q1-2011
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Lord of Arcana grants PSP an audience on Jan. 25
Finally, Square Enix is giving us a chance to play a Monster Hunter-style action RPG -- and on the PSP. How novel! Lord of Arcana will be released in North America, on both PSN and UMD, on January 25. While our own experience with the bloody PSP adventure didn't leave us terribly impressed, the game was directed by Deadly Premonition creator Hidetaka "Swery65" Suehiro. So maybe it'll turn out to be a misunderstood, quirky masterpiece, instead of just a bad game.
Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars deploys Feb. 15
LucasArts has announced that Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars, based on the popular animated series, will enter the retail galaxy on February 15 in North America (and Feb. 18 in the UK). Yes, another one of those Lego games -- but this one introduces a few novelties, including "scene swap," where players switch between teams in separate locations to complete multi-part objectives, and boss battles. The game will also feature some real-time strategy elements. Based on our look at the game, Lego Star Wars 3 could just be the most polished Lego game yet -- and it'll need to be to bring back the large following of the first two games. The Clone Wars series might be a solid extension of the Star Wars franchise, but it's nowhere near as well known as the films ... even the films we wish we could forget. %Gallery-95846%
De Blob 2 surfaces on February 22
THQ has quietly revealed a release date for De Blob 2 (now minus "The Underground"), the multiplatform sequel to the Wii splatformer: February 22, 2011. The date was revealed on the newly launched website, along with the box art for each version, which also reveals Move compatibility for the PS3 version. Interestingly, the box art carries the "SyFy Kids" logo, suggesting that the network is partnering with THQ not just for other Blob media based on the game, but for the game as well. After the break, check out a trailer. You can see more footage of the HD version in IGN's video preview, which reveals that special "target buildings" must be reclaimed not just by painting them, but by completing 2D challenges.%Gallery-107236%
Scribblenauts headed to Japan as 'Maxwell's Peculiar Notebook'
Konami has agreed to undertake the arduous task of translating Scribblenauts into Japanese. On January 27, Konami will release 5TH Cell's DS adventure game as "Flash Puzzle: Maxwell's Peculiar Notebook." ("Fushigi" means anything from "strange" to "mysterious" -- we've gone with Andriasang's translation here.) Ironically, it seems to be a localization of the first Scribblenauts, which means it'll lack the sequel's adjective function, making it impossible to create a "mysterious" notebook in-game. But Konami already has to translate the 22,000 word dictionary for this (budget!) release, so it's understandable. It's probably been working quietly on the game since before Super Scribblenauts even came out. No screens were released, so we don't yet know if any cosmetic changes were made to the game, nor how text entry is handled.
Armored Core 5 retargeted for early 2011
We're nearing the end of 2010, and with it comes not only the sweet sounds and scents of the holidays, but the yearly retreat of a few popular game titles to the next calendar year. Armored Core 5 is the latest game to join the migration -- a big announcement last January promised the game in 2010, but Famitsu is now reporting that From Software has pushed the date into early 2011. Mech enthusiasts with their calendars marked might be disappointed, but the news shouldn't overheat anyone else's thrusters, as we've already almost got more games to play this holiday season than seems necessary.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior sets sights on PS3 in Q1 2011
It looks like the surprising success of Sniper: Ghost Warrior on Xbox 360 has led developer City Interactive to port it to PS3. The game will arrive on Sony's console early next year, during the first quarter. This newest version of the game will include all of the updates (and presumably DLC) released for the PC and Xbox versions, plus several additions. Notably, Sniper for PS3 will sport improved graphics, more single-player missions, extra multiplayer modes and maps, two new sniper rifles and a new single-player challenge mission.
Ace Attorney Investigations 2 out February in Japan, includes Edgeworth figure
We now have two reasons for wanting to play Ace Attorney Investigations 2 in Japanese, despite knowing full well how difficult and unfulfilling it is. Were we to pick it up from Japan, we'd be able to play it starting February 3. It hasn't been confirmed for release outside of Japan. Capcom announced that release date today, along with a collectors edition, and two special edition packages exclusive to Capcom's Japanese online store (which is currently down) -- the other tempting reason to buy a Japanese version. The Collectors Package includes an orchestral soundtrack, a DVD featuring trailers and TGS stage show footage, and a manga booklet, all priced at ¥6,090 ($75.42). The e-Capcom exclusive Limited Edition includes all the aforementioned items, plus a 1/10 scale figurine of Miles Edgeworth, for ¥8,000 ($99.07). If you want the game and figure, but not the limited edition stuff, e-Capcom has that for ¥7,140 ($88.42). Spending a hundred bucks on a game we can't read just to get a figurine is a pretty terrible tribute to Edgeworth -- it would just be so illogical.
Atlus and Tomy bringing Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Rumble to DS in Feb.
Atlus has yet to ship the two Naruto titles it's releasing with Tomy, but the two companies have already announced another. Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Rumble, known as Naruto Shippuden Ninjutsu Zenkai! Cha-Clash! in Japan, is a four-player, Smash Bros.-esque fighter for DS starring 16 characters from the Naruto series -- including Naruto, Naruto's friend, and that one guy Naruto is always fighting with. Shinobi Rumble will be released in North America on February 8 of next year. That gives you plenty of time to convince three friends to pre-order it, so you can enjoy the multi-card wireless multiplayer.%Gallery-106518%
Mindjack hacks your head on January 18
Square Enix has announced a January 18 release date in North America for Mindjack, a once-delayed shooter that sees urban environments descend into anarchy and everyday citizens succumb to remote control. The commentary on our connected society might be about as subtle as a steamroller, but developer Feelplus Inc. will put the concept to use in its networked single-player campaign. When the non-player characters in your game lose control, they become puppets to online invaders, who can either aid or crush you. Should that pique your curiosity -- along with that of your online friends or family -- you can pick up the game for either Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 when it launches. Oh, and if you head past the break, you'll encounter the latest trailer. We don't know yet if its bluster is indicative of the overall marketing campaign, or if Square Enix will get something more subversive and suited to the game's content. Mindjack is out in Japan on January 27. %Gallery-106473%
Ghost Trick haunts Europe Jan. 14, Capcom and Nintendo partnering to publish
Nintendo and Capcom have made a deal wherein Nintendo will handle European marketing and distribution for Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, and Capcom will publish it, with Capcom working alone in Australia and the Middle East. The most important result of this agreement, of course, is that Ghost Trick now has a European release date: January 14, just three days after the North American release. The other positive result is that if Nintendo is handling marketing duties for Capcom's postmortem mystery ... there may actually be some marketing for the game. Dragon Quest IX, for example, enjoyed increased visibility thanks to Nintendo's use of television ads in the US and UK.
NIS picks up console-wars RPG 'Hyperdimension Neptunia' for PS3
We thought Idea Factory's bizarre strategy RPG Hyper Dimension Neptune was too, well, bizarre to localize, given that it's about game consoles (in the form of girls) fighting against the scourge of piracy. We should have remembered that NIS America is on call to localize weird strategy games that probably have no business in America. NIS is localizing the PS3 game as Hyperdimension Neptunia, in which you take the role of the title console/goddess in order to save the land of Gameindustri from the evil Arfoire, using summon spells based on other games. Unlike the dead Sega console for which it's named, Neptunia has a release window: spring 2011.%Gallery-106204%
You Don't Know Jack coming January 25
Regardless of the game's title, we actually do know a little bit more this morning about You Don't Know Jack's triumphant return. THQ has confirmed the game will be heading to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and DS on January 25, 2011. Unlike the recent GameStop listing, no mention is made of Kinect regarding the game on Xbox 360. We're still hoping against all odds that the game will ship with a full-size PC keyboard, replete with finger-worn keys and shoddily placed YDKJ stickers. Unlike the Wii and DS versions, the PS3 and 360 games will support online multiplayer. Every version of the game will include "classic quiz modes" in "DisOrDat" and "Jack Attack," not to mention new modes like "Wrong Answer of the Game" wherein, presumably, the goal is to get questions wrong. We're especially glad to hear about that new mode, considering YDKJ losses are really our forte.%Gallery-106182%
Possess Ghost Trick on January 11
The dead will roam the earth starting January 11, 2011, to inhabit our donut carts and cabinet doors. Or at least one dead guy will ... in a DS game. January 11 is the newly revealed North American release date for Capcom's Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, in which an amnesiac ghost named Sissel solves his own murder and prevents the murder of others by manipulating objects (which, in turn, manipulate people). While we would have preferred a Halloween release date for the ghostly game (because it would have been sooner), at least Capcom came through with a seasonally appropriate Halloween release date announcement.
Gal Gun doesn't want you being seen playing Gal Gun
Gal Gun is embarrassing. Ludwig learned this firsthand while playing the Xbox 360 shooting game at Tokyo Game Show. It's so embarrassing that even developer Inti Creates and publisher Alchemist had to acknowledge the fact that players wouldn't want to be seen playing it. The developer has implemented a panic button that instantly puts a fake 8-bit game on the screen, with authentic animations and sounds. This is referred to as a "Mama kita gamen," or "Mom arrived screen," which, oddly, is exactly the nightmare scenario Ludwig envisioned in the preview. Either he tapped into a universal fear of having one's mother see Gal Gun, or Ludwig's coverage inspired this option. In other news, Gal Gun will be released in Japan on January 27. You can go ahead and forget about importing it as a gag gift or an odd conversation piece, because it's going to cost ¥7,140 ($87).
Catherine delayed until February in Japan
Though it was originally announced as a Winter 2010 release, Catherine, the surreal action-adventure game from Atlus's Persona team, will be released in Japan on February 17. We'd be more concerned about the delay, but Atlus hasn't even announced a Western release for the PS3/Xbox 360 game yet -- so this is just more time for Atlus USA to draft that press release. It's also more time for us to figure out exactly how the game works. We know protagonist Vincent spends much of his time trapped in a dream-world, attempting to climb a tower as a sheep-man. In his waking life, he appears to be surrounded by women who make him nervous.
THQ announces Fantastic Pets for Kinect
What good's a pet lizard if it doesn't morph into a dragon? THQ and Blitz Games will perhaps endanger the welfare of real, ordinary chameleons (color-changing? pfft), tempting children to turn away from their terrariums and step into the world of Fantastic Pets, the so-called "first augmented reality game" for Kinect, coming March 2011. While Fantastic Pets might start off as an utterly domestic pet sim -- kids pick out a dog, cat, horse or lizard -- dedicated pretend care will eventually expand the game's genus well beyond the apparently tame Kinectimals kingdom. The lines between reality and fantasy will blur as players are transported into the gameworld through commonplace camera technology, barking orders as they command their beasts through mini-games and talents shows. Can your kid suspend disbelief long enough to reach the "professional ranks" of the vaunted Pet Trainer? "As you discover your pet's personality and become enmeshed within the world, Fantastic Pets becomes more like a personalized adventure and less like a game," says THQ ringmaster Martin Good. But at what point do you break it to the young man? No honey, unicorns ... They've -- they've never been real.
Magicka casting spells on PC this January
Magicka, the lighthearted dungeon crawler from Arrowhead Game Studios and Paradox Interactive, has reached the end of its delay saga. Part Two of the cute gold master delay video has been released, confirming that the title will arrive as a $10 PC download beginning in January 2011. The game employs an elemental magic system that allows up to four players to combine spells and kill beasties, while poking fun at the fantasy game genre in general. When asked about the planned Xbox Live Arcade version of Magicka, Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester said, "We're doing our best to get Magicka released on all consoles, but we cannot confirm anything yet."
Conduit 2 narrows launch period to Feb. 2011
Sega has announced a February 2011 release date for the Wii-exclusive sci-fi shooter, Conduit 2. The developers at High Voltage Software were apparently taking notes while fans played the game at PAX last month and will incorporate public feedback as they complete the game (which was recently pushed back to 2011). "Because of this," Sega says, "the game is extending its development a few more months in order to bring players the most complete shooter on Wii." If you were worried about not getting enough use out of PDP's Headbanger Headset, you'll be pleased to learn that Conduit 2 will support it for online multiplayer. And while you're playing, be sure to tell your friends to "pipe up." How they'll laugh and laugh and laugh ... %Gallery-105084%
Gran Turismo 5 delayed, still coming 'this holiday season'
No, it's not a joke. Gran Turismo 5 has lost its November 2nd release date. While there's no date set for the repeatedly delayed PlayStation 3 racing game, the PlayStation.Blog still pegs it as a "holiday season" game. It appears the delay is global, as the Japanese site also features an apology for the delay. Presumably, Polyphony Digital's Kazunori Yamauchi wanted to add just one more feature to the game: breaking your heart.
Gray Matter slips to February 2011
UK-based adventure game publisher Lace Mamba Global has announced another unfortunate "slippage" of Gray Matter. As developer WizarBox and co-publisher dtp entertainment work to get the hard-to-handle contents of Jane Jensen's game in order, Lace Mamba has "no alternative but to delay the release until the chosen date," according to an announcement. (Prior to today's delay, the game was scheduled for release this month.) The latest chosen date for both the PC and Xbox 360 versions? February 25, 2011 in the UK (which, by the standard retail calendar, would put Gray Matter in North America on February 22.) "[W]e now know for certain that the date we have is the date Gray Matter will be available," declared Lace Mamba's Jason Codd, perhaps jinxing the project again. "[D]ue to the tight time frames, and the need for more polishing of the game we had no alternative but to make a quick decision and delay the product until February," Codd explained. "This will give the development team more time in ensuring that the game measures up to the standards that have been set" -- now, are those the original 2004 standards, or ...?
