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Not sure if this should be in Reviews or not but feel free to move it.
Anyone else playing this?
Sat down and played new Dreamcast game “Wind & Water Puzzle Battles” last night. It is tremendous.
Basically it was coded by Yuan Works which is 2 brothers in Costa Rica. They realised a few years ago that traditional videogame arts (like pixel art etc) were dying out so set out to both learn the different skills needed and this is their first commercial game.
The package is really nice. The case is a replica of official Japanese packaging (Orange spine card, icons on the back etc) The Manual is full colour and in English and Japanese, the disk itself is professionally pressed and has full colour printing on the front.
The game itself is lovely. It opens with an impressive 2D animation and fab music. The game itself is a puzzle game with plenty of depth. Basically you have a crosshair which you can move around the board and then rotate 4 colour blocks (each representing a different element) Connect 4 of the same element in a Diamond shape and they disappear, along with additional blocks of that colour that they are touching. There is added depth in that there are special things you can do like a Chain (clearing one set of blocks and the subsequent falling into place of more sets of blocks), Combo's (clearing several sets of blocks in one move), Full Clear (clearing every block of a single colour in one move) or Void Clear (combination of all elements with a Void Block) and others etc.
The game itself has the choice of Options (set language, check your stats and unlock your Custom Sprite – they coded in individual sprites based on a photo for those that pre-ordered), Tutorial (main character Amy explains the basics, intermediate and advanced techniques along with demonstrations) Puzzle (looks like 50 pre-defined puzzles where you are given a set of blocks and limited number of moves to clear them all)
The meat of the game is the Story. In this you play Amy who wants to explain the rules of the game to the world despite being an air-head. You travel around a top down Mario World style map and encounter different characters and unlock new challenges as you go. These range from simple “Clear X number of blocks” to “Perform a Full Clear” or “Perform 4 Combo moves” or even one-on-one head-to-head battles (think Puzzle Fighter). Finishing these gives you a Ranking and points. What is really nice about this mode is the quality of the writing. The premise is that you are helping Yuan Works to finish the game as they are struggling to meet their budget and schedule. You run into the brothers themselves and they give you hints and allude to the unfinished nature of the game. It is all very tongue-in-cheek and references the world of video-games a lot. For example one of the brothers called Hao says “If you need help mid-mission my frequency is…..I mean just press X” which is a clear nod to the Metal Gear games. Later on you bump into a kid trying to find the RPG school. You mention the Main Menu and he says “I just keep choosing Fight right?” At one stage you come across a shop (where you can purchase items with the points you have earnt) and Amy says “This game must be progressing nicely there is even a shop!” when the shopkeeper appears it is clearly Hao in disguise. The game is full of charm and the quality of the writing so far is really top notch. Also there are hidden paths for meeting certain conditions on certain challenges which opens up extra challenges and routes and even mini-games to discover and play. I have already played a basic car racing game.
The other option on the main menu is Extra and this allows you to play the mini-games when unlocked, view “making of” information and more.
The game does expect you to be good with the mechanics of the game and can seem quite difficult at times (for example the first time you have a one on one battle) but once you get to grips with the different techniques then any puzzle game aficionado will love this game.
Overall the game is definitely worth a purchase for those looking for a new Dreamcast game and it would be a worthy addition to any of WiiWare, XBLA or PSN.
Wind & Water Puzzle Battles New Dreamcast Game
#3
Posted 20 November 2008 - 12:06 AM
Lol...to quote Edge, "The old girl just wont lie down and die".
#4
Posted 20 November 2008 - 09:22 AM
Played some more of Wind & Water Puzzle Battles and I have to say I am loving it.
The graphics and sound are easily comparable to any other puzzle game out there – particularly on DC. The character portraits are really nicely done with plenty of different ones to represent the different states of mind etc. The tiles themselves are vibrant and clear and there are loads of lovely little touches. However it is the quality of the writing that really ifts it.
The game was made by two brothers called Hao (in charge of the programming) and Yuan (in charge of art, animation, sound and music) at one stage the main character Amy is talking to Yuan and really happy – her portrait goes all Pixelly and Yuan is “Has Hao seen you this happy? Don’t let him, he might think you have put on weight etc”
Later on Hao sees the pixelly Amy and is like “Damn that lazy Yuan – he didn’t finish all of Amy’s portraits”
Later on Amy starts glitching (e.g. some of her character tiles are in the wrong place) she bumps into Ben (little boy who is obsessed with RPG’s and he is like “Maybe you have been poisoned – apparently that makes you feel bad and you need to cast a Cure spell”
She finally tracks down Yuan accuses him of not finishing her portraits but he proves he has by pulling out the artwork and points out there must be a bug in Hao’s code J
I have collected the Fire element (there are 8 elements to collect) and this now allows me access to the Museum where I can check out the Making Of the Game. There are 41 pages of information ranging from Background to the game, animation sheets, info about the music, where the ideas came from, character art etc. So far I have about 10 unlocked.
I also played 2 more mini games. One is like a QTE where you play a little character running along a level. Each block he comes to represents an element and each button on the pad morphs you into the appropriate element and lets you pass. The other is a game where you are a samurai and you have to stop the power gauge at the right level in order to slice different things in two. The mini games are super simple (think Wario Ware style but longer) but beautifully presented and really nice to break up the puzzle game from time to time.
Hope this gets picked up for XBLA or one of the others as it deserves to be played by more people. Recommend that anyone with a passing interest in either Puzzle games, Dreamcast or supporting small developers picks this up. It really is a solid game and nice to see a new DC game that isn't a shooter (although I'm not discouraging more of these!) So nice to play a game without having seen thousands of screenshots and trailers and FAQs etc beforehand. Like the old pre-internet days :-)
The graphics and sound are easily comparable to any other puzzle game out there – particularly on DC. The character portraits are really nicely done with plenty of different ones to represent the different states of mind etc. The tiles themselves are vibrant and clear and there are loads of lovely little touches. However it is the quality of the writing that really ifts it.
The game was made by two brothers called Hao (in charge of the programming) and Yuan (in charge of art, animation, sound and music) at one stage the main character Amy is talking to Yuan and really happy – her portrait goes all Pixelly and Yuan is “Has Hao seen you this happy? Don’t let him, he might think you have put on weight etc”
Later on Hao sees the pixelly Amy and is like “Damn that lazy Yuan – he didn’t finish all of Amy’s portraits”
Later on Amy starts glitching (e.g. some of her character tiles are in the wrong place) she bumps into Ben (little boy who is obsessed with RPG’s and he is like “Maybe you have been poisoned – apparently that makes you feel bad and you need to cast a Cure spell”
She finally tracks down Yuan accuses him of not finishing her portraits but he proves he has by pulling out the artwork and points out there must be a bug in Hao’s code J
I have collected the Fire element (there are 8 elements to collect) and this now allows me access to the Museum where I can check out the Making Of the Game. There are 41 pages of information ranging from Background to the game, animation sheets, info about the music, where the ideas came from, character art etc. So far I have about 10 unlocked.
I also played 2 more mini games. One is like a QTE where you play a little character running along a level. Each block he comes to represents an element and each button on the pad morphs you into the appropriate element and lets you pass. The other is a game where you are a samurai and you have to stop the power gauge at the right level in order to slice different things in two. The mini games are super simple (think Wario Ware style but longer) but beautifully presented and really nice to break up the puzzle game from time to time.
Hope this gets picked up for XBLA or one of the others as it deserves to be played by more people. Recommend that anyone with a passing interest in either Puzzle games, Dreamcast or supporting small developers picks this up. It really is a solid game and nice to see a new DC game that isn't a shooter (although I'm not discouraging more of these!) So nice to play a game without having seen thousands of screenshots and trailers and FAQs etc beforehand. Like the old pre-internet days :-)
#5
Posted 20 November 2008 - 03:28 PM
Whaaat?! A new one! This wasn't even a blip on my radar. Cheers for the info, will look into this :)
#6
Posted 21 November 2008 - 12:27 PM
I can thoroughly recommend Wind & Water Puzzle Battles. The pacing, the presentation, the humour, the constant surprises. Tremendous stuff. The game is easy to pick up and grasp the basics but there is a lot of depth and advanced techniques to master too. It really is fantastic. I was playing it last night and grinning ear to ear. Which is recommendation enough I reckon.
Also it seems Rush Rush Rally Racing from Senile Team (the team behind Beats of Rage) is still progressing. They did some extensive testing a couple of weeks ago so it looks like that is still being worked on. Which is good as it all went quiet on that front a while back so it seemed like it had died a death. The game is a top down racer for up to four players and can be seen on their site.
Dux – a new horizontal shooter, is still due out. It was delayed from its original release date but will hopefully still make it out in the next month or so.
I'm all for more stuff like this getting released. Wonder if Wind & Water will get picked up/ported to any of the current systems. It really is that good.
Also it seems Rush Rush Rally Racing from Senile Team (the team behind Beats of Rage) is still progressing. They did some extensive testing a couple of weeks ago so it looks like that is still being worked on. Which is good as it all went quiet on that front a while back so it seemed like it had died a death. The game is a top down racer for up to four players and can be seen on their site.
Dux – a new horizontal shooter, is still due out. It was delayed from its original release date but will hopefully still make it out in the next month or so.
I'm all for more stuff like this getting released. Wonder if Wind & Water will get picked up/ported to any of the current systems. It really is that good.
#7
Posted 21 November 2008 - 12:42 PM
Hooray for new DC releases! This is the console that should never die. Ever.
And more shooters! Will check out this Dux you speak of :D
And more shooters! Will check out this Dux you speak of :D
#8
Posted 21 November 2008 - 02:24 PM
I'd like to add to the thread by saying.. 'WOW'. Wind & Water is the most addictive puzzler I've played in ages!
I put it on last night thinking 'I've got 5 minutes to spare..' - hour and a half later I realised I'd made myself hideously late for meeting friends.. lol
Genius. Thoroughly recommend it.
I put it on last night thinking 'I've got 5 minutes to spare..' - hour and a half later I realised I'd made myself hideously late for meeting friends.. lol
Genius. Thoroughly recommend it.
#9
Posted 21 November 2008 - 10:26 PM
Sorry to go on about this game but this is surely the story of the year. I am loving the writing in this.
Don't want to spoil any surprises for those playing this but the dialogue with Mr VMU made me laugh and the "traditional" ending is amazing.
This game is like a love letter to the history of gaming. So amazing and refreshing.
The best compliment I can pay it is that the tongue in cheek storyline and writing really recaptures Sega in their Dreamcast era. The crazy knowing madness. The whole world feels like it was put together just for you.
Don't want to spoil any surprises for those playing this but the dialogue with Mr VMU made me laugh and the "traditional" ending is amazing.
This game is like a love letter to the history of gaming. So amazing and refreshing.
The best compliment I can pay it is that the tongue in cheek storyline and writing really recaptures Sega in their Dreamcast era. The crazy knowing madness. The whole world feels like it was put together just for you.
#11
Posted 22 November 2008 - 01:08 PM
From what I've read, it isn't an official certified release, so you won't be able to buy it in the places you expect. If you go to the official website (just google the title), there's a link to a seller (presumably the sole retailer).
#12 Guest_YuanHao_*
Posted 22 November 2008 - 04:09 PM
Hi there :(
Grey Fox: I'm glad you're enjoying the game and the "traditional ending" and everything :) we really put our everything on W&W for the GP2X and once again for the Dreamcast version which has been improved significantly.
BacklashCop: Thanks! :lol: Actually it's a bad idea to use your "spare time" to play W&W, lots of users lost their bus or train with the handheld version!
Oh, about the retailers, there is the redspotgames shop, Play Asia (similar to Lik Sang now that it's dead...) also has the game, Amazon will also stock the game, as well as other retailers in the near future.
Grey Fox: I'm glad you're enjoying the game and the "traditional ending" and everything :) we really put our everything on W&W for the GP2X and once again for the Dreamcast version which has been improved significantly.
BacklashCop: Thanks! :lol: Actually it's a bad idea to use your "spare time" to play W&W, lots of users lost their bus or train with the handheld version!
Oh, about the retailers, there is the redspotgames shop, Play Asia (similar to Lik Sang now that it's dead...) also has the game, Amazon will also stock the game, as well as other retailers in the near future.
#13
Posted 22 November 2008 - 05:10 PM
Thanks - ordered the DV version from Play Asia. Can't wait :(
#14
Posted 23 November 2008 - 12:36 PM
YuanHao - Hao R U :-) - Thanks again for all your efforts with this game. It has revitalised my love of gaming (I find myself humming the music while at work!) and I'm looking forward to your next project (after a well deserved rest obviously) and wish you every success with this game and all future products. Any other versions planned?
For those of you sitting on the fence and umm'ing and ah'ing about getting this I say "Go for it!" The game has rapidly moved up to the upper exhelons of my favourite DC games. The pacing of the game, the humour of the story mode, the way the game teaches you the more advanced techniques, the 2-player mode and more. The amount of contet is staggering and the game has been polised until it gleams.
Right I'm off to play it some more :-)
For those of you sitting on the fence and umm'ing and ah'ing about getting this I say "Go for it!" The game has rapidly moved up to the upper exhelons of my favourite DC games. The pacing of the game, the humour of the story mode, the way the game teaches you the more advanced techniques, the 2-player mode and more. The amount of contet is staggering and the game has been polised until it gleams.
Right I'm off to play it some more :-)
#15 Guest_YuanHao_*
Posted 28 November 2008 - 03:34 PM
Hi there :)
Well, for other versions, we are probably going to release an update for the GP2X version, and possibly release the game for two upcoming open-source handheld consoles (the WIZ and Pandora), but we have not yet touched neither of them since their release is most likely on 2009, so we can't say for sure.
As for another Dreamcast version, we are waiting to see how the current version fares, and depending on it we'll release a Special Edition with more modes of playing which remain prototype (but are already very fun to play!), as well as a soundtrack and art/design book. But this edition is definitely not coming soon and we need to reach a certain amount of users first before even thinking about it ^_^
I'm glad you're enjoying the game! ;) What stage are you on? Have you met Godzilla? :(
Well, for other versions, we are probably going to release an update for the GP2X version, and possibly release the game for two upcoming open-source handheld consoles (the WIZ and Pandora), but we have not yet touched neither of them since their release is most likely on 2009, so we can't say for sure.
As for another Dreamcast version, we are waiting to see how the current version fares, and depending on it we'll release a Special Edition with more modes of playing which remain prototype (but are already very fun to play!), as well as a soundtrack and art/design book. But this edition is definitely not coming soon and we need to reach a certain amount of users first before even thinking about it ^_^
I'm glad you're enjoying the game! ;) What stage are you on? Have you met Godzilla? :(
#16
Posted 28 November 2008 - 08:47 PM
Ooooh - not met Godzilla yet but looking forward to that. I'm picturing the scene from Austin Powers "It looks like Godzilla.....but it's not!"
I've not had a chance to play anything in the last couple of days due to being crazy busy at work but guess what I have planned for the week-end :-)
Also to anyone who hasn't seen the (very early) updates on the next project from Yuan Works. Check out their site. It is called Little Ninja and looks SWEET.
Also a Special Edition of Wind & Water Puzzle Battles would be amazing. Consider me your first pre-order if and when it happens!
I've not had a chance to play anything in the last couple of days due to being crazy busy at work but guess what I have planned for the week-end :-)
Also to anyone who hasn't seen the (very early) updates on the next project from Yuan Works. Check out their site. It is called Little Ninja and looks SWEET.
Also a Special Edition of Wind & Water Puzzle Battles would be amazing. Consider me your first pre-order if and when it happens!
#17
Posted 28 November 2008 - 09:07 PM
YuanHao, on Nov 28 2008, 03:34 PM, said:
Hi there :)
Well, for other versions, we are probably going to release an update for the GP2X version, and possibly release the game for two upcoming open-source handheld consoles (the WIZ and Pandora), but we have not yet touched neither of them since their release is most likely on 2009, so we can't say for sure.
As for another Dreamcast version, we are waiting to see how the current version fares, and depending on it we'll release a Special Edition with more modes of playing which remain prototype (but are already very fun to play!), as well as a soundtrack and art/design book. But this edition is definitely not coming soon and we need to reach a certain amount of users first before even thinking about it ^_^
I'm glad you're enjoying the game! ;) What stage are you on? Have you met Godzilla? :(
Well, for other versions, we are probably going to release an update for the GP2X version, and possibly release the game for two upcoming open-source handheld consoles (the WIZ and Pandora), but we have not yet touched neither of them since their release is most likely on 2009, so we can't say for sure.
As for another Dreamcast version, we are waiting to see how the current version fares, and depending on it we'll release a Special Edition with more modes of playing which remain prototype (but are already very fun to play!), as well as a soundtrack and art/design book. But this edition is definitely not coming soon and we need to reach a certain amount of users first before even thinking about it ^_^
I'm glad you're enjoying the game! ;) What stage are you on? Have you met Godzilla? :(
Would this game fair well on the PSN/XBLA? Sounds like it might work, you never know...
#18 Guest_YuanHao_*
Posted 01 December 2008 - 05:26 PM
Grey Fox: Thanks! :) Well we just sold a W&W Special Edition then! :D Anyway, we have a few more updates on Little Ninja if you wanna check our Dev blog :(
As for PSN/XBLA, yeah, it's an option that we have considered and tried a little bit, but even there it's hard that suits let you do what you want ;)
As for PSN/XBLA, yeah, it's an option that we have considered and tried a little bit, but even there it's hard that suits let you do what you want ;)
#19
Posted 01 December 2008 - 08:15 PM
Literally had 10 minutes with it this evening - full of charm and I almost burnt dinner getting distracted by it. Looking forward to filling in my afternoon off with this tomorrow. Given the quality of my first impressions chalk me down for your next project as well.
#20
Posted 01 December 2008 - 08:25 PM
Already got it Bookmarked. I really like the fact you explain the creation process. Top stuff.
I'm telling anyone who'll listen to buy it. I think it would really suit one of the download services but I guess there are all sorts of hoops to jump through (and costs involved) in order for that to happen.
I'm telling anyone who'll listen to buy it. I think it would really suit one of the download services but I guess there are all sorts of hoops to jump through (and costs involved) in order for that to happen.
