Xenoblade Chronicles to hit US shores in 2012

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Brian Bishop

If there’s one thing I appreciate in this world, it’s a good RPG, and according to our Scottish cohort Andrew, Xenoblade Chronicles is a DAMN good RPG. But it was always a point of sadness for me knowing that Nintendo had no plans to bring what was apparently one of the best JRPGs of the year, if not the generation, to US shores. Well, it turns out plans have been made.

Xenoblade Chronicles will hit US shores in the Spring with a retail price of $49.99, and the only place you’ll be able to find it is at your local GameStop (or GameStop.com).

Whether or not Nintnedo’s decision to localize this game is a result of Project Rainfall, which was an initiative from a large group of American gamers who were campaigning for the localization of Xenoblade Chronicles (along with other Japanese/European-only releases The Last Story and Pandora’s Tower). So far, Nintendo hasn’t announced any plans to localize the other two games.

I, for one, am giddy as a Japanese schoolgirl over this news, and I know I’ll be at GameStop for the midnight release of what is apparently one of the best RPGs of our time.

Posted in News, Wii | Tagged

Daily Scoop: December 2, 2011 – A reason for the Skeeson

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Nicole Kline

YAY! It’s Friday! We made it to the end of the week, people. That is reason to celebrate! Though I have to sadly admit that my skeeball league team, the Alex Mack Daddies, had our first loss last night during the finals. It was an amazing game, though, and we all rolled well, and the skeeson was awesome, so I can’t really be too sad! And the weekend begins in just a few short hours, so really… what’s there to be sad about?

Certainly not today’s deals, that’s for sure!

It’s the fourth day of Amazon’s 19 Days of Deals, and today they’ve got accessories galore! Thinking about getting that Nerf Armor for your 3DS? Maybe you want some extra, off-brand Wii wheels? Scoop ’em up!

Today’s Yetee is rockin’ like Dokken, if Dokken were Bowser:

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Battlefield 3 ships 8 million, Back to Karkand pack coming next week

Posted on December 2, 2011 by John Scalzo

GamesIndustry.biz is reporting that Electronic Arts CFO Eric Brown has confirmed that eight million copies of Battlefield 3 have been sold since the game launched on October 25. Insert a “low whistle” here.

Not only has the DICE-developed shooter sold a lot of copies, but a lot more are available in stores for the Christmas rush. According to Brown, an additional four million copies have been shipped to retailers, which explains Battlefield 3’s discounted status (some stores sold it for as little as $30) on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

EA has also revealed that the Back to Karkand map pack will be available to download from the PlayStation Network on December 6. Gamers who purchased the Battlefield 3 Limited Edition will receive Karkand for free, while the rest of us mere mortals will have to pony up $14.99. The DLC pack will be available for the PC and Xbox 360 on December 13 for the same price.

After downloading Karkand, players will have access to four classic Battlefield maps including “Strike at Karkand,” “Wake Island,” “Gulf of Oman” and “Sharqi Peninsula.” The pack will also feature the return of the Conquest Assault mode (last seen in Battlefield 2), three new vehicles, ten new weapons, five new dog tags, five new Achievements/Trophies and “an added layer of persistence where players complete assignments to unlock items and earn rewards.”

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

NeverDead ships to stores on January 31, coffin not included

Posted on December 2, 2011 by John Scalzo

Konami has announced that NeverDead will spring to life early next year. Scheduled for a January 31 release on the PS3 and Xbox 360, NeverDead’s won’t cost an arm and a leg. However, players will put those appendages to good use when defending against the demonic hordes:

“In NeverDead, we’ve gone all out to change the approach the player takes in battle,” said Shinta Nojiri, creator of NeverDead. “Losing a limb is a mere inconvenience and Bryce’s physical skills allow a wealth of ways to take out the enemy – from close-range combat, to throwing limbs into clusters of monsters and shooting them remotely. This adds a level of humor to the game that brings the world-weary main character to life, while players revel in game worlds that are fully interactive and eminently destructible.”

Konami also plans to support NeverDead with additional downloadable content after launch. More details on the DLC will be available soon.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception Review: The Drake Is A Lie

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Naughty Dog has fetched Nathan Drake and his companions for another adventure in Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. Following on the massive success of 2009’s Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Drake’s Deception had a lot to live up to. This third installment is gorgeous and polished, and involves more puzzles, grander set pieces, explosive gunfights, and plenty of satisfying platforming. But it’s the story of Drake’s Deception that left something to be desired. Is the lack of story enough to ruin the game completely? Or will Drake sweep all of the Game of the Year awards again this year?

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in PS3, Reviews, Top Story | Tagged

Goin’ down to South Park, Obsidian’s making an RPG

Posted on December 1, 2011 by John Scalzo

To quote the main characters from Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s (poorly) animated television show: “Son of a bitch!”

The January 2012 cover of Game Informer will be devoted to South Park: The RPG Game, which is being developed by Obsidian and published by THQ. A South Park RPG? I repeat: “Son of a bitch!”

Scheduled for release next year, South Park: The RPG Game is being described as “a full-scale RPG” and will be released on the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. The game even has a full-scale RPG-type plot: “As the new kid in South Park, it’ll be up to you to make friends and defend the town from a wide range of threats.”

Parker and Stone will lend Obsidian a hand by writing the game’s script, voicing the characters, and generally overseeing development. Of course, the same thing could be said about the South Park FPS from 1998. Actually, let that be the only thing said about the South Park FPS from 1998.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Daily Scoop: December 1, 2011 – I’ve got the blues

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Nicole Kline

I know it’s a Thursday, but it feels like a Monday! Such a Monday. I think it’s the fact that I wake up and it’s dark, and I leave work and it’s dark, and I didn’t get my Starbucks this morning, and why can’t it already be Friday… or better yet, Sunday, so I can already be playing Mario Kart 7? The nerve of this Thursday.

Anyway, I’m sure you’re wondering what’s up on Amazon for their third day of 19 Days of Deals! It’s PC Games, and has a pretty wide variety – you can get downloads of Darksiders or Metro 2033 for $4.99, Sid Meier’s Civ V Game of the Year Edition or L.A. Noire for $29.99, and many others. Check it out!

No game shirts today, but I’m a sucker for this awesome Star Wars shirt over at Nowhere Bad:

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News, PC |

Nintendo Download: More House and more Adventure Island

Posted on December 1, 2011 by John Scalzo

Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like a new episode in the House M.D. adventure game series and another version of Adventure Island are a part of the Nintendo Download every other week.

The two game franchises tag team this week’s Nintendo Download as House M.D. Episode 5: Under the Big Top has been added to the DSiWare Shop and the Game Boy version of Adventure Island is now available on the 3DS eShop.

Here’s what else you’ll be able to download from the DSiWare Shop, 3DS eShop and Wii Shop this week:

House M.D. Episode 5: Under the Big Top (DSiWare) – Dr. Gregory House and his elite diagnostic team race against the clock to unravel a medical mystery involving a middle-aged circus manager who is strangled by a horse.

Adventure Island (3DS eShop) – Master Higgins’ princess has been kidnapped, and he is the only one who can save her. To aid in his search, he’ll need to equip his skateboard and use a variety of weapons as he fights his way through eight different worlds.

Xmas Puzzle (WiiWare) – Xmas Puzzle is a game in which you must solve progressively more difficult puzzles as you advance through the plot. As many as four friends or family members can enjoy playing at the same time.

Double Bloob (DSiWare) – Double Bloob is a cartoonish, arcade-style vertical shooter. The planet needs you! Bloobs have invaded the Earth and took a little dolphin named Will as a hostage! Don’t let the Bloobs win!

Posted in 3DS, DS, News, Wii |