During indie game development, it is often incredibly hard to create your games and keep your funds full. Bills, Food, and pretty much the rest of reality always comes knocking and causes the development process to slow down as you get a Job. 8-bit Funding is here to help developers such as that and is a crowdsourcing site specifically for video games and video game-related projects.
It works a lot like other sites that offer this kind of support, just only for video games; this way the focus is directly on what is important to the people who visit. Basically creators set a goal price amount, and then offer a series of “perks” to those who donate. Each “perk” is dependent on the amount of the donation and usually stack. Currently there are only Seven projects up on the site, but i’m sure that the site will increase to grow as more developers come to see if anyone is interested in funding their game as well as more people donating in hopes of getting these projects out into the world. Hopefully these first projects achieve significant funding (though a lot of them have an incredibly high amount requested). If they do, then the site will become a standard location to help indie developers raise money for their games. This is incredibly good news for the indie developers out there.
For those of you who enjoyed Bayonetta and Vanquish, you will be glad to know that Platinum Games are working on their next title that will be published by SEGA.
Platinum Games has revealed that their next game is titled ‘Max Anarchy’. Supposedly, the game is an online combat title that will support a high number of players, which means this is the first online title for the developer. The statement of “High Number of Players” is up to interpretation but a lot of talk is circulating the web that this game could be the next MAG.
Platinum Games continued to devulge a little more information on the game including that ‘Max Anarchy’ will feature an offline story mode as well as co-operative play. However, the main aspect -according to them- is free for all combat between numerous fighters online. Platinum Games is hard at work synchronising and balancing the game, but Inaba says that he has confidence in the gameplay.
There aren’t many more details than that at this time, but Jack from Wii-only MadWorld game will be featured in Max Anarchy (rendered in full color this time). Inaba continued by stating that Platinum Games wanted to use this particular character again, and that Jack was a perfect fit for Max Anarchy; however, he will have nothing to do with the game’s story.
Platinum Games is aiming for a fall 2011 release for Max Anarchy.
Game Name:Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective Platform(s): Nintendo DS Publisher(s):Capcom Developer(s): Capcom Genre(s): Puzzle, Adventure Release Date: January 11, 2011 (US) January 14, 2011 (EU) Price: $29.99 (US) – $49.95 (AU)
From the mind behind the famous “Ace Attorney” series, Shu Takumi, comes a brand new mystery solving puzzle title by the name of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective. This title puts you in control of Sissel, the game’s main protagonist, who has been murdered and now must use his spirit body to possess objects for the means of travel to gather clues, find out who his killer is, and why he was killed off to start with. With complete touch control thanks to the Nintendo DS’ touch-screen, Ghost Trick is out to possess players in this brand new mystery. How does it stand up? Here is my review for Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective.
Story
There are a ton of mystery titles on the Nintendo DS, and while Ghost Trick’s story does fall into that genre, it completely stood out as original and a bit refreshing to myself. As I mentioned, you start the game off as a freshly dead Sissel, who soon learns that he has been murdered and has to find out who killed him off. There is only one problem though, Sissel has no memory of anything and must find out how he died before morning comes or he will disappear forever. On the way, Sissel soon discovers he can perform “Ghost Tricks” where is able to possess inanimate objects as well as turn back time for up to four minutes. With the assassins still at large, killing off certain targets one by one, Sissel sets out to use his new found powers to rewind time and save each victim as well as gather more valuable information for his own mystery along the way.
This may sound a tad typical for today’s standards plot wise, but it isn’t the main plot isn’t where Ghost Trick truly shines. Each character you meet within the game is rich in personality. That also includes Sissel himself who comes across as a bit cocky yet likable lead for the game with his tall hair-do and dashing red suit. As you progress in the story, you set out to save different characters over time and there is a ton of dialogue to read as you go through the game. That isn’t a problem though as all of the interaction between characters is brilliant due to some clever and humorous writing that made it impossible to ignore the story’s progression. Things like this make going through the game easy as half the fun of Ghost Trick is finding new and interesting people along the way.
The game is divided into a chapter-based level format and as you progress there are plenty of interesting twists along the way. You would think with a game based around a topic such as death that the story would be a bit dark, but while the game does have some dark moments, it still maintains a positive and fun vibe the whole way through due to the humor and odd, yet truly interesting stories from everyone involved among the main plot.
Gameplay
While the setting in Ghost Trick is easy to become immersed in due to all of the colorful cast of characters, the odd take on gameplay is just as intriguing. The first thing you should know is that there are two worlds in Ghost Trick, a ghost world, and the land of the living. In the land of the living, time moves just as it should and ghost world lets time set still. These two worlds are the key to the way the game is played and you will find yourself switching between the two many times during one puzzle or “death” for that matter.
Since Sissel is dead, his only means of travel is by possessing certain objects in the ghost world. Sissel can only go a certain distance between objects though and only possess those items with a blue core, so you must use your stylus to drag his spirit from item to item along the environment. Certain items you will come across have an option to be manipulated, which is displayed on the top screen. For instance, you can open a fridge, turn appliances and lights on and off, move gates and ropes, and so on. This is done usually to make Sissel able to reach the next object, but it can also be used to interact with the characters in the environment.
When you must rewind time to save a character, you must use the object manipulation to create a distraction or just flat out stop the assassin from killing their target. Jumping from one object to the next, each item you interact with can change up the whole scenario as simply turning on a light or flipping a switch can change the fate of a fallen character, which is of course the main objective throughout the game. Once you are in an item, flip the world back to the land of the living, manipulate it, then watch the results. Timing is also mixed into this equation as certain items in the environments must be possessed while moving to get you to your destination so a watchful eye is needed at all times. It isn’t as easy as it sounds though as the true challenge in the game is trial and error, but thankfully the game lets you go back and gives you hints to provide some better insight on what exactly needs to be done to stop certain actions from happening. This whole strategy can really test your observation skills as Ghost Trick’s puzzles are completely environment based and the slightest detail could be the pivotal piece into completing a goal.
Sissel can talk to any dead body that has a yellow core to gather clues for the overall mystery so interaction is another large part of gameplay. While you can’t just possess bodies and walk around, you can speak to the fallen victim’s spirit to gather clues on how to prevent their death from happening. After you gather all the information you need from one area, Sissel can get to the next via a telephone line, making area jumping easy (as long as you have the correct phone number).
As a whole, each goal for whatever objective you have is pretty straight-forward and a bit linear, but it is so much fun to watch how the characters interact with all of your actions while manipulating objects that it never feels like a chore. The unique gameplay ties in perfectly with the quirky yet interesting plot and makes Ghost Trick hard to put down until it is finished. After you beat the game, there isn’t a whole lot left to do, but I can easily say I would mind spending another 10 hours or so going through this lively world to see it all again.
Graphics/Audio
The character models are the first thing that stands out in Ghost Trick as each are bright and vivid, boasting a cell-shaded cartoon-ish charm. Each character’s movement completely portrays their personality, and the animations brilliantly set the scene for each area you happen to be snooping for clues in. While you are conversing with characters, close up shots are used which give you a better look at the character’s expressions and the design work all came across great by the visual emotions that fit into the dialogue. Of course since the environment is key to solving these mysteries within the game, it is very important that each item looks the part, and thankfully every area is fully detailed to accomplish this.
The music in Ghost Trick is all scored well enough, but some tracks are more memorable than others. Certain characters actually use their own tracks to better fit with their flamboyant or stiff personality, tying the whole experience together. Sound effects are also used to portray settings and expressions which was yet another home run in the game.
Overall
Ghost Trick has a unique concept and plot which tied together brilliantly bringing the DS something it needed, a refreshing gaming experience. The characters in Ghost Trick are worth the price of the title alone as from baffled detectives to a fiesty Pomeranian, you will find it hard to put down due to the heavy and rewarding interaction from one chapter to the next. Ghost Trick is a title that not only does a fantastic job with gameplay, but also created a new Mascot who is bound to etch his name among the greats such as Phoenix Wright and Professor Layton. Do yourself a favor and don’t let this mystery go unsolved.
Little Orbit LLC, publisher and developer of products aimed at the casual market, has partnered up with Gem Distribution, signing a distribution deal with Gem Distribution which will see the release of latest Little Orbit title, ‘REDKEN Busy Scissors’ being released for Wii and DS on 4th March.
REDKEN Busy Scissors is a casual hairstyling game which aims to put you in the frivolous role of a hairdresser. It looks like it will utilise the Wii Remote pointer or the DS’s touch screen depending on the version of the game you are playing – shampooing, cutting, colouring and blow drying are the order of the day here. Also, because the game has a sponsor ship deal, expect official REDKEN salon haircare products, including various branded styling implements to make an appearance.
At the moment, it’s looking a bit like the Trauma Center games, but instead of removing a steel girder protruding through a man’s chest, you’ll be preparing Sally for a date with a quick cut ‘n’ colour.
The latest Pokémon trailer has been uploaded by Nintendo, showing more gameplay footage and displaying the delights of the Triple Battle, the new 3 on 3 Battle system which should offer the biggest mix-up to the battle formula since Double Battles were introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Saphire.
3 on 3 battles will bring a whole new level of strategy to Pokémon battles, and the mere contemplation of sending out a balanced squad makes our heads hurt. It should provide more depth than any other game in the series, and along with the vast list of other new features, this looks like it could set new standards for the franchise.
Anyone enthralled by the idea of the tactics involved in Triple Battles? Which version will you be picking up when it releases on DS in March, Black or White?
It’s official, the contract has been signed and Knights Contract is all set for a release next month on February 22nd on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Namco Bandai announced today that Knights Contract has officially been polished enough for its release date in under a month. The relatively close time to release for the golden finish can be seen as a good sign that lots of care was taken to fix any possible bugs that may have appeared if the game was left to sit for a long time before release.
Now Knights Contract will be placing players in the middle of the 17th century and in the immortal boots of Heinrich. Heinrich is teamed together with Gretchen, a witch who he himself executed, and must fight against the evil that has taken over the land. Players can expect fast paced battles full of explosive magic and plenty of blood flying around as Heinrich tears through opponents with Gretchen’s support.
Take this bit of information as pure RUMOR at the moment, but an interesting website has popped up that is leading fans to believe that Namco is possibly teasing a western release for Tales of Graces which came out in Japan back in December of 2009 for the Wii and one year later for the PS3. If you follow think link for http://ataleoftworichards.com/ it takes you to a blurry logo which closely resembles that of Tales of Graces F.
See For Yourself:
Normal Logo:
Blurred Version:
This all started when Namco’s Community manager, Rich Bantegul posted a glyph for his followers to crack on twitter, revealing clues in which the “ataleoftworichards” site was discovered by users.
This does indeed seem like we will finally be getting a Tales of Graces translated release in the west and considering all of the demand for the title, this could be spectacular news for all Tales fans. While we all can drool at the thought, I would definitely say STAY TUNED for more developments as I am thinking a reveal is right around the corner IF all this pans out the way fans are hoping. I will also advise to follow Rich on his twitter as new information may be popping up anytime and when it comes to a title as demanded as Tales of Graces, this could very well be the answer to millions of fans prayers.
Anime fans will be happy to know that the final volume of episodes is now available for Pandora Hearts. Pandora Hearts Volume 2 has been released to various online retailers courtesy of NIS America and will close out the story of Oz Vessalius as he tries to survive with the help of Alice. Anyone who buys the Pandora Hearts Volume 2 will be automatically given the Premium Edition which comes with a fully colored art book complete with episode guides and art work from the show itself, and of course a collectors box.
You can catch our review of Volume 1 here. Volume 1 introduced us to the world that Oz lives in, which has touches of Alice in Wonderland inside of it. Keep in mind that the production quality will be just the same as was seen in the first volume. This includes the grain effect so buyers should not be concerned if they find their picture grainy. Of course if you want to buy it you can pick it up at the following online stores: NIS America’s Online Store,Anime Castle, Right Stuf, and The Anime Corner Store for $59.99 and under.
Well, Gears of War 3 is nearly here (trust us, we are counting the milliseconds) and now we will have something to play until that fateful day the world stops.
The Gears of War Triple Pack includes the original game, its sequel, and the Gears of War 2: All Fronts Pack. On top of the 19 multiplayer maps in All Fronts, the Road to Ruin campaign mission is intact and ready to move out too.
The maps from the Gears of War Multiplayer Map Pack 1 and Hidden Fronts map pack will not be on the disc though. But they are available from Xbox Live fo’ free. The bundle, priced at $30, will come out on February 15. Ah, just a day after the 14th. How sweet.
The Xbox 360 Kinect has been hacked to control and do many things. In a way, the jail-breaking done on the Kinect has been just as newsworthy as the actual hardware and software have. And now, one of the biggest mobile games of last year has been paired with the device. KineEmote.net is a website devoted to hacking the Kinect. Now, they have made it so that you can play Angry Birds with the Kinect. It is like your own bird flinging slingshot! I would be hard pressed to say that the game works better on Kinect than on an iPhone, but it does raise some interesting possibilities. The actions taken in the video below mimic some of the actions you could take, in say, a RTS game? Bring it on Halo Wars Kinect 2: The Kinectening.
