gamezplay

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Resident Evil 5 - biohazard threat has not ended on PS3 and Xbox 360

The biohazard threat has not ended: Just when it seemed that the menace of Resident Evil had been destroyed, along comes a new terror to send shivers down player's spines. Chris Redfield, returning Resident Evil hero, has followed the path of the evil literally around the globe. After joining a new organization, Chris heads to Africa where the latest bioterrorism threat is literally transforming the people and animals of the city into mindless, maddened creatures.

He is joined by a new partner, Sheva Alomar, who lends her strength, intelligence and sharp-shooting skills to the mission. In order to survive, Chris and Sheva must work together to take on the challenges of discovering the truth behind this evil plot. Utilising a revolutionary new co-op mode of gameplay, players will be able to assume control of either Chris or Sheva and experience Resident Evil in new ways. In Resident Evil 5, Capcom will have players fearing the daylight as much as they have feared shadow in previous games.

Co-producers and series veterans Jun Takeuchi (Lost Planet) and Masachicka Kawata (Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles) unleash an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation in Resident Evil 5, the sequel to one of the highest-rated videogames in history, according to Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com. Promising to revolutionise the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, Resident Evil 5 is certain to bring new fans to the series. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and world of Resident Evil will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.

The Resident Evil series has sold over 34 million units since the original game was released in 1996 and has spawned a multi-million dollar trilogy of films from Sony Pictures. Resident Evil 5 will revolutionise the Resident Evil series, just as Resident Evil 4 did.

Features

Chris Redfield, protagonist of the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil: Code Veronica, returns
Chris is joined by new character Sheva Alomar, an African special agent tasked with investigating the epidemic
2 player co-op online gameplay means that players are not alone in their fight against the horror lurking around every corner
Simultaneous Pan Western release date for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 13, 2009
New enemies bring new challenges: speed and intelligence make adversaries as dangerous singly as they are in groups.
An arsenal of weapons at the player's command to keep the evil at bay, including knives, pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles and more.
Lighting effects provide a new level of suspense in both harsh light and deepest shadow
True high definition gaming on multiple game platforms, using an advanced version of Capcom's proprietary game engine, MT Framework, which powered the next-gen, million-plus hit titles Devil May Cry 4, Lost Planet and Dead Rising.

X-Blades video game - More Spells and Beasts on PS3 Xbox 360 and PC

More Action from X-Blades, the fast-paced action adventure game, featuring a blend of cinematic style and beautiful anime-inspired characters, combat and environments

Ice Flower: I found this skill from an artifact I…er…borrowed from the mountain dwellers. It took me a while to find it in their caves, even though I think the antelope people never knew of its existence. After I researched the artifact and learned from it I was able to shoot ice crystals up from out of the earth. It was very helpful on my way back down the mountain when I was attacked by wolves. I’m actually very excited about using this power with some of my other spells. For example, I can knock enemies down with earthquake and than give them some cold revenge with Ice Flower. (Requirement: Ice Arrow)

Lightform: The Light truly is a power to reckon with. When I let the power wash over me, it’s almost like I enter some form of trance. I have control of what I’m doing but it’s almost as if I’m not doing it. Weird. The Light power enhanced my running, fighting, and shooting abilities but at what price? I can use “Ray of Light” more efficiently but it seems like I can’t collect Rage points while in this form.

The Dark Guardian: This powerful substance usually appears near The Dark; however, it’s difficult to say whether it’s a servant of The Dark or a product of his magic. Apart from his mighty spell, The Dark issues forth particles which explode upon impact. As with all Elementalis, they’re vulnerable to magic opposed to their own.

Ice Guardian: According to legend, the Ice Guardian is the oldest of all Ice Elementali. Like his smaller counterparts, he attacks his opponents with Cold magic, sending forth kamikaze-like Elemantalis that strike and freeze his enemies. As with all Elementalis, they’re vulnerable to magic opposed to their own.

Fable II and Knothole Island arrive on Xbox LIVE January 13

Since the UK launch of Fable II on Oct. 24, more than two million gamers worldwide have embarked on a quest to reshape the world of Albion in the image of their hero.

While gamers have been fast at work behind the Xbox 360 controller, the creators of Albion have been hard at work to bring Knothole Island to heroes worldwide on Jan. 13. Releasing over Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 Microsoft points, Knothole Island will introduce all-new adventures in Fable II, the winner of numerous industry awards Game of the Year accolades.

In the latest installment of Lionhead Studio’s Video Diary series, the developers reveal some of the challenges they faced in the final days of making “Fable II” and offer a sneak preview of Knothole Island. Senior Programmer Jonathan Shaw and fellow members of the team hint at the new quests, weapons, items and specialty shops available on this mysterious isle off the coast of Albion, as well as some of the quirky characters that inhabit it.

Also on Jan. 13, fans everywhere will be able to enhance their “Fable II” experience with a free content update* exclusively available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The free update will grant players a handful of gifts from the fine people of Knothole Island and will enable those who haven’t purchased Knothole Island downloadable content to continue the co-op action with their friends. Some of the fun items include: Knight’s Boots, Assassins Gloves, a special Weight Loss Potion, a collectible silver book and more. The update will also enable players to check their standing in over 50 new Leaderboards on Lionhead.com.

As an additional post-holiday treat for “Fable II” fans, Lionhead Studios and Microsoft Game Studios have created an all-new Knothole Island Premium Theme for the New Xbox Experience, available for 250 Microsoft points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace or Marketplace on the Web at http://marketplace.xbox.com.

Check out Episode 8 on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, www.xbox.com/fable2 or www.lionhead.com. It is also available for download at http://microsoft.gamespress.com/

* The free content update must be manually downloaded from Xbox LIVE. This update is included in the Knothole Island premium downloadable content pack, so players that purchase the Knothole Island do not need to separately download the content update

EVE Online - Apocrypha massive FREE expansion this March

CCP announced the launch of the tenth free expansion for EVE Online, its popular science fiction massively multi-player online game (MMOG). EVE Online: Apocrypha is the most ambitious EVE expansion in the game's over five year history and it coincides with the March 10th, 2009 release of EVE Online as a boxed product through a partnership with Atari.

The fabric of space itself will be transformed as vast, unpredictable wormholes open to connect previously unexplored regions of the universe to the stars of New Eden. The seeds of advanced new technology await inside of these cosmic anomalies for those brave enough to explore them. This infusion of technology will enable production of the most dynamic vessels ever – Tech 3 modular ships with an astounding amount of customizability that can fill any role from skirmish muscle to industrial support.

Furthermore, NPC agents in EVE Online: Apocrypha will be authorized to assign Epic Mission Arcs to the pilots of New Eden. These branching, far-reaching mission strings are full of meaningful stories and more intelligent and deadly adversaries.

In addition, we are offering an entirely reworked New Player Experience for those joining (or rejoining) the game – giving them better insight into how to thrive in a truly limitless universe. We've already launched EVElopedia—a great repository for information on all things EVE where our players are also building their own living history of the previous five years of Alliance warfare, political intrigue and nostalgic recollection

"Just this past week we broke our concurrent user record with 45,186 people flying unbound in the same game world at the same time—a huge percentage of our quarter of a million current subscribers and a true testament to EVE in our sixth year of operation," said EVE Online Senior Producer Torfi Frans Olafsson. "Today is an unprecedented time to start playing, as you can get ahead of the curve before Apocrypha releases in stores and our hard work hits the server cluster. It'll be easier than ever to get 'lost in the wormhole' that is EVE with what we have planned for the future of our expanding universe."

Leading up to the release of EVE Online: Apocrypha and the boxed version of EVE Online in stores, we'll be revealing more features on www.eveonline.com.

Availability

EVE Online: Apocrypha will be available at retail stores across the galaxy in March this year and as a free download at www.eveonline.com/download/ for existing subscribers. A new Premium graphics client for Mac will also be included in the retail box.

Visit the EVE website now to sign up for a free 14-day trial account or reactivate your account to get ahead of the curve.

EA Sports comes to PlayStation Network with EA Sports Complex

Electronic Arts announced its initial plans for the PlayStation Home Beta for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the 3D social gaming community that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences online. EA’s support of the PlayStation Home Beta will begin with the EA SPORTS Complex, which is currently in development and is slated to launch this Spring.

“We’re proud to support the PlayStation Home Beta with a very robust offering from EA SPORTS,” said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS. “As part of our continued commitment to the connected experience and the digitization of our business, the EA SPORTS Complex is a rich new online environment that presents a compelling and immersive social gaming experience for the global sports audience.”

EA worked closely together with Sony Computer Entertainment to ensure that the EA SPORTS Complex space within PlayStation Home would be a compelling experience for all EA SPORTS fans, with a space designed for both casual and hardcore gamers. Gamers will be able to play exclusive new EA SPORTS multiplayer games, meet and interact with EA SPORTS fans, view daily, weekly and annual leaderboards to see how they compare against the rest of EA SPORTS Nation, as well as watch trailers and other content from some of their favorite EA SPORTS games.

EA is currently working with Sony Computer Entertainment on further label support of PlayStation Home Beta, and will announce plans in the near future.

Tom Clancy's EndWar Action Elite Pack download for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

Three New Battalions and Six New Upgrades Included in the Latest Content.

Ubisoft announced the release of the “Faction Elite Pack” downloadable content (DLC) for Tom Clancy’s EndWar available for the Xbox 360 entertainment system from Microsoft and for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The DLC is available for 300 Microsoft points or euro 3.99.

The “Faction Elite Pack” DLC will include three new battalions (one per faction) and six new upgrades (two per faction). These new elite battalions include the legendary JSF 15th Special Operations, the Spetsnaz Alpha Brigade, and the Enforcer Corps Battlegroup. The “Faction Elite Pack” will also grant immediate access to six exclusive unit upgrades including Ceramic Armor for the Spetnaz Guard Brigade and Caseless Ammunition for The European Federation’s Gunships to name a couple.

City of Heroes video game for the Apple Macintosh

NCsoft, announced the commercial launch of City of Heroes for the Apple Macintosh across all NCsoft West consumer territories. Now PC players and Mac players can live their comic-book dreams together, in the shared fictional world of Paragon City and the Rogue Isles.

The game has been enabled for the Mac by TransGaming, a leading developer of portability technologies for the electronic entertainment industry. Mac players can now purchase the digital-only Mac Special Edition of City of Heroes, from NCsoft’s PlayNC store. The Mac Special Edition includes the client, 30 days of game time and a set of exclusive in-game items.

“Our community is excited that City of Heroes is coming to Mac,” said Brian Clayton, executive producer of City of Heroes for NCsoft West. “We are thrilled to offer avid Mac fans the ability to play the most robust comic-book inspired MMO on the market.”

In City of Heroes, players craft their own unique hero or villain identities and join millions of other player created characters in a constantly expanding universe. Unparalleled character customisation is a hallmark of the City of Heroes franchise. Players can choose from hundreds of different powers and thousands of costume options, resulting in near limitless personalisation. Players may go it alone or band together with others in Supergroups.

Build your own crime family with The Godfather II video game

The Godfather II videogame is set for release in the UK on March 6th. The Godfather II allows players to both act like a mobster and think like a Don, by immersing them in a 1960’s organized crime world. As a Don, players can build a crew and grow their family in an effort to become the most powerful mob syndicate in America. Players will be able to choose how and when to use their Made men, either by commanding them directly in battle as part of their crew, or by sending them to do a job in another part of the world – bombing rival family rackets, attacking their businesses, or defending your own.

Players who pre-order The Godfather II at participating retailers worldwide will receive an exclusive crew member, named Tommy Cipolla, to hire into their family. While the other soldiers at the start of the game come equipped with one specialty and level-one firearms, Tommy will be the only crew member to possess two specialties – arsonist and medic – as well as carry a level-two double-barreled shotgun. With Tommy in your family, players will have a strategic advantage in the game, using his advanced skills either directly in battle, or sending him to take over and defend rackets on his own.

The Godfather II takes the open-world genre in an entirely new direction. Part of the fascination with The Godfather fiction is the feeling of power that comes with being the Don of an organized crime family – and The Godfather II game puts the control in your hands. While at its heart The Godfather II remains an action game, it also features deep new strategic gameplay mechanics never before seen in an open-world game. The strategic elements to the game allow you to extend the fantasy of building and running your own organized crime family. This means that you have to build and invest in your family, manage your businesses, and reach out to corrupt officials – all of which is done through the revolutionary Don’s View. The Don’s View is a 3D representation of your criminal empire in all three cities; it allows you to coordinate your strategy, plan hits on rival Made men, attack enemy rackets, and much more. The Godfather II delivers the ultimate organized crime experience by allowing you to call the shots.

Developed at the EA Redwood Stores studio, The Godfather II will be coming to the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and PC. The Godfather II has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB and 18+ for PEGI.

Dragon Quest - The Hand of the Heavenly Bride on Nintendo DS in February

Dragon Quest - The Hand of the Heavenly Bride will be released across PAL territories on 20th February 2009, exclusively on the Nintendo DS handheld system.

Following the fun and colourful path set by DRAGON QUEST: The Chapters of the Chosen, the second instalment in the Zenithia Trilogy, DRAGON QUEST: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride now journeys onto the Nintendo DS as a high quality remake of the classic DRAGON QUEST V, packed with exciting new features and a truly genre defining story.

Considered to be one of the best games in the entire DRAGON QUEST series; DRAGON QUEST: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride will finally make its much awaited debut in Europe. Look out for the next adventure in the trilogy – DRAGON QUEST: Realms of Reverie™ – coming to Nintendo DS soon.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “We are delighted to be bringing another classic DRAGON QUEST adventure to the Nintendo DS in Europe and the PAL territories. With DRAGON QUEST: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride, we hope game players of all ages will enjoy following our hero through his exciting lifetime, full of great adventures and surprises.”

About DRAGON QUEST: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride

Story

An epic story involving three generations of one family. The story begins at childhood, as our hero travels around the world with Papas, his father.
After many exciting encounters he grows into a young man. He is now ready to depart for the greatest adventure, with the courage of his father, beating strong in his heart.
Awaiting him is an amazing world and the biggest choice he will have to make in his entire life…

Features

• The first appearance of a never-before-seen, classic DRAGON QUEST adventure in Europe!
• Exotica Net allows you to swap items with fellow DRAGON QUEST: The Hand of the Heavenly Bride players, even with your console on standby.
• Experience a unique, charming story that follows the life of a young boy on his journey to become a hero. Along the way you will meet various friends, enemies and even find a bride and start a family.
• A vast, beautiful and colourful world to explore - with even more colourful characters to meet, monsters to battle and secret treasures to find.
• Recruit monsters to your party and arm them so they join you in battle.
• A complete audio/visual overhaul breathes new life into a classic with advanced 3D graphics and an arranged orchestral score.

The Path turns beta - Tale of Tales' artistic horror game is almost done

After two and a half years of intense work, Auriea Harvey and Michael Samyn release a sigh of relief: their little baby is ready to see the light of day. The Path is a gloomy interactive exploration in realtime 3D of the fairy tale of Little Red Ridinghood set in the present day.

And now, just as the new year has begun, the production has achieved beta stage. A release date will be revealed soon.

"We have not fully recovered from those final six months of crunching yet. But when we see what we have created, we can't help but feel pride and joy. We live together as a couple, and we work together day in and day out. Long days, working until the small hours, for months and months on end. We wouldn't recommend it. And we may never do it again. But we have done it now! And we are glowing like fresh parents: The Path is great and wonderful! Anyone who disagrees is dead."

The first time The Path was introduced to the public was at the Game Developers Conference of 2007, when a teaser video was released. One year later, a "vertical slice" playable demo of the game was selected for the Independent Games Festival 2008 -and another videoclip was released, containing gameplay footage. The following nine months -briefly interrupted by the release of the controversial art/non-game The Graveyard- were dedicated to expanding the demo to a full game, with the aid of animator Laura Raines Smith, composer Jarboe, sound designer Kris Force and technical artist Hans Zantman.

In the mean time, fabulous graphic designer Marian Bantjes created a new hand-drawn logo, which is being revealed now to celebrate the occasion.

Search This Blog

Thursday, January 08, 2009