The SIXAXIS 07.31.07
Posted by Mike Minotti on 07.31.2007
David Jaffe starts a new studio, Rockstar announces a new franchise for the PS3, and LocoRoco is coming to the PSN. All that and more in this week's SIXAXIS!
Here we are, yet again. Another week, another Sony news report. We have a lot to talk about, including new studios, new exclusives and new games.
Hmm, I feel like my introduction should be longer, but I can't think of anything to say…
Sure do love that PS3…
Ah screw it, let's just get to it.
News
Rockstar to make exclusive new franchise for the PS3.
The 360 may be getting exclusive downloadable content for GTA4, but at least the PS3 will be getting a new Rockstar game all to itself. Now, absolutely no details were given on what kind of a game this will be or when we can expect it. All we know is that it's an exclusive, and in a time when exclusives are becoming a rarity, that's a good thing.
David Jaffe creates new studio.
Jaffe, of course, is the man responsible for Twisted Metal, God of War, and most recently the PSN game Calling All Cars. The new studio is being created with former Incognito head Scott Cambell, whose studio most recently made Warhawk.
The new studio is named Eat, Sleep, Play. The studio has signed a mulit-year exclusivity deal with Sony. Their first release will be an upgraded port of the PSP Twisted Metal: Heads On for the PS2.
LocoRoco PSN game shown.
The game is called LocoRoco Cocoreccho. Whatever that means, we can only guess. Here's a video to show you just how insane this game looks:
The game will be controlled with SIXAXIS motion controls. Should be interesting.
Heavenly Sword Demo did, in fact, come.
It's on the PSN Store right now. It's a bit short, but you'll get to try out some combat and play through one of those cool quick-time event cut-scenes. Also, graphically, the game looks pretty nice.
15 minute Metal Gear Solid 4 gameplay demonstration on PSN.
This little gem comes courtesy of the Metal Gear 20th Anniversary Party. The video shows off a lot features, including the new CQC combat system, new over-the-shoulder aiming system, new stealth option, and a lot more. Trust me, it's really, really, really good looking.
The Weekly Releases
Some interesting PSP releases.
PS3
Nothin'.
PSP
Brave Story: New Traveler – 7-31. I didn't know much about this game until just researching it. It looks like a traditional RPG with some pretty graphics and a battle system that kind of (don't hold me to this) resembles Chrono Trigger's. You may want to check out some reviews for this one.
Harvest Moon: Boy & Girl – 7/31. Man, I used to love me some Harvest Moon. For those of you who don't know, it's a farming sim. Trust me; it's more fun than it sounds.
World Championship Cards – 7/31. Use your imagination.
PS2
World Championship Cards – 7/31. Second verse, same as the first.
Survey of the Week
Last Weeks Results
Which Sony systems do you own? (you may select multiple choices)
So, what do I think about the Heavenly Sword demo? Yes, it's short, but that doesn't bother me as much as it seems to bother everyone else. I have some more important concerns.
The combat system has a good deal of variety, but I wonder how necessary it is. There are so many options for what you can do, yet I had my easiest time in the demo when I was focused on using one combo for generic enemies and a different combo for the enemies with shields. You can do some fancy looking moves that kill people in one hit, but I'm not really sure how you do them. So far it's kind of happened by accident. And, again, I'm not sure how necessary it is.
Also, while the opening quick-time button pressing event was cool, I hope the game doesn't depend on too many of those sequences as a sort of crutch. I mean, they're neat and all, but they're not nearly as interactive as they want me to think they are. Besides, while this kind of thing was awesome in God of War, it began to lose its luster when even Spider-Man 3 was doing them.
Still, these concerns are somewhat trivial. It's quite possible that once more enemies and more situations are introduced that I'll begin to understand the intricacies of the battle system a bit better. And, if nothing else, it definitely is a very good looking game. If they put the same kind of attention into the gameplay that they put into facial expressions and lip syncing, this game should be just fine.
YouTube Theatre
Take a look at Unreal Tournament 3. This game is looking amazing, and will at least be a timed exclusive on the PS3.
Pictures for Ashish
There's deep meaning in this picture. No really, I'm totally serious.
Ok, so I'm not really sure what this is a picture of, but I think it's a mobile toilet being invented by the US military for use in the battlefield. No more shitting in holes for our troops!
I don't want to cram pimpage
Angry Gaming looks at the dark side of Pokemon. He may or may not claim that Lickitung provides oral pleasure to "despaerate housewives".
Nintendophiles talks about my favorite Namco RPG series, Tales of.
The Full Circle is my new Xbox 360 news column. Please check it out if you feel so inclined.
