Do I want to play games on a phone, MP3 player or digitized flat screen installed on the inside of my eyelid? As tempting as the last one may be to some, all three are unappealing to this gamer, who prefers to do it the old-fashioned way -- with a controller, a giant television and a weekend to fritter away. If you like the idea of portable gaming (not to mention portable RPGs), however, this news ought to sit well with you.
Square Enix have announced their first RPG for the iPod, Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes. The title is exclusive to the iPod and takes an unusual approach to the usual grind and adventure -- the game uses your player's songs and makes "Tune Troopers" with them, which can then be used in battles. You can also level the troopers up by listening to the same song you created them with. A pretty creative approach, to say the least!
The game comes out today on iTunes and can be downloaded for $4.99. I have to admit, I'm curious despite my aversion to gaming on an iPod, as the concept is pretty unique. Also, any kind of gaming can seem appealing when you are trapped on an airplane for five hours (and you all know this happens more frequently than I would like). Yay or nay to iPod gaming, Dtoiders?
wasnt' there a playstation (ps1) game that did this? you put in your cd and selected a track and it would build you character stats?
why does it seem like we had more intelligent software 2 generations ago. vib ribbon handled 'custom track generation' pretty well, yet we can't have that stuff in shiny next gen games like guitar hero? i call shenanigans.
This would be absolutely awesome and I'd own it immediately but apparently paying $400 for an iPod isn't enough and they decided we didn't need the game on the iPod Touch. :( I'm a sad panda...
I got it last night and have been picking at it ever since. I'm thinking about reviewing it once I get farther into it. Quick Pro/Cons for ya:
Pros:
- Good depth of story and gameplay (new play aspects are introduced as you go, just enough skills to not swamp you, no one has amnesia)
- A tangible reward for listening to obscure songs on your iPod (You get points for actual play counts on character songs)
- Easy Controls that work surprisingly well for Turn-Based Strategy (I want X-Com for iPod)
- Solid in-game soundtrack (not stellar, but not too shabby)
Cons:
- Major drain on battery power
- Music created characters don't retain visual connection to their songs (Its not like you get a dude named "Smoke Two Joints", though the song is still connected to that character for Play Count points)
I'll probably get it. I carry my iPod around with me everywhere, and this and Peggle will keep me busy. Still, wanna see what songs like Debaser and Rape Me get.
Awesome, downloading... I never thought about it, but actually jrpgs are one of the really few game types on which the ipod interface is kind of acceptable.
getting it now... battery life is now that much worse but i believe this will come in very handy while stuck at the airport... besides i always carry the real video player... (pets archos w/ ext. battery pack)
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Contest:
3:56 PM on 07.08.2008
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why does it seem like we had more intelligent software 2 generations ago. vib ribbon handled 'custom track generation' pretty well, yet we can't have that stuff in shiny next gen games like guitar hero? i call shenanigans.
@galagabug
Monster Rancher?
Guess I'll stick to Crisis Core and Disgaea on my PSP.
It looks like Monster Rancher: Sqeenix Edition
Pros:
- Good depth of story and gameplay (new play aspects are introduced as you go, just enough skills to not swamp you, no one has amnesia)
- A tangible reward for listening to obscure songs on your iPod (You get points for actual play counts on character songs)
- Easy Controls that work surprisingly well for Turn-Based Strategy (I want X-Com for iPod)
- Solid in-game soundtrack (not stellar, but not too shabby)
Cons:
- Major drain on battery power
- Music created characters don't retain visual connection to their songs (Its not like you get a dude named "Smoke Two Joints", though the song is still connected to that character for Play Count points)
And I hope I get a really hyper-leveled character if I play 'The Power Is On' by The Go! Team. :OD
No Stairway, though.
...But I'm glad I still have my soul as well, Wexx!
Then again, my Archos 605 isn't the coolest thing on the block, either.
(@Mechamonkey iRPGS, I would copyright that :))
Thanks for the info Colette !
Now it's called grinding.