Game: Final Fantasy XIII Genre: Console Role-Playing Game Developer(s): Square Enix Production Team 1 Publisher(s): Square Enix Release Date: December 17, 2009 (JPN) March 9, 2010 (USA)/(EUR)/(AUS) Rating: RP System(s): XBOX 360, Playstation 3
During Microsoft's media briefing at the 2008 E3, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy XIII would be released in North America and Europe on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Furthermore, the Xbox 360 version will come on multiple discs. A Japanese release of the Xbox 360 version of the game is not planned.
Square Enix confirmed at a Japanese press event that Final Fantasy XIII will be out on December 17, 2009 in Japan. Suntory also plans to release the Final Fantasy XIII Elixir to promote the game's release. At the same press event, Square Enix also announced that it would be bundling Final Fantasy XIII in Japan with a limited edition white 250GB PlayStation 3 Slim with a pink colour print of Lightning on the surface of the console, which will release on the same day.
The game's producer, Yoshinori Kitase, along with other creators of the game, put together a video with interviews and new footage on November 13, 2009. The conclusion of the video announced that the game is to be released on March 9, 2010, for both Europe and North America.
Here's a sneak peak of the most anticipated Role-Playing Game of the Decade!
Game: Naruto Shippuden: Ryujinki Genre: Action-Adventure/Fighting Game Developer(s): Takara Tomy Publisher(s): Takara Tomy Release Date: November 26, 2009 (JPN) CERO Rating: A (All Ages) System(s): Nintendo Wii
Here's a game for those looking for Japanese Imports for the holiday season and this is one you might wanna pass. Naruto Shippuden: Ryujinki is a new game for the Wii that was released in Japan on November 26, 2009 and this game is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Naruto series. This game takes a different leap from the previous Fighting Game Naruto series, Clash of Ninja and then developed a free-roaming hack-and-slash video game. Graphics and Design look quite similar to the Clash of Ninja games, and even reuses several character models. All characters receive detailed, new outfits that are based on their normal attire.
The story is loosely based on the Hunt for Itachi arc, although Jiraiya does not fight Pain, who does not appear. Naruto's half of the story revolves around attempting to stop Kuroma from unleashing the powers of five powerful dragons on the world with the help of a young girl named Akari, who gives Naruto the Dragon Sword to fight. Sasuke, on the other hand, has already formed Hebi by the time the story begins, in order to hunt down and kill Itachi.
However, his efforts are hindered by Akatsuki's attempts to capture the dragons that Kuroma has summoned for their own purposes. Throughout the story, the player either plays as Naruto or Sasuke along their journey, utilizing their respective blades and team members' abilities to fight through various levels. Other characters make an appearance as well such as Sakura, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Neji and a few more in the Naruto Series.
The Gameplay reminds me of playing The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time just with Naruto characters and many many MANY flaws involved into this game as in Very frequent annoying load times, various slowdowns when 2 or more enemies are on the screen, the controls get repetitive after a while and the Camera angles are pretty awful.
I expected alot more with this title since it was supposed to an Action Adventure Beat 'em up game but my hopes on this game was a major lost.
Game: No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise Genre: Action-adventure Developer(s): Grasshopper Manufacture Publisher(s): Marvelous Entertainment/Spike (JPN), Ubisoft (USA) Release Date: February 25, 2010 Rating: RP System(s): XBOX 360, Playstation 3
On November 17, 2009, Famitsu magazine announced that the 2007 Wii game No More Heroes is coming to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 Retitled under a new name called No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise. The game will feature new modes, Japanese voice acting, HD visuals and will not have motion control unlike the Wii Version. The release date for this game is scheduled for February 25, 2010 in Japan and there are no further information about this game being released in North America as of yet.
Here is a Video Slideshow of No More Heroes that should get you pumped for next year and I hope the North American date gets announced pretty soon.
Game: Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier Genre: Platformer Developer(s): High Impact Games Publisher(s): Sony Computer Entertainment Release Date: November 4, 2009 Rating: T System(s): Playstation 2, PSP
Remember the first year when the Playstation 2 came out? If you do, then you’ll probably remember a game titled Jak & Daxter: The Precursor’s Legacy. It was one of the first games, besides Final Fantasy X, that was on a DVD-Rom. It was also one of the few popular platform games on the PS2, the others being Crash Bandicoot and Ratchet & Clank. So with the newest addition to the series and a new developer – Naughty Dog didn’t develop this title, High Impact Games did it this time – will The Lost Frontier live up to the legacy that is the Jak & Daxter series?
The story behind Jak & Daxter picks up where the previous game (Jak X: Combat Racing) left off. There is a shortage of eco (planet energy, so to speak) in the world and with it comes violent storm that can tear the planet apart. Jak & Daxter go out and search for a solution to the problem, taking to the skies in search of an area called the Brink of the universe. As they reach The Brink, which literally is the end of their world, they get attacked by Eco pirates, who fight the duo for whatever eco they have. At the end of it all, their ship takes damage and they are forced to land on a small island. And that is where our story begins.
So if you’ve played any of the previous J&D games (sans the PSP game “Daxter”), then you’ll be playing the same game. Not that it’s a bad thing…if you enjoyed the series, that is. The gameplay is pretty much the same as before; you complete missions to progress the story, do side-quests to gain secret items and collectibles, and travel around to different spots. As you go through, you’ll learn new abilities that’ll be mandatory to use for completing the level.
On the other hand, the changes they’ve made in the game makes this experience different than before. For starters, if you’ve played any of the previous games (preferably Jak 2 and 3, where they introduced 2 morphed versions of the main character), then you’ll be surprised that Jak cannot transform into his Dark or Light alter ego. The reason: the area they are at has large amounts of Dark Eco (highly volatile planet energy) and transforming will have a dangerous, if not deadly effect on them. However, they made Daxter – his wise-cracking furry counterpart that’s a mix between an otter and weasel – able to transform into a dark form. It’s a form that’s only used whenever he’s separated from his partner and doused in Dark Eco.
Transportation in this game is also another mentionable change. In the past games, your main mode of transportation was ground vehicles, from motorized scooters to all-terrain vehicles (the latter in Jak 3). In this installment, the skies are the only place to travel so it’s aircrafts only. The crafts are customizable to a point; weapons and craft upgrades are available for purchase along with new ships makes it somewhat interesting. Add on the side-missions of target races and you have something more enjoyable than getting from point A to point B.
The in-game combat stays true to the legacy of Jak & Daxter…which means it’s pretty simple. From the dash punch to his spin kick, there hasn’t been much of a change. The guns are still in the game, and with it are upgrades that are scattered throughout the game. His special abilities are a noteworthy point in this game. Even though he’s unable to transform into Dark/Light Jak (oh, how I miss the Dark Punch), he has a new set of abilities that can be unlocked when you find Precursor statues. With these abilities are physical upgrades, which modify his attacks in a manner that’s reminiscent of the first J&D game. It’s a nostalgic throw-back that’s enjoyable to say the least.
Overall, Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier is what it is: a continuation of the Jak & Daxter series. If there were any major down points, it’d have to be the in-game camera. It can be a nuisance, which it was in some of the past games but a bit more obvious in this game. Also, the dialogue is another downer. Not to say that the dialogue is bad, but there’s a bit less humor on Daxter’s part. And considering that Daxter is known for his witty one-liners and comebacks (Jak 3 is a good example), it just wasn’t there this time.
Long story short: if you were expecting a major comeback of the series…you’re not missing much in this installment. It doesn’t mean that the game is bad, it just means that you’re not missing much.
We break our podcast wide open with a awesome topic of Super Street Fighter IV! How much are they trying to give us for a advanced version of the hit game? Will it be cheaper? Listen to our podcast then tell us what you think in the forum!!
Well, we are back once again with another interview on The Reset Button. LeVonn78 sits down with Amber Dalton aka Athena Twin of the PMS Clan which means Pandora's Mighty Soldiers. PMS Clan members compete in various co-ed competitions and online ladder tournaments. PMS has become a well-known group in a male dominated gaming industry, and is committed to continue gaining ground for women in the industry which we all think that is pretty cool in our book. Any girl that can kick some serious tail in a game has my vote anyday but anyway, Click on the Video below and also check out the additional floor video of events that was going on at GameX.
For more information about the PMS Clan you can check them out at www.pmsclan.com plus you can add them on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/pandorasgamebox/
Also. you can share your Comments about GameX or Either the Videos at the J1 Forum.
As one of the pieces that make up J1 Studios, you will learn, experience, and become knowledgeable about the gaming world. If you don't succeed, press The Reset Button!
