AfterBurner
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Sega's After Burner Climax flying over to iOS
After Burner Climax is a 2006 update of the popular old-school arcade game. It arrived in arcades upon first release and was later ported over to Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network. Now, Sega has announced it's bringing the game to iOS. There's no release date yet, as Sega has simply said that the game is "on the way." When it does arrive, iOS users will be able to pull off all of the high-flying action and bombing runs that After Burner Climax has to offer. It's exciting to see a game like this get ported -- retro games are one thing, but as Apple's devices get more and more powerful, we can see games that were traditionally meant for high-end consoles (or even dedicated arcade game units) show up on our iPhones and iPads. [via Joystiq]
Overclock your MSI motherboard using your iPhone, iPad or Touch
Do overclockers tend to carry iPhones? Some do, surely, which is why MSI has released Afterburner for all iOS devices over at the App Store. Like the Android version we reported a while back, it hooks up to the main Afterburner utility on your PC to allow remote tweaking and monitoring of your MSI motherboard. You don't even have to touch your case to clear the static.
MSI's Afterburner Android app makes GPU overclocking as easy as Facebooking
Back in our day, overclocking one's PC was akin to a fine art. It took skill. Precision. Effort. Cajones. These days, it's just about as simple as blinking. Or winking. Or winking while blinking. MSI's made the simplification of PC overclocking quite the priority over the past few years, with OC Genie and an updated Wind BIOS from last decade putting all sorts of power into the hands of mere mortals. At Computex this week, the outfit took things one step further with the Afterburner Android app. Purportedly, the GPU tool enables users to monitor the temperature, voltage and fan speed of their graphics card via a WiFi connection, and if you're feeling froggy, you can overclock and overvolt to your heart's content. Details beyond that are few and far betwixt, but we're hearing that it'll soon work with GPUs from other vendors, and that an iOS variant is en route.
Speed kills
EVE Online has evolved into a game where being fast and agile allows you to choose your fights, dictate range and thus control the course of the battle, disengage whenever you choose, and often move so quickly that you're largely unassailable. However, the era of the nano craze will soon be coming to a close, according to EVE Online developer CCP Nozh. His latest dev blog addresses the insane velocities achievable, even by previously lumbering battleships, with combinations of speed modules, rigs, pirate implants and performance-boosting drugs. (For those less familiar with EVE or its more deviant aspects, you can in fact use and sell drugs in the game.) CCP Nozh outlined the dev team's design goals in stemming the speed crisis:
Jet engine-powered go-kart roars onto eBay
Here's one that's sure to make Toad weep, even if he's toting a golden mushroom or two. In a bid to make every Mario Kart (or speed demon) freak's dream come true, a bloke in Inverness has concocted a jet engine-equipped go-kart that actually sports a functioning afterburner. Similar to a number of other jet-powered vehicles we've seen, this one is fitted with a military spec JFS-100 jet engine and a push button afterburner that emits "extra thrust, noise, and spectacular fire / smoke effects." Moreover, you'll find an EGT gauge, MOMO steering wheel, and digital RPM meter crammed inside the wee vehicle, and if you just so happen to reside in the UK, you can get the bidding starting for a mere £5,000 ($9,864). More drool-worthy snapshots after the break.[Via El Reg]
Metareview: After Burner
The playable version of Sega's After Burner: Black Falcon at GDC left me more than a little underwhelmed. Now that the final game is out, critics seem to have mixed praise for Planet Moon's latest PSP exclusive: GameDaily (80/100) loves the old-school revival: "The studio captured the old-school feeling of the arcade original while, at the same time, adding enough originality and excitement to make it feel like a cool modern-day action game." IGN (79/100) enjoyed the game, even with its poor multiplayer options: "Lots of games have tried to bring an arcade feel to their next-generation efforts, but it's rare to see someone nail it like After Burner has." Electronic Gaming Monthly (47/100) agrees with my quick first-impressions the most: "After Burner sports merely decent graphics while managing to suck all the fun out of a once-great franchise." While I didn't enjoy my time with the game, the critics at GameDaily and IGN seem to have enjoyed the arcadey feel of After Burner. Maybe it's one of those games you learn to love? The game is out now.
GDC 07: After Burner impressions
Sega's upcoming After Burner is not good. The final version of the game appeared at GDC, and it did not leave a good lasting impression. The graphics are quite lackluster, featuring some aliasing problems, and serious draw distance issues. The game just doesn't look good, near or far. The incredibly slow pace of the plane seems somewhat insulting, making you want to hold the Afterburner button as much as you can. At least barrel rolls look cool.The gameplay doesn't really add up to much, either. The controls don't feel as tight as the ones featured in Ratchet & Clank's space shooter segments. The lock on weapons are generous, and the highly unintelligent enemy AI doesn't seem to do much to not get killed. They may fire back once in a while, and like in Full Auto 2, it's nigh impossible to tell how you're doing from the craft itself: you'll have to look in the bottom right corner to see a meter. You won't ever feel impact, nor will you feel like the craft is ever taking damage.It's unfortunate that this game is so uninspired. While the full retail version may have more options, I highly doubt that the core gameplay will get any more interesting. The game comes out March 20th.
Heatseeker's explosive trailer
This must be the year of flight combat games on the PSP. We have M.A.C.H, After Burner and now Heatseeker. Heatseeker is one of the many games that is a Wii/PSP coop and I have a feeling in some ways the Wii will help keep the PSP flowing with new games due to their similarities in power. Judging from the above trailer, this should be a satisfying game for flight combat fans who like their carnage turned up to 11. Codemasters is scheduled to relase Heatseeker later this month. [Via GameTrailers]
See Planet Moon hard at work on After Burner
While Planet Moon may be going on to other platforms soon, they're still working on After Burner, another PSP-exclusive from the team that brought you Infected. In an interview with 1UP, the team reveals their special affinity towards the system: "Yeah, we never actually proposed anything but a PSP version of After Burner because it just felt like it was an idea that was perfect for this platform and hopefully, having the chance to play it now, this is the kind of thing you can imagine playing on your PSP quite a bit."It's nice to see a developer really think about the PSP's strengths: being able to bring great graphics on the go. To see more of Planet Moon, and what their offices look like, check out Matt Leone's 1UP blog.
The jets & sets of After Burner: Black Falcon
Did you know that the upcoming After Burner: Black Falcon uses real world, licensed aircraft? Neither did I, until Gamespot talked to producer Ryan Kauffman. He reveals the crafts that are used in the game, such as the F-14X Tomcat, the F-15E Strike Eagle, and the F/A-18E Super Hornet. Those that know their planes may appreciate the inclusion of more modern craft, such as the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II.While the vehicles of After Burner may stick true to the real world, it appears that the locations are based in fantasy. The term "reality plus one" reflects upon the level designs, which vary from a lush jungle environment, to a snowy tundra. My favorite named level? Mountainistan. Just has a nice ring to it.We'll keep our eyes open for more info on Sega's upcoming game. After Burner hits stores March 20th.
Heatseeker previewed
Codemasters has announced a new game, titled Heatseeker. The game features action-orientated flight combat and is being made by the studio that created Heroes of the Pacific. The setting is modern day and has the player fighting terrorists with more than 20 different planes. Since the focus is on arcade style combat, you'll have unlimited ammo, two different missile or bomb types and you'll be able to choose which weapons you use before each mission. Heatseeker is coming to Wii, PS2 and PSP, but only the PSP version will feature wireless competitive gameplay modes for up to four players. Heatseeker hits the PSP in March. That's the same month as After Burner: Black Falcon. Seems like a questionable release date to me, but apparently Codemasters isn't afraid of the SEGA remake. We'll find out which flight combat game survives the dogfight soon enough. [Via Gamespot]
Mad cows infect After Burner
Those lucky jerks at 1UP have been able to play Planet Moon's latest game, After Burner. The preview is overwhelmingly glowing, with the controls noted as some of the system's best. "The game features some of the best hit boxes on PSP -- just loose enough to work properly with the analog nub, and just tight enough to make it not feel like the game does the work for you."Of course, Planet Moon's usual quirky humor has permeated the game. Of note is one multiplayer mode, called Mad Cow mode, which has you flying around as a cow, trying to survive. If you're interested in finding more about this Sega revival, check out 1UP's preview. Then, you may want to head over to the developer's blog, in hopes of more bovine violence. The game comes out March 20th.(Note: the embedded video is from an early build. 1UP says the near-final build plays much better than this. Let's hope they're right, because this looks pretty junky.)
P.S.P. to see M.A.C.H. A.S.A.P.
For those too impatient to wait for Planet Moon's Afterburner update, soon you'll be able to get your mach speed on with M.A.C.H. According to Gamespot the game is set to be on store shelves in the US on February 20th for $39.99. Developed by Kuju Entertainment and to be published by Sierra, the game has you flying in underground competitions and customizing your flying death machine all the while hoping to keep down your lunch. It also allows for game sharing with the multiplayer, so you can still play the game even if your friends are cheap. The game is rated E10+ which means even if you can't legally pilot a real plane, you can substitute that desire with the game.
After Burner still looking good
It looks like the major game sites had the chance to look at Planet Moon's upcoming take on Sega's After Burner. All of them seem to have rather nice things to say. Gamespot notes that "Control is accessible and sticks to an easy-to-pick-up interface." They also praised the high quality of the graphics.For people that are worried that this modern reimagining of the classic will stray too far from the original's formula need not worry. IGN notes that "it definitely plays like an Afterburner game. There's no real-world physics, for starters. Players still rocket through the skies at obscene speeds blowing up everything in sight. Plus, the camera perspective and controls still retain the ease-of-use and responsiveness of older titles."The game will come out in March, so expect more updates in the upcoming year.
Planet Moon's After Burner is lookin' good
Planet Moon Studios, developers of MDK, Giants, and the PSP-exclusive Infected, have been working hard at reviving a old Sega classic. After Burner: Black Falcon is yet another PSP-exclusive endeavor from this respected developer, and 1UP has the exclusive scoop on the game. They talked to Bob Stevenson on the game, and he explains: "We were interested in taking a classic arcade game like After Burner and adding a bit of artistic license, Planet Moon-style. We were careful not to go too crazy as the game has its own essence that we didn't want to mess with."The classic game will be getting some unique story and character development, something the team at Planet Moon has always been good at. With 30+ single player missions and extensive multiplayer modes planned, you may want to keep your eye on this one on its journey to a Spring 2007 release.
Sega teams with Planet Moon to unleash After Burner
Back in August, we revealed that Planet Moon would bring one of Sega's classics to the PSP. Well, they announced said game, and it just so happens to be After Burner: Black Falcon. "As huge fans of the original After Burner, we are delighted to re-imagine this classic arcade franchise," said Planet Moon Studios CEO Bob Stevenson. "Most importantly, it's approximately 9000% more portable than the original arcade cabinet."The game, which is due out in 2007, will feature ad-hoc versus and co-op modes and will allow feature 19 licensed fighter planes. Also, Planet Moon has gone the extra mile by throwing in a storyline into the game. Yeah, I guess those are important nowadays. Apparently it will be up to you to stop Black Falcon, group of mercs that have stolen 13 war planes.Let's hope Planet Moon can give this series the kind of loving care it deserves.
After Burner lands on PSP
Back in August, Sega convinced Planet Moon Studios to develop a PSP addition to one of their classic franchises. Specifics were left up to debate, with Streets of Rage, Altered Beast and several other Sega classics touted as being the next to see a strong PSP revival. Eurogamer now reports that the game is, in fact, After Burner: Black Falcon, no doubt an exciting aerial ballet of destruction that has you piloting an advanced plane, shooting down other planes and then being shot down by even more planes. Due for release in Spring next year and stuffed with 19 customizable planes and Wi-Fi play, Black Falcon will have to work hard to eject the original game's addictive gameplay from our minds. If it wasn't possible to relive the arcade experience from within Sega's own Shenmue II, we would likely still be playing After Burner in a seedy arcade at this very moment. Well, either that or ... why yes, we shall try another game of Lucky Hit.
New game for the Wii: Heatseekers
And lo, yet another game is bequeathed unto us mortals. Codemasters (responsible for the well-received Heroes of the Pacific) have announced that their new dogfighting sim, Heatseekers, will be coming to the Wii (and other major formats) in March of 2007. From what we could gather, the game seems to be a robust combination of arcade After Burner-type combat and an actual jet sim, but it's difficult to siphon through the utter dreck that is the interview in question. The answers read like a 1996 press release, spouting off nonsense like "hang onto the edge of your seat", and "kick the tires and light the fires" rather than actual information. Still, the game sounds exciting, and we think the Wiimote is a great fit for a joystick-style control scheme. From the interview:"You can pull G in over 30 flyable fighters and their amazing variants, and you'll see another ten flying alongside (and exploding into fiery frags) during the game."Mmm, we can't wait to "pull G". Are you guys excited?[Thanks, Erich!]
