Dolphin Development Made Easier

Nintendo today announced strategic relationships with three U.S.-based software and hardware tools companies for its upcoming next-generation system, A.K.A. the Dolphin. Applied Microsystems, Corp., Metrowerks, and Factor 5 have all signed agreements to develop tools that will make developing for the Dolphin easier and faster.

"These tools will allow our developers and third-party licensees to make the most of the tremendous power of the Dolphin system," says Jim Merrick, Director of Technical Support at Nintendo of America. "Providing developers quality tools from top companies at this early stage means better quality games, faster game creation, and faster time-to-market, which is great for everyone, especially the consumer."

Details about the Dolphin are coming in slowly but surely now, and who knows... Is it possible that Nintendo may just meet their year 2000 goal for a US launch?

Nintendo 64... More Than Meets the Eye?

Takara, creators of the infamous Battle Arena Toshiden fighters for the Playstation, are currently developing a three-dimensional N64 fighting title based on the Transformers: Beast Wars franchise. Although details are still sketchy on this one, the game will reportedly include a option to import robots from the Game Boy version of the title, through the use of the 64 GB Pack.

No word on a US release, but considering the popularity of the CG cartoon, a domestic release is almost guaranteed.

Tarzan

"Tarzan" is a breathtaking film, breaking the Disney-ordained storybook boundaries of previous outings like "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Mulan." While it does have a touchingly well-told love story at its heart, "Tarzan" is one for the boys, an action movie with enough spills and thrills to rope in older viewers.

Tarzan for the PlayStation follows this breaking-of-the-mold formula in it's own way, too. It holds fast to old school 2D gameplay, but eschews the confines of left-and-right platforming by adding an almost 3rd dimension to your path. If you've played Wild 9, you already know what I'm referring to. If not, imagine staying on a 2D plane and having the entire environment around you twist and turn as you tiptoe across gnarled branches and scoot under tumbled logs. The effect works well when done correctly, and Eurocom employed this style with skill in Tarzan. The plane-shifting is seamless; rarely will you become disoriented when the jungle shifts to your new point-of-view.

In addition to the 2 ½ D side-scrolling levels, Tarzan includes stages where you'll find yourself running directly out of the screen ala Crash Bandicoot. This is also well-done in Tarzan, in fact it's even better than Crash. The camera is placed appropriately to guarantee a solid view of the action. There are no cheap blows during these sprinting levels. Top-down swimming levels leave a little to be desired, as the control sags--especially if you're using the digital pad. The branch-surfing stages are exciting. The camera angle is somewhat stifling considering Tarzan's speed as he rockets through the jungle canopy, pushing it slightly back and above would have make for a more satisfying experience.

Tarzan's basic controls are too loose for it's own good. While overly tight control can be discouraging and annoying when timing is critical, Tarzan feels a little too relaxed, especially when you are trying to swing from vines. It's hard to get a rhythm going, as the vines falls slack unless you maintain constant movement. Tossing fruit to whack jungle offenders is easy to grasp but difficult to master. Tarzan can lob underhand or chuck them overhand. Deciding which is the best to use at what time takes an extra moment of thought, and by the time you've figured out which way to hurl the mango, you've been tagged by a lemur or warthog. Before long, you'll just be getting in close and hoping you tag the animal with enough vitamin C before they run into you.

Speaking of the animal kingdom, some of the enemies in Tarzan are cheap. Poison frogs no bigger than Tarzan's fist are nearly impossible to hit with fruit. At first it is difficult to distinguish which animals are pro-Tarzan and which are out to rough up the "hairless wonder." It would make sense that you should avoid rhinos at all costs, but you are actually supposed to bounce off their backs to nab out-of-reach jungle goodies.

"Tarzan" the film touts brand new animation techniques (affectionately called "Deep Canvas") to deliver stunning visuals that we have never seen in animation before. The game itself is also beautiful, even in an age where Dreamcast-quality graphics make the majority of PS games look hopelessly dated. The backgrounds look hand-painted, with 3D environments for Tarzan to lumber through. It works well, adding depth to the scenes in a way that make previous offerings like Hercules look, well, bad.

There's no other word to describe the environments besides "organic." The lush colors are eye-popping, and straight from the film. The entire jungle feels alive, and Tarzan is the heartbeat. His animations are smooth and gorgeous, mirroring his celluloid counterpart.

Tarzan's production values are slick, from the quality soundtrack (in spite of Phil Collins' warbling) to the great cinema cut-scenes that bookend levels. While we've all played games like this before, Tarzan just seems to do it all better. Originality may not be its strong suit, but the leaps and bounds it makes in game play make it worth a serious look from platformer fans everywhere.

ctsy Game Fan


TONS OF NEW JAPANESE RPGs

There's all kinds of new information on upcoming Japanese RPG's leaking out today! First off, it looks like the Saturn game Baroque is heading to the PlayStation, with new features not found in the Saturn version, such as hidden characters, new dungeons, new items, and new mesaage screens!

It looks like the team that did Evolution for the Dreamcast is already working on the sequel for it - Evolution 2! Might help to get the first game out first, guys... Anyway, it seems that you'll be able to continue the game with your main character from the first, and will include features such as new dungeons and a new battle system. I'm hearing the game is to be released sometime 1999, but don't hold your breath...

And finally, continuing the trend of RPG's with polygonal backdrops with 2-D sprite characters, Capcom has announced that Breath of Fire 4 will make it's way to the PS! A few details about the character development system have been released, and it sounds like the game will allow you to create up to 3,000 different combinations of party members! Unbelievable...

Metal Gear Solid Integral

VOOT fiend, Samurai Shodown master, Street Fighter veteran, Super Robot Wars tactician, and overall super ninja gamer… you would think these honorary titles would be enough for everyone's favorite dango. Then came my favorite game of 1998, better known as Metal Gear Solid. Yes, I was one of those freaks who got a Metal Gear Solid Premium Package. Yes, I bought both Japanese and US versions of the game. Yes, I beat Psycho Mantis the "hard" way. And if all that weren't enough, I achieved the ultimate state of MGS sickness when, after several attempts, I finally achieved "Big Boss" ranking. Thus, I am officially a Metal Gear Solid sausage, so rest assured that after seeing the Metal Gear Solid Integral video footage on tape at E3, I was counting down the days until I could finally get a copy of this game. Sure, MGS Integral didn't have anything new except an extra disc filled VR (virtual reality) training missions, but being the MGS junkie that I am, I just had to get it. And after three exhaustive days and two hundred or so missions later, I will offer you but one warning: If you did not absolutely love Metal Gear Solid, then avoid this game. Metal Gear Solid Integral is made for the "Top Gun" players of MGS, the cream of the crop, the best of the best… and if you put as much time as I have into this game, MGS Integral will make you even better.

For starters, Metal Gear Solid Integral is composed of three discs. The original Metal Gear Solid is contained on the first two, while the third contains all the extra VR missions. I won't go into detail about Metal Gear Solid, if you want to know more about it you can go to our Metal Gear Solid review by clicking here. If you don't want to read through all my ranting and raving, just trust me when I say it's one of the best darn PlayStation games ever made. Essentially, the MGS portion of MGS Integral is the US version of the game with Japanese subtitles. There are a few cosmetic changes to the game, but overall it remains unchanged. The real reason hardcore MGS fans will get this game is for the third, VR Missions disc.

The third disc comes packed with over three hundred VR training missions. Some of the original VR missions from Metal Gear Solid are in there, but the large majority are brand spanking new. There are four training modes, not all of which are readily available for you to plya. You start off on Sneaking Mode, and when you clear all 60 VR levels in Sneaking Mode, you can then access the Weapon Mode training missions. Weapon Mode goes through all the weapons you'll use in Metal Gear Solid and some of these training missions are pretty tough. After clearing the Weapon Mode, you'll move on to the Advanced Mode. This is where the game gets even harder, especially when using the Nikita and Claymore mines. If you somehow make it through the Advanced Mode, you'll finally open up Special Mode that has all sorts of zany VR missions, and will also let you play as the Cyber Ninja!

Visually, the VR training missions share the same graphics, animation, and style of MGS. There are no gameplay changes either; Solid Snake can execute his standard punch, punch, and kick combo, judo toss, and his infamous choke-hold with neck snap. The game still suffers from the few control flaws that MGS had, namely the lack of a walking animation and the annoying auto-aiming of the handgun. So, veterans of the MGS series should feel right at home with the controls and gameplay. The sound effects and music are all top notch, which was to be expected. Newer, high-tech sounding music tracks accompany the newer training levels and they all sound wonderful to this dango.

While I can recommend Metal Gear Solid to everyone, I cannot do the same for MGS Integral. If you've played Metal Gear Solid and enjoyed it thoroughly, then I don't think getting this game will increase your appreciation of Metal Gear Solid. However, if you're a diehard MGS sausage like me who can't seem to get enough of the tactical, espionage action that only Metal Gear Solid can deliver, then you'll definitely enjoy the insane amount of training levels, zany enemies, and even a few inside jokes. And when you finally unlock everything and say to yourself, "I want more!"… then welcome to the club.


ctsy Game Fan

 


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