Tag Archives: Namco Bandai

London’s East End Gets Treated To SoulCalibur V Graffiti

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Graffiti isn’t a crime EVERYWHERE in the free world and it’s good to see it used to promote what’s looking like a pretty cool game. Of course, London gets a lot of other cool stuff we don’t here in the states, but I’m not Anthony Bourdain and this isn’t the Travel Channel, so you’ll have to get over there and see for yourself at some point. Anyway, enjoy the video and make sure to check out SoulCalibur V when it hits stores tomorrow (or February 3, if you happen to be in the UK or Europe).

SoulCalibur V Update: A Terrible Trio Trailer

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Here’s another look at SoulCalibur V in action, this time featuring Algol and Edgemaster plus Soul of Devil Jin, a custom character cooked using the beefy edit function. I can;t wait to see how many other new fighters the game’s user base whips up, as the possibilities are endless and the game looks to be one of those that gets played to death for the next few years online as well as off. SoulCalibur V arrives in the US on January 31 and in Europe on February 3.

Armored Core V Walkthrough: From Keeps It Familiar (& Doesn’t Breed Contempt)

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Nice new visuals aside (go, From!), there’s just something supremely “old school” about this Armored Core V gameplay footage that made me think a bit of all the fun I had with the original game and its sequels back on the PlayStation. Granted, AC V’s more multiplayer-centric approach will make this latest entry a big draw for those who like their mechs going at it in team-based combat. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there’s enough of a single player campaign included for those of us who want to dive in and not have to deal with folks who make you want to throw a shoe (and a controller) at your TV…

Capcom Reveals Surprising Exclusive Characters For PS3/Vita Street Fighter X Tekken

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Capcom has a really great sense of humor, that’s for sure… but I’ll bet real money a lot of Mega Man fans’ heads are exploding big time. The blue bomber is indeed a playable character in the upcoming Street Fighter X Tekken, but it’s the Bad Box Art version instead of the more familiar MM. Color me supremely tickled at this. Also amusing, seeing Sony’s Toro and Kuro (characters from a series of cute games never released in the US) and Pac-Man (!), who’s probably the biggest surprise of them all. Then again, now that I think about it, Klonoa should have been in the game as well as Tomba just to show some classic PlayStation love. Oh well, there’s always DLC or some sort of updated version down the road. Or heck, Tekken X Street Fighter, Namco’s companion piece to SF X T that’s still in development…

SoulCalibur V Story Trailer

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Namco Bandai’s newest installment in the long-running fighting game series finally lands in stores at the end of the month (January 31, to be exact). Here’s a look at the game’s story trailer, which as usual, is that high quality Namco CG awesomeness they’re well known for. Project Soul has injected a more action game dynamic to the fighting with faster (and more fluid) character animation for even the returning favorites which should shake things up considerably as slower fighters get a speed boost that some hardcore fans may not initially care for. Me, I’m easy as long as the game is good and is packed to the gills with content.

Touch My Katamari Trailer: It’s Good To Be The King!

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Yes, he’s back, as are a few other familiar faces, all headed for a February 22, 2012 date with destiny on the PlayStation Vita. Can TMC roll up the sales and solid reviews big time, or will it be a touchy subject when the game rolls into the bargain bin? I predict minor to medium greatness, provided the target audience snaps it up properly and spreads the good word…

Soulcalibur V Goes Gold (Well, Yesterday), In Stores 1/31

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OK, I’m a bit behind in news (what else is new?) – anyway, controversy over a rather silly ad I won’t run here aside (when will game companies learn that using boobs to sell an otherwise fine fighting game is a no-no in this era of gamer equality), the game is looking sharp and should be another fine installment once players get used to the new stuff Project Soul has added. I’m not sure how I feel about Ezio from the Assassin’s Creed games being in the mix, but hey – it’s better than Yoda, Darth Vader and a few of the other guest stars that have popped up in the series (although they all were fun to use, mind you).

And yes, there will be a number of special pre-order bonus items available, based on which retailer you’re headed to. Press release with info on that below the jump…

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Review: Tekken Hybrid

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Platform: PlayStation 3

Developer: Namco

Publisher: Namco Bandai

# of Players: 1 – 4

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: B+ (80%)

 

One of the most underutilized features of the PS3 has been the ability to play Blu-Ray and game hybrid discs, which is quite strange in my opinion. Considering how licensed movie games could have a second life if bundled with the films they’re based on at a reasonable price point, it’s a no-brainer to me that MORE game/movie discs haven’t been produced. Tekken Hybrid manages to do a pretty decent job as a package, although a few more bonuses would have been cool to beef up the replay value somewhat. For $40, you’re getting the CG movie Tekken: Blood Vengeance, an HD version of Tekken Tag Tournament and a brief demo of the Japanese arcade version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (all with optional 3DTV support), plus a few interviews with a few folks behind the games and film. While this package is geared more towards hardcore Tekken fans, those new to the long running fighting franchise can pick it up and have a blast, provided they’re not looking for online play or tons of bonus content (other than the newly added Trophies). Continue reading →

Review: Dark Souls

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Platform: PlayStation 3 (also on Xbox 360)

Developer: From Software

Publisher: Namco Bandai

# of Players: 1 (Online: 1 – 4)

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Official Site

Score: A (90%)

If Dark Souls doesn’t scare you silly at some point, you’re either fearless, slightly to moderately insane or so jaded that nothing can faze you. Like 2009’s PS3 smash sleeper, Demon Souls, what’s here is a purely terrifying blend of old school difficulty and current gen tech that’s beautiful yet brutal and definitely not for those looking for an easy ride. From Software has created one of the most compelling game experiences to date (and if you’ve been a fan of the developer as long as I have, you could see this coming) that’s an absolute essential for any gamer willing to take the plunge. While the lengthy solo campaign is superb, it’s in the innovative online mode where many will see the game’s full range. That said, the dev team has wisely made sure that folks who can’t play online can still complete the game. It’ll just be a bit harder at times thanks to the punishing difficulty and intentionally vague storytelling that requires a bit of thought (and a lot more exploration and combat) to fully comprehend. Continue reading →

Review: Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi

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Platform: Xbox 360 (also on PS3)

Developer: Spike

Publisher: Namco Bandai

# of Players: 1 – 2 (Online 1 – 2)

ESRB Rating: T Teen

Official Site

Score: B (75%)

 

Bigger, meaner, louder and faster pretty much sums up each new Dragon Ball Z game that hits consoles on what seems to be a yearly basis, but this year’s DBZ game, Ultimate Tenkaichi, while spectacular looking and a thrill to play,  somehow drops the ball when it comes to character count. While there’s a character edit function here, it’s a bit limited and the overall number of playable fighters isn’t as impressive as last year’s Raging Blast 2. If you can manage to get over that disappointment (or could care lass about who’s in this game as long as it’s fun), what’s here is a total blast to dive into again and again as it still packs in many hours of exciting fighting action. A few elements, such as the emphasis on quick time events for some special attacks and interesting pattern-based boss battles that would feel more at home in a 3D platformer, may take a bit of getting used to for some younger players. But overall, there’s more than enough of the usual DBZ stuff here to keep you busy for quite some time. Continue reading →