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Hey, you remember when Infinity Ward released that unbelievably offensive “Fight Against Grenade Spam” video starring Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels to promote Modern Warfare 2? Yeah, we were trying to forget it too (sorry to remind you!), but Battlefield developer DICE just released its own variation of the video (found after the break) starring New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia to explain why grenade spam isn’t so much of an issue in Bad Company 2.

According to CC, due to the variety of other gameplay options (destructible environments, a handful of different vehicles and “adrenaline pumping weapons”), grenade spam isn’t the same problem that it is in “competing games of this particular genre.” (It probably helps that each class only starts with one grenade too, huh?) Rather than being sponsored by the notorious acronym that closed out Infinity Ward’s ad, this one ends with: “Friends Really Against Grenade Spam.”

Oh, and for those of you playing along at home, this is at least the second advertisement for Bad Company 2 that directly parodies Modern Warfare 2 promos. We’re still holding out hope that all this culminates in a cage match between Robert Bowling and Patrick Söderlund.

Continue reading Bad Company 2 ‘F.R.A.G.S.’ video continues Modern Warfare mockery

Bad Company 2 ‘F.R.A.G.S.’ video continues Modern Warfare mockery originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Priced at $15, Paradox Interactive’s shooter is competing against the likes of Battlefield 1943. Like DICE’s shooter, the production values are impressive and highlight by colorful, animated visuals. The style is reminiscent of Team Fortress 2, with the characters donning an almost psuedo-cel shaded look. Combined with the Wild West theme, it can oftentimes look identical to Valve’s shooter.

Of course, there are far worse places to look for inspiration. In many ways, the gameplay is also similar to Team Fortress 2. There are four classes for players to choose from, and each features distinct and valuable traits. The primary difference between the four classes is their range: some classes are equipped with shotguns, best for short range fighting, while the requisite sniper is obviously equipped to handle long distances. Beyond their weapons, each class is equipped with a special ability. One can throw dynamite, while another can “mark” an enemy. (Marked enemies take twice the normal rate of damage.)

Continue reading Hands-on: Lead & Gold: Gangs of the Wild West

Hands-on: Lead & Gold: Gangs of the Wild West originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption paints a different picture of the west, one filled with picturesque landscapes and small towns, where clusters of folk tried to earn a living and make a life. A place in the grip of the Industrial Revolution, an uncertain time of transition from the old lawless ways of the west to the modern comforts and progress enjoyed by Americans in the east.

This recreation of life back then isn’t just for show, however, as players will be able to go all Ted Nugent on it and hunt and skin animals, selling their hides to merchants for valuable goods or services. There’s also the job of ranch protector, should you wish to guard the land from potential night-time rustlers. You can even herd cattle and fight a mountain lion or two, if the idea of mowing down countless NPCs puts a hitch in your giddy-up.

Red Dead Redemption trailer offers taste of life in the old west originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Though it seems like we just got back from Shanghai, it appears we’re going to be booking another flight soon. Square Enix has announced that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will kick off “48 hours of hell” for its duo of miscreant protagonists on August 24 in North America and August 27 in Europe.

If you’d like to spend the interim months preparing for the sequel, there’s a new trailer from IGN available directly after the break. (Side note: How weird is it to see the Square Enix logo at the beginning? Totally weird, that’s how weird.)

Continue reading Kane & Lynch’s Dog Days begin on August 24

Kane & Lynch’s Dog Days begin on August 24 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After almost six months, we’re going to see sales for the PSP Go pick up in Japan starting tomorrow. How can we be so sure? Today, Sony announced that not only is the PSP hit Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (called Monster Hunter Freedom Unite here) being released as a download on March 18 — a voucher for the title will also be given away with new PSP Gos. The downloadable game by itself will cost ¥1,600 ($17.69) from the PlayStation Store.

Even though over three million people already have this on UMD — and even though Monster Hunter Portable 3 was just announced for PSP — we still anticipate a lot of sales for this. People in Japan are just that thrilled about Monster Hunter.

[Via Andriasang]

Monster Hunter Freedom Unites with PSP Go in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atlus has proven to be the distributor of some of the funniest press releases we regularly receive. The party responsible for a majority of that humor, PR manager Aram Jabbari, recently stopped by Playstation.Blog HQ to give a brief video demonstration of 3D Dot Game Heroes, which you’ll find posted above.

The video shows a walkthrough of one of the game’s Zelda-esque dungeons and, appropriately, includes a number of irreverent jabs at 8-bit classics. Though legal reasons prevent Jabbari from naming specific games the title lampoons, he was more than happy to show off his homemade Vampire protagonist’s massive sword, remarking, “I’m sure Bella will find that impressive.” Oh, Aram. Don’t ever change.

Atlus offers video walkthrough of 3D Dot Game Heroes, Twilight fanfic originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In addition to introducing the main characters — including Nier himself, his “disease-stricken” daughter, Yonah, a “conflicted” companion in Kaine, and the talking book “with an attitude,” Grimoire Weiss — the comics will reveal what caused the “Black Scrawl” disease and the cataclysmic event that led to the condition of the world (as it is in the game).

The Nier comics will be available on the Nier website, and through the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store. See the cover of the first issue after the break.

Continue reading Maybe Nier comics will help us understand Nier

Maybe Nier comics will help us understand Nier originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The PSP has become home to a growing number of PS3 ports, from Super Stardust to LittleBigPlanet, but rarely has a portable rendition of a PS3 game remained so faithful to the original as ModNation Racers on PSP. (Well, perhaps with the exception of PixelJunk Monsters.) ModNation Racers is launching simultaneously on PSP and PS3, and unlike many previous cross-platform titles, this racer loses almost nothing in its portable conversion.

The career mode is nearly identical on both platforms, even featuring the same CG animated cutscenes in both. The much-touted creation tools also make an appearance on the PSP, allowing you to create and share levels rather easily. And most importantly, unlike LittleBigPlanet, ModNation Racers retains multiplayer options, offering both Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure connections.

Even the control schemes between the two platforms feel nearly identical. The PSP version also uses the R-button for acceleration, just like its big console counterpart. It makes sense, but for some reason, I expected the handheld to use the X-button for gas, and Mario Kart players may need some time to adjust; especially considering ModNation’s very different drift mechanic.

Continue reading Hands-on: ModNation Racers PSP

Hands-on: ModNation Racers PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Giant spiders. Why’d it have to be giant spiders?

Mind you, seeing Lara Croft gun down squealing, eight-legged monstrosities doesn’t bring with it the tinge of regret that I’ve come to associate with her tendency to permanently cross off creatures from the endangered species list. Had Crystal Dynamics opted to switch out the spiders with tigers, there’d be enough fur coats left over to give everyone in the world a warm winter.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is heavy on the action, with territorial enemies swarming the eponymous explorer and a newfound partner, the Mayan warrior Totec, from all directions. Thankfully, the guy knows how to fire a gun and toss a spear — though I pray he doesn’t mix the two up when the situation gets out of hand. If you’re playing the game with a co-op partner, either online or on couch, you’ll have someone to yell at should that happen.

The game’s isometric camera angle and twin-stick shooting mechanics bring to mind Assault Heroes (or Geometry Wars, at a basic level), but the pacing here is different. A more apt comparison — that takes into account the lulls in action — would be Left 4 Dead, especially when one player is tasked with manipulating a puzzle object while the other defends the rear.

Continue reading Impressions: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light

Impressions: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Though Uncharted 2 may have snatched away most of the Game of the Year trophies, Assassin’s Creed 2 stands out as another of 2009’s most acclaimed and successful titles. Lead game designer Patrick Plourde candidly discussed Ubisoft Montreal’s development process at one of the final panels during this year’s Game Developers Conference and gave some surprising insight into what happens when a project’s scope is altered in the midst of development.

From the outset, Assassin’s Creed 2 took aim at the commercial success of the first game, as well as its vocal group of detractors. “I’m not gonna lie about it,” Plourde said, “some people liked it, some people despised it. That’s the way it is.”

The way things would be took a surprise turn in the middle of 2008, months after the game had begun development in earnest. As Plourde puts it, a “curveball from upper management” requested a change in the game’s scope. Ordinarily, ambitious plans may get trimmed down as a launch date draws near, but Ubisoft had decided to increase the number of features dramatically.

Continue reading GDC: Designing Assassin’s Creed 2 (or: Dodging a curveball from upper management)

GDC: Designing Assassin’s Creed 2 (or: Dodging a curveball from upper management) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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