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Romance of the Three Accessories
Happy News about Games Related to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Day! So far, it's been a solemn event that we've observed respectfully, thinking about how ugly DS games affect us all. But we've got marginally better news for you, so don't take down your traditional NGRRTK Day decorations. Hori have released some relatively nice DS accessories in a black-and-gold color scheme to tie into the release of Sega's new card-based arcade adaptation Sangokushi Taisen DS, including a stand, a DS card case, and a stylus. Sure, they're not totally new items-- the stand looks to be the same design as the one reviewed by CheapyD, but they're black, with goooooolden eeeeemblems on them.We like the blackness of this set, but we aren't sure about advertising any affiliation with Sangokushi Taisen DS or any other arcade-fad card games. Also, we like to keep our DS systems in our gentle, loving hands while we play, not relegated to a cold, unfeeling stand. It's a DS-fan thing; we have a very positive opinion on the concept of touching.[Update 1: fairly major; this set is NOT a tie-in to Shin Sangoku Musou DS, but to a VERY SIMILAR-LOOKING Sega card-battling game Sangokushi Taisen DS that also uses the classic Three Kingdoms story as its setting.]
Dynasty Warriors DS Screens (horrifying 3D ahead)
Koei, ever the masters of careful, deliberate game design, have been judicious with their Shin Sangoku Musou (Dynasty Warriors) series, taking care not to saturate the market with incrementally-upgraded sequels and spinoffs, and sequels of spinoffs, that serve only to extract as much cash as possible from fans. Oh, wait, we were thinking of someone else. That is exactly what Koei does. Their most egregious cash-in: this new Dynasty Warriors DS. Dynasty Warriors games aren't exactly renowned for their graphics, but this... is an insult to fans of the series. If we are being a little harsh on Koei, it's because every game they release that is not a Gitaroo-Man sequel (on the DS this time, please!) is like a jaggy little polearm poking us ceaselessly.Note to developers: when you're thinking of making a DS game (and we've all been there, right?) please ask yourself if it really needs to be in 3D. If the answer is "yes," then ask yourself if it really needs to be on the DS. We love our little system (hence the title, focus and content of this site) but 3D can be a hit and miss affair. "Enjoy" some screens after the post break! Oh, did we mention that there's some kind of inscrutable card system tacked on for some reason?[Via NeoGAF]
Koei's Fatal Inertia, Bladestorm to miss Euro PS3 launch
Two of Koei's most notable PS3 games (particularly notable for not being Dynasty Warriors) have been delayed in Europe until Summer 2007. The developer has opted to miss out on the Euro PS3 launch, instead spending some more time on polishing futuristic racer, Fatal Inertia, and non-futuristic hack 'n slasher, Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War.No indication was given whether the delay affects the Xbox 360 versions.
Another Wii sword fighter inbound
With the confirmation that Koei's Samurai Warriors spin-off is heading to the North American Wii, we have to wonder how many sword-fighting games we'll be able to handle in the long run before seppuku becomes an attractive alternative. Sengoku Musou Wave will be redubbed Samurai Slash in the West, a title that's impressively accurate in describing the actual gameplay. If slashing things from a first-person perspective sounds familiar, it's because Red Steel attempted the very same thing. The upcoming Dragon Quest: Swords boasts a similar concept as its primary gameplay mechanic and eventually, LucasArts will get around to making that Star Wars lightsaber game. The fun parallels between swinging the Wii controller and swinging a sword essentially demand that such games be made, but just like with any other console, we could eventually face a flood of me-too titles built around the same, unchanging concept. Even on a system that encourages innovation, game developers face the danger of lapsing into a lazy genre trap. Is the "guy with two guns" game any better than the "guy with a sword" game?(And where's the "guy with two sticks" game?)
TGS 06: Which games support wireless? [Update 1]
The good folks at IGN have compiled a fantastic list of games that support ad-hoc (local) wireless and infrastructure wireless. It's been slow to start, but more and more games have been adding support for internet play and downloadable levels, and they should be commended. The games that use Infrastructure mode include: Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Monster Hunter Portable 2 (downloadable levels only) Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Kingdom of Paradise 2 (downloadable items only) Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology (online leaderboard & downloadable levels only) Mahjong Fight Club P-Kara While this isn't a huge list of games, it's a huge improvement over the early years of the system's life. I'm happy with the support we get from heavy-hitters like Ratchet & Clank and Metal Gear Solid.[Update 1: This list is only of games present at TGS. There are tons of other games that feature wireless support that aren't on display.]
TGS: Koei to show *yawn* Wii Dynasty Warriors, PS3 concepts are *fingers crossed* more original
Koei has revealed plans to preview Sengoku Musou Wave (Dynasty Warriors) for Wii at Tokyo Game Show. So what's more tired than another "historical" hack n' slash sequel? How about a mahjong game based on a "historical" hack n' slash series? Yep, Koei will also be showing off a Sengoku Musou-themed mahjong title for PSP and DS. Thankfully, Koei's PlayStation 3 support deviates from the developer's norm -- at least, in three out of four games to be featured at TGS. Most notable, but unfortunately unplayable, is Ni-Oh, billed as an action game in which bodyguard monks must defend Buddha. Of course, Koei could be tossing this concept into the Sengoku Musou engine and churning out another Dynasty clone, in which case, Koei's non-brawler offerings fall to just two, an aerial combat racing game (Fatal Inertia) and *sigh* a mahjong game (Mahjong Contest IV). Don't worry Europe, you ain't missin' much.
First Circle of Doom artwork unleashed
Developer Blue Side has gracefully decided to share some early and undeniably striking concept art for their forthcoming Xbox 360 sequel, Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom. Though the Kingdom Under Fire series failed to set retail charts on fire during its run on the original Xbox, vocal fans won't allow you to overlook the game's considerable critical success. The Xbox 360 version's main draw is its Xbox Live functionality, allowing up to 4 players to go on a hack 'n slash frenzy through dark fantasy lands, presumably populated by psychotic clown-men.
PS3 update hinted to arrive on the Ides of March
Speaking with reporters at a recent Dynasty Warriors event, Koei vice-president Kiyoshi Komatsu hinted at a Sony event to be held on March 15 at an unspecified location in Japan. Though Sony refused to comment on the event, this latest revelation has sparked hopes that Sony is finally ready to come clean about the status of the PlayStation 3. March 15, or the "Ides of March," was thought to be an auspicious date in the Roman calendar—it's also the day Julius Caesar was assassinated. To borrow the phrase from Mr. Shakespeare, all ye doubters best "beware the Ides of March.”
