Afrika (video game)

Afrika

North American boxart
Developer(s) Rhino Studios
Publisher(s) JP Sony Computer Entertainment
NA Natsume
Composer(s) Wataru Hokoyama
Platform(s) PlayStation 3
Release date(s)
  • JP August 28, 2008
Genre(s) Simulation
Mode(s) Single-player

Afrika, also known in Hong Kong and Taiwan as Hakuna Matata, is a photography and safari simulation video game for the PlayStation 3. Developed by Rhino Studios and published by Natsume,[2] the game was first announced in a promotional video during the Sony press conference at E3 2006. Afrika has been referred to as being similar to the Nintendo 64 title Pokémon Snap.[3]

Gameplay


In Afrika, the player assumes the role of a photojournalist hired to take images of various animals in Africa, as the name states. Gameplay is mission-driven; players receive e-mails at base camp instructing them as to which animals they must photograph. Players may then travel by foot, jeep, or hot air balloon to the areas where requested animals are found in order to photograph them.[4] The in-game camera is controlled by the Sixaxis. Depending on the quality of the photograph taken, the player will earn in-game money. This money can be used to purchase new supplies such as an upgraded camera.[5]

Additional to the actual gameplay are unlockables such as various footage and real-life snapshots of the animals that can be encountered, which are collected and stored in the “Animal Library”.

The soundtrack for the game was composed, orchestrated, and conducted by Wataru Hokoyama.[6] The music was awarded Best Original Video Game Score by The Hollywood Music Awards 2008.[7] Movie Music UK has the only review of the soundtrack and gave it 4.5/5.0, saying "Hokoyama has left a strong impression with the wonderful music he has composed. This is a soundtrack you cannot pass up." [8]

Development

Sony first showed a trailer for Afrika at E3 2006 generating buzz, however other than the title little was actually known about the project.[9]

In 2008 Sony put up an official website for the then-mysterious game.[10] Soon after a game description turned up on the Japanese retailer Gamestar's website and a trailer was released confirming that the game was about a photojournalist.[11][12]

Afrika in the U.S. was announced at E3 2009. The game's North American release date was October 6, 2009[1] The U.S. version has a downloadable trophy patch.

Afrika is known as Hakuna Matata in Hong Kong/Japan etc., and this "Hakuna Matata" version does not have trophy support.

Reception

Afrika Reviews
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings58%[13]
Metacritic63/100[14]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1UP.comB–[15]
Eurogamer7/10[16]
Famitsu29/40[17]
IGN3.5/10[18]
Dengeki PlayStation70/85/90/90[19]

The game received mostly mixed reviews. Famitsu scored the game 29/40, while Dengeki PlayStation scored the game 70/85/90/90 (all out of 100).

According to Media Create sales data, Afrika debuted in second place during its release week in Japan, selling 38,423 units.[20]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 IGN staff (October 6, 2009). "Natsume Announces Afrika For PlayStation 3 Now Available". IGN. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  2. ↑ Michael McWheartor (2009-05-26). "Afrika Is Finally Coming to American PS3s". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 30 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  3. ↑ The secret is finally out! Afrika details revealed | Destructoid offers reviews, previews, trailers, cheats, and more
  4. ↑ Gametrailers.com - Afrika - TGS 07 Trailer
  5. ↑ Afrika: Sixaxis Camera Controls, You Can't Drive
  6. ↑ IMDB Page for Wataru Hokoyama
  7. ↑ Hollywood Music Awards Winners List
  8. ↑ Movie Music UK review
  9. ↑ Clements, Ryan (26 May 2009). "Pre-E3 2009: Afrika's Finally Coming1". IGN. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  10. ↑ Plunkett, Luke (27 May 2008). "Hey, Afrika Might Be Real After All!". Kotaku. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  11. ↑ Plunket, Luke (6 June 2008). "Afrika Trailer Released, Answers "What’s This Game About"?". Kotaku. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  12. ↑ Ashcroft, Brian (3 June 2008). "Afrika Out This August, To Feature Photojournalist?". Kotaku. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "Game Review". GameRankings. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Game Review". Metacritic. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  15. ↑ Barnholt, Ray (2009-10-06). "Game Review". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  16. ↑ Gibson, Ellie (18 September 2008). "Game Review". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  17. ↑ Antoine Morcos (2008-08-20). "Gamekyo: Afrika New Screenshots". Gamekyo. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  18. ↑ Greg Miller (2009-10-06). "IGN: Afrika Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 8 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  19. ↑ "The Magic Box: International Videogame News". TheMagicBox.com. August 27, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  20. ↑ Tanaka, John (September 5, 2008). "Afrika Debuts at Two in Japan". IGN. Retrieved February 18, 2012.

External links

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