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[Digital-Hero]

[Note: If you don't like the game and just want to come criticize the graphics. Find another thread please. Thanks!]
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TITLE: AFRIKA
GENRE: 3rd Person Photography Game
SUB-GENRE: Wildlife Simulator
PLATFORMS: PlayStation 3
DEVELOPER: Rhino Studios
PUBLISHER: Sony Computer Entertainment (Japan, Asia) | Natsume (United States)
PLAYERS: 1
INSTALL: 1.8 GB of HDD Space Required
WEBSITE: http://www.natsume.com/comingsoon_frameset.html
RATING: E for Everyone
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RELEASE DATES:
JAPAN:
August 28, 2008

ASIA:
December 12, 2008
(Title Change: Hakuna Matata)

UNITED STATES:
October 6, 2009 --> October 13, 2009 (Delayed)
(New Publisher, Trophy Support Added)

EUROPE:
Chances on it coming are very low. Importing from U.S. recommended.
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PREORDER/BUY:
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ZKDOUI/?tag=neogaf0e-20

EBGames:
http://www.ebgames.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75692

New Egg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16879261060&Tpk=Afrika
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ABOUT AFRIKA:
"Explore the wildlife of Africa in this revolutionary game! Africa's animals and plants are all rendered in stunning photorealistic detail. As a photographer, you'll use licensed, real-world photography equipment to complete assignments and capture everything from bathing hippos to a cheetah on the hunt. Explore the land, find new animals, and earn a name for yourself as a professional photographer!"

• Over 70 animals to find and more than 100 missions to complete!

• Animals behave and interact with each other just like their real-world counterparts!

• Explore environments ranging from grassland to marsh to forest.

• Innovative photo grading system teaches you the skills of a professional photographer!"

• Trophies added to the game!
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UPDATES:
10/5 - Thread created, More Information Added
10/6 - Install Size added, wallpaper added
10/7 - Release date change, IGN review added
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REVIEWS:
70% Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
"It's beautiful and soothing." [Nov 2009, p.76]

B- 1UP.COM
"Once you just sit back and enjoy it, though, Afrika cements itself as a one-of-a-kind adventure through a land most of us won't see "in person."

3.5 IGN.COM
"Afrika is a mess. It's not a broken game, but it definitely isn't a fully functioning one. It's limited in its scope, it doesn't look good, it's not fun to play, and I could go on."
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MORE INFO:
The save file for the Japanese version varies on the amount of pictures you take. It can go as high as 387 MB (Maybe higher) and takes a long time to load. Be patient.
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VIDEOS:
Gameplay Video:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-afrika/50903?type=flv
TGS 06 Trailer:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/tgs-06-afrika/13318
TGS07 Trailer:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/tgs-07-afrika/25148
Views Trailer 2008:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/views-trailer-afrika/37294
Making of the AFRIKA Soundtrack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxiipq62kUs

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WALLPAPER:
http://i36.tinypic.com/r6xtm9.jpg

IMAGES:

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Special Thanks to: Alessa Gillespie [Junior awaiting approval] for additional thread information.

 

[Yoshichan]

Will it have trophies?

 

[Speevy]

Thanks for making a thread for this. I had completely forgotten about it.

 

[Apoc29]

Is that how you spell Africa in Africa?

 

[BocoDragon]

Oh.. I didn't even know this game had picked up a US publisher!

 

[Digital-Hero]

Oh.. I didn't even know this game had picked up a US publisher!

Yup, and it's coming. This week!

 

[Speevy]

Will it have trophies?

All PS3 games (even ones localized from old games) are required to have trophies.

 

[Digital-Hero]

All PS3 games (even ones localized from old games) are required to have trophies.

If we need anymore information in the OP, please let me know!

 

[I AM JOHN!]

This is finally coming out? Seriously?

 

[reminder]

I already own Hakuna Matata, so give me a trophy patch please

 

[Oneself]

Day one. This kind of release is a good thing, they'll get my money.

 

[TwIsTeD]

this and demons soul in the same week.....unfortunately this loses....but at least its finally out here!

 

[Gomu Gomu]

 

[Digital-Hero]

See now I have to change the thread title....

(Nevermind, I may get banned making that title.)

 

[Valkyr Junkie]

I wish Amazon was offering their usual 5% off the MSRP.

 

[Digital-Hero]

I wish Amazon was offering their usual 5% off the MSRP.

The Amazon price is higher than the EBGames price. WTF? :lol

 

[Snuggles]

This actually looks like something that would be right up my alley, I like nature but I don't like going outside so Afrika could be the best of both worlds. The only similar game that I've played is Pokemon Snap. So is this "on rails" or do you have full movement? Also, can you be mauled by the Lions? If so, I'm sold.

 

[Tenks]

DAT ASS.jpg

I KNEW there was a good reason for clicking in this thread

 

[iamcool388]

Any gameplay videos of this out yet? Any reviews?

 

[Digital-Hero]

This actually looks like something that would be right up my alley, I like nature but I don't like going outside so Afrika could be the best of both worlds. The only similar game that I've played is Pokemon Snap. So is this "on rails" or do you have full movement? Also, can you be mauled by the Lions? If so, I'm sold.

Nope, you have full 3rd person control over your character.

Any gameplay videos of this out yet? Any reviews?

Gameplay Video

There isn't any reviews of the U.S. version that I know of. I will check often today.

 

[Stumpokapow]

I hope they back-patch trophies into the import version

Nope, you have full 3rd person control over your character.

That's kinda a lie, actually. The first several missions of the game are on rails. It's only about 10-15% into the game that you get the ability to drive your own car and wander beyond a certain radius from it.

 

[Doytch]

Will buy for $20 after it tanks.

 

[vazel]

The Amazon price is higher than the EBGames price. WTF? :lol

And I kept emailing them that their price is $10 above msrp but they just kept giving me 'we can't do anything about it we get our prices from the manufacturer'. I'm sure the price will change on release day but it's so annoying because I kept wanting to pre-order.

 

[Rollo Lawson]

This actually looks like something that would be right up my alley, I like nature but I don't like going outside so Afrika could be the best of both worlds. The only similar game that I've played is Pokemon Snap. So is this "on rails" or do you have full movement? Also, can you be mauled by the Lions? If so, I'm sold.

you have full movement. the "big game" photo ops are scripted though. no you cant be attacked. you get a little warning cut scene type thing. same if you get too far away from your vehicle

i have hakuta matata and its a cool, relaxing game. the trickiest shots ive come across getting close-ups of certain birds. a lot of them look the same in the air and it takes them a while to land. then its tricky getting close without scaring them off. the waiting can be a real pain tbh

 

[Digital-Hero]

I hope they back-patch trophies into the import version



That's kinda a lie, actually. The first several missions of the game are on rails. It's only about 10-15% into the game that you get the ability to drive your own car and wander beyond a certain radius from it.

I was able to play the Japanese version for about 5 minutes over a year ago and I had full control. I don't know the whole experience so my answer was based on that. My apologies.

 

[JustAnotherOtaku]

Hmm, I bought the Japanese version on release last year and realy enjoyed it but I'm undecided whether or not to double dip. Think I'll wait and see if the JPN version gets a trophy patch or something as that (alongside having the game completely in English) is pretty much what would give me the incentive to replay through it again.

 

[beast786]

wow... Didnt know this was soo close.

Will pick it up.

So far

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
Afrika
demon Souls
Brutal Legends
Uncharted 2
Rachet and clank

Wow.. Wife wont like this :lol

 

[vazel]

I hate to be one of those fanboys that proselytizes videogames. But unlike other 'underappreciated gems' proclaimed by fanboys this one is sure to really sell poorly. People shouldn't hesitate to buy this game to show interest in the American market. Games like this are few and far between.

 

[Vard]

Glad this gets a new thread. I'm interested in hearing some impressions!

For the trophy collectors:

The game has 45 Trophies: 34 bronze, 6 silver, 4 gold, and 1 platinum.

http://www.gameplaymonthly.com/interviews/out-of-afrika-and-into-your-living-rooms/

 

[Shiggy]

Is that how you spell Africa in Africa?

It's how you spell it in Germany.

 

[Snuggles]

I will probably buy this, but even with the low price there is too much else that I want to buy over the next few months. I'm on a limited budget, so I can only get the games I really want. It's Uncharted 2 then Ratchet for me for October, but maybe once December comes around and things slow down I can pick this up. I know this has been said a lot before, but this seems like it could have been great as a PSN title, it'll probably be hard for me to find this in-store.

 

[Oneself]

unlike other 'underappreciated gems' proclaimed by fanboys this one is sure to really sell poorly. People shouldn't hesitate to buy this game to show interest in the American market. Games like this are few and far between.

This.

 

[Meier]

Okay this was really, really funny.

 

[dskillzhtown]

I hate to be one of those fanboys that proselytizes videogames. But unlike other 'underappreciated gems' proclaimed by fanboys this one is sure to really sell poorly. People shouldn't hesitate to buy this game to show interest in the American market. Games like this are few and far between.

I'll be getting this one this week. I am thinking there won't be many shipments of this title. Seems like a definitely change of pace game.

 

[DeadGzuz]

I hope the patch my import version, I don't want to re-buy it for trophies and I have barely started so don't mind starting over.

 

[3rdamention]

Day one. This kind of release is a good thing, they'll get my money.

Yep, same here. You guys can rag on this game all you want, I am ready to play it with my 5 year old daughter. She is going to love this, I know it.


I am starting to think Afrika, Katamari, and Mini Ninjas might be a nice collection of $49.99 games to pick up at Toys R Us next week. However, I dont know if I can wait, I really want to check out Afrika.

 

[outunderthestars]

day one. I am actually buying a ps3 so I can play this game with my daughter.

 

[iamcool388]

Wow that gameplay video sold me. I was a maybe earlier on, but I will buy this soon. It looks like easy fun, and thats good enough for me in my books.

 

[TheSeks]

I need more information on the trophies for me to consider it.

 

[outunderthestars]

I need more information on the trophies for me to consider it.

You base the decision on whether or not to buy a game based on trophy support?

 

[jluedtke]

day one. I am actually buying a ps3 so I can play this game with my daughter.

Same here. Except with my son.

Glad to see this game get released. I loved Pokemon Snap, despite not being a Poke-nerd, and this game looks 100 times better.

 

[BitchTits]

Wow, this took a long time to get a Western release, is it out/coming out in Europe?

Ever since it was first shown, this was a system seller for me, but I completely forgot all about it. PS3 Slim is looking tasty right about now.

 

[Digital-Hero]

Wow, this took a long time to get a Western release, is it out/coming out in Europe?

Ever since it was first shown, this was a system seller for me, but I completely forgot all about it. PS3 Slim is looking tasty right about now.

Only about a year but I guess that could be considered long these days. This was the norm back in the 80's/90's.

 

[Darkpen]

Please tell me they dubbed in voices

 

[SiegfriedFM]

I hope my Korean/English version gets a patch but I'm not sure if I would replay the 3/4:s of the game I've completed already.

I played it with my mother and had loads of fun. Not many games you can say that about.

 

[olimpia84]

I bet the trophies are like get a pic of a giraffe eating a fruit from a tree or catch a lion yawning.

I might pick this up when it's 20 bucks though.

 

[inner-G]

I already own the JP version, and while I would like the trophies, I'll probably not get this one, or get it after it goes cheap.

Never got Aquanaut's Holiday though, if they publish that, I'm there day 1.

 

[Tailzo]

I actually got the US version preordered. Had almost forgot about that since I am so eager to play Demon's Souls. Btw, any word on getting Aquanauts holiday? I'd buy that too.

 

[Chairhome]

Remember that next week is Toys R Us's buy 2 get 3rd free sale.

 

[madmook]

Been intrigued about this game (or the concept of this game) ever since it was announced. Finally an official English version! But at $60 I'm turned off. At $50 I'm on the fence, and at $40 its automatically bought. I'm hoping that Amazon drops it to $50, because then I can use an ECA coupon to drop it to $45.