Contact –> Point!
Do you remember when screenshots were still in any way indicative of gameplaying fun? I’m sure this stopped in the hiatus of videogaming between my Master System and tempramental second-hand PS1 (for Dance Dance Revolution). New screens from the latest driving games are a non-stop snoozefest. “O, that looks more like a car than the one on the other page!” - big wow. Yet another FPS and there’ll be a screenshot of an explosion. You guys - I can blur a few red and yellow triangles together too you know. Ah - and here’s another plasticised and elongated Pussycat Doll-esque female leering suggestively at any passing pixels that might promise an attempt to beat her up for extra pimp points (ooh get ME with my POINTED COMMENTS)!
A welcome distraction from blah, blah, blah is CONTACT for the DS - which going on visual appeal from screenshots only might be my favourite use of the dual screens yet! One screen appears to feature a flawless looking cartoon pixelated world, whereas the other features Monkey Island-esque richer features, think deep dark cloudy skies and the tropical beaches you might see in a typical stroll through RPG locations. A light playground world promises fun, enjoyable gaming moments and the more complex images evoke a longer and more immersive gaming experience. Clean, attractive pictures that tempt you into exploring more? I gather this isn’t new fare to Grasshopper, the infamous developers who People Who Do Videogames talk of in hushed tones, but it’s new to my weary eyes and yet another game to be added to the list of DS Desires. Screenshot under the read more bit, taken from rpgamer.com.
So what does it take to pique intrigue in a game? The magazine review I’m basing this post on is frustratingly sparse as to what the actual STORY is within the game, concentrating on ease of gameplay, presence of roleplaying elements, satisfaction of side-quests and completion. Personally, I’m sold majorly on the graphics, and have been since I saw this graphical style appear elsewhere online (can’t remember where and I want to go to bed soon) - as a big reader and consumer of visual media, it strikes me hard to think that plot isn’t the only main draw where it comes to videogames - but perhaps it hasn’t been for a while? I mean, I hardly bought Sonic or Golden Axe for the plot… so I can’t deny that it’s the looks of the game which have a huge impact. Yet another reason not to get the dull and repititive graphics of your latest 360 elasticised gun-slinger (I mean YOU, Saints Row - would you believe this pile of pish is down for a retail price of £50??). In a market satured with samey imagery, can we expect the next gen PS3 and Wiii to bring a bright new dawn of artwork - or will they just make shinier and shinier cars?
Skinny: Contact is out in October in the UK, and already released in the US and Japan. So, will someone buy this for me? Sometimes it’s hard for FT’s skint games correspondent to even afford Edge magazine (where the info from this review comes from) never mind trips to the friendly import store (location available on request + bribe) :)
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FT's Sarah on September 5th, 2006
God this post is a bit crap innit, but bear in mind I’ve had to write it twice now cos wordpress crashed and I AM TIRED :(
FT's katstevens on September 5th, 2006
I don’t like computer games much. Apart from Phoenix Wright*, which has the Most Plot Ever!
*Nintendogs isn’t a computer game. It’s part of LIFE AS WE KNOW IT. OMG, Anita got 1st place in her agility trial on Sunday! She’s in the Championship now! And £600 into the bargain!
FT's Rufus T. Roofdog on September 5th, 2006
Xplosions r grate.
FT's tracerhand on September 5th, 2006
this is the kind of game that used to NEVER come out anywhere but i) japan and ii) maybe china/hong kong
we have been SOFTENED UP for a coming invasion of cute, 45-degree angle, bobble-headed puppies awwww
FT's Admin on September 5th, 2006
I saw a review of this and was instantly won over by the dual graphics trick. the review I saw was more an interview with the designers and it implied there was shenanigans when the worlds “cross”. the plot sounded v dull (must collect parts for a damaged spaceship plot #563168), though there was another implication that this was just the start and that the simple quest becomes less clear, and the guy you are working for (the proff in the top screen i think) becomes less trustworthy. or something.
still not buying a DS tho.
FT's Sarah on September 5th, 2006
It’s something to do with collecting costumes to obtain skills to retrieve parts and so on, but I’m a sucker for those immersive collect-em-up games (which is why I’m still playing Paper Mario 2 despite finishing it ages ago - as long as I love the world I’m in I’ll keep playing as long as there’s something left for me to do).
Get 1xDS! I can’t understand how anyone doesn’t have one now :)
FT's Tom on September 5th, 2006
I am very pleased that the DS has reportedly spanked the horrible PSP moneywise.
Even though I’ve not really found the DS game ‘for me’ yet.
FT's Sarah on September 5th, 2006
Only drawer for PSP would be their Katamari game - but the PS2 version by virtue of BIGGER SCREEN would be much more tempting if you were going to go for any Sony device - have been tempted by UMD but don’t actually know ANYONE who watches umds on their PSP (I only know two or three people who’ve actually got one though).
DS wins on variety, innovation, price, portability - it was really well thought of “commuter-wise” I think - automatically going into standby when you shut it and it’s very robust in a bag in a way that the PSP could never be.
FT's Admin on September 5th, 2006
i’ve often thought i might post about my unwillingness to do portable games. i think it’s an age thing. my nelected GBC was purely to play pokemon - which i did solely on the couch, not in transit or outside. for that would be wrong.
FT's katstevens on September 5th, 2006
Get Chihuaha nintendog DS! Not that we need extra breeds or anything…
FT's Sarah on September 5th, 2006
I play portable games a lot, but not that often on my commute until the DS came along, as I have three changes and I need to keep suspending gameplay and the DS is the only one that makes that functional - portable games are acest for HOLIDAYS and playin’ whilst on sofa - ie yr not hogging the telly. PLaying games ACTUALLY outside is always difficult ftb LIGHT innit?
Things like Bark Mode would encourage me to leave the thing turned on more in transit if it were better implemented (I’m still yet to find any decent wifi features on any DS games I’ve tried - nb not done Animal Crossing yet but the flatmate hasn’t got it working yet)…