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Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant trailer
If there is one thing that this announcement trailer for Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant serves to highlight, it's that there just aren't that many platformers on the Xbox 360. Scratch that, there aren't that many good platformers on the Xbox 360. We're not saying that this new Crash will be good, mind you -- Crash of the Titans didn't exactly set the world on fire -- but we welcome platformers when we can get 'em. Mind Over Mutant looks to introduce new abilities, new creatures to ride, and ... um ... other things we're sure.
Prototype still in skunkworks, delayed until 2009
Sierra and Radical confirmed today that Prototype will continue development until 2009. IGN noticed the game had been given a new date on GameStop.com and followed up with the company for a confirmation. The game was originally expected for late this year, but given our hands-on experience with the title, the delay may be for the best.Considering Prototype is a sandbox game set in Liberty City New York, it's probably best to get as much breathing room between it and the hyper-praised GTA IV. A Sierra spokeperson says the company simply needs more time to "deliver the game the team initially set out to create." Hopefully, Sierra's new overlords at Activision will be understanding of the team's desire.%Gallery-5779%
Want multiplayer in Prototype 2? Buy Prototype 1
When the open world smash-em-up Prototype was first revealed, online multiplayer was one of the most exciting features on the docket. Unfortunately, it was discovered last month that the feature (both online and off) has been removed from the game so the team at Radical Entertainment can focus on the single-player experience. For those who lamented the loss of multiplayer, we have some almost good news. No, it's still not going to be included in Prototype, but Radical Entertainment's Chris Ansell recently told Eurogamer that it could show up in Prototype 2. The catch, of course, is that there has to be a Prototype 2. So, if you really want to see how good Prototype multiplayer can be, you'd best hope it sells enough copies to merit a sequel.
Joystiq checks out Crash Bandicoot
There may be a ridiculous amount of Crash Bandicoot games, but since we enjoyed the last one, we're wearily keeping our eyes on Mind Over Mutant. Announced last weekend at the Sierra Spring Event as having an October 2008 release, our Joystiq overlords got their grubby little hands on the Wii version of the game and offered up some promising impressions.Like Crash of the Titans, Mind Over Mutant offers drop-in co-op play. According to Joystiq, the humor famous to the series remains in tact, and with 8,500 different lines programmed for the characters to say, they hardly (if ever) repeat themselves when shouting random bits of dialogue. While Joystiq acknowledges that this game is targeted toward the younger crowd with its sillyness and bright graphics, it seems like a game that any lover of the platforming genre could enjoy. Gallery: Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant dd
Video: Punching through bodies in Prototype
Even though Radical Entertainment left us with a sour taste in our mouth after cutting our multiplayer hopes from Prototype, we're still optimistic that their team will bring us a memorable (albeit a lonely) gaming experience. Especially after watching the latest gruesomely decapitating Prototype trailer. Embedded above you'll be able to experience faces being punched in, bodies being ripped apart and blood spurting from innocent civilians. It's moments like the ones featured in this trailer that give us optimism and a twisted fascination with Prototype. Enjoy the gore.
See first gameplay videos of Prototype
After our somewhat indecisive take on the game this morning, we thought you might enjoy seeing some of the first gameplay videos from Sierra's open world actioner Prototype. The fantastic animation and fast-paced action are on display here, as is Barry Pepper, much to the delight of both fans of Battlefield Earth. If you still haven't gotten your fill, there's more (Barry Pepper-free) action after the break.We've yet to see if the whole package is really going to gel together, but for a project with this much promise we've certainly got our fingers crossed.
Joystiq impressions: Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant (Wii)
Crash Bandicoot returns for another platforming adventure in October, 2008. The boisterous character again has the power to ride defeated enemies, using their special abilities. For example, before crossing a lake, he might force a frost-breathing creature to freeze it solid. Other times, he might roll on top of a spherical enemy over ramps, like a Sonic or Billy Hatcher.But unlike the previous Crash, players can carry along a favorite enemy at all times. This way, gamers can defeat an immediate puzzle, but still retain the abilities of another, go-to creature.I recently tried Radical's Wii version of the in-development title. The team is building for the Wii first, and essentially scaling the graphics up for the 360 and down for the PS2. This approach gives the Wii title a finished sheen that beats most others Wii games. (Multi-platform games often scale PS2 graphics up to the Wii, but don't truly utilize the hardware.) Crash seemed fun; its bright graphics and light tone should attract its kid-targeted audience.%Gallery-21645%
Prototype website launches with DNA surprises
Sierra just sent word that they've launched the official Prototype website and hidden among all the flashy flash are new screenshots, videos and prequel bits for you to enjoy. But if you're interested in seeing the exclusive media, you'll have to work for it, because it's locked within the DNA. The DNA menu is a puzzle of sorts where you have to correctly switch DNA pairs to discover special media. For some, it may end up being a little too much work to handle, but for others, any new Prototype media or information is worth the effort. Heck, you may even discover that the game's multiplayer and co-op has been re-integrated. Don't hold your breath though.
Prototype screens showcase awesome brutality
The X3F Army has spoken and they've come to the conclusion that they don't know what to think about Prototype. On one hand the game is a perfect blend of realistic brutality coupled with Crackdown style gameplay (Or, Hulk: Ultimate Destruction which was made by the same team). On the other hand Prototype updates have been so mysterious and spread so thinly the game continuously falls off and on our radar. Sierra sent 8 new screenshots of the Radical Entertainment title that, much like previous shots, showcase the brutality and options gamers will have in combat. Looking more polished, and less grainy than previous screens, the game at least perks us up when we catch a new glimpse of it. With a solid team and (mostly) stellar back catalog behind the dev team, Prototype could be a sleeper hit when it releases later this year.%Gallery-16382%
Prototype, four fresh screens
GDC '08 is in full swing and hot off the heels of day one are four new images from the upcoming Xbox 360, PS3 and PC title Prototype. Haven't heard of Prototype? It's that game that looks like a cross between Assassin's Creed's Parkour-style movement and X-Men's Mystique on a really bad day. In the third-person action title from Radical Entertainment, gamers control Alex Mercer - a genetically mutated shape-shifter who has a serious case of the "Who am I's" and "Who do I kill to find out's?" Looks slick so far kids.%Gallery-16382%
Video: First Prototype gameplay footage
Last night on G4's X-play, Morgan Webb got the chance to talk with Radical Entertainment and get a first look at a hands-on game demo of a little game called Prototype. And knock us off the sofa with a softball bat, this game has potential.The six minute gameplay preview showcases a 20% complete build of Prototype where they highlight the main character's morphing abilities, the crazy about of mayhem that goes on at any given moment and some serious body dismemberment. All of our previous hopes and interests pertaining to Prototype have been further solidified after watching this hands on demo as we can truly say this game has a lot going for it. Destruction on a mass scale, super human abilities, visceral moments and a little thing called online co-op makes us giddy with anticipation. Watch the embedded hands-on demo above and check out the teaser demo after the break featuring some crazy helicopter hijacking. Just think ... the build you are watching is only 20% complete!
Another rumor regarding Blizzard's love affair with consoles
Here we go again, another rumor that World of Warcraft is going to appear on a "next-gen" console near you. This is one of those rumors that have been brought up time and time again. This little buzzing rumor is like that one annoying fly you can't seem to kill for good. What brought it up this time was a comment made by Chris Ansell, Director of Product Globalisation for Radical Entertainment and came through the website Gameplayer.Radical was recently giving a presentation on their upcoming title Prototype. After demonstrating the game's online co-operative features Chris was asked by Gameplayer if these features would even be available for off-line play. In short the answer was no, their focus is apparently online feature-specific and different types of new play in the online space. The quote responsible for the new rumor is this:"...we have to make sure we support it. Because next-gen consoles demand it. We have to be online. Obviously it's gonna get more and more like what WoW are doing, with thousands of players on consoles, eventually. Which is pretty exciting. I can't wait for that. It'll be pretty fun."All right, so someone could assume this means a version of WoW on consoles, except that Blizzard has denied this repeatedly. Even with this very new rumor, Vivendi Australia quickly contacted Gameplayer to inform them that the comment only meant the future of next-gen game development and how multiplayer was an ever-increasing aspect of it. What we think this means is that it's not WoW that we can expect to show up on consoles, but whatever Blizzard is working on beyond Starcraft II. Hm, now there's something to speculate about -- World of (insert favorite IP here) coming to a PS3 and Xbox 360 near you?
Today's Summer hype video: Prototype
The marketing machine is beginning to crank out information advertising advermation about this Summer's Prototype. This heavily produced video pulls off the "casual chat with developers" look well. But underneath that grimy, "don't think of this as advertising, we're just friends here" exterior, the sandbox-action game actually looks good. We feel dirty for liking it, but hopefully that's the game convincing us, not the video production. Watch the video after the break, or obey its full HD glory at Gametrailers.
Video: Prototype, destruction and hijacked copters
The Australian crew over at IGN sat down with Radical Entertainment to discuss all things Prototype and after all said, this game is sounding hot.In the developer diary video above, you'll hear Radical talk about everything Prototype, the story and how the gameplay will work as they give you a glimpse inside their developer heads. The easiest way for us to explain the game is that it is a blend between Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (which they also created) and Crackdown blended with the gore of a game like Condemned. They don't supply us with much in-game footage, but hearing talk about morphing our arms into red spears, mutilating the military forces, hijacking helicopters, bull-rushing Times Square and taking on the Black Watch head on simply makes us drool uncontrollably. Read IGN's preview after the jump, watch the video above and we think you'll agree that Prototype is one to watch in 2008.
Reinvented Crash Bandicoot coming to PSP
The original Crash Bandicoot may already be playable on our system, but the first real PSP entry in the series is still on its way. Set to be another reinvention of the series, this new game will be titled Crash of the Titans. The main new feature of the game has Crash hijacking the minds of enemies. He'll also have expanded combat moves, and the game will have multiplayer elements. Radical Entertainment is helming this series reboot, which may be good,since they have a history of making enjoyable licensed games (Scarface, Hulk). Maybe this Crash will be worth getting excited over. Any long time Crash fans looking forward to this entry? [Via Games Radar]
More Crash screens than you could ever need
Well, these new Crash of the Titans screens did make us giggle, so we have a little hope for this forthcoming Wii title. The flood of screens didn't hurt, either. We've tucked several away after the jump for your viewing pleasure. How's it look? Besides, of course, the funny.
Scarface bound for Wii
Just so you know, it took every ounce of energy to resist the obvious headline, "Say hello to my Wii friend." The implication of such an unfortunately predictable line of text would be that Vivendi's Scarface is being ported to the Nintendo Wii. The latest issue of British magazine, Ngamer, subtly revealed the news by placing Tony Montana on the cover and asking, "Is this the closest thing to Grand Theft Auto on Wii?" As you might expect, the Wii version features point-and-shoot Wiimote controls, along with motion-sensitive (and delightfully limb-severing) chainsaw waving. Coupled with The Godfather's love for violent flailing, it seems the Wii is truly living up to its family console image. It's about time somebody put the "laughter" back into "manslaughter." [Thanks Ross.]
Metareview - Scarface: The World is Yours
It's been over twenty years since Al Pacino, Oliver Stone, and Brian DePalma gave us one of Hollywood's classic crime lords (and set the benchmark for f-bomb usage in a film). Given Rockstar's success with Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, it's not surprising that someone decided to cash in on the original coked out vision of 80s Miami. Enter Sierra and Radical Entertainment's Scarface: The World is Yours, an extension of the movie that finds Tony Montana very much alive and out for revenge on the cock-a-roaches who destroyed his drug empire. Reviews suggest that the amount of enjoyment you get out of this game will depend on your patience with its mission structure. Tony doesn't break his balls for anyone, but some of the side missions in Scarface just might break yours. IGN (87/100) thought Tony's rage mode was the balls: "By performing a number of 'ballsy' moves, you'll fill the Balls meter. Targeting certain body parts (kidney, head, arms, groin, etc.) will earn you Balls, and taunting someone after you kill them will earn you even more. It's a great system that works almost flawlessly." Game Informer (85/100) felt immersed in the power struggles of a drug kingpin: "Unlike Grand Theft Auto, in which you're frequently at the mercy of powers much greater than yourself, Scarface allows you to blaze your own path to greatness. The epic scope and the sheer amount of money at stake give Scarface a sense of urgency that few games in this genre have achieved." GameSpot (64/100) was looking for more freedom of movement: "The developers accomplished the task of bringing Tony Montana back to life. But by taking the focus off of the gameplay elements that you'd want in an open-city game and putting it more on the game's bland mission design and all the dull side tasks you'll have to do to earn a reputation, Scarface doesn't play to its potential strengths."
Scarface joins next-gen cancellation list
It's hard out there for a gangsta. After the Sopranos just got the next-gen axe, Scarface follows suit and blows up plans for an Xbox 360 release. According to GameSpot, Vivendi has just announced that any chance for a 360 release is dunzo, but to make up for it, a PSP iteration of the game will come out this fall. While it's true the developers have been very mum on the next-gen version (in fact when we played the game not too long ago, they had told us there wouldn't be one), it was announced back in 2005 that it was considered. Well now it's official, no next-gen version. What's going on here people? Are we really starting to see the effects of large budgets for next-gen games exploding in developer's faces? Somewhere, a Nintendo exec is laughing.
Joystiq hands-on: Scarface not so meh
Going into today's meeting with Vivendi, my expectations on what Scarface -- which ships either in September or October for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC -- would be like were pretty low. I knew the basics of the game and had seen a trailer here and there, but assumed it would be just another paltry Grand Theft Auto clone/crappy movie license game. Lucky for Mr. Tony Montana, I was dead wrong. Still in its pre-beta form, but light years away from what it looked like at E3, the game is actually progressing nicely with solid controls and other elements to make any Scarface fan weep at the sight of its unbridled violence. Since most open-world third-person games claim to be different or improve upon the GTA formula, Scarface actually backs up its similar claim with a mix of what worked for GTA and betters what didn't. Check after the break for the full breakdown on a game that is surprisingly not as awful as you might expect.
