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The most exciting addition to this “platformer” is the ability to customize your vehicles. You’ll be able to make what ever you like using parts you collect. I’m really interested to see what you’ll be able to make using the parts provided which I’ve heard is quite a large number. I tried to ask the lady at the booth, but she didn’t have the exact number of parts handy. She did however show me a few of them. One of the parts was a hand, to which I asked “What would you do with that?”
She replied “You use to grab things.”
I don’t understand what there would be to grab, but call me intrigued…and a bit concerned. The only problems I can foresee with the game will be limitations and complexities on where you’ll be able to put the parts. For the game to truly be customizable a player should be able to place piece wherever they see fit, no matter how useless or ridiculous. The customization seems to use a grid/color system. You can only place parts on the grid and only if the color matches. I wasn’t able to fiddle much with the system due to everything being in Japanese, but it has me a little worried.
Something else that has me a little worried is the gameplay. During the time I spent with the demo all I did was challenges. These consisted of “racing” the computer/time through rings in a land vehicle and then later using in an air vehicle. I want this game to be somewhat true to its’ platformer roots and that requires a bit of jumping which I only did when “jumping” in and out of my vehicle. Also, I was expecting gameplay being mostly comprised of not being able to reach an area and then finding parts to use them in a way to reach that new area. I really hope that will be the foundation of the game. RARE has been used by Microsoft to make kid friendly games. Their original titles since being sold by Nintendo have had somewhat of an identity crisis. They are stuck halfway between wholesome kids games and serious video gameplay. I’m seeing the pattern reemerge here with Banjo. Instead of being a old style collection platformer or a creation puzzle, it might actually be more of an inclusive for everyone of all ages to play. I'm most worried about the direction they take the game. The Platformer Genre is all but dead. This could be one of the titles which brings new life into the genre and could start a renaissance, or it could just be another in missed opportunities by RARE.
David
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