Earlier today THQ announced that they will be releasing a sequel to the highly praised and esteemed Company of Heroes with Company of Heroes 2. In this game players will be taking control of the USSR forces in order to repel the Nazis away from eastern front, and away from Moscow.
On the game, representatives from the developers had this to say:
Greg Wilson, Producer at Relic Entertainment commented, “Company of Heroes 2 is a true successor, introducing a new front, new protagonists and new technology while retaining the unique mix of strategic gameplay and competitive multiplayer that made the original Company of Heroes such a success.”
Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President of Core Games commented, “We are excited to announce a sequel to one of THQ’s best loved properties. Company of Heroes 2 will deliver an amazing strategy experience along with a strong post-launch digital content plan that enhances and expands the product’s lifecycle.”
The original Company of Heroes is a game that I remember playing as a teenager and it was a pretty decent experience, hopefully the sequel will be continuing that tradition. We can expect the title in 2012 and you can find out more about the game by visiting the Official Website.
Cole McGrath is considered one of the most recognisable Playstation characters of the seventh generation. As the star of infamous, Cole electrifies both his enemies and the world. So it will be no surprise if Cole makes it to the roster for Playstation All Stars Battle Royale. However, if the comments of a motion capture actor have hinted to popular belief, the gaming community might know whether he will be in the game before Sony reveals him.
As spotted by VividGamer, two tweets (which have been deleted) from Eric Ladin, the motion capture actor behind Cole in the inFamous games, have revealed he has been doing more motion capture work as Cole for a non inFamous title. While there are a few ideas around, the most prominent one is the most obvious: Cole has made it to the Playstation All Stars Battle Royale roster. This was the first tweet (from VividGamer):
When it was inquired further, this was Laden’s answer:
If Cole does make it onto the main roster, then it will be no surprise. However, there are a few questions, like his attacks and appearance. Not only that, but why would the game, if proven true, will require motion capture? It could be the same tech used for the Uncharted games except limited to cutscenes. Nonetheless, all we can take from this is that Cole could be in the Sony mascot brawler.
As with the Playstation Portable, the Playstation Vita will sport white on June 28, at least in Japan. The official name of the colour is Crystal White. The new colour will retail for the same price as the black Playstation Vita, which is ¥24,990 for Wi-Fi only and ¥29,990 for the Wi-Fi and 3G model. Accompanying the new colour is a selection of official white accessories to match the white Playstation Vita. They are an inner ear headset, a carrying pouch, leather case and strap.
There will also be a Hatsune Miku Limited Edition white Playstation Vita released on August 30 for an extra ¥10,000. This will include a 4GB memory card and a copy of Next Hatsune Miku: Project Diva, as well as Hatsune Miku plastered all over the rear touch pad of the Vita. Both have only been announced for Japan. However, the new colour should be released for all Western markets soon, minus Hatsune Miku.
The release date for Dragon’s Dogma is growing ever closer and today Capcom has released their second developer diary for the game. In this developer diary the development team has chosen to be a little spoilerific as they reveal the whole premise for the start of the game and why the title itself is called Dragon’s Dogma.
So be warned, before you watch the developer diary below there are some minor spoilers in the first few minutes. I will not write the exact details here but much of what is described is focused on what roll Pawns play in the game. Those who want to risk spoiling themselves a little bit will also be treated to some more footage of the impressive battle system that Dragon’s Dogma supports.
Sega in North America may not be advertising Anarchy Reigns very much but that doesn’t mean that Platinum Games, the developer of said title, isn’t. In fact today they released the below trailer which gives us a brief glimpse of some of the game’s 11 multiplayer modes. The modes shown off in the video are Team Deathmatch and Team Battle which are 4 on 4, Tag Deathmatch is 2 vs. 2, Tag Battle is 2 vs. 2 vs. 2 vs. 2, and Survival is three characters.
There are a number of other modes which aren’t shown, such as the 16 player Battle Royale mode and even one that includes a Death Ball. Catch the video below to see plenty of in-game action and the game itself when it is released in North America on July 6th.
So as it turns out, Street Figher x Tekken bombed in sales, only barely scraping past half of it’s expected return (made $1.4mil of expected $2mil). As you would imagine Capcom is not too pleased by this development. Capcom had invested quite a lot of time and money into the development and promotion of this game and with this meagre return Capcom has not made a profit.
The game itself was critically slammed across the board for numerous reasons, most prominent of which was that the game itself felt like Street Fighter IV with Tekken characters DLC. This is undoubtedly a disappointing return for a disappointing game and it is unknown whether Capcom can recoup from this huge revenue loss, but fans of the Capcom’s fighting franchise can only hope that this may stand as a wake up call for a company that has long lost it’s touch.
What do you think about Street Fighter x Tekken bombing financially for Capcom? Let us know what you think of this flop in the comments section below.
After Amazon placed a listing online which revealed the existence of a brand new Family Guy video game from Activision everyone started their timers to see how long it would take before Activision made their own announcement about the game.
Well those who have started their timers can now stop them because today, less than one day after the listing went online, Activision has announced that they are indeed publishing Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse. The game is supposedly inspired by season 8’s episode “Road to the Multiverse” and will be released sometime in the Fall. Currently that is all the information that is known about the game however, besides the fact that it will “utilize the source material, including the talented voice cast and writers, authentic humor and subversive spirit of the series, giving fans a whole new way to interact with their favorite show.”
If you have resisted the urge to purchase Sony’s relatively new gaming handheld the PlayStation Vita until now then Amazon is currently holding a rather nice deal for you. If you feel like purchasing the cheaper version of the system, the Wi-Fi version, then you will also receive a free copy of Mortal Kombat as well as a 4GB memory card.
The 4GB memory card won’t last too long given how many patches and other things are released for the Vita but the free inclusion is nice until you get a bigger card. This bonus inclusion for the Wi-Fi model of the Vita is interesting considering the fact that that version of the handheld did not receive any special bonuses upon launch. Alas, those who wish to take advantage of this deal can do so here.
During an earnings call today by Electronic Arts the company revealed that they would be bringing two popular franchises back for yet another game next year fiscal year, which will end on March 31, 2013. On the EA’s financial results slideshow it was revealed that the company is planning some sort of Need for Speed title as well as a Dead Space game being among other “blockbuster” games to release next year.
It is worth noting that the above image was snapped at Dead Space’s developer, Visceral Games’s, studio. Previously thought to be a simple tease it seems that the teaser has turned out to be true. In fact some may remember that Dead Space 3 and Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2 were previously listed by South African game retailer BT Games and then removed quickly. Potential leak turned true? Seems like it.
Ketzal’s Corridors Developer: Keys Factory Platform: Nintendo 3DS eShop Release Date: April 12, 2012 Price: $6.99 DOWNLOAD NOW!
Overview
Fitting blocks into holes may not sound exciting, but Ketzal’s Corridors has taken that classic concept and is ready to reinvigorate it entirely. In this puzzler, players must think fast as they control a guardian that resembles a finely sculpted Tetris block. This piece moves without mercy, and it’s the players job to position it accordingly into spaces within upcoming walls. I’m sure you’ve seen these mechanics before within titles such as Hole in the Wall and even Twister Mania for the Kinect, but this title has a lot more polish and love behind it’s clever scheme, along with a nice meaty challenge for those who have been craving something with a bit more substance from the eShop. The question is, do these blocks warrant a download, or does Ketzal’s Corridors hit a wall along the way?
Gameplay
One really can’t begin to appreciate Ketzal’s Corridors without knowing how complex the game actually is. Yeah, the formula is familiar and simple, as players are simply just pressing a few buttons to flip a block into an appropriate position to pass through a wall. There is a lot more to it than that, however, as it takes a lot more than fitting a block through a hole to succeed. After a decent sized tutorial and rather forgettable story, players start out by taking control of a Guardian (the Tetris block) and must move it accordingly along a linear path until the end of a level. Along the way, a hefty amount of walls and tunnels stand guard to block your path, so of course you must then find a way through by acting as a guide.
The control scheme is fairly easy to understand, as all that is required is to simply use the d-pad or control stick to maneuver your block, and use the face buttons to flip it into the correct direction before a wall or obstacle approaches. Players can also collect hearts located in certain holes for bonus points, and even speed up their Guardian by holding down one of the shoulder buttons in order to get through a stage faster. I wasn’t really sure that I would enjoy the main concept at first, but this title’s execution is very solid and each stage can be rather exciting to play, as a good number of “corridors” require heavy concentration and quick thinking in order to flip your block into the correct position due to the non-stop movement gimmickry within.
As you progress through, new guardians begin to get introduced, varying in size and shape. Things start out simple enough at first, with generic “L” and “T” blocks being used to proceed throughout the ruins. As the levels pass, the player will see several other oddball shapes to test their skill, acting as a refreshing form of challenge during the later portions of the game. Moving forward isn’t the only type of travel within Ketzal’s Corridors, though. Along your path to completion, you will find towers that need to be scaled by moving upward. The flip-match mechanics are still utilized, but your guardian is only required to take the correct shape of a silhouette before the timer runs out in order to move towards the top.
There are nearly 100 stages in all, with each usually taking only a short time to complete before moving on to the next area. As a whole though, this adds up to a lot of hours and a ton of content to unlock, making the replay value never-ending. Luckily, the game was also built with it’s platform in mind and is perfect for playing for long periods of time or for short bursts. Even when I wasn’t playing, I found myself spinning blocks in my head, making them take shape into everyday items, which is just a small testament of how addictive this little formula is. An added in multiplayer mode can only extend the infinite amount of time one can spend with Corridors as well, and offers some great local options for those with a friend nearby. The first multiplayer mode has two buds play the game with the same 3DS, with one player using the D-Pad for movement and the other control the flipping of the block with the face button layout. The other option is for local play, and lets players go at it in races throughout the “Ruin Run” or “Tower Trial” modes from the main game.
Visuals/Audio
Ketzal’s Corridors is one beautiful game that is about as polished as they come and acts as a perfect example of the 3DS’ abilities as a handheld. Environments are unique and varied, providing a nice amount of scenery, with the guardians themselves being finely detailed with little faces to give the game a bit of a quirky personality. The 3D is the headliner of the experience though, as that extra dimension gives the game a great deal of depth. Blocks can appear as if they are about to burst out of the screen, and going through a hole in the wall at full speed is something you have to see for yourself as no amount of words can do the effect proper justice.
As far as sound goes, there is a pleasant batch of tunes in tow that all seem to capture the whole ancient ruin theme wonderfully, and make each level feel cozy and relaxing while your brain is hard at work. The minor sound effects also stand out, as everytime the player flips their guardian, it louds out a squeaky shriek. Yeah, this is another minor addition, but little touches such as this are plentiful within the game and go a long way to give the game added character and charm.
Overall
There is a lot that can be said about how addictive this little romp is, as the fast and frantic gameplay is both satisfying and enjoyable until the very last wall. With that said, Ketzal’s Corridors definitely won’t appeal to all out there, as the “Hole in the Wall” puzzle treatment is a gimmick that can scare away even the most hardcore fan of the genre. Fret not though, as this title is a visual beauty that offers a ton of content to boot, making it yet another essential eShop offering to come about this year. Now go, flip blocks, match blocks, and enjoy your new digital fix of greatness.
After Amazon placed a listing online which revealed the existence of a brand new Family Guy video game from Activision everyone started their timers to see how long it would take before Activision made their own announcement about the game.
If you have resisted the urge to purchase Sony’s relatively new gaming handheld the PlayStation Vita until now then Amazon is currently holding a rather nice deal for you. If you feel like purchasing the cheaper version of the system, the Wi-Fi version, then you will also receive a free copy of Mortal Kombat as well as a 4GB memory card.
