 First off, let me say I'm a huge BioWare fan. I'm also a Sega fan in general and while Sonic isn't super high on my top lists of titles or franchises, especially lately, I still enjoy the Sega Genesis titles from that series. So while you read this, keep in mind that these impressions come from someone with no particular loyalty to the series but instead, from an RPG fan, a BioWare fan and someone who doesn't get as much use out of his DS for lack of games suited to his tastes. In fact, this is the first DS game I've bought this year.
Now I admit, I was a bit hesitant on picking this up. This is after all BioWare's first title on the DS and also it's first ever handheld title period. Sonic as a franchise seemed almost un-salvageable as a quality series and it has earned some harsh criticism due to it's overall downfall. Don't get me wrong, I was looking forward to it's release, but that's as much from curiosity as it was the prospect of a DS RPG from my favorite developer. In the end it was my faith in BioWare as a developer while owning and loving every game they've made so far that convinced me to take a leap of faith and plunk down the $40.
Continue reading Initial Impressions: Sonic Chronicles for the DS
 An interesting story popped up this weekend by Dean Takahashi, journalist for San Jose Mercury News and the author of "Opening the Xbox" and "The Xbox 360 Uncloaked". In the article, he claims to know someone who has seen game code for an Xbox 360 sequel to Jade Empire that's apparently in the works. Not known as a drama queen or a news fabricator, Dean blogging about it adds a lot of weight and fuels further speculation.
Being a huge fan of all things BioWare, it's hard not to get excited at this, even if it's a semi-rumor awaiting confirmation or disapproval. However the recent acquisition by Electronic Arts will certainly raise some concerns about shameless ports for every system, OS and cell phone in existence. BioWare is a company who makes high quality games, one at a time, usually for one system at a time. When they do port something they take the time to improve it and add new content, not EA's typical "If it gets to the title screen without crashing, certify it gold". Yeah that's right, I said it. EA and BioWare couldn't be any farther apart on the spectrum of policy and quality than they are right now.
But imagine the possibilities. The Mass Effect engine and dialog system tweaked and improved. A new melee/martial arts combat RPG set in a part magic, part sci-fi, mystical Asian land. If you haven't had the pleasure of playing Jade Empire on the Xbox, or on the PC, I suggest you give it a try. A richly rewarding game with lots of replay value and a great story, or as I like to call it, "a typical BioWare game".
In any case, keep it tuned to this channel for future updates on this as they break. Like a beagle on a foxhunt, if there's news on a new BioWare game, you better believe I'll be on it's heels. 
Original article:
http://blogs.mercurynews....e_empire_2_is_coming.html
For the crazy folks who haven't bought this game yet and those of you sitting on the fence, let me share my initial impression of this game with you. Furthermore, Let me convince you that tracking down a Limited Collector's Edition online is well worth it. This game certainly deserves a review but that will wait until I've beaten it a couple different ways first and that make take a while so hopefully this blog entry will suffice for now.
First off, I'll tell you that I'm among other things, both a huge BioWare fan and a staunt supporter of western RPG's. I've played BioWare games since Shattered Steel and they've always managed to impress me. I'm also not a particularly huge fan of Star Wars yet KOTOR ranks very highly on my top list of games. I say that because this game reminds me a lot of it, but IMO Mass Effect is a better universe to play in.
Ok, enough with the "HTMbiography". Let me be frank: This game f*cking rocks. Becoming Keith once more here's what I call the "you've seen it" formula: Ths game reminds me of Babylon 5 mixed with KOTOR, Stargate, GRAW, Jade Empire and some dark humor reminiscent of Firefly. Maybe throw in a few likenesses to games like Elite and Freelancer as well.
Having read the novel I was already familiar with the Mass Effect universe, it's factions, races, technology etc. I've also read the author's work before in other series like Forgotten Realms. The same author is the lead writer for this series so it's nice to be spoiled by a game that matches the mind's eye of things written in the novel.
Jumping into the game felt both familiar because of BioWare's style of presentation as well as the familiarity I mentioned earlier. The game presents itself like an epic movie and gives you that big screen cinema feeling even in your living room. Gameplay consisting of various mini-games, exploration, squad combat, vehicles and dialogue sequences both keep the game fresh and interesting. The combat can be either strategic and complex or simple and efficient, the controls well thought out and easy to use with minimal effort. The leveling system and equipment customization is all they said it'd be and the morale choice thing provides humor, intrigue and a deeper connection with the main character that you play.
Graphics and sound so far are outstanding and although it has some minor pop-in and slowdown, it doesn't hinder the experience nor it is as bad as I keep reading on the 'net. The amount of instantly recognizable voice actors adds more of that big screen appeal as well.
One other major thing I personally found impressive is the character creation. Should you choose to make a custom character, the options are well laid out, easy to use and you can finally make a perfect moustache-less goatee!!!!! This truly is a next gen age we live in.
Should you buy the LCE version versus the regular? Is it worth the extra $10? You bet your space-faring ass it is! Besides the awesome tin case with artwork etched into it's surface, there are two mini books, one artwork and the other a Codex which is a guide to the various races you encounter. Also a second disc with loads of goodies like gamerpics, themes, videos, soundtrack etc. Those of you with a pre-order disc or have heard of it, imagine that content x3.
This game feels like a GOTY to me. It's also shaping up to be every bit the reason to buy a X360 I thought it would. BioWare is one of those few developers that I'd follow to any platform needed to play their games. Hell for a great game like this, I'd even go to Arby's the Wii. Yes I said it, thankfully however they spared me that indignity.
 I finished reading this prequel novel to the upcoming Bioware game just the other day. An excellent book that was really hard to put down. I've read and own some of Drew Karpyshyn earlier novels and knew it would be a good read before I picked it up.
The novel set before the story in the game, sets up the whole universe as they know it. It's just a few years after Humanity had first conflict with an alien species and their growing influence in the galaxy.
I won't give away any spoilers here but if you intend to pick this game up you should give this novel a read. Everything I have seen so far regarding the game makes sense to me now after reading this book. With that making sense of the Mass Effect universe comes a heightened yearning for the game. Fortunately Two Worlds will provide a fix until October, then Zelda for the DS will carry me until November 20th.
 Here's the headline from the official Bioware website:
SEGA ANNOUNCES BIOWARE WILL CREATE SONIC ROLE PLAYING GAME FOR THE NINTENDO DS
Wow, that's a mouth full. The game which is expected to hit stores sometime in 2008 is what I would call a serious effort on Sega's part to both reinvigorate the Sonic franchise as well as make a high quality game. Bioware being a leader among RPG game design will do an amazing job I'm sure. I always wondered when Sonic would get a Paper Mario or Mario & Luigi equivalent title.
For more on this announcment head over to the Bioware website for the article HERE, not much more info is given but you can tell both parties are taking this very seriously.
|
|
