Joystiq hands-on: Tiger Woods 10 (Wii)
Playing one hole at Bethpage Black, we first got into the swing of things (sorry) by seeing how accurately our on-screen club matched what we were doing in reality. The answer was "very accurately." Bringing the Wiimote slowly back and up, we watched as Tiger perfectly matched not only the angle we were holding it at, but the twist of the club as well. We took our first real swing and found that, yes, it was quite true-to-life: we sucked.
We got better, though, and putting really seemed to benefit from the increased Wiimote precision. The slightest backward movement was shown via an on-screen meter, providing a really good sense of how much follow-through we'd want in order to sink the ball. All in all, our brief time with Mr. Woods' game was the most impressive implimentation of MotionPlus we've tried yet. You can get an even better idea of what we experienced in the above video.
Gallery: Tiger Woods 10 (Wii)
Bioshock 2: Rapture sure has changed
Have you cats heard of this Bioshock 2 game? Well, apparently it's a big deal. It's on the cover of the latest Game Informer and everything. Some folks that subscribed to that magazine have received the latest issue and headed right for the 2K forums, taking care to drop all of the deets about the sequel.
According to posts over there, the game takes place 7 years after the original and stars Jake Abbot, a private investigator sent to Rapture to find a girl abducted by the Big Sister. Oh, and there's supposedly only 1 Big Sister, and no Big Daddies. It's stated the game will feature 2-player co-op and new enemies, including Soviet soldiers, spliced dogs (what the funk?), and bi-pedal robots (you can hack them). New Plasmids are also mentioned, such as one that grants you the ability to slow down time and another that allows you to hear the thoughts of your enemies, revealing keypad codes and enemy weaknesses. There is said to also be underwater exploration segments, where the player will have to don a scuba suit to access some of the flooded areas of Rapture.
And that's about it. Sound legit? If you happen to have received your issue of Game Informer, send us a picture verifying this. We'll be your BFF.
[Via Shacknews]
According to posts over there, the game takes place 7 years after the original and stars Jake Abbot, a private investigator sent to Rapture to find a girl abducted by the Big Sister. Oh, and there's supposedly only 1 Big Sister, and no Big Daddies. It's stated the game will feature 2-player co-op and new enemies, including Soviet soldiers, spliced dogs (what the funk?), and bi-pedal robots (you can hack them). New Plasmids are also mentioned, such as one that grants you the ability to slow down time and another that allows you to hear the thoughts of your enemies, revealing keypad codes and enemy weaknesses. There is said to also be underwater exploration segments, where the player will have to don a scuba suit to access some of the flooded areas of Rapture.
And that's about it. Sound legit? If you happen to have received your issue of Game Informer, send us a picture verifying this. We'll be your BFF.
[Via Shacknews]
Joystiq Review: Peggle Dual Shot
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090313172259im_/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/peggledslogo.jpg)
Really, the only thing that could make Peggle any better is if you could play it anywhere, during any spare time you find. Peggle Dual Shot on the DS, then, needed only to be a competent port of the original to be worth pretty much everyone's time. I'm happy to report that Peggle DS is Peggle, on the DS.
Gears 2 'Snowblind Map Pack' coming March 31, title update on March 24
If you tire of brutishly halving your enemies in the same boring Gears of War 2 locales, a recent Epic Games announcement will likely thrill you to death -- on March 31, the title's second batch of downloadable arenas, titled the "Snowblind Map Pack," will find its way onto Xbox Live, bringing four new maps to the chainsaw party: Grindyard, Under Hill, Courtyard and Fuel Depot, a remake of a map from Gears the First. No price has been announced -- we're assuming it'll be around the same 800
price point of the "Combustible Map Pack."
Arguably more exciting than this, however, was Epic's announcement that the oft-discussed retooled ranking system will be coming to the game the week before "Snowblind" drops -- a title update on March 24 will (mostly) eschew the criticized TrueSkill system in favor of a more intuitive, experience point-based system. Players will earn experience points for scoring in public matches, rising up to level 100. They'll even unlock achievements at set levels (5, 15, 25, 50 and 100) -- we also hear that "Cole Train" evolves into "Cole Barge" at level 60. Gotta curb stomp 'em all!
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090313172259im_/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2007/11/microsoftpointslogosmall.gif)
Arguably more exciting than this, however, was Epic's announcement that the oft-discussed retooled ranking system will be coming to the game the week before "Snowblind" drops -- a title update on March 24 will (mostly) eschew the criticized TrueSkill system in favor of a more intuitive, experience point-based system. Players will earn experience points for scoring in public matches, rising up to level 100. They'll even unlock achievements at set levels (5, 15, 25, 50 and 100) -- we also hear that "Cole Train" evolves into "Cole Barge" at level 60. Gotta curb stomp 'em all!
Joystiq hands-on: EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090313172259im_/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/samprasvolley2-3132009-1-3132009-580px.jpg)
click to enlarge
EA Sports' entry into the Wii tennis game roster came out to play at its "Season Opener" event in San Francisco. We weren't so much interested in the fact it was a tennis title from EA as we were with its support for Nintendo's yet-to-be-dated Wii MotionPlus peripheral.
It was a little odd, then, that we started off our play session without said Wiimote doohickey. We were essentially playing a more -- though not entirely -- realistic game of Wii Sports tennis, right down to the serve mechanic and the automatic on-court movement of our character. Thankfully, we learned that the game will support a Nunchuk for player-controlled movement -- and we eventually got to give MotionPlus a try.
It was a little odd, then, that we started off our play session without said Wiimote doohickey. We were essentially playing a more -- though not entirely -- realistic game of Wii Sports tennis, right down to the serve mechanic and the automatic on-court movement of our character. Thankfully, we learned that the game will support a Nunchuk for player-controlled movement -- and we eventually got to give MotionPlus a try.
Gallery: EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis
Animator confirms Lego Harry Potter, Lego Indy Crystal Skull games
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090313172259im_/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/legohp0313.jpg)
Parker's CV reportedly listed the two Lego series game titles, though they were removed. According to GamesIndustry.biz, the CV also listed work on a demo of a Hobbit game, intended to be pitched to Peter Jackson.
Rumor: New Bone game coming in this spring
Here at Joystiq we hear a lot of rumors, but few that point and click on our hearts like news that Bone may be making a return visit to video games. This according to trade magazine Publishers Weekly, which casually mentioned a new Bone game while listing the final colorized take on Jeff Smith's renowned series amidst March's top selling comics.
While unconfirmed, the publication notes the game will be released this spring, leaving us more than a little skeptical given that it's already March and nothing has yet been announced. Even so, we've reached out to developer Telltale Games for more information. Besides, since Telltale cast aside Phoney, Smiley and Fone Bone in 2006 for a lagamorph and a macrocephalic boxer, our gaming habit has been sorely lacking. Though mostly in stupid, stupid rat creatures.
[Via VGTribune]
While unconfirmed, the publication notes the game will be released this spring, leaving us more than a little skeptical given that it's already March and nothing has yet been announced. Even so, we've reached out to developer Telltale Games for more information. Besides, since Telltale cast aside Phoney, Smiley and Fone Bone in 2006 for a lagamorph and a macrocephalic boxer, our gaming habit has been sorely lacking. Though mostly in stupid, stupid rat creatures.
[Via VGTribune]
Joystiq impressions: Fight Night Round 4
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090313172259im_/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/punch03-3132009-2-3132009-580px.jpg)
click to enlarge
Just seeing Fight Night Round 4 in action, it's a knockout. Yesterday we had the chance to watch Tyson vs. Ali coming to blows in the latest build of the game, which is due in final form this June. There's no saying how it plays, but we did take away some details on how it will differ from -- and improve on -- Round 3.
There's obviously been a dramatic visual improvement, which is made even more impressive when you consider the game is running on the same generation of hardware as its predecessor. EA has gone to great lengths to ensure "no punch looks exactly the same," using procedural techniques to send sweat (and blood) flying in the right directions -- the former tuning to mist and slowly dissipating in the air. Through slowed-down instant replays, we were able to watch as the boxers' musculature flexed under their skin, which itself ripples when hit thanks to a complex variant of cloth simulation.
There's obviously been a dramatic visual improvement, which is made even more impressive when you consider the game is running on the same generation of hardware as its predecessor. EA has gone to great lengths to ensure "no punch looks exactly the same," using procedural techniques to send sweat (and blood) flying in the right directions -- the former tuning to mist and slowly dissipating in the air. Through slowed-down instant replays, we were able to watch as the boxers' musculature flexed under their skin, which itself ripples when hit thanks to a complex variant of cloth simulation.
Gallery: Fight Night Round 4
Fall Out Boy goes on Oregon Trail, dies of starvation
We're used to winning our concert tickets by being the ninth caller or answering obscure trivia (the kind that only someone with a pillow shaped like the singer would know). The band Fall Out Boy, however, has other plans. The Illinois rockers recently rolled out a faithful parody of edutainment classic The Oregon Trail for fans to play for a chance to score passes to the band's latest North America tour.
The game, appropriately titled Fall Out Boy Trail, sets players upon a long and arduous tour that mixes together original elements, such as rationing food (band mates need delicious McNuggets and Vitamin Water to stay healthy) with Guitar Hero-style minigames that test even the quickest fingers. Unfortunately, our attempts to reach the end of the tour thus far have been felled by dehydration, constipation or the occasional zombie surfer. Still, as fun as it is the watch the pixelated band suffer at our hands, we're just as interested to read your misadventures with the alternative rock quartet in the comments below.
[Via The Escapist]
The game, appropriately titled Fall Out Boy Trail, sets players upon a long and arduous tour that mixes together original elements, such as rationing food (band mates need delicious McNuggets and Vitamin Water to stay healthy) with Guitar Hero-style minigames that test even the quickest fingers. Unfortunately, our attempts to reach the end of the tour thus far have been felled by dehydration, constipation or the occasional zombie surfer. Still, as fun as it is the watch the pixelated band suffer at our hands, we're just as interested to read your misadventures with the alternative rock quartet in the comments below.
[Via The Escapist]
Kawata: Darkside Chronicles a 'very dark' Resident Evil
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090313172259im_/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/masachika.kawata.retdc.031209-580px.jpg)
"What we're looking to do is go back to a 'very dark' style of Resident Evil," Kawata said. "'Dark' is really a key word for this game. It will be shown in horror, in the storyline, in the emotions that the characters go through." We saw examples of this as Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield fought side-by-side through a zombie ravaged Racoon City, circa Resident Evil 2.
He also explained that the development team at Cavia is "putting a lot of care, a lot of attention into [improving] how the camera system works in a rail-based shooter." This was evident in what was shown of the game's strong cinematic presentation, which included dramatic point-of-view shots of zombies feasting and the player narrowly escaping death with their partner's help. Kawata wrapped up his stint on stage saying that more information on the game would be revealed later this year, as everyone involved with the franchise is (rightly) focused on today's launch of RE5.
Joystiq at the Resident Evil 5 launch party
As if compelled by some otherworldly force, hundreds of gamers converged last night at San Francisco's Union Square. Of course, they weren't some kind of brainwashed zombie parasite-controlled mob -- they were there for Capcom's latest act of large-scale fan service, the Resident Evil 5 launch party.
The full RE5 development team, lead by producer Jun Takeuchi, was on hand for the event, joined by members of the game's motion capture cast. Oh yeah -- we were there, too. (Though we weren't sporting spiffy, personalized B.S.A.A. team jackets like the dev crew.) Screaming contests were held, cell phones were laser-etched with RE5 imagery and photos were taken as evidence of the night's activity; check 'em out in the gallery below.
The full RE5 development team, lead by producer Jun Takeuchi, was on hand for the event, joined by members of the game's motion capture cast. Oh yeah -- we were there, too. (Though we weren't sporting spiffy, personalized B.S.A.A. team jackets like the dev crew.) Screaming contests were held, cell phones were laser-etched with RE5 imagery and photos were taken as evidence of the night's activity; check 'em out in the gallery below.
Gallery: Resident Evil 5 Launch Party
Metareview -- MadWorld
You may not realize this, but MadWorld is a scathing look into the future of reality television. On today's shows we have survivors attempting to avoid madness and starvation, people who think they can dance and survivors who must dance to avoid madness and starvation (maybe we mixed that one up). MadWorld ups the ante by throwing players into a game show called Death Watch -- where winning puts $150 million in your pocket and losing puts you in the morgue. Arnold Schwarzenegger tried to warn us television would go this route ... now, it's Sega's turn.
- 1UP (A-): "The design constraints of Nintendo's system forced the developers at Platinum Games to be creative, and they followed through on their creativity by putting together a thoroughly enjoyable brawler with just the right amount of the ultra-violence."
- GamePro (90/100): "Dark, brutal and hilarious in just the right way, MadWorld is a title that has rocketed to the top of every staff member's must buy list. Don't let the fact that it's on a "kiddie console" fool you-this is one title every "hardcore" gamer needs to play, provided you're over eighteen years old, of course."
- GameTrailers (85/100): "One of the most eye-catching games to come along in a while, MadWorld is stylish, bloody, and a great fit for the Wii's controls. Though there's a surprising amount of incentive to replay it, it's barely seven hours long, so if you aren't persuaded by the novelty of extreme violence buy with caution."
- Eurogamer (70/100): "No matter how much the schoolboy-humour commentary grates, no matter how repetitive the bits in between the set-pieces start to feel and no matter how frustrating the later levels become, MadWorld provides a rush of blood to the head almost as often as it provides a rush of blood to the pavement."
Gallery: MadWorld
Free Realms introduces not-so-free subscription option
Looks like man cannot live on microtransactions alone. Sony Online Entertainment is expanding the earning potential of Free Realms by reintroducing a very familiar MMO tactic: monthly subscription fees. Yes, the game is still technically free, but there's a new premium-tier level to the service.
For $5 a month, premium members of Free Realms will be able to access 5 extra jobs, ranking on Free Realms leaderboards, three character slots and 400 extra items and quests. It appears most of the content in Free Realms will be, er, free for all -- however, we wonder how much content SOE will continue to provide for those that decide to play, but not pay.
The PC open beta for Free Realms is due next month. A PS3 version is also in the works.
[Via Massively]
For $5 a month, premium members of Free Realms will be able to access 5 extra jobs, ranking on Free Realms leaderboards, three character slots and 400 extra items and quests. It appears most of the content in Free Realms will be, er, free for all -- however, we wonder how much content SOE will continue to provide for those that decide to play, but not pay.
The PC open beta for Free Realms is due next month. A PS3 version is also in the works.
[Via Massively]
Capcom looking for San Franciscans to focus test 'secret upcoming titles'
We realize that this news likely only applies to a small portion of our readers, but if you live in the San Francisco Bay area, and are between the ages of 13 to 24, and possess hands with which to grasp and manipulate controllers, Capcom is currently accepting applicants to focus test a few "secret upcoming titles." If you are applicable under said criteria, and don't have plans next Wednesday evening, you can apply online for your chance at a few Capcom-flavored sneak peeks.
If you don't live in the San Francisco Bay area, or don't fall between the requested age barriers, or lack the required appendages, this particular news item isn't completely without relevance -- Capcom is working on secret upcoming titles. Aren't you, like, totally intrigued?
If you don't live in the San Francisco Bay area, or don't fall between the requested age barriers, or lack the required appendages, this particular news item isn't completely without relevance -- Capcom is working on secret upcoming titles. Aren't you, like, totally intrigued?
Hasselhoff taps 'celebrity card' to nab his daughter a Wii
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090313172259im_/http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/hasselwii_580.jpg)
Obviously, the store sold him the game system, and we imagine his daughter was incredibly happy that her dad used his celebrity to get it, but wouldn't it have been faster to just call up Nintendo? We heard Iwata's hooked on a feeling.