Contact is a game published by Marvelous Entertainment that was first released in Japan on March 30 for Nintendo DS. The game is currently being localized for North America by Atlus and has been dated to be released September, 2006 in North America. The game was developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, the group responsible for Killer7.

Visual Style

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The game will have a simple, pixelated style on the top screen, reminiscent of the "Mother" series of RPGs. The top screen is where the professor will observe and offer assistance to the main character, a boy named Terry, who moves around on the bottom screen. The bottom screen has a hazy, lavishly detailed art style. When the professor goes onto the bottom screen, or vice versa, it offers a strange clash of styles.

Story

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The story of Contact begins with the Proffessor flying through space. He ends up crash landing on a strange planet, scattering the "cells" that power his ship, preventing him from getting his ship off the ground. He enlists the help of Terry, a young boy who mistakenly came with him. Terry agrees to help the Professor and sets out with a mysterious set of "Decals" from the Proffessor. Helping the Professor is the only way that Terry will be able to get home. However, as the game progresses the Proffessor's intentions are slowly thrown deeper and deeper into question. Perhaps collecting all the cells is not the only objective the Professor has in mind...

Gameplay

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Contact differs from ordinary RPGs in that exp. (experience) gain is instantaneous, meaning that leveling up in the middle of a battle is required, complimenting the real time combat system. Contact makes use of two main gameplay systems. Giving the game somewhat of a loose connection with Killer 7 is a costume system through which you make Terry change into costumes, earning new skills along the way. You'll earn seven costumes as you work through your adventure, turning Terry into such forms as a fisherman, a cook and a pilot. With greater use, a costume will add extra power to its associated skills and statistics. Outside of the costume-based skills, Terry also has weapon-based skills which can also be gathered as you work through the game. The other gameplay system centers on the Decals that were mentioned in the storyline. Terry can stick multiple Decals to himself, resulting in added powers. Decals can also be used to attack enemies who get in the way of your travels, heal Terry's wounds, and other functions of combat.

External links

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• Commercial
• Contact at GameSpot
• Contact at IGN
• interview with Contact's director at Gamer
• Official US page

2006 computer and video games | Nintendo DS games | Nintendo Wi-Fi games