You should totally buy 'Ghost Trick' for DS. Yes all of you.

[ZombieGenesis]

That's about as bluntly as I can put a recommendation.

Saw good reception on this game, though granted I've never seen it advertised or placed anywhere in 'plain sight' in game stores. Picked it up a few days ago and by GOD, I haven't been stuck so badly to a game since... Advance Wars, Bioshock, Phoenix Wright and Portal?

I'm not going to do a review. I'm just going to say "Go out and buy this game." The rewards will take care of itself. The gameplay is unique and I hesitate to call it a 'puzzle' game, but I suppose that's technically what it is? A puzzle game with an astonishing framing device (just like the before-mentioned portal).

I can say the main reason I enjoyed it so much was the story. In particular, it's masterful use of mystery. Anyone see that one Extra Creditz episode where they explored how mystery could make a game more immersive and keep people playing? That same philosophy hit me like a ton of bricks.

You wake up dead, there's a talking lampshade, there's a dead body you ASSUME to be you, and there's a blue skinned 'sniper' in a trenchcoat who uses a golden shotgun because he can only snipe "from point blank range". It's absolutely freaking absurd, and it gets more crazy from there. I wanted to see how they justified all the oddities through the plot and... it managed.

Also, some of the best twist endings ever. I've made that into 'endings' because there are so damn many reveals within the last ten minutes I had to stop once in a while to get my head straight.

Disagree with me, agree with me... just a mans desperate attempt to draw attention to something golden before it dies and is never re-attempted.

 

[Argonian alchemist]

I personally hated the game... :/

 

[Aura Guardian]

I've had it since launch. Worth every penny.

 

[drbarno]

ok, thanks for saying twist endings, now if i ever get it, I'd play it knowing that the ending is going to have a twist(or many as you said) and will ruin the experience for me.

thanks.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

ok, thanks for saying twist endings, now if i ever get it, I'd play it knowing that the ending is going to have a twist(or many as you said) and will ruin the experience for me.

thanks.

Yes, because that is exactly how twist endings work.
They completely disregard the entire plot and throw out a Deus Ex Machina... shees, some people.

 

[KingofallCosmos]

I agree. Now only to find a copy...

Seriously, all great games for DS are just not in store here (Holland). 999, Okamiden, Ghost trick. I mean I can import them, but still, that's supposed to be illegal isn't it? Just sayin'.

 

[drbarno]

ok, thanks for saying twist endings, now if i ever get it, I'd play it knowing that the ending is going to have a twist(or many as you said) and will ruin the experience for me.

thanks.

Yes, because that is exactly how twist endings work.
They completely disregard the entire plot and throw out a Deus Ex Machina... shees, some people.

I said twist as in a part that would subvert most players expectations at the point. most usually have the plot try to give you clues towards them (so no fucking Deus Ex Machina)

So when I actually play the game (still if I get it)I know there is a twist to the ending and that I would be expecting it, making it completely lose it's effect.

 

[ZombieGenesis]

ok, thanks for saying twist endings, now if i ever get it, I'd play it knowing that the ending is going to have a twist(or many as you said) and will ruin the experience for me.

thanks.

Yes, because that is exactly how twist endings work.
They completely disregard the entire plot and throw out a Deus Ex Machina... shees, some people.

I said twist as in a part that would subvert most players expectations at the point. most usually have the plot try to give you clues towards them (so no fucking Deus Ex Machina)

So when I actually play the game (still if I get it)I know there is a twist to the ending and that I would be expecting it, making it completely lose it's effect.

I think we're following two very different examples of what a 'twist ending' is.
Yours seems to be more along the M. Night Shammy line of "oh wow I never saw that coming".

Ghost Tricks ending is definately a twist, and it does subvery expectations, unless you were LOOKING for the answer. I can proudly say that there were two very minor details throughout the game that led me to suspect the truth towards the end- no spoilers of course.
This is why I said it has such a good example of mystery. It doesn't make an 'expository dump' of info at certain points, outright telling you all the parts it wants you to know. There are small additions and hinting details that make you think, and consider possibilities.

It's like when you watch Fight Club. First time through you might not suspect what's really going on. Then once you know, and you see it again, you can spot numerous nods and references to that truth throughout the movie.

Look closely enough and I imagine a few other people came to the same, rather mad conclusion as me.

 

[Souplex]

I agree.
Best linear story in gaming history.

 

[RedBeta22]

Would if I could but I can't. You see, I'm the only person on Earth that doesn't own a DS. Crazy? No not really.

 

[Vet2501]

Been wanting to get this ever since playing the demo, but I figure I should probably wait until my exams are over in months time before getting it.

Good to know that others are loving it though.

 

[ZehMadScientist]

I agree. Now only to find a copy...

Seriously, all great games for DS are just not in store here (Holland). 999, Okamiden, Ghost trick. I mean I can import them, but still, that's supposed to be illegal isn't it? Just sayin'.

Oh the FRUSTRATION!

 

[ZombieGenesis]

Would if I could but I can't. You see, I'm the only person on Earth that doesn't own a DS. Crazy? No not really.

Exceptions of course for the deprived!
I kid, I kid. Not everyone has a DS.

Just for the record though, I don't believe importing games IS illegal...is it?

 

[Judgement101]

A good.....DS game? I'm am intrigued.

 

[cyber95]

My local EB Games got absolutely no copies. I think it had to do with shipping issues or something because there were avalanches along the shipping route, or something. I don't know, but they never had any in stock and whenever I buy anything online, shipping is expensive or takes too long. Woe is me.

 

[Vonnis]

Don't be ridiculous. I don't own a DS.

 

[Dragonforce525]

I would buy it but whatever dignity I have left is only there because I don't own any consoles that require me to move more than my thumbs.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

I don't have DS. Someone lend me a DS?

The nintendo DS has quite a few of these Puzzle, visual novel type games doesn't it? They usually get a lot of praise. Like Phoenix wright and Professor Layton? There's also that 999 game. Have you tried that?

 

[kayisking]

That's about as bluntly as I can put a recommendation.

Saw good reception on this game, though granted I've never seen it advertised or placed anywhere in 'plain sight' in game stores. Picked it up a few days ago and by GOD, I haven't been stuck so badly to a game since... Advance Wars, Bioshock, Phoenix Wright and Portal?

I'm not going to do a review. I'm just going to say "Go out and buy this game." The rewards will take care of itself. The gameplay is unique and I hesitate to call it a 'puzzle' game, but I suppose that's technically what it is? A puzzle game with an astonishing framing device (just like the before-mentioned portal).

I can say the main reason I enjoyed it so much was the story. In particular, it's masterful use of mystery. Anyone see that one Extra Creditz episode where they explored how mystery could make a game more immersive and keep people playing? That same philosophy hit me like a ton of bricks.

You wake up dead, there's a talking lampshade, there's a dead body you ASSUME to be you, and there's a blue skinned 'sniper' in a trenchcoat who uses a golden shotgun because he can only snipe "from point blank range". It's absolutely freaking absurd, and it gets more crazy from there. I wanted to see how they justified all the oddities through the plot and... it managed.

Also, some of the best twist endings ever. I've made that into 'endings' because there are so damn many reveals within the last ten minutes I had to stop once in a while to get my head straight.

Disagree with me, agree with me... just a mans desperate attempt to draw attention to something golden before it dies and is never re-attempted.

Nice to see that someone is fighting the good fight. Good luck out there. Oh, and please remove the noun assume, the spoiler is a bit obvious.

 

[Jazoni89]

I really don't like Handheld gaming, so no.