons.  Nintendo is adding more to this game, they've even said so.  It's not like level designs grow on trees.  If Super Mario Sunshine had had an extra 6 months, it could have had a more levels instead of 200+ Blue Coins.  I have no doubt Nintendo will be polishing almost everything else you mentioned, too, Jiggy37.

3287

TalkBack / RE:<b>Zelda Delayed to 2006</b>

« on: August 16, 2005, 07:01:18 AM »

I just want to say: Y-E-S!

If I were to complain about one thing on the GameCube it would be the quality of the first party software.  Nintendo delayed Ocarina of Time for something like 1.5 years, and while it isn't my favourite of the 3D Zeldas, it does feel more "complete" than the other games, and general opinion seems to be that it is the best.  Nintendo hasn't been taking that extra time with most GameCube titles, and I think it shows.  The GameCube still has great titles, but I'm really looking forward to playing a fully polished Nintendo game.

I'm going to get the game one way or another, and there will be very few new games in 2006 one way or the other, so I might as well have a truly amazing Legend of Zelda next year rather than a good one this year.  I'll buy Fire Emblem and Battalion Wars and hopefully Chibi Robo instead.

3288

TalkBack / RE:Samus Makes a Guest Appearance in Geist

« on: August 15, 2005, 06:20:48 AM »

Certain posters never would have known about this if it hadn't been posted here because they're not planning to buy the game anyway.  I think Mike is trying to entice a few of those skeptics.  That's very different from posting a spoiler for Twighlight Princess, which 80% of us are guaranteed to buy.  I don't like spoilers either, but this is a pretty piddly one for a game that a lot of people didn't care about anyway.

And yeah, this is a totally immature article.

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Nintendo Gaming / RE: Nanostray: And now I understand...

« on: August 11, 2005, 12:57:59 PM »

Yeah, online is often the easiest way for games like this.  Of course, you usually need a credit card for that...
I heard that a second shipment is due soon, actually.  I read it on...GAF, maybe?

3290

Nintendo Gaming / RE:Metroid Prime 3 Revolutionized

« on: August 11, 2005, 12:55:15 PM »

If Rev is as powerful as the other two systems, I don't think FMV will really be necessary, but I have to admit I really wished for some FMV during the opening sequence of Metroid Prime 2.  It was a really cool sequence, but it felt "gamey".

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TalkBack / RE:Midway Website Gets Redesign

« on: August 11, 2005, 09:52:23 AM »

...and it's not compatible with Mozilla browsers!  At least not as far as I can see.  Checked it out on IE, looks nice, but there's nothing really amazing about it...I'd like to see a gaming corporation dare to go for a simplified design.  Practically all mainstream gaming sites, whether publishers, media, or sometimes even developers, seem to have really complex site designs with tons of graphics fighting for my attention.

In other news, I checked out the L.A. Rush page while I was there.  Looks nice, but at the same time it feels like they've turned it into just another street racer.  I don't remember if it's slated to come to GameCube (I don't think so) but I won't miss it as much as I might have thought.

3292

Nintendo Gaming / RE: A thread on why there is no thread on Geist on this board.

« on: August 10, 2005, 06:33:37 AM »

I'm pleased with IGN's impressions...I'm not usually a stickler for controls as long as they make sense and the gameplay itself is interesting.  Here's hoping!  Maybe EGM's reviewers really are so defective they can't be trusted at all!  I'm surprised.

3293

Nintendo Gaming / RE: Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

« on: August 10, 2005, 06:23:35 AM »

Tingle is cool, but I suppose he wouldn't fit all that well in Twighlight Princess.  I think he was perfect for Majora's Mask, he enhanced that feeling that Termina is some kind of Bizarro-Hyrule, where everything is just a little off-kilter.

3294

Nintendo Gaming / RE: For those that care...the full EGM interview with Shigy and Iwata

« on: August 10, 2005, 06:03:27 AM »

I think they might have said something about Link being too young/weak to weild the Master Sword in The Ocarina of Time, but that wouldn't preclude some later Link from being strong enough to weild it without waiting until he's older.

Ultimately, I think Nintendo doesn't care about this stuff...I think the guys at Nintendo are more interested in recreating the feeling of The Legend of Zelda.  That is, a young man/boy who starts out on this incredible adventure and rises from nobody to hero.  The story is a nice way to frame that, and there are certain legendary elements (the Princess, the Triforce, and Ganon) that figure into most of the plots, but the series is more about adventuring and exploring than story.

That's something about videogames that I feel is being lost: this is not the same medium as television or movies, so why is it that so many game developers feel the path to making better games is to have complex plots and Hollywood voice actors?  A good story is a nice bonus but it's not at the heart of the art of videogames.

Edit: typos.

3295

General Gaming / RE: Sony may delay PS3

« on: August 10, 2005, 05:45:07 AM »

Vudu: while I agree a good launch is more important than an early one, I think timing matters.  I agreed with Iwata when he said that letting PS2 have a year-long head-start was a bad move for Nintendo, and I think letting Xbox 360 have a year-long head-start is almost as bad.  I don't think Nintendo should launch so early that it has hardly any games to offer...but Nintendo has been talking about Revolution for a couple of years now, so it should have been ready for a launch almost any time in 2006.  

Of course now we're too close to the Revolution launch to change the date very much, and Nintendo may not be ready to launch until the end of 2006.  If that's so, then I guess Nintnedo should wait, but it should have been ready to launch earlier than that.

3296

General Chat / RE:Capcom to change the gameplay mechanics in RE5: could mark the beginning of a new trend in games

« on: August 10, 2005, 05:29:13 AM »

Yeah, but no company is going to give up on a franchise with cash cow potential these days...Metroid and Ninja Gaiden were both supposed to be "over" after three games, if I remember correctly.  So they just made new story arcs in order to resurrect them.

I'm disappointed at the plan to go back to the original series' story.  I suppose I like the plan to complete the old plot, but as someone who barely played the original games anyway, it's not a big bonus for me.  I like how RE4 started everything fresh, and I think they could finish up the old plot in a new plot.  Offer flash back levels or some such tomfoolery.

3297

TalkBack / RE:Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest to go Multiplatform

« on: August 08, 2005, 09:39:08 AM »

I do believe this will increase sales, just look at how nuts GameCube owners went for Tales of Symphonia.  There's still a fairly large population of gamers that don't buy more than one system, myself included.  I would definitely buy Dragon Quest VIII if it was available on the GameCube, and probably both of the FF X's as well.  I'm not interested in spending the price of a PS2 just to play those games, though.

Edit: The comments about high-end and low-end systems are definitely interesting.  It could be that Square Enix expects the pricing on next-gen systems to split up the market in a way that has never happened before...or perhaps the PS3 is going to be expensive enough that Square Enix is afraid it will fail.

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General Gaming / RE: No HD DVD drive at 360 launch?

« on: August 05, 2005, 11:51:59 AM »

This is far worse than the lack of HD support on Revolution...IF they start putting games on HD DVD in the future.  But Microsoft probably won't do that because it knows darn well that it will piss off consumers.  It would take blinding stupidity to make a system that can't play games released after a certain date.  A few bugs here and there are acceptable, but not playing the games because of media would be blind.

Assuming Microsoft is just adding an HD DVD movie player to the system later, then who cares?  I don't want that feature anyway, and it has no effect on the games.  HD TV support does have an effect on gaming (albeit a minor one) so it's more important to me.

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General Gaming / RE:Sony may delay PS3

« on: August 05, 2005, 11:42:35 AM »

Okay, I can't read the article, but someone mentioned that its analysts.  I don't trust them any more than Sony so I'll continue to guess that a late 2006 release is the truth.

I think it's in Nintendo's interest to launch as early in 2006 as possible.  Aside from taking more time to develop games, I see no advantage to letting Microsoft continue to build its lead.

I agree with Ian when he says that Sony can afford to delay more than the other two, but I think Xbox 360 could really take off on Sony if they wait too long to launch the PS3.  People who only buy one console per generation aren't going to start buying one every two years, in my opinion.  If Sony really did delay well into 2007, I think it would spend at least two years playing catch-up with Xbox 360.

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General Chat / RE: Should DvDs come out on the same day as the theatrical release?

« on: July 29, 2005, 10:42:32 AM »

I like theatres.  There's something more interesting about seeing a movie in a theatre than at home.  I like having the reactions of other people, an of course I'll never have a screen to match the size of a theatre screen at home.

I am annoyed by theatre ticket prices, though.