Sumioni may seem like a strange title with the ink styled visuals, but the more we hear about it the better the title sounds. The Japanese developer Acquire’s second PlayStation Vita title will not only be having a demo on January 25th, but will also have a branching storyline with multiple endings.
Acquire revealed that information today and elaborated further by saying that the star ranking players receive from their clear time and damage amount. The path will then branch from their depending on how good or bad you perform. Plus, your final goal in the story will be to save the above “Light Princess.” Sounds quite interesting but it does sound like it could be a problem if good endings require flawless playthroughs of the title. XSEED is working to bring Sumioni over to North America, though no release date has been announced yet.
Ankama Games, the people behind the legendary french MMORPG, Dofus, are back at it again with their latest MMORPG, Wakfu.
Wakfu is set to be published by RPG Goliath Square Enix. In anticipation of it’s February 2012 launch, Square Enix have released a gameplay trailer that shows off the Cra Class.
The Cra are essentially Archers and were previously seen in Ankama’s last MMO Dofus and are making their triumphant return in Wakfu.
Wakfu will feature a $6.00 monthly subscription fee for membership and is set to debut next month. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think in the shoutbox and comments section.
Successful app developer and publishers, Anuman Interactive has announced that they have signed an exclusive co-edition and distribution deal with the big iOS publishers Big Fish Games. They’ve started of the new year strong, getting ready to launch Moment Builders saga. The collection will include games where you get to help build famous monuments, using a Time Management concept.
The first game lets you take on one of the most famous towers, none other than the famous Eiffel Tower before its launch for the Universal Exhibition in 1889. So will you be a part of history and help build some of the biggest landmarks in the world?
Keep tuned to Capsule Computers for more information on the Moment Builders saga as it comes, this will certainly be one to keep an eye on for those of you who love their time management games!
Silvester Adventure Developer: Sim Chia Tek Publisher: Sim Chia Tek Platforms: iPhone (reviewed), iTouch, iPad Release Date: December 13, 2011 Price: $0.99 – Available Here
Overview
The shadows of the world have gone awry! So, clearly, it’s all up to one small boy with anime hair to right this wrong, since y’know, adults are hopeless. You must make your way through various puzzles, taking care to adhere to the rules of the shadow land and make sure to keep your shadow within a certain distance. Because this ain’t no Peter Pan after all.
Gameplay
Let me start this by saying that this game is just about the most frustrating iPhone app I have ever played. I have never experienced such annoyance and felt so stupid before. This wasn’t because I knew what I had to do but I just couldn’t achieve it, I get that all the time. That’s old news. No, this is because the tutorial you are given is so scant that when it comes to the second stage and something even mildly challenging happens that (with a short sentence of a hint) could have taken mere seconds to beat, I instead spent far too long on it until I stumbled across the answer by accident.
Now, I’m a fan of challenges, I like exercising my brain and making myself think. But to be frankly honest, I do believe that the Silvester’s approach is to iOS games what old school you-die-you-restart-entire-game games are to respawn-forever shooters.
While the difficulty experienced at the start of the game could be fixed with a brief hint, the difficulty as you go on gets even more frustrating. There are parts where you have to move extremely carefully because otherwise all of a sudden your shadow will drop from under you because of hidden moving shadow platforms and you will fail. There is no warning, except perhaps the title of the level, and it doesn’t require any real skill, just luck.
Perhaps one of the most annoying things is that you will have to trial and error a stage a few times to get it right, unless you get lucky. The amount of luck required when playing the game makes it far too frustrating for me. This isn’t the sort of game where you gradually learn tricks and skills that will make you better as time goes on, although you will learn ways to try and harness some luck, although those can vary with each stage which gets you back to square one.
The learning curve is… Well, there isn’t any. The first stage is quite easy in the way that you don’t have to do anything and you’ll pass it, then you have to pick up everything as you go. Unless you have patience and determination, as well as that damn luck, then you won’t be able to slug it out through the stages. You’ll probably end up breaking your iOS device. Maybe invest in a strong case before trying this app.
You get to play around with different skills as the game goes on, getting the ability to move your shadow person, shrink them, and enlarge them. These will be crucial in passing stages and just add to the possibilities and the thinking-on-your-feet element of the game. In fact, the solution to one particular stage that was giving me trouble came to me in my sleep. Because that’s the sort of game it is, it haunts you even as you dream.
Visuals
The graphics are pretty simple and reminiscent of old school sidescrollers, which fits in with the crowd who would really enjoy this game. These graphics may be lost on those who love their high def crash-bang stuff, but it helps add to the nostalgia effect.
Audio
The soundtrack is this really soft, fantasy type of music. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect from Zelda, or some children’s cartoon movie. It certainly doesn’t help any annoyance you might get from the app to have this supposedly soothing music in the background. Again, the soundtrack will add to the nostalgia.
Overall
This is definitely a game that will either frustrate you until you throw your phone at a wall or will be something you love that makes you think of ye olden days when games were unforgiving and you could just suck it. And, I’ve said it numerous times and I’ll say it again, you need a damn hefty dose of luck. I do believe, however, that apps should be accessible to a wide range of skill levels (considering the huge market that apps reach), so they probably should have invested in a hints section of some sort.
This is a game that you need a truckload of patience, smarts, skills, and some more patience. So if you have that, then go noble adventurer and save the world!
After two years, nearly three, Bethesda Softworks and Interplay have finally reached a settlement over who owns the rights to the Fallout IP in regards to an MMO game being made. Interplay announced nearly five years ago that they were going to begin working on the title but nothing ever came about from this announcement, which is also part of why the lawsuit was placed in the first place.
To be more specific, Bethesda revealed the full reason for the lawsuit saying that “The lawsuit against Interplay arose after Bethesda Softworks acquired all Fallout intellectual property rights from Interplay in April 2007, and conditionally licensed back to Interplay certain trademark rights to make a Fallout MMO, provided Interplay secured $30 million in financing for the MMO and commenced full scale development of the game by April 2009. Bethesda alleged in its complaint that Interplay failed to meet either condition of the license back agreement but refused to relinquish its license and insisted it would develop a Fallout MMO. Bethesda filed suit to declare the license void.”
Bethesda has revealed that part of the settlement is that the “license granted to Interplay to develop the Fallout MMO is null and void, and all rights granted to Interplay to develop a Fallout MMO revert back to Bethesda, effective immediately.” Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax will need to pay Interplay $2 million in consideration of the settlement and each company must pay their own legal fees.
Interplay will no longer have any right to the Fallout brand nor intellectual property though they still have the right to sell Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics until December 2013 where they will also lose the right to sell those titles and they will return back to Bethesda. Also settled was the issue regarding Masthead Studios, the company subcontracted by Interplay to develop the Fallout MMO. Bethesda simply stated that the matter was settled and that the company has no right to Fallout in any way and cannot use any likeness in upcoming titles.
In response to the end of these lawsuits, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax, Robert Altman had this to say. “While we strongly believe in the merits of our suits, we are pleased to avoid the distraction and expense of litigation while completely resolving all claims to the Fallout IP. Fallout is an important property of ZeniMax and we are now able to develop future Fallout titles for our fans without third party involvement or the overhang of others’ legal claims.”
Turtle Beach is returning to the Consumer Electronics Show with a new range of headsets for that hardcore gamer. Three of those focus on the PC and console gamer while three more will enthrall the portable gamer within you. In addition to showing off the latest headsets, Turtle Beach and Spike TV will be hosting an exclusive new product reveal only available on the Spike TV “CES ALL ACCESS LIVE” show airing on Wednesday, January 11 in Australia and New Zealand.
So, what are these headsets Turtle Beach are showcasing at CES 2012?
Ear Force X42 Wireless Dolby® Surround Sound Xbox 360 Headset and Ear Force X32 Wireless Stereo Xbox 360 Headset
Replacements for the very popular Ear Force X31 and Ear Force X41 models, these headsets include new 2.4/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi technology that actively navigates the wireless landscape in your home or office and finds the open bandwidth to eliminate interference with 2.4GHz wireless devices and LANs. With massive 50mm drivers, the X32/X42 headsets will not only outperform their predecessors, they represent the ultimate blend of value and wireless performance for Xbox gamers.
Ear Force X32 MSRP: USD $99.95; Ear Force X42 MSRP: USD $159.95
Availability TBA
Ear Force DSS 2 Surround Sound Processor for Stereo Headsets
The latest iteration of Turtle Beach’s award winning Dolby Surround Sound Processor (DSS), this updated model revolutionizes the surround sound experience with six variable speaker configurations, offering custom tuned angles to optimize the surround sound effect for any listener.
DSS2 is sold alone, or bundled as part of several new Turtle Beach surround sound wired headset models, also debuting at CES.
The Ear Force DSS2 is available now on the Turtle Beach website for USD $79.95
Ear Force Z11 Wired Stereo PC Gaming Headset
The latest addition to the Ear Force PC headset lineup, the Z11 brings an affordable, high-quality stereo experience to PC gamers, with acoustically angled 50mm drivers for rich audio and crystal clear communication.
MSRP: USD $39.95
Availability TBA
M-Series Mobile Lifestyle Headsets
Ear Force M5: Mobile Gaming Headset
The M5 mobile gaming headset features high-fidelity 40mm audio drivers and full-sized, noise-isolating ear cups with breathable mesh cushions for enhanced comfort. The M5 delivers premium audio quality for gaming or listening to music. Features an in-line mic with call control in a sleek, compact design for hands-free calling and crystal clear communication.
MSRP: USD $49.95
Availability TBA
Ear Force M3: Mobile Gaming Headset
Designed for optimum portability, the M3 features a compact, fold-flat design for easy storage, while its comfortable noise-isolating ear cups and 40mm drivers deliver extreme comfort and high-fidelity audio. The M3 also includes an in-line mic for hands- free calling and online communication.
MSRP: USD $39.95
Availability TBA
Ear Force M1: Mobile Gaming Earbuds with In-line Mic
These noise-isolating earbuds are specially-designed for enhanced stability and comfort with an around-the-ear fit. They feature high-performance 10mm drivers with neodymium magnets that deliver a dynamic audio range with deep bass response and superior sound quality. The M1 also includes a sleek in-line mic and durable tangle-free braided cable.
Mecho Wars, an homage to Advance Wars will hit the Playstation Network tomorrow. For those wondering, Mecho Wars is essentially Advance Wars but with a fantasy twist.
To coincide with it’s Playstation Network release, Oyaji Games have released a trailer for the title which can be seen below. The game is already available on iOS devices for 99 cents, which you can download now right here.
What do you think of Mecho Wars tomorrow? Will you be picking it up on the PSN or iOS for some Advance Wars-styled turn based action? Let us know your thoughts in the shoutbox and comments section below.
Have you ever dreamed of being a journalist, spending your time hot on the heels of the latest celebrity or Royal scandal as you try and gain that elusive photo. Well, dream no more, as French publisher Anuman Interactive have announced its first game for the new year: The Princess Case – A Royal scoop. Published on the Microids games for all label, it will be a sure hit for Royal Wedding enthusisats with a heavy focus on 2011 weddings and activities. Developed with them especially in mind, players will take on the role of Lois Wheeler, a journalist looking for that one story to elevate her career into the big time. But as with many snoopy journos, she gets more than she bargained for and things become very unexpected along her journey.
Schedule for release on January 12th, The Princess Case- Royal scoop will be available on PC, Mac, iPhone and iPad so you can keep up with the goss, even while on the move.
Ever wanted to pass the time by catching cute seal key-chains? Studio Pixel sure thinks you do. You can now catch adorable seal key-chains as they fall across your iPhone’s screen in Studio Pixel’s latest game Azarashi.
For those of you didn’t know, Studio Pixel are the guys behind the cult-classic Cave Story. Which probably leaves you more confused than anything as to why they’d go from something like that to something involving freaking seal key-chains.
Regardless of the craziness that is Azarashi, you can catch those seal key-chains to your hearts content for 99 cents on the iTunes store here. Be sure to let us know what you think of this quirky title in the shoutbox and comments section.
In a shocking turn of Ace Combat related events, Namco Bandai have revealed that the 3DS demo of Ace Combat 3D will only be playable 3 times before it says ‘hasta la vista baby’ and soars off into the assault horizon.
The reason this is so alarming is that the usual amount of plays for a 3DS demo is 10 times what Ace Combat 3D’s demo offers. That’s right the standard amount of plays is 30. Which honestly, by that point you should know whether or not you like the game enough to purchase it. However 3 times just isn’t enough to even whet a player’s appetite.
This is a very strange move by Namco Bandai, but one that doesn’t seem to be open to negotiations, as the demo hits Japanese 3DS’ tomorrow. What do you think of this? Let us know in the shoutbox and comments section.
