Katamari Forever (PS3) - Nana nanananana na nana. . . This tune has become a symbol of joy, adventure, and galactic destruction. Ever since the King of All Cosmos destroyed every star in the sky back in 2004, gamers have been hooked on the ultimate item collection game created by Keita Takahashi. While Takahashi didn’t work on this project (Kenji Nakamo directed this project), it still retains the charm of it’s predecessors.
This time one King was simply not enough. Forever, originally subtitled Tribute, contains a significant amount of levels from previous Katamari games, which you play to try and awaken the KoAC from a coma-like sleep. To fill during the King’s absence, the Prince has also constructed RoboKing, who like his name sake has a problem with keeping the heavens intact.
The came features plenty of hidden accessories and cousins, and you can unlock 2 bonus game modes as you lay through the title. KF also features an amazing soundtrack, and of course, each level has it’s own tune or re-mix.
All in all, this a strong title for newcomers and old time fans of the series. I highly recommend checking this game out if your looking for a good game to play with your girl/boyfriend, since the game features both multiplayer VS and co-op play. While it does lack online play, there are online leaderboards, but these are really only entertaining if you have friends who own the title as well.
Grade: B+
Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (Wii) - First off, let me say I suck d&%k at fighters. I do like playing them, but I’ve never been able to really kick a$ is ‘em. I apologies in advance if I don’t go into extreme depth with how the fighting system compares to other high-speed 2-D fighters.
What’s I do know is that TvC is insanely addictive. When it came out I pretty much played it for two weeks straight. At the time I was debating on splurging on a pristine copy of Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 for PS2, but TvC manages to keep that same feeling alive with it new cast of characters.
Newcomers such as Zero and Frank West over unique skills and variable attacks that help spice up the combat which efficiently operating at higher speeds. Some of West’s specials are particularly amusing, as he can summon zombies to attack from almost any part of the stage. Plus there’s nothing like teaming up with Megaman to perform a double mega buster cannon attack. HAZZAH!
While I do find this title amazing, I think most of the novilty lies in knowing the Tatsunoko and Capcom characters and their motivations. The Capcom roster is loaded with plenty of recognizable faces, but, for most Americans, the only Tatsunoko characters that might seem remotely familiar are the members of the G-Force or Casshan (and that would only be because of Vanquish). This isn’t a problem for true fighter fans, but for casual gamers, this might be an insurmountable hurdle.
Grade: B
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor (NDS) - If you’ve read some of my other posts (see here, and here), there should be no surprise that I’m giving this game an A ranking. I’m a huge SMT fan (it’s part of the reason why I’m buying a PSP, which is almost paid off btw. WoOt!), and love games involving government conspiracies, immanent mass genocide, and dozens of tenuous relationships you can either chose to nurture or burn. SMT: DS (get it?) delivers on all fronts.
Without giving too much away, you and two close high school friends find yourselves trapped in Tokyo, surrounded on all sides by the military officers who’s orders are to shoot to kill. Inside, demons run wild on the streets, and to only thing that can protect you are three devices call COMPs, which interface with a mysterious server to summon demons under your control.
As the crisis worsens, a religious cult emerges, promising salvation, as the gang begin to encounter several individuals who’s fates can intertwine with yours. By engaging these characters, you can unlock extra side missions, which might net you a few powerful demons for your efforts.
The combat systems is an interesting mix of standard turn-based strategy titles, such as Fire Emblem or Tactics Ogre Battle, and system from other SMT games, such as the Digital Devil Saga and Persona titles. Critical hits and attacks that strike a foes weakness reward the player with extra attacks, maxing out at two attacks per character per combat encounter. Characters can summon up to two demons to aid in combat. Demons carry a wide range of attacks and benefits, so experimentation vis fusions, team combinations and move lists is highly advised.
Characters can also "crack" moves from downed foes, which allow you in increase your available move list for all of your summoners. These moves can also be copied to your demon’s set list under curtain circumstances.
This game should be a definite purchase for any SMT fan with a DS (or you could wait for the new 3DS version, what ever that ends up being), and a must play for strategy-RPGers.
Grade: A+
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