Populous
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Populous: Demon days
In Populous DS, you do your society-building stuff as one of five elemental gods. Each god has a counterpart demon who comes by and gets all up in your business (which is civilization). These demons look similar to the player's god characters, but all evil and such. For example, the plant goddess looks like she's dressed in greenery, while the plant demon has all kinds of twisted tendrils and stuff coming out of her arms. The rest of the demons, similarly, look fit for inclusion on a Dio album cover.To combat these celestial jerks, and to help shape your land, your character has access to special elemental "miracles." These include earthquakes, gusts of wind, and even a mass growth of mushrooms that can be used to cure viruses.GAME Watch has character art of all the demons, along with screens that show the effects of the miracles. It's still Populous, so think more "the grid looking just like it always does, but some squares turn a different color" and less "amazing graphical effects."%Gallery-11987%
Populous trailer rises up for your viewing pleasure
We don't know how many of you are interested in importing this world-builder god sim, but for those considering it, you might find this (non-embeddable) trailer to be worth watching. The game looks like it has plenty of deities and levels to keep sim lovers busy for a while. The short cutscenes are also looking cool, and we think they add a nice touch when it comes to reaping destruction on the land.The game will be importable soon, as Populous DS is set to release in Japan on February 21st.%Gallery-11987%
Fresh Populous screens release
A handful of new screens for EA's Populous DS have hit, courtesy of the official Japanese website for the game. Each of the new screens provides a small glimpse into some aspect of the game. The problem is that machine translation isn't the best, so wrapping our head around what each screen actually shows has been a problem. Still, we can gather that the game board has been retooled to allow the player to see more of the game world at once, as well as some of the game's more powerful attacks, such as tsunamis and earthquakes. So, we're not entirely clueless. As tough as it has been to find information on the game, we'll keep taking these screens. The more we see, the more we want.Be sure to hit up our gallery below for the new screens.%Gallery-11987%[Via Wiiz]
Doing that god thing with Populous
The DS take on the classic Populous is set for a release next February (in Japan, at least), and it looks like things are shaping up well. At least, it looks like Populous, and that's what's really important here. Of course, we're interested in more details on the game as well, such as control scheme (stylus only, or a variety of approaches?), but if all we get right now are screenshots, well, we'll take 'em. You can take 'em yourself in our gallery below.%Gallery-11987%
Populous teases us with website
The Japanese site for Populous DS has risen from the bottom of the tubes we call the internet and has thrust itself out there for all to see. In checking out what it has to offer, we found that there isn't really anything there right now. You can check out a couple of screens (which you have probably already seen before) and try to make sense of all the kanji there, should you choose. Or, you can just keep reading DS Fanboy and we'll update you as to when the site has some real content.
Populous screens pop up
When it was revealed that Peter Molyneaux's Populous franchise would hit the DS, we became very excited. Then, we got our first blurry look at the game and we found the cosmetic change to be quite nice. Shortly after, Famitsu got the scoop on some actual sreens that weren't taken with a dirty-lensed camera phone.Well, Dengeki has got some more assets, expanding the wealth of screens that Famitsu brought to our attention. So, if you're into that kind of thing, we suggest you check them out.
Peter Molyneux's Populous coming to Nintendo DS
Before he was integrating man's best friend into Fable 2, Peter Molyneux designed a little game called Populous, which was subsequently the inspiration for an entire genre of simulation games known as "god games." Though it was officially (and quietly) announced two months ago, the Populous DS buzz is finally beginning to build, with screens and details of the portable remake appearing in a recent issue of Famitsu Magazine.According to our buddies over at DS Fanboy, the remake will feature wireless multiplayer for up to four people, and options for both stylus-driven and classic control. The game's levels will be collected from the original's numerous sequels, expansions, and editions. Famitsu reports a February 2008 release for the game in Japan.
First clear look at Populous DS
Hey, awesome! A Marble Madness level generator for the DS! ... Oh, wait, no, it's just Populous DS. That's okay too, we suppose. It's just ... it looks a lot like Marble Madness, and we like Marble Madness in general better than strategy-type sim games where you build OH HEY look at that guy! He's pretty impressive!Does anyone else find it interesting that Japanese publications get the scoops on this game? It's a remake of a very Western game from a very Western developer, published by EA! But so far, the only release date the game has is the Japanese date of December 31st. It could be that a Japanese EA team is porting it -- or maybe EA wants to give us plenty of time with EA Playground before announcing another big game.
First blurry look at Populous DS
Almost two months since its game was announced, Electronic Arts has finally published tangible details and the first screenshots for Populous DS in this week's issue of Famitsu.Due next February 21st, this remake of the god game will feature both touchscreen and classic controls, though these isometric sims seem to lend themselves to the former. In addition to four different modes -- Challenge, Free Play, VS (up to four players, and Gallery -- Populous DS will come packed with popular maps from its many, many previous editions on PCs and consoles. Peek past the post break for a camera-phone shot of the Famitsu page.
TGS07: EA Populating the DS
This story came and went in a puff of smoke on many sites -- maybe for clarification? -- but GoNintendo still has the information up, and since it is so very exciting, we felt we had to share. Move over, Sim City ... Populous is headed to the DS! For those not familiar with the title in one of its many previous incarnations, Populous places players in the role of a god with a single human follower, and from there, you're charged to build an entire civilization. But you're not alone -- and the DS version is set to capitalize on that aspect with a four-person multiplayer mode. Between the handheld's portability and touchscreen functionality, we're very much excited about this latest news!1UP still has the title listed, but their short preview seems to be down. Little information is available at this time, but we'll keep an ear to the ground for anything that develops.
Molyneux discusses Wii and PS3
Gamespot UK recently had a Q & A session with Lionhead's Peter Molyneux (Populous, Black & White). Lionhead Studios, who was acquired by Microsoft last April, has also developed such hits as The Movies and Fable. During the interview, the console wars debate came up and Peter's response was surprisingly Wii-positive, but of course he couldn't help but cram some praise for the 360 in there as well. As for Sony, he said: GSUK: There seems to be a backlash mounting against the PlayStation 3, while the Wii seems to be going from strength to strength. How do you think the next-gen console war is going to stack up? PM: Well, I have been through console wars before, but this one strikes me as particularly interesting. Nintendo has done a great job of convincing us that next gen is about game play rather than high-tech specs. Microsoft has done an incredible job of expanding games online and making them more mass market. Sony, in my view, seems it has been rather more lazy with their message. How all this pans out really depends on one thing and that is the brilliance of the titles that appear on each platform over the next two to three years. Marketing the hardware is nothing compared to the games that run on it, so I expect the system with the greatest games on it to end up on top. Everyone has been very supportive of the one-two punch combo of the Wii and Xbox 360, leaving Sony to stew in their own stolen juices, forgetting that Microsoft is in fact the competition for Nintendo as well. Just like Reggie said in his USA Today interview, he'd rather see consumers buying the Wii, along with some games and accessories, over buying both consoles and creating an opportunity to sell more of his competitor's product. We couldn't agree more.
