Posts tagged ds

So recently got The Sims on the 3DS and considering the amount of expansion packs I have for the Sims 3 the 3DS version is certainly very limited. The Sims 3DS obviously cannot hold the amount of content or have the wide range of options that the pc versions have so that’s one major adjustment you’ll have to get used too. There are not the vast quantities of clothes or accessories. There is only one town with a small range of homes and only two town spots to explore. The two areas have a gym, library, cafes and night clubs. So there’s still plenty to keep you occupied. Also when you visit the town the time stops so you return home at the same time you left. That’s very useful if you need to level up or build relationships, because you can do this all in the time before work. Another limitation with the 3DS version is that there are no individual mood bars, you cannot tell that your sim is growing hungry till the image showing you sim is hungry turns up on the bottom screen. So you have to guess what interactions to get your sim to complete before you go to work and such. So many times I’ve sent my sim into work hungry or smelly because I didn’t know that my sim required feeding or bathing. Another problem is that if you serve a portion of food you can’t store it within the fridge meaning there is literally no point to serving food unless your having a party. Another strange thing I’ve noticed is that no matter what time I send my sim to bed they always wake at 7, I could send my sim to bed at 7pm or 3am and the sim would still awake by itself at 7am. When you start the sims you have to start out with a one person family. You can add people into town through the option add a townie, so you can customise a sim you might want your character to marry. Still you have to live with using one character till you bond with another sim well enough and can use the option ask to move in. So it’s a lot of effort to start a family which may not be a problem for some but it was annoying for me. The game doesn’t make a lot of use out of the 3D but that’s a positive for me since I can’t use the 3D. So far this seems like a pretty bad review, however, I wouldn’t see the Sims on the 3DS a bad game. It has it’s limitations and there is an adjustment period for those familiar with the Sims on the PC. Yet for an on the go portable game it’s really good. I’m a bit of a sims addict so to have a game which I can just pick up and play is really good. If you have any holidays up and coming or if you travel a lot it’s really good to get your sims fix. I would recommend that you don’t pay a lot for this game but I managed to pick it up for around 7 quid. If you’re a die hard sims fan this is something you need in your collection.  

Omg this game is amazing! Its the best game ever! I love it I love it I love it! Okayy now I’ve got that burst of excitement out the way lets get on too a proper review. Professor Layton and the Last Specter is the final game to be released on the DS and the first of the prequel trilogy. The story goes back to Professor Laytons first real interaction with Luke, he knew him as a baby but that doesn’t really count now does it. It introduces character Emmy Altava whom you may know from the film Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva. A film already reviewed for the site so if you have yet to read it, I highly recommend you do. Emmy Altava accompanies the Professor on a trip to Misthallery, after being summoned there by Luke Triton. A specter is terrorising the town and Luke asks his father’s close friend to help unravel the mystery.

The game also introduces Jean Descole the villain for this game and may I just say what an excellent villain. The voice acting for Descole, performed by Tim Curry, is so well done. You get tingles when you here his voice. He sounds evil, but not in a way so commonly used by actors. He sounds sophisticated and knowledgable whereas many villains can just come off as quite butch. You don’t want to cross him because you know how clever and cunning he is. Jean Descole is an amazing antagonist for the series. Descole is a clear antitihesis to Don Paulo, villain of the earlier games. Don Paulo is a bit of a joke, his character is humorous, he’s a very shall I say camp villain. Descole on the otherhand appears to be an actual threat. So yeah I’m very pleased with Descole as a character.

Emmy Altava is a nice addition and much more enjoyable as a character than Flora. Don’t get me wrong Flora is a nice character however Emmy has a more engaging personality. Maybe it’s because there is more of a mystery to Emmy, little is known about her or how she came to be the character she is. She has a high level of combat skills, clearly intelligent and she has this past with Layton that we wish to learn more about. Within the game there is a feature called episodes in the trunk which displays cut scenes not experienced within the game but gives us an insight to events that have occurred to the characters. One cut-scene involves Emmy showing her first meeting of the professor however it left me on edge to find out more, to discover how that meeting effected her life and decisions. Obviously it did as when she was asked to work alongside Layton, by Dean Delmona, she took the opportunity straight away. She is such an intriguing character and I look forward to seeing her presence in the upcoming games.

Next thing to discuss is Layton and Lukes first mystery. This is essentially an origins story of the beloved pair. This origins story is conceived so brilliantly. Luke’s naivety really shines through but so does his eagerness to learn. Layton becomes a surrogate father figure for Luke, as his own father is much too busy dealing with other events and issues. The foundations of their bond are strongly placed within this game.

Anyway I think that is enough discussion of the characters, let us discuss the puzzles. Now I’ve heard many reviews of the game series make comments about the puzzles. This game seeks to rectify some of those comments. Some of the puzzles in this game are directly linked with the narrative of the game. One such example is where Emmy is required to cut a wire to disable a machine. So essentially the puzzle is which wire do you cut, however it is directly linked to the game as it is imperative that Emmy disables the machine. I really enjoyed those puzzles, not because the puzzles themselves where spectacular but due to the way they interacted with the story. It made getting the puzzle correct more important than answering the puzzles have been before. I truly worried that if I got the puzzle wrong it would be game over. It made me that little bit more anxious and on edge for the correct answer. So the puzzles themselves become more thrilling and slightly less relaxed than before. The game series traditionally has Layton revealing every last detail of the mystery however this game makes you more aware and consider the mystery in the narrative that little bit more. Sequences within the game depict Layton go to reveal the mystery but then you have to make the choice, between three options, the answer to the mystery. One such example I could give is Layton asks Luke how the sound of the Flute travelled across the city, you as the player had to answer that question from as mentioned three different choices. So anyone who dares to complain that the games narrative and the puzzles are totally separate from each other, really needs to play this game again because that clearly is not the case.

The music within this game is again spectacular, I love the music from the Layton series, it reminds me of film music. In that sometimes you don’t overtly notice its presence but the effect that music has on you is clear. I loved how the music intensity would heighten as situations became more intense and dangerous. It truly moved me and the music of the flute was again well composed. The attention to detail within these games is what perfects them.

Everything about this game is an improvement on the earlier three. Granted I love love love future Luke aka Clive from the third game series and I thought the narrative itself was superb. This game improves on it only by offering something different. Had this been set after the events of the third game I somehow feel it would not have been as good. This latest instalment offers something new in how it introduces the beginnings of Professor Layton. The characters we know, Luke and Layton, gain a stronger definition of the personality through this new addition to the series. I applaud the people who worked on this game for the efforts they have put in. If the Layton series continues to grow and develop like they appear to be doing so then I honestly don’t see Layton ever becoming, a dull, tired series. I seriously recommend people to play this game because it really is something special.

So I’m uploading this review because I have recently been playing the fourth Professor Layton game in the series. So in anticipation of that review I decided it would be unprofessional to not have a review up for the third game Professor Layton and the Lost Future. As you may have established from my previous reviews I am the biggest fan of these games and so it is really hard to review them with an objective opinion. This is so far my favourite game in the series, I think the narrative is amazingly clever and for those who might think the Layton games are growing tired well they obviously have not played this game. This game just excelled beyond the others I’m amazed at how well drawn in I was. Now for many people who play the games you may argue well how you believe the story in Layton it’s clearly not physically possible, well you annoying nerds how about getting an imagination and believing in the impossible. I love the game even though I know the narrative seems wild and unattainable, I can believe in it. Stop doubting narratives that aren’t realistic enough, how about having fun and getting lost in the world of the game because I know that’s the best way to enjoy games!

So I’ve blathered on about the narrative so maybe I best explain it meaning Spoiler Alert. Though frankly it shouldn’t be because if your reading this review you really should have played the games already. So basically Professor Layton and Luke Triton, Laytons number 1 apprentice if you didn’t know, receive a letter from the future. Not only from the future but future Luke himself! This letter arrives mere days after an incident Layton had attended, whereby Dimitri Allen a scientist conducts a time travelling experiment. The experiment appears to go badly wrong and The Prime Minister who was first to test Dimitri’s machine suddenly disappears. This is not the only strange occurrence, many scientist have also been declared as missing over the past few weeks. The letter instructs Layton to visit a clock store on the outskirts off London. Layton does as the letter instructs and ends up getting sent through time to a future London. In this future London everyone fears a man in a tall hat very familiar to Laytons own. Of course a true gentleman does not take off his hat and Layton carries on to wear it despite what some of London’s inhabitants may warn him. Eventually Layton and Lukes paths cross with Future Luke. Layton sets off to unravel the mysteries of this future London. So that’s about it for the story now of course those who have played the game would know that Layton is not in a future London but merely a replica London built underneath the real city of London. So it’s very good story and obviously that means Future Luke is not in fact Future Luke but a strange closely resembling lookalike.

I loved the story for this game and the cutscenes where so intriguing I was gripped when I played this game, I needed to solve the mystery there and then. So I hardly put this game down, heck if I didn’t have university at the time or had to sleep and eat I probably wouldn’t have put it down. By far the best story, there was so much more mystery surrounding the story so much more compelling than the previous games.

Like the previous games before the music within this game was beyond excellent. A lot of people may find the music repetitive yet I find that not to be the case. The music when solving puzzles really encourages my thought, it feels like the music is in sync with my thought process. The music in other areas of the game are truly brilliant. I feel the music in the Professor Layton games is really one of its strong points, then again I would struggle to find a bad point within this game series. The animation within the game is also excellent. I love the art style to these games and I’m always amazed at how much emotion and personality comes across. I often see animated characters which seem very two-dimensional and I really think that is not the case for those in the Layton series. This game was so emotional and the bonds really strengthened between me as a player and the characters within the game. In fact it was so hard for me to hold back tears at the end of the game. Anyone who doesn’t think this ending is amazingly sad and moving has a heart of stone, that would be the only explanation for it.

This game returns with similar style puzzles as the two previous instalments and throws in a few new styles for good measure. There are new additional activities to complete within Layton’s trunk which are again exceedingly enjoyable, and provide an additional challenge for those who have to complete a game fully much like myself. I love the puzzles within the game series as a whole some are very challenging whilst others more of a breeze, it all depends on what you excel at. I struggle with maths a lot therefore the visual or worded poems are more my area. However I can still complete this game and if your reading this review it means you somehow have access to the internet and a quick google search should get you past any of those incredibly tricky ones you get stuck on. I am actually as part of my next mission attempting to complete the game without the help of guide, so hopefully some of those puzzles won’t keep me stuck for too long. I love the challenge you get from games like Professor Layton. So many games are mindless, require little skill and they can be good don’t get me wrong but I love a game that can make me think.

Professor Layton the Lost Future is an exceptional game and in my opinion by far the best in the series, obviously excluding the more recent game as I’ve yet too fully complete it. It seems like this game improved in every aspect even the tiny details. If you have not played this game you really should. I don’t see what’s stopping you. If you’ve enjoyed the previous games or have not played of the games you really should play this game. If I used a rating system, something other members of the stars team are encouraging me to use, this would break that system because it would go so far beyond that. I really can’t praise this game enough. So go out and buy it, if you have the game go and play it!

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva is a film adapted from a series the series of Professor Layton games for the popular DS. The film creates a whole new mystery for fans of the games series to enjoy and for those new to Professor Layton. The film begins with Layton coming to the end of one of his mysteries throwing you straight into the world of Professor Layton. Familiar faces are shown for the pleasure of the fans. I enjoyed this opening, seeing Layton solve a mystery without me doing the leg work, as I would have to in the games, was enjoyable. My only complaints with this is that I wanted to see the beginnings of that mystery, I was desperate to see that story. However since the film is based around a new mystery it more than makes up for this lack of a development. The film is narrated in part by Luke Triton, Layton’s number one apprentice, something Luke makes the viewer aware of at every opportunity, it being one of his many endearing qualities. The actual main bulk of the narrative is set three years prior to what the audience is first introduced too, the recollections or flashback are induced by a record which Layton plays reminding him of one of his first major mysteries.

The mystery starts with Layton and Luke being invited to a performance of a play. The pair were invited to watch the performance as the actress Janice playing the Lead role in the performance requires Layton’s help. Janice was approached by a young girl whom suggested she was the embodiment of her deceased friend Melina Whistler. However events occur which throws Layton into a game one where the winner receives eternal life. This is the true mystery which Layton must unravel.

The film replicates similar formats to the game, providing an interactive experience. Whilst a mysterious voice asks the characters on board the Crown Petrone to solve certain puzzles, the viewer may also attempt to solve the puzzle within the time the characters do so. The familiar font used on the numbers of the puzzles in the game appear within the film. Whilst for some this may appear tacked on and would take away from the overall experience of the film, they would be wrong to think so. The use of this style will enhance the film for fans of the game series, whilst those new to the series will find it an interesting innovative format for a film.

Familiar Layton music returns within the film which is enjoyable for fans of the game series however those new to Professor Layton will find that the music sets the atmosphere for the film up exceptionally well. Music is very integral to the action of films and the music within the film is well composed. The score whilst containing some tracks from the game series provides much of the essence of the film.

The film contains the familiar duo Layton and Luke however some new characters are used within the film, whose background will be made clear should you play some of the upcoming games in the series. However whilst the characters within the film are familiar with each other, the fact the audience is less aware of them does in no way affect the film. The characters are introduced well enough that even if you have not played the game series you will understand who they are and what their personalities are like. In fact having less knowledge may be more helpful as it shows the characters have a background, a past, they have their own life and are not just constructed for the sake of one story.

The film whilst adapted from a series of games is exceptional and could stand alone as a film. The animation is beautifully done. The attention to detail within the film shows the care taken to produce a brilliant film. One of the best films I have seen, its innovative style of formatting shows how films can still be adapted successfully and how much more there is to the changing and development of genres. I recommend seeing this even if you are unfamiliar with the game series because as a film its narrative, characters, score and animation are so well constructed it has all the elements of a great film.

The second instalment in the Professor Layton series, Professor Layton and Pandora’s box is the first game of the series I ever played. When I first played the game I had nothing to compare it too and therefore do not see it as secondary to the first game. Whilst some may argue the second game is virtually the same as the first I do not see it that way. The second game follows the same format as the first a point and click puzzle solving game. You move from screen to screen exploring locations solving puzzles the locals cannot get to grips with. Some of the puzzles are very similar to the formats of other puzzles from the previous game yet I do not find that to be a fault. If you look into puzzles you will find many follow similar patterns and forms of solving, therefore it is not the game at fault. Some of the puzzles reward you with gifts, some of these gifts can be used to help train a hamster to lose weight. Once the hamster has lost a certain amount of weight it will point out hint coins. Another series of rewards you may acquire are pieces of a camera to be fixed and the final gifts are ingredients for brewing tea. In the town of Folsense many of the residents will require a cup of tea. The tea you provide them will have to be brewed with the correct ingredients producing 11 different combinations of tea to satisfy the differing residents requirements.

The games story follows Professor Layton and Luke seeking to uncover the mystery of Pandoras Box. After receiving a note from good friend Dr Schrader, they visit his apartment to find Dr Schrader dead and the mysterious Elysian Box missing. This starts the professors journey, during the first half of the game Layton is travelling on the Molentary Express which makes a stop at the town of Dropstone which appears to also have links with the missing box. The second half of the game is based in Folsense where much of the mystery of the box is revealed. I felt the narrative within the game was again exceptional. The writers of the Professor Layton series produce excellent mysteries which keep you on the edge of your seat and forever guessing. I feel the story is just as good as the first and towards the end really emotional.

The games aesthetics are again superb and visually appealing. I feel the art style of the game enables Layton’s style to be timeless. I don’t think the graphics will ever look bad I’m sure if I reviewed this game in ten years time I will still be convinced that it is a good looking game. The visual style of the game really suits the type of game. It is simple and Layton games, whilst they may have complex puzzles, are supposed to be simple. At the heart of it all you are just uncovering a mystery nothing more and nothing less. It doesn’t need the detail, it doesn’t need realistic graphics.

The music again is well composed with familiar motifs returning. The music enhances the game a great deal, I feel music is a very important aspect of any visual medium, and the music within the Layton series enhances the mood and atmosphere of the games. The music draws you in and I often find that when the music plays it encourages you to complete the puzzle and uncover the answer.

A few familiar faces appear within the game which provides much enjoyment. If you are familiar with the first game you may even find yourself questioning these returning characters. The story also introduces some new characters, central to the mystery of the Elysian Box. The returning characters really affirm their identities within this second game as we see their familiar habits and traits return and develop. The characters are enjoyable and likeable and their behaviours provide many humorous moments for the game. The second Layton game is again light-hearted and enjoyable. The game is not too serious, it’s not a game you walk away from feeling depressed or discouraged, it takes you back to childhood where things are innocent and things will always end with a happily ever after.

This game is certainly enjoyable and worth playing with new puzzles to solve and a new mystery to uncover. It is not necessarily an improvement on the first game but it is by no means any less of a game. I suggest if you enjoyed any of the games in the Professor Layton series you should play the second you wont be disappointed and the game has a great central story that even if you are not to keen on puzzles it is worthwhile playing