Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 will be getting a Collector’s Edition when it comes out this autumn.
The special Edition of the game is packaged with an individually numbered original ‘Laser Cell’ artwork featuring ‘Hokage-Naruto’ drawn by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto. A soundtrack CD with the games music and an download code to unlock the game’s final character Minato are also included in the special Edition
This all comes in a special edition box and will launch at the same time as the standard edition of the game on October 19th, 2010 in the US. October 15th, 2010 if you live in the UK (you lucky buggers!).
Some other news you guys might like to hear:
Tekken 6’s Lars will appear in the game as a playable character in his Kishihimoto-designed garb.
There will be a Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 demo hitting Xbox Live on August 25th.
If you were eagerly waiting for Test Drive Unlimited 2 to come out, then I have some bad news. The game has been pushed back to a 2011 release window. This is perceived as bad news for some while being good news to others. Supposedly there were just too many games coming out around the same time as the original release. Too Many games?! How could that possibly be!? You can never have too many games.
“By moving the title’s release date to early 2011, we will be able to further advance the game and take into account consumer feedback to help ensure we deliver a great online lifestyle racing experience,” said David Nadal, Studio Manager of Eden Games.
One of my favorite games this year was Deadly Premonition. I enjoyed everything from the story to the B-Movie setting. Now PAL gamers will be able to get their hands on the unique title this fall thanks to publisher Rising Star Games. Here is an official announcement from Rising Star:
“Having seen how Deadly Premonition split reviewers’ opinions in America, gamers are itching to get their hands on it to judge it for themselves,” says Martin Defries, managing director, Rising Star Games. “We have high hopes for what can only be described as the most distinctive survival horror game that has ever been released – it’s going to be interesting to see how the game is received over here. It’s a cult classic in the making.”
Developed by Access Games, Deadly Premonition is an open-world game set in Greenvale, a secluded rural town in North West America. Playing as FBI Special Agent Francis York, gamers are charged with investigating the shocking, ritualistic and brutal murder of a local girl.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the quirky action title, from Destructoid giving it a 10/10 to IGN giving it a 2. I will say this, if you have not played the game, give it a chance. It may have a few flaws, but the story and characters feel very real and you are in for one of the most humorous and twisted games for the Xbox 360.
Come this fall, gamers in the PAL regions will be able to pick this title up and see what the buzz is about for a low price of £24.99. Deadly Premonition is already available in the U.S. and retails for $19.99.
Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera! is a flight simulation game which takes advantage of the Nintendo DSi’s built in camera.
Story
There is not a story in Face Pilot. You are a hang glider pilot and you move through various stages to accomplish certain goals. Each stage is made up of five objectives which you complete while earning medals to move forward in the game. Objectives include popping all the balloons in the stage, flying through certain hoops and hitting targets and many more other timed challenges.
Gameplay
Within the gameplay of Face Pilot lies many different areas. The first thing you have done is have your picture taken and it is pasted on a pilot of a hang glider. On the bottom screen, you will see your face with a snazzy helmet. As you move face, your pilot will move in that direction to give the flight simulation experience. Everything in Face Pilot is motion controlled with the DSi camera. How does this work out? Well, it’s kind of complicated.
Face Pilot gives two options of gameplay. The first in my opinion is much easier to use, and that is the table top gameplay where you sit your DSi on a flat surface 20 inches or so from your face and just move your head in the direction needed to climb up, dive, or turn left or right. Just simply sitting still will move you in a straight-forward direction.
This game requires patience and a nice setting in the background as at first, my white walls were clashing with my skin color and making detection of my movements error out quite a bit. Once I got in a proper setting, the game started to really take off. Every movement you make in Face Pilot is detected as you fly around through various stages. Popping balloons or going through targets is simple and actually quite rewarding. I didn’t notice any discomfort really as I thought that might be a factor due to the constant movement you must use with your face. You must stay within the camera or you will crash over and over. It can be a bit frustrating if the camera doesn’t detect your movement and your sent into a cliff.
The other way to play is handheld mode, where you mainly tilt the DSi to control your pilot. You still use your face, but instead of moving your head, you tilt your DSi to move your pilot in the direction needed. For me this mode was much more of a hassle and did not really work too well as steady hands are needed. I am glad that Nintendo incorporated both types of gameplay as each person who plays Face Pilot can find the mode that best suits them.
Graphics/Audio
As far as the graphics go this game does well with areas ranging from canyons to cities and other colorful 3-D environments. I can best compare this to Wii Sports/Sport Resort in many ways graphic and feel wise. Being up in the air while using the motion controls, it is important to have an environment that captures the true essence of flight for your hang glider. Face Pilot accomplishes this with no problem though and will make you feel like you are soaring through the skies in no time with the textures and view from the sky.
The audio was spot on. The sound effects from rushing waterfalls to the wind and other environmental noises really put me in the game. I also really enjoyed every tune that was played in the game. The music is really relaxing and goes perfect with your setting. Good music really isn’t anything new for Nintendo titles, but it was a pleasant surprise to see the quality HAL and Nintendo brought to the soundtrack for Face Pilot.
Overview
If you can get past the learning curve and complex and not always accurate way Face Pilot controls, I think this game is well worth the 500 Point price-tag. Face Pilot brings a whole new use for the DSi camera and can be rewarding and relaxing if you give it a proper chance. The music stands out above many other DSiWare games and I think that was worth the price alone and gives it a bit of the old Nintendo charm. Overall, Face Pilot is an innovative yet somewhat flawed experience but patience and having a proper playing area can lead to making the title shine to it’s full potential offering quite a bit of fun and unique experience.
I give Face Pilot: Fly With Your Nintendo DSi Camera!
Activision announced the 11 latest artists and tracks that will make an appearance in the September release of Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.
“Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock delivers an impressive 90+ set-list and we are happy to be introducing our fans to 11 bands that have never before been featured in a Guitar Hero game.”
The 11 artists and their tracks are as follows:
Anberlin – “The Feel Good Drag”
Arch Enemy – “Nemesis”
The Dillinger Escape Plan – “Setting Fire To Sleeping Giants”
Duke Nukem Forever is a game that has appeared and disappeared numerous times through the last bunch of years.
Once again more rumours for the game that doesn’t stay dead appeared today. Sources state that the game is actually still under development, but now at Gearbox (Developers of Borderlands).
Little is actually known about the game and has been in development for a VERY long time. Take-Two took 3D Realms to court for failing to complete the title in a reasonable time frame (reasonable being an extreme understatement).
The source has stated that Gearbox has picked up development of the title where 3D Realms had left off. Supposedly studio head, Randy Pitchford, indicated that he may be able to clarify the situation at this year’s PAX in Seattle.
Along with all this a supposed playable demo of Duke Nukem Forever would be available later this year.
Rumours are abundant around games, but this is a rumour that many people are hoping will finally be true. Do you see that “Rumour” tag in the title? That means we aren’t responsible for giving info that turns out to fall through the cracks, so no getting mad at us when you get disappointed once again.
Music games really do seem to touch base with every fan out there from rock to pop, country and now even music now coming from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musicals. Music from the famous “Cats” or the “Phantom of the Opera” will now be joining the already huge collection on content in the popular singing game.
Douglas Glen, Head of Digital for The Really Useful Group says: “With the video gaming sector having evolved from its male-dominated roots towards a more family-oriented demographic, we’re very pleased to partner with Microsoft in releasing some of the best-known brands in musical entertainment to their global Lips audience”.
From August 13th 2010, Lips players will be able to access the Andrew Lloyd Webber song packs through the ever expanding “Lips Music Library” (accessible through all titles in the “Lips” series) through Xbox LIVE, for as little as 160 Microsoft Points.
The following Game Add-ons will be available to download via Xbox LIVE:
August 13th
“Memory” – Elaine Paige (Cats)
“All I Ask of You” – Cliff Richard & Sarah Brightman (Phantom of the Opera)
“Love Changes Everything” – Michael Ball (Aspects of Love)
September 10th
“Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” – Elaine Paige (Evita)
“The Phantom of the Opera” – Steve Harley & Sarah Brightman (Phantom of the Opera)
“Any Dream Will Do” – Donny Osmond (Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat)
Someone needs to also send a note to Microsoft for classic TV themes to join the mix. Ya know, Chip & Dale, Duck Tales, or any theme from any 80’s sitcom. With the way releases are looking, anything seems to be possible at this point.
The Nintendo Wii has been dominate of the gaming market since it’s release. It seems like the first two years you couldn’t even find one in stores. Thanks to a recent press release, we now know that the Wii has now sold 30 Million units since the 2006 launch which is certainly a huge accomplishment.
Wii launched in November 2006 and ushered in a new era of video games. The built-in motion controls of the iconic Wii Remote controller drew millions of new players to the world of video games. Kids started playing with their parents and grandparents, people got up off the couch and got active, and seniors and baby boomers formed virtual bowling leagues.
“More than any other video game system in history, Wii has expanded the world of video games to new audiences,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “This milestone is another reminder that people want fun games they can play with others – all at a value-minded price.”
What I find most interesting is how the Wii has been a casual gaming system since release for the most part, shunned by a majority of the hardcore gamers. Since this year’s E3 though, we have seen a huge shift though with nearly all of this year’s remaining releases focused on the titles that made Nintendo famous to start with.
Here is a list of the top 10 Nintendo releases since launch as of June 2010:
1. Wii Play
2. Mario Kart Wii
3. Wii Fit (with Wii Balance Board accessory)
4. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
5. Wii Sports Resort
6. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
7. Super Mario Galaxy
8. Wii Fit Plus (with Wii Balance Board accessory)
9. Mario Party 8
10. Link’s Crossbow Training
The third party top 10 list as of June are:
1. Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock from Activision
2. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games from SEGA
3. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga from LucasArts
4. Carnival Games from Take-Two Interactive
5. Game Party from Midway
6. EA Sports Active from Electronic Arts
7. Just Dance from Ubisoft
8. Rayman Raving Rabbids from Ubisoft
9. DECA SPORTS from Hudson Entertainment
10. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games from SEGA
With Metroid Other M, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, and Donkey Kong Country Returns still slated to all launch later this year, things should only go up for the beloved developer.
Everyone had that one experience where they were in a band in high school or college or they knew someone who was in a band, maybe you went to a show, saw some kids playing, thought “oh, hey, that’s something”, but admit it, it was all the same. Two guys playing guitar, maybe one of them singing, one bass player, and a drummer. Maybe someone on keyboards, if you knew anyone good enough. Simple right? They play a few shows, put out an album on a small label or even just self release it, nothing happens, they move on and get real jobs. Well what if I told you there’s a band that wasn’t like any of those? Maybe, just maybe, the main draw of the band wasn’t the lyrics and the vocalist’s voice, but maybe it was a hacked NES and an old Gameboy? You’d think I was crazy wouldn’t you? But I’m not, and if you don’t already know who I’m talking about, then you, sir, are the crazy one.
I’m talking about Anamanaguchi, Brooklyn’s own resident chiptune punk band that doesn’t rely on such overrated things as “lyrics” to get their mood across. This purely instrumental band rules simply because of one thing: they’re not a chiptune band, and they’re not a rock band, they’re somewhere in the middle. They have guys on guitar, they have a guy on bass, they have a guy on drums, but what sets them apart is they also have a guy on NES and a guy on Gameboy, making for a truly unique sound unlike any other Chiptune or Punk Rock band.
Their live shows are nothing short of AMAZING. These guys have great stage presence and have a set up where they actually play the NES and Gameboy along with their instruments. They’re not using MP3’s in iTunes hooked up to the PA (like I used to do), they’re actually using the systems themselves, which I think is honestly one of the coolest things on a technical level that the band does. Their shows aren’t just about the music though, as they usually have a screen behind them featuring amazing pixel animations. Just look them up on YouTube real quick, I promise I won’t go anywhere, and you’ll know what I’m talking about after you see them in action.
Recently they did the music for the recently released (for PSN, XBLA gamers get it August 25th) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, the new game from Ubisoft based on the long loved comic series Scott Pilgrim and the upcoming movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (out Friday, August 13th), and I can sincerely say that I’ve never heard of a better band/composer to do the soundtrack for that game.
I first heard about Anamanaguchi from an mp3 my friend sent me as an example of where I should take my music. If you know me, then you know I’ve been in the video game music scene since 2007 doing parody songs. My friend Nick was telling me I should look into doing chiptune music, and he said “check out this band” and I was blown away. So blown away that I didn’t pirate their music, I actually BOUGHT it. Their album Dawn Metropolis has been a main fixture on my iPod for the past few months and when I heard they were doing the music for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, I was immediately excited.
The band is currently having a Summer of Singles thing on their website where every two weeks they release an old fashioned single, complete with artwork, an A-Side, and a B-Side, for free on their website (http://www.anamanaguchi.com/). You can also download their first EP Power Supply and their LP Dawn Metropolis off iTunes! Check ‘em out!
One of the hottest titles coming out this year is the new Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. The most interesting addition to the already well established franchise is the new online multi-player. If you own a Playstation 3 console, you are now have a chance to get in on the multi-player beta.
Ubisoft has now announced that customers who pre-order Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood on PlayStation 3 will receive exclusive access to the multiplayer beta. For a determined period, players will be able to experience Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood’s major innovation, the multiplayer mode, choosing their own character and fighting online to become the greatest of all the assassins.
There are of course three different versions to choose from, the standard edition, Auditore Edition, and also the Limited Codex Edition.
If you want in on this limited beta, make sure you head to your local retailer and pre-order quickly, as it is set to launch in September.
