Topic: Globulos Party Impressions

Anyone getting this before the NL review is out? I might, because it looks good. (It's award-winning, after all!) Post your impressions!

The three multiplayer "modes" are actually ad-hoc wireless, DS Download Play (yes!) and single DS multiplayer. Sounds awesome.

EDIT: Took the leap and bought it. Checked and there's no WFC play. First impression is... WOW! This game is really polished! The interface is sleek and friendly, there's (simple) voice acting, and the artwork and graphics are endearing and cheerful. Finished the tutorial - it seems to be turn-based, which explains why it can have multiplayer on one system. Will post more after I try some of the games! This game looks to be a winner!

Really enjoying this game so far! Can't believe it's only 500 Points.

Glad to hear it turned out well! Can anyone confirm if this game has single card multi-player? That may be the determining factor in me purchasing it.

Multiplayer has three ways to play: Wireless, DOWNLOAD Play, and the ability to alternate using one system!

Thanks. That sounds really great and like the developer really put alot into this one. I'll almost certainly download this when I get home. Also, where would you say this ranks in comparrison to other 500 point games on the service? Is it for sure one of the best?

Well I still gotta play more but I gotta say, I'm impressed. It's something different than say Pop Island but both are excellent multiplayer games, IMO. Although Pop Island is more frantic and supports more players, many of the games I've played thus far are good fun for 2 people. I'll continue trying out the mini-games.

If im not going to be able to play this with others do you still think its worth it

Well, it'll last you a few weeks at least, that's for sure.

I think the single player is a little repetitive. It sort of ends up being a grind-fest, where you play against the computer to win the games. However, you win new Globulos (which you can choose as your character) when you win. I think there's a total of almost 100 Globulos!

There are 20 games, all involving a turn-based "touch your Globulos and drag an arrow to send them in that direction for this turn" system. Players input their directions at the same time and when the timer runs out or when they all have pressed the Go button, the Globulos shoot off in their respective directions. They bounce off walls and each other and it's fun to watch where they go, especially since you don't know how your opponents will be moving.

The games seem to be a little hit-or-miss for me. Some are repetitive and a bit boring, and others are quite fun. My favourite game is probably "Monster", where there is a metal monster Globulos in the centre of the arena, and every turn it shoots a laser at the nearest Globulos and destroys it. You have to watch where the monster will move and direct your Globulos away accordingly. You can bounce enemy Globulos closer to the monster too. "Bomb" is also fun - it's in a normal arena, but every turn, all Globulos place a bomb underneath themselves. At the end of the turn (after the Globulos all move), the bombs explode, creating a hole which Globulos can fall into and "die". The level gets more and more filled up with holes so you have to be careful about where you direct your Globulos (and you can also bounce enemy Globulos into the holes too ).

Oh, and the hockey is pretty similar to soccer except the goals are round (and the puck can go behind the goals, which is a bit annoying), and the friction of the ground is greatly reduced. If you're not careful, you can send your Globulos off at a small speed and it may end up falling in a goal.

My only real complaint is the lack of music during the games. There are birds twittering and background sound effects of summer, which are too relaxing for what is supposed to be an active, unpredictable and somewhat hectic game. Some cartoony, upbeat music would have set the tone much better. If this is meant to be a party game, it doesn't sound like one (every so often you get a giggle or a quiet cheer from the Globulos, which is nice but not enough). The background sounds make the games feel 'meh' when they should actually be quite fun.

That said, I expect the multiplayer to be very fun. I only wish it was up to 4 players.

Monster is a lot of fun, yes.

Hello,

Nice to see some of you like the game
If anyone doubts there is really DS Download play we have done a video with a Nintendo DSi XL (well an LL from Japan):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-RqK1cdU3g
You can see the DS Download play is fast (1 min) because we only send the game engine + just the playing field

Thanks for implementing DS Download Play! I wish more DSiWare devs would show that level of care to their games. I'm looking forward to your future projects. Perhaps the next game could be one that isn't already a flash game

Globulos Party is a simple collection of relatively well-tuned, turn-based minigames. Some are more compelling than others, but all of them offer playable experience... Though a few become rather repetitive before long--particularily in singleplayer (though the AI is generally unpredictable enough to keep things interesting). Honestly, some of these games could probably use a little more depth, however they are all incredibly easy to learn and accessible to anyone (which is part of why it succeeds so well as a multiplayer title). Also, I wish the camera could be controlled with the D-pad because it's a little unwieldy trying to scroll all over the field and make your moves within the turn limit using just the stylus. In the end, maybe if they took out/tweaked a few of the games and included a few other features (like, say, unique stats for each globulos and the ability to create your teams) Globulos Party could have been something really special. As is, it's a very fun multiplayer game with substantial content and polish.

Congrats, globulos on a commendable DSiWare release. My wife and I have been having a blast and look forward to more from your team.

Yeah I really think multiplayer will be great fun, but I haven't had the chance to try it with a friend yet. This is definitely a quality title. And @globulos, thank you so much for putting in DS Download Play. I think most if not all multiplayer DSiWare games should have it so people can play with their friends who have old DSes and Lites.

Thanks In our minds the game is more suited for short breaks plays. Not really the game you finish in a single day! As you noticed, accessibility is key for us. We would like the game being also playable by non hardcore gamers!

This was a long discussion in the team. We really wanted to have a "this game is only played with the stylus" sentence at the splash screen. Simplicity and accessibility again. But sometimes our thumb is still reaching the D-pad like a reflex too

Thanks! This really warms us after the horrible IGN review that is spreading all over the internet :-/

Don't worry about IGN reviews. Based on the comments, other people thought it was a horrible, stupid review also. They didn't even mention download play.

I definitely get the vibe that this really is bite-sized gaming and even in that respect, it's a success. I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.

globulos actually linked to this thread in the IGN review

i may download this when i get points, a mini games collection is just what i was waiting for

For people in Europe, I just downloaded Globulos Party from France
60 blocks.

So would you guys recommend the game, I was intrigued by the Flipnote trailers for it and it sounds good. Is it worth it?

I might check it out later.