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Plenty of post-release content planned for Section 8
We've got high hopes for Section 8, a promising sci-fi FPS from TimeGate. But today we learned that the game has even more going for it than the ability to drop from space and kill a tank (which you can admit is already quite a lot). The devs are also pretty adept at forward thinking. Producer Robert Siwiak told Gamasutra, "We're already planning on releasing additional map packs and other content, potentially new weapons and vehicles into the mix. After the game has launched, we fully intend to support the community and add in additional content and otherwise fill the gap between now and a potential Section 8 sequel." Yikes, already thinking sequels, TimeGate? Live in the now!
Section 8 pre-order bonus revealed, GameStop exclusive
SouthPeak has revealed a special Section 8 goody for those who pre-order the game from GameStop (and only at GameStop). Pre-order either the PC or Xbox 360 version of Section 8 and you'll get a special set of armor known as the Captain's Armor. The armor can be worn by either of the game's factions. Members of Section 8 will don the armor with a golden eagle on the shoulder, while members of the rebellious Arm of Orion will sport a helmet with a gold-trimmed lion. Considering what some people are willing to go through for an in-game set of armor, we'd say pre-ordering is a pretty simple option. Check out shots of the armor in the gallery below. %Gallery-66033%
Paramount won't use 'Section 8' name, TimeGate drops suit
We were just getting geared up for a protracted legal cat fight between developer TimeGate and movie studio Paramount over the rights to the name "Section 8" ... but the whole thing fizzled nearly before it began. If you'll remember, TimeGate claimed that it shared the name of its FPS with Paramount, which later announced it was working on an interactive property of the same name, prompting the game developer to sue the studio. Now, Paramount has agreed to not use the name and, in turn, TimeGate has dismissed the suit. Bor-ing.
TimeGate sues Paramount for using Section 8 name
We know that legal squabbles can be a little dry, but a new conflict between Section 8 creator TimeGate and Paramount at least has an interesting story behind it to spice things up. According to a suit recently filed by TimeGate, the two companies met several times to discuss business opportunities related to the game. But after said meetings, Paramount allegedly cut off contact with TimeGate and, three days later, announced a new interactive project entitled "Section 8." We asked TimeGate for further comment, a request which its lawyers advised it to decline. It's a shame, too, because we had a great suggestion for their next legal battle.
GDC09: Hands-on with sci-fi shooter Section 8
Getting killed isn't really a treat in any multiplayer experience. Sure, it gives you a little time to hastily make a sandwich, but that's not really why you're playing the game in the first place, is it? Developer TimeGate (you know, the one behind the F.E.A.R. expansions) has figured out a clever way to circumvent that in its FPS Section 8. After death, you literally dive back onto the battlefield from 15,000 feet in a location of your choice and woe to anything or anyone that's in the way. It's a clever way to make even death enjoyable, and it's just one of the smart tweaks TimeGate has made to the eternal battle between gun-toting guys in space armor and -- well, other gun-toting guys in space armor. %Gallery-4522%
New Velvet Assassin trailer misappropriates Churchill's famous speech
Velvet Assassin has been tasked with performing something rarely possible in games centered on WWII-era events: Basing the story on a real person and keeping things classy. Take, for example, the new trailer the game's publisher, SouthPeak, dropped on us today. Employing one of the most powerful and moving speeches ever given by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, we don't exactly consider the modern rock ending on this trailer keeping anything classy.Though our time spent with the game at the New York Comic Con last month left us feeling a bit less than ecstatic for the game's impending "April release window," we remain intrigued by Velvet Assassin -- even if the trailer misappropriates one of the most famous speeches in all of history.
Metareview -- Ninjatown (DS)
We have a tendency to miss metareviewing portable games, especially when they're caught up in the mad flood of holiday releases. But Ninjatown has been getting such good scores we figured it deserved its moment in the sun, especially since you'll be able to pick it up for $15 on Friday. ... And yes, OK, it's kind of a slow news day. So sue us. GameShark (91/100): "Ninjatown has 'sleeper hit' written all over it. It certainly looks innocent enough on the outside – it's cute and goofy, and oozes sugary sweetness, as it's actually based on a stuffed toy line (the Shawnimals, created by ex game journo Shawn Smith). But underneath that fluffy exterior is a seriously addictive tower defense game that is as hardcore as it is adorable." Game Informer (90/100): "Don't let the cutie-pie exterior fool you - Ninjatown is a gamer's game through and through. The units in this tower-defense title are versatile and useful, enemies are diverse and deadly, and there are enough power-ups and options to keep things fresh. Best of all, levels don't seem to have a preset way to beat them, unlike many tower-defense games on the market." 1UP (B+): "Ninjatown's layered in a coating of sickly sweetness that no amount of scrubbing will ever get out of your DS slot, but this obviously wasn't a game rushed out just to peddle Shawnimals merchandise. If you can get past the saccharine coating of the Ninjatown world, you'll find a surprisingly good tower defense?style filling hidden inside the hard candy shell." GameDaily (80/100): "Once you're done admiring the charming and colorful artwork that encompasses the Ninjatown box, you'll soon realize there's a deep, addictive and challenging game for your DS inside. Ninjatown takes the fast-thinking, reactionary gameplay of tower defense and combines it with simple real-time strategy elements, creating one of the more compelling and unique games in recent memory."
Things on Wheels: A look at the muscled Buster
(click to embiggen) Load Inc.'s upcoming Xbox Live Arcade racer of radio controlled proportions, Things on Wheels will be releasing to the Arcade in the not too distant future and, in preparation, every week they're revealing information about each lil' racer. They're actually using a series of collectible digital cards (trade 'em with your friends!) that detail car stats and information. To start off the RC car revealing fun, Load Inc. sent us the first card announcing the muscle car Buster which we're told has the "best handling of its class." High fives to that!Check the gallery below for a few screenshots of Buster, view the nifty card and keep an eye out for more Things on Wheels vehicle reveals in the weeks to come. Vroom! %Gallery-35798%
DS Fanboy Review: Ninjatown
When I received my pretty-much-complete build of Ninjatown, I was floored at just how much fun this ridiculously cute game is. But, beneath its layer of cute sprites and witty dialogue hides a masochistic game that loves to punish you for making an incorrect move. Of course, it is a strategy game, after all. %Gallery-15839%
Joystiq hands-on: Ninjatown
Designed by artist and former EGM editor Shawn Smith, Ninjatown is so sugary-cute that it should come packaged with flavored DS screen protectors. Its looks are just as sly as ninjas themselves, as we found a (so far) surprisingly deep action-strategy game underneath all the serious eye-fluff. We got some stylus time with a nice and solid pre-release version of the game yesterday. At first, we caught ourselves giggling a bit as the game's mechanics were explained. After all, it's not every day that you see a special attack where you literally blow away ah-dorable fire demons using the DS microphone. Keep reading for more silliness and our full impressions. %Gallery-25123%
This Wednesday: Roogoo has pocket Aces (of the Galaxy)
It's not often we read a press release lauding a game for "[updating] the square peg in round hole premise to a whole new level," but that's just how Roogoo is described. You can find out for yourself this Wednesday, either through the demo or by plopping down a virtual Alexander Hamilton (800 MS points). Also coming this Wednesday (and also for 800 MS points) is Aces of the Galaxy, which looks to be a frenetic on-rails space shooter for those who haven't gotten their space shooter fills with Ikaruga. Both titles will be available this Wednesday, June 4 at 4:00 a.m. Joystiq Standard Time. %Gallery-22526% Gallery: Aces of the Galaxy (XBLA)
Puzzler Roogoo slides onto XBLA on June 4
If you've got Microsoft Points burning a hole in your pocket, and are left wanting for yet another Xbox Live Arcade puzzler, next Wednesday's release of Roogoo may be just up your alley. Publisher SouthPeak has announced that it will drop the puzzle game onto the service for 800 MS Points ($10), promising all the fun you and up to three other players can have by sliding pegs of different shapes into their appropriate holes ... all while trying to save an alien race. While the game draws more than a little influence from toys aimed at toddlers, our recent hands-on time with Roogoo still managed to keep us entertained, though you can judge for yourself when the puzzler drops onto XBLA on June 4. %Gallery-22526%
Joystiq hands-on: Roogoo (XBLA)
Heard of Roogoo? Don't worry if you haven't. It's fallen a little under the radar, but our recent hands-on with this XBLA title has us hankering for more. Describing the game's premise does it little justice, simply because it seems like something that would barely entertain a three year old. However, under the game's cute exterior and almost-mindlessly simple gameplay lies a lot of depth and fun. Roogoo follows one of the cardinal rules of the puzzle genre: inexplicably, things are falling from the sky. Blocks of various shapes will descend from above, and players must rotate platforms to allow these shapes to continue their journey downward. We're certain you've played with preschool toys that are similar to this: star goes in star, triangle goes in triangle, box goes in box, etc. The shoulder buttons rotate the platforms, and the A button lets you accelerate the falling piece. As we warned, this description does little to make the game sound very entertaining. Trust me, I had the same reservations as you're probably thinking when approaching this title. However, things get surprisingly (almost embarassingly) difficult later on. Enemies will spawn in holes, and can only be knocked off by accelerating blocks on their heads. Blocks won't only come down faster, but they'll come down more than one at a time, forcing players to look at multiple levels of play at the same time. Jumping to one of the later levels had us reach miserable failure in a matter of seconds, as we collapsed under the overwhelming weight of colorful children's blocks. %Gallery-22526%
More DLC arrives for Two Worlds
Stop the presses! What's that, we don't have presses? Well then carry on! Ladies and gentlemen another momentous day is upon us as yet another piece of downloadable content has arrived for Two Worlds. Honestly, we're hard-pressed to tell the difference between this round of DLC and the pack that was released last month. Both contain 35 new quests and a PVP mode in which players "battle one another in an innovative player-versus-player challenge where opponents battle to control magical orbs within a variety of arenas." No, seriously, the press releases for each piece of DLC used the exact same wording to describe the new PVP mode. So, we're not sure if both packs come with the same PVP arenas or not. Still, that's a total of 70 new quests if you're so inclined. Oh, and just so you can tell them apart, the newest piece of DLC is called Curse of Souls. It will run you 600 Microsoft Points.
EIEIO 08: Section 8 details fall from the sky
click to embiggen It's been a long time since we first heard about TimeGate Studios' Section 8. Based on the "not even pre-alpha" game on display at this year's EIEIO, it's going to be even longer before we see a final game. It's currently slated for the third quarter of next year on Xbox 360 and PC. But developer TimeGate Studios – they did the F.E.A.R. expansions, if you'll recall – did give a short gameplay demonstration, and revealed one of the major facets of the Section 8 experience. The game's name comes from the nickname given to the future 8th Armored Infantry, of which your character is a member. This group consists of soldiers who have volunteered to wear a super-powerful armored suit (awesome!) and be launched into combat from space. The joke is that you would have to be crazy to volunteer for that, so the squad is informally called "Section 8" after the military code for a psychologically-motivated discharge. %Gallery-4522%
October may be Ninjatime
Gamefly, the online rental service that takes too long to ship things to our apartment, now has a release date for the adorable Ninjatown: October 16th of this year. This is the first we've heard of even a ballpark release date for the action/strategy/awwwww game based on Shawn Smith's characters. Gamefly tends to know their stuff, too, so if this release date turns out to be inaccurate, it's probably because the publisher changed it.Now that we know when the game is coming out, we can start budgeting our expenditures of hundreds of Pocket Staches and plush ninjas versus the actual game.[Pocket Stache available here]
Roogoo to puzzle on XBLA, PC
Two Worlds didn't exactly make SouthPeak a household name, and we're willing to bet Roogoo won't either (oh well, there's always Ninjatown). But the North Carolina publisher has thankfully taken a step back from last year's grandiose flop and teamed with developer SpiderMonk Entertainment to release a simpler project, Roogoo. The game title lacks any coherent meaning, until you consider that gameplay is based on the simple concept of matching different-shaped blocks to corresponding holes -- an exercise many of us practiced back in diapers. And so, "roogoo" is perhaps a nod to those days of gurgling baby-speak. In development for Xbox Live Arcade and Windows, Roogoo is better described as a puzzle game which "tasks players with guiding meteors in the form of shaped blocks though a series of rotating disks as a means of saving planet Roo and the entire Roogoo race." Didn't you know? Your parents were training you to one day save a doomed alien race! Roogoo is slated for release this April. [Via press release] %Gallery-15863%
Two Worlds expansion to tempt you in 2008
Sure, Two Worlds may not have the best reviews or consumer confidence right now, but that doesn't make it beyond salvation (just look at the now-awesome Boom Boom Rocket). An expansion for the game, dubbed The Temptation, is coming second quarter 2008. According to WorthPlaying (pictures), Temptation has what you'd expect from an expansion: new areas, new baddies, new abilities and better AI. The real question is will Temptation tempt you to (re)visit Two Worlds next year?
How epic is Two Worlds? So epic ...
Two Worlds, the upcoming RPG from Reality Pump and SouthPeak Games, has always had one thing going for it: online multiplayer. With an similar design aesthetic to the 360's crown champion RPG, Oblivion, multiplayer is really the major selling point for Two Worlds. Sure, the game's creators contend that it improves on Oblivion in many ways, but for most gamers, the focus has been the promise of multiplayer. So, we knew about that. What we didn't know was that Two Worlds is the most epic RPG of all time. Yes, according to this latest promotional video, Two Worlds is just that. We certainly don't want to argue with marketing material (it's so shiny!), but we think we'll reserve judgment until the game is actually available.
Two Worlds releases in July, not August
Two Worlds has seen so many release date changes it's getting hard to keep track of them. Back in May, Two Worlds was set for a release in July. Then we heard just last week that the game would be released in August. Now, speaking to GamingTalkHQ, SouthPeak has announced that the game will be coming out in July after all. Specifically, a SouthPeak representative said that the game will release on July 31st (assuming that this time the date is correct anyway). Whenever Two Worlds does come out, we hope it's worth the wait.
