The Rumble Pack Posts

So with fond memories of my formative Dreamcast years dancing in my head and a lifestyle that has become more increasingly suited to portable games (read: busy), I was first in line to pick up my preorder of Phantasy Star Ø when it hit the US in early November. And it was bizarre.

If, like me, you tend to check game reviews before putting down your cash, you would have been pretty confused to find Phantasy Star Ø sitting on store shelves last month with barely a mumbled “meh” from the critical community. IGN, 1up, Gamespot, Giant Bomb – no one had anything to say about the supposed “heir to PSO‘s legacy” until around the end of the month. In retrospect, perhaps it’s the most telling sign of how much relevancy the franchise has bled over the past few years – no one’s willing to stop shooting terrorists or stomp on Goombas to pay a Rappy a second look now a days.

A Rag Rappy – like a Chocobo, but much more fun to hit.

This week, the Rumble Pack takes it to the Max (Rebo) for an informative, silly show. Tom and Nick leap across the Florencian rooftops in Assassin’s Creed II, while Kaz worries that they might hurt themselves. Local oaf Tony Divito gets his non-Satanic grind on in Torchlight, and Justin tells his Black Friday tale of the quest for Lego Rock Band. And if you’re not sick of Modern Warfare 2 coverage yet, the guys finally delve into the cooperative Spec Ops mode. Does it hold its own with the campaign? Plus, more toys from Justin’s past, a lesson in “Star Wars” nomenclature and potential game industry career paths.

Relevant Links:

Hardcore Gaming 101’s Persona Article

Attention listeners! We have a huge announcement. If you mosey on over to the GameHounds web site this Wednesday, you may notice their midweek Humpdate. These episodes are showcases for other video game podcasts to strut their stuff with brief original segments, or “pods.” And starting this week, we’re proud to say that we’ll officially anchor these podcasts with closing salvos of news, pop culture and poop jokes. For current fans, it’s a great way to get an additional Rumble fix, but this will also be a wonderful opportunity to bring in new listeners who have, up until now, somehow eluded our grasp. We’re looking forward to our partnership with the GameHounds, and to your valued feedback as well.

UPDATE: Our Humpdate debut is up!

A couple weeks ago, we published a LittleBigPlanet feature that focused, in part, on how to reinvigorate sales and raise awareness of what the game was all about. Imagine my surprise then when Nicolo directed me to the television spot embedded below:

I wish I had seen this before we “went to press.” Whether or not you’re a fan of the “It Only Does Everything” campaign, you must admit that it’s refreshing to see a company promoting a game that’s over a year old. It’s not unprecedented – World of Warcraft ads are still going strong, for instance – but this is the first time I can recall seeing ads this late in the game for such a modest seller. Maybe if* LBP rebound a bit, we’ll see other publishers trying this too. It’s not too late for Boom Blox, EA!*That’s a monumentally big “if.” I’m not delusional.

It looks like we’ve survived the November onslaught long enough to do some blogging on the side. As always, this month was a big month for big games, but Nick, Kaz and Justin kept their eyes on the more niche releases and the handheld scene. (Editor’s Note: Kaz would probably get mad at me for categorizing Forza 3 as niche.) After you’re done with your modern warfare, you should look back to our blogs to see what you may have missed.

We should also mention that we’re going to be handling our blogs a little differently in the future. We’ll keep the personal stuff relegated to our own individual pages, but if we think want we have to say pertains to gaming our or podcast, we’ll post it on the main page too. We’re hoping this will bring a steadier flow of content, but let us know what you think in the meantime.

Here’s what’s noteworthy right now:

• Nick reminisces about Phantasy Star Online before tackling two recent handheld editions in an ongoing series.
• Justin rants about Capcom’s less-than-super approach to DLC and the PSP Go’s missing UMD drive while dressed as the strongest man in the world.
• Kaz dives into “The Car-enning” and gives a crashcourse driving sim tutorial for anyone who wants to join him.

There’s been a lot of taking turns and character swapping with the Super Mario Bros. games over the years, but it seems strange that a series about two brothers has never really put them on the same screen before. In other genres, the name Mario is synonymous with multiplayer thrills, but in the official platforming games, Luigi, Toad and anyone else in the headlining plumber’s crew are usually sidelined. But with New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Miyamoto decided that this year’s big innovation would be four-player support, ushering in a fresh, chaotic, friendship-ending brand of fun to the beloved series.

 

This is not to say that the game fails to offer a compelling solitary experience. While playing alone can’t offer anything as thrilling as tossing your buddy into a swarm of enemies or using him as a go-go-Gadget personal helicopter, you’ll still appreciate the impeccable level design and nostalgic enemy roster. But NSMBW is most successful when it forces players to figure out a means to proceed forward together, even as they constantly push each other off into bottomless pits. Intentional or otherwise.

It’s time to play big or go home. This week, the guys interview Ian Cofino, the creator of recent fighting tourney documentary “I Got Next.” The first-time director talks about gamer bonding, Street Fighter IV longevity, the dwindling arcade scene and what to expect from the final cut when it’s released next spring. Bookending the interview is a surreal sojourn through Sour Patch Fields, and even more blockbuster gaming. Tom and Kaz turn off the party chat in Modern Warfare 2 long enough to make some new friends, Tony hunts down his zombie grandma in Little Red Riding Hood’s Zombie BBQ, Nick hosts a D.C. Mario marathon and Justin endorses another inscrutable Bit.Trip game. So put your quarters on the cabinet and get in line – we’re ready to take on all challengers.

Relevant Links:

“I Got Next” Official Web Site

2009 Blip Festival

American Diabetes Association

Who: Everyone (minus travelin’ Nick)

When: 9 p.m. EST, November 25th

What: Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer

Where: Xbox Live

Why: Because we’ll all be falling asleep if we attempt post-turkey gaming.

RSVP here

My good friends and listeners to the show will know that I have a soft-spot in my heart for the Phantasy Star series. As a Japanese-friendly gamer who owned a Genesis long before a SNES, it’s not hard to see how Sega’s flagship RPG series has made a favorable impression on me over the years. Of particular note were Sega’s first internet-capable (or should I say internet-primed) entries, Phantasy Star Online, and Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II.

             

Truly phantastic games.