Viewtiful Joe, what's the big deal?

[Zaxxon]

I briefly played the demo version of this at Kmart. It looked kinda like Three Dirty Dwarves on the Saturn, flat 2-d sprites in a 3d-ish/parralax looking environment with depth. Just seemed like a standard chop-socky platformer, not that there's anything wrong with that but it's not something we haven't seen before. Why all the hype?

[Half Japanese]

Did you happen to try pressing the L or R buttons whilst you were playing it? You can speed up and slow down time to avoid attacks and do nice bullet-time-esque "dodges" of missiles, etc. I've heard the demo represents only part of what will be available (moves-wise) in the final release. It's just got a great style and gameplay to back it up, I'll probably be getting it soon.

[Kid Ice]

Play more.

[AB Positive]

The demo starts off before you acquire any of the Viewtiful powers, so... you need to play a little longer

-AG

[Achika]

IMO part of the draw to the game is the platformer aspect. You don't see them all too often these days (Mega Man, Silhouetter Mirage, Metal Slug, etc.) But it's a dying genre when compared to 3D adventure games. It's something young, old, seasoned and non-seasoned players can all appreciate. Sure, it's basically "2D" in the sense you can't run everywhere you want to, but it's got those 3D elements that will make kids starting out on PS2, GCN, Xbox with flashy graphics want to play too. It's a bad generalization, but it's also accurate in some ways.

[NE146]

I played the demo for a good 15 minutes and that slow motion aspect is definitely something we haven't seen before. It is a unique spin if anything.

[Sylentwulf]

Damnit Zaxxon where on EARTH did that AMAZING avatar come from?

[E Nice]

Maybe here http://wootanime.com/girls.html? Only other place I know of.

[Sylentwulf]

mmmmmmm Bouncy....

[Drexel923]

I just got my Viewtiful Joe bobble head from work :D

I can't wait for this game. The demo rocked and the rest I've seen of the game looks awesome. Only 4 more days to go.

[Sylentwulf]

I just got my Viewtiful Joe bobble head from work :D


mmmm Bouncy....

[ChuckthePlant]

You have to play it for a while to really appreciate it. It is very challenging. The demo was set in easy mode, as I understand. The game play is nicely balanced between platforming and beat em up. The graphics and design are very well done and cohesive. It is nice to see a game that is so well and comprehensively designed as a game first, and not as a retread of a franchise or a movie license. I am especially looking forward to this one. Henchin a go go...

[Sothy]

Didnt seem that great to me and ya i did slow motion matrix crap and stuff.


Its one of those games thats kinda trippy and weird and doesnt seem like the stuff theyd usually bring here to the states.

So because its one of those wonky Japanesey type games everyones all "OH cool they did good to take a chance and bring it out in the states" So alot of people are all ga ga over it.

Problem is just because something is weird and breaks the mold of the usual US released stuff it doesnt make it a great game.

emperors new clothes and all that...


My 2 cents

[Kid Fenris]

I really didn't get into the demo until I started experimenting with the slow/fast controls. I thought it was just a gimmick until the bullet-spitting boss showed up.

From what I played, Viewtiful Joe seems like a fun little throwback to several different genres, including Mario and Final Fight. The only gripe I'd list is that it sometimes seemed difficult to hit enemies, as though Joe's arms and legs were too short. Maybe that'll be less of a problem when I try out the full version this week.

[Mayhem]

You got to get in there and scrap ;)

Slow mo, speed up, zoom in with the 360 double kick twirl, uppercuts and air combos, dodges and the such like... it's more than what you think. And it does really rock the house once you get into it. IGN gave it 9.5 so something must be right heh...

[GrandAmChandler]

Yeah I played the Demo too, and this game is awesome! You really can't get into it unless you get the viewtiful powers. Luckilly the price point on this one is $39.99! So it's mine! I can't wait, I have been looking for this type game for awhile. Mario meets Streets of rage meets Matrix. Awesome!

[Sotenga]

I think it's real cool. I just have a knack for beat-em-ups, ya know?

[Kid Ice]

So because its one of those wonky Japanesey type games everyones all "OH cool they did good to take a chance and bring it out in the states" So alot of people are all ga ga over it.

Problem is just because something is weird and breaks the mold of the usual US released stuff it doesnt make it a great game.

emperors new clothes and all that...


My 2 cents

Call me crazy, but I think it's FUN. The other games on the demo disc (Rebel Strike, FZero X) did absolutely nothing for me. This one did.

So it's a fun game, and those are in short supply, especially on the GC. I suspect that has something to do with the positive word-of-mouth. Since when are "alot" of people crazy about "wonky Japanese type games"?

[maxlords]

I just got my Viewtiful Joe bobble head from work :D

I can't wait for this game. The demo rocked and the rest I've seen of the game looks awesome. Only 4 more days to go.

Where do you get the Bobble heads? Are they EB or Gamestop preorder goodies?

[Half Japanese]

Max, the bobble heads seem to be exclusive to Gamestop. As for the preorder you'd better hurry! VJ comes out Tuesday! I checked both Gamestop and EB's sites and Gamestop seemed to be the only one offering the bobblehead.

[Drexel923]

Max, the bobble heads seem to be exclusive to Gamestop. As for the preorder you'd better hurry! VJ comes out Tuesday! I checked both Gamestop and EB's sites and Gamestop seemed to be the only one offering the bobblehead.

I'm not sure if its exclusive, but I do work at gamestop so thats were I got mine. There are two versions actually, one is Joe in regular clothes (which looks like crap), and the other is when he's in costume. Needless to say I picked up the costume one.

BTW the ship date is the Tuesday so the Gamestops won't have it until Wed the 8th. Not sure about other stores though.

[Zaxxon]

Damnit Zaxxon where on EARTH did that AMAZING avatar come from?

It's in the DP avatar gallery. It was either this one or I was going to use the DOOM character ala Sothy.

[calthaer]

I have to admit that looking at those things bounce is...mesmerizing.

But anyways - wonky Japanese junk does not a good game make...and Max Payne had slo-mo, so what's new and different about that?

[E Nice]

Don't forget Blinx....or maybe some people do.

[YoshiM]

What seems to be appealing is that it takes new school graphics (including the latest cel-shade fade) and combines it with old-school platforming and difficulty. While it could be seen as just another beat-em-up, the wacky characters and the slow/fast/zoom powers with all the extra moves associated with them really add to the game. With Enter the Matrix you practically HAD to use your slow-down to do practically anything, BUT it only affected yours and enemy's movements. The powers in VJ not only affect you and your enemies but it also affect the environment, allowing for some pretty inventive puzzles. Example: in the demo there is a big banquet room level. You have to get to the end of it by getting on top of a propeller powered platform and then flip a switch that sits right over a bed of deadly spines. Now you can't get there without touching the spines UNLESS you use the Slow power to slow down the world AND stop the prop on the platform while you are near the switch so you can walk over and flip it.

The demo definitely sold me on this game.