The Tanooki » Xbox 360

PAX Prime 2011: First impressions Battleblock Theater

Holly Green — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 17:23:37 +0000

With the horrors of PAX Prime 2011 fading into distant memory (YOU try lugging around camera equipment for 12+ hours a day, fueled only by limited sleep, 5 Hour Energy, stored beer fat, and beef jerky) it’s time to finally bust out with the previews! Up first is the endearing Battleblock Theater, a co-op/vs. beat ‘em up coming from the makers of Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers, San Diego based indie studio The Behemoth.

I first played Battleblock Theater back at PAX 2010, when The Behemoth was only showcasing the game’s multiplayer mode. I was unaware there’d also be a story mode, which at a whopping 100+ levels and 100+ playable characters is arguably the bulk of the entire game. Fueled by Dan Paladin’s endless doodling, the amount of content is staggering; level designer Aaron Jungjohann says the development of Behemoth titles is constantly adapting to incorporate the whimsical new creatures showing up on scraps of paper and pages across the studio. In fact, Aaron tells me he entered Dan’s office only last week to find an amusing series of desserts drawn to look like ghosts; ice cream, pie, even cheesecake, all done up as transparent, sugary specters ready to unleash calorific doom. As Aaron puts it, “Who knows what’ll be in the game next! Maybe we’ll see a cheesecake ghost boss!” (I’d like to go on record right now saying I’d play the hell out of that).

While playing the new build of Battleblock Theater with Aaron, now on a dual player arcade box instead of last year’s Xbox and TV stations, I was immediately struck by the fluidity of the gameplay. Battleblock Theater‘s biggest triumph is its flow: fans of side scrolling dash classics like Mario and Sonic will feel right at home with the speed and ease with which they fly through each level. Like Castle Crashers, the story mode isn’t limited to one player, however, Battleblock Theater‘s levels will actually adjust and incorporate co-op puzzles based on the number of players, boosting the game’s replayability value.

Those who are already familiar with the Behemoth brand of mischievious charm will be pleased to know that the fun only continues in Battleblock Theater. While I’ve yet to see any poop (damn, Paladin loves him some poop), I will say that even the premise of Battleblock Theater is an enchanting bit of dark humor:

“Having shipwrecked on a mysterious island you find yourself both betrayed by your best friend Hatty and captured by the locals. All of this is happening while being forced into deadly performances. This however, is just the start of your problems.”

giving rise to an end screen where your characters are thrown on a rack and stretched according to how well they did in the level. There’s not much I can tell you about the direction of the story in the…um, story mode… and describing specifically all the mechanisms (like exploding blocks that clear paths, or wings that boost you to higher platforms) would certainly spoil the fun. But I can say they’ve managed to use the platform genre in a way that’s both completely fresh and signature Behemoth, encouraging vertical level exploration, alternate puzzle solutions, and tricky time based maneuvering. Combined with the inventive minigames of Battleblock Theater‘s competitive multiplayer mode, this title stands out as a shining example of its kind, breathing new life into an exhausted game standard.

So now the big question, the question I knew better than to ask during my visit: When’s the release date? Other outlets have listed Battleblock Theater as a 2011 title, but when I spoke with Aaron, he sounded less confident. When I asked about the percentage completed of the game, he told me that he didn’t think they would be able to make the 2011 date, but that at this point in the game’s development, all they needed was “content”. Judging by the build I played, and Aaron’s remarks, I’d be very surprised if the game did not come out by April 2012. Don’t hold me to that. It’s what they call an educated guess. Or in my case, a limited education guess.

Battleblock Theater has so far been announced for XBLA, with no official word on PSN release. And if you’re wondering about DLC, the answer is a resounding yes, though no word on if any will cross over from Alien Hominid or Castle Crashers.

Gamer Grrlz

Day in the life of PAX

Pete Betcher — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:09:23 +0000

PAX is nothing like other game conventions. There are very few people in the Convention Center merely doing their job, very few frowns on the show floor, very few people closeted in the corner getting away from everyone, and very little whining about lines or swarms of people. I think its why I always pick PAX Prime as my show of choice. Not GDC with it’s professionalism, or e3 with its megaton potential, or even comic con for it’s over-the-top cosplay.

So I guess when I said PAX was nothing like other shows, I meant to say it is exactly like all of them, in one beautiful package. PAX lands smack dab in the middle, busting with cosplay, wall to wall with unreleased software, and laced with more developer commentary than you could stick a shake at. While we are on the topic, if anyone has an extra shake and needs somewhere to stick it, I’ll take vanilla please and aim for my mouth.

That being said, here’s why I’m here. I would like to present to you unbridled PAX emotion caught on film. I took a few hours to photograph unsuspecting gamers doing what they do best: Gaming.

Valve interested in Wii U development

Holly Green — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:07:40 +0000

Valve bigwig Gabe Newell recently had some promising things to say about the possibility of a Valve game on Nintendo hardware:

“Wii U seems to be a lot more powerful than the previous generation…It sort of fits better into the scalability in terms of graphics performance and CPU performance, so I think it’ll be a lot easier for us to fit it into our scalability model.”

He goes on to add that they’ve “always loved Nintendo” but the performance gap between the Wii and the PC and HD consoles was simply too much of an issue. Now, “it’s a lot easier to look at Wii U and have it fit within that framework.”

Can you imagine a Valve game on a Nintendo console? That boggles my mind more than the knowledge that Zoey originally had a thing for Francis in Left 4 Dead. SERIOUSLY? Francis?!? We all know Louis was the hotpiece!

CVG

E3 2011: First impressions Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Holly Green — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:30:25 +0000

Welcome to Skyrim, or as I like to call it “future reason to upgrade my PC”. This stunning fifth entry in the Elder Scrolls series was by far my highlight of E3 2011, in fact, it was almost overwhelming. I say overwhelming because it’s difficult to both watch the screen, AND Tweet every play by play, on top of wondering just how offended the Bethesda peeps would be if I spent the demo shopping for my next graphics card on my smart phone.

But once you see the screen shots and trailer, you may understand my sense of urgency. With the all new Creation engine, created specifically for Skyrim, Elder Scrolls undoubtedly looks more breath taking than ever, with richer textures, improved shadows, and superior flora rendering. The menu system has also been overhauled; players who found the previous menu busy and ornate will enjoy the sleek and simplified design (for a good visual, check out the official site’s age gate). A interface with compass like points directs the user to the necessary menu areas on the left, right, or top of the screen, with gorgeous results when you press “up”:

Magic spells can now be wielded in either your left or right hand. You can choose to use a weapon in the remaining hand, or switch up combinations between the two as you see fit.

Skyrim, set 200 years after Oblivion, marks the revival of the ancient dragons of Elder Scrolls lore. The mythic beasts now play largely in the gameplay, descending on you or others at random. The main character can gain skills from slaying dragons, absorbing their power after battle and gaining “dragon shouts”, which can have powerful effects and aid in combat. The process of absorbing the dragon shouts, not shown in the trailer, is gorgeous; the Creation engine really shines when it comes to fire and weather effects. It has also significantly improved the facial structures of the NPCs; I can actually bear to look at Kajits (and everyone else, for that matter) now. The beauty of this game cannot be overstated.

In terms of potential hours invested, Skyrim is said to have up to 300 hours of total content, spanning over five cities and 150 dungeons. Better go invest in an I.V. and a bath chair (don’t Google that) now, you’re gonna need it come November 11, 2011 when Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim debuts on PC, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3.

GTA V rumored to be in development, on track for a 2012 release

Holly Green — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 21:01:37 +0000

While it was more or less predictable that GTA V is on the way, all the same, the confirmation is sweet. Sources tell Gamespot that Grand Theft Auto V is “well under way”, with a 2012 “pretty likely”. Recent casting calls indicate the game will take place in LA, making it likely that Grand Theft Auto is making a return to San Andreas (which is fine with me. The first thing I’m gonna do is bomb my way through to the Los Santos police station showers and see if there’s still a dildo). The game’s scale is also said to be vast, with the source adding “It’s the big one”. If San Andreas is in fact the setting, I wonder how the boasted size will affect the landscape we’ve come to know and love and commit virtual crime in.

Gamespot

New Silent Hill: Downpour screen shots trickle down from E3 2011

Holly Green — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 07:30:18 +0000

I got a chance to play Silent Hill: Downpour for about twenty minutes during my booth tour at Konami, and I have to say, I’m every bit as much looking forward to this as I was before E3 2011. Which is a lot. The balance of action and puzzle solving as you teeter on the fence between reality and hell is as engaging and dynamic as ever. The combat however, more emphasized in Downpour than in previous titles, will still make you want to scratch your own eyes out. Check out screen shots below.

E3 2011: First impressions Renegade Ops

Holly Green — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:38:17 +0000

Renegade Ops is definitely one of the games I’m most excited to check out post E3 2011. Think Zombie Driver: isometric view, 3D rendered, item pick-up based, only with vivid jungle environments and a military theme. Characters are played in-vehicle, each employed with a primary and secondary weapon. Each vehicle can have up to four upgrades, which you can mix and match for bonuses in particular skill sets (not unlike those in the Diablo II skill trees, if you’re familiar). Three difficulty modes allow the player to decide the level of depth they want to encounter in the game, from an easy button mashing misadventure, to a full challenge driven experience. Four person co-op, however, will be the lynchpin of this game’s appeal; knowing how to use each character in a team setting and plan vehicle bonuses accordingly is part of the strategic fun.

No word yet on how many levels or what price, both of those questions got me shut down in quick fashion during the Q&A session I had with the producers, but we do know it’s on the way for digital download on PC, PSN, and XBLA, this summer. Check out the screen shots of this compelling visual experience below.

E3 2011: First impressions Rise of Nightmares

Holly Green — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:47:43 +0000

With this year’s E3 presentations from Microsoft and others, it’s clear that the goal of more than doubling the Kinect offerings by the end of this year will easily be attained. Coming to that roster is first person horror survival game Rise of Nightmares, a full body motion control title that I tested out while visiting Sega’s booth at E3 2011.

I took more interest in Rise of Nightmares because of the horror theme than I did the Kinect controls, but I was more than willing to give it a try. So how does it hold up?

While the horror fan in me wants to like this game, it needs a lot of work. Mainly in the control scheme. The idea initially seems appealing; slashing and punching during combat is fun, undoubtedly. But add in the mechanisms for walking and turning and it becomes a huge mess. Stepping forward or backward or turning your shoulders left or right seems workable in theory, but when for it was an exhausting mess. If the forward motion were automatically propelled, like on House of the Dead: Overkill (which I played at the Sony party), the flow of the game would be simple enough to keep the player engaged. As it was, I was too busy overcompensating for every turn, trying to get the character to move forward, and spewing out expletive deleteds to concern myself with Rise of Nightmare‘s innards.

Speaking of them. They’re not exactly inspired. The level designs, down to having to physically throw open dungeon doors, reminded me of Amnesia: The Dark Descent, but oddly without the charm of a quality, well defined art style. Amnesia, an indie PC game, also looks better visually. Players of Amnesia‘s DLC chapter Justine will also find the “I’ve woken up in a dungeon and OMG TORTURER” plot to be very familiar (though Justine of course only debuted recently, thus limiting any real influence it might have on this game). Had I not been awkwardly chopping my way through tired hordes of zombies and struggling to perform even basic tasks like collecting items, I might have been more interested in the back story, that of a German mad man culling torture victims from the wreckage of a recent train crash. It’s entirely possible that beyond the first twenty minutes the game becomes interesting. Until the control response improves, I won’t find the physical or mental energy to care. Even the game’s help system (which propels you forward to the next section of the game, with varying success) could not save it. The controls hinder the immersion process, and thus, any feelings of terror or fear.

Rise of Nightmares is slated for a Kinect release in late 2011. And if I were a betting woman, I’d say around Halloween. Check out the live action trailer above, and a batch of screen shots (which look suspiciously better than the real thing, but whatever) below.

E3 2011: Mass Effect 3 trailer and screen shots

Holly Green — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:25:24 +0000

As previously reported, one of the many rumors pre-E3 was a more confusing one, that of Mass Effect 3 and supposed Kinect compatibility. But it was undeniable, as a copy of the cover art, complete with the iconic purple Kinect bar, sat on their servers before this past week’s big event. With Microsoft’s major press conference we not only were able to confirm this news, but also learn a little more about what this Kinect compatibility would entail. The Kinect features as it turns out are more audio-oriented, with dialogue trees and squad positioning now voice controlled. So far this is the only Kinect control known to be in the game, though it’ll be interesting to see if anything has been incorporated into the revised combat system. Hard to say though, as they probably would have already revealed that at E3. Other features, as before, will include full IP continuity–characters killed previously will not be present, previous love interests will become entangled in a triangle–and an improved duck and cover system. We’ll see what that means later, I’m sure. Check out the theatrical trailers, “Invasion” (after the jump) and “Fall Of Earth” (above) from E3 2011, as well as some screen shots, below.

Mass Effect 3 debuts on PC, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3 on March 6, 2011.

Kinect Star Wars trailer demonstrates an elegant control method for a more civilized age

Christian Ponte — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 19:00:45 +0000

Sandwiched in between the September 16th Blu-ray movie releases and the February 10th 3D theatrical release of The Phantom Menace, Kinect Star Wars‘s Holiday 2011 release will allow you the chance to actually use the Force! You’ll be taking your first step into a larger world!

You won’t physically be using a lightsaber — your eyes can deceive you, so don’t trust them — it’s just the Kinect at work. That said, if they could partner with Master Replicas and give us some replica lightsaber hilts to hold while playing, that would be amazing.

This is how we do the Dance Central 2 E3 2011 trailer

Holly Green — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 15:05:48 +0000

While not a huge overhaul of changes have come to Harmonix hit Dance Central (though really, few needed to be made), Dance Central 2 still looks like a must-have. They’ve improved the two player so that you can now battle it out on the same screen, instead of having to switch and take turns during competition. Of course, there will be all new songs but you’ll also be able to import the songs from your first Dance Central copy to the second, so no switching back and forth between discs if you just have to play a certain song.

I tried out “Bulletproof” by LaRoux at E3 2011, accompanied by one of Dance Central‘s choreographers. Those who are addicted to the first will be pleased to know that at least some moves from the original will still be used in the sequel.

E3 2011: Tomb Raider “Turning Point” trailer

Christian Ponte — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 00:18:28 +0000

I probably spent more time hovering around the Square Enix booth than I needed to, but hey… I do that every year. Part of their lineup that was keeping me around was the upcoming Tomb Raider reboot. You can view the E3 trailer above, before heading out to your local mall to pre-order the title. You know you’ll want to.

E3 2011: Master Chief returns in this Halo 4 trailer

Christian Ponte — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 17:56:37 +0000

This one was almost a surprise, and you could tell by the time they showed it at Microsoft’s media briefing, the air had been let out of the balloon. Nonetheless, it was nice to see Master Chief back on the screen at E3!

Set in the aftermath of Halo 3, Master Chief returns to confront his own destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Halo 4 marks the start of a new trilogy that begins with its release in 2012.

The teaser trailer doesn’t reveal a ton, but you can look forward to more from 343 Industries, to whom the Halo baton has been passed.

E3 2011: Star Wars slices to Kinect

Pete Betcher — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:43:30 +0000

If you are still wondering when a motion controlled Star Wars game will give you the light-sabering that you have wanted since the reveal of the Wiimote, you have another chance incoming.

Microsoft has just shown off a brand new Star Wars title that allows you to force throw wreckage, get irresponsible with virtual light sabers, pilot podracers, and just about anything else that translates from the Star Wars universe to the Kinect experience. If this is a collection of themed mini-games, or a large inter-kinected adventure stands to be seen.

E3 2011: Mass Effect 3, Ghost Recon Future Soldier Get Voice Support

Rhody Tobin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:00:46 +0000

Just announced at Microsoft’s E3 press conference, the Xbox 360 version of Mass Effect 3 will support voice commands through the Kinect microphone. Players will be able to read dialog choices out loud and issue commands to their party members in combat.

No word yet on if other versions will also have this feature in same way.

It has also just been revealed that Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier will also use Kinect to issue voice commands, as well as manipulate and upgrade weapons by rotating on-screen images with your hand, ala Iron Man’s kickass computer.

The Tanooki » Xbox 360

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