Dark Souls Coming to PC, DLC Forthcoming

Now to contrast the unfortunate news of the previous post, here’s something we can all be thankful for.  From Software’s will be bringing their 2011 hit suicide simulator Dark Souls to the PC on 8/24.  “So what?” you might be saying.  “I already own it for the PS3 / 360.  What does this matter to me?”  Well you’ve got a lot of nerve, mister.

As it happens, the PC port will include some new DLC dubbed “Artorias of the Abyss”.  This will feature new areas, enemies, bosses and equipment.  Best of all, it’s going to be brought to the console versions this coming winter.  Happy now, you lousy ingrate?

News Roundup – 5/31/2012

Let’s kick things off with Skyrim’s first expansion, Dawnguard. Looks quite amazing! Like the addition of Morrowind’s crossbows. This is a 360 exclusive for a bit, but it’ll wind up landing on PS3 and PC in time. Hopefully it’ll be bug-tested this time (and keep fixing the PS3 Skyrim, because I’d buy a GOTY edition if it doesn’t break my console).

Secondly, another trailer, this time for NetherRealm’s latest fighter based on the DC universe.

Looks fairly solid thus far.

That’s what I felt like sharing!

More Dead Space 3 Images!

Ah, E3 season brings out the best in leakers. Destructoid has seven grainy images of Visceral’s Dead Space 3. Most of them have a second fellow next to Isaac, donned in a red suit instead of Clarke’s traditional blue. As you may have surmised, this suggests co-op is being implemented into the next game. I’m a little disappointed it does not appear to be Ellie, as she would make a most awesome squadmate. *shrugs* Also of note is the environment, which does seem to be that icy planet the rumors posited. More as it breaks!

 

Tomba! Joining PS1 Classics on PSN

Joystiq confirms that Monkeypaw Games, those lovable chaps who like to localize Japanese/hard-to-re-license games for us Americans, have acquired the Tomba! license and will be releasing the first game onto PSN in the near future. How the deal went down:

“Sony and MonkeyPaw have a good working relationship,” MonkeyPaw CEO John Greiner told Joystiq. “I think they appreciate the titles we’ve brought to the Store. And they value the support we give the games. Having a plethora of Japanese content is a distinct advantage PlayStation has over Xbox. But the games still need to be brought Stateside. So our model helps Sony spread their Japanese edge and we help Japanese developers get their titles to a wider audience. Hence, Sony is willing to work with us on titles that may not have otherwise been licensed out. Support is key.”

MonkeyPaw has been working on acquiring the Tomba! rights for a year. “We often have to chase down multiple right holders,” Greiner said. “In this case, Sony and Whoopee Camp had rights that needed to be negotiated.” The deal didn’t necessarily include the sequel, however. “Tomba! 2 is a possibility but we need to really sell Tomba! 1 well before we can extend our relationship,” Greiner explained. “It’s the first time to work with Fujiwara-san so we’re trying to make a good impression. Good sales have a way opening doors a bit wider.”

Great news, as I’ve always heard this was a gem of a game.

Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3)

Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3)
Pub: Eidos/Dev: Rocksteady
ESRB: T/Players: 1

Batman has had better luck than most of his superhero cohorts in terms of starring in some awesome games. Developer Rocksteady continues that trend of awesome Dark Knight gaming with their first effort, carefully melding one of the finest 3D interpretations of the Metroid-style format yet.

Batman is an amazingly fluid combatant in this game. He’s able to leap into full-on scraps with several criminal toadies and hold his own thanks to the game’s Freeflow combat engine. Batman is able to smash multiple opponents with ease, counter incoming blows and bob and weave his way through the horde. These are thrilling to take part in, but this is only half the equation. Batman is also able to utilize stealthy maneuvers and covertly eliminate threats as well in some sections of the game. These too are incredibly fulfilling to conquer. Rocksteady gave players a surprising amount of ways to take out Joker’s goons, and as his toolset deepens the possibilities increase. Challenge Mode allows you to relive this glorious setpieces over and over again, and they are definitely among the finest stealth moments in any game I’ve played. Boss fights do creep in from time to time, and luckily, most of them are pretty engaging. The final fight was the only one I felt was a little weak, but the others were all solidly executed. Scarecrow in particular is a standout.

So the gameplay is amazing. The game is fully bolstered by an stunning group of voice actors and actresses and a topnotch script. Mark Hamill’s performance as the Joker powers the game’s plot, and his skillful rendering of the character is masterful. It’s clear Hamill relishes this role. Despite some repetition, there’s little question this is one of the better overall dubs in a game. The game’s visuals are dark and appropriate, although the character design is more on the “steroid” and “sexy” side of things. Commissioner Gordon’s a little too pecked out, for example. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, the two visible female characters, also suffer a bit from oversexualization. Ivy is understandable given her character history, but Quinn should have kept some more semblance of her original design than she does here. The nurse getup doesn’t quite work for me, I guess. There’s also plenty of awesome cameos and nods to other Batman bits of lore all throughout the game, with the Riddler providing the incentive to find them all.

Beyond a disappointing final boss, slight vocal repetition and the occasionally awkward character design, Batman: Arkham Asylum is a brilliant piece of software. It captures the essence of a Metroid-style game in three dimensions like few others have, and also throws in some ingenious gameplay. It’s a remarkable experience well worth considering.

Pictures of my Gaming Collection – Summer 2012 Edition

Hey folks, I’ve decided to redo my collection shots! Why? Well, I’ve gotten new things, I’m in the process of getting rid of several games, and for some reason I really liked doing this last time. I think it allows me to see what exactly I have and …gloat or something? Anyway, you can compare these shots to last December’s if you’d like. And as before, the pics are after the jump. There’s a little more reconstruction to do, and some of these may change in a week or two.

News Roundup: 5/2/2012

Learn how to play Persona 4: Arena in English with Rise and Teddie!

And while we’re on Persona 4, the Vita port The Golden is coming to America this fall. Siliconera has the details here.

Unfortunately, XSEED had to cancel the American port of Vanillaware’s Grand Knights History due to lack of funding. I imagine the PSP market is also shrinking in our neck of the woods. Shame, though.

It would seem the original Deus Ex is coming to the PS3 as a PS2 classic, according to Siliconera. I don’t know how good the port was, but the PC game is a definite classic!

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Announced; VYSE IS INCLUDED

IGN drops the word that Sega will announce a sequel to their Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing, subtitled Transformed. Skies of Arcadia hero Vyse will be making his presence felt on the race track alongside Golden Axe’s Gilius Thunderhead (and Dr. Eggman and AiAi). It’s amazing what one character can do to spike interest in something. :p I’ll keep you informed on how much Skies of Arcadia love the game will feature once I know more. More info on gameplay at the link.

Update – Press Release from Sega doubly confirms Vyse’s appearance:

SONIC & ALL-STARS RACING TRANSFORMED™ CHANGES THE RULES OF RACING

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO – 30th April 2012 – SEGA® Europe and SEGA® of America Inc. are excited to announce Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed™, a thrilling new racing experience featuring Sonic the Hedgehog and a fantastic cast of SEGA All-Stars competing across land, air and water in vehicles that fully transform from cars, to planes to boats. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will speed on to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation® Vita, Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system and PC Digital Download late in 2012.

Following on from the huge success of Sonic & SEGA All-Star’s Racing™, the characters now have their own unique transforming vehicles designed to take advantage of the varying terrain. The line up on the Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed grid sees SEGA favourites – including Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr Eggman and AiAi – return to battle against newcomers that include Gilius Thunderhead of Golden Axe and Vyse of Skies of Arcadia. The brand new dynamic environments and tracks in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed are once again inspired by SEGA’s illustrious gaming history. When the road falls away beneath you in Super Monkey Ball’s Temple Trouble track your car transforms into a boat and speeds down the rivers and rapids, whilst the Panzer Dragoon inspired track, Dragon Canyon, takes you into the sky in complete control of your plane, barrel rolling to out-manoeuvre rivals and obstacles before transforming back in to a car and racing to the finish line.

“Given the fantastic feedback we received from critics and consumers alike for the first game we really wanted to push the boundaries on our follow up game, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed” commented David Corless, Global Sonic Brand Director. “Transforming vehicles allow us to do this – as well as drifting your car around the corners of a track, you get to fly your plane and pilot your boat against others all within one race. Add to this a grid full of star characters, retro IP, fun, fast race modes and cool tracks and racing fans of all ages are sure to love this one!”

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed also sees the popular All-Star moves return with a brand new mechanic allowing your All-Star bar to power up faster if you race daringly and stylishly. An all new fair weapon system ensures that weapons fired at your vehicle can either be blocked or evaded once you have gained the skills to do so, making each race a unique and exhilarating experience whether it’s on water, in the air or on land. Old rivalries can be settled and new track records set in the enhanced online multiplayer mode, whilst the Grand Prix mode and competitive Battle Arenas will prove that Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is certainly set to change the rules of the race.

Stripping Away Silence: SONY SMASH BROS. … I mean, Playstation All Stars Battle Royale!

Sometimes rumors seem too odd to be true, like when I heard Sony was developing a Super Smash Bros. clone with their own characters. It makes sense, but I didn’t expect it to be quite so blatant as the footage above shows. Am I interested in a Sony free-for-all? Nowhere near as much as a Nintendo get-together, and I’d like to explain why.

First of all, Sony lacks the character depth Nintendo has. I adore Sly Cooper’s universe immensely ,and I like Kratos, although his angst can get a little exhausting after a while. That’s about the extent of my Sony fandom. The remainder of the confirmed roster doesn’t really inspire me much. Sweet Tooth from Twisted Metal is a chunky psychopathic clown whose representation in the game (4P in the screenshot) is very drab. Killzone Colonel Radec is just a futuristic suit of armor to me. Parappa the Rapper is nice to see, but I haven’t played his games, so I don’t have a bond to him. And Fat Princess seems like a desperate bid to shove some sort of female representation onto the roster. Of course, I’d like to see some direct footage of the game to better understand how each character ticks. All I’ve seen are short clips interspersed with commentary, and I think I may feel a little more enthused if I could see how they are function better. Sly Cooper for example apparently is a very technical character who ditches the ability to block to instead vanish under an invisibility trick, and can even swipe AP (Action Points, the item that boosts the game’s super meter) from other fighters. I’d love to see that in motion, but alas, I have to wait.

I also have a bit of concern for the game’s method of combat. Eschewing the Smash Bros. mold in terms of K.O.’s, you won’t win by smashing opponents off the stage via conventional means. You’ll need to boost up your Special Meter via AP to be able to win, and there’s a progression of three levels that further boost your effectiveness at knocking out your foes. This sounds a little over-reliant on a gimmick to win, and puts the actual fighting as a lesser focus. Of course, I haven’t seen a full match, so I may be premature in my worries. One thing I do like is the merging of franchises in backgrounds. The screenshot above shows God of War melding with Patapon, and it does look pretty neat in motion. Items also are from all over the Sony pantheon, like a WipEout shield, for example.

In short, I’m both intrigued and questioning Sony’s bid into the mascot fighting war. I’ll keep you posted on its development. What do you think of Sony Smash Bros.?

News Roundup – 4/19/2012

Hey everyone, I’m back to a somewhat normal livelihood again. I do plan on spending most of my weekend enjoying Xenoblade, but I will have some posts for you up until Sunday or so, when I need to get back into schoolwork.  So, let’s focus on the news that’s occurred while I was busy this last week.

Hey, a new God of War!  Subtitled Ascension, it’ll arrive in spring 2013.  I like the first two games (haven’t played 3 yet), so I’m mildly excited for some more.  A promo trailer:

There’s been a lot written about Ni no Kuni lately.  See here, here (yay, more content) and here.

I’ve always pondered why the Virtual Console has lacked Nintendo’s arcade titles (see my Virtual Console No-Shows posts on Donkey Kong, Punch-Out!! and …), and 1UP’s Nadia Oxford tackled why that might be here.

Also on 1UP, some nice speculative posts have been done there on two sequels I’d be happy to play: Dead Space 3 and Red Dead Redemption 2.  I don’t think either have been “officially” confirmed yet, but hey, I’d be surprised if they didn’t happen.  Note that both have some massive spoilers in them!

…and that’s what I remember or rediscovered for today.