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Say what you think: Reggie lays into Disaster: Day of Crisis
If you thought our 7/10 review for Disaster: Day of Crisis was harsh, you should hear what Reggie Fils-Aime -- yeah, that Reggie Fils-Aime -- thinks about it. Twenty-five minutes into IGN's latest Nintendo Voice Chat podcast, Matt Casamassina revealed how Reggie "doesn't think Disaster is a $50 game," and regards the audio as "laughable." Burrrrn.We have to confess we're slightly dumbfounded to hear Reggie delivering such a hefty haymaker to one of his company's own games ... while speaking on the record, as well. We suppose it's, uh, refreshingly honest?%Gallery-30942%[Via Infendo]
FEAR 2: Project Origin going digital over Steam, Direct2Drive
Alma just won't be contained in a box. Warner Bros. sent word that the recently renamed F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin will be released over both Valve's Steam and IGN's Direct2Drive digital distribution services on February 10, 2009. If that date sounds familiar, it's the same day the survival horror FPS will scare up PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 retail shelves as well. Just think, now you won't even have to leave your house to get creeped out by Monolith's spooky little girl. [Via press release]
Wii Fanboy Review: Disaster: Day of Crisis
If Disaster: Day of Crisis were a movie, it would be one of those big, dumb, summer blockbusters, the kind of feature where it's best to leave your brain at the door.Although that might sound like a criticism, it's not intended that way, because just like over-the-top, thought-free action flicks, Disaster can serve as a guilty pleasure. It's got a Seagal-esque hero who must be one of the most resistant, hardened one-man armies of all time, tons of implausible "escaping death" scenarios, and a script that's cheesier than an explosion in a Roquefort factory. Yet despite all of this, I enjoyed it. Mostly.%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Day of Orange Jumpsuits
Disaster: Day of Crisis hero with a heart Raymond Bryce is back with another pair of videos, this time featuring the game's opening cut-scene and first crisis sequence. Painfully wooden acting aside (though it's certainly no worse than Resident Evil 4), it's actually very nicely executed, and genuinely feels quite dramatic.True to the corny TV dramas on which Disaster could easily be based, this first video ends with a bunch of cliffhangers and questions to be answered. What has become of Steve? Will our intrepid heroes keep their own lives on the mountain? How amusing is Ray's janky running style? Find out ... dun dun dunnn! ... after the break.%Gallery-30942%
When are we getting Disaster: Day of Crisis?
Your head is probably spinning from all of the wonderful Nintendo news you've been exposed to over the last 24 hours and it's okay, because our heads are, too. But, there's one thing that was missing from Nintendo's little spiel today: Disaster: Day of Crisis. Why was this game not dated for a North American release? With it releasing in Japan late last month and hitting Europe later on this month, we're wondering what the big hold-up is?Of course, not like it matters, because, thanks to the Japanese game releasing, we've basically seen the whole game on YouTube. But, we're still contacting Nintendo for a comment, so sit tight.%Gallery-30942%
Stephen Colbert's favorite game has to be Disaster: Day of Crisis
We all know the man's stance on bears. He doesn't like them. In fact, he downright despises them. That's why we're sure that Nintendo's latest, Disaster: Day of Crisis, is among Colbert's most treasured games. Why? Well, it features a boss battle against a bear. Aside from teaching us the near indestructible nature of the beast, it also shows us what kind of weapons to use against a bear should it get you in its sights. Also, it teaches us that bears like to stupidly charge back and forth.Check out the video past the break.%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Day of GIANT FOOD
Even when escaping buildings that are crumbling around his ears, Disaster: Day of Crisis hero Raymond Bryce takes time out to line his stomach with the huge food that can be randomly found in large wooden crates.We're just pleased to see him looking after himself and getting his five a day. We're sure his mother feels the same.%Gallery-30942%[Via Go Nintendo]
Day of Crisis not a total disaster?
None of us know why Nintendo kept such a tight lid on Disaster: Day of Crisis for so long. Logic dictates that the company didn't present us with much info because, well, the game was bad. Kind of Project H.A.M.M.E.R. bad. Well, the truth may be very different.Famitsu recently revealed its score for the game, and it received a respectable 34/40. Not too shabby, if we may say so. Especially for a game that pretty much got a surprise release. Not a Sega Saturn kind of surprise, but you get the idea.%Gallery-30942%[Via CVG]
Confirmed: Nintendo Media Summit in early October
Didn't we already have a Nintendo Media Summit this year? By golly, we did! But, still, it turns out that rumor is true, as Nintendo will be holding an event on October 2nd and 3rd, showcasing games for both the Wii and DS in San Francisco. We know because we just got our invite.So what should we expect? Well, something on Disaster: Day of Crisis we imagine, but anything outside of that is anyone's guess. What do you all think?%Gallery-30942%
Big Fish Games snags $83 million for expansion
In what is touted as the the largest investment of venture capital for a U.S. online gaming company, Big Fish Games has recently secured $83.3 million in funding from VC firms Balderton Capital, General Catalyst Partners and Salmon River Capital. This is all in addition to the $8.7 million they received in 2005, making this developer one of the most heavily-funded out there.You may remember in November of last year when Big Fish acquired MMO developer Thinglefin which was founded by Jeremy Friesen and Ryan O'Rourke, formerly of Monolith and Sony Online Entertainment. These industry vets have previously worked on The Matrix Online and Asheron's Call. This new MMO from Thinglefin is described as a free-to-play, browser-based MMO, and is currently still in development.
F.E.A.R. 2 trailer proves children are creepy
Let's face it. Kids are scary. Think about it. We tell them stories about cooking witches in ovens, tell them that cribs belong in trees and that the babies therein inevitably come tumbling down. Is it any wonder that they wind up so damned creepy? Just think of all the horror movies that use children*. The latest trailer for F.E.A.R. 2 -- which highlights that the game is now actually called F.E.A.R. 2 -- showcases lots of nasty monsters and sweet weapons, but we were particularly struck by Alma, the super creepy girl antagonist. More specifically, we were struck by her whispering "You can't hide from me" at the end of the trailer. Now, if you'll excuse us, it's time to hide. *Don't click this.
Project Origin bringing the F.E.A.R back
Did you know that Project Origin was a sequel to F.E.A.R? We're guessing there's a chunk of you who probably didn't, but from now on there's no excuse. Monolith Productions and WB Games inc. have purchased the F.E.A.R name off Activision Blizzard, who retained the license after Monolith switched publishers to work on the sequel. Seemingly Actiblizz feel that they don't need it anymore, along with a few other Sierra franchises. So why not just call it F.E.A.R 2 and have done with it? After all the effort they went to with their Name Your Fear contest, it would be a shame not to use the winning name, Project Origin, in some form or another. As a result the game will now be known as F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin. Lovely. Currently it's set for release worldwide in mid-February. That's around the same time Killzone 2 is due to hit, in case you're wondering.
Project Origin gets its F.E.A.R. back and a release
In a very weird turn of corporate events, Warner and Monolith just announced that they've acquired the F.E.A.R. name and license back from Sierra who initially was going to create their own non-Monolith involved F.E.A.R. sequel. So, with the new name purchase, Project Origin will no longer be the spiritual successor to F.E.A.R. but will instead be the official sequel, now titled F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin. Even with the newly acquired F.E.A.R. name, Monolith will be keeping "Project Origin" in the name not only because of the branding they've already being doing, but because they promised the fans. Along with the name change, Lith has confirmed that F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin will release to retail on February 10th, 2009. [Thanks, Rob]
Name change: 'F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin'
Monolith and Warner Bros. sure appreciate all the hard work you put in to deciding the name of the "spiritual successor" to F.E.A.R., but let's face it, Project Origin doesn't quite ring like ... F.E.A.R. 2. But, as the backstory goes, Sierra owned the franchise name and, up until the Activision-Blizzard merger, the company was supposedly working on its own F.E.A.R. sequel. But then, well, Sierra hit a snag. Sensing that all was not well, Warner Bros. sent over a gift basket full of money, and back came the rights to the franchise name. So, here Warner Bros. and Monolith are with the original name and the name that's been used in all the marketing to date. Solution? Combine the two. And the final answer is ... F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin! In stores February 10th, 2009.
Disaster: Day of Crisis hits Japanese shelves on Sept. 25
Imagine our surprise when we heard that Nintendo of Japan plans to release Disaster: Day of Crisis on September 25th. After hearing barely anything about the game for months, including a no-show at E3 and PAX, we were incredibly doubtful the game would release this calendar year, yet alone at all. But, sure enough, the official Nintendo of Japan website has it listed. Right here.So with a Japanese release ironed out and the European release date for October 24th set in stone, when can North America expect the game? We've contacted Nintendo and are awaiting word. As soon as we get it, we'll update the post.%Gallery-30942%[Via Wiiz]
Disaster: Day of Crisis officially dated in Europe
Nintendo's favorite new tactic of discussing its games really, really close to release (see also: Wario Land: The Shake Dimension, Captain Rainbow) has extended to Disaster: Day of Crisis. Two weeks ago, Nintendo had to reassure the world that the game was still being made. Now, it's announced it will be coming out in Europe next month, on October 24th (falling in line with earlier speculation). That's a pretty rapid turnaround!The announcement on Nintendo of Europe's site also explains more of the backstory in the game, as well as the inclusion of "Survival Points" and "Battle Points," which can be used to hone Ray's abilities, giving the game an (extremely light) RPG element. If you haven't already, dodge that oncoming tsunami and leap heroically into our new Disaster: Day of Crisis gallery to see more!%Gallery-30942%
Disaster: Day of Screenshots [Update 1]
Okay, so Disaster: Day of Crisis is definitely coming. Nintendo just dumped an almighty batch of almost 70 (mainly new) screens on our local press site, all of which you can find here. They predominantly feature Wolverine look-a-like Ray as he takes on such well-known natural disasters as infernos, flooding, uhm, terrorists and ... bears. There's still no word on a release date, though this sudden burst of media fills us with bright-eyed hope, being the naïve, optimistic fools that we are.Update: NeoGAFfers spotted an update at Nintendo's German site that let slip a few precious details on Disaster (and, yet again, mentions a Q4 2008 release date). Apparently, we'll be playing as former US marine Raymond Bryce as he drives, swims, runs, and shoots his way through 23 "different parts" (a machine translation, which we assume means "23 stages"), faces volcanoes, earthquakes, flooding, tornados, and tsunamis, and fights it out against a terrorist organization known as "SURGE." Ray's health bar needs to be constantly watched, as he will require both food and fresh air if he's to rescue citizens. And that's your lot for now!%Gallery-30942%[Via press release]
Rumor: Disaster: Day of Crisis speculation hots up
It's coming! No it's not! Yes it is! You get the idea. Since it was first exposed to the world more than two years ago, Disaster: Day of Crisis has been shrouded in FUD.Recently however, the project's vitals have been looking healthier by the week. The OFLC age-rated the game in Australia, Nintendo itself has stated that progress is being made on development, and a supposedly leaked release date for Europe (October 24th) has now appeared on NeoGAF. Though the veracity of such a source could easily be questioned, the game has also appeared in the database of a Danish retailer, along with a "Q4 2008" release date and an age rating of 16+. Disaster averted? Source: Disaster: Day of Crisis "leaked" date (via Go Nintendo)Source: Appears in database of Danish retailer
Alma and Project Origin both need more dev time, game delayed into 2009
In other release date delay news, we've just learned that Monlith's Project Origin (the true sequel to F.E.A.R.) will not make it to retail shelves anytime this year and is tentatively planned for a Q1 2009 release. The delay news comes from Lith's art lead Dave Matthews who confirmed during Leipzig that they'll release Project Origin on multiple platforms in early '09. Though, you you just can't wait, you can always catch a glimpse of Alma and all the bloody violence later this week during PAX where we're told it'll be demoed on stage.
Project Origin pushed back to early 2009
Project Origin, Monolith's everything-but-the-name follow up to F.E.A.R., has slipped on all of that spilled gore, sliding back from the game's previous fall release until sometime in early 2009. The news came from Project Origin art lead, Dave Matthews, who took time during the Leipzig Games Convention to break the news -- and fans' hearts – confirming that players will have to wait until the first quarter of 2009 to find out just what Alma has been up to. Softening the blow a bit, new details surrounding the upcoming shooter also emerged from last week's event, including news that the sequel will include more interactive and varied environments than those seen in F.E.A.R., while enemy A.I. has also been amped up as well. According to Monolith, the story itself will also be improved over the original, giving us all the more reason to think that maybe Project Origin is worth waiting for after all. Source – GC 2008: Project Origin Progress Report, IGN
