The Release List 03.19.09: Marble Saga, TrackMania, Henry Hatsworth, Brandish, More
Posted by Tommy Coloma on 03.19.2009
Hudson brings us more marble-rolling fun, Atlus gives us a DS racer that's actually good, EA messes around with the platformer and puzzler genres, and the Brandish series makes a return.
Lots of good stuff for everyone this week. I'm losing sleep just thinking about it...
This week's highlightsNote: Release dates are subject to change
This is the sequel to the well liked but hard to find Marble Mania. Those who gave the original a chance found a game with some pretty good level designs, enjoyable music, and excellent use of the Wii remote's motion control features, especially when compared to other early 3rd party Wii games. As in the original, movement is achieved by tilting the ground and letting gravity take care of the rest. This makes for an experience that is quite different from games like Marble Madness and Super Monkey Ball in which players are in direct control of the marble itself.
With Marble Saga, Hudson set out to improve upon everything that made the first a hit while adding even more to the package. Here's the breakdown:
- Three difficulty settings
I thought that the levels in the first game were way too easy, so having multiple difficulty settings should keep things from getting stale quickly. It looks like the hardest difficulty has to be unlocked though, which is somewhat of a disappointment.
- Levels that are specifically tailored for the balance board
I've seen this in action and it looks pretty fun. Anything that gives us an excuse to wipe the dust off of our expensive peripherals is a good thing.
- Improved jumping mechanic
Something always felt off about the way jumping was implemented in the first game. While still a little clunky, it's noticeably better here.
- Edit Mode
During a visit to Hudson's offices in Japan last year, I watched one of the developers use Edit Mode to create a level from scratch that pretty much blew everyone in the room away. I knew then that Hudson had something special in its hands. My only complaint is that the pieces have to be unlocked first. Why can't we just get everything from the getgo for once? Regardless, I can see myself spending a lot of time in this mode alone.
Note: These are the same tools that the developers used to put the game together, so you can actually create production-quality levels from the comfort of your own home.
- Level sharing
Probably the most exciting feature for me (besides Edit Mode) is the ability to share levels through Wii Connect 24. You still have to use Friend Codes, but at least the option is there.
On a related note, a few weeks ago Hudson asked some writers from various sites to visit its headquarters in San Mateo to create levels which the company has since made available for free through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. I was lucky enough to go in on behalf of 411mania. In the end, it took me around five hours to make mine (one hour to play around with the pieces and the rest to work my level designing mojo). Though I was there for a little while, the time I spent in the creation process went by way too quickly, which is a testament to how fun it is to create, modify, and test things out in Edit Mode. If you happen to pick this game up, don't forget to check my level out. It's the one in which you start out suspended in the air above a flying saucer (there's another one that starts you off on top of one as well - just remember that mine actually drops you from above). Once you successfully land you have to roll on some metal rails to get to the main area. From there it's necessary to work your way to the end and then back again. You'll know what I'm talking about once you try it. To download these special levels, just click on the blue icon on the left in the Hudson section in Edit Mode. They're timed downloads so after you receive one you have to wait a few hours to get the next. I got all of them quickly by constantly changing the date on my Wii. Somehow, my level ended up being the last one (#20), so it will be a while if you decide to get the levels legitimately. Maybe I made mine too hard...
the "Anthony Ant" trailer
TrackMania DS TrackMania is a popular PC racing series that is well known for its physics-defying jump and loop filled levels. The craziness of said levels makes them fun and accessible enough for casual gamers to get into. Strangely enough, the same levels do well to challenge the hardcore to try to find faster ways to get to the end. As a result, the series offers something to gamers of all skill levels. TrackMania's level-creation tools have also contributed to the popularity of the series. In fact, several major online communities which deal primarily with the creation and exchange of fan-developed levels and customized cars have been thriving for years. Thousands of quality tracks have already been created and more are made every day. All this and more from a game that can be downloaded for free on Steam. With a full-featured game with a virtually unlimited supply of levels and cars out there for anyone to pick up for free, what can the DS port possibly offer to fans and newcomers to get them to pay the price of admission? Let's take a look -
The Good:
- It's portable TrackMania. You can do a quick race here and there if you have a few minutes to spare or you can spend hours creating levels using the robust editor. I can't imagine an easier way to pass the time while traveling for hours on end. Having sixty save slots is also pretty cool.
- There are several local multi-player options, including a few that allow for one-cart play.
The Bad:
- No online multi-player.
- As expected, sharing levels over the Internet hasn't been implemented. They can be shared locally, but for most people that isn't a viable option.
a stunt track created by Phantom Fake for Trackmania Nations Forever
the TrackMania DS "Tricks" trailer
the TrackMania DS editor
Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure (DS) Henry Hatsworth successfully combines your typical 2D platformer with a Pokemon Puzzle League-like puzzler. On the top screen you navigate a monacled English guy through hordes of enemies. Once defeated, they become blocks which are then transported to the bottom screen as puzzle pieces. As you run around, the pieces down below slowly rise upward. Enemies can be permanently destroyed by removing them from the puzzle board. Failing to do so before they reach the top results in their resurrection, after which they once again go on the attack. I think that this is one of the coolest concepts I've seen in a 2D platformer for some time. It's just too bad that it will probably end up in the bargain bin sooner rather than later.
The Life & Death of a Puzzle Enemy
Henry Hatsworth action gameplay
Henry Hatsworth puzzle gameplay
Dengeki Gakuen RPG: Cross of Venus (DS Import)
This game's claim to fame is its use of characters that are associated with the Dengeki Bunko publishing label. It's essentially an action RPG in which you are tasked with helping those characters to save their worlds. Here's the roster -
Dokuro - Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan
Haruka Nogizaka - Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
Index - To Aru Majutsu no Index
Kana Iriya - Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu
Kino - Kino's Journey
Misao Minakami - Asura Cryin'
Shana - Shakugan no Shana
Taiga Aisaka - Toradora!
The Dengeki Gakuen RPG trailer
Brandish: Dark Revenant (PSP Import)
The original Brandish came out on the SNES back in 1995. It played as a top-down action RPG with a forced behind-the-back perspective. Just imagine A Link to the Past with a camera that is always on Link's back - basically, when you turn, the whole screen shifts instantly so that you never see your character's face. Since you can only move up, down, left, and right, it made for a pretty jarring experience. Thankfully, the developers of this remake added some 3D transitions to make turning a little less annoying. Besides the weird controls, the other thing that people remember about Brandish is that the main baddie happens to be a hot witch that's seeking revenge. That's certainly different...
being chased by Dela Delon might not be all that bad
import possibilities: Remakes for other Falcom games (Ys, The Legend of Heroes) have already been localized in the US, so it's very likely that this will find its way over here some day as well.
the Brandish "Debut" trailer
the Brandish "Walkthrough" trailer
Super Robot Taisen K (DS Import)
Yet another SRT game that we won't get over here. You can expect mechs from the following shows:
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Marz
Fafner in the Azure
Gaiking Legend of Daikumaryu
Godannar
Godannar Second Season
Gun X Sword
Haja Taisei Dangaioh
Koutetsushin Jeeg
Mazinger Z
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed C.E. 73 Stargazer
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny
Overman King Gainer
Zoids Genesis
import tip of the day: Translations for this can be found over at the Akurasu Wiki
Rei Choaniki (PSP Import)
TGS impressions: After fifteen minutes of play at the convention, I came away feeling that it wasn't a bad shooter. But it wasn't that great either. Being attacked from both sides of the screen was cool. Other than that, it felt like your standard shooter... with muscle-bound men flying all over the place.
Suikoden Tierkreis (DS)
This is a spin-off of the Suikoden series. While I'm sure that it's a fine game, I'm still holding off for a Suikoden II remake/re-release in the US.
The other US releases Air Conflicts: Aces of World War II (PSP)
C.O.R.E. (DS)
Crayola Adventures: Colorful World (Wii)
Ether Saga Online (PC)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS)
History Great Empires: Rome (DS)
Men of War (PC)
OMG! High School Triple Play Pack (PC)
Pimp My Ride: Street Racing (PS2)
Pokemon Platinum (DS) [will be released on Sunday]
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (Wii)
Ready 2 Rumble Revolution (Wii)
Resistance: Retribution (PSP)
Rune Factory: Frontier (Wii)
Runes of Magic (PC)
Scrabble (DS, PSP)
SingStar Queen (PS2)
Tom Clancy's HAWX (PC)
Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume (DS)
World Championship Games: A Track & Field Event (DS)
World in Conflict: Complete Edition (PC)
The Import Scene Amagami (PS2)
Ayaka Shibito Portable (PSP)
Bokujou Monogatari: Sugar Mura to Minna no Negai (PSP)
Card de Asobu! Hajimete no DS
Choco Ken: Otodoke! Sweets Wagon (DS)
Darts Wii Deluxe (Wii)
Dragon Ball Evolution (PSP)
Gakken Hangul Sanmai DS
Gakken Shin Toeic Test Kanzen Kouryaku 2 (DS)
Gardening Mama (DS)
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3 with Izayoiki Aizouban (PSP)
Hitsuji-kun nara Kiss Shite Ageru (PSP)
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2009 (PS2)
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu Next (Wii)
Kuroshitsuji: Phantom & Ghost (DS)
Musou Tourou (PSP)
Ouran Koukou Host Club DS
Saru Get You: Pipo Saru Senki (PSP)
Tantei Jinguuji Saburo DS: Fuserareta Shinjitsu (DS)
Tomoyo After: It's a Wonderful Life (PSP)
Winter Sports 2009 The Next Challenge (Wii)
