High-sci-fi MMORPG and high-fantasy JPRG join S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat expansion and Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff add-on during light release week.
After a jam-packed January, gamers’ wallets get a respite at the beginning of 2010’s second month, which bears only a few major releases. That said, one of those titles may be the game of the decade for Star Trek fanatics with a taste for massively multiplayer online role-playing games.
This week, Cryptic Studios is boldly going where no developer has gone before by launching a MMORPG set in the Star Trek universe, Star Trek Online. The Atari-owned studio behind last year’s Champions Online took over the project after initial developer Perpetual Entertainment closed down in 2008.
Since then, the San Francisco Bay-area shop has been hard at work revamping Star Trek Online, which entered open beta for preorderers last month. The game is rated T for Teen and retails for $50 a la carte or as part of an $80 special edition. Subscription plans start at $15 per month in the US and Australia, although cheaper deals for long-term subscribers can be found on the game’s official Web site.
Gamers who prefer RPGs to have a beginning, middle, and end can check out Sony’s Japanese import White Knight Chronicles. Developed by Level-5 (Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box), the third-person game was unveiled at the 2006 Tokyo Game Show and released in Japan in December 2008.
The International Edition of the game contains a fully localized version of the Japanese original, which publisher Sony claims has a potential 100 hours of gameplay. It also sports a number of extras, including 50 additional on-disc online quests, with still more quests becoming available as downloadable content.
White Knight Chronicles: International Edition will also include more in-game dialogue options than the original, online voice chat, and the new Georama mode. In said mode, players will be able to build an online village, from which gamers can invite friends to participate in quests as well as acquire unique items.
Rounding out the week is S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, a standalone sequel to the 2007 post-apocalyptic action-RPG S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. This time, Ukrainian developer GSC Game World drops players into the role of special agent Alexander Degtyarev. As the undercover operative, players are tasked with locating several missing helicopters while also contending with rival scavenger factions and radioactive mutants. Environments presented in the game include a secret military base, an abandoned factory, and the titular city of Pripyat.
Last and arguably least is The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff. As advertised, the story-free add-on is filled with expensive items for Simlish materialists to load up on. Items in the pack include Sharper Image-like gadgets, designer furniture, haute couture fashions, and virtual video game systems, so players’ Sims can play simulated games within the actual game.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and the Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.
FEBRUARY 1, 2010
Assassin’s Creed II–IP–Action–Ubisoft
Mystery 5 Collection–PC–Puzzle–Dreamcatcher
FEBRUARY 2, 2010
Family Party: 30 Great Games Winter Fun–WII–Sports–D3Publisher
Imagine: Reporter–DS–Puzzle–Ubisoft
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat–PC–Action–Viva Media
Star Trek Online–PC–Role-Playing–Atari
The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff–PC–Puzzle–Electronic Arts
White Knight Chronicles: International Edition–PS3–Role-Playing–SCEA
FEBRUARY 3, 2010
Chime–X360–Puzzle–Valcon Games
FEBRUARY 4, 2010
Armored Core: Silent Line Portable–PSP–Simulation–From Software
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
Read the full story here
“Adventure novel” spin-off of strategy series casts players as Prinny protagonist searching for a would-be assassin.
The Disgaea series of strategy-role-playing games continues to expand its horizons. Nippon Ichi Software America today confirmed that it will be introducing the franchise to a new genre this May, when it releases a localized version of the “adventure novel” PSP game Disgaea Infinite in North America.
In Disgaea Infinite, players will take on the role of a Prinny, a demonic penguin-like servant in the thrall of original series protagonist Laharl. When an assassination attempt on Laharl is foiled, the young demon lord orders the player to uncover who is responsible. As the Prinny, players can use a magical clock to inhabit other characters’ minds and piece together the assassination puzzle in the process.
This is not the first time Nippon Ichi has dedicated a spin-off Disgaea game to the Prinnies. Last year, the publisher released the side-scrolling action game Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? for the PSP. That game launched to a glowing critical reception, and was nominated for Best PSP Game, Funniest Game, and Best Boss Fights (a category which it won) in GameSpot’s Best of 2009 awards.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
Read the full story here
Free-to-play, PC-exclusive online installment in EA’s soccer sim coming to NA, Europe this summer; beta sign-ups now underway.
In 2006, EA partnered with Korean game distributor Neowiz on an online-only PC version of its popular FIFA soccer simulation. Having achieved considerable success in that venture, EA announced today that it is developing a microtransaction-supported, free-to-play version of FIFA Online for PC gamers based in the West.
EA plans to roll out FIFA Online across the globe in stages. European gamers can sign up to participate in a closed beta test for FIFA Online now through the game’s official Web site. The closed beta test, which will involve some 20,000 participants, will continue until June, when EA expects to open up the testing phase to “hundreds of thousands” of gamers.
The English-language version of FIFA Online will be available for the PC worldwide in June. EA plans to release versions of the game in other languages in Europe and North America over the subsequent 12 to 24 months.
As for the game itself, FIFA Online features 30 licensed leagues, 500 clubs, and more than 15,000 players. The game features a variety of modes, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament and league play. Gamers will be able to build their own teams by acquiring or training players, upgrading skills, and purchasing in-game items and apparel. Players can earn in-game currency or purchase those funds with real-world money through microtransactions.
This is not EA’s only free-to-play online endeavor. Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online recently entered open beta testing, and EA Sports president Peter Moore has called free-to-play business models the future of his division.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
Read the full story here
Sega’s PSP-exclusive turn-based strategy sequel sells nearly 100,000 in first week but can’t outpace the super-selling New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
After two weeks playing second fiddle to Kingdom Hearts’ PSP debut, New Super Mario Bros. Wii recaptured the top spot in the weekly sales chart for Japanese tracking firm Media Create . For the week of January 18-24, Nintendo’s multiplayer mascot platformer tallied 110,918 sales, good enough to regain the best-seller designation.
Sega’s PSP turn-based strategy game Valkyria Chronicles 2 gave New Super Mario Bros. Wii a run for gamers’ money, debuting in second place on the charts with 94,444 copies sold. Trailing in third place with more than 76,000 copies sold was the week’s other big new release, Namco Bandai’s anime-based 3D fighting game Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s Portable: The Battle of Aces.
Sales for the best-seller of the previous two weeks, Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, sagged significantly. The latest entry in the publisher’s Disney crossover line fell to fourth place with nearly 60,000 units sold, down more than 65 percent week-over-week. The remainder of the software chart was filled with familiar faces, including a reentry to the charts for Capcom’s Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which was recently rereleased in a budget package.
On the hardware front, there was little change. Every system saw sales declines from the week before, but the pecking order was unchanged. The PSP took first place with nearly 53,000 sold, while its digital distribution-bound cousin the PSP Go was dead last with fewer than 1,800 new systems sold. On the console front, the Wii once again came out on top, with its 45,167 tally easily besting the PlayStation 3’s 26,966 systems sold. Meanwhile, Microsoft no doubt can’t wait for the recently announced Monster Hunter Frontier to hit Japanese Xbox 360s, as the system sold a relatively meager 3,343 systems for the week.
JAPAN GAME SALES WEEK OF JANUARY 18-24, 2010
Software:
Rank / Title / Publisher / Platform / Unit sales
1) New Super Mario Bros. Wii / Nintendo / Wii / 110,918
2) Valkyria Chronicles 2 / Sega / PSP / 94,444
3) Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s Portable: The Battle of Aces / Bandai Namco / PSP / 76,088
4) Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep / Square Enix / PSP / 59,566
5) Tomodachi Collection / Nintendo / DS / 45,002
6) Wii Fit Plus / Nintendo / Wii / 33,640
7) Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles / Capcom / Wii / 23,245
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite / Capcom / PSP / 16,117
9) Wii Sports Resort / Nintendo / Wii / 15,753
10) Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryokusha – Fire and Blizzard / Level 5 / DS / 13,951
Hardware:
PSP – 52,909
Wii – 45,167
PS3 – 26,966
DSi XL – 24,059
DSi – 20,373
DS Lite – 4,966
Xbox 360 – 3,343
PS2 – 2,088
PSP Go – 1,773
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
Read the full story here
EA and BioWare’s sci-fi role-playing shooter for Xbox 360, PC marks double-platinum deployment in first week.
Mass Effect 2 launched for the Xbox 360 and PC in North America on Tuesday, and the game’s European rollout occurred today. Even in that short span of time, retailer interest has been strong, as Electronics Arts announced today that it has shipped more than 2 million copies of BioWare’s sci-fi role-playing shooter worldwide.
Mass Effect 2 resumes the solar-system-hopping adventure of Commander Shepard, which began with the events in the acclaimed original Mass Effect. However, this time out, Shepard finds himself indebted to the pro-human Cerberus Corporation, though his focus remains on ridding the galaxy of the mysterious Reaper threat.
BioWare has bolstered Mass Effect 2’s on-disc offerings with a batch of downloadable content through its in-game Cerberus Network. Free for those who purchased the Xbox 360 and PC game new, the DLC currently includes a new crew member who can be recruited as well as a bonus mission. Down the road, BioWare has said that it will introduce new weapons like the M-22 Eviscerator Shotgun as well as the Hammerhead hover tank.
For more on Mass Effect 2, check out GameSpot’s spoiler-rich interview with project director Corey Hudson as well as additional coverage.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
Read the full story here
Latest installment of Sega’s arcade flight combat series lands on Xbox Live, PSN this spring.
Sega’s jet fighting After Burner series has been running on stealth mode for about 15 years. In that stretch, the only new installments of the flight combat franchise have been 2007’s PSP-exclusive After Burner: Black Falcon and the rarely seen 2006 arcade game After Burner Climax.
Now Sega wants the series to resurface on gamers’ radars. The publisher has announced downloadable Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of After Burner Climax and a PlayStation Store rerelease for Black Falcon.
Set for launch on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store in the spring, After Burner Climax gives players three planes to choose from and 20 stages with branching paths to blast through. The “Climax” part of the game’s name comes from a new gameplay mechanic that lets players slow down time for easier missile locks and evasive maneuvers. In keeping with the series’ arcade roots, development duties were entrusted to Sega’s AM2 development division, the same studio behind coin-op classics like Space Harrier, Out Run, and Virtua Fighter.
Originally launched to decent reviews, After Burner: Black Falcon sees a terrorist cell dubbed Black Falcon planejacking 13 fighter jets from the CIA. Players are tasked with making the skies friendly again by hopping into the cockpit of 19 licensed planes, including F-14D Tomcats, F-22 Raptors, and F-15E Strike Eagles.
Black Falcon was developed by Planet Moon Studios, the creators of Armed & Dangerous, Giants: Citizen Kabuto, and Infected. After Burner: Black Falcon will be available on the PlayStation Store February 4.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
Read the full story here
If you missed our magical, live broadcast of Beyond, now’s your chance to catch up.
Read the full story here
A very special Prompt podcast.
Read the full story here
The Atari Games/Midway arcade racer is a timeless design that needs a ten year revival.
Read the full story here
Season 3 brings even more games, celebrities, and overall craziness, Only on IGN!
Read the full story here
