Monthly Archives: January 2009

Q-Game’s Dylan Cuthbert has told us via PSBlog that a patch for Pixel Junk Eden will be released tomorrow on the US PSN.

As for what it fixes:

We’ve gone ahead and fixed and added a few things to try and get as many people to play Eden as possible, as it really is a remarkable game…if I do say so myself. I simply want as many people as possible to experience it in full (if only we could release it for free and still make a living like some Star Trek-like future).

Europe gets it a little later. “Stay tuned,” apparently.

By Mike Bowden

PS3F has noticed this EA store listing which shows that PlayStation 3 owners are to get the Command and Conquer: Alert 3 Ultimate Edition.

Why is it so Ultimate? Well, because you’ll get bloopers, behind the scenes, and developer videos. There will also be brand new maps. The soundtrack is included and there’s a Unit Profiles video encyclopaedia.

By far the most important however is the the exclusive HD version of a video feature, “Girls of RA3,” which focuses on the women featured in the game.

Day one buy, innit.

By Mike Bowden

Nintendo has announced that thanks to what it calls “newly formed collaborations with select schools and educators,” its Wii console together with Wii Music will be part of the curriculum in some schools in America.

“The goal of Wii Music is to inspire people of all ages to enjoy music,” said NoA executive VP, Cammie Dunaway.

“By partnering with educators and bringing Wii Music into their classrooms, we hope to give students a memorable, hands-on experience that helps them discover their own creative voice.”

Some teachers are already well behind the idea:

“Wii Music has brought a renewed excitement to music class for students from first grade to fifth, myself and even some of the classroom teachers,” said Helen A. Krofchick, a music teacher at Doby’s Mill Elementary School in South Carolina.

“I love how many music standards can be covered in such a short time. Students also have to use language skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.

“We have a school very supportive of the arts and Wii Music has empowered our program even more. Any system that is educational and can add a love of music to children’s lives should be in every classroom,” she added.

Wii Music has received mixed reviews so far and has amassed 63/100 score on Metacritic.

Full release after the break.

By Mike Bowden

More »

Following on from yesterday’s Tomb Raider DLC rumour, another piece of info has been leaked by Gamestop, and that that Guitar Hero: Metallica will hit the streets on March 29 in the US.

It should retail as the usual US price of $60 and will be available for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, and Xbox 360 – if true, that is.

Metallica said last year that they reckon games are “way fucking cool.” That’s why they’re famous.

We’ll ask Activision as soon as we get the time.

Thanks, Destructoid.

By Mike Bowden

AceyBongos, Britain’s answer to Major Nelson, has warned that if you downloaded the Midnight Club DLC that accidentally went live on Xbox Marketplace yesterday and was shortly pulled, then you should delete it as it’s potentially game-breaking.

Acey says that “it was being tested when it was mistakenly put live and therefore it may not work properly, the Achievements won’t register and could cause you problems with your Midnight Club: LA game saves.”

So there you go.

By Mike Bowden

According to PaidContent, British songsmith Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Really Useful Group is to make a Singstar/Lips-esque game featuring tracks from his musicals.

According to the article, Really Useful reckons that the “emergence of more female gamers in the traditionally male-dominated game consumer demographic, and the popularity of singing- and music-based titles like PlayStation’s Singstar and Xbox’s Lips” are the motivation behind the move.

Also, the group says the forthcoming Beatles Guitar Hero game also shows how music brands can be translated into play.

More through the link.

By Mike Bowden

After the break. It all looks very good actually, although in this new Tenchu 4 trailer from Ubisoft doesn’t show any gameplay, unfortunately. Still, worth checking ou,t we reckon.

Game’s out Q1 2009.

Go watch.

More »

The Major tells us that we now have to wait a week for Twisted Pixel’s The Maw, but to tide us all over, there’s some Castle Crashers DLC called the ‘King Pack’ that will be available to download from XBLA today.

It will cost you 160 MS Points and according to the GamerscoreBlog the will present you with two new characters – Open Faced Grey Knight and The King – a new seal animal orb named Pelter, three new weapons and a King’s Heal potion that heals your entire party.

More through the links.

By Mike Bowden

The PlayStation 2’s tenure as God-Emperor King of videogame consoles may be coming to a close, but at least it’s going out on a high note. According to a report by The Associated Press, the nearly nine year-old machine’s cash emissions are vomit-inducingly high, with 50 million units sold in the U.S. alone.

Will the PS2 break 60 million units, though? Well, that depends on Sony who – even though PS2 sales have nearly halved since last year – doesn’t plan on tossing the system aside just yet.

“We don’t intend on discarding the system any time soon,” said Sony Computer Entertainment America hardware marketing director John Koller.

More through the link.

By Nathan Grayson

After receiving a vague “January” release period back in November, Mirror’s Edge’s psychedelic DLC pack has been branded with an official date: January 29.

According to EA’s press release, the DLC will “challenge players to achieve the fastest times possible on nine races across seven all-new and totally redesigned Time Trial maps.”

In our expert opinion, the maps also “look totally bitchin’.”

The DLC will snuggle up next to your hard drive for 800 Microsoft Points or $10. Do you plan on checking it out?

By Nathan Grayson

Bethseda has announced that Operation: Anchorage, which is the first of three expansion packs for Fallout 3, will be available to download from January 27.

Operation: Anchorage will cost 800 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 and PC.

Due to an exclusivity agreement with Microsoft, the content will not be released on PS3.

Update: Bethseda has also released a patch that is needed before Operation Anchorage can be played. The 1.1 patch fixes who whole host of bugs and quests on all formats. Full list over at Destructoid.

You can download the PC patch from here.

By Mike Bowden

After the break. The quality isn’t exactly the best, and it’s all in Japanese, but it’s Final Fantasy XIII and therefore it’s news.

Go watch.

Update: There’s an HD version here. Thanks, Blerk.

More »

Bizarre Creations has released all of the tunes from Geometry Wars 1 and 2 for your listening pleasure.

“Chris Chudley (of Audio Antics) was kind enough to put together a badass Megamix, featuring some of the songs from the entire GW series in a 13 minute long special remix version,” said Bizarre community manager Ami Langton.

“The mix is named ’46860 Choices’, and we’re releasing it for free download.”

Grab the mix here.

Thanks, CVG.

By Mike Bowden

After the break. We’re total comics freaks so suffice to say we’re looking forward to this one, although we’re still smarting from not being allowed to be Batman.

Game’s out late this year/early next for PC and PS3.

Update: This dev walkthrough was in three parts. Parts two and three have now been added.

Go watch.

By Mike Bowden

More »

In the last Fable II DLC story for today, Major Nelson has now confirmed that Fable II DLC, Knothole Island, is available from the Xbox Live Marketplace.

It was available earlier in the day, but only from Xbox.com.

Major says:

Content: Fable II – Knothole Island
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text:[ESRB: M (Mature) BLOOD,LANGUAGE,USE OF ALCOHOL,VIOLENCE] Discover new quests, locations, characters and more in the premium Knothole Island download. Meet Gordon the submariner in the Bowerstone docks, where you’ll be showered with unique gifts to entice you to the mysterious island. There you will embark on new adventures, fight new creatures and find Albion’s rarest weapons, clothes and potions. You will also be able to check your standing in over 50 new Leaderboards on Lionhead.com.

Now you’ve no excuses left.

By Mike Bowden

Atari has announced that Eternal Sonata PS3 will be available on February 13.

The tri-Crescendo developed RPG has been a long time coming, but Atari promised a February 09 release date last year and hasn’t let us down.

Eternal Sonata was released on Xbox 360 in October 2007.

By Mike Bowden

UK developer Binary Tweed is working on Clover, a new puzzler for Microsoft’s XBLA that features platforming and political themes.

“The game is set in a medieval world where a ruling monarchy co-exists with a welfare state. Recently orphaned hero Sam travels around collecting stuff, solving logic problems and chatting to other characters,” writes EG.

“Clover is a game about artwork and plot; so much so that we’re struggling to fit everything within the size limit,” Binary Tweed boss Daniel Jones said.

“We wanted to make a game that has the artistic charm to appeal to a broad audience, while exploring issues that communicate to adult gamers.”

More through the link.

By Mike Bowden

French site LiveWii claims to have gotten hold of Activision’s Q1 release schedule on on it is a previously unannounced Indiana Jones game entitled, Sceptre of Kings for Nintendo Wii.

The other titles listed are Guitar Hero: Metallica (May), Monsters Vs Aliens (Q2) and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Q2).

We’re checking with Activision now.

By Mike Bowden

Square Enix has announced that PSP RPG Star Ocean: Second Evolution is due for release in PAL territories on Feb 13th.

Second Evolution is completely remastered and features a revised game engine, improved battle system and fully-voiced, all-new animated scenes displayed in 16:9 widescreen.

“2009 is set to be a landmark year for the STAR OCEAN series, I’m delighted that new fans can continue to experience this classic series with the release of Star Ocean: Second Evolution for PSP and I hope players are excitedly looking forward to the forthcoming release of Star: The Last Hope,” said John Yamamoto, Square Enix president and CEO.

Full release after the break..

By Mike Bowden

More »

Activision Blizzard has announced that Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen is heading to Guitar Hero World Tour with an a two track pack that includes new single My Lucky Day, and the all time classic of all time, Born to Run.

The content will be released alongside his new album, Working on a Dream on January 27.

“Activision has been a leader in getting music to the public in new ways and we are very happy to have them making these two songs available to their audience,” Springsteen’s longtime manager Jon Landau said.

As for price, if you grab it early – namely between Jan 27 and Feb 4 – it’ll be free of charge. After that, the track pack will cost 320 MS Points or roughly £3.49 from PSN.

By Mike Bowden