GaminBites: August 2010

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A Look at Metroid Other M PreOrder Bonus

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Coming Soon, Metroid Other M Preorder Bonus

Expect a video about Metroid Other M, and an unboxing of the preorder bonus from GameStop.

Stay Tuned!!!

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Wii Becomes a Media Hub

People have trolled about the Wii lacking any kind of media hub,
well the homebrew community would like to say...

Stream Radio, Tv, Youtube, ShoutCast TV
Watch DVDs
Play almost all kind of videos,
Listen to music,
Look at Pictures,
and much more check it out!

http://www.wiimc.org/

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Where is the information Lucas Arts?

Wii owners by now are used to being kept in the dark about their version of multiplat games. Some attribute it to the lack of impressive sales for 3rd parties; but TFU1 on Wii was a different story it sold well. A couple weeks back I praised RedFly's progress with The Force Unleashed 2. The graphical improvements were quite impressive.

One would expect to see some game-play videos emerging from GamesCon (hands on- or some information from LucasArts themselves). One is exactly all we got.

Control wise, the game ditched the successful scheme of the first for pointer controls. More on that on a later date. But if the game looks better then the first why so quiet?

The internet is flooded with gameplay videos of the 360/PS3 version (PC is also left in the dark), why is that so? It would appear that the HD versions are more profitable then the Wii version, therefore it gets more of the spot light, but lets look at the facts.

First is sales, the most important part of a games reception.

The PS3 version's sales total are 1,603,878 worldwide.
The 360's version total's 2.3 million copies worldwide.
The Wii version's total at 1,482,593 worldwide.

The totals of each version are quite close with the exception of the Xbox 360 version. Now what needs to be taken into account is the development cost of the HD versions in comparison to the Wii version. The Wii version was outsourced to Krome, and was developed for the PS2 and then ported to the Wii. So the Wii version which is a port of the PS2 had the same development cost as a PS2 game. This is no where near the development cost of HD games. The amount of time needed to work DMM and Euphoria, plus all the HD asset that needed to be created add up. The Wii version sold a lot and was cheaper to make.

Now for the critical reception.
The Wii version averages a 73.56 on GameRankings
The PS3 version averages a 72.69 on GameRankings
The Xbox 360 version averages a 73.88 on GameRankings

The Wii version passes the PS3 version, and is short .32 of the 360 version. The Wii version sold a lot, cost less and was as positively received as the HD version and yet Wii owners are left in the dark.

Common LucasArts, give us some info.

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Monday, August 23, 2010

Go and Watch the GameOverThinker

Aside from the brilliant AVGN by James Rolfe, the GameOverThinker is the best commentary on video games I've seen in a while.
Go and check out his latest episode "The Emperor has no Clothes"
http://gameoverthinker.blogspot.com/2010/08/episode-39-emperor-has-no-clothes.html Read more...

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Live Action Metroid Commercial Screams EPIC

I really liked this commercial, the way it ties into all the cinematics of the game is outstanding.

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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Conduit 2 Online Gameplay

Looks good, some nice open enviorments are always welcome. I hope you can set up matches without lock-on enabled, other then that no complaints from me. What do you think? Leave your comments and impressions below.

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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Top Ten 3rd Party Graphical Achievements on Wii

While the Wii is no supreme powerhouse like its HD competitors, there are games that remind us how a game could look with some effort. Here are the top ten non-Nintendo games that remind us that a SD game can still look impressive.

Number 10: Deadly Creatures

While the game may not have sold a butt load of copies, overall the game was well received. Not only did the game have a great art-style but it had some impressive tech powering this gorgeous game. The models where incredibly detailed with fur effects and some nice texture work. Vast and varied levels for you to explore justifies this game's 10th spot.

Number 9: Darkside Chronicles

The next game on the list is Capcom's Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles. While Deadly Creatures didn't sell exceptionally well, DC sold an impressive (for a rail shooter) 632,581 copies. The game showcased some impressive visuals with great animations, and character models. This combined with the real-time lighting and CG cinematics gave the game a slick presentation, and a spot at number 9.

Number 8: No More Heroes 2

The first cell shaded beast to make the list, at number 8 is Suda51's No More Heroes 2. The game sports one of the most unique art styles to grace the system, combined with the great use of colors and ingame effects such as motion blur give this game a one of a kind look.

Number 7: Tatsunoko vs Capcom

The second cell-shaded, and second Capcom game to make the list is Tatsunoko vs Capcom. While Capcom's recent fighters have adapted a darker "black outline" look, this 2d fighter is a throwback to the colorful 2d sprites of the arcades. The game showcases some impressive attention to detail with some slick animations and great visual effects that makes launching Metsu Hadouken greatly rewarding.

Number 6: Sonic Colors

While Sega's Sonic Colors hasn't even been released yet, the game packs a serious graphical punch. It looks like Sonic is getting some Galaxy treatment from Sega, the detail in the environments is amazing. The Engine seems to keep up with the fast paced action, giving this game an overall slick look. With visuals that can bypass the HD versions of Unleashed this game earns its 6th spot on the list.

Number 5: Monster Hunter Tri

Here is another Capcom game makes it on the list. Monster Hunter Tri is one of the biggest and best games on the Wii. The game has ridiculously good animations that make the beasts look and feel deadly and real. Great looking environments to hunt in give this game a great outdoor atmosphere. The detail on the armor and weapons are as impressive as the giant and ferocious monsters. Monster Hunter Tri earns its spot on the list.
Number 4: Red Steel 2

Ubiosoft's Red Steel 2 slashes it way on the list, and it is the third cell-shaded game to appear. The game showcases some truly impressive artwork. The enemy design are excellent and the game is presented with a unique East meets West look. The game's engine keeps the slick animations and destruction at 60 fps. If you haven't checked out the game, not only does it look incredible it is great fun.

Number 3: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Climax's Silent Hill: Shattered Memories makes the top three. While some developers resort to a stylized look to bring the games to life, in Shattered Memories the game comes to life with an impressive real world look. The characters are able to convey emotions with the impressive facial animations. The game shows off an impressive engine capable of some great lighting and particle effects.

Number 2: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles : Crystal Bearers

Sqaure Enix's first appearance on the list makes its way through FF CC Crystal Bearers. While the game received mixed reviews from 10 all the way to 90, one thing that is certain is the games impressive visuals. The game features some of the best visuals on the system that can stand next to HD games in the same genre. The game features a giant world to explore, some great fur effects, crisp character models and great artwork. Combined with the care to detail and great cinematics Crystal Bears rightfully earns its spot as second best looking 3rd party game.

Number 1: Dead Space Extraction

The number one best looking 3rd party game on the Wii is without a doubt Dead Space Extraction. The character models are crisp, and the facial animations really convey the desperation of the characters. The game features impressive fire effects and explosions. The environment are atmospheric and the texture work is great. Lighting is especially well done and walking along the corridors is nerve racking. The pictures may not convey everything that was just said but take a minute to watch some gameplay

videos, and if you haven't already pick the game up.
Not only are the character models insanely detailed, but all the necromorphs are subject to dismemberment. Although the game is being shipped with Dead Space 2, take the chance to see what Visceral and Eurocom were able to achieve on the Wii.

Please leave your thoughts and comments below.

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Sunday, August 15, 2010

Infernal Engine solves Wii port issues

The infernal Engine was used to power the Ghostbuster video games, and is a cross-platform engine. From the picture above one would think the Wii would get quality multiplats. Usually Wii versions of multiplat games either get the water-down treatment or it is handed off to an obscure developer.

A good example of this is the game War for Cybertron. The Wii version was nothing like the HD counterparts, it hid behind the "built from the ground up" slogan. There is nothing wrong with building a game from the ground up, but they usually end up being rail shooters or buggy unfinished games (see the Wii version of Wolverine).

Obviously the Infernal engine can't be used for every Wii multiplat but it does seem to be a good solution.

The impressive Wii version of The Force Unleashed 2 by RedFly Studios

Red Fly was recently announced as the developer of The Force Unleashed 2 for the Wii platform. They have used the infernal engine before on the Ghostbusters game (on wii), lets hope we get similar results!

Feel free to check the pdf out for your self and leave your comments below!

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Conduit 2 Observation

Remember the boxart for the Conduit 2 that recently came out,

Take not of the helmet.

I think the Conduit 2's UI will be taking some inspiration for the Metroid Prime series.

Take not of the hud.

Look at how the hud bends in as if Mr.Ford is wearing a vizor- wait he is! HVS them selves have said that the A.S.E is going to be given a bigger role, so get ready to shoot down some aliens and read logs Metroid style!

Feel free to comment on all of the articles!

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Friday, August 13, 2010

Dead Space Extraction bombed? Conduit Bombed? Metro 2033 says hello.

No one denies that development for Wii games cost much less then HD games, and if a game on Wii happens to sell less then half a million people proclaim it a failure. Well the sales for METRO 2033 have "bombed" too, and you can add the extra cost of HD development. This isn't a rant trashing METRO, it is always sad when developers who put time and effort get the short hand of the stick(recently HVS has been is some trouble themselves), what is important here is that regardless of the system. Not all games sell millions, and the platform shouldn't be abandoned.

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