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CAG's shipwreck & mrs. shipwreck preview the new releases for the week of October 1st, 2008. After last week's onslaught of releases, it seems this week brings reprieve to our wallets and to the sore backs of the UPS men that had to deliver all those games.

Don't forget to enter our contest for Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins for the PSP courtesy of CAG Robjus.

Special thanks to GoDaddy.com for providing CAG Foreplay listeners with a code for domain names for only $7.49 a year. Just enter code "GAMER1" when you check out to get your savings.



Download - 45 minutes, 21MB


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You can also contact us with any questions or comments at shipwrecks@cheapassgamer.com or foreplay@cheapassgamer.com.

Multi-Platform

Pipe Mania Dev. Razorworks Pub. Empire Interactive Systems: DS, PC MSRP: $19.99
(Deja Preview) Love those unlocking mini-games in BioShock, but don't want to be bothered with all that shooting and storyline? Well, that pipe dream is now a reality, as Pipe Mania flows from the freeware tubes of the internet and onto retail shelves. For those not familiar, you simply line up different pipe sections so that when water begins to flow, you direct it to the drain. This version includes nicely updated graphics and over 300 different levels, so it is quite an upgrade over the free versions you’ll find online. - ship

Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25)
Purchase At Amazon $19.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25)

Silent Hill Homecoming Dev. Double Helix Pub. Konami Systems: PC, 360, PS3 MSRP: $59.99
Like a static-filled radio, a lot of Silent Hill fans were frightened to hear that the development of Homecoming was being handled by an American studio, but I have faith that the guys behind the Buffy the Vampire Xbox game have the chops to make a killer game. They’ve incorporated a more standard control scheme so your character will actually be able to move like a modern video game character and not like one of those Radio Shack remote control cars that only drives straight and turns whenever you go in reverse. Seems like those new controls could come in handy should faceless nurses start shuffling about. Though I know we all wish this game revolved around an awkward high school dance gone awry, the story is actually centered around a soldier who returns home to find that members of his family have gone missing. Guess where he ends up searching. Hey, maybe that guy with that giant triangular mask and blood drenched clothes has seen them. Let’s ask. - ship

Purchase At Amazon $56.99 (Free shipping)
Purchase At GameStop $59.99 (Free Silent Hill DVD)
Purchase At Best Buy $59.99 (Free Silent Hill DVD)
Purchase At Circuit City $59.99 (Free Pyramid Head keychain)
Purchase At Amazon $56.99 (Free shipping)
Purchase At GameStop $59.99 (Free Silent Hill DVD)
Purchase At Best Buy $59.99 (Free Silent Hill DVD)
Purchase At Circuit City $59.99 (Free Pyramid Head keychain)



Wii

Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility Dev. Marvelous Pub. Natsume Systems: Wii MSRP: $49.99
Harvest Moon gets a whole new look with this softer, 3D Wii version of the popular franchise. It’s got a more Animal Crossing or My Sims camera to it, but the basic farming gameplay remains the same save the Wii-mote controls. According to reviewers, there isn’t much spectacularly new with this title, as everyone seems to be focusing on the upcoming Rune Factory titles for the Wii and DS. Still, the cover art alone was enough to make me almost pre-order the game from the nice, but clueless GS employee. – mrs. ship

Purchase At Amazon $46.99 (Free shipping)

We Cheer Dev. Namco Bandai Pub. Namco Bandai Systems: Wii MSRP: $39.99
Shiny, smiling Bratz-looking girls lead the gamer through dance team and cheerleading routines that rival the Laker Girls’. I guess this game should be described as a rhythm-based dance game, as it looks a lot like Elite Beat Agents and Samba de Amigo as far as how the movements are created on-screen. Of course, the game is controlled with two wii-motes, one in each hand instead of taping buttons along with the beat. The song list is largely made up of songs that our musically challenged audience won’t recognize, but there’s a few that might ring a bell mixed in: KC & The Sunshine Band’s “That’s the Way (I Like It) and Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) by C&C Music Factory. Don’t be fooled though, it’s mostly tween music; the rendition of Walking on Sunshine heard singing in the Nintendo video is Aly & AJ, who are just too hip and new even for my iPod. – mrs. ship

Purchase At Amazon $36.99 (Free shipping)
Purchase At GameStop $39.99 (Free pom-poms)



DS

Margot's Word Brain Dev. Pub. Zoo Games Systems: DS MSRP: $14.99
(Deja Preview) My first thoughts with previewing this game were “Who’s Margot?” and “Why does she have a new video game?”. Apparently no one else knows who she is either, which is why the game description pins her as “the new videogame queen of word play!” Did we have an old videogame queen of word play? Anyway, this game includes 6 word-based edutainment puzzles and a librarian-looking lady with bland graphics. The pricetags of $15 and $20 for the DS and Wii, respectively, aren’t bad, but you’ll get what you pay for. – mrs. ship

Purchase At Amazon $14.99 (Free shipping on orders over $25)

Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation Dev. Koei Pub. Koei Systems: DS MSRP: $29.99
This game actually got good reviews this week with it’s Hello Kitty-looking graphic style (the game’s Japanese origin is quite evident) and fashion-friendly gameplay. The whole goal of the game is to design your own clothing line, supply your fashions to customers, and manage your boutique and employees. It’s a design sim with surprisingly heavy simulation elements. Although some of the controls are a bit weird on the DS and the translations are fair at best, this seems like a decent game. However, I just can’t bring myself to recommend anyone but the developer’s mother buy the game at the full-price cost of $30. – mrs. ship

Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping)

Princess Debut Dev. Cave Pub. Natsume Systems: DS MSRP: $29.99
Doe-eyed Natsume characters abound in this new title, the second rhythm-based music game of the week. Instead of cheerleaders, you play as a princess who’s trying to learn ballroom dancing steps in order to woo her prince. If getting the most gameplay for your buck is critical, then this title’s 14 different endings might make for good replay value. The game is controlled with the stylus and the touchscreen. The stylus is used to make patterns that mimic the dance steps you’re trying to create, and is simlar (sorry to use this reference again) to Elite Beat Agents. If you have a girl gamer looking for a good rhythm-based princess game, than this game is worth buying. – mrs. ship

Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping)

Sonic Chronicles: Dark Brotherhood Dev. BioWare Pub. SEGA Systems: DS MSRP: $34.99
I find myself having a really hard time trying to get excited about an RPG based upon Sonic the Hedgehog. I want to be pumped, I really do, but I’d rather hang out with those annoying people in the Sonic drive-in commercials than most of the crew Sonic chooses to associate with. Sure, maybe that has something to do with delicious Orange CreamSlushes and the humor associated with watching awkward waitresses on roller skates slam into glass doors, but I should really steer this preview back towards the deliciously awkward blend of an anthropomorphic 90’s platforming star with a turn-based JRPG… made by Canadians. So the whole thing is stylus controlled. You explore familiar looking Sonic environments and must use the skills of your allies to gain access to different areas (I knew there was a reason Sonic hung out with these freaks) so you can track down all the Chaos Emeralds. I’m not sure how those went missing again, but I blame Big the Cat because, well, he has no redeeming qualities. Battles take place in traditional turn-based fashion, but special moves are performed and defended by Elite Beat Agent style tapping and dragging of the Stylus. The little Chao creatures also return as stat boosters that can be paired with your characters and traded wirelessly with other players. Which I'm sure you'll be able to trade Chao with me, as I know I won't be able to keep myself from buying this. - ship

Purchase At Amazon $34.99 (Free shipping)
Purchase At GameStop $34.99 (Free Sonic stylus 3-pack)
Purchase At Circuit City $34.99 (Free Sonic DS skin)

Unsolved Crimes Dev. Now Production Pub. Empire Interactive Systems: DS MSRP: $29.99
While the graphics of this new point-and-click adventure title look similar to Hotel Dusk, the gameplay relies on analysis of the crime-scene in a much heavier fashion. It’s almost a weird conglomeration of Phoenix Wright and Hotel Dusk. As you search through scenes, there’s also “quizzes” of sorts (similar to the wrap-ups in Hotel Dusk) that ensure that you know what’s going on as you play. The graphics look nice for the DS, and this game is certainly one genre that hasn’t been overdone on the DS (like, say, animal sims or rhythm-based dancing games), so I’m looking forward to trying it out. – mrs. ship

Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping)



PSP

Valhalla Knights 2 Dev. K2 Pub. Xseed Games Systems: PSP MSRP: $29.99
This sequel to the action role-playing game most likely never to be played by most everyone is a whole lot more of all the stuff you didn’t play the first time around. You’ve got your almost MMORPG set-up of wandering around town and performing quests, your different species and job classes, and your pretty mundane combat in an uninspiring looking battle arena. There’s just more of everything. Bring a friend along in local versus or co-op modes. I think they kept it local so you could physically nudge the person your playing with back awake. - ship

Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping)



PS2

Mortal Kombat Kollection Dev. Midway Pub. Midway Systems: PS2 MSRP: $29.99
(Deja Preview) Midway dialed up a kombination of Deception, Armageddon, and Shaolin Monks and put them into one toasty package. All total, that's two fighting games, one beat 'em-up, Chess Kombat, Puzzle Kombat, and Motor Kombat. Could be the perfect kompilation to get the blood flowing prior to the upcoming Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. - ship

Purchase At Amazon $29.99 (Free shipping)




On The DL

Art Style: ORBIENT Systems: WiiWare MSRP: $6
A really simplified mixture of Katamari and FLOW where you control planetoids and pick up other smaller spheres while moving around the orbits of larger planets. Or as Soulja Boy would say… this is a game for people who smoke or people who drink. - ship

Bomberman Blast Systems: WiiWare MSRP: $10
In addition to classic Bomberman action, there are a couple of new modes and power-ups that can be played with up to eight people locally or online. There’s an Air Raid mode where you don’t actually lay bombs, but must dodge bombs falling from above and a King mode which is Bomberman’s version of King of the Hill. Last, but not least, there is Mii support. I’m going to look adorable running around with little pink balls for hands. - ship

Super Turrican 2 Systems: Wii VC (SNES) MSRP: $8
Turrican returns to the Virtual Console for a third tour of duty and he’s ready for some more shooting and platforming. I’m not. - ship

Mega Man 9 Systems: XBLA MSRP: $10
(Deja Preview) Do you have what it takes to defeat all eight robot masters? For the ninth time? While it’s nice to have Mega Man go back to just being Mega Man, I don’t know if 8-bit nostalgia works for a brand new game. Especially when downloadable content is going to creep this one up near the $20 range when it is all said and done. - ship

War World Systems: XBLA MSRP: $10
Originally a 2006 PC game, this fast-paced mech shooter looks pretty impressive for a $10 XBLA game. With over 100 single player levels and four different multiplayer modes that support eight robojocks online, I think this could fill a little bit of that MechAssault void. - ship


Feedback:
Did we miss a good sale on a game? Did we miss previewing a game completely? Well, the only way that everyone can know a better deal is out there is to let us know about it. Post deals you've found or games that we missed in the thread so that CAGs can make sure they are getting the absolute best prices on new releases.

oh yeah!

how can misses ship spend 10 minutes in her car on a 3 minute drive the math confuses me. also nice podcast

Four useless observations:

- Why isn't We Cheer spelled, "Wii" ?!?

- Between that Pop Cutie, Margot, and Princess Debut, it's a tough week to be a man.

- I thought Margot looked like SuperNanny.

- Natsume cover art is veering dangerously close to 'Precious Moments' territory. See second observation.

Originally Posted by paintball745 how can misses ship spend 10 minutes in her car on a 3 minute drive the math confuses me. also nice podcast

Duh, she warms up the car for seven minutes. Next question!

Haven't listened yet but I think coming out on Wednesday's, if possible, is the best solution as most games seem to ship on Tuesday's right now and get to stores on Wednesday. I know each of the next 6 weeks there's a game I want/already paid for and they all get to stores on Wednesday (NBA 2K9, SOCOM, Fable 2, Fallout 3, GoW 2, CoD: WatW.)

What game is the opening tune from?

Originally Posted by infamyRISE What game is the opening tune from?

I dunno... For some reason, it reminds me of Streets of Rage.

Originally Posted by infamyRISE What game is the opening tune from?

Sonic Pinball from what I remember

Oh yeah... From one of the old school Sonic games!
Sonic Chronicles just came out.

Man, Mrs. Ship was awfully cranky. I know she has had to review a lot of crap games lately, but she seemed more annoyed with Ship than usual.

Silent Hill has been bum raped by Pyramid Head D:
The only interesting game that is coming out looks like Unsolved Crimes and Valhalla Knights 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn you two must spend a lot of money on video games every week.

I think the game that was Tony Hawk but on water was Kelly Slater.

Quote: Originally Posted by infamyRISE What game is the opening tune from? Sonic Pinball from what I remember

I think it was Sonic 2, from one the chemical/industrial type zones

Originally Posted by Mahoney07 Damn you two must spend a lot of money on video games every week.

That should read "Damn Shipwreck must spend a lot of money on video games every week.

Originally Posted by thorbahn3 I think the game that was Tony Hawk but on water was Kelly Slater.

Close, while I did play that one as well, this is the game we were thinking of:



Good ol' Shaun Murray.

Okay, Ship: If you aren't reviewing "Pretty Pink Ponyz: Superstar Preteen Girl Power" for the DS next week, I will be sorely disappointed.
This is the first time that I had to stop listening halfway through the podcast because I just couldn't take the hostility.

Man up. Buy Mrs. Shipwreck something pretty. Review half of the stupid games. It's just that easy.
I'll hesitantly look forward to next week...

I'm definitely gonna look into that Amagon game at some point. They dont make enough games unfairly difficult anymore.

It's called vignetting

It's common in action sports filming when a fisheye lens is used to make the trick look bigger.