Monday, January 28, 2013

New Games

New Games


Evoland is evolving into a new game

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 02:30 PM PST

Evoland is evolving into a new game screenshot

Evoland is a great example of how adventure games came from humble beginnings and turned into a classic genre. It had a good dose of commentary sprinkled in with a really inventive concept and made for a wonderful little title.

Well, that title ain't so little anymore.

It seems as if developer Shiro Games has decided to take its Ludum Dare darling and turn it into a full-fledged game, complete with a Steam Greenlight link and an enticing trailer. You can still play the free version, titled "Evoland Classic." This new and improved game seems to cover a lot more bases than the original, including Mode 7 graphics, turn-based battles, and a realized 3D world.

Wii U's Virtual Console won't import previous save files

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 02:00 PM PST

Wii U's Virtual Console won't import previous save files screenshot

The save files from the games on your Wii's Virtual Console will not be transferable to your Wii U's Virtual Console, Nintendo revealed to Kotaku.

Recently, we learned of two big firmware updates coming to the Wii U this year, one of which will be the launch of the Virtual Console on the system. This news was accompanied by the fact that Nintendo will not let users re-download Virtual Console titles previously purchased on the Wii onto the Wii U for free. Instead, they'll have to be re-bought for a small fee: $1 for NES titles, and $1.50 for SNES titles. However, opting for this scenario will allow for GamePad support. 

Should you rather transfer your saves and give up GamePad support, you can still transfer your Wii data over to the Wii U and access your games and their saves through the Wii Menu.

Wii U Virtual Console Games Won't Work With Older Save Files [Kotaku]

The nightmarish world of DayZ comes to life

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 01:30 PM PST

The nightmarish world of DayZ comes to life screenshot

I really love watching the team at Corridor Digital put out original videos for the Internet to enjoy. Typically their shorts usually utilize flashy effects and over the top fights. This time though, the boys gave a realistic spin with their latest take on DayZ.

It's surprisingly heavy, and I want a full blown movie of this now.

Rumor: China might consider lifting ban on game consoles

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 01:00 PM PST

Rumor: China might consider lifting ban on game consoles screenshot

For those of us so embedded in gaming and the surrounding culture, it can be difficult to imagine what a governmental ban on game consoles would look like in practice. Gamers living in China don't have to imagine, however -- it's a reality, and has been for more than a decade. This could change, if claims made by an unnamed source from the Ministry of Culture are any indication.

"We are reviewing the policy and have conducted some surveys and held discussions with other ministries on the possibility of opening up the game console market," the source told China Daily. "However, since the ban was issued by seven ministries more than a decade ago, we will need approval from all parties to lift it."

Further keeping expectations in check, Reuters got a comment from an official at the ministry's cultural market department who self-identified as "Bai": "The ministry is not considering lifting the ban," explained the source. Time will tell how this shakes out, but for now, I feel like the existence of these reports is a promising sign and serves as a reminder that there's progress to be made.

Ban on games consoles may be lifted, suggests Culture Ministry source [China Daily]
China considering end to 13-year ban on video game consoles: report [Reuters]

This Sony teaser looks like it's for God of War

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 12:45 PM PST

This Sony teaser looks like it's for God of War screenshot

This "Game Day 2013 Teaser" video just appeared on the official PlayStation YouTube channel. While it's unmarked except for the date "February 1, 2013," it sure does look like it's hyping something related to God of War.

Specifically, I'm guessing it's for a live-action spot, which seems to be the norm these days as game companies have realized they can be proactive rather than merely let fans bring their properties to life. Of note, Sony Santa Monica has remarked that more about God of War: Ascension's single-player will be shared before long. Seems like a plausible combo.

First video of Ironclad's new game Sins of a Dark Age

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 12:30 PM PST

First video of Ironclad's new game Sins of a Dark Age screenshot



Ironclad, the folks behind critical darling Sins of a Solar Empire, have been hard at work on what they claim will be a reinvention of the MOBA as we know it. Last year I got a chance to take a look at a few early builds of Sins of a Dark Age, their upcoming free-to-play RPG/strategy fusion. I was really impressed with what the team had managed to get done even then, but this is the first time they've released video to the public.

It's pretty short and doesn't show much. One of the developers talks about what kinds of things they're trying to change with SoaDA and how they plan to keep their metagame evolving, mixed in with some game footage, but that's about it. Regardless, if you liked SoaSE, or are big in the MOBA scene, give it a quick look.

Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo

The Network Roundup: It's time to dance

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 12:00 PM PST

The Network Roundup: It's time to dance screenshot

This was a week full of amazing news, broken hearts, and broken records. Everything pales in comparison to the record set in Japan yesterday, The Synchronized Mascot Dancing record. What you are about to experience is all at once, stupid, creepy, and ultimately, heart warming.

141 mascots, from across 25 Japanese prefectures participated in the event, which required participants to be be 95% in sync for five minutes. The last couple seconds of the Guinness Book of World Records setting video are particularly awesome. Although we can't quite match this awesomeness, The Network still has some nice treats for you.

Japanator

Flixist

Tomopop

Mass Effect 3 downloadable content teased, I think

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 11:30 AM PST

Mass Effect 3 downloadable content teased, I think screenshot

The fact that BioWare isn't quite done with Mass Effect 3 has been known for some time. Today however, we have our first set of screenshots which include a casino, apparently on the Citadel, and a krogan with what looks to be a futuristic interpretation of a mace.

Executive producer Casey Hudson sent these pics out on Twitter, with a few tantalizing words but little else. Given some of the other things the writers have said, though, I'm wondering how they're going to stitch together a casino, a raging krogan warrior, and something that might be emotionally gripping. Only time will tell, I s'pose.

BioWare producers tease potential Mass Effect 3 DLC [Joystiq]

Photo Photo

Ninja Gaiden, Section 8, Madden dropping on PS Plus

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 11:00 AM PST

Ninja Gaiden, Section 8, Madden dropping on PS Plus screenshot

Sony is currently offering a 15 month PlayStation Plus subscription for the price of 12. But that's an investment for the forward-thinking man. What have they done for us lately? Well, that 13 for '13 sale was pretty neat. Oh, and there's a whole new assortment of offerings set to land on the premium service this week. 

Everyone likes free stuff, so Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus is the obvious standout, but also I'm quite fond of Section 8: Prejudice. It's a fun little shooter that turns mundanities like respawning and sprinting into highlights of the experience. And for five bucks? Yes please.

Medieval Horror DLC out for Painkiller Hell & Damnation

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 10:30 AM PST

Medieval Horror DLC out for Painkiller Hell & Damnation screenshot

Fans eager for more Painkiller Hell & Damnation are going to be eager to get their hands on the title's first full-fledged downloadable content. Entitled "Medieval Horror," this PC-only DLC features a new, four-chapter campaign that players can either play alone or cooperatively with friends.

There's also a new survival mode, new weapon, a brand new multiplayer maps and HD remakes of original Painkiller maps, a new weapon called the Parcel Gun, new skins, and tarot cards. It's a quite a selection. 

Painkiller Hell & Damnation: Medieval Horror is out now on Steam for £3.49/$3.99/€3.99. Publisher Nordic Games has the DLC scheduled to arrive on Xbox 360 and PS3 in early April.

Dead Space 3 PC lacks visual options for consistency

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 10:00 AM PST

Dead Space 3 PC lacks visual options for consistency screenshot

Dead Space 3's PC port will not have DirectX 11 support or HD textures, according to reports, to which developer Visceral Games says, so what?

"We continue to evolve our games as we develop them, but we certainly don't target PC as something that's going to be significantly different," executive producer Steve Papoutsis said in an interview with Shack News. "We aren't trying to create disparity in the experience that our gamers enjoy; we want to make sure everyone's having that same experience."

In the interview, Papoutsis takes a very literal stance on consistency across platforms. Where as platform owners think of consistency as "the best my platform can offer," Papoutsis interprets it as "an identical experience across platforms, even if that means one performing below its potential" (my words, not his).

Remember when EA said Dead Space 2 wouldn't receive DLC on PC (so much for consistency), and how they changed their tune after PC owners spoke up? Make some noise and maybe EA and Visceral will give Dead Space 3 all the perks expected of PC ports in a post-Sleeping Dogs and Max Payne 3 world.

"The fact that we're allowing you to control the game with a mouse and keyboard immediately makes the game feel different," Papoutsis said, adding "We seem a little bit discredited for the amount of effort that goes into it, quite honestly."

Mouse and keyboard controls? Gee, thanks!

Dead Space 3's PC port defended by its executive producer [Shack News]

Live show: Chainsaws & Charity

Posted: 28 Jan 2013 09:30 AM PST

Live show: Chainsaws & Charity screenshot

[Mash Tactics airs Monday through Friday at 4p.m. Pacific on Dtoid.TV. Watch King Foom play a variety of games, each day with its own theme. With a heavy focus on community and viewer interaction, you can be as much a part of the show as anything else.]

Join me on Mash Tactics tonight as I jump back into one of my favorite games of 2012, Lollipop Chainsaw. It's been far too long since I've taken this violent, stylized Suda51 joint for a ride, and it's about time I go back to sharpen my skills. If you missed out on this unique game, just want to see more of it, or are just looking for something amusing to watch while you pass the time away, be sure not to miss the show this evening!

As well, throughout the week, we'll be trying to raise a bit of money for an awesome cause. The teachers of Brumby Elementary school are trying to raise money for a state wide field trip to Jekyll Island, in order to learn about nature, science, history, and everything else that a three day trip with 4H can do for an impressionable child. As you know times are hard on everyone this year, and the parents are having an extremely hard time gathering the funds to help out the children.Our goal is $9,000.00 by Febuary 1'st, lets try to make it happen ... FO DA KIDZ!

QotD: What are some games you missed in 2012 that you plan on picking up this year?

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