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More Phoenix Wright copies on the way?
If you've been reading this site for a while, you'll know that at just about every available opportunity, we tend to go on and on about how wonderfully hilarious the DS lawyer-em-up, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, is. You'd also be aware that the game has sadly become increasingly hard to track down (especially online). Seemingly discontinued, availability of the title has become more and more anemic, just as demand for it has become more and more ravenous. Well, relief may be in sight, as online retailer National Console Support reports that more stock is on the way. The game's page says that a new production run of the game is scheduled to arrive at the end of March. Interestingly enough, the game's European release also happens to be scheduled for the end of March. Seeing as National Console Support deals with import titles, it might not be out of line to suggest that this new production is, in fact, referring to the forthcoming influx of European copies. If this is indeed the case, the game's US shortage will likely continue. At least it'll give a few more people another chance at getting their hands on one of the DS' top titles, provided they can put up with absolutely dreadful European box art. [Thanks Jenny!]
Revolution Spotting: It's in the testimony, Your Honor
I was playing the most excellent DS game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, when I was presented with the above image. In the hilarious courtroom adventure's first chapter, Phoenix has to carefully debunk the testimony of one Mr. Sahwit, a shifty fellow who claims to have discovered the bludgeoned body of a model in her apartment. Upon attempting to contact the police, he realizes that the nearby cordless phone does not work and instead rushes to a payphone in a park. Though the evidence suggests that the phone was non-functional due to a power failure, I have a different (and embarassingly lighthearted) theory: That's no telephone, it's the Revolution controller! Note to self: Nerd!
Phoenix Wright: DS Spokesperson
The Siliconera team was kind enough to point us towards this hilarious Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney trailer and it would be a cruel injustice not to share it with you lot. Originating from last year's Tokyo Game Show, the translated video sees Phoenix Wright putting competing attorney Edgeworth in his place regarding his disgraceful lack of knowledge regarding the DS. "I mean, seriously! Why does the system have 2 screens?" The clip's an exceptionally well done, tongue-in-cheek promotion of the game and the system it's on. If you still haven't experienced the joy of playing it, consider this a motivating kick in the pants.
Got any questions you'd want to ask Lorne Lanning?
Oddworld creator Lorne Lanning will be speaking at the meeting for the Chicago chapter of the IGDA (that is, the International Game Developers Association) on the evening of Tuesday, August 23rd (tomorrow night). He will be giving a multimedia presentation called "In a Wal-Mart world, Creative is a dirty word" concerning "the creative process, sources of inspiration, how Yoda saved his life, why the label of 'Creative' has become a liability, how game engines will change film making forever, ...why owning your own brand can be a handicap in today's marketplace, and how digital distribution is the great hope for creatives as we continue heading deeper into a brave new world of media." I will also be there, blogging the event. (If you were hoping to go, you may be sorry to learn that reservations were made for attendants well in advance. Sorry!) What this post is for, however, is to make a small request for question suggestions. I could read as many past interviews as I want, but that wouldn't give me as much insight into the machinima and digital distribution issues that I'd surely get from our dear Joystiq readers. If possible, I hope to ask Lorne a few questions (during the likely Question & Answer session if necessary), but nothing's set in stone. (The current Oddworld web site is a bit bereft of proper contact information right now, so if anyone can get me in touch with Mr. Lanning directly, I'd certainly appreciate it.) At any rate, a concise report should be up by Wednesday morning, with or without interview. Wish me luck! Update: Moving the report back to Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Hopefully I'll have a good picture for you then! And, yes, I did get to ask Lorne a few of your questions. Should be fun.
Oddworld no more
Steve walks warily down the street, with his brim pulled way down low... Yep, another developer is no more. Though this time it's their own decision. In short, Lorne Lanning has seen where games are headed, said "No thanks!", and left for other pastures. Hollywood Reporter (?!) has a good interview with Lanning about his decision. Buh-bye, Oddworld. At least in games.
Oddworld keeps getting odder
Oddworld started off as a light-hearted world. Sure, it had a dark side of farts and spitting green slime, but for the most part it was a hopeful place. But that environment shifted to the dark side with the surprisingly good Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (average of 88% on GameRankings). It was a first person shooter that sprinted away from the platformer-feel of the original. Now comes word from IGN that the next installment will go even darker. You'll play a shepherd named Fangus who is slowly being driven mad by rabies. You have to save your herd from invading aliens while you still have your head on straight. It may be a departure for fans of the series, but if you consider the developer's track record there's probably no need to worry. [thanks Fady]
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath Reviews
The reviews are still pouring in, and while not as strong (on average) as yesterday, the numbers are sill impressive: Team Xbox - '91' IGN - '88' GameSpot - '85' 1Up - '80'
Stranger's Wrath is all good, for now
Due in stores tomorrow, the latest Oddworld adventure has garnered some early "universal acclaim" as evidenced by its '91' average over on Metacritic. So far, only 2 of the 7 reviews posted are accessible in full, with TotalGames.net going all out with a '95', while GameSpy chose a slightly more reserved score of '90'. It looks like the risk of converting the Oddworld standard from puzzle to action has paid off for Oddworld Inhabitants (developer), and gasp, EA! We'll keep you posted as more reviews roll in...
The week in zeros and ones
VE3D does their weekly round-up of digital media. The list includes DVDs, games, movies and the latest in pornographic paraphernalia. And sometimes you'll even get a pornographic DVD game in the same item. Take Playboy: The Mansion, for instance. It's finally hitting the shelves for PC, Playstation 2 and Xbox. How many 6.9/10 ratings do you figure it'll get from the mainstream gaming press? Unless it's good, of course, which is entirely possible. Also of some note is Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow DVD.
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath preview shows there are changes coming
If you're a fan of the Oddworld series, you may want to prepare for some changes in the next OW game. It looks like the puzzle-solving and happy jumping is turning into some hardcore action, of the videogame variety. The game, due out this month on Xbox, will allow you to explore the rich world you've grown to love, but this time you can do it from a third or first-person perspective. The same crazy touches are present, thankfully; fuzzy critters for ammunition, and health power-ups from, well, unlikely places.
What brand of ninja do you prefer?
I'm sure a lot of you have got to be psyched to download the Ninja Gaiden: Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 next Monday, and if not, you probably aren't an Xbox Live subscriber. But if this has somehow slipped under your radar, it is going to be the single most spectacular download in the history of Live. Yes, it's that good. We're talking: new camera, new game engine, new enemies, new weapons, and of course these two new costumes. I'd have to agree with Hilary over at IGN, I'm sort of feeling that "evil Spider-Man vibe" myself.
Ninja Gaiden Hurricane Pack: "Greatest. Download. Ever."
A few days back we featured some news on the upcoming Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 download for Ninja Gaiden, and now a few lucky reviewers have gotten a test run. Incidentally it blew at least one reviewer's mind, despite kicking his @$$. Hilary Goldstein of IGN raves, "Best damn download in the history of mankind." Although he does warn this download is NOT for newbies-we're talking seasoned veterans only. Think of it as a present (it's free!) from Team Ninja for all of your hard work, but expect even more this time around... Use the links below to check out a couple early impressions.
Ninja Gaiden: Hurricane Pack download
If you weren't impressed with what the Master Ninja Tournament had to offer, or just weren't up for the hours of 'training' needed to compete, Tomonobu Itagaki, Gaiden's creator, recently announced the arrival of the Hurricane Pack Vol. 1 August 2. Excited yet? Well, this latest download packs quite a punch. It will feature new weapons, new costumes, new enemies (complete with a revamped AI system), an "action engine" (which will make gameplay even faster), and for all you haters, a brand new camera. And it's all free?! Now are you excited? Check out the link to IGN's Q&A with Itagaki.
