Gyromancer and Diner Dash Coming to XBLA Wednesday
Major Nelson is reporting today that the seminal favorite Diner Dash will be coming to XBLA this Wednesday for 800 Microsoft Points.
Puzzle/RPG hybrid Gyromancer, which uses the Bejeweled Twist mechanic and was developed by Square Enix will also release this week. It will cost 1200 Microsoft Points
I'm sort of sad to see they've done away with Diner Dash's charming hand-drawn art style in favor of somewhat bland 3d graphics. I was also surprised that Geomancer doesn't have any multiplayer whatsoever (local or Live). Still, I'd say that overall it's a pretty solid release this week.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a multiplayer pack thrown up for Gryomancer in a few weeks time. I'd bet it'll cost around 800 points...if it happens. Which it probably will.
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Just saw someone in a fur coat walking a dog. "I love to take care of animals AND wear them!" If only they were holding a burger.
What times do these games usually get posted to the marketplace on Wednesday? Is it noon pacific, or... ? I'll probably be getting Gyromancer as soon as I can.
Does anyone have any thoughts on Gyromancer? I've been playing the trial version for the last hour and I'm a bit torn. First of all, they have a 240 MS point game add-on map pack for the day of release, which really disappoints me. Yes, it's optional and I don't have to buy it but it's the principle of the matter that they've created this content already but can't include it in the already 15 dollar full game for better value. On top of that, the game doesn't even have an icon or box art. So you want to charge me 240 points for more maps om day 1 but can't even include box art or a game icon for my game library? I expected more from these two companies.
As far as the gameplay goes, it seems pretty solid though a little easy. Twist a group of 4 different gems clockwise to create matching sets. The enemies you face don't even take action on the board but if their ability gauges fill up due to your own actions, a special gem will appear on the board with a countdown. If you don't match the gem up or destroy it before the countdown finishes then you take damage. Conversely, match up your own ability gems to deal damage to the enemy. Simple enough.
The production values are pretty much right in line with Puzzle Quest. Cutscenes are acted out with cardboard cutouts of the characters and a text box. The menu screen's music is quite good, the battle and map music less so but not bad. Definitely not on Puzzle Quest's level. There's a dark, bland look to the battle screen, but I kind of like it as it's not so colorful and cheery as you'd expect from a puzzle game. The story and narrative are very average and nowhere near the complexity or depth of a regular Square-Enix title, but it's forgivable given this is just an arcade game.
Possible bugs or I don't understand the game mechanics:
Matching gems of your opponent's affinity still adds to their ability gauges, which makes no sense at all given the tutorial info.
Chain levels don't go up as they should even when consecutively matching gems.
7/10
The box art and icon will probably be added later but I'm waiting for others thoughts on the day 1 add-on before making my purchase.
Oh wow, to top it all off, I've just read that there is no way within the game to acquire more items [like rotating the twister counter-clockwise instead of clockwise] unless you BUY more items using real world money, as in 40 MS points. LOL! Unbelievable. I will definitely be passing on this one. Back to Puzzle Quest.
I played the demo and I felt the same way you did. I was super excited about this but I'm not so sure now. It seems incredibly simple. I can't really see any way to lose. I don't think my creatures took any damage at all in the demo. Add to that, if you can't find a move you can just move the circle around the gems and look at your creature's ability bars. Once it shows they would increase you know there is a match available. (I kind of came across this while I was messing around but I messed around with it for a couple of turns once I realized you could do it and it works.)
I was also disappointed about the day 1 dlc. I had no idea about having to pay MSP for counter clockwise rotation and keys, etc. That's bs.
All in all, no foreseeable challenge factor, no local or live multiplayer, day 1 dlc, microtransactions for basic puzzle game mechanics and all this at $15? No thanks. What a shame.
I spent a summer internship in New Orleans and instead of heading into the French Quarter every day after work, I went back to my apartment to play Puzzle Quest. I was addicted. Probably one of the best games I've ever played. I was really disappointed in Galactrix though and didn't buy it and am likewise disappointed in Gyromancer and will not buy it. I don't understand how nobody can recreate the magic that was Puzzle Quest. The formula is right there. Shamelessly copy it. Who cares? Just give us more of it.
I don't understand how nobody can recreate the magic that was Puzzle Quest. The formula is right there. Shamelessly copy it. Who cares? Just give us more of it.
I'm with you. I'm so glad I didn't buy Galactrix, and I won't be buying Gyromancer either. I would LOVE someone to recapture what made Puzzle Quest such an awesome game, however. It was a blast.
