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Best of the Rest: Ludwig's Picks of 2009
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories I mocked this "re-imagining" of Silent Hill when it was first announced. I thought Harry Mason had become an older, life-hewn Harry Potter and considered the town's frosty makeover as nothing short of sacrilege. But an encounter with the game at E3 2009 (and with candid producer Tomm Hulett) quickly changed my mind. While the game departs significantly from the franchise's known lore, it retains and streamlines much of what made Silent Hill stand out against games like Resident Evil. Encased in the game's frigid atmosphere, you'll experience a sense of bewilderment that, if you've been playing these games for a long time, you will not have felt in years. Indeed, the best surprises prey on those of us who think we know everything about Silent Hill.
Best of the Rest: Alexander's Picks of 2009
Valkyria Chronicles "BUT THAT GAME WAS 2008!!11one!1!" Well, yes, in the strictest sense. Sega's strategy role-playing game, an epic tale chronicling the hardships and victories of Gallian militia Squad 7, was sent out to die by the publisher when it released in November 2008. However, word-of-mouth, critical praise and some discounted pricing helped the saga find a place in many people's lives (and hearts) by mid-2009. One of the most endearing mechanics implemented in the game was giving all the playable members of Squad 7 bonuses (or flaws) based on their neuroses, relationships and desires. Also, every character had a different personality that shined during their turn through little quips and order recognition comments. It gave the entire cast more depth of character, even as the player only saw a handful of the troops during cutscenes. Despite the requisite Japanese RPG flair and melodrama, there was a simple beauty and charm in the storytelling, while the gameplay introduced a great basis for iteration. Valkyria Chronicles is a series that, with love and attention, could become so much more. I look forward to returning to Gallia and hope future installments recognize that the delightful characters are as important to the series as the strategic gameplay.
Best of the Rest: Dave's Picks of 2009
Resident Evil 5 I've long been a fan of the Resident Evil series, and while the campaign here has problems and should never be played solo, the Mercenaries mode is what kept me coming back. Those action-packed levels spent trying to survive while running low on ammo and health were some of my most chaotic, yet highly enjoyable, experiences of 2009.
Best of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2009
DJ Hero What started out as tepid fascination in DJ Hero quickly turned into a deep, passionate love. I initially thought it was just another rhythm game knock-off with an obtuse peripheral and a too-high price point. However, as my turntabling improved, my fondness for the game multiplied. Based on the game's lackluster sales, I'm guessing most people shared my outright hesitance -- but once you invest a bit of time and patience into DJ Hero, I guarantee you'll get hooked. (And that soundtrack! Oh, man, that soundtrack.)
Resident Evil 5's 'Desperate Escape' episode detailed
Yesterday, we learned about the cast swap that would take place in Resident Evil 5 Alternative Edition's second downloadable episode, Desperate Escape. However, we had no context in which to put Jill Valentine and Josh Stone in cahoots, nor did we know what they'd be doing while cahooted. Now, thanks to an announcement from Capcom, we know: They'll be escaping. Desperately. We'll try to share these details without dropping any spoilers: Josh encounters Jill, who has collapsed after that one fight. Together, they have to escape from the Tricell facility, pushing through wave after wave of faux-zombies in the middle of the night. They'll need to do so quickly, as they need to fulfill their important, life-saving duties to Chris and Sheva, who are simultaneously locked in battle with that one guy. Additionally, Capcom has released some screens of the new episode, which we've posted in the gallery below. Also, the developer revealed two new costumes for Chris and Sheva in the game's Mercenaries Reunion mode: Chris gets "Heavy Metal" duds, while Sheva gets somewhat classier "Business" attire. Check them out in the videos after the jump! %Gallery-80498%
Second Resident Evil 5 episode has playable Jill and Josh
Are you bored with the unspoken, yet powerful sexual tension between Resident Evil 5's protagonists, Chris and Sheva? Yeah, we are too -- that's why we're so excited about these scans from the latest issue of Famitsu (as uncovered by Siliconera), which reveal that the second chapter in the game's Alternative Edition DLC, titled Desperate Escape, will let you play as Jill Valentine and Josh Stone. In case you didn't recognize that last name, Josh Stone is actually a pretty popular British female soul singer. Seems like a weird choice, but what-evs. Okay, Josh Stone is actually the BSAA member who helps out Chris and Sheva throughout the game -- mostly through the deus ex machina helicopter rescues for which the series is well-known. But wait -- if you're playing as Josh Stone, who's going to come rescue you at the end of the game in a helicopter? This could be bad, folks.
Sheva and Chris getting new duds in Resident Evil 5 DLC
If you're desperately wanting to get your hands on some new glad rags for Resident Evil 5's co-operative protagonists, then the expanded "Mercenaries Reunion" gametype in the game's upcoming DLC should fulfill your sartorial fantasies. Sheva's new outfit, nicknamed "Fairy Tale," resembles Little Red Riding Hood's garments, as reimagined by someone involved in the adult film industry. Chris's new outfit, nicknamed "Warrior," simply turns him into a person-shaped collection of fists. Sheva's duds can be seen in the video above, while Chris's can be found just after the jump. Proceed with caution if you elect to view the latter -- there's a very real possibility that your eyeballs could get punched.
Games for Windows Live adding Games on Demand beginning Dec. 15
Games on Demand, a.k.a. full game downloads, is one of the more recent additions to Xbox Live -- and today Microsoft has announced that it's bringing the service to its Games For Windows Live platform beginning December 15. GFWL creative director Chuck Osieja calls the initiative "Microsoft's return to delivering Windows games built on unique LIVE experiences." The service has a rocky history of sporadic supported releases and last summer ditched its subscription fees in the face of competition from the likes of Steam. The move puts Microsoft up against Valve's digi-distribution service, which similarly offers community features and its own Achievements system, but boasts a much larger catalog at present. The GFWL Games on Demand initial lineup will include Resident Evil 5, Red Faction: Guerrilla and Battlestations Pacific along with new GFWL-enabled versions of 2D Boy's excellent World of Goo and Hemisphere Games' Osmos -- all titles currently offered by Steam, with some available via Stardock's Impulse service. Microsoft hasn't divulged pricing for titles offered via GFWL Games on Demand. A reworked version of the former Windows Vista Ultimate Extra Tinker will be made available free to GFWL users when the Games on Demand service launches a week from next Tuesday.
Google Zeitgeist 2009 shows year's top game searches
We would never call you out on your love for whatever crappy thing it is that you love but, guys, you're using Google wrong. Its recent Zeitgeist 2009 report shows what the most popular gaming term searches of this year have been and the results are pretty surprising.At the top spot is Ghostbusters, which is fine by us -- it was a pretty big deal when it was announced and it sold a lot of copies, so naturally folks were interested. But, as we delve deeper into the top 10, the search terms become a bit more interesting. The next three terms -- "ufc" "saw" and "bakugan" -- really threw us for a loop. Saw? Really? Bakugan? What is that, a gun that uses evil Japanese spirits for ammo? Actually, that sounds pretty cool.Further into the list, we see that Batman: Arkham Asylum managed to put a batarang in the fifth spot, much lower than we'd like, but we can live with that -- however, coming in at the sixth spot is Twilight. Guys! Vampires. Do. Not. Sparkle. Seventh was FIFA 2010, followed by Modern Warfare in eighth. The ninth spot belonged to Transformers 2, which we must admit has one of this year's best performances by a human male, so that seems okay. Finally, Resident Evil 5 rounded out the list in last place.
Steam Deals Day Three: Resident Evil 5, Left 4 Dead, Borderlands on sale
To quote the immortal words of the musical revolutionaries known as Widelife, "all things just keep getting better!" For the purpose of this post, "all things" include Steam's post-Thanksgiving deals, which seem to have hit critical value mass today. Resident Evil 5 for $24.99? Borderlands for $33.49? Ghostbusters for $9.99? Left 4 Dead: Game of the Year Edition for $7.49? Daddy like. Once again, if you don't like the games which have had their prices temporarily torn in twain, tune in tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. PST for the next batch of deals.
Grenade out! Resident Evil plushies blast our hearts apart
If you've got room in your heart for one more thing to be grateful for, may we recommend these adorable Resident Evil inspired grenade plushies (via Sprite Stitch)? Yeah, these exist and it just warms the cockles of our heart. We can't help but dream about how great these crafty items would look hanging on our belt next Halloween (or during our inspired cosplay sessions). If only we knew how to sew!
Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition's new enemy is all kinds of creepy
Capcom has updated its official Japanese Resident Evil 5 site, revealing the new enemy featured in the upcoming Gold Edition retail and (assorted) DLC release of the game. The new nemesis is an unnamed and extremely grotesque behemoth who carries a large key-like anchor, stalking the underground of Spencer's Mansion in the content's Lost in Nightmares episode. According to an English translation of the character card, players can hunt down the beast to obtain heavy weapons such as a sickle. If the design proves one thing, it's that Capcom continues to create characters with terrible skin afflictions. Someone get this guy an ointment.[Via Andriasang]
Capcom: 'No plans' for RE5 DLC on PC
When the new "Gold Edition" content for Capcom's oh-my-god-get-it-off-me-em-up, Resident Evil 5, was announced for consoles, PC players were feeling left outside the Spencer Mansion. G4 got in touch with Capcom to find out why the PC version wasn't listed as a platform for the new episodes and costumes, to which Capcom responded it had "no plans for PC at this point." The snub strikes us as odd, considering Capcom's continued support for its biggest games -- including Street Fighter IV, Bionic Commando and even RE5 -- on the PC platform throughout this year and into 2010 with Lost Planet 2, Dark Void and Dead Rising 2. What's the matter, Capcom -- did the extras train derail at Weird Costume Gulch?
RE5: Lost in Nightmares teaser goes back to the mansion
Jill Valentine knows what's up: Only the most refined individual understands the elegance of the crank. Chris Redfield and his personal gun show may complain that an entire mansion is being run on the archaic device in this teaser for upcoming Resident Evil 5 DLC episode, Lost in Nightmares, but that's because the dude doesn't respect the crank's noble history. We're just glad one of the two survivalists has enough class to acknowledge the significance of history's great gate opener. %Gallery-78541%
Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition hits retail in March, DLC in February [update]
It looks like Capcom USA was tired of us making fun of the proposed name for the upcoming Resident Evil 5 expansion, "Alternative Edition." The division has chosen a bling-ier title for its stateside release: Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition. Gold Edition will be released as a retail box copy on March 9 for $49.99 as a single Blu-ray disc, including the original game and add-on content, on PS3 and as a DVD with download voucher for Xbox 360. If you already have Resident Evil 5, you'll be able to pick up the first DLC chapter earlier. "Lost in Nightmares" and a custom pack will be available for download on February 17 for Xbox 360 and February 18 for PS3, while the second, unnamed DLC episode will be released March 3 (Xbox 360) and 4th (PS3) alongside a second costume pack. No mention has been made of a possible PC release. Update: Capcom passed along dates for the European release. The PAL DLC release dates are the same as those reported above. However, the Gold Edition retail release will be Friday, March 12. %Gallery-78541%
Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition has an alternate episode
The upcoming Alternative Edition DLC for Resident Evil 5 is going to include much more than motion controller support for PS3 and the "Lost in Nightmares" flashback episode. The latest issue of Japanese mag Famitsu (via Andriasang) notes that Capcom has two additional surprises for players: new costumes and new characters for a revamped "Mercenaries Reunion" (seen above), as well as an extra, yet-to-be-revealed chapter.All this content will be released as four separate DLC packs: "Lost in Nightmares" Episode - 400 ($5) Costume Pack 1 - 160 ($2) Costume Pack 2 - 160 ($2) Additional TBA Episode - 400 ($5) These prices are only confirmed for Japan, but it's unlikely the US release will be too different. Will two new campaign episodes lure you back into Resident Evil 5's monster safari?
Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition content coming as DLC
Remember when Capcom conducted a poll asking how we wanted to receive the additional content being offered in Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition -- in a boxed version of the game or as a DLC expansion to the original? Turns out the questionnaire wasn't a pointless exercise. A majority of the participants answered that they'd rather receive the new features (including motion-control functionality) as a downloadable pack. After deliberating with the RE5 team in Osaka, Capcom has announced that the new content will come to the U.S., Europe and Australia as DLC for the core game. Considering Alternative Edition is going to Japan in a retail box, this move is fairly surprising. Perhaps even a little upsetting, if you've gone ahead and traded your copy of the game in towards the cost of Horse Life Adventures. Even more upsetting if you did that today. Like, right before writing this post. Gah!
Reuters: RE5 sold 1.94M in US; Dead Space 2 in development for 2010
In a story about the scarier games (it's almost Halloween, don'tchaknow?), Reuters mentioned two things we thought would be good for this website we got going here. First, there's Capcom's Resident Evil 5, which Reuters reports has managed to sell 1.94 million copies in the US, according to NPD Group figures. The second part of the Reuters story talks about EA and its spookier titles for 2009: Left 4 Dead 2 and Dead Space: Extraction. While there isn't anything new on the former, in a discussion of the latter, Reuters revealed that Dead Space 2 is apparently planned for a 2010 release, which would seem to confirm what we've heard about the game so far.
Capcom posts strong Q2 2009 earnings, despite 'soft' overseas sales
Capcom has posted its financial results for the six months ending September 30, 2009, and things are definitely looking good for the company. The publisher reported net sales of ¥38.892 billion ($426 million), up from ¥31.236 billion ($342 million) during the same period last year, which amounts to a 24.5-percent increase. The majority of those sales were generated by Capcom's home video games division, which pulled in ¥27.748 billion ($303 million) -- up from ¥16.486 ($180 million); a staggering 68.3-percent increase. Capcom credits strong sales of Monster Hunter Tri in Japan, as well as continued sales of Resident Evil 5, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Ace Attorney: Investigations to its recent financial success. However, the company stated that overseas sales remained "soft" for the period thanks to the delay of Dark Void and the weak performance of Bionic Commando and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. Joystiq readers will recall that Capcom leveled complaints at the same games in its first quarter report earlier this year. It's worth noting that overseas sales still amounted to ¥11.739 billion ($128 million), which accounted for 57-percent of the home video games division sales. We suppose Capcom might consider that "soft," but the suits can't be too broken up about it. Source -- Capcom | Favorable Financial Results for the 6 months ended September 30, 2009 Source -- Capcom | Consolidated Financial Results for the 2nd Quarter of the FY2009
Reminder: XBL Deal of the Week is RE5 Versus Mode
As promised, this week's Xbox Live Deal of the Week is the Versus Mode DLC for Resident Evil 5. The content has been discounted by forty percent, dropping from 400 ($5) to 240 ($3). We can't imagine there being too many fence-sitters out there waiting to buy this initially controversial DLC (which we liked). Over in Japan, they're getting a different deal: Golf: Tee It Up for 400 ($5), fifty percent off the normal price. Remember when you could just call a game "Golf" and be done with it? [Via Major Nelson]
