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New Contact on DS screens go under the Pocket Gamer microscope

We get intimate with the novel RPG as its release date approaches

New Contact on DS screens go under the Pocket Gamer microscope
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DS
| Contact

Perhaps the quirkiest DS game due for release this year, the anticipation for Rising Star's Contact is building as its autumn-ish release date draws ever nearer. So it's good news that a fresh batch of screens has been delivered to further increase our pulse rate.

In keeping with the game's own special style, we've decided to do something a little different: a little screen-by-screen analysis. Of course, this will involve some interactivity on your part (this is a games website after all, so you should be up to it), but we're only demanding a simple mouse click on the right hand arrow of our screenshot gizmo thingie (above right) as you read through the text below.

Screen 1: Yes, it's obvious, this is a role playing game, so there are plenty of stats for you to level up. These include combat attributes like strength, defence and accuracy, as well as general capabilities such as speed and more spiritual powers as shown by the ying-yang symbol. The other main thing to notice is the large inventory, which in this case shows weapons, as combat makes up a significant part of the game. You can use the DS' shoulder buttons to scroll through to other areas, such as less warlike items such as food, and the power up decals you collect throughout the game. Screen 2: More items, but this time it's food. Useful for making sure your health remains high after a battle. Screen 3: Here we see a more typical view of Contact. The game uses the DS' two screens very differently. On the top screen is the professor and his space dog Mochi. He's crash landed on earth, damaging his ship. It's up to you, running around on the touchscreen, to collect the power cells he needs to get back home. Happily, the professor will be in touch to help you out in your task. What's also interesting about this screen is it demonstrates the mini-game structure of Contact. In this case, you have to win a simple 2D racing game. Screen 4: This shot shows a more traditional 3D map view of one of the main areas of the game, Aegis, on the bottom screen. Also note space dog Mochi having a little nap in the professor's lab. Bless. Screen 5: Okay, so the professor is a bit of a character – he may not be exactly what we expect him to be. (Although what "weaksauce" is all about we'll have to just wait to find out.) On the bottom screen, you can just about see your character Terry picking up some armour – bound to come in useful. Screen 6: Demonstrating the variety of art styles of the game, we're now into a more luscious area. "Naked chef." Wonder if Jamie Oliver will sue? Screen 7: More nakedness in store as Terry prepares for some skinnydipping, with a lady friend it seems. As we mentioned at the beginning, Contact is a quirky game. Screen 8: Proving Contact isn't just about combat (and naked chefs), this shows Terry doing a bit of fishing. One major part of the game is the way you have to collect uniforms – cook, pilot and in this case a fisherman – which give you those abilities.

Well, that's enough screen deconstruction for now, but do click through the remainder of the screens. Then, to read more about Contact, you can go see our interview with game director, Akira Ueda, or check out our Hands On session with the E3 demo.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.