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« on: December 19, 2013, 03:28:51 PM »
Oh, you know where I'm going with this...
StarTropics: The Return
Platform: Wii U
Developer: Retro Studios (with the ex-Naughty Dog artists given full artistic reign)
Wants/Goals: It's a re-imagining of the StarTropics series and brand new sequel - set in the style of the Uncharted games, but with Nintendo's whimsical nature layered on top (looks like and progresses like an Uncharted, but doesn't completely play like one.) Graphically speaking, it looks fairly realistic, but still contains that Nintendo whimsy that makes their games shine. It's colourful, but not too much that it blows your mind-thoughts away (when I look outside my own window, I see LOTS of colour everywhere - not so much brown.)
Plot: Mike Jones returns to Coralcola Island (C-Island) years later to find that the previously rescued Argonian alien children that were released from the cubes, have been kidnapped, cloned, and used to create a menacing alien army threatening to not only take over the South Seas, but to use and harvest the planet, too. Where does this threat come from, you ask? Why... Zoda wasn't the main guy in charge, after all. His higher up has sent a new beastly burden to plunder the world, and this time Zop (get it? Soda/Pop...Zoda/Zop) leads the retaliation.
Locations: Just as in the first StarTropics (and also how Uncharted progresses), the game plays out in chapters - a stage by stage affair. So, if you miss a heart container, that's it...you missed your chance. Game starts out, obviously, in Coralcola Island where several chapters are spent plunging head first, deep into the trap-laden, treasure chest-filled jungles and caves. As it progresses, you'll visit various other locations and islands in the South Seas via Jones' submarine. There's also a small chapter where you'll get to ride on a dolphin! This is a sort of change from the game's normal progression, as it's a more brisk, faster-paced, obstacle course kind of level. The dolphin, by the way, is the lost son you rescued for the mother dolphin - who ended up saving YOUR life at the end of StarTropics. Also, along the way, Dr. J (Mike's father) helps out in various chapters, aiding Mike in clearing certain obstacles or puzzles, and he also creates new gadgets and weapons for Mike to use and fight with. And finally, Peter, the talking parrot, returns in a couple of chapters, too, to help aid in the darkness/caves - Mike has Peter carry a lantern, of course.
Gameplay: Now here is where striking differences start to occur between this game and the Uncharted series. Mike, who obviously doesn't use guns, carries a yo-yo (the Island Star) as his primary weapon. And just as in previous games, Mike can pick up a variety of weapons strewn about the South Seas and/or dropped by fallen Argonian clones such as baseball bats, baseballs, alien laser blasters, shurikens, torches, slingshots, and even newer items, too - such as coconut bombs! One drastic difference this time, however, is there should be certain key moments in the storyline where Mike comes across an especially hidden treasure chest. These chests carry certain key items that Mike keeps on him at all times. For instance, the Reflective Mirror is now a permanent shield that Mike can choose whether or not to carry at all times (let's say he gets this early on in Chapter 3.) The Rod of Sight will also return - especially so as the Argonian clones have discovered ways of cloaking themselves! As for key items and new usages, the Cleats should return as an item that allows Mike to speed boost - clearing certain environmental puzzles by running through loops blazingly fast, or even wall jumping/running ala Prince of Persia (seriously, this game will have it all.)
As for his primary weapon, it's upgradeable just as it was in previous games, but now the upgrade stays permanent. And yes, there's wall-covering and cover-shooting. There NEEDS to be. After all, some of the Argonian clones and other enemies are going to be indestructible - you might have to stealthily sneak past in certain chapters as the only way to advance. This along with the previous weapons/items are how Mike will battle his evil-doers this time around - whimsical, yet serious in nature.
Puzzles! This is where the game truly shines. Mike, a full-blown archaeologist now (all thanks to his dad, Dr. J) carries certain archaeological tools on him at all times. These tools will help him solve all sorts of environmental puzzles laid out all across the South Seas as he progresses through the story. He'll use brushes to wipe off dusty surfaces (using the Wii U GamePad screen, of course), mattocks/picks to bust through rock/debris, secateurs to cut vines (to swing from), trays to shift sand to find special keys (moving the GamePad back and forth), and Mike will even carry a small backpack sprayer to wash away certain elements in the environment unveiling puzzle clues or hidden passages (there will always be small pools or puddles of water nearby to refill the sprayer - stand in them to refill it.) I feel like all of these aspects will really drive home the notion that Mike is an archaeologist - thus giving the game a true feeling of discovery as you progress through each chapter.
So, yeah. StarTropics. Anyone know how I can send this to Retro Studios? I'm serious about this game being made.
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