6 posts tagged “nintendo ds”
At first glance, the name of Square Enix captures your eye and you will probably say that it might be another run-of-the-mill RPG game like Final Fantasy XXX, but much to my surprise, the game is nowhere near it. When Square Enix and Jupiter (the group that created Kingdom Hearts for PS2) decided to create another game, they had created something that is an out-of-the-box experience that only the Nintendo DS console can pull off.
The World Ends With You may be one of the best games that came out this year, but it still has the elements of memorable RPGs out there. The loner protagonist, the bubbly love interest, another boy with a bad-ass image then add another mysterious person and a surprising ending. But what stands out from this game is the awesome gameplay that challenges your eye coordination and fashion sense.
The game starts with Neku Sakuraba, the protagonist who apparently hates everyone and prefers to be alone. He wakes up in a different Shibuya and monsters called Noise come out from nowhere to kill him. There he meets Shiki Misaki, a wannabe fashion designer and always trying to make Neku to open up to her. There he learned all of the player's objective in winning the Repears' game: to get a 2nd chance in life and failures are to be erased. The game is composed of 3 chapters: "Shiki Chapter", "Joshua Chapter" and "Beat Chapter". Each player in the Reapers' Game should have a partner or else they will perish.
The story might be shallow at the start as Neku is too introverted and it might hinder the growth between him and his partner, but as the game progresses, you will see changes in him that makes you appreciate everything that has happened.
The battle system of The World Ends With You is one-of-a-kind: a combination of d-pad (or the ABXY pad for left
handed people) and the touch screen of the bottom; as these actions control both Neku and his active partner. A combo puck is being passed back and forth the 2 screens as Neku and his active partner juggle it to achieve higher combo for a deadly finish, and more experience.
The battle system might be confusing at first as too much information might be given but nothing makes sense, but the game encourages players to take it one step at a time, until you're certain that you can take on the tougher and weird Noise. But one thing is for sure, this game is designed for hardcore players who will be able to follow through the gameplay quickly.
The battles consist of player-chosen encounters. The player may scan the area for fights at any time. While battling, Neku and his partner's HP is shared. Once both HP is depleted, the game is over and players have the option to try the battle again or flee.
Pins are also scattered throughout Shibuya and can be bought in shops. These can further enhance Neku's abilities and can be exchanged for Yen. Abilities range from healing a certain amount of depleted HP to bubbles that bounces from enemies and the wall or shouting at the microphone to release sound waves that can disorient enemies. Some of the pins can evolve (yes, like Pokemon -- gotta catch them all) and levels up after each fight. Food and Clothing are also available in the stores to add stats and synchronization between partners.
Fashion also plays a gigantic role in The World Ends With You, with each district in the game having preferred brands. Preferred brands in pins and clothing can double the stats and abilities of the characters, but if you do not pay attention to these little details, it might be your end as you know it. You can also influence the preferred brands by wearing it every time you fight in a district.
In addition, a level slider is added in the menu that lets you boost the drop rate of pins after battling the Noise. The only sacrifice is that your HP will decrease as you battle but the pins are easily acquired after can be sold or are needed for a certain quest. Difficulty and the controls of your partner can also be changed to suit your game style.
Visually the game is extraordinary, making use of moving manga panels and dual-screen cinematic presentation. The only let down is that characters look like characters for Kingdom Hearts -- minus Disney of course. But still, the shifting of character portraits recreates the manga feel.
Sounds are also not in the normal context here, as it includes a wide variety of music with the influence of Hip Hop and Electronica genre. Additional music can be purchased in stores so the music is never the same when battling and moving around.
A mini-game called Tin Slammer is incorporated in the diverse world of The World Ends With You. You can challenge other players for the friendly battle of Pins. Another multiplayer asset is the Mingle Mode wherein you can setup a shop for other players to buy your merchandise and can see how far is the player already in the game. Although the multiplayer options are not the strong side for this, it's a welcomed addition to the game.
The World Ends With You boasts amazing creativity and challenges the preconception on what a RPG should be. The amazing factor of this game is the level of customization that a player can do. From battling the Noise to what to eat and wear for the day can be changed with a single flick in the touch screen. Not only Sqaure Enix and Jupiter created one of the best games for DS but one of the best RPG to date. It can stand at par with the Legend of Zelda and the Final Fantasy series.
The World Ends With You may be one of the best games that came out this year, but it still has the elements of memorable RPGs out there. The loner protagonist, the bubbly love interest, another boy with a bad-ass image then add another mysterious person and a surprising ending. But what stands out from this game is the awesome gameplay that challenges your eye coordination and fashion sense.
The game starts with Neku Sakuraba, the protagonist who apparently hates everyone and prefers to be alone. He wakes up in a different Shibuya and monsters called Noise come out from nowhere to kill him. There he meets Shiki Misaki, a wannabe fashion designer and always trying to make Neku to open up to her. There he learned all of the player's objective in winning the Repears' game: to get a 2nd chance in life and failures are to be erased. The game is composed of 3 chapters: "Shiki Chapter", "Joshua Chapter" and "Beat Chapter". Each player in the Reapers' Game should have a partner or else they will perish.
The story might be shallow at the start as Neku is too introverted and it might hinder the growth between him and his partner, but as the game progresses, you will see changes in him that makes you appreciate everything that has happened.
The battle system of The World Ends With You is one-of-a-kind: a combination of d-pad (or the ABXY pad for left
The battle system might be confusing at first as too much information might be given but nothing makes sense, but the game encourages players to take it one step at a time, until you're certain that you can take on the tougher and weird Noise. But one thing is for sure, this game is designed for hardcore players who will be able to follow through the gameplay quickly.
The battles consist of player-chosen encounters. The player may scan the area for fights at any time. While battling, Neku and his partner's HP is shared. Once both HP is depleted, the game is over and players have the option to try the battle again or flee.
Pins are also scattered throughout Shibuya and can be bought in shops. These can further enhance Neku's abilities and can be exchanged for Yen. Abilities range from healing a certain amount of depleted HP to bubbles that bounces from enemies and the wall or shouting at the microphone to release sound waves that can disorient enemies. Some of the pins can evolve (yes, like Pokemon -- gotta catch them all) and levels up after each fight. Food and Clothing are also available in the stores to add stats and synchronization between partners.
Fashion also plays a gigantic role in The World Ends With You, with each district in the game having preferred brands. Preferred brands in pins and clothing can double the stats and abilities of the characters, but if you do not pay attention to these little details, it might be your end as you know it. You can also influence the preferred brands by wearing it every time you fight in a district.
Visually the game is extraordinary, making use of moving manga panels and dual-screen cinematic presentation. The only let down is that characters look like characters for Kingdom Hearts -- minus Disney of course. But still, the shifting of character portraits recreates the manga feel.
Sounds are also not in the normal context here, as it includes a wide variety of music with the influence of Hip Hop and Electronica genre. Additional music can be purchased in stores so the music is never the same when battling and moving around.
A mini-game called Tin Slammer is incorporated in the diverse world of The World Ends With You. You can challenge other players for the friendly battle of Pins. Another multiplayer asset is the Mingle Mode wherein you can setup a shop for other players to buy your merchandise and can see how far is the player already in the game. Although the multiplayer options are not the strong side for this, it's a welcomed addition to the game.
The World Ends With You boasts amazing creativity and challenges the preconception on what a RPG should be. The amazing factor of this game is the level of customization that a player can do. From battling the Noise to what to eat and wear for the day can be changed with a single flick in the touch screen. Not only Sqaure Enix and Jupiter created one of the best games for DS but one of the best RPG to date. It can stand at par with the Legend of Zelda and the Final Fantasy series.
Phew. What a long name for a good game that can entice your creative mind juices with puzzles and a different type of gameplay. FFCC - Ring of Fates is the prequel to the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles that was created by Square-Enix for the gamecube platform which was released 5 years ago.
Immediately, the game have different modes to choose from; from the story to the multiplayer gameplays that enables you to play with 3 other players and join forces to finish quests that was given to you by the King of Rebena Te Ra; to the story mode where you can now experience first hand what really happened with the protagonists. FFCC - Ring of Fates also utilized the Nintendo DS' capability of Wi-Fi connection as players can trade customized Moogles.
The story itself was touching, as a player discovers the sibling-love between the fraternal twins, Yuri and Chelinka and their struggles as they try and put the world at peace. Aided by their friends Gnash, Meeth and Alhanalem, they fight the Lunites that threatens to destroy / conquer the world.
There are 4 races existing in the FFCC - Ring of Fates world: the peaceful Clavat, the magic-wielding Yukes, the magicite creating Lilties and the aggressive Selkie. Each of the four races has special abilities that will aid the players in dungeons and proceed with the story. All races have the ability to cast spells by collecting Magicites (orbs of mana) while battling monsters and opening chests.
The 3D rendering of the gameplay and movies are awesome, just like what Square-Enix did with Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. The music is also good, very entertaining and portraying the emotion of the story as the protagonist progress.
Unfortunately, switching of camera angle was not supported, thus it is sometimes a pain whenever Yuri and the gang are fighting a monster. Also, switching from one character to another is a tedious task especially when you are pressed for time and fighting the current boss of the dungeon. And the AI system is not that effective in battles -- most of the time they are just standing on the side watching that character that the player is controlling fighting the monster. Although they sometimes serve as great decoys whenever a monster appears out of nowhere.
The multiplayer system might be a great addition to the game but with every player connecting to complete quests, lag issues were unraveled. But if players just disregard the lag, it would be a lot of fun completing and leveling up like playing a MMORPG.
Overall, even if the game was not the best game Square-Enix created, this is still one of the good games that was released in 2008. The graphics are still the best CG in all the games that was created for the DS and the art of story telling is still essential as the game progresses.
Immediately, the game have different modes to choose from; from the story to the multiplayer gameplays that enables you to play with 3 other players and join forces to finish quests that was given to you by the King of Rebena Te Ra; to the story mode where you can now experience first hand what really happened with the protagonists. FFCC - Ring of Fates also utilized the Nintendo DS' capability of Wi-Fi connection as players can trade customized Moogles.
The story itself was touching, as a player discovers the sibling-love between the fraternal twins, Yuri and Chelinka and their struggles as they try and put the world at peace. Aided by their friends Gnash, Meeth and Alhanalem, they fight the Lunites that threatens to destroy / conquer the world.
There are 4 races existing in the FFCC - Ring of Fates world: the peaceful Clavat, the magic-wielding Yukes, the magicite creating Lilties and the aggressive Selkie. Each of the four races has special abilities that will aid the players in dungeons and proceed with the story. All races have the ability to cast spells by collecting Magicites (orbs of mana) while battling monsters and opening chests.
The 3D rendering of the gameplay and movies are awesome, just like what Square-Enix did with Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. The music is also good, very entertaining and portraying the emotion of the story as the protagonist progress.
Unfortunately, switching of camera angle was not supported, thus it is sometimes a pain whenever Yuri and the gang are fighting a monster. Also, switching from one character to another is a tedious task especially when you are pressed for time and fighting the current boss of the dungeon. And the AI system is not that effective in battles -- most of the time they are just standing on the side watching that character that the player is controlling fighting the monster. Although they sometimes serve as great decoys whenever a monster appears out of nowhere.
The multiplayer system might be a great addition to the game but with every player connecting to complete quests, lag issues were unraveled. But if players just disregard the lag, it would be a lot of fun completing and leveling up like playing a MMORPG.
Overall, even if the game was not the best game Square-Enix created, this is still one of the good games that was released in 2008. The graphics are still the best CG in all the games that was created for the DS and the art of story telling is still essential as the game progresses.
As a fan Gyakutan Saiban or also known as the Phoenix Wright trilogy, I was intrigued with the new game that was released which is Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. Not only Phoenix Wright has been replaced as the protagonist, but most of the staff has disappeared as well. The only people who were included in the new game was of course Phoenix Wright, Ema Skye and the wonderful judge, who is still weird ever.
But I digress.
The game as also the same gameplay as the previous releases, but with additional powers / talents. With the help of his bracelet, Apollo Justice can sense the habits of the suspects and witnesses when they lie or nervous about a part of their testimonies -- this is called the Perceive System. Also, with the help of Trucy (adoptive daughter of Phoenix), she can perform magic tricks to help Apollo perform his job (not that he needed any help).
Other than that, players can also enjoy more time investigating using scientific methods like finger printing. This was a good addition to the game that it's previous releases lack. The graphics are improved compared to the previous releases, as some are in d format for good visualization. A simulation of the crime scene is also included for good visualization and finding more clues.
The cases that were presented in the game were unique which ranges from panty-snatching thief to a stolen noodle stand of a harmonica playing ex-surgeon. Thinking out of the box is still a key trait to use when playing this game, and with a little comprehension to the side, to understand what was the case all about.
While Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney might be the shortest game in the Gyakutan Saiban releases, it offers the same entertainment and mind boggling cases as it's predecessors. It also boasts hilarious lines that would make any player laugh while taking a testimony of a suspect. Overall, it's a great addition to the Gyakuten Saiban series.
But I digress.
The game as also the same gameplay as the previous releases, but with additional powers / talents. With the help of his bracelet, Apollo Justice can sense the habits of the suspects and witnesses when they lie or nervous about a part of their testimonies -- this is called the Perceive System. Also, with the help of Trucy (adoptive daughter of Phoenix), she can perform magic tricks to help Apollo perform his job (not that he needed any help).
Other than that, players can also enjoy more time investigating using scientific methods like finger printing. This was a good addition to the game that it's previous releases lack. The graphics are improved compared to the previous releases, as some are in d format for good visualization. A simulation of the crime scene is also included for good visualization and finding more clues.
The cases that were presented in the game were unique which ranges from panty-snatching thief to a stolen noodle stand of a harmonica playing ex-surgeon. Thinking out of the box is still a key trait to use when playing this game, and with a little comprehension to the side, to understand what was the case all about.
While Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney might be the shortest game in the Gyakutan Saiban releases, it offers the same entertainment and mind boggling cases as it's predecessors. It also boasts hilarious lines that would make any player laugh while taking a testimony of a suspect. Overall, it's a great addition to the Gyakuten Saiban series.
At first, I was a bit skeptical about playing the game and I was not that impressed with the graphics that I saw printed on the box. But I was curious about what the game can offer, considering it is the first part of the trilogy.
Professor Layton and the Curious Village is the first part of three that will be developed by Level-5 which is inspired by the games of Akira Tago's Mental Gymnastics. Apprently, Akiro Hino was a fan of the game and decided to make something like it for Level-5.
The game first talk about a Golden Apple that a late baron stated on his will. Whosoever solves the puzzle of the Golden Apple will have all his inheritance. Professor Layton and his assistant, Luke decided to solve and find the Golden Apple.
The game then brings the protagonists to the puzzle-loving town of the Baron and meet up with the Baron's wife, Lady Dahlia. After a murder or two and several kidnappings, it brings the Professor closer in solving the mystery.
Puzzles are the main idea of the game. Everywhere you go and everyone you decided to talk to in the game will either require you have a number of puzzle before they can give you information or solve a puzzle for them. Clues are from conversations and things you find on the floor.
Puzzle difficulty are determined by the picarat value. Penalties are awarded to wrong answers which subtracts the value of the picarats. Hint coins are also available to "buy" hints for the puzzle you need to solve. Although you have to search every nook and cranny of the village to obtain them. One of the villagers even hinted that there only limited number of hint coins, so it's best to reserve them for the tougher puzzles.
Graphic-wise, the graphics are superb, not as good as FF series, but good nonetheless. It is like watching an anime and playing a game, all at the same time. This also reminds me of the previous games of Touch Detective, but a little less running from one place to the other.
The music isn't bad either, although the music being used while solving a puzzle is a little serene, and might make you drowsy, but it's still a good sound. Another great feature is that you can connect to the WFC and download new puzzles if you have finished all the 100+ puzzles included in the game.
Overall, this is a very good game that will test your puzzle solving skills, verbal comprehension and even mathematical ability to solve puzzles that require computations. For those who love puzzles might as well acquire this game, you will not regret it.
Professor Layton and the Curious Village is the first part of three that will be developed by Level-5 which is inspired by the games of Akira Tago's Mental Gymnastics. Apprently, Akiro Hino was a fan of the game and decided to make something like it for Level-5.
The game first talk about a Golden Apple that a late baron stated on his will. Whosoever solves the puzzle of the Golden Apple will have all his inheritance. Professor Layton and his assistant, Luke decided to solve and find the Golden Apple.
The game then brings the protagonists to the puzzle-loving town of the Baron and meet up with the Baron's wife, Lady Dahlia. After a murder or two and several kidnappings, it brings the Professor closer in solving the mystery.
Puzzles are the main idea of the game. Everywhere you go and everyone you decided to talk to in the game will either require you have a number of puzzle before they can give you information or solve a puzzle for them. Clues are from conversations and things you find on the floor.
Puzzle difficulty are determined by the picarat value. Penalties are awarded to wrong answers which subtracts the value of the picarats. Hint coins are also available to "buy" hints for the puzzle you need to solve. Although you have to search every nook and cranny of the village to obtain them. One of the villagers even hinted that there only limited number of hint coins, so it's best to reserve them for the tougher puzzles.
Graphic-wise, the graphics are superb, not as good as FF series, but good nonetheless. It is like watching an anime and playing a game, all at the same time. This also reminds me of the previous games of Touch Detective, but a little less running from one place to the other.
The music isn't bad either, although the music being used while solving a puzzle is a little serene, and might make you drowsy, but it's still a good sound. Another great feature is that you can connect to the WFC and download new puzzles if you have finished all the 100+ puzzles included in the game.
Overall, this is a very good game that will test your puzzle solving skills, verbal comprehension and even mathematical ability to solve puzzles that require computations. For those who love puzzles might as well acquire this game, you will not regret it.
I am finally about to finish the game and here I am giving an in depth review of the game called Luminous Arc. This review will contain spoilers, so if you plan to play the game, it's best not to continue reading this.
Luminous is what you call a "copycat" of Final Fantasy Tactics but it has it's own charm. But gameplay-wise, it's like you're playing Tactics with bearing of religion misgivings and lies.
The game is about the Garden Children, orphaned kids taken in and trained by the Church to hunt the evil witches who tried to destroy the world a millennium ago. Eventually, the children realized that the witches are not the ones who wanted to destroy the world but God, when awaken will consume all.
Alph, the protagonist of the story, comes to know Lucia, the Dawn Witch -- and eventually finds out that he was Lucia's Rym. The Rym of a witch is her dragon protector, and it was known that Alph and his brother Theo are dragons before.
There are seven witches in the game, which you will be able to interact and be friends with:
Some dialogues have voice-overs, which were very annoying (especially the freaking angel GRRR) and the comedic scenes are not that funny. The game does not also utilize the touch screen, and usually, I find it hard to use the stylus to pinpoint the exact loaction to place my character, since the camera can not be rotated as well. Sadly, I have not tried the multiplayer game, but it is said that it is what the game really excels in.
Gameplay might be the same with Tactics but other than the Attack, Skill and Magic combo, Flash Drive and Synergy is also present to give players options on how to kill the enemy. While Flash Drive relies with how much you have garnered in your Flash Meter, Synergy has the requirements of filling up both of their Flash Meters and be close with each other.
Intermissions is also present to let you talk to a character of your choice after the battle. This will either affect the stats of that character or give you a useful item, provided you give a favorable answer. Mini-story of Kopin is seen whenever you finish a chapter about his life as the Kopin of Vanessa, the Witch of Immolation.
The game is accepted with mixed feelings, but is a good initial game n00b player when it comes to playing a tactical-RPG. The enemies are easier to kill and some powers of the characters an give damage of 500 HP or instant kill. Synergy ablities are hard to perform due the requirements, but the effects are devastating.
Luminous is what you call a "copycat" of Final Fantasy Tactics but it has it's own charm. But gameplay-wise, it's like you're playing Tactics with bearing of religion misgivings and lies.
The game is about the Garden Children, orphaned kids taken in and trained by the Church to hunt the evil witches who tried to destroy the world a millennium ago. Eventually, the children realized that the witches are not the ones who wanted to destroy the world but God, when awaken will consume all.
Alph, the protagonist of the story, comes to know Lucia, the Dawn Witch -- and eventually finds out that he was Lucia's Rym. The Rym of a witch is her dragon protector, and it was known that Alph and his brother Theo are dragons before.
There are seven witches in the game, which you will be able to interact and be friends with:
- Lucia, the Dawn Witch
- Vanessa, the Witch of Immolation
- Vivi, the Sky Witch
- Mavi, the Nature Witch
- Claire, the Thunder Witch and the Leader of the Witches
- Mel, the Water Witch
- Cecille, the Twilight Witch -- also the priestess who served the Church before she remembered her past as a witch
Some dialogues have voice-overs, which were very annoying (especially the freaking angel GRRR) and the comedic scenes are not that funny. The game does not also utilize the touch screen, and usually, I find it hard to use the stylus to pinpoint the exact loaction to place my character, since the camera can not be rotated as well. Sadly, I have not tried the multiplayer game, but it is said that it is what the game really excels in.
Gameplay might be the same with Tactics but other than the Attack, Skill and Magic combo, Flash Drive and Synergy is also present to give players options on how to kill the enemy. While Flash Drive relies with how much you have garnered in your Flash Meter, Synergy has the requirements of filling up both of their Flash Meters and be close with each other.
Intermissions is also present to let you talk to a character of your choice after the battle. This will either affect the stats of that character or give you a useful item, provided you give a favorable answer. Mini-story of Kopin is seen whenever you finish a chapter about his life as the Kopin of Vanessa, the Witch of Immolation.
The game is accepted with mixed feelings, but is a good initial game n00b player when it comes to playing a tactical-RPG. The enemies are easier to kill and some powers of the characters an give damage of 500 HP or instant kill. Synergy ablities are hard to perform due the requirements, but the effects are devastating.
New releases and new adventure. I've just downloaded a couple more DS ROMs with RPG theme: Heroes of Mana, which was made by SquarEnix and Luminous Arc, made by ATLUS.
According to ratings they are pretty good and since I'm an RPG fan, I decided to try them. Will probably post a more detailed review after playing it.
