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Vanillaware: HD Muramasa wouldn't be 'a great deal of extra work'
Vanillaware's Muramasa: The Demon Blade is quite beautiful on the Wii, but would such a work be possible in HD? Vanillaware founder and president George Kamitani told Gamasutra that he thinks so. "Well, the original art we draw is all done in double-size -- in the case of Muramasa, the animation frames then get compressed down to the Wii's native resolution," he told Gamasutra. "As a result, producing a fully HD title would not be a great deal of extra work for us; it would just mean our original art is displayed in higher resolution." This is very similar to what WayForward's Voldi Way told us about 2D development in HD.Despite the relative ease of transitioning to HD, Kamitani said there was no plan to re-release Muramasa as an XBLA game (or to re-release it anywhere else), but that the company is "in the experimental stage" of high-definition development.%Gallery-33431%
Relax! WarDevil isn't cancelled
We know you've been on pins and needles, desperate for any new information on WarDevil, a Digi-Guys game that was supposed to be multiplatform before the 360 version got canned. If we seem a little sketchy on the whole thing, it's with good reason: we haven't heard a peep about the game since May of 2008.Now, IGN's reporting that it's not as dead as one might assume given the title's history: Ignition's promoting the game on its website again and revealing that the 360 version of the game will appear alongside its PS3 counterpart.Now, umm ... what kind of game is it, exactly?
New Muramasa: The Demon Blade trailer is all about the blading
The latest trailer for Muramasa: The Demon Blade is designed to show off the high-flying, combo-ridden swordplay found in Vanillaware's action game. Your sword is in motion at almost all times during this game, as you float around, juggling enemy after enemy. It is a little bit overwhelming at first, in a Marvel vs. Capcom sort of way.But then, when you get the hang of it, grimacing wheels, single-file lines of monks, gigantic samurai, and even transparent horses won't be able to stop you. At least, we think. We didn't really graduate past the "panicked button-mashing" technique at E3.%Gallery-33431%
King of Fighters XII uppercuts retail July 28
The official Twitter account for King of Fighters XII has revealed the final date for retail release: July 28. KOFXII features 22 characters to choose from and the series' tried-and-true, three-on-three gameplay. The game does bring some new gameplay elements to the table, though, such as air guards and guard attacks; so it's not just the same old King of Fighters in HD. Not that that would totally be a bad thing ...
King of Fighters XII punches through with a new video
If you had told us five years ago that 2009 would be a year to remember for 2D fighters, we would've called you a crazy person and erased you from our buddy list. Sure enough, with solid releases Street Fighter IV and BlazBlue already dropping this year, and Marvel vs Capcom 2, Tatsunoko vs Capcom and, as the above video shows, King of Fighters XII awaiting release, we would've been the crazy one. If you're a fan of the occasional bout of two-dimensional fisticuffs, then you've got a lot to choose from this year. It's as if millions of piggy banks suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced ... by giant hammers.
King of Fighters XII trailer shows us combos are king
Another brief snippet of gameplay arrived on our digital doorstep today, showing off some super combos and other asskickery in the upcoming King of Fighters XII. In the above trailer, we're presented with some beatdowns courtesy of Joe Higashi, Kim Kaphwan, and fan-favorite Kyo Kusanagi. Sadly, there's no Iori, but we'll have all of the time in the world to watch him mess folks up when the game releases later this month.
New Muramasa trailer makes with the slicing and dicing
There's no better way to fully appreciate the wonderful artistic style and furious action of Muramasa: The Demon Blade than to see it in motion. And, thankfully, that's just what we got for you right now. Above, you'll find a near-minute of fabulous Muramasa gameplay footage for your eyes to drool over, and if you're wondering what all of the fuss is about, you really should be keeping up.%Gallery-33431%
Muramasa: the GameStop preorder bonus
Click to Marvelous-sizeWe didn't dare think it could happen, but when we saw the pre-order bonus for Japanese copies of Muramasa: The Demon Blade, we secretly wished for Ignition (well, XSEED at the time) to bring something half as awesome to us here. The bonus is a five-foot-long scroll featuring a series of amazing pieces of character art from the game.GameStop has just revealed the North American pre-order bonus, and it's exactly that! We couldn't be more thrilled. Well, we could be more thrilled if two things happened: We confirmed that the back of the scroll had the same enemy and stage artwork as the Japanese version We found out that GameStop's September 1 release date (a Tuesday!) was the real release date for the game. We've contacted Ignition about those two points. In the meantime, we can all enjoy the prospect of getting a really nice-looking free thing by buying another thing.%Gallery-33431%
King of Fighters XII trailer explores the triumph of combat
This latest trailer for King of Fighters XII makes with the pummeling, as trailers for fighting games are wont to do. We've said it once, and we'll say it again: Pretty sprites these be. The game just looks great, plain and simple. And on top of that, the gameplay is something we know we'll enjoy, because, well, it's King of Fighters, and King of Fighters doesn't really change.Oh, and we totally love watching Kim Kaphwan get the business. He's such a goody-two-shoes jerk.
Hands-on: Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Vanillaware's Muramasa: The Demon Blade was one of the flashier games being demonstrated on the show floor. Positioned right in front of the door at E3's West Hall, every attendee is greeted by the game's signature woodblock-esque look, with vividly colorful, swirling forest scenery. Our demo took place inside Ignition's booth, guided by new director of business development Shane Bettenhausen.We know Vanillaware from its RPG titles like Odin Sphere, but while Muramasa shares the same lavish 2D look, it differs sharply in gameplay style -- this is a pure action game similar to something like Legend of Kage. First you choose one of two characters, princess Momohime or ninja Kisuke (each have their own divergent story), and then a difficulty level, "Muso" (easier) or "Shura" (hard). Then you run, jump, and slash monsters. It's pretty simple!
King of Fighters wins giant arcade unit, paper crown
Over 100 contestants competed in a seven hour (!) King of Fighters XII tournament in Hollywood yesterday, and when the smoke cleared, one winner was awarded a stately paper crown. Oh, and a full-sized King of Fighters arcade machine, straight from Japan. Reynold Tacsuan defeated Alex Phan in the best-of-three finals when his soldier Ralf Jones dealt a deathblow to Judo master Goro Daimon.Multiple arcade units and PS3s were set up around the venue featuring the new game, which doesn't hit U.S. shores until July 16, so attendees could face off while the tourney took place on the main stage. One station even went old-school with Intellivision, an Atari 2600 and an old Vectrex system. if only they'd had KoF back then.I am 8-bit was on hand throughout the event with scantily clad nurses administering fake cuts, bruises, and wounds to unblemished skin in their Anti-ER. Which got us thinking: even though we're all for friendly competition in gaming, it would takes things up a notch if some company starts turning these events into feats of skill and muscle. It's high time they brought competitive arm wrestling to the world of video games. %Gallery-64579%
King of Fighters XII tourney in LA this Saturday, May 30
A King of Fighters XII battle to the death tournament will be held this Saturday in a little burg known as Los Angeles. The event will be held May 30, from 12-7PM at Element (location details after the break). Cosplayers are welcome and there will be "goodies" on hand.Want to compete? The first 100 folks to RSVP to Paul[at]ignitionusa[dawt]com with their name and email address are good to go. We'll be covering the tournament this weekend in hopes of kicking our Iori Yagami addiction, so stay tuned for more.
Watch this King of Fighters XII footage and pretend you're winning
We never get tired of staring at King of Fighters XII. We were pleased, then, when Ignition sent over this new video of a match featuring Elisabeth Blanctorche, a recent addition to the KOF XII roster, facing off against SNK mainstay Joe Higashi.Confession time: when it comes to fighting games, even though we adore them, we're used to experiences like what the Joe player here is going through -- crushing defeats. Over and over again. At least with KOF XII, we'll get to lose online to a variety of opponents, which is somewhat novel for KOF. We like to mix it up, you know? Lose in the arcades sometimes, then lose at home with friends, then lose a few online matches. Maybe we'll try losing a couple of rounds with an arcade stick.%Gallery-63875%
Help choose The King of Fighters XII box art
Ignition Entertainment is asking for the community to decide The King of Fighters XII's box art for North America. Currently there are polls open on the company forums to decide between the four different covers -- two for each system -- of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. In both cases, "Option 1" is the Japanese box art and "Option 2" is the originally-intended North American box art.The fans will decide which graphic the McCountry will be forced to gaze its eyes upon. We know it's supposed to be a battle and all, but wouldn't this be the perfect time to make the argument for reversible covers? Anyway, the PS3 choices can be found after the break.Source -- Rock the Box Round 2 [PS3]Source -- Rock the Box Round 2 [X360]
Joystiq Review: Trackmania DS
Trackmania DS is a game that wants to be friends with everyone. It's an arcade racer, but one that tries to cater to the wider audience of the DS through the implementation of other genres, like a Puzzle mode and even rally racing. The problem with trying to include all of these things is that the core component suffers, and in this case, the racing could have used a little more TLC.%Gallery-37398%
Ignition brings the Lux-Pain in March
Last month, Ignition Entertainment announced that they (and not Marvelous's BFF, XSeed) would release Marvelous's adventure game Lux-Pain in North America. Today, the company sent out a press release confirming the deal and officially setting a March release date.Lux-Pain stars Atsuki, who is implanted with a power called Lux-Pain that allows hiim to see and purge an evil mind-controlling worm called "Silent" from the bodies of infected humans. Atsuki will search various locations around Kisaragi City, perform autopsies on dead Silent worms (seriously), and use the Lux-Pain power to search for Silent in living people before it reaches their hearts and kills them.We're always ready for more graphical text adventures, and Lux-Pain sounds like it has an interesting enough premise. The art is quite nice as well -- and, according to Marvelous, the music must also be.%Gallery-36818%
Ignition selects Unreal Engine 3 for 'groundbreaking' FPS
Yet another company has climbed on board the Unreal Engine 3 bandwagon, as UK-headquartered Ignition Entertainment dropped word that it has licensed Epic's popular tech to help fuel what the company calls a "groundbreaking" new FPS.In development at Ignition's Florida studio, nothing is yet known of the project beyond that it will be based on an original, as-yet-undisclosed IP. Well, that's not entirely true, as the company does note that the game will be both "exciting" and "fresh," giving us hope that at long last someone will bring together two of our most fond loves, letting us shoot bad guys and raid the salad bar from the comfort of our living room.
Metal Slug 7 in 2008 for Europe?
According to French gaming site Wiiz, our brothers and sisters across the pond might be getting Metal Slug 7 later this year. Should this go down, we imagine you'll be just as intoxicated by the action on your DS as we will be when the title hits U.S. shores. Considering that Wiiz doesn't source anyone for this "news," however, we're going to keep this one filed under the Rumors section. %Gallery-16835%[Via Go Nintendo]
North American Tornado confirmed
It looks like GameFly was right once again.We recently reported that the renter/retailer put up a listing for Tornado, which was assumed to be a localized version of the Japanese game sharing the same name. Now according to a blurb in most recent issue of Nintendo Power, the Katamari-like game is indeed confirmed to pop up in North America, although no timeline details were given.Nintendo Power also reveals that Tornado will include some microphone blowing elements, which worries us a little bit. As long as the game doesn't overdo it, though, we can't help but think that this will be a nice addition to the DS library.[Via GoNintendo]%Gallery-25101%
Tornado might blow over to North America
The comparisons between Tornado and Katamari Damacy are extremely evident, but there's one major difference: Katamari Damacy games are available outside of Japan, whereas Success's title has yet to accomplish that.In fact, Tornado hasn't even released in Japan yet. It was originally scheduled to come out last year, but later become delayed indefinitely. Oddly enough, though, GameFly has a listing for a DS game called Tornado. Can it be the same game? Perhaps -- we hope so, at least. We wouldn't mind having a portable Katamari-like game release in North America for our favorite handheld.Whatever this game is, it's being published by Ignition Entertainment and has a GameFly release date of September '08.[Via Siliconera]
