****
MadWorld (Wii)
Release Date: 2009
Clover are back! The studio behind the awesome Okami, the energetic Viewtiful Joe and the one of the most punishing modern beat-em-ups, God Hand, disbanded in March 2007, but have now reformed along with Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya to form PlatinumGames (these guys really don't like space bars), with Sega taking publishing duties from Capcom.
Anything from a triple-A bunch like that is going to warrant attention, and PlatinumGames have started off by announcing four projects: the PS3 and Xbox 360 "stylish action game" Bayonetta, the DS Arthur C. Clarke-inspired RPG full of "very high-level, philosophical science fiction stuff.", Infinite Line, an as-yet-unannounced mystery project, and finally MadWorld, which shows all the classics hallmarks of a Clover game: humour, action and an eye-catching visual style of black, white and red.
Early days yet, of course, but it looks like PlatinumGames is taking the opportunity to shine, if you'll pardon the pun.
****
Resident Evil 5 (PS3, Xbox 360)
Release Date: 2009
After initial controversy about the setting of the new entry in the Resident Evil universe, you can almost picture Capcom sticking two fingers up to anyone with a racial complaint when the newly revealed female character says "Welcome to Africa" after saving Chris Redfield from a chainsaw-wielding maniac.
Resident Evil 5 is looking very much like Resident Evil 4 with better graphics, physics and enemy numbers. Since Resident Evil 4 was such a blast, a bit more of the same doesn't look like it's going to offend too many players or sales.
There is at the time of writing, no confirmation on whether The Merchant will be returning.
****
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations (DS)
Release Date: TBC
Good news, European Ace Attorney fans! After a brief scare where the release of the third and final Phoenix Wright game was called in to question, Capcom have confirmed that translation is around halfway complete, with the German ratings board listing it as on schedule for a multi-language release. Still no word on an actual date, but you take what you can get, especially when it's good news like this.
It's still a ridiculous delay, one that's seen the fourth game in the series released before the third, but at least non-English speaking, non-importing, non-ROMMING Ace Attorney fans can get their hands on this brilliant game at last.
****
Project Zero 4: The Mask of the Lunar Eclipse (Wii)
Release Date: TBC
The Project Zero (or Fatal Frame in the US) series started off strongly, with a story of a Japanese girl in an abandoned mansion with only an old camera to fight off the many tortured spirits that haunt its surroundings. After two sequels, it was clear that the series was stagnating, relying far too much on the same bloody-ancient-ritual-gone-wrong plotline, never coming anywhere close to fixing its clunky controls, with acting that only barely ranks higher than the original Resident Evil.
So far, very few details on the new Project Zero game have been confirmed, simply that the game's development is a joint effort between the game's original developers, Tecmo, publishers Nintendo, and, most interestingly, Grasshopper Manufacture.
Nintendo is taking an active interest in the development of the game, which is the first good sign about its development. And although the few screens shown so far don't stray too far from the established Project Zero template (young Japanese girl in elaborate, skimpy clothes, old camera, hideous spirits, flashlights in an abandoned mansion, etc, etc), the inclusion of Suda51, whose No More Heroes showed how action games can be done on the Wii, gives signs that this franchise might get the kick up the arse that it has sorely needed for two games.
****
Siren: Blood Curse / New Translation (PS3)
Release Date: TBC
Like Project Zero, the Siren series has existed in the niche periphery of the survival horror genre, never really coming out of the shadows of the big boys like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Unlike Project Zero, Siren's sequel learned from its mistakes to deliver a far more streamlined user-friendly experience. The latest installment in the franchise looks to continue the slightly more mainstream trend, aiming to bring its unique experience to a wider audience. The publishers are even letting players choose whether they wish to play it through downloadable episodic content or buying the full game in retail version.
The premise for the third game in the series sees an American film crew going to the scene of the first game, Hanuda village in rural Japan. Naturally, they find that the village is teeming with the bleeding-eyed undead (called 'shibito') and have to get the hell out of there.
Siren's main strength is its stressful gameplay. You control various characters in a horrific situation, with events unfolding through a splintered narrative, often having to navigate through enemy-infested areas with nothing more than a psychic ability to see through nearby enemy's eyes (a technique called 'sightjacking') and maybe an umbrella for a weapon if you're lucky. Even if you do knock out an enemy, they're back on their feet and on patrol in a matter of minutes, so most of the game is spent hiding and working out the best time to make a run for it.
With the experience of the the past two Siren games behind it, and a boost in graphical presentation, Blood Curse (its Japanese subtitle) / New Translation (the American, and possibly European name) should hopefully deliver another intriguing entry in to the survival-horror canon.
****
Prince of Persia (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
Release Date: Q4 2008
The Prince of Persia franchise is getting a reboot after the conclusion of Ubisoft's original trilogy, a series of games that started with lush Arabian Nights designs, but ended on a disappointing death metal and emo-styled note.
Using the ultra-flexible Assassin's Creed engine for what promises to be a more traditional action-adventure romp, it's hard to tell at this stage whether this game is going to stick with the ultra-cartoony, cel-shaded look from the screenshot above, or go with the slightly more bland presentation of the trailer. Time will tell, but Ubisoft have proven they can do action-adventure with a great deal of panache, though hopefully they'll leave the navel-gazing in the back burner this time.
[ add comment ] ( 4 views ) | [ 0 trackbacks ] | permalink |
( 2.9 / 759 )
Categories
