Cave fans should also be aware that a Windows Phone exclusive, Dodonpachi Maximum, was released in March. Although I haven't gotten too far in it, I can tell you that it is everything you would expect and want from Cave. Check it out if you are a Windows Phone weirdo like me.
Sounds pretty awesome. Guess I should pick it up.
Even though Actraiser 2 is missing the city building element, I always wanted to try it. Sadly, it and other great Quintet/Enix games have not shown up on Virtual Console and that is seeming less and less likely.
Your ideas for a revival are interesting. I just hope it is brought back in some fashion.
The Sess and Gamespot TV reminded me that I loved gaming as I left my collegiate hermitage. I haven't watched the show in a while, but I always respected Sessler's opinions.
Just wanted to point out that Reach used a newer/different engine than Halo 3, and looked considerably more advanced. Many thought it still wasn't up to the standards set by contemporaries, but I don't think anyone thought it was too far off. I thought it looked mighty fine.
I agree that some sort of Halo game would be perfect to help the launch of the next Xbox. I'm with Julian that having a huge franchise game release with a console is a key factor that has been lost the last 2 generations.
Available on consoles day one? Yes, please!
In an attempt to be helpful, Namco Bandai has posted some FAQs about the game on their site. It's pretty clear that From Software holds the Rosetta Stone to this thing and are only dribbling it out to the U.S. branch of Namco Bandai.
If you are completely stuck or confused, check these answers out and see if they are helpful:
I am not normally a huge online player either, but this game just hit me right. If nothing else, you should try it out once it's in the bargain bin and build that Optimus Prime.
Thanks, Mr. 117. If you are going to be playing strictly offline, I think you are stuck doing the missions solo. The mercenary system is another online element that some people eat up and others don't even touch. Hiring a fellow human out for space bucks can be pretty helpful on some levels in the missions, but you can also hire mercs for all of the competitive modes as well. It's really pretty cool, but you are out of luck if you stay offline.
Like I said in my review, some of the missions get pretty tough on your own, but I think you can tackle them with the proper approach. Doing some of the easier order missions if you get stuck on the story will allow you to earn some cash. Then you can upgrade your mech enough to make the level a bit easier for you. Customizing and upgrading is key!
I think they pretty much nailed the balance of hulking and speedy mechs. I felt like I wanted them to be really weighty and stuck on the ground when I started, but after playing this in-between style, I think it's best. You can leave your boost off and stomp around slowly if you want - but it will probably just get you killed.
Let us know if you pick up the game and what you think - especially if you do it all offline!
I've been using this at home over WiFi since it became available and it works great. Only had one hiccup, and there was a lot of other stuff hitting our network at the time.
