By Khadgar. Thursday, 17. July 2008, 02:06:33
music, khadgar, E3, crossing
...
E3 has become a staple in gaming culture, evolving from a small convention where the gaming industry shows off their stuff to the press to a big convention where the old American practice of showboating and shock and awe takes center stage. Anything but a shocking presentation is considered subpar. Yesterday Nintendo delivered a presentation at E3: the one everyone waits for. Nintendo-- yesterday-- announced Animal Crossing: City Folk with Wii Speak (which we need to do something on), Wii Music, and Wii Sports Resort while showing off the new Wii Motion Plus they announced the day prior to the presentation. This year the common consensus is that the presentation and what was presented for the most part was garbage, and I can say that I agree.
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By -MK. Saturday, 31. May 2008, 17:27:38
MK, games, review, wii
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Okay look everyone. I admit it. I'm a jaded gamer who has the attention span the size of a hey what's that? Because of this, I rarely finish games. Sometimes, I get lost and lose interest. Other times, I'll get right to the end of the game and decide to call it quits. Most of the time, however, a new game comes out and it's shiny. And I get distracted. This is why I prefer arcade-type games where you can beat them in one sitting. I don't have to worry about where I was headed before when I boot up a save. House of the Dead and Virtua Fighter beckon my name. I was raised by Sonic the Hedgehog in his glory days. Power Stone, anyone? Sega and Capcom have always been there for me.
Don't get me wrong, I love adventures. I just don't have the patience/attention span to finish most of them. Of the few I have completed, I've done so because they are particularly amazing. First to strike my mind is Grandia II and everything Shenmue. However, I've never finished a Final Fantasy game. Ever. I haven't even beaten Pokemon Pearl (please don't hurt me, Nintendo Defense Force)! The only reason I quit playing No More Heroes (which is made of badass) was I got hooked to Team Fortress 2. I loved the hell out of Shining Force until I realized how much more Gunstar Heroes I could be playing. Balloon Fight has destroyed any remaining chance of completing anything (special note: Balloon Fight owns). For the most part, I simply can't get into anything that takes me more than 10 hours to complete.
Long-winded introductions aside, I felt it was very necessary to express how hard it is for me to stay focused to stress this very point: Okami is one of the best damn games I have ever played.Read more...
By seaempty. Tuesday, 27. May 2008, 17:20:07
seaempty, ds, review, micro
What is it?
A cross between Brain Training and Hotel Dusk. You must assist Professor Layton and his young sidekick Luke as they try and solve the mystery of the Curious Village. You will need to solve many, many puzzles and mind teasers in order to progress through the story.
How does it play?
It's a slow paced, text heavy game, but this shouldn't put you off. With over 130 puzzles to unlock and complete, it's a highly entertaining game. They story might be a bit bland, but the characters are interesting enough to make you want to see it through to its conclusion. The puzzles vary in difficulty, and there's a great feel of satisfaction when you solve them (especially with no hints). You can even download a new puzzle every week via the WFC. If you're a fan of puzzles and have a logical mind, this game should be on your wish list.
N+ Summary
Game: Professor Layton And The Curious Village
Developed by: Level 5
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1
Release Date: Out now (US and JP), EU (?)
Supports WFC: Yes
Video available: No
N+ Points
N+ 130 puzzles to unlock and complete
N+ Nice FMV cut scenes
N+ Downloadable Content via WFC
N+ Good variety in the difficulty
N+ Decent (if predictable) story
N- Points
N- There is lots of text to read throughout the game
N- A couple of the puzzles are made harder due to the explanation
N- If you don't like puzzles, you'll probably hate it...
JudgmeN+: 8.5
By seaempty. Tuesday, 27. May 2008, 17:14:55
ds, review, micro, seaempty
What is it?
A collection of the Sun Crosswords playable on the DS. There are over 1000 crosswords available to tackle, using either straight or cryptic clues.
How does it play?
The game uses the touch screen to input the answers, and for the most part the handwriting recognition is great. There are a few errors in the clues, however, and it's annoying that you can only have one crossword in progress at one time (you can only save one at any one time). The graphics aren't great, and it feels a little rough around the edges, but with marketing like this, you can't really complain. On a personal level, in normal crosswords, I like to use cryptic and straight clues in conjunction, using one to verify the other. On the DS version, you can only use one set of clues at a time.
N+ Summary
Game: The Sun Crossword Challenge
Developed by: Mercury Games
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1
Release Date: Out now
Supports WFC: No
Video available: No
N+ Points
N+ 1000 crosswords is good value for money
N+ Simple and effective
N+ Handwriting system works well
N- Points
N- Writing "I"s is a pain
N- Rough around the edges
N- Only using either cryptic OR straight clues is disappointing
N- Saving only one puzzle at a time
JudgmeN+: 6.0
By seaempty. Tuesday, 27. May 2008, 17:07:44
ds, review, micro, seaempty
What is it?
It's a new RPG from Square Enix, centred around Japanese youth culture and trends. When Neku enters The Game, he has 7 days to stay alive, and complete the Reapers' missions. With a fantastic story and an innovative, fast paced combat system, this game is destined to become a classic. It has incredible depth, and collecting and evolving the Pins will take over your life. The graphics and soundtrack give the game great style, and it's sure to be glued into your DS for some time.
How does it play?
The real time battles make this game highly entertaining. On the bottom screen you control Neku, using the stylus and microphone in a variety of ways to activate your pins and attack The Noise. On the top screen you use the D-Pad to control Neku's partner, with different combinations of directions unleashing attacks. You can evolve pins to make them stronger, even when your DS is turned off. The make of the badge and the clothes you wear will affect their performance, thanks to the game's trend system. There is so much to this game that this micro review will never do it justice. It's been a long time since a game has impressed me this much, and it is thoroughly recommended.
N+ Summary
Game: The World Ends With You
Developed by: Square Enix
Genre: RPG
Players: 1-4
Release Date: Out now
Supports WFC: No
Video available: No
N+ Points
N+ Lengthy and involving story, tackling some dark, dark issues
N+ Pin battle system is superb
N+ The various ways to evolve your Pins
N+ Great use of the two screens
N+ Excellent graphical style
N+ Innovative and unique
N- Points
N- No real multiplayer, apart from the quirky Tin Pin Slammer mode
N- Mingle Evolutions will be hard to come by
N- Controlling both characters at once can be confusing
JudgmeN+: 9.0
By seaempty. Sunday, 18. May 2008, 18:03:48
seaempty, games, review, ds
The DS is perfectly designed for Point and Click adventure games. There have been some exceptional examples on the console, whose dual-screens and touch controls make it an ideal platform on which to play them. Undercover: Dual Motives is a new game from Anaconda games, and the sequel to the PC title Undercover: Operation Wintersun. It involves espionage, Nazis, bombs, and a parrot. But is it any good? N+ attempt to decipher the code after the break.Read more...
By seaempty. Tuesday, 22. April 2008, 16:34:23
wii, review, games, seaempty
Mario Kart Wii is the latest game in one of the most popular series of all time. Mario Kart DS raised the standard of the franchise, with the addition of online gaming and some fantastic new courses. The Wii version aims to build on this by using the console’s motion controls to bring you closer to the action. The game comes bundled with the Wii Wheel to turn the Wii Remote into a steering wheel. Is it just a gimmick, or does it continue the improvement of the series? N+ hit the track to find out.Read more...
By seaempty. Monday, 21. April 2008, 16:11:25
seaempty, games, review, wii
Emergency Mayhem is a collection of mini-games with a difference. A city is in crisis, and it’s up to you to make it safer for its inhabitants. There are over 30 mini-games to play, that use the Wii’s controls in a variety of ways. In between each game is a manic race against time through the crowded streets of Crisis City. N+ couldn’t resist a game that involved high-speed chases and monkeys, and so we hit the sirens and put the pedal to the metal.Read more...
By seaempty. Sunday, 20. April 2008, 14:22:52
seaempty, games, review, wii
King of Clubs is not the first golf game to take advantage of the Wii's motion controls. We have seen on several occasions that, although the Wii Remote seems ideal to swing and putt, we aren't quite there in terms of the perfect contol system. King of Clubs isn't a fully-fledged golf game, but a mini-golf game, filled with some of the craziest courses you'll ever play on. With only putting to deal with, could this be the game that par-fects the controls, or will it be a shot into the rough? N+ put on their plus fours to find out!Read more...
By seaempty. Tuesday, 1. April 2008, 18:05:06
seaempty, sega, review, ds
Hot on the heels of their extremely successful sports title, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, SEGA have released another character-packed game. SEGA Superstars Tennis features a plethora of SEGA favourites, battling it out for grand slam glory. It's not the first time videogame greats have taken on tennis, and Nintendo's Mario Tennis series sets the benchmark. SEGA themselves aren't new to the sport and can happily boast about the successful Virtua Tennis games. Does Superstars tennis live up to this pedigree, or is it game, set, and match to Mario's mob. N+ have taken the DS version out for a top spin to find out.Read more...
By seaempty. Tuesday, 1. April 2008, 17:40:36
seaempty, micro, review, ds
What is it?
The next game in the extremely popular turn-based strategy series. It's the second time the game has appeared on the DS, and it's undergone a bit of a makeover. It's gone back to it's roots, become grittier, and added online multiplayer.
How does it play?
If you've played previous Advance Wars you'll know what to expect. It's maintained everything about the series that makes it so playable. There's some new units, less emphasis on CO Powers, and it's a thoroughly enjoyable game to play. The campaign mode has a great story, and enough missions and training maps to keep you occupied for many, many hours.
Throw in dozens of classic and new maps to play on, a detailed map editor, and this game represents true value for money. Yes, you will have played some of the maps before, but the new units keep them fresh. The original DS game cried out for online multiplayer, and Dark Conflict delivers (and with Voice chat too!). It's simple - if you're a fan of the series, get this game as it's arguably the best version of Advance Wars yet. If you're not a fan, or have never played any the series, get this game anyway.
N+ Summary
Game: Advance Wars: Dark Conflict/Days of Ruin
Developed by: Nintendo
Genre: Turn-Based Strategy
Players: 1-4
Release Date: Out now
Supports WFC: Yes
Video available: No
N+ Points
N+ We love the gritty new look
N+ Lengthy Campaign
N+ So many maps to play on
N+ Same great gameplay
N+ Online multiplayer with VOIP
N+ Improved CO powers
N- Points
N- Some of the new units are a bit dull
JudgmeN+: 9.5
By seaempty. Monday, 31. March 2008, 18:53:00
micro, ds, review, seaempty
What is it?
A new puzzle game based on Tangrams. The idea is to make different shapes using a set number of pieces.
How does it play?
The stylus control is perfect, and you'll pick it up in no time. Although some of the puzzles are fairly easy, the game quickly becomes addictive, and with over 500 puzzles to complete, it's sure to keep you occupied for quite some time. There's no online mode, but you can play against the clock, or against others via local Wi-Fi. It's a great little game, and a decent addition to the DS puzzle library. If you like laid-back logic puzzles that make you think, this one's for you.
N+ Summary
Game: Neves
Developed by: Yukes
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1-2
Release Date: Out now
Supports WFC: No
Video available: No
N+ Points
N+ Simple yet effective
N+ Touch controls are easy and work very well
N+ 500 puzzles means value for money
N+ Good mix of game modes
N+ Nice levels of difficulty
N- Points
N- A bit bland
N- Can get repetitive
N- The music is mighty annoying
JudgmeN+: 8.0
By seaempty. Thursday, 6. March 2008, 17:37:46
ds, review, games, seaempty
Retro gaming is like opening Pandora's Box. More often than not, those happy childhood memories you have of playing videogames are shattered within five minutes of replaying them in this new age of gaming. We have been spoiled by 3D graphics and stereo sound, and technology is moving fast. Who needs Wolfenstein 3D, when you have Metroid Prime? And yet we like revisiting the past. The success of the Wii's Virtual Console has shown that people are willing to pay to play games that were once groundbreaking. Atari are the latest publisher who wants to help us return to our gaming past, and expose new audiences to legendary games. Namco Museum DS has just been released on the console, and N+ jumped at the chance to replay some arcade classics. Were we left with our memories in tact? Read on to find out.Read more...
By CaptainSeagull. Tuesday, 19. February 2008, 14:52:17
members, no more heroes, nintendo, discussion
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Nplus was bent on pushing No More Heroes into the light of day, the project was something that we felt needed to be experienced once it was released, we also knew that every time a game for older audiences shows up on Wii that it also carries heavy ramifications on the future of mature titles on the system. So on top of our love of sharing good games with everyone - thank you, were nerds, we also wanted this title to sell really well, so that more mature titles would come out more often, and more importantly Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda 51 continue to produce for Nintendo systems. We decorated N+ in NMH theme, .Ed dressed as the star "Travis Touchdown" for our costume contest, and now we bring you the review. (beware of foul-language)
You knew we were going to review it, we knew we were going to review it, but the question still remains: did we love it?Read more...
By -MK. Tuesday, 11. December 2007, 21:01:34
podcast, MK-, pew pew pew, N+
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MK, here, rounding up a 4-in-1 mega review of the games compatible with the Wii-Zapper.
- Link's Crossbow Training
- Medal of Honor: Heroes 2 [arcade mode]
- Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
- Ghost Squad
Yup, it's another N+ Cast made by yours truly:
Click to listen to the N+ Light-Gun Round-Up 2007 or
Subscribe in iTunes!Whether you're shooting undead mummies, Nazis, Zombies or Terrorists--I'll help you decipher which course of this 4-part meal should get you asking the waiter for some more napkins. Check after the break for the N+ Summaries [or for the hearing impaired]...
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