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E308: DS Fanboy on day four
While there will be news spilling over for a day or so yet, E3 has wrapped and things are winding down. Later on, we'll have the full event rundown for you, but for now, here's the haps on day four. News Namco Bandai's Panda game dated for U.S. Final Fantasy IV speaks our language -- probably yours, also Hands-On DS Fanboy hands-on with Away: Shuffle Dungeon DS Fanboy hands-on with Elebits: The Adventures of Kai and Zero DS Fanboy enters the Retro Game Challenge Not the right place to try Bangai-O Sound Load The Jamie Oliver game is ... really cool? DS Fanboy hands-on with MillionHeir Screens Infected with Puchi Puchi Virus Fresh Viva Piñata screens hunted down Video Dinosaur King unearths a trailer Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals (insert cake joke here) Korg DS-10 makes cool people cooler What an awful, awful Duke Nukem trailer
E308: NHL 2K9 demo gets us pumped for hockey
We haven't highlighted many sports games at E3 (unless you count Wii Sports Resort), but NHL: 2K9 is different, as it's the first legitimate hockey game to hit Nintendo's console. We are some very hockey-starved individuals, so we're keeping a cautious eye on this one. You can see a little bit of the game for yourselves in the demo above, and maybe we're just easy to please, but we like what we've seen so far.Ignoring the fact that the 2K rep is blatantly (and unconvincingly) reading a script, we appreciate some of the features he highlighted. Getting into fights sounds like fun (and makes us wistful for the days of Mutant League Hockey), as well as the simple but clever Zamboni driving. Seriously, who's never wanted to drive a Zamboni? At least we'll sort of get the chance now, even if it has to be through virtual means.The rep also takes special care to mention the Wii game and its controls, which he says are simple but work well (as you hold the Wiimote like a hockey stick). Sounds good to us.
E308: DS Fanboy hands-on with MillionHeir
MillionHeir is a very simple game. Sure, it has an overall story to it, but the meat and potatoes of the game has you staring at a large painting for several minutes, locating objects in the environment housed on a handy list. And, true to the Where's Waldo formula, finding these objects is not easy.%Gallery-26089%
E308: Check out screens from Lightsaber Duels
Never really watched The Clone Wars show, so obviously, the art style for the games is a little, uh, striking. Okay, let's be honest -- if you're not accustomed to it, it's ugly. But now that we're seeing some screens from the game, the look is starting to seem normal. Maybe even sort of okay. By next month, we'll probably be digging it. We're fickle.There's just one thing dampening the ol' enthusiasm, though. Now that we've seen the swordplay in Wii Sports Resort with Wii MotionPlus, it's hard to get excited about a pre-accessory game like this. We want lightsaber duels, and we were told first to look to The Force Unleashed, and then to Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- Lightsaber Duels. Look, it's even in the name. And yet, now it seems somewhat diminished by a dude slicing at a block of wood in a beach-themed mini-game collection.If nothing else, the two (or three) will make for great comparisons when they're all released. But somehow, we think we might not be alone in hoping, for once, for a delay.%Gallery-27972%
E308: Dinosaur King unearths a trailer
Our unfaltering love of dinosaurs makes us want to also love any video game having to do with such awesome and mighty creatures, like Dinosaur King. Yet, once again, the juxtaposition of cartoonish graphics with real-world imagery leaves us uneasy. We were really feeling it until the anime sprites showed up out of nowhere. Perhaps we need to actually see the show this is based on to understand the allure. At the same time, thoughts of digging up fossils, having a dinosaur compendium, and fighting dino battles are incredibly tempting. Too bad Sega didn't forgo the license and just hunt for the meat of it all. The music in the trailer makes one thing clear, though: dinosaurs rawk. Not that we needed another confirmation of that fact.Interested parties can also check out the new screens in the gallery below.%Gallery-22668%
E308: This trailer tells the Little King's Story
We were sorely disappointed when we couldn't get our hands on Little King's Story, but Marvelous and XSEED managed to make up for it a little bit with this enchanting trailer. We just can't help but be lured in by the game's style -- check out the knight using a cow as a mount, for example. It's too bad that we couldn't find out if the gameplay matched the rest of this title's charm, but them's the breaks. Either way, we're looking forward to trying out Little King's Story in the future.
No Soulcalibur IV demo before official release
If you were so looking forward to a Soulcalibur IV demo out before the game's release on July 29, then get ready for disappointment. Namco reps at E3 have stated that a demo of the game won't be available until after release. As to when that demo would be available, the only response received was that it would appear some time "down the road." Last time we checked, Soulcalibur IV was a 'first day purchase' kind of game; by then, who needs a demo?In related news, a press release sent out earlier today cordially announced that Soulcalibur IV had gone gold. There's only 12 days left Soulcalibur fans -- only 12 more days.
E308: Catching up with Disney Online
Despite the craziness that is E3, Massively got a chance to talk to Mike Goslin, VP at Disney Online. We spoke to him about Pirates of the Caribbean Online's future, the launch of World of Cars (a virtual world based on Pixar's "Cars") and their plans for consoles as well as Asian markets. Read on for his answers with more after the jump.What's next for 'Pirates of the Caribbean Online'?Goslin: We have a lot of really great content in the pipeline for Pirates. One of the big upcoming expansions is Privateering, which allows players to engage in epic sea battles against each other. Players choose a side, either French or Spanish, assemble a crew, and blast away. As part of Privateering we introduced some new islands where pirate lords challenge players with special quests to prove their worth and earn some cool new rewards.What is the timeline for closed beta on the 'Cars Online' title?Goslin: The World of Cars virtual world will roll out in 2009. We have not yet announced any specific dates for beta, but we will make sure to let you know when those are confirmed!
Ubisoft: E3 timing 'not appropriate'
Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz, Ubisoft's Alain Corre said that the location and timing of this year's E3 was "not appropriate" for the event -- he wants it earlier (as in, back in May) and bigger. Basically, back the way it was, where Ubisoft could get a spot on the massive show floor and put on a glorious gaming spectacle. The overemphasis on glitz and glamour is pretty much why they ditched the old format in the first place.Corre doesn't delve into specifics about what exactly the show should be, beyond being bigger and earlier. However, he does mention the lack of retail presence, which publishers would use to establish plans for the remainder of the year. According to Corre, having the event in July digs too deep into the year, and holiday plans can't be made as effectively. However, there still needs to be "reasonable limits as to noise, attendees or whatever."What do you think? Has E3 settled into a nice groove this year, or do you wish the "funfair" atmosphere made a return in some form?
Hands-on: Silent Hill Homecoming
Usually, a venue like E3 proves to be a bad venue for a game like Silent Hill Homecoming. The usual hustle and bustle of the E3 show floor makes for a game focused squarely on atmosphere to suffer. So, why was our playtest of Silent Hill Homecoming in a closed room with headphones so uninspiring? There are a number of issues that come to the top of our minds: the lackluster graphics stand out, for once. However, the most frustrating aspect of Homecoming is how familiar it all felt. Returning to Silent Hill on consoles after an adventure like Silent Hill IV: The Room is strange. Regardless of the execution found in that last Silent Hill title, one couldn't deny the interesting premise which took the series in a slightly different direction. Homecoming, on the other hand, plays it safe and feels like an HD remake of Silent Hill Origins (PSP).For those that are hankering for a new Silent Hill game, perhaps this by-the-numbers offering will satiate that itch. However, the setting is much too familiar, and the setup is just not that compelling. Waking up strapped down in a hospital bed, our protagonist Alex Shephard must break free and find clues on his missing brother. Combat works just as it has before: lock on and swing various melee weapons found in the environment.%Gallery-12896%
E308: Namco Bandai's Panda game dated for U.S.
The first English-language screens of Namco Bandai's National Geographic Panda have emerged from E3, as well as a North American release window of this fall. We also received a smattering of gameplay details, listed beneath the almost unforgivable title of "It's PANDA-MONIUM!"According to these, the aim of the game is simply to rear your own Baby Panda or Giant Panda (you can tickle and play with them via the touchscreen, as you would a Nintendog), keeping them fed, clean, and happy during their time in Panda Park (which, incidentally, changes depending on whether you play at day or night).To do this, you'll get a daily allowance which can be used for panda food or toys (such as ... gherkin-shaped see-saws?), and as you play more, further Baby Pandas will gradually begin to "move" into Panda Park, which is probably just Namco Bandai's way of avoiding the whole panda sex thing. Probably for the best.%Gallery-20748%[Via press release]
E308: A respectable little pile of Castlevania Judgment videos
We've already documented our feelings about Castlevania's transformation into a 3D fighting game, but it wasn't until this morning that we got a proper look at the game in motion. It's not actually all that bad! Okay, so the lip-synching is a bit off, most of the lines positively reek of cheese ("I'm a Belmont -- that's my job"), and some of the voice acting makes the guy behind Leon Kennedy seem almost De Niro-esque.Such quibbles aside, we suppose this is the best that could be done with a Castlevania fighting game. Environments and characters are solidly built, there are some pleasant enough effects, the music is great, and we're pleased they opted for a free-roaming style, if only because it reminds us of Power Stone. Make the jump for a trailer and some direct-feed footage.
Castle Crashers, Galaga Legions, more on XBLA in 4-6 weeks
During our guided demo of Microsoft's upcoming stable of XBLA games, Microsoft's Scott Austin informed us that all the games on display would be available in the next four to six weeks on Xbox Live Arcade. All of 'em. If you've been reading the impressions on Joystiq, you'll know that this a reason to be excited. For the record, the XBLA games being shown by Microsoft are: Bionic Commando Rearmed Castle Crashers Galaga Legions Braid Geometry Wars 2 We expected Microsoft to show off some cool XBLA games at E3, but we weren't expecting four to six weeks of win.
E308: Not the right place to try Bangai-O Sound Load
I went to D3 Publisher along with Joystiq's Justin McElroy to look at Bangai-O Spirits. Justin brought his mysterious space phone along, and I saw an opportunity. After I looked at the new Treasure stages (which include detailed pixel images of the Bangai-O robot and other things made out of stage elements), I asked if we could try out the Sound Load feature -- live. Justin loaded up a level on YouTube, stuck an earphone up to the mic, and the D3 rep started the Sound Load, but to no avail. "Transfer failed," "Too quiet," "Too loud." That doesn't mean it's a finicky feature, necessarily, just that it's not the ideal feature for the loudest place ever. Owners of the Japanese version haven't really reported problems. I have full faith that it works great in regular noise situations. I asked the D3 rep if there would be downloadable stages on the US website, and he told me that they were planning a YouTube channel. Furthermore, I was told that Japanese stages would work in the U.S. build. %Gallery-16997%
E308: Warhammer Online is pretty much done
We had a chance to chat today with Josh Drescher and Adam Gershowitz, two of the leading lights behind EA Mythic's Warhammer Online. Even just two months after our huge Massively goes to WAR series, there were new elements to view and discuss. We'll get you that information as soon as we can, but we wanted to share what might have been the biggest surprise of our chat: essentially everything that will be in the game at launch is now in the game. Said Mr. Gershowitz, "Basically where we're at right now is the guild Beta. We're in high polish mode, which means that everything in the game is in at this point. Everything we're going to ship with, for the most part, is in, is being played, everybody is taking a look at it, giving us feedback and now we're doing the final polish."Tune back in soon for information on Warhammer's built-in UI customization, reactions to the recent class and city removal announcements, character customization tidbits, and much more.
E308 hands-on: Galaga Legions
click to embiggen There's really no way to get around this, so here it is: Galaga Legions might as well be called Galaga Championship Edition. It's made by the same Namco team that made Pac-Man Championship Edition and it achieves the same success: reinventing an arcade classic and making it relevant again. At the same time, it is definitely still Galaga in much the same way that Pac-Man CE is still Pac-Man. It's new, it's classic, it's pretty. Period.
E308: Final Fantasy IV speaks our language -- probably yours, also
If you've already played the SNES version of Final Fantasy IV and think you'll find the DS remake a breeze, then here's one way to make things tougher (which doesn't involve remixed bosses): try playing it in a different language.Siliconera's Spencer Yip discovered that the North American version of Final Fantasy IV will ship next week with the French, German, Italian, and Spanish dialog from the European edition included. Accessing any of these is easy -- just change the language setting on the main DS menu. Perfect for anyone in the States who doesn't use English as a first language, or any non-English-speaking Europeans who want a cheap import! Join us after the break, where we'll teach you how to say a popular and useful phrase in many languages!%Gallery-3278%
Rumor: Gears 2 LE includes mini Lancer replica [update]
Update: Okay, after further picture analysis, what we thought to be the mini-Lancer may actually be the metal tin being slid out of the box. That said, a loose lipped source did mention a mini-Lancer, so that's why we were accepting of the thought. Still, we wouldn't count on a mini Lancer being in the LE. Sorry for getting your hopes up. There has been a bunch of Gears of War 2 related news coming out of E3 this week including matchmaking specifics, new footage as well as a new multiplayer mode getting revealed. But also exciting was the reveal of the Gears of War 2 Limited Edition's contents which may include some mini Lancer love.Thanks to the kind Gamestop folks, we know that for the extra $10 price of Limited Edition admission, you'll get steel DVD case, a 48 page "Beneath the Surface: An Inside Look at Gears of War 2" mini-book, a bonus behind the scenes DVD as well as a code to unlock an in-game gold plated Lancer. Not too shabby. But if you look closer, pictured to the right of the box looks to be an included Lancer mini-replica of some sort even though Gamestop doesn't list it as part of the contents. Funny thing is that this week, during the E3 festivities, we heard from an anonymous but totally reliable source that there will in fact be a mini-Lancer included in the GoW2 LE. Take it for what you will, but we'll be dreaming our mini Lancer dreams all week long.[Thanks, BAK6E]
Joystiq E3 hands-on: Silent Hill: Homecoming
A few things. First, I love the Silent Hill series. Second, E3 really isn't the venue for demoing a Silent Hill game. Even in Konami's relatively quiet meeting room, it was impossible to hear any dialogue or music in Silent Hill: Homecoming -- headphones were available, but they were broken ... grrr. Considering that the soundscape of any given Silent Hill game is responsible for half of the atmosphere (arguably more), it makes it hard to judge how the game feels. So, you'll just have to settle for a look at how the game plays.%Gallery-23416%
E308: Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals (insert cake joke here)
Even though this trailer doesn't differentiate itself much from some previous ones we've seen, the message is clear -- Spectrobes: Beyond the Portals looks cool. Yep we said it: a Disney game looks cool. Got a problem with that? Even furthering our attraction to the game is its look. Appealing to the shallow graphics whores within us, both the 3D battles and the cut scene animations managed to please our hungry eyes. We never got around to playing the first title in the series, but we may just find ourselves giving its sequel a look in the near future. On the other hand, we could do without the cheesy story about death vortexes and the "our only hope is the Spectrobes!" bits. Oh well, you can't win them all. Gallery: Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals
