Sunday, January 20, 2013

New Games

New Games


Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon has multiplayer?

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 11:00 AM PST

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon has multiplayer? screenshot

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (formerly known as Luigi's Mansion 2) is almost here. True to the game's ghostly allure, details around the game's corporal existence remain shrouded in contiguity. Is this thing even real, or is it just a projection of vibrations from a game that once lived a long, fruitful life on the GameCube but has long since passed on to the other side? I don't know! God damn it, I really don't know.

The mysterious plot thickens further when you gaze into the portal of truth called Luigismansion.nintendo.com. There you will find unsolvable contradictions in time and space that defy all human understanding. On the right side of the screen, it clearly states "No. of Players: 1 player," where in the area found to the left of your magic window you'll find the text "...and a brand new local multiplayer mode." Dogs and cats, living together, MASS HYSTERIA!

Stay tuned to Destructoid.com for the final word on this and many other Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon Mysteries.

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon to feature local multiplayer mode [GoNintendo]

Raiden was not originally the hero of Metal Gear Rising

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 10:00 AM PST

Raiden was not originally the hero of Metal Gear Rising screenshot

Here's an interesting tidbit -- Gray Fox was supposed to be the hero of Platinum Games' upcoming Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance -- not Raiden. Kojima shares some thoughts on his latest work with IGN:

It was actually not my idea, it was my staff in Kojima Productions that insisted on Raiden, and I respected their idea. I wanted to really focus on production than development, and they wanted to come up with a really cool hack-and-slash title with some Katana action and Raiden in it, and I thought ‘okay, that’s fine, I respect that. But in my personal opinion, I wanted to go for Frank Jaegar or Gray Fox.

Hmm...so it seems the Gray Fox costume might be more of an homage to that idea than a fan-insisted inclusion. This story is interesting for many reasons, most notably because Kojima from time to time feels like a victim of his own success.

At one point, it stands to reason that he had total control over the franchise -- but now, the Metal Gear property is so big that it basically can't be contained.

But the Gray Fox issue isn't the only thing he talks about with IGN. Kojima also shares his thoughts on a number of things, including a comical exchange on Phantom Pain. Be sure and check it out if you're a fan.

Hideo Kojima Talks MGR, FOX Engine, and Phantom Pain [IGN]

Meet Princess Arthur's hunky Knights of the Round Table

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 09:00 AM PST

Meet Princess Arthur's hunky Knights of the Round Table screenshot

In case you missed it before, Princess Arthur is an otome game based on Arthurian legend. The game follows a young woman named Alu who retrieves a sacred sword encased in stone before falling in with a group of sexy young knights that look to be intent on romancing her. Now that you know the premise, take a moment to watch the trailer and meet the handsome devils. 

Princess Arthur comes to PlayStation Portable on March 28 in Japan. Unfortunately, a Western release seems very unlikely. Apparently even publishers most amenable to localizing niche Eastern titles don't see much of a Western market for this genre. 

You’re Going To Love This Take On The Knights Of The Round Table [Siliconera]

Capcom responds to Monster Hunter 4 Vita rumors

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 08:30 AM PST

Capcom responds to Monster Hunter 4 Vita rumors screenshot

Monster Hunter 4 is no doubt going to be a massive win for the 3DS. The combination of traction Nintendo's handheld already has, along with the massive install base, and the incredible success of the Monster Hunter series is great news for Nintendo.

Naturally, Sony would love to get their hands on it and sell some Vitas. Recently, a rumor surfaced saying this very thing was the reason for the 3DS delay and that Capcom was developing a Vita version in tandem with the 3DS.

That is, until Capcom Senior Vice President Christian Svenson had something to say about it: 

I would not believe everything you read on the internet. It will set you up for disappointment or misdirected frustration.

Take that as you will, but to me, it feels like a soft "not happening." In my opinion, the Vita needs this. If it can't get a massive system selling game pretty soon, I don't know what to think.

So reason for MH4 delay is Vita port? [Capcom Unity]

Nano Assault Neo gets an update on the Wii U eShop

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 07:30 AM PST

Nano Assault Neo gets an update on the Wii U eShop screenshot

When Nano Assault Neo came out on the Wii U eShop at launch, people noticed a few issues that detracted from the experience a bit -- namely, GamePad disconnection problems.

It looks like developer Shin'en Multimedia has pushed an update that fixes these issues as of yesterday, so boot up your game and give it a try if you gave up due to the bugs.

The developer also notes that the update auto-downloads, but there may be a delay in the US -- so if it's not available now, try again later.

Shin'en Multimedia [Twitter]

Sup Holmes sucks beetle funk with Luis Hernandez

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 06:40 AM PST

Sup Holmes sucks beetle funk with Luis Hernandez screenshot

[Destructoid's Director of Communications Hamza Aziz asked Jonathan Holmes to make a show called 'Sup, Holmes?' so that Destructoid could later sell a t-shirt that says 'Sup, Holmes?' on it. This is that show. Subscribe to the podcast feed and find more episodes here.]

This week on Sup Holmes we welcome Luis Hernandez of Necrophone Games to the program. Luis is currently working on Void One, a sound/maze game that explores "the relationship between composed sounds and ‘composed’ locations". Weird! The game is set to hit the Vector Game+Art festival in Toronto next month, and is already getting poets excited

On top of that, Luis is plugging away at Jazz Punk, a first person comedy adventure. Our own Jim Sterling may end up providing some voice acting for the game. That seems like a perfect fit. Every conversation I've ever had with Jim has been a comedy adventure. 

But that's all future stuff. If you want to check out one of Luis's games right now, I recommend Beetlnaught. The game plays out a lot like a cross between classic GTA and the second boss fight of Super Contra, except you're the boss. Eat people and destroy things, then die. Pretty neat! 

A man who creates violent Kaiju arcade games, analog audio and video synthesis, interactive gallery art, and games about blocky people who talk like Jim Sterling is man worth getting to know. So do that. Do that as 1pm PST/4pm EST in the video chat below.

Watch live video from Destructoid.com Live Shows! on www.twitch.tv

Here's 2,000 codes for the Defiance beta!

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 06:30 AM PST

Here's 2,000 codes for the Defiance beta! screenshot

Our friends at Trion Worlds have hooked up Dtoid with 2,000 closed beta codes for their upcoming MMO shooter Defiance! If you recall, this game isn't just based on the upcoming Syfy TV series, it's part of it. Talk about the potential for a unique experience!

And thanks to Destructoid, you can now try it out for yourself before the game releases this April. Be sure and let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

Hit the jump for instructions on how to claim your code!

To join the beta, just do the following:

  1. Head on over to our Beta Giveaway page and click the button
  2. Then hit up the Defiance Beta site and sign up for an account and redeem your code
  3. Follow the instructions to download the game and start playing!

Have fun!

Monsters Ate My Birthday Cake is strange sweet candy

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 06:00 AM PST

Monsters Ate My Birthday Cake is strange sweet candy screenshot

It seems like only an hour ago that I talking about how cool it would be to play a game featuring Fran Krause's reinterpretation of Pokemon. Well, what do you know, there's already something like that. The designs aren't by Krause, but they share a similar sensibility, and work wonders to scratch my itch for cute and weird 2D monsters. 

The game is currently in Kickstarter mode, and it's already brought in a fair amount of dough. With music by Disasterpeace of Fez and Krunch fame, it's sure to get it's fair share of supporters. They've also done a great job with the backer's rewards. I could see those shirts selling for $25 at Urban Outfitters. 

Most importantly, the game looks really nice, like 2D Zelda mixed with Adventure's of Lolo, all served up in Domo-flavored sugar sauce. Sounds like a great thing for fun-havers.

Virtually Heroes is the worst videogame film yet

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 05:30 AM PST

Virtually Heroes is the worst videogame film yet screenshot

Being that I'm covering Sundance Film Festival for Flixist (Dtoid's hot younger sister site that is totally legal and wants your number) this week, I had the great displeasure of watching Virtually Heroes. For those unfamiliar with the film, it follows two videogame characters within a Contra-like game, as they become aware of their situation. I feel pretty confident saying it's the worst videogame film yet and that includes Dead or Alive and whatever else you can throw at me, because those films are at least fun in their awfulness.

Here's what I had to say about Virtually Heroes in my Sundance review:

From the publicity stills, description, and cast, it was always certain that Virtually Heroes would be awful. I just needed to find out whether it’d be fun-awful or awful-awful. Somewhere between flashing “Achievement Unlocked: Teabag That Ho” on screen and the main characters (two male soldiers) being awarded a “No-Homo Bonus” after settling a dispute, it became very clear where Virtually Heroes sits and that I wish I was sitting anywhere outside the theater.

Go to Flixist to read the full review and follow the rest of my Sundance coverage to find out what is actually good, like Kill Your Darlings which is really goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood!

Ok, back to videogames with you.

Super F*ckers director takes on Pokemon

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 05:00 AM PST

Super F*ckers director takes on Pokemon screenshot

Artists love Pokemon. Why else would there be a constant stream of Pokemon fan art blasting out of the internet at all times? From Egoraptor's popular riff on the series to the creators of Adventure Time lessons on stealth farting to buckets of nearly instantaneously created Pokemon X/Y fan art to the recreation of Pokemon as big boobed ladies to my dumb thing, it's clear that there is something about Pokemon that inspires visual artists to get to work. 

Sometimes these artists don't even know what Pokemon is. Fran Krause, the director of James Kochalka's Super F*ckers cartoon is one example. The CALarts professor and self proclaimed Poke-ignorant man about town has done his best to sum up the series, and the results are quite charming. I'd love to see a new, 2D game that uses these designs. 

Devil May Cute: Indie hack-n-slash comes to PC this week

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 04:00 AM PST

Devil May Cute: Indie hack-n-slash comes to PC this week screenshot

The Japanese indie scene may not be as celebrated as our own, but that doesn't mean it has to stay that way. Companies like Nyu Media are working to change by bringing these eastern-developed "bedroom" games to the rest of the world. Their latest project, Croixleur, is an arcade hack-and-slash title that likens itself to Devil May Cry's Bloody Palace mode.

If that sounds like something you might be interested in you can grab a trail version of the score attack mode (seen in the video below) here or vote for a Steam release via Greenlight. The full game launches on PC later this week, January 24 to be specific, for just $4.99.

The Street Fighter X Mega Man update is here

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 03:00 AM PST

The Street Fighter X Mega Man update is here screenshot

Remember when Capcom released Street Fighter X Mega Man without a number of core features -- like, oh I don't know, a password or a save system?

Well, they had a change of heart, and now you can reap the benefits of fan demand as Street Fighter X Mega Man 2.0 is now out. In addition to a password system, there's also a neat Mega Man style prompt for quitting the game, better gamepad options, and a few other tweaks. I just tried it out and it seems to be working a-okay.

Why not check out my comprehensive guide if you need assistance, and Tony's review if you need help figuring out if it's worth your time?

In case you missed the link above, you can grab the update here (just hit the 2.0 download button).

Video Games Blogger

Video Games Blogger


Pokemon Black and White Version 2 Review

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 04:47 AM PST

Thanks for stopping by for my review of Pokémon Black Version 2 and White Version 2. In this video review I will discuss my impression of the story, gameplay, aesthetics, and audio of Black/White 2. I will also reveal what I consider to be the best and worst aspects of the game. Finally, I will...

MMO Updates

MMO Updates


Rise and Shiny: The West

Posted: 20 Jan 2013 09:00 AM PST

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The West screenshot
I've been on a browser-based kick, more so than normal. Thanks to my Chromebook series, I have been rediscovering the joys of all-in-one gaming. I'm so tired of messing with bloated, heavy machines that do nothing but suck up my money. The future of gaming is light, thin, and still capable of playing MMOs. I've had just as much fun now as I ever have on larger machines.

One of the unique games I've rediscovered is The West, a browser-based sandbox set in the wild West days of the United States. Gameplay is simple yet effective, and I love how the game uses basic graphics alongside deep gameplay. Innogames, the game's publisher, has been offering a unique batch of games for a while, all available within the browser or mobile. Let me tell you what I found while crawling through the great vistas of The West.

Continue reading Rise and Shiny: The West

MassivelyRise and Shiny: The West originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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    One Shots: Interior decoration

    Posted: 20 Jan 2013 07:00 AM PST

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    One Shots Interior decoration
    You can go after a game's mechanics, a game's sound, and even a game's grammar, but when you go after a game's looks, well, then you're treading on One Shots territory. And when that happens, you'd best tread lightly, my friends.

    Reader John took umbrage with Matt's take on Vanguard, especially in regard to its art design, and sent in proof to rebut it: "Having started a new character in Vanguard over the weekend, I set out to prove that, just perhaps, Vanguard isn't quite as ugly as Matt Daniel seems to think. It would be a shame if people got the wrong impression, after all."

    Personally, I adore Vanguard's aesthetic, but not everyone shares that opinion, nor should he -- to each his own, right? Hit the jump to see John's screenshot in its full glory as well as many other terrific player-submitted pictures!

    Continue reading One Shots: Interior decoration

    MassivelyOne Shots: Interior decoration originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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      The Daily Grind: What's your favorite weapon?

      Posted: 20 Jan 2013 05:00 AM PST

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      The Daily Grind What's your favorite weapon
      In each of my MMOs, I know my weapons intimately. In Star Trek Online, it's a plasma railgun that spits glowy death at 5,000 shots a minute. In Lord of the Rings Online, it's a legendary spear that I've named Metroid. In Guild Wars 2, it's a ferocious flamethrower that's laid waste to most of the civilized world. Burn, baby, burn!

      Sometimes we're constrained by class and available drops to what weapons we equip, but chances are that you've had a favorite or two in there. Maybe it was a weapon that had a cool design or proc'd a neat effect when used. Perhaps it's something that took you a lot of effort to acquire or create. Or it could just be a weapon that completely gels with your personality.

      Open up the door to your armory -- and heart -- and sound off about your favorite weapon!

      Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

      MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's your favorite weapon? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        Ultima Online gives much love to housing

        Posted: 19 Jan 2013 05:00 PM PST

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        Ultima Online gives much love to housing
        Ultima Online is well-known for being a player housing paradise, and it looks like the ability to make a comfy nest for oneself will get even better with the next game update. Producer Bonnie Armstrong posted a preview of what players should expect in the near future.

        The big news is that the UO team is considering allowing players to have houses on both Siege Perilous and standard shards, opening up the possibilities for multiple home ownership. Houses will also get a new theme pack that includes interactive gadgets. The art team continues to work on hi-res versions of house items, although this is "slow going" as it's a huge project.

        The UO team is also working on revamps to weapons and armor, the ability for players to run for ambassadorships of towns, new instruments, and a new global arc.

        MassivelyUltima Online gives much love to housing originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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        The Mog Log: Final Fantasy nostalgia

        Posted: 19 Jan 2013 03:00 PM PST

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        The Mog Log header by A. Fienemann
        There's nothing quite like Final Fantasy XI. Nor is there anything quite like Final Fantasy XIV. The two are similar enough that you can use one as a substitute for the other in a pinch, but both possess a certain feel that just isn't found in any other game. That's neither good nor bad; it just is.

        Watching the trailer for Seekers of Adoulin gave me a powerful blast of Final Fantasy XI nostalgia, and while I could wax poetic about how the game I remember isn't the game that exists any longer, that's not really the point. The point is that for all the frustrations of the games, there's a lot of joy in both. So today I just plucked my top five memories from both FFXI and Final Fantasy XIV to share with you, since I bet that some of you have the same sort of glowing nostalgia. Even if you don't want the good old days to come back (I sure don't), you can still remember them with a smile.

        Continue reading The Mog Log: Final Fantasy nostalgia

        MassivelyThe Mog Log: Final Fantasy nostalgia originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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          The Tattered Notebook: Pitfalls of powerleveling in EQII

          Posted: 19 Jan 2013 01:00 PM PST

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          The Tattered Notebook  Pitfalls of powerleveling in EQII
          Two weeks ago I closed my handy tips and tricks guide by encouraging players to shun power-leveling in EverQuest II. At that point, I touched on the issue by talking about how you miss so much of the game by skipping all the stories and lore in the quests. I even cautioned that people hesitate to group with someone who doesn't yet know his or her class. But the reasons to avoid it go so much deeper than what I mentioned there. There are definite pitfalls when characters are power-leveled, even for the folks who have other max-level characters!

          Some may be wondering why this topic is hot enough at the moment to warrant more of my attention. As those of you who read level 1-9 chat already know, there was recently a massive surge in power-leveling services and a population explosion of max-level characters, all due to the unexpected consequences of combining the new experimentation crafting prestige line with playing as your character in the Dungeon Maker. While this latest power-leveling scheme has been negated (thanks to last Tuesday's patch), many folks are feeling the fallout of using the service.

          Continue reading The Tattered Notebook: Pitfalls of powerleveling in EQII

          MassivelyThe Tattered Notebook: Pitfalls of powerleveling in EQII originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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            The Road to Mordor: The mounted combat verdict

            Posted: 19 Jan 2013 11:00 AM PST

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            The Road to Mordor The mounted combat verdict
            It's been months since Riders of Rohan greatly expanded Lord of the Rings Online in several ways, and I have yet to touch on its most central feature. I've been putting off having "the talk" about mounted combat due to wanting to spend enough time with it. Every week I thought about putting down my opinion, and then I'd be like, "No, I should give it some more time. More time."

            Mounted combat is a tricky system to judge, I'm finding. It's so incredibly central to the newest expansion, and it's clear that Turbine has big plans to expand upon this system for the future. It certainly was a gutsy risk to introduce a new mode of fighting into the game at this juncture (because we all know how much people like change), and I've seen people all over the spectrum on it. Some love it, some loathe it, some resent it, and some gamely accept it.

            I think I've clocked enough time on horseback at this point to deliver my own verdict on mounted combat. Well, a partial verdict at least. It's never a good thing to settle on a final opinion on something that's constantly growing and changing, right?

            Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The mounted combat verdict

            MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The mounted combat verdict originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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              MMOGaming News

              MMOGaming News


              Closers Online Unveils English Website

              Posted:

              Closers Online Unveils English Website


              I clearly remember how you guys love Closers Online at this month's New MMO Collection, now something really exciting has come to Closers Online for us. Following ArcheAge's launch of English website, NADDIC Games also released a new website for Closers Online on three languages: English, Korean and Japanese. Can't wait to check it out? Head for the site to take a look!

              Wizardry Online Launched Video for Underground Dragoon Ruins

              Posted:

              Wizardry Online Launched Video for Underground Dragoon Ruins


              Wizardry Online's delayed launch didn't stop the new feature's coming, Sony Online Entertainment has released a new video for the Underground Dragoon Ruins, which a high-level dungeon full of nasty creatures and even nastier traps.

              Storm It Your Way in Rift: Storm Legion

              Posted:

              Storm It Your Way in Rift: Storm Legion


              With the launch of Trion Worlds' RIFT: Storm Legion expansion, the special promotional game time packages are available now, check out the latest package information! The event will last from 17 January 2013 onwards.

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