Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 review
I love me some Dragon Quest! Check out my review of Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 on GameZone. Between old-fashioned Slimes and Teeny Sanguinis, Joker 2 is a safari not viewed from the safety of your car.
Posts Tagged ‘Nintendo DS’
Yes to Ni no Kuni localization, please
I love the Studio Ghibli films. They’re just about the best animated films out there, and yes, I’m a fan of Pixar and Disney and all that. Nearly all of the studio’s productions are moving, humbling, funny, sweet, shocking, beautiful … I was on a quest to see every one until Netflix forced me to decide between their instant streaming service and monthly DVDs after they hiked up their prices. Since I can’t afford both and want more for my money, I chose the former plan.
Ni no Kuni (The Another World) is basically Ghibli’s next movie made video game. If you’ve seen one of their films, then you know how exciting that is. Their worlds are gorgeous, and their characters lend enormous personality and charm to the stories.
Not to mention Level-5 (Professor Layton) is the developer working on the game, and they’ve got some of the most reputable animation output in the business.
According to GhibliWorld.com (which reports quite a bit of detail on the Nintendo DS version, at least), Hayao Miyazaki, animator and director of most of the studio’s most popular works, is not officially involved. But that shouldn’t stop you, considering the DS game (subtitled The Sorcerer of Darkness) is already out and has received high ratings from Japanese magazine Famitsu.
The PS3 game (Queen of the Holy White Ash) is slated for November 17 in Japan, along with a fancy “gold” 160GB console and game bundle (with Move support). So far, there’s been no word on a North American release date for either system, though localization was previously said to be confirmed.
PS3 Review: Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
Ubisoft backtracks to a prettier prince with the prequel to Warrior Within. The sands make a comeback, along with a female sidekick, a common move for the Prince of Persia series. As the Prince and his brother Malik break an ancient seal, they release King Solomon’s sacred army, a misnomer. These skeletal and armor-plated fiends operate under an evil spell that threatens to cover the world with a sandstorm. With the help of a magical Djinn named Razia, the Prince wields the elements of water, wind, fire, and ice as his only hope against the power-hungry Ratash.
The Forgotten Sands sits more comfortably among earlier PoP games like Sands of Time than the recent experimental ones, such as the cel-shaded remake that, as gorgeous to view as it was, made a lot of players grumpy (who wouldn’t be after that cakewalk and story ending?). This run-around takes a step down in graphics, but it does construct a stable balance between traversing obstacle courses of spikes and whirly gigs and engaging in combat. Players can rewind time as usual, but what makes this edition unique is how it challenges gamers to mix environmental and water manipulation and aerial boosts on command. Thanks to Razia, the Prince can solidify water and interact with it like he would a wall or beam. Timing is key, camera clues are vital, and specialized aerial jumps and area restoration add an extra edge to the gameplay. A few instances will leave players exasperated with buggy missteps, but for the most part, the Prince follows orders (nudge, nudge).
The game quickly immerses players by introducing various fighting methods and enemy types. The selectable upgrade system, based on experience points gained in battle, enhances combat and allows for a better grip on health and magic (longer water and time control, more powerful elemental attacks, etc.). Over the course of the game, these upgrades feel as unnecessary as opponents are redundant. The Prince swings a mean sword, and it does the job right.
A little more dedication to the adventure could have saved players from occasional boredom. Scattered throughout the palace, the blue sarcophagi that award bonus XP act as the sole incentive for careful exploration. Forgotten Sands falls into fits of uninspired gameplay, only to pick up its pace and then lapse into a creative coma again. While the narrative blows over more like an bothersome breeze than a strong sandstorm, at least the vigorous final boss fight justifies the investment.
The Forgotten Sands isn’t altogether unwelcome, but it does little to earn a valuable place as a member of the Prince of Persia series. 7/10
PS3 Review: Mini Ninjas
Appealing to the stealthy ninja wannabe in all of us, Mini Ninjas sculpts eye-popping animation, cutesy forest animals, and all-ages entertainment into one package. Of course, more cynical gamers know that flowery aesthetics don’t equate to full genius, and even the stealthiest of heroes can’t ensure a mighty punch. Well, rest assured, because Mini Ninjas infuses all of its ancient samurai muscle into a presentation as reliable as bamboo-chomping pandas … predictable, mind-numbing pandas.
Mini Ninjas markets as a game satisfying to both children and adults, and the influence leaves a clear trail throughout the game’s entirety. The difficulty setting can be adjusted with one quick trip to the options menu, and even your enviable Kuji magic integrates various hint methods for when you get stuck chasing fireflies and picking tiger lilies. Luckily, there’s a lot to admire about such a feel-good game that doesn’t hesitate to pull at the heartstrings. As you zip through mesmerizing, gorgeous painted environments, you’ll relax with soothing music one moment and then glide into unleashing your fearsome ninja moves the next. Along with the user-friendly controls and activity pallet, the result feels virtually therapeutic—certainly advantageous when you need to unwind after a long day.
Regardless of the many hints sprinkled about, Mini Ninjas shows you the courtesy of free-style gameplay. You follow a basically linear course, but gamers are encouraged to meddle with different scenario approaches and take-down methods. The six ninjas at your beck and call each bring a distinguished technique to the array of challenges, and some are better suited to the present situation than others. Everything stacks together neatly; each level’s finish totals your score of freed animals, compiled potion ingredients and scrolls, special gold tokens, and Jizo statues and allows you to replay sections at more convenient times. The weaponry and equipment at your disposal wield impressive versatility, as well. Your ninja hat, for example, acts as a boat, snow sled, and overall protection against flying arrows and falling debris.
But behind the smoke and mirrors parlor tricks essential to the ninja trade, a handful of flaws rear their ugly heads. Mini Ninjas strays from its own beaten path disappointingly little. Eventually you’ll tire from gathering dainty plants, decking silly mini (or in some cases, giant) enemies, and breaking probably expensive pots. The commonplace hunt-and-gather missions render the more carefully hidden treasures into cheap yard sale trinkets. When the game does veer towards something new, it either fails sorely or taunts you with a fresh taste of ephemeral action. The avalanche aka sledding sequence nudges excitement with a stick, but the technical frustration nips any possible thrills before they can flourish.
Mini Ninjas sustains quite a few odd yet minor bugs concerning maneuverability and functionality, including rotating your makeshift boat and aligning your character with the ropes spanning buildings. Plus, although enemies gradually advance in more ambitious and trying waves, you’ll practically be swimming in health and other replenishing items; even in the toughest battles, deaths are few and far between. Despite all that extra magic and commodity, your supposedly convenient Ki wheel never expands slot-wise, forcing you to rummage through your inventory menu instead.
Mini Ninjas delivers better as a rental: It has an innovative concept and inspiring visuals, but replay value and entertainment rewards simmer down after several hours. Character extras delightfully tell the ninjas’ origins, but the in-game storyline could have benefited from such charming personality. Like the breathtaking world, the dominating features might be superficially breathtaking, but the qualities underneath lose their polish, sucking the mystery out of the ninja heart. 7/10
Crabba Snabba! Stitch Crashes onto the DS
I confess: I still haven’t seen Lilo and Stitch, and it’s been nearly a decade now since its 2002 release. But to my surprise its wave of popularity still washes up on a few beaches, and yesterday Disney Interactive Studios announced that a brand new Nintendo DS game starring the blue critter will hit North America’s this March. Maybe I should rent the original already.
The popular 2002 Walt Disney Pictures film, Lilo and Stitch, just won’t let go of its extraterrestrial steam. The blue-headed, hyperactive alien affectionately known as Stitch will pop up again in a new game announced late yesterday by Disney Interactive Studios. Named Disney Stitch Jam for its rhythm-based theme, the side-scrolling concoction for the Nintendo DS is scheduled to hit North American shores in March of 2010.
Get the full scoop of the press release over at OneMetal.
