Nintendophiles 12.27.07: A 2008 Preview
Posted by Theo Fraser on 12.27.2007
This week, we take a look at the latest trailer for Super Smash Bros. Brawl’s Adventure Mode, detail the recent hands-on impressions of the Tales of Symphonia Wii sequel, cringe at the voice acting in FFCC: Ring of Fates, and take a special look at the ‘Killer Apps’ for Nintendo platforms in 2008! Don’t miss the last edition of Nintendophiles in 2007!
Urgh...if I eat a single thing more, I think there's a high possibility I may indeed explode. And not ‘Zelda explode' in a puff of smoke and black clouds! I'm talking full-on ‘No More Heroes gory US version, sliced-down-the-middle-with-a-beam-katana' explode. It's that bad. Fortunately, I can just sit here on my laptop and type this up, and to be honest, I'm not sure I'd manage anything more active than that. The idea of walking seems slightly repulsive to me at the moment. Damn that extra portion of Christmas pudding!
I had quite a chilled-out Christmas, which was no bad thing after a crazy few months at Uni. Best Christmas present? Well...I should probably be more than a little ashamed to admit this, and I will probably lose ALL ‘street cred' by saying this ("What street cred?"- [\self-deprecating humor]) but my best Christmas present this year was actually...a teddy bear. YEAH, I SAID IT! It's OK, you can make fun of me...I write a Nintendo column every week, I'm used to it, yeah? Anyway, this teddy bear is actually kinda cool because it is genuinely called a "Fraserbear". AWESOMENESS!! I am taking that shit right back to Uni with me! Come on, it's soooo gonna get me laid...right? Right?
Awesome new SSBB movie makes me a happy panda indeed
The updates over at Smashbros.com continue, and just a couple of days ago, a new video hit the site with another in-depth look at "The Subspace Emissary" Adventure mode, and it's looking as sweet as ever. Check it out, peeps!
The footage uses some clips we've already seen from when The Subspace Emissary was first debuted, but it's cool to see some new additions, and actual in-game footage, as opposed to just cinematics. Judging by the shots, Adventure Mode will be fast-paced and action-packed, with one scene showing Mario taking on 4 other enemies! There's also a very interesting snippet showing a seemingly on-rails mine cart section, which is something new for the series and a step beyond all previous Smash Bros Adventure Mode efforts. Certainly, there seems to be a lot more actual story involved this time, assuring us that creator Masahiro Sakurai is putting as much effort into the single player as he is the much-hyped and eagerly awaited online multiplayer.
Once again, these trailers fail to disappoint, and I cannot wait to get a better, extended look at the Subspace Emissary in action.
First impressions of Wii Tales of Symphonia title
Credit: IGN
Namco-Bandai recently demoed their upcoming Tales of Symphonia sequel on the Wii at ‘Jump Festa' event over in Japan last weekend. 90 minute queues formed just to get a 5 minute taste of the game, but coming away with positive reactions, the fans weren't complaining.
Approaching the Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatoskr demo kiosk, players witnessed a brief scene between Malta and Emil, two of the main characters in the game, before being taken to a dungeon and told that they had just 5 minutes to race through and beat the boss. Fortunately, these 5 minutes only counted down when outside of battle, giving players ample time to get to grip with both the enhanced battle mechanic and dungeon exploration.
Dungeon exploration is as you found it in the original Tales of Symphonia, as is the battle system (known as the Linear Motion Battle), save for a few ever so slightly differences. You'll still control your character on a straight 2D plain in a 3D battle field, and pressing the A or B buttons along with varied directional presses on the analogue stick will results in different standard attacks and special moves. Attack long and hard enough and you'll begin to build up your Super Attack gauge, which once full can be activated with a click of the Z button on the nunchuk. So far, so Gamecube, but one addition to the battle system is the ability to ‘recruit' monsters and enemies you defeat at the end of battle. Very occasionally, you'll be able to entice a monster into joining your party, after which they'll be at your disposal to use in battle. You'll only be able to have up to 4 monsters in tow at a time, so you'll likely need to employ a certain element of strategy at times. In battle, these monsters can be used just like you're other party members, so you'll be able to give them various commands and instructions on what to do on the battlefield. This sounds like quite a cool addition, depending on how hard it is to capture said enemies. Hopefully the system works much in the same manner as catching Pokemon, requiring you to knock off just the right amount of health before snapping them up as a teammate.
Being a Wii game, motion control was always going to come into the fray at some point, but fortunately Namco-Bandai have resisted the temptation to tack on meaningless functions for the sake of it, merely choosing to include a simple shake of the nunchuk and Wii-mote in different manners as an option for delivering Special Attacks if you prefer that manner of play over button presses.
That's not to say Namco-Bandai aren't making use of the Wii's capabilities. Whilst they've forgone any kind of motion-controlled gameplay, they are making full use of the Wii's upgraded horsepower over the Gamecube, and the "Tales Of" series has never looked so good. In particular, the battlefields have much more detail in the backgrounds, and a general sheen and polish that simply wasn't there in the original Symphonia. We already know that as part of the story, we'll revisit some locations from the Gamecube title, so it'll be great to see how they look with a new coat of paint thanks to the Wii's enhanced innards.
A 5 minute playtest isn't really long enough to get a good idea of the full extent of the game, so these early impressions don't really tell us anything significant about the game, save for the fact that thankfully Namco-Bandai haven't screwed anything up! The game is set to launch in Japan in the Spring, so I wouldn't be surprised to see more (hopefully much longer) playtests start to crop up on the net in the very near future.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates US voice-acting trailer
If you head on over to the official Square Enix Ring of Fates webpage, you'll be able to watch the all-new US localized version of the intro to upcoming DS RPG Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates. The intro doesn't really tell us all that much about the game itself, but it's simply notable for the English voice-acting. Now, I'm not complaining, as Square Enix have clearly crammed a ton of voice work into the game, and it's looking absolutely stunning...but guys, seriously? Seriously? I've got to listen to those two kids squawking and whining for the WHOLE game? Chelinka's voice I could probably learn to ignore but holy Jill Valentine, I don't think I could take the sound of Yuri much more than that opening scene. Worse than nails on a chalkboard, people, NAILS ON A CHALKBOARD~!
I swear, if Square Enix do this with the US voice-acting of Final Fantasy IV...boy, I can't be held responsible for my actions.
The Killer Apps of 2008
This was a little feature I used in the final Nintendophiles of 2006, so I thought I'd bring it back again this year. We're mere days away from welcoming in 2008, so let's look ahead to what the upcoming gaming year has in store for us. Both the Wii and DS have some pretty exciting titles in development at the moment, but below I've outlined my picks and predictions for the ones that will be 2008's "killer apps".
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Kicking things off with a bang, it's the obvious killer app of the year for the system, as all your favorite Nintendo characters return to duke it out in a battle to the death, this time being joined by new heroes such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Solid Snake. Judging by the fact that Super Smash Bros. Melee is the highest selling Gamecube game of all time, I'd say there's a fair few fans of the series out there, meaning that the third entry in the series will likely be snapped up within seconds of it being on sale. And for good reason, as it looks phenomenal. There's not much more to be said really; you've likely played Smash Bros. in one incarnation or another, so you know what it's all about. What Brawl does is take that formula and ram it into overdrive, cramming that disc full to the brim of Nintendo goodness. The icing on the cake? Online multiplayer for one of the craziest and most exhilarating multiplayer modes of this decade.
No More Heroes
Eager-eyed Nintendophiles fans will recognise that this was on LAST year's list. Originally scheduled to hit store shelves in June 2007, the game was delayed considerably, but it seems all the better for it, with revamped controls and a ton of added content. SUDA 51's last Nintendo project, Killer 7, was very cool but ultra whacky. This time, he's made something a little more accessible for the Western market, and right from its very first unveiling, it just oozed charisma and style. And for those of you having to suffer through all those cheap Wii spin-offs and games catered at the purely casual audiences, THIS is the game to remedy your woes. It's certainly a mature title, especially the gory US version, which tosses buckets of blood around the screen like it's going out of fashion. But with a pretty deep story, intricate gameplay, and above all else the awesome beam katana, this is just going to be an absolute blast to play. I admit it, I'm totally biased; I'm firmly behind the driving seat of the No More Heroes Bandwagon, but ya know what? I don't care. Cos this is gonna rule!
Mario Kart Wii
Everyone has their own particular favorite Mario Kart game, and will contest its worth against all the other iterations of the series. For every person that goes ga-ga over Mario Kart 64, you'll find two more that would sooner take the wacky gimmicks of Mario Kart: Double Dash. Point being, opinions on Mario Kart differ wildly, but the fact remains; the general consensus is that a duff Mario Kart game does not exist. Bear that in mind as we run up to the launch of Mario Kart Wii which will blow the others out of the water with a 12-player online mode, the inclusion of all-new mid race Stunts, a host of brand new weapons and much more. Basically, there is no way this will be anything less than mind-blowing.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Admittedly, we've still only seen artwork of this game, but we know it exists, and it certainly has the potential to be a killer app, if done correctly. LucasArts are no slouch when it comes to the ‘big' Star Wars titles, and you've got to believe that they'll put a ton of work in on the first Star Wars game to properly utilise the idea of wielding a lightsaber. I highly doubt they'll manage to get 1:1 accuracy and responsiveness from the Wii remote, but if they can get a good battle mechanic that allows for "lightsaber duelling" then I'm sure I'll be a happy camper. Oh, and we absolutely MUST have the ability to deflect bullets with lightsabers...but that should go without saying, right? We might not get the awesome visuals and impressive physics engine of rival console versions, but if LucasArts play their cards right, this will be the most satisfying in terms of immersion and control.
Wii Fit
It's already taking Japan by storm, and this Spring, it'll be your turn to step onto the Balance Board and strut your stuff, all the while getting fit! With four categories of games (Aerobic exercise, balance games, muscle conditioning and yoga poses), there really will be something for everyone, and something to give you a real workout, should you so desire. It's a reasonably expensive package, but well worth it. Think about it; you'd spend about $140 getting Guitar Hero 3 for the Wii with all its bells and whistles, and that's just one game. The Balance Board will be used in games for years to come, and it just so happens to come with a terrific package of minigames that boost its lifespan infinitely. Snowboarding and Tightrope Walking look to be the most fun, but just like Wii Sports and Wii Play, you'll develop your own favorite soon enough. The Balance Board will be something totally new, and with the Wii's emphasis on targeting casual/non gamers, this is a sure-fire hit with the mainstream crowd. Pre-order early to avoid disappointment!
Final Fantasy IV
This is ever so slightly cheating, as it's essentially a 16 year old game and a proven commodity at that. Back in 1991, Final Fantasy IV was heralded as one of the finest RPGs of its era, and is still held in high regard to this day. But on the Nintendo DS, we will be getting the definitive version. Updated 3D visuals to broaden its appeal in today's graphic-whore gaming society. Full motion video and top-notch voice-acting to add an extra cinematic quality to the proceedings. A ton of new story arcs and side quests for the completists out there, and something to bring back the FFIV diehards. Both the DS and Wii have quite a few RPGs headed their way next year, but they'll have a hard time competing with this. Final Fantasy aficionados can start counting the days...
Other stuff on the horizon
With Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Zelda: Phantom Hourglass all under their belt, Nintendo have their hands pretty empty right? Upon finishing Super Smash Bros. Brawl, they'll have seemingly nothing to work on...at least, as far as we know. Shigeru Miyamoto has stayed very quiet as of late...too quiet, if you get my drift. Chances are, he's beavering away on his next project. But what could it be? A Wii iteration of Pikmin? That's possible, but the Pikmin series has always been a bit more low-key than other franchises. Your best bet is with Animal Crossing Wii which has been hinted at and rumored for a good while now. In all honesty, I'd expect Nintendo to be pretty far down the line with this one, so that when E3 rolls around again, they can debut the title in playable form with a whole host of features ready and at their disposal.
In regards to first-party DS software, that's a little more tricky. Your guess is as good as mine. If I were to make a bold prediction, I'd actually say Pikmin is more likely here as a portable title. Stylus control would lend itself extremely well to the series, and the graphical limitations wouldn't matter as Pikmin has never been about fancy graphics. That's a wild guess on my part, but I could see that being a viable option.
As for third-party efforts, Okami is a sure-fire winner if the PS2 game is anything to go by. Not much will change, save for the added bonus of some terrific motion control (the Celestial Brush puzzles will be an absolute breeze thanks to the Wii remote), but the game was so good before, I can't complain one bit.
The big question is over Nibris' survival-thriller title Sadness. We haven't heard anything on that front in a HECK of a long time; so much so I'm beginning to get a little worried, I'll admit, especially after rumors of difficulties finding a new publisher. There's no guarantee that it'll even come out in 2008 (and if it does, I wouldn't expect it until the end of the year), but we can surely live in hope. Yes, after all this time, we STILL haven't seen anything even remotely looking like in-game footage, but I'm maintaining my stance that this could very well be a killer app for the system simply because it's so different and could only appear on the Wii. Nibris, I sincerely hope you haven't run into any major problems, as it would be a crying shame if the world was denied this potentially fantastic addition to the Wii's ever-growing catalogue.
So there you have it, all of the greatness of 2008 rolled into one section! Of course, there's bound to be a few surprises along the way. 2007 has been a terrific gaming year, but 2008 is shaping up to be just as good, if not better. I guess we'll find out how it's done this time next year!
And if I may pimp my other contributions here, if you're a wrestling fan, you should check out the 411 Wrestling Fact or Fiction, in which I take on Scott Slimmer, discussing various topics such as TNA running head to head with ROH, whether or not Sting should hang up the boots, JBL's imminent in-ring return and much more!
Aside from that, I'll be in Ari Berenstein's "Final Column 2007" this coming weekend, another ROH Roundtable, and the 411 Wrestling Year End Awards column. Much to look forward to on the wrestling front!
I hope you all had a very merry Christmas (if you celebrate it), and have a rocking New Year's Eve. I plan to get wasted and trash my mate at HIS game of Call of Duty 4 on the PS3. And yeah, he blatantly read that, so now I'm screwed!
I'm going to take next week off due to it being the New Year (and the fact that there is absolutely ZERO news coming out around that time),but I'll be back in two weeks on January 10th for the first instalment of Nintendophiles in 2008!
