Re: Where is my El Shaddai (1 year ago)

I saw this today at JBHiFi Bourke Street. $89 both versions.

I imported this when it came out in the US. Not since Killer 7 has there been something with such a brave art direction. Gameplay is pretty good with enjoyable combat and ok 2d & 3d platforming. Roughly 7 hours. Even the game tells you that.

Okami fans will find it similar in some ways (platforming, concept, combat) but really just go into it for the stonking visual and audio goodness.

Re: Must have wii games! (1 year ago)

Add Everybody's Rhythm Tengoku (Rhythm Heaven) to that list. Import it as it's not really reliant on text at all.

You can wait for the pending local release but date is still unknown and the cool j-pop songs will be replaced by english versions or at worst instrumentals.

Re: Shadows of the Damned (1 year ago)

Let's not forget the other half of this team: videogame action director extraordinaire Shinji Mikami. He'll be there to make sure the action is well paced and tense.

Been dying for another collaboartion of these two since Killer 7. Can't Wait.

Re: Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon (1 year ago)

EDF was the first 360 game I ever had. So yes I am a fan. I've never played the PS2 entries but was happy enough with the 360 one. I wasn't sold until the first beach mission and the Giant 4 legged walker comes from the sea and started to spew out flying drones and when it finally reached the shore, it started dropping more flying drones and those giant robots.

Then I was totally sold by the time I had to fight it again going through a city.

Co-op is incredible fun so was over the moon that there will be 6 player co-op online. Splitscreen was not the best for this game but still worked.

I'm a bit concerned that it's not going to be made by the same team but I'm hopeful that they will stay true to the spirit of EDF and go balls out.

Re: Nintendo 3DS General Discussion (1 year ago)

I picked it up today at JB. $59.

Looks pretty but not mindblowing. This is my first DOA game so I guess I'm in for a treat with this kind of "Best Of" package.

Re: Excitebike 3DS - Free With 3DS Update in May (2 years ago)

I'm guessing this will be a remake of the original 8bit version using the assetts from the 3DS Sound player Excitebike Visualization. Which will be rad.

Nice of Nintendo to give it free.

Re: Xbox Live Update - 13/04/2011 (2 years ago)

1200 for Clash Of Heroes. Also Yars Revenge is another XBLA title at 800msp.

Re: Suggest me a game! (2 years ago)

I suggest...

- Red Faction: Guerrilla
Tonnes of destructive fun. Big game with loads to do if repetitive. I like to dub this game the true next-gen bomberman game.

- Just Cause 2
The biggest (?) open world game out where you can literally go to what you can see after the introductory/training stages. You'll be hard pressed to cover the map in a week. It can get repetitive much like Red Faction but it breed familiarity. Its nice to know that with a single icon on the map that you know exactly what you need to do.

Re: Dreamcast Collection Review (2 years ago)

Saved and ONLY purchased due to Space Channel 5 Part 2. Would have rather SC5p2 be a XBLA title (which the 360 recognizes it as) but at least it's in disc format and the bonus 4 track Vinyl as a trinket.

Sonic Adventure emulated the loading as well. Terribly long and ludicrous nowadays.

Re: Nintendo 3DS General Discussion (2 years ago)

I think it has been mentioned before, so forgive me if I'm repeating it. When you get streetpass Mii's (remember up to 10 at a time) when you go into the Mii Plaza, the gate cut scene will come on with the Mii's greeting yours. When you are in the menu make sure you go in and collect the puzzle pieces and quest right away, as the next time you go and streetpass some more Mii's and greet this new set of Mii's you will not be able to use the previous Mii's for puzzle or quest.

This is what I have found because I had 4 new ones and I went into the plaza to check them out, closed Mii Plaza, got new Mii's and went back in and only the latest Mii's gave me puzzle and quests.

EDIT: theory beat me to it and in fewer words. So is it as long as you use them as soon as you boot Mii Plaza? Hence exiting without using the Mii's for puzzle or questing will result in forfeited chances.

Also, those unhappy with DS games running on the 3DS seemingly worse than on an actual DS console (due to upscaling, resulting in colours a bit washed out and sometimes blurry looking) you can hold Select [EDIT: Thanks to Esposch for the info of only needing to hold Select] as you boot the DS game and it will produce a 1:1 pixel ratio. This means a smaller picture due to the higher resolution of the 3DS. It's about a 3rd of the top screen and half of the bottom screen but will give you better colours and a sharper image.

Re: Nintendo 3DS General Discussion (2 years ago)

Not only that, you can change the date, to say a week, or two or a month before (even a year) today and shake it for the 10 coins, change it to the next day, get ten coins, change to next day and so forth. Although the machine warns you that changing the date can affect your Activity Log and possible activity data lost. I never personally did this but a mate did.

I like the fact that even with a bodgy set of launch games there's still some gems that people are personally finding, besides SSF4, I'm glad I personally fell in love with Ghost Recon SW and people are loving Lego Star Wars 3, Rabbids 3D and PES. It gives us all of a little mroe hands-on and local point of view than a lot of the methodical and jaded reviews out there. The x-factor so to speak.

Re: Nintendo 3DS General Discussion (2 years ago)

Yes. I have. I'm really liking it. One of the best launch games for the system. I was dubious but it's an accessible turn based strategy game with enough depth to satisfy TBS veterans.

It is a lot more like Fire Emblem in a way that each unit is a character themselves. So, this isn't like the Advance Wars way of managing resources and producing disposable units (look into the handheld versions of Tom Clancy's End War for those). While you won't get 30 characters to choose from, you have 6 characters with the typical squad cliche's (soldier, sniper, heavy, medic, commander & technician) and you use them strategically to tackle some challenging set-pieces.

The game is headed by X-Com creator so there's pedigree and experience behind the game and it shows with all the detail and nuances to the turn based game mechanics. With interesting take on weapon, turn and priority structures. It all works wonderfully well. There's 3 difficulties you can tackle to cater for beginners to the experienced strategists, complete with incentives and rewards for tackling the hardest difficulty.

The graphics are nice but not mind-blowing. The 3D is just a gimmick. It looks nice but you'd eventually turn it off on long sessions. The story is LOL so don't expect anything worthy in that regard. If you are a fan of turn based strategy games, the X-com games or the Fire Emblem games, or just wanting something that is perfect for handheld gaming (in terms of being able to look away anytime and the action remains static), then this comes highly recommended.

--------

Back on topic. I'm really liking the implementation of the 360 like friends list where you are able to see who is online and what they are currently playing and their favorite game. The Activity Log with all sorts of stats and data of your 3DS playtime presented in text or graph format with filters galore. It appears Nintendo really paid attention to how social networking on consoles tick. It's still not perfect but certainly a huge step for the ultra-online-cautious Nintendo.

EDIT: Corrected some spelling and grammar errors.

Re: Nintendo 3DS General Discussion (2 years ago)

I didn't realize I had to initialize any of the streetpass for the Mii plaza to acquire them while out. Managed to do it halfway today and walked a bit in the city. Managed to get 1. I should have gone to EB Swanston.

Loving the OS in this and how it all works. The 3D effect is great and the launch lineup is pretty abysmal bar SSF4. Although am enjoying Ghost Recon in a Fire Emblem kind of way.

Re: Okamiden - DS Game of the Forever! (2 years ago)

Loving this game. A bit annoyed by the large maps divided up into tiny loaded sections but the gameplay remains intact and who can resist the charms of little Chibiterasu.

Also I've forgotten how off kilter the humour was in this game, glad they kept it along with some heartfelt moments. Even without the original creator/director on the helm they are doing a fine job and keeping it in spirit.

Re: Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2 years ago)

Haggar Cat is as rough and tough as man Haggar! Fave!

Re: Nintendo Store Update - 25/02/11 (2 years ago)

I checked at about 10pm Saturday Night and Bit Trip Flux is out for WiiWare. Huzzah! 800 points.

Re: Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2 years ago)

Hmm the game is tonnes of fun and there's great variety in the playstyles of each character but it just doesn't ignite me as much as MvC2 did. It could be the damage dealt is way too much (I know you can adjust this, but basing it off normal) or the airborne game is slowed and reduced. The assists can be spammed so much too since the recharge time is so quick.

I'm still preferring Tatsunoko vs Capcom due to it's tighter feel and the Baroque system is a lot better and fairer than MvC3's X-Factor system. Plus a preference over the Tatsunoko characters over the Marvel ones.

And what the heck is with Galactus. Those hyper ultra beam and final smash he does is just ridiculous but he is easy once you figure it out. The silver duo fight is what really kills you in the long run.

Re: Xbox Live Update - 15/02/2011 (2 years ago)

I do. Still dissapointed that we still don't have Contra Rebirth on WiiWare. My $20 is waiting tomorrow.

Re: Dark Souls gameplay trailer (2 years ago)

Can't wait for the pleasurable pain to return. Dark mistress of gaming, I'm ready to get whupped all over again.

Re: SNES compatibility? (2 years ago)

You cannot play Japanese or US (different shape anyway) SNES games on your PAL console BUT you can get a convertor or adaptor that allows you to play them. But I think they get slowed down to PAL 50hz speeds.

Re: Kirby Wii reconfirmed with new trailer, plus new games (2 years ago)

Wow. This is the type of Kirby game I've been waiting for since the SNES Superstar/Fun Pak. The newer Kirby games were slowed down and generally flatlined in intensity.

This one looks like they took the basic premise and built on it to once again have outrageous fun with Kirby's basic abilities (eating and different hats).

I await this much more than Epic Yarn.

Re: From the Creator of Phoenix Wright: Ghost Trick (2 years ago)

So back on topic... This game was ont he shelves today and I was really curious on what the Ace Attorney Team have made on a new IP.

I've only played the first opening chapter only but this is a lot more action puzzle oriented than I expected. Think of it like a thinking man's "Mouse Trap" game. Where you act as the "ball" to trigger all sorts of inanimate objects to cascade into one another to reach your destination. There are still lots of text to read ala Ace Attorney but the pace is quicker. Nothing to cross reference, since well... you can't speak. You as a ghost pretty much use paranormal activity to save, hinder or reach your goal. It feels fresh yet just slightly familiar for AA fans.

The visuals are phenomenal with a rotoscoped look similar to games of yore, Out Of This World and Flashback. It's textureless characters with bold primary colours and pronounced features give it a distinct art style that makes the game feel like a vaudevillian painting come to life. With animation so fluid, it's really just gorgeous to watch. Unless you don't like art direction erring more towards pronounced caricatures.

The audio is suitable to the visuals with familiar sounding punctuated event chimes that will make you think Phoenix Wright, but it tends to go more for a noir feel seeing the subject matter is about death.

Overall I'm impressed and look forward to playing more. Especially after the rather sedate Miles Edgeworth game. More soon. Let's hope the drama in the game can rival the peaks that Trials & Tribulations and Apollo Justice had.

Re: Dead Space 2 intense trailer (2 years ago)

Can't wait myself here.

I'm not a fan of the new suit tho. Still prefer the iconic look of the original's. This one is too slick looking. Like he's stepped right out of Vanquish.

Nice to see them just label it "action horror" and that trailer proved it. I'm guessing there will be very little downtime in the game. Just set-piece after action set piece.

Re: Marvel vs. Capcom 3 (2 years ago)

Great, It will be an easy transition from Tatsunoko vs. Capcom then. Which had a similar control set-up of L, M & H plus an assist button, instead they changed it to Aerial Combo button and separate assist buttons.

So does that mean launchers no longer has to be df + H? You just push the Aerial Combo button?

Re: Your Top 5 Games of the Year 2010 (2 years ago)

Lists!!! AHH I can't resist!!!!

5. DJ Hero 2
Improved every single complaint people had with the original. Shaped a more focused tracklisting giving the game that unique personality that the first game lacked. The quality of the mash-ups has been stepped up from the already amazing work done on the first game and what you have is the best rhythm game to come out at a time when it has become oversaturated and stale.

4. Mass Effect 2
Improved upon all the niggles from the first game with better hacking, a much tighter combat and streamlined exploration. Of course all the talky talky is there and the story might turn off some with a more middling set-up part of the trilogy but its character centric focus on the narrative was a winner for me. Bring on part 3.

3. Demon's Souls
This game will make a man out of you. To quote (off the top of my head) one of the best reviews I've seen: "This game will pulverize your balls. If you don't have any, it will force you to grow them and then pulverize it over and over." The game isn't unfairly difficult. It just forces you to prepare and be cautious. Eschewing all the modern gaming comforts we have taken granted, Demon's Souls brings it back to basics and there's no one else to blame but yourself when you die and lose every soul you just collected.

2. Just Cause 2
This is THE open world/sandbox game to end all others. With a world so ridiculously large. If you can see it, you can go there and man can you go there. From motorcycles to 747 Passenger planes or even just use your parachute and grapple hook. The story is laughable and the missions repetitive and basic. But it's the messing around in a huge open world that makes this one of the best for me. Now Avalanche Studios, please do a co-op mode for Just Cause 3 and I'll be happy.

1. Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow
You can tell Mercury put so much love into this game. Blood sweat and tears oozing from every pixel, polygon, texture, animation, menu, music, sound effects and gameplay. It's a huge game befitting of his struggle. There appears to be more downtime dedicated to the ambient spleandor of just traversing beautifully landscaped terrain with eye-melting vistas and realistic lighting. From the tranquil forests, to serene snow coveren mountains to aggressive marshes and that spectacular castle. Carefully entwined with a soundtrack of ambient orchestral scores that evoked a morose foreboding feel to an adventure you know will have a sombre conclusion. Oh the combat is pretty nifty too that puts power right on your hands with the light and dark system. The biggest surprise of the year for me and a peerless GotY.

Re: Donkey Kong Country: Returns (2 years ago)

Playing with the Wiimote sideways is probably the most difficult way to waggle. I refuse to use analogue for 2d platformers that's why the waggle is a big fail and a huge notch off the game.

I understand it would be a heck of a lot easier with the nunchuk setup.

Re: Castlevania LoS (2 years ago)

Wow. A little too far apart for the DLC but I hope they are pretty substantial (ala Borderlands) but anything for this game.

This is my GotY (tied with Just Cause 2) and I'll gladly part with my money for anything relating to the game. Can't wait.

Re: Good time to buy Wii or wait? (2 years ago)

I spotted EB with $218 for the Red one (with Wiimote Plus and NSMB and Sports). I think Dick Smith has it for the same price for the Black or White Wii both with Wiimote Plus but with Sports Resort and Sports.

Not sure if the EB deal is nationwide or branch specific though.

As for single player games. I highly reccomend these but make sure you do some research (read text reviews, watch the game in motion and read forum posts from regular joes like us):

- Little King's Story
- Mad World
- Zack & Wiki
- Deadly Creatures
- Disaster
- Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn
- Battalion Wars 2
- Muramasa
- Monster Hunter Tri
- Punch Out
- Sin & Punishment 2
- Donkey Kong Country Returns
- Epic Mickey
- Rabbids Go Home
- Rayman Raving Rabbids Trilogy Pack (don't buy separately)

Light Gun games:
- House of the Dead Overkill
- Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles
- Resident Evil The Darkside Chronicles
- Dead Space Extraction

That's just off the top of my head.

Re: Real life fears experienced in games (2 years ago)

The first time they introduce the giant Spiders in Resident Evil remake on the Gamecube was classic. Then they put 3-5 of them together and then that van sized boss one later.

Raw fear I felt mainly while playing any of the Project Zero/Fatal Frame games. To the point where I had to take a break every 20 minutes to gather my resolve and then try pushing on again.

Games like Silent Hill does all the all bark no bite. Project Zero has a lot of bark but also feel the bite when it happens. Just ask anyone who played through part 3 and had to go through the crawlspace under the floor.

Re: Nintendo Wii FAQ/Troubleshooting Thread (2 years ago)

Unfortunately no Matth3w. You download it, it is forever stuck in that one console. The DRM is stuck with the console rather that an account (unlike XBL or PSN downloads).

I think Nintendo can transfer the downloaded games to a new console if the original one dies. Not 100% sure though.