We all know the book and now we’ll get to know the videogame! I had a chance to check out Guinness World Records The Videogame at a recent showing in New York. Needless to say, the game is a compilation of mini-games (which the Wii is now famous for), but this time around the games are actually good and fun. Guinness, as one would expect, uses the Wii-mote and nunchuck in a variety of different ways to try and replicate as close as possible some of the actions used to set the world records all of the min-games are based off of.

The presentation of the game shows a lot of polish and one of the huge selling points I think people will dig is the online ranking for all the games. What’s actually pretty cool is the fact that at the end of the year, if you hold the top record in the game, you will be entered in the Guinness Book of Records. That’s a hell of a way to be forever immortalized in print! Check out the video for a look at would could possibly give Carnival Games a run for it’s money as the best selling mini-game collection on Wii.

I was surprised to hear that people were calling “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia” “the best Castlevania game since ‘Symphony of the Night.’” It’s not because “Ecclesia” is a bad game, but because it is the biggest departure from the traditions of the Castlevania series since, well… “Castlevania Judgment.” While “Order of Ecclesia” has the makings of a great game, it seems odd to have it bear the name “Castlevania” because it is so different than previous games, and that includes the 2D games that it most closely resembles. Again, what I played of the game wasn’t bad by any means… just different.

First of all, the game stars a female protagonist. While I’m all for empowering the ladies of video games, the lead character’s first name is Shoanoa, and her last name isn’t Belmont. This is not the first time that a Castlevania title hasn’t stared a someone from the Belmont lineage, but coupled with the fact that the series so rarely even has a women in the game, it feels like a bit of a stretch. I repeat, I’m not against a women staring in a game, it just feels a little off for a Castlevania title.

Next up is the Glyph attack system, which is basically a fancy way of saying weapons. The Castlevania series has changed their methods of attacking many times over the last few titles, some for the better, and some for the not so better; this time around they are happen to be going with the Glyphs. These Glyphs are tied to the Order of Ecclesia to which Shoanoa belongs, are part of her character background, and will be vital to taking down Dracula.

Essentially, the way that Shoanoa gains new attacks is through the absorption of Glyphs throughout the levels – which are obtained at key points in the levels, as well as after defeating certain enemies. There isn’t necessarily anything wrong with the Glyph system, but, along with it comes an idea borrowed from many an RPG, equipping your weapons. Shoanoa has three places she can equip her Glyphs, two on her wrists, and one on her back. When the same Glyph is equipped on both wrists you have an increased combo attack (think dual-weilding), and only certain Glyphs can be equipped to her back. This may not be an issue for some gamers out there, but personally, I like to tinker with my character as much as possible to maximize their attack. Unfortunately, this means I may have to spend a bit of time in “Ecclesia”’s menu, again, not new, just something that may irk me a little bit.

Finally, the last tweak to the standard Castlevania formula was the inclusion of an over world map. From my past experiences in Castlevania games, they have mostly taken place in once place… Dracula’s Castle – it puts the “castle” in “Castle-vania.” Opening up the world does offer the possibility for new enemies, and a new experience for gamers who have trekked back and forth over Dracula’s sanctuary over and over again, but it just doesn’t feel right for some reason.

Ok… I feel better now that that’s out of my system, you’ll have to excuse me, I sometimes have problems accepting change.

Complaints aside, there is a very good chance that “Order of Ecclesia” will follow very closely in the footsteps of two of the greatest DS games to date, “Dawn of Sorrow” and “Portrait of Ruin.” The story is as deep as Castlevania fans are used to. The controls handle very well. The attack system is creative and unique, yet still feels familiar. The graphics are as good as they get on the DS, and aside from everything mentioned above, there are a whole assortment of things that will make the game familiar enough to longtime fans. (Yes, I realize I’m contradicting myself – deal with it.)

One welcome addition to “Ecclesia”’s arsenal of updates is the multiplayer mode. Included with the, no doubt, vast single player mode, is a head-to-head multiplayer race where you can go up against your friends to see who kills the undead best… or at least who gets to the end of the level the fastest. In addition to that, you’ll be able to share items with other “Ecclesia” adventures, and, the game will use Wii connectivity to unlock Shoanoa in “Castlevania Judgement,” which is a pretty awesome addition.

While Castlevania traditionalists may have some issues with some of the new additions to “Order of Ecclesia,” they may actually improve on the tried and true formula that made the last two DS Castlevania games amazing. My faith in those two games alone is enough for me to get over my issues and realize that someone has to save the world from Dracula, again, and it might as well be me.

-2.0

Introducing “Dropping This Week” where each week we’ll spotlight some of the hottest titles hitting the stores for that week across all the major platforms. Have you always wanted to play the bad guy in a Star Wars game? Or how about gettin’ busy on the mic? Well you’ll have your chance with the titles dropping this week! Check’em out below:

ROCKBAND 2

platform: xbox 360

release date: Sunday Sept. 14

This game actually got a head start on the week and dropped on a Sunday. But were including it for this week because it’s to big of a title to miss out on. Rock Band 2 builds upon the first version by adding in several new modes for online play and off, plus the ability to import all your songs from the original RockBand, no repurchasing or downloading again. This game comes with a more sturdier and quieter drum than before. But if you already have the right instruments there’s no need to buy them again as this game is fully backwards compatible with the original RockBand instruments. So bust out those instruments and gather your band together for another go at becoming the ultimate band!

STARWARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHEDplatform: Wii, PS2, PS3, xbox 360, DS, PSP

release date: Tuesday Sept. 16

In this latest installment of the Star Wars saga, players take on the role of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice. His job…to wipe out the remaining Jedi masters through out the galaxy. At your disposal you’ll have the obvious weapon of choice, a light saber. But you’ll also have your deadly force moves and abillities which will aid you on your quest. With some sick graphics, action and tight audio this looks to deliver deliver a fun experience in the Star Wars universe. Plus you get to play as the ultimate Star Wars bad ass… Darth Vader, and that’s worth the purchase alone!

WARHAMMER ONLINE: AGE OF RECKONING
platform: PCrelease date: Thursday Sept. 16

Ogres…check, elves…check, dwarfs…check , no more social life…CHECK! What looks to be one of the biggest mmo’s released this side of World of Warcraft, WAR:Age of Reckoning will finally give gamers a chance to battle it out on their computer screens with one of fantasy’s most popular properties. In this mmo, players will get the chance to lay siege on huge fortresses, or try to defend them from attacking foes. You also be able to conquer large realms from your enemies with allies from all across the internet. We had the chance to sit down and talk with the head guy in charge himself, Mark Jacobs and got the lowdown on why this game will be hot. You can check out our full preview here. And come this thursday ,get ready to get your conquering on!

WOW is there anything that little DS system can’t do?! Since the release of the DS there has been many software made for it that necessarily isn’t a videogame. You have full cooking recipes, museum guided tours, Disney theme park guides, weight watching assistants and now a fully functional synthesized beat making machine. And as you’ll hear from the video below, this thing is hella impressive!

Simply known as Korg DS-10, this software application literally turns your DS into a mini beat making studio. Now granted these are dance/techno tracks, the level at which you can create some sick beats is ridiculous! You could spend hours on this thing! And the audio quality is no slouch either. Just peep the video and see for your self. Currently Korg DS-10 is only out in Japan (yeah they get all the cool stuff!) but soon it’ll be available this October courtesy of XSEED. You can check out more info and specs at the official website. Peep this sick demonstration video below and be amazed at what developers are doing with Nintendo’s little handheld. Now can someone make a Hip-Hop beat making application? Thanks!

Unit out…

Everyone’s favorite female explorer is back! And doing what she does best, solving puzzles, raiding tombs and blasting the hell outta’ whatever gets in her way! In Lara Crofts latest adventure entitled Tomb Raider: Underworld,you’ll set off on a quest to find the hammer of the Norse god Thor (and no, not the marvel comics character).

And just like all  her other adventures you’ll be jet setting across the globe from the hot and sweaty jungles to the floors of the Mediterranean Sea. Now this is like the 100th Tomb Raider game in the series and quite frankly I’m surprised there are still a lot of people out there playing these games. I was a fan in the beginning but started waning off once the quality started going down and they all seem the same. But this one does looks promising and could be on the right track to bringing the series back to it’s former glory. Peep some new pics and developer interviews/game footage below.

Unit out…