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Archives for February 2008

In [Nat’s] Hands: Wipeout Pulse

Wipeout PulseAs many of you know, I’ve been going on and on the last couple of days (or is it weeks) about Patapon. Yes, it is a PSP must buy, and yes, it is a challenge to play. However, this post is not about that game. I actually ended up with something unexpected on top of Patapon.

While getting another game for my brother’s birthday (the greatest console game of all time, in my opinion) and trading in a bunch of games (a LOT, but not all, and if you’ve been following my little project here that may gave you a hint of another upcoming post), I was able to score Wipeout Pulse for $5 with a trade promotion and still keep a lot of my credit.

I’m not a big fan of the Wipeout games, but some people are diehard fanatics. Insane people. However, I have owned every Wipeout game on the PSP (there’s been only one) . At $5, how could I not pass it up. (I broke my “no new games” rule. I’ll confess later).

Anyway, this title is probably has the best presentation I’ve ever seen in a handheld game. Name any recent feature found in games and Wipeout Pulse has it: achievements, wifi play, major stat tracking, nostalgia play, minor rpg elements, a great soundtrack, custom soundtracks using your own MP3s, JPG screenshots you can save to the memory stick, and the list goes on. There’s even a browser link in game that let’s you get more vehicles, tracks, and other such goodies from a PSP formatted website. Oh, and there’s 8 person online play. That feature alone makes it that there is no excuse for any racing game on the PSP to not have online play.

In some respects this game appears to be a giant homage to the diehard fans. However, the game does appear to be getting favorable reviews from mainstream outlets. Their only complaint seems to be that the races really offer nothing new and that the endgame can be difficult. I find that to be ironic that most reviews mention that because the Wipeout games have never really changed all that much as far as gameplay is concerned.

According to my profile’s stat page, I’ve only played 2 minutes and 33 seconds on one race. (I finished 7th out of 8 slots), but I figure I’ll probably pick this game up from time to time for some fast-paced filler.

Oh, did I mention that you can create custom decals to share online for your racers? The only downside is that it appears that add-on content for some of the items will cost some moolah. That’s kind of a bummer because the previous game offered downloadable content for FREE. We can probably thank Xbox Live for that.

It’s Final Fantasy Tactics, and I need more parenthetical references (maybe?).

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

A couple of weeks ago, I shared with you about my little renaissance I’ve had with Puzzle Quest. It is the only game I’ve really put some time into this last month while my family and I were (and are) under the weather. Well, it seems as if D3 Publishers of America has finally release information about their pseudo-sequel called Puzzle Quest: Galactrix. This person is excited. Puzzle Quest is the only game I have bought three times: DS, 360, and PC.

If you’ve never played it, get the PC demo. I guarantee, you’ll get it for something. (It’s available everywhere at budget pricing). Kotaku was able to score an interview with the developer and they were able to address some things and find out a little more about the gameplay.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

The round pieces have changed to hexagonal ones and extra challenge has been added by the movement of the hexagons once you have matched up your three or more. Instead of dropping straight down, your columns slide diagonally, and depending on which piece you move, the columns will fill in either from the left or the right. Gravity will have a bearing on the various movements of the pieces as well making you have to think in several directions at once.

One of the things I asked about was whether the AI was going to be improved over the seemingly punishingly difficult AI of the original Puzzle Quest. I was told that the developers had heard players issues and it was something they were working on.

The game is set to be released later this year, and that’s just not soon enough.

Thanks to Kotaku for the pic. Be sure to head there for more info.

Pata Pata Pata Pon

Patapon Screenie

I am predicting that particular phrase will become a part of 2008 video game vernacular. Having just finished only the demo, I’m predicting this will (1) either be PSP game of the year or (2) be a good year for the PSP.

Patapon may be a little hard to describe but it’s essentially a rhythm RPG game. I use the term RPG lightly because it’s in experience only. You have these little creatures that look like eyeballs that basically worship you. They’ll perform actions for you in a four beat rhythm. Along the way, they build experience, gain new weapons and armor, and a couple of new skills. You can also do minor formations to your little armies. Screenshots of this game really don’t do it justice. Many a times I was distracted (initially) on playing by just listening to these little guys and laughing at their animations.

A demo has been out for about a week or two and if you have a PSP you should snag it. I guarantee you’ll play it straight through. Plus, at the end of the demo, the game lets you perform a special save that provides you with a unique weapon to use with the retail game. I’ve had this game pre-purchased for over two months and I’ve raved about it before. (Go there for some old gameplay video). At $20 it is a PSP must buy. Come this Tuesday, I’ll be throwing my army into the rhythmic fray.

New Kids on my Block, Part 6

It’s that time again, kids. Time for a stroll around the gaming blogosphere, checking out some new sites I’ve come across in the past few months. I don’t have time to expound on the greatness of everyone on the list, but I tried. Check them out, in no particular order:

Coyote Sharptongue is one of the many bloggers at MMO-supersite Ten Ton Hammer. He’s quite a funny guy with a knack of knowing what male blog readers want (if you know what I mean, and you do). His piece on Bards was particularly high-larious.

I’ve mentioned Zack Hiwiller’s blog around these parts before, but he also gets mentioned as a new kid. A great read.

Difference in Opinion is just that – a blog with differing views on entertainment. Lots of reviews there.

UGO Gamesblog – The UGO Gamesblog has been around for a while, but I didn’t start reading it until Wombat from the CAGCast starting blogging there.

Keen and Graev’s Gaming Blog – MMO bloggers that bring constant, solid content on a regular basis.

Loading Reality – A group blog, with an accompanying podcast.

The AT Wire – A little bit of it all.

The Nut and the Feisty Weasel – Bill and Todd are former Sportsgamer Blog bloggers, but they couldn’t shake the blogging sickness.

MEGATonik – surprise, surprise, another group blog. Lots of videos and reviews.

Music. Mayhem. Blog. – Yup, that just about covers it!

Lag-O-Rama – Great name for an MMO blog.

JaySlacks – A blog “dedicated to any and everything awesome.” Naturally, that would entail a heavy dose of video gaming.

Save The Robot – Smart gaming commentary. At least smarter than most places.

Daniel Primed’s Gamer Blog – Little bit of everything

The Somewhat Manly Nerd – He may be somewhat manly, but the Buttonmasher is 100% manly nerd. His love for Buttonmashing.com favorite LeBron James gives him like 20 manly nerd points. Making him somewhat-more manly.

Co-Optimus is gaming site dedicated to the finer points of co-op gaming. It’s the brainchild of Evil Avatar’s BAPenguin. While it’s more than a blog, I like it. This is my list, so it gets added.

The Long Shot – Commentary on PC gaming done by a fellow Gaming Dad.

Double You Tee Eff – This guy’s been blogging for a long time. Not sure why I just recently stumbled across his stuff.

Insult Swordfighting – Another entry into the “great blog names.”

Rock, Paper, Shotgun – All the in-the-know-gamers are already reading RPS. Which I’m totally sure that includes you, dear reader.

So go forth and read the bloggy goodness. I can’t believe it’s been six months since I did the last one. The next one won’t take six months, believe that.

Previous New Kids:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Mario Galaxy is Old School

There’s nothing innovative about Mario Galaxy. We could have had it back in the early ’90s. Cool re-imagining.

[Wii] Okami Goodness?

I know of one reader here that goes crazy anytime Okami is mentioned. It’s sort of a “painter’s” RPG. Well, that’s not a really good description but it’s a game that’s been on my radar for a while. It came out earlier for the PS2, but Capcom is making a Wii port. It seems only obvious to do with the Wii controls. I think it’s beauty in videogame form. Roger Ebert has no clue what he’s talking about.

 

Thanks to Kotaku for the heads up.

All Good Things…Part 2

Four months ago, I gave myself the herculean task of completing every videogame I own. It’s been many things: daunting, rewarding, and even downright boring in some parts. Most games started off great and some have just come to a complete stop. It’s painful completing some of them. My vow was to not get any new games until this list was complete and I broke it in the middle of January. It looks like I have five games to add to this list. However, I did want to share with you my progress since October. Now, realize that I started every game over from scratch. You can see my progress below. (Click on it for a larger image).

The List
As you can tell, I’ve only completed one game and not even started three of them. I think I’ve made pretty good progress over the last four months. I basically, took note of where I was in a game and compared it to a walkthrough. That’s where I got the percentages. I hope to finish up some of these soon. Out of this list, I think I’ll trade them all in but one or two.