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Shadow Walker: Boy of Shadow, Girl of Light, Trailer of Game
One week from today, Game Arts' Shadow Walker: Boy of Shadow, Girl of Light will be released on WiiWare in Japan. To mark the occasion, Game Arts released a trailer (after the break), demonstrating its adorable character design and puzzle-based gameplay.Okay, so Hudson's Lost in Shadow, which isn't on WiiWare, is about a boy who is a shadow, using other shadows as platforms and making new shadows to travel on with the help of his fairy companion. This game, which is a download, is about a boy who can only walk in shadows, and whose fairy companion helps him create shadow paths.Despite the extremely similar premise, the gameplay looks quite different. In this game, you control only the fairy, creating paths for the boy to walk through. [Via Andriasang]
TGS 2009: Hands-on: Thexder Neo
Thexder originally came out in 1985, and has been ported to several different platforms in its lifetime, mostly computers. However, I can say with some confidence that the PSP remake of Game Arts' classic free-scrolling, transforming shmup, called Thexder Neo, is much more enjoyable to play than the retro versions. And people who didn't go to TGS will get to enjoy it soon: Square Enix announced that Thexder Neo will be available worldwide on October 1.%Gallery-74060%
TMNT fans speak up against Smash-Up character selection
The forums for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up have exploded with angry threads started, apparently, by people who purchased the game early at Best Buy. The rage is almost universally directed at the rather small character roster -- which features thirteen characters from the TMNTworld, and three different Rabbids.While there's nothing particularly novel about a bunch of people complaining on the internet, the uproar does mean that we think it's worth telling you, the members of our audience who have yet to complain on the Ubi forums, about the smallish roster. Basically, if you were going into this with dreams of pitting Baxter Stockman and Usagi Yojimbo against Krang, then you might want to rethink going into this.[Thanks, Man in the Back!]
First screens for Game Arts' WiiWare platformer
This May at a Grandia Online presentation, Game Arts teased an upcoming WiiWare title called Kage no Shounen, Hikari no Yousei (Boy of Shadow, Fairy of Light). The latest Famitsu magazine includes the first screens of the game now called Shadow Walker: Kage no Shounen, Hikari no Yousei.The concept is somewhere between Hudson's Shadow Tower and WayForward's LIT, as far as we can tell, featuring a character who can only walk in shadow. We're sure we'll find out more this week. The game is expected to release to Japan's Wii Shop next month, for 1,000 Wii Points.
Ubisoft talks online in new TMNT: Smash Up dev diary
In the latest dev diary for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash Up, the publishing team at Ubisoft discusses the importance of an online mode and what gamers can expect from its new "brawler." We say "brawler" because -- according to the video -- there is a major distinction between a standard fighting title and TMNT: Smash Up.In Smash Up, up to four players can square off, "brawling" in massive free-for-all matches. If the Smash Bros-style of fighting is too hot for you to handle, players can also square off in two-on-two, or (standard fighting game) one-on-one matches. Developed by Game Arts -- a team made up of a slew of former Team Ninja veterans -- TMNT: Smash Up appears to be in good hands. Hands which you can then use to punch your opponent in the face with.%Gallery-43172%
Introducing new characters of some kind in TMNT Smash Up
The latest TMNT Smash Up trailer introduces Donatello and ... uh ... some other people. Man, we have been out of touch with Ninja Turtles for a long time. Who are all these people? We recognize Karai from Tournament Fighters (you may recognize her from the comics or whatever), but we totally had to look up "Nightwatcher," who turns out to be Raphael in a costume. That's really weird.The good news is that even if you don't follow the TMNT cast of thousands, the characters look fun to play. A turtle superhero! A woman with a sword! A robot! Totally great. And if you do know the characters, hey! There they are! See the trailer after the break.
Shell out for TMNT: Smash Up on September 22
Rest assured, plummeting Turtles do land. More specifically: TMNT: Smash Up will land on September 22, Ubisoft announced during its E3 press conference today. A new trailer of the Brawl-made brawler was also on display, featuring our first look at Shredder (eaten by a giant crocodile) and April (now a katana-wielding ninja). Cowabunga?
GameArts' 'Boy of Shadow, Fairy of Light' for WiiWare in Japan this fall
During a presentation for Grandia Online, GameArts CEO Kazuki Morishita mentioned that Boy of Shadow, Fairy of Light would release this fall (he likely means in Japan). The new IP is a complete mystery, having only briefly shown up in a list of WiiWare titles last year.No further details are currently available, nor is there any clear reason why the title was brought up at this Grandia Online press conference. Maybe we'll get lucky with some information at E3.[Via AndriaSang]
Lunar: Harmony of the Silver Star may get US release via XSEED
The first screens of the PSP remake of Lunar look very good. The sprites have been redrawn, but the lovingly detailed backgrounds really demand the most attention. Siliconera has more screens of the PSP remake, and we very much approve. While it seems likely a US publisher will bring over the RPG to the games-starved masses on this side of the Pacific, Siliconera notes that "XSEED might be picking this up for North America." We hope some publisher gets on board supporting this project. We want a localized version as soon as possible.
Lunar: The Silver Star returns on PSP
Lunar: The Silver Star, the classic Sega CD/PlayStation role-playing game from Game Arts, will be re-released on the PSP. Rather than a full remake, Gungho Works' Lunar: Harmony of Silver Star appears to be an enhanced port of the PlayStation game -- the screens in the Famitsu scan retain the classic 2D look of the PlayStation version, but the article claims that the PSP version features "new scenarios."Siliconera cleverly speculated that this title would be the "enhanced remake of a classic PSOne RPG" that XSEED plans to announce in the near future. This game is well-known enough among PlayStation RPG lovers to be worth teasing.
First TMNT Smash Up trailer reminds us of something
Ubisoft seems to have found its angle for promoting TMNT: Smash Up, a "brawl 25 years in the making", even going so far as to use "BRAWL!" and "SMASH!" exclamations in this new trailer. It's almost -- and this is a stretch, we know -- as if Ubisoft wanted people to be aware of the fact that it's making a character-based fighting game in the style of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, developed by the same company who worked on Super Smash Bros. Brawl, on the same system on which Super Smash Bros. Brawl was a hit.We actually find it a little jarring to see Game Arts described as "the dudes that brought you Super Smash Bros. Brawl." A party fighting game from "the dudes who brought you Lunar: The Silver Star" wouldn't have the same impact, we suppose.
First TMNT shots packed with Turtle power
Click to embiggen. Though it's been out in the open for some time, Ubisoft today officially confirmed development was underway on TMNT: Smash Up. There are only two screens to date, featuring all four turtles doing their green-skinned, katana-wielding thang, but they look really promising (and possibly hint at a 2.5D game?).The combination of '80s nostalgia (fun fact that we refuse to be embarrassed about: we had Turtles wallpaper right up until we moved out of home at 18) and the involvement of Super Smash Bros. Brawl developer Game Arts will ensure this game won't escape our attention easily. Check out both shots in Large-O-Vision here.%Gallery-43169%[Via press release]
And they're green! 'TMNT: Smash Up' announced for Wii
In "shell-ebration" (it says here in the press release) of the 25th anniversary of the world's most fearsome fighting team, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ubisoft has announced a new four-player fighting game that is "not tied to a TMNT movie, television show or comic book." Instead, as indicated by the incredibly subtle subtitle, TMNT: Smash Up will share ties with Nintendo's absurdly popular Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In fact, if the staff of Game Arts -- developer of both games -- dress formally at work, the ties shared will be quite literal.Sensing that a few screenshots depicting the titular turtles (including the one who does machines and the one who is a party dude) may not satiate everybody, Ubisoft encourages interested parties to check out the January issue of Nintendo Power for more information. Meanwhile, look for TMNT: Smash Up to arrive during Fall 2009 and cause fighting purists to complain about "turtling" in a whole new way.%Gallery-43172%
Nintendo Power: Brawl, Team Ninja staff working on new TMNT fighter
Well. Here's some profoundly bizarre, slightly awesome news out of the latest issue of Nintendo Power: Ubisoft is planning a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting game. Not to go along with a movie, cartoon, or comic -- just because. This project is going to involve staff from Super Smash Bros. Brawl (maybe Game Arts people?) as well as Team Ninja expats. That's all we can confirm, given our non-possession of the magazine.But some guy on the IGN boards (which require a login, so check the GoNintendo reproduction here) went on to (probably) summarize the article, revealing the game to be a 2.5d, four-player fighting game with online play. Hey, we like those -- especially when they feature beloved characters from our youth! Although we don't like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting games (well, the SNES one was okay, and the NES one was technically impressive). According to the IGN poster, Ubisoft is shooting for a September release. Bossa nova!
Project Sylpheed demo warps onto Live
"Okay, outer space shooting games for the Xbox 360, raise your hand. What ... no one? Not one outer space shooting game? Wait, you there, in the back, what's your name? Project Slip ... sliph ... Sylpheed? What does that even mean?"Yes, the space shooter is somewhat underrepresented on the Xbox 360 (along with platformers and RPGs). Thankfully, Microsoft has decided to rectify that situation by bringing the Game Arts developed title, Project Sylpheed to American shores (published by Square Enix in Japan). As such, Microsoft has deemed it worthy to release a demo on Xbox Live Marketplace. We don't know much about the game, other than the fact that it does indeed involve shooting things in space. The demo clocks in at just over 600MB and is available now. Has anyone managed to take it for a spin yet?
Project Sylpheed demo now on Xbox Live Marketplace
Depicting a galaxy filled with armed spaceships that simply cannot get along, last year's Project Sylpheed attempted to address the Xbox 360's lack of Eastern-developed titles, as well as its critical non-abundance of space shooters. Developed by Game Arts and published by Square Enix then, the game is finally nearing Planet America under the Microsoft Game Studios flagship. Be thankful we didn't add a woeful "impulse speed" joke to that line.If saucer-eyed pilots blasting each other to smithereens amidst the surprisingly colorful backdrop of space sounds like it'll float your cup of tea, be sure to check out the 613MB Project Sylpheed demo now available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Update: The retail version is expected to arrive on July 10th at a pleasing $40 price.
Project Sylpheed, Vampire Rain bound for US
The rumors were partially true: Project Sylpheed is coming to the US this summer for the budget price (by new-gen standards) of $39.99. Unlike the GameStop page that propagated the rumors, Microsoft is not publishing the game (nor did it develop the game, as the listing stated); instead, Square Enix will publish the game as it did in Japan. [Correction: Microsoft is publishing both titles in the U.S.]Project Sylpheed is a 3-D makeover of the Sega CD shooter Silpheed, which already has a 2001 sequel, Silpheed: The Lost Planet; all three titles were developed by Game Arts. Also announced today was Vampire Rain, a shooter that pits you against vampires. It boasts all the best keywords in the shooting genre today: stealth, squad-based action and high-tech weaponry. No word on if it includes garlic launchers or the ability to become a bloodsucker yourself. The game will arrive with the standard $59.99 price tag.Vampire Rain and Project Sylpheed are both slated for a Summer 2007 release.
Project Sylph gets a trailer
A trailer for Project Sylph is now available to the Japanese Marketplace. If you don't have access to the trailer -- or if you have qualms about fake Live accounts -- you could always just watch it at Gamebrink, or download it from Xboxyde. Be prepared for lots of high gloss CG and just a teeny, tiny, microscopic glimpse at actual gameplay. With any luck, Project Sylph might give space shooter fans something to cheer about.
Project Sylph scans, see for yourSylph!
French 360 site, Xboxygen, has posted Famitsu scans of Square Enix's upcoming Project Sylph. Xboxic points us to IGN, which has gone to the trouble of translating the scans for some details. The game looks to be an extension of the Silpheed franchise and promises massive space combat and -- of course -- loads of CG cinemas. Hit the read link to see the rest of the scans and some (French) commentary. [Thanks, gaetge]
