Connect with Facebook




Xbox 360 | XBLA  PS3 | PSN  Wii | VC    DS  PSP  iPhone    PS2    PC    Retro    
  » news
  » reviews
  » previews
  » cheat codes
  » accessories
  » release dates
  » screenshots
  » videos

  » specials
  » interviews
  » trivia

  » forums
  » reader reviews
  » most wanted
  » contests

  » games
  » franchises
  » companies
  » genres
  » staff
 

Did you buy StarCraft II?

Hell yes!
Nope!






Game Profile
INFO BOX
PLATFORM:
PlayStation 2
PUBLISHER:
Agetec
DEVELOPER:
Taito
GENRE: RPG
PLAYERS:   1-2
RELEASE DATE:
June 24, 2003
ESRB RATING:
Everyone
IN THE SERIES
Graffiti Kingdom

 Written by Chris Reiter  on March 12, 2003
First Impressions: Wow, I can like...draw myself in the game, and like...also kill myself. D'oh!
Share Comments »

Whether you want to believe it or not, everyone's got at least a little bit of creative sense in them. Everyone from all over the world is into different cultures. Some express that talent through dancing, singing, or sometimes even juggling. Agetec knows there's a large deal of gamers out there always waiting to see technology improve, enhance, and out perform its previous trials without falter. This spring, that next leap ahead is coming in the form of artistic means by becoming your own video game character creator.

It's not every day that someone's own father is kidnapped by government agents. For two young siblings though -- a girl named Zoe, and her brother, Taro -- that day is today. In order to rescue their father from captivity, Zoe and Taro are now faced with the task of delving into their deepest, most profound talent: the ability to draw. By using their imagination to construct and capture other monsters like the ones they'll be able to fabricate, these two must stop at nothing to find the artists within themselves.

The TV screen is your pallet. The controller is your brush. The experience is your masterpiece. Unlike Mario Paint, which was simply an interactive drawing tool, Magic Pengel: The Quest for Color is closer to comparison on the level of Agetec's other well known "do it yourself" franchises -- RPG Maker and Fighter Maker. Instead of piecing together your own characters and your own worlds with which to engage in, you'll have the chance of drawing a 2D doodle that will end up becoming a 3D work of art.

Conceivably, the process of picture making will work relatively simple. First you'll be able to bring your very own video game character to life using an in-game sketchpad. Also by using colors or pre-rendered body parts you'll come across along the way, your creatures will transgress from 2D lines to 3D, moveable bodies. Called "Doodles," the idea of the game will be to create these moveable models with the game character -- which incidentally is given the title of a Doodler (go figure), and pit them into battle for a collection of drawing improvements in return. Through a varied set of arena battles like the kind found in Pokémon games, you'll need to defeat enemies, which will relinquish new colors or parts that will enhance your own animated figures later on. Also on its way will be a versus mode, where two players will have the chance to hook up and battle one another by putting those moving lines of digital fantasy to work.

Uniqueness ensues in the visual department where like many games before it, Magic Pengel will blend into a cel-shaded standard. By the looks of things, the game's current visual state isn't very detailed or technically ready to blow any other game out of the water. However, the demo clips reveal smooth character animation added with some decent light and shadow touches. Considering that Magic Pengel: The Quest for Color is a game that specializes in artistic means, it should be great to see how the final release ends up looking in action.

Final Thoughts
Many video game releases we see today focus on elements that have already been prepared for us, the every day gamer. Sometimes, it's just better to make our own meal. Agetec is the one handing out the tools; you've got to be able to learn their ways and offer your own imaginary ideas in the concept of drawing. Surely not everyone has the power to move from the slow pace of designing stick figures onto evolving their skill in painting replicas of the Mona Lisa. But, when the month of May rolls around this spring, you won't have to worry about it -- the only critic around will be you.


User Comments

Bullseye!
New Features

The Influences of Batman: Arkham City [Special]

Top 5: The Best LittleBigPlanet DLC Packs [Special]

On Target
What's New Around the Site

First Mega Man Universe gameplay trailer answers some questions

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars HD coming to the iPad

Activision introduces CoD: Black Ops 'Wager Match' mode in new trailer

New Batman: Arkham City details; First screens released

Hydrophobia, Comic Jumper to lead XBLA Game Feast

Xbox 360 Controller gets redesigned D-Pad on November 9

Microsoft raising Xbox Live subscription price, Amazon to the rescue

Taking Aim
New Previews

Red Dead Redemption Expansion Pack - Liars and Cheats

Kid Icarus: Uprising

Test Drive Unlimited 2

Open Fire!
New Reviews

Mafia II

Mafia II

Top Gun

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Limbo



Home    •    About Us    •    Contact Us    •    Advertise    •    Jobs    •    Link to Us    •    Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2010 Matt Swider. All rights reserved. Site Programming copyright © 2004 Bill Nelepovitz - NeositeCMS