Hah, I like that Chris picked the DSII Beta. I didn't expect that but I should've seen it coming. 53 days till launch, Chris. Then we all dine in Hell together.
Personal Picks for GOTY 2013
Winners in our hearts.
DuckTales Remastered
by Jamie Alston
I’m usually somewhat of a skeptic when retro remakes are released. They sometimes end up being nothing more than just an empty husk of what made the original fun to play in the first place. They’re often just a potential cash cow for the developer trying to make a quick buck on our nostalgia. But such was not the case with DuckTales Remastered. Of all the digital releases on the PlayStation Store last year, this was the only one that truly captured my attention. Joining the ranks of Bionic Commando, 1942, and Mega Man, DuckTales was yet another one of Capcom’s NES classics to receive a retro revival; and what a revival it was!
At its core, the design of DuckTales Remastered mirrors that of the 8-bit original. You still play the role of Scrooge McDuck as he travels the world looking for the world's most valuable treasures to add to his collection, while interacting with a host of supporting and villainous characters from the TV show. The familiar stage selection, hidden treasure chests, spot-on controls, and most importantly, the famous pogo bounce have all been preserved. Capcom could have just simply upgraded the graphics, remixed the soundtrack and called it a day. But they took it a step further by including original voiceovers of the actors from the show.
It's fun to hear McDuck's Scottish accent, his nephews call him "Unca' Scrooge", and Launchpad's bumbling dialogue as he tries to stay focused on the situation at hand. The re-drawn animations of each character just blend so well with the overall feel of the game, and if that weren't enough, you can also swan-dive into Scrooge's coin vault like he did so many times in the cartoon. It's a bit difficult to explain how well everything works together, but you'll understand fully when you play it for yourself. It beautifully emulates the TV show to a greater degree than the NES original was capable of at the time.
More than just a quick money-maker, DuckTales Remastered is Capcom's labor of love. They clearly held the game's source material in high regard, and it paid off. Not a feather is out of place. Even, if you've never played the NES original or watched the TV show, this game will appeal to anyone who enjoys old school platformers. DuckTales Remastered is a definite highlight of 2013 that you should go get right away.
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