New Xenoblade Trailer [Wii - Neil MacVicar 04/26/2010]
There isn't much going around when it comes to this game let alone gameplay. I have found very few japanese screens. Fortunately there's a new trailer for us all to enjoy. This dude's blade may be big but at this point it alone isn't drawing enough attention while this game is being overshadowed by the mysterious Last Story on the Wii and sexy Agarest War on the 360.
Does Samus Need A Break [Wii - Neil MacVicar 04/13/2010]
What you see above is the new face of Samus Aran. One of the few Nintendo mascots that I truly respected. That was when I was 10. This is standard Nintendo procedure to milk everything that have out of a a good franchise....and then keep going. Metroid Another M gives a deeper look at Samus Aran, you could even say that this game is targeted at a new generation. It's important that I point out that I've played several Metroid games and my favourites are Echoes and Zero mission, on the game cube and gameboy advance respectively.
This game compiles the handheld spinoff game play with the console Metroid Prime series. Generally gameplay is a 3rd person side-scroller, this automatically allows the use of moves like the screw attack or speed dash that would be too disorienting to pull of in first person.
The combat gets hectic once you are changing between 3rd and 1st person views on the fly. This is the huge problem, most of the console users are at home with the Metroid Prime hub, but you won't be using it much because you can't move during the switch.
Jump into battle relying on auto aim for these sequences, it probably will have a nice retro feel because of this, but with enemies in 3D the targetting could get frustrating.
The same awesome fps mechanics are still there, but this player better switch back to 3rd person soon unless they want to be scewered by those pearly whites.
Unfortunately I feel this game doesn't lives up to it's predecessors. Will Metroid fans and younger kids buy this and enjoy it? Most likely. Team Ninja is a geat developer but this is not their forte. They don't have the same pride in Metroid games like Retro Studios did. Retro Studios pushed the systems they worked on to their absolute limits to get the best visuals. Sure Team Ninja puts alot into breathtaking cinematics but it's gameplay looks like it could be better rendered. Then again for years I wanted Retro Studios to retire and try something else with their natural game designing talents. In the end this will be a game to check out, but I feel Samus Aran needs to take a break.
Hardcore Gamers Might Actually Use Their Wiis! [Wii - Neil MacVicar 04/11/2010]
Is Nintendo actually telling me that I can use my Wii this year! When I sit back and look at this year in gaming, what's to come, I'm not totally satisfied by what's on the ps3. I don't own a 360. What ever shall I do? Well somehow Nintendo has become aware of their weaknesses and have expanded their library. They've done just that with rpgs and jrpgs.
The Last Story is one of those Jrpgs. Nintendo is co-developing this game with Mistwalker to create a game that changes rpgs. The last time I heard that I got Resonance of Fate so no questions asked. There isn't much else that has been released other than this title features a heroine and hero. While vague some development blogs can be found on the official site.
The next rpg that has been announced exlcusively for the Wii is Xenoblade.
Developed by MonolithSoft and co-developed by Nintendo. Set in the future robotic beings rule the planet. What's left of the human race fights back against these superior machines. Our salvation lies in the hands of a young lone swordsmen. Armed with a giant energy blade he cuts through steel foes like they're made out of jello. Expect seamless turn based combat with likely a maximum party of four.
The final Wii game that has my heart racing is Monster Hunter Tri.
Monster Hunter is a game where you fight - well - monsters of all shapes and sizes. Enough said but I want to share more. The Monster Hunter series is a wonderful set of games where the developers designed a character that fatigues after executing a lightning fast combo with a weapon that's twice his size, points for realism, more games need a stamina bar. The visuals are gorgeous for a Nintendo title and it has the Zelda team very envious. My expectations for action games from the Wii have been set higher, much higher. So hopefully it's a new standard. Come April 20 2010 you can slay that beautifully designed red dragon above yourself.