Author - Jerry Paxton

More Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus Details Revealed

ninja-gaiden-sigma-2-plus_041

January 29th, 2013 — Team NINJA today unveiled new details for  NINJA GAIDEN® SIGMA 2 PLUS, the highly anticipated sequel to its PlayStation®Vita launch title which is set for a February 26, 2013 release. Faster, bloodier, and more beautiful than ever, NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 PLUS takes the legendary action game to the next level with the all new “Ninja Race” mode, tag missions involving any combination of two characters, potent new weapons for Ryu Hyabusa, and a variety of pre-order offerings including limited edition female costumes. To premier these new game elements, Team NINJA has released an all-new trailer and images highlighting the modes, weapons and costumes.

In “Ninja Race” mode, a slow ninja is a dead ninja as players race through dynamic courses to beat the clock. After choosing a character, level, and costume, players can strategically choose to dash through the course or viciously kill as many enemies as possible to earn boosts and points. The mode’s Combo Kill counter increases as foes are dispatched in sequence—the higher the counter, the more damage is dealt as long as the gauge stays filled. Three special essences, exclusive to the Ninja Race mode, boost the player’s chance of a successful mission: Green Essence adds time to the clock, White Essence boosts the Combo Kill counter for added damage, and Purple Essence grants Ninja Speed.

NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 PLUS now includes “Tag Missions” providing an exciting new way to combine the complementary strengths of any two characters. Players can switch between team members in real time as they try to complete challenges, with the other team member under AI control. With each fighter having different strengths and weaknesses, players can strategically tag back and forth when facing different opponents and situations by pressing down on the directional pad.

Ryu’s attacks can be enhanced with powerful weapons including “Emma’s Fang”, a massive sword that can decimate foes with slow but powerful swings. Legendary tales say the fearsome blade grows even stronger when it becomes bloodied. Worn on the hands and feet, “Falcon’s Talons” can quickly cut enemies to pieces with special attacks including the Izuna Drop and the sliding, leg-cutting Thunderous Attack. Steel-reinforced hardwood “Tonfas”, which can be swung from both hands to brutally crush enemies with their special Heavenly Justice combo, provide another option for mass destruction.

Last but not least, those who pre-order NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 PLUS at GameStop will receive exclusive, limited edition costumes for the female warriors Ayane, Rachel, and Momiji. Ranging from Ayane’s light armor to Rachel’s seductively spiky dress revealing her demon blood, the costumes are designed for both action and style.

NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 PLUS brings the most intense, action-packed ninja adventure to PS Vita with stunning graphics, new modes, and plenty of blood. In the game, iconic super ninja Ryu Hayabusa returns to the Sigma series to prevent the resurrection of the evil Archfiend by hunting down the Demon Statue stolen by the wicked Black Spider Ninja Clan. Players will battle from Tokyo to New York as Ryu encounters vicious enemies while building an awesome arsenal of ninja weaponry. The action lights up the Vita’s impressive OLED screen with upgraded graphics and the game features an all-star cast featuring signature characters from previous installments. An intuitive control system uses the front and rear touch screens and motion controls of the PS Vita to give players full control and the powerful “Hero” play style automatically engages when the player is low on health.

NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA 2 PLUS is developed by Team NINJA and published by Tecmo Koei, is ESRB rated “M” (Mature) and will be available for an MSRP of $39.99.

Cities in Motion 2 Gameplay Trailer

citiesinmotionlondon25.9.12_img22

NEW YORK – January 28, 2013 – Paradox Interactive, a publisher of games and everyday user of public transit, today revealed the first-ever trailer with in-game footage for upcoming transportation simulator Cities in Motion 2, the follow-up to developer Colossal Order Ltd.’s inaugural title from 2011. The detailed and intricate transit builder will be available in Q2 2013.

Cities in Motion 2 gives players full control of their own transit empire as they utilize a wide variety of transportation vehicles to create the most effective transit system possible. Offering a bus load of new features, including day and night cycles and multiplayer modes, Cities in Motion 2 also introduces dynamic cities—as transit is built, urban sprawl will expand or depreciate based on the affordability of transit and the needs of each unique city’s inhabitants. From the scheduling of timetables to the adjustment of fares, transportation enthusiasts will be able to tweak a wide variety of options to provide for the demands of their population. Just remember: if transit is running late, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Trailer

J.J. Abrams Confirmed as Star Wars Director

new-star-wars-logo

Lucasfilm/Disney have finally confirmed what the rumor mill has been crying out the last couple days: J.J. Abrams will be the director of Star Wars: Episode VII. They are still set on using the original formula of having three different directors helm each film of the next trilogy, so it will be interesting to see how this whole affair shapes up. I am still interested in seeing what Ben Affleck can do with a Star Wars film. Time will tell!

From StarWars.com…

After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller.” He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”

“To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner.”

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star TrekSuper 8Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

THQ’s Last Day Photo

last-day-thq

THQ’s official Facebook page put up a heartfelt goodbye post earlier which caught my eye. I just wanted to pass on our thanks to THQ for all the great gaming experiences over the years and we hope everyone who lost their positions finds new homes soon.

“Today marks the last day of THQ. From our entire family, we would like to say a heartfelt “Thank You” for your support during our amazing 20+ year run. Game on!”

Impire Gets Fun New Trailer

impire_pdxcon13_4

Paradox Interactive has finally released a trailer for its upcoming Impire, where players take on the role of a very powerful demon “accidentally summoned into a puny imp body with a Brooklyn accent.” The game looks very tongue-in-cheek and hearkens me back to the days of Dungeon Keeper. Looking forward to seeing more on this one!

Trailer

Resident Evil 6 New Game Modes

resident_evil_6_screenshot_014

Capcom has announced that its action-horror game, Resident Evil 6, will be getting a new gameplay mode in the form of “The Mercenaries: No Mercy” when released on the Windows PC platform in February. Similar to past “mercenaries” game modes, Capcom promises that, this time, “it ramps the gameplay up to 11”. Also announced is an upcomign game mode called “Siege” where player split into two teams: One trying to defend a lone BSAA agent against hordes of monsters and, the other, as the monsters… Siege Mode will be available in March for Xbox 360 and PS3, priced at 320MSP/$3.99..

Six Pack Of Aerosmith Hits Come To The Rock Band Music Store

aerosmith

Cambridge, Mass. – January 25th, 2013 – Harmonix today announced that tracks from Aerosmith are headed to the Rock Band™ Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Wii.

Rock Band provides the deepest and best selection of artists, songs and albums through the Rock Band music platform, which features more than 1,400 artists and more than 4,000* tracks via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks atwww.rockband.com/songs). Rock Band’s gigantic music library dwarfs that of any other rhythm video game on the market. More than 100 million songs have been sold through the Rock Band Music Store since its launch on Nov. 20, 2007.

Tracks downloaded from the Rock Band Music Store are compatible with the award-winning full-band Rock Band 3 experience, as well as the controller-based rhythm-action title, Rock Band Blitz, available now on PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE® Arcade!

Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 system and Wii

Emerging as one of the biggest rock bands of the ‘70s, Boston-based Aerosmith made their mark on music history with a bluesy, hard rock vibe that continues to influence the sounds of rock n’ roll today. On January 29th, Harmonix is proud to bring a collection of the band’s oldest and newest hits to the Rock Band Music Store as part of “Aerosmith’s Greatest Dimension Pack”!

“Aerosmith’s Greatest Dimension Pack” kicks off with classic tracks from the Boston bad boys, including two tracks that originally appeared on the group’s third album, 1975’sToys in the Attic – “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion.” “Back in the Saddle,” which originally appeared on 1976’s Rocks, and a live version of the emotional influential ballad “Dream On” will also be included in the pack!

Completing this incredible collection will be two new Aerosmith tracks, “Legendary Child” and “Lover Alot,” both from 2012’s Music From Another Dimension!, available now.

Tracks can be purchased individually, as well as part of “Aerosmith’s Greatest Dimension Pack,” and Pro Guitar and Pro Bass upgrades will be available for both “Sweet Emotion” and “Dream On (Live)”!

Available on Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation®3 system (January 29th, 2013): 

  • Aerosmith – “Walk This Way”
  • Aerosmith – “Sweet Emotion” X
  • Aerosmith – “Back in the Saddle”
  • Aerosmith – “Dream On (Live)” X O
  • Aerosmith – “Legendary Child”
  • Aerosmith – “Lover Alot

(These tracks will be available in Europe on PlayStation®3 system January 30th)

Price:
$9.99, £8.89 UK, €10.99 EU (800 Microsoft Points™, 1000 Wii Points™) for the “Aerosmith’s Greatest Dimension Pack”
$1.99 USD, £1.19 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points ™, 200 Wii Points) per song
$0.99 USD (80 Microsoft Points™, 100 Wii Points™), £0.59 UK, €0.79 EU per song for eligible Pro Guitar/Pro Bass upgrade

Tracks marked with “O” feature support for keyboards; tracks marked with “X” will offer Pro Guitar and Pro Bass expansions for $0.99 per song.

** Dates and pricing for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **
 
*Available on-disc, via download and disc export. Internet connection and export key purchase required. Wii™ Shop Channel has more than 1,500 song tracks available for purchase on the Rock Band platform on-disc, via song import, and download. Not applicable to Nintendo DS™.Website Links:
For more information, please visit:

Rock Band Website