Namco Bandai To Publish Dark Souls, Armored Core V (The Plot Thickens…)

Posted on February 2, 2011 by geelw

“FromSoftware has an excellent pedigree of producing remarkable fan-favorite games that have made a huge impact and invigorated their respective categories,” said Kenji Hisatsune president and CEO, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “The two upcoming games will exemplify this heritage while yet again introducing exciting new ways for gamers to experience these genres.”

“Combining the development power of FromSoftware with NAMCO BANDAI Games’ global publishing expertise will greatly benefit our upcoming projects,” said Eiichi Nakajima, studio head, FromSoftware, Inc. “We look forward to a successful partnership and delivering new revolutionary titles for gamers around the world.”

In the words of the great philosophers: Oh hell, yes.

Project Dark Isn’t Demon’s Souls II, Set for PS3, Xbox 360 (Atlus Not Included…)

Posted on February 2, 2011 by geelw

I figured as much, but waiting for confirmation before rambling on and over-speculating is usually a really good idea. From Software has indeed been toiling away on a follow up to Demon’s Souls, the huge hit for the developer that featured some truly hardcore difficulty as well as an innovative online mode. According to Japanese games magazine Famitsu, the upcoming RPG Dark Souls (formerly Project Dark) is NOT a direct sequel to Demon’s Souls, but explores and expands upon the gameplay found in the first game. Dark Souls will feature a larger, seamless game world with “more complex geometry”, a deeper character creation feature and what’s looking like enhancements to the online play.

Shockingly (well, for some folks), Atlus won’t be localizing or publishing the new game in North America (or anywhere else for that matter). Namco Bandai has the US and European publishing rights, which may mean we’ll see the game on a press tour at some point here in NYC. Additionally, the game will be 360-bound in North America/Europe and a PS3 exclusive in Japan (which is sort of a big “ouch!” to the much smaller Japanese 360 user base). I’d say they could use the instant worldwide sales Dark Souls will no doubt bring them, as a few of their releases from last year didn’t do too well critically. No release date has been announced, but the game is expected to launch before the end of this year.

More info on this as it comes in… stay tuned.

3D Dot Game Heroes Gets Updated… Now With Sackboy!

Posted on September 23, 2010 by geelw

Atlus has released a great update to its excellent retro action RPG, 3D Dot Game Heroes. Players who already own the game as well as those new to the awesomeness will find a nice surprise in the form of over 50 new playable character models including Little Big Planet's popular Sackboy. Additionally, the game will feature a couple of fixes and tweaks… but you'll have to click below to read that part!

Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor Kinect Trailer

Posted on September 18, 2010 by geelw

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

No gameplay here – just a dramatic chunk of From Software packing in the guts ‘n glory (‘n mechs) by channeling a bit of Spielberg. Very cool, indeed. Nice touch at the end – just when you think you’re about to see actual gamplay, the trailer is done and you’re left hanging (and possibly wanting to run down to that game shop to slap down cash for a Kinect).

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.

TGS 2010: From Software. Project Dark. Yeah, it’s On…

Posted on September 16, 2010 by geelw

Given the huge critical and commercial success of Demon’s Souls, I bet the folks at From are feeling pretty darn happy. Their next big game is the TGS-announced PS3 and Xbox 360 RPG, Project Dark, a title that will probably change as more is known and shown about the game. From what info there was to be unearthed, the upcoming game isn’t a direct sequel to Demon’s Souls at all, but is still geared to “hardcore” players that crave a true challenge.

As a HUGE fan of From’s work since the original King’s Field, I love how the veteran developer is finally being accepted amongst Western and European gamers as one of the best console RPG makers currently working. As noted above, Project Dark is currently set for release in Japan sometime in 2011 through Namco Bandai, according to the logos on the teaser site), but the game’s Western publishing fate is currently unknown. Given From’s new status as a “hot” developer, it’ll really be interesting to see just who snaps up the game and what sort of localization and marketing muscle are behind any US release.

Demon’s Souls Reaches Greatest Hit Status

Posted on September 15, 2010 by geelw

Yeah, yeah, Halo Reach is out (my review goes up this weekend), but in slightly cooler news, Atlus has announced that Demon's Souls is the latest member of Sony's PlayStation 3 Greatest Hits lineup. From Software's challenging dark fantasy RPG (and winner of numerous accolades) is headed to retail in a new packaging, which means first and second run copies will disappear from some retailers that make room for new stock. As a longtime Atlus supporter since 1992, yup, they're getting even more of my money…

Review: 3D Dot Game Heroes

Posted on May 14, 2010 by geelw

Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Silicon Studio/From Software

Publisher: Atlus

# of Players: 1

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site
Score: A

Without a doubt one of the best “retro” games to date that’s not a homebrew creation, 3D Dot Game Heroes perfectly blends old-school gameplay elements and today’s console technology with the end result being an instant classic no PS3 owner should miss. It’s easy to look at screen shots or poke around on a message board and read about simplistic comparisons to The Legend of Zelda or other favorite 8-bit adventure RPGs, but the game is a lot more rewarding than a mere clone if you know your gaming history. Obvious plot and gameplay elements aside, 3DDGH is a pretty darn funny trip through the 8-bit era with a decidedly modern spin.

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Gallery Update: 3D Dot Game Heroes

Posted on February 27, 2010 by geelw

Lock up your daughters (well, unless they’re kidnapped princesses that need rescuing)! Atlus USA is letting loose a few more screens from its upcoming PS3 exclusive 3D Dot Game Heroes. Before you take a peek down there, you need to ask yourself a few important questions.

Do you like HUGE swords? Er, in a non-threatening, but increasingly screen-filling manner, that is? Well, take a gander at these big’uns, read the descriptions and try not to lose an eye in the process…

Yeah, this game is going to be a total blast (er, try not to take that the wrong way, folks).

Ancient Sword: The sword of the legendary hero, left in the Sacred Woods should evil arise again.

Claymore: A massive blade that cuts down your foes!

Excalibur: A sword of legend that will require you to gain favor with King Block to obtain it.

Holy Sword: A sword forged in sacred water.

Katana: A sharp, thin blade from the east!

Rare Fish: …? Really?

Preview: 3D Dot Game Heroes – Atlus Gets Retro, Yet Modern With A Sweet Zelda Vibe

Posted on February 19, 2010 by geelw

Thanks to the power of WebEx (craaaak-BOOM!) and the ridiculously fun folks at Atlus USA, 3D Dot Game Heroes has jumped to the front of my must-play list for early 2010 releases. I’ve been interested in this PlayStation 3 exclusive ever since seeing screens from Japan last year and upon hearing Atlus wisely snapped up the US publishing rights, I was more than a little ecstatic at the localization possibilities. Based on the hour-long web demo/presentation, the guys and gals out in sunny Irvine, California have done another super job of bringing US gamers one more surefire hit. From the excellently stylized 3D “block art” to the head-boppingly nostalgic soundtrack and simple yet challenging Action/RPG gameplay, this could be one of those cool “sleepers” that hopefully wakes up a few jaded gamers from their usual purchasing patterns.

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