Vanquish
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Vanquish's original concept included remote pilots
In his final post on the Vanquish development blog, Shinji Mikami describes an early concept for Vanquish that was less "big action movie" and more anime. Instead of cigar-chompin' soldier Sam Gideon inside the suit, the original concept had the suit as a robot, remotely controlled by three different pilots. This was even before the robodog idea. "The robot would change forms according to the pilot in charge," Mikami explained, "as each pilot had been specially trained in areas such as shooting, melee, or hover and snipe." The idea "died a quick death," but Mikami noted that he still likes it, and that ideas are "never out of bounds," sometimes appearing in sequels or other new game designs. "I don't know what I will be making next, but considering how fickle I am, it will probably end up being a game completely different from Vanquish." At the very least, he knows it'll be a triple-A game for THQ.
Civilization 5, Vanquish and more struck by Amazon Lightning sales today
We know we're entering that time of year where you're not technically supposed to buy games for yourself but, rather, for your fellow man. Still, the upcoming wave of Amazon Lightning Deals is making it hard for us to not treat ourselves to a few discounted gems. In fact, Amazon's made it all the more difficult by accidentally revealing the identities and prices of all the offers therein, those monsters: 8:15 AM PST: Write your own epic story each time you play -- Civilization 5 (PC) for $29.99 10:15 AM PST: Suit up in this sci-fi shooter -- Vanquish (X360 or PS3) for $44.99 10:15 AM PST: The premier device in handheld gaming -- Nintendo DSi XL (Midnight Blue) for $139 1:15 PM PST: Customize your spy in this RPG/Shooter -- Alpha Protocol (X360 or PS3) for $29.99 4:15 PM PST: Don't forget to put your hands up -- Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum (PC) for $14.99
PSN Tuesday: God of War bonanza
Kratos is committing bloody vengeance all over this week's PSN update. The God of War Collection is available for download on PS3 and God of War: Ghost of Sparta is ready for handheld brutality on PSP. If you're a PlayStation Plus member you also get a "full game trial" of God of War 1 and 2, which you can test drive for an hour apiece. Also, Trophies and game progress will roll over if you purchase the game after taking the blades out for a spin. While you're taking advantage of your membership, you should also check out the Vanquish trial. There's plenty of more stuff in this update, so head on past the break for all the details. Note: In addition to this week's update being really behind schedule, Sony is telling PSN users that, while all of the content is now live, it's not actually appearing in the PlayStation Store interface. You'll need to use the PS Store search function to find the new additions until the problem is addressed. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Sega 'reasonably encouraged' by day-one Vanquish sales
Sega West president Mike Hayes wouldn't disclose specific Vanquish sales numbers to IGN, but he did offer some hesitant praise for the shooter's sales. "It's been in the marketplace for two days," Hayes said. "We've seen the day one numbers and we're reasonably encouraged, but I think we need to see the rest of week one and probably week two just to see how it's going to play out." He also noted that the new IP faces tough competition from established franchises (like Fallout: New Vegas, which launched the same day). "Reasonably encouraged" from a game company executive is reasonably troubling for our estimation of Vanquish's fortunes. We tend to expect publishers to overhype their games' success. If "reasonably encouraged" is Sega's spin, that's not great news for fans of Shinji Mikami's unique brand of smoking, shooting action. Though, of course, that's better than "disappointed," "humiliated," or "driven out of business."
Platinum Games aims to build and keep new IPs in the future
This week's launch of Vanquish not only portends the imminent demise of thousands of robots, but represents the final shot in Sega's four-game publishing deal with Platinum Games. Speaking to Develop, Platinum's executive director, Atsushi Inaba, reflected on the agreement -- encompassing Bayonetta, Madworld, Infinite Space and Vanquish -- and the incentives offered by Sega. "When we created Platinum Games, we of course talked to a lot of publishers, and Sega offered us the most freedom to develop games, he said. "I think the partnership has been great, and I'm really grateful for their support." Inaba considers the exchange, with ownership of four properties going towards creative freedom, a "fair deal." But what happens next? "For the future of our partnership, of course, it's not something that we alone can decide," Inaba said. "Sega has its stance, and we have ours, but if Sega asks us to make something we might take the offer." Although Platinum has nothing "against the idea of making sequels," Inaba added, the company's long-term goal is to create new IP and retain ownership of it. "So as a studio we would like to do both [new IP and sequels], but the whole point of Platinum Games is to create our own IP, that's what we do." With Platinum still growing and readjusting its relationship with Sega, the developer's critical acclaim will be compared to its uneven sales performance in any discussion. Selling over a million copies, Bayonetta has undoubtedly been the studio's biggest success thus far. If Sega intends to ask for a sequel, it'll know witch. [Image: Platinum Games website]
Vanquish review: Smokin'
You know how we're always saying how great it would be if someone could just make a modern, polygonal version of one of our favorite 2D classics, yet they seldom, if ever, turn out good? Well, Vanquish isn't a rebirth of any existing action franchise, but it is what a younger me dreamed a game like Contra would be like ... in the future. The work of Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and Platinum Games (Bayonetta), it brings the classic, run-and-gun feel of games like Konami's classic into the HD era with a plot that doesn't really matter, characters who spout ridiculous one-liners and -- oh yeah -- action that will have you on the edge of your seat from explosive start to thunderous finish.%Gallery-87352%
Suit up for a new Vanquish trailer
Another Vanquish trailer has come rocket-sliding out of Platinum Games, this time focusing on the A.R.S. Battle Suit. So what does the suit do? Based on the trailer, it seems to turn gruff, stubbly dudes into engines of slow-motion, robot-exploding death. But how do you go to the bathroom?
Vanquish comes with $20 game coupon at Kmart, $30 off select titles
Man, remember that Kmart ad campaign featuring Rosie O' Donnell and Penny Marshall? We wish that was still going on for this deal, only because we'd love to hear the pair squawk about the over-the-top ninja action of Vanquish, which will come with a $20 coupon for future game purchases at Kmart.
Just try to follow this Vanquish trailer
It's hard to neatly sum up this latest Vanquish trailer. A lot of things happen, and very quickly. There's a transforming gun, lots of robot homicide (robocide?) and a ton of slow-motion explosions. Do you really need any more information than that?
Platinum Games working on multiplayer game
Speaking to NowGamer, Platinum Games producer Atsushi Inaba confirmed that the studio is currently working on a new multiplayer project. With Platinum having thus far produced only single-player titles (Bayonetta, Vanquish), Inaba confirmed the multiplayer title saying, "We haven't officially announced it yet, but we have a big multiplayer title that we're working on right now." He then advised that we all keep an eye out for the upcoming announcement (we will!). Inaba also discussed the challenges of creating Vanquish, a new IP that will enter a crowded market of third-person shooters, most of them developed by western companies. He noted that the people at Platinum "enjoy new challenges" and are encouraged by the fact that third-person shooters constitute such a popular genre. This, despite the fact that the genre has struggled to take hold in Japan, which Inaba believes is "very unfortunate because there are so many great games in the genre."
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.
Another Vanquish demo on the way
1UP reports that a second Vanquish demo will soon be dashing its way to consoles. The announcement was made by director Shinji Mikami and producer Atsushi Inaba during a stage show at TGS. The demo is set to offer a challenge mode, designed to provide a more challenging experience for skilled players. The new demo will arrive in Japan on September 22. We've contacted Sega to see if it will also see release outside of Japan.
Vanquish trailer reignites the Cold War
Alright, alright -- the newest trailer for Platinum Games' Vanquish probably isn't reigniting a near century-long history of hostility between two of our planet's biggest superpowers, but it does play out a bizarre future where just such a reality exists. Also, there are tons of explosions.
Vanquish Limited Edition sliding into UK and French retailers
Right between our Fallout 3 Vault Boy bobblehead and our BioShock Big Daddy statue is a gaping hole -- a gaping hole approximately three inches wide and seven inches tall. Wouldn't you know it, Sega of Europe just this morning announced a limited edition version of forthcoming Platinum-developed Vanquish with a seven inch tall statue of the game's main character, Sam Gideon. The LE will be exclusive in the UK to retailer Zavvi (not to be confused with Navi or the Nav'i), whereas Game will carry it in France. The asking price is £54.95 ($85) in the UK, and no price has been listed by Game for the French release. Update: Sega confirmed to Joystiq that there will be no US release of the Limited Edition.
Vanquish story trailer has a good ending
The United States vs. Russia. That's all you need to know. Now, skip to the good part!
Vanquish 'SDTV mode' enlarges text, icons, hopes
In this modern era of high definition gaming, there's a certain set of gamers whose voices beg to be heard. This group wishes desperately to be a part of the new generation of gaming but, too often, they are left behind, forced to squint at tiny text that hasn't been optimized for standard definition televisions. At times the unfortunate condition can get so bad that it renders a game practically unplayable. This forsaken group, also known as "the majority," has something to look forward to in Vanquish, as the recently released demo reveals an optional "SDTV mode." As the name implies, SDTV mode makes text and icons larger and, blessedly, legible.
Vanquish's pre-order Tri-Weapon Pack highlighted in new trailer
Pre-ordering Vanquish from GameStop will grant access to a set of three exclusive weapons: the Boost Machine Gun, the Anti-Armor Pistol, and the Laser Cannon. If, for some reason, you're not entirely sold on the idea of free extra stuff with your game, you can see all three weapons in action after the break. Though we can't imagine what would dissuade you. Even the staunchest GameStop detractor must agree that Vanquish plus Laser Cannon is a much more attractive proposition than Vanquish minus Laser Cannon.
Vanquish demo coming August 31 to PS3, 360
It's almost time to start honing your rocket-sliding skills. Sega has announced that a playable demo of its over-the-top Platinum Games and Shinji Mikami developed shooter Vanquish will arrive on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN Store on Tuesday, August 31. Europe will get the demo a day later on September 1, with Australian gamers getting their hands on it Thursday, September 2. Famitsu reports (via Siliconera) that Japan will also receive the demo on the 2nd. The "Vanquish Official Demo: Velocity Attack," as Sega calls the demo, will comprise the section of the game we played at E3 -- a space station interior with bipedal "Walker" mechs to commandeer and an enormous spider-like robot boss to defeat in incredibly stylish ways. (You know, the usual stuff: by grabbing the monstrosity's missile out of the air, turning it around and throwing it back like a giant lance.)
New Vanquish trailer spotlights crazy action, men speaking gruffly
Sega's Vanquish is really fast, really pretty and, judging by this video, out-gruff-speaks every Metal Gear Solid game combined. The main character is a not-very-gruff-looking DARPA "researcher," but even his voice sounds like he gargles nails. Hear (and see) what we mean after the break.
Vanquish almost had a robotic canine companion
Vanquish wasn't always the story of one man fighting alone (in an amazing suit of robotic armor). Platinum Games considered pairing him with a feminine android who could combine with Sam's suit and be used as a weapon, and even a robot dog.
