Rather than simply come out and say when their upcoming time-bending shooter would be released, Grasshopper Manufacture and Digital Reality chose a rather roundabout way to announce the release date for their upcoming game Sine Mora. Well, perhaps it is a little roundabout but it certainly made things interesting for their fans.
The developer Digital Reality held a contest on Facebook to see who could guess the release date and that contest ended today where the winner and release date were revealed in the video below, which places the XBLA exclusive title for March 21st release. Though you should probably prepare for some motion sickness given the way the developers handle that camera of theirs…
With the PlayStation Vita out on store shelves everywhere various companies are now trying to vie for some of your launch line-up spending, however none of them have a game as wacky looking as Namco Bandai’s Touch My Katamari. Don’t believe me? Check out the launch trailer below which includes various quotes as well as plenty of strange things certain to pique your interest.
Also it may help sway your decision if you learn that Touch my Katamari is only $29.99 in most stores and even cheaper than that if you happen to simply download it from the PlayStation Store on the Vita.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced it has released Midway Arcade App for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The collection of 10 old arcade titles is now available on the App Store for $0.99 – and won’t require any additional tokens or pumping of coins into the charge slot to replay. You’ll be free to play these retro games for as long as you like on any of the games on the list:
Spy Hunter: Race down a freeway in an armed sports car and destroy enemies while protecting civilian vehicles;
Rampage: Reduce the city to rubble as gigantic monsters George (a King-Kong-like gorilla), Lizzie (a Godzilla-like dinosaur/lizard), and Ralph (a giant werewolf);
Defender: Defeat waves of invading aliens while protecting astronauts in this 2D shooting game;
Joust: While riding a flying ostrich, fight to defeat enemy knights riding buzzards;
Root Beer Tapper: As the bartender, serve beer and collect empty mugs and tips without letting the thirsty patrons’ patience expire;
Arch Rivals: In this Basket Brawl, outscore opponents as a crowd pleaser, rebound king, a defensive giant and more;
Skill-Based Games: Beat your friends’ top scores in Pool, Air Hockey, Roll Ball and Basketball.
Two additional game packs are available through In-App Purchase too, and include:
Fantasy Game Pack
Gauntlet I:Hack and slash through monsters as they try to exit the dungeon maze;
Gauntlet 2: The monsters return in this acclaimed sequel, with all new levels, and challenges;
Wizard of Wor:“Worriors” must make their way through monster-infested dungeons to destroy the Wizard of Wor.
Action Game Pack
APB:Playing as Officer Bob, a rookie police officer, pursue law–breakers, cite and arrest criminals – and pick up donuts along the way;
NARC:Arrest and kill drug offenders, confiscate their money and drugs, to defeat Mr. Big;
Total Carnage:As a member of the Doomsday Squad, invade evil dictator’s General Akhboob’s base and destroy mutants, rescue hostages and capture Akhb oob.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, the complete (and hopefully final) edition of Marvel vs. Capcom is now available for the PlayStation Vita platform. This time fans can take the team based fighting experience on the go and enjoy a host of new features.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 offers the complete experience, as the console DLC, The Heroes & Heralds Mode, is available as a free online update. The game’s roster features a total of 50 unique characters, and also adds several new stages and modes. Players can also enjoy online multiplayer via wi-fi complete with extensive spectator and replay sharing options. Finally, the PlaySyation Vita itself can be used as an ultimate controller for the PlayStation 3 version of the game.
So what are you waiting for? pick up the first killer app fighting game for your Vita now.
At a media event held in Sydney, us here at Capsule Computers were able to secure an interview with Jarrad Trudgon and Joe Donahue about the upcoming Mass Effect Infiltrator for the Apple iOS devices. Mass Effect Infiltrator is a parallel story to Mass Effect 3, taking place at the same time as the events of the main entry in the series.
Below is our interview with the guys –
Capsule Computers: Could you guys introduce yourselves and your company for us?
Jarrad: My name is Jarrad Trudgon, and I’m the design director of Iron Monkey Studios in Melbourne and we’re an Australian developer making iOS games at the moment. This is Joe Donahue (Hi) working in the product marketing at Iron Monkey Studios.
Capsule Computers: So guys, the Mass Effect iPhone game… that’s not something many developers can claim to have had any kind of input in. How do you feel about working on such an epic franchise?
Jarrad: It’s great! I’m a huge fan myself and a lot of people on the team are. I’m really pumped to play Mass Effect 3 myself, I mean, it’s hard working on an IP that you love, you can’t help but help to get exposed into the next iteration of the game. It’s happened with Dead Space and it’s kind of happened on Mass Effect where I don’t want any spoilers and it’s pretty hard to not get any when you’re working in the same universe on a parallel storyline. So yeah it’s awesome, it’s a great franchise to work on for sure.
Capsule Computers: In the overall Mass Effect storyline, was it your team that had input over the story or was everything dictated to you by Bioware and EA?
Jarrad: No. So we collaborated with Bioware and we were working with their lead writers, Kasey Hudsen especially, in pre-production before we really started getting into the nitty-gritty of making the game – working very closely with coming up with the High Level story, obviously it had to fit into Mass Effect 3 and the guys making that held all the cards and so they had a big role in setting up how this is going to work. Once we had that nailed down, who the protagonist is, what the events of the three acts are, it was handed to us to fill in the gaps, so you know… fleshing out Randalls personality. The actual events of the story there are certain beats we needed to hit but other than that, it was pretty much up to us so you know, we got feedback from them all the time, obviously because they were interested in making a good game, but you know, lots of freedom.
Capsule Computers: So this Randall character, that’s his name? You can’t change that?
Jarrad: Oh, you don’t like Randall!?
Capsule Computers: I just like customising people.
Jarrad: We don’t have a character customisation screen, like at the start of the project we needed to make decisions on (things like), how can we make the best game on the platform. When you go the character customisation route, you need to make a lot of assets and that takes up a lot of art time, so we just made one awesome character that hopefully most people will like. He is very flexible though, his story is that he works for Cerberus capturing aliens to take back and be experimented on to make their Reapertech Augmentations. He’s undergone a lot of Augmentations himself, so there’s a huge amount of flexibility there. He can use biotics and he can use melee, so players can still customise their own character and come up with a build that they like playing while staying in the narrative of Mass Effect.
Capsule Computers: So with Randall, is there any plan for him to appear in say, the comic books or any of the Expanded Universe?
Jarrad: We haven’t heard anything about that, we haven’t discussed anything like that, so yeah, nothing that I’m aware of at the moment. But we got a pretty good reaction, I think, from the community from when we announced the basic idea of the story and some screenshots of him and I think people will be interested in his story. I think that once they actually play the game and the learn a bit more about him, I think, yeah, you’ll never know. He isn’t going to pop up in Mass Effect 3 or anything though, it’s not going to happen.
Capsule Computers: So this game obviously ties in with Mass Effect 3, could you talk us through a little bit of the integration?
Jarrad: As you’re playing through, enemies have a random chance of dropping Intel in the form of these little data pads, the harder the enemy, the higher chance that they will drop one. When you get intel, you have two choices, you can upload it to the Galaxy at War, which in the narrative is where you’re sending information from Cerberus to the Alliance, the Alliance then uses this information against Cerberus in the final battle against Cerberus and the Reapers. So you know you’ll learn a little bit about the experiments that Cerberus are doing and will help the player in the final battle.
The functional side of it is it’s incrementing a number called the Galactic Readiness Rating, this number is always draining. You can keep coming back and earning intel to keep that number afloat, there are a number of ways to keep it afloat in Mass Effect 3 itself, you can also trade them in for credits which, within this game, are for upgrades like new armour and helmets and that kind of stuff.
Capsule Computers: So is this a full blown RPG, or is this an action game? What were you aiming for?
Jarrad: It’s a much more combat focused game. So another one of those quick decisions made at the start was ‘should we be making this and RPG’, ‘should we be doing dialogue games’? We decided no. We got the voice of Jenkins in Deus Ex as our voice actor, so I get a kick every time I hear him say something.
Capsule Computers: Deus Ex was a pretty great game.
Jarrad: Yeah it was, what was I talking about before?
Capsule Computers: Uhh… The action stuff?
Jarrad: Oh yeah – The narrative stuff, yeah. You know, people with this platform, they want something that they can play quicker, pick up and jump straight into it. Dialogue games take too much time, so it wouldn’t have been a good fit. That was something we agreed on with Bioware early on and we focused on an action game and put all our love into the games combat. Keeping it fast paced, keeping it accessible, keeping it really fun. So you can see it’s a little more arcadey than Mass Effect 3 or any of the Mass Effect console games. These are a lot more fast paced, their battles are a bit more drawn out, these are a lot more fast paced. We have a chaining system too, where if you take a guy out with a headshot, you get a little slomo window where you can quickly try and take out other guys. It’s to give it a mechanic where you’re always trying to perfect your playstyle for any checkpoints, go back at anytime and replay a checkpoint to get a better rating to earn more credits, get better gear and then do it all again.
We’ve got an iPhone friendly game loop happening, similar to what you’ll see in more casual fames like Angry Birds and that kind of thing, but without sacrificing the depth of the gameplay. We still have that there, but just making it a little more friendlier so people wgo just have a minute to spare can play.
Capsule Computers: Looking at the game it is visually impressive, one of the better iOS titles that I have seen. Did you guys get any additional funding from EA for any of that or do you guys have to front for that?
Jarrad: Well, we are EA, Iron Monkey was purchased by EA. There’s no real difference there anymore. I can’t talk about budget stuff, yeah.
Capsule Computers: Final question guys, Capsule Computers being the hardcore gamers that we are, we’re just wondering are you guys hardcore gamers and if so, what is your favourite game?
Jarrad: I most definitely am a hardcore gamer. My favourite game is very hard to say, it varies a lot, I go from Resident Evil to Metal Gear Solid but then it’ll be a different Metal Gear Solid, then it’s Bubble Bobble, it’s one of my oldest favourite games.
(At the end we briefly discussed how he should have said Dark Souls.)
Capsule Computers: I love that game myself.
Jarrad: It’s what got me into it I think, playing Bubble Bobble down at the Arcade.
Capsule Computers: It’s one of those games you can just pick up and play, you know, get a highscore and laugh at the person you just beat.
*laughter*
Capsule Computers: Thanks for the interview guys.
We hope that everyone enjoyed our 11minute interview with the developers of the amazing Mass Effect Infiltrator for the iOS devices.
Robyn Théberge is the Associate Project Manager for Mass Effect 3, the third main title in the Mass Effect saga appearing on the PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Us here at Capsule Computers were fortunate enough to have scored a private interview with this lovely lady, who had flown all the way over from Canada just to help promote the launch of the game here in Australia.
In our interview we cover a few aspects of the game, as well as finding a little bit out about Robyn herself. So be sure to check out the interview, embedded below for your enjoyment.
As many 3DS owners now know, Mario Kart 7 is now the racer to have on the platform. Nintendo of Australia are elated by the success, and want you to gas up your own kart and prepare for a race with the staff. This event of sorts will be under the name Nintendo AUS/NZ Community for Mario Kart 7’s online mode, and is open for inhabitants of either country.
Here is a quick run-down on how you can sign up:
· To join the Nintendo AUS/NZ Community all you have to do is have a copy of Mario Kart 7 on Nintendo 3DS
· When in Mario Kart 7, choose the ‘Mario Kart Channel’ option from the Main Menu to set up your online save file
· Choose ‘Online Multiplayer’ from the Main Menu
· Choose ‘Communities’
· Choose ‘Recommendations’ and select ‘Nintendo AUS/NZ’
· Or alternatively choose ‘Enter Code’ and enter the community code 39-7327-4613-9024
The first challenge will be racing the staff at Nintendo Australia, Monday 27th February 2012, 6:30pm – 7:30pm (EST).
EA Sports’ latest trailer for FIFA Street focuses on arguably the most important mode of the game, World Tour Mode.
You’ll get to create yourself or another player as you travel around the world recruiting other players and building your team up to become the best street team in the world. With 16 different tournaments and complete 20 different challenges from your local level up to local, European and then finally the world-stage tournaments.
Check out the trailer down below featuring the game’s Line Producer, Sid Misra, for an in-depth run down of World Tour Mode, including some of the things you’ll be able unlock as you progressively complete World Tour Mode.
FIFA Street will be out on the 15th of March for PS3 and Xbox 360.
Solartorobo: Red The Hunter Publisher: XSeed Developer: CyberConnect2 Platform: Nintendo DS Release Date: September 27, 2011 Price: $29.99 BUY NOW!
Overview
Nearly 13 years ago, Tail Concerto was quietly released on the Playstation and garnered an almost instant cult following due to it’s unique gameplay stylings and colorful cast of characters. After a good time of waiting, Solartorobo: Red The Hunter is back as a spiritual successor to the classic, with a brand the batch of allies, quests and foes to encounter and CyberConnect2 are to thank for putting in the time and effort. Now, there is a good chance that many of you have never played Tail Concerto, but the fact that this follow-up even exists is a miracle in itself and honestly something we don’t see happen very often. The question is though, does Red and his pals have what it takes to put on a show, or is this title all fan service with no substance for newcomers? Here is my review for Solartorobo: Red The Hunter for the Nintendo DS.
Story
In a world where humans are extinct and anthropomorphic animals inhabit, there lives Red Savarin, a freelance hunter who takes up quests and odd-jobs to make a living. Joining him on his travels is Chocolat, his always excited sister, always ready to offer her opinion on just about everything as Red sets out to perform his small deeds, but never seems to want to do much dirty work. That’s where our tale starts, but within just a few minutes of playing, Red encounters an orphan who asks of a large favor, and must set out to unlock the secrets of a magical medallion.
This may sound like your typical RPG fare, but Solartorobo offers up more than any story-loving fan could ever ask for. Every NPC has their own quirky personality, and while they usually all want something in one form or another, most paint a vivid picture of this world and utterly ooze charm in the process of doing so. I personally never played Tail Concerto, so going in I was a bit clueless of what to expect with Red or any other character in the game. That’s the glory of Solartorobo though, as throughout the timespan of the entire adventure, we actually see a lot of layers slowly peel away about just who this brave hybrid is, along with his one true purpose for existence. After around ten hours in, the story takes a complete 360 due to a sudden development, keeping the delightful narrative fresh up until the grand finale.
Gameplay
While the atmosphere and mythology that goes into the plot for Solartorobo is vast and on a grand scale, the actual gameplay is a bit more simplistic. A majority of the game is spent riding around on Dahak, which is Red’s trusty robot. Dahak is literally the core of the game and feels like a second skin to Red, as you will use this mech to travel, smash down walls, pick up boxes, solve puzzles, battle, and so on. Dahak controls the same way Red does as well, which is with the D-Pad, and most tasks are as simple as just tapping A. At any given moment, Red can eject from Dahak to move around freely at anytime, allowing him to reach new areas and get to those harder to reach spaces in crowded areas.
Battles are about as standard as you can get. The main objective with this combat scheme is to get up close to an enemy, lift them up with your huge robotic arms (all done while tapping A), and then chuck them across a room. Jumping while doing so leads to a slightly enhanced effect, and enemies can also be caught in mid-air and re-thrown to drain their HP bars in a quicker fashion. It sounds like a blast to perform, and it is indeed fun, but this form of combat does not change for a good majority of the game, which makes the entire battle system grow to be both tiresome and tedious early on. Red can find pieces to upgrade his robot scattered across the islands, which is done with a block swapping mini-game. Upgrades don’t offer much more than slightly boosted speed and attack strength, but the effects are noticeable and add a glimmer of depth into an otherwise linear format. Thankfully, not all quests are about destroying enemies though, as there are plenty of fetch quests and puzzles tossed in to offer up some variation.
At nearly every location you visit, there is usually a list of quests waiting that offer up a bit of a distraction to your main objective such as performing errands, finding an item, or locating a loved one. These tasks usually run short, but due to the sheer quantity, it’s easy to say that the player will spend more time doing odd-jobs and running around the islands than actually cracking the mysteries of any medallion. Not all of the quests are simply about fetching either, as you will be going on air races, battling in arenas, fishing, and enjoying a ton varied fare that makes it feel as if you’re never doing the same thing more than once. With all of the quests in Solartorobo, it was nice to see so much creativity applied in order to make each mission feel distinct, even if some were certainly more intriguing than others.
Due to the large number of things to do, boredom is one thing that was never an issue for my time with Solartorobo. Even after completing the game, there are still a ton of collectibles to be found, tasks to perform, and locales that beg to be explored. I do wish that some things were done different, such giving Red more abilities on foot or making the side quests tie in to something worthy of merit, but the open pacing of the story blends well with the game and makes the entire experience fit in perfectly with the whole handheld platform issue. If you want to explore a dungeon and knock some quests off your list, you can do so and return to whatever else you may be doing in real life. If you want to play for 9 hours straight and get to the bottom of the main narrative, you’re free to do that as well. Solartorobo goes as fast as you want it to, and that is what really makes it worthy of going back to, time and time again.
Visuals/Audio
The DS has been winding down for sometime now, but this title certainly proves that graphics can be pleasing for an older tech. Solartorobo uses an anime art style to convey it’s characters and 2D environments, which work wonders for the charm factor of game and give it a similar feel to other RPGs such as Dragon Quest and several of the much-loved Atlus offerings on the platform. Despite the 2D stylings, each town still feels open due to the 3D exploration, and several environments are full of animation and life, roaring with a ton of color that is easy on the eye and keeps everything memorable and upbeat as you perform each quest.
There is also a good reason that there is a soundtrack bundled in with the game itself, and that is because these tunes can easily stand on their own and compliment the soft art style tremendously. Battle themes are exciting and the player is always treated to pleasant and serene tunes when entering a new town. There is some voicework during cutscenes, which definitely adds more quirky charm and life to the already rich cast of characters, even if Chocolat’s voice actor is a bit hard on the ears.
Overall
Solartorobo: Red The Hunter is a title that over-achieves when it comes to ideas, but falls a bit short when it comes to execution. Don’t get me wrong, the gameplay is solid and fluid, but compared everything else, it seemed that CyberConnect2 were wanting to make an anime rather than an actual video game. If you are someone who doesn’t mind a lack of challenge or strategy for your RPG though, this title makes the perfect choice as the pacing has been done brilliantly and there is so much to do and see that it’s hard not to go back in for more, regardless of prior experiences with Tail Concerto. It’s admirable that Solartorobo is on the DS to start with, but if there is a next time and we get another entry in this series, hopefully it will be a full masterpiece, instead of 3/4ths of one.
With the PlayStation Vita officially released less than 24 hours ago, gamers everywhere are basking in the joy of holding Sony’s brand new gaming handheld in the palm of their hands. But while the launch line-up from other companies may be interesting, Tecmo Koei is ready to give you what can be seen as some of the most action packed games on the Vita today.
Released alongside the PlayStation Vita are Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus and Dynasty Warriors NEXT, each bringing their own brand of action to the new handheld title with plenty of brand new features that take advantage of the Vita’s touch screen and touch pad controls and gyroscope.
In Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus players will be able to use the front touch screen to aim and launch projectile weapons while using the gyroscope, perform ninpo attacks through the rear touch pad and more, while Dynasty Warriors NEXT offers touch-screen duels, powerful musou attacks requiring all variations of the Vita’s unique capabilities and more.
