『 Dimensional Ninja Action Movie: Tenchu / 立体忍者活劇 天誅 』

Some weeks ago I was browsing through the game bargain jungle that is eBay, and I found something that cought my eye. The first Japanese edition of Tenchu was up for sale and noone was bidding. I'm always willing to try my luck and this time it actually paid off. I scored a brand new, shrinkwrapped copy of Tenchu for a whole $1.4. You can start getting jelous right about ... now.


Tenchu series has been around for a while, but if you ask me, the first game always was the best and by the look of things, it will be for some years to come. When the first game came out, everything was exactly right or close to it [Or as right and as close to it as a PlayStation game from 1998 can get]. After the first game got released worldwide and some changes have been made, Acquire released an updated version called Tenchu Shinobi Gaisen, which featured two additional missions and an editor. This editor was used to make over a hundred missions which are all fanmade and were later released as a standalone mission pack called Tenchu Shinobi Hyakusen.


Tenchu Shinobi Hyakusen is the last game based on the first, unmodified engine and it was this title that marked the end of an era for me. Tenchu series from the second game onwards lost some of its magic, at least for me. But dwelling on the past wasn't what I meant to write about. I meant to write about my great and cheap find.


So yes, this is the very first release of Tenchu, also known as Rittai Ninja Katsugeki Tenchuu, translated by some as Dimensional Ninja Action Movie Tenchu. Its catalogue number is SLPS-01272 and it was this title that started it all for Acquire and made sneaking around and killing by stealth more fun than ever before. Obviously, I bought the Japanese edition, which as usual, differs greatly from both the US and European releases.


So what's different, you ask? A whole bunch of things! First of all, the Japanese version is harder. Or maybe not harder, but once the enemies spot you, they'll go at it like crazy. This for some reason has been tweaked a bit in other versions of the game and enemies won't go berserk on you if you're playing a US copy of the game. Now why would someone go and make things easy? It's a stealth game. You're supposed to avoid fights or kill the enemies from behind!


In the first Japanese version, you have to watch your timing while attacking. There are a couple of combos for each of the two characters in the game that when executed, have to be timed right. In other words, it takes a minimum amout of skill to pull some moves off and button mashing won't really work. Again, someone thought this needs fixing and so, the timing is more masher friendly in US and European versions, aswell as in later released Shinobi Gaisen version, which was based on the US / EU updates.


The first release has eight missions, while all subsequent versions have ten. Two missions were added when the game was translated. More missions is always good, but I thought the game could defend itself with only eight. I've got the english version aswell, so I'm not complaining. If you want the most complete edition out there however, you'd have to go with the previously mentioned Shinobi Gaisen, which not only has everything that made its way into english versions, but it comes with a mission editor aswell. And while I'm on the topic, the Gaisen editor is much better than the one seen in Tenchu 2.


So, does the first edition have anything cool that didn't make it to the international release? As the matter of fact it does. While most of the game has been translated, the short narrative bits that appear before every mission were skipped. Why? Beats me. Like in most translation cases, someone coudn't be bothered to give the 100% or the deadline simply didn't allow it.


All in all, Tenchu is one of my top ten PlayStation games of all time, simply because it delivered in every possible way. The graphics are great, the gameplay is superb and don't even get me started on the soundtrack. If you have this game, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, get it and then get the soundtrack aswell [which inclused some bonuses, by the way].


There is one more thing I wanted to mention before I wrap this entry up and that's the game ending. Don't worry, I'm not going to spoil anything for you so calm down and read on. The first Japanese version of Tenchu had an ending cinematic animated in a very unique way. The characters are animated pencil sketches and I always liked this artistic approach. If you're willing to spoil for yourself, click the video below to watch.


Anyone who has seen this has to admit, the style of this video is pretty unique, and while it may not be anything groundbreaking, it catches the eye and adds to the drama. When I first completed the European release, I was surprised to see that the ending had changed. Instead of the hand drawn characters were 3D models which didn't look nearly as cool. Again, if you are willing to spoil the ending for yourself, or if you simply don't care, click on the video below.


I don't know about you, but in my opinion the original ending beats the 3D model one hands down, anytime, any day and that's all I had to say this time around. If you see this game, don't hesitate and grab it. I know I always say this, but you know I wouldn't be lying to you, right? So, get it.

『 Rockstar Games Presents: Table Tennis 』

I was expecting many things from Rockstar. Mobsters, vendettas and ten dollar hookers in the back of your car - in other words, all the wholesome entertainment the company is known for. Noone however expected that this bad boy of a developer would release a table tennis game, but they did and it's pretty damn good.


Who knows what was the original reason behind this project. Maybe it was intended as a test platform for the RAGE engine, later used in Grand Theft Auto IV or maybe guys at Rockstar San Diego are serious ping pong fans. Still, the fact is, that Rockstar's Table Tennis came out to be one superb title with nice graphics and addictive gameplay. I'm not a huge fan of sports but I won't miss out on a good game when I see one. I got hooked on Sega's Virtua Tennis games few years back, but now it's time for some table tennis instead.


The game plays like similarly to many other tennis games I have previously tries. If playing the previously mentioned Virtua Tennis, Top Spin or even Smash Court Tennis came easy to you and you found it enjoyable, you'll feel at home once you boot Rockstar's Table Tennis. The game plays exactly how you'd expect it to play and that in itself is something worthy of an applause. The San Diego team really put some time and effort into polishing the gameplay aspect and the game does not dissapoint.


You'll be bouncing the ping pong ball back and forward using all of the Xbox 360 controller buttons, each one corresponding to a different type of strike. Right and left curved balls, slams and so on. There's even a gauge that once leveled, can be used to slow down time, allowing you to act quickly in dealing with tough opponents. Once you master the power of all the buttons, you'll be able to put up a fight against a stronger player and there's nothing equally rewarding to a lenghty battle ending with your advantage.


Table Tennis was first released for the Xbox 360 and that's the version I bought. A year later the game was ported to Nintendo's Wii, featuring all new wiimote controls, but I decided to go with the first release, mostly due to its price. One thing that I always found appealing in the Xbox 360 version are the character details. Even though the players look pretty generic with little to none personality, their polygonal models are extremely detailed. For obvious reasons, the graphics got simplified when the game got ported to the Wii and that was that for neat t-shirt physics and reflections on the floor.


The game doesn't offer much except for the always present tournament mode and multiplayer, so once you score gold on all difficulty settings, you better find yourself someone to play against. And they better be at least as good as you are, otherwise they'll get tired of losing and leave, and that's a lesson learnt from life, boys and girls.


Like in most decent Xbox 360 titles, you can of course play online and upload your scores to internet leaderboards. If your Xbox 360 is connected to the world wide web, you'll never have to worry about the lack of opponents and the game will gain almost infinite replay value. Table tennis might seem like a simple game, but believe me, there's more depth to Rockstar's title than meets the eye.


Above you'll find a trailer for the Xbox 360 version of the game. If what I wrote about this title is up your alley, don't think twice and get it. Rockstar was nice enough to slap a lower price on this game, and since it was overlooked by many, it's not a rare sight in bargain bins. It might not be as entertaining as a ten dollar hooker, but you will enjoy it. After all, everyone loves ping pong.

『 Ghost Squad / ゴーストスカッド 』

The days of glory for lightgun games were pretty much over well before Wii came along and when Nintendo announced a new platform with its innovative wireless controls, being a lightgun game fan I got my hopes up. I used to think that maybe Wii would revitalize the lightgun genre somehow but time had shown that I couldn't have been more wrong. Lightgun games did appear, but there still are very few titles to choose from, and most of them we've already seen on other platforms [like House of the Dead 2 & 3].


I was exceited when I first heard about Sega porting Ghost Squad to Wii. I spent alot of time with the arcade version of this game and I was always fond of Sega lightgun titles. So how well did the porting go and how does Ghost Squad look and play on a home platform compared to a dedicated arcade machine?


The game does very well on the Wii and you don't even need the plastic piece of crap Nintendo likes to call Zapper. With the crosshair on, you can enjoy the game using just the remote and it won't be less fun, I promise. That's how I play it and if it doesn't bother me, I can't see how it could bother anyone else. Originating from an Xbox based Chihiro arcade board, Ghost Squad isn't anything that Wii couldn't handle and the graphics look the way they looked on the arcade machine. No complaints here. The gameplay is still solid, and everything works, so what is there to complain about? There has to be something, right?


I guess the most serious issue is the game length. Ghost Squad consists of only three stages which can be completed pretty quickly. Sega could have tried harder if you ask me, but all they did to add to the replay value is a bunch of bonuses and a stage and character leveling system. Once you finish a stage, you can play it on a higher level. Changing levels aren't only about difficulty, but also about the graphics. A certain stage will look different on another level. Day will turn to night or sunset, enemies will attack in different ways, multiple routes will open.


The game features two bonus modes. Ninja mode - where you throw shurikens at bad guys who now are dressed like ninjas, and so are you and your squad. Paradise mode - where weild a dolphin shaped water gun and squirt the water at bikini clad baddies and ridiculously looking boss characters showing tanlines from bras and such. It's all fun but it doesn't really add that much to the game. Ninja mode plays just like the regular mode would and the only thing different in Paradise mode, except for the graphics, are the horrible sounds your wiimote makes when using the dolphin gun, and the fact that you have to tweak your aiming since the water tends to arch down when shot out of the gun.


Ghost Squad is a really fun game, especially if you love Sega lightgun games, which all tend to have the same atmosphere around them. It's beyond me however, why Sega didn't port Virtua Cop 3, which just like Ghost Squad, runs on Chihiro board, but is longer, bigger, better and more bad-ass. By clicking on the video link above you can check out a small game review showing some of the additional costumes and modes, aswell as a quick playthrough. If you find this game for cheap, pick it up and get yourself on the internet ranking boards. I wouldn't pay a full retail price for this one and the main reason I picked it up was the pricetag and my love for the arcade original. Sega can do better. They just can't be bothered these days, it seems.

『 Einhänder & Universe at War 』

Welcome dear reader, to another blog entry starting with a photo of a package with all the interesting information censored by yours truly. Sadly, I have to censor my postal address to protect myself against stalkers and those who wish me ill just because I have a cool blog. Not to mention all of you crazy female readers who wish only to send me your pictures, but unfortunately you don't know where to send them.


So what special and interesting items might this package contain? Brace yourselves, for it's Einhänder for the PlayStation, which I've won in a competition held by my friends over at Cryptic Allusion. In addition I also recieved some Razer promotional merchandise and a Love Hina mini mouse pad. How cool is that, huh?


Now, a bit about the game. Einhänder [or アインハンダー as it is called in Japan] is a 2.5D shooter. Just like in G Darius or Thunder Force V, the graphics are polygonal, but the gameplay sticks to 2D mechanics with some occasionaly changing camera angles. The game was developed by Squaresoft, which in itself is a bit unusual when you think about what titles were developed by the company so far. Now having much experience in the field, the RPG factory did surprisingly well and made Einhänder into a pretty decent shoot 'em up.


So, what does Einhänder have in store for a shoot 'em up fan? The game is pretty straightforward, sticking to traditional style of gameplay reminescent of the previously mentioned G Darius, with maybe less dynamic pacing. While it will not satisfy those who are looking for bullet hell, it should turn out to be entertaining enough for those who love R-Type and its style.


What makes Einhänder stand out are not the graphics, nor the gameplay, but the weapons. Every weapon upgrade you pick up has a limited supply of ammo, forcing you to hunt for bullets and upgrades all the time rather than leveling up your ship and blasting away. While this might not seem like a good move on Square's part, it actually adds to the gameplay and makes you try harder.


With the gameplay out of the way, let's focus on the looks. Graphically, the game is pretty generic when you think of the games from mid-nineties. The design is solid and you can see that it came from someone with a serious passion for mecha. That said, one thing that could be done better are the backgrounds. The stages don't catch your eye like R-Type Delta ones can, but they're not bad either. Unlike many other shooters that tend to change the theme in between stages, Einhänder sticks to the dark and futusristic design.


Nowdays this game became somewhat of a collectors item if only because of its uniqueness as a one shot on Squaresoft's part. It seems like Einhänder was never intended to become a franchise and after ten years and change, it is the only shooter Squaresoft has ever made.


Now what's that on the photo? Another package with the address all pixly and unreadable? That's right! And believe it or not, it's a package containing another prize I won in a Cryptic Allusion contest. I won it a while back, but I never got around writing anything about it, so why not do it now, since I'm already at describing my prizes.


Universe at War: Earth Assault is a real time strategy for the PC and Xbox 360 in which you take on a role of one of several alien parties that have a go at each other at Earth's expense. That's right. Various alien races have decided to harvest our planet but they can't really decide between themselves who gets to anihilate us all and suck the planet dry.


Since I haven't really got around to actually playing the game, that's about as much information I can give you at this point. It's been ages since I tried any RTS, last one probably being KKND. That doesn't mean I don't like real time strategies, rather than I like them less than a billion other games I haven't yet finished.


What's interesting is that this game came with a code for Windows Live online service that allowed you to play for free under a period of time. Microsoft has however abandoned any plans of ripping PC gamers off, due to extremely low interest among gamers, who for some reason weren't too happy about paying for what should be free of charge or paid by the money you spent on your game. Take that Microsoft.


So, that's that. If you're planning on holding a contest, make sure you pick the ticket with "Morden" on it, just like the one above. And if you're a game box manufacturer, make sure your box can hold at least 10 discs, just like the Universe at War box can. That's it for today! Cheerio!

『 Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition 』

You just have to love the price cuts and special offers just before Christmas. I know I do. If it wasn't for those low prices I probably never would have bought Resident Evil 4 for the Wii, seeing as I already own the GameCube version. However, prices got low and I couldn't pass on this title for the money they were asking.


Resident Evil 4 is not a new title but it can still compete, even against the titles released for the more powerful platforms like the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Yes, the Wii version is not much more than a GameCube port, but the gameplay is still as solid as it was back in January of 2005, and thanks to Wii's nunchuk plus wiimote combo, the controls got even tighter.


Capcom likes to make money by re-releasing their titles over and over again. Just look at Street Fighter series and you'll know what I'm talking about. Resident Evil 4 first came out for Nintendo's GameCube, and was a time exclusive for almost a year. After that it was ported to PlayStation 2 with some additional content added and finally, the game made its way to Windows PCs in 2007, again, adding some extras here and there.


What makes Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition special is the fact that it contains all the extras from both the PlayStation 2 and Windows versions, plus the game can be played using Wii's own controllers. This means we get a ton of extras and a massive upgrade of the controls. While the Wii controls do take a moment of getting used to, once you've mastered them, there's no stopping you.


The most important feature here is the aiming. While in previous home platform versions you had to tilt the analogue sticks to guide Leon's hand holding a gun, on the Wii you simply point at the zombie head you want to pop and you pull the wiimote trigger. It's as simple as that and it's more accurate, especially during crazy fights against hordes of enemies. Simply put, the aiming now resembles a lightgun game and it works.


So should you or should you not buy the Wii Edition? That all depends. If you already own the GameCube version, I would think twice before buying essentialy the same game once again. Like I said before, I wouldn't normally get it if it wasn't for the insanely low price. That aside, the extras are steal appealing. Add to that widescreen support and who knows, maybe that's exactly what some people are looking for.


Hardcore fans should own it, if only for the extras. So if you have to get it, buy it cheap or buy it used [which often equals cheap]. If you don't own Resident Evil 4 and you do own a Wii, buy it. You're missing out on one of the best games of the last decade. Besides, if you're planning on playing Resident Evil 5, it's best to prepare and play any previous games in the series.


For those who for one reason or another are uncomfortable with Wii controls, there's always the option to use a GameCube controller and you can play the game just like you would on a GameCube, tedious analogue stick aiming included. Now that I bought the game twice, I hope Capcom won't release a yet another version for the 360 or PS3, because I'm not buying it for the third time.