Aside from Cooking Mama, I wasn’t expecting much from Majesco this year. I was quite pleased to find they had a wonderful lineup of titles and even a new original IP. Even though I was exhausted since this appointment was towards the end of the day, I did get my exercise in with the newest version of the Jillian Michael’s fitness game. I’d say they had a well rounded experience this year.
Cooking Mama 3 (DS)
If you didn’t think the previous versions of Cooking Mama were casual friendly, then Cooking Mama 3 hopes to state this clearly. In the game are the usual mini games to create dishes with Mama, but added in 3 is the ability to recover if you’re messing up. This ability isn’t in all the steps, but it’s a device designed to help out the less gaming inclined folks out there to a better enjoyable experience.
What’s also new in this version is the ability to go shopping for ingredients and combine them. I didn’t get to test how this actually works, but was told this was one of the features. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out however.
Other then the new additions however, it’s pretty much what you’d expect from a Cooking Mama title. Up on the menu while I was at the booth was making marshmallows. This involved more steps than I imagined in my head and was done through minigames of cooking of course.
Multiplayer is included with the game in the form of single cart DS Download play, so friends can get involved in messing up the kitchen as well. According to Majesco, Cooking Mama 3 will be released Christmas 2009.
A Boy and His Blob (Wii)
I never played much of the original, but boy does this game have more charm in it. In the game you play as a boy leading your blob around with jellybeans. There are different types of jellybeans and each type makes the blob shape into objects that help the boy. These objects can be anything from a simple ladder to an anvil to drop on enemies heads. When the boy is done getting to wherever it is he needs to go, you’re able to call the blob back to return to your side, wherever this may be. The graphics in this version have been revamped and given much more detail. Backgrounds are lush and the shadows can be seen when the boy is underneath a platform.
It’s basic platforming at the core, but so much work has been put into it. My favorite bit of the game is the fact that there’s a hug button available. When I saw this happen on screen, I nearly had all my teeth shatter from how sweet it was. There’s also the other side to that as well and you’re able to scold your blob. Luckily the demonstrator didn’t show me that aspect otherwise I think I might have been sad.
For those worried about having to do needless waggling, don’t be. There are traditional controls and you can even use the Classic Controller if you desire. This means no useless inserted waggling. I’m definitely looking forward to the finished product, if only to get my hands on that hug button!
I first saw this title last year and honestly it didn’t look that great. Now a year later, with more development time, the game looks much better. The graphics have been upgraded and they even scored some Home Depot integration into the game. Not only have the graphics been updated, but the gameplay seemingly has as well. Instead of random flail the Wii Remote around type of mini games, some thought has been put into each. In a bathroom remodeling game I tried, there is a path you must follow to put the caulk around tiles. The game decides on the path which makes it hard to follow occasionally. You can be messed up too if an opponent comes over and puts down caulk on your area as well, but this can be reciprocated as well. It’s a good idea to do well though because your home will reflect how well you performed on a particular task.
In the game you’re also able to customize the look of your house. There are five different styles, but this allows for tons of variety since every person has their own idea on what makes a good house. You’ll also be able to share your house on WiiConnect24 so you can laud it over your friends how much better your home is.
This game has come a long way from when I saw it last year. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be a shovelware mini game compilation as many party games tend to be on the Wii. With the improvements I’d definitely move it out of that category.
When checking out this game, I was unaware Majesco is starting to launch the Go Play series of games. Just by a quick glance around the banners displayed it seemed to be a quick cash in within the party game genre. While that may still be the case, I think this has some merits to kids and families.
With City Sports, you’re able to play six classic street games including Stickball, Kickball, Street Hockey, Handball, Jump Rope & Shootout Soccer. Although I was able to try out half the roster, the game that stood out to me was the Street Hockey. At first the computer was scoring majorly against me, but when I got the hang of it, it was a blast. To control the action I used a Wii Remote and Nunchuk to move around. Pretty simple concept, but was great on the execution. The low point of the demonstration however was the Jump Rope. To play, you only need a Wii Remote and it’s a bit of Simon Says when the rope comes around. Quite boring and tedious, but that was the only game that I felt negative towards. The game supports the Wii Balance Board and customizable avatars. I didn’t get to see either of these in action while I was playing the game however.
I can see the Go Play line going somewhere if they present a good package like they are in City Sports with the other games in the franchise.
Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2010 (Wii)
Fitness games seem to be all the rage on the Wii currently. With so much variety, it helps to have a celebrity backing your product. The first Jillian Michael’s Wii Balance Board title seemed to do well, so much a sequel is being made. The developers listened to the feedback from folks who played the game and incorporated what they could into this new version.
Now you’ll get more one on one time with Jillian. She still has her voice and motioned captured likeness in it and she’s behind the game 110%. This time though you’ll be exercising in locations with a tropical feel to them. When it comes to the actual exercises, I can say they work. For me however I had to practice the motion for a few minutes in order to get my brain to wrap itself around the movement. Once I got it, it was working the targeted area and after about a minute I was feeling it. This could also be contributed to walking around the show floor all day, but then again there were muscles aching that usually aren’t. For those who need motivation to burn that fat, there’s a resolution calendar in the game so you can set targets.
It’s interesting to see a fitness game with so much production value behind it this generation. I may give this a go when I’ve completely recovered from E3.
I was pleased to see yet another original IP at E3 this year. Not only is this a new IP, but it’s a new twist on the platforming genre. In Flips Twisted World you’re an apprentice, Flip, who’s looking to learn many tricks about magic. The problem is, you’re not being taught. So it’s away to learn about the world he lives in and see what you can pick up along the way.
This is a 3D platformer that allows you to twist the world you’re walking on by using the Wii Remote. It’s an awesome concept, but unfortunately the twisting aspect is slightly twitchy when I tried it out. Not a huge deal to start with because I was in no danger thanks to the arsenal of spells Flip has available to him. The platforming was basic, but it’s interesting to note that although the levels are linear, you could very well explore all the surfaces available with the right twists of the level. One of my pet peeves with platforming games is water being deadly. That’s not the case here, you’re actually able to float on top of it, but not swim in it. The environments look colorful and seems to have much work to look decent. Music was done by Tommy Tallarico, so fans of his music may be interested in checking this out.
The game has 5 levels and includes tutorials in case you’re not sure how to perform actions. This is Frozen North Production’s first game and if they can tighten up the twist mechanic just a bit, I think this would be a great platformer for all.
