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PSA: Dark Void soundtrack now available on iTunes, Amazon
We know we've already been diligent in keeping you abreast of the status of Bear McCreary's epic soundtrack for Dark Void, so consider this our penultimate update on the topic: The game's score is now available to download through iTunes, Amazon and a number of other retailers. It's very, very good. If you have some extra cash lying around, and enjoy the occasional non-lyrical musical offering, you should purchase it post-haste. In addition, you can consider this our final post in which we proclaim our musical man-crush on Bear McCreary. That is, until he reveals the next game he's working on, at which point we'll probably pick right up where we left off.
Dark Void plugged with 'Survivor Missions' DLC next week
The Rocketeer raconteurs at Capcom have announced downloadable content for January's critical crash-and-burn, Dark Void. Dubbed "Survivor Missions," the pack allows you to "relive key events" from the third-person shooter, modified by increasingly difficult waves of enemies and a points multiplier. Think: Gears of War 2's horde mode, only you're alone and ... can turn into a plane? The DLC should be available on Xbox 360 next week, February 10th, at 400 MS points ($5). It'll land on PlayStation Network the following day, February 11th, for $4.99 -- that's one cent cheaper than DSiWare's Dark Void Zero. And if you're looking for even more ways to spend money on Dark Void, Bear in mind the soundtrack, which launches on February 9th.
Dark Void soundtrack taking off February 9
Though Capcom's jetpack-infused action title Dark Void may be getting universally panned by critics, one element of the game seems to be garnering praise from reviewers: Its Bear McCreary-composed soundtrack. Thanks to an announcement from music publisher Sumthing Else Music Works, we now know when said soundtrack will get its own release: February 9. Unless, of course, that's when Modern Warfare 2's soundtrack gets released, in which case they'll probably push it back a little bit. Personally, we can't wait to pick up the album, which will be shipped to retailers and available for purchase on Sumthing Else's site. Soon, we'll be able to sit back, close our eyes and listen to McCreary's orchestral jams without worrying about jetpacking into a cliff face.
Metareview: Dark Void
We didn't love Dark Void, but with an average metacritic score of 59, it looks like the review sites just laid into Capcom's latest franchise attempt, despite its cool premise. The highest score so far actually comes from Playstation: The Official Magazine, which gave the game an 80. Here's what other outlets thought of Dark Void: Game Informer (70/100): "Unfortunately, the shining strengths of the game are buried underneath a thick layer of rust that only the thirstiest of air-junkies should bother chipping through." [Feb 2010, p.95] 1UP (C+): "It begins with a fantastic introduction to flight, and ends with an all-out aerial dogfight followed by a suitably epic boss battle. ... It's just a damn shame that the nigh-amazing 'The Rocketeer versus UFOs' premise crashes hard into 'tepid Gears of Uncharted knock-off' ground." IGN (50/100): "I don't hate Dark Void, but I don't care for it, either. This is one of those titles that just exists; I doubt few will remember it this time next year." Wired (40/100): "Even though some stages (like the penultimate aerial battle) felt like they lasted forever and ever, Dark Void is a pretty short game with an anticlimactic ending that does little more than set up a sequel ... In all other respects, Dark Void was an ambitious project that just didn't make it off the ground."
Review: Dark Void
Dark Void is a great first date, but a terrible marriage. As our numerous previews will attest, this jet-pack-toting third-person shooter makes a fantastic first impression, with its breath-taking air battles and pounding score. But that just makes it all the more disappointing that even the faintest scratching at that surface reveals a wholly unsatisfying product below. %Gallery-24248%
Dark Void dev diary all about the underdog
As the developers at Airtight Games would put it, Dark Void is really an underdog story. You've got these people, downtrodden and stuck in The Void, trying to overcome what seems like insurmountable odds. Yeah -- been there, done that. But then you throw this jetpack into the mix and suddenly we're wiping the drool off our keyboard and rubbing the sleep out of our eyes, imagining all of the loop de loops and barrel rolls we'll be doing. But, hey, we identify with Airtight Games' plight; it's a start-up studio with a lot of new blood. It's kinda like the story of Joystiq's rise to fame being a site our mom reads on the gritty streets of the blogosphere. Just like Airtight, we had to eat a lot of government cheese in our first year.
Dark Void demo takes flight on PC
PC gamers anxious to strap on a jetpack and hit the great blue yonder can finally do just that, as Capcom's released a demo for Dark Void. The PC demo is available exclusively at File Planet and weighs in at one whole gigglebyte. Just make sure you clear your schedule for the day, because if our own experience is any indication, your download is going to take some time. Dark Void releases on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on January 19. [Via VG247] %Gallery-24248%
New Dark Void trailer kills robots by land and sky
We appreciate the helpful tips provided in the Dark Void trailer you see above, which instructs its viewers on the many options afforded to them when it comes to staving off hordes of robotic assailants. Like, it's great to know that we can choose between popping between cover points on the ground or fly through the air using a futuristic hover pack, shooting dudes as we float. However, who in their right mind would ever exercise the first option when the second is available? Check out the video above to see the dichotomy in motion, and don't forget: The only time you shouldn't go with the hoverpack is if there's an even cooler jetpack somewhere nearby. %Gallery-24248%
Stare into a Dark Void demo this week
Capcom announced today that a demo for its upcoming jetpacktion game, Dark Void, will be available this week on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. The demo, which promises "a combination of thrilling aerial dog-fighting, unique vertical cover action and on-foot combat," will be released Wednesday, January 6 on Xbox Live Marketplace and Thursday, January 7 on PSN. Wait, did it say we'd be fighting aerial dogs? Total nightmare material. Should you decide you like strapping fire to your back and hanging with old pal Nikola Tesla, the retail Dark Void game will be released on January 19. Expect the DSiWare spinoff, Dark Void Zero, sometime in January, as well. %Gallery-24248%
Dark Void dev diary introduces us to 'Teslapunk' technology
Quick question: In a hypothetical war between inventor extraordinaire Nikola Tesla and an advanced race of robots, who would win? The answer is, of course, entirely dependent on the version of Tesla we're talking about. Real-life Tesla stands a pretty good chance -- after all, that debonaire mustache is probably capable of disabling most electronic devices. The safe money's on The Prestige's Tesla, who was played by David Bowie, who can disintegrate any synthetic material using nothing but the power of his rocking. The Tesla in Dark Void looks like he'd stand a fair chance as well. Check out the above dev diary to see the warring factions of technology present in the game, and to get a few more sweet, sweet glimpses of the title's jetpack-based combat.
Dark Void video succinctly summarizes the game in 90 seconds
Capcom's clearly had enough of people just not getting what Dark Void is all about. So, it put together this latest trailer for the game which clears up any confusion. Is it a puzzle game? No. Dating sim? Nay. RPG? Well, only in that you play the role of a guy with a jetpack who can do a whole buncha stuff, all of which is summarized with big letters and clips of the character doing what said letters say he's doing. If, after viewing the video, you're still not clear on what Dark Void is about, we suspect Capcom's next step will be to come to your home and demo it for you. Or it could just release a demo. Yeah, that'd work.
Portal lead Kim Swift heads to Airtight Games for 'new, unnamed project'
Best known for her work on Joystiq's 2007 Game of the Year, Portal, Valve's Kim Swift is reportedly leaving her current position for Dark Void developer Airtight Games. According to Develop, she'll be heading up a team of developers working on a "new, unnamed project" for the US-based company. Airtight prez Jim Deal says that he's "thrilled to work with Kim," and that "her addition to the team represents a strategic move ... into new and broader gaming markets." Swift's team will be tasked with creating "games aimed at a more diverse audience" -- a challenge Swift appears ready to handle. "I've learned so much and had some amazing experiences at Valve, but when I heard I had the opportunity to work on innovative titles with my friends over at Airtight, I couldn't pass it up." And now we wait (and hope) for the puzzle-based air combat game that's sure to come of this partnership.
Dark Void trailer is devoid of bullets, rich with scenery
If you're looking for heated exchanges of alien gunfire, the trailer above would be a terrible place to start your search. No, this particular trailer instead focuses on the lush, otherworldly environments of Capcom's jetpack-strapped Q1 action title, Dark Void. Really, with a title like that, we expect the game's setting to be more ... soul-crushing than this trailer would lead us to believe. If that's a "dark void," our apartments are endless abysses of impenetrable blackness. %Gallery-24248%
Dark Void film adaptation announced
Preemptively cutting off complaints that it strays too far from the source material, Capcom has announced a film adaptation of a game you haven't played yet: Dark Void, next year's promising third-person shooter from Airtight Games. In line with the agreement reached between Capcom, Reliance BIG Entertainment and Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment production company, Dark Void is primed as a "sci-fi action franchise and potential starring vehicle for Pitt." While the parties involved decide whether or not the movie is indeed the Pitt's, someone should probably point out that as far as starring vehicles go, a jetpack is probably the best one. Players will beat Hollywood to the punch and experience it for themselves when Dark Void lands on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on January 19, 2010 in North America and January 22, 2010 in Europe. Congratulations to Crusty Magic on being the first to comment. You've been emailed a free Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta code. Click here, for more information on this giveaway. Official rules apply.
Dark Void dev diary focuses on that guy in front of the jetpack
For us, the worth of protagonist Will in Dark Void isn't measured by his strengths as human being, but really just his awesome jetpacking. Airtight Games wants us to know there's more to like about the guy and aimed to make Will more in line with the typical Japanese game protagonist -- more believable and less of a "caricature." The above video diary also shows us how Nikola Tesla ended up in the game. Tesla is just one cool dude, whether he's being played by David Bowie, building super awesome defense towers for the Russians, or -- in the case of Dark Void -- spearheading an entire rebellion by inventing jetpacks and gigantic airships.
Secret Dark Void event going down this Monday, Oct. 12
If you fancy yourself a would-be jetpacker, know that Capcom Unity is holding an event to show off Dark Void to San Franciscans this Monday, October 12. Before you get all giddy and start causing a scene in your cubicle/classroom/mom's basement, you'll need to do a few things: Make sure you can clear your schedule from 2pm - 7:30pmish on Monday, October 12 and you can get yourself to the downtown San Francisco area Be at least 21 years old and have a valid I.D. Hit up this link and drop a note stating why you should be chosen And that's pretty much it. Best of luck to those of you trying to attend!
Dark Void pre-order bonus: A gold jetpack!
Did you know that at this very minute, millions of people worldwide are sitting on a fortune in gold? It's true! And you could be one of them! Capcom wants to help increase your gold treasures by one full jetpack, offering the item as a pre-order bonus with Dark Void when it lands on GameStop shelves early next year. Rather than be way boring and send out a press release (though Capcom did that too), we've got the full faux commercial you see above, hilariously detailing the bonus; though a bit of gameplay of the jetpack can be found on the promo's website."My life used to be miserable and meaningless, but thanks to GOLD4JETPACK.com, I don't cry myself to sleep anymore!" Thanks GOLD4JETPACK.com!%Gallery-24248%
New Dark Void videos to fill the dark void in your heart
We realize that Capcom chose to move Dark Void into 2010 for one reason or another, and we know how that makes you feel. You feel angry and sad and betrayed all at the same time but, mostly, you feel empty. Allow us, then, to provide you with some new Dark Void media fresh from GamesCom. Above we have a cinematic trailer for the game, which sets up the overall plot very nicely.What you really want, however, is gameplay footage, and we've got plenty. After the break you will find a video with nearly five minutes of gameplay. So, go grab that old, homemade Rocketeer helmet -- we know you have one -- and strap in.
Capcom delays Dark Void into 2010, avoids 'crowded fall game season' - that's it, we quit
You know, when you're stuck in traffic and you think about changing lanes, but decide not to, reasoning with yourself that everyone else will and you're better off staying put? The lane to the left keeps moving and yet you stand still. So you go left and, what happens? Yup, you're stuck, while the right lane starts moving. Briskly. Capcom finds itself in just such a position today, as it announces the delay of Dark Void into 2010 "in order to get the game out of the crowded fall game season," the company's Chris Kramer tells Joystiq. The Airtight Games-developed jetpack-'em-up will find a new home in Capcom's fiscal fourth quarter ... which is the increasingly crowded Q1 2010 calendar period, which ends in March. Precisely what competition could Capcom be so afraid of? GameStop (of course, never an accurate reflection of actual release dates) listed Dark Void as touching down on September 22 ... the same September 22 in which Halo 3 ODST finally stops preparing, and just drops. When asked about the delay, Kramer said, "The move will be great for the game and for gamers: less competition in the market (curse you, Halo!), more time for polish." So, just to make sure we've got this right: Capcom avoided releasing Dark Void in the relatively open September '09 period to avoid a "crowded" gaming season, opting instead for 2010 ... the same 2010 that now houses release dates for the similarly delayed Splinter Cell: Conviction, Bioshock 2, Singularity, Bayonetta, Red Steel 2, and probably Mafia II and Red Dead Redemption. Oh, as well as the already planned God of War 3, Heavy Rain, MAG, Darksiders, Aliens vs. Predator, Alan Wake, Dante's Inferno, Mass Effect 2, Sin & Punishment 2, White Knight Chronicles, Split/Second, and Capcom's own Dead Rising 2 and Lost Planet 2. ... boy, that right lane is looking awfully appealing again.%Gallery-24248%
Dark Void dev diary takes flight
Airtight Games' upcoming Dark Void is a title on many a gamer's radar, not only because Airtight is comprised of some of the developers responsible for Crimson Skies, one of the original Xbox's gems, but because flying around with a jetpack is really awesome. You don't have to take our word for it, though, as this developer diary does a good job of showing what makes jetpacking around so fun (hint: it's the jetting). Disney, we hope you're taking notes for that inevitable The Rocketeer reboot!
