Tales of Hearts Preview

Tales of Hearts come in 2 different package: animated or CGI cinemas. This preview is based on the animated version. After seeing the impressive cinemas in this game, I might reconsider playing the CGI version just to see how those would look, but I can’t imagine me getting over how ugly the characters look in CGI. It’s not like the CGI version’s a completely different game, only the cinemas look different. I find it hilarious that some people thought we’d get the game with both cinematic styles within a single cart. Are you nuts? The opening FMV intro takes up both screens.

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Riz-Zoawd Preview

Imagine the most beautiful picturesque day at the countryside. You’re just sitting on the meadows surrounded by flowers in full bloom, the nearby pond glistens from the warm sunlight. Suddenly, a blue object comes careening down the corner at amazing speed — breaking the sound barrier and flattening everything in its path. You sit there dazed and confused, trying to make sense of the chaos. All you managed to see was a blue blur zipping around enemies while grabbing coins littered about. Right now, the only question on your mind is: Who’s that girl in the blue dress!?

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Quantum Of Solace + Sonic Chronicles Preview

This preview is going to be a double preview; two for the price of one. I’ll give you both Quantum of Solace (PC demo) and Sonic Chronicles hands-on impressions today. Once you read it, you’ll understand why I combined them into one.

After hearing about how the Wii version of Quantum of Solace won’t be gimped, I figured I would contribute to a quick preview based on the PC demo. We know the game uses the COD4 engine, so all the gameplay mechanics are in place. All they need now is good Wiimote controls. I haven’t been keeping up with this game’s development because I honestly didn’t care. Talk is cheap, and playing it for yourself is the best way to find out!

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Fire Emblem DS Preview

Weird weird weird. That’s how I describe the newest Fire Emblem. Fire Emblem DS is a remake of the original NES game — the progenitor of the series. I just want to clear up a few misconceptions first. This is not a remake of Mystery of the Emblem. That game was a direct sequel that included a remake of the NES game. That remake also added its own features, but also took out some characters and chapters. Fire Emblem DS does not contain book 2 — the sequel — but rather an enhanced version of the first game. Confused yet? Good.

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Retro Games Challenge Preview

I’m going to get straight to the point, Retro Games Challenge (A.K.A Game Center CX) disappointed me — but not because of the game, but rather my own ignorant assumptions that caused the disappointment. Instead of researching a game that’s already out, I based my ideas of the game on a small preview in a press release about the game’s immanent US release. Go me! Don’t worry, just because the game shattered my own silly fantasies doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the game. This is why we have previews.

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Metal Slug 7 Preview

Yeah, I’ve been drooling over Metal Slug 7 since it was first announced. It now joins Contra 4 and Bangai-O in the shooters-with-mainline-sequel-on-DS club. Make no mistake, this is Metal Slug that you know and love! I’ve played through 4 stages, so I’m sure that’s good enough for a quick preview of this game.

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Super Robot Whores OG Saga

It is without a doubt the most trying time for us gamers. The recent fallout between Tecmo and game designer Tomonobu Itagaki could spell disaster for our breast loving brothers and sisters. Well, mostly brothers, but I guess we might have some sisters too. Whatever floats your boat, man. Uh, anyway, gamers everywhere cried out for a savior. Who would help maintain the losers/otaku stigma for gamers if Tecmo were to collapse from this unfortunate disaster? Fear not, for salvation will come in the form of Bandai Namco! Their first offering is Soul Calibur 4’s mammoth jumblies of destruction — guaranteed shame for $59.99. Unlike Tecmo, Namco’s willing to spread the love to us DS owners with Mugen No Frontier: Super Robot Whores OG Saga. Bless you Namco, bless you. Of course this game probably has no chance in hell of coming out in the US, but that’s why I’m here… to taunt you.

I can’t say I actually enjoy looking at them from this angle.

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Bangai-O Spirits Preview

No Bangai-O child porn for you America. This is only on the N64!

What just happened? What just happened!?! I’ll tell you want happened: Bangai-O just happened. I’d like to give you a clear preview, but I don’t think that’s possible. You need to understand the Japanese tutorial, and trust me, you will need to read in this shooter. If you don’t read and play the tutorial, you wouldn’t know the intricate combat system in this game! Each button serves a purpose, but outside of moving and shooting, I couldn’t figure out why I’m sometimes swinging a sword, or shooting different bullets. The combat is without a doubt the deepest of any shooter I’ve ever played (that or I totally suck). This is the reason why I held back on a review. I need the English version! I’m missing out on many of the techniques in this game.

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Ys Book I DS preview

Ys DS is a remake of just Book I, I saw Book II in the store, but I didn’t bother. A friend of mine actually bought Book I, so I was able to save myself the trouble, and just borrow the game from him. I really hoped the DS remake was in vain of Oath of Felgana. Oath of Felgana itself was actually a remake of the SNES Wanderer From Ys, so I thought Falcom would have learned a thing or two from that.

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Legend of Kage 2 preview

Yeah, I admit it, I liked Legend of Kage back in the day. I used to play the game a lot with my father. We’d play two players to see who could get the furthest in the game. Its nonstop action, and gravity defying leaps made me feel like an unstoppable ninja badass. Sure, today it’s regarded as crap, but still, I hold onto those fond memories of days gone by in my heart. So it’s only natural that I would be excited when a sequel was announced god knows how many hundred years later. Dammit, no one will stand in the way of me and some ninja butchery.

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