Post by Nester the Lark on Aug 10, 2008 10:34:45 GMT -5
3PS #46
The World Ends With You
Developer: Square-Enix, Jupiter
Publisher: Square-Enix
System: Nintendo DS
Nester: I've been training an assistant to help me with the 3PS, and for this article, I've decided to take him for a run-through. His name is Tobe. Say hello, Tobe!
Tobe: Whatever.
Nester: Today, we'll be talking about The World Ends With You from Square-Enix. Tobe, tell our readers what makes this game interesting.
Tobe: Well, there's some kids, and some experience points, and you scream into the microphone, and I think there's some bad guys or something.
Nester: I think what Tobe is trying to say is that The World Ends With You is a very unique take on the RPG genre. Everything from the art style, to the setting, to the premise, and even the game mechanics provide a fresh experience.
The graphics have a great, hand drawn comic book style that is reminiscent of Sega's Jet Set Radio series. The music is also very cool, featuring rock and hip hop styles.
Tell them about the story, Tobe.
Tobe: It has one.
Nester: The game stars a boy named Neku who has lost his memory.
Tobe: That's unique?
Nester: But, you see, Neku is dead, and he discovers that when you die, you're forced to play what's called the "Reapers' Game." If you win, you get a second chance at life. If you lose, you're erased from existence.
The game takes place in modern day Japan in the Shibuya district. As a ghost, Neku is able to roam around without being seen. He can read people's minds, and even influence them to a degree. Neku can also equip different brands of clothing. Wearing the more popular brands of a particular area enhances its benefits. He also has to fight enemies, which makes interesting use of the DS interface. Tell them about that, Tobe.
Tobe: Some stuff happens, and you push some buttons and scribble on the screen, get hand cramps, and look like a moron.
Nester: Tobe, did you even research this game like I asked you to?
Tobe: Sorta.
Nester: You fight reapers in both the real world, or "Realground," and the "Underground," which is the afterlife, but you do it at the same time via the dual screens. A character in the Realground fights on the top screen, and you control him/her with the directional pad and buttons. Neku fights in the Underground on the touch screen using touch controls. It can bit a bit confusing at first, but it's very innovative, and it could not be done on any other platform.
So, if you're tired of traditional RPG conventions and are interested in something a bit more stylish and avant garde, The World Ends With You is definitely a game you should check out. Right, Tobe?
Tobe: Hey, didn't you say I'd get a reward?
Nester: No, I said writing the 3PS is its own reward.
Tobe: You believe that? What a sucker! Why don't you write about Mario or something? At least Nintendo makes it. Third-party games blow.
Nester: Tobe, you're fired.
Tobe: Whatever.
Bonus Links
Official Trailer
Official Site - North America
Official Site - Europe
The World Ends With You
Developer: Square-Enix, Jupiter
Publisher: Square-Enix
System: Nintendo DS
Nester: I've been training an assistant to help me with the 3PS, and for this article, I've decided to take him for a run-through. His name is Tobe. Say hello, Tobe!
Tobe: Whatever.
Nester: Today, we'll be talking about The World Ends With You from Square-Enix. Tobe, tell our readers what makes this game interesting.
Tobe: Well, there's some kids, and some experience points, and you scream into the microphone, and I think there's some bad guys or something.
Nester: I think what Tobe is trying to say is that The World Ends With You is a very unique take on the RPG genre. Everything from the art style, to the setting, to the premise, and even the game mechanics provide a fresh experience.
The graphics have a great, hand drawn comic book style that is reminiscent of Sega's Jet Set Radio series. The music is also very cool, featuring rock and hip hop styles.
Tell them about the story, Tobe.
Tobe: It has one.
Nester: The game stars a boy named Neku who has lost his memory.
Tobe: That's unique?
Nester: But, you see, Neku is dead, and he discovers that when you die, you're forced to play what's called the "Reapers' Game." If you win, you get a second chance at life. If you lose, you're erased from existence.
The game takes place in modern day Japan in the Shibuya district. As a ghost, Neku is able to roam around without being seen. He can read people's minds, and even influence them to a degree. Neku can also equip different brands of clothing. Wearing the more popular brands of a particular area enhances its benefits. He also has to fight enemies, which makes interesting use of the DS interface. Tell them about that, Tobe.
Tobe: Some stuff happens, and you push some buttons and scribble on the screen, get hand cramps, and look like a moron.
Nester: Tobe, did you even research this game like I asked you to?
Tobe: Sorta.
Nester: You fight reapers in both the real world, or "Realground," and the "Underground," which is the afterlife, but you do it at the same time via the dual screens. A character in the Realground fights on the top screen, and you control him/her with the directional pad and buttons. Neku fights in the Underground on the touch screen using touch controls. It can bit a bit confusing at first, but it's very innovative, and it could not be done on any other platform.
So, if you're tired of traditional RPG conventions and are interested in something a bit more stylish and avant garde, The World Ends With You is definitely a game you should check out. Right, Tobe?
Tobe: Hey, didn't you say I'd get a reward?
Nester: No, I said writing the 3PS is its own reward.
Tobe: You believe that? What a sucker! Why don't you write about Mario or something? At least Nintendo makes it. Third-party games blow.
Nester: Tobe, you're fired.
Tobe: Whatever.
Bonus Links
Official Trailer
Official Site - North America
Official Site - Europe
