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The Best of Big Download: August 11-17
We have had a busy week at the PC centric Big Download site. As we approach two big gaming events (next week's Games Convention and Labor Day weekend's Penny Arcade Expo) we should have even more to write about in the coming days. In the meantime let's look back at the week that was:Exclusive Features Reviews: We review a number of games this week including Space Siege, the latest American McGee's Grimm episode and the first chapter of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. Big Ideas: Our latest look at game themes takes a look at gender roles in games. Freeware Friday: This week our free game is the strategy title Battle for Wesnoth. BigCast: It's our seventh edition of the Big Download podcast. Downloads Unreal Tournament 3 patch: Grab the 1.3 patch for Epic Games' latest shooter title. Strong Bad Episode 1 demo: Check out the free portion of Telltale Games' latest episodic title Romance of the Three Kingdoms Xi demo: Try out a portion of Koei's PC port of their strategy game Star Trek Online trailer: Check out the first gameplay trailer from Cryptic Studios' MMO Empire: Total War trailer: Check out some naval battle action from the upcoming historical RTS game. Aion trailer: Check out this trailer for NCsoft's upcoming MMO News EA to publish new Epic Games/People Can Fly title Team Fortress 2 Heavy update due next week Spore has gone gold Carrier Command: Gaea announced New Sword of the Stars expansion announced Codemasters unveils plans for Overlord II Bionic Commando PC gets extra content after all
VC Friday: Something fishy
Arguably more a relaxation tool than a game, Hudson's My Aquarium makes its western debut in the latest PAL update today. Its price, just 500 Wii Points, reflects its status as the Endless Ocean of WiiWare; it's definitely a good deal cheaper than the real thing. The in-jokey Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner completes the line-up, while the Virtual Console is put on the backburner for another week.My Aquarium -- WiiWare -- 500 Wii PointsStrong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii PointsSpread your fins and swim past the break for video of each.%Gallery-29482%
Metareview - Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People (Wii, PC)
We, like many of you, we'd imagine, have been spending some time this week with Strong Bad's first WiiWare/PC adventure. On the whole, we've been really impressed by how well it captures the world of its cartoon source material (it's actually funny!) though we far too frequently find ourselves with no idea of what to do next. But what matters our opinion? Let's consult the internet hive mind for a giant slice of their style. IGN (81/100): "Like most games in this genre, some of the solutions can be a bit esoteric. But that comes with the territory, and a little trial and error will get you past any obstacles." Giant Bomb (60/100): "Based on the just-past-their-prime animated shorts found on Homestarrunner.net (it's dot com!), Strong Bad seems to demand a little more familiarity with the source material than Telltale's Sam & Max series did. As someone who went through a serious Strong Bad phase, I've found the initial experience to be amusing at best, and mildly pleasant at worst." Gamervision (70/100): "I had faith, because Telltale has yet to let me down, but I was definitely skeptical about the game. Now, having played through the first episode, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner, I am happy to report that they did a pretty nice job."
Wii Strong Bad glitch making you Strong Mad? Try this un-awesome fix
So you're jauntily making your way through the first "episode" of Strong Bad's video game debut on your Wii and ... freeze. Sadly this can't be remedied by shouting "UNFROZEN!" at the screen in your best imitation of the luchador-masked star's mighty voice.Nope, according to some sleuthing by ThatVideoGameBlog, the freeze – which happens at the exact same point in the game for everyone, it seems – can only be avoided by following the advice on developer Telltale Games' message board. And what might that be? Oh, just setting your Wii to output in ye olde 4:3, 480i mode. Evidently, turning off widescreen and progressive scan output solves the problem. We'd much rather, oh, download a patch. Unfortunately, Telltale isn't telling tales of such a fix yet.[Via NWF]
Strong Bad freezing? Take your Wii out of widescreen display mode
We haven't heard much in the way of problems with Telltale's newest episodic game, Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People. One of our incredibly handsome commenters had some other kind of issue, but it's nothing like what ThatVideoGameBlog is reporting.Apparently, at the same spot in the episode, the whole game would freeze, locking up the console. Others over at the Telltale forums were reporting the same issue, yet they found a fix: take the console out of widescreen display mode and set it to standard (also suggested is turning off 480p and setting the system to 480i). This seems to correct the issue, yet means gamers will have to put up with some black bars on outside of the screen and none of that delicious progressive scan all the kids are crazy about. Until Telltale can patch the game, it looks like this is the only fix for those suffering from freezing. [Via ThatVideoGameBlog]%Gallery-29377% Strong Bad's Game for Attractive People isn't the only notable WiiWare title. Capcom's upcoming Mega Man 9 has managed to turn a few heads (and might have even gotten other companies to think about retro revivals). There's also the upcoming Tetris Party and Alien Crush Returns, both from Hudson. Oh, and let's not forget Space Invaders Get Even!
Wii Warm Up: Your thoughts on Strong Bad's first episode
Many of you were chomping at the bit to get your hands on Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People (SBCG4AP for the cool abbreviation folk). Now that you were able to download and get a little play time in, what do you think? Some of you cared to offer your opinions in the comments of our review of the game, but we would like this to be the catch-all. So chime in already!%Gallery-20307%
This week's Nintendo Channel videos burninate your retinas
This week's videos have some choice snippets that you should watch. For those of you who got a kick out of last week's Madden 09 All-Play videos, there are some more of those up for grabs. The best of the best has to be what we embedded above, though. After you're done watching that, head on past the break for the full list.%Gallery-29377%
Wii Fanboy Review: Strong Bad Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner
Click for full-sized image When booting up my review copy of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, I thought about how long it had actually been since I took a trip around the Homestar website (plug). Sad to say, it had been years. So, I was curious to see where these characters had gone in the long time since I laughed at their antics.Thankfully, they haven't changed much over the years.%Gallery-29377%
Retail and download releases for the week of August 11th
This week brings lots of content to the Wii. We've got a pair of new Virtual Console games, some fresh WiiWare action and even some retail game love, for good measure. If you're looking for something new to enjoy on your Wii, then you're certainly in luck. The biggest title to release this week is undoubtedly Madden 09 All-Play. Were any of you looking forward to this one? Can't wait to go pick up your copy?Head past the break for the full details on what's new this week on Wii.
Strong Bad burninates WiiWare today
It's been delayed more times than we can count with our boxing glove hands, but, finally, the moment you've waited for since the beginning of the millennium has arrived: The Homestar Runner universe has made its way to video games with Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People (Telltale Games, 1 player, 1,000 Wii Points) on WiiWare and PC.We, like most of you, we'd imagine, have been a little slack in our Homestar Runner patronage in recent years. But we've been visiting lately to get prepped for the game and trust us, it still holds up enough to have us plenty excited for the game. Will you be picking it up? (Update: Our friends at Nintendo Wii Fanboy have a review of the game, calling it a "quite fun and an excellent piece of fan service.")
Strong Bad finally arriving August 11
As you might have noticed, the first episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People, "Homestar Ruiner," did not make its target month of July. Maybe he was too busy pining for Trevor or [insert more recent Strong Bad reference here], who knows? Thankfully, the wait has nearly ended: Telltale has announced on its site that the first episode will arrive on WiiWare and PC Aug. 11.We're happy to finally see SB make the leap to the somewhat larger, yet still small screen. But we're more hopeful that the announcement means Telltale can now move on the to the episodic Teen Girl Squad game we all secretly crave.
Telltale tempts fate, names release date for Strong Bad
In what seems like an especially Dangeresque move after Nintendo's total dis of third parties' Virtual Console scheduling, Telltale Games sent out a press release announcing the release date for the first episode of Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People.Assuming that Telltale has paid proper tribute to their feudal lords at Nintendo, Homestar Ruiner will be out next Monday in North America for 1,000 Wii Points. Future episodes should release every month after that. We hope it's true. We feel like we've been waiting since last month for this game, and we'd be pretty sad if Nintendo SBLOUNSKCHED the release.%Gallery-20307%
Nintendo Channel video updates take a look at Madden NFL 09
We're excited about Madden NFL 09. Oh no, sports on a game blog, run! But, in all seriousness, this year's Madden NFL 09 looks like it's going to be a solid title and unique from the other versions available. Plus, the All-Play stuff looks fun. If the video up top tickles your fancy, then the one past the break is going to blow you away.Also, check out the latest video updates to the Nintendo Channel tucked away back there as well.
New screens, video, 'tech demo' for Telltale's Strong Bad
click to enlarge It won't be long now. Despite a short delay into the far-off month of July (or: "next month"), Telltale's episodic adaptation of Strong Bad – delicately titled Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People – will be opening mail on WiiWare and PC shortly. To get you in the mood, Telltale just dropped a handful of new screens along with a new gameplay video on our doorstep (seriously, just left it there).What we'd really like for you to check out is the "tech demo" showing off the game's incredible engine. Series creators Matt and Mike Chapman write that their "engine is about 98% finished" but they're still having "some trouble with the fence physics or 'phensics' as they say in the gaming industry." It's true, the phensics don't look quite right ... %Gallery-24933%
Strong Bad's game looks SO GOOD!
Hey, olda boys: do you still miss video games? You'll be able to play next month, and as a bonus, you'll have the ability to create custom Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive PeopleTeen Girl Squad cartoons! The latest screens offer us the first look at Strong Bad's amazing, uh, table, where the genius himself (or even you!) comes up with all the deep Teen Girl Squad storylines. While the trailer (after the post break) may be DEVOID'D of Teen Girl Squad content, it totally confirms the appearance in Episode 1: Homestar Ruiner of one of the most lovable characters in all of the Homestar Runner universe: The Stick. Or is The Stick more of a location than a character?If that's not Strong Badical enough, you can play an exclusive tech demo at Strong Bad's dev blog!%Gallery-20307%
Strong Bad game gets delayed until July
To us laymen, game design doesn't seem terribly hard. Take, for example, Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People. It's being made by Telltale, which has already made an episodic humor game. Shouldn't it then be a simple matter of hitting Ctrl+F, finding all the "Sam and Max"'s and replacing them with "Strong Bad"s? Apparently, even this rudimentary task has proved too much for Telltale, as it has announced that the game's release has been pushed from its original window (June) into next month.The company said that it needed the extra time to "polish," which we imagine involves removing the various chipsets and memory unit boards the game is running on and buffing them with Endust and an old T-shirt to a brilliant sheen. Why does that take so long? Why is it even necessary? We just don't know.
Telltale's Sad Delay for Disappointed People
Kotaku posted the unfortunate news that Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, the WiiWare adventure game based on the bizarre Flash cartoon series (in case you somehow made it onto the Internet without passing through Free Country USA), has been delayed until July. Telltale Games confirmed the delay on their forums, with staffer "Jake" saying "We moved the launch of the season (less than a month) to make the game better."Telltale assured the unreasonably angry posters in the forum that once the game does launch, the company will stick to scheduled releases of new episodes. And we can wait for the first one, as long as it comes out before 20X6.%Gallery-20307%[Thanks, fco!]
Wii Warm Up: How about that flow?
Wow, we've been happy with WiiWare. You all have been happy with the titles, correct? Well, regardless of how you would rate the service so far, we have a tough question to ask.Do you think the steady flow of new titles will remain constant going forward? Would you expect at least one new WiiWare game each week, or do you think that the well is getting close to dried up? Sure, there's Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People to look forward to, but what else? Will the flow continue?
Telltale talks about Strong Bad, Sam & Max
The folks at Telltale Games have been talking up Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People, as well as the upcoming Wii port of Sam & Max, to TheBBPS. Aside from what was said to Joystiq last week, the team at Telltale Games revealed that the Strong Bad game will be running on the same engine that powers Sam & Max. Also revealed about Strong Bad is the inclusion of a "bizarre 'edutainment' title" in one of the upcoming episodes.In regards to Sam & Max, the decision to go with a retail product made more sense, but they aren't ruling out the possibility of hitting up WiiWare.%Gallery-20307%[Via X3F]
Telltale details first Strong Bad episode, 'Homestar Ruiner'
If our recent interview and the latest screenshots from Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People weren't enough to a satiate your interest in harassing the residents of Strongbadia, publisher Telltale has released some additional details for the forthcoming adventure game's first episode, titled "Homestar Ruiner," which will be released over WiiWare and the PC in June.According to Telltale, the plot, for people who care about such things, will see the bobble-headed Strong Bad scheming to win the tri-annual 'Race to the End of the Race' while also working to get a disgraced Homestar Runner from loafing around his domicile. As mentioned in the past, the game will include a variety of mini-games and other diversions, two of which Telltale has now revealed to be Snake Boxer 5 from Homestar's fictional game development studio, Videlectrix, as well as the ability for players to create their own Teen Girl Squad comics. SO GOOD!%Gallery-22983%
