Prophecy Gameboy Advance impressions

Pedro

Pedro

Admiral
The UK release date is tommorow but my copy turned up in the morning post today so I felt the need to post my impressions, btw a big thanks to Kris, Chris and anyone I may have missed from the special thanks to section, anyone who contributed to a game like this has my hugest thanks as well :)

My first reaction was to put it in the Gameboy Player and use the Wavebird, this is a mistake, digital controls do not map well onto analogue sticks, so then I tried the digital Hori pad, even worse, that pad isn't designed for 3D movement (perfect for platformers though) so I strapped it into the GBA SP and woah!

Firstly the GBA SP pad is perfect for this game, its not as good for platformers etc IMO as the GBA pad but for this control is made a breeze and whilst it takes a while to get used to changing speed and weapons once you've learnt how its 2nd nature.

Best engine I've ever seen on the GBA using its full resoloution, hence looks stunning on the tiny screen (so again I vote for using it on the gameboy). Speech quality is near perfect although it really would have been nice to have it included in the introduction, a larger catridge to accomodate the kilrathi prophecy would have made all the difference.
I can't see the method of story telling working too well for rookies since it may get a little confusing as to whats going on, for me however its perfect as I can skim through and remember what happened. Music is horrible I have to say (I'm sure michael would have been willing to compose them some tunes if they'd just asked!) but the graphics make up for that big time.

My only real complaint is what eventually caused me to see the end credits (and thus the CIC staffs names, thank you again), I encountered a glitch, I was a few metres from the midway and suddenly I was miles from it and the bugs destroyed it whilst I was burning up afterburner fuel to get there.

In short if you're a Wing Commander fan you should own this title.
It controls better than the PSX games imo and looks almost as good. Perhaps the PSP will find us playing a full video version of the title shortly?

For now though this is the best engine I have ever seen of a gameboy title, the conversion is very faithfull, the rooms look stunning, 90% of the conversations are still in place and the in mission speech brings a smile to my face every time.
 
btw a big thanks to Kris, Chris and anyone I may have missed from the special thanks to section, anyone who contributed to a game like this has my hugest thanks as well
Click to expand...

I think the person who you owe the most thanks to is Hades, he did a heck of a lot.

(Now, Hades, you tell him that I did a heck of a lot, too. :))
 
In that case thanks Hades! :)
I'm intrigued now, in what did you contribute?

Oh and quick question is it just me or do the mantas look more like devil rays? And if so why?
 
I sent them a copy of Prophecy since they didn't want to wait 3 months for EA to send them one. Also I organized various bits of useful stuff for them and forced other people to do the same, like I made LOAF put together a text version of the script for them. Just lots of little bits relating to the PC version.

Also, yeah, they do look like Devil Rays. It may be a cartridge space related change.
 
Yeah I got mine today as well, (a day early) unfortunatly haven't had much tme to play it :( but what I have played it is good. The controls are hard to get used to but like similar games they get easier the more you play.

Congratulations to everyone who helped produce the game as it is great!
 
I just got to the comm relay station mission, was dissapointed I didn't get to land on it (another space issue? :()
I think the engine is absolutley superb however continued playing makes me think some of the text should have been adapted to allow a rookie to know what was going on, and plot critical inflight comms being left out is an unforgivable oversight (I thought the 1st mission seemed oddly empty now I know why ;))

But the more I play the more I am certain its the perfect way for a wing commander expert to take wing commander with them wherever they go, newbies beware, fans rejoice! :)


EDIT: Gamespots review of WCP GBA is up, its pretty fair, I think, knowing the standard of other 3D GBA games graphics deserved to be a 10 and not an 8, obviously I'd have given a tilt of 10 but it pretty much sums up how I feel about the title :) (personally I thought the music, especially in the opening cutscene was VERY poor though)
 
I'm really happy with how positive everyone's reviews have been. I love the game to death, and I wonder if it's because I'm biased or whatever.. But yeah, it's not just me. Seems most everyone that gets to wrap their hands around it comes away with great things to say.
One thing I disagree with is the Wavebird.. I think the analog to digital conversion is fine, and it's easier to use afterburners and drop decoys on the Cube controller. But as long as you find some way to enjoy it everything's good.
 
I'd already adjusted to Resident Evils digital analgue stick useage, its just I tend to go in exactly where the next ship is and with only 8 directions possible whilst I might be pointing in the correct direction and varying how hard I'm pressing I'm not going in the right direction, with the digital pad I can just tap how ever many times it whatever direction when I want to be really precise.

Dropping decoys with the wavebird is much easier, I don't really have a problem with using the afterburners on the GBA but I suppose it is marginally easier.
Large amounts of turning is also easier but getting the reticle over the dot with a stick I just can't do :o

Regardless every time I put it in I'm AMAZED by the engine, its truly something spectacular, and btw it was #4 in the Gameplay pre-order charts for gameboy, #1, #2 and #3 were all pokemon titles so I really don't think WCP is going to go unnoticed :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top