The initial quintet will consist of well-known Konami brands and original titles, with Konami's newly established KOE PD office closely involved with the production of each release. Konami is also currently producing a number of additional PC titles for release in 2003, with titles to be confirmed at a later date.
In addition to the previously confirmed PC version of the time-travelling adventure game Shadow of Memories, Konami of Europe will be releasing versions of its Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut and Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance titles for the format. Shadow of Memories follows Eike who on his death, is given the chance to return to Earth and find his killer, but only by visiting key time zones. As the plot unravels, Eike's investigations have knock-on effects to the future – but what are the repercussions of meddling with time?
Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut is a breath-taking psychological thriller, where a letter from his dead wife brings reluctant hero James Sunderland to the titular town of Silent Hill. Sunderland must scour the mist-covered streets in search of his wife, but unwittingly stumbles upon horrific creatures out to stop him. Silent Hill 2: Director's Cut also benefits from an all-new stand-alone mission, with a new female character similarly left to fight for her life in the mysterious town.
The release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance for PC will see Solid Snake sneaking on to the format within a full conversion of the acclaimed Sons of Liberty (previously on PlayStation 2), and with Substance's five new 'Snake Tales' and several hundred VR missions.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance sets a new standard in gameplay and enemy AI. As Snake and the mysterious Raiden explore the game's beautifully realised stages, players can revel in gameplay where anything is possible and where cinematic interludes blend seamlessly with the incredible in-game graphics. As the two heroes seek to end a terrorist plot, Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance sees them use stealth, a host of weaponry and lateral thinking to infiltrate and eliminate the terrorist strongholds.
The game also benefits from five new 'Snake Tales' wherein the Solid Snake character comes to the fore in a series of all-new missions, while both Raiden and Snake are put through their paces in over 500 missions, designed to test their assorted stealth, combat and weapon handling skills. With cameo appearances from a host of loved Metal Gear heroes and villains, Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance is the definitive action title for PC.
Continuing its commitment to the format, Konami will also be delivering two titles, specifically designed for PC. Casino. Inc is a stunning simulation wherein the player is charged with running a gambling emporium. Every element of the business falls under the player's control, from rigging the slots to managing security and ensuring a profit. Similarly, the user must also devise ways to attract new business and keep existing gamblers via means as diverse as hiring top chefs to the reliability of the croupiers and casino staff.
Casino. Inc features a fully interactive 3D environment, three cities, a selection of 6 different themed casino, and a huge cast of over 120 villains, gamblers and would-be entrepreneurs. Mixing humour with infinitely adaptable gameplay, Casino. Inc is proof of Konami's versatility as a publisher and marks Konami's first move into the simulation genre on PC.
Apocalyptica is the second original conception, and is a more action-orientated title than its European developed stable mate. Set in the future where Earth is little more than a burnt cinder, players must battle their way through a series of arenas in fights to the death with CPU or human opponents. Viewed in the third person, players have access to a wealth of armaments and must use cunning, stealth and high velocity weapons to defeat the increasingly tough opponents. Projectile, handheld weaponry and spell-casting are used to progress, resulting in incredible melees as Apocalyptica draws the player further in.
"The quality of these five titles confirms Konami of Europe's intent of extending our success to the PC format," commented Kunio Neo, President of Konami of Europe. "With a strong line-up featuring established Konami classics and innovative and original titles created exclusively for PC, we are confident Konami's blend of strong gameplay and cutting edge aesthetics will be perfectly at home on PC."