GamersMark’s Ernesto Moreno had the opportunity at Comic-con to interview Ray Hiyoshi, product manager from Konami to explain a little bit about Dewy’s Adventure for the Wii and Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Following is the transcript of the audio interview:
(Dewy’s Adventure)
GM: First tell us how the gameplay is affecting the overall story.
Ray Hiyoshi: This game is basically made specifically for the Wii, it uses pretty much every feature of the Wiimote. You hold the control a little bit different than most games. You hold it, I guess, sideways. You tilt the remote to move the world around you. You shake it to cause earthquakes or cause wind. You can change the temperature or climate of the world to ice or steam, a very hot kind of atmosphere. You basically control the world; you’re like God pretty much. You control the character by moving the world. You help him about causing earthquakes and stuff that helps him, making the wind go strong can help him.
By changing the climate you also change the form of Dewy, so if it’s in ice form, he’ll turn into an ice chute. If it’s in hot mode, it’ll turn into mist. Each different form he takes has strengths and weaknesses. For example, an ice form he has probably the most powerful attacks, but it’s harder to control because it’s a lot more slippery. When he’s in mist mode, he can’t move, but he’s safe from the enemy.
GM: Oh, so in this mode he can actually fly above?
Ray Hiyoshi: Yeah, in this mode, he looks like a cloud.
GM: That’s pretty neat. Can you tell us the overall story of Dewy?
Ray Hiyoshi: Basically, the story is a very eco-friendly game. It’s in a world where everything is pristine and beautiful. One day, an evil Don Hedron comes and tries to make the world dirty. And the Elder Tree, which is basically the king of the world gives birth to a dew drop named Dewy, and he’s the last hope for the world. He’s basically the water droplet you control, and he’s there to save the world and defeat, basically Don Hedron and his minions.
GM: So this isn’t a second part to Elebits?
Ray Hiyoshi: No, it’s the same team as Elebits -- the art style is very similar, but the gameplay is completely different. Again, the similarities are the team, the art style, and also the eco-friendly kind of message that gave Elebits the power conservation theme. This one is like the keep the world kinda clean theme. So they’re a very environmentally-conscious group.
GM: Gotta keep it green.
Ray Hiyoshi: Yeah.
GM: In terms of the Wii... Obviously the Wii isn’t as technologically advanced as PS3 or Xbox 360. What advantages do you see publishing for the Nintendo system instead of the other ones?
Ray Hiyoshi: The way that Nintendo markets the Wii, it’s just very mass market. It’s very friendly, the innovative controller and everything makes it very interesting to develop on. You can do creative things on it.
GM: Do you think that people that loved Elebits will love this game?
Ray Hiyoshi: I think so; I think they will love it. It’s got the same kind of cute art style. Again, the gameplay is different. So its like, you know, completely different gameplay, much more robust. This game has been in development for a lot longer than Elebits. Elebits was a launch title, so this game is a lot more robust, a lot more platforming, a lot more depth in the game.
GM: Is the same team working on another similar title?
Ray Hiyoshi: At this time, we haven’t announced anything, and actually, I’m not sure. But, you know, with the success of Elebits and hopefully the success of Dewy’s, more things will come in the future.
GM: The game looks great, by the way.
Ray Hiyoshi: Thank you.
(Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles)
GM: So Castlevania, this is for the PSP?
Ray Hiyoshi: Yes, the first Castlevania to come on the PSP. It’s basically a Castlevania fan’s dream. Its basically three games in one, it combines the most beloved game, the most popular game in the United States, which was Symphony of the Night. And also, Rondo of Blood, which was probably the most popular game that never came to the United States, and this is the first time that it’s being released in the United States. Both games, the storylines correlate. Symphony of the Night takes place a few years after Rondo of Blood. So it’s the first time you get the full story of this line in one game. And its been redone for the PSP, 3D graphics, extra things, so it’s a really robust game. Again, a Castlevania fan’s dream game.
GM: So it’s the same storyline, same gameplay?
Ray Hiyoshi: Same storyline, same gameplay. We kept it true to the original Rondo of Blood and original Symphony of the Night, we just kinda enhanced it graphically to make it look good, and with the PSP and beautiful screen, you gotta make it look good right?
GM: Yeah, exactly. As for controls, did you guys take advantage of the analog stick at the bottom?
Ray Hiyoshi: It’s actually the d-pad.
GM: It’s the d-pad? So it’s back to the kinda traditional stuff?
Ray Hiyoshi: Yeah. It also has the original Rondo of Blood, the original one that wasn’t remastered. So you have three games in the game.
GM: So you have Symphony of the Night, Rondo of Blood, and what was the last one?
Ray Hiyoshi: It’s original Rondo of Blood. The original one that you could get before in Japan, just as is, not changed, on the PSP. Plus, enhanced Rondo of Blood, with enhanced graphics and everything.
GM: Oh, okay, so original, the newer version, and then Symphony of the Night.
Ray Hiyoshi: Yes.
GM: Okay, very cool. You don’t have to unlock any of the other ones to play any of them, do you?
Ray Hiyoshi: Actually, you do. Rondo of Blood is the actual game; Rondo of Blood is what the game starts off with and then you unlock Symphony of the Night and then the original Rondo of Blood.
GM: Okay, so you do have to beat one of them to play the other ones. Anything else coming out with Castlevania? Cause you guys had Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin just come out, how are those doing?
Ray Hiyoshi: Oh, they’re doing great. Portrait of Ruin has exceeded expectations, it’s been a great game, gotten great reviews, everyone loves the game, and it’s great. We’re hoping to match or beat that success with Dracula X Chronicles.
GM: Cause it looks like everyone is fond of the Castlevania games on the handhelds a lot, so are there more plans for a PSP or a DS game?
Ray Hiyoshi: I’m sure—ok, we haven’t announced anything, but I’m sure we’re looking into that right now, and I’m sure we don’t want to disappoint our fans.
You can download the audio interview here:
http://www.gamersmark.com/audiointerviews/comickonami.mp3 (2.96 MB)
