For those of you who didn't know, WiiWare launched in the US yesterday and of the six titles released so far, I have to recommend one ...

Lost Winds

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3qFbxm2Da4k

Childrens game? Perhaps. And if you think less of me for liking it... well fuck you then. :lol:

I'll admit, it only took me about 4 to 5 hours to play though but I've never been one to criticize a game for being short. And if I have to choose between a short but well polished gem and a long drawn out turd, Lost Winds is a great example of what developers can do when duration isn't made a priority.

From a gameplay standpoint, it is essentially a simple 2D platformer with some puzzle solving elements. Levels are designed in a fashion similar to metroid where from the very beginning it's clear that some areas are inaccessible and will need revisited.

It's beautifully styled and the environments are rich with detail. This would definitely be a source of inspiration for some map making if I had the talent.

The thing that really won me over though was how innovative the game was. You move the character around with the joystick, but there is no jump button. You blow gusts of wind at the character to propel him across jumps or over obstacles. And it's largely the same but in reverse with enemies. Blow them into the ceiling, floor, walls.

And it doesn't end there. The environment plays a part as well. You can fling boulders around, blow fire from torches, or spray water gathered from streams and pools. There's something appealing about being able to write your name in the sky with fire.

My only fault with the game is that it's not challenging. The enemies are disposed of easily. And there are save points and health pickups which are practically rendered useless because you can revive your dying character by simply waving your cursor over him frantically. Perhaps the challenge is supposed to be in solving puzzles but I didn't find them very difficult.

That said, I still enjoyed the game very much and think it's well worth the $10 spent.

spoiler wrote:

During the ending they use the "To Be Continued" bit which implies they have a sequel in the works.

I also bought Defend Your Castle for $5...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4EBKOybfZqI

... and while it's certainly a fun game it's not as polished as it could be. The novelty wears off quickly as it doesn't take too long to get to a point where you have all the major upgrades. It would make a good beer game though.

forgot about wiiware!

I'm happy to see you're saying you bought games for $10 & $5. Very refreshing imho. Another one coming out that I pre-ordered for PC (will be wiiware too) is World of Goo. 2d puzzle/structure building game. Very fun.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o30HZquEnuw

Was thinking of picking up Defend Your Castle and Final Fantasy as I was browsing around yesterday. I've heard some rumor that Final Fantasy might include some type of "pay as you play" sort of thing though which makes me hesitant. Happen to know any info on that?

beautiful game! looks a bit like little big planet.

bring on dr. mario, then i'll bite.

The Happy Friar wrote:

Another one coming out that I pre-ordered for PC (will be wiiware too) is World of Goo.

Yes. I've seen the previews for that and it looks like it might be fun.

Deadite4 wrote:

Was thinking of picking up Defend Your Castle and Final Fantasy as I was browsing around yesterday. I've heard some rumor that Final Fantasy might include some type of "pay as you play" sort of thing though which makes me hesitant. Happen to know any info on that?

I've heard reports of that too. But from what understand it's more like SimCity than a traditional Final Fantasy game and that doesn't really interest me anyway. You can watch preview videos for all the titles on the Nintendo Channel if you haven't installed that already.

pbmax wrote:

beautiful game! looks a bit like little big planet.

You're right about that. Shame the PS3 costs almost $400 or I'd buy that game too.

I haven't watched any videos off the nintendo channel yet, but I have played some of the DS download Demos they have on there. I believe they are going to be bringing Wii demos in the future as well. Its nice to see Nintendo finally bring all of these channels to America finally.

three things:

1. its 43 megs only
2. developed in three months
3. what engine does it use?!?

wouldn't surprise if many of the indy games are 100% indy, homemade engines. Just because the games they have on there aren't done by amatures but by pro's who are indy (2d boy is two former EA guys, for example).

I finally picked up Final Fantasy: My Life as a King the other day, my first Wiiware title. I must say I haven't been so addicted to a game since Twilight Princess came out. I had to force myself to go to sleep so I could get up for work in the morning.

Has anyone tried any other titles yet, new or old?

I've tried a few WiiWare titles since but I haven't been floored by them to the point where I want to recommend them like I was with Lost Winds.

The last few titles I've bought were for other people. Things like TV Show King, Toki Tori, and Cocoto Fishing Master. And given I've spent less than $50 I can't complain. I play them casually so hey, whatever.

In fact, most of the titles I've played are like that. They're not great games but they're decent. And for at most $10 a pop, if you've got the cash to spare and you're bored it's not as risky to try something out.

For those of you who didn't know, WiiWare launched in the US yesterday and of the six titles released so far, I have to recommend one ...

Lost Winds

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3qFbxm2Da4k

Childrens game? Perhaps. And if you think less of me for liking it... well fuck you then. :lol:

I'll admit, it only took me about 4 to 5 hours to play though but I've never been one to criticize a game for being short. And if I have to choose between a short but well polished gem and a long drawn out turd, Lost Winds is a great example of what developers can do when duration isn't made a priority.

From a gameplay standpoint, it is essentially a simple 2D platformer with some puzzle solving elements. Levels are designed in a fashion similar to metroid where from the very beginning it's clear that some areas are inaccessible and will need revisited.

It's beautifully styled and the environments are rich with detail. This would definitely be a source of inspiration for some map making if I had the talent.

The thing that really won me over though was how innovative the game was. You move the character around with the joystick, but there is no jump button. You blow gusts of wind at the character to propel him across jumps or over obstacles. And it's largely the same but in reverse with enemies. Blow them into the ceiling, floor, walls.

And it doesn't end there. The environment plays a part as well. You can fling boulders around, blow fire from torches, or spray water gathered from streams and pools. There's something appealing about being able to write your name in the sky with fire.

My only fault with the game is that it's not challenging. The enemies are disposed of easily. And there are save points and health pickups which are practically rendered useless because you can revive your dying character by simply waving your cursor over him frantically. Perhaps the challenge is supposed to be in solving puzzles but I didn't find them very difficult.

That said, I still enjoyed the game very much and think it's well worth the $10 spent.

spoiler wrote:

During the ending they use the "To Be Continued" bit which implies they have a sequel in the works.

I also bought Defend Your Castle for $5...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4EBKOybfZqI

... and while it's certainly a fun game it's not as polished as it could be. The novelty wears off quickly as it doesn't take too long to get to a point where you have all the major upgrades. It would make a good beer game though.

forgot about wiiware!

I'm happy to see you're saying you bought games for $10 & $5. Very refreshing imho. Another one coming out that I pre-ordered for PC (will be wiiware too) is World of Goo. 2d puzzle/structure building game. Very fun.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o30HZquEnuw

Was thinking of picking up Defend Your Castle and Final Fantasy as I was browsing around yesterday. I've heard some rumor that Final Fantasy might include some type of "pay as you play" sort of thing though which makes me hesitant. Happen to know any info on that?

beautiful game! looks a bit like little big planet.

bring on dr. mario, then i'll bite.

The Happy Friar wrote:

Another one coming out that I pre-ordered for PC (will be wiiware too) is World of Goo.

Yes. I've seen the previews for that and it looks like it might be fun.

Deadite4 wrote:

Was thinking of picking up Defend Your Castle and Final Fantasy as I was browsing around yesterday. I've heard some rumor that Final Fantasy might include some type of "pay as you play" sort of thing though which makes me hesitant. Happen to know any info on that?

I've heard reports of that too. But from what understand it's more like SimCity than a traditional Final Fantasy game and that doesn't really interest me anyway. You can watch preview videos for all the titles on the Nintendo Channel if you haven't installed that already.

pbmax wrote:

beautiful game! looks a bit like little big planet.

You're right about that. Shame the PS3 costs almost $400 or I'd buy that game too.

I haven't watched any videos off the nintendo channel yet, but I have played some of the DS download Demos they have on there. I believe they are going to be bringing Wii demos in the future as well. Its nice to see Nintendo finally bring all of these channels to America finally.

three things:

1. its 43 megs only
2. developed in three months
3. what engine does it use?!?

wouldn't surprise if many of the indy games are 100% indy, homemade engines. Just because the games they have on there aren't done by amatures but by pro's who are indy (2d boy is two former EA guys, for example).

I finally picked up Final Fantasy: My Life as a King the other day, my first Wiiware title. I must say I haven't been so addicted to a game since Twilight Princess came out. I had to force myself to go to sleep so I could get up for work in the morning.

Has anyone tried any other titles yet, new or old?

I've tried a few WiiWare titles since but I haven't been floored by them to the point where I want to recommend them like I was with Lost Winds.

The last few titles I've bought were for other people. Things like TV Show King, Toki Tori, and Cocoto Fishing Master. And given I've spent less than $50 I can't complain. I play them casually so hey, whatever.

In fact, most of the titles I've played are like that. They're not great games but they're decent. And for at most $10 a pop, if you've got the cash to spare and you're bored it's not as risky to try something out.