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Atlus says North American Demon's Souls servers not live until Oct. 6
Are you an Atlus devotee who somehow snagged an early copy of this Tuesday's release of Demon's Souls for the PS3? If you do happen to be one of these folks, you might want to head over to the medicine cabinet and grab a chill pill, as Atlus says that nothing is wrong with the lack of connectivity to its North American servers, they just haven't been turned on yet. Specifically, Atlus says, "What this means is that users that might manage to pick the game up early and start it up will get an immediate PSN error and have to start playing offline." Sure, you could shed a few tears and swear off the publisher forever, but look at it this way -- now you'll have two secret days of soul collecting to rub in your friends faces when the servers go live this Tuesday. Hooray!%Gallery-33504%
3D Dot Game Heroes looks delightfully familiar
If the frequent comparisons between From Software's upcoming blocky adventure title 3D Dot Game Heroes and The Legend of Zelda have been completely lost on you, then apparently you haven't seen the gameplay videos. The game does more than slyly reference the mainstays of Miyamoto's Triforce-hunting classic; it more or less recreates them. We're definitely not saying that's a bad thing -- we're just worried that Nintendo will eventually catch wise, and somehow prevent this charming little game from ever making it westward. Check after the jump for three gameplay clips; the first showing off the game's best Zelda impression; the second just how gargantuan the player's sword can become; and the third suggesting the perils of playing through the game as the vertigo-plagued hero from Spelunker. [Via GameSetWatch]
TGS 2009: Japanese developers love on Project Natal
If there was any doubt left in your mind that Japanese developers are on board for using Project Natal, we've got seven fancy, high-powered Japanese developers ready to convince you of their dedication in video form -- in case you didn't know, all the cool kids are doing it. Above, we've dropped Capcom's Keiji Inafune. He sees Natal as an "enhancement" rather than a replacement, saying the current controllers prevent game developers from creating "games without limits." This of course begs the question: What happens when you combine Garry's Mod and Project Natal? Our guess: Madness.Peep developers from Tecmo, Namco, Kojima Productions, Konami, From Software and Sega extolling Natal's many virtues after the break.
Put on your rose-colored glasses for the first 3D Dot Game Heroes trailer
From Software's homage to classic 8-bit gaming in upcoming Japanese release 3D Dot Game Heroes has been expressed in the first trailer. Sure, it absolutely reeks of the original Legend of Zelda, but in an updated, tongue-in-cheek kinda way. It certainly doesn't hurt that, visually speaking, it's stunning from beginning to end. We've got screenshots and the gorgeous video above, but only a Japanese release date so far -- how about some love for the rest of the world, eh? %Gallery-70578%
3D Dot Game Heroes gets more modern, more retro
From Software has released new details about its retro-fabulous adventure game, 3D Dot Game Heroes, showing off four default playable characters and a method for creating even more. The group of existing main characters holds a hero, a prince, and some kind of itinerant scholar who carries a book around. But if you don't like those guys, you can use a Cube Kingdom-like editor to build your own character out of voxels! Examples shown include a big cube and a stick figure. You'll be able to make custom animations for each of their movements as well. The fourth in-game character we haven't mentioned yet: the title character from IREM's Spelunker, who appears in a bizarre bit of cross-promotion. Spelunker seems to behave in 3D Dot Game Heroes much as he does in his own game -- which is to say he dies if he falls from almost any height.
From Software's 3D Dot Game Heroes does pixel art PS3-style
From Software's latest PS3 game takes 8-bit sprites and mostly updates them for the current generation, with amazing results. 3D Dot Game Heroes takes place in a classic RPG kingdom whose king, following the successful defeat of a demon lord, declares that the world should be 3D from now on. In the process, something goes wrong, though we don't know what yet, and solving that crisis is the basis of the gameplay. We've captured the screens from the rotating display on the official website and subsequently have been staring at them all morning. The game's super high-resolution rendering of 3D pixel art is striking. There's even a tilt-shift effect on the images to make everything look miniature. 3D Dot Game Heroes will be out in Japan in November. %Gallery-70578% [Thanks, Jason]
Demon's Souls pre-order bonus gets even spiffier, 'importers devastated'
North American RPG fans have something to be even more to be excited about, as Atlus has revealed more pre-order bonuses exclusive to the region for its upcoming title Demon's Souls. Gamers who slap a down payment on the counter of their local retailer will receive a 40-page full-color art book and complete soundtrack of the game. The Demon's Souls soundtrack features 24-tracks of music from the upcoming From Software-developed role-playing game. For gamers worried their local game store employees may forget to throw in the bonus disc, Atlus has confirmed the soundtrack will be secured into the back of the art book. If you're looking forward to Demon's Souls -- and let's face it, you are because it includes two of your favorite things (Read: Demons & Souls) -- you may want to check this offer out.%Gallery-34304%
Demon's Souls' unique online mode explained
The online mode in Demon's Souls differs significantly from the online modes in most games. One tiny difference, for example: you don't actually play with other people most of the time. You know, little details like that.Atlus's latest Demon's Souls blog post describes the inventive online mode, which shows other players in their own single-player games as "shades, non-corporeal entities fading in and out of your plane of existence." The only time players can actively assist other people is when dead, as "spirits." Spirits can interact with other players in order to regain their lives, either by helping to defeat a boss, or by ... killing the other player and stealing their life.Players can also see the deaths of other players by examining bloodstains left at the locations where people have died, and can read messages left for one another.
Demon's Souls: North American date, deluxe edition detailed
Atlus has announced that From Software's PlayStation 3 action-RPG, Demon's Souls, will be released in North America on October 6. Of course, Atlus is throwing extra stuff into the package, in this case an art book, for pre-ordering. But it is also going beyond its usual Atlus Spoils content and offering a "deluxe edition," with a 150-page strategy guide and a fancy slipcover for $69.99. According to Atlus, pre-orders for both versions will begin on July 8. Giving away extra stuff seems like a smart way to entice a repeat purchase out of the many Demon's Souls players who already imported the English-language Asian edition of the game.%Gallery-33504%
From Software's PS2 ports getting new features
Remember the PS2 ports that From Software has brewing for the PSP? According to Siliconera, the games will be more than simple ports and will include some new features. First, the Armored Core ports will receive 16:9 widescreen support, improved menus, ad-hoc wireless play and the ability to transfer save data from one game to another.Additionally, Tenchu 3 Portable will be widescreen enhanced and will also include story missions taken from the Xbox version. Tenchu Korenai Portable will get a "renewal," whatever that means. Meanwhile Fu-un Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu-den Portable will receive new, unspecified elements.Frankly, it's nice to see From putting some extra effort into these ports, especially the transferable saves in Armored Core.
Demon's Souls getting US release, courtesy of Atlus
It may be a first-party title in Japan, but Demon's Souls is coming to America courtesy of Atlus. This "spiritual successor" to King's Field got a mixed response from Japanese critics: some loved the nostalgic gameplay, while others found the brutal difficulty a bit too oppressive.One of Demon's Souls greatest features is its online connectivity. Players will be able to leave hints for each other, "replay death scenes", cooperatively revive dead players, or invade other player's games to "wreak havoc." Hope your friends aren't jerks.Atlus plans on providing "updates" at E3 later this year, so stay tuned for more. Check out the Japanese trailer after the break.%Gallery-33504%[Thanks, David B.!]
Armored Core 3 Portable debut trailer is filled with drama
We're not sure why PSP is getting a port of a six year old PS2 game, but it is. Although the Armored Core series has already progressed on to its fourth iteration on current home consoles, PSP will be getting an enhanced version of Armored Core 3, with added bonuses like Ad-Hoc multiplayer.The debut Japanese trailer for the PSP version of Armored Core 3 is quite dramatic, although it's hard to discern the quality of the gameplay from it. We can confirm that there will be robots and explosions -- and those two things usually go hand-in-hand.[Via PSPHyper]
Famitsu: Armored Core 3 coming to PSP
Fans of bulky mechs and slim handhelds will likely find this bit of news to be the highlight of their day: From Software is porting Armored Core 3 onto the PSP, according to Famitsu. A scan (via PSPHyper) shows the 2002 PS2 title is slated for a July 30 release on PSP and will include some extra goodies, including Ad Hoc multiplayer (and even Ad Hoc Party support).But, dare we ask what the point is? There have been countless Armored Core games that have released since then, so why not just port one of those? Or, here's a novel idea: what about a new game? We hear PSP owners love those things.
Ninja Blade demo takes giant spider warfare to XBLM
There's a new 473MB Ninja Blade demo available for download off the Xbox Live Marketplace and it's full of ninja stunts, button mashing sequences and a touch of Japanese-inspired content.To give everyone a taste of what Ninja Blade is all about, we recorded a short video of the demo's green tinted gameplay and embedded it above. An acrobatic ninja evading a ginormous arachnid, all while attempting to navigate skyscrapers: it's Japanese game development at its finest![Via Major Nelson]
Ninja Blade coming to U.S. April 7
The week before the tax filing deadline can be a stressful one, thanks in no small part to the incessant ads reminding you that Uncle Sam has unhinged his mighty jaw in anticipation of your financial offering and has begun to grow ... impatient. But you'll have a secret weapon this year, as you spend every day after April 7 -- the day Ninja Blade hits our stores -- cutting things to ribbons.Also, if you missed out on the region-free Japanese demo, an American one will arrive on Xbox Live March 9, just in case you're the sort who likes to file early.%Gallery-33964%
Ninja Blade released in Asia region-free and in English
When we heard back in December that the Japanese demo for Ninja Blade would feature both region-free access and English text, we never thought that these elements would carry through to the final build. Nope, never saw that one coming. Well, it did; the Asian retail version features English language options (among a slew of others) and it's region-free, making it also import-friendly.Without a confirmed release date for North America, importing Ninja Blade seems like a rather tempting option if you find yourself looking for more ninja action on the 360. It's also 10 bucks cheaper than what you'd get locally.
New PSP puzzle game features ... NINJAS
Ninjas can make almost anything seem cool. Have early morning classes? Imagine how much cooler they'd be with ninjas. Having a boring lunch? A ninja could kill your lunch right in front of you. This new PSP puzzle game from From Software also spices up the genre with these cloaked warriors.In Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke, players create shadow clones in order to solve puzzles. How does it work? Watch the video and find out. It starts off rather simply, with a lone ninja pulling a switch. However, the switch activates something that needs attention at the same time. The ninja's shadow clone replicates the actions of the first action, giving the second ninja time to act. But then, what if three things need to be done? Or four? That's where things get interesting, folks.While many PSP games fail to see an international release, we're confident a publisher will pick up this rather intriguing game.
Ubisoft will bring Tenchu 4 to North America
It's always exciting to receive news regarding the stealthy assassins of Tenchu 4. Moreover, it's exciting to hear that those very same light-footed spies are coming to North America. Ubisoft will be taking charge of transporting the title over from Japan, having the game scheduled for a release sometime in Q4 of the fiscal year. That pretty much spells out expectations of a localized title to emerge later this month or as far away as March.
Death comes swiftly for enemies in Tenchu: Shadow Assassins
A new video for that Tenchu game has hit the nets and it again focuses on Rikimaru. Instead of being boring cutscenes, however, this latest trailer gets down to what we really want to see: a badass ninja killing dudes. You know, real ultimate power and all of that. Head past the break to watch the video.%Gallery-25071%
Rikimaru's turn to impress in Tenchu: Shadow Assassins
Okay, now we're at a crossroads. Last time, we said that Tenchu's Ayame was edging her counterpart Rikimaru out as the ninja to fear in Tenchu: Shadow Assassins. In this latest trailer, Rikimaru delivers his own campaign platform. Between his gravelly, menacing voice (good job, Ubi!), his lightning-fast movements, and, well, all those dudes he kills, he makes a pretty good argument for his own badassery. And at the end of the day, no matter which ninja is cooler, the real winner is ... whoever isn't a guard in feudal Japan.The trailer is after the break for reasons of violent, somewhat bloody content.%Gallery-25071%
