Week oGames 3/8:MADWORLD, Resi5, New Play Control, Mana Khemia, Avalon Code, MADWORLD

slash000

Another week, another 7 days of new game releases!

Welcome to the 54 edition of G&T's newly traditional "Weekly Games Release Thread!" - Week 3/8 - 3/14!

Where we discuss what we're looking forward to, what we're going to buy, and what we're just now realizing is being released this week that we had forgotten about!

NDS

Avalon Code




MySims Party



Moomin: The Great Autumn Party
Dream Day: Wedding Destination
My Pet Shop
Animal Planet: Emergency Vets
Boing! Docomodake
My English Coach
World Championship Games: A Track & Field Event
Jake Power: Handyman

PC

World in Conflict: Complete Edition




Codename Panzers: Cold War

SpongeBob SquarePants: Big Kahuna Cook Off

PS2

Trivial Pursuit

Moomin The Mysterious Howling

PS3

Resident Evil 5




SBK: Superbike World Championship


Trivial Pursuit

PSP

Mana Khemia: Student Alliance

Wii

Madworld




Marble Saga: Kororinpa




New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis




New Play Control! Pikmin



MySims Party

Totally Spies! Totally Party

Trivial Pursuit

Xbox360

Resident Evil 5


Trivial Pursuit

WiiWare/VC

dunno yet

XBLA/XNA Community

dunno yet

PSN

dunno yet

Resident Evil 5 comes out for the PS360. The continuation of the series from Resi4, with its awesome new camera and controls system. When will the "racism" controversy truly explode?


Nintendo DS gets Avalon Code, some unique new niche RPG from MMV/Xseed, in which you somehow capture people/monsters within a book and adjust their attributes to affect various things in the game


The PSP also gets a niche RPG, as Mana Khemia: Student Alliance comes out. It's about an amnesiatic boy attending an alchemy academy in an isolated part of the world. Some kind of multiplayer mode now too.



The Wii also gets some interesting titles this week. There's the new Kororinpa game, a very underrated modernized Marble Madness style game; hopefully this one has plenty of new content/features. The Wii also gets the GameCube re-releases of Mario Power Tennis and the much beloved Pikmin. Word on the street is that Mario Tennis' controls are somehow not great, but everyone is splooging all over the new Pikmin and its controls.


Last but certainly not least




comes out this week

urahonky

This is the worst week for me. I swear. But alas I must ONLY pick up Resi5... Maybe Madworld... And Pikmin...

Renzo

RE5 and MadWorld, woo

Peewi

I have to admit I'm not really sold on MadWorld. It seems like the violence is the main selling point.

slash000

urahonky wrote: »

This is the worst week for me. I swear. But alas I must ONLY pick up Resi5... Maybe Madworld... And Pikmin...

C'mon, urahonky!

Buying a game from an established, mainstream franchise that is guaranteed to sell over 2 million copies from one of the largest third party developer/publishers.. as opposed to supporting little indie PlatinumGames, a brand new stylistic IP, that is also a core/traditional title on the Wii?

C'mon!

:P

Renzo

I have to admit I'm completely sold on MadWorld. It seems like the violence is the main selling point.

Rakai

Gah! Too many damn games. I still have a backlog several games high and have several games on my to buy list and now RE5 and Madworld . It wouldn't be so bad if Toys'r'us wasn't offering a $20 giftcard with RE5. *Sigh.*

slash000

It's got style by the bucketload.


The gameplay is in how you take on each new set/variety of enemies and incorporate the arena and surrounding objects in defeating them; as well as the enemies' own weapons and abilities against them


The "point" isn't the violence per se. The stark look, violence, and scenario is all a part of the "irreverent humor" and style of the game.

The gameplay is in figuring out unique and fun ways to take your environment and put your variety of opponents out of commission.

urahonky

slash000 wrote: »

urahonky wrote: »

This is the worst week for me. I swear. But alas I must ONLY pick up Resi5... Maybe Madworld... And Pikmin...

C'mon, urahonky!

Buying a game from an established, mainstream franchise that is guaranteed to sell over 2 million copies from one of the largest third party developer/publishers.. as opposed to supporting little indie PlatinumGames, a brand new stylistic IP, that is also a core/traditional title on the Wii?

C'mon!

:P

You are talking to a man who has an Umbrella shirt on right now, and has a RE5 background on his desktop and who owns all the RE games/movies/etc.

If I didn't buy it I would have to turn in my RE whore card. But don't worry I will own Madworld. :P

Darlan

I'm definitely getting RE5, but I'm still not convinced on Madworld. I want to support hardcore games on the Wii, but just because it's a hardcore game doesn't mean it's one I'll enjoy. It's stylistic and violent...but is it fun to actually play? I'm not convinced the Wii is the best system for action games like this. I want my right analog stick and four face buttons.

Arrath

'ello! World in Conflict eh? Re-release with the canceled-then-picked-up-again expansion?

slash000

Darlan wrote: »

I'm definitely getting RE5, but I'm still not convinced on Madworld. I want to support hardcore games on the Wii, but just because it's a hardcore game doesn't mean it's one I'll enjoy. It's stylistic and violent...but is it fun to actually play? I'm not convinced the Wii is the best system for action games like this. I want my right analog stick and four face buttons.

Most previews I've read have had nothing but good things to say about the controls. The waggle is well implemented and not overused. Apparently it fairly meaningfully controls the Chainsaw.

I'd say the Wii is a great system for action games like this. Something that focuses on style rather than realism is an ideal way to go with a system with less power.

Will it be fun to play? I guess we'll find out shortly. I'll absolutely be buying it on Wednesday to find out. But I've heard pretty much nothing but good things so I'm not too worried.



Will Resi5 be fun? I've heard mixed opinions on it from the demo.

slash000

Here's a brief preview I've read on it, explains things fairly well and briefly, although it doesn't speak about the environmental and enemy strategies that a lot of gameplay centers around:

Fresh from being passed with no cuts for its UK release, MadWorld’s living up to its name with relish. The structure of the bloodletting is now a little clearer: a mix of The Running Man and Smash TV in open environments that sees Jack accumulating points by dispatching cannon fodder.

A certain total is required to tempt the arena’s boss into the ring, and on the way weapons and other bonuses are unlocked at intervals – including, in our playthrough, a pair of vicious blades that change Jack’s fighting style, lopping off limbs with glee, and a suitcase full of cash that, when smashed, attracts enemies together with a flurry of dollars.

The basic enemies are cannon fodder of the extreme variety, wandering around the environments like lost lobotomy patients and rarely throwing a punch. Their function isn’t to challenge the player so much as tempt outstanding feats of violence and maximise scoring: simply run around slicing heads off and you might be playing for a while; stick a tyre around an enemy then ram him into a flaming bin head-first, before knocking two more enemies into a spiked wall with said bin, and the boss will be turning up sharpish.



As your score increases, the more dangerous opponents enter the arena along with a commensurate increase in points potential, the earliest example of which is a Piggsy-inspired psychopath, replete with chainsaw.

It’s not wrist-mounted, though. Holding B revs up Jack’s own speciality weapon, while flicks of the Remote are used for hooks and uppercuts, the motions reliably registering in order to slice through enemy torsos like butter. The more brutal finishers require you to follow Remote and Nunchuk directions, but there’s a generous execution window and they never feel obtrusive or unnecessary.

Our key concern with MadWorld has to be whether the sheep-like standard enemies and repeated moves grow boring, or whether the combat system’s score-attack nature is imbued with the over-the-top magic exhibited by Viewtiful Joe and God Hand.

After playing an all-but-complete build, we’re plumping for the latter. After all, we don’t want to get Jack angry. We wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.

mystic_knight

MADWORLD YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlan

slash000 wrote: »

Will Resi5 be fun? I've heard mixed opinions on it from the demo.

Personally, I loved the demo, didn't mind the controls, think RE4 is one of the better games ever and more of the same in HD sounds absolutely great to me. I can see why some people are lukewarm about it though, not everything grabs everybody and it doesn't really seem to be doing much new. Like me and Madworld.

slash000

Darlan wrote: »

slash000 wrote: »

Will Resi5 be fun? I've heard mixed opinions on it from the demo.

Personally, I loved the demo, didn't mind the controls, think RE4 is one of the better games ever and more of the same in HD sounds absolutely great to me. I can see why some people are lukewarm about it though, not everything grabs everybody and it doesn't really seem to be doing much new. Like me and Madworld.

I love Re4, too; hopefully Resi5 is in the ballpark of that game, because if so, it should be excellent. If they ever release a PC version, I'll definitely get it.

How is the two-person mechanic? (If the demo gives you any clue). I think a lot of people are worried about the CPU's AI controlled character doing a lot of dumb things or getting in the way.




As far as MadWorld, there doesn't seem to be much worry about its style, graphics, or controls. In other words, mechanically, the game appears to be rock solid. How will it play, is the obvious question. Most hands-on previews have been very positive. But the lingering question is how well it holds up over the course of the game. Again, the previews indicate a good amount of variety, but these previews are still based on somewhat limited instances of play. So while I'm not worried about it looking, running, and controlling very well, the ultimate question is how creative the developers manage to be over the course of the game. I am optimistic, though.

Arrath

Honestly the AI did better than my friend did :P

All in all, it seemed pretty solid. The AI would pass me ammo if it had some to spare and would use herbs if needed. In sections where you split up the AI does go to the 'I sit on this roof and snipe/support you" thing, but that makes sense after all. I'd rather be in the thick of it than trying to protect a Bot surrounded by zombies.

Xtarath

Do we know how much the new play control is going to be? I love Pikmin but damned If I'll spend $50 again.

slash000

Xtarath wrote: »

Do we know how much the new play control is going to be? I love Pikmin but damned If I'll spend $50 again.

$30. Still a bit much to ask I think, but there's a market of people out there with Wiis that never had Cubes and would rather get the new improved version than bother with old/used whatever versions.

I was interested in the Power Tennis NPC version. Until I heard that they may have potentially not done a great job with the controls. All I ask is that it's at least as good as Wii Sports Tennis. So I shall play the wait-and-listen game on that.

Darlan

Xtarath wrote: »

Do we know how much the new play control is going to be? I love Pikmin but damned If I'll spend $50 again.

I think it'll be $30, but even that's pretty steep for such an old game without any real graphical upgrades or new content. This is definitely one to wait for a price drop on whether you've already played it or not in my opinion.

Edit: Gah, beat.

Graviija

I would pay $50 for Metroid Prime with widescreen + improved controls. Then again, Metroid Prime is best game from last generation.

Anyway, I'm getting Madworld (Pre-ordered from Amazon). This is the first game I've bought in months, so I'm looking forward to it.

mystic_knight

Do the new play control games have the option of using a GC controller like it was originally made to use?

Dodge Aspen

My brother is frothing for Madworld, so I can borrow it from him when he's done, and that frees up my wallet for Resident Evil 5. Hubba hubba. I really wish the game was single player only, with no extra character. I have no doubt the two player co-op will be godly, but most of my playtime will be in short bursts, meaning AI team mate, and I was a little annoyed with her during parts of the demo.

EDIT: When Pikmin 2 and Metroid Prime are released, all but one of my 5 favourite games from last generation will have been re-released on Wii. RE4 is already out, and there are rumblings about Chibi Robo. All we need now is Wind Waker and we'll be set.

lowlylowlycook

Why didn't anyone tell me Pikmin was coming out so soon?!?

Oh wait, you did.


Hmmm, I preordered Madworld so I guess Pikmin will have to wait.




Oh and Wind Waker should wait for a Wii HD remake.

Xtarath

I would buy it ten times.

UnbreakableVow

Fuck yes Resident Evil 5.

Also, need to try out the Avalon Code demo.

May get Mad World when it hits bargain-bin prices.

Ah_Pook

fuuuuuck resident evil 5. man i dont want to stop playing street fighter 4 long enough to really do anything else but resident evil 5... ive been rabidly frothing for that game for a long time now.

Dodge Aspen

RE5 will be throwing a wrench into my SFIV training. I miss the days when the first 6 months of the year could be used to catch up on the fall rush, instead of having more and better releases than the fall.

Cherrn

Have there been any reports of PAL censoring in Madworld? 'Cause I still haven't tried No More Heroes due to that shit.

DeathPrawn

RE5, MadWorld, Pikmin, and Mario Tennis, all hitting the week before spring break?

My wallet, she weeps.

slash000

I've been reading some reviews of Mario Tennis NPC, and I must say, some of these reviews are hilarious.

Why? Because many of them are complaining that it doesn't play exactly like the original game. Some in fact complain that in a way it controls like Wii Sports. Others complain about the lack of GameCube Controller (or Classic Con) support.


I find this funny, because, if you want this to play exactly like the original, and indeed feel the need for the GCN pad, then dare I ask - why not just get the GameCube version?

The point of these "New Play Control" things is to provide a new way to play these games. In the case of Mario Tennis, the point was to put forth several options. The ability to play it Wii Sports style, and the ability to play it like that plus character control. As far as I've read, they've succeeded in this.


So I see no problem. I need a full fledged Wii Sports Tennis game and this sounds like it may do the trick. I'm going to have to wait some, though, because MadWorld is the priority right now

Xtarath

slash000 wrote: »

I've been reading some reviews of Mario Tennis NPC, and I must say, some of these reviews are hilarious.

Why? Because many of them are complaining that it doesn't play exactly like the original game. Some in fact complain that in a way it controls like Wii Sports. Others complain about the lack of GameCube Controller (or Classic Con) support.


I find this funny, because, if you want this to play exactly like the original, and indeed feel the need for the GCN pad, then dare I ask - why not just get the GameCube version?

The point of these "New Play Control" things is to provide a new way to play these games. In the case of Mario Tennis, the point was to put forth several options. The ability to play it Wii Sports style, and the ability to play it like that plus character control. As far as I've read, they've succeeded in this.


So I see no problem. I need a full fledged Wii Sports Tennis game and this sounds like it may do the trick. I'm going to have to wait some, though, because MadWorld is the priority right now

Bolded for the stupid.

I mean new play would tip me off that it doesn't play like the original.

Shadowfire

Anyone have any reviews/previews for Avalon Code that actually discuss how the game holds up? It interests me, but I'm not quite sold on it yet.

If it's good, that may be bad for me, since Suikoden Tierkreis and Black Sigil both come out next week. :P

Edit: I just realized IGN has a review up...

Lunker

Mad World is on my radar, but I don't know. The hyperviolence would have appealed to me a while ago, but lately I'm in a much less over-the-top kind of mood, so I might hold off for the time being. I also really didn't like God Hand, which is a crime in certain states, but it just didn't do anything for me and this game reminds me a lot of it. I think I'll probably pick it up down the road, though; I'm also slow on the uptake with House of the Dead Overkill, so I'll probably grab that first.

And I was originally jazzed for the New Play Control Mario Tennis, but the sparse impressions I've heard seemed really spotty, so I'll wait for more impressions from you guys. Grand Slam Tennis from EA might be a better investment, though, if the whole MotionPlus integration works as well as it should.

Brainiac 8

This is a hard week.

I have no interest in Resident Evil 5...strangely. Madworld could use the support...but I really want Pikmin...and for 30 bucks, I just may need to revisit one of my favorite franchises...and get me pumped for the re-release of number 2 plus help me look forward to the third game.

As sad as it makes me, considering I loves me some Mario, I think that EA's offering will be the better choice.

acidlacedpenguin

I want so hard for World In Conflict to not fail again but I know that is not the case. It had a huge community for the first few weeks after it came out the first time, and they even updated it extremely often which was totally awesome. The total fail of it all though was they listened too much to all the whiners and then balanced the game so hard it became unbalanced. I checked up on it months later and there were 8 people online. I loved that game while it was still balanced.

I've got family members who are rabid resi fans so I hope they'll buy resi5.

Madworld seems really intriguing but I just now got into No More Heroes, so I'll have to pass for now.

RainbowDespair

$20 gift card for buying RE5 from Toys'R'Us Friday/Saturday. If you buy a 360 Pro + RE5, you get a $50 gift card plus a 13 month Live Gold card.

In other good deals, GameStop is selling used copies of Rock Band 1 (360/PS3) for $15. Perfect for upping your song library if you only have the sequel.

RainbowDespair

VC/WiiWare:
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (500 points; Master System)
Gradius ReBirth (1000 points; Wii Ware)

Woohoo Gradius!

Mr_Grinch

In my opinion Mario Tennis is great on the Wii. I've played it with a few folks now and no-one has struggled with the controls. They're more complicated than Wii Sports but the game is still fun and relatively simplistic.

It's nice and cheap over here in the UK (about £20) and I'd highly recommend giving it at least a rent.

Brainiac 8

Gradius ReBirth should be awesome.

Alex Kidd: TLS is one of the better Alex Kidd games.

METAzraeL

So there aren't any Madworld reviews up? I've been staying on a media blackout for it since seeing the trailer, but I was hoping to hear a general score. I'm prepared to sacrifice some games to the Gamestop machine in order to get it, but I need to hear that it's compelling to play through the entire game, not just a novel presentation that wears off quickly.