Sunday Roundup: 4/6/14

Almost a release game for the wonderful 3DS, Dream Trigger is only on this collection list because it was $5. I’ve heard it’s a fairly short experience, so mayhaps I’ll get around to playing it. More interesting though, the game actually has an arcade counterpart! I’ll try to snap a picture and get some gameplay of that version in next time I see the cabinet (which if I’m lucky could be this week).

Man, I have been looking for this one in good condition and for a good price for ages, and finally I can say I’ve secured my copy. I was actually able to get in some play time with this one as well, and I have to say, this game surprised me. It’s an interactive multiplayer mystery game where you all work together to figure out whodunnit. After completing the first two missions, I’m going to try to capture the rest of the gameplay so I can share it with you all. Short story so far: buy this game when you see it. Worth every penny!

Another game that I’ve been looking to buy for quite some time, Lost in Shadow was a much harder game to track down than Guilty Party. Also, I didn’t know the game came out so late in the Wii’s life: for this reason or that I always thought the game was around for years. Lost in Shadow is a puzzle/platformer where you control the shadow of your character as they navigate through levels. I’m interested in seeing the puzzles in the game, but more so in seeing how the shadows play into cleverly developed platforming!

My splurge for the week, Mario Party 8 was not the best deal I’ve gotten for a game. I had a coupon I wanted to use before it expired (Buy 2 Get 1 Free) and decided to make the most of it by picking up higher priced games so I could snag a loftier priced game for free. Mario Party 8 here wasn’t a choice I’d normally take (the price is WAY too high) but I needed something to round out the deal. As far as the game itself, I did manage to play it this week, and can say it is starting to show it’s age, especially compared to the much nicer looking Mario Party 9.

The better end of the Buy 2 Get 1 Free coupon was, coincidentally, another Mario Party game! This game was actually the reason I decided to pick up higher priced games as part of the deal. Laura and I played the game via download play with a couple of friends and we all had a blast! Being able to entertain four players with 3DS’ with just one cartridge is pretty amazing. And while this isn’t the best party Mario’s thrown, it certainly is the best one I’ve played while on the go. Protip to developers: utilize Download Play more often!

Haha, no way! I was more excited than I should have been to see this game sitting on the shelf. And for such a high price! Honestly, $6 is pricey for this game, considering it doesn’t have any redeeming factors, gameplay, sexploitation or otherwise. But I’m a sucker for these type of cheesy, ridiculous games, and I couldn’t help myself. Worth nothing, the sequel to this game released in the US as well, but as a Wii exclusive. The search is on!

I initially didn’t even see this gem sitting on the shelf on my first pass through the Wii section. It’s spine is rather generic, just reading the title in boring grey letters. But I’m so happy I took the time to go through the racks again, because I can now claim this rare US released game in the series as my own. I learned some time back that Devil Kings released on the PS2 is actually the first game in the Sengoku Basara series of hack ‘n’ slash games. If I can get that one as well, I’ll pretty much wrap up this series’ US releases!

I saw this game well over a year ago (still for $5… I guess GameStop doesn’t like going much lower) and thought it could be worth it. I passed on it back then, but this week I decided I could give the game a loving home. I’m really starting to pile up the Wii action/adventure games. I should probably start playing any/all of them soon, but I know I’ll just buy more and not actually play any of them. Ugh…

Finally! I’m not even that excited about this game, I’m just happy that I finally found a copy of the game complete and in great shape. Just about every GameStop I have been to seemed to have a copy of this game, but it was either disc only or the case was devoured by a raving beast it was so damaged. Another point of interest, I always thought this game had some of the worst cover art for the entire seventh generation of games. It’s so lame! Doesn’t make me want to play it at all, which is pretty poor considering.

So many games (or developers, I suppose) seemed to approach the Wii with some skepticism. Naturally, the motion controls turned a lot of developers to other consoles, but perhaps they would then take their series back to the Wii to try something new. We saw this with games like Overlord: Dark Legend and Far Cry, and here we are again with Valhalla Knights. The series of generic role playing games was originally exclusive to Sony’s PSP handheld (and later PS Vita), but this version includes online co-op play and the same “meh” gameplay and story. Perhaps it’ll gain some collector’s value in the future. I’m banking on that…

Basically another Mario Party game, meaning that’s three in one week! That could be some kind of record. Not sure though, I don’t really keep track of these types of things. But I do now that this game is developed by Nd Cube, the same group that actually did develop a Mario Party game, namely Mario Party 9. This game borrows heavily from that one, which isn’t bad because both games do minigames right: It’s easy to get started, the action is fast between games, and dammit if it isn’t fun! Though this is a first party game, I feel like it could go by unnoticed by some Mario fans because it doesn’t actually feature the portly plumber, but those of you looking for more Wii minigame fun should definitely check it out!