The Release List 12.18.08
Posted by Tommy Coloma on 12.18.2008
Another Anime-based fighting game that will probably sell more than the latest Street Fighter, a puzzler with a Professor Layton-like feel to it, a Final Fantasy fan's wet dream, and a game that flightless birds can play. When will the war on our pocketbooks end?
I was relieved when I saw a list of this week's US releases because I thought that I'd be able to relax. Then I saw the things that Japan was getting and I was filled with a sense of dread... and then JEALOUSY... and then dread again. My work is never done...
This week's highlights
Fate/Unlimited Codes (PS2 Import)
In 2007, French-Bread posted an April Fools' Day joke in which it was announced that they were developing a 2D hand-drawn fighter based on Type Moon's Fate/stay night franchise. Since French-Bread was also responsible for the popular Melty Blood games, many fans were convinced that there was something to the joke, especially considering how good the fake screenshots were. If I remember correctly, Melty Blood was first revealed in an April Fools' Day joke, so there was good reason to hope. A bit later, Fate/Unlimited Codes was announced. It wasn't going to be the 2D hand-drawn masterpiece that fans were expecting, but it was still better than nothing.
Back in October when I was in Japan for TGS, I saw posters for this release in pretty much every electronics/video game store that I visited. At the convention, Capcom had a section squared away just of this, and if I remember correctly, it was as big as the area they used for Street Fighter IV. So, even if one knew nothing about the series, it should be obvious that the Fate/stay night franchise is pretty popular (at least in Japan). I actually had a chance to play this in an arcade over there, and despite not knowing what I was doing, I still had some fun with it. I can see people complaining about how the characters are a little plain looking, but I think that it looks good for a game that's running on PS2 hardware.
I wanted to go more in depth on how the game plays, but I just got the import in the mail today and I haven't had time to check it out. The only thing that I remember is that there are three attack buttons (light, medium, and heavy) and a guard button which can be used to parry your enemy's attacks. If you want to know more, you can take a look at this post at SRK.
see the fighters in action
Matchstick (DS)
Also known as Matchstick Puzzle for DS in Europe, this puzzler has you moving and rotating matchsticks in order to answer questions. You get over 150 puzzles to wrack your brain on. Thankfully, the developers were nice enough to include a hint system that should help you to hold on to your sanity, at least for a little while. There is also a time attack mode in which you're asked to complete 10 random puzzles quickly without the use of hints. According to what I've read, those who enjoyed the puzzles in Professor Layton might get a kick out of this.
Remember when the DS first came out and SEGA showed everyone up when it released Feel the Magic, one of the only games at the time that made good use of the DS' capabilities? Painful, isn't it? With the release of Let's Tap, we get some confirmation that there is a semblance of that awesomeness still left in the company (the game was actually developed by Prope, but let's just pretend).
As of right now, Let's Tap is the only game on the Wii that you can play without touching a controller. To make it work, you must first place the Wii remote face down on a cardboard box. Then, you just start tapping on the box like you're playing with some bongos. The controller senses the vibrations and makes things happen in the game. In one of the demos that I saw at TGS, players were told to tap to move their on-screen characters - tapping quickly caused them to run while slapping the box caused the character to jump. I can see this as being a very popular party game, especially for people who don't normally play games.
this should give you an idea of what you can expect
Rock Band 2 (PS2, Wii)
Apparently, the Wii version has all of the features found in its 360 and PS3 counterparts, minus the tattoo edit feature. DLC can be saved onto your Wii's internal memory and/or SD cards. According to Harmonix, songs previously available on the 360 and PS3 and all future releases will make their way to the Wii version as well. Whether or not this is true remains to be seen.
Tales of Hearts (Anime Movie Edition) (DS Import)
Tales of Hearts (CG Movie Edition) (DS Import)
There have been way too many Tales games over the last two or three years. So many, in fact, that I've begun to ignore them. This one, however, caught my eye thanks to the fact that there are two versions that are coming out - one that uses Anime-style cut scenes produced by Production I.G (Ghost in the Shell: SAC, The Prince of Tennis, FLCL) and another that uses CG cut scenes rendered by Shirogumi. I think that it's cool that Namco is willing to experiment a little to see what gamers prefer. Well, I'm sure that the company is doing this so that it can make more money off of the suckers out there that are going to buy both versions, but still... You can be sure that I'll be paying attention to the sales figures for both games over the next few weeks.
the Anime trailer
the CG trailer
Dissidia: Final Fantasy (PSP) Dissidia is one of the most import-friendly Final Fantasy games you will find thanks to the fact that it's on the PSP and it's a fighting game. You'll lose out on the story (it might actually be important for once), but if you can't wait the year or so it'll take for Square Enix to remember that it likes making money off of Americans, it's time to import. Besides, I'm sure that translation guides will start popping up sooner rather than later anyway. According to Wikipedia, here is your roster -
Bartz Klauser (Final Fantasy V)
Cecil Harvey (Final Fantasy IV)
Cloud of Darkness (Final Fantasy III)
Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII)
Emperor (Final Fantasy II)
Exdeath (Final Fantasy V)
Firion (Final Fantasy II)
Garland (Final Fantasy)
Golbez (Final Fantasy IV)
Jecht (Final Fantasy X)
Kefka Palazzo (Final Fantasy VI)
Kuja (Final Fantasy IX)
Onion Knight (Final Fantasy III)
Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII)
Shantotto (Final Fantasy XI)
Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII)
Terra Branford (Final Fantasy VI)
Tidus Final (Fantasy X)
Ultimecia (Final Fantasy VIII)
Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy)
Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy IX)
It looks good, but I think that the game could use a little less sausage. WTF is Tifa?
Clould vs. that guy with a long sword
The other US releases Rise of the Argonauts (PC, PS3, 360) Deer Drive (Wii) Burger Island (DS) Candace Kane's Candy Factory (DS) Cate West: The Vanishing Files (DS) Dreamer Series: Horse Trainer (DS) Dreamer Series: Puppy Trainer (DS) Learn Math (DS) Mystery P.I. Portrait of a Thief (DS) Azada Ancient Magic (PC) Summer Sports 2: Island Sports Party
Dance Dance Revolution: Furu Furu Party (Wii)
This is pretty much Japan's version of Hottest Party 2, but with J-Pop songs. I honestly think that DDR plays better with that type of music, so to me, this is the version to get if you're into DDR. You can check out the song list here.
Ragnarok Online DS
Yeah, it's a game based on the Ragnarok Online MMORPG. It isn't an MMO though. Instead, GungHo opted to make an action RPG based on the series. There is at least some online play in which up to three people can play through dungeons together, but I'm sure that most fans of the series are disappointed that the developers didn't go all out and bring the MMORPG experience to the DS. Maybe next time...
Gundam Musou 2 (360, PS3, PS2) Space Puzzle Bobble (DS) Bleach: Versus Crusade (Wii) Disney TH!NK: Haya Oshi Quiz (Wii) Karaoke Joysound Wii (Wii) ADK Tamashii (PS2) EA Sports Rugby 08 (EA:SY! 1980) (PS2) Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryaku Series Vol. 13: Neon Genesis Evangelion - Yakusoku no Toki (PS2) Yukinkoto Daisenpuu: Saiyuki to Koyukino Hie Hie Daisoudou (PS2) Bokujou Monogatari: Youkoso Kaze no Bazaar e (DS) Edogawa Ranpo no Kaijin Nijuu Mensou DS Gensou Suikoden Tierkreis (DS) Minna de Dokusho: Keatai Shousetsu Desu (DS) Momotarou Dentetsu: 20-Shuunen (DS) Nakayoshi All-Stars: Mezase Gakuen Idol (DS) Ochaken no Daibouken 2: Yume Ippai no Omocha Hako (DS) Power Pro Kun Pocket 11 (DS) Princess Ballerina: Yumemiru 4-Jin no Primadonna (DS) Takahashi Shoten Kanshuu: Saihinshutsu! SPI Perfect Mondaishuu DS 2010 Nendohan (DS) Toudou Ryuunosuke Tantei Nikki: Kohakuiro no Yuigon (DS) Kirarin * Revolution: Atsumete Change! Kurukira Coorde (DS) Crimson Room Rebirth (PSP) Hiiro no Kakera Portable (PSP) Otsugea Uranai na Desu. (PSP) Saikyou Shogi Bonanza (PSP) Solfege: Sweet Harmony (PSP)
