The Release List 07.23.09: Little King's Story, Shatter, Katamari Damacy Tribute, and Wii Sports Resort Posted by Tommy Coloma on 07.24.2009
Marvelous gives us a chance to experience a Little King's Story, Namco finally brings Katamari Damacy to the PS3, and Nintendo gives us a reason to buy Wii MotionPlus in Wii Sports Resort.
This week saw the release of two fairly high profile Wii titles. The first is Little King's Story, a game which will probably go on to be one of this year's highest rated third-party games on the Wii. But if history is any indicator, that probably means that it will not perform very well sales-wise. On the other hand, Wii Sports Resort will most definitely sell quite a few units, possibly more in one week than LKS will sell in its lifetime. Sad, but true. On the other side of the spectrum, PS3 owners finally get a chance to see Katamari Damacy in HD. In addition, they have an opportunity to experience a new take on the block-breaking genre in Shatter.
This week's highlightsNote: Release dates are subject to change
Little King's Story (Wii)
In Little King's Story, you play as Corobo, a boy who, thanks to a magical crown that he found, is able to get others to do his bidding with little fuss. With the help of his subjects, Corobo tries his best to expand his kingdom and make all of its inhabitants happy. The game itself contains a mixture of simulation, adventure, and real-time strategy elements. While Pikmin may come to mind upon first glace, there is actually more to it.
I am currently working on a review for this so I will not spend any more time describing it. Let's just say that it is probably one of the better Wii games that you will find this year. If you absolutely need more info right now, you can check out the interview that I did with the producer at TGS and the follow-up that I did at E3. They reveal some fairly in-depth tidbits about the game from one of the more interesting people that I've met since I started writing at 411mania.
the trailer
Katamari Damacy Tribute (PS3 Import)
Two years ago Xbox 360 owners lucked out and got the last console Katamari Damacy in Beautiful Katamari. A PS3 version was announced but it was shortly canned for unknown reasons. With the release of Tribute, PS3 owners can finally see what the series looks like in glorious HD.
The demo was just release today in the Japanese PlayStation Store so I had a chance to mess around with it for a little while. I'm actually impressed with the switch to cel-shaded graphics thanks to the Valkyria Chronicles-like filter that Namco employed. I heard that you can switch between different graphical filters, and from the looks of the video down below, it's probably true. Other than the graphical changes, the game plays as expected. If you didn't like the other games in the series, you probably won't like this, and vice versa. I did play a level in which you had to roll your katamari around to grow flowers on the ground, so it's possible that there may be more to do this time around. We'll find out soon enough when the US version, renamed Katamari Forever, gets released in September.
the "Japanese animation" trailer
Shatter (PS3 download)
We've seen quite a few Arkanoid/Breakout clones that have tried and subsequently failed to make a name for themselves over the past few years. Most have been forgettable as they didn't really do anything to make themselves stand out. Some may have had superior graphics and sound, but for the most part, they were cheap imitations. The developers of Shatter hope to buck that trend by introducing the ability to change the trajectory of the ball by sucking and blowing air from the deflector pad. With this mechanic, players can actually influence what happens to the ball once it has been deflected instead of having to wait idly for it to come back. While Shattered may be one of the better games in the Breakout genre to come out in years, time will tell if it has the staying power of it's predecessors.
the "launch" trailer
Wii Sports Resort
I've played most of the games in this package already, and for the most part, they're fun, especially if you have someone to play with. I'm a little disappointed that some of the games like Table Tennis and Swordplay still favor those who spaz out more than those who try to "legitimately" win through patience and skill, but I guess that is to be expected from a game that is supposed to cater to the casual audience first and the core second.
the "archery challenge" trailer
The other US releases Farm Frenzy 3 (PC)
G-Force (360, DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii)
Rock Band Country Track Pack (360, PS2, PS3, Wii)
Sudoku Ball Detective (PC)
Watchmen: The End is Nigh - The Complete Experience (PS3)
Watchmen: The End is Nigh - Parts 1 & 2 (360)
The Import SceneJapanese localizations of domestic games, "Asia" versions of games that do not have English options, and "Best" (greatest hits) versions of already released games are ignored.
Blazing Souls Accelerate (PSP)
Dragon Ball: Tenkaichi Daibouken (Wii Import)
Katekyoo Hitman Reborn! DS Flame Rumble X
Kawaii Koneko DS 2
Koukouyakyuu Dou DS
Moyashimon DS
Narisokonai Eiyuutan: Taiyou to Tsuki no Monogatari (PSP)
Okaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Richie Oosouji (DS)
Penguin no Mondai x Tenkuu no 7 Senshi (DS)
PW: Project Witch (PSP)
Ranshima Monogatari Rare Land Story: Shoujo no Yakujou (PSP)
Rosario to Vampire Capu 2: Koi to Yume no Kyousoukyoku (PS2)
Toro to Morimori (PS3)
