The Release List 09.01.09: Fate/Unlimited Codes, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny, and IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Posted by Tommy Coloma on 09.01.2009
Capcom gives PSP fighter fans another reason to be happy with Fate/Unlimited Codes, Namco answers back with SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny, Ignition brings us one of the best looking games on any console this year in Muramasa: The Demon Blade, and 505 Games gives flight simulator fans a reason to be happy with IL-2 Sturmovik.
I found a way to get myself sick during one of the hottest weeks of the year in Northern California, so this'll be a short write-up seeing as how I'm practically on my deathbed right now. Luckily, I was able to copy and paste some of the things that I wrote in previous columns since half of this week's releases were featured imports a few months back...
This week's highlightsNote: Release dates are subject to change
Fate/Unlimited Codes (PSP download)
In 2007, French-Bread posted an April Fools' Day joke in which the company announced that it was developing a 2D hand-drawn fighter based on Type Moon's Fate/stay night franchise. Since French-Bread was also responsible for the popular Melty Blood games, many fans were convinced that there was something to the joke, especially considering how good the fake screenshots were. Melty Blood itself was first revealed in an April Fools' Day joke, so there was good reason to hope. A bit later, Fate/Unlimited Codes was announced for an arcade release. It wasn't going to be the 2D hand-drawn masterpiece that fans were expecting, but it was still better than nothing.
This is a port of the PS2 port that came out in Japan last year. In addition to having everything the arcade and PS2 versions had, it also includes some gameplay tweaks as well as more costume choices. And, unless Capcom is evil, it should be playable online via Ad-Hoc Party. I've been playing the PS2 port for a little while now and I'd say that the fighting system is pretty good and easy to get into. It's no Street Fighter, but it manages to be fun nonetheless. The game was also featured at this year's Super Battle Opera, so that should allay any fears that it isn't very deep.
If you want to see how the fighting system works, check out WraithCo's post over at SRK.
gameplay footage
Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii)
While the Odin Sphere-like graphics are gorgeous, I'd say that the best thing about Muramasa is the fact that it is a good disc-based 2D platformer ON A CONSOLE that does not cater specifically to grade-schoolers. I really hope that the game exceeds all sales expectations so that more companies will come to realize that 2D platformers do not have to be relegated to handhelds.
What are the differences between the male and female characters?
"Basically, the female starts from a place called Kyo - it's where Kyoto is today - and she is going to Edo - where Tokyo is now. So she is going up north, and the male character is actually going down from Edo to Kyo. You'll see a little crossover, like in the middle you'll go through a city and you'll see the other character in the back drinking tea or eating."
"When you go through the stages, there are some stages where you'll think that there are supposed to be enemies, but there are none, and you don't know why, but when you play the other side, you'll find out that the other player already defeated that enemy and moved on."
Can you tell us about the RPG elements in the game?
"First of all, the demo that we showed yesterday and the one that's on the floor - they are more action-oriented. We just put some of the action stages together. The action part is like the encounter in typical RPGs. So in the real game, you'll fight and then you'll be in a section where you can walk and talk to other people. While there you'll be able to set up your items or change your weapons and then go into another section to fight."
Are there going to be sub-missions and stuff like that?
"There will be sub-quests. If you talk to certain people, they'll give you a mission, and it's up to you to fulfill that plot if you want."
Is it catered to the hardcore - the ones who played games like the original Ninja Gaiden back in the day?
"It is a core game. Not as much as Ninja Gaiden, the old series, but more like Legend of Kage and Genpei Toma Den - something in that sense. It's an action game that everybody can play. It does have some difficulty to it, but its simple controls allow you to do great things."
the Japanese "overview" trailer
the TGS 2008 demo
SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny (PSP) Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny is essentially Soul Calibur IV in portable form. Thankfully, Namco Bandai was not satisfied with just a straight up port, so we get quite a few balance tweaks and some extras to make the game worthwhile for those who already have SCIV. According to a post at 8WayRun, some of the things that we can look forward to include hitbox fixes, wall damage changes, and a longer Guard Impact window. Hilde's "doom combo" has also been removed. In addition, Yoda and Darth Vader were taken out in favor of Kratos from God of War and a new character named Damphierre.
the E3 trailer
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (360, PS3)
Unless a similar game comes out with keyboard support, this is the closest we'll get to a flight simulator on the 360 or PS3.
the "launch" trailer
Magna Carta 2 - English language version (360 import)
We'll be getting this in the US in mid-October, but if you happen to have a 360 that can play imports and are looking to get in on the action ahead of time, here is your chance. Of course, you might run into some Engrish here and there...
the E3 "cinematic" trailer
The other US releases Cabela's Outdoor Adventure (360, PS2, PS3, Wii)
Champions Online (PC)
Cruise Ship Vacation Games (Wii)
Defense Grid: The Awakening (XBLA)
Gears of War 2: Game of the Year Edition (360)
Guitar Hero 5 (360, PS2, PS3, Wii)
Section 8 (360, PC)
The Import SceneJapanese localizations of domestic games, "Asia" versions of games that do not have English options, and "Best" (greatest hits) versions of already released games are ignored.
428: Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de (PS3)
Anpanman to Touch de Waku Waku Training (DS)
Love Plus (DS)
Mobile Suit Gundam Senki U.C. 0081 (PS3)
Ousama Monogatari (Wii)
Samurai Dou 2 Portable (PSP)
Simple 2500 Series Portable!! Vol. 12: The Hohei 2: Senyuu yo, Sakini Ike (PSP)
Sloane to MacHale no Nazo no Story 2 (DS)
SweetHoneyComing (PS2)
Tabemon (Wii)
Yamamura Misa Suspense: Kyoto Kuramayama Shou Satsujin Jiken (PSP)
