The Best Of 2004, The Japanese Speak..

[thelastword]

Well it seems that the japanese have stated what they thought was best in 2004, an interesting list from Famitsu...

Famitsu magazine has recently conducted a reader survey for the Top 10 favorite games in 2004, Square Enix's Dragon Quest VIII for PS2 is chosen as readers' favorite game last year, here are the details:

Dragon Quest VIII (PS2, Square Enix) - 9.36 / 10 points
- Pros: Great graphics, intense battles, interesting action
- Cons: Easy to get lost in the field, battles too long
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2, Konami) - 9.27 / 10 points
- Pros: Many new abilities, interesting history, good graphics
- Cons: Too difficulty, story too short, bad camera angles
Dragon Quest V (PS2, Square Enix) - 9.13 / 10 points
- Pros: Good graphics, great monster animation, one does not recognize the game is a remake
- Cons: Not enough extra features, game price too high (8190 yen),
Gyakuten Saiban 3 (GBA, Capcom) - 9.10 points
Ridge Racers (PSP, Namco) - 9.04 points
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 11 (PS2, Konami) - 9.03 points
Dead or Alive Ultimate (Xbox, Tecmo) - 9.03 points
Phntom Brave (PS2, Nippon Ichi) - 9.03 points
Onimusha 3 (PS2, Capcom) - 8.97 points
Grand Theft Auto Vice City (PS2, Capcom) - 8.95 points
Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (GBA, Nintendo) - 8.87 points
Ninja Gaiden (Xbox, Tecmo) - 8.86 points
Halo 2 (Xbox, Microsoft) 8.84 points
Legend of Zelda: The Four Swords + (GC, Nintendo) - 8.83 points
Nobunaga's Ambition: Tenka Zousei (PS2, Koei) - 8.83 points
Pawapuro Kun Pocket 1 & 2 (GBA, Konami) - 8.83 points
Tales of Rebirth (PS2, Namco) - 8.81 points
Metroid Zero Mission (GBA, Nintendo) - 8.80 points
Winning Eleven 8 (PS2, Konami) - 8.77 points
Sawaru Made in Wario (NDS, Nintendo) - 8.74 points
Dragon Quest seems to be a heavy gunner does'nt it, can't wait to try it out later this year, since I have never played one before. There's just no question that Metal Gear solid 3 is the best in the series so far and the Japanese readers voted to say so. Onimusha 3 seems to be quite popular as well, cant believe I have'nt played this one yet, part two was excellent though. What do you guys think of this list.....

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I think Metal Gear Solid 3 is too high on this list. IMO, Splinter Cell has taken over as the top stealth/action title, and as long as MGS continues to have those crappy camera angles, it will stay this way.

Kind of surprised DOA Ultimate was rated higher than Ninja Gaiden. Also surprised to see Halo 2 on the list, since the Japanese "supposedly" do not care for FPS.

[Superjoint Ritual]

I can't believe Vice City, and Halo 2 is on that list... Let the western corruption begin! ;)

Even more amazing is, 1 GC game, 3 Xbox games. :eek:

[Mochan]

It's all about Gyakuten Saiban!!!!

Gyakuten Saiban (http://mochan.ionichost.com/Obj_Nar.swf?InputStr=My%20Game%20Rules!)

[thelastword]

Well I don't know how many people read famitsu over there, but I figure it might be their most popular magazine, so the popularity vote should be accurate enough. It's true that nintendo's Gc did'nt fare all that well, but there are a few gba/ds games on the list to compensate I guess..

[ilnadmy]

I think Metal Gear Solid 3 is too high on this list. IMO, Splinter Cell has taken over as the top stealth/action title

Well that's just your opinion, isn't it?

and as long as MGS continues to have those crappy camera angles, it will stay this way.

Can you enlighten me on the crappy camera angles? Or are you just referring to what the Japanese saw as a con? After all, they thought its story was too short too, but Xbots never tire of pointing out how long and annoying MGS's cutscenes are.

[Mochan]

You lie! (http://mochan.ionichost.com/Obj_Kar.swf?InputStr=They%20lie!%20The%20cutscenes %20are%20not%20%20too%20short!)

[ilnadmy]

You lie! (http://mochan.ionichost.com/Obj_Kar.swf?InputStr=They%20lie!%20The%20cutscenes %20are%20not%20%20too%20short!)

All I get when I click on the link is "You do not have access to this document."

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Well that's just your opinion, isn't it?

Of course it is. Didn't you see the "IMO" in my statement?



Can you enlighten me on the crappy camera angles? Or are you just referring to what the Japanese saw as a con? After all, they thought its story was too short too, but Xbots never tire of pointing out how long and annoying MGS's cutscenes are.

Save your Xbot crap for an actual Xbot.

As far as MGS3, I do go on others opinion of the game. I had the overall disappointing title, and I had no problem with the cutscenes since they (and the story) were better than MGS2. For the camera angle, hell yeah it's crappy. For a stealth game, it's important to be able to see what's going on, and with MGS, the camera is always focused on Snake instead of the important things, like his surroundings. Holding a couple of buttons just to look forward and see an enemy wh's been staring at me for a few minutes doesn't help either. A behind the shoulder camera like Splinter Cell or even Spy Fiction would fix that problem instantly, but hey, if you like the camera on Snake instead of his surrounding (something other stealth games get right---even the crappy ones) go ahead and enjoy it. I will no longer waste my time with the series until they can get a simple thing like the camera angle fixed.

[Superjoint Ritual]

As far as MGS3, I do go on others opinion of the game. I had the overall disappointing title, and I had no problem with the cutscenes since they (and the story) were better than MGS2. For the camera angle, hell yeah it's crappy. For a stealth game, it's important to be able to see what's going on, and with MGS, the camera is always focused on Snake instead of the important things, like his surroundings. Holding a couple of buttons just to look forward and see an enemy wh's been staring at me for a few minutes doesn't help either. A behind the shoulder camera like Splinter Cell or even Spy Fiction would fix that problem instantly, but hey, if you like the camera on Snake instead of his surrounding (something other stealth games get right---even the crappy ones) go ahead and enjoy it. I will no longer waste my time with the series until they can get a simple thing like the camera angle fixed. Completley agree. Why did Resident Evil get all that crap about its camera angles, yet MGS doesn't ? There almost identically frustrating. But you can make excuses for the RE games because it added to the survival horror feel. A stealth game requires you to be able to SEE where you are going. It really sucks when an enemy can see you and start shooting at you before you see him. It also has some of the slowest gameplay ever, a stupid story, and ridiculous characters... I mean, the hornet guy was something I would expect to see in a Mega Man game, for chirst sake.

Horrible game. Maybe the worst fifty bucks I've ever spent this gen.

[ilnadmy]

Completley agree. Why did Resident Evil get all that crap about its camera angles, yet MGS doesn't ? There almost identically frustrating. But you can make excuses for the RE games because it added to the survival horror feel. A stealth game requires you to be able to SEE where you are going. It really sucks when an enemy can see you and start shooting at you before you see him. It also has some of the slowest gameplay ever, a stupid story, and ridiculous characters... I mean, the hornet guy was something I would expect to see in a Mega Man game, for chirst sake.

Horrible game. Maybe the worst fifty bucks I've ever spent this gen.

Well first of all, you can make the argument, similar to RE, that the angles increase the suspense, since you can't see in front of you. However, you actually can see in front of you. Press R1, and voila. Also, whenever you're up against a wall or a tree, you can see what lies beyond. Plus, all the other games had the radar which allowed you to see where the soldiers were and where they were looking, while MGS3 has the motion detector, the sonar, and the proximity sensor.

Plus, I believe that to get the graphics that they have in the game, they needed to use those camera angles.

But yeah...the hornet dude was stupid, even though he really wasn't in the story at all.

However, it WAS a great game. I loved every minute of it.

[Mochan]

Weird, this site's linking doesn't allow me to access the files? Looks like you have to paste the entire link instead. Weird.


http://mochan.ionichost.com/Obj_Nar.swf?InputStr=My%20Game%20Rules!

[Glockstar]

Completley agree. Why did Resident Evil get all that crap about its camera angles, yet MGS doesn't ? There almost identically frustrating. But you can make excuses for the RE games because it added to the survival horror feel. A stealth game requires you to be able to SEE where you are going. It really sucks when an enemy can see you and start shooting at you before you see him. It also has some of the slowest gameplay ever, a stupid story, and ridiculous characters... I mean, the hornet guy was something I would expect to see in a Mega Man game, for chirst sake.

Horrible game. Maybe the worst fifty bucks I've ever spent this gen.

Holy #@$%! We agree on something!

Because there seemed to be almost no improvements over the previous MGCs - contrary to what "they'd" have you believe - I'm calling it the worst one of them all.

In the story, I loved it when HQ gives Snake his codename saying, 'We don't want anybody intercepting our transmissions, so it's radio silence from here on out - unless it's an extreme emergency - and no using real names.' Then they go on to get Snakes first crush on the radio where they get all mushy with each other and talk like teenagers on their cellphone for a couple of hours! HAW!

And the gameplay is equally assinine. I remember making an oopsie right in front of a patrolling guard - hitting the wrong button making Snake stand up from out of hiding in these tall weeds - directly in front of this guard who's headed right towards me and who's looking right at me and who's not more than 12 feet away - it's broad daylight and he doesn't even notice me! That's smart.

Then I stab at few snakes and mice and make lunch. :rolleyes:

Stupid effing game.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I actually meant to say I don't go on other's opinions of MGS3 or any other game.



Well first of all, you can make the argument, similar to RE, that the angles increase the suspense, since you can't see in front of you. However, you actually can see in front of you. Press R1, and voila. Also, whenever you're up against a wall or a tree, you can see what lies beyond. Plus, all the other games had the radar which allowed you to see where the soldiers were and where they were looking, while MGS3 has the motion detector, the sonar, and the proximity sensor.


Why even have gamers go to the trouble if pressing a button just to see right in front of them? Everytime I played it, I had to take a couple of steps and press L1, take a few more, and press L1 again, just to see who is near you. Talk about bad pacing for a game. Personally, I liked the fact that they took away the radar (the others weren't that useful to me, unless it was finding food), but no matter how much they did with MGS3, the lack of a simple thing as a good view is very disappointing.

Plus, I believe that to get the graphics that they have in the game, they needed to use those camera angles.

I think that's a bad excuse. The graphics had nothing to do with the camera angles, at least in my opinion. The devs were too lazy to redo the game engine, so they used the same one from MGS2 and 'modified' it (if you want to call it that) for MGS3. I expect them to do better MGS4.

[Mochan]

I didn't like MGS3 either. MGS seems to be getting worse as they go along. The first was the best, the 2nd, while having improved graphics, just weirded itself out, and the characters weren't as strong as MGS1's. 3 I haven't really played yet, I got sick of it early on. Killing crocodiles was so lame. And so was Snake's reaction! "I just ate this crocodile... it tastes good!"

They seemed to be going for a little extra realism and were letting go of the "wow" unreal action factor of the first two games. I didn't like this as it made it feel like they were going more for the kind of game I expect on PCs (like Splinter Cell). Overall the game didn't work for me, nor for my best friend who shared the same sentiments ("I wasted $40 on this game blah blah blah!!!") I'll have to play it further though to really judge, but at this rate I won't have time to play it since it's low on my list of priorities from the poor showing.

[Jupiter_x]

Well first of all, you can make the argument, similar to RE, that the angles increase the suspense, since you can't see in front of you. However, you actually can see in front of you. Press R1, and voila. Also, whenever you're up against a wall or a tree, you can see what lies beyond. Plus, all the other games had the radar which allowed you to see where the soldiers were and where they were looking, while MGS3 has the motion detector, the sonar, and the proximity sensor.

Plus, I believe that to get the graphics that they have in the game, they needed to use those camera angles.

But yeah...the hornet dude was stupid, even though he really wasn't in the story at all.

However, it WAS a great game. I loved every minute of it.

MGS3 is fantastic, it has a different flavor to it than its predecessors...either way I am intrigued by it! However I am not one to like the camera angles in MGS games, in this game especially. The part where you have to avoid Ocelots men near that old factory at the beginning of the game had me so angry because I would not take the chance to use the hiding spots and use stealth to move around due to bad camera angles and not seeing some enemies hiding and sneaking around that area!

If MGS used Splinter Cells Camera angles...it would literally be the perfect game!

[Mochan]

It's that change in flavor that turned me off. It felt more like Splinter Cell and less like Metal Gear Solid. I'd still rather play Thief for this kind of game.

[Jupiter_x]

It's that change in flavor that turned me off. It felt more like Splinter Cell and less like Metal Gear Solid. I'd still rather play Thief for this kind of game.

Thief...Yes, this game is one of the greatest Stealth games ever! Splinter Cell CT is not far behind though! The one problem with SC games though are lack of interesting story...way to serious....Tom Clancy's world I guess!

[Mochan]

Definitely. Splinter Cell's weakness is in its plot, too bland and dry. This is where Metal Gear Solid kicks it all over the place. And of course the characters as well.

Thief had a cool story/setting and great presentation to go with it. Thief: The Dark Project still ranks as one of my favorite games of all time with its awesome, innovating gameplay, original look and feel, great audio and its overall quality. This game had class and personality! Now I'm eagerly awaiting Thief 4. :)

[Jupiter_x]

Definitely. Splinter Cell's weakness is in its plot, too bland and dry. This is where Metal Gear Solid kicks it all over the place. And of course the characters as well.

Thief had a cool story/setting and great presentation to go with it. Thief: The Dark Project still ranks as one of my favorite games of all time with its awesome, innovating gameplay, original look and feel, great audio and its overall quality. This game had class and personality! Now I'm eagerly awaiting Thief 4. :)


I hope...Trying not to bash Theif 3 here...but I hope Thief 4 has bigger worlds with no load times in between...just like Thief the Dark Project! but with killer visuals!

Yes "The Dark Project" is one of my all time favorites as well!

[Gadfly2317]

It's all about Gyakuten Saiban!!!!

Gyakuten Saiban (http://mochan.ionichost.com/Obj_Nar.swf?InputStr=My%20Game%20Rules!)

This game can't make it over to the DS for its US release date fast enough as far as I'm concerned.

Also glad to see Zelda Four Swords get some respect somewhere. . . a highly over looked and very cool game. . . I can't believe that NONE of the GC fans here, that I know of, have played this game. It is great as a single player game. It reminded me of how sometimes a song reworked by a DJ can be very cool but totally different than the original. This game was like some trippy remix of Zelda: LttP with Windwaker effects mixed over the original graphics, and the game remixed as an arcade-ish level-based game, rather than a non-linear action adventure.

[GameLegend]

Hey, I havent played MGS:3, but just a thought,...
If they made MGS2 or 3 or any other stealth game here me out...
On the DS theres an extra screen, then you'll have another ANGLE to see the action, i dunno, it was make it much easier for the player rather than pressing one button, hmm R1 to look in front of u or something. What if the first person view was on the second screen. Or just simply the radar, dunno its just a thought.

Or is that too much power for DS to handheld?

[Pandarbock]

This game can't make it over to the DS for its US release date fast enough as far as I'm concerned.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney as it will be called here, I am not sure I see what is getting you so worked up about this game. I usually agree with alot of what you say and follow your reasoning, but I don't know that no matter how hard I try that I could get worked up or ever give a court room drama game a play through. Is there something I am missing about this game that makes it a must play, or are you just secretly wanting to be a lawyer ;)

[Mochan]

Thief 4, should it become a reality, will likely have no more load times. The current thrust in next gen FPS is to completely obliterate loadtimes. Boiling Point and Stalker are supposed to eradicate loading altogether, and Farcry in the current gen only had load times at the start of each stage despite its mammoth environments.

Thief 4 will more than likely be able to obliterate load times altogether.

[Mochan]

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney as it will be called here, I am not sure I see what is getting you so worked up about this game. I usually agree with alot of what you say and follow your reasoning, but I don't know that no matter how hard I try that I could get worked up or ever give a court room drama game a play through. Is there something I am missing about this game that makes it a must play, or are you just secretly wanting to be a lawyer ;)

http://mochan.ionichost.com/Obj_God.swf?InputStr=Actually,%20I%20dont%20know%2 0whats%20good%20about%20this%20game%20either!

[Pandarbock]

http://mochan.ionichost.com/Obj_God.swf?InputStr=Actually,%20I%20dont%20know%2 0whats%20good%20about%20this%20game%20either!


http://mochan.ionichost.com/Obj_God.swf?InputStr=Maybe%20it%20loves%20you%20lo ng%20time?

[Gadfly2317]

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney as it will be called here, I am not sure I see what is getting you so worked up about this game. I usually agree with alot of what you say and follow your reasoning, but I don't know that no matter how hard I try that I could get worked up or ever give a court room drama game a play through. Is there something I am missing about this game that makes it a must play, or are you just secretly wanting to be a lawyer ;)

I've just never played a game that looks like this. It's popular in Japan and I get the idea that its a pretty cool and original game. I just like doing new stuff. But yeah, I do secretly want to be a lawyer; even thought about taking the LSAT just to see how I would do, but frankly, at this point I'm just to lazy to put myself through that, and I can't stomach the idea of any more student loan payments.

I don't know that I'm "worked up" over this particular title, but I do very much want to play it. At this point, lets be frank, the DS has had an anemic bit of software, and as much as I love several things on it, there is still nothing with any depth. So I see a game like this popular well reviewed well selling (in Japan anyway) Capcom Lawyer game, and I'm like "GIMME IT PLEASE NOW."

[Pandarbock]

I've just never played a game that looks like this. It's popular in Japan and I get the idea that its a pretty cool and original game. I just like doing new stuff. But yeah, I do secretly want to be a lawyer; even thought about taking the LSAT just to see how I would do, but frankly, at this point I'm just to lazy to put myself through that, and I can't stomach the idea of any more student loan payments.

I don't know that I'm "worked up" over this particular title, but I do very much want to play it. At this point, lets be frank, the DS has had an anemic bit of software, and as much as I love several things on it, there is still nothing with any depth. So I see a game like this popular well reviewed well selling (in Japan anyway) Capcom Lawyer game, and I'm like "GIMME IT PLEASE NOW."

I saw a trailor for that namco surgery game which has now been renamed somethingarather: under the knife and i think it looks fun, so i guess i should not be to hard on you about a lawyer sim thingy.

[Mochan]

Me too! (http://tinyurl.com/9tewk)

[Gadfly2317]

I saw a trailor for that namco surgery game which has now been renamed somethingarather: under the knife and i think it looks fun, so i guess i should not be to hard on you about a lawyer sim thingy.

I thought the surgery game was by Atlus, Caduceus. Wonder why they'd want to rename that? A little obscure; or is the Caduceus not actually the correct symbol for medicine (there's more than one snake/staff symbol)?

Not to go off topic, well, ok. . . to go off topic, have you heard any info about when some of these games are actually coming over from Japan or coming out at all? Electroplankton? I downloaded the japanese TV ad, but haven't heard a peep over here. And Another Code? Or even Nintendogs? Nintendo is finally creating some original (non-Mario/Zelda) content and I'm getting more than a little impatient to get my hands on it.

And it'll be nice when finally some creative third party stuff is available too, Square, Capcom, Atlus. . . and whoever's doing the version of Age of Empires (please please do it right and don't just slop it onto the DS.)