Three Dead Zed has finally made its way to the Xbox 360. Originally a PC release (check out review here), this comedic platformer focuses on a single experimental zombie as it attempts to escape its lab. On the prowl and equipped with three different forms including a fast light-weight and agile form, a heavy tank-like form and a regular plain zombie that we all know and love, this zombie is out for brains! The player controlling all these crazy types can swap who they play as on the fly, allowing for creative uses of all three zombies to overcome puzzles.
Game features include:
Hand-drawn characters and environments
In-game achievements
Fun story line featuring in-game narration
Special unlockable challenge stages
Gamepad and keyboard support
Cats wearing tin foil hats!
Players must overcome many platforming obstacles along the way and attempt to escape the crazy laboratory they find themselves in, all while rescuing cats and kittens along the way. Available now for the Xbox 360 and PC and developed by Gentleman Squid Studio, Three Dead Zed is on special for $3 during the holiday season, but the deal won’t last for long.
A collection of more than 30 classic titles on one disc has been released today by Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment. The collection includes all re-mastered versions of their originals, complete with Playstation Trophy Support and Xbox 360 Achievements. Previous players will be able to re-live all of their favourite moments in the games, while newcomers are set to experience what all the veterans have been talking about.
Some of the games included are:
Defender, Gauntlet, Joust, Rampage, and Total Carnage, as well as 720°, A.P.B., Arch Rivals, Bubbles, Championship Sprint, Tournament Cyberball 2072, Defender II, Gauntlet II, Joust 2, Marble Madness, Pit-Fighter, Rampart, Robotron 2084, Root Beer Tapper, Satan’s Hollow, Sinistar, Smash TV, Spy Hunter, Spy Hunter II, Super Off Road, Super Sprint, Toobin’, Vindicators Part II, Wizard of Wor, Xenophobe, and Xybots.
Midway Arcade Origins is on sale for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 in retail form for $39.95, which includes all previously mentioned classic arcade titles and more. In many of the games players will also be able to enjoy their time with up to three friends in local co-op and with the inclusion of leaderboards, the competitive edge that many crave is also here. Midway Arcade Origins is on sale as of today and is available at most game retailers and some other electronic distributors.
Family Guy fans will be pleased to learn that a brand new game featuring their favorite talking dog and homicidal baby is now available for purchase. Activision’s Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse is now available in stores across North America for the PS3 and 360.
Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse takes tons of source material from the Family Guy series including the show’s sense of humor. In the game players will be following the journey of Stewie and Brian as they venture between universes in an effort to save Quahog and put a stop to Bertram’s plans. They will do so by playing as either Stewie or Brian and with the use of many unique abilities and special weaponry they will have to fight against a large number of family guy characters and enemies.
Remember that teaser website that Sega launched yesterday and how many people were thinking that the game would have something to do with Sega’s previously released game 7th Dragon 2020? Well it turns out those people were right because details have been leaked out of this week’s Famitsu and it is in fact 7th Dragon 2020 II.
The title is currently set to be released sometime on the PlayStation Portable in Spring 2013 for Japan and is set in the year 2021. Few details are still known about the game, though apparently a new job called “Idol” has been added to the character maker and players will be able to select from over forty different voices. It is worth noting that 7th Dragon 2020 was never released overseas so the chances of 7th Dragon 2020 II making it across the pond are rather slim.
Nintendo Wii U Publisher: Nintendo Release Date: November 18, 2012 (U.S) November 30, 2012 (AU & EU) Price: $349.99 (Deluxe Model) $299.99 (Basic Model) – BUY NOW
Overview
In 2011, Nintendo announced the official successor to the Nintendo Wii, the Wii U to heavy fanfare. This was to be the first home console from the major publisher with HD visuals, allowing Nintendo to compete with Microsoft and Sony for the coveted “hardcore” market that they once dominated in during the late 80’s and early 90’s. Many have not even paid too much attention over time to that light – yet necessary addition however, as the touchscreen Gamepad controller has gained enough notoriety on it’s own to turn heads and build up expectations of gamers from every walk of life.
The Wii U is now available everywhere, and it’s time to see exactly where Nintendo will take U with the first platform of the “next generation” of gaming. From gimmicks, to gameplay, and online, join us as we take you on a tour of what makes the Wii U tick, and if it truly is where the future of the industry is headed. The Gamepad
I can’t even begin to speak about the Wii U without speaking about the Gamepad. While it looks to be a hybrid controller with a tablet implanted in the middle, it’s honestly much, much more. The Wii U Gamepad is the hub to your experience while you are using the Wii U. As soon as you boot up the console, the Nintendo Wii U boots both your television and the Gamepad up in order to display the main system menu, as well as the “WaraWara”. We’ll get to that feature in a minute, but the menu deserves a little bit of attention on it’s own.
The Wii never had the most impressive interface, but it got the job done. Each application, whether it was a game, video player, or whimsical extra was featured in a set of tiles, allowing the player to simply click and launch the software of their choosing. The Wii U doesn’t change that layout much – if at all. What has changed is the way we explore our console. Using the ultra responsive touchscreen, players can slide through menus with just one, lonesome finger, and just tap whatever application they want to launch. It’s all too familiar at first, but again, it works and thus far – I have experienced no latency whatsoever when it comes to launching any software or navigating menus.
With that bright, bold, and accurate touchscreen in tact, it is so easy to forget what else the new controller features. Nintendo perfected the art of motion control with the Wii throughout it’s lifespan, and interestingly enough, a lot of that same tech has been implemented inside the Gamepad. With a built in accelerometer and gyroscope, players can move the entire controller to replicate any actions that their game may call for. Those who buy the Deluxe Bundle that features Nintendo Land will be able to experience this right from the start, as a good number of mini-games display this much improved motion control in full form. For example, Donkey Kong’s Crash Course asks the player to tilt the device in all angles to move a trolley throughout a twisted course. Even though the gestures are not nearly as demanding as the WiiMote, the motions the player makes are easily detected and play out instantly on the screen, allowing for sharp, fluid gameplay. I imagine when Mario Kart (or any racer for that matter) makes it’s debut on the console, we will be seeing some stellar performances if the development team enlist the effort, as the potential for new ideas using motion with the Gamepad can certainly lead to some fantastic and original experiences.
Oh, but buttons. Yes, the buttons that we as gamers cling to. I know, the iPad and tablet generation are accustomed to fully implemented touchscreen controls, but I grew up in the days of the original Nintendo and the Super NES, so even the thought of losing my precious D-Pad is enough to make my stomach turn. Thankfully, The Wii U’s Gamepad has a D-Pad, two analog sticks (one on each side), face buttons on the right, and the usual four shoulder inputs right at the top and upper portion of the back. A “Home” button and your standard start and select have also been included on the lower portion of the controller, along with the power and TV selector located out of the way at the very bottom. You would think that all of these inputs could make for one large and clunky controller, but everything seems to have been built with the gamer’s hands in mind, allowing for nothing but absolute comfort and control. Two handrests can also be found on the back on each side, providing room for players to get a firm grip on their Gamepad. I have already had many long sessions while just using the Gamepad and even though it has taking time to get used to the upper placement of the analog, I have been nothing short of impressed with how natural this new peripheral feels.
The hidden stylus in the back of the Gamepad is an effective addition as well, giving players more pinpoint accuracy when using touchscreen keyboards, while drawing, or scrolling through menus. We have seen what a stylus can do on the DS, so it’s inclusion with the Wii U isn’t too exciting, but having that extra option of convenience is sure to win over those who have invested in chatpads, drawing tablets, and keyboards – and hopefully, that will save us some money down the track. DS owners will also notice a camera located at the top (which is actually decent in quality), and a mic planted firmly beside the Home button. Up at the top, there is an Infrared Transceiver – which delivers the capability to sync to nearly any televison and use the Gamepad as a remote. I have some off the wall brands for both my television and cable box, yet had no problem in completely syncing the device with the other hardware, so I would imagine most will find the same ease as they set up their Gamepad.
Once everything is set up and running, it’s then time to play your games with the Gamepad. I mean, that is what the Wii U does best, after all. The most boasted Gamepad feature has been the ability to play a title on the main television screen, while the touchscreen remains active to either mirror – or compliment the gameplay experience on the top. Most of the early titles thus far have used the device for inventory, map displays, and simultaneous gameplay, but there are a lot of inventive ideas that we have already seen through the likes of Nintendo Land, and that is sure to be only improved upon over time. The resolution on the 6.2 inch screen is slightly lower than what the actual hardware produces, but that is hardly noticable at this time as most of the launch titles have only matched the quality with the Gamepad’s own visuals. A rumble function and speakers are also built into the controller, along with a volume switch to adjust the sound. The quality I have experienced thus far is quite clear and loud when maximized, putting the audio that a lot of tablets offer to shame due to the crisp, stereo sound produced.
Reggie also glorified the ability to just use the Gamepad while others watched TV, and yes, that does work as promised as well. The Virtual Console and Wii titles are unable to utilize this feature as of yet, but all other software does have this ability – and there is nothing like being able to lounge in bed, play a game, and watch television at the same time. It sounds so minor, but I assure you – it’s one of the most useful inclusions that we have ever been graced with on a console. As for range, don’t expect to go into another room or more than 20-30 feet away from your Wii U. The system will lose sync with the Gamepad and the signal will be lost, forcing the player to return to a safe distance. This more than likely will also improve with software and hardware updates down the road, but it isn’t too much of a cost considering how new this technology is. As for battery life, expect 3-5 hours with the Gamepad before running to the charging dock built in with the system, which takes close to an hour to fully charge.j
Hardware
I am not one to talk specs. If you were to ask me about processors and memory for any console, I quickly draw a blank and use a generic term to describe a system’s own power. Those who are tech buffs will be happy to know that the Wii U is a powerful system on it’s own though, featuring 2 GB of on-board ram. Half of this is used to power the operating system itself though, which puts the core console a few steps above it’s current competition. As for memory, two USB 2.0 ports can be found in the front of the console, along with an SD card slot. This allows the consumer to add more memory at their own leisure, which is both very consumer and wallet friendly. Those who purchase the Deluxe model will already have 32 GB of memory built in, while the standard model features 8 GB. After a 5 GB update at startup, this leaves enough room for deluxe buyers to snag a good amount of eShop titles right out of the box, while still having plenty of space to save their games, photos, and apps.
Being an HD console, it should be obvious to all of you that the Wii U is the first Nintendo platform to ever feature an HDMI port, with the deluxe model already coming with an HDMI cable. There is an option to also use component or AV cables as well, so those who care not for the highest grade resolution can go for the more archaic methods if they see fit. The Wii U is fully backwards compatible with the Wii, as the system has been literally emulated in full through the Nintendo Wii channel. Clicking on this app will bring you to the older menus, where all of your previous channels should still remain after performing a quick and easy transfer.
Speaking of the old, the Wii U supports nearly every accessory created for the Wii. Those old Wiimotes are a large part of the launch titles, and the classic controller pro, sensor bar, balance board, and nunchuck can all be used with the system due to the wide open door of compatibility. It is however time to say goodbye to the Gamecube support, but that is to be expected…as it is nearly six years after the Wii’s launch. Yes folks, convience is key, and Nintendo seem to want to slowly ween their customers away from the old while introducing the new, and that method of thinking is sure to give just a little more life to the Wii, and keep the Wii U fully in use to those who want to continue supporting the great titles that released during the past generation.
Features
This is where the Wii U gets interesting. At the moment, it is too early to really call just how the features of the Wii U will stack up in three years time, but for now, there are a good number of things to do right out of the box. Earlier I spoke of the WaraWara, which launches as soon as the console is turned on. Meaning “Bustling” in Japanese, this feature highlights what your friends are playing, with all of their Miis coming together in one large group, displaying images and messages that are made through the MiiVerse. This can be overlooked for some, but I find it rather charming for the most part, as it makes the console seem full of activity and life.
The Miiverse is the main Networking component of the Wii, and allows users to create a username and friends list, and then communicate with all of the other Wii U owners in their region. This is also a good way to make friends as well, as ever game has it’s own forum of sorts, where users can doodle, upload screenshots, and post messages about their gameplay experiences (or whatever else is on their minds). Remember Pictochat? Well, it works in nearly the same way. Users can be followed or befriended instantly, ridding the painfully tedious friend code system of the past. I feel like I’ve spent a good chunk of time getting to know my fellow Wii U brethren out there and I must say, this form of communication is very different, but completely refreshing to say the least. Seeing the Miiverse integrated into actual games is also nice, as hints can be delivered at an instant when stuck on a specific area. Keep in mind all of this is moderated, but this is Nintendo so that is to be expected.
The camera and mic built in on the Gamepad also come in handy for the new chat feature, allowing for full video chat with anyone in your friends list via a WiFi connection. I don’t see myself using this all to much, but for families or friends that live miles apart, this is a great way to keep in touch with one another. Video apps are more sparse on the Wii U than the PS3 or Xbox 360, but we do already have a decent selection with Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon on Demand, and Youtube readily available. These can all be viewed on either the screen or the Gamepad, and there is sure to be dozens more added as time moves on. A non-flash, yet lightning fast web browser finishes off these extra apps at launch, making for a great leap for Nintendo with their own online capabilities.
eShop fanatics will be able to access a whole new way to shop entirely. Not only are the most popular launch titles able to be downloaded in full from the start this time around, but the eShop in general is much easier to navigate and utilize due to the Gamepad. In every Gamepad, a “Near field communication” chip has been inserted, allowing for funds to be withdrawn off any major card by simply pressing it up against the device. This chip can also transfer data from other devices as well, but that tech has yet to be fully realized at the moment.
Conclusion
Nintendo are usually the first out of the gate with a new console, and that is just how it should be. Over the years, this fan favorite company has paved the way for motion control, 3D gaming, and countless other gimmicks, and the Wii U looks to set many more standards during the upcoming generation jump. The Gamepad controller is one of the most innovative inventions we have seen in the industry, allowing for endless possibilities in future titles and apps, while providing a ton of convenience to the player at the same time. Due to Nintendo’s heavy use of color and imagination, HD visuals have never looked better and while Ninty is late to the party on that – they seem to be still concentrating on what matters most, which is the software that will utilize all of the much more powerful hardware packed in on the rather long system.
In two years, the graphics may be out-dated for the console due to the eventual next-gen platforms from Sony and Microsoft, but that honestly doesn’t matter. At this moment, the Wii U has an unlimited amount of potential for developers, and us consumers are sure to reap the benefits for years to come. The Wii U is a console made from 5 generations of feedback and love, and is currently one of the most consumer friendly gaming devices that one could own. Well done Nintendo, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for U. Editors Note: The Score down below represents an opinion of where there Wii U sits on a scale from 1-10, in order to stay consistent with the other reviews on Capsule Computers. This score does not represent any separate video game releases, hardware, or add-ons that were released after November 18th, 2012.
The latest issue of Famitsu has revealed some more details for Tales of Hearts R, including more information about the game’s new Chase Link system, key members of the team and the new character Garad Grinas.
As for the game’s staff, Hironori Naoi is Tales of Hearts R’s director while Ryuji Odate and Mika Murakita are being credited as producers. Garad Grinas is a 45 year old soldier who is a wielder of a Soma and is motivated by the loss of his wife and daughter to the Despir disease. His Soma is an axe-type and can be controlled after it is thrown.
As for the Chase Link system players will be able to continue a combo attack in the air by flying towards an enemy with Chase Link. While you are fighting in the air, one of your ally’s icons may blink and if you tap that icon, they will join in to perform a Chase Cross Attack. To make things even more interesting, the player can also perform a Chase Finisher by holding down the attack button, which happens to be circle.
Dollhouse Season 1 Studio: Mutant Enemy Productions, Boston Diva Productions Publisher: 20th Century Fox Format: DVD, Blu-ray (reviewed) Release Date: October 24, 2012 Price: $34.98 – Available Here
Overview
Joss Whedon has something of a rabid following, and this is well earned given his past in television. He has spawned an entire cult following, and it’s because he is able to write smart dialogue with wit, character, and an involving story line. Unfortunately for Joss and his fans, his shows usually take about a season or so to really get into their groove, and that’s what happened with Dollhouse. Yet another show with all the promise in the world but missing the ratings and rhythm to get it going. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy it after its demise, especially with the first season box set.
Story
Dollhouse is difficult to describe without raising some eyebrows and making it sound like you are talking about a brothel. Dollhouse is a place full of Dolls, those who have had their mind wiped so that they are basically children with only the basic functions. Then comes along a rich person with a purpose for a certain type of person who will be ensured to not remember it, and the Doll is loaded up with a personality and sent on their way.
Sometimes it does turn into a romantic encounter, but sometimes it’s about ass kicking or less legal things. It’s the perfect mercenary, because their bodies are in top shape, their minds can be focused onto only the one goal without those pesky emotions or empathy to get in the way, and at the end of it they don’t remember a thing.
Except for Echo (Eliza Dushku). Echo has started remembering things after her encounter. At the beginning of the first season it starts off a bit slowly, with Echo retaining hints of her missions that she shows at the end of each episode. It sort of becomes a ‘monster of the week’ deal, where she’ll go do a job, come back, show something that hints at her remembering it.
It does eventually move on from that though, to a more interesting arc. Plus, as much as I love Eliza Dushku (it’s a lot), the other characters in the show actually became somewhat more interesting. Unfortunately for Dushku, like most main characters, she ended up suffering from the usual TV show condition where the main character is someone that you’re not as interested to see develop. Instead, the other Dolls Victor and Sierra and their developing relationship, as well as the Dollhouse employees Dr Saunders, Adelle and Topher.
The ethical implications of the show are incredibly interesting, and quite something to explore, and with Whedon as the captain of the ship you can be sure that there are some really interesting situations that are stumbled across and that will put you, as a viewer, into something of a dilemma.
The show goes through several twists and turns, keeping you on your toes and making you really enjoy the awesome storyteller that Whedon is. It will certainly leave you guessing, and at least once will take your breath away as everything clicks into place.
The actors are also quite brilliant, taking on roles that must certainly be rather difficult. Especially that of the Dolls, Dichen Lachman and Enver Gjokaj, who play Victor and Sierra, are totally fantastic and slip into their different personas with ease. Gjokaj’s skill with accents and imitation is particularly noteworthy, and it’s quite easy to see why he was cast as Victor.
Visuals
Dollhouse is a really well crafted show, with great sets and visuals. Not only does the set and wardrobe well embody the safety of the Dollhouse, but these subtle things also help establish parts of their characters. There are quite a few stunt scenes that are well done, and that is no surprise given the show’s Whedonesque cast and crew who worked on Buffy and Angel previously. Even though it may not have had the largest budget, this never comes across and Dollhouse always looks like a great action show.
Audio
The soundtrack always matches the mood and helps to accent certain scenes, or character moments. There’s always a certain theme that sticks out and for me it was the general Dollhouse one, as well as Victor and Sierra’s tune. As in past Joss shows, the music works well and meshes well with the scenes and characters.
Extra Features
If watching the show again isn’t enough for you, then you can always get your further Dollhouse fix with audio commentary from the cast and crew, deleted scenes, and behind the scenes featurettes of what went into making Dollhouse, as well as the characters of Dollhouse. These are pretty standard extra features, and as someone who enjoys getting the most out of a show by watching them, I enjoyed getting that little bit extra.
Overall
Dollhouse is one of those shows that you’re always going to regret it not getting a longer run. It had so much promise, with a good cast, great idea, and superb writing team behind it. It just took too long to hit its groove, and is a bit difficult to explain at a glance. If you are the type who can take the heartbreak of getting invested in a good show with knowing that there it was cut off before its time, then the quality of Dollhouse is certainly worth a look. Plus, there’s always the comics.
If you’re looking for something to devour hours of your time and make you love your PlayStation Vita again then Atlus has some great news for you. Today the company has released Persona 4 Golden to stores in North America and if you don’t feel like going outside the game is also available for download on the Vita’s PlayStation Store.
Persona 4 Golden is a remastered version of the award-winning Persona 4 title released on the PlayStation 2 many years ago. Golden adds a number of new features such as new personas, more difficulty options, more cutscenes and character dialogue and more. Tim Pivincy, the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Atlus has stated that Persona 4 Golden “is a must have PS Vita title for all RPG fans” but I’m going to go out on a limb and say it should be a must have title for any PS Vita owner. With the holidays right around the corner, why not make someone’s life a little more Golden?
Today Sega of Japan announced the release date for the PlayStation Vita version of Phantasy Star Online 2 as well as how much players will have to pay to pick it up. Actually, if a Vita owner chooses, they won’t have to pay a thing as Sega is releasing Phantasy Star Online 2 on the Vita for free just like the PC version of the game.
However the company is also planning on releasing a Phantasy Star Online 2 Special Package to retail stores which will cost 5229 yen (roughly $64) and in this package a number of bonuses will be given to the buyer. The bundle includes eight special costumes, two for each of the playable races, a Clad Cannon, Clad 6 and Wing Spada weapon, a Mag evolution device, a premium set for 30 days, a fun 100 ticket, a few decorative Little Wing stickers and a soundtrack containing songs from Phantasy Star Portable 1 and 2.
Currently Sega is planning on releasing the Vita version to stores in Japan on February 28 next year. As for an English version of Phantasy Star Online 2, the PC release is expected to occur in January however the company has said little about this Vita version of the game making its way overseas.
A new zombie virus is spreading, and we need the general population to be made aware of its danger so that we may have a chance to contain it…
By downloading the ZombiU iOS App, you will have the means to do this. Download here and use the app to identify any possible signs of infection and leave recorded messages for your family and closest friends. The government is working on a cure…God willing, it should be available by the end of the week. Until then, we’ve been asked to remain calm and stay in-doors. Although, it’s hard to remain calm with videos like these coming though:
His fate was unfortunate, but it doesn’t have to be that way for everyone. Knowledge is power, and the ZombiU app provides the following educational resources we need to survive:
INFECTION SIMULATOR
Learn about the virus, physical symptoms and behaviour patterns
See what will happen to you if you get bitten by a zombie
Watch the symptoms escalate as the virus takes hold of you and transforms you into a flesh eating zombie
Share your photo via Facebook, Twitter and Email
EMERGENCY MESSAGES
Leave a message to let people know you are safe while you still can
Record your own personal video and share via Facebook and YouTube
Another transmission is just being received…the video can be viewed below. Also found below are images of the app’s interface in its own gallery. And finally, for more info on how you can survive this zombie apocalypse, visit the official ZombiU website and Facebook page.
