Following the impressive release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the PC version of Shoot Many Robots has just been given a solid release date. This 2D shooter platformer will be released as a digital download purchase on the Steam platform on 6 April 2012.
The PC version will support an impressive resolution of 2560×1600 and a blistering frame rate of 60 fps. The game will also feature PC optimised controls and menu interface, and will be fully integrated with Steam matching, Facebook matchmaking, Steam achievements, and integrated voice chat. Gamers who pre-order the game through Steam will get some cool bonuses.
“We’re dedicated PC gamers here at Demiurge Studios, and we wanted to make sure and take the time to do the PC version right,” said Albert Reed, CEO. “We rebuilt the controls for PC and overhauled all the user interface so it won’t feel like you’ve turned your keyboard into a gamepad that makes clicky sounds – every detail has been considered to make this an optimised and seamless experience.”
Unity and Madfinger games, the developers of the hit iOS and Android third person shooter Shadowgun have formed a partnership to release a free sample level project chock full of innovative and unique techniques relating to the Unity Engine. The Unity Engine has multiple features that compliment development for all platforms ranging from a heavy focus on mobile and web based games through to console and PC/ Mac publishing. The project includes a lot of tips and the techniques which Madfinger used in order to fine tune the Shadowgun code to be utilised with the Unity Engine.
For a really interesting read, have a look at the in-depth details regarding Madfingers use of the Unity Engine and how they explain in much more detail how they optimised gameplay in Shadowgun with the engine. They explain everything from Alpha Blending through to character shading in the code which are much efficient and have less of a drain on gameplay and the fluidity of the experience.
Beyond Entertainment has shared some more release dates for their upcoming DVD collections. This time they have confirmed the release of a new collection for both the Pawn Stars and Storage Wars television series.
The first DVD collection, Pawn Stars: Season Two collection, looks into the pawnbroker business by following the pawn business escapades of the Harrison family. The other collection being released is Storage Wars: Season One collection, which is a reality show that follows the adventures of a band of bidders who engage in storage auction and consignment.
Pawn Stars: Season Two and Storage Wars: Season One each have a RRP of $39.95 and both collections will see a release on 2 May 2012.
She is known to many across as the Blog Princess or the Blogging Idol, and by her stage name Shokotan. It has now been confirmed that Shoko ‘Shokotan’ Nakagawa will be starring in and performing the opening theme song for Saint Seiya Omega.
The famous Japanese Blogging Idol has already formed herself an illustrious music and voice acting career, having previously handled the opening theme song of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, ‘Sorairo Days’.
She will be performing the new opening theme for the upcoming Saint Seiya Omega anime series, which will be a new version of the classic opening of the first Saint Seiya series, ‘Pegasus Fantasy’. Shokotan’s version will be titled ‘Pegasus Fantasy Omega’ and will first be heard during the premeire of Saint Seiya Omega on April 1st. She will also be playing the role of Athena in the series.
You can listen to the original series opening below to get a feel of the song, if you have not heard it before. Also you can check out Shokotan’s bizarre blog here. What do you think of Blog Princess, Shokotan performing the opening theme of Saint Seiya Omega? Let us know in the comments section below.
Namco Bandai Games have announced through Weekly Shonen Jump magazine that they have licensed the Hunter x Hunter anime series for adaptation into a PSP game focusing around the Hunter Exam arc. The player will take control of Gon and Killua as they set out to become Hunters.
That is all the information we have on the game as of now, but it is worth noting that the mysterious ‘X’ teaser site that Namco established the other day, that a lot of people speculated to be counting down to a reveal of a Hunter x Hunter game, is still up and running in full on teaser mode at the time of posting. Perhaps there is another Hunter x Hunter game still yet to be revealed?
What do you think of a Hunter x Hunter PSP game? Also what other consoles would you like to see a Hunter x Hunter game on? Let us know in the comments section below.
Bitter Sam Developer: Moon Active Publisher: Moon Active Platforms: iPhone (reviewed), iPad, iPod Touch Release Date: March 15th, 2012 Price: $0.99 (HERE)
Overview
It’s another day, and there’s another physics-based platformer out on the iOS platforms. Bitter Sam involves dropping a surly creature named Sam through over one hundred levels to serve in the twisted experiments of a lab scientist. Is the game’s attitude enough to differentiate Sam’s adventure from the plethora of other options out there, or will it just leave a bitter taste in your mouth?
Gameplay
Sam is a bitter guy, and it’s not hard to imagine why. Being kidnapped by a scientist and forced through descents into various dangerous environments isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of fun.
But if he’s to survive, it’s up to you to guide him safely through the game’s levels so he can live to be grumpy another day. Bitter Sam uses simple tilt-based controls. As Sam ropes down each level, you’ll tilt your device left or right to lean him one direction or the other, avoiding spiked bars and saws that can cut his rope until he reaches the end of the stage. There are also power-ups to pick up along the way: Sam can use pigs as objects to destroy obstacles and avoid damage, and he can also pick up blue rope, which will temporarily prevent his rope from being shredded by those pesky saws.
There’s a crystal included on each level, and unlocking further “worlds” (there are five worlds, each with twenty levels) requires that you collect a certain number of these. Some of these are really easy to get, while others require a good deal of level memorization and perfect timing. It’s just difficult enough that unlocking new worlds is a challenge, but you’ll never throw your phone at the wall in frustration. If one level’s crystal is too hard to get, chances are that the next one will be simpler to get.
Despite its polish and responsive controls, Bitter Sam‘s main fault is its simplicity. Between the tower-climbing games, descent games, and physics-based platformers that have come before, the game really fails to bring anything new to the table and it does begin to get a little repetitive. The level design is intelligent enough for this never to become frustrating, but you’ll find it hard to play for extended periods of time. That being said, if you’re looking for something to fill five minutes, Bitter Sam provides a fun experience that has a level of polish to match, a rarity in the world of rehashed, copycat applications.
Audio & Visual
Bitter Sam really shines in its presentation. Not because it’s the most beautiful game out there or because it has a breadth of voice acting, but because the way it presents Sam’s attitude in the way he looks, moves, and sounds as he descends down the game’s levels is remarkably endearing in a fashion that’s almost sadistic.
When Sam bumps into a level’s walls, the way he’s animated and the satisfying “thud” make it almost fun to shove him into them. When Sam dies, he finally smiles, the horrors of his sad life all over, as his soul rises upwards. And all of this is backed with a merry tune that’s a bit more creative than the bog-standard that’s arisen in other cartoon platformers. In essence, when the game uses outstanding art and audio design to make even dying fun, you know it’s doing something right.
Overall
Bitter Sam is a game whose attitude sets it apart from similar titles. While you may find other physics-based platformers with controls as intuitive as the ones in this app, no other game I have encountered on iOS has made dying such a pleasure. Sadism aside, because of the clever level design, every death feels like a lesson you can learn from, and the stages are short enough starting back at the beginning feels like only a small setback. Despite this, you may get a little tired of Sam over the hundred levels of the game, so I advise taking it slow. In bite-sized chunks, Bitter Sam will win you over with its charm and simplicity.
Remember that live-action Japanese drama series based off the Mirai Nikki/Future Diary anime and manga? Well earlier today a trailer for the television series was released online showing off what is the first footage of the series to date.
You can check out the trailer below. The drama series will be titled Mirai Nikki: Another World and will as the title suggest be set in an alternate reality/world. The series will focus on a new character that will be engaged in the battle of future diaries. Familiar characters such as Gasai Yuno however are set to appear predominantly.
Mirai Nikki: Another World will begin next month of the 21st of April. It is currently unknown if the series will recieve simulcast treatment in the West from sites such as Crunchyroll, but as of now it remains to be seen.
Gravity Rush may not be released in North America and other territories until June of this year, but it has already graced store shelves in Japan for a month now. However the game hasn’t actually sold well in the land of the rising sun as it has just now graced over 100,000 copies sold.
This information comes from Gravity Rush’s director Keiichiro Toyama via Twitter. The 100,000 number factors in both download sales and retail sales in Japan, though he did hint that he is looking forward to a release worldwide. You won’t have anything to worry about Mr. Toyama we will give Kat all the love she deserves once the highly-anticipated Gravity Rush hits store shelves in the West.
While it has been rumored that XSEED would be bringing Unchained Blades to North America the company had never confirmed the title. Well, that all changed earlier today when XSEED confirmed that the title will be indeed released in North America on both the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation Portable sometime later this year and it will even feature English voicework.
For those who don’t know, Unchained Blades is a dungeon RPG that was created by the same people responsible for the Grandia and Lunar series. The story will follow a man named Fang who was once a powerful dragon emperor who lost his powers when the goddess Clunea saw how arrogant he had become. Players will experience the game through a first person view and can turn monsters into allies as they fight against them. Currently no price has been revealed for the game at this moment in time.
While gamers can buy games used to alleviate some of the cost, being an avid video gamer can be a very expensive hobby. However your friend Amazon.com is going to make things a little bit easier as they have begun a promotion today that will allow you to purchase two video games and get one for free.
The titles eligible for this discount range from old releases to brand new ones such as Mass Effect 3, Uncharted: Golden Abyss and more. The deal currently doesn’t have an end date and the full list of games for sale can be found here if you are interested in expanding your game library by three.
