fromsoftware
Latest
Armored Core 4 release date set in Japan
We can get our mech-smashing on earlier than anticipated! Well, in Japan. Just a month after launch, on December 14, Japan will get its grubby hands on the much-hyped, much-awesome title, Armored Core 4. Jealous, U.S.? We in the states (and Canada!) can still expect this puppy in Spring of '07. Oh, and the price is kinda high. It's going for about 8,190 yen, which is quite a markup from the casual 6,800 pricing of Sonic and Sega Golf. Then again... Armored Core games have always been this price in Japan, so let's not think this is indicative of anything dubious, shall we?
Armored Core 4 trailer, so much drama [update 1]
In marketing limbo for some time, From Software's Armored Core 4 was recently confirmed as a 360 title. Previously known only as a PS3 title, we welcome it into the 360 fold. The trailer shows off a nice mix of both CGI and in-game footage. Filled with lots of explosions and contrails, it also proves an old trailer making adage, "if you want to make a trailer really dramatic, put a big choral number in it." Check out the (very long) trailer after the break.
Tenchu Senran video, it ain't pretty
Xboxyde has posted a gameplay video of the Japanese Tenchu Senran demo (which should be back up tomorrow), and we're just going to come right out and say that it's a steaming pile. Call us graphics snobs if you will, but everything about this game looks worse than last gen. The graphics barely live up to PS2 standards and the gameplay is nearly identical to every other Tenchu game out there. What's worse, this is From Software, creator of some of the Xbox's best looking games. If this is the best that Japan can get on the 360, it's no wonder they're gathering dust on the shelves. Graphics or gameplay guys, if you're making a 360 game, at least one of them has to better than last gen.Let's hope that TGS gives all of us some Japanese games that are worth playing.
Enchanted Arms grabbing PS3
It's easy to be the life of the party when you're the only one attending. Enchanted Arms is generally acknowledged to be an entertaining, albeit unremarkable, game that has gained a bit more attention simply for being the first traditional Japanese RPG to hit the Xbox 360. It may even wind up beating others to the magical punch (that's a play on enchanted limbs and the earlier party analogy, you see) on Sony's next-gen console, as the game's official website now indicates that a PS3 version is in the works. Ubisoft has yet to announce intentions to publish an English version again, but such information should likely arise once the Tokyo Game Show kicks off later this month and a firm release date emerges from, err, From Software. If you plan on foregoing the Xbox 360 version in favor of this one, you can look forward to a motley group of heroes, an ineptly imprisoned ancient evil and an adventure which the Official Xbox 360 Magazine (UK) calls a "most likable cult oddity." [Via Eurogamer]See also: Enchanted Arms' Metacritic page Enchanted Arms embraces bilinguilasm
Armored Core 4 not a launch title -- only two confirmed
It was never officially announced as a launch title, but we did kind of hope Armored Core 4 was going to come out hand-in-hand with the PS3. Well, it's official now. The game isn't due to get released until December in Japan. That stinks. There are two titles officially stated for a November release in Japan: Fatal Inertia and Mahjong Taikai IV. If either of those are appetizing, please line up now. But they won't satisfy our mech-crushing desires. Sony! Listen up. Stop, please. It's growing nearly impossible to throw a positive spin on things. What can we say about all that's gone on lately? "Uh, well, when the PS3 comes out in March in Europe, they'll have more launch titles"? We love you Sony. We trust you. But you've got to be honest with us! Yeah, this doesn't really have much to do with Armored Core 4, but it was just another title that made the pain a little more bearable. Now we have to wait for that, too. Sorry for the tangent -- sometimes it's tough to make bad news good. Even so, look for some mech-smashing come December.
Enchanted Arms rumored to approach the PS3
If this rumor turns out to be true, Sony fanboy's wait to see their first true next-gen RPG will be shortened. The game's developer, From Software (our buddies from the Armored Core series), recently had a talk with Famitsu magazine and implied there was a Sony version of the game already planned. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise since From Software's Armored Core games are a staple of the Sony gaming experience (this guy is still searching for a copy of Armored Core 2, actually). Any extra content? So far, nothing has been noted. We can safely assume that it will, at the very least, be a direct port of the 360 game. Although, with all that extra space thanks to Blu-ray, we can not-as-safely assume there will be something added. This is pretty good news, then. Sony isn't one to miss out on many RPGs and From Software isn't one to readily toss Sony aside (we assume). Those two things add up to a port of Enchanted Arms. More on this as rumor becomes fact.
Giant robot pictures! Armored Core 4 is sleek and sexy
We love giant robots. From Software has released a plethora of Armored Core 4 pictures and they're very nice (but not very big). Lots of "companies" are making these giant steel beasts of awesome and each looks unique enough that you shouldn't have to customize too much (but you will, oh, you will...). This is shaping up to be a key launch title and will hopefully lead to some decent lines at the Tokyo Game Show. Now then, the question must be asked: out of the pictured steel creatures, which one would you most enjoy taking for a stroll and destroying many, many things? We'll keep you posted as more Armored Core 4 info surfaces.
Armored Core 4 movie goodness [update 1]
myFlash = new FlashObject('http://www.gametrailers.com/umremote310.swf', 'swffile', 425, 362, 8); myFlash.altTxt = ''; myFlash.addVariable('mid', 12512); myFlash.write(); God is force. At least that's what this Armored Core trailer says. But we all know the truth. God may be force, but Armored Core is giant robots blowing each other to smithereens. Smithereens, we say! So, you can either argue about whether or not this movie is real time, or, you can enjoy the contrails and robots asploding. Your call. Also, is it just me, or does the mech at the beginning of the video have an H. R. Giger look to it?The video is surprisingly devoid of any platform designations. Interesting. Discuss.[Update: It's H. R. Giger. Not Geiger. One of my favorite people and I misspell his name. Oy.]
Armored Core screens impress (giant robots)
If there's one thing you can say about From Software, it's that they know how to make a pretty game. These shots from the upcoming Armored Core 4 prove it -- that and From has a thing for giant robots apparently. Sure, the game has some storyline about future governments or something, but it's all about the giant robots blowing the crap out of each other. We all know it. Blowing up robots and looking good doing it. Let's just hope this giant robot game doesn't destroy our 360s.
Sorry RPG-fanboys... two PS3 RPG's canned
From Software (who?) have unofficially canned two of their next-gen RPG projects. These games were announced early on in the PS3's marketing push, but the sudden cancellation is foreboding -- the next Famitsu will uncover the truth. That marks at least three cancelled RPGs (Endless Saga was another) for what has come to be known as the system for RPG's (before PSX and PS2, SNES was the RPG overlord... excepting the marvelous Phantasy Star and Shining Force titles on the Genesis). This is bad news, fellow role-players. One of the only remaining solid titles to look forward to on the PS3 for our RPG-needs is Final Fantasy XIII.The cancelled games never had much information released, offering only a "one's a dark RPG, the other is just untitled". Is this concerning anyone else? A lot of PS3 titles have been scrapped or pushed way, way back. It's not the best news to boast about and in a debate with your Microsoft-fanboy buddy, it's a pretty major card they can pull out to make you feel insecure. Come on, Sony! Well, really, come on developers! Don't give up. We're seriously depending on September's game show to restore our confidence.
A JRPG? On the 360? Video proof
There's a rule of thumb about Japanese RPGs: if you want to play Japanese RPGs on your Xbox, you still need a PS2. Until now that is. This video of Enchanted Arms shows off the game's story and some of its features. The absolute best feature: you can select English or Japanese dialog. So, if you've been hungering for some hitpoints and long CGI cut scenes, you'll get your chance later this month. The question remains, is the game any good? Let's put it this way: if you want a traditional Japanese RPG on your 360, you don't exactly have a choice.
Pimp my hound, new Chromehounds parts
There are now some new parts with which to customize your Hounds on marketplace. That is, if you can manage to play the game long enough to use them. The content includes two new guns and some new camouflage. And, get this, it's free.Hopefully, the next pack will include some sweet sub woofers and an in-cockpit DVD player. Ooh, and maybe some spinning rims for the rolling Hounds.
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.
