technabob » action

daddy issues: nier set for spring

alisha k. — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:59:01 +0000

One world, one virus, one story, two different games. Nier, the product of Square Enix and Cavina, is getting a Western release… or at least half of it is. In Japan, Nier is two games: Gestalt and Replicant. Same story, different protagonists, and different platforms to boot. Looks like we’re only slated for one, however, though Nier: Gestalt will be released on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 this coming spring.

In Nier: Gestalt, players take the role of a father searching for a cure for his daughter, afflicted with a virus known as “Black Scrawl.” In the other version, Replicant, players have the chance to take on the role of the girl’s brother.

But here’s what we do get: a bloody action-adventure with a reportedly intricate storyline, and with the choice of platforms, the missing protagonist doesn’t seem like a huge loss. And who knows? Maybe Replicant is just lagging behind in localization.

[via Siliconera]

more new old mega man on the way

alisha k. — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:38:34 +0000

After the fabulous reception for Mega Man 9, it seemed inevitable that there would in turn be a Mega Man 10, if for no other reason than the fact that it’s Mega Man and Capcom has a certain penchant for tacking ever-higher numbers onto the titles of their games. But there was no guarantee they’d stick with the updated retro style of the title.

So here’s what we do know: the NES-style will be maintained. There will be new bosses, like Sheep Man (who does in fact look a little sheepy). There will be Mega Man (and Proto Man). And, for all the crybabies out there (read: regular people with thumbs still sore from Mega Man 9), there will be an Easy Mode.

What we don’t know is where and when the game will appear, though another timed exclusive for WiiWare seems like a safe guess, with an eventual release to other formats.

[via Joystiq]

shank: it’s a beat-em-up, not a stab-em-up

alisha k. — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:56:01 +0000

The delightfully named Shank seems to have been big business at the just-wrapped Penny Arcade Expo, with the Internet a-buzzin’ over the game’s ridiculous cartoon violence. It’s slick, it’s beautiful, and it takes its cues from beat-em-ups, which makes it automatically among the best games ever.

Shank’s 2D action is glossy and gorgeously rendered, but still manages to look more like old school cartoons than most of its contemporaries. That works, though; the cartoons I grew up with were always full of ridiculous and awesome violence, so I’m already sold on the concept.

Shank is still so early in development that there’s no official word on a release to any platform but PC, though a console release seems likely with the uniformly positive impressions out of PAX. Just look at the footage.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Man, I want to play that right now.

[via Game|Life and GamerBytes]

vholdr contourhd: the helmet cam goes high-def

technabob — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:37:38 +0000

If you spend an inordinate amount of time off-road biking, downhill skiing, skydiving or something equally adventurous, here’s a great way to capture those thrilling moments of your life.

The new VholdR ContourHD is a wearable HD camcorder that can shoot full 16:9 widescreen video to capture your daredevil moments in glorious high definition. The camera shoots at 1280×720 (720p) resolution at 30 frames per second, or can also shoot SD video at up to 60 FPS if you don’t mind sacrificing resolution for greater framerate. Video can be captured on MicroSD cards, each of which can hold as much as 16GB – about 8 hours of HD video. Not too shabby.

Just strap the weather- and shock-resistant ContourHD to your helmet, and flip the record switch to get started. Not only does it capture video from your point-of-view, but the ContourHD grabs decent audio thanks to a special built-in microphone designed to minimize wind noise as you careen down that hill or out of that airplane. The camera features a special 135-degree wide-angle lens to capture all the action, and even has built in laser guides to ensure you capture a straight shot. And if you’re really defying death and don’t wear a helmet at all, VholdR offers a variety of mounting accessories for your bike, car, ski goggles or other locations.

While the videos below give you a pretty good idea of the type of action you can capture with the ContourHD, you’ll really want to head over the the VholdR site to see some clips in their full HD glory.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can find the VholdR ContourHD camera over at Amazon for $299.99 (USD).

[via Helmet Camera Central via EngadgetHD]

american mcgee’s alice returns for new ea game

alisha k. — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:49:48 +0000

It’s been almost a decade since American McGee’s twisted take on a Wonderland fueled by insanity, American McGee’s Alice, but Electronic Arts is teaming up with McGee’s Spicy Horse to produce a sequel to the gothic game. Why now, you ask? Why not, says I, for it’s never a bad time to give scowls and weapons to beloved characters.

Per announcements at DICE 2009 and a press release from EA, the game is set for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, though there’s no word yet on release date, gameplay information, or just how demented the sequel will be compared to the original. In fact, all that’s really been said, officially, is that the game is coming.

American McGee himself took to his blog, however, and revealed, at least, a title: The Return of American McGee’s Alice. I’m sure the game itself will be much more creative.

[EA and American McGee via That Video Game Blog]

final fantasy gets wild, wacky with the crystal bearers

alisha k. — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:24:57 +0000

There’s a lot going on in the Final Fantasy franchise lately. Whatever your preference, you can get it: retro remakes on the DS, retro originals on the Game Boy (in the past few years, at least), and the epic forthcoming Final Fantasy XIII. If you want something intense and portable, you can look to the PSP’s gorgeous offerings; if you want a little more adventure, try Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, and if you want cute? There’s always Final Fantasy Fables and Chocobo games. And now, there’s just plain crazy with The Crystal Bearers.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers has a rocky history. The Wii game was first announced almost four years ago and in that time, we’ve seen only a few images and tiny scraps of footage. It was obvious that this was something different, however; a bigger, grander Final Fantasy with more action, more camp, and more fun–not that the series has ever lacked for fun.

But the game disappeared, and we didn’t hear anything new. Rumors of cancellation plagued the project until finally it was announced that a trailer would be packaged with Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, and that time is now.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The Crystal Bearers is Final Fantasy amplified, even down to the giant versions of familiar enemies. The music is as good as ever, and memorable, but everything about this trailer, including that music, is touched with a sense of pure, silly fun. The Crystal Bearers looks like a grand and epic adventure, deserving of the Final Fantasy brand, but it’s a whole new take on the series.

[via GoNintendo]

red xbox bundle rumored for resident evil 5

alisha k. — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:49:16 +0000

Capcom really thinks Resident Evil fans are willing to spend a lot of money. First, they announced the $90 Collector’s Edition of Resident Evil 5, a megabox packed with all sorts of essentials, like a necklace, a patch, and a figurine. Oh, and the game, of course. But if that’s not enough Resident Evil goodness for you, take heart: word on the street is that there’s an even bigger bundle coming: a bundle with a limited edition red Xbox 360 console.

It will probably look a lot like this, except that there will be a console somewhere, too. Or maybe the set will feature a darker, bloodier sort of red. Either way, the infamous Red Ring of Death will look really nice on your new Xbox 360!

Better than this bundle? Some would say so, while others would prefer that messenger bag. Odds are you already have an Xbox if you’re scoping out Resident Evil 5, after all. Of course, it’s probably not red.

If it pans out, the rumored console bundle will include a copy of Resident Evil 5, a red Xbox 360 console, a single matching controller, an exclusive Resident Evil 5 theme for the New Xbox Experience, and a coupon inviting purchasers to download Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix to that sweet new ‘Box for free. Resident Evil 5 is set for release in March, and you’ll even be able to buy just the game if you’re not in the market for a bunch of extra stuff.

[Ars Technica via Game|Life]

ea sends classic literature to hell with dante’s inferno

alisha k. — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:45:48 +0000

Of all the things in the world that could possibly be used as inspiration for any sort of video game, the last thing you might expect Electronic Arts to fall back on is Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. And yet that’s exactly what the company unveiled at Monday’s Video Game Awards.

If your response is also a resounding “what?”, then just wait–it gets better. “The time is right for the world of interactive entertainment to adapt this literary masterpiece, and to re-introduce Dante to an audience that, until now, may have been unfamiliar with the remarkable details of this great work of art,” said Jonathan Knight, executive producer for Dante’s Inferno. “It’s the perfect opportunity to fuse great gameplay with great story.”

Somehow, epic poems that form a cornerstone of classic literature need “third person action adventures” to serve as their introductions. It’s not at all a bad idea, guys, but please, roll back on the hubris. Y’know. For the (uneducated) children.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

EA’s teaser trailer is certainly evocative of Dante’s hell, but I’m gonna guess, from this footage, that the game will have considerably less fainting and fewer political overtones than the source material. EA has not yet announced any consoles, release dates, or really anything other than the fact that the game exists.

[Dante's Inferno via 1UP]

vholdr sports camera gets the 360-degree treatment

technabob — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:51:40 +0000

What do you get when you combine a skateboard wheel, a length of PVC pipe, a driveway marker, a handful of screws, a bolt, washers and nuts, and some Gorilla Tape? Not much, until you throw an awesome new wearable camcorder in the mix. Then, you have one crazy POV video camera system.

That’s exactly what happened when Olympic Snowboarder Graham Watanabe hooked up with the guys who came up with the rugged new VholdR outdoor camera from Twenty20.

Using a design that would make MacGyver proud, the improvised “Granthony Cam” (named for Graham and Twenty20’s Anthony Godoy) screws on top of Watanabe’s helmet as he snowboards downhill, capturing a wild, 360-degree video effect that not only gives you a great sense of motion, but is also some of the wildest camera work this side of a Raising Arizona. The 2 minute video clip is definitely worth a watch, so be sure to check it out.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The VholdR camera at the heart of the rig comes encased in a rugged anodized aluminum shell, and is splash proof, dust proof and dirt proof. Designed to mount just about anywhere, the camera is perfect for sports-nuts or anyone else who wants to capture action video in challenging locations. The whole lens and image sensor can even rotate up to 192-degrees together, and a pair of lasers automatically guide the camera to frame the image properly. The company even offers specially-designed mounts for helmets, bikes, goggles and roll bars… but I still prefer the ingenuity of the Granthony Cam.

At $350, it’s not the cheapest digital video camera out there, but you also wouldn’t want to strap your mom’s HandyCam to your head and go jump out of an airplane with it on.

metal gear solid 4 release date in 2007?

technabob — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:54:29 +0000

Word on the street for a some time now has been that Metal Gear Solid 4 for the PlayStation 3 was almost certainly delayed until some time in 2008. Now, it appears that the game could hit shelves this year after all.

A graphic over on Konami’s Tokyo Game Show website now lists the game as a “Winter 2007″ release. Now we all know this could be a typo, or simply old content. Given that this week’s TGS is where companies usually reveal any holiday surprises, I’m really hoping this is true.

Wouldn’t it be nice for Sony to get at least one killer game for this holiday season?

[PS3 Only via MaxConsole]