Review of the Month #4

[Yoshii]

Welcome to the Nintendo Worlds official "Review of the Month #4" Competition!

This month's theme is: DS Games


Rules and Restrictions:

All Entries...
- must be at least 3 paragraphs in length
- must be all original work (No Plagiarism/Copying other reviews)
- must contain one or more images OR videos
- must be received before the deadline (September 21st)
- can't be the developed OR published by Nintendo
- Games must be from one of the following Nintendo systems: DS (This month only!)
**Failure to abide by the rules WILL result in immediate disqualification**


How to Enter...

Entering the RotM competition is as simple as writing a game review consistent with this month's theme and posting it here in this thread.

About RotM: How it Works

- Each submission received is judged by members of the Review Team. Some of the things that they'll be looking for are: use of proper spelling and grammar, presentation, relevance to theme, and content.

- Three finalists will be chosen by the Review Team to be taken to a public vote.

- Members of Nintendo Worlds will vote on the three finalists to determine the winner.

- The winner will be announced on the final day of the month.

October RotM Schedule

- October 3rd: RotM Competition Begins
- October 24th: Final deadline for ALL submissions!
- October 26th: Polls open, voting begins on the three finalists.
- October 30th: Polls closed, winner determined.
- October 31st: Winner announced!


Prize

The winner of RotM #4 will receive the Stellar Article Award, and their review will be featured in the Hall of Fame.


Tips and Guidelines

- PROOFREAD YOUR WORK!!! This cannot be stressed enough. Entries should be free of spelling and grammatical errors. Take the time to proofread your work and fix ANY and ALL errors before submitting it.

- Use good formatting. This means you should spend some time to make sure your review's presentation is neat and orderly. Text should be aligned to the left margin, pictures should be centered, there should be breaks between paragraphs.

- Avoid bias wherever possible! Try your best to keep your personal feelings out of your review.

- Keep things interesting. There's plenty of room for some creativity when doing game reviews. While your primary goal with a review is to educate, there's nothing wrong with a little entertainment too.

- Have fun with it!

Please PM a Review Team member (Members with red names) with questions or concerns. This thread is for submissions ONLY! Anything else will be deleted!

**STRICTLY REVIEWS ONLY, PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT REVIEWS**

[Xander]

Premise

After a fight that has presumably killed Dr. Eggman, Sonic decides to take a little vacation. Upon his return he has discovered the Knuckles has gone missing by a race of people called Marauders. Now he must team up with Tails, Amy, and others to save Knuckles and uncover the mystery of the Dark Brotherhood.


Gameplay



Exploration:

The game runs like a standard RPG. You explore familiar areas to the Sonic Universe like Green Hill Zone and Station Square. Some areas can only be explored with certain characters. For example, loops can only be traveled by Sonic, Amy, and any other character with the "Dash" movement while gaps can only crossed by characters with the "Fly" movement like Tails. Scattered throughout the overworld are chao eggs. Chaos, when hatched, can be equipped to a character and give them special bonuses such as more HP and higher attack. Also scattered thoughout the overworld are people who can't solve their own problems. There are tons of sidequests and many of them have to be revisted before they can be completed, however, it's a good way to level up your characters without having to battle.

Combat:


The combat is a standard turn based system with some added twist. The first noticeable twist is that depending on a character's speed, they can attack more than once per round. So Sonic can attack three or four times a round. Another difference is special moves, called "POW" moves. POW moves range from a powerful critical hit, 100% hit all moves, to status moves. When executing these moves, the game takes a Elite Beat Dance Agents approach and to successfully perform this move your stylus will by following a track, perform a well timed tap, or rapidly tapping. Another aspect of the combat is team based combos which takes POW points from both characters and performs an attack more powerful than a normal POW move. At the end of each battle, the game rates your battle with a score of either A,B,C etc. by how many POW moves you performed successfully, the damage you've done and the damage you've taken.

Interaction:

The developers at Bioware are famous for letting players choose how their character interacts with other characters. This can provide some very humorous moments where you can make Sonic say terrible things to everyone. However, unlike other Bioware games, it really doesn't add to the experience. Nothing happen from them and unless you just want more information about what is going on, there's no need to hit any button but the first one, that gets you right back into the action.


Gameplay: 8/10


Style

Art:

One thing the average Sonic fan might notice is the art style. Compared to that of past Sonic games, most non-Sonic characters are drawn in a very cartoony western style that may remind some people of the current art style of Penny Arcade. This is due to the fact that the developers of this game, Bioware, are a western developer. Graphically, this game seems underpowered. Maybe I'm expecting too much, but the models just don't seem to be done as well as some other DS games.


Story:

The story is also based off the western interpretation of the franchise. Any die hard Sonic the Hedgehog comic book reader (at least, the Archie comics one) will hear familiar names like Eggman referring to himself as Dr. Robotnik and enemies called Swat Bots. The main story though is done quite well and is fairly engaging, but overall it's still a pretty standard RPG type story.


Music:

In an attempt to sound much like an old Sonic game, Bioware decided to give this game an awful soundtrack. Consisting of nothing more than beeps and boops, you quickly tire of the repetitive soundtrack. The combat music is better though, which is it's only saving grace. There is no voice acting at all, and there are only a few soundbites for each character and monster that happen when they take damage.

Apparently, the soundtrack was suppose to be pretty good, since youtube has some previews of the music. For one reason or another, it wasn't used.


Style: 6/10



Replay value:

Being an RPG, there's not much replay value. You can trade chao with friends via a wireless link, but aside from the story mode, not much can be done.


Replay value: 3/10



Conclusion:

Overall, Sonic made a decent transition into the world of RPGs. No where near as good as his red counterpart Mario, but it's a start.



Final Verdict: 7/10

[Jima]

Pokemon Diamond

Pokemon Diamond is to be called the best DS game sold so far, selling millions of copies already. The game that many people thought was the end of the pokemon saga, Pokemon Diamond shows us 113 new Pokemon that you can obtain, some by Nintendo Wifi, friends or even transfering them from your old games.


The Storyline

As you have noticed in previous games, Pokemon games usually have a very good storyline. In Pokemon Diamond dont fear since it has another good storyline, travel as a male or female through the Sinnoh region to collect all 8 Gym Badges so you can reach the Elite 4. But like most games there has to be a villian, instead of having Team Rocket there are new pokemon thiefs that you encounter on your way to becoming a pokemon champion!




Nintendo Wifi

The best part of the game; Nintendo Wifi. Using the friend code system this is the most played Wifi game on Nintendo DS, this feature lets yourself battle someone on the other side of the world, if you have an internet connection. Battling can be tough, so you can also trade pokemon, or instead of having single battles you can have Nintendo Wifi double battles.

GTS

The GTS, also known as the Global Trade System is a Wifi related Trade Center where you offer pokemon that you want/need. This is the MAJOR bad point of the whole game. Not because of the idea of the Trade Center, because of the fact that many hackers can steal your pokemon and give you hacked/not legit ones in return. This is a part of the game you have to be wary of, but it can bring you rare pokemon like shinys.




Sound/Music

This part of the game is quite amusing, each pokemon has its own battle sound. As you meet it in the wild (or in a trainer battle) you will hear a vary of sounds, although some might sound good, in my opinion some are just awful. As you travel around sinnoh you get various tunes as you enter new citys/areas. In the sound and music part of this game I would give it a score of 6/10.

Graphics

As most pokemon games progress the graphics get slightly better, overall the graphics are better than the previous games. The pokemons "moves" are the best part of seeing if the game has good graphics or not. Personally I do not like the graphics as they are very time wasting and I am happy to say that there is a setting which lets you just get on with the game and not see all those water effects, I would give Pokemon Diamond a score of 7.5/10 for the graphics.




Overall/Replay Value

One of the best games with replay value, with the Nintendo Wifi feature it is a game you could play for hours. The overall rating in my opinion is 10/10.

You may think that is a bad decision but this is a game that you could play for 400+ hours.

[M3Fox]

Trauma Center: Under the Knife (Nintendo DS)

The first game of a revolutionary series about – who would’ve guessed? – drama in the O.R., Trauma Center: Under the Knife displayed the DS’s potential early on in its lifetime while providing gamers with an intense, interactive experience that they were hoping for since the DS’s release. Following in the footsteps of successful games like Kirby: Canvas Curse and Super Mario 64 DS, this game had a lot to live up to and ended up as a well-received game, despite skeptical thoughts about the game before its release.

Story

Set in 2018, the game begins with Derek Stiles, a new surgeon assigned to Hope Hospital, and throws you into the medical world. A few chapters later, Derek’s current assistant was replaced with another inexperienced character, Nurse Angie Thompson. As the story progresses, Derek’s negligent attitude towards a patient almost causes them to die, and as Derek is roaming the streets, wondering if he is fit to be a doctor, he witnesses a car crash and returns to Hope Hospital for an emergency operation. In the middle of the operation, where it seems like the patient is about to die of heart trauma, an internal power (named the Healing Touch) is awakened in Derek, which allows the doctor to work at extremely high speeds in exchange for physical strain on the user and the operation ends successfully.

After a few operations, Derek is given a patient who is striving for death due to personal problems in both school and family. However, after her first operation, her true condition is revealed during her second, as the lacerations and wounds inside of her are reformed and an unknown pathogen is located within the patient (assigned the name GUILT) which is then exterminated by Dr. Stiles. However, the operation leaves Derek wondering about whether he should use his skills to save patients internationally at a medical organization called Caduceus. After much thought, Derek decides to transfer, along with Angie, and plans to rid the world of the epidemic that is GUILT, no matter what may occur… Sounds pretty good. Not too original, but it IS a medical game, so it’ll do.

Storyline- 8.5/10

Gameplay

The game is set up in episodes, which make up chapters. In every stage, there is the conversation phase which obviously adds to the story. After that, the game summarizes what procedure you’ll be performing on the patient before you begin. It is surprisingly in depth with the explanations, filled with medical terminology and the patient’s information appearing on the screen. Up next is arguably the most important part of the game: the operation. Based on the information given in the briefing, the procedure should be self-explanatory according to the mission.

Derek Stiles striking his pre-op action pose. Too anime? Never!

The screens also display many different things during the operation. The top screen includes the time limit for completing the procedure and a miss limit counter, which causes you to be as precise as possible at all times. If you deplete either limit, you lose the operation. The current score is also shown, along with assistance from the nurse that you are working with, which can provide extra information if you skipped through the previous discussion.

The bottom screen is made up of many more elements, which was to be expected. The vitals of the patient are shown at the top of the screen, which can vary from 99 to 0. Of course, if they do drop to 0, the operation will end in failure. The tools of the trade are set up along either side of the screen, consisting of a scalpel for incisions, antibiotic gel and sutures for closing wounds, a syringe that can increase the vitals, and many other instruments. All of these actions are activated by small stokes of the stylus, either being straight, zigzag, or circular. Lastly, there is the workplace in the middle where the operation takes place and where all of the actions are performed. Any moves made here can save or kill the patient, so be sure to stay precise and stay calm.

Bottom Screen Tools (Left Side)- Laser, Antibiotic Gel, Drain, Forceps, Hand Tool
Bottom Screen Tools (Right Side)- Magnification Tool, Scalpel, Sutures, Syringe, Bandages

Included in this game are puzzles as well, such as diffusing a bomb and putting a simple puzzle together. The weird thing is, it actually fits into the whole medical theme and gives players a little more variety, which is an advantage. However, this game is extremely tough, especially on some of the later missions and gamers have to think a little harder to win, which can turn some players off. The game requires fast reflexes and extreme concentration, which some payers may not have and might give up in frustration. Plus, the game ends up leaving players wanting more after beating it in a day or two. Fortunately, a Challenge mode allows players to replay missions of their choice and try harder ones, (Is that possible?) but sometimes, even challenge mode feels too repetitive to play after a while.

Gameplay- 9/10

Game Graphics

Besides the operation, the bottom screen consists of detailed backgrounds, sprites and their conversations. This game’s character illustrations are significantly different from the other graphics in the series, being more colorful and drawn as though they were anime characters, but having less depth and less lighting than its successors. Then, there are the operation’s graphics, which aren’t as gory as expected. Before every procedure, a 3D model is shown of the patient that isn’t too complex, along with the mannequin that is the patient during the operation.

There isn’t much nudity portrayed besides the stomach area so that no one will be offended or uncomfortable during gameplay. The normal blood and bodily fluids that make people gag threatened to be a turn off, but the graphics lowered the effects of tumors, pus and all of that good stuff so that people could play without making frequent trips to the bathroom; a definite plus. Every organ in the game is shown primitively without the muscles and excretions getting in the way as well, so that everyone who wanted to try to be a surgeon but couldn’t handle the gore could try.

See? Not too… *gag* bad!

Graphics- 8.5/10

Audio

The music isn’t bad for a DS game, surprisingly. It has its share of (obviously) dramatic music to get gamers “into the game”, and there are those gushes of draining liquids and whirs of the laser that sounds pretty authentic. But, these sounds also get repetitive after a while. The music that plays when fighting the last boss (not going into details) is great, but that’s probably the most memorable piece on the game. Not saying that the rest aren’t good, it’s just that they’re overused. And, for those who have played this game before, the voice acting comes in short lines like “Doctor?” and “What is that?!” which is a disappointment, seeing how it could’ve made this game a little more dramatic.

Audio- 8/10

Ah, the annoying Nurse Angie… Parody lovers rejoice!

Final Thought

All in all, this game is one everyone should have by now, or at least should try. Despite its many flaws, Trauma Center proves its worth with great gameplay, a dramatic storyline, and likeable characters. The difficulty is a little high for most players, however, but those who do get through the game feel a sense of accomplishment well deserved. For those who have seen this game in the used bin at the game store, please pick it up and try it out; it’s a great gem that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Overall Score- 8.5/10

[King Zarthius]

The Legend of Zelda:
Phantom Hourglass


Review by: King Zarthius

Year released: 2007| System: Nintendo DS

The first DS adventure of our hero-in-green, Link, came to the portable dual screen console in October of 2007. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is the official sequel to the GameCube game, Wind Waker, and has the same visual impact along with a fun and imaginative adventure.


Phantom Hourglass is an action-adventure game which is basically a typical Zelda game, with the damsel in distress and Link providing the dramatic rescue. Its time to save the day again, Link! During your quest you will come across a number of interesting characters in the world that provide robust dialog and plot development. Phantom Hourglass is pure classic storytelling that is interesting and oddly original even though we’ve been through variations of this story before. Link explores the world to find new items, information, and allies to free Tetra and defeat the evil of Bellum.

The gameplay in Phantom Hourglass is based on stylus, stylus, stylus! If you’re thinking using the stylus to play an action adventure might be a little challenging, think again, because Phantom Hourglass has a very easy-to-get-into control scheme. All the tricky bits of the controls become second nature after a short amount of time. Understand before you play the game that you won’t be able to hit a button to attack, or use the D-Pad to move, from the beginning it’s you and the stylus. Jumping is automatic. Link’s roll move, the one used to bash into things, is triggered by drawing small circles on the edges of the screen. This is not as intuitive as the other stylus elements. This is functional and doesn’t take long to master, but you might not want to use it very often. Link moves fast when touching the edge of the screen, regardless of the move you’re trying to perform. If there are enemies, ledges, or any other nearby danger, you run the risk of running into that danger (or off a ledge!) by mistake.

Next comes the trusted boomerang. In past Zelda games, this weapon could be thrown one way. Phantom Hourglass gives you the power to guide the boomerang’s path via stylus. One can throw the boomerang in any direction thinkable, as its not limited to real-physics. It doesn’t go for very long, but its reach is pretty far, and its multiple uses are amazing. You'll never really know how fun, and intuitive the control scheme is until you play the game for yourself.

Real time note taking is an unexpected addition that allows you to write on the in-game map to help you remember whatever you like! You can use this anytime you come across maps, levers, tablets, or other significant features that not so crypitcally point you in the right direction for puzzle solving. Instead of relying on your memory for clues, just simply write them down! This feature is a helping hand that forgetful gamers will openly welcome.

The game also uses the microphone; the most forgotten piece of hardware on the DS, at various points. From blowing out candles, to screaming at NPCs. There’s one part of the game in particular where Link is trying to save a fortune-teller who is trapped in her own storeroom and he has to shout instructions to her. The microphone plays a key and fun part in both solving the puzzle and making gamers look even more like morons.


In regards only to the graphical style, Phantom Hourglass could easily be mistaken as a sequel (although, yes it is an official sequel, but this in the case that we did not know that) or be related in some way with Wind Waker for GameCube. Not only the cel-shaded look, but the fact that the similar-looking sea is of great importance in the game. While on the ocean, one has to chart the path of their ship through the dangerous seas that you must sail. The control scheme of this part of the game was equally entertaining, and allowed me to rotate the camera to completely do away with the enemies. In principle it seems that the focus, is quite different from sailing & navigating in the Wind Waker. The style in Phantom Hourglass can satisfy the users that were not satisfied with the browsing experience of the Wind Waker.

There are some gameplay elements which can be a little annoying as you have to solve unnecessary puzzles, and revisit some areas. Enemies also regenerate so you’ll be spending a lot of time destroying the same type or variant of an enemy over and over. These points are still nothing that effect the overall enjoyment of the game.

Aside from the main adventure, Phantom Hourglass has a number of activities that can keep you busy. This includes the endless number mini-games, side quests, searching out extra treasure, and fishing. Fishing in Phantom Hourglass is available after the Old Wayfarer awards you with the fishing rod for solving his mermaid problems. Fishing is simple and fun as you try and bag six different types of fish including the ultra rare Neptoona. The side quests and mini-games have to be found in island locations around the world. If you favour mini-games try the Cannon game, Archery Shooting or the Goron Roll Game. If pirate booty is what ye seek, you can find goodies hidden throughout the islands which includes finding your way through a giant maze.

If you’ve done everything you possibly can; beat the main storyline, played all the mini-games, found all the treasure, and fought monster hordes till you passed out then you need to look no further than the added multiplayer mode. The multiplayer mode in Phantom Hourglass is a battle arena that places players against each other. In an arena, one player takes on the role of Link, while the other player, on defense, controls three Phantom Guardians. Players of both sides are aided by power-up items that shortly appear on the playing field, such as the Pegasus Shoes, and a power glove. The online mode is complete with stat tracking, and the ability to battle worldwide which is a nice diversion from the main game.

Ultimately, Phantom Hourglass emerges as an interesting game in the saga. It is honestly one of the best games available for the DS. It's ambitious approach keeps aspects of the traditional Zelda franchise and has its own unique elements such as its innovative touch controls and use of the DS’s dual screens. This is another prime example of Nintendo brilliance. Phantom Hourglass is the perfect adventure, accessible to all ages from the novice adventure to the hardcore Zelda fan. A must-have game for all DS owners.

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Pros (+):

• Innovative concepts
• First Zelda to have functioning & fun Multiplayer
• Addictive gameplay
• Decent Longivity/Length
• Easy to control control scheme

Cons (-):

• Sometimes poor camera angles
• Stylus controls CAN be frustrating
• Repetitive temples
• Screen-Size: Difficult to see where Link is headed due to hand covering the DS screen.

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