In Okamiden you happen to play as a young wolf god known as Chibiterasu and he has already struck a chord with many for the cuteness factor that he brings to the game beyond it’s Okami pedigree. Now we’ve seen some pre-order information before but someone just definitely set a new standard as far as the pre-orders go. Capcom’s Online Store is offering pre-ordering consumers a 3″ tall Chibiterasu keychain plushie for US pre-orders.
He is to die for obviously and it is impossible for anyone to not want to pre-order this one from Capcom’s store unless some other retailer decides to set up an even better bonus with a larger or more fancy Chibiterasu bonus. Fans of any wolf related material will die for this one, beyond just getting the game itself of course which comes out on March 15th 2011 for the Nintendo DS.
I’m pretty sure you guys still remember the chart-topping RPG from Com2uS? The second installment in the Inotia series was one of the best in the App Store, and had set the bar for its genre for the Apple handheld devices. This leads to a lot of expectations on its next sequel – The Chronicles of Inotia III: Children of Carnia. This latest installment has just completed its beta testing stage last week. Thanks to Com2uS, I’m lucky enough to be selected to join the team and test this game out! A huge thank you from me here!
Anyway, back to serious business. During the test, I have devoted around 6 hours into the game. To be honest, I’m not impressed, yet. Don’t get me wrong, I like Inotia III so far. I also got both the first and second in the series and I love them a lot. However, the third installment at its current state is still not up to my expectations, and I have HUGE expectations.
Personal opinions aside, let me give you a brief walkthrough of the game. When you first started, you will be greeted by a screen to create your character. Six classes are available to suit everyone’s fighting needs, be it a hunter that shoots arrow from far, or dual slashing assassin. As for me, my first character is a Rogue, because I simply enjoy the double slashing fun. (Yes, I wield two weapons on both of my hands; it is very deadly and assassin-like).
After you have made your choice, you will be greeted with several introductory cut-scenes, and then gain control of a long silvered-hair man in a sepia surrounding. His name is Lucio, and he will be the main hero in this game. Apparently he was chased by several Imp Pursuers, who have captured all his friends, including his sister, Irene. Lucio looks pretty strong at that time, and you were given the opportunity to familiarize with the combat control and test some of Lucio’s advanced skills that are full of awesomeness (like the tornado one). Sadly, you were defeated by your own sister, who is possessed by the bad guys. And, you woke up after, as a very young (and weak) Lucio. This is where the story (and the game) begins.
Like its prequels, progress is made through the main story quests and several side quests to keep you busy from town to town. Not much grinding for level is needed though, you are always at the appropriate level to fight at the map or the dungeon presented to you. Of course, you can choose to get a little higher level than the monsters to make your life easier, but that is your choice. You are not obligated to do so if you want the game to be a little bit more challenging.
The combat mechanism very much stays the same. The party system remains, where strategy becomes an important factor when you fight monsters and bosses in the game. However, instead of getting NPCs who are a totally stranger to you through the mercenaries system in Inotia II, you will get NPC characters throughout your journey whom are relevant the plot of the game. They will be introduced to you through the main storyline, and it makes much more sense to have them in your party. (The first one will be the girl you like!). There are also other similarities with its past installment, such as the control customization, auto-save feature, music-playing directly from your Music library, etc.
Apart from that, Com2uS also brought something new to the table. Apparently there will be a multiplayer/network mode for this, but we can’t test this out. On the other hand, items available in the game are much more robust. They have included new items that brings new feature to the game. For example, you can reroll your character’s stats with the Dices, and you can also unlock skills of your party members with the Awakening Emblem.
Visually, the game has gone from great to not-so-great. The game in general is looking more dull than Inotia II, not to my liking. It is probably due to the fact that I’m being pampered too much by games that look so good graphically on the App Store recently. That also means this game needs to have something special to attract attentions from millions of iOS gamers. At the moment, it’s not doing well on the graphical part. However, the menu looks great, and there are a lot more details that are visually presented, like the splashing of the pond water when your party runs on it.
At this stage, I would say that this game is still incomplete. Much more work need to be done before it is presentable to their fans. It does have the potential to surpass its counterpart to top the chart in its genre of games for the Apple handheld devices. We are very excited about the game and are looking forward to see it in its finished form. Till then, enjoy our video preview of the game below!
(Please note that above preview is based on the beta version. This is in no means will be the final version of the game.)
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva Format:DVD (Also on Blu-ray) Developer/Publisher:Team Layton/Level 5 Distributed by: Manga Entertainment Feature Running Time: 95 mins Rating: U Released:18th October
Here at Capsule Computers, we cover all things gaming, but we also dabble in anime. Therefore, as an animated feature-length film based on a popular videogame, Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva, otherwise known as Professor Layton – the Movie, couldn’t be more relevant to what we do. The movie itself has actually been around a little while in Japan, but has only recently come into circulation in the Western market thanks to a reworking of the Japanese version to make it suitable for an English-speaking audience.
I was unsure of the nature the translation, to say the least, uncertain of whether there would be English subtitles or whether Level 5 had went the whole hog and dubbed the entire film. To my pleasant surprise, the latter was true, but they haven’t just voiced over the characters using some generic Professor Layton sound-alike. On the contrary, the cast who did the voice work for the characters of the games were also drafted in to do the film.
This is something I was genuinely thankful for because, playing the Professor Layton videogames, I was completely captivated by the charming in-game cut scenes which were such good quality that it felt like they had been pulled straight from an intriguing cartoon. It seemed like some sort of cartoon series spin-off was inevitable with clips of such high-calibre, and my ideas were later confirmed in the form of Professor Layton – the Movie.
The story sees Professor Layton embark on his most daring adventure yet when he receives a letter from an ex-student turned Opera diva inviting him to see her next performance. As always, he has his loyal young apprentice Luke by his side, and a with a spate of disappearances in London, the Professor needs all the help he can get in order to solve the mystery of Eternal Life. I would hate to spoil the story for everyone, so I won’t reveal anything else. One of the real perks of the storyline is the constant twists and turns, much like the games, which mean you can never be sure who to trust or what is going to happen next. It starts off well, loses momentum in the middle with some parts becoming predictable or boring, but quickly makes up for it with an epic finale.
The characters possess the same wit and charm of the games, giving an amusing insight into Japanese culture. Like I said, the voice actors from the games played their parts in the film, and as a result, the characterisation improves on that of the DS titles due to the fact that everyone has a voice. While some of the more quirky characters will be a comical oddity to most, it will probably be a formality for those who regularly watch anime.
Visually, Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva is an engrossing experience, with the cutesy art-style of the games brought to life as a feature-length film, and further complimented by occasional elements of CGI special effects. The music is up to similar high standards. Like all good cinema, it conveys the mood of each individual scene through subtle tones in the background, at least for the most part.
On the whole, Professor Layton’s film debut is a success. The plot features all the twists and turns of the games, plus a slightly sinister inner lining- the puzzles of the games even make a cleverly implemented appearance without being too intrusive on the viewing experience. The regular warping of the story can lead to confusion at times due to its over-complexity, but overall it is a funny, enjoyable escapade for Professor Layton that is particularly appealing for fans of the games, fans of anime, as well as children in general.
Also check out our review for Professor Layton and the lost future here on Nintendo DS
Pros
Cutesy visual style
Emotive musical score
Just as charming as the games
Voices actors of the games
Cons
Constant twists and turns in the plot make it confusing at times
Cube Points are officially live and working to their fullest potential with many ways to gain points and many ways to spend them on cool rewards.
Cube Points have been technically floating around on the site since the end of October, but we have officially dotted our i’s and crossed our t’s and placed the entire rewards system onto the site. The cube points system is fully working and everyone can gain points and spend them on whatever they want.
There are a lot of additions so check out the numerous pages we have set up and familiarize yourself with the system.
Click the links below to go to each page, or hover over the Cube Points tab at the top of the site and pick the particular section you are interested in.
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. Leave a message below or in the forum (link to it located below)
We hope everyone uses this new rewards system to its fullest potential and that everyone enjoys themselves as they participate in the community and gain cool rewards for doing so.
As a big thank you to those who have been posting recently, we are awarding the current top 5 on the leaderboard extra points onto their account. (Please give up to a week for these points to actually get into your Cube Points account)
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Capsule Computers reserves the right to alter the Cube Points rewards program in any way shape or form without prior notice.
Lace Mamba Global, a large independent computer and videogame publisher, is proud to announce today that it has teamed up with 1C Company for the release of the upcoming PC-exclusive RTS releases, Men of War: Assault Squad and Men of War: Vietnam. Lace Mamba Global has plans to release both of the games soon, with the release of both games scheduled for next year: Men of War: Assault Squad in March and Men of War: Vietnam in Summer 2011 Upon release they will be available to the following countries: the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the Benelux countries and Greece.
Representatives of both companies were happy to talk about the new partnership: “We are excited to work with 1C on these great RTS games for a successful release in our territories. Men of War is a well-known RTS brand. The first Men of War game was critically acclaimed by the games press all around the world. We’re very much looking forward to seeing Men of War: Assault Squad and Men of War: Vietnam continuing this success story for all our trade partners. Thus, we’re looking forward to a fruitful long-term partnership with 1C “, says Jason Codd, European Managing Director, Lace Mamba Global.
Darryl Still, International Publishing Director of 1C Publishing, further reiterated, saying “The astounding success of the previous Men of War titles digitally has proven there is a great demand for the series from PC gamers. 1C is therefore delighted to have teamed up with a retail publishing partner who understands the series and is as enthusiastic about it as 1C – and their customers – are. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with Lace Mamba Global.”
Previous iterations in the series received critical acclaim upon release, so we have high hopes for theses two. For now, here’s a couple of screenshots of the two games to give you a taster of what’s in store:
Anyone who has ever played online knows that there are whole bunch of kids (and a few adults) online screaming obscenities and just being downright annoying. It is the main reason I’m always in party chat. Well, Rooster Teeth and Mega 64 have teamed up to bring us all a video that shows what happens to a real life soldier as he tries to shoot a target with annoying bad mouthing in his ears. While the video doesn’t actually prove anything it is quite funny.
Check out the video below to see the test for yourself.
Warning: May cause a traumatic reliving of previous bad mouthing experiences you have had online.
Splosion Man is simply an incredible game, and if you still don’t have it even after the most recent sale at only 160MSP you probably don’t play video games. The sale was perfectly timed in fact and coincided perfectly with Twisted Pixel’s announcement of a sequel to Splosion Man: Ms. Splosion Man!
Ms. Splosion Man accidentally created in the labs of Big Science after the scientists captured of the Splosion Man, and as the press release states: “Even if some sort of newer, stronger, better threat were created, our newest security measures and fiendish traps would be more than enough to contain it. We’ve made incredible advances in our technology over this past year…. Not that there would ever be a use for any of it.” So there is nothing to worry about, I am sure Ms. Splosion Man will be caught just as quickly, oh wait…
The press release continues: “everything has had functionality improvements and visual overhauls, and our company has expanded to some incredible new locations. It’s all pristine and beautiful…”
Big Science continued to reassure readers through the press release by stating, “What’s going to happen, some sort of freak accident in the after party that creates a “Ms. Splosion Man” mere seconds after Splosion Man’s capture? And then the Ms. Splosion Man goes on some monster tear in the fall of 2011? Yeah right.”
It seems to not have worked out too well. As you can see in this debut teaser trailer a new Sploding character has entered the scene to wreak havoc. Look out for Ms. Splosion Man, who will be new, improved and sploding onto XBLA in fall 2011.
A new schedule for this month has dropped and with it comes a small idea of everything available this month. These schedules are perfect and gives you a basic idea of what you need to save for or if there is even anything you want coming out.
There is a bunch on this list, but a few things that aren’t, include the Harms Way XBLA title coming free next week and the more than likely holiday sale that usually happens around this time of year. There are many others as well. This list is just a basic schedule.
Check out the schedule below and see if there is anything you are looking forward too.
Games for the Christmas Season
December 22: “A World of Keflings” (Ninja Bee/Microsoft Game Studios) – 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
December 29: “Raskulls” (Half Brick Studios/Microsoft Game Studios) – 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
January 5: “ilomilo” (SouthEnd Interactive/Microsoft Game Studios) – 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
Avatar Marketplace
December 2: NBA Collection
December 2: “Trials HD” (Microsoft Game Studios)
December 9: “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II” (LucasArts)
December 9: Holiday Collection
Xbox Live Arcade
December 1: “Unbound Saga” (Microsoft Game Studios) – 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
Deal of the Week
Week of November 29 – Insect Infestation:
“Worms™ 2: Armageddon” (Microsoft Game Studios) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil and South Africa)
“Assault Heroes” (Microsoft Game Studios) – 200 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia and South Africa)
“Band of Bugs” (Microsoft Game Studios) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia and South Africa)
“Earthworm Jim HD” (Gameloft) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Korea, Brazil and South Africa)
“Centipede & Millipede” (Atari) – 200 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Czech, Greece, Hungary, India, Japan, Korea, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and South Africa)
Week of December 6 – Winter Wonderland:
“Polar Panic” (Valcon Games) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil and South Africa)
Burton Snowboard – 120 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia and South Africa)
Burton RED Hi Fi Helmet – 80 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia and South Africa)
“Gingerbread Man” – 120 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia and South Africa)
“Gears of War 2” Snowblind Map Pack (Microsoft Game Studios) – 160 Microsoft Points (60 percent off) and available worldwide (except Germany)
“3 on 3 NHL™ Arcade” (Electronic Arts) – 200 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil and South Africa)
Week of December 13 – Casual Arcade:
“Bejeweled 2” (PopCap) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Greece, India, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and South Africa)
“UNO RUSH™” (Microsoft Game Studios) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and South Africa)
“Zuma” (Microsoft Game Studios) – 200 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Czech, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and South Africa)
“Tetris Splash” (Microsoft Game Studios) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand
“Feeding Frenzy 2” (PopCap) – 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off) and available worldwide (except Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Singapore, Taiwan and South Africa)
Game Add-Ons
November 30: “Halo: Reach” Noble Map Pack (Microsoft Game Studios) – 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
December 1: “Trials HD” Big Thrills! Add-on (Microsoft Game Studios) – 400 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
December 8: “Pinball FX 2” Marvel Comic Table Pack (Microsoft Game Studios) – 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
December 14: “Forza Motorsport 3” Community Choice Classics Pack (Microsoft Game Studios) – 400 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
Games On Demand
November 30: “BioShock 2” (2K Games) – Available worldwide (except Japan and Korea)
December 7: “Army of TWO™: The 40th Day” (Electronic Arts) – Available worldwide (except Japan, Korea, Brazil and South Africa)
December 14: “Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2” (Electronic Arts) – Available worldwide (except Japan, Korea, Brazil and South Africa)
Today I sat down with what could possibly be Gameloft’s finest game of 2010 – NOVA 2. Tapping the NOVA 2 icon on the iPhone 4 and watching the jaw dropping high definition intro movie totally had my attention and had me eager to get sucked into the action and save the universe this time from the clutches of an alien race called the Volterites. To give you a brief rundown of the story NOVA 2 takes place 6 years after the events depicted in NOVA. Humanity has been thrown into a civil war fought on one side by the central government of the Terran Orbitals and the Human Alien Alliance. Our hero Kal Wardin has once again retired and is now loving life living on the desert planet of Scorpius, among the villagers of that colony. As you know war never spares even the most peaceful of places and poor old Kal is called back to fight once again.
I have to say that straight off the bat NOVA 2 has to be one of the most visually stunning FPS I have seen on the Apple iPhone. The amount of detail that has gone into the level designs, character models and environments is outstanding. Gameloft have really hit the nail right on the head taking full advantage of the iPhones retina display.
After a dramatic video intro, the first level has you crash landing on an unknown beach. Here you’re taken through a quick tutorial and can select the type of control system that best suits your play style. Even though I wasn’t used to it – I would totally recommend using the Gyrometric control system. Once you get the hang of aiming with it, taking down those pesky aliens will be walk in the park. Well not necessarily, aiming is one thing but ultimately you’re going to have to use wit and skill to outsmart what looks like much improved AI enemies.
Speaking of AI the first real threat in the game appears pretty much as soon as take a few steps onto the beach. Known as a Volterite Psycher, this monstrosity uses an invisibility cloak and has the ability to pick up and throw large objects your way using its psychic telekinetic abilities. But don’t worry Captain Kal Wardin has a few tricks up his sleeve to combat this deadly foe and any other enemy that comes his way. Returning is his electromagnetic freeze pulse that will allow you to freeze enemies in their tracks, temporarily allowing you to plow into them with a barrage of bullets. Kal also has 2 new special powers, one is neat new melee attack you can select by switching between the electromagnetic pulse attack that allows you to use some sort of disc style blade. On regular enemies like the Red Fury Troopers one slice of this deadly looking weapon will end their pitiful existence. The second is a Slow time power – when activated the whole world around you is slowed down and you can get stuck into whoever’s been caught in the time freeze.
There are some ultra-cool weapons at your disposal in the game, switching to GOD mode I was able to unlock and test them all out. Some of the Alien style weaponry was a complete BLAST to use, unfortunately I wasn’t able to get the names of each of the guns but they all handled very well especially the Plasma Gun, Lightening Gun and the Rail Gun (sorry not going to tell you what they do – no spoilers) The standard weapons are back like the assault rifle, you now have dual pistols as your lower end weapon, the snipers looks and feels the same as it did in the first one, an awesome automatic shotgun, a grenade launcher, a gun that looks very similar to the “Hammer Of Dawn” and a heat seeking rocket launcher that was very useful when taking down huge robotic mechas hell bent on blowing you into smithereens and YES this all happens within the first 5-10 mins of the first level !! I could only imagine what other action packed mayhem we can expect from the eleven other levels ahead (Campaign has twelve levels taking you to several orbitals = planets with various settings)
NOVA 2 will also have multiplayer (which I wasn’t able to test out) from what I was advised the game supports up to 10 players online compared to only 4 with the original NOVA. Along with a new ranking and PERK system, there are five different modes: Capture the flag, deathmatch and team deathmatch, Freeze Tag and Instagib. There will also be Exclusive multiplayer rewards that automatically unlock for veteran players who have played the first N.O.V.A. They are: The BAGS ( Bass Ass Gold Suit), starting with an advanced ranking that will automatically unlock advanced weapons and a special achievement. So if you want these cool rewards go out and download N.O.V.A right now from the iTunes store and get up to date with the story before N.O.V.A 2 comes out.
NOVA 2 looks and feels like nothing I have ever seen before on the Apple iPhone. With upgraded controls, graphically enhanced visuals, intelligent AI, an amazing array of new weapons.. PLUS did I mention you can also drive vehicles!! well now I did (damn I wanted to keep that a surprize) oh well that cat is also out of the bag as well Kal will be able ride motorbikes, mecha’s also shoot from a running jeep. If you craving a new FPS to take with you everywhere you go then NOVA 2 will be the game for you.
Expect deployment into the Orbital iTunes store in December hopefully before Christmas !!
Developer(s) Criterion Games Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Director(s) Craig Sullivan (creative director) Henry LaBounta (senior art director) Producer(s) Matt Webster Designer(s) Matt Follett Series Need for Speed Platform(s) PlayStation 3, Windows, Wii,Xbox 360, iPhone Release date(s) NA 16 November 2010 EU 19 November 2010 AUS 18 November 2010
Cops and Robbers is a pretty basic premise for a game, or in this case Cops and Racers, but it is one that Criterion games have taken to heart, forgetting past mistakes of the Need for Speed series and taking it back to basics, in a series of increasingly stressful races that demand that need for speed. It is also Criterions first foray into real life existing cars over arcade simulations so for the fans is Hot Pursuit a burnout, or is it paradise?
GAMEPLAY
To be fair, the game is a lot of fun. It may be arcadey, not all together realistic, but the execution is stripped back and very very tight. Not wanting to tread on any toes, or at least stray to far from what made the first Need for Speed so great almost 10 years ago, they have ignored almost all updates to the series prior and focused instead on a list of meta achievements and stats designed to one-up friends and evoke competition.
Starting the game up, the world map of Seacrest County is immediately similar to their previous title Burnout Paradise and it is not until picking cars that you realise, there is just a bit more detail here- sort of. Criterion have stepped out and inserted real-world cars into an unreal situation. There is a slew of luxury cars to play with from Porches and Lamborghini through to Aston Martin and concept cars or roadsters. The police variation are just as good, with a little less customisation, preferring a new paint job of existing models and some that are completely fictional.
The world map is pretty straight forward: Either start races as a “Racer” or compete to chase them down as the Police. There are three or four different types of courses, either ‘time trials’ where you have to escape in a certain time or catch someone within the limit, Hot Pursuits which allow weapons and have a ‘one v many” approach and the obligatory racers of many cars all trying to come first.
That just about sums it up- quite literally, which is surprising when you consider the depth to play on offer. There are two Career modes and for either the racer or the Cop you level up through 20, grinding ever closer to the Most Wanted level and unlocking harder races and better vehicles along the way. Although simple, with no vehicle customisation beyond some colour, no interaction on the map and some recycled music and maps, it is the weapons and autolog feature that make it worth while.
Autolog online
The Autolog is where the game exists, in this constantly updating and always persistent middle ground of online connection but offline racing. Every single race or action in the game is mapped against anyone of your friends who also have the game, and it becomes a consistent a real incentive to keep trying to beat their scores. Rather than just a leaderboard though, the game will actually throw out recommendations and rather than fictional racers to beat in made up race there is always your real world friends on hand. Each player has a wall, and through it you can msg other people of your friends, talk smack and generally let everyone know when you just beat their score by .01 seconds. There are photo options too, but require a camera and do not work with Kinects built in one.
Weapons in the game consist of spikes, radar jams, helicopters and turbo boosts or roadblocks, and despite the rather simple nature of the racing it can become rather strategic at the higher end to figure out when to use an EMP or a well placed spike trap, or combine a Helicopter together with said EMP to send a car sliding into an oncoming row of spikes.
Although Criterion have made a fun game, even more so online with 6 v 6 cops and Racers, which just degenerates into a mass of roadblocks and reverse driving, some issues remain that stop it from being the next big thing: Burnout Paradise really redefined arcade racing, and was so well supported and pure with a lot of content, 3D maps and a massive number of add ons and detail down to the type of races and cars used. While separating itself from the competition, Need for Speed is just a little too simple. There is no car customisation for what the series had become known for, very little music, maps recycle and everything- is automated. Almost every race will unlock a new vehicle, but there is no choice over when or what, you never have to buy cars and online is exploited with lower level players having much slower cars than anyone else in their race. On top there is a only a small variety of race types, that do get ever more complex, but are really just training for online shenanigans. The result is a double edge sword. Hot Pursuit is tight enough that it is easy to pick up and play and never takes itself too seriously. But despite all the achievements and friendly competition, the meat is in hot pursuit weapon take downs with time trials and races, rather boring.
GRAPHICS
For a game coming out, at the end of 2010 for a series that some people thought had no chance of redemption, Hot Pursuit never tries too hard to overstep itself or even step up to other games from this generation, instead it works and that is good enough for now (until the next one). Perhaps also, in said racing games there is a push back toward minimalist real-world racers over the gangster pimp my ride clones that were pushed out over the last 5 years.
Maps are clean and function either during the day or the night, and although there is morning and evening rides, it can be hard to tell the difference. Rain and thunder act as environmental obstacles and work well, with cars that are responsive to the weather effects.
Criterion play a fine balancing game between what is real or not though, with the underlying theme that Cops are arresting Racers for Speeding- not likely, when the Racer is a crumpled pile of mess, spinning out down the hill.
Yes, in the original seminal racer, Police would actually pull racers over to arrest them and you would see it, now each are as bad as each other preferring the ram me off the road approach. Also, if someone can tell me why a Racer roadblock is comprised of cop cars (when called in), just ruins that illusion a little bit.
On the flip side of these small infractions, the Cars are exceptional and generally stand out from the environment. Instantly recognisable each one at least tries to respond to it’s true to form speed and handling, with some rather detailed descriptions and prices matched to the year the car was launched.
Based on the rather small map of Seacrest County, some areas have snow some desert and some the standard forest and country. The maps are memorable only because they tend to repeat and are all together uninspired. Draw distance also is odd with a strong blur in the background that just blends into mountains or trees that lack colour and depth. All in all the world is serviceable and yet the shiny nice cars stand out against plain backgrounds and shortcuts which are not actually shortcuts and may lose you time (a nice strategy actually that makes you learn the maps).
SOUND
If the gameplay is stripped back and the graphics are good enough, then the music, needs improving. Only some races specifically have the option to play songs while all the Hot Pursuits have the same repeating “thrill” music that sounds like it was made for a movie car chase, but never quite hits that high. It’s a nice touch adding some suspense and danger to the situation but is at odds to the racing beats, only half of which were recognisable. Good music for cruising though it consists of a mix of soft rock, dance,pop, club and alt music, a far cry from the thumping bass ghetto and hip hop swearing tunes from previous games.
There is simply not enough of it and again, the set list can not be mixed,shuffled or looked at even in the menus or otherwise. Criterion while simplifying the game have removed key choices for the player that allow a more personal experience.
VALUE
The value of the game comes in how many other friends have the game also. Don’t expect split screen off-line either- this is an online experience as close to a Racing MMO as possible. Hot pursuit is a rent, that can be ground through quickly, but has high replay value and a lot of fun. The is no underestimating the thrill of trying to smash down racers as a cop, while the traps and roadblocks offer some tactical choice about when and how much to deploy them.
Sadly as final mistep, unless you have bought the game with a code to get online, renting may produce the problem of not being able to play due to the fact that despite having an XBOX Gold membership you need a code to log into the autolog feature. The game offers 2 days free but then times out which is rather disgusting considering. This means you can rent it, but not play online anyway (unless you are lucky enough to have the code stolen). It is not a code on the booklet and is frustrating that a separate login and cost is associated to play EA games online now.
CONCLUSION
Need for Speed is a return to form for the series, introducing younger players to what made the first game great, so many years ago. Despite some teething issues, which really shouldn’t occur in this day, even if it is a franchise re-boot, the gameplay is solid and a lot of fun. The need for speed is back- and the pursuit is hot.
