SEGA has given us the first Westernised trailer for the PS3 exclusive, Yakuza 4. However we still have some time before its Western release: it's not out until Spring 2011. Ooh you are such a tease, SEGA!
Well I don't think I really need to say anything more on this matter. Sit back, relax, and if anyone has a spare £300 - can you give it to me so I can actually buy a PS3 and play this game (and Yakuza 3)!
Have you ever heard the phrase “Nintendo Hard”? This term is a badge of honor (or shame) that denotes a game with an excruciatingly high difficulty setting. In this day and age of regenerative health and save states, Sega has released the Arcade Hits Pack: Gunblade N.Y. & L.A. Machineguns, two lightgun games on the Wii that force players to survive with a measly three bars of health.
A brief history lesson: both Gunblade N.Y. and L.A. Machineguns hit the arcade scene in the mid-90s, where the “revolutionary” polygonal models are mashed up with that bitter difficulty level that helped arcades thrive. Kids were determined to see the end of these games and have the credits roll, whether it be through manual dexterity or a roll of quarters.
So what makes these games so difficult? Surely it can’t be the one-button setup or not having the need to reload. Rather, it’s the constant need to be aware of your surroundings. Whether you’re on a helicopter in the distant year of 2005 or on some flying JetSki thing, the camera is constantly shifting. Not having a way to dodge projectiles, you have to shoot every last one of them down along with the androids making a beeline for your ship. Throw in some innocent civilians and you’ve got a recipe that calls for pin-point perfection.
Sure, people may think that with infinite continues, the challenge in this port is lost. To them, I say, nay. The game keeps track every time you bite the dust, and in L.A. Machinegun’s case, wipes out your combo. Simply mashing the A button after you die isn’t going to get your initials on the online leaderboards, now is it?
The arcades were practically my home growing up, so I only had to continue a couple of times. Am I even close to scratching the leaderboards? Nope. What’s worse is that there are two higher difficulty settings as well.
I applaud those who will take on Sega’s challenge.
UK-based videogames magazine GamesTM is celebrating its 100th issue by looking back at the top 100 video games of all time. But that's not all - to commemorate f their anniversary, they are publishing the magazine with 100 different covers, covering all 100 games.
The magazine isn't due for shop release until September 2, 2010, but we have it on good authority that SEGA has more game franchises in the top 100 than all but one company (no prizes for anyone who can guess the "winner").
If you are wondering what SEGA games made their list, then check out all twelve of the limited edition SEGA covers for this magazine.
~Note: It's one giant image - click for full size~
Pretty awesome, no? But to find out just where these games placed, you'll have to wait until the magazine is released. And if I can afford to buy it, I'll post the results for you all.
Sega Nerds broke the news recently of a fan-rendered update to Sonic and Knuckles' Mushroom Hill Zone. While this is all fine and dandy, another fan has created a video detailing the epic final battle between Super Sonic and Dr. Robotnik at the end of Sonic 3 & Knuckles. Spoilers ensue, but this is one battle worth seeing.
Created by YouTube user MajorDump and using models from artist Dobukera, "Doomsday Zone Part One" shows a fully-animated version of the Doomsday Zone battle back when fights in space were still cool. Not only are the models extremely detailed, they also stay true to the feel of the original Genesis title.
After watching this, fans are no doubt frantically clicking around, wondering where part 2 is. Sadly, the animator stated on his YouTube page that he got burnt out animating. He's not ruling out the completion of the project yet, but his current job at BioWare is no doubt keeping him busy.
This can be a good thing though. Who knows; maybe we'll see another BioWare Sonic title (remember Sonic Chronicles?), this time animated by his master hand...
Remember when we reported that people who pre-order Vanquish would receive a bonus weapon pack? Well here's a lovely little trailer showing off the extra artillery you will unlock by ordering the game early.
Right now the pre-order pack is exclusive to Amazon.co.uk for UK residents. And for US residents, Gamestop is the place to lay down your pre-orders.
Since being spotted earlier today, it has already been confirmed that this is not footage of a game (fan-made or otherwise), but rather just an animation video. However, despite not being a playable title, it's hard not to be damn impressed by what you see.
Just imagine if SEGA (or a really talented fan) managed to recreate Sonic 3 & Knuckles in this 2.5d style - it would be amazing. What impresses me most is the use of the lighting effects, seeing the sunlight break through the trees and shine on the screen from the backdrop. Just gorgeous... and a pity there's not a game here. *sniff*
Kudos the guy(s) or girl(s) behind this - all we know is that a Youtuber called "BlobVanDam" posted it.
SEGA has released a Western 'gameplay' trailer for the upcoming Strategy RPG game for the PSP, Valkyria Chronicles II. Well SEGA calls it a "gameplay" trailer, however it appears to show very little gameplay in it - which is a bit annoying for those of us yet to really see the game in action.
However, from the screens we have seen over the months, the game is shaping up to be just like a mini-version to the PS3 original - which automatically means it's going to be awesome (actually - take that with a pinch of salt).
Only a short while before the game is released guys. Oh and if you did want a go on the game, SEGA released a demo on the PSN store about a week ago - annoyingly I can't find my PSP and even if I could, I know I don't have enough memory to download it - so I haven't yet played the demo.
It recently popped up that a “Valkyria3.jp” URL has surfaced. Maybe a hint that Valkyira Chronicles 3 may be in the works? With the recent release of Valkyria Chronicles 2 on the PSP, it may be possible! If you follow the link valkyria3.jp, it will lead you to a user name and password prompt. Yeah, no big news with that, but here's where is gets good! Perform a little whois lookup on the URL and you will find that it’s owned by the one and only SEGA, who is behind the series.
According to the whois listing, Sega registered the URL on May 31, 2010. Sega also owns valkyria2.jp (registered June 29, 2009) and valkyria.jp (registered August 3, 2007). These point to the official sites for the first two Valkyria Chronicles games. Cross your fingers, Valkyria fans, and let’s hope this one returns to the PS3!
Good news, everybody: SEGA is bringing us a taste of Platinum Games' Vanquish before its official release in a couple of months.
Yes, after several months of looking at some very pretty screenshots and some insanely fast gameplay videos, we will all soon be able to have a little try with this hotly anticipated title, very soon.
The game demo allows gamers the ability to choose between two different difficulty settings and play through one full level from the game, including (what I can only imagine is) an epic boss battle.
The game demo is due out on Xbox Live Arcade and the Playstation Network services from the end of this month: North America on 31st August, Europe 1st September and Australia on 2nd September.
Full press release, plus pictures, after the break.
SEGA CONFIRMS VANQUISH™ DEMO
Demo available from 31st August for Shinji Mikami’s epic sci-fi
third-person action shooter
LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO (August 23rd, 2010) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that the demo for VANQUISH™ will be available exclusively for download from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, and PlayStation® Store for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in North America on 31st August, across Europe on 1st September and Australia on 2nd September.
The VANQUISH™ Official Demo: Velocity Attack, allows players to choose one level from the two levels of difficulty (Casual or Normal) available. Taking on the role of Sam, a United States government agent kitted out with a futuristic ARS battle suit, players are vying for ownership of the planet’s remaining energy resources against Russia on board a huge space station. On entering the third port lobby of the space station, numerous enemy robots are being brought in by dropships. Players have an array of weaponry and upgrades at their disposal, as well as the ability to hijack “Walkers”, or use the suits unique Boost and AR mode to take down the robots. The demo climaxes with the formidable boss, Argus which you will need to use all your skills acquired throughout the demo to defeat.
VANQUISH™ is the hottest title Shinji Mikami has worked on in over 4 years, achieving high tension throughout the game and delivering a new sense of game merged shooting and action in a finely balanced manner. The game is set for release across North America on 19th October, Australia on 21st of October and across Europe on October 22nd 2010 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
I've been a little delayed posting this, because I've been away for the weekend: on Friday, a Sonic the Hedgehog gaming marathon began, in the name of charity.
Some Sonic fans from the website ExtraLives.org are currently (yes, right now!) playing through each major Sonic title in a row. The marathon is in aid of a non-profit organization "Charity: Water," who help to provide clean drinking water to people in developing nations.
The fans started on Friday, and have been playing through the games in order, with a live video feed showing off the action. To make it a little more interesting, they have two teams competing against each other, on the same games.
We've got one more good Marathon left in us before we all head off to college. Having run out of ideas, we asked you guys what you'd like to see and put a poll up. The majority preferred that we revisit last year's Sonic the Hedgehog Marathon so that's exactly what we'll be doing!
While there have been dozens upon dozens of Sonic games made over the years, we're restricting our focus to just those in the main series.
"All the money raised will go to charity: water, an international charity that that provides clean water to people in developing nations. Just $20 can provide a person with clean drinking water for 20 years while $5,000 can fund the construction of a well that can provide 250 people with clean drinking water.
So if you want to help a good cause and see some people torture themselves playing through Sonic '06 (though, personally, I like Sonic '06 more than other Sonic titles), then definitely check out their website and live feed, right now!
[Source: ExtraLives] [Special Thanks: Tim Troppoli, via Email]
