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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
See the debut trailer for 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
We're not positive (yet), but the more material we see from 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, the more sure we are that it's going to be the best game ever made. Barring that, it's almost sure to be the best one featuring the theft -- and subsequent retrieval -- of a diamond-encrusted skull by a hardcore rapper (except, of course, for Kid Chameleon). Things we love: When Fiddy takes a shotgun blast to the chest without flinching; when Fiddy casts his assault rifle aside to kick a guy in the junk and when Fiddy is assaulted by not just a white guy, but (for the benefit of those of you who are not so much with the symbolism) the whitest guy on the face of the Earth. We're betting that guy's name is White E. Theman, but that's just a guess. Best. Game. Ever.
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.
Highlights from Sierra's Spring Event 2008
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Highlights_from_Sierra_s_Spring_Even_2008'; Over the weekend we got to check out upcoming titles from Sierra care of their 2008 Spring Event. Ghostbusters, Prototype, 50 Cent and more; check out our impressions ... or die tryin'. Joystiq impressions: Ghostbusters (360/PS3/Wii) Joystiq impressions: Prototype (360/PC/PS3) Joystiq impressions: 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (360/PS3) Joystiq impressions: World in Conflict: Soviet Assault controls (360/PS3) Joystiq impressions: Assorted Sierra XBLA games Joystiq impressions: The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (360/PS3/PS2/Wii/DS) Joystiq impressions: Crash Bandicoot: Mind over Mutant (Wii)
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%
Joystiq impressions: The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon (360/PS3/PS2/Wii/DS)
Few games appeal to adults and kids, but The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon could please both audiences. The younger group gets its beloved purple dragon and familiar platforming. The older crowd will like the depth in gameplay; among other changes, Spyro can now fly at any time.After recently seeing a demo of the game, I was most impressed by its style and art; adults will find a lot of nuance here, too. Spyro mixes a lot of brightness and darkness in its style, reminding me of Fantasia or other old-guard Disney animations. Grasses leaned back as the wind raked over them, in a saccharine outdoor scene. But in another moment, sharp, muted stones matched the danger from an attacking monster.Due in Fall, 2008 for 360, PS3, Wii, PS2, and DS, Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon could even interest players who know nothing of the character.%Gallery-21639%
Joystiq impressions: Assorted Sierra XBLA games
Sierra recently showed off its upcoming crop of XBLA games at a media event. While a couple have promise, most could be buried by the quantity or quality of competitors. All are confirmed only for XBLA, but Sierra is considering PSN versions of most. All will be out this Summer.
Joystiq impressions: World in Conflict: Soviet Assault controls (360/PS3)
If you remember World in Conflict from last year, expect more of the same in this fall's World in Conflict: Soviet Assault. If you don't remember it, you might have been washed over by a dozen other great games. The real-time battle strategy takes gamers into an alternate 1989; the Cold War turns into a firefight.Two changes define this update: 360 and PS3 gamers can play, and a new campaign lets you play from the Soviet perspective. PC gamers who have the original can opt for a download-only Soviet expansion, while those new to the title can get a bundled, PC edition. Console gamers will get the full, original game in this version, too.
Joystiq impressions: 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (360/PS3)
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Impressions_50_Cent_Blood_on_the_Sand_360_PS3'; If you buy only one game featuring 50 Cent and G-Unit shooting people in a quest to get back their diamond-encrusted skull this year, make it 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. I'm still overwhelmed by the game's plot, and when 50 Cent is your protagonist, you might as well embellish as much as you can. Go over the top, and then go even higher. 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is a straight-ahead action game. You'll fire all kinds of guns to kill waves of disposable enemies, all trying to stop you from getting back what's rightfully yours. In a recent demo of the title, I felt a little bad for the sheer numbers of enemies you must dispatch; surely, these lowly thugs aren't making diamond-encrusted-skull money. And before I get too far, a clarification: 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is not necessarily set in the Middle East. Lots of places have sand, including Miami Beach, school playgrounds, ant farms, and other non-Middle-Eastern settings. The game is merely set in a fictitious, unnamed country with sand, palm trees, and vaguely Middle-Eastern architecture. %Gallery-21637%
Joystiq impressions: Prototype (360/PC/PS3)
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Hands_on_impressions_with_Prototype_360_PC_PS3'; After a recent demo of Sierra's Prototype, I came away feeling a little less excited for the title than when I started. I'm still anticipating its Fall, 2008 360/PC/PS3 release, assuming it ships on time. I think it could be an exciting third-person action/mystery. But I'm uncertain about if it will become a cohesive experience by then; I saw well-executed elements but I'm not sure if they will combine.And admittedly, Prototype's open-world scope is much too big to take in from a single demonstration. The fast, physical action and control look better than other games, with the player able to change fighting techniques and attacks at any moment. Developer Radical Entertainment didn't spill too much about the story, only repeating that you play an amnesiac with the ability to morph into other peoples' identities.I hope that plot can connect to the action. I think it could, especially because the character gains the memories and abilities of the identities he steals. And while the anti-hero is becoming a cliche, Radical stressed that you're not trying to save Manhattan from its plague of monsters. You're out for yourself, and the story is supposed to explain why.%Gallery-5779%
Joystiq impressions: Ghostbusters (360/PS3/Wii)
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Hands_on_with_the_new_Ghostbusters_game_360_PS3_Wii'; Ghostbusters is one of those nerdy properties that when reissued, will never please all of its fans. Even in a brief demo with a few other writers, questions -- and follow-ups -- circled around "crossing the streams" and even geekier topics. I'm not at that level of spirit-stopping enthusiast, but I'm cautious about the new version, probably because it shows so much promise. I hate to get behind something, especially a beloved property, only to see it crumble. The Ghostbusters animation, graphics, settings, and physics look great. The original cast has reassembled to record for this game. It's even being written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. But the biggest thing I didn't see was that story, and that narrative is an important part of Ghostbusters. We'll find out how well the script and setting hold up with its October, 2008 release. %Gallery-21636%
