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Gearing up for Guild Wars 2
It's been a long time since we've heard any news about Guild Wars 2, so we thought it was about time to sit down and have a refresher course on what we can expect with the sequel to one of the most successful MMOs of all time. We are going to only give you the facts, and not follow any vicious rumors floating around, to give you a good idea of what to expect with Guild Wars 2, and fire up that old rusty enthusiasm for what could be a major contender in the MMO space when it releases.As we stand now, we know that the latest Guild Wars expansion pack entitled Eye of the North is to act as a liaison between Guild Wars 1 and Guild Wars 2. This is mainly done through the Hall of Monuments, which we will discuss in greater detail later in the article. EotN also introduces us to a few more playable races in the form of Heroes: Charr, Asura, Norn and (eventually, although not a Hero) Sylvari. Through these basic introductions, and the intricate storyline of EotN, we now venture into what we know is coming with Guild Wars 2.
Target Terror targets a sequel
There are only two ways to think of Target Terror: bad, or awesomely bad. The game is so ridiculous that it's in the same vein as the cheesiest of low-budget movies. It may surprise you, then, that the inspiration for Target Terror came from something as serious as the events of 9/11. Eugene Jarvis, the head of Raw Thrills, recently told MTV Multiplayer, "I think video games spend too much time in fantasy realms of little relevance to life today. The 9/11 story is so rich in action, destruction, death, heroism, megalomania, patriotism and paranoia that it begs for a video game to be made. What red-blooded American would not want to turn back time and heroically change history?"You may be even more surprised, however, to learn that there's a sequel on the way. Jarvis promises a more fleshed out storyline, oddly enough (that doesn't seem like something that Target Terror fans would be concerned about). The game will stay true to its fanbase, though, as players can still shoot terrorists and enemies in the nuts.
Naruto: Clash of the sequel
Tomy continues to dish out Naruto games faster than you can blink, this time promising a Clash of Ninja Revolution sequel for the Wii. Although the odds of a sequel were likely, news of the game was recently confirmed in the latest issue of Shonen Jump. Developer 8ing promises that the fighting game will have even more characters than before, including Choji and Kiba. Is there anyone else that you Naruto fans are hoping will make an appearance?Shonen Jump also reports that there will be destructible and explosive objects added in to make the fights more interesting, as seen in Naruto Shippuuden: Gekitou Ninja Taisen EX2. Furthermore, the westernized version will have exclusive story elements and environments not seen in the Japanese game.The only other news we have on Clash 2 for now is that it will support multiple control schemes, including the GameCube and Classic controllers.[Via Siliconera]
Wii Warm Up: Hurry up with that sequel
There's been a lot of talk lately about sequels maybe, possibly being in development, that might be coming to the Wii. (Yes, there's a lot of uncertainty.) Such talk is both exciting and depressing at the same time, as we hate to get our hopes up.Which sequel would you want to see the most on the Wii over any other sequel, though? Skies of Arcadia 2? Beyond Good and Evil 2? Eternal Darkness 2? Something else?
LostWinds sequel plans already aloft
Frontier Developments' LostWinds seems to be one of the standout WiiWare titles, judging from the discussion around the site (and in the comments for other WiiWare game reviews). We're glad you like it, and, we assume, so is Frontier Developments, because otherwise they stand to lose a bunch of money. Their website features a link that allows visitors to "REGISTER FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION on Frontier's forthcoming LostWinds sequel containing amazing new gameplay as Toku and Enril's incredible adventure to save Mistralis continues." That doesn't really leave much room for misunderstanding, does it? The sequel's on the way. No hinting, no teasers, just "Hey, guys, we're making another one." Having a quickly-announced sequel makes it seem like an episodic title, doesn't it? We guess there isn't really that much difference between an episodic game and a game with really quick sequels. %Gallery-16505%
Valve's Lombardi: No Portal 2 in 2008
We're making a note here: huge disappointment -- since Kim Swift's February interview with X-Play, where she mentioned the existence of a Portal 2 project, we've been salivating at the thought of the continued adventures of Chell, GlaDOS, WC³, and the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device. Unfortunately, it seems we'll be wearing our spit guards for quite some time -- according to a recent Eurogamer interview with Valve's Doug Lombardi, any sort of continuation of the beloved franchise will not be hitting store shelves this year.Lombardi expressed Valve's desire to create an equally "revolutionary" successor to the lightning-in-a-bottle first person puzzler, rather than cash in on the franchise at the height of its popularity with a quick and dirty sequel. Oh, Lomby, can't we have both? We're all about instant gratification -- especially gratification involving cake, and a particular silent, springheeled heroine.
Trauma Center: Under our Studied Gaze
Trauma Center did a swear!It's common knowledge that Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2's setting and storyline is to involve disease, civil war, and refugees, but now swearing has been added to this gritty mix. Shocking! We'd expect disease in a game about making people feel better, but we hope that Atlus' game doesn't start taking itself too seriously. For this blogger, the otherwise excellent Advance Wars: Days of Ruin was a little too dark for its own good, and yours truly missed some of the inherent silliness of previous games. Here's hoping Trauma Center 2 retains its sense of humor.On the other hand, we appreciate that some of you couldn't give two hoots about the story. Regardless, make a careful incision and enter the gallery below for six new shots.%Gallery-20065%[Via press release]
Rumor: The Darkness sequel looking likely after NY Comic Con panel
Like rummaging through celebrity trash for the latest gossip, it often makes us chuckle as to where new video game news emerges, something only reinforced by last weekend's New York Comic Con. Buried beneath action figures, cosplayers, and that Super Girl Barbie we absolutely must have, came word of an upcoming sequel to last year's comic-inspired FPS The Darkness.The news was unleashed during a discussion panel with American comic company and The Darkness publisher TOP COW, during which (according to comic blog The Quarter Bin) it was said: "We can't say Darkness and video game sequel in the same sentence. So, Darkness. Wink. Sequel." While hardly an absolute confirmation, the news is enough to make our stomach rumble with a hunger that only hearts will quell.[Via WorthPlaying]
DS Daily: Dream sequels
We were sitting around, checking out our library of DS games, when we started thinking about titles that deserved a sequel, yet probably never would receive one. Take, for example, Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble. Sure, the game isn't going to win any awards, but it was something fun we enjoyed and, come on, it's Viewtiful Joe. We'll play anything starring that guy. What about you all? Are their any DS games that probably won't get the sequel treatment that you wish would?
Rumor: Konami turns over Elebits sequel
According to Cubed3, the latest issue of Official Nintendo Magazine UK brings word that a new Elebits game is on the way. We're going to call it a rumor until we see either the magazine or official notice from Konami, but we feel that it's probably okay to get a little excited. Elebits was a highlight of the early Wii lineup, one of the few games of 2006 not to have terrible motion controls. We can't wait to see what kinds of interactions a wiser Konami will be able to simulate. That house is trashed -- and also we'll find some creatures or whatever.
Old familiar faces appear in Trauma Center sequel
It's only been a week since the news of Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 broke, and already we're awash in news of the upcoming title. We're not complaining, either; the original is the game you love to hate and hate to love, thanks to the fantastic concept and brutalizing gameplay. The screenshots (found in our gallery), aren't the best news of the day, however -- the real kicker is that we'll see Under the Knife 2 in July. July 1, to be exact, and yes, that's before it's due in Japan. Rejoice!%Gallery-20065%[Via press release]
Atlus bringing Trauma Center 2 for DS stateside before Japan
Atlus this afternoon announced plans to bring Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 stateside, giving us plenty to keep busy amidst reruns of Scrubs and E.R. when the game ships for the Nintendo DS this summer. Atlus confirmed that the sequel, which follows the 2005 release that made us all believe that we could cure cancer with a flick of the wrist, will make it to retail on July 1, offering new modes and operations for armchair surgeons. But wait, isn't that a full month before the game will be released in Japan? Has the world gone topsy-turvy? We touched based with Atlus and learned that this is indeed the case -- not that the world had gone into a tailspin, but rather that we can expect to stitch up wounds vicariously through Derek and Angie before our friends overseas. The official we spoke to also noted that while the team struggled with a number of titles for the sequel "there really was no other more fitting thing to call the game than Under the Knife 2." Honestly, they can call it anything they want, just get it in our hands STAT!%Gallery-20025%
Dreamlords sequel enters closed beta
Dreamlord's highly anticipated sequel The Reawakening has now entered the closed beta stage. What does this mean for us? It means the game is closer to release, of course! Initially the beta test will be open exclusively to the registered users of FilePlanet, but will be made public later next week.If you're not familiar with Dreamlords: The Reawakening, you may be pleasantly surprised by a few of it's features. The game will not only be free to play, but will also offer upgrades, items and gear that will boost your Dreamlord (for money). The best feature of all? There will be a simplified rule system! Yay! It just wouldn't be a current MMO if it didn't have simplified rules. Sigh.%Gallery-20017%
First Trauma Center 2 trailer quickens the pulse
The breakneck speed of the first trailer for Trauma Center 2 is, frankly, all a bit bewildering. As we blog from our La Z Boys, margarita in one hand and our masseuses kneading our shoulders, we can't help but wonder: is watching this as downright stressful and frenetic as day-to-day life in a real trauma center?Well, uh, probably not, but it sure is exciting. The pace of it does mean that it's a little tricky to pick up on footage of gameplay, but what's there is comfortingly familiar, and there are old faces (under their Japanese names) and new faces (including Adel Tulba, who we learned more about recently) alike. No sign of the "improved functionality" of the instruments that has been promised by Atlus, but there's plenty of time for that yet. We need a breather.
Trauma Center 2 has a storyline
Yeah, we know that all the other ones did too, but all we ever remember of the story for any Trauma Center game is "surgery happens." Some guys perform surgery on some other people, because they are sick or injured. Trauma Center 2 is no exception: Atlus has gone to the trouble of crafting a narrative for the surgery game, and we guarantee it'll stick in our minds as "a guy gets glass in his leg for some reason." This latest entry takes place in a refugee camp in an African country called Costiga, where a civil war and an outbreak of disease have led to an overload of patients and a shortage of doctors. Derek Stiles and his nurse Angie Thompson are in the area doing research, and are contacted by a young surgeon named, uh, Adel Chilba (or something like that) to help. Or at least that's how we understand it based on the translation. The point is (and remains): surgery happens.
Nintendo sends out most self-congratulatory poll ever
Nintendo sent a survey out to registered owners of Super Smash Bros. Brawl asking "Assuming a reasonable price, how likely are you to purchase a sequel to Super Smash Bros. Brawl or ask for it as a gift?" Was Nintendo just looking for an ego boost? Or are they worried about some backlash? Maybe they just want some numbers that they can use to convince Masahiro Sakurai to make another Smash Bros. game.We're going to go out on a limb here, but if there's anyone in the world interested in another Smash Bros. sequel, it's the people who not only purchased the last game, but spent time entering the product code into Nintendo's website for no reason.[Via GoNintendo]
DS Daily: Return to Hope Hospital
Good old Trauma Center. Preposterous storyline, not even remotely medically accurate, and a difficulty curve with all the consistency of lumpy custard. But hey, despite its flaws, we quickly fell in love with Atlus' unconventional surgical sim. It was one of the very first DS titles to really use the touchscreen convincingly, and the execution was, on the whole, superb.And now -- rejoice! -- there's a sequel planned, complete with improved surgical tools and a lower difficulty level for scalpel jocks like us. That's all well and good, but is there anything that you'd like to see done differently in Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2?
Trauma Center 2 scan suggests August release for Japan
Trauma Center, in case you hadn't already heard, is making a return to Nintendo's handheld to make ham-fisted would-be surgeons feel inadequate all over again, and Famitsu has just delivered an array of details and shots of the new game.According to this, we'll be getting a sprinkling of old and new characters, a slightly more Wii-like user interface, and a number of operations that will be familiar with us all, including the really cringeworthy ones where you have to yank excruciatingly long shards of glass from your patients (well, they made us cringe, anyway).Perhaps the most interesting tidbit to take from this scan, however, is the mention of a Japanese release date -- it's a little hard to make out, but the magazine seems to suggest the game will be released there on August 7th. That's by no means an official date, obviously, but if true it means we could be seeing a western release in 2008.
Dr. Stiles returns to the DS for Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2
The Nintendo Power news just keeps on coming in! If you're not already a subscriber, we very much suggest you pick up a copy of this month's issue when you can -- it's packed with exclusive announcements and screenshots. Almost three years since Under the Knife captured the hearts of wannabe surgeons on the DS, Trauma Center is finally coming back to the handheld after a remake and an indirect sequel on the Wii. Dr. Stiles stars in the game, once again, and is joined by Nurse Angie Thompson as they deal with the effects and "unanswered mysteries" left by the defeated GUILT Virus.Developer and publisher Atlus didn't reveal any new surgical instruments for this direct DS sequel, titled Under the Knife 2, but it did state that the old tools will have "improved functionality. Addressing difficulty complaints many often cited with the original game, Atlus has also included a mode for those of you with unsteady hands and frail nerves. Expect to hear a lot more about Under the Knife 2 from us before it hits stores this summer.
Two Worlds: The Temptation dated for fall, now called a sequel
It appears as if SouthPeak and developer Reality Pump have big plans for Two Worlds: The Temptation, as the previously announced release has been upgraded from mere expansion to full-on sequel status, with the game expected to ship to retail this fall for both the PC and Xbox 360. The Temptation will pick up following the events in the first game, a title mind you that was almost universally derided when it was released in 2007.While SouthPeak remains mum on many of the sequel's specifics, the company notes that The Temptation will pack in "as much content as the original," as well as a new graphics engine, improved voice overs and "more intricate" missions. The publisher also describes the sequel's combat as "revamped," a fancy term that we hope translates to "not horribly broken."%Gallery-18838%
