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Joystiq Streams: Embarking on an Abyss Odyssey
Ah how shameless, the way these mortals blame the gods! From us alone they say come all their Joystiq Streams yes but they themselves with their own reckless ways compound their pains beyond their proper share by playing games like Abyss Odyssey with such careless abandon. Not an odyssey of the mind, not a Homeric odyssey, and certainly not a Magnavox Odyssey, Joystiq Streams is exploring the bizarre sidescrolling and fisticuffs of ACE Team's Abyss Odyssey. The same crew behind Zeno Clash, Abyss Odyssey marks a shift away from that game's surrealist first-person brawling. Rather than deformed characters getting punched in a muted, poisonous landscape, Abyss Odyssey has you picking one of three characters to dive into randomly generated abysses. Waiting within? New things to punch in unusual ways, but from the side this time! Joystiq Streams will explore Abyss Odyssey's unplumbed depths at 4PM EST on Joystiq.com/Twitch. Ludwig Kietzmann will be behind the controller while Susan Arendt backs him up and hangs with the chat. Joystiq Streams broadcasts live every Tuesday and Thursday at 4PM EST Joystiq.com/Twitch, but unscheduled streams go live all the time, so be sure to follow us on Twitch to know when we're on. [Images: ACE Team]
How to throw down in Ace Team's Abyss Odyssey
Abyss Odyssey, the new side-scrolling brawler from Chilean studio Ace Team, will offer myriad options for beating the hell out of eerie enemies. Rather than just punching bad guys and then watching them disappear as is beat 'em up tradition, you can capture enemies and use them yourself. This short video released by the studio on Wednesday shows off Judith, who can pull slick aerial combos by ricocheting energy balls off of walls and kicking opponents into them. Abyss Odyssey is different than the studio's first-person fighters in the Zeno Clash series, but Ace Team's penchant for unusual video game fisticuffs is certainly intact. [Images: Ace Team]
Zeno Clash studio mixes fighting with platforming in Abyss Odyssey
ACE Team is one again brewing up a concoction of genres in the newly-unveiled Abyss Odyssey, a 2D fantasy action platformer that's centered around a "deep fighting engine." As well as including roguelike elements such as randomly-generated levels, the Zeno Clash and Rock of Ages studio aims to feature enemy fights in Abyss Odyssey akin to the one-on-one encounters of fighting games. "For enemies, we basically have a roster of fighters," Carlos Bordeu explained in the game's debut trailer. "For instance if you're fighting a skeleton in the game, it's not just a simple enemy that moves forwards, backwards, and maybe just punches and throws bones. It's a complex AI with an equivalent moveset to your own." Players can also transform their heroes into one of the game's enemies by capturing its soul, letting them take on its appearance and moveset. ACE Team didn't reveal any details on the story in Abyss Odyssey, but it looks to reprise the ancient, mystical nature of the studio's previous work, and the first gameplay footage showcases a female playable hero. Going by the trailer, we can expect Abyss Odyssey to come to PS3, Xbox 360, and PC via Steam, but there's no news as yet on a release window [Update: Publisher Atlus confirmed the platforms in a press release, along with a 2014 release window] [Image: Atlus]
Zeno Clash 2 challenges PC players with two new modes
Zeno Clash 2 has issued a free update today adding a pair of fresh challenge modes: Framerate and Coliseum. Framerate mode pits players against waves of wireframe enemies who spawn based on your computer's performance and must be vanquished to maintain a consistent frame rate. Coliseum drops players into a battle against against 50 waves of increasingly difficult enemies, with no limits on the number of allies players can employ. In addition to the new modes, you'll notice Zeno Clash 2 also supports Steam Trading Cards now. In what was most certainly an unplanned coincidence, all versions of Zeno Clash are on sale through Steam until August 1. You can grab the standard edition for $8 or the original game for $2.
Zeno Clash 2 punches XBLA next week
Father-Mother lovers rejoice, Zeno Clash 2 is finally first-person punching its way to Xbox Live Arcade next week. After being available on PC since late April, the game will arrive on Microsoft's download platform on June 12, smack in the middle of E3. We won't be playing Zeno Clash 2, but we'll still be first-person shoving our way through crowds to bring you the latest news.
Zeno Clash 2 takes a swing at Steam on April 30
Zeno Clash 2, the sequel to Ace Team's bizarre blend of fantasy and pugilism, is ready to launch on April 30 for $20 through Steam. PSN and Xbox Live Arcade versions are also on the way, but Atlus has not confirmed their release dates.Following the launch of the original Zeno Clash in 2009, Ace Team began work on the sequel and launched the Xbox Live Arcade port the following year. Zeno Clash 2 picks up where the first game left off, adding a co-op campaign for paired-up punchers. It's currently up for pre-order at 10 percent off on Steam.%Gallery-184534%
Zeno Clash 2 breaks out this spring
Zeno Clash 2 is set to finally arrive on PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and PCs via Steam in the spring of this year. After around four years of devlopment, Carlos Bordeu, co-founder of developer ACE Team. posted the window on the game's official forums. Bordeu said that Spring 2013 is as close as he can pin down a release date for the long-awaited sequel to 2009 brawler/shooter Zeno Clash.If that gets you itching for a look at the game, ACE Team has you covered with six new screenshots to scrutinize. %Gallery-174418%
PS3 Rock of Ages users experiencing multiplayer connection issues
The situation is rocky for owners of the newly released PS3 version of Rock of Ages who are trying to play online. Or perhaps not rocky enough. In any case, users are reporting inability to join games created by friends, and freezes within multiplayer lobbies.Ace Team is aware of the issue, and is currently trying to determine how widespread it is and how to address it. We're also checking in with publisher Atlus. In the meantime, Rock of Ages owners ... the single-player is fun![Thanks, DeviousRakun.]
Rock of Ages gets Steam-exclusive 'Block of Ages' update; PS3 version launching in May with 'secret bonus content'
We enjoyed our time with Rock of Ages, sure, but we really could've used more outright aggravation in our attempts to wield the game's eponymous main character. Atlus' latest Steam-exclusive update to the game solves that very problem, turning the orb of rock into a solid block. As you might imagine, this makes movement just a tad more difficult than normal, meaning that the various obstacles stopping said rock from pulverizing an opponent's castle are all the more difficult to navigate.Atlus PR man Aram Jabarri demonstrates that frustration in the video we've dropped just above, and you can grab the update for free via Steam right now.In other Rock of Ages news, the game will finally see launch on the PlayStation 3 in May or June, Jabarri told us. "If the quartz is with us, [Rock of Ages] should be out worldwide for PSN in May/June and it will have bonus content, as well as SECRET bonus content that will launch exclusively on PS3," he said. He also clarified that the Block of Ages content "will not appear on any other platform."
Rock of Ages now smashing Steam
Lest you somehow missed the giant, anthropomorphic boulder careening toward your PC, you should probably know that Rock of Ages is now available on Steam. The smashing title can be had for $10. If you (sc)rolled past our review last week, now would be the perfect time to crack it open and round out your boulder knowledge.
Rock of Ages review: Boulder dash
I hope an egregious museum mixup, or a sudden societal cataclysm, preserves Rock of Ages as an ostensibly accurate record of history. There's something inspirational about a timeline that repeatedly flattens haughtiness. "That's right, Jimmy," the teacher will say. "Some think that Marie Antoinette died in the guillotine, but she was actually stoned to death. Well, technically, it was just the one huge boulder that crashed through the castle door and then crushed her into an exquisite pulp." The ol' crash-and-crush, accompanied by Mozart's "Dies Irae" requiem, is the satisfying conclusion to every match in Rock of Ages. It's a surreal, semi-strategic smashing game in which you steer an enormous boulder (complete with chiseled face) through cluttered and extremely classy environments. The ball is a sturdy companion to Sisyphus, who breaks free from his uphill toil and goes on a rampage throughout and over various eras of rulership and art. You're still peeling off bits of Giovanni de' Medici by the time you enter the Rococo period.%Gallery-132074%
Rock of Ages rocks the world of video games in new trailer
Ace Team's Rock of Ages allows players to learn a bit about art history as they destroy castles and stuff with a big rock. Now, in this new trailer, Ace Team and publisher Atlus destroy game history with that same big rock. If you only watch one trailer today -- and we've given you about 1,000 to choose from today, thanks to GamesCom -- we recommend this one. Along with giving us this delightful video, Atlus cleared up the release dates for the downloadable castle crunching game. The August 31 release date previously given to Joystiq pertains to the XBLA release; PSN and PC will follow "later this summer." There isn't much summer after the end of August, so those versions should be pretty close behind.
Rock of Ages granite release on Aug. 31
Rock of Ages gets its rolling start on the week of August 31, smashing through historical figures and high art on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC. The price has yet to be determined, but Atlus says it'll be "reasonable" and land somewhere between 10 and 15 dollars. The barbaric pleasures of Rock of Ages -- that is, steering an enormous boulder through an opposing player's obstacles -- are paired with classy presentation and a playful approach to and through history. If you couldn't tell already, it's the latest game from ACE Team, the Chile-based developer behind Zeno Clash.
Rock of Ages power-ups trailer bowls us over
Beyond the unusual, unique art direction of its trap-then-smash gameplay, Rock of Ages looks to be hilarious. This latest trailer demonstrates that proclivity for comedy as it introduces a smattering of the game's power-ups. Gotta protect your giant face-ball!
Rock of Ages will crash through your famous art
If you're not bowled over by the latest trailer for Rock of Ages, then you might have too much appreciation for fine art. Also, the destruction of Michelangelo's "David" by Sisyphus' timeless rock in this latest trailer could be too much for your tender heart to bear, spectacular as it may be.
Rock of Ages rolling out on XBLA, PSN, PC in spring 2011
Atlus continues making boulder moves into the digital distribution space with its E3 2010 reveal of Rock of Ages, a new game from Zeno Clash developer ACE Team. It's scheduled to arrive on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC in spring 2011. Rock of Ages is essentially a head-to-head, real-time tower defense game in which two players alternate between defending their castles -- separated by a twisting pathway -- and controlling a big-huge boulder rolling towards their opponent's front door. If you're on a roll, your opponent will attempt to slow and divert your boulder by placing towers, fans and units in its path. As you might expect from ACE Team, the game's art style fluctuates between whimsical and wildly absurd. Levels are derived from four classical art periods and styles, including gothic and renaissance. As Atlus PR manager Aram Jabbari points out, "It's kind of an interesting dichotomy. Blow stuff up with a huge rock and here's a lesson in sophisticated art history."
Trine 2 revealed as part of Atlus E3 lineup
Atlus today distributed a list of titles it will showcase at the (extremely impending) Electronic Entertainment Expo next week. One of the names mentioned on the decidedly vague list of games is Trine 2, the follow-up to Frozenbyte's 2009 PC and PSN action-platformer -- and to think some folks assumed Atlus was just going to announce an XBLA version of the original game. How silly! Also included in the publisher's E3 lineup is another unannounced title: Rock of Ages, which is being developed by Zeno Clash creator Ace Team. Additionally, localized versions of Etrian Odyssey 3: The Drowned City and the PSP port of Knights in the Nightmare will be at the show.
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: RayStorm HD, Zeno Clash
Two very different games on Xbox Live Arcade this week, folks. First up, we have RayStorm HD a revamp of the classic arcade, PlayStation and Saturn shooter of yore. If you've played a shmup before, you'll be right at home. The other game, however, is an odd, odd duck. Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition is a first-person brawler with shooting elements and one of the most bizarre, surreal art styles on XBLA. If nothing else, you should download it just to see it. Watch the latest XBLA in Brief and see if either game deserves your hard-earned 1200 ($15). [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly. [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly. Xbox.com: Add RayStorm HD trial version to your Xbox 360 download queue Xbox.com: Add Zeno Clash trial version to your Xbox 360 download queue
Zeno Clash assaults XBLA on May 5; new trailer now
After some setbacks, Ace Team's Zeno Clash: The Ultimate Edition has been locked into a firm release date: May 5. That's right -- next Wednesday, Xbox Live Arcade will play host to this fantasy realm of punching. For now, set your ordinary, peaceful life aside and escape into the new trailer above, which highlights the game's character gallery and awareness system. We suppose any decent fighter's gotta have a good "spider-sense," but too many of these enemies seem to be going for the sneaky sucker punch. Jeez, haven't they ever read The Gentleman's Guide to Proper Fist-fighting?
Zeno Clash XBLA release shifted to 'Spring 2010'
With April already halfway over, it looks like Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition has once again missed its expected release window. According to the latest update from publisher Atlus, the XBLA game is now scheduled to be released during the nebulous "Spring 2010" period. Just to make sure we don't forget about the bizarre first-person brawler, Atlus has equipped its delay announcement with a new trailer (seen above), featuring Ultimate Edition's new Zeno Rush mode. Zeno Rush tasks players with fighting through certain sections of the game as fast as possible, with their clear times posted on an online leaderboard. To make things interesting, the mode also introduces a new weapon, the Time Hammer. While being a nasty implement in its own right, the Time Hammer also knocks a few seconds off your completion time for every successful whack.
