[Wii] Alien Syndrome (First impressions)

[srobert]

Anybody else looking forward to Sega's Alien syndrome for a quick action packed 4 friends mayhem Wii session?

It looks like it's Smash TV meets Alien with Contra like weapons a dose of RPG elements added (Upgrading you character, droid sidekick and weapons).

It sounds very nice in theory. I hope the game turns out to be good.

There is no online mode but this is the kind of game I like to play with friends in the flesh. Our 4 players X-Men Legends sessions on the Cube were hilarious. Stupid Karl kept getting stuck behinds stairs slowing down the group. "Hey! Wait for me guys!" ^_^)

I can't find much info about the control scheme but I'm hoping for: A) Move around with the Nunchuck, B) Point at the bad guy you want to shoot using the Wii remote, C) Press "A" to fire.

Alien Syndrome
Published by: SEGA
Genre: Action RPG
US: July 24, 2007
Europe: August, 2007
MSRP: $49.99

There is also a PSP version coming out but it looks like it will have less features.

[JackAxe]

I be getting this game.

<]=)

[MacRumorUser]

I be getting this game.

He's turned into a pirate. Errr OK Captain JackAxe.

I be getting :rolleyes::p

[Dagless]

Avast ye, I wasn't looking for't another co-op. But play I might.

[Sdashiki]

They are making the kick ass arcade game over again?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_Syndrome

1987, damn im old.

[srobert]

They are making the kick ass arcade game over again?

Yup. But it's set 100 years later so there won't be too many links between the 2. I've read that they were going to remix some of the original music.

[pcypert]

Count me in. But I've been getting everything lately. Didn't think I would buy a lot but I'm already up to 9 games and am getting the party games today (Mario Party, Rabids, etc)...but these kinds of games are a lot of fun. Xmen multiplayer with friends was really fun...in fact I may just have to pick up the Marvel Wii game now that you reminded me of it...

Paul

[JackAxe]

He's turned into a pirate. Errr OK Captain JackAxe.

I be getting :rolleyes::p

Ye forced me to put me old avatar from 5 years ago or so. :p

<]=)

[JackAxe]

Count me in. But I've been getting everything lately. Didn't think I would buy a lot but I'm already up to 9 games and am getting the party games today (Mario Party, Rabids, etc)...but these kinds of games are a lot of fun. Xmen multiplayer with friends was really fun...in fact I may just have to pick up the Marvel Wii game now that you reminded me of it...

Paul

9! :eek:

I only have 8 counting Wii Sports. :) Mario Party 8 is good and the best in many respects. But 4 is still my favorite, but I like 8 better than 5, 6, or 7.

<]=)

[zap2]

Yup, I'll be picking this up for sure.

I'm a big fan of these RPG like games, were your character grows over time, and you working in a group(or you can), and your fighting together

Reminds me of Gauntlet on the N64(and later the NGC)...those were some fun games with 3 friends.

[pcypert]

:) Now 12 (not counting two Cube games I bought for the Wii that I didn't play before). Added Mario Party, Elebits, and Rabbids.

The game mentioned above will fill a niche and type of game I enjoy a lot though. I can see myself playing that a lot if the level designs are good and there's good multiplayer.

Paul

[zap2]

:) Now 12 (not counting two Cube games I bought for the Wii that I didn't play before). Added Mario Party, Elebits, and Rabbids.


Cube games don't count ;) :p

Personally I'm at 9 or 10 Wii games....I bought battle revolution today, I didn't need it, and most likely should have saved the money for this game...but I wanted a new Wii game(I had stopped buying VC games, and have not been playing as much)

[srobert]

Ok! It's out but no reviews yet. If anybody around here has already picked it up, please let us know what you think of it.

I have high hopes for this "SmashTV-Contra-Diablo"esque game.

[srobert]

Got the game.

After 3-4 hours of play I can say:

- Graphics are sub-par. (Most PS2 games look better)
- CG cut-scenes? None. Only static pictures with Ken burns effect.
- Sound and Music? Can't remember. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing.
- Controls work very well except controlling the camera, which is terrible.
- Levels all look the same so far. First 3 stages felt very linear.
- Story is simplistic (20 seconds sound clips in-between levels)
- Weapons are very fun but I haven't tried all types yet
- Item creation system is poor. (Chose an item from a changing random selection)
- Bosses are boring. Pretty much random enemy with more hit points.
- Levelling is slower than most games of this genre. A long road to level 99.
- An average game (60%?)
- The game should have been less expensive

Keep in mind that this is a first impression. I've only went through the first 3 levels.

All that being said, I'll still be playing it a lot simply because I was craving a game of that kind. I'll be trying multiplayer over the weekend. The different classes, weapon proficiencies and skills should offer a lot of diversity between characters.

[Dagless]

Bugger :( well let us know if it gets better. If this is cheap here I might get it for the ol' Wii parties.

[2nyRiggz]

So I played the game by a friend and once again i'm not impressed. Ports are not doing anything to help these consoles out. I've read the PSP version is better.




Bless

[JackAxe]

Bummer. So only buy this game if you plan on playing with friends?

<]=)

[pcypert]

I bought it (actually went up there to see if they had that underwater scuba game) but was wasting too much time trying to get the last S courses on Excite Truck and missed my window for playing today...will give it a go tomorrow I hope...don't know why I bought it...am off to Cambodia on Sunday, no play time there. Full report once I get on it.

Paul

[bluebomberman]

Pretty damning review from Gamespot. 5.0 score out of 10.

http://www.gamespot.com/wii/rpg/aliensyndrome/review.html?sid=6175777

[srobert]

I've been playing it for a few days now. It has a lot of rough edges but I still find it kind of of entertaining. If you loved Diablo, you probably will find some value in this game, otherwise, stay away.

By the way, multiplayer is fun but kind of annoying. You'll spend more time in the game menus (equipping/selling/buying items) than shooting stuff.

[steamboat26]

I'm gonna pass on this one, it got a poor rating on IGN.
I'm really waiting for some games that:
1) Have good graphics
2) Aren't ports from GC or PS2 games
3) Have local and online multiplayer
4) Fully utilize the Wiimote
There might be a few more things on this list, i just can't think of them now.
And hopefully, there will be some third party games that meet this criteria...

[AppleGuy2]

Well, i played it for about ten minutes, and thats about all i could stand. Bad controls, sucky response to movement of controller and I'm pretty sure i could get better camera angles from my ass. Hell, at least i didn't pay for it.

[srobert]

… Bad controls, sucky response to movement of controller and I'm pretty sure i could get better camera angles from my ass…

Strange. The game fails in many area but the controls felt very good, responsive and intuitive to me. (Except for camera rotation). Maybe you need to adjust the sensitivity of your Wii remote?

Oddly enough, the game is starting to grow on me.

[AppleGuy2]

Perhaps. I think i phrased it wrong. what i meant to say was when i shake the remote to swing the lil' thunder stick thing, it takes a sec for it to actually swing. Moreover, i couldn't do one swing right after the other (which i was accustomed and spoiled with in Zelda) I guess with more play time it might get bettah

[srobert]

…what i meant to say was when i shake the remote to swing the lil' thunder stick thing, it takes a sec for it to actually swing. …

Ah! I see. The speed at which your character can swing that stick depends on how high her dexterity score is. It can also be improved by raising a skill. Some equipment pieces also boost the melee attack speed.

I personally find the ranged weapons much more fun to play with. (Good controls)

[srobert]

Ok. I've finished the game. Here is my final conclusion:

This game was rushed out or had little money/talent allotted to it.

My first and second impression (detailed above) stand but I have some remarks to add:


Once, when exiting an area, the game crashed my Wii completely. Reset button did nothing. I had to unplug it from the wall.
There are many graphical glitches. E.g.: In one level, sand on the ground appears/disappears.
Major bug! I raised one of my stat to 117 but it reverted back to 100 when entered one of those DNA manipulation pod. (Twice) Very frustrating since you only get 2 of those points every time you gain a level.
Some areas are way to dark or have scenery obstructing your view. You can literally walk off a cliff and die by accident.
The game is too easy. You will mostly die from cheap deaths like Walking off a cliff (see above) or one hit kill from some of the baddies.
When you finish the game, you can try a harder mode but it's basically the exact same thing with barely stronger baddies.
The ending sequence is a 15 second audio clip with a few barely animated images!

It can still be worth renting if you really like this genre.

Edit: Local EBGames around here have already slashed $20 off the game's retail price.

[2nyRiggz]

I'm pretty sure i could get better camera angles from my ass.

:DLOL...You guys crack me up...


I thought the cam angles was bad as well....don't know if my arse could twist that much to get those shots though:confused:



Bless

[zero2dash]

I'm gonna pass on this one, it got a poor rating on IGN.
I'm really waiting for some games that:
1) Have good graphics
2) Aren't ports from GC or PS2 games
3) Have local and online multiplayer
4) Fully utilize the Wiimote
There might be a few more things on this list, i just can't think of them now.
And hopefully, there will be some third party games that meet this criteria...

I think we're going to be waiting awhile, 'cause that's nearly the same list I have going in terms of purchasing Wii games at this point. :o

I really want to like the system, but the lack of support prohibits me from doing so. :(

[RE4 self-whoring aside :D]

[JackAxe]

That's funny! :)

I'll rent AS for a day of frustrating fun.

<]=)

[srobert]

That's funny! :)

I'll rent AS for a day of frustrating fun.

<]=)

You can also keep an eye on bargain bins. Me think we'll see a lot of Alien Syndrome in those very soon.

[JackAxe]

I'll buy it for cheap, if not for the art. :)

<]=)