Demonstrating their upcoming Zenses titles at a recent media summit, The Game Factory's Damien Sarrazin noted that Nintendo is trying to reach out to alternative retailers.
"They've cornered the enthusiast retailers, the gaming retailers - the EBs of the world, the Best Buys. I think they've maximized the potential there," he told GamesIndustry.biz
"There is nothing more you can do in the usual places where you would expect to find videogame hardware and software. So, the only way they can expand their presence is to access alternative retailers - and in order to do that, they need to come up with the right offering."
Sarrazin thinks his company has found the right offering with Zenses - DS puzzle games designed specifically for a female audience.
Pocket Gamer:
Feeling stressed out by the working week? Casual game developer Kiloo has just the ticket - a calming and relaxing puzzle game.
Zenses Rainforest, a free cryptic game set in a soothing rainforest, has you plonking geometric shapes onto lily pads and collecting falling blocks from waterfalls. The game also has OpenFeint achievements.
GC writes: "Just like Zenses: Ocean, Zenses: Rainforest is targeted to the older audience who need relaxation. However, unlike Ocean, this game doesn't fulfill much relaxation and instead leads to more frustration. The games are more tedious and overall a bit less enjoyable. If you have a lot of patience, though, you may not be as frustrated.
There are 6 minigames and each one varies differently. There is no use of the A and B buttons, only the stylus. Before each game begins there is a tiny description of how to play the game, but many times it is hard to understand what it's trying to say that it is easier to just jump in the game and try it out."
It's also definitely worth mentioning that this is the weaker of the two Zenses titles by a mile. Rainforest has better puzzles and a stronger style. But both strike a definite atmosphere – whether that atmosphere is right for you or not is another question. This is an experience so subdued, it's almost a lullaby. But if you're into that vibe and want something legitimately fresh, see how your senses react to Zenses: Rainforest. And if you like that, take a dip in the Ocean.
