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NEW CONTENT FOR NIER: AUTOMATA ANNOUNCED

NEW CONTENT FOR NIER: AUTOMATA ANNOUNCED

New Costumes and Colosseum Challenges Coming 2nd May

Fans will soon have more to experience in the world of NieR: Automata™ with today’s announcement from Square Enix Ltd., that a set of downloadable content will be available for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Steam® from 2nd May 2017.

The downloadable content (DLC) set, titled “3C3C1D119440927”, will include three exciting new colosseums to challenge, plus additional sub-quests. Upon completion of these quests, players can earn various rewards, including:

  • Costumes from the previous Japanese release, NieR: Replicant, for androids 2B, 9S and A2
  • Records that add special music tracks to the players’ jukebox
  • New equipment and cosmetic accessories such as hairspray that allows you to change the color of 2B and A2’s hair
  • Masks with unique “on equip” effects
  • Special bullets that change the appearance of enemy bullets

A colosseum gameplay video

The boss battle gameplay video

The critically acclaimed NieR: Automata has shipped more than one million physical and digital copies worldwide.  Developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames Inc., it delivers a masterful mix of action and RPG gameplay. Players battle as androids 2B, 9S and A2 in order to reclaim the world for their human creators and uncover long-forgotten truths.

NieR: Automata is available now for the PlayStation®4 and PC across Australia & New Zealand.

For more information, visit: http://nierautomata.com. A free playable demo is also available to download now from: http://bit.ly/2k9txbV.

MARVEL VS. CAPCOM: INFINITE SMASHES BACK WITH INCREDIBLE NEW DETAILS AND OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE

MARVEL VS. CAPCOM: INFINITE SMASHES BACK WITH INCREDIBLE NEW DETAILS AND OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE

Marvel and Capcom Introduce Cinematic Story Mode, Reveal Eight Additional Characters, Announce Pre-Order Details and Release Date

Sydney, 26th April 2017 – Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced a Hulk-sized helping of new information for MARVEL VS. CAPCOM®: INFINITE, the highly-anticipated return of the revered action-fighting game series. Imagined and created through a shared vision between the two companies, the game will feature free-form 2v2 team battles integrated into a wide variety of exciting and accessible single player modes and rich multiplayer content for new players and longtime fans alike. MARVEL VS. CAPCOM: INFINITE will simultaneously release on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One®, and Windows PC across North America on September 19, 2017.

For the first time in franchise history, the Marvel and Capcom universes collide in a visually stunning and immersive cinematic Story Mode, as heroes and villains battle together to save their merged worlds from a sinister new threat, Ultron Sigma. A combination of the robotic foes known as Ultron from the Marvel Universe and Sigma from the Capcom Universe, this psychotic villain is obsessed with infecting all organic life with a cybernetic virus. History’s greatest gathering of warriors must now unite to fight back against Ultron Sigma and save their newly formed world.

Announced today, more new characters have joined the battle for survival against the forces of evil in MARVEL VS. CAPCOM: INFINITE including:

  • Ultron
  • Hulk
  • Thor
  • Hawkeye
  • Rocket Raccoon
  • Chun-Li
  • Strider Hiryu
  • Chris Redfield

Each newly-added character will feature unique abilities, iconic special moves and will join other previously-announced characters, including Captain Marvel, Iron Man and Captain America from the Marvel side, and Ryu, Mega Man X and Morrigan from Capcom. The use of powerful, game-changing Infinity Stones further deepens the customized gameplay and allows players to equip and unleash elemental in-game powers, such as Time, Power and Space.

In addition to the compelling cinematic story experience, single player Arcade, Training and Mission modes and vast multiplayer offerings will provide memorable experiences and infinite gameplay possibilities for players of all skill levels. More characters, stages, game features and story mode details will be revealed in the coming months.

Pre-orders for MARVEL VS. CAPCOM: INFINITE are available beginning today on all platforms.

The Deluxe Edition includes the main game on PS4 or Xbox One and a 2017 Character Pass, which contains access to six all-new additional post-launch characters including Sigma, the main antagonist from the Mega Man® X series. Pre-order bonuses for all versions in North America include Warrior Thor and Evil Ryu costumes. Check with individual retailers for details in Europe and Australia as some offers may vary. The pre-order bonus for the Deluxe Edition is the same as the Standard Edition, but also includes two additional costumes: Gladiator Hulk and Mega Man Command Mission X. For specific details, please check with individual retailers.

Capcom also confirmed today that a limited MARVEL VS. CAPCOM: INFINITE Collector’s Edition, brought to you by TriForce, is available now for pre-order on PS4 and Xbox One. It will include four premium character dioramas of Iron Man, Captain Marvel, Mega Man X and Chun-Li and a case filled with six Infinity Stone replicas. Contents may vary depending on region and for European pricing and full offer details please check with retailers. All editions and versions of MARVEL VS. CAPCOM: INFINITE will simultaneously release on September 19, 2017.

 

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About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy-five years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit marvel.com. © 2017 MARVEL

About Capcom

Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices.  Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games including ground-breaking franchises Resident Evil®, Street Fighter®, Monster Hunter™, Ace Attorney®, Mega Man® and Devil May Cry®. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Tokyo, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan.  More information about Capcom and its products can be found at www.capcom.com or www.capcom-unity.com.

Capcom, the Capcom logo, Ace Attorney, Devil May Cry, Mega Man, Monster Hunter and Resident Evil are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd., in the U.S. or other countries. Street Fighter is a registered trademark of Capcom U.S.A., Inc. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Xbox One is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 Out on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One

Polish developers CI Games released Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 today for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. The stealth FPS is set in the Republic of Georgia on three massive open world maps. Players will be able to mix and match three approaches in gameplay to tackle a variety of missions. Snipers will opt for engaging the enemy at long distances. Ghosts will use suppressed weapons to sow confusion among the enemy. Finally, warriors will take the fight right to the enemy by brawling in close quarters with a variety of automatic weapons.

Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 follows the story of Jon North, a USMC special ops sniper sent into Georgia to stop a brewing civil war. Off the books, North is looking for his younger brother after he went missing. The game explores themes of brotherhood, faith, and betrayal in the franchise’s biggest game yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DhGkudJD0c

DAWN OF ANDROMEDA HEADS FOR FULL RELEASE ON STEAM THIS MAY 4

DAWN OF ANDROMEDA HEADS FOR FULL RELEASE ON STEAM THIS MAY 4

Haarlem, The Netherlands – April 25, 2017 – Developer GreyWolf Entertainment and publisher Iceberg Interactive are excited to announce that their pausable, real-time space 4x title, Dawn of Andromeda, will be fully launching on May 4, 2017 for the Steam platform. Currently available on Steam’s Early Access program, the GreyWolf and Iceberg teams have been continuously working on implementing vast improvements to the game based on community feedback.

Mike Domingues, lead developer at GreyWolf Entertainment says, “After much time spent gathering player feedback and suggestions from the Early Access phase, we are extremely excited to put the final touches on Dawn of Andromeda. We are truly confident that fans from all over the world will be able to fully immerse themselves into this galactic world we’ve worked so hard to create.”

Dawn of Andromeda is a real-time 4x space game, allowing players to take the reins of one of many civilizations and guide it through the myriad of dangers hiding in the galaxy. They will be able to build out their empire, colonize new planets, interact with other factions and characters, research new technologies and build fleets so powerful their enemies will tremble at its mere sight

With endless galaxies to choose from, there are brand-new expansive features to look out for at launch:

  • Eras – Unique scenarios, each with a pre-designed galaxy and background stories which you can play as one of the existing factions, each with their own victory conditions, traits, challenges and ongoing conflicts and relationships
  • New animated cut scenes for each major race
  • New Victory/End screens with statistics and extra information
  • New (random) events
  • More balanced gameplay mechanics
  • Many bug fixes

Steam Review keys for PC are available to all interested press. Please contact the Iceberg PR team at [email protected]

Stay up-to-date with the latest Dawn of Andromeda news and information on the official website: www.dawnofandromeda.com. You can also keep track of Dawn of Andromeda or Iceberg Interactive at any of these online channels: www.iceberg-games.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dawnofandromeda, Twitter at https://twitter.com/GamesByGreywolf, Reddit at www.reddit.com/r/DawnOfAndromeda , and on YouTube at  www.youtube.com/iceberginteractive

ABOUT DAWN OF ANDROMEDA

Andromeda has seen quieter days, and it’s up to you to take the reins of one of several civilizations, and guide it through the many hidden dangers in the galaxy. Dawn of Andromeda is a pausable, real-time space 4X game focused on providing a fun, immersive and accessible experience that allows you to truly play as an Emperor. Build your empire, colonize new planets, interact with other factions and characters, research new technologies and build fleets so powerful, your enemies will tremble.

Explore a galaxy filled with diverse factions, outlaws, merchants, pirate clans and mercenaries but also anomalies, black holes, ancient artefacts, ruins and much more. Arriving in a new system may provide new opportunities, or open a new can of worms.

ABOUT GREYWOLF ENTERTAINMENT

GreyWolf Entertainment is a small studio based in Leiria, Portugal. It’s made up of ambitious and dedicated individuals who share a strong passion for videogames, and an equally strong passion for creating great videogames. GreyWolf’s first title is Dawn of Andromeda, an ambitious space 4X strategy game due to be released in Q2 2017.

ABOUT ICEBERG INTERACTIVE

Iceberg Interactive is an independent video game publisher founded in 2009 by an international group of games industry veterans and is located in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Staffed with avid gamers, Iceberg works closely with an international assembly of game developers, both midsize and indie. Garnering attention with acclaimed releases over recent years, including Killing Floor 2, Endless Space, Endless Legend, StarDrive 2 and Starpoint Gemini 2, the company has an exceptional line-up, including Oriental Empires, Starpoint Gemini Warlords, Dawn of Andromeda, Empathy, Conarium and Rising Storm 2: Vietnam – with further promising games in the pipeline.

Make Way for Alolan Pokémon in Pokémon Shuffle

Make Way for Alolan Pokémon in Pokémon Shuffle

The Alola region shines on Pokémon Shuffle and Pokémon Shuffle Mobile with new stages and more Pokémon.

Keep puzzling in Pokémon Shuffle for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems and Pokémon Shuffle Mobile with new stages featuring Pokémon from the Alola region. And for a limited time, special stages will provide the chance to get Alola’s first partner Pokémon. Play Litten’s special stage until May 9, Popplio’s special stage from May 9 through May 23, and Rowlet’s special stage from May 23 through June 6 to try to capture these cool Pokémon.


Also, be sure to log in to your game between May 2 and May 30 to get a special gift—Alolan Vulpix will join your collection!

Have fun battling with amazing Alolan Pokémon in Pokémon Shuffle and Pokémon Shuffle Mobile.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.pokemon.poketoru&hl=en_GB
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/pok%C3%A9mon-shuffle-mobile/id1014919815?mt=8

ARMOR GAMES STUDIOS RELEASES THOMAS BRUSH’S SURREAL PUZZLE ADVENTURE GAME PINSTRIPE ON WINDOWS PC, MAC AND LINUX

 ARMOR GAMES STUDIOS RELEASES THOMAS BRUSH’S SURREAL PUZZLE ADVENTURE GAME PINSTRIPE ON WINDOWS PC, MAC AND LINUX

Experience a father’s desperate descent into Hell in this haunting journey from the mind of Thomas Brush

IRVINE, Calif. April 25, 2017 – Armor Games Studios has released Thomas Brush’s surreally atmospheric puzzle adventure game Pinstripe on Windows PC, Mac and Linux for $14.99 via Steam, GOG.com and Twitch. Players can grab the title with a 10% off discount during the first week of its launch.

Pinstripe follows an ex-minister’s emotional journey through Hell in search of his kidnapped daughter. As players descend further into the chilling reaches of the underworld alongside their trusty canine companion, they’ll encounter strange creatures, thoughtful puzzles, and the mysterious Mr. Pinstripe, a shadowy nemesis who may hold the secrets of the past.

Pinstripe is the creation of Atmos Games, the label of independent developer Thomas Brush, best-known for cult hits like Coma and Skinny. Brush designed, wrote and programmed every aspect of the game by himself over half a decade. “As someone raised in the South, the concepts of Hell and morality are pretty much in my blood,” said Brush. “Pinstripe pulls from those themes to explore the afterlife and the meaning of salvation. It’s a very personal story for me, and I hope it will resonate with others.”

Inspired by classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline and Alice in Wonderland, Pinstripe’s bold artwork strikes a tone between darkly somber and eerily comical, with colorful designs that bring Hell’s otherworldly environments and inhabitants to life. This balance between light and dark is complemented by an evocative orchestral score composed by Brush himself.

Pinstripe is available in seven languages and is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.PinstripeGame.com.

About Thomas Brush and Atmos Games
Atmos Games is Thomas Brush, creator of the award-winning independent adventure games Coma and Skinny. Follow this one-man studio at www.atmosgames.com and @AtmosGames on Twitter.

About Armor Games Studios
Armor Games Studios is a developer and publisher of Steam, mobile and web browser games. Starting from humble beginnings as a Flash game portal, in recent years the company has branched out to other platforms, spreading joy to gamers of all types. For more information, visit www.armorgamesstudios.com, and follow the company on Facebook and @ArmorGames on Twitter.

Jam City and FoxNext Games Announce the Worldwide Release of FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game

Jam City and FoxNext Games Announce the Worldwide Release of FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game

FAMILY GUY Fans Everywhere Now Have a New Reason to Party!

Los Angeles, April 25, 2017 — In its fourth collaboration with FoxNext Games, today Jam City announces the worldwide launch of FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game, a hilarious and boundary-pushing twist on the match-3 genre featuring characters and humor fans have grown to love over the past 18 years. FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game is available to download for free through the App Store and Google Play worldwide.

Created in close partnership with the Family Guy Production team, FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game, gives anyone with a mobile device access into the town of Quahog to follow Peter around in his booze truck. The puzzle-based game gives players a chance to interact with everyone’s favorite characters from the FAMILY GUY universe.

“We absolutely love the FAMILY GUY brand — the rebellious, in-your-face dialogue and positioning of the show,” said Josh Yguado, Co-Founder and President and COO of Jam City. “Many popular mobile games are sweet, straightforward, and vanilla. With FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game, we wanted to take this opportunity to create a mobile game that is much edgier, louder, takes risks and is made for adults.”

The First Story Driven Puzzle Game for Adults

FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game is not your typical match-3 game. Gameplay experience includes:

  • Introducing new audiences to the genre through Family Guy’s shocking humor, content, and storyline. Match choices reveal entertaining in-game character animation.
  • Endless fodder for fans. New content added weekly, featuring regular episode tie-ins that introduce storylines, hijinks, and debauchery from the show into the game.
  • Out-of-the-box game modes. Serve drinks to Peter Griffin and the cast, battle the Giant Chicken in epic Boss Fights, and much more.

“Another freakin’ mobile game? I think we all feared this was coming,” said Rick Phillips, EVP, FoxNext Games. “There’s no better way to turn match-3 on its head than bringing the gang from Quahog into the mix.”

Jam City has made a science out of turning some of Hollywood’s largest entertainment franchises into hit mobile games. The mobile gaming publisher is the creator of 6 of the Top 100 highest grossing games played in the United States across both iPhone and Android devices.

FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, at (http://jamcity.me/AFMGiOS), on Google Play at (http://jamcity.me/AFMGgp) and available via all major app stores worldwide. The game is translated in 14 languages for players to enjoy around the world. For a limited-time only, players who download FAMILY GUY: Another Freakin’ Mobile Game will receive a special in-game gift.

About Jam City
Jam City is a Los Angeles-based mobile game publisher with global reach. Created in 2010 by former MySpace co-founders Chris DeWolfe, Aber Whitcomb, and former Twentieth Century Fox executive Josh Yguado, Jam City is the creator of 6 of the Top 100 highest grossing games across Apple’s and Google’s US app stores. Its portfolio of titles–which includes Cookie Jam, Panda Pop, Genies & Gems, Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff and Marvel Avengers Academy–has been downloaded more than 800 million times and is regularly played by more than 50 million people per month. Jam City has studios in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego and Buenos Aires.

About FoxNext Games

FoxNext Games, a division of the FoxNext group, produces award-winning games based on Twentieth Century Fox’s globally-recognized film and television properties. FoxNext Games brings triple-A quality and enjoyment to millions of players every day with games including ALIEN™ ISOLATION, ANGRY BIRDS™ RIO, THE SIMPSONS™ TAPPED OUT, FAMILY GUY: THE QUEST FOR STUFF, ANIMATION THROWDOWN: THE QUEST FOR CARDS, SUGAR SMASH: THE BOOK OF LIFE and many more.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 DLC Pack 3 & Free Patch Now Available

Following recent announcements from Bandai Namco, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 DLC Pack 3 is now available to download and like the past DLC packs it also comes with a free update for everyone that includes a number of changes, new costumes and new attacks. Below is a break down what’s included in the free patch and what is part of the paid DLC pack.

Free Patch – Released April 25th

  • 5 New Costumes
    • Magetta’s Suit (from the Unvierse 6 arc of Super)
    • Bujin’s Outfit (from Dragon Ball Z Movie 9 with Bojack)
    • Kogu’s Outfit (from Dragon Ball Z Movie 9 with Bojack)
    • Paragus’ Outfit (Broly’s father from Dragon Ball Z Movie 8)
    • Angol’s Clothes (even I had to look this one up, the henchmen that work for Paragus from Dragon Ball Z Movie 8)
    • Great Priest’s Clothes (from Dragon Ball Super, most noticably the Universe Survival arc)
    • Camo Bikini (most likely worn by Bulma at some point)
  • 7 New Accessories
    • Bujin’s Turban
    • Kogu’s Bandana
    • Frieza’s Head (Final Form)
    • Mecha Frieza’s Head
    • Great Priest’s Ring
    • Gas Mask
    • Angol’s Helmet
  • Once completed, Expert Missions can now be accessed from a new portal in the Time Machine Plaza where you accept Paralell Quests from.
  • A number of balances have been applied to old attacks as well. Most notable changes are to Death Beam and Big Bang Attack super moves.
  • Level Cap raised to 95.

Paid DLC Pack 3 – Released April 25th

  • 3 New Characters
    • Bojack (Base form only)
    • Super Saiyan Rose Goku Black
    • Zamasu
  • 4 New Costumes
    • Mai’s Outfit (from Future Trunks arc of Super)
    • Trunk’s Outfit (from Future Trunks arc of Super)
    • Zamasu’s Outfit
    • Goku Black’s Outfit
  • 5 Additional Skills – 4 moves from Bojack being your mentor and the Super Saiyan Rose Black Kamehameha.
  • 3 new Paralell Quests
  • 5 new Super Souls
  • 2 new emotes

You can check out the trailer for the third DLC pack below. DLC Pack 4 will most likely be the last pack to release for the game before the developers begin work on the inevitable sequel. The fourth pack will bring us Merged Zamasu and Super Saiyan Blue Vegito, most likely alongside some story missions and a new stage. For our full review of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 please follow the link.


UPDATE:  After some further research it seems that the following skills will most likely show up in the TP shop on the weekend, free for all users:

Supers:

Aura Slide
Divine Retribution
Sudden Death Beam

Ultimates:

Divien Lasso
Super Black Kamehameha

In addition, Bandai Namco’s Facebook page has released an upcoming schedule of events for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2. In this was confirmation that the fourth DLC pack will be coming in June.

UNIFY CHINA IN NEW WAYS WITH THE FAME AND STRATEGY EXPANSION PACK FOR ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIII

UNIFY CHINA IN NEW WAYS WITH THE FAME AND STRATEGY EXPANSION PACK FOR ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS XIII

Xbox One Version Makes its Debut alongside Extensive Expansion Offering New Strategy Mechanics, Event Editor and More, Available on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and Steam®

Hertfordshire, 25th April 2017 – KOEI TECMO Europe today proudly announced the release of Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII: Fame and Strategy Expansion Pack, an extensive content expansion for the historically-inspired strategy epic set in second century China, alongside a new trailer. With this week’s launch of the Fame and Strategy Expansion Pack, Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII makes its debut on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and is now available exclusively as a digital bundle with its just-launched DLC. This bundle package is also available on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and on Windows PC via Steam® for those who do not yet own Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII: Fame and Strategy Expansion Pack introduces new mechanics to the series that allow for greater strategic possibilities and additional options for diplomacy, nobility and warfare in the fight to unify China. One of these additions is the Fame System, wherein players work towards receiving bonuses for their characters by completing achievements, which range from battlefield objectives to peacefully resolving disputes. Players can also earn a Prestige title for their character through the Fame System, which will unlock new actions based on their Prestige level and ultimately shape life as an officer.

Also, arriving with the new expansion is the War Council, which is held before engaging in battle. With this feature, Generals are able to choose which Officers will follow them into combat and which strategies they will apply to outsmart their opponent. Furthermore, players will now be able to create their own scenarios with the Event Editor. This tool allows unique narratives to be crafted within second century China and offers full control over when Events take place, which officers are affected and whether there will be multiple outcomes.

To stay up to date with the latest Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII: Fame & Strategy Expansion Pack news please visit http://www.facebook.com/koeitecmogames, www.koeitecmoeurope.com/rtk13ep or www.koeitecmoeurope.com/rtk13 and follow us on Twitter @koeitecmoeurope

About Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII

Celebrating the series’ 30th anniversary and marking its return to the west after an eight-year hiatus, Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII tells the tale of a collapsing dynasty and the emergence of power-hungry factions, setting the scene for a complex chessboard on which players can follow and influence the fateful events leading to the unification of 2nd century China. Blending deeply strategic gameplay with historically-accurate warfare, players can climb the proverbial leadership ladder as one of 700 historical characters during a turbulent era of political instability, large-scale conflict, and human drama.

Cities can be built and developed; alliances can be fostered or broken; armies can be mustered and deployed. Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII prides itself on offering a wide range of options for conflict resolution including a robust army composition selection, while special care has been taken to incorporate diplomacy and personal relationships, giving the player an extra incentive to build a stable and loyal network of friends and allies.

ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD.

KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive® and Ninja Gaiden®series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Review

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Studios: Amblin Entertainment
Publisher: Universal Pictures
Platforms: Cinema
Release DateOut Now

Overview

The names that are almost synonymous with the word “Hollywood” are Lucas, Bay, Tarantino, and Spielberg to name a few. Spielberg in particular has a fascination with exploring interactions with alien subjects… as in, literal aliens. From his earlier work with Close Encounters of the Third Kind to his most recent Indianna Jones instalment, he has a philia for all things xenos.  E.T. The Extraterrestrial fits into his passions quite well and is an unusual combination of a science fiction children’s film. After phoning home, I waltzed on down to the In the House screening of the film to see how this classic by maestro of the cinematic medium faired on the big screen.

The MCs for the evening were Jason ‘Jabba’ Davis and David ‘Quinny’ Quinn. After playing ‘rock, paper, scissors’ with the entire audience, a hallmark of the In the House experience, the two shared some interesting trivia about the film. The thing that stuck out in my memory was the fact that Spielberg came up with the idea for E.T. while wandering off the set of Raiders of the Lost Ark and reminiscing in the Tunisian desert. Apparently, his original concept of an alien befriending a young boy was one he developed in his youth as a way to deal with the divorce of his parents. I feel the relationship of E.T. and Elliot in the film takes on a new dimension when you factor in that even before this film was made, E.T. was already helping someone with their pain.

Story

The film starts us off with a group of aliens exploring a wooded area of rural America before being interrupted by a search party of men. The aliens leave in haste but leave one of their own behind who escapes the search party and runs to hide in the suburbs of a nearby city. Meanwhile, in a house in the suburbs, Elliott (Henry Thomas) encounters the alien in the shed in his backyard, who he names E.T. After a misstep or two, both Elliott and the alien become friends. The pair must work together to help ET get home and escape the attentions of the adults who wish to stop him for their own ends.

The story is simple enough to follow without too much complexity or ambiguity. Everything’s pretty straightforward and it works to reinforce the sense of childlike simplicity with which Elliot approaches E.T. There is no real examination or reflection of E.T. as anything other than a really cool friend to have and play with by pretty much all of the young characters in this film. The one exception to this is Elliot’s mother, Mary (Dee Wallace), who we see at multiple times during the film going through the emotional turmoil of a difficult divorce.

The main crux of the film is the relationship between Elliot and E.T. and the film asks a lot of its child star to make its entire concept work. Luckily, Thomas is able to deliver and we really get the sense of connection and love between the human and alien characters. He’s also not, thankfully, an insufferable character which speaks to the strength of the screenwriter who has worked to create a personality who is both likeable but distinctly childlike. Elliot is naïve and goodhearted but not an idiot, as so often screenwriters imagine children to be (and which can drain the charm out of them fast).

The simplicity of this film’s interpretation of the events and characters is incredibly straightforward and makes it a film wholly suitable for a younger audience… however, this can also make things a bit slow in parts. I mean, it pains me to say it but I was honestly a little bit bored at points in the film. Everything is so straightforward that it really just couldn’t hold my attention. It wasn’t enough for me to wish that the XCOM project finally make an explosive entrance and take E.T. in for questioning but I was certainly yearning for some of the meatier fair of Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It’s not something which will ruin a first watch of the film or for younger audiences but it left me wishing for more.

Visuals

The cinematography in so much of the film is absolutely beautiful. The night time shots of the shed in the first act of the film are beautifully composed with the humdrum of a suburban backyard taking on a beautiful but menacing form as the light spills out through the doorway. Another aspect you’ll notice is that much of the film’s shots are filmed from a low angle. It works to replicate the feeling of looking up at adults when you’re a young child and I feel it works well to put us in the mindset of Elliot.

A lot of Spielberg’s work is absolutely timeless movie magic that will continue to surprise and delight film goers for generations to come but the same can’t be said of the special effects. Don’t get me wrong, the E.T. puppetry and animatronics still look great and hold their own against today’s CGI but some of the other special effects hasn’t aged well. In particular, scenes where characters or things fly really doesn’t hold as well as other parts. It may be somewhat jarring for modern audiences, but I’m willing to bet that kids are going to be too enamoured by the story of children and their alien friend to really care.

Audio

The film is brilliantly scored by Spielberg collaborator John Williams who is an expert at working a symphonic score. Williams creates a soundscape which is wonderfully captures and highlights the mood of the film’s emotional beats. When we first meet E.T., it’s tense as we don’t yet know what to make of the alien creature but quickly Williams turned everything around. The soundtrack takes on a lighter tone with plenty of strings to carry the them and ultimately crescendo during the film’s iconic chase with horns and percussion. It’s a showcase in how classic film scores can stand the test of time.

Overall

So overall, I very much enjoyed this film and was happy to see it on the big screen. The story sells itself on our childlike desire to connect with others and the chemistry between our protagonists in undeniably charming. The cinematography is breathtaking although some of the special effects may not have aged gracefully in the face of modern day CGI. The soundtrack is an exemplar of classic Hollywood film scoring with work that stands the test of time. It was a fine film to watch and I’m glad to have been invited along to come see it.

Kudos to In the House for screening such a classic!

For other films which In The House is screening, feel free to check out their schedule here.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.