Ubisoft showed this scene with no set up and no announcement at their Ubidays Conference today. While clever game journalists were quick to identify “The Pig” as Uncle Pey’j from Beyond Good & Evil, theres very little happening in this preview. Is the unseen woman with the umbrella Jade? Wheres the aliens? Wasn’t their world mostly covered with water?
Its possible that the game isn’t not going to be called “Beyond Good & Evil 2” but without a doubt, we’re actually getting a sequel. Fans, you actually won this one. Ubisoft listened to demand and now even though BG&E wasn’t a platnium seller, we’re going to get a next gen follow up. Lets make sure this one sells well so we won’t have to spend 4+ years worrying about whether the story gets told.

I’ve touched on this a few times with the topic of feminism in games, but I think this guy does the topic justice more than I have.

After the cut, another video Daniel Floyd made about Storytelling.
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OK, it still has some talking and obvious cut scene stuff, but its mostly slashing.
New character Hilde is shown to some extent in this trailer, but with 30 total playable characters confirmed, this isn’t nearly enough to satisfy all. Soul Calibur IV will be available July 29 in North America.

OK, so Guitar Hero is going the Rock Band route and introducing drums. I wasn’t eager to see this, as I don’t think my living room needs another drum kit. But after watching this video where Travis Barker, Chad Smith, and Stewart Copeland scrutinize the set, I’m eager to at least try it out. Will Guitar Hero reclaim the crown from all the Rock Band devotees? Hard to say, but Activision isn’t fooling around.

Following the cut are the press release and debut trailer [Read the rest of this entry…]

It has been over TWO YEARS since I spoke about Beyond Good & Evil 2! I’d forgotten about it, and simply chalked the lack of news to it being a bad rumor.
Well creator Michel Ancel hasn’t forgotten, and according to JeuxVideo (another French site!): Beyond Good & Evil 2 en préproduction. Why hasn’t it been officially announced? Ubisoft hasn’t given it the greenlight. This cult hit from last gen didn’t make the publisher the kind of money they wanted so they’re hesitant. I think gamers are getting more savvy and a theres not reason a cult game can’t become a big hit, like Bioshock did only a year ago.

Never played the classic original? You’re in luck. GameTap has it available now, and its available on PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, and PC, so you have to be able to play it on something you’ve got there. Its an action adventure in the same mold as Zelda with great characters, puzzles, acting, gameplay variety, and art direction. Its actually better than Wind Waker.

It doesn’t matter much that the Silver PS3 has never been released in the US, or that the concept “boomerang” controller never made it to production. The Transportation Security Administration has deemed this as potentially dangerous as the original Xbox, a camcorder or… what is that, a humidifier?
General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee won’t stand for you simply leaving these senseless items in your bag. Bust ’em out and get them in a bin. But be careful, that security guard asked you to take off your shoes probably so you can’t run when he declares that the PS3 hates freedom and takes your mythical boomerang and box into custody.

I won’t kid you: I’m not a huge Rare fan. Loved Donkey Kong Country, but I didn’t grab on to any of their N64 titles, and their debut efforts for the Xbox 360 weren’t my cup of tea either. However, I do like a good platformer, and I’m willing to give Banjo a shot. Its coming in November and they’ve released a gameplay montage to show off the new vehicle building, driving, and flying. Looks like you can get pretty creative!
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I was out of town for the weekend, and imagine my surprise when I caught up with GameTrailers on Spike that the first in game footage of Gears Of War 2 had been released. No short cutscene or render, this is gameplay from the third chapter of the first act called Assault. Gears master and geek pinup Cliffy B introduces the game, which looks great.

Looks great. Can’t wait to play it. The main game of the first Gears was spectacular, and tossing in some new mechanics like using enemies as a shield and chainsaw duels will only make the new one better. Graphics looks the same, but thats hardly a complaint. Delta Squad returns in November.