Joystiq

'Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights' is the sincerest form of flattery

JC Fletcher — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Konami first entered the "games that strongly remind us of Professor Layton" genre this year with Zac and Ombra: Amusement Park of Illusion. The company continues to make new strides in the field of making games that look a lot like Level-5 made them with Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights for 3DS, which will be released in Japan this spring.

Dr. Jean-Pierre Lautrec, a top-hatted archaeologist at the Museum of Natural History, and his intern Sophie travel around Paris, solving puzzles and attempting to follow a mysterious treasure map. Unlike the Layton titles, Konami's game doesn't appear to be all puzzles. Exploration is carried out from an isometric view and the characters have some form of RPG stats. Also, unlike Layton, Lautrec has a totally commanding 'stache.

'Doctor Lautrec and the Forgotten Knights' is the sincerest form of flattery originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not cloned screens of Clone Wars: Republic Heroes

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:15:00 EST

LucasArts has released the first screens of The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes and we have them all for you to enjoy. The company has released screens for the Xbox 360 -- which we presume will be identical to the PS3 release -- Wii and DS versions, so pick your platform of choice from the galleries below and peruse. All of the versions look pretty decent, though we imagine the stylized look of the game helps in that regard.

We've also embedded the release trailer above for those of you who couldn't be bothered to click the link in the announcement post last week.

Gallery: Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (360, PS3)

Continue reading Not cloned screens of Clone Wars: Republic Heroes

Not cloned screens of Clone Wars: Republic Heroes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 May 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Co-op Clone Wars game coming to Xbox 360, PS3

David Hinkle — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:40:00 EST

A rumor posted over at Destructoid points to a new Clone Wars game in the works for Xbox 360 and PS3. Titled Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes, the game is described as a third-person action title featuring two-player co-op, with separate "Jedi" and "Clone" storylines featuring Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, respectively.

The game's focus is supposedly on melee combat, with mention of some form of upgrades available throughout the game. Jedi characters will purportedly have some access to Force powers (gasp!), such as the ability to control droids (Dtoid's post mentions rolling Droideka).

Krome Studios has had plenty of experience with the Star Wars franchise. The company handled porting Star Wars: The Force Unleashed to the Wii, PS2, and PSP, and was responsible for the Wii-exclusive Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels. Let's hope the third time's the charm here.

Rumor: Co-op Clone Wars game coming to Xbox 360, PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metareview - The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels

David Hinkle — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:11:00 EST

Filed under: Metareview

We were holding out hope that The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels would be a competent fighter, as we're a fan of the genre (as well as Star Wars). But, you know, the good Star Wars. Which, we suppose, this isn't, based on the reviews below. So, without further delay, let's get to it!

GamePro (70/100) says this one is for the younger fans: "The shallow fighting system, the teenage snark and animation won't impress older fans of the series, but it's good fun for younger Jedis in training."

GameSpy (60/100) is of the mind that this is a good prequel to the inevitable MotionPlus-enabled sequel: "Lightsaber Duels may not be exactly what fans were clamoring for when Nintendo unveiled the Wii's lightsaber-esque controllers, but it's still quite enjoyable. The single-player experience won't last you long, though, so you might not want to invest in the game unless you plan on playing with a buddy. If nothing else, it's a good sneak preview for the inevitable 1:1 sequel when the MotionPlus is released."

Variety (50/100) thinks the game failed in the multiplayer: "The biggest potential for "Lightsaber Duels" lies in multiplayer -- which is also were the game is at it's worst. Fighting a friend in the same room is fun enough, but there are no options besides one-on-one combat until one person gets knocked down for the count. The lack of different competitive modes, as well as any options for online play, keeps "Lightsaber Duels" from becoming the awesome sci-fi fighting game it has the potential to be."

Metareview - The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a lightsaber duel go down in Star Wars: The Clone Wars

David Hinkle — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:48:00 EST

Filed under: Video

Okay, we must admit that we're kind of surprised at the clip Entertainment Weekly has for the upcoming The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels game. It looks kind of decent, actually, with all of the stuff going on in the background and the lightsaber battle shown being kind of action-packed. Our first glimpse of the game looked nothing like this. There's some polish now, it would seem. Of course, it is based on that movie that supposedly wasn't very good, but if the gameplay is as fun as this clip would make it seem, we can overlook that. Maybe it doesn't need MotionPlus after all?

We'd like to embed the video for you, but EW won't allow it. To see the clip, click here.

[Via Go Nintendo]

Watch a lightsaber duel go down in Star Wars: The Clone Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Point/Counterpoint: Does Clone Wars need MotionPlus to succeed?

David Hinkle — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Point/Counterpoint

In this edition of Point/Counterpoint, we're tackling the issue of MotionPlus and Lucasarts' upcoming Star Wars game, The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels. Sure, there's a rumor of another game in the works that will utilize the tech, but nothing is confirmed yet. Does a Star Wars game need MotionPlus? Read on for the debate, then cast your vote in our poll.

NEXT >>

Point/Counterpoint: Does Clone Wars need MotionPlus to succeed? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: A third Wii lightsaber game, with MotionPlus this time

JC Fletcher — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors

We were a little puzzled when LucasArts introduced Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels before the release of The Force Unleashed on Wii, whose major selling point was ... an exclusive lightsaber duel mode. It seemed as if we were being told to disregard that first game that wasn't out yet, because the real thing was on the way. Well, if this rumor is true, get ready to disregard the second game as well.

According to EGM's "Quartermann" gossip column, a grumbling LucasArts is returning to the drawing board for another Wii lightsaber game, this time designed for MotionPlus. This potential game is rumored to be out sometime next year. If this is real, LucasArts would be smart not to talk about it until they've sold at least one copy of the two existing lightsaber games.

Rumor: A third Wii lightsaber game, with MotionPlus this time originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LucasArts mad about MotionPlus?

David Hinkle — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors

Despite it being arguably the best thing to come from Nintendo's E3 line-up, everyone isn't happy about MotionPlus. At the top of the list of disgruntled folk is none other than LucasArts. Why? Well, according to a blurb from the latest issue of Game Informer, which was transcribed by a GAFfer (the one with the Arkham Asylum reveal), third parties weren't privy to the info before Nintendo's press conference (if they read us, they would have learned about it a day beforehand). That's old hat to us all, though.

The problem is that LucasArts specifically took the time to craft The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels specifically for the Wii. See, everyone wants a 1:1 lightsaber game and it would've been a fantastic way to market the game. We guess that ship has sailed ...

[Via CVG]

LucasArts mad about MotionPlus? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks promising, Clone Wars does

Chris Greenhough — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:35:00 EST

Filed under: News

In a galaxy ... right here actually, Lucasarts has a dedicated team working on the DS version of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Splitting development responsibilities in this way seems to be paying dividends -- both the Wii and DS editions, seen here in this Entertainment Weekly video, are looking accomplished.

It helps, no doubt, that the games are based on the accompanying animated TV series. The stylized characters from the show may not keep every hardened Star Wars traditionalist happy, but they certainly translate well to the DS, as shown above. There's a brief glimpse of the stylus-driven lightsaber fights, and the developers discuss the importance of teamwork between fellow Jedi. Now all you need are the right styli.

Looks promising, Clone Wars does originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clone Wars: 'the ultimate lightsaber dueling experience'

JC Fletcher — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: News

That's according to LucasArts president Darrell Rodriguez. We imagine the Force Unleashed team's shoulders drooping a little in unison every time LucasArts undersells their game in favor of serving the larger Clone Wars multimedia hype machine.

This Entertainment Weekly video interview with Rodriguez, Clone Wars TV series director Dave Filoni and George Lucas, as well as members of both the DS and Wii dev teams, features a little bit of excellent-looking footage of the Wii game. According to Krome's Robert Walsh, the Wii game is designed to allow players to replay experiences from the TV show.

LucasArts' goal of a totally convergent game/show experience is cool, but it's kind of a shame that they're spreading those particular character designs across so many screens.

Clone Wars: 'the ultimate lightsaber dueling experience' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: Check out screens from Lightsaber Duels

Alisha Karabinus — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

Never really watched The Clone Wars show, so obviously, the art style for the games is a little, uh, striking. Okay, let's be honest -- if you're not accustomed to it, it's ugly. But now that we're seeing some screens from the game, the look is starting to seem normal. Maybe even sort of okay. By next month, we'll probably be digging it. We're fickle.

There's just one thing dampening the ol' enthusiasm, though. Now that we've seen the swordplay in Wii Sports Resort with Wii MotionPlus, it's hard to get excited about a pre-accessory game like this. We want lightsaber duels, and we were told first to look to The Force Unleashed, and then to Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- Lightsaber Duels. Look, it's even in the name. And yet, now it seems somewhat diminished by a dude slicing at a block of wood in a beach-themed mini-game collection.

If nothing else, the two (or three) will make for great comparisons when they're all released. But somehow, we think we might not be alone in hoping, for once, for a delay.

E308: Check out screens from Lightsaber Duels originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: Clone Wars: Small screens, long title

Alisha Karabinus — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Screens

... and big ol' character art that actually makes this particular art style a little more endearing. Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- Jedi Alliance has been lying low; even the initial reveal of the (very long) title seemed so casual as to have been possibly accidental. Now, however, we've got a window into the title. albeit a very small one that offers but a glimpse. With the lure of lightsaber duels in the Wii version (conveniently subtitled Lightsaber Duels), the DS version will probably need to be something special. Let's hope the controls come through!

[Via press release]

E308: Clone Wars: Small screens, long title originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First glimpse at Star Wars Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels

David Hinkle — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Video

While most debut trailers are full of pre-rendered cutscenes and CG, we're glad to report that the first glimpse at Star Wars Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels actually has quite a bit of gameplay in it. And, based on what we saw, it looks like the action is going to be spot-on. The timing looks good and the speed of combat seems intense enough to warrant our attention. We're still not crazy about the game's look, though.

What do you all think? Looking forward to taking out the Sith trash? Going to crush the Jedi order?

[Via Joystiq]

First glimpse at Star Wars Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See first trailer from Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels

Justin McElroy — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Action

The announcement of Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels had us hopeful that we'd finally get that immersive Wiimote-as-lightsaber game that we'd been hoping for since ... well, since we first saw the Wiimote. But now that we've gotten a look at the above trailer, it seems that our dream, once again, has flitted just out of our grasp.

Sure, it looks nice, especially for a Wii game, what with all the fancy lightsaber effects and stylized character models. But it's just not the game we want. Here's hoping that the game will still scratch some itch, even if we don't know we have it yet.

See first trailer from Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DS Clone Wars project lead talks up the game

David Hinkle — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, News

We don't have to tell you how promising upcoming Star Wars: The Clone Wars game is. Drop-in anytime wireless co-op play? Awesome! Stylus-driven gameplay akin to Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword? Awesome. We're excited.

For the Padawans out there looking for more, know that the game's project lead, Feargus Carroll, recently spoke with IGN. He details the story, which has Count Dooku joining force with the Nightsisters, whom are described as "Sith Witches with Force powers and Lightsaber skills." They have nasty things planned for the Jedi and it's up to the player to stop them with the six available characters, which are Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Plo Koon and Kit Fisto.

Feargus also talks a bit about the stylus-driven controls, stating that just about everything will be controlled with the stylus. Movement, attacks, Force powers and just about anything else you can imagine is utilized through the stylus. It sounds ambitious, but it's been pulled off once already.

All in all, we're excited for Lucasarts' DS entry. What say you?

DS Clone Wars project lead talks up the game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars DS is not a Wii clone

Candace Savino — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Now that LucasArts has officially announced a Clone Wars game for the DS, we've found out a lot more details on the upcoming Star Wars title to share with our lovely readers.

For one, we know that the DS version will have its own story, despite the fact that Clone Wars is also coming to the Wii. Since the games plan to take the series in different directions, they also have different subtitles: the DS version is known as Jedi Alliance, while the software for the Wii is called Lightsaber Duels.

Aside from the fact that Jedi Alliance will (obviously) utilize the touchscreen and stylus, LucasArts also boasts about the player's ability to pair up Jedi Masters and Padawans. For example, you can team up Anakin and Obi-Wan (but that seems too obvious). The more you develop the relationships between your pairs, the more powerful they'll be together. Different pair combinations will also feature different abilities, meaning that you'll have to replay some levels with new teams if you hope to unlock everything. Lastly, the game will support drop-in/drop-out wireless co-op play.

All in all, it sounds like a neat little title. We only hope that it looks a little better than the screen up top -- granted, the resolution is blown up, but it didn't look so hot in its natural size, either.

[Via press release]

Star Wars: The Clone Wars DS is not a Wii clone originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LucasArts confirms Star Wars: The Clone Wars games for DS, Wii

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, Action

After teasing Wii- and DS-exclusive Star Wars titles on the back of the Lego Indiana Jones manual, LucasArts has confirmed to VentureBeat that a pair of games, based on the upcoming Clone Wars animated movie and TV show, will indeed be heading to Nintendo's platforms.

Players with a love of space operas and a high tolerance for clones (and colons) can look forward to playing Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance, a DS game from LucasArts's studio in Singapore, and Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels, a Wii-bound, wand-waving fencing fest from Krome Studios. Both titles are expected to beam onto shelves this November.

Darn, that was a Star Trek reference, wasn't it? We'll get it right next time.

Gallery: Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance (DS)

Gallery: Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels (Wii)

LucasArts confirms Star Wars: The Clone Wars games for DS, Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii Lightsaber Games Episode II: The Clone Wars [update]

JC Fletcher — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

IGN's interview with LucasArts producer Ken Fox offers the first gameplay information (and screenshot) of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The one-on-one lightsaber fighting game, developed by Krome Studios, makes heavy use of Wii Remote motion controls to simulate swordfighting. You know, just like that other Star Wars Wii game coming out. Strangely, Fox's discussion of this new game seems to omit The Force Unleashed -- which is also a Star Wars game developed by Krome which features a duel mode. "The promise of a Wii lightsaber game has hung in the air since the Wii hit the shelves," Fox said. "We think this is the game that delivers on that promise."

Sort of implies that the other one isn't going to deliver, doesn't it? Is LucasArts trying to shift focus away from The Force Unleashed? Should we be worried about its quality? We only say this because since its reveal, The Force Unleashed has been positioned as The Wii Lightsaber Game.

[Update: another screen now available after the break.]]

Continue reading Wii Lightsaber Games Episode II: The Clone Wars [update]

Wii Lightsaber Games Episode II: The Clone Wars [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Force is insignificant next to the power of the DS

David Hinkle — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

How do Stormtroopers kick it? Well, even if they work for an evil empire, they're still people. They do things like taking a bike ride on a beautiful summer day and booting up their DS for some town maintenance. Stormtroopers, as well as other fans of all things Star Wars, should take notice that a new Star Wars title is set to grace the DS and Wii soon.

Titled Star Wars: The Clone Wars, it's set in the same universe as the beloved cartoon series and movies of the same name. The new game has been confirmed via the backside of the instruction manual for upcoming title LEGO Indiana Jones.

Who's anxious to play a Clone Wars game?

The Force is insignificant next to the power of the DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 May 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ugly new Star Wars game on the way

JC Fletcher — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

The back cover of the Lego Indiana Jones manual has revealed a new Star Wars game headed to Wii and DS: Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This new game will be based on the CG movie and animated series coming out later this year. It's actually the second Clone Wars game: a Clone Wars title was released for the PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube back in 2002. Of course, the new show is also the second Clone Wars TV show, because people love the prequel trilogy. In general, we hold much lower expectations for this game than the massively hyped The Force Unleashed, despite knowing nothing at all about it.

For one thing, it's going to look at best like the CG Clone Wars movie, and you can see from the image above how that's working out. In addition, The Force Unleashed has been in the works for years, and seems designed with gameplay at the forefront. This ... is going to be a licensed game.

Ugly new Star Wars game on the way originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 May 2008 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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