Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Metal Gear Solid 4 delayed to Q2 2008

http://www.konami.jp/topics/2007/1031_1/index-e.html

Kojima's grand finale for the MGS series, Guns of the Patriots, saw its release date pushed back to the second quarter of 2008. Konami initially intended to release the game this winter, but decided to delay it to "make further improvements to the quality of the game and provide even greater enjoyment for more customers worldwide."

Which is fine with me really. They can take as much time as they can on whatever needs improvement. They can delay it to Q4 if they have to. I want a really great game and I expect nothing less than perfect from these guys, because MGS4 is the title I am looking forward to the most, and I'm sure millions of other nerds worldwide share the same sentiment. Did I say 'nerd'?

Also I need time to get my own PS3. :<

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Manhunt 2 execution videos compilation


If you wanted to see the execution sequences in Manhunt 2 but you don't have the skills (not that this game requires THAT much skill...but anyway) or are just too lazy to play it, someone who calls himself "rubix99" has a present for you. The above video shows the many, many creative ways to kill enemies that Manhunt 2 provides the player (there's quite many). This video will probably make you flinch at least once. So, do not view this if you think blood is icky, if you can't stomach watching someone getting stabbed in the eyes, are eating, or just don't like violence in general.

For those who do...enjoy.

By the way, this was taken from the leaked PS2 version. Am I gonna get in trouble for this? :O

Okay, so Capcom hasn't completely abandoned the PS3...


...with regards to Monster Hunter. Quote from a Famitsu interview:

"Asked if it was possible that the Monster Hunter series would still come to the PS3, Capcom’s publicity department said that Capcom has a multiplatform strategy, so they cannot deny the possibility. Asked if numbered versions of the game could appear on the PSP, the response was that the PSP portable series has an important position within the company. Finally, Famitsu pointed out that some people may have purchased a PS3 once Monster Hunter 3 was announced last year. This drew a big apology from the Capcom reps, who said that PS3 owners should wait for further announcements in the series."

It seems that Capcom is feeling a little guilty about the platform switch to the Wii. They are being vague about the issue of porting MH3 to the PS3: it's possible, them having a multiplatform strategy and all, but the probability is low. At most, the PS3 will probably receive a spinoff or even an entirely different sequel, but not MH3. Don't count on it, but it's good to have hope. Especially if you're one of those who bought the PS3 for MH3. Let's just wait for those "further announcements".

At least, the PSP has "an important position within the company" and it's pretty definite that they'll keep making MH games for it. They've actually started on a new one, Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, which was announced last TGS.

Monday, October 29, 2007

New Dragon Quest IV screens from Famitsu

Man, these DQIV screens just keep coming, but the most important thing hasn't been revealed--when's the NA release date? Is there even one? Stop teasing us already Squeenix :(













Thanks to forever-fantasy.net for the screens.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Full Rock Band track list


http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/830/830709p1.html

The last few tracks to complete the entire Rock Band track list has finally been announced, and I can finally write a post about it. The list consists of:

1960s
Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter"

1970s
Aerosmith "Train Kept a Rollin'"*
The Who "Won't Get Fooled Again"

Boston "Foreplay/Long Time"
Mountain "Mississippi Queen" (cover)
The Police "Next to You"

David Bowie "Suffragette City"

Black Sabbath "Paranoid" (cover)

Blue Oyster Cult "Don't Fear the Reaper"

The Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"

Deep Purple "Highway Star"

KISS "Detroit Rock City"
Molly Hatchet "Flirtin' With Disaster"

The Outlaws "Green Grass & High Tides" (cover)

Sweet "Ballroom Blitz" (cover)


1980s
Rush "Tom Sawyer"*
Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive"

The Clash "Should I Stay or Should I Go"

Faith No More "Epic"

R.E.M. "Orange Crush"

Pixies "Wave of Mutilation"

Iron Maiden "Run to the Hills" (cover)


1990s

Foo Fighters "Learn to Fly"
Metallica "Enter Sandman"

Nirvana "In Bloom"
Stone Temple Pilots "Vasoline"

Weezer "Say It Ain't So"

Smashing Pumpkins "Cherub Rock"

Radiohead "Creep"

Beastie Boys "Sabotage"

Hole "Celebrity Skin"
Garbage "I Think I'm Paranoid"

Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun"


2000s

The Hives "Main Offender"

Queens of the Stone Age "Go With the Flow"

The Strokes "Reptilia"
Jet "Are You Gonna Be My Girl"
OK Go "Here It Goes Again"

Nine Inch Nails "The Hand That Feeds"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Maps"

Red Hot Chili Peppers "Dani California"
Coheed & Cambria "Welcome Home"

Fallout Boy "Dead on Arrival"
The Killers "When You Were Young"

New Pornographers "Electric Version"


Those are the default songs. The rest are unlockable/downloadable:

Unlockable Tracks
Bang Camaro "Pleasure (Pleasure)"

Twelve more yet to be revealed


Announced DLC

the entire Who's Album "Who's Next,"
Metallica - One"
18 songs by The Grateful Dead

Woohoo, Aerosmith! Woohoo, Garbage! Woohoo, OK Go! What the fuck, Fallout Boy?!

Friday, October 26, 2007

New Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles game screens

A sequel to the Gamecube FF is in the works. So far it's looking pretty...but not much else is known about it because I can't read what's on the site and that it's still in production. But at least there's screenshots. I wonder if it will have some compatibilty with the DS, like it did with the GBA back then.

There's more screenshots in the link so be sure to check it out.






edit: The full title is "Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers" according to anfangs_endes.

New Soul Calibur IV screens: Cassandra and Mitsurugi

Ahh, finally, new images of SCIV. This is undoubtedly one of the best looking fighting games so far, perhaps good enough to make us forget about the less-than-great Soul Calibur Legends for Wii.

Mitsurugi looks even more fearsome than before, and the scars on his body are more prominent than ever before. He also looks more mature (like he should). Cassandra doesn't look like she changed much, and I'm glad that she didn't get the breast enhancements like Ivy and Sophitia did.

But how long until new Hilde images come out? She's the one I'm really waiting for. DSL and all.

Images courtesy of GamesRadar.com












Thursday, October 25, 2007

Oh noes! Super Mario Galaxy leaked onto the Internets!


http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202665

Super Mario Galaxy has allegedly been leaked into the Internet. The possible suspect is EBGames, whose stores have a demo of the game. The 'demo' used by retail chain in question lets you play SMG for a short amount of time; however, if you play it on a Wii you will find out that it's actually the entire game itself, without the time limit. The kiosks holding the demos are locked, which pretty much means the culprit is a EBGames employee. Or someone who managed to unlock the kiosks. Either way, +1 for pirates, -1 for Nintendo. They really shouldn't use full games as demos.

However, some people claim the leak doesn't work. Apparently, if you try to boot it it gives you an error: "error 001 unauthorized device has been detected".

Still, it's pretty careless of Nintendo to let something like this happen.

Oh and there are no links to the rip. Sorry. (Couldn't find any.)

Review: Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles

Castlevania is undoubtedly one of my favorite game franchises. I've played every game for all the consoles that I owned (including the really bad ones), and I look forward to every new installment, especially after Symphony, even though the whole MetroidVania thing is getting pretty old. When I heard about the Rondo of Blood remake for the PSP a few months ago I was sold immediately. Rondo was one of the better CV titles that never really made it to the West for two reasons: one, the TurboGrafx system never really sold well; and two, religious overtones that border blasphemy. Yeah, the second reason seems pretty stupid now but it really was a problem back then. I was only able to play Rondo not too long ago, when someone kindly ported it to the PC for free. It didn't play as good as, say, Super Castlevania IV, but the animation, the smoothness of movement, and voice acting (!) made it truly superb.

The remake finally came out, in the form of Dracula X Chronicles. It is not in any way related to the poorly-executed SNES game of a similar title, but is a complete overhaul of Rondo. It is exactly the same story and game, but done in 3D, with new cutscenes and voice acting. Also, in English! It also comes with the previously underexposed original Rondo game, as well as Symphony of the Night, in the form of unlockable bonuses. The (semi-)linear classic CV gameplay is a nice break from the usual MetroidVania grind, and it truly felt refreshing after so many years. It also stays faithfully loyal to the original, right down to minute level design details. Characters are also redesigned: Konami ditched the anime-style design of the original, in favor of a more mature, SotN-esque look. If you've played Rondo and enjoyed it, the remake won't disappoint.

However, it isn't without imperfections. The game feels a little bit sluggish, and is less difficult in some parts. For instance, the whip seems to have a wider range; some enemies that can only be hit if Richter crouches can now be hit standing up. The faster enemies also suffer from the sluggishness, and suddenly that werewolf boss isn't so menacing anymore. Those crows from Stage 2 annoyed the hell out of me in the original game, but now they're easily managed. Heck, even the flea men and Medusa heads aren't such huge problems anymore. Still, the game poses enough of a challenge to attract players who are used to the classic difficulty, but not too hard as to alienate new players.

Hit detection is also different, the game being in 3D. It's somewhat hard to explain, but 2D generally has sharper hit detection, and this game is no exception. Sometimes it's too sensitive, at other times it isn't. For instance, those skeleton spears will hit you when you are just getting ready to evade. But you can shake hands with that giant skeleton boss just fine.

Another noticeable problem with the graphics is the jaggies. It's highly noticeable and sort of unforgivable given how other 3D games for the PSP like Monster Hunter Freedom 2 have almost perfectly-smooth graphics.

I'm also disappointed to say that Maria mode isn't as cute anymore. Her clothes and hairstyle have changed too, and she just looks plain. Hiding under a turtle shell isn't really funny anymore, and you can actually spam her slide move and it looks really awkward. Her main attack is also slower and has a shorter range, but she still makes the game much, much easier like she should.

The classic games remain exactly what they were before for the most part, and are very welcome bonuses. The inclusion of the original Rondo allows you to compare the old game to the remake, and SotN still looks, plays, and sounds good after an entire decade. Although, if you loved the horrible script and voice acting of the original SotN, you will probably be disappointed, because they changed both. That classic exchange of words between Richter and Dracula is gone, and the new dialogue isn't really that much better. I wish they just kept it the way it was.

Overall though, this game is more than a worthy addition to your games collection, especially if you're one of those slavish CV fans.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

A whole bunch of new Dragon Quest IV screenshots, box art revealed

Forever-fantasy shared with us a whole load of new DQIV screenshots, as well as the box art. It's looking great so far. Enjoy!

Screenshots:






Boxart: