Red Dead Redemption

Posted by John as Shmups

Looks of Red Dead Redemption at the start of the game can be deceiving. You may think it is a lonely ride in the old West. But spend more than a few moments in this frontier, and you’ll realize the world of Red Dead: Redemption is anything but an empty desert.

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

Get to know the creators of “Duality ZF”

Posted by John as Shmups

Duality ZF is now officially 双攻 (Double Attack) in Japanese. Get to know the creators of this award-winning game.

One of the newest video games on the Xbox 360 gaming system is coming from Yarmouth, N.S.

Twin brothers Jason and Matthew Doucette grew up playing games together such as Mario Brothers and Pac-Man. They began programming their own games when they were in Grade 3, and in junior high they placed in top spots in national math competitions.

Now the 34-year-olds have made a dream come true by becoming game developers at their new company Xona Games.

Their first game – Duality ZF – recently placed in the top 10 in a Microsoft competition for independent game developers.

That means it’s on its way to the Xbox 360’s downloadable game section. The finished product should be available in about a month for millions of people to potentially download. (Special thanks to CBC)

Watch it here.

Technorati Tags: double attack japanese, Duality ZF, shmup, shoot em up, video game, xbox 360 shmup

DUX released for Dreamcast

Posted by John as Shmups

Here comes another 2d shooter remake that combines strategic game play with stimulating shooting.

Dux is a shooting game for Sega Dreamcast developed by HUCAST.net & KonTechs Ltd. This shmup combines traditional game play with modern shoot ‘em up features such as many bullets on-screen and an adequate scoring system. DUX completely consist out of CGI and features high-resolution with super smooth graphics thanks to Dreamcast’s 2D capabilities,

Its predecessor used to show orbiting satellites. This time around control a cute and chic, pink and orange aircraft and shoot down all the opposing forces.

Expect to enjoy smooth and vibrant movies that will surely stimulate your gaming appetites.

The tactical aspect is still present in the upcoming DUX but plays a smaller role than in Last Hope, enabling easier mastery of the game. While the tactical aspect is still included, not everything depends on your reflexes and button punching skills. You also need an intact brain with adequate memory to carry yourself through this crisis.

DUX is currently selling at a price of $27.90. It is available in Limited and Standard Edition. The Limited Edition has a bonus feature of carrying an original soundtrack that records all music in the Obvious Soundtrack and original pieces.

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, dreamcast, DUX, games, shoot em up

Rockin’ Android Ships Doujin Video Games to US

Posted by John as Shmups

San Francisco, CA - During the recently concluded Game Developers Conference 2009, Rockin’ Android, a newly formed videogame publisher, announced one of the five doujin videogames titles hitting U.S.

It marks the first time that rare and exclusive fan-created, anime-style games for the PC have ever been officially licensed and localized for commercial sale outside Japan. Watch out for the following game titles: SUGURI Perfect Edition and GUNDEMONIUM Collection will be released for direct retail sale. Flying Red Barrel – A Diary of a Little Aviator, Qualia and Miku Miku, on the other hand, will be exclusively available as download-only titles. All of the five titles are side-scrolling, shooting/fighting action games slated for a summer 2009 release.

“Doujin games are basically home-made videogames programmed, coded and created entirely by hardcore fans and game enthusiasts, but contrary to the perception of something ‘home-made,’ they look and play like professionally produced arcade games,” says Enrique Galvez, president of Rockin’ Android. Doujin videogames in Japan are known to be innovatively cool, small indie label as an alternative to mainstream console games. In fact, thousands of anime, manga and videogame fans regularly seek out these limited-run products at conventions and specialty shops in Tokyo.

Audience in North America, South America and Western Europe has their prayers answered as we finally have the rights to introduce these unique and retro arcade-style games.

Get to know the first doujin to be released this summer of 2009.

“SUGURI Perfect Edition, GUNDEMONIUM Collection and our other licensed doujin games all feature a combination of highly stylized anime visuals and stunning character designs with easy-to-follow interface controls, making for a competitive, fun and addictive game that has multiple replay value,” Galvez explained. “With the look and feel that’s reminiscent of old-school retro games, they’re a refreshing change from the current wave of videogames plagued by convoluted storylines and needlessly complicated controls and moves. At the same time, they’re contemporary enough to appeal to today’s gamers who are looking to experience a little-known side of Japanese videogame fandom that’s uniquely different and fun.”

SUGURI Perfect Edition leads Rockin’ Android’s videogames as the first PC game release with a release date of June 30, 2009 offered for only $19.99 SRP. The DVD-ROM includes the two complete games. SUGURI, Acceleration of SUGURI, an expansion pack (Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition) and two soundtrack albums (TRANCENATION of SUGURI original soundtrack and Acceleration of SUGURI Soundtrack). Expect to also get downloadable versions of SUGURI, Acceleration of SUGURI and Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition will be also be made available for purchase at a later date on the company website, www.RockinAndroid.com.

Look out for more details regarding the release of GUNDEMONIUM Collection as well as for the download-exclusive games – Flying Red Barrel -A Diary of a Little Aviator-, Qualia and Miku Miku. We will keep you posted in the coming weeks.

About SUGURI and Acceleration of SUGURI:
Fan-acclaimed SUGURI is one of the most unique side-scrolling shooter titles ever created by doujin game developer Orange_Juice. SUGURI showcases beautifully rendered designs and backgrounds, innovative weaponry, captivating game play action and a cool techno-trance soundtrack. SUGURI is a must-have, must-play doujin game.

The rapid-fire combat action that players have come to love in the first game is all here, but now in the form of a hybrid shoot-em-up/fighter. You’ll choose from among multiple fighters (such as Suguri, Nanako, Hime, etc.) each equipped with an automatic lock-on targeting system and an arsenal of hyper weapons, power shields, etc. Experience the rush of battle as you wage intensive aerial duels in Acceleration of SUGURI, the follow-up to the fan-favorite SUGURI. Get ready to focus and concentrate like never before, because you’ll have to fight your way through multiple, harshly difficult stages and overwhelmingly powerful foes with deceptively distracting weapons fire a bombardment of missiles, laser spears, and beams coming at you in every insane direction imaginable!

About Game Developers Conference:
The Game Developers Conference® (GDC) is the world’s largest professionals-only game industry event. GDC is presented every spring in San Francisco and stands as an essential forum for learning, inspiration, and networking for the creators of computer, console, and handheld, mobile, and online games.

The GDC attracts over 18,000 attendees, and is the primary forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals, business decision-makers and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas and shape the future of the industry. The GDC is produced by the Think Services Game Group, a division of United Business Media, LLC. Additional information can be found at: www.gdconf.com.

About Rockin’ Android:
Rockin’ Android based in Los Angeles, California and established in 2008. Rockin’ Android is a privately owned entertainment specialty group and publisher working alongside creators and clients within the videogame field to license untapped and overlooked independently produced videogames to fill a void in the PC-dominant gaming market within the U.S.

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, flying red barrel - a diary of a little aviator, game developers conference 2009, gundemonium collection, qualia, rockin' android, shoot em up, suguri perfect edition

Ready for the 1st Valkyrie Sky Encore Beta Test?

Posted by John as Shmups

To all who missed out on the initial beta test of Valkyrie Sky, Yolim Communications is proud to present another exciting encore beta testing. The fun of playing this shmup lasts for a week from February 18 to 24. Check out the schedule for the Encore Beta Test.

Open : February 18, 10:00 am, (Seoul, Korean Time)

※ February 17, 08:00 pm, New York, Eastern Time
February 18, 01:00 am, London, Greenwich Mean Time

Close : February 24, 06:00 pm (Seoul, Korean Time)

※ February 24, 04:00 am, New York, Eastern Time
February 24, 09:00 am, London, Greenwich Mean Time

Start downloading the client tomorrow afternoon. If you have the client installed before, you can just patch and start the game.

Join now!

Technorati Tags: 2d Shooter, : valkyrie sky, encore beta test, games, shmup, shoot em up, yolim communication