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Joystiq hands-on: Ridge Racer 7 (PS3)
Namco Bandai's Ridge Racer 7 is gorgeous. After 36 minutes of waiting in line and 13 seconds of loading screens, we got a chance to play a track of one of the few PS3 games running in 1080p. The attention to detail is impressive, including: Taillights blur and stretch while in tunnels Effective shadowing and reflections against your car When nitro is activated, giant flames blast out from the back of your car and the environments blur accordingly. One thing we noticed was that you could not damage your car -- not by running into other cars, skidding against the side rails, or ramming straight into a wall. And while all tires left tracks, they would disappear by the next lap.Everything else is what you'd expect from a racing game. Is it incredibly realistic? Not really, but the game was still pretty fun, and one of the few titles that pushed the PS3s graphics capabilities. Favorite moment: Everyone in line, myself include, finished the race by drifting our cars to the point where we crossed the finish line backwards.
TGS videos attack! Pick your poison... or wine... whichever
A gameplay video of Coded Arms Assault is now available for your viewing pleasure. It looks all right. It doesn't seem like too much of a separation from standard FPS titles, but it's worth a look if you're an FPS junkie. There's also a gorgeous Ridge Racer 7 gameply video. It looks better than all right. Mostly awesome. Just look at that gorgeous car go around that gorgeous track... and rear-end that other car. It's pretty sweet. Also, a Ninja Gaiden Sigma trailer is up and running. If you guys were right, those who've played Ninja Gaiden Black won't see too much new here. But then again, maybe so. Let us know. Here's a gameplay video of Lair also. What can we say? Dragons, flying, destruction... it's something special, to be sure. Lastly, there's a gameplay video of Devil May Cry 4. Besides the fact the person playing it has no idea what he's doing (sorry, but it's true, unless the controls have changed completely), the game looks astoundingly good. Bias? Sure. But it does. If you mention the cape/sword clipping, that's true, but that in no way should detract from your enjoyment of the game. Anyway, we'll keep you informed of other game videos and other stuff as we get our news from the Joystiq staff that had the honor of being there.
Ridge Racers 2 rips you off
I once wrote about Ridge Racers 2: "Doesn't it seem like there's nothing particularly new or noteworthy about this version?" Unfortunately, my statement was a bit too accurate about the game. According to an IGN preview, it appears that the sequel is barely a sequel at all. The game features the same graphics engine and the same courses as the original launch title. Yes, there's a few new stuff: there's 10 new tracks, and two new gameplay modes. But with longer load times, is this "sequel" really worth the additional $20-30 it'll cost over the original? I'd say no. If Namco's going to rip-off gamers like that, IGN has it completely right:"There's no word on a US release. That may be for the better though."
As promised, Riiiiiiidge Raaaaaacer 7 updates! [Update 1]
The Japanese magazine Famitsu posted some news about the upcoming Namco-Bandai title, Ridge Racer 7. A lot of the news was just rehashing the E3 information, but the new information comes in a description of the modes of play. There are a lot. Let's take a look: Ridge State Grand Prix: the main mode of play. 160 races await you on 44 courses (22 if you don't count reversed courses... which you should, they're surprisingly different). Win races, earn new cars and parts. Online Battle: Online gaming fanatics main mode of play. Online races support 14 players. In addition to competitive racing, other options will include relay, team battle and pair time attack. Global Time Attack: face off against the world's racers, all trying to get the best time on any given course. You can also use split screen here and race with a buddy, teaming up for pair time attack. Arcade: standard play that supports two-player split screen. UFLA Special Event: events downloaded through the internet. Sounds promising! Machine Connector: customize your ride in this mode. From performance to visuals, it's all an option. Future stickers, parts, etc will be available for download. Ranking Browser: not really a mode of play, but you can see the rankings of the top players worldwide. Fun stuff, huh? Still no actual screenshots or release date, but this is a pretty good indicator of what's to come. Cross your fingers for the Tokyo Game Show, racing fans![update: here are some game screenshots hot off the press guys! Looks gorgeous!]
Riiiiiidge Raaaaacer 7 has news speeding its way!
The Sony execs really, really love this game! Ridge Racer 7 is probably going to get a large influx of news in the coming weeks, according to the Japanese website, according to IGN, according to us. There's a fun flash animation on the official Namco-Bandai site at least and those are always exciting (since most of us can't read anything else on the site). Even though the game was building up some steam near E3, only some conceptual footage was found. Now with this announcement, will we see a new or updated (or playable?) build at the Tokyo Game Show? Would be cool. This brings up a fun question to be answered by you all: which racing game really matters? Are you a Ridge Racer, Gran Turismo, Need for Speed, or other big racing title fan? Which one has you most excited for the next-gen console?
Ridge Racer 2 intro and gameplay video
There's something about the PSP and its great affinity towards CG women. The Ridge Racers series is famous for the CG model Reiko Nagase posing seductively on top of the cars. The upcoming Ridge Racers 2 is no different, as it continues the tradition. This video showcases some of the gameplay from the upcoming sequel and also shows you the sleek intro sequence as well. The game hasn't been announced for US release yet, but will be available in Japan in September.[Via IGN]
Ridge Racers 2... 2... 2...
Riiiiiidge Racer is coming back to PSP. It launched as one of the more popular options during the PSP launch, which led to its inevitable sequel. The commercial's pretty nifty, but doesn't it seem like there's nothing particularly new or noteworthy about this version? It hasn't been announced for a US release yet, but it's screeching towards Japan in September.
Ridge Racer & Exit sequels bound for PSP, reports Famitsu
Famitsu reports that Namco Bandai is developing a Ridge Racer sequel for PSP. Ridge Racers 2 (Japanese title) will feature 18 courses from previous games -- ranging from Ridge Racer to R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 -- and will come packed with six car classes. Unfortunately, the multiplayer will remain 8-player ad-hoc. Ridge Racers 2 is scheduled for a September release in Japan.A sequel to Exit, Taito's throwback action-puzzler, is also in the works. Kangaeru Exit (Japanese title) will include 110 new levels, plus bonus downloadable stages, and will reportedly downplay action elements, focusing more on puzzle solving. Of course, what made the action fall flat in the original Exit was unresponsive controls -- let's hope the team attends to this issue as well. Like Ridge Racers 2, Kangaeru Exit is on track for a September release in Japan.
PlayStation 3 spring launch is "impossible"
Namco Bandai president Takeo Takasu has gone public with his knowledge, or lack thereof, of the PS3's launch date. Takasu told Bloomberg, "Without any announcements so far, the spring release is impossible." In response, Sony issued a vague rebuttal, stating, "Nothing has changed with our plans."But if Namco Bandai, a company that helped boost the PlayStation brand in the past, is still in the dark, then it's safe to assume (as recent certification setbacks have implied) that the PS3 will not launch in Japan within the next few months. But Takasu isn't necessarily concerned, just as long as Sony's next-gen console hits retail by the winter shopping holiday season.[Thanks, The1 & gaminghobo]
