We’ve heard very little about Bravely Default: Flying Fairy since it was announced back at Tokyo Game Show, in fact all we have seen about the title so far has just been a few screenshots and a couple of minuscule details. Still, it appears that French site Gamekyo has managed to find a video from the title, albeit one that has a few small flaws.
The video, which you can see below, shows the main character walking around what appears to be a city map, but unfortunately he does little else. Also there is absolutely no sound in the video so it could simply be very early footage of the game as well. From the video we do see however the amazing graphics that the title boasts. Now we just need to wait and hope that more information and full footage is released by Square Enix.
T-80 Darts Developer: MKO Games Publisher: MKO Games Platforms: iPhone (reviewed), iPad, iPod Touch Release Date: 6 December, 2011 Price: $2.99 iPAD – HERE or $0.99 iPhone HERE
Overview
T-80 Darts, developed by French studio MKO Games, is a game that plays exactly as advertised by its name. Is this iOS conversion of the popular bar-side passtime a successful recreation, or has the bar closed early for T-80 Darts?
Gameplay
The controls behind T-80 Darts are simple – you slide the aim-slider down with one finger, and then tilt your iOS device to aim the shot at your preffered target on the dartboard. This control scheme really gets the best out of the iOS systems, and it’s surprisingly easy to pick up and play.
The rules of the standard game modes are the same as those in a regular game of darts. Players start with a score of either 301, 501, or 701 points and must then aim to lower the number down to zero in as few moves as possible. That’s achieved by aiming for higher scoring areas of the dartboard, particularly the bullseye, which is worth 50 points. Of course, each point-zone on the dartboard has narrow strips which, if you hit, will reward you with double or triple points.
There are two additional, more interesting takes on the typical dartboard gameplay as well: Around the Clock asks you to hit each of the numbers on the dartboard in order, increasing from 1 to 20, and then to finish it off with a bullseye. Cricket demands that players only hit numbers between 15 and 20, and also the bullseye, and they must do so three times on each to close out the game. Hitting the double or triple sections will close out numbers more quickly.
T-80 Darts features Game Center functionality so that scores can be uploaded onto shared leaderboards. These scores are based on how much time it takes you to finish off a round of whatever mode you’re playing. There’s also a versus mode that allows you and a friend to take turns against each other in any of the game modes.
There’s no question that the game is a great darts experience that fully takes advantage of the tilt and touch capabilities of iOS devices, but the fact that it’s so simple to use means that the game gets quite easy after a bit of practice. I found myself repeatedly lining up bullseyes, and while it feels good to look like a darts professional, different difficulty levels would have been appreciated. Hell, if players should elect to up the challenge, do so by making the on-screen dart thrower become comically inebriated, and thus his vision blurs and the aiming reticule expands and moves less accurately.
Audio & Visual
Graphically, the game brings something a little unique to the iOS marketplace in that it’s not two-dimensional, and doesn’t look like a cartoon. Rather, the three-dimensional pub in which the game is set is buzzing with detail, has a window you can actually see out of into a snowy street, and just generally gives off the atmosphere you’d feel in a small Irish pub.
The music also complements this Irish feel to the locale, with cheery tunes that would make a leprechaun dance. There’s a good thud when a dart hits the board, and a strangely, French-accented woman calls out the number of points you’ve scored.
In fact, it’s quite ironic that a French developer nailed the ambiance of an Irish pub so well, only to have it slightly jarred by the voice work. But, in my humble male opinion, there are few things better than listening to a French woman while hanging in an Irish bar. So I’ll happily accept the incongruence.
Overall
T-80 Darts is a game that succesfully condenses the essence of playing darts in a bar and puts it into a well-presented game. Its simple controls get the better of it, as it’s slightly to easy to master, but you’ll find that in short bursts, the game will keep you coming back because of those same simple controls and the charming ambiance. If you’ve got five minutes to kill, T-80 Darts provides good fun that’s easy to jump in and out of.
And it doesn’t have cutesy, small mammals or fuzzy avian bombardments.
Despite Alan Wake suffering from writer’s block since 2012, the series has made its way back into the light in recent weeks with a slew of new information and a brand new title expected on the XBLA. Alan Wake’s American Nightmare from Remedy has been given a bit more information today, such as the fact fans can expect it during the first quarter of 2012.
Also released was a new trailer and a few new screenshots and even the art for the title which can both be seen below. In the trailer we learn about a new mode known as “Fight till Dawn” which the player must survive as long as possible against the creatures of darkness and earn points by taking them out with weapons both old and new including “old stalwarts like the flare gun to wild new favorites like the nail gun and old school Remedy favorites like the Uzi.”
While Star Wars: The Old Republic has been heralded as the next big MMO for gamers to go to, it appears that just a few too many are going into the MMO for the servers to handle. In fact, so many people are playing that nearly everyone who wants to sign in and play their character has to wait in a queue before they can even access their server.
BioWare has heard the consumers’ problems and executive producer of live services Jeff Hickman has stated that “While we can’t promise that there won’t ever be queues, we can promise you that we are taking this matter seriously and constantly reviewing them to make sure that they are manageable and reasonable.” It is a bit disheartening that they are running in to issues already, but having a problem where too many people want to play your game sounds like a blessing BioWare wasn’t ready to accept.
Ever since the Wii U was revealed back at E3 2011 in June, we have seen absolutely nothing about the new platform from Nintendo which some have taken as a bad sign for the development of the system. It appears however that the iron curtain of Nintendo is getting ready to show the Wii U again in front of the press. Though those hoping for something new and improved will likely be disappointed.
In a statement to Joystiq, Nintendo reported that the company has been “working with the 2012 International CES management, will offer demos of the upcoming Wii U console to members of the media who did not see the system at the 2011 E3 Expo.” The company then went on to say that “Nintendo will not have a booth at CES, nor does it plan to include any games, experiences or information beyond what was available at the 2011 E3 Expo.” So… pretty much nothing new is being introduced but hey, at least they are still willing to show it off despite over six months of stagnation.
Sick of defending that same old boring castle? You should go outside and play more! Trendy Entertainment, Reverb Publishing, and D3Publisher are about to unleash the first part DLC for their exceedingly addictive downloadable title, Dungeon Defenders where players will be able to venture outside of their castles for the first time ever!
The Quest for the Lost Eternia Shards DLC is out now for Steam for only $3.99 (buy it here!) and will be available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on December 21st. This is just the first of 4 packs however, so keep an eye out for more as each quest will each take players through an entirely new campaign map, PvP map and a new challenge mission with new new story cinematics, enemies, 10 all new weapons, a new pet, a new boss, and more!
Gamers can also buy the Complete Pack featuring all 4 parts of the Quest for the Lost Eternia Shards on Steam for a limited time for only $9.75 (retail $12.99). Not only will it grant players access to the content as it releases, but also early access to Nightmare Mode- an even harder difficulty mode which will eventually unlock all 4 DLC packs and incorporate all of the new enemies into the full campaign for PC owners.
Not excited yet? Check out the trailer below and see why you should be!
Note from the publishers: The 10 new weapons and pet will be patched into the Console version in the first patch early next year.
Taito have added some holiday themed songs to their iOS title, Groove Coaster. The update includes 5 new tracks, 3 of which are available via in app purchase, the other two are gifts from Taito to you! The tracks include:
Fess up! By Shohei Tsuchiya
Thrash Beat by COSIO
PIPIPI MUSIC by THE APRILS for US$0.99
VISIONNERZ ~Genshi-jin~ by OGR for US$0.99
Jingle Bells – Trance Mix- by COSIO for US$0.99
Taito have also launched a mini album on iTunes, Groove Coaster Extended Play for the price of US$6.93 or each track for US$0.99.
Track List
1.Just No Friend
2. Protocol Signal Generation
3. Hello 31337 (GC Edition)
4. Fess up! 5. Thrash Beat
6. VISIONNERZ “Genshi-jin” (GC Edition)
7. Jingle Bells (Trance Mix)
Last but not least, Taito have a sale! With three games discounted. Groove Coaster itself has been discounted to $0.99 instead of the 2.99. While Cooking Mama is now only 3.99 and Space Invaders Infinity Gene is now only 2.99.
Check out the trailer below to sample the new tracks, and follow the above links to purchase your new, on-sale iOS games courtesy of Taito.
Devsisters have released their Christmas themed platform-adventure game, OvenBreak Infinity in the new version 2.0.2. In OvenBreak Infinity you play as Ginger Brave, an adventurous gingerbread man, whose Christmas quest to collect Jelly Beans by jumping, sliding and swinging your gingerbread ass through crisp and colourful Christmas themed environments featuring some classic platform gaming fun!
OvenBreak Infinity brand new update features a new character ‘dozer’, a new level, and a ‘Collections’ area where all your achievements are displayed. With over 7 million players, GameCenter support, and five different sections of play, OvenBreak Infinity is certainly a good app ready just in time for the holidays. After all, who doesn’t love being a gingerbread man in charge of collecting jellybeans?
OvenBreak Infinity is available NOW for iPhone, iTouch and iPad for $1.99. Grab it HERE
Every few months, we usually see around two to four items added to Club Nintendo, which users can then purchase with their “coins”, earned by obtaining Nintendo products. While those moments are exciting, a recent overhaul has taken place with Club Nintendo and quite a few new items have become available for redemption.
The first thing you will notice is the brand new layout. Codes are now easier than ever to enter, and browsing your surveys can be done in a more streamlined manner. While that was needed and nice to see, you are probably wanting to know what goodies you can snag up, right?
The first noteworthy addition is digital WiiWare, Virtual Console, and eShop codes. Nintendo will feature four titles a month, and members can then use their coins to obtain a code to then download the game of their choosing. This month, Mario vs Donkey Kong: March of the Minis (150 Coins), Fluidity (100 Coins), Mario Kart SNES (100 Coins), and 3D Classics Xevious (100 coins) have all been added to the growing catalog. These prices are dirt cheap in my opinion and I have personally snagged up all four, but members considering any of the titles provided should keep in mind that there will still be more up for grabs by this time next month.
Next up is the physical merchandise. Those who want to take notes in style can pick up some Mario and Peach notebooks (250 coins). To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Zelda even further, a stunning new poster set has also been made available (400 coins). Finally, a pen case (400 coins) and a retro Mario T-Shirt (550 Coins) have joined the swag this time around.
Not too bad at all. I’ve been a member of Club Nintendo for a few years now, and adding digital content to the line-up at affordable coin prices was simply genius. You can sign up/redeem by checking out the official page here.
While we have seen plenty of images of everyone’s favorite ninja Ryu Hayabusa slicing people up and generally destroying everything in his way, we have yet to see any images of a more feminine character in the Ninja Gaiden series. I speak of course about Ayane. Although she is more commonly known to be one of the fighters in the Dead or Alive series, she is also one of the side characters in Ninja Gaiden and it appears she will be returning for Ninja Gaiden 3.
In the below images we are given only two screenshots of Ayane, though we are treated to a few images of what appears to be multiplayer character customization. Also, no batch of screenshots for Ninja Gaiden 3 would be complete without Ryu doing something amazing and in this case it is going up against a helicopter.
