The Gamer's Quarter

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

Not that I really need to remind anyone here, but this really seems to be the month for the DS coming up here. Some people may know that I have been looking forward to Trauma Center (originally titled Caduceus: Surgical Operation) for a while. With everything that has happen to me lately it has snuck up under my radar (my radar is pretty much down and broken) and bit me on the ass.

As even fewer may know I have had Castlevania: DoS (This D-S naming for NDS games really needs to stop, there are 2 that I am interested in this month) pre-ordered and pre-paid for a while now. Well, the EBgames where this happen is not even in the store locator any longer… I think I got screwed. Perhaps I should call a corporate office or something. I mean, it is cheap enough where I am willing to buy it again, but… I mean, shit.

Two other games snuck up on me, and one I was not even aware got a US street date yet. Dig Dug: Digging Strike (see) and Phoenix Wright: Ace Detective. I knew PW:AD was coming out sometime this year, but it seems like it came up quick. I am quite excited to finally get to play this after being interested in it for so damn long.

I have only seen some JPN mag scans of DD:DS, but it looks damn good. It seems like it is basically Dig Dug 1+2, the bottom screen is when you go underground (DD1) and then the top screen is the island breaking (DD2). I am really looking forward to seeing how this turned out.

Anyways, I have not had almost any time to play games. I got to start a game of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, but it froze up after about an hour in. I liked it quite a bit better than … well any other 1.5 first hours of a Zelda since Link’s Awakening. I also have a problem with my PC running Silent Hill 3 which I purchased new for $5… I don’t know why it is a problem either. Probably something simple. Anyways, hopefully I will get/find/have time for all this DS gaming. Damn the DS is really great.

Dig Dug: Digging Strike 10/18
Phoenix Wright: Ace Atourney 10/11
Trauma Center: Under the Knife 10/4
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow 10/4

SuperWes · Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 1:52 pm Post subject:

I've been hearing bad things about Trauma Center. Real bad things. I'm thinking I might stay away from it.

I did buy Trace Memory a few days ago and so far I'm digging it. Surprisingly, it seems like it could end up being a game that attempts to ask deep questions about life. The interface ain't great and the 3D is so first generation that you can barely make out what you're supposed to be looking at without the help of the top screen, but there's a very solid and realistic feel to the way the island is layed out.

One interesting thing that they do is ask you questions after each chapter to make sure you're paying attention, reinforce the theme of memory, and provide closure after major events. I haven't gotten any wrong yet, but I'm curious to know what would happen if I did. I wonder if remembering something incorrectly actually changes how the game plays out in such a way that it morphs the world to fit your memories. If this is the case they've really done something that takes advantage of the medium.

-Wes
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ApM · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:10 pm Post subject:

I just played Trauma Center for about an hour. It's interesting. I rather like it.

I mean, the story is relentlessly terrible. If you don't have the stomach for bad dating-sim writing, I can see how it could be grating. But I spent most of that hour doing surgery, and the "doing surgery" part of the game is a pretty good time.

Wes, where are you hearing these bad things from?

dessgeega · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:00 pm Post subject:

i just started dawn of sorrow. it looks like it could get pretty good! dig dug is about the only thing left on my early fall want list.
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dhex · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:16 pm Post subject:

what's the dig dug game like?

not that i have a ds, but dig dug is like, the stuff.
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dessgeega · Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:

the new dig dug looks like it incorporates the gameplay of both the original dig dug and dig dug 2. it looks like it might work, too! does anyone have a copy?
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Lackey · . Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 1107 Location: Canada

I like the whole idea of Trauma Center and Phoenix Wright. It seems like they'd make a good "Things Which Would Not Normally Be Made Into Games" double feature. And both are quintessentially DS'ish too.

Trance Memory and Lost in Blue also pique my interest. I only got my DS a day ago and already I have a shopping list.
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| Little bird fighting against a bat sect game |

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

Trauma Center is fabulously outrageous and has more than enough ellipses to make Dhex go into a coma. Seriously a great game that goes beyond what I initially thought it would.

SuperWes · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 11:05 am Post subject:

dhex · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 11:30 am Post subject:

aneurism.
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SuperWes · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:06 pm Post subject:

dhex · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject:

not anymore ya don't.
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simplicio · . Joined: 03 May 2005 Posts: 1091

Damnit, but this thread is making my bank account itchy.

Though I'm much more interested in the offbeat stuff than the Castlevania/Metroid/Mario Kart things on the way. Not that it's gonna stop me from impulse buys or anything.

Lackey · . Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 1107 Location: Canada

The DS seems to be the contemporary champion of offbeatness. Not that this is actually researched, or probably even true, it's just a sense I get. I mean consider one system getting both an atourney based game and a surgeon based game at the same time.

Unfortunately what I've read of Trauma Center worries me a little. It's the kind of game I'd really like not to have a story. Or so I assume.

PS: A vaguely illustrative anecdote: I watched my brother trying to play Advance Wars: Dual Strike. He was pretty enthusiastic at first, but after about 10 minutes of pressing the A button and muttering "shut up, shut up, shut up" he just gave up. This made me sad. I haven't tried it yet.
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| Little bird fighting against a bat sect game |

SuperWes · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:09 am Post subject:

Lackey · . Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 1107 Location: Canada

Not interrupting is absolutely key. I believe strongly in the seperation of cutscene and game. Or complete integration. But yeah, not interruption.
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| Little bird fighting against a bat sect game |

SuperWes · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 11:29 am Post subject:

Lackey · . Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 1107 Location: Canada

This is good news. I shall endeavor to play it some time.

Of more relevance to the subject in general: I have found it strange that the reviews I've read for almost every game mentioned have called them too short! This, to me, is good news. Usually if you think a game is too short it's because you're enjoying it. Also, the general standard for "too short", in my experience, has been just right.
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| Little bird fighting against a bat sect game |

Hubz · . Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Oklahoma, USA

Yes I was completely caught off guard when I went to Gamestop Saturday to see all the new releases for DS that I wanted. I didn't see Ace Wright though unfortunately as I would've picked it up. Did grab Lost in Blue and Castlevania though (and yes the DS naming scheme drives me crazy too!) I really like some of the new Castelvania but other parts I don't like at all... some of the level designs feel like I read described on another blog as "shelves with monsters on them". Was it always like this in past Castlevanias or am I just now finally noticing it? Also I wish they'd done away with the stylus completely and just made the bosses harder. I can't count the amount of times I screwed up drawing a seal Sad

Other than those two things though I'm very much enjoying it!
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- Dustin

www.spookytornado.com
www.dqshrine.com

Persona-sama · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 2:17 am Post subject:

OMG, when did Phenix Wright get released??!
I am in shock!

I..
I need to go to a game store.
WHY IS IT ONE AM??!

I must encourage all of you to purchase this game, by the way. Do it for me! Do it for yourself!

By the way, are there any other good games coming out this month for other systems? I know that Digital Devil Saga 2 came out recently as well.
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dessgeega · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 2:43 am Post subject:

ApM · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:59 am Post subject:

SuperWes · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:02 am Post subject:

aderack · . Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 1105 Location: San Francisco

Hubz · . Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Oklahoma, USA

Has anybody tried Lost in Blue yet? LIke I said I picked it up as well and should be able to begin it tonight since I finished Castlevania last night. (As cool as Julius Mode is I don't think I'll playthrough it again) It sounded a lot like a revamp of the old Survival Kids series and being by Konami as well I wondered if the two are connected.
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- Dustin

www.spookytornado.com
www.dqshrine.com

Shapermc · Hot Sake! Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 6279

SuperWes · Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2005 9:42 am Post subject:

Wow. Japan's got a pretty good October for DS games too. Did anyone else see what came out this week?

Where do Babies Come From? (Feel the Magic 2)
Kenshui Tendo Dokuta 2: Inochi no Tenbin (Trauma Center 2)
Pokemon Torouze (Pokemon Bejeweled)
Super Princess Peach
Urusei Yatsura: Endless Summer (Dating Sim)

I want them all, but I need to wait for the US versions (and I'm poor right now).

-Wes
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Lackey · . Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 1107 Location: Canada

I'm looking forward to:

Lost in Blue
Phoenix Wright
Dig Dug
Trance Memory
Elektroplankton
Trauma Center

I'm hoping to add something valuable to the conversation later maybe!
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| Little bird fighting against a bat sect game |