So I bought Lost in Blue...

[trebor]

I impulse bought Lost in Blue this weekend (along with my long sought after copy of Ikaruga) and I've given it a couple hours so far.

For those who don't know, Lost in Blue is a survival rpg based on a deserted island. Story goes, you're on a cruise ship and theres a big storm, yadda yadda yadda, you're stranded on a deserted island. A day later a chick gets stranded too - cue the 70's porn music. Only problem is that you accidentally smash her eye-glasses, so now she is practically blind - whoops.

Anyhoo, the gameplay is mix of resource gathering/management, exploration, health management, escorting your chicky poo, and time management. You have to keep an eye on your fatigue, thirst and hunger, cause if you don't you'll probably die. Plus, you have to keep an eye on the chick's stats too, or she'll die. As you might be able to infer, if you or her die, the game's over.

The best way I can describe this game is Harvest Moon has a date with Pikmin 1 and later on meets Animal Crossing for drinks. The resource gathering management is very, very much like Harvest Moon - you HAVE to employ a strategy or you'll waste too much of the day. The time management is very similar to Harvest Moon and Pikmin 1 - you have a finite time everyday to accomplish your tasks. The exploration is quite similar to Pikmin. Lastly, resource gathering is reminiscent of Animal Crossing - fishing, collecting fruits (coconuts), and shells (clams).

The collective reviews don't really do this game justice, since it's a pretty unique game, I'm not surprised the collective assclowns of the videogame press can't digest this title. I'd have to say that if you like Harvest Moon and Pikmin, you'd like this game quite a bit. I'm looking at you , Gadfly. ;)

[Gadfly2317]

Glad you picked it up Trebor. I'm still thinking about it despite so so reviews. This kind of game seems to rarely be able to pull off better scores.

That said, I've already spent my October money on Trauma Center, Phoenix Wright, and Metroid Pinball. (and Maybe Capcom Classics Collection.) That's enough for now. I'm just not buying as many games as I used to. Lost in Blue would have been my pic over the other two that came out last week: Lunar and Trace Memories.

[trebor]

I'm really enjoying Lost in Blue right now, there is a huge amount of content to be found here. I'm actually enjoying the gameplay more then Harvest Moon at the moment, which I consider to be the closest to Lost in Blue in terms of gameplay mechanics. Plus, there is a reasonable amount of replayability with multiple endings and being able to play as the chick, once one beats the game.

I've decided that Another Code is strictly going to be a renter for me. I'm not going to bother with Lunar.

What has me sweating right now, though, is that Trauma Center is shipping soon, Phoenix Wright has just shipped, Metroid Pinball is shipping soon, and in a month Mario Kart DS is launching. That's 4 must-have games and I'm not even counting what's on the GC. I'm going to need to pawn off some crap just to justify buying all these games!

[Gadfly2317]

I'm really enjoying Lost in Blue right now, there is a huge amount of content to be found here. I'm actually enjoying the gameplay more then Harvest Moon at the moment, which I consider to be the closest to Lost in Blue in terms of gameplay mechanics. Plus, there is a reasonable amount of replayability with multiple endings and being able to play as the chick, once one beats the game.

I've decided that Another Code is strictly going to be a renter for me. I'm not going to bother with Lunar.

What has me sweating right now, though, is that Trauma Center is shipping soon, Phoenix Wright has just shipped, Metroid Pinball is shipping soon, and in a month Mario Kart DS is launching. That's 4 must-have games and I'm not even counting what's on the GC. I'm going to need to pawn off some crap just to justify buying all these games!

I know. . .it's insane the must-haves between now and december. Trauma Center's early reviews are all positive, all ranging between 80-90; but again, its not the score, its WHAT they are saying about the game, and I'm just itching until tomorrow or wednesday or whenever it comes out.

Post some more on Lost in Blue when you get a chance. I liked the Harvest Moon games; I'm curious how long this one will hold your attention, especially with the October flood. (I think Shogun Warriors also comes out in October, but I've already pre-payed the games I have to have.)

[Renzatic Gear]

I've only heard one thing about it that didn't strike me as being all that fun...the fact that your chick companion won't eat or drink unless you're around to spoon feed her. Beyond that the game seems amazingly cool in all regards, and I intend on picking it up soon.

[trebor]

I've only heard one thing about it that didn't strike me as being all that fun...the fact that your chick companion won't eat or drink unless you're around to spoon feed her. Beyond that the game seems amazingly cool in all regards, and I intend on picking it up soon.

There is actually a reason the chick won't eat on her own...she's blind and can't really go anywhere without you leading her there. It adds a bit to the strategy, since you can't really leave for too long without tending to her.

It's actually kind of funny, the main character goes around exploring the island and gathering/hunting food, and when he gets home to the cave he lounges around while she cooks dinner for him.

As far as general gameply, it's mixed between exploration and mini-games - except the minigames directly relate to the task at hand. For instance, you use the touch screen to dig in the sand to uncover clams or in the dirt to dig up carrots or potatos. To build a fire, it's a combination of using the right/left trigger buttons to rotate the stick on the "fire starter" and then you blow into the mic to get a flame going from the heat. Spearing fish requires you to "spear" the fish with the stylus when you think you can do it.

I'm honestly surprised at how much I'm enjoying the game right now.

[trebor]

Ok, I need to geek out a moment here...I haven't been so enamored with a game in a long, long time. Lost in Blue is far and away has blown away my expectations. When I'm seriously considering bringing my DS to work, so I can play during my lunch hour and such, then it MUST be a great game.

Frankly, it's such a fresh and different style of game that it's really keeping my attention. There are no ludicrous mini-games, like in Feel the Magic - all the mini-games directly relate to what you are doing. There are no enemies to kill or mysteries to solve. Yet, there is an inherent amount of strategy and exploration.

I'm so taken with Lost in Blue right now that I don't think I'll be needing to buy Phoenix Wright or Trauma Center for quite a while, so it takes some of the pressure off my wallet. :)

[Gadfly2317]

Ok, I need to geek out a moment here...I haven't been so enamored with a game in a long, long time. Lost in Blue is far and away has blown away my expectations. When I'm seriously considering bringing my DS to work, so I can play during my lunch hour and such, then it MUST be a great game.

Frankly, it's such a fresh and different style of game that it's really keeping my attention. There are no ludicrous mini-games, like in Feel the Magic - all the mini-games directly relate to what you are doing. There are no enemies to kill or mysteries to solve. Yet, there is an inherent amount of strategy and exploration.

I'm so taken with Lost in Blue right now that I don't think I'll be needing to buy Phoenix Wright or Trauma Center for quite a while, so it takes some of the pressure off my wallet. :)

Dammit Trebor, I'm trying to cut down on the games I'm picking up. Lost in Blue was already tempting enough without you adding fuel to the fire!

As if Phoenix Wright, Trauma Center and Metroid Pinball weren't already enough this month, I'm considering Castlevania DS, and also for PsP Virtua Tennis and Popolcrois.