Category: Xbox 360

Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC: Ezio, Gilgamesh, PuPu, and More

Square Enix has released a bunch of DLC for Final Fantasy XIII-2. This most anticipated of which is the $3 Ezio Auditore (Assassin’s Creed) costume for Noel Kreiss. Serah fans get a free outfit called “Style and Steel”, which was designed by Japanese pop star Yuko Oshima. The coliseum get two new combatants: Final Fantasy V Gilgamesh ($4) and Final Fantasy VIII PuPu ($2).

The new costumes are pretty sweet and I can’t wait to add the two coliseum characters to my FFXIII-2 monster arsenal. I’m such a mark for this game that I’m going to buy all of this week’s DLC, Etro be damned. Anyway, check out screens of the whole lot below.

[nggallery id=93]

This Week’s Videogame Releases (Buy Skullgirls!)

There’s sweet FA coming out this week at retail, but there’s a downloadable game that you should keep your eye on. Skullgirls hits PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade this week for $15. This is a sweet 2D fighting game with a really cool art style. The voice acting was directed by Cristina Vee and the game features tracks composed by the awesome Michiru Yamane (Castlevania, Suikoden). Full disclosure: a friend of mine works for the developer and I want this game to do well. That said, I’m not being a homer about it; just look at the video below to see Skullgirls in action — it’s cool!

Rock Band Blitz: Do You Care?

For its next game, Harmonix is mixing its recent past (Rock Band) with it distant past (Frequency, Amplitude) to create Rock Band Blitz. Available for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade this summer, Rock Band Blitz is a rhythm/music game (duh!) that uses popular music, similar to the company’s recent hits. Unlike Harmonix’s most recent games, this one uses a standard controller, similar to the company’s early PlayStation 2 games. My question for you today is this: Do yo care to play a music-rhythm game without plastic instruments?

On the plus side, the game is more accessible since everyone that has a PlayStation 3 or an Xbox 360 has a standard controller. The game also works with thousands of songs from the Rock Band Music Store. That said, games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band caught on because of the plastic instruments; they gave gamers a different kind of interactivity and helped them connect with the music like never before. While I loved Frequency and Amplitude, those games weren’t nearly as popular as Harmonix’s plastic-instrument titles.

So, do you care about Rock Band Blitz?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

Kinect Star Wars is out this week. More importantly (for uber-geeks anyway) the Kinect Star Wars bundle with the totally sweet R2D2 Xbox 360 is out! I so want one, but can’t afford it right now. *sniff* In other news, Devil May Cry HD Collection is set to thrill those looking for classic DMC gameplay and updated graphics. Last, but not least, is Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii.

Any of you picking up new games this week? Any of you have rich uncles that want to buy me the R2D2 Xbox 360? It makes R2D2 sounds!!!

HBO Go Now Available for Xbox 360

Microsoft has rolled out a bunch of new apps for Xbox 360, including one for the outstanding HBO Go service. Available to HBO subcribers, HBO Go allows viewers to stream a ton of movies, television shows, and sports events. In the past, the network has allowed HBO Go users to catch early episodes of its original programming. In short, this service completely owns.

I use HBO Go on my iPad all the time. In fact, it’s probably my favorite app for streaming video, beating out Netflix, Crackle, and all those other pretenders. It offers a large library of excellent movies. It offers every episode of some of the best HBO original shows (Game of Thrones, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, etc.). It also offers loads of great HBO Boxing fights. As an HBO mark, I’m thrilled that the service is now available for Xbox 360.

How about you guys and dolls? Are you psyched that HBO Go can be experienced on Xbox 360?

Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC Brings Mass Effect Armor, FFVI

An upcoming batch of DLC for Final Fantasy XIII-2 adds all sorts of crossover elements, ranging from Final Fantasy VI villains to Mass Effect armor. On the FFVI side, villains Typhon and Ultros will be available to tackle in the coliseum. On the BioWare side, protagonists Noel and Serah will be able to don Mass Effect Commander Shepard’s N7 armor.

Fans of the classic FFVI will love the inclusion of classic baddies, while fans of modern sci-fi RPGs will dig the Mass Effect crossover. I’m surprised and pleased that Square Enix is working with different publishers to broaden Final Fantasy XIII-2’s appeal. Last year I told you about Noel’s Assassin’s Creed outfit. Now both leads are getting cool space armor from another popular videogame franchise! In the immortal words of Dr. Peter Venkman, “Dogs and cats, living together! Mass hysteria!!!” While I love that BioWare is invading a Square Enix game, I don’t think I can part with Serah’s bikini costume.

This particular DLC will be released in Japan at the end of March. The release dates in other territories has not been announced. Check out some nifty screens and artwork below.

[nggallery id=90]

This Week’s Videogame Releases

This week marks the return of Kid Icarus! Originally released in 1986, the franchise hasn’t seen a sequel since 1991. All that changes with Kid Icarus Uprising. Speaking of sequels, Ninja Gaiden 3 hits shelves this week; this is the first modern Ninja Gaiden game made without the controversial Tomonobu Itagaki. In less interesting sequel news, Armored Core V will (maybe) satisfy gamers looking for giant-robot action. Capping things off is a pair of survival-horror games. Silent Hill HD Collection remasters some of the games that made the genre so popular. Finally, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City adds some team-based flavor to this longrunning series.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

I rarely include downloadable games in this recurring feature. I’m fairly certain that I’ve never featured one. All that’s out the window with Journey on PlayStation Network. I’m a total homer for ThatGameCompany and Flower. If Journey looks remotely interesting to you, then please buy it. I love when games like Journey do well and companies like TGC succeed. Show ’em some love, if you’re so inclined.

In other news, Silent Hill: Downpour blends precipitation and survival horror (rain is scary!). FIFA Street adds arcade-style gameplay to the most beloved sport in the world. Fans of Japanese RPGs will want to keep an eye on Tales of Graces F. Ridge Racer is now available for the Vita, which is fun because it allows you to think of Kaz Hirai saying, “Riiiiiiiidge Racer!” Since I missed out on this last week, I have to check if any of you picked up Mass Effect 3.

Any of you buying new games this week? Also, buy Journey (please)!!!

This Week’s Videogame Releases

It’s a pretty exciting week for February! SSX makes a triumphant return and lots of people are saying that it’s a thrilling ride. Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition is out this week too…just don’t tell RPadholic Big Blak. Sega’s Binary Domain is flying under the radar if you’re looking for some Gears of War-like gameplay. Hardcore Japanese RPG fans will want to pick up Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk-II. It’s not for Pokefanatics like RPadholic bsukenyan, but millions of gamers are sure to love PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond. The Nintendo DS gets some demonic excitement with Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2.

Normally, I don’t include DLC in this roundup, but I’m completely excited for the downloadable Final Fantasy XIII-2 goods hitting this week. Sazh Katzroy — the coolest single-father in gaming? — returns in an add-on adventure. And yes, I’m totally downloading Serah’s beachwear costume. At least I can admit it.

How about you? Any new games for you this week?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

Obviously the big deal this week is the full North American launch of the PlayStation Vita. Sony’s newest portable gaming system is supported by several excellent titles. My writer friends seem to be enjoying Uncharted: Golden Abyss the most. For home consoles, Asura’s Wrath is out this week. My industry friends mostly love this game, lauding it for being fun, creative, and different. A few of them have dinged it for offering only five hours of gameplay. Syndicate is also out this week and I know of at least one RPadholic (Hi Sandrock!) that’s excited for the return of this classic gaming franchise. Last, but not least, is Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D. If you have a 3DS then I highly recommend picking this game up.

Any of you buying new games this week?