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Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on May 26, 2009 @ 3:04 a.m. PDT

Another day, another batch of games shipped to stores. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are announcements for:

inFAMOUS (PS3)

Developed by Sucker Punch Productions, the critically-acclaimed team behind the popular Sly Cooper series, inFAMOUS debuts as the first superhero action-adventure exclusively for the PS3. Featuring a contemporary graphic novel narrative set within a richly interactive and organic living city, inFAMOUS allows players to experience what it is like to become a modern day superhero who must learn to master newfound superpowers that evolve based on decisions made within the game.

inFAMOUS immerses players in the unsettled world of Cole MacGrath, an ordinary guy turned superhero following a massive explosion that gifts him with extraordinary powers. Since the blast, Empire City, a once thriving metropolis, is now fueled by drugs, crime, and poverty and innocent citizens are disappearing into the darkness. Cole, determined to find out what happened to Empire City and to unlock the deep connection to the electrical energy that has transformed him, embarks on a journey to fight the rampant gangs and uncover the truth of who really is behind the blast.

“We’re all huge comic and graphic novel fans at Sucker Punch, and our goal with inFAMOUS was to create a superhero game where the story was shaped through the hands of the player,” said Nate Fox, Game Director, Sucker Punch Productions. “The gameplay was designed so that the player has substantial choices, and these choices in turn influence what happens within the game. We’re anxious to see how players will take to the challenge of whether to mold Cole into the greatest hero or anti-hero of all time.”

Featuring a six-level karma system that monitors Cole’s every move, moment-to-moment actions and pivotal karma moments are presented throughout the storyline and rewarded with upgrades that affect Cole’s heroic or villainous abilities and boost his powers. Players will create their own narrative within Empire City, which is designed as a deep, dynamic playground primed for urban exploration. Players have the freedom to explore utilizing a sophisticated, intuitive climbing system that allows them to scale the entire cityscape and traverse nearly any surface, whether it's the face of a skyscraper or a dilapidated tenement building. In addition, rather than being limited to the gridlock in the city streets, as Cole, players can scale tall buildings, run across the rooftops, and slide across telephone or electrical wires.

As players search for the truth behind Empire City’s destruction, inFAMOUS seamlessly blends open-world and story-based gameplay with over 100 primary and side missions. While side missions are not required to complete the game, they are crucial gameplay components as players can take back parts of the city from various gangs. Side missions also allow players to unravel parts of the storyline and shape the environment around them, as well as provide the ability to unlock experience point rewards. In addition to extensive side missions, inFAMOUS features a huge level of replayability with the separate paths of good and evil, as well as a robust trophy and stunt list.

Known for its signature art-style, Sucker Punch brings the inFAMOUS mystery to life through a combination of vibrant, 2-D graphic novel cutscenes and comic book animation. Developed completely in-house at Sucker Punch, the team has expanded beyond just the game’s graphic novel story with a four part comic series that chronicles the days following that fateful blast that changed Cole's life forever.

Secret Agent Clank (PS2)

For the first time in the Ratchet & Clank series, our diminutive robotic hero Clank takes the lead - starring in his own hilarious game as the world's greatest undercover agent.

As Clank, you're hot on the trail of clues that will prove the innocence of Ratchet, who is jailed for a crime he didn't commit. With a super spy's collection of guns, gadgets and gizmos at your disposal can you free your best pal?

Features :

  • Unleash Clank's cutting edge array of weapons and gadgets, such as Cufflink Bombs, Tie-a-Rangs, Spy Sunglasses and the ever helpful Holo-Disguise Monocle
  • Launch into a variety of gameplay styles, from all-out action to cunning stealth and brain-busting puzzle solving
  • Drive state-of-the-art super spy vehicles including speedboats, snowboards and sports cars
  • Journey to space resorts, maximum-security prisons, intergalactic casinos and beyond

Secret Agent Clank is now available worldwide for PS2.

Rock Band Unplugged (PSP)

Developed by Harmonix in partnership with Backbone Entertainment, a Foundation 9 Entertainment studio, Rock Band Unplugged creates a full band experience in the palm of players’ hands by combining traditional beatmatch gameplay with key elements from both Rock Band™ and Rock Band™2. The hands are the “peripherals” in Rock Band Unplugged allowing players to take direct control of the lead/bass guitars, drums and vocals. In addition, players can capture a deep and interactive Rock Band experience by taking their band on the road in World Tour mode, practicing their chops in the Band Warmup Mode, or by taking on the most extreme musical challenge imaginable in Band Survival mode.

Rock Band Unplugged features 41 master recordings including nine songs new to the Rock Band music catalog that are exclusive to the PSP system for a limited time! Plus, Rock Band Unplugged features the first in-game store for downloadable content on the PSP system leveraging the PSP system’s wireless capabilities and powered by PlayStation®Network.

Rock Band Unplugged Pricing Information:

  • Rock Band Unplugged software (North America) MSRP $39.99
  • Rock Band Unplugged software (Continental Europe) MSRP €39.99
  • Rock Band Unplugged software (United Kingdom) MSRP £29.99
  • Limited Edition Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack (North America) MSRP $199.99

The limited edition Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack from Sony Computer Entertainment America includes the game, a “Piano Black” PSP system, a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo™, and, in the United States only,a voucher to download Paramount Pictures’ School of Rock from PlayStation Store. The Rock Band PSP Entertainment Pack will be available in North America only.

Rock Band Unplugged, rated “T” for Teen and PEGI 12+, is now available in stores worldwide.

Up (NDS/PSP/PS2/Wii/PS3/X360/PC)

The Up video game takes players on an exotic adventure with Carl Fredricksen and his young sidekick, Wilderness Explorer Russell, as they set off on a wild journey through the undiscovered jungles of South America. Players will be able to experience all four main characters from the movie -- Carl, Russell, Dug the lovable dog or Kevin the prehistoric bird -- while playing as a single-player or with a friend cooperatively throughout the entire game. Aided by Russell’s wilderness knowledge, the four characters must work together to navigate treacherous jungle terrain, combat exotic animals and avoid being captured by a villain and his loyal army of talking dogs. Players will also encounter collection adventures to earn merit badges for Russell that will unlock bonus content.

From Disney•Pixar comes “Up,” a comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. From the Academy Award®-nominated director Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc.), Disney•Pixar’s “Up” invites film goers on a hilarious journey into a lost world, with the least likely duo on Earth. “Up” will be presented in Disney Digital 3-D in select theatres. The film is due for release on May 29, 2009.

THQ's Up, rated E for Everyone, is now available for the suggested retail prices of $39.99 (Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3), $29.99 (PSP and DS) and $19.99 (PS2 system and PC).

Restaurant Empire 2 (PC)

With two handfuls of cash and a dream of creating a legacy, build, cook and hire your way to the very top of the culinary world, where tasty food is king and smart management reels in the dollars. If you’re skilled enough in the kitchen and behind the management desk, you just may go further than any aspiring restaurateur before you and cement your status as a true legend of cuisine.

With such a delicious game release, Paradox Interactive asks, are you still hungry for more?

You are! Then get ready to tuck in to this appetiser, showcasing some of the unique aspects of running a café in – Restaurant Empire 2.

You know what they say about keeping your fingers in as many pies as possible, it pays to diversify. In Restaurant Empire 2, you get the chance to grab a slice of the lucrative café and dessert house markets. Both types of establishment are available when playing the sandbox scenario, or throughout the second campaign, where you must help Delia carve out her own business empire.

Get set to sprinkle your magic on a failing franchise. Yet be wary of spreading your finances to thinly, as your empire grows. Tailor your menus to include the very best and most popular recipes from: iced and hot, teas and coffees, shakes, coolers and smoothies. Whip up some tasty treats for your customers in the form of: sandwiches, salads, ice-creams, cakes, tarts, pies and many other types. Then set about juicing up the interiors and exteriors with more theme-specific items, some of which must be unlocked through game events. Finally, invite the very best entertainers to perform exclusively in your outlets, making them stand out more from the competition.

If you still believe running a restaurant empire is as easy as baking a cake, here's your chance to step up to the plate.

Restaurant Empire 2 is available worldwide as digital download with an SRP of of $29.99 / €29.99.

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