Kaitou Wario the Seven / Wario: Master of Disguise

[fdsbh]

Hi All,

Just picked this up from Play-Asia, and as noticed there wasn't a thread for it and so here are my first impressions.

Its a touch-orientated platform-game, and the main concept of the game is that Wario can disguise himself in different costumes to gain different abilities. The user changes Wario's costumes via drawing on Wario himself with the stylus (different shapes equal different costumes).

To be honest, there is quite a bit of Japanese Text (when Wario converses with other characters) and for me as an English-only speaker it's very much a trial and error process at the moment. However, most of it is pretty simple to pick-up as it is self-explanatory. For example, to open treasure-chests you have to draw on Wario's bubble icons; once the chests are open they present the player with a stylus-puzzle (e.g. re-aarange the tiles, squash all the bugs etc.). The treasure chests are a fun part of the game.

The graphics are great, and if you've played and of the Gameboy Wario games before (or even Wario's Woods) you'll probably feel right at home as it's a very similar set-up - but jut the added bonus of using the stylus. The different characters are fantastic, and really well done. It also reminds me a little of Killer7 in that you need to use the different costumes for different areas of the game.

So far, I've played through the first two levels - I will keep you all posted as I get deeper into the game.

Overall, pretty good though, and am looking forward to the rest of the game!

[Johnny]

How'd you get it so early? My copy shipped from YA today so I should have it early next week.
You said you've done the first 2 levels - how is the length? I'm guessing this is a short game overall?

[fdsbh]

Early bird catches the worm! Only kidding - no it arrived the other day so I guess yours must be on its way soon.

With regards to length, I really haven't got a clue. I've been on the website (there's a link from Play-Asia) and it seems there are at least seven costumes to gain (I spose the hint was in the title) and you get one new costume per level.

The first level was pretty short, more like a basic intro into the game. the second is a little longer and has a few more puzzles. I imagine they will get longer and longer as they progress.

Am off to play this now (have been working hard so have not had much time yesterday) - will see if I can get past level 3 to drop more first impressions. That is, if my Japanese is getting better!

fdsbh

[fdsbh]

Right. Have been playing this all weekend, and here is an update.

Basically, level 3 is now a complete nightmare if you are English-speaking and know very little or no Japanese.

Level 3 begins in the same, touch-platformy style as all the other levels but as you progress through (up to the point where you gain the new Electricity Costume) you encounter a room with a computer.

The computer requires you to answer Japanese riddles, and to correctly solve the riddle you need to use the stylus to draw a Japanese letter or symbol.

Which is extremely difficult when you only have knowledge of English!!!

However, I have managed to find a website this afternoon which shows you which symbols to draw when you get to this part. Even then, it's pretty much trial and error unless you know Japanese.

This is a real bummer for me as I have really started to enjoy the game. So far, up to level three, I have gained the following costumes:

Scarlet Pimpernel - Makes Wario jump higher, and bash objects

Spaceman - makes Wario shoot a lazer and has a sort of floating jump

Artist - Can make Wario draw blocks to get to high places, as well as draw doors to teleport to save areas or beginning of levels.

Professor - Helps Wario locate secret passages via a scanning device

Electric Wario - Reminds me of Blanka in Street Fighter 2! Can use an electric charge to light-up dark areas and use computers etc.


My impressions of the game, having now had it for over a week, are very good and I would recommend the game to anyone when the US version arrives as it is a very fun platformer. It is graphically great, has some interesting puzzles and it's difficulty level is just about right (not too easy, but not too difficult either). It has good use of the touch-screen and is a novel idea for a platformer. The sound is standard fare - the usual platform sound effects coupled with some menu-game music, but nothing really to shout home about. The different Wario costumes are where the game shines, and the puzzles that relate to each costume does make you think a little.

However, if you're thinking of getting the Japanese version, be warned as it does have a lot of Japanese text and the riddles on level 3 are a bit of a problem.

OK - now back to the game! I will put another update online as soon as I have cracked the riddle section....

fdsbh

[fdsbh]

After a week's worth of frustration of using the stylus to input Japanese text, I have finally managed to crack level 3!

In level 3 you must visit two different computer terminals which ask you one random japanese riddle each. Once you have answered correctly, you must then gain a treasure from the nearby treasure box.

As soon as you have both of the treasures from the computer terminals, visit the Sphinx and he then asks you three random Japanese riddles (!).

After some great help from Boachan's website, I have managed to get past this stage. Boachan's website shows you the answers to every riddle, and then it's just a matter of drawing them in with the stylus. Be warned though, much frustration is ahead as most of the time you end up drawing the wrong symbol.....! Here's the website:

http://community.livejournal.com/nintendo_ds/1042336.html

fdsbh

[mr_sockochris]

After a week's worth of frustration of using the stylus to input Japanese text, I have finally managed to crack level 3!

In level 3 you must visit two different computer terminals which ask you one random japanese riddle each. Once you have answered correctly, you must then gain a treasure from the nearby treasure box.

As soon as you have both of the treasures from the computer terminals, visit the Sphinx and he then asks you three random Japanese riddles (!).

After some great help from Boachan's website, I have managed to get past this stage. Boachan's website shows you the answers to every riddle, and then it's just a matter of drawing them in with the stylus. Be warned though, much frustration is ahead as most of the time you end up drawing the wrong symbol.....! Here's the website:

http://community.livejournal.com/nintendo_ds/1042336.html

fdsbh

Many thanks

My PC can't recognize japanese symbols so could anyone take a couple of screen grabs of the webpage for me?

[cutmymilk]

And I was thinking of getting this! Think I'll wait for US version.

Whens it due?

[fdsbh]

US Version is due in March I think (at least that's what PlayAsia says).

I am really getting into this game now - have just uncovered a Dragon costume for Wario with an awesome flamethrower ability! There is also a Wario costume with a rubber dingy attached to his waist so he can swim. Brilliant.

This game is class and I'm sure it will be even better once the text is in English. If you can hack the irritating level 3 text then get this game asap!

fdsbh


PS - Just for you mr_sockochris...(riddle at the top, answer below - look carefully...)


EDIT: Sorry Mr_sockochris, but for some reason the cut and paste for Japanese text isn't working for the posts. Guess you'll just have to view the page some other way. Sorry!

[mr_sockochris]

What about 'print screen > paste into MS paint'? Sorry to be a pain, it's just i have it coming in the post tomorrow and if I get stuck I'm the kind of person not to go back to it

[Johnny]

This game is class and I'm sure it will be even better once the text is in English. If you can hack the irritating level 3 text then get this game asap!

Glad to hear you're still enjoying it. Unfortunately, as it's been 8 days since Yesasia posted it, I fear this is game #4 that has gone missing from them ft:
Which means I'll have to wait another 3 weeks or so before they'll resend it

[yosai]

Here you go

Forum resized attachment

[mr_sockochris]

Here you go

Forum resized attachment

Thanks

Glad to hear you're still enjoying it. Unfortunately, as it's been 8 days since Yesasia posted it, I fear this is game #4 that has gone missing from them ft:
Which means I'll have to wait another 3 weeks or so before they'll resend it

I'm still waiting for mine from Yesasia so don't worry just yet.