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Tenchu 4 sneaks onto North American and European rooftops in early 2009
Ubisoft's distribution deal with From Software and Acquire will benefit would-be assassins in North America and Europe early next year. The company has announced that they'll publish Acquire's Tenchu 4 in both regions within that time frame. People who go on and on about the lack of "core games" for Wii: here you go. This is one of those.Along with the announcement, Ubisoft sent IGN the first English-language trailer, made mostly of footage from previous trailers with new English narration. It's cool and atmospheric enough to make us think that maybe this Tenchu really will be good, unlike all those other recent Tenchu games.
Tenchu IV's new Wii-style combat mode
When your sneaky ninja assassin is discovered in Tenchu IV, the target shakes your hand, laughing heartily while exclaiming "Ohhhhh, you! You almost got me that time! I gotta watch this guy!" Of course we're kidding -- he tries to murder you. In situations when you've been noticed, rather than just giving up or retrying, you now have the option to actually fight in a new first-person mode.In alternating attack and defense phases, you use Wiimote gestures to simulate a one-on-one swordfight, battling until one of you is dead or your sword breaks. It's like Rose & Camellia, except with to-the-death ninja fights instead of Victorian-era face-reddening! Being a ninja and therefore a total jerk, you can also throw knives while fighting.
From Software unsheathes Ninja Blade for Xbox 360
With Tales of Vesperia hysteria winding down to hushed, library whispers, Microsoft is forced to look to the next great game to carry the Xbox 360 into the folded and largely apathetic arms of Japanese consumers. Otogi developer From Software is hoping to satisfy this need with its previously leaked and generically titled actioner, Ninja Blade. Set for release on Microsoft's console during early 2009, the game has very little to show for itself, outside of a teaser trailer featuring a Tokyo predictably beset by demons and a ninja wielding ... oh, we don't know, some sort of sharp and pointy thing. See for yourself after the break.
Armored Core: for Answer will land stateside on September 16th
Looks like Armored Core: for Answer will be arriving on our shores fairly soon; Ubisoft has announced that the game will be released on September 16th. GameSpot scored an interview with associate producer Kenan Alpay, who tells us a couple of facts about the game. Here are some highlights: Online co-op mode: "30 missions and eight-player online melees in 80 different arenas." Story mode: You play as a mercenary who can eventually choose which missions to take from different factions within the game. There are over 40 missions and the decisions you make can lead to multiple endings. Arms Forts, which are giant battle stations much larger than yourself, will be the featured enemies of the game. Control scheme: new control scheme for beginners, as well as an option for other players to join in via co-op mode to assist them with difficult missions. New customization options: 130 new mech parts, including "interesting" parts such as an "auxiliary boost jets that increase your mobility and are ideal for hit-and-run attacks." Voice chat will be supported, as well as cross-regional (North America, Japan, Europe) play. No trophy support for "the Western version." %Gallery-29966%
Tenchu IV is jerky, graceful
Tenchu IV's animations are the very definition of a mixed bag. The player-controlled kittens, as seen above, look graceful when they move (as cats tend to do), but we're not exactly convinced by the human death animations, which seem to feature enemies jerking about like electrocuted dogs. In the second of the three videos posted after the break, the downed enemy seems to perform some kind of bizarre humping motion in his death throes.Not that we mean to pick on Tenchu IV or anything -- being overly picky about this stuff is just part of our job.%Gallery-25071%
Ubi to release Armored Core for Answer in September
Armored Core for Answer, the thirteenth title in From Software's giant mech love fest, is preparing to stomp onto North American shores later this year. Ubisoft is set to publish the laboriously-titled game, which will unload onto both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in September. Armored Core for Answer follows 2007's Sega-published Armored Core 4, and promises to once more let players slip behind the controls of a giant modular war machine, with "epic" boss fights, "seamless" 2-player co-op and 7-player competitive modes promised as well. Much like most games that come out of Japan, Armored Core for Answer pits rebels against a malevolent megacorp with the fate of the world, not to mention precious customizable parts (130 new, 400 total), hanging in the balance. %Gallery-28753%
Kitten-free Tenchu IV trailer
We're sorry to report that the latest media from From Software and Acquire's Tenchu IV does not feature adorable historical kittens. But on the upside -- if there can be said to be an upside to a lack of kittens -- the video is instead chock full of badass ninjas assassinating folks and threatening one another in gravelly voices. That's pretty good too!After more bad Tenchu games than good ones, we aren't sure why we're so hopeful about IV. We'll have to wait until the Japanese release in October to find out if the return of Acquire means a return to form or if this is going to be another Z-grade release.%Gallery-25071%
Tenchu IV to feature kittens, might be the best game ever
While it may look like some Laser Cats to most of you, us history buffs know that Lasers were not discovered in Japan until 1714, much later than when Tenchu IV takes place. So, these cats can't shoot lasers, but they can do other awesome things. Like look cute and distract enemies.Thinking of a ninja's arsenal, kittens don't really come to mind. They're prone to make noise (which could mean certain death for a ninja) and they take up a lot of space in a satchel. This space could be used for more deadly ninja stars. But, hey, we're not complaining. We love kittens. Even the fake kind in video games.%Gallery-25071%[Via Go Nintendo]
How to snap a neck in Tenchu IV
With the Tenchu IV trailer and teaser site out of the way -- along with screenshots of ninja miniskirts -- the next media update we needed was video of someone actually playing the stealth game. Luckily for us, developer Acquire and publisher From Software didn't keep us waiting long, demoing the title at a recent press event. The Tenchu IV screen is a bit washed out, but you can still see a preview of how the controls will work and how to stash a dead body in nearby bushes. Apparently, hanging upside down and snapping an unsuspecting dude's neck is as easy as hitting the A button.
Tenchu 4 screens: Stealth and miniskirts
While this outfit is nowhere near as scandalous as what Tecmo's female ninjas have been wearing, we still have to question the appropriateness of Ayame's Tenchu 4 garb. Being a ninja is hard work, what with all the hiding, flipping, and killing people. Is it really in your best interest to show up for your ninja job in a miniskirt? If you've an interest in ninja legs -- or if you just like seeing ninjas sneak behind stuff -- prowl into our gallery below for some stealthy Tenchu 4 screenshots.%Gallery-25071%Read - Famitsu's Tenchu 4 screenshotsRead - GPara's Tenchu 4 screenshots
Tenchu IV trailer and site appear from shadows, slit your throat
Keeping the ninja news flowing, From Software has put up a teaser page and a minute-long trailer for Tenchu IV. It has pretty much everything we look for in ninja videos -- namely, ninjas.All the people getting stabbed? While awesome (for us, not for the people getting stabbed), that's just a bonus that comes with the ninjas. Other ninja bonuses include people getting shivved, people getting their necks snapped, and people getting dealt with in general, all of that in this video!
See the first trailer for Tenchu 4
The young'ns among you probably don't remember when the Tenchu series was good and for you, our choice to continue reporting on the series probably seems a little bizarre. But you weren't there! We still hold a little ember in our heart for our good old roof-running, grapple-hooking days on the PSone. It's that tiny flicker of hope that gets fanned when we see something like the first trailer for Wii-exclusive Tenchu 4.You can check out the official site here (it's all in Japanese, though) where you can watch a higher-res version. Or, like us, just watch the above video and pine for better days.[Thanks, Fernando]
Tenchu IV being published by ... Ubisoft?
Famitsu has put up a slew of images, both directly from Tenchu IV and its announcement event, documenting the various ninja techniques, such as flipping out and killing people. For those of you that have lost faith in the Tenchu franchise (this blogger included), perhaps these screens will get you down from the fence? Still, we have yet to get to the big news surrounding this.Ubisoft is set to publish Tenchu IV, both here in the United States and in Europe, taking up localization duties, as well. Given the flack that Ubisoft has taken recently for all of its casual titles, we're a bit surprised to see them so dedicated to this title, given the recent entries in the series being less than stellar, to put it politely. And, as if that weren't enough, there's even more to all of this. Apparently, a Tenchu V and Tenchu VI are planned, although no consoles are mentioned. Could these titles also be Wii exclusives? We'll have to wait and see, we suppose.For some basic facts about Tenchu IV, that come from the Famitsu magazine article about the game, head past the break.
Tenchu 4 sneaking up on Wii
If you're a Tenchu seeker who, despite the franchise's decidedly clumsy plummet from grace, insists on having your ninjas murder enemies with elegance and discretion (sorry, Ryu), you'd best check out the latest issue of Japan's Famitsu magazine. According to IGN, its pages declare that Tenchu 4 is headed for the Japanese Wii on October 23rd. The game is said to be developed by Acquire, the same company that delivered the original Dimensional Ninja Action Movie: Tenchu. And not Tenchu Z.Not much else is known at this time, so you're more than welcome to speculate about how you'll use the Wiimote as a sword and the nunchuk as a ... well, we're sure you'll think of something.
Hey Hey Let's Go! Tenchu 4
The Wii is currently Tenchu-less. Ninjas are cool, but not having them on your console is very uncool. And yet suddenly, from the depths of a Japanese scan, we find the first announcement of Tenchu 4, right here on Nintendo's home turf. It's a rumor for now, but there has been no word on development for other consoles -- this may be a Wii exclusive. Let's hope it fares better than the latest portable entry into the series.The first shots of the game look pretty smooth, despite the magazine scan. In the second image after the jump, there's some chop-socky action with grappling moves and takedowns. It looks colorful and violent, which is always top stuff. Our keen eyes of power are ready for the Japanese release on October 23. Let's fighting love!
Gasp! Another Armored Core title is on its way
Historically, the Armored Core franchise has seen little evolution from each installment, but Armored Core: for Answer looks as if it could change that trend. Not only sporting bigger play areas compared to Armored Core 4, the game will also support online co-op and transformable battle mechs. And oh yeah, this new Japanese trailer for the game is godly amazing. Armored Core: for Answer is set to release in Japan on March 19, but it currently doesn't have a release date elsewhere as of yet.
Japan gets Armored Core 4 demo
If you're of the opinion that the Xbox 360 doesn't have nearly enough giant robots smashing each other to bits, then you may be interested to know that an Armored Core 4 demo has been released in Japan. While most of our readers aren't from Japan, that doesn't mean they can't sample the robot goodness for themselves. It just so happens that there is a fairly simple way to grab Live content from other regions -- not that we condone that sort of behavior. No, we couldn't condone that sort of thing. It would be out of the question for us to, say, post a link to the method for circumventing region lockout.So, if you've been hungering for some giant robot destruction, you'll just have to look elsewhere (wink wink).
Armored Core 4: pretty mechs, nice tunnels, drab outdoors?
The other day, while many people were out buying roses, chocolates, dinners, movies... or in more extreme cases donuts and beer (ahem), the good folk over at IGN got to have a hands-on with the upcoming Armored Core 4 game. They said good, they said not as good, but overall it was a pleasant preview. Let's highlight: Tuning the mech is mandatory, but not overbearing or overly tedious. Action is fast and furious, unlike many mech games based on realistic, slow bulky robot battles. The controls are streamlined and easy to get the hang of. Laser swords. Different mission objectives range from defeating a certain obstacle in a certain amount of time, conserving ammo, or just blowing everything up on the map. Most unlocking of upgrades is more mandatory for the online mode, so you can better differentiate your mech from other people. Outdoor levels can appear drab or empty, but indoor levels are nicely done. Destructable environments are present, but not everywhere. Kind of sad that some buildings can be destroyed but others can't. Online modes will include deathmatch and 8-person team deathmatches. You can trade parts with people you meet online. No voice chat for PS3. 360 and PS3 builds will look identical, so no need to compare! That's it for now. We'll pick this game up when it's released in mid-March and... see you online!
Armored Core 4 championship offers $17k prize
Well, US$16,674. Will that suffice? Armored Core 4 players in Japan (and, presumably, importers who live outside of Japan) have until March 1 to get their rusty mechs polished for the Armored Core Championship Battle 2007. Previous years' tournaments had been held regionally throughout Japan; thanks to the wonders of online play, though, this year's event will be played out via the PlayStation Network over a period of three weeks. The final stage of the tournament will, however, be held in Tokyo, where the top two players as of March 21 will do battle for the grand prize of ¥2million. The Xbox 360 version of Armored Core 4 is (coincidentally?) released in Japan on March 22, so this year's tournament is open only to players of the PS3 version.
Armored Core 4 -- updates, release dates, explosions!
From Software is listening to their Japanese players! Thousands of user requests have been compiled, sorted, and the game has received patches and updates to coincide with those requests that seemed fair. Or parts of the game that needs balancing. Why is this important? Because the American and European gamers are going to get a much more balanced and fair title. Speaking of which, the title is getting released on the PS3 and 360 simultaneously -- March 20th.As far as online play goes, it may not be quite as fair and balanced as the game build itself. See, the Japanese crowd has had a month to hone their skills and we quite simply cannot allow this! We must band together and show them how fast we learn to fly our mechs into battle and emerge victorious! Okay? It's a date.Also, perhaps someone else can verify the assumption over at InsertCredit: "the aforementioned Regulation file feature may also be unique to the PS3, unless the 360 guidelines are changed. Selectable patches aren't something Microsoft allows..." What do you guys think? I thought the 360 did that just fine, but perhaps I am sorely mistaken.
