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Adventure Time 'collector's edition' spotted
A Collector's Edition of Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?! has popped up over at GameStop, presumably as a retailer exclusive – we're checking on that. Both the 3DS and DS version toss in a custom stylus shaped like Finn's sword, Land of Ooo poster, steelbook packaging made to look like the Enchiridion (the handbook Finn is always lugging around) and an art book.It's a pretty significant package for $39.99. We've also inquired about a regular version, one that could possibly be cheaper and void of less awesome stuff.
D3 Publisher reveals Earth Defense Forces 4 with Japanese teaser page
You remember those three previous Earth Defense Forces games where you shot at giant bugs with a huge arsenal of weapons? It looks like D3 Publisher is fixing on another round of bug destruction, as the Japanese publisher revealed a teaser site for a fourth entry in the series.Twitter user @Wario64 spotted the page, though little information beyond a game logo and a cheeky slogan are available thus far. Is it heading to North America and Europe? Which platforms is it for? When will it arrive? We're not sure just yet, but those are all fantastic questions (which we've put to D3). If you asked us what to expect from another EDF game, though, well ... bigger, prettier bugs, and uh ... more guns? Sure, let's go with that.
D3 publishing Pid on XBLA [update]
If you were at E3, you likely deduced this from Pid's presence in the D3 Publisher booth, but the publisher has made it official via a press release: D3 will act as publisher for the XBLA version of Might and Delight's platformer.Might and Delight co-founder Adam Boyes previously suggested that it was "renting" an XBLA spot from a known publisher, in order to take advantage of one of the predetermined publishing slots allotted to said publisher; however, in the announcement, Might and Delight managing director Wendy Young touts D3's "distribution support," suggesting more involvement from the publisher. In addition, a Might and Delight spokesperson informs us that D3 is acting as a true "publishing partner" for Pid. Pid will be self-published on Steam and PSN.%Gallery-157631%Update: Added a note from D3, and a quote from Might and Delight, clarifying the relationship between the two.
Seen@E3: Adventure, it is time for it
I don't know what Adventure Time is, but my compatriots at Joystiq have led me to believe it's quite popular. Here is a giant inflatable balloon of it, as seen in the South Hall of E3 2012.
White Knight Chronicles 2 concept art is full of spiders, skeletons
As far as western RPGs go, spiders and skeletons are pretty standard, run of the mill fare. JRPGs are usually a bit more creative, however, so it stands to reason that White Knight Chronicles 2's creepy-crawlies look a bit more horrendous and surreal.
'Onechanbara Z: Kagura' to make a bloody mess on Xbox
D3 Publisher is reportedly working on yet another Onechanbara game, the second for Xbox 360. Onechanbara Z: Kagura replaces the familiar cast of characters (bikini-clad, katana-wielding Aya, her sister Saki, and cloned Reiko) with vampires named Kagura and Saaya. Don't worry; we're sure they'll be inappropriately dressed as well. We're sure the rest of the game will match up with what we know from the series: thousands of easily-killed zombies surrounding you at all times. The Xbox-exclusive game will be released in Japan this winter. An "Onechanbara 2" listing was found earlier this summer on Play.com, suggesting that D3 is planning a western release as well. D3 is likely crunching to get it done as soon as possible, as it'll face competition from another "cute girl slashing zombies" game – one that has the potential to actually be good, instead of "so bad it's good."
White Knight Chronicles 2 preview: Round two start
Last year's White Knight Chronicles, developed by Level-5 and published by SCEA, was a "surprisingly mediocre" RPG with some interesting skill-up mechanics. That's probably why Sony passed on publishing the sequel in America this time around, but D3 Publisher has picked up the reins, and will be putting out White Knight Chronicles 2 (which will also contain the first game's International Edition on the very same disc) on September 13. Fortunately for series fans, improvements have been made. While the last game's battle system was occasionally slow and tedious, the sequel's attacks have been sped up a little bit -- not only do individual abilities charge and execute faster, but there are more ranged options and "charge" attacks, designed to get players in and out of battle quickly. That's not to say that the game necessarily plays significantly differently from the first title -- it really doesn't. But it is smoother, and the addition of some major customization features for the game's mech-like Incorruptus armor means that those who found something fun in the first game will probably be back for another round.%Gallery-131267%
Some retailers put Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon out early
Reports are coming in that local GameStop stores have taken to selling the new Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon early this weekend. The title's not due out until Tuesday in North America, but we called our closest purveyor of giant ant-killing interactive entertainment, and sure enough, they confirmed it's available for the standard price of $39.99. As with all of these early release deals, your mileage may vary, so don't come bug us when a store near you says they still can't sell it until the release date. But all indications are that the launch date's been moved up, perhaps to take advantage of the holiday weekend. Because, you know, there's nothing more American than fireworks, BBQ, and destroying an army of huge insects?
Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon trailer suggests destructible environments
Judging by a few quick shots in this trailer, we believe Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon might have destructible environments. Watch the video and see if you can spot any buildings taking damage.
Onechanbara 2 listed by Play.com
By far the most random, obscure bit of news today: Onechanbara 2 has been listed by UK retailer Play.com for Xbox 360, with a February 2012 launch date. The listing lacks any detail on whether this is some revamp of the 2005 PS2 title featuring the same name or a follow-up to the Xbox 360 game, Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad, released in 2009. We've followed up with D3 Publisher for a statement on the authenticity of the listing and its plans (if any) to launch the title in North America.
Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon media is full of bugs
Bugs don't have emotions. Bugs don't have a sense of right and wrong. All they know is that our delicious human bones are delicious. And that's why we've gotta kill 'em all ... apparently.
White Knight Chronicles 2 trailer J-pops out
D3 Publisher has yet to share a specific North American launch date for White Knight Chronicles 2, keeping it in a nebulous "summer" window for now, but it did share a new trailer for Level-5's magical-Gundam-esque RPG. We've never heard a theme song that sounded more like Phantasy Star Universe's "Save This World." Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is a very personal decision.%Gallery-126307%
Nintendo mass announces Wii, DS game launch dates
Clearly, Nintendo wants the back half of your year to have a strong financial plan. In two lengthy lists we spotted on the company's press site, everything from Kirby Wii to Pro Jumper! Chimaki's Hot Spring Tour Guilty Gear Tangent was given a more clear release date, with Kirby arriving some time in fall and the latter mystifying DSiWare shopgoers on June 23. If one game starring a puffy pink monster just wasn't enough, how about one for your DS on September 19? 'Cause that's exactly when Kirby Mass Attack is launching. A whole mess of other release date/windows/seasons are categorized for your fiduciary planning needs, just beyond the break.
D3 imports Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon trailer
Okay, let's see if we can get this straight. Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon is the first game in the series to be developed outside of Japan. As part of its promotion for the Western release of this game, D3 Publisher sent Western press (like us) the following Japanese trailer, which is about how the game was not made in Japan. It's also about shooting giant spiders, and luckily there are no language or cultural barriers there. EDF comes out in North America July 5, and, as the trailer says, July 7 in Japan.
Jeremy McGrath's Offroad and on PSN, XBLA this summer
We think the title of developer 2XL Games' upcoming racer is supposed to be parsed as "'Offroad' endorsed by Jeremy McGrath," but we can't stop reading it as a statement of fact: "Jeremy McGrath is Offroad." And the errant Supercross champ and his game are heading straight to PSN and XBLA, this summer, in a game published by D3. 2XL, made up of Rainbow Studios expats, has a background of working almost exclusively on motocross and offroad racing games, including Baja: Edge of Control, 2XL Supercross, and Ricky Carmichael's Motocross Matchup. Also, Cars: The Video Game. Specifics about Jeremy McGrath's Offroad will be revealed at -- not E3, but the Lucas Oil Off-road Racing Series event, in San Bernardino, CA on May 21 and 22.
Dream Trigger 3D gameplay explained on video
If early gameplay videos for Dream Trigger 3D left you befuddled, we've got good news and bad news. The good news is this detailed walkthrough should clear things up. The bad news is that understanding the mechanics won't make the game any less difficult.
Dream Trigger 3D becomes a reality May 10
D3 Publisher revealed today that its startlingly difficult 3DS shooter Dream Trigger 3D now has an official release date: May 10. Mercifully, the publisher also provided two gameplay videos, which will help you figure out what's going on.
Puzzle Quest 2 drops to $10 on XBLA
Puzzle Quest 2 is now 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live Arcade. With a sequel that stands up to and surpasses the original in many ways, it's actually a better buy at the same price as original Puzzle Quest. Meanwhile, Puzzle Quest Galactrix is still 1600 Microsoft Points ($20) on XBLA. Nope, we can't explain it either.
D3 Publisher picks up White Knight Chronicles 2 for North America
Sony announced last month that it was publishing Level-5's White Knight Chronicles 2 in Europe. The PS3 role-playing sequel is being released in North America as well, but by a somewhat lower-profile publisher: D3. The Namco Bandai subsidiary will release White Knight Chronicles 2 in North America this summer, containing both the new game and a "remastered" version of the first White Knight Chronicles. Siliconera notes that, while the Japanese version forced you to start from the very beginning if you didn't already have a clear save file (really!), the Western version allows you to start at WKC2.%Gallery-120644%
EDF Insect Armageddon preview: Bug spray
It's natural to worry about the new Earth Defense Force game, Insect Armageddon. D3 has taken the series away from developer Sandlot and handed it to a Western team, its own Vicious Cycle, best known for the Matt Hazard series. However -- and this works out in the new game's favor -- the EDF games were never technically good to start with. So if Vicious Cycle designed it too well, it would feel inauthentic. So far, it seems that the team has been good to the source material, making worthwhile changes and keeping what works, all in an engine that can actually keep up.%Gallery-118492%
