May
14
More than Mario and Mini-games
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Nintendo’s Wii may be the highest selling current-generation console in the world, but their dedication to tapping the “casual player” demographic has evidently left their more mature core gamers by the wayside.
Some developers maintain that there simply aren’t enough mature titles available for Wii, and that the platform’s true capabilities are not being properly explored. Two such development companies are pushing the boundaries of Nintendo’s console while seeking publishers that will take a chance on their projects.
Sadness, which is being developed by Polish company Nibris, is a game for “adults with strong nerves” whose scenario “will have associations with narcolepsy, nyctophobia and paranoid schizophrenia.” Styled as a black-and-white gothic horror title, Sadness, is set in pre-WWI Eastern Europe and follows the story of Maria, a woman who has to protect her narcoleptic son Alexander after their train derails in the countryside.
The Conduit is a futuristic first-person shooter in production by Illinois developers, High Voltage, that revolves around government conspiracies and an alien assault on Washington DC. The first FPS to be built from scratch exclusively for the Wii, it employs the newly created Quantum3 graphics engine to make the most of the console’s hardware. Expect a 2009 release for both titles.
Damnation, Redemption…again
Ubisoft has given an Australian release date for its upcoming fighter, Soulcalibur IV – the game will be released simultaneously on both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 on July 31. The next installment in Namco’s acclaimed series includes a host of new characters and gameplay modes, as well as some of the most stunning and detailed modeling and animation in a video game to date.
In keeping with the series’ tradition of startling crossovers, the game also introduces Star Wars icons Darth Vader and Yoda as playable characters. They and other new characters will join returning favourites in a roster of around 30 fighters. Fans of Taki’s camel-toe will be pleased to know that, it too, has been slated to reappear.
Create, Mutate, Dominate
Will Wright’s endlessly intuitive evolution simulator has been in development for years now, but the game’s release is finally on the horizon. Those restlessly waiting to dip their finger in the primordial ooze will be thrilled to hear that the game should be released worldwide on September 7. Spore allows players to design their own creatures and watch them develop from single-celled organisms into an established species. The game will be available on PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, Wireless, Macintosh and iPhone.
May
13
Worms: A Space Oddity (Wii)
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The Worms franchise began around thirteen years ago, and since that time its core gameplay mechanics have remained essentially unchanged. And rightly so – the premise is simple and addictive, and clumsy attempts to apply the formula to three-dimensional combat have shown that it’s best to keep it old school.
Teams of worms are distributed across randomly generated or player-created battlefields in strategic turn-based skirmishes. Each turn involves maneuvering one of your worms across the terrain, selecting one of many hilarious and devastating weapons from your arsenal and firing it at your enemy.
It’s a recipe that translates perfectly onto the Wii, and A Space Oddity makes excellent use of the Wiimote’s IR and motion-sensing abilities. Whether you’re aiming a firearm, hurling a grenade or commanding a guided missile, there’s a simple and intuitive gesture for every action.
Unfortunately, not much else has been added to the Worms experience. The game is, as the title suggests, set in space – the fifteen available weapons (based upon those from previous titles) are given a sci-fi twist and each of the six planets has its own terrain and gravity, but beyond this it’s much the same as its predecessors.
The biggest disappointment is the lack of online functionality, as it’s the next logical step for the series to take and would have vastly improved the game’s longevity. Offline matches are, as always, available for one to four players, and it’s here that you’ll spend most of your time once you’ve completed the ludicrously easy single-player mode and unlocked all the extra accessories for your worms.
The rules are fully customisable, including weapons and time limit, and the map editor gives you reasonable control in creating your own levels to fight on. Computer opponents can be added, though there’s a pretty steep learning curve between ‘easy’ and ‘hard’ – an AI-controlled worm is generally either a crackshot or a total moron.
If you’ve never played a Worms game before, A Space Oddity is a fantastic party game with friends and a great introduction into the series. For those who already own other recent installments, however, there may not be enough new ground to justify buying this one.
May
2
Grand Theft Auto IV
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Rockstar Games is proud to announce that the eagerly anticipated Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system including the special edition package is now available worldwide.
“This release marks a major milestone for the series and for Rockstar Games,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “Grand Theft Auto IV delivers on the vision we had when we began work on the game more than three years ago. Rockstar North has created an amazing interactive entertainment experience. We hope it will resonate with our audience around the world for years to come.”
Developed by series creator Rockstar North and set in Liberty City, the latest installment in the wildly successful Grand Theft Auto series features a painstakingly detailed and life like city for players to explore; a rich, immersive narrative experience; an original soundtrack highlighting the cultural eclecticism of Liberty City; and sixteen player multiplayer with more than a dozen online modes.
“We worked hard to deliver a true high definition experience” said Series Producer and Rockstar North President, Leslie Benzies. “We are very proud of all of the innovations in the game and hope fans love it.”
IGN.com scored the game a perfect 10 and writes, “GTA IV gives us characters and a world with a level of depth previously unseen in gaming and elevates its story from a mere shoot-em-up to an Oscar-caliber drama. Every facet of Rockstar’s new masterpiece is worthy of applause.”
Game Informer scored the game a perfect 10 and writes, “Grand Theft Auto IV doesn’t just raise the bar for the storied franchise, it completely changes the landscape of gaming. Once you play it, you won’t look at video games the same way again.”
New York Times writes the game “sets a new standard for what is possible in interactive arts”.
The Rockstar Social Club, a new website that will extend your experience of Grand Theft Auto IV and all future Rockstar Games titles, is now open for business.
Please visit: www.rockstargames.com/socialclub.
The Rockstar Social Club is more than just a standard gaming site. It features incredibly detailed, diverse and sometimes amusing leaderboards and player statistics that gamers have come to expect, and combines them with performance-based competitions and awards for players of all skill levels.
Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 is rated “M” for Mature.
For more information, log onto www.rockstargames.com/IV
Apr
29
Battle of the Bands - Shipping for Wii
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THQ today announced Battle of the Bands has shipped to retailers. Designed exclusively for Wii™, Battle of the Bands maximizes the Wii Remote™’s innovative functionality, combining beat matching and combat into one head-to-head battle for music supremacy. The innovative music switching feature and the 30 chart-topping hits - recorded in each of the game’s five different music styles - rock, funk/hip-hop, country, marching band and Latin – delivers a truly unique gameplay experience.
“Battle of the Bands offers an exciting variation in the music category, where the fusion of music and combat sets the stage for a head-to-head battle for music supremacy,” said Randy Shoemaker, global brand director, THQ.
So what exactly is Battle of the Bands?
Battle of the Bands is the first true musical combat game and allows players to battle to prove their preferred musical genre reigns supreme. Designed exclusively for Wii, Battle of the Bands features an exciting two player head-to-head mode and an extensive single-player campaign.
The game introduces the innovative concept of “music switching,” playing the music in the preferred genre of the winning player. When an opponent turns the tide of battle, the music changes as well, switching between different music genres. Battle of the Bands features 30 classic and modern chart-topping hits from the last four decades, all of which have been recorded in five different styles - (rock, funk/hip-hop, country, Latin and marching band) - for the game, resulting in a total of 150 unique tracks and 70 unique musical weapons.
Apr
12
Guitar Hero - On Tour
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For the first time, handheld gamers will have the freedom to unleash their inner rock star anywhere, anytime with Activision’s upcoming Guitar Hero®: On Tour for Nintendo DS™.
The game will deliver a unique Guitar Hero® experience by challenging handheld gamers to rock out and prove their shredding skills on the most diverse set list of master tracks ever offered in a Guitar Hero game, including classic rock, alternative and pop favourites such as Nirvana, OK Go and No Doubt.
The game will be packaged with a revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral that fits snugly into the DS and a unique Guitar Hero pick-stylus that brings a new dimension to handheld gaming and the core gameplay that defines Guitar Hero. Guitar Hero: On Tour has been designed specifically for the DS platform and will offer the DS audience an all-new compelling music experience.
Guitar Hero: On Tour continues to build on the franchise’s signature easy-to-play, yet difficult to master addictive gameplay, and now lets players take their experience on the road wherever they go. Players use the Guitar Hero pick-stylus on the touch screen to strum their favourite tunes and create their rock ‘n’ roll legacy in career mode.
Fans can also join together to play co-op mode using a local wireless network, or battle each other in a Guitar Duel using new Battle Items unique to the DS platform. For example, players must blow into the microphone to extinguish a pyrotechnics effects gone wrong, or use the touch screen to autograph a crazed fan’s shirt in the middle of their set.
Guitar Hero: On Tour is being developed by Vicarious Visions for the Nintendo DS. The game is rated “G” by the OFLC and is scheduled for release this Australian winter.
For more information, visit www.guitarheroontour.com
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