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Post by Dances in Undergarments on Dec 3, 2006 21:47:12 GMT -5
Heard lots about Gunstar, and will be making the plunge when I pick up my Wii.
Another good write-up, Corey. Well done.
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Post by Fryguy64 on Dec 4, 2006 10:42:24 GMT -5
Oops! Nearly forgot to sticky this thread!  There you go Corey! All yours. |
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Post by Nester the Lark on Dec 4, 2006 12:10:25 GMT -5
Awesome! Thanks, Fry! And thanks for the complement, DiU!
As per the nitpicking in "The Official Nintendo Wish List '06" thread, perhaps I should rename this thread "The Official 3rd Party Showcase"?
Actually, now that I look at it, does "3PS" resemble "PS3" a little too much?
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Post by mrmolecule on Dec 4, 2006 17:29:15 GMT -5
Actually, now that I look at it, does "3PS" resemble "PS3" a little too much? Yes. |
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Post by Dances in Undergarments on Dec 4, 2006 20:58:25 GMT -5
Only if you are incredibly dislexic - and if you are you'd think the GCN is a Neo Geo Colour anyway.
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Post by Fryguy64 on Dec 5, 2006 4:02:11 GMT -5
Who ever called it a Gamecube Nintendo anyway? It's GC or NGC. Even Nintendo makes marketing errors |
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Post by mrmolecule on Dec 5, 2006 17:33:42 GMT -5
I still call it GCN, because its official! It just sounds better.
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Post by Nester the Lark on Dec 10, 2006 11:37:23 GMT -5
3PS #4
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
System: DS
Let’s say your out in public. Maybe you’re in a restaurant or waiting for a bus. You decide to whip out your DS to pass the time. At length, some curious soul nearby notices you.
“Is that one of those iPod things?” you’re asked.
“No,” you reply, “It’s a Nintendo DS. You play video games on it.”
Pursuing casual curiosity, this person goes on ask what sort of game you’re playing. If you say your playing a shoot-em-up or some other typical genre, your inquisitor will likely lose interest. But if you say that you’re playing a lawyer game, then get ready for further questioning!
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is really no more a law simulation than Trauma Center is a medical sim. You spend your time examining testimonials, providing evidence and spotting contradictions in your efforts to reveal the truth. Additionally, you also do your own investigating at various crime scenes, dusting for fingerprints and uncovering clues. It’s clearly not an exciting game.
OBJECTION! The over-the-top presentation gives the game a lot more energy than you might think, and the overwhelming odds against you provide a lot of motivation to succeed. It may not have much action, but the experience is very engaging. The game’s personality is the key.
Despite being developed and published by completely different companies, Phoenix Wright and Trauma Center are almost like companion games. They each take a subject that doesn’t initially sound like the basis of a fun video game, and then create very compelling and unique gaming experiences. Judge for yourself. This is the kind of creativity the DS was intended for.
Ironically, Phoenix Wright is a remake of a Game Boy Advance game that was released only in Japan. The GBA series has already seen three installments over there with a fourth in development specifically for the DS. As with the original game, the sequel has also been remade for the DS, and it’s scheduled for international release next year.
The evidence is clear. Capcom has created a unique, compelling and fun game for the DS that relies on logic and reasoning more than dexterity. If new gaming experiences are the reason you own a DS, then Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney belongs in your game library. I rest my case.
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Post by Nester the Lark on Dec 17, 2006 12:19:16 GMT -5
3PS #5
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
System: DS
It was 20 years ago on a dark and stormy night. The moon was full, the wind was cold, and Konami released the original Castlevania on the NES. To this very day, the series has continually revived over multiple platforms, haunting gamers year after year. In recent times, the best installments of the series have seen light on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. This tradition continues with Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin.
Ever since the release of Symphony of the Night on the PlayStation in 1997, many games in the series have followed the Metroid-formula. While Portrait of Ruin doesn’t stray too far from this formula, it attempts to freshen it up with a few new twists. Most noticeable is the inclusion of two playable characters on-screen at the same time. You can switch between them at will, and they can interact with each other, teaming up for attacks. It’s a pretty fun gimmick.
The game map, itself, has been divided into several areas. Rather than just explore one huge castle (or two), you can transport to other areas (via magic paintings) that have their own map screen. These areas are generally much more linear and serve as a throwback to the classic Castlevania games of yore. Altho none of these individual maps are anywhere near as large as the castles in previous games, the overall game is about 50% larger than Dawn of Sorrow.
Portrait of Ruin also offers something that has never, ever appeared in a Castlevania game before. For the first time, two players can team up and take on the unholy minions in a special 2-player co-op mode. It’s restricted to a simple Boss Rush type of game, but it’s compatible over both LAN and Nintendo Wi-fi Connection. Your friend can hold the stake while you drive it in, and you don’t even have to be on the same continent!
So, as the wolves howl against a large, full moon, and the children of the night seek fresh prey in the unsettling darkness, keep your dual screens brightly lit. The tried and true gameplay, new features, and multi-player mode make yet another handheld Castlevania worth braving the horrors for. Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or a long time fan, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin is a frighteningly good game for the DS. And unlike Dracula, it doesn’t suck.
Release: 11-16-06 (Japan), 12-5-06 (NA), 2-23-07 (Europe), February 2007 (Australia)
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Post by Dances in Undergarments on Dec 17, 2006 20:23:05 GMT -5
I really liked the only other Castlevania game I've played (DoS), so I'll be there with bells on for the release of this. Yet another nice review, Corey.
Although...
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Post by Nester the Lark on Dec 17, 2006 21:14:56 GMT -5
Are you referring to the spelling of "altho"? It's an accepted alternate spelling (albeit, informal) according to the American Heritage Dictionary, but I will be interested to see what Fry does to it when he puts it on the site.  FYI, I use "altho", "tho", and "thru" for "although", "though", and "through". It's just simpler spelling, and all are in the dictionary. But if it really bothers you, I can stop. |
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Post by kirbychu on Dec 18, 2006 5:34:26 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure those spellings are only acceptable in America... I've seen "thru" on a sign at Disneyworld, but my grandmother (a headteacher over here) was throroughly insulted by it.
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Post by Fryguy64 on Dec 18, 2006 6:42:07 GMT -5
FYI, I use "altho", "tho", and "thru" for "although", "though", and "through". It's just simpler spelling, and all are in the dictionary. But if it really bothers you, I can stop. They're certainly not in any dictionary that I have ever owned. It's a bad habit, like using "u" instead of "you" - only it's been ingrained in American English for longer. You don't have to stop using them, but I will be changing them when transcribing them onto the website. |
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Post by Nester the Lark on Dec 18, 2006 12:12:22 GMT -5
You're probably right that it's more an American thing. The last formal attempt to simplify the English language (in America) was just over 100 years ago, hence why some American spelling is different from British spelling (ie "color" instead of "colour"). Fry implies that simpler spelling is a bad habit, acceptable only because it's been ingrained in the language longer. I ask, what threshold is he using? Sorry. I don't mean to make too much of an issue out of it. (My mother was an English/grammar teacher, so I had to pick up something. ) There's a fine line between the evolution of a language and just being sloppy. And, it's worth noting, that the spell checker on these forums may not recognize "thru", "tho" or "altho", but it doesn't recognize "colour" either. Also, I'll use the longer spelling for the 3PS from now on. |
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Post by mrmolecule on Dec 18, 2006 12:19:34 GMT -5
IMHO, I used to say "Walkthru". I will continue to use "donut", though. (as opposed to "doughnut")
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