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E3 2014 round-up: Weird tales from Los Angeles
Had you been on the floor of the Los Angeles Convention Center this year, you would have heard one question, echoing from journalist to journalist: "This year feels a little ... weird, don't you think?" It's hard to put a finger on exactly why E3 2014 gave off a strange vibe, but darn it all, we're gonna try. Here are some of the most eccentric, the most peculiar, most "hmm"-inducing stories of E3:
Bayonetta creator: Building new game worlds is 'my purpose'
Hideki Kamiya is one of the most original, creative game directors in the industry today, yet fans are constantly infuriated by his general refusal to lead sequels to his earlier efforts. He realizes this of course, but as a new interview reveals, Kamiya feels his talents could be better used in building new worlds, rather than revisiting his old ones. "It's not that I don't want to make sequels - I really do! But considering the nature of my position, I don't really get a chance to," Kamiya told Famitsu (translated by Kotaku). "Somebody needs to offer new entertainment to gamers and do the work of sowing seeds that can later grow to be strong pillars. "It sounds a little overblown, but I've come to believe that is my purpose. If I had been involved with Devil May Cry 2, then Viewtiful Joe and Okami might never have been made. If I was directing Bayonetta 2, then I wouldn't have been able to make The Wonderful 101," he added. As Kamiya points out, he is currently working on a new project that has yet to be revealed to the public. If history is any indicator, expect it to be great fun, generate enough money to spawn a sequel, then be unceremoniously handed off to whichever development studio happens to be available.
The gang's all here in the latest Bayonetta: Bloody Fate trailer
This latest trailer for the Bayonetta: Bloody Fate anime reassures that the series' cast of lovable goofballs/demons, which were largely absent in the first trailer, are along for the ride on Bayonetta's latest adventure through the land of spread-eagle backflips and hair dragons. Jeanne, Luka, Rodin, Enzo and Cereza all return, sporting their poppin'-fresh new Japanese voices. Bayonetta herself will be voiced by Atsuko Tanaka, who is perhaps most well known for her smoky portrayal of Motoko Kusanagi in multiple entries in the Ghost in the Shell series. Jeanne's pipes reside within Mie Sonozaki of Strike Witches fame, who is also the voice of EVE in the Japanese version of WALL-E. Bloody Fate is directed by Afro Samurai director Fuminori Kizaki, and is set to debut in select Japanese theaters on November 23. While there has still been no official word on a localized release for western territories, a small, disabled "English" link in the top right-hand corner of the official website does at least indicate production company Gonzo's awareness of international interest in the film.
Bayonetta anime shoots into Japanese theaters this November
Platinum Games' sultry witch Bayonetta will make her silver screen debut this November, at least in Japan. Famed production studio Gonzo has teamed with Bayonetta creator Hideki Kamiya and director Fuminori Kizaki (Afro Samurai) to create a feature-length anime film centering on the titular heroine. Plot details for Bayonetta: Bloody Fate are scant, but as you can see from the newly released trailer above, the anime will feature copious cleavage, near-blasphemous angel murder and a swirling mass of strategically placed strands of hair. So far, this all seems faithful to its source material. Though Bayonetta: Bloody Fate is slated to hit Japanese theaters on November 23, there's been no word on an English-language localization of the film.
Bayonetta director ponders 3DS spin-off
Hideki Kamiya directed both Bayonetta and Okami and given the opportunity, he'd like to bring both series to the Nintendo 3DS, though perhaps not quite the way you'd expect. "Given the chance, I'd like to make a game based on Jeanne from Bayonetta," Kamiya told Siliconera at PAX. "Something that's not as big in scale. Something that's portable, that you could play in quick sessions, where she's a history teacher and the kind of fun things that could come out of a scenario like that." Kamiya added, "If I could get away with it, I'd also like to come up with a spin-off of Okami, less focused on the grand idea of saving the world, but something focused on the smaller world of the fairy Issun." The director's latest game, The Wonderful 101, was recently released in Japan, Europe and Australia. It is slated to make its North American debut on September 15.
PSN Tuesday: Sly Cooper demo, Bayonetta, Hitman HD
The PlayStation Store is now host to a sliver of Sly Cooper with the Thieves in Time demo, a bout of Bayonetta's insanity and, in stark contrast to the titular witch's all-hair outfit, the Hitman Trilogy HD.Grand Theft Auto: Vice City joins the lineup of downloadable PS2 classics for $9.99, while the PlayStation Vita gains Let's Fish! Hooked On, which the PlayStation Blog describes as a "full-scale" fishing game. The temptation to riff on that dreadful/wonderful pun is too great, so we'll just end the post right here.Aaaaaand FIN.
Bayonetta and Vice City hit PSN next week
And now, two games united only by the details of their release, and nothing else. Next week, on January 29, Platinum Games' hair witch project Bayonetta, and the PS2 Classic Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, will be available on PlayStation Network for PS3, for $20 and $10 respectively. Both games will be available the next day in Europe.One important caveat: the PS3 version of Bayonetta is not the ideal version. A patch fixed loading time issues, but users continue to report framerate and texture loading issues in Sega's PS3 port.
Bayonetta meets up with Anarchy Reigns at GameStop
Bayonetta will join Anarchy Reigns in North America as well. While she's a bonus character for the "Day One" limited edition in Europe, the bespectacled, gun-booted witch calls GameStop her home in America. She'll be available as retailer-exclusive pre-order DLC, in advance of the game's January 8 release.Also exclusive to GameStop (at launch, at least): two multiplayer modes called Mad Survival and Dogfight. Mad Survival is a team mode in which three players fight AI-controlled versions of the other playable characters, in waves. Dogfight mode is about hanging from helicopters trying to shoot other players down. Why not?
Anarchy Reigns 'Day One' edition includes Bayonetta, two bonus modes for Europe
Anarchy Reigns is set to launch on January 8 here in the States at a reduced price. Platinum is also preparing a special early-adopter limited edition that's exclusive to Europe – for now, anyway. According to Sega, the limited edition will include an extra character, Bayonetta, and two extra multiplayer modes: Mad Survival and Dogfight.Three players fight waves of enemies in Mad Survival, and Dogfight has them hanging from helicopters, shooting others in the same perilous predicament.Sega has only announced this "Day One" edition for Europe, but we'll update this post as soon as we hear otherwise.
Bayonetta 2 is a Wii U exclusive [Update: Trailer!]
Nintendo announced Bayonetta is getting a sequel on Wii U, and it will be exclusive to the console. Nintendo revealed Bayonetta 2 in its Wii U presentation this afternoon, with the game being developed by Platinum Games and published by Nintendo. The news is surprising, given the 2010 hack-and-slash released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.We'll keep you updated on Bayonetta 2 info as it comes.
Here's Bayonetta in Anarchy Reigns
Sega and Platinum Games issued a spectacularly flashy reminder of Anarchy Reigns' existence today, showing off the inclusion of Bayonetta (as free bonus DLC in Japan; details are forthcoming elsewhere).She's as bombastic, overpowered, and frequently nude as ever, and her combos seem to transition into Anarchy Reigns' system just fine. Now you'll be able to experience the MadWorld/Bayonetta crossover fight you never thought to want. The game is due in July.
Bayonetta making a cameo in Anarchy Reigns
Bayonetta may not be getting a big sequel to her high-kicking 2010 debut just yet, but she will be making a cameo appearance in this year's Platinum Games console release, Anarchy Reigns. Famitsu has the exclusive reveal of Bayonetta's guest appearance in the game, alongside ... pretty much zero other news about her inclusion in the game.Given the inclusion of MadWorld's Jack Cayman as a playable character, we're taking a wild guess that Bayonetta will take the same route. We've reached out to Sega in the meantime for more info.
Hideki Kamiya offers director commentary for Bayonetta
Look, you can interpret the "story" of Bayonetta however you wish, but there's only one definitive authority on the game: director Hideki Kamiya. Because people were uploading so many commentary and walkthrough videos, Kamiya thought he'd offer his own. So over the course of the next however long it takes, Kamiya will be replaying the entire game, offering his own insights and anecdotes from the game's developments on the Platinum Games blog. Honestly, we can't wait to hear what he has to say about that whole "masturbating angel" scene. You'll find the first two videos just past the jump.
AvP, Modern Warfare 2 on XBL Games on Demand, Bayonetta next week
Let's just start this post by advising readers not to purchase Modern Warfare 2 via Xbox Live Games on Demand. The game was just added to the service and currently commands a price of $60. Please, if you must purchase Modern Warfare 2, buy it elsewhere -- like, literally anywhere else. You'll save some money. Now, with that out of the way, two other games are now available on demand, namely Aliens vs. Predator and Rapala Tournament Fishing. The former will set you back $30 while the latter can be reeled in for $20. Finally, Sega has also announced that Bayonetta will strut her way onto XBL Games on Demand next week for an undetermined price. We're going to guess it's lower than $60.
Payonetta: Two grand for a pre-assembled Bayonetta model
Want a fantastic-looking Bayonetta figure but lack model-making skills? Kyoto's Mr. Big is happy to sell you a completed resin "garage kit" of the Platinum Games heroine for ¥180,000 ($2,186). Too rich for your blood? Good news: You can buy the unfinished kit by itself for only $558 in Japan.
Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010
Vanquish Shinji Mikami is still playing the game of Telephone he started in 2005. With Resident Evil 4, he revitalized Capcom's stagnant survival-horror franchise by turning it into a strictly paced shooter, where standing your ground (you couldn't move and shoot at the same time, remember?) was the only way to advance. The idea made it all the way across the ocean -- mostly intact -- and eventually found its way into Epic's Gears of War. The Mikami-led team at Platinum Games, in turn, heard all the bits about military meatheads and enemies that can be demolished without remorse, but the part about lumbering man-tanks got garbled. Instead, we get a protagonist that can slide across the battlefield in the blink of an eye. At its nuclear-powered core, Vanquish still honors Resident Evil 4's balance of risk and reward. It's an exceptionally hectic shooter where rocketing in and out of critical engagements is key -- but if your suit overheats, you're slow again. And then you're dead. Even Gears of War's train level comes back a little warped. Now there are two trains, and one of them is upside-down.
Best of the Rest: Richard's picks of 2010
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow There are more than a few complaints floating around that Castlevania: Lords of Shadow isn't a real Castlevania title. I would argue that Lords of Shadow is more Castlevania than many recent entries in the series. I think fans tend to forget (or overlook) that Castlevania began as a linear action title. For me, the series has never been about completing the map. It's about exploring wonderful and sinister places, which Lords of Shadow packs in spades. When I played the 8-bit Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest as a child, I saw lots of blocky pixels, but what I imagined is perfectly represented by Lords of Shadow. From stinking bogs to dark forests and forgotten castles, all is so meticulously and lovingly crafted that my seven-year-old self was enthralled with every moment. I'll take that over the same 13-year-old sprites any day.
What Bayonetta looked like before it was finished
As ludicrous as Bayonetta is, it was actually much tamer prior to launch. Platinum Games has released some pre-production B-roll, revealing the title's initial menus and gameplay -- specifically of note about the latter is how slow the game was and how much inappropriate slowdown it once employed.
Pre-order Vanquish at Play.com, get a free copy of Bayonetta
Before all of you start rushing to Play.com to pre-order Vanquish based on the headline above, we should probably point out that the deal applies only to citizens of the United Kingdom. That said, yes, in addition to the Tri-Weapon Pack included with Vanquish pre-orders at Play.com, pre-order customers will also get a free copy of Platinum Games' Bayonetta. That means, for the same £39.99 ($64) that every other game this holiday costs, Brits can snag two totally bizarro Platinum Games classics. That is, of course, if they can stop playing Just Dance for a few moments.
Build-a-Bayonetta model is for filthy rich hobbyists only
It takes a certain kind of person to assemble and paint a 67-piece, 1/4-scale model of Bayonetta. It takes another kind of person altogether to spend ¥48,300 ($575) for the privilege to do so.
