The Release List 02.11.09
Posted by Tommy Coloma on 02.11.2009
Faux old-school goodness, scantily clad sword-wielding girls who fight monsters and zombies, and a compilation of some of the Genesis' best.
Fans of all things retro are in for a treat as we get not one, but two retro related titles this week - a faux retro game and one compilation of some of the best that the Genesis had to offer. We also get two games of the "hot chicks with swords" variety and two shooters. Come to think of it, we're getting a lot of twos this week. Maybe someone's trying to tell us that two really is better than one.
What do you think?Even though I'm not in charge of Fact or Fiction any more, I still think of statements that I would use if I was (it's hard to shake a habit after doing it for two years). I figured that it'd be a waste if I didn't use my ideas in some way, so I thought that I'd turn those statements into questions and see what you, the reader, thinks. You can use the comments section down below to answer. I guess I'll post some of the better responses (like the ones in which people actually explain their answers) in next week's column. If this catches on maybe I'll keep doing it every week. If not, I'll just make it a one-shot deal -
1. I buy most of my games through Amazon or EBGames so the thought of being embarrassed to pick up a video game never occurred to me until I started doing research on X-Blades and Onechanbara for this week's column. It came to my attention that some people would be more comfortable with ordering those games online or renting them through places like Gamefly. After thinking about it, I realized that I might feel a little self-conscious as well. If I was still in high school I wouldn't think anything of it, but these days it'd feel weird. Of course, if I really wanted a game I'd get it no matter what. Even so, in the back of my mind I would be worried about someone I know seeing me.
friend: "Hey! What are you doing here?"
me: "I'm just buying this game."
[shows my newly bought copy of Onechanbara]
friend: Oh... Cool... Nice seeing you...
I can imagine that happening. How about you? Have you ever felt self-conscious about buying a game at retail? If so, what game and why?
2. Since Street Fighter IV is coming out next week, it's as good a time as any to ask this - Besides Street Fighter IV and HD Remix, what is your favorite version of Street Fighter and why?
This week's highlightsNote: Release dates are subject to change
Retro Game Challenge (DS)
This is one of the more memorable games that I played at E3 last year, which is both sad and cool at the same time. The game itself is based on a popular Japanese show in which the host, comedian Shinya Arino, plays through old games while the audience watches. The story here is that you have been turned into a child and transported to the 80s where you are forced by an evil version of Arino to take on some challenges for several old-school games.
Retro Game Challenge comes with eight fictional games that are based on titles from popular franchises. Cosmic Gate is a Galaga-like top-down shooter. Haggleman is a platforming game in the vein of the original Mario Bros. (the one with the POW block). Rally King and Rally King SP are similar to R.C. Pro-AM. Star Prince has a Raiden vibe to it. Haggleman 2 and 3 are your obligatory sequels, though they play differently from the first as well as each other, with the second sequel being more Ninja Gaiden-like. Guadia Quest is a Dragon Quest clone. RGC adds more to the nostalgia by featuring the ability to collect game magazines which contain strategy guides, cheat codes, developer interviews, and other information for all eight games.
The challenges do not require you to finish each game. However, all of the games are complete, so you can if you want to. They can take up to eight hours or longer to beat and are not what I would consider shovelware - there is some depth to all of them. One of the action games, for example, has its own power-up screen where you can use certain items you've collected to improve your character. Abilities such as jumping higher and throwing more projectiles are essential for getting further in the game. Another example is how one of the racing games has a very cool drifting mechanic which makes it much more interesting than most of the others that I played in the 80s. So, at the very least, some of the games offered here rival those that were actually released back in the day.
If you're into old-school games, you owe it to yourself to check this gem out. Even if you aren't, Retro Game Challenge was made to cater to anybody (the challenges aren't too difficult). So, if you're looking for something different on your DS, this might be worth a look.
Rumor Mill: I heard at E3 that work for an American release of the show has already been done, but there isn't a distributor that's willing to take a chance on the series. Until then, you can find more info on it by checking out The Game Center CX Episode Guide over at crunk. Crunchyroll also has a few episodes online. Unfortunately, none of them are translated, so the jokes will be lost on most of us...
Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad (360) Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers (Wii)
This week's releases of Bikini Samurai Squad and Bikini Zombie Slayers mark Onechanbara's first official appearance in the US. It originally started out as one of D3's Simple Series games in Japan. History lesson: The Simple Series is made up of mostly budget titles that rip off other successful games. The low-budgetness isn't always a bad thing though, as it gave the developers some freedom to experiment, which is probably how Onechanabara was born. I mean, where else would they have gotten the idea for zombie-hunting bikini-and-cowboy-hat-wearing girls with swords? Somehow, Onechanbara was popular enough to break away from its Simple Series roots and has spawned quite a few sequels.
Now, even though I used to make fun of the Simple Series games, I actually like some of them. In fact, one of my favorite imports happens to be one called The Haisha (it's a Trauma Center-like game only instead of being a doctor you're a dentist). So, any time D3 decides to bring one of its games over, I pay attention. And who knows, maybe this'll open up the door for other Simple Series greats such as Zombie vs. Ambulance and The Shooting Action.
Interview and gameplay footage for Onechanbara (Xbox 360)
The Onechanbara trailer (Wii)
X-Blades (PC, PS3, 360)
Since I still watch quite a bit of Anime, I made it a point to visit the Southpeak booth at E3 just so that I could get some hands-on time with this. I was expecting a hack-and-slash game and that's exactly what I got. However, there was much more to it than just mashing a button over and over; thanks to the fact that you can switch between using guns, swords, and magic on the fly, you can mix things up a little if you really wanted to. Actually, you have to since some of your enemies cannot be defeated otherwise.
One of the things that the guy at the booth kept trying to hammer home was that the developers wanted to keep the action going. They tried to accomplish this by rewarding players for always being on the attack. As you attack more enemies your "rage meter" fills up. Filling this meter allows you to unleash powerful magic attacks. So, unlike other games that require you to hang back while waiting for similar meters fill up, X-Blades takes a different route by giving players a more direct way to do so. But if exploration is your thing, you also have the freedom to take your time to explore an area, picking up items that can be used to raise your experience and upgrade your magic, weapons, and items.
Other tidbits about the game:
- The main character, Ayumi, is not based on any existing Anime characters. Branching out into other forms of media wouldn't be out of the question, so maybe we'll see her in something else some day.
- The ending is determined by which magic attacks you use. Apparently, some magic spells favor the dark side more than others.
- This is an upgrade/remake of a 2007 PC-only game called Oniblade.
Hands-on impressions:
After playing the retail version I can safely say that this game is fun for a hack-and-slasher. There isn't anything new or groundbreaking except for the fact that you get magic points for constantly attacking. It's similar to a fighting game in that you can fill your meter by rushing your opponent down instead of turtling. The upgrade system is also nice and helps to break up the monotony by constantly introducing new types of attacks. The targeting system and camera control could use some work though. Also, some areas throw way too many waves of enemies at you. And even though the developers were shooting for a game that emphasizes constant movement and action, they probably should have added a block button. I don't like giving number ratings, so I'll just say that X-Blades is an OK game and should satisfy, at least on some level, those who like games of this type.
An X-Blades gameplay walkthrough
Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection (PS3, 360)
This is one of the best Genesis collections that Sega has put out, but there are some notable omissions (Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic CD anyone?). And honestly, if Sega really wanted to make this collection special, it should have reached a deal with Disney to bring in all the Genesis' Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck platformers. Moonwalker would have been nice as well. Maybe next time...
Available out of the box:
Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
Alien Storm
Altered Beast
Beyond Oasis
Bonanza Bros.
Columns
Comix Zone
Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head
Dr. Robotnik's MBM
Dynamite Headdy
Ecco the Dolphin
Ecco II: The Tides of Time
E-SWAT
Fatal Labyrinth
Flicky
Gain Ground
Golden Axe I
Golden Axe II
Golden Axe III
Kid Chameleon
Phantasy Star II
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
Ristar
Shining in the Darkness
Shining Force
Shining Force 2
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Sonic 3D Blast
Sonic and Knuckles
Sonic Spinball
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Streets of Rage
Streets of Rage 2
Streets of Rage 3
Super Thunder Blade
Vectorman
Vectorman 2
Unlockables:
Golden Axe Warrior (SEGA Master System)
Phantasy Star (SEGA Master System)
Alien Syndrome (Arcade)
Altered Beast (Arcade)
Congo Bongo (Arcade)
Fantasy Zone (Arcade)
Shinobi (Arcade)
Space Harrier (Arcade)
Zaxxon (Arcade)
I definitely want to play Alien Syndrome, Shinobi, and Space Harrier again, but I hate how they have to be unlocked first. Developers need to stop doing that, at least when it comes to compilations. It's more of an annoyance than anything else these days.
The other US releases Deadly Creatures (Wii) F.E.A.R.2: Project Origin (PC, PS3, 360) House of the Dead: Overkill (Wii) LocoRoco 2 (PSP)
The Import Scene Hidamari Sketch: Doko Demo Sugoroku x 365 (DS) Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (DS) Mobile Suit Gundam: Giren no Yabou - Axis no Kyoui V (PS2, PSP) Saga no Gabaibaa-Chan (DS) Tantei Jinguuji Saburo DS: Fuserareta Shinjitsu (DS)
Gamecenter CX is currently being subbed by www.tvnihon.com
Slowly, though. They have a lot of projects.
However if the show ever does get released outside Japan, they will stop subbing it.
Posted By: Tack (Guest) on February 11, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Cool! Thanks for the tip.
Posted By: Tommy Coloma (Registered) on February 11, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Favorite SF would have to be 3rd strike, but I can see the argument for Alpha 3 too. Pretty much depends on if you like the old cast better than the new, and parries.
Posted By: Andy (Guest) on February 11, 2009 at 08:58 AM
I'm not too excited about that Mega Drive collection. Sonic, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Columns and Ecco have been on several others already.
You're right about the lack of Moonwalker, Castle of Illusion and Quackshot hurting this line-up but there are more glaring omissions like Shinobi, James Pond, Road Rash and above all- Toe Jam & Earl!
Posted By: Tim (Guest) on February 11, 2009 at 08:42 PM
