Rodea the Sky Soldier

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Wii U, 3DS
Rodea the Sky Soldier delayed to November
Published 3 hours ago. 9 comments.

Flight action game delayed due to "ongoing technical difficulties."

NIS America has delayed Rodea the Sky Soldier once again. The game, originally planned for September before being delayed to mid-October, will now launch for Wii U and 3DS on November 10 in North America and November 13 in Europe.
The company cites “ongoing technical difficulties” for the delay and is pushing back the release “in order to give players the best experience possible.”
The launch edition of the 3DS version will include a limited soundtrack in a collectible box, while first-print copies of the Wii U version will also come packaged with the original Wii version of the game and a reversible cover.
Find a rundown of the game below.

About
1,000 years ago, Emperor Geardo of the Naga Empire sent an army of machine soldiers to invade the sky kingdom of Garuda. Thanks to the efforts of Princess Cecilia and Rodea, a machine soldier who promised to protect Garuda, Emperor Geardo’s assault was thwarted.
In present day, a spirited inventor named Ion discovers an abandoned robot that has fallen into disrepair in the heart of a scorching desert. Upon completing her repairs, the robot stirs to life and reveals itself to be none other than Rodea. Stunned to find himself in the future, Rodea learns that the Naga Empire is no more and that Garuda has known peace for 1,000 years.
But this peace was not meant to last, for the forces of Naga have returned to wage war against Garuda. Remembering the promise he made 1,000 years ago, Rodea takes to the skies to defend Garuda from the Naga Empire once again.
Key Features

• Touch the Sky – Complete each mission by traversing the aerial kingdom of Garuda while solving puzzles and demolishing enemies! Upgrade your flight capabilities and take full control
  of the air to discover secrets of the past and hints of the future.

• Delightful Tinkering – Explore each level and shatter enemies to collect Gears and Gravitons which Ion can use in her workshop to upgrade Rodea with new abilities and weapons, from upgrading his stats (such as health, attack damange, and speed) to powerful machine guns.

• Colossal Battles – Engage in battles on an epic scale as you combat the massive automatons of the Naga army. Dodge and weave in acrobatic combat as you evade the behemoths’ attacks and locate their weaknesses.

• Endless Hours of Fun – Replay your favorite levels to better your time and uncover numerous hidden objectives and items. Upgrade your gear to set new speed records and increase your score.

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3DS, Wii U, Delays, Kadokawa Games, NIS America, Prope, Release Dates, Rodea the Sky Soldier

source: Gematsu

 

[zenith16]

Wii U, Wii
Rodea the Sky Soldier Wii gameplay trailer
Published 6 hours ago. 5 comments.

A look at the unique features of the Wii version.

NIS America has released a gameplay trailer for the Wii version of Rodea the Sky Soldier, which is included with first-print copies of the Wii U version in North America and Europe.



Compared to the Wii U version, the Wii version offers power-ups, motion control compatibility, unique level designs, bonus stages, and multiplayer versus stages for up to four players.


Rodea the Sky Soldier is due out for Wii U and 3DS on November 10 in North America and November 13 in Europe.
Watch the trailer below.


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Wii, Wii U, Clips, Kadokawa Games, NIS America, Prope, Rodea the Sky Soldier, Trailers

Even more details below

NIS America Shows Rodea The Sky Soldier’s Multiplayer. September 14, 2015 . 2:30pm

Prope’s Rodea the Sky Soldier is coming to the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, and Nintendo Wii, but the game isn’t identical on all platforms. The Wii release is quite different from its contemporaries and is truest to Yuji Naka’s original vision for the game, and NIS America has released an official video that […]

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Prope’s Rodea the Sky Soldier is coming to the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, and Nintendo Wii, but the game isn’t identical on all platforms. The Wii release is quite different from its contemporaries and is truest to Yuji Naka’s original vision for the game, and NIS America has released an official video that goes through everything that is exclusive to this version of the game.

The two minute Rodea the Sky Soldier starts by going over some of the more expected differences. Since the Wii Remote is used to play the game, there are motion controls for this platform. A cursor appears on screen and players use that to direct Rodea. This also means some levels are designed differently for this platform. Exclusive power-ups appear, like a power wing that aids Rodea in-flight, since this version doesn’t allow players to customize Rodea with machines. People can also access Graviton collecting bonus stages.

The biggest difference is the inclusion of multiplayer in the Wii’s version of Rodea the Sky Soldier. Up to four people can compete in races to see who can fly to the end of areas the fastest in local, split screen multiplayer. Each player controls a different colored Rodea.

Rodea the Sky Soldier will come to the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, and Nintendo Wii on November 10, the same day Fallout 4 and Rise of the Tomb Raider will be released. The only way to get the Wii version of the game is to get a launch copy of the Wii U game.

Read more stories about Nintendo 3DS & Nintendo Wii & Nintendo Wii U & NIS America & Prope & Rodea the Sky Soldier on Siliconera.

source: Gematsu& Siliconera

 

[zenith16]

Learning To Fly With Rodea the Sky Soldier On The Wii U. October 22, 2015 . 1:30pm


It takes time to help Rodea learn how to properly soar through the skies again in Rodea the Sky Soldier

Flying in a third person game is always a tricky thing. There are delicate nuances to learn, to ensure you’re moving properly through the skies, and people need to be able to trust that their controls will always left them up, rather than send them plummeting to the earth below. With Rodea the Sky Soldier, flying sounds simple, but getting into the groove can take some time.

Learning how to use the targeting reticle is key, since that directs where Rodea goes. It’s a weird thing to think about. You’d think that after jumping up once, then jumping a second time to take flight, he’d automatically fly in a straight line in the direction you set. Moving the crosshairs to find a spot to guide him to is critical to success. So is knowing that, if you move it an inch, it’s going to change his trajectory.


Following gravitons is important too. By collecting these little bits, Rodea won’t just stay airborne longer. He’ll often lock into a combo. As long as you don’t touch anything, he could follow the whole chain of glowing lights and perhaps even take you exactly where you wanted to go. It’s really helpful early on, since someone just learning the ropes could rely on this digital trail of breadcrumbs.

As you play Rodea the Sky Soldier, you’ll also gradually develop proper judgment of distance and improved depth perception. I must admit, there are some areas where it’s difficult to determine if Rodea could reach a platform without plummeting. It’s only through trial and error that you can see.


Unfortunately, once Rodea does start falling, there’s nothing you can really do. He sinks like a stone. The player is left to watch the poor little guy flail around and can’t even try to move him around in hopes of landing on some bit of nearby ground to break his fall. It’s really frustrating, especially since there are a few instances where the camera issues or landing misconceptions could make it seem like Rodea would absolutely arrive at his destination, only he barely falls short due to a wall, ledge, or other interference, leaving you to watch as he grasps at nothing and falls into the abyss.

Recoil needs to be taken into account too. Attacking an enemy in mid-air seems like it should be a simple task, but effectively dealing damage takes practice. First, you have to know how long Rodea’s airborne attack works. Using gears and extra equipment like the machine gun should only be saved for enemies that can’t be destroyed via normal means, since they’re a limited resource. It’s important to try attacking groups of enemies over ground first, since Rodea’s spinning attack doesn’t last terribly long, meaning it’s possible for you to trigger it too early or even too late. Once he does land a hit, he bounces back from the target. Attacking uses energy, and it’s recommended you keep a watchful eye on his gauges to make sure he has enough power to launch an attack, recover from the recoil, and land safely.


Perhaps the best thing to say is that patience is key. It took me a little over 10 hours to complete Rodea the Sky Soldier. I want to say about 20-30 minutes of that was spent purposely taking my time in the first two levels so I could actually figure out how to fly without getting Rodea killed. Though, some of that was unintentional. I went through the second area three times. The first two were because I had to. The first boss battle is surprisingly difficult, as it is in a closed-area filled with obstacles, which made flying difficult and challenged initial attempts at accurate attacks. It doesn’t help that the boss occasionally puts a shield up so, even if an attack landed, a second would be needed to pierce. Also, if the boss attacked while I was in midair, it could be quite difficult to get out of its way. The third attempt was because I knew those same tricks would appear in future boss fights, and I felt it necessary to replay so Rodea would have a better shot at survival.

Basically, Rodea the Sky Soldier can be frustrating. It takes time and patience to learn exactly how to help this little guy soar safely through the skies. I wouldn’t be surprised if some people get so tired of the antics that they’ll have him walk around, when possible, since it’s often the safer and easier method of getting from point A to point B. Once you do learn to compensate for recoil, camera issues, and depth, as well as know how to properly read and direct the reticle, the game becomes far more manageable.

Rodea the Sky Soldier will come to the Nintendo Wii U and Nintendo 3DS on November 10. Launch copies of the Wii U version also include the Nintendo Wii version of the game.

Read more stories about Nintendo Wii U & NIS America & Prope & Rodea the Sky Soldier on Siliconera

source: Siliconera

 

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Rodea The Sky Soldier’s Characters Are A Love Letter To NiGHTS Into Dreams. October 28, 2015 . 1:30pm

The similarities between Rodea the Sky Soldier and NiGHTS into Dreams are most clear when you compare both games’ characters.

With Rodea the Sky Soldier, Yuji Naka has created the closest thing people will probably get to a successor to NiGHTS into Dreams. The idea of soaring through the skies over a fanciful world is quite reminiscent of the Sega Saturn exclusive, though Rodea the Sky Soldier is a little more realistic. Which is difficult to say, considering it’s taking place on a series of floating islands with magical Graviton pieces and all sorts of overbearing and intimidating robots. Still, the focus on flying through levels may not be what immediately reminds people of NiGHTS into Dreams, especially with Rodea’s limitations. Rather, the characters are what makes the two games feel so similar.

Both NiGHTS and Rodea are artificial beings created to serve their masters’ goals. NiGHTS is a Nightmaren made by Wizeman to aid in his attempts to become ruler of Nightopia. NiGHTS doesn’t share that goal and winds up imprisoned as a result. Once freed by Claris or Elliot in his original game, he helps reclaim Ideya for the children, overcome nightmares, and defeat Wizeman to protect Nightopia.





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Likewise, Rodea is an original creation by someone with ill intents. He is a R-0 Sky Soldier created by Emperor Geardo of the Naga Empire, tasked with protecting his daughter, Princess Cecilia. By meeting Cecilia, Rodea learned what it was to have a heart. He learned from her and realized what her father’s desire to invade other countries were wrong. He went with her down to Garuda to prevent Geardo from taking over that land and, in Rodea the Sky Soldier, finds himself defending Garuda against another Naga invasion.

Despite their artificiality, both Rodea and NiGHTS are characters that take on an overwhelming task that doesn’t really concern themselves. Yes, NiGHTS is imprisoned by Wizeman, but once freed it could have gone on its way. Instead, it chose to stay and help the children and defeat Wizeman. Likewise, Rodea immediately returns to the task he shared with Cecilia after his 1,000 year sleep in the hopes of defending an innocent country against an invasion.






But Rodea and NiGHTS aren’t the only characters that paint Rodea the Sky Soldier as a true spiritual successor to NiGHTS into Dreams. The entire cast comes together to provide parallels. Princess Cecilia and Ion, Rodea’s partners, are akin to Claris and Elliot in NiGHTS. The characters don’t actually do anything, but are there as support. They provide motivation for Rodea and NiGHTS’ actions, giving the characters someone to connect with and protect. Ion and Cecilia aid Rodea by repairing his arm and helping him care about things greater than himself. Claris and Elliot give NiGHTS his freedom.

The villains also feel so very similar. Both Rodea and NiGHTS have rivals that were once considered allies, fellow creations of their former masters. In both cases, their contemporaries remain on the side of evil. NiGHTS’ match is Reala, another Nightmaren who aids Wizeman in the conquest of Nightopia. Meanwhile, Geardo sends the other Sky Soldiers, R-1, R-2, and R-3, to aid in his conquest. The Nightmaren look alike, as do the Sky Soldiers, and our heroes share similar abilities with their rivals. It helps accentuate their unique dispositions and show how these characters wet out of their way, defying any possible programming, to do the “right” thing.








Both Rodea the Sky Soldier and NiGHTS into Dream’s evil masterminds even share similar flaws, as well as appearances. Both are lords of their domain, with Wizeman in charge of Nightmare and Geardo acting as emperor of the Naga Empire. Each man wears gigantic cloaks around their bodies, as well as massive headdresses to further paint them as imposing figures. Most importantly, each boss is unnatural in a way. Wizeman has no Ideya, perhaps the reason why he so desperately steals from everyone else. Geardo went out of his way to make as much of his body with machines as he could, making himself more robot than man.

The result is something of a fight of that which is natural against artificiality. Pleasant dreams in Nightopia and proliferation of Ideya is the norm in NiGHTS into Dreams, while Rodea the Sky Soldier looks at the juxtaposition and integration of machinery into a more rural and natural environment. In both cases, a refugee from the opposing and malicious empire comes through as the strongest defender of what is right, supporting innocents against those they know and owe their lives.

It’s an interesting dynamic and one which Rodea the Sky Soldier players and NiGHTS into Dreams fans will hopefully appreciate when Rodea the Sky Soldier comes to the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Wii U on November 10.

Read more stories about Nintendo 3DS & Nintendo Wii U & NIS America & Prope & Rodea the S on Siliconera.

source: Siliconera

 

[zenith16]

Latest Rodea The Sky Soldier Trailer Introduces Its Bosses. October 29, 2015 . 11:30am

The latest Rodea the Sky Soldier trailer shows Rodea taking on bosses at least three times bigger than he is.

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In Rodea the Sky Soldier, Rodea has to fight against former allies and various enemies sent by Emperor Geardo of the Naga Empire in a struggle to defend the peaceful nation of Garuda. Many of these levels have an aerial boss fight at the end, sending Rodea against foes both big and small.

To help players understand what some of these match-ups are like, NIS America has released a video showing a few of the game’s larger bosses. The ones shown in the trailer are all at least three times larger than Rodea, requiring the character to fly around them to discover their weak points. Once a susceptible spot is found, it is possible for Rodea to perform a dashing attack to deal damage and deplete the opponent’s health bar.

Rodea the Sky Soldier will come to the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Wii U on November 10. First print copies of the Nintendo Wii U version will also include the Nintendo Wii version of the game.

Read more stories about Nintendo 3DS & Nintendo Wii & Nintendo Wii U & NIS America & Rodea the Sky Soldier on Siliconera.

source: Siliconera

 

[zenith16]

Rodea the Sky Soldier Trailer Showcases Its Giant Boss Fights. October 30, 2015 . 10:30am

NIS America has released the latest trailer for Rodea the Sky Soldier, giving us a glimpse into some of the game’s intimidating boss fights.

NIS America has released the latest trailer for Rodea the Sky Soldier, giving us a glimpse into some of the game’s intimidating boss fights. Here’s a look at the official trailer.


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Rodea the Sky Soldier will release on the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U on November 10th in North America and November 13th, 2015 in Europe.

Read more stories about Nintendo 3DS & Rodea the Sky Soldier & Wii U on Siliconera.

source: Siliconera

 

[zenith16]

Rodea The Sky Soldier And The Prope Proclivity. November 2, 2015 . 1:30pm

Rodea the Sky Soldier retains many of the classic Prope hallmarks, like a focus on pastoral environments and bright-eyed character designs.

The last time I talked about Rodea the Sky Soldier, Prope and NIS America’s Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo Wii U game, I went over how it compares to NiGHTs into Dreams. While some might find this reason enough to give the unorthodox flying platformer a chance, the Yuji Naka effect is another. Games made by the head of Prope and former Sonic Team member all have a distinct sort of style, and people who play Rodea the Sky Soldier may find themselves constantly reminded of these other titles.

For example, NiGHTS into Dreams wasn’t the first game I thought of once I started getting heavily invested in Rodea the Sky Soldier. Instead, Prope’s fishing games came to mind. Despite the drastically different tones, the character designs are quite similar for humanoid figures. There’s the illusion of realism, where characters are vaguely realistic, but have plenty of unrealistic proportions. The eyes especially are the same. The first time I saw Ion in Rodea the Sky Soldier, I immediately associated her with Coraline from Ultimate Angler, Prope’s Mii Plaza Nintendo 3DS game. The characters have the same wide, blue eyes and resourceful character traits. Give Coraline a wrench or Ion a fishing rod, and they’d fit in each other’s games easily.




There’s also the fixation on natural environments. Prope games often have outdoor settings, offering players the illusion of enjoying the outdoors from the comfort of their own home. Let’s Catch, Fishing Resort, Ultimate Angler, and even Ivy the Kiwi? all take place in wooded environments filled with greenery. Rodea the Sky Soldier continues the tradition, even offering the same sorts of lakes as the ones seen in fishing games. I especially enjoyed the sepia tones that tended to permeate this game’s desert regions.

It’s a dreamy sort of world and life, and goes along with another element of the Prope philosophy. These are games that encourage people to enjoy their time. Even when they get really challenging and desperate, as with Rodea the Sky Soldier’s boss fights and Ivy the Kiwi?’s more demanding levels, there’s this pastoral purity to the games. Yes, the further things go, the darker they can get in some titles. It’s natural as players progress and come closer to a resolution. But early on, the rustic and subtle nature encourages people to appreciate the moment.




Honestly, the most fun I’ve had with Rodea the Sky Soldier so far is in these early levels. Seeing all of the greens and blues blending together, set against occasional ruins, offers this rustic feeling. It reminded me of camping trips I used to take with my family. You’d be out doing something like hiking or fishing, and suddenly you’d look up for a minute and be in awe of the trees, mountains, hills, and rock formations around you. It isn’t Prope’s prettiest project, as I consider Ivy the Kiwi? the company’s best looking endeavor, but there’s still something special about specific spaces within the game. For example, the screenshot above shows some islands in the sky players will explore when heading fight to Rodea the Sky Soldier’s first boss. Waterfalls and trees don’t go together, but here the resulting effect is astonishing. Plausibility doesn’t matter, the moment does.

The recurring themes help make Rodea the Sky Soldier more welcoming. This game can be a little daunting, but seeing Prope fixtures, like a focus on the natural world, similar character designs, and the presentation of a place that clearly looks like it’s plucked from some sort of daydream, can help put a player at ease even when a particular boss is frightfully frustrating.

Rodea the Sky Soldier will come to the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo Wii U on November 10. The Nintendo Wii version is only available with first-run copies of the Nintendo Wii U game.

Read more stories about Nintendo Wii & Nintendo Wii U & NIS America & Prope & Rodea the Sky Soldier on Siliconera.

source: Siliconera

 

[zenith16]

Rodea the Sky Soldier Swoops In With A Brand New Launch Trailer. November 11, 2015 . 8:30am

The launch trailer introduces us to many of the game’s characters, and also gives us a glimpse into its story and gameplay.

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NIS America has released a new trailer to kick off the launch of their Wii U title, Rodea the Sky Soldier. Here’s a look at the official video.

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The trailer introduces us to many of the game’s characters, and also gives us a glimpse into its story and fast-paced gameplay.



Rodea the Sky Soldier is available now for the Wii U in North America, and will release in Europe on November 13th, 2015.

Read more stories about Rodea the Sky Soldier & Wii U on Siliconera.

source: Siliconera

 

[zenith16]

Watch The Opening Stages Of Rodea the Sky Soldier On Nintendo 3DS. November 16, 2015 . 8:30am

Rodea the Sky Soldier’s latest gameplay footage gives us a look at the highflying gameplay for the 3DS version of the game.

A recent video on YouTube gives us a good look at the highflying gameplay in Rodea the Sky Soldier. You can check out the video below.


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The footage shows us a lot of the game’s initial tutorials, as well as its flight mechanics and story.

Rodea the Sky Soldier is now available for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. It will release in Australia on November 19th, 2015.

Read more stories about Nintendo 3DS & Rodea the Sky Soldier & Wii U on Siliconera.

source: Siliconera

 

[zenith16]

The Ground Is Your Friend In Rodea The Sky Soldier. November 20, 2015 . 1:30pm

Rodea the Sky Soldier can be really frustrating on the Nintendo Wii U, and a big part of surviving is knowing when to fly.

Rodea the Sky Soldier is a taxing game. If you’re playing it on the Nintendo 3DS or Wii U, which I don’t recommend, it will push you to your limits. Part of it is the targeting system, which takes so much time to adjust to. The other is the limitation on flight, which the Nintendo Wii version of the game lacked. There’s one way to make it a little easier on yourself, and that’s to spend as much time on land as possible.

I realize how horrible and counterintuitive that sounds. Rodea the Sky Soldier is supposed to be a spiritual successor to NiGHTs into Dreams. It even has “sky” in the title! Such things would encourage you to soar and glide around stages. It may sound strange, but sticking to the ground is a good way to keep yourself from throwing a GamePad or Nintendo 3DS in frustration.

I eventually learned how to get around in Rodea the Sky Soldier. It wasn’t easy. I basically learned to play it safe, which meant keeping Rodea’s head out of the clouds as much as possible. It seems like a game that encourages exploration. There are nooks and crannies to investigate, upgrades to earn, and even some out-of-the-ordinary enemies. The problem is, going after all of these things brings out how tedious the Nintendo Wii U version of the game is. It’s so easy to run out of air time and see Rodea plummet to the ground.







Though honestly, sometimes I was happy to see Rodea fall. I was playing Rodea the Sky Soldier in 2 to 3 hour blocks. Do you know how many times Rodea can die in an hour? I kept track during my first hour of play, because one of my best friends was nearby when I started his adventure and was amused at my frustration. He fell to his doom or was blasted by bosses a total of 8 times. That was almost once every 10 minutes, for those of you who don’t like doing the math. By the end of that initial session, I wasn’t shaking my head when he suddenly ran out of air time and went flailing into the abyss. I was happy about it, because that’s what Rodea deserved for putting me through all of this aggravation.

Flying is overrated. It’s after that first hour that I decided I’d only fly when it was absolutely necessary. Who cared about how much the upgrades could or couldn’t help me. My mission was to beat Rodea, not make him a better person. Well, robot, but you get the idea. Besides, I liked the characters and the ambiance. So, I recommend you do the same.

If you’re in an area with a lot of ground, walk on it. Take your time. Enjoy the view. Maybe even explore a little. Only send Rodea off to another platform if you have to. Make frequent stops along the way if you do, because objects are usually further away than the really are. That threw me, initially. Gaps that seemed easily bridged were actually a little too far to reach.




Don’t be a hero. You’ll see a lot of enemies flying around. It will be tempting to defeat one as you fly from one platform to another. Unless the platform is really close by, you have over half of the flight gauge left, and you’ve already spent an hour or so learning how to properly direct Rodea, don’t take the chance. Attacking takes away from your time spent in the air, and it’s all too easy to see a series of enemies in a row, send Rodea to attack them one after another, then somehow wind up winded and, you guessed it, watch as he falls to his doom.

This strategy works for the bosses too. In fact, I found it was a little more helpful when avoiding projectiles. Dodging in air can feel inaccurate sometimes. Rodea may not feel like he’s flying fast enough to get out of the way or you won’t have the same sort of precision you’d expect. Keep him on the ground until you’ve lined up a good attack, then send him into the air to properly position himself to damage the opponent.

If you keep at Rodea the Sky Soldier, you will eventually get the hang of it. Things will click, you’ll find your own coping mechanisms, and he’ll be able to safely take flight when he has to. But you should also remember that there’s no shame in staying on a solid surface. Rodea the Sky Soldier can be unnecessarily tedious and difficult on the Nintendo Wii U due to its control schemes and flight limitations. Staying on the ground whenever possible will save you a lot of frustration and might even help you clear the game quicker.

Read more stories about Nintendo Wii U & NIS America & Rodea the Sky Soldier on Siliconera.

source: Siliconera