Sequels, Please! - Games That Need Another Entry

A successful game generally spawns a sequel. After all, if you made money off your first project, why wouldn't you want to follow it up? That's what many game publishers and developers do. While it's obviously always nice to see brand-new franchises pop up, that doesn't mean that the word "sequel" should be chastised or have people stick their noses up to. In fact, sometimes more of a good thing can be a great thing.

It's with that in mind that we take a look at some games that would be incredible to have sequels to. There are so many, really, that I could have a full month of articles on this subject, but like sequels themselves, moderation is key. When you've seen my selections, let me know if you agree/disagree, or which games you want sequels to badly!

Ratchet & Clank (PS4)

Insomniac Games is busy working on Spider-Man's PlayStation 4 exclusive outing, and judging by the team's previous output, the webhead is in good hands. However, once that project is done and shipped out the door, I'd love to see a return to the world of Ratchet & Clank. While the PS4 game was a revival of the original game, it'd be great to have a sequel that wasn't tied down by having to follow a movie's plot. Instead, there are two options that Insomniac Games could take: 1) A completely new entry in the series, or 2) A remodeled version of Going Commando, the second entry in the franchise and my favorite entry to date. Whichever path Insomniac chooses, like Spider-Man, the lombax and robot pair would be in good hands.

Sunset Overdrive (XB1)

While we're on the subject of Insomniac Games, the developer worked on Sunset Overdrive, a wacky and highly stylish game for the Xbox One. It was the type of game that made those without the system yearning for one, or at least a bit envious. It would happen to be a tremendous showcase for the Xbox brand to receive a sequel to this stellar game, upgraded and improved over the slight issues seen in the original. It would help diversify Microsoft Studios' currently anemic Xbox One output of games (well, anemic to me and countless others who grow tired of the trio known as Halo, Gears of War, and Forza), and it'd just be awesome to dive back into the colorful and entertaining world of Sunset Overdrive.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Wii)

Metroid Prime 3's bonus ending and even the recent Metroid Prime: Federation Force both hinted at the return of one of the hunters seen in Metroid Prime Hunters. It seems these hints indicate interest in expanding the Metroid Prime franchise, and what better way to do that with a brand-new entry. The most recent entries, Metroid: Other M and Metroid Prime: Federation Force, didn't sit too well for many fans of the Metroid franchise, so it would behoove Nintendo to correct the course of the series instead of letting it fade into obscurity. Whether under the helm of Retro Studios or an entirely new developer, a fourth Metroid Prime could bring Metroid back to greatness and tie up the loose ends of previous games.

Dragon Quest Builders (PS4, Vita)

Minecraft isn't just a game or service-- it's a phenomenon. It continues to capture the minds of today's youth as well as full blown adults. Parents can share the fun with their kids as their young brains come up with massive constructions based off of blocks and bricks. It's no wonder why the gaming world jumped at the chance to chase that Minecraft money. Dragon Quest Builders offers Minecraft-style gameplay while featuring many of its own additions to the formula, such as quests, a story, NPCs, monsters to battle, materials to gather, and so much more. The first game melded the gameplay of Minecraft with the world of Dragon Quest beautifully, so there's no question that many of us would enjoy seeing Square Enix's second take on the formula.

Pokken Tournament (Wii U)

Last month, I mentioned Pokken Tournament as a Wii U game that I'd like to see get a second chance on the Nintendo Switch. Why limit it to that, however? How about a full-fledged sequel with enhancements to the Pokken Tournament foundation and formula, offering gameplay tweaks, new battle systems, a new story, and a bounty of new Pokemon playable characters and assists? That sounds mighty fine to me. Even a Super Pokken Tournament in the style of Super Street Fighter II and the like would suffice. Just something that brings the fighting game featuring Pokemon both big and small to the Nintendo Switch would be a stellar proposition.

Battalion Wars (GCN), Battalion Wars II (Wii)

The Battalion Wars series is a spin-off of the Advance Wars series, a franchise that also needs a new entry something fierce. Instead of being turn-based, Battalion Wars is pure action, having players switch between infantry, tanks, and other troops to complete various objectives across an expansive map. With the popularity of multiplayer games in a more mature-oriented style, Battalion Wars could get Nintendo's foot in the door for an exciting multiplayer third-person action shooter where players take on the opposing side. Instead of blood and gore, the colorful and whimsical style would be fitting for the usually family-friendly approach Nintendo goes for in its titles.

Bomberman 64 (N64)

Bomberman recently made a reappearance after a long hiatus. His new game? Super Bomberman R for the Nintendo Switch. That game was a wholly traditional Bomberman entry. I'd love to see Konami and former Hudson staff explore the Bomberman 64 style form of adventure-- open areas, exploration, an engrossing story, and lots of hidden secrets to uncover. Bomberman 64 received a sequel on the same system, the Nintendo 64, called The Second Attack. (Good luck finding a used copy for a sane price, though.) There would be much greatness in seeing Bomberman return this kind of adventure outside of his traditional grid-based bombing and blasting.

SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs - "Is It Still Memorial Day?" Edition

No. No, apparently it's not still Memorial Day. Curses! That means I'm late with this edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs, then! Well, fear not. I have some great video game tunes to share to more than make up for my tardiness!

This week we start off with Pokemon fighting one another in epic brawls in Pokken Tournament. Then we head to the Far East with Brave Fencer Musashi, making its first SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs appearance. Following that is music from Tales of Legendia and One Piece Pirate Warriors 3. We wrap up this edition in a rocket barrel with a song from Donkey Kong Country Returns.

Just click on the VGM title to be transported to the YouTube link. Also, if you are interested in listening to past VGM volumes featured on this weekly segment, check out the VGM Database.

v1151. Pokken Tournament (Wii U) - Ferrum Stadium

Every rank final takes place in Pokken Tournament's Ferrum Stadium, whether it's the tournament or the battle again the leader of a given rank. This catchy and uptempo tune plays as your Pokemon does battle with the opponent's-- a battle that will shake the very foundations of the stadium!

v1152. Brave Fencer Musashi (PS1) - The White Cloud in the Sky

One of the early games that Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts series character artist Tetsuya Nomura worked on, Brave Fencer Musashi's art style is quite engaging to the eye. However, since art style isn't the focus of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs, let's focus on the music. This particular song is a peaceful and mellow one, great for the setting it plays in.

v1153. Tales of Legendia (PS2) - Ancient Ship

An epic choir-featured theme by Go Shiina, Ancient Ship is a highly dramatic track from one of the better Tales of soundtracks available. Tales of Legendia was a PlayStation 2 exclusive entry in the massive Tales of franchise, offering three-dimensional characters, an engaging battle system, and plenty of familiar anime tropes, something the Tales of series loves to offer.

v1154. One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 (Multi) - Let's Put This Matter Under

Released on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and Windows PCs, One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 plays like many of Omega Force's Musou-styled titles, only this game features all the cosmetic trappings of the One Piece anime and manga. Also like many of Omega Force's Musou-styled titles, the soundtrack is absolutely, positively stellar, such as this funky track, Let's Put This Matter Under.

v1155. Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii, 3DS) - Gear Getaway

Gear Getaway is one of the few wholly original songs in Retro Studios' Donkey Kong Country Returns for the Wii and later on the Nintendo 3DS. It plays during the rocket barrel levels of the game, having players carefully pressing the A button to propel their rocket through an obstacle course of deadly dangers. Who could tell that DK's and Diddy's lives were on the line with this lively song?

Review Round-Up - March 2016

Raise that sword even higher, Link. You've earned it with Twilight Princess's return to relevance this month.

Today's April Fools, but SuperPhillip Central is very much completely serious right now. Why? Because I have to share with you the Review Round-Up, all of the reviews from this past March right in convenient place. This is always fun to see the reviews I managed to eek out for the preceding month.

SPC had a total of eight new reviews for the month, starting with two mobile games, Swordigo (B) and Mega Man X for iOS (C). The Mega Man fun didn't end there, as I took on all of Dr. Wily's mad robotic creations in the Mega Man: Legacy Collection for the Nintendo 3DS, equipping itself with a B+. Then came SuperPhillip Central's Game of the Month, a revisit to the twilight realm with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, which opened up a treasure chest that contained an A score. Next up, I took everyone to an early trip to the Rio Olympic Games with Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the Nintendo 3DS, getting a place on the podium with a B-. Dragon Land (B) and a retro review for Star Fox Command (C+) came after, and finally I wrapped up the month with my review of Pokken Tournament, fighting its way to a B+.

This upcoming month I will have reviews for all the new games releasing this month: Ratchet & Clank: Junk in Your Trunk, Uncharted 4: Uncanny Valley, and even some Quantum Physics Breakdown for the Xbox One for you guys. Okay, okay. I might have entered April Fools mode with this part of the Review Round-Up. Still, there's going to be some nice games reviewed for April 2016. Honest.

Swordigo (iOS, Android) - B
Mega Man X (iOS) - C
Mega Man: Legacy Collection (3DS) - B+
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD (Wii U) - A
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (3DS) - B-
Dragon Land (iOS, Android) - B
Star Fox Command (DS) - C+
Pokken Tournament (Wii U) - B+

The Pokken Tournament has begun. Don't get stuck watching from the bleachers.

Pokkén Tournament (Wii U) Review

Our last review that we will share together this fun-filled March is for a Pokemon fighter for the Wii U called Pokken Tournament. Is this a game just for fans of the Pokemon series, or can fighting game fans find something to love here, too?

You gotta fight for your right to Poké

Pokemon has built itself up to be quite the brand. Gamers know well of the monster-battling, collecting, and trading of the series's mainline games. However, that's always been turn-based. We haven't had a full-fledged fighter that pits Pokemon against Pokemon unless you have a Pokemon-themed match in Super Smash Bros. Regardless, the development body behind the immensely popular Tekken series and The Pokemon Company have teamed up together to present Pokken Tournament, a 3D fighter with plenty of depth to bring to fans of both Pokemon and fighting games. Though lacking in combatants and slightly less in overall content, this fighter is definitely worth checking out.

Right away, the biggest complaint I have towards Pokken Tournament is that with over 700 Pokemon to choose from, really only a few dozen are truly spotlighted, whether they be playable combatants or utilized in a support fashion. Obviously asking for all 700 or so Pokemon to be featured in the game would be a herculean and quite impossible task, but still, when you have 700 Pokemon to choose from, and your roster has two Pikachus and two Mewtwos (though with different costumes and move sets), you're not really using the amount of available Pokemon to the best of your ability. Still, each Pokemon that is playable in the game has their own feel to them in both controls and the types of moves they can unleash on opponents. This is terrific, as you definitely need to get used to and learn each character if you want to succeed in battle.

Ka-me-ha-me-- wait. Wrong source material.

At the start of each battle, you choose from a duo of support Pokemon to help you out. As you fight, a support gauge fills, and depending on the Pokemon you choose to, well, support you, the gauge fills up a different speed. Pressing the L button brings in your support Pokemon to do anything from attack your opponent with a leveled, airborne, or anti-air attack, heals you for a small or large amount, gives a negative status effect to your opponent, or boosts your own stats temporarily. Smart and strategic support Pokemon usage can be a defining characteristic between a surprising victory and a melancholy defeat.

Use a support Pokemon like Snivy to possibly turn a losing battle into a winning one.

As for Pokken Tournament itself, the game is a one-on-one fighter utilizing six unique inputs to carry out functions. There's buttons for close-range and long-range attacks, special moves, jumps, calling in supports, and blocking. There is a rock-paper-scissors metagame involved where counterattacks defeat normal attacks, normal attacks defeat grabs, and grabs defeat counterattacks. You press the Y and B buttons to attempt to grab a nearby opponent while pressing the X and A buttons performs a counterattack.

Pokken Tournament features a two phase battle system that frequently changes when you or your opponent connect with a devastating attack or combo. At the start of battle, the perspective is in a full view, allowing 360 degree movement. When a certain attack is made, that view changes to a side one, essentially emulating a 2D fighter, putting you and your opponent on the same plane. For this reason, two players battles locally are done with one player using one of the compatible controllers for the game (the specifically-made-for-Pokken Horii controller, the Wii U Pro Controller, the Wii Classic Controller, the Wii Remote by its lonesome, and the Wii Remote + Nunchuk) and using the TV screen for their perspective on the battle while the other uses the Wii U GamePad and its screen to see their side of the combat zone.

As the best two-out-of-three battles rage on, your Pokemon's Synergy Gauge gathers power. When full, you can press both shoulder buttons in to become considerably faster and more powerful for a limited amount of time. While in this souped up form, you can perform a Synergy Burst that is a move that if it connects, it unleashes a massive blow or series of blows to your opponent's HP.

Blaziken's exerting so much heat with his Synergy Burst that I'm surprised the snow hasn't completely evaporated.

After each match, your Pokemon earns experience points that can be used to boost one of four stats with each level reached. The stats include maximum attack, defense, how long the Synergy Gauge boost stays in effect, and how quickly the support gauge fills up. In addition to experience points, you earn money in battles, used for outfitting your custom trainer with all sorts of unlockable items, from clothing to hats, scarves to hairstyles, and avatar backgrounds to custom titles like "Blaixen's Buddy" or "Narcissist".

Meet my Pokemon trainer, Phil Gotem. Ash Ketchum, eat your heart out.

The single player mode of Pokken Tournament has you being an up and comer going through the Ferrum League ranks. You select a partner Pokemon and three possible support Pokemon pairs, and participate in various leagues, each with a different number of combatants. For instance, the Red League, the first of a series of leagues to play through, has you starting at rank 30, and you take on opponents in bursts of five. Winning matches increases your rank while losing matches slows down your rise in the ranks. After arriving in the top eight, you enter a three round tournament to become that league's champion. After this, you take on the league's master for the right to move onto the next league, earning new support Pokemon and arenas for free battles in the process.

The combat in Pokken Tournament is highly satisfying and full of depth.

Along the way of (hopefully) succeeding in tournaments, you have various encounters with Shadow Mewtwo, a rogue Pokemon that is causing all sorts of havoc in the Ferrum Region. While the story is nowhere near complex or even that riveting, it's nice to have little story events intertwined with what can be seen as repetitive run and rise through the various leagues.

When the single player content isn't enough for you (I didn't even mention the super helpful training dojo, which teaches you the ins and outs of battle and helps you piece together destructive combos), there's always the online that allows you to partake in either friendly or ranked matches against players across the globe. While there's a total lack of a party system, ability to chat, or spectator mode, the actual netcode is nearly flawless, offering a smooth experience in nearly every match I played. Only on one occasion did the frame-rate stutter, which is mighty impressive.

My Gengar doesn't seem to stand a ghost of a chance against the AI's Chandelure. 

Pokken Tournament is a delightful looking game. This is the first time Pokemon have been represented in high def, and this is one stupendous coming out party for Pokemon. The Pokemon models show off immaculate detail, from Blaziken's detailed fur to Garchomp's rough shark-like skin and fins. The backgrounds are full of impressive little details like in the Mystery Carnival stage, where a Pikachu in the background playfully chases a Pichu around in a circle while jack-o-lanterns in the distance bob up and down in midair. The amount of characters, both Pokemon and human, the environments and scenery are all mighty interesting to look at. It all runs at 60 frames per second unless you're playing local multiplayer, which cuts the frame-rate in half.

Go get 'em, Phil Gotem! Make that Machamp eat wall!

Meanwhile, the sound part of Pokken Tournament ranges from great to very poor. While the music is captivating enough, the very poor part comes from the voice acting, mainly your "helpful" adviser Nia, who talks over every match unless you lower how much advice she gives. However, you can't totally turn her off, so you'll have to stomach her sometimes unintentionally sarcastic "looks like my advice paid off" when you just lost the match.

As someone who is a casual fighting game fan, I found a lot to enjoy with Pokken Tournament, even long after I had completed the single player. With so many titles to unlock, Pokemon to learn the intricacies of and level up, and online battles to partake in, I see myself playing Pokken Tournament for a long time. It definitely feels like the type of fighter that a professional team who knows the genre well would make, and the lovely attention to detail shows that this same team is enamored by the source material and respects it. Pokken Tournament gets a hearty recommendation from yours truly. It's a game that despite lacking in overall combatants, offers something for the professional fighting game fan to the novice, and everyone in between.

[SPC Says: B+]

Pokkén Tournament (Wii U) Combo Video

One of my problems with a lot of fighters is that I'm not at all familiar with the characters. I guess that's why I can enjoy Street Fighter and really enjoy licensed fighters (like Dragon Ball: Xenoverse, for instance) and all-star battlers such as Super Smash Bros. Pokken Tournament seems to not only play well, but it features a lot of characters I know too. Pokken Tournament, a game that combines the characters of Pokemon and the fighting mechanics of Tekken, releases later this month.