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Silent Hill HD Collection, Downpour and Book of Memories all coming in March
You know what they say about March: In like a lion, out like a twitchy, messed up sex monster. That is to say that Konami has revealed that Silent Hill HD Collection, Silent Hill: Downpour and Silent Hill: Book of Memories will all be released this March. Breaking it all down, HD Collection will be released on March 6, Downpour on March 13 and the Vita exclusive Book of Memories on March 27. Then again, maybe a March release makes sense, what with the madness and all. Check out some new screens of the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 iteration, Silent Hill: Downpour, in the gallery below.%Gallery-144415%
Portabliss: Mighty Switch Force! (3DS eShop)
Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Mighty Switch Force! WayForward's Mighty Switch Force masquerades as a run-and-gun shooter, but the eShop game is basically a puzzle game, albeit one of the few puzzle games I can think of that's reflex-heavy enough to encourage speedrunning. That emphasis on speed allows a game with a relatively small set of levels to become a long-term pastime.%Gallery-142339%
Bloodrayne: Betrayal gets a temporary price cut on PSN
Couldn't bother to shell out $14.99 for WayForward's delightful, 2D action-platformer Bloodrayne: Betrayal? What if we knocked three bucks clean off that price? Well, not us, so much as Sony, who is doing just that for one week on the PlayStation Store.
Portabliss: Shantae Risky's Revenge (iOS/DSiWare)
Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. In each installment, we'll tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Shantae: Risky's Revenge. For many reasons, some worthwhile and some not so much, people balk at the idea of playing a DSiWare game. And that means that most of them missed Shantae: Risky's Revenge, which was not only the highest-rated DS game of last year, but happens to be a damned lovable game. It's a good thing, then, that it's come to a download store that people are willing to admit patronizing (the iOS App Store). And the virtual controls work well enough that you'll be able to enjoy the game, though you may find yourself occasionally pining for the luxury of a d-pad you can both see and feel.
2012 goes Silent Hill crazy with Book of Memories, HD Collection, and Downpour launching in Q1
Originally slated for Fall 2011, Silent Hill HD Collection is now heading to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on January 24, 2012. Konami is also putting Silent Hill's first PlayStation Vita outing, Book of Memories, in the handheld's launch window of February 2012 (Vita itself hits retailers on February 22). Rounding out the survival-horror trio of launches, Silent Hill Downpour falls to retail sometime in March. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game was pushed back to the murky "Q1 2012" earlier this month, but it seems that Konami has cleared things up. Here's hoping you're ready for a surprisingly macabre beginning to 2012!
WayForward's Shantae headed to iOS this Thursday
Whether you're a fervent supporter of independent development studio WayFoward or you're a diehard fan of the illustrious Shantae franchise -- and, really, who isn't -- you'll have reason to celebrate tomorrow. WayForward just announced on Twitter that Shantae: Risky's Revenge will arrive on the iOS App Store tomorrow. If you're familiar with the DSiWare original, you're in for a similar experience, though the game has been optimized to make it a bit more virtual-controller-friendly. Which is to say, it's a little bit easier this time around. Also, whenever you die because you jumped when you meant to attack, a soothing note pops up, reminding you not to hurl your phone into oncoming traffic.
Aliens Infestation review: Bursting with flavor
It's easy to see the seams in WayForward's Aliens: Infestation. There's not all that much variety in the enemies or environments (mostly because it's an Aliens game). The "AI" is simple and pattern-based in the style of 16-bit games. The enemies even respawn in the same locations, dulling the element of surprise upon return trips. But even though I was fully aware of the shortcomings, I was completely drawn in. Infestation feels like what would have happened had someone made a good Aliens game in the mid-1990s. It's a cleverly structured take on the Metroidvania style of game that forces careful, methodical play. Despite those aforementioned issues, WayForward completely nailed the dread of Aliens.%Gallery-128779%
Aliens Infestation dev diary recounts the genesis of a marine (and more)
When it comes to 2D action titles, it seems there's nobody as capable as WayForward. Recent entries in the genre, Contra 4 and Bloodrayne: Betrayal, speak volumes to the company's capabilities -- and, the developer's latest, Aliens: Infestation, seems destined for the same fame. Yet, as easy as WayForward makes it look, developing a stellar 2D action title is anything but. Director Adam Tierney offered insight via a diatribe on fan site AvPGalaxy, discussing in great detail how he and company came up with these characters. For example, did you know that there are unique bios and art for each of the game's 20 different marines, which are then added to the Extras menu once the player comes into contact with any given marine for later perusing?Interesting stuff! Head on over to AvPGalaxy for the full developer diary.
Aliens: Infestation incubates new trailer
WayForward's "Metroidvania-esque" take on the Aliens universe with Infestation has us almost ready to facehug this game on its October 11 launch date -- or join the colonial marines. Where every meal's a banquet, every paycheck a fortune!
Shantae: Risky's Revenge coming to iOS soon
Wayforward's beloved half-genie is escaping the bounds of her DSi Shop-shaped bottle and exploring another platform: iOS. Touch Arcade reports that the team is porting its 2010 DSiWare game Shantae: Risky's Revenge to iPhone and iPad "in a couple of weeks." It'll feature Retina-display graphics, though you should expect a sharper version of the DS game rather than some kind of HD remake. The company is aware of the concerns forming in all of our minds right now about the controls. "Virtual D-Pads are my personal arch nemesis," a WF rep told TouchArcade, "so I'm happy to report that ours does the job incredibly well." Additionally, the game is being tweaked to be a little friendlier to virtual controls: "Platforms are slightly wider, chains dangle a little bit closer to the player's grasp; enemy behaviors are just a bit different." Furthermore, it's "optimized" for those weird Fling and Fling Mini joystick attachments.
BloodRayne Betrayal review: Re-animated
WayForward's BloodRayne: Betrayal doesn't just succeed as a game despite the baggage of the moribund BloodRayne license. WayForward took the franchise fully into "campy" mode, turning the characters and settings into something you're clearly not supposed to take seriously, presented in an incredibly sharp hand-drawn cartoon style. Rayne herself is even kind of uncharacteristically cute. That presentation is married to a combo-heavy brawler that you must take seriously at all times, at the risk of oft-repeated death. Just surviving the game requires near mastery of Rayne's repertoire; to actually earn a grade higher than "F" in the game's score-based rating system requires ... well, I still have to figure that out.
Aliens: Infestation trailer invades your screen
The gameplay footage in the first Aliens: Infestation trailer does a pretty good job of setting a scary, isolated tone appropriate for the license. That tone is married with a sort of methodical exploration of an enclosed environtment in side view that brings to mind the Metroid games more than it does Contra (which was our initial assessment). And that makes sense, given that Metroid carried a lot of inspiration from the Alien series in the first place. We've gone full circle, chased by monsters the whole way. As the trailer notes, and as was announced at PAX, you'll get to play Infestation on October 11.
BloodRayne Betrayal bumped up to September 7 on XBLA
A few weeks ago, Majesco told us that the XBLA release of BloodRayne: Betrayal had been pushed back to October 6. However, we've heard a new date from someone who ought to know: Rayne herself. The heroic dhampir (or perhaps a PR person under her name) tweeted that the game will be out on XBLA September 7, just one day after the PSN release. That's great news for XBLA users looking to blow up some fancy vampires with poisonous bites. It's slightly less great news for the PSN Play promotion, which loses the closest thing it had to a timed exclusive. You still get extra "gifts" with the PSN Play pre-order, though. [Thanks, sacra.]
Silent Hill: Book of Memories is really about a book of memories
In this video, Konami producer Tomm Hulett explains the premise of the PlayStation Vita's weird spin-off game, Silent Hill: Book of Memories. "You receive a strange book. When you open it, you see your entire life story written on those pages," he said. "All your memories." You can then rewrite your memories and alter reality. Apparently, judging by the gameplay, all the player-created characters then rewrite their lives as monster-filled nightmares -- with Hulett suggesting that even Pyramid Head shows up. In any other game, that would be weird, but it wouldn't be Silent Hill if the protagonist wasn't totally bonkers. Speaking of gameplay, the above video features the first (early) direct-feed gameplay footage.
Silent Hill: Book of Memories revealed as top-down multiplayer game
The WayForward-developed Silent Hill game for PlayStation Vita is weirder than you think. Konami showed off Silent Hill: Book of Memories during its Gamescom press conference this morning, revealing it to be a multiplayer action game (we expected that part) with a top-down or isometric perspective. If you look closely, you'll notice that series stars Harry, Maria and James now exist in the same game! Of course, Konami is wisely opting to spin Book of Memories off into its own, completely unrelated story. You'll also be able to create your own protagonist, further distancing yourself from the sanctity of Silent Hill canon. Update: The Harry, Maria and James in the image above are just custom characters with cheeky names, Konami tells us. Book of Memories features melee combat, guns and what appears to be a smattering of RPG elements. We'll try to get you more specific information as Gamescom continues.
New Bloodrayne: Betrayal screens feature improbable weapons
We've seen quite a few lovingly illustrated environments in screens and trailers for Bloodrayne: Betrayal, which means we can assume the titular protagonist does a bit of traveling. Tell us, how does she get around while toting a laser cannon that is bigger than she is? Answer that, science.
Bloodrayne: Betrayal dev diary talks up fresh Rayne
Bloodrayne: Betrayal really surprised us at E3 this year. We were taken by the game's combo-driven antics and Rayne's redesigned, nearly modest appearance. This diary details the redesign process, explaining developer Wayforward's goals for Rayne on her new adventure.
Sega makes Aliens: Infestation official, coming to DS in September
After being outed in classifications from both the Australian Classification Board and the ESRB, Aliens: Infestation has finally been announced by Sega. The game is slated to hit the DS this September. Sega has confirmed that Wayforward (which knows a little about blasting aliens) is indeed developing the game. It will be a side-scroller in which players "will be able to recruit and play as 19 different marines, each with their own unique dialogue, and explore iconic environments including the Sulaco, the Derelict ship, and LV-426." Furthermore, the game features "an upgrade and collectibles system" and character designs by comic artist Chris Bachalo. Check out the first screens in the gallery below. %Gallery-128779%
Portabliss: Mighty Flip Champs DX (PSP Minis)
Did you know that you can download handheld games now? That's amazingly convenient! The only inconvenient part of it is finding the right games to buy -- and that's where we come in, with our Portabliss column. Three times a week, our new Portabliss column will tell you about a downloadable game on the iPhone, iPad, Android device, DSi, 3DS, PSP, etc. Today: Mighty Flip Champs DX! We didn't have a periodic column about portable downloadable games when WayForward unleashed the bookish puzzle game Mighty Flip Champs upon DSiWare. WayForward graciously ported the game to PSP and released it as a Mini last week, affording us the opportunity to treat it as a new release once again and write about it here. Thanks, WayForward!
Aliens: Infestation is a side-scrolling action game
Aliens: Infestation, the long-gestating xenomorph game for the Nintendo DS, has been rated by the ESRB. The classification board describes the teen-rated title as an action game, in which "players run and jump through side-scrolling levels, they use rifles, pistols, flamethrowers, and explosives to kill enemy soldiers and aliens (i.e., 'xenomorphs')." There are also the obligatory scenes of chest bursting and some "briefly exposed" male buttocks in a locker room. That one's less obligatory, but still edgy. Infestation, which has still not been officially announced by Sega, must be close to exploding out of the company's marketing abdomen by now. After a long period of silence, the game was classified by the Australians in May, with WayForward Technologies (Bloodrayne: Betrayal, A Boy and His Blob) indicated as developer.
