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DS Daily: Survival horror
We were poring over the new Silent Hill 5 "details" today (more like vague statements from Akira Yamaoka about how awesome it's going to be) and all we really know about it is that it's going to be more like Silent Hill 2 (yay) and it's coming to some consoles that aren't the DS (boo). Our first reaction is to be outraged. We love our system and we love Silent Hill and its atmospheric, psychological horror storytelling.But would we actually love them together? The larger question here extends beyond the boundaries of one foggy town: is the DS an appropriate format for survival horror? We had one outing already in Resident Evil: Deadly Silence, which a very trustworthy source tells us wasn't an entirely successful experiment. Alternately, if the major discussion topic doesn't interest you, we can just talk about Silent Hill and how great it is.
Penumbra: Overture makes its creepy debut
Announced almost a year ago, the first installment in the Penumbra: Overture episodic trilogy has finally been unleashed. The horror adventure title relies on a proprietary physics engine that allows you to pick up and manipulate almost any object. Combat plays a small role in Overture, but you'll spend most of your time tip-toeing around corners and squealing every time you hear a noise. It's a genuinely creepy game.While Penumbra manages to take a fresh approach to the 3D survival genre, the price and the game's length don't quite agree with each other. The first episode will take you less than three hours to complete, and with a price tag of $19.99, it feels a little steep. The game has remarkably high production value for an independent studio, making the cost a little more bearable. Just think of the warm fuzzy feeling you'll get when you support the little guy.
Lost in Blue 2 pre-order bonus
It's probably too late to place a pre-order for Lost in Blue 2 at your local game shop, but you might still be able to get the bonus offer by ordering a copy online. Gamers who were motivated enough to put down a cash advance for the survival sim's sequel will receive a themed stylus and screen wipe. The Lost in Blue 2 stylus is crafted to look like a twig, but we doubt that it'd be useful for actually starting a fire if you happen to get stranded on a deserted island. The tip of the stylus does light up though, so at least you'll have its weak glow to comfort you for a night or two. The tropical screen wipe isn't as useful as a hatchet, but it will keep the sand off of your Nintendo DS. You could probably eat it too, if it came to that.Lost in Blue 2 shipwrecks onto store shelves today, March 20th.[Via Insert Credit]
New Lost in Blue 2 details and screens
There's some updated news on Lost in Blue 2, including gameplay details. Notably, players can choose to navigate the game as either the male or female character, and Jack and Amy each have their own unique skills. Previously, we thought the setup was similar to the original Lost in Blue, with the girl serving as an unplayable character (at least, until you beat it once). Also, the sequel will feature a limited two-player mode via local wireless, in which players can compete in survival mini-games. We're hoping for things like "Outrun the Croc" so we can watch our pals brutally eaten. That's just good, clean fun.Once again, the touch screen and microphone will be a big part of the game, but Konami promises to expand on touchscreen play for a more immersive and interesting experience. Let's hope for less drudgery and more fun.
Japan rescuers to get water jet cutters for debris slicing
While Japan is fairly well equipped to notify citizens of impending doom, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency is taking another step to preparing its rescue forces for anything in times of emergency, and the forthcoming water jet cutter should help slice through debris without the risk of starting a fire in the process. Due to a railway disaster in April of 2005 which forced rescuers to find an alternate way of cutting metal with gasoline sloshed about, the water jet cutters were moved up in priority, and now the powerful streams can output a high-pressure blast of water / sand in order to make a "1.5-centimeter cut through a 2-centimeter-thick steel plate in just a single minute." Of course, the biggest boon here is the device's inability to spark a fire, but the pressure cutter can also be used in instances where flammability isn't an issue, and it has already been demonstrated to local reporters last week. Although we're not sure just how soon these slicers, along with high-powered "blowers" to whisk away harmful fumes, will be put into action, they'll be hitting the fire departments of Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo first.[Via Fark]
Pointy sticks in Lost in Blue sequel
Er, we mean self defense, obviously, via the use of pointy sticks. Jeux France has all sorts of new goodies from the survival-centric Lost in Blue 2, including new screens that show off some of the in game actions, from building a fire to protecting your little lost lambs as they struggle to eke out a place in the wild.Check out the new screens after the jump.
Koban's SP-220E plays music, detects earthquakes
Around his time last year the world received the Mobile Tsunami Detector, however, this Christmas season seems to be all about Earthquakes. For those of us not sporting white lab coats but still hoping to be in the know, there is Koban's "Super Multifunctional Earthquake Detecting Device." One part earthquake detector, many parts survival tool, this waterproof gadget features an LED flashlight, AM/FM radio, multiple phone chargers (Japan specific), and panic siren. It also has a hand-crank for those in a jam who neglectfully forgot to charge it. Though we are a bit skeptical on how it works, it claims to detect a "seismic intensity of 4" -- ironic, considering that people can feel earthquakes as small as magnitude 2. Despite this, it does provide the basic technologies you need in an emergency and is available for 6,648¥ ($56). [Via Crave]
TGS 2006: new Lost in Blue 2 trailer
Ah, the soothing sound of ocean waves, the fragrant smoke from a handmade fire, the abject terror of fending off a crocodile ... somehow, that last doesn't sound too relaxing. This new Lost in Blue 2 trailer captures the essence of the game by blending tranquil shots of scenery with a few surprises, like a spider leaping onto your face. We really could have done without that last one. Time to start sharpening some spears!The new trailer, fresh from the Tokyo Game Show, is embedded after the jump. We hope to pick up a few survival tips ... maybe we can even figure out a way to escape from the dungeon that is the Fanboy office. Can anyone spare some rope?
Ubisoft looks for more female players -- Alive coming to Wii
Ubisoft is shaping up to be one of our favorite companies. Their fresh and innovative view of games and this industry as a whole has impressed us time and time again. Plus, they seem to be female friendly seeing as how their US office was headed by a woman named Christine Burgess-Quémard and they are also the parents of the lovable, kick ass gaming team, the Frag Dolls. Something else Ubisoft is doing to make us like them more is develop awesome Wii games. Rayman Raving Rabbids, Splinter Cell, Far Cry and their newest take on earthquakes and how to survive them -- Alive. Not much has been revealed about Alive and it was only recently confirmed by Yves Guillemot in an interview with International Herald Tribune. Alive doesn't focus so much on shooting as it does on character survival. How this is going to attract more female gamers we aren't certain but it is definitely something to find out. [Via IGN]
Wii first-party titles: new franchises
Here's a brief synopsis of new first-party franchises hitting Wii: Disaster: Day of Crisis (Monolith); survival-action - Natural disasters have devastated the US. A rogue Special Forces unit has taken advantage and stolen a nuclear weapon. As Ray, a former rescue task force badass, you must save the world, or at least, what's left of your country. Disaster will feature scenarios like lava avalanches, earthquakes, and floods. Excite Truck (Monster Games); racing - It's descended from Excitebike, at least conceptually. The game features off-road racing (with trucks). Players hold the Wiimote like an NES controller and steer by titling it from side to side. Once airborne, tilt the controller in the right directions to stick the landing. Power-ups are used to deform the tracks in real time. Project H.A.M.M.E.R. - Killer robots are attacking the US. In order to defeat your heartless foes, you must assume the role of one of Project H.A.M.M.E.R.'s cyborg prototypes and wield the awesome powers of ... a hammer? Swing away! Wii Sports (Nintendo); sports - Includes tennis (1-4 players), baseball (1-2 players), and golf (1 player) -- Nintendo may add additional games. Tennis features power-sensitive forehands, backhands, volleys, lobs, slices, spins and serves (note: players are automatically moved into position to hit the ball). Baseball is simply a home run derby game. In 2-player mode, one player pitches, while the other bats. Golf features both driving and putting. [Via Nintendo fact sheets] See also: Wii first-party titles: old faces
