Bethesda Softworks & Tango Gameworks Announce New Survival Horror Game (I’m Scared Already)…

So, that’s what Shinji Mikami has been up to lately. Besides posing for what looks like a jeans or sneakers ad (ha ha), he’s also directing a brand new survival horror game from developer Tango Gameworks that’s going to be published by Bethesda Softworks at some point in the future (as in, when it’s done).

Anyway, the game project is codenamed “Zwei” (meaning “I won’t comment on this until the game has an actual title” in German), there’s nothing yet on the story characters or gameplay and just a single image made up of environments from the work in progress (see below).

Despite the lack of info about the game, Mikami has some words of comfort for horror fans out there wondering about how scary the game will be:

“A true ‘survival horror’ game is one in which the player confronts and overcomes fear,” says Shinji Mikami, president and creative director for Tango Gameworks. “I’ve found my focus and once again I’m striving for pure survival horror. I am being very hands-on in the development of this game to ensure that the quality is there. Rest assured.”

Sounds like a plan and yes, Bethesda is on a roll again. Dishonored is coming to slap your skeptical face straight and this Tango project will hopefully be as memorable (or even more so) than the Resident Evil games Mikami is well-known for. Granted, for sheer fear, it’s going to be hard to beat Frictional Game’s masterful fright-fest Amnesia: The Dark Descent, but we’ll see how this new game progresses as more media rolls in during the development process…

Tiny & Big Gets A Tiny Bit Of Accidental QA Humor…

 

Black Pants Game Studios should have added some random football/soccer commentary to this clip just to make it even funnier. Anyway, Tiny & Big In: Grandpa’s Leftovers is still winding its way toward completion, so I’m looking forward to finally trying the final version of the game out to see how much it’s improved since that incredibly fun demo. That, and I want to see it hit PSN and/or XBLA at some point just because I think a LOT of gamers out there would have a blast with it.

Malevolence: The Sword of Ahkranox Update: The Great Outdoors And A New Funding Pitch…

 

In case you’re not following this fantastic-looking “old-school” RPG here, the dev team is hard at work whipping up some gorgeous outdoor environments:

 

 

 

and has done a second IndieGoGo pitch video geared toward potential donors who haven’t yet heard of the project (you SHOULD go donate to the cause, I say):

 

 

Finally, below the jump, some borrowed video from one of the alpha testers just so you have an idea of what to come (but much more improved, obviously)…

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Tiny & Big Update: Levels, We Got Levels!

I was wondering about how Black Pants Games Studios was going to structure its upcoming game, Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers, and thanks to their latest video, now I know (and so do you!). Check out the new trailer for the game and see the different places you’ll go as you try and nab those underpants from that pest, Big and deal with his shenanigans as he does all he can to thwart your efforts. Now, all that needs to happen is the team getting dev kits for assorted consoles at some point so ports can be made, as this game SCREAMS for motion control or touch-screen elements on a few platforms…

Dear Esther: Mystery No More (And Let The Waiting Begin)…

Sometimes, you see a game that makes you smile and nod knowingly, not for anything amusing, mind you, but because it’s a solid case where a developer gets things down perfectly and the project is coming together like a dream. Dear Esther is one of those games and with its February 14, 2012 release date coming up, here’s a quick look at two work in-progress trailers that show off quietly spectacular detailed visuals powered by  Valve’s “ancient” Source Engine (which goes to show it’s not the years, it’s the mileage a great developer gets out of it). It’s hard to believe that this game started life as a Half-Life 2 mod back in 2008 before a major reworking, but that’s the wonder of inspiration for you, folks… Continue reading

Finally! A NEW Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers Trailer!

Awesome. One of my favorite in-progress games gets a new video update. Nice, nice. NOW, if only this would come to consoles as well, even more people would see how cool it is. Anyway, go bug the upstanding guys over at Black Pants Game Studios about becoming a beta tester for this one, as it’s shaping up to be a real winner and a truly original, innovative new game.

Anarchy Reigns Character Profile: Leo is Back!

Platinum Games’ online enabled brawler is Sega’s second chance and getting it right in terms of publishing a decent multiplayer beat-down (the first was the woeful Iron Phoenix), but it looks as if Platinum is going for the gold here. I’d say that Leo is one more AR character you’d not want to come across in a dark alley, broad daylight or any other situation unless you were being very well protected.

SSX: Deadly Descents Divides (The Fanbase) and Conquers (Much of Their Sanity)…

Nice trailer… but, Holy Belfry, Batman! You'd think that EA drove over a an entire block full of little kids carrying baskets of newborn puppies while on the way to a church bake sale after visiting Grandma. Twice. Some of the responses I've seen to the SSX: Deadly Descents game trailer and new direction the formerly goofy and always exuberant fan fave are probably arrest-worthy and yes, completely unnecessary. Game History 105: Radical Entertainment (Prototype 2, among other cool games) and THQ tried out a mix of action movie and snowboarding on consumers “way” back in 2001 with a little game called Dark Summit. While it didn't exactly blow any sales doors off (or gain a huge enough following to warrant a sequel, for that matter), it received mixed (but mainly positive) reviews, was fun to play and manged to get in a bit of humor during the story. Hell, the whole game idea was pretty funny in a “Hey you kids, get off my secret government test area snow-covered lawn!” kinda way.

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Batman Arkham City Teaser (Yet Another Long Wait That’s Going To Be Worth It)

Well, now we know it’s next fall as far as the release date goes. WBIE may be stingy with revealing assets, but heck, that’s not going to stop the game from being as good as (or even better than) the original, I say…

Zombie Shooter 2 Is Complete – All Hail Sigma Team!

Are you a fan of insane isometric run ‘n gun action with a dash of RPG elements, a healthy weapons selection and HUNDREDS of enemies onscreen exploding in gobs of gory goo? Well, Sigma Team has been a “go-to” source for games that follow that exact pattern for a few years and their latest effort, Zombie Shooter 2 is 100% complete and ready to purchase and download right off their website. The game follows the same mold as their Alien Shooter series of games, but the undead factor is one that really sinks its teeth into you a bit more than gigantic bugs and mutated dino-beasts…

 

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