The Negative Edge News Report 5.16.07
Posted by Tommy Coloma on 05.16.2007
Fighting game videos, doing things you aren't supposed to do on Xbox Live, more ways to get into the Halo 3 beta, The Idolm@ster, Gymkata, and More!
Welcome to another edition of the Negative Edge. I wasted the whole day setting up my computer to take screenshots of the Xbox 360 Idolmaster (or THE iDOLM@STER) theme so now I only have about an hour to put this column together. Can I pull it off? Let's find out -
The news as I see it
A total sausage fest!
The Evo 2k6 DVD trailer was recently released. You can download the trailer at shoryuken.com or check out the video below -
Evo 2k6 DVD trailer
I was hesitant to report this 'cause honestly, this is the worst trailer they've put out. First of all, take a look at the title that I used for this news item. That pretty much sums up what the majority of this video was made up of. I don't want to see that! The other problem I have is that it makes fighting game fans look like total lunatics. Seriously. Show the vid to one of your friends. Watch his or her face (or take a picture). I guarantee it'll be priceless. Also, why does this video treat the players like gods. They're cool and all, but that's a little too much. Trailer aside, I like the fact that they're including crowd noise this time. Watching match videos is ok (sometimes), but it's really boring without crowd reactions. The only part I liked was the clip toward the end where Daigo comes from behind and beats some other guy with almost no life left. It's still no Evo moment #37 (see the next video), but what is? -
Evo moment # 37
I gave links to these before, but when am I going to be able to do this again? These two are much better -
Evo 2k2 DVD trailer
Evo 2k5 DVD trailer
Because it's cool to do things you aren't supposed to do
A lot of places were reporting this week that a full English demo of Eternal Sonata is available on Japanese servers. Of course I had to check it out. You'll need a Japanese account in order to download it. It's easy to create one on your 360 -
- Sign out
- Join Xbox Live
- Select a gamertag
- Create a Windows Live ID
- Select Japan as your locale
- Fill some other stuff out
- Use the following info when you're asked -
Postal Code: 150-2345
Province: Tokyo-to
Phone Number: 3201-3331
- Enjoy the future of RPGs on the 360
If that's too much for you, here are my initial notes and reactions -
I know it's a demo and all, but it's weird having enemies in town while there are people standing around next to them.
Enemies stand in your path. You can pass by some of them. Some can't be ignored. It reminds me of the way things worked in Grandia II.
Something I really hate about RPGs is the fact that players can't defend themselves against attacks unless they specifically select a defend command. This is the first RPG that I've played where you're given a "Chance" to defend yourself. Before enemies attack, there are some points where you can press the B button to defend yourself and reduce attack. Very nice. Also, the "Chance" frequency isn't fixed, so you really do have to be paying attention.
Character names - Allegretto, Polka, and Beat. :)
You can arm two different special attacks. Whichever one is used depends on whether or not you are in the shade (Light Special Attack or Dark Special Attack).
Beat wears an item called "stolen clothes" which are "clothes found in a rich merchant's closet." It's just random details like that that make me smile.
Everything is nice and colorful... This is a very very colorful game. I'm sorry, but I can't stress this enough (take a look at the flower patch scene). A lot of recent games I've played are just too dark. Too brown and grey. I like seeing colors.
I truly dig the nighttime scenes. Even the night scenes are colorful. I hope other game makers take a look and see that brown, grey, and black are not the only colors that exist.
In the game there are score pieces that you can collect. When you meet other people with score pieces you can perform together to see how well they sound together. Higher marks can be obtained if the pieces happen to be a pair. I played two scores together and they sounded good. I didn't get very high marks though.
The whole release thing seems a little shady. Like they purposefully allowed US gamers to download it in order to gauge our interest. First there was the ESRB T for teen warning at the beginning and then at the end of the demo players are given a link to the American web site. Add to that the fact that everything is in English. I appreciate it either way though.
I recently got through playing Twilight Princess and I just started Wind Waker so I'm used to being able to move the camera around. It's a little weird going back to a static camera. I don't really like the fixed camera, but I'll take it if that's the only way we can get these nice COLOFUL visuals.
If you have a chance, look for the mirror in one of the houses. Isn't it awesome?
I like the fighting system. Especially the fact that you can mash on the attack button until your turn is almost up and then launch into your special attack. I only wish there were stronger enemies as this whole demo was a cakewalk.
The videos that you might have seen on other sites do not do the game justice. Check it out if you have a chance
The Week In Releases
More stuff to add to my always growing list of things to try out before arthritis kicks in.
Etrian Odyssey (DS)
This looks like one of those dungeon crawlers that I used to play on my Apple ][ (with better graphics of course). I'd be all over this if I didn't have so many other things to do first.
Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon (PSP)
Harvest Moon... But futuristic. So many things could go wrong. It could be another Bomerman Act: Zero, but then again...
Ninja Gaiden (Wii VC)
Alright. Finally. A game that I care about. It isn't Ninja Gaiden II, but it's good enough for now.
You know what? This release wouldn't be complete without a ninja-related video. At least stick around until the 2:40 mark. The guy actually name-drops Ryu from Ninja Gaiden. Nice!
Soltrio Solitaire (Xbox Live Arcade)
My first gut reaction was - who the hell would pay $10 for solitaire? Then I changed my mind. This can be used as an easy way to justify a 360 purchase.
Gamer - I'm gonna buy a 360
Loved one - It's too expensive
Gamer - But you can play solitaire on it. Imagine! Solitaire on our big screen tv!
Loved one - Sold!
That could happen...
FREE!!! Aegis Wing (Xbox Live Arcade) FREE!!!
According to a Microsoft Press release, Aegis Wing will be offered as a "free gift to gamers" for a limited time. Free is good so don't forget to check it out. It's supposed to be a 2D side-scrolling shooter that can be played with up to three other people. The description on Xbox.com name drops Gradius and Defender as titles that this game is similar to. Let's see if the game ends up being worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as those true classics.
No explanations needed. Halo 3 beta this week. I didn't realize that the actual game comes out in November (edit: it comes out in September). I was going to completely skip out on this but I might change my mind seeing as how the game won't be out for another 6 (edit: 4) freakin' months!
The Idolm@ster Theme
This is only for Xbox 360 owners. One of the useful things that I was able to get out of that Japanese account that I made is the Idolm@ster theme. Since I know that a lot of you watch anime, I thought that you might want to look into getting this one. As of right now, it's a free download. Take a look at some of these screen shots that I made to see what each blade looks like (Look damn it! It took me forever to get these!) -
That will be 255 Rupees please
Crackdown
Right about now a good number of you are probably searching around trying to get your hands on a copy of Crackdown that comes with the Halo 3 beta (you should have used that $30 deal I mentioned earlier). My question is, why? It just looks like Halo 2 with slightly better graphics and some different weapons. Well... If I was into console first-person shooters I'd be all over it too. I have my own vice - fighting games (if you haven't noticed already). Anyway, in order to ease your suffering, here are a few places you might want to check. Before making the purchase, make sure that the copy that you're getting mentions the Halo 3 beta on the cover.
Sears - Sears has a video game department? Yes they do! Don't believe me? Try going upstairs. It's usually right next to the area where they sell refrigerators and dish washers. Who the hell goes to Sears to buy video games? Answer: nobody. So whenever I need something that's hard to find, I usually go there first.
Kmart - Just like with Sears, this isn't a place that people usually go to buy video games. I found some hard to find Classic NES Series GBA games over there last year despite the fact that nobody else in my town had them in stock for months.
Toys R Us - I'm just guessing here, but it would seem that most of those who buy M rated games would rather go to the big five (Best Buy, Target, Walmart, EB Games/Gamestop, and GameCrazy) to get their games. Reason - I was able to pick up a non-greatest hits version of Dead or Alive 4 over at my local TRU about a week ago. The title went greatest hits some time last year and no place that I know of (even Sears and Kmart) had a copy of the original. I also took a look at games behind the counter and I could clearly see that they had more of the M rated titles most of the time. It could be because they stocked more, but I don't think so.
A little bit of randomness
I need a business card
I went to the EA event last week and the number one thing I was asked (other than who do you work for?) is - "Do you have a business card?" So. I need a business card for the next time I go to another press event. I want one like the first business card that is presented in the following video. If you can find me an online place that can print out the exact card - cillian braille font (edit: I've been informed by E. Burnett that it's Silian Rail) on bone with a water mark - I will go over to Circuit City and buy you your own copy of Space Channel 5 SE for the PS2.
Gymkata - The "so bad it's good" movie of the week or "movie that would make a great game in an alternate universe!"
"When gymnastics and Karate are fused, the combustion becomes an explosion, and a new kind of martial arts superhero is born - Gymkata." Feel like getting drunk this weekend? Pop this baby into the DVD player and experience this cheese fest as it was meant to be seen!
Oh, and if that didn't whet your appetite, check out the infamous pommel horse fight scene. I mean, how many times do you see a pommel horse in the middle of nowhere? Kind of like how every week there's a canal, inlet, or fjord on Knight Boat. Very convenient...
That's it for this week. My friend Rocky is looking for his boots. If I can find them, I'll be back next week.
