Geekscape Games Podcast: Level 12 – “Year In Review?”

by GeekscapeStaffJanuary 6, 2015

Join Derek, Josh, Juan and Shane as they discuss the last YEAR in video games!

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This Week

Shane’s run in with his future, Amiibo hunting self.

Our Favorite Games of 2014.

This Week’s Listener Mission Objective

What are your gaming New Years resolutions?

Leave a comment below, tweet us OR email us: shane (at) geekscape (dot) net

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Geekscape Games Previews: ‘Bravely Default’

by Josh JacksonJanuary 10, 2014

If you’ve watched any of the Nintendo Direct presentations over the past few months, then I’m sure you’ve heard plenty about Bravely Default. This 3DS exclusive RPG from the minds at Square-Enix promises to take us to a simpler time, filled with lands to explore, dungeons to crawl in and tough -as-nails enemies encompased in a fantasy setting while also promising a few twists to keep things interesting. After thoroughly exploring the recently released demo of the game, it’s safe to say that there’s enough here to keep old and new RPG fans alike clamoring for more.

Anyone who’s played Final Fanasy V or III, (more specifically, the DS remake from a few years ago,) you’ll feel right at home with Bravely Default. Presented in an almost pop-up book like style that’s further complemented by the stereoscopic 3D, it brings an extra flare to the chibi style character models. Each of the demo’s three distinct dungeons show off different environments that we can look forward to exploring, such as dark forests and abandoned ruins, each with enemies and bosses that will absolutely punish you if you don’t prepare your party. Those who miss the challenge of a SNES era title of this kind will be glad to know that the difficulty is unforgiving, yet fair. And that’s just on normal difficulty.

The strategy needed to take down tougher foes relies on the game’s familiar job system. Ranging from warriors and ninjas to mages and singers, each job fulfills a certain need. While each party member can only use one job at a time, ability points can be spent to carry over learned abilities from other jobs. So if you really like the Ninja’s dual weapon boost, but you also want to keep the Swordsman’s ability to gain extra attacks per turn, you can combine both attributes to accumulate huge amounts of damage. It’s customization like this that makes Bravely Default really exciting.

But most of all, what makes the demo stand out is the new ideas it brings to the table, namely the Brave and Default mechanics. Each turn costs one Brave point, which each party member gains one of every turn. If a party member uses Default instead of attacking, it’s essentially the “defend” option from other RPG’s, except this action doesn’t use the Brave Point you gained from that turn. This makes defense a huge part of any sound strategy, since defending for long enough can allow a party member to use their stored turns to move four times in one round without penalty, minimizing damage while using up their attacks at the same time. I say “without penalty” because you can choose to use up to four Brave Points within a turn as long as you have at least one to use, but if you use more points than you have, that character will be immobile for the amount of turns equal to the amount of negative BP. It’s like overdrawing your bank account, except the penalty is getting smashed in the face by a golem instead of a fee.

On top of all these features in the demo alone, any Streetpasses collected in the demo up to the first 20 will be carried over to the main game. Streetpass for Bravely Default has to be one of the best uses of the feature to date, allowing players to become summons for other characters to use. By setting an action for your Streetpass, anyone who passes you more than once can bring you into battle to perform an action that the sender sets before heading out into the world. On top of this, every time you pass a person, it adds villagers to your town, which then can be tasked with building shops, expanding the town and removing obstacles. The more you have, the faster these tasks are completed, and come in handy big time since many of the items sold here weren’t available in the standard towns.

This is definitely on our most wanted lists.

All in all, my interest in Bravely Default went from me being cautiously optimistic to this becoming a must buy for my 3DS come February. The deep, strategic game play, challenging enemies and Streetpassing galore left me wanting so mcuh more. On top of that, finishing challenges in the demo unlocks items that will be transfered to the full game, so what reason is there for this not to be on your 3DS home screen? Unless you hate RPGs, a challenge or good in the world of course.

Bravely Default will be launcing in stores (including a limited editon at select retailers,) and on the eShop on February 7th!

Nintendo: “The Best Days of the Nintendo 3DS Are Still To Come.”

by J.C. MarquezJanuary 10, 2014

While last year may have been a bit of a struggle for the Wii U, the same can’t be said for the Nintendo 3DS which set several milestones in 2013. The handheld, combined with the Nintendo 2DS, has gone on to sell over 11.5 million units in the United States alone. Additionally, over 16 million pieces of software for the portable systems, both digital and packaged retail, were sold last year. Nintendo also goes on to boast about the 3DS having some the highest rated games last year, highlighting seven titles which received Metacritic scores of 85 and above–two of those, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Fire Emblem: Awakening, earning scores of 91 and 92 respectively.

Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing, said “Nintendo 3DS is a powerhouse with games and experiences that appeal to all kinds of players.” With a ridiculously strong library of games, there seems to be something for every type of gamer–have it be casual or hardcore. At the end of 2013, Nintendo sold 45% more 3DS games than they did in 2012, with Pokémon X & Y leading the way with over 3 million copies sold in North America.

“We’re not slowing down in 2014”, Moffitt continues. “With more games featuring fan-favorite franchises on the way, the best days of the Nintendo 3DS are still to come. ” With Bravely Default Flying Fairy (Feb. 7) and Yoshi’s New Island (March 14) starting the year off for the Nintendo 3DS, the once ‘doomed’ handheld looks to continue its dominance.Source: Nintendo Press Release (January 10, 2014)

‘Bravely Default’ Demo Available Now Available On The 3DS eShop!

by Derek KraneveldtJanuary 3, 2014

Briefly: The eShop demo for Square-Enix’s latest highly anticipated 3DS RPG, has just hit the North American store.

The usual demo rules apply here (you can only open the game 30 times), but as was revealed in the last 2014 focussed Nintendo Direct, the demo features all-new content that you won’t find in the main game, and your characters (and their stuff) will transfer to the retail release.

The game looks great, and I can’t wait to take a look at the demo (as soon as I finish A Link Between Worlds, that is). Already play? Let us know how it is, and be sure to let us know if you’ll be grabbing Bravely Default when it hits North American shelves on February 7th!

Nintendo Direct Wrap Up: 12-18-13

by Josh JacksonDecember 18, 2013

Yesterday’s surprise announcement of a new Nintendo Direct was a welcomed one, especially considering Reggie’s reveal at VGX was… lackluster at best. Unlike the last Direct, we had plenty of Wii U news to sift through in between news of an ever growing library of fantastic 3DS games. This show was all about 2014, with a few surprises along the way. Below are the highlights straight from Nintendo’s press release sent out after the stream’s conclusion.

Wii U News

Super Smash Bros.: Rosalina, who was introduced in the Super Mario Galaxy games for Wii and makes a surprise appearance in the new Super Mario 3D World for Wii U, will be a playable character, accompanied by her starry friend, Luma. The game will launch in stores and the Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2014.

Note: Check out our thoughts on Rosalina’s reveal here.

Mario Kart 8: New playable characters include Rosalina and various “Baby” Nintendo characters, like Baby Mario and Baby Luigi. New course settings include an airport, the desert and high in the clouds, and vehicles include UFOs, four-wheel ATV buggies, standard karts and bikes.

NES Remix: Select parts from 16 classic NES games have been remixed with new challenges. For example, players might be tasked with completing a familiar Super Mario Bros. stage while running to the left. Or they might encounter a revamped level of Donkey Kongthat allows them to play as Link from The Legend of Zelda series. NES Remix includes Miiverse compatibility, so players with broadband Internet access can show off their skills, complete with cool 8-bit stamps. NES Remix is now available exclusively in the Nintendo eShop for $14.99.

Sonic Lost World: A new Nintendo-themed level is coming to the Nintendo eShop. Yoshi’s Island Zone is now available for free. Done in a Yoshi art style, the level has Sonic speeding through areas filled with pipes, coins, Shy Guys and Piranha Plants.

Note: Isn’t free downloadable content the bees knees? Iwata said a second piece of DLC was coming, but it wasn’t ready to be shown. He hinted that there would be a “Link” between the game’s two versions. Does it need to be said? I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I can’t wait for that F-Zero stage.

At least they’re not the Deadly Six.

Dr. Luigi: The Year of Luigi continues to deliver surprises, with a new title starring Mario’s green-clad brother. Much like the classic puzzle game Dr. Mario, Dr. Luigi requires players to line up color-coded pills to destroy viruses. Dr. Luigi offers different skill settings and attacks in multiplayer games, and an original mode where the pills are, of course, L-shaped. The game comes with a Dr. Mario mode, Wii U GamePad compatibility and online play, so wannabe virus busters from all around the world can compete. Dr. Luigi launches exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on Dec. 31 for $14.99.

Oh Luigi, always bringing home viruses.

Wii Sports Club: Launching today, golf becomes the third sport added to the Wii Sports Club lineup, joining bowling and tennis. In a move not possible on any other system, golf asks players to place the Wii U GamePad controller on the floor in front of their TVs. Players can then use a Wii Remote Plus to swing at the ball on the ground, just as they would a real golf ball, enabling more precise control with each stroke. When they take their swing, the ball flies from the screen of the GamePad to the TV screen in one fluid motion. Wii Sports Club – Golf includes the nine-hole course from the original Wii Sports game, in addition to a newly developed nine-hole course based on Golf US Course, a Famicom game that Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata helped develop more than 25 years ago. Wii U owners can play a free 24-hour trial of Wii Sports Club, which lets players sample all three sports. The trial offer is open to everyone, even to people who previously sampled the 24-hour free trial. A Club Pass for the full golf game, allowing unlimited access, can be purchased for $9.99. Boxing and baseball will be coming to Wii Sports Club in 2014.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Veteran Cranky Kong joins playable characters Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong as companions for Donkey Kong. Cranky Kong comes with his own set of special moves that allow him to bounce off enemies and obstacles using his cane. Players who collect 100 bananas in a stage can execute a new move called the KONG-Pow, which turns all enemies on the screen into items. Now that Cranky Kong is setting off on an adventure, instead of overseeing the in-game shop as he did in the Donkey Kong Country Returns game, the aptly named Funky Kong will assist players by offering them items for trade in the game. The game launches Feb. 21 in stores and in the Nintendo eShop.

Nintendo 3DS News

Bravely Default: A free demo of the game launches in the Nintendo eShop on Jan. 2, but this is much more than a demo. It’s an exclusive story with hours of content not included in the main game. The full game launches in stores and in the Nintendo eShop on Feb. 7 at a suggested retail price of $39.99. If players with the full game close their system while the game is active, they might gather additional warriors via the StreetPass feature, but they also earn Sleep Points for every eight cumulative hours of down time. Sleep Points can then be used during battle to change equipment, revive a fallen party member, heal or unleash attacks beyond the game’s usual damage cap. Players who don’t want to wait for their Sleep Points to refill have the option of purchasing SP potions in the Nintendo eShop to refill all three Sleep Points at once. Also launching Feb. 7, a Collector’s Edition including the game, an art book, a soundtrack CD and 34 augmented-reality cards will be available via GameStop, Best Buy and Amazon.com at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe: The game is a side-scrolling platformer, but players can move Kirby to the background and foreground to dodge enemies and solve puzzles. Kirby can also use a new Hypernova ability, which powers up his inhale ability and enables him to suck up everything in his path. The game includes more than 20 different copy abilities, including four new ones created for this game. Kirby: Triple Deluxe also includes two new game modes: Kirby Fighters lets up to four players pick one of 10 copy abilities for their Kirby and then fight to see which is the most effective in battle. Dedede’s Drum Dash asks players to press buttons in sync with Kirby music while jumping and collecting coins. The game is planned for 2014.

Kirby continues his quest for arbor annihilation.

Chibi-Robo! Photo Finder: Everyone’s favorite helpful 4-inch-tall robot is back! This time Chibi-Robo has been tasked with helping a new museum get off the ground. Players are given silhouettes of needed objects, then use the Nintendo 3DS camera to find matching objects, known as NostalJunk, in the real world. Chibi-Robo will also help characters like superheroes and singing sponge-bears with various tasks, all while keeping an eye on his electricity reserves. The game also features community events called NostalJunk Challenges that focus on particular silhouettes, and give players opportunities to showcase their creativity and maybe earn a special outfit for Chibi-Robo to wear in the game. A demo will soon launch exclusively in the Nintendo eShop, with the full version landing on Jan. 9, 2014.

Note: Can I just say that I was all but sure that this series was dead outside of Japan? But not only is this not the case, but it’s coming out in about three weeks? Do yourselves a favor and check out this gem on the Gamecube and DS, and while you’re at it, check out my Underground Games article on the original from a few years ago.

Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter: Pokémon Bank is software that lets players store up to 3,000 Pokémon from the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games. Poké Transporter is an application that lets players take the Pokémon they’ve caught through the years and transferred into Pokémon Black and Pokémon White, as well as Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2, and transfer them into Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporterlaunch Dec. 27. Players can download a 30-day free trial version anytime between launch and Jan. 31, 2014. Following the free trial, an annual usage fee will apply for Pokémon Bank. Anyone who accesses a Pokémon Bank box by Sept. 30, 2014, will receive the Pokémon Celebi as a special gift.

Note: Want to know how Bank will work? Check out our overview of the Celebi giveaway and the details of the service here.

Yoshi’s New Island: The game launches this spring, and will be produced by Takashi Tezuka, the creative director of the original Yoshi’s Island for Super NES.

That’s the end of the press release. While that might be a ton of unexpected information, the crazy part is that this isn’t even all of it! We can’t mention today’s Direct without bringing up Hyrule Warriors, the Dynasty Warriors style Zelda game that came out of nowhere. Oh, and if you’re sitting on a ton of Club Nintendo coins, why not add Luigi to your figure collection with this Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon figurine. At least you won’t have to worry about ghosts in your home any longer.

Check out the video below to check out all of the announcements, and finally find out what would happen if Reggie were to arm wrestle himself. Enjoy!

Nintendo Direct Highlights: 11/13/13 Edition

by Josh JacksonNovember 13, 2013

Another edition of Nintendo Direct has come and gone, and as promised, we left with a ton of new details on numerous 3DS titles. From Zelda, to Layton and Mario’s latest party, handheld owners will have their hands full within the coming months. With that said, the Wii U got a few bones thrown at it as well! Without further ado, here are the highlights from this morning’s conference Be warned: some of the content below contains spoilers.

– The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds has a new trailer! If you weren’t hyped enough, new details about new characters like Irene the witch, (who is essentially used for fast travel,) and Seres, (essentially the game’s Zelda replacement,) were shown, as well as Zora Flippers, which allow Link to swim.

– Zelda Street Pass functionality was revealed and it sounds really awesome! Players will create their own Shadow Link, complete with an item loadout and a set amount of hearts. The stronger the Link, the higher the bounty, which will be awarded to others who can find the shadow on the map and take him down.

– Mario Party Island Tour is also coming on November 22nd and allows download play for all seven of the game’s boards! Street Pass was also detailed, letting players compete in mini games against up to 10 ghost Mii’s. If you’re more of a loner, a single player “Bowser’s Tower” will have us competing in 30 floors worth of games, each one getting progressively harder until the boss fights that take place once every five floors.

– Bravely Default features a wide variety of customization for the in game party, including abilities, jobs, spells and appearances. Some new mechanics include the Default System, a defensive stance that builds Brave Points that can be used to unleash powerful attacks when switched to the Brave System, Sleep Points, which can be built up using a time stopping ability or while the system is in sleep mode, than can be exchanged for more powerful moves, and Street Pass, which brings other characters into battles to aid you, (if they’re not chosen to help rebuild your town.)

– Bravely Default is releasing on February 7th, complete with a collectors edition. This contains the game, a set of AR cards, a soundtrack and an art book. Pricing has yet to be announced.

– Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy will close out the second, (and presumably last,) Layton trilogy when it arrives on the 3DS on February 28th. It’ll be fun to see Layton, Luke an Emmy’s final adventure through, but I can’t say I’m ready to say goodbye to the professor. At least we have the Phoenix Wright crossover to look forward to!

– Nintendo Zone locations will be distributing the (formerly,) exclusive Best Buy Animal Crossing: New Leaf items throughout November, as well as a special item block for Super Mario 3D Land. Contents are unknown, but it might be worth checking out the next time you’re at a Starbucks.

– Possibly the biggest news of the day, a December system update will allow Wii U and 3DS currency to be combined. So if you have $5 burning a hole in your Wii U wallet, transfer it over to the 3DS! Because if this presentation has taught me anything, it’s that the 3DS has way more content to use it on.

– Miiverse support will also be added along with this update, so now you’ll be able to take your awkward screenshots and witty commentary with you, assuming you can access the Internet of course.

– Other updates include YouTube on the handheld and an upgraded YouTube app for Wii U, both of which will be available later this month.

– Finally, we shift to the Wii U. In addition to the two packs already released, Pikmin 3 will receive a third wave of downloadable content. Unlike the previous downloads, which were made up of remixed stages from the on disc story and mission content, this wave contains all new stages not found anywhere else in the game. Taking Olimar to stages like construction sites, the inside of homes, beaches and factories, the first Pikmin protagonist will be tasked with finding Louie on the map, who will then be playable, allowing them to take on multiple tasks at once.

– The DLC will be released on December 2nd and consist of eight total stages. These four treasure stages and four battle stages didn’t have a price tag attached to them, but one of each type will be free to all players who download the update for the content, both of which take place in the “Fortress of Festivity.”

– The Animal Crossing Plaza is getting a slew of updates! 50 Miiverse stamps are being added, so those who can’t draw to save their life, (like me,) can post decent pictures of the cast. Polls are also being introduced, letting the community vote on such important issues as, “who is the best secretary?” or, “who is the neighbor of the year?” Considering the game has only one secretary, I’m expecting a landslide. The update will go live later this evening.

– Future updates will include resident registration, so you can keep track of who is in your in game town, a function allowing Miiverse posts to be saved in the photo album and the ability to move and delete multiple photos at once. When they will be available is unknown, but I’d guess 2014 since that’s when the app is scheduled to go down.

– An indie game sizzle reel showed off a ton of content, including 1001 Spikes, Jett Rocket 2, the new Shantae and Retro City Rampage for the 3DS. You can check out the video showing off all of the indie game goodness below.

– And finally, we have 10 new things in Super Mario 3D World. From bonus modes to kart themed stages and 3D puzzles, it seems like the game will feature a ton of content we were never expecting, including one big reveal that I won’t post here. Watch the trailer below if you’re feeling adventurous, but trust me when I say it’s a great reason to get excited.

And… that’s about it? What news was the most exciting part for you all? I know I’m hyped about 3D World more than ever, but even games like Mario Party and Zelda, which I was planning on waiting on, sound hard to resist. But I’ve talked enough. Sound off and let us know what Nintendo content you’re most excited about leading into 2014!