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Castlevania, Lost in Blue out next year in Europe
We're not sure whether this counts as a delay, as we don't recall either of these titles being given a release date in the first place, but Konami has now confirmed that Europe won't see Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia or Lost in Blue 3 until 2009. With any luck, we'll still be getting Time Hollow when promised.We Euro folk can probably all agree to bide our time for Lost in Blue 3 -- especially after the reception it got -- but no Castlevania for at least another 70 days? Noooooo! Considering we have vampires for real here in Europe, we must question the wisdom of not letting us getting some Dracula-whupping practice in at the earliest possible date.%Gallery-22992% Like Castlevania? We do -- to an embarrassing degree. Check out our impressions of Order of Ecclesia from E3, settle in for a trailer, or go Behind the Boxart with a Konami graphic designer. But enough talk -- have at you!
Retail and download releases for the week of September 22nd
Click image for more screens Well folks, just as stated, we've got a new Mega Man game to play this week. What's even better is that along with the sure-to-be-awesome Mega Man 9, we've also got some solid retail releases. And there's a surprise or two with this week's Virtual Console releases, as well. Head on past the break for the info. This week is going to be chock full of gaming goodness.%Gallery-30253%
E308: Wii Fanboy survives Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked
Click to embiggen While cruising around Konami's booth at E3, I saw Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked and, honestly, wasn't too excited to play it. Once the demo person showed me exactly what was up with the demo (a variety of minigames and the main Survivor mode), the title grew on me a tad, but, overall, failed to leave me with the impression that it could provide a lengthy, worthwhile experience.%Gallery-22949%
E308: Konami booth tour in photos
Click to take the photo tour We stopped by the Konami booth today, to check out all of their titles (and stand around, looking all cool like we do). Surprisingly, the folks at Konami did not object to us taking some photos of their space. We'd like to say our tour includes several shots of Igarashi, but he was on a break while we were there. Our horrible streak of being unlucky continues.Hit up the photos below to check out the space and get an idea of what to expect in the way of impressions later.%Gallery-27870%
Shipwrecked with more screens
If you could take only one item with you to a deserted island, what would it be? If you answered Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked, that's pretty funny. The "only one item" rule prohibits taking a Wii with you to play it on -- not to mention the whole lack of electricity thing.Take a look at the latest screens in the gallery and make your choice. Is this really the game you'd want to have with you? You can shear sheep, watch your pets put on a show and even do some skipping. Not the most productive tasks when stranded, but it can't be all hunting and gathering.%Gallery-22949%
Lost in Blue to wash ashore this fall
Blurry English screens were a big indication that Lost in Blue: Shipwrecked! was being localized outside of Japan, and Konami already announced a fall target for the game in North America. The company recently offered a European projection as well, though. Apparently, PAL nations (perhaps not Australia) can expect Shipwrecked! in the fall, too, along with the third title in the DS series.Famitsu also has some new screens for the game, which may not be blurry but definitely don't live up to the Wii's graphical powers. As for the gameplay, the images give you a sense of what kind of survival activities Lost in Blue will demand from you, and reveal a cute mouse-like creature that the castaways seem to befriend. Just click on past the break if you'd like to take a look. Gallery: Lost in Blue
Lost in Blurriness
One of three things is happening: Lost in Blue on the Wii is actually this blurry. Our sight is finally going from spending too long looking at Doki Doki Majo Shinpan Duo screenshots. Mother said it would happen! Somebody broke in overnight and maliciously slathered our monitors in Vaseline. As it stands, those are the only three explanations we can muster for these blur-o-rific Lost in Blue screens, the first English language shots to appear. They actually look a little better shrunk down (see above), but the same can't be said for the full-size versions. Are we being harsh by suggesting those smudgy textures recall the dreaded Nintendo 64 fuzz? We only criticize because we want this to be just right!%Gallery-22949%[Via press release]
A first look at Lost in Blue
Some awesome ideas coupled with mediocre execution: that's the story of Lost in Blue so far. Hopefully the potential of the series will be realized now that Konami has shifted development from the DS to the Wii, and these scans, extracted from the pages of CoroCoro magazine, are a promising start.If you've played any of the Lost in Blue games on the DS, much of what appears in these screens will look comfortingly familiar -- dislodging coconuts from trees, starting fires, cooking with rudimentary tools -- but there appears to be the odd new feature as well; for instance, we don't recall a dog being in any of the DS games (though feel free to correct us there). Hit the "Read" link below for the full scans.
Wii Warm Up: System hopping
We've seen games that originated on the DS hop to the Wii -- Lost in Blue is the latest example, but a more notable instance might be Trauma Center. Do you think switching consoles mid-series is a good idea? If so, are there any particular switches that made more sense on the Wii? And how about the DS? Have there been any franchises that you think should have stayed on the portable?
Lost in Blue changes consoles
Gamefly hinted a few months back that Lost in Blue was jumping ship to the Wii -- a rumor that has now been confirmed for Japan.Konami announced the game by adding it to the Survival Kids list on the company's Japanese website (Survival Kids is the title of the series in Japan). Spencer Yip from Siliconera informs us that the game will have a multiplayer option and offer some sort of online component, but other than that, little is known.We're sure this game could be a good fit for the Wii, as long as Konami doesn't go overboard with the waggle. There's a lot of survival activities that the Wiimote could work well for, though, so we're willing to wait and see how this one pans out.[Via Siliconera]
Lost in Blue possibly landing on the Wii
Gamefly has always been a great source for finding out about new games, and thanks to some sleuthing from the folks at Siliconera, another one may have been revealed.According to a listing on the game rental site, Konami's DS series Lost in Blue might be jumping ship to the Wii. As Levi points out, the game can be an even better fit on the Wii than it was on the DS. While the DS is a great system for adventure games, the Wiimote might make the minigame portions of the title more fun and less tedious. Furthermore, we've already seen that point-and-click works well on the Wii, so Lost in Blue has the potential to become a welcome addition on the little white console.We know that a lot of you are fans of the quirky survival series, so what are your thoughts on this rumor?[Via Siliconera]
2007's crop of crap games
Though we put together our own list of terrible DS games just two weeks ago, the more recommendations we have on games to avoid, the better off we'll all be.Aside from erroneously describing Lifesigns as a Trauma Center clone (Kenshuui Tendo Dokuta saw its Japanese release six months before Atlus' surgery sim), Pocket Gamer's ten worst DS games of 2007 excellently outlines which of this year's games you shouldn't spend your hard-earned money on. It has an even sampling of shovelware (e.g. MinDStorm: Train Your Brain and B-17 Fortress in the Sky) and titles with potential that fell flat on their faces (e.g. The Settlers and Lost in Blue 2) -- this way, you're not only warned of games that obviously suck, but of games that mask their severe failings until it's too late, as well.
Lost in Blue adapts to survive
When (if) Lost in Blue 3 arrives on our shores, you may be surprised at its appearance. Konami has changed the art style used for the character portraits, from normal human proportions to more of a chibi look. In fact, the simplified characters look more like the avatars found on Japanese livedoor blogs than anything else. Hopefully the change in appearance won't ruin the grave atmosphere of the game during those dolphin chats.We would be surprised if we got a deluxe pack for the game like Japan is getting on the 20th. The Survival Kids Original Gloves and Towel Compressed Set includes -- you guessed it -- a towel and some gloves. We're guessing that they're vacuum-sealed and compressed like those football-shaped t-shirts. The idea, we think, is for you to be able to fit them into a bag in case you encounter a survival situation requiring ... a towel and some gloves. At the very least, a tiny, compressed towel would make it easier for you to identify as a hoopy frood.[Via GoNintendo]
Lost in Blue 3 could be found in North America soon
A listing for Lost in Blue 3 (when are these folks going to be found already?!) has emerged on EB Games' website, causing many to believe the game is bound for a North American release sometime soon. As it stands right now, the game is currently set to release in Japan next week.Regarding a proposed release date outside of Japan, the listing at EB Games (which has since been pulled down) states the title will ship in March of 2008. Odds are this will happen, of course, considering the first two titles graced retail shelves in other territories. The real question is: do you care?
Commune with your fellow mammals in Lost in Blue 3
Say you're stranded on an island with a couple of adorably helpless anime children. For ... oh, the third time. You're going to be there for a while, doing your best to survive, keeping a fire going, looking for food, defending yourself and your completely useless companions. When you aren't collapsing from exhaustion and malnutrition, why not make the best of your time by learning dolphin language? Konami's Lost in Blue 3 contains a new dolphin communication minigame, a rhythm game in which you speak into the DS microphone in time with musical notes. Maybe if you get close enough to the dolphin society, they'll lend you one of their submarines!
New Lost in Blue 2 details and screens
There's some updated news on Lost in Blue 2, including gameplay details. Notably, players can choose to navigate the game as either the male or female character, and Jack and Amy each have their own unique skills. Previously, we thought the setup was similar to the original Lost in Blue, with the girl serving as an unplayable character (at least, until you beat it once). Also, the sequel will feature a limited two-player mode via local wireless, in which players can compete in survival mini-games. We're hoping for things like "Outrun the Croc" so we can watch our pals brutally eaten. That's just good, clean fun.Once again, the touch screen and microphone will be a big part of the game, but Konami promises to expand on touchscreen play for a more immersive and interesting experience. Let's hope for less drudgery and more fun.
Pointy sticks in Lost in Blue sequel
Er, we mean self defense, obviously, via the use of pointy sticks. Jeux France has all sorts of new goodies from the survival-centric Lost in Blue 2, including new screens that show off some of the in game actions, from building a fire to protecting your little lost lambs as they struggle to eke out a place in the wild.Check out the new screens after the jump.
Lost in Blue 2
You know the question "what would you do if you were stranded on a deserted island?" Well, Lost in Blue tried to answer just that last year by making players survive on an island with only one companion. Like the first game, Lost in Blue 2 will have you take control of a male character stranded on an island with a female friend at his side. Players might be pleased that a few changes have been made. The girl can now hold her breath longer, she is more accurate with a bow and better at finding certain ingredients for meals. The boy is better at recovering energy, climbing trees and fighting. Their island will feature unpredictable climate changes causing the island to experience earthquakes and hurricanes. The stylus will play a more important role in the game this time around. It will be used for carpentry, wicker work and cooking food. Lost in Blue 2's (that kinda rhymes eh? Just add an 'electric boogaloo' to the end and we've made some magic) new features will make the game more challenging. We can only imagine how one would stay stable during an earthquake or hurricane. [Via Nintendo DS Emulation]
