November 2009

Snackbar Speculator: Objectionable Content

November 15, 2009

Features / Speculator / by Shawn Vermette /

This week on Snackbar Speculator, we’re covering crime, justice and social networking.

Phoenix Wright to hold court on the Wii

The USK, the German ratings board, has submitted a rating for a Wii game simply called Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. There’s been no news from Capcom or Nintendo regarding this possibility, so it remains to be seen whether this is a game that will actually be released or not. It also gives no information as to whether this will be a completely new game or a port of one of the DS games.

Andrew Passafiume: It seems like an inevitability, but at the same time, the series seems to be perfectly suited for handhelds. It might work on a console (especially the Wii), but I honestly doubt anything will come out of this and I think it will remain a rumor. 25%

Graham Russell: They’ve thrown Harvey Birdman on there, so there’s precedent. The interface works as well as the DS one, so that’d be fine too. My only worry: Capcom seems to always have to put Wright games in the bargain bin in the U.S., so I don’t know if it’s financially viable. 60%

Shawn Vermette: While I for one would relish a chance to play Phoenix Wright on the Wii, and I think it would indeed work well on the Wii, I’m not sure that this rumor will come to fruition. It would really need to be a new game to be commercially viable and I’m pretty sure Capcom has no plans to revisit Phoenix Wright in their stories. I think Apollo Justice is their new protagonist. So, unfortunately, I think this will not happen. 25%

Xbox 360 exclusivity for GTA4 expansions to end

Microsoft paid Take-Two 50 million bucks to get Xbox 360 exclusivity on all the downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto IV. Now, however, there is talk of the expansions coming out on the PC. This is something that would go against the current exclusivity deal, but it’s possible Microsoft and Take-Two would revisit their deal to include PC. After all, the real reason for the exclusivity deal is to lock the PS3 out of any DLC opportunity.

Andrew: This is something that does not surprise me at all. The word that the PC crowd will get the DLC next which is actually not too surprising (and probably an easy transition for the developers), but I doubt we will ever see it on the PS3. Either way, for the DLC coming to the PC, I expect it will happen in the near future. 90%

Graham: Microsoft is Microsoft, and their Games for Windows initiative certainly could use whatever help it can get, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the DLC on PC. If the deal’s airtight, though, and I think it is, PS3 is out of the question. 55%

Shawn: I’m not really surprised by this because Microsoft had two agendas with this deal. 1) Hurt Sony. 2) Make money. Yes, I believe the primary motivation was to attempt to hurt Sony. I don’t know if Microsoft expected to actually make money after spending 50 million for exclusivity, but they definitely wanted to make Sony hurt. The PC isn’t really even on Microsoft’s radar lately, despite saying that they were renewing support for the PC. Perhaps this will be a step in that direction. 85%

PS3 to offer Facebook integration with next firmware update

Sony posted a bunch of screenshots of their next firmware update on their official website that seemed to show an integrated Facebook application under the account management tab of the XMB. These screenshots have since been removed from their website. Microsoft has touted their integration of Facebook into the Xbox 360 ever since E3, while Sony has remained silent about any additions to their system outside of Netflix support. However, given the widespread use of Facebook and its integration into the Xbox 360, it makes sense for Sony to at least explore the possibility.

Andrew: Considering that a once “exclusive” feature to the Xbox 360, Netflix, came to the PS3 a little less than two years after it came to the 360, I can’t imagine Facebook (or Twitter and last.fm, in that case) being exclusive to the 360 either. Especially with the increase in sales of the PS3, I can imagine Facebook support being something that will pretty popular with owners of the system. 85%

Graham: Let’s set aside the issue of why people would want Facebook, or Twitter for that matter, on a game console. There’s no exclusivity deal involved here, and Sony wants to take away any possible bullet points in Microsoft’s arsenal. My only hesitation: it may not make it in the very next update, though. 60%

Shawn: I’m really not surprised because I never once (to my knowledge) heard Microsoft refer to Facebook as a 360 exclusive. I think that in this case it makes sense for Sony to wait to develop support for Facebook until Microsoft test drives it, but that they should look into integrating it as well as they can. In fact, I think they should go one step farther and integrate it into Home. Maybe then Home will be as relevant and popular as Sony has hoped it would be from the beginning. 95%

Sony to offer downloadable PS2 games via PSN

Ever since the discontinuation of the 20GB and 60GB Playstation 3 models, gamers have been clamoring for a return of backward compatibility. Rumor has it that Sony is working on releasing popular PS2 games as downloads on the PSN in the same manner that they offer PS1 games. This may be Sony’s way of attempting to satisfy those gamers and make money at the same time.

Andrew: This is definitely a good possibility, especially since PS1 classics have been doing incredibly well in the Playstation store. There are a lot of PS2 games that have been out of print for a while that could do really well in the store too, and it will be a solution to the “backwards compatibility issue” that has been present since the most recent models of the PS3 90%

Graham: Unofficially, they’ve done this before with some Buzz! games. Officially, I see them doing this in a noncommittal way like Microsoft, with a small launch to say they did it. And it would certainly help mitigate the removal of backwards compatibility. 40%

Shawn: I think that perhaps Sony has been planning this ever since they discontinued the 60GB PS3. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that this will appease Backwards compatibility fans very much because of one thing- they’ll have to rebuy all their games again…assuming that all their games are even eventually put on the PSN. Not cool at all. On the other hand, it means people who are either new to gaming or sold/lost their PS2 games will be able to play them again finally. Either way, I think this is almost a guarantee to happen. 95%

Microsoft to release Blu-ray add-on for Xbox 360

This rumor is making the rounds yet again, and so we have to include it here. Rumor has it Microsoft is working on a Blu-ray Drive add-on similar to the HD-DVD Drive add-on they sold during the format war. Despite repeatedly denying that they are working on said add-on, this rumor keeps popping up. Surely there is some truth to it, if it just won’t die.

Andrew: This rumor does keep popping up, doesn’t it? Ever since the failure of the HD-DVD format, Microsoft hasn’t had a way to compete with Sony in that regard (even if the HD-DVD drive for the 360 was sold separately). I think this could happen, but is it really a way for Microsoft to “compete” with Sony in that regard? Sony has that market cornered, and most people who want to watch Bluray movies will pick a PS3 over a 360. I guess it could satisfy current 360 owners who don’t want to buy a PS3, but I don’t see much of a profit in it. 35%

Graham: I really doubt it. Blu-Ray is Sony’s baby, so Microsoft doesn’t want to help them, and honestly the format hasn’t yet proven it will overtake downloads and streaming. Also, there’s the chilling effect of not wanting to make the same mistake twice…Nintendo is still a bit timid about online after Satellaview and 64DD, and it’s been a decade. Microsoft’s HD add-on was just a few years ago. 5%

Shawn: Well, ever since HD-DVD died a sudden and painful death, Microsoft has been left with only digital distribution for providing HD videos. Logically, it makes sense for Microsoft to make a Blu-ray add-on for the 360 so that it isn’t a feature Sony has over Microsoft. Believe me, a lot of PS3s are sold simply because of the Blu-ray drive in them. On the other hand, if Microsoft hasn’t done it yet, I doubt they ever will. I think the idea of having to pay royalties to Sony for anything chafes them enough that they will wait as long as they can before touching Blu-ray. 15%

MySims Agents

November 13, 2009

Reviews / Wii / by Shawn Vermette /

At first glance, MySims Agents is not a game many people would consider playing. The art style of the MySims series alienates many people because of how cutesy it is. However, they would miss out on one of the better adventure games to be released on the Wii thus far.

In MySims Agents you will first create your agent from an assortment of preset options in a number of categories such as: hair, face, clothes, and headwear. The variety is much lower than you would expect in a Sims game, but there’s still enough to satisfy most players. Once your agent is created, you’ll find yourself in Gino’s Pizzeria, where you’ll get started as a small-time detective. After solving a few cases involving missing pets and secret admirers, you’ll be deputized into the Sims Protection Agency, which is somewhat like the FBI. From that point on, you’ll go on various missions- both in the city and in exotic locales with an eye toward catching and defeating a super villain.

After you’ve been deputized, you will be able to recruit agents, place them on teams, and then send them out on dispatch missions. These missions will net you various rewards such as loot for your headquarters and more people that you can recruit as agents. Each team you have is quartered on a different floor and you can customize each floor with the loot you get for finishing dispatch missions. Every item and piece of furniture improves the rating of the team on that floor in at least one of the attributes in the game: charisma, athleticism, science, nature, or paranormal. The higher the rating of a team, the more likely the team is to succeed on the missions they are assigned.

The two defining aspects of the MySims series have always been social interaction and customization. Rather than making social interaction the primary aspect of MySims Agents, as EA had done with previous MySims games, EA took the characters of the MySims universe and placed them in an adventure/detective game. Social interaction has been reduced to a handful of conversation options that change based on your progress through the story. Customization, however, is still a big part of the game. In fact, now customization is arguably a bigger part of the game than ever before, as how you customize your agency directly impacts how well your teams operate on dispatch missions.

Throughout the game you’ll be asked to solve puzzles in order to hack computers, analyze compounds, and pick locks. These puzzles are quick and enjoyable, and provide some variety to the game. Unfortunately, almost all of them are either very easy or fairly easy. A few will take a number of tries to complete, but most are effortlessly solvable in less than five minutes. I suppose this is a concession to the age group EA expects to be most interested in this game, but it’s a shame because the charm and adventure of the game will appeal to all ages, not just younger ones.

Throughout MySims Agents the charm of the Sims franchise is present. The graphics are bright and colorful, the locales are vibrant and interesting, and the characters are, well, characters. The writing is humorous and witty. The story, while not really unique, is entertaining enough to keep you wanting to know what’s next.

The style and art of MySims Agents may turn you off at first glance, but you owe it to yourself to check it out. The charm and humor will make this game appeal to most gamers if given a chance, and the collectibles and customization will appeal to many others.

ESRB: E for Everyone- Comic Mischief.

Plays Like: A MySims style adventure game

Pros: dialog is humorous; minigames are fun; sims charm is intact; lots of collectibles; fun, lengthy story

Cons: minigames are too easy; dan’t revisit previous locales; damera angles are sometimes awkward and can block facial expressions during conversations

Rune Factory Frontier

November 13, 2009

Reviews / Wii / by Shawn Vermette /

Rune Factory Frontier is the first game Neverland Co. has made for the Wii. Despite this, it is one of the best Wii games I’ve had the pleasure of playing since I bought my Wii three years ago. It’s clear that Neverland put a lot of time and effort into Rune Factory Frontier and that we can look forward with eagerness to their next title.

Rune Factory Frontier is the third game in the Rune Factory series, and you’ll play as the same protagonist, Raguna, as in the previous two games. However, the story is completely unrelated to the previous games, so you don’t have to worry if you’ve never played them. At the beginning of the game, Raguna is wandering the countryside looking for Mist, a girl that lived in town with you but mysteriously disappeared one day. You’ll stumble on her in Trampoli Village during the opening scene of the game and, much to Raguna’s surprise and chagrin, find yourself in charge of a completely deserted and overrun farm. At this point you’ll have the choice to continue through the story or simply enjoy immersing yourself in the leisurely pace of Rune Factory Frontier.

The difference between Rune Factory and Harvest Moon is that Rune Factory games have some basic action RPG elements brought into them, and Rune Factory Frontier is no different. You’ll start out the game with some turnip seeds, a watering can, and a hoe. It is your job from then on to earn a living however you wish to. You’ll be able to purchase a basic kitchen, forge, and laboratory early in the game, and anything made in them can be sold for profit. In fact, everything in the game can be sold, even the grass you pick from your field. And did I mention action RPG elements? Rune Factory Frontier has that in spades. You will gain access eventually to a number of caves and ruins that are home to any manner of foul and loathsome beasts- all of whom want to hurt you. These monsters can range from squirrels to spiders to giant man-eating mushrooms to magic tigers. You can use your farm tools to fight or you can buy or forge swords, spears, axes, and even learn to use magic. As you fight you’ll level up, and each time you level up, your stamina and health will be restored. At the end of each cave or ruin, there’s a boss to fight which will require all of your strength to beat.

Unlike many action RPGs though, fighting isn’t all you’ll do in the ruins and caves. You can also grow crops in them, there’s even an area that will allow you to grow crops from any season, all the time. Additionally, you can tame the wild beasts, many of whom have special abilities that will make your life easier on your farm. These abilities will range from helping you harvest crops, to chopping down trees, watering crops, and even destroying the boulders that cover your field. Some will even give you products like wool or milk when you raise them. These monsters take the place of the livestock you would normally care for in a Harvest Moon game; you’ll find no cows or chickens here.

Progressing through the game, you’ll meet any number of eligible bachelorettes who would love to get to know and marry you. In fact, the farther you advance through the story and the more profitable your farm becomes, the more people will move to Trampoli. Unfortunately, the relation and conversational systems in Rune Factory Frontier are no more in-depth or realistic than they’ve ever been. Most people will say the same few things for the majority of each season, and getting them to like you is simply a matter of talking to them often and giving them the one or two gifts they like the most.

As far as the technical aspects of the game are concerned, almost everything is top-tier in terms of quality. The graphics are vibrant and look great for the Wii, though the environments are slightly less detailed than the characters themselves. The sound effects are spot on, whether you are watering crops, chopping up wood, or slaying monsters. However, the voice acting is some of the worst I’ve heard in a video game. It is grating, annoying, and conveys less emotion than the writing on the screen does. The soundtrack isn’t particularly noteworthy, but it is fitting for the game. The control scheme for the game feels smooth and responsive and is actually fairly intuitive.

Neverland also changed the inventory system for Rune Factory Frontier. No longer will you have to deal with running out of space in your backpack and need to leave a cave before you are finished because there’s not enough room for anything else. Everything will stack, up to 99 pieces, in a single slot in your backpack and you have at least 80 slots to fill. There are storage boxes and shelves in your house to use, so the only time you’ll ever run out of space is by failing to take advantage of the various inventory options.

The Wii has had few notable third-party games to call its own, and even fewer worthwhile RPGs, but Rune Factory Frontier certainly fills that void. It’s one of the best games I’ve played so far on the Wii and will have something for almost anyone to enjoy. It can be as fast or slow-paced as you make it, and you can pretty much spend as much time as desired on each of the different activities in the game.

ESRB: E10 for Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, and Use of Alcohol

Plays Like: Harvest Moon meets a dungeon crawler; previous Rune Factory games

Pros: Controls feel smooth and responsive; graphics are great for the Wii; inventory is simple, easy, and the best in the series; just as addictive as ever

Cons: Menu system is clunky, with lots of screens that you can only flip through one at a time; voice acting is atrocious

Lego Rock Band

November 12, 2009

Reviews / Xbox 360 / by Graham Russell /

By now, most people have played Rock Band. You know the gameplay, you know the style and you know the pros and cons to the interface and the controls. What really matters in Lego Rock Band is this: what’s here that’s different?

Well, it’s easiest to consider this game in two parts: the song list and the campaign structure. Lego Rock Band is compatible with any Rock Band songs that are on your hard drive (as long as they’re not particularly explicit), and the game comes with a voucher to export the songs to other Rock Band games. Because of that, the two parts are almost completely separate.

So, for the campaign and customization: it’s Lego. Your avatar is Lego, and you can customize it with Lego clothes and heads and instruments. You can also customize your band, manager, roadies, and home base. The process isn’t as detailed, but it’s authentic to the Lego experience: there are limited pieces with limited colors, and you put them together. The campaign takes you to strange-yet-fitting Lego settings, like a construction site or space. Each area ends with a “challenge” to take care of some objective, and though there’s not much special to these gameplay-wise, the ending song is interspersed with visual representations of how your performance is affecting the goal. For some reason, Tt Games and Harmonix put a focus on Queen in the title. It’s an awkward fit for kids; the songs are fun, but the game keeps having to explain that the group is famous and successful.

Also in Lego Rock Band are options to make the game easier for little ones, like disabling the kick pedal or turning on very easy mode. The game doesn’t include any online play, though…presumably as a measure to keep the game safe for children.

Then there’s the song list. Where Activision’s Band Hero has focused on trendy, new pop songs, Lego Rock Band has a wider selection. Sure, there’s a little Blink 182 and All American Rejects, but there’s also some Jimi Hendrix, Elton John and Tom Petty thrown in. There are also fun diversions like Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters,” Europe’s “The Final Countdown” and a Spinal Tap track. For $50, the 45-song pack is a decent value, and if that’s all you want, you can export them with an included code for a $10 fee and trade the disc in to more than recoup that cost. It’s unfortunate that the export costs money, but Harmonix learned from previous attempts that people would just borrow the disc or buy cheap used versions.

This is a nice title, but not on its own. It’s a nice kid-friendly mod for the Rock Band songs you already have, and it’s an entertaining song pack to export and use with the other titles. If you don’t have more songs, though, it’s a little light.

ESRB: E10+– That’s kind of the point.
Pros: Rock Band, Lego stuff if you like that kind of thing
Cons: Well…Lego stuff if you don’t like that kind of thing

Win My Copy: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

November 12, 2009

News / by Chris Rasco /

To celebrate the release of one of the year’s biggest titles, I am going to give my copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (X360) to one lucky reader. The rules are simple, make a post or retweet the link to this post and you get an entry or 2 if you do both.

You have to reside in the US or Canada and be 18 or older to win.

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