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Boon: Next Mortal Kombat game to be "serious"
Ed Boon is done joking around with Mortal Kombat. We don't know what that means, but he seems so serious about it, we can't help but be a little intimidated. He put on his business face in an interview with CVG about the next game in the series, saying "we're not going to joke around in this one, it's not going to be like jokes." Does this mean we can't expect Babalities? No more Johnny Cage crotch shots?Boon goes on to expand on his vision for the new, more mature MK, (or will it be MC?) calling it more realistic and grittier, with the designers feeling no obligation to bring back favorite fighting styles or weapons. He stops short of saying he'll bench favorite characters, presumably to stem the tide of "If joo dont bring bak ScOrPiOn ILL cut your brak lines" emails that are probably just making love to "GrEEdo didnt shoote 1st dumba$$" emails somewhere just waiting for their moment to strike. Boon said the title probably won't be available until the end of 2008, and we're (pun incoming!) seriously excited to see this brave new world of spine removal.
PS3 or beer? Microsoft poses the ultimate question
While we might've put down a few of Microsoft's last night Europe exploits as a tad immature, we aren't going to deny the genius here: Microsoft's message to gamers is that the PS3 = the Xbox 360 + £146 in beer money. Of course, such a mental exercise is nothing without a bit of illustration, so Microsoft carted in just that much beer to the offices of the UK's CVG magazine (above) and Auckland, NZ's GamePlanet store (pictured after the break). Naturally, Sony will have the last laugh when its utterly sober fanboys use keen rhetoric to destroy their tipsy MS fanboy opponents in the comments section following this post.[Via Joystiq]Read - CVGRead - GamePlanet
Hard questions: Wii novelty and drought in effect?
CVG decided to unleash the beast question: Is the novelty of the Wii wearing off? The drought is in full effect, but in all fairness, the same can be said for the PS3. The Virtual Console games are rolling out slowly, but old games to those who don't need to ask for mom and dad's credit card do not a console make. The Gamecube turned Wii games are good and fine, but where are the Wii games?CVG says, "Most prominent is the first batch of games, many of which do a better job at exposing the obstacles of full motion control, rather than the benefits ... Red Steel is twitchy and occasionally clumsy, Need For Speed: Most Wanted is near unplayable, Far Cry got it all wrong, and the motion control in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance just feels tacked on."The Wii is selling well enough and its Gamecube backwards compatibility, along with the VC, is a good distraction for many to not realize there isn't much of a Wii offering yet -- once again, the same can be said for the PS3. Oh well, don't be surprised to see more Wii backlash until there are some legitimate offerings this Christmas.[Via GoNintendo]
Ikaruga headed to Live Arcade(!)
Ikaruga, one of the shining jewels in the Dreamcast's farewell tiara, is headed for Xbox Live Arcade. How could we possibly know this? CVG reports that the game has appeared on the debug version of Xbox Live. Unfortunately, upon downloading Ikaruga, CVG was greeted with a Treasure logo and not much else, as the game quickly crashed. That's why it's debug, right? Still, we've already heard that Treasure wants to make some Live Arcade games, so Ikaruga definitely makes sense. After all, it is regarded by many as one of the best -- if not the best -- shooters of all time. As much as we love multi-directional shooters, more classic shooters would be welcome on Live Arcade (speaking of, where's Raiden?)Now all we need is Gunstar Heroes and Guardian Heroes and the Treasure triumvirate will be complete.
Worst video game endings of all
Precious video games and your stories, how we do love thee. But when your story ends with us wanting more, we cry how badly. And the good folks at CVG posted what they feel have been the worst video game endings of all time. On the list appear some Xbox titles including Fable, Shenmue 2, KOTOR II, and Halo 2. As a whole, it looks like the one way to avoid angering fans is by not ending the game with a big cliff-hanger. Some fans feel that paying for the game is right enough to be entitled to some conclusion. We aren't that annoyed by cliff-hangers (here's looking at you Halo 2), because our anticipation for the sequel is all the more heightened. Do you know of another game that didn't make CVG's list that has a horrible ending?[Via Digg]
Id says 360 is a gem to develop on
In an interview with CVG, Id developer John Carmack talks about how easy it is to develop on the 360 for the upcoming Nazi killing shooter Castle Wolfenstein and said that "the Xbox 360 is the first console that I've ever worked with that actually has development tools that are better for games than what we've got for the PC." Whoa, those are bold claims Mr. Carmack ... bold claims indeed. Both Id and Raven are teaming up to create this next-gen shooter and both are working hard to squeeze as much power out of the 360 as possible. A true Xbox 360 fanboy has to be excited about this game, but be sure to keep your guard up, because we all know of a certain game developed by team Id/Raven that didn't live up to its potential (crappy multiplayer just angers me).
Metareview: Every Extend Extra
Every Extend Extra started as a freeware PC app that was transformed by the music-loving Q? Entertainment folks. With flashy skins, and groovin' music, does Every Extend Extra continue the music puzzling legacy of Mizuguchi, or does it fall flat on its face? Let's see what the critics have to say: CVG (90/100) thinks the game is just as good as its Lumines predecessor: "With all the impressive music and visual tech pushing Every Extend Extra, its easy to forget that when you strip it all away there's a unique and addictive shooter lying underneath. As with Lumines, E3 is a game for those who appreciate a simple yet brilliantly-realised, score-driven experience - otherwise you might just be put off by the limited amount of raw content the game has to offer." IGN (81/100) thinks the game's a bit too short-lived, but its pretty looks keep it coming back for more: "Nine stages may not sound like a lot, and truthfully, it's not. But for some cosmic reason it satisfies nonetheless. Each one provides such a distinct arena, complete with unique musical tracks and background animations, that moving through the game gives players an actual sense of accomplishment." The Mizuguchi-worshipping 1UP (60/100) gave a surprisingly low review, saying the game's flashy nature is a bit too distracting: "It's extra flashy, extra chaotic, extra confusing. Q Entertainment's unique sense of style is in full effect, but for once that's maybe not such a good thing. All of Mizuguchi's trademark flash and pizzazz actually detract from the experience." With the exception of 1UP, it appears that the critics enjoy the E3 experience. And although it might be too short, or too flashy, the original Every Extend is included as a nice bonus. The game is now available for the budget price of $30. I'm buying it just for the awesome box art.
Winning Eleven headed to the Wii
Wiinning Eleven? Oh, we couldn't resist. In any case, the extremely popular soccer sim (which almost consistently dominates European sales charts immediately upon release) is coming to the Wii, complete with (you guessed it) a revamped control system designed specially for the system. As cool as a "power boot" clip-on ankle-brace for the Wiimote would be, however, we think it'll be something slightly more traditional. Strangely enough, the CVG article mentions whispers of that very insanity taking place in EA's camp, with the FIFA series. Bizarre. Winning Eleven is a brilliant series, and it's great news for Nintendo to have the series aboard. Note to the confused: Winning Eleven is also known as Pro Evolution Soccer in many parts of the world, including Europe. In retrospect, shouldn't it be called Pro Evolution Football over there? Hmm.
Tetsuya Mizuguchi talks about non-existing girls and alcohol
You should know that Tetsuya Mizuguchi is a gaming god to me. Lumines is still one of the best games on the system by far, and Mizuguchi's puzzling sequel has me more than a little excited. CVG recently had an intimate discussion with the gaming master, and he had some really crazy, possibly drug-induced things to say:CVG: Can you tell us a bit about the title song in Lumines 2, 'Heavenly Star'?Mizuguchi: So the girl in the video, she is 17 years-old. She doesn't exist in this world; she's a future girl. She was born in outer space and she's never touched on this planet yet. This is kind of the big love song for the Earth; she's always dreaming of what kind of place Earth is.Uh... Okay... Maybe the guy had a bit too much to drink before the interview:CVG: How important is synesthesia - integrating music and visuals - in Lumines? More or less important than in Rez or Every Extend Extra?Mizuguchi: Rez is kind of tequila; a very strong shot, but Lumines is like a Sauvignon Blanc; a wine you can drink at Sunday lunch.Yep. The secret to Mizuguchi's success has to be some kind of chemical influence. Maybe you too can become a successful game designer with the right... materials...
Games Convention to feature Vice City & Sonic
According to GameFront, it appears that the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will be presented to members of the press in next week's Games Convention in Germany. Also on-hand at the show, according to GamesIndustry.biz is Sonic Rivals, the first ever original PSP platformer starring Sega's famous mascot. With the convention pending, it appears that new screens of both games are making their way around the internet. CVG has posted new screens of Sonic Rivals, featuring the aptly named Silver, who boasts psychic powers. GAME also has new direct-feed screenshots of Vice City Stories in action, showcasing the "new" rocket launcher.[Thanks, Adriaan!]
Voting opens for GJAs, proceed with caution
Computer & Video Games has announced the ballot boxes are now open for the 24th annual Golden Joystick (not "Joystiq") Awards, one of the longest running events in the industry. While CVG promotes the Golden Joysticks as the "people's awards", you have to wonder if they use the same selection committee as Spike TV when determining the nominees for each category. One disgruntled Joystiq reader is appalled that 50 Cent: Bulletproof somehow managed to collect five nominations (we feel your pain, Sizer), despite the game's metascores being true to its namesake. This smacks of commercialism, but then again it gives the GJAs that gritty, urban flava that you know just personifies all gamers.Another questionable nomination is Shadow the Hedgehog for The Sun's Family Game of the Year. Isn't that the one with the gun-toting, foul-mouthed, "edgy" Sonic wannabe (and a combined metascore of 49)? On behalf of the kiddies, I'll pass.How about the decision to limit the Nuts All-Nighter award to console and handheld games? Does this mean MMOs and other PC games are only addictive outside the UK? That's just nutty! Wait, where's the award for best gaming blog? Oh, never mind.
No longer the Nintendo Revolution?
John Houlihan of CVG reports Revolution could very well be changed come Thursday when Mr. Iwata makes his keynote speech during the on-going Game Developer's Conference. While it's true that Revolution was a codename for the console all along, it wouldn't be smart for Nintendo to go ahead and change the name as it has already saturated the media with it (and we've already made a website dedicated to the name Revolution). Hopefully tomorrow we'll get some actual news from Mr. Iwata so we aren't left speculating all the way to E3.
Rumor: Revolution to be renamed this Thursday
According to CVG, there's "a strong whisper that the Revolution's real name will finally be confirmed this week" at GDC.Satoru Iwata's disruptive GDC keynote, scheduled for Thursday at 10:30 AM PT (1:30 PM ET) to 11:30 AM PT, would be the perfect opportunity to reveal the new name for Nintendo's next console.The other rumor--regarding a highly unlikely June launch for the machine still code-named Revolution--was a lot less believable. Then again, this week's events could simply confirm that the Big N's going with its hardware code name for the Rev as it did for the DS. Questions, questions... hopefully we'll have some answers this Thursday.[Via Gamecloud]See also: Joystiq @ GDC: In the beginning... [a few upcoming GDC highlights] Revolution's real name and final form to be revealed in May Revolution still just a "codename?" Nintendo overhauls the DS [but keeps the code name]
