Games, music, movies, and technology roll into a digital burrito!
These new scans from Famitsu feature the new Kingdom Hearts games (KH: Birth by Sleep, KH: 358/2 Days, and KH: Coded) and, even if you can’t read it, the pictures give a pretty good idea of what was shown at the Tokyo Game Show ‘08.
TGS2007 was a great show this year and we at DigiGamer didn’t get to cover it as well as we would have hope with our crazy illnesses and work schedules. Here is a round up of what got us excited from the TGS Floor.
No More Heroes (Wii)
While this is a no surprise to most of our reader that I am crazy about this game. While no, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel it has a certain flair to it that some titles never get “Humor”. We cover a lot on this title already so check the archives for more info and look foward to playing it next year.
Inazuma Eleven (DS)
This upcoming game from Level-5 is the game that I have always wanted and never knew it. For some of us the idea of a soccer RPG seems a little strange, but it could be a sleeper hit if it makes it to North America.
Metal Gear Solid 4(PS3)
While MGS4 is really a no brainer and is shaping up to be one of the best looking games for 2008 and a good reason to own a PS3.
Project O (Wii)
This dream project is looking like another must have Wii title. While it reminds me a small bit of Animal Crossing meet Warcraft, which could be a very good thing. Expect to know more about Project O as its release in 2008 approaches.
Level 5 seems to be setting the bar these day for the new IP RPG market and White Knight Story is no exception. Epic storyline, mecha fighting and beautiful environments are just the start of another title that makes the PS3 a must have system.
Lost Odyssey (Xbox 360)
This was one of the first game that helped the Xbox 360 get my attention and it is finally coming to the system in 2008.
While Metroid Prime 3 has been out for a couple of weeks and most of us are on our way to finishing it on Hyper Mode, we have to come out and say it first. Metroid Prime 3 is the best example of what an FPS or even a first person adventure game should be on the Wii.
Starting from the top, the control scheme for MP3 makes it one of the most immersive experience so far on the Wii. From having to aim for small weak points to the conventional controls of pulling out the levers or pressing the buttons on the elevator. I was a little worried at first that the controls would feel a bit sluggish; but, my fears were put to rest very quickly. I was running and gunning just like I would if this had been on a keyboard and mouse. It is easy to fall in love with this title just from picking up the Wiimote and moving thru the environments.
Speaking of environments the graphics aren’t too shabby themselves. With the addition of some bloom lighting and particle effects, it is easy to spot the differences between the Wii and Gamecube Metroid games. Not to ruin too much of the story, but just seeing some of the dark hallways of this universe light up from the blue glow of phazon is enough to make you walk back and forth saying, “Pinch me! Is this really coming from the Wii?”. I’m not trying to say that Wii games look bad. It is just there was that rocky start where third party titles weren’t even trying to use the extra horse power the Wii provides.
Sadly, we will end on the note of music and sound effects for Metroid. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t bad, but there is so much similarity between this title’s and previous Metroid title’s music. I guess isn’t a bad thing since it is a Metroid game and the familiar music brings back deep, down memories of playing Metroid and Super Metroid all night “back in the day”. This is a new title, for a next generation system, though. I needed a little more “Pizzazz!” in the music to match the leaps that the controls and graphics took, to burn another memory of what music was playing when I fought that awesome Ridley battle or even wandering through the lush environments. Overall, I still say that Metroid Prime 3 is one of the best reasons to have a Wii or reason to buy a Wii.
So have you finished Blue Dragon on the Xbox 360 yet? Are you ready for more? Well if you answer yes to the second question then you are in luck. While Blue Dragon may already have an anime it is also getting a DS game and a collectible card game. While I haven’t really tried a card game since .hack , I would at least give this one a chance if and a DS game is a must have for me. Look for information more information on Blue Dragon DS and the Blue Dragon CCG in the upcoming months.
While some of these might be a little old, I think the Devil May Cry 4 box art is new or maybe the first one I have seen. Also for all of you who done know Zack and Wiki makes its way to store shelves October 23rd and Harvey Birdman on November 13th.
Ubisoft has announced their holiday lineup. Hold tight your inedible greens and non-recyclable plastic rectangles. Remember this is but one publisher’s holiday lineup, but Santa of Doom hears all requests.
Assassin’s Creed™ – One of the most anticipated video games of the year comes to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system in November, and to PC in early 2008.
Beowulf™ – The video game, based on Paramount Pictures’ and Shangri-La Entertainment’s “Beowulf,” the upcoming feature film from Academy Award®-winning director Robert Zemeckis, will be released in November on Xbox 360, the PLAYSTATION 3 system and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system.
Blazing Angels® 2 Secret Missions of WWII – Experience World War II on the PLAYSTATION 3 system as an elite pilot in the follow-up to the successful Blazing Angels® Squadrons of WWII coming for holiday.
Brothers In Arms Hell’s Highway™, previously expected to be released for holiday 2007 will be released on next-generation platforms and PC in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007-08. Brothers in Arms Road to Hill 30 for Wii will be released in December.
CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION™ Hard Evidence – For the first time, CSI fans will be able to play CSI on Xbox 360 and the Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo this holiday.
Haze™ – Legendary development team Free Radical Design teams up with Ubisoft to deliver the mind-altering, technologically superior game Haze, exclusively for the PLAYSTATION 3 system this holiday.
Heroes of Might and Magic® V: Tribes of the East - Enjoy the dramatic evolution and conclusion of the Heroes® V experience this holiday on PC.
NARUTO™: Rise of a Ninja - In a game exclusively developed for Xbox 360 from the ground up and for the first time ever, in October, gamers will experience Naruto starting from the series’ beginning.
Rayman Raving Rabbids® 2 - The bunnies are back and crazier than ever in this new game specially developed for Wii and Nintendo DS™ this holiday.
Chessmaster®: The Art of Learning for DS and Chessmaster®: Grandmaster Edition for PC - In both games, Josh Waitzkin, International Master and eight-time National Chess Champion, coaches players to grasp the basic fundamentals of chess and to master the game through exciting courses and tutorials taken directly from his groundbreaking book, The Art of Learning (Free Press).
Cranium® Kabookii - designed specifically for Wii, Cranium Kabookii is an all-new game where families jam, draw, act and puzzle as they collect points and take center stage in the Kabookii Arena to win. Special Kabookii Decoder Glasses reveal secret answers for added fun!
Imagine™ - The Imagine line allows girls to explore their favourite interests and hobbies - as indicated by extensive lifestyle research on this audience – in an interactive and entertaining way with titles such as Fashion Designer, Happy Cooking and Pet Vet 2 for Nintendo DS and PC.
My Coach - Play and learn with this suite of entertaining training coaches that will teach you languages (My French Coach, My Spanish Coach) or help you to improve your expression (My Word Coach) for DS and Wii.
Petz® - This holiday will see the return of Pippa Funnel®, Catz®, Dogz® and Hamsterz on the DS, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PC – and for the first time on Wii!
from Games Press
Here are what some of the press outlets are saying about Halo 3. While I am sure that most people really don’t need a review, as you are probably knee deep in campaign, with empty game fuel containers and haven’t got a wink of sleep from the midnight madness.
It’s hard to imagine a feature of this game that someone won’t love… Sure, no one aspect of the game is life-changing on its own, but perhaps the package as a whole is. After all, Halo 3 has enough content to keep you stuck to your controller for weeks, if not months or even years.
Halo 3 is one of the most engaging, polished, content-laden pieces of software you’ll ever play. The single-player winds down the story nicely while providing one epic confrontation after another, and you’ll want to finish the fight several times over. It’s relentless, finely crafted, expertly tuned, excellently paced, and incredibly satisfying. And where replay value is concerned, few console games are in the same galaxy.
Computer and Video Games - 97%
Halo 3 is the gaming equivalent of a Hollywood blockbuster. It’s not going to revolutionise the genre - it’s not meant to - it’s meant to be great fun, which it is. Never lose sight of that. The visuals, guns, vehicles, enemies, set-pieces, musical score… they’ve all been cranked up to 11 to create an experience up there with the best sci-fi properties.
The game’s end sequence, to put it mildly, is an eight-car pileup. Fans of the series will recognize it as a poorly veiled swipe of a sequence in the original Halo, a challenge highlighted by a series of goofy circumstances and improbable level design meant to create an explosive end. The end result, however, is fairly absurd, as the whole shebang reeks of game developers wracking their brains to come up with the cleverest, most exciting finish, and shattering the fourth wall in the process.
Halo 3 is fun, and its Forge and Theater modes will provide hours of multiplayer entertainment, but nothing could’ve prepared us for our slight feeling of disappointment. The game’s far too reliant on old gameplay tricks and recycled levels, and it really lost its narrative power.
With all the Halo 3 launch excitement I forgot about the Wii Virtual Console games that came out yesterday.
Kirby’s Avalanche™ (Super NES®, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): Everyone’s favorite round, pink hero takes a break from swallowing his enemies to put your brain to work in this fast-paced puzzle game. Players take control of Kirby and match wits with well-known enemies from the Kirby series (including his archrival, King Dedede) in an effort to win the First Annual Dream Land Avalanche Competition. The simple-but-addictive game play revolves around brightly colored blobs and boulders. When the right amount of matching blobs are stacked, they explode and rain down on your opponent’s field of play. Repeat this until your screen is clear to move on to the next round. But be careful—the farther you advance, the faster the blobs fall and the smarter the opponents get. Are you good enough to help Kirby become the avalanche king?
Streets of Rage™ 3 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, rated E 10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Violence, 800 Wii Points): Just when you thought the world was safe from the Syndicate and its shady leader, Mr. X, they have returned to torment the city once again. Mr. X has developed lifelike robots to take the place of various city officials so he can be in complete control. Now it’s up to our old heroes Axel, Skate and Blaze to stop the threat with their amazing fighting skills. With more weapons and combat moves, as well as secret characters and various endings, this return to the streets is one you won’t want to miss.
LEGEND OF HERO TONMA (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone - Mild Cartoon Violence, 600 Wii Points): LEGEND OF HERO TONMA is an action game that puts players in control of the magic-user Tonma, whose role - as was typical for game heroes of the day - is to travel to another world and save the princess. Fight your way through seven stages using Tonma’s jump ability and shot power. Collect power-ups and barriers to grow in strength and pummel your enemies. Bring that strength to the end of each stage to face off against and defeat the menacing bosses that aim to keep you from the princess. This well-detailed game’s comic visuals and feel will have players wanting to come back for more frantic and exciting action.
Well it is time for one of the most anticipated Xbox 360 games to makes its way to store shelves almost unchallenged. Once again if we didn’t cover a specific title it’s because we feel the game is too niche or not even worth mentioning, but if you still need guidance feel free to contact us
Game Radar: September 24 - 30, 2007 ” Finish the Fight Edition”
(Halo 3 and skate.)
The feature after the jump (click on “read more”) Continue reading ‘Game Radar: September 24 - 30, 2007 ” Finish the Fight Edition”’
No More Heroes is shaping up to be one of the must have games for next year. What I think makes NMH one of those gotta have games is an action game that doesn’t do the expect when it comes to a control scheme. 
Attacking with the beam katana isn’t swing the remote but instead done by pressing the A button and the finishing hit done by an on screen instructions that involve swinging the remote. Also a neat addition is the ability to knock your enemy off balance from a kick and then proceed to perform wrestling move done again by on screen instructions using the remote and the nunchuck. While we haven’t had a chance to ply it personally I am very excited about play it when it hits North America from Ubisoft.
Links and trailer after the jump.
Continue reading ‘TGS07: No More Heroes Hands On Impressions Round-up’