Ubisoft is making game making an even more “magical” process these days thanks to its UbiArt Framework tech that allows for artists to see their work come to brilliant life while remaining unchanged from how it was created. The upcoming multiplatform role-playing game, Child of Light (April 30, 2014) presents the gorgeous storybook world of Lemuria and allows players to dive in and explore it using some tried and true gameplay along with some nice new features sure to bring on the raves from an audience hungry for new original properties and not more of the same old same old.
Given that the game is set ti launch on PC, PS3/PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Wii U (so far!), it looks as if anyone with a home console or decent enough gaming setup will be seeing what the fuss is all about soon enough. Yeah, I know you Mac and Linux users are all cranky right about now, but I guess there will be a version of this for you folks at some point down the road. In the meantime, I guess you could always make friends with someone who has one of the systems the CAN play on when it launches next month…
"DESTROY ALL FANBOYS!" 
I’m really hoping this game is as good as it looks. I really enjoy games that have a story that is substantial and as important to the game as the mechanics of moving through the levels.
LikeLike
The team certainly seems inspired by that new engine allowing their art to be seen as intended, so that’s probably going to be one of the main selling points. Story is always tricky, as I’d say nearly every fantasy idea has been done to death in games. That said, I think this one will work well thanks to the visuals and gameplay as much as the plot and dialog.
LikeLike
You’re right it’s rare to come across a unique story but so long as it has a good delivery and enough charm it can still really leave it’s mark.
I’ve been playing Trine 2 (PS4) and it’s the same old Save the World from bad stuff scenario but it’s relatively small narrative is overflowing with charm and personality. The game mechanics are strong and fun while the story nicely supports your progression. The same is true for something like Gravity Rush.
I’m hoping for something similar from Child of Light.
LikeLike
Both Trine games are fun (and really gorgeous) and the developer has done a few other cool titles (PC games) that would have been neat to see on PSN. Have you tried Rainbow Moon yet on the Vita? It’s a mix of old school gameplay (turn based grid combat like PoPoLoCrois or Arc the Lad) and a pretty visual style. The demo is TIMED (boo!), but you can get to level 5 and see some of the first area. It’s not bad overall (although you do learn to abuse the battle system after you gain an extra turn in combat). I think CoL will appeal to people who love story and visuals (and music, as the tunes I’ve heard are nice) – in a way, it reminds me of the first time I saw Rayman and before that, Flink on the Sega CD (which didn’t have a great story, but the visuals sure were a bright and cheery wake up call)…
LikeLike
I have noticed Rainbow Moon and I’ve been curious about it. I’m might try it out sometime. I’ve played a fair bit of PoPoLoCrois on the PSP but in the end I walked away. I can’t remember what I didn’t like. I think it was the combat…
I’ve had a PS3 for many years but it wasn’t until I got my PS4 that I tapped into PSN. And I have to say I’m really surprised and liking it. I was use to my xbox live account (now canceled) which didn’t do anything other than let me play online with buddies.
Now with PSN I’m getting access to play online and I’m getting some really good games too. I’ve played and beat both Gravity Rush and Uncharted GA on the Vita and loved every second and they were both free. Now I’m playing Dead Nation on the PS4 which is also free.
As each month rolls by I find I get really excited to see what Sony gives away next.
If Child of Light is $15 or less I’m sure I’ll buy it for my PS4 of Vita (here’s hoping it will be cross-buy!).
So far I’ve purchases Trine 2, Strider, SteamWorld Dig, Stealth Inc, Lone Survivor and Killzone Mercenaries from PSN (I’ve also downloaded everything that’s free; but not “free-to-play”). I also have disc based games but I never thought I’d start getting to digital download games… but I am. There is some great stuff to be had for good prices.
LikeLike
Get the demos for Spelunky, Soul Sacrifice, Dokuro, Toukiden, Terraria and Tearaway (a BIG surprise) and have at it with those. I loved all of them. There’s a lot of good content on the Vita, but not everything has a demo (boo!). Raganaok Odyssey is pretty good as well, but it’s a bit of a pain to take down some of those bosses until you get the mechanics down pat. For all the dumping on it the gaming press gives the Vita thanks to the 3DS being so Nintendo and getting a bunch of awesome games, in a few respects, it’s a better handheld. Of course, sales figures and consumer habits die hard, right?
LikeLike
OK, I just downloaded the demo for Spelunky and Terria. I’ll try them out soon. Thanks for the recommendations!
I was worried about my PS Vita purchase when I first got it but not anymore. I’m really enjoying it. I bought a used one for $150 and now I’m really glad I did. It’s an excellent Handheld.
LikeLike
Both games are tough! Spelunky is funny as hell, though. Terraria is like a 2D side-scrolling Minecraft. You die a lot in both games, but they get better as you play. Spelunky is made to make you go NUTS, but I like it. I hope Luftrausers gets a demo or Vita release, as it’s pretty darn cool side-scrolling shooter with a funky ancient art style but bullet hell gameplay (plus tax!). It’s on PSN now (or should be), but I don’t recall seeing a trial version:
luftrausers.com by the way – go take a look!
LikeLike