Nintendophiles 02.15.07
Posted by Theo Fraser on 02.15.2007
An update on Sadness, Kid Icarus is reborn on the Virtual Console, Manhunt 2 for two, and a new Wii channel ASKS YOU QUESTIONS~!
Well there we are, another year, another Valentine's Day over and done with. I spent most of the day cooped up in a car, which was fun. And no, I wasn't with a lady-friend, so it wasn't even the GOOD kind of time spent in a car (Kids, I am referring to the joy of true companionship shared on a long but pleasant road trip…obviously). But the weather and the roads, for once, weren't too bad, unlike the previous day where I had to contend with a hailstorm, a monsoon and an escaped horse on the motorway. Damn you, Epona, can't you keep your brethren under control?
First proper Sadness details!
Credit: Game Informer, CVG
Despite not knowing practically anything about this upcoming survival thriller from Nibris, I've been really excited about this one. The gothic artwork and eerie teaser clips have certainly whetted my appetite, so I tend to jump on the tiniest bit of information leaked surrounding the premise of the game. Thanks to Game Informer, we now have an idea (however small it may be) of what's going on.
The player controls a woman named Maria, who has just survived a pretty nasty train crash. I'm guessing she's not in the best of moods after that.
Throughout the adventure, Maria has to look after he younger brother, Alexander, who was blinded in the train crash. This is who we have most likely seen in various pieces of artwork, with a thick, coarse white bandage wrapped around his eyes. Things get a bit spooky, however, when Alexander starts to get a little weird and goes all Exorcist on your ass. KILL HIM WHILST HE'S YOUNG, MARIA, HE'LL ONLY STEAL YOUR INHERITANCE!
Sadness features no ‘weapons' as such; at least, not of the typical kind. You won't find guns or axes or Bastard Swords +1 (Is it bad that I can't say that without sniggering?). Instead, Maria can interact with ‘environmental objects' that can help the duo out in the appropriate circumstance. The very first trailer for the game featured who we assume to now be Maria carrying a torch, so this must be one such ‘environmental object'. Hopefully as the game progresses, these objects get more varied, offering different styles of gameplay to mix things up.
It's still not the gameplay info we've been hoping for, but at least we know more than the fact that it's a survival thriller. That's enough to whet my appetite even more for the next few months.
Kid Icarus lands on the Virtual Console
Just a quick note to say that three NES games became available to the public via the Virtual Console this past Monday, as Kirby's Adventure, Ice Climber and Kid Icarus joined the ever-increasing back catalogue of classic Nintendo games. People have been crying out for Kid Icarus ever since the VC was first mentioned, so I'm sure this comes as good news to some. For those who know nothing about Kid Icarus, all I should need to say is that it was one of the best platformers from its era. And any Smash Bros fans will need to become familiar with him before they can kick ass with him in SSB: Brawl. So go download it now!
Brand new Wii Channel launched earlier this week
Ramon Aranda posted the full story a couple of days ago, so check out the report here for all the information.
But to briefly summarise, Nintendo's new channel is called the ‘Everybody Votes' Channel, and is basically a glorified version of one of those annoying chain email questionnaire thingies. You know the kind; you put in loads of ‘funny' answers but then it takes you so long to get to the end that you realise it isn't funny at all and you sound like a complete dick, so you delete the whole thing, wasting a precious half hour from your life. Um…not that I've ever done that…
In this case however, you won't grow old answering the questions, as you can answer as many or as few as you like. The best bit is the fact that you can compare your results with friends, family and others from around the globe. And much hilarity no doubt ensues.
I do like this approach from Nintendo. This new channel is nothing that instantly grabs you and keeps you hooked for hours at a time, but it's something you'll constantly come back to to check out the updates, such as the latest batch of polls. It's a clever strategy from the Kyoto giant, as it's another step that helps to ensure that Wii users turn on their console every day.
DOUBLE the killing spree!
Credit: Gamesradar
It's in no way official confirmation, but a recent publicity mailing from Rockstar (disguised as an internal memo from the "Dixmor Hospital for the Criminally Insane" ie the fictional organisation from the game) would lead you to believe that a co-operative multiplayer aspect is being worked into the game. The two medical bracelets pictured above carry the names "Lamb, Daniel" and "Kasper, Leo." Daniel Lamb has been mentioned previously (he's the ‘narrator' in the official trailer), but Leo Kasper seems to be a new addition to the roster.
The complete wording of the memo is as follows:
Internal Memo
High Security Ward
URGENT
From: Dr. Whyte
To: Dr. Pickman
Re: Danny Lamb and Leo Kasper
Enclosed are Danny Lamb and Leo Kasper's ID bracelets found discarded after last night's incident. This is the only potentially damaging evidence we have found so far. I trust every possible precaution will be taken to ensure that any records relating to these patients are destroyed.
We are all too aware that both subjects pose a highly serious threat to society, let alone the very existence of 'The Project'. Both patients suffer severe psychotic episodes characterized by intense paranoia, involuntary psychotic reactions, delusional hallucinations and acute schizophrenic disorders.
I know I don't need to mention the severity of the consequences for us and 'The Project' if these patients have escaped.
We HAVE to track them down.
Dr. Whyte
It's the way that both characters are described in the same way that suggests that both are playable at some stage or another, but the possibility of co-op play is just too tempting for me to overlook. Grisly deaths wouldn't just be constricted to plastic bags and razorwire; with two players involved, there's a chance of "double-team kills" which would no doubt look pretty sah-weet.
News seems to be coming relatively thick and fast on Manhunt 2, so hopefully we won't be left with too many questions for very long.
Your Fortnightly Animal Crossing Blog
So the Bright Nights festival has come and gone, and whilst it didn't send my village into a frenzied stupor, it was a bit of fun while it lasted. For those that don't know, the Bright Nights festival is a week-long event, where the other townsfolk decorate their houses with various lights on the outside. Tortimer the Mayor stands in the cold all week, which would be admirable, save for the fact that he moans about it at every possible opportunity. Nonetheless, after a quick chat with ol' Torty, he asks you to pick a winner for the person with the best design/arrangement. And of course, throughout the week, the villagers try to skew your vote with various bribes. I was open to sexual favours, but nobody took me up on that one. Shame. Still, I got a chuckle out of Egbert pleading with me to let him win. Pffft! "Hold on, Egbert, I think I can hear Hell freezing over."
Each day, you can pick a different winner, so I voted politically, giving the win to the newer villagers (as you get extra ‘friend points' with that person if you pick them to win. And that means you're more likely to get their picture! Hurray!).
Totally random note here, but I have found a favourite KK Slider song. I requested "Steep Hill," because it sounded vaguely interesting, and it quickly became a personal favourite of mine. Seriously, listen to it, it's awesome.
On another note, I think Pascal the fisherman-otter creature is actually DEAD. I have not seen him in about 3 months, and you all know how often I play this game! I need him to help me continue the trading sequence. What a darn nuisance he is! I want to see him, so he never shows up, but Lyle the [corrupt] lawyer shows up on my doorstep every Saturday and breathes down my neck until I fill out his silly questionnaire. It's all one big conspiracy against me, I'm sure of it.
Spreading the love
Yeah baby, Valentine's Day-themed headings RULE! So, as the title says, go spread the love and check out the other columns 411 Games so kindly presents to you.
Alrighty then, I'll sign off there. Hope you all had an enjoyable Valentine's Day doing whatever you were doing. I'll be back next week with more Nintendo Games You Must Play Today, and in the mean time, feedback is always appreciated!
