Following the footsteps of Batman is Sonic the Hedgehog. He has a new trailer for the Gamescom event for Sonic Lost World, a Wii U and Nintendo 3DS exclusive. A new level is revealed, several Wisp powers are shown, trading items through Miiverse is here and the two-player competitive and cooperative modes are present and accounted for. We at SuperPhillip Central are really looking forward to Sonic's latest game.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Batman: Arkham Origins (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC) Firefly Trailer
A new assassin has been revealed, just in time for Gamescom. It's none other than Firefly. Batman will no doubt have his work cut out for him when Batman: Arkham Origins releases October 25 worldwide.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Mega Man 2 (NES, Wii U VC, 3DS VC) Retro Review
We've already looked at the 16-bit era of gaming earlier today, so why not take a glance at the 8-bit era as well. Here is a review of the retro variety, celebrating all things awesome with Mega Man 2. Here is our review.
Mega Man Refined
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| It takes some fancy footwork to stay on that rotating gear! |
For those who have no idea what the Mega Man series is all about (have you been living under a rock[man] for the past two decades?), each classic Mega Man game (save for the first) pits the Blue Bomber against eight Robot Masters. You, the player, are allowed to choose which order you wish to take their levels and concluding boss fights on. This was a huge innovation way back when, but the innovation actually doesn't end there either.
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| Defeat Metal Man... |
Each Robot Master (boss of each level) has a weakness to another Robot Master's special primary weapon. As Mega Man defeats a given Robot Master, he copies their ability, allowing him to use that weapon in and out of boss battles, including the severely overpowered Metal Blade. For instance, Heat Man is weak to Bubble Man's special weapon, and if Mega Man uses it on him, Heat Man will go down in a handful of hits. While there is a recommended order of levels for beginning players to follow (the best order starts off with the Robot Master that is the easiest to eliminate with Mega Man's default weapon), expert players can make the game harder by going out of order, or even taking on every Robot Master with only Mega Man's default weapon.
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| ...to use his Metal Blade as Mega Man. |
Each Robot Master stage has its own obstacles, enemies, hazards, setting and theme. Air Man's stage is completely above the clouds and in the sky. You must jump from cloud to cloud, mechanical monster head to mechanical monster head, all the while always being threatened with a bottomless pit under you for careless players to fall into. Meanwhile, Crash Man's level has you riding on platforms that ride along an lined path. You need to stay on it while shooting down enemies, which wish to knock you back to the ground below. Lastly, Quick Man's stage is a nightmare without Flash Man's time-stopping ability. You have to think quick (pun intended) on your two blue feet as you try to evade giant killer laser beams otherwise.
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| Whatever you do-- Don't look down! |
There are generally a few checkpoints per level, so death doesn't mean you have to replay the entire level over again like many games of the 8-bit era would punish you with. Don't get me wrong-- Mega Man 2 is still challenging, even with the comfort of checkpoints. Still, even if you do lose of all your lives, you can continue your game from the stage select screen. Previous Robot Masters defeated will still be gone. If the normal difficulty isn't doing it for you, you can always play on Difficult mode. Enemies deal out more damage, and the game is just even harder than usual.
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| These foes will put the screws into Mega Man. |
Mega Man 2 is a much improved game over its predecessor. For one, it's a longer game, featuring eight Robot Masters to defeat instead of just the six from the original Mega Man. This is a feature that future Mega Man games would have. Another aspect of Mega Man 2 that would live on are Energy Tanks. Mega Man can collect and hold onto up to four at a time. These restore his health completely when used, so they're without a doubt usually hidden well.
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| Wood Man's stage occurs in this unfriendly forest setting. |
Perhaps my only beefs with Mega Man 2-- something that I know might disturb some fans of the game, as many find the game to be perfect-- are very small ones. For one, after you have finished a level and beaten the Robot Master, you can't return to that stage. I'd love to be able to replay levels without having to start the game over again. One annoyance occurs with a boss in Wily's Castle stages. It requires you to use the Crash Bomb to defeat several targets. If you mess up and run out of weapon energy, you have to grind outside the boss door for energy. Very vexing. Lastly, and this deals with the performance of the game, there is a lot of sprite flickering when there's more than a few sprites on screen at the same time. Thankfully, this is but an aesthetic issue, however, and has nothing to do with the gameplay.
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| Surrounded but not surrendering! |
Mega Man 2 is a short experience, giving players a brief experience around 2-3 hours total. However, it's a game that you'll want to play through again and again. It's that good. My minor beefs aside with the game, Mega Man 2 delivers a challenging platforming with enough action that has kept players coming back for over two decades now. The addition of restore points in the Wii U Virtual Console version means even the worst player can get through the game with some patience and determination. Mega Man, you rock.
[SPC Says: 9.5/10]
SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGM - The Golden Age of Gaming Edition
It's Monday, so that must mean it's time for SuperPhillip Central's Favorite VGM to make their appearance. This week's edition is specially themed, taking a look back at what we perceive to be the golden age of gaming, the 16-bit era. Both the Super Nintendo and SEGA Genesis will be represented today.
v441. Sonic & Knuckles (GEN) - The Doomsday Zone
Featured in one of our Best Boss Battles in Gaming History segments, the fight against a retreating Dr. Robotnik in The Doomsday Zone is a battle to behold. Super Sonic speeds his way through space as he pursues his nemesis, holding onto the Master Emerald. The song heard during this chase only heightens how intense the situation really is.
v442. Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure (GEN) - The Forest
Tiny Toon Adventures was a spin-off of Looney Tunes, and it was absolutely great. Several games based off the show were released, including Buster Busts Loose on the Super Nintendo, but by far our favorite game released on the Genesis, Buster's Hidden Treasure. The music is also very nice, as evident by this theme that plays during one of the forest levels (the second main area of the game).
v443. Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie (SNES) - Frozen Mountains
Another childhood game based on a television show features those rangers clad in different colored suits. While not all of us were enamored with the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers back in the height of their popularity, we all did enjoy the video game that was based off the movie. The game was a beat-em-up similar to TMNT IV: Turtles in Time or Streets of Rage. This particular stage had the rangers riding down a slope and into a wintry river while aboard snowboards.
v444. Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage (SNES, GEN) - Super Villains
Speaking of beat-em-ups, Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage is another title in the genre. The soundtrack had a lot of heavy metal/hard rock influences to it, particularly the main theme and this one, used for many of the fights within Maximum Carnage.
v445. Cool Spot (GEN) - Wall Tune
Composed by Tommy Tallarico, this theme is one of our favorites from Cool Spot, a game capitalizing on the 2D platforming craze that was heavily popular in the nineties and the 16-bit era. Cool Spot was a licensed title for the 7up soda brand. It sounds silly, but ended up a fun platforming title.
v441. Sonic & Knuckles (GEN) - The Doomsday Zone
Featured in one of our Best Boss Battles in Gaming History segments, the fight against a retreating Dr. Robotnik in The Doomsday Zone is a battle to behold. Super Sonic speeds his way through space as he pursues his nemesis, holding onto the Master Emerald. The song heard during this chase only heightens how intense the situation really is.
v442. Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster's Hidden Treasure (GEN) - The Forest
Tiny Toon Adventures was a spin-off of Looney Tunes, and it was absolutely great. Several games based off the show were released, including Buster Busts Loose on the Super Nintendo, but by far our favorite game released on the Genesis, Buster's Hidden Treasure. The music is also very nice, as evident by this theme that plays during one of the forest levels (the second main area of the game).
v443. Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: The Movie (SNES) - Frozen Mountains
Another childhood game based on a television show features those rangers clad in different colored suits. While not all of us were enamored with the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers back in the height of their popularity, we all did enjoy the video game that was based off the movie. The game was a beat-em-up similar to TMNT IV: Turtles in Time or Streets of Rage. This particular stage had the rangers riding down a slope and into a wintry river while aboard snowboards.
v444. Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage (SNES, GEN) - Super Villains
Speaking of beat-em-ups, Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage is another title in the genre. The soundtrack had a lot of heavy metal/hard rock influences to it, particularly the main theme and this one, used for many of the fights within Maximum Carnage.
v445. Cool Spot (GEN) - Wall Tune
Composed by Tommy Tallarico, this theme is one of our favorites from Cool Spot, a game capitalizing on the 2D platforming craze that was heavily popular in the nineties and the 16-bit era. Cool Spot was a licensed title for the 7up soda brand. It sounds silly, but ended up a fun platforming title.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Smash Bowling 3D (3DSWare) Review
In the past Phil had the chance to interview Ken Patterson of Big John Games, as part of SuperPhillip Central doing its part in highlighting indie developers, who we feel are most needed in today's gaming industry. Big John Games has a new title that released a couple of Thursday ago, Smash Bowling 3D for the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Here is Phil's review on that title.
I remember as a kid heading down to the local bowling alley, putting on some size 5's and playing in the bumper bowling lanes. Heaven forbid I'd have a lane with gutters. Of course, much like my older self now, I still would prefer playing in the arcade in the back rather than bowl. That said, Big John Games (Kart Krashers, Thorium Wars) has returned with an all-new offering in their series of downloadable software for Nintendo's handhelds. This time they collectively head to the bowling alley with Smash Bowling 3D. Unlike the real thing, I had plenty of fun playing this virtual version of the sport.
The main attraction to Smash Bowling 3D is the Career Mode. In this mode, you choose an alley and a ball and bowl for ten frames. There is no competition to speak of-- it's just you versus the alley and those ten white pins. I would have liked to seen AI to face off against, or at least scores to try to beat-- something to give me a sense of progression rather than continuing to bowl frame after frame, hoping I'd unlock something. Instead, all you are doing is trying to unlock trophies as well as new alleys and balls for completing certain in-game objectives. These are things like getting your first career strike, having a final score of over 200 points, and so on.
In total, there are approximately twenty unique ball patterns to choose from, many of which can be customized in color only, and over a dozen alleys. Some alleys are more impressive than others, and there's even alleys based off several of Big John Games' past downloadable titles, such as Kart Crashers and Coaster Creator 3D. Unfortunately, the type of ball and alley you select is there only for presentation purposes, it does not affect how you bowl whatsoever.
Speaking of how you bowl, Smash Bowling 3D offers two control configurations, touch or buttons. Touch controls offer an interesting take on bowling, allowing you to set four sliders via the touch screen: Position, Power, Aim, and Spin, the latter being the angle of which your ball will move after being thrown. After selecting all four slider settings, you receive an overhead view of the alley and are tasked with tracing the line that adheres to your preconceived slider settings. The touch controls are fun to use, but oftentimes I would receive the notification that I was either too fast or too slow with my tracing. That would be fine if the game showed me the proper speed to trace the line. Smash Bowling 3D does not, however, do that.
The more newbie-friendly and accessible control option is the tried and true buttons kind. You position the ball via the directional pad and the other options (Power, Aim and Spin) are determined via meters, pressing the A button with great timing to get the desired settings. While this setup is much easier to use, it still requires some skill to master (and some luck as well, as any bowler will tell you!).
The presentation of Smash Bowling 3D fits in well with Big John Games' other offerings. The visuals don't hurt the eyes, but they also don't really have any kind of wow factor either. The 3D effect isn't very pronounced or impressive. As for sound, the music is forgettable, yes, but thankfully it doesn't grate on the ears. There's little in the way of voice work, save for a "Good job" when picking up a spare.
Smash Bowling 3D is an adequate bowling game for Nintendo 3DS owners. The biggest shame here is that Big John Games had the potential to do so much more with it. In its state now, Smash Bowling 3D seems more like a tech demo than a full-fledged game. For a while, unlocking new alleys, balls and trophies is a good time, but that fun fades fast like a ten pin lead. Even the multiplayer for up to four friends and family members can only go so far. Smash Bowing 3D is nowhere near a gutter ball by any means, but it's also nowhere near a strike either.
[SPC Says: 6.0/10]
Bare Bones Bowling
I remember as a kid heading down to the local bowling alley, putting on some size 5's and playing in the bumper bowling lanes. Heaven forbid I'd have a lane with gutters. Of course, much like my older self now, I still would prefer playing in the arcade in the back rather than bowl. That said, Big John Games (Kart Krashers, Thorium Wars) has returned with an all-new offering in their series of downloadable software for Nintendo's handhelds. This time they collectively head to the bowling alley with Smash Bowling 3D. Unlike the real thing, I had plenty of fun playing this virtual version of the sport.
The main attraction to Smash Bowling 3D is the Career Mode. In this mode, you choose an alley and a ball and bowl for ten frames. There is no competition to speak of-- it's just you versus the alley and those ten white pins. I would have liked to seen AI to face off against, or at least scores to try to beat-- something to give me a sense of progression rather than continuing to bowl frame after frame, hoping I'd unlock something. Instead, all you are doing is trying to unlock trophies as well as new alleys and balls for completing certain in-game objectives. These are things like getting your first career strike, having a final score of over 200 points, and so on.
In total, there are approximately twenty unique ball patterns to choose from, many of which can be customized in color only, and over a dozen alleys. Some alleys are more impressive than others, and there's even alleys based off several of Big John Games' past downloadable titles, such as Kart Crashers and Coaster Creator 3D. Unfortunately, the type of ball and alley you select is there only for presentation purposes, it does not affect how you bowl whatsoever.
Speaking of how you bowl, Smash Bowling 3D offers two control configurations, touch or buttons. Touch controls offer an interesting take on bowling, allowing you to set four sliders via the touch screen: Position, Power, Aim, and Spin, the latter being the angle of which your ball will move after being thrown. After selecting all four slider settings, you receive an overhead view of the alley and are tasked with tracing the line that adheres to your preconceived slider settings. The touch controls are fun to use, but oftentimes I would receive the notification that I was either too fast or too slow with my tracing. That would be fine if the game showed me the proper speed to trace the line. Smash Bowling 3D does not, however, do that.
The more newbie-friendly and accessible control option is the tried and true buttons kind. You position the ball via the directional pad and the other options (Power, Aim and Spin) are determined via meters, pressing the A button with great timing to get the desired settings. While this setup is much easier to use, it still requires some skill to master (and some luck as well, as any bowler will tell you!).
The presentation of Smash Bowling 3D fits in well with Big John Games' other offerings. The visuals don't hurt the eyes, but they also don't really have any kind of wow factor either. The 3D effect isn't very pronounced or impressive. As for sound, the music is forgettable, yes, but thankfully it doesn't grate on the ears. There's little in the way of voice work, save for a "Good job" when picking up a spare.
Smash Bowling 3D is an adequate bowling game for Nintendo 3DS owners. The biggest shame here is that Big John Games had the potential to do so much more with it. In its state now, Smash Bowling 3D seems more like a tech demo than a full-fledged game. For a while, unlocking new alleys, balls and trophies is a good time, but that fun fades fast like a ten pin lead. Even the multiplayer for up to four friends and family members can only go so far. Smash Bowing 3D is nowhere near a gutter ball by any means, but it's also nowhere near a strike either.
[SPC Says: 6.0/10]
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