Today (September 18th) is a special day for all of our friends in Japan as Pokemon Black & White are officially out! These two new revamped versions have already scored 40/40 from Famitsu and look to be quite promising with loads of new features and over 100 new Pokemon to choose from. Players will travel the new Isshu region with brand new updated graphics and a revamped battle system and take on new gym leaders with a whole new evil team that must be stopped along the way.
I will also say for those importing, be careful as if you have a DSi/DSi XL these two titles will not play on anything but Japanese versions of those two consoles due to the region locking of DSi Enhanced titles. For those with the DSlite/Original, you are completely fine and can fully enjoy the game from the looks of it just fine (Without the bonus DSi content of course). My copy has shipped so be looking for some first impressions to be up within the next couple of weeks as I will be sharing some spoiler free coverage of Pokemon Black. For those patient gamers out there, the English versions for both Black and White will be available in stores in early April. As I said, keep checking back as we will be bringing full coverage to both titles all the way up to the English Release!
BOOM SHAKA LAKA! Can you believe the once rumored NBA Jam is now nearly upon us? EA has now released more screenshots, a nice new boxart for the Wii version (shown above), and a production diary for the game which releases next month for the Nintendo Wii. The production diary sheds light on the quality and extensive editing that went into the game to make it fresh yet keep the feel of the original titles. The video also covers how responsive the Wii controls will be now that the game will be getting the motion control treatment. I still remember the hours I put in to NBA Jam, tearing up nets and the excitement of throwing the flaming ball in the hoop at the last second.
From everything I have seen so far, the new entries produced by EA are looking awesome and capturing that same charm that made the games so popular over 15 years ago when NBA Jam was first released. Check out the Production Diary Below as well as a handful of new screenshots. To keep even more up to date on the latest happenings you can also check out the official facebook page here. NBA Jam brings the fire to the Wii on October 5th and to the PSN and Xbox Live Arcade on the same date.
Developer Fun Infused Games has released “Hypership Out of Control.” This XBL Indie game features 4 player coop, online leader boards and 5 game modes. The game is described as simple and addictive. Your main objective is merely to survive. Survive or destroy mines, asteroids and other nefarious space things. Get it for 80 MS points here: http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550659
Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon, published by D3, is prequel game to Earth Defense Force 2017. The game is about cooperatively slaughtering giant bugs and destroying a city called New Detroit. Sounds fun! Developed by Vicious Cycle, up to three players will be able to battle online with 150 weapons and four upgradeable armor sets. Finally, the game will include a Survival mode, in which six players can battle unending swarms of insects. Expect it on Xbox 360 and Ps3 in Spring 2011.
Attempting to cast a spell on gamers this October is Arcania: Gothic IV, an RPG which has you roaming over a vast magical fantasy universe. Now a lot of you must be wondering what happened to it’s predecessors. Could it be that this series sprung up overnight and tagged “IV” on the end to make it look pretty? In actual fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Piranha Bytes’ Gothic series has been a fantasy RPG favourite for almost a decade now over on the PC, through three seperate role-playing sagas.
However, that’s not to say that this is just a port of an old PC franchise. Developers Spellbound have taken extra care to tailor the experience for the Xbox 360 and PS3, simplifying each and every move and mapping it onto a controller.
My name is… Veterans of the series will be familiar with the nameless hero which the game revolves around, though newbies to the Gothis world will be catered for too. There is a whole island of tutorial quests to allow newcomers to learn the ropes before embarking on their journey. The nameless protagonist is just to adhere to the tradition of the previous games, as there is actually a totally new hero for this new saga.
As you would expect from a medievil RPG, there’s a whole host of medievil weapons on offer. From bow and arrows to swords, this game has got you covered. Also, it will be interesting to see whether the combat system will make a clean transition. For instance, with the lack of keyboard and mouse, the strength of spells (which have five different upgrades), will be determined by how long you hold down the attack button, which could make for some amusing results.
The story will also be accessible to newcomers, with background to the story being cleared-up during the beginning tutorial quests, with the plot pregressing normally thereafter. In a nutshell, during the tutorial island you try to prove to a prospective father-in-law that you are the ideal spouse for his daughter. Sadly, matrimonial bliss doesn’t last long, with the destruction of your home kick-starting a revenge motif which fuels Arcania: Gothic IV’s storyline.
All in all, Arcania: Gothic IV looks like it could be a good console RPG outing. It must’ve been popular among PC gamers for some reason and, providing it makes the transition to the control pad, it should be popular on Xbox 360 and PS3 too. Unfortuantely, it could be overshadowed by other big quest-based games like Fable III and Elder Scrolls V, but providing Arcania lives up to it’s reputation, I’m sure gamers will be happy to get their adenturing fix here until then.
Arcania: Gothic IV will be released for Xbox 360 and PS3, as well as PC, in October later this year.
And so concludes this weeks Nintendo downloads. As you can see, slim pickings this week, with no retro release on the Virtual Console, only a handful of meagre titles. Anyone taking the plunge and dishing out for any of this weeks downloads?
Sega has been hinting at a new Yakuza game focused on the theme of destruction for the past few weeks, but didn’t really explain much about it. Well, thanks to the Tokyo Game Show, we now have some details on it. You ready for this? Zombies. Yep. Zombies. Now wait a minute, let me tell you why this is a great concept for a Yakuza game.
So far every Yakuza game in the series has been pretty… standard for a crime drama. Rival gangs fighting other rival gangs, this guys doing this to that guy, someone’s getting double crossed, oh, maybe the CIA gets involved, oh and did I mention Kiryu opens an orphanage? Yeah, pretty standard things that the Yakuza normally do. SEGA knows they can’t keep doing the same thing over and over again, but rather than add more friends and change the gameplay radically from what we know, they decided to take a look at something a little more realistic.
Zombies? Realistic? No, that’s not where I’m going with this, but look at the situation. All these Yakuza gangs live in Tokyo, and now there’s something coming that’s destroying their home. In real life, during times of great crisis the local Yakuza gangs would band together to help people out, for example during the Great Hanshin earthquake in Kobe, members of the Yamaguchi-gumi were there immediately to help people out.
That’s why I feel like this is gonna be a great game, yeah, I’m tired of the whole “zombie” fad too, but this game isn’t so much about zombies, but about rival gangs coming together in times of crisis to help each other. I wouldn’t be so quick to consider this as Yakuza 5, but rather a spin-off similar to Yakuza Kenzan, a side-story that gives you a fun alternative to the main story. I know I’m definitely gonna be picking this one up day one, unless SEGA decides not to release it here, in which case I’d be VERY angry!
Story “Spider-Man™: Shattered Dimensions is an action-packed adventure encompassing four dramatically different parallel universes, each with its own Spider-Man armed with unique strengths. Each stunning universe has its own detailed art design and thrilling gameplay with challenging skill sets to master in order to unlock powerful new moves. Explore dramatic environments, wield explosive new powers, and face epic boss battles against extraordinary foes. Experience the legendary superhero like never before: Four unique worlds. Four distinct Spider-Men. One unparalleled experience!” [Via Xbox.com]
Spider-Man has accidentally shattered a powerful tablet and the pieces have been scattered throughout multiple dimensions. The tablet pieces bring great power to whoever wields it and it is up to Spider-Man (in multiple dimensions) to collect the pieces and stop the bad guys. With the help of each Spider-Man you must collect the pieces within each dimension and save the world from utter destruction.
Gameplay Gameplay consists of playing as four different Spider-Men from four different dimensions. This gameplay mechanic lets the developers throw a few different styles of gameplay into one game. This tactic can be looked at in many ways, but probably the most obvious is to let the players get a wider experience in playing the game. Since the developers of this game decided to remove the sandbox gameplay, the multiple dimensions give the game a larger feel other than just the levels that you linearly fight through.
The four different Spider-Men are: Awesome Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man, 2099 Spider-Man, and Noir Spider-Man. Awesome Spider-Man is the version that many of us all know, it is the version that is in the movie and the comics; Ultimate Spider-Man is the version where the black suit takes over spider-man; 2099 spider-man is a futuristic spider-man; and finally Noir Spider-Man is a “classic film” like spider-man. Out of all the variations, Noir is the most unique. In Noir you sneak around in the shadows, and attempt to take everyone out without ever being detected. You can’t actually fight head on with the enemy, so if you get caught you must hide and then sneak up on the enemy again once they lose sight of you. The other three consist of beating up a whole bunch of bad guys and getting to the boss while using each of their unique moves; however, these three also have slight things that set them apart from the rest. 2099 spider-man, for instance, has free fall events; which require you to avoid object that are coming up towards you and falling down from above you.
Aside from the differences, each Spider-Man is still Spider-Man. Swinging around and climbing on walls is exactly what you would expect to be able to do. While it is all fun, there are some problems with it all. Since the levels are linear and most of the time you are busy fighting bad guys, you don’t really spend a lot of time swinging from webs. Instead you spend time using your webs to zipline yourself to the next post, or to a high spot. Another problem is the annoying camera; it will continually readjust itself when you don’t want it to. The annoying camera makes climbing on walls a chore and not fun at all. A game where climbing on walls is a key feature, a crappy camera nullifies it and ruins a large portion of the game.
There are tons of other things to do as you play through the game, there is the web of destiny to complete, multiple difficulties, rankings for each level, and upgrades to purchase. The Web of Destiny consists of a whole bunch of miscellaneous tasks that you can complete in each level. These tasks can consist of killing a certain person in a certain way, or beating a certain area in a certain time. Many of the tasks can be done on the first attempt if you keep track of what tasks you need, but quite a few will require multiple attempts on the level. As you progress through the levels you will gain experience, this experience can go towards upgrades and unlocks within the game. Upgrading yourself will require a bunch of experience, and as you level up you will gain access to more and more upgrades. There are also unlocks, such as alternate costumes for each of the Spider-Men to wear.
Graphics The graphics are really good in this game. Since four different dimensions are present as you play through the game, it is really nice to see the differences in art style. The dark and light contrast of Noir Spider-Man to the futuristic style of 2099 Spider-Man are both good examples of the superb artwork. There are also multiple costumes for each Spider-Man that you can unlock, and the bosses look marvelous.
Achievements The achievement in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions range from easy, too hard, and even too extremely time consuming. Mostly the game is split between really easy, and really hard achievements. A large chunk of them are comprised of achievements that you will either get through the story, or by completing some easy task. The others consist of achievements that require you to beat a level on the hardest setting with the best score, or beat a level without dying (actually easy on easy) or beat a boss without getting hurt. Completing the Web of Destiny, which was mentioned in the gameplay section, will take some time. Even though a majority of it is completed by just going through each level, there are still certain tasks that may take a while to do. Overall the achievement list gives you plenty to do while in the game, even after you beat it; but it is definitely not an easy 1000, though it isn’t an extremely hard one either. Click This Link to go to the achievement List
Overview While the free roaming that is so popular in Spider-Man games is out, a new experience is brought in for players to enjoy. Four different Spider-Men let you play multiple roles and enjoy slightly different gameplay mechanics all in one game. The game is really focused towards fans of Spider-Man and all the villains are from the comic book. If you are a fan, you will get much more enjoyment out of this game. There are a few annoyances such as the repetitive one liners and the awkward camera, but past that is a fun game that is quite enjoyable.
I give Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
The achievement in Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions range from easy, too hard, and even too extremely time consuming. Mostly the game is split between really easy, and really hard achievements. A large chunk of them are comprised of achievements that you will either get through the story, or by completing some easy task. The others consist of achievements that require you to beat a level on the hardest setting with the best score, or beat a level without dying (actually easy on easy) or beat a boss without getting hurt. Completing the Web of Destiny, which was mentioned in the gameplay section of the review, will take some time. Even though a majority of it is completed by just going through each level, there are still certain tasks that may take a while to do. Overall the achievement list gives you plenty to do while in the game, even after you beat it; but it is definitely not an easy 1000 though it isn’t extremely hard one either.
~~The Achievement List~~
Easy as pie! – 20 – Complete all levels on Easy
Is this normal? – 50 – Complete all levels on Normal
Hard pressed – 100 – Complete all levels on Hard
Lead on, M-Dubs! – 5 – Complete the Tutorial
End of Act 1 – 20 – Complete Act 1 on any difficulty level
End of Act 2 – 20 – Complete Act 2 on any difficulty level
End of Act 3 – 20 – Complete Act 3 on any difficulty level
Getting warmed up – 10 – Defeat 100 enemies
In the zone – 20 – Defeat 500 enemies
Ain’t no stoppin’! – 50 – Defeat 1000 enemies
Manifest Destiny – 100 – Complete the Web of Destiny
Bug collector – 50 – Collect all Hidden Spiders
The complete package – 20 – Unlock all Character upgrades
Smooth moves – 20 – Unlock all Combat upgrades
Uncle Benjamin – 10 – Execute a 100-hit combo (except the Tutorial)
Two hundo – 20 – Execute a 200-hit combo (except the Tutorial)
Missed me! – 20 – Defeat a boss on any difficulty level without taking damage
Close call! – 10 – Recover 10 times from a Critical Fall
Amazing! – 20 – Complete 4 levels with the highest rank in Hard mode
Sensational!! – 30 – Complete 8 levels with the highest rank in Hard mode
Spectacular!!! – 50 – Complete 12 levels with the highest rank in Hard mode
Hobbyist – 10 – Collect 125 Spider Emblems
Enthusiast – 15 – Collect 250 Spider Emblems
Fanatic – 20 – Collect 500 Spider Emblems
The Spider’s shadow – 10 – Complete a Noir level without triggering an alarm
The Spider’s bite – 10 – Keep Rage Mode active for one minute
The Spider’s grace – 10 – Complete a 2099 freefall section without taking damage
The Spider’s web – 10 – Defeat 50 enemies using the Amazing Charge Attack
~~Secret Achievements~~
Survival of the fittest – 15 – Defeat Kraven on any difficulty level
Something CAN stop Juggernaut! – 15 – Defeat Juggernaut on any difficulty level
Here’s mud in your eye! – 15 – Defeat Sandman on any difficulty level
Now there’s a shock – 15 – Defeat Electro on any difficulty level
Canceled! – 15 – Defeat Deadpool on any difficulty level
Minimized Carnage – 15 – Defeat Carnage on any difficulty level
Clipped wings – 15 – Defeat Hobgoblin on any difficulty level
Took the sting out of him – 15 – Defeat Scorpion on any difficulty level
Lay down your arms – 15 – Defeat Doc Ock on any difficulty level
The caged bird squawks – 15 – Defeat Vulture on any difficulty level
The hammer falls – 15 – Defeat Hammerhead on any difficulty level
Circus freak – 15 – Defeat Goblin on any difficulty level
Final curtain call – 50 – Defeat Mysterio on any difficulty level
No harm done – 20 – Complete any level without dying (except the Tutorial)
Do you own an Iphone? Have you played Monkey Island before? Do you like pirates? If you answered any of these questions, you should probably get checked in; talking to yourself isn’t good.
September 19th is talk like a pirate day, and Monkey Island SE 1 and 2 are on sale. These sales are limited time offers and you should snatch them up as soon as possible. Based on the time of the event; it will probably be on sale till September 19th, though I don’t know how long after that date they will remain on sale. The point I am trying to make is: “GO Pick UP these GAMES now!!”
