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'Hunger' could add a touch of the surreal to PS4
Newly unveiled surrealistic action-adventure Hunger may be coming to the PlayStation 4 as a downloadable release. CEO Ola Holmdahl told Joystiq that "Tarsier is currently imagining Hunger as a PSN game for PS4." Hunger stars a young girl called Six who is kidnapped and forced to work at an underwater retreat called The Maw, which exists to serve the rich and powerful. The game centers on Six's journey through The Maw as she attempts to win back her freedom, and while on her adventures Tarsier says she'll catch "a glimpse at the corrupt heart of modern happiness." Clearly it's still early days for Hunger since it was unveiled just yesterday and only with concept art, but a PS4 release makes sense given Tarsier's ties to Sony. After releasing Rag Doll Kung Fu: Fists of Plastic on PS3 and co-developing LittleBigPlanet Vita, Tarsier says it's currently working closely with Sony Computer Entertainment. It's unclear if that specifically relates to Hunger, but the game may well be the same unannounced title Tarsier signed a first-party deal with Sony for, back in 2010. [Image: Tarsier Studios]
LittleBigPlanet Vita dev displays Hunger for new IP
LittleBigPlanet Vita co-developer Tarsier Studios is working on a new intellectual property and game called "Hunger," which the Swedish studio describes as a 3D action-adventure with elements of stealth and exploration. Tarsier announced the news at the Nordic Game Conference today, where it was awarded 500,000 Danish Kroner (around $91,850 dollars) in supportive funding from the Nordic Game Program. There's no word on platforms, but Tarsier did sign a first-party deal with Sony back in 2010 on an unannounced project. Also, today's press release notes the studio is "working closely with Sony Computer Entertainment," although that's not specified as relating to Hunger. Whatever the platforms, Tarsier's concept art and synopsis for its new IP has our interest piqued. Hunger centers on a young girl called Six who's kidnapped and forced to work in The Maw - no, not the purple alien, but a "surreal underwater resort catering to the whims of the powerful elite." We wonder if there's an element of the classic British TV series The Prisoner in there, since Hunger also has a Six trying to escape from a super-weird retreat. Anyway, as soon as we get more information, information, information. we'll let you know. [Image: Tarsier Studios]
LittleBigPlanet Vita launch trailer has mini-games for all to enjoy
LittleBigPlanet Vita officially launches September 25, but already a few intrepid fans have slaved over strategies and painstakingly outwitted various retailers into selling them copies ahead of release – or there was just a misunderstanding and some stores put out the game early.On the PlayStation Blog, Tarsier Studios community coordinator Simon Rosenkotter says he hopes these players are enjoying the game, but warns the servers won't go live until tomorrow, so online play is still blocked until then. Sony has given the go-ahead to retailers to sell the game early, so check your local stores.To satiate early players and the jealous masses, above we have the LittleBigPlanet Vita launch trailer, showing off the mini-games in the game's Arcade option.
LittleBigPlanet Vita's street date lifted, no online until tomorrow
Originally listed for a September 25 release, copies of LittleBigPlanet Vita are popping up on retail shelves early after Sony lifted the game's street date. Speaking to Game Informer, Sony confirmed the street date is now a "launch date" and retailers can sell the game early.Sony then made an official announcement, noting the game has no online functionality until tomorrow when the servers go live. Compared to the statement given to Game Informer, the wording is more suggestive of certain retailers selling the game early outside of Sony's control. It reads:"Production on LittleBigPlanet PlayStation Vita was completed earlier than expected, and due to the excitement from our retail partners, some have decided to put it on shelves as soon as the product was received. You'll still be able to fully enjoy all the offline features of the game, but the servers will not go live until September 18th. We apologize for any confusion this may cause and will keep you posted on any further updates."While LittleBigPlanet Vita officially launches next Tuesday, it's available at certain retailers now including some GameStop outlets, as confirmed by NeoGAF users. It may well be worth the early hunt, with our review deeming the Vita entry the best LittleBigPlanet yet.
LittleBigPlanet Vita review: Small wonders
Counting portable iterations and spin-offs, Sackboy has made a new game appearance every year since the LittleBigPlanet franchise was born. It's been easy to grow fatigued, adorable as he may be, especially as the series' major improvements came to its creative tools instead of its platforming chops. For the Vita version, co-developers Double Eleven and Tarsier Studios must have been studying the series' progression closely and taking notes, as they have produced the best LittleBigPlanet game to date.That's not to say that it's terribly different from its predecessors. You'll still find the same physics-based platforming, robust building tools, and customization options as before. Rather than redefining the franchise, LittleBigPlanet Vita is more of a "greatest hits" compendium of everything Media Molecule built in previous incarnations, with a few welcome bits of tinkering to improve the already-strong formula.%Gallery-165047%
Finding the right touch in LittleBigPlanet Vita
While PlayStation Vita games output gorgeous visuals on its screen, use of its alternate control mechanisms – like touch and tilt – have often felt flat. But our recent experience with LittleBigPlanet Vita has reinvigorated our interest in tapping and tumbling about with our Sony handheld. Somehow it seems fitting that the first-party series known for its creativity is the one to show developers how to use touch correctly.The touch and tilt features in LittleBigPlanet seems additive to the experience, rather than wasted, unnecessary, or tacked on – a typical error of such functions. And since you're reaching in the adorable and tiny world, impacting small objects in aid to your little sack-person, the conceit of touch makes perfect sense within the LBP theme.%Gallery-130817%
LittleBigPlanet Vita box art is as joyous as you'd expect
Media Molecule revealed the box art for LittleBigPlanet Vita, shown in its full glory below (that Sack Boy is naked, after all). The LBP team also dropped a behind-the-scenes video that describes how the collaboration between Media Molecule and developer Tarsier, well, developed.
LittleBigPlanet Vita being developed by Double11
In case you didn't know, we quite liked LittleBigPlanet's PlayStation Vita outing when we played it during E3. Heck, it was even Griffin's game of the show. And as of today, we know who to thank for brightening our annual week of overwork -- Double11. The ex-Rockstar helmed studio has been recruiting for LBP Vita and grown to over 30 staff members since being formed in 2010. "We've spent the best part of a year recruiting a crack squad of games development professionals and we're delighted that we can finally announce it," CEO Lee Hutchinson notes in the announcement. Also in the release: news that the game is being co-developed by Sweden-based Tarsier Studios, who contributed to previous LBP games on PS3. Reps from Tarsier didn't get to say anything in the release.
Rag Doll Kung Fu producer explains game mechanic
If you haven't played the original Rag Doll Kung Fu on PC, the upcoming PSN-exclusive Fists of Plastic may seem a bit baffling. Utilizing the analog sticks and SIXAXIS controls, this "casual" 2D fighter plays unlike any traditional beat-em-up you've seen. It's hard to fully explain the unique premise of the game, so we think this video from the PlayStation.Blog will do the job.We're certain the motion controls will be hit-or-miss with the community. We're thinking Sony will have to release a demo to let people get a feel for themselves if the rather bizarre controls suit their taste.%Gallery-27901%
