q4 2011
Latest
PixelJunk SideScroller moves right into PSN on Oct. 25
Q-Games' PixelJunk SideScroller will fly from left to right onto the North American PSN next week. The October 25 launch date comes from Q-Games' Twitter feed (which scrolls vertically). SideScroller is the latest downloadable title from the talented developer of PixelJunks Shooter, Eden and Racer. The studio is also working on PixelJunk 4AM (formerly Lifelike), which we've managed to encapsulate as such: "You have to play it to understand it!" %Gallery-131153%
War of the Worlds gets underway on XBLA October 26
The video game adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells novel has been pegged for an October 26 launch on Xbox Live Arcade, developer Other Ocean has announced via its Facebook page. The side-scrolling platformer War of the Worlds loosely follows Wells' book, but also introduces new characters and events. And if you're wondering why Other Ocean sounds familiar to you, then you may have enjoyed some of the studio's most recent works: Dark Void Zero, Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection or the PSN port of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
November 2 is BurgerTime on XBLA
Are you hungry for burgers? How about giant burgers on which a chef and some magically animated food have repeatedly trampled? Burgers which live only within your Xbox? Probably not, no. But if you want to play a game about said burgers, you'll be able to do so on November 2. MonkeyPaw Games announced today that BurgerTime World Tour will arrive on XBLA that day, with the PSN, PC, and WiiWare releases of the reimagined Data East classic to come later that year. Above, enjoy a pre-BurgerTime appetizer in the form of a new trailer.%Gallery-136459%
Botanicula video teases Amanita Design's next adventure
You likely know Amanita Design for its work on semi-sweet, semi-sad robot adventure Machinarium. The Czech team's upcoming Botanicula, billed as a "point and click exploration game," has more ... organic roots.
Mario & Sonic go to Europe in a blue Wii bundle
In honor of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Nintendo announced plans to launch a special blue Wii bundle in Europe this November. Despite the Sonic theme, the system (one of the new-model, GameCube-free Wiis) is a lighter blue than the hedgehog. It will include the game, a matching Wii Remote Plus, and likely a Nunchuk in the same color. When Nintendo announced the new Wii configuration back in August, it suggested that other bundles would be on the way. We don't think it would only have been referring to this one -- which means we should look forward to more variants in Europe this holiday. We should also look forward to colossal sales from this game, as always!
Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots is a thing, really; coming to iOS on Oct. 20
As if the fruit on your phone, iPod, tablet, Android, and Kinect weren't already sliced thoroughly enough, Halfbrick is burdening yet more fruit with potential murder in the upcoming movie tie-in Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots. As you've likely surmised, the game is a Puss in Boots-themed Fruit Ninja release, which imagines the titular Puss slicing up fruit with his dutiful foil. In addition to introducing a well-timed theme into the mix, FN: PIB adds the "all-new Bandito mode," which tasks players with surviving progressively more difficult levels with unique challenges, and the "Desperado" mode, which updates the first game's "Classic" mode. "We wanted to create something new and different for our fans while keeping the magic of Fruit Ninja intact, and we think Bandito Mode will keep even the most practiced players on their toes," Jetpack Joyride playable character and Halfbrick chief marketing man Phil Larsen notes in the announcement. Oh, and tomatoes? Totally in there, definitively proving once and for all that they're fruit. Take that, science! Fruit Ninja: Puss in Boots arrives on the iOS App Store on October 20 for $0.99 on iPhone and $1.99 on iPad.%Gallery-136062%
VVVVVV coming to 3DS in late 2011
Terry Cavanagh's topsy-turvy challenge, VVVVVV, is coming to the Nintendo 3DS courtesy of Nicalis. It'll be available on the 3DS eShop later this year, complete with "full 3D awesomeness." VVVVVV's cheerful 8-bit aesthetic will stretch across two screens now, with a real-time map on the bottom screen offering some direction in the action platformer that takes great pleasure in eschewing basic navigational rules. The 3DS version will also feature new levels and "future content updates." If you want to play VVVVVV's new incarnation before it launches, head to the ongoing Indiecade in Culver City, California, and ... track down Terry Cavanagh. Remember, it's pronounced with six Vs.%Gallery-136044%
Ice White 3DS, Monster Hunter Tri-G bundle coming to Japan
Less than a month after the announcement of one new 3DS color (Misty Pink), Nintendo of Japan has revealed another: "Ice White," which is pretty self-explanatory. This attractive variant will be out in Japan on November 3. That Ice White 3DS is the basis for the special-edition system included in the new Monster Hunter Tri-G Special Pack, out December 10 in Japan. That pack bundles the aforementioned white 3DS, decorated with Monster Hunter art, and the game, for 20,800 ($271). A second bundle will be available that doesn't include a 3DS, but does include the game and an Expansion Slide Pad for ¥6,990 ($91).
Hail to the Duke Nukem Forever DLC next week
Want more Duke Nukem Forever? We're not judging, and neither is Gearbox, who will offer the "Hail to the Icons" Parody Pack next week -- October 11, to be specific. The DLC adds three new multiplayer modes: Freeze Tag, Hail to the King, and Hot Potato ("See who can hold on to the babe the longest," the description reads, testing our ability to withhold judgement). It also offers four new maps, parodying popular FPS games. If you're in the "First Access Club," this is all free. If you're in the much less exclusive club of "everyone else," it's $10 or 800 Microsoft Points, plus the cost of bubblegum.
Capsized landing on XBLA in December
Errant space explorers can only hope to wind up stranded on an alien planet as lush and beautiful as the one in Capsized -- though we'd understand if they also wished for a destination less deadly. The action-packed indie platformer, initially developed by Alientrap and now ported to Xbox Live Arcade by Koolhaus Games, is set to launch on Microsoft's service in December. IndiePub set the new release window today, almost two years after we first learned of Capsized's XBLA ambitions. The game's hand-drawn blend of exploration, grappling, flight and puzzle solving has impressed critics since April, when it debuted on PC through Steam and Alientrap's website. The Xbox Live Arcade version of Capsized isn't a straight port, IndiePub says, with enhanced graphics, exclusive levels and further downloadable content being readied for the console version. It's been a long wait, but it sounds like Xbox players are in for a $10 treat.
PSA: Portal 2's 'Peer Review' DLC now available, full game for half price on Steam
It may have missed it's planned "summer" launch window, but Portal 2's first, totally free DLC "Peer Review" is being made available to download today via Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Valve's own Steam distribution service. As previously detailed, the content delivers a brand new co-op track for everybody's favorite anthropomorphic duo, and once again features everybody's favorite murderous robot. And hey, if for some crazy reason you don't already own Portal 2, we're not sure we can continue this relationship. But we've got a way you can get things fixed up: pick up the game on the cheap right now, for just $14.99 (that's 50 percent off, folks).
iPhone 4S adds A5 processor, up to 7x graphics, arriving Oct. 14
As much as we were already aware that Apple planned on announcing an all new iPhone today, the California-based computer and mobile giant managed to keep information on the forthcoming hardware update relatively quiet (for once). And then, just minutes before the company's big iPhone presser was about to start, one of Apple's Japanese retailer sites accidentally pushed the info early, and now here we are: the iPhone 4S will arrive at Japanese retail in just under two weeks, on October 14, with an expected US and EU launch the following Friday. The mention has since been pulled, naturally, but not before our cohorts at Engadget snapped an image of the accidental announce. As the unveiling was premature, however, we've yet to see any official information on the new phone's specs. Reports on the hardware as recently as this morning pegged it as having the iPad 2's A5 chip set, 1GB of RAM, and a much improved 8 megapixel camera, though we won't find out for sure until, well, any minute now. No, really, the liveblog is already going. We're talking any minute. Update: And, as promised, the iPhone 4S is official, and here's what it's packing: an Apple-designer dual core A5 chip, which is up to 2 times faster, and "dual core graphics, which mean the graphics can be up to 7 times faster than in the previous iPhone." Apple's Phil Schiller added, "We see it scream on games." To show off said screaming, they debuted Infinity Blade 2 which we guess probably screamed. Apple promises a healthy battery life, an improved antenna design, and both GSM and CDMA radios in the device, making the 4S a true world phone. The iPhone 4S also features a new 8 megapixel camera, that's "also a lot faster." Update 2: Apple is finally finished showing off the iPhone 4S and here's what you can expect to pay for it: $199 for the 16GB variant; $299 for the 32GB variant; and $399 for the massive 64GB variant. The phone will be available on October 14, on Verizon, AT&T, and ... Sprint. Yup, Sprint's got itself the iPhone, finally.
BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2 dated for Europe, keeping silly name
Despite repeated, impassioned cries from our web-based pulpit, Arc System Works is sticking with the full name "BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2" for the European release on 3DS and PlayStation Portable this November. Blast! The game's November 4 launch date was announced by the Japanese dev house and its European publishing partner, PQube, this morning, alongside a slew of new media. But considering the game came out last May in North America, there's a possibility you've already had your fill of video-based gameplay. But have you seen BlazBlue Continuum Shift 2's gameplay ... set to a rockin' metal riff? We thought not!%Gallery-135315%
I Am Alive confirmed for XBLA and PSN, coming 'this winter'
Despite a long-term disappearance (perhaps into the bowels of the Earth?), Ubisoft's I Am Alive will arrive on consoles via Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, confirming previous suspicions. The game is said to arrive at some point "this winter." Following the story of a yet-to-be-named "everyman," Ubisoft Shanghai's I Am Alive is a digital romp through a city (Chicago, last we saw) that has undergone a devastating catastrophe. Resultantly, said everyman must fight for survival against the elements as well as various other people, all the while attempting to find his wife and daughter. Combat is said to be based on intimidation more than brute force (briefly demonstrated in the original announce teaser). We'll presumably have more info for you soon, as Ubisoft finally seems ready to talk about the game once again. Update: Ubisoft confirmed with Joystiq that there are currently no plans for a PC version of I Am Alive.%Gallery-135209%
LA Noire hits PC on Nov. 8 in US, Nov. 11 in EU; specs revealed
Rockstar revealed this morning that its crime drama slash adventure game, L.A. Noire, will become available on PC in North America on November 8, and in Europe on November 11, nearly six months after it debuted on consoles. There's no mention of a Mac port, but it is launching on OnLive the same day, allowing Mac gamers one potential avenue into this gritty city. The "Complete Edition" was handled by Rockstar Leeds (Liberty City Stories), and adds 3D support, includes all the DLC missions, and asks for a lot in terms of recommended specifications. Head past the break for the full rundown.
The Dark Meadow committed to October 6 launch
The Dark Meadow, Phosphor Games Studio's atmospheric first-person iOS title, is ready to uncover the secrets of App Store success on October 6. The Unreal Engine-powered title's teaser trailer caught our eye in August, conjuring iDevice eye-candy the likes of which we'd previously seen in Infinity Blade. The developer has yet to announce a price. Phosphor is also on our radar for Awakened, a superhero themed game that we actually haven't heard much of since it was revealed in January. Justin Corcoran, CEO of Phosphor, told us this afternoon the studio is "still nurturing and incubating" the game internally, and he looks forward to sharing more in the future.
Dota 2 launch moved up to satisfy seething fans
Valve Software has plans to launch Dota 2 in some form much sooner than originally intended. "We're going to take the current version of Dota 2, which has The International set of heroes, and get it out there as fast as we can," project lead Abdul "Icefrog" Ismail said in a Dota 2 blog post. The team had originally planned on "adding new features and slowly growing the number of heroes until we reached a level of parity with Dota 1" before launching the pseudo-sequel, but is moving the launch up in order to satisfy player demand. Regular post-launch updates are still planned. Icefrog additionally notes that the game will remain "invite only" for the time being, though he's hoping to minimize that period. It's still unclear whether Dota 2 will launch as a free-to-play title like competitor League of Legends, but it seems we'll find out much sooner than later.
Uncharted novel arrives on Oct. 4, comic on Nov. 30
Nothing says "high-octane thriller" quite like "novelization." Del Rey books will publish the first Uncharted novelization, titled "Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth," this October. If you're not so much for diving into a full book, a more bite-sized adventure for Nathan Drake arrives in comic book form starting November 30 from DC Comics. Neither work will specifically play into the events of this winter's third Uncharted game for the PlayStation 3, rather seeking to tell side stories in the harrowing life of series protagonist Nathan Drake. It seems that the comic will potentially have Drake heading to a fictional city in the planet's core, while the book sends Drake to ... umm ... New York City. And Egypt and stuff. But, you know, not a city in the center of the planet.
Street Fighter IV coming to Android, exclusive to LG (at first)
In what basically amounts to a 3-hit news shoryuken, LG and Capcom have announced that a mobile version of Street Fighter IV will fight its way onto Google's Android OS sometime in Q4 (Hit 1), and that the title will be exclusive to an upcoming LG smartphone (Hit 2), but only for the first three months (KO!). No pricing or release information has been given beyond the Q4 window, and LG has yet to announce which of its smartphones will receive the title. The press release refers to the manufacturer's "first HD Android smartphone," however, pegging the LU6200 as the prime suspect. No word on whether or not this is a direct port of the iOS version of Street Fighter IV, but the LU6200's slate form factor would easily facilitate the title. Once we know more about Street Fighter IV's system requirements, we'll have a better idea of which phones will be able to run the fighter once the exclusivity agreement has run its course. For now though, all we can do is cross our fingers and think button-y thoughts.
Vita launches in Japan on December 17th [Updated, launch price, pre-order info]
While North American audiences won't be getting their mitts on Sony's sleek new handheld until sometime next year, Japanese audiences don't have much longer to wait. Sony's next system launches in its home territory on December 17th. Pre-orders for Japanese customers are available starting October 15th. Japanese gamers have a few different options when picking up a Vita. For the 3G-equipped model (with service courtesy of Japanese telco DoCoMo), MSRP is ¥29,980 (roughly $389.80 USD). For the Wi-Fi only model, it'll be a more modest ¥24,980, or $324.80 USD. Be sure to check out our liveblog for up-to-the-minute information live from Sony's TGS press conference.
