Category Archives: Gaming News

Persona 2: Innocent Sin’s localization hinted by email from the past

Update: It’s been confirmed, Atlus now has a website up for the game where you can learn about title and pre-order it.

Atlus recently sent out an email modeled after a newsletter dated June 23th 1999. The news coverage, giving off a feeling as if one has traveled back in time, is quite charming as it discusses things such as Y2K and Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. But the important thing to notice is the rather conspicuous line that states that absolutely no new games were released that day in Japan. In fact, a little research shows that Persona 2: Innocent Sin was released for Playstation on that date.

While not an official announcement, this could hint of a localization for Innocent Sin’s PSP port in the US. Personally, I can’t wait if that proves to be the case. I played some of Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, which is the second part of the Persona 2 duology, but sadly never finished it. Since I’d like to pick it up again, playing Innocent Sin would be a good start. At the very least, Atlus knows how to tease its audience with style. Check out the whole retro newsletter after the jump.

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Parent Freaks Out Over “Portal 2” Joke, Hachi Further Loses Faith in People

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Source: 1up.com: http://www.1up.com/news/portal-2-adoption-jokes-controversial

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR PORTAL 2 AWAIT!

One would like to think that over time, the “plebs” would become more comfortable with the concept of video games as more than just blippy “shoot this, blow up that, save the princess” affairs, and have in fact come to realize that they are viable forms of entertainment for older audiences. Games nowadays have wonderful, intricate gameplay systems and are filled with complex, fascinating characters and riveting storylines to match the best Holywood or literature has to offer. Not all games are like this, mind you, but that’s the same for all forms of media. For instance, try to tell me that all books have wonderful storylines or fully justified existences, and I’ll direct you to any number of teenage-skewed dreck or faux “informational” books that clog our bookshelves like plaque in the arteries of the worlds collective intelligence.

Now I can make that herpes and heroin burger I've always wanted! Thanks, Morbid Chef!

However, no matter how far we seem to go, we always end up with alarmist morons who want to raise a big deal because a game engages in something other than “wholesome, family entertainment”. This incident is relatively minor, but is so symptomatic of the mental Dark Ages that people lock themselves in that I can’t help but get annoyed. The issues with this situation are manifold, so let’s start from the top.

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Sony Rolling Out PSN Restoration

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Kaz Hirai has just announced that the PSN restoration process has begun. Right now, most users will be able to update the firmware of their PS3 and change their passwords. As for a nationwide restoring of the service, that will happen from on a state by state basis. Sony currently has a map on its blog that it will use to indicate which state has service restored. The first service to be restored for PSN will be online multiplayer. He hasn’t stated when the Playstation Store will be up and running again.

Kaz Hirai Restoration Announcement

Restoration Map

Update 1: So far I can confirm that I was able to update to the latest firmware. I wasn’t able to change my password. It did give me a message , however, stating that my password is now invalid, so Sony is serious when they say to change the password. It was followed by a message stating that the Network is undergoing maintenance. So in due time, I’ll be able to change the password.

Update 2: After seeing that Sony has updated their restoration map (see link above), and that New York’s PSN service is on, I checked again to change my password. The first attempt game me the same message as before. But the second attempt brought me to the password change screen. And so I can confirm that PSN is up and running for the Northeast US. It’s still a bit rough though. I have yet to play a game though. I checked the PSN store, but it’s still down. I’d imagine that’s the last thing that will be turned on most of the transaction activity happens there.

A Few Catherine Cutscenes… In English!

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I wish I could go ahead and post these suckers as embeds, but GameSpot’s crazy ass coding ain’t cooperating here. So I’ll just link you guys to them. Be cautious though, as some of these might be spoilerish, especially the first one. But this is pretty early in the game so it ain’t that much of a spoiler. Also, that first link is NSFW

Making a Mistake

Can’t Chain Him Down

Cheating Discussion

So far so good. The voice acting seems pretty good. It’s a bit rough, and kinda jarring to hear Akihiko’s voice as someone else, but it’s all good. Also, I’m certain the syncing will be worked on afterwards (as most Japanese games getting English voices get the sync work done when the acting is finished). As a reminder, Catherine is getting released in the US on July 26th for both the PS3 and 360.

Mighty Milky Way Trailer

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Well, what do we have here? I had totally forgotten that Mighty Milky Way was even being made. I knew WayForward was making something, but I kinda forgot. From the looks of the gameplay, it seems to be a 2D Mario Galaxy, but with more of a puzzle aesthetic. The trailer has music being sung by the main character, Luna, in vocaloid form. The sprite work is top-notch as always. The game is available now on DSiWare.

via Tiny Cartridge

See Grand Knights History (Briefly) In Motion

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Grand Knights History Producer, Yoshifumi Hashimoto, released a video today for the game’s official blog today discussing how the Online component of the game works. It’s all in Japanese however. Thankfully, AndriaSang has an idea about what Hashimoto was talking about. What I’m here for is the video. So far, all we’ve had for Grand Knights History in video form is its relatively static opening movie with the awesome music. That vid showed mostly still shot, but no motion. However, with the vid above, we finally see it moving, and beautifully at that. Along with WayForward, Vanillaware is tops when it comes to 2D sprite animation. The video, as AndriaSang describes, is the character selection process for when you choose units to do battle. As you can see, you can change certain aspects of your character, including armor and hair color, weapons, and accessories, etc.

Here’s some Catherine Screenshots For Ya

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Catherine’s got some new screenshots up for the US version of the game. While we’re at it, I’ll be posting some older screenshots as well. From the details so far regarding this game, Vincent (the guy with the afro) has a girlfriend, Katherine, that wants to get married. He thinks about it, but he never gives a straight answer, and it’s annoying her. Another girl, Catherine, comes into the picture, and all of a sudden Vincent is freaking out. Not only does he seem to have the hots for this new, younger girl, he’s also been getting nightmares ever since he met her.

As erotic as the game may look, it’s tackles some serious issues regarding love and marriage. Considering the divorce rate in the US, this could be quite a game to play. And a good topic to tackle too since marriage is something that is either great (from a woman’s perspective) or hell (from a man’s perspective). Anyways I’m rambling on. Hit the jump for the screenshots.

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Catherine Deluxe Edition Announced, Don’t Mistake It For Pizza

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Atlus has come up with a special edition for Catherine and, if you order this “Love is Over Deluxe Edition”, it will be delivered to you in a pizza box. Yes, you heard right, a freaking pizza box!

In addition to the pizza box, it will also come with a Catherine pillow case, Vincent’s boxers, and a shirt with a health meter running on empty. The deluxe edition will be priced at $79.99, $20 more than the regular version. Regardless of which you choose, just pre-ordering the title will net you a 36-page artbook and a CD with remixed songs from the game.

All that extra stuff is nice, but all I can think about is how cool it would be to have a game delievered to me in a pizza box. Hmm…I wonder if I have any leftover pizza boxes lying around.

Via: Joystiq

BIT.TRIP SAGA Coming to 3DS

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That’s all six games, Beat, Core, Void, Runner, Fate, and Flux, coming to the 3DS, in one cartridge. Aksys Games has also stated that the game will also have Stereoscopic 3D. No word yet on how some of the games will function (Some are no-brainers, others like Flux make me wonder). So for those who always wanted to play the games but didn’t have a chance (or you’re too rightfully scared to buy them off WiiWare), now you can play all six games on the go. Aksys has no release date yet, but I’m guessing we’ll be getting it this year.

Also, now I get the meaning of that 3D Commander Video picture that circulated the interwebs sometime ago.

via Kotaku

Now Even You Can Look Like Souji Seta (Or Is It Yu Narukami? Pah!)

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Thanks to Persona 4, wearing glasses is cool again. Cospa is make a pair of these glasses, worn by the main character in Persona 4. The cool thing about these is that it’s not just for show; These can also be worn with prescription lenses, so the ocularly-challenged can wear these too. They do cost roughly $89 dollars, and since this is coming from Japan, I doubt they’ll be taking most health insurances (including Medicaid….dammit!). But screw it man, these glasses look freaking awesome! Hopefully they’ll be selling these in the Fall. You can order these at the AmiAmi website. I also recommend reading comment from user Unbeknownst2U from Destructoid on which frames are right for you.

Okami and God Hand sequels are a possibility, if fans want them

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Why yes, he is about to spank an enemy.

Motohide Eshiro, producer of Okamiden, mentioned the possibility of Okami and God Hand sequels in an interview with Gamesradar. However, that all depends on whether there’s a demand for them.

“We’re certainly willing to explore the option of another Okami game if the market is there for it. If people want it, we’ll be pleased to deliver it.” When the cult popularity of God Hand was brought up, Eshiro said “I personally am quite the fan of God Hand – I thought it had really dynamic gameplay of focusing not on blocking but on constantly dodging and moving. It was really fun and refreshing, and it would be great to see that turned into a series. Once again, it boils down to demand – how many people want it, what kind of ideas we have that would be fresh and make it worth exploring again, and we could come up with a plan that could fit the users’ needs and the market’s needs at the time.”

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PSN users’ personal info compromised, over 70 million affected

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This is a rough time to be a PlayStation Network user. PSN being down for the past 6 days as bothered many, but was more of an inconvenience than anything else. But now Sony admits that all of its users have had their personal information compromised from an external intrusion.

The PlayStation Blog goes on to list what information has been acquired. Apparently, everyone’s “name, address (city, state, zip), country, email address, birthdate, PlayStation Network/Qriocity password and login, and handle/PSN online ID” has been obtained by the person(s) behind this. Further information that could have possibly been stolen as well consist of “profile data, including purchase history and billing address (city, state, zip), and your PlayStation Network/Qriocity password security answers.” If that wasn’t enough, Sony says that, while there is no evidence that credit card information has been obtained, to take measures as if your credit card number and expiration date have been acquired.

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Soul Brother takes over Adult Swim

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If you’re looking for a fun way to kill some time on the internet, and enjoy a game with solid platforming and exploration, then I got just the thing for you.

Adult Swim’s latest browser-based game from Superflat Games, Soul Brother, is akin to titles such as An Untitled Story and VVVVVV. You control the soul of a person who just recently died, and you now have the ability to possess the various creatures you come across. The catch is, you can only possess someone when you die. Doing something like jumping into a spike pit will instantly have you take control of another creature on the same screen. And since different creatures have different abilities, such as being able to move blocks or double jump, switching bodies often is vital if you plan on finding all 33 gems of wisdom.

I just finished playing through the game and I have to say it’s pretty fun. It’s not a very long game, only taking me a little under an hour to beat. Then again, I was in a rush and only got 24 of the gems. But I do plan on playing it again when I have more time, in order to get them all. Plus, I love the pixel art style. So if you find yourself bored and with nothing better to do, then do yourself a favor and check out Soul Brother. I highly recommend it.

Via: Joystiq

Nintendo focusing more on software, 3D Zelda: A Link to the Past could happen

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There’s been a lot of talk about Nintendo going around, especially with all the rumors and information surfacing, and now Shigeru Miyamoto continues to tease us with more news about their plans, as well as what to look forward to. According to Miyamoto, Nintendo’s been focusing on hardware lately, which would explain why we haven’t been seeing much software from Nintendo recently. However, he says that the focus will shift towards making more games

Miyamoto states that Nintendo will be creating “meaningful and high-value games” downloadable through the 3DS’ eShop. He also says that there are going to be more game remakes on the horizon for the handheld, and happened to mention that a remake he’d very much like to see is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

A 3D remake of A Link to the Past? Sprite looks hopeful.

Personally, I’d love to see it happen. It would be great to replay the game with a new two-layered look, and it’s nice to see some popular Nintendo games getting remade. But I can’t wait to hear more about Nintendo’s new titles, and I’m curious to see what games are going to be available on the eShop service.

All I know is that this year’s E3 looks like it’s going to be a crazy one thanks to Nintendo.

Via: Destructoid
Source: Next-gen Biz

Final Fantasy Type-0 Website Up, Music Kicks Ass

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Square Enix has launched the website for Final Fantasy Type-0. To complement it, it’s got some kickass music to go along with it. Unfortunately, the other two at the bottom right are blacked out and not up yet. Bummer too, cause this music seems to indicate that some serious shit is about to go down in this game. And you know what, I believe it, what with the gratuitous amounts of blood I’ve seen in the trailers recently. Now, the thought of blood in a game is nothing new. But for a Final Fantasy game, it’s pretty rare, with one of the few instance I recount occurring in Final Fantasy VIII (how do you think Squall got that scar?). I’ve also seen blood in one of the earlier Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailers, but for some reason, it looks to have been toned down from the more recent trailers.

Anyways, I’m getting ahead of myself here. Final Fantasy Type-0 was under the name Final Fantasy Agito XIII since its debut. It was part of the universe of Fabula Nova Crystallis. Last fall, the name of this entry was changed to Type-0 after someone in the dev team (Not sure who) saw that the game deviated a bit too far from the original intent of the game (and the overarching story/world structure of FNC). Although the name change has distanced itself from the other two games in the world, it is still part of the same universe.

Final Fantasy Type-0 is slated to release on the PSP this Summer in Japan.