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Welcome to the first edition of The Casual Gamer...forget it,
you read it on the banner already. I'll be your host this column and probably
every other one for however long Ashish lets me keep this running. Basically,
I recap the news reported here at 411 from Friday to Friday and give my opinions
on it. My opinions, not the usual popular opinions. Go me.
Name: Steven Masters
Stats: Charisma +2/1, Strength +12/3
Powers: None, flatscan
Bio: Loves comics, movies, rock, rum, and good games.
News of the Week Past
Game Releases, Updates, and other Tidbits
Epic Games has finally
confirmed that the highly anticipated Gears of War game will be released for the
Xbox 360 on Sunday, November 12th in the U.S.The game will go on sale in the U.K. on November 17th.
The release date is strategic to say the least as not only does it get the game on sale before the
holiday shopping rush, but also gets it out before the PS3 launch on November
17th.
Strategic release is saying the least. If this is to be the new Halo, then this
is a big step for the 360 to claim dominance over the "NextGen" consoles. Not
only does it add what looks to be a great game to the 360's currently weak
repertoire, but it puts a small dent in the pockets of gamers who may otherwise
look to the PS3 and it's launch titles (The ones that are left, anyways). But
then, if you can afford the PS3 launch and a couple of games, then I don't think
Gears of War will put much of a dent anyways.
Rumors are flying that
Nintendo has started work on a sequel to the hit Gamecube title, Super Mario
Strikers. Word is that the title could be revealed at the Games Convention 2006
in Leipzig, Germany later this month.
Super Mario Strikers sold some 500,000 copies on the Gamecube. The game puts
characters from the Mushroom Kingdom into the world of soccer.
Expect the sequel to take advantage of Wii's innovative controller.
Credit: IGN.com
Let me start off by saying I love this game. I played soccer for six years
during school and outside of it and seeing the Mario Bros. plow their way down
the field, it was awesome. BUT, whether you can do the same with the
Wiimote or the Nunchaku, it remains to be seen. I haven't yet tested one and am
anxious to see how it works. But if the Wiimote does have full 3D
maneuverability, then this game will rock. And rock hard.
Namco Bandai has
confirmed that the PS3 title, Mobile Suit Gundam, is coming to the United
States, Canada, and surrounding territories sometime within the next year. The
game had previously only been announced for Japan.
"Made possible by the immense power of the PlayStation 3 system, Mobile Suit
Gundam will take gamers right into the futuristic war zones, brought to life by
both CG quality high-definition graphics and ultra realistic destruction
physics," said Naruo Uchida, Namco Bandai Games America Vice President. "Along
with stylized gameplay and stunning graphics, the opportunity to experience
firsthand the epic mobile suit warfare will surely excite any sci-fi fan."
The anime was awesome in all it's incarnations, but this game has my
psyched. The PS3 graphic engine looks awesome, and this game should be
worth every penny they sell it for. Create your own suit, nearly full
customization, and going through the events of Year One, this game is gonna
definitely be one of my first on the PS3.
EA Sports has confirmed
that FIFA Soccer 07 will be released September 29th in the U.K. for the
PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PSP, DS, PC, and Game Boy Advance. An Xbox 360
version, and presumably PS3 and Wii versions, should follow later. No U.S.
release date has been announced yet.
FIFA 07 will concentrate on the club circuit with the game featuring the
licenses of dozens of leagues, and introduces the new EA Sports Interactive
Leagues which allow fans to square off in online leagues based on real-world
schedules. The PSP version also boasts improved connectivity with the PS2
version, enabling gamers to transfer data between the two platforms, and play a
single franchise mode at home or on the move. DS owners will be able to create
their own custom chants using the console's microphone, and more precise
off-the-ball running routes can be ordered with the "Touch Run" feature.
Hopefully, the NextGen US dates will be released soon, as I cant wait to take Team USA to the top.
Italy's going DOWN. The online function is gonna create some pretty awesome interaction with people
across the globe. The DS "Create-A-Chant" has some interesting possibilities,
and I'm sure they'll integrate it into the Wii too. Hopefully I can report more
on this next week.
Splinter Cell: Double Agent is set to be released on October 19th. Ubisoft is
also working on demos of the game for the PC and Xbox 360 that should be
available around mid-September.
The MGS that never was. Actually, I played the first one and it was pretty good,
but the action-stealth genre isn't really my thing. As it was though, I know
some people who have already pre-ordered it at the local EB Games, so it cant be
too bad.
Ubisoft France has announced that a Prince of Persia game is in development for the
Nintendo Wii. The game won't be a launch title though. Prince of Persia is just
one of the many games, seven of which are launch titles, that Ubisoft has in
development for the Wii.
I own the first one, despise the second, and haven't played the third yet
because of the second, though I hear it's a lot like the first.
Again, the Wiimote and/or Nunchaku will be interesting with this game, especially in the swinging and combat. Come to think of it, the combination reminds me a lot of
the sword and dagger...hmm...
EASports has announced that the next version of NBA Street will be released
for the Xbox 360 and PS3 in spring of 2007.
"The power of the next-generation hardware gives us the horsepower to break new
ground for consumers, making it the perfect stage for the next iteration of
NBA Street," said Will Mozell, executive producer of
the game.
Details on the game are about as hard to track down as Allen Iverson in the open court, but it appears as though the new game will be set in a sort of "Basketball City, USA," and the goal will be to "put your hometown on the map." A description from EA says, "The newest iteration of NBA Street creates a hyper-real world that merges legendary courts with the hometown courts of your favorite NBA stars into one seamless city of streetball moments.
Man, I remember when I used to play NBA Jam on my old Sega for
HOURS...wait...this isn't NBA Jam? Well....darn...
The latest issue of Famitsu out of Japan has new details about the Harvest Moon game
set for the Nintendo Wii.
Gamers will use the Wii controller to raise animals and grow crops. To till
soil, you swing the controller like a hoe. To water plants, you tilt the
controller downward like a bucket. Other controller motions will control fishing
and other duties.
The left and right buttons will be used to go through your tools while the A
button is used for other general action and talking.
As for the story, from IGN:
Harvest Moon Wii takes place on an island that's home to a goddess and a great
tree. One day, the tree suddenly goes dry and the goddess disappears. The
Koropokuru, a group of helper creatures that should be familiar to anyone who's
played Harvest Moon, call upon the player to farm the land, build relationships
with other characters and, eventually, revive the tree and bring back the
goddess
The Hillbilly Lord smiled down upon this game and called it a good day. Man,
Nintendo is just eating up all the gaming news this week. Seven launch titles,
game dates released left and right, it's friggen nuts. Harvest Moon is like most
rap, it's good in moderation and at the best of times: insane. This one looks to
be no different.
Console War Updates: The Front Line
PS3
Sony has all corners covered according to the PS3 FAQ site. Not only have they confirmed that they are working hard to make every single PSOne and PS2 game playable on the PS3, but they already have the technology to import
save game files from PSOne and PS2 memory cards to the PS3 hard drive.
"To use saved data on a PlayStation 2 memory card, you must copy the data onto a virtual memory card
within the hard disk," the site reads. "This requires a PS2/PSone memory card
adaptor to copy the data to your PlayStation 3. A memory card adaptor is
designed to edit, up/download game saves to and from EMS flash card or smart
media card." However, Sony has failed to confirm if they will make this adaptor themselves.
Xbox save files can be imported to the Xbox 360 with third party peripherals.
Oh, thank God for this. I really didn't want to have to start all my Kingdom
Hearts, Final Fantasy, Killzone, Battlefront, and countless other game files all
over again. It would have been the one reason I had NOT to get the PS3. But, now
that this is out, it's on. The PS3 shall be mine. And I shall be happy with my
Media Hub.
X360
Nothing of note for the 360 this week.
Wii
Nintendo and 7-11 Convenience Stores have a promotion going where the chain will
be giving away 711 Nintendo Wiis. The interesting note is that the rules and
regulations of the contest list the value of a Wii system at $299.99 USD.
Nintendo has hinted in the past that the system will sell for less than $250. It
may just be that the 7-11 deal includes the system and a
game or so, or that the price has changed. The other prizes in the contest
are priced accurately (512MB iPod Shuffle at $69 for example).
Less than $250 is sic for a NextGen console, so I wouldn't
be surprised if they did bring the price up to $300. Even still, it'll be the
cheapest of the three and should, logically, sell the best if you factor in all
the hype it's been getting.
Ubisoft
looks to be supporting the Nintendo Wii system in a major way. Today they
announced that
Far Cry, Red Steel,
Rayman Raving Rabbits, Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII, Monster 4x4 World
Circuit and Open Season will all be launch titles for the Wii.
"We're
thrilled that Ubisoft will be unveiling Wii versions of both exclusive new IP
and established franchises," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president and chief
operating officer for
Nintendo of America. "Bursting with creativity, innovation and unadulterated
fun, these Ubisoft games embody the qualities that will make Wii a huge hit with
gamers new and established, young and old."
The popular first-person shooter Far Cry pits players on a mission through lush
Amazonian jungles and equips them with a variety of weapons, vehicles and
special powers to attack the enemy.
The game will make full use of the Wii-mote for enhanced maneuverability and
will likewise boast new content.
Blazing Angels utilizes the Wii controller for intense dog fighting scenarios
set to the backdrop of WWII.
The racer GT Pro Series is developed by MTO and optimized by Ubisoft for Wii.
Through a deal with MTO, Ubisoft is able to distribute the project everywhere in
the world except Japan. GT features more than 80 licensed cars, detailed tuning
options, fluid drift-style controls and physics, and more. The title has been
specifically tailored to make full use of the Wii's revolutionary remote.
Open Season is an adventure game based on the Sony Pictures Animation's CG
animated film of the same name.
Monster 4x4 World Circuit is a truck racer that has been completely revamped
to make full use of the Wii control system. The title takes players fully
off-road for some muddy displays of mechanical power.
Finally, previously announced bigwigs Red Steel and Rayman Raving Rabbits round
out the selection
Seven additional launch titles to add to the Wii's hype. Nintendo looks to be
playing this campaign smart. Far Cry rocks, Blazing Angels will OWN with the
Wiimote, ass will almost every fighter pilot game now with that thing, I wont be
able to race with a stick...I'ma need either a PS2 controller or an actual
wheel; Cant comment on Open Season, And the 4x4...well, read the GT Pro Series
entry. The last two I cant really comment on either, as I don't know enough. If
someone wants to update me, that would be awesome.
Other News Worthy of Coverage
Nothing much of note, except that Mario and NCAA '07 are
dominating the sales charts. NCAA ruled, but I haven't gotten a chance to check
out the New Super Mario Bros. While those two may dominate the charts, Brain Age
came in second. Haven't gotten to play that one either, though I am intrigued.
Biggest Winner/Loser of the WeekClearly, the biggest Winner of the week goes to the Nintendo
court. They dominated the news and sales charts and if the keep this up, may
dominate the NextGen War.
Goooo Readers
This is the part where I need a section. I have some ideas, but
I want to know YOURS first, to better entertain you, my loyal
pledges...err...readers. So, mail in an idea you have to toss in here and if I
like it, you may see it here as part of a weekly feature.
The Early Morning Stoned Pimp is Here
Check out the other guy's stuff from the last week
Street Fighter II- Hyper Fighting (Xbox 360) Review- Ramon Aranda
50 Cent Bulletproof- G Unit Edition (PSP) Preview- Armando Rodriguez
Yakuza (PS2) Preview- Armando Rodriguez
Tales of the Abyss (PS2) Preview- Ashish
Gothic III (PC) Preview- Armando Rodriguez
Star Fox Command (DS) Preview- Armando Rodriguez
Angry Gaming - Damian Sarcuni
Great Moments in Video Gaming History -Michael Joyeux
Working Title -Jordan Williams
Sign Off
So, that looks to be it this week. It's the debut column, so
sorry if it's a little sloppy and/or unorganized, and/or late. I promise to do
better next week. I'm working on a new layout as well, so you may not want to
get used to this one. So, signing off, this is Steven Masters.
L8.
