Rumor Control - IGN's Nintendo Voice Chat

[pedrocasilva]

Don't really get what they mean by NiGHTS being mechanic, but like I said, the hype is sooo huge, everyone will be disapointed by the game.

Also, God damnit, why doesn't anyone make a good avatar game?

Makes you wonder if they actually played the original and liked it, let it sink in.

 

The flight in this one seems to convey that feeling well, so at least that translated well.

 

I wouldn't say it is mechanical, seems to flow really well like in the original; it is on-rails though; but that's just NiGHTS concept to start with; it's a somewhat 2D gameplay while in the air.

 

I don't know about the game's hype though, fans of the original are hyped, yes; but other than that...

[darksnowman]

I don't know about the game's hype though, fans of the original are hyped, yes; but other than that...

 

Other than that... if I may speak on behalf of those who haven't played the Saturn game, I'm not really worried about NiGHTS at all. I was for a second when Zack and Wiki got pushed back to 2008 and I thought that Nights was out in 2007... but seeing as its also out next year... I'm not worried.

 

Sorry Pedro!

[pedrocasilva]

Other than that... if I may speak on behalf of those who haven't played the Saturn game, I'm not really worried about NiGHTS at all. I was for a second when Zack and Wiki got pushed back to 2008 and I thought that Nights was out in 2007... but seeing as its also out next year... I'm not worried.

 

Sorry Pedro!

Exactly; I don't think people are hyped about it, specially seeing it was definitely a troubled development with instances when parts of the game were shown while they shouldn't and given that they're definitely fighting time to finish it and make the best product possible.

 

Zack and Wiki totally flopped though (and it seemed to have a lot more "online following"), I hope NiGHTS manages to do somewhat better.

[tapedeck]

Seems to me that when the pressure is off and SEGA are creating something "new" they do ok. It's when they get into the hype machine and start cranking out new titles on new hardware they get lost.

 

SEGA should stick to one platform and really learn how to get the best out of it. Kind of like they did with their own hardware. At least then they were consistent. It could even get their name out of the mud. Harsh but sod them. SEGA used to be epic. People used to look forward to SEGA.

 

Now SEGA hasn't the same 'magic' it once shared with Nintendo.

 

I hope NiGHTS is good. I hope it proves us wrong. Yet the reality is it will be alongside titles like Billy Hatcher. Not a bad game per se, but just overlooked and carrying no expectation at all.

[Noku]

"Dark Game"? The Darkness? The Witcher? Manhunt 3? Sadness?

[pedrocasilva]

"Dark Game"? The Darkness? The Witcher? Manhunt 3? Sadness?

I'd say the Darkness and the Manhunt are out of the map, seeing as Manhunt 2 just launched so it's too early (and they'd refer to it as a sequel to some other title, I guess) and the darkness because it's out already, I doubt they're porting it, besides... no reason for those two franchises not to have publishers, since publishers own their rights.

 

As for Sadness, that's actually half-feasible since they don't have a publisher, then again they've shown nothing so far; and since they obviously like to hype it (even if they have nothing)... why would they ask for secrecy regarding that being the title IGN has seen?

 

It's not like they'd be showing us; that said... I don't expect that to be the game nor do I expect anything from that game (sadness).

[ShadowV7]

People believe Nibris doesn't exist after the whole conspiracy thing. Don't believe anything from them till I see some game footage.

[Noku]

 

I know. The inclusion of Manhunt 3 and Sadness in that enumeration was supposed to be pun-ny. Meh, never mind really.

 

My guess would've been Alone in the dark, but that's already been announced this week, so I'm as much in the dark* about this as anybody.

 

 

*get it? get it? :p

[pedrocasilva]

*get it? get it? :p

 

[Cookyman]

Theres a mid week Wii-k in review here!

[darksnowman]

Theres a mid week Wii-k in review here!

 

...a mid-wiik in review, you might say.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

[ShadowV7]

If I wasn't so lazy I would listen to it instead of waiting for summaries

[James_banned]

If I wasn't so lazy I would listen to it instead of waiting for summaries

 

I'm the same.

[Maverick]

Blah, Blah and more Blah

[Noku]

Treasure has a Wii project?

 

Nothing special really, justifying their review scores, reading fan mail, some momma-jokes, blah blah blah

[pedrocasilva]

Treasure has a Wii project?

 

Nothing special really, justifying their review scores, reading fan mail, some momma-jokes, blah blah blah

yes, they do:

 

Secret Wii Title

 

Remember the Wii title he said they wanted to work on last year? Well, Maegawa confirmed that it's indeed in the works now and that it's from the "action" team at Treasure (there are three main lines at Treasure: fighting, shooting, and action). Previous titles from the "action" team have included Gunstar Heroes and Guardian Heroes, so there should be plenty reason for Wii fans to get excited about this one.

Source: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162888

[tapedeck]

Damn their 'miniscule' Galaxy spoilers!

 

Saying Brothers in Arms seems like it's got a lot to live up to MOH:Heroes 2 (control wise) and it's interesting that the game MAY use the unreal 3 engine as the devs dont say they don't use it when asked.

 

Other than that, Fran being a dork, Bozon chumping alongside Matt and holidays now till Monday.

[James McGeachie]

Will the action team also have been responsible for Wario World? I never got around to playing that but people seemed to have huge issues with its length.

[pedrocasilva]

Saying Brothers in Arms seems like it's got a lot to live up to MOH:Heroes 2 (control wise) and it's interesting that the game MAY use the unreal 3 engine as the devs dont say they don't use it when asked.

I don't bite that for two reasons:

 

First: the rumor was gearbox was porting it, turns out gearbox outsourced it to Demiurge Software; Second: the game looks like crap compared to some UE2.5 games and it is a port of a released game, sure, they could use UE3 tools, like they initially did with Bioshock whilst being UE2.5 based, but really, why porting UE3 and getting these results they're showing? Looks like ass, compared to other stuff in the market (hell, compared to a PSP beefed up "port"), no reason to be proud of whatever.

[Cube]

Summary

 

Galaxy sales

- 500k first week in the USA - Matt thinks it’s pretty phenomenal - biggest opening of any Wii game to date and shows people are still interested in traditional games on Wii.

- A LOT of games don’t get 500k in their entire worldwide lifespan.

- In local retailers Matt keeps seeing lots of people buying Galaxy, so he would be shocked if it didn’t have long legs through the holiday season.

- Matt and Mark are both baffled by the lukewarm reception of Galaxy by Japan. Matt attributes the low sales to a change in the market - games that performed well in the past are not doing as well these days, while games like Wii Sports and Wii Play are the main focusses in the market. There is a noticeable momentum shift.

- Matt thinks it is a travesty, along with the sales of Twilight Princess.

 

Photo channel dropped Mp3 support

- To appeal to the Itunes crowd.

- However, can only play songs that have been burned in AACC.

- It’s not a huge deal, but it’s a weird format change. Matt doesn’t know why they have to remove it - why can’t they just add it?

 

1 Year Wii Anniversary

- 365 days yet still can’t find the system + worldwide market leader - very impressive.

- They had 19 games rated 8.0 or over, and given that they are pretty harsh, it’s a pretty impressive amount.

- With publishers like Ubisoft promising to step-up, the future on Wii is looking pretty bright.

 

Geometry Wars Galaxies

- Gave it 8.0

- Pretty hot game - good fun.

- Like the 360 version but a crapload more. Not really different, but just expanded substantially.

- Even though it’s better with the CC, you can still play it with the remote. It still works, but when things get hectic you may become confused and disorientated. Matt attributes the lack of HD to this, as well as the fact that in 2 player the camera pans out rather than focusses on your ship.

- If you always wanted to play Geometry Wars, now is your chance.

 

Ghost Squad

- Gave it 7.5

- Gameplay wise, it’s probably the most solid on-rails shooter (control-wise and responsiveness). UC trumps it in terms of story and feel - you feel like you’re getting a true package.

- Feels like a game stuck in 2004 - average visuals, no widescreen, etc. Doesn’t feel like a new game.

- Got a good price tag.

- Feels like arcade game with added Wii functionality. It works pretty well.

 

Link’s Crossbow Training

- Gave it 7.0

- A good that is shallow but over quickly.

- Feels like a demo, but given the price, this is understandable.

- It’s good fun, looks good, and plays well. Has that Zelda feel.

- Unfortunately doesn’t feature simultaneous play. Also wishes it was longer.

 

Wii Zapper

- Works fine and is has a decent build.

- It’s not a light-gun, so it doesn’t really change anything - it’s just an aesthetic change.

- Also has too soft a trigger button.

- Accuracy tends to be better without it.

- His nephew was instantly attracted to the Zapper, played 1 round with it and then wanted to get rid of it.

 

Need For Speed: Pro Street

- Gave it 6.2

- Score is higher than it should be because it is a multi-platform game, so the Wii version likely wasn’t played much.

- The game feels slow and sluggish.

- The visual presentation is pretty awful - doesn’t look like they tried at all. Also took out the oversteer.

 

Wii developers

- Matt is in contact with developers that did good work with Nintendo consoles on Wii.

- Going to start a new feature, in which Matt asks questions like “why hasn’t any developer tried [this] on Wii?†and various developers provide their insight.

-Matt thinks it should be a pretty cool series.

 

Legend of Spyro

- Gave it a very low 3.6

- Matt and Mark didn’t review it, but they did play it and they think it deserved a better score.

- About the game visual-wise as the Gamecube game. Pretty good presentation and production values.

- Control is fine for what it was - nothing stand-out but nothing bad.

 

Deer hunting

- Gave it 6.4 - higher than the 360 version.

- Neither Mark or Matt played it.

- Using IR is apparently better than using the analogue stick, hence the higher score.

 

Trauma Centre: New Blood

- Gave it 8.5

- Matt and Mark noticed some low scores around the internet and disagree.

- If you play it on easy, then no one should have a problem with the game.

- The normal is hard, and the hard version is incredibly difficult.

- Overall it’s a really good game, and the challenge isn’t because the game is broken, it’s just an element on the franchise.

- Both can’t believe some sites rated it lower than Second Opinion.

 

Reader questions

- Because of the good sales of RE4: Wii Edition and the likely good sales of Umbrella Chronicles, Matt expects another Resident Evil game to come to the system. Nothing confirmed so far.

 

- Both would be surprised if we didn’t see another Zelda title on DS.

 

- Fight Night Wii on EA - they both don’t know if anything is happening there, but they are hopeful that the game doesn’t turn out like the current boxing games on Wii. Matt thinks boxing games may never live up to their potential on Wii, and also beieves the lack of ‘contact’ may always render boxing games on Wii as mediocre.

 

- Both are thinking of doing a Wii Fit feature where they eat well for a month and use Wii Fit every day and measure how much weight they lose.

 

- Bozon doesn’t know how to pronounce ‘impediment.’

 

- Matt really hates Wii Sports Boxing.

 

- Bozon’s looking forward to stuff like Pikmin, Star Fox, etc on Wii for next year. Matt is also looking forward to stuff like Animal Crossing and Mario Kart Wii. Both expect more demo-like and ‘Wii Sports’ type games on Wii next year.

 

- They are quite impressed by the lineup for WiiWare so far - there’s some good content there so far. They are hoping for some really original games on the channel. Both think Geometry Wars Galaxies would’ve been a perfect fit. Bozon would love to see some re-made classics.

 

- Matt has heard some rumours about N64 games making the upgraded jump to WiiWare, including Mortal Kombat. Matt is going to get some calls going to get some more official documentation on WiiWare. Matt knows of some games, particularly arcade stuff from Japan, that should make its way to WiiWare.

 

- Bozon has started to really get into Mario Galaxy and he absolutely loves it. If you own a Wii and don’t own it yet, then shame on you.

 

- Bozon thinks we may actually see Pikmin come to Wii before Animal Crossing. Animal Crossing may need some more time because it’s supposed to be a big online title for Wii. Both hope they revolutionise that series on Wii, but get the feeling Nintendo may not even get near the potential that Animal Crossing has on Wii.

 

- Both have lost faith in the Starfox series, but are hopefully the Wii will help turn the franchise around.

 

- Bozon thinks Mario Kart will come out in the latter part of Q2 2008. There’s no reason to release another game near Brawl, because that game will sell amazingly and demolish anything close to it.

 

- Both are impressed with Mass Effect - feels like KOTOR with better combat. Starts off a bit slow, and is a bit buggy and sluggish (if Galaxy had these problems, they would bring it down to a max of 8.5), but they are amazed by the world Bioware have created.

 

- Both think GOTY will come down to Bioshock or Mario Galaxy, but you never know because different people have different tastes (and the IGN Xbox team is in love with Mass Effect). Call of Duty 4 will also be a contender.

 

- Wave Race Wii - haven’t heard anything so far, which is a bit odd because one would think Nintendo would lean on the franchise given the nature of the controls. The lukewarm reception of the Gamecube version may be playing a part in this.

 

- Both expect Wii to a receive another traditional Mario game sometimes in its lifetime. It’s still pretty early and Galaxy is selling great, so it should do well.

 

- Hype rating for 2008 out of 10 (Matt/Bozon)

Brawl: 10/10

No More Heroes: 8/7

Fragile: 8/8

Disaster: 7/7

Monster Hunter 3: 5/8

King’s Story: 8/9

Animal Crossing: 9/9

Tales of Symphonia: 7/8

Mario Kart Wii: 9/9

Okami: 8/7.5

Mushroom Men: 6/6

Wii Fit: 9/7.5

de Blob: 7/7

Rygar: 3/5

Red Steel 2: 8/8

WiiWare: 9/9

Unveiling of Treasure’s Wii Project: 9/10

Unveiling of Retro’s Wii Project: 10/10

 

- Rumour of Super Mario RPG 2: There is lots happening between Square and Nintendo right now, so this is not far-fetched.

 

- Rumour of Golden Sun Wii - rumour keeps persisting, so it probably will end up happening.

 

- Brothers in Arms Wii - they still aren’t sure what the game is going to be, but it seems it will be named ‘Road to Hill 30′. Have a lot to live up to given the arrival of MOH Heroes 2,which has the best FPS controls on Wii. Ubisoft don’t deny the existence of Unreal 3 on Wii, but Matt and Mark doubt the framerate will hold up if this is the case.

 

- Hoping to get some NiGHTS footage up sometime soon, likely tomorrow. SEGA is demoing the game today in San Fransisco.

 

Just to correct IGN:

 

- Brothers in Arms Wii - they still aren’t sure what the game is going to be, but it seems it will be named ‘Road to Hill 30′. Have a lot to live up to given the arrival of MOH Heroes 2,which has the best FPS controls on Wii. Ubisoft don’t deny the existence of Unreal 3 on Wii, but Matt and Mark doubt the framerate will hold up if this is the case.

 

It's named "Brothers in Arms: Double Time" and contains the PS2 games "Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30" and "Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood"

 

And because it's a port of 2 PS2 games, I doubt very much that it'll use the Unreal 3 engine.

[Hellfire]

EVERYONE says that the Wii Zapper makes accuracy much better, yet they say it makes it worse o.O

Also, Crossbow Training a demo? O RLY?

[ShadowV7]

Meh, nothing that interesting. Though I hope Golden Sun is true.

[Gizmo]

EVERYONE says that the Wii Zapper makes accuracy much better, yet they say it makes it worse o.O

Also, Crossbow Training a demo? O RLY?

 

Everywhere I've read is people saying the Zapper makes accuracy worse.

[Hellfire]

Everywhere I've read is people saying the Zapper makes accuracy worse.

 

I've read a gazillion forumers, specially on PA saying it really helps for accuracy.

[dazzybee]

I don't give a shit if it makes it more accurate or not, does it make it more emmersive? That is the question I want answered!!