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Zoonami "happily dedicated" to Wii
CVG chatted with Zoonami's Martin Hollis (best known for his involvement with Goldeneye 007 and Perfect Dark while at Rare) about his game design philosophy and his current projects. As happens in developer interviews, the subject of a possible Wii game came up. Hollis responded: " We are happily dedicated to Wii, which is a very exciting console indeed, and are working on multiple projects." The Zendoku developer also stated boldly that "I also believe that Wii will change the world." Of course, besides the obvious sales benefits of developing software for a popular system like the Wii, and the suitability of the system for puzzle games and other casual fare, it also seems that because the Wii is such a social phenomenon, developers can get good press just for saying they like it. Which, for Zoonami, is good, because who knows when they'll get a game out?
DS releases for the week of June 18th
Welcome to an incredible week for Nintendo fans! This week, the DS (and the Wii as well!) will see some highly anticipated titles make their debut, and a late addition to last week's releases is now available as well -- the budget Brain Buster Puzzle Pak shipped after last week's announcements. Not that we need anything extra after looking at this line-up: Brothers in Arms DS Full Metal Alchemist Trading Card Game Sim City DS Time Ace Transformers: Autobots Transformers: Deceptacons Zendoku While you agonize over your choices this week, let's check out the releases for the rest of the world. It's a big week for Japan -- Phantom Hourglass hits shelves there this week!
DS releases for the week of June 11th
Well, it looks like the time has come for everyone to decide whether or not they want to give Zendoku a go. Also this week, it looks like gamers everywhere will have a chance to go up against the Silver Surfer if they so desire. Do you? Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer Time Ace Zendoku Hit the jump to see what the rest of the world is in store for this week!
Friday Video: Checking out Zendoku
It's no secret that we're fans of the kinda games that blend puzzles with ... non-puzzle stuff. The point is, we're all about putting a little action in the middle of our puzzles, so long as it doesn't slow down the act of puzzling. Pretty pictures, neat backgrounds, weird SRPG motifs ... we're okay with these elements. But we're not quite sure about Zendoku. While we're in favor of the idea, the execution leaves us a little, well, puzzled. In the short video after the jump, we get a chance to check out the mechanics in action, and it seems like everything just takes a long time -- and that takes away from our actual purpose in playing. Maybe it's just us, though. Give it a look and tell us what you think.
DS releases for the week of May 7th
DS owners in the U.S. are out of luck this week -- we got nothin.' It's bound to happen sometimes. We recommend you use this week to catch up on all those unfinished games you have. You know you need the time ... and saving a little cash this week isn't bad, either. Anyway, we know you're all still obsessed with your Pokemans. Don't even try to deny it.For the rest of the world, where they are luckier than we are this week, hit the jump.
DS releases for the week of April 30th
This week is apparently the official week for movie tie-ins, because that's all we have coming out for our beloved DS here in the States. This week, Europe and Australia are the places to be, when it comes to games, and how often do you guys get to say that? Don't worry -- tomorrow, some delay will be announced for you guys, and it'll be back to business as usual.We don't poke fun at you. We're commiserating. Luckily, this week there are games slated to hit PAL regions that are worth the wait, particularly in Australia. On the shelves this week in the U.S.: Shrek the Third Spider-Man 3 For the rest of the world, check after the jump.
Zendoku offers Sudoku battle action
Think sudoku is for chumps? Well, Zendoku is trying to change all of that. The game takes the classic numbers-on-a-grid gameplay of sudoku and spices it up with ninjas (and other generic, stereotypical characters)! Zendoku is trying to do to sudoku what Puzzle Quest did to Bejeweled. Is this action-oriented approach to sudoku necessary? Or does it add too many distracting elements in what should be a much simpler game?
Zendoku shows off characters, gameplay
At the announcement of Zendoku, we found ourselves scratchin' our noggins, knowing only that the game sought to combine Sudoku with "exciting puzzle battle action." Then, we found out everything we could possibly need to know about the game, feeling content and full on succulent gaming knowledge, sitting back in our lounge chair and undoing the first button on our pants like we had just spent the last 4 hours at a buffet, gorging ourselves on more food than we could possibly need. Then, a trailer for the game emerged.We've embedded the trailer past the post break for all you puzzle maniacs looking to see the game in action and catch a look at the game's characters.[Via QJ]
Everything you ever wanted to know about Zendoku
If you've heard that Zendoku is a fusion of sudoku and martial arts, you might have wondered why. We don't blame you; on the face, it certainly seems like an unusual combination, but Pocket Gamer's interview with Zendoku creator Martin Hollis reveals the inspiration behind this unusual puzzler, and much more as well. So what's the story? It's simple, really. "Sudoku needed some ninjas," Hollis said. Frankly, what doesn't need a ninja or six?Now that the question of inspiration is out of the way, the next logical question is: how does one mix puzzles and action? In Zendoku -- which uses symbols, not numbers -- the puzzle board, if you will, is the field of combat. Completing a row, section, or column initiates an attack -- and those attacks are played out in microgames. It all sounds good on paper, but we'll have to give it a try to see if it's any fun in action. It may be promising, but sometimes you just want to finish the puzzle, you know?
Zendoku set to make us care about Sudoku again
We'll admit it -- when we first saw Sudoku in our local paper, we were a little taken with the simple logic puzzle. When we found a decent touch-screen version included with our copy of Brain Age, we thought it was a nice little bonus. Now, however, when it seems everybody and their brother is trying to cash in with a video game version of the little time waster, we find it harder and harder to care about those little grids of numbers. That was until we stumbled across the website for Zendoku, an Eidos-produced version of the familiar puzzle for the DS. Zendoku spices up the basic Sudoku gameplay with an RPG-style quest-mode, a two-player wireless battle mode (complete with blockable attacks) and super-deformed martial arts stereotype characters. Sounds a bit like Super Puzzle Fighter II: Turbo to us, and it looks like it has the same potential to spice up an overdone puzzle genre. We'll let you know if it does when it comes out June 1.
Zoonami announces Zendoku for the DS
Zoonami, the Cambridge-based developers, have announced they will be creating a new puzzle game called Zendoku for the DS. Publishing duties for the game will be handled by Eidos Interactive and it is said to combine "exciting puzzle battle action" with Sudoku gameplay. Other details on the title have yet to be revealed, however the press release does confirm wireless multiplayer without elaborating whether said support will include Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connect service or not.
