Because this import-only 3DS puzzler hasn't been talked about much in this part of the world (or in any part?), I thought I'd share at least a few impressions of it here:
It's basically Zoo Keeper, with a couple of twists--If you've ever played Zoo Keeper, you've basically played Funghi's Big Breed. Well, kind of. The big addition to this game is that if you align four tiles in such a way that they form a square, something that looks an awful lot like a bodybuilder Funghi (that's the name given to the little mushroom characters in this game, by the way) erupts onto the screen and wipes out not only the tiles that started the whole thing but the 12 tiles that surround them, too.
Oh, and if you align four tiles in a row, a wolf-like Funghi zips across the screen and takes out the entire column of tiles to the left or right (or above and below, if the aligned tiles are vertical rather than horizontal). Anyway, both of these changes add a nice bit of zip and even drama to the experience and help differentiate Funghi's Big Breed from its predecessor.
Its art style is all sorts of awesome--Although the main reason I decided to buy Funghi's Big Breed earlier this year was that its gameplay apes (for the most part, at least) that found in Zoo Keeper, another reason was its darkly adorable art style. Plus, I have a sort of inappropriate affinity for the Touch Detective series' Funghi characters.
It's got a great, boppy soundtrack--For me to consider a puzzler "top tier," it has to have a soundtrack that makes you tap your feet while also making your pulse race. Funghi's Big Breed succeeds at accomplishing both--although I wouldn't have complained if the folks at developer Success had produced a few more tunes (as they did in Zooo, the GameBoy Advance/PS2 version of Zoo Keeper).
It's a bit lacking in terms of modes--My only real complaint with Funghi's Big Breed at the moment--well, besides the fact that I think I prefer Zoo Keeper's slower pace and more limited rule set--is that it's a little thin when it comes to the number of modes it offers players. There's a "simple" mode (where all possible "matches" are constantly visible), an "earnest" mode (possible matches only become visible at certain points) and a challenge mode (where players are tasked with meeting specific requirements, such as capturing a certain number of one kind of Funghi or creating a certain number of chains).
For me, the simple mode is too, well, simple, while I've never been a fan of challenge modes in such games, so the only one I'm making use of right now is the "earnest" mode. Although it's a lot of fun, I wish Success had thrown in a "time attack" or even "Tokoton" (collect 100 of a single type of Funghi, a la Zoo Keeper) mode as well.
So, there you have it--my impressions of Touch Detective: Funghi's Big Breed (aka Osawari Tantei Nameko Daihanshoku). Sorry a few of the bullet points above are on the long-winded side. Also, be on the lookout for an actual Great Gaymathon review of this game in the next few weeks.
See also: other posts about this import-only 3DS game
6 comments:
"Plus, I have a sort of inappropriate affinity for theTouch Detective series' Funghi characters."
Me: Now why would he say th-- Oh, I get it!
Yes, Will. Yes. I mean, how could I not like a puzzle game that's all about matching penis-shaped objects? ;)
Makes sense to me. :)
Good. I'm glad we're on the same page :)
Is there a lot of Japanese language required to play the game? I've been trying to avoid buying any Japanese games that look like they would have a lot of text (the very cute Kuma Tomo is one of them). Do you think that someone who has no Japanese language related ability would be able to play the game and complete it?
I wish that the 3DS units were region free like the DS ones were. There are Japanese people who live outside of Japan who want to play games as well.
Anyway, I love puzzles and the Touch Detective characters so this would be an ideal combination for me.
Hello! Nope, you don't need to know Japanese to enjoy this game, as there are so few modes that a tiny bit of trial and error will show you which button leads to which mode.
I also wish the 3DS were region-free, of course. I really don't understand why Nintendo was OK with making the DS region-free but not the 3DS, although I'm sure they have their reasons.
BTW, as much as I like this game, I actually prefer Zoo Keeper 3D (also for 3DS) to it, so if you're only going to go for one Japan-only 3DS puzzler, I'd go for Zoo Keeper 3D.
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