Author Archives: Sharky

Shining Blade – Animated Opening

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It’s a sorry state of affairs when a new Shining title is announced and I’m not excited in the slightest, but that has been the case for almost every announcement since the series was rebooted back in the early 00’s.

Shining Blade may not be the Shining Force 4 I’ve been waiting for but it has certainly gained my interest. It has been said that Shining Blade will take many cues from Sega’s other big SRPG series Valkyria Chronicles. It’ll use the same canvas style graphics engine and similar game play mechanics. This is already a huge step up from the horrible D-list Action-RPGs from a few years back.

This animated intro is quite nice too but I’m still having one big problem and that is the sheer number of half dressed woman clogging up the roster. Where are the quirky dwarves, centaurs, birdmen and the rest made the series stand out in the first place? Personally I don’t care if they add a bunch of skanky girls but don’t get rid of the characters I like to do it…

Oh well, I’m cautiously optimistic this could be the game changer in terms of game play, it’s coming to the PSP and probably wont leave Japan. Stay tuned kids!

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Crush3D – Tutorial Trailer

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Confused about how Crush3D works? Check out this Crush3D tutorial trailer.

If you didn’t already know, Crushed first released on the PSP in 2007, the critics raved about it but the game did not sell as well as it should have, which is sad because it’s such a great and unique game. I’m glad that Sega are giving it another chance and I think the 3DS is perfect for Crush3D because of the ‘crushing’ and ‘un-crushing’ nature of the game. Let’s hope that it can find better sales on the 3DS.

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Yakuza 5 – Details Leak (Edit: More info)

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Some juicy tidbits have escaped from Famitsu today regarding Yakuza 5 (Ryu Ga Gotoku 5) The first bit of news is that Yakuza 5 will again be released on the Playstation 3. Considering four Yakuza games have already been released for the PS3 and every game in the series have been exclusive to Playstation consoles and handhelds I’m sure anyone could have guessed that one.

The second bit of info is a lot more interesting-

Continue Reading ➜

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Shinobi 3DS – History of Shinobi Trailer

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Here’s a Shinobi trailer where members of Sega of America, such as producer Stephen Frost, feel like they need to prove to us that their new Shinobi game is a ‘real’ Shinobi game. But in doing so, they kind of just remind everyone that it isn’t a real Shinobi game. At one point, Stephen says that they took what was great about the classic Shinobi games and made it better, and those are some pretty strong words.

Na- Just kidding! From what I’ve heard it’s- well- not terrible! Which is a real achievement for Sega of America who like to farm out our most beloved Sega classics to unknown developers that previously only made license games… I only hope that when Sega of America re-imagine the next Sega Classic they make sure it’s treated like a classic and not like Golden Axe: Beast Rider.

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A Sonic Playground – Built in One Day

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Over 200 volunteers from SEGA, KaBoom! and Youth Uprising built a playground in Oakland, CA in just one day.

What better way to celebrate Sonics 20th anniversary than to build a playground? I think this is such an awesome idea and further cements in my mind that Sega are one of the best videogame companies out there and in fact goes a long way to show videogames aren’t all bad like the media likes to make it seem! As strange as it may sound I think it can be easy to forget that videogames are just as much for kids as they are for us adults that never grew up.

Good on you Sega!

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Sonic CD Played on Tablet

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Yet more Sonic news today, here is some game play of the re-release of Sonic CD on Tablet devices, XBLA and PSN. It will feature improved physics, real HD and Tails as a playable character.

If you can find your way to a GameStop, you can test the game on tablets now.

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Sonic Generations Launch Trailer and a Rant…

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Check out the Sonic Generations launch trailer, not long to wait now!
The game is generally scoring in the 8/10 region, which I think is well deserved.

Of course there is always one isn’t there? This time Tim Turi of Game Informer was the culprit. He took all but 4 minutes out of his life to write four paragraphs and call it a professional review. He gave Sonic Generations 6.75/10, I won’t provide a link to the ‘review’ because he decided to spoil the ending in it.

His reason for giving the game a mediocre rating? Apparently all post Dreamcast era levels ruin the game for him! Yep, somehow the aesthetic alone or perhaps simply knowing they are from post Dreamcast era has made the level design terrible. I suspect that Tim didn’t get the memo that they aren’t actually the SAME levels, they simply share the same aesthetic as the original levels.

GETTA LOADA THIS:
“Why would Sega pass up full level tributes to Sonic 3 or Sonic CD in favor of a remixed version of a stage from Sonic Colors, which released only a year ago?”
Game Informer.

I’m actually convinced that some critics wouldn’t know what made a good Sonic game if it hit them in the face. Was the concept of celebrating 20 years of Sonic lost on this guy? And why pick Planet Wisp of all levels to take out his misguided anger on? One of the best Sonic Levels in recent memory… There used to be something very wrong with Sonic games, now there is something wrong with videogame critics. I can’t believe they get paid for this shit- what a Joke.

In contrast, GameTrailers’ review was fantastic, it not only highlighted the best parts of the game, it mentioned the real issues too and does so in a truly professional manor. My hat is off to you GameTrailers!

You can see it HERE

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Shinobi 3DS – 12 Minutes of Gameplay

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I’m still not convinced that this is the way I wanted Shinobi to return, considering how great Shinobi could be on a HD console. Still I am glad that it has returned! Whilst there are some design choices that I’m not a fan of (namely the combo scores that pop-up all over the screen instead of tidily in the corner) I think they’ve gotten a lot of things right and have captured a lot of what made Shinobi 3 such an awesome game.

Then there’s those graphics…

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Project “HELL YEAH!” (ARKEDO + SEGA)

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Today ARKEDO and Sega have announced a project together, the project is called Project “Hell Yeah!” and that’s about all we know about the game.

On THEIR BLOG they give away a little bit of information, the first morsel comes in the form of three pictures, the first is above the second two you will see when you hit the jump. One of them says ‘MONSTERS …Lots of them.’ the other asks if you have seen ‘this dead rabbit’.

If you’ve never heard of ARKEDO here is some info from Wikipedia:

“Arkedo Studio is a French independent videogame developer, founded in 2006 by Camille Guermonprez and Aurélien Régard. The company released their first game, Nervous Brickdown for the Nintendo DS, in 2007. They followed that game with 2009’s Big Bang Mini—also for DS, and then later OMG: Our Manic Game for Windows Mobil. The company’s founding goal was to be “as small as possible”, while still creating “‘real’ games – in boxes, with a manual”. The company’s owners have sought to retain the rights to their intellectual properties; as of January 2010, they continue to hold them all.”

Hit the jump for the first blog post and two more pictures:

Continue Reading ➜

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Rhythm Thief – New Trailer

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This new trailer highlights some of the wacky rhythm based mini games you’ll be playing in Rhythm Thief. These include striking poses to hide from security guards, playing football in the streets of London and biting arses- as a dog.

Rhythm Heaven is exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS and is described as a blend of Professor Layton art and storytelling with the game play of Elite Beat Agents, sounds brilliant!

[Thanks SuzukiYu]

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Toirettsu! – The game you pee on!

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You may remember a good while ago now we reported that Sega was making games that- well, you pee on. The ‘console’ is pretty much a modified urinal, the controller? Your stream!

Sega does what Nintendon’t!
Toirettsu is essentially a mini-games collection, with an alternative control method where wee-waggling is not just accepted but encouraged! Remind you of anything?
In one example the harder you pee the stronger the wind which blows causing an onscreen reporters skirt to lift. Who are the target audience? Potentially every man that ever needed to pee! So forget the ‘Nintendo Wii’ Sega have put their own stamp on casual gaming market which I am dubbing the ‘Sega Wee’.

There is method in the madness; the more pee you get into the urinal the longer you can play which is a good way to deter drunks from peeing elsewhere, such as the floor- or on their shoes. You may laugh but I honestly think it is a brilliant idea, genius in fact. This could pave the way for a whole new era for urination! I honestly wouldn’t expect this kind of thing from any other videogame developer. Sega are like the mad scientists of the industry, sometimes it pays off and other times it fails miserably but I think this time they are onto a winner!

As the game is being rolled out in more and more public places in Japan we have some game play videos directly from Sega and yes- it’s as wacky as it sounds! You can see more videos below.

Continue Reading ➜

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House of the Dead: OVERKILL: Extended Cut – Crossbow Trailer

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Today we’re proud to present the Grindhouse Crossbow trailer for The House of the Dead: OVERKILL – Extended Cut! Narrated by Jackson J. Jackson, CEO of Jackson J. Jackson’s Crossbow Emporium, these impressively scoped, extremely explosive lightweight portable crossbows are a great way to take out the mutant menace overrunning Bayou City. You won’t find higher-quality weaponry anywhere else – Jackson J. Jackson guarantees it or double your money back!

House of the Dead: OVERKILL: Extended Cut is exclusive to PlayStation 3 and built with the Move controller in mind. It’ll be released on October 25th, can’t wait to ‘asplode some zombies with the crossbow!

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Reminder – Guardian Heroes is up on XBLA Today!

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One of the best side scrolling games of all time has finally landed on XBLA, Guardian Heroes is a side scrolling beat’em’up with RPG elements made by the sprite masters of the 90’s, Treasure!

Guardian Heroes on XBLA has been given a HD makeover with new magic effects and online multiplayer. Best of all it will only cost you 800 Microsoft points whilst a mint condition copy of the game for Sega Saturn could set you back over $100 dollars!

It’s a freaking steal and having had it since I woke up this morning I can safely say it’s well worth the price of admission! So go on, treat yourself to a great game. Not to mention if enough interest is shown in the game Sega/Treasure has said they would like to make a sequel! DO IT!

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Sonic Generations confirmed for PC

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After many months of speculation, rumours, leaks and everything in between the latest Sonic Generations for PC news all but confirms what many Sega fans already know, Sonic Generations IS coming to PC! The latest news comes from Direct2Drive and GreenManGaming where recommended specs for the PC edition of Sonic Generations have been listed.

I’m really looking forward to seeing not only the beautiful Hedgehog Engine running on high end PC’s but also what the modding community can do with a good Sonic game, which Sonic Generations is shaping up to be!

Also revealed were the system requirements:

Minimum Requirements
Microsoft Windows 7/Vista/XP Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200 (2×2.0GHz) or AMD equivalent 2GB RAM (Windows 7/XP)/3GB RAM (Windows Vista) NVIDIA GeForce 8800 / ATI Radeon HD 2900 11 GB free hard drive space

Recommended Requirements
Microsoft Windows 7 Intel Core i5 @ 2.66 GHz / AMD Phenom II X4 @ 3.0 GHz 3GB RAM NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 / ATI Radeon HD 5850 11 GB free hard drive space

Cool beans!

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