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Strider is a re-imagining with that classic feel
Most ninjas tend to enjoy the stealth approach, but the offensive powerhouse Strider Hiryu, star of Capcom's side-scrolling series, takes everything head-on. In the upcoming Strider revival from developer Double Helix, Hiryu will once again lay waste to adversaries with his fusion of devastating technology and ninja grace. "It's a re-imagining, so it's sort of its own separate canon, but it definitely draws from those previous titles. There are easter egg-type stuff that you'll see, like enemies that look familiar and, beyond that, the overall story setup is similar," Capcom's Tristan Corbett, product manager on Strider, told Joystiq. The league of Striders – a league of assassins – have been hired to infiltrate Neo-Kazakh and once again take down series antagonist Grandmaster Meio. During my brief demo of the PS4 version, I navigated Strider through a robot assembly facility chock full of lasers and precision-based platforming segments – and, once again, I was thankful to have Strider back in my life.
Fulgore joins Killer Instinct's playable roster in March
A launch trailer for the Xbox One free-to-download fighting game Killer Instinct revealed that classic fighter Fulgore will join the fray in March, emerging as the game's eighth playable character and rounding out its first season of planned content updates. Fulgore first appeared in 1994's Killer Instinct, then later made appearances in the arcade follow-up Killer Instinct 2 and Nintendo 64 conversion Killer Instinct Gold. Fellow Killer Instinct veterans T.J. Combo, Cinder and Riptor are still missing in action, but are likely candidates for the Xbox One reboot's upcoming second season of content.
Killer Instinct review: Content breaker
We'll be rolling out Xbox One review coverage all the way through launch on November 22. Read all of our coverage right here! Killer Instinct isn't finished yet. It's an attempt to get players to buy into a promise that the full game is still on the way, that investing now will guarantee an experience on par with other fighting games – eventually. Right now, there's little else aside from training, survival and online modes. There isn't a story mode or an arcade mode, though the latter is promised for the future. There are only six fighters, with two more to come during the game's first season of content. As it stands, Killer Instinct is a streamlined fighter designed as a far-reaching modular experience, which highlights one of its key problems: a dearth of content.
Killer Instinct Classic includes two arcade revisions, only available in KI Ultra Edition
The DLC-bundled Ultra Edition of Microsoft's upcoming Killer Instinct reboot for the Xbox One will feature two versions of Rare's 1994 arcade Killer Instinct, Siliconera reports. Producer Torin Retting revealed that Killer Instinct Classic will feature both the original arcade version (v1.4) and the upgraded ROM revision 1.5D, which fixes a number of glitches and infinite combos discovered after the game's initial release. The port will also feature CRT-emulating scanline options, a training mode, and sprite galleries. Retting additionally notes that Killer Instinct Classic will only be included in Killer Instinct's Ultra Edition and boxed Pin Ultimate Edition, and will not be sold separately.
Killer Instinct picks up Arcade Mode after wrapping up Season One content
While the Xbox One reboot of Killer Instinct will launch with local and online multiplayer modes, players will need to wait until Microsoft launches all of its planned Season One content before they can grapple with AI-controlled opponents in a forthcoming Arcade mode. The series' traditional Arcade mode -- which pits players against all of the game's fighters in a series of one-on-one matches -- will unlock after the full roster of eight Season One characters is released, Microsoft Studios game designer Daniel Fornace revealed in an interview with OXM this week. The game will include six characters when it premieres on November 22, and two additional characters will round out the Season One lineup post-launch. As consolation for Arcade mode's omission, players can beat up on endless waves of CPU opponents in a score-based Survival mode when Killer Instinct hits the Xbox Live Marketplace as a free-to-play download later this month.
Take a closer look at Killer Instinct's spider lady, Sadira
Killer Instinct's roster isn't all returning faces. Sadira, the spider-like lady detailed in the trailer above, is the game's first new character. She's an acrobatic brawler whose primary weapons are a pair of bladed gauntlets. It also looks like she spends a majority of her time in a dark cave, which would explain her incredibly pale complexion.
Microsoft gifting complete Killer Instinct roster to select Xbox users
Microsoft is giving away all the Killer Instinct characters to select Xbox users, effectively unlocking the game in full (minus costumes and accessories it seems). Hundreds of social media users are reporting their Christmases have come early, after they received emails from Microsoft telling them they'll get the full roster of fighters as a freebie. The Xbox One launch game is otherwise a free download with one character unlocked. The seven remaining characters are priced $5 each, and there's a $20 all-in-one bundle that unlocks all eight fighters, including two extra ones not initially available. The giveaway isn't limited to Killer Instinct, because a seemingly much smaller group of users is getting the console itself completely free. Just a few Twitter users at the time of writing, including some Microsoft MVPs, are reporting they've received a code today that entitles them to a free Xbox One - just like that. For the record, Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals) are not company employees, but people who've been recognized by Microsoft for "their exceptional achievements in technical communities." Microsoft's official Xbox Support Twitter accounts have confirmed the emails for both the Killer Instinct and the Xbox One freebies are legit. We've reached out to Microsoft to confirm the specifics of what's going on, and who exactly is entitled to receive what. We're not seeing any obvious rhyme or reason to the people receiving the Killer Instinct freebies, but if you were one of the lucky ones, please let us know in the comments. If not, come give us a hug, because we'll get through this.
Orchid and Spinal teased as next Killer Instinct fighters
Classic combatants Orchid and Spinal are set to join the playable roster in Double Helix's rebooted Killer Instinct for the Xbox One, the developer revealed in a recent IGN preview video. The assassin-and-skeleton pair bring Killer Instinct's playable cast up to seven characters, joining Jago, Sabrewulf, Glacius, Chief Thunder, and newcomer Sadira. Remaining '90s Killer Instinct fighters Fulgore, Cinder, Riptor, and TJ Combo are still missing in action, but may reappear as part of the reboot's planned second season of content. Killer Instinct will be available as a free-to-play launch title for the Xbox One featuring a single playable character. The game's full roster can be unlocked via optional add-on purchases.
Limited Killer Instinct boxed version holds pins instead of a disc
Killer Instinct, the Xbox One-exclusive fighting game based on the 90s classic of the same name, is getting a boxed edition for $59.99, available only through the Microsoft store. There will be no disc within said box however, as the "Pin Ultimate Edition" is a joint venture between Microsoft and Penny Arcade designed for displaying Pinny Arcade trading pins. Each copy of the Pin Ultimate Edition comes with one Jago pin and one Killer Instinct logo pin, with room for others, which will be revealed during the game's first season of content. Customers who purchase the Pin Ultimate Edition of Killer Instinct still get the game. A download voucher for the Ultra Edition of the game, which includes all Season 1 characters, a season pass for all costumes and accessory packs, early access to all Season 1 content and a copy of the original Killer Instinct will be included. The case will double as a folio for a 16-pin set designed by Mike "Gabe" Krahulik. The Pin Ultimate Edition's page doesn't specify how many units are being produced, but pin designer Krahulik wrote in a Penny Arcade post that it's "not a lot." Pre-orders are currently live through the Microsoft Store.
Killer Instinct FightStick for Xbox One is up for preorder
A Killer Instinct-branded version of Mad Catz's forthcoming, Xbox One-flavored Tournament Edition 2 FightStick is up for pre-order on the peripheral manufacturer's official shop. At $200, the extent of the stick's Killer Instinct-ness appears to be its artwork, which can easily be removed and replaced thanks to the TE2's removable bezel. Otherwise, the stick features all of the bells and whistles touted by the prototype we first saw at E3: Sanwa-Denshi parts, multi-setting LED lighting effects, removable cable, easy access to the sticks innards and an onboard screwdriver with swappable heads. The Killer Instinct Tournament Edition 2 FightStick launches alongside the Xbox One on November 22.
Killer Instinct balance updates won't require patching
Double Helix Games has no plans to force periodic downloads on players to keep the Killer Instinct roster balanced. Instead, these changes will be delivered automatically through the cloud. "All of our variables that go into how a character behaves are going to exist basically in the cloud," said producer Torin Rettig in an interview with Game Informer. "Without having to content update or patch the game at all, we can just go in on the cloud and tweak these variables without the player having to know." "Our vision is for it all to be behind the scenes, so it won't require any official title update download," added Rettig. "Basically the game checks for the latest version of the gameplay's parameters and automatically updates if it's a new version. No download or confirmation dialogue necessary and the files themselves are so small you'd never notice the difference." Despite this, Rettig notes that there will be larger patches for Killer Instinct. New characters, for instance, will require that players manually download a chunk of data too large to be pushed through the cloud.
Strider flips out, kills everything in this gameplay trailer
The protagonist in Double Helix's upcoming reboot of Strider shows us his best flips and murder moves in this latest trailer.
Characters cost $5 in F2P version of Killer Instinct
Microsoft announced its pricing structure for the upcoming Xbox One fighting game Killer Instinct, revealing that additional characters will be priced at $4.99 apiece. Killer Instinct will be available as a free download for the Xbox One at the console's launch, and will include a single playable character. A $19.99 "Combo Breaker Pack" unlocks the game's full roster of eight characters, including two exclusive fighters that are not initially available for individual purchase. Players can also opt for the $39.99 Ultra Edition, which bundles all playable characters, a collection of accessory and costume packs, and the original 1994 arcade version of Killer Instinct.
Capcom announces new Strider game developed by Double Helix
Capcom announced at San Diego Comic Con today that developer Double Helix is working on a new entry in its classic Strider franchise, confirming rumors from earlier this year. Double Helix's Strider is a side-scrolling action game with non-linear "Metroidvania" elements. Double Helix, creator of Silent Hill: Homecoming and Front Mission Evolved, is also working on a new Killer Instinct game for the Xbox One. Strider will launch for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows via Steam in early 2014.%Gallery-194134%
Rumor: New Strider coming to XBLA, PC, Double Helix involved
NeoGAF user canIhasAnAccount discovered a temporary XBLA box art and banner for a new Strider game. Subsequently, users found a Strider entry on the Steam database, complete with icon of Strider Hiryu's face from the Capcom ninja series.To extrapolate further, user Sega1991 found a Steam Community page connected by number with the leaked Steam information, posted by a user "ascarlston" whose profile offers a first name "Andrew." A quick search finds one Andrew Carlston in the game industry, a junior programmer at Double Helix. He's Steam friends with someone named Jorge Oseguera, a name belonging to a producer at Double Helix. Double Helix is the studio behind Silent Hill: Homecoming, as well as Front Mission Evolved and the Battleship game (based on the movie based on the game.)As we find ourselves trapped deep within this rabbit hole, we called out to Capcom for verification of any of this. Capcom told Joystiq only that "We have made no announcements in regards to that title." In the absence of more info about that, why not look back at the last attempted Strider reboot, by GRIN Barcelona?
Don't like your Lightning cable? Double Helix will mod it for you
If you would rather have your Lightning cable look bold instead of bland, then you should check out this custom mod by Double Helix cables. The cable maker is offering to take your Lightning cable and turn it into something that stands out from the crowd. The customized cable is crafted from a stock cable and can be shortened to your preferred length. You can also enclose it in a silver or black sleeve and add a gold USB plug to the end. Not only does it look striking, the gold plug also won't get stuck in your computer's USB port, a problem that some people are reporting with the stock cable. The Double Helix cable will set you back $85, if you buy the cable as part of the package. If you provide Double Helix with the Lightning cable, the company will knock $20 off the price of the mod.
Report: Details and images of canned Justice League game pop up
The Justice League and its members have shown up in a variety of different games on the current-gen consoles as well as PC, but we've yet to see a straight up Justice League video game for 360 and PS3. That doesn't mean that one was never in production, of course – former Double Helix art director and lead level artist Jon Gwyn reveals one such now canceled work-in-progress on his personal portfolio site, as discovered by Superannuation."The Justice League" was apparently a tie-in with George Miller's now-defunct Justice League film. The game project continued for another two years before being shut down as well. Few details about the game itself are available, but the images show a variety of superhero locales (Gotham, Metropolis) and Gwyn describes it as a "third-person brawler." A proposed versus mode was also included which put together a quartet of half good guys / half bad guys into an arena for a street fight.Despite the cancelation, Gwyn says that "the team was brought onto another superhero project" rather than being canned – that project appears to be the Green Lantern game from Double Helix that was released in June of last year. Additionally, despite project similarities, no assets from the Justice League project transferred to the Green Lantern one.Gwyn is currently working at Rockstar San Diego as a senior artist on a "confidential AAA title." Unfortunately, between the time it took to write this piece and ping Mr. Gwyn, he's password protected the images. If you'd like to share any information or assets regarding the Justice League game, don't hesitate to get in contact with us.
MinION USB stick decodes DNA in a matter of seconds
If you happen to be "special," then this $900 USB device is just about the worst thing ever. The aptly named MINion serves its masters by interrogating the cells of living organisms and rooting out their genetic secrets. We won't pretend to know exactly how it works, but it starts by pulling a strand of DNA through a razor-like nanotube that unzips the double helix. The nucleotide bases are then electrocuted one by one until they give up their code. The resulting sequence is stored like a ticker-tape readout, for the whole world to see. The MinION can complete its task in seconds and, unlike most other DNA sequencers, it's portable and simply plugs into a laptop. Luckily, it has so far only been shown to work on very short genomes, like those belonging viruses and bacteria, so for now you're probably safe.
Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix
Activision and Double Helix have announced a video game adaptation of Battleship, the Hasbro Studios/Universal Films adaptation of Milton Bradley's Battleship. Set for an April European release and a May North American release, Battleship will combine aspects of the classic board game with FPS gameplay. It will be available on PS3 and 360, with "uniquely designed versions" released for the Wii, DS and 3DS.The player takes on the role of demolitions expert Cole Mathis, who somehow finds himself in charge of an entire naval fleet and must use said fleet to defend the Hawaiian archipelago from underwater space aliens. This is a separate storyline from the film -- however, given the abundance of extraterrestrials and a severe lack of white and red pegs, we figure it's still set in the movie's universe. Gameplay is split between FPS sections and a "Battle Command" map, which is somewhat akin to the classic Battleship grid we're all familiar with. Here's hoping for Electronic Talking DLC on day one.%Gallery-146798%
Front Mission Evolved pushed back to September 28, 2010
When we announced Front Mission Evolved's September 14th launch date we joked that Square Enix had neglected to check the calendar. You know, because September 14 is also "International Halo: Reach Day," a notable religious holiday. Also there's another video game coming out that day. Now Front Mission Evolved has been pushed back two weeks, to September 28. The funny thing is, other high-profile games are arriving on that new launch date -- sometimes you just need to mecha decision, we guess. Update: Check out pre-order bonuses after the break.
