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.
Nope, its still not Battlefront 3. But, Lucas Arts has recently filed to trademark “Star Wars 1313.” Although we still don’t quite know exactly what this will entail, the trademark filing includes “video games, as well as toys, trading cards, sticker books, pencil sharpeners, & online social networking services.” Or basically anything you can imagine that can fit the words “Star Wars 1313.”
Many have speculated that this may have something to do with Boba Fett. Or maybe its Star Wars, in a parallel universe set in the Middle Ages.
What do you think it means? Let us know what your hoping for in the comments below.
Hold your fire! Call of Duty Elite brethren on the PS3 will be getting the “Sanctuary” and “Foundation” maps on Thursday instead of the usual Tuesday download schedule. Apparently, when you sell a few million copies of a game, you get special privileges or something.
These two maps have already hit the Xbox 360, dropping last month onto Microsoft’s console.
“Sanctuary” will have you shooting up a monastery in Greece.
“Foundation” will also have guns and shooting, but this time the setting is South Korea. Which map are you most looking forward too?
Look at that cute little face. There is no way that she could be part of a game that contains over-the-top acts of violence, sexual jokes, vulgar language nor would she ever dress provocatively in sexy outfits right? Well that is why we have the ESRB here to tell us what we already know about Juliet in Grasshopper Manufacture’s Lollipop Chainsaw.
Today the ratings board revealed their M rating for Lollipop Chainsaw and the entire rating can be seen below, which is perhaps one of the longest ESRB rating descriptions we’ve seen in a long time.
This is an action game in which players assume the role of Juliet Starling, a zombie-hunting cheerleader who must prevent the apocalypse. Players use a chainsaw, explosive rounds, and special attacks (e.g., performing cheerleading routines; mowing down enemies with a crop harvester) to kill zombies in melee-style combat.
Some attacks (e.g., Sparkle Hunting Bonuses) require dispatching multiple zombies at once, and are highlighted by slow-motion effects and close-up camera angles. Cutscenes also depict over-the-top acts of violence: a zombie boss shooting himself in the head; characters getting sliced in half by chainsaws; Juliet punting a decapitated head in slow motion. Exaggerated blood splashes, dismemberment, and decapitation occur frequently. During the course of the game, players can dress Juliet in revealing outfits (e.g., Sexy Rider Suit, Sexy Seashell Bikini) that expose large amounts of cleavage and/or buttocks.
Numerous jokes in the dialogue and on-screen text also reference sexual material (e.g., “Officer Stephanie sometimes used her nightstick to pleasure herself to yearbook photos,” “[She] had ‘backdoor’ sex with over three hundred sailors back in the day,” “Is it normal to have an erection as you die?”). A variety of sequences allude to drug use (e.g., “Old McDonald’s been smoking too much weed,” and “[Influences:] Rick James, eight-foot piles of cocaine. . .”). The words “f**k,” “sh*t,” and “c*cksucker” can be heard in dialogue.
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.
