Posted on: August 7th, 2009 Bleep Bleep. Bloop Bloop. Video Games. 08-02/08-09
For the week of August 02-08: Review of ‘Splosion Man, plus an early look at this fall’s NXE.
Apple has taken my computer hostage so just a quick update this week.
REVIEW?
I’ve been completely taken by the recent XBLA game ‘Splosion Man. I can’t remember the last time I’ve played a game night after night after night. The combination of the games humour, level design and ‘Splosion Man’s crazy antics just keeps sucking me back in. As well as the leader boards you hit as you cross the finish line just begs you to try over again for a faster time.
There’s a slight Sonic the Hedgehog angle to it because you’re blasting through the obstacle course trying to make it out the other side but in complete control and not just bouncing around wondering what the fuck is going on and bragging about Blast Processing. Check points are plentiful since you die… a lot. Thankfully there are zero load times so it’s as painless as they could make it. Lots of trial and error and frustration at times because you think you’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel and POW – spiky wall in your face. But now you know and next time you’ll be ready. Each level takes me around 10 minutes on the first play through (level par is usually around 3:00 minutes) and there are 50 levels to the game, so lots of content to run through and (I hear) one of the best endings to grace a video game in a loooong time. And for 10 bucks that’s not bad.
I’ve also had the Donut song constantly on repeat in my head for 2 weeks. Not that I mind, because I too, go nuts for donuts.
NEWS
1up.com is reporting the Wii Sports Resort has sold 500,000 copies in just 8 days. That’s a copy every 1.5 seconds people. But considering the install base of the system is expected to hit over 50 million units by New Years Eve, that’s a pretty meager number. That says a lot about the Wii’s demographic in my books. This game will continue to sell gang busters for the rest of the year as word of mouth spreads. Any guesses how many will sell before sales start to slow? Remember it comes with the Wii Motion Plus packed in. My guess? 12 million units, but that’s leaning a little conservatively.
In other news, Giantbomb.com has an early look at the Xbox dashboard update coming to systems this fall. Unfortunately one of the best features is only available in the US which would be the added Netflix functionality.
Until next week.
Dale can also be found over at www.8bitcyclops.com, looking at design, photography and old video game magazines or follow him on twitter @fatwreck.