[Release Dates and Feature Revelations] July 26th
Trek Wars Sigma : Birds of the Sith 2K10
Published: July 26, 2009
There's not a while lot to write about release dates, and sometimes we get stories that are nothing more than the reveal of a single feature in a game (Halo 4 will have GUNS!), so in the interest of my own sanity, I'm going to lump them all together in one big update so I can concentrate on more lucrative stories like who's gonna be at next years German Developers Pet-Sitters Conference. So enjoy these bite size blurbs that'll help you stay frosty...
And now, for this week's fun:
[PlayStation 3]
[IL-2 Sturmovik : Birds of Prey] | Release: September 15th
IL-2 Sturmovik is one of the major PC hardcore combat flight-sims, and has a long tradition of being THE sim of choice for enthusiasts.
Developed by Gaijin Entertainment for PS3, and SME Dynamic Systems Limited for PSP, IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey features the greatest aerial battles of the Second World War, and boasts the most realistic landscapes and aircraft seen in any flight game. Players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of daring and action-packed missions. There are six theaters of war in which to engage - The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun - representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe. Unlock more than 40 planes, all faithfully recreated in amazing detail, and pilot them in breathtaking air battles and daring bombing runs spread over 50 campaign missions and four multiplayer modes. It will be interesting to see just how this series translates with the relative simplicity of the console controller.
[Star Wars : The Force Unleashed] | Release: Fall 2009
The Force Unleashed is getting a double dose of content this fall in the form of DLC for the game, as well as an "Ultimate Sith Edition"of the franchise.
Tatooine Downloadable Content - The mission begins at the end of the story of The Force Unleashed and re-imagines the Star Wars Saga as if the Secret Apprentice had killed Darth Vader and taken his place at the Emperor's side, becoming the most powerful Sith Lord in the universe. The story picks up as the Emperor sends his new apprentice to the planet Tatooine to dispatch Obi-Wan Kenobi -- who has been hiding on the planet ever since the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. During their hunt for the reclusive Jedi, players will also explore the depths of Jabba the Hutt's palace and encounter notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett.
Ultimate Sith Edition - The additional content includes two levels set on Coruscant and Tatooine previously only available via direct download, and an all-new exclusive level available only in the Ultimate Sith Edition package. The exclusive level concludes the "Infinities" storyline set up in the Tatooine mission, as the Secret Apprentice is sent to the planet Hoth on a crusade to crush the Rebellion once and for all. While on Hoth, players face Luke Skywalker himself while visiting iconic locations seen in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.
Sound kinda meh to me.
[Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2] | Release September 29th
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will be getting a special edition, priced $9.99 more than the regular edition. Good news, right? Well only if you like to preorder with GameStop, which is kinda evil. But hey, bonus content, right? Well maybe not... the bonus content includes:
A 30-page Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 prologue comic written and designed by Team NINJA
Mini-Strategy Guide: A starter guide covering Ryu, Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel's weapons, ninpos, Story Mode basics, Team Missions and more
Art Gallery: A peek at various character concept artwork
Commentary from Team NINJA producer Yosuke Hayashi and the team's lead artists
Yeah, I'll keep my 10 bucks and my soul, thanks.
[Star Trek : D-A-C] | Release: Summer 2009
You might be asking yourself what the D-A-C in the title means. Me too. I THINK it means Deathmatch, Assault and Conquest, which are the three modes available in this PSN game that hits late this summer.
Star Trek: D-A-C allows fans to pitch battles between Starfleet and the Romulan Empire. Up to 12 players can compete in thrilling team combat. There are three game play modes - single player, online multiplayer and online co-op. For each mode, there are three different game types - Team Deathmatch, Assault and Conquest. Players can now choose from four ship types for each faction, including the new U.S.S. Enterprise featured in the "Star Trek" film. Each ship - the powerful Flagship, the aggressive Fighter, the nimble Bomber and the all-new Support Frigate - offers its own unique capabilities for players to master and manipulate as they fight for victory. The Support Frigate allows players to heal friendly ships and easily target enemy escape pods.
Oh, and it's got the "new" Enterprise from the JJ Abrams reboot that was released earlier this summer...
[NHL 2K10] | Release: September 15th, 2009
2K Sports has released some of the new features that will be found in NHL2K10 (that's a clunky acronym) and it's a bit more than a roster update, but nothing earth shattering. New features include:
New Gameplay Mechanics - Completely rewritten AI, enhanced defensive controls and stick lifts, stumble shots, a new defensive skating model and new incidental contact and small animation systems
Enhanced Presentation - All-new rink intros for each arena, improved goal celebrations, enhanced visuals, and greatly improved, true-to-life character models, with San Jose Sharks commentators Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda returning with new broadcast commentary
Improved Franchise Mode - NHL 2K10 features a new contract/free agency system, improved roster management, an updated financial model, dynamic player progression, and fantasy drafts
New Franchise Co-op Play - Play a franchise season game with or against a friend on- or offline, or play a traditional game against the CPU
Franchise Blog / 2KSports.com Integration - Publish your franchise stats and standings, and upload game highlights and screenshots to your personal page at 2KSports.com
Enhanced Online Modes - New seamless online integration connects players in Team Up games, tracks your progress with My Player Card, and offers full league, leaderboard, tournament and 2K Share support
Yawn!
[PES 2010] | Release: Fall 2009
Pro Evolution Soccer is the long-running Konami soccer/football series that consistently challenges the FIFA series from EA. Long known for being the more realistic simulator, this years edition offers some new elements to challenge the updated gameplay of FIFA.
On selecting the Master League option, players will be presented with a menu split into three areas: 'Club House', 'Stadium Walk', and 'Office'. Each of these represent different aspects of a manager's role, with 'Club House' used for tactical and match day options, 'Stadium Walk' for main game settings, and 'Office' for scouting and player acquisition decisions.
The in-game menus are now much simpler to navigate, and players can jump between the three areas with ease. The Club House element features the creation of an all-new Youth Team section, which works alongside the first team squad. As the game progresses, the player can opt to invest in talented members of their youth team thereby placing their development on a fast-track. This stand-out talent can then be introduced into the first team, similar to the role of 'academies' in real-life.
The Office area is where all transfers and financial dealings take place. This year, real currency is used and additional revenue streams can be pursued. For example sponsorships can now be negotiated, where teams can secure big money deals with other brands and companies. In turn that money can be reinvested back into the team to bolster activities such as player development. Results on the field will affect the value of the club in the eyes of potential partners, and fan clubs will also serve as a barometer of the club's success.
Sounds like the series is inching closer to the legendary Football Manager series that is well known to hardcore fans all over the world.
That's it for this week! Phew!
And now, for this week's fun:
[PlayStation 3]
[IL-2 Sturmovik : Birds of Prey] | Release: September 15th
IL-2 Sturmovik is one of the major PC hardcore combat flight-sims, and has a long tradition of being THE sim of choice for enthusiasts.
Developed by Gaijin Entertainment for PS3, and SME Dynamic Systems Limited for PSP, IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey features the greatest aerial battles of the Second World War, and boasts the most realistic landscapes and aircraft seen in any flight game. Players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of daring and action-packed missions. There are six theaters of war in which to engage - The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun - representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe. Unlock more than 40 planes, all faithfully recreated in amazing detail, and pilot them in breathtaking air battles and daring bombing runs spread over 50 campaign missions and four multiplayer modes. It will be interesting to see just how this series translates with the relative simplicity of the console controller.
[Star Wars : The Force Unleashed] | Release: Fall 2009
The Force Unleashed is getting a double dose of content this fall in the form of DLC for the game, as well as an "Ultimate Sith Edition"of the franchise.
Tatooine Downloadable Content - The mission begins at the end of the story of The Force Unleashed and re-imagines the Star Wars Saga as if the Secret Apprentice had killed Darth Vader and taken his place at the Emperor's side, becoming the most powerful Sith Lord in the universe. The story picks up as the Emperor sends his new apprentice to the planet Tatooine to dispatch Obi-Wan Kenobi -- who has been hiding on the planet ever since the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. During their hunt for the reclusive Jedi, players will also explore the depths of Jabba the Hutt's palace and encounter notorious bounty hunter Boba Fett.
Ultimate Sith Edition - The additional content includes two levels set on Coruscant and Tatooine previously only available via direct download, and an all-new exclusive level available only in the Ultimate Sith Edition package. The exclusive level concludes the "Infinities" storyline set up in the Tatooine mission, as the Secret Apprentice is sent to the planet Hoth on a crusade to crush the Rebellion once and for all. While on Hoth, players face Luke Skywalker himself while visiting iconic locations seen in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.
Sound kinda meh to me.
[Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2] | Release September 29th
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will be getting a special edition, priced $9.99 more than the regular edition. Good news, right? Well only if you like to preorder with GameStop, which is kinda evil. But hey, bonus content, right? Well maybe not... the bonus content includes:
A 30-page Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 prologue comic written and designed by Team NINJA
Mini-Strategy Guide: A starter guide covering Ryu, Ayane, Momiji, and Rachel's weapons, ninpos, Story Mode basics, Team Missions and more
Art Gallery: A peek at various character concept artwork
Commentary from Team NINJA producer Yosuke Hayashi and the team's lead artists
Yeah, I'll keep my 10 bucks and my soul, thanks.
[Star Trek : D-A-C] | Release: Summer 2009
You might be asking yourself what the D-A-C in the title means. Me too. I THINK it means Deathmatch, Assault and Conquest, which are the three modes available in this PSN game that hits late this summer.
Star Trek: D-A-C allows fans to pitch battles between Starfleet and the Romulan Empire. Up to 12 players can compete in thrilling team combat. There are three game play modes - single player, online multiplayer and online co-op. For each mode, there are three different game types - Team Deathmatch, Assault and Conquest. Players can now choose from four ship types for each faction, including the new U.S.S. Enterprise featured in the "Star Trek" film. Each ship - the powerful Flagship, the aggressive Fighter, the nimble Bomber and the all-new Support Frigate - offers its own unique capabilities for players to master and manipulate as they fight for victory. The Support Frigate allows players to heal friendly ships and easily target enemy escape pods.
Oh, and it's got the "new" Enterprise from the JJ Abrams reboot that was released earlier this summer...
[NHL 2K10] | Release: September 15th, 2009
2K Sports has released some of the new features that will be found in NHL2K10 (that's a clunky acronym) and it's a bit more than a roster update, but nothing earth shattering. New features include:
New Gameplay Mechanics - Completely rewritten AI, enhanced defensive controls and stick lifts, stumble shots, a new defensive skating model and new incidental contact and small animation systems
Enhanced Presentation - All-new rink intros for each arena, improved goal celebrations, enhanced visuals, and greatly improved, true-to-life character models, with San Jose Sharks commentators Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda returning with new broadcast commentary
Improved Franchise Mode - NHL 2K10 features a new contract/free agency system, improved roster management, an updated financial model, dynamic player progression, and fantasy drafts
New Franchise Co-op Play - Play a franchise season game with or against a friend on- or offline, or play a traditional game against the CPU
Franchise Blog / 2KSports.com Integration - Publish your franchise stats and standings, and upload game highlights and screenshots to your personal page at 2KSports.com
Enhanced Online Modes - New seamless online integration connects players in Team Up games, tracks your progress with My Player Card, and offers full league, leaderboard, tournament and 2K Share support
Yawn!
[PES 2010] | Release: Fall 2009
Pro Evolution Soccer is the long-running Konami soccer/football series that consistently challenges the FIFA series from EA. Long known for being the more realistic simulator, this years edition offers some new elements to challenge the updated gameplay of FIFA.
On selecting the Master League option, players will be presented with a menu split into three areas: 'Club House', 'Stadium Walk', and 'Office'. Each of these represent different aspects of a manager's role, with 'Club House' used for tactical and match day options, 'Stadium Walk' for main game settings, and 'Office' for scouting and player acquisition decisions.
The in-game menus are now much simpler to navigate, and players can jump between the three areas with ease. The Club House element features the creation of an all-new Youth Team section, which works alongside the first team squad. As the game progresses, the player can opt to invest in talented members of their youth team thereby placing their development on a fast-track. This stand-out talent can then be introduced into the first team, similar to the role of 'academies' in real-life.
The Office area is where all transfers and financial dealings take place. This year, real currency is used and additional revenue streams can be pursued. For example sponsorships can now be negotiated, where teams can secure big money deals with other brands and companies. In turn that money can be reinvested back into the team to bolster activities such as player development. Results on the field will affect the value of the club in the eyes of potential partners, and fan clubs will also serve as a barometer of the club's success.
Sounds like the series is inching closer to the legendary Football Manager series that is well known to hardcore fans all over the world.
That's it for this week! Phew!
