Going Western with Gunman Clive!

Title: Gunman Clive

Genre: Action, Adventure, Platformer

Developer/Publisher: Horberg Productions

System: iOS, Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: April 3rd, 2012 (iPhone)

The year is 18XX, and a group thugs and outlaws have been overrun in the west. One day a group of bandits decide to kidnap Mayor Johnson's daughter and spread havoc across the western plains. Now, it's up to Clive to rescue Ms. Johnson and bring order to the west...

So, if you're looking for something that's both worthwhile and of course easy on your wallet, then Gunman Clive's here for you at only $2. The game consists of 20 levels, split into four areas of five in which Clive must defeat all of the biggest baddies in the west in order to save Ms. Johnson. Of course, rescuing damsels in distress being a thing, you know that it won't be easy to reach the end.

Gunman Clive plays very similarly to the Mario games, with some exceptions.

In the 3DS version of the game, you use "B" to jump, and "Y" to shoot enemies with your gun. Sometimes you the enemies you defeat will drop a piece of cake to restore your health, and sometimes there will be an upgrade that can allow you gun to fire multiple bullets at once, shoot a bouncing bullet, or even make your bullet size bigger. Enemies range from gunmen, birds, and even sometimes you'll come across sharp obstacles.

There are three playable characters in this game, with two being available from the start. 

Clive is the main protagonist, who's duty is to save Ms. Johnson from her captors. He bears no special abilities of any sort, and plays similarly to Mario.

Yep. It's true.

Ms. Johnson herself is also a playable character. In her story, the roles have been reversed, and it's up to her to rescue Clive. She has unique ability in which she can float in the air temporarily, similar to Princess Peach. 

A Duck is also playable once you've completed the game one time. The duck in this case has no methods of attack, but can flutter in the air, similar to Yoshi.

Don't expect this game to take you very long to beat, but if you're looking for something quick to pass the time, then this game is the perfect choice, especially with it having a great graphic design and music tracks.

That's it for now everyone!
-Anthony-

"Trial And Error" -- Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the TItan Demo

Hey guys! It's time to do something a little different for this blog and have some more variety to it. Generally up to this point, it's been me going over games that I've been familiar with. In this series of posts known as "Trial And Error" it follows me playing various demos and learning more about the games as well as how they play.

Title: Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan

Genre: Role-Playing

Developer/Publisher: ATLUS

System: Nintendo 3DS

Release Date: February 26th, 2013

Today's first posting for "Trial And Error" will be on Etrian Odyssey IV, the first game in the series that's been developed on the Nintendo 3DS.

Etrian Odyssey IV takes place in the land of Tharsis, where a mysterious tree known as the Yggdrasil looms over the area. The Outland Count of Tharsis decides to sponsor an explorer's guild in order to learn more about the tree's secrets, and like in every previous game in the series, you are the latest explorer arriving in the said area in order to seek fame and fortune.

You never know what might come at you, and sometimes, you will.

Etrian Odyssey IV, and all games in the series are dungeon crawler RPGs, where the battles take place in labyrinth like areas filled with monsters, and you don't know what you're going to encounter at most points. To know when you're getting closer to an enemy, on the bottom right hand corner of the 3DS' top screen, when it turns red, you're most likely to encounter something.

If you're familar with games such as the first two Elder Scrolls games -- Arena and Daggerfall, or something more recent like Legend of Grimrock, these are some examples of what dungeon crawlers are like.

Three of the character classes you can have your party members as.

The game features 10 different character classes, seven of which are available from the start -- Landsknecht (Swordsman), Nightseeker, Fortress, Sniper, Medic, Runemaster, and Dancer. Each class has their unique weapons, skills, and preferred positions (the front line or the back). You can have up to five members in your party for battle, and up to 30 members for your guild. 

Of course since you are the leader of your own guild, you'll be expected to take quests and help other people out along the way. The Mark Grand Court is where you get your missions which will progress the story, while the Dancing Peacock is an area to receive side quests.

Other areas of interest while in Tharsis include: the Saehrimnir Inn, which is where you can rest and restore HP and TP, revive fallen allies, and save your game, the Berund Atelier, the weapons, armor, and items shop, the Explorer's Guild where you can create more characters, and the City Gates where you can set off for adventure.

Things may have to be cut short...

Of course, like any demo, you can only have access to the game up to a certain point. However, an interesting thing with Etrian Odyssey IV is that you can save during the demo, allowing you to continue with your adventure once you have the full game.

So anyways, tell me what you think about this, and what I can do more for Trial And Error. Thanks again, guys!

-Anthony-                         

Looking Back -- New Info From Previous Tidings

Hey everyone. Today's blog is pretty much going over things that I did not get a chance to put and or update that status on certain blogs that I've previously posted on here.

If you've saw my post about Journey, you probably remember that the topic was on it's soundtrack being given a nomination at the 55th Grammy Awards earlier this year. Unfortunately, it did not with the Grammy, losing out to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo's soundtrack, composed by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross.

Still, for a video game that has gotten a lot of praise such as Journey, getting an Oscar nomination is just as awesome, even if they didn't win, which proves that video games can reach certain points it never could before.

Secondly, I will discuss the current events still going on with Shovel Knight and it's Kickstarter, which is still on for another two weeks. The developers have now reached their $75,000 goal, and have now decided to start up on "stretch additons" which are extra things they can add into the game, all at varying goals.

Some examples of these stretch goals include: a music player, achievements across all platforms, and a New Game Plus option.

If you haven't gotten already done so already, then check out the game's Kickstarter page, and read up on what's to come, and if you wish to do so, donate to get more things for the game.

Third, and most likely finally, I hope that everyone had a happy and safe Easter! Here's to April just not that far around the corner!

-Anthony-

Kickstarting The Code of "Shovelry"

Hello everyone.

Normally at the top of this blog you'll normally see information about the game, it's name, it's release, publisher(s) and what not, but that's not the case for today's blog.

Not that long ago I came across a trailer for a new game that has yet to be released. I instantly was amazed by it's concept. The title that I'm talking about is "Shovel Knight".

Shovel Knight is an upcoming action/platformer game that will be released on Steam (PC), and also on Nintendo Wii U and Nintendo 3DS that will be released sometime in 2013. The game is done in a retro 8-bit design, from enemies, dialogue boxes, and even the musical score.

Like any indie game before it, making a game costs money, and of course the company behind this game, Yacht Club Games, is in need of funds in order to finish the game in its entirety. With the way the economy is, and how money goes by quick, sometimes you have turn to something in order to get the project at full speed.

That's where sites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo come in.

A week or so ago, Yacht Club Games started their Kickstarter campaign for Shovel Knight, and need a total of $75,000 in order to fully finish the game. Now you're probably asking: "Why should I donate to for this campaign?" Any campaign done on Kickstarter or IndieGoGo, regardless of the project type, gives people who donate certain amounts rewards in return.

Kickstarter and IndieGoGo campaigns can offer special rewards to those who donate. People who donate $100 or more for Shovel Knight's campaign get "official Shovel Knight Dirt" along with a special secret, and all other previous rewards.

Of course, the company must pay part of the money once that have fully funded their campaign to the site itself (this is the case for IndieGoGo, though I'm not 100% sure about Kickstarter).

Even though there's still a little over three weeks of campaign still going on, and it's reached halfway towards it's goal, the sooner it gets fully funded, the sooner progress can be made for the game's completion. Even if you donate just $1 to the campaign it helps a lot in a way.

So let's see what we can do to help get this game into a reality!

The Shovel Knight Kickstarter Page

Shovel Knight's Steam Greenlight Page (NOTE: You must have an account/login to Steam to vote it up)

Shovel Knight Trailer

Shovel Knight will also be shown at this year's PAX East, which is this weekend. So hopefully more info on the game will come out soon.

Cheers, everyone!
-Anthony-

Harmonious Harmony - HarmoKnight Demo

Title: HarmoKnight
Genre: Rhythm, Platformer
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
System: Nintendo 3DS
Release Date: March 28th, 2013

You're probably surprised that I'm posting something about a game that hasn't came out yet, but luckily there's a demo of this game on the Nintendo eShop and I decided to check it out.

Because I'm talking about a demo, this blog will be pretty short, and spoiler free.

HarmoKnight is Rhythm based Platformer developed by Game Freak, the company that's well known for making the Pokemon series. Every now and then they'll make a non Pokemon based game, but if you still need that Pokemon fix in your life, several levels in HarmoKnight feature music from various Pokemon games.

The plot of HarmoKnight is simple: you play as a young warrior named Tempo and find out that monsters known as Noizoids have come and attacked Melodia (a planet/main setting) and it's up to him to save the planet from these monsters.

Going by the demo, you have two main controls: B in order to jump and A to attack enemies. Occassionaly there will be times where you will need to use the circle pad/controller in order change directions.

Again, to keep spoiling the game, it would be best to try out the game and or demo for yourself. Sorry for the short posting! And happy belated St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Fire Emblem Awakening Discussion Part 2

After pretty too much delay, I bring to you the second part of my Fire Emblem Awakening discussion which will focus briefly on character classes, battle layout, and conversations.

1. Character Classes and Weapons

In Fire Emblem: Awakening, each character is specified by a different class, which allows them to use specific weapons in battle that can either deal damage or help out other allies in battle. Characters can use swords, lances, axes, tomes, staves, and other items to assist them in battle.

The Avatar, shown above is part of the Tactician class, one of the new playable classes in the game who can wield swords and tomes.

While most characters can use weapons to battle others may not have that luxury. For instance, Clerics use staves in order to heal other players in order to gain experience rather than by fighting.

Some character classes such as Mages and Archers who wield tomes and bows can attack enemies from two spaces away (but in this case Mages can also attack up close, while Archers cannot). Lancers who wield a Javelin can also attack enemies two spaces away.

Characters can also be promoted to other classes or change classes (via specific items). In the case of the Avatar he can be promoted to a Grandmaster or change to any other class entirely.

2. Battle Layout

Shown above is the layout of one of the battles in Fire Emblem Awakening. Blue units are your characters, Red units are enemies, and while not shown here, Green units are allies.

The general condition of battle can be to either A: Defeat all enemies in battle or B: Defeat the leader of the enemies, which ends the battle automatically.

While in battle you can view the enemy's status and weaponry. And in regards to weapons (specifically swords, lances, and axes) there's something you should pay attention for.

Sword wielders have an advantage over characters with lances, lance wielders have an advantage over axe wielders, and axe wielders have an advantage over swordsmen. Wielding a weapon that is weak against an opposing weapon that is strong will harm your chances in battle, but it won't always be the case.

Characters can also pair up together in combat and enhance their allies' statuses, and sometimes even help out in battle alongside them. Winning battles while paired up will not only give them experience, but it will also allow them to have special conversations, which will be mentioned finally.

3. Conversations

Characters can have up to three to four special conversations which can be done outside of battle. Male characters conversing with female characters will have four conversations (the fourth being an eventual marriage) while same gender characters, characters who are siblings to others and siblings to parents will only have three.

Depending on which two characters are interacting, the scene will be different with each character as they are all unique in their own way.

While I have given some information about the game, the most important thing for anyone to do is to experience the full game themselves and learn about what goes on the world each game takes place in.

Thanks again for watching,
-Anthony-

On Hold - Fire Emblem Discussion Part 2

Hey guys. Due to the fact that Fire Emblem Awakening was delayed due to a shipping error, I'm going to have to postpone my discussion about Fire Emblem until later. However, that does not mean that there will be no content this time around, I'll just have to focus on something else momentarily. Thanks, and keep on watching! -Anthony-

Anticipation: Fire Emblem Awakening

Title: Fire Emblem Awakening
Genre: Tactical Role-Playing
Origin: Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: February 4th, 2013

To be particularly fair, I've never played any of the Fire Emblem games since they've started coming over in the west with the seventh title in the series, but after a long time of waiting, I'll finally own my first Fire Emblem game, Fire Emblem: Awakening.

The Fire Emblem series has a rather unique history to it, in which it was never released outside of Japan, nor no one knew about the series or characters until Super Smash Bros. Melee, when Marth and Roy appeared as newcomers. The interest in both characters led Nintendo to release the Fire Emblem games in both the United States as well as Europe.

Gameplay wise, throughout the series, it's a role-playing game that involves strategy, by controlling a group of warriors to take down various enemies in a turn based system.

Awakening's story follows the prince Chrom in his adventures throughout the world of Ylisse. He notices a neighbouring nation act suspiciously, and it is up to him and his band of soliders, known as the Shepherds in order to keep the country at peace.

I feel that there's a lot to explain that goes into detail, so because of that, there will be a continuation of this blog next time around.

Watch the trailer right here: More stuff coming soon!