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Best of the Rest: Sinan's picks of 2012
Joystiq is revealing its 10 favorite games of 2012 throughout the week. Keep reading for more top selections and every writer's personal, impassioned picks in Best of the Rest roundups. Dragon's DogmaThere are so many things wrong with Dragon's Dogma, as noted in Joystiq's scathing review. For starters, its unwillingness to offer guidance makes the Souls games look helpful, its dialogue repetition is nothing short of maddening – yes I freaking know wolves hunt in packs – and no game has ever made fast travel more of a chore. But when it's good, oh how good it is. Combining in harmony with my troupe of automated pawns to take down giant foes in simplistic yet epic, challenging combat is just too delectable to exclude Dragon's Dogma from mention, flaws or no.
Capcom kills two deals with one sale: Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts all weekend
The Capcom store is making a strong play for your cash this weekend, initiating storewide discounts up to 75 percent on all in-stock goods – sorry, no discount on pre-orders for DmC and other coming games. There's also an additional 20 percent off at checkout on everything and free shipping in the US for all orders $75 and over.Just a few of the highlights include Asura's Wrath for $17, Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law for $5 and Dead Rising 2: Off the Record on Windows for $12. Capcom is also discounting its non-gaming wares, such as $30 off the Street Fighter 25th Anniversary chess set and $10 off the Mega Man 9 soundtrack.
Find Ryu in Asura's Wrath DLC now
Capcom gives you another excuse to let the spectacle of Asura's Wrath consume you, releasing the "Lost Episode 1" DLC on PSN and XBLA for $2. This is the one that brings Street Fighter's Ryu into the sci-fi/Buddhist world of Asura's Wrath, to duel with the ever-growling Asura.During the fight, which takes place in side view, Asura attacks both to deplete Ryu's health and to fill his own "Burst" gauge. Ryu is overcome with the Satsui no Hadou, bringing the "Evil Ryu" version of the character into the battle.You can download the episode now to experience the dramatic duel for yourself; if you'd like to see what you're in for first, Shoryuken recorded the whole scene, which you can watch after the break.
Capcom earnings down in fiscal 2012; Monster Hunter Tri-G, Raccoon City, Street Fighter X Tekken sell a million each
Capcom's net sales are down 16 percent year over year, for the fiscal year ending March 31. The company brought in 82.1 billion yen (just over $1 billion), with its Consumer Online Games division responsible for 53.5 billion yen of that (23.9 percent lower than that division's performance last year).The performance dip can be attributed to the movement of Dragon's Dogma out of the fiscal year (and into this month), and to outstanding performance of the company's titles last year. Capcom experienced record sales of its big games in fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2012 pales in comparison. Monster Hunter Tri-G, the Japan-exclusive 3DS version, topped the company's sales chart at 1.6 million copies. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City also sold well; Street Fighter X Tekken "lagged" in comparison to expectations, though both it and ORC broke a million. Capcom didn't share sales data for its other releases, Asura's Wrath, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and Resident Evil Revelations, merely acknowledging the games as things that came out.
Asura's Wrath 'Episode 11.5' DLC available today, more to come
Relax -- stop going around knocking over magazine racks like you're Asura. Capcom will extend Asura's Wrath with some new DLC, dubbed Episode 11.5, for 160 MS Points ($2). Another episode, 15.5, will arrive on April 4 at the same price. Finally, on April 25, Capcom will release four DLC episodes in a bundle for 560 MS Points ($7).Now, you're probably wondering where that Ryu DLC is, right? Asura will exchange blows with the Street Fighter on May 9 and with Akuma the following week, on May 16. Those two DLC episodes will cost 160 MS Points ($2) each.
Asura's Wrath reaction no surprise to Matsuyama, dot Hack for NA needs more fan support
CyberConnect2's president Hiroshi Matsuyama was signing autographs at Wondercon in Anaheim, CA this past weekend, and he kindly took a break from showing off his latest game – Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations – to chat with us about how his other games are doing. And by "other games" we of course mean the one with the god destroyer: Asura's Wrath. Despite both critical acclaim and a strong sales start, Matsuyama is still cautious about the new IP. "It's only been a month since it's been out," Matsuyama told Joystiq through a translator. He said that he expected both positive and negative reactions, and that's what he got. "Obviously, it was a challenge to create something new. And when you try to do that, obviously the people that get it will enjoy it. But for people where the game doesn't fit their expectations, they're not going to jump up as much." We also checked in on both the dot Hack title in progress as well as a possible sequel to Solatorobo, but for both of those, Matsuyama says he needs more support from North American publishers. For dot Hack specifically, "as long as we can get more requests from the fans, there's a possibility." But he there are other factors in play as well. "It's not that people don't know about it," he said. "But I think it's more than Namco Bandai Games America is not interested in the typical JRPGs and that's why they're not looking to pick it up." Matsuyama said he's not trying to make directly Japanese or Western games, however. "It's most important to be able to see the whole world. Back in the day, a lot of developers and publishers were focused on Japanese games and sent them out to North America. Obviously that's not going to be accepted as much. From our standpoint, we're really looking to create a game that's fun for everybody in the world." That said, we kindly asked Matsuyama to show us what might be the next evolution of the Asura pose, given that we've seen it twice already so far. But because Matsuyama happened to be in the Namco booth and not the Capcom booth (not to mention that he was dressed up as Naruto anyway), we got the very serene pose above. In other words, the Asura Pose has evolved yet again.
Capcom's Svensson embarrassed by 'Revelaitons' covers, optimistic about RE6
Capcom's Senior VP of planning and business development, Christian Svensson, responded frankly to a few of the company's recent issues at GDC last week, and perhaps most interesting was his complete surrender on the misspelled Resident Evil: Revelations box art."It's embarrassing. I can't really sugarcoat it," he admitted to Game Informer, saying that multiple departments were responsible for checking it, and that procedures had since been updated to make sure it doesn't happen again. "There are only about 90,000 units that have the misprint. If you've got it and it's shrink-wrapped, that's a new special edition, that's our new strategy," Svensson joked.Svensson declined to comment on the abrupt cancellation of Mega Man Legends 3, and offered a "never say never" on a US release of Ace Attorney Investigations 2. Asura's Wrath sales, according to Svensson, "went about almost exactly how we thought it would."And Svensson also bends the knee a little bit concerning the announcement of Resident Evil 6 and its proximity to other Resident Evil titles, but is unapologetic about making that title the biggest in the series yet. "The plan is the biggest Resident Evil game ever. We're not messing around," said Svensson. The plan is working, too, because "pre-orders for Resident Evil 6 are off to a fantastic start. The best start a Resident Evil game has ever had."
Asura's Wrath beats Syndicate in first week sales (with all six fists, presumably)
Asura's Wrath moved 36,000 copies in its first week of sales at the end of February, NPD tells Joystiq. Despite Syndicate's business-savvy nature, the big reboot came up approximately 2,000 copies short of matching the Capcom god destroyer, with 34,000 copies sold at retail in February. As NPD doesn't track digital sales, the launch sales gives us a comparison of each game's commercial performance on consoles (Syndicate also came out on PC).We're ascribing the disparity to our own reviews of each game, of course, with only a half star difference between the two (which apparently equates to roughly 2,000 units). The two games launched on February 21 in North America and NPD reports sales between January 29 and February 25, giving each game four days of February sales data.
GAME also not stocking Street Fighter X Tekken, Asura's Wrath
Shoppers on the other side of the pond looking to snag two of Capcom's latest from GAME will have to look elsewhere, as the retailer will not be stocking either Asura's Wrath or Street Fighter X Tekken. The retailer also recently announced that it won't carry Mass Effect 3 and future EA titles. Street Fighter X Tekken and Asura's Wrath are both slated to launch in the UK this Friday, March 9.Capcom confirmed the news to MCV, which notes that the availability of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Capcom's next big title, is still up in the air. A spokesperson stated, "Capcom wants to reassure its consumers that both these titles, including the Special Edition of Street Fighter X Tekken, will be available at a wide variety of retailers across the UK and Ireland." The spokesperson added that refunds will be issued to those with pre-orders for either Asura's Wrath or Street Fighter X Tekken, advising customers to contact their local GAME or Gamestation.
Asura's Wrath review: Wrecking the curve
Asura's Wrath is a pile of impossibilities. It is a myth made real. It is a meticulous construction of unflappable absurdity. Asura's Wrath is a glittering, golden starchild of incredulity, and I love it. I also wish I didn't have to review it.The strictures of a review really aren't adequate to quantify the experience waiting for players in Asura's Wrath. Of course there are mechanics and systems and gauges, all of that, and I will endeavor to explain them, but understand that what follows falls well short of fully encapsulating the experience. About 380,000 kilometers too short.%Gallery-130728%
Asura's Wrath DLC isn't kidding about this 'anime-inspired' stuff
Asura's Wrath is out today, which can mean only one thing -- the announcement of DLC. Capcom said Asura's Wrath will be getting several "substantial" DLC packs, two of which are "anime-inspired" episodes that will provide insight into the main game's story. We think Capcom is being humble here; not only do these particular installments look to be inspired by anime, they're rendered in full-blown, traditional Japanese-cartoon style.We caught wind previously of another DLC installment involving a Street Fighter/Asura's Wrath crossover, and Capcom confirmed players will get to battle Ryu and as-yet unannounced Street Fighter characters, in classic, non-anime 3D. No word yet on release dates or pricing.Check out the "DLC-inspired" screens below:%Gallery-148117%
Asura takes his Wrath out on Ryu in upcoming DLC
Asura's Wrath is an anime-inspired take on Buddhist stories, but some new DLC announced in Japan will add a legendary character from another tradition. A single screen of new DLC released by Capcom shows Asura facing off against a distinctly Street Fighter IV-looking Ryu, complete with SFIV-style HUD elements and the traditional side view. Even the background imitates a familiar Street Fighter backdrop while simultaneously making sense in Asura's world.Capcom didn't offer any more details about the DLC beyond that one screenshot -- no date, no price, nothing. But that teaser is enough to guarantee we'll be paying attention.
Asura's Wrath launch trailer isn't all that crazy
We can hardly believe it ourselves: There are no trips to the moon in this Asura's Wrath launch trailer, nor will you find any dudes who can grow to many times their own size. What you will find is a perturbed Asura -- a nice change of pace from his usual ever-enraged self.
Capcom handing out mini Asuras with Asura's Wrath pre-order
Capcom has recently been producing "Bobble Budds" toys of its characters, and including them with pre-orders of associated games from its online store. The latest offer will get you your very own bulbous-headed, grimacing, six-armed maroon demigod. Pre-orders of Asura's Wrath for Xbox 360 or PS3 will include this adorable Asura Bobble Budd, which, like the others in the series, is designed to allow storage of the body inside the head. According to Capcom, only 1,000 of these trinkets will be available in the Americas, so pre-order soon or risk the wrath of supply and demand.
Asura's Wrath demo glowers at Xbox Live, PSN
An Asura's Wrath demo is now available on Xbox Live. A PS3 version should be available later today after the PSN update. You should download it as soon as possible. This is not a joke. There has never been a more serious post on Joystiq. Do it.
11 minutes of down to earth Asura's Wrath footage
By which we mean that the latest Asura's Wrath footage -- extended from footage released in November -- doesn't actually take place on the moon.
Asura's Wrath demo to explode minds on January 10 in Japan
Famitsu has revealed that an Asura's Wrath demo is slated for a January 10 launch in Japan, reports Andriasang. In other news, if the demo does not make it outside of Japan, we will punch the moon until it explodes. Head over to Famitsu for a new trailer.
Feel the fury of retailer-exclusive Asura's Wrath bonuses [update]
The choice of where to purchase Asura's Wrath may not have religious significance in the strictest sense, but it will certainly affect Asura's outsized battle against the gods. Both Amazon and Best Buy will confer gameplay bonuses with pre-orders of the game. Amazon pre-orders will get the "Devastator Pack," which reduces damage and fills the "Unlimited Rage Gauge" more quickly. Best Buyers get the "Infinity Pack," offering the ability to recover from overheating more quickly, and spend more time in "Unlimited Rage." GameStop's bonuses don't alter your performance in-game at all, instead offering you something to look at on breaks from the game. Pre-orders will include a "combination art and comic book" by Penny-Arcade, half devoted to concept art, and half devoted to Penny-Arcade comics about Asura "and how he would deal with everyday situations." Update: Trailers for the Infinity Pack and Devastator Pack are available after the break.%Gallery-139325%
Asura's Wrath media sets the scene
This one time, we totally told the guy no ketchup and, sure enough, as soon as we got our order, it had ketchup on it. So we did what any rational person would do: we covered our arms in metal and beat the crap out of the guy on the surface of the moon. You know, for justice.
