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Rainier's Articles


PS2/Xbox/PC Preview - 'Arthur and the Minimoys'

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under E3 - Post - E3 2006

Genre: 3D Platformer
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Etranges Libellules
Release Date: January 2007

There is something faintly surreal about sitting down to a demonstration of a license game based on a very prestigious license that you've never heard of. The developers seemed to have been getting that reaction out of journalists all day, and helpfully explained exactly why I should care about Arthur and the Minimoys before they got down to the nitty-gritty of showing me the game. Since I imagine I'm not the only American who felt that way, I'll pass along this information before I

PS2 Preview - 'Yakuza'

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under E3 - Post - E3 2006

Genre: Action/Fighting
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Release Date: September 2006

The point of Yakuza, according to Sega, is to allow the player to “see the underside of Tokyo like never before.” Set in 2005 Tokyo, Yakuza is a beat-‘em-up that purports to “deliver the authentic experience” of being a member of the modern yakuza, the Japanese mafia.

Apparently, being an authentic yakuza involves beating roughly five hundred men a night to death with whatever happens to be handy, from bicycles to street signs to knives.

Yakuza is a story-driven beat-‘em-up that takes place on the mean streets of

'Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer' (ALL) - 4 New Screens

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under Sony Gamers' Day - Sony Gamers' Day 2007

Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer will be based on both the comic book series, credited as the longest running comic book series in history, as well as Twentieth Century Fox/Marvel Entertainment's highly anticipated movie sequel. The game is being developed by 2K's Visual Concepts studio and Seven Studios for next generation consoles, current generation consoles and handheld systems.

Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer is scheduled for a June 15, 2007 simultaneous release with the upcoming movie.

'Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles' (PSP) - 4 New Screens

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under Sony Gamers' Day - Sony Gamers' Day 2007

Complete with unlockable versions of the original localized PC Engine version of Rondo of Blood and the classic Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles sets a new standard for side scrolling action on the PSP system.

Taking place in 1792, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles follows Richter Belmont as he battles to return Dracula to the oblivion from which he came. Having seen his beloved Annette kidnapped by Dracula, Richter must wield the legendary Vampire Killer whip and fight through the corrupted countryside to Dracula’s Castle to stop this horrific scenario from destroying humanity.

Redefining one

PSP Preview - 'Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics'

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under E3 - Post - E3 2006

Genre: Tactical RPGs
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Kuju Entertainment
Release Date: Q4 2006

After the change-over to 3.5 rules, Dungeons & Dragons became a game that practically required some sort of miniatures to play it properly. There were all sorts of rules about facing and attacks of opportunity and reach that you just couldn't follow very well on paper unless your GM was willing to hand-wave through a lot of rules. As any gamer knows, of course, the problem with using tons of miniatures is the sheer cost involved. If you want really nice ones, you can

'Surf's Up' (ALL) - 11 New Screens

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under Ubisoft Gamers' Day - Ubisoft Gamers' Day 2007

The Surf's Up video game features the voice talent from the stars of the feature-length movie. Cast members Shia LaBeouf as Cody Maverick; Jeff Bridges as Big Z; Zooey Deschanel as Lani Aliikai; Mario Cantone as Mikey Abromowitz; Diedrich Bader as Tank; and Sal Masekela as the announcer for the sports network SPEN, all provided new and original dialogue for the game. In addition, film clips featuring all the characters from the film - including Chicken Joe (Jon Heder) and surfing icons Kelly Slater and Rob Machado (themselves) - are showcased in the game.

Developed by Ubisoft's award-winning Montreal studio, Surf's

'Final Fantasy' (PSP) - Screens

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under Sony Gamers' Day - Sony Gamers' Day 2007

Remastered as two separate titles exclusively for the PSP system, Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II are timeless classics that created the blueprints for the future of RPGs. These all-new anniversary editions contain the best treatment of the classic RPGs and feature all-new character art, updated graphics, new dungeons, full 16:9 widescreen presentation and an updated camera view that gives players a new vantage point on two of the greatest RPGs ever made.

In Final Fantasy, the tale begins when four young warriors, each possessing a Crystal, are summoned to bring the world back to a harmonious elemental balance.

'NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes' (PSP) - 9 New Screens

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under Sony Gamers' Day - Sony Gamers' Day 2007

Exclusively developed for the US and European markets, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja Heroes is the first ever Wi-Fi enabled fighting game based on the Naruto universe on PSP delivering both intense single and multiplayer team based fighting experience! For the first time, you can create your dream squad of powerful ninja from the rich universe of Naruto to battle against your friends and trade your player profile via ad-hoc connection. Power-up your favorite characters to create your own custom ninja. Form your favorite ninja team as it appears in the cartoon or create the ultimate dream team to take on your

PC Preview - 'Neverwinter Nights 2'

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under E3 - Post - E3 2006

Genre: RPG
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Obsidian
Release Date: September 2006

Obsidian managed a successful debut with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, despite having to face the Herculean task of crafting a sequel to one of the finest licensed games ever made, and by a developer no less than Bioware. In light of that, it suddenly seems a bit more understandable that they're now tackling the unthinkable challenge of crafting the sequel to Neverwinter Nights, perhaps the single most popular Dungeons and Dragons game ever. With NWN, there is not only the challenge of

PS2 Preview - 'Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2'

by Rainier on Jan. 1, 2006 @ 1:30 a.m. PST | Filed under E3 - Post - E3 2006

Genre: 3D Fighter
Publisher: Atari
Developer: Spike
Release Date: October 2006

If Super DBZ is the "professional" of the two upcoming Dragon Ball Z games, then Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the feel-good, super mainstream title. Building off of the best-selling DBZ title in history, the original Budokai Tenkaichi, BT2 introduces new characters, stages, and gameplay modes. The gameplay is still super-accessible 3D brawling, complete with multiple transformations for most characters, an expansive selection of characters, and enormous levels in which to battle.

BT2 is determined to outdo the previous title in every respect. The already-large BT levels