irem
Latest
Humble Mobile Bundle 5 explores The Room 2, The Cave, and more
Humble Bundle is back with another serving of high-profile Android games, featuring Double Fine's The Cave, Fireproof Games' The Room 2 and other standout apps in the newly launched Humble Mobile Bundle 5. Pay at least $1 and you'll get Crescent Moon Games' action-RPG Aralon: Sword and Shadow, Hidden Variable's grocery-bagging puzzler Bag It!, and an Android port of Irem's classic arcade shooter R-Type 2. The Room 2, The Cave, and Carcassonne are available for buyers who beat the bundle's average purchase price (currently under $4), and more games will be added at a later date. Humble Mobile Bundle 5 will be available through April 29. [Video: Humble Bundle]
PSA: Last day to get R-Type games on PSN
Today is the final day to snag R-Type Delta and R-Types from the US PSN store, where they are PS One Classics. All R-Type games are being removed from PSN, following a slew of similar delistings on the Japanese PlayStation Sore in August 2011 and R-Type's removal from the Wii Virtual Console in September 2011.Developer Irem hasn't provided any reason for the delistings.
Disaster Report creator reports on the disaster of Disaster Report 4
Irem's PS3 survival adventure sequel, Disaster Report 4, was promptly canceled after Japan's March 11 earthquake. Kazuma Kujo, who created the series during his tenure at Irem, has been tweeting about the lost game, with his comments summarized and translated by Andriasang. While the previous Disaster Reports took place during or immediately after a disaster, Kujo said, Disaster Report 4 begins about a week after the event that wrecked the city, allowing players to see the social effects (like discrimination causing strife in shelters) and even recovery efforts following a catastrophe. Toward this theme, you would also have been able to travel with a variety of different characters you meet in the city, as opposed to the single partner of previous games. Since the emphasis was no longer on fleeing the city, you could even visit the same location later and see it partially rebuilt. All of this sounds really interesting, until we remember that it was canned. Kujo said that it wasn't the earthquake that ended this game, but Irem's slow progress in completing it. Kujo has since left the company for a new developer, Granzella.
R-Type being removed from Virtual Console on Sept. 30
Sega recently announced that the Sega Master System versions of R-Type will be removed from the Wii's Virtual Console on September 30. No reason was given for the game's removal, but these things usually involve business mumbo-jumbo surrounding licensing issues. If you have any interest in this milestone of the shmup genre, grab it while you can. Coincidentally, Irem, which developed R-Type, removed several titles from the Japanese PSN back in August, including several R-Type games. No reason was given for those edits either.
Irem Arcade Hits brings Ninja Spirit to Mac app store
You can buy Ninja Spirit from the Mac App Store right now for $10. Well, OK, it's part of the Irem Arcade Hits collection by DotEmu, which also throws in games like Kung Fu Master, Vigilante, and Hammerin' Harry -- 18 in all -- but all you really need to know is that this is a convenient delivery system for Ninja Spirit, a truly excellent side-scrolling ninja game. The Mac version is a new release, but there's been a PC version available for some time now -- if that's your platform of choice for arcade collections, you can buy that direct from DotEmu, DRM-free.%Gallery-132061%
Global Chat: We're only human edition
Welcome to this week's Global Chat! We love hearing what you have to say at Massively, and we love it even more when we can share the best comments with all of our readers. Massively staffers will be contributing some of their favorite comments every week, so keep an eye out every Sunday for more Global Chat! This week's edition of Global Chat focuses on combat styles and playable races. Follow along after the jump to see what our readers had to say this week!
Irem's Bumpy Trot 2 (Steambot Chronicles 2) also canceled
Irem's Bumpy Trot, an action game about steam-powered walking mechs, was released here on PS2 as Steambot Chronicles. A PS3 sequel was announced at TGS 2006, with few announcements since then, until today's really unfortunate one: It's been canceled. In a brief letter on the Bumpy Trot site, Irem apologized to fans and plead with them to support Irem's future titles. That lineup, after the cancellation of Disaster Report 4, currently includes Doki Doki Suikoden and Pachipara Slot, both for PSP and neither likely to leave Japan.
Rumor: Irem stops production of old Disaster Report games
Japanese retailer Famicom Plaza reports that Irem has halted future production of all Disaster Report games in the wake of Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami, according to Andriasang. The apparent stoppage follows the publisher's cancellation of the fourth installment in the series, which had been scheduled for release next month in Japan. The report of the production halt has apparently caused the previous Disaster Report installments to increase in value (as seen in Amazon Marketplace listings); though it's unclear if copies of the 2002 and 2006 PS2 games have still been in print recently. A third Disaster Report game was released for PSP two years ago.
Yakuza: Of the End, Motorstorm: Apocalypse delayed in Japan; Disaster Report 4 canceled
Citing "various circumstances," both Sega and Sony have announced delays of major game releases, reports Andriasang, while Irem has outright canceled Disaster Report 4. Sega announced that Yakuza: Of the End has been pushed back to a "TBA" release date in Japan, while Sony has altered the MotorStorm: Apocalypse launch to "TBA," as well. both titles were scheduled to be released in Japan this Thursday, March 17. While neither company directly cited the massive earthquake and devastating tsunami that struck Japan on March 11 as the cause of the delays, it's evident that the disaster prompted the moves; though it's unknown if the reasons extend beyond the two games' disaster-themed premises. Andriasang also reports that Sony has temporarily closed its PlayStation repair and information center, located in one of the worst hit areas of Japan, the Miyagi Prefecture. Just yesterday, Square Enix temporarily shut down the Final Fantasy XI and XIV servers to conserve power in the country. Meanwhile, Irem has canceled Disaster Report 4 without citing a specific reason, according to Andriasang. As the title suggests, DR4 centers around players escaping a city that has just suffered a devastating earthquake. Both DR4 and Yakuza: Of the End were only announced for release in Japan. It's unclear at this point whether MotorStorm: Apocalypse is still on track to launch across Europe this week, as SCEE told GameSpot UK, "[The game's release is] under discussion at the moment. We'll get back to you when we know more." (The game's release in New Zealand was previously delayed following the severe earthquake that struck Christchurch last month.) The North American launch was set for April 12 two months ago. To find out more about how you can help those affected in Japan by the past week's events, head over to RedCross.org.
Spelunker HD brings the fragile explorer to PSN November 23
We know of at least one weirdo who has been patiently waiting for the North American release of Spelunker HD -- because he's writing this post. Those of you who, like me, are looking forward to joining up with five friends and exploring ghost-filled caves as an adventurer who can't fall more than about five feet without dying, will be able to do so on November 23. That's when the long-awaited (again, by me) Spelunker HD arrives on PSN for $9.99. It features both new, updated HD graphics and a "retro mode" which displays the new game in authentic 8-bit style. Check out a trailer after the break -- a trailer that features surprisingly long stretches of death-free gameplay.
Disaster Report 4 to shake up PS3 with Move and 3D support
Irem is working on a new Disaster Report game, this time for the PS3. Titled Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 4: Summer Memories, the first HD entry of the franchise has you escaping an earthquake-stricken city in the year 201X. (And no, Mega Man won't be making a cameo ... we think!) In addition to supporting 3D and PlayStation Move, this will be the first title in the series to add a "cleanliness" parameter. According to Andriasang, "if your character gets too dirty, your stress will rise." Thankfully, you'll be able to take care of this with the all-new "use the toilet" feature! It's unclear if Disaster Report 4 will make it stateside. The last entry in the series, a PSP game, never found a publisher. The first two games for PS2 were released as Disaster Report and the pornographic-sounding Raw Danger (pictured above).
This looks like R-Type of iPhone shmup
It was last November when we first heard that DotEmu was at work porting Irem's classic 1987 arcade shmup R-Type to iPhone. Yesterday, EA Mobile made it official: it'll be publishing the game on the App Store "this summer," but couldn't get more specific due to the unpredictable nature of Apple's app approval process. We had a chance to get our hands on the game at EA yesterday and we've got to say, the port has turned out great, with three control schemes (touch to move and shoot, tilt to move / touch to shoot or an overlaid d-pad and buttons) plus options such as autofire and the ability to switch between full-screen and the original coin-op aspect ratio. Cleverly, DotEmu has created separate on-screen buttons for charged shots and launching the "Force" pod away from the player's R9 fighter. Check out the screens below and we'll let you know when the game hits Apple's virtual store shelves. %Gallery-97919%
Japanese gamers can feast on Bitter Chocolate in December
Japanese shmup/strategy fans may already have a bitter taste in their mouths as a result of R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate missing its October 29 release date. However, that taste should be replaced by the much more pleasant (but still bitter) flavor they desire on December 10, when the game launches for real. Okay, we'll stop making jokes about the title from now until the end of the post. The UMD release will sell for ¥5,040 ($50.60) and will be accompanied by a soundtrack disc as a pre-order bonus, while the digital release will cost ¥3,800 ($42). You can hear samples of the soundtrack, which features selections from various R-Type games and Image Fight, on the official site. No announcements have been made for a release outside of Japan, but the nice thing about digital releases is that you can always just sign into a Japanese PSN account and download the thing! %Gallery-69290% [Via Andriasang]
R-Type to shoot 'em up on iPhone
DotEmu, the developer responsible for the random iPhone port of the Zelda-esque Golvellius, is porting a much more recognizable game to the platform for its next release: IREM's epochal shmup, R-Type. CEO Xavier Liard told Touch Arcade, "We are very pleased to work on R-Type and to start our collaboration with Irem Software Engineering Inc." DotEmu didn't announce which of the many versions of R-Type will be the basis of the port. Having IREM involved seems like a good sign and, while the touch interface is not ideal for shooting games, Space Invaders Infinity Gene proved that it can work, at least better than it does for platforming or run & gun games. Of course, R-Type is really, really difficult, and the iPhone's controls aren't going to make destroying the Bydo Empire any easier.
Get your first taste of R-Type's Bitter Chocolate
Who knew Irem had such a sweet tooth? The team is working on a sequel to its first PSP game, R-Type Tactics, awkwardly titled Operation Bitter Chocolate. Unlike previous R-Type games, the Tactics series strays far from its shmup origins, offering Advance Wars-esque turn-based strategy in its stead.The debut trailer for Operation Bitter Chocolate is stylish, but we're still not entirely sure what inspired its candied name. Perhaps it's solely to bundle chocolate replicas of the franchise's iconic Arrowhead with each copy of the game. Yum.%Gallery-69290%[Via PSP Hyper]
Famitsu: IREM offering R-Type Command fans some Bitter Chocolate
According to IGN, the latest issue of Famitsu reveals plans for a sequel to IREM's PSP hexagonal strategy game, R-Type Command. The sequel, which has the bizarrely great title R-Type Tactics II: Operation Bitter Chocolate, will include twice as many units as the original shmup spinoff, along with new commands and a branching storyline. Bitter Chocolate will also offer downloadable missions.When the sequel launches on October 29, it will be released both on UMD (with a bonus soundtrack disc) and as a cheaper download, which is kind of a good idea, considering that the PSP Go will be out in Japan on November 1.%Gallery-3448%
Video: Irem's latest PSP J-RPG, Narisokonai
Irem has been busy making games for PSP lately. The developer will release its disaster sim, Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3, in Japan next week and already there are plans to release an RPG in June. This new RPG, which features 11 playable characters, is called Narisokonai. Oh, and there's a social sim aspect to the game as well. Narisokonai is only scheduled for Japan right now, but Irem could bring it over like some of its other titles (Hammerin' Hero). Check out the trailer above and pics in the gallery below for more. %Gallery-50018%[via PSP Hyper]
Irem creates Japanese festival-themed Home Space
We don't expect this new PlayStation Home space to leave Japan any time soon. Irem, most famous for their R-Type games, has unveiled "Irem Plaza," a branded space that's meant to look like a traditional Japanese festival. The various stalls in this virtual world will feature items for sale, mini games, and a place to perform a bonodori.This is just the beginning of Irem's plans for PlayStation Home. Their upcoming Spelunker HD will also receive its own Home space in March.
New vid reveals 4-player ad hoc for Disaster Report PSP
Like most upcoming games in Japan, Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3 (Disaster Report PSP) is coming equipped with an ad hoc multiplayer mode. The latest trailer for the survival game (found after the break) reveals that a maximum of four players can band together to brave a host of natural calamities. The video also shows a good chunk of the single-player gameplay, which involves a lot of crawling, busting down doors and pulling people out of wreckage. You can try it out for yourself in the demo that's currently available on the Japanese PlayStation Store.[Thanks David B!]
TGS 08: Have a look at Irem's Disaster Report PSP
Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3 (Disaster Report PSP) is a PSP exclusive for Japan that was shown off at TGS this past week. Despite it being only shown in video format, Irem booth goers who wanted to check it out did end up with quite a treat and a smile on their faces. Irem's booth featured an earthquake simulator (pictured) which shook gamers as a video demonstration showed them how the game works. It looked like a rather interesting experience, though we didn't get time to sit down and ride the monster. While you can't experience the thrill of that machine to help get you better acquainted with Disaster Report PSP, you can do the alternative. You can check out our gallery for 16 all-new pics from the game and perhaps, if you want to, just shake in your seat.%Gallery-34459%
