News From Bitopia 09.07.06
Posted by Caleb Newby on 09.07.2006
The PS3 launch faces turmoil, Japan continues to get the good deals on the 360, the shortest review of Hitman: Blood Money ever, and I finally beat Cowboys From Hell (ok, it was on hard). Now on to expert...
Two month anniversary of the column, and 411Games for that matter I suppose. Big news this week as I finally beak Cowboys From Hell on hard. Yeah, yeah, it's not expert but it was a crowning achievement to me none the less. It was an intense few minutes though, and while it was an amazing 3 star around 50% accurate rendition I was still pleased with the performance.
Also, I gave Hitman: Blood Money a go. Amazing and unique end to the game, fun levels, and the usual cool alternative ways to complete a stage made it well worth a play.
Enough jibber jabber, let's do it.
The News
No PS3 for you… GET OUT! Credit: IGN
Ok, so there were a lot of stories about this that I will try and condense into one nice easy to read version. Reports first surfaced that the launch of the PS3 in all markets not named North America and Japan would be postponed until March of '07. Also stated is the U.S. launch will see 400,000 consoles on store shelves. Next we hear that that darn Blu-Ray is causing even more problems, leading those in the industry to speculate PS3 shipments by March '07 to reach 4 million, down from a once estimated 6 million. Sony commented saying a fairly expected similar to "we are sorry… we will work hard to make the launch in March great… this won't affect our investors or bottom line" or something like that.
To me, it just seems like this Blu-Ray thing is turning out to be more and more of a headache for Sony. It is causing their inflated price of the console; it is delaying production, as well as leading to some fairly harsh backlash from the gaming community. Whether or not the latter will actually mean anything in the end though will be determined.
Another bonus for our Japanese readers Credit: IGN
Microsoft has announced that for ~$250 dollars in Japan, you can get the Xbox 360 bundle of the system, Ninety-Nine Nights, and Project Gotham Racing. What a deal eh? I know I'd plunk down the cash for that price. That's what we get for embracing the system so readily, higher prices. Stupid economics.
More tracks for Guitar Hero 2! Credit: IGN
"Beast and the Harlot" - Avenged Sevenfold
"Can't You Hear Me Knocking?" - The Rolling Stones
"Crazy on You" - Heart
"Heart-Shaped Box" - Nirvana
"Jessica" - The Allman Brothers Band
"Laid To Rest" - Lamb of God
"Message in a Bottle" - The Police
"Misirlou" - Dick Dale
"Surrender" - Cheap Trick
"Tattooed Love Boys" - The Pretenders
"Them Bones" - Alice in Chains
"Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight" - Spinal Tap
Those tracks join these previously announced tracks.
"Arterial Black" - Drist
"Free Bird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd
"John The Fisherman" - Primus
"Madhouse" - Anthrax
"Psychobilly Freakout" - The Reverend Horton Heat
"Shout at the Devil" - Mötley Crüe
"Strutter" - KISS
"Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses
"Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart" - Stone Temple Pilots
"War Pigs" - Black Sabbath
"Who Was in My Room Last Night?" - The Butthole Surfers
"You Really Got Me" - The Kinks, as performed by Van Halen
"YYZ" - Rush
Wow. I love it. Some good bands in there, some songs that I don't know all that well but intent to become familiar with shortly. This game cannot come out soon enough.
What looks good this week?
Yakuza – I have heard some good things about it. Expect a review up shortly here to see if it will be worth a buy, rent, or nothing at all.
And now for an important (follow-up) message from your friendly 411Games editor
I pray someone out there decided to try the Schick Quattro or is planning on it soon. Don't let my words go to waste. Please. Trust me, and let me know.
Now what?
Time for me to jet and watch Rockstar on TiVo. I have no idea who is going home this week. Part of me suspects Dilana, and I hope it isn't Magni. Be Lucas or something. I mean, I like him too, but you gotta pick your battles.
Stay tuned for more great 411Games coverage this week, including an all new SATURDAY News Report. We are all awaiting the name of the column breathlessly as there had been some heated discussion in the staff forums for what to call it. I know what I'm rooting for…
