Wednesday, January 16, 2013

So, who bought Corpse Party: Book of Shadows (PSP/Vita) yesterday?

I'm sad to say I didn't.

The main reasons: I've yet to beat the first Corpse Party (I'm pretty sure I'm not even close to the end credits) and I'm still trudging my way through Elminage Original.


Also, I can't say I'm tickled pink about paying $19.99 for a digital game that likely would cost the same amount if it were given a retail release.

Still, I want it, and I'll probably pluck it from PSN sooner rather than later.


If any of you bought Corpse Party: Book of Shadows yesterday, though, I'd love to hear what you think about it in the comments section below.

For more information on this PSN title (which is perfectly playable on both the PSP and Vita, by the way), check out this blog post and this NeoGAF thread.

24 comments:

Matt Bartlett said...

I picked this up last night! Definitely different play style from the original, which I'm not sure that I'm enjoying quite yet, but I've only gotten through the first chapter so far. It's more like an interactive novel

The story is at least promising to be interesting, though it took the turn into fan service kind of early. I think I'm just getting used to the gameplay still, so I'm kind of on the fence myself. :p

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, yes, I'd heard that it's more of an adventure/interactive novel kind of game this time around. Actually, I kind of like the sound of that myself (mainly because I've only played a few such games so far), although I can understand being bummed by it, too.


Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts so far. Share some more when you have them, will you? I'm really curious about this one...

miruki said...

I too like the sound of that... no more running away from ghost and accidently being stuck in a corner with no chance to escape.... orz


I'll eventually get it, but I'll wait for a little price drop... ^^;

thegaygamer.com said...

Yeah, a price drop wouldn't be a bad thing, would it, miruki?


Not that I'm trying to imply that digital games should never cost $19.99, mind you.


Anyway, it'll be interesting to see when/if both of us pick up this one!

Espiga` said...

I was offered a review copy of the game, but since I never played the first one, I ended up declining.


It does look like a good game, though. I'm not sure why I never picked up the original, as I love XSEED and I enjoy these graphic novel-style adventure games... It's probably because I have a disdain for download-only titles.

miruki said...

Well, considering that I need to finish the first one first as well... it's probably gonna take a while before I'll get it. I'm not even sure if I want to continue playing Corpse Party... there were so many frustrating parts that kept me from continuing.. maybe watching the rest of the game via Youtube might be better for me... I'm really glad that Book of Shadows is more "novely" and less "actioney"... XD


I'd like a price drop merely because I read so fast that I'll probably finish the game faster than others... ;>

thegaygamer.com said...

Yeah, I really think I should finish the first one before picking up this one, miruki--especially since it's possible I'll come to realize that I don't much like Corpse Party, in which case ... why would I want to shell out $20 for the sequel, right?

thegaygamer.com said...

I hear ya, Espiga. I'm still coming to terms with download-only titles, too. At this point, I'll take some of them in that form if I absolutely have to do so, but I'd prefer to buy a boxed/physical game (for all sorts of reasons).

Espiga said...

I'm at pretty much the same point. I'll only download a game if I'm pretty interested in it and if I've got absolutely no other choice, or if I get it for free from a publisher or something.


Strangely enough though, I do my fair share of downloading games on Steam, though that's probably got more to do with their insane good deals than with anything else.


But when it comes to playing on a console or handheld, downloading a game bothers me, a lot.

thegaygamer.com said...

That's interesting, Espiga--that you're OK with downloading games through/via Steam.

I've ignored Steam thus far due to my dislike of playing games on a computer, thankfully. (I say thankfully because all it would mean is more $$$ spent on games I may not play for some time.)



It's hard to do that, though, on the PSP and the 3DS these days. I mean, some games--like this one, or like Pushmo and Crashmo on the 3DS--are never going to be released on cart/UMD, so you've GOT to go digital if you want to play it.


I guess you and I will just have to get used to doing so, eh?

apricotsushi said...

Well, I'm reviewing this one, so yup! Only just got started last night, though.


I'm still a bit on the fence about the move towards 100% visual novel territory. I love visual novels, but something about the sprites and the adventure-y puzzles made the first one really unique. Buuuut it was also infuriatingly frustrating at times, so I'm glad to not have to deal with that anymore, haha.

thegaygamer.com said...

Well, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reading your eventual review, Anne!


I find the change in genre kind of strange, too, especially given how popular the first one was. Still, if this end result is enjoyable, I guess the change won't matter much!

apricotsushi said...

Actually, I read an interview with one of the developers 5pb, and apparently they decided to remove the adventure elements because they found people complained that it was too difficult. 5pb is best known for their visual novels, so I think they wanted to appeal to their core market by making it more their traditional fare (TeamGrisGris, the developers of the original Corpse Party, teamed up with 5pb for the PSP games)


But yeah, I think if all the other elements are there, I probably won't notice much by the end! I'm certainly sufficiently creeped out already ;)

thegaygamer.com said...

Interesting! I'm glad to hear you're already feeling creeped out by the game, by the way. Gah! I really need to get back to the first one :|

Billy Walker said...

So I've never played or even heard of Corpse Party before, but since you've taken the time to mention it in this post I'm thinking it might be worth a play at least! Is the first one still available on PSN? Also, is the story any good?

thegaygamer.com said...

Hey there, Billy! Yes, the first one is still available on PSN. As for the story being good (or not): well, I've only played a few hours of the first one, so I'm not sure I can say. I can say that I enjoyed the few hours I played of it -- it's very atmospheric and spooky -- but that's about it. Sorry if that doesn't help you a ton :(

Billy Walker said...

It's cool; with these types of things, you never really know what the story is going to be like til you get to the end! Plus it's always good to try out new things, regardless of whether it's been rated highly or not, purely to gain a new perspective on things. I've found so many things I like this way! :).

thegaygamer.com said...

Yes, I agree, Billy. I'll say this: Anne over at Chic Pixel really liked the first game, and I respect her opinion on such matters pretty highly. That said, I know some other folks didn't like the first game all that much, so it'll be interesting to see which group you and I side with after we've thoroughly experienced the game.

Billy Walker said...

Ahaha, will we join the dark side? To be continued... :D.

thegaygamer.com said...

Ha ha! Seriously, though, let me know if you decide to pick up the first one. I want to hear your thoughts on it!

Billy Walker said...

Awesome, I should do that and vlog about it :D. I've made a vlog already but it's pretty terrible in my opinion aha.

thegaygamer.com said...

Do it! I'd be interested in it, no question. Good for you for vlogging, by the way--I'm not sure I could do the same (our of fear/discomfort).

Billy Walker said...

I know what you mean! I've done so many takes and out of all of them I've only made one video. But hopefully one day I'll be able to make some cool videos that people like us can relate to and enjoy! :).

thegaygamer.com said...

Well, keep at it, I say. And let me know if you ever make one about this game!