Nearly four months after the launch of Switch, Nintendo’s system gets its first major first-party exclusive (let’s ignore 1-2 Switch) – and it’s a cracker. A cartoon one-on-one (or two-on-two) fighting game with stretchy limbs, bulging eyes, mad music and gibberish voices, it’s as colourful, accessible and unputdownable as anything the Kyoto gaming gods have created in the HD era.
Arms is essentially a ranged fighting game, more concerned with relative position and lateral movement than the complex move combos of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Injustice et al. It better resembles elder brawlers like Power Stone and Virtual On, as well as more recent fare like Pokken Tournament.
Arms is quite hard to learn and very hard to master. But it’s inviting and different enough that you will want to learn. This is a game built around motion controls, and they feel natural and responsive. However, if you prefer a more sedentary session, standard controls are also available, even if they lack the nuance – and frankly the fun – of beating the imaginary hell out of your living room space.
Tilt both joy-cons sideways to sidestep and tilt them together to block; the shoulder buttons dash and jump respectively; and of course you punch to punch. But then it gets deeper. You’ll discover that blocking charges your fists, as does landing a jump. Punches can be curved, allowing you to dash behind scenery and attack unseen. And with every strike you are building a power bar, which when full can be unleashed in a furious flurry, the like of which E. Honda could only dream of.
The character art style lies somewhere between the heavily caricatured style of Overwatch and the alien weirdness of Splatoon. The female characters are marginally more interesting than their male counterparts, but everyone will have their favourite. Do you go for the dashing dexterity of tiny Min Min, with her ramen noodle arms? Or the brute force of the colossal Master Mummy, whose undead wrapping projects his fists? Personally, I’m partial to Ribbon Girl’s ability to dash multiple times in mid-air.
Ten characters (until the upcoming free Dlc is released, anyway) may look like slim pickings, but bear in mind that each character comes with a unique set of three arms, each of which has its specific benefits. It could be a standard boxing glove; a bird-shaped rocket for super-curved punches; or a giant mallet which is sluggish but will break through a block.
In terms of single player content, while we don’t get a proper story campaign like Splatoon, nor do we get a tacked-on mindless slog like Mario Tennis Ultra Smash. New players would be wise to play through the single-player Grand Prix tournaments with each character. This is a series of ten bouts: eight fights and two special games.
The specials are V-Ball (keepy-uppy with a ticking bomb), Skillshot (punch targets for the highest score) and Hoops (slamdunk your opponent). Alternatively, you can jump into a kind of endless mode, where you take part in a series of single bouts; the arms are randomised and the goal is to build a winning streak.
The main online features are Party and Ranked modes. The latter is not available until you have beaten the Grand Prix mode on level 4 (no mean feat for the beginner). Party mode is where the action is at for the regular player. This employs a wonderfully wacky lobby system, where you’re constantly shifting between randomised games, being paired with people depending on your skill level. In the meantime you can practice your strokes. It’s a great way of dealing with the natural downtime of the online experience.
Taking part in games awards points which can then be used to buy time in a further mini game, where you unlock the ability to mix and match arms – the purpose being that eventually you will have unlocked all arms for all characters. At this point (if you ever get there) you will have thousands of potential combinations. Admittedly, what distinguishes some of the arms is merely cosmetic. But more often the difference is stark, and it’s in the choice of weaponry that the game’s depth reveals itself. There is real joy in facing a loadout system which makes a genuine difference to the way you play.
Arms harnesses Nintendo’s hardware exquisitely – not just in terms of using the gyro controls of the joy-cons, but also in delivering rock solid 1080p/60fps action (720p in handheld, natch), even with two players. Any more players and the framerate is locked at 30.
It’s hard to say whether, with Arms, Nintendo have done for one-on-one fighting games what they did for racing games with Mario Kart. Time will tell. (My instinct is that it will be a gradual hit, as more and more people realise that “motion control” needn’t always be synonymous with compromise.) But for now this is a gloriously vibrant, playable, and wonderfully original new IP.
Arms is out now on Nintendo Switch.
Arms is essentially a ranged fighting game, more concerned with relative position and lateral movement than the complex move combos of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Injustice et al. It better resembles elder brawlers like Power Stone and Virtual On, as well as more recent fare like Pokken Tournament.
Arms is quite hard to learn and very hard to master. But it’s inviting and different enough that you will want to learn. This is a game built around motion controls, and they feel natural and responsive. However, if you prefer a more sedentary session, standard controls are also available, even if they lack the nuance – and frankly the fun – of beating the imaginary hell out of your living room space.
Tilt both joy-cons sideways to sidestep and tilt them together to block; the shoulder buttons dash and jump respectively; and of course you punch to punch. But then it gets deeper. You’ll discover that blocking charges your fists, as does landing a jump. Punches can be curved, allowing you to dash behind scenery and attack unseen. And with every strike you are building a power bar, which when full can be unleashed in a furious flurry, the like of which E. Honda could only dream of.
The character art style lies somewhere between the heavily caricatured style of Overwatch and the alien weirdness of Splatoon. The female characters are marginally more interesting than their male counterparts, but everyone will have their favourite. Do you go for the dashing dexterity of tiny Min Min, with her ramen noodle arms? Or the brute force of the colossal Master Mummy, whose undead wrapping projects his fists? Personally, I’m partial to Ribbon Girl’s ability to dash multiple times in mid-air.
Ten characters (until the upcoming free Dlc is released, anyway) may look like slim pickings, but bear in mind that each character comes with a unique set of three arms, each of which has its specific benefits. It could be a standard boxing glove; a bird-shaped rocket for super-curved punches; or a giant mallet which is sluggish but will break through a block.
In terms of single player content, while we don’t get a proper story campaign like Splatoon, nor do we get a tacked-on mindless slog like Mario Tennis Ultra Smash. New players would be wise to play through the single-player Grand Prix tournaments with each character. This is a series of ten bouts: eight fights and two special games.
The specials are V-Ball (keepy-uppy with a ticking bomb), Skillshot (punch targets for the highest score) and Hoops (slamdunk your opponent). Alternatively, you can jump into a kind of endless mode, where you take part in a series of single bouts; the arms are randomised and the goal is to build a winning streak.
The main online features are Party and Ranked modes. The latter is not available until you have beaten the Grand Prix mode on level 4 (no mean feat for the beginner). Party mode is where the action is at for the regular player. This employs a wonderfully wacky lobby system, where you’re constantly shifting between randomised games, being paired with people depending on your skill level. In the meantime you can practice your strokes. It’s a great way of dealing with the natural downtime of the online experience.
Taking part in games awards points which can then be used to buy time in a further mini game, where you unlock the ability to mix and match arms – the purpose being that eventually you will have unlocked all arms for all characters. At this point (if you ever get there) you will have thousands of potential combinations. Admittedly, what distinguishes some of the arms is merely cosmetic. But more often the difference is stark, and it’s in the choice of weaponry that the game’s depth reveals itself. There is real joy in facing a loadout system which makes a genuine difference to the way you play.
Arms harnesses Nintendo’s hardware exquisitely – not just in terms of using the gyro controls of the joy-cons, but also in delivering rock solid 1080p/60fps action (720p in handheld, natch), even with two players. Any more players and the framerate is locked at 30.
It’s hard to say whether, with Arms, Nintendo have done for one-on-one fighting games what they did for racing games with Mario Kart. Time will tell. (My instinct is that it will be a gradual hit, as more and more people realise that “motion control” needn’t always be synonymous with compromise.) But for now this is a gloriously vibrant, playable, and wonderfully original new IP.
Arms is out now on Nintendo Switch.
- 6/21/2017
- by Rupert Harvey
- Nerdly
Nintendo held their latest Nintendo Direct, focusing on what's next for the Nintendo Switch! So, what is next? Games, a lot more games. Come inside for more!
One of the biggest complaints about the Nintendo Switch, when it came out, were the limited amount of titles available to play. The other was the lack of the Virtual Console. While we're still waiting for the latter, the former is about to be resolved swiftly.
During the latest Nintendo Direct, the Nintendo executives announced a slew of new games coming to the Switch, in the very near future. You already heard about Splatoon 2, but what about the others? The following are the games announced during the Nintendo Direct:
Arms - One of the biggest features in the upcoming fighting game is the ability to equip two types of customizable Arms per fighter. These Arms range from standard gloved Arms to curved weapons like boomerangs.
One of the biggest complaints about the Nintendo Switch, when it came out, were the limited amount of titles available to play. The other was the lack of the Virtual Console. While we're still waiting for the latter, the former is about to be resolved swiftly.
During the latest Nintendo Direct, the Nintendo executives announced a slew of new games coming to the Switch, in the very near future. You already heard about Splatoon 2, but what about the others? The following are the games announced during the Nintendo Direct:
Arms - One of the biggest features in the upcoming fighting game is the ability to equip two types of customizable Arms per fighter. These Arms range from standard gloved Arms to curved weapons like boomerangs.
- 4/13/2017
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Matt Malliaros)
- Cinelinx
“Min Min and the Magic Garden,” a short, live-action/animated film, is casting a female actor aged 5–9, who is Asian, for a leading role. The talent will portray “a Chinese orphan [who] goes on a magical journey in her garden to find her missing bunny.” The project will shoot for two–three days on to-be-determined dates in Orlando, Florida. The hired actor will be provided pay, as well as meals and travel. For more information on “Min Min and the Secret Garden,” see the full listing. And check out more jobs for child talent in Backstage’s casting calls, which you can sort by age! Do you have quetions about parenting a child actor? We have answers on our YouTube channel!
- 4/13/2017
- backstage.com
Cleverman..
Michael Miller, co-writer of the ABC's Cleverman, has won the $10,000 Australian Writers' Guild's 2016 John Hinde Award for Science Fiction.
The annual award, first presented in 2008, is funded by a bequest from the late film critic John Hinde.
The award has two categories: one for a produced script, won by Miller, and one for an unproduced script, which this year was awarded to Graeme Burfoot for his screenplay, Red to Blue..Both were presented their awards at an industry event held at Brisbane Powerhouse on Wednesday evening..
Miller was awarded the prize for episode five of the Cleverman.s first season, .A Man of Vision.. He said sci-fi is a form that allows a writer to convey things not always so easily said in traditional formats.
.That was definitely part of the logic behind setting Cleverman in the future. It's exciting to think that Cleverman is one of several sci-fi-inspired shows on television at present,...
Michael Miller, co-writer of the ABC's Cleverman, has won the $10,000 Australian Writers' Guild's 2016 John Hinde Award for Science Fiction.
The annual award, first presented in 2008, is funded by a bequest from the late film critic John Hinde.
The award has two categories: one for a produced script, won by Miller, and one for an unproduced script, which this year was awarded to Graeme Burfoot for his screenplay, Red to Blue..Both were presented their awards at an industry event held at Brisbane Powerhouse on Wednesday evening..
Miller was awarded the prize for episode five of the Cleverman.s first season, .A Man of Vision.. He said sci-fi is a form that allows a writer to convey things not always so easily said in traditional formats.
.That was definitely part of the logic behind setting Cleverman in the future. It's exciting to think that Cleverman is one of several sci-fi-inspired shows on television at present,...
- 11/10/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Nitv has unveiled a refreshed brand and a revamped schedule.
According to an Nitv statement, the new brand look highlights the connection to land and contrasting spaces of Australian Indigenous life..
"It reflects culture in all its diversity — from traditional to contemporary, from youth to Elders, from remote communities to city living, from well-known faces to everyday Australians.
Nitv Channel Manager, Tanya Denning-Orman, said: .As Australia continues to debate the identity and place of Indigenous Peoples, there is a growing appetite for trusted Indigenous content and voices..
"As Australia.s free-to-air National Indigenous broadcaster, Nitv is uniquely placed to share and celebrate these perspectives..
"We are excited to unveil our new brand, which connects beautifully to First Nations Peoples and welcomes all Australians to embrace our culture, stories and aspirations..
The new schedule includes documentaries, news and current affairs, live sport, distinctive entertainment and children.s content.
There will be...
According to an Nitv statement, the new brand look highlights the connection to land and contrasting spaces of Australian Indigenous life..
"It reflects culture in all its diversity — from traditional to contemporary, from youth to Elders, from remote communities to city living, from well-known faces to everyday Australians.
Nitv Channel Manager, Tanya Denning-Orman, said: .As Australia continues to debate the identity and place of Indigenous Peoples, there is a growing appetite for trusted Indigenous content and voices..
"As Australia.s free-to-air National Indigenous broadcaster, Nitv is uniquely placed to share and celebrate these perspectives..
"We are excited to unveil our new brand, which connects beautifully to First Nations Peoples and welcomes all Australians to embrace our culture, stories and aspirations..
The new schedule includes documentaries, news and current affairs, live sport, distinctive entertainment and children.s content.
There will be...
- 2/29/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
CinéfestOZ film festival has introduced program of Indigenous film and culture as part of this year.s festival..
IndigifestOZ celebrates and builds awareness of Australian culture through Aboriginal film, art, music and food, and by recognising artists creating important work..
.CinéfestOZ deputy chair, Helen Shervington, said IndigifestOZ provided a showcase for Indigenous film and other cultural activities and is central to the festival.s support for the Australian film industry.
..As a predominantly Australian film festival, CinéfestOZ provides a platform and audience for Australian stories, filmmakers and artists to be seen and heard," she said..
"We are immensely proud of the Aboriginal content at this year.s festival and of the talented filmmakers who have chosen to screen their work and attend CinéfestOZ..
.Shervington said .special contribution from Premium Partner Rio Tinto, supported by a generous philanthropic donation from Kylie and Alan Brierty.
The Rio Tinto Colours: From Country to Coast exhibition,...
IndigifestOZ celebrates and builds awareness of Australian culture through Aboriginal film, art, music and food, and by recognising artists creating important work..
.CinéfestOZ deputy chair, Helen Shervington, said IndigifestOZ provided a showcase for Indigenous film and other cultural activities and is central to the festival.s support for the Australian film industry.
..As a predominantly Australian film festival, CinéfestOZ provides a platform and audience for Australian stories, filmmakers and artists to be seen and heard," she said..
"We are immensely proud of the Aboriginal content at this year.s festival and of the talented filmmakers who have chosen to screen their work and attend CinéfestOZ..
.Shervington said .special contribution from Premium Partner Rio Tinto, supported by a generous philanthropic donation from Kylie and Alan Brierty.
The Rio Tinto Colours: From Country to Coast exhibition,...
- 8/18/2015
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Michael and Peter Spierig.s Predestination has won the $10,000 John Hinde award for produced science fiction.
Simon Butters. Min Min collected the inaugural Hinde award in the unproduced category
Special acknowledgement was given to Hugh Sullivan.s The Infinite Man, hailed by the judges as a meticulously planned out and wonderfully executed time-travel story.
Presented by the Australian Writers' Guild, the awards were handed out on Sunday at the closing night of the fifth edition of the Fantastic Planet Sci-Fi Film Festival at the Dendy Newtown.
Made possible by a bequest from Australian film critic John Hinde, the awards are intended to foster and reward creativity in writing sci-fi features, shorts, TV, radio and interactive media.
Min Min tells of four carefree travellers who speed across the Nullarbor Plain to find the perfect surf break but their night time journey is cut short when they are hunted by a strange,...
Simon Butters. Min Min collected the inaugural Hinde award in the unproduced category
Special acknowledgement was given to Hugh Sullivan.s The Infinite Man, hailed by the judges as a meticulously planned out and wonderfully executed time-travel story.
Presented by the Australian Writers' Guild, the awards were handed out on Sunday at the closing night of the fifth edition of the Fantastic Planet Sci-Fi Film Festival at the Dendy Newtown.
Made possible by a bequest from Australian film critic John Hinde, the awards are intended to foster and reward creativity in writing sci-fi features, shorts, TV, radio and interactive media.
Min Min tells of four carefree travellers who speed across the Nullarbor Plain to find the perfect surf break but their night time journey is cut short when they are hunted by a strange,...
- 11/30/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Anton Corbijn’s Life also set to get direct government investment from Screen Australia.
Many Australian filmgoers were today thrilled to hear that director Clayton Jacobson and his brother, the actor Shane Jacobson, the two brains behind the good-natured local box office hit Kenny [pictured], are finally going to be making a followup.
The family movie Oddball is one of two features to get direct government investment from Screen Australia, it was announced today. In the other, the official co-production Life, starring Robert Pattinson of Twilight fame, Australia and Germany are minority partners alongside Canada.
“Oddball has the perfect mix to really carry across to an international audience,” Clayton Jacobson told Screendaily. “It is your classic four quadrant film. Both Shane and I were invited on board for the ride… We are thrilled to be able to work together again. It’s not every day someone pays you to hang out with family.”
Kenny was made...
Many Australian filmgoers were today thrilled to hear that director Clayton Jacobson and his brother, the actor Shane Jacobson, the two brains behind the good-natured local box office hit Kenny [pictured], are finally going to be making a followup.
The family movie Oddball is one of two features to get direct government investment from Screen Australia, it was announced today. In the other, the official co-production Life, starring Robert Pattinson of Twilight fame, Australia and Germany are minority partners alongside Canada.
“Oddball has the perfect mix to really carry across to an international audience,” Clayton Jacobson told Screendaily. “It is your classic four quadrant film. Both Shane and I were invited on board for the ride… We are thrilled to be able to work together again. It’s not every day someone pays you to hang out with family.”
Kenny was made...
- 12/5/2013
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
Short film competition Tropfest has announced its top 15 finalists for 2012.
The line up of directors includes a actors, comedians, If Award winners, second generation filmmakers and the youngest ever Tropfest finalist.
Tropfest is also opening the voting up to the audience to select a 16th film through Youtube.
Tropfest founder and director John Polson said: “Increasingly each year, I’m stunned by the quality of films entered into Tropfest from people all over Australia and the world, many with budgets of just a few dollars. Last year the quality was so strong, we let our audience decide on the 16th film for the first time, so we’re incredibly excited to be bringing our YouTube competition back this year. I want to congratulate all our filmmakers, and I want to thank our supporters for once again enabling Tropfest to take place Free for the Australian – and now New Zealand – public – in particular our biggest partner,...
The line up of directors includes a actors, comedians, If Award winners, second generation filmmakers and the youngest ever Tropfest finalist.
Tropfest is also opening the voting up to the audience to select a 16th film through Youtube.
Tropfest founder and director John Polson said: “Increasingly each year, I’m stunned by the quality of films entered into Tropfest from people all over Australia and the world, many with budgets of just a few dollars. Last year the quality was so strong, we let our audience decide on the 16th film for the first time, so we’re incredibly excited to be bringing our YouTube competition back this year. I want to congratulate all our filmmakers, and I want to thank our supporters for once again enabling Tropfest to take place Free for the Australian – and now New Zealand – public – in particular our biggest partner,...
- 2/3/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
The Vancouver International Film Festival is my baby. In its 29th year, this is the event I look forward to every year. The lists I've kept through the year come out and I eagerly look through the list of titles in search of those little gems and every year Viff responds with a huge assortment of titles. This year's festival is no different.
Some of the titles we're most eagerly anticipating include Tsumetai Nettaigyo’s Cold Fish (trailer), Gareth Edwards’ Monsters (trailer, review), Jo Sung-Hee’s apocalyptic road movie End of Animal, Carl Bessai’s Repeaters (trailer) and Xavier Dolan's Heartbeats (trailer, review).
There's loads more so be sure to check the titles (so far) after the break. Many more to be announced in the coming days.
Canadian Images
Altitude (Kaare Andrews), B.C.
View trailer
A weekend getaway aboard a small plane turns deadly for a rookie pilot and four teenage friends.
Some of the titles we're most eagerly anticipating include Tsumetai Nettaigyo’s Cold Fish (trailer), Gareth Edwards’ Monsters (trailer, review), Jo Sung-Hee’s apocalyptic road movie End of Animal, Carl Bessai’s Repeaters (trailer) and Xavier Dolan's Heartbeats (trailer, review).
There's loads more so be sure to check the titles (so far) after the break. Many more to be announced in the coming days.
Canadian Images
Altitude (Kaare Andrews), B.C.
View trailer
A weekend getaway aboard a small plane turns deadly for a rookie pilot and four teenage friends.
- 9/8/2010
- QuietEarth.us
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