Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Lumines Supernova to fall this fall on PSNhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/lumines-supernova-to-fall-this-fall-on-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/lumines-supernova-to-fall-this-fall-on-psn/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/03/lumines-supernova-to-fall-this-fall-on-psn/#commentsFiled under: ,

lumines supernova
We're doubtful the release of Lumines Supernova on PSN this fall will be met with the sort of stellar explosion the game's title implies, but a revered action puzzler -- with "block-dropping beats" to back it up -- can only be a good thing for PlayStation 3's downloadable games service. Still, there's not much about Supernova that could justify a purchase for current owners of one (or more!) of the franchise's iterations aside from a pair of new modes:
  • Dig Down Mode: Using the falling blocks, erase squares from a playfield already filled with blocks as you dig down to the bottom. Show off your digging skills as your completion time is ranked based on clearing 20 consecutive stages.
  • Sequencer Mode: Create your own background music using the sound loops provided in the "Sound Bank" -- drums, bass, synthesizer 1, synthesizer 2, and effects each come with 20 different loops.
In addition, Supernova will feature 40 unlockable skins in Challenge Mode, plus Skin Edit, Time Attack, and Puzzle / Mission modes, and a 2-player versus mode. Q Entertainment has yet to set a firm release date or price for Lumines Supernova, but it does appear to be a more complete game than the core experience on Xbox Live Arcade.

Gallery: Lumines Supernova

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]]>breakingnewslumineslumines-supernovamizuguchipsnq-entertainmenttetsuya-mizuguchiJames Ransom-Wiley2008-09-03T13:57:00+00:00Lumines now available on PChttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/lumines-now-available-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/lumines-now-available-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/04/lumines-now-available-on-pc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


PC users who haven't yet experienced Tetsuya Mizuguchi's rhythm-based puzzle game can finally enjoy the genre-straddling title from the comfort of their own computers. Wild Tangent and Q Entertainment have teamed up to offer a PC version of Lumines, as part of Wild Tangent's library of downloadable game offerings.

The PC version of Lumines -- which appears to be based on the PSP title Lumines II -- features multiple modes of play, a skin editing mode, and online score ranking. Players can buy the full game for $19.99 USD, pay on a per-play basis using Wild Tangent's subscription model, or play a free ad-supported version of the game.

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]]>luminesq-entertainmentqentertainmenttetsuya-mizuguchitetsuyamizuguchiwild-tangentScott Jon Siegel2007-12-04T14:25:00+00:00Tetsuya Mizuguchi to build Virtual Tokyo in Second Lifehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/tetsuya-mizuguchi-to-build-virtual-tokyo-in-second-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/tetsuya-mizuguchi-to-build-virtual-tokyo-in-second-life/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/tetsuya-mizuguchi-to-build-virtual-tokyo-in-second-life/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Like everyone else, we're pretty sick of all the Second Life coverage; it seems like buying real estate in the massively multiplayer non-game is the modern, big-business equivalent of setting up a website for your dad's repair shop. Still, it's one thing when Mercedes sets up a virtual dealership, and a very different matter when Lumines and Rez's Tetsuya Mizuguchi decides to build a re-imagined Tokyo for the denizens of Linden Labs' mammoth world.

What makes Mizuguchi's Tokyo different than other architectural projects in Second Life is his intent in building the city. 1UP reports that rather than building an exact replica of the Japanese city, Mizuguchi wants to fashion his facsimile based on the perceptions of both locals and visitors. Speaking to 1UP, he states his hope that the project, which is a collaboration between himself and advertising firm Dentsu, can become a "museum of Japanese pop culture." We might need to dust off our Second Life avatars just to check it out when it launches.

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]]>japanluminesmizuguchirezsecondlifetetsuyamizuguchitokyoScott Jon Siegel2007-07-05T08:30:00+00:00Sony tells PSP devs to get creative, attract customershttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/sony-tells-psp-devs-to-get-creative/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/sony-tells-psp-devs-to-get-creative/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/sony-tells-psp-devs-to-get-creative/#commentsFiled under: ,

PSP developers need to get more creative, said SCEE game director Tony Buckley. Speaking to CVG, Buckley said that it's up to the developers "to create something that attracts people to PSP."

"I think that rather than focusing on the gameplay side of it, we should be focusing on how to fully utilize what I think is quite a sophisticated piece of kit," he said. According to CVG, Buckley later cited MP3 playback, wireless and online functionality as ways developers could capitalize on the PSP's potential

Maybe it's a problem of perception. Games like Crush and Loco Roco show great creativity from a design perspective. The once-exclusive Lumines (now also a PS2 and Xbox Live Arcade title) was designed byTetsuya Mizuguchi with the portable specifically in mind. But we think Buckley is implying that the PSP lacks that killer app that could only be made on the PSP.

So maybe it's the developer's perception -- take Team Ninja's Tomonobu Itagaki, for example. He said that the design philosophy behind the PSP is the same as that of a home console, so how could he make a game unique to the portable? Then again, maybe the perception problems lie within Sony itself, who needs to either create a first-party game to show exactly what the executives have in mind when they say "killer piece of software," or to promote the creative games they have now.

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]]>crushitagakiloco rocoLocoRocoluminespspsonyRoss Miller2007-06-25T14:24:00+00:00PSP firmware hack drives Lumines saleshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/psp-firmware-hack-drives-lumines-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/psp-firmware-hack-drives-lumines-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/psp-firmware-hack-drives-lumines-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Well that was fast. It was just Saturday that hackers at Noobz found a buffer overflow exploit in the puzzle classic Lumines that allowed hackers to run a simple Hello World program on any PSP firmware, including the recently released version 3.5. By Sunday, our blogging brethren at PSPFanboy caught the above screengrab of Amazon's Movers and Shakers page showing the game's sales jumping a ludicrous 5900 percent in just one day. As of this posting Monday morning, the same page shows a more moderate 750 percent rise pushing the two-year-old title to the second-highest spot on Amazon's video game sales charts.

We understand that there are a lot of people out there that want to exploit this new, uh, exploit to run homebrew code on their PSPs. What we don't understand is how there can be so many PSP owners out there that don't already own Lumines. How do you buy a PSP and not immediately pick up this hauntingly beautiful musical puzzler? We suppose there could be some PSP owners out there who eschew UMDs altogether for legally questionable emulators, but really, if you need a firmware hack to justify shelling out a few bucks for such sublime puzzle goodness then we don't want to be your friend anymore.

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]]>buffer overflowBufferOverflowemulationemulatorexploitfirmwarefirmware 3.5Firmware3.5hackhackerluminesPSPKyle Orland2007-06-25T11:28:00+00:00Download new Lumines Live! content, save the worldhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/download-new-lumines-live-content-save-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/download-new-lumines-live-content-save-the-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/22/download-new-lumines-live-content-save-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lumines Live! (that's the name, we're not shouting) debuted on Xbox Live Arcade last October in a fragmented state, chopped apart by the 50MB file size limit enforced at the time. With several of the game's modes offered as optional and costly additions, it quickly became the hideous poster child for monstrous microtransactions. If you still feel that way, look away before we discuss two new downloadable content packs, one of which is designed to save the Earth.

Q Entertainment has announced that purchases of the SOS Charity Campaign Pack made between June 27th and July 17th will go towards climate protection organizations and causes. A remix of "Heavenly Star", the embarrassingly catchy tune by Japanese group Genki Rockets, is included in the pack as a celebration of the group's upcoming appearance at Al Gore's Live Earth musical event. If you haven't heard the song yet, consider that Lumines and Rez designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi came up with it as an answer to the question, "What kind of song would a 17-year old girl from outer space who has never landed on Earth sing to those living on Earth?"

For 350 MS Points (a rather awkward $4 and 37 and a half cents), you'll also receive "House66" by Sugiurumn, "Cosmic Humming" by Muku and the excellent "4x4 Bricks" by Techriders. Joining the SOS Charity Campaign pack on June 27th is the Booster Pack, more suited to those happy to sit in front of the TV and rearrange squares while the world outside melts. The Booster Pack contains 20 additional skins and features a "must-see" collaboration between Lumines, "Bloomy Girls" and Japanese "visual artist/musician" Masakatsu Takagi. It'll set you back 600 MS Points, or $7.50 in your pre-apocalyptic Earth money.

[via Q Entertainment press release]

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]]>LuminesLumines IILumines LiveLuminesIiLuminesLiveMizuguchiQQ EntertainmentQEntertainmentTetsuya MizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchiXBLALudwig Kietzmann2007-06-22T12:59:00+00:00Lumines clone Luminator sliding to DShttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/lumines-clone-luminator-sliding-its-way-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/lumines-clone-luminator-sliding-its-way-to-the-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/15/lumines-clone-luminator-sliding-its-way-to-the-ds/#commentsFiled under: , ,


A German studio is set to release a Lumines knockoff for the DS in Europe later this year -- Luminator. We'll let you make your own Terminator/Schwarzenegger jokes about that one. The game has a fraction of the tracks and skins of the real thing -- only fifteen of each -- but the music has a distinct dark trance flavor that could be a nice change from the happy pop beats of Lumines. The company promises the songs are "CD quality", but from the musical offerings we've heard on the DS so far, we'll remain skeptical.

[Via Siliconera]

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]]>clonedseuropegermanyluminesmusicpsppuzzleJohn Bardinelli2007-06-15T11:00:00+00:00Exit escapes the PSP to Xbox Live Arcadehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/exit-escapes-the-psp-to-xbox-live-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/exit-escapes-the-psp-to-xbox-live-arcade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/23/exit-escapes-the-psp-to-xbox-live-arcade/#commentsFiled under: ,

Giving Cloning Clyde some competition, PSP's puzzle/platformer Exit is heading over to Xbox Live Arcade. The game won't change much, you'll still be in control of Mr. ESC and trying to help people escape from the evils of a building, but it'll all be high-def. The title is expected to cost 800 MS points ($10) in Japan this summer, with no word on international versions.

So, Lumines and Exit have fled the safety of the PSP for the possibly lucrative fields of Xbox Live Arcade. Maybe Exit will offer more maps and join the microtransactioning master Lumines Live. Wonder if anybody else from the PSP is looking to greener and un-handheld pastures?

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]]>exitluminespspxblaAlexander Sliwinski2007-05-23T18:55:00+00:00Rumor: Every Extend Extra Extreme Extricated in August for $10http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/rumor-every-extend-extra-extreme-extricated-in-august-for-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/rumor-every-extend-extra-extreme-extricated-in-august-for-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/06/rumor-every-extend-extra-extreme-extricated-in-august-for-10/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In concluding a rather positive preview of rhythmically exploding retina melter, Every Extend Extra Extreme, IGN seems to casually pin down the game's release window and pricing. Article author, Douglass C. Perry, writes that Q? Entertainment's next Xbox Live Arcade game will be in one piece "and cost about $10, or 800 Microsoft points" when it arrives this summer, "probably August."

When queried about this information, a Microsoft spokesperson couldn't determine its exact origin, offering that "Microsoft hasn't announced anything about the title at all, other than it exists." Though it seems possible that Q? Entertainment simply informed IGN directly, prefacing the information with words like "about" and "probably" seems to indicate that nobody really knows for sure. Mizuguchi fans looking forward to the more Extreme version of Every Extend Extra will have to extend their patience just a bit more.

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]]>Every Extend ExtraEvery Extend Extra ExtremeEveryExtendExtraEveryExtendExtraExtremeLuminesLumines LiveLuminesLiveMicrosoftMizuguchiQQ EntertainmentQEntertainmentXBLAXbox Live ArcadeXboxLiveArcadeLudwig Kietzmann2007-04-06T16:25:00+00:00Mizuguchi to reveal new XBLA gamehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/mizuguchi-to-reveal-new-xbla-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/mizuguchi-to-reveal-new-xbla-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/05/mizuguchi-to-reveal-new-xbla-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

CVG reports that Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment are set to unveil a new title for Xbox Live Arcade at this week's Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco. Of course, the word "new" is relative when it comes to the Xbox 360's download service, leaving the door open for an enhanced version of Q's Every Extend Extra, released in November on PSP.

Whatever it ends up being (the reliable internet says: Rez!), you can likely expect catchy J-pop tunes, hypnotic lights, plummeting blocks and, with any luck, ludicrous amounts of unintentional gyration.

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]]>breakingnewsGDC07LuminesMizuguchiRezTetsuya MizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchiLudwig Kietzmann2007-03-05T17:00:00+00:00Mizuguchi-produced single to grace Japanese phoneshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/16/mizuguchi-produced-single-to-grace-japanese-phones/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/16/mizuguchi-produced-single-to-grace-japanese-phones/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/16/mizuguchi-produced-single-to-grace-japanese-phones/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

"Chaku-song" and "chaku-movie" represent Japan's most popular system for getting full songs and music videos to replace traditional ringtones on cell phones. And now Tetsuya Mizuguchi is in on the game, with the release in Japan yesterday of his Genki Rockets' "Heavenly Star" track in the "chaku-song" and "chaku-movie" formats. Phone users in Japan can download the soaring technopop of "Heavenly Star" (vocal and all) to their handsets for just ¥105 (US$0.88), with the music vid going for ¥315 (US$2.64). Welcome to synaesthesia, indeed.

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]]>Genki RocketsGenkiRocketsHeavenly starHeavenlyStarLuminesMizuguchiQ EntertainmentQEntertainmentJonti Davies2007-02-16T00:31:00+00:00The Joystiq Weekend: February 10 - 12, 2007http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/11/the-joystiq-weekend-february-10-12-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/11/the-joystiq-weekend-february-10-12-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/11/the-joystiq-weekend-february-10-12-2007/#commentsFiled under: ,


Danny, the gaming geek caught his sister, the bride playing Lumines at her wedding. It really is that great of a puzzle game. Check out the highlights for this weekend:

Joystiquery
Ring of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 2
Today's most held in place video: Hori Play Stand DS Lite video review
Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: have a heart edition

News
Oblivion: Downgraded for PS3, not happening on Wii
Manhunt 2 on Wii: A true murder simulator?
Activision sues to protect Guitar Hero investment
Sony's Jack Tretton and the $1200 quote
Columbia Pictures acquiring Metal Gear movie rights, Ghost Rider producer onboard
Lost Planet producer: "western developers are leading the industry"
NBA Live '07 1000 man achievement chance now!
Lego Star Wars producer unlocks secret of gaming success
Factor 5's Lair almost complete, Turrican PS3 possibly next
Nintendo VP on corp. differences: Nobody got shot for Wii

Culture
Crackdown the world over
Emerson student org. looks to make game in semester
Jade is Latina, Asian, Black ... who knows?

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]]>daily recapDailyRecapluminesRoss Miller2007-02-11T23:59:00+00:00New Lumines Live! content out next Wednesdayhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/new-lumines-live-content-out-next-wednesday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/new-lumines-live-content-out-next-wednesday/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/18/new-lumines-live-content-out-next-wednesday/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


When Lumines Live! emerged in October of last year, it ran headlong into a pack of outraged gamers who felt that the game's fragmented content and costs introduced an unwelcome element to the Xbox Live Marketplace -- a roving pickpocket you bump into between fruit stalls. New downloadable content is a touchy subject then, but it appears that next week's Live! offerings are a bit less backward and a bit less, well ... Evil!

Three new packs will be available this coming Wednesday, the first of which contains the Heavenly Star skin. Perhaps the fact that it will be free to Gold subscribers until February 21 is to be interpreted as a sign of atonement. The other two, namely the VS CPU pack and the Puzzle/Mission pack fill up the gaping holes in the base download, each costing a not entirely outrageous 100 points ($1.25) each. That lasts until February 21, after which the price goes up to a thoroughly questionable 300 points ($3.75).

Why raise the price after a month? The Gamerscore Blog labels these as "special promotional prices," which really just comes across as a temporary and thinly-veiled apology cringed out by the marketing department. So, why retract the apology then? The quest for more money seems tied to the obvious answer, but that's only if you felt that Lumines Live! got microtransactions completely wrong in the first place. All things considered, the game makes for a balanced example of what's wrong and what's right in the world of pint-sized payments:

What Lumines Live! did right:
  • Divided content: The concept of only buying the chunks of the game you're interested in is a sound one. Of course, this can be taken to extremes and games can be split into microscopic, microtransacted pieces, but working with large, clearly defined and entirely seperate parts holds clear benefits. Why bother paying for a full game if you're not going to experience every facet? If you're only concerned with the continuous Challenge mode in Lumines and not the less robust VS or Puzzle modes, you should end up saving money and time.
  • Provided ease of expansion: Should you change your mind and desire more content, it's extremely simple to find and download more skins and modes. Once it's on the hard drive, it's in the game's main menu.
  • Featured discernable improvement over other versions: You would expect this to be the most obvious part, but several past XBLA titles have indicated that not all developers bother to enhance their established games when shifting to the marketplace. Though newcomers to the series may not appreciate it nearly as much, 5.1 sound and HD graphics make a noticeable impact on a game so rich in presentation. There is some value to playing this game on the Xbox 360 and not the PSP.

What Lumines Live! did wrong:
  • Divided content, and then advertised it badly: Not only did the game's trial version make it hideously unclear as to what content the full package would bring to the table, it constantly reminded you of what you were missing out on. Having the game grind to a halt and remind you to download the next level was undiplomatic to the extreme and is exactly what infuriated gamers. Having empty modes listed in the main menu only perpetuated the idea that players weren't getting a "full" game at all.
  • It was quite obviously too expensive: Should you be unfortunate enough to shop after February 21st, you'll end up paying $30 for the complete Lumines Live! package. That's exactly the same price as Lumines II on the PSP, which contains nearly double the amount of skins in its Challenge mode -- most of them also present in Lumines Live!. The aforementioned sound and visual quality gives some leeway here, but not nearly enough.
  • Succumbed to silly XBLA size limitations: The paltry base pack that started off Lumines Live! didn't feature enough content for anyone to be remotely satisfied. The 50MB XBLA limit meant that an expansion to the original download was available almost immediately. Only it wasn't an expansion at all -- it was the piece of game (meat pun!) that ended up on the wrong side of the cleaver.
Is Lumines Live! worth it? It all depends on how you value things, or rather, how you estimate a game's value in your mind. If you're a Lumines fan who derives pleasure from the game's mesmerizing, block-dropping action, you'll find it's one of the best titles on XBLA. If, on the other hand, you measure value in terms of the number of hours or levels you get out of a game, you'd be considerably less satisfied.

Know what it is you want in a game (any game), and how much you're willing to pay for it. That makes it sound like some sort of robotic calculation, but any long-term gamer knows that it eventually becomes entirely instinctual. You know what makes you happy. Microtransactions won't be fooling you today.

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]]>LuminesLumines LiveLuminesLiveMicrotransactionsMSFTQ EntertainmentQEntertainmentXBLAXbox Live ArcadeXbox Live MarketplaceXboxLiveArcadeXboxLiveMarketplaceLudwig Kietzmann2007-01-18T20:25:00+00:00Best of the rest: Ludwig's pickshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Sam & Max Episode 1 : Culture Shock (PC)
I never thought I'd actually be grateful to LucasArts for assassinating their sequel to Sam & Max: Freelance Police. Now residing in the capable hands of Telltale Games, the series is setting the standard for episodic content and adventure gaming. Complete failure to laugh at Culture Shock's absolutely brilliant writing, memorable characters and off-the-wall puzzles indicates one of two things: either you're a robot, or you've recently discovered a dead kitten in your lap. (See also: My reviews of Culture Shock and Situation: Comedy.)


Okami (PS2)
Labeling Okami as a Zelda clone, while far from being inaccurate, does the game a great disservice. Its utterly beautiful world is filled with unique characters and challenges, each of which can be affected by your celestial brush technique. True, you're just drawing specific shapes for the game to recognize, but it still feels like your being somewhat creative when finding solutions to puzzles and overcoming truly epic boss encounters. The entire human race should be punished for letting this exceptionally well presented and charming adventure become a swansong for Clover Studios.


Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2)
It's "just" an updated version of last year's Snake Eater, but I'll gladly take every opportunity to rave about this game. If Splinter Cell is the American action film of stealth, then Metal Gear Solid is the thoughtful yet slightly bizarre anime equivalent. Arguably the best in the series, Metal Gear Solid 3 tells a tremendously engaging story and deftly balances creative gameplay with riveting cutscenes. Don't like cutscenes? Oh well.


Tomb Raider: Legend (Xbox 360)
The Tomb Raider series didn't flatline because we all got tired of Lara and her platforming shenanigans -- the latter games were simply horrifically designed attempts at mimicking the first two games. Legend sticks a defibrillator onto Lara's mountainous chest and brings her back to the days of yore. Funnily enough, those involved raiding tombs. Great puzzles (now with grappling hook!), minimal combat and a surprisingly good story all aided in Lara's return to being a truly three-dimensional character.


Xenosaga Episode III: Also Sprach Zarathustra (PS2)
More like CUTSCENE-O-SAGA, lawl! While I'm certain that most gamers will start foaming at the mouth before they allow a game to wrestle control away from them (and rightly so), the Xenosaga series is a rarity that lets you have a good time both with and without the gamepad. I think there are loads of possibilities when mediums intersect and influence each other -- one of which is a fascinating and complex story that absolutely needed three games to tell properly. Also Sprach Zarathustra featured an enjoyable turn-based (yay!) battle system (though it wasn't as deep as the one found in Episode II), a fantastic soundtrack and successfully concluded the series with emotional aplomb. Hint: Jin is the man.


Lumines II (PSP)
"But it's just Lumines with more skins and music!" Yes ... I'm not seeing the problem here. Mind you, I'd like to politely ask Gwen Stefani and Hoobastank (!) to stay out of my block-droppers in the future.


Half-Life 2: Episode One (PC)
Once you get over the fact that this is one of the worst examples of episodic content (a year between 4-hour long episodes?), you can appreciate the well paced and quite thrilling first-person shooter found within this first chunk of Half-Life 3. The genre is hardly praised for its ability to create characters that trick you into thinking they're more than helpful lumps of polygons, but here you have the lovely Alyx and the strangely emotive dog (he's a robot, natch).


Disappointing:

  • Broken Sword 4: The Angel of Death (PC) -- Let me get this straight: in order to retrieve the ancient manuscript from a locked cabinet, I have to soak my handkerchief in oil from a nearby, hanging salami, which I can then apply to the wheels of the cabinet in order to push it out the window into a grinding machine down below. You know what? Let's just call this great series a trilogy and be done with it.
  • Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (Xbox 360) -- My teammates magnetically attract bulllets, my night vision is worthless and my enemies seem to be the evil shapes from Geometry Wars. Oh well, at least I have these nifty cover mechanics to use in multiplayer, right? Right?
  • Final Fantasy XII (PS2) -- I haven't completed the game yet, so my opinion may yet be swayed. The story is intriguing and the overall tone is appreciated, but I can't seem to grow comfortable with the battle system. I either feel like I'm doing too much work or nothing at all. It also doesn't help that that the game's opening dungeons are a bit rubbish. Dear game designers: I really don't want to go about killing rats in sewers and/or abandoned mines.
  • Prey (PC) -- Starts out promising, but the possibilities of portals are soon jettisoned into space, leaving nothing but uninspired corridor crawling, annoying vehicle sections and an unintentionally hilarious protagonist.
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (Xbox 360) -- Since my expectations were set quite low, I was more disappointed by Sega's stubborn refusal to listen to any of the complaints regarding the Sonic Adventure series. Like about three other people in the world, I can tolerate the technical problems and extract some enjoyment from 3D Sonic games -- in concept, I think the gameplay's grand. But the implementation? This game is a riot of technical insufficiencies and loading excesses. Please, just give the series to Crystal Dynamics.
See also: Joystiq's Game of the Year

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]]>Final FantasyFinal Fantasy XIIFinalFantasyFinalFantasyXiiGame of the YearGameOfTheYearGhost ReconGhostReconGOTYLuminesMetal Gear SolidMetalGearSolidOkamiSonicTomb RaiderTombRaiderXenosagaLudwig Kietzmann2007-01-01T18:50:00+00:00Best of the rest: Ross' pickshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ross-picks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Lumines Live! (XBLA)
On a big screen with surround sound, Q Entertainment's Lumines Live was easily the most-played game in my library (if you stretch the definition of library to digitally distributed titles). Although I railed against how microtransactions were implemented in this title and still think the extent to which they disclosed the dearth of features was misleading, both the Basic and Advanced Pack got more than enough play time, as did the multiplayer. It is the best Xbox Live Arcade title since Geometry Wars.

Big Brain Academy / Brain Age (DS)
Curse you, Dr. Kawashima, for making intelligence-building a competition, and a wag of my finger to only letting me test once a day. Big Brain Academy held my interest longer, as I could retest over and over again to my heart's content, constantly going for the high score.




You Don't Know Jack! Online
I've missed the You Don't Know Jack series, and these daily Dis or Dats have given me another way (Text Twist notwithstanding) to waste time when I wake up. The added bonus of the format is that the Dis or Dats feel somewhat topical. Now how about a Jack Attack, some multiplayer, and a full-fledged release?

Dead Rising (Xbox 360)
Having been fortunate enough to play the game on HDTV, the tiny text didn't bother me. Nor did the oft-discussed save system, which I actually enjoyed. The game was fun, and the enjoyment only increased the further I got into the game. It's sandbox with a purpose, and a plot as campy as most zombie flicks. Besides, how often can you play an entire game wearing a teddy bear mask? Despite Dead Rising's numerous flaws, the full package is well worth the price of admission -- if you're gaming in High Definition, that is. And if you're still hesitant to pick up the full game, you can thoroughly enjoy the demo for free.

Rayman Raving Rabbids (Wii)
Michel Ancel's Wii launch title wavered between here and my list of disappointments. I love those adorable, psychopathic hares and do think they fit perfectly in a collection of minigames. However, the quality of the minigames was inconsistent and the multiplayer aspect was implemented poorly. Had more time been spent perfecting what worked (the shooting gallery, the disco dancing) and less on throwing in ideas for the sake of variety (e.g., "Bunnies don't like open bathroom doors"), the game would have been a top contender. In the end, the amount of good games outweighed the bad; we hope this isn't the last we see of the rabbids.

Honorable mentionss go to Bookworm Adventures (PC), Chibi Robo (GameCube), Cooking Mama (DS), Rockstar Table Tennis (Xbox 360) and the Burger King Games (Xbox)


Disappointments:
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Xbox 360) - So you're telling me that I spent 80 hours on one character, only to lose it all because of a glitch? Having this scenario happen to me on more than one occasion, for more than a few bugs, ultimately made me despise this game. (PC users would have much less of a fuss since the mod community could help to ad hoc fix all issues.) Let's hope their Quality Testers are up to par before they screw up my beloved Fallout series.
  • Tetris DS (DS, duh) - The multiplayer was fun but a tad limited, and the other additions weren't as fleshed out as I'd have liked. The first time you play standard Tetris and "beat" it via destroying 200 lines caused a vein of anger to sprout from my forehead. (To be fair, after "beating" standard Tetris you are given the option to play "endless" mode.)
  • GRAW (Xbox 360) - Clunky controls and bad AI aside, how aggravating is it that these super soldier can't seem to climb pebbles on some multiplayer maps?
See also: Joystiq's Game of the Year

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]]>2006bestbethesdaBig Brain AcademyBigBrainAcademybookworm adventuresBookwormAdventuresBrain AgeBrainAgeBurger KingBurgerKingCapcomChibi RoboChibiRoboCooking MamaCookingMamaDead RisingDeadRisinggame of the yearGameOfTheYearghost reconGhostRecongotyJellyvisionluminesoblivionq entertainmentQEntertainmentrecapRockstarTable TennisTableTennistetristetsuya mizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchixblaxbox liveXboxLiveYou Don't Know JackYouDon'tKnowJackRoss Miller2007-01-01T16:00:00+00:00Heavenly Star: From Lumines II to iTuneshttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/15/heavenly-star-from-lumines-ii-to-itunes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/15/heavenly-star-from-lumines-ii-to-itunes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/15/heavenly-star-from-lumines-ii-to-itunes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Q Entertainment recently announced that Heavenly Star, an original song from the recently released Lumines II, is now available on the iTunes Music Store in the U.S. and Japan. What's more, five remixes of the song will be coming to Apple's download service soon, and the song and video will be available as part of the "Heavenly Star Pack" for the Xbox 360's Lumines Live in January. Because, really, who doesn't enjoy paying more for content that should have been in the original game. Cheap gamers who want to sample the Miziguchi-produced song and video without paying can check it out below.

Hopefully this announcement will open the floodgates and lead to a wide variety of original game music being made legally available through simple download instead of expensive import. We'd personally love to see some OSTs for Super Mario Bros., Final Fantasy and DDR, thrown up on iTunes. Until then, I guess there's always OCRemix. What game soundtracks would you like made available on iTunes?

[Via GameSetWatch]

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]]>Heavenly StarHeavenlyStarLuminesLumines 2Lumines LiveLumines2LuminesLiveMiziguchimusicQQ EntertainmentQEntertainmentKyle Orland2006-12-15T13:50:00+00:00Major Nelson on G4: microtransactions "are about choice"http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/26/major-nelson-on-g4-microtransactions-are-about-choice/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/26/major-nelson-on-g4-microtransactions-are-about-choice/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/26/major-nelson-on-g4-microtransactions-are-about-choice/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Last night on G4's Attack of the Show, host Kevin Pereira held a debate between Major Nelson and 1UP's Andrew Pfister on the much-discussed topic of microtransactions. During the segment, entitled The Loop, Major Nelson pressed that it is "about choice," while Pfister spoke for the gaming community when he said that "it doesn't appear that anybody is in control of the situation." With the recent Godfather and Lumines debacles, we're inclined to agree.

Unfortunately, the segment's lead-in was awkward and the debate was way too short for either side to make an argument, but what we heard was engaging. Please, G4, give The Loop its own half-hour time slot; we'd watch it.

Continue reading for the video.


[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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]]>1upg4godfatherluminesmajor nelsonMajorNelsonmicro transactionsMicroTransactionsx b l ax b l mXBLAXBLMxbox liveXboxLiveRoss Miller2006-10-26T21:20:00+00:00Mizuguchi defends Lumines Livehttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/mizuguchi-defends-lumines-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/mizuguchi-defends-lumines-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/19/mizuguchi-defends-lumines-live/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Q Entertainment founder Tetsuya Mizuguchi spoke with IGN today to defend his choice to split Lumines Live into four pieces (Basic, Advanced, VS CPU, and Mission / Puzzle pack). He gives two reasons for the division: the 50 MB limit on XBLA title (understandable) and the customizable nature of the game (not understandable). Mizuguchi considers it the business model of the future.

When IGN presses him on the cost issue, Mizuguchi pauses. After IGN pushes on, Mizuguchi furthers his belief in the piece-wise business model. Theoretically, we don't mind the model so much as the price, and unfortunately IGN never gets Mizuguchi talking about the release date and pricing for the VS CPU and Mission / Puzzle pack.

So is Lumines holy like a saint or hole-y like swiss cheese? Q Entertainment still hasn't responded to our request on release date and pricing details. The Advanced Pack game is now on Xbox Live for 600 MS points ($7.50 USD).

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]]>luminesmizuguchiq entertainmentQEntertainmenttetsuya mizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchix b l axbox live arcadeXboxLiveArcadeRoss Miller2006-10-19T19:30:00+00:00Lumines Live is lacking in modeshttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/18/lumines-live-is-lacking-in-modes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/18/lumines-live-is-lacking-in-modes/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/18/lumines-live-is-lacking-in-modes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

So we paid the 1200 MS points ($15) for Lumines Live, knowing we will later have to purchase the Advanced Pack (600 MS points) to complete the deal. We load it up and play a couple of rounds in basic mode (we're proud of our 27,000 high score). We know advanced mode won't work yet for aforementioned reasons.

We play mission mode ... for five levels. The rest will cost extra.

We play puzzle mode ... for five levels. The rest will cost extra.

We play VS CPU ... for ten levels. The rest will cost extra.

According to the obnoxious messages, XBLM will soon be home to a Mission/Puzzle pack and a VS CPU pack. Assuming those cost about as much as the Advanced Pack (600 MS points apiece), we're looking at a total package of 3,000 MS points ($37.50). For reference, the Lumines II for PSP and Lumines Plus for PS2 are only $29.99 each. The Xbox Live version, then, is only worth it if you have no interest whatsoever in two of the extra packs.

Microtransactions and a la carte gaming are the new business models (one that EA has embraced with open wallets), but we don't always have to like it. Make up your own mind if $7.50 more is worth the Xbox Live experience.

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]]>lumineslumines liveLuminesLivexblmxbox liveXboxLiveRoss Miller2006-10-18T20:33:00+00:00Stop crying, Lumines Live! hits XBLA tomorrow [update 2]http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/stop-crying-lumines-live-hits-xbla-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/stop-crying-lumines-live-hits-xbla-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/17/stop-crying-lumines-live-hits-xbla-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , ,


About frackin' time news now, with the announcement that tomorrow's Xbox Live Arcade release is none other than Tetsuya Mizuguchi's plummeting block opus, Lumines Live!. Priced at 1200 MS Points ($15), the game features 12 different skins (or levels, for the uninitiated), 5.1 surround sound, online multiplayer, a bevy of single-player modes and a vaguely inspirational message transmitted through pulsating lights and spinning squares. So, what happened to all that stuff you had to buy seperately?

It's called the Advance Pack. An optional download costing 600 MS Points ($7.50) will add 22 more skins into the game -- and that's it. Considering the value of HD graphics and enhanced sound in a game which heavily relies on hypnotic presentation, $22.50 for a new Lumines title with 34 skins doesn't seem like a terrible deal, certainly not to those still addicted to the original game. Of course, not being able to play it on the bus may come as a significant loss to you, not to mention the curious fact that the main game has fewer skins than the add-on.

Stack blocks and defy sweeping timelines (if you're so inclined) on Xbox Live Arcade from Wednesday morning, 1:00AM PDT (0800 GMT). The full press release is embedded after the break.

[Update 1: Now includes interview with Mark Coates, program manager for Xbox Live Arcade.]
[Update 2: The Advance Pack is nowhere to be seen. Major Nelson says it'll arrive at a "later date."]
Video

Mark Coates, Program Manager for Xbox Live Arcade, stopped to chat with us about the future of the service and the company's prospects in the upcoming console wars. Then, he kindly challenges us to a Lumines battle.

Special thanks to Andrew, from gamerandy.com. Joystiq's more annoying Andrew also contributed to the video.

[PRESS RELEASE]

Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays is making some extra noise this week. The highly anticipated music-puzzle action phenomenon, "Lumines Live!" can be yours starting tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, from 0800 GMT (1:00am PDT) on Xbox Live Arcade. The newest addition to the blockbuster franchise from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment comes packed with puzzles, modes, exclusive music videos and full online multiplayer play over Xbox Live. The game even has an exclusive feature that records high score gameplay in the Time Attack Mode which can be downloaded and played back by any other player.

GAME FOCUS:

"Lumines Live!" combines puzzles, music and video entertainment to create an addictively-fun gameplay experience that looks and sounds as good as it plays. Play several different single player modes, battle friends online over Xbox Live, create your own skins playlist in the all-new Skin Edit Mode, and experience new ways to play via exclusive downloadable content to enhance and extend the gameplay experience.

GAME FEATURES:

"Lumines Live!" for Xbox Live Arcade brings exciting new music, new video content, and 12 different skins, for hours of fun. The Xbox Live Arcade game features exclusive Xbox Live online multiplayer play, allowing you to play against your friends in head-to-head battles. For advanced players, gamers can change their music scene and purchase the Advance Pack from Xbox Live Marketplace for 22 new skins.

"Lumines Live!" includes:

* Full online multiplayer play over Xbox Live - battle your friends head-to-head
* Classic Lumines gameplay, including Challenge, Puzzle and vs. CPU modes
* All-new Skin Edit Mode allows you to re-mix the order of your unlocked skins to create a custom Lumines experience
* All-new Mission mode presents player with pre-designed Lumines puzzle scenarios
* Dynamic skins, sound effects and music optimized specifically for Lumines Live! in high-definition graphics and 5.1 channel surround audio
* Extensive downloadable content support over Xbox Live Marketplace - add new skins, puzzles, missions, artist packs and more
* Full suite of online leaderboards
* Achievements and Gamerscore

WHEN CAN I GET IT: Download "Lumines Live!" tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, at 1am PST on Xbox Live Arcade (available in participating countries).

"Lumines Live!" (Q Entertainment): 1200 Microsoft Points
"Lumines Live!" Advance Pack (sold separately): 600 Microsoft Points

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]]>LuminesLumines LiveLuminesLiveMSFTQ EntertainmentQEntertainmentTetrisTetsuya MizuguchiTetsuyaMizuguchiXBLXBLAXbox LiveXbox Live ArcadeXboxLiveXboxLiveArcadeLudwig Kietzmann2006-10-17T19:40:00+00:00