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Dragon Ball Xenoverse delayed to late February in Europe
Bandai Namco's self-insert fanfiction brawler Dragon Ball Xenoverse has shifted to a late February release date in Europe in an effort "to ensure the highest possible gameplay experience for our fans," the publisher states. In Dragon Ball Xenoverse, players guide a custom-created character through the Dragon Ball timeline, righting past wrongs and experiencing alternate takes on landmark series events. By fighting alongside familiar series characters, you'll unlock their moves and outfits for use in Xenoverse's campaign, and the characters themselves are playable in other included gameplay modes. Xenoverse is still on track to launch for the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PS3, and PC platforms via Steam in North America on February 17. A European release will follow on February 27. [Video: Bandai Namco]
Dragon Ball Xenoverse casts you as a super saiyan savior
Anime icon Goku may be the hero of the Dragon Ball universe, but in Dragon Ball Xenoverse, that responsibility falls to you. Developer Dimps and publisher Bandai Namco are crafting a new storyline that allows players to insert themselves into Dragon Ball Z history by creating a custom character that travels through time to help the many spiky-haired warriors. Goku and crew won't just be cowering in a corner and waiting for you to save them, though. By becoming an apprentice to one of the Z Warriors, you'll be able to learn their moves, as well as unlock their costumes. Of course, if you want the authentic experience, you'll also be able to take control of the original characters in other modes. Our scouters have revealed a trailer showcasing the title's features, which you can check out after the break:
Developers wanted for Capcom's new mystery fighter
Street Fighter 4 producer Yoshinori Ono has issued a call seeking developers to assist in the creation of a new, unnamed fighting game. "We are recruiting colleagues to work together with us at Dimps studio for new FG," Ono recently tweeted alongside a link to Imagica Digitalscape, a Japanese website that lists job openings in the games industry. Unfortunately, the Imagica Digitalscape page linked by Ono offers only a vague job description. The position is seeking fighting game fans who are also competent developers to work on a "next generation fighting game," but no solid details on the game itself are revealed by the listing. It wouldn't come as a shock if this were another Street Fighter entry - Dimps and Capcom co-developed Street Fighter 4 - but the two developers both have an extensive history in the fighting game genre. Even if we assume this isn't an original property, it could be anything from a new Darkstalkers game to that third Rumble Fish entry that six people in Japan have been anxiously anticipating since 2005. [Image: Capcom]
Freedom Wars does battle in NA, Europe on October 29
Freedom Wars is coming to the PlayStation Vita on October 29 in North America and Europe and on October 31 in the UK. The action role-playing game is a collaboration between God Eater creators Shift, Street Fighter X Tekken co-developer Dimps and Sony's Japanese Studio. Participating retailers are offering "the same pre-order DLC as the original Japan release," a post on the PlayStation Blog announced. Ordering the game gives players access to a limited edition costume, powerful starter weapons, limited edition in-game sticker set and a combat pack item. Digital purchases between October 28 and November 11 will include the bonuses. When Freedom Wars found its way to stores in Japan this past June, the game climbed to the second-highest debut for the PlayStation Vita in the region, selling over 188,000 copies. Not a complete shock for a Monster Hunter-style game in the region where Capcom's franchise is king. Freedom Wars is priced at $29.99/ €29.99/ £24.99.
Europeans free to buy physical copies of Vita's Freedom Wars
Sony Europe U-turned on its decision to only release Freedom Wars online, and now the Vita action game will be available on European retail shelves. In one of those all too rare cases of publishers listening to consumers, Sony says it gave in to demand for a physical edition. The game's already confirmed to hit retail in North America. To recap, Freedom Wars isn't a recreation of Braveheart, but a futuristic online multiplayer game in the vein of Vita entries Soul Sacrifice and Toukiden: The Age of Demons. In the game's totalitarian landscape, you play as one of a world of prisoners who are born into million-year sentences. Since a million years is pretty dang long, you'll want to reduce your incarceration by completing missions for your "Panopticon" penal community.
Vita action game Freedom Wars offers Japanese audio only
The Western version of Freedom Wars features Japanese audio with subtitles in multiple languages, but no English dubs, says Producer Nick Accordino, who also revealed a physical edition of the sci-fi Vita game is "definitely planned" for North America. Sony's also published a new subtitled story trailer, which you'll find below the break. Freedom Wars is set in a dystopian future where players are born into penal communities called Panopticons and have to fight to earn their freedom. Completing the game's action-RPG, Monster Hunter-like missions helps to reduce your incarceration, but - and it's a but big enough to please Sir Mix-a-Lot - your sentence begins at 1 million years. Bit harsh. From a gameplay perspective, there is an interesting regional difference to do with the Panopticons. In Japan, where the game just released, there are 47 Panopticons based on the country's real-life 47 prefectures. According to Accordino (possible sitcom?), the West's Freedom Wars features 50 Panopticons based on cities across the globe, and players can choose which one they'd like to be placed in.
Vita online combat game Freedom Wars makes a break for the West
A year after being announced for Japan, multiplayer action game Freedom Wars gets a surprise confirmation that it's coming to North America and Europe later this year. Co-developed by Devil Dice and God Eater 2 studio Shift and Sonic veteran Dimps, Freedom Wars blends unusual sci-fi with fast-paced combat for up to four players ad-hoc and eight players online. Players take on the role of people suffering a dystopian totalitarianism, where the world is depleted of resources and population growth. These people are born into a sorry life of imprisonment and a rather harsh, somewhat impossible 1 million year sentence. They are doomed to spend their lives in penal communities called Panopticons, which as they sound are filled to the brim with surveillance. To become free of their lengthy incarceration, players complete rescue missions with their friends to reduce their sentences, bit by bit. Maybe not the most well-thought out regime, but it makes for an interesting-sounding game. Freedom Wars is due to hit Japan on June 26, while today's news didn't bring word of a concrete date for the West. Today Sony also confirmed suspicions it's bringing Soul Sacrifice Delta to the West - May 13 in North America, May 14 in Europe - and that it's also ferrying RPG Ore no Shikabane wo Koete Yuke 2 to Western shores at some point as Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines. The Vita game is a follow-up to the 1999 PlayStation game, and it's based around yet another set of cursed individuals, this time a Japanese clan of people who only get to live for 2 years each. So, if you're in a Japanese Vita game you either get 1 million years in prison or 2 years of living - good deal. [Image: Sony]
Sonic: Lost World plots a path to retail October 22
A new gameplay trailer for Sonic: Lost World reveals a release date of October 22. The trailer also shows off Sonic's new powerups, which allow him to change form as he did in Sonic Colors. In Lost World he can become a bird that zips through the sky, a hovering planetary body and a gigantic pink musical note. We sure hope that one's explained by the plot and extensive dialogue in agonizing detail. Sonic: Lost World is the first of three proposed games in a new partnership between Nintendo and Sega. The 3DS version is currently in development at Dimps, while the Wii U game is being crafted by Sonic Team. Both will feature multiplayer modes unique to their platform.
Dimps developing 3DS version of Sonic: Lost World
Longtime Sonic the Hedgehog series collaborator Dimps is developing the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic: Lost World, Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka revealed in an interview with IGN this week. Iizuka notes that Sonic: Lost World features unique content on the Nintendo 3DS. Though it shares similar settings with its Wii U counterpart, level layouts are entirely different in order "to match the screen size and hardware so players can enjoy both versions with a fresh feeling," Iizuka said. The 3DS version also boasts an exclusive versus mode for up to four players, along with features that can be unlocked by linking with the Wii U edition. Dimps previously tackled the Sonic Rush series on the Nintendo DS, and worked with Sonic Team to produce both episodes of Sonic the Hedgehog 4. The company was also responsible for the portable versions of Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations.
The Rumble Fish series returning ... to arcades
Last week, developer Dimps announced that it had picked up the rights to its The Rumble Fish fighting games, and promised more information about plans. Today, the company revealed that it's going to "tune up" The Rumble Fish 2, originally released in 2005, and bring it back to Japanese arcades.While the original release used Sammy's Atomiswave arcade hardware, the new versions will be released on the ubiquitous NESiCAxLive platform, arcade hardware that allows games to be downloaded to cabinets.Dimps calls this re-release the first part of its Rumble Fish revival project. Perhaps after Japanese consumers get reacquainted with the series, the developer will unleash a new game in the bizarrely titled series.
Dimps acquires rights to its Rumble Fish series
No, not the book. The Rumble Fish, by Street Fighter IV developer Dimps, was a 2D fighting series that debuted on Sammy's Atomiswave arcade hardware in 2004, followed by a sequel.Now Dimps has picked up the rights from Sega Sammy, who didn't seem to be doing anything with them. Dimps relaunched the series' website, promising new information soon. The simplest course of action for the company would be to release the PS2 ports digitally on PS3, but there's no news yet about how involved Dimps' plans are.
Dimps expanding into original IPs for mobile and social platforms
Takashi Nishiyama has been in the game for about as long as "the game" has existed. Responsible for Moon Patrol, Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, the Neo Geo and more Sonic games than you can shake a stick at, Nishiyama's design portfolio spans 30 years and includes some of the most fundamental design philosophies that still serve as a foundation for many genres to this day. His company, Dimps, has made a name for itself developing titles for other publishers' IPs; Dragon Ball Z, Sonic the Hedgehog, Street Fighter, etc. After nearly twelve years of development-for-hire work, however, Dimps is looking to branch out and create its own original IPs, according to statements made by Nishiyama during an interview with 1UP. "I feel that it's time that we need to create our own social and browser IPs," Nishiyama said. "We're going to start with things that have more manageable budgets, like social and browser games. I believe that's more realistic." Nishiyama sees mobile platforms as a lower-risk entry platform for a new IP, as compared with the astronomical costs associated with console game development. His company must be cautious, however, because creating original IPs will position Dimps as competition to publishers, rather than a developmental ally: "As soon as we announce that we're creating original IP, we become their competitor. So we need to approach it carefully and be sensitive to the politics involved."
Sonic Generations screens visit the Chemical Plant Zone
Sega has revealed yet another all-too-familiar playground for Sonic Generations' twin Hedgehogs: the hazardous, pipe-permeated Chemical Plant Zone. Check out Sonic, Sonic and Metal Sonic's escapades in the new-old level in the gallery below!
Two more colors for Sonic Colors DS
Sonic Colors on DS is more than a hat delivery vector. It's also a Sonic Rush-style platformer with new powerups, like the DS-exclusive "Burst" and "Void," which turn Sonic into a bomb and a black hole, respectively. The new footage is worth enduring the erratically moving DS screens in the trailer.
Sounic 'Colours' trailer actually loouks awfully amousing
In honour of the Euroupean Sounic Colours proumoutiounal videou pousted below, we've decided tou stand aloungside ouur ouverseas couhourts, and their inexplicable manner ouf spelling. Check ouut the trailer, which features soume of Sounic's new pouwers and ould, ould foues, like Douctour Rouboutnik.
Sonic 4: Episode 1 lets it ride on the Casino Streets Zone
Sega's pulled back the curtain on the latest Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 area: Casino Streets Zone. The new level is classic Sonic, inviting the iconic blue ball-o-speed to zip through this Monte Carlo-esque gambling paradise, replete with over-sized novelty playing cards and shining neon lights. Head past the break for the official reveal trailer. %Gallery-103055%
Sonic 4: Episode 1 preview: Trying my luck at Casino Streets
Every Sonic game needs a casino level, so it is written in the Sonic Gaming Bible™. In Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, that need will be filled by Casino Streets Zone, the latest complete area revealed for the game. Like every other locale, it's split up into three progressively tougher acts, followed by a boss battle with the rotund Eggman. I couldn't pound on Sonic's portly nemesis, but the three acts I was able to explore offered a mixture of precision-based platforming segments and, uh, cannons. What sort of casinos have you been visiting, Sega? %Gallery-103055%
Sonic Colors preview: Wisp you were here
We can all agree that Sonic Unleashed had some pretty deep lows -- specifically, the Werehog. But the daytime segments in the game showed promise; almost a return to form. These areas of the game, for the unaware, combined Sonic Adventure-like 3D free-running elements alongside more classical, 2D elements from the series' past. It was easily the highlight of that game. And Sega knows it, which explains why Sonic Colors is pretty much nothing but those portions of gameplay. That alone would make for a pretty serviceable Sonic game, but Sega has also added Wisps: small alien creatures who imbue Sonic with one-time-use powers.%Gallery-95227%
Sonic Colors to (maybe) spin dash our hopes on November 16
Your next opportunity to feel pleasantly surprised or expectedly disappointed by Sega's azure mascot will come November 16, the recently announced release date for Sonic Colors on Wii and DS. We know you've been hurt so many times in the past, but we suggest watching the new trailer posted after the jump before deciding how you really feel about the Hedgehog's upcoming outing. Hey, at the very least, this one comes with a special hat for pre-orderers. That's gotta count for something, doesn't it?
Preview: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode One
There really isn't a lot to write about Sonic the Hedgehog 4. It's everything Sega promised it would be: just Sonic without all the cruft. I got to play through the game's Splash Hill Zone, and it's pure, unadulterated Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with a new coat of paint and a handful of new features. And there's no Tails, of course (not in Episode One at least). There are a few new wrinkles. Sonic has his homing attack from Sonic Adventure, for example. As with most of the 2D Sonic titles, there are also a few interesting locomotion mechanics sprinkled throughout the levels: vines to swing on, ziplines and, of course, the beloved corkscrews and loops. %Gallery-95668%
