Today in the US, KONAMI announced that the latest in the portable version of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS World Championship 2011 Over the Nexus is now available in the US region. Yu-Gi-Oh! is one of the most popular trading card game franchises in the world; with this game being set in the most recent* spin-off series, 5DS.
The game is being published on the original DS system, as opposed to the recent 3DS system. Though, this is probably because the game was released much earlier in Japan and was not built on a 3DS engine. The game features a storyline set in parallel with the hit television show and allows players to duel against the familiar characters from the program as well as new and unique characters introduced for the game.
The games story takes place in a desloate town called Crash Town. Players must make their way from here to New Domino City in time to make it into the World Racing Grand Prix, which is a giant tournament featuring duels and motorcycles.
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5DS World Championship 2011 Over the Nexus features some new and interesting features, such as:
- MULTIPLAYER: Battle anyone, anywhere, anytime via Wi-Fi connection and
compete in weekly duel championships each with new rules and live leader boards!
- REPLAY: Replay has been added, giving duelists the chance to save a
duel and review it again to see where they had the most success or lost! Even see what moves
the computer made!
- DECK DIAGNOSTICS: The Deck Diagnostics tool continues to give players
instant feedback by offering players the chance to evaluate their decks and create
better hands for dueling.
- DUEL PUZZLE EDITOR: The Duel Puzzle Editor allows players to post
questions and answers via Wi-Fi connection while gaining points and rankings.
- TUTORIALS: Beginning duelists can jump right into the game with the all
new in-game Tutorial that includes instructions in deck structuring and
coaching tools to make the best "next move."
With less than a week to go before the launch of L.A. Noire in the US on May 17, Rockstar have released yet another character dossier that will get you even more excited for the upcoming title. This time, the focus is all on Captain James Donnelly, the Officer-in-Charge of the Homicide desk.
Captain Donnelly is an Irish-born LAPD veteran, who is more concerned about cold, hard results than he is about the letter of the law. Donnelly is both respected and feared in the force, with a reputation as the pragmatic and no-nonsense officer. It is from him that Cole Phelps takes briefings and debriefings, and it is him that can make or break a man’s career in the LAPD.
Namco Bandai’s Level up 2011 event in Dubai has revealed a few things already but this is perhaps one of the more interesting current endeavor revealed tonight. Namco Bandai announced that they have been working on creating a Tekken film, a film they are calling Tekken: Blood Vengeance. The film will be entirely CG and although details are currently slim, we know that the movie will be released to theaters this Summer.
An official trailer was released alongside this announcement and you can see it below. From this trailer we can see that Dai Sato whose previous work includes Cowboy Bebop is responsible for the script while Shinji Higuchi of Evangelion fame is working on the storyboards. These two names have quite a lot of backing behind them especially with such famous animation works as Cowboy Bebop and Evangenlion, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out this Summer.
More news out of Dubai today from Namco Bandai’s Level Up event. During the event Namco Bandai showed off a brand new trailer for Ace Combat: Assault Horizon and although we can’t show you that trailer quite yet here, we can reveal that at the end of the trailer a release date for the title in the West was finally given.
Previously given no actual notification that Ace Combat: Assault Horizon would arrive in the West, this is good news for fans of the series. Now when can you expect to be flying your jet through the air and shooting down enemies into an agonizing plummet to the ground? On October 11th for North America and October 14th in Europe of course, and that will be for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The title has been touted as a reboot to the franchise so expect a lot of new changes to be revealed in the future.
Game Name:Conduit 2 Platform(s): Nintendo Wii Publisher(s):Sega Developer(s):High Voltage Software Genre(s): First-Person Shooter Release Date: April 19, 2011 (US) April 21, 2011 (AU) April 21, 2011 (EU) Price: $49.99 BUY NOW!
With a dry season in full effect for the Nintendo Wii, Conduit 2 has now come in to bring some much needed action to the motion-based console. Conduit 2 is High Voltage’s successor to The Conduit which debuted on the system in 2008 and brought about a unique style for the first-person shooter genre on the Wii. The first title had quite a few minor issues but still managed to gain quite a cult following due to it’s narrative and easy to pick up and play gameplay, and thankfully just about every aspect of this sequel have seen improvement in one way or another. So how does this growing franchise fare in today’s vast market of shooters? Here is my review for Conduit 2.
Story
Being honest, I didn’t really have too much memory of the first Conduit’s story, but thankfully that really didn’t harness my enjoyment of the second as Conduit 2’s narrative is rather simple to follow for the most part. You start out where the first story left off, with the main protagonist Michael Ford following John Adams through a conduit. Things start to unfold shortly after as you end up in the Bermuda triangle, get swallowed by a Leviathan and then end up running into a female by the name of Andromeda who is to aid Ford as he aims to take down Adams once and for all.
If all of this sounds a bit over-the-top, you would be correct as the plot in the main campaign is absolutely insane…but in a good way though, as it certainly feels original and was a lot of fun to actually follow. Conduit 2 never takes itself too seriously when it comes to telling a story yet it still presents a good amount of depth to better place the player in this twisted world. If you have ever watched one of those cheesey movies on the SyFy network, you might be in familiar territory as when I was playing through and watching everything unfold, that was the first thought that popped into my mind. Yes, it won’t win any Oscars, but Conduit 2 straps the player in and just goes wild with twists and turns around nearly every corner of the game.
While the story is a lot of fun and quite out there, one thing I found to be a mixed bag was Michael Ford himself. One minute this tough guy is all business and ready to go in and battle, the next he is shouting out quick one-liners that could make Bubsy cringe. This back and forth personality of Ford may have been intended to provoke a laugh from time to time (and I admit, there were some pretty humorous moments of dialogue), but for my personal taste the forth wall was broken just a few too many times and eye rolls replaced laughter shortly after. That said, there is still a lot of personality and charm layered throughout the game which makes the trip through memorable and unique to the genre.
Gameplay
Conduit 2 is a first person shooter first and foremost and amidst this twisted plot comes a vast array of weaponry and gadgets to help Ford along the way. The Wii however has never truly been known to be a very good host for the genre due to the motion controls which have always provided somewhat of a learning curve as the actual remote can make even the most standard procedures overly complicated. Thankfully though, Conduit 2 sets a better example with it’s control scheme and is actually a rather fine-tuned experience. Simple things such as shooting an enemy require little thought or frustration as an enemy can quickly be targeted and taken out in the blink of an eye. The WiiMotion Plus also plays a factor for accuracy as the added in functionality makes a noticeable impression when it comes to performing melees or simply focusing on a set enemy. That being said, I still found myself enjoying the classic control layout a bit more as I am personally more comfortable with the feel of a standard controller. There isn’t too much of a difference for the classic controller, but aiming can be a bit of a hassle as the high sensitivity made actually targeting an enemy a more tedious process.
Conduit 2 has a pretty basic loadout with shotguns, sniper rifes, and the standard shooter fare all in Ford’s arsenal. The variety of weaponry though comes in with the high tech alien weapons which are found scattered thoughout levels or that can simply be taken from a fallen foe. Not only do these weapons look different and add new ways to destroy enemies, but each give off a distinct feel which keeps the game from feeling overly repetitive and usually each are fun to use in their own way. For instance, the hive cannon is acquired fairly early in the game and shoots a steady stream of insects into a foe. Ford’s arsenal changes depending on the player’s choice and this interesting array of toys to play with fit perfectly into the B-Movie atmosphere that is given with Conduit 2’s story.
Ford’s most useful item in the game is the A.S.E. (All Seeing Eye) and this time around, the device is used a bit differently. The A.S.E. works a bit like a scanner with the ability of solving certain puzzles, unearth new information for the plot, and find the game’s many secrets.
The first Conduit suffered a bit with it’s actual level design as at times it felt a bit linear and almost like you were just walking through a hallway, going from one area to the next. High Voltage have improved this greatly though as this sequel features many well detailed environments to explore that are more open and larger in size. These larger areas also now hold many secrets and easter eggs which make exploration a rewarding experience and in my case lengthened the game greatly as I spent a lot of time trying to find collectibles and discover the small details that were added in.
From knocking over tables to provide some quick cover or shooting up a car to take out a group of enemies in one explosion, the environments all have many interactive features which can give a bit of an advantage in the players favor. Unfortunately, there isn’t a ton of variety with interactivity as it usually is the two methods I mentioned, but both work well and actually come in handy during some more hectic battles in the game.
For the most part, Conduit 2 runs rather smooth and I didn’t encounter any graphical glitches during my time with the game, but there were still a few bugs that can be literally game-breaking. During my first hour of play I hopped right into the campaign. After entering a door to the outside of the first area, I was completely blocked in with two dead ends on each side and since the door locks behind you in that part, I was rather stuck. Thankfully, High Voltage seem to have caught this issue quickly as after a quick update, the path was open and everything was smooth sailing from that point on. This does make me believe that players who do not have the ability to actually download an update may want to be wary of this title though as there is literally no other way to proceed without that patch. I do give High Voltage a lot of respect though as the team seems to be dedicated to providing update after update based on feedback alone to better the player’s experience.
Multi-Player
One of the most defining features of Conduit 2 is the multiplayer. Not only is this mode full of options and modes that could give heavy contenders a run for their money, the engine used actually provides useful rewards for simply playing the game. There are many different options to customize your profile which include a store where you can use in-game currency to upgrade your armor and character. The Wii Friend Code system is still very much in play, but this title has a unique option to add previous players through a “Rivals” system, allowing you to play with that person again. It isn’t a friend code shattering method really, but it certainly is a refreshing sight to see on the Wii’s online front.
The basic FPS fare of modes can also be found in the multiplayer, however there are some interesting additions that truly set things apart from other shooters on the Wii such as a A.S.E basketball mode. An extra option I really liked seeing was the ability to vote on which map to play on, similar to what we have seen in Halo and Call of Duty. The headbanger headset is also fully compatible, letting you talk trash to other players as you battle it out, but I didn’t find too many actually using the device. Still a nice addition though. For local play, up to four players can team up in a split screen presentation for Invasion mode, in which they must take out waves of enemies at a time. Multiplayer is a bit more bare-bones than the campy campaign, but in my opinion there really isn’t another online title on the Wii that can beat the depth and variety that Conduit 2 brings to the table.
Graphics/Audio
When it comes to actual visuals, there is quite a lot to say about the presentation value that is in Conduit 2. Each environment’s textures are a bit bland when it comes to scenery such as walls or plants, but that is fully made up for with the sheer amount of little details that bring life to every area such as well detailed rubble, pictures and posters plastered on walls, you get the idea. The actual character models in the game are also pleasant to look at and while not perfect, each fit their role well and animations all run fluently and smooth.
The music within the game is usually fitting for each area and consists of some more high tempo tracks which set the stage for the more intense battles ahead. Each weapon’s sound effect also does a fantastic job of setting guns apart from one another and flow perfectly with combat. Though the voice cast is new this time around, Jon St. John fits the role of Ford perfectly and while some of the actual lines of dialogue are a bit annoying at times, there is still a lot of actual quality to they way it is presented.
Overall
Conduit 2 is a great improvement over the first title we seen nearly three years ago. The story presents itself like a fantastic B-flick and provides quite a bit of humor as you jump between locations with a easy to use and simply fun engine that the game runs on. Now there are certainly some problems that take back from the full experience of the game such as a some overly corny dialogue and a few bugs, but there is no doubt that those who own a Wii and are looking for an online experience, Conduit 2 is the choice title on the system as of now. You can literally feel the love that High Voltage have tied into each pixel within the game and while there are certainly some areas that still could use some polish, Conduit 2 is not just a step in the right direction for the franchise, but also for the genre as a whole on the Wii.
It looks like practically every classic fighting franchise will be making a return in some sort of form in the next year or so. At Namco Bandai’s Level Up event in Dubai, Hisaharu Tago of Project Soul announced that Soul Calibur 5 is currently under development. This news brings Soul Calibur to the forefront of the fighting series alongside recently released games Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat.
Tago had a bit more information about the title to reveal. Not much however but what was revealed was that the main character for the game is going to be called Patroclus and that the battle system has been improved alongside a number of new features that were not mentioned. He went on to say that gamers should expect the title next year but did not elaborate further at the time.
Surprising absolutely no-one, Activision Blizzard announces they can build a castle out of money with their record first quarter financial results.
For the quarter ending on March 31, 2011 – Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI) shows a GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) net revenue of $1.4 billion, from their $1.3 billion of the previous year. On a non-GAAP basis, the company netted $755 million, from their $714 million of the previous year. GAAP net revenue from digital channels increased 30% year over year which accounts for 30% of the company’s total revenue. If we’re talking non-GAAP, then net revenue is still up 30% year over year but it accounts for a whopping 50% of total net revenues.
What does this all mean aside of the executives all going out and having tailored suits made from $100 bills? Call of Duty: Black Ops performed above everyones expectations (especially mine) by becoming the best-selling game of all time across the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Activision Blizzard also had three top-10 PC titles with Blizzard Entertainment’s very own money printing machine, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, the sequel to Korea’s very own national sport, Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty and Activision Publishing’s Call of Duty: Black Ops.
CEO of Activision Blizzard, Robert Kotick stated, “With over $1.4 billion of GAAP net revenues and $0.42 of GAAP EPS our record first-quarter performance was driven by digital sales and the continued strength of Activision Publishing’s Call of Duty and Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft franchises. Digital content continues to represent a significant portion of our revenues and increased by about $100 million year over year, enabling us to deliver record first-quarter operating margins and earnings per share. The Call of Duty: Black Ops First Strike content pack shattered Xbox LIVE launch records, surpassing 1.4 million downloads in the first 24 hours alone,(1) and Blizzard’s Battle.net service continues to grow its service offerings. To date, Call of Duty: Black Ops players have logged more than 1.2 billion online hours of online gameplay.”
Kotick continued, “Interactive entertainment continues to see broader audience appeal and powerful positive trends in online gameplay and online distribution. Our incredibly talented people continue to lead in innovation and we continue to deliver the world’s best games combined with strong financial performance.”
So yes, Activision Blizzard makes obscene amounts of money. Expect them to further their reign of destruction across the gamescape in the future.
China, who just happens to make everything has finally decided to step into the market of game consoles, probably because it’s closed off to every other console. You don’t see gamers over there with PS3’s, Xbox’s or Wii’s, but ironically some of the parts are probably made in China, so it only makes sense for the country to step in. Originally dubbed the ‘ebox’, the renamed Isec was announced a year ago and has been in development for around two years, but the 3D camera technology behind the beast was recently announced including a few images.
Similar to Xbox Kinect, the DepthSense™, developed in partnership with Namuga using SoftKinetic’s patented 3D sensor technology will enable gesture-based entertainment on EEDOO’s iSec platform. The console is aimed at a market of 120 million homes, in the hope of changing the way Chinese families interact with digital content. Said to come with 30 built-in games, the console sounds like a glorified Xbox kinect more than anything, whether or not non-casual games are being developed is another question, all signs are pointing towards ‘family friendly’ content only. However games are being developed by in North America and Europe, what specific studios are unknown, but they’ll be ready for launch.
Currently 40 of the companies software engineers are working on the console. They believe that by including games in the system they can cut down on the rampant piracy that already controls much of the PC market there, how future releases after the launch are handled is still in question. The interesting thing is that on the Chinese market foreign company’s are forbidden to selling video game consoles and titles for them, so how and why western developers are working on games makes for an interesting future.
The console is set to release in China during the second half of 2011 (pricing wasn’t released) and the console’s maker, Eedoo Technology, says it will consider selling the unit overseas after it sells one million units in China. Given the lack of consoles in China and the mass market, I don’t see that taking too long.
Activision is yet to announce details on the next instalment of the Modern Warfare series but websites all over the world are starting to report all sorts of rumours. One has only recently surfaced and states that Modern Warfare 3 will feature a bigger story and more destruction.
A source close to Infinity Ward says Modern Warfare 3 will continue along the storyline from MW2, delivering “a world of crisis” in the United States after the invasion. They believe it won’t follow the opposed Red Dawn approach explored by Homefront. While it’s unconfirmed what location the game will be specifically set, the source reports Modern Warfare 3 will have an urban setting, much like the U.S. missions in Modern Warfare 2, with military vehicles, including tanks, rolling through suburban streets.
Modern Warfare 3 will take place on a much larger, epic scale. The game will explore the lead up to a set of engagements that could pull in other countries, creating a potential World War III scenario. The game will also feature large, urban destructible environments, made famous by the Battlefield series.
Gamers are expected to hear more news about Modern Warfare 3 at the annual E3 trade show this year.
As an American, I‘m obligated to show support for US made products (especially if we plan on getting out of this recession any time soon), and as a gamer I’m happy to give you this weeks releases for the Xbox 360. Most notable is the ambiguous L.A. Noire Rockstar Pass which I can only assume is some sort of portal for L.A. Noire content akin to Halo Waypoint.
Microsoft is also showing off Bing Rewards. With Bing Rewards, gamers can now earn Xbox Live Gold subscriptions, Microsoft Points for Xbox LIVE, Zune Pass subscriptions and much more just for search and exploring the web with Bing. Signing up is free and includes a 250 credit bonus towards your first reward. For a limited time, members can also redeem their credits for an Xbox Kinect sweepstakes and coming soon to the Rewards redemption center are Hulu Plus subscriptions which you can use to watch your favorite TV shows and movies on Xbox LIVE. Sign up today and start earning credits towards a variety of gaming rewards.
New Games on Xbox LIVE Arcade
May 11: Gatling Gears (Electronic Arts) – 1200 Microsoft Points
May 18: SEGA Rally Online Arcade (SEGA) – 800 Microsoft Points
GAME ADD-ONS
May 17: L.A. Noire Rockstar Pass (Rockstar Games) – 800 Microsoft Points
May 17: Fallout: New Vegas Honest Hearts (Bethesda Softworks) – 800 Microsoft Points
May 17: Crysis 2 Retaliation Map Pack (Electronic Arts) – 800 Microsoft Points
May 17: Shift 2: Speed Hunters (Electronic Arts) – 800 Microsoft Points
DEAL OF THE WEEK
2K Theme | May 10-16
Mafia II Joe’s Adventure (2K Games) – 400 Microsoft Points (50% off)
Mafia II Jimmy’s Vendetta (2K Games) – 400 Microsoft Points (50% off)
Mafia II Fedora (2K Games) – 80 Microsoft Points (50% off)
Bioshock 2 Minerva’s Den (2K Games) – 400 Microsoft Points (50% off)
Bioshock 2 The Protector Trials (2K Games) – 200 Microsoft Points (50% off)
Bioshock 2 Bouncer Big Daddy Helmet (2K Games) – 80 Microsoft Points (50% off)
