I already took the time to tell you about my favorite game from the IndieCade section of this year’s E3 show floor, but it was far from the only game on display. I have an unhealthy love for independent games — you tend to see some of the most creative and least “safe” ideas in gaming when you’re not answering to a publisher. This isn’t to say that every independent game is a winner, but IndieCade is dedicated to putting indie’s best foot forward at various high-profile gaming events, so there’s typically some choice selections on display. We got to play a few, and we share these innovators with you, after the break. Continue Reading

Earlier this morning, we reported that the release date for Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 had been moved up by a week, allowing us all to enjoy our neon explosions that much sooner. At first, we figured this could only be good news for gamers, but then we started digging around, and we noticed a few potential problems with these sudden scheduling changes. Getting games sooner may be nice for players, but is it possible that these releases could be damaging to publishers and developers? We have a few observations, after the jump. Continue Reading

I feel like I might not have gotten the proper experience out of my Alpha Protocol demonstration last week, since I didn’t employ any stealth or guile when gaining access to Sega’s E3 booth. There I was, coming in to see an espionage RPG, and I walked right in the front door with legitimate credentials. What a wasted opportunity to spark an international incident and get burned! I learned from the demo, however, that not every spy game is about lies, hiding in the shadows, and/or choking people. When you play Alpha Protocol, you too will have plenty of chances to choose between a safe, boring entry and a sneaky, underhanded one. Our preview has more details, after the jump. Continue Reading

While most of Ubisoft’s Q1 fiscal report will consist of the usual gigantic sales numbers (up 25.8% to €169 million) and a smattering bold, forward-looking statements, there’s also something for gamers to look forward to. On the last page of a press release, the international giant confirms that they will publish the formerly import-only mecha battler Armored Core: For Answer on PS3 and Xbox 360 this fall.

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Bizarre Creations let out the news this morning that Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 will be releasing a week earlier than anticipated. Originally scheduled for August 6th, the frantic neon shoot-em-up will now become available next week, on July 30th. We’re quite eager to play the full version of this game, based on the fun we had with it during E3 last week. It’s excellent that we’ll now get to do so a full week earlier than we expected, but we’ve also realized that, along with Double D Dodgeball, this is the second Xbox Live Arcade title to see an early release in as many weeks. Continue Reading

Though our last report from the company indicated that they were still afloat, there’s no question that what’s left of Flagship Studios is dangling precariously close to the water. As prognosticated in early June, most staff have been let go, further subscriptions for completed title Hellgate: London have been blocked, and work-in-progress Mythos has gone on hiatus. Meanwhile, Korean financier and online partner HanbitSoft has made public their intentions to pursue Flagship’s intellectual property, to the very doors of the bank if need be.

But amidst all this turmoil, hope springs anew. The Mythos and Hellgate forums, scheduled to die a quick death last Friday, are mysteriously still running. Community Manager Diane “Tiggs” Migliaccio told Hellgate: London players neither the forums nor the game would disappear come the end of July. And now, a representative from Namco Bandai has stepped in to say that “we’re working on it,” and that an announcement of some sort is coming. Continue Reading

Nintendo’s online offerings continue to to improve with today’s announcement of the new Wii Digital Camera Print Channel. Starting today, Japanese Wii owners can create prints, photo albums and business cards using pictures from SD memory card, and — through a new partnership with Fujifilm — have physical copies delivered directly to their home. Continue Reading

Think of it. The brain of a dead man waiting to live again in a body I made with my own hands! Now I know what it feels like to be God! Okay, so, maybe Monster Lab isn’t quite so fraught with moral dilemmas as your standard mad science story. We can still have a good time without the innocent flower girl being mauled to death, can’t we? That’s the hope, anyway, as I learned from my demo of Monster Lab last week at Eidos’ E3 booth. I was able to witness what man hath wrought in the name of science, and I share my horrifying tale after the jump. Step into my parlor… Continue Reading

Okay, so he didn’t actually use the word “casual.” But in an interview with Game|Life’s Chris Kohler, Castlevania series producer Koji Igarashi dropped a variety of hints indicating that he was less than happy with the new “3-D versus action game,” and that he feels pressured to create cheaper, more casual gaming experiences.
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Poor Sonic. Intriguing RPGs and Smash appearances aside, the blue blur has fallen on some hard times lately; he hasn’t had a solid core game since, arguably, Sonic Adventure 2, 7 years ago. I know, I’ve been checking up on him. I played Sonic Heroes, and I played Shadow the Hedgehog. I played the demo for Sonic 2006, and that was enough. Still, I’m one of those irrepressible fans, the kind who puts on a big smile and says “This time, it’ll be great!” again and again. Thus, when E3 rolled around last week and I had a chance to visit the Sega booth, I took the time to stop by and check in once again with Sonic and his upcoming adventure, Sonic Unleashed. As a result, I’m not willing to give up hope just yet. Impressions after the jump. Continue Reading