Namco-Bandai Editor's Day - Invincible Tiger

I love technology, and so when I see a preview station setup and everyone in front of it is wearing 3D glasses I'm immediately drawn to it like a moth towards a digital flame. As I got to the preview station I was handed glasses, and surprisingly enough, a 360 controller and was asked if I wanted to try playing Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao. After sucking back my drool, I nodded the affirmative and started to play this fun hand-to-hand side-scrolling action game in 3D.

The controls were simple and to the point: X to punch, Y to kick, A to jump and B was used for context sensitive switches (doors and ropes). The gameplay slightly reminded me of Kung Fu for the NES at first, just due to the fact that I wasn't worrying about six different button all the time, enemies were constantly streaming in from all corners of the stage, and it was a martial arts based game. The graphics were amazing, and the vivid colors actually showed up really well in the 3D environment. I have to admit that the glasses did make me a bit dizzy at the beginning, but I got over it. I enjoyed my three lives on the game, and quickly got my ass handed to me, partially since I didn't know how to pull of the combos, dodges and aerial attacks very well.

Apparently the game also features a Zen meter that you can fill up by doing the combos and dodging attacks, which, when full, allows Han Tao to unlock his full potential and lay waste to the goons around him. I was also told that the game will feature Story Mode co-op play, which should add a bit of replay and co-op fun to the game's mix. It'll also support many of the Xbox Live Arcade and PSN leaderboard features, allowing you post scores and brag to your friends, especially about the never ending stream of baddies you demolished in the Endurance Mode.

While Invincible Tiger still doesn't have a definite release date, I have to admit that playing it in 3D has got me wanting to try it out when it does release on the Xbox 360 and PS3 through Xbox Live and the PSN. Until then I might have to pull up an emulated version of Kung Fu to keep me occupied.