January 16, 2006
In some games that require saving, especially in RPGs, a save slot might be uniquely named. Sometimes it's simply your character's name, sometimes the player is prompted to name the file (like classic Sierra games), and sometimes... well at least once, you are asked to sign your name on a touch pad!
In Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow your save game is not logged by the standard text-based title. You don't simply name your save and go... no, instead they ask you to sign your name, using a largish sketch box and the touch screen (of course), to represent your game file.
It's a pretty neat little gimmick... and pretty damn personalized, but who says you have to actually use the space for a signature:
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#1 Vendor Jan 16, 2006 05:29pm
Defender Series?
#2 R. LeFeuvre Jan 16, 2006 06:11pm
Basically.
I've got Gradius on the brain... so I drew up a Vangaurd/Gradius/Defender type of game. I wanted to spend more time on it but Castlevania called me to start!
#3 hobbie Jan 17, 2006 01:28am
I hear this game takes like 8 hours to beat, though.
So is the save picture thing worth a $30 rental?
#4 R. LeFeuvre Jan 17, 2006 02:10am
The game doesn't really take advantage of the two screens beyond using the top one for showcasing the map or your character and the touch screen applications are pretty arbitrary and forced, but the game is fucking beautiful and it's no slouch in the fun department either.
Now I've only played the first of the three GBA releases (but with the new double pack that will probably change) but Dawn of Sorrow is way more like Symphony of the Night than it. Plus, there's some twist to the game once you've won that allows you to play through it again, although I'm purposefully unaware of those details. I want to be surprised.
I don't really get what you mean by a $30 rental... and as you can see, I'm only 12.5% into the game myself (damn Animal Crossing) but I find it incredibly fun so far.
But no... the ability to draw a picture for your save game.... certainly not worth the price of admission. Hell, you have Pictochat for free!
#5 professor_scissors Jan 17, 2006 04:11am
hobbie:
One of the best games on the DS, and one of the best games of 2005, only took about 10 hours to beat and had zero replay value. Why shouldn't a decent 8 hour game WITH replay value be worth a buy?
(I'm talking about Phoenix Wright guys)
And how the heck did you get that level of detail drawing with the stylus?
#6 R. LeFeuvre Jan 17, 2006 04:18am
I totally agree about Phoenix Wright. It has become one of my favorite games of all time, and, as the prof points out, is rather short.
I'm a lot less worried about game length, as long as the time spent playing it is quality.
#7 TrueTallus Jan 17, 2006 05:56pm
I never thought to draw a picture. It's a cool idea though, I remember the high score entry in Elemental Gearbolt (PSone) had something very similar.
More importantly, now that you've played Pheonix Wright, when can we expect a review/article?
:)
#8 D. Riley Jan 17, 2006 06:48pm
My sources show there might be one in the works AT THIS VERY MOMENT. :shock: