Review: Nintendogs + Cats

By Paul Hunter

As the best-selling first-party franchise on the Nintendo DS, Nintendogs was a shoe-in to get a sequel and Nintendo was smart to bring it out on their brand new Nintendo 3DS platform. As if owning and raising a virtual puppy wasn't already cute enough in 2D, the introduction of the third dimension adds even more charm to this franchise, and it's really the closest you'll ever get to owning a dog without, well, actually owning a dog.

Let's be straight here, if you've played the original Nintendogs this game is pretty similar in most regards. The interface in Nintendogs + Cats is pretty much a carbon copy of predecessor, although there has been minimal graphical upgrades such as better textures for your pet's fur and house furniture. Gameplay consists of selecting your first puppy from the local dog kennel and just like in the original game you will spend most of your time bonding with your furry friend, taking it for walks and teaching it tricks.

The new sell points here are the inclusion of full stereoscopic 3D, which literally lets your pet pop out to lick your face or shake a paw, and as the title implies, for the first time ever the franchise is introducing breeds of cats. The 3D effects are really impressive and give your dogs and cats much more of a lifelike feel than before. The visual depth really becomes apparent as your dog darts around your home while interacting with toys such as balloons or a frisbee. Surprisingly cats add very little to the game since they behave much like their real-world counterpart, i.e. independent and aloof. Whereas you can teach your dog up to three tricks a day, don't expect much interaction with your cats aside from buying them climbing towers and feeding them dry mix and water.

Progression in the game happens very linearly, when you first start out there are nine breeds of dogs to choose from such as Beagle, Shiba, Dachshund, Great Dane, and Golden Retriever. Once a breed is selected you can choose from different types such as a Tricolor Beagle or a Lemon & White Beagle depending on your preferences. Purchasing your first dog will blow most of your budget so in order to get a second dog, or your first cat, you'll need to earn more money through winning dog competitions or selling items your dog finds during walks at the local Second-hand Store. Competitions range from Lure Coursing which has your dog chase a lure that you slowly wind towards the finish line, Disc Competition where the objective to throw a frisbee for distance and have your dog catch it, and Obedience Trail where points are awarded based on how your dog responds to specific commands. Each competition is only available twice during a real-world 24-hour period, which is irritating when you want to earn cash for more pets, pet accessories, or to remodel your home.

What's nifty is after your dog gets familiar with your house you can then name it by recording its name using the Nintendo 3DS microphone. Your dog will responds to its name when spoken back into the microphone, and as your dog learns obedience it will come to you more quickly, as well as perform tricks on command. One drawback is that you have to speak very plainly, without background noise, for your dog to hear you properly, and if you pass your Nintendo 3DS to a friend don't expect your dog to recognize other voices.

Aside from the usual grooming, bonding and trick learning, you're also able to take your dog for walks throughout the city. Walks happen down a straight path, with the odd intersection where you can change direction, and there are a few places to visit such as the local park to practice disc throwing and a cafe that makes treats for your canine friend. Of course you can also customize your home through purchasing furniture such as a dog bed or a living room sofa.

Nintendogs + Cats is a great showcase title for the Nintendo 3DS and I can see this game appealing to a wide range of gamers based on its charming appeal and pick-and-play gameplay. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to own a dog or a cat, but aren't sure if you want to put in all the effort required to maintain a real one, Nintendogs + Cats is the next best thing.

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]
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Review: LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean 3DS

By Paul Hunter

There's no denying the popularity of the LEGO video game franchise. They're cute, witty and with pick-up-and-play controls they perfect games for the whole family. If you have any young buccaneers in your home you might want to consider picking up the Nintendo 3DS version, which packs all the fun of its console counterpart, but also adds some pretty neat 3DS exclusive features. Let's take a look at what this game has to offer.

The basics of the game remain close to what's seen on home version, including collecting studs, red bricks, pirate doubloons, and ships in a bottle. Each character specializes in a certain class with specific abilities, such as the blacksmith who can hammer blue bricks, the dual-sword swashbuckler that can scale vertical wall, and our famous wobbly pirate Jack Sparrow who can detect buried treasure with his trust Compass.

While the environments are taken from the console version, how you progress through them are different on the 3DS. Puzzles have been tweaked, or changed altogether, giving the portable version a fresh feel. The cutscenes have also been borrowed from the console version, however some scenes have been cut to fit the smaller storage of the cartridge, and most cinematics have 3D effects that really makes the visuals pop out.

That brings me to the major change with the 3DS version, the 3D visual environments. Even since the Nintendo 3DS was introduced I was looking for a game that is actually more playable with the 3D effects, and I've finally found it. One of the dreadful aspects of previous LEGO games has been the platforming sections which often leads to unintentional deaths due to miscalculating the distance between platforms. Well on the 3DS version spotting the depth is intuitive and the platforming sections can be completed more precisely with little to no accidental deaths. Even better, there are hidden areas scattered around each area and the 3D effects lets you easily detect hidden entrances or items lying behind obstacles just off the beaten path.

The 3DS version also includes a cool Pirate Duel multiplayer mode with nearby owners of the game using the portable device's StreetPass feature. Players select a series of attacks and blocks for their LEGO Pirate and when you encounter another player with StreetPass enabled a battle is initiated. Winning battles nets you experience points and your Pirate can move up ranks which unlocks a ton of bonuses ranging from extra health, new moves and even new characters.

Everything that made the home version fun is retained on the Nintendo 3DS version, and if you're a fan of the Pirates of Caribbean franchise you won't want to miss this. While the game is a tiny bit scaled back, the added 3D effects and Pirate Duel mode makes this the definitive version in my opinion. Not only is it everything you'd want in a LEGO game wrapped into one, but best of all you can take the game with you wherever you go.

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]
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Sony Names The New PSP Remaster Engine

By Paul Hunter

Have you heard? PSP games are being remastered for the PlayStation 3, and now the middleware technology that bridges the two platforms has a name: the PSP Engine. The first PSP game to be ported to the PS3 is going to be Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD, at least in Japan, and when it comes out expect plenty of graphical enhancements.

The graphics of the PS3 version, including monsters, fields, equipment, as well as Felyne Comrades, are more gorgeous and vibrant than ever, and will deliver dynamic gameplay when played on the large TV screens, said Sony.

According to a press release issued by Sony in late May, the PSP Remaster titles will deliver a richer and more immersive gaming experience on the PS3 through enhanced high-definition graphics as well as through additional new features such as compatibility with the PS3 Wireless Controller, new add-on content or stereoscopic 3D support. In addition, gamers will be able to utilize the save game data from the original PSP game for the PS3 versions, and can transfer their save game data between the two systems. This cross-compatibility will allow gamers to enjoy the same game at home on a large TV screen or on the go with the PSP.

Although the PSP Remaster series has only been announced for Capcom's Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD, that hasn't been stopping other companies from announcing remastered versions of popular PSP titles.

Announced at E3 this year were two collections -- Sony's God of War: Origins Collection and Konami's Metal Gear Solid HD Collection -- that both feature PSP games remastered with improved visuals and other enhancements for the PS3.

In the case of God of War: Origins Collection, which features enhanced versions of God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta, the team at Ready At Dawn Studios is putting both games on a single Blu-ray disc, fully remastered in 1080p and stereoscopic 3D. The collection will also have full PlayStation Network trophy support, be compatible with the PS3's Dualshock controller (with rumble support), and will be playable in Dolby 5.1 / DTS surround sound. Bonus content will include DLC contents from Ghost of Sparta – God of War: Game Directors Live roundtable video and Legionnaire Kratos & Forest of the Forgotten.

Konami is also preparing a remastered version of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker as part of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection coming in November. On top of numerous graphical enhancements (seen in a video here) the game will also be the first to take advantage of the new "Transfarring" system, which allows PS3 Peace Walker players to transfer their saves to the PSP and continue playing while on the move.

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]
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Top Video Game Picks For July 1-15, 2011

By Paul Hunter

The summer is heating up and so are the games.  Here's a run-down of the titles I'm looking forward to getting some hands-on time during the first half of July:

July 5
Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon (PS3, Xbox 360)

Developer Viscous Cycle have taken the helm for the follow-up to Earth Defense Force 2017.  Taking place in the fictional town of New Detroit, the gargantuan bugs are back in an epic scale battle amidst a completely destroyable city.



July 12
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC)

The first Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows wasn't very good, but I have hopes the second way will be a better game.  The developers took the criticisms of sloppy controls and a disjointed narrative and have sought to improve the game in many ways.  First of all, the spell wheel of the first game is out and in its place there's a new system where spells are cast by tapping or double tapping the face buttons -- sounds much easier.  Furthermore, the game will progress linearly, which for some may seem like a step backwards, but it's good in the case of Harry Potter because it means all those irritating and pointless side quests are out.  I'm looking forward to this final battle to locate and destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes, which is has epic Death Eaters and Snatchers battles along the way.

NCAA Football 12 (PS3, Xbox 360)

If you're a fan of the annual NCAA Football series you'll be happy to know that this year's college football game features a number of technical art innovations including 3-Dimensional Grass, Pro-Combat Uniforms, and High Dynamic Range Rendering (HDR) and Dynamic Exposure Lighting.  Check out the EA developer blog where Art Director Jean Adams explains the graphical enhancements to this year's game:



July 13
Ms. Splosion Man (XBLA)

Splosion Man was one of the best games to ever hit the Xbox Live Arcade and now two years later almost to the day Twisted Pixel Games is back with a rather flirty sequel.  When a bunch of scientist decide to throw a party in their high-tech lab, a spilt bottle results in a chain reaction that sends a surge of energy over to a nearby experimentation platform, creating the pink and highly volatile Ms. Splosion Man.  Get ready for another explosive 2.5D platforming game involving puzzles, traps, and plenty of enemies for Ms. Splosion Man to blow up.



[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]
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Sony Offering Limited Time Bonus Months For PlayStation Plus Subscribers

By Paul Hunter

Happy Birthday Canada -- and PlayStation Plus too apparently. Sony announced this week that their premium gaming service that offers PlayStation consumers access to early demo, free and discounted games, full game trails and more, has just turned one year old. To celebrate the occasion, Sony has decided to give new subscribers, and those wishing to renew their membership, additional bonus months for a limited time.

On now and lasting until July 11th, PlayStation users who go online and purchase a PlayStation Plus membership will get the following bonus time:

- Buy a 1 year subscription and get 3 bonus months
- Buy a 3 month subscription and get 1 bonus month

That's 15 months of premium PlayStation Plus membership for the price of 12 months for the annual subscription, or 4 months for the price of 3 months for the shorter-term subscription.

A one-year subscription to PlayStation Plus costs $49.99, and a three-month subscription costs $17.99. Subscriptions can be purchased by entering the PlayStation Store and payment can be made via credit card or through purchasing a pre-paid PSN card (see the $20 cards here, and $50 cards here on Futureshop.ca).

As an example of the benefits PlayStation Plus offers gamers, this week alone saw the release of the Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception Multiplayer Beta (free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus), as well as 50% off games such as Dead Space Ignition, Deathspank, Shank, Tetris, and more.

Sony is always enhancing the premium online service and since launching it last year have added features including online game saves and automatic downloads.

According to Grace Chen, Director of the PlayStation Store, in the past year PlayStation Plus subscribers have been offered access to:

- More than 50 Free Games
- Over 100 Free DLC Items (Add-ons, Avatars, Themes)
- 170+ Discounts
- Over 100 Exclusives and Early Access items
- $800+ in Savings

That's a lot of goodies, Grace.

Source: PlayStation Blog

[This article originally appeared on the Future Shop Tech Blog]
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