‘Let’s Tap’ Review

Let’s Tap is the particular twist to this concept of Sega’s “party game” together with the control buttons, but goes further than other titles at the time to reinvent the genre, and that may not even need to hold the Wiimando in our hands to play. Not surprisingly, Yuji Naka (Sonic the Hedgehog’s father and now CEO of his own studio, prop Ltd.) said long ago that it would be Let’s Tap “at the first video game that could play up a penguin.” To play need three things: a smooth surface, a Wii Remote (Wiimando) a bit of coordination and eye / hand.

Design
Let’s Tap is a different game from the beginning: we draw the attention even before he put the disc into our package for their particular console. It is a cardboard box twice as long as normal, which includes another within the same carton box and finally the very ordinary plastic cover where you can find your disk and instructions. More than one will remember the Matroska Russian to unpack. To summarize: we have two boxes of thin cardboard Let’s Tap Sega courtesy to Player 1 and Player 2 will support them in their Wiimandos.

Regarding the game itself offers a very visual style is minimalist but colorful at the same time. Most items on display have a look like “virtual reality”, with pure forms, colored and translucent. Those who have played Rez or have seen the classic film Tron immediately recognize the style. The music and sounds for their part are very electronic style, which fits perfectly with what we are seeing on screen.

The potential graph Let’s Tap is not his strongest point, but if you think about the kind of game that it is understandable and at no time are cast under new-generation graphics prowess on the screen.

Playability
Most importantly, what makes this game is one of those “never seen it,” is his curious way of playing. Let’s Tap offers 5 different minigames with their multiplayer modes, all the drivers in the same way, and this is where the title of Prop innovates by offering a way to control only one of its kind: to put Wiimando face down on a smooth surface and beaten with hands gently on the surface so that the accelerometers detect Wiimando of our taps and the game will perform.

In the words may sound confusing or poorly responsive, but not to worry, as Let’s Tap is a very complete tutorial with which we soon got used to the control mode, which responds perfectly to our taps, no need to use too hard and the result is more accurate to what we may think. The menu of the game itself is handled in this manner, so soon we will be comfortable with the control.

Mini Game
As with almost all games based on collections of minigames, where Let’s Tap truly shines is in multiplayer. Perhaps the simple premise of the 5 available evidence entertains us more than half an hour if we are alone, with family or friends but we have fun laughing and pounding the table for quite turn.

• Marathon: The star of the title, and probably the mini that will spend more time, especially with friends. This is a game of athletics, to control a race where a runner and compete to reach the goal before the rest, and supports up to 4 players (human or controlled by the machine). The issue is the classic 2D platform with 3D elements. Need to run smoother beat to a certain pattern, and if we hit an obstacle must give stronger in time to jump. Sounds simple, but are difficult to add the 16 different tracks that are becoming increasingly complex and adding elements such as ramps, trampolines, tightrope etc. These tracks are unlockables, and we need to go opening win medals. Obviously in the case of 4 players will win a medal until he is finalized. Unlock new tracks is not terribly difficult, but to get gold in all races is a challenge not so simple and we can hook a lot, especially if you’re playing with friends, the founder is assured.
• Keep the momentum: We can not avoid comparing this mini with Donkey Konga. In this test, we must continue with our taps the rhythm of the music indicated by a marker that moves from left to right. We can choose from 16 different songs, all original compositions for the game of musical styles such as dance, j-pop, etc.. The mechanical is too easy and fans of rhythm games will not impress them nothing, but for those unfamiliar with the genre will find it entertaining, though perhaps not the music taste of any dish.
• Fixed Blocks: This mini recalls the traditional board game Jenga, which consists in building a block tower that should go after carefully removing the tower to collapse is not. The virtual version of Let’s Tap is controlled by touch more or less force, more or less quickly, which control how we are making the selected block of the tower. If you hit too hard or too fast, and destabilize the tower will fall, so, never better, we need to be very touching. Each block that we will get us points. To add interest, the blocks come in different colors, and if we get together about 3 or more of the same color will be converted into one special block that will give us more points if we get out. The difficulty increases with the addition of more colors. It is probably the best proof that uses the precision control mode of the game.
• Space Bubble: This is another species of 2D platforms, but in this guide a character through a virtual scene with obstacles (mines, lasers, etc.). And enemies. The aim is to go as far as possible (the distance is indicated by a marker) without dying, we will collect star points on the road. We control the character with touches of light through space, propelled forward and hit harder to launch missiles. This is a test of skill and patience, because here the precision of control is not much, and it soon becomes repetitive gameplay to be slow. Is perhaps the weakest of all mini, but like the others, the multiplayer “battle” it adds more interest.
• Browser: Not exactly a game but rather a visual experiment. The viewer is the only one of the 5 games with no multiplayer for obvious reasons, and that this is a kind of interactive screensaver where we can express ourselves creatively “through gentle touch or strong in different scenarios that react in different ways a canvas where our touches create brush strokes, an aquarium, a stage with fireworks, etc.. No competitive factor in the display, we could think of it as a virtual canvas to entertain time to experiment with shorter or control mode. A very charming Japanese pastime.

Conclusions
The most important thing to take into account when considering the purchase of Let’s Tap is: Do we have someone with whom to play? Are family members, couples or small, or friends, the fun it offers basically the title is that of the healthy competition and without complications in the living room of our house, sitting quietly and without worrying about having to make room for breaking something or if they fly the Wiimandos. The simplicity of its characteristic mode of control means that anyone is familiar with the games or not, can be handled without problems and have fun in just 10 minutes, which otherwise makes it very suitable for the most pequeñajos.

There are other advantages include: good distribution and a very competitive price (and grateful) set by Sega: 30 euros. If the answer to the previous paragraph is a yes, Let’s Tap is probably the best market for those looking for lots of fun easy in the company and a good price for Wii.

‘Guitar Hero 5′ Will Be On Wii SD 32GB

It is confirmed that ‘Guitar Hero 5′ will be the first Wii title to be able to use SD cards of 32GB capacity. This is confirmed by the boys from Vicarious Visions, who are responsible for developing this version.

With the possibility of using these cards could be solved by the large capacity hard disk failure on Wii, since it can give a lot of 32GB each other. Activision says that in fact this way we could store more than 800 items downloaded from the store of ‘Guitar Hero 5′ with a good quality audio information, the album cover, etc..

To this must be added the possibility of transferring all the material downloaded for ‘Guitar Hero: World Tour’ or ‘Guitar Hero: Smash Hits’, to be able to use it on’ Guitar Hero 5 ‘and the option of downloading disc. No more excuses about storage.

The next step will be to the next Wii games can also take advantage of these cards.

The Latest Update Available on Xbox 360

The head of Xbox Live content, known as Major Nelson has announced the latest updateof the Xbox 360. Microsoft console users can enjoy the latest developments are summarized below.

Hold on because the next generation of connected entertainment is about to arrive. Since Tuesday 11 August, more than 20 million Xbox LIVE members will receive the latest update from Xbox LIVE: a world of entertainment at your fingertips.

This major upgrade will change the way we receive and share our entertainment through Xbox LIVE. Xbox LIVE everything you need for your entertainment: festivals, games, movies or beautiful clothes for your Avatar.

Yes, if you want to keep your Avatar to the latest fashions, check out the new avatar Bazaar. The bazaar has a growing selection of stores offering first quality garments for famous fashion brands such as Adidas, Quiksilver, Roxy and Tokidoki. In addition, you’ll find unique clothing ‘Steampunk’ and ‘recession’. There are clothing-related games similar to those of “Halo 3″, “Fable II”, etc..

Moreover, you can get clothes and items of special avatar playing your favorite games. You can also assign them to play with accessories such as basketball, cheerleader pompoms and of (the fundamental) mobile phone!

And another key thing is to call the games, which you can play whenever you want directly on your Xbox 360 with just one click. The Games section at the request comes with a library of 20 titles that can be purchased with a credit card or Microsoft Points. New titles are added each week, but here you leave a list of the top twenty:

• Assassin s Creed (Ubisoft)
• Burnout Paradise (EA)
• Call of Duty 2 (Activision)
• Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2K Games / Bethesda Softworks)
• Fight Night Round 3 (EA)
• Kameo: Elements of Power (Microsoft Game Studios)
• LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (LucasArts)
• Mass Effect (Microsoft Game Studios)
• Meet The Robinsons (Disney)
• MX vs. ATV Untamed (THQ)
• Need for Speed Carbon (EA)
• Need for Speed: Most Wanted (EA)
• Perfect Dark Zero (Microsoft Game Studios)
• Prey (2K Games)
• Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Rockstar Games)
• Test Drive: Unlimited (Atari)
• Tom Clancys Rainbow Six Vegas (Ubisoft)
• Tomb Raider Legend (Eidos)
• Viva Piñata (Microsoft Game Studios)
• Viva Piñata 2: Trouble in Paradise (Microsoft Game Studios)

So you can enjoy a top of Xbox LIVE, now you have the freedom to place the content as you wish, sort your friends list Gamertag, state, and so on. Moreover, now all the content available via Xbox LIVE Bazar can be described with a five-star system, so you can see what he likes to people like you. And finally (for now), it’s much easier to see the accomplishments. Ah, yes, and the Matchmaking system has also been improved!

Indeed, this autumn there will be many more new features, including instant transmission to 1080p video with 5.1 audio to Zune, digital radio and custom Last.fm presence in major social networks: Twitter and Facebook.

EA Sports Active: That’s We Called Sport!

EA Sports Active is a step beyond the concept Wii Fit. Unlike Nintendo’s game, the EA offers a variety of training and a wide range of exercises.

Training.
The duration of training ranging from 20 minutes up to almost a few hours’ duration. When choosing a caloric expenditure will see planned for him. As we do the exercises we are seeing in real time the calories you are going to lose. The incredible thing of the duration of these exercises is that during the 50 minutes it can take the training will be with us continuously to the voice of our coach. Phrases such as “with every movement your body molds” or “go Tipaza you will be” are the daily and do not want to help motivate and work with more enthusiasm.

Another plus is the ability to unlock achievements such as “done squat 100 or 1,000 calories lost.” Achievements, although rare, are another motivating exercises every day. Furthermore, the game allows us to put our own goals.

Accessories
The game includes two supplements that help you do the exercises: a headband and a thigh support that we can include in our nunchako. Both are very good quality, sturdy and with an ability to use pretty good.

As a curious remark that the tape may seem weak, or we may give the impression that the pressure that we apply during the exercises will not pose a challenge. I have to say that we should not look at the degree of pressure that gives us a recurrence and that the effort appears in the time we have to do a series of exercises and maintain a pace of continuous repetitions. At that time viereis and not as weak as you think the resistance posed by the tape.

The game is compatible with the Wii Balance Board. I could not try the exercises that make use of it, but it’s still good to know that we can further expand our experience with the game using Nintendo’s device.

Conclusion
A good option that goes one step further by training at home and not left as in the attempt, in my opinion, happened to Nintendo’s Wii Fit.

Contains various exercises and through the coach’s comments unlockables and achievements, we will get more motivated to lose weight or just tone up our muscles.

‘Tekken 6′ Will Come to Europe on October 30

I know that lately it seems that all games are falling for 2010 (my pockets are already trembling), but there are still companies willing to brave and publish games this year. Namco reassured to announce their ‘Tekken 6′ this fall.

More specifically, the game will be on market on October 30. It is when the sixth delivery of the famous saga of struggle is put on sale in their versions for PlayStation 3, PSP and XBox 360. About to meet 15 years of history, the franchise from Namco undoubtedly reap good sales that characterized him, and even more so when it is the first to reach this generation.

The title gives the war in Japanese arcades since November 2007, so expect to enjoy in the halls of our homes has not been short. However, it seems that it will be worth it, because we find the ‘Tekken’ biggest ever, thanks to its cast of 42 fighters, including 6 new and exclusive version 2 console.

And if ye are those who always want more and better, you be glad to know that in addition to the Standard Edition is available for sale to collectors will include a poster and a picture book of a hundred pages, as well as a limited edition that will include like a wireless controller that you can see in the picture . We still do not know their prices in euros, but it will cost +/- 69.99 pounds

PSP Will Have a Digital Comic Reader

Sony has always tried to make your PSP more than just a portable game console, focusing on alternative leisure activities which have not always been fraught very well. The latest bid to join the club announced comes from GamesCom 2009, and a priori it sounds very interesting: a digital comics reader.

This tool will be available from next December in a number of countries. When it arrive, your PSP will available to take hundreds of works by two publishers like Marvel and IDW.

Many publishers will join later: both large size and independent nature, and it is estimated that the catalog will grow with 50 new titles each month. There have been no details yet on how much it cost to read comics on the PSP screen, something that undoubtedly will be important to know in order to assess whether or not the acquisition of this tool.

For old style comic reader, who prefer to read on paper, it will be misfortune, but I have no doubt that this service will awaken the sympathy of those who do enjoy to read digital comics. Here I leave you with a few pictures so you can see something more in depth look look this application.

Iron Man 2

Iron Man was an excellent start to long for Marvel Studios, who recovered the rights of one of its most emblematic characters to begin your journey as an independent film studio. The film, starring Robert Downey Jr. in the role of Tony Stark, was a major critical success and public, without great pretensions, it was an entertaining film, well made and of quality. As always happens with feature films, the movie Iron Man coming with a video game, which in this case would be made by Sega, who delegated to the studio Secret Level. The result would be a title with potential, but it missed by all land in a game too complicated.

Leaving aside the different opinions and criticism on this game (for some, the complex response to a realistic approach for a lot of practice, for others it was simply a title with very little care and polishing for yet), it is true It worked very well in the market, with sales of several million from all its versions. So no wonder the Japanese company re-load with a second game starring Iron Man, based in turn on the new release that film will come next May 7, 2010. Marvel Studios is putting all the meat on the grill for the sequel, following the success of the first film, with a staff of quality players.

Robert Downey Jr repeats his role as Tony Stark, like Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Which is not repeated Terrence Howard as James Rhodes (War Machine), who has been replaced by Don Cheadle campus for allegedly issues between the actor, the study and director of the film, which flies to Jon Favreau. In this interesting site, join names like Mickey Rourke, who is responsible for the role of Whiplash, or Scarlett Johansson, who will play the Black Widow. Obviously, this will be reflected in the stock game, which is based, in the film that gives it its name, but not be limited to repeating what was seen at the cinema on a screen, and playable in the version we will see more events.

Sega has included Matt Fraction to handle the script of a completely new storyline for the game, surrounded, hopefully rightly, the events of the film themselves, more or less like what we saw in The game that the Incredible Hulk Sega released the film with the same name. Matt Fraction is not a recognizable name such as Stan Lee, creator of the character, but has already made a gap between the American comic book fans thanks to his work over the past three years, not in vain, has been responsible for such series factory for Marvel as Iron Fist, Punisher, Spiderman, Young Avengers, Thor, Uncanny X-Men and the Iron Man

But there is one question that almost anyone who has played the first delivery will be doing. In this aspect, as has been seen at the recent Comic Con, in which he formally introduced the game, everything seemed to be good news. Sega is not any one company, and knows that despite strong sales, the final outcome of the first Iron Man was less than expected. Aware that the character had the potential to achieve a much better product, the Japanese company has been working to compose a new development team. The results are just as obvious to the naked eye, especially at the level of settings, but go much further, playable with major changes that greatly simplify the control of our armor in the game.

Unlike the original Iron Man, now we do not take care of all the manual skills of the character, so get away from that feeling of being in a simulator air much more complicated than that represented on-screen action required. The different types of flight control in a more dynamic and intuitive, with only certain movements of the analog sticks, which allows us to feel that we have total control over our ability to fly. Similarly, if before we had to change it manually and change the various promoters of the armor, selecting our main sources of energy as that required each state, now the machine will see to that.

According to what is happening, our faithful Jarvis will make the appropriate changes at any time, greatly simplified our work with the remote control, and may worry over the action. For example, as we saw in the Comic Con, if we are on the verge of falling to earth renewed energy to our thrusters to prevent our death, or whether we are attacking in a stable condition, enhance our energy shock. As its creators say, and who could testify to seeing the game in first person, the system works and manages to convey the feeling that we have greater control and ability sheathed in metal armor.

As a result of these strategic changes, the picture of all the gameplay changes a lot, and has used the opportunity to give the user can select between different types of attack. Some samples have been shown, centered on a kung fu configurations (power our punches and kicks), or brute force. It is not known yet what the total number of possible configurations, or if we can customize our fancy mixing different skills, but the premise seems to be very attractive to achieve a system of providing dynamic, accurate, and we do not require both flight.
In addition to the numerous changes in the character, we must also highlight the significant improvements in the environments. In the first game, giving the impression that we were flying at distances exaggerated, from which we could see everything around us seemed minuscule. This has undergone a radical change, with much more detail, larger enemies (and therefore more visible), and greater interaction with the environment. One of the samples seen in San Diego showed us a mission in which we had to enter a factory, eliminating some of the robots and run it before it explode, and in this aspect, the level of destruction caused is very high, higher than in the first installment. In conclusion, we have been shown to Crimson Dynamo, an enemy that does not appear in the film.

Far to go
Take almost a year before the Iron Man 2 comes to theaters and, presumably, to the stores as playable, but that is not let go so early is a good sign. No attempt is made to an accelerated development to try to arrive on time for the film premiere, and it seems that the team is able to introduce any changes deemed necessary in the original formula, plus an entirely new storyline that will increase the longevity of the title. There is no denying that the new game promises great things, and although it is still early to say, it is possible that we find the game that this character deserves. At least that is the intention of Sega, and is fighting for it.

Nintendo Hopes on “Mad World” and “The Conduit” Sales

Wii’s title as the best selling game console does not guarantee success for all of your games catalog. Nintendo’s platform has become the target of many developers around the world who hope to make quick profits from the sales of their games. However, it seems that there is no clear pattern in the structure of these sales.

Denise Kaigler, head of marketing at Nintendo America (NOA) ensures why some games do not have the same sales with other. Kaigler stresses the importance of word of mouth during the sale of games, ensuring that it is one of the best deals.

In his own words, “I do not know. It is difficult to draw a conclusion. You may get these titles to have the same curve that sales of Nintendo games that do not follow the traditional pattern of the highly successful launch and the subsequent cessation of sales. Our games have a long history of trade. earn popularity and this may be the case with The Conduit and Mad World. ”

Kaigler hopes that these games might like to the consumer and is ultimately he who helps to improve sales through word of mouth. “They are playing deep experience and great challenges that we like very much. Our desire is to continue gaining in popularity and continue to sell more units in a progressive manner,” adds the executive of Nintendo America.

The Japanese firm still backs provide content for its users to the traditional and new audiences, according to Denise Kaigler: “We have games for our traditional users to the public that are close to entertainment. The [...] popularity of Wii, Nintendo DS and DSI demonstrates that we are doing well. ”

Kaigler says that Nintendo fans are very passionate and expressive. ” “Definitely, when we say things they disagree with something. The good thing is that they also know to recognize when they are happy and luckily got a good response to the celebration of E3,” argues the directive, which advocates Metroid: Other M as new great hope of the catalog Wii.

The Sims 3 Sweep in Sales

Electronic Arts announced that The Sims ™ 3 sold more than 1,400,000 units in its first week on the market and become the most sold game in the company history. Good welcome from fans of the franchise can be checked with the seven million downloads of content that players around the world have shared with the rest of the community including Sims characters, houses, films, etc.. The Sims 3, also downloadable from the App Store for iPhone ™ and iPod ® touch, reached from the day it launched the first ranking of downloads and has remained there since.

According to Rod Humble, President of EA Play, “with over a dozen awards, with very high ratings in the analysis of the press and with a very positive feedback from the community can be proud of the good start Sims 3, which shows that we have in our hands another great success. The large number of creations of The Sims ™ 3 downloads and online is an example of the passion of the players of The Sims. Now is your world and we look forward to seeing what they believe and share. ”

For his part Adam Sussman, Vice President of EA Mobile ™, said that “just 18 hours after its release, The Sims 3 had reached the top downloads of Apple’s mobile devices in 37 countries, which has become The third game in the history of EA Mobile to reach the top of Apple’s online downloads. The hit of the game along with the success of the show critics that the mobile experience in The Sims 3 is a milestone in the whole world. ”

Key features of The Sims 3 for PC and Mac
Enjoy the endless creative possibilities with The Sims 3! Customize the appearance of your Sims in the new “Sims Creator” with a lot of opportunities and tools to define the physical and dress your Sim. Choose up to five individual personality traits to define the nature of your Sim and give meaning to his life from being a rock star to be a professional thief, if you decide to fulfill their wishes or not vital. Ultimately ¡Sims can create millions of unique!

You can also customize everything and feel like a real designer: home decor, floors, walls, clothes … you can choose the style of your Sim with myriad colors, patterns and materials.

Finally, create and edit your own films captured the life of your Sim, or by selecting images from the library of content. Choose the actors, music, scenery, sounds and show others your story. Record your online copy of The Sims 3 through the official website www.lossims3.com and you can share all your creations, get extra content like the new City of Riverview (no additional cost), find the latest news, spend your Simpoints in new clothes or furniture, and much more!

The Sims 3 is available from June 4 for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch and mobile devices. According to the code PEGI (Pan European Game Information), the recommended minimum age is +12. For more information, visit www.lossims3.com

‘Let’s Tap’ Review

Let’s Tap is the particular twist to this concept of Sega’s “party game” together with the control buttons, but goes further than other titles at the time to reinvent the genre, and that may not even need to hold the Wiimando in our hands to play. Not surprisingly, Yuji Naka (Sonic the Hedgehog’s father and now CEO of his own studio, prop Ltd.) said long ago that it would be Let’s Tap “at the first video game that could play up a penguin.” To play need three things: a smooth surface, a Wii Remote (Wiimando) a bit of coordination and eye / hand.

Design
Let’s Tap is a different game from the beginning: we draw the attention even before he put the disc into our package for their particular console. It is a cardboard box twice as long as normal, which includes another within the same carton box and finally the very ordinary plastic cover where you can find your disk and instructions. More than one will remember the Matroska Russian to unpack. To summarize: we have two boxes of thin cardboard Let’s Tap Sega courtesy to Player 1 and Player 2 will support them in their Wiimandos.

Regarding the game itself offers a very visual style is minimalist but colorful at the same time. Most items on display have a look like “virtual reality”, with pure forms, colored and translucent. Those who have played Rez or have seen the classic film Tron immediately recognize the style. The music and sounds for their part are very electronic style, which fits perfectly with what we are seeing on screen.

The potential graph Let’s Tap is not his strongest point, but if you think about the kind of game that it is understandable and at no time are cast under new-generation graphics prowess on the screen.

Playability
Most importantly, what makes this game is one of those “never seen it,” is his curious way of playing. Let’s Tap offers 5 different minigames with their multiplayer modes, all the drivers in the same way, and this is where the title of Prop innovates by offering a way to control only one of its kind: to put Wiimando face down on a smooth surface and beaten with hands gently on the surface so that the accelerometers detect Wiimando of our taps and the game will perform.

In the words may sound confusing or poorly responsive, but not to worry, as Let’s Tap is a very complete tutorial with which we soon got used to the control mode, which responds perfectly to our taps, no need to use too hard and the result is more accurate to what we may think. The menu of the game itself is handled in this manner, so soon we will be comfortable with the control.

Mini Game
As with almost all games based on collections of minigames, where Let’s Tap truly shines is in multiplayer. Perhaps the simple premise of the 5 available evidence entertains us more than half an hour if we are alone, with family or friends but we have fun laughing and pounding the table for quite turn.

• Marathon: The star of the title, and probably the mini that will spend more time, especially with friends. This is a game of athletics, to control a race where a runner and compete to reach the goal before the rest, and supports up to 4 players (human or controlled by the machine). The issue is the classic 2D platform with 3D elements. Need to run smoother beat to a certain pattern, and if we hit an obstacle must give stronger in time to jump. Sounds simple, but are difficult to add the 16 different tracks that are becoming increasingly complex and adding elements such as ramps, trampolines, tightrope etc. These tracks are unlockables, and we need to go opening win medals. Obviously in the case of 4 players will win a medal until he is finalized. Unlock new tracks is not terribly difficult, but to get gold in all races is a challenge not so simple and we can hook a lot, especially if you’re playing with friends, the founder is assured.
• Keep the momentum: We can not avoid comparing this mini with Donkey Konga. In this test, we must continue with our taps the rhythm of the music indicated by a marker that moves from left to right. We can choose from 16 different songs, all original compositions for the game of musical styles such as dance, j-pop, etc.. The mechanical is too easy and fans of rhythm games will not impress them nothing, but for those unfamiliar with the genre will find it entertaining, though perhaps not the music taste of any dish.
• Fixed Blocks: This mini recalls the traditional board game Jenga, which consists in building a block tower that should go after carefully removing the tower to collapse is not. The virtual version of Let’s Tap is controlled by touch more or less force, more or less quickly, which control how we are making the selected block of the tower. If you hit too hard or too fast, and destabilize the tower will fall, so, never better, we need to be very touching. Each block that we will get us points. To add interest, the blocks come in different colors, and if we get together about 3 or more of the same color will be converted into one special block that will give us more points if we get out. The difficulty increases with the addition of more colors. It is probably the best proof that uses the precision control mode of the game.
• Space Bubble: This is another species of 2D platforms, but in this guide a character through a virtual scene with obstacles (mines, lasers, etc.). And enemies. The aim is to go as far as possible (the distance is indicated by a marker) without dying, we will collect star points on the road. We control the character with touches of light through space, propelled forward and hit harder to launch missiles. This is a test of skill and patience, because here the precision of control is not much, and it soon becomes repetitive gameplay to be slow. Is perhaps the weakest of all mini, but like the others, the multiplayer “battle” it adds more interest.
• Browser: Not exactly a game but rather a visual experiment. The viewer is the only one of the 5 games with no multiplayer for obvious reasons, and that this is a kind of interactive screensaver where we can express ourselves creatively “through gentle touch or strong in different scenarios that react in different ways a canvas where our touches create brush strokes, an aquarium, a stage with fireworks, etc.. No competitive factor in the display, we could think of it as a virtual canvas to entertain time to experiment with shorter or control mode. A very charming Japanese pastime.

Conclusions
The most important thing to take into account when considering the purchase of Let’s Tap is: Do we have someone with whom to play? Are family members, couples or small, or friends, the fun it offers basically the title is that of the healthy competition and without complications in the living room of our house, sitting quietly and without worrying about having to make room for breaking something or if they fly the Wiimandos. The simplicity of its characteristic mode of control means that anyone is familiar with the games or not, can be handled without problems and have fun in just 10 minutes, which otherwise makes it very suitable for the most pequeñajos.

There are other advantages include: good distribution and a very competitive price (and grateful) set by Sega: 30 euros. If the answer to the previous paragraph is a yes, Let’s Tap is probably the best market for those looking for lots of fun easy in the company and a good price for Wii.

Flock! Review

Flock! is an innovative proposal that Capcom will be published on PC, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in the spring.

Time, or actually the lack of it, led me to leave it saved on the hard drive until you overcome the flood of news that we have experienced this year. Now back to this analysis is happy for the weekend with a game downloadable highly recommended. Be abducted by ‘Flock!

I play two metacarpal that many are thinking of a flight simulator that besides deadly weapons with the latest technology. If in addition you can absorb all kinds of objects such as buildings and cars with your lightning abductor and then release to the city and destroy your enemies, it becomes GOTY on the day of launch.

Proper Games Instead this project is and what it brings’ Flock! ‘, A kind of simulator labrador, dogs by changing the UFOs, which we must guide the flock to the mother ship.

A form of the potential of a project? No, no one expected a title and with originality and new forms of gambling is positioned as one of the most attractive of Xbox Live Arcade.

The game presents a scenario more or less difficult (fences must move either with animals or with a physical strength of the rays of the building, pools and tall grass areas that are slowing the passage of our flock, breaks …) and a group of animals that we must take a point from A, which can be spread by a number of areas, a point B, representing the mother ship and the end of the road.

From here begins the simple complicated by the mix of barriers and animals, adding to a recent artificial intelligence that will put us in a bind over.

It is noteworthy that the animals do not follow us, we flee. And if your fear involves thrown in a ravine, regroup and influence to create slow motion trying to disperse or confused, do not hesitate to do so.

Although their appearance might indicate otherwise child ‘Flock!’ Is a title that will cost us to dominate. Besides, once the story mode or dull finish playing with a friend, the following will be dedicate to its full level editor or try to overcome the deranged ODIS that other users have uploaded to the network.

If you sobran and a few Microsoft Points, or already have the latest bombing or not you just draw special attention, ‘Flock!’ Can be a good buy. You may not excellent but certainly a remarkably noteworthy.

“Star Ocean: The Last Hope” Review

Science fiction and Japanese traditional role again shaking hands with the new release of the Star Ocean series, this time visiting the Microsoft console, an important route for multiple brands and systems since he was born in Super Famicom with a delivery that never came to Europe, until its remake for PSP. After a time in the Sony consoles, the series premieres its fourth chapter now on Xbox 360 The Last Hope, after third delivery that we enjoyed a few years ago in PlayStation 2. Not followed the story of the delivery, but we are going back in time to place ourselves at the beginning of your timeline, and explore the origins of the epic space saga.

However, the player must take into account from the outset that this occasion has not signed a script as strong as in previous installments, especially compared with some other titles that are coming to the market at this time or some of the important role of the Japanese representatives who can be found on Xbox 360. The topics are too obvious and the characters do not exactly compensate with his charisma and personal magnetism, so it helps us to forget these elements (in something as important as gender in history and narrative) elements are playable.

The story takes us, as we said, well back in time in the chronology of the series until the second half of the twenty-first century, a time when humanity achieves annihilate almost entirely in the nuclear holocaust. The few survivors must leave behind the Earth, completely devastated, and find a new home in the stars. Edge Maverick character in exploratory mission in the galaxy in search of the planet to become the new settlement of mankind, but who are caught in a battle for the fate of the galaxy itself when faced with a force hitherto unknown threat to all life.

Fortunately, Edge is not alone in this adventure, and will have a team of friends to help you face your destination while freeing their inner powers and progress throughout history, we reserve a couple of surprises here and there. Well, one is to say, because the truth is that the turns of the script are come without problems, although we assume that still work with the public is not as relic. Another drawback is that history is not peppered with humorous light elements, which would be nice, but it tries to stay serious and humorous on several occasions, both untenable situation for brutal dialogue inconsistency, even if you spend many minutes your story through video scenes.

In any case, the truth is that most fans of animation and science fiction clichés will forgive continued from both worlds and the characters flat. The boy protagonist, for example, is a buenazo, unreservedly, confident, idealistic, and, of course, is tricked by his vision of the world as candida (a twist on the dash), and more or less the same can be categorization with the rest of the cast protagonist, each with a role as canon as irremovable until, suddenly, something happens (either by being designated as by our choice) and yes there is a change, but does not always work, and is come. But it must be borne in mind that there are several available late, according to which elections have taken in those moments, which will boost the interest in it and the replay value.

But if we forget this simple in their characters and story, what we find is a role playing game fun to play with an interesting combat system, which is, after all, one of the cornerstones of the genre. What is not accomplished in history, largely to replace a system consisting playable and dynamic in that the battles are not random and are conducted in real time with direct control over one of the characters in our group of players (up to four in battle). The remaining members carried out their own struggle with the artificial intelligence routines on which we established earlier, also taking into account that a character can change very quickly to maintain a manual control over their actions. Similarly, changing the characters of the quartet of battle is swift and direct, what we must bear in mind as their characteristics and abilities are different, so they need to take a balanced team, or specifically designed for a challenge.

The fighting is very intense pace, even at a nearby arcade, and the truth is that most sencillotes remind us of a machacabotones use, giving good indication of the dynamism of the game. But do not be fooled: the strategic factor is palpable to enemies a bit more difficult, especially when it comes to fighting the final bosses. And is that these leaders have behavior patterns, routines, we should observe in order to counter them, find their weaknesses and exploit them to our advantage to have options for victory. If we do well, the strategy used may replace brute force and allow progress without having to turn to crush hordes and hordes of smaller enemies to level up, and if not we will roll that, just because you go up level and male no more.

In fact, if they so wish, the battles may have provided an important strategic factor, you have to take into account the level of aggressiveness of the enemies, tempted to focus on one character and attack him. Moreover, if the enemy is set on us and attack us but we are able to feint and it can be confusing to use a special counter move. You can also use special attacks desperate (Rush) when we can just energy, which allows us to link with other offensive team members.

Another strategic point of fighting is that we set specific tasks, such as eliminating one of two enemy attack, use only one technique in particular, and so on. If we do, we will be rewarded, and we must keep in mind that rewards are cumulative, which is represented in the form of chips that go into joining a board, that gives us as we combine a kind of reward or otherwise. This implies, in other words, given a wide latitude to go to customize characters, or choose to add more money, or points to improve skills, etc. So that we can choose to progress their skills according to our style of play. Furthermore, it should be fitted well, we can make a blunder to lose these cards, but the fact is that when we are done with the game system, this, that sounds a bit strange and counted, more than good works and can be addictive and interesting in itself.

Outside the battlefield exploring the scenarios is also important, and we all kind of environments, but the dungeons are going to be a fundamental part of their development, and where more resources we can add, collecting materials, energy, etc. . This is important because then we use these resources to create objects through the creation of them. We must find formulas or recipes as we move forward, which is what we used to know how to combine the collected materials for objects that are themselves useful. The advantage is that, although comprehensive and profound, simple and accessible, making it easy to get with it and forge weapons, armor, and even objects to decorate and personalize our ship. At some point the system evolves and the game opens up more possibilities through a character can combine objects created, which opens a huge range of possibilities.

Visually the game is pretty and colorful, thanks to a good level of detail, colorful scenery and a very well rounded amount of video scenes, combined with designs clearly inspired characters in Japanese animation. But all is not gold that glitters, and there are certain points of weight against him. We are thinking, especially in the recycling design of the enemies, which is highly repetitive and are more reminiscent of the age of 8 and 16 bits of color and its variations on the same sprite in an abusive manner. And no less importantly, the camera is a nonsense, and that in moments of action can make us suffer, because it does not always respond as expected of it, with strange angles other flaws that are too common.

More or less the same thing happens with the voices there are many (in English) and is technically good, but there is an important element in control, which is the quality of interpretation. The Japanese audio is not offered as an option, but at least the melodies are pleasant and it is well adapted to what is happening on screen, showing more care in their production due to the compositions of Sakura, one of the usual saga.

The Last Hope is supplemented with content added to which we can access when we’ve passed the adventure, as two additional difficulty levels, which is reflected in the fighting much more intense and hard, which brings an extra length to a title is already very long thanks to the huge number of secondary missions there. Completing the game opens up new challenges, additional missions and dungeons, to unlock rewards such as prescriptions, among others. It is an important incentive to be further delineated with the combat system, a sort of coliseum, which struggled to collect prizes and trophies.

Conclusions

Star Ocean: The Last Hope we have a role play in highlighting and much, your game system, with heavy fighting and which make it very satisfactory rate of development. Likewise, everything that surrounds it works rather than good, and is the highlight of his approach. But on the other hand, the story is really weak, and has significant gaps in the building of characters and situations, while maintaining a sufficient interest to make progress, of course. That means that, depending on what you seek, the game will give us important rewards or not, so it is important to know their weaknesses and points to his favor, as is decompensated. If these deficiencies do not pose a problem for us, fun is guaranteed, with their intensity level of strategy and variability of the fighting, and many additional extras to compliment your package contents.

Prepare to patch The King of Fighters XII PS3 owners, Xbox 360 owners have to wait

Some owners of the recently released PS3 version of SNK and Ignition’s fighting game The King of Fighters XII noticed something wasn’t quite right. I’m talking about the online multiplayer matches. There was, and still is for some users, an incredible amount of lag during said matches. The game will pause or slow to a crawl during online play, making it near impossible.

Ignition has already stepped in and up and is working with SNK Playmore on a solution. A 772mb PS3 patch addressing KOF XII‘s online play has already been released to try and help remedy the situation until a permanent solution can be found. The mandatory patch, discussed in the official KOF XII forum, improves the netcode for online multiplayer, shows a Friends Match in the Online portion, improves menu speed, adds opponents to a Player Met list and lets you invite a friend to a match by pushing the square button. An Xbox 360 version of the patch is also on the way.

Ignition and SNK are also aware of other issues currently plaguing KOF XII players. In a note on the official King of Fighters XII Facebook page, SNK states that the next patch will fix the Elisabeth/Raiden match glitch. The company also offers some suggestions to help increase online match speed - PS3 users should use NAT Type 1 internet connection and Xbox 360 users should use the open setting. Also, for the time being, spectators should not be invited to matches.

One of Ignition’s administrators over at the official forum also posted stating the functional issues and DLC requests in the order in which the company hopes to address them. The number one priority for the company is “netcode performance improvements,” as well as additional online multiplayer mode isues, the Elisabeth/Raiden glitch and the ability to leave the character selection screen. As for DLC, Ignition is going to talk with SNK about adding additional characters, stages, color schemes, endless survival mode, endless time attack mode and additional challenge modes.

This KOF XII issue is reminding me a bit of the SNK vs. Capcom Card Fighters DS issue. Of course, SNK came through back then, so I’m sure both Ignition and SNK will work together to fix things again. The best thing to do now is be patient, and wait for the companies to come through.

Read [Ignition Entertainment USA The King of Fighters XII forum] Via [Siliconera] Also Read [King of Fighters XII Facebook] Via [Kotaku]

Comic Con 2009: A closer look at Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth for DS

Capcom’s Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth is the newest in the Ace Attorney series. You will recognize Edgeworth from the first game, as the rival (and friend) of Phoenix Wright. This time he is the main character and you control him through out the game. I was lucky enough to give the game a go at Comic Con 2009.

I noticed right away that this game was different than its predecessors. You still click on items to view them more closely and you can still talk to people about the case but, instead of the first-person view we are use to, this one is all third-person and you can move Edgeworth around the screen.

The game starts with a man lying dead of a bullet wound in, of all places, Edgeworth’s office. Edgy is as confused as everyone else as to how the body got there and the investigation begins. The first person I was able to talk to was a rather familiar face, Detective Gumshoe! As always, Edgy and him but heads but are still forced to work together. Gumshoe follows you around in the game and you can consult with him about various findings.

Another new element to the game is the ability to combine logic to form ideas. When you find a piece of evidence, or find out something about the event (such as that the dead man was actually a detective), the ideas go into the “logic” space. You have to combine logics that fit together to come up with a better idea of what happened. Of course, if you incorrectly piece together logic, you lose points via a green bar at the top of the screen. You should remember the green bar from the other Ace Attorney games.

Unfortunately, you no longer go to court to try the case in this game. However, you do still interrogate suspects and witnesses to find out what happened. (Of course, the game I played was not the full build.) Despite the fact that there are no court room interactions, he game was still a lot of fun, and any fan of the series will want to try it out.

Important Importables: Sugar Sugar Rune games

When manga or anime series become popular, they’re almost guaranteed a video game release. When a series is incredibly popular, they’ll spawn multiple games. Since many of these series don’t achieve the same level of recognition outside of Japan, this means that people in other regions of the world will likely never hear about them.

This week, Important Importables is going to look at one of these lesser known series, Sugar Sugar Rune. While Del Rey released all eight volumes of Moyoco Anno’s series in North America, it never reached the same heights of popularity that it achieved in Japan. In Japan though, it managed to inspire three video games on three different platforms.

What’s Sugar Sugar Rune?

Sugar Sugar Rune was a first for mangaka Moyoco Anno. She is best known for mangas written for women, like Happy Mania, Flowers & Bees and Hataraki Man. Sugar Sugar Rune was the first series she created for a younger female audience.

Long ago, witches and wizards separated from the human world and moved to the Magical World. Once there, a rift developed between two factions, ones who followed the Ice Prince Glacé and others who followed Le Royaume. Glacé and his followers were sent into exile and dubbed Ogres.

Le Royaume and the Magical World is led by a queen. At the moment, it’s Queen Candy. However, a contest is being held to determine the next queen. The two candidates are Chocolat Meilleure, daughter of previous queen candidate Cinnamon Meilleure, and Vanilla Mieux, Queen Candy’s daughter. The two young witches are best friends, despite their contrary personalities, and they are sent together to the human world.

Their goal? Collect humans hearts, which are called ecuré in the Magical World and used as both currency and energy. Witches can’t regenerate their own hearts, but humans can. The girl who collects the most hearts will be the next queen.

In the Magical World, outspoken, crude and tomboyish Chocolat was most popular, but in the human world shy, quiet and demure Vanilla gathers the most attention. Chocolat has to challenge her best friend to become the best. To make matters worse, a young Ogre representative named Pierre is attending the same school and trying to influence both girls.

At it’s very core, Sugar Sugar Rune is your typical magical girl series. Especially if you only look at the anime, which follows a “monster of the week” sort of story, focuses mainly on the collecting of hearts and has more of a traditional art style. The manga series is darker and slightly edgier, with a gothic-punk art style and more background on the war between the witches and ogres. The 51 episode anime is geared towards a younger audience, while the eight volume manga seems oriented towards slightly older readers.

Sugar Sugar Rune: Heart Gaippai! Moegi Gakuen

Sugar Sugar Rune: Heart Gaippai! Moegi Gakuen was the first Sugar Sugar Rune game released, and debuted on the Game Boy Advance. It also begins a trend. All of the Sugar Sugar Rune games focus on the heart collecting aspect of the original.

The GBA Sugar Sugar Rune game focuses on Chocolat’s gathering of hearts from classmates at the elementary school Moegi Gakuen. It’s primarily a text based adventure where Chocolat visits various locations from the series, perhaps runs into familiar characters and, if she’s lucky and conversations go well, she earns hearts. There are also a few unrelated mini-games tossed in.

Sugar Sugar Rune: Koimo Osharemo Pick-Up

The second Sugar Sugar Rune game was a PlayStation 2 adventure called Sugar Sugar Rune: Koimo Osharemo Pick-Up, and it is quite similar to the previous GBA release. One of the main differences is you can choose to play as either Chocolat or Vanilla.

When it comes to gameplay, it’s similar to the previous game and otome games like Tokimeki Memorial: Girl’s Side. You dress and prepare Chocolat or Vanilla, using clothes and magical accessories. Then, you attend school to to try and befriend the male students so you can take their hearts and (hopefully) become queen. There’s more of an active element here, since the clothing and accessory choices you make help determine whether certain guys will like you more or less.

Sugar Sugar Rune: Queen Shiken wa Dai Panic

Sugar Sugar Rune: Queen Shiken wa Dai Panic was the last Sugar Sugar Rune game, released in 2006. Unlike the previous games, which were more text based adventures, the DS game was an action/platformer title. Remember the Sega Genesis game Flicky? It’s slightly reminiscent of that. It’s also the only Sugar Sugar Rune game I’ve had the opportunity to play.

In the beginning of the game, players choose whether they want to be Chocolat or Vanilla. Aside from some cosmetic differences, both characters play the same. You must go through a variety of levels, based on locations seen in the anime and manga, to gather hearts. When Chocolat or Vanilla see a boy, they press a button to lure him in. He then will follow her around. The goal is to get a few guys following you around for a decent period of time so their hearts turn pink. Then, you execute a special move that plucks their hearts and gives Chocolat or Vanilla points. The boys then leave. The goal is to get a certain number of points and make it to the end of a level before time runs out.

It isn’t as easy as it sounds. There are dogs roaming the levels that will attack/scare the girls, causing the boys to leave. Also there are other female classmates wandering around, and if you walk past them, they’ll lure one of your admirers away. Plus, Chocolat and Vanilla can only have a certain number of boys follow them.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Important Importables reviews Nanashi no Game for the DS.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Important Importables reviewed Vitamin Y.

Site [Play-Asia] Site [YesAsia] Site [NCSX] Site [Himeya Shop] Site [Strapya World]

Gamertell Interview: Cast, director talk about online horror series, Fear Clinic

Fear Clinic is one of the first series that will be exclusively online and will play exclusively on Fearnet.com sometime in October 2009. The show is directed by Robert Hall (Sarah Connor Chronicles, Laid to Rest) and includes horror greats Robert Englund and Kane Hodder (Freddy and Jason, respectively), co-stars Danielle Harris (Halloween remake) and newcomer Lucas Till, among others.

The show is about Dr. Andover (Englund) who claims to be able to cure any phobia by using his patented "fear chamber." Several unsuspecting clients come to his clinic hoping to get cured. They realize however, the horrors that are in store for them. There are five episodes made so far, each dealing with a different phobia.

I was fortunate enough to sit at a roundtable interview with Hall and the actors to discuss this upcoming series.

First up was Englund, who I could write this whole article about alone. Englund was a nice, docile old man, despite the usual characters he plays. He is also very animated and loves to talk about his projects and past endeavors. It was actually hard to keep him on the topic of this series.

“[Fear Clinic] is looking to raise the bar on the horror experience. It started with a script written by Aaron Drane who wanted to put this series on the web, so we had to figure out how to chunkcate these chapters into episodes.” He also mentioned that each episode would only be about 5-8 minutes long, and that it is all spent anticipating what will happen. “It’s great working with such a fun cast, but we end up killing off half of them.”

Hall, who is the director and producer of the series, was also excited to talk. “I grew up as a horror kid. Jason 7 was my favorite horror movie, so to be able to work with greats like Englund and Hodder is a horror kids dream.”

I asked what he thought about the series being on the internet rather than on TV and he said, “I’m actually cool with it being online, with things like Hulu and YouTube, I don’t think it matters anymore. You know it’s gonna get to people.”

I talked to Danielle Harris about her character Susan who is the first client. Her character suffers from scotophobia (fear of the dark). She said, “Susan’s parents died when she was young, and no one really cared about her. She meets Andover and, even though he is probably trying to kill her, he is the first person to really care about her, which gives them a weird sort of relationship.”

I asked Englund about his character and how he interacts with Harris’ character. “Andover can’t cure her and, because of this, she becomes his obsession, his Achilles heal, because she is his only failure.”

We will see Harris a lot in these episodes, as she tries to escape from this clinic, unlike the other phobia’s who will only be dealt with in one episode.

Kane, who is mainly a stunt man, plays Andover’s nurse in the series. He told me that it was great to work with such a great cast. “Me and Englund were actually in several movies together, but this is the first time we are in scenes, acting together.” He also told me that he prefers to be an actor and a stuntman because it’s easier to coordinate an actor when you are playing them.

Finally there was Lucas Till who is best known for his role as Travis in the Hannah Montana movie. “It is really cool to be able to work with Englund and Hodder in this show, I am not a huge fan of the horror genre, so this is all new to me.” Till worked previously with Hall in Laid to Rest, which is how he got the role.

I had a good time talking to these awesome people and it really got me excited about this new series. It is unclear whether or not their will be more than five episodes since, as Hall explained, it really depends on how the show does and how audiences perceive it. “I would love there to be more and more shows on the internet, and it is great that we are the first one," Kane said.

Site [Fear Clinic] Read [Dread Central]

Square Enix officially announces the games it’ll display at Gamescom 2009

Square Enix, which also includes Eidos now ya’ know, has decided to let the world know what games the company will be showing off when it attends Gamescom 2009 in Cologne, Germany on August 19-23, 2009. It’s a rather predictiable lineup, as Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts games will be there, as well as Batman: Arkham Asylum and Mini Ninjas.

If Gamescom sounds unfamiliar to you, it’s because it’s a new entertainment and games trade fair being held in Europe and supported by the German Trade Association of Interactive Entertainment Software, and the European Game Developers Conference is going to coincide with the event, taking place August 17-19, 2009. Square Enix is already stepping up to offer support by declaring it’s attending.

As for the games, while there will be expected showcases, there will also be a few delightful surprises. For example, Supreme Commander 2 will be playable at the event. Batman: Arkham Asylum will also be there and playable, including a portion where attendees will be able to play as the Joker. Also, Mini Ninjas PC demos will be given out to attendees. Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIV, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Front Mission Evolved, Nier, Order of War and Pony Friends 2 will all also appear at the event.

The Mini Ninjas free demo is a nice perk, and I’m sure people will be lining up to play Batman: Arkham Asylum as well. I’m sure Square Enix and Eidos’ booth will be a popular attraction at Gamescom 2009.

Read [GameIndustry.biz] Via [Joystiq] Site [Gamescom]

The iPhone is more powerful than the Wii?

So says a developer at Telltale Games, according to a report at IGN. Addressing the framerate issue of the WiiWare game “Tales of Monkey Island: Episode 1” on the company’s online message boards, a developer under the alias of “Yare” stated, “...The Wii is just not a powerful console. An iPhone is much more powerful than a Wii, even.” Uh oh.

Now, I know nothing about programming, but it seems to me the notion that the iPhone could be packing more power than a Wii is sort of ridiculous. Yes, the Wii is underpowered graphically compared to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but I own both systems. I’ve played games on both systems. I’ve enjoyed an hated games on both systems. There’s just no way you can achieve the look of, say, Super Mario Galaxy or The Conduit on the iPhone. Correct me if I’m wrong, iPhone devs.

More likely, this developer just shares the frustration of having to dumb down graphics to fit the Wii’s restrictions. Console games need to look good, and it has to be annoying to spend time eking as much power as possible out of the Wii’s processor in order to achieve the look you want. On the iPhone, gamers are used to somewhat shoddy looking games. Many of the developers don’t have the experience or knowledge to turn out high-end, 3D graphics. So, when a company with some financial backing comes along and is able to really show off the iPhone’s capabilities (especially compared to the graphics of other phones), that would be rewarding to both the gamer and the developer.

Wii owners need not fret, anyway. The system has never been about the graphics, it’s about the controls and the unique gameplay experience they provide. Personally, I wouldn’t care if the graphics processor in the iPhone outshined the PS3. The touchscreen and accelerometer aren’t conducive to much of anything outside of racing games, and although the iPhone is a fantastic machine, it simply can’t provide the satisfying gaming experience that the Wii does.

The DS, on the other hand, is another story…

Read [Telltale Games Blog] Via [IGN]

Gamertell Interview: Madden NFL 10 Wii art director, Tim Spangler

I was able to meet the art director of the Madden NFL 10 for the Wii, Tim Spangler, at this year's San Diego Comic Con (2009). Tim has worked on pretty much every EA sports title but this is the first title he worked on from start to finish.

According to Spangler , the game has undergone drastic changes. "The visuals changed across the board, we have an all new interface, all new character models, stadium and game modes."

This is also the first year where the characters will have different body types. In the past all the characters looked about the same but, in reality, players in different positions look different. Spangler explained that they made the different characters bodies look different so that a quarterback would look different from a fullback and such. "Defining body types was the hardest to do graphically but it was something we really wanted for this game."

He also explained that crowds in previous titles the audience would be wearing primary colors but, this year, depending on the team you pick, the audience will be wearing that team's jerseys and have merchandise from the team shops.

"Last year they were only wearing basic colors, we wanted more depth with the audience and a more personalized feel," Spangler said. There will also be a mix of women and men, and they will be visibly clapping and cheering for their teams, or jeering if necessary.

When asked about how, as an artist, you try the top the games each year, he said that he keeps a running list of what they want to improve but couldn’t do this year. "When it comes to graphics, it’s all about depth. Each year you want to expand it just a little and make it better each time around."

When it comes to players who have retired or are on suspension, Spangler explained, "[T]ypically when players are under suspension, such as Michael Vick, or retiring, such as Brett Favre, who can’t make up his mind, usually don’t make the final draft when it comes to players to include in the game. So, though you might still want to play with these characters in your team, you have to hope they hold off suspension and retirement till the game is made."

Because this game is on the Wii, new features are included like the ability to actually throw a pass using the WiiMote, rather then hitting a button to do so. The game also features co-op huddle-up mode where the second player can help out the first buy throwing out a block trip up the receiver with the WiiMote. Plus play with your friends to help you complete seasons and individual games, and bring your team to the Super bowl.

Madden looks great again this year and we can thank Tim Spangler and his art team for a job well done.

Site [EA sports] Read [IGN] Read [Gamertell]

Comic Con 09: Hands on with Smith Micro’s Anime Studio Pro 6

Animation and manga software company Smith Micro has just released it's newest version of Anime Studio and Gamertell was able to get an exclusive look at it at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con.

Anime Studio is a program that allows you create fun and detailed Anime cartoons. It’s easy to use and great for a beginning animator. I was able to get a hands-on view of all the features of this program.

The animator started out with a basic drawing - a big blob - and then got to the animating. By clicking on an icon, the animator was able to add bends to his blob so that it was able to bend it’s appendages. He also showed me how to expand or contrast an object so that it got bigger or smaller as it walked across the screen.

On feature I thought was cool was the motion sensor. The animator took an object and had it move across the screen for a few frames, then he added a sensor to a different object that allowed it to follow the first one across the screen. In this case it was a car driving down the street. He added a motion sensor to a chicken he took from the clip art and that caused the chicken to follow the car (at a distance) creating the illusion that it is chasing the car.

I was also shown various effects you can add to your animation such as rain falling, wind blowing, and even allow for a warp speed effect (for a spaceship). These effects are built into the program, and you can also create your own effects. There is also clip art included into the program for quick use, all you have to do is add the animation. You can even import 3D animation onto the program and into Flash.

From what I saw in the display, the controls all seem simple and easy to use. There are many different things you can do to make your character animated. As with everything, it will take practice to get all the effects down, but once you get to know how each icon works, you will be able to make great anime cartoons.

You don’t even have to be an artist, you can make a great cartoon using some of the clip art and scenery already included in the program, as well as your own crude or well drawn characters.

The product is in stores now and is available for $199.99. A bit pricey but worth it if you are truly trying to become an animator or just have a passion for it. It is available on both Mac and Windows.

Site [My Smith Micro] Read [Gamertell] Also read [Designer Today]

Comic Con 2009: Gettin’ telekenetic with Mattel’s Mind Flex

Have you ever thought you had telekinesis? Well it turns out everyone does! I didn’t believe it myself until I tried out the new Mind Flex game by Mattel at Comic Con this year.

I was introduced to a nice man who told me I was about to play a game where I have to move a small foam ball through an obstacle course using only my mind. Of course I was skeptical but then he strapped this helmet to my head (which attaches to your ears as well) and showed me the course. This one was already set up.

He told me that the object of the game was to move the ball through the course that he set up by concentrating on the ball. He told me that it uses EEG technology (which is used by doctors to study brain waves). Basically, when we think or concentrate, we are emitting brain waves.

The helmet I was wearing takes these brainwaves, via sensors, and transmits them to a fan located in the obstacle course. The more you concentrate, the faster the fans blow and the higher the ball goes. Alternatively, the less you concentrate, the lower it goes.

So I try it and, sure enough, the ball moved up and down depending on how much I concentrate.! There is also a knob on the console that you turn to make the course move so, for instance, you could move the ball through different holes and hoops.

Now I still thought their was some trick involved, like he was moving the ball up and down or something but then I realized that wasn’t the case, especially considering this is a game you play at home and the obstacle course is interchangeable. So the only answer is that it really is controlled by brainwaves.

I would not have believed this if I hadn’t played it for myself. There is truly some advanced technology at work here, and it only shows how far we have come in the gaming world.

Mind Flex will be released October 2009 and you can preorder it from Amazon and WalMart for $79.99. You really have to play it to believe it.

Site [Mindflex] Read [MSNBC] Also Read [Gamertell]

Opinion: When a DS device is an in-game tool, a game becomes believable

Video games are designed to take players into an entirely new world. The goal of developers is to make this new environment identifiable, and to create an atmosphere where players can lose themselves in this virtual world and feel they’re a part of events taking place. An interesting mechanic that can be used to help players make a connection is to include some familiar aspects or tools from daily life into the game. Developers have been particularly successful in this endeavor when it comes to DS games.

When game developers choose to create a DS game in a manner where the DS a person is playing on is involved in the story, it can help break down reality’s boundaries. What if a game could really cause a person to die in a week? What if your DS could help you find your long lost father? Many times the scenarios presented by video games are totally unbelievable, but by including a familiar device, a story becomes more plausible.

Let’s look at Contact first. In this game you’re supposed to be helping an alien being, the Professor, and a boy he recruited named Terry, find the necessary components to repair his space ship. At the beginning of the game, the professor tells you that, while Terry is doing all the dirty work, you are using the DS device to control and guide his every move.

This doesn’t do anything extraordinary, if you think about it. Players always control the hero in games. But by acknowledging in the beginning of the game that you are an outside source who is determining the character’s behavior and actions by using a device, Contact is offering players a new way to connect to the game.

Nanashi no Game, the Square Enix horror adventure game, also behaves in a similar manner. In Nanashi no Game, you have seven days left to live after playing a cursed RPG. The DS menu appears in the game when you enter the menu. The top option boots up the cursed RPG, there’s a mail section replacing Picto-Chat, a Load section replacing download play and a Save option replacing the GBA slot booting menu. The top screen displays the in-game date, time and calendar.

Since the goal in Nanashi no Game is to scare you by making you think that ghosts of victims are coming after you and a game could actually take your life, making the DS your only constant tool is a means to connect players to the horrific events. It also makes Nanashi no Game something you wouldn’t want to play immediately after watching The Ring.

Nintendo’s Trace Memory is another game which uses the DS in a way. Ashley uses a DS-like device given to her by her father called the Dual Trace System (DTS). While the device looks like an original DS, it isn’t a gaming device. Instead it’s more of a miniature computer and organizer. Ashley is able to read DTS memory cards, take photos, use Trace I and Trace II, save and find information on various items.

In this case the DS-like device isn’t included to help draw the player into the game and make the game more real. It is there to help a player make a connection. By seeing a familiar handheld device in play, with mostly plausible abilities, it helps make Ashley’s adventures seem more realistic and believable.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor works in a similar way. In the game, the demon world is starting to collide and connect with the human world. Tokyo is under a lock down. Certain individuals with altered Communication Player devices (COMPs) are able to summon and control demons, thus becoming demon trainers. Players help a band of teenagers survive the seven day lock down.

The whole premise of the game seems outlandish, but the COMPs don’t because they look exactly like DS lite systems. The way one character in the game, Atsuro, explains the use of the COMPs to run the various demon summoning, purchasing and controlling functions even makes the logistics and inner workings of the imaginary device make sense. So while we all know we could never actually see such an outbreak and lockdown occur in our world, the idea seems a bit more realistic and plausible due to the existence of the similar device.

While true immersive video game adventures are still a ways off, it’s interesting to see how developers can help encourage connections by the simple inclusion of a common device. It certainly won’t make players think that the adventures in the game could actually happen, but it can help the players think that the idea isn’t as farfetched and encourage a great connection and appreciation for the game.

Site [Nintendo]

Apple App Store gaming update for the week of July 20 to July 26, 2009

The Apple App Store gaming update is Gamertell’s weekly look at the previous week’s Apple App Store game releases. We cover them all - good and not so good - in their respective categories with a breakdown of the great games and the free games right where you want ‘em, at the top and in your face. The list is available every Monday, right as you are about to start that long work week.

What’s Free

Jojos Fashion Show 2 Lite
“Return to the runway with Jojo and Rosalind in Jojo’s Fashion Show 2:Las Cruces. Make stylish outfits for female and male models as you showcase your fashion sense on runways from L.A. to Berlin. Then capture great looks in new fashion photo shoots. In Jojo’s Fashion Show 2:Las Cruces, your goal is to compete in a number of fashion shows, proving you have what it takes to move through the ranks. Earn up to 5 stars in every show.”

Word Solitaire Lite
“Word Solitaire puts a brilliant new spin on a classic favorite. The clever blend of word creation and traditional solitaire will hook you immediately! Drag letters onto each other to arrange them into words. Flip over cards to expose more letters and complete the level by using all provided letters in the creation of words. The longer your words, the higher your score. Then, brag to your friends by tweeting your highest scores and fastest times right from the app!”

U2 Can Yodel
“Introducing U2 Can Yodel, the brand new, exciting, fun way to learn the art of yodeling! With a few tips it’s easy to learn the basics of switching from your chest voice to your head voice. Once you’ve mastered that, you’ll surely come down with a case of Alpine Madness! Remember Tarzan and his jungle call? Believe it or not that’s a yodel, and you can do it too. With master yodeler Kerry Christensen showing you the ropes, you can freak out your friends and family with a burst of yodeling; it’s guaranteed to leave everyone smiling and laughing! Things will get even more fun as you yodel in different styles. We’ll even teach you to yodel like a cat and dog!”

What’s New

Action

HyperBowl Classic: Price: $0.99
“HyperBowl, the fantasy 3D bowling game created by Hyper Entertainment, is now on the iPhone and iPod Touch! This authorized version features the Classic lane. Bowl by swiping the screen to push the ball. Roll forward, left, right, even backwards, but watch your time, and don’t gutter! HyperBowl is a registered trademark of Hyper Entertainment, Plc.”

Man Down: Price: $0.99
“Man Down, agility action game, classic reproduce on iPhone. This game requires you to have a good psychological quality, keen observation and flexible finger manipulation. Down 100 floors if you are brave and agile enough.”

Adventure

The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition: Price: $7.99
“Pirates! Adventure! Monkeys! Re-live the hilarious swashbuckling misadventures of the wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood as he attempts to become the most infamous pirate in the Caribbean!

Back by popular demand, The Secret of Monkey Island™: Special Edition faithfully re-imagines the internationally-acclaimed classic pirate adventure game from LucasArts. Featuring an all new re-imagined contemporary art style, complete voice over by members of the original Monkey Island™ franchise cast, a re-mastered musical score using live instruments, plus scene-for-scene hot swap to seamlessly transition between Special Edition and Classic modes at anytime.”

Touch of Spirit: Price: $0.99
“Our love story begins with the Jester daring to fall in love with the Queen. But the most curious fact is that the Queen answered his feelings. The sweethearts often met each other and dreamed of living a long and happy life together. No wonder that all citizens of this kingdom were terrified, and the Black Warlock, who was the main counselor of the Queen and dreamed of coming to the throne, became furious and decided to get rid of the Jester. The Warlock resorted to all his spells and skills but failed to take the life of the young Jester - so great was the power of Queen’s love! Then he stole the Jester’s soul and turned his body into stone.”

Arcade

Galactic Labyrinth: Price: $0.99
“Galactic Labyrinth is a game built around classic arcade gameplay; simply collect all five of the dark matter objects to beat the stage, while avoiding the black holes and navigating the maze.”

Board

NOTHING

Card

Solitaire +: Price: $0.99
“Enjoy solitaire at its best in GrassGames’ Solitaire for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Included are three different solitaire game versions, multiple card decks, a wide range of backgrounds, high scores, statistics, sound effects, 3D animation effects, and much more. The game comes with an in-built multi-user system, so that more than one person can customize, play and resume games without affecting other players. Also included is the ability to optionally hide the menu and/or status bar, allowing for full use of the complete screen area. With emphasis on ease-of-play and smooth beautiful graphics, this is the perfect solitaire partner for all.”

Casino

NOTHING

Dice

Ten Thousand (A Game of Farkle): Price: $1.99
“Ten Thousand - The Dice Game (also known as Farkle) is a fun and exciting game for up to four players. Beautiful graphics and elegant game play make this a must have game for your iPod Touch or iPhone. Using six dice, each player takes a turn rolling the dice and must set aside at least one scoring die (1’s, 5’s, triples, 3 pairs, or a run of 6.) The player’s turn continues with the remaining dice, as long as there is a scoring number or combination. The player’s turn ends when they decide to stop and score their accumulated points or until they have a scoreless throw. When all six dice are scored in a turn, the player can roll them all again and continue to accumulate points. Scoring combinations (triples, 3 pairs, or a run of 6.) only count when made with a single throw of all six dice. The first player to score a total of 10,000 or above wins the game! (As long as players with a turn left, don’t exceed your score.)”

Educational

NOTHING

Family

NOTHING

Music

Name My Tune: Price: $1.99
“Test your music knowledge using your own music library on your iPod or iPhone. How well do you know your tunes? Name My Tune will help you find out and have a blast doing it! Name My Tune is a great way to enjoy the music you already have. It’s a great music quiz and trivia game to keep you entertained for hours! There are 3 different song guessing rounds - Ring The Bell, Get A Clue, and Just In Time. In each round, you will be given 2 different songs to guess and points are awarded based on how long it takes you to correctly guess the song. At the end of the game, you can optionally submit your score to Geocade, and compare your music knowledge to others in your area or world wide. (Internet connection required).”

Puzzle

Downhill Express: Price: $0.99
“Downhill Express is a very challenging game to control your shopping cart to carry more cube bricks, you don’t need touch anything, you don’t have any monster tokill, just tilt your iPhone or iPod touch left or right to steer your cart. Try to carry more bricks as you can, The more distance you carry the brick, the more score you get. The shopper cart is a physical simulation to real cart, you can not accelerate or brake your cart. Be careful to keep the balance of the cart, It’s funny and not easy. Sometimes，you may think the cart is like a blimp on the fly, and sometimes, the cart will turn around. Quickly tilt the iPhone to keep the balance.”

Racing

Moto X Mayhem: Price: $1.99
“Jump, lean, and race through seven levels of amazing motorbike action in the best side scrolling bike game, Moto X Mayhem! Lean forward and back on your motorbike as you climb hills and fly through the air using accelerometer technology. Witness realistic physics as your shocks recoil when you land jumps or your rider bounces around the terrain when you crash. Compete to be the fastest motocross rider with Moto X Mayhem’s online scoreboard. Everyone can enjoy Moto X Mayhem wether you’re a fan or not of motorcycles, dirt bikes, motocross, or supercross. Take your thumper out on the trail for a day of wicked off road riding!”

Role Playing

NOTHING

Simulation

Touch KO: Price: $2.99
“You are a rising star about to take on contenders from around the world. Do you have the drive to make it to the top? Use your talents, dedication, and sportsmanship to build your own boxing legacy starting from humble beginnings and fight your way up to massive arenas!”

Sports

Volley: Price: $2.99
“Volley is a fast paced multi-touch ball game where you have to slide, jump, smash and trick to win against sixteen super-skilled opponents. Beat an opponent to reach the next level. The higher the levels the harder the opponents. Accurate physics, top-notch graphics and great sounds round out the package.”

Strategy

CREEPYTOWN: Price: $0.99
“Do you like stories of the supernatural? Do you like to break stuff? Do you like to carry a scythe and wear spooky robes? If your answer is yes to any of the above then you will love our latest release: CREEPYTOWN. The town of Creepsford has been overrun by ghosts and the townsfolk have begun to disappear. In this action based puzzle game, you assume the role of the soul harvester, the bringer of death, the Reaper himself. You have been summoned to rid the town of their fallen souls and bring peace once again.”

Trivia

NOTHING

Word

TKO Words Deluxe: Price: $0.99
“TKO Words Deluxe is a fun and exciting word search game. With dazzling graphics, animations, music player (from your own library), and more, this one is bound to keep you entertained for hours!”