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.
Nintendo has quite a line-up of titles coming out this week for the DSiShop and WiiWare Marketplace. From fish to Chess and even a game for the toddlers of the family this week there seems to be quite a variety. Here is a quick run-through of everything that is now available:
My Aquarium 2 Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points™
Description: My Aquarium 2, the sequel to the hit WiiWare title My Aquarium, is here. This time, the theme is the mysterious deep sea. With a single Wii Remote™ controller, you can raise fascinating creatures of all shapes and sizes, including deep-sea fish and glowing jellyfish. As with the original My Aquarium, you can customize your aquarium, by choosing which fish to include and where to place various decorations. You can also choose from a variety of colored lights to illuminate your aquarium. In time, your fish might breed to give you a whole new school. Create your very own aquarium for endless hours of relaxing fun and entertainment. This sequel features a larger selection of fish and objects than the original. You can also link up to the Forecast Channel to have your aquarium’s appearance reflect the actual weather, or send your aquariums to registered friends via WiiConnect24™. Additional content will be available for purchase at a later date. Dive in and see all the wonderful creatures of the deep blue sea!
Enjoy your massage! Publisher: Microforum
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Congratulations! You have just been hired as an apprentice masseur at Giselle’s beauty farm, one of the most famous in the city. Learn new relaxing massage combinations and use them on your stressed customers. As an apprentice, you’ll have to do your best. If your client gets angry, no one will save you from losing your job, but if you prove capable, you might even become the director of the whole beauty farm. So, what are you waiting for? Six clients are waiting for your help!
TURN: The Lost Artifact Publisher: Creative Patterns
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: TURN: The Lost Artifact is an adventure puzzler with fun, intuitive game play. Kurt and Camila are explorers on a mysterious journey to find a lost artifact. You guide them through rooms filled with various dangers, from enemies to rolling boulders. Your main power is the ability to rotate the rooms 90 degrees to the left or to the right. Mastering the law of gravity is essential to your success. Everything and everyone in the room is subjected to gravity and falls when you turn the room. Watch your head! Featuring three worlds with nine levels of about 10 rooms each, the game promises a whole lot of brain-twisting fun on your Nintendo DSi system.
Rhythm Core Alpha Publisher: SoftEgg
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Make music with your Nintendo DSi system! Rhythm Core Alpha is an advanced music creation system, designed for creating and performing live music in front of an audience. Rhythm Core Alpha makes it easy to build drum and instrument loops, and then allows you to play solos over them using the stylus. It automatically detects the key and scale of the music you have created and allows you to change chords at the press of a button. All notes in the solo match the selected key and scale, so you can never hit a wrong note. Rhythm Core Alpha also includes a powerful pattern mode that allows you to set up chord changes and arrange your sequenced parts, enabling you to build a whole song or make sections that you can play back as you desire. Hundreds of adjustable drum and instrument sounds are included. You can edit while the song is playing, so you really can build the song in front of an audience.
Absolute Chess Publisher: Tasuke
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: This easy-to-understand chess game explains everything from basic rules to aggressive strategies. There are two modes of play. In Free Play, you can play against a number of preset characters, ranging from a young kid to a grouchy old man. The Challenge mode gives players multiple levels and missions to complete. Player support features include a function to indicate possible moves for the player and the opponent, as well as the ability to undo your previous move. You can also enjoy matches with friends via DS Download Play.
Did It Myself ABC123 Publisher: Powerhead Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: EC (Early Childhood)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Did It Myself ABC123 is packed with different activities to stimulate your young child’s brain, including counting, colors, letters, drawing and music. The target age range is roughly 2 to 3, but kids aged 1 through 5 should be able to enjoy Did It Myself ABC123. There are options for parents to adjust the counting range, the amount of games to play in “shuffle” mode, and the overall game speed. “Slow” and “medium” are recommended for younger kids, while older kids may enjoy “fast” and “ridiculous.”
And that’s your weekly round-up, Turn: The lost artifact and Absolute Chess seem to be the titles catching my eye this week. Let us know what interest you as well below.
In addition to the 9 new multiplayer map locations, 8 new multiplayer characters from Red Dead Revolver, and the devastating new Tomahawk weapon for single and multiplayer, tomorrow’s downloadable Legends & Killers Pack for Red Dead Redemption is also set to feature 10 new Achievements/Trophies to unlock and add to your collection.
We should start seeing the Legends & Killers Pack up for download on XBL & PSN starting tonight at 12.00am ET.
The descriptions for these new in-game accomplishments are below, so look away now i you’re crazy and don’t want them spoiled!
AXE MASTER
Complete all Tomahawk challenges in Single Player.
CALL IT A COMEBACK!
Come back from a 2-0 deficit and win a Hold Your Own game.
DOUBLE BAGGER
Double capture 3 times in a single Gold Rush map.
HAIL MARY
Get a kill greater than 35 yards with a Tomahawk.
HEADHUNTER
Kill 5 players via headshot in a single Shootout or Gang Shootout.
LEGEND OF THE WEST
Reach level 50 and pass into Legend.
ORIGINAL GUNSLINGER
Get 25 Deadeye kills with Red.
REEEEAL GOOD
Get 25 Dynamite kills with Pig Josh.
STICK AND MOVE
Get 3 kills with knives or throwing knives in a single competitive match.
WHO NEEDS DEADEYE?
Kill 3 or more players in a standoff or showdown.
