Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon Update: No Sandlot (!), BUT It’s Still Going To Be A Blast

Posted on September 17, 2010 by geelw

In only slightly shocking news (well, to some of you out there – I predicted this a few weeks back), Earth Defense Force series creator Sandlot is not involved in the development of the upcoming Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon. Instead, D3 has announced that veteran developer Vicious Cycle (Dead Head Fred, The Return of Matt Hazard) has taken on programming duty for the upcoming third-person shooter set for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as a Spring 2011 release. The company's Vicious Engine is quite a versatile one, so I'm expecting the game to be a more than worthy expansion to the groundwork laid by Sandlot.

Breaking down the announcement piece by piece, let's start with the cover art:

Excellently done and it's nice how it's a riff on the cover to EDF 2017 (I see flying ants or wasps are back in the mix – yes!). So far, so good…

As for the developer… Even if you've never heard of Vicious Cycle, I'll bet you've probably played some of their games…

CONTEST! Rude Gameware Wants You to Win FREE Stuff

Posted on September 17, 2010 by geelw

Full press release below the jump, but here's a chance for you (well, if you live in the U.S. of A.) to win some really cool audio gear from a really cool audio company. Of course, driving anyone crazy with certain types of music may mean you'll be too bruised up to make it to the post office to pick up your winnings, so take care not to try your winning ideas out on anyone exceptionally cranky

Your chance to win is a click away, so click already!

Update: Knights in the Nightmare PSP Screens

Posted on September 17, 2010 by geelw

Six new screens from the upcoming PSP strategy/RPG/”bullet hell” shooter hybrid (*whew!*) set to hit retail and the PlayStation Network Store on November 9, 2010. Remember, for a limited time, buying a copy of either the retail or PSN version of the game nets you a FREE digital copy of the excellent PSP remake of Yggdra Union. Check out our other coverage of KITN here and here.

Phantasy Star Portable 2 Ready To Take Your Meseta

Posted on September 17, 2010 by geelw

Sega has announced that Phantasy Star Portable 2 is now available at retailers across North America exclusively for the PSP. The plot this time out picks up three years after the events in Phantasy Star Universe, allowing players to become mercenaries in order to save the Gurhal system. The game also features the ability to play cooperatively or competitively against players from around the world using online play, plus the returns of Battle mode and challenge mode from classic PSO. There goes the rest of my free time for another six months… I'll get a gallery up over the weekend.

OK, Sega… now where's that Shining Force Complete Saga remake?

TGS 2010: Capcom & From Software’s Steel Battalion Relaunch Gives Me The Kinect Jones

Posted on September 17, 2010 by geelw

If it hasn't happened yet thanks to Demon's Souls and some of its other recent titles, From Software just might be a household name thanks to Capcom, Keiji Inafune and the return of a little game called Steel Battalion. The original was an Xbox exclusive produced in limited quantities and packed in a huge box with an amazing table-sized controller (complete with foot pedals, multiple switches and a working eject button). The game became an instant collector's item and has been for years, one of the most desired “niche” games on any platform. The sequel, Steel Battalion: Line of Contact was an online only expansion that (in my humble opinion) SHOULD have had an offline mode as not everyone who shelled out for the original game had an Xbox Live account. Nevertheless, both games were impressive hardcore mech simulations that required complete concentration and deft controller work in order to achieve success.