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Earth Defense Force 2025 review: I like big bugs
2007's Earth Defense Force 2017 ranks as one of my favorite multiplayer experiences on the Xbox 360. Pitting an army of tiny (but heavily armed) humans against massive waves of gigantic insects, the EDF games have a uniquely charming appeal, despite their low-rent aesthetics. Co-op play in EDF 2017 required frantic communication with an experienced teammate in order to survive its screen-filling enemy swarms, and few games released in the years since matched its impressive sense of scale and array of powerful explosive weaponry. It wasn't perfect, though – its missions followed a simple and repetitive structure, and the lack of online multiplayer stung. The recent spinoff game Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon promised a glorious return for the series, but ended up being a crushing disappointment instead. Insect Armageddon's inexperienced development team misunderstood the series' appeal, replacing EDF's defining elements with puny weapons, boring objectives, and straightforward enemy encounters. Now, Earth Defense Force 2025 puts the series back on track, returning development duties to franchise creator Sandlot and delivering the goofiest bug-blasting action this side of Starship Troopers. While much of EDF 2025's content treads familiar terrain, it has enough new features and improvements to make it a worthy successor to one of this generation's greatest cult classics.
The bugs are back in Earth Defense Force 2025, and they've brought friends
For those brief moments when blasting two-story-tall ants grows dull, Earth Defense Force 2025 takes a page from the Monster Hunter handbook and lets players stab giant alien dragons with ludicrously huge techno-swords.
Earth Defense Force 2025 deploys Feb. 18, outlines DLC plans
The only good bug is a dead bug – and lots of bugs are going to die come February 18. D3Publisher has announced Earth Defense Force 2025 has gone gold and will launch next month on Xbox 360 and PS3. D3 has also announced three supplemental DLC mission packs. The first, "Special Ops," will be available on launch day for $3 and features three additional missions. "Mutant Rampage," available on February 25 for $9, will add 20 new missions and "Beyond Despair," which drops on March 11 for $9, will incorporate an additional 20 missions. In Earth Defense Force 2025, a sequel to Earth Defense Force 2017 from Japanese development studio Sandlot, humans are once again mired in conflict against the deadly space bug army. EDF 2025 takes place eight years after mankind successfully repelled the first invasion, just as the alien forces begin to emerge from a secret underground nest and attack humanity once again.
Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know! Collector's Edition exclusive to 3DS
A BMO-themed Collector's Edition of Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know! will be released for the 3DS version of the game, alongside its standard edition counterparts on the 3DS, Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC when the game arrives this fall. The Collector's Edition, which will run for $39.99, comes in a limited edition BMO SteelBook case and includes a DVD that features voice actor interviews, show creator Pendleton Ward's storyboard artwork "and more," in addition to "Finn and Jake's Dungeon Guide," a full-color manual with bonus artwork. The standard editions of the Wii U and 3DS versions also have a bit more in-game BMO than the other ports. In the Wii U version, BMO's adorable little computer face will chill on the GamePad's screen, dispensing commentary via 300-plus voice clips, in addition to contextual clues and hints about boss weaknesses. The 3DS version features similar functionality on the touch screen, sans voice clips.
John DiMaggio yells about spoilers in the first Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know! trailer
What time is it? Why, time for the very first Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know! trailer, of course. The isometric hack-and-slash co-op dungeon crawler from WayForward features the voice talents of John DiMaggio, Tom Kenny and Jeremy Shada, all of which are present to varyingly belligerent degrees in this first look at the game. Kenny, the voice of the Ice King and everyone else from your childhood, describes Princess Bubblegum's Secret Dungeon as more of a "fungeon," while DiMaggio (Jake the Dog) seems mostly offended that someone is talking to him in the first place. The single most important takeaway from this, however, is that Cinnamon Bun is a playable character in all his awkward, uncomfortable glory. Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don't Know! is headed to Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and 3DS sometime this fall.%Gallery-193988%
New Adventure Time, Regular Show games from WayForward this fall
What time is it?! Well, Adventure Time obviously, but it's also Regular Show time and, most specifically, new games from WayForward time. The house responsible for Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!! and Ducktales: Remastered has announced that it will be putting out two new games this fall based on what we believe to be Cartoon Network's most hilarious/magical franchises. Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I don't know! tasks players with exploring the Secret Royal Dungeon underneath the Candy Kingdom. The game features multiple selectable characters, including Finn, Jake, Marceline "and more," has co-op for up to four players and includes the voices from the show. Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward is once again involved in production, though his specific role is unknown. The game will be available on Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and 3DS. Meanwhile, Mordecai and Rigby make their non-iOS gaming debut in Regular Show: Mordecai and Rigby In 8-Bit Land for the 3DS. As the name suggests, our heroes must survive being transported inside of their favorite games, which sounds about right for an episode of Regular Show. The game is being developed "in close collaboration with show creator JG Quintel," according to the press release.
Adventure Time: Hey Ice King soundtrack now on streaming
The entirety of Adventure Time: Hey Ice King, Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!!'s phenomenal pseudo-chiptune power-pop soundtrack is now streaming on D3Publisher's official Soundcloud account, which means that all 83 minutes of Jake Kaufman's exceptional work on the game can now be enjoyed for free.While the majority of the 34 track album is instrumental, some songs (such as Marceline's boss theme and the beginning/ending themes) are fitting vocal tributes to the source material, which is already famous for having catchy, endearing music.There is one small catch, which is that the soundtrack isn't actually for sale or available to download, and therefore must be enjoyed in-browser. This basically ruins our plans to drive around town blasting Party in the Clouds, but we'll take what we can get at this point.
Earth Defense Force 2025 begins in 2013
Giant bugs are making their way back to Earth, and their disposal is in the hands of the usual extermination team: the Earth Defense Force. The PS3/Xbox 360 sequel Earth Defense Force 4 is being localized for North America and Europe as Earth Defense Force 2025, for release in 2013.The previous console release in the series, Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon, was handed off to frequent D3 collaborator and Matt Hazard studio Vicious Cycle. But EDF 4 is the work of Sandlot, the developer who originated the series as a low-cost "Simple 2000" game for PS2.%Gallery-173345%
Pid review: Ups and downs
I hate this butler.I don't know any real butlers. I'm talking about Pid's first boss, a giant flying neat freak that swoops down to clean up any mess I make. I've spent an hour or two coasting through the blandly whimsical world of Pid, a side-scrolling platformer set in a storybook-ish alien planet overtaken by mean robots. I can jump and kill the bad guys with my very limited stash of bombs, but the action consists largely of using antigravity beams to float above and across obstacles. Suddenly I find myself on a giant table in a banquet hall larger than the UNSC Infinity. It's a dead end, and the only thing I can do is smash some glasses. Mazel tov!%Gallery-141150%
Adventure Time 'collector's edition' not a GameStop exclusive
That sweet collector's edition package for Wayforward's Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?! – which includes a custom stylus, packaging and more for $40 – will not be exclusive to GameStop. A rep for the game retailer has confirmed as much with Joystiq, and says GameStop will also sell a standard package.The standard editions for Adventure Time on DS and 3DS are already listed on GameStop's site for $30 each. We expect to see the collector's edition popping up at other retailers soon enough.
Adventure Time 'collector's edition' spotted
A Collector's Edition of Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?! has popped up over at GameStop, presumably as a retailer exclusive – we're checking on that. Both the 3DS and DS version toss in a custom stylus shaped like Finn's sword, Land of Ooo poster, steelbook packaging made to look like the Enchiridion (the handbook Finn is always lugging around) and an art book.It's a pretty significant package for $39.99. We've also inquired about a regular version, one that could possibly be cheaper and void of less awesome stuff.
D3 Publisher reveals Earth Defense Forces 4 with Japanese teaser page
You remember those three previous Earth Defense Forces games where you shot at giant bugs with a huge arsenal of weapons? It looks like D3 Publisher is fixing on another round of bug destruction, as the Japanese publisher revealed a teaser site for a fourth entry in the series.Twitter user @Wario64 spotted the page, though little information beyond a game logo and a cheeky slogan are available thus far. Is it heading to North America and Europe? Which platforms is it for? When will it arrive? We're not sure just yet, but those are all fantastic questions (which we've put to D3). If you asked us what to expect from another EDF game, though, well ... bigger, prettier bugs, and uh ... more guns? Sure, let's go with that.
Fall 2012 is Adventure Time on 3DS and DS
"Hey Ice King! Why'd you steal our garbage?" asks the cover of WayForward's Adventure Time game. The answer, it seems, is to build a Garbage Princess, which Finn and Jake have to then rescue for some reason. Maybe they just want to beat up the Ice King again.D3Publisher officially announced the game today, announcing plans to release both DS and 3DS versions this fall. Players will get to control both Finn and Jake through "a unique action-adventure experience" designed in collaboration with Pendleton Ward, creator of the show. D3 has yet to release any screens, but we'll be sure to let you know when you can see the garbage for yourself.%Gallery-154895%
Dungeon Defenders dev diary gets to the RPG meat
Want to know how you'll be able to upgrade, customize, bolster and generally bad-assify your hero in Dungeon Defenders? Wonder no more: The developer diary posted above dives into the specifics of the game's cornucopia of RPG mechanics.
Nintendo mass announces Wii, DS game launch dates
Clearly, Nintendo wants the back half of your year to have a strong financial plan. In two lengthy lists we spotted on the company's press site, everything from Kirby Wii to Pro Jumper! Chimaki's Hot Spring Tour Guilty Gear Tangent was given a more clear release date, with Kirby arriving some time in fall and the latter mystifying DSiWare shopgoers on June 23. If one game starring a puffy pink monster just wasn't enough, how about one for your DS on September 19? 'Cause that's exactly when Kirby Mass Attack is launching. A whole mess of other release date/windows/seasons are categorized for your fiduciary planning needs, just beyond the break.
Dream Trigger 3D gameplay explained on video
If early gameplay videos for Dream Trigger 3D left you befuddled, we've got good news and bad news. The good news is this detailed walkthrough should clear things up. The bad news is that understanding the mechanics won't make the game any less difficult.
Bangai-O HD delayed until spring, Treasure adding multiplayer
Okay, we have some bad news and some awesome news. First, the bad news: you won't be blowing up robots, houses, mines, and everything around you with bajillions of projectiles in Bangai-O HD: Missile Fury this fall. D3 Publisher announced that the XBLA title has been delayed until spring. How can a delay be awesome? Developer Treasure is using the extra time to add multiplayer gameplay, including both cooperative and competitive modes. Despite Bangai-O Spirits on the DS having wireless local multiplayer capabilities, Missile Fury was originally announced without any. We suppose we can wait a few months if it means we can share Bangai-O with our friends. Find the statement from D3 after the break.%Gallery-102643%
D3Publisher announces Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon
Who would have thought that Earth Defense Force 2017, one of our guiltiest current-gen pleasures, would ever get a proper sequel treatment? Certainly not us -- which explains why we were (kind of) surprised when D3Publisher announced Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon for 360 and PS3 earlier today. The description from the game's announcement sounds like we'll be reprising the giant bug-shooting action of 2017, but with support for a three-player online co-op Campaign, as well as a six-player co-op Survival mode. The Insect Armageddon is still a ways off, with a tentative spring launch window -- fortunately, D3Publisher sent over a handful of images from the game to tide us over until then. Entomophobics need not apply!%Gallery-102610%
Puzzle Quest 2 footage gets you from point A to point B
Yes, we know you're upset that Puzzle Quest 2's completely addictive gem-swapping sessions will be interrupted by primitive world traversal -- why can't we just bounce from fight to fight on an overworld map like civilized humans? Try not to get your knickers in a twist; based on the trailer above, it doesn't look like traveling between levels will be too taxing of an ordeal. Especially if you just teleport to where you're headed, which may actually reduce the amount of downtime between brawls. Now that's more like it. Check out the trailer to see Puzzle Quest 2's exploration in action, and to get a quick glimpse of the game that's going to devour our free time next month.
Sick of Just Dance? Try KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game
We get it. Sometimes you just need to put something on the TV to get a break from the kids. Now that they've danced to all the MC Hammer a human being could ever dance to in Just Dance, you've got to resort to stronger, more potent forms of distraction. That's why we're here to tell you about KIDZ BOP Dance Party! The Video Game. A joint operation between D3Publisher and those weird cover albums you see advertised on Nickelodeon, the new Wii game will launch on September 21 and will feature "24 contemporary hits" -- including pint-sized renditions of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi," Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and Pink's "Get the Party Started." Really? Kids know who Pink is? The game will also have five different modes of play: Free Play; Challenge; Dance Off; Shop; and Dress-Up. Challenge mode will allow two players to dance cooperatively, while Dance Off will feature a head-to-head mode. The remainder of the game will be single player only but don't fret: if there's one thing kids are great at doing, it's sharing their toys.
