Things aren't looking good for Hudson Entertainment. Early reports from this week's issue of Famitsu magazine bring word of cancellations of Bonk, Bomberman and Omega Five for the Nintendo 3DS... among others.
Valve's Steam platform will get the option to record video of gameplay "very soon," according to a report from a recent visit to the developer, which cites studio founder Gabe Newell as the source of that information.
The Half-Life, Team Fortress and Portal developer just recently added universal screen shot support in Steam, letting users capture and upload screens to the company's cloud-based service, Steam Cloud. Recording video and sharing it through Facebook, Twitter, Reddit and the Steam Community seems like the next logical step.
Other news bits reportedly dropped by Mr. Newell include a possible expansion of the Steam platform to iOS and Android platforms and that "the Source film maker is in the pipeline for a public release." Factoring in the effects Valve Time, we shan't hold our breath that "very soon" and "in the pipeline" is just around the corner.
We're double checking with Valve to see if they'll officially confirm it.
Back from Valve [Steam Forums]
Rio, the computer animated avian comedy, is certainly a good enough excuse for more Angry Birds. To wit, Angry Birds publisher Rovio has released Angry Birds Rio for iPhone, iPad and Android, a game that's a surprisingly capable improvement on the original.
For those who may have resisted the urge to drop 99 cents on a copy of Angry Birds, the dangerously addictive action game involves launching those eponymous ruffled fowls at rickety forts housing green pigs. Launch your bird ammo from a catapult at those swine, enjoy physics-based destruction and strive for higher scores and better bird launching efficiency. It's fast-paced bursts of fun.
Angry Birds Rio doesn't muck with the wildly popular formula, only serving to improve upon it with better visuals, new achievements and more crack-like bird flinging. You'll still control a small arsenal of birds with different skills and attributes. You'll still try to knock down precariously stacked structures for points.
Rio's first level, Smuggler's Den, features not a single pig. Instead, the player must smash through teetering stacks of cages to free his fellow birds from their imprisonment. Later, you'll face monkeys in Jungle Escape, who must be dispatched like the pigs of the original Angry Birds. You'll see cameos from the movie on which the game is very loosely based, but the advertising is rarely thrust into the player's face.
Graphically, the game is much improved, with better detailed, parallax scrolling backgrounds. This is where some of that Angry Birds cash is being spent, it seems. There's little innovation elsewhere, with the exception of some polished, better designed menus.
It's still highly and strangely addictive, causing this impressions post to be very much delayed due to continued "just one more round" self-reasoning.
For your 99 cents, you'll get 60 levels, with the promise of more throughout the year. Players may feel a little gypped when looking at the level select menu, which teases level packs due in May, July, October and November of this year, but for a buck—the HD iPad version runs $2.99 USD—it's a relatively easy purchase.
The Android version is free today through Amazon.
If you've not yet contracted Angry Birds fever, this may be a good place to start.
Angry Birds Rio (Free Version) [iTunes]
Angry Birds Rio HD for iPad (Free Version) [iTunes]
Early reports from the latest issue of Japan's Famitsu magazine point to a new Resident Evil title for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Resident Evil Revival Selection. Unconfirmed details indicate the release is comprised of previous entries Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil: Code Veronica.
Resident Evil 4 was originally released as a GameCube game, but was later released on PlayStation 2, PC and Wii. Code Veronica, originally a Sega Dreamcast title, later came to the GameCube and PlayStation 2.
Update: More details indicate the re-release consists of "remastered HD" versions of the two Resident Evil games, with little in the way of new features. Resident Evil 4's "Separate Ways" mini-game is said to be included in the game.
Note: Above image is from the GameCube release of Resident Evil 4 running on the Dolphin emulator.
Japanese Xbox 360 game Gal Gun is less of a schoolgirl ogle-fest than before, thanks to a new update—dubbed the *ahem* "Protect Panties Patch"—that puts new limits on just how lecherous the game and its players can be.
As previously noted, publisher Alchemist recently patched Gal Gun to limit just how low the game's prying camera could go. Gone are the days that Gal Gun players can perform upskirt peeks at high school girls after dizzying them with their "pheromone shot," thanks to newly instituted forced modesty.
New comparison shots of the Xbox 360 game from Andriasang illustrate the limits to which one can investigate and photograph pantsu. Gone is the worm's-eye view.
It's not just the player's exposure to underwear during these moments that has changed. Alchemist also issued the following... fix?
See? It's so much more tasteful now!
More Examples of Gal Gun's Camera Patch [Andriasang]
The great PlayStation Network shooter Super Stardust HD may be approaching its fourth birthday in June, but developer Housemarque isn't finished with the twin-stick addiction just yet. It's bringing something new to the shooter this spring with "Impact."
Impact mode, according to Sony Computer Entertainment America, "twists the game rules" by outfitting your space ship with an "experimental new matter-to-energy boost engine technology, which means once you activate the boost, you can stay in boost as long as you can hit meteors and enemies with it." It's described as "the most fast-paced and adrenaline inducing add-on to the game yet."
Perhaps not the easiest thing to illustrate in screen shots, as Super Stardust HD typically looks like a constant explosion, but if you've ever boosted in this PlayStation 3 game and seen the showers of rock that fill the screen, you probably get the idea.
Additional details on the next add-on for the still truckin' Super Stardust HD at the official PlayStation.blog.
People who are in the know have been waiting for Sword & Sworcery for many, many months.
They've expected one gorgeous iPad game from a little development studio called Capy.
These people know an attractive game when they see its first Ico-meets-Atari screenshot. These people know that "sworcery" isn't a typo and that the full title is Superbrothers Sword & Sworcery EP.
But what else do they know? The game's been a mystery. Is it an adventure game? An action game? Or what? I've got the first several minutes of the game for you to look at here. Enjoy the sights.
Sword & Sworcery will be out on March 24 on iPad for "well under $10," with the downloadable/vinyl soundtrack — Jim Guthrie's Sword & Sworcery LP: The Ballad of the Space Babie — to follow a couple of weeks later. The iPhone version should be out a couple of weeks after that.
Correction: In the video, I misspoke and said the game will cost $10 on the iPad. It won't. It'll cost "well under" that price, according to the developers. I apologize for the error.
The founders of NetDevil left their Colorado-based studio recently to kick off another game developer start-up. END Games Entertainment has been mostly quiet until today when a blogpost went live hinting at what the foundling studio plans to work on next. Hint: Think casual. [End Stand For...]
Saucy | Romance novel or video game cover? You decide. (Photo: Brian Crecente)
Do You Want a Dog Killer on Your Copy of Madden 2012?Much has been written about Michael Vick's dog fighting ring. About the 70 dogs seized, the cruelty they were subjected to and the two year sentence that came when the NFL football player admitted that he pitted dogs against dogs. And killed-with his own hands-the losing animals. More »
The Great Checkpoints Versus Saving Anywhere, Anytime DebateCommenter MtlAngelus doesn't like checkpoints in video games, preferring a system that allows players to save anywhere at any time. Which is better? You decide in today's Speak-Up on Kotaku. More »
The Augmented Reality of Nintendogs + CatsNintendogs + Cats doesn't just add better graphics, the creepy ability for the virtual pets to watch you and cats to the mix. There are also some neat augmented reality features built into this latest version of digital pet ownership. More »
The Nintendo They've Tried to Forget: Gambling, Gangsters, and Love HotelsNintendo, the world's family-friendly video game maker, formed under less virtuous auspices. Before Nintendo made video games, they made playing cards for gangsters and ran their own love hotel, which some assert their own president frequented-during work. Saucy! More »
Willow Smith vs. M. Bison In Fashion Battle of the DecadeMTV's hawk-eyed Mary H.K. Choi spotted the preternatural fashion selection of Willow Smith, best remembered for her now-decade-old hit, "Zygote To Dance (Feel That Kick)", and dashing dictator M. Bison of Street Fighter and "Still sorry, Raul Julia" fame. More »
Big things are happening on the North American PlayStation Store this week with the downloadable release of DC Universe Online and Dissidia Duodecim Final Fantasy, new PSN games Ghostbusters: Sanctum of Slime and Swarm, and another PlayStation classic, Legend of Mana. Whew!
But wait... there's more! Later this week, PlayStation Move Heroes will hit the store for $39.99. The new Castlevania: Lords of Shadow add-on, Reverie, has arrived, as have demos for WWE All-Stars and You Don't Know Jack. There's a lot to download, so it might be a good idea to start now.
Here's the list to help you make your purchasing decisions.
Swarm ($14.99)
Battle: Los Angeles ($9.99)
DC Universe Online ($59.99)
Premier Manager ($9.99)
Ghostbusters: Sanctum Of Slime ($9.99)
PSone Classics: Legend of Mana ($5.99)
WWE All-Stars Demo
You Don't Know Jack Demo
Ghostbusters: Sanctum Of Slime Demo
Dissidia Duodecim Final Fantasy ($29.99)
Hoard ($9.99)
PSP minis - Doodle Pool ($4.99)
PSP minis - Minisquadron ($1.99)
Hoard Demo
Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow: Reverie ($9.99)
Ar Tonelico Qoga – Binary World [Complete Edition] Elemia Island Complete Series ($5.99)
Ar Tonelico Qoga – Harvestasha Alternative Personality Patch Module [INT: Default] (Free)
Ar Tonelico Qoga – Harvestasha Alternative Personality Patch Module [Type A: Tsundere] (Free)
Ar Tonelico Qoga – Harvestasha Alternative Personality Patch Module [Type B: Dorodere] (Free)
Ar Tonelico Qoga – Harvestasha Alternative Personality Patch Module [Type C: Ultra M] (Free)
Ar Tonelico Qoga – Harvestasha Alternative Personality Patch Module [Type D: Shocking White] (Free)
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Flower Hat (If) ($0.99)
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Glistening Memorial (Free)
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Leafy Bow HQ 2 (Compa) ($0.99)
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Leafy Bow HQ 2 (Neptune) ($0.99)
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Level Cap +200 ($0.99)
Hyperdimension Neptunia: Lost Employee (Free)
Yoostar 2 – This Is Sparta! (Extended Version) ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – Row, Row, Row Your Boat ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 -Turquoise Lagoon And Waterfall ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – I Ask You For Justice ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – She Looks To Pure To Be Pink ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – You Lost My Bag! ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – 300 Scene Pack ($4.99)
Yoostar 2 – Khaaan! ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – Please Don't Hurt Me! ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – Dorothy Meets The Cowardly Lion ($1.99)
Yoostar 2 – Blockbusters! Scene Pack ($6.99)
Yoostar 2 – You Work Under An Alias? ($1.99)
LittleBigPlanet 2: Sly & Bentley costumes ($2.99)
LittleBigPlanet 2: Jak & Daxter costumes ($2.99)
LittleBigPlanet 2: Ratchet & Clank costumes ($2.99)
Rock Band 3 tracks
Pulse 3/22 Edition
Ghostbusters: Sanctum Of Slime Launch Trailer
Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 Launch Trailer
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit Three For All Trailer
Yakuza 4 Demo Trailer
Back To The Future: The Game – Episode 2 Trailer
Puzzle Agent – Making of, Part 1 Trailer
Puzzle Agent – Making of, Part 2 Trailer
Red Faction: Armageddon: A New Threat Trailer
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood – The Da Vinci Disappearance DLC Single Player Trailer
Infamous 2 – Karma Trailer Video
Killzone 3 – Launch Trailer
ModNation Racers – Over 2 Million Creations! Video
Kazuo Harai Interview on the NGP
PlayStation Move Sharp Shooter Video
Slam Bolt Scrappers Theme (Free)
Phineas and Ferb Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Tales From Space: About A Blob – Premium Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Celtic Maidens 2 Dynamic Theme ($1.99)
Lindsay Kaye Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Terran Marines Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
Brushed Metal Theme ($0.99)
Hot Babes Theme ($0.99)
Music Theme ($0.99)
Wrigley's Dynamic Theme (Free)
Tetris (now $4.99, regular price $9.99)
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (now $9.99, regular price $19.99)
PSone Classics - Street Fighter Alpha 2 – 50% Sale (PS3/PSP) (now $2.99, original price $5.99)
Hoard (PS3) (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
Wakeboarding HD (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Need For Speed Hot Pursuit – Three For All Pack – Bundle ($19.99)
SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs Multiplayer Beta (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
Swarm Full Game (PlayStation Plus price $11.99, regular price $14.99)
Mini Squadron PlayStation minis (PlayStation Plus price $1.00, regular price $1.99)
Wakeboarding HD (PlayStation Plus price $3.99, regular price $4.99)
