Nick Doerr
Articles by Nick Doerr
Take your own holiday with Aquanaut's Holiday screenshots
If you're having trouble procuring funds and equipment for your own underwater holiday, perhaps your appetite for the aqueous will be temporarily satiated by these images for Aquanaut's Holiday. Japanese site GameWatch has posted some images from the Artdink title and it's looking pretty good. Of course, you've got to be into the whole "take pictures of animals in a relaxed environment" style of game, but that shouldn't be too hard of a prerequisite if the searching portion is fun. The game comes out in September of this year in Japan.
Ugly, but real, leaked Prince of Persia footage
Now, we're all about grabbing up leaked game footage and delivering it to your computer screen. But this leaked Prince of Persia footage almost made us toss it right into the garbage can. The reason? Less-than-YouTube-quality video is one problem, but the footage is just of the camera doing its thing. The characters just sit there and look bored -- literally. They want to do something, obviously, but no. They must sit there whilst the camera runs free. Enjoy your first cross-eyed look at Prince of Persia!
PS3 Poll Police: did you have firmware 2.40 troubles?
The Poll Police want to check on something this week since all squad members at HQ (being we, the bloggers) did not have any issues with the 2.40 firmware update. Was the faulty firmware widespread, or limited to enough people that it was a minor issue, but the internet was set on fire anyway because it's fun to rain on somebody's parade? That's probably a loaded question, so let's reword that in the form of a poll. Any troubles with firmware 2.40? I have been trouble-free. A few minor hiccups, but it's fine. Yes, I had problems and had to de-update or whatever. I actually didn't download the update -- too slow or didn't feel like it. I don't have a PS3 and thus put my vote here. My opinion is different. I am a rebel. pollcode.com free polls As noted earlier, none of us had any issues with it and it'll be interesting to see just how many of you intrepid readers have experienced whatever negative issues came with the firmware. What about the results from our last poll? Check 'em out after the 'continue reading' cut below.
Lempel has 'robust' Home on schedule, movie downloads soon
Eric Lempel said Home is still on schedule for a release this Fall. Let's start with that reassurance. When pointing out that Home will still be in a beta stage upon said release despite delays, Lempel replied with "the reason we've been delaying [Home] is so that we can deliver a high quality service that the users will enjoy. Even though it will be in beta, it will be a fair representation of what the service can be and its potential, so it won't be a 0.5 release, it will be a fully robust service." Expect the movie download service to get implemented into Home somehow, even though it's getting released in the US this Summer. No word on other regions or TV and music content -- but Sony will "offer everything [consumers] expect from us and probably a little bit more." He declined to discuss the potential for the PS3 to transfer said movies onto the PSP, which usually means it's going to happen in a big announcement at some big game developer event. Whatever those are. No promises!
SOCOM: Confrontation trailer shows terrorists getting just desserts
Here's a new trailer for the PS3 exclusive SOCOM: Confrontation. What would you expect to see in this video? There are Navy SEALs, guns, and SEALs using said guns. Still -- the areas look huge and fantastic. Who doesn't love gunning down terrorists? It's just a selfish wish, but we'd like a more realistic cover system. The devs do realize that bullets would go right through a barrel and/or a wooden wagon, right? It makes for cover in the game, sure, but at least let such cover points get demolished easily. That said, we'll shut up and enjoy it for what it is: an action-packed trailer.
Burnout Paradise Cagney update not delayed for PS3
Have you heard the news that Burnout Paradise's update known as Cagney has been delayed? Fear not, PS3 fans! While we've become fairly accepting of delays and assume any game or update getting delayed is due to the PS3, this way of thinking is incorrect in this case. The PS3 update is still scheduled to go for July 10, but the 360 version has unfortunately been pushed back a few days. All is not sunshine and rainbows, though. Sony Korea has yet to approve the update, so until they do, this won't get released. It's still expected by July 10, but if not, we know which Sony headquarters to give the hairy eyeball.
Aquanaut's Holiday, previously Aqua, confirmed as site opens
Last week we got word that Aquanaut's Holiday might get a remake for release this September, as it was briefly put up on a Japanese retail site and then removed. Seems that is wasn't a rumor after all. It's actually the game we once knew as Aqua -- a sea-exploration game where you collect data on the critters in the water. It's like Afrika, but wet. A brief video from when it was called Aqua is above and the official website has launched, so go ahead and check that out too.
An Xbox fan's perspective: is it time to move to PS3?
Just a foreword: we're not trying to instigate any console wars or flame wars here. This is just a pretty interesting article written objectively from the mouth of a self-proclaimed "Xbot" -- whatever that is. The author goes on to explain why he feels now is a pretty good time to switch from the 360 to the PS3. He points out a few good reasons and we'll outline them below. It's up to you to confirm or deny these ideas; come to your own conclusions about the reasons and let us know!First off, he points to the 2.40 update (once it gets ironed out for those experiencing problems), saying it brings the PSN to almost all the same features as Xbox Live and it's free. The price is no longer a complaint, considering the built-in WiFi and the ease of replacing the standard 40GB hard drive with any 2.5" SATA drive. Blu-ray is inevitably going to become the next media format for gaming and movies (digital downloads are a ways off). PS3 comes standard with Blu-ray capabilities. His next point is about the open peripherals of the PS3: almost any device you can plug into it will work and the hard drive is very simple to replace with any laptop hard drive. The PS3's media center support is great, too -- DivX codecs are supported and most audio and picture files are as well. He concludes by stating the PS3 has no RRoD problems and trophy support will become just as addicting as gamer scores.Those are his points and he feels it's a good time to move onto the PS3. Surely, many will disagree and others will nod in accord. But it's not about making a list of features -- it's about your opinion on the matter, given the information. Leave yours below!
Swap Magic running Genesis emulator on PS3
Have you got Swap Magic back from the good ol' PS2 days? Have you got downloaded emulators? Well, thanks to this YouTube video, now you can see how to get an emulator up and running. Of course, it's a German video, so we have next to no idea what's going on -- but we notice there's some quick option-swapping whilst Swap Magic is loading up. This is far from the only video on YouTube displaying emulators on the PS3, but it's interesting to see just how simple the process appears. Anyone had any luck with this?
Battle Fantasia and Guilty Gear 2 playable at Anime Expo
We know that Battle Fantasia, the 2.5-D fighter by Arc System Works, is coming to the PS3 since it had a demo on the Japanese PS Store a while back. It's the first we've heard of Guilty Gear 2, but looking at the franchise history, it'll probably find its way to the PS3 as well. Why not play the games, though? If you'll be near the Los Angeles Convention Center for the big Anime Expo this weekend, you can get your hands on a playable version of both. Sounds like fun!
Eric Lempel talks more about 2.40 and PSN's 'leap forward'
Surely most of you have downloaded firmware version 2.40 and have been avidly collecting trophies on Super Stardust HD like us. But why did it take so long to get this stuff? Why are some things still missing? Eric Lempel spoke with Next-Gen on just that and we'll summarize the answers to those questions, since you've probably heard enough about what 2.40 does.To start, Lempel says "some of the [features of 2.40] people have been requesting for some time, some of them are a bit newer. We have a roadmap and there were a lot of other things on the roadmap that we had to deliver prior to these features." They won't release features until they are completely ready and have developer support and interest behind them -- this may be implying that it's difficult to get developers on board for custom soundtracks (the ability is already on the PS3 and it's up to developers to support it). Cross-game invites are also on this 'roadmap' for the future.He promised gamers that the PlayStation Network will remain free, stating that it's "nice for consumers who want to try out the online experience, those who may be new to it and may not be ready to commit to spending dollars, and that's a really good message for us. Being free also gives them the opportunity to spend the money that they may have spent on a subscription on online items or online games instead." He also says that he'd like to see more games on the PS Store -- like PS One titles. Whether or not these things will come in the next few months is anyone's guess ... but for now, we're pretty happy with the direction the PS3 is taking.
Cross Edge promotional art reveals more characters
Some promotional art for the PlayStation 3 game Cross Edge has been located -- it's blurry, but we're not picky. This cross-over game features characters from multiple franchises including Darkstalkers and various Nippon Ichi and Gust properties. Compile Heart has slapped up a bunch of characters on said promotional art, but we can't identify them all. SiliconEra has an updated roster from what they could identify, but it's far from complete. If you can name any of the characters on there they haven't, you'll not only get huge props, but a freshly-baked bundle of e-cookies will be shipped to your e-stomach.
Suikoden VI listed, then removed, as a PSP title
German news site GameFront recently posted an interesting story regarding the listing of Suikoden VI for the PSP on a retailer's website. The story has been roughly translated on the NeoGAF forums. The retailer was in Japan and the entry has been removed -- but the rumors live on. Is Konami hard at work on Suikoden VI and moving the series onto the PSP? Or was it a clerical error and should have read PS3? Either way, until Konami makes a statement, we'll have to wait and see if anything comes up at E3 or the Tokyo Game Show.
New Resistance 2 trailer sneaks onto YouTube
Update: Unfortunately, this video wasn't meant to be leaked to the net. An SCEA rep has contacted us, requesting removal of this video. Hopefully, it won't be too long until we find other Resistance 2 content!Originally found on Eurogamer TV, this Resistance 2 trailer was taken down rather quickly. Luckily for us (and unfortunately for those wishing to keep the trailer under wraps) somebody slapped it up on YouTube for us to watch. It'll probably get removed sooner or later as well, or it might not. This trailer seems to really show off the enhanced focus on the franchise's storyline -- we got pretty excited. Hopefully you will, too.
Valkyria Chronicles gets DLC this August in Japan
One of our most anticipated titles for the year, Valkyria Chronicles, just got more exciting. Much like Disgaea 3, this Sega SRPG is getting additional content to keep JRPG gamers satisfied. First up, in August, you can download "Hard EX" mode which is, well, harder than Hard mode. It includes new items and a "free battle" option to power up your troops (we assume).In addition, you'll be able to download "Edie's side story" for a cost a little less than $6 (600 yen). When you consider it has fully voiced story sequences and entirely new battles (new battlefields, though? We don't know), it's a pretty cheap price to pay. When the game hits outside of Japan near the end of this year, we won't know if these will come standard or become downloadable later on. We'll keep you updated.[Via Siliconera]
Guilty Gear Accent Core Plus makes some changes for PSP
While our translation tools are far from perfect, we think we've gotten the gist of what's mentioned on the GameWatch website. This is going to be the biggest Guilty Gear title to-date with 25 characters and what appears to be 3-on-3 battles. Since this is on the PSP, ad-hoc capability is going to get some attention. Playing ranked matches in that mode will net you higher rankings based on if you win or lose a number of times.There's over 350 scenes and full voice acting for the scenarios, but you can also choose Mission Mode and get some sort of reward for clearing that (an illustration per character?). In addition, there's Survival Mode where you can choose one character and grow them to be pretty much unstoppable there. If any of our translation came out wrong, let us know, but the game's getting a release July 24 ... we're assuming the 2006 we got in our translation is a typo and they mean 2008. Get ready to import! Let's rock!
Watch your garden magically appear in Shiki-Tei video
If you really want to learn how the garden simulator, Shiki=Tei, works, check out this video from our friends at PSP GadgetZ. It's actually rather soothing and might make you want to clear out that old sandbox in the backyard and build your very own garden. It's a lot like the first Dark Cloud game as you watch ... except there's no dungeon crawling or weapon grinding. Basically, it's just mindless, relaxing fun. We support that.
A small spread of White Knight Chronicles screenshots
Level 5's ambitious and mysterious RPG, White Knight Chronicles, has undergone a bit of a face-lift since its first trailer shown a couple of years ago. It's difficult to explain -- the graphics haven't necessary gotten better (we won't say either way until we stare at the game itself on a 1080p screen), but the style seems to have gotten a few tweaks. These screenshots from TGBus show the new style in an old context: most of them seem to come from the old trailer, but with the new style. A few screens appear new, also: the gigantic Knight battles a nasty enemy. In motion, we're sure it looks cooler, but that's all we can say for now.
The dancing in B-Boy is worthy of this trailer
Rhythm games are pretty popular nowadays, but one genre that hasn't seen quite enough implementation is rhythm-based gameplay that results in some fantastic break-dancing moves. You can play your faux-guitars if you like, but you're just staring at a bunch of colored lines and buttons in the end -- here you can enjoy watching your characters bust some pretty wild moves. Enjoy.
Rumor: Aquanaut's Holiday remake coming to PS3?
Artdink was a developer way back with the original PlayStation who gave a lot of support to Sony. Their games were a little strange but were lauded by critics back in the day. However, they fell into obscurity due to their lack of "mainstream 'tude" or whatever PR spin you care to put on it. Anyway, Sony might be publishing a remake of one of Artdink's games called Aquanaut's Holiday, a first-person ocean exploration title. Or releasing the game in some other fashion. Regardless, Play-Asia has the game listed as a PS3 title coming out September 25, 2009. Only time will tell.[via SiliconEra]