I found both Zenonia's to be a snooze fest.... Felt too much like a cell phone game (which is what they were ported from) and didnt capture the magic of the 16 bit era at all IMO.
Honestly, I don't see how Zenonia could compete on any level with the top tier list of DS RPG games (The World Ends With You, Dragon Quest V, Mario and Luigi 3, SMT: Strange Journey, etc.) Not even the lower tier (Final Fantasy remakes, FF Advance 2, Etrian Odyssey)
The only RPG I consider worthwhile on the app store is The Quest (hundreds of hours of old school rpg fun). Although this game is far too love/hate to win over the masses. I'm not sure how it would do on the DS. It certainly has the content and depth, but needs some refinement for sure. It reminds me of some of Atlus's titles such as The Dark Spire or Etrian Odyssey in terms of it's 'old schoolness'. Fortunately I like games like that and The Quest fills my need for hardcore portable rpg's.
I tried "The Quest" when it went free and couldn't stand the horrible visuals, cluttered menus and awkward animations. If you are into old school RPG's, man, check Shin Megami Tensei Stranje Journey for DS. I've been pimpin' the hell out of this game because is fantastic. Dungeon crawling with ace art-direction, gameplay, and story at its best.
I don't even like Zenonia when compared to other iPhone games, let alone DS/PSP titles. Zenonia(and 2) were just horrible for me. Now with Inotia 2 and Across Age out, I can't even say Zenonia is "good for an iPhone game" anymore. Which was it's only redeeming "quality" before. I'm pretty much tired of Gamevil's mobile phone ports. Opinions, I know I know.
Actually, I beg to differ: "Decent" games from DS like those mentioned would only be considered "GOD" on iPhone/touch by those who want DS-portable game system style experiences on their mobile platform (iPhone/touch). But, as I alluded to earlier, those folks are in the minority. The rest of the consumer market for iPhone/touch either consciously "gets" that it's in a different sector of the game industry, or subconsciously "gets it". And so those games won't sell much compared to the other more mobile centric titles because they go against the mobile gaming design paradigm. Quite simply, the consumer market for mobiles doesn't typically want portable game system style games...they want mobile platform style games. It is a mobile platform, after all. Now, some will think that makes those consumers "less hardcore", and that, again, is a gamer term that is subjective at best. What is "hardcore" to you most likely isn't "hardcore" to me (for instance, you enjoy those Squeenix RPGs? You ain't "hardcore" to ol' spiffy. If you like Cave shmups, you are). But "core", the marketing term, is found on ALL platforms and ALL markets. There are, in fact, mobile game consumers who are "core": they buy nearly every game that strikes even an iota of interest in them. It just so happens, that due to differences in market (consumer desires, feelings on best use of device, etc.) the games these consumers want on their mobiles are more "pick up and play/short burst" offerings than found on other platforms in other markets.
In essence, everyone needs to stop using terms like "real games" or "real gaming platform". iPhone/touch has "real" games and is a "real" gaming platform. And that was before we saw ports from DS or games that would fit nicely on portable game systems because they followed that market's typical game design paradigms. Mobile games are still "real" games, and mobile platforms with games are, in fact, "real" platforms for games...they just aren't game systems/consoles (as they aren't focused/dedicated to that software above all else). Mobiles are like PCs. And no one here would dare say the PC game market isn't a "real" game market filled with games that aren't "real" games.
Again, very much agree. What I find strange is that people like Omega-F assume that they're the only people (or one of the few, anyway) in this forum who own a PSP and a DS, and they have to somehow "enlighten" the rest of us on what constitutes a real game and what isn't. They assume that if we had a choice, we would of course be picking up a DS RPG or a PSP action/adventure title. My guess is that most people who frequent this forum own pretty much every console/handheld available, and they still find something compelling about iDevice gaming. It should be noted that many "hardcore" console gamers don't think of the DS or the PSP as "real" gaming devices either (and they particularly hate PSP controls). The whole argument of what is a real gaming device (and, by extension, who is a real gamer) cuts many ways. EDIT: Just to be clear, I don't mean to personally rag on Omega-F.
The fact that COD zombies isn't mentioned once in this whole thread is rather strange. Its the only game that is pretty much 1 2 1 of an actual console game. Which would make it the only 'console' game on the app store? hahahaha! Right - back to your 'DS is a console' discussion...
And THPS2, Driver, and Rayman 2 are actual full console ports, unlike COD: Zombies which is just a piece of a full console game.
The iPhone and iPod Touch are certainly positioned to compete as a gaming handheld. I always thought that was quite obvious. Hell, even most gaming sites have started covering iPhone/iTouch along with DS and PSP. Apple wants us to bring out iDevices with us and leave our bulky ass PSP/DS handhelds at home, and I am happy to oblige. Now, just off the top of my head... Need for Speed - Underground Rolando Assassin's Creed 1 - Altairs Chronicles (originally DS) Assassin's Creed 2 - Discovery Grand Theft Auto CTW Tony Hawk 2 Sims 3 Rock Band Need for Speed - Shift Terminator Salvation NBA Live Peggle Brother in Arms 2 Civilization Revolution Super Monkey Ball 2 Plants VS Zombies Real Racing Fieldrunners (ported to PSP) Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition Cooking MaMa Rayman 2 Dungeon Hunter Sims 3 world Adventures Fifa 10 Resident Evil 4 Puzzle Quest Worms I Love Katamari Ace Combat Xi H.A.W.X. PGA Tour
I think the idevices CLEARLY have the potential to have portable console quality games. There are definitely a few out there. I mean really, 3GS and 3rd gen graphics are VERY solid, and technically there is nothing keeping amazing games away. Problem is as long as the "pick up and play, quickie games" like doodle jump keep succeeding at the .99 price point with relatively minimal development time compared to a larger game, what is the point for more devs really trying to create high quality, full fledged games when it is by no means guaranteed to do well? Its just too risky unless you're a well established, huge company like gameloft where your name can sell the game more then the actual product.
You mean, besides the DS games already in the App Store? The list is pretty darn long. What is it about this subject that puts people's brains on hold?
Dexter: The Game Sam & Max Mostly every other game just doesn't match those two games' production levels.
