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Dokuro review: The Mr. Skullhead Show
Let's talk about puzzle games. When you hear the term, your mind usually goes to falling-block stuff like Tetris and Puyo Puyo, right? But it's broad terminology: it can also apply to games in which you are presented with a series of problems that need solving – say, escaping a room, moving objects into certain positions, solving riddles ... you know what I mean, right?Well, I have an issue with these games: I'm almost universally terrible at them. I can't really tell you why, either. I like most of the ones I play, mind you. But as soon as I start feeling that twinge of frustration from a solution that eludes me, I hop on the internet and turn on Youtube. If I don't, I'm just going to fluster myself trying to figure it out. By the time the game reaches its climax, I have a controller under one hand and my laptop under the other, checking to make sure I'm doing everything right.This is one of the reasons why GungHo and GameArts's Dokuro sticks out so much. For perhaps the first time since the original Portal, I'm not immediately running to the online solution bin the moment things start to get tricky. I'm savoring the feeling of gradually figuring things out for myself, discovering how mechanics work together and deducing how they can be used to accomplish the task at hand, and I'm loving it.%Gallery-168492%
Unlock Shredder and Cyber Shredder in TMNT: Smash Up
Cruising the Ubisoft Twitter, as we are wont to do, we stumbled upon this little update. According to said update, registering TMNT: Smash Up with Ubisoft will grant players access to a code to unlock Shredder and Cyber Shredder as playable characters. Checking out the veracity of this claim -- as we are also wont to do -- we discovered that the official Smash Up site has already publicly posted the code. We're not sure where the marketing wires got crossed, but it benefits us all, so we're not complaining. To perform the unlock, select the Bonus Content option and enter the following: Up, Down, Right, Up, Down, Right, Left, Up, Right, Down. Don't get to excited, though. Cyber Shredder is just a different costume for normal Shredder, so don't expect a whole new character to flesh out the game's unfortunately puny roster.
Hands-on: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up
click to enlarge Since it was first revealed that members of the Super Smash Bros. Brawl team were crafting Ubisoft's new TMNT brawler, the expectation has been that it will be a total SSBB play-alike. From our time with it at last week's UbiNintendo day, we can confirm that there are similarities, but, if anything, it's more like "SSBB lite."The four-player, multi-tiered arena aspect is there, for sure, but the complexity of the controls (and, with it, the number of moves and weapon pick-ups) has been dialed back a few clicks. At the same time, the pacing and presentation has been turned up, making for an extremely frantic experience.%Gallery-43172%
Grandia Online coming this summer
BigWorld have formally announced the latest game build on their BigWorld Technology Suite, Grandia Online. Grandia Online is the latest in the Grandia series of games that started with the Grandia RPG on the Sega Saturn and has continued with two sequels and several spin off games on a range of consoles and the PC. Grandia Online is set before the story in the first game, but in the same game world. This release comes after a long development during which it wasn't always clear that the game would actually be released. The game was first announced in 2004 with beta testing announced for September 2006 with development by GameArts, but development transferred to GungHo Online Entertainment in early 2007. Development has since reverted back to GameArts, with GungHo Online Entertainment remaining as publisher.The title is expected to enter open beta this month, with a full release for the later in the summer on PC.
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]
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]
