Tag: Xbox 360

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.

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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?

Karateka Remake Coming to PS3 and Xbox 360

Jordan Mechner has revealed that he’s working on a Karateka remake for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It will be available as a downloadable title on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade later in 2012. This is outstanding news. I have fond memories of playing Karateka as a kid on my Commodore 64. It was one of the first games (that I can recall) that used music and cutscenes to create an atmosphere larger than the gameplay. Nearly 30 years later, I’m psyched to see how Mechner uses modern game development tools to re-imagine Karateka. Here’s what he said in today’s press release:

Making the original Karateka was a labor of love. To have so many people embrace it and share the impact that game had on them has been incredibly fulfilling. In remaking Karateka, I want to honor the original with a compact, pick-up-and-play game that is fluid, atmospheric and beautiful.

This wouldn’t be the first time Mechner has revisited one of his classic creations. He worked with Ubi Soft as a game designer, writer, and creative consultant for the Prince of Persia remake. That one turned out pretty excellent, don’t you agree? I’m also excited to see a gaming legend return to show the new kids how it’s done. It’s going to be fun tracking the development of the new Karateka and hopefully it will be even more fun to play.

Any of you old enough to remember Karateka? You psyched for the Karateka remake?