4/23/08
Silent Hill 5 Named And Dated
Due for release at the end of September
No longer will we have to anxiously await Silent Hill 5 at some unknown date in the future! Now we can anxiously await Silent Hill: Homecoming, due out at the end of September for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, to help usher in the hectic fall gaming season. The latest installment of the now venerable series features shiny new graphics, an enchanced combat system, an all new protagonist in one Alex Shepard, returning home to solve the mystery of his missing brother, and not a bloodbath at the Homecoming Dance as I had hoped for. Oh well, there's always Prom Night.
The Homecoming of Silent Hill
Konami's first Silent Hill® title for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®3
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced the official title of its first Silent Hill game for PLAYSTATION®3 and Xbox 360. Entitled Silent Hill: Homecoming, the game will be released end of September this year across Europe.
The sixth installment in the classic video games series, Silent Hill: Homecoming introduces another protagonist to the mythos. The story follows Alex Shepherd, returning to his hometown of Shepherd's Glen to investigate the sudden disappearance of his brother. From Shepherd's Glen to Silent Hill, Alex must face the darkest of horrors in order to find his brother. Struggling with his own grip on reality, Alex must unravel the mystery behind his nightmares, discover the truth behind his brother's disappearance, and confront the evil lurks in the seemingly empty streets of Silent Hill.
Homecoming is the first Silent Hill title for the new wave of 'next generation' consoles, featuring all-new graphics that bring the fear and terror of Silent Hill alive like never before. Alex must survive attacks from the misshapen denizens of the town using an all-new enhanced combat system that provides a wide array of attacks and counters. Along the way, Alex will encounter a variety of weapons to battle these horrific monsters and must also solve deadly puzzles as he uncovers the darkest secrets of Silent Hill.
Silent Hill: Homecoming also features an all-new soundtrack by acclaimed series composer Akira Yamaoka.
3/31/08
Resident Evil 5 Gameplay Footage / Condemned 2: Bloodshot GT Review
RE5 behind the scenes and Condemned 2 in-depth video
Resident Evil 5: Behind the Scenes
Kotaku reports: "Here's a behind the scenes look at upcoming Resident Evil 5 with a few glimpses of it in action. According to the game's producer Jun Takeuchi, the theme for this game is light and shadows. Bright sunlight increases the division between darkly shaded and sunny areas. Also, going from the light to the shade, makes it hard to see. Vice versa is true as well. That's the visual motif for RE5. The above clip is fresh from the Capcom 25th anniversary DVD that's packaged with the new issue of Japanese game mag Famitsu."
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
IGN writes: "Players will assume the identity of Ethan Thomas, former Serial Crimes Unit investigator, who has been called back to duty to track down his missing partner. The disturbing events from Ethan’s past have left him a broken man – a desperate burnout drifting aimlessly through society in an inexplicable decline. Fighting inner demons throughout his one-man investigation into a sinister conspiracy, Ethan will need to use anything and everything in the environment to survive as he unravels the mysteries shrouding the city in darkness."
3/18/08
Rainy Woods (PS3/Xbox 360)
Survival Horror... FBI style
Nick Chester of Destructoid writes, "Famitsu has posted some information and screenshots of the upcoming PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 survival horror title, Rainy Woods. Developed by Access Games (Spy Fiction), Rainy Woods puts players in the role of a young FBI criminal investigator who is investigating a mysterious homicide in a quiet, American town.
The game features a morning/noon/night system that will not only change the town visually, but will also alter how the town's inhabitants interact with your character. The evening will also bring about mysterious apparitions that'll make you scream "Oh my God, what the f**k is that?", and if you're lucky, lots of rain. And as a growing FBI investigator, you're going to need to sleep, and pay close attention to your hunger level, as well -- you wouldn't want to starve or pass out in the middle of a murder investigation, right?" Article source: DESTRUCTOID
Check out this trailer for Rainy Woods (PS3/XBox 360, Release Date TBA)
3/12/08
Resident Evil on PSP?
Resident Evil PSP Petition Gets Capcom's Attention
Let's face it- most online petitions don't have their intended impact. However, Capcom isn't ignoring the fans on the issue of a Resident Evil entry for the PSP, and that's good news for owners of Sony's handheld.
The petition in question reads-
"We, PSP (Playstation Portable) owners would like Capcom to release to our beloved handheld game console at least one of the games from there famous survivor/horror franchise: Resident Evil. We are also aware of the fact, that there is already a PSP version of the first Resident Evil game on the PSN (Playstation Network) but because of the lack of PS3 systems we cannot purchase this game. Seeing the history of Resident Evil games on Playstation consoles, we can guarantee you, that the game will be a success. Hope that this and the abundance of signatures that will come is enough to finally take a step and make our dreams come true."
And as it turns out, a Capcom representative has contacted the author of this petition, and said for "real results to be seen," they would need to amass over 10,000 total signatures. The official recorded statement from PSPFanboy says-
"As we plan for future games the team will definitely consider the fans and specifically your petition. It does have impact. Keep me updated on the number of signatures. If you get over 10,000 that will draw significant attention."
...does this mean Square-Enix will also take notice of that Final Fantasy VII remake petition? Because that bad boy is already approaching 20,000 signatures. Let's hope they're as in-tune to the fans as Capcom; we'll keep an eye on both petitions, that's for sure. Article Source: PSX Extreme
Note: Did you notice how many times I linked the word petition? Cool, now be good video game citizens, click the link, and sign the petition. What could it hurt? Or click HERE. Thanks everyone!!! - CowboyFromHell
3/11/08
Silent Hill Origins for PS2 Ships
Origins ships to stores 2 months ahead of scheule
Konami has announced that Silent Hill Origins for the PS2 shipped to retail stores in North America yesterday. Originally to be released in May, they pulled a fast one on us and never sent word that the date had been changed. Nice surprise though isn’t it?
Featuring enhanced visuals for the PS2, Silent Hill Origins tells the tale of Travis Grady, a lone truck driver making a routine delivery when he makes an unfortunate detour to the mysterious town of Silent Hill. Players must help Travis escape the city’s horrific inhabitants and unravel the mystery of the strange hallucinations from Travis’ past, visions that have plagued him since childhood. Throughout the game, Travis can use his fists, his wits and an array of weapons including a meat cleaver, pool cue and sledgehammer to fight his way through the nightmarish world of Silent Hill and face more than one possible ending.
Article Source: File Front
In-game video of Silent Hill Origins and how it looks ported over to the Playstation 2.
2/25/08
The Real Silent Hill
Centralia, Pennsylvania
Since the first Silent Hill game back in 1999, fans have wondered if the title town had a real-life counterpart. Is there a particular town that inspired the haunted wasteland we've come to know and fear in the games? There have been many speculations, and now here's a place you can actually visit... for REAL...
In researching the different elements of Silent Hill, screenwriter Roger Avary (Killing Zoe, The Rules of Attraction) came across the town of Centralia, Pennsylvania (it's interesting that LA moviemakers look to the deep Midwest [or in this case, the eastern U.S. in Pennsylvania] when they're looking for something "strange" or "different"). Centralia planted the seed for what developed into the cinematic version of the town of Silent Hill.
As recently as 1981, there were over 1,000 residents living in Centralia, although the population has now dwindled to 11 (we'll say that again: 11 people) as a result of a 40-year mine fire burning beneath the borough (we'll say that again: it's been burning for 40 years... underneath the town). This is certainly not unlike Silent Hill, which was left deserted since devastating coal fires ravaged the town and its people.
The inferno started when a trash fire was lit in an abandoned mine pit in Centralia in 1962. The fire ignited an exposed vein of coal and spread throughout the mines beneath the borough. Several attempts have been made and millions of dollars have been spent unsuccessfully to extinguish this fire that still burns today.
The "problem" wasn't really acknowledged until a series of accidents in the '70s and '80s, including the appearances of sinkholes hundreds of feet deep. In 1984, Congress allocated more than $40 million for relocation efforts, and most residents moved to nearby Mount Carmel and Ashland.
However, a very few families opted to stay, and they're still there, despite the fact that the state of Pennsylvania has condemned all the buildings in the borough and the US Postal Service has revoked its zip code of 17927. The 11 holdouts include the town's 89-year-old mayor, Lamar Mervine, who refuses to leave because "I like it here."
You can find more information on Centralia, Pennsylvania here. Or perhaps one day you will heed its call and find yourself exploring its deserted streets... Well, almost deserted.
2/20/08
New! Silent Hill V and Fatal Frame 4 Screens
Silent Hill V / Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse
Silent Hill V
Destructoid.com has some very detailed high resolutions screenshots of the long-awaited 5th installment to the Silent Hill series. Justin at SilentHill5.net writes, "Silent Hill V is looking more gorgeously detailed than ever, and we finally have some new screenshots to prove it (not the same old ones that everyone keeps mistaking for new, either!). While the look of the game doesn't indicate if it will play as a fulfilling experience or not, I'm pleased to see a world I'm interested in interacting in. As soon as we hear more details you'll see them here, likely posted by me inbetween fits of joyfully incoherent swearing." View the screens here.
Fatal Frame: Mask of Lunar Eclipse
GeekPulp writes, "Tecmo has joined up with Nintendo to bring the Fatal Frame franchise to the Nintendo Wii, and thanks to them (and of course the developers: Grasshopper) we now have our first bunch of screenshots. Sadly, they look far too good to be anything but pre-rendered images, unless of course they’ve managed to unlock the power of a 3rd GameCube taped underneath the hood. What’s great to see is that Nintendo are quite happy to team up with other publishers to bring adult themed games to the Wii, to hopefully try and get rid of the annoying “kiddie” label that Nintendo have had for almost two decades." View the screens here.
12/22/07
RESIDENT EVIL DEGENERATION TRAILER
Resident Evil CG Movie
Back in November I reported that Capcom had announced the making of a Resident Evil CG movie titled "Degeneration". It seems that the first trailer has now been released. Enjoy!
- CowboyFromHell
12/17/07
Rumor: PSP Silent Hill being ported to PS2
The all-new PSP Silent Hill title could be appearing on PlayStation as early as March 2008.
A fact sheet in the hands of Kotaku indicates that Konami's Silent Hill Origins is to be released for PlayStation 2 in March 2008. Climax, the studio behind the PSP game, is said to be handling the port.
The Climax website indicates the studio is working on an unannounced title for Konami, but neither the developer or publisher have chosen to comment at this time. PSP to PS2 ports have had past success, with Rockstar Games' PSP Grand Theft Auto titles proving very popular on the home console. Source: VideoGamer.com
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So get this: Konami made a (by most accounts) pretty good game called Silent Hill Origins for the PSP, and according to a Kotaku tipster, the company will be moving the game to the PS2 in March 2008! Making a port of a decent game from a well-regarded franchise for a system with 120 million units sold worldwide, can you believe it? ... Yes, so can we.
As we said, this hasn't been confirmed by Konami, but it seems like one of two things would be happening right now. Either they are porting SHO to the PS2, or they've seen this story on the internet, fired the guy in charge of thinking of things like this and are in the preliminary stages of porting SHO to the PS2. Either way, we'd bet that you'll hear more about it soon. Source: JoyStiq.com
11/16/07
Capcom Announces Resident Evil CG Movie
Biohazard: Degeneration
Gamasutra Reports: "Capcom Announces Resident Evil CG Movie Following the release of the live action Resident Evil: Extinction to cinemas, Japanese publisher and developer Capcom has announced plans for a new full-length CG animation feature, also based on the popular Resident Evil series of games.
The surprise announcement was made by Capcom Japan, who announced the feature as Biohazard: Degeneration – Biohazard being the Japanese name for the Resident Evil series.
Although receiving mixed critical acclaim, the trilogy of live action movies has been a considerable success for Capcom, with the first two movies both grossing more than $100 million at the international box office.
Extinction has seen the biggest opening so far for the movie series, with a fourth film already confirmed. A live action spin-offs featuring the Claire Redfield character has also been suggested, the character – like most in the three movies – bearing little relation to her portrayal in the games.
The new CG (computer generated) movie will be created in co-operation with Sony Picture’s Japanese subsidiary SPEJ. Few other details have been released, though, with only the promise of “groundbreaking visual effects and a brand-new story line”. The feature is planned for released in 2008, although it is not clear whether as a cinema or DVD release."
SILENT HILL 5 EXTENDED TRAILER
There isn't much here you haven't seen already, but it is in one tidy location. This will, at least, give you something to look at while you are waiting for the release... which is when? I may be wrong (which is highly likely since I don't have all that much time to look into these facts anymore), but I think the release date is scheduled for somewhere around March 15, 2008. That's probably old news, so feel free to send me nasty letters telling me how incompetent I am.
OBSCURE 2: OFFICIAL TRAILER
Yeah, I know it's been out almost 2 months already. But have you played it yet? No? Well that's why I am here. Sit back and check out the trailer. If you missed the first game then let me fill you in on it from my past review. In the "Storyline" section of the review I wrote:
"What haunts the halls at Leafmore High? Five high school students (Kenny, Josh, Shannon, Ashley, & Stan) are the main characters of this horror title. One evening after class, they lock themselves inside the school determined to find out what has happened to their friend Kenny. Along the way they discover the root of what lurks within. This is no ordinary school, it has a dark and lengthy past seeded in biological experimentation. They find that these experiments are the reason that so many disapearances and strange happenings are connected with the school and it's principal."
With that in mind, IGN writes: "Obscure II takes place two years after the gruesome events of the first game. The survivors have gone on to college and try to return to their normal lives. After the discovery of a beautiful but strange plant on school campus, events take a turn for the worse. Soon, the college students have to battle for survival once again.
Players of Obscure II can choose their character and one AI controlled sidekick. In total there are six playable characters, each with their own unique abilities. These can be switched at various points in the game. Due to the game's co-op feature, friends can join at any time to team up and attempt surviving Obscure II together. There are many available weapons to keep the monsters that hunt you at bay. Light might be the players' biggest ally because you never know what’s lurking in the shadows."
No, the second installment of the Obscure series isn't all that much different from the first. Who cares? The first one was fun, not to mention, I personally thought that it was even better when I discovered that is was almost less than a budget title. Anyway, here is the trailer that I promised. And don't forget to check out the Obscure II Official Website here.
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