Lost Planet 2 was originally set for release before the end of March, but was postponed to May 18. The publisher pushed it back to May 18 to avoid an unusually potent assortment of high-profile competition. Since that time, Capcom has seen publisher after publisher announce their potential blockbusters to launch on the same day. The first game announced was Alan Wake slated for May 18, then Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands and Split/Second, and finally Red Dead Redemption.

Capcom has apparently seen enough reasons to move Lost Planet 2’s launch date up to week to May 11. It also gave the PC version of the game a release window, saying that it would follow the console editions onto shelves this fall.

To further excite players, Capcom announced that it will release a new multiplayer demo of the game on the Xbox 360 April 21 and on the PlayStation Network April 22. The 16-player versus mode demo will include a single map, as well as chat support and stat tracking features.

Lost Planet 2 is set 10 years after the original, following substantial terraforming on EDN III that replaced the frigid tundra with large swaths of lush forests. Its campaign will follow the protagonist and three non-player characters through six chapters, each of which will have multiple outcomes that hinge on players’ actions.

Technorati Tags: capcom, lost planet 2, new release, playstation 3, sci fi shooter, xbox 360 live arcade

When Midway went bankrupt last year, Warner Bros. paid $49 million for most of the Mortal Kombat publisher’s assets. Not included in the deal were some of its studio locations, the TNA wrestling license, and apparently the Hydro Thunder speedboat racing franchise.

Independent studio Vector Unit announced that it was developing Hydro Thunder Hurricane for Xbox Live Arcade, a sequel to the original 1999 arcade hit. The original Hydro Thunder quickly found its way into gamers’ homes, as Midway had a Dreamcast port ready for that system’s September 1999 launch and produced Nintendo 64 and original PlayStation editions the following year.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane will feature new levels, speedboats, water physics, and cooperative as well as competitive multiplayer modes. Following its billing as a full-pledged to the arcade original. The developers are including online races for up to eight players, with split-screen support for four gamers. The game’s races will be set across eight “theme park” worlds with some over-the-top trackside obstacles, including distractions like a giant warhammer-wielding Viking and a sea serpent threatening to sink players’ chances of finishing first.

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, hydro thunder hurricane forecast for xbox live arcade games, midway arcade speedboat racing, news

Following earnings reports from Capcom, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Namco Bandai, Tecmo Koei reported its finances for the quarter ending December 31, 2009.

According to a Yahoo Japan report, the year-old company reported a loss of ¥1.84 billion ($20.3 million) for the three-month period. It was mostly due to slower than expected sales of Samurai Warriors 3 in Japan. Samurai Warriors 3 is an exclusive to Nintendo’s console, the latest installment in Koei’s long-running action franchise is due out in Europe and North America later this year. The poor holiday quarter caused Tecmo Koei to drastically lower its full-year profit forecast by 97 percent from ¥7.4 billion ($81.8 million) to just ¥200 million ($2.2 million).

The downward adjustment’s impact was exacerbated by two reported game delays. The AFX news service reports (via CNBC) that the Gears of War-like PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 action game Quantum Theory has been pushed into Tecmo Koei’s next fiscal year, which begins April 1. Meanwhile, Japanese gaming specialty site Andriasang reports that the company has also postponed the PS3-exclusive action role-playing game Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll until later in the year.

The combination of poor earnings and game delays sent Tecmo Koei’s stock south. On the Nikkei market in Tokyo, the company’s share price ended the day down 9.5 percent to ¥630 ($6.96).

Technorati Tags: Gaming, news, quantum theory, tecmo koei poor sales, video games

After a long time of yelling about vengeance, Kratos is finally on the verge of getting it. God of War III hits Playstation 3 this week after years of anticipation. However, the Ghost of Sparta isn’t the only draw in what is shaping up to be a huge week at retailers.

Just before God of War III debuts, retailers will welcome the latest extension in Nintendo’s Pokémon franchise. The new DS game launches Sunday, and will be available in HeartGold and SoulSilver versions. Each edition comes with a Pokewalker pedometer, allowing players to level up their combative pets even when they’re not playing.

Another renowned franchise receiving a new installment this week is Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight as it launches for the PC. Billed as the conclusion to the series’ “Tiberium Saga,” the game features different campaigns for the Global Defense Initiative and Brotherhood of Nod factions, with each faction playable in solo or cooperative modes. It also features a five-versus-five, objective-based online multiplayer mode.

Other familiar franchises with releases this week include Dragon Age and Perfect Dark. Last year’s hit Dragon Age: Origins will receive its first retail expansion in the form of Awakening, while Rare’s original Nintendo 64 shooter is being re-released on Xbox Live Arcade with a high-definition facelift courtesy of 4J Studios.

Not every major game launch of the week comes from an established series. THQ and 4a Games are launching the post-apocalyptic survival shooter role-playing game Metro 2033 on the PC and Xbox 360. Also, Sega is rolling the dice with new RPG and strategy titles, as Resonance of Fate heads to the Xbox 360 and PS3, while Infinite Space comes to the DS. The former is set in a steam punk world and developed by Star Ocean studio Tri-Ace, while the latter is the latest fruit of Sega’s partnership with Bayonetta and MadWorld developer PlatinumGames.

The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later in the week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

March 14, 2010

Pokemon HeartGold–DS–Nintendo Pokemon SoulSilver–DS–Nintendo

March 15, 2010

Rage of the Gladiator–Wii–Ghostfire Games Triple Shot Sports–Wii–The Code Monkeys 101 MiniGolf World–DS–Teyon

March 16, 2010

God of War III–PS3–Sony Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight–PC–Electronic Arts Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening–360,PS3, PC–Electronic Arts Metro 2033–360PC–THQ Resonance of Fate–360, PS3–Sega Infinite Space–DS–Sega Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon–WII–Xseed Games T.A.C. Heroes: Big Red One–DS–Storm City Games Hidden Mysteries: Buckingham Palace–DS–Activision Sonny With a Chance–DS–Disney Family Gameshow–WII–Zushi Games Ltd

March 17, 2010

Perfect Dark–360–Microsoft Hall of Fame Ultimate Hoops Challenge–Wii–Zoo Games

March 19, 2010

Mount & Blade: Warband–PC–Paradox Interactive

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, command and conquer, God of war, new release installment, nintendo sega, video games

The publisher announced the full details of its March Xbox Live Arcade Block Party promotion. The initiative starts on March 3 with Signal Studios’ World War I-themed tower defense game Toy Soldiers for MSP 1,200 ($15), continuing with Slick Entertainment’s car-combat racer Scrap Metal on March 10 for the same price. 4J Studios’ update of venerated Nintendo 64 shooter Perfect Dark follows on March 17 for MSP 800 ($10).

Microsoft will close out the month with the release of Game Room, a free download that will serve as a hub for the publisher’s retro gaming push. Thirty Atari and Intellevision games will be available at launch. Microsoft shares that more than 1,000 titles are on the docket.

Games can be purchased for play on both the Xbox 360 and PC for MSP 400 ($5) or for an individual platform at MSP 240 ($3) apiece. Single rounds of any individual game can be played for MSP 40 ($.50). The Game Room will also support Xbox Live Avatars, as well as voice chat, 1080p graphics, cross-platform leaderboards, and achievements.

Gamers who pick up all three Block Party titles and the free Game Room hub will have MSP 400 ($5) credited to their Xbox Live account. Those who subscribe to Xbox Live’s Gold membership will also have their subscription extended by one month.

As for Games on Demand, Disney and Black Rock Studio’s Pure is available for only $19.99. The off-road trick racer received rave reviews upon its debut in September 2008. On March 2, Microsoft has queued up Bethesda Softworks’ acclaimed postapocalyptic role-playing shooter Fallout 3. However, pricing information is not yet available.

Technorati Tags: 2010, 2d shooters, March Xbox Live Arcade Block Party promotion, microsoft, shmup, toy soldiers, xbox live arcade news

Microsoft successfully launched Xbox 360 and Xbox Live Arcade even without much support from top-tier third party publishers. Midway remains to be the most notable name on the Xbox Live Marketplace at launch with its publisher selling arcade classics Gauntlet, Smash TV, and Joust from day one.

The list of games recently pulled out from the Xbox Live Marketplace are Cyberball 2072, Robotron: 2084, Defender, Paperboy, Rootbeer Tapper, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. A representative of Microsoft said the group of games was removed from service late last week “due to evolving rights and permissions.”

The issue of evolving rights and permissions doesn’t seem to affect the publisher’s Playstation Network titles, given games like Mortal Kombat II are still available on the PlayStation 3 downloadable storefront.

Gamers may not find any access to add those titles to their library for the first time, but these games aren’t gone from the service entirely. A Microsoft representative said, “Xbox Live members will always be able to play and re-download any titles they have already purchased.“

Technorati Tags: gauntlet, microsoft, midway xbox live arcade pulled out, news, smash tv, ultimate mortal kombat 3, xbox 360 live arcade games, xbox live marketplace

LucasArts kicked off the Infinities storyline for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed in August 2009 with the release of Tatooine Mission Pack. The Tatooine Mission Pack is a downloadable add-on that continued the storyline of Darth Vader’s Secret Apprentice. However, to conclude that storyline, players had to buy Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – ultimate Sith Edition, included the accompanying Hoth Mission Pack, along with the original game and other DLC.

For those gamers who didn’t take the plunge to pick up the Ultimate Sith Edition, LucasArts is now offering the Hoth Mission Pack as a separate download through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network. The PS3 edition of the add-on is now available for $9.99, and the XBL version will follow on February 23 for MSP800.

Click here to buy Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for Xbox 360 ($ 36.99).

The Infinite storyline

It starts following one of the numerous endings to the original, when the player kills Vader and becomes Emperor Palpatine’s assistant and a Sith Lord. The galactic dictator then dispatches players to Tatooine, where they try to track down and kill the Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The Hoth Mission pack continues this journey and sees the Secret Apprentice traveling to the titualar icy planet to do battle with Luke Skywalker and wipe the last traces of the Rebellion from the galaxy. Players will also find themselves visiting locations made famous in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.

The original Star Wars: The Force Unleashed launched in September 2008 to low ratings and bad reviews. However, the game’s critical reception did not impact its commercial success. LucasArts said today that the game has now sold more than 7 million units worldwide. In December, the publisher announced The Force Unleashed II for release on unspecified platforms in 2010.

Technorati Tags: february 23, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, ultimate sith edition, xbla version, xbox live arcade

Release Date Nov 26, 2009

Language English, Japanese

Genre Shooting

Version Japan

Mushihimesama Futari Version 1.5 is one of the latest arcade ports of Xbox 360. If you can spare some cash to purchase the game price of $ 74.90 then what are you waiting for? Go ahead and order Mushihimesama Futari HERE..

Read on to know why this shooter deserves your money and attention.

If you have played a Cave shooter like DoDonPachi before, you wouldn’t be sure what to expect. The shmup earns good reviews but is only validated once you played the game.

The insect-themed Mushihimesama Futari, means “together with the bug princess, allows you to choose either of the two characters: Reco, the cute, purple-haired girl, or Palm, the little, dragon boy. The characters play almost identical except their movement types are quite the opposite based on your selection of normal or abnormal shot type.

The first thing you will notice when you actually started playing is how tight the controls were. It feels so right when you glide through the air and dodge enemy fire. The thing that separates great shooters from the rest of the average shooter are how well-designed the patterns are. Things maybe daunting at he start of MushiFutari but continued play will uncover passage ways designed in the patterns. It is a matter of some trial and error so don’t lose hope when you fail at the first try.

There’s only two buttons in game play, shoot and bomb. However, if you tap the shot button you get a spread shot that covers the screen. If you hold shot then you get a concentrated laser. It also depends on which character you choose to play along with the play style you choose. Holding down the shot button will either make your player slow down or speed up when you tap the button.

Earn multi colored gems when shooting down enemies can be collected to increase your score. Wisely choose the right time to use an appropriate attack which will yield more gems and larger-sized gems.

Mushihime-Sama Futari: Reco PVC Figure 1/7 Scale

Speaking of visual appeal, the game is stunning. Beware of getting distracted from the beautiful background scenery and fantastic animations. There is no obvious way to tell you’ve been hit when bullets come in the flavor of bright purple projectiles when the scenery just look breath-taking.

The music is also a high point. Sure it’s standard Japanese techno-pop, but damn if it isn’t catchy as hell. And it definitely has that old-school flavor.

You get your money’s worth with the number of modes available. You have two modes to choose from: 1.5 and Arrange.

The first mode 1.5 offers 3 challenges namely Original, Maniac, and Ultra. However, these aren’t just difficulty levels. Every mode offers a new scoring method and way of playing the game. In the Original mode, your rank increases based on how well you do in each stage. It will also determine the speed and density of bullet patterns in later stages. Maniac offers a counter that keep track of your multiplier that will affect the number of gems dropped by your enemies depending on how high the number is. Ultra mode and Original are scored in the same way. The rain of death coming down on you at this point is enormous. Before you begin playing in this mode, a warning pops out of the screen to ask if you won’t mind being murdered every second. Your answer will be a definite “yes” of course.

See a unique twist from the original game on the Arrange mode. In this mode, you control both Reco and Palm. One character serves as a shield while the other acts as an offense. You can choose to let bullets slow down around your characters by tapping the shot button. When you hold down shot the bullets, they will deflect back at enemies. The number and size of the gems are available only after the bullets are deflected. Thus, the more bullets you “collect” by tapping shot the greater number and size of your gems. You’ll need to strategically switch between characters to recharge your shields.

Now we go to Black Label which weakness is being an on-disc DLC. It is possible that Cave placed the option on the main menu and when clicked, takes you to Xbox Live. We can’t help but think that what we paid is only to get the download code to unlock the mode.

The lucky few shooter fans who got the first-press copies of the game came with a DLC code lets them download Ver. 1.01. Version 1.01 is a tweaked version of the very first arcade version of the game. It offers a pretty good challenge since it came before the more manageable Ver. 1.5. But don’t let this fool you. This version is equally tough to play too. The Novice mode can even make the bullets difficult to slow down. Of course, that’s the beauty of shmup. You play them over and over and memorizing the patterns so you finally get the feeling of accomplishment when you successfully 1cc original and proceed advanced modes with higher difficulties.

Mushihimesama Futari is one of the best shmups out there in the market. A perfectly designed, meticulously detailed, and a very absorbing shmup that you can lay your hands on. Don’t wait any longer and play this lovely shmup!

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, cave, dodonpachi, Mushihimesama Futari, review, shmup, video game

Play the character of John Marston, a reformed criminal, who works for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Make your way through three distinct locales, two sets in the American West and one in Northern Mexico. The game’s setting is composed of rural areas along with number of towns and outposts erect on the landscape.

The West side elements are found in the action shmup. Find numerous Wanted poster plastered on local buildings. These posters are actually side missions that give clue where to find infamous criminals as well as how to recognize them based on description. If you do decide to run after these criminals, you can choose to either take them out with your turn-of-the-century armory of repeating Winchester rifles, six-shooters, and shotguns, or earn a bigger reward by roping them to the ground and turning them in alive. You can also choose to put a bullet or two in them to slow them down.

Expect to boost your honor if you succeed on quests such as capturing Most Wanted criminals or saving helpless travelers from being robbed. It affects how well regarded you are in the world. Sudden missions can also be seen in the course of your travels. You might run into an officer seeking out two prisoners who have just escaped from his caravan. It gives you ample chance to chase them down or simply keep moving.

You will soon receive admiration and tribute when you follow the noble route. The local sheriffs will even look the other way if you commit a minor crime. In normal circumstances, you would become a wanted man and have to pay off your bounty or do a favor for the local authorities to receive a pardon. If you take the bad guy route, people will glare or glower at you. Other criminals who know your notoriety will bid you a chance to work with them in pursuit of their objectionable and nasty plans.

No matter how good your character is, you still need to shed blood from time to time. The Western-themed action schmup is set at the 20th century, a time when the West was increasingly less wild. Yet, there is still an element of lawlessness around you thus explains the shootouts and violent eruptions. These acts of lawlessness can be as simple as a brawl out in the desert between you and a troop of outlaws. It can also be as complex as you charge a fort with a wagon loaded of explosives, taking on snipers camping on towers, and using a cannon to ward off waves of incoming reinforcements.

Red Dead Redemption looks like as very promising game due to its engaging plot that leaves you to choose whether you would want to play a good guy or a bad guy. It has the makings of a distinct game whose look and game play renders authentic to the era in American history.

Red Dead Redemption is an epic battle for survival in a beautiful open world as John Marston struggles to bury his bloodstained past, one man at a time.

Developed by Rockstar San Diego, Red Dead Redemption is coming for Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on April 27, 2010 in North America and on April 30, 2010 in Europe.

Technorati Tags: red dead redemption, Rockstar San Diego, Shmups, shoot em up, video game

Safari Studios released their Xbox Indie Arcade named Creed Arena. The game is filled with 16 arenas and unique game feature that involve winning over the fight crowds.

Play your way in arena battles set in gladiatorial fashion. You have various ways to play the game either solo, split-screen co-op, online multiplayer and even split-screen online multiplayer. Multiplayer feature is not always available for Xbox Indie titles.

Try out the demo and try out the Live Multiplayer game mode if you’re impressed enough to buy the game.

Snag this baby for 400 Microsoft point.

Read the full press release below.

Sydney, Australia – January 03, 2010 – Indie developer Safari Studios has just released Creed Arena onto XBOX Live Indie Games, a dazzling new shooter with some unique game mechanics.

In just 3 days of sales, Creed Arena has already surpassed many other games on the channel. XBOX shooter fans from around the world are hailing Creed Arena as the best indie shooter around.

Fetatures include:

• 16 unique arenas, each with a different challenge

• Solo Championship – become the most popular gladiator in the tournament

• Splitscreen Co-op – play through the game with a friend

• Online Multiplayer – try to get to the top of the global popularity chart

• Splitscreen Online Multiplayer – 2 people can play online together

About Creed Arena

Fight other gladiators infront of thousands of spectators. Become the most popular fighter in the tournament. Win enough fans to unleash your “crowd rage”, an intense rampage that makes you bigger, faster and more powerful. Unique weapons, 16 arenas, and intense action in solo, co-op and online muliplayer.

About Safari Studios

Safari Studios is a two man indie development team based in Sydney, Australia. Matthew and Laurence Rietdijk have been developing XBOX games for 2 years now, and one a top 20 position in Microsoft’s most recent Dream Build Play competition.

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, creed arena, indie shooter, Safari Studios, Shmups, video game, xbox live arcade