The Ultra Combo News Report 09.07.09: Halo 3 ODST Details, God of War Collection a Reality, Uncharted 2 Limited Edition and More!
Posted by Armando Rodriguez on 09.07.2009
Plus, OnLive beta goes live, Gran Turismo PSP Bundle, The Quick Hits and more!
Welcome to week 2 of The Ultra Combo News Report. I am your host Armando Rodriguez bringing you the top news from the past week. With the PAX going on and the holiday season approaching, there is a lot of ground to cover, so let's head straight to the news.
Halo 3: ODST Release Date, New Details
Over at the Penny Arcade Expo, a group of Bungie's staff where present to deliver new details and information about Halo 3: ODST. Here are some of the standouts:
- The game will hit stores on September 22, 2009.
- The decision to not use Master Chief or The Arbiter as main characters was taken because Bungie wanted to do something new.
- They completely recreated the city of New Mombasa to better fit the night time gameplay that ODST will offer. This implicated the use of cinematic lightning and a change in art style to a more film noir-style approach. It will be a stark contrast to the more colorful environments offered in other Halo games.
- The game will offer 8-10 hours of gameplay.
- Two of the main weapons in the game will be a sound-suppressed pistol and a sound-suppressed SMG.
- New vehicles will be introduced as well, including what looked like an armored dump truck.
- There are currently no plans to release DLC for ODST.
- Bungie's community director hinted at some sort of bonus goodies for Halo: Reach when he advised players to "keep their ODST discs handy" for when Bungie starts talking more about Halo: Reach.
[Credit: Gamespot.com]
The Beatdown: I am eagerly awaiting the release of Halo 3: ODST if only because I want to see exactly how different it is from the rest of the Halo series. The people at PAX hinted about a complete change, from a silent character, a film-noir, almost detective-like feel and what appears to be completely stealth-based gameplay with sound-suppressed guns. It seems like the game's story is going to be one big mystery for the player to solve and it looks like an immersive experience. I still believe that full-price is too much for "8-10 hours of gameplay" and a few multiplayer maps, but that won't stop the Halo faithful from turning ODST into a million seller.
Sony Confirms God of War Collection
Sony confirmed that they will be releasing God of War Collection on the PS3 for $39.99. Although there is no release date set, it will be this fall. The game will feature both PS2 God of War titles in a single blu-ray disc, running on 720p and with trophy support. Although the European release won't see the light of day until next year, the game will not be region-locked, allowing European gamers to import the title. However, it was deemed "unlikely" that we will see a God of War 3 demo bundled with this collection.
[Credit: 1UP.com]
The Beatdown: Sucks about the GoW 3 demo, but I am excited to get the "re-mastered" versions of God of War and God of War 2. Considering that I don't own those games and have been itching to play them for a long time, this is a great deal. We are getting two of the best games from the last generation updated with trophies and high-definition graphics for a mere $40. I expect this to be one of Sony's biggest sellers come this holiday season.
No More NASCAR From EA
Peter Moore, President of EA Sports, has confirmed that EA has no current plans to develop a new NASCAR game. He said that some of the members from the NASCAR team have been moved to work on EA Sports MMA. "We are still a huge fan of NASCAR, but there are no plans to develop further games for NASCAR from EA Sports".
[Credit: Gamespot.com]
The Beatdown: EA has produced some of the best and worst NASCAR games. I have fond memories of NASCAR 2004, which is the one I played the most on my then new PC. With that said, the NASCAR series was growing stale and this is a chance for another developer to step up and do something special with the NASCAR license. I really don't believe EA is quitting NASCAR altogether, I expect this to be a short leave (maybe 2 years) before they are back on it. NASCAR is one of those things that don't need a yearly installment. The tracks are mostly the same and so are the drivers, so it will be easier (and better) to make one core game every 3 years or so and just release yearly patches to update the roster and fix whatever issues they need to.
Wii Internet Browser Free…Again
Nintendo has confirmed that the Opera Web Browser will be free for the rest of the Wii's lifecycle. People who paid the $5 for the browser will be refunded with a choice of a free NES Virtual Console game. Originally made free for a limited time when it launched, the Opera Browser was later given a $5 price tag.
[Credit: Gamespot.com]
The Beatdown: A wise move for Nintendo. I don't think that many Wii owners where willing to pay $5 for something that they could do from their PC, Laptops, Palm Computers, Cell Phones and so many other devices for free.
OnLive Beta Online
OnLive has confirmed that they have opened the beta-testing phase in anticipation of a full release this winter. OnLive promises an on-demand video game streaming service with new, top-tier titles from developers like EA, Take-Two and Ubisoft directly to gamers who poses a PC, MAC or a special TV plug-in device. The company is yet to confirm an official release date or how much the service will cost.
[Credit: Gamespot.com]
The Beatdown: I have said it before and I will say it again: What OnLive is trying to do now is what the future of gaming looks like. My guess is that at some point during the next decade, with broadband connections reaching affordable prices, video games will be distributed through a streaming service. You will pay for a console and pay for the games you want, which will download into your system, with no store or third-party involved. That said, I don't think OnLive will succeed beyond a niche base. Broadband internet connections are still expensive, especially the ones needed to handle the streaming of such huge games as Grand Theft Auto. Plus, I am sure you will need to pay a membership fee in addition to paying for the games you want. In the end, between internet connections, membership fees and a new game you will be paying well over $100 monthly. With that kind of money you could purchase two current generation games and not have to worry about lag or other issues. I will take the wait and see approach, but I am leaning towards failure.
Square Enix Will Publish Modern Warfare 2 In Japan
Square Enix has confirmed that they will be publishing Modern Warfare 2 in Japan for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. They will also publish Call of Duty 4 as part of the Xbox 360's Platinum Hits Collection. With these moves Square Enix continues to attempt to make themselves synonymous with western gaming.
[Credit: 1UP.com]
The Beatdown: This can only be seen as a positive move for Square Enix. More than likely they will make a ton of money and with several American publishers stepping down from publishing games in Japan, Square can reap the benefits. Also Japanese gamers will get a taste of some of the great American games that they would otherwise miss.
Gran Turismo PSP Bundle Announced!
Sony has confirmed a new Gran Turismo PSP Bundle that will be hitting stores on October 20. The bundle will include a "Mystic Silver" PSP-3000, Gran Turismo in UMD form, a 2GB Memory Stick Duo and vouchers for a series of downloadable goodies that include an unnamed Playstation Network movie and a white Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1. U.S, residents will also get a 10-song Sony Music Pass voucher. The bundle will retail for $200.
[Credit: Gamespot.com]
The Beatdown: If you wanted Gran Turismo for the PSP and you don't have one, then this is the deal for you. Screw the PSP-Go and the inflated price tag: you are getting a PSP, the game and plenty of extra goodies to warrant the purchase. I don't know about you, but getting a system, game, memory stick and all those extra goodies for $50 less than single PSP-Go sounds mighty appealing. This is yet another reason for prospective PSP owners to boycott the PSP-Go until Sony realizes their mistake and lowers the price.
Details on Uncharted 2 Limited Edition
Uncharted 2 is one of the blockbusters of this holiday season and now details have emerged on the Limited Edition. The official name is "Uncharted 2 Fortune Hunter Limited Edition" *which sounds epic enough!* and includes a replica of the "Phurba Dagger" that plays an integral part of the game's story. Also in the Limited Edition is a special art book and a voucher for a yet-to-be-announced DLC.
However, it seems this Limited Edition is really limited and apparently will not be sold in stores. One was given away at PAX, one (or more) will be given away on some sort of contest at The US Playstation Blog and one (or more) will be given away on Home. Also there will be a way to win one during the Multiplayer Demo that kicks off September 15th and there will be other ways to win one that will be announced later.
[Credit: 1UP.com]
The Beatdown: Could this be a Limited Edition that is really limited and not just easy to find, but very expensive? It sure sounds like it. If that is the case, expect it to reach hundreds if not thousands of dollars on Ebay. However, the biggest bit of news that we unlucky gamers can get from this report is the confirmation that there will be DLC for this game, which is something we all expected anyway. With the apparent focus on the new multiplayer component *which is mighty awesome from the beta version I played thanks to InFamous* we can expect extra maps and weapons to be added at some point. Also it seems the public multiplayer demo kicks off at some point next week! How's that for awesome news?
Quick Hits:
- Capcom is apparently considering new DLC for Resident Evil 5. RE5 is a marquee title and a lot of people are still playing it, so why not?
- The makers of Star Wars Galaxies are apparently considering a "Casual" MMO set in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars universe. That just screams BAD IDEA!
- Sega confirmed that none of its deals with Marvel will be affected by Disney purchasing the comic giant. Oh great, more crappy Sega-made Marvel titles.
- A new map for Fat Princess was revealed at PAX. It is apparently called "New Pork" and is the largest map to date. Now please, teach those punks online how to play the game!
- If you own a gaming PC and love Street Fighter, well, Steam was selling Street Fighter IV for $20 this past weekend. If you realize today is Monday and you missed it, well, sucks to be you!
- In a bit of news that is sure going to make my RPG-hating buddy Todd Vote very happy, Sega is working on more DLC content for Valkyria Chronicles. Well, actually it is the final DLC pack released in Japan in June that is finally making its way to the USA and apparently centers on Edy (judging by the name "Challenge of Team Edy"). Well Todd, Valkyria features plenty of gay and bisexual characters, so I guess it appeals to you more than any other RPG. Wow, I am turning into a mini-Mark Salmela!
- In a bit of news that will make half of the 411mania staff cream their pants (even Ramon, our good old boss) Contra Rebirth will be hitting WiiWare TODAY! Now, go get that Kleenex.
- Take-Two will pay $20.1 million to settle the "Hot Coffee" stockholders lawsuit. That's what you get for being a perv, Take-Two!
- A new study shows that apparently playing Tetris makes you more efficient. Be it that I played Tetris for years and I am probably the least efficient person I know, this study is as much a lie as those "violent games makes kids violent" studies.
- Nintendo will be releasing the DSi in manly colors like white and pink very soon. I know Drew Robbins wants a pink one. They are also releasing the wii-remote and nunchuck accessories in the girliest color there is: Black.
- Did you know that Viacom could end up paying $40 million in royalties for The Beatles: Rock Band? Now you do.
Finish Him! Maya Wins!
Another week is in the books! Don't forget to check the 411mania Empire, including this week's edition of the Top 5 with the Top 5 NES Games. Also I encourage everyone to leave their suggestions for what else they would like to see in this report. Until next week!
