Afrika (video game)

Afrika, known in Southeast Asia 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]

Afrika
North American boxart
Developer(s)Rhino Studios
Publisher(s)JP Sony Computer Entertainment
NA Natsume
Director(s)Katsumoto Tatsukawa
Producer(s)Katsumoto Tatsukawa
Programmer(s)Takehiro Urabe
Artist(s)Shintaro Ito
Composer(s)Wataru Hokoyama
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
Release
  • JP: August 28, 2008
Genre(s)Life simulation
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

In Afrika, the player assumes the role of a photojournalist hired to take images of various animals in Africa, as the name indicates. Gameplay is mission-driven; players receive e-mails at the base camp instructing them to which animals they must photograph. Players may then travel by foot, car, or hot air balloon to the areas where the 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. The money can then be spent on new supplies, such as an upgraded camera.[5] Real-life photos and footage of the animals can be unlocked. When unlocked, the content is stored in the "Animal Library".

The soundtrack for the game was composed, orchestrated, and conducted by Wataru Hokoyama.[6]

Development

Sony first showed a trailer for Afrika at E3 2006. This generated buzz, however, other than the title, little was actually known about the project.[7]

In 2008 Sony put up an official website for the game.[8] Soon after a game description was posted on the Japanese retailer Gamestar's website with a trailer indicating the game was about a photojournalist.[9][10]

The U.S. version of Afrika was announced at E3 2009. The game's North American release date was October 6, 2009.[1]

Reception

The game received mostly mixed reviews. Famitsu scored the game 29/40.

According to Media Create sales data, Afrika debuted in second place during its release week in Japan, selling 38,423 units.[17]

The game's soundtrack was awarded "Best Original Video Game Score" by The Hollywood Music Awards 2008.[18] 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".[19]

See also

References
  1. IGN staff (October 6, 2009). "Natsume Announces Afrika For PlayStation 3 Now Available". IGN. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  2. Michael McWheartor (May 26, 2009). "Afrika Is Finally Coming to American PS3s". Kotaku. Archived from the original on May 30, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  3. "The secret is finally out! Afrika details revealed | Destructoid offers reviews, previews, trailers, cheats, and more". Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
  4. "Gametrailers.com - Afrika - TGS 07 Trailer". Archived from the original on October 23, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2007.
  5. "Afrika: Sixaxis Camera Controls, You Can't Drive". Archived from the original on June 17, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008.
  6. "IMDB Page for Wataru Hokoyama". Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  7. Clements, Ryan (May 26, 2009). "Pre-E3 2009: Afrika's Finally Coming1". IGN. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  8. Plunkett, Luke (May 27, 2008). "Hey, Afrika Might Be Real After All!". Kotaku. Archived from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  9. Plunket, Luke (June 6, 2008). "Afrika Trailer Released, Answers "What's This Game About"?". Kotaku. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  10. Ashcroft, Brian (June 3, 2008). "Afrika Out This August, To Feature Photojournalist?". Kotaku. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  11. "Game Review". GameRankings. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  12. "Game Review". Metacritic. Archived from the original on June 17, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  13. Barnholt, Ray (October 6, 2009). "Game Review". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  14. Gibson, Ellie (September 18, 2008). "Game Review". Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
  15. Antoine Morcos (August 20, 2008). "Gamekyo: Afrika New Screenshots". Gamekyo. Archived from the original on September 16, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  16. Greg Miller (October 6, 2009). "IGN: Afrika Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  17. Tanaka, John (September 5, 2008). "Afrika Debuts at Two in Japan". IGN. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  18. Hollywood Music Awards Winners List Archived January 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  19. Movie Music UK review
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