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Joystiq interview: Hifumi Kouno on Infinite Space
Ever wanted to create your own spacecraft and sail the ocean of stars? Well, you can do that with Nude Maker and Platinum Games' Infinite Space for DS -- sorta. We caught up with Hifumi Kouno, both president of Nude Maker and director of Infinite Space, to find out more about the spaceship-building title that's due out next year.%Gallery-22958%
TGS 08: MGO Meme expansion trailer
The new Meme expansion pack for Metal Gear Online was announced not too long ago. Along with it comes the addition of new maps and two playable fan favorites: Liquid Ocelot and Mei Ling. Both of whom stand tall in this new Meme expansion trailer from the Tokyo Game Show.The TGS 08 trailer also shows off the new maps revealed before: Silo Sunset, Forest Firefight and Winter Warehouse. Also, we get to see some all new customizable parts for your characters. Want an Ocelot stache? Maybe you want to wear that flower Sunny always wears? If those options don't float your boat, you could always put on a blond fro or croc helm.Thanks to the game's M rating we've placed the trailer after the break. So make sure you're of age before taking a peek. We'll be watching!%Gallery-34711%
TGS 08: Hands-on with Demon's Souls
click to embiggen "Nothing but a player?s decision and a tactics of using various weapons are important than anything that you really need to think to play." This line, taken from the official Demon's Souls site blurb, should make you feel as scared and confused as I felt when I got my hands on the game. My first thought, "ouch," remains scrawled at the top of my notes and, sadly, it's all downhill from there. Gallery: Demons Souls
TGS 08: Inside Edgeworth's office
click to barge in This one's especially for the Phoenix Wright fans. Those lucky enough to survive the enormous crowd surrounding Gyakuten Kenji's (Turnabout Prosecutor) playable Tokyo Game Show demo were invited into a detailed replica of Miles Edgeworth's office, complete with classy furnishings and a faint air of egomania. We imagine playing Capcom's latest point-and-prosecute in this environment must have been quite surreal for attendees.Though Edgy himself wasn't available to complete the illusion, we did discover his excellent figurine at the Capcom store -- it's included in the gallery as well.%Gallery-34585%[Special thanks to Ariel A. for the office snaps.]
TGS 08 hands-on: Gomibako (PSN)
Click for high-res image When we say that Gomibako -- a new PSN title -- is trashy, we're not aiming to dis the game. You see, we're not referring to the game's quality, we're simply referring to what the game's all about. The given name "Gomibako" literally means "trash box," or "trash can" if you prefer. It's all about festering piles of garbage and how to get rid of them properly (and by "properly," we really mean "in outrageous and silly ways"). In going about our Earth-friendly activities, Gomibako asks players to fill up a giant blue bin with as much trash as possible. The game plays a lot like Tetris, and so, it's important to properly place each falling piece of garbage in order to conserve space for more items to come. But since we're talking about irregularly-shaped articles of trash, conserving space proves to be a little more difficult than it sounds. Gallery: Gomibako
TGS 08 hands-on: Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce
When we first heard of Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce (back then it was known by its Asian version name Multi Raid) we didn't think it would be coming over to Western shores. So, it was a nice surprise to see a little press release letting us know that the PSP exclusive will in fact be making a North American and European debut in 2009. Armed with that knowledge, we decided it might be worthwhile checking out the game on the show floor.We picked up the playable demo. There were three characters available for play: Xiahou Dun, Zhao Yun and Sun Shang Xiang; they were all dressed up in their Dynasty Warriors 6 outfits. We chose to play as Zhao Yun and then picked out a map. The load time was fairly tolerable not taking more than a few seconds. Once the stage loaded up, we noticed that the graphics were not that much different from previous DW games on PSP; the character models look actually slightly blockier though.%Gallery-34535%
TGS 08: Sony's booth - reality vs. fantasy
Click for bigger PlayStations Our statistics show that you, dear reader, are most likely to be of American origin. As a result, you probably don't have access to the Japanese Home beta. It's a shame, because it's the closest you were probably going to get to attending the Tokyo Game Show this year. The Japanese Home "Events and Media" space was updated, allowing those who were unable to reach the show to walk around in a to-scale mock-up of Sony's booth. But just how close does the in-game model come to the real thing? Scarily close. We've attempted to recreate the screenshots by photographing the booth from the correct angles. In each image, the top half shows the Home version and the bottom reveals real life. Thankfully, the real booth was nowhere near as empty as it is in Home. Perhaps a release of the open beta, timed to coincide with TGS, would've allowed even more people to check out their upcoming wares. Opportunity missed.%Gallery-34523%
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%
TGS 08: Let's write an article about Let's Tap
If you've ever drummed your fingers on a table, whether in a physical display of impatience (where is that waiter?) or an attempt to capture an elusive beat, you'll probably be able to understand where Let's Tap is coming from. Specifically, it's coming from Sonic creator Yuji Naka's post-Sega studio, Prope, and hopes to win gamers (and their moms) over through sheer simplicity. Let's Face It: games don't get much simpler than tapping on a cardboard box.Evaluated as a typical Wii game, Let's Tap does little to distance itself from the cavalcade of effervescent minigames swarming the system. But as an experiment in using the Wiimote differently -- that is, to not use it at all -- it certainly warrants further attention. As it requires the Wii controller to be placed on a flat surface, face down and buttons obscured, Let's Tap is a game we can see ourselves introducing to those wracked by a morbid fear of buttons and flailing.%Gallery-33341%
TGS 08: Japan's cosplay
Click to embiggen No one does it like Japan. No one takes cosplay more seriously than them. To the Japanese it's an art form or even a form of sport, if you will. Cosplay takes massive dedication – there's getting into shape to look the part, and then talk about those hours upon hours applying wax in one's hair to get that exact patented look down right to the point of copyright infringement.It's all about going the extra mile, and Japan has perfected the Zen-like disciplined lifestyle of the cosplayer. Of course, we're not knocking down other countries and their costume mimicry attempts; Americans are getting there, we're sure you can agree, but it still pales in comparison. This is still very much Japan's homecourt. See for yourselves ... our gallery awaits.%Gallery-34303%
TGS 08: Monster Hunter 3 is kind of a big deal, pt. 2
The passage of time, not to mention the opening of the Tokyo Game Show floor to the public, was not kind to our good friend, the Monster Hunter 3 line. Whereas our initial pass demonstrated a long and winding queue, the first public day of the show saw the orderly arrangement swallowed whole by a pulsating mass of patient onlookers. As if navigating the area wasn't hampered enough, the monstrously popular booth also saw its crowd overlap with the one swarming the opposing Square Enix booth. The bloggers foolish enough to pass through this patch of people (including the one who wrote these hands-on impressions) were forever lost and shall be mourned.
TGS 08 hands-on: Spelunker (PSN)
Click to make it bigger, okay? Spelunker is a remake of the NES classic from Irem. Does it look familiar to you? Do you remember the game from way back in the day, 20 years ago? If you do, it's probably because the aesthetics haven't changed much. Though boasting updated, modern graphics, the game's visuals retain a retro-stylized feel. The 2D characters are still there. The lifts and ladders are still in the places they would've been. Overall, it looks like an interesting title for those old-school gamers looking for a blast from the past. Of course, the question is: How does it play? First off, the controls are simple enough. It's a 2D game with a focus on platform jumping, with other actions including: riding down elevators; leaping over pits; climbing ladders; and dodging fire, steam, and toxic liquids. You can collect items such as bombs to demolish obstacles in your way, or keys in order to progress through locked sections of a stage. It all sounds very simple, familiar and arcadey -- in other words, a perfect fit for a PSN game. Right? Gallery: Spelunker
The mystery of Sony's 'unannounced' TGS games
Remember all of those unannounced TGS games? That's a rhetorical question. We know full well that you remember them, because many of you won't stop harping on about them in our comments section. Let's get one thing clear, in releasing that press release Sony was revealing a portion of its TGS show floor offerings. The rest were left as a surprise. They were "unannounced."Many of these games were titles that we'd seen before, such as Killzone 2, Nobi Nobi Boy and White Knight Chronicles, however there were some games that were revealed for the first time during the show. Titles such as Demon's Souls (which was actually technically announced just prior to the show, via Famitsu) and Quantum Theory. Sony's lineup was strong but, sadly, there were no megaton game announcements. So now you know the mystery of the "unannounced" games, can we get back to looking forward to all the awesome games we do know about?Check after the break for the list of "unannounced" TGS games.
TGS 08: Watch these Resident Evil 5 trailers
We're honestly starting to feel like Resident Evil 5 is this year's Metal Gear Solid 4. The game constantly generated enormous lines at the Tokyo Game Show, not only due to its playable demo but its multiple, action-packed trailers. Though not devoid of exciting gameplay footage, the content was clearly centered on the game's plot and remarkably high production values. If you're not afraid of M-rated mutilation and potentially gigantic spoilers, be sure to check out the special TGS trailers we've placed after the break. Especially the second one.
TGS 08: Full Square Enix Closed Theater impressions
Ah, the Square Enix Mega Theater. It's always something to look forward to at every TGS. We took the time to check out the theater and see what's cooking behind those big, black walls. Square Enix showed off trailers for nine games and a film in the Mega Theater, including two PS3 titles, the Advent Children Complete movie, and four PSP titles. Grab the full scoop on each title in our Square Enix Closed Theater impressions.
Overheard @ TGS 08: The Metal Gear Online line
"Wait, there's a line to play Metal Gear Online?""It's the MEME expansion. It looks like it's a 60-minute wait.""Yes, and 50 of those are spent setting up a Konami ID."- Exchange between narcissistic and unbearably snarkastic Joystiq bloggers.
TGS 08: Edgeworth returns in Gyakuten Kenji trailer
We can't even begin to imagine how upset we'll be if Capcom doesn't bring Gyakuten Kenji -- that's Turnabout Prosecutor for you and me -- to the West. In fact, we can't imagine how upset we'll be if Capcom doesn't bring Gyakuten Kenji to the West tomorrow. Sure, we can't understand a word in the above trailer, but the very thought of prancing around as puffy-collared Edgeworth (Gumshoe in tow!) and interrogating effeminate weirdos simply shatters our precious psycho-locks.If you understood that reference, you know exactly how we feel. If not, go play the Phoenix Wright games, you uncultured oaf.
Tecmo introduces the new faces of Team Ninja
At a very, very informal Tecmo event, held during the Tokyo Game Show on Saturday evening, attendees were introduced to the new faces of post-Itagaki Team Ninja. Though we'd heard before that Hitoshi Hasegawa had taken over as the head of the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive development team, it was our first opportunity to meet the team's new representation. Joining him is Yosuke "Itsygaki" Hayashi, director of Ninja Gaiden Sigma and producer of Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword. Neither of them wear sunglasses indoors.Tecmo refrained from commenting on the team's upcoming slate of games, candidly stating that it was working on "a shitload of projects." Which either implies a large quantity of games, or a very oddly named RPG.
TGS 08: RE5's 'Shooter' control scheme lessens strife, adds strafe
click to enlarge If there was any doubt as to whether the Resident Evil series had abandoned its traditional survival-horror mechanics in favor of a more action-packed horror experience, the appearance of "shooter" controls in the franchise's fifth installment should completely eradicate it. You know, if the fact that the not-zombies drop ammo wasn't enough to convince you.As hinted at in an earlier producer interview, Resident Evil 5 does indeed have an optional control scheme that is more in line with the third-person shooter genre. The left analogue stick now allows you to strafe to the left and right, with aiming (enabled via the left trigger) and turning assigned to the right analogue stick. The controls are a step away from Resident Evil 4's tank controls and feel considerably more familiar and intuitive.We're relieved -- and you may be inclined to disagree -- that Chris Redfield and his spirited partner are still unable to move and shoot at the same time. By not entirely giving in to the demands of shooter fans and placing one significant limit on your offensive capabilities, Capcom has preserved the sense of anxiety felt when a monster approaches. Shoot or run? Make the choice!%Gallery-33594%
PSP Fanboy hands-on: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
The Kingdom Hearts series was first born on the PlayStation 2; however, it has gone and spread its wings into other realms since then and now it carries a new bundle of joy in the form of portable PSP title Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. While the title radically takes the story aspect of the game farther away from the original setting with Sora and friends, this new game will focus on the three (slightly) new faces pictured above (from left: Aqua, Ventus and Tera).Birth by Sleep was indeed playable on the show floor at TGS and we sunk in some time with the title. The playable build that was available let us try out both Ventus and Tera in battle. We decided to just go with trying out Tera's abilities and then go straight into the action. Tera's level starts off in a forest area which gets you into a fight right away. Kingdom Hearts vets will notice that the controls are incredibly familiar; they're nearly identical to the original console games from the past, though with slight differences due to the change in input interface (ie, shoulder buttons once again control the camera since there are no dual analog nubs).%Gallery-29323%
