Ouch and double ouch. Bringing Ted Price on stage to state their new game could ONLY be done on the Xbox One was pretty a nasty shock to some longtime Sony and Insomniac fans who thought the companies were inseparable. The again, as soon as FUSE was announced initially as Overstrike, I figured that the relationship was over as far as a one-console future for the developer. Well, here you go – it looks like this one will do well based on the response, but some hate the visuals for looking “too Xbox 360” or “too cartoony!”… which is hilarious, as that’s what they wanted with FUSE when it was called Overstrike. Ha and ha ha. Well, it’s still early as far as the dev process goes, so stuff may or may not change as development continues…
Tag Archives: Insomniac Games
FUSE Launch Trailer: Tip #1: Don’t Die Hard, Duck, Dodge and Destroy…
So, FUSE is finally out and, Insomniac fans can get their game on for the first time on both the PS3 and Xbox 360. As I’m up to my eyeballs in stuff to do, I haven’t grabbed a copy yet, but I’ve played a few demo builds at press events and based on the quick report from a friend who picked up his from a certain game shop, it’s super challenging and a hell of a lot of fun. I’m more of a solo player, so I’ll need to make it through the campaign with my fingers crossed that the AI is really good (it was in those preview builds) and Insomniac tweaked the challenge in that one crazy mode where the objectives change randomly for each wave of enemies. OK, enough daydreaming – back to work…
FUSE “Hired Guns” Trailer: Well, The Demo Is Free, So They’re Really Not Hired (Yet)…
Today’s the big day for Insomniac’s FUSE in terms of the gaming public finally getting a great demo to blast through on PSN and Xbox Live. I’ve been a fan of the game since I got some hands-on time late last year, but the project has been a bit of a gripe-fest for some fans of the developer who didn’t like the visual change from its initial reveal as Overstrike and the made-up rumors that EA “made” the team change the game to a modern-looking “gritty” shooter just to sell more copies. Every game goes through a few redesigns before the final product ships, so I give Ted Price and company the first and last word on the game’s visuals and gameplay (which by the way, are both solid). Anyway, if you’ve got a PS3 or 360 humming in your home, drop everything and go give that demo a shot. Insomniac certainly won’t mind the feedback once you’re all done, that’s for sure…
FUSE Villain Trailer: “Here Comes The Big Boss… Let’s Get It On!”
Insomniac’s been getting a bit of grief from some gamers about FUSE, but as this trailer shows, the developer still has it where it counts when it comes to cooking up some memorable action scenes and plenty of well-rendered destruction. Yeah, yeah – it’s not cartoony, and yeah, yeah, you can say it looks like some other shooters on the market all day long, but it’s when you PLAY this one that you see where it’s not quite what you’re expecting. Anyway, that May 28 release date is coming sooner than you think, so I hope you’re prepared for a little hardcore excitement (er, NO… not THAT kind, silly). Or at least a big sackful of black pepper to throw in the face of that ridiculously-sized boss that pops up in the game. That should be an interesting battle for solo players, I’d say…
FUSE Unboxing Video: This One Is At Least Intentionally Funny…
In case you didn’t know, I really dislike unboxing videos. For me, it’s a waste of time, white cotton gloves when the person making the video is wearing them (and looking like a game usher!) and basically, the majority of the ones I’ve seen are just smug “look what I got” videos or just show off one big reason the industry is having issues with some AAA games that seemingly get overpriced Collector’s Editions for no really good reason but to be in someone’s unboxing video. Thankfully, Insomniac Games has read my mind and come up with the *ULTIMATE* in unboxing videos for their new PS3 and Xbox 360 game FUSE, set for release on May 28 (in the US) and May 31 (In Europe). I say just get me the game and I’ll play and enjoy it – no statues, comic books, CD soundtrack, artbook or other goodie necessary, as they won’t fit into my consoles anyway…
Do We REALLY Need A Ratchet & Clank Movie? I Guess We Do. Maybe.
OK, I know I’ll get beat up by the more cranky fans of this franchise, but I’d much really rather see whatever money that’s going into this otherwise SPECTACULAR looking new film (set for a 2015 release, mind you) go into a new game (or games) instead starring these characters. Or even better, a game that combines this look (which the PS4 can handle with no trouble, I’d bet) in a game that’s packing movie-quality looks and gameplay flawlessly. Sure, this will absolutely rake in the megabucks as soon as it hits theaters, but I know that there’s an audience for CG animation that automatically shows up and buys into that first weekend or two just because it looks cool. I know that if the film references the older games too much, most of those jokes will soar over the heads of that non-gamer crowd while those who DO know what’s being talked about will be falling into their buckets of popcorn laughing.
On the other hand, this COULD be the best thing since sliced hamcheesebread if this is some sort of trial balloon for a future animated series or new game tie in. THAT said, it’s going to be interesting to see if this video game series that got its start on the PlayStation 2 eleven years ago is still relevant two years from now. I’d like to think Insomniac Games would want to move onto better and brighter things, but try and tell that to the rabid fans who want them to churn out the same types of games endlessly and gripe if they want to do something different. Then again… it’s kind of hard to pass up on making more money from something so cool if there’s enough of a demand for it. Ah, the eternal cycle continues, I suppose…
FUSE Character Profiles: Four You’ll Want Fighting For Your Side

Insomniac is finally rolling out some cool video profiles of the four playable characters from its upcoming PS3/Xbox 360 game FUSE, set to hit stores this spring. So, without further delay (other than making your way through my scribblings) here’s a look-see at Naya (above), Izzy, Dalton and Jacob (all below the jump). Hey, ladies first, I say. Especially if they can kick a bunch of butt around the room like these two can. Continue reading
FUSE Hands-On: Insomniac Wants You Up All Night With Their Co-op Focused Shooter

In a way, FUSE is probably Insomniac’s most important game to date. The veteran games studio is well know worldwide among critics and PlayStation fans (and anyone else who happens to be console agnostic) who knows everything the developer has done has been of the highest quality. Sit down with any Insomniac title and you’ll find plenty of outstanding design, excellent visuals, and games that are just pure fun to play. Much of that work has held up over time (yes, even Disruptor) and as their first multi-platform release, the game looks to the carry those traditions to both the PS3 and Xbox 360. EA had a new demo of the game up and running at their spring press event a few weeks back and it was one of those cases where I walked up to the demo setup with a huge grin and left holding the top of my head so it wouldn’t fall off because that grin got a wee bit too wide. The co-op focused shooter formerly known as Overstrike looks spectacular, controls like a dream and more importantly, is certainly geared towards expert players.
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault: Well, If You’re Skewing Younger, It’s A Step Forward…
Well, it looks as if since R & C All 4 One, Insomniac is cutting out any chance of this series being as “edgy” as it once was. Of course, that’s to be expected with the franchise running for so long across two console cycles (and soon to be two portable ones). Granted, if you think about it, the visual style has always been that of a modern CG cartoon influenced by many classics from days gone by now geared to kids. I’m also betting that the dev tem members with younger kids are making a game they can play with them as opposed to cranking out yet another game made for the fans who want nothing to change, ever.
That’s one BIG reason for new IP folks – it keeps stuff like this from dragging out into the land of diminishing returns. Bring on Overstrike, I say.
Burning Questions (Ouch): So, Why Isn’t Outernauts ALSO On The Vita?
I’m just asking a pretty obvious question, as Sony really NEEDS something like this free Facebook-only game (which just so happens to be created by the folks behind some of the company’s key first-party titles since the days of the original PlayStation). The way I see it, Outernauts could be expanded onto the Vita as a budget-priced game and/or PSN perhaps as a bigger and more fleshed out version tailored to the handheld’s strengths. Between the addictive monster collecting and fun battle system PLUS the possibility for exclusive content (like character skins from certain popular Insomniac games), I’m just shocked that this project wasn’t considered as more than a “one site that’s not PSN” deal. Between this oopsie move and Ubisoft’s interesting looking Ghost Recon social game also not making an appearance on the Vita, you have to wonder what’s up with SCEA’s plans for the handheld’s future in terms of getting people to play all sorts of unique game experiences on the thing. I’m just saying that to me it’s a no-brainer that these two games (and more) should start popping up for those of us who dislike Facebook these days for any number of good reasons, is all…

