Word on the net is EA is planning on releasing a Rock Band 2 at some point. What evidence do we have? Other than Rock Band being one of the most lucrative games of last year, EA has been conducting surveys about Rock Band 2.
According to the survey, Rock Band 2 will be a full game, not just an expansion pack. It will make a leap in difficulty, much like Guitar Hero to Guitar Hero II. One of the questions dealt with pricing. Apparently EA is kicking around the idea of selling the full instrument package for $199, $169, or $149. The survey also asks what the chances are of buying Rock Band 2 over a similar game, aka Guitar Hero 4. Some other changes mentioned in the survey deal with an online version of World Tour mode, the ability to record music videos, a Battle of the Bands feature, and a drum trainer mode.
Now remember this is all rumors and speculation. All of this is subject to change. I personally did not take part in the survey, although I wish I had (EA feel free to email me).
Read: Survey hints at Rock Band 2 with online world tour, drum trainer.
Today LucasArts announced that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will not be coming out on PC. According to Cameron Suey, producer of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: “[If we made the game for high-end PCs], someone with a low-end PC would have a watered down experience, they would have to turn all the settings down and it wouldn’t be the same game. On the other hand if we made that game for as many people as possible then it’s not taking advantage of what those $4,000 systems can do.”
This news is heart breaking to me. I have been a long time supporter of LucasArts, in particular their PC titles. Now they go an turn their back on the demographic that has supported them for so long. Long gone are the days of playing Star Wars games on a platform with superior controls and better graphics. There will be no more tweaking of systems to pull better frame rates when using force lighting. We have entered the uninspired world of console gaming.
Read: Force Unleashed Not Coming To PC, And This Is The Best Excuse Lucasarts Could Come Up With.
Today Nintendo launched it WiiWare initiative. For those of you who don’t know, WiiWare are original games and applications specifically designed for the Wii. WiiWare games are different from virtual console games because they are original titles, not emulated games from previous consoles.
Six titles are available now, and include:
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicals: My Life as a King: 1500 Wii Points
LostWinds: 1000 Wii Points
TV Show King: 1000 Wii Points
Pop: 700 Wii Points
VIP Casino Blackjack: 700 Wii Points
Defend Your Castle: 500 Wii Points
Hit the jump for games descriptions and the full press release. Continued…
Today Harmonix announced that a song pack for Rock Band on Wii and PS2 will hit stores July 15. Retailing for $29.99, rockers will get 20 songs, chosen from the current DLC library. It may not be as good at being able to pick which songs you want, but at least is something.
The full tracklist is after the jump. Continued…
Today Activision announced the 15 song tracklist for the upcoming Nintendo DS exclusive Guitar Hero: On Tour. Activision previously announced that the game would have 25 songs, making this announcement a little strange. Hopefully the other 10 song will show up as unlockable tracks or something.
Hit the jump for the 15 song tracklist. Continued…
Today, Eden Games announced the contents of the European Alone in the Dark Limited Edition. Available on the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3, the Limited Edition will contain an Official Soundtrack CD, Making of DVD, an Art Book and a figurine of the games hero, Edward Carnby. Unfortunately they forgot to include the price in the press release. Alone in the Dark hits stores June 24 in the US and June 20 in Europe.
The guys over at Eden Games sure know how to pack in the extras. I can only hope that this Limited Edition heads States side.
Hit the jump for the full press release. Continued…
Today it was announced that Guitar Hero: Aerosmith will offer some pretty sweet pre-order promotions. If you pre-order the game, you will get access to a special bundle including: a wireless guitar, an exclusive Aerosmith faceplate, an Aerosmith tour book and the game. The bundle will cost you $99 on Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii and $89 on PS2. There is a double guitar bundle for PS2 owners that will cost $109 and will include two wired PS2 guitars,one black and one silver, plus the game.
Sounds like a must have for die hard Aerosmith fans.
The full press release is after the jump. Continued…
Are you a Puzzle Quest fan who live in the Los Angeles area? Well if so, D3Publishing might have a job for you.D3Publishing is looking for focus testers for the next Puzzle Quest game, which is either Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords - Revenge of the Plague Lord or Puzzle Quest: Galatrix. Either way, this is a chance to give your input for a major upcoming title.The full press release is after the jump. Continued…
Today, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy IV will be hitting American shelves on July 22 for the Nintendo DS. The remake will include updated 3d graphics, fully voiced cutscenes and added content.
Added content seem a little vague? Alright, how about a remixed score by Nobuo Uematsu? Not enough? There will also be a local wireless “head-to-head battle” mode. Not too shabby for $40.
Read: Final Fantasy IV hits North American DS on July 22.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will arrive in the U.S. on Sept. 15. Asia and Australia have to wait until Sept. 17 and Europe gets it Sept. 19. The game will be released on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, Nintendo DS and PSP.
The game takes place between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode: IV A New Hope. Players will assume the role of Darth Vader’s apprentice during his quest to eliminate the Jedi.
As your typical Star Wars nerd, I will be eagerly waiting this title. The real question is, which platform should I get it on?
Read: The Force Unleashed Hits September.
Today it was announced that Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon will arrive in the United States July 8 on the Nintendo Wii. The super cute, kid friendly RPG will cost $39.99.
The story follows Cid and Chocobo as they hunt for treasure. Eventually the two get involved in solving why all the towns-people have mysteriously lost their memories.
One cool feature that Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon has, is a unique online card battle mode. Sounds pretty interesting, however, being a male over 13 years old means I have to avoid the embarrassment of buying this at a store and order it online.
Read: Chocobo’s Dungeon kweh-ming to North America in July.
Many major titles were released this week. Seven new titles ranked in this week’s top 10 ranking, and Pokemon Ranger: Battonage won this week’s #1 title.
Pokemon Ranger: Battonage is compatible with Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl, also for the Nintendo DS, allowing players to transfer the egg of the legendary Pokemon Manaphy to a Pokemon Diamond or Pokemon Pearl game.
The ranking is as follows:
1.*NEW* Pokemon Ranger (DS)
2.*NEW* Deca Sports (Wii - see a first look of Deca Sports on Epileptic Gaming’s YouTube channel)
3.*NEW* Armored Core For Answer (PS3)
4.*NEW* Sim City DS2 (DS)
5.*NEW* Tales of Rebrith (PSP)
6. Wii Fit (Wii)
7. DS Bimoji Training (DS)
8. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
9. Dramatic Dungeon Sakura Wars (DS)
10. Crayon Shin-Chan: Arashi wo Yobu cinema land Kachinko Gachinko Daisakusen (DS)
Source: Famitsu
