So I'm digging around on Touch Arcade for some news and I come across a story about an in-game purchase for the iOS version of Catan. The story itself isn't that interesting... but look at this Catan-themed lunch sperad:
The images comes toTouch Arcadeby way of Deviant Art userLuluriel. Assuming she made the spread herself instead of just photographing it, we'd love to hire this lady to cater some GamePro lunches.
With the 3DS' launch details coming to light this morning, we wanted to gauge the fan reaction to the system's price, release date, and launch titles. Read on for the best fan comments.
After theGamePro staffoffered their opinion of the 3DS launch announcements, we wanted to see what the public at large thought of the system's showcase. Here's the question we posed to our 24,000-plus Twitter followers:
Nintendo 3DS: $250 on 3/27, and a few launch window games revealed. Are you in? Why or why not? Best answers posted.http://bit.ly/hRPnee
GamePro
Despite the lack of information about what will be available on day one, a few fans are excited enough to pledge love at launch for the 3DS. Here's their reactions:
@GameproI'm in! $250 is pretty cheap for 3D that has no need for glasses, especially when it can play games AND movies.
thatSTERLINkid
@GameProI'm in so I can rub it in with my pal and get him back for him getting a gaming computer
MarkSmellie
@GameProI'm in. I'm a sucker for new toys, and I'll gladly pay $300 just to play the Ocarina of Time wherever I go.
bdavid81
The detractors had two key reasons for holding off on a 3DS purchase promise--the high launch price and Nintendo's tendency to redesign their portable systems. Here's the squeakiest wheels from both sides:
@GameProUnless I can get a bunch of trade-in credit at Gamestop, I'll wait a while until I get one. It's a little too expensive for me.
fritter7
@GameProJust got DSi a year ago,&now a 3Ds for $250? Nah, too pricy; got my own financial problems. I will wait till price drops.
Alpha6UFS
@GameProProb Not.. little pricey and not sure I want a first gen 3d portable console.. let them make the mistakes and re-release :)
dabates
@GameProNo. I'll wait for 1 or 2 of the inevitable hardware redesigns that will allow me to get a better version for a likely lower price.
Acerlux
While a few respondents brought up the lack of launch software, the replies we received seemed to show that the gaming public knows what Nintendo is capable of due to the company's extensive history with portable gaming systems. Even if the systems aren't strong out of the gate, a deep software library is all but assured. The risk, however, comes with the hardware itself, which is prone to being redesigned and price-cut at a moment's notice. While Nintendo's successes and failures with the 3DS aren't written in stone, the marketplace seems to be ready to accept it in the same way it always has.
What do you think of the replies above? Do you have a perspective you'd like to add? Please continue the conversation by responding in the comment section below or by replying toGamePro on Twitter.
PlayStation 3 owners are finally getting the chance to experience the second installment in BioWare's epic sci-fi series, but outside of tracking down an Xbox 360 or a PC, there's no way for them to fully experience the first game from beginning to end. Reviewer Kat Bailey weighs in on the pros and cons of the PS3 edition's interactive Mass Effect: Genesis backstory comic, and if its worth taking the time to revisit the Normandy's first flight.
Back when I was in middle school, one of my favorite shows wasBabylon 5. WithStar Trek: Deep Space Ninemired in mediocrity at the time andVoyagergetting progressively more awful, I decided to make the switch and never looked back.
The only problem was thatBabylon 5was in the middle of the second season at the time, and season one definitely wasn't available on DVD (I'm not sure DVD was even commercially available in late 1995). But as it turned out, while the first season had its moments, Michael O'Hare's wooden acting combined with some average storylines made it mostly missable.
Can the same be said for the originalMass Effect? As withBabylon 5, the first installment certainly has its fans, but it's also a bit of an acquired taste. For those who are just now hopping intoMass Effect 2on the PS3, here are some of the pros and cons of revisiting the original game on the PC or Xbox 360.
Why You Should Stick with Mass Effect: Genesis
The recent PS3 re-release of Mass Effect 2 follows the opening moments aboard the Normandy with a lavishly produced interactive comic that recounts the key moments from Commander Shepard's first adventure.
Given that one of Mass Effect's biggest draws is that Shepard persists from adventure to adventure, the comic is pretty much essential to the experience. It does a great job of filling in some of the gaps in the story while introducing characters like Liara T'Soni, Wrex and Garrus. Additionally, it features some excellent narration by Jennifer Hale (provided you made the right decision and decided to play as a female Shepard).
In some ways, it's like watching the opening moments ofThe Lord of the Rings, in which Cate Blanchett details the first several thousand years of the One Ring's existence; or hearing"It was the dawn of the third age of mankind, ten years after the Earth-Minbari War."It offers all the background you need, and sends you on your way.
For some, that might not be enough. Like the first season ofBabylon 5though, the original Mass Effect is extremely rough, and it certainly takes it's time getting underway. After a sluggish battle with the Geth on Eden Prime, the story comes to a crashing halt as Shepard tries to prove Saren's guilt to the council. It's only after collecting enough evidence to prove that he's guilty that things get moving in earnest.
The opening scenes in Mass Effect are not unlike Matrix Reloaded's unbearably boring scenes in Zion. The only difference is that there's no mass orgy.
And apart from the sluggish opening and often janky graphics (BioWare was really struggling to get a handle on the Unreal Engine at the time), the first game also suffers from an identity crisis. It's clear that BioWare wanted to create an RPG with shooting elements, but their intentions just didn't come across very well. The nearest comparison is Obsidian's Alpha Protocol, where shots went wide even when villains were lined up in the reticule simply because of a low skill with a particular weapon. In Mass Effect's case, the stats didn't line up well with the action, and the result was an experience that was less than satisfying.
Of course, an argument can be made that Mass Effect 2 went too far in"streamlining"the RPG elements, but the fact of the matter is that it's not mired in the grey zone between RPG and shooter, and it's an all-around more satisfying experience. Going back to the original Mass Effect after playing the sequel is jarring to say the least, and given the quality of the comic, perhaps not entirely necessary.
Why You Should Play Mass Effect
All that said, I did actually finish the original Mass Effect, and I have actually watched the first season ofBabylon 5. Playing the first game adds a layer to the experience that the Genesis comic can't quite replicate. It's a layer of familiarity.
Believe it or not, I'm not actually that big a fan of Mass Effect's story. I like some of the flourishes that BioWare has added throughout, but I find it to be mostly predictable pulp sci-fi. It ends up being compelling though because every Shepard is unique, and because the player has a direct impact on how the story plays out.
My Shepard, for instance, began as a renegade. I followed the"renegade"path all the way down the line, and I had few regrets until the sequel. Looking back now, I desperately wish I hadn't pulled the plug on the Rachni -- in retrospect, it just seems mean-spirited. In my head though, Shepard also regrets that action, which makes her all the more interesting.
It's purely imaginary, but it's a feeling that can only really spring from playing the original game. A quick summation doesn't quite do it.
Beyond that, there are the simple feelings of familiarity engendered by playing the original game. After taking down Sovereign, I felt like I had gone to war with Liara, Garrus, and all the others, and I was delighted to see them all again in Mass Effect 2. My character's romance with Liara in the first game was a little silly, but it made me exponentially more interested in the Shadowbroker DLC and other Liara-centric story threads.
It's true that by skipping out on the first game, you skip the muddled shooting mechanics and the painfully slow opening. But you also skip out on being able to move seamlessly from an alien planet to the Normandy (something sorely missed in Mass Effect 2), and being able to force Saren to shoot himself in the head. Likewise, skipping out on Babylon 5's first season means skipping"Infection,"but it also means skipping the introduction of The Great Machine, the Babylon 4 mystery, and Morden's first, brilliant introduction.
As with many long-running series, even a flawed first chapter can have its merits if you're a dedicated fan.
So is it Worth It?Shortly before Mass Effect 2 launched on the Xbox 360, I made the decision to sit down and finally play through the original. After a few false starts, I finally powered through the Citadel scenes, and ended up enjoying myself quite a bit. Like the first season ofBabylon 5, it was an acquired taste, but ultimately a good one.
That said, I tried going back and starting up a new paragon character after finishing Mass Effect 2, and I ended up quitting before I had finished Eden Prime. The sluggish pacing and the muddled mechanics were just too much.
I had a number of PS3 owning friends who have yet to play either game, and I'm encouraging them to pick up Mass Effect 2 for the PS3. My reasoning is that it moves faster, plays better, and, combined with the comic, is just a better introduction to the series. If they end up enjoying Mass Effect 2, then I feel like they are much more likely to enjoy the original game.
The biggest drawback to jumping over to the PC or Xbox 360 version, of course, is that it's not possible to transfer Shepard to the PS3 afterward. Those who want a completely persistent Shepard will have to stick with another platform, as the original Mass Effect will likely never be available on the PS3. As consolation prizes go though, the comic isn't half bad.
So does that mean that the Mass Effect story can be enjoyed without having played the original game? Yes it can, just as it's possible to jump right into season two of Babylon 5, as I did way back in 1995.
In the end though, I did end up revisiting season one. And somehow, I doubt anyone who enjoys Mass Effect 2 will be able to resist the allure of experiencing the original adventure. Some things should just be seen firsthand.
EA has revealed the first info and pics of the Dead Space-inspired armored and weaponry that Dead Space 2 fans will be able to port over to Dragon Age 2. It may not make any sense in the middle ages, but it sure looks snazzy.
The concept of bringing modern-day elements into the Middle Ages hasn't worked thus far, but it's largely been relegated to terrible flicks likeBlack Knight,A Kid in King Arthur's Court, andA Knight's Tale. Dragon Age, however, already has amassed a pretty pleasant critical reception, which made the announcement of Dead Space-inspired content a little worrying. Then we saw the screenshots.
While EA has undoubtedly cooked up some reasoning for a glowing health bar to appear on the back of the"Ser Isaac of Clarke"suit of armor (likely involving demons and/or sorcery), we're sure of two things. One; that it'll be completely unbelievable, and two; most folks won't care because it looks so bad-ass. Check out the image of the suit in action below and try to tell us otherwise:
The content will be unlockable via a download code sold with copies ofDead Space 2on the Xbox 360 and PC (s). To see the rest of the"Ser Isaac of Clarke"content images, check out ourDragon Age 2 screenshot gallery.
As expected, Call of Duty: Black Ops continued its sales dominance during the final month of sales in 2010. Read on to see how other Black Friday blockbusters fared against December's new releases and the rest of 2010's top games in the December year-end NPD report.
Call of Duty: Black Opshad another stellar month to close 2010, with the combined sales for the IP topping 12 millions units for the two months it was available on the market in the United States. To put it in perspective, the second-ranking 2010 seller--Madden 2011--soldless than halfof that amount. Three new games debuted on the NPD charts this month--World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, Disney Epic Mickey, and Michael Jackson: The Experience. Cataclysm is the first PC-exclusive to land on the charts since it's incorporated PC titles. Other single-sku games that performed well but landed outside the top ten were Kinect Sports and Dance Central on the Xbox 360, as well as UDraw Studio with UDraw Tablet for the Wii. Here's the December 2010 sales rankings.
1) Call of Duty: Black Ops (360, PS3, Wii, PC, DS - Released 11/09/10)
2) Just Dance 2 (Wii- Released 10/12/10)
3) World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (PC- Released 12/07/10)
4) Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (360, PS3- Released 11/16/10)
5) Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii- Released 11/21/10)
6) Disney Epic Mickey (Wii- Released 11/30/10)
7) Madden NFL 11 (360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP- Released 08/10/10)
8) Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii, DS, PSP- Released 11/23/10)
9) NBA 2K11 (360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP, PC - Released 10/05/10)
10) Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (PS3, 360, Wii, PC- Released 11/16/10)
While the Nintendo DS continued to lead the overall hardware sales rankings--in fact it passed the PS2 on the US' all-times sales charts--the Xbox 360 finished the year strongly with another month atop the home console sales charts. The Xbox 360 had its top-selling month of all time on the heels of Black Ops and the Kinect, becoming the only system to grow in terms of sales in 2010.
In addition to the December sales figures, the NPD also provided a few notes about 2010 sales as a whole. Despite the fact that console and console software sales saw steep drops of 13% and 6%, respectively, the video game industry only saw a slight drop in overall sales, with the year-end figure looking to land between $15.4 to $15.6 billion. The reason? Boosts in the accessories market and PC game sales due to the Kinect and Cataclysm, respectively.
The NPD Group also provided the year-end sales software rankings. Like the new monthly formula, the list ranks the IPs instead of individual games for particular systems. Here's the 2010 sales rankings:
1) Call of Duty: Black Ops (360, PS3, Wii, PC, DS - Released 11/09/10)
2) Madden NFL 11 (360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP- Released 08/10/10)
3) Halo: Reach (Xbox 360- Released 09/14/10)
4) New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii- Released 11/15/09)
5) Red Dead Redemption (360, PS3- Released 05/18/10)
6) Wii Fit Plus (Wii- Released 10/04/09)
7) Just Dance 2 (Wii- Released 10/12/10)
8) Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (360, PS3, PC- Released 11/10/09)
9) Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (360, PS3- Released 11/16/10)
10) NBA 2K11 (360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP, PC - Released 10/05/10)
What do you think of the sales results above? What surprised you?
Got any tips, corrections, or feedback?Contact GamePro's news teamor follow this article's authoron Twitter.We've rounded up the week's biggest releases in one place, giving a definitive answer to the question; which system's getting the best new games this week?
WHO WINS?
This is a fitting week to start picking a weekly winner, since one platform is absolutely dominating all others--thePlayStation 3. This week brings two blockbuster releases to the PS 3--an updated version of one of last year's biggest hits in the form of Mass Effect 2 and one of 2011's most anticipated games in the form of LittleBigPlanet 2. The PSN also has the strongest downloadable slate this week with a Modern Combat: Domination (a Move-enabled shooter that will sell for only $8), Spare Parts (which is the only Xbox 360 release of note this week, and two PlayStation One classics. With Nintendo's wares consisting solely of unknown downloadable games and the Xbox 360 welcoming one non-exclusive retail title, there's really no contest. In case you want to judge for yourself, here's the list of this week's games:
Nintendo DS:
Alien Puzzle Adventure (DSiWare) -- $5 -- 1/17/2011
Animal Boxing -- $8 -- 1/17/2011
Glory Days– Tactical Defense -- $2 -- 1/17/2011
The Seller (DSiWare) -- $5 -- 1/17/2011
Nintendo Wii:
Doc Clock: The Toasted Sandwich of Time (WiiWare) -- $10 -- 1/17/2011
Urbanix (WiiWare) -- $5 -- 1/17/2011
PC:
APOX -- $TBD -- 1/19/2011
A.R.E.S. Extinction Agenda -- $TBD -- 1/19/2011
PlayStation Portable:
5 in 1 Solitaire (PSP Mini) -- $TBD -- 1/18/2011
Karimogi (PSP Mini) -- $TBD -- 1/18/2011
Mega Man (PSOne Import, also playable on PS3) -- $TBD -- 1/18/2011
Metal Slug (PSOne Classic, also playable on PS3) -- $TBD -- 1/18/2011
Pipe Madness (PSP Mini) -- $TBD -- 1/18/2011
Shift Extended (PSP Mini) -- $TBD -- 1/18/2011
PlayStation 3:
Little Big Planet 2-- $60 -- 1/18/2011
Mass Effect 2-- $60 -- 1/18/2011
Mindjack-- $60 -- 1/18/2011
Modern Combat: Domination -- $8 -- 1/18/2011
Spare Parts -- $10 -- 1/18/2011
Xbox 360:
Mindjack -- $60 -- 1/18/2011
Spare Parts -- $10 -- 1/19/2011
What are you looking forward to? Any new releases we missed? Sound off below.
Nintendo has revealed the launch details for the 3DS at a press event in New York. The company's next portable will sell for $250 when it comes out on March 27. Read on for additional details.
Over a half-year after the system was first shown to the press at E3 2010, Nintendo has finally revealed the U.S. price and release date for theNintendo 3DS. In addition to the $250 price point and March 27 release date, the company revealed a few other details about the upcoming system.
While only launch day games was specifically announced (the built-in camera-based game Face Raiders), Nintendo did reveal a handful of titles that would be coming in the three-month window between the system's launch and E3 2011 in June. Of the 30-plus games that will release in that timeframe, Nintendo confirmedPilotWings Resort,Nintendogs + Cats, andSteel Diver. Other games mentioned outside that context (likely meaning they won't be available at launch) includedThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D,Kid Icarus Uprising, as well as the next Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and Paper Mario games.
Launch day buyers of the Nintendo 3DS will have to choose between two colors, as the system will be available in Cosmo Black and Aqua Blue. The systems will come with a 2GB SD memory card for downloadable game storage as well as six augmented-reality (AR) cards that will display images and animations on the 3DS when detected by the system's camera.
Nintendo also revealed a few new details about the 3DS' connectivity, stating that the system will require only one friend code for each 3DS they connect with, doing away with the Wii and DS methods that required a new code with each game. The 3DS will have two methods of connectivity when the system is not in use--Streetpass will trade info between users who are nearby, while SpotPass will use public hotspots and enabled Wi-Fi connections. In both cases, the info being transferred includes game maps, high scores, and Mii info. The popular Wii avatars will be more easily creatable on the 3DS, as users will be able to transfer their Mii from their Wii using an SD card or having their 3DS automatically generate a new one via the system's camera.
GamePro will have more information about the games shown in New York in the coming hours and days. In the meantime, what do you think of the 3DS launch details?
Project Gotham Racing developer Bizarre Creations looks to be closing after publisher Activision failed to find a buyer for the studio. Bummer.
To be fair, Activision tried to keep the Liverpool-based studio together in looking for another publisher to buy it. Coddy Johnson, Activision Worldwide Studios' chief operating officer,told Developthat they talked to"pretty much anyone you can imagine in the industry"without success.
"{S}o far we've not been able to find any interested parties,"he said."So we've made as a last resort, a recommendation to the team for closure."
Even if you can stop yourself from blaming Activision, you might be tempted to blame Blur, the last original IP Bizarre Creations put out under Activision. The game wasn't a commercial success -- but by all accounts (especially ours), itwasfun to play. So if anything, this is just proof that not even a good game can save a studio from closure if the numbers aren't there.
Here's to you,Bizarre Creations. Thanks for Geometry Wars, Blur, Project Gotham Racing, and even The Club.
Source:
Activision recommends Bizarre closure{Develop}
While everyone's clamoring for new information on the Nintendo 3DS and Sony's next PSP, many are forgetting that there's still great new games coming for the current handhelds. Our giveaways this week should remind you--Ghost Trick on the DS and Prinny 2 on the PSP!
Yeah,we know. The 3DS is looking amazing. We're also pretty sure we'll be hearing about how crazy-awesome the next PSP will be in short notice. But you have to live (and game) in the now sometimes. And right now, there are two great new portable games that we want to give out to you.
If you're still gaming on your Nintendo DS or Sony PSP, you're in luck this week, as we've got an interesting new game for each platform up for grabs. On the DS, we've got the offbeat adventure gameGhost Trick: Phantom Detectivefrom Capcom. It's from the makers of the Phoenix Wright series, so you know it'll be as engaging as it is hilarious. On the PSP, we've gotPrinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!, which features more of an action vibe and madcap penguin combat action. We're giving away both, but you've got to choose one with each entry.
If this is your first time entering a GamePro contest, here's the skinny on how to enter our contests. For each day this weekend, users will be able to enter via GamePro's three different social networks, for a total of nine entries. To enter, please post a comment below, in theofficial GamePro contest post on Facebook, and from your Twitter account with the following message, listing one of the two games (@NISAmerica's Prinny 2 on PSP or @Capcom_Unity's Ghost Trick on DS) in place of the blank.
I want to win _______ from @GamePro this weekend because ____
You can mix your entries up between the two games or go all in on one--whichever method you think will nab you the game you want. Entrants can enter once per day using all three methods, with nine maximum entries allowed. The contest will close at midnight Sunday with the winner being announced and contacted at noon on Monday, 1/24. Good luck, everyone.
Now that the world is awash in 3DS details, the next PSP has a defined standard to live up to. With that in mind, we asked our Twitter community to declare their expectations for the PSP 2.
We've finally processed the 3DS' launch announcement, and now our eyes are pointed towards Sony. Here's the question that we posed to our 24,000-plus Twitter followers about the next PSP:
Now that we've got a firm idea of the 3DS' launch, what price, date&features do you want from the next PSP? Best answers posted.
GamePro
Not many of our followers want to see the next PSP follow in DS' footsteps, but here are the suggestions declaring that the PSP should learn from Nintendo.
@GameProhow about free ... no..okay under $250, fall 2012 and better graphics of course and more games seriously and backwards compatibiliy
Chronorayven
@GamePro$200-$250 price range. support for better memory cards. ps2remakes. possibly touch screen support but not primary.
JayBirdTlnClaws
The majority of the other responses, however, tended to suggest more hardcore-skewing features for the next PSP. Here are those replies:
@GameProHD Screen, touch controls, PS2 compatible (should be big) dual analog sticks, motion control and a camera
JavierAMendoza
@GamePro2 sticks, SD card storage, internal hard drive to install on, app store and a price point of 250.
CDesaulniers
Even though word is circulating that Sony is set to announce the feature-set for its next PSP in short order, it's astounding that such little information about the PSP's predecessor is set in stone. As you can see, the announcement of the 3DS has done little to change the opinion of the next PSP--we're as perplexed as were ever were.
What do you think of the responses above? Do you have an opinion on the matter that you'd like to share? If so, please contribute to the conversation by responding in the comment section below or by replying toGamePro on Twitter.
With the Nintendo 3DS launch details coming to light, the GamePro editors have started to determine whether they'll be getting a system at launch. Read on to see who's there on day one, who's on the fence, and who's uninterested.
With theNintendo 3DS' launch details permeating the internet this morning, one question has been making its way through the GamePro offices-"Are you getting one?"Now that we're armed with afair amount of informationabout when the system will be out, what it'll cost, and what'll be available (March 27, $250, and not a whole lot, respectively), each of the GamePro editors weighed in on whether they'll be getting the system in a little over two months:
Dave Rudden--Associate Editor, GamePro.com:Even though the launch lineup could be anemic at the level of the Nintendo 64, the rest of what I've heard (and seen) about the 3DS has put me in the"launch-day purchaser"camp. The price point is reasonable (the Wii came out at the same price, and offered the same amount of value through innovation), the accouterments are cool (like the ability for the portable to transmit data and serve as a pedometer in sleep mode), and the amount of additional content that will be playable on the system at launch (including backwards-compatible DS games and original Game Boy titles via the 3DS Virtual Console) will help make up for the lack of first-party firepower. All I need is Pilotwings Resort (that franchise has never failed at launch) and one or two quality third party games on store shelves on March 27, and I'll be set.
Patrick Shaw--Senior Editor, GamePro Magazine:If my girlfriend doesn't beat me to it (in which case, we'll probably attempt to share a 3DS), I'm planning on purchasing a Nintendo 3DS on day one. The 3DS' $250 price is also pretty reasonable, especially considering early estimations of what it'd actually cost were as high as $300. While I'm not exactly blown away by the launch window lineup Nintendo's revealed so far, I'm looking forward to getting my first taste of the 3DS' glasses-free 3D gaming with PilotWings Resort since I'm a fan of the series, which seems ideal for 3D. Hopefully Nintendo will reveal more launch titles before March 27 rolls around. I'm hoping Capcom releases Resident Evil: Revelations sometime shortly after launch.
Jason Wilson--Group Managing Editor:I pre-ordered a blue 3DS today. It's the first time I've pre-ordered a video-game system. I'm a PC gamer, so I'm not caught up in the"OMG! Must buy new console on launch day"madness. But I'm curious to see how the 3DS handles 3D gaming, and my DS doesn't work reliably anymore. Besides the 3D aspect, the 3DS's new features don't really interest me -- I don't like multiplayer games. I'm excited to check out Kid Icarus: Uprising when it comes out, but the rest of the launch titles leave me rather flat.
Click over to the next page to read about the editors who aren't getting the 3DS on launch day.
With Square Enix once again announcing a sequel to one of its Final Fantasy titles, we polled our Twitter community to see what other one-off games deserves to have their storylines extended.
After hearing that Square Enix was planning to sequel-ize one of its most well-received recent releases, we wanted to see which other games (besides the obvious choice) deserve the same treatment provided to Final Fantasy X and XIII:
With Final Fantasy XIII-2 announced, we wanted to know what other stories (besides FF7), that you want to see continued. Best answers posted
GamePro
Given the subject matter and the company's history, it's no surprise that one franchise had a few more mentions than the rest. Here's a few folks that want an extension on their role-playing adventures:
@GameProI want to see FFVIII-2 to see more teen angst is all I need to make me feel old
Chronorayven
@GameProI want to see a prequel of Final Fantasy X that is about the travel that Jecht had along with Auron and Yuna's father
Balflearspgc
@GameProFinal Fantasy I... They can call it Final Fantasy 1-2: International Version Final Mix.
DHGFMadson
@GameProI want to see Final Fantasy I - VI continued because they were the real FF games. All about the elemental crystals.
ViralG
@GameProid like to hear the story of the blitzballers in ff10.
musiciangamer
A handful of other games received recognition from our Twitter community for keeping their fans engaged. Here's the standalone stories that gamers think are deserving of continuation:
@GameProAlan Wake. I am confident it will be made, but the low sales due to a horrible release and marketing strategy make me worry.
Ellimem
@GameProThe sequel(s) Longest Journey/Dreamfall hands-down. Now there's a story that needs an end--wouldn't mind help telling it either. :)
Buyu
@GameProNier, or something equal (if that were possible). Sadly, Cavia is gone. :( I'll settle for a real ActRaiser sequel or remake.
adolson
@GameProlegend of dragoon is crying out for a sequel. Its by far one of the best rpgs I have ever played also it has a petition out for it
soccerfw5
@GameProI would like to see vandal hearts the first cont on a next gen system it was a great game great story
jermaine611
As you can see, certain video game narratives have an uncanny ability at hooking fans. While Square Enix has been able to capitalize on the formula with its normally standalone Final Fantasy titles, other developers have the same fervor building for their franchises.
What do you think of the responses above? Are there any suggestions you'd like to add? Please continue the conversation by responding in the comment section below or by replying toGamePro on Twitter.
For this week's contest, two lucky winners will get the latest installment of the famed Kingdom Hearts franchise in the form of Re:coded. Read how to snag a copy inside.
WINNERS PICKED:We've picked our two random winners who will each receiveKingdom Hearts Re:codedon the DS. Twitter user iamkratos won a copy of the game, as did GamePro user jolee. Both winners should expect a message from GamePro Associate Editor Dave Rudden sometime this week via the website they entered. Congrats to the winners and the best of luck to everyone else in our upcoming contests.
ORIGINAL TEXT:My amateur poker-playing uncle once said"nothing beats two hearts."He may have been way off in that context, but this contest lends a slight bit of credence to his words. Instead of giving out just once copy of Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, we have two copies for you. Certainly nothing can beat that, right? Don't even mention three copies, you smart alecs.
If this is your first time entering a GamePro contest, here's the skinny on how to enter our contests. For each day this weekend, users will be able to enter via GamePro's three different social networks, for a total of nine entries. To enter, please post a comment below, in theofficial GamePro contest post on Facebook, and from your Twitter account with the following message, putting your reason for winning in place of the blank.
I want to win Kingdom Hearts Re:coded from @GamePro this weekend because I heart ____
Entrants can enter once per day using all three methods, with nine maximum entries allowed. The contest will close at midnight Sunday with the winner being announced and contacted at noon on Monday, 1/17. Good luck, everyone.
For this week's contest, two lucky winners will get the latest installment of the famed Kingdom Hearts franchise in the form of Re:coded. Read how to snag a copy inside.
My amateur poker-playing uncle once said"nothing beats two hearts."He may have been way off in that context, but this contest lends a slight bit of credence to his words. Instead of giving out just once copy of Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, we have two copies for you. Certainly nothing can beat that, right? Don't even mention three copies, you smart alecs.
If this is your first time entering a GamePro contest, here's the skinny on how to enter our contests. For each day this weekend, users will be able to enter via GamePro's three different social networks, for a total of nine entries. To enter, please post a comment below, in theofficial GamePro contest post on Facebook, and from your Twitter account with the following message, putting your reason for winning in place of the blank.
I want to win Kingdom Hearts Re:coded from @GamePro this weekend because I heart ____
Entrants can enter once per day using all three methods, with nine maximum entries allowed. The contest will close at midnight Sunday with the winner being announced and contacted at noon on Monday, 1/17. Good luck, everyone.
THQ's upcoming first person shooter, Homefront, puts Koreans in a place traditionally held by Russians and Nazis. Does that, or any of the other media tie-ins associated with the game, make it racist?
Hosts:AJ Glasser, Ben PerLee
Special Guest:Nick Tan,Game RevolutionSenior Editor
Length:40 minutes
Like the show? Be sure to subscribe, rate and comment on our podcast'siTunes page.
Some handy links to stuff we mention during the show:
Homefront: The Face of Xenophobia&Video Games{8 Asians}
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack{PDF on University of Akron's website}
Play as Al-Qaeda? I can't support the new Medal of Honor{Destructoid}
And that name-dropping Homefront trailer we mentioned:
Ever wondered what a massive swarm of level one orcs might look like? Probably not, but here's where you can find out in this crazy World of Warcraft video.
Someone, somewhere thought it would be a really fun idea to organize World of Warcraft players into a what can only be described as a mutant bastard offspring of a flash mob and an orc invasion. The results of this endeavor is shown in this video posted by Glaze Bros: a seething mass of green, naked orcs, swarming their way across Azeroth in search of a good time at Gurubashi Arena, one of the very few places in the World of Warcraft where players are PvP flagged and can fight one another.Even though this week's two biggest releases were Nintendo DS games, the looming launch of the 3DS seems to be overshadowing the top-selling system in the US. We polled our Twitter community to hear about the portable's recent accomplishments and prospects for 2011.
This week has brought a pair of highly-anticipated titles to the Nintendo DS in the form of Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. Recent activity aside, we wanted to know what the system's stature is after last year, and what it'll be after the Nintendo 3DS launches in just a few months. Here's our question:
The DS is the US' top-selling all-time system. Given recent releases&the 3DS' March launch, what do you think of the DS' 2010? Sound off.
GamePro
Certain respondents seemed to think that the DS has fallen on hard times and that the 3DS will spark a resurgence for all things portable at Nintendo. Here are the 3DS hopefuls:
@GameProIn hindsight, 2010 felt like a year in which many high-quality DS games went unnoticed. Perhaps the 3DS will reignite the fervor.
GohanEgret
@GameProAs of right now, I'm disappointed in the games revealed for the launch of the 3DS (in Japan). But for 2011? Color me excited.
Isom405
A few users expressed disappointment at the DS' recent output, without mentioning any hope for the 3DS. Here are the replies that lacked hope for the future.
@GameProUnderwhelming, game-wise. Only DS game I bought in '10 was SMT Strange Journey.
motorway065
@GameProI was dissatisfied with last year's ds efforts when it came to the top tier games, Dragon Quest IX was great but not memorable
Drew_Bullock
With opinion split, the launch of the Nintendo 3DS will be crucial to the continued success of Nintendo portables. Even though the DS will likely become the worldwide highest-selling system of all time in short order, the video game marketplace can change on a dime. Given the pressure Apple and Sony will put on the marketplace next year with the next iterations of their portables, Nintendo must know that it has to make great strides with the two legs of its portable giant this year.
What do you think of the replies above? Do you have an opinion on the topic that you'd like to share? Please continue the conversation by responding in the comment section below or by replying toGamePro on Twitter.
After what seemed like years of rumors, Verizon has confirmed that it will offer the iPhone starting next month. We polled our Twitter followers to see if they're going to take part in Apple and Verizon's joint venture.
It's official -- Verizon will now offer iPhones starting next month. With a new avenue of sales for Apple's popular cell phone line, we polled our 24,000-plus Twitter followers to see if they were planning on purchasing the phone now that Verizon will be doling out contracts. Here's the question we posed:
Are you planning on buying a Verizon iPhone next month (or later this year)? Why or why not? Sound off--we'll post the best replies online.
GamePro
A few of our respondents are now planning on making the jump now that Verizon will be an avenue of iPhone distribution. Here's their thoughts:
@GameProAbsolutely. I actually want the ability to communicate with people while I travel.
farre
@GameProab-so-lutely. We all knew it was coming. Finally can stop relying on my iTouch/ Wifi and my stupid LG phone.
allenibrahim
The majority of the comments seemed to indicate that Verizon isn't a lesser evil, and that they've entered the game a bit too late. Here are those replies:
@GameProI'll keep my AT&T iPhone, thanks. If everyone jumps ship, my fast network only gets faster.
comradedrock
@GameProAll set. Soon to have HTC Evo Shift 4G. As a gamer, I game on consoles, not phones.
MattyT83
@GameProIts utterly redundant for Verizon to get the#iPhonethis late in the game. Why try to stay on top when you were NEVER there?
MrDirtySays
And finally, this wait-and-see response may be a bit pragmatic, but it reveals the upside to Verizon's iPhone announcement for everyone, regardless of carrier choice:
@GameProI'm going to see what AT&T's counter offer/promotion is before deciding. Yeah competition!
Obsession88
Yes, competition indeed.
What do you think of the responses above? Do you have an opinion you'd like to add to the conversation? If so, please comment below or reply toGamePro on Twitter.
