[Official] Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts

[+Mystic MVC]

I just got done playing the demo and I think I can say I enjoyed it. I'm a little unsure about being creative with my vehicles (my creativity blows) but I like the idea of the pre-made blueprints and just working off those.

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

I'm not sure if anyone else is (still?) playing on a non Hi-def screen, but those who are know the pain that new games cause when dialog comes up. The font is about size 6 or 8. This is the same issue that Dead Rising had, which basically makes the text a chore to read. I'm not sure how much room I have for complaint since I'm sure many of you are thinking "just buy a new TV" but it sure would be nice to have a option in the settings for increase the font. :rolleyes:

Maybe I need glasses?

But the demo was decent, I'm hardcore missing the old style of the game but still learning the new one.

[Ricardo Gil]

I'm not sure if anyone else is (still?) playing on a non Hi-def screen, but those who are know the pain that new games cause when dialog comes up. The font is about size 6 or 8. This is the same issue that Dead Rising had, which basically makes the text a chore to read. I'm not sure how much room I have for complaint since I'm sure many of you are thinking "just buy a new TV" but it sure would be nice to have a option in the settings for increase the font. :rolleyes:

Maybe I need glasses?

But the demo was decent, I'm hardcore missing the old style of the game but still learning the new one.

I played it on a 32" LCD and I thought the font was too small. I feel for anyone who tries to play this on an SD TV...

[MillionVoltss]

20" LCD monitor i had no problem, the new NXE update is said to support new resolutions.

[+Mystic MVC]

I'm not sure if anyone else is (still?) playing on a non Hi-def screen, but those who are know the pain that new games cause when dialog comes up. The font is about size 6 or 8. This is the same issue that Dead Rising had, which basically makes the text a chore to read. I'm not sure how much room I have for complaint since I'm sure many of you are thinking "just buy a new TV" but it sure would be nice to have a option in the settings for increase the font. :rolleyes:

Maybe I need glasses?

But the demo was decent, I'm hardcore missing the old style of the game but still learning the new one.

The majority of the market.

[Jase]

What is the dealio with the textures? They look unpolished :/

[.KICK]

I played it on a 32" LCD and I thought the font was too small. I feel for anyone who tries to play this on an SD TV...

Font was fine on my HD screen!

[Ricardo Gil]

Font was fine on my HD screen!

I'm 3m from my TV and although readable I thought it should be bigger, it'll probably be unreadable on a normal TV :(

[James123]

Just got done playing the demo, perhaps I was expecting too much since Banjo Kazooie & Banjo Tooie were (and still are) my favourite games but I didn't really find it all that great. I've cancelled my pre-order for now, I'll pick it up when it's in the bargain bin :p

[Xtreme $niper]

The font was readable on my hdtv but I can definitely see how it could get hard to read as you go to the smaller screens...

[Smashing Pumpkin]

Yeah it was hard to read, for me actually I found it hard to keep up with some of the text, and if I did keep up I missed what was displayed on screen as I was reading text, voice would be nice!

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

Also a good point Smashing Pumpkin - Kazooie (specifically) was constantly being rushed through the dialog.

Overall it was rushed and poorly implemented. I'm really hoping that it'll be improved by release, however unlikely that may be.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

First reviews I've seen arise

IGN - 8.3

7.0 Presentation

A text-heavy, complex game in a children's suit.

8.5 Graphics

Vibrant with great design, Banjo is a looker. Sometimes the engine can't keep up and the display will chug.

7.0 Sound

I love the music but those sound effects could drive me nuts.

8.5 Gameplay

A unique game that isn't for everyone. Invest some time in it and the charm will shine through.

8.5 Lasting Appeal

The multiplayer game sounds good on paper, but isn't that hot in reality. The single-player game, however, is one that you can play for ages.

http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/927/927091p1.html

(Video Review - http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/15334/b...ew_110408.html)

TeamXbox - 7.4

http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1613/...s-and-Bolts/p1/

[Spookie]

A text-heavy, complex game in a children's suit.

Well that's a nice way of putting it.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Eurogamer - 7/10

This isn't a platform game, then. You can eke out hidden extras on-foot in the hub world, Showdown Town, but this is a driving, flying and boating game, with almost no player death or hairy jumps to worry about. You are collecting 131 jigsaw pieces (jiggies) - in much the same framework as Mario gathering stars - but every task begins by asking you to select or build a vehicle to fit the brief. You're never let loose on foot and then given the choice, and if you were, you wouldn't enjoy it, because the vast, ornately detailed openworld level environments would take several minutes to cross, and their thick bridges, riverbeds, hills, pathways, iceflows and buildings are impractical for platforming. They're either there to absorb your rubber, or look sexy as you deliver coconuts to a supply ship, barge Mr. Patch into a cactus with a biplane, or launch yourself off a ski-jump in a homemade toboggan.

But whereas a traditional platform game could survive a sequence of poor levels, or even succeed in spite of a majority with a world as lovely as this, with characters so delightful and secrets so pleasing to uncover, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is not a platform game. The game it has become instead demands thoughtful, exciting challenges that inspire the player to pitch in and help get the most out of each level, but it fails to provide them, and even though it's worth persevering with for the occasional hurdles race, egg-and-spoon and a game-world in aptly Rare form, ultimately it's a brilliant shell with a mostly hollow centre.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=283006

Doesn't seem like Rare focused on platforming enough then :/

I can't try the demo, no Live till the 19th!

Edited November 5, 2008 by Audioboxer

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

IGN UK - 6.5

7.5 Presentation

It's an attractive package but key aspects - particularly the awkward reliance on text - are far from intuitive.

8.5 Graphics

Varied, creative environments look sumptuous and its technically impressive beyond occassional bouts of slowdown.

7.5 Sound

Typically great Rare orchestrations really set the mood but repetitive vocal grunts quickly annoy.

6.0 Gameplay

Fundamentally sound at heart but without an engaging framework to tie it together, it's hard to be anything but indifferent.

6.5 Lasting Appeal

There's scope in vehicle creation but little beyond dogged determination provides incentive to exploit it. Multiplayer is engaging enough.

http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/927/927126p1.html

1UP - A-

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3171140

[.KICK]

Some mixed reviews there :s

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Seeing as I am getting the original with my order and for less than RRP, I'm very happy and looking forward to it (Y)

I can play the original for my platforming needs and experience the new direction with Nuts & Bolts. Best of both worlds :woot:

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Supposedly RARE have no intentions of fixing the small font issue, just read it on XBox 360 Fanboy

If you've tried the Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts demo (now available on the XBLM) and played it on a SD television you may have noticed that the text is Dead Rising itty-bitty small. Heck, HD television owners claim the text is rather difficult to read. And if you think team Rare can / will fix the small text issue in the retail build of Nuts & Bolts, then you're sadly mistaken because no text embiggening will be done.

Rare community manager George Kelion informed CVG that "this is an issue that doesn't look like it will get changed," confirming that "the text you see in the demo will be the same as that which you find in the retail version of the game." Our advice, get an HD television, a new pair of reading glasses or sit seven inches away from the screen. No more, no less.

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

It's a shame DirtyLarry. Thanks for the update though.

:no:

[GameOverRob]

Seeing as I am getting the original with my order and for less than RRP, I'm very happy and looking forward to it (Y)

I can play the original for my platforming needs and experience the new direction with Nuts & Bolts. Best of both worlds :woot:

Or like me wait for the code to be sent out! Then cancel the order!

[Minifig]

1UP - A-

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3171140

For the record .. 1Up LOVES Rare, and they're extremely biased to companies they love.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Finally got to play the demo.

Pretty gutted they didn't just stick to a platformer as Banjo looks aweeesome in HD :(

NEXT TIME RARE.

This should have been released as a spin off Banjo title, and the real game been a true platformer IMO.

Had the potential to rival/beat the likes of Mario Galaxy I think if they had done a platformer :yes:

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Or like me wait for the code to be sent out! Then cancel the order!

When I got VP2 they didn't send the codes until after I got the game..

I think they are pretty aware of people ordering and cancelling just for codes. Besides, I'm interested in N&B just as much as the original. Getting it for less than RRP too, so I'm happy :)

[+Mystic MVC]

Tuesday is almost upon us! :p