Afrika (game)
Encyclopedia
Afrika, is a photography
and safari
simulation video game for the PlayStation 3
. Developed by Rhino Studios and published by Natsume., 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
. On November 19, 2008 it was announced that the former Asian territory ‘exclusive’ is going to be released in North America.
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 by Wataru Hokoyama. The music was awarded Best Original Video Game Score by The Hollywood Music Awards 2008. 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."
The U.S. version has a downloadable trophy patch.
Famitsu
scored the game 29/40, while Dengeki PlayStation
scored the game 70/85/90/90 (all out of 100).
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
and safari
Safari
A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the term is used for a big-game hunt, but today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.-Etymology:Entering the English...
simulation video game for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. Developed by Rhino Studios and published by Natsume., the game was first announced in a promotional video during the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
press conference at E3 2006. Afrika has been referred to as being similar to the Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
title Pokémon Snap
Pokémon Snap
is a first-person rail shooter and simulation video game developed by HAL Laboratory with Pax Softnica and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It is part of the Pokémon series, and one of the first console games based on the Pokémon series...
. On November 19, 2008 it was announced that the former Asian territory ‘exclusive’ is going to be released in North America.
Gameplay and story
In Afrika, the player assumes the role of a photojournalist hired to take images of various animals. 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. 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.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 by Wataru Hokoyama. The music was awarded Best Original Video Game Score by The Hollywood Music Awards 2008. 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."
American version
Afrika in the U.S. was announced at E3 2009. The game's original release date was October 6, 2009, but it was postponed and released on October 13, 2009.The U.S. version has a downloadable trophy patch.
Asian version
Afrika is known as Hakuna Matata in Hong Kong/Japan etc, and this "Hakuna Matata" version does not have trophy support.Reception
The game received generally negative to mixed reviews.Famitsu
Famitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
scored the game 29/40, while Dengeki PlayStation
Dengeki PlayStation
is a Japanese gaming magazine published by ASCII Media Works . The magazine originally featured information pertaining to PlayStation video games, but since then has also incorporated information from PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable games...
scored the game 70/85/90/90 (all out of 100).