News From Bitopia 07.20.06
Posted by Caleb Newby on 07.20.2006
Mario likes it on top, Neverwinter Nights 2 gets delayed, Hitman is on the rebound, and some unexpected thoughts on the Final Fantasy series (Cloud rules all). Just one click and you can be a part of the debut of Bitopia!
What's happening? I'm Caleb and I've got the "Steve Cook" spot here in the games section. Some of you may read my stuff over in 411Sports, "The Tap-Out" which focuses on mixed martial arts such as the UFC. Yes, that was just a cheap plug.
So I've been thinking about which direction to go with for this column. Hopefully you've read the other news reports and seen the excellent job they have been doing. But this has lead me to conclude a few things. First, the gaming news is being covered extensively and you don't need me to rehash it again. Secondly, Josh and Vince (I can call them that, right?) are much better at it than I am. Tommy probably is too, I just haven't read his report yet. But seriously, did you see all the news they did? Amazing. Consider this your Colbert Report to their Daily Show.
Oh, also, thanks to Andrew Mellick for the title of the column. I was going to pass it off as my own, but felt guilty. I hate thinking up column titles.
The News
Square Enix is denying today that they are working on a sequel to Final Fantasy XI, claiming that the next-generation massively multiplayer online RPG that they are working on will be a completely original title. That title is being developed for the PS3, Xbox 360, and Windows Vista.
Credit: IGN.com
Huh. I consider myself a Final Fantasy fan for the most part, but I never really made the jump with the series to the PS2. I am probably the only one, but FFX really didn't do it for me. I know a few people that are a part of FFXI but considering it didn't really put the world on fire, I suppose it is good for Square to go to a new idea for their next online game.
Now let me subject you to my Final Fantasy quick hits, thoughts, and opinions.
"In the middle of the news report," you ask? Why yes, I just live to break the rules.
FFI Played it a bit but never got all that into it. Did watch a former roommate go through a good portion of it.
FFII Know the story, never played it.
FFIII Funny enough, I played this on an emulator during the PS1 era. Awesome game, just started going through it again
FFVII I don't have the words. For any features that we do here in the 411Games section, and I will undoubtedly reference this game's characters. Along with Wizardry VII it made me realize RPGs are my favorite genre of gaming. Also, Cloud could be one tough fella. What other game could you pimp out your main character to the point that you can set down your controller and still win the battle.
FFVIII Eh. Didn't like it. What can I say? I own it but just didn't care for the characters of gameplay.
FFIX Really liked it, beat it twice in fact. In my opinion, the most underrated of the Final Fantasy games.
SCi Entertainment reported today that two of the franchises acquired in their purchase of Eidos in 2005 have landed them big sales. Tomb Raider: Legend has sold 2.9 million copies through June 30th, not including the upcoming PSP, DS, GameCube, and GBA versions. Hitman: Blood Money has sold 1.5 million copies through June 30th. The sales are above expectations and both titles have brought new life to franchises that some figured to be dead a few years ago.
Credit: Gamespot.com
Good! I loved Hitman since the original. It is a solid, good series with some fun gameplay. I never cared for the Tomb Raider games much, but who knows, if the next gen graphics are all they are cracked up to be, maybe I will have a reason to play it if you catch my drift.
Neverwinter Nights 2 has been delayed a month in its release. Originally slated to ship in September, NWN2 is now looking at a late October release date.
Credit: IGN.com
I include this because I am dearly hoping this means that Obsidian will spend more time on the multiplayer aspect, more specifically, the persistent world support. I've wasted many good hours running a NWN1 persistent world and have heard bad things about the ability to do that for the sequel. I don't know how much can be done in a month, or if that is even going to be Obsidian's focus, but I really hope so.
Top sellers for 7/9-7/15
1. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
2. Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes A Day (DS)
3. Prey (Xbox 360)
4. Chromehounds (Xbox 360)
5. 2006 FIFA World Cup (PS2)
6. Big Brain Academy (DS)
7. FIFA 06 (PS2)
8. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (PS2)
9. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (Xbox 360)
10. 2006 FIFA World Cup (Xbox)
Credit: Gamespot.com
New Super Mario Bros. is amazingly fun. Have heard good things about Brain Age. Lots of soccer titles up there too.
What looks good this week?
First the list of this week's game releases:
JULY 17, 2006
Wildlife Park 2 (PC)
JULY 18, 2006
Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light (PSP)
Magic Match (PC)
Monster House (ALL)
NCAA Football 07 (Xbox 360, Xbox, PSP, PS2)
Super Dragon Ball Z (PS2)
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (PSP)
JULY 19, 2006
Cloning Clyde (Xbox 360--via Xbox Live only)
JULY 20, 2006
Atlantis Quest (PC)
JULY 21, 2006
Warpath (Xbox)
WWII Combat: Iwo Jima (Xbox)
Hmm at first I thought Monster House was a new Monster Rancher game, then I remembered the movie coming out with the same name. NCAA Football will be great I am sure. I don't pretend to understand Dragon Ball Z, but if it's your thing, you probably already knew it was being released this week.
Flash Game of the Week
Ah yes, Flash games. The perfect diversion. This week we have one that a good buddy of mine programmed for the Cartoon Network. Swim down and collect as many golf balls as you can with either Andy the kid or Rodney the squirrel. For the record, I prefer Rodney.Flash Game of the Week!
The programmer's high score is 217. Think you can beat it?
Spore is the next game being developed by Will Wright, creator of The Sims and Sim City games. I don't have the words to sum it up properly as it is an entirely unique gaming experience. Check it out!
Now what?
First news report is in the books. This will be a work in progress while I find my groove. Make sure you check out the other News Reports as they have all manner of good, quality stuff.
Thanks for stopping by, and I'll see you next week!
