Activision‘s Skylanders franchise is a little over three years old, and still going strong. With every new installment, the amount of figures that kids can collect and transport into their game steadily grows. Since the release of Skylanders: Swap Force, If you include all of the variants and re-released figures, there are over 220 different characters and toys for players to collect. That is a huge number to keep track of, but now thanks to the new Skylanders Collection Vault, doing so is easier than ever.
The free app, which is available on iPhone and iPad allows you to collect, collate and store the details of your collection in one easy to navigate and view app. Not only that, but the app will also give you details and back stories to each character with images and video trailers, helping to flesh them out a little more outside of the main console games.
Skylanders Collection Vault is available now free of charge. To download it head over the the App Store and start entering your collection into the App, unlocking all those pictures and video, and challenging your friends to see who has the most love for Skylanders. As always for all the Skylanders news as it becomes available, be sure to stay tuned to Capsule Computers.
Tearaway Developer:Media Molecule Publisher:Sony Platforms: PlayStation Vita (Reviewed) Release Date: November 22, 2013 Price: $39.99 – Available Here
Overview
There has been a lot of buzz for Media Molecule’s newest game, Tearaway. With what can only be described as a meager release schedule, the potential of a Vita-focused game presented by the creators of Little Big Planetis a tantalizing prospect indeed. How does Tearaway hold up now that it’s been released the wild, though? Has it torn ahead of the pack or should it be ripped to pieces?
Story
Iota (or Atoi, depending on your gender) has a mission. He must get a message to You. That’s right, his entire mission is to get the message (which his head is made of) to You, the player, and the person inside the Sun. As he works to deliver the message to You, he’ll cross vast landscapes, meet and help unique people, and fight off his nemeses, the Scraps, in a beautifully realized papercraft world.
Gameplay
It isn’t very long into Tearaway before you understand that a truly unique experience awaits you. As the game starts, you’ll control Iota (or Atoi) just as you would any other third-person game. You’re fairly limited out of the gate, able to move, run, and interact with items, but not much more. As you proceed through the game, however, more and more opens up to you and before you know it, your options are quite varied.
Tearaway exceeds tremendously as a Vita game. The front camera, rear camera, front and rear touch pads, accelerometer, and so on are all utilized to great effect. This makes for the single most engrossing experience on the Vita (and quite possibly several other platforms). You’ll press the rear touch pad to force your fingers into the world to manipulate objects, tap the rear touch pad like a drum to bounce Iota from platform to platform, open presents by pulling the bowstrings apart with the front touch pad, and much, much more. Media Molecule has clearly put serious effort into designing a game that takes full use of everything the hardware has to offer with nothing feeling like it was just shoveled in. Everything improves the game and it’s all incredible to witness and take part in.
The world and level design in Tearaway are immaculate. Each area is specially designed for a specific experience. Many often iterate on past experiences you’ve had and require you to adapt in order to overcome. Instead of just running around with the joystick, you’ll have to use the touchscreen to manipulate platforms with pull tabs, take out enemies, and more. It can take a fair bit of dexterity on occasion, but the sense of accomplishment you’ll earn from such contortion is reason enough to continue exploring.
As you play through Tearaway, you’ll run across NPCs who are occasionally missing something. In keeping with the heart of creation Media Molecule so finely curates, the game will give you access to a table with around 10 sheets of colored construction paper. Using the touchscreen, you’ll draw and cut out your own designs to make those in-game items, giving you a marvelous sense of agency in the beautiful papercraft world you’re exploring.
Beyond creating the occasional item for NPCs, you can customize Iota at any time simply by holding your finger on him until the menu pops up. Using currency you collect in-game, you can purchase new shapes, mouths, eyes, and more, and customize your very own Iota. Want to see the latest Final Fantasy character running around? You have the freedom to make that happen. It’s quite rewarding in its own way, granting you a great deal of control over your own experience.
Speaking of the NPCs in the world, their existence goes beyond the occasional required storied bump in the road. Many NPCs will have optional quests you can pick up. These usually require taking out a group of Scraps, designing something, or taking a picture of something in the game world. They give you an opportunity to stop chasing the main story and earn some extra money on the side for more goodies.
The cameras used in the game are employed to wonderful effect as well. There are several objects throughout the game that have had their colors stolen by the Scraps. Using your in-game camera with the accelerometer in the Vita, you can take pictures of these items to restore their color. This has an awesome side effect of unlocking an actual papercraft schematic for you to use in the real world via a service called Tearaway.me. It extends the game’s sense of whimsy far beyond the hardware in your hand to the craft table in your home.
Visuals
In spite of the fact that Tearaway is not on the newest generation of console hardware, it may very well be one of the most visually stunning games released all year. The implementation of a construction paper-based papercraft world makes for a phenomenally jaw dropping aesthetic that will have you constantly smiling. On top of the preconstructed environments and characters, you can pick, choose, and customize the look of several characters to suit your fancy.
On top of the look, the animation so fluidly conveys the real world while maintaining it’s construction paper feel that you’ll hold onto a sense of awe. Sprinting through a puddles or watching the waves roll in are sure to put a smile on your face. It’s all brilliantly designed and put together, and that makes it that much more engrossing to experience.
Audio Tearaway has an addictively entertaining soundtrack. Upbeat melodies will drive your exploration as you tap your foot along to the action on screen. The sound effects also do a wonderful job bringing the paper to life with wind blowing through the trees, waves crashing on the beach, and much, much, more. You’ll never want to play the game without experiencing the aural experience it has to offer alongside its beautiful visuals.
Overall Tearaway is an incredible experience from start to finish. Heartwarming, whimsical visual design mix with a wonderful score to present an audio-visual experience you’ll look back on fondly for years. While the story isn’t breaking new ground, it’s well told and richly entertaining. When you combine all of that with accurate, responsive controls and world objects you manipulate using virtually every feature the Vita has to offer, Tearaway stands out as the strongest offering the PlayStation Vita has in its library. If you own a Vita or are considering the purchase, Tearaway is an absolute must-buy.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
OFFICIAL SKYLANDERS COLLECTION VAULT™ APP GIVES FANS NEW WAYS TO INTERACT WITH THEIR FAVOURITE SKYLANDERS
Free iOS App Helps Fans Manage Their Collections and Unlock Original Skylanders® Content
Sydney, Australia, November 27th 2013 – Skylanders fans vying to become the ultimate Portal Master can now download the Skylanders Collection Vault application in the iOS App Store today. The new app lets players easily manage their Skylanders toy collection and explore new Skylanders toys from the palm of their hands and on the go. Fans can also share and compare their Skylanders collection with family and friends – all for free.
For the first time via the Skylanders Collection Vault app, Portal Masters can discover Skylanders characters and learn more about their backstories all in one place. Optimized for tablet and mobile devices, the app also allows fans to keep track of their Skylanders collection and their character wish list, browse images and videos, unlock special content and challenge their friends to see who has the most robust collection.
“Skylanders SWAP Forceisthe highest-rated game in the Skylanders franchise to date, andtheSkylanders Collection Vault app will be the perfect mobile companion for all Portal Masters looking to learn more about their favourite characters and get to know new Skylanders characters ,” said Josh Taub, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Activision Publishing, Inc. “Skylanders continues to be the #1 kids’ video game franchise of 20131 and we have an ongoing commitment to provide our fans the best experience possible. We’re excited to offer Skylanders fans the ability to immerse themselves in a completely digital version of their collections.”
Players can now download the free, official Skylanders Collection Vaulthere and bring their digital Skylanders collection wherever they go. Fans can also enjoy Skylanders mobile games — Skylanders Lost IslandsTM, Skylanders Cloud PatrolTM and Skylanders BattlegroundsTM – available in the App Store.
About the Skylanders® Franchise
The award-winning, billion dollar Skylanders franchise pioneered the toys-to-life category in 2011 with the debut of Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure®. The game originated a new play pattern that seamlessly bridged physical and virtual worlds across multiple platforms and became the top-selling kids’ videogame of the year. In October 2012, Skylanders Giants™ further evolved the genre and added the mega-sized Giant Skylanders and LightCore® characters to the collection of interaction figures. Skylanders Giants was awarded the “e-Connected Toy of the Year” at the 13th Annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. The next innovation in the franchise Skylanders SWAP Force was developed by Vicarious Visions, an Activision studio. The game is rated G by the Australian Classification Board. For more information, visit www.skylanders.com.
About Activision Publishing
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, mainland China, Hong Kong and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.
1Based on revenue, according to The NPD Group, Gfk Media Control® and Activision internal estimates, including toys and accessory packs, through October 2013
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition Now Available For PlayStation®3, PlayStation®Vita, Xbox 360 and PC
and Available December 4 for PlayStation®4
Content Rich Version of 2013’s Best-Selling Fighting Game Includes Full Game and All DLC
SYDNEY, Australia. – Nov. 27, 2013 – Just in time for christmas, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today released Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition . Developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, Injustice: Gods Among Us UltimateEdition marks the debut of the best-selling fighting game franchise on the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system and Windows PC and coming to the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system on December 4. It also brings this content rich version to the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition is comprised of the full game, as well as all previously released downloadable content (DLC). The game has a suggested retail price of $99.95 for PS4™ system, $89.95 for the PS3™ system and Xbox 360, $79.95 for Windows PC and $49.95 for PS®Vita.
Originally released April 2013 for PS3 system and Xbox 360, Injustice: Gods Among Us is a bold new fighting game franchise that introduces a deep, original story featuring a large cast of favourite DC Comics icons such as Batman, The Joker, Green Arrow, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and many others. Injustice: Gods Among Us UltimateEdition features additional DC Comics icons Lobo, Batgirl, General Zod, Martian Manhunter and Zatanna, as well as a special guest character Scorpion, from the Mortal Kombat Franchise as reimagined by Jim Lee, Co-Publisher at DC Entertainment.
Fans will enjoy access to more than 40 extra character skins and 60 S.T.A.R. Labs Missions originally offered as DLC, and now available to players from the start of the game. Remastered for next-gen technology by High Voltage, the PS4™ system version features Touchpad functionality, video sharing and streaming, and links to players’ PlayStation® Network Feed page during match wrap-ups and pause menus. High Voltage worked with NetherRealm Studios to develop the PC version of the game.
The PS®Vita version, which is adapted for the handheld experience by Armature Studio, takes the fighting action of Injustice: Gods Among Us on the go, with new touch controls for mini-games in the story mode and S.T.A.R. Labs Missions, Ad-hoc and Wi-Fi multiplayer, collectible hero cards, and all DLC released to date.
About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.
AboutNetherRealm Studios
NetherRealm Studios is a leader in the development of interactive entertainment, and the creator of the billion dollar Mortal Kombat franchise. Mortal Kombat has spawned two theatrical films, multiple television series, and has sold over 35 million games to date. Located in Chicago, Illinois the award-winning NetherRealm team has been working and creating games together since 1992. Additional information about NetherRealm Studios can be found at www.netherrealm.com.
About High Voltage Software, Inc.
High Voltage Software, Inc. is an award-winning studio that has been developing games and simulations for many years. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013, the studio has shipped over 80 titles. Located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, it employs more than 90 full-time staff. The independent company has successfully produced a wide variety of games including licensed titles, racing games, professional sports titles and a range of original intellectual properties. More information about High Voltage Software and its products can be found at www.high-voltage.com.
About Armature Studio
Founded in 2008 by three of the principal members of the Metroid Prime franchise, Armature Studio strives to bring their game design sensibilities to a new audience. Located in Austin, TX, Armature currently has over 30 employees and is working on multiple titles.
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, TT GAMES AND THE LEGO GROUP ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF LEGO® FRIENDS
Give the Gift of Friendship with the All New LEGO Friends Videogame Available for Nintendo 3DS
Sydney, Australia – November 27, 2013 –Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the LEGO Group, and TT Games in partnership with Hellbent Games today launch LEGO® Friends for the Nintendo 3DS™. The latest LEGO videogame adventure is based on the popular LEGO Friends collection of building sets, providing a fun adventure that allows players to express their imagination and creativity.
“We are pleased to bring to life the imaginative and vibrant world young girls have come to enjoy from their LEGO Friends toy sets,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games. “Now, they can interact with their favourite LEGO Friends characters, join them on fun adventures, while expressing their and creativity as they play.”
In LEGO Friends, players visit Heartlake City, playing the role as Olivia’s cousin who, with Olivia, joins other LEGO Friends like Mia, Stephanie, Emma and Andrea on fun adventures. Throughout the game, players will complete a variety of activities, such as rescuing a wounded fawn, practicing their soccer skills, choreographing dance routines and training pets. Each of these activities builds the level of friendship with each LEGO Friend the player encounters. The ultimate goal of the game is to become a “True Friend” with each of the LEGO Friends, while exploring and uncovering all of the secrets, badges and rewards in the amazing city of Heartlake.
Using an interactive map, players can explore Olivia’s House, Heartlake High, Main Street, Clover Meadows and Heartlake Marina, all of which are based on the LEGO play theme. Players can further explore and enjoy total freedom in each core area by visiting the Karate Dojo in Heartlake High, the Rehearsal Studio on Main Street, the Riding Camp in Clover Meadows or the Dolphin Cruiser in the Marina to collect items, play mini-games, complete tasks, solve puzzles, and build objects from piles of LEGO bricks found throughout the game. They will also collect and unlock new pets, each with a unique ability, that helps players solve puzzles and access new areas to explore. Heartlake City is filled with exciting activities, such as rescuing a dolphin and teaching them tricks and discovering hidden pirate treasures with a secret map.
LEGO Friends also gives players the opportunity to express their individual style and personality through various customisation options. Players will be able to pick their character’s outfits, hairstyles, and accessories, select a pet or design and personalize their character’s bedroom.
LEGO Friends is now available for Nintendo 3DS for the suggested retail price of $49.95 and is rated “G” for everyone. For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/LegoFriendsVideoGame
TT Games (www.ttgames.com) is the combined publishing and development group behind the hit games LEGO® Star Wars™, LEGO® Batman™: The Videogame, LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures and BIONICLE® Heroes. Incorporating renowned UK developer Traveller’s Tales, TT Games has a distinctive focus on console, handheld, mobile and PC games of the highest quality, aimed at young gamers and their families.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
ALL-TIME GREATEST GUITARIST EVER JIMI HENDRIX TO ELECTRIFY BANDFUSE: ROCK LEGENDS VIDEO GAME
Exclusive Multi-Phased Partnership to Incorporate Hendrix as an In-Game Legend, Include Special Video Content and Bring 15 of His Greatest Songs to BandFuse: Rock Legends Music Store
CAMPBELL, CA – November 26, 2013 – Realta Entertainment Group and Experience Hendrix, L.L.C. announced today a multi-phased partnership that will bring the musical legacy of Jimi Hendrix to BandFuse: Rock Legends, the music video game where legendary rockers transform players into real world guitarists, bassists and vocalists.
As part of this partnership players will get access to 15 signature songs from the Jimi Hendrix catalogue, which will be rolled out starting in January 2014 as downloadable content in the BandFuse: Rock Legends Music Store.
Later in 2014, Hendrix will be integrated into the game as a rock legend, which will include interviews with present day guitar greats talking about Jimi Hendrix’s technique and experimental style paired with archival video footage from his illustrious career.
“Jimi was never afraid to go beyond the limitations of traditional guitar teachings, and when fans jump into BandFuse they will be amazed at how cool it is to learn to play guitar like Hendrix,” said Janie L. Hendrix, President/CEO of Experience Hendrix L.L.C. “The game provides players with the ability to play his exact sound, capturing the fuzz, feedback and tones that made his style legendary.”
Earlier this week BandFuse: Rock Legends was announced as the title sponsor for the eighth edition of the celebrated Experience Hendrix Tour set to launch in March 2014. These special event performances represent an ongoing tribute to the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix. BandFuse: Rock Legends will have playable kiosks at each stop of the 20-city tour, giving attendees a hands-on experience. The tour features two of the in-game instructors from BandFuse: Rock Legends, metal legend Zakk Wylde and funk master Bootsy Collins.
“We are ecstatic to be working with the Jimi Hendrix team to bring his immensely explosive talent to BandFuse: Rock Legends,” said Jeff Marshall, Director of Artist Relations, Realta Entertainment. “He was an unparalleled musical genius whose collective guitar works continue to be relevant and influential to budding musicians and music lovers the world over.”
Seamlessly connecting real guitars, basses and microphones to game consoles, BandFuse: Rock Legends empowers players to jam to a fully unlocked library of hit songs from rock to metal and punk to funk, featuring 55 massive genre-jumping songs. BandFuse: Rock Legends features in-game guitar and bass guitar instruction by a platinum cast of musicians including master guitar instructor Slash joined by Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society), Mike Ness (Social Distortion), Bootsy Collins (Parliament/Funkadelic, Rubber Band), George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), Zoltan Bathory and Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch), and Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom).
BandFuse: Rock Legends is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and is now available in North America on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 systems and will be available in Japan December 19. A European release date will be announced soon. To learn more about BandFuse: Rock Legends, please visit www.bandfuse.com, ‘Like’ it on Facebook, watch it on Twitch, and follow @BandFuse on Twitter.
HERO OF THE OBELISK OPEN BETA GOES LIVE NOVEMBER 28TH
The Fierce Battle For Survival Rages On Beginning November 28th at 3 PM EST
November 26, 2013 – Hero of the Obelisk, the much-anticipated free-to-play dungeon crawler MMO, has announced it will enter into open beta testing this Thursday, November 28th. Starting Thursday, players can battle their way to survival through hundreds of dungeons and intense team-based PVP battles with non-stop action. Hero of the Obelisk’s open beta is open to everyone and players can register at http://hoto.gbegames.com/
To celebrate, Hero of the Obelisk is hosting a 15-Day consecutive login event where players can earn an exclusive costume item, the Flag of Recognition! Beginning November 30 through December 14th, players who login every day and reach the minimum level 15 or above, will be entered into a lucky drawing of 200 winners who’ll be rewarded with the prestigious item.
With three character choices, Hero of the Obelisk offers intensive combat action as players fight their way as a team or solo through hundreds of dungeon challenges testing both their wit and reaction. With a large variety of PvE dungeons, range of PvP and an evolving and branching class system, this new MMO will inspire even the most skilled competitors to battle for more!
Hero of the Obelisk will feature three electrifying classes with a total of 18 different specializations each with their own unique weapons and play-styles. With an insane amount of weapon and armor variations, players will journey through boundless dungeons, either solo or with friends, and eventually work their way up to end game hardcore dungeons. Taking place in a retro-modern world during a massive war, Hero of the Obelisk will include a variety of co-operative and solo PVP modes; Siege War (an all-out guild vs. guild skirmish), Battlefield (arena-based PVP) and AoS based PVP (a strategic duel where players will control a unique hero and conquer their foes).
GBE Games is a provider of online interactive entertainment experiences and services. Through its growing library of social game titles, GBE Games presents players the possibility to join an emerging community of gamers and immerse themselves in virtual worlds that evolve and change based on their involvement. Comprised by a multi-talented team of professionals with an expansive knowledge of the global games industry, GBE Games’ goal is to become one of the leading providers of online interactive entertainment.
THE POWER OF THE COSMOS ARRIVES ON THE PLAYSTATION 3 AS SAINT SEIYA: BRAVE SOLDIERS LAUNCHES IN THE AMERICAS
The Ultimate Saint Seiya Experience Awaits Series Fans and Newcomers Alike
SAN JOSE, Calif., (November 26, 2013) Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced the launch of Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers in North America exclusively through the PlayStation®Network.Titled as Los Caballeros Del Zodiaco: Soldados Valientes in Mexico and in the rest of Spanish speaking Latin America and as Os Cavaleiros Do Zodíaco: Bravos Soldados in Brazil; the game launches in these countries as both a packaged and digitally downloadable product (via PlayStation®Network) exclusively for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers brings the classic anime series to life as a fighting game featuring fierce battles that will take players through the entire storyline of one of the most beloved and well known Japanese anime franchises in Mexico, Latin America and Brazil. Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers also features the original Japanese voiceover and localized subtitles in English, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese.
Developed by Osaka-based game developer Dimps®, Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers features playable characters from the Sanctuary, Poseidon, and Hades story arcs within the Saint Seiya universe. Players will channel the power of the cosmos as they battle characters from Saint Seiya in one-on-one bouts that feature environments and special moves taken directly from the anime series. The game was developed with enhanced graphics and gameplay effects specifically styled to bring the animated series to life. As part of a player’s progression through the game, they will be able to enhance their chosen character’s Hit-Point Gauge, strength levels, and Cosmos Power Gauge. Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers will also challenge fans across the globe with one-on-one online encounters via versus and ranking modes.
“The Saint Seiya franchise harkens back to a classic era in the anime realm, enjoying a huge and passionate following in Mexico, Latin America, and Brazil,” said Chris Gilbert, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “The launch of Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers in the Americas reaffirms NAMCO BANDAI’s commitment to launch titles that truly resonate with different audiences around the globe, including our fans in Latin America.”
Rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB in North America; Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers is availablenowexclusively for thePlayStation 3 system in Mexico (MSRP $999.00 MXN), the rest of Latin America (MSRP equivalent to $59.99USD in each country’s currency), and Brazil (MSRP R$199.00) in both a packaged version available at video game retailers and as a digital download purchase. In the U.S. and Canada (MSRP $59.99), Saint Seiya: Brave Soldierswill be available exclusively as a digital download purchase via the PlayStation®Network. All initial copies of Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers will include a bonus exclusive Gold Saint Aries Shion DLC for a limited time. For more information on the game, please visit the NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. website at: http://www.namcobandaigames.com/home or join us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NamcoBandai.
Double Fine regains Costume Quest & Stacking publishing rights, partners with Nordic Games for retail release
Psychonauts, Stacking, Costume Quest to see retail release in North America and Europe in first half of 2014
San Francisco, CA and Vienna, Austria — November 26th, 2013— Double Fine Productions and Nordic Games have announced that Double Fine has reacquired all the publishing and distribution rights to its games Costume Quest and Stacking. Additionally, Double Fine has decided to partner with Nordic Games to bring retail release of Psychonauts, Costume Quest, and Stacking for Windows and Mac in North America and Europe during the first half of 2014.
“I am pleased that we have regained full control over Costume Quest and Stacking, following a daring and top-secret midnight raid on the Nordic Games headquarters in Vienna,” said Double Fine president and CEO Tim Schafer.
“We can’t wait to partner with Double Fine for this upcoming retail launch of three of its most excellent games,” said Lars Wingefors, owner and CEO of Nordic Games. “However, I feel compelled to point out that we were happy to transfer distribution rights for Costume Quest and Stacking back to Double Fine in an entirely non-secretive and heist-free manner.”
Nordic Games previously acquired the distribution rights to Stacking and Costume Quest upon the bankruptcy of former publisher THQ in early 2013.
“Double Fine is dedicated to controlling its own IP, and we will continue working to bring all associated rights back in-house whenever possible,” said Double Fine business development VP Justin Bailey, “no matter how many split-second security system hacks or painstaking tunneling operations we have to execute.”
“I just want to clarify, again, that we support the right of independent developers to control their own distribution, and we were pleased to have the opportunity to work with Double Fine,” said Klemens Kreuzer, Managing Director at Nordic Games. “No heists.”
Psychonauts was originally released at retail in 2005, but for years has been available only through digital distribution. The upcoming retail launch will mark the first time Costume Quest and Stacking have been available as physical releases.
END OF RELEASE
About Nordic Games GmbH
Nordic Games GmbH is a wholly owned publishing subsidiary of the Nordic Games Group AB. Founded in 2011, the Vienna/Austria based company Nordic Games GmbH puts great emphasis on its extensive game catalogue. The core portfolio comprises products and brands which have recently been acquired from JoWooD Entertainment AG, DreamCatcher Interactive Inc., THQ Inc., Atari SAS, and further IPs and trademarks will follow.
The company will pursue the long-term goal of delivering quality products that live up to expectations of gamers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.nordicgames.at.
About Double Fine Productions
Double Fine Productions is a San Francisco-based game developer that makes games with a focus on creativity, characters, and fun. Since its founding in 2000, it has produced the award-winning titles Psychonauts, Brütal Legend, Costume Quest, Stacking, Iron Brigade, Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster, Kinect Party, Middle Manager of Justice, Dropchord, and The Cave. Learn more about Double Fine at www.doublefine.com.
Overview
Chillingo are no strangers to bringing out unique games that few others would be reticent to touch. Now, Damp Gnat has brought out the sequel to Icycle, a puzzle platformer that has you cycling (literally, on a bicycle) through environments, simply trying to survive. How does the sequel, Icycle: On Thin Ice, hold up? Will you lose yourself in time playing it or should it have stayed in cryostasis?
Story
The world has ended. For all intents and purposes, the world we once knew is now no more. Dennis has survived, deep asleep in his cryogenic chamber. How did he get here? Where is everyone else? Where are his clothes? He’s awoken to an ice age, naked as his name day, and the only other thing available to him is a children’s bicycle. After a brief daydream, he sets out to explore and see what he can find in this forsaken world.
Gameplay Icycle: On Thin Ice is a puzzle platformer. You’ll controller Dennis as he rides his bicycle across the frozen landscape with nothing to aid him but an umbrella he found to slow his fall.
The controls are incredibly straightforward. You can move left or right and jump. In midair you can press and hold the jump button again to deploy your umbrella. That’s pretty much it. In terms of control, it feels mildly reminiscent of a Super Mario game.
Unlike Mario and his adventures, there are no enemies or powerups in Icycle: On Thin Ice. Literally everything has been destroyed. The only things you’ll have to worry about now are environmental hazards that stand in your way as you work to your next objective. Jagged icicles, heavy falling objects, ice flows that push you ever faster through increasingly tight spaces, and more stand to keep you from progressing. No goombas here, but Icycle is better for it.
The level design is fantastic. There are 20 levels to work through and each offers something unique. Nearly every level has a dynamic aspect to it that keeps you on your toes. The screen can change wildly in front of you, keeping the platforming interesting without ever feeling overbearing. It’s one of the game’s strongest elements. The levels also have multiple objectives, so there’s a significant bit of replay value in each level.
The game has a currency system, believe it or not. Dennis can collect ice blocks as he traverses the levels. These can be used between levels to buy various knick knacks and upgrades. Clothes are included in this (funny hats, shirts, and boots), but oddly enough, he’s never able to find pants. You can also upgrade your bicycle, umbrella, and even get a vacuum to help collect more ice blocks.
As with virtually every Chillingo game, there’s a pay element players can choose to use. You can purchase a huge bulk of ice blocks using real money. Even after playing through the entire game, though, I can confidently say it’s never really needed. You may want to circumvent the time it takes to earn everything, and that’s fine, but you never feel forced to spend money to progress.
Visuals & Audio Icycle: On Thin Ice has a wonderfully unique visual style to it. The colors are bright and vibrant, conveying a sense of whimsy amidst total desolation. The animation is slick and fluid, even on older hardware. There are some small, detailed animations you could miss on occasion, but seeing them adds a great sense of flourish and engrossment into the world.
The audio design in the game is fairly minimalistic, but it serves to feed the sense that you are alone in the world. There’s a total lack of music outside of the intro, but it’s in favor of the sound effects, which really convey the world well. The constant squeaking of the bicycle, the howling winds, and Dennis’s bewildered cries do a wonderful job of providing an audio landscape of a frozen apocalyptic landscape.
Overall
Overall, Icycle: On Thin Ice is a fun experience that’s well put together. The visuals are fun and vibrant and the sound design does an excellent job conveying Dennis’s plight. The controls are simple and responsive, the level design is interesting and fun, and the unlockables are amusing. Icycle: On Thin Ice is an amusing, engaging ride through the end of the world that anyone can enjoy.
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