Archive for March, 2010
Latest Metroid trailer focuses on gameplay and controls
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For the record, I'm now a believer.
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Listeners of the podcast may recall some hesitation on my part regarding Yoshio Sakamoto's demand to keep Metroid: Other M a Wii Remote-only game. Â My thought was that by confining gamers to a limited amount of feasible options in button input, that the design style would not allow for Samus to be very acrobatic.
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I was not entirely wrong.  But I definitely wasn't right, either.  The above trailer Joystiq posted on Tuesday highlights the game's control style and shows plenty of gameplay clips.
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Personally, I think it looks fantastic. Â The first-person shots and environment reminds me of parts of Metroid Prime in a very good way. Â Samus looks as "attractive" as Sakamoto would have you think, and I mean that while she's blasting baddies with aim-assist and wall jumping.
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The on-rails style is more in the vein of Klonoa, in a sense. Â There is depth to the levels, allowing Samus to fully explore all there is to... explore.
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Even though a Nunchuk would be great for the first-person instances where you shoot enemies while standing still, it seems that Team Ninja and Sakamoto's vision are really shining through in a brilliant way.
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Thanks Joystiq and our board member, Nightshade.
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Metroid: Other M producer pleased with development partnership

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Metroid: Other M Producer Yoshio Sakamoto talked up Nintendo's partnership with game developer Team Ninja in a recent Nintendo Week episode, which Joystiq posted Monday.
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In the Nintendo Channel-exclusive show, Sakamoto emphasized the harmony between the two sides of development, which seems to run deeper than changing the way you control Samus.
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Sakamoto said, "The teamwork between Nintendo, Team Ninja and D-Rockets is perfect," with the goals of the teams lining up: to refine Samus as a character.
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"We're working to bring you an exciting Metroid and an attractive Samus," he said.
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This comes after after Sakamoto told Official Nintendo Magazine last month that they are "strongly depicting the human side of Samus through such things as movies." He described Samus as a strong woman with a fragile side.
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Sakamoto aims to "make a game whose charms can be felt from the story areas and these human touches as well." He considers Metroid: Other M an action game "capable of having a clear emotional side."
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Thanks, CVG.
Nintendo Power reveals Conduit sequel, split-screen multiplayer Updated x2

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The latest issue of Nintendo Power revealed a sequel to th
e highly regarded first-person shooter by High Voltage Software, The Conduit, IGN reported Monday.
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The Conduit 2, as it is tentatively called, is said to feature a 4-player split-screen multiplayer mode. Â Apparently, SEGA will also take on publishing responsibilities for the game again. Â This comes after SEGA's wavering commitment to creating hardcore games for the Wii.
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Currently, The Conduit 2 will be a Wii exclusive game. Â High Voltage Software announced in February that another one of their anticipated shooters, The Grinder, would turn from Wii exclusive to being a wide 2011 multiplatform release.
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The Conduit was received with a fairly mixed critical reception (including our own review of the game) during its mid-2009 launch. Â Initial reports suggest that 150,000 units were shipped during the game's launch week. Â High Voltage has since confirmed that they met expectations with The Conduit's sales.
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Primary complaints surrounding the first game include the lack of local multiplayer, something High Voltage appears to change with the second game. Â The Wiire also extensively detailed the numerous security concerns in the The Conduit's online structure, which lead to many issues with hackers exploiting the game's online multiplayer mode. Â There is no word on how High Voltage plans on approaching this issue.
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High Voltage and SEGA will also be releasing Tournament of Legends for the Wii in July, retailing for $29.99. Â Stay tuned for our hands-on impressions with this 3D fighting game. Â No, not THAT kind of 3D.
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We'll post more details on The Conduit 2 as soon as more is revealed.
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Update: GoNintendo (via CVG) gave a few more details on the game:
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- The game is set in Atlantis
- It will mix "old and new" weapons
- The All-Seeing Eye will return
- It will include new online gameplay modes, with Bounty Hunter mode returning
- Character classes will be introduced
- Unlockable suit upgrades, such as robotic legs that allow your character to sprint faster, will be available
- Two-to-four person split-screen multiplayer has been confirmed
- Up to four players can participate in Invasion mode, a set of co-op missions and challenges unique to the mode. Â This mode is for both local and online multiplayer
- SEGA has been confirmed as the publisher
- There will be "huge bosses"
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Update 2: Kotaku says the game is called "Conduit 2," taking out "The" from the title. Â It is set to come this fall.
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Yes, this is before The Grinder. Â This could potentially encourage it staying as a Wii exclusive as well.
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Is there anything you think High Voltage is missing? Â Share it in the comments!
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This is the Trailer of the Nintendo Wii game Tournament of Legends
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