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Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX trailer generates excitement, eyestrain
Takara Tomy have stealth-released a new trailer for Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX, the Wii sequel to the popular Gamecube 3D fighting series, and it's looking ... well, heavily compressed. It's hard to tell how the game looks based on the size and quality of this video. Despite the technical difficulties, there were a few noteworthy things we could glean from the video, and its now-standard use of the "picture-in-picture of person making Wiimote gestures:" There are a lot of characters in the game. They fight each other. Adorable children can control this character-fighting with Wiimote and Nunchuk motions. We can assume that the new one will look at least as nice as the Gamecube versions, and will probably have new characters and some new moves and such. Previous Naruto games have been well-received; we are crossing our fingers that the new one will be just as good, and that the motion control is fun and not gimmicky. We think we should have started crossing our fingers after typing this post.[Note: the link goes directly to a .wmv video.][Thanks, Creamsugar!]
Guildwatch: Black Temple or bust
After a short hiatus (due to a lack of endgaming on the part of most guilds), our much-loved and much-hated column Guildwatch is back in all its rumor-filled, grats-giving, petty guild drama glory! Here where, every Tuesday, you can see who's winning, who's inviting, and who's cheating.And don't forget, if you've got a tip on a guild that has drama happening (anonymous tips welcomed), is downing the 25-man stuff already, or is recruiting for Karazhan, let us know at wowguildwatch@gmail.com. Click the link to read the return of GW!
Unemployed ninja seeks job, finds web site
The official site for Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja is up and running today, showcasing everything from sketches to screens to the game's twisted sense of humor. What's that, you say? Deviant humor in a game from Atlus? Yeah, it's good to see Atlus branching out like that with the games they publish. Not that we're complaining here; someone needs to localize silly Japanese action RPGs so that we can enjoy them as well, and it looks like there's going to be a lot to enjoy in Izuna. We've tucked a few screens away after the jump, but there's loads more content at the site.
Hellfire Ramparts, ninja paradise (or is it?)
Ok, so I finally get into Burning Crusade (this was a few weeks ago, when it first came out), and the first thing I head for is, of course, the new 5man instances. We get a group together and run Hellfire Ramparts. We goggle at the new bosses, are excited by the new challenges, and gape at how much Blizzard has ramped up the loot. Finally, we down the last boss, Vazruden and Nazan, but he doesn't have any loot on him. Where's our loot? Oh, it's over there... in that chest that anyone can open.Yup, the very last boss of Hellfire Ramparts seems to be an open invitation to ninja-ing that loot. Just like the Cache of the Firelord (another notorious ninja location), a chest spawns after the boss dies, and anyone in the group can step on over, open it up, and grab everything in it. Pookybear (nice name) has noticed this too, and Blue answers: It probably won't happen.It's kind of a weak answer, but then again, when I think about it, I haven't had it happen to me yet. But all of the Ramparts runs I've done have been guild runs (where we all know each other), and I'd imagine most of the runs on all the servers are people leveling up together who know each other-- as we see more PUGs come through, this might be an issue. Have you guys seen a ninja after Nazan? It's hard to believe it will never happen, but the community has been doing pretty well at casting ninjas out of guilds and such. The first time I saw that chest, ninja is the first thing I thought of, but maybe Blizzard just doesn't see it as a problem. Has anyone seen a ninja in Ramparts? Why doesn't Blizzard just turn the loot into, well, loot?
Unemployment can turn a good ninja into a drama queen
It seems like just yesterday that we were first talking about Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja, a roflcoptery title if ever there was one, and now it's mere weeks away from a February release. It's crazy how time flies, especially when we're busy being fanatical for our favorite handheld. Just to get you into the campy ninja spirit, there's a video of poor Izuna after the jump. Please, for the love, give this girl a job. Everyone deserves to feel like they have a purpose in life, and we have a soft spot for funny-colored hair. Not to mention we do love a game that doesn't employ the stylus unnecessarily, and apparently, Izuna is stylus-free. We're in! Now go watch the video.
Turtles emerging from manholes in March
Ubisoft, who've got the rights to the upcoming CG movie about some teenage turtles with both mutant, and ninja, tendencies, says the games based on these sewer-dwelling, rat-led turtles will release along side the film in March 2007, confirming earlier thoughts that the game would be coming to the Wii. That means every port of the game, including DS and Wii, will be released at the same time.Not much else is known about the game, but for the curious, Eurogamer has a behind-the-scenes look at the game here.
Bot Spotting 101
Doc Robot has a short but sweet guide to how to spot a botter (or, sometimes, a farmer) wandering around the World of Warcraft. Warning signs: they behave erratically, don't answer tells, use repeated attack patterns, and so on and so forth. Chances are that if, like me, you play on one of the higher population servers, you've seen this stuff happening, even if you didn't know at the time exactly what you were dealing with.My own bot story is pretty funny-- I was leveling my rogue through Stranglethorn Vale, killing and skinning panthers to grind and make some money. Along comes a paladin-- she walks right up to a panther near me, and proceeds to kill it. I play on a PVE server, but I've got no love for the alliance, so I did what I thought was an appropriately undead rogue-y thing to do and I ninja'ed the skin from her on that kill. She tried to skin, failed, and... moved onto the next mob. I got no reaction out of her at all. So I let her kill the next mob, beat her to the skin again, and still nothing. I did this three or four times, and I didn't get so much an emote out of her-- not even an angry look.I couldn't believe that someone would let me get away with this, so even despite the fact that she was a few levels ahead of me, I went ahead and flipped my PVP flag on, and threw down a few /taunts. Still nothing-- she just keep rolling on in her pattern without even acknowledging I was there. By then, of course, I knew I was dealing with a bot, and so for an hour or so, I tagged her panthers, let her kill them and gain experience for me, and then ninja'ed the skin out every time. Wonder if that botter was surprised that his paladin wasn't very productive that hour.Unfortunately, I never did report her, which is what you're supposed to do when you find a character botting or farming (as the article says, it's usually a hunter, so my guess is that my paladin was simply being powerleveled). Blizzard is doing everything they can to battle this stuff, but my guess is that it's much more rampant than even they will admit. Have you seen a bot? What did you do when you discovered it?
Around Azeroth: Fishing with ninja
Somehow, basic ninja black doesn't blend very well into the Orgrimmar shadows. But even ninja have to train their fishing skills somewhere, as demonstrated by Targen and Theodosia of Burning Legion in this shot. Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! You can attach a picture file or send us a link to one -- and don't worry about formatting, we'll take care of that part. And don't forget about this week's Around Azeroth caption contest -- we're taking submissions all week and will pick the best of them to show off next Monday!
Atlus giving jobs to ninjas in 2007
Yesterday, a NeoGAFer got their hands on a press release from Atlus with some interesting news for eBay resellers and ninja lovers alike. Their game, Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja, is making its way to the US February of next year. Here is a snippet from the release: Finally, a dungeon RPG strong enough for a man... but played as a hot chick! Drop your stylus, you pansy, and get back to the old school, hardcore, monster bashing we all grew up on! See if you have what it takes to conquer the impossible levels and gruesome bosses. After all, does it get any better than the feeling of cold steel at the palm of your hands? Hmm ... played as a "hot chick," Atlus? Trying to kill two birds with one stone by appealing to both lustful men and women with low self esteem? On top of that, we totally disagree that "ninjas are sooo yesterday!" Ninjas are the past, present and future! [Thanks JC!]
Around Azeroth: Ninja!
I can't turn down posting a good screenshot of a ninja -- though a pirate would obviously have been better... Reader Richard sent in this shot of a lone ninja braving the depths of Molten Core.Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! You can attach a picture file or send us a link to one -- and don't worry about formatting, we'll take care of that part
New Red Steel images -- Ninjas pwn
Since yesterday was absolutely ruined with it being International Talk Like A Pirate Day, we ninjas are throwing out a rebuttal. Behold dirty sea-dwellers! Red Steel images! How could you ever turn away the lifestyle of a ninja when it is so clearly stated in these screens that we absolutely pwn? Just look up at guy-with-tattoo-on-head. He is totally getting chopped in half by one of us. If that image doesn't convince you, take a look at any of the other screenshots and you'll see. Ninjas for life. [Via News4Gamers]
Finding your way into a good guild
There's no question-- if you want to be successful in WoW (arguably for the whole game, but especially in the endgame), you need a guild, and you need a good one. I've gotten three of my 60s into great guilds (on three different servers-- don't ask), and I've /gquit a few times as well (although I've never been /gkicked-- maybe you guys have some good stories about that). My experience is your gain. Here's five tips on how to get into a guild that will get you where you want to be.1. Don't be a jerk. Obvious? Don't ninja, ever. Don't play in a way that routinely gets you put on ignore lists. Don't beg. Don't make the game all about the gear-- either bragging about all the stuff you got, or whining about all the stuff you don't have. In short, to get into a good guild, you have to first be a good player. That said, it'll help you to...2. Have the level and the gear, or at least know what you're aiming for. If you're trying to join a guild that's raiding MC, it'll help a lot if you've already got tons of fire resist. If you're wearing greens and trying to join a guild that's doing Naxx, you're barking up the wrong tree. Guilds are around to help-- the best gear in the game can't be gotten without them, and any good guild will help their members hit 60 and move beyond. But if you can't handle the heat (or frost), don't be surprised when they don't let you into the big kitchen.3. No LFGs. I bet there's all kinds of evidence (and guildmasters) that will prove me wrong on this, but I'm standing by it: a guild you want to join won't be broadcasting a recruit in the LFG channel, or even in the GuildRecruiting channel. Your best bet is to know someone-- a rl friend or someone you've grouped with. Short of that, watch the players on your server (and guilds on GuildWatch, ahem), see who's good, and look them up on the web. If they've got a website and forums, they probably have an application form. The more hoops you can jump through to join, chances are the better off you'll be in the long run.4. Take a trial run. Lots of guilds invite people on a trial basis-- either with recruiting runs or inviting them with a rank of "Initiate" or "Recruit." But feel free to join the guild on a trial basis as well, and see if they're compatible with you. Are there people of your level on when you are? Is the guild doing what you want to do-- if all you want to do is PVP, it won't help you much to join a guild that only runs PVE. Don't be afraid to /gquit if you don't think things are working out-- but see #1, too, and don't be a jerk about it. If you part ways amicably, there's a good chance they'll invite you back anyway when they are doing what you want to do.5. Participate! Staying in a good guild means being a part of the group. When you sign up for raids, show up on time, repaired and ready to go. When guildies ask for help, help them. When they need items farmed from whereever you're headed, get it for them. Even if someone in the guild offers to pay me for something I'd put up on the AH for a few gold, I give it to them for free. The more you invest in a guild you like, especially when you're starting out with them, the more you'll get in return.The one thing I've never done (in WoW anyway) is run my own guild. Any guild officers or GMs out there with more advice for players looking to join a good guild?
New Turtles game coming to Wii?
One of our more crafty readers was recently checking out the Nintendo press site when they stumbled upon a 10th game listed under Ubisoft. The game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is supposedly coming to the Wii. In checking up on who owns the rights to those pizza-eating turtles, this reader discovered that while Konami owns all rights to the television show, Ubisoft owns the rights to the upcoming CGI movie. If you have yet to see the awesome trailer for the new movie, then you might want to check it out as it is embedded into the post after the break.[Note: The Read link leads to the .pdf file that lists the game. In order to access it, you'll need a Nintendo press username and password.]
1up Mario Hoops review -- did Mario serve an airball?
Mario Hoops 3 on 3 has had so much hype that we were ready for a game full of more fun than a circus. But from the sound of it, all we got were peanuts. Having played the game ourselves, we see where the review is coming from and we are 100% catching what they are throwing -- something Mario and his pals seem to fail at. The review basically states that the controls are good in theory, but iffy on paper. Stealing is difficult and passing is okay, when it works. Your teammates are pretty much useless. They never try to steal or use items to help you out. They are especially difficult to work with against perfect AI on harder levels. Good luck on unlocking all your favorite Final Fantasy characters. The levels are difficult and your opponents ruthless. While it sounds like a challenge, it lacks an important element -- fun. Mario Hoops 3 on 3 received a 6 out of 10 -- a passable grade and rightful score for an average sports title. Check out the rest of the review to see what else 1up found wrong with the game. Or, pipe up and let us know that we and everyone else is completely wrong (we know you like doing that anyway) and Mario Hoops is zomg teh best game evah kthxbye! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Cash Money Chaos' insanely bloody debut
You play an Elvis-imposter in SOE's newly announced game Cash Money Chaos. And like the original Elvis, you are captured by aliens, and are forced to participate in a "twisted 70s game show." No, you're not going to be playing The Price is Right. You'll have to fight through dozens of enemies, killing everything in your sight. This "uber fast" shooter appears to play a bit like Robotron, if it suddenly turned into Robocop instead: making people's bodies explode in buckets of blood. The game will come with more than 50 levels, and include online infrastructure play for up to 8 players.If you're interested in some really brutal cartoon violence, and want to kill ninjas, hillbillies, clowns, pirates, and aliens, then you'll have to wait a while: Cash Money Chaos is coming "early 2007." Check out the official website to score some art and screenshots.[Thanks, steve!]
Hot chick kills zombies, gains fame
Oneechanbara X, the game whose heroine is a katana wielding girl wearing a thong, straw hat, feather boa, and not much else, is odd to say the least. Add to that list one more thing, she's a zombie slayer. That's right, Xboxygen has posted several shots of our hero slicing up legions of the undead. Still no word on whether or not the game also contains ninjas, Nazis, or pirates -- or if the game will see release outside of Japan at all. Here's hoping.You can check out the official website (in Japanese, natch) here -- age verification required, can't imagine why.
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.
Breakfast Topic: Am I a ninja?
Many of us have come across "ninja looting" -- the practice of taking loot that isn't yours, usually through dirty tactics such as rolling need on "bind on pickup" items. While this can be excusable at lower levels, by the time you hit 60 it should be a long-forgotten experience. Sadly, it isn't.Everyone hates ninja looters, and yet many players are swift to accuse others of ninjaing, to see ninjas where none exist. Recently I was accused of the dreaded N-word; as a feral druid I was acting as off-tank, and rolled on a +defense trinket. The rest of the group agreed I could roll, but the warrior only spoke up after I had rolled, calling me a ninja. He rolled need too, but I won the item. Shortly after that he left the group; I tanked the rest of the instance, and nobody complained.Of course, stories like this are all too common, with hybrid classes complicating the issues -- even at level 60. Most people I've grouped with acknowledge that if a hybrid class is taking on a particular role then he or she can claim items for that role. However, imagine a druid who switches between forms a lot in an instance. Can she roll on strength, defense, agility, intellect and +healing gear? Technically, yes; but wails of "ninja" would result. The solution? I've learnt to carefully spell out before entering an instance that I will be taking on role X, and rolling on gear accordingly. A better solution is to group with players you know, and good ones at that, who give you a chance at whatever you can use.Have you encountered a ninja that wasn't? Do you hate being out-rolled by greedy hybrids?
These aren't the releases you're looking for
The recently-leaked list of upcoming titles from the house that Rainbow Six built first appeared via Gamepro.com and later was denied by Ubi (and even later denied by Gamepro). Thankfully it has made its way to Eurogamer where the inclusion of some supposedly upcoming Revolution titles caused a stir here at Revolution Fanboy HQ. Some of these titles include: - Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 5 - Rayman 4 - Brothers in Arms 3 - Assassin - Ninja TurtlesSo is this an Ubi slip-up or a complete fallacy?
