Merry Christmas from the SuperPhillip Central family to each and every one of you! I hope it was a wonderful holiday spent with friends, family, or even just a relaxing day work-free day by yourself. For everyone else who doesn't celebrate, I hope it was simply a happy Monday.
This week on the final 2017 edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs, we begin with a recent release in the form of Xenoblade Chronicles 2. Then, we get nice and Christmas-y with some winter-themed tunes from I am Setsuna and Yooka-Laylee. Get ready to dress up to your best ability with our next game, Style Savvy: Trendsetters, and then if the cold weather is already getting to you, let's fly away to Isle Delfino in Super Mario Sunshine!
Click on the VGM Database to get a look (and listen) at every song ever featured on the weekly recurring article series. Now, let's get on to the music!
v1531. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (NSW) - Gormott Province (Day)
We begin this Christmas edition of SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGMs with the most recent release included today. It's Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for the Nintendo Switch, and it's a glorious return to the classical music style of the original instead of the electronica heavy sound of X. (Though that soundtrack had a lot of winners too.) Gormott Province is essentially the Gaur Plains of Xenoblade Chronicles 2, the piece for the first major exploratory area in the game. It takes a bit to get to my favorite part of this theme, but once it gets there, the wait is most certainly worth it.
v1532. I am Setsuna (PS4, NSW, Vita) - A Fantastic Encounter
Square Enix's Tokyo RPG Factory, the developer behind I am Setsuna, is preparing to release its next title in the new year with Lost Sphear. While I am Setsuna nailed the ambiance, environments, and especially the music, what it failed to do was to create a game that truly enamors players with its gameplay mechanics. It's a shame since these themes, such as this battle one, are composed so wonderfully. It's like newly fallen snowfall in the woods, idyllic and beautiful.
v1533. Yooka-Laylee (Multi) - Glitterglaze Glacier
When I read that several ex-Rare employees (and ex-staff on one of my favorite 3D platformers ever, Banjo-Kazooie) were getting together to form their own company to create a spiritual successor to same game, I was excited beyond measure. The end result, Yooka-Laylee, strays a bit too closely to Banjo-Kazooie in some really obvious and almost downright blatant ways, but overall, I did enjoy the game. One reason for that was Grant Kirkhope's (Banjo-Kazooie's original composer) spectacular score, such as this piece for the second major world in Yooka-Laylee, Glitterglaze Glacier. Yes, this and the battle theme of I am Setsuna really evoke some warm holiday feelings!
v1534. Style Savvy: Trendsetters (3DS) - Opening
Today sees the North American digital-only release of Style Savvy: Styling Star on the Nintendo 3DS. Seems like a perfect opportunity than any other to wrap ourselves in our favorite stylistic sweaters and listen to some pop sound from the second game in the series, Style Savvy: Trendsetters. This entry introduced the series to the Nintendo 3DS in a big way, such as adding men clients to take on styling challenges for. As for this opening theme, it's positively perky and keeps me bouncing and bumping around this Christmas evening.
v1535. Super Mario Sunshine (GCN) - Sky & Sea
And what Christmas celebration would be complete without Mario? Rather than doing a cliche snow level pick, I chose the complete opposite: Super Mario Sunshine, a game located completely on a tropical isle! With how cold it is outside here at SuperPhillip Central HQ, I'd prefer to lounging on the warm beach sands of Isle Delfino right about now -- even if Bowser and his son decide to make a return trip! Sky & Sea plays during special bonus stages like the dreaded pachinko machine and poison river! But don't think ill of this song; it just goes to show how a catchy number can soften the blows of frustration one can get tackling these sometimes seemingly impossible challenges.
Showing posts with label style savvy: trendsetters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label style savvy: trendsetters. Show all posts
Monday, December 25, 2017
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games - Part Four
While it'd be like shooting fish in a barrel to select Nintendo Wii U games that were overlooked (anything but New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land, we guess), we decided to once again spotlight our favorite platform of the year so far, the Nintendo 3DS, for Part Four of our Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games series. These five games didn't sell to potential, didn't get much buzz, or they simply fell through the proverbial cracks. Regardless of their reason for not doing well in the market, we would like to highlight these games. Perhaps we'll get you interested enough to try a couple out!
For past Nintendo 3DS games that we felt were overlooked, check out these three links!
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate
A followup to the Castlevania reboot, Lords of Shadow, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate attempted to bring back the Metroid-vania style gameplay to the series. The jury's still out on whether it succeeded or not. What we do know is that the game features some excellent combat, really impressive visuals and some vicious enemies to take down. While it isn't in the league of older Castlevania games like Symphony of the Night, Aria of Sorrow or Super Castlevania IV, Mirror of Fate should scratch the itch of those looking for a more traditional Castlevania title.
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
Pretty much doomed to failure when the announcement of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection with a price that matched the 3DS game, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D was initially shown off in prototype form with glorious graphics. The final product doesn't have the impressive visuals of that prototype, but Snake Eater 3D is still a looker. The end game is something that is worth playing for those without a Vita or an HD console and access to the HD collection. Snake Eater 3D contains some interesting additions, such as an over-the-shoulder third-person view, crouch-walking, Yoshi dolls replacing the hidden Kerotan frogs of the original game, as well as the ability to create your own camouflage. The game is imperfect, with sudden framerate drops, but those willing to put up with them will find a worthy addition to their 3DS library.
Project X Zone
An unprecedented crossover game, containing characters from three of Japan's big-time publishers, Namco Bandai, Capcom and SEGA, Project X Zone is a game that many believed would never reach the West. The stars must have all aligned or at least hell must have frozen over, as the game reached our side of the world. The primary focus of the game is a strategy RPG, with battles taking place in real time, similar to a very simple fighting game. Characters from series such as Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Gods Eater, Valkyria Chronicles, Mega Man X, Sakura Wars, Tekken and many more make up the roster of both allies and enemies. You can look forward to Phil's review of Project X Zone sometime in the near future, as it is quite a lengthy game!
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Goodness gracious, what lengthy titles some of these games have! Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers is an upgraded port of the original Soul Hackers game, which released in 1997 on the SEGA Saturn. With this 3DS port, it is the first time the game has been available in the West. With it, comes the series's usual occult-based story, a more relaxed difficulty to invite beginners to play, faster loading times, thirty new demons, voice acting for every scene and much more. A severely niche series in the West, Soul Hackers did not light sales charts on fire, and most stores did not carry the game. One would have to shop online or head to GameStop to pick up the game. That said, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Sum-- you get the idea-- is a game that is deep, complex and ultimately really fun.
Style Savvy: Trendsetters
.JPG)
.JPG)
Up until now, we've focused on titles more befitting of a hardcore player. This final addition to the Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games list is a game that we didn't think we'd enjoy. However, we gave Style Savvy: Trendsetters a try, and we absolutely adored it. Starting as an assistant at a fashion shop, and then making your way as the owner, being able to satisfy clients' clothing preferences, keep up with stock, as well as enter fashion contest made for a game that has a lot of content to it. No, it's not epic like the other games listed here today, but it's really worth looking into if you love customization and having a lot of options open to you. Unfortunately, the 3DS is currently not as appealing to the casual gamer as much as the Nintendo DS was, making the sales for this casual-oriented title less than desirable in the West. But don't get us wrong-- you can play through Style Savvy: Trendsetters and enjoy it even if you're hardcore gamers like us.
We have concluded another installment of Most Overlooked Games. Perhaps next time we will return to looking at one of the HD consoles. Until then, keep up to date with SuperPhillip Central by visiting us on a daily basis. Thanks for your continued readership!
For past Nintendo 3DS games that we felt were overlooked, check out these three links!
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate
A followup to the Castlevania reboot, Lords of Shadow, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate attempted to bring back the Metroid-vania style gameplay to the series. The jury's still out on whether it succeeded or not. What we do know is that the game features some excellent combat, really impressive visuals and some vicious enemies to take down. While it isn't in the league of older Castlevania games like Symphony of the Night, Aria of Sorrow or Super Castlevania IV, Mirror of Fate should scratch the itch of those looking for a more traditional Castlevania title.
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
Pretty much doomed to failure when the announcement of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection with a price that matched the 3DS game, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D was initially shown off in prototype form with glorious graphics. The final product doesn't have the impressive visuals of that prototype, but Snake Eater 3D is still a looker. The end game is something that is worth playing for those without a Vita or an HD console and access to the HD collection. Snake Eater 3D contains some interesting additions, such as an over-the-shoulder third-person view, crouch-walking, Yoshi dolls replacing the hidden Kerotan frogs of the original game, as well as the ability to create your own camouflage. The game is imperfect, with sudden framerate drops, but those willing to put up with them will find a worthy addition to their 3DS library.
Project X Zone
An unprecedented crossover game, containing characters from three of Japan's big-time publishers, Namco Bandai, Capcom and SEGA, Project X Zone is a game that many believed would never reach the West. The stars must have all aligned or at least hell must have frozen over, as the game reached our side of the world. The primary focus of the game is a strategy RPG, with battles taking place in real time, similar to a very simple fighting game. Characters from series such as Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Gods Eater, Valkyria Chronicles, Mega Man X, Sakura Wars, Tekken and many more make up the roster of both allies and enemies. You can look forward to Phil's review of Project X Zone sometime in the near future, as it is quite a lengthy game!
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Goodness gracious, what lengthy titles some of these games have! Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers is an upgraded port of the original Soul Hackers game, which released in 1997 on the SEGA Saturn. With this 3DS port, it is the first time the game has been available in the West. With it, comes the series's usual occult-based story, a more relaxed difficulty to invite beginners to play, faster loading times, thirty new demons, voice acting for every scene and much more. A severely niche series in the West, Soul Hackers did not light sales charts on fire, and most stores did not carry the game. One would have to shop online or head to GameStop to pick up the game. That said, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Sum-- you get the idea-- is a game that is deep, complex and ultimately really fun.
Style Savvy: Trendsetters
.JPG)
.JPG)
Up until now, we've focused on titles more befitting of a hardcore player. This final addition to the Most Overlooked Nintendo 3DS Games list is a game that we didn't think we'd enjoy. However, we gave Style Savvy: Trendsetters a try, and we absolutely adored it. Starting as an assistant at a fashion shop, and then making your way as the owner, being able to satisfy clients' clothing preferences, keep up with stock, as well as enter fashion contest made for a game that has a lot of content to it. No, it's not epic like the other games listed here today, but it's really worth looking into if you love customization and having a lot of options open to you. Unfortunately, the 3DS is currently not as appealing to the casual gamer as much as the Nintendo DS was, making the sales for this casual-oriented title less than desirable in the West. But don't get us wrong-- you can play through Style Savvy: Trendsetters and enjoy it even if you're hardcore gamers like us.
===
We have concluded another installment of Most Overlooked Games. Perhaps next time we will return to looking at one of the HD consoles. Until then, keep up to date with SuperPhillip Central by visiting us on a daily basis. Thanks for your continued readership!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)