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Sneak Peek at GRAW DLC [update 1]
Xboxyde has scored a handful of screenshots from the upcoming GRAW XBL content. The screens feature some of the new co-op campaign maps as well as some new equipment. The content will be released later this month and features "12 additional maps designed for Live multiplayer play, four new missions that extend the co-op campaign through Nicaragua, new game types (Team Blind Siege and Team Battle), more camouflage customisation options and five new weapons." Xboxyde also mentions that they are accepting questions for an upcoming interview with the GRAW team. If you have any burning questions for the team, you may submit them in the Xboxyde forum. If anything else is burning, I'd suggest you see a doctor. If -- on the other hand -- you'd like to see more screens, click the read link below. [update: removed (sic) from 'customisation' on account of it being the Queen's English.]
New Raid Over the River info, screens
Polish top-down shooter news now, with developer Nibris updating their website with information regarding Raid Over the River, a game we last heard about just over 6 months ago. In case your memory doesn't reach that far back, the official website can eloquently remind you of the genre the game finds itself in. "A representative of the 'flying shooter' plays this and he is seen from a vertical projection." The vertically projected atmosphere is trumpeted as the winning difference between Raid Over the River and other shooters, though our attention was more drawn to the fact that in one of the game's three time periods, your futuristic aircraft is switched out for a rather disagreeable dragon. Bolstered by the presence of a winged beast, it shouldn't take Nibris too long to get hold of a publisher (or the English language). In the meantime, have a look at the first colorful batch of screenshots. [Thanks Nushio and Cringer8]Read - Official site (click on Projects, then Raid Over the River)Read - First DS screenshots
Star Fox DS now 'Star Fox Command'
Nintendo looks like it's finally ready to shed the obligatory 'DS' titling format used for its first-party franchise line* by renaming Star Fox DS to Star Fox Command. While the official website reflects the new naming, the game's logo has not yet been updated. Star Fox Command is scheduled for release on August 28.*Includes: Mario Kart DS, Super Mario 64 DS, and Tetris DS.
Hitman: Blood Money demo hits XBL
Set to ship next week, the demo for Eidos' latest Hitman title, Blood Money, has hit the Xbox Live Marketplace. Stop everything you're doing on your 360 and give it some time to download the 783Mb demo. Can't wait until that active downloads functionality starts working fo' real. Our sources are whispering any day now.
Quake II X goes Universal
Thanks to an independent developer, Quake II has perhaps become the oldest game to have been updated as a Universal Binary on Mac OS X. In order to use this software to play Quake II, you will still need a full copy of the game to grab some of the core game files, and I think the full source from id Software themselves (scroll down about two thirds of the way) might do the trick. While the source code there is listed as a PC version, I think the core game files you need to use this UB enabler for Mac OS X will work just fine. If anyone else knows better, feel free to sound off and list a link, if you could be so kind.Either way, it sounds like setting up this software is pretty simple, and in no time you too could be fragging aliens circa 1997!
Xbox 360 impressions: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
Capcom's third-person Xbox 360 shooter shares many qualities with the brilliant Resident Evil 4, most notably in its emphasis on survival. The planet you find yourself on is unbelievably harsh, with thick banks of snow, blizzards and freakish monsters attempting to foil your progress at every turn. That's why you're equipped with up to three big and satisfying guns (with more mysteriously littering the icy wastelands) and a suit that keeps you nice and warm. Unfortuately, the suit requires an orange substance called T-Eng to maintain your body temperature and it is continuously exhausted as you traipse about in the cold environment. It's awfully convenient then, that the vicious creatures so fond of attacking you release this substance upon their death. Kill to stay alive.
PC impressions: Battlefield 2142
Any FPS gamer on the PC knows that Battlefield has a reputation. In this latest title, Battlefield 2142 tries to build upon that reputation and set itself apart as a wide-scale futuristic title focusing on team play.
Hands on with Killzone Liberation
There's a strong argument that the PSP needs more games like Killzone Liberation. It doesn't feel like a forced experience similar to certain titles that seem to flare up on the portable console. The top-down view works perfectly and the game mechanics don't choke when things get hasty on the buttons.
Hands on with Huxley
Webzen's upcoming MMOFPS Huxley, to be released on both Xbox 360 and PC, combines both fast-paced shooter action with massively multiplayer gameplay. It's essentially a FPS with levels and questing added -- the gameplay is very much the fast, in-your-face style seen in Quake 4 and Painkiller. However, it allows for tactical play too, with territorial defence missions.The game felt more like a standard FPS multiplayer match with a larger number of players than usual than an MMO. It plays like a FPS -- no skill buttons or floating exclamation marks. The game's setting is a fairly standard post-apocalyptic nuclear-mutation scenario. The 360 version will feature a single-player component as well as the massively-multiplayer part, though Webzen are working on the inevitable issue of keyboard-and-mouse versus controller balancing.
Quake 4 Universal Binary shipping
Quake 4, a game that could literally destroy my productivity in one swooping install, is now shipping as a Universal Binary for Mac OS X. Getting back to its first-person storyline roots, this latest installment picks up after the events of Quake 2, in which you are part of an elite marine force whose mission is to stop an Earth invasion and blow a ton of stuff up. Check out Aspyr Media's Quake 4 product page for more storyline details and system specs, as a PowerPC G4/G5 at 1.67 is required (which we've mentioned before), but they recommend a G5 or Intel-based Mac.Quake 4 is priced at $49.99 and is available from Amazon.[via Macworld]
Hitman: Blood Money gets a ship date
Xbox 360 owners got a real treat not too long ago when we found out Hitman: Blood Money will not only be making it to the current-gen consoles but the 360 as well. Today Eidos has come out and said that May 26th is the day in which our infamous cleaner makes his debut on next-gen territory. So with this title coming out on PC, PS2 and Xbox, most gamers want to know whether or not the 360 version will be just a fancy port or provide a little something more. We know how some ported titles don't exactly live up to the next-gen hype (*cough* GUN *cough*). It'd be a crying shame to see this happen to the Hitman series. Here's hoping we don't see an easy cop-out from IO Interactive.
GRAWsome! Ghost Recon: AW demo in the wild
Sure, the Battlefield 2 demo was nice, but this is the big one, the one we are were all waiting for! The demo for Ghost Recon: Advanced Warrior has finally been released! It was a long time coming, we were teased by reviews, sold out signs, and demo false alarms, but it's all over now. If you haven't picked this up already (all three of you) then get downloading and let us know how it stacks up to the effusive praise. Read all of our GR:AW coverage here.
Metareview - G.R.A.W. (Xbox)
We thought we'd drop in on Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for the Xbox and see how the 360 version's bastard little brother is being received by critics. Turns out, it ain't pretty. Somewhere along the line, the port from next-gen to current-gen lost the "Advanced" concept, making GRAW the first real reason to upgrade. Team Xbox (69/100) - "The "advanced warfighter" concept is a good one, but it is one that is truly fit for the next generation of consoles." Cheat Code Central (62/100) - "It's almost as though this game was made poorly on purpose so that the superiority of 360 would be felt like a kick to the head with a spiked boot." GameSpot (59/100) - "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for the Xbox continues the disturbing trend of releasing games on different platforms that have the same name but offer vastly different gaming experiences." [Compare to: GRAW (Xbox 360)]
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter - the fastest selling UK Xbox 360 title
The worldwide release of Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter last Friday has done wonders for the game in the UK market. Entering the chart at number 2 (second only to a multiplatform FIFA release: FIFA Street 2), the Xbox 360 exclusive title is now officially the fastest selling Xbox 360 title in the UK. This is a testament to the value of simultaneous worldwide releases if they're done right (ie: no shortages thank you very much). Other interesting tidbits from this week's UK games chart: The Xbox 360 version of Fight Night: Round 3 outsold the PS2 version by a factor of 2:1 -- evidence that high def sweat, blood and tears really does sell games. Seven out of the top ten games were EA published titles. Alongside GRAW, there were two new entries: Lemmings on the PSP (No.12) and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max (No.22) Will Ghost Recon be able to take the number one spot next week with the release of the original Xbox version, or will the release of 24: The Game, Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360, and Commandos Strike Force mess it all up for Ubisoft? [Thanks, JamesO]
In depth: Raid Over the River
NIBRIS has been so kind as to provide an extensive array of pictures and content of the most delicious sort in regards to their upcoming Revolution title Raid Over the River. The lucky recipients over at Revolution Report have up an extensive 4 page first look into the title. "The main character of the game is a 40 year-old veteran of the "Sand Storm" operation, named David McBride. He discovers, by pure coincidence, the plans of the "Molayarius" sect which wants to summon a demon by the name of "Bafomet" into existence. By co-operating with one of the members of the sect (who continuously sabotages their actions), David strives to halt Molayarius' plans." The article also goes on to provide overviews of not only the other characters who'll be in the game and the two main organizations, The Molayar and Order of the Nine, who represent the evil and good respectively. This war between the two takes place throughout several different time periods including World War II (yawn), the year 2024, and the time of Antiquity where Ramzes the 2nd reigned. Also, the piece goes into some details regarding every mission in the game, so those who would not wish to have it spoiled for them might want to stop reading at page 2.
Ghost Recon: AW demo headed for the XBLM
According to the official blog for Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (that's GRAW to you soldier) a playable demo will be coming to the Xbox Live Marketplace (and that's XBLM). When asked, in a Q&A posted yesterday, if there would be a demo coming to the XBLM they responded, "Yes there is, we are putting something special together as we speak which will be out soon." When is soon? [Thanks, Ludwig]
Got any questions you'd want to ask Lorne Lanning?
Oddworld creator Lorne Lanning will be speaking at the meeting for the Chicago chapter of the IGDA (that is, the International Game Developers Association) on the evening of Tuesday, August 23rd (tomorrow night). He will be giving a multimedia presentation called "In a Wal-Mart world, Creative is a dirty word" concerning "the creative process, sources of inspiration, how Yoda saved his life, why the label of 'Creative' has become a liability, how game engines will change film making forever, ...why owning your own brand can be a handicap in today's marketplace, and how digital distribution is the great hope for creatives as we continue heading deeper into a brave new world of media." I will also be there, blogging the event. (If you were hoping to go, you may be sorry to learn that reservations were made for attendants well in advance. Sorry!) What this post is for, however, is to make a small request for question suggestions. I could read as many past interviews as I want, but that wouldn't give me as much insight into the machinima and digital distribution issues that I'd surely get from our dear Joystiq readers. If possible, I hope to ask Lorne a few questions (during the likely Question & Answer session if necessary), but nothing's set in stone. (The current Oddworld web site is a bit bereft of proper contact information right now, so if anyone can get me in touch with Mr. Lanning directly, I'd certainly appreciate it.) At any rate, a concise report should be up by Wednesday morning, with or without interview. Wish me luck! Update: Moving the report back to Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Hopefully I'll have a good picture for you then! And, yes, I did get to ask Lorne a few of your questions. Should be fun.
Oddworld no more
Steve walks warily down the street, with his brim pulled way down low... Yep, another developer is no more. Though this time it's their own decision. In short, Lorne Lanning has seen where games are headed, said "No thanks!", and left for other pastures. Hollywood Reporter (?!) has a good interview with Lanning about his decision. Buh-bye, Oddworld. At least in games.
Oddworld keeps getting odder
Oddworld started off as a light-hearted world. Sure, it had a dark side of farts and spitting green slime, but for the most part it was a hopeful place. But that environment shifted to the dark side with the surprisingly good Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath (average of 88% on GameRankings). It was a first person shooter that sprinted away from the platformer-feel of the original. Now comes word from IGN that the next installment will go even darker. You'll play a shepherd named Fangus who is slowly being driven mad by rabies. You have to save your herd from invading aliens while you still have your head on straight. It may be a departure for fans of the series, but if you consider the developer's track record there's probably no need to worry. [thanks Fady]
Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath Reviews
The reviews are still pouring in, and while not as strong (on average) as yesterday, the numbers are sill impressive: Team Xbox - '91' IGN - '88' GameSpot - '85' 1Up - '80'
