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Asura's Wrath preview: Just one more episode
A grimacing man who appears to be partly made of stone, faces off with a portly, glowing-eyed man in the desert. "YOU DON'T BELONG HEEEEEERE," the large gentleman (Wyzen) exclaims, launching into a fistfight with his more muscular interloper (Asura). In the ensuing scuffle, Wyzen ends up thrown off a cliff, then rises up, 100 times his previous size. He explains that he got this power from Asura's daughter. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER," Asura asks before catching one of the missiles thrown by Wyzen (did I mention Wyzen was shooting missiles?) and throwing it back. Firing projectiles of his own and reflecting Wyzen's back, Asura prevails again. And then Wyzen grows to the size of the planet and attempts to smush Asura with his index finger. Asura pushes back against the glacial finger, and then peppers it with punches, eventually launching Wyzen into space. For the next thrilling episode of this Asura's Wrath preview, hit the break.%Gallery-125713%
Hey, remember Asura's Wrath? That's pretty weird
Capcom released a new trailer and screens of CyberConnect2's "serialized drama" Asura's Wrath today, which is really the best news for people who woke up this morning wanting to see a guy beat up a bunch of possessed Buddha-like statues. No news accompanied the release of this media -- no release date or anything like that. Capcom just decided to remind us all that this game exists. That's probably a good idea, given that we haven't seen anything about it in months. Just sit back and enjoy the monumental violence.%Gallery-114652%
Here are the world's biggest Naruto fans
You may think you're the biggest Naruto fan in the world, buying headbands, attending conventions, learning rudimentary Japanese and pirating every episode of the show ever. But unfortunately, you still can't compete with the team at CyberConnect2. Why? Look at that manga collection! This dev diary explains their passion for the brand.
Solatorobo preview: Robot trumps furry
Solatorobo: And Then to Coda for DS is kind of an unofficial sequel to the PlayStation furry/mech adventure Tail Concerto. It's apparently set in the same universe, featuring cameos from Tail Concerto characters. It's also developed by the same studio, CyberConnect2, which most recently made news for hooking up with Capcom on the weird Asura's Wrath. But even for people like me who never got around to playing Tail Concerto -- and even for people who avoid anthropomorphic animals -- Solatorobo is a surprisingly engaging game that is fun just to interact with.
Asura's Wrath aiming for 'continuous drama' a la Lost, Battlestar Galactica
Asura's Wrath looks crazy, but that compelling weirdness isn't just in the visuals for the Capcom title. In a recent interview with Eurogamer, director Seiji Shimoda of developer CyberConnect2 expressed that "drama -- continuous drama -- is also another key point" in the game. CyberConnect 2 President Hiroshi Matsuyama elaborated, calling the game "very Japanese" and noting that the company doesn't want to hide from that. However, it also plans to incorporate narrative elements found in popular TV shows like Lost, Battlestar Galactica and 24. "That feeling where you're at the end of an episode and you're desperate to know what happens next -- that's a feeling of continuing drama that we want to put in the game," he said. Hopefully Asura's Wrath will work out a better ending than those influential dramas did. %Gallery-102298%
Video proof: Asura's Wrath is crazy
Our TGS liveblog didn't exactly capture how crazy Asura's Wrath -- the upcoming collaboration between Capcom and CyberConnect 2 -- really is. Imagine taking the over-the-top action of the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series, mixing in a ton of violence, all rendered with the power of the Unreal Engine. Oh, and did we mention the giant space Buddha statue thingy? Yeah, there's that too. %Gallery-102298%
CyberConnect2 taking out 'Asura's Wrath' on Capcom
CyberConnect2, creators of the .hack series and various Naruto games, is working on a new PS3/Xbox 360 game for Capcom. Asura's Wrath was announced a few minutes ago at Capcom's pre-TGS event. The game, which the director says involves "serialized drama," is an action title built in Unreal Engine 3. Speaking of "unreal," he said that "What we're bringing to this game is a brand new style that will have you questioning whether or not you're even playing a game ... sometimes even we're confused if what we're making is a game." Gameplay footage revealed a character unconcerned with numerous sword wounds, destroying enemies with a giant sword of his own.
Retailer: Solatorobo is DSi-enhanced
Cyberconnect2's Solatorobo: And Then To Coda (previously known as Solarobo) will feature support for the DSi camera, according to a listing from Japanese retailer Game Star. The listing doesn't offer any detail on how the functionality will work, except to note that you can take pictures that will be used in the game. This adventure, a semi-official followup to Tail Concerto, will not require the use of a DSi. Siliconera also points out a new video from the official site (see it after the break) of a multiplayer mode available over Download Play, in which up to four players can race in an Air Robo Gran Prix.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 isn't short on characters
Naruto games tend to be on the gorgeous side of things, and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 looks to be another visually impressive entry in the franchise. And that attractiveness won't be lacking for applications, as the game features "over 40" playable characters, evidenced by its latest trailer from Gamescom. If you were looking for a Naruto trailer with, like, dozens of combinations of characters fighting each other, this is the one for you. If not, well, maybe this Dragonball: Raging Blast 2 trailer is more up your alley? We're doing the best we can here, folks.%Gallery-99730%
OFLC rates Namco Bandai's Solarobo
Solarobo, CyberConnect2's DS action RPG about animals piloting mechas, is on its way to the Anglophone world -- specifically Australia, according to an OFLC rating for the Namco Bandai-published game. Solarobo, a spiritual successor to CyberConnect2's Tail Concerto, casts the player as a dog bounty hunter (but not Dog the Bounty Hunter) who uses his mech to catch fugitives on his floating island home. The game allows characters to fight and interact with the environment both in and out of walking robot vehicles. Red (the dog hero in question) can also "trance up" and transform into ... a human, with his mech transforming along with him. To learn more about Solarobo's gameplay, you can check out several short videos on the website. It's something to do while we optimistically wait for a general announcement.
Preview: Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 aims to deliver what any sequel should strive to offer: expanding on the original game's strengths while diminishing its weaknesses. While the first Ultimate Ninja Storm was far from a perfect game, it delivered an incredibly polished (and most importantly, faithful) recreation of the first seasons in the Naruto series. With a number of significant enhancements being made for UNS2, there's good reason for hardcore fans to get excited. Undoubtedly, the most noteworthy aspect of the first Naruto game on PS3 had to be its graphics. Many of the anime's biggest moments were recreated using the in-game engine, arguably besting the visuals found in the original series. While we haven't seen the Xbox 360 port in action, the PS3 sequel still retains the vibrant, authentic look of a hand-drawn cartoon. It's hard to say if the graphics have gotten better, but there are definitely moments in UNS2 that are simply jaw dropping. The combat system has, for the most part, remained unchanged in UNS2. Hardcore fighting enthusiasts will still find it too simplistic. (It does, after all, have only one primary attack button.) However, Naruto fans will appreciate how true to the series fights feel. For the single-player story, it appears boss fights have gotten much more dynamic than before. My fight against Kakashi was lengthy, and moved from one arena to another. The enemy AI has a much-expanded set of moves that took advantage of the environment. For example, Kakashi would electrocute the water, forcing you to quickly find solid land to stand on. Now, fights involve more than just brute force -- there's platforming to think about as well.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 trailer is epic
We could go on about all of the badass ninja action going on in the Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 trailer above, but we just can't get past how amazing it all looks in HD. It's like this trailer opened our skull and scooped out our brain, only to leave a drooling husk of a human being in its wake. We guess it's kinda impressive we managed to write this post. So hit the play button above and see Naruto and company throw down in splendid HD glory. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 launches this fall. [Thanks, Andre]
CyberConnect2 working on 'Solarobo' for DS
Somehow, developer CyberConnect2 is making a game that is neither Naruto nor .hack. In fact, Solarobo for DS is a spiritual successor to CyberConnect2's 1998 PlayStation game Tail Concerto. Like Tail Concerto, Solarobo is a platforming action RPG starring anthropomorphic animals in walking mechs. As Red Savarin, you pilot the robot DAHAK-AZI03 on bounty hunting missions. Without weapons, your only method of combat is picking up and throwing objects using the robot's arms. Solarobo is due in Japan this year from Namco Bandai. It features some kind of 1-4 player support, but the details of that have yet to be released -- as does any information about a release outside of Japan.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 coming to North America and Europe this fall
Since its original Japanese announcement, Naruto fans have been wondering two things: When is Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 coming out? And does it still look good? Well, the answers are "this fall" and "yes." Not only is Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 the first game based on the Shippuden story arc to appear on an HD console, it's also the first multiplatform game for the franchise. Whereas the first game appeared exclusively on PS3, the sequel will grace both Xbox 360 and PS3 later this year. Thankfully, it looks as though developer CyberConnect2 isn't cutting any corners for the sequel, promising more than 40 characters, original Japanese voice overs and "bigger and more epic cinematic boss battles." Like the first Ultimate Ninja Storm, the sequel is likely to present an abridged version of the series story. However, the press release boasts that "a shocking story twist" will have "Sasuke wearing Akatsuki gear." Yeah, we can't believe it either.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes gets a third game release
It seems Naruto is well on his way towards becoming a football announcer. Namco Bandai's games based on the anime franchise continue their proliferation. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 is coming to PSP and it continues Naruto's inability to save his friend Sasuke. The big new features for this third iteration of Shippuden are four-player battles, a new story mode and an expanded roster of characters (Namco Bandai is promising over 50). In addition to the usual fighting modes, a new cooperative ad-hoc feature will let three players connect with each other and play through the adventure mode. While the enhancements sound promising, we wonder if fans haven't grown tired of these annual iterations yet. %Gallery-80070%
Hands-on: .hack//Link
The .hack franchise has always been a series we've wanted to like: CyberConnect 2's transmedia story combines an edgy, inspired style with a unique premise filled with intrigue. However, the original PS2 games -- spanning the .hack// tetralogy and the .hack//GU trilogy -- skimped on gameplay, failing to actualize its overly-ambitious vision.Perhaps the only thing more surprising than the fact that the franchise's finale will appear exclusively on PSP is that .hack//Link has the potential to be the best game ever created in the long-running RPG series. Although not formerly announced for a US release, we find little reason for Namco Bandai Games America to skimp on a localized version: The demo at Tokyo Game Show had a fresh, "fun" attitude that's evident in both the game's new art style and its combat system.We didn't have a chance to see much of the game's story in our demo. However, Link takes a page from the other compilation games so popular in Japan right now (Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Tales of VS), by populating the game with many faces from the various .hack games, manga and anime series. Playable partners in the TGS demo included Haseo (from .hack//GU) and Tsukasa (from .hack//SIGN).%Gallery-43000%
.hack//Link announced in Japan
Something tells us that this newly revealed title, .hack//Link, has something to do with that countdown website we mentioned on Monday. CyberConnect2's website still has two days to go before the big reveal, but this early leak of Famitsu pretty much spells everything out -- unless CyberConnect2 has something else up their sleeves..hack//Link is the first .hack title to leave the PS2. From the looks of it, there appears to be a new protagonist, though images from the Famitsu scan suggest that hero Haseo from the G.U. series will be in the game in some form as well. The game will apparently take place in "The World R:X" and will follow closely to the manga of the same name. We'll probably know more details about the title in the next upcoming days once CC2's timer runs out.
Ninja Heroes 2 makers put up countdown website
The makers of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Forest, CyberConnect2, are planning to unveil something soon. At the moment, we don't know what that 'something' is; however, we will know that info within the next four days when this countdown off the CyberConnect2 website runs out. It's interesting to note that since making the .hack titles for PS2, CC2 has shifted its focus onto Naruto titles for both the PS3 and PSP in 2008. The impending revelation could be related to either Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm for the PS3 or Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Forest for the PSP (the only two titles from CC2 in 08'). It's possibly related to DLC for either title, or it could be something completely different. We'll keep watch. In the meantime, discuss.[Thanks erico316!]
Ultimate Ninja Storm makers put up countdown website
The makers of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, CyberConnect2, are planning to unveil something soon. At the moment, we don't know what that 'something' is; however, we will know that info within the next four days when this countdown off the CyberConnect2 website runs out. It's interesting to note that since making the .hack titles for PS2, CC2 has shifted its focus onto Naruto titles for both the PS3 and PSP in 2008. The impending revelation could be related to either Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm for the PS3 or Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Forest for the PSP (the only two titles from CC2 in 08'). It's possibly related to DLC for either title, or it could be something completely different. We'll keep watch. In the meantime, discuss.[Thanks erico316!]
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm trailer is full of cel-shaded goodness
A new HD gameplay trailer from Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm is now being shown at Gametrailers.com. It really is hard to believe that the majority of this trailer is actual gameplay; the cel-shaded graphics are fluid and emulates the Naruto anime almost perfectly. The game will follow the first 135 episodes of the anime, which itself is an adaptation of the first 27 volumes of the manga. A highlight of this trailer is that it showcases a mechanic in the game, where pressing L1 or R1 allows you to summon a pre-determined assist character and he/she can string combos or land extra hits onto your opponent. We can't wait for this PS3 exclusive when it arrives in the fall. Meanwhile, those who subscribe to Qore will get a demo a little earlier on July 3rd, whereas the rest of you will have to wait till July 17th.[Thanks, Noshino!]
