| GameBump |

Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice (PS3) Released

Shiva Stella — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:20:00 -0500

Loyal Nippon Ichi fans rejoice: Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice has released for the PlayStation 3 and carries a cozy retail price of $49.99.

The game marks the popular RPG franchise's next-generation debut and releases just before Disgaea DS, an updated port of the PlayStation original, which is scheduled to ship early next month.

Hit the link to visit the game's official site, or drop by Disgaea HQ for more information on other titles in the series.

GB Review: Soul Calibur IV (PS3)

Shiva Stella — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:26:28 -0500

For those of you unfamiliar with Namco's Soul Calibur series, it's the one with the slew of weird characters vying for two powerful swords--soul calibur and soul edge--to rule, destroy, or save the world, and most of the time they look exceptionally good while doing it. Soul Calibur IV continues that trend with 33 characters seeking to use the swords to accomplish their own (often selfish) desires, including two bonus "guest" characters from the Star Wars universe: the legendary Darth Vader and the mysterious "apprentice" from the upcoming Force Unleashed. Though the game clearly fails to revolutionize the genre, it accomplishes everything it sets out to do quite well, and the addition of online play and a very robust character creation system keep the game addictive.

Click here for an explanation of our review and scoring format.

As with any fighting game, Soul Calibur IV pits you against an onslaught of characters that you must take down by lowering their health bar with flashy moves and powerful combos. Namco also included a soul gauge feature that changes color depending on your performance; block too often or receive too many strong attacks and the gauge will start flashing red, entering a "soul crush" state, at which point you're vulnerable to a one-hit KO attack called a critical finish. To keep things fresh (and because it's mildly entertaining to witness characters fighting in customizable undergarments), equipment destruction is a vital component of any fight; equipment condition is displayed in a three slot vertical bar designating head, upper body, and lower body gear, and enough attacks to the same area will break the equipment.

The soul gauge modifications manage to prevent players from over-blocking, but this is mostly because they're afraid of having their equipment destroyed--not because they fear any elite finishing moves; the critical finish attacks have to be performed a half-second or so after the opponent's gauge flashes red, and because there's a lot of action on-screen it's difficult to pay attention to both the guy that's beating your brains out as well as his gauge.

Soul Calibur IV offers up a sufficient variety of the standard modes included in nearly all of its competitors, highlighted by a disjointed, loosely named five stage story mode, a training session convenient for those new to the series, an eight stage arcade mode, and the tower of lost souls, which is a survival mode that rewards you with new equipment for completing secret objectives as you clear floors; this is a significantly less boring and time-consuming procedure than the "adventure" mode of previous games in the series, however you cannot adjust the tower's difficulty level. A versus mode is included for local multiplayer and features either a standard or special setting to determine whether skills and weapon effects are active, but sadly is limited to two players, as is online play via the PlayStation Network. What's upsetting is that you're often stuck in a room watching matches before you're able to take the winner, though the fights are usually quick and you always have the option of creating your own room and inviting a friend to eliminate the wait.

The character creation feature is extremely impressive, enabling you to modify any character's template and save up to 48 different versions of each character. You're also given the option to design your own character from scratch, modifying everything from equipment color and model physique to voice, skill set, eye color, and fighting style. When you're satisfied with your unique creation you can take it through the story mode, where it'll perform in cutscenes, or hop online to show off your creativity to the community. Though the character creation system is highly robust, unfortunately your gear options determine your character's stats and your ability to set decent skills. This gets especially frustrating when you're trying to churn out a ferocious Solid Snake or Harry Potter because characters designed with the "best" equipment will therefore have the best stats and a great battle advantage, however you can play with weaker characters in standard versus or online mode, where skills and weapon effects are inactive.

Soul Calibur IV's presentation is nothing short of stunning, with gorgeous, highly detailed environments featuring some interactivity in the form of breakable stuff; the visuals are absolutely breath-taking, with most stages featuring moving objects (space ships, animals, etc) in the background and appropriate ambient noises that change depending on the stage. The striking characters move fluidly and are detailed down to the fine texture of their clothing and every strand of hair that blows in the wind--Soul Calibur IV easily ranks as one of the most visually impressive games in its genre.

Given the game's convenient 2.6GB install option that significantly shortens loading times and unbelievable amount of unlockables it's a shame to see Namco limiting customization in other aspects of the game. For example, you can set your own stage music as an audio alternative, but only if your music consists of Soul Calibur themes purchased from the PlayStation Store, which is infuriating. You're also currently stuck with the two bonus Star Wars characters given (Vader and his apprentice), but expect to download the 360 version's bonus characters in a "fresh" and overly priced variety pack--the opportunity for Namco to make money on this feature is simply too good for them to pass up. Don't be surprised if Namco also releases downloadable equipment, stages, or other characters and bonus content.

Soul Calibur IV's only real flaw is that its modes are a tad shallow due its lack of 4-player play both online and locally, but its character creation system and even standard online play more than make up for it. The game should rank very highly on the list of anyone who enjoys a good, heavily customizable fighter--even casual players.

E3 2008: PlayStation Store Update

Shiva Stella — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:03:57 -0500

Many of the videos presented during Sony's conference yesterday have been added to the PlayStation Store for comfortable download and viewing at home. Take a peek.

PS3 Store

Super Stardust HD Team Mode Add-on ($4.99)

Rock Band

Rock Band The Best of the Who Rock Band Edition Track Pack ($19.99)

(12) individual songs ($1.99/ea)

Amazing Journey
Baba ORiley
Behind Blue Eyes
Eminence Front
Going Mobile
Leaving Here
My Generation
Good Looking Boy
Sea & Sand
Summertime Blues
Who Are You?
Young Man Blues

Videos

God of War III
Motorstorm Pacific Rift
Xamd Lost Memories
Buzz PSP
Resistance: Retribution
Ratchet & Clank Quest for Booty
PixelJunk Eden
Siren Blood Curse
PAIN Amusement Park
Gran Turismo TV
MKU vs DCU
Blitz The League II
Valkyria Chronicles
Resident Evil 5
This is Vegas
TNA Impact! Wrestling

PC Store

Videos

Resistance: Retribution
Buzz PSP
God of War III
Motorstorm Pacific Rift
Xamd Lost Memories
Ratchet & Clank Quest for Booty
PixelJunk Eden
Siren Blood Curse
PAIN Amusement Park
Gran Turismo TV

E3 2008: Dragon Quest IV Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:56:27 -0500

Check out the new screens of Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen for the Nintendo DS.

Launch Gallery: Dragon Quest IV

(5 images)

E3 2008: 80GB PS3 for $399

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:52:54 -0500

Sony has confirmed a new PS3 hardware package, this one including an 80GB unit and the Dualshock 3 at a comfortable $399.

E3 2008: Final Fantasy IV Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:47:53 -0500

Launch Gallery: Final Fantasy IV

(6 images)

E3 2008: Sony Confirms New PSP Titles

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:42:59 -0500

Here's a quick list of PSP titles being announced at the Sony conference at E3.

Resistance Retribution (Spring 2009)
Patapon 2
The Force Unleashed
Super Stardust Portable
Madden 09
LocoRoco 2
NBA 09
The Inside
Lego Batman
Buzz Master Quiz

E3 2008: Wii Music Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:31:27 -0500

Check out the new images of Nintendo's Wii Music.

Launch Gallery: Wii Music

(7 images)

E3 2008: Izuna 2 Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:22:55 -0500

Atlus has revealed new images of Izuna 2 on the Nintendo DS.

Launch Gallery: Izuna 2

(5 images)

E3 2008: Call of Duty: World at War Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:15:25 -0500

Check out these new images of Call of Duty: World at War on the Wii and Nintendo DS.

Launch Gallery: Call of Duty World at War

(11 images)

E3 2008: Wii Sports Resort Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:10:20 -0500

Nintendo has unveiled new screenshots of Wii Sports Resort.

Launch Gallery: Wii Sports Resort

(11 images)

E3 2008: Wario Land: Shake It Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:06:39 -0500

Nintendo has unveiled new screenshots of Wario Land: Shake It! on the Wii - enjoy.

Launch Gallery: Wario Land Shake It

(10 images)

E3 2008: Animal Crossing: City Fok, Wii Speak Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:00:11 -0500

Nintendo has unveiled new screenshots of Animal Crossing: City Folk on the Wii, including two shots of the new Wii Speak accessory.

Launch Gallery: Animal Crossing City Folk

(14 images)

E3 2008: Yakuza 2 Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:04:41 -0500

Sega has revealed new media for its Yakuza 2 on the PlayStation 2. Enjoy.

Launch Gallery: Yakuza 2

(6 images)

E3 2008: Stormrise Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:53:13 -0500

Check out the new screens for Sega's Stormrise, heading to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Launch Gallery: Stormrise

(8 images)

E3 2008: Valkyria Chronicles Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:34:31 -0500

Sega has revealed new media for its Valkyria Chronicles on the PlayStation 3. Enjoy.

Launch Gallery: Valkyria Chronicles

(4 images)

E3 2008: New BioShock on PS3 Footage

Shiva Stella — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:16:20 -0500

Check out this new HD video footage of BioShock on the PlayStation 3.

PlayStation Store Update: Crisis Core, R-Type Command

Shiva Stella — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:50:34 -0500

Two interesting bits have been added to Sony's PlayStation Store today, including a nice blue theme for Square Enix's Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII and a demo of Atlus's R-Type Command.

Both free items are for the PSP; do note that Sony requires you to be logged into your PlayStation Store account to access the content.

You'll also need to have the free PlayStation Network Downloader software installed prior to downloading the content. You can check that out here if you don't already have it.

Konami Ships Off a Bevy of New Games, MGS Collection Included

Shiva Stella — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:36:40 -0500

Konami confirmed this morning that the company has shipped three new games nationwide, headlined by Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection for the PlayStation 2.

The collection retails for $29.99 and includes the original PlayStation's Metal Gear Solid (as a PS2 disc), MGS2, and MGS3 with package artwork by series artist Yoji Shinkawa. You can view order details here if you're interested.

Following The Essential Collection comes Diary Girl for the Nintendo DS--the game functions as a PDA-lite and "provides girls of all ages the ability to interact with friends through their own customizable avatars, as well as organize a calendar and address book in their own password-protected electronic journal." Sounds spiffy.

And remember, ladies: it's not a game, it's a "lifestyle accessory". I'm going to keep that in mind any time I buy anything. Diary Girl retails for the standard $29.99.

And finally, add Lost in Blue 3 for the Nintendo DS to the list.

In Lost in Blue 3, players guide one of two stranded characters, each with their own personal history, through exotic locales on a mysterious island while surviving the elements to stay alive. Players can work alone or cooperatively with other characters to gather food, explore the island and hunt dangerous wildlife. Completing one character's storyline will unlock the storylines of two additional characters, allowing players to explore the island in different ways, experience new storylines, and uncover different endings.

Lost in Blue 3 also retails for $29.99.

GB Review: Wipeout Pulse (PSP)

Shiva Stella — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:37:59 -0500

Though it's perhaps not the definitive Wipeout experience, Wipeout Pulse is definitely an improvement on its PSP predecessor in almost every way, offering online multiplayer, customizable music options, seven race types, and even the ability to design your own ship, limited though it may be. It starts slow, and you might be perturbed by the campaign mode now and then as well as a few graphical and acoustic slips, but on the whole it retains the franchise's almost zen-like quality during high-speed, weapons-intense races along with the same futuristic style that fans love.

Click here for an explanation of our review and scoring format.

Wipeout Pulse maintains the feel of the Wipeout universe complete with a futuristic presentation, plenty of techno beats, and fun high-speed races that completely defy a storyline or setting. The essential gameplay aspects of Pulse are strikingly similar to those of its predecessors; the player's objective still being to survive an onslaught of vicious attacks while en route to the finish line for a medal. No significant tweaking has been given to the standard single-race - if you spent more than five minutes with the PlayStation's Wipeout XL then you'll feel right at home, which is a boon for franchise veterans looking for the same thrills they encountered in previous Wipeout games. The dark side of Wipeout racing has also been left intact, with players still blasting each other with three-pronged missile attacks, bomb trails, and the infamous earthquake while nudging opponents into walls or soaring across chasms.

While Pulses basic gameplay aspects might have been overlooked, Sony still managed to differentiate Pulse from its Wipeout brethren by updating the franchises mode offerings. The traditional campaign mode for single-player features the usual seven base race teams vying for supremacy of 12 distinct tracks, with each anti-gravity vehicle sporting its own stats (speed, handling, thrust, etc) and now a loyalty bar that players fill each time they ride with a certain team; obtain enough loyalty points and the game rewards you with a bonus, though other than this free skin gift the bar serves no purpose. The campaign mode is much less linear than in past Wipeout games, though this admittedly comes with some caveats. The mode is split into sixteen sectors, each with four grids, while each grid contains anywhere from eight-sixteen blocks or "racing events" that are unlocked by completing an initial one or two events for that grid. A racing event may contain the usual single-race, zone (in which you fly through a track until you explode, attempting to hit a certain zone count), tournament (short series of single-races), or time trial or it could feature a head-to-head round, speed lap (in which you beat the single best lap time), or eliminator match.

The eliminator race type is a great addition to the series and has players racing to a kill-count instead of the finish line, and while the usual campaign eliminator round has a kill-count of 10, it is possible to up that to 25 for a gold in the game's racebox mode, which enables players to create their own instant matches or additional campaigns (other than that, though, it's practically useless). While the campaign mode is slightly different from what fans are used to, and therefore a bit refreshing, it does get annoying when you're forced to play through events you dislike just to open up the next single-race, zone, or eliminator match, as that amounts to a waste of time for those of us who'd rather race as opposed to perfecting our time trial records. Add to this the fact that the game starts off very slowly for the first four hours and you can accurately estimate the level of frustration you're in for.

The control scheme is carried over from Wipeout Pure and is still as simplistically designed and easy to grasp for newcomers, with D-pad/analog controls managing turning, L/R the left/right airbrakes, X acceleration, and square weapon usage. The absorb ability that allows you to replenish your vehicle's shield (life) is yet another carry-over, followed by the weapon/item (turbo) speed pads that should be recognized instantly by fans as they sport the same X-weapon and arrow-speed design elements, while track design contains the standard loops, tight corners, gaps, and tunnels that you'd expect from almost any racing game.

Sony's biggest sell-point for Pulse is that it features a multiplayer mode that meets Pure's ad-hoc offering and then bests it with online (infrastructure) play, but that's not by very much. The primary hitch is that there are few race customization options here, especially when compared to the almost pointless racebox mode. The only race types for infrastructure include single-race and tournament, which is a shame considering what fun it would be to slaughter opponents online during 25 laps of eliminator. The lack here is a huge missed opportunity and is highlighted by the other "customization options" for infrastructure, which include the ability to select from a handful of tracks and to turn weapons on/off. The attention that racebox received over infrastructure is mind-boggling. Another key issue is that there are very few people playing online, which is sad for a game that's been out for less than a month. Pulse's replay value, which could have been raised significantly by a decent infrastructure, takes another hit from the limited track offerings; the game boasts 12 unique tracks, and while it also utilizes a "black" and a "white" version of each for a touch of variety, that doesn't necessarily up the count to 24 as most of the variations come in race direction and the inclusion of "hidden" areas.

Though most of Pulse's presentation is on par with the rest of the series, showcasing a smooth framerate, mediocre visuals and race tracks heavy on the gray palette, there are some graphical and audio catches during explosions or when a lot of action is occurring on-screen at once, which appears to be more than the game can handle. Additionally there are some clipping issues when the player gets caught in an earthquake attack or lands on his vehicle's nose and has to wait patiently for the game to set him right-side up, after which hes probably lost the race. There's also not a lot of graphical flash except for weapons fire and the destruction of enemy ships, but while that's bearable it's a little more difficult to come to terms with the lag that rears its ugly head precisely as the player approaches a barrage of ships blasting each other into bits. Fortunately the lag is minimal during online play, and in fact its more common in offline races, but this might be because I've yet to play through an eight-person match.

Wipeout Pulse does contain one saving grace: its soundtrack customization. Pulse moves light-years beyond Pure in this area, as it enables gamers to include up to 30 of their own mp3s (depending on card size, of course) in the track list. This absolutely saves the game for those with low tolerance levels for electronica, as track offerings are less than inspiring and pale in comparison to song lists from previous installments. The ambient noises - the hovering of your anti-gravity craft, the thump and skid sounds as you dance near the edge of the track - are intact and functional for most of the gameplay, with the highlight being weapons fire, but there are a few audio catches during intense ship battles as noted above, as well as times when your ship will silently explode to poor background music.

Sony included two other incentives, a free skin editor available on wipeout-game.com and a photo mode, both equally unimpressive. The photo mode is an unnecessary trinket only accessible from the pause menu while the skin editor is plain and cumbersome; its much easier to just download skins from the site than to bother with the online editor. There are also several expansion packs available (or soon to be) for those craving new vehicles, skins, and tracks, but while they add some variety and replay value to Pulse, an expanded infrastructure mode would have made them a greater asset.

Publisher: SCEA
Developer: Studio Liverpool
Release: Feb 12, 2008
MSRP: $29.99
E10+

Konami Confirms Pre-order Bonus for MGS4

Shiva Stella — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:49:45 -0600

For those of us who already own a PlayStation 3 but would still like a nifty Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots bonus, Konami is launching a pre-sell program in April that'll include a Metal Gear Saga 2.0 DVD.

The DVD features character biographies, trailers, a 20th Anniversary special, and a code for accessing the Metal Gear Online beta test.

The game includes the Metal Gear Online "starter pack" that allows for up to 16-player matches and is set to ship on June 12, 2008.

If you don't yet own a PlayStation 3, Konami has also teamed up with Sony for an MGS4 console bundle (MSRP $499) that includes the 80GB unit, a Dualshock 3 controller, and the game.

As an aside, I have no idea what this image means.

Atlus Confirms Persona 3 FES for North America, Plus Teaser Trailer

Shiva Stella — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:16:52 -0600

Here's some good news to start the afternoon off with if you're an Atlus fan, as the company has officially confirmed that its Persona 3 FES is indeed coming to North America and will include both the regular and bonus content for the very happy price of $29.99. For those of you only mildly familiar with the Persona games, they're the ones with demons.

Here's the email confirmation Atlus sent out to its "faithful" this morning:

Ok, we give up. The rumors were true.

Persona 3 FES is coming to North America!

Months of trying to keep FES a secret are now behind us (which means all of us here can reflect on just how futile an effort that was).

So what's the big deal about Persona 3 FES? "FES" is short for "Festival," and in Japan, FES was released as a reward for gamers who picked up the original. Not only does the new FES content enhance the original game, but the new FES component is actually a game in and of itself, accessible right from the get-go. We think of it as two games on one disc. It is the definitive Persona 3 experience.

We will be releasing the stand-alone version of FES. There was of course the option of just releasing the "Append" disc (which would have required ownership of the original game), but in the end, we didn't want you to have to own anything else to enjoy the experience.

We'll have a ton more updates going out for FES soon, telling you about the extra features, content, and modes for you to enjoy. Thanks for being patient. We're glad you stuck around.

Oh, and we decided to set the suggested retail for FES at $29.99, just for the heck of it. Thanks for continuing to support us, Atlus Faithful!

Look for the game on April 22 (take that, evil ebay prices!) You can check out the Persona 3 FES website here, if you're curious, and of course you can view the fresh teaser trailer below.

GB Review: Patapon (PSP)

Shiva Stella — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:34:35 -0600

Get ready to drum to the beat.

Patapon is a great musically-geared PSP game from several of the creative minds behind the popular LocoRoco and sports the same simple flair, highlighted by a colorful world, straightforward mechanics, intricate visual details, and a fantastically catchy beat that'll make this an addictive treat for Sony and music-genre fans. But even if LocoRoco let you down, Patapon comes with some improvements: it relies on an actual storyline that gives the game purpose, the "characters" have a touch more depth, and the amount of army tweaking, hunting areas, bosses, and mini-game diversions should offer enough motivation for you to finish it. For $20, you simply cannot go wrong.

Click here for an explanation of our review and scoring format.

As is often the case with deities, you - the 'All-mighty' god of the adorable patapons - have been too preoccupied with the business of the universe to cast them an endearing glance. Completely neglected by their patron deity, the patapons - tiny, bloodthirsty, giant-eyed creatures with a serious knack for rhythm - have been forced to deal with an incursion of the malignant zigotons, ugly suckers that, in the ignorance of the divine, have walled their way between Patapolis, the patapon capital, and the object of the patapons' desire a great, mysterious gift that you conveniently placed at the end of the world. In your absence the patapons have suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of the foul zigotons and in a final act of desperation the sole survivor of the patapons' once magnificent army raises the war banner and cries out for your aid.

Should you answer the call, all of Patapolis will rejoice as you enter the world of Patapon, Sony's mix of real-time strategy and rhythm for the PSP from almost the same folks who brought you LocoRoco, the cute musical puzzle game that had you tapping your toes while sliding colorful blobs throughout the trappings of a rainbow paradise. Though LocoRoco was definitely a delight and a great boon for Sony's handheld, it lacked a certain quality and the player felt like he was maneuvering gelatinous globs for the sole purpose of hearing the next song. Patapon, refreshingly, does more than feature adorable music; it actively incorporates it into the gameplay via a very simplistic control mechanism. The player taps out a command in line with the music and the pulsating edges of the screen, a great help for beginners, and the patapon army behaves accordingly, either advancing (pata-pon), attacking (pon), defending (chaka), or performing the occasional miracle (it's good to see you living up to your reputation).

On the surface, it almost seems too simple; there are no thousand command combo variations that'll trigger some fancy cutscene, no "special" power-ups that'll teach your patapons how to fly, and no healing magic to get your troops back on track. There aren't even items - just four basic commands, yet the music and pounding drums makes them incredibly addictive. The proverbial icing is that each command operates as a strategy, such that "attack" has patapons throwing spears from a wider distance while "defend" orders the patapons to bunch up on the flag carrier, attacking only what approaches the army and therefore narrowing the archer's arch; this is a great maneuver for when bosses are attacking the area immediately in front of them and not the army's flank, where the tightly packed patapons are huddling safely out of reach. Nevertheless, a backup maneuver is sorely missing. When a patapon that isn't the flag carrier dies it leaves a "cap" (its head) behind for the army to collect so the player can resurrect the unit, but patapons at the rear (mostly archers) can get left behind due to the army's inability to retrace a few steps. The lack seems almost silly.

Pon, pon, pata, pon!

While the basic gameplay consists of leading your patapon army throughout the 30+ main missions, Sony threw in some boss battles and lighter hunting areas, enabling the player to collect source materials (rocks, sticks, etc), money (ka-chi), and "legendary" weapons. Admittedly the enemy design is redundant: the first boss the player encounters is a giant turquoise-spotted, fire-breathing dragon while the second is a giant red-spotted, fire-breathing dragon (and yes, both dragons require the same strategy to defeat). The patapons' prey receive the same treatment, boasting black birds, pink birds, gold birds, and the like. However, there is just enough variation and the bosses are just difficult enough to keep the gameplay interesting. For additional diversity there are some nasty environmental aspects including excruciatingly painful lightning strikes and annoying wind changes to watch out for as well as animals that actually fight back, but again, the sole purpose of Patapon is to lead those adorable bug-eyed killers into battle with your significant drumming abilities. As a final touch, the highly important fever mode, which you activate by staying true to the beat for ten commands, is the key to success, sending the patapons into a blood-frenzy that crushes everything in its path; one troop type in particular, the kibapon (cavalry), relies entirely on fever mode and is less than useless without it, though with it the kibapon become war deities that rival the All-mighty Himself. The only downside to the fever mode is that most levels appear designed to encourage the gamer to reach fever by walking forward; this amounts to a lot of empty space and needless repetition, as you can reach fever by standing in-place and defending, if need be. Another annoyance is that the music changes as you initiate fever, so you can easily miss a beat and lose fever if you're distracted by patapon singing and the acoustic switch.

Singing, dancing, and drumming your one-eyed soldiers to success - while the highlight of the gameplay - is only half the story in Patapon, as any great army unleashed by any great civilization requires plenty of bureaucratic management. To this end Patapolis awaits the All-mighty's use, boasting many convenient features, the foremost of which is the life-tree for patapon creation and/or reincarnation (nobody's perfect). At the life-tree you can bring forth many a new patapon by mixing ingredients, usually minerals, meats, and tree branches, for specific race and troop types. If you're looking to create an archer (yumipon), for example, you throw in a rock and a stick and viola - instant bow-and-arrow buddy. To "adjust" the yumipon you simply increase the quality of the ingredients, this time mixing a tytanium ore with hinoki wood to create a tikulee (blue) yumipon, read: an archer with improved stats (HP, damage, speed, crit, etc). There are four basic troop types: yumipon (archers), yaripon (spearmen), kibapon (cavalry), and tatepon (infantry), and each unit within each type my be either a regular (white) patapon or, with a little genetic tweaking, achieve that extra special rank: pyokola (red), gekolos (green), mofeel (purple), or tikulee (blue).

Though the life-tree is the heart of Patapolis, Sony added some elements of the mini-game variety for fun and musical relaxation. As the player completes missions he'll collect "unique" items that can be utilized by the life-tree to create "hero" patapons - the great patapons of lore who kept the troops fed and the altar flooded with resources. The mini-games have you repeat tunes in a 'Simon-says' manner for four lines and, depending on your timing, reward you with prize goods for patapon creation. The rest of Patapolis - the "gateway" to the world map, the base camp (led by the priestess patapon, Meden) - serve as nice perches from you can view plot progression, but otherwise they exist to make the city feel less vacant.

Patapon's presentation is on par with LocoRoco's and is about what you'd expect if you played its pseudo-predecessor: the environs are colorful, the patapons and zigotons are detailed from their helmets down to their very tiny feet, and all character and object design features a simplistic structure and color palette. What differentiates it the most from LocoRoco, besides its "puzzles" (most of which include the obtaining and usage of the proper miracle needed to proceed) and gameplay mechanics, is the inclusion of an actual storyline and characterization, shallow though both may be. The player feels as though there is a real goal to obtain for helping the struggling patapons succeed and not just another level filled with cute little musical "events" that may eventually bore him. This drive to finish the game nicely compliments its replayability and keeps the gamer coming back for more of this unique musical experience, often hunting for kicks or creating patapons to form the "ultimate" army. Perfectionists beware: with more than 100 weapons/armor and plenty of source materials to tweak your darling soldiers, you can spend a few hours doing nothing but gaining goodies and improving stats. Unfortunately all 100+ of those weapons/armor must be obtained by completing missions: you can't take the source materials you already have and turn them into weaponry, which is a missed opportunity that could have added countless hours and much depth to the gameplay. On the whole, however, Patapon is yet another fantastic title on the PSP, perfect for short or lengthy mobile gaming sessions and full of endless acoustic delight. You'll be pleasantly surprised by this one.

Publisher: Sony Computer Ent.
Developer: Sony Computer Ent./Japan Studio/Pyramid
Release: Feb 26, 2008
MSRP: $19.99
Everyone

First Deadly Creatures (Wii) Trailer Live

Shiva Stella — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:12:38 -0600

The first trailer for THQ's Deadly Creatures on the Wii is available tonight and linked below for your viewing pleasure.

The game is being developed by Rainbow Studios, the team behind Motorcross Madness, Cars, and ATV Offroad Fury; for this reason I haven't gotten my hopes up, but I admit that I'm curious... monsters go oh-so-well with destruction.

New Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 'Limited Edition' Trailer

Shiva Stella — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:02:11 -0600

Here's an interesting Ubisoft trailer for the evening, this one for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 on the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The video is advertising the "limited edition" version; you can check out the list of features below to see if it's worth the extra $10. Check out the hot key chain.

Includes Collectible Poker Chip Key Chain
Limited Edition Bonus Disk
Exclusive Strategy Video: With insider tips and secrets from the developers, pro gamers, and Frag Dolls you won't get anywhere else.
Pro Gamer Interview: Get an exclusive look at the life of a pro gamer with MLG player FinestX.
MLG Pro Circuit '07 Season Highlights: Watch the pros take on the most heated matches of '07.
Tom Clancy's EndWar(TM) Sneak Peek: Join the Frag Dolls for a hands-on look at the latest thrilling game in the Tom Clancy arsenal.

Since when do "insider tips" and commentary from the "Frag Dolls" make something a "special" edition?

New Grand Theft Auto IV Screens: the writing's on the wall

Shiva Stella — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:40:00 -0600

Three new images of Grand Theft Auto IV surfaced yesterday, and if you're interested in giving this measly offering a glance you may do so at the link.

I must say, though: that's some mighty detailed graffiti, which is obviously an indicator of the fantastic graphical beauty the game's got in store for us.

Cross your fingers.

Microsoft Adds Three Xbox Originals Games

Shiva Stella — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:20:00 -0600

Microsoft has updated its Xbox Originals program offerings to include Black, Ninja Gaiden Black, and Sid Meier's Pirates.

If you're into the whole "downloading what you should already own in hardcopy" thing, head over to Live now to check them out.

Resident Evil 5 Due in 2008... most likely

Shiva Stella — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:07:51 -0600

Here's a little something interesting for Resident Evil fans this morning. According to the latest podcast featuring Chris Kramer, Senior Director of Communication and Community for Capcom (I imagine that he handles the hate mail and forums), over at Major Nelson's place, it's highly possible that Resident Evil 5 will see release this year.

And I quote:

We have a really fantastic year ahead of us... a year that's going to include games like Bionic Commando, Resident Evil 5, Street Fighter IV is going to be making its arcade debut next week in Japan. We've got a new game that we're working on in the US called Dark Void...

If you'd rather skip the radio-like melodrama you'll find the above comment at the 30.00 mark.

Konami Confirms Metal Gear Solid: Essential Collection (PS2)

Shiva Stella — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:37:59 -0600

Here's something unique for all you Metal Gear Solid fans, as Konami confirmed this morning that it is indeed releasing an MGS bundle for the PlayStation 2 in preparation for MGS4, entitled Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection.

The Essential Collection will feature MGS for the original PlayStation, the director's cut of MGS2 and MGS3 in a "commemorative package" with artwork by Yoji Shinkawa. The bundle retails for the wonderfully low price of $29.99 and is an excellent way to relive those nostalgic stealth moments while you eagerly await Guns of the Patriots.

"Since its inception, the Metal Gear Solid franchise has been one of the most successful game series in the history of video games, receiving worldwide recognition and praise," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. "Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection represents a great value for gamers, bringing together three must-have classic titles which pioneered the stealth action genre."

Konami's MGS: Essential Collection is scheduled to ship on March 18 with the appropriate Mature rating. Feel free to preorder at the link.

Three cheers for backwards compatibility.

Square Enix Announces... its Intention to Announce FFXIII Date

Shiva Stella — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:58:44 -0600

Here's a little unusual Final Fantasy XIII news for the evening, as Square Enix has made an announcement regarding the FFXIII release date "rumors" that have been circulating the Web. Below is SE's official statement regarding the FFXIII launch date:

Although information regarding the release date of FINAL FANTASY XIII has been reported by certain videogame websites, Square Enix itself has yet to make an official statement on this topic. Any reports of a confirmed release date are erroneous and should be disregarded.

Square Enix will make an official announcement in the future concerning the release date when it has been determined.

In other words, the company is not yet ready to confirm or deny any suspected date. As usual, we'll keep you posted.

Want to Play a Game? Saw Videogame to Release Next Year

Shiva Stella — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:18:08 -0600

Great news for horror fans this afternoon, as Brash Entertainment has announced that it's developing a title based on the popular Saw films and should release said gory gaming bundle of fun in 2009, alongside Saw V's film launch.

Brash has also confirmed that it's utilizing the Unreal Engine 3 technology for the title and is "working closely" with franchise creators, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, as well as Lions Gate and Twisted Pictures. Apparently the game is being designed with the intention of filling in those annoying plot gaps that moviegoers might have noticed.

If you're up for giving the title's official site a glance, you can view it here.

New Final Fantasy Versus XIII Screenshots

Shiva Stella — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 02:13:17 -0600

Along with new Final Fantasy XIII shots, Famitsu has also published new Final Fantasy Versus XIII media. Again, it's viewable at the jump, so take a peek.

New Final Fantasy XIII Media

Shiva Stella — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 02:07:10 -0600

Famitsu has published some new snazzy images of Final Fantasy XIII, which you can view at the jump. I must admit that these new shots (of this and Versus XIII) have me much more interested in the series again. Take a peek. I have no idea what the above image is of unless it's Carbuncle...

Super Smash Bros. Brawl to Include Virtual Console Demos

Shiva Stella — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:05:32 -0600

Nintendo has confirmed that its hotly anticipated Super Smash Bros. Brawl (recently given a perfect score by Famitsu) will contain several demos of Virtual Console titles, including:

Ice Climber (1986, NES)
Super Mario Bros. (1987, NES)
The Legend of Zelda (1987, NES)
Kid Icarus (1987, NES)
Kirbys Adventure (1993, NES)
Super Metroid (1994,Super NES)
Lylat Wars (1997, Nintendo 64)

Some of the demos will only be available for a limited time, though the full versions will be up for purchase via the Wii Shop Channel.

Call of Duty 4 Best Game Ever

Shiva Stella — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:53:29 -0600

More good news from Activision this morning, as the company has confirmed that Infinity Ward's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare "was the #1 title in units worldwide for calendar 2007, according to The NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group." Larry Hyrb's blog also lists the game as the #1 360 title on Xbox Live (based on unique users).

Here's the rundown on the game's rewards so far:

More than 18 perfect score reviews
More than 40 combined Editors' choice, Game of the Year awards (US)
Nominated for 10 Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences awards (including Game of the Year)
GameBump's own Best Shooter of 2007

"We're very excited about this achievement especially given so many competitive titles this year," said Will Kassoy, senior vice president, global brand management, Activision Publishing, Inc. "Consumer and critics agree that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is one of the best games ever created and further establishes Call of Duty as one of the premier brands in the industry. This ground-breaking game and franchise continue to establish new standards by which all other action games will be judged."

The game has also sold more than 7 million copies worldwide.

Sony Updates PS Store, DMCIV, Club Demos Up

Shiva Stella — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:26:33 -0600

Sony has announced its now-customary PlayStation Store update details, which you can view at the jump. Highlights include the Devil May Cry 4 demo, more Folklore content (free), Stranglehold content, Rock Band songs, and Soul Calibur IV (trailer, if that's your thing).

Downloadable Games

PixelJunk Monsters ($7.99 for a limited time)
Folklore Create-a-Creature Winner Add-On (free)
Rock Band

Wonderwall - Oasis ($1.99)

Live Forever - Oasis ($1.99)

Dont Look Back in Anger Oasis ($1.99)

Oasis Pack 1 ($5.49)

Need for Speed ProStreet Extender Pack Premium Car Bundle #1 ($5.99)
Need for Speed ProStreet Extender Pack Premium Car Bundle #2 ($5.99)
Stranglehold

Stranglehold Map Pack ($14.99)

10 additional multiplayer maps including Kowloon Market, Wongs Estate Grounds and the Rooftops of Chicago.

21 all-new multiplayer character skins.

Stranglehold CE Map Pack ($14.99)

10 additional multiplayer maps including Kowloon Market, Wongs Estate Grounds and the Rooftops of Chicago.

21 all-new multiplayer character skins.

Demos

Devil May Cry 4 Demo (free)
The Club Demo (free)

PS one Classics for PS3 / PSP

Jet Moto 2 ($5.99)

Game Videos

Tony Hawks Proving Ground Stevies Skater Story (free)

Movie and Blu-ray Disc Trailers

Step Up 2: The Streets Trailer (free)
Dragon Wars Trailer (free)

PS3 Themes

PixelJunk Monsters Theme (free)
Lemmings Theme (free)

Game Videos (free)

Soul Calibur IV Trailer
Lost Planet Promotional Movie
Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway Trailer
Dynasty Warriors 6 Trailer
Borderlands Trailer

Grand Theft Auto IV Dated, Special Edition Offers Up

Shiva Stella — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:11:29 -0600

And the Grand Theft Auto IV updates just keep rolling in, headlined today by Rockstar's confirmation that the game is expected to release on April 29 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Special Edition bundles are already being offered for $89.99 (shipping April 28) on both systems and include:

Safety deposit box
"Special" packaging
GTAIV art book, "featuring never-before-seen production artwork from GTA IV"
Selected soundtrack
Rockstar keychain (for the safety deposit box keys)
Rockstar duffel bag

The regular title's MSRP is the usual $59.99. You can take a peek at the special editions at the link.

Far Cry 2 Rumors Shot Down, No PS3 Exclusivity

Shiva Stella — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:00:11 -0600

Recent rumors sparked by Edge Magazine's report that Far Cry 2 will feature mutating foes, a mutating character (with mutant powers), and will be a PlayStation 3 exclusive have been shot down by the game's creative director, Clint Hocking, via this videoblog.

Hocking states that "there are no mutants of any kind in Far Cry 2 and we are releasing simultaneously on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360!"

You can view the video below.

Sony Delays Skype for PSP in Japan, Cites Microphone Issues

Shiva Stella — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:20:00 -0600

News is now hitting the Web that Sony has delayed its Skype PSP update announced earlier this month at CES 2008. The company is citing compatibility issues as cause for the delay in Japan, claiming that the feature is on-hold until the microphones Sony designed for its use earn Skype's approval.

You can view the full press release (it's a quickie) at the jump.

SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN TO POSTPONE THE RELEASE OF MICROPHONE PRODUCTS FOR PSP® (PLAYSTATION®PORTABLE)

Tokyo, January 23, 2008 Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ), a division of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) responsible for business operations in Japan, today announced that it would postpone the release of two microphone products for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), SINGLE PACK (with one microphone, PSPJ-15010) and TWIN PACK (with two microphones, PSPJ-15011), scheduled to be released in Japan on Thursday, January 24th, 2008.

SCEJ planned to release the microphone along with the introduction of Skype features for the new slim and light PSP (PSP-2000). However, it was found that the microphone did not meet the Skype specifications in part to obtain certification and SCEJ has determined to postpone the release of the microphone. New release date will be announced as soon as decided.

With this, SCEJ has also reached a decision to postpone the introduction of the Skype features and services in Japan, scheduled in late January as part of the system software update for PSP. Solutions to enable users to start using Skype features and services on their PSP are being sought for and will be announced in due course.

New Grand Theft Auto IV Screenshots, more previews

Shiva Stella — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:00:00 -0600

I bet it's a body.

Just in case you haven't had your fill of Grand Theft Auto IV today, here are some new screenshots now circulating the Wonderful Web. Take a gander at the link.

CVG has also posted a new preview of the game, if you're interested. Looks like the media is lining up at the trough (ourselves included).

New Alone in the Dark Screenshots... shocking

Shiva Stella — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:40:00 -0600

Looks fun to me.

Atari has published a handful of new screenshots for its Alone in the Dark on next-gen (or is that now current gen?) systems and the PC.

The images follow yesterday's latest trailer, which you can view here. The game is being developed by Eden Studios and should launch in July for everything but the PlayStation 3 (the PS3 version is dated for January of 2009). Images at the link.

New Prince of Persia Confirmed, Haze Delayed (again)

Shiva Stella — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:19:17 -0600

Maybe I'll see you in 2008. Just maybe...

Following Ubisoft's announcement of its 2008 schedule, the company also confirmed that a new Prince of Persia game is in the works and should ship "within the next fiscal year" - that's April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009. Don't be surprised if some of the awe-inspiring mechanics from Assassin's Creed pop up in that one, only this time we might get a real, complete game with a real, complete ending.

As for Haze, which has suffered various delays, delay-rumors, and delay-hints, the game has again been officially delayed and could release during the company's 2008 fiscal year. In other words, it's possible that Haze won't see store shelves until 2009, though when it does launch it could be a major hit for the PlayStation 3, something the console desperately needs.

Fingers crossed.

Ubisoft Unveils New Far Cry 2 Footage, 'full trailer' coming soon

Shiva Stella — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:00:01 -0600

In more Ubisoft news, the company has unveiled a new trailer for its Far Cry 2, this one showcasing the game's engine. Take a peek below. The game is set to release for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, with the PC launch dated for March.

Frontlines: Fuel of War (PS3) Only Almost Canceled

Shiva Stella — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:27:28 -0600

According to FiringSquad, recent reports that the PlayStation 3 version of THQ's Frontlines: Fuel of War has been canceled are in fact incorrect and the game has only suffered a delay.

The title is currently being developed by Kaos Studios and should release for the PC and Xbox 360 in February (latest estimates are at Feb 25); meanwhile the PS3 version should launch sometime in 2008.

Frontlines: Fuel of War is a first-person shooter with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer action, something the PlayStation 3 desperately needs a strong dose of. Here's hoping everything goes just swimmingly.

The Club Demo Now Available in North America

Shiva Stella — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:20:01 -0600

Some good news for Xbox 360 gamers in the US today, as The Club demo that was previously made available to Australia, Europe, and New Zealand is now up for download via the Xbox Live service.

Not a lot of perky bits of information have been filtered from the Microsoft camp since its little holiday hiccup, aside from a free download of Undertow that no one cares about anyway (why not arrange a price point and let me download one XBLA game I actually want), but at least the demos continue. And everyone loves the demos.

New Alone in the Dark Trailer, with flaming sticks

Shiva Stella — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:53:36 -0600

Atari has published a new trailer for Alone in the Dark on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and the PC. The game is currently being developed by Eden Studios and set to launch for various platforms on July 15, with the PS3 release dated for January of 2009 (why such a delay, I wonder).

Take a peek below.

Konami 'Officially' Confirms Silent Hill Origins for PS2

Shiva Stella — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:36:21 -0600

Because nothing rings in a Tuesday quite like an official confirmation announcement, Konami has confirmed that Silent Hill Origins "is in fact currently in development for the PlayStation 2."

"Console gamers can now expect the same chilling, suspenseful and fear-filled experience that handheld gamers encountered when we released Silent Hill Origins on the PSP system," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "This is their chance to learn more of the mystery and mythos surrounding Silent Hill that's been hinted at in earlier games and made the series such a success."

Hit the jump for a juicy tidbits from Konami. The release date as listed on Gamefly and Amazon is now squeezed in between March 4-6, but Konami failed to mention a ship date in its announcement. We'll keep you updated, though.

Additional game details:

Players take on the role of Travis Grady, a lone truck driver making a routine delivery when he makes an unfortunate detour to the mysterious town of Silent Hill. Players must help Travis escape the city's horrific inhabitants and unravel the mystery of the strange hallucinations from Travis' past, visions that have plagued him since childhood.

Updated controls maximize combat, allowing Travis to use his fists, his wits and an array of weapons including a meat cleaver, pool cue and sledgehammer to fight his way through the nightmarish world of Silent Hill and face multiple endings based on his actions.

Patapon: Just a Really Good Deal for the PSP

Shiva Stella — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:04:37 -0600

Recently I reported an apparent price-drop for Sony's Patapon, the company's very Locoroco-esque and next promising hit for the PSP. Though the game was originally listed with an MSRP of $29.99, the game's cost remains lowered to $19.99.

Today Sony updated its popular PlayStation blog with the reason for the drop: the cost has been lowered to the Greatest Hits price point in order to attract gamers that might otherwise pass it up or lose it in the barrage of upcoming PSP titles.

Here's the official word from Jeff Reese, director software marketing.

Patapon is really different and highly creative, a new kind of PSP experience we dont want anyone to miss. So to make it more accessible to everyone, we are happy to officially announce that we are releasing it at $19.99, lower than other new PSP games. Its a game that shouldnt get lost with some other big titles launching on the platform. It deserves your attention because its very cool.

Totally called it. You can look for the game on February 26.

Can Bioshock Save Japan?

Shiva Stella — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:48:42 -0600

According to Takashi Sensui, Microsoft's Xbox-related go-to guy in Japan at a recent Spike, Xbox 360 New Year's party, more and more (Xbox 360) western titles will be making their way over to the gaming capital of the world, and those being third-party titles at that. The first three games include Battlestations: Midway, Tomb Raider: Anniversary, and 2K's ever-popular Bioshock.

It's an interesting move, with Xbox 360 sales lagging behind... everything else (hard to top those Nintendo DS's). It's possible that offering western-style games to Japanese gamers via the 360 might boost unit sales, but it's equally possible that the audience doesn't give a damn. But if Bioshock, one of 2007's premier titles in the west, can't move 360s over there, then what can?

PlayStation 4 Development Farther Along than We Thought?

Shiva Stella — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:37:45 -0600

Though the dust has yet to settle on this current generation of consoles (all three have only experienced one holiday season together on store shelves), rumors of next-generation development inevitably spring up here or there.

Popular German site, Gamefront, is reporting that Sony (Japan) is currently seeking a software engineer to work on backward compatibility for the PlayStation 3 and an un-named next-generation system (which as far as we know would be the PlayStation 4). The engineer would implement and improve emulation of PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP (also for PS3) for this next-generation hardware.

If one believes the rumor then PS4 development must be much farther along than seems reasonable, as all three companies have expressed a desire to extend this generation's life-span as long as possible (remember that ten-year mark that Sony set for the PS3?)

One would also have to believe that it'd be a great bonus for the PS4 to feature backwards compatibility all the way back to the original PlayStation, taking advantage of Sony's extensive lineup throughout the years. Of course, it's just as likely that this is a mistranslation blown out of proportion.

The rumor follows a recent Microsoft rumor regarding the Xbox 3.

You can check out an image of the job listing text here.