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Thursday, January 03, 2008

Nintendo Wii Fit preview offers a whole new level of gaming


Wii Fit was recently released in Japan, and so far the Japanese love it. But will the same love be repeated over here in Europe? Well lets hope so as Wii Fit promises to open up a whole new level of gaming - just what Wii Sports did back at the launch of Nintendo‘s, innovating machine.

Like Wii Sports and Wii Play, the game is based solely on mini games. The first is a soccer game where you will have to hit with your Mii’s head whilst you dodge other incoming items such as boots and panda heads; this means you have to shift your weight around to the left, right, and forward. As you hit the soccer balls with your Mii’s head the score will be taken next to where you hit the first ball, and then the score for this mini game increases if you hit balls in succession.


Once you have finished the mini game the same sort of screen as Wii sports will pop up to tell you the results, you will be rated with star ranks with 1 star being the lowest and 5 the highest, it gives you a good idea on which mini game you’re doing better at. Yoga is another very important categories in Wii Fit. Yoga is split up into several different positions. The first one is the tree pose; it involves the player balancing on one leg while your other foot is resting on the thigh. You then have to raise up your arms and locking your hands together. Now you have to hold this pose for about thirty seconds once in the correct position, which will be signalled by a white backdrop appearing and a pink circle measuring your balance.



You have to do this position on both legs and after which your results will follow. This compares the two and makes it easier for the player to read and understand which leg they balance better on. It’s not all Yoga and sport mini games though. Other crazy themes such as rolling a ball into a hole; tight rope balance; guiding yourself down a river and a dancing mini game, which looks like it’s straight from a Dance Dance Revolution game will be present giving this game a most wide variety as possible.



All the mini games are unique and clever, each offering a certain degree of challenge for both the hardcore and casual gamers. So what’s the Wii Balance board all about? Is it just another peripheral that provides a quick gimmick or does it offer a new way in which we play games? The Wii balance board is shaped like a normal house hold set of scales, with a plain white top and a light grey underneath. Just like the Wii remote the balance board is wireless, but it contains multiple pressure sensors that are used to measure the users centre of pressure. Shigeru Miyamoto goes as far to claim that the Wii balance board was probably more accurate than a pair of typical bathroom scales. All of the mini-games will be making use of the board whether it'd be applying pressure to a certain spot or tilting it for side to side.

Once again, Nintendo are proving that fun games are no longer confined to regular controllers. Games like Wii Fit are incredibly unique and are powering the gaming industry. It’s no surprise that the game was well received in Japan seeing as it primarily aimed at the older, more casual generation, and should in no doubt be well received over here. Shockingly, Nintendo originally designed the Wii balance board for the Japanese market to have a maximum weight of 300 pounds; (140kg) but due to the varying weights and enormous sizes of both Europeans and Americans, Nintendo will be releasing different sized Wii balance boards all around the world. So we could be seeing delays for both parties, but Nintendo have currently got Wii Fit down for an early 2008 release. Check back at Nintencast when we’ll bring you the full review straight after the launch.

Source: Nintencast

December games charts in Germany and Spain wipe out Sony PS 3 and Microsoft XBox 360

The charts, compiled by Media-Control GfK International for the sales week ending December 23, also show Nintendo featuring in all top five positions in Germany, and eight of the top ten in Spain.

Germany
  1. More Brain Training with Dr Kawashima (DS)

  2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)

  3. Wii Play (Wii)

  4. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

  5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympics (Wii)

  6. Need for Speed Pro Street (PS2)

  7. FIFA 08 (PS2)

  8. High School Musical: Sing It (PS2)

  9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC)

  10. New Super Mario Bros (DS)


Spain
  1. More Brain Training with Dr Kawashima (DS)

  2. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)

  3. WWE Smackdown! vs Raw 2008 (PS2)

  4. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (PS2)

  5. Eye Training (DS)

  6. Wii Play (Wii)

  7. Mario Party DS (DS)

  8. Triiviial (Wii)

  9. Imagine Babyz (DS)

  10. Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)

Video games what to look forward to in 2008


The PSP is still looking for a killer app, and God of War: Chains of Olympus is probably not it - even though the game will definitely appeal to the hardcore players. While it will never catch the DS, PSP hardware sales are decent; software sales not so much. As for the Wii, Super Smash Brothers Brawl is probably the most highly anticipated just as Xbox 360 owners may be looking forward to Too Human. Meanwhile, the PS3 should see Little Big Planet as well as the launch of Home. All of these titles pale in comparison to GTA IV and MGS 4, however, not only in terms of interest but in importance to the publishers and developers.

Just as Halo 3 was the most anticipated game of 2007, GTA IV is certainly the most anticipated game of 2008. Publisher Take-Two doesn't have much riding on the outcome - other than the future of the entire company. Bioshock not withstanding, the company hasn't had much luck establishing new franchises outside of GTA. They can only get by on notoriety (thanks Manhunt 2) for so long.

Unfortunately for Rockstar, and for Take-Two, the world has changed since GTA III was released for the PS2 nearly seven years ago. Open world/sandbox gameplay is commonplace, and although no one has quite surpassed GTA, some (Crackdown, Saint's Row) have come close. Take-Two should be able to sell nearly a million copies of GTA IV across all platforms on the name alone, even if reviewers don't fancy the game, but if the programmers have trouble coming to grips with current hardware, or if they haven't fixed the perceived flaws of the prior games, the wheels may come off the franchise.

Right behind GTA IV in terms of importance for 2008 is Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. For reasons which are beyond me, this franchise still has a fanatical following, despite awkward camera angles and convoluted plot lines.

For reasons also beyond me - seeing as how Microsoft would likely throw bags of money their way - Konami has chosen to release MGS 4 as a PlayStation 3 exclusive (for the time being). I don't think that the game is mainstream enough to be a system seller, so the question becomes whether or not the installed base of the PS3 is large enough for Konami to earn a return on their investment. That's even assuming the programmers have a handle on Sony's current console.

By Mark Androvich - Games Industry

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Bill Gates to make Important Xbox 360 news next week - new HD DVD drive for XBox 360?


Microsoft overlord Bill Gates is set to make an "important announcement" regarding the Xbox 360 at next week's CES show in Las Vegas, reports The Seattle Times.

The paper doesn't say exactly what Gates' revelation will regard at the electronic show, but it does go on to speculate that it might be the reveal of yet another Xbox 360 SKU with built-in HD-DVD playback.

"Microsoft may be preparing to license the Xbox gaming platform to consumer-electronics companies," says Seattle Times columnist Brier Dudley. "In particular, Microsoft could work with Toshiba to develop a digital video recorder with a hard-drive, high-definition HD-DVD drive and Xbox gaming capabilities.

"They're already allied against Sony and other backers of the Blu-ray DVD format," he continues, "and Toshiba could help Xbox finally penetrate the Japanese market.

"Microsoft could also make a splash by announcing plans to give the Xbox 360 an internal HD-DVD drive, putting it on par with Sony's PlayStation 3 that has a built-in Blu-ray drive."

At least year's CES, rumours were abound on the now long since unveiled Xbox 360 Elite, which built on the previous console SKUs with a bigger hard drive and built in HDMI port.

Built-in HD-DVD playback is the logical next step for the 360, but we're not so sure about this video recorder malarkey - anyone remember the Panasonic Q?

We'll be strutting the CES show floor next week and will of course keep you bang up to date with whatever Bill reveals.

Project Revolution mod for Warcraft III brings you StarCraft in 3D


All things being tickety-boo at Blizzard, 2008 will see the release of StarCraft II - but a mod team's got the hop on the developer with a 3D version of StarCraft: Brood War.

Project Revolution's a mod for Warcraft III, and while it's still work in progress the team behind it has released a Terran Demo allowing you to sample its efforts.

We've not downloaded the demo ourselves yet, but it appears you'll need to dust off your original StarCraft: Brood War CD as it's required to play it - along with Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne patched to v1.21.

here's nothing like a confirmed release date for the full Project Revolution monty, but the mod team says it's over half done. Still, if you can get the demo up and running it'll help tide you over till StarCraft II arrives (which is already being tipped for release on Xbox 360).

Download the demo here... http://www.wc3campaigns.net/revolution/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11222

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 1 - Aquaria on PC

As I enter the cavern, the fish swim by my side then change directions and swim away. The world around me beckons and repels me. Each of the many dark caverns that lead away from here has its own story. Some of that story is darker than the caverns, filled with war and destruction. Other parts are more sublime, echoing the dreams of civilizations long lost. My part in the story seems to be ever changing as I discover melody in the peaceful sounds of the waves and harmony in their angry thrashing on the shore.


Aquaria is perhaps the most well-known indie game in recent memory and it should be. The underwater world painted on the screen is captivating and mesmerizing. The game world feels immense and will leave more than a few people scratching their head as it teases with information. It provides puzzles and challenges that will test your abilities to reason and will occasionally leave you entirely unsure of what to do next. As the breakthrough moments of understanding hit, the game becomes magical. The feeling of success mixed with the wonderful fantasy playing out in front of you creates an experience that is as unique as every game wants to be.



Aquaria is a masterful stroke of vision in its appearance, sound and play. It's a game that no one should miss. After walking away with our awards for best graphics and best sound as well as the 2007 Adventure game of the year award, we're happy to add one final jewel to Aquaria's crown, the 2007 Independent Game of the Year.

Download a demo here: http://www.bit-blot.com/aquaria/index.html

Source: Game Tunnel

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Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 2 - Depths of Peril on PC

Depths of Peril is a hard game to describe. The first sensation that you are playing something amazing and different comes when, instead of destroying the computer, you find yourself competing against it. As you try to recruit players to your faction ("covenant") you quickly find that the computer AI is leading the other covenants, trying to complete the same quests and recruit the same people before you do. Racing, you must out-compete the computer to survive. However, you must also work to improve relations with the other factions to trade for weaponry and find the allies you will need to fight off some of the threats to the city of Jorvik that you all call home.


Speaking of threats, the second sensation of how amazing the game is comes as you realize the dynamic world around you. Delay taking out an enemy threat and that threat will grow, with some enemies of the group becoming leaders who will recruit their own henchmen and grow further in power. Small uprisings can become huge threats requiring covenants to work cooperatively to take down the bosses and sub-bosses that were created by your delay.


Each moment of the game you must strategize what you will do next, ensuring the safety of your city, racing to get the best recruits, and carefully working the intricate web of relations with other covenants, thus avoiding inter-covenant wars that can lead to disastrous results as you must take your eye off of the rising threats outside the city to fight for survival. If that doesn't get you excited to play the game, downloading it and playing it for a couple of hours will. Depths of Peril is a spectacular game that is as engrossing as any title you'll play anywhere this year. It won our 2007 Role-Playing game of the year award and is our runner-up for Independent Game of the Year.

Download a demo here... http://www.soldak.com/

Source: Game Tunnel

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 3 - Venture Arctic on PC

With the ice frozen in the winter, and the arctic wolf hungry for food, he ventured forth. Slowly across the ice he crept until he reached the far shore. A new home to explore. New food. The land had become barren. Disease had taken many of the wolves after the food had become scarce. Determined not to become another carcass on the snow, the wolf pushed forward, looking carefully for any sign of life, hoping to find the unsuspecting animal that could be the long-sought after meal, and the means of another day's survival.


Venture Arctic is a learning experience, but not because it tries to be. The game, where you control the impact of the seasons on the arctic animals, is about balance. Too many rabbits leads to a barren landscape. Increasing the number of wolves to combat the problem will quickly lead to no animals at all. The animals react to the world around them as you paint the land with snow and the water with ice, and then melt it all away. The Inuit-inspired art gives the whole game a distinctive look that matches the game's uniqueness. Venture Arctic, like the world it portrays, is a treasure of beauty and wonder. It's an adventure into the unknown world around us that inspires and excites as players enjoy each new discovery. There are a lot of games available, but few of them are much more than a simple pastime. Venture Arctic is a game that stands out from the pack as being not only meaningful, but also amazingly good. Those qualities made it an easy pick as one of the Top 5 games of the year as well as our 2007 Sim game of the year.


Download Free demo and play now... http://www.pocketwatchgames.com/arctic/

Source: Game Tunnel

Game Tunnel Independent video games of the year: Number 4 - Immortal Defense on PC

It's difficult to say whether it has been pride or love that has saved me. That part of me which is pride has taken a primary role in the defense, but without the support of love (who refuses direct combat), it's power would simply not have been strong enough to overcome the enemy. My fear has also been of consequence, once again stunning the enemy with an infusion of worry, while my courage has pummeled them. Yet I feel something missing. My emotions are powerful, but are they all that I am?


Like every other Tower Defense game, Immortal Defense is intensely addictive. Unlike any other Tower Defense game, Immortal Defense transcends to something more. The game is built around a character who gives up their mortal state to become a being of pure energy to save his family and world. The storyline covers the ground of standard sci-fi, but brings in deeper themes about the true effects of one's actions and what it really means to be an immortal being, freed from the limitations of the physical body. The deeply philosophical approach can be felt throughout the game, with music and graphics echoing the slowly revealed story. Deeply moody and satisfying, Immortal Defense mixes gameplay with art, creating a uniquely captivating experience that won it a place in our top 5 as well as the 2007 Strategy Game of the Year award.


Download the demo here... http://studioeres.com/immortal/

Source: Game Tunnel

SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel: Release Date Announced


ASCARON, a leading European entertainment software developer, announces a new release date for SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel.

The announcement sees both PC and Xbox 360 versions scheduled for release in September 2008.

The additional time is to be used for optimizing the crucial areas of multiplayer gameplay and balancing. Planning for a longer and in-depth beta test, which is subdivided into several different phases, is already underway.

"A highly anticipated AAA title such as SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel is a great responsibility with high expectations to manage and live up to. To achieve our goal, we have decided to give SACRED 2 - Fallen Angel more time in order to be perfected and polished in every single area, allowing us to deliver the quality which is expected, rather than striving for an early release," says Heiko tom Felde, Managing Director of ASCARON Entertainment GmbH.