Another Gaming Blog

If you've never played the GameCube original or PS2 version, there is simply no excuse not to pick up Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition this week. Or, if you just fancy an excellent Wii shooter, Resi 4 will keep you in friendly company.

Otherwise, on the 360, you can pick up The Darkness, which is more interesting shooty action. Also over on Microsoft's patch is Project Sylpheed, which is well worth a purchase for space-heads. Make sure you download and play the demo first though - experience has taught me that flying around space in no particular direction can be quite disorienting. And then the mission's over because you either got shot to hell or simply didn't defend whatever you were supposed to be defending. Go figure.

Hit the jump to see the full list of games that will be gracing us with their presence this week.

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Go go go!

The second Grand Theft Auto IV trailer - entitled "Looking For That Special Someone" - is now live on t'interwebs, all ready and waiting for your dissection.

A couple of interesting things to note is the way Niko is able to cling onto cars' bumpers and helicopters'... erm... poley things, and how the physics engine has been improved - see bullet holes in car windscreens, car tyres slowly going down complete with satisfying "pssshhhh", and the explosive LCPD patrol car and petrol station.

It's looking okay, Rockstar. It's looking okay.

Nintendo today revealed in a private businessy-type conference thing their new Wii Channel - Wii Software (or WiiWare for my American chums).

Wii Software will be aimed at developers who might not be able to afford to make games with massive budgets and full-blown FMVs. This will be Nintendo's answer to the 360's Arcade, if you will, except with entirely original content. The Virtual Console will take care of the rest.

European Marketing Director, Laurent Fischer, explains “Wii Software provides developers with big ideas, rather than big budgets, an easy and very accessible way to create new games and bring them to the marketplace, as well as offering great additional value for Wii owners who will be able to download fresh new games.”

Wii Software will launch in early 2008, and titles will be bought using Wii Points "with a variety of pricing options" available.

Today's Super Smash Bros update comes in the form of a confirmation of a returning "veteran" character - Zelda.

The Princess makes her return with nimble speed and magical attacks, but no word was made on whether she will still be able to transform into Sheik mid-brawl.

Unfortunately, there was no comical picture to make fun of with this update, so there's not much else I can say to you. Keep a look out on that Smash Bros site though - they've kept to their word and updated with new tidbits every weekday.

2K Games has announced that the PS3 version of The Darkness will not make retail this coming Friday.

No reasons were given for the sudden delay, but gamers can be consoled by the fact that the US release of The Darkness is region-free, and so importing it will not prove problematic for your console... if, indeed, you are that desperate for the game.

For those wondering, the 360 version will still make it to shops, so Microsoft Men won't need to worry.

There's no shortage of titles this week, but, saying that, it's still hard to make some recommendations.

Sim City fans will appreciate the handheld build-a-thon that is SimCity DS, and if you have a thing for bugger-off-massive mechs, Armored Core 4 on the 360 and PS3 could keep you entertained. It's rock hard, mind you.

Other than that, why not make a deposit at your local branch of HSBC?

Hit the jump to see the full list of games that will be gracing us with their presence this week.

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What happens when your game is banned in the UK and heavily restricted in the US? Well, if you're Take Two, and your game is Manhunt 2, you put it on the shelf and have lots of meetings to consider your options. What they've come up with so far is this recently released statement, which reads as follows:

"Take-Two Interactive Software has temporarily suspended plans to distribute Manhunt 2 for the Wii or PlayStation platforms while it reviews its options with regard to the recent decisions made by the British Board of Film Classification and Entertainment Software Rating Board. We continue to stand behind this extraordinary game. We believe in freedom of creative expression, as well as responsible marketing, both of which are essential to our business of making great entertainment."

It is likely that Rockstar/Take Two will prolong the prospects of Manhunt 2 by appealing the BBFC's decision. It will also be possible to change some of the game's content and file it for re-review with the ESRB, although considering both company's stance on the matter this will probably be the last resort.

Mamma mia! Despite previously being slated for release on 22 June, Nintendo has had to delay the European release of the Wii's Mario Party 8.

Citing "production issues" as the problem for having to push the game back to 13 July, Nintendo apologised for any disappointment the hold-up may have caused. I suppose everybody will just have to go back to Mario Party 7 for the time being, then.

In a totally unexpected announcement, SEGA have today announced that, in collaboration with RPG giant BioWare, they will be developing an exclusive Sonic the Hedgehog RPG game for the DS.

Absolutely nothing is known about the title apart from its current, tentative, and highly original name of Sonic RPG, that it will be exclusive to DS, and that it should hit in 2008.

Simon Jeffery, President of SEGA of America, commented that “everyone at SEGA has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages.” Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare, added that, “as huge fans of Sonic ourselves, we’re committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the character’s broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure.”

For those not in the know, BioWare have previously developed highly popular RPG titles such as Baldur’s Gate, Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Hot cha! Screw everything else, Super Paper Mario is coming to Europe on 14 September and it's gonna be good!

Right, now I've got that out of the way, I can move on to reveal some other blockbuster release dates. You've got the long awaited Trauma Centre: Second Opinion (Wii) on 10 August, only eleven months after the US release, and, well, actually that's about it for triple-A Wii titles.

DS-side, Tingle RPG (aka Freshly Picked - Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland) will be greeting Europeans on 14 September, and joining it will also be Heroes of Mana. That makes three titles you will absolutely have to buy on 14 September. It never rains but it pours at Nintendo of Europe.

Finally, an unexpected appearance is that of Sonic Rush Adventure, which has already been dated for 28th September after having been unveiled just a month ago. Still, I'm not complaining - especially if SEGA make that date.

You can hit the jump to see the rather large list in full.

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Yes they have been! There's 49 achievements to be had, totalling the usual 1000 points.

Just click here to read about them and see their accompanying pictures.

SEGA are taking Sonic out for another spin - and this time it's on PSP in the form of Sonic Rivals 2.

Fans of the original should expect more of the same, but with plenty of improvements. There will be "a revamped rival 'jostling' gameplay system", "upgraded power-ups and range weapons", and "Tails and other new characters" have been added to the playable roster. The collectable cards will make a comeback, and will also be "greatly increased", as the number of cards out there has now been bumped up to 150.

New modes include "Free Play", which "will allow players to enjoy each level at their own pace", and "Battle Mode" is a Wi-Fi option enabling "two players to jump into six different multiplayer challenges".

Sonic Rivals 2 is expected in Autumn 2007.

It's not looking too good for Rockstar, as the American rating board ESRB has today revealed that they have rated Manhunt 2 'AO' for Adults Only.

While the game could still be allowed sale in the USA (compared to the complete ban in the UK), Sony and Nintendo forbid any AO material to be legally released for their systems. Also, many retailers usually steer well clear of AO rated material because of its highly adult nature and thus niche market potential, and possible accidentally-sold-to-a-minor lawsuits.

In other news, Ireland has also jumped on the ban[ne]dwagon, as Irish ratings board IFCO "believes that ... the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable."

Rockstar is expected to comment on their options and the future of Manhunt 2 soon.

Sigh. Here comes another great TV tie-in, which is very likely to be of the same 'quality' as the Little Britain games. Yes, it's The Office. The American, NBC version of The Office at that - no Ricky Gervais here, folks.

Nothing is known about the game other than the consoles it will be made available for. And those just happen to be the PSP, PC, and DS.

I predict a minigame compilation. Any takers?

Manhunt 2 has today become the first game to be refused rating from the BBFC since 1997, effectively making it illegal to sell anywhere within the United Kingdom.

Hit the jump to read the story in full.

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You know, it's very rare that us European types will be given multiple release dates for games at once. If we are, the criteria the games usually meet are they they are a) probably crap, and b) actually being released next year.

It was a nice surprise, then, to find that Ubisoft's release list details that they are taking Assassin's Creed (PC, PS3, 360) out of their development studio and into the shops on 9 November. As well as Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 (Wii, DS) and Splinter Cell Conviction (PC, 360) on 16 November. And then, after that, you've got Haze (PS3) on 23 November, with the PC and 360 versions following on 30 November.

I believe the phrase is "raking it in". In November, Ubisoft will be "raking it in".

You can hit the jump to see the release list in full.

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I'll simply let the e-mails, letters, and acts from God talk for themselves here. Hit the jump for a couple o' transcripts.

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As previously talked about, the 360's version of blockbuster title Grand Theft Auto IV would have exclusive downloadable content while the PS3's would not. "But for how long would this really be exclusive?" many wondered. Well, a very long time, judging by a recent Take Two financial meeting.

The meeting, where lots of important types met up and talked about dosh for an hour or so, played host to an interesting little factoid. It seems that Microsoft have paid out $50 million from their bottomless pockets to secure the definite exclusivity of these episodic add-ons.

You can hit the jump for the transcripted evidence, but I'm warning you now that's it fairly thick financial stuff. "P&L", for those wondering, means "Profit and Loss" [statement].

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Hey, guess what? Today, the release of F-Zero X onto the Wii's Virtual Console marks the 100th retro game to hit the European service. Unless you have the GameCube's F-Zero GX, it's worth downloading, as the obscene speeds it offers can still thrill today.

Retail launches are a bit thin on the ground this week, and as most racing fans will probably be busy already with Forza 2, I'm unsure on whether it's worth anybody's time getting Colin McRae: Dirt (360). If you're desperate for a slice of pure rallying, then go for it, otherwise I find it hard to see how you will divide your time between the two games - if at all.

Hit the jump to see the full list of games that will be gracing us with their presence this week.

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A new patch for Gears of War is now available, offering important gameplay tweaks and new achievements.

The patch should (yet again) address the issue of snagging on walls during the roadie run, along with general "housekeeping issues". Rather poor attempts in that past have been made at trying to fix Marcus Fenix's love for walls when sprinting, only seeming to make it worse. Oh, and while I'm on the subject, can someone please do something about the unfair monster that is the "host shotgun"? Ta.

Anyway. The patch will also offer eight new achievements totalling 250 gamerpoints for people to try and bump up their score with. The achievements focus heavily on the Annex mode and downloadable maps, though, so you'll need to pay out for some extra content before you aim to get them. (Unless you want to wait until September, when the map pack becomes free, but everybody will be playing Halo 3 then anyway...) Exact details of the achievements can be read after the jump, and other than that, that's all the details. Run along!

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Get this:

• 820,000 unique participants.
• 12 million hours+ of online gameplay.
• That's more than 1,400 years of continuous play by one person.
• 350 terabytes of data downloaded from Live and collected for analysis by Bungie.
• 580,000 saved films created by users.
• That's more than 2.7 terabytes of data.

What am I talking about, you may ask? Well, that's the stats for the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta. And as if to say thank you, today Bungie have released details of some new Halo 3 merchandise that will be going on sale nearer the time of the game's release.

First up there'll be some limited edition wireless controllers that will be available in either the Covenant Brute or Master Chief themes, and have been designed with original artwork by Spawn artist Todd McFarlane. Each controller will come packaged with a collectible figurine made by McFarlane Toys. To accompany these, a limited edition wireless headset sporting the Spartan green and gold colours will also be released, and will go on sale for the same price as the controllers at $59.99 (£30.43) each.

Finally, Bungie's press release took the time to re-confirm the release of the Halo 3 Zune edition ($249), which you can read more about here. And, yes, these are all American prices and details, with no word of any European releases. You're probably gonna have to look towards eBay if you want to get your hands on some of this, folks.

EA have today confirmed the reality of an entirely new and upcoming SimCity game - and that, friends, is SimCity Societies.

Billed as the "most flexible city building game ever" by important-vice-president-chap Rod Humble, Societies will let you craft your city's cultures, societal behaviors and environments by choosing from a variety of over 350 building types. The appearance of your society will also change depending on the balance of your "social energies" (industry, wealth, obedience, knowledge, devotion, and creativity).

It's entirely feasible to go from an "aggressive police state" to a "green community in the tropics", says Mr Humble. Or, you could also build a city entirely out of gingerbread houses for aspiring Hansel and Gretels. Personally, I'd want to build a gingerbread police state, where anyone who mentioned chocolate or fudge got carted away in a nougat van.

Yes.

SimCity Societies is billed for an American and European release in November this year. SimCity DS will be out on 25 June to keep you busy until then, though.

Square-Enix have today released the first images and footage of the upcoming Wii game, Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon.

The trailer shows the Chocobo Farm location and the character Shirma from the DS' Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales, prompting speculation that the games could be linked more closely than originally thought. Instead of being trapped in cards, though, this time round the story revolves around the residents of Ville's memories being stolen, and it just so happens to fall to one cute Chocobo to reclaim them all.

You can take a look at the trailer after the jump. "Aaw"s are entirely optional.

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Sony has today revealed their ambitious online project - an action shooting game that will go by the name The Agency.

Being developed for both the PS3 and PC, The Agency will offer hundreds of missions "requiring combat, stealth, and style", and it's entirely up to you how you go about them. Plenty of different "weaponry, gadgets, vehicles, gear, attire and aliases" are promised, as well as the option to build up your very own agency (read: guild) and employ NPC Operatives to do your bidding for you.

This news post will self-destruct in five seconds. (LAWL! I'm sorry, I had to do it...)

From Supinfogame (no, I've never heard of them either. They're French) comes a new action adventure game for the Wii - Capucine.

The game "takes place in a fantastic universe" - ooh, sounds good - "where everything is dead".

Hmm.

You play a small child who holds a capucine - a flower - that enables her to survive in the dead world. Your task is to revive the entire planet and avoid animating the evil shadows of the surrounding elements, completing the tale of "shadow and light opposition".

There's plenty more to be seen on the official website, including some screenshots, but for now why not hit the jump and watch the trailer?

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That's right chaps and chapettes - Rockstar have lobbed another important date to countdown to onto their website.

On 28 June a second trailer entitled "Looking For That Special Someone" will hit the website, and undoubtedly send the thing to a grinding halt again. All you need to is navigate yourself to http://www.gtaiv.com on the appropriate date, and hope you're lucky enough to get there before Rockstar's servers start to explode.

A joke: what do you get when you cross a PS3 game and a cathedral? A possible lawsuit! Bud-um-bum-tish.

But seriously, officials from Manchester Cathedral are expressing great anger as they feel that PS3 title Resistance: Fall of Man is encouraging the gun crime that is a troubling problem for the city. The fact that a game has been released where you go John Rambo in a holy place doesn't help matters, they've said. Not those exact words, but, well, you get the picture.

And so, here come demands from God. A letter has been sent to Sony that demands an apology for the use of the Cathedral after permission was not sought, removal of the game from sale until the cathedral's interior is removed from gameplay, a substantial donation to the cathedral from game profits, and Sony's support in anti-gun crime projects within Manchester.

The gamer's side of the argument seems to focus on three points: why is the developer Insomniac getting off easily? Why should the Church of England be demanding a sizeable amount of money? And why is it that a big deal is being made over shooting little alien Chimeras? You are not being asked to assassinate the local priest, before you reach your ultimate goal to de-hat the Pope, but rather save the Earth from gruesome alien infection.

The debate is likely to rage on for a fair amount of time, continuing the age-old argument (and firm favourite of Jack Thompson) of "games cause violence". My personal viewpoint, as I'm sure you're all dying to read it, is that games, just like any other media, will never cause violence if the player's mental condition is that of a stable one. Young players should be protected by age ratings, and psychotic members of the public should be under sufficient care to be denied the opportunity to play violent games. Nobody in their right state of mind will play Resistance and feel the need to take out the local clergy because Manchester Cathedral was a focal point for one level.

The finalé to Act 1's events is Sony's response to the Church of England's accusations, which you can read after the jump.

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You may know that in recent weeks Microsoft has turned into a banninating machine, cracking down hugely on anyone who dared mod or tinker with their beautiful children. Many, including Microsoft themselves, put the sudden surge of bans down to the release of the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta, as they sure do hate people cheatin' and a-hackin' in multiplayer games, ruining the experience for others.

Anyone who was banned will encounter the status code "Z: 8015 - 190D", and will no longer be able to access Live from that console. Gamertags will be fine, but you'll need to buy a new 360 and port it on over to get back on.

Unfortunately for the leader of Nazi Germany, Hitler's console was hit, and many historians argue, through the video evidence provided, that this was the final straw for him, leading to his Downfall (that's the movie the scene is taken from, see. I don't lob capitals just about anywhere).

Hit the jump to see one of the funnier gaming videos in recent times. Please note, strong language is used.

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Ubisoft have let the cat out of the bag – Assassin’s Creed will get a simultaneous platform and worldwide release in November this year.

Assassin’s Creed takes place in 1191 AD during the Third Crusade, where a league of assassins are trying to stop the hostilities by “suppressing” (read: murdering the crap out of) key figures from both sides of the conflict. You play Altair, who’s rather good at killing chaps, and, depending on how you go about your business, various people in the street will either try and stop you from running away or will help shroud you after your stabbing actions.

There’s definitely more to be found out about Assassin’s Creed, and ever since it was unveiled some time ago, has looked to be an extremely promising project. Let's hope Ubisoft let a few more cats out of their big bag soon, then.

There's really only one worthwhile game on today's horizon - Forza Motorsport 2 (360). In short: it's excellent racey fun that is easily living up to its predecessor's merits.

It could be worth mentioning the release of PangYa! Golf With Style (Wii) and Halo 2 [Vista only] (PC) too, but the former comes under a harsher light without the online mode of the free PC version, and the latter has likely been played to death already. Also, Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta, anyone? I thought so.

Hit the jump to see the full list of games that will be gracing us with their presence this week.

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What do you do, muses Masahiro Sakurai (director of Super Smash Bros: Brawl), when you’re developing an immensely anticipated title for the Wii, and have so many ways of control at your disposal? Why, you implement them all!

That’s right – today the official Brawl website offered up an interesting nugget of information, as it revealed that the game can be played using just the Wii Remote (sideways), the Wii Remote and the Nunchuk, the Classic Controller, or the old GameCube pad.

This is likely to quell any worries about how the game’s fast-paced action will work when controlled using the Wii’s innovative measures – if one method doesn’t work for you, there’s three more to help you along the way!

My money’s on the GameCube pad being the fan-favourite, especially if it keeps the same setup as Super Smash Bros: Melee. It’ll be like you’ve never been gone...

Following the actual Pac-Man Championship held in New York, Microsoft have today confirmed the existence of a Pac-Man sequel, developed by none other than the game's original creator Toru Iwatani.

Pac-Man Championship Edition will be released as today's 360 Arcade game, and will cost you 800 points. New features include HD visuals (as is the norm), the fact that the stages change shape during gameplay, a Championship Mode, two Challenge Modes, and three Extra Modes.

The Championship Mode was "designed especially by Mr Iwatani for the Pac-Man World Championship", with only the idea of getting the high-score within five minutes in mind. The two Challenge Modes, however, set a time limit of ten minutes and change some elements. The "Patience and Reward Course", for example, will limit your power pellets but provide more normal pellets for high scores, and "The Darkness Course" puts Pac-Man in a spotlight, disabling you from seeing the ghosts.

"Extra Modes 1, 2 and 3 are named "The Freeway Course", "The Manhattan Course", and "The Overall Course". In "Freeway" both Pac-Man and the Ghosts travel at warp-speed for advanced players in a five-minute session. "Manhattan" is based on the New York district, again timed for five minutes. "Overall" combines elements of all the other modes - a ten minute marathon for the best of the best."

If all of that isn't enough Pac for you, then don't forget there's still Pac-Man and Ms. Pac-Man to be downloaded for 400 points each too.

GamesRadar have posted an interesting news piece this morning, inadvertently revealing that Elite Beat Agents will definitely be coming to European territories, and that it will be coming in July.

Looking at the promo piece pictured in the article closely reveals an interesting detail – note that on the back cover, the official looking chappy is shouting "New Japanese sensation coming to a store near you in July 2007!" Author Matt Cundy seemed to think that Nintendo were just being nice and sending him some free tat, but it seems to be more of an announcement of an announcement.

Expect an exact July date soon.

UPDATE: And what did I tell ya? Nintendo have today confirmed that Elite Beat Agents will be coming to Europe on 13 July 2007. (6 June 2007)

You're allowed some breathing room this week, friends. The PS2 edition of Tomb Raider Anniversary could be worth a punt if you're desperate for some 'new' Lara, but you won't be offered much for your money if you played the original Tomb Raider to death.

The only other game that could cause any interest is Wario: Master of Disguise (DS). It's another moderately enjoyable Ninty platformer, but in lieu of Wario's previous outings, the title just lacks the sheen that you'd otherwise expect.

Hit the jump to see the full list of games that will be gracing us with their presence this week.

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