0

We’ve been given a chance to play test the preview code of Oxygen Games’ upcoming DS title, Pirates: Duels On The High Seas. Anyone who’s vigilant and follows Nintendo’s WiiWare phenomenon will recognise a similarity between this latest DS title and the aptly named Pirates: The Key of Dreams. Unsurprisingly the same team is at work on the DS game, porting the concept over to Nintendo’s handheld as a sequel.

The development team’s aim was to create short games which still challenge the hardcore player and contain the fun experience casual ‘pick-up-and-players’ are familiar with. It’s all about being able to pick up the game and play for ten minutes of ten hours, anytime, anywhere. You’d struggle to recognise their previous development experience which boils down to female centric titles like; My Dress-Up, My Make-Up and My Secret Diary. Pirates: Duels on the High Seas is a change for the team, especially when you consider that a shooter on the high seas is as far away as make-up as they come.

Our preview code came with the Skirmish Mode, the Story Mode and a taste of the multiplayer. There’s all easy to get into and the control scheme is your usual touch-screen affair. Being preview code the frame-rate shuddered here and there, especially when it started to get chaotic, but it’s likely that the kinks will be ironed out when the game finally sees release.

The Skirmish mode allowed us to play any of the seven levels on offer. Within each level are five different locations to explore. Jumping into a game will find you against competent AI bots and the sole aim of reaching the score of ten to win. If there were people playing online, the multiplayer would obviously be the port of call, but in its preview state it was hard to fathom its replayability / playability. The game does support local multi-card support, but we were only supplied with one copy. A full analysis will have to come in our review.

The game definitely retains its core philosophy of being easy to navigate (thanks for a map) and fun to pick up and play (with a varied amount of upgrade options). The story mode is pretty basic, but it’s supported by solid gameplay mechanics. The game’s music can begin to grind after extended play, but it’ll surely amuse gamers of a younger disposition.

We’re still a couple weeks away from release and luckily there are only a couple of small issues that need fixing. Check back soon for our review.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved