Guild Wars 2 is not done dishing out the Black Friday Deals. Move over Black Lion Trading Company because now the Digital Deluxe Edition of the game is available at the Digital Edition’s pricing. Originally priced at $79.99, the Digital Deluxe Edition has been reduced in price by $20 while giving extra content to a new subscriber for free! Here is a list of the extra content found in the Digital Deluxe Edition:
Summon Mistfire Wolf Elite Skill
Miniature Rytlock
Golem Banker
Chalice of Glory
Tome of Influence
Grab your discounted copy of Guild Wars 2 “Digital Deluxe Edition” for $59.99 (HERE). Hurry and catch this offer before it ends at 12:00 PM PST on November 26! Check out the video below to glimpse at some of the Digital Deluxe extras (Mistfire Wolf Elite Skill & Miniature Rytlock).
Celebrate Black Friday with G5’s amazing sale on over 20 games for iPhone, iPad, Google Play, Kindle and Nook with discounts of up to 40% off. Here’s a list of the games with reduced prices. There is certainly something for everyone here so make sure you pick up a deal before it’s too late!
An online free-to-play shooter by Crytek, Warface is set in the not-so-distant future where battles occur daily and wars that span some of the hottest locations in the world are in full effect. With localisation for other countries currently in the process of occurring, Russia has blitzed the numbers itself and single handily racked up a total of over 5 million registered users.
“Reaching the five million registered users mark speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of Warface,” said Vladimir Nikolsky, the Vice President of the Mail.Ru Group Game Division. “With a combination of first-class visuals and gameplay that is second to none, Warface stands out from the crowd and promises to attract even more attention from players in the future.”
Warface focuses more on what a player can do for their team rather than what a team can do for the player. Delivering fast-paced combat (think a mix between CoD and Crysis) and fairly stunning visuals, the game has also received an award for “Outstanding Achievement by Companies in the field of IT and Digital Communications”; the Runet Prize.
Soon players from Western Europe and North America will be able to join the fight as the game is localised for that region. Running on CryEngine 3 and showing off exactly what Crytek can do in the realm of competitive online shooters given the freedom, Warface looks set to make a similar impression across the globe as it has so far in Russia.
The game is out now and is available on the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and the Wii U when it releases inAustralia. Epic Mickey: “The Power of Two” revolves around the story of Mickey Mouse as the player takes control of him in a distorted world of Disney, with over 80 years worth of characters and theme rides. Helping him in this quest is Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who is equipped with a remote control to manipulate electricity, while Mickey himself wields his signature paint brush and thinner, taking and giving colour throughout the world.
“Mickey Mouse is one of the most beloved characters of all time,” said Warren Spector, vice president and creative director, Disney Interactive’s Junction Point. “I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to once again help craft his latest journey and at the same time bring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit back in such an amazing and innovative way, by allowing this once forgotten silent cartoon star to get a voice for the first time in history.”
Epic Mickey 2’s co-op gameplay focuses around the “PlayStyle Matters” concept, which basically translates into each player using their own abilities separately and in conjunction with each other to explore all possibilities and storylines. With an intensely unique soundtrack created by Emmy winner, Jim Dooley and songwriter Mike Himelstein the game sets out to create the “first-ever video game musical”. Also co-written by Marv Wolfman, an award winning comic-book writer, Epic Mickey 2 attempts to draw the player in with both appeals to our emotions and our minds.
“We continually strive to develop interactive content that resonates across Disney’s broad fan base,” said John Pleasants, co-president, Disney Interactive. “Our goal was to capture the nostalgic feeling that makes the Disney experience so magical, and it is clear that we’ve accomplished that with ‘Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two’ exceptionally well.”
Disney Epic Mickey 2: “The Power of Two” is available now for both Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and on the Wii U on December 13th 2012, at $69.95. While the Nintendo Wii version is priced at $49.95 and is also out alongside the Xbox and Playstation versions. The 3DS edition titled Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion has also now seen the light of day, retailing at $59.95 and focusing on the “Castle of Illusion” being taken over by evil witches. But never fear, because Epic Mickey is on his way to win the day again in this title as he works to save the local Toon inhabitants from sure destruction. Compelling stuff.
Today Sega released the opening video for their upcoming adventure RPG Shining Ark. Interestingly enough, there are apparently going to be multiple opening videos since this one is currently labeled “Version A.” Considering the game’s release date is February 28th in Japan we are likely to see another version sometime in the next few months.
As for the video itself you can check it out below and listen to a rather beautiful song called which is called Melodia Miracle. As for a localization of Shining Ark, there is likely no chance of the game making it over to the West as not only is it a PSP title, but no other games in the franchise have been localized up to this point.
Madden NFL 13 Developer: EA Sports Publisher: EA Platform: Nintendo Wii U Release Date: November 18, 2012 Price: $59.99 – BUY NOW
Overview
Madden is one of the oldest franchises in the industry, spanning nearly 20 years of releases on a large variety of consoles. Madden NFL 13 is now out on the Wii U, catering a sure to be solid launch title for fans of the pigskin, while incorporating the Gamepad into the control scheme. Yes, it’s a port and most should know what to expect, but does this Madden’s new tricks warrant a look, or is it just one franchise’s attempt to cash in on a new console? Well, grab your pork rinds and Gamepads as we look into Madden 13 for the Wii U.
Gameplay
Madden 13 for the Wii U at it’s core is essentially the same title that released back in August for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Even though the Gamepad is involved, controls are mapped out to the face and shoulder buttons, and those new analog sticks work well to get your player down the field. Players can also choose to use the Nunchuck and WiiMote combo as well as the Pro Controller, but the Gamepad is the ideal way of traversing this grassy lot. The Gamepad could have been an afterthought for EA, but surprisingly, this controller was used effectively for the game and adds a great deal of convenience to the user.
When using the Gamepad with the television (as there is a standard detached mode), the playbook is literally in your hands and it has never been easier to shuffle through plays, with all mapped out onto the touchscreen menu. After a play is chosen – there is also an option to take control of a player and move them to a new area with the touch of a finger. Want to sack a quaterback? Well, that is an option as you can set specific players to target anyone on the field for a quick blitz. Want to just run in circles? Well, there is an option for that, too as players can draw a line for their offensive player to run and then watch as the play takes place on the field. It’s a well thought out mechanic that benefits the gameplay greatly, and adds a lot of fresh life the archaic yet solid formula of Madden.
The downside of the Gamepad comes in the form of local multiplayer. Say you have a friend who is taking control of a team on the pro controller. While you gleefully skip through your touchscreen menus, they will be stuck with the old playbook controls of the past, which is a bit inconvenient to say the least. There was a bit of balancing implemented that completely eliminates the audible play features for the touchscreen to make things fair however, so it was nice to see a little attention provided for the particular element. It’s not really the developers to fault for this due to the single touchscreen controller, but with a game like Madden, things need to be completely equal for all involved or else the envy will come out against the unlucky one holding that fancy controller.
The RPG-esque Connected Careers mode is also included, letting players recruit a team of 32 players from the past and present using several different personas – such as even John Madden himself. Connected Careers Mode is one of the most expansive features within the game, as it allows the player to either participate as a coach, or an actual NFL player. This player option is pretty standard fare for the most part, as one will be able to create their own legacy by writing their own history when it comes to draft decisions for teams, and then gather experience points by playing games and drills that is used to bulk up your characters abilities.
The player will then continue up the ranks until they hit the Hall of Fame or retire, and even then the option to restart is readily available, offering further replay value with this portion of the mode. Coaching is a bit more advanced, as the player has more options and can play as any position during a game, as well as recruit, trade, and manage their overall team. Experience points are used in this area to exchange for perks and new coaching abilities, assisting in getting your team up the ranks.
With every plus comes a minus sadly, and some features that were in other versions have been left out entirely for the Wii U. Madden Ultimate Team has been scrapped entirely, and the Infinity Engine’s removal makes this version the lesser of the three due to how revolutionary it was for the series. With that said, Madden NFL 13 is still a solid experience that holds up gameplay-wise to it’s other console kin – even under those conditions, but the loss of those features harm the online greatly, leaving us to wonder why cuts were made for a port that was placed on an equally powerful console.
Visuals and Audio
As far as the visuals go, things are a bit of a mixed bag. With the lack of the Infinity Engine, animations are a bit sub-par compared to other versions and feel dated as a result. The multi-vector lighting however keeps the field looking authentic, with the sun brightly gleaming down on the field and shadows taking full effect to make the game feel as authentic as the real deal. The player models are well done for the most part, but I did notice that the faces, skin and hair – oddly enough seem to have a heavy downgrade in quality compared to the rest of the player, and at times the comparison is almost cartoonish. This wouldn’t be a big deal if the camera didn’t zoom in after plays, but the lack of quality sticks out like a sore thumb and overshadows a good portion of the fine details that were applied to other portions of the presentation.
When it comes to audio, nothing misses a beat. The subtle music in the background is just that, while the loaded amount of commentary is nothing short as impressive as players listen to Jim Nantz and Phil Simmons call the action as it happens – that is when they call the plays correctly as there were moments of inaccurate calls during my time spent with the game. Other real quarterbacks have also lent their voices to the game for a bit more authenticity, only furthering the production behind yet another solid Madden title.
Overall
Madden NFL 13 for the Wii U is not the definitive version of the game to own, but still offers the best – and currently only football sim one have on their new Nintendo console. The Gamepad features were implemented greatly, and are sure to be only further improved upon during future installments, while the heart of the experience is still alive and well – despite the gimped modes. Even though the graphics are a bit of a miss, the audio is still on track and this is still one nice football game to glare at as a whole, making it feel as if you were at an actual event, looking down at players with low quality skin tones. Is Madden 13 a cash grab for the Wii U? Yes, but one that fans of the sport should still give a whirl due to the new experience one lone Gamepad can provide.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II Developer:Treyarch Publisher:Activision Platforms:PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (Reviewed) Release Date: November 13, 2012 Price: $59.99 – Available Here
Overview: The Call of Duty franchise is something that has become synonymous with the holiday season as over the last few years a game in the series has been released annually. However fans will argue that the series has continued to grow and be better with every iteration, regardless of whether it was developed by Infinity Ward or Treyarch. This year we have Treyarch behind the reigns of Call of Duty: Black Ops II and with it come a slew of enhancements and new features. Is it just as great as fans have come to expect or have their hopes been dashed?
Story: In the year 2025 the world is teetering on the brink of a war so devastating it could cost billions of lives. Interestingly enough, the story of Black Ops II unfolds between two different eras, with players interacting with the likes of Alex Mason and Frank Woods back in the 1980’s or as Mason’s son David in the year 2025. Rather than simply jumping around the time-line in an awkward manner, the missions that occur in the ‘80s are actually told in a flashback style as Mason’s son talks with a now elderly Frank Woods.
Regardless of what era you are playing, the big bad guy this time around is the same man… Raul Menendez. You see, Menendez is hell bent on committing terrorist acts in 2025 and seems to have it out for Mason’s son, but why? That is what players will be able to find out as they experience the missions as Alex and Frank in the ‘80s.
One of the biggest gripes that gamers have with the first person shooter genre is that their storylines are not only simplistic, but offer little in the way of originality or actual player choice. However Black Ops II is the game that will silence those critics for at least a few minutes. Of course the game’s storyline is still outlandish at times and absolutely crazy at others with events occurring that are simply unbelievable at times. However it all works thanks to two things in Black Ops II single player, one of which many people never would have thought would appear in a Call of Duty game.
First there is Menendez himself. This man may be the bad guy that is about to sink the world into war and the man you must kill, but he is also very well written. His seemingly unending need for revenge drives him forward; players will find it hard to dislike this man despite his horrible plans. Whether this is thanks to great writing, an amazing storytelling pace or both, he is a very memorable villain.
Now the second major inclusion is player choice. These choices can be simple things or they could drastically alter the events that will follow your decision. What makes the choices intriguing is the fact that while there are some very obvious decisions in the game which are made simply by pressing one button or the other, there are others that will unfold during actual gameplay. A few of these actions may only reveal an extra tid-bit of the story while others can even allow certain characters to either live through a harrowing situation or die.
To make things even more interesting there are a few different endings in Black Ops II and thanks to the various actions you will have to take during gameplay at times, it is difficult to simply walk a straight line right to the ending you want. In fact, despite Black Ops II being a shooter, the game’s storyline is something that no one should pass up even if they feel like jumping into Zombies or Multiplayer first. Treyarch has masterfully crafted an interesting storyline packed with action, drama and intrigue that will have players thinking before simply blasting their way through a level.
Visuals & Audio: Black Ops II is, at times, a very stunning visual experience with massive set pieces that can leave you temporarily speechless. That being said, the game’s visuals have become rather mundane and unfortunately it feels like the game’s textures and overall appearance are something from a few years ago.
Despite the sub-standard visuals, Treyarch has mixed things up a bit with the areas that players will be fighting in and the title manages to pull of some rather large scale battles without any slowdown. Iit is worth noting that one thing that has made a jump in quality is the way the game handles the faces of the characters you come across within the game as they have seen significant improvement over past games in the series.
As far as the game’s sound effects and background music goes, Black Ops II goes above and beyond the… ahem… call of duty in most regards. The game’s explosions and gun shots are glorious and realistic sounding and the title also features some impressive background music at times, including a nice little surprise for some players.
Gameplay: Interestingly enough, in the game’s single player story mode players will be able to select and customize a load out that they want to enter into a level with, allowing for a higher level of customization than ever before. It is also worth noting that there are a number of bonus toys that can be found within some levels such as a cloaking suit and more.
As for the single player combat, the action still follows a linear path but Treyarch has alleviated this feeling by making sure that these areas don’t simply feel like you are moving from corridor to corridor shooting enemies. Most levels feature large open areas where players can face off against anything from standard soldiers to flying Quad Drones and even stealth cloaked soldiers.
Alongside the basic story mode, there are optional Strikeforce missions that the player can take part of. These Strikeforce missions actually can have a direct impact on the game’s main storyline which means if you choose to ignore all of them or happen to fail them, you can face dire storyline consequences thanks to your failure. Also if you are thinking that you can simply re-load a Strikeforce mission to try it again if you fail, think again because the game will continue on as normal and your results will be saved into the story.
As for how Strikeforce plays, it is very different from the campaign mode. Players are given control over the battlefield which is made up of a number of units which can be controlled from above with orders or directly. If your squads are wiped out, you can fail a mission however success comes from completing a number of various objectives such as defending a point, rescuing someone or destroying things. It is worth noting that the Strike Force ally AI is sometimes faulty and will not listen to your commands and stand still multiple times, which can be a major issue with some missions which require quick action.
These Strikeforce missions can quickly become very hectic as enemies will literally begin coming out of the woodwork to defeat you and with the player having the ability to call in CLAWs, Drones and other weapons and directly control them, the battlefields are very intense and this makes a hard fought victory a rewarding experience.
Now onto the part that many people care about and many of you may only play once you get your hands on Black Ops II, the game’s competitive multiplayer mode. Perhaps the biggest change that Treyarch has made for this game is the new pick-10 system which has taken the rigid create-a-class system of past games and added more options than ever before.
You see, there are now ten “equipment” slots available for use in any class and you have free reign over what you want to use. Want to have six perks running at the same time? Go right ahead, but you will be left with only one barebone gun and a knife, hell you can even run around with only a knife if you really feel like it. Now while this has done wonders for players that want to create a class exactly how they play, there are a number of limitations which may irritate players.
As before, weapons are unlocked by leveling up through XP but they also require the use of “unlock tokens” which are provided every few level ups, which means you may unlock a vital piece of equipment and be unable to use it until your next level up. Also the “Pro” versions of perks have been removed which means all perks immediately at their best when unlocked. Also Ghost has been modified so that it only hides the player from UAVs when they are in motion, so campers have been given less of an advantage this time around much the joy of everyone. Still, it is worth noting though that a Treyarch has failed to balance some segments of the game’s multoplayer, including the game’s sniping system which sees terrible abuse online with quick-scoping snipers making use of the pick-10 system or shotguns that can fire halfway across the map like a rifle.
It is also worth noting that killstreaks have been replaced with something slightly different called Scorestreaks. These scorestreaks work very similar to how killstreaks used to work and if you are playing a standard deathmatch game then you will barely notice a difference. Scorestreaks mean that you’re various bonuses will not unlock after a certain amount of kills, but a certain number of points, such as 400 points for a UAV etc. These points can be earned by doing many things, most obviously from killing people or assisting others with their kills but can also be obtained from destroying enemy equipment, capturing flags or other points in objective-based modes.
This means that players are not punished for playing a more supportive roll and can sometimes even benefit greatly from this system if they choose to hang back and support their allies. However there are a few balancing issues with these Scorestreaks, especially when it comes to objective based matches as some low-level streaks are capable of wiping out a large area with no warning and while the company has tried to balance this by making it so kills with Scorestreak bonuses do not provide the full 100 points of a standard kill, it still can create a one-sided match very quickly.
It is worth noting that the full Emblem customization has returned in Black Ops II but unfortunately Treyarch has made it more limited than before. The requirements to unlock the newly named “Calling Card” backgrounds have been raised and most of them require the player to prestige before even revealing their requirements and also a number of Emblems customization symbols have been locked behind levels and challenges, which means if you have an emblem you desperately want to create but don’t have the pieces, you have some fancy killing to do.
As for the maps you are playing on there are fourteen maps in total and there seems to be a nice balance between small, large and medium sized maps for players to battle it out in. While there are plenty of areas for players to still try and camp, there are also just as many ways in and out of a place which means that you’ll always be on your toes because you may never know where the next bullet will be coming from.
As far as the illustrious zombie mode goes, Treyarch has decided to try something a little different this time around. Players can now enter into a “Grief” match where two teams of four are created and try to outlive one another by stealing items or interrupting crucial moments which may cause them to be killed by the zombies and the standard wave based survival has returned but there is now a more campaign-like option to play in the form of Tranzit.
In Tranzit, players build various power sources and access an automated tour bus which will take them to various locations while they try to survive against the zombie threat. The bus moves at a pre-set pace which means players have a limited time in each area to try and find items, but this also means that it is very easy to either be left without any ammunition or proper upgrades as the tour bus ventures on. That being said, this is a nice breath of fresh air to this mode full of the walking dead and players will appreciate the fact they will no longer be cramped within one area the whole time.
Overall: While some fans of the series may pick up Call of Duty: Black Ops II for one of the three main game modes provided, they would be doing themselves a great disservice. Black Ops II’s single-player campaign is surprisingly well-written and hard hitting and the game’s zombie mode has been given a nice boost in the arm. As far as the game’s multiplayer is concerned, pick-10 has added a few new improvements but also a slew of other problems which may leave an online player frustrated. Treyarch has managed to pull off a relatively stellar game where it’s strongest mode may just be something that no one would have expected, the story mode.
Pushmo is one of the eShop’s best titles. There really isn’t any denying how addictive the 3D puzzler is, but now, fans can go back for more as the sequel is now out on the eShop. Crashmo keeps the same push/pull type gameplay, but now features a new mechanic of dropping blocks, which crash down to give a whole new spin on the experience. There is also a bit more story this time around as well, with Mallo encountering a new female friend in a hot air balloon that will be dropping those blocks from the sky. You can download Crashmo on the eShop for $8.99 as of today.
If you weren’t an ambassador, you will be happy to know that Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is also available for just $4.99. This is a hate or love Zelda game, with a difficulty that is sure to nag even the toughest of players.
If Pokemon had a baby with Spirit Camera, the augmented reality titles Spirit Hunters Light and Spirit Hunters Shadow would be their ghostly spawn. Each one of these games has the same premise of hunting for ghosts in the real world, with several “rare” deities that can be battled and captured as you level up as a Spirit Hunter. Each title can be purchased for the DSi or 3DS for $7.99. 3D MahJongg is a pretty nice looking version of the classic, and it can be purchased now as well on the eShop for the 3DS for $4.99.
Wii U owners…well, you guys have a lot to snag up, as all of the full retail versions of some of the most popular titles can be bought at full price – as well as the 5 eShop titles that debuted with the system and a good number of apps.
Nintendo Land Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Platform: Nintendo Wii U Release Date: November 18, 2012 (US) November 30, 2012 (AU/EU) Price: $59.99 – BUY NOW
Overview
One of Nintendo’s greatest successes of last generation was Wii Sports. Yeah, it was just a simple compilation of mini-games, but each showed off what the Wii could do in terms of motion control – and lets face it, those little games are still ideal to whip out when company comes over due to their simple yet fun nature. With the Wii U, Nintendo had to have a successor to the franchise. Nintendo Land is that game that serves the role of introducing new Wii U owners to the Gamepad, as well as the entire console in general. Instead of just using Miis and unknown characters, this compilation embodies the essence of Mario, Zelda, Metroid, and several other massive franchises – which have all been glued together into one fantasy theme park that is able to be explored and somewhat customized. Is Nintendo Land the dream resort for fans, or does this launch title prove to be one locale worth skipping? Let’s find out?
Gameplay
This shouldn’t come off as a shock, but Nintendo Land has no story really to speak of as a whole product. Once booted, players are introduced to Monita, who serves the role as your robot hostess. Monita also plays the role of AI for certain multiplayer titles when playing on solo, and even as some of the bosses for the more adventure styled romps on the disc. She’s no Mario, but her dry humor is sure to offer a chuckle from time to time, if players can handle that whiny and nasally voice.
There are twelve games in all within Nintendo Land, with each being distinctly different from the next. We will get to those in just a moment, but I feel I should show some appreciation to the little hub area that acts as the theme park itself. Every attraction can be accessed right from the start, but instead of accessing each through a menu (which is an option), Nintendo went out of their way to attempt to embody that whole theme park vibe. Your Mii can explore the area via the Gamepad, scamping from game to game on foot. It sounds like standard fare, but even this is a slight tutorial for what me may see on the Wii U down the line, as the controller acts as your camera and can be lifted and moved around to let you get a better view of your surroundings. Thankfully, this works well enough and makes it feel as if you are actually visiting a booming theme park where every ride begs you to participate, making Nintendo Land feel bigger than it actually is.
Of course that is just a light touch, as the games themselves are the reason to become a guest. Most would assume that all twelve romps would just be mini-games, but that is inaccurate to a degree. Every attraction feels like a full game that we would see released on the eShop and while they are small, they still have enough content to provide hours of gameplay if one can cling to the concept. Mario Chase is one of the finest examples I could use to explain this, so we’ll just start there.
In Mario Chase, one player takes the role of Mario with the Gamepad, while all other WiiMote users are assigned Toads. Remember those childhood days of tag? Well, that is really the only objective behind the game. After getting a ten second head start, Mario must outrun and outsmart all of the Toads on a stage, while the Toads try to hunt down and tackle the mascot (which is your Mii in Mario attire, for those wondering) before the timer ticks down to zero. The user that has the Gamepad will be able to see the entire map and the Toad’s locations in their HUD on the right side of the screen, while the left portion is utilized to display Mario’s own perspective. On the television, players who are chasing get no map, but instead must use audible hints from Monita to located the mustached warrior. If only one other player is participating, two Yoshi’s will offer assistance and smack Mario with their tongues to give the lonesome toad an advantage. There is no single player option for Mario Chase, but there really doesn’t need to be. This game is a blast to play with friends and the only complaint I can even think of would be that there needs to be more stages.
Animal Crossing: Sweet Day works in almost the same way, but has the players with the WiiMotes take control of animals as they try to gather up candies and deliver them to a set location. The Gamepad player must control two guards with the dual sticks and stop each animal before their delivery can be made. As the animals collect, their movement becomes slower, making them easier targets. Even with that light bit of strategy involved and the still solid controls, most are going to easily pass this one up after just a few rounds, as it’s just not as enjoyable as Chase or Luigi’s Ghost Mansion. Ghost Mansion is…well, just like the other two competitive games – essentially a hunt for one particular player. The Gamepad user plays as the ghost, while all other players have to hunt him down with their flashlights. If the ghost grabs the hunters three times, that player wins. If his HP gauge is drained to zero with the light however, the Luigis will become the victors. The ghost can not be seen on the television, so WiiMote users will have to pay attention to the vibrations in their controllers to track down the supernatural being. It’s solid, but the AI (when playing) seemed to just spin around in circles with their light, making the role of the ghost somewhat less entertaining as it is nearly impossible to grab a computer controller character.
Also included is a good grouping of single player only titles. Takamaru’s Ninja Castle is that game we seen back at E3 in 2011, where players throw ninja stars via the Gamepad to attack ninjas and other targets. Captain Falcon’s Twister Race is a race to the finish, where players turn their Gamepad sideways to control Falcon via the Gyroscope, tilting the controller back and forth to take sharp turns and avoid obstacles throughout 12 consecutive areas. Yoshi’s Fruit Cart acts as a line drawing activity, where the player must draw a safe path for Yoshi to gather up fruit on the television with the Gamepad. Octopus Dance is based on that Game & Watch classic, and works a bit like Space Channel 5, where the player must mimic and then repeat dance moves by moving the controller in different directions. I know I am kind of speeding through those four as far as descriptions go, but there really isn’t a whole lot to any of the single player experiences other than a basic concept and simple progression. Donkey Kong’s Crash Course is a bit more complex, as it has the player use the gyroscopic control scheme to control a trolley along a themed – and quite large course. One wrong movement can cause the trolley to fall apart, so precision and accuracy is a must if the player wants to make it to the next checkpoint.
Balloon Trip Breeze is the finest single player game on the disc, and worthy of a lot more attention. Based on Balloon Fight, this game has players swipe the screen with the stylus to control a flying Mii, blowing the Mii out of danger and into each balloon throughout a side-scrolling stage. As levels progress, the setting changes, and enemies and obstacles become more challenging to dodge overall. Balloon Trip Breeze is a relaxing bout if the player is simply wanting to just move forward, but proves it’s worth if you are wanting to snag every balloon on a stage. The Team attractions featured within Nintendo Land prove to be heavy hitters in the compilation , as there is a ton of content within each game.
Metroid Blast plays a bit like a third person shooter when played with the WiiMote, letting your Samus-styled Mii take on waves of enemies and targets with a good number of the mascots abilities in tow. Of course this Samus has her (or his) own blaster, but also in tow is the morph ball and a charged bomb that can be tossed to take out multiple opponents. When utilizing the Gamepad, players take control of Samus’ ship, which uses a lot of features for the controller at once. The Gamepad can be moved in order to track a target, while the right analog controls how high (or low) the ship hovers. The blaster works about the same – as do the charged missile shots. Not only are all of these mechanics fluid, but they also make for one surprisingly exciting game as a whole. There are 20 levels in the main Assault mode alone (which can be completed in roughly two hours), and two other modes that feature different objectives afterwards -leading to the most fulfilling game included.
Zelda fans are also in luck, as The Legend of Zelda: Battle Quest is also quite good. This title is an on-rails adventure, using two different methods of control. The Gamepad allows your Link inspired Mii set out and snipe enemies with his trusty bow. To aim, all that is needed is to move the controller in the direction of the enemy – and then flick (or hold and flick) the analog to fire at one of the enemies on screen. WiiMote users always stay a bit ahead of the archer, slashing enemies with swords in the same manner we seen with Skyward Sword. At the end of each stage, a boss makes an appearance that can be taken on solo or with a bit of teamwork. Teamwork is a big deal within the game as well, considering players share hearts and must work together to ensure every enemy is cleared. With 9 stages in all, fans of the series should be pleased with all of the love and enjoyable gameplay Battle Quest has to offer.
Pikmin Adventure is one of my favorites in all of Nintendo Land – as it is very true to the core Pikmin experience. Players take control of Olimar with the Gamepad, and must explore the area to level up their Pikmin while sending their minions to attack enemies such as Bulborbs and other inspired foes and bosses. Items can be used to grant the Pikmin special abilities, and Olimar always stays fully involved with the ability to chuck rocks and bombs at enemies. If extra players join in, they can take the role of a Pikmin, and work with the AI to do Olimar’s dirty work. I know this isn’t the real deal – but if any of the games within Nintendo Land were to win an award for capturing the most charm from it’s IP, it would be Pikmin Adventure. Nothing is as charming as watching a Bulborb swallow up Olimar and turn him into a walking poo, and that kind of whimsical humor is what Nintendo Land seems to run on to keep all ages thoroughly entertained throughout.
Once games are played, coins can be earned to participate in a Plinko mini-game – delivering gifts such as decorations and tunes for each stage completed. Each item earned for the park can be lightly interacted with, and add a great deal of incentive to continue playing so that your own park can become the ultimate Nintendo filled fest. There is also a train that circles the park that can be unlocked, which is a party mode and lets players go into several mini-games, one after another. If connected to the Miiverse, other owners Miis will also begin roaming the park as well, making the hub area feel alive and full of activity at all times. Nintendo Land definitely shows off what the Wii U can do, but I will say that we now know the Wii U can do online, and this park would certainly benefit from more interaction with others. Sure, this game is a blast with friends by your side, but I feel it strongly benefit from an online mode.
Visuals and Audio
The visuals in Nintendo Land are absolutely superb. Being on of the first HD titles for the Wii U, Nintendo were smart to include so much color, as every attraction is just as fun to look at as it is to play. The art style is also unique on it’s own as well, as most attractions feature enemies, protagonists, and scenery that appear to be made of cloth, paper, and toys. Yeah, these characters may not look exactly like what you would find in a Mario or Zelda title, but the spirit of each game is very much alive, and fans are sure to spot all sorts of homages as they make their way through each attraction.
In a brilliant move, Nintendo pulled most of the tunes for Nintendo Land straight out of their original counterparts. I won’t detail all of the classic tracks due to spoilers, but let’s just say there are plenty of songs that will make a Nintendo fanboy feel as if they were in paradise. The original tracks are all well done as well, keeping a festive vibe as players explore their park. Monita is in her own category. When I first booted the game up, I hated her passionately and wanted her dead. Never has a Nintendo character annoyed me so greatly just by speaking, and her constant urge to stalk the player throughout the park and every single game is something that felt like it was pulled straight out of a horror movie. As time went by, she started to grow on me though, as her writing is well done and every annoying quality of her character then seemed to be intentional. I guess I could say Monita will either be a love/hate mascot for most, but this dry humored robot is one that most will need to understand to properly enjoy.
Overall
Nintendo put a lot into Nintendo Land, as it needed to not only serve as a tutorial for the Wii U’s gameplay methods, but also have enough content and quality games to warrant a purchase from the core crowd that Nintendo seem to want back in their own park – so to speak. This has been achieved. Nintendo Land is not a mini-game compilation, but instead a robust gathering of fully functional ideas that offer new ways to play with some of the greatest franchises of all time. Some games are better than others, but none are broken by any means and a good number feature enough content that they very well could have been sold as a separate product. Nintendo Land is a fully featured sneak peak as to what’s ahead for the Wii U, and if this compilation is any indication, we are in for yet another generation filled with innovation and magic – with those famous mascots leading us into the future. If you are a new Wii U owner, Nintendo Land is the first must have title to own, and one theme park that any Nintendo fan should be visiting.
Evofish has been released onto the iOS App Store and that means players can try their hand at rising through the oceanic food chain. Featuring 4 different species that progress through 12 stages of evolution as they eat those smaller than themselves and avoid being eaten by those bigger. But don’t be thinking that the player fish is the only one evolving, as the enemies and environment evolve with the player fish.
Additional features of the game include bonuses that can aid in the player fishes journey, from potions, to resurrection should something go array, and bombs to take out the fishy competition. Evofish also has achievements on the on the Game Center, but even when those are all unlocked there are daily missions to keep players coming back.
Be sure to check out the trailer for Evofish embedded below and interested players can download the game for FREE on the iPhone or iPad from the iOS App Store HERE.
