Well the last Level Up before Christmas so I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. Once again the release schedule is very light but we have lots of news and of course our main article this week is a review of Disney’s Epic Mickey for the Nintendo Wii.
New DLC for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Konami has announced two new downloadable content packages for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, which will feature all new areas, monsters, and brand new story lines. In Castlevania Lords of Shadow 'Reverie', players will return to the Castle as Gabriel to help Laura, the former servant to the vampire Carmilla, in destroying the unruly evil that was previously kept in check by the recently slain Queen. Once completed, fans of the series can download the second DLC entitled 'Resurrection', which continues the story directly after the end of the original game and gives some insight into the dramatic epilogue seen by players upon completion and Gabriel's ultimate destiny. Both packs are expected to launch in early 2011.
Besthesda announces Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Bethesda Softworks confirmed the upcoming release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the next installment in the award-winning Elder Scrolls series and follow up to the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Developed by Bethesda Game Studios under the direction of Todd Howard, Skyrim will be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on November 11, 2011.
Resistance 3 announced for September, 2011
As announced during the Spike TV Video Game Awards, Insomniac's third entry in the shooter franchise is slated for release on September 6, 2011. The story takes place in an alternate reality 1950s, with America having fallen to the Chimera. This makes for a brutal existence for the remaining survivors -- including main character Joseph Capelli -- with enemies including both Chimera and hungry cannibals.
More free DLC for Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Ubisoft has announced a second free update coming next month. Called the "Animus Project 2.0," the second pack is set to hit sometime in January. It will bring with it a new Pienza multiplayer map, and the Chest Capture multiplayer mode, i.e. capture the flag. The update will also include a "Templar Score" feature.
New Conan the Barbarian Game Coming?
A new Conan the Barbarian title is being pitched to prospective developers and publishers, license holder Paradox Entertainment revealed today. Paradox Entertainment is partnering with Digital Development Management to produce the game although it will not necessarily be based on next year's film franchise reboot.
Tough Times for Square Enix
Square Enix President Yoichi Wada apologized for Final Fantasy XIV "failing to meet customers' expectations." He announced that most of the lead development staff was being replaced with new personnel and that the PlayStation 3 version of the online RPG would be postponed from its March 2011 release date. In light of these issues, Square Enix drastically reduced its earnings forecasts for the remainder of the fiscal year from 12 billion yen or approx. $142.4 million to just 1 billion yen ($11.9 million) - a decrease of a whopping 91.7%. Sheesh, is it any wonder why heads are rolling!
Microsoft working to enhance Kinect motion accuracy
Although unconfirmed by Microsoft, sources are saying that that they are working hard to enhance the accuracy of the Kinect add-on through firmware updates. Currently, the Kinect camera's depth sensor operates at a resolution of 320x240 at 30 frames per second, although if that were to be upgraded to a resolution of 640x480, it would be capable of detecting both fingers and hand rotation.
Bulletstorm Epic Edition to feature Gears of War 3 Beta Access
If you’re an Xbox 360 owner rejoice…PS3, not so much. Epic Games has announced that the “Epic Edition” of Bulletstorm will feature a code for access to Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta. However the epic edition will only be available for the Xbox 360. The Epic Edition along with the standard edition will be released on February 22.
New This Week
Lost in Shadow (Konami) Rated 10+ Nintendo Wii
There is a Tower that rises above all in an alternate world. No one knows who built this or why it was built. One thing is certain, the Tower both casts a large shadow and at the same time is filled with moving shadows...
There is a shadow of a boy that climbs this tower. He runs through the shadow of the Tower, solving mysteries and puzzles along the way, and fighting off enemies that try to impede his progress. The boy is not affected by gravity but his movement is restricted within the thin border between light and shadow....There is a winged sylph known as a “Spangle” that supports him in his journey. The boy is not alone in his endeavors as this creature of light joins him on his quest...
Welcome to the Lost in Shadow. Mixing unique platform elements and levels of puzzling to challenge the player, the combination of light and shadow creates an all-new blend of game styles. With the shadow boy altering shapes of surrounding objects’ shadows and creating walkways to previously inaccessible areas, Lost in Shadow is set to deliver an adventure into a world never before seen on Wii.
Sherlock Holmes and Mystery Of Osborne House (THQ) Rated 10+ Nintendo DS
In this brand new big adventure, especially designed for Nintendo's handheld system, you play as the famous detective Sherlock Holmes and you will have to shed some light on curious events. When Queen Victoria's genealogical records are stolen, the Royal Family decides to put you in charge of the case and asks you to solve this strange mystery. As always, followed by your wise and faithful friend, Doctor Watson, you will have to use your logic and observation senses through dozens of riddles, puzzles and brain teasers of all sorts. You will travel through dozens of beautifully hand-drawn places, looking for clues and new mysteries. You will also meet many charismatic characters who will help you solve this strange case and finally discover the truth!
Reviews
Epic Mickey (Disney Interactive) Rated E Nintendo Wii
Don’t let the fact that this is a Disney game starring Mickey Mouse cause you to be dismissive towards it…this is a fun, innovative, and enjoyable trek through some 80 years if Disney animation history. Despite some control issues it takes its place as one of the best Wii games of 2010. The gorgeous opening cinematic shows the ever curious Mickey drawn into an alternate world through the mirror in his bedroom and into the abode of the wizard from “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment from Fantasia. Mickey accidentally ruins a magical miniature world created by the wizard by spilling paint and paint thinner on it, and releasing the Shadow Blot monster. Years later, Mickey is drawn into this world which is now a wasteland of forgotten characters and cartoons and Mickey has to set everything right again.
Mickey is armed with a magical brush that can shoot either paint or thinner and become his primary weapons to battle enemies and to re-create the magical world. This world is ruled by Oswald the Rabbit who was Disney’s feature star before Mickey was created. The game combines typical 3D gameplay with mini-levels that are 2D platforming areas that are themed after many old Mickey cartoons such as “Steamboat Willie” and “Mickey and the Beanstalk”. This brings an almost mystical air of nostalgia to the game as this era featured some of the greatest 2D animation ever.
As you play, Mickey will be faced with some moral choices, typically rather to take side mission to rescue various minor characters like gremlins, or just continue through the game faster by leaving them trapped. How you choose will make the game play out differently although some of the characters you rescue can aid your cause later in the game. Some boss battles can even be avoided by your decisions. The endgame in this isn’t really explored unless you play through the game again making opposite decisions, however. This also greatly expands the length of time it takes to complete the game. 10 – 12 hours should be normal if you streamline things but it can take 15 hours or more if you end up doing all of the side quests. The one issue with the side quests is that they can quickly distract you from the main quests as you sort of just simply walk into them.
Even though Mickey is the main character, Oswald is certainly the most interesting star. He’s a tragic character…sort of like the Pete Best of Disney animation (and if you don’t get the reference then just google it). He’s the forgotten icon who isn’t quite a villain or hero and his motivations are unclear. There are fantastic cut sequences with gorgeous, grainy animation that revels in its Golden Age roots.
Epic Mickey would be near-perfect were it not for two things: a glitchy camera and the imprecise controls. Mickey battles most foes by using thinner or paint to destroy them or turn them friendly. By turning them friendly they will attack other enemies. But the targeting system can be a pain, especially with multiple targets. You get three or foes around you and it can be a chore to fight them all. The camera is even worse, often leaving you with hard to navigate areas and jumps
due to the angles and views it leaves you. The only other gripe is the lack of voice acting in the main game. The voice are just sounds and expressions like “The Sims” although the cut sequences have voices.
Despite its technical flaws, Epic Mickey is fun, challenging and simply gorgeous. Grade B+
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