Mark Joseph LeongWhen the next-generation console war started in 2006, no one would have possibly guessed that Nintendo’s Wii, a veritable pixie of a console compared to the colossi that were Sony’s Playstation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360, would take the world of console gaming by storm with its intuitive motion controls.
Four years later, in the aftermath of the never-ending “Next-Gen War”, Microsoft and Sony have both stepped up to the plate with their own spin on motion control after seeing green over the unexpected success of the Wii. This holiday, both companies are looking to level the playing field a little with the Xbox Kinect and Playstation Move.
Yet one question remains, which games would get the most out of motion control?
This list is meant for the games you’d rather wish you could control with flicks of wrists and bodily gestures – these are the top ten games I wish I had a motion controller for!
Number 10: Fight Night Round 4 (Xbox 360/Playstation 3) (Kinect/Move)
While hopes have recently been dashed for a sequel’s shot at motion control, it doesn’t stop anyone from hoping that EA‘s boxing simulator would one-day step into Kinect and Move’s good books.
While not a visceral blood fest, what earns Fight Night Round 4 its spot on the list is simple – it’s a graphical powerhouse. What it lacks in story and depth, Fight Night makes up for in looks, and it looks very, very realistic.
With motion controls, every strike and jab can feel very, very real as well. The best part is, coupled with Fight Night’s body motion physics and drop-dead gorgeous graphics, you can turn on vibration and you can feel like you’re actually punching your opponent into his next knockout.
Number 9: Tales of Vesperia (Xbox 360/Playstation 3) (Kinect/Move)
Much like sister games Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of The New World and Tales of Graces, Namco Bandai’s Tales of Vesperia represents the Tales‘ series latest foray into the next generation arena, albeit perhaps too late for the motion control wave, being released in 2008.
While first two titles had the opportunity of debuting on the Wii with the default motion controller, Tales of Vesperia utilizes the standard approach to open-ended RPGs with D-Pad (Directional Pad) mapping.
The advent of Kinect and Playstation Move would definitely be an impetus to bring support for motion control to the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. It would be way more fun to cast spells and swordfight like a real fantasy warrior would (Harry Potter fanboys need not apply).
Number 8: Flower (Playstation 3) (Move)
Taking a departure from what could be considered the “standard” videogame template, eschewing the use of narration and dialogue completely, Flower, the brainchild of thatgamecompany, revolves around manipulating the wind to blow a solitary flower petal through the air over a plethora of breathtaking environments.
While minimalist, the beauty of the game is the immersion in the element of control and emotion. Flower almost seems like it was made with Playstation Move in mind, focusing on the simplicity of manipulation a motion controller seems perfect for.
It wouldn’t be a wholly erroneous assumption to make that with motion control, Flower would be a completely addictive experience, even if it simply involved swaying for hours.
Number 7: Devil May Cry 4 (Xbox 360/Playstation 3) (Kinect/Move)
Capcom’s Devil May Cry series has long been a icon in the action genre with 4 sequels and a reboot in the works.
The iconic weapons of the series, the Devil Arms, provide a smorgasbord of opportunities for using motion control, ranging from rapidly switching between multiple arms to a mixing and matching each weapon to its own strengths – imagine switching out from your shoulder-missile launcher to a laser cannon with the simple flick of a wrist and twitch of a trigger.
What gives the game a little extra spice with the series’ newest protagonist, Nero and his Devil Bringer, is a much-needed (and incredibly fun) ability to grapple with your opponents. Motion control opens up a completely new element to the game by letting your controller act as an extension of your own arm and letting you control your grapples with ease – the possibilities are endless!
Number 6: Halo Wars (Xbox 360) (Kinect)
To most PC gamers, it’s a common argument (sans the vulgarity) that Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games should “stay off the console” and “stay on the PC”. With each dismal PC-to-Xbox adaptation like Tiberium Wars and Supreme Commander failing to make a ground-breaking impact, you can almost see the PC gamer’s vindicated smiles getting wider and wider.
Though, looking objectively, it’s quite evident that most of these grouses arise from the fact using that a keyboard to play RTSes is simply a lot more natural than using a controller. That’s where Halo Wars and Kinect come in.
Both exclusive to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 platform, it seems a perfect match – using clunky analog sticks to navigate across the terrain would be a thing of the past.
We’re not even mentioning the possibilities for easier micromanagement – selecting and manipulating unit formations with one hand while calling in support powers or setting waypoints with the other. In short, everything that the current controllers make a completely painful chore would be solved if Halo Wars embraces motion controls.
Very much like a Minority Report-esque interactive war theatre, Halo Wars with Kinect support is a shining example of what could very well bethe perfect console RTS.