disaster-day-of-crisis
Latest
Wii Warm Up: Disaster planning
After delays and uncertainty, Disaster: Day of Crisis finally came out in Europe and Japan -- and pretty much bombed. New information suggests that Disaster may be planned for a North American release (although we suspect it's more that said release was planned years ago when the game was first unveiled, and just has yet to be cancelled). But should it? Do you think the game has a better chance here than in other regions? Would you have any expectation of sales, especially given Reggie's low confidence (and thus low likelihood of promotion)? Personally, we want to play it and we don't much care if Nintendo of America profits on it or not. They've got enough money, but we don't have enough copies of Disaster. Feel free to speak from the position of "armchair business analyst" or "person who wants to play a game"!%Gallery-30942%
Disaster back on the train to Rumorsville
We've been pessimistic about Disaster: Day of Crisis getting localized for North America, and with (what we believe to be) good reason. Now, the will-it-won't-it saga has taken another twist, after Go Nintendo reader Silver Lunar received an email from Nintendo customer support saying the game would be released in the region.Okay, we know. Some guy saying he got an email from Nintendo customer support is exactly the kind of anecdote we'd usually snort derisively at, and you're right: we should all treat this with a degree of suspicion. That said, Go Nintendo's RMC received screencaps of Silver Lunar's email exchange with the big N, and reckons it's the real thing. If you'll excuse us, we'll shamelessly grasp at any straws tossed our way. Pleeeeease be true, lovely Disaster rumor.%Gallery-30942%
Monolith reflects on Disaster non-sales, mentions a sequel
It is difficult to envisage a second Disaster: Day of Crisis game, for two reasons: How any follow-up could top the unlikely mélange of disasters (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, terrorists, bears) that featured in the first game is beyond us. Perhaps an asteroid? Sales of the first game. Or the lack thereof. Nevertheless, developer Monolith Soft is at least open to the idea of a Disaster 2. In an interview with Cubed3, Director Keiichi Ono revealed that "...there were so many wonderful options [in the game]. We would like to see the possibility for them, if we have chance to develop the sequel..." The sequel? Or a sequel? The difference is pretty crucial! While we're not exactly taking that as rock-solid confirmation of Ray's return, it's an interesting remark.To bring us back down to earth, Nintendo's Hitoshi Yamagami reminded us of why the first game might not even come to North America, describing how Disaster is "performing lower than expected" at the tills.%Gallery-30942%
Alternate ending suggests potential Disaster sequel [update]
[Update: Thanks to some of our commenters, we now have a better idea what's going on here. This is the introduction to an unlockable shooting minigame, rather than an unused ending. So instead of a lead-in to a sequel that won't happen, it's just a video from a game whose sequel won't happen.]WARNING: If you don't want to spoil the incredibly obvious storyIine of Disaster: Day of Crisis, do not watch this video. We've put it after the break in case you don't want the game's epic plot ruined by even one preview frame.It seems that Nintendo and Monolith Soft may have seen sequels in Disaster: Day of Crisis's future. Unfortunately, they didn't foresee the biggest disaster of all -- the release of Disaster: Day of Crisis, which turned out to be a powerful bomb capable of creating a sales vacuum.Even though this clip, found in the game's theatre, creates a clear opening for a sequel, we wouldn't hold our breath in anticipation of the continued adventures of Raymond Bryce and his ornate beard. For one thing, this is just an extra video and not the real ending. Also, obviously, game companies prefer to make money. However, it's pretty entertaining to see the jokey, ham-fisted manner in which they teased a sequel. %Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Days of Nobody Buying It
A promise made by Reggie Fils-Aime means that North American Disaster: Day of Crisis fans have an active interest in how the game fares in Europe. If it sells enough copies on the other side of the Atlantic, Reggie has suggested a U.S. release will be considered. Sounds fair to us. The only problem? It's selling really badly in Europe.According to the latest European sales charts, the game failed to reach the UK top forty, the Irish or Norwegian top twenty, or the Dutch, German, or Spanish top ten. More worryingly still, Monolith's title wasn't even amongst the top fifty Wii releases in the UK last week. Oo-er. Such a meek performance in Disaster's opening week doesn't exactly convince us we'll be seeing a Stateside release. We'd love nothing more than to be proved wrong and see Nintendo of America take a gamble.Source: Brits prefer their Wii FitsSource: Ireland isn't bitingSource: Holland bought more copies of Mario Party 8 last weekSource: Norway says "nor way" to DisasterSource: Monolith's game knows only pain in Germany and Spain%Gallery-30942%
Nintendo directs Pikmin remake to North America
Nintendo has published a list of Wii releases for 2009, and while it's some way from being a complete list, the news for North America ranges from great to ominous. We want to start this post on a happy note, so we'll begin by saying: the Play on Wii remake of Pikmin -- just the first game -- is totally coming to the U.S. The schedule also confirms the Mario Power Tennis remake for the States, so it looks like those two will lead the brand off here.But there's worrying news as well. For one, Disaster: Day of Crisis still isn't down for a North American release. Okay, so this isn't actually that surprising, as Reggie (who isn't the title's biggest fan, remember) has said all along that any U.S. release hinges on the performance of the game in Europe. As Disaster only came out in Europe last Friday, we still don't know how it fared, though will find out soon enough. Also missing are numerous Play on Wii remakes, including Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, Chibi-Robo, and the two Metroid Primes.We'll say this again, just in case: this is definitely a bare-bones list, with not every Wii release of next year featuring. We're not about to give up on getting Disaster just yet.[Via Siliconera]
Say what you think: Reggie lays into Disaster: Day of Crisis
If you thought our 7/10 review for Disaster: Day of Crisis was harsh, you should hear what Reggie Fils-Aime -- yeah, that Reggie Fils-Aime -- thinks about it. Twenty-five minutes into IGN's latest Nintendo Voice Chat podcast, Matt Casamassina revealed how Reggie "doesn't think Disaster is a $50 game," and regards the audio as "laughable." Burrrrn.We have to confess we're slightly dumbfounded to hear Reggie delivering such a hefty haymaker to one of his company's own games ... while speaking on the record, as well. We suppose it's, uh, refreshingly honest?%Gallery-30942%[Via Infendo]
Wii Fanboy Review: Disaster: Day of Crisis
If Disaster: Day of Crisis were a movie, it would be one of those big, dumb, summer blockbusters, the kind of feature where it's best to leave your brain at the door.Although that might sound like a criticism, it's not intended that way, because just like over-the-top, thought-free action flicks, Disaster can serve as a guilty pleasure. It's got a Seagal-esque hero who must be one of the most resistant, hardened one-man armies of all time, tons of implausible "escaping death" scenarios, and a script that's cheesier than an explosion in a Roquefort factory. Yet despite all of this, I enjoyed it. Mostly.%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Day of Orange Jumpsuits
Disaster: Day of Crisis hero with a heart Raymond Bryce is back with another pair of videos, this time featuring the game's opening cut-scene and first crisis sequence. Painfully wooden acting aside (though it's certainly no worse than Resident Evil 4), it's actually very nicely executed, and genuinely feels quite dramatic.True to the corny TV dramas on which Disaster could easily be based, this first video ends with a bunch of cliffhangers and questions to be answered. What has become of Steve? Will our intrepid heroes keep their own lives on the mountain? How amusing is Ray's janky running style? Find out ... dun dun dunnn! ... after the break.%Gallery-30942%
When are we getting Disaster: Day of Crisis?
Your head is probably spinning from all of the wonderful Nintendo news you've been exposed to over the last 24 hours and it's okay, because our heads are, too. But, there's one thing that was missing from Nintendo's little spiel today: Disaster: Day of Crisis. Why was this game not dated for a North American release? With it releasing in Japan late last month and hitting Europe later on this month, we're wondering what the big hold-up is?Of course, not like it matters, because, thanks to the Japanese game releasing, we've basically seen the whole game on YouTube. But, we're still contacting Nintendo for a comment, so sit tight.%Gallery-30942%
Stephen Colbert's favorite game has to be Disaster: Day of Crisis
We all know the man's stance on bears. He doesn't like them. In fact, he downright despises them. That's why we're sure that Nintendo's latest, Disaster: Day of Crisis, is among Colbert's most treasured games. Why? Well, it features a boss battle against a bear. Aside from teaching us the near indestructible nature of the beast, it also shows us what kind of weapons to use against a bear should it get you in its sights. Also, it teaches us that bears like to stupidly charge back and forth.Check out the video past the break.%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Day of GIANT FOOD
Even when escaping buildings that are crumbling around his ears, Disaster: Day of Crisis hero Raymond Bryce takes time out to line his stomach with the huge food that can be randomly found in large wooden crates.We're just pleased to see him looking after himself and getting his five a day. We're sure his mother feels the same.%Gallery-30942%[Via Go Nintendo]
Day of Crisis not a total disaster?
None of us know why Nintendo kept such a tight lid on Disaster: Day of Crisis for so long. Logic dictates that the company didn't present us with much info because, well, the game was bad. Kind of Project H.A.M.M.E.R. bad. Well, the truth may be very different.Famitsu recently revealed its score for the game, and it received a respectable 34/40. Not too shabby, if we may say so. Especially for a game that pretty much got a surprise release. Not a Sega Saturn kind of surprise, but you get the idea.%Gallery-30942%[Via CVG]
Confirmed: Nintendo Media Summit in early October
Didn't we already have a Nintendo Media Summit this year? By golly, we did! But, still, it turns out that rumor is true, as Nintendo will be holding an event on October 2nd and 3rd, showcasing games for both the Wii and DS in San Francisco. We know because we just got our invite.So what should we expect? Well, something on Disaster: Day of Crisis we imagine, but anything outside of that is anyone's guess. What do you all think?%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Day of Awesome Trailers
Two trailers for Disaster: Day of Crisis are now available on the Japanese Nintendo Channel. The first, above, does an excellent job of channeling American action movies, which is good for something that purports to put the player in one. It's got a brooding hero, stern-voiced narration from some kind of military official, and explosions all over the damn place. The second trailer combines the gameplay footage we've seen with a bit more context, which basically means walking around. Presented this way, it seems a bit less like a collection of disconnected events. We don't mind saying that these trailers have worked. We could really stand to hear about a US release.%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Day of Crisis survival guide explains gameplay
As is usually the case with oft-delayed titles, details concerning the mystery-shrouded Disaster: Day of Crisis have been slim indeed. Thankfully, the official Japanese site for the disastrous survival game recently added a few explanations on how you'll be guiding optimistic protagonist Raymond Bryce through his very own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.According to a translation from Siliconera, the combat portion of the title plays like a light gun shooter with a Time Crisis-esque cover system. However, you'll need to bust out your best Smooth Moves to make it through the motion-sensitive survival segments, furiously shaking your Wiimote to outrun a tidal wave, push a bus, perform CPR or place an irate phone call to a puzzlingly absent FEMA. We'll have to wait on reactions from our Eastern Hemisphere acquaintences to see how these two great tastes taste together.
'Humans aren't helpless' in Disaster: Day of Crisis
"Humans aren't helpless!" declares Disaster's protagonist and catastrophe magnet, Raymond Bryce. It seems like sage advice coming from the man who, as the game's title candidly suggests, is enduring the most preposterously perilous day in the history of all time. Indeed, judging by the Japanese TV spots for Disaster: Day of Crisis (embedded after the break), humans are far from helpless and quite capable of performing the following, exciting activities: Outrunning tidal waves Kicking down doors Defusing bombs Clinging to railings Dramatically telling someone to "hang on to something" Sliding down ramps Taking cover from gunfire Climbing out elevators Crawling in vents Avoiding incineration Driving through meteor showers Jumping out of airplanes Starting flaming cars Facing down archenemies in the rain Climbing cliffs Shooting at gates Oh, and fighting poorly animated bears.
You are the star of Disaster: Day of Crisis
We're starting to think that the mythical Disaster: Day of Crisis may someday turn out to be a real video game! No, really! Nintendo of Japan has released a series of short commercials for the action/survival game, proving that they're probably going to sell it! The ads are built around the theme of the game as an action movie with you as the protagonist. Each starts with "Movie star on Wii" and keeps a persistent arrow with the word anata "you" pointed at the onscreen Raymond Bryce. The commercials end with the tagline "Starring: You." A pretty exciting way to start your fake acting career!%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Day of Crisis hits Japanese shelves on Sept. 25
Imagine our surprise when we heard that Nintendo of Japan plans to release Disaster: Day of Crisis on September 25th. After hearing barely anything about the game for months, including a no-show at E3 and PAX, we were incredibly doubtful the game would release this calendar year, yet alone at all. But, sure enough, the official Nintendo of Japan website has it listed. Right here.So with a Japanese release ironed out and the European release date for October 24th set in stone, when can North America expect the game? We've contacted Nintendo and are awaiting word. As soon as we get it, we'll update the post.%Gallery-30942%[Via Wiiz]
Disaster: Day of Crisis officially looming in UK
The Day you thought would never come has finally arrived, leaping over the horizon and declaring, "I am alive, but not to be confused with I Am Alive, the similarly themed disaster survival game from Ubisoft!" It seems Nintendo has finally gotten around to announcing the official UK release date for Disaster: Day of Crisis, thus dragging the Monolith Soft-developed Wii game from the murky realms of vaporware and into the fluorescent aisles of your local video game retailer.October 24th has been chosen as the day which game protagonist Raymond Bryce is sure to describe as the worst of his life, what with it attempting to kill him constantly in earthquakes, fires, floods and tenuously connected terrorist attacks. There are also bears. See the peril for yourself in the gallery below.We certainly hope the game's been worth the wait, if only to spare us from a parade of self-congratulatory reviewers cleverly dubbing it a "disaster." Gallery: Disaster: Day of Crisis
