From Software
Latest
Extreme Makeover: Tenchu edition [update 1]
Xboxyde has posted some video from Tenchu for the 360. I have to say the graphics are underwhelming. In fact, I'm hardly whelmed at all. The gameplay may end up saving the title, but I'm surprised at the poor graphic quality, especially from From Software. These guys made some of the best looking games on Xbox -- see Otogi -- but this looks decidedly last gen. Ah well, hopefully the joy of efficiently and quietly stabbing people will eclipse any graphical concerns. Speaking of graphical concerns, we seem to be having some technical difficulties this morning, hence the broken image above. I blame Ken. Update 1: apparently the image problem is specific to me. I still blame Ken.
Chromehounds review: it ain't pretty [update 1]
Gamebrink has posted an import review of the much anticipated Chromehounds. Bad news: it looks to be sub-par at best. Neither a slow and methodical mech sim, nor a fast and arcadey shoot 'em up, Chromehounds can't seem to make up its mind. From the review:"The first thing you'll probably think to yourself when you start a game of Chrome Hounds is, "Wow, this is really slow." No matter which type of Mech you choose to pilot you'll always feel like movement around levels is way too slow. That along with the fact that it's usually the case that the more weaponry you have on your Mech the slower it moves, and you've got all the ingredients for boredom. Now I guess this would be fine if the actual process of aiming, moving, and firing required a lot of micro-management thus making it a simulation type game but Chrome Hounds unfortunately has very limited controls."Ouch. The review does note that the much hyped mech customization is very deep. Unfortunately, the online portion -- ostensibly where you'd be using your custom mech -- is not easy to navigate. The online persistent war is great in theory, but finding people to play with can be a chore apparently. What's that you say, you just want to play a quick deathmatch game? Too bad, because it's not an option. If you want to have a good time online you'll need five buddies who can be online whenever you are, because that's the only way to play. Also, the music selection is pretty slim. That is to say, there is exactly one piece of background music. On the plus side, um, the graphics are pretty good. Gamebrink's advice: if you've got Live Gold, give it a rental. If not, skip it.For my part, I wish it weren't so. Anyone still going to give it a try? Update 1: it looks like Gamebrink completely failed to mention other online modes, which do in fact exist. Good thing, too, because I actually enjoyed the demo. And, for what it's worth, Famitsu scored the game 33/40. Not bad. My apologies for linking what I assumed was a well informed review. Ken and Chris G. sicced the ravenous weasels on me last night and I have learned my lesson.
Giant mechs gone gold
Giant mech fans rejoice, SEGA's team oriented, Xbox Live enabled, giant-robot-killfest, Chromehounds, has gone gold and should hit store shelves on July 11th. The game features massive online battles, including a perisitent war mode and more traditional deathmatch and CTF offerings. FROM software has a pretty good track record on the original Xbox. Here's hoping they come through for the 360.
Tenchu global invasion in 2006
If you need a new fix of stealthy ninja action, From Software has three Tenchu games currently in the works. The bad news is that two of these titles won't be seeing American shores anytime soon (at least, not in an official capacity).Time of the Assassins for the PSP arrives in Europe on June 23, and features 50 stand-alone missions, as well as individual campaigns for main characters Rikimaru, Ayame, Rin, and Tesshu.Meanwhile, it was announced at E3 that Dark Secret will be available stateside for the DS on August 21. The game was recently released in Japan as Dark Shadow, and you can read GameSpot's hands-on feature for more details.Finally, the tentatively-titled Tenchu 360 is expected at the end of the year, but may initially be a Japanese exclusive. In the series' next-gen debut, you will be able to create and customize your own ninja, and then go online for some co-op play with the original characters. We'll keep you posted on North American release dates.
Otogi 2 offers a solid sequel for fans
Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors is the quintessential sequel. Bigger, better, and no surprises. The most noticeable new feature is the addition of three playable characters. However, the sequel is still plagued by many of the problems that marred the original, namely the camera. A few moves have been made to counteract the repetitive non-stop action, including more boss battles and, as previously mentioned, the ability to play as several characters. Still, FromSoftware could have done more to make this title standout. As it is, fans of the series will certainly be drooling over the brilliant visuals and hardcore action and will likely be drawn to Otogi's old school values. This is certainly a game that encourages players to re-play levels again and again (any beaten level can be played at will), as an initial run-through will only take 12 hours or so.
