The Legend of Zelda - Sheik Statue
August 26, 2008
I’ve seen some great Zelda pieces over the years, and this has to be up there with the best. ‘Ocarina of Time’ was perhaps the best of all Zelda games and the Sheik had a little something to do with that. The character is as mysterious now as he was back then. ”The Sheik” by First4Figures is currently selling for $99.90 on Play-Asia and will probably not remain on the site for too long. Click on the image below or this link to find out more…
- Licensed by Nintendo
- Edition limited to only 2,500 worldwide
- Height: approx. 9 inches
- Hand cast and hand painted
- Base Concept Artist: James West
- Artist: Siamak Roshani
- Individually numbered and comes with an Authenticity Card
Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty
August 24, 2008
Quest for Booty is Sony and Insomniac game’s first foray into episodic-type content for PSN, but at a premium price of $15, should you add it to your download queue?
In QfB, Ratchet & Clank Future’s forgiveable controls remain the same, the graphics still have that almost-Pixar quality to them, but it’s now shrunken down to a quick adventure that loosely follows the main story.
For those of you who haven’t followed the series, its charm and simple story wont be lost on you as Insomniac brought out the A-team for the team’s latest game and it shows. A healthy amount of hilarious moments are littered throughout the adventure — you’ll actually “lol” more than a few times.
Probably the main difference being that the length and overall progression of the game isn’t as deep as the full, retail game but the same fun you’ve come to expect from the series is retained. Effectively making it feel like the game proper.
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that you don’t have your full range of weapons and skill set as your tiny robot pal is still lost. This, in turn, makes the game more of a puzzle-platformer affair; the trademark funky weapons take a backseat in this installment of the series.
The use of weapons, for the most part, is substituted by fun, new game play additions such as the “Kinetic Thether” that makes the environments interactive. The point being that you have to find ways to manipulate it and get through the game’s clever puzzles. The formula is tweaked enough to make it more conducive for a game like this.
If you really enjoyed the shooter aspect of past Ratchet’s, you might be disappointed, but otherwise it’s a great game. The progression goes smoothly and there are even a few pleasant surprises. And like the case with any great game (or movie, for that matter) it ends with a conclusion of epic proportions. Well, maybe not as dramatic, but close enough.
About the only drawbacks to the game is that it does lack some of the deep aspects of weapon customization and has some odd mechanical ommissions that made Future fun. Besides the “tornado launcher’s” motion controls, there is little else to take advantage of a the Sixaxis controller — something Future did well. Also, it would’ve been cool to support the aforementioned game’s save file and have it tie into Quest for Booty.
The Good Stuff:
More of a puzzle-platforming outing, but with enough shooting to keep newcomers happy and fans nicely teased.
The Bad Stuff:
It lacks some of the depth and replayability of its big brother, Ratchet & Clank: Future.
The Neutral:
The series’ forgiving controls, humor, and graphics remain intact for this piece of downloadable goodness.
In the End…
Quest for Booty’s short sampling will resonant the most with non-believers of the series and fans will walk away still salivating after a sweet, if brief, episode that runs along R&C:F’s storyline. Despite being a short little game (most will finish it in 3-4 hrs), it still has its share of memorable moments — more than justifying the $15 asking price.
Buy ‘Qore’ Ep. 4, Get ‘Motorstorm 2′ Demo Early
August 22, 2008
In a move that further proves what we said a while back about the “Qore” initiative Sony launched a couple weeks back, subscribers and those who purchase Episode 4 of the series will get into the Motorstorm: Pacific Rift a month early before anyone else does.
Now, wasn’t it PS3 fanboys who complained about not having to pay for premium demos like on Xbox 360? Difference is: you get demos a week later if you don’t pay for Xbox Live…in this case, it’s a month.
To be fair, though, at least you don’t have to be a loyal subscriber to “Qore” and you can just buy the episode for $2.99. Hate to do it, but this writer might just dump a couple bucks to play the demo…dammit, Sony!
‘Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts’ Out On Nov. 18 for the Friendly Price of $39.99
August 19, 2008
Regardless of what people might say, Banjo-Kazooie has been a good series that, while definitely inferior to the Mario franchise (but which isn’t?), showed off what a great developer Rare was. They’ve had their fair share of duds (i.e. Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo), but this year might be good for the British team.
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is due November 18 to the tune of a surprisingly cheap $39.99. As an incentive for pre-ordering the game, buyers will get a code to download the original N64 Banjo-Kazooie two weeks prior to the release of the XBLA re-release…for free.
We kind of like the idea of getting free stuff when we pre-order games around here, especially when the full game is $20 cheaper than the bloated regular price of other titles.
You guys plan on taking Rare up on their pre-order offer? Here’s a video of what you can look forward to if you do:
The First ‘Tomb Raider: Underworld’ Gameplay Video
August 18, 2008
My interest in the Tomb Raider series has dwindled over the past few games, but Underworld might be enough to suck me back into the franchise. The following clip is the first official gameplay video. After watching the following video, I’m sure your interest will be peaked as well. Underworld promises to bring many new aspects to the franchise and that’s exactly what we needed.
Via Destructoid
Last Great Game on the PS2? Yakuza 2
August 18, 2008
Will Yakuza 2 be the last great game on the PlayStation 2?
Many gamers still say the PS2 has some fight left in him. I mean it was only a few years ago, that Grand Theft Auto III, God of War and Metal Gear Solid 3 were all EXCLUSIVES on the PlayStation 2 console. Now in it’s 8th year, we may be seeing the end of the PS2 as more games port over to the PS3. (i.e. Metal Gear Solid 4, God of War 3)
With the above said, this brings me to one of THE last great games on the PS2. Yakuza 2 will be released on the PS2 on September 9th, 2008. Yakuza 2 or Ryu Ga Gotoku 2 (JPN).
Platform: PlayStation 2
Category: Action Adventure
Developer: SEGA Studios
Release: September 9, 2008
Yakuza 2 plunges you once more into the violent Japanese underworld where respect and honor holds great importance. In intense brutal clashes with rival gangs, the police, and the Korean mafia, you will have opportunities to dole out more brutal punishment. Play as Kazuma Kiryu, the hero from the original Yakuza and explore Tokyo and now Osaka. Wander through the back alleys of Japan’s underworld while trying to prevent an all-out gang war. Endless conflicts and surprise plot twists will immerse you in a dark shadowy world where only the strongest will survive.
[UPDATE] - Our prediction of the “end of an era with the PS2″ looks more concrete as Yakuza 3 looks to be ported to the PS3.
Yakuza 3 (known in Japan as Ryū ga Gotoku 3 (龍が如く3?)) is the third installment in the Yakuza video game series. It was revealed in the July 2008 issue of Famitsu that Yakuza: Kenzan!, the third installment to the series, was actually a spin-off and this latest installment will continue the adventures of Kiryu Kazuma from Yakuza and Yakuza 2. The game will take place both in fictional Kamuro-cho from the first two games and in Okinawa. The game will be released in Japan in Spring 2009, exclusively for the PlayStation 3.
Images Via Shacknews
New ‘Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory’ (PC) Unit Pics
August 13, 2008
I haven’t had the chance to check out ‘Sudden Strike 3: Arms for Victory’, but the assets I receive always seem to be interesting. Today, three new images surfaced showing off some unit pics from the game. Fans of the Sudden Strike series may be pleased to find out that the new game has gone to a 3D style engine. Some people may need to upgrade their computers if they plan to enjoy this one. Most reports state that the game plays sluggish on dated systems. It looks like 3Ghz will be the standard for playing this title.
Alison Carroll Selected as the New Face of Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
August 12, 2008
Full Press Release:
London 12th August: In her latest incarnation the new Lara Croft isn’t just a pretty face - as a former gymnastic representative for Great Britain, she’s now got the all action skills to match.
Athletic and agile, 23 year old Alison Carroll from Croydon is set to be catapulted from her current job as a receptionist to a world of superstardom as she follows in the footsteps of Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie and model Nell McAndrew to become the new face of Lara Croft.
Unlike her predecessors Alison does not come from a modelling background, but with 12 years’ experience as a professional display gymnast, she is completely at ease at the thought of appearing in front of thousands of screaming Lara Croft fans. She certainly had no trouble impressing the judges when she competed against hundreds of other hopefuls in the search to find the live model of the action heroine.
Alison is an elite gymnast who has flown the flag for Great Britain. She has performed across the UK and overseas as part of a team of twenty athletes, wowing Prince Charles when she appeared at a special event at Westminster Abbey. She is also a dedicated coach of younger gymnasts, and recently choreographed the routine for the junior team that won the British National Championships.
Alison already follows a rigorous training regime, visiting the gym six times per week, and will be well prepared as she embarks on the fast and gruelling training programme required to portray sexy heroine Lara Croft. Starting immediately she will undertake a series of courses which will include a SAS survival, combat and semi-automatic weapon firing courses in Eastern Europe, and a crash course in world archaeology, to become the world famous, archaeologist and action heroine.
Once completely trained in the ways of video gaming’s leading lady, Alison will be lining up a host of international modelling assignments, starring in TV commercials, appearing on chat shows and is set to travel the globe over the coming months.
Alison Carroll says; “This is a fantastic opportunity and I am really looking forward to embracing Lara’s world” said Alison Carroll “I still can’t believe they chose me to take on the role of Lara – and I can’t wait to get stuck in. This is my dream job – I have always wanted to be an action hero and hope to be able to use my gymnastic ability to perform all of Lara’s stunts. It is slightly daunting but I am really excited at the same time.”
Sarah Hoeksma, Eidos Group Marketing Director says; “With her tremendous athletic ability, dance training and striking look we feel Alison embodies all the assets required to be the live model of Lara Croft, and we are really looking forward to working with her.”
Alison follows in the footsteps of previous Lara Croft stars, Karima Adebibe, Lucy Clarkson, Rhona Mitra, Nell McAndrew, Lara Weller and of course Angelina Jolie in the Tomb Raider movies.
Tomb Raider: Underworld marks the first game in this popular, recognisable series that is designed specifically for next generation consoles. Lara Croft uncovers proof of the existence of the mythical hammer of the Norse God Thor, a weapon rumored to have the power to smash mountains into valleys and destroy the Gods themselves.
Setting an epic journey around the globe in motion, Lara visits the ruins of ancient civilizations, collecting clues that lead her to a forgotten power that could lay waste to civilization. Exploiting the power and capabilities of next generation consoles, Lara must hunt for clues across massive environments, solving multifaceted puzzles, facing foes both animal and supernatural, this time with the aid of enhanced weapons and abilities.
