Banjo Three...ie?

[Melaisis]

Not. [http://www.dw-gaming.net/2008/05/first-concrete-banjo-kazooie-details.html]

My initial impressions were that this would be the reason why any Nintendo fan would want to buy a 360. I loved the platform-based gameplay in the original two games, and to say I was 'looking forward' to another sequel would be a Hell of an understatement. However, in the preview video, it says that they're turning away from the typical platformish type and more towards the new kind of emerging genre by making gamers the developers themselves; sort of like a basic version of Garry's Mod or the PS3's forthcoming 'LittleBigPlanet'. Whilst this may appeal to newcomers to the series (the vast majority of gamers, I believe; BK was more of a subtle cult hit rather than a mainstream smash) and makes the 360 appeal with innovations on other formats, it may turn out to be a disappointment to long-term fans.

Anyone else remember the original games? Looking forward to Nuts and Bolts? Should gameplay which is dictated more by the creativity of the player be encouraged?

 

[Necrohydra]

Remember? I remember quite fondly, and just you mentioning them makes me want to ste..I mean, borrow them from a friend of mine from high school and play through them all over again. Thanks, Melaisis, now I have to hope I still have a working N64 controller.

As for this new game...well..I still have hope. Yes, I'm a little skeptical of the *build your own vehicle* thing as well. Not so much for the gameplay changes, no, I'm worried if it will still keep the banjo-kazooie feel. If every level turns into a puzzle of modifying a vehicle or piece of the level the right way, well...that's not very similiar to the platformers I came to know and love, well, is it? Of course, I'm witholding all judgements until I see more.

Suffice to say, I'll be eagerly more information on this.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

I don't think the type of vehicles you make will really affect gameplay that much, it's gonna be either plane, boat, car, or rocketship, and the gameplay will be "driving around".

After watching and looking at screens, that is what I expect, so...maybe this game will impress me. Maybe.

 

[Melaisis]

If every level turns into a puzzle of modifying a vehicle or piece of the level the right way,

I think the pace will definitely suffer because of this. BK, and platformers in general, tend to be flowing games, only pausing for loading screens or the acquisition of new items every three levels or so. Now, what happens if we have to fine-tune our vehicles before facing every task? The videos show such adjustments being made very quickly, but surely that level of haste comes from experience, not just ease of putting the things together from the go. Certainly, I don't mind vehicle-based gameplay; Conker featured a lot of it, and I'm still a huge fan of Diddy Kong Racing even a decade on - but having to take a time out every few minutes just because your cart isn't as fast as you wanted it to be? Could ruin the exhilaration in all honesty.

 

[Necrohydra]

If every level turns into a puzzle of modifying a vehicle or piece of the level the right way,

I think the pace will definitely suffer because of this. BK, and platformers in general, tend to be flowing games, only pausing for loading screens or the acquisition of new items every three levels or so. Now, what happens if we have to fine-tune our vehicles before facing every task? The videos show such adjustments being made very quickly, but surely that level of haste comes from experience, not just ease of putting the things together from the go. Certainly, I don't mind vehicle-based gameplay; Conker featured a lot of it, and I'm still a huge fan of Diddy Kong Racing even a decade on - but having to take a time out every few minutes just because your cart isn't as fast as you wanted it to be? Could ruin the exhilaration in all honesty.

And again, that goes against what BK was in the first place: a pure platformer. I remember going into a level and thinking *ok, where in this place do I want to explore today?*, and just figured out a way to get to where I wanted (and some of those levels were pretty huge, too). Fiddling around with vehicle mechanics will definitely impede on that.

In the end, I'm just worried that the game will be too dependant on this mechanic.

 

[Dark Wingstalker]

Yeah, from the look of it, it will be heavily dependant on that mechanic. And i just realised, thats my blog up there. Aweeesome.

 

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

Oh yeah, and this is just me being nitpicky but- the character design for Banjo is fucking terrible - he looks like a God Damn LEGO.

 

[The Franco]

The Skynet that is Microsoft has official tracked down one of my favorite childhood memories in an effort to kill me. I absolutely loved BK 1 & 2, and the first thought when I saw this was "Oh god please don't fuck this up like that remake of Conker's Bad Fur Day" Tangent: the beach assault level was the only reason my friends and I played that on the N64, so when they gutted it from the remake I was pissed. If they do something like that, I.E. shitty vehicle sections, then...well, just even thinking of that robbed me of the ability to make a proper analogy.

 

[Gigantor]

I saw an interview on Gametrailers, and one of the first things the dev said that was that they'd taken out all of Kazooie's moves and replaced them with vehicles. This left me a bit confused.

It seems the problem with designing your own vehicle (or a risk, at least) is this: if the puzzles aren't reliant on efficient vehicle design they will feel a bit arbitrary and simple to solve, but if they are too reliant on efficient design it will feel like trial and error, like putting the right shaped peg in the right hole. We'll see.

 

[Najal]

i loved the original(s) to pieces, but this seems to be too far removed from the n64 games to capture me as fully.

wont be buying a 360 for it either way.

 

[danosaurus]

Oh yeah, and this is just me being nitpicky but- the character design for Banjo is fucking terrible - he looks like a God Damn LEGO.

Yeah he does look a bit blocky, maybe that's what they mean by keeping the Banjo 'Flavour'... probably not though =[

I donno, it looks interesting//fun and there's not one RARE game that i'd give less than an 8/10 to, so i'll be getting it =]

 

[Pseudonym2]

I donno, it looks interesting//fun and there's not one RARE game that i'd give less than an 8/10 to, so i'll be getting it =]

Never played Perfect Dark Zero or Grabbed by Ghoulies have you?

All kidding aside, Rare usually makes good games and this should no exception.

 

[tiredinnuendo]

While I never played Banjo Two-ie, I remember the first one pretty well. It reminded me a *lot* or Mario 64. Less nostalgia, naturally, but more character to make up for it.

The worst part was that the witch only ever spoke in rhyme. I remember that used to really get on my nerves.

- J

 

[danosaurus]

While I never played Banjo Two-ie, I remember the first one pretty well. It reminded me a *lot* or Mario 64. Less nostalgia, naturally, but more character to make up for it.

The worst part was that the witch only ever spoke in rhyme. I remember that used to really get on my nerves.

- J

You should dig out your 64 and give Banjo Tooie a whirl, plentyyyyyyy of gameplay to be had, some incredible level designs too!

 

[AboveUp]

I think I'm losing my interest in any new additions to this franchise.
So I guess Mario is now the not only King but also the only inhabitant of the world of high quality platforming? Great, now we can wait for Nintendo to play in on that and milk that franchise even more.

 

[Sqalevon]

I have put quite some hours in Banjo Kazooie back in the days, and think it's one of the best games on the N64.
That said, I think Rare moving away from Nintendo is one of the biggest disapointments in my life. I miss their games.

Also, I'd love to have a Banjo/Kazooie character in the next Smash Bross.

 

[second only to The One]

i was hoping banjo would have made it in to brawl when it came out... but still i might get this game. it depends. the last game i bought on impulse was a revolting mistake an hour later, so i'll wait a while after it comes out