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The Game Atelier unveils Monster World successor Flying Hamster 2
French indie studio The Game Atelier has pulled back the curtain on Flying Hamster 2, a side-scrolling action-RPG that bills itself as a spiritual successor to Sega's Monster World series. Modeled specifically after the 8-bit Monster World series entry Wonder Boy 3: The Dragon's Trap, Flying Hamster 2 allows players to transform into animals that each boast their own unique powers and abilities. The Dragon's Trap was a progenitor of the exploration-based gameplay style that would later define Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, challenging players to discover new traversal abilities before they could progress through its storyline. Flying Hamster 2 will follow a similar structure. The Game Atelier seeks $150,000 to fund a PC version of Flying Hamster 2. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions will be developed if the team's Kickstarter project meets its stretch goal of $350,000. [Video: The Game Atelier]
Flying Hamster brings Parodius-style shooting to PS Vita next week
SunFlowers developer The Game Atelier announced that its arcade-style "cute-'em-up" Flying Hamster HD is coming to the PlayStation Vita in North America on June 11. Inspired by Konami's Parodius series, Flying Hamster HD is a horizontally scrolling shooter in which players battle squadrons of heavily harmed penguins, milk-squirting cows, and laser-equipped owls, among other unlikely enemies. The game originally launched for the PlayStation minis service in 2010, and later found its way to iOS platforms. Flying Hamster will include online leaderboards and a collection of unlockable Trophies when it hits the PlayStation Network next week.
The Flying Hamster's soundtrack takes off on a solo flight
The music from The Game Atelier's PlayStation Mini/iOS cute-em-up The Flying Hamster is now available without all that cumbersome game. The developer has released the soundtrack on Bandcamp, so you can close your eyes and dream about flying around using a leaf helicopter tied to your belt. You can stream it from Bandcamp for free, or if you want it to fly into your iPod, you can download a copy from Bandcamp or your favorite MP3 store for $3.99. To sweeten the deal, the album download includes an unreleased bonus track.
PlayStation Plus users get The Flying Hamster as free Valentine's gift
Nothing says love quite like potted plant-powered aerial rodents, does it? We say that kind of stuff all the time, especially around this most romantic time of year -- and apparently, Sony shares in our unique set of beliefs. PlayStation Plus members have a sweet little surprise waiting for them in their PSN Message Boxes: a warm Valentine's Day message from Sony, and a download voucher for the PSN Mini The Flying Hamster. Best of all, unlike some of the freebies delivered to PlayStation Plus subscribers, The Flying Hamster won't disappear from your library should you ever decide to cancel your membership. If you've ever seen a more beautiful parallel for love undying, we'd love to hear about it. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
The Flying Hamster soars onto iOS
In The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell posits that great ideas spread virally. It makes sense then that a game about a flying, beer-chasing rodent, too brilliant to be contained by PSP, has now migrated to iOS. Find Flying Hamster in the App Store for $5.99, and find a launch trailer after the break.
The Flying Hamster shooting his way to iPhone
After months of waiting, The Flying Hamster finally made it to the North American PlayStation Store this week. Developer Game Atelier apologized for the delay, explaining that "things don't always go the way you want" as an indie developer. "We wished that this title would have been released way earlier than now." In spite of the setback, it seems the studio has more plans for the adorable rodent. "We're working harder than ever to release this title on the iPhone," the representative teased, without revealing any other details. Given the game's warm reception, we're certain iOS gamers will welcome the classically styled shmup.
Flying Hamster takes off on PS3 & PSP December 7
The Flying Hamster is undoubtedly one of the cutest Minis available on the PlayStation Network, and one of the few that are worthwhile to play on the PS3, in addition to the PSP. We've written quite a bit about this indie shmup, and it finally has a North American release date and price: December 7, for $5.99. The game is already available on the European PlayStation Store. For the uninitiated, The Flying Hamster plays like almost any other shmup: collect power-ups, and shoot at enemies using either a rapid or charge shot. What makes it so unique is its collection of power-ups and enemies: you can spit a stream of beer at cows, for example. Or launch a swarm of bees at ninja squirrels. Or drop some egg bombs on some evil toaster robots. Seriously.%Gallery-83145%
The Flying Hamster fires off a new video
We're a little upset that The Flying Hamster hasn't found a release date yet, but we're more than glad to show off a new video. This tutorial focuses on the fire power-up, but also reveals some interesting facets of the gameplay: destructible environments and turbo speed.
The Flying Hamster intro is all about love
Also: sunflower seeds, eagles, penguins, UFOs, cows, robots, laser-shooting owls, octopi. Game Atelier's PS mini The Flying Hamster looks crazier than ever in this new trailer -- after the break -- which finally reveals the story behind the shmup.
The Flying Hamster joins PSP Minis, offers new tutorials
We've been championing Game Atelier's adorable shmup, The Flying Hamster, for quite some time. And although it's still without a release date, the development team has recently confirmed that it will end up in the PlayStation Minis program (hopefully allowing cross-platform play via PSP and PS3). While we may be touting its cute facade, we have to admit that the gameplay looks rather compelling, as well. These new weapons tutorial videos (after the break) offer some insight into the depth of the game's combat. (We can't wait to use the banana weapon!) %Gallery-83145%
The Flying Hamster spits out some weapon tutorials
If it wasn't evident by now, we're absolutely in love with the upcoming PSP shooter The Flying Hamster. It's bizarre, and more importantly, absolutely adorable. We've only seen screens of the game so far, but with the release of its new official website, we can finally see the game (and its weapons) in action. The first three videos introduce some of the tactics players can use. The default weapon appears to be some kind of hamster spit, which can be charged to produce a more substantial ball of wet destruction. Other weapons include sunflower seeds and berries, which can be charged to devastating effect. While these may not seem like the most appropriate weapons to use in a shooter, they certainly match the zany character of the game. Seriously, it's hard not to laugh while watching these videos. You can check out all the action after the break.
Don't worry, The Flying Hamster still looks crazy
There may be a disappointing lack of beer and laser-shooting owls in this new set of screenshots from The Flying Hamster. But don't worry, the game still looks absolutely insane. The upcoming side-scrolling shooter for the PSP stars -- what else? -- an adorable flying hamster, as he makes his way through levels clearly designed by a Mad Libs book. Seriously, what's going on in this image? We have no idea. Check out the rest of the images in our gallery below. The Flying Hamster should be available for download via the PlayStation Network later this year. %Gallery-83145%
The Flying Hamster fights laser-shooting owls in a race for beer, on PSP
At first glance, the headline may not make much sense, but that's exactly what this screenshot for the newly announced The Flying Hamster is telling us. Newton the Flying Hamster will have to soar through six levels, from the "big Japanese city" to "crazy ancient Egypt." No trips to normal ancient Egypt for this rodent! Developed by The Game Atelier for the PSP, The Flying Hamster will also feature more than thirty enemies, ranging from "sneaky penguins, anti-air cows, exploding foxes" and worst of all, "ninja squirrels." Who else just became incredibly excited for this shmup? %Gallery-83145%
