Today Square Enix released a small batch of news for Drakengard 3. First and foremost as you can see above, the second wave of pre-order bonuses for the game have been revealed. Meaning that if gamers pre-order the title between March 4th and April 8th they will be given the Nier Costume pack which provides a Kaine and Nier Replicant costume, and an Emil Hat for the dragon.
Also released today was a video interview with the game’s producer Takamasa Shiba which can be found below and if you check out the game’s official website then you will be able to read the first installment of Drakengard 3’s online novella “Zero.”
Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) are proud to stand behind the PS4, the next generation console recorded to globally sell over 6 million units as of March 2, 2014. The outstanding figure includes the 370,000 units sold through Japan, since its launch on February 22. The PS4 software sales also remain strong, with more than 13.7 million copies sold in retail stores worldwide and through digital downloads on the Playstation Store.
So why is the PS4 getting a lot more sales than the Xbox One?
The incredible line-up reflects the strong support for PS4 among developers and publishers, and has led the platform’s accelerated momentum and expansion. Top selling titles range from Killzone Shadow Fall, Knack, Call of Duty: Ghosts, FIFA14, Battlefield 4 and Assassin’s Creed: IV Black Flag. Check out the hands-on experience with these PS4 titles here.
The number of PS4 owners will surely increase with the highly anticipated release of the following titles:
In addition, the membership service for PlayStation Plus has extensively grown since the PS4 launch for users to receive exclusive game discounts, cloud game saves and “Instant Game Collection”; that entitles members to play popular playstation games at no extra cost. Furthermore, over 3.6 million users have installed the PlayStation App to stay connected with the world of PlayStation on their mobile devices.
“I am absolutely delighted that PS4 is off to such a great start in Japan,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “The responses we have received for the PS4 system’s integrated social capabilities have been phenomenal, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that gamers are utilizing these unique features to engage, share, play and connect with users around the world. SCE will continue to expand the world of PlayStation by growing its library of breakthrough games and bringing more innovative features and services only possible on PS4.”
What is truly amazing, is the global reach that extends from sharing gaming experiences on the PS4. As of March 2, 2014, more than 3.6 million gameplay broadcasts were streamed from PS4 systems via Twitch and Ustream. PS4 owners are connecting with millions of gamers around the world (57 countries), and are not only enjoying conventional gameplay, but are also immersing themselves in more dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences only possible on PlayStation.
Let us know what your thoughts are on the PS4 and the titles you want to play in the comments below.
We have some great news for fans of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate. Today Tecmo Koei has given the release date for the new fighter, Marie Rose, in the West. The company has announced that Marie Rose will be released on March 25th on the PlayStation Network and March 26th from the Xbox Live Marketplace thought it appears that she may be paid DLC as Tecmo Koei is listing her at a price tag of $5.99. Alongside the release of Marie Rose there will also be a new patch that will provide players with the Lorelei Stage free of charge.
There will be additional DLC to go along with the character in the form of extra costumes, which can be found below, with each additional costume costing $1.99 but it is worth noting that there is also a costume set that can be purchased for a cheaper price.
Also it is worth noting that Tecmo Koei’s free to play PS3 exclusive Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Core Fighters has been downloaded over one million times and to honor this accomplishment everyone who has downloaded the game or will download the game by between March 11th and March 31st, the company is throwing Jann Lee in as an extra free character to fight alongside Kasumi, Ryu Hayabusa, Ayane, and Hayate.
Late last week Telltale Games revealed that they would be releasing The Walking Dead Season 2 – Episode 2: A House Divided this week onto the PlayStation Network and PC however at that time the company did not know when the title would be released on the Xbox 360 and iOS.
Well now that date has been revealed and for Xbox 360 fans, you have to wait less than a day to download the new episode as it is set to be released tomorrow on March 5th while iOS users will be able to download the episode on March 6th. This episode will cost the same as past episodes, $4.99 on each platform though if you have purchased the season pass then it can be downloaded for free.
Infinity Ward and Activision have released a new trailer that showcases a few little additions to the Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer experience. Just as with the first lot of customisation items, expect to find some new skins which you can use to give your online avatar of destruction a little facelift. More specifically, these are:
Makarov Legend Pack: Play as Vladimir Makarov, one of the most ruthless villains in Call of Duty history. This Pack contains a Makarov Multiplayer Character and unique Personalisation Pack featuring a themed weapon camo, reticle, patch, playercard and background.
Zakhaev Special Character: Zakhaev is one of the most dangerous villains in Call of Duty lore. Play as this insane revolutionary in Multiplayer.
Rorke Special Character: Play as Rorke, the former leader turned nemesis of the Ghosts. Take control of this battle-scarred villain in Multiplayer.
Hazmat Suit Special Character: Though it won’t protect from a hailstorm of bullets and shrapnel, the all-new Hazmat Suit ensures you will stand out from the crowd in any Multiplayer match.
So check out the trailer below and take a look at the new faces bound to be storming across the battlefield en masse. You’ve gotta put effort into your appearance, it’s war after all.
Nintendo are ready to pull the shades on Luigi for the year that was, but not before offering us all some fantastic deals down under. There is only one new addition this week across all platforms for Nintendo, but it isn’t a bad one at all. Starting on March 7th, the classic Renegade will be available on the Wii U for $6.50 AU (NZ $8.50), which is not a shabby deal for an interesting beat ‘em up that started it all.
As mentioned, Luigi has a lot going on, so lets take a look at the sales that are taking place in his neck of the woods:
Mario & Luigi Dream Team Bros. for the Nintendo 3DS has been discounted by 20% starting March 7th and ending March 13th.
Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console has been discounted by 50% starting March 7th and ending March 13th.
New Super Luigi U for the Nintendo Wii U eShop has been discounted by 25% starting March 7th and ending March 13th.
Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Wii U Virtual Console has been discounted by 50% starting March 7th and ending March 13th.
Other Sales Include:
THE “DENPA” MEN 2: Beyond the Waves for the Nintendo 3DS eShop has been discounted by 30% starting March 7th and ending March 13th.
SpeedX 3D for the Nintendo 3DS eShop has been discounted by 30% starting March 7th and ending May 1st.
3D Game Collection for the Nintendo 3DS eShop has been discounted by 50% starting March 7th and ending March 27th.
Funfair Party Games for the Nintendo 3DS eShop has been discounted by 60% starting March 7th and ending March 27th.
Renegade looks great and the sales are wonderful, but those with limited supply of cash right now will be happy to know that Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns, Beyblade Evolution, and Girl’s Fashion Shoot have been marked down permanently to $26.00 AU (NZ $34.00). While we don’t have a lot this week in terms of new releases, these sales are sure to keep that backlog flowing until the next eShop update.
Grimm Bros have revealed that their upcoming debut PC title, Dragon Fin Soup has officially launched on Steam Greenlight. The single-player tactical action RPG consists of roguelike elements inspired by the tale of Red Robin, in which players must unravel the mysteries of Asura.
Ash Monif, CEO of Grimm Bros stated; “With accessible controls and brilliant visuals, Dragon Fin Soup will appeal to core gamers looking for a rich, tactical experience and RPG fans who love dark, twisted tales (for example, Shadowrun: Dragonfall). Typically turn-based games can be slow and discontinuous, however in Dragon Fin Soup movement, combat and controls have been streamlined to empower you to set your own pace.”
Dragon Fin Soup is planning to feature:
Deep RPG mechanics (crafting, fishing, mining), tactical decision making & turn-based oriented controls
Unravel the tale of the character in Story Mode or discover the wilds of Asura in Survival Mode
Beautiful high-resolution 2D world that consists of spider forests, ice caves, abandoned mines, scorching deserts, haunted mansions etc.
Pledge your support here for the Dragon Fin Soup Steam Greenlight Campaign and check out the official Facebook page for further updates.
GTA Online‘s ‘The Business Update’ – that we just recently shared details of – is now live! All you need to do to acquire the update is connect online, load GTA V on your PS3 or Xbox 360, and you’ll automatically be prompted to initiate the download. Xbox 360 owners will have to download an additional compatibility pack. After doing so, visit the in-game store from the pause menu and finish the download from there.
To go along with all the prior-listed additions included, Rockstar has also added 14 new jobs to GTA Online, the majority of which are inspired by the previously referred to content. All up, there are four new Land Races designed specifically for the Sports and Super class cars, and you can also take the new Vestra airplane on a tour of the Los Santos skies via four new Air Races. Vehicle Deathmatches have been added as well, featuring the Buzzard and Rhino Tank. Plus (there’ just more and more!), a new Last Team Standing in Little Seoul, a 2 team Capture at Los Santos City Hall and a new Survival around the Maze Bank Tower can also be played. Aside from the add-ons, numerous fixes were made that address various exploits and stability issues. And finally, the ability to disable slipstreaming in races and add Barber Shop and Tattoo Parlour locations to the Quick GPS is now possible. Check out the full list of changes here.
Overview
Introduced to the world in 1989, the Strider franchise has lain dormant since 2000. Now, Capcom and Double Helix are aiming to breathe new life into a series fans have swooned more than a decade for. How does the newest title hold up? Does it successfully defend its title or has Hiryu failed his mission?
Story
In the year 2048, a secret organization of hi-tech ninjas known as “Striders” exists. Specializing in smuggling, kidnapping, assassination, and other sorts of wetwork, they’re called upon for only the most crucial of missions. Hiryu, the foremost strider, is given the task of traveling to Kazakh City to eliminate a mysterious dictator known as the “Grandmaster.” Dropped in without the necessary tools and knowledge to complete his task, he must travel through Kazakh City, building his arsenal and dismantling the Grandmaster’s organization before eliminating the evil ruler.
Gameplay
Fans of the classic “Metroid-vania” style games will quickly know the style of game they’re in for. With a meager offering of tools at his disposal, our hero, Hiryu, will have to work through the soviet-inspired Kazakh City, defeating enemies and unlocking new abilities. Many of the new abilities he unlocks will grant him access to areas he couldn’t previously explore.
Strider does a fantastic job doling out abilities and upgrades at a pace that keeps things fresh without ever feeling overwhelming. When the game starts, Hiryu will have the ability to run, jump, climb, and slash his way through the world. With each boss the strider is able to defeat, he’ll unlock a new ability, which he absorbs through his “Cypher”, a plasma sword with a tonfa-like handle.
On top of the basic form of Cypher, Strider Hiryu can unlock alternate forms of the blade to help with both combat and world exploration. He can also employ the use of throwing knives known as kunai, which allow him to take out enemies from a distance or unlock doors. Many of his other upgrades will grant new ways to explore the world from sliding and double-jumping to the use of propulsion rings that zip him around like Sonic the Hedgehog. It continues to keep that new feeling intact, continually broadening exploration and combat options.
Strider also does an excellent job encouraging you to explore the world. As you travel through Kazakh City, you may notice various paths or nooks you haven’t yet uncovered. Let me encourage you to take the scenic detour and go see what’s there. It may be nothing, but it could result in some pretty cool swag as well. There are quite a few hidden collectibles and upgrades smattered throughout the Kazakh City. These can range from character art or costumes to upgrades for your kunai and more. Trucking straight from Point A to Point B without stopping to smell the roses would only be to your detriment.
I found the world design in Strider to be both expansive and fun to explore. There are lots of doors and pathways to take on your quest, many of which can lead to sweet loot. The game also presents an excellent sense of verticality, ensuring you feel free to climb and dive instead of simply running through the game. There are also some really cool fast travel options you can unlock, like riding on the wings of a hawk or the back of a panther.
Enemies in Strider are fairly standard fare. There are soviet androids with guns, soviet androids with shields, and a host of automated robots and sentry guns. Strider also offers a pretty large variety of bosses to fight. These range from gorillas and dragons to various human guardians in the city. The level of challenge varies from battle to battle, with several offering a good fight. Unfortunately, many feel like they simply come down to mashing the attack button as fast as possible before dodging and doing it again. When the variety is there, the boss fights are a lot of fun.
Visuals & Audio Strider is a great looking game. Everything is alive with bright, vibrant colors. Hiryu and the enemy bosses do a particularly great job of standing out from the hordes of enemies you’ll face. On top of character design, the animation is smooth as a baby’s bottom, offering an excellently responsive game even amidst chaotic on-screen action. Strider is both eye-catching and entertaining, keeping your eyes dancing throughout the game.
Strider‘s soundtrack is great, setting the pacing for your job in Kazakh City. The sound effects are also sharp and spot-on, drawing you deeper into the game. The voiceover work feels middling, however, bringing some cheap Saturday morning cartoon kitsch to an otherwise fantastic experience.
Overall Strider is a great game that offers eye-catching visuals, big bosses with attitude, and a large world to explore. The combat feels fluid and responsive, the steady stream of upgrades grants a fantastic sense of progression, and the bevy of hidden content will keep you busy as you explore Kazakh City. Folks with no love for “metroid-vania” styled games may not enjoy this, but everyone else will be glad they picked up their Cypher.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
PLAYSTATION®4 (PS4™) SALES SURPASS 6.0 MILLION UNITS WORLDWIDE IN LESS THAN 4 MONTHS SINCE LAUNCH,RAPIDLY POPULARIZES A NEW WAY TO ENJOY SOCIAL INTERACTION THROUGH GAMING
PS4 Software Sales Reach 13.7 Million,
Users Fully Embrace the World of PS4,
and Demonstrates Further Enhancement of the Network Service’s Ecosystem
With 100 Million Shares Captured, More than 56 Million Spectate Sessions and
a Dramatic Increase of PlayStation®Plus Subscriptions
Tokyo, March 4, 2014 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system has cumulatively sold through more than 6.0 million units*1 globally as of March 2, 2014 (JST). This also includes the 370,000 units sold through in Japan since its launch on February 22.
PS4 software sales also remain strong with more than 13.7 million*2 copies sold in retail stores worldwide and through digital downloads on PlayStation®Store as of March 2, 2014 (JST). Over 30 exciting titles*3 are available from SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) and the industry’s best software developers and publishers, including the independent development community. This incredible line-up reflects the strong support for PS4 among developers and publishers, and has led the platform’s accelerated momentum and expansion. A few of the top selling titles included KILLZONE SHADOW FALL (SCE WWS), which has already sold over 2.1 million units worldwide, KNACK (SCE WWS), Call of Duty: Ghosts (Activision), FIFA14 (Electronic Arts), Battlefield 4 (Electronic Arts), and Assassin’s Creed: IV Black Flag (Ubisoft Entertainment). Titles developed by the independent development community such as Contrast (Complusion Gams), Warframe (Digital Extremes) and Don’t Starve: Console Edition (Klei Entertainment), have also been highly acclaimed by gamers.
Japanese gamers are enjoying the latest installments of popular franchises, such as DYNASTY WARRIORS 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition (Tecmo Koei Games Co., Ltd), FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD) and Ryu-ga-gotoku Ishin! (SEGA Corporation).
The PS4 system’s games portfolio will continue to expand with highly anticipated titles such as METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES (Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.), KINGDOM HEARTS III (SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD), Destiny (Activision), Watch_Dogs™ (Ubisoft Entertainment), The Witness (Thekla, Inc.), #DRIVECLUB (SCE WWS), inFAMOUS Second Son™ (SCE WWS) and The Order 1886 (SCE WWS).
Many users have been taking advantage of the features and benefits of the PlayStation®Plus (PS Plus) membership service since the PS4 launch. In addition to existing members, more than half of PS4 owners are enjoying the benefits of PS Plus, demonstrating the explosive growth of the membership service. Subscribers have access to a wide variety of features such as exclusive game discounts, cloud game saves and “Instant Game Collection,” which allows members to play full versions of popular titles from third party developers and publishers, as well as from SCE WWS, at no extra cost. PS4 owners have also been enjoying services such as online multiplayer and automatic patch downloads and installations.
Furthermore, users are also engaging with the world of PlayStation® through PlayStation®App, which has been installed more than 3.6 million times as of March 2. PlayStation App can be downloaded onto iPhones or Android OS smartphones and tablets, allowing users to purchase content over PlayStation Store and exchange messages with friends via PSNSM.
Gamers continue to take advantage of the PS4 system’s deep social features to share experiences with friends around the world. More than 100 million shares*4 have been captured via the “SHARE” button on the Wireless Controller (DUALSHOCK®4) and more than 3.6 million gameplay broadcasts*5 have been streamed from PS4 systems via video streaming platforms, Twitch and Ustream. The gameplay broadcasts generated more than 56 million spectate sessions*6. PS4 owners are connecting with millions of gamers around the globe, and are not only enjoying conventional gameplay, but are also immersing themselves in more dynamic, interactive entertainment experiences only possible on PlayStation.
“I am absolutely delighted that PS4 is off to such a great start in Japan,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “The responses we have received for the PS4 system’s integrated social capabilities have been phenomenal, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that gamers are utilizing these unique features to engage, share, play and connect with users around the world. SCE will continue to expand the world of PlayStation by growing its library of breakthrough games and bringing more innovative features and services only possible on PS4.”
The PS4 system is currently available in 57 countries worldwide.
